Goodbye Ning

Well fellow Warriors, the WHS Ning site has run its course and it’s now time to say goodbye to it. Like so many of our relationships it High School, it was hot and heavy for a while but then we all moved on to other things. Today, most action on the Ning site is from spammers.

What’s next? Well, most of us have headed over to Facebook and keep in touch with each other directly there. There are several groups there such as https://www.facebook.com/WHSAlum & https://www.facebook.com/groups/21355600560/

I’ve created this Ning-like group here: http://whsalum.grou.ps/. I’m not sure it will get the action the Ning site got, but give it a look over the Thanksgiving weekend when you get the time. If anyone wants to admin the site, let me know. I don’t have the time I had to make it look all WHSy and it could use some of that.

There’s also the blog and twitter account  neither of which get much action unless there’s a reunion needing some publicity.

I’m also going to pull a list of all the email addresses from here so we have that as well.

If you have any questions, feel free to email me at me@ericpz.com.

Bill Pappert ’85

Sad news. Bill’s brother John posted this on Facebook Thursday:

Monday morning my brother, Bill Pappert, was involved in an incident that deprived his brain of oxygen for an unknown period of time. He’s been on life support since. Today he was officially confirmed as brain dead. The medical team is getting things done for his organs to be donated. Some time tomorrow support will be turned off. I will miss him more than I can describe. Be well, brother. I love you.

Arrangements have been made and Bill will be laid to rest on Monday. Again, from John’s Facebook account.

Here’s the details for Bill Pappert’s memorial for those interested:
Monday, July 11, 2011
Cappadona Funeral Home
1020 E. Fillmore Street
Viewing 4:30-5:30 P.M.
Memorial service 5:30-6:00 P.M.
Meal back at Rockrimmon Church, 4301 Forest Hill Rd., following the service

UPDATE: Bill’s Obituary in the Colorado Springs Gazette

Steve Schafer’s Funeral

A friend of mine in Ipswich who also knew Steve sent me this email after attending his funeral.  Thought the rest of you might enjoy reading what he had to say.

Just to let you know how things went today.

Its been a beautiful winters day in Ipswich today.  Snow is laying everywhere and we have blue skies with some cloud. 

The service for Steve took place in the Old Cemetery near Tuddenham Road.   Its quite a small chapel but it was packed and people were standing along the aisle out to the door. I managed to get 3 copies of the order of service so if you want a copy, let me know and I’ll be happy to forward them.

Steve’s 3 children all spoke, Tara was incredible. It can be hard enough speaking in front of so many people but she almost seemed calm.

After the service I took the wreath up to the Millenium Cemetery which is were Steve will be buried. I had a quick word with Steve’s wife but on these occasions I’m sure it will all be a blur.  I also spoke to another couple who lived a couple of doors away from Steve.  A few people who lived in his street were there so the family has some good people nearby.

As funerals go, Steve had a good send off.

Steve Schafer ’82

Steve passed away early Sunday morning.  The word we are getting is it was a Massive Brain Aneurysm.

Steve lived in the Ipswich area.

For those in Suffolk, the funeral will be December 20th at 2:30 PM at the Chapel at the Old Cemetery.

Burial will then take place at 3:00 at the Millennium Cemetery which will be followed by a wake at Rivers Social Club on Landseer Road.

Flowers can be sent to: The Co-operative Chapel of Repose, 54 Cauldwell Hall Road, Ipswich, Suffolk, IP4 4QE

Steve’s Obituary can be read here.

Ning Pricing

Ning’s new pricing structure was announced on Tuesday.  As we have just surpassed the 150 member mark (by about 1200) the minimum we’ll need to pay for Ning is $200/year.  I’m not sure how realistic that is long-term.

My thoughts on the Ning site and what we should do next

I’ve been meaning to get back to all the responses I received after my email last week. I apologize to everyone but things have been a busy in my world. So, for now, this will have to count as my reply.

The thing with Social Media is that it only works if everyone is in one place. If people are spread out, it won’t be as effective. In my opinion, the Ning site was the first time we were able to get a large number of WHS Alum involved in one location. I remember before I set up the Ning site, there were 2 or 3 groups on MySpace. Some people had found Classmates.com or Reunion.com or one of those other pay sites as well. However, none of them had the number of people the Ning site got on them.

The many comments and suggestions I received after my email last week were primarily to either set up a group on Facebook or take up a collection.. Both of these options have their pros and cons. Here’s my breakdown of what we could do to maintain the momentum.

1. Facebook is free and most of us are already on it. However, there are already 6 or 7 WHS Groups of one kind or another and I who’s to say which group is ‘the’ group? Additionally, there are a number of people who signed up on the Ning site who don’t seem at all interested in the bigger Facebook world. There are also several people I know (not just WHS Alum) who signed up for Facebook but then never logged in much after that.
2. We won’t know what the cost of the site will be until Tuesday so I’m not sure how much we can consider this option until we know what we are looking at. I can’t see it being much more than $100/year, but I could be wrong. It may, however, be a short-term solution. I’m assuming we’ll have a little time after the announcement on Tuesday to figure out which direction we go before shutting us out.
3. I’ve done some research and found a site similar to Ning which could be an option. I have played with it some and it appears that I can import everything (accounts, blogs, pictures etc.) from the Ning site to the new one–at least that’s what is being promised. I hope to find some time this weekend to look into it further.
4. A final option would be for us to build our own site using WordPress Multiple User or Drupal or something like that. This may take a little while if it’s just me putting it together but it would be a fun challenge. There would be some cost (though probably less than anything Ning would charge) to this but it would give us the most control and fewest outside problems though it would take the most work, from me. If anyone has worked with WPMU or Drupal or knows HTML/CSS and is in a position to help with this option, let me know.

Here’s the kicker, for any of this to work, we have to get as many people as possible to move in the same direction. If some decide to help cover the cost of the Ning site but most decide to set up their own groups on Facebook, we lose what was created. My personal preference would be to go with either option 3 or 4. However, I want to do what is best for the entire group. So, here’s your turn, what’s the best solution?

I created a discussion on the Ning site for everyone to share their thoughts with everyone. So, what does everyone think?

Changes to the NING site

Fellow Warriors,

On May 4th, Ning will announce their new pricing structure for their services. One they have announced is that there will no longer be any free services.

It would be a shame to lose this site after so many of us have reconnected with former classmates here. I have no idea at this time how much it will cost to keep the site here. I’m going to start researching a few other options while we wait to see what Ning will want to keep things here.

If you have any comments or suggestions, please contact me.

Earl Hicks

Posted by Sharon Seligman Lomayesva ’78

Mr. Earl Hicks, was one of few staff members that was at Woodbridge High School from its opening until it closed in 1995.  Mr Hicks, MSgt, USAF (ret.),75, passed away on October 13th in Ipswich, England.  He was an employee of Lakenheath Elementary School at the time.  In addition to being the supply clerk, Mr. Hicks was a mentor to students, assisted with the football team, went on field trips (including when WBHS students were at the fall of the Berlin Wall.) He felt close enough to WBHS students that he had a page on the this website (whsalum.ning) where several former students contacted him.  My father, Dr. Seligman, first WBHS principal, had high regard for Mr. Hicks and considered him to be an important role model to the students.

For those wishing to send cards to the Hicks family, the address is:

Mrs. Kathleen Hicks
Rose Cottage, 28 Lonsdale Close
Ipswich, Suffolk IP4 4HB

UPDATE: Earl Hicks Obituary

Homecoming 2010 – all schools reunion event

Many of you may have received this email but in case you haven’t…

Is anyone interested in taking the lead to create a mini-WHS reunion?

HOMECOMING 2010 – all schools reunion event

hosted by OVERSEAS BRATS

August 5-8, 2010

Hyatt Regency Reston, Reston, VA

9/23/09 Update

Hi Brat friend!

We are now off and running with the fifth all-schools reunion event hosted by OVERSEAS BRATS since 1999!

Even though this great occasion is still 11 months away, a LOT is going on with it!

****************

In this update:

1.  What schools/alumni/groups are planning some kind of reunion event at Homecoming 2010?

2.   How many people are registered and interested/planning on coming?

3.   Registration information and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

4.   Hotel reservations.

5.   Live music at Homecoming 2010!

6.   Help wanted NOW.

7.   What’s coming up?

*****************

Please note:  Email Joe at: joeosbpres@sbcglobal.net directly about any comments, questions, etc.  Do not respond to
the email address this update came from.

*****************

1.  What schools/alumni/groups are planning some kind of reunion event at Homecoming 2010?

At this time we have 11 individual reunions.

These include:  Ansbach, Baumholder, Chofu, Frankfurt, Kaiserslautern, Kubasaki, Lajes, Madrid (Class of ’65), Mannheim, Tehran,  and Verdun.

2.   How many people are registered and interested/planning on coming?

We have:

*5 registered;

*1,874 interested/planning on coming.

3.   Registration information and frequently asked questions (FAQ).

Go to: www.overseasbrats.com/Homecoming.asp .

Anyone need a printed flyer?    Just provide Joe with a name and mailing and address.

4.   Hotel reservations.

You now have two options for making hotel reservations with the Hyatt Regency Reston.

Go to:  https://resweb.passkey.com/go/2010homecoming -or-

Call:  1-888-421-1442.  Share you are attending OVERSEAS BRATS Homecoming 2010 at the Hyatt Regency
Reston (in Reston, VA) and share the dates, August 5-8, 2010.
5.   Live music at Homecoming 2010!

Thanks very much to Kubasaki Dragon, Emmerson Edwards we have some live music options!

*Wednesday night, August 4 = Acoustical session hosted by Emmerson.

*Friday (during the day), August 6 = Jam session hosted by Emmerson.  Any musician is welcomed to join in!

*Friday night (midnight) concert = Emmerson and his band will entertain!

We will also have a DJ party Thursday, August 5;

Karaoke/dance party Friday, August 6;

And Saturday night dance with DJ, August 7.
6.  Help wanted NOW.

We need your help NOW in promoting this event/your reunion on web sites and social networking sites.
Who else can you get interested and excited about it?
7.  What’s coming up?

The plan is to send you updates every 4-6 weeks.

Soon we will be working on tour options on the Friday and Saturday (August 6 & 7) of Homecoming 2010.

*******************

Make plans to join us for the PREIMER all-schools reunion event that happens only once every three
years!  Come to Homecoming 2010!

Have a terrific day!

Very Sincerely Yours,

Joe Condrill

www.overseasbrats.com

OVERSEAS BRATS:

Preserving your past.  Affirming your present.  Looking to your future.

Loss of a classmate

I received this from Beth Clerkin this morning and she wanted to share the news.

** It is with an extremely heavy heart and a profound sadness that I write to inform you of the passing of Debbie Paine Mariani Moffit. Class of ’81.

Debbie and I formed a friendship back in high school that became stronger and stronger over the years. We maintained and nourished that friendship all of this time and our close friendship has been one of THE most important relationships in my life.

I love her very much and will miss her terribly.

Please say a prayer for her, her husband Bryan, her son Dario, her Dad, her brother Christopher and the rest of her family and friends.

R.I.P. Deb……

Thanks.

Beth Clerkin Jackson