james blair class of 1960
williamsburg/james city county, virginia
MARCH 7, 2024
REMEMBRANCE PAGE UPDATED.
JUNE 29, 2015 Follow up - from Norman
Several of you asked at our reunion about Iris Berket, Tom Batchelder , Bob Hengst and Barbara Spangler. Here is the update on them: :
Iris
Iris married Jerry Bracey ( JayBee - class of 1958 ) and they lived in Northern Va until seven years ago when they moved to Wash State. Jerry died 6 years ago. Iris worked in a library and is retired. She plans to sell her home soon and move to Houston , Texas to be near her daughter. phone 360-379-0133
Tom
Tom has retired and lives with his wife in Oakland, California. He has five children and two stepchildren. He plans to come East in Oct. to visit with classmates at VMI and then on to Williamsburg to move his mother's furniture out of her house
(his mother died last year) which he and his sister rent . phone 510-567-9953
Bob
Bob retired after a career as a US Customs Officer in Florida. They moved to Western NC and live in Laurel Park, NC near Ashville. Bob sold real estate for several years after retiring. He has a daughter In Lynchburg, Va. and one in Hollywood , California. phone 828-697-8897
Barbara
Barbara married a doctor and now lives in Phoeniz , Arizona She currently has major health problems with her back and is unable to sit for a long period which makes it impossible to fly or drive back to Virginia for our reunions . She remains very close to Coach Patton and his wife Mary and communicates with them monthly (she used to babysit Coach and Mary's children) .
OK that's the scoop. If you have any news items you want to share with our class please send to me and I will pass them on. Have a good summer
Norman
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June 6, 2015
Dear Classmates,
The time for our 55th class reunion is fast approaching. As you’ve heard from Norman, it will be a two-day affair - both Friday and Saturday nights, June 26 and 27. Friday night will be at my house in New Town, Williamsburg. I’ve attached a map, which I hope is self explanatory. The address is Julie’s Way, but that is really just an alley where the mail boxes are. Please do not park there. My house faces a common area, so you can’t park in front of the house. There is plenty of parking along Rollison Drive - both sides. It is labeled on the map. You’ll have to walk just a little ways to reach the house. A photo is on the map, so you shouldn’t have trouble recognizing it.
We’ll start at 6:00 p.m. and plan to have enough food to call it dinner. I’m thinking the usual potluck things: cheese and crackers, fruit and veggie trays, deviled eggs, salads, desserts, etc. If you want wine, beer or other drinks bring that. I’ll provide barbecue sliders and/or ham rolls. Let me know if you’re coming (and how many) and what you could bring in the way of food.
Looking forward to seeing you on the 26th. You’ll hear separately from Larry about the Saturday night event at his place.
I’m heading to the beach tomorrow for a week, so if you respond by email, I may not answer immediately. Call the phone number below if you need to get in touch before June 15, when I’ll be back home and online.
Susan
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JUNE 4, 2015 - Our reunion committee met for lunch today in Williamsburg to go over the final details for our reunion.
The following is a follow up regarding our discussion today to possibly have a Sunday morning, June, 28, activity as part of the 55th Reunion. I visited Riverwalk Restaurant on the waterfront in Yorktown, Va. (323 Water Street, 23690) It is a beautiful facility with views of the York River. They have a Sunday Brunch beginning at 11:00 a.m. Their menu has a nice variety and prices range between $10.00 and $20:00, plus taxes and drinks. Some examples on menu: crab cakes topped with poached egg benedict, pancake fruit stackers, prime rib with eggs and biscuits, various omelets, etc.
I will need an approximate number who plan to attend so I can ask staff to set up a special table for us. This show of interest can be done by two methods : interested classmates can e-mail me at : jdonyorkriver@yahoo.com and I also plan to ask for a head count at Susan's event on Friday evening, June 26.
If out of town folks have not visited Yorktown in the past few years, you will be surprised, beautiful riverwalk, shops, new victory center, free English style trolleys to transport to and from Victory Center. Let's keep the party going!!
Carolyn
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(From Larry Waltrip, June 7, 2015
I am providing now the information for Sat night, June 27 - we will start at 4 PM and eat at 5 PM.
It will l be at my home at 100 Lands End Road.
If you are coming from Richmond on Interstate 64 get off onto Route 199 . Stay on 199 until you come to the second stop light and turn right onto (Jamestown Road). . Stay on Jamestown Road until you cross Powells Lake. After crossing bridge over Lake Powell immediately turn left onto Neck-O-Land Road. Follow Neck-O-Land Road almost to the end and turn right on Constance Ave which come to my driveway called Lands End Road.
If you are coming from Tidewater on Interstate 64 turn on to Route 199. Stay on 199 until you come to the fourth stop light and turn left onto Jamestown Road. . Follow directions above on how to get to get Neck -O-Land Road and Constance Ave.
If you are coming from Williamsburg just come out Jamestown Road and follow directions above
If you are coming by boat on the James River give me a call
We will have soft drinks and you can bring BYOB beverage if you wish to do so. We will have a buffet which will feature prime rib, crab imperial and lasagna
Suggest you bring a folding chair for outdoor relaxing at the pool or river.
My cell phone is 757-876-8655 and Norman is 804-389-1876 if you have a problem
Look forward to seeing everyone on the 27th
Larry Waltrip
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March 3, 2015
Message from Norman
JayBees, we are getting our flyer ready for our 55th reunion . Susan and I updated the list of deceased members. Friday, Friday night,June 26 will be informal get together at Susan Fords beautiful new home and Sat night , June 27 will be a cookout at Larrys Waltrips home Norman
(A complete list of classmates who have passed on is on the Remembrance page - Ray)
Jan 4, 2014 - Robert Coulter's Passing
Jaybees,
I learned yesterday that Roger Coulter has terminal brain cancer and went into hospice care yesterday. His wife, Lera shared with me this morning that while he finished high school at military academy in Tenn. he was proud to be an alumni of James Blair High school and he really enjoyed attending our class of 1960 reunions.
Norman
God Bless America
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FROM THE VIRGINIA GAZETTE
12/2012
Esther Virginia Major Batchelder died Sunday, Nov. 25, 2012, at Doylestown Hospital. On Feb. 17, 2013, she would have been 100 years old. She was blessed to live an independent life up to the end.
Esther was born in a blizzard in Scio, N.Y. and spent most of her life in Williamsburg, moving there in 1942 before coming to Doylestown in 2005. She was a teacher at James Blair and Berkeley schools for 16 years in Williamsburg. She had a bachelor's degree from Cornell University and a master's of education from William & Mary. As a young woman, she ran a preschool and was both a Girl Scout and Boy Scout leader. Esther directed the William & Mary Baptist Student Union, taught Sunday School for 47 years at Williamsburg Baptist Church, and was a costumed guide for Colonial Williamsburg. Her other volunteer activities included the American Red Cross, the Williamsburg Community Hospital Auxiliary, the Virginia Retired Teachers Association (president 1968-73), and the Advisory Council and Executive Board of the Peninsula Agency on Aging. She was a volunteer at the FISH thrift shop, a member of the 4H executive board, and a member of AAUW.
Esther was more than a list of accomplishments. She was fun, intelligent, honest, caring, and loved life and people and the opportunities around her. She never complained, took care of business and was always curious. Esther was there to help, cheer, and support family and friends.
Esther is the widow of William Paul Batchelder and is survived by her two children, Paula Batchelder Young of Doylestown and William Thomas Batchelder of Oakland, Calif. The spouses of her children, her eight grandchildren and their partners, plus her nine great-grandchildren will miss her deeply. She left these words for her friends and family: "Thanks to all. I have had a wonderful visit on this earth. Each of you has given me delight and I thank each of you for being supportive and loving friends. I have loved you all and am sorry I must leave… but leave I must. My best to each of you, Esther."
A memorial service will beheld at 2 p.m. on Friday, Dec.28, at Doylestown United Methodist Church. Refreshments will be served following the service. In lieu of flowers, please send donations to Williamsburg Baptist Church, 227 Richmond Rd., Williamsburg VA 23185.
Published in Virginia Gazette from November 30 to December 29, 2012
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May 18, 2012
a note from Sue Foerster to Norman and the Class of '60...
Dear Norman,
I don't know how to begin so I'll simply say that my dear husband of 43 years, Barry Foerster, passed away on November 10, 2010, of a pulmonary embolism two months following abdominal surgery. Needless to say, this was entirely unexpected; the shock and grief on my entire family has been profound.
Barry was a great husband and father, and he left us with deep and enduring fond memories. He often spoke of the wonderful time he had at the James Blair High School reunion, and I, for one, and so very grateful to all of his classmates for creating such a memorable event over a weekend. I would especially like to thank Susan Ford, whose letters helped encourage Barry to take a plane back to Virginia to meet with all of you. And thank you, Norman, for providing me with a network to get this unpleasant but necessary message out to you. I hope that you will find the time to forward this email to anyone who knew Barry.
I know that you will have a lovely mini-reunion on June 9. Perhaps you can take a moment to remember my husband.
Thank you again for your communication.
Sincerely,
Sue Foerster
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May 8, 2012
PLEASE RSVP. THANKS. NORMAN
We plan to conduct our Mini Reunion on Sat., June 9, at Carolyn and JDs beautiful home on the York River in Gloucester, Va. I have listed the directions to their home at the bottom of this email.
This will be a very informal event and run from 2 until. Our Alumni Committee will furnish the fried chicken and the soft drinks and some wine. Feel free to bring the drink of your choice if you want more than soft drinks. Please bring a side dish or a dessert and your folding chair.
This will be an excellent time to have some fellowship with your classmates and enjoy some music of the 50s and 60s and maybe even a game of croquet. Carolyn and JDs yard has a wonderful view of the river. If you have any questions email me or call 804-746-0331. Norman
Directions from Richmond and points West. I-64 East to Exit 220 (VA-33 toward West Point) Follow VA 33 approximately. 13 miles and turn R on VA -14 (Buena Vista Rd.) Follow approximately 6 miles and turn R on VA-17 South. Follow to Ark Rd. and make a R. Follow to Hickory Fork Rd. and make a L Follow to Clay Bank Rd. and make a R. Follow to Weaver La. and make a R. Cross Breeze is an unpaved lane that serves 3 homes. We are the middle house
From Norfolk and Williamsburg area: Travel VA-17 N. cross the Coleman Bridge. Follow VA-17 N. approximately 4 miles and make a L turn on Hickory Folk Rd. (WAWA'S) Follow Hickory Folk Rd. approximately 4 miles and turn L on Clay Bank Rd. Travel proxy 2.5 miles and turn R on Weaver Lane. Cross Breeze is an unpaved road on the left.
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February 13, 2012
Jaybees, Class of 1960,
A lot of folks at our class reunion in 2010 expressed an interest in having a mini class reunion during the summer of 2012. We have decided to hold this event on Sat. June 9 at Carolyn and JDs beautiful home on the York River in Gloucester,Va.
It will be very informal and run from 2 until. We plan to have a cook out so everyone can just bring a side dish or dessert along with a folding lawn chair. The Reunion Committee will proved the drinks and music.
We are trying to give as much advance notice as possible. Please put this date on your calendar - more details on how to get to Carolyn and JDs home later. If you have any questions email me back or call at 804-746-0331.
Norman
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January 26, 2011
In case you missed Norman's email here is a copy: January 26, 2011
Based on feedback we received at our class reunion this summer your reunion committee has made a decision to hold a James Blair High School Class of 1960 mini reunion in the summer of 2012. JD and Carolyn Stout have graciously agreed to host this event at their beautiful home and yard on the York River in Gloucester, Va
More details to follow as we get closer to the date. Norman
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July 20, 2010
If you're interested in another get to gather in a couple of years be sure to let Norman, Susan or one of the committee members know.
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July 19, 2010
Any information you can send for the website is appreciated. I would like to increase the entries on the Bio page. Any length, a paragraph, a page or whatever you think appropriate. Sometimes we worry about putting it out there for all to see, but that's the fun part of it.
You can make it a synopsis of many years or just send a paragraph about what you're doing now or what your interests are. What's not fun about that! Tell us something really weird that happened to you. Everyone enjoys a laugh and it's even better when the joke is on you.
If you're not comfortable writing it send me highlights and I'll edit and compose. Don't think about it, just do it. You'll feel better once its over.
Ray
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