55TH REUNION HERE WE COME!
10:00 OPTIONAL BUS TOUR – “Wilmington Then & Now”* — CANCELLED, sorry for any inconvenience.
11:30 CLASS PHOTO ON STEPS*
11:45 TOUR OF SCHOOL
12:30 SUB & SODA LUNCH IN CAFETERIA*
6:00 CASH BAR – WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB (Coat & Tie required)
7:00 BUFFET DINNER – WILMINGTON COUNTRY CLUB (Coat & Tie required)
*Separate costs for optional bus tour and lunch. We estimate $5 for each.
Class Photo will be a separate cost and ordered through Dick Dubroff.
***TIME TO SEND IN YOUR MONEY***
The reunion committee would appreciate receiving your check to cover the cost of dinner as soon as possible. Checks should be made payable to P. S. duPont Class of ’59 and mailed to:
Bob Rickards
11 Benton Court
Wilmington, DE 19810
Phone Bob if you have any questions 302-475-5803 or email to rbrdtr@aol.com
Rooms at the Doubletree Hotel have been reserved ($109.00 plus tax) for our out of town classmates. For reservations, go to http://www.doubletree.hilton/wilmington.com, or phone 1-800-222-8733 or 302-478-6000.
Be well, be safe, be giving!
Jürgen Thewes Annual Thanksgiving Wishes
Dear Former Classmates,
Happy Thanksgiving!
Edeltraud and I do hope that you all are in the best of health and that you will be able to celebrate Thanksgiving with your families and friends. It is your most important holiday, we understand, and on this occasion most of you will be able to return home. Have a wonderful family reunion and happy hours.
55 years ago, when I was hosted by the Harry C. Watson family during my AFS exchange year, we had been invited by the Watsons’ relatives on a farm in Maryland where we enjoyed a fantastic Thanksgiving meal. I hadn’t experienced anything like that, and I hadn’t tasted meat of a turkey at all. The turkey was a real big one, its meat and stuffing just delicious. Even today I’m very grateful for that Thanksgiving holiday. In 1993 when we visited the United States for the second time I succeeded in finding that farm again. 34 years had gone by. However, Doug Watson’s uncle recognised me at once. He looked at me and instinctively said ‘Oh, you were the boy staying with the Watsons!’ An unforgettable moment in my life. By those relatives we learned where to find my former host brother Doug Watson and his sisters, Nancy and Gail. Already in 1992 we had searched for them, but without success. In 1993, just a day before we had to leave the United States again, Edeltraud and I met Gail and her husband Don for the first time after that long period of time. What a wonderful reunion! And that’s the reason we returned every year. Of course, we had met Trudy and my second host mother, Mrs. Anne Said, in 1992 already.
This year was an extremely busy one: A lot of friends celebrated their 70th birthday, our nephew Thomas married and had an unforgettable wedding celebration. Our niece Sabine acquired a new home pretty close to us. Our travel highlights were not only trips to Austria to live at our second home for a while, but we also experienced new forms of traveling. A combined flight and cruise led us to the Canary Islands and to Madeira. Aboard a gigantic cruise liner with 1800 passengers we started at Tenerife, were taken to Funchal on Madeira, then back to the Canary Islands. It turned out to be excursions into the world of volcanoes. After docking, buses took us into the interior of the island to watch gigantic craters or calderas. Lovely vegetation was everywhere, banana trees, all sorts of flowers and fruit. We enjoyed the cruise ship AIDAsol — nice, our cabin, and very nice hours aboard. 8 days of highly interesting sightseeing and decent weather.
Meanwhile, I’m in charge of our former teacher’s wife. That takes a lot of time and requires continuous administrative work. Fortunately, a former schoolmate and I try to manage the heritage.
At his end of May, we started for another trip to southern Italy. This time it was a combined flight and bus trip to Bari on the Adriatic Sea from where we were taken to Alberobello in Puglia (name of the province situated in the ‘heel’ of Italy). That small town is world heritage because of special kind of houses. They are built in a circle by stone plates without any mortar. Their roofs are cones (false vaults). In former times you might have considered them pretty primitive, but today they are tourist attractions. We then started for exploration of the province which is famous for its millions of olive trees. You may find walnut, cherry and almond trees as well. As to the highlights of that country, we visited wonderful cathedrals and castles. One of the outstanding monuments was Castel del Monte, an octagon which had been erected by Emperor Frederick II of Suebia in the 13th century. Having been placed on a hill, it is overlooking the landscape for about 20 miles. Not less impressive were the Romanesque cathedrals with outstanding sculptural works. I should have had much more time for photographing, but today you ask yourself ‘What for are you doing this?’
Well, during July and October we went down south to Austria again. There we enjoyed ‘Indian summer’. But the trip is quite a distance (725 miles) not to be covered in one day any longer; i. e., you have to stay some place for the night. We are always happy after our return not having been involved in long traffic jams or even accidents.
At home it’s time for clearing up our garden. That takes a lot of time, and the weather is not favourable right now. To summarize, I’ve got little time to do some writing. I do regret that I’m not able to constantly keep up contact with you.
Finally, Edeltraud and I want to send you ‘Season’s Greetings’ and all good wishes for the year to come. Perhaps we’ll make it for the 55th class reunion next year. We do hope to see you then.
With our warmest regards,
E. + J.Thewes
——
“A lot of people remember that as being the best time of their lives.”
Bob Clayton reflects on American Bandstand and the passing of Dick Clark 4/18/2012
Libbie Sommers Soffer Art Exhibition
Dear friends,
Mixed Media Installation
My art installations have been chosen to be part of FIBERPHILADELPHIA 2012, a biennial showing of new fiber art forms throughout the city and suburbs.
Please join me for the following shows:
“ SEEING RED” group show
Penn State Univ, The Gallery/Great Valley/30 E. Swedesford Rd
Opening Reception, Thurs, Jan 26, 6 – 8pm ( I won’t be there)
Jan 17 – Feb 24, M – F, 9am- 6pm
“Clean Shirts and Dirty Business” solo show
The Painted Bride Art Center/ 230 Vine St, Phila, Pa, 215-925-9914
Opening Reception Friday, Feb 3, 5 -7 pm, Gallery talk 6pm
Opening Reception Friday, March 2, 5 – 7 pm, Gallery talk 6pm
Show runs through March 25
“ MENDING = ART” group show
Borowsky Gallery at the Gershman “Y” / Broad and Pine Sts, Phila, Pa
Opening Reception Sunday, March 4, 2 – 4 pm
Show runs through May 6
“ IN STITCHES ” group show
Long Beach Island Foundation of the Arts and Sciences
Loveladies, New Jersey, 609.494.1241
Show opens May 10, 2012
Opening Reception Sunday, May 27, 5 – 7pm
Show runs through June 18
I hope you can be there for some new art forms, smiling faces, and good refreshments….I look forward to seeing you there,
Warmest regards, Libbie Soffer
Our Moment in Time
Lots of smiling faces! Let’s keep it that way for a long, long time!
Please help identify fellow classmates and guests marked as DK or misidentified. Send identities to Fred Kagel.
Remember and enjoy.
Written permission and full attribution required for web reposting. Go to: P.S. duPont High School Class of ’59.
WHAT A MEMORABLE REUNION!
What a great Reunion! What an amazing turn out! It was just a good feeling to see so many familiar faces and I enjoyed chatting with everyone, albeit brief snippets here and there. Of course, Clarence Henry’s button rang true: Hi, I don’t remember your name either. Then, there was Bob Vair’s sweatshirt that had his name printed on it.
If I did not spend enough time with you, or you with me, that is understandable and forgivable.
I could not believe the number of classmates that went on the school tour. Mr. Lincoln Hohler, the current principal, made it so enjoyable with his anecdotal stories. My favorite was about retaining the original ‘grease’ streaks on the auditorium walls from Bryl Cream days of the 50s and Afro Sheen of the 70s.
So, ‘Dynamiters’ is not PC, eh?
Ceci Shames taught Mr. Hohler a history lesson with a spontaneous Boboski.
Caught Bill Mat and Scott Woods reminiscing about cars and RayRock and Joe Cloud conjuring up ‘Killer Knob’ steering wheels.
Visited Ms. Levy’s HR, which will forever haunt me, as I was thrown out of it. Fortunately, here was a debate over whether it was HR 217 vs. HR 213, which is just as well to be forgotten since the rooms have been renumbered anyway.
What an impressive room in the current school devoted solely for historical memorabilia of P.S. duPont school.
No ropes in the gym, but caught Marlene Taub, Ellen Levy, Joan Hertzfeld and Lois Resnick, reminiscing, giggling and play acting outside about their days as the hockey girls and gymnasts.
Ellen’s husband Mario and I talked about real sports — baseball, in the Dominican Republic.
For just one memorable weekend in our current lives, we felt the return of that youthful spirit that made us young again.
Be well, everyone.
How to Use Our Blog
P.S. duPont Class of ’59 Blog
What is a blog?
Our blog is a collective diary of our memories of Old Wilmington, the 1950s, our days at P.S. duPont High School, our lives the past 50 years, tributes to deceased classmates, and an opportunity to express our thoughts and memories of our 50th Reunion.
Anyone can write comments. Simply click on the word ‘comment(s)’ below. Scroll to the bottom and add your comment. Then click on ‘Submit.’
Your comment will not post immediately. It will appear within 24 hrs after ‘approval.’ This is to keep down on possible spam (unwanted) messages. All comments submitted by classmates will be approved but are subject to editing
Please do not post anything personal or contact me if you wish to correct or purge any comment already posted. If you wish to post pictures, videos, or music, also contact me: fkagel@psdupont59.com.
Enjoy!
2014 in review
The WordPress.com stats helper monkeys prepared a 2014 annual report for this blog.
Here’s an excerpt:
A San Francisco cable car holds 60 people. This blog was viewed about 1,100 times in 2014. If it were a cable car, it would take about 18 trips to carry that many people.
On Larry Emmett’s Passing
I have fond memories of Larry, a very deep guy, to say the least. But he had an amazing wit. I have a vague recollection of SNL type skits that Larry created: one where he comes into an office waiting room and starts ‘drumming’ on his briefcase. In another, he spoofed something or other by singing in an operatic voice or maybe it was opera he was mocking. But of course, Larry loved classical music in general.
I remember Larry and I cramming for a German test on Goethe. We went to the public library intending to steal a synopsis of Goethe’s Faust, but someone else beat us to it.
As Larry wrote in my yearbook, “May life be to you, as German is to me … mystifying.” Yes, my friend, life is mystifying, but it was worth the trip knowing you.
Prez Makes Pit Stop
Marlene Taub Reinschmidt can’t believe the joint where we hung out more than 50 years ago is still going strong. How many generations of teenagers visited the Charcoal Pit? she wonders.
So here’s the answer: That’s my Dad’s table! For the last 10-15 years or more, my wife would take napkins and pat the burgers to soak up the grease. Dad would simply bite in, marvel at how the tomatoes were perfectly bun-fitting, and conjecture that the Charcoal Pit must own a hothouse somewhere in lower Del. Me? I rarely eat beef anymore, and definitely pass up on the burgers, strangely, in favor of their chicken fingers and salads. But what do I know — Dad just turned 101. When I told Dad the story today, he just chuckled: Obama made at least one wise choice and Biden finally gave the President some good advice.
Goldy is a BB Legend in His Own Time
GOLDY, A DELAWARE BB LEGEND HALL OF FAMER, RECEIVING AWARD
Donald “Goldy” Goldstein makes Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame. On Saturday, January 11, 2014 Goldy was inducted into the “Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame” at the Ed “Porky” Oliver Banquet Hall. He was honored to join some past inductees of his era, such as Coach Buddy Clark, Nate and Pete Cloud, Tom Lewandowski, and Frank Shahan to name a few. Don states, “It was a very humbling experience.” The mission of the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame is to induct deserving members of the Basketball community based on their significant contributions to the game of basketball in the state of Delaware and beyond.
Goldy and Eddie Brown were both inducted on the same night into the Delaware Legends Basketball Hall of Fame. Ed went to Mt. Pleasant and graduated in 1960. Goldy and he knew each other growing up and played ball against each other. Ed also lives in The Villages (FL). Hometown newspaper did an article on both of them. (l. to r. Goldy and Ed).
FOLLOW NOW ON FACEBOOK!
Follow us now on Facebook at: http://facebook.com/psdupont59
Chuck Deaton (Charles A. Deaton, Jr.) and Thelma Lee
I received an email from Chip Deaton, son of Chuck Deaton (Charles A Deaton, Jr; deceased) and Thelma Lee, also of our class, alive, but not well. Because of the private nature of the email, I will put anyone, who inquires or wishes info, in direct contact with Chip.
News from Juergen and Edeltraud Thewes
Dear former Classmates,
It’s so great to have you keeping contact with all of us! Thanks a lot for enclosing Edeltraud and myself in your round robin letter and the invitation for 2014. To summarise our thoughts about it: In case we’ll be still alive and in acceptable shape, i.e. in good health, we would like to participate in that great event again. For us the time of the year you’ll plan our meeting will not be very favourable because of short days and mostly undecent weather, since we plan to continue our sightseeing in the U.S.. Another aspect will be whether I’ll be able to rent a car or not. In some European countries you won’t be able to do that when you are older than 70 years by now.
To give you a quickly on our past months: In March Prague again with a wonderful cultural program (operas, a symphony concert, sightseeing). A three weeks’ stay at our vacation home in Carinthia, Austria, followed in April. At the end of May a week’s flight trip from Hamburg to Dublin and a sightseeing tour across the center of Ireland with great landscapes and early Christian settlements like Clonmacnoise or Enalough. In June we had 10 days on the Baltic Sea in Northwest Mecklenburg (one of the new federal states in East Germany) exploring former no-go area of the German Democratic Republic very close to the German – German border. Besides we went sightseeing at old villages with their very old brick-built churches.
In July we had booked a ten days’ bus trip to Scotland via Europoort (Rotterdam, Netherlands). The car ferry took us across the North Sea to Hull on the mouth of the Humber in the middle of England. We then started a sightseeing tour via Glasgow, the Caledonian lochs like Loch Ness, went north to the northern tip of Scotland (Thurso). From there our bus took us to the Orkney Islands via ferry to see Stone Age settlements (Skara Brae, Ring of Brodnar) and their capital Kirkwall.
Via Inverness, Edinburgh, and York we returned to Hull to get the car ferry to the Netherlands again. It was the greatest trip we ever made. Such lovely country with cosy little villages! We were lucky to have had an almost rainless period.
We had to stay home for some time to look after our site in August. Our garden needed care. However, at the end of that month we again went down south to Austria. On our way we stopped at Nuremberg to visit the exhibition of ‘The younger Albrecht Duerer’, one of the most famous European artists who had lived during the transition between Middle Ages and Renaissance. His works are 500 years old and of inestimable value. Approximately 265,000 visitors admired Duerer’s art to draw, to paint, to cut copper- and woodplates.
Finally, we are home again. Don, please excuse me for being so late in answering your survey. Marlene and Fred, I wanted you to participate in this answer to Don, because you always kept us informed. We very well estimate your work for us! Edeltraud and I do hope that you and your beloved spouses are in good health. As you know we are exchanging news with Trudy regularly. At the moment the Delaware Saengerbund celebrated its annual October festival with potato salad, fried sausages, and a lot of German beer.
Thanks for your efforts to keep the Class of ’59 together. Have a great time and please say hello to all classmates you will reach in the future.
With many regards and good wishes
Juergen and Edeltraud Thewes
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Recent
- 2014 in review
- On Larry Emmett’s Passing
- Prez Makes Pit Stop
- Goldy is a BB Legend in His Own Time
- FOLLOW NOW ON FACEBOOK!
- 55TH REUNION HERE WE COME!
- Jürgen Thewes Annual Thanksgiving Wishes
- Chuck Deaton (Charles A. Deaton, Jr.) and Thelma Lee
- News from Juergen and Edeltraud Thewes
- “A lot of people remember that as being the best time of their lives.”
- Bob Clayton Reflects on Bandstand and Passing of Dick Clark
- Dan-Dee Drive In and other memories
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Links
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PS duPont Class of '59 