An update from Larry Scarborough:
  I came to Poughkeepsie in 1974, just in time to see the Poughkeepsie railroad bridge burn. The bridge lay dormant and abandoned until the early 1990’s when a grassroots group formed "WOTH" to try to use it for a walkway. Their original idea was to fund it with donations and fund-raising events instead of using government money.
I remember clearing brush, bake sales and the selling of wooden planking to bridge the river.
Eventually, it was decided that if the walkway was to became a reality they must use government monies. So they applied for grants from New York State and Federal stimulus money. Walkway over The Hudson came to fruition and opened in October 3rd, 2009, the 400th anniversary of Henry Hudson’s trip.
In the beginning there were a number of nay sayers and people who thought it was a waste of money.
The walkway was turned over to New York State and has turned out to be the second most visited state park in New York behind Niagara Falls.
I am a Walkway Ambassador. I give tours and talks to visitors and act as the "eyes and ears" for the State Parkway.
Stop on by, I love talking about the Walkway.
An email from Dave Allen in Fort Wayne, Indiana:
Thanks for the newsletter and updates and I look forward to seeing more in the future.
My wife Carolyn and I moved here in January, 2012. We spent most of the summer (May-September) at our RV inn Central Bridge (Schoharie County) as most of our family is still in the Capital District. We have a son who lives out here and we found the economics of this region much better for retired folks than back in NY.
Dave Allen
From Pat Ballo:
Steve DeLeonardis (Pat's son) has been in the Army for 20 years and is a Senior Warrant Officer. His wife's name is Rebecca - they have a 10 year old daughter Lauren who was born at Ft. Waynewright, Alaska. Steve was stationed in Germany for 4 years early in his career. They had been at Ft. Hood, Texas for the last 6 years and now are at Ft. Riley, Kansas. He was in Iraq for two years then a year in Korea and just got back from a year in Kuwait - he's scheduled to go to Afghanistan in August for a year. Please pray for all the troops in Afghanistan.
Pat
From Karin Moe:
Thanks for letting me know that you got (the Photos). I think they are wonderful. I didn't recognize everyone either. Some of the people were from different classes. (Joanie Jernigan). In other cases it has just been too long since I've thought about them. My brain is rusty.
I don't have much news. We are counter cultural. We go to northern Michigan for about 6 weeks in the winter. Dale and Tom Cole are in FL for the winter. That is all my news.
Hope you are well. Thanks for all you and others do to to keep our class connected.
Blessings,
Karin
(Karin's Photos can be viewed Here >>>)
From Louise Calisto:
 Here's the pic I was talking about, taken at Molly's birthday party in October. From left to right, Ryan (4), daughter Beth, son Jason, Molly (2), Pam (Jason's wife), James (12), me, and Evan (11). James and Evan are Beth's boys, and Ryan and Molly are Jason and Pam's children. Feel free to put this on the website. In fact, I need to go in there and take a look to see who else has updated photos. I really do like to see what's going on. It's just that I get busy and don't find the time to do it. One of these days I might even retire, but not yet!
Take care, and have a wonderful happy new year!!
Louise
(Click photo for larger image)
From Jennie McNab in Florida:
We love this weather - has been setting records for January here. Going to be cooler for a bit - only in the 70's. Tough life - somebody's gotta do it - ha! Say hi to everyone for me in February.
We're getting together with Dick & Esther Cornell, Dave & Diane Brownell, and Vince & Diana Rehbit this afternoon for movie and dinner. Movies are two bucks at the Parkway Theater - good for us seniors - ha. Saw Lincoln the other day/afternoon. Five bucks on a Tuesday. Only thing is, I'm tired already of all the ol' fogies on the road!!
Jennie
Snippets
From David Utz: On the way to South America for a month. Then to FL for March.
From Dale Cross in Florida: It is beautiful here but very hot and humid. Next week is supposed to cool a bit.
Bob Kibbey wishes all the Class of '61 a Happy Birthday, since most of us will be turning 70 during the year!
Recent Website Updates Additional updates to the website not included in the Newsletter can be found for Bev Everingham, Linda Fuhrman and Dick York in the "Classmate Yearbook Pictures" section. Updates about Tom Fresina, Charlie McHugh and Ed Miller can be found in "Other Classmates" section. Dean Hartley wrote a Memorial Tribute to Ted Palmer that also includes a photo taken by John Lyons('62) of Ted, Polly Hale, Linda McCall('60), Dean('60) and Louise Calisto that is in the "In Memoriam" section. All are available in the Classmates Section, but Login Required >>>
News Around Town
The Clarksville Elementary School closed and is now the home of the Albany County Sheriff's Substation which consolidated the Voorheesvile and Cohoes locations. A Times Union article with good interior and exterior photos of the school can be found Here >>>
There is an effort underway to open the cliffs at John Boyd Thacher Park to rock climbing. A link to the Thacher Climbing Coalition website that includes excellent park photos Here >>>
Interested in buying your very own castle? Helderberg castle was recently put on the market, but is definitely a fixer upper. Info and photos Here >>>
The Bethlehem School District Administrative Office building, formerly the Delmar Library, was sold and will be used as a day care center. More info Here >>>
Did you know...
...that Verstandig's Florists Building was torn down and the site is now used for senior housing?
...that the Delmar Game Farm is now the Five Rivers Environmental Center? More info about Five Rivers Here >>>
...that the Hilchies Hardware Building is now a Berkshire Bank Branch and the Mullen's Pharmacy site is now the Delaware Ave Health Park that contains Doctor's offices? Do you recognize any of the kids in the old photo below? Click on the the photos for a larger image. (Old photo courtesy of the Bethlehem Library)
 
If you are interested in the history of the Town of Bethlehem, check out the Items of Interest Section of the Website.
Volunteer Corner
This is the time in our lives that many of us have retired, but continue to contribute to those around us by volunteering. We would like to recognize those who have by sharing some of their experiences with fellow classmates.  John (Vance) Everett has been a Sierra Club member since 2003. He is retired after an executive career in the information systems industry, and lives in Batavia, Illinois. John is a graduate of the Sierra Club's national leadership training program and is certified in Wilderness First Aid. While John's passion is cycling, he has participated in and served as a staff member on a number of Sierra Club national outings, including bicycling, hiking, canoeing, and service trips. Among his other interests are pre-Columbian cultures of the Southwest, and the journey of Lewis and Clark's Corps of Discovery.
Recent Class of '61 Lunch Attendees
  Pete Bauer, Bev Everingham, Val Farny, Sue Fuller, Linda Fuhrman, Carol Gainor, Marilyn Jones, Robyn Madison, Jennie McNab, Bill McMillen, Esther Murphy, Mary Myers, Lynn Snyder and Carolyn Van Allen
50th Reunion Videos and Photos
Brian Warner's videos on his website and Norm and Marilyn Jones Fancher's photos of the 50th Reunion can be linked to from the Class of '61 website. DVD's are available for both.
See more >>>
Please let us know if you are changing your email address or home address. Your contact information can be updated securely via the website Here.
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