Marilyn Ford (Evans)

Hello Class,

As always I enjoy reading what all you have to say.

Today I am with Nancy and would like to know if Tom

is working on our 55 reunion? Also I have not read about

any mini in Philly. I am coming in the mid Sept. just checking.

Marilyn Ford (Evans)

Hi Susan I have been blessed to have good bone scans, although I do

have Arthritis in my lower back. For over a year I have made a protien shake

for breakfast  every day and go to the gym twice a week to exercise.  I stay

away from Pork and Beef and eat Chichen, Fish, Fresh Veg. and Salads. It

does work. I was 99lbs all my life and when I got in my 60 I picked up 50lb.

and would have picked up more if I did not do something. I am on my way

to lose some of it  . Best of luck to all to stay Healthy

Marilyn

Susan Fishman (Orlins)

This is great to know Harriet. What impressive results. I also take (limited )calcium supplements and magnesium as well as vitamins D3 and K2. I had my scan today and seems I'll get results next week. 

Marilyn, that is fantastic. Diet and exercise can help so much for whatever ails you. 

Carolyn Ford (Swain)

HELLO EVERYONE,

I KEEP TELLING  MYSELF STAY CONNECTED  WITH EVERYONE BUT WITH WORK AND TRAVEL THIS YEAR I KEPT PUTTING IT OFF. TONIGHT IS MY TIME. HELLO TO EVERYONE I THINK OF YOU OFTEN. I AM HAPPY THAT WE ARE ALL LOOKING SO GOOD FOR OUR AGE. LIKE MY SISTER I"M WORKING ON MY WEIGHT. MY DOCTOR TOLD ME TWO WEEKS AGO THAT I MUST EAT 3 BALANCED MEALS AND TWO SNACKS EVERY DAY AND PLENTY OF WATER OR I WAS WASTING MY TIME AT 24 HOUR BECAUSE I WAS NOT PUTING ENOUGH IN TO BURN OFF. MADE SOME NEW CHANGES TO MY EATING THAT SAME DAY. I HAVE BEEN BUSY THIS SUMMER.. IN  MAY I TOOK A SIX DAY VACATION TO THE DOMINICAN REPUBLIC AND IN JUNE MY DAUGHTER AND I FLEW TO LA AND MY GRANDDAUGHTER FLEW IN FROM VIRGINA SO WE COULD SPEND A FEW DAYS TOGETHER BEFORE MY GRANDDAUGHTER LEFT FOR SOUTH KOREA. WAVERLY IS PART OF THE INTERNATIONAL EXCHANGE PROGRAM FROM HERE UNIVERSITY AND WAS THERE FOR 7 WEEKS AT HERE SISTER SCHOOL. SHE IS NOW BACK HOME . I WILL BE COMING HOME IN OCTOBER SO I HOPE I WILL GET A CHANCE TO SEE SOME OF YOU. 

Nathan Sklar

I was very sorry to hear of Steve Cohen's recent passing.  Since I hadn't seen Steve since graduation, my recollection of him was as a young man!  Unfortunately the list of our deceased classmates is quite large at this time.  Let us all enjoy each day we are given. 

Susan Pomerantz

Beware of where you buy your Vitamin D. I bought a bottle and later discovered my dog had consumed the bottle. It is posionous to dogs. However he did not get sick and I realized  that there was very little if any D in the tablets. This was from the supermarket..so only buy from a legitimate supplement store.  My dog's appetite is another story.

Susan Fishman (Orlins)

Thanks . Susie, I'm going to throw out the Vitamin D I bought from CVS. By the way, a year after my healthy high calcium diet started and walking with a weighted backpack, my bone scan showed no improvement, but also no further deterioration. I with someone would come up with a safe treatment. Nikki I'm inspired that you have had success and I'm bumping up my calcium.

I'm so said to hear that Steve Cohen died. He lived a couple of blocks from me and I knew he was quite ill. He was greatly admired.

Joan Bradburd

I was also sorry to hear that Steve Cohen died,  we worked hard together on the Cheltoniian.  He was very serious.  I understand he was a renound law professor at Georgetown Law School in D,C.  My regards to everyone.  Joan Murphy

Susan Pomerantz

I used to get some sort of shot that really helped me...cannot remember what it was but I can try and find out if anyone is interested.

Susan Fishman (Orlins)

Thanks Susie. I've been trying to avoid medication due to the risk of significant side effects, but of course I am also risking fractures.

George Trapp

Don't sleep for crap anymore. Usually out of bed between 4:30 - 6 AM. This AM around 6 looked in the mirror and thought who is this poor homeless guy who just crawled out from under a bridge. So why post this ? Upon checking my email was an invitation to visit another website to view pics of some '63 classmates. Among those were Roy Hoffman, Doris Reitinger, Frank Reipen and Dorothy Richter. Was friendly with each, but not really close. On the off chance any of them will read this, or that one of you will call it to their attention, I just wanted to say hi to each of them and ask what might be the secret of looking so good as we all approach mid seventies ? 

The good news is that despite many joint problems, surgeries, heart disease, and other assorted lesser temporary health issues, I can be found on the tennis court 3-6 days depending on the week, on occasion twice in that day, doubles only. Last year I played competitively with my wife in mixed, with our oldest daughter again in mixed, and recently with a 48 year old man who I first met when he was a 13 year old in one of the classes I taught. In almost every instance I'm giving up from 10 to as many as 45 years to each opponent. Just being competitive is a huge boost, while the occasional win is pretty special. I am hugely blessed by the Lord I serve and am saddenned each time I review the IN MEMORY section of our website. Further blessing is sharing this life with my honey that I got together with 52 years ago come January. Wish that was true for all of you. Sadly that is not the case for some.

Almost everyone experiences what I refer to as BLACK HOLES in their lives. Usually they're related to relationships and health of self, significant others, children and close friends. But if you are reading this you are blessed to be a survivor, and were able to move ahead with your life. WISHING YOU ALL WELL !!!!!

Carol Kutner (Winig)

George what a pleasant message. In todays world with all about ME and Anger and disrespect. it is nice to hear someone speak about what life is all about.

Ups, downs and inbetweens, but I always say. take a minute to enjoy as there is always someone who has it worse.

Yes your pain is your pain and when it is happening to you it is real, but try to deal with as best you can, reaching out for help, looking at the other side of the issue and remember to take one day at a time.

Sunny Ingber (Drohan)

Hi George and Carol K,

I believe both of you stated your sentiments perfectly. 

As we go through this life, we find ourselves at this time, although I don't like thinking about it, on the other side. Closer to the universe. I think if we can keep our health in check, as best we can, the rest hopefully falls into place.

George, I like that you are playing tennis as often as you do. My husband John  and I play alot as well. During the summer it was 5x's a week. It sure felt good to be able to play competively, win or lose, even though summer is just fun tennis.  I am just really grateful I am able to do this. My husband is as well. He's had 2 hip replacements and plays just as well as ever before.

I am grateful to God for granting me this life and so thankful for each day. I have friends who have lost their spouses or attending to them in their illnesses. We don't know what each day brings. We get up, see the sun and are ready to give it our all.

I hope all of you from the class of 63 will continue with your posts. It keeps us almost back to to HS. Eyes up and forward though.

Stay well.

Sunny Ingber Drohan

Janet Hoffman

Forgive me but I have to laugh at all this, not because I am making fun of it but because it sounds so familiar!   As I think back on my junior high school days, I bow down to the altar of  Miss Brogden,  who I feel is responsible for my ability to get through this period in my life reasonably OK.   The women out there who went to Elkins Park junior high school may remember her as the drill sergeant of gym.   We ran, did calisthenics,  climbed ropes, jumped over horses and  swung on rings.   I doubt they do any of that anymore in schools which is kind of a shame.   In any event I consider her responsible for my being able to do my daily (albeit measly) 20 minutes on an exercise bike plus some floor exercises which are mainly for strengthening and  stretching my aging bones and muscles.   So far I have managed to avoid the knife,  but I now have a hip joint surgeon and a shoulder joint surgeon poised to make me bionic in the foreseeable future ...  to say nothing of my back !   In any event it sounds as if we are all holding it together somehow and sharing all this helps!   I don’t know about any of you but having a dog helps me a lot as well because it forces me to get out and walk early in the morning and after dinner.   And he’s a fun cute little guy so I am glad I adopted him some seven years ago.   I recently had lunch in Philadelphia with a small group of women from our class.   Makes me wonder whether I should move back to Philly .....   you never know!   For now I am enjoying my reduced work schedule as well as the opportunity to make some progress in the art world with my late husband‘s estate.   Great hearing about all of you.  Keep the faith,  no matter what that might be.  J  PS  my website photo is about  five years old and I will try to figure out how to change it ....

George Trapp

It's great hearing from you three and there is so much truth in your thoughts which I recognize from experience. It is also now so easy to talk with you (via this site ) whereas in HS I was so painfully shy when it came to talking to girls if it did not directly relate to schoolwork. So I didn't talk too much because I was not much into the books until I got to college. The shyness didn't preclude having a couple of girlfriends during HS and it certainly didn't preclude studying a whole bunch of  the great looking young women who were at CHS from afar.       This shyness carried over into college. It makes Jan , my wife, and I laugh to recall that for 3 1/2 years the most I ever mumbled to her was hi when I walked past her, eyes on my shoes.        I always credit the Lord first for the medical miracles of the past 20 years which have enabled me to continue to actively enjoy the things I had grown to love doing. At the same time I 

thank HIM for having the absolutely right medical personnel available to me when the needs arose. That has continued thru the present time for which I am very thankful.   For 20 years , since a severely broken and dislocated neck, every day has been  a "bonus" day.    I have learned to try to treat every person  as a  valuable individual. Doesn't matter if it's cashier at the grocery, the mechanic servicing my truck or someone I meet playing tennis,etc. Whenever possible I find out and use their name, try to find out a little about them and what's going on in their life. So for 20 years every day has been a gift and I try to share that gift with those whose pathway intersects my own. Regrettably , I sometimes fail for any number of reasons.              Thank you for sharing your thoughts with me in response to my own and I certainly hope that the AWESOME GOD has many great days ahead for each of you !!!

Marilyn Ford (Evans)

Hello Class,

It is always so good to read about so many of you and how you are doing. It is clear that many of you are making the effort to stay healthy

and exercise. Living in Texas we have good weather 9 months a year.

My Y has an outdoor pool and I for one take water aerobics  2-3

times a week and love it. I am blessed to have good geans, have always taken  that extra step to stay healthy. Adopting my daughter at age 50

definitely kept me moving. It is not what we do it is that we are doing. So whatever all of you are doing keep up the good work and have as many of your friend as possible to join you. Spread the word as you show  them what it has done for you.

Hope To See  All Of You At The Next Reunion

Deborah Merrick (Wilson)

Marilyn,

I THINK about exerciing 2-3 times a week.  You put many of us to shame and it shows.  Your daughter is beautiful!  Definite model material.  As a first time grandmother at 70 I can attest to the fact that an adoption at 50 makes you one of our bravest classmates.  Best regards

Amy Shelanski

Hi to all. Sounds like many of us are bionic these days. Tennis was my game, but a 95 lb dog lunging after squirrels has done in a shoulder. It's been repaired and could swing a racquet, but now I need a new kneecap (not whole knee). I keep going with strength training twice a week. It's an awesome routine and I recommend it highly. The 95 lb dog is now 11 and has slowed down a lot, but I have to be on my guard because the squirrels are still very tempting. Glad people are well and active.

Susan Fishman (Orlins)

I enjoy everyone's comments and as is common at our age, conversation turns to health. Some months ago I mentioned that I was spending a year of exercise and dietary calcium along with some supplements in the hope of reversing--or halting--the progression of osteoporosis. I want to avoid taking medication.

My bone scan showed that the year paid off in that the osteoporosis did not get worse. But it didn't get better either. So I'm continuing this way, which includes Tai Chi to improve balance and thus make falls less likely.

I wish all of you good health and fulfillment and again, I enjoy learning what others are doing to that end!

Susan Pomerantz

Moby (85 lbs) is still trying to take charge of things, At 8 I keep hoping he will slow down so my back can recover.

Harriet (Nikki) Lang

Hey Susan (Orlins) just read about a calcium supplement called AlgaCal recommended to be taken with Strontium boost. Reviews seem pretty impressive. Check it out....Good news on your bone scan, but I think you can do better...still highly recommending Pilates also good for balance issues.

George Trapp

Interesting how active so many have stayed. Am reminded of the famous Satchel Paige quote " Don't look back, something might be gaining on you."   Hope you all look forward to each new day as I normally do. Remembering is good but creating new memories is even better.      To Amy ... My shoulder orthopedist said he could put in a new one but that it could never be as good as the one God gave me, and that I'd tear it apart given my activity level. Instead he approved a pain management regimen that involves targeted injections every 3 months, otc pain meds and something stronger preceding tennis. This keeps the pain manageable on court and I NEVER use the stronger med except before tennis.         Isn't it interesting how little thought we all gave to health 55 years ago . There was an occasional glitch like the deaths of Karl Hasselbacher in elementary school and Ray Salem in jhs, but in the main we thought of ourselves as indestructible and gave virtually no thought to our mortality. Now it has become clear that every day is a gift, a treasure !

Susan Pomerantz

George....the Satchel quote is my favorite

Sunny Ingber (Drohan)

NIKKI, I thought I had posted that AlgaeCal too. Guess I didn't. But it is very expensive. I could use it myself as I don't want to take calcium pills. Did you as well see it on FB?

Amy Shelanski

Hi Everyone,

Here I am still living in Philadelphia and working in real estate. If any of you are thinking of moving back, downsizing, moving into the city from the 'burbs I'd love to help you. I've been in the center city area for over 40 years and know pretty much everything there is to know. Would love to hear from you! ---Amy