Class Reunion 2008
Hi Everyone!
Mari O'Connor here - and I created this blog for the PAHS Class of '73 - I am inviting any alumni to join in - the more the merrier (or as I say, the Mari-er) This is the beginning of an overdue summary of the class reunion we organized in Phoenixville in September 2008.
This might be the first attempt at blogging for many of you - so those of you who are familiar, have patience and don't be offended by the following:
A WORD ABOUT PROTOCOL & THE DEFINITION OF A BLOG -
A BLOG (contraction for WEB LOG) is by definition an ongoing web-based conversation that is open to a group of people that are interested in participating - it is much like a website, but everyone can add to it (you don't need permission), you can ask and answer questions and download photos and information about what is going on in your lives. You can log on at any time and it will still be here - it does not have a lifespan. You may be logged on at the same time another person is logged on - it doesn't affect your participation.
A blog is displayed in reverse chronological order - meaning that I sent this out to some 90 people, they may log on and compose their message and each transmission will be posted in the order it was received - you can scroll down to see the genesis of the conversation. Permission has been arranged for the blog to be viewed by anyone who wants to go into the URL - it is not a restricted blog. Most important is that you can send it to anyone we don't have in our database so that we can capture more information to find our classmates.
This blog is made for our classmates to keep in touch and to help us make arrangements for the next time we want to organize an event or just to keep in touch. It's lots of laughs, and at times it can provide a place for us to go for serious support from our friends in times of need. As we all get on in years we can keep track of how everyone is doing. Please be respectful and keep it clean. That is, do not refrain from discussing issues like politics and religion, or "sex and drugs and rock n roll" - but be respectful.
WHY NOT JUST E-MAIL EVERYONE - WHY BLOG?
Don't blog AND send corresponding e-mails to everyone - E-mails with attachments can not only slow down the recipients computer, but the multiple replies can really be distracting if you use your e-mail address for business. The whole purpose of this blog is to reserve the e-mail option for individual correspondence. Internet courtesy is imperative and everyone will appreciate the efforts to stifle yourself.
GETTING STARTED:
Don't be shy - you pretty much can't screw up with this concept and it will not cause your computer to crash or attract unwanted spam & junk mail. It is not unlike composing an e-mail in that the icons in the toolbar look and work the same way. The advantage to blogging is that the url (link) that I sent you is the same all of the time - and everyone can drift in and out of the conversation as they find time and are compelled to participate. So save that url somewhere on your desktop or write it down on a post-it and immediately loose it on your actual desk top. (HA) You can access this url from any computer, any e-mail address - SO feel free to let us know when you are stuck at some boring convention in Osh Kosh, Wisconsin - or send us photos of you in front of the World's Largest Ball of String.
HOW TO:
Click on the COMMENTS at the bottom of this blog page - to the right a box will pop up so that you can type in your info. The first time you go to post the blog you have to create an identity and password - THIS IS TO PROTECT YOU so that nobody can post a comment using your name. The secret code will show up differently each time to allow you to post your entry after you put in your identity & password. Simple...
SOME HINTS:
I have found that sometimes I like to switch to a new font or change the color of the font if I am changing the subject from someone elses last entry - that way it is less confusing...but not necessary.
Do us all a favor - Use the spell check (on the toolbar) if you can find the time before you hit the orange PUBLISH icon (below to the left) unless you purposely like to sound like Bawbwa Watas.
Next to SPELL CHECK on the toolbar is an icon that looks like a PHOTO - use this to attach an image - if you double click on that icon it will lead you to a step by step explanation - you can go to your desktop of your computer and download images - or you can download an image from the web and add it to your blog - I attached the photo above (of the Colonial Theater) from my desk top - it was sent to me by Doug Bartlett.
Now Doug can just post his photos on to this blog (HINT HINT) - he doesn't have to send individual e-mails with attachments. Often the attached files are too large for e-mail and can have complicated ramifications. And it's a whole lot less work finding all of the right e-mail addresses and dealing with those that bounce back etc etc.
SHARE
Please Please Please send this url to anyone you want to - we love participation. The next post will be a summary of the reunion from my perspective - but I was super busy - so I am looking forward to hearing from all of you - dish, baby, dish, I want to hear all of the juicy news!
In closing, I just want to share this: I am the world's least techno savvy - so I love these types of detailed explanations - I was sent a similar directive when I replied to my first blog, I hope you understand I just want to share the experience, I am not talking down.
We had such a blast at the reunion - I really hope to hear from many of you!
Have fun and keep in touch - XOXOXOX - M
Have fun and keep in touch - XOXOXOX - M
posted by Mari O'Connor @ 3:45 PM
7 Comments
7 Comments:
Hey there -
Catch up with me if you can -
I am married 23 years to Tim Phillips and living in NYC - I rarely get down to PA, though I am still in touch with lots of folks there - my sister Terry married Jeff Katz and his parents, Hal & Katy are still in town. Danny Weinstock & I stay in touch and see each other several times a year - not enough. But I get the second hand P-ville news through them.
I spend my time mostly in the Northeast Corridor between NYC - Milford CT - Jamestown RI.
I am a designer representative in the special events & exhibit industries. There is a bit of domestic travel involved in that, so if you all let me know where you are located I will try to visit with you - or if you find yourselves in NYC I'd love to host you on a tour of my neighborhood in Greenwich Village.
I NEVER NEVER take photos, except for my work - so don't hold your breath.
My e-mail address is mario@nyc.rr.com
Cheers - M
Mari - thanks for getting this started and the primer on blogs. I have never participated on one before so it was good info. I believe that we all need to keep trying things never done before.
speaking of new things, I am now on the Phnx. Library board of directors. It is a really exciting time to be involved because there is an initiative to enlarge the library because so many people from Phnx and surrounding communities utilize the resources and programs. a local architect, Tom Carnevale, developed a plan that would (if approved by Boro council) close the very end of 2nd ave. where it intersects with Main to build a beautiful addition right across the street and just up to the boundary of Reeves Park. hint - go to the Phnx. Library website to see more detailed info as the picture I could attach might clog the works (I know it is a very large image in terms of mg, mb whatever they are). I have always felt the addition of 1987 (the adobe portion off to the side) did NOT fit with the architectural status of the original Andrew Carnegie library of 1903. this plan complements the architecture of the original library and offers substantial benefits to our community and all age groups.
I know I am advertising and campaigning here, but I think it will be a great benefit to the community and this was a perfect opportunity to make you all aware of this so that you can review the plans and speak your opinion - no matter where you live. however, If you do live in the Boro, please go on the website and find your councilperson so that you can email, call or write (do people still do this??) them to voice your opinion on this project. the most important thing I can also say is that this will NOT increase taxes. there is a Library Foundation (not the Library board - so I won't be asking you for donations) set up and their function will be to raise the funding for this project. there has already been an anonymous donor - a Phnx. resident - who gave $500K to this proposed addition as well as a grant from Andrew Dinniman of same amount. the total proposed addition will cost 6.5M, but they already have 1M to start with. Please feel free to ask me further questions or certainly go on the website which is very professional and detailed. I am very excited about the prospect of this enhancement to Reeves Park, Main St. and the community in general!
have a good weekend - Mona
Mari - thanks so much for putting this together. I got your hint about the pictures I took. So, I'll try to upload them.
Sorry Mari - not seeing the photo icon. What am I missing? I'm also not seeing the spell check or, for that matter, any toolbar. All I see is "Publish your comment" and "Preview"
Hey Mari,
John (aka Jack) Kane here. I am recently relocated to the UK for work, and live about 20 miles west of London. Thanks for setting up the blog. I do take pics, but posting them will be another thing altogether. Anyhow, my email address is still the same. jdkane3@yahoo.com
Hi
I am not sure if any of you know that Jay is at Temple University Hospital but wanted to make sure you did. I was away without email and phone and when I got back Friday there was a voicemail from Wendy. I spoke to her Saturday and she asked me to let folks know. He was scheduled to go to Temple for lung reduction surgery on 4/30 but about 2 weeks ago he got pretty sick and was admitted to Pottstown ICU and then transferred to TU ICU. He is on some kind of oxygen machine that helps eliminate the high amount of CO2 that was in his lungs. In the meantime his liver failed. The liver is resolving itself somehow but they are not sure why that happened. Wendy is living at the hospital and has plenty of help at home, and said she would definitely call us if she needed anything. At this point she does not know when or if he will have the surgery. His next surgery after that was to be repair of his mitral valve. They are just trying to get him stabilized at this point.
I have him on the prayer list at my church and Wendy just asked that we pass the word for thoughts and prayers for Jay.
Wendy said she would call me only if there was a change that I needed to know about.
So, I am sending this to you all and hope that you will pass the word on to anyone who you think would want to know. I spoke to Cathy and Mark Glowacki over the weekend and some folks Jay went to Kutztown with.
Thanks for your prayers for our buddy Jay
This final post was from Buffy - our prayers are with Jay & Wendy and their family. XOX - M
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