Class Notes feelings. “Your performance and professionalism at the inaugural parade Friday, Jan. 20, 2017, was unsurpassed. You were the finale and, in retrospect, for good reason. Your lines were correct; your bearing and dress with overcoats, distinctive red capes, cross dykes and weapons immaculate. The sheer size of the Corps marching in battalion mass was stunning. This was a long day with myriad operational details accomplished by the Corps. I thought you were the most impressive unit in the parade. You made the Institute family so very proud.” Amen! Cardiac rehab was started, and I hope to be back in shape in a couple of months. I tire easily but managed to stay alert for the second annual 1961 lunch at the Waypoint Grill in Williamsburg. In attendance were: Bev Scott; Stu and Sylvia Woodcock; Irv Wells and his son, Mitch Wells ’94; Ken and Sue Patrick; Sal and Sue Vitale; Larry and Jerri Wetsel; Willard Hoskins; Bill and Connie Nelms; Jim and Blair Bickford; Dick Youngblood; Ray Hanlein; Barbara Jean LeFon; Russell Stone; Kenny Legum; Larry Williams; Bill and Joyce Gibbings; Oscar and Caroline Mabry; Ashby and Sandra Taylor; Geraldine Nicholas Moore; John “J.C.” Tharrington; Bill Daniels; Larry and Joann Respess; and Lou and Pris Shuba. Jim Bickford said grace, and the prayer was inspiring. Sylvia Woodcock created the beautiful table flowers. After lunch, several of us visited the grave of Denis Nicholas, who is buried in the cemetery in Williamsburg. Clayton Smith has been working very hard organizing the Amelia Island golf outing. Clayton conferred with Dickey Stone at Mr. P’s restaurant in Southport to insure that the little details were taken care of. Unfortunately, we will have to wait for the next Review to 54
Class of 1961: At the Institute Society Dinner in the Center for Leadership and Ethics Nov. 11, 2016, were, from left, first row, Richards, Hirsch, Vitale and Fridley. Row 2: Gouldthorpe. Row 3: Tharrington, Reitz, Lynch and Ed Hollowell. Row 4: Harbach. Row 5: Alligood, J.C. Miller and Clarkson. Row 6: Wilkinson, Woodcock. Row 7: Gibbings, Wetsel and Ayala.
Class of 1961: Golfing in Southport, Mississippi, Jan. 24, 2017, were, from left, Rhett Clarkson, Don Wilkinson, J.C. Miller and Bob Polk.
see who came and what went on. Same for the Key West gathering and class cruise. Hopefully, someone will take pictures. Tom and Faye Bradshaw are downsizing. Tom sold his store building on Main Street, a commercial building and two houses. Next, Tom hopes to sell the cabin where we had our 35th Reunion lunch and the renovated caboose. Anyone interested should contact Tom. The city of Lexington will have an official town clock donated by Tom, enthusiastic collector of antique clocks and watches, and Faye. The clock is a large, two-dial Howard Post Clock set atop a 9-foot, 8-inch base, for a total height of about 15-and-a-half feet. The clock, made by the Electric Time Co. in Medford, Massachusetts, will be painted black and designed in an 1890 style to match the restored downtown. The clock will have two faces and be powered by a solar panel. The approved location is at 218 South Main Street. This is not the first time Tom and Faye helped the city look better. They were responsible for installing flower baskets on light poles. The ’61 Villages brother rats always have something going on, and on Thanksgiving, they gathered together to share time with fellow BR Jim Harrison, and then had cocktails at the Copenhavers’ followed by dinner at the Arnold Palmer Country Club. Those attending were Dude and Kathy Copenhaver, Lee and Betsey Badgett, George and Edna Henning, Stu and Lee Crow, and Jim Harrison, along with Jim’s brother, Richard, and a friend, Mary. Doug Popp said the snow is blowing like a banshee and the roads are totally covered. The local “nuts” are out showing everyone their total disregard for their ability to read highway signs and follow speed limit directions. The “local VMI Alumni Review