In Summary:

      Most of us are collecting our social security checks at this time in our lives. Many of us are still working while others are on their way to the next phase of their lives, "Those Golden Years"!

      Some have become grandparents while others became 'great'-grand parents. Classmates are still reconnected for the first time since 1961. How great is that?

      Our parents who have lived long and productive lives are passing on. And, we have lost more classmates this past year, as well..

      Gall bladder cancer took Stevie Spaulding's life. Dewey Ramsby passed away from cancer of the blood, and Steve Van Ore passed away after a long battle with cancer.

     Some of us have parts that just seem to need more attention now then they have in earlier years. Maybe we should have taken better care of ourselves... but then we might not have had as much fun back then.

Please remember to contact Bill Ronay or Mary Phillips if you change e-mail or postal addresses.

HOW IT ALL BEGAN!

     The mention of the creation of an alumni website occurred at the 40th class reunion, June, 2001. The site was created and online by July 1st.

    Since then the "Class of 1961 Website" has been providing e-connections with those from our graduating class and beyond. Memorabilia has been sent in for editing and posting to the website. As news of events are whispered, you will find coverage on your website.

    Since the site went online, more than 60,000 visitors have come to the alumni website through the homepage and twice that number have entered via the updates page.

    Classmates we have located or relocated, along with all those we have e-mail addresses for, will receive an e-mail with a link to the 8th anniversary newsletter. Those we do not e-connect with will receive, via USPS, their own copy of the 8th annual WPHS Class of 1961 Alumni website newsletter with a brief narrative of the news of this past year.

     Classmate participation is key to the success of the alumni website. A special thanks goes out to Bill & Camille Ronay for their continued support, Dave & Katherine Rees for hosting their first mini-reunion in Montgomery, Julie Baldwin who visits with classmates (with camera in hand), Lynn Nidy, Bill Schwartz, Charlie Cayll, Sarah Moores, Marcia Gruber, Jolene Billingham, Dave Smith, Dennis Siewert, the late Dewey Ramsby & Ann Spaulding, Terry Williams, Suzie Miller, Vic Vermillion, Joanne Horvath, Art Miller, Bob Cross, and others for the photographs and stories they have sent in for publication to the alumni website this past year. Mary Phillips and Bill Ronay have done a stellar job keeping up with relocation of classmates and so much more.

     The Class of 1959 celebrated their 50th class reunion April, 2009. Mary Phillips worked online with Jacque Williams Frutchey ('59) to help locate unaccounted for classmates. The Class of 1960 is working on their 50th reunion at this time.

     We welcome your recent as well as classic photographs, newspaper clippings and published items for display on the alumni website.. Let's keep up the momentum!

CLASSMATES WHO HAVE RECENTLY PASSED AWAY
Steve Van Ore

Pancreatic CancerVAN ORE, STEVAN MICHAEL (DR.), 64, of Springdale died Aug. 31, 2008, at his home. He was born Oct. 4, 1943, in Seneca Falls, N.Y., to Lawrence William and Josephine Caparelli Van Ore.He was a U.S. Navy veteran, serving during the Vietnam War. He graduated from Rollins College in Winter Park, Fla. He then graduated with his medical degree from the University of Miami. He practiced in Maitland, Fla., until 1992. He moved to Cherokee Village in January 1993 and practiced there until 1994. In 1994, he moved to Harrison where he practiced until 2005. He then moved to Springdale and continued his practice here until his death. He is survived by his wife, Mary Ann Banks-Van Ore, to whom he was married June 19, 1965; Dr. Van Ore is also survived by the following: one son, Stevan Michael Van Ore Jr. of Fayetteville; two daughters, Lisa Marie Van Ore-Crowe of Maumelle and Anna Theresa Van Ore-Kahn and husband Shaun Jonathan Kahn of Harrison; and one brother, Lawrence Van Ore of Winter Springs, Fla. Dr. Van Ore's four grandchildren are, Ivy Elizabeth Crowe, Courtney Michelle Crowe, Evan Nicole Kahn and Stephen Anthony Kahn.

Dewey Ramsby

Multiple MyelomaRAMSBY, DEWEY D., 65, passed away peacefully at his home on Tuesday, September 2 in Winter Park, FL. Dewey was born on February 25, 1943, the son of Verbie and Gerald L. Ramsby. Dewey had a big smile and an even bigger heart. He was a fun-loving, hard-working family man who spent all but the first two years of his life in and around Winter Park. He lettered in three sports as a 1961 graduate of Winter Park High School and will be inducted into the school's Sports Hall of Fame in November. He was a graduate of Florida State University and a CPA for 40 years. He was a proud son, husband, father, grandfather, brother and friend. He is survived by his loving and devoted wife, Tricia; son, Matthew and wife, Kathryn of Columbia, SC; son, Greg and wife, Lisa of Orlando; daughter, Lauren of New York City; son, Blake of Winter Park; sister, Lora Quincy of Beaufort, SC; and grandchildren: Will, Bailey, Sabrina, Macy and Owen. Klaudia Meyer.

Ann "Stevie" Spaulding Wilberding

WILBERDING, ANN "STEVIE" SPAULDING, 64, died November 1st after a courageous two-year battle against cholangiocarcinoma, cancer of the bile duct. A nine year resident of Casey Key in Nokomis, Florida she lived for extended periods in Tokyo, London, Riyadh and Mumbai. Her career was fragmented due to living and finding opportunities in many diverse environments while raising a family, but she is known as a world traveler, art historian, collector, philanthropist and author. Stevie travelled to some 200 countries, including fifteen trips to diverse parts of Africa, and to little known parts of the Middle East and central Asia, usually in pursuit of knowledge of diverse cultures. Stevie is survived by her mother, Ann Spaulding, of Sarasota, by her husband, Stephen Van Cortlandt Wilberding, of Nokomis, FL, by her three children Van, Ashley (now Mrs. Olivier Balavoine) and Beau and six grandchildren.

ANOTHER YEAR HAS COME.....AND GONE
Picnic in the Park

Vic Vermillion contacted us Friday afternoon in April...the day before the Spring 2009 WPHS Picnic in the Park. Saturday morning Vic threw a table & chairs into his SUV and drove to the park &, with the help of a WPHS volunteer, Vic set up shop between the Class of 1960 & the Class of 1962. Vic has registered with WPHS & will be notified of the next years event date. Marcia Gruber has volunteered to assist.

Fabulous Three-Some

December 1st Julie Baldwin hosted Joanne Horvath & Terry Williams for dinner. Julie has stayed connected with several of our classmates as she continues to invite them into her home to share quality time & to reminisce stories of growing up in Winter Park..

Terry Williams & Charlie Cayll

Terry Williams & Charlie Cayll spend as much time as they can on the golf course. They spent a 3-day event. "Went on a little golf outing this past weekend with Terry Williams, there was a total of 16 guys playing over the 3 days. Terry played really good; me, not so much", quoting from Charlie's e-mail to us.

65th Birthday Celebration

Surprise 65th birthday party for Betty Jane Lucius - Jane and Justina, Betty Jane's daughters, gave her a surprise birthday party. In attendance were Susan Kelly, Linda Bair, Marcia Gruber, Nancy Wrenn, Jimmie Winderweedle and another friend Shirley.

Georgia Mini Reunion

Saturday, August 23, 2008 was another enjoyable Mini-Reunion in Georgia hosted by Bill and Camille Ronay. Those in attendance were Polly Gouck and her son Liam, JoAnn Engle Crawford and her husband Don, Jeannie Williams Stanley and husband Roy, Connie Shoup and husband Bill Hudson ('60), Dave Rees and wife Katherine, Dick Bergen and wife Maryanne, Sarah Moores York and husband Chuck, Mary Carter Levalle and Susan Carter Ricks. Another wonderful meal at the Blue Willow Inn with some great friends.

Katherine and Dave Rees

The Mini-Reunion in Montgomery began Friday evening, May 1st & lasted through Saturday late evening, May 2nd - Kentucky Derby Day -- with authenic Mint Juleps served to all! Those in attendance were Dick Grimm & his wife Laura, Katherine & Dave Rees, Nancy & Terry Williams, Camille & Bill Ronay, Connie Shoup (Hudson) & her husband Bill, Susan Carter (Ricks), Don & Joann (Engle) Crawford, Mary Carter (Lavelle), Sue & Lynn Nidy and JoAnn Horvath (LaPoma) & her husband Mario. The theme was 'Southern Hospitality' on Kentucky Derby Day & it turned out to be a smashing success.

Celebration of Life

A Celebration of Life for Dewey was held the weekend of September 5th. Visitation for Dewey Ramsby was Friday night, September 5th. A few of those from WPHS who attended were Jon Spradley ('59), Charlie Cayll, Joanne Horvath, Dave Rees and Terry Williams. Many, many more of Dewey's long time friends attended the service held on Saturday, September 6th.

WHERE DO WE GO FROM HERE?
Newsie Column

     A few classmates will be cruising out of Port Canaveral on the new Carnival Dream on December 3, 2009. The ship is in the final stages of construction in Italy and will be taking a one-time-only 9-day cruise to Antiqua out of Port Canaveral. You can see the ship on the Carnival web site. If you want to consider this opportunity to cruise the same time as a few of your classmates, please contact your travel agent or feel free to contact ours. Our agent's name is Drew Tate and he can be reached at 1-866-470-4911 or locally in the Orlando area at 407-382-5580. You can e-mail him at info@drewscruisecorner.com. Remember, quotes are free and it's wise to compare prices.
     We have heard rumors that planning for a 50th class reunion is in the very early stages. Bob Finfrock and Sharon Spelzhausen currently are getting ideas together and venues secured. We have not heard if there is a theme for this event. We have heard, however, that the goal is to see every one of our classmates who would like to attend. Can you imagine that it will be 50 years since our class graduated? Yes, in 2011, it will be 50 YEARS!!!! (We will keep you posted as news of the upcoming event is made available to us.)
     Share with us your stories of how you connected with a classmate via this website. We want to hear from you. You can click HERE to read a bit about how the site has affected some classmates and a few folks who have stumbled on to the site.
     We are looking for more pictures. Pictures and newspaper articles if you have any. Your web'mistress will be delighted to post the pictures to the website along with your name for contributing. The pictures and their captions have made the website the success that it is.
     Don't forget, if you change your e-mail address you should contact Mary Phillips or Bill Ronay so they can update their records to ensure you receive the most recent e-mails from your classmates.
     This website does not update itself. We have tracked down a few classmates who forgot to contact us when e-mail addresses were changed. Help us eliminate broken links and undeliverable e-mails. Remember to contact us of any snail-mail or e-mail changes. Many thanks. See you next year!!!