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| Newton High School ∗ Class of 1957 June 2008 Newsletter |
Class NewsAt last fall's reunion, in a moment of weakness and nostalgia, I offered to send out a newsletter at the holidays to help us stay up-to-date between reunions. A lot has happened since fall so we decided to send one mid year. What prompts this now is the passing of two of our classmates - BOB WINFREY in April and BILL RAAB in May. That's the downside of reaching our age, losing friends. The upside is that most of us are now enjoying retirement in one form or another and have learned to appreciate and value family and friends. Most of the information in this newsletter is also on our website. I confess that I have been slow to update the site. Life is good and there are more challenging projects than time to do them so I can't promise to improve much. If you send me your news and photos, I'll add them to the website and send out another newsletter around the holidays . . . hopefully. And send any personal updates for the Directory also as the booklet won't be updated for another four years. I have email addresses for about 60 classmates; if you are in touch with people from the class please forward this to them just in case they are not on the list. - Jon Roe
Bill Raab's PassingBill was our Senior class president and helped plan a number of our reunions. The following is from his obituary: William J. Raab, 69, passed away on Friday, May 30, 2008, at Morristown Memorial Hospital. Born in Easton, Pa., to the late John and Annie Raab, he grew up in Newton and was a lifetime resident of Sussex County. After retiring from dairy farming, Mr. Raab worked at Space Farms taking care of all the zoo's farm needs. He was a member of the Sussex County 4-H, the New Jersey Holstein Association, participated in the Sussex County Farm and Horse Show, and was very active in coaching the children at Little League and also Babe Ruth for 18 years. Mr. Raab is survived by his wife, Carol Storms Raab; his son, Chris Raab and his wife, Jessica, of Sussex; his daughter, Wendy Raab and her companion, Rick Steele, of Sussex; his sister, Jane Korpi of Sweden; his grandson, Bill Stormes of Sussex; and his great-granddaughter, Hannah Stormes of Sussex. He is buried at Beemerville Cemetery.
Bob Winfrey's PassingBob was a great networker for our class, reaching out and keeping in touch with our far flung community. He was often the first to send information on classmates or to send a funny joke about aging gracefully. He retired from teaching just a year ago and moved to Oregon from California, so didn't make our reunion last fall. The following was sent by his wife Louise: "I am very sorry to inform all of you but Bob passed on last night, April 8, of a massive heart attack. It was very sudden and he did not suffer at all. He was at home when it happened. I want to thank all of you for keeping in touch with him since he retired. You have no idea how much it meant to him to hear from you all this past year. There will be no services since that was not his wish. In his own way, he said dig a hole in the backyard and put him in it. He is being cremated. I also made him a donor which he was very much in favor of. Thank you in advance for all your prayers and well wishes. God bless all of you." Also see Bob's letter to the class dated August 30, 2007 in the News & Notes Section.
Fall Get TogetherWe so enjoy the brunches at ED RISDON's campground that he suggested we hold a get together every Fall for those in the area or who can stop by. This will be an informal opportunity to relax and share memories. The first is scheduled for Sunday, October 5 beginning at 10:00 a.m.; notices were mailed to all classmates. For details see the website or call MYRA SNOOK at (973) 383-4803. Major reunions will continue to be held every 5 years. And bring your digital cameras so we'll have photos for the website.
50th Anniversary Photo AlbumIf you haven't seen it yet visit the photo album from our 50th Reunion. Photos include those received from FERRIS VAN DIEN, LINDA HENDRIXSON and ALYCE MCKEEBY. It was a glorious Fall weekend that included a football game, tour of the high school, the reunion dinner and our traditional Sunday afternoon brunch at Ed Risdon's campground. You'll find a recap of the day on the 50th Reunion page as well as the formal reunion photo and a class photo from our 25th Reunion in 1982. Also see the News & Notes Section for comments on the Reunion from classmates. » Go to 50th Reunion
John Matthews Inducted Into High School Hall Of FameNewton High School has started a Hall of Fame and the first honorees were inducted in 2007. Our own JOHN MATTHEWS was one of the first five selected for a lifetime of service to the community. See the link below to read the details of the award and his biography. Also honored was DAVE AULD, from the Class of 1956, who is married to LORETTA PATRICIA from our class.
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