I have added a new feature to our website. Check it out and be sure to send me an e-mail about your favorite teacher.

In previous issues, I told you about Miss Buzaid and Janice Beeghly talked about her favorite teacher, Mr. Charles Phelps. In this issue, Jeff O'Hora tells us a little about his favorite teachers, and Eric Mens reflects upon his memories of Mrs. Judy Phelps.

Well as I considered this, I couldn't bring it down to just one. I had three. ;-)

Mrs. Davis: I had her for English and beneath the seemingly gruff exterior was a dedicated professional, who encouraged me to use my imagination. (All the while my parents were trying to get me to arrest some of that imagination! ;-) ) she encouraged me to apply my abilities and go beyond the average. Her sarcastic, wry humor was something I always looked forward to even when I hadn't done my homework ... again.

Mrs. Pierpoint: I had Mrs. Pierpoint for Geometry and anyone reading this who had Olive for homeroom or a class knows she struggled with a "disease". Maybe it was because my one mom was struggling with the same issue in those days, I always had a soft spot for Olive. she was a sweet woman with a warm smile and a big heart. Every once in a blue moon she comes to mind. I can't imagine she's still around today, but if she is I'd love to see her again.

And last but not least ...

Mrs. Delano: "Nora" as we fondly called her in Journalism class. ;-) As the Editor of the school paper that Senior year, I was responsible for overseeing the group of totally crazy, whacked out group that kept Nora in a constant state of stitches and laughter. and also on her guard to proofread everything at least twice before letting it go to print for fear of reprisals from the administration should any of the crazies slip one through. We had a great time in that class and Nora kept it fun, engaging and educational.

Jeff O'Hora

I read Janice Beegley's article "Who was your favorite teacher?" concerning Charles Phelps with great interest. My favorite teacher was actually Mrs. Judy Phelps!

She kindled my interest in photography which has lingered with me through the years. Despite the fact that the Army chose to make me a combat medic instead of a combat photographer, despite the fact that I was accepted to attend the Santa Barbara School of Photography but instead, made a 30-year pit stop in Washington, DC, her quiet support of my photographic "eye" has stuck with me through all these years.

For a kid who came from a broken, dysfunctional home and whose future was looking mighty bleak at the time, she gave me a confidence in myself that I sorely needed. Until recently being appointed to my position with the City of Richmond (after two glorious years of retirement from the DoD), I was working with Anna Santana, a great native Baltimorean professional photographer, who was helping me to assemble my photographic portfolio.

Despite my recent return to the workforce, I am committed to showing my work in Richmond, where Cindy and I have now made our home. I will always be thankful for the kindness and guidance that Mrs. Phelps provided me.

Eric Mens

Eric R. Mens Appointed Procurement Director

Eric R. Mens, a retired deputy director for the Acquisition and Personnel Security Investigations Augmentation Division of Defense Security Service in Linthicum, Md., has been hired as the City’s new Procurement Director, Chief Administrative Officer William Harrell announced today. Mr. Mens has worked in procurement roles with the government and military for 33 years. “We are pleased to have someone with this depth of government experience now leading the City’s procurement operation, which is undergoing many cost-saving and innovative changes,” said Mr. Harrell. Mens, of Odenton, Md., had been with Defense Security Service for two years. Prior to that employment, he was an associate director for the Small Business, Defense Contracting Command at the Pentagon and a senior procurement analyst for the Defense Information Systems Agency in Arlington, Va. Mens holds a B.S. in business accounting from George Mason University and an M.S. in National Resource Strategy and a Senior Acquisition Course Diploma from the Industrial College of the Armed Forces. He is a member of the American Purchasing Society. He began work with the City on Jan. 2, 2007.

Ada Humphreville

Ada May Humphreville, 75, wife of James E. Humphreville of Danbury and Sarasota, Fla., died on January 23, 2007, in Danbury, of an extended illness. Born on December 19, 1931, in Shamokin, Pa., daughter of Edward and Ada (Lupold) Schleig, she moved to Connecticut with her parents in 1935, and in 1940 the Schleigs established a family business, Edward's Hats, on Main Street in Danbury.

Ada graduated from Danbury High School in 1949, and attended Traphagen School of Millinery Design in New York City.

She received her bachelors degree at Ohio Wesleyan University in 1953, and her masters from Western Connecticut State University in 1970.

She was married to James Humphreville in 1952. Ada taught music in the Danbury schools for 27 years and was an adjunct teacher at Western Connecticut State University for two years.

She was a member of the Danbury Cultural Commission, a member of the Danbury Concert Association Board of Directors and for 54 years a member of Stellar Chapter #55 Order of Eastern Star. Ada was also a member of Long Ridge Methodist Church in Danbury.

Besides her husband James, she is survived by children: Kim of Agawam, Mass.; Scott and Dena and grandson: James Christian, all of Sarasota, Fla.; and cousin, Marsha Piela of Danbury.

The funeral will be held at the Hull Funeral Home, 60 Division St., Danbury, Friday at 10 a.m. Burial will be in Wooster Cemetery, Danbury.

The family will receive friends at the Hull Home, today from 5 to 8 p.m. An Eastern Star Service will be held at 7:30 p.m.

In lieu of flowers, contributions can be made to the James E Humphreville Endowment Fund, Danbury Music Centre 250 Main St Danbury, CT 06810.

Thanks to David Siegelbaum, Class of 68 Webmaster, for sending me this information.

You can sign an online guestbook here.

Published in The Danbury News Times 1/24/2007.

Well I have some wonderful news. The date has finally been set for our 40th year Class reunion. It will be held on Saturday September 29, 2007 at Capellaro's Grove http://www.capgrove.com/ so mark your calendars!!!!!

As we get closer to the dates, you will be notified of the exact details of each event. Currently we are planning a social event for the Friday night before (September 28th) being coordinated by Joe Pannozzo jpannoz@aol.com . Anyone who wishes to assist Joe in that event, please contact him directly.

Joe Scalzo will be in charge of the Saturday night event at Capellaro's Grove. Joe is going to need some help and support in making this a successful event. Any volunteers should contact Joe directly at either joes@jmw.com or joes1963@gmail.com

It is with great pleasure and relief that I can now inform you that Jeff O'Hora jeff@jeffohora.com has volunteered to put together a Sunday ( September 30,) event. I am delighted to have him setup and take on that task.

Any comments or suggestions you may have for any event should be posted on the message board which located at the DHS Class of 1967 website http://www.dhs1967.org which is being hosted by Mike Marinaro. Mike by the way is doing a fabulous job keeping that website up and running. Each event leader and I, will be checking those postings, on regular basis, to review your thoughts and comments. Hopefully we will be able to incorporate most of them in each event.....

Ok.....so now we have wheels in motion and dates set for the reunion...volunteers to run each event....and you're sitting back thinking...Geez what can I do to help?

Well here ya go...a task for each of you......please review the list of classmates on our website. We still are missing their contact information. I ask each of you (for your homework this week) to choose one name on the list and make an effort to contact them. Get their contact information and pass it on to Mike Marinaro mmarinaro@nc.rr.com or me, zarour@msn.com for inclusion to our mailing list.....now that's not to hard is it?

Thanks in advance for your efforts

Warm Kindest Regards

Michael Zarour