CLASS NOTES Class of 1974: Bob Moore Memorial Weekend at VMI
From left, as they appear: T.J. Wilson, Mike Morrissett, Mike Foley, Snap Carlock, Lane Toomey, Anita “Magic” Moore, Pete Shelley, Hall Brodie, Pat Flynn, Tim Bosse, Randy Gleason, Gus Elliott, Gene Williams, Charley Banning and Snookie Parker.
From left, front row: Herby Harlow, Snookie Parker, Anita “Magic” Moore, Robert “Beefo” Taylor, Pat Flynn and Steve Ham. Row 2: Mike Foley, John Smithey, Randy Gleason, Henry Moncure, Tom Puskas, Mean Gene and T.J. Wilson. Rows 3 and 4: Gus Elliott, Tim Bosse, Donnie Ross (partially obscured), professor Dan Barr, Snapper Carlock, Bob Benninger, Pete Shelley, Lt. Col. (almost retired) Bob Johnson, Hall Brodie, Al Beaty, Donnie Cumberland and Charley Banning. Also present but not pictured: Mike Morrissett, Red Undercoffer and Lane Toomey. Alan Vicory writes from his “snow bird” location – a Florida home in The Villages near Orlando. He sent a picture of his new red, white and yellow “fuel-injected, VMI themed” golf cart (the preferred mode of travel by the seniors at The Villages). While at The Villages, Al puts up the VMI garden flag (kind of like the Queen’s flag that flies over the castle where she is in residence). Al reports that another VMI-themed white golf cart is on site as well. Al and Kathy have met several VMI people at The Villages and have been socializing with Walt Chalkley and Rick Hack, both members of the Class of ’72. Al is still working, and the consulting firm for which he works, Stantec, is treating him wonderfully.
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They allow him to work where he wishes and do what he wishes. What a gig! Thanks for the note, Al. Look forward to seeing you and Kathy at the reunion. I understand in September Judge Bill Minor makes a trek to the Tidewater area for an annual judge’s conference. This year’s Class of 1974 Tidewater Breakfast Club “Here Comes the Judge” dinner was held at the Havana Nights Jazz Club. Attending were Bill and Leslie Minor, Bill and Deborah-Renee Pennypacker, Paul and Rose Van Doren, and Chip Beaman. The club’s Grand PooBah, Paul Van Doren, said the food was superb, and the group preferred to remain at the dinner table and chat rather than move into
the jazz lounge. They were having so much fun that Bill Pennypacker announced he would have Deborah take him to Havana Nights for his birthday. Unfortunately, after only two years in operation, the club closed weeks after the “Here Comes the Judge” dinner. I understand the paparazzi were not allowed into the jazz club, therefore no photos were provided! Grand PooBah Van Doren has alerted breakfast club members that they will not have their May dinner since the reunion will be in April. Instead, the club will have some sort of cookout in June. Thanks for the note, Paul. See you and Rose at the reunion. Apparently, there is life after retirement, or so says John Savage. Ann and John finally did what they had been discussing for the last five years – cross-country on motorcycles to the West Coast and return. During 22 days in September, they took a pair of BMW touring bikes and traveled 5,944 miles off and on Route 66 as well as a side trip to the Grand Canyon. They experienced high winds on the High Plains, high temperatures on the High Desert, the Cadillac Ranch, Graceland and the Pacific Coast Highway. Wow, what a trip! I understand John and Ann are planning next year's trip to the Natchez Trace Parkway! I say bring your bikes to the reunion in April! Awesome! As of this writing, several BRs have indicated intent to travel to Charleston for the Citadel game: Pat and Sue Flynn, George and Anna Van Laethem, Mark and Michelle Prentice, John and Ann Savage, Donnie and Barbara Ross, and yours truly. There may be others … final tally will be reported in the next set of class notes! Reminder to all – plan to attend our 40th Reunion: April 25-26, 2014. To those BRs who attended our 35th – don’t come alone – bring a wingman to the 40th. Reunion information is forthcoming. In general, it will be a relatively inexpensive, casual weekend with a D.J. instead of bands and a buffet instead of sit-down dinner. I have secured the Best Western Plus Inn at Hunt Ridge, where we were last reunion for those that attended. It has 99 rooms – I expect our class will fill it up. Tentative plans include: cocktails for early arrivals Thursday evening, place to be determined. Friday, the hospitality suite will be in operation, followed by registration, golf for the men and a jewelry luncheon for the ladies. Then, in the evening, drinks and heavy hors d’oeuvres in Moody Hall, with a return to the hospitality suite after. On Saturday, there will be a memorial service, class photo, parade and free time followed up by a casual barbecue dinner at McKethan Park and a return to the hospitality suite. On Sunday, there will be a farewell brunch, place to be determined. I will be calling on some BRs to assist with planning and execution. It’s going to be a good one – be there! Again, don’t come alone – bring a wingman!
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