SUMMER BLAST WITH CLASSMATES

ON A HOT SUMMER EVENING
Monday, August 10, classmates came together for an evening of fun, sharing conversations about the past and present. We were pleased to have Judy Lauver and husband Ray Lightner, Sandy Long Veddar,and Pat Shirley join us for the very first time. Classmates were pleased that Sandy made time to spend with us at our get together, traveling from Arizona to visit her mother. We were honored by the presence of her mother Ruth Long, joining us for the evening. It is always a great feeling when classmates show up for the first time and continue to return creating a bond with our family of classmates.

Jenny talked about as we turn the age of 65, we become an official "SENIOR CITIZEN" regardless how young we look or feel. Also, she spoke about the benefits of being a senior citizen from information received from Benefits & Rights for Older Pennsylvanians booklet and Blair Senior Services.Such as Federal Income Tax Preparation, Property Tax/Rent Rebate, Reduced Motor Vehicle Registration, and Legal Assistance by a lawyer in making Wills, Power of Attorney, and Living Wills. Laughter filled the room as she told jokes about problems that senior citizens experience.

The highlight of the evening was when Kenny Brubaker surprised Bob Himes with a folder of Bob's school papers from twelfth grade. With Bob's permission, Jenny read a paper that Bob wrote about his "PHILOSOPHY of LIFE" for English Class. We were amazed that at the age of 17, Bob Himes knew exactly what life was all about and what it would take to become a successful business man and citizen of a community. "HAT'S OFF" to Bob Himes, for living out his Philosophy of life and full filling his dream as a farmer and business man as he has done.
Our next Get together is September 14, 2009. Come and get to know the people you went to school with. They could become your best friend.

CLASSMATES MEET IN JULY

A total of 32 classmates and spouses attended our monthly get together for July. After dinner, we joined the waitresses in singing "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to Judy Helsley Patterson. We didn't have fire works to celebrate Independents Day that evening, but it was a celebration of recognition for me. I was astounded when Bob Hostler presented me with a beautiful necklace and a monetary gift from my classmates. The necklace is a heart with 2 diamond chips, my birthstone of amethyst with a 1962 banner for the year we graduated.
WHAT A SURPRISE! Thank you all! I will wear it with pride and be reminded how each of you have touched my heart in your own special way. I am truly blessed to be a part of the B-A Class of '62. I earnestly enjoy entertaining and organizing different functions for you my classmates.

After I got my breath and came down from the clouds I read "A Special Poem for Older Folk's" about the color of pills we take and what each one is for. Then we stimulated our brain as we travel back to 1962. We talked about things that happened in that year that made history. Number one movies, songs, dances, TV shows, and sports. Also, we discussed the cost of cars, houses, gasoline, and food compared to today's prices.

An open invitation stands for all classmates of the Class of '62. Come and join us and rekindle old friendships. We meet the second Monday of the month at Hoss's in Altoona, PA.

This is a picture of my beautiful necklace. Your thoughtfullness is greatly appreciated. I love you all.

A gift from the class of '62

Classmates CRUISE down the POTOMAC RIVER

"CRUISING DOWN THE RIVER" Friday morning, June 12, we boarded a Bollman Tour Bus at the Bellwood-Antis High School parking lot at 7:45 AM traveling to Alexandria, VA. We watched the movie "Marlie and Me" on the bus. Arriving in Alexandria, VA we then boarded Nina Dandy Cruise Ship and cruised down the Potomac River taking in the historical sights along the way. After a delicious three course luncheon on the ship, we went to the upper deck to relax and enjoy the 3 hour cruise. What a beautiful day! The sky was bright blue and painted with big, white, fluffy clouds. The weather couldn't have been any nicer for cruising. After the cruise the bus driver dropped us off at Market Square in the middle of Old Town Alexandria for an hour for sight seeing and shopping. Several of the group just relaxed in the shade at Market Square while others walked the streets browsing in little shops for souvenirs. The bus picked us up around 4:30 PM and we headed towards home. Jenny entertained the group with story telling jokes. We stopped in Fredrick, MD at the Golden Corral for a buffet dinner. The waitress sang
"HAPPY BIRTHDAY" to Darlene Thomas Detwiler, Jack Oswald, and Tom Del Mastro.
What a wonderful time had by all.

CLASSMATES MEET IN MAY

Monday evening May 11, Johnny Moffa and wife Bonnie came up from Delaware to join the group at Hoss's. That was a surprise to us all. John (Kenny) Wagner and wife Carol joined us for the first time this year. It is great to get together and reminisce about our school days and how times have changed. A total of 38 had a great time with our Wrinkle Therapy session as we laughed at the jokes that were told. We sang Happy Birthday to Connie Edmiston Isenberg while the waitress presented her with a small birthday cake.
Our high school English teacher Mr. Howard Walker, age 84 passed away May 14, after having some heart problems recently. The class of '62 thought a lot of Mr. Walker that we dedicated our year book to him. Ruth Miller and Jenny Showalter representing the Class of '62 attended the Memorial Service held for him.
The class group will not be meeting in June for dinner at Hoss's. We will be boarding a Bollman Tour bus traveling to Alexandria, VA to board a dinner cruise ship and cruise down the Potomac River to take in the historial sights of Washington, DC.

SPRING BONNETS

CELEBRATING SPRING WITH FASHION: Monday evening, April 13th, Classmates assembled at Hoss’s. for another fun filled evening. The females wore spring bonnets they designed for the occasion. The bonnets were all beautiful and unique. Hoss’s waitresses were our judges for choosing the prize winners. Thanks to all the girls for making and wearing a bonnet for the celebration of spring. The winner were:
Kathie Cross McConnell First Place,
Judy Carothers Second Place,
Nancy Helsley Third Place,
Judy Helsley Paterson’s most traditional,
Ruth Conrad Miller’s most unique.
Classmates celebrating birthdays in April are Jeanie Berkstresser, Randy Johnson and Suzanne Stehley. We sang Happy Birthday to Suzanne while Hoss’s presented her with an individual birthday cake to take home.
Kenny Brubaker’s wife Sue shared a story with the group entitled, "And It’s Winter before You Know It." A story about how time has a way of moving quickly and catching you unaware of the passing years.
Merle Barger and wife Patricia joined the group for their first time and enjoyed the evening very much along with the others making a total of 38 in attendance.