This
year, we tried a different kind of vacation: camping, in tents, at a state park
on Cape Cod. Like all vacations, this one had its Pros and Cons:
·
Pro:
I’m nervous about driving on big bridges, so this was a good chance to
practice.
·
Con:
Me and the Sagamore are never going to be buddies.
·
Pro:
The woods at Nickerson State Park in Brewster are beautiful, quiet, and just smell
wonderful.
·
Con:
When mosquitoes see me coming, they get out the special sauce.
·
Pro:
No alarm clock…
·
Con:
… or electricity or running water …
·
Pro:
The weather was ten degrees cooler than Norwood, with no humidity.
·
Con:
Sleeping in a puddle after a night rainstorm is not fun.
·
Pro:
Long, beautiful beaches.
·
Con:
Long, ugly traffic jams.
·
Pro:
Fantastic restaurants!
·
Con:
Awful restaurants!
·
Pro:
A week without having to get up at 5:30 to go to work.
·
Con:
Only a week…
So,
let’s hear what your vacations are like!
The
numbers didn’t budge last month: we still believe we know the whereabouts of
692 classmates. Not bad after 40 years!
Condolences
to classmate Debi Zannella Iacono, whose father died in July.
Sherry
Brodeur Combs shares her own experience with retirement: “Retirement? Let’s
see. I am a “baby” retiree, just 1 year ago, 30 Jul. At first, I didn’t know
what to expect. After working 26 years for the U.S. Army, as a Department of
the Army civilian (DAC), I retired. As I got closer to the retirement date,
maybe a month out, I applied and got accepted for a position as a Legal
Secretary, for the District Attorney’s Office. I work every other week. I am totally
enjoying it! On my “off” week, I do what I enjoy doing. Also, I have never had
a summer off in 26 years, so this is so different, yet enjoyable. I’m still in
the business world learning new things way different from the military.
However, I am enjoying my new-found life.”
Who
else has some retirement observations, experience, or advice for the rest of
us?
Candace
Williams Gauvin is proud of her daughter-in-law, who recently passed her State
Boards in Colorado. She has completed her education at Bel-Rea College there to
become a Veterinary Assistant. “Now she can work at any vet who wants her!”
Also
heard from Linda Gronneberg Gaulin, who I was in the 7-Ls with, lo these many
years ago. Linda teaches elementary school, and is enjoying her summer break
from teaching and catching up on household projects. She and her husband are
grandparents, and so spend a lot of time babysitting! They have 2 grandsons,
and 1 granddaughter. “We have been truly blessed. Take care, and enjoy the rest
of your summer!”
We
have lots of ways to keep in touch online, now. For example, we have a web
site:
www.chse1971.com
(thanks
to Ernie Sutcliffe for starting and maintaining)
and
wiki:
https://chse1971.wikispaces.com/
(also
thanks to Ernie)
and
Facebook group:
http://www.facebook.com/reqs.php#/group.php?gid=51722469479
and
a Facebook event for the last Reunion:
http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=192240297471327
Check
out one or more of these easy ways to see what people are up to.
And,
by the way, I post these updates online at http://chse1971.blogspot.com/.
That’s
about it for me. Thank heavens the Patriots season is starting, and I don’t
have to pay attention to the Fenway Horror anymore.
Ed
DeJesus
exdejesus@gmail.com
