A Lost and found Blog from Linda...

Thursday May 1, 2008.. 
Wow, it is hard to believe we are under mark for 100 days. It will be here before we know it.  I have really enjoyed the journey. These past few weeks have been busy for me as I finished a college class, and then went west to watch my son graduate from college.  The search continues....
Mark Landers finally got back from his espionage mission and retrieved his top secret messages.  After listening to his telephone message, he decided that another mission was in order and he joined us in finding lost classmates. He called and spoke with Henry Orszula, David Lemacks and Larry Kambas?? In any case I had given up on both.  Craig Inabinett sent some clues our way to help with other classmates Mike Williams whom I believe we have found, but can't be sure until he decides to respond.  I think he is on a secret mission also. We will wait to see if he makes it home safe. This past week I made calls to Bill & Theresa Moody, Starley Johnson, Kathy Miller, Terri Jackson, Nathaniel Hunter, Sissy Starr, Annette Heyward,  and Reginald Smith(not sure if this is the correct one, but it is the only Regiinald Smith in Charleston).  I emailed others for their addresses and received many different responses.. a big Thank you for your help here as this old woman is beginning to tire.. but don't worry I will visit my spa of rejuvination before the reunion so you won't think I'm as old as you are! 
I spoke with Jean Lowe's x and her mother. She has declined to come. I left a messages on Nancy' Kneisley's cell (after speaking with her mother) and Traci Driggers.  

You would think you could find a Senator's son.. but with unlisted phone numbers etc... it can be trickly.. so if you have an inroad to Senator Hollings and can reach Fritz.. maybe we will have some luck. 

David Fabian was going to contact his cousin Mike Fabian, and Danny Sillivant helped me with  Lenny White. 

That's about all I can remember. Thank yoy to everyone who has helped with the journey thus far. I hope everyone finds their own sort of joy at the reunion and beyond. 

The flyers should go out this weekend and then we will begin working on other aspects of the reunion. :)


Thursday March 20, 2008

I spent a good deal of time yesterday calling and speaking with you. I enjoyed my time with Valentina Wigfall. Thanks to her I uncrossed my eyes and corrected a few mistakes.  :)  I called and left messages with Schelle Bruce, spoke with Robyn Boone's x and passed along some information for him to share with her.  I have tried to find Katherine Turner without much success. Bonnie Neel and I enjoyed sharing some fun memories.  It is amazing to me how speaking with someone brings back so many memories. I did not know her well, but upon speaking with her I remembered being in shorthand class with her. Deborah Thornton's husband was very polite and said Deborah will be getting in touch soon. 
      In the last couple of weeks, I have enjoyed speaking with Ramona Lamb, Carolyn Gibbs, Nannette French, Kimberly Blayton, Lisa Inabinet, Kathy Ott, Becky Creel, Tammy Wilson,  
 I have exchanged emails with Terry Zey's brother, David,
I have left messages for Gail Knight, Cathy Miller, Jerry Knight, Traci Driggers, Pearline Johnson, Leisa Lawrence, and Sue Trobaugh.
Others found include Lisa James, Jean Lowe?, Sherry Boyer, Brenda Frazier... you should listen to her voice mail.. it is very calming:) 

I know that Yvette Gadsden works at the Wal-Mart on Folley. If someone could stop in and let her know?  I don't have any other information so this is the only way I know to let her know at this time. 

Thanks to Chuck Cook.. ... A good many people tell me when I call that they heard about it from their UPS Man!  How about that.  Chuck is doing a fantastic job! I sure hope we will be abel to see him and tell him thanks!  

That's all for now.  I hope everyone has a wonderful Easter! 
I do want to say, that I realize that many of you have concerns about coming to spend time with people you don't really know.  Well. it's time to get to know them.. Use the website to reconnect. and ask yourself?  Do I love myself enough to allow myself to reach out and care about classmates from my childhood?  Am I able to talk with others and remember the good parts of my life. IT WILL REENERGIZE YOU! .... for those who do not drink or do not drink heavily in social situation, please be aware that I'm coming .... to be with you, to exchange smiles, hugs, memories and laughter.  Life will carry us when we allow it's energy within us. A 30 year reunion is a place to receive energy, renew yourself, renew others, and move forward into the future.  That is what graduation was about. That is what a reunion is about. It's a rite of passage not to be missed!  I sure hope you will come and talk to as many people as you can! 
Lot's of love to everyone... I hope so to see you there.  Linda

In Memory of…

Msgt Raymond J. Harder   1960- 2007 
Anthony (Toni) Lanza   
Iris Baker 
Linda D. Blackman 
Robert (Steve) Grasso   1960- 1998
William Gomperts 
David Barnes 
Sharon Jones (Maffia).. 1961 - 1-13-2008 
Ronald Scott
David Carter
Zedikiah Grady
Allison Avinger Lynch  1960-1994
Freddie Sanford
Jamie Bauknight
Walter S. Beckman
Susan Lisk 
James Crull Jr..

Teachers
Mrs. Mary S. Wilson
Mr. Nolie Grooms
Mrs. Juanita Brown
Mr. Richardson
Mr. David Berning
Mrs. B.J. Clements
Mr. Bill McGrath

 
Here is an article from Reverend Ed Pettus' church newsletter that I liked and thought you would too...

From the Pastor’s Desk…

About a month ago I received a call from a high school classmate who was calling to tell me about our thirty year reunion planned for this summer – the class of 1978, St. Andrews Parish High School in Charleston, SC.   Thirty years since high school seems forever ago to me (I know some of you older than I laugh at that).  Thirty years ago was a different life.  I was not a Christian while in high school, just a normal teen with all the problems of life between childhood and adulthood.  I look forward to renewing friendships that have long ago been set aside as we moved on to different paths. 

One of the things that has hit home is the list of classmates who have died over the last thirty years.  Some I knew better than others, but all shared in the identity of the class of ’78.  Still others from our class we have not been able to find.  What ever happened to them? 

As I have shared in the lives of people in the church, those in their 70’s and 80’s often share the loss of friends and family.  One of the most painful things in life is seeing those dear to us pass away.  We are reminded through our losses that God has promised eternal life for those who have gone on before us, and for us as well.  God has promised to be with us through all our joys and pains of this life.  God has given us friends and family as a blessing.  We are thankful for those God gave in our lives, but we are also saddened when they are gone.  Ecclesiastes says: “For everything there is a season, and a time for every matter under heaven: a time to be born, and a time to die…a time to weep, and a time to laugh, a time to mourn, and a time to dance…” (3:1-2, 4).  We will do all those things from Ecclesiastes and yet seldom, in the moment, do we realize how treasured our time is with those we love and share friendship. 

Let us remember to thank God for our relationships with one another, but most importantly to thank God for our relationship with Jesus Christ.  Let us nurture that relationship as it will enhance all our relationships.  Peace.

•     I used the list from the 1978 Pelican, which I have discovered was not 100% accurate, but it was what I had. I live in Wisconsin, and did everything I could to locate as many people as I could with the help of the reunion committee. Many of us have scattered across the U.S.
•     I used the graduation list from 1978 graduation ceremony. Of this list I have discovered several classmates did not graduate in May, but rather in August after summer school. I did not have a list of the August graduates. A few also graduated early in December of 77.
•     I relied on the word of mouth.. or snowball effect to get the word out the best I could. For some, it has happened for others it has not.  It is still happening. :)
• I relied on members who knew of the site to help supply me with pertinent information about classmates that were listed on the Lost and Found Page as Lost. I sent out emails, I sent out questions.. ..etc.