Canal record

ROOSEVELT MEDAL
FROM THE BOTTOM OF GAILLARD CUT TO


OUTER SPACE


VOL. 42


MARCH 2008


NO. 1















OFFICERS AND EXECUTIVE
COMMITTEE FOR 2006-2008
Mr. Robert Russell Jr.
President
(813) 633-8916
Mr. Tom Wilder
1st Vice President
(352) 694-2211

Mr. John R. Gough II
2nd Vice President
(727) 527-2955
Mrs. Margaret McLaughlin
Director
(352) 726-8804

Mr. Dan Norman
Director
(813) 784-3585
Mr. Virgil "Skeeter" Camby
Director
(727) 321-8566
Mr. Bill McLaughlin
Director
(352) 726-8804
Ms. Elaine (Vestal) Lewis
Past President
Mr. James J. O'Donnell
Legislative Representative
(727) 894-2478
Mr. Tom Spence
Sergeant-at-Arms
(352) 684-7771
Mrs. Joan Ohman
Treasurer
(813) 672-4823
Mrs. Cheryl Russell
Chaplain
(813) 633-8916
Mrs. Nancy Van Siclen
Secretary/Office Manager
(727) 391-4359 (Office)
(727) 319-8593 (Fax)
Ms. Jacque (Crowell) Vowell
Editor
(386) 676-5140 (evenings)
Mr. Bill McLaughlin
Web Master and Historian
(352) 726-8804


Mr. Thomas C. Peterson
Historian Emeritus


CONTENTS
President's M essage.................................... ...........................................................
Secretary/Office Manager's Message.................................................2
Editor's Corner........................ ...................... ................................... 2
Nom inating Comm ittee Report................................................................................ 3
Executive Board Nominee Biographies........................ .... ......................3
M ears C oupon ................................................................................................. ..........5
April PCS West Coast Picnic and General Meeting........................ ............6
Early Registration D raw ing......................................................... ..................... 6
Troyer's Luncheon Registration Form and Directions...................... ..............7
Synopsis of Executive Board Meeting Minutes........................... .................8
Synopsis of General Membership Meetings Minutes........................ ............. 8
Legislative R eport....................................... ......................................................8
PCS License Plate Contest ............................................................. 9
Are You A Roosevelt Medal Recipient Descendant?................................................... 10
Former Canal Zone Information.......................................................11
Space Coast Picnic Pictures........................... ............................12
December Luncheon Pictures........................... ..... .....................13
M military P rid e............................................................................. ............................ 18
Your Reporter Says:


Alabama..................19
Arizona....................20
California.....................20
FL Central Florida........22
FL Emerald Coast.........24
FL O cala.......................25
FL Pensacola.................27


FL South Florida...........28 Oklahoma...................42
FL Space Coast............30 Panama........................43
FL Tallahassee..............32 South Carolina..............47
Georgia........................35 TX Dallas....................48
Midwest..................37 TX Kerrville.................49
North Carolina..............39 TX San Antonio...........50
Northwest....................41 Virginia........................51


Thursday Night Dance Hosted by BHS '73........................... ....................28
C ongratulations............................... ...........................................................52
W ed d ing s............................................................................. .................................. 5 8
B irth s....................................................................... ........................................6 0
W ith D eep Sorrow ...................................................................... ............................6 1
L letters to the Editor................................................................... ..................... 67
L cooking B ack ...................................................................... ..................................7 1
M museum N ew s......................................... ........................................................72
A nn ouncem en ts..................................................................................... ..................... 74
A dv ertisem ents.................................................................................. ..................... 77
Membership Application Form......................................................79


Front cover: Shuttle picture provided by NASA.


DATES TO REMEMBER

April 12 PCS West Coast Picnic, Anderson Park, Shelter #9 at Tarpon
Springs, Fla. Contact John Gough (727) 527-2955. See page 6.
May 3 Spring Luncheon, Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant, 3713 Bahia
Vista St., Sarasota, Fla. For more information call Cheryl Russell
at (813) 633-8916 or Joan Ohman (813) 672-4823. See page 7.
May 4 Southern California Potluck Luncheon, Laguna Woods, Calif.
Contact Kay (Argo) Taylor (949) 951-4801 or David Lane (619)
665-2857.
July 2-6 PCS Annual Reunion, Rosen Shingle Creek Resort, 9939
Universal Blvd., Orlando, Fla. Visit http://www.pancanalsociety.org/
to view yellow pages and register online or see the December 2007
Canal Record yellow pages or call (727) 391-4359, 1-866-PAN
CANAL (866-726-2262) (Toll free) for a copy of the yellow pages.







Panama Canal Society, Inc.
ON (A Not-For-Profit Organization) Ti

"To preserve American Ideals and Canal Zone Friendships"
7985 113th Street, Suite 334, Seminole, Florida 33772-4787
The Canal Record (ISSN 0528-0001) is published quarterly in
March, June, October, and December
4 Periodicals postage paid at Largo, Florida, and additional entry for
March, June, October and December issues.
POSTMASTER: Send address changes to the Canal Record, 7985 113th Street, Suite 334,
Seminole, Florida 33772-4787
The membership fee is $30.00 annually.
The Annual Directory is published once a year.
Panama Canal Society, Inc., reserves the right to refuse to print anything derogatory or of a controversial nature, including any
advertising not in the best interests of the Panama Canal Society, whose sole aim is to Preserve American Ideals and Canal Zone
Friendships. Single copies for sale at $5.00 each, (postage is included) to members only.
All photographs and correspondence sent to the Panama Canal Society, Inc., will become the property of the Society and will
be retained in the Society files and archives. Panama Canal Society, Inc., assumes no responsibility for advertisements placed
in the Canal Record.
(727) 391-4359, 1-866-PANCANAL (866-726-2262) (Toll free), FAX (727) 319-8593
E-Mail: office(ipancanalsociety.org Web Site: http://www.pancanalsociety.org/
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m., Monday thru Friday
editor@pancanalsociety.org
Printed by Roberts Printing, Inc., 2049 Calumet St., Clearwater, FL 33765


PRES/DENTf S /ESSAGE


HAPPY 2008! By the time you
read this edition, we will be close to
three months away from the 2008
S reunion. Can you believe that?
*- How time flies when we are having
fun. And fun is what we had
throughout 2007 our 75th anniver-
sary year.
Before I provide you with some
Bob Rusl highlights of past and upcoming
Bob Russell
events, I want to thank Chairpersons
Pete and Marje Foster and Margaret McLaughlin and their
committee members, Shirley Boswell, Dot Herrington,
Colette Carlisle, Ceci Marceau and Nancy Van Siclen for
all of their work in making our Christmas Luncheon at the
Wine Cellar the success that it was. The numerous Christmas
gifts were disbursed in quick fashion and all 103 members
and guests in attendance seemed to enjoy the festivities.
Also, a special thank you goes to Condor Outfitters and
COPA Airlines for donating the free airline tickets as the
grand prize. The winner this year was Dorothy Meissner.
The second grand prize, which was a special Christmas Floral
arrangement donated by Margaret McLaughlin, was won by
Milla Culbreth. Thank you Margaret for your selfless con-
tributions to our Society. They are appreciated by us all.
Also, at our Christmas luncheon, we closed the nomina-
tions for the 2008-2010 elections. I won't repeat the names of
the candidates in my article but will refer you to the biogra-
phies of the respective candidates starting on page 3 of this
edition. As you can see, we have a good slate of officers for
you to consider and even though all are running unopposed, I
encourage you to cast your ballot for the officers of your


choice. It only takes a minute of your time but it is very
important to our soon to be elected officers as it shows your
support of them.
Our 2008 activities began with Carnavalito in Melbourne,
Florida, at the Holiday Inn. Chairpersons Randy and JoElla
Deakins, Bob and Fran Morrissey and Donita
McConaughey and their committee members, Bill and Patty
Benny, Norm and Janet Watkins and Fred Watkins are
congratulated on organizing a fantastic party. The decora-
tions, party favors and food were all outstanding. Close to
160 party revelers danced the night away to the music of Fran
Morrissey and her organ. Also, storyteller extrodinaire Terry
Deakins once again helped bury the fish at midnight with all
the fanfare and historical embellishment. One of these days,
someone is going to have to record Terry's tale. Muchas gra-
cias a todos for continuing to support one of our favorite isth-
mian traditions.
On April 12, our famous West Coast Picnic will be held
again at Anderson Park in Tarpon Springs, Fla. Chairperson
and Grill Master John Gough promises some new twists to
the picnic this year and guarantees a good time to all partici-
pants. Of course, our own "Bingo" Jim O'Donnell will be
there calling the numbers and disbursing the various prizes.
Our Spring Luncheon will find us on May 3, 2008, at
Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant in Sarasota, Fla., for
some good Amish cooking. Chairpersons for this event are
Cheryl Russell and Joan Ohman. If you missed this event
last year, you don't want to miss it this year. The food is abun-
dant and tasty and the "shopping" is outstanding.
The next event, and the final one for the 2006-2008
Board, is the 2008 Reunion at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort.
If you have not already sent in your reservations, please do






so. The saying, "The early bird gets the worm," has new
meaning this year because we have introduced something
new to encourage early registration. On February 2, at
Carnavalito, we held a drawing for two free nights at this
year's reunion at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort for those who
had registered prior to February 1. The good news is that we
are going to hold another drawing on May 3 at Troyer's
Dutch Heritage Restaurant for another two night free stay at
this year's reunion. So, get those registrations in before April
30th to compete in the second drawing. Who knows, you
may be the next winner!
We have a special treat for you at this year's luncheon.
Our guest speaker will be Dr. Scott Parazynski (MD). Scott
is a NASA astronaut and a relative of noted engineer of
Panama Canal fame, Colonel David Gaillard. You know, the
man who led the successful effort in cutting through the
Continental Divide. How cool is that? Scott's most recent trip
into space was in October 2007 on board the shuttle
Discovery. As you will recall, he was the astronaut who made
the dangerous space walk to repair one of the panels on the
international space station. In addition to discussing his :
recent out-of-this-world journey, he will be making an his-
torical presentation of a Roosevelt Medal and United
States Flag that were taken into space on board the shuttle
Discovery to the Panama Canal Museum at the luncheon
Also, the Society and Museum are collaborating on a spe-
cial ceremony to honor all Roosevelt Medal Recipient
Descendants in attendance at the luncheon. This certainly
is one luncheon you do not want to miss as it will be one of a
kind and a very historic occasion with historical keepsakes.
I won't say any more about the reunion as I will leave that
to our Reunion Coordinator Bill McLaughlin. However, I
will call your attention to the Blue pages in this edition of the
Canal Record for the most up-to-date reunion information.
In closing, I want to thank you for your continued support
of our great Society. I look forward to seeing you at one of
the 2008 Society activities. Hasta Luego.

Bob Russell, President


SECRETARY/OFFICE MANAGER
MESSAGE

Happy New Year to all our members!
The beginning of January is always a
busy time for the Society office. On
January 2, 2008, we mailed 2,140
"reminder" postcards to members who
:ani cln had not paid their dues prior to
December 31, 2007. Hopefully, all of
these members will have sent in their dues prior to your
receiving this edition of the Canal Record. Please note that
the "reminder" cards are in addition to the dues notices pub-
lished in the October and December issues of the Canal
Record.
We also have had several telephone calls from members
wishing to give us their credit card information over the
phone to pay dues or make reunion reservations, etc.


Unfortunately, we are not able to process such requests
because it is time prohibitive; especially, when it involves
double-checking the information with the various credit card
companies and with the data in our database. We just don't
have the staff to accommodate such requests and appreciate
your understanding of our limitations.
As I write this message, we have heard back from approx-
imately 1,000 of our members who have sent checks or have
used the online membership renewal at the Society website.
We also want to thank the members who have sent a little
extra money to cover the mailing costs of the postcard
reminders. These extra contributions certainly help reduce
the over $500 postcard mailing costs. Also, we appreciate
our members' thank you notes regarding the reminder.
As always, if you have any questions regarding your
Society membership status or Society activities, please call or
email the Society and we will be happy to help you in any
way we can.

Nancy Van Siclen, Secretary/Office Manager
(727-391-4359; 1-866-726-2262)
email: office(@pancanalsociety.org



EDITOR'S CORNER

Don't panic, but there is another
reunion just around the corner! Where
does the time go? Make sure to take
advantage of the Society's online serv-
ices to make reunion reservations and Jacque Vowell
to order tickets to the different functions. Go to:
http://www.pancanalsociety.org/.
The Panama Canal Society has decided to retire the orig-
inal Society license plate. We are now sponsoring a contest to
design a new plate. If you are interested in participating,
make sure you read page 9 for the contest specifics.
If you have any questions about the contest or sending in
photos and articles you can email or phone me.

Jacque (Crowell) Vowell
387-676-5140 evenings
email: editor@pancanalsociety.org



MEMBERS ARE
* ENCOURAGED TO

REGISTER EARLY FOR THE

2008 REUNION.


SEE PAGE 6 FOR
DRAWING INFORMATION

I.. U- U in







REPORT OF THE NOMINATING COMMITTEE FOR
ELECTION OF OFFICERS FOR 2008-2010

The Nominating Committee of the Panama Canal Society, Inc., consisting of James O'Donnell, Chairperson, Joan
Ohman, Chuck Hummer, Beth Brandenburg, and Muriel Whitman, pursuant to Article V, Section 2 of the Bylaws,
published a notice in the October issue of the Canal Record notifying members that nominations for officers were in order
and soliciting suggestions of members who would be willing and able to serve on the Executive Board. The Committee
searched the membership in an effort to select a slate of candidates for each office. The nominating committee submit-
ted the following slate of officers for 2008-2010 at the regularly scheduled meeting and luncheon on December 1, 2007,
at the Wine Cellar, 17307 Gulf Boulevard, North Redington Beach, Fla.


President
1st Vice President
2nd Vice President
Directors


Tom Wilder
Margaret McLaughlin
Virgil Camby
Tom Spence
Shirley Bentley
Pam Reid


The following members was nominated from the floor at the December 1, 2007, business meeting:


Director
2nd Vice President


Quint Underwood
Beth Brandenburg


Subsequent to the presentation of the slate of officers at the December 1, 2007, business meeting, Beth Brandenburg and
Quint Underwood withdrew their nominations. Therefore, their names have been removed from the ballot. Also, Beth
Brandenburg was reappointed to the Nominating Committee.


INSTRUCTIONS FOR VOTING

You may only vote for one candidate for each of the office of President, 1st Vice President, and 2nd Vice President; for
the offices of Directors, you may vote for three candidates. Please vote by placing an "X" on the line next to the candi-
date's name that you have selected. "Write-in" nominations are permitted for all offices listed. Candidates elected to
office as a write-in nominee shall be notified by the Nominating Committee and required to provide written acceptance
of the position within 15 days after the election held on July 4, 2008, at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort; otherwise, the
candidate receiving the second highest number of votes for the office in question shall be declared the elected officer.
Each active member, life member or active member and spouse may individually submit a ballot. Vote for your selection
of officers indicated on the cut-out BALLOT/BALLOT ENVELOPE. Fold the ballot to the inside of the ballot envelope
and fold the envelope over your ballot with the address of the Chairperson, Nominating Committee on the outside, and
seal the envelope with Scotch tape. Do not detach ballot from the envelope. Place your name and and return address in
the upper left-hand comer. Each spouse must include his or her individual name and return address in the upper left-hand
corer of the ballot. Affix a 41 cent stamp and mail. Ballots must be received by the Panama Canal Society office by June
24, 2008. Ballot envelopes will be opened at the Annual Business Meeting on July 4, 2008.


SLATE OF OFFICERS FOR 2008-2010

Tom Wilder

I was born in Coco Solo Hospital in 1958 and graduated from Cristobal High School in 1976
and also attended Canal Zone College. After spending just shy of 20 years in the Canal Zone, I
moved to the states in 1979 to pursue a career while my three sisters, Alberta Corrigan, Joanne
Anderson and Penny Canamas, stayed behind and still continue to reside in Panama. My dad,
Albert Wilder and his twin brother Arthur were both Panama Canal Pilots. I am currently the Chief
of Staff at the Marion County Sheriffs Office in Ocala, Fla., and hold a Masters Degree in
S Criminal Justice Administration from Saint Leo University. I have served on the Panama Canal
Society Executive Board as By-Laws Chairman, elected as Director and 2nd Vice-President and
currently serve as 1 st Vice-President. I'm looking forward, with your support, to become President
where I will continue the tradition of preserving the ideals and friendships of the former Canal
Tom Wilder Zone and Panama Canal Society.






Margaret McLaughlin

My name is Margaret (Lowery) McLaughlin and I was born in Gorgas Hospital and lived on
both sides of the Isthmus of Panama. I graduated from Balboa High School in 1972 and attend-
ed Canal Zone College. In 1996, my husband Bill, our daughter Allison, and I moved to Florida.
Bill became active in the Society and after seeing his devotion towards this organization, I
began to volunteer as well. I have assisted with many luncheon committees and have been the
Reunion decorations chairperson since 1999. I have held the positions of Treasurer and two years
as a Director and would like to continue on as the First Vice President. I have enjoyed working
with all of the members of the Panama Canal Society and look forward to supporting this great
/ organization in the future.
Margaret McLaughlin


Virgil "Skeeter" Camby

I am a third-generation Zonian, born on the Atlantic side and raised on the Pacific side. My
grandfather retired from the Canal Zone Locks Division at Gatun, my father was a police officer on
the Atlantic side, and a detective on the Pacific side in Balboa. My mother graduated from Cristobal
High School and retired from the U.S. Army at Ft. Clayton as a budget analyst.
I graduated from Balboa High School in 1962, spent four years in the U.S. Air Force, attended
the University of South Carolina and Los Angeles City College. I retired as the CEO of Aquatech
of Florida, Inc. Married to Shirley Ann (Bonneau) a CHS'61 graduate. We have four sons and five
grandchildren.
I was appointed your first Member at Large, Executive Board Member 1989-1990, 2nd Vice Virgil Camby
President 1990-1991, Ist Vice President 1991-1992, Sergeant-at-Arms 1992-1993, and Director for
the 1993-1994, 1994-1995, 2004-2006, 2006-2008 terms. I was Chairperson of "Friends of Panama" which was very suc-
cessful in raising funds for Panamanian Social Security Hospital. I have served as Chairperson and committee member of sev-
eral internal committees with great pride, pleasure, and with your interests in mind. If you elect me as your next 2nd Vice
President, I will happily serve your interests and the continuation of the Panama Canal Society to the best of my ability.


Tom Spence

I retired from the U.S. Army with 28 years of service and I am currently serving as Sergeant-
at-Arms for the Panama Canal Society. I am married to former Cecilia Quiros ofAncon, C.Z.
We reside in Spring Hill, Fla., and have three sons and four grandchildren. I also serve on the
Board of Directors for the West Central Chapter of the Military Officers Association of
America, I am the President of the Republican Club of Wellington, and I serve on the
Communications Committee of the Wellington at Seven Hills Homeowners Association.
Cecelia and I are parishioners at St. Frances Cabrini Roman Catholic Church and serve as
Eucharistic Ministers.
Tom Spence

Shirley Bentley

My name is Shirley (Avery) Bentley and I am running for one of the Director positions on the
Society Board of Directors. I was born in Ancon, Canal Zone, in February of 1965. My parents
were Eugene and Beatrice Avery. Some of you might remember my father, Gene, who worked at
Miraflores Locks and was known as the "neighborhood mechanic." My mother worked with the
Air Force at Albrook as a civilian. And, anybody who lived on Empire or Croton Streets in Balboa
would remember her as the "cool mom who rode a motorcycle with the neighborhood boys!!"
I grew up in Balboa and attended Balboa Elementary, Curundu Junior High, and graduated in hirley
1983 from Balboa High School. I now live in Tampa, Fla. I have been married for 17 years to a
"very" patient and understanding man. I work in the insurance business and I try to keep up with my two teenagers.
My future vision for the Society is to get more of the "younger generation" involved with the Society. I feel that there is
not enough participation from my generation on with the Society. My position on the Board would allow me to reach out and
"encourage" more of the younger generations to remember the pride and appreciation for the Canal Zone within them.
I will put my influence and my pride to great use in my new role on the Society board and I will represent you with great
zeal and professionalism.





Pam Reid

My name is Pamela Scott Reid and I was born in Gorgas Hospital, raised in Curundu and
Howard AFB and attended Diablo and Howard Elementary Schools, graduating from Balboa High
School in 1973. 1 married Jim Reid and lived in Gamboa, Ancon, Diablo, Balboa and La Boca until
we moved to Puyallup, Wash., in 1990. An entrepreneur from a very young age, my work experi-
ence started as a babysitter, swim instructor, theater usher, several student assistant positions with
the Panama Canal Company/Government, and I worked at Frame World in Albrook. I was
employed at USATTC, USNAVSTA, and as an Intelligence Analyst at USSOUTHCOM. I also pro-
Pm Reid moted and represented Al Sprague artwork for a number of years.
My work experience evolved into self-employment as a team manager for Mary Kay Cosmetics.
I was a volunteer USA Swimming official, administrator for a local swim team in Puyallup, Wash., and co-founder of South
Hill Aquatic and Recreation Enthusiast (SHARE), a nonprofit organization. In September 2001, I relocated with my family to
Orlando, Fla., where I am employed at a PK-12 private school as the facilities coordinator and Maintenance Department
administrative assistant.
I am proud of my Panama Canal heritage and support both the Society and the Museum. Since moving to Florida, I have
volunteered in registration and as needed at annual PC Society reunions. I am very enthusiastic about becoming more involved
with the Society and feel my varied background and entrepreneurship would benefit the organization as well as bring new
ideas and innovations to a great organization.



REMEMBER TO VOTE


DEADLINE for receiving Ballots is June 24, 2008.






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Panama Canal Society, Inc.


ANNUAL PICNIC APRIL 12, 2008
Hosted by: John Gough



The Panama Canal Society will hold its Annual Picnic at .
11:30 a.m., Saturday, April 12, 2008, at Shelter #9 in A.L.
Anderson Park, Tarpon Springs, Florida. N T N A
TARPON AVE. E.
Anderson Park is located 7/10ths of a mile north of
Klosterman Rd. or 9/10ths of a mile south of Tarpon
Springs/Keystone Rd. on the east side of Highway 19. 19
Shelter #9 has ample parking space and is close to rest-
rooms.
Everyone attending is asked to bring a covered dish to ANDERSON PARK --- LAKE
share and your own soft drinks. The Park does not allow alco- I TARPON
holic beverages on the premises. The Society will provide
plastic plates, utensils, cups, hamburgers, hotdogs and buns.
Bingo, games and great door prizes are on the agenda. Klosterman Rd.
Come and join fellow members for a nice Spring afternoon in
Anderson Park. Picnic begins at 11:30 a.m. with lunch at
12:00 noon. A short business meeting will be held after lunch.
For more information contact:
John Gough at (727) 527-2955




Second Early Registration Drawing

Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms received by April 30, 2008,
will be included in a second drawing to take place on May 3rd at the Spring
luncheon at Troyer's Restaurant in Sarasota. Names included in the first draw-
ing and not selected will be included in the second drawing. The winner of the
second drawing will receive a complimentary two-night stay at the 2008 Reunion.
The prize is nontransferable and is only valid for the person winning the draw-
ing.
Members do not have to be present at the luncheon to win. Board members,
past presidents, reunion chairpersons and the winner of the first drawing are not
eligible to participate in the second drawing.

CONGRATULATIONS TO BARBARA CICCHETTO,
THE FIRST DRAWING WINNER OF TWO FREE NIGHTS AT
ROSEN SHINGLE CREEK!














Spring Luncheon Gulf Coast
Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant
Amish Style Cooking
May 3, 2008

The Gulf Coast Spring Luncheon will be held on May 3, 2008, from 11:30 a.m. 2:00 p.m. at the
Troyer's Dutch Heritage Restaurant in Sarasota, Fla. The food is excellent so come on out and join
us. Our menu will be: Two meats (chicken and roast beef), homemade bread, dressing, gravy, real
mashed potatoes, corn, green beans, tossed salad, slice of pie and beverage. This will be a sit-down
served meal and reservations are required. Cost for the lunch is $19.00 per person, which includes
tax and gratuity. Pre-meeting at 11:45 a.m., lunch served at 12:00 noon followed by our May General
Membership Meeting. The deadline for reservations is Friday, April 25, 2008. For more information
contact our hostesses: Cheryl Russell at (813) 633-8916 and Joan Ohman at (813) 672-4823.

t Directions: Troyer's Dutch Heritage (the new Der
SDutchman of Sarasota) is located at 3713 Bahia Vista,
-- --- Sarasota, Florida. Telephone: 941-955-8007. Take I-
S75 to Exit 210 (old 39), Fruitville Road. Go right at the
i_______ exit and stay on Fruitville Road until the traffic light at
S. Mclntosh Road, go left (South). Stay on Mclntosh until
the next traffic light. Go right on Bahia Vista Street.
SRight after the railroad tracks the restaurant will be on
-| _, ,' the right (North). The restaurant is located close to the
______. __ intersection of Bahia Vista Street and Beneva Road.
r- ------------------------------------------------------------------- N

Spring Luncheon Gulf Coast
Reservation Form
Please Print Clearly

Member Name_

Telephone Number Please make reservations at $19.00 each.

Names of guests:

(1) (3)

(2) (4)

Total Enclosed $ RESERVATION DEADLINE: APRIL 25, 2008

Make checks payable to the Panama Canal Society, Inc. and mail to: Panama Canal Society. Inc.
7985 113th Street, Suite 334, Seminole, FL 33772- 4787

Li-------------m------------------------------------------------m






In order to help with the recent Executive Board
decision of reducing costs by limiting the number of
pages of the Canal Record, the minutes of the Board
and General Membership meetings have been con-
densed.
Please review the full version of the minutes of these
meetings by visiting the Panama Canal website:
http://www.pancanalsociety.orq.

PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC.
SYNOPSIS OF THE EXECUTIVE BOARD MEETING
HEADQUARTERS OFFICE SEMINOLE, FLORIDA
SEPTEMBER 22, 2007

Absent: 1st Vice President, Past President and Chaplin.

Significant Actions taken:
Approved the minutes of the August 18, 2007,
Executive Board Meeting
Approved the expenditures for the period of August
18, 2007, thru September 18, 2007, in the amount of
$13,832.02.


PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC.
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING SYNOPSIS
COLUMBIA RESTAURANT, CLEARWATER, FLA
SEPTEMBER 8, 2007

Significant Actions taken:
Approved the minutes as written
Approved the financial statement for audit.
Approved the conduct of a trial program for out-of-
state representation
Approved two volunteers for the Nominating
Committee.

PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC.
GENERAL BUSINESS MEETING SYNOPSIS
TOM STATHAM PARK, TITUSVILLE, FLORIDA
NOVEMBER 3, 2007

Significant Actions taken:
Approved the minutes as written
Approved the financial statement for audit.


LEGISLATIVE REPORT

2008 MEDICARE
PREMIUMS RELEASED

The Centers for Medicare and Medicaid
Jim O'Donnell (CMS) said the Medicare Part B premium
(outpatient services) will rise to $96.40 per
month, effective January 2008, from the current $93.50*. The
annual Part B deductible also will increase from $131 to $135.
The Part A (hospitalization services) deductible for the first 60
days as a hospital inpatient will increase $32-from the present
$992 to $1,024.
About 5 percent of Medicare beneficiaries will pay
higher Part B premiums because they have higher incomes. In
2003 with the creation of the Prescription Drug Plan (Part D),
Congress enacted a law to lower the federal government's
contribution towards Part B premiums for seniors with higher
incomes. Beneficiaries whose individual tax returns for 2006
are higher than $82,000 will be subject to contributing a larg-
er share towards their Part B premiums (on an escalating
basis), as are joint filers whose income surpasses $164,000.
Depending on the income level, monthly premiums will range
from $122.20 to $238.40.

COURT-ORDERED BENEFITS

Court orders related to divorce or separation can divide
Federal retirement benefits, and refunds of retirement contri-
butions, provide survivor benefits for former spouses upon a
retiree's death, permit former spouses to continue Federal
health benefits coverage, and require assignment of Federal
life insurance.
There is a difference between a court order applying to a
private sector pension and a court order that would apply to
your Federal retirement. The Employee Retirement Income
Security Act (ERISA) governs court orders that effect private
sector pensions. However, Federal pensions (CSRS and


FERS) are exempted from ERISA.
ERISA created the term "qualified domestic relations
order" (QDRO) to describe a court order that divides retire-
ment benefits under ERISA plans. QDRO's are not acceptable
to affect Civil Service Retirement System (CSRS) or Federal
Employee Retirement System (FERS) benefits. However this
does not apply if the court order labeled QDRO also express-
ly states that it is written in conformity with Office of
Personnel Management regulations.
Attorneys sometimes prepare Federal retirees' court orders
on the assumption that they can provide any benefits available
under ERISA from CSRS or FERS. An example of the most
important difference is that ERISA can provide that a former
spouse's share of a benefit can begin when the employee
reaches a minimum retirement age, even if the employee is
still working. However, this benefit is not available under
CSRS or FERS.

REFERENCE NEEDED

The way to avoid mistakes in drafting the divorce, separa-
tion or annulment is to have your attorney consult the booklet:
A Handbook for Attorneys on Court-ordered Retirement,
Health Benefits, and Life Insurance Under the Civil Service
Retirement System, Federal Employees Retirement System,
Federal Employees Health Benefits Program, and Federal
Employees Group Life Insurance Program. This is available
from the U.S. Government Printing Office by calling 202-
512-1800.

SURVIVOR ANNUITY

The maximum possible combined total of all current and
former spouse survivor annuities equals 55 % of the rate of a
self-only annuity under the Civil Service Retirement System ,
or 50% under the Federal Employees Retirement System. A
court order awarding a survivor annuity to a former spouse
reduces the maximum that can be paid to the spouse married




to the annuitant at the time of death. An insurable interest
election can be made at retirement to provide a current spouse
with additional survivor benefits if the retiree is in good
health. See your personnel department about an insurable
interest if you are still employed and interested in this elec-
tion in a divorce situation.
RESTRICTIONS
It is very important that provisions of a decree intended to


award a survivor annuity both reflect the intent of the parties,
and conform to law and regulations (Subpart H, Part 838,
Title 5, Code of Federal Regulations, and Title 5, United
States Code). While orders can be changed before the
employee retires or dies, in general they cannot be modified
to effect survivor benefits after the employee retires or dies.
Jim O'Donnell, Legislative Representative


CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST
The Panama Canal Society is retiring
the original Panama Canal Society license plate.


PANAI


CANA


SOCIE


A


L


TY


WE ARE SEARCHING FOR A NEW DESIGN FOR THE
PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY LICENSE PLATE.
1. The license plate measures 12 inches in length and 6 inches in height.
2. Entries are to be submitted in color using any art medium or computer graphics.
3. All entries need to be mailed to the Panama Canal Society office by June 1, 2008.
4. All entries will be displayed and voted on by the general membership attending the Annual
Business Meeting on July 4, 2008.
5. The winning entry will be announced at the end of Annual Business Meeting.
6. The winner will be entitled to a complimentary one-year membership for 2009.
Submit to: Panama Canal Society, Inc., 7985 113th Street, Suite 334, Seminole, Florida 33772-4787
CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST CONTEST







ARE YOU A

ROOSEVELT MEDAL RECIPIENT DESCENDANT?


On July 5, 2008, the Panama Canal Society and the
Panama Canal Museum will honor Roosevelt Medal
recipient descendants who attend the 2008 Annual
Reunion Luncheon. If you plan to attend the lunch-
eon and are a descendant of a Roosevelt Medal
recipient, please fill out the form printed below and
mail it to the Panama Canal Society.

To be a Roosevelt Medal recipient, a person must
have worked on the early construction of the
Panama Canal for at least two continuous years
between May 4, 1904, and December 31, 1914.
Questions regarding the Roosevelt Medal or recipi-
ents may be addressed to the Panama Canal
Museum at office@panamacanalmuseum.org.

DESCENDANTS) OF ROOSEVELT MEDAL RECIPIENTS I
I I
Name of Roosevelt Medal Recipient:
I I

Please Print
I I
Name(s) of descendants) attending the 2008 Annual Reunion Luncheon and their relationship
Sto Roosevelt Medal recipient:


Name of Descendant


Relationship to Recipient


I I
I Please submit this form by June 1, 2008, to the Panama Canal Society, Inc.,
| 7985 113th Street, Suite 334, Seminole, FL 33772-4787

10







RECORDS FROM THE FORMER CANAL ZONE GOVERNMENT
3 Marriage records for the Canal Zone are located in the
National Archives. Contact the National Archives for
SAS ARMY COMMUNITY HOSPITAL AND these marriage records at:


COCO SOLO HOSPITAL

(MEDICAL RECORDS BEFORE 1982):
Federal Records Center (NARA)
1557, 7 St. Joseph Ave.
East Point, GA 30344

MEDICAL RECORDS AFTER 1982):
National Personnel Records Center
9700 Page Boulevard
St. Louis, MO 63132


Beginning December 1, 1999, Canal Zone vital
records (Birth and Death from 1904 through
September 30, 1979) formerly issued by the Panama
Canal Commission are being issued by the
Department of State in Washington, D.C.

BIRTH, DEATH AND MARRIAGE
CERTIFICATES

**Your request must be notarized and include a copy
of a valid photo identification of the requester.**

Please include the following in your request:
Date / Purpose of Request / Name at birth, death,
marriage / Date of birth, death, marriage / City and
Country of birth, death, marriage / Signature of subject
or guardian / Address / Telephone

For birth records, also include:
Father's name / Date and place (city or state and
country) of birth
Mother's name / Date and place (city or state and
country) of birth
Any U. S. passport information

Please direct inquiry to:
Vital Records Section
Passport Services
1111 19th Street NW, Suite 510
Washington, DC, CZ 34011-2300

Telephone: 202-955-0307

Please indicate the number of documents desired.
The fee for documents is $30.00 for the 1st copy;
$20.00 for each additional copy requested at the same
time. Check or Money Order must be signed, dated
and made payable to Department of State. Remittance
must be payable in U. S. dollars through a U.S. bank.
Non-U.S. money is not acceptable. Please do not
send cash.


Civilian Records (NWCTC)
Textual Archives Services Division
8601 Adelphi Road, National Archives
College Park, MD 20740-6001

If a marriage record is located, the applicant will be
contacted as to the fees involved.

COURT RECORDS: Divorces, Adoptions, Civil suits,
Criminal Cases, etc. Information on fees for copies of
court records may be obtained from the NARA website
at www.archives.gov

National Archives & Records Administration
Old Military and Civilian Records
700 Pennsylvania Ave. NW
Washington, DC 20408-0001

Mr. Robert W. Ellis (NWCTB) Arch I, Room 601
(202) 357-5381 Fax: (202) 357-5937 /
robert.ellis@nara.gov

Or: Ms. Aloha South (NWCTB) Arch I, Room 601
(202) 357-5021 Fax: (202) 357-5937 /
aloha.south@nara.gov


Federal Records Center (NARA)
1557 St. Joseph Avenue
East Point, GA 30344


CANAL ZONE HIGH SCHOOL TRANSCRIPTS:
Canal Zone High School transcripts can be obtained
by writing to:

Educational Testing Service Dante's Program
P.O. Box 6605
Princeton, New Jersey 08541-6605
Tel: (609) 720-6740

There is no charge for Canal Zone High School tran-
scripts.

PANAMA CANAL COLLEGE:
Copies of student records may be obtained at no
charge by requesting transcripts from:

DoDEA Records Center
Attention: Transcripts
7441 Custer Rd. Bldg 2670
Ft. Benning, GA 31905
(706) 545-4785
Fax: (706) 545-1239
Email: transcripts(.am.dodea.edu


May 200(


GOR(






SPACE COAST PICNIC


H Rose and Sid McMullen


!ith granddaughters.i ia


ADMISSIONaughey helping member to register
c2 PER ADUL
K ios UNDER
and Bob McConaughey helping member to register





CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON


Elsie Woodruff, Vera Ryan, and Louise Hunt


Laura Anderson and Shirley Avery


Janet Watkins, Darleen Hunt, and Linda Weir


Jean and Robert Hanna and John Gough


Sandra and Don Nungester


9


~1






CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON


Faith Brundage and Linda Marshall


Jeanne Wheeler and Ray Wheeler, Jr.


Judi McCullough and Ed Ohman
Judi McCullough and Ed Obman


Georgia Comnan and Slee Nehring






CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON


Kay and Tracy Howard


Tom Engelke with Ben Parthenais, and Anabelle
Parthenais held by Alice Engelke.


Kelly Parthenais and Lynn Nehring


Olga Disharoon and Anna Collins


Shirley Boswell and Dot Herrington


Marje Foster and Judy Hooper






CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON


Kathy and Tom Wilder


Tom and Cecilia Spence and Roy Culbreth


Sandra Hummer, Kathy Egolf, and Chuck Hummer


Betty Boyer and Beverly Williams


Aura and Albert Wilder and Betty LeDoux Morris


Cecile Demers and Betty Snow


Gemma and Jim O'Donnell


Stella DeMarr, Rick Nelson, and Lois Jones






CHRISTMAS LUNCHEON


Donna Mann, Deb Mann, and Linda Carol Philips


Pete and Mary Lou Lang


Hubert Jordan, Milla Culbreth, and Margot Jordan


Lori and Frank King


John and Jod3 Ma\rcum and


Barbara Peterson, Richard and Lynn Cunningham


Grand Prize winner Dottie Meissner with Bob Russell


Diane, Michelle, and Kristle Pearson







SMILITAF
ROBERT L. PETROSKY JR.
PROMOTED TO MAJOR

On November 1, 2007, Daryl and Verna Bullinger
(maternal grandparents), Bob and Karen Petrosky (parents),
Maj. Valerie Petrosky (wife), Kaley, Brooke, Anastasia
Petrosky (daughters), and Deanna Petrosky-Fowler (niece)
gathered on the field of Camp Blanding, Fla., to recognize
and acknowledge the achievements of Rob Petrosky
(BHS'89).
Rob thanked his wife Valerie, Mom and Dad,
Grandmother and Grandfather whose support of his family
during his two deployments to Iraq (December 2002-May
2003 and January 2005-January 2006) and Valerie's deploy-
ment to Kuwait (January 2003-April 2004) enabled him to
focus on the mission and excel in his chosen field. Rob has
earned two bronze stars, Combat Action Badge (CAB), Iraqi
Campaign medal, four Army commendation medals, two
Army Achievement medals, meritorious service medal, and a
Presidential Unit Citation.


I


AeW
*- f


AB Lewis Vernon Caturia


Robert L. Petrosky Sr., Maj. Robert L. Petrosky Jr., and
grandfather Daryl F. Bullinger.


SEAN LITCHFORD

In November 2007, Sean Litchford graduated from
Army basic training in Ft. Sill, Okla. Sean is the son of John
and Barbara (Greene) Litchford and the grandson of Wink
Greepnp


TRAMEL CURTIS CLARK REUPS

Tramel Curtis Clark "TC" (CHS'79) and a member of
the Society of Distinguished American High School Students,
in U.S. Marine Corps uniform signing back up for the USMC
Reserves. TC is the son of Freddie L. and Inez (Berg)
Clark.


N~.'2


Tramel Curtis Clark, USMCR


Barbara Litchford and PV2 Sean Litchford


Y PRIDE
LEWIS VERNON CATURIA

AB Lewis Vernon Caturia graduated on September 28,
2007, from Air Force basic training at Lackland Air Force
Base, Texas. He earned honor graduate status. Lewis is cur-
rently stationed at Goodfellow Air Force Base, Texas, where
he is receiving advanced training.
A 2007 graduate of Menomonic, Wise., High School, he
is the son of Vern (CHS'80) and Theresa Caturia, and the
grandson of Vernon and Ruth Caturia, all of Menomonic,
Wise.


r ~i~C~







YOUR REPORTER SAYS


AL Allen Cotton (334) 361-2373
AZ Nancy Eide (520) 577-7284
Diane French (623) 546-8624
AR Betty Dunning (479) 633-0612
Lynn Harp (479) 271-8055
CA Helen Aanstoos-Hay and Isaac Hay (707) 887-1015
FL Central Dawn Gressang (386) 441-6595
Emerald Coast Edwin Armbruster (850) 897-1330
Ocala Grace Shadeck (352) 347-4141
Pensacola Barbara Vose-Kulig (850) 474-6341
South Florida Tom Pattison (954) 894-1247
Space Coast Kathie (Nehring) McConaughey (321) 452-7281
Tallahassee Skip Rowley (850) 422-2151


GA June A. Stevenson


(770) 995-7537


HI Frances (Farrell) Viglielmo
LA Patt Foster Roberson
MD Robin Harrison Baker
Midwest Paul Bierman
MS Patt Foster Roberson
NC Patricia Hunt
Northwest Barbara (Greene) Litchford
OK Laura (Burns) Redemann
Panama Anna Opel
SC George Garcia
TX Dallas Linda Morris
Kerrville JoAnne Fields
San Antonio Paula Kuyoth-Ayers
VA Karen (Peugnet) Brandl


(808) 373-4836
(225) 774-7761
(410) 654-2351
(630) 650-5006
(225) 774-7761
(828) 696-3995
(206) 334-3359
(918) 745-1337
011 (507)262-1001
(864) 801-2072
(972) 398-9744
(830) 895-2794
(830) 985-3186
(757) 233-6767


Deadline for the JUNE 2008 Canal Record is April 4, 2008.


ALABAMA


"No one in Alabama had anything
to report again this quarter so I will
entertain you with my and Spike the
wonder dog's exploits from this quar-
ter. I am doing this so we don't forfeit
Alien Cotton Alabama's space in the Canal Record
to another state.
In October Spike and I drove to Missouri to visit my
nephew and his wife, Casey and Rachel Corrigan. Casey's
parents, Wendy (Cotton) (CHS'58) and Dennis Corrigan
(CHS'57), of Phoenix, Ariz., were there as were my brothers,
George Cotton (CHS'62) of Canyon Lake, Texas, and Gary
Cotton and his wife Joan of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. We were
joined by my cousin, Carolyn (Hennessey) Johnson and her
husband Doug of St. Louis, Mo., and Gary's daughter, son-in-
law and granddaughter, Stephanie, Nick and Dakota
Neblock, of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Casey and Rachel have a
beautiful home overlooking the Lake of the Ozarks.
On October 13th, my father-in-law Jack Smith of
Alexander City, Ala., fell in his driveway and broke his neck
and pelvis. He was knocked out for some time and when he
woke up he went into the house and made himself some
breakfast before his pain made him call a neighbor for help.
He was taken to the hospital in Alexander City and then trans-
ferred to the University of Alabama Hospital in Birmingham.
He spent a week in the hospital in Birmingham and then was
transferred to a rehabilitation hospital in Montgomery which
is closer to Prattville, where I live. Jack spent two weeks in
the rehab hospital and then came to stay at my house for a few
weeks until he was strong enough to go back home. He has
been recovering well and has home health care come in a cou-
ple of times a week to help him with mobility exercises. He
hired a lady to come in during the day and help out with cook-
ing, cleaning and just be company. He is able to get around
the house without his walker but still uses it when he goes
outside. He has a friend drive him up to the Super Wal-Mart
a couple of times a week where he walks around the store for


exercise. He is amazing and an inspiration to me. Jack is 88
years old.
Spike and I drove to Peoria, Ill., to spend Christmas with
my daughter, son-in-law and granddaughter, Heather
(Cotton), Tracy and Chloe Nichols. Tracy's mom, Shirley
Macon, of Havre de Grace, Md., flew in to spend Christmas
with the kids too. Chloe being the only child of two only chil-
dren received a pretty good load of gifts from her grandpar-
ents, parents and Santa Claus. The day Spike and I arrived in
Peoria it was 55 degrees but a cold front arrived just in time
for Christmas and we got three inches of snow and woke up
to 14 degrees with the wind blowing about 35 miles per hour.
It didn't take me long to remember why I moved to Alabama.
Spike had never been in that kind of weather or snow so I had
to buy him a coat and a set of boots since when I took him out
he got so cold he couldn't walk due to his shivering so hard.
When it was time to return to Alabama we woke to a light
freezing rain which turned to snow by the time I made the ten
miles to the interstate. It snowed hard and harder for the first
100 miles of the drive and then turned to rain for the rest of
the 700-mile drive.
On a sad note, Fred Rose, son of Judith Anne (Jorstad)
Rose (CHS'50), reported that Judith passed away December
14, 2007. Please see her obituary in the obituary section.
In March I will be making a trip to Panama to scatter the
ashes of Edith (Edie) (Smith) Cotton (CHS'70) on Gatun
Lake. Edie passed away September 13, 2007. Her children,
Daniel Coulson of Houston, Texas, and Kendra Coulson of
Kyle, Texas, will accompany me to scatter their mother's
ashes. We will spend a week in Panama showing Daniel and
Kendra where their mom grew up.

Allen Cotton, Reporter
(334) 361-2373
email: ahcotton(iibellsouth.net


MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
REGISTER EARLY FOR THE
2008 REUNION. SEE PAGE 6.







ARIZONA


S., Hello, friends. Jay and I have
been in Colorado since December 2,
2006. Our son Mike and his wife
Erin of Longmont, Colo., had a baby
Diane French boy on December 13th weighing in at
9 lbs. His name is Jack Randall French. Of course, he looks
like a French and very handsome. Randall was my father's
middle name and I feel honored that he has the name. We
were at the hospital in Denver when Jack was born and it was
a wonderful experience.
Before Jack was born we were able to see our grand-
daughter Amanda play in her Christmas concert. She plays
the cello and I must say she did a good job. She is taller than
me now and a very sweet child.
We spent Christmas day at my son's house in Castle
Rock, Colo., with his family: Trisha, Sophie (2), and
Zachary (2 months old). We were able to have a white
Christmas as we woke up to a snowstorm that day.
Jay and I went to our son's house in California for New
Year's. I told Jay we should buy an RV since we travel so
much, and live in it. Don't think Jay will go for that as he
loves Sun City West.
Have not heard anything from anyone in Arizona but that
may be because we are on the road. Everyone take care and
keep me posted of anything going on with you and yours.

Diane (Sparks) French, Reporter
(623) 546-8624
email: DLFrench05(aol.com



CALIFORNIA


Happy Spring everyone!!
We have had some stormy
Weather over winter out here in
the Golden State. The day after
Christmas we flew in to
Helen and Isacc Hay Houston and drove down to
Galveston to attend my cousin's wedding. Cousin Mike
Aanstoos is one of my uncle Ted's children. Uncle Ted grew
up on Colon Beach way back when in the good old days.
Mike waited until his 50s for just the right woman and they
had a lovely wedding at Sacred Heart Church in Galveston.
Two days before the wedding Mike tripped over Christmas
lights and broke his arm and had a sling and sprint in the pic-
ture.
We got to meet some cousins for the first time and that
was fun. My sister Virginia Joan flew in from Atlanta and
after the wedding we drove up to Huntsville to see Terri
Densmore who teaches kindergarten there. Virginia and Terri
graduated from BHS together in 1975. We drove around
Huntsville and toured Isaac's alma mater, Sam Houston State
University. We flew back just before a couple big storms hit
our area, just in the nick of time. Winds blew over 70 mph


and a huge tree fell onto our neighbor's house and squashed
it, taking out the power to most the area. We were on a dif-
ferent grid, so we got electricity back before everyone else,
who are still in the dark.


Helen Aanstoos-Hay, Mike Aanstoos, Linda Aanstoos, and
Virginia Joan Taylor.


Terri Densmore and Virginia Joan (Aanstoos)


And speaking of disasters, we got good news from Susan
Mitchell Conniry in San Diego County. On October 23rd
when I called them, fires were raging all over their area, plus
in Malibu. Tom and Sue and their dogs had been evacuated
to Fiesta Island near Mission Bay. They said this particular
camp had been set up especially for evacuees who had pets
and it catered to the needs of all types of animals. They
camped with horses, goats, chickens, cats, dogs and even pet
rats. Of course they had no idea if they would have a house
when they returned. Twice the fire tried to get to their land,
which is in a rugged canyon. Each time it stopped shy about
a mile from their home! Most of the brush had already burned
in the fires of 2003. They were so grateful to have an intact
home on their return. Since returning home they had a work
party of friends helping them to clear more areas around their
property. As she says, "Dirt doesn't burn!"
We got a call from Nelson Borrero and Helen Braswell
(currently living in Virginia) who came out to Santa Cruz vis-
iting Canal Zone friends, Tom Slice and Duncan Ballenger.
They drove down to Redondo Beach to visit Nelson's daugh-
ter, then had to cut their visit short to return east when
Nelson's mom became ill. Nelson was in my homeroom class
in our senior year (BHS'66) in Mrs. Murphy's typing class-
room. Nelson was very mechanical and used to randomly dis-
assemble and then reassemble his typewriter like a pit stop
crew at the Indianapolis 500. To this day whenever I see
Nelson I picture him waving his paper roller around like a
baton, exclaiming: "Don't worry Murph the Surf, it's






alright!" Sweet Mrs. Murphy would become quite vexed, but
never disciplined him. Besides, he always perfectly reassem-
bled all the parts and in the blink of an eye. Then Steve
Bissell, also in our homeroom, would come walking in with
those curled eyebrows going up and down and a Cheshire cat
smile on his face. I could barely contain myself from crack-
ing up. Oh, what days!!
Let's all wish hearty congratulations to Jehd Webster on
his retirement. He and Cheryl left Vacaville and moved to
Lincoln, Miss. We missed them this year at the Los Gatos pic-
nic, which turned out to be bigger and better than ever. Over
100 attended!! I am sorry for not being able to get everyone's
name, it would have been impossible. Many familiar faces
and many new faces were there. Since we befriended Brenda
Bethancourt with Bellezas Panamanians in the Bay area we
asked her to put the word out to all of them about the picnic
and she did. The result was a wonderful diverse blend that
well represented our beloved Panama and our Canal Zone of
the past. We even had a dozen teen ladies twirling their
batons!
Connie Zemer Bumgarner, who was a majorette at BHS
in the '60s, borrowed one of their batons and got out there
twirling and high-stepping with them. Even though it was
40+ years later it just goes to prove that when you had it, you
still have it! Connie twirled and spun, flinging the baton way
up into the air and caught it, never missing a beat, proving
that at nearly 60 we can still keep up with those lovely teen
beauties.
We rented the biggest van Enterprise offers again this year
and shuttled our Sonoma County contingency to the picnic,
15 of us squeezed in chiva-style. We spanned in age from six
months to 86 years young. We stopped at a McDonald's in
San Francisco to use the bathroom and we were one colorful
sight, in our festive mola shirts and Panama hats. What fun!
It was Elia Cedeiio's first picnic and she remarked how
exciting it would be if just maybe someone she knew might
be there. Elia left Panama at age 11 when a U.S. couple


adopted her from the Bella Vista Orphanage and whisked her
off to the states. Lo and behold, as she sat chatting at the pic-
nic with David Finn and his mom, it turned out that Dave's
mom too was a youngster at the children' home and used to
play with Elia's big sister Dalis in the 1930s! Those two
women were nearly in tears upon finding each other and all
of us around them were too. God, our reunions are amazing!


Elia Cedefio at the picnic


One of the other highlights of the day was the celebration
of John Freed turning 86. We all sang happy birthday and
broke out four cakes. His wife Lilia had managed to secretly
spread the word about it being his big day, so when we broke
out in song he was taken by surprise. John survived fighting
on the German front in the U.S. Army during WWII before
settling in the Canal Zone after the war ended. We have so
much to thank our veterans for, but that is another subject.





















JUIIII rI t-u I CJUll II u 1_1l11LIIuJ.,) iA.1 I


Helen Aanstoos-Hay and Brenda Bethancourt

is" u & a..


Anne Aanstoos Warner and Doug Sanders


Kris Kingsbury and Helen Aanstoos-Hay


Beni Landoff and Susan Bell

In August we got a call from Bernadette McNamee who
lives in Monterey. She said she would be spending Christmas
and New Year's in Florida visiting her brother Vernon's old-
est son. Sadly, Vernon died young, years ago from pancreatic
cancer. Those who remember Vernon recall what a great
baseball player he was. From Florida Bernadette was then
heading to Panama for 3-4 months. We hoped to see her dur-
ing our annual January visit.
The Bellezas Panamanians put on a fund-raiser one night
in November in Fremont, called Noche Criolla. They raised
money for the 2008 Carnival parade in San Francisco, name-
ly the Panama group. Brenda Bethancourt held the event at
her house and turned her kitchen into an assembly line of sim-
mering pots and pans. The smells were incredible! The food
was all Panamanian and sold at reasonable prices. Everything
was devoured as fast as the ladies ladled it out. We saw old
friends and made new friends. Had a nice chat with Ricky
Royo. It was good to see Melissa Christy again. We met her
sister who is a student at Berkeley. They got to visit their par-
ents in Panama City over Christmas break.
Please keep in touch everyone. We'll see you in Orlando
this summer!

Helen Aanstoos-Hay and Isaac Hay, Reporters
(707) 887-1015
email: Haanstoos66@,comcast.net




FLORIDA


Central Florida

I hope all of you had a wonderful
Holiday Season and that 2008 is off to a
good start! Dawn Gressang
Janet Stuart writes that this past summer old friends
from the Canal Zone came by for a visit. Al Schonert, Sheila
Schonert (both BHS'68), and Mike and Margie Corrigan
(BHS'67) came by for dinner. Also, Janet's daughter Lindsay
Willingham has moved back to Florida.
























\1 Schonerr, .anel Stuart, Sheila
Willingham, and Mike Corrigan.


I also recently received a picture from Kevin
Brandenburg and friend Jason Gragg. They traveled to
Memphis, Tenn., to watch the Liberty Bowl on December 29,
2007.


Jason Gragg and Kevin Brandenburg at the Liberty Bowl

Thanksgiving found Jacque Vowell (BHS'70) with chil-
dren, Casey and Kye, and Pam Crowell (BHS'71) with son
Thomas traveling to sister Bonnie (BHS'64) and Mike
Morrison's home in Deland. Their daughter Cassie and Dan
and grandchild Zach were there also. This reporter was there
with my son Scott and his wife Catrina and their daughter
Andrea. It was so nice to have everyone together, as Andrea
and Casey live out of state.


This reporter and her friend Mel from Arizona went to
Key West and spent one day at Fantasy Fest in October. We
had a blast!! We also spent a few days with his sister in Big
Pine Key and on the way down to the Keys, we stopped to see
an old friend from Dawn's nurses training days. Oh, the
memories flowed!!
A few days before Christmas, my late husband's (Dan
Gressang) son and family came to spend the holidays with
me. I had family and friends at my home for Christmas. So
much food! The day after Christmas this reporter and the
Gressang family left for Tampa for three days to watch my
grandson Daniel play in a soccer tournament. Even though
his team did not make the finals, his team played very well
and this Grandma rooted for them all the way! My grand-
daughter Alyssa and I were roommates and it was a lot of
fun!!
New Year's Eve found me and my sister, Jacque Vowell,
on Main Street for a block party in Daytona Beach. I won the
Twist contest and got myself a T-shirt! I'm so proud! I spent
the rest of the night dancing (mostly by myself, but I don't
care, just as long as I can dance). My son Scott and his wife
Catrina were there also. Beautiful fireworks shot over the
Halifax river topped off the evening!
Later in the week the Crowell sisters gathered to attend a
Doo-Wop concert at the Peabody auditorium in Daytona
Beach. We had a great time dancing in our seats, doing the
hand jive, and singing along with the oldies but goodies.


Pam Crowell, Bonnie Morrison, Barbie (friend), and Dawn
Gressang.

The next night the family headed over to Bonnie and
Mike Morrison's home for a block party and football game.
The pre-game entertainment was provided by Howie Parker
from New Jersey and the sisters were the background singers.


Howie Parker and Mike Morrison


Thanksgiving gathering




















Dawn Gressang and Pam Crowell


That's about it for now. Please let me know of your com-
ings and goings and I will write about them.

Dawn Gressang, Reporter
(386) 441-6595
email: dawnthedancer(aaol.com


Emerald Coast

The Pana-Zonie Ping Ding held
October 27th for the Ft. Walton and
Destin Beach area was well attend-
ed. Great food was brought in and
there was ample including hot fried
yucca that was prepared on the spot.
One of the favorites that created a
sensation was seviche made a differ-
Edwin Armbruster
ent way by Larue Hutchinson who
came from Dothan, Ala., for the occasion. It would surprise
you of some of the ingredients in the recipe. If anyone would
like to have a copy of the recipe, contact this reporter.
A prize winner for coming the farthest was Kevin Vose
who drove 700 miles from North Carolina. Ted Pavo (who
was in Panama in the military in the 1970s) played a guitar
and sang throughout the evening and his Pollerrero dance
troupe performed several typical dances. The "Miss Piggy"
pig-calling contest was conducted and won by Jonathan
Creek for the Juniors and the older kids race was won by
Rick Taylor. There were over $500 in door prizes given out.














Pollerrero Dance Troupe and friends at the Ping Ding


Jonathan Creek (on left) winning the Piggy Race. Jean
Armbruster (in back) supervising.


(L-R): Jonathan Creek, Darla (Vose) Creek, Niki Fanning,
Mike Little, Tommy Little, Kevin Vose, Ti Ti Rodriguez,
Debbie Harris, Connie (Armbruster) Dermody, Elaine
Little, and Kelsey Diaz holding son Chase.


~-i~ati~E-

rllll
I -r





Special thanks go to Dee Dee Hanna, Ti Ti Rodriguez,
Elaine Little, Jean Armbruster, Nikki Fanning, Sharon
Smith, Jim Kearley, Sonny and Evelyn Balch and Ted
Pavo.

Edwin Armbruster, Reporter
(850) 897-1330
email: edwin2@cox.net


Ocala

The third month into 2008 and
how many of us have kept our New
Year's resolutions?? My philosophy is
not to make any resolutions, but to try
and accomplish one task that I have
been putting off and/or learning .
something new each day no matter Grace Shadeck
how miniscule, and then I feel my day was not wasted.
On October lth, the Ocala Ditchdiggers met at the
Marion County Sheriff's Office Inmate Work Farm for a pic-
nic for their biannual get-together. The group was treated to a
hayride of sorts around the farm where they learned about the
fish, hog, chicken, and cattle operations. They also were
informed that several crops of vegetables and fruits are grown
throughout the year to offset costs to feed the inmates while
housed in the jail. It was a beautiful, sunny day with plenty of
food, fellowship, and sharing of stories of the old Canal Zone
heydays. The next Ocala Ditchdiggers get-together will be
April 5, 2008, at the Golden Corral on 2111 SW College
Road in Ocala at 11:30 a.m. Looking forward to seeing you
there.


Ocala Ditchdiggers digging in












Ocala Ditchdiggers being taken for a hayride


It is with great sadness that I report that Virginia Booth,
a longtime member of the Panama Canal Society and of the
Ocala Zonians/Pan Canal Ditchdiggers, passed away
November 17 (see Obituaries). She and her daughter Patsy
were well-known vendors at the Pan Canal reunions held in
Orlando every year. Those who came to the graveside service
to pay their respects were: Mania Nita (classmate of Patsy),
Fred and Claudia Robinson, Bill and Marbella Melody,
David and Damaris Speir, Ruth Conlan and her son Taylor,
Juanita McConaughey, Richard "Baldy" and Carmen
Baltozer, Tommy Duncan, Sylvia Duncan, Richard Lopp,
Leo Shadeck, and several of Patsy's co-workers. Instead of a
eulogy per se, Patsy lovingly and poignantly talked about her
mom and what she had accomplished during her lifetime giv-
ing us an inclusive picture of her mom from her childhood
until Virginia became ill last May. Patsy said she will be at the
July 2008 Pan Canal Reunion in Orlando and is requesting
that anyone who has pictures of her mother and father to
please bring them as she is planning to have a Wall of
Remembrance in honor of them.
Betty Blanchette, retired nurse of the Division of
Occupational Health, had a memorable family reunion in
early December which also included an early Christmas cel-
ebration for the grandchildren. Her granddaughter Nicole
(Blanchette) Geelen and her husband Joris, whom Betty had
not seen since 2002, and their 16-month-old son Aaron
Mitchell flew in from Belgium. Betty's grandson Christian
and his wife Autumn (Rosado) Blanchette drove from
Washington, D.C. Joining the group were: Paula
(Blanchette) DaCosta and husband Greg with their 26-
month-old daughter Hannah; Geri (Blanchette) Foster and
husband Bill with their son Billy Foster, Jr. and his girlfriend
Amanda; and Mary (Blanchette) Shuey and husband Ray.
To celebrate this auspicious occasion, the girls' father Robert
Blanchette and his wife Donna had a pig roast with all the





delicious Panama trimmings: seviche, platano, coconut rice
and beans. There were many other fun family gatherings
before Nicole and family left for Panama.
e-Bw- '4 ei f


Betty Blanchette family gathering


Our feature person for the Canal Record is Sydney
(Townsend) Corbett.


Union Church calendars.
Since Sydney didn't have a recent picture of herself, we
decided to meet for lunch at Bob Evans Restaurant across
from Wal-Mart. This would give my daughter Karen
Shadeck (BHS'93) and Mrs. Corbett a wonderful opportuni-
ty to chitchat as it has been several years since they have seen
each other plus I would be able to take some pictures. Karen
and I went to the restaurant and waited and waited. As I was
looking around the place, 1 saw some familiar faces and they
were: Ruth Conlan, her daughter Kathy Conlan, Juanita
McConaughey and her son Will McConaughey (BHS'72).
Will resides in Houston, Texas, and was visiting relatives in
Florida. He retired as Lock Master in 1999 and knows Mrs.
Corbett as he was in her first English class at Balboa High
School. So it was with great anticipation we waited for her to
arrive. Well, it turned out that Sydney was biding her time at
the other Bob Evans on the other side of Ocala, wondering
what had happened to us--too funny! Anyway, it was a great
photo opportunity to take pictures of Juanita, Ruth, Will, and
Kathy. Karen and I finally met Mrs. Corbett two days later
and had a fantastic time catching up on what was going on in
our lives. Afterwards we visited Syd's husband Ronald at his
place of business.


Sydney Corbett and Karen Shadeck


Sydney Corbett


What brought you to Panama: My parents both grew up in
the Canal Zone during the construction days and had returned
after college to work there. I was born there.
Years in Canal Zone: 1943 (birth) 1962 (high school) -
1969 to 1999 (teaching at Balboa High School).
Key Events: Too many to recount here the Canal Zone
encompassed my whole life, both as a child and as an adult.
What is most missed: I miss the sense of community, the
feeling that we were all part of the same endeavor of sup-
porting the American spirit and keeping the Canal going. The
Canal Zone was a special place like no other that created its
own sense of belonging. Those who didn't feel that way soon
moved back to the States.
Since Panama: I moved to Ocala and cared for my parents
(Red and Virginia Townsend) until their passing. I have
been an adjunct instructor (Freshman Composition) at
Central Florida Community College since 2000. I am a choir
member as well as choir librarian at St. Paul's United
Methodist Church. 1 still am the contact person for the Balboa


Left side: Will McConaughey and Juanita McConaughey.
Right side: Ruth Conlan and Kathy Conlan.

If anyone has any news for the next article, please call,
email, or slow mail them to me. Muchas Gracias,

Grace Shadeck, Reporter
(352) 347-4141
email: lvgs6171@iembarqmail.com


II J^ 4
W, .





Pensacola


J Dedeaux has settled into college *... -
life nicely at FSU in Tallahassee.
Besides his classes, he has been going '
to the gym on campus, playing tennis A
and racquetball with friends. He has Ba a
been accepted in the fraternity PHI
Gamma Delta (nickname Figi) and seems to be enjoying all
their activities. He has a really great roommate from
Jacksonville who is pre-med and with J in the Pharmacy pro-
gram, those two make perfect roommates. J is very happy
with his choice of FSU and is having a fantastic freshman
year. His mom has traveled several times to visit him, each
time with a different grandmother he definitely gets lots of
treats and TLC from home!
-- a --.-


The whole family attended the children's Christmas mass
at Nativity Catholic Church on Christmas Eve. After mass we
had our traditional buffet and opening of stockings at our
house had a wonderful time watching the children's eyes
bug out as they hunted through their stockings for the good-
ies (that includes the adult children too)!!
On Christmas day, Keith and I opened our presents, then
headed for Darla's house for a non-traditional Christmas
brunch and more opening of presents sure do love the pres-
ents. Christmas evening Keith and I had a prime rib/roast
pork dinner with all the trimmings at the home of Barb and
Lou Dedeaux. It was a great crowd: Jon, Deb and J
Dedeaux; D, Terry, Deb, and Samantha LaPorta; Lou and
Barb; and Keith and I. We enjoyed the nostalgia of talking
about the Zone, going over old yearbooks (see how young
people looked) and, of course, opening presents. It's such a
great feeling to get with Zonians and relive the past like
going back home for a while!


1T
*- fI%


J Dedeaux, FSU, Tallahassee, Fla.


Another holiday season has gone by so quickly, but I keep
telling everyone -just ten more months and it's all here again!
It really has been a great year and, God willing, we'll have an
even better one this year (no bad weather), if that's possible!
Halloween was delightful many children and they were
all cute in their costumes. The whole family came over to
trick-or-treat with the kids and have a Johnny Mazzetti dinner
with all the trimmings. Thanksgiving was enjoyable as usual.
We (16 of us) had a brunch buffet at the Angus delicious
spread! Our cousin from Daphne and her husband drove in to
spend the day with us. We have decided we love the idea of
no cooking, no washing dishes, etc.!!
It seemed as though we were going to have a warm holi-
day season, but I was so pleased when it became cool right
before Christmas thank goodness it just doesn't seem like
Christmas without the cold. I love the cold not your typical
Zonian girl from the tropics. I did my usual holiday baking,
making baskets and sending out packages I made five dif-
ferent cakes and 17 different cookies everything came out
perfect. I surely do enjoy baking and giving it all away -
makes my heart feel good to see the enjoyment on the faces
of the families I share my treats with. It makes for a blessed
holiday!


Back (L-R): J Dedeaux, Keith and Barb Kulig, Samantha
and D LaPorta, and Jon Dedeaux. Front (L-R): Deb
LaPorta; Barb, Lou and Deb Dedeaux.

Tom Finneman and Rochelle Blount arrived in Mobile
from South Florida to spend the holidays with Rochelle's
family. After Christmas they, along with Rochelle's nephew
Carter, drove to Pensacola to visit friends here. The LaPortas
had an after-Christmas party welcoming the couple. Those
who were in town or did not have other commitments gath-
ered at the LaPortas. Also, visiting from Indiana was D's sis-
ter, Deb. Everyone had a wonderful evening J, Jon, Louie
and Barb Dedeaux; Carter and Rochelle Blount; Tom
Finneman; Deb, D, Terry and Samantha LaPorta. Rumors of
a big event filled the room when everyone noticed Rochelle
wearing a diamond ring on her left hand; however, it wasn't
until December 30th at another Zonian get-together at Ed and
Shannon Blount's when everyone witnessed Tom asking
Rochelle "on bended knee" for her hand in marriage. Yes, it's
true -- Tom and Rochelle spent December 31st "ringing in the
New Year!!"

Deadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
is April 4, 2008.





lunch and spend a few hours together should be fun. More
on the visit and photos will be forthcoming in the next issue.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at the 2008 Reunion.
If you have any news for my next article no matter how
small please call or send to me. Hasta luego!

Barbara M. (Hall) Vose-Kulig, Reporter
(850) 474-6341
email: czbarbv(.cox.net


South Florida


..-



Kibitzer at top of Pix: Ed Blount. Back Row (L-R): Dennis
(Shannon's brother), D LaPorta, Tom Gabriel, Donna
Deaton, Jon Dedeaux, and Leslie Gillespie. Center (L-R):
Deb, Terry and Samantha LaPorta; Steve and Lucy
Blount; Shannon and Carter Blount. Front: The Happy
Couple Tom Finneman and Rochelle Blount.


(L-R): Leslie Gillespie, Tom Finneman, Rochelle and
Carter Blount, Louie Dedeaux, Jon Dedeaux, J Dedeaux,
Deb LaPorta, Terry LaPorta (holding Hannah), D and
Samantha LaPorta.

Keith and I spent a quiet evening at home and welcomed
in the new year it was too cold to go anywhere. I made a
slew of empanadas and we thoroughly enjoyed them.
As of this writing, the temperature here is in the teens I
like it cold, but not this cold. I hope the weather gets a little
warmer because Darla, Jonathan and I are going to Gulf
Shores to meet up with the Fishboughs from Oviedo--Rosa,
Bob, Bobby, Kathy, and Lily (new baby) they came to
Pensacola first, but no one was available. We plan to go to


Linda and I invited Bill and
Margaret McLaughlin down to ..
southern Florida for the annual
Panamaniac Picnic and maybe
have a little St. Alfonso's pan-
cake breakfast to boot. It gave
Bill and I a chance to talk face to
face about knife offers (because it
was a good offer) or never put Tom "T'Bird" Pattison
water in the pepper sauce because
it will spoil or just catch up on "where did all the time go?"
without worrying about getting cauliflower ear from cell-
phonitis (what...are you guys still talking). Margaret brought
me some more peppers plus a Jamaican "chocolate" aji
chombo bush that produces chocolate peppers that you
wouldn't put into a cake or fudge. We threw together a batch
of corvina seviche, some purple potato salad and other good-
ies and set off for the park. I hate to tell you, but this wasn't
our best turnout. Nevertheless, we made the best of it, enjoy-
ing a perfect day (the wind was blowing towards the landfill)
and filling our bellies with great tipica comida and the occa-
sional beer or glass of wine. Jaime brought his congas and
along with his brother got us going with el ritmo panameflo.
Next year I promise I will do better on getting the word out.
Speaking of picnics, I got a call from Barbara Klipper
Miller telling me about the Northern South Florida, East
Coast Picnic in Okeeheelee Park at 7500 Forest Hills Blvd.,
West Palm Beach, on Saturday, April 5th from 11 a.m. until
dusk. Call me and I will tell you how to contact Barbara,
Carolyn Schoch, or Larry Corrigan for details. Bring a side
and something for the grill.


Marc Malavasic
mmalavasic@cfl.rr.com
321-727-2055


BHS CLASS OF 1973
is Proudly Sponsoring


Thursday Night at the Yacht Club

Live Band from 9p.m. to 1 a.m.


This is a FREE night of entertainment
brought to you by BHS Class of 73.


Jean M(
bhsgi


Contact:
edinger McGuire
rl73@yahoo.com
727-804-5000


01 -! nBJJaB JJa BB IBBB l


C^n.


































Panamaniac Picnic 2007


As I alluded to in my last report, I've been busy lately and
haven't been giving my full attention to my reporting duties
(some might say I never have) but I've had my reasons. My
mom "Bricky" Pattison was not doing well and we were all
concerned about her well-being and comfort. My brother Jim
"Red" Pattison lives in Round Rock with his wife Kat and
two kids, Tommy and Megan. They've been the ones that
have been just down the road (for the first 10 years) and final-
ly just a few miles away for the last six. I traveled as often as
I could first from Panama and finally from South Florida to
spend time with her and my brother and sometimes just to
give him the occasional break. She died the day after
Christmas (please see Obituaries) and this is what I read at
her memorial service.


Kat, Red, Bricky TBird and Linda Pattison

Kat, Red, Bricky, T-Bird, and Linda Pattison


"Hello dere"...that's how she knew it was me. It was our
own special code. If my brother would call on a Sunday and
put mom on to talk, my wife knew who I was talking to as


soon as she heard me say, "Hello dere"...and we would
always close with me or my brother saying "see ya later alli-
gator" to which she would reply "hit the road, toad." But it
goes back long before the phone calls.
"Imagine a 10-year-old kid, leaving LA and after a long
ride on a train and then a ship, arriving in Panama in 1933. It
still must have been pretty primitive. She and her sister Jean
along with her parents, Tom and Barbara Coleman, in a jun-
gle in Central America. Of course I'm sure it wasn't long
before she was thoroughly enjoying the experience. Water
everywhere, trees to climb, new places to explore. Her sister,
think yin and yang, probably hated it at first. She was older
and was not impressed. They kept each other in check, both
having secrets to report to their parents if they didn't get their
way. Once after mom dove off the Olympic platform at the
Balboa pool, Aunt Jean threatened to tell their parents. Mom
said, 'I'll tell them about that guy I saw you with if you do.'
Mom was shorts, T-shirts and keds and Jean was dresses, ear-
rings and necklaces. I never bought my mom perfume on her
birthday; it was always some kind of woodworking tool. My
grandfather was a carpenter and she was a chip off the old
block. Mom was a hammer, Jean was Shalimar. They sur-
vived childhood and when Aunt Jean got married and started
a family, mom was there to babysit and work on one of them
to be different, like she was. Dale was too good so it had to
be Barbara. Later, she met a guy and got married but sadly
before I was born, things fell apart. I'm sure she had choices
but she was determined to make it alone. We were the two
musketeers. She took me everywhere. To the beach where she
showed me how to dig for clams with my toes. How to avoid
the undertow. How to dance quickly over the black sand. And
how to laugh and play. She took me to parties. One day she
brought home this man who I had seen a few times before and
I asked him if he was going to be my daddy. I'm sure he was






shocked and I don't remember what he said but soon after
they were married. I don't remember much of the wedding
because my cousin Barbara and her Betsey thought it would
be fun to spike my 'Roy Rogers' cocktail. We stayed on in
Panama and it wasn't long before mom started getting fat. It
was my brother Jimmy, 'Red'. I'm sure that 1 resented the
fact that I wasn't the sole object of her affection, but she
never let me down. And as if that wasn't bad enough, not long
after that, she got fat again. Then came Mikey. Jimmy and
Mikey were Batman and Robin, Mutt and Jeff...brothers. We
moved to the states but sadly when Mikey was around five
years old, he got sick. They traveled hundreds of miles sev-
eral times a week to go to the hospital. But it was not to be.
Mikey died and we never got over it, especially mom. Mom
kept it inside but she never forgot. And poor Red had lost his
foil. Who would he save the world with? Who would help
him get the bad guys? He was devastated. Mom and Dad had
it pretty bad in Waynesburg, Pa. The radio station wasn't
doing well and although we didn't know it we were almost in
the poor house. She worked on rebuilding the old house, ever
hammering and sawing, always in her shorts...even in the
winter. I'm sure the neighbors thought they were seeing
things when they saw this woman in shorts shoveling snow.
It was around this time that I started confiding in her.
Actually, she caught me sneaking out one night...and then
sneaking back in. She didn't tell me until the next day and
warned me that if dad found out I'd be in big trouble. She
said, 'just let me know where you're going and it'll be okay.'
I never snuck out again...without telling her.
"We finally got back to Panama and she was home again.
Dad eventually became chief of the Graphics Branch and
mom was picked to head up the brand-new Ship Data Bank.
She loved the job, although she refused to use a
computer...just give her an IBM Selectric and a Xerox copier.
That was the best! Everything went well for the rest of the
seventies. Of course, I had adopted the bohemiam lifestyle
that mom would have enjoyed if she had stayed single. Dad
would tell me to get a job and mom would say just have fun
and be careful. Dad was the next to go in 1980. Mom stayed
with him until the end and never got over it. He was the one
and there would never be another.
"It was not long after that, that she approached me with
'let's have a party,' 'What for?' I asked. 'Oh, no reason, I just
feel like having a get-together. Let's invite some of your
friends.' We even had one for my brother's 30th birthday. The
only trouble was that he wasn't invited. Actually he was in
the States so we videotaped it and called him. He was so mad
and vowed to get back at us. He tried, but that has never been
topped...so far. We've all lost count of the hundreds of get-
togethers we had in the years to come. Our famous Christmas
parties, which grew and grew. Years after we left our home in
Corozal, the guy who moved into our house told me that peo-
ple would still show up on Christmas, walk in the front door
and ask 'where's the party.' She adopted all of our friends and
they started to call her mom. They still do. She finally ended
up in Round Rock, Texas. Not too far from Red and Kat but
in her own home where she could tinker and garden...and
throw more parties. At first the neighbors thought she was
crazy to live alone in that big house but soon realized that she
was never alone and what a wonderful person she was. They


eventually started to come over and join in on the fun when-
ever we had a gang at the pool or when I'd come to town with
some new craze like 'Cajun cooking.' We had crawfish crawl-
ing all over the yard, a live band, my nephew Tommy vowing
never to eat 'Swamp-fire' corn again and my Aunt Jean biting
into a fried stuffed jalapeno, even after warning her that is
was hot. So she just blew on it till she thought it was cool
enough and then, 'OOOOOH HOTTT', and she danced
around and we all laughed.
"Mom was able to stay alone in the house for around ten
years or so but then she started to have problems remember-
ing her bills and letting things pile up. We tried to give her as
much independence as we could, but 'No I don't need any
help, I've been doing this by myself all my life' was her
answer. But it wasn't all right and finally she moved on to the
next stage of her life. We were talking with the staff of the
cottages the other day and they all remember the day she
showed up. A T-shirt that said SAILING, red shorts, keds, her
purse clutched to her shoulder and sort of sashaying in the
front door looking around for someone to dance with. We vis-
ited often and she was very happy. There was always music
and her family grew. She would dance until she had to do it
lying down. Kicking the covers off her feet so she could wig-
gle her toes. That's the way she was right up to the end.
Wanting to dance, but it kept getting harder. Bright eyes with
the dancing feet.
"She dancing now...with Dad, Mikey, her sister Jean and
her parents."
See ya later alligator.

Tom "T'Bird" Pattison, Reporter
(954) 894-1247
email: Curundu(bellsouth.net


Space Coast


1 trust everyone had a good
Christmas and all are looking for-
ward to a 2008 with lots of adven-
tures and opportunities!! The day
after Christmas, Bob and I traveled Kathie MConaughey
Kathie McConaughey
to West Virginia, North Carolina,
and Georgia to see all our grandchildren and deliver
Christmas gifts in person...and also saw a good bit of cold
weather. It seemed almost warm when we arrived back in
Merritt Island and found temperatures in the 50s and 60s!
Randy and JoElla Deakins got back to town in time for
Thanksgiving and Christmas. In their travels this past fall,
they got to visit with several friends, including Art Hiland in
McAllister, Okla. (who is 90 years young); John and Eula
Witt in New Blaine, Ark.; and Richard and Linda Burchett
in New Orleans.


Deadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
is April 4, 2008.


X I






































JoElla Deakins, Art Hiland, and Randy Deakins
JoElla Deakins, Art Hiland, and Randy Deakins


JoElla Deakins, Richard Burchett, and Linda Burchett


The Hunt-Watkins clan headed to the Smoky Mountains
for a week this past summer to celebrate Darleen
(Woodruff) Hunt's birthday. It was a memorable week with
trips to Dollywood, Gatlinburg, and the petting zoo (for the
little cousins).















Hunts-Watkins clan in Smoky Mountains

I got to catch up with Kelly Jeffries for a brief rundown
on what is going on with her and her family. Kelly and her
boyfriend Jeff Jennings are breaking ground and beginning
to build their new home on two acres of land in Cocoa..they
are excited, to say the least. Her brother Chris married a won-
derful woman last year in Colorado Springs and they honey-
mooned in Cozumel. Jennifer (Jeffries) and Richard Fisher
live in Titusville and their oldest son Alec is president of the
Astronaut High School Drama Club for the second year. He
frequently performs with the Rising Stars at the Titusville
Playhouse. Kelly's grandmother Marguerite Reinhardt, for-
merly of Cocoli, celebrated her 88th birthday in September.
While most of the rest of the country was shoveling snow
and making snow angels...Natalie (Watkins) McClennahan
and her daughter Kendall took a break from holiday shop-
ping and preparations to go to the beach to make "sand
angels"...much warmer and, in my opinion, a lot more fun!













Natalie McClennahan and Kendall, "Sand Angels"


PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY ONLINE SERVICES

Visit the Panama Canal Society website for online services for membership applications and
membership renewals, general membership meetings and minutes, and Canal Record area reporter
information.

http://www.pancanalsociety.org/






Once again, Bill and Edna Rogers, along with their son
Will and their granddaughter Olivia...participated in and won
1st place in the Melbourne Beach Christmas Parade. They
have a great time...and the honor of winning 1st place three
years in a row is quite an accomplishment!


Well, as one would expect, the month of October general-
ly means Halloween and many costume parties. Tallahassee
is no different. Beverly's office held a great party on Friday
night at the house of one of the employees, which included a
complete "Boot Hill" and all sorts of flying goblins, sound
effects and a large outdoor screen with great old spooky
movies. I donated my flying, howling Banshee and smoke
generator and, of course, Bev and I wore pirate costumes.


Rogers float in the Melbourne Beach Christmas Parade


Kathie McConaughey, Reporter
(321) 452-7281
email: Czmac321@iaol.com


Tallahassee


On October 19th we celebrated -
John Husum's 50th birthday in W rA-.
Tallahassee at his daughter
Rebekah's house. He went into -
the second century of his life sur-
rounded by his friends and family
from all over Florida. His sisters, Skip Rowley
Mary (Husum) Toston and Janet
(Husum) Herrington, helped make and set the fantastic
food, while daughters Rebekah and Catherine Husum host-
ed the party. Overall it was an extraordinary evening.


Bev and Skip Rowley, Pirates ot the Caribbean


Then on Saturday night, the Mizrachis held their annual
Halloween costume party, which was all decked out with any-
thing and everything scary. Howling sounds, moving coffins
and ghouls with lights abounded. Once again Woody and
Armie Chase took the prize for the best costumes. They
showed up as two "Umpa Loumpas." It is amazing what
Armie can do on the sewing machine in just a few hours.


Mizrachis' Annual Halloween party group


isum's 50th birthday party group


Then on Halloween night, I got dressed up as gentleman
"Jason," and had the smoke generator going full tilt, and the
"Screamin Demon" going back and forth over the driveway.
I hid in the shadows and as the little kids came to trick-or-
treat, Bev would give me the high sign and I would scare the
little kids. Several dropped their candy and ran and Bev or
Adriane would have to chase them down and give them back






their candy. The parents stood out in the street laughing. Most
everyone in my neighborhood knows me and expects me to
do something like that every year.
On November 3rd, Kara Twohy, the daughter of Henry
and the late Carolyn Holgerson Twohy, was married to
Chris McGuirt down in Spring Hill, Fla. She made a beau-
tiful bride. Her father, Henry, looked dapper in his formal
tuxedo. I kept thinking how proud Carolyn, my childhood
friend and BHS classmate, would be of her daughter on this
date. The guest list is just too long to mention here, but the
Canal Zone was well represented that weekend. It was the
first time 1 had seen my dear old friends Kevin and Olga
Jenkins since I had left the Zone, and we sure had a few good
stories to swap. It was sure good to see him up and walking
with no problem.


vohy and daughter Tara Twohy


Chris (Mitten) (BHS'68) Fettler, John Fettler
(BHS'67), Sue (Mitten) (BHS'62) Corrigan, David Wilder
(CHS'64), Jeanine (Hebert) (BHS'62), Corin Wilder
(BHS'98) and Kate Wilder (BHS'95) enjoyed themselves
during Thanksgiving weekend 2007 at the Wilders' house in
Guntersville, Ala.


In the latter part of November, Bev and I drove to Orlando
to help our son-in-law Brian Friedel celebrate his 40th birth-
day. Our daughter Renee had hired a professional gambling
company to come in and perform their gambling duties. She
had what looked like miniature $5,000s printed up with
Brian's picture where the President's photo would be and
there were between 40 to 50 people in attendance. One of the
neighbors who works in Disney World managed to borrow a
complete sound and lighting system and the entire pool area
was ablaze with dancing lights and disco sounds. Libations
abounded and it is a miracle that no one fell in the pool that
night. It was one heck of a bash.


Brian Friedel at right front enjoying his birthday party

Upon returning from Orlando, Bev and our daughter
Adriane Rowley repacked their suitcases and headed back to
Tampa to join Lisa Sasso Eckel and her mother Donna Sasso
for a five-day trip to New York City. They had booked this
tour months before and were worried that the writers' strike
would mess up their plans, but they were still able to see an
off-Broadway play. It has been a lifelong dream of Beverly's
to see the Rockettes perform at Radio City Music Hall, and
finally got to see their 75th anniversary Christmas program.
The four of them had such a good time going sightseeing at
all the usual places, and even went to dinner at the Tavern on
the Green. They visited the fire station that lost most of the
firemen in 9/11. It was a somber moment to see the shrine on
the wall to all the fallen comrades. Before they left, Lisa and
Adriane went ice-skating in Rockefeller Plaza during the first
real good snowstorm to hit the city this year, which added a
little extra pleasure to their trip, since Lisa and Donna had
never seen snow before.
__ -


Seated in back: Chris Fettler, John Fettler, Sue Corrigan,
David Wilder, and Corin Wilder. Seated in front: Jeannine Adriane Rowley, Lisa Sasso Eckel, Donna Sasso and Bev
Wilder and Kate Wilder. Rowley.





Christmas and New Year's in Tallahassee is always an
exciting time if for no other reason than the festive lights and
cold weather, which for some of us Zonians is still an amaz-
ing novelty. Yes, even after 19 years here in Tallahassee, I'm
still not totally used to cold winters. But I have to admit that
it is neat, as long as you pick a warm day to both put up and
take down your outside Christmas lights. New Year's was a
delight. Henry and Sunny Morland Mizrachi held a former
tuxedo affair at their home. It was listed as a "Black and
White" evening. And it goes without saying that the dinner
was second to none. In case you missed one of my other arti-
cles, I will tell you that Henry is a gourmet chef. We have
always enjoyed the good times that we have had at their home
over the past several years.
1R -% I_ _


Back (L-R): Skip and Bev Rowley, Sue Corrigan, Zory and
Doug Larrabee, Sheila and Terry Stepp, and Diane Roscoe
Murphy. Seated: Henry and Sunny Mizrachi.

This past weekend Bev and I drove down to visit Bob and
Alice Forsythe in Melbourne, Fla. Bob had asked me to both
install him, a Sibert Lodge member and co-worker from
Gatun Locks, as Tyler in Beach Masonic Lodge in
Melbourne, Fla., and to give the "Charge" to the new incom-
ing Master of the Lodge, Worshipful Jim Braddock, who
joined Sibert Lodge in 1974 while in the Army and in charge
of J.O.T.C. at Pina. I was an officer in the Lodge back then,
and eventually became Master in 1978. He wanted a past
Master from his mother Lodge to formally charge him with
his Masonic duties. It is a good feeling to see someone you
initiated many years ago in a different world finally achieve
his goal of becoming Master of a Lodge, even if it isn't the
one he started out in. It was an honor for me to be asked to be
there for the occasion. A side benefit of the trip down, it also
gave me a chance to use my new GPS that Bev had given me
for Christmas. What a neat toy!!

iim fc- n'


Skip Rowley, Jim Braddock, and Robert Forsythe


The annual Tallahassee Christmas Tree burn is to be held
on January 19th at Tom Robertson's house. Tom and I went
out last weekend and gathered 40 trees, and so far I have 27
trees in my yard awaiting Mark Heddaeus and his trailer to
haul them out to Tom's place. Every year, it seems that the
party is going to be bigger than ever. Just like the old times in
the Zone, except that it's a lot colder. As the saying goes,
"ya'll come, ya hear."
Mark, Katherine and Jillian Heddaeus spent ten days of
Christmas on the Isthmus. It was a bittersweet trip back
home, seeing all the changes that they had heard and read
about, after being gone for seven years. It would take many
pages to tell what all they did, but rest assured they covered
a lot of territory and did as much as they had time for. They
rented a car and after getting their bearings on just how and
where to turn to get out of town, they managed to drive up to
DeCameron for three days, and El Valle where they shopped
for baskets, then visited the various beaches, then out to the
Gamboa resort for lunch, toured Miraflores Locks Visitors
facility, and drove all through the townsites and bases that
they used to frequent when they still lived there. What a sur-
prise to see their old home on Carr Street had been torn down
and a new palace was being built on the tiny lot.
Not only did they drive all over, they also ate their way
through Panama City at all the good old restaurants that they
remembered, like the Napoli, Meson del Prado, and the
Restaurant de las Americas, etc. It felt good to be remem-
bered by the many waiters at the various places. If they had
to pick out one thing that they loved the best, it would have
to be that no matter where they were, someone always called
out their name. Such a warm feeling it was to be remembered
by old friends.


Jillian Heddaeus, Mark Heddaeus, and Katherine
Heddaeus.






Remember folks I need your input in order to write about
you and your goings on. PLEASE send ME what you want to
share with your friends. Failure to send me anything will only
increase my own input, and I'm sure you don't want to see
more about me and mine.

Skip Rowley, Reporter
(850) 422-2151
e-mail: SRowley26(@comcast.net




GEORGIA


_j Carolyn Holmes Morris writes
that after attending a wedding in
Charleston, S.C., Ray and I proceeded to
Wilmington, N.C., and dropped in on
Jimmy and Sadie Price. Followed them
June Stevenson up to Topsail to see Suzy (Hele) and
Charlie Carlton. Suzy prepared a scrumptious lunch for us
and we all spent many hours catching up on old and new
times. Late evening found Ray and I once again following
Jimmy and Sadie as far as Wilmington and we continued on
to Sunset Beach to see Doug and Mary Bergere. Doug and
Mary are pretty much settled in their new house (beautiful)
and Doug was having what he called an outdoor kitchen con-
structed. Unfortunately it was not completed before we had to
leave. We did play some golf while Ray was the critic as he
had just had some surgery and not allowed to play yet. Also
went to Jimmy Buffet's Margaritaville in Myrtle Beach where
we had, what else, margaritas!!! There were several cross
over bridges between the stores and containers of fish food on
the rails for a quarter a turn. The fish were programmed to the
sound and hundreds appeared. I felt guilty when I had no
more food for them (ran out of quarters) and saw them look-
ing up with their mouths open. Here are a few pictures from
the trip!


Jimmy Price, Carolyn Morris, Ray Amato, Suzy (Hele)
and Charlie Carlton.


v -.b
0- 9 ; 7-" _: .i




%larn Bergere. Carol n \lorri\. Doug Bergertr. and Ra
Amato.

I also received news from Gary and Cissy Collins telling
me that in October they, along with friends Buddy and Joan
Aslinger and Tom and Diane Linebarger, drove to Las
Vegas for a five-day visit. While there they went to the
Fremont Street Laser Show and said it was a "must see" for
anyone who goes there. They rode the duce bus (double
decks), the monorail and hotel shuttles and recommend that
you don't waste your small change on the slots as they do
NOT pay off. On their return trip, they went to Hoover Dam,
the Petrified Forest, the Painted Desert, the Grand Canyon,
and past hundreds of the giant size "fans" that produce ener-
gy for that area. The visit to the Oklahoma City Bomb Site
Memorial was overwhelming. People still bring small memo-
rials and leave them at the remaining fence. Cissy says the
arches with the three-minute time before the bombing and the
second arch with the time of the bombing is just too heart-
breaking. They also stopped in Memphis, Tenn., to visit the
Peabody Hotel and watch the ducks parade down their red
carpet to the lobby fountain. It was a long trip but they had a
wonderful time and were glad they went.


Buddy and Joan Aslinger, Gary and Cissy Collins, and
Tom and Diane Linebarger, October 2007.

In November, Gary and Cissy had a weekend visit by
Florence, Brian and Michelle Carson. Florence and her
family were the first people they met on "the Ridge" in
Gamboa, and they have been friends ever since. They spent





some time shopping at an Antique Fair and thought how nice
it would be to empty their homes of furniture and start all
over again with furniture from the Antique Market. On
Sunday, after church, they all met up with their daughter
Jillian and granddaughter McKenna Walker at a seafood
restaurant for lunch. Cissy says the trees behind her in the
picture were beautiful.
'. ,.. _


Standing: Cissy Collins, Brian Carlson, and Gary Collins.
Seated: Jillian Collins Walker, Florence Carlson, Michelle
Carlson, and McKenna Walker.

I also received an email from Lester and Andrea Smith,
who live near me, telling me they had a wonderful visit from
Pat and Peggy McCarragher who happened to be in town
visiting with family in November. Lester says that their two
daughters and family will be with them over Christmas, plus
Andrea's brother Rob Byrd and his wife Belinda from
Panama, so they will have a full house. They are delighted to
have their family with them for Christmas. Lester also men-
tioned that while at the PC Reunion in July he saw his cousins
Hal Smith and his wife Eloise, and Fred Snyder and his
wife Carolyn. He had not seen them in many years so had a
lot of catching up to do.


Peggy and Pat McCarragher, Andrea and Lester Smith

Also received a note from Vernon "VG" Paige, son of
Gertrude Paige in Monroe, Ga., and brother to Sis
Medinger in Conyers, Ga. VG traveled from his home in
Scottsdale, Ariz., to visit with his mother, sisters, Sis and
Genie (Paige) McCanne, her husband Jim, and Stephanie


Schneider, Sis's married daughter and her husband Mark
and their children, and Mark's parents for a Thanksgiving
party. VG said he was able to spend a bit of time with his sis-
ter Sis and his mom, and they drove to several state parks,
such as Yargo State Park, the Creek at Hard Labor State Park
near Covington, and beautiful Callaway Gardens. VG also
said that his mom, who will be 88 in January 2008, always
loved to take Sunday drives while in Panama to places like
Summit Gardens and Madden Dam.
Dorothy Joyner Ewing sent me a short email telling me
that on November 26, 2007, she became a great-great-grand-
mother to Robert Myles Irwin II. Unfortunately, she did not
have a photo of him to include in the Canal Record.
In early December my daughter Lori Snow and I flew out
to Cannel Valley, Calif., to visit with my friend Bertha
Brown Read and help her pack up for her new home in a
retirement village close to where she has lived for many
years. While there we also managed to visit the amazing
Monterey Aquarium after which we had been invited by a
dear friend and former CHS/BHS classmate of mine,
Blanquita McNatt Schield and her husband Paul, for dinner
at their home. The dinner was delicious, the company was
wonderful, and their home in Pacific Grove is lovely, with a
fantastic view of the Monterey Bay. Blanquita and Paul live
about a mile from the Aquarium and gave us great driving
instructions on how to get to their lovely home. I was so glad
that they were both in Pacific Grove while we were there, as
they also own a lovely home in Angel Camp, Calif., about a
three-hour drive from Pacific Grove, and we almost missed
seeing them. They did postpone their trip to Angel Camp so
that we could all be together once again, which I greatly
appreciated. It was a wonderful visit with good friends. The
last time I had seen Blanquita and Paul was in Panama in
January 2007 for our BHS/CHS class reunion, though we
have kept in close touch ever since.


Blanquita McNatt Schield, June Rowley Stevenson,
Bertha Read, and Lori Stevenson Snow.


Lori and I arrived back in Atlanta on December 5th and
the next day my husband and I drove to Hendersonville, N.C.,
to visit with another classmate, this time it was BHS, and my
classmate was Pat Hunt, who is the Reporter for North
Carolina. Pat had invited us up to the Zonian Christmas
luncheon which we had attended the previous year, and






enjoyed so much we wanted to return this year. In fact I am
now treated as a full-fledged member of the Hendersonville
Zonian group, and as a result, I was even charged dues. We
saw lots of our Zonian friends, including Jan and Don
Ponder. My husband was unable to attend the luncheon as he
had a Shrine meeting in Atlanta, but did drive up both before
and after the luncheon to spend an extra few days with Pat
and me before returning to Atlanta. I hate to let the secret out,
but Hendersonville is a lovely town and I always enjoy visit-
ing there. Do hope everyone has a Healthy and Happy New
Year! Hope to see you in Orlando in July 2008!


MIDWEST


I have not submitted anything to
the Canal Record for a while, but I'll
have everyone know I've been very
busy negotiating a deal with Dr. Hamis
Essa from the National Bank of South
Paul Bierman
Africa....we are very close to transfer-
ring 10 million American dollars into my account! All stem-
ming from one little ol' email I received! What a country!
Really, I've just been extremely busy with work, but how
exciting does that sound!
In December I was able to sneak away for four days to the
Tampa area to visit with friends and enjoy some of that warm
Florida weather. I was the guest of Jim and Kelly (Cahill)
Parthenais, my gracious hosts. After arriving on a Thursday
afternoon, Jim and I visited the Thompson Cigar Company's
headquarters located near Tampa. This included an up close
and personal tour of the LARGE warehouse-humidor cour-
tesy of Colm Conway (a friend of Jim's)...wow, a lot of sto-
gies in there. The next day we met up with Rod Snyder
(CHS'77) and then the three of us spent the afternoon visiting
with Jim's dad Richard Parthenais and his wife Bunny
(Rublee) in Lake Wales.


I y~ -'
"~,adp


Pat Dunning Hunt and June Rowley Stevenson


-


June Rowley Stevenson, Don Ponder and Jan Ponder

Please, please remember if you live in any part of Georgia
and have some news about trips taken, or Zonian/Panama vis-
itors, please either give me a call, or send me an email/letter
so I can get your news in the Canal Record.

June A. Stevenson, Reporter
(770) 995-7537
email: iunes()condoroutfitters.com


Jim and Richard Parthenais


That evening we visited with Dick and Ruth (Chance)
Hern for a quasi-reunion dinner of sorts...back in the Zone,
Dick and Ruth used to have us over to their house for a steak
dinner while we were home for Christmas break. It was a
great time, and of course company and the food were awe-
some.






ed! If you have any questions about the walks, please feel free
to contact me and I'll get you in touch with Teresa.
Jennifer (Hayward) Doll and her husband Mike spent
the Christmas holidays in Panama. They were introduced to
Pablo Prieto (the founding father of CREBA Balboa Paddle
Club) by their taxi driver when they went to eat at Niko's cafe
in Balboa where they had hoped to meet up with Violeta Won
(BHS'84) and her mother "Mary" Marisol Picota. But unfor-
tunately Violeta was working that day. They did, however,
have a chance to go out to dinner at Napoli Pizza in Obarrio
with Cookie Palm. They had just missed running into
Cookie's son John who was down to see his parents for the
holiday but had to go back stateside to his wife and mother-
to-be. William "Willie" Palm was very hard at work on his
project in Gorgona; and Cookie's daughter Lisa who was
busy at home with her new little baby girl Zoe.


The next day we were invited to Mike (BHS'78) and
Shawn Coffey's house for another get-together. What a day;
beautiful weather, great friends, good food...top that off with
scotch and cigars (courtesy of Colm) and it couldn't have
been better. Other zonies in attendance were Sheila (Rose)
(BHS'78) Little, Dave Corrigan, Jim and Kelly Parthenais,
Rod Snyder, and Ted Kaufer.


Tampa Get-Together Group


The next day we started off the morning "tailgating" pool-
side at Dave Little and Sheila's casa prior to attending the
Bucs-Falcons football game where we met up with Dick and
Ruth and Dick's brother, Jack, and his wife Fran Hern. It
was my first time at Raymond James Stadium and fortunate-
ly, the Bucs won which made it even better! I returned to
Chicago the next day...it was 22 degrees when I arrived.
Yvonne (Fishbough) (BHS'90) Mouser and Teresa
(Monson) (BHS'90) Robert are signed up (AGAIN) to walk
in the 2008 Avon Walk for Breast Cancer in Chicago May
31 and June 1. Teresa will be walking in Houston's very first
Avon Walk for Breast Cancer along with Margot Howell
(BHS'90) the weekend of April 12th and 13th. Teresa is also
registered for the New York City Avon Walk for Breast
Cancer the weekend of October 4th and 5th and hopes to be
walking with her mother Anna Marie Monson. If you are
able to come out and cheer them on for any of the walks (or
even walk with them), Canal Zone cheer is greatly appreciat-


Mike Doll, Cookie Palm, and Jennifer Doll at the Napoli

Jenny and her husband did have a chance to go to the
Balboa Union Church for the Christmas Eve Candlelight
service and were very pleasantly surprised when they found
out that they were sitting directly behind the President of
Panama Martin Torrijos and the first lady Vivian and their
daughter Dani. While in Panama they also had their taxi driv-
er take them to what used to be the Summit Naval
Transmitting Base located across the street from Summit
Gardens where Mike had been stationed from 1976-1979.
Jenny says it broke their hearts to see the old base in such dis-
repair. While in Gamboa they also got to meet the owner of
Ivan's bed and breakfast.
Well, there's not much more to report for now, see every-
one in July!

Paul Bierman, Reporter
(630) 650-5006
email: paul bierman2000(yvahoo.com


Deadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
is April 4, 2008.


I HlUI Il' er1.11l
Ruth Hern.






NORTH CAROLINA

Happy New Year 2008 from North
Carolina as I am writing this I am
awaiting our first winter storm,
which was cold but very little snow.
We had beautiful weather for our
annual Christmas get-together
which was held on December 8th at
a O'Charley's Restaurant in
Pat Hunt Hendersonville. A record number of
42 people attended and we would
have had 44 if Ruth Tillman and Eddie Wirtz had shown
up. We had several first timers at the party, including Albert
and Lola (Frauenheim) Jones, Jim and Sharon Herzog,
Leon Dedeaux from Anderson, S.C., and his daughter Debby
Kreifels from upstate New York, and Catherine Stockwell
and her two daughters, five-year-old Ally and seven-month-
old Sara, who were visiting her mom and dad, Dr. Henry and
Hannah Stockwell in Charlotte.



..",4

fg1J-'


Debby Kreifels and Leon Dedeaux


Catherine and her husband Eric Murphy have lived in
Portugal for the past 12 years. Eric is employed by the
Gulbenkian Foundation Orchestra and plays the French Horn.
Catherine teaches at the National Orchestra Academy and the
St. Julian International School. Eric didn't make it to North
Carolina in time for the party but joined them shortly after.
Ally did a great job drawing names for the prizes and the first
name she pulled was her mother's! Catherine won the Al
Sprague mousepad. Other lucky winners received Al
Sprague magnets and various Christmas items. Liz
Stockwell and her husband Mike Hart are living in Burnaby,
near Vancouver, Canada, with their two children, Henry, age
61/2, and Rachel, age 3. Mike is teaching at Simon Fraiser
University and Liz is a full-time Mom for the time being.
They met while pursuing their Ph.D.'s at the University of
Washington. The entire family was home for the holidays in
Charlotte and a wonderful time was had by all.


Deadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
is April 4, 2008.


Back iL -R) Rachel Hart, Mike Hart, Lit Stockwell,
Catherine Stockwell with Sara Murphy, Ally Murphy, and
Eric Murphy. Front: Hanna Stockwell, Henry Hart, and
Doc Henry Stockwell.

Other attendees at the party included Ron Angermuller,
Jim and Diane Bradley, Gene Clary and her friend Lee
Atkins, Shirley and Jim Crafton, Priscilla Dunn and
daughter Katrina and grandson Xavier, and her mother
Berthe Allen, June and Davis Stevenson. June and Dave
spent the weekend with me and we did a lot of sightseeing
and a little shopping, or was that the other way around. The
rest of the group included Nicky and Ty Erickson, Doug and
Jeannie Hinek, Sam and Norma Irvin, Chuck and Alice
Latimer, Ron and Pat Nessler, Willy and Wilma Nowotny,
Jan and Don Ponder, Malcolm and Jean Stone, and my sis-
ter Vicki Howe and I. In the picture below you may see a
young man kneeling front right side next to Jean Stone. He
had been trying to get back to his table in the front of the
restaurant and was held up by the waiters who were taking all
our pictures and he asked who we were. When the waiter told
him we were the Panama Canal Society people he said, "All
of them?" It turned out he had been in the military invasion
forces in December 1989 in Panama. We gave him a round of
applause and insisted he get in the picture. It is a small world.
I "- -i 1 I Vi k


Christmas Party Group


Willy and Wilma Nowotny, along with Willy Jr. and his
wife Ana, spent 10 days in Germany in September. Willy Jr.
had never been to Germany where his Dad had grown up.
First stop was to visit his Uncle Klaus (Willy's brother) and






family near Wurzburg then on to Eastern Germany where
Willy spent his childhood. They visited neighborhoods,
schools and soccer fields where his father lived and played
and concluded their visit with a dinner attended by family
cousins, and childhood friends and classmates. They stopped
in Dresden, en route to Munich, where they met young
Willy's cousin Thomas and his family and attended the
famous "Octoberfest" where "refreshments" were served!
Hmm--I wonder what that could have been. From there they
went to Heidelberg where he met another cousin, Annette and
her family, and visited the many famous sites in that area.
After a delightful visit Willy and Ana returned to Frankfurt
and flew home. Willy and Wilma spent another week in
Germany before flying to Rome to connect with their two-
week Mediterranean cruise. They spent four days in Rome
touring the Vatican, Pompeii, Vesuvius, Monte Casino, and
Naples before boarding their ship and enjoying their cruise to
Greece, Turkey, and the Ukraine.


gerbread houses at the Grove Park Inn. Contestants come
from all over the U.S. to compete in this event and it is amaz-
ing to see what they can do with everything edible in the con-
struction. The winning entry was featured on Good Morning
America. December took them to Houston to spend
Christmas with son Mike and family. They came home just
long enough to repack their bags and head for Miami, via
Jacksonville, to embark on a two-week cruise to the
Caribbean.


Kim, Mike, Cameron, Kendall,
with Kristin Bradley in front.


Wilma and Willy Nowotny in Rome


In December Willy's son Gerald and his wife Adrienne
and youngest daughter, 12-year-old Katie, arrived from
Avon, Conn., for a short visit. The two older girls are in col-
lege, Alex in Philadelphia and Jackie in Boston, so were
unable to come. Katie was excited about her recent equestri-
an achievements. She had won two first place ribbons in a
jumping competition in a local show at home and just loves
horses. Alex will be graduating in May so the proud grand-
parents, Willy and Wilma, plan to be there.
Jim and Diane Bradley were "on the road again" in
October when they overnighted in Charleston, S.C., and
boarded the NCL Majesty for a six-day cruise to Bermuda.
Unfortunately Hurricane Noel forced an itinerary change but
it was still a great cruise. Thanksgiving brought son Jim and
family to visit and while here they toured the Biltmore House
with its entire Christmas splendor and checked out the gin-


I had a surprise visit from Beth Trout in November. She
and her sister Jo Kent drove up from Florida with Bonnie
Gibson for a short vacation. They did some sightseeing and
visited with Carmen and Charlie Howe; Beth and I did a lot
of talking!! It was great to see them all.
Chuck and Alice Latimer celebrated their 60th anniver-
sary in 2007 and decided to retrace their steps, so to speak,
over those 60 years. They traveled to England, Germany, and
Spain; took an Adriatic cruise visiting Dubrovnik, Korcula
and several other islands. They attended the Boy Scout World
Jamboree in Chelmsford, East Anglia and cruised through the
Kiel Canal to the Baltic Sea visiting Rostock, St. Petersburg,
Estonia, Helsinki, Stockholm and Copenhagen. In between
all that they visited many areas of the U.S. and Canada. Good
grief--it takes all my energy just to plan a trip to Asheville!
Last, but by no means least, we want to extend our sincere
condolences to Martha Tanner, sister of Sam Irvin, on the
death of her husband Steve in December. He will be sorely
missed.
If I have forgotten anything, I apologize, but I have prob-
ably run out of my allotted space anyway. Keep your news
coming--it's what keeps me employed. Please note my new
email address is: pathunt01@bellsouth.net.

Pat Hunt, Reporter
(828) 696-3995
email: pathunt01@bellsouth.net






Reunion Coordinator's Update March 2008

A good St. Patty's day to all!! We are in high gear now getting ready for the 2008 Panama Canal Society
Reunion. The committees are working hard tying up loose ends as we are only a few months away from our BIG
event.
As you have noticed, there are no Yellow Pages in this issue of the Canal Record. The Executive Board decid-
ed to only print the Yellow Pages in the December issue. This is a major cost savings for the organization and by
now most of you have already registered or have your copy of the Yellow Pages ready to mail. In the event you
have misplaced your Yellow Pages, we have the printable format at the Panama Canal Society website or you may
call the office and we will be happy to mail you a hard copy.
We are inserting this four page supplement (which we are calling the "Blue" Pages) in this issue of the Canal
Record and it contains the latest information and updates about the 2008 Reunion. Also, a reservation form (orange
insert) is provided for your convenience. Be on the lookout for the last Reunion Coordinator's Update in the June
Canal Record for any last minute changes and information as we will not have the Blue Pages in that issue. Here
are a few changes to the Yellow Pages published in the December Canal Record:

Golf Tournament:
On the registration form and information page, it states, "Ladies flight will be cancelled if insufficient players
register." It should also read that, "If the flight is cancelled, you will be contacted and given an option to play in the
scramble".
Although not specified on the form or information page, it is mandatory that players provide an email address and
phone number. There are spaces for you to provide this information at the beginning of the Reunion Registration
Form. For those of you that have already submitted your Reunion Registration Form, please contact the Society office
so this information may be added to your form.
Registration Forms will be declined if this information is not on the form.

Activities and Programs:

Annual Luncheon We didn't have a firm commitment for our 2008 Annual Luncheon guest speaker when the December
Canal Record went to print. We do now and are pleased to announce that NASA Astronaut Scott E. Parazynski, M.D. will
be our guest speaker. This Luncheon will be a significant historical event. Not only will Scott thrill you with his dynamic
talk, he will also be presenting to the Panama Canal Museum a Roosevelt Medal and American flag that he took into space
with him onboard the space shuttle Discovery. For more details, see Scott's biography and write-up in these Blue Pages. Also,
there will be a special ceremony honoring Roosevelt Medal Recipient Descendants who are in attendance at the luncheon.
This will be a luncheon you don't want to miss. Sign up today.

Cultural Seminars A new and exciting program has been added to our schedule of events for 2008. Panama Canal
Society member and professional lecturer Richard "Dick" Holt will be holding two very informative seminars on Friday and
Saturday afternoon. Dick has been lecturing on cruise ships going through the Panama Canal for many years and has pro-
duced a wonderful DVD on Panama and the Canal. There is no pre-registration and no charge for these seminars. For more
details, see Dick's biography, write-up and lecture topics in these Blue Pages. At the end of each lecture there will be a ques-
tion and answer period for you to pick Dick's brain for answers to questions you have always had on these topics. Don't miss
this opportunity to stay informed on Panama. Make plans now to attend these seminars.

Thursday Night Owl Show and Saturday Afternoon Matinee In 2007, like the old days back home, we held our first
Thursday Night Owl Show with a horror movie theme. We plan on doing it again this year and adding a Saturday Afternoon
Matinee. These programs are great for the young and young at heart. Be sure to put these programs on your "to do" list and
come join us for popcorn, great movies and lots of fun.

Hotel News We are happy to report that Rosen Shingle Creek Resort has agreed to offer all our reunion attendees a 10%
discount at restaurants in the hotel. In order to get this discount, you must be wearing or show your 2008 Reunion name
badge that is issued to you at registration. This discount is only for food items and not beverages.

REMINDER: Deadline for ticket refunds is June 1. 2008. There are no refunds for the $7.00
reunion registration fee. Contact the office or Lodging Chairperson for hotel changes or cancella-
tions. Please note the deadlines for registering, purchasing tickets and hotel reservations in the
Yellow Pages in the December 2007 Canal Record.






Historic Event Planned at the 2008 Annual Luncheon






Guest Speaker
Scott E. Parazynski, M.D.
NASA Astronaut











We are pleased to announce that Astronaut Scott E. Parazynski, M.D., and relative of Col. David Gaillard of Panama
Canal engineering fame, will be our guest speaker at our annual luncheon. You may recall that Dr. Parazynski was a mem-
ber of the crew of STS 120, space shuttle Discovery, and made a dangerous space walk last October to repair the inter-
national space station. In fact, he is a veteran of five space shuttle missions: STS-66 (1994), STS-86 (1997), STS-95
(1998), STS-100 (2001) and the recent STS-120 (2007). He has logged well over a 1,000 hours in space and traveled over
17 million miles.
On board the shuttle Discovery, STS -120, he served as the lead spacewalker that delivered the Node 2 connecting mod-
ule to the international space station. The mission also featured a major extravehicular activity (EVA)/robotic
relocation of the P6 Truss during the 2nd and 3rd spacewalks.
Dr. Parazynski is married to the former Gail Marie Vozzella and they have two children. He earned a BS degree in
biology from Stanford University and an M.D. from Stanford Medical School in 1989. He served his internship at the
Brigham and Women's Hospital of Harvard Medical School and was a resident physician in emergency medicine when he
was selected as a NASA astronaut in March 1992.
He enjoys mountaineering, rock climbing, flying, SCUBA diving, skiing, travel, woodworking, and nature
photography. As a commercial, multi-engine, seaplane and instrument-rated pilot, Dr. Parazynski has logged over 2000
flight hours in a variety of aircraft. As a mountaineer, his summits include Cerro Aconcagua (at 22,841 feet above sea
level, the tallest mountain in the world outside of Asia) and 53 of Colorado's peaks over 14,000 feet in altitude.
Dr. Parazynski has received the following special honors: National Institutes of Health Pre-doctoral Training Award in
Cancer Biology (1983); Rhodes Scholarship finalist (1984); NASA Graduate Student Researcher's Award (1988); Stanford
Medical Scholars Program (1988); Research Honors Award from Stanford Medical School (1989); NASA-Ames
Certificate of Recognition (1990); Wilderness Medical Society Research Award (1991); Space Station Team Excellence
Award (1996); NASA Exceptional Service Medals (1998, 1999); NASA Space Flight Medals (1994, 1997, 1998, 2001);
NASA Distinguished Service Medal (2002).
While in medical school, he competed on the United States Development Luge Team and was ranked among the top
10 competitors in the nation during the 1988 Olympic Trials. He also served as an Olympic Team Coach for the Philippines
during the 1988 Olympic Winter Games in Calgary, Canada.
Dr. Parazynski has a very interesting background with many unique experiences. We are really excited about his
participation at our luncheon and look forward to his sharing some of these experiences with us; especially, those
involving his most recent space mission.
Also, our luncheon this year will be a very historic one in many ways. In addition to addressing our members, Dr.
Parazynski will be presenting a Roosevelt Medal and American flag that he took into space with him onboard the space
shuttle Discovery to the Panama Canal Museum. This is really an exciting event and will definitely be one for the
history books. Later on in the year, he plans to make a similar presentation with the Panamanian flag to the Panama Canal
Authority in Panama.
Following this historic presentation, the Society and Museum will conduct a special ceremony that will recognize all
Roosevelt Medal Recipient Descendants who are in attendance at the luncheon. If you are a descendant, please be sure to
notify the Society of this fact when you purchase your luncheon tickets.
As you can see from the above, this year's luncheon definitely will be a memorable and historic occasion an
occasion that you do not want to miss.












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FOLD HERE FIRST

ELECTION BALLOT
Executive Board 2008-2010 Nominees
See Mailing instructions on the back of the ballot.

As a member I cast my vote as follows:


President

1st Vice President

2nd Vice President

Director (vote for 3)

Director

Director


Tom Wilder Write-in

Margaret McLaughlin_ Write-in

Virgil Camby Write-in

Tom Spence Write-in

Shirley Bentley Write-in

Pam Reid Write-in


DEADLINE for receiving this Ballot is June 24, 2008.












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2008 REUNION
RESERVATION, ORDER AND PAYMENT FORM
Complete both pages, and submit intact.

I I | I PLEASE


USE BLACK INK WHEN COMPLETING FORM.


Receipt Sequence Number:


THIS FORM WILL NOT BE PROCESSED UNTIL 2008 ANNUAL DUES ARE PAID, COMPLETE INFORMATION IS PROVID-
ED AND CORRECT FEES ARE SUBMITTED. NEW OR REINSTATED MEMBERS SHOULD REFER TO THE GENERAL
COMMENTS IN THESE YELLOW PAGES AND ATTACH A MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION. WITH THE APPROPRIATE FEES,
FOUND IN THE BACK OF THIS ISSUE. SUBMIT A SEPARATE CHECK TO PAY YOUR MEMBERSHIP DUES.


NAME


STATE
TELEPHONE NO


E-MAIL ADDRESS


ZIP


ACTIVITY QUANTITY FEE TOTAL VALUE
REUNION REGISTRATION FEE x $7f@- $_
INUAL LUNCHEON x $3AG $
NNUAL BALL (Saturfay) x S15SI- _
ISCO DANCE (F Oday) x lMO- __
ISCO DANCE (Sasiday) x StMA- $
PANAZONIAN DANCE (frtwi x $115J= S
OLF TOURNAMENT PLAYERS x $O@- $_
SOLF LUNCHEON GUESTS x $33@- _
_OTALFEES _
Payment by check or money order: Make payable to "Panama Canal Society, Inc." Checks must be drawn on U.S. Banks,
and Money Orders must be payable at U.S. Institutions.


Payment by credit card (ONLY Visa or MasterCard):

Credit Card Number:


Member/Card Holder Signature:


Visa / MasterCard (Circle one)


MAIL FORM IN ITS ENTIRETY WITH PAYMENT TO REUNION COORDINATOR, 7985 113th STREET, SUITE 334,
SEMINOLE, FL 33772-4787

Continue below for additional information required to complete Reunion Registration, to purchase Annual Luncheon tickets,
to register for the Golf Tournament, and to secure your Hotel Reservations. Complete those parts pertaining to your request.

REUNION REGISTRATION: List each name (including member's) AS YOU WANT IT PRINTED ON THE
NAME BADGES and provide age of each attendee. List name of each family member or guest being registered by the
member and include $7.00 for each person 18 years of age or older. Please make sure you list all registered names so the) can receive


their name badges.
NAME


AGE


NAME


AGE


6.

7.

8.
New Members or Reinstatements MUST attach a completed membership application


MEMBER
ADDRESS
CITY


Exp. Date






ANNUAL LUNCHEON


List names of attendees and indicate their choice of Grilled Chicken and Pasta (CI or Italian Meat Lasagna (L' by circling one.
I. C or L 6. C or L
2. CCor L 7. Cor L
3. Cor L 8. C or L
4. _C or L 9. C or L
5. Cor L 10. Cor L


Special seating requests:


GOLF TOURNAMENT REGISTRATION: Deadline is June 1. 2008 (See Page I for instructions)


(Please Print)
Name:


Phone Number:


Email:


NAMES OF TWOSOME OR FOURSOME YOU WISH TO PLAY WITH: Players wishing to make up their own foursomes should list all
information for the four players on this form. All golf information must be complete or registration form will be returned.
Name Age On Hdcp or A g Amateur
7 I 08 18-hole score or Pro
I.

3.
4. _____
Circle category of competition: I 2 3
1. Men's individual medal plat 2. Ladies individual medal play. 3. Two-Person scramble
Ladies flight will be cancelled if insufficient players register.
Cost: Golf and Awards Luncheon: $80.00 per person Non-Golfing Luncheon Guests: $33.00 per person

Luncheon Guest Names


-Amount submirted:


# Luncheon Guests Amount submitted.


HOTEL RESERVATION: CHECK-IN AT 3:00 P.M. CHECK-OUT AT 11:00 A.M.


ARRIVAL DATE: DEPARTURE DATE:
Estimated Time of Arrival: P.M. / A.M. (Circle one)
Are you arriving by Airplane or by Car ?

TYPE OF ROOM REQUESTED GUEST ROOM ADD-ONS TO SUITES ARE EXTRA. PRICES SHOWN INCLUDE THE
RESORT AND SALES TAX. (NOTE: THERE IS NO SMOKING IN ANY HOTEL GUEST ROOM OR SUITE)


No Preference
Standard King (5136.13)
__ Queen Double ($136.13)
Accessible King Room ($136.13)

Names of other room occupants.
I.


Accessible Queen Room ($136.13)
Executive.Parlor Suite ($281.25)
2 Bay Hospitality Suite (281.25)
3 Bay Hospitality Suite (393.75)
Grand Parlor Suite __ ($393.75)


SPECL4L NEEDS REQUESTS:


HOTEL RESERVATION GUANRNTEE: One Night's Deposit (Room/Suite Rate + Resort and Sales Tax)


Check enclosed $


(Payable to: Rosen Shingle Creek Resort) or


Credit Card Number:
Circle: AMEX. Visa. MasterCard, Discover. Other
Member. Cardholder Signature:


Exp. Date


_- (SpeciRF\


# Golfers











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FOLD HERE FIRST
ELECTION BALLOT
Executive Board 2008-2010 Nominees
See Mailing instructions on the back of the ballot.
As a member I cast my vote as follows:


President

1st Vice President

2nd Vice President

Director (vote for 3)

Director

Director


Tom Wilder

Margaret McLaughlin_

Virgil Camby

Tom Spence

Shirley Bentley

Pam Reid


Write-in

Write-in

Write-in

Write-in

Write-in

Write-in


DEADLINE for receiving this Ballot is June 24, 2008.











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YOUR VOTE IS IMPORTANT, so PLEASE VOTE!
DEADLINE for receiving this Ballot is June 24, 2008.







Highlighting Our Guest Lecturer Richard Holt



Richard Holt was born and raised in Panama. He maintains dual cit-
izenship in both the U.S. and Panama and is fluent in both the Spanish and
English languages. His father was a Pilot on the Panama Canal affording
Dick an opportunity to grow up on this waterway and transit the Canal
innumerable times on every type ship with his father. He is considered an
expert on the Panama Canal. His grandfather was one of the original engi-
neers that built the Panama Canal. His mother's family settled in Panama
in the 1500s from Spain. He has traveled extensively and lived and
worked in many parts of Central and South America, the Caribbean, and
Europe.
Dick is a Physicist with almost 40 years experience in Oceanography,
Aeronautics and Astronautics. He is a former Regular Army Special
Operations Officer, trained as both an Airborne Ranger and a Navy
UDT/SEAL. He served in the Army Special Forces in what is now known as The Green Berets. He was a member of the orig-
inal Special Warfare study group for the Navy in the study of Dolphins and their application to Naval Warfare. This pioneer-
ing effort was the beginning of the study of dolphins by either military or civilian organizations. These same dolphins were
used in both wars in Iraq. Dick is also an Underwater Instructor, one of the originators of NAUI, the Nat'l Assoc of Underwater
Instructors. He is a rated Commercial Airplane Pilot with instrument and multi-engine ratings.
In 1962, he became a member of NASA, one of the original team that established the Manned Space Center in Houston,
Texas. Throughout the Mercury, Gemini and Apollo Moon Programs, Dick managed the Mission Control Center and the
Manned Space Flight Tracking Network and sat at the console in the Mission Control Room just to the right of the Flight
Director. Following Apollo, Dick spent two years at Cal Tech's Jet Propulsion Labs rebuilding their control center preparing
that Center for the control of spacecraft for the unmanned space programs of the future.
Dick was asked by the White House in the early 70s to transfer to the National Cancer Institute as an Assistant to the
Director. He was chosen for this position because of his experience and expertise in running major government programs. His
role was to assist in the planning for a major thrust by the biomedical world in a fight against that dreaded disease. He trav-
eled extensively helping develop major cancer centers in this country and abroad and developing the technical systems nec-
essary to develop information flow between researchers and treatment specialists all over the world. He left this challenging
position after four years and returned to his familiar role as a Program Director in the Aerospace business sector. He retired
from TRW Space Systems in the year 2000.
Since his retirement, Dick has been pursuing his avocation of storytelling about cultures and peoples, especially those of
Latin America in which he has lived much of his life. He also has exciting lectures on Oceanography, the Space Program and
on Aviation based on his personal experiences. This is his seventh year lecturing on cruise ships. After serving on Radisson
ships for the past five years, Dick has recently signed a contract with Holland America and their thirteen ship fleet. He has
also found time to serve as a member of the Sanctuary Advisory Council for the Channel Islands National Marine Sanctuary
headquartered in Santa Barbara, California, appointed to this position by the Administrator of the National Oceanographic and
Atmospheric Administration (NOAA). Dick is married to the former Cheryl Albers, a retired college professor. They have
one daughter, an elementary school teacher, and two beautiful grandsons, 6 and 8, who live near their home base in Ventura,
California.


Friday "The Isthmus of Panama, Its Fantastic Growth and Development from the time of the Original Indian
Tribes through Panama Today" An inside look into the introduction and integration of the many cultures that devel-
oped in Panama as it went through the appearance of the Spanish Explorers, the discovery of gold, the dramatic
effect brought about by Pirates, and the development of the Railroad, the French Canal and finally the United States
building of the Panama Canal.

Saturday "Panama's Canal Where it is Today and What the Future has in Store" Dramatic changes are in store
for the Canal that we have known. They are already taking place, in changes that will help in the future. But the plans
for the Canal of the future are proposing a major change that will bring the entire Canal into modern times with the
change in worldwide shipping fleets.

Check your Schedule of Events for times and place of the seminars.







PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY
Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
2008 Reunion
Schedule of Events


Wednesday, July 2, 2008
Vendor Setup: 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Panzacola G (NO SALES)
Registration: 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk and Foyer (PRD&F)
Information/Secretary: 6:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk (PRD)
Reunion Clubhouse: 3:00 p.m. 11:00 p.m. H-l H-3
Thursday, July 3, 2008
28th Chagres Invitational Golf Tournament: Rosen Shingle Creek Golf Course and Clubhouse
CHECK IN: 7:00 a.m., SHOTGUN START: 7:30 a.m.
Golf Luncheon: Immediately after tournament play Conway
Registration/Dance & Lottery Ticket Sales: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon; 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. (PRD&F)
Information/Secretary: 10:00 a.m. 12:00 noon; 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m.; 7:00 p.m. 9:00 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk
Vendors: 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Panzacola G
Panama Canal Museum: 9:00 a.m. 7:00 p.m. Sebastian I-1 1-3
Reunion Clubhouse: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 a.m. Panzacola H-l H-3
Thursday Night Owl Show 10:00 p.m. Midnight Sebastian 1-4
Friday, July 4, 2008
Annual Business Meeting: 10:00 a.m. (Members only) Wekiwa 4 & 5 (second level)
Reunion Clubhouse: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 a.m. Panzacola H-i H-3
Cultural Seminar: 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Wekiwa 4 & 5 (second level)
Vendors: 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Panzacola G
Panama Canal Museum: 1:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Sebastian I-1 1-3
Registration/Dance & Lottery Ticket Sales: 1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk and Foyer
Information/Secretary: 1:30 p.m. 4:30 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk
Bingo: 2:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. NO CHARGE TO PARTICIPATE! Panzacola H-4
Panamanian Folkloric Dance Class: 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Sebastian 1-4
PanaZonian Dance: 8:30 p.m. 2:00 a.m. Sebastian J & K
DJ Dance: 11:00 p.m. 4:00 a.m. Sebastian L-1 L-3
Saturday, July 5, 2008
Registration/Dance & Lottery Ticket Sales: 3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Panzacola Reg. Desk and Foyer
Information/Secretary: 3:00 p.m. 5:30 p.m. Panzacola Registration Desk
Vendors: 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Panzacola G
Panama Canal Museum: 9:00 a.m. 6:00 p.m. Sebastian I-1 1-3
Saturday Afternoon Matinee: 2:00 p.m. 4:00 p.m. Sebastian I-4
Cultural Seminar: 2:00 p.m. 3:30 p.m. Wekiwa 4 & 5 (second level)
Reunion Clubhouse: 10:00 a.m. 2:00 a.m. Panzacola H-l H-3
Annual Luncheon: DOORS OPEN 11:30 a.m. LUNCH 12:00 noon Panzacola F
Bingo: 3:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. NO CHARGE TO PARTICIPATE! Panzacola H-4
Religious Services: Catholic 4:00 p.m. 5:00 p.m. Wekiwa 4 & 5 (second level)
Praise & Worship 5:00 p.m. 6:00 p.m. Wekiwa 4 & 5 (second level)
Annual Ball: 8:30 p.m. 2:00 a.m. Sebastian J & K
DJ Dance: 11:00 p.m. 4:00 a.m. Sebastian L-1 L-3
Sunday, July 6, 2008
Vendors: 9:00 a.m. 12:00 noon Panzacola G
Panama Canal Museum: 9:00 a.m. 12:00 noon Sebastian I-1 I-3
Despedida: All Society Members and Guests are invited Farewell to Friends Doors open at 9:30 a.m.,
Dance Performance will begin at 10:00 a.m. Sebastian J & K

Notes: Please check with the Information Desk and/or our bulletin board at the reunion for other
scheduled events, class and mini-reunions and last-minute changes.
The Despedida Lottery drawing will be held on Sunday at Despedida.
YOU MUST BE PRESENT TO WIN.







NORTHWEST


I would like to start this report by apologizing, profusely,
to Anne Grimm. I attributed her report in the December
issue of the Canal Record to Anne Richardson, her daugh-
ter. Anne Grimm also writes a weekly email column called
"Grimmly Reflecting." Can we chalk it up to "new reporter
syndrome?"
Thanks to Suzette Baker and Ted Paine for putting
together and hosting the annual Pacific Northwest Holiday
Party which was held on December 8, 2007, at the
Bremerton, Washington Elks Club. During the social hour,
Jim Shobe, my mother Wink Greene, John Delany, and
Dan Nellis managed to find a cribbage board and played sev-
eral games. It was great to see so many Zonians attending
and, as always, the stories got wilder as the evening pro-
gressed. Thanks to Jim Shobe for all his great stories.


Pacific Northwest Holiday Gathering


Standing in Back (L-R): Son-in-law John Litchford, grand-
son Ian Litchford, daughter-in-law Jean Sheppard, son
Tom Sheppard, grandson Ben Sheppard, Jeff and grand-
daughter Lavinia (Sheppard) Moran and great-grandson
Jack Moran (in stroller). Seated in front: Wink Greene,
matriarch of four generations.


Ginny Rankin writes that her brother-in-law Robert
Rankin and his wife Gayle (Fettler), Sequim, Wash., came
for Thanksgiving and they caught up on what each household
had been up to over the previous months. Robert and Gayle
spent the Christmas holidays visiting their daughters and their
families in Arkansas. Ginny's daughter Sandi Rankin
McClanahan recently made a trip with her family in
December to visit with her sister, Karen Rankin
Blennerhassett, in Panama. They enjoyed all the warm,
sunny weather and had fun at the beach and boating.
Although their trip started out bad with Sandi's husband
Autie taking a serious fall and fracturing his nose, which
required surgery, they managed to enjoy their visit. Ginny's
daughter Nancy Ivory and family spent the New Year's
weekend snowshoeing and other winter activities in
Leavenworth, Wash., which is an old Bavarian village in the
mountains. Nancy recently was hired on as a civil parole offi-
cer with the courts in Olympia, Wash. Ginny's mother Jibby
Kleefkens celebrated her 90th birthday in November with
some of her great-grandchildren making her their homemade
special birthday cards; these being real treasures to keep.
Ginny's brother Walter Kleefkens and wife Suzanne
(Urey), who live in The Dalles, Ore., spent Christmas in
Dothan, Ala., with Suzanne's mother Mary (Gilbert) Urey.


SDeadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
Pacific Northwest Holiday Gathering, December 8,
Bremerton Elks Club. is April 4, 2008.


Pacific N'l-rth\'.e Hohlida G.


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soldiers learned during their 10 weeks of training and some
much coveted "family time" away from the Battery. I even
had the privilege of having Thanksgiving dinner in the chow
hall. Being the "mother hen" I ended up "adopting" two
young men who had no family members there for graduation.
We went shopping, to a movie and even found a Starbucks.
Thanks for sharing your news...and, please, keep it com-


~Vc
~F""



r~i~5\


Back: Husband Jake Saunders and wife Nancy (Rankin)
Ivory. Front: Son Mitchel and stepdaughter Coraleigh.

Jim Duffus, who hosted this year's 14th Annual Balboa
Invitational Golf Tournament and annual poker games, sent
this picture of the maleantes who attended. Jim reports that
the 2008 event will be held this fall somewhere in the
Southwest.


Seated at table (L-R): Phil Wolf, Ray Kelly, Charlie
Cantrell, Mark Castellani, Mike Collins (CHS), Steve
Patchett, and Ed Davis in front. Standing (L-R): Chuck
Roth, Jim Huffman (CHS), Jim Duffus, Ron Bowman,
Craig Stoudnar, Glenn Seeley, Jan Stoudnar and Jon
Kelly.

In November I flew to Ft. Sill, Okla., for my son Sean's
graduation from Army basic training. (See Military Pride)
The 1/40 Field Artillery planned family activities, including a
family day luncheon, a demonstration of the skills our newest
42


OKLAHOMA


Aymee (Lugo) and husband Tomas Diaz visited Spain
and France in May 2007, for three weeks. They left
Oklahoma City for Madrid where they visited the Palacio
Real, Museo Nacional del Prado, La Plaza Mayor, etc., before
meeting up with Julia (Mercier) and husband Paulino
Allande and driving to Arganda del Rey (east of Madrid) to
attend the wedding of Paulino's nephew. They had a grand
time Spanish style by eating lots of seafood, drinking wine,
and dancing all night. From there, the two couples drove to
Toledo for the day and visited the very gothic Catedral de
Toledo. Next they traveled by train to Sevilla. In Sevilla they
took the bus tour, the cruise on the Rio Guadalquivir, and the
horse carriage ride through the city and famous Parque de
Maria Luisa, Torre del Oro and Plaza de Espana. In the
evening they went to the popular Barrio de Santa Cruz to eat
and see a local Tablao Flamenco. From Sevilla, the Allandes
went back to Madrid and the Diazes continued to Valencia by
plane. Aymee and Tomas visited the Ciudad de las Artes y las
Ciencias, Valencia's biggest tourist attraction (a large-scale
urban recreation center for culture and science which also
incorporates L'Oceanogrific, an underwater city). Of course,
they did not leave until they had the famous Paella Valencia.
Aymee and Tomas continued their trip by train up to
Barcelona where they got a hotel room located on "Las
Ramblas" with a balcony where they watched throngs of peo-
ple walk up and down the famous paseo all night. They did a
lot of shopping at El Corte Ingles and ate tapas every day.
From Barcelona they took the train to the beach in Sitges
where Tomas enjoyed looking at the bathers while smoking
his Cuban cigar. Then Aymee and Tomas flew to Paris where
they met up with Aymee's nephew Clyde Long who resides
in Paris, and visited for three days. That was another treat for
Tomas who had never been to Paris. Aymee and Tomas had a
great trip and brought back many pictures and wonderful
memories. In 2008 they plan to visit northern Spain
(Asturias), from where the Allande family comes.


Deadline for JUNE 2008 Canal Record
is April 4, 2008.


Barbara (Greene) Litchford, Reporter
(206) 334-3359
email: NWRecord(,aol.com




























Paulino Allande, Julia (Mercier) Allande, Aymee (Lugo)
Diaz, and Tomas Diaz, Arganda del Rey, Spain, May 2007.

The 2007 Christmas season was a special one for John
and Madeleine (Lugo) Raffler as their son Eric was finally
able to spend Christmas with them, after serving two tours in
the Middle East. On his last mission Eric and his team escort-
ed Secretary of Defense Donald Rumsfeld on his farewell
tour through Iraq. Eric joined the Air Force in 2002 and has
gained great experience in the field of computer networking
and crypto. After attending the 2005 through 2007 Panama
Canal Society reunions, Eric decided to move to Florida as he
enjoys the state as much as John and Madeleine, and John has
a lot of family in Orlando. Eric will leave the Air Force in
July 2008, to pursue his career in Computer Science and a
degree he will complete in 2008. In addition to Eric, John and
Madeleine also have a niece Cheli Raffler who is an MP in
the Army Guard and has completed two tours to Afghanistan.
They also have a nephew David Raffler who is a medic in
the Army and currently stationed with a M.A.S.H. unit in
Iraq.

,.: ..., -, .i .

7.
/ **a i? ^ > i --i _1


Eric Raffler (far right) and team who escorted Secretary of
Defense Donald Rumsfeld.


~Lf~!~;L.icsIr'


Jimmie Wickham reports on how the 2007 Ice Storm
(hitting Oklahoma on December 9, 2007) affected her. After
several days and nights without power, Jimmie loaded up her
dogs into the car and headed for Houston. She decided this
would be the perfect time for a pre-holiday vacation. Jimmie
visited with several friends there, including Patricia and
Oscar Dominguez. When she got back to Tulsa, her power
was restored. The trip to Houston was the best part of the hol-
idays for Jimmie.
Jean and Doris Burns, along with son Scott, some
cousins, and some friends made a trip to Cancun the last part
of November. A fun time was had by all until the trip was cut
short, due to Jean taking a spill and breaking his right hip.
Upon returning home to Tulsa, Jean and Doris endured a
seven-day stay in a local hospital, where the nurses took
excellent care of "Santa." Upon Jean's discharge, Jean and
Doris checked into a hotel since their power was still out at
home. Jean is now recovering nicely at home. Jean, Doris,
and Scott ended up having no power for nine days, and this
reporter and family had no power for six days. People around
here will not forget the 2007 holiday season. The Burs and
Redemann families are thankful for no home damage or per-
sonal injury, as we are aware a lot of Oklahomans experi-
enced these events.
The Oklahoma Chapter's next picnic and business meet-
ing is the first Saturday in May in the Oklahoma
City/Norman area. If interested, please contact me for details.

Laura L. (Burns) Redemann, Reporter
(918) 605-2334
email: llbpanama(@cox.net




PANAMA

Saludos de Panama! Well, here
is another article written in sunny
Panama; four months have passed
since my last visit to the States and
I am getting anxious feet.
Anna Opel The construction boom in
Panama is still ongoing with even more high-rises in various
construction phases and many more planned. Additionally,
several new high profile projects have been started to include
the new coastal belt that will parallel Balboa Avenue and
hopefully relieve some of the traffic congestion. Work has
also started on the sanitation of the Bay of Panama, and con-
struction of the portion of the North Corridor to Colon has
been underway for the last few months.
I discovered something new this last October when
Laura Reyes announced in church that volunteers were
needed for the annual Migratory Raptor Count! Well, that
piqued my interest! When I asked her how would you know
they were "flying," her answer to me was, "you'll know when
you see them." True, I was walking Muffin, our Yorkie, on
Amador and just happened to look up--birds were streaming
across the sky, a sight to behold. A quick drive up Ancon hill





found Laura and her assistant counting birds. Her enthusiasm
for this project was more than contagious and I found myself
looking to the sky every day, all day. There were two days in
late November where the raptors were so plentiful that the
sky over Panama City was black. So, you bird lovers, mark
your calendars as this raptor count is an annual event hosted
by Adventure Travel and the Panama Audobon Society.


B, .t'
,. -:, :J,,


.1
7- M. .'-

Laura Reyes documenting climactic conditions

This Christmas season was a special one for us as all of
our children and grandchildren visited Panama, the first time
we were all together here since 2001. Our son Rick
Szymanski and his wife Terri, and children, Brian,
Marianna, and Elysia, stayed at La Estancia in Quarry
Heights and really enjoyed the B&B as they were able to see
a lot of the wildlife that is still abundant in Ancon.
We also took advantage of the family being together by
arranging for Jenilee's daughter Sophia Gabriela to be bap-
tized, since her uncle Rick and aunt Patricia (Szymanski)
Phillips were to be the godparents. (See Congratulations).
The house will sure be quiet and lonely when all head back to
the States.


f 7 7





Marianna, Terri, Elysia, Sophia, Jenilee, and Brian


"Mike" (Coffey) and Ned Blennerhassett enjoyed
another great Backroads hiking trip with Mary (Morland)
Coffey and friend Martha Brumfield in October. They start-
ed out in Prague and then boarded a lovely sailboat to go
island hopping in Croatia. It was a glorious trip and they met
another group of wonderful people. At trip's end they went to
Rome and then Scotland.


Mike and Ned Blennerhassett, Mary Coffey, and Martha
Brumfield.

Bill and Adam Brunner are working with construction
partner, Norm Pedersen, on extensive repairs and improve-
ments to their B&B in El Valle, Los Nances (with the Million
Dollar View). Projected date for re-opening is Easter.
Dr. Ron Riefkohl (CHS'65) and his sister Hilda
(Riefkohl) (CHS'62) Villarreal went sailing in the Bay of
Panama during their recent visit to Panama in December
2007 with their spouses and Dr. Charly Garcia (CHS'62).
Ron is a plastic surgeon associated with Duke University
Medical Center and he and his wife Nancy have two children
and live in Durham, N.C. Hilda is a schoolteacher and is mar-
ried to Dr. Herman Villarreal, a nephrologist. She has two
children and they live in San Antonio, Texas.


Hilda Villarreal and Ron Riefkohl


AU


Penny Canamas wrote in an e-mail: "After Vincent
retired the end of September we went on vacation the middle
of October to Florida to visit our son Darrell, my family and





Vincent's family. Our daughter Dyonne and grandson
Timothy flew down from Virginia Beach to see us in Florida
for a week.


Timothy, Vincent, Darrell, and Dyonne Canamas

"While we were in Sarasota visiting with Ed (Vincent's
brother), Lesa, Taylor, Nicole, Victoria and Parker Stroop,
we took Timothy to a pumpkin patch where he was able to
pick out his own pumpkin. There were so many there he
couldn't decide which one he wanted!
"After Sarasota we went to Ocala to visit with Albert (my
dad) and Aura Wilder, Lilia Stroop (Vincent's mom) and
Tom (my brother), Kathy, Samantha (who had just returned
from Iraq), Brittney and Christopher Wilder. Timothy had
lots of fun playing in the yard with his Uncle Darrell and his
Grampy and visiting with the family; because it was raining
one day Timothy even got a chance to go to his favorite place,
Chuck E Cheese's. We said our goodbyes and returned to
Panama the first week of November to get ready for
Thanksgiving. I flew back up to Ocala the first week of
December to celebrate the birthday of the twins, my dad
(Albert) and uncle (Arthur) 90th birthday. The party held for
them at my brother's house was a success. For the Christmas
holidays, Darrell, Dyonne and Timothy flew in and we have
enjoyed their visit. It is always nice to have the whole family
home for the Holidays."

\\ inwo


Dyonne, Timothy, Vincent, Penny, and Darrell Canamas,
Christmas 2007.


Vicki Sizemore also sent in a lot of news in her e-mail:
"The Holidays were filled with lots of events. The BPOE
#1414 participated in the Veteran's Day Ceremony held at
Corozal Cemetery. The Panama VFW Chapter organizes this
annual event and this year honored World War II veterans liv-
ing in Panama.


Ed Wardlow, Art Mokray, Jim Reid, George Klein, Dr.
Wallace Snyder, and Nelson Kramer, Veteran's Day
Ceremony.

"The Elks Club hosted the children and young adults from
the Helen Keller School to a Christmas Party complete with
food and gifts from Santa. The success of this event is made
possible by the many Elks who volunteer their time buying
and wrapping gifts, coordinating the event with the school
and setting up the Club for the party. The Elks Club Members
Christmas Dinner was held on December 20th with lots of
great food and fun. This year more than 60 people attended
the event.


"DJ John Wolff provided the music for the New Year's
Eve Bash held at the Elks. 150 people attended and everyone
had a great time.
"Ed and I, along with friends Linda Layman and Nick
Jackson, attended the Crossroads Church Christmas Cantata
held at the National Theater in Caso Viejo. It was a spectacu-
lar presentation of musical talent and dancers with a special
performance by Joseph Omici, Jr. (JoweeO). His perform-
ance is best described as a blues saxophone player who could





easily compete with Kenny G. We saw our good friend Sue
Stabler there who enjoyed it so much she attended twice! The
National Theater has been lovingly restored and the beauty
and grace of the theater complements any performance.
"Ed and I entertained friends on Thanksgiving and
Christmas Eve. As usual there was great food and great
amounts of jocularity.


Ed Wardlow, Vicki Sizemore, Nick Jackson, Linda
Layman, Luke Palumbo, Margie Werlien, and Chris
Skeie.

"We made our trip up to the Volcan before Christmas. We
stayed at Cielito Sur, a B&B owned by my classmate Janet
Tilley (BHS'70) and her husband Glenn Lee. Janet and
Glenn are super, wonderful hosts and we greatly enjoyed our
visit as usual. Margaret and Frank Ender were staying
there at the same time; we enjoyed visiting with them. The
Volcan is just beautiful as always and we are glad to see that
the development that has intruded on Boquete is not as preva-
lent in the Volcan. The road up to the Volcan is greatly
improved. Instead of an eight-hour trip it took us only six and
a half hours.
"Albrook Mall has announced plans to add 200 more
stores. We have no idea where the traffic will go....There is a
new bowling alley at the Mall. It is quite nice. Ed does pret-
ty well; I'm just happy if I knock down a pin every time I
throw (sometimes literally) the ball!
"We welcome home former Zonians and new residents,
Rob Roy and Kathy Wainio (both BHS'69). Rob's dad and
Kathy's mom are living with them in their home in Cardenas.
Rob and Kathy also have a place in Gorgona."
John and Melva Bowman of Balboa, RP, recently wel-
comed the arrival of their first grandchild, Isabella Marie
Van Leeuwen, who was born in Frisco, Texas, on November
5, 2007. (See Births).
Kevin Bradley moved his insurance operations to a new
location. There is a message posted on his website which
explains the move.


Inez Clark sent in their Christmas photo, 22 years since
their last Christmas family photo. Freddie L. came to
Panama in 1957. He was the first Youth Activities Director,
DA NAF, then Outdoor Recreation Chief, and retired in 1990.


Rear (L-R): Trina M. (BHS'87), Tramel C. (TC) (CHS'79),
and Pamela L. (BHS'86). Front: Inez H. (Berg) (BHS"59)
Clark holding Walnut, and Fred Clark.

Some members of the BHS class of 1959 got together to
plan for a Panama Reunion for their class to take place in
Panama in 2008.





*


Haydee Mendez Espino, Anabela Varela, Gloria Maggort
Maggiori, Flor Aquilar de Diaz, Priscilla Van der Dijs
Hoorde, Inez Clark, Gloribeth Endara, and Mirna Pierce
Perez-Venero, BHS'59 members.


Early Registration Drawing
Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms received by April 30, 2008, will be included in a second drawing
to take place on May 3rd at the Spring luncheon at Troyer 's Restaurant in Sarasota. Names included in the first
drawing and not selected will be included in the second drawing. The winner of the second drawing will receive a
complimentary two-night stay at the 2008 Reunion.
The prize is nontransferable and is only valid for the person winning the drawing.
Members do not have to be present at the luncheon to win. Board members, past presidents, reunion chairpersons
and the winner of the first drawing are not eligible to participate in the second drawing.






Mr. Hardy Egger celebrated his 80th birthday on
November 5th. Hardy received many best wishes from his
friends all over the world. He was given the award of a #1
PCC Customs Employee and is one of the oldest Eggers still
living in Curundu. His son Steven is his constant companion
and many will remember him from the old Army civilian
workdays before the implementation of the Panama Canal
Treaty.


Hardy Egger and Steven Egger


Mel and Elizabeth Oiler's daughter Itzel Bruno
(BHS'87) and her six-year-old daughter Graciela from
Sanford, Fla., visited Panama from December 25th through
January 12, 2008, after five years of absence. Itzel, her hus-
band Giovanni, and Graciela will be moving to San
Francisco, Calif., in February 2008.


Graciela, Itzel, Elizabeth and Melvyn Oiler on Amador
Causeway.

The next James Bond movie, Bond 22, with Daniel Craig
and other actors will be filmed in the San Felipe and Santa
Ana areas of Panama City for about a week in February. The


National Institute of Culture (INAC) building and some other
private buildings will be used for the filming which will take
place in the afternoon and early evening.
Well, this wraps up another report. Until next issue, hasta
la vista!

Anna Opel, Reporter
011 (507)262-1001
email: acopel(yahoo.com





SOUTH CAROLINA


Here it is 2008 and we're
off and running into another
year of good wishes and hope-
Sful resolutions. I made a few
and hope to keep them this
year.
I am asking my Canal
George Garcia Zone population in South
Carolina to please inform me if you change your e-mail
address or mailing address. I have sent out several e-mails
and am getting some "unable to be delivered." Please keep
me informed as it is imperative that I have your addresses just
in case we decide to have a mini-reunion in your area.
Keep sending your stories to me. I will be more than
happy to send them to be printed in the Canal Record. My e-
mail addresses are: czgarcial4(@bellsouth.net (Main One)
and ggfsul4( hotmail.com (Alternate).
Thank you and best wishes for a great 2008!!!
Pam Rowe Herold sent this account of the visit they had
from Nellie and Bob Engelke.
"Nellie (Wood) (BHS'67) and Bob Engelke (BHS'65)
spent a few days in October with Pam (Rowe) (BHS'67) and
Joe Herold who live on Lake Hartwell, S.C. We tried to give
them a taste of a 'southern' Oktoberfest, but we were too
early. The little town of Wallahalla was not ready for us.


Nellie (Wood) and Bob Engelke






"We managed to hit a few antique stores in Wallahalla
while the guys found a local bar, shopped on Ram Cat Alley
in Seneca, toured through Clemson University as the students
were making their floats for the parade. Enjoyed the evening
dinner at The Galley on the lake.


Blake and Holly to establish the Share a Smile Foundation, a
nonprofit organization which helps uninsured children with
birth defects. Through yearly fund-raisers the foundation has
helped twenty-five children to date.


"Joe took us out on the boat for a ride. Of course, the dogs
went along too! We had to bundle up a little to keep warm.
Always look forward to reminiscing about the good old
days."

George Garcia, Reporter
(864) 801-2072
email: czgarcial4(bellsouth.net





TEXAS


Dallas


Belated best wishes for a Happy,
Healthy 2008. Zonians in the news:
Blake and Holly (BHS'79) Stock
were recently featured in the "True
Romance" column in the Dallas Linda Morris
Morning News. The article chroni-
cled their first meeting in detail "A Blind Date, paired with
one but attracted to other," a genuine storybook romance. The
Blakes were married in 1989 and have twin daughters, Avery
and Channing, now eleven years old. One of the twins was
diagnosed as an infant with Nasal Tip Hemangioma which
required years of treatment and surgeries. This prompted


Blake and Holly Stock with daughters Avery and Channing

The Stocks of Plano, Texas, hosted their annual Christmas
party in Deerfield, an area popular for its lavish Christmas
decorations. The adults enjoyed the "Christmas Cheer" while
the kids enjoyed carriage rides, bundled up to their ears.
Bob O'Connor recently retired from his position as a
computer analyst at Frito-Lay Company in Plano. He too had
a featured article in the Frisco Weekly lauding his skills as a
Senior cyclist pedaling in competitive races year-round. He is
a bona fide member of many racing organizations and has
won "gold medals." Currently on his tenth bike, O'Connor
trains five or six days a week and bicycles wherever he goes.
In his spare time he teaches chess at the Frisco Senior Center.
Bob and his wife Gladys live in Frisco, Texas, while the rest
of the family live in various states.
Update on the O'Connor family: Laurie (BHS'81) is liv-
ing in Ventura, Calif, working as an underwriter for Unitrin,
an Automobile Insurance Company. Her oldest son Brandon
is a sophomore at the University of Nevada and Jacob is a
junior at Ventura High School.
Roger (BHS'84) is living in Las Vegas and teaching
Spanish. He was named "Wal-Mart Teacher of the Year" this
year. Edward is living in Lutz, Fla. (north of Tampa) and is
a Tech Representative for a commercial roofing company. He
has two children, Robert and Allison. A photo of Robert
(BHS'83) and wife Kerri was included in the October 2007
issue. He is the new Superintendent of Schools in Celina,
Texas.
Lou and Suzette Seldon, Keller, Texas, are delighted
with the birth of their first granddaughter Reece Antonia
Shepard (see Births section).
Victoria (Morris) Hall and daughter Krystal Lynn ran
and completed the 5K race for the Frisco Education
Foundation in November. This was the first time for Krystal
and she finished a minute and a half after her mom. Krystal is
thirteen and in the eighth grade. Victoria is employed by the
Frisco Independent School District in Human Resources.






ing, see the end of the cayuco race, and visit friends galore.
Continue sending photos and your happenings. Until next
time....

Linda Reimann Morris, Reporter
(972) 398-9744
email: lrmplano(aol.com




Kerrville

Iris Hogan hosted a luncheon to welcome Sue Stabler
who came up from Panama to accompany her mother Kathi
Lessiack on her trip to visit Sue and her family for an extend-
ed visit.


Bob and Linda Morris had a wonderful three-day visit
with Fred Sill (BHS'53) in Rio de Janiero, where their cruise
on the Marco Polo ended. Fred, formerly an executive with
Paramount pictures in South America, has retired in beautiful
Rio and was a grand tour guide. This was an adventurous trip
on the Orient Cruise line from Barcelona to Brazil and the
Morrises visited many new ports including Casablanca,
where they saw Rick's bar (new), snake charmers, rode
camels and marveled at the grand cosmopolitan cities of
Fortaleza, Recife, and Salvador de Bahia along the long
Brazilian coast. They were home just in time for the
Christmas magic.
Kenny Morris Jr. traveled to Panama with his son
Kenneth, a LSU sophomore, and daughter Hanna for ten
days during the Christmas holidays. This was a first time visit
to Panama for the Morris kids. Joining the family were
Kenny Morris Sr., Diane (Vestal) Morris, and sister Kelly
Morris Fenton and her daughter Rachel from Tampa.
Sonia Fulton Valley was in the Dallas area for the
Christmas holidays visiting daughter Sandra Fulton. They
enjoyed a short excursion to Shreveport for gambling and
shopping after the holidays.
Glen and Christina Seeley had a "mini-vacation" in
Miami in January. On the agenda, besides soaking up the sun,
were at least one or more visits to the incomparable Versailles
Restaurant on 8th Street for typical Cuban fare plitano
maduro, black beans and coconut rice.
Proud parents Dr. Tim and Barbara (Bloemer) (CHS'73)
Ellington report that their daughter Laura, a senior at Austin
College in Sherman, has been accepted at both Johns Hopkins
Medical School in Baltimore and South Western in Dallas.
Her brother Matt, 24, has just completed his second year at
South Western Medical. Grandparents Captain Robert and
Angie Bloemer are just beaming.
An Easter week exodus to Panama is planned by a large
group from North Texas. Colin Creel and family, John and
Bliss Connerton and family, Carlton Morris with son
Carlton and Gabriella, and from the San Antonio area,
Robb and Barbara Morris and family. Also, Kenny Morris
Jr. and Jody de Germain. They plan to do a lot of sightsee-


Back (L-R): Joanne Broussu, Jo-Anne Fields, Fred Wells,
Jackie Bishop, Elsie Larson, Sue Graham, Bea Rhyne,
Kathi Lessiack, and Sue Stabler. Front (L-R): Iris Hogan,
Honey Fealey, Marion Wells, Millie Ebert, and Muriel
Johnson.

Fred and Marion Wells enjoyed a visit from their son
and daughter-in-law, Fred Jr. and Patricia Wells, on August
25 from Perth, Australia. Joe, Sonia, and Shannon Orr took
care of them overnight and chauffeured them from San
Antonio to Kerrville. They all enjoyed lunch together includ-
ing Honey Fealey. On August 30 the four Wells members
flew to Atlanta, Ga., for the wedding of Alan and Kathy
Jane (Melanson) Wells' son Michael to Michelle
Landreau. Guy and Mary Linda (Wells) Fealey arrived in
the Atlanta airport ten minutes ahead of them, coming from
Oak Harbor, Wash. During the wedding activities over the
next five days Chandra Wells from New York; Ted and
Nora Melanson from Texas; Katherine Melanson,
Suzanne, Sunday, and Donny from California; Lynn and
Susan Orr from California; and Polly and Pat Wells from
New Jersey joined in the fun. Krista (Wells) and J.D.
Collins, Kailey (6), Kendal (3), live near Atlanta so they
joined in too. For Marion and Fred it was extra special to
have their three "kids" and spouses together with all the other
family members. It was a lovely wedding and a great family
reunion with wonderful memories.
Lisa Lucas Lasso and her son Billy Don from Detroit,
Mich., joined her mother and sister at a time-share in
Bandera, Texas, for Christmas. They invited me to join them
for dinner on Christmas day. Then Friday they drove to






Kerrville and we did some sightseeing and of course,
Mexican supper. It was great to visit after many years.

Jo-Anne Fields, Reporter
(830) 895-2794
email: jofields(maverickbbs.com




San Antonio

Hola from the Lone Star State! I am looking forward to
being the Reporter from the San Antonio area. I live about 20
miles west of San Antonio near Castroville, an Alsatian com-
munity, on a little "finca" of 15 acres where my husband
Randy Ayres and I raise Katahadin sheep. It is a "wee" bit of
work, but we enjoy it. Of course, we have the requisite chick-
ens, turkeys, guinea hens, heifers, dogs, and cats. Some day
if you have time, ask me about the "snakes in the dryer" story.
To backtrack a bit, my sister Amy Kuyoth-Rote, her hus-
band Scott, daughter Bree, son Mikel, and my husband
Randy, son Michael, and 1 went to Panama for two weeks
during Christmas/New Years of 2006. It was like a wonderful
"homecoming" to say the least. Amy contacted Bobby
Medinger and we rented his place, Panama Vacation
Quarters. Bobby and his family moved to Bulverde which is
right up the road from my sister Lynn Kuyoth-Lynch and
my parents, Paul and Jane Kuyoth.
To say that our trip was a "trip of a lifetime" is an under-
statement. Amy, Bree and 1 were buying "comida" at the El
Rey in Albrook and saw Vicki Sizemore and Ed Wardlow at
the next checkout line. Wow, it was like old home week
catching up on the "news" and "goings-on." We visited the
infamous "Elks Club" for drinks and dinner. The kids had
heard so many stories about the Elks that they had to experi-
ence it firsthand. We spent Christmas Day at Santa Clara on
the white sand beach and New Year's Eve in the San Bias
Islands. As my son Michael said, "This is like a National
Geographic Adventure." We visited with Bob and Ana
Boyer, daughters Maddie and Barbara. Maddie was home
from Notre Dame for the holidays and enjoying her time
away from school. We enjoyed a superb meal at Bob and
Ana's and watched the Notre Dame football game and had a
great time.
Charlie and Margie Engelke Gallardo were in Panama
celebrating Charlie's father's birthday during the holidays.
They had rented the bohio at Bobby's for a wonderful birth-
day celebration and everyone had a good time.
Seeing friends and our old "homes" brought back such
wonderful memories. It was sad to leave, but we hope to be
back again.....very soon!
In the spring, my parents, Paul and Jane Kuyoth, loaded
their motorhome and toured the Eastern United States. They
even went to the Canadian side of Niagara Falls. In October,
they "motored" out to Albuquerque, N.M., to attend the Hot
Air Balloon Festival. Next they were off to Riudoso, N.M., to
attend the Cowboy Symposium and visit with friends. They
are home for the winter with family and friends and are in the
midst of making plans for next year's trips.


In March 2007, Linda and Paul Boostrom went to Dallas
to visit Gerald "Jerry" and Kristin Craig Risberg. They
had a wonderful time visiting with Jerry, Kristin and their
family. Their jaunt brought them to our "finca" for a couple
of days. When they called I warned them that "lambing time"
had begun. Undaunted, they came anyway....! I think Paul's
favorite part was driving the tractor. Linda decided that one
of the lambs needed to be bottlefed and promptly named him
Rodney, after one of her students. We still have Rodney! He
has grown to be quite a boy! We managed to squeeze in a trip
to Fredricksburg, Texas, to have a bit of German food and
wander the town. Linda and Paul had to hurry home as their
daughter Anna was getting married in July and they still had
wedding plans to be made.
Faye Weisser and I are on a mission to find the best
empanadas in San Antonio. We tried Betos' but they didn't
compare to the Clubhouse. We are still looking! Sara
Weisser, Faye's daughter, graduated from Veterinarian Tech
School and her mom and grandmother are proud of all that
she has accomplished. In November Faye and Charlie
Bozeman came to spend the weekend with us. Charlie is a
Deputy Sheriff with Okaloosa County Sheriff's Department.
Can you imagine Faye helping to feed 60 sheep, seven
heifers, and look for chicken eggs? Wish I had my camera
during that time!! She was a real trooper. We went to Market
Days on the Square in Castroville and then sent them on their
way to Kerrville, a true hill country excursion. We are look-
ing forward to them coming again.


---RO

q.















Faye Weisser and Charlie Bozeman

Amy and I went to the Panama Canal Society Reunion in
July 2007. It has been so many years since we had gone that
there are no words to describe how great it was to see so
many friends and classmates. We had a great time and plan to
go again in 2008. Mel Little Henter and her committee are
planning the Class of '69 reunion in Panama. They are work-
ing hard to make it a memorable reunion. Sounds great!!
Stuart Warner came out our way after the reunion and
we spent a wonderful afternoon together. It was great to see
him again. He had broken his leg on a business trip to South
America, playing volleyball, I believe. He had to have sever-
al surgeries, but was on the mend. He said that Lynn Kuyoth-
Lynch and Julie LeBrun were great friends and were sup-





portive during this time as they helped him get to doctor and
therapy appointments. We are just glad he is doing better.
In April 1 traveled to North Carolina to see my grandchil-
dren and, as always, saw Frank and Betsy Foster Barbeau.
Betsy had injured her back in 2006 and was still not doing
well. Fortunately, she was able to have spinal surgery in
October 2007 and is "free of pain." Randy and I went out to
Raleigh, N.C., for Thanksgiving with his family and had the
opportunity to spend an evening with Betsy and Frank. She
looks great! Her mother Evelyn Foster came for two weeks
to help take care of her during her recovery. Betsy said that it
has been a while since her Mom had dried between her toes.
She attributes her rapid recovery to her Mom's great nursing
skills. Her nephew Jayson Foster, son of Jay Foster, was
inducted into the Air Force in 2007. Those children sure grow
up fast, don't they? Susan Foster, Betsy's sister, was married
in December to Jason Tyson. It was a beautiful wedding and
the newlyweds will be residing in Rocky Point, N.C.
I look forward to hearing from those in the San Antonio
area.

Paula Kuyoth-Ayers, Reporter
(830) 985-3186
email: pkavers1022(aol.com




VIRGINIA


In the "kudos" category, one of
our very own Zonians, Charles
Beardall (BHS'66), received recog-
nition in The Hispanic Business, Top
B 100 Most Influential Hispanics list as
co-founder and former chair of the
Defense Advisory Council on
Hispanic issues as well as for his 33
years of federal service including 23
S years in the U.S. Army.
Karen Brandl As the Defense Criminal
Investigative Service (DCIS) Director, Chuck participated in
a Department of Justice press conference, announcing the for-
mation of the National Counter-Proliferation Initiative. The
purpose of the initiative is to prevent critical, sensitive tech-
nology from being obtained by terrorists and countries hostile
to the United States.
Bonita Ensey (BHS'64) Leavitt and husband Chuck
attended the wedding of Christine DiAbate. Christine is the
daughter of Tito and Susan DiAbate. Susan was raised on
the Atlantic side; she graduated from Cristobal High. Her
husband Tito is a Panamanian national. Susan's dad was the
Harbormaster on the Atlantic side for many years. He retired
from the Panama Canal some years ago.
Received a note from Michelle Wileczek (BHS'86)
McKnight and her husband Andrew McKnight that they are
the proud parents of a daughter. Madeleine McKnight was
born on May 22, 2007. She celebrated her first Christmas in
Connecticut with Dad's family.


McKnight.


BBQ News: We are planning another BBQ in Norfolk for
April. Please mark your calendars. Dennis (BHS'69) and
Robin Gilbert have opened their lovely home to us once
again.
My son Alex is back home after graduating from Johnson
& Wales University, Charlotte campus. Why can't 1 get him
to cook at home?? We spent Thanksgiving in Jacksonville,
Fla., at my brother Ernie Peugnet's (BHS'79) house. Here's
a picture of Ernie and Alex getting ready to rock some steaks.


Ernie Peugnet and Alex Brandl


Karen Peugnet Brandl, Reporter
(757) 233-6767
email: kisbrandl@aol.com


MEMBERS ARE ENCOURAGED TO
REGISTER EARLY FOR THE
2008 REUNION.

SEE PAGE 6.






CONGRATULATIONS


CATURIAS CELEBRATE 50TH
ANNIVERSARY

Ruth and Vernon Caturia celebrated their 50th wedding
anniversary with an open house at the Menomonic, Wise.,
Motor Lodge. The couple were married August 21, 1957.
Vernon worked for the Panama Canal Company Schools
Division/DoDDS from 1967 to 1986. Ruth and Vernon have
two children, Vern (CHS'80) and wife Theresa; Susan
(BHS'85) and husband Todd Folkerts, and five grandchil-
dren.


Vernon and Ruth Caturia


IDENTICAL TWINS TURN 90


They celebrated their 90th birthdays at a party held on
December 8th with over 50 friends and family in attendance
in Ocala, Fla., at the home of Kathy and Tom Wilder,
Albert's son. Both Albert and Arthur graduated from the
Massachusetts Nautical School, now known as the
Massachusetts Maritime Academy, which is the oldest con-
tinuous state maritime academy in the country.
While serving as merchant marines during WWII sailing
in convoys to Europe with war supplies, both were sunk on
separate ships attacked by the enemy. They both went on to
earn a Master's license before going to the Canal Zone to
become Pilots. Arthur was the first on the Isthmus in January
1951, followed by Albert in October 1952. They served as
Panama Canal Pilots for close to 30 years before retiring from
federal service.
Helping celebrate this milestone and traveling from
Panama was Albert's daughter Alberta and son-in-law Collin
Corrigan with their daughter Tiernan DuPree and her kids
Mackenzie and Kyle; son Gerald Corrigan, wife Alice and
kids Jordan, Amber and Casey from Colorado; daughter
Penny Canamas (Panama) and her son Darrell (Orlando,
Fla.). Arthur's son Larry and daughter-in-law Ruth Wilder
(Indianatlantic, Fla.); kids Ken Wilder and wife Renee with
Olivia and Lucas; also Stacey (Wilder) Harrison and
daughters Camryn and Amanda; son David and daughter-
in-law Jeannine Wilder (Guntersville, Ala.). Friends attend-
ing were Lilia Stroop, Eddie and Lisa Stroop and kids
Taylor, Nicole, Victoria and Parker.
A surprise for everyone was a reunion with two nieces
and two nephews not seen in over 30 years who were the chil-
dren of the twins' younger sister, Francis Hill now deceased,
who lived in Ridgefield, Conn., and would welcome her older
brothers and their families into her home during the three
months of home leave every other year. The nieces and
nephews shared old stories of how they always looked for-
ward to visits from their cousins from the Canal Zone during
the summer and these memories were some of the best of
their childhood. They are some of ours too...


Albert and Arthur Wilder


Albert and Arthur Wilder


On December 10, 2007, former Panama Canal Pilots,
Captains Albert and Arthur Wilder, were 90 years old.


Larr) \'ilder and Alberta (\ ilder) Corrigan

At the end of the day, the twins joked about who is older
and were given tee shirts that read: : "I'm ninety and my
brother's ninety too." You have to say this fast and out loud
to get it!!















Back (L-R): Tom Wilder, Alberta Corrigan, Penny
Canamas, Dave Wilder, and Larry Wilder. Front (L-R):
Lorraine Wilder, Arthur Wilder, Albert Wilder, and Aura
Erikson-Wilder.


DAVID HIGGERSON PROMOTED

David Higgerson, who began his federal career working
with Canal Zone Customs in the Panama Canal Zone in 1971,
was recently selected as the new director of field operations
for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection in Arizona.
Mr. Higgerson has also worked in a variety of positions,
most recently as the port director of Hidalgo-Pharr, Texas, the
fourth largest port of entry along the U.S.-Mexican border.
He also served as the acting director of field operations for
the Laredo Field Office.



LILI OLLER KOHR
MRS. DELAWARE AMERICA 2008

Lili Oiler (BHS'85) of Delaware was crowned Mrs.
Delaware America 2008 at the Mrs. Delaware America
Pageant recently. Lili is the daughter of Melvyn and
Elizabeth Oiler of Panama, R. de P. Melvyn is a retired
Canal Zone Police officer.













Lili Oiler Kohr and her family


Lili lives in Delaware with her husband and four children.
In addition, she owns four women's stores "Tiger Lili" in
Delaware. She will be competing for the Mrs. American
Nationals during the week of Labor Day 2008 in Tucson,
Ariz.


TOAST OF TAMPA SHOW CHORUS

Ellen Peck and Carol Flenniken Schwenke of the Toast
of Tampa Show Chorus competed in October in Calgary,
Alberta, Canada, at the International Competition for Sweet
Adelines, International. The enclosed picture is of Ellen and
Carol and another member of the chorus. Yes, they are dress-
ing stage costumes and stage makeup!
Ellen and Carol sing with one of the top rated choruses in
the world. They placed 6th internationally but were chosen as
the audience's choice for "The Most Entertaining Chorus" in
the world. It takes a lot of practice and time to become a top
chorus but Ellen and Carol say it is worth every minute, espe-
cially when the results are winning the acclaim the chorus has
gotten.


Carol Flenniken Schwenke, Ellen Peck, and another mem-
ber of the chorus.


CWO4 TOM WHITE RETIRES


-Nkp


0 -


Chief Warrant Officer (CWO4) Thomas L. White





CWO4 Tom White (BHS'76) retired from the U. S. Coast
Guard after over 30 years of service. Family members attend-
ing the retirement ceremony in Portsmouth, Va., on
November 2, 2007, were his wife Ann, son Tom Jr. and
daughter Rachel of Chesapeake, Va.
Other family members attending the ceremony were his
father-in-law Larry Young, Cocoa Beach, Fla.; his mother
Louise Rainier, Lincoln, Neb.; and Bill and Sharon White,
Phoenix, Ariz. His brother Hal White was unable to attend
due to work commitments in Alaska.
Tom will continue working as a civilian with the Coast
Guard in the International Port Security Program.


Jessica Renee Smith graduated from Florida State
University on December 15, 2007. Jessica graduated with a
Bachelor of Science Degree in Social Science Education. She
received recognition for her membership in the following
societies: Kappa Delta Phi, an education honor society; Order
of Omega, a Greek Leadership society; and Omicron Delta
Kappa, a Leadership honor society.


Jessica Renee Smith


Larry Young, Tom White, Ann White, Louise Rainier,
Rachel White, Tom White Jr., Bill and Sharon White.


SMITH SIBLINGS GRADUATE

Owen Michael Smith graduated from CHIC Cooking
and Hospitality Institute Chicago on November 11, 2007.
Owen is presently living in Chicago and working at SOLA, a
contemporary American restaurant with Asian and Hawaiian
influence.


Owen Michael Smith and Jessica Renee Smith


Owen and Jessica are the children of Russell (Rusty)
Smith and Sheila Webb Messmore. Maternal grandparents
are Mariana Webb of Citrus Heights, Calif., and the late
Robert Webb. Paternal grandparents are the late Owen
Smith and Carolyn Johnson. Jessica has returned to Illinois
to seek a secondary teaching position in the Chicago area.




MATTHEW SCHWENKE
GRADUATES

Matthew Schwenke, son of Roger and Carol
(Flenniken) Schwenke, graduated recently from college.
Matthew's family gathered in Los Angeles to celebrate his
graduation from The University of Southern California with
a B.A. degree in Theatre.
Matthew is continuing at Cal State Fresno working on a
B.S. in Mechanical Engineering. The family had a great time
being together, eating, touring Los Angeles, and being with
each other as one of us reached another long awaited day.
1r~i


Inre8k- ~-P~g


Tom Hardy, Robin Wolf-Hardy, Beck Wolf-Hardy, Mary
Montgomery Wolf, William Dickey, Margaret Dickey,
Tracy Wolf Dickey, Matthew Schwenke, Roger Schwenke,
and Carol Flenniken Schwenke.





JAMES BORELL III GRADUATES

James Borell III, son of Jim Borell Jr. (BHS'68) and
Jody Longhill (BHS'69) graduated in December 2007 from
the University of Maryland with a Bachelor of Science
degree in Kinesiology. During his senior year, Jimmy was the
captain of Maryland's lacrosse team, which reached the
NCAA tournament's final four twice during his college
career. After his sophomore year, he received the lacrosse
team's Hammer Award recognizing him as the team's biggest
hitter. His play during his junior year resulted in him being
awarded the Faber Heagy Unsung Hero Award. In his final
year, Jimmy received the team's top honor, the Dick Edel
"Big Man" Award.
Jimmy now plays both indoor and outdoor professional
lacrosse. During the winter, he played for the Philadelphia
Wings of the National Lacrosse League, and over the summer
months, he plays for the Los Angeles Riptide of Major
League Lacrosse.


DOTTIE WHITLOW-MALIN, Ph.D.

Dottie (Coleman) (BHS'72) Whitlow-Malin graduated
from Georgia State University on December 16, 2006, com-
pleting a Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D.) degree in
Mathematics Education. Dottie currently serves the Atlanta
Public Schools (APS) as the Executive Director of
Mathematics & Science. She has spent 30 years in education
in Texas, Georgia, and most recently as a Director of com-
prehensive school reform (CSR) for eight southern states in
the National Center on Education and the
Economy/America's Choice Program.
Her undergraduate degree is from the University of Texas.
She holds Masters and Specialist degrees from the University
of South Georgia. Her mother Pat (Neckar) (BHS'51)
Coleman, husband Ed Malin (BHS'72), son Jody Whitlow,
and nephew Ryan Coleman were on hand for the graduation
celebration. Dottie, Ed and Ryan reside in Marietta, Ga.


SCHOOL OF
PUBLIC HEALTH
COMMENT
LA,_~L ~~


Jody Longhill, Jimmy Borell, and Jim Borell


Jim Borell Jr. and Jim Borell III


Dr. Dottie Whitlow-Malin being "hooded" in the Ph.D.
graduation ceremony by the Dean of the College of
Education, Dr. Ron Colarusso, and Ph.D. Committee Chair,
Dr. Christine Thomas.


J. ELLIOTT CARLSON

After winning the Cayuco Race (Rapid Transit won all
five stretches earning "Master Paddler" status) in his senior
year, Elliott Carlson (BHS'95) went off to Kings Point
(USMMA), graduating with dual licenses (deck and engine
officer) in 1999 and immediately went to sea. Eight years
later, having raised his licenses by sailing in a variety of ships
and positions, both engine and deck, with the USCG (Master
- Unlimited and Second Assistant Engineer) and Panama's
Maritime Authority (Master Unlimited and Chief Engineer),
Elliott was one of eight "blue sea" Panamanians selected
recently (of about 20 applicants) by the Panama Canal





Authority to become a Pilot on the Panama Canal, returning
to Panama from his last "blue sea" job as Chief Officer with
Norwegian Cruise Lines in Hawaii.
It seems to have been a dream and goal for Elliott, as
he follows the footsteps of his grandfather, Captain John G.
Carlson (Massachusetts Nautical School '41), who was also
a Pilot on the Canal.
His mother Jackie (Evans) (CHS'69) Carlson and father
John W. Carlson (BHS'63) also worked with the Canal
organization (Jackie is still there!!). They are, needless to say,
extremely proud of Elliott and this new career, as he is cer-
tainly one of the youngest Pilots to have ever come on board.


A delicious snack and an open bar were served from 2
p.m. until 8 p.m. on January 6, 2008. Beth (Snider)
(CHS'75) Hutchinson arranged some hilarious pictures
(with captions) on a poster board. She also had nametags with
pictures of the twins (age 6) for all the guests. Jim and Tom
wore T-shirts with their pictures (age 6) provided by their sis-
ter.
The family members present were: parents, Lee and
Kathy Snider; Jim and Tom; sisters, Beth Snider Hutchinson
and Theresa Herring (CHS'78); nephew Joe Herring;
Tom's son Ryan Snider; Jim's daughter Kerry Snider.
Tom's wife, Col. Evelyn Barraza, is serving in Iraq and
Jim's wife Mary Snider was home with their sick daughter
Shannon. It was a shame they both had to miss this great
party.
Other Zonians attending were: Bob and Ann Best and
Paul (CHS'75) and Suzette Baker.
r75PAL qE


Back: Bob Best and Paul Baker. Middle (L-R): Ann Best,
Tom Snider, Jim Snider, and Beth Snider Hutchinson.
Front: Kathy and Lee Snider. Photo taken by Suzette Baker.


Jackie (Evans) Carlson pictured here with her son J. Elliott
Carlson at his USMMA graduation in 1999.


ROGERS BUCHINE


SNIDER TWINS TURN 50

A gathering of family and friends met at "Brother Don's"
restaurant in West Bremerton to congratulate the "boys" on
their 50th birthday the boys being Jim and Tom Snider
(CHS'76).


Tom Snider and Jim Snider


Bill and Edna Rogers are thrilled to announce that their
son William A. Rogers II (BHS'83) and Angie Buchine are
engaged to be married. Will graduated from UCF School of
Engineering and Angie graduated from Auburn.
No wedding date has been set.


Angie Buchine and Will Rogers
Angle Buchine and Will Rogers





SOPHIA GABRIELA
SZYMANSKI HERRERA

Sophia Gabriela Szymanski was baptized on December
30, 2007, at St. Mary's Parish by Father Arthur Kolinsky,
C.M., visiting from New York. Her godparents were her uncle
Rick Szymanski and aunt Patricia (Szymanski) Phillips.
A brunch was hosted by her grandparents, Anna and Carl
Opel and Frederick F. Szymanski, Jr., at the Summit
Gardens Golf and Resort Club for over 50 family members
and friends. Swimming in the pool was a hit with the younger
crowd. Sophia is pictured here with her mother holding her
and with her godparents.


Rick Szymanski, Jenilee Ann Szymanski holding Sophia
Gabriela, and Patricia (Szymanski) Phillips.


COLLET MORRISON

Mike and Bonnie (Crowell) Morrison of Deland, Fla.,
announce the engagement of their daughter, Cassie Lee, to
Daniel James Collet, son of Bob and Carol Collet of
DeLeon Springs.
The engagement was announced to family and friends
during a command performance by the Big Bopper (Howie
Parker) at the Morrison home. Food, entertainment and an
engagement--what a night!
Cassie graduated from ITT Tech and is employed by
Select Growers. Dan graduated from DBCC and is employed
by Parker Services. A 2009 wedding is planned.


Cassie Morrison and Dan Collet getting a congratulatory
hug from Cassie's son Zach.


Early Registration Drawing


Reunion registration and hotel reservation forms received by April 30, 2008, will
be included in a second drawing to take place on May 3rd at the Spring luncheon at
Troyer's Restaurant in Sarasota. Names included in the first drawing and not
selected will be included in the second drawing. The winner of the second drawing
will receive a complimentary two-night stay at the 2008 Reunion.


The prize is nontransferable and is only valid for the person winning the drawing.


Members do not have to be present at the luncheon to win. Board members, past
presidents, reunion chairpersons and the winner of the first drawing are not eligible
to participate in the second drawing.






WEDDINGS


BARRITEAU STEVENS

Megan Nicole Barriteau, daughter of John "Zip" and
Lisa Barriteau of Ona, W.Va., and Brandon Stevens, son of
David and Claudia Stevens of Huntington, W.Va., were unit-
ed in marriage May 19, 2007, on St. George Island, Fla.
Megan is the granddaughter of the late John "Frenchy" and
Patricia Barriteau. She is the great-niece of Elizabeth
Yerxa of Homosassa, Fla.
The couple celebrated their beach wedding with the music
of the Caribbean Crew from Longwood, Fla. More than 70
guests traveled from 10 states to be with Megan and Brandon
on their special day.
Megan is the Director of Communications for the Central
Alabama Community Foundation in Montgomery, Ala., and
Brandon is the Associate Director of the Duke Club at James
Madison University. The couple honeymooned in Negril,
Jamaica, and reside in Harrisonburg, Va.


Paulson, Naren, Kelly and Noah Paulson from Vero Beach,
Fla. Aunt Judy Weaver (CHS'65) came from Costa Rica,
grandmother Mary Jane Paulson and uncle Leo Paulson
(CHS'67) came from Tallahassee, Fla.
The bride and groom honeymooned at Playa de Hermosa
on the Pacific coast of Costa Rica. The couple now resides in
Charlotte, N.C.


Barriteau Stevens wedding party


MARTIN BURGESS

Jessi Lynn Martin and Patrick Joseph Burgess were
united in marriage in an evening ceremony on September 28,
2007, at the Childress Vineyards in Lexington, N.C. The
bride is the daughter of Mr. and Mrs. Milton Martin of
Crawfordville, Fla. (Jane Paulson CHS'71). Jessi is the
granddaughter of Mrs. Mary Jane Paulson (BHS'45) and
the late Mr. Leigh Cash Paulson, Tallahassee, Fla. (formerly
from Gatun, Canal Zone). The groom is the son of Mr. and
Mrs. Wade William Burgess ofAhoskie, N.C.
Zonian friends and family from across the country attend-
ed: Janet Jenner and son Jim Jenner (BHS'67) from
Gulfport, Miss.; Rose Deaton; Beth (Wainio) (CHS'73) and
Ted Deaton (CHS'74) from Wilmington, N.C., with their
kids Lisa (D.C.), Neal, Lori from Charlotte; Jodi Wainio
from Wilmington; Marti Goembel (CHS'71), Patty Kristoff
(Valentine) (CHS'75) and Cassie Kristoff from Hilton
Head, Ga. Jessi's cousins included Casey Paulson, San
Francisco, Calif.; Brian Weaver, Aspen, Colo.; Dustin


Jessi Lynn Martin and Patrick Joseph Burgess


Martin-Burgess wedding party





WOODWARD FISH

James A. Fish (BHS'73) and Suzann M. Woodward
celebrated the first day of their life together in marriage on
November 10, 2007. To help them celebrate this very special
occasion, many friends from the Canal Zone were in atten-
dance.
The wedding was held in Boerne, Texas, at the ranch of
Mike and Beth Coyle with a beautiful Texas sunset in the
background. The mini-Canal Zone reunion was enjoyed by
all. The groom is the son of the late Kenneth L. Fish, for-
merly of Gamboa, Canal Zone. The bride is the daughter of
Joe and Thelma McDowell of Brady, Texas.


LARSON AUGER

Joan Larson and Arthur Auger were married on
September 14, 2007, at St. Philip's Church in Auburn, Maine.
Joan is the daughter of Margarite and Robert Windle and
the late Charles A. McGlade Sr.
Joan was given away by her stepfather, Robert. The maid
of honor was Joan's daughter Michell Larson, bridesmaid
was her sister Marjorie Lonie. Arthur Auger's best man was
his father Arthur Sr., his usher was Joan's son Danny
Larson. Joan's mother, Margarite Windle, was escorted in the
church by her grandson Danny. Father Murray performed the
marriage ceremony.
The wedding reception was held at Lost Valley Ski Resort
with a sit-down dinner with music and dancing after dinner.
In attendance there were 220 guests. The bride and groom
honeymooned at Boothbay Harbor, Maine.


Larson Auger wedding party


James and Suzann Fish





BIRTHS
* Effective with the March 1993 edition, baby pictures must include parents or grandparents.


REECE ANTONIA SHEPARD

Lou "Sparkie" and Suzette Seldon of Keller, Texas, are
pleased to announce the birth of a second child to their
youngest daughter. Leah (Seldon) and Ryan Shepard of
Arlington, Texas, are the proud parents.
Reece Antonia was born September 1, 2007, and
weighed 8 lb. 3 oz. and was 193" long. She joins her older
brother Finn who is 1'/2 years old.


Ryan Shepard holding
"Sparkie" Seldon.


JACK CAYDEN WHEELER


Mr. and Mrs. James H. Wheeler IV of San Antonio,
Texas, announce the birth of their first child Jack Cayden
Wheeler on September 13, 2007. Proud paternal grandpar-
ents are Jim (former CZ Police) and Judi Wheeler
(Warford) (BHS'64) of San Antonio. Maternal grandparents
are Jim and Jeanette Madaj of Knoxville, Tenn., and
Kenneth Kemple of Floresville, Texas.
Jack is named for his paternal great-grandfather, Jack
Warford, a U.S. Army Engineers employee, formerly of
Curundu Heights, Canal Zone.


Reece Antonia Shepard and Lou


ISABELLA MARIE
VAN LEEUWEN


Melissa (Bowman) (BHS'91) and Andrew Van
Leeuwen proudly announce the birth of their first child
Isabella Marie on November 5, 2007, in Frisco, Texas.
Isabella weighed in at 6 lbs., 14 ozs., and measured 19/4 inch-
es.
Maternal grandparents are John and Melva Bowman of
Balboa, R.P., and paternal grandparents are David and
Patricia Van Leeuwen of Vonore, Tenn.


Melissa Van Leeuien holding Isab
Van Leeuwen.


Judi Warford Wheeler, Judy Kemple Wheeler holding
Jack Cayden Wheeler, James Wheeler IV, and Jim
Wheeler.



PANAMA CANAL
SOCIETY ONLINE
SERVICES


Visit the Panama Canal Society
website for online services for
membership applications and
membership renewals, general
membership meetings and min-
utes, and Canal Record area
reporter information.


http://www.pancanalsociety.org/






tE vssp SORROW


Andrew David Arosemena, 22, died November 25,
2007, in Gainesville, Fla., after having been shot in a random
act of violence earlier that morning.
Andrew was born in Miami Beach, Fla., on August 7,
1985, and as a young boy, he played baseball and football and
attended Woodville Elementary School. He had been a stu-
dent at Florida High, Lincoln High School and Tallahassee
Community College. He was employed by the Department of
Management Services.
Andrew brought such life and laughter to his family and
friends--so witty, and smart. He will be especially missed by
his brother, Kristopher, who was not just a brother but his best
friend. Andrew was an avid fisherman and loved sports and
never missed a Florida State Seminoles' football game. He
was proud of his Panamanian and Canal Zone heritage. He
was preceded in death by his father, Angel Enrique
Arosemena, formerly of Tallahassee and the Republic of
Panama, and his maternal grandmother, Betty Watts Kelleher,
formerly of Seminole, Fla., and the Panama Canal Zone.
Survivors include his mother, Patricia Kelleher (BHS'75)
of Tallahassee; his only brother, Kristopher Arosemena, of
Tallahassee; his stepmother, Brenda Arosemena, of
Tallahassee; his maternal grandfather, David I. Kelleher Sr.,
of Seminole, Fla.; and his paternal grandmother, Eduvigis
Quintero, of the Republic of Panama; plus many aunts,
uncles, cousins and friends.


Hilda Lehman Baas, 86, passed away December 11,
2007, with her daughter by her bedside. Her immediate fam-
ily and her friends grieve the loss of this fine and courageous
woman. Alzheimer's disease took away her mind but not her
soul. It is a testament to that soul that she never gave up faith
or the good fight.
Hilda and Matthew Baas were married in 1943 and raised
a family of six children in Venezuela and the Canal Zone.
Matthew died in 1969 and Hilda pursued a career in finance
and real estate in Miami, Fla., and Arlington, Va. In 1999
Hilda moved to Jensen Beach, Fla., to be near her daughter
and lived independently up until a few years ago.
Her immediate family consists of children, Ann Hesford
of Jensen Beach, Doreen Brock and Peter Baas of Gulfport,
Miss., Matthew Baas of Beaufort, S.C., Christina Kowalski
of Wildwood Crest, N.J., and Tom Baas of Milwaukee, Wis.,
their spouses, fourteen grandchildren, and eight great-grand-
children.


Robert "Bobby Jr." Mullen Baum, 81, died December
24, 2007, in Fairhope, Ala. Robert was born on October 7,
1926, in Rodanthe, N.C. He was delivered by his maternal
grandmother Orenda in her home.
Robert's family lived in Baum Town (Wanchese), N.C.,
until they moved to Norfolk, Va., in 1936. He enlisted in the
U.S. Coast Guard in 1944 (WWII) and served as Quarter
Master 3rd Class on USCG Covington PF56. He then went to


work for Virginia Ferry Corporation, on ferries running from
Little Creek to Cape Charles, Va. He worked as a Tug Master
and Docking Pilot for several different companies in Norfolk.
One of the highlights of his life was the eight years he served
as Tug Master on the W R Coe in Norfolk. Crews he hired
became lifelong friends.
In 1975 Robert transferred to the Panama Canal where he
finished his Civil Service career, doing the work he had loved
from young childhood. For seventeen years, he piloted ships
from every country in the world, transiting between the
Atlantic and the Pacific. He retired in 1992 and lived in
Manns Harbor, N.C., until he moved to Alabama in 1996,
where he resided until his death. He was a Master Mason, a
member of the Shriners, and a member of the Panama Canal
Society.
He is survived by his wife, Joann D. Baum of the home;
five children from a previous marriage: Robert Mullen Baum
III and wife Janet, Republic of Panama; Christiana Powers,
Norfolk, Va.; Rebecca B. Gometz and husband James,
Chesapeake, Va.; Kevin W. Baum, Winterville, N.C.; and
Jonathan D. Baum and wife Debi, Kill Devil Hills, N.C.;
eight grandchildren; two great-grandchildren; four step-
grandchildren; three stepsons: William A. Foster and wife
Geri, Dunnellon, Fla., Michael K. Foster, St. Petersburg,
Fla.., and Kirk A. Foster, Fairhope, Ala.; and his sister,
Ivadean B. Smith and husband Glen, Norfolk, Va.


Donald H. Beall, 82, of Tampa, Fla., passed away
November 6, 2007. He is survived by his wife Freida and his
family. He was the brother of the late Richard "Pat" Beall,
former Editor of the Canal Record. No further information is
available.


Charles (Charlie) Robert Bedsworth died suddenly on
February 8, 2008, in San Jos6, Costa Rica. Charlie was born
on February 11, 1953, in Col6n, Republic of Panama, and
grew up on both sides of the isthmus. Charlie graduated from
Balboa High School in 1971. He was predeceased by his
father, James Kyle Bedsworth. He is survived by his mother,
Felicia, of San Jose, Costa Rica; siblings Jim, George (wife
Sharon), and Mary (husband Paul Chrysson), of Winston-
Salem, N. C., and Janine (husband Bob Hauser) of Miami,
Fla. He is also survived by several nieces and nephews, and
countless friends.


Virginia Booth, 90, passed away November 17, 2007, at
Timber Ridge Nursing and Rehabilitation Center in Ocala,
Fla. She was born in the Republic of Panama and moved to
Ocala in 1978 from the Canal Zone. She was Catholic and
was a member of the Panama Canal Society.
She is survived by a daughter Patricia Booth of Ocala;
sons George Booth of Ocala and Richard Booth of Ft.
Lauderdale, Fla.; and sisters Carmen Elena of California,





Rosita of Panama, and Rosario Van Dyke of Georgia.


Thomas (Tomas) Joseph Carey, 55, passed away on
November 18, 2007, in David, Panama. Tomas was born in
Gorgas Hospital, Ancon, Canal Zone, on May 6, 1952, to
Robert Paul and Martha Ann Carey. He grew up in the Canal
Zone and graduated from Balboa High School in 1970.
Tomas attended the University of Florida where he majored
in Geology.
He worked offshore in the oil industry for McDermott
Inc., and later for Baker Hughes as a geologist in the Gulf of
Mexico. Tomas later moved to Volcan, Panama, where he
found his niche in real estate and construction assisting indi-
viduals relocating or retiring to the Volcan area. Tomas had a
great love for the people and country of Panama but espe-
cially Volcan, where he began making friends over 35 years
ago. He was a member of the Panama Canal Society.
Tomas is survived by his mother, Martha Ann Carey
(Sondernnan) of Volcan, Panama; sisters Barbara Ann Darby
of Gainesville, Fla., and Maureen Elise Domenech of
Brandon, Fla.; brothers Robert Paul Carey of Raleigh, N.C.,
and John Christopher Carey of St. Petersburg, Fla.; two
nieces and three nephews.


Cecil Caudill, 76, of Port Orchard, Wash., lost his battle
with cancer on October 10, 2007. He was born March 10,
1931, and grew up in Spokane, Wash., and was a Korean War
Vet (1951-52). Two years later he moved his family to
Bremerton, Wash., and began a two-year machinist appren-
ticeship. In 1960 he moved his family to the former Canal
Zone in Panama where he worked as a machinist and admea-
surer. He was an avid fisherman and enjoyed diving for lob-
ster, boat racing, and photography. He was a member of the
Gun Club, Camera Club, Tarpon Club, Elks Club, and the
Panama Canal Society.
After 17 years in Panama he returned to work in the
Bremerton, Wash., Navy Yard. He retired as a Planner and
Estimator in 1986. He soon started his own business as a ton-
nage admeasurer and worked with Germanischer Lloyd of
N.Y. and the U.S. Coast Guard. He found new interests dur-
ing these years, besides continuing his love for saltwater fish-
ing. He liked growing roses, trailer, business and recreational
traveling. He retired early in 2007 because of ill health.
He is survived by his wife, Donna, of 56 years, son Jay
Caudill, daughter Cheryl Parker, son-in-law Clancy Parker,
sister Gerry Holden, brother-in-law Vernon Holden, and
numerous nieces and nephews.


Thelma J. Chan, 88, passed away January 9, 2008, at
North Austin Medical Center, Austin, Texas. She was born
July 31, 1919, in Fairfield County, Ohio, the third child of
Holmes L. and Mary C. Oyler.
She graduated from high school in Canal Winchester,
Ohio, in 1937 and from White Cross Nursing School,
Columbus, Ohio, in 1942. She continued her nursing career
and in late summer of 1948 she moved to Panama to work at
Colon Hospital on the Atlantic side for the Panama Canal

62


Company. On June 19, 1953, she married Harry V. Chan in
Panama. She continued her nursing career until motherhood
crowded it out and she was a homemaker "par excellence"
from that time on. She was a den mother for her two sons,
active in all her sons' school and extracurricular activities.
She worked with young children in the nursery of Balboa
Union Church in the Canal Zone where she and her family
were members. After her husband's retirement in 1986, they
moved to Austin. She was, with her husband, an active mem-
ber of St. Mark United Methodist Church. She was a member
of the Panama Canal Society and loved to travel in the U.S.
and afar. She would look up family, friends, and ex-Zonies
wherever she went.
She is survived by her husband Harry; her son Bruce and
his wife Sharon, and two grandchildren of Norman, Okla.;
one sister, Donna Chance, two brothers-in-law, four sisters-
in-law, and numerous nieces and nephews.


Vern Hewit Christoph, 84, passed away in Sarasota,
Fla., on October 18, 2007. He was born in Erie, Pa., on
August 7, 1923.
He moved to the Canal Zone in 1946 and was employed
as Chief Admeasurer. He retired in August 1978. He was a
Shriner, a member of the Panama Canal Society, and was an
avid golfer.
He was preceded in death by two sons, Lee Wayne and
Lewis Terry Christoph. He is survived by his son, Larry Allen
and his wife Maureen Christoph.


F. Stuart Clemmons, 67, of St. Petersburg, Fla., died
December 24, 2007. A local entrepreneur with domestic and
international interests, Stu's joy of life was infectious.
He was born in Colon, Republic of Panama, and grew up
in the Canal Zone with his brother Jay, his mother Isabel and
his father J.B. Clemmons, who was Chief of Civil Affairs.
After graduating from Louisiana Polytech with a degree in
business, he made his way west and settled in San Francisco,
Calif. There he founded a data processing service company,
which was later purchased by Chase Manhattan Bank. In
1983, he moved to St. Petersburg where he became very
active in the community. He was well known and well loved,
and always the life of any party.
He is survived by his wife Joan, their three children,
Cristine, Michael, and Elizabeth, all of whom live in
California; his brother, Jay Clemmons; and many dear friends
and family, including Bernadine Gallagher.


Charles "Charlie" Hoyt Cooper, 66, of Tampa, Fla.,
passed away on December 1, 2007. He was born in Belize,
lived in the Panama Canal Zone as a child, then went to
Guanaja, Bay Islands, and then came to the United States.
He graduated from Jefferson High School class of 1961,
and was a retired office dispatcher for a Tampa trucking firm.
His joy in life was his music and the "Original Copra Band"
which he started in 1970, playing his guitar and harmonica.
His Charlie Cooper's Copra Band played at the dances at the
Reunions in past years. He was a member of the Panama





Canal Society
Charlie is survived by his wife, Sharon Kay Tischer,
Tampa, Fla.; sisters, Jennifer Wood Flores, Pembroke Pines,
Fla., Maria Alvardo Wood de Zelaya, and Marta Alvardo
Wood Pino, La Ceiba, Honduras; brother Arturo Wood
Alvardo and his wife Goldie, of La Ceiba, Honduras; and
many nieces, nephews and cousins.


George T. FitzGerald, 90, of Clemson, S.C., died of pul-
monary fibrosis in Auburn, Calif., while visiting his son and
daughter-in-law and family. He was bor August 5, 1917, in
the Republic of Panama, and attended Balboa High School.
His father George C. FitzGerald was a Roosevelt Medal
Holder who worked on the Panama Canal and also managed
a little chicken farm near Chorrera Hill. George felt the urge
to go to sea when he was 16. He had built his own cayuco and
sailed beyond Taboga and Tabogia Islands many times with
pals like John Ridge. He succumbed to the lure of the
unknown seas in 1923 and in the early days, he found life at
sea to be rough. He sailed many times in wood burners and
coal burners hauling lumber and supplies along the Pacific
Coast from San Francisco north to the Alaska Region.
He studied and moved through all ranks and sailed on
provision ships during WWII, met and married Maxine C.
FitzGerald in 1941 in New York, had three sons, and went
back to Panama in 1947. He then worked in the Canal Zone
until 1951 when he was called to serve in the Navy Reserve
sailing out of San Diego during the Korean War. The family
returned back to Balboa in 1954 and settled into a great life.
He advanced to Port Engineer for the Canal Zone, and retired
in 1970. He met and married Joan Clair while working in the
Canal Zone, and they shared many exciting years together.
Perhaps the most exciting started in 1970, when he started a
second career working as Chief Engineer on the Mississippi
Queen sailing from New Orleans to Cincinnati. He then took
a position developing and maintaining the Natchez Steamboat
with daily excursions out of New Orleans. He and the ship's
owner became lifelong friends and together "beat" the
Mississippi Queen in one of the yearly steamboat races along
the Mississippi.
He and his wife Joan enjoyed many adventures, golfing,
gambling in Reno, and visiting relatives. He was a member of
the Panama Canal Society.
He is survived by his wife Joan of Clemson, S.C., three
sons, John and his wife Jeanne Fitzgerald of Auburn, Calif.,
George Jr. and his wife Joy of Cedar Park, Texas, and Curtis
and his wife Mardette of Lexington Park, Md.; eight grand-
children; five great-grandchildren; two stepdaughters; and
five step-grandchildren.


Isabelle A. Gibson, 84, of Wasilla, Alaska, formerly of
St. Petersburg, Fla., died December 28, 2007, at Mat-Su
Regional Medical Center, in Palmer, Alaska.
She was born in Baltimore, Md., and lived in the Panama
Canal Zone for nearly 30 years. Locally, she was a member
of the Cathedral of St. Jude the Apostle and the Panama Canal
Society, and worked as a benefits administrator at the
Veteran's Administration Regional Office.


She is survived by her sister-in-law, Doris Gibson; nieces,
Patricia Mathias and Karen Punturo, all ofWasilla, Kathleen
Gibson and Mike Blake, of Palmer, Va., and Mike Geary, of
Wasilla; four nephews; 16 grandnieces and nephews; and 10
great-grandnieces and nephews.


James Cook Giles, 63, passed away on January 2, 2008.
Jim was born in Richmond, Va., on September 24, 1944, to
William and Barbara Giles. He grew up in Pompano Beach,
Fla., where he attended Pompano Beach High School. Jim
began college at Emory, but eventually majored in
Accounting at Florida Atlantic University, graduating with
his B.S. in 1967. He went on to serve in the U.S. Army,
receiving the Bronze Star for service in Vietnam.
Jim then achieved his CPA and began a prosperous career
in county government. This included being elected Clerk of
Courts for Collier County (1986-1992) and serving as Chief
Deputy Clerk of Courts for Brevard County (1992-2006). Jim
was also active in his community, dedicating his support to
organizations such as the United Way of Collier Country
(Pres. 1991) and Kiwanis Club of East Naples (Pres. 1991-
1992). He was a member of the Panama Canal Society.
On New Year's Eve 1973, Jim met his wife Terry. They
were married on June 15, 1974, and began building a loving
marriage which spanned 34 years. During that time, he and
his family lived in St. Augustine, Fla., Naples, Fla., Titusville,
Fla., and just this past year they moved to Houston, Texas. In
addition to his brilliant skill with numbers, Jim was a people
person. He had an uncanny ability to remember not only
names but individual stories. Above all, Jim was a family
man, and loved his family dearly. One of the highlights of his
retirement had been the joyful role of Papa to his grand-
daughter. She affectionately referred to him as her "Prince
Charming" and her best friend.
Jim is survived by his wife, Terry (Sprague) Giles; son,
Keith; three daughters, Beth, Nikki and Patricia; his grand-
daughter, and numerous family members.


Daniel L. Jenkins, 67, former Senator of Florida bor in
Los Angeles, Calif., on October 16, 1940, passed away on
November 18, 2007, of complications of Parkinson's disease.
He graduated from Brent Christian High School in Pensacola,
Fla. He married his wife Molly Sharp on November 1, 1969,
in the Panama Canal Zone. He was the son of missionaries,
Joe and Elnora Jenkins, who served in Panama, Costa Rica
and Venezuela while he was growing up. As a young boy he
saw children eating out of garbage cans and rummaging in
the streets. Those memories of growing up in another culture
changed his life. He learned of compassion and once said, "I
really believe what Ulysses said, 'We become a part of all we
meet'". During his time in Panama he served as a Canal Zone
Police Officer for four years.
Upon his return to the United States, he earned his mas-
ters degree in Leadership from Chico State University in
Chico, Calif. He later completed his Doctor of Education in
Religion at Luther Rice Seminary in Jacksonville, Fla. He
had a successful career as an administrator and proudly
served as a Florida State Senator from 1980-1982. He sat on





the Toccoa Falls Board of Trustees and was a member of the
Westside Baptist Church and the Panama Canal Society.
He is survived by his wife of 38 years, Molly Jenkins;
daughter, Heather Jenkins; son and daughter-in-law, Danny
and Hollie Jenkins; sister, JoElla Deakins; brother, Dave
Jenkins; and a grandson.


Floyd Maynard "Tony" Johnson died December 21,
2007; he would have been 95 the following day. Mr. Johnson
died at the Hospice Center in New Port Richey, Fla.
Mr. Johnson and family went to the Canal Zone in 1953
to quarters in New Cristobal. He had retired from the Panama
Canal Company Railroad in 1972 to reside in Uvalde, Texas.
He is survived by a daughter, Louise E. Hanlon of New
Port Richey, Fla. No further information is available.


Elizabeth B. Keigley of Nashville, Tenn., died on
December 28, 2007. She was born on October 26, 1916, in
Caruthersville, Mo.
She attended Southwest Baptist University in Boliver,
Mo. She taught school prior to marrying Daile D. Keigley on
April 12, 1941, and had two children. In 1956, she finished
her teaching degree at Southeast Missouri State University in
Capt Girardeau, Mo.
After returning to the Canal Zone, she taught elementary
school in Balboa, Ancon and Curundu until her retirement. In
1969 she and her husband moved to St. Petersburg, Fla.,
where they resided for thirty years. On July 17, 1999, they
moved to Nashville, Tenn. She was predeceased by her hus-
band, Daile, of 64 years. She was a member of the Panama
Canal Society.
Survivors include her son, Richard Keigley, Ph.D; daugh-
ter, Elizabeth Ann Holshouser; three grandchildren, and three
great-grandchildren.


Lydia Esther (Lugo) Long, 65, passed away November
3, 2007, at her home in Norman, Okla., following a brief bat-
tle with liver cancer. Lydia was born March 13, 1942, in
Mayaguez, Puerto Rico, to Eliezer D. and Lydia Rovira Lugo.
She moved with her family to the Canal Zone in 1956,
where her father was employed as an electrical engineer with
the U.S.Army Corps of Engineers at Ft. Clayton. She lived in
Curundu and graduated from Balboa High School in 1960.
She married Jerry D. Long at the Albrook AFB Chapel and
moved to North Carolina where she lived most of her life. At
her death, she was two days shy of celebrating 47 years of
marriage with Jerry.
Lydia was a passionate reader and had a large library of
books that she treasured. Her interests varied from Jewish,
Middle Eastern and Asian cultures, all the way to meta-
physics. She also had wide-ranging artistic talents. She loved
to travel and even went to Israel on an archeological dig while
studying. She was a member of the Panama Canal Society
and loved and looked forward to going to the Canal Zone
reunions and reminiscing with her Curundu friends.
Lydia is survived by her husband, Jerry D. Long, of
Norman, Okla.; son, Clyde Long of Paris, France; mother,

64


Lydia Rovira Lugoi of Norman, Okla.; brother, Eliezer Lugo,
Jr. of Norman, Okla.; and sisters, Zoraida (Toy) Barnard,
Aymee Diaz, and Madeleine Raffler, all of Norman, Okla.


Robert "Bob" Delano Martin, 63, of Austin, Texas,
passed away on December 18, 2007. Better known to his
friends and loved ones as Bobanero or "UT Bob," he lived his
life with utmost compassion for those around him.
He was born on April 14, 1944, and raised in the Panama
Canal Zone. He served in the U.S. Army at the Tripler Army
Medical Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. He was proud to be a
professional in the dental industry for more than 40 years.
Bob was a gentleman, an avid Longhorn fan, and a member
of the Panama Canal Society.
He is survived by his wife, Susan; his daughter, Anne; his
son, Robert, Jr.; and his daughter, Allison; his mother, Ana;
brothers, Lou Jr., Mario, Franklin, and John; his sisters-in-
law; his three grandchildren; numerous nieces and nephews;
and his and Susan's panting and loyal "son" Champ "Spoiled
Rotten" Martin.


Robert Benson "Bobby" May, 73, of Tampa, Fla., died
on October 3, 2006. He was in the care of Pathways Hospice,
having prevailed in five previous encounters with cancer.
Bobby May, born February 5, 1934, in Colon, R.P, was the
third child of Dot and Eddie May. His grandfather, Vic May,
Sr., brought the family to Panama during the Construction
days and was Lockmaster on Miraflores Locks when the
Canal opened.
Bobby graduated from BHS in 1951 and married Pat
(Neckar) (BHS'51) Coleman. Their two children, Dottie
(May/Coleman) (BHS'72) and Robert (May) Coleman
(BHS'79) were both born stateside while Bobby was active
duty Air Force. His Air Force travels took the family to Texas,
Guam and Florida. His last assignment was with the Strategic
Air Command (SAC) at Homestead AFB, Fla. Leaving the
Air Force in 1961, the family returned to the Canal Zone.
Following an apprenticeship, he joined the Locks Division as
a machinist.
After leaving the Canal Zone he had a successful career
using his machinist/millwright expertise in the construction
of major projects in Florida including airports and nuclear
power plants. He was active in both the BPOE (Elks) and the
American Legion.
He was preceded in death by his parents, sister Frances
(Fay) previously of Margarita, C.Z., and brother Eddie Jr.
(previously of Los Rios, C.Z.). He is survived by his wife
Naomi, her daughters and grandchildren; by his daughter,
Dottie Whitlow-Malin; his son, Robert Coleman, and two
grandsons.


Isaac William "Bill" Metzger, 81, died suddenly of a
brain aneurysm on July 30, 2007. He was born in Panama on
February 18, 1926. His father Isaac Winslow Metzger went to
Panama in the late construction days of the Canal. The fami-
ly moved to the Atlantic side and Bill attended schools there
graduating from Cristobal High School. He was given an






appointment from the Canal Zone to the U.S. Naval Academy
in 1943.
After graduating from the Academy, Bill served on the
USS Fargo in the Mediterranean as assistant
Communications Officer to the 6th Fleet. In 1951 he began
service with the 7th Fleet in the Korean Theater as Executive
Officer on the minesweeper Condor AMS-8, and then as the
Commanding Officer of the USS Curlew, AMS-5.
He resigned his commission in June of 1954 to fulfill his
desire to become an Engineer. Bill attended the University of
California at Berkeley graduating in 1957 with a Master of
Science Degree in Electrical Engineering. He was hired by
Minneapolis Honeywell Inc. In 1961 he met and married his
wife, Doris Frank, when they were both volunteering with the
Billy Graham Crusade. At Honeywell he worked first in the
Aeronautical Division and then the Systems and Research
Division. His family grown, Bill and Doris moved to the
Dallas, Texas, area to volunteer at the International
Linguistics Center serving with the Wycliff Bible Translators,
first in Computer Services and then in Global Publishing
Service.
He is survived by his wife, Doris Frank Metzger; his son,
Paul Metzger, and his daughter, Deborah Metzger; and his
two sisters, Marjean Metzger Halopka, of Clermont, Fla., and
Marilyn Metzger March of Oregon City, Ore.


Faye C. Minton, 93, passed away January 8, 2008, at the
Hospital Nacional in Panama, R.P.
She was born March 20, 1915, and was retired from
working at the Administration Building on March 31, 1977,
with over 30 years service. At that time she was Secretary to
the Office of the Director of the Panama Canal Company. She
arrived in the Canal Zone in the 1940s along with her hus-
band, Preston E. Minton (who was serving in the U.S. Navy)
and along with him was one of the founding members and a
predominant member of the Diablo Camera Club until her
retirement to Coronado where she lived until 2004 when she
was placed in the Hospital Nacional under nursing home sta-
tus.
Mrs. Minton was cremated and her ashes were laid to rest
with her husband's in Corozal Cemetery in the Panama Canal
area. She is survived by a niece, Mrs. Barbara Seavy.


Hiram Overall, 96, of Ingram, Texas, died November 29,
2007, at a local health care facility. He had been a resident of
Ingram for the past 13 years.
Mr. Overall was a police officer for the Louisville, Ky.,
Police Department, being one of the first motorcycle officers
of the city, starting the date of the Kentucky Derby in 1940.
He went on to become a police officer in the Canal Zone and
was sergeant in charge of the Gamboa Station in the Canal
Zone.
He and his wife, DeLoris (Schuver) Overall, were married
on September 4, 1941, in Ancon, Canal Zone. They relocated
to Hollywood, Fla., where Mr. Overall worked for the Barnett
Bank, first as security, then retiring as vice president. They
moved to Dallas, Texas, to be near family, and starting in
1983, he and his wife decided to go RVing full time, until


1994. Mr. Overall was a 50-year Mason, joining the Sunset
Lodge No. 915 F. & A.M. He also was a member of the Abou
Saad Shrine Temple of the Canal Zone and the Panama Canal
Society.
He is survived by his wife of 59 years, DeLoris (Schuver)
Overall of Ingram; a sister-in-law, Arlyce Brasher of
Escondido, Calif.; a niece, and great-nieces and nephews.


Charles Arthur Parks, 77, died January 18, 2008, in
Peoria, Ariz. He was born in Harlan County, Ky., on May 14,
1930.
Charlie served in the U.S. Army's 3rd Infantry Division
during the Korean War. He was awarded a Bronze Star for his
actions during the battle of the Chosin Reservoir. He worked
as a Federal employee for the Locks Division of the Panama
Canal Company for 30 years and retired to Arizona in 1981.
He was a lifelong member of the Boy Scouts of America,
Panama Canal Council, a Scout Master, a recipient of the
Wood Badge, and grandfather of two Eagle Scouts. He was a
member of the Panama Canal Society.
Charles is survived by his wife of 56 years, Anne Marie
Parks (nee Trimble) of Youngtown, Ariz.; his children, James
and Christina Parks of Port St. Lucie, Fla.; Lisa and Craig
Boatwright of Glendale, Ariz.; Paul Parks of Glendale, Ariz.;
Lawrence and Judy Parks of Glendale, Ariz.; Matthew and
Heike Parks of Mesa, Ariz.; Susan and Manuel Casis of Port
St. Lucie, Fla.; Charles and Dana Parks of St. Paul Park,
Minn.; 18 grandchildren and six great-grandchildren. He is
also survived by three sisters, Mary Slusher of Valparaiso,
Ind.; Phyllis and Billy Nolan of Valparaiso, Ind.; and two
brothers, Garredd and Lena Parks of Cleveland, Ohio; and
Thomas and Rebecca Parks, of West Virginia.


Frances Louise "Bricky" Pattison, 84, passed away on
December 26, 2007, and is now dancing with the angels in
heaven. Bricky, or Brick-Top as she was called because of her
bright red hair, was born in Los Angeles, Calif., on July 30,
1923, to Thomas and Barbara Coleman (Behohlavek).
She moved to the Panama Canal Zone in 1933 with her
parents and older sister, Lillian Jean Coleman. She attended
Canal Zone schools and graduated from Balboa High School
with the class of 1941. After graduation and a brief marriage,
Bricky worked for the Navy and subsequently the Panama
Canal Company as an accountant and while working as a
United Way volunteer in the late 1950s, she met the man who
would become her second husband, James E. Pattison, with
whom she would remain married until his death in 1980. He
was in Panama to set up the first television station for the
Caribbean Forces Network.
They moved to Waynesburg, Pa., in 1964, where they
bought local radio station WANB where she also managed
accounts and assisted as a broadcaster. Upon returning to the
Panama Canal Zone in 1971, she resumed working for the
Panama Canal Company, where she was picked to manage
the newly-created Ship Data Bank, which handled all the
information on ships transiting the Panama Canal. She was
promoted to a systems analyst for the accounting division
where she worked until her retirement from civil service in






1986. She eventually moved to Round Rock, Texas, in 1990
where she enjoyed a retirement full of family and friends who
will always remember the many parties and get-togethers she
hosted at her home. She loved to laugh and dance and could
not sit still if any kind of music was playing. Her door was
always open and her pantry fully stocked for any occasion.
She was a member of the Panama Canal Society.
She was preceded in death by her youngest son Michael
E. Pattison, husband James E. Pattison, her parents and her
sister. She is survived by sons, Thomas C. Pattison and his
wife Linda of Pembroke Pines, Fla., and James C. Pattison
and his wife Kathleen as well as two grandchildren of Round
Rock, Texas; and nieces and nephews.


Monroe T. Phillips, 98, died December 10, 2007, in
Winter Haven, Fla. He was born December 7, 1909, in St.
Clair County, Mo. He retired with 19 years of service from
the Engineering Division of the Panama Canal Company on
December 30, 1971. He was a member of the Panama Canal
Society. No further information is available.


Judith Anne (Jorstad) Rose, 74, of Huntsville, Ala.,
passed away on December 14, 2007, after an extended illness.
She was preceded in death by her husband of 46 years,
Frederick James Rose (BHS'47).
Judy graduated from Cristobal High School in 1950 and
was a 1954 graduate of the University of Michigan with a
degree in music and education. She was a second grade
teacher in Boulder, Colo., leaving teaching shortly after mar-
riage to raise her family. Judy was a quintessential wife and
mother of her generation. She was a camper, den mother, Girl
Scout leader, a "team mom" for baseball and softball, tutor
for her children and editor of innumerable term papers. She
was an accomplished musician and lover of music, teaching
piano, violin, cello, trumpet, trombone and French horn to her
schoolmates, neighborhood children in Huntsville, and to her
own children and grandchildren. She was unquestionably a
fabulous cook. Sunday dinner at Grandma's was a way of life
for the children and grandchildren of the Rose family.
In retirement life she enjoyed socializing and dancing
with her husband and close friends and was always in atten-
dance at the musical and sporting events of her grandchildren.
She was a member of the Panama Canal Society. Judy and
Fred attended several Canal Zone reunions until health issues
interfered. She returned to teaching as a substitute teacher in
the Huntsville City School system in the 1970s. In 1990, she
began working for H&R Block and did so for over 15 years.
Judy and her family had solid roots in the Canal Zone.
They moved to the Zone in 1946 where her parents, Oswald
"Ozzie" and Clara Jorstad, taught in local schools including
music at Cristobal High School. Her husband Fred was born
in the Zone in 1929 where his parents, Frederick C. "Whitey"
and Ruth P. Rose, resided until retirement in the 1960s. Judy's
brother Jon and Fred's sisters, Helen (Shapiro) and Ruth
(Foster), were all born in the Zone. Judy met Fred on the
Panama Line ship returning back to the States where both
were attending college. As the story goes, Judy was leaning
over the rail waving to friends and family on the dock,


spilling her bottle of coke on Fred as he likewise waved from
a lower deck. This seemingly unremarkable event led to the
life, family and memories that we have enjoyed and will
never forget.
Judy is survived by her brother, Jon Jorstad (CHS'65) of
Waynesville, N.C.; five children, John, Fred, Dana Kitchens,
Jan Fowler, and Annette Rose, all residing in the Huntsville
area; and seven grandchildren.


Margaret E. (Ward) Rybicki, 77, of Loganville, Ga.,
died on August 12, 2007, due to complications of ovarian
cancer. She was a breast cancer survivor for over 10 years
until her diagnosis in June 2007 of ovarian cancer.
She was a graduate of the BHS class of 1948 and lived in
Gamboa and Curundu. She was preceded in death by her hus-
band, Joseph C. Rybicki (1968) of Curundu, and her parents,
William H. and Evelyn F. Ward of Venice, Fla., formerly of
Gamboa. She was a civil service retiree and a member of the
Panama Canal Society. She volunteered at J.C. Magill
Elementary School Media Center for over 10 years, long after
her grandchildren completed elementary school, and loved
working with children.
She is survived by her son and his wife, Joe and Elizabeth
(Buffie) Rybicki of Hayesville, N.C.; and daughters,
Elizabeth (Liz) and Margaret Rybicki and two grandchildren
of Loganville, Ga.


Michael Francis Tiernan, 38, died at his parents' home
in Jacksonville, Fla., on December 30, 2007.
Michael was born in Sligo, Ireland, on September 18,
1969, and grew up in the Panama Canal Zone. He graduated
from Bishop Kenny High School and worked in the family
business, the "Fly's Tie" in Atlantic Beach, Fla.
He is survived by his parents, Miche^l and Carmen
Tiernan; his brother, Ralph; nephew, Ailill; and dear friend
Jana; a cousin, six aunts, six uncles, and many cousins in
Ireland, England and Australia; and many other loving
friends.

Catherine "Kay" B. Wallace, 90, died on December 28,
2007. She was born May 16, 1917, in Manistique, Mich., and
lived there the early part of her life. Upon graduation from
high school, she moved to Green Bay, Wis., to continue her
education in accounting and business.
She then moved to the Canal Zone with her family in
1943 where she attended Junior College. She became
employed at the Office of the Comptroller as assistant super-
visor of accounting in 1949. She retired in 1977 after almost
30 years of employment. She and her husband then moved to
Dothan, Ala., in 1979. She was a member of St. Columba
Catholic Church, the Panama Canal Society, NARFE, AARP,
and was a volunteer of Flowers Hospital and Doctors Center
for 12 years. She moved to New Orleans in 2003 and lived at
Ville St. Marie Senior Center.
She was preceded in death by her late husband, Trais
Wallace. Survivors are daughter Gloria Maisano, sons-in-law
Joseph Maisano and Frank Weber, seven grandchildren, and
10 great-grandchildren.







LETTERS TO THE EDITOR


TUSTIN GEOLOGIST TO HELP
DESIGN PANAMA CANAL
EXPANSION

August 22nd, 2007
Gary Robbins

Widely-respected
Tustin geologist Eldon
Gath and his
company,Earth
Co n s ult a n t s
International, have been
hired to help design a
$5.25 billion expansion
of the Panama Canal,
which is adding a third
set of locks. Eldon Gath
Eldon Gath
Gath, an expert on
seismic issues, will be a subcontractor to CH2M Hill, which
was chosen by the Panama Canal Authority to manage a proj-
ect that will likely take until 2014 to complete.
The 53-year-old Gath says: "The overall project will
result in a new lock at the Gatun (Caribbean) side and a new
set of locks at the Miraflores (Pacific) side that will accom-
modate the superships that do not fit through the existing
locks. To achieve this, they are
creating a whole new approach
channel to bypass the Pedro
S Miguel lock, widening the exist-
ing cut part of the Canal, raising
Gatun Lake 0.5 meters, and a
whole slew of other work like
dredging, dams, etc."
Gath says traveling back and forth to the region will be a
challenge, "But how can you avoid the amazing emotional
feeling of being one of the lead geologists for the 'new'
Panama Canal? I still get shivers looking at it, and 1 have
been there 20+ times."

Reprinted from the Orange County Register with permission
of Gary Robbins.

(Editor's note: Eldon Gath is married to Clara Elena
Fernandez (BHS'70). This article was brought to our atten-
tion by Clara's sister, Dr. Nida Fernandez.)




EIDES' CHRISTMAS CRUISE

The weekend before Christmas, Darrell and Nancy Eide;
their daughter Britta Piotrowski, son-in-law Joe
Piotrowski, two granddaughters, Lee and Lacey
Piotrowski; son Lars Jorstad, and his girlfriend Suzanne
Nowlis, all went on a mini-cruise on Royal Caribbean Cruise


Line from San Pedro, Calif., to Ensenada, Mexico, and back.
Needless to say, it was great!! Then they all enjoyed cel-
ebrating Christmas at Britta and Joe's house in Cypress,
Calif.

Nancy Eide
Tucson, Ariz.


Nancy Eide, Lee Piotrowski, and Darrell Eide


Suzanne Nowlis and Lars Jorstad


Britta and Joe Piotrowski


JACKSONVILLE GET-TOGETHER

The Second Annual Ya-Ya Sisterhood weekend was held
again this year at the home of Tinker (Hollowell) Cooper in
Jacksonville, Fla. There were 11 attending this year including
Tinker and Lauray (Will) Griffin from Jacksonville, Liz
(Hanna) Neal from Tampa, Diane (Roscoe) Murphy, Sue

67





(Mitten) Corrigan and Sheila (Mitten) Stepp from
Tallahassee, Bev (Dockery) Vaughn, Tula Brown and
Margaret O'Brien from Georgia, Patsy (Lee) Moore from
Texas, and Celia (Cronan) Miller from California. Deeply
missed was Alberta (Wilder) Corrigan from Panama but
she has already laid claim to "her" couch for next year.
The fun started on November 7th and continued until
November 12th. In most of the pictures, our mouths were
wide open but that was because, if we weren't talking and
laughing, we were putting food in our mouths. As usual, we
ate and drank continuously. Liz tried to instill some healthy
choices by bringing fruit and raw vegetables to snack on but
finally gave up and joined in with the really good stuff
(empanadas, seviche, pecans, cookies, ropa vieja).
We took a side trip to Fernandina Beach to the Fall Art
Festival and had a wonderful day checking out the local arts
and crafts and ended up the day with dinner at a Mexican
restaurant.


ing in the biggest which was 225 lbs. and daughter Liz and
son Mark, plus Dad, assisted as Mom remained in the fishing
chair. This was a wonderful experience, but Mom won't do it
again. Then the family went again to catch dinner two days
later and brought in two mahi-mahi which made a wonderful
dinner. Along with the above activity, we all went ATV rid-
ing (double with John) and it was a ball.


June Riesz and her marlin


2007 Annual Jacksonville, Florida, Get-Together


Last year we were able to corrupt one nondrinker when
we introduced her to Bailey's Irish Cream and transformed
her into a gal who now takes her own Bailey's to events. This
year we were able to corrupt another one when we got her
into eating junk food. Who's next? Time will tell. But we
can't tell because "what happens in Jax stays in Jax."

Tula Brown
Hiram, Ga.




RIESZ FAMILY GET-TOGETHER

June and John Riesz, along with their children, Liz and
Carl, and Mark and Tammy, spent their first all-together
family vacation in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico, during the first
week in December. We flew from Orlando to Denver and then
to Cabo San Lucas.
What a time together!! Since everyone enjoys fishing,
including Mom and Dad, a boat was chartered for eight hours
to catch marlin in the Sea of Cortez. This is known as the cap-
ital for marlin fishing. Eleven marlin were hooked and nine
were caught and released. However, Mom needed help brin-


John and June Riesz


Riesz family


What an experience and what a beautiful place to see
many different kinds of fish and also seals on the rocks near
a beautiful arch, which surrounds the Sea of Cortez and the
Pacific Ocean.

June (Barlow) Riesz
Palm Coast, Fla.






FOUR GENERATIONS

CELEBRATE CHRISTMAS

Captain Ove and Billie Hultin of Sarasota, Fla., went to
the home of Ronn (BHS'66) and Donna Rathgeber
(BHS'68) Crump in Conway, S.C., during Christmas. Their
visit was to welcome their new great-grandson, Lincoln
Bonnor Ray, born on November 7, 2007.
Their daughter Erika (Crump) and husband Corey Ray
brought their new son from Washington, D.C., to have a very
special celebration. Lincoln is the first grandchild for the
Crumps and the first great-grandchild for the Hultins.


Billie (Crump) Hultin, son Ronn Crump, and granddaugh-
ter Erika (Crump) Ray holding great-grandson Lincoln
Bonnor Ray.


IF YOU ARE THINKING

OF MOVING TO PANAMA...

If you are planning on moving to Panama or coming for
an extended visit, please remember that the private hospitals
in Panama only take certain health insurance plans to include
Federal Blue Cross and Blue Shield and Tricare. If you do not
have a recognized health plan and end up in the hospital, you
will be expected to make a deposit of at least $5,000 before
you are admitted. They will take credit cards. While medical
costs in Panama are much more reasonable than the U.S., you
still need to plan for medical needs while in Panama so you
do not have to rely on the public medical system.
If you have Blue Cross Federal or Tricare, you can get all
your medications at National Hospital without having to file
for reimbursement. In order to do this you will need to regis-
ter at the International Insurance Office on the 3rd floor of the
hospital.
If you are looking for real estate, only buy something that
is already built that you can visit and inspect. While there are
many new "projects" being built in Panama some have been
canceled. In the past developers were taking a prospective
buyer's money before they had all the necessary government
permits to build. The Panama Government is attempting to
address this problem but in the meantime, if you can't see it


and walk through it don't buy it.
If you do not have a c6dula and wish to establish residen-
cy as a retiree, you will need to provide a health certificate, a
police report and proof of income that is at least $500 per
month and an additional $100 for each dependent. Alimony,
money from stocks or IRAs will not count unless you can
produce proof that the payments are for a lifetime.
Remember, all paperwork submitted to the Panamanian
Government will need to be translated into Spanish and
stamped by your nearest Panamanian Consulate or carry an
Apostile. An apostile is an exemplified copy of a vital record
that contains the original signature of the State Registrar and
the Secretary of State from the state where the document orig-
inated.
You can bring pets to Panama without quarantine as long
as you have the appropriate paperwork from a U.S. veterinar-
ian that can provide a statement of health for your pet for
international travel. You will need to make arrangements with
the veterinarian at Tocumen for your pet to be processed once
you are in Panama. There will be a fee at Tocumen for bring-
ing your pet into the country.
Finally, thoroughly investigate any information on
Panama you get from the Internet. It can be very distorted.

Vicki Sizemore
Republic of Panama




MY GOOD SAMARITAN??

I was yackety, yackety, on my cell phone in a bathroom
near the vendors set up at the Rosen, giving my sister Debbie
Moore directions while she was driving to come to the hotel.
(Not to mention that I hate cell phones in public.) Well, I real-
ized while I was on the phone I had spent all my money at the
vendors, and I didn't have $8 to pay for the parking to leave
and come back so I said to Debbie, I would wait for her and
get the money when she got there, and that I had money at our
room where we were staying and this was the FIRST year
staying off-site for the reunion. (That won't happen again.)
Also, I said, "Mary Fehrenbach just gave me $10 to get us
both a drink, and I don't want to ask Mary for parking
money."
Well, obviously I was overheard and this woman came up
to me, tapped me on the shoulder and said "here," put her
hand out with $8; she was with the "Lutheran group" that was
overlapping our reunion and she said, "I overheard you, I am
leaving today, I have had a wonderful time and you sound
like you are having a blast, and God wants me to give you
this," and with that she put the $8 in my hand!! Well, I was
shocked, and I said "no, please, I have money," but she insist-
ed and just walked away. Well, I was so surprised and I told
Debbie this as I was still on the phone with her. She also was
shocked and I was saying, "This restores my faith in human-
ity!" I was laughing and very surprised.
Well then I hung up, went to the "clubhouse" bar with
Mary's $10 to get our drinks, $8 in my pocked for parking,
and while I was ordering my drinks, another tap on the shoul-






der. I turned around, there stood a woman with a Panama
Canal badge. I didn't get her name, it all happened so fast,
and she said, "Are you the lady that was just in the bathroom
on the phone and someone gave you $8?" I was surprised and
said, "Yes" and with that she said, "Well, this is your lucky
day," took my hand and put $20 in my hand and walked
away!! Well, you could have knocked me over with a feather,
and I am no lightweight, I was SHOCKED!! to say the least.
Well, anyway, all week I looked for this lady, never saw
her again. She might not even want to be known, I don't
know, but I just thought it was awesome for someone to do
that for no reason, except a random act of kindness. Like I
said, there are no people like Panama Canal Society people!!
And, I might add, the Lutherans that were there that week,
ditto for them!! I don't know what I did to deserve that, I was
thinking that while I was on the phone people around me are
probably annoyed with me on the cell phone. Well, for once,
LOL, I was wrong.....
Are You This Lady??? I would like to meet you and buy
you a drink this next reunion. What do you think, if you are,
please get in touch.

Patty Powell
Safety Harbor, Fla.




TEAM BAGLIEN

Here is a photo of the Minnesota contingent of the
"Zonian Dirtriders" (aka Team Baglien). Team sponsor, fin-
ancier, and proud father is Joel Baglien (BHS'76) riding
#470. Joel retired from racing years ago and is finding his
niche as a motocross trainer and crew chief. Jodi serves as
the team masseuse and all-around moto-Mom. This photo
was taken three days before our first big snowfall in
November, and yes, that is a trace of snow on the berm
behind us. Team Baglien thinks it would be great to join our
two-wheeled fellow crazies in Georgia someday but trailering
four bikes cross-country is a little daunting. We may have to
do our best with what the Midwest can throw in our path.
All three of the Baglien kids started racing motocross last
year in a Spring and Fall series held at a county fairground
near our home in Maple Grove, Minn. Maya (age 14 #711)
had the best result of the year with a third-place finish in the
women's category. Maya now has a trophy that she can wave
in her younger brother's face. Koen (age 12 #182) is rapid-
ly finding his groove and seems to enjoy the process ofjump-
ing his bike higher and farther. At times, Koen is even faster
than his Dad. Claire (age 16 #23) enjoys racing against her
sister and seems to really like the fact that there are a lot of
cute boys who also race. Fortunately "Rancho Baglien" has
enough land (two acres) for good practice riding but we are
looking forward to more track time all over Minnesota in
2008.
It's not all dirt for Joel. When nostalgia hits, there's a
1973 Yamaha 250 enduro in the garage. It does have the
ringa-ding-ding-ding two-stroke sound that many of us
remember from our days riding in the Zone. On the street,


Joel rides a super-sport bike that has way more horsepower
than common sense should allow. Full body armor and cau-
tion are his mantras, plus a couple of track days every year
seem to keep the rubber side down. It's hard to imagine the
sound of engines and dirt flying during our long, cold
Minnesota winter but by the time you are reading this Team
Baglien will be hosing the mud off our bikes and boots when-
ever possible.


Maya Baglien, Joel Baglien, Koen Baglien, and Claire
Baglien.

Best wishes to all current and past riders from Team
Baglien.
Joel Baglien
Maple Grove, Minn.


ISLA JICARITA


Jerry Coffin, Sid Coffin and Derek DeRaps on Isla Jicarita,
the farthest point south in all of Panama.






LOOKING BACK


1973 BALBOA RAMS CHEERLEADERS


Top Row: Lee Nickisher, Chris Peterson, Debbie Seldon and Libby Burgoon. Middle row: Bridget Dolan, Marlene
Snavely, Julie Pollack, and Sue Kelleher. Front row: Angie Slater, Carol Carr, Kelly Morris and Katen Gleichman.


BHS CLASS OF '59 10th REUNION


rnuiit w. : U a luleulall, U'iuflnuenil rlluai1a, D111 DoUUIIII~U, 311cna anyuer, Inez LiarK, reggy iviurgan, AIXce
Fairchild, Ann Wood, Sharon Booth, Haydee Mendez, Barbara Klipper, Gloria Ely, Mary Chase, Marie Cicero, Diane
Vestal, Priscilla Van der Dijs. Second Row: Chuck Denton, ? ? Jim Bradley, Eileen Bradley, ? Charles Leves, ? ,
Patsy Flatau, Beth Heilman, Sarita Watson, ? Doug Schmidt, ? Charles McArthur, Jack Corrigan, ? Jim Morris,
Ken Morris, ? Van der Dijs. Third Row: ? Reed Hopkins, Lee Hunnicutt, Coach Walter Mikulich, ? Mr. David Speir,
?, Frank Leves, Rolando Chanis.
Submitted by Barbara Klipper Miller









PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM
7985 113th Street, Suite 100, Seminole, FL 33772
Phone: 727-394-9338 Fax: 727-394-2737
Email: pancanalmuseum@aol.com
Website: www.panamacanalmuseum.org


CELEBRATING THE ROOSEVELT MEDAL'S
SPACE FLIGHT TRIP
On October 23, 2007, NASA Astronaut Dr. Scott
Parazynski took with him aboard the Space Shuttle
Discovery two Roosevelt Medals from the Panama
Canal Museum's official collection. Scott shares a
common ancestor with Col. David DuBose Gaillard.
Scott Parazynski's parents, Ed and Linda, hosted a
reception for a number of their friends and relatives
after the launch. Invited to attend and represent the
Panama Canal Museum at the reception were
Museum President Joe Wood and Trustee Bob Zumbado.

Gaillard was the Panama Canal construction day
engineer charged with the monumental task of
cutting through the treacherous nine-mile strip of
mountainous terrain at the Continental Divide in
Panama which was named Gaillard Cut.


cnown at me launcn reception Marguerite ana BoD
Zumbado, Lorraine and Bob Gibson with Cole, and Joe
and Bev Wood.

One of the medals will be donated to the Panama
Canal Museum at the Panama Canal Society's annual
luncheon, when Scott will be the featured speaker;
the other will be donated to the Panama Canal
Authority for its museum at Miraflores Locks.

Bob Gibson, former resident of Gamboa, eye doctor
to the astronauts, and Panama Canal Museum
member, helped coordinate the medal project with
Joe, Scott, and NASA.


WEST INDIES EXHIBIT
An exhibit featuring the West Indian experience
and the Panama Canal opened recently at the
museum. If you are in the Tampa Bay area, stop by
and see this very special exhibit focusing on the
contributions of West Indians to the Panama
Canal enterprise.

SILENT AUCTION AT 2008 REUNION
The Panama Canal Museum will once again have a
special museum area at the Panama Canal Society
Reunion at the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando
on July 2-6. The ever-popular silent auction will take
place on Thursday through Saturday, and we welcome
contributions. So, too, would we appreciate donations
or loans pertaining to "Living and Learning in the Canal
Zone" for this year's Reunion exhibit. As always, we are
also looking for volunteers to help in the Museum
Room and at the museum's tables in the Vendor Room.
Please let the museum know if you can help in any way!
WRITE OF PASSAGE
Family histories being received by the museum
promise an exciting Write of Passage book. Contact
the museum for the latest information on the project.

MUSEUM STORE
The Panama Canal Museum is very appreciative of
the work Bruce and Chris Homa in Panama do to
make sure our museum store
keeps supplied with beautiful
custom made bateas from El
Valle. They arrange for the
bateas to be made, pick them
up when ready, pack them for
shipping and transport them to
the States for us. Their latest
trip to the States brought us Paper Towel Holder
bateas, paper towel holders,
and napkin rings that are
topped with iguanas, butterflies,
golden frogs, hibiscus/hum-
mingbirds, toucans, and
b parakeets making a delightful
Batea menagerie of the store!









PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM
HOURS OF OPERATION
10:00 am to 4:00 pm Monday -Friday; 1st and 3rd Saturday, and by Appointment


THIRD SATURDAY OF EVERY MONTH
Join the Canal Coffee Clatch with Museum Director
Elizabeth Neily every third Saturday at 11:00
am. A unique program each month that features
guest speakers, videos relating to the Canal and
Panama, and panel discussions. Call the museum
for details.
APRIL 13-28
About 70 cruisers are looking forward to the April
Panama Canal Museum Cruise leaving from Fort
Lauderdale on April 13 for San Francisco via the
Panama Canal. If you are not signed up and would
like to go, check with the museum to see if there is
any space left.

APRIL 19
Space Coast Bunco III, an annual fundraiser for
the Panama Canal Museum, will be held at the
Dog 'n Bone Pub, Cocoa Village, Cocoa, Fla., on
April 19th, 2008. Bunco is a very easy-to-play dice
game and attendees are guaranteed a fun time.
Space is limited; new players should get on the
players list as soon as possible. Museum support-
ers unable to attend may make a donation to the
SCP transit fund. A covered dish luncheon will
begin at 11:30 am, followed by Bunco competition
at 1:00 pm. Fore more information contact event
coordinator Peggy Huff at 321-455-1649 or
phuff@cfl. rr.com.


You can still receive the Spring mailing of
the Panama Canal Museum Review, an
exclusive publication for museum mem-
bers, by joining the museum.

Museum membership helps to preserve
our history in Panama.

For more information about becoming a
museum member, visit us online at
www.pancanalmuseum.org or call the
museum at 727-394-9338.


TR EVENTS
The museum's fundraising luncheon in February
featuring Michael O. Smith as Theodore Roosevelt
kicked off the museum's commemoration of
Theodore Roosevelt's 150th birthday. The museum's
spring mailing will tell of other plans as well.


RECENT MUSEUM VISITORS


(L-R): Jim and Pam Reid and Pam's parents, Pat and
William "Scotty" Scott, admire the new blue morpho
butterfly and iguana bateas during their recent visit to the
museum. On the wall behind them are some of the new
mola bags that were recently added to the museum store.

MUSEUM IN A TRUNK
The Museum in a Trunk, providing learning
experiences about the Panama Canal for elementary
school students, is being prepared to be given to
school districts as more trunk sponsors step forward
with contributions.
Judy Engelke Montanaro was the first sponsor to
donate the $1,500 to sponsor a trunk for a school
district. The donation also gave Judy another transit
on the museum's Wall of Honor.
Now Al Lombana and other members of the
museum's board of trustees are combining forces to
provide another sponsorship.
We are hoping other individuals, family members,
friends, and BHS and CHS classes will join these efforts.


Jean Medinger McGuire, Reporter/Editor
(727) 804-5000
email: jean@mcguirepro.com






ANNOUNCEMENTS

MINIREUNIONS@PANCANALSOCIETY.ORG


BHS CLASS OF 1948 BHS Class
50th High Schoc
We are now planning our 60th Class Reunion, imag- July 3 5,
ine that!!! We will be meeting during the Panama Canal
Society Annual Reunion at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort We will be having our 50th c
during July 2-July 6, 2008. Dates have not been firmed tion with the Annual Panama C
up yet but we wanted to get an early start. Don't forget the Rosen Shingle Creek Resort
to renew your membership in the Society or join if you
haven't yet done so. Contact one of the following per- Contact Persons:
sons in order to get the ball rolling for our reunion: Ann Field Kirrane, kir
Frank Townsend, fto
Barbara (Fritz) Reyle Howie Adams Laatz, laa
(703) 273-2654 Shirley Barlow Bernat, sber

John (Buck) Millett
(727) 455-6598

Lori (Willard) King BHS/CHS CLAS
(727) 595-1493 45TH CIASS R


BHS CLASSES

1949 and 1950

Once again the premier hospitality suite will be open
for the Panama Canal Society Reunion in Orlando, Fla.,
during July 2-July 6, 2008.

More information is forthcoming, but make plans to
attend. Get ready for laughs and hugs, food and drinks!

Watch the mail for more details.



CLASS OF CHS 1953 /

Please come forward. Our 55th reunion is in July in
Orlando. Anyone who knows of someone who would like
to come to our reunion, get in touch with Kay (Argo)
Taylor at kaytavcal(fea.net. If anyone out there knows
of members of our class, please get in touch with them.

Kay (Argo) Taylor
kaytaycal(fea.net.


MINIREUNIONS(PANCANALSOCIETY.ORG


of 1958
1 Reunion
2008

:lass reunion in conjunc-
anal Society Reunion at



ranel@rcn.com
vn(@ce.ufl.edu
atzo(@verizon.net
nat40@bellsouth.net



SES OF '63/
EITNTON


The BHS/CHS Classes of 1963 will hold their 45th
Class Reunion at Rosen Shingle Creek Resort in Orlando,
Fla., from July 3-6, 2008, in conjunction with the 2008
Panama Canal Society Annual Reunion. We plan to have a
hospitality suite for informal gatherings as well as a gala
dinner and cocktail party.
After the Panama Canal Society reunion, we have
planned a four-day cruise. If you have not received infor-
mation about this reunion, please contact a committee
member below and provide your e-mail or mail address so
we can keep you updated with any pertinent information.
BHS/CHS alumni who are not members of the
BHS/CHS class of 1963 are more than welcome to join us
on the cruise. Please contact a committee member below
and provide your e-mail or mail address. They will provide
you with the necessary details.

BHS
Barbara Dombrowsky Sanders, co-chairman
Dabar6263(aol.com
(336) 626-7725

Gibby Freund, co-chairman
Gfreund()wildblue.net
(352) 527-8695

CHS
Tinker Hollowell Cooper, co-chairman
TinkerJoe(Comcast.net
(904) 551-5177

Bev Dockery Vaughn, co-chairman
DEVaughnOl@aol.com
(770) 942-1032


FOR CLASS REUNION INFORMATION

CONTACT







BHS 1968 /
40th Class Reunion
July 3-6, 2008

We celebrated in Panama and had a fabulous time
thanks to our Panamanian hosts and classmates! We will
now continue the celebration in Orlando 2008 at Rosen
Shingle Creek Resort in conjunction with the 2008
Panama Canal Society Annual Reunion. Please join us.
Help us locate more classmates. You may contact:


Lee Harwell Grant
Tel: 706-568-0834
leegrant@bellsouth.net

Darleen Woodruff Hunt
Tel: 727-507-0132
dhunt(sgainfl.com j


Fran Stabler Meyer
Tel: 321-456-5944
ronfran()cfl.rr.com


Janet Hunt Watkins
Tel: 321-452-7169
anet.watkins(brevardcounty.us


CHS 1968 40TH REUNION\

Please contact Renee Krimminger at
cateyes713(aol.com or cell # 704-737-5747 to have
details of events emailed to you.



BHS CLASS OF 1973 q
Sponsor of the Thursday Night Dance

Reunion Dinner Friday, July 4th


Jean Medinger McGuire
bhsgir173@yahoo.com
727-726-4333



CHS CLASS OF 1973!

Attention!! Our 35th class reunion will be held at
the Panama Canal Society Annual Reunion from July
2nd through July 6th, 2008, at the Rosen Shingle Creek
Resort in Orlando, Fla. Please contact one of the fol-
lowing for further information:

Jerry Coffin
(718) 748-0695
geraldfdnyv yahoo.com

Ralph Hepner
(813) 728-8736
ralphhepner( yahoo.com


BHS CLASS OF 1978 /
30TH CLASS REUNION

Class of '78 is inviting all classmates and families to
their 30th class reunion in Orlando. Get the word out. For
more information, please contact one of the following or
visit our web site at:
www.balboahighschool78( gmail.com


Mike Coffey
cupojava(gmail.com


Sheila (Rose) Little
srose@(geiger.com


Mary (Kelleher) Tochterman
tochterman5(hotmail.com


CHS 19784

CLASS REUNION

Thursday, July 3 Sunday July 6, 2008

Our 30th Class Reunion is almost upon us and will be
celebrated in conjunction with the Panama Canal Society
Annual Reunion in Orlando, Fla., July 2 6, 2008. Stay
tuned to our website for specific information as the plans
progress.
We have had a great response to our emails but some
classmates are still missing. If you have any information
or email addresses for these classmates, please notify us.


Ana Alicia
Beverly Allen
Stuart Alien
Larry Angermuller
Cheryl Bence
Randy Bryant
Michele Brown
Robert Carwithen
Teddy Chacon
Carl Cisneros
Michael Daetwiler
Edwin Dennis
Arthur Egger
Margie Egger
Andy Evans
Susanna Farwig
Giovanni Ferrari
Maria Galvan
Melody Gassman
John Good


William Good
Teddy Graham
Hareesh Nayani
Jack Harris
Rick Hodges
Maruja Hunnicut
Mario Hurtado
Francis Kienzle
Theresa Lopez
Regina Marin
Betty McClain
Scott McCrae
Craig Minshew
Kevin Morgan
Vicki South
Cathy Parker
Mike Patton
Bette Pollack
Ronnie Reed
Joanne Richard


Kevin Ridge
Oscar Sanchez
Cynthia
Schliekelman
Danillo Scott
Ginger Sell
Heather Slimon
Tim Smith
Melinda Stanley
Jose Suarez
Billy Theriault
Clayton Walker
Kirk Wallace
Charlotte
Warnburg
Heather Warm
Joe Watson
Peri Weimer
Orlando Williams


For more information, please contact one of
the following:
reunioncommittee(,chs78reunion.com
or visit our website at
www.chs78reunion.com.


Betty LeDoux-Morris
Stacy Parker-DeRaps
Mary Bedsworth-Chrysson
Kathy Corrigan-Barcia


Contact:
Marc Malavasic
mmalavasic(cfl.rr.com







BHS CLASS OF 1983 /

It's that time coming up --- our 25th High School
Reunion!! Please mark your calendars for July 2-6, 2008,
in conjunction with the Panama Canal Society Reunion in
Orlando, Fla.
Please contact Shirley Avery Bentley with any sug-
gestions you have for our Reunion.

shirlaveryvhotmail.com
(813) 230-9052 (cell)



BHS CLASS 1988

20th Reunion
BHS'88 20th Reunion will be held in conjunction
with the Panama Canal Society reunion.
We are looking for all classmates. Please send your
email and information to:

Renee Rowley Friedel
Friedel(ibellsouth.net

Selenia Cristina Brandenburg Jaqueth
Seleniac88(.yahoo.com


SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA
PANAMA POTLUCK LUNCHEON

May 4, 2008
Laguna Woods, Calif.


Contacts:
Kay (Argo) Taylor
kaytaycal@fea.net
(949) 951-4801


David Lane
LaneDavidL(@cox.net
(619) 665-2857


BHS CLASS 1961 V
Please send your CURRENT e-mail addresses to George
Garcia at the following e-mail address:
balboa50th(@live.com

I will NOT send you e-mail from ANY OTHER address
nor will ANY of the messages coming FROM this
address relate to ANYTHING but the CLASS
REUNION.

George Garcia, 50th Class Reunion Chairperson
balboa50th@live.com
BHS Class of 1961


BHS CLASS OF 1969 -
40TH CLASS REUNION


Two years and counting to the Balboa High School
Class of 1969 40th Class Reunion!!! Fun-filled plans are
underway to celebrate this milestone in Panama during
the week of March 1-7, 2009. The class roster is being
updated, so please submit current contact information to
Chaco (Will) Smail and Sue (Waters) Eytalis at the
below email addresses. Watch for future updates regard-
ing the reunion. If you think you might attend, keep in
mind that passports will be required for travel outside the
United States.
Information can be obtained from the following:


Helen Braswell
hbraswell1l001 (cc.rr.com
Sue (Waters) Eytalis
mxwdg48(hotmail.com

Mel (Little) Henter
mhenter@itampabay.rr.com
Janet (Husum)
Herrington
jherrington(l@bellsouth.net

Kathy (Mulroy) Kietzer
katkietzer@msn.com

Ed Ohman
eohman(@tampabay.rr.com


Jeanne (Chance) Rupp
rruppl@tampabay.rr.com

Chaco (Will) Smail
micheyvearthlink.net

Connie (Clinchard)
Tellex
cct725(aol.com

Betsy (Morrison)
Vosburgh
dvosburgh@icfl.rr.com

Elaine (Dorfman)
Wheeler
heartwrk(bellsouth.net


Pablo Prieto
prieto@sinfo.net


CURUNDU JR. HIGH
FACULTY AND STAFF
REUNION

July 3, 2008, 7:30 pm
Panama Canal Society Reunion

Kathleen Sears
302 Courtland Drive
Elon, NC 27244







2008 ADVERTISEMENT RATES
Advertising rates approved at the October 17, 2007, Executive Board Meeting are listed below. The increase in advertis-
ing rates was necessary due to an increase in the U.S. Postal mailing rates, which encompasses a charge for each ad shown
in the Canal Record. Commercial Rates are for those who are either non-members of The Panama Canal Society, Inc., or
those who are members but are placing an ad for an established business firm, who wish to advertise in the Canal Record.
All ads are subject to Executive Board approval. All ads submitted must be camera-ready. The Canal Record will not
compose, design or size any commercial ads submitted. All graphics must be submitted in JPG or TIF format at
300 DPI to editor@pancanalsociety.org. All checks or money orders must be payable on U.S. banks.
Send all ads and make all checks or money orders to:
Panama Canal Society, Inc., 7985 113th St., Suite 334, Seminole, FL 33772-4787


Advertisement Size
7" wide x 10" high
7" wide x 5" high
3 1/2" wide x 5" high
7" wide x 2" high
3 1/2" wide x 2" high
(Business Card Size)
3 1/2" wide x 1" high
(1/2 Business Card)


Commercial
$347.00
$174.00
$87.00
$69.00
$35.00

$18.00


Non-Commercial
$247.00
$124.00
$62.00
$49.00
$25.00

$10.00


2008 DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING ADS. ARTICLES. NEWS OR PHOTOS FOR EACH Canal Record:


JUNE 2008 Canal Record Deadline April 4, 2008
OCTOBER 2008 Canal Record Deadline August 8, 2008
DECEMBER 2008 Canal Record Deadline October 3, 2008


U


Full Page:
Half Page:
1/4 Page:
1/5 Page:
1/10 Page:

1/20 Page:


Independent and objective wealth
management including:

STax Planning

SEducation Funding

SRetirement Planning

SLife & LTC Insurance

SPortfolio Management

STSP and 401k Rollovers

> Charitable Trusts & Gift Annuities

Fred Bremer, MA, MBA
Certified Financial Planner
Investment Advisor Representative to the Panama Canal
Museum _


407-332-0108


CFPR


i1j l Ciia Iw l M iILml ll V c3 [iliil II L3,.IU I


Securities offered through G.A. Repple & Co. A Registered Broker/Dealer &
Investment Advisor 101 Normandy Rd., Casselberry, FL 32707 (407) 339-9090
Member NASD & SIPC


CANAL ZONE
STAMP COLLECTING

Started as a non-profit organization in
1952, the Canal Zone Study Group has 750
members world-wide. We mail a quarterly publication for
a low annual membership fee of only $ 8. To join send a
check or cash to: CZSG. 408 Redwood, Schaumburg, IL
60193.
Check out www.czsg.org, or contact David Zemer
SOSAHILL( HOTMAIL.COM








2009 PRY 6LA6Ol TOUR

TI Pha*,C la
March 4-13, 2009
$1999 per person in double
$2599 per person in single
Land Package (does not include air)
Accommodations at
Country Inn Amador,
Coronado Resort,
Gamboa Rainforest Resort,
El Panama Hotel or similar
Most meals included
Daily Tours scheduled
add-on tours available to
San Bias, Volcan,
Boquete or Bocas Del Toro


1-800-783-8847 info@condoroutfitters.com
www.condoroutfitters.com


PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM STORE/MEMBERSHIP/DONATIONFORM


Items
2008 Panama Art Calendar It
2007 "Make the Dirt Fly" Stevens-Goethals Commemorative Ornament
Bateas: Toucans _Parakeets Hummingbird/Hibiscus Turtles
Golden Frogs NEW! Royal Blue Butterflies NEW! Iguana
Paper Towel Holders: Toucans Parakeets Royal Blue Butterflies
Napkin Rings: Hibiscus Red Pink Yellow $ 6.00 e;
Books Videos DVDs Maps:


Price
$12.00
$20.00
$20.00


Quantity Total


$12.00
ach / 4 for $22.00


A Man. A Plan, A Canal, Panama featuring David McCullough, DVD _Video $20.00
NEW! National Geographic Traveler Panama (guide) Spectacular color photos, paperback, 280 pages $23.00
National Geographic Panama Adventure Map, waterproof, tear-resistant, stunning shaded relief $10.00
The Panama Canal Map, Best maps, diagrams and historical guide, color photos, plastic case $11.00
NEW! Path of Empire: Panama and the California Gold Rush by Aims McGuinness, novel, hardcover, 249 pages $35.00
Mornings on Horseback (Biogragraphy of the young Theodore Roosevelt) by David McCullough, 246 pgs $16.00
Shipping (See SHIPPING COSTS CHART below.)
7% Sales Tax (to Florida addresses only) NEW!
PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM 2008 MEMBERSHIP $26.00
PANAMA CANAL MUSEUM DONATION
Grand Total (in U.S. check or postal order made out to Panama Canal Museum)


Subtotal Amount US/Territories Canada Other/Foreign
Up to $ 15.00 $ 5.50 $ 9.50 $11.50
$ 15.01 -$ 30.00 $ 7.50 $11.50 $15.50
$ 30.01 $ 40.00 $ 8.50 $12.50 $17.50
$ 40.01 -$ 50.00 $ 9.50 $13.50 $19.50


$ 50.01- $ 75.00
$ 7501- $100.00
$100.01 -$125.00
$125.01 -$150.00
$150.01 -$200.00
Over $200.00


$10.95
$11.95
$12.95
$13.95
$15.95
$16.95


$14.95 $21.95
$15.95 $23.95
$16.95 $25.95
$17.95 $27.95
$19.95 $30.95
$20.95 $32.95


Mail to: PANAMA CANAL MUSIC
7985 113th Street, Suite 100
SSeminole, FL 33772-4785

Namp


Street
City_
Email


State Zip
Telephone


$__
$__
$__
$__
$


NEW!


I







PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC
7985 113th Street, Suite 334
Seminole, Florida 33772-4787
(727) 391-4359 1-866-726-2262

NEW MEMBERSHIP APPLICATION
NOTE: IF CHECK IS NOT MADE ON A U.S. BANK,
MAKE PAYMENT BY MONEY ORDER.
Please check this box if you DO NOT want your name, address or email published in the Annual Directory.

NEW MEMBERSHIPS: Thirty dollars ($30.00) annually per family, including children under 18 years of age, plus a $10.00
administrative fee. Also, individuals who have not renewed their memberships prior to January 31st of the current year shall
be considered new members and, as such, must pay the $10.00 administrative fee. Total: $40.00.

Member Name


Last Name


Nickname (If desired)


First Name


Middle Initial


Maiden Name (Wife Only)


Spouse Name


Middle Initial


Nickname (If desired)


Maiden Name (Wife Only)


Mailing Address (Street and/or Box Number and City)


Zip Code


Email address


(PRINT CLEARLY)


Applicant 18 or over? Yes No

DD


School Attended: Member
Spouse


CZ/PC Affiliation: (Mark "X" in appropriate box, and
IF RETIRED, PLEASE INDICATE YEAR)
Dependent/Employee-CZ/PC...............
Dependent/Employee-Military/Civilian ...............................
Dependent/Employee-Contractor (US Gov't Only) ....................
Dependent/Employee Shipping .....................................


Descendant of:


Parents'/Relatives' Name and CZ/PC Affiliation:


MEMBER
(X) Ret/Year


SPOUSE
(X) Ret/Year


(PRINT CLEARLY)


Last Name


First Name


State


Phone


BHS CHS
Year Graduated







m PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC.


U MEMBERSHIP RENEWAL


RENEWAL: Thirty dollars ($30.00) annually (Jan.1 Dec. 31) per family, including children under 18
years of age. (A portion of this amount is for the subscription to the Canal Record for one year.)


DUES NOTICES ARE PLACED IN THE CANAL RECORD.


NOTE: IF CHECK IS NOT MADE ON A U.S. BANK, MAKE PAYMENT BY MONEY ORDER.

Please check this box if you DO NOT want your name, address or email published in the Annual Directory.


(PRINT CLEARLY)


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IS THIS AN ADDRESS OR
PHONE NUMBER CHANGE? YES NO

DD
Amount enclosed: $ Email address:

List significant changes from previous year:


Telephone Number:



(PRINT CLEARLY)


ORDER FORM SOCIETY PLATE/DECAL/Canal Record
Society License Plate: $5.00 (Tax included)
Society Decal: $2.00 (Tax included)
Canal Record: $5.00 (Postage included)
Please mail to: (If different from above)


Name


Address


State


Zip Code


Qty. Canal Record


Date of Issue


Amount enclosed: $


THANK YOU FOR KEEPING YOUR MEMBERSHIP CURRENT


Name


Qty. Plates


Qty. Decals








PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC

Phone: (727) 391-4359
1-866-PANCANAL (866-726-2262) (Toll free)
FAX (727) 319-8593
Hours: 9:00 a.m.-12:00 noon, 1:00-4:00 p.m. Monday thru Friday
E-Mail: office@pancanalsociety.org
Web Site: http://www.pancanalsociety.org/

E-mail: editor@pancanalsociety.org






DEADLINE FOR SUBMITTING
ADS, ARTICLES, NEWS OR PHOTOS FOR EACH CANAL RECORD

JUNE 2008 Canal Record Deadline April 4, 2008
OCTOBER 2008 Canal Record Deadline August 8, 2008
DECEMBER 2008 Canal Record Deadline October 3, 2008








FUTURE ANNUAL
REUNION DATES


July 2, 2008 July 6, 2008 Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Golf Club

July 1, 2009 July 5, 2009 Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Golf Club

June 30, 2010 July 4, 2010 Rosen Shingle Creek Resort & Golf Club







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SNO. i
PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC.
7985 113th Street, Suite 334
Seminole, Florida 33772-4787


Private

Membership

Information


Member Signature

2008
Expires December 31, 2008
L ii-ll---------------------------------
POSTMASTER: Send Address changes to the Canal Record,
7985 113th Street, Suite 334, Seminole, Florida 33772- 4787


PANAMA CANAL SOCIETY, INC
(ISSN 0528-0001)
7985 113th Street, Suite 334
Seminole, Florida 33772-4787


Periodical Postage
PAID
at the Largo
and at additional
mailing offices