Wayne Schuricht

Greeting to All 63 classmates.  Well another mini reunion has come and gone and about 15 classmates shared a lot of memories and love.  Those in attendance included Fred Grau, Tom Orszulak, Harry Woloson, Jackie Anderson Donley, Jennifer Elmore Swierczewski, Yvonne Pelino, Patty Long Palmadei, George Rotter, Frank Pazul, John Sopko, Bob Domian, John Dudkowski, Alvin Zato, Gary Shank, and me!  We also had greetings and best wishes from about 20 other classmates who wanted to attend but couldn’t make it but who voiced hope that we will have another in 2 years for our 60th, good lord willin’.  Yvonne Pelino and I have kind of been a committee of 2, but planning for a more formal reunion in 2 years will take more commitment and planning and require more help.  So I am asking for your input.  Do “younz” want a 60th reunion, and are you willing to help plan it, commit to it , and obviously attend it.  If there is not enough interest, we will can the whole idea.  So let Yvonne or me know your thoughts.  Enough for now, take care and keep safe.  Wayne

Jackie Oliver (Cohen)

Hi Wayne, It is wonderful that you and Yvonne have taken on the task of getting classmates together! Thank you both! I would have loved to attend so many times but haven't seen anyone, except Gerry McGarrity Sheehan, since 1983. I would love to attend a 60-year reunion!  Jackie Oliver Cohen 

Betty Horvath (Byrne)

How nice for those who could make it.  I'm sure is was great to reconnect!  I would be excited to attend a 60th year reunion.  How could this be???  I can't figure out how the years can fly by so fast!  

My Grandson graduated from High-School yesterday :-)  I want to stop the clock!

Thank you Wayne, and Yvonne....and all those who help keep us connected.  It takes time and effort, for sure.  Being that I am still working full-time, I will not be volunteering, but would be delighted to attend.

Stay well classmates - Greetings from Boston!  Best, Betty

Jeffrey Stayer

Hello Wayne - sorry to have missed this event but we were visiting with our daughter who lives in northern Virginia near Washington, D.C. Let's hope we're all healthy enough to gather for a 60th. I will help you and Yvonne however I can, at least financially. In the meantime, stay well!

Jeff

Scott Hunter

Hey, I got a couple of birthday greetings from John Sopko and Robert Johnson. Thank you.  Life could not be any better on my 76th birthday. Kate and I are at a Trustees of the Resevation Inn at Field Farm in Williamstown. The bnb is a mid-century modern home with retro 50s furnitrue and great view of the Berkshire mountains. Dinner tonight a a very good restaurant. I'm still landscaping - getting paid for exercise outside. It's creative and keeping me in shape. Marketing And the Monkey Lets Go is a pain in the ass. I sell a few copies once in a while. I'm waiting for someone who knows marketing to realize it has potential. I'm writing posts on IG and FB under andthemonkeyletsgo three times a week. They began in September as meditation Monday, addiction and emotions Wednesday, and serendipity Friday. The posts are now a journal. It's exciting writing under a deadline. I've got a writing project in the works, but waiting for landscaping to slow down. I bought a condo in Northampton, 1 floor 1500 sq. ft., 2 bedroom, 2 baths, 9 ft. ceilings, evelator in the building. Perfect for a writing den now, no stairs when I'm in my 90s. I'm looking forward to the 60th reunion. Love Scott

Chris Dominik (Cross)

Hi Everyone - I recently finished reading our classmate Scott Hunter's book "And the Monkey Let's Go" and I highly recommend it. I read it in two days - couldn't put it down. (This is not a paid advertisement.😉😆)<>>

Wayne Schuricht

As Chris as stated, I too have read Scott’s book “And the monkey let’s go” and found it very entertaining.  I commented on this in this message forum some time ago.  I am sure you will enjoy it also!

Wayne Schuricht

Howdy 63er's.  I really don't want to get on a soap box, but will cause this is important.  As most people are aware the Covid virus is rearing its ugly head again.  The best safe guard are the vaccines.  I implore anyone who has not been vaccinated to really think this out as it is the best way to prevent a serious virus related illness, and please do yourself and your loved ones a favor and get "the shot"!!  I have just talked with my son, who is a physician, and the chief of the Neuroscience division at his hospital in Tyler, Texas.  The hospital is inundated with critically ill Covid patients, 96% of whom are unvaccinated.  Right - 96%!!!  There are lots of posts on the internet about Ivermectin and Hydrozychloroquin being prophylactic and therapeutic.  I have talked with many of my former colleagues (I am retired obviously), many who are in the front line actively treating these ill patients.  They emphatically say they do not work, and many of the sick patients are people who have been taking those drugs thinking that they do work, but have not worked, and now are critically ill.  And the next small, inexpensive, easy way to stem the spread is wearing a mask, especially indoors in a large group of people whose vaccination status you do not know.  There is no perfect way to quickly irradicate  this disease,  but if we all will  do our small part, we can stem the tide.  Yes, there may be complications and side effects from the vaccines, but they have been proven to save millions of lives already, and mitigate serious illness in people who unfortunately contract the virus even though they have been vaccinated.  Please be a part of the solution and not the problem.  Here's wishing good health to you and yours.  Wayne

'

Roger Loughran

As a Cardiologist told my wife last week, a virus cares less that you are healthy. Get the vaccine. Weather Covid, Shingles or Phenomia. Get it. 

James R. Antoniono

AMEN!!!  Thanks Wayne and Roger.  I could not agree more.  Never look forward to getting a shot before, could not wait to get this one.  Looking forward to getting the booster.  

Frances Massi (Haradzin)

Hi Wayne,

It is always good to hear from you!  Thank you for all of the information on "Covid" and the vaccine.  Your explanation is frightening.  Ron and I have received (2) Moderna vaccines and plan to go for the booster when it becomes available.  I am so sorry for how badly things are going in Texas in reference to the virus.  You, your family, all of the people of Texas, and the whole whole world are close to my heart and in my fervent prayers.  Would you please stay in touch and let me know how you are doing?

Peace, love, and many blessings from Fran...

Jackie Oliver (Cohen)

Hello Wayne, I am so very glad you have posted this critical message to our class. I am hopeful that your experience as a physician will push some of those who are on the fence to get themselves to a vaccine center. Vaccination is free to all. You might have side effects but don't let that deter you. I was in bed for 32 hours with fever, chills, and massive headache after my second dose but that hasn't deterred me from signing up for a booster; I already have an appointment for next week. I not only want to protect myself but also those around me, especially my grandchildren who are too young to be vaccinated. Thank you again, Wayne, for taking a stand! Much respect, Jackie Oliver Cohen 

Barbara Vestrand (Shema)

Hi Wayne...Thank you for your post. This information is so important to pass along. Would your son be able to give an estimate of the percentage of people 30-50 at his hospital who are seriously ill and hospitalized from covid?  Many thanks and be well, Barbara

Wayne Schuricht

Thanks for all your comments.  In answer to you, Barb, I have queried my son and he will try to get that info.

Carol Matviko (Laflin)

Hey Wayne,

Thanks for the 'gentle' reminder!  We also are awaiting the booster.  

It is so unfair to all the health care workers to have to treat those who are unwilling to protect themselves and their loved ones.

Blessings,

Carol

Barbara Vestrand (Shema)

Thanks, Wayne, and please thank your son. 

From what I've been reading, the 30-50 age group has been making up a high percentage of hospitalized, and I want to pass along some specific info to a couple of "hestant" 48-50 year olds I know, and hope it makes a difference.

My husband and I are planning to get our flu shot in September and Pfizer booster in October at the 8 month point. But the guidelines keep moving around about timing

Wayne Schuricht

It has been almost 2 months since I last posted about this Covid pandemic.  I hope some/many of you have seriously thought it through if you have been hesitant about getting the "shot/shots".  It is without doubt in my mind life saving.  Today Colin Powell died from complications of Covid.  Lastweek a OB/GYN colleague of mine had a 26 year old unvaccinated pregnant patient die along with her unborn child.  Obviously the vaccine/s are not a guarantee that you will not contract the virus, but they are your best chance to survive it if you do. So please consider your safety and that of those you love in your decision.  All the best, Wayne

Darlene Farkas (Sprowls)

Vaccines AND masks work to keep the virus 1.  Less virulent to you and 2. Contain the spread-especially to our young children.  So, even if you don't want to get the vaccine for yourself, PLEASE  consider getting ( and encouraging) it for those younger adults who think they are invincible.  My granddaughter was one of the unfortunate ones to get Covid one week after school started.  She attends Eastside Elementary in Atlanta.  They made national news because parents protested violently against masks.  Stella said that she wore a mask in the beginning, but stopped wearing it in the classroom because her teacher said that it was all right!!!  After 8 days, the school board quarantined the entire 5th grade of over 200 students plus teachers because the covid spread was so severe.  She was fortunate.  Her case only lasted for 11 days.  Her parents are vaccinated and they did not get it.  I've got my booster scheduled.

Sharon Heister (Presken)

Thanks Wayne for encouraging vaccines!  Thanks to everyone else who agreed! I just saw that Jackie sent out an email with news on Diane Laskey. I am writing the story and asking for a lot of prayers! Diane 's oldest sister, Patty, passed away 9/14 from cancer. Diane spent the last 5 weeks of Patty's life with her in Florida. The funeral was 9/18 and Diane drove home 9/19. On the 20th, she wrote me and said she had a UTI and wasn't feeling well. Four doses of antibiotic and she was no better so they changed her antibiotic. She wrote me that she was so weak that she couldn't get up off the sofa. That was 9/24. I think she went in the hospital about 9/26. She was placed on the critical list and had oxygen and the Drs. confrmed she had Covid. Bonnie Krupa, Anita Stillson and I were FB messaging her almost every day. We'd write her brief messages and she'd give us a thumbs up or heart back. Anita was the last of us to hear from her and Diane wrote ( in the middle of the night), It's not looking good. That was 10/13 and when they put her on a full ventilater. She's not doing good but we're hoping that prayers might help....and they sure won't hurt! Her daughter, Deb, lives near her, and I asked if I could write this and ask for prayers and she said yes. I wanted to add that Diane WAS NOT VACCINATED! She believed in natural immunity and her daughter is totally against vaccines and face masks and no matter how I tried, Diane would not get vaccines or wear a mask. Please people take this to heart and get your vaccines and please, please pray for Diane!  Thank you!     Sharon

Jackie Anderson (Donley)

Sharon thank you so much for posting this info on Diane. I'm glad to hear that you stayed in touch with her throughout this ordeal. I didn't know her sister passed away, they were so close.

What a shame that she chose not to receive the vaccines. I just don't understand when people make that choice for ridiculous reasons. 

Wayne Schuricht

Thanks for the update Sharon and WOW what a shocker and heartbreaker.  I am not an expert, just an old, retired ER doc who has seen my share of death during my 32 years in the pit.  But I do keep in touch with many colleagues who are still working and they are unequivocally astounded at the foolishness of those who chose not to get the "shots".  One of my former partners told me yesterday, he has intubated and started central IV lines on more patients in the last 2 years, than in his total prior 30 plus years in the ER.  Another colleague and my classmate from medical school who runs the intensive care unit at are large hospital here in Tyler, TX. Told me that the great majority of critical patients on life support were not vaccinated, many of whom were taking Ivermectin thinking it would protect them.  My wife and I got our booster shots last week - Moderna.  There are no guarantees that you won't get Covid and that you won't die from it ( witness Collin Powell, who also had significant other medical problems) and needless to say most of us at our age will have some other medical issues like diabetes and high blood pressure etc.  This is not a POLITICAL issue, it is a medical one.  Please do not think you are infallible, do all that you can to protect yourself and those you love.  I am probably still alive thanks to the wonders of modern medical science (cardiac bypass surgery) and hope to stay that way for a weeeeeeee bit longer.  So please seriously consider your decisions!

Sharon Heister (Presken)

Diane had no past medical problems. She walked 4,5,6, miles every morning on the beach. One strong lady!!!! She firmly believed in natural immunity plus her daughter was putting so much pressure on everyone to not get vaccines and she ridiculed people for wearing masks. I'm sure that all had something to do with it. The doctors don't have much hope and it's such a shame because this could have been avoided and she could be healthy and happy! I can't get my mind off it. She's suffering so and she's doing it alone!

Ed and I got our vaccines in Jan. and Feb. We got our flu shots  2 weeks ago and are getting the Covid boosters next week. Everyone in the family has had their shots and Christy's in-laws also. We all wear masks when we're out and about. We're trying to be responsible to our own family and to others! Hope everyone has done the same! Stay healthy and please pray for Diane!

Barbara Vestrand (Shema)

Sharon, thank you for the update on Diane. She was a good friend with whom I've been out of contact since she  moved away. It is so very sad and disturbing that she was not vaccinated, and had been in such good health. 

My husband and I got our initial Pfizer shots in February and March, and just got our Pfizer booster this week on Wednesday. We wear masks and are remaining cautious in our activities.

Everyone...please, please, please get vaccinated if you are not already. Please read what Wayne has to say from his experience as a doctor and his colleague's current experience with the pandemic. 

Be well, stay safe...get vaccinated.

Barbara

Scott Hunter

Classmates, it's horrible what Diane is going through. My heart aches for her. The insanity is that it didn't have to happen. I remember in grade school how frightened I was to get polio. Then everyone got the Salk vaccine. Polio went away. I live in Franklin County, Massachusetts. A friend who is a nurse told me that Franklin County is 90% vaccinated. From May through the first two weeks in September there were no COVID cases in Franklin Medical Center. Since mid-September through October they have had 2 cases of the COVID Delta variant. Everyone wears masks in indoor public places. No one in Franklin County wants to die. No one wants to kill their neighbors. I do not understand people who don't get this. They must be curled,up on a ball with imaginary anger, fear, and anxiety. How can they not see that the trolls on social media are spreading lies? For me COVID today is polio in the 50s. You take the vaccine.  Why people do things that are against their interests is beyond me. 

Betty Horvath (Byrne)

I am so saddened to hear of the battle Diane is going thru with COVID!  She was so healthy and vibraint always posting nature pictures of beautiful Tybee Island, or food she prepared.  I have recently missed seeing her posts, and wondered why she stopped.  Now I know.  Thank you Sharon for the update and Jackie for letting us know so that we can send angels to protect her and pray for her, and her medical team to help her fight this battle.  I have seen this virus first hand thru a forever friend, and a distant that I lost, and what it can do to someone healthy.  It is quite frightening and awakening! I exchanged alot of Facebook comments with Diane, but don't have her cell to text.  Hopefully her family is around and supporting her and her husband.  The really trajic part is no-one can be with her to hold her hand - and/or, pray with her.  Keeping the faith!  Stay safe and well!  Keep us updated, please!  --Betty