Summerlin Institute Class of 1956

News and Other Tidbits

Charles continues to make progress. He goes to cardiac rehab at Watson Clinic three times a week and tolerates that quite well. He started to drive again last week, which helpedÊboost his spirits considerably, although he has driven nowhere exceptÊto the Rehab Center for his sessions.

To everyone who was in attendance at our 50th reunion: I still am on cloud 9 about those who did attend! I was on such a nostalgia trip during the entire weekend and hope everyone who attended enjoyed it as much as I did! I wanted to write individual notes to everyone but have had my own share of distractions in the last 4 to 6 weeks and haven't accomplished that! Please know that it was so great seeing each and every one of you! Those who did not attend (especially the ones here locally who could easily have attended) missed a real treat! I know that Charles and Kay O'Reilly were not able to attend for medical reasons and I send the most heartfelt sentiments to them and others who couldn't participate for medical reasons. I love each and everyone of you and want you to know that! In addition, those faculty members who were in attendance...how special to have each one of you there! God loves you all (classmates and teachers alike) and so do I! Thank you so much for making our 50th class reunion such a success...can't wait for the next reunion! Sincerely and lovingly, Betty Shiver Coker

Hope this find everyone well and enjoying the summer.

Shellie Wallace Duncan has 4 more chemo treatments to go, and is having a few unpleasant side effects -- besides very low energy for 3 or 4 days after a treatment, then feels reasonably good until the next one. What a vicious circle.

Ken Allen is in Jacksonville at the Shands Medical Center for proton radiation treatments for prostate cancer. He will be home every weekend.

Ronnie Jones is progressing nicely. He's gaining weight, eating everything in sight, and in Physical Therapy to regain his muscle tone.

Charles Bragg had a quad bypass last month. Brenda Bragg sends this update: "Charles is making progress - perhaps more in baby steps, rather than long strides at this time, but progress just the same. His last home visit with the physical therapist is Monday. I will then call Watson Clinic to schedule his stress test with the cardiologist for a workup to determine how his thrice weekly monitored rehab at that facility will be set up. He continues to lose weight. As of yesterday he weighed 136 pounds, down from 165 prior to surgery. There is still a long way to go, but he is heading in the right direction."

Sylvia Alford Blanchard is on pain medication all the time now because of severe back problems. She and Bob recently adopted two Shitz zhu (sp.?) puppies to keep them busy.

Mrs. Dozier had quite a party for her 100th birthday the end of July. Dolores' family were all there, and several of our classmates dropped in to say hello. Charlene Cronier was there to present a proclamation of the intent of the Class of '56 to fund and purchase a stained glass window for Mr. Dozier's old office. You'll be hearing more about this from Charlene. (Watch for news on the web site also.)

Dolores and Don hosted a lunch for some of us in August -- Burnham and Lois Lott, Chet and Betty Ann Collins, and Richard and me. We try and get together at least once a year during the summer as we live within two hours of each other.

All for now.....MJ

Classmates, Class of '56: The 50th reunion is over, and the beat goes on. Thoughts for you consideration:

• Mary Jean and Reunion Committee should be thanked for their good works.
• S.L. Frisbee made a great contribution to our program. Thanks for his effort.
• Responding to motion on the floor, those present voted to meet for reunion in 5 years, (2011).
• By straw vote, support was inconclusive for including other classes in reunion. An attempt to reach some majority agreement before 2011 will be made locally.
• Bob Hill raised the question of a class project with all members name on paving bricks at the school. He agreed to chair a committee to look into this. We will hear from him when he has information.
• Charlene Cronier Powell also has a possible class project in mind. She will look into this and likewise gather information as to details for the class to consider.

I don't know how we can top this 50th reunion, but we will try in 2011 - by a unanimous vote!!!!

Please e mail me your best pictures of the reunion, especially the banquet, as I didn't get time to take a single one......

Bob Hill will be in touch about the paver project for the high school, whereby every class has an opportunity to purchase pavers for the new flagpole location.

Thanks again to all the committee for their input and willingness to take on any job: Chet, for the memory books; Betty Shiver Coker for the t shirts, name tags, invitation to the teachers for the brunch; Harry Griffin for his marvelous brunch program, securing the caterer and the delicious meal; Ralph Price for his securing the Country Club, caterers for both the cookout and the banquet, and espcially for his knowledge of everyone's kin when we were trying to locate so many people; Mike Marchman for his continued diligence with the bank account, printing copies of all the responses and mailing them to Chet and me; Betty Jane Porter Cheshire for her decorating expertise; Shellie Wallace Duncan for printing the reunion package you received; and our dear Ronnie Jones for being at the meetings, even with his heart stimulator just before the surgery, inspiring us with his courage and amusing us with his dry humor. They are the ones who really deserve the credit for making it all come together.

Keep Ronnie and Shellie in your prayers as they face serious health issues, and may God grant we all meet again.

GOOD MORNING TO EVERYONE,

First of all I would love to tell all of the committee what a beautiful job you did on organizing the 50th class reunion. It was great, the food was almost as good as home made. Indescribable; decorations, great menus and good company. Thanks again for a job well done.

It was great seeing everyone again. I tried not to sit and talk to just one group, hope I got to speak to everyone. There were very few I did not know on sight. If I missed speaking to you AND hugging your neck, it was not my intention. Sure glad my husband is not a jealous person. Hope everyone had a fast and safe trip home.

After we got home, we pulled out all of the papers and books that have been kept over the years. Should have done that before we went, but was too busy trying to pack for a long week away from home. In digging through the papers realized I must have missed the 20th reunion. There was one which there were only about 6-8 that went to the beach in Clearwater. I had tried to get everyone together after returning from FSU. Needless to say I was the only girl and cannot remember anyone else by Ronnie Jones, George Lucius and a BAD sun burn. I was in the hospital during the 20th reunion. Someone sent me a copy of the classmate addresses updates, with notes from most of ones there..

June 11, 1966
The 10th = picnic at Peace River Park Bartow, banquet Morrison's in Lakeland

June 1976
The 20th = I have no information on

June 20, 1986
The 30th = cook out Peace River Country Club Bartow , brunch Davis Brothers Bartow, banquet Cleveland Heights Country Club, Lakeland.

April 20, 1996
The 40th = cook out Peace River Country Club Bartow, brunch Peace River Country Club Bartow, banquet Peace River Country Club Bartow

April 28, 2006
The 50th = cook out Peace River Country Club Bartow, brunch Bartow High School lunch room, banquet Peace River Country Club Bartow

WE have moved above Crystal River or West of Dunnellon right on the Lake=River. It is almost like a bed and breakfast. Always have someone coming and staying. Should any of you have an opportunity and would like to come, just give us a call. Would love it. Almost as easy to find as we were in Valrico.

See ya soon we hope.