Friday, January 21, 2011

Springtime brunch?

Several people have commented that they would like to get together for a breakfast or lunch sometime in the Spring.

Just following up with that idea, anybody have any thoughts on the matter?

Send an email to Bob Pflanz at rhpflanz@gmail.com  and we can see when and where and who.

I'm always ready to share some time with my former classmates -
I would love to see you fellows and gals again.

Sunday, January 16, 2011

See Claudine's trip to Tibet Part 2 - http://thetravelsofclaudine.blogspot.com/

MORE OF CLAUDINE’S TRAVELS

Herewith, in response to less than overwhelming demand, Part 2 of “Beijing to Lhasa to Kathmandu”.

Suggesting that you might want to read this puts me in mind of my roommate Heather wanting to share her Thesis with me.

While attending graduate school at Georgetown University, I shared one bedroom of a two-bedroom apartment in a three apartment Georgetown townhouse with Heather, a graduate student from Texas enrolled in Georgetown’s Foreign Service School. Heather was beginning her third year of a two year Master’s degree program unable to pass the Georgetown created and non- standard French exam and unable to complete her Thesis.

Georgetown’s language exams were non-standard, and very difficult, so the French part of Heather’s long stint in Graduate school was understandable. But, Heather’s family was wealthy, so get a tutor?

The Thesis, on the other hand, just kept going on, and on, and on. Unfortunately, no matter the work entailed, it never engendered any interest even on the part of the assigned professor or me, the captive audience roommate.

On evenings I was suffering from insomnia, I would turn on my light, awaken Heather, and ask her to talk to me about her latest Thesis (the focus or “thesis” of the thesis frequently changed). Heather always accommodated, and after a bit of listening I would always fall peacefully asleep.

When I graduated and left Georgetown, Heather was in her fourth year of the two-year Foreign Service Graduate program and the Thesis was yet longer and remained of interest only to Heather.

There are similarities here between the Tibet travelogue and the Thesis, but I have vowed to write this, and Bob has been kind enough to format and incorporate the photographs, and what else is there to do in January? If you are inclined to read any of this, you might want to read about Lhasa, skip or skim to Mt. Everest and skim through the remaining monasteries as well.

Please be assured that Part 3 (Nepal) is on the way. (smiley face here)

I will refrain from sharing a motoring trip to the Auvergne and the Rhone Valley regions of France in October. Rodney and I had traveled most of these roads before and more than once, but it is hard to get enough of France. It remains the most beautiful country in the world. Unfortunately it is inhabited by some of the most arrogant, irritating, and pompous of peoples. And, true to form, they went on a general transportation strike leaving Rodney and me to spend our last couple of days trying to ensure that we could get home.

Happy trails

Claudine

Saturday, January 8, 2011

Geraldine Kramer (English teacher) Passed Away

GERALDINE "JERRY" (KRAMER) (McINTYRE) LINDELL

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 Jerry was born on November 21, 1929, and passed away on January 1, 2011. She was a lifelong Kansas City resident who graduated from Westport High School, received her undergraduate degree at Central Missouri State University and her Master's Degree at the University of Missouri-Kansas City. Early in her working life she was an air hostess for TWA, worked as a tour guide at the Alexander Majors Historic House and Museum, and was a radio announcer at WDAF-AM working with Walt Bodine. She went on to teach English at Paseo High School and Penn Valley Community College. With her late husband, Dr. John McIntyre, she helped run McIntyre Productions, producing educational filmstrips and slide shows. She and Dr. McIntyre also traveled extensively, visiting Australia, Japan, the U.K. and other international destinations. In the early 1990s, she became a managing partner of the National Law Enforcement Training Center, helping to produce educational materials and seminars for law enforcement defensive tactics trainers. Jerry was known for her love of books, gardening, sewing and gourmet cooking. She also enjoyed discussing the history of Kansas City and its prominent citizens. She was an outgoing and upbeat person who truly never met a stranger. She is survived by her husband of eight years, James Lindell of Kansas City, MO, a retired reasonable use-of- force and physical training supervisor for the Kansas City, Missouri Police Department; and her brother and sister-in- law, Bud and Sue Kramer of Waynesboro, VA. At her request, there will be no funeral services. Memorial donations can be made to NLETC, Inc, 6885 NE Pleasant Valley Rd., Kansas City, MO 64119, phone: 816-531-2447. Donations are tax deductible and will support law enforcement trainer certification for officers who could not otherwise afford training. Fond memories and condolences for the family may be left at www.dwnewcomers.com. (Arr.: D.W. Newcomer's Sons Stine & McClure Chapel, 3235 Gillham Plaza, KCMO 64109, 816-931-7777.) D.W. Newcomer's Sons Funeral Homes, Cemeteries, Crematories.


Read more: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/kansascity/obituary.aspx?n=geraldine-mcintyre-jerry-kramer&pid=147651390#ixzz1ATiJJjNU