andy maples,Class of 1973, <maples@newlifebiblecamp.com> or <papabearmaples@gmail.com >
Buffalo Mills, PA , USA

Hey Becky, guess it is time I updated my info. I just saw the page for Bruce Short. He was my roommate my senior year and I don't mind telling you that I miss him.

I am still serving in Christian Camping at New Life Bible Camp. On April 23rd, I will start my 20th year, which ain't too bad considering I was originally invited to help out at the camp for a couple weeks on a few construction projects. I still play guitar and write songs. I have a CD that is out entitled, "The Long Journey Home." It is only available through the camp. I have been working on a new project that I am calling "Life After Lodebar." It will be about a year before I will be done with it. Music info can be found at www.andersonmaples.com.

It took me over 30 years, but I can finally say that I am a college graduate. I received a Bachelors in Theology from Trinity College and Seminary in 2003 and I am currently working on a Masters online.

I was eating lunch last week at a camp down the road from where I live. I heard someone mention Ben Lippen at another table, and there sat David Spode's younger sister Paula. Small world. Hope all is going well with you.

God bless,
Andy Maples
BLS Class of 73

-- Previous Entry --

Thanks for this page, Becky, it is nice to feel connected again. After Ben Lippen, I worked in warehousing, lived as a house parent at two group homes for emotionally disturbed children, toured the country for two years with a country band playing guitar, was supervisor of safety for a large courier firm in Atlanta, and now I am a full time missionary at New Life Bible Camp in PA, assisting another BL grad, Craig Sutherland. The thread that has run through my life has been song writing. I write a lot of the songs we do at camp and from time to time, teach seminars on writing songs for worship. I have recorded 2 albums in the past 4 years and have material for another when the time is right and I can get away to the studio in Charlotte, NC. I did not care much for education after BL, went to University of Tennessee for a bit but never graduated. But after coming to the camp, I enrolled in Moody Bible for courses by mail. after completing their course, I enrolled into Cornerstone Bible Institute in Cumberland, MD, graduating in 95. I plan to continue studying the Bible, taking some more upper level courses from Moody. About the camp, I am the assistant director, running retreats every weekend, speaking occasionally, usually leading worship, generally, taking care of whatever the group needs. I try to help out local youth groups whenever I have the opportunity. At one time last year, I was helping 4 groups, which turned out to be to much. Now I am working only with one group full time and help the others when I can. Well, that's enough of this. sure would love to hear from some of you. Anybody know anything about Brent Craft? If so, let me know, thanks.

– Signed on Sunday, December 28, 1997 at 16:39:18 (EST)
– Updated on Saturday, April 11, 2009 at 21:17:30 (CDT)

Hello BLS Alumni and especially Class of '78,
I stumbled upon this page doing a Google search on BLS so thought I would post something.
I don't believe it has been almost 30 years since graduating from Ben Lippen. I have been in Nashville, TN area for 20 years now.
After graduating from BLS, I went to Columbia Bible College for one year and then transferred to the University of South Carolina. After dropping out and working full-time as photographer and marketing assistant and then going into the Army for two years, I finally graduated from USC in 1987 with bachelor's degree in Media Arts and Communication also receiving an Army Reserve commission.
I've been with the Army as a civilian for the last 20 years working in Public Affairs. For the last three years I have been the Chief of Public Affairs for the Nashville District, US Army Corps of Engineers (USACE). I recently took a two-year temporary assignment to lead a USACE-wide team on Risk Communication and Public Involvement.
In 2003, I retired from the US Army Reserve after 22 years mostly serving in public affairs billets. My last major assignment was serving an eight-month combat tour in Afghanistan in 2001-2002.
I have been married to my wife, Loretta, for 11 years and have a step-daughter and a step-son and four grandchildren. They keep us busy.
I am sad to report that my twin brother, Phil, also Class of '78, passed away in June 1998 after a short illness. He was a hospital administrator at Jackson Memorial Hospital in Miami, FL, where he had worked since 1985. He had an AA in Nursing from Belmont University, a BSN from New York State University, an MSN in Clinical Nursing from University of Miami, a Post-Masters degree in Nursing from Florida International University and was pursuing a PhD in Hospital Administration. He was a Registered Nurse, Certified Critical Care Registered Nurse, and a Nurse Practitioner. He was active in his church and several community organizations.
As the BLS Class of '78 approaches our 30th Anniversary and Reunion, I hope hear from some of my classmates. I used a quote in the '78 yearbook. "The will of God will never lead you where the grace of God cannot keep you." I am but a sinner saved by grace, and I am still thankful for God's amazing grace.
Regards,
Bill


– Signed on Saturday, April 19, 2008 at 23:49:07 (CDT)

I have 5 children ages 6 to 18. We still live in a remote area of Alaska. I am now a freelance pilot, aircraft mechanic and invest in aviation related projects

-- Former Entry --

Joel & Lisa Natwick
#1 Paradise Pass
Port Alsworth, AK 99653
907.781.2239
We have four children: Courtney, Hannah, Levi, Dana
I am a pilot for Samaritans Purse.

– Signed on Friday, July 28, 2000 at 02:45:26 (EDT)
– Updated on Thursday, November 29, 2007 at 12:35:32 (CST)

Dear Becky,

I remember you as Margaret's younger sister. I finished BL in 1972, graduated from Columbia College with a degree in Education and am teaching a reading program for first graders in Lexington School District Two in West Columbia. I married Roy Aull in 1980 and have 3 children. Sally Katherine is 23 years old. She is a Clemson graduate and is teaching in an International School in Central Asia. I was privileged to stay with her this summer in her country and visit for a month. Jamie is 18 years old. He is a recent graduate of Lexington High School and will be attending USC in January. Jonathan is 14 years old and is a 9th grader at Lexington. He also plays JV baseball. We attend and are active at Lexington Baptist Church. I talked with Miss McCloy last year as she was passing through Lexington visiting her brother, who is in my Sunday School Class. She is married and lives in Florida. She is a school counselor, and her husband is a Presbyterian minister. I had dinner with Dr. Layman about 1-1/2 years ago. Sally Katherine and I talked with him before she left for Central Asia. He was getting ready to have hip surgery. My sister, Libby saw him today at the Physical Therapist's. He is doing well. Tom Brower, Iris Holmes, John Simmons, John Weeber, and I got together last Sunday for lunch. It was great fun revisiting the Ben Lippen days of old. We laughed and laughed. Thank you for having this web site.


Kathy Weeks Aull - '72

– Signed on Tuesday, October 09, 2007 at 15:58:57 (CDT)

Becky,

I received a card yesterday from Betty Basting’s nephew yesterday. Betty went home to be with the Lord in the early morning of Wednesday, September 19.

BL Alumni from our era will remember Betty as the “boys’ nurse” on staff at Ben Lippen. Don’t know exactly the footprint of her time on BL staff, but I know that she was there from 1973-1975 when Karen and I were in school.

While I’m writing, let me give a brief update on our family. I continue in the position of Director of Internet Ministries here at Gospel Communications in Muskegon, MI. Karen is very involved with a local Christian camp as an instructor and facilitator for the high ropes course, rock climbing wall, etc. We are “officially” empty-nesters now … our son Eric and his wife, Kathy, live and work in downtown Los Angeles and our twin daughters, Jenny and Amy, are both first year teachers in the Boston area.

We’ve got a “Midwest reunion” of some of the members of the class of 1975 coming up in November. Looks like about 8 or 9 of us, and our families, will be able to get together. Should be a lot of fun.

Thanks, Becky, for the service you provide with this site.

In His service,

Robby
Director of Internet Ministries
Gospel Communications International


– Signed on Thursday, September 27, 2007 at 8:44 AM

-- Previous Entry --

After BL I attended the University of South Carolina for one semester, then graduated from Taylor University with a degree in Biology/Pre-Med. I went from there to Columbia Graduate School of Bible and Missions (the grad school at Columbia Bible College).

In 1980, I married Karen Raws (also from the class of 1975). Since then I've been a youth director (80-84), interim pastor (85-86), conference center director (87-89), and pastor (90-95). Since the fall of '95 I have been here at Gospel Films, working primarily with our Internet ministry, the Gospel Communications Network (www.gospelcom.net).

We have a 14 year old son, Eric, who made his own home page. We also have twin 11 year old girls (Jenny and Amy).

While in South Carolina, I was privileged to serve on the Alumni Council and on the Board of Managers at Ben Lippen. We would love to hear from any other BL alumni. (Thanks, Becky, for setting this up)

– Signed on Monday, January 20, 1997 at 10:47:47 (EST)

This is Beverly Short, Bruce's wife. The message that was sent to Andy [Maples] was that Bruce died on September 6th, and that they think it had something to do with his heart. We are waiting on an autopsy report. He was napping like he would often do because he learned to nap at Ben Lippen, and when I went in to talk to him, he would not wake up.

Our twin sons have just started college, and he was so happy for them.

Bruce and I had fond memories of the 30 year reunion, and he often talked about how I seemed to fit in with everyone, and you would have thought that it was my class reunion.

My sister was wondering if he was the first in the class to die. I do not remember at the reunion having a memorial for the classmates that were no longer living.

Beverly Short,
Brad and Michael
Lookout Mountain, GA

– Signed on Wednesday, September 29, 2007

Hello all,
We were vacationing in Asheville, and I was interested in finding the old campus (I never did find it.). In the process of looking for it, I ran across this site. I would have gratuated in 1972, but only went there one year. I do have fond memories: Soccer, Mr. Elniff, Mr. Weeber, running off detention (it only took once, I think), Steve Walker, Greer, the sunrise (haven't seen that for a while) English class (boy, that was hard), the Brazilian flag, haircuts, choir, hitchiking to K-mart, sliding rock, to name a few.

When I left BL, I went to Dayton Christian school where I did graduate. I went a year to Grace College, then decided I didn't know if I wanted to be a teacher or not, so sat out. I got into a community college and graduated in 1977 with an AD in nursing. I worked as a nurse since then, going back to Wright State University and getting my BSN finally, in 2003. I was married in 1976 and have two sons who are now married, too. My oldest has two sons, making me a grandpa (they call me Poppie). I've been working at the VAMC in Dayton for about 25 years. Yesterday, I went to the Biltmore for the first time. Thanks for creating this contact site.

Phil

– Signed on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 21:55:18 (CDT)

Hello Becky,

I have not had the opportunity to meet you yet but I was very impressed by the website you have put together on the early Ben Lippen High School people. I attended there from 1966 through 1970 and found it to be on the whole a profitable experience. Today is my 20000 day of life and so I am taking stock and pondering the autumnal part of life.

I work for the Paiute Economic Commission in research and development for a saddle tree company and also as a cnc technician. I live in the eastern side of California in a land of high desert and alpine meadows with a tomcat named Buster. I majored in Psychology and Fine Arts and did a little graduate work in architectural design. My interests have always been in design, natural and manmade, singing oratorios and motets, and understanding how to relate to God and his intentions for the earth. I have spent a lot of time in my adult life working in various materials science venues and remember fondly the wonderful presentations that Mr. Hathaway made in Geometry and Mathematics which I use all the time in three dimensional cartoons of saddle trees which I can generate toolpaths for to explain to the machines how to cut them.

Occasionally I get on a landscape painting jag or paint portraits of the people around me. My last great love died in the spring but I will hope to see her again by and by and so I will grieve, but it seems to be one of the preoccupations of adult living.

Ben Lippen was sort of a mixed bag for me because of my religious tradition and some of my lack of aptitudes. It was much later in adult life, when i was in graduate school that i learned how much my dyslexia (lack of a phoneme translator in the brain) was keeping me from reading speed and advancing in a pre computer paperwork society.

In those days, schools just thought you were lazy when you were actually putting out a lot more effort than the ordinary joe just to keep up with the class. But at Ben Lippen, the individual attention of Mr. Elniff and Mr. Bowes and Mr. Capp allowed me to excel in English comp, Mr. Weeber gave me the gift of Bible verse drills which I would never have gotten any other place. I remember one day saying a verse in Indonesian that we had had on our dining room wall to him and he figured it out from my inflections. I remember attempting to learn the assigned chapters in Senior Bible class, but it was just too much for a dyslexic person. But Mr. Hathaway was great because he thought just like me and was very analytic and so I could understand what he was saying. I also remember Dr. Culley saying that chance favors a prepared mind.

Ben Lippen gave me insights into other traditions of Christianity than I would have come in contact if I had taken a different path. I took a degree from the Houston Baptist University and enjoyed it because I had come to know the point of view in High School. And in my own tradition, i would not have gotten to know the scripture so thoroughly as I did in the Wilcoxen's Child Evangelism Fellowship Sword Drills over at Berean Bible Church. But I missed the more relationship and celebration based parts of my own communion and the high church elements and was always very happy when my father was at home, as his approach to Jesus Christ was very relationship based and not so much a book thing and about having to prove everything (although he could explain things in easily understood ways).

I was thinking about Francis Shaeffer who once came to speak and his L"Abri Fellowship and thinking that that is what Ben Lippen amounted to for me, was a shelter from the cultural storms of the Sixties, so that I did not have to participate in the drug experimentation or sexual revolution when I was young and unprepared and too stupid to make good choices. I did wish that they prepared me better for making the relationship decisions that would spring upon me in college, but I managed to do the best I could. I would say that when I came to Ben Lippen, I was already a bruised reed, a guttering lamp and they were one place where I was not broken and was not completely quenched. They preserved my ability to repent and begin a long journey in relationship with God, that might have been very complicated by what was going on in contemporary society at the time.

At the same time, I wish that there had been more support for visionary prayer and the contemplative life. One of the lovely things that was always available was time to run because they regularly scheduled time away from studies that we used for athletics. It is a luxury that I try to find time for in life these days as the blood pressure is high and needs to be exercised.

I went on to study woodworking and music and contemplative theology as an antidote to the basic fundamentalism of some of the teachers and painting and sculpture and pipe organ building. My marriage to Robin Marie Mumme did not last, but she gave me some very fine children who delight me to this day with their own children and their accomplishments. I am fatter than when I regularly cross countried but also more empathic and reflective, though still absent minded and write things down on my palm when I need them for short term memory.

My brother Peter and I seem to always be on different sides of theological conflicts, but we have other theologians in the family from other traditions as well, and it does not seem to impede us from worshipping the loving Christ together. And he is a Canon Theologian in the church so he should have the last word, although it is not in my little brotherly tendencies to give it to him.

Well, tomorrow is a water picnic at church as it is going to be hot and all the children will be filling their supersoakers and getting out the hoses lest some adults step off the grass and become part of the ongoing battle on the parking lot together with hapless deacons.

The cat is asleep, and I will have to compile a fruit salad early, to take for the general good. I thank you for listening and I pray that God will be with us all and bless us in the next myriad.

Cordially,
Xifer Stube

– Signed on August 19, 2007 at 04:04:15 (CDT)

Danny lives in Jamesport, MO married to Sheri and will be house parents for a home of about 12 kids. They have four children. Daniel who is 19, Michael who is 18 and then there is Melanie who is 17 and then there is Heather who is 15.

– Signed on Thursday, June 21, 2007 at 2:01 PM (EDT)

--- Previous Entry ---

I live in the suburb of Minneapolis MN. Have a wife Linda and two children Quinn he is 6 and Mariah she is 2.

– Signed on Friday, September 12, 1997 at 18:22:29 (EDT)

Hi Becky,

Everything is going well for us - we are living in Mechanicsville and I am working for Dominion at the Innsbrook office in the West End.

Stafford is a rising junior at Va Tech and Rebecca graduates from high school Saturday and is going to UVA next year. Eliza is a rising junior in high school.

Sally is the Reading Specialist at Beaverdam Elementary and loves it. Everyone in my family is doing fine.

David A. Craymer
Director of Engineering

– Signed on Friday, June 15, 2007 at 7:20 AM (EDT)

Dear Becky

My sister Helene forwarded your web site to me. Beautiful Asheville green and vertical is so different than Dallas which is dry and horizontal. I feel a bit nostalgic and will probably regret this moment's weakness. BL was good for me as a student and did prepare me to become Professor Kraft. I live in a Artist's loft/warehouse near downtown Dallas. Last year I was the Rome Art History professor for Dallas County Community College Campus abroad in Rome and Orvieto. My sister Alison lives in Rome so it was a very nice to spend time with her and her friends. I am back in the studio because teaching has become too stressful and dangerous and my art sells better than the Colleges are willing to pay as salary. I never took instructions well or graciously anyway. After many successful years as a jeweler/sculptor I had some heart attacks and a triple bypass and went back to school for my MFA in Sculpture/Hybrid Media, which means I mix Digital and Physical, so I could teach in any university. I taught for three years at the local colleges and then Rome but teaching is not very rewarding so I resigned and do not care if I teach 20 year olds again. Time is most precious commodity and work gets in the way. I came home with sketch books filled and ideas ready to make and I have built three wonderful large steel tables based on Renaissance wood furniture. You may see my story at my website http://stuartkraft.com or google me.

I want to thank you MK's for feeding my curiosity with your stories about the world and fabulous places. World travel has been the foundation of my ethnographic and art studies and art. Travel always provides inspiration. Best wishes to y'all from down here in Hick Town. My blessings to those who were kind to that uncivilized lonely brat from New York.

I still laugh about the six inch rule on the BL bus going to K Mart. That kind of theology was too close to snake handling and drinking strychnine. I rely on Grace not Rules today.

We summer in Santa Fe from July 1 to September in the mobile video studio. If anyone wants to visit while I'm there, email and I will fly by on a Moto Guzzi motorcycle or my old Ford pickup. Of course communications through the website are welcome while in Dallas too. I like animals better than people so restrain your enthusiasm.

stuart@stuartkraft.com

stu

– Signed on Sunday, June 3, 2007 2:12 PM (EDT)

Jay and Dorothy Jackson, Class of 1978 and 1977, <Jjac81415@aol.com> or <djackson@ssm.org>
Greenville, SC, USA

Hi Becky,

This is Dorothy (Christian) Jackson '77 and Jay Jackson '78 in Greenville, SC. We haven't updated in a long while and with the news of Mr. Hathaway's death, it just made me think to email you.

Well, we still live in Greenville, SC and have for about 20 years now. Jay recently retired from his fire department job and owns a nursery in Simpsonville, SC, which he runs full time now. I teach 8th grade Language Arts at Riverside Middle School in Greer, SC and have taught there now for two years. I previously taught at Southside Christian School for 11 years.

Our oldest daughter, Jessica, was married 3 weeks ago at the chapel at Furman University in Greenville. She graduated from The University of South Carolina last year and married a Clemson graduate, Brad Page. They are very happy and live in Simpsonville, SC. Our second daughter, Johanna, is a senior at The University of South Carolina and is studying English and has a minor in Spanish. She will graduate next May. Our youngest daughter, Julie, is 16 and is a rising junior at Southside Christian, where her older sisters graduated and I used to teach.

I hope this updates our family for awhile! It's been 5 years since we went to a reunion in Columbia but maybe we'll get down that way again soon!

Take care and God bless,
Jay and Dorothy Jackson

– Signed on Tuesday, May 29, 2007 9:59 PM (EDT)

Previous Entry:

Hi all you BL grads! This is an update from the Jackson 5 from Greenville, S.C.! We are still raising our three wonderful daughters! Jessica is 18 and graduated from Southside Christian School in May 2002. Johanna is 17 and a rising senior at Southside. Julie is 11 and a rising 6th grader. I am still teaching 6th grade at Southside and will have Julie this fall in my class! I had the privilege of teaching Jessica and Johanna when they were in 6th grade too. Jessica will attend the Univer sity of South Carolina in Columbia this fall as a freshman business major. We look forward to spending more time visiting BL when we come down to see her! Jay is still a firefighter here in Greenville. He has earned an associates degree in horticulture and has his own part-business in landscape design, which he plans on going into full-time. I graduated from Furman University with a masters degree in education in June of 2001 thanks to Jay's patience, help and encouragement! We celebrate our 20th wedding anniversary this fall. We look forward to seeing many of the class of 77 this fall at our 25th reunion! We would love to hear from former classmates and friends via email. God bless all of you and thanks for the encouraging updates; we enjoy reading them!
In Christ,
Jay and Dorothy Jackson

– Signed on Saturday, June 29, 2002 at 09:57:08 (EDT)

Previous Entry:

We are living in Greenville, SC and now have two daughters who have graduated from Southside Christian School! Our oldest, Jessica, is a rising sophomore at the University of South Carolina-Columbia. Our second daughter, Johanna, will attend Greenville Technical College as a freshman this fall. Our youngest daughter, Julie, is a rising 7th grader at Southside Christian School. Jay is still working at Wade Hampton Fire Department in Greenville. I am a 6th grade teacher at Southside Christian School. We would love to hear from fellow graduates! We attended my 25th reunion in Columbia last fall and had a great time of fellowship with Steve Zimmerman (Zeke) and John Hopkins.

Thanks Becky,
Dorothy Jackson

- former entry -

Hi friends from the Jackson 5! Jay and I live in Greenville, SC and have three wonderful daughters. Jessica is 13 1/2, Johanna is 12, and Julie is 6. Jay and I have been married for 15 years (on Sept 25) and have lived in Greenville for the last 11 years. Jay is a firefighter at Wade Hampton Fire Department, and I teach at Southside Christian School. I teach 6th grade and have for 4 years. We would love to hear from you and especially some more people from the class of 77. Thanks, Becky, for the neat web page! It's a great way to get in touch with old friends!

– Updated on Thursday, May 22, 2003 14:31 (EDT)
– Signed on Monday, September 08, 1997 at 12:15:52 (EDT)

Jon Walton

After leaving Ben Lippen, I graduated from Furman University with a BS in Computer Science. I worked for MetLife for quite a while (19 years), got an MBA from Clemson University during that time, and then started consulting when MetLife decided to close the office that I worked in. I'm currently an IT Project Manager, specializing in Health care project rescue. Along the way, I taught college classes and ran a company that produced murder mystery style weekend adventures.

I've been married 20 years since my time at Ben Lippen - 15 of those years to the wrong person. We divorced in 1997 and I was married in 2000 to the love of my life. As part of the package, I picked up 2 sons, a daughter and (so far) two grand children.

I stayed in Greenville, SC for quite a while, then started shifting around: Charleston, SC, Kalamazoo, MI, Atlanta GA (so I probably passed Chris McAdams on the interstates some mornings - that was a LONG commute), Thousand Oaks, CA and I'm now in Tallahassee, FL, working a project rescue for the Florida Department Of Health.

I frequently think back about times at Ben Lippen and this page has been wonderful. it is very interesting to see where people ended up.

The class of 1976 has its 30 year reunion coming up this year (scary thought, that).

If you want to see some of the adventures, please check my web site (I keep it fairly up to date).

Jon Walton

– Signed on Thursday, July 6, 2006 4:28 PM (EDT)

Becky,

I'm doing pretty well. I'm fighting all the things that start happening to you when you get to your 50's. It seems like more is going wrong with me, and taking longer to get over than it used to. I went to Serbia on a mission trip in September and caught some water-borne bacteria that took me 3 months to get over!

My son (Brian, only child) is graduating from college (Samford Univ. in Birmingham) next month! I can't believe it. He's going on for an MBA at Alabama in the fall and that's a 2 year program. After that he plans to come back here and work in the family business.. My parents are still doing pretty well for their age. My dad is 81 now. My wife's parents are NOT doing so well and she's having to make trips back home every few weeks to assist in caring for them.

Things are going well with the company and our church. Both are growing and God is blessing.

Love ya back,
John

– Signed on Thursday, April 20, 2006 2:38 PM (EDT)

Greetings and salutations!

A lot of water has passed under the bridge of life since leaving Ben Lippen 36 years ago. I came across this website while looking for old friends, Mark Miller, and Bill Wills.

For those who had Bob Weeber for freshman Bible class, remember the song he taught us, "Christ is all I need!" At the time I thought the song rather simple but now 36 years later I know the profound meaning of it. Though my time at BL was rather rocky, setting perhaps the record for detention hall (6 consecutive months of campus restriction) in my two year stint there minus 2 weeks, because I ran away from boarding school to find out about the reality of God my own way.

Mr. Elniff, my counsellor my sophmore year, spent alot of time trying to convince me that I wasn't a Christian due to my behavior and took me off of sports, which I loved, and spent many an hour with me in his office lifting weights for my phys ed experience while all the while trying to get me saved. Remember how Mr. Elniff would hardly be seen without his cup of coffee in hand and a pencil in his ear. Even though in those days I was getting "saved" every week when the "hell, fire, and brimstone" guest preachers would come and speak in chapel hour, I now know that I needed just to keep my slate clean (I John 1:9) in order to lay hold of His peace in my life.

Though I learned much from my Ben Lippen days and treasure my memory of the Fortosis family, had I to do it over I would have elected to spend more time with my earthly father, Cameron Townsend, who to this day is my greatest roll model of Christ. I was a late bloomer and married to my lovely Latin wife, Soli (Soledad), at the ripe old age of 36 and we now have 6 special blessings we are responsible for: Elaine (15), Priscilla (13), Christina (11), Amy (8), Cameron (4), and Janna (3). I was only three when I asked Jesus into my heart at a Billy Graham Crusade in 1956 and my favorite song since is "Now I belong to Jesus and Jesus belongs to me!"

I enjoyed reading of others I knew at Ben Lippen like Bob Major, Sarah Perry, Bob & Chris Fortosis. If it hadn't have been for the kindness of David and Steve Fortosis, I probably would have received the left foot of fellowship from Doc. Thanks to Doc's letter of recommendation I was accepted to Moody where I spent my freshman year of college hoping to be a missionary pilot.

I did end up being a pilot until last year when my contracts ran out, flying for the US Department of Agriculture photographing farm land in Georgia, the Carolinas and Alabama. As was Jesus prayer, my longing for us is that we be one with the Father and His Son. Growing up in missionary communities was a great heritage I'll always treasure and of sorts that was what Ben Lippen was for us all. I now know that that is what God wants to bless us with starting on this side of eternity. Psalm 133:1, and Psalm 107 are a reminder to me that our heavenly Father does want to take us out of the wilderness experiences and put us in "cities of habitation". Of course Satan is trying to puff us up in our individualism (divide and conquer routine).

At age 52, my 8 year old daughter Amy told me today, "Daddy, when you die, I'm going to miss you!" The greatest treasure we have is God and the brotherhood of believers. Let's run the race to win even if it we are just door keepers for His kingdom. "Behold, I stand at the door and knock" - let's sup with Him and one another.

Just to mention a few names I would like to hear from, Lloyd Gay, Steve & Ann Olson, Steve Fortosis, Dave Fortosis, Ben Wood, The Wood brothers and Hatcher brothers from Mexico, Mark Miller (who I would have thought would be a Supreme Court Justice or President by now), Bill Wills (who I lovingly practiced my primitive knowledge of electricity on when hooking up 90 volts to the toilet seat as we were "sweetmates" sharing the same bathroom), Dave McQuilkin, who gave up the idea of being my roommate when I devoured all his jar of Tang, Steve Longacre who suffered after Bob, _____ Jones who shaved his head along with Longacre to protest strict hair codes, Jack ______ who passed out X-lax chewing gum during class for a prank that caused his demise in 1968 though I really believe he had a tender heart if you looked beyond the surface, Charles Sexton the chess champ, the Boulifant twins, Debbie Simmons, Dorothy Grimaldi, Ray Payne the curve breaker and great soccer player, Mike Watson, Bob Reed, Howard Hawkins, Miss Van Engen who gave me a new found love for English class which I dreaded previously, Betty Van Engen, Faith & Sam Playfair, Faith Hopkins, Roberta Mummy (?), and the French guy Eddie something or other - sorry Eddie, can't remember your last name.

What wonderful memories of my Ben Lippen family! During my sophmore year girls were allowed to ride on the same buses as the guys to sporting events. Anyone remember Kmart Baptist and the Aliance Church downtown? I miss Coaches Mac and Hathaway. Anyone remember the basketball sensation, Nelson something or other, oh yea, Phil Nelson. Remember Lloyd Gay's awesome head shots in soccer. In freshman basketball playing against Eliada Home I came off the bench and scored my first two points for the other team - how embarrassing! How many of us learned how to do our own laundry and ironing while at BL!

Thanks Becky for getting this website going, though I don't know you. God bless all of you and keep you 'till we meet again,

Bill

ps. Ed Capps and his super brother Joe were the greatest hillbillies I ever met and what great athletes from East Flat Rock - they were two of my favorite heros. Joe took a leave after kissing who in the haunted house we had (Anita Brower was it?)? I don't want to start any rumors. I felt bad for Joe - we shouldn't have been celebrating Halloween anyway. Did anyone else spend an average of two weeks every winter in the infirmary with flu besides me? Don't remember the nurse's name but she was great. Ya'll take care! How could I close without making mention of the faithful janitor and his wife - Mr. and Mrs. Smiley!

– Signed on Thursday, July 21, 2005 at 4:19 (EDT)

Hi BLers....

So nice to find this page and read about friends I have missed hearing about. After BL I went to Moody Bible Institue, married a great guy, Bob MacRae, who now is in his 9th year of teaching Youth Ministry and Marriage and Family at Moody Bible Institute. He was a Youth Pastor for 18 year. I then went on to Trinity International University to complete a degree and just finished a Masters in Ministry at Moody in 2002. We have two delightful daughters. Catherine is 21 and Mallory is 18. They both are students at Moody. So we are officially empty nesters now. Just doesn't feel like we are old enough to be at this stage of life!!

I have been involved in women's minstry for the past 20 years. I have worked for the past 4 years at Moody coordinating women's conferences all over the US and doing networking and some training for women's ministry leaders. I enjoy doing retreats and speaking, as well as teaching leadership development at our church.

I happened to visit the campus two weeks ago - great memories, but the condition of the building is tragic. I know the plans to develop make sense, but to see the present condition is a bit of an emotional experience. I have so many good memories of my time there.

I keep up with several BLers - Penny (Porch), Tim Fellows, Terry Owen, Julie (Crabtree) and did see Doris (Seeds) briefly a couple of weeks ago. I also just got a copy of Kent McQuilkins book on "Overwhelmed by Grace". A great read.

Blessings to all of you - I would love to hear from anyone who was a student during those 70's years.
Pam MacRae

– Signed on Friday, August 22, 2003 at 13:19:34 (EDT)

Hi,yall we still live in the beautiful area of Asheville NC I've been married some 20 years now with four kids. Two boys and two girls my oldest boy just went to collage on Friday. I currently am working with Bob Prentice ansd have been for 10+ years. some things never change. Don and I have been able to do some work together in the last couple of years also. I have started a new ministry for the youth of america its called chumpchange. (Don took all the people with money so I took the rest). I've felt the Lords leading in working with youth to educate them in a fun way and teach them about money tithing debt etc. Check it out www.chumpchangeministries.com

We just keep on keeping the main thing the main thing. Hope all is well with you thanks for the effort.

Mike Blanton
828-694-0033

– Signed on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 21:35:20 (EDT)

I've been meaning to do this for a long time. Every once in a while i will scroll thru some entries. It brings back great memories of high school. As time goes by all i remember is the good times. I tell my kids stories...not all of them...and they find it hard to imagine our plight. We are planning on returning in sept. for our 25th. i have talked to bob neef and at least the 2 of us will be there. Hopefully we will get to renew old friendships with our classmates. I am presently the president of a granite countertop company in Grand Rapids, Mich. I also am part owner of 3 other businesses. God has really blessed me. I have been married for over 20 years to a wonderful woman, Sally. I tricked her into marrying me and then it was to late and she is stuck with me. We have 2 boys, Nick 15 and Alex 14. They are great kids and bring us a lot of joy. They both love to play soccer and are quite good players. We are very proud of them. Anyway we hope to see some of our classmates at the homecoming in sept.

– Signed on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 16:27:17 (EDT)

I have been blessed with a wonderful wife of 18 years and 2 wonderful daughters. Lorraine is 12 Angela is 8.

We live just outside of Philly so if you ever are visiting we would love a visit.
Becky thank you for doing this.

Thank you for taking the time to do this. It will be great to hopefully get back in cotact with some people.

– Signed on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 14:29:23 (EDT)

Just to update since my original entry ... I now have three children ... Alexandria (4 years old), Caleb (2 years old), and Joshua (1 year old) ... Life is still good ... As usual, I'm teaching, writing, and totally immersed in my work and family. I absolutely love being a father and husband ... My best to everyone!

– Signed on Tuesday, August 19, 2003 at 14:28:31 (EDT)

Original Entry:

Thanks Becky, for setting this up!

Just a brief note to inform you of my whereabouts. I'm living on the west coast of Florida now with my new wife, Karen (1 1/2 years now). We do not have any children.

I've been quite busy now for several years as a educator, "whipping" any willing (and unwilling) minds into shape with knowledge about pharmacology, physiology, anatomy, biology, and related subjects (Yes, I'm quite familiar with well-known ploys used to by-pass facilitating the inevitable - ie. "... They are going to learn it if it kills them ....".

A little history to update any interested classmates/old faculty:
1975 - after graduation, lived in Asheville, for several years
1978 - moved to Augusta, Georgia
1983 - B.S. Biology/Chemistry Minor - Augusta College (now Augusta State University), Augusta, Georgia
1991 - Ph.D. Pharmacology - Medical College of Georgia, Augusta Georgia
1991 - Post doctoral fellowship - VA Hospital / Medical College of Georgia (taught as assistant professor at Augusta College for several years - pre-med/pre-dental students; several publications from my research appear in Brain Research, Neuropharmacology, and Journal of Pain - 1985-1994)
1995 - moved back to my hometown of Lakeland, Florida
1996 - married, learning to relax, enjoying life, still teaching

Life continues ... My best to everyone!

– Signed on Thursday, September 18, 1997 at 22:35:12 (EDT)

Hi,

I just found this guest book. I've noticed many entries are a few years old, like Sunshine's (Ruth Mooney). She has teenagers now.

Anyway, a brief history of my life after Ben Lippen follows.

I went to Covenant College for 2 years then on to Philadelphia, where I went to Presbyterian Hospital School of Nursing, which doesn't exsist anymore. There I was roommates with Ruth Mooney class of 1977. We have been close friends ever since. While at Covenant, I met Paul Kemp and as of now we have been married for 22 years.

We have 3 sons. Andrew age 21 a 2nd Lt. in the US Army and in his 3rd year of college at Millersville University in PA. He attended Valley Forge Military College for the first 2 years. Adam 17, and James 14.

We lived in Istanbul Turkey for five years (1985-1990) where we did various things, but Paul taught English in a private high school, and I had our children. Turkey is a great country and we felt very welcome there. (Mr. Rood even visited us there.)

We then became normal Americans and lived in Upper Darby, PA, where I got to be a real nurse in a local hospital, and Paul was personnel director of Interserve USA for three years.

After recruiting himself to go overseas, we find ourselves here in India at Woodstock School. Woodstock is a BOARDING SCHOOL. We have been here for 10 years now as dorm parents in a dorm of boys ages 12-15. SEVENTY FIVE of them. I also am part time school nurse.

We are in North India in a small State called Uttarranchal. We are in the first foothills of the Himalayan mountains and will stay here at least 4 more years until James graduates. It is an International Christian School with kids from 30 some different countries. In our dorm we have Indians, Koreans, Vietnamese, Nepalis, Japanese, Russian, Tibetians, Bangaladeshi's and French. It is a real stew pot and great entertainment most of the time. If you want to visit the schools web site go to http://www.woodstock.ac.in. We are always looking for staff.

I would love to hear from anyone who remembers me. My memory isn't really that great for some reason, so describe who you are!!

Louise Stewart Kemp

– Signed on Saturday, August 16, 2003 11:51:19 (EDT)

Greetings to all my old friends. I have not kept up with many of you. In fact, I was such a shy guy in my youth I think I missed many opportunities to know my classmates better. It would be fun to do it all over again! Okay, not really. It was good reading letters from class of 1972 here, but I see that they are all dated about 3 years ago. I've been married to Sarah for 19 years. Went on to Wheaton College and then Northwestern University in philosophy. I've been designing and building very strange furniture for the last 25 years (www.OrthFurniture.com) We live in Chicago and enjoy sea kayaking on the lake and through the city on all the rivers.

My best to all,
David Orth

– Signed on Wednesday, October 30, 2002 at 14:59:49 (EST)

Greetings - how good it is to read about all of you. I miss so many of the BL family and glad to be in touch this way. Since BL in 73 I have been in IL. God led me to Moody Bible Institute to study Christian Education which I have used in the churches my husband and I have served in since. Met my wonderful husband in Chicago and shortly afterwards went on staff at an EVFree church together. Through the years we have shepherded 5 churches around the area and birthed 9 precious children. Our oldest marries soon and our youngest is disabled with CP and deafness. All inbetween are just as important, but to put them in a nutshell, their interests are mainly music and ministry.

God has prepared us over these past many years in ministry to help a core group of believers to plant a Presbyterian Church in a suburb. This is very exciting, challenging and a growth opportunity for us personally. We covet everyones prayers on behalf of Christ Church of Bourbonnais.

I would enjoy hearing from anyone and of course all are welcome if ever in our area.



– Signed on Friday, September 13, 2002 at 00:49:13 (EDT)

God's been so good. I graduated from Columbia Bible College and then became a youth pastor for six years. In the meantime, I graduated from Capernwray, picked up my MA from Talbot School of Theology and a Ph.D. from Biola Univ. After teaching for a few years at Western Seminary in Oregon, I moved to Florida where I've taught mainly for Trinity University's Florida extension, along with some periodic teaching for Moody and Palm Beach Atlantic College. I write and have come out with several books in recent years. If anyone's interested you could view them by typing in my last name on Amazon.com. On the side, I've been painting murals in schools, homes, hospitals, etc for the last few years. Finally, when I'd just about given up on marriage, God brought a wonderful lady into my life several years back. Her name is Debra and she brought two kids with her into the marriage, Tim (age 24) and Mandy (age 15, going on omniscient).
Though there were some definite fulfillments and joys, Ben Lippen was a bit rough for me. With my mother dying when I was 15 and dad inevitably occupied with anxiety about her, it made for a trying high school experience. Friends like Ray Payne helped a lot. Ben Lippen wasn't the most conscience-freeing place, especially for an extra-sensitive personality, so natural inhibitions mushroomed at times. After Mom died, I was probably clinical psychologically, but back then such situations were handled with a verse of Scripture, an exhortation for more faith, and a firm pat on the back. Years later, after being tested, I learned that throughout my life I've suffered from biological depression. For those of you who may not know, this is not depression based on outside situations. It involves an imbalance in the natural chemicals which make the brain function correctly. I've been on medication for this for some years now, and it has helped very significantly. I hope the stigma that used to surround such a condition has changed among Christians enough so that no reader will cry out and clap a hand over their mouth upon reading this.
Dad is gone now. Those of you who remember him may think of adjectives like tall, brooding, wise, strict, dark, quiet, dedicated, Greek, maybe even tough. I was a lot like Dad in some ways, so we clashed at times as he tried to purge me of weaknesses in me he also saw in himself. Maybe some of you were intimidated by dad and I don't really blame you. As boys, me and my brothers loved him but he also injected a heavy dose of the fear of God into us. But my father also had a goofy side, believe it or not. He could clown around. Through it all he was a man of integrity and true holiness, and I guess that made him a member of a pretty rare species anymore. Especially in his later years, he encouraged me a lot, and I appreciated that. I was in Florida and I didn't make it to his bedside as he died. I wish I could have said goodbye to him. With all the tubes in his mouth, Dad couldn't talk, so Bob leaned close to his ear and said, "Dad, if you have to leave us, it's okay. Mom's up there waiting for you. We'll see you soon..." Dad left us soon afterward. Thanks to those of you who wrote tributes about him. It's nice to see facets of his life and character that I didn't know about. See ya.

– Signed on Sunday, August 11, 2002 at 17:33:49 (EDT)
Email Address updated Tuesday, September 11, 2007

NOTICE, please change my secondary email listed, these are the new ones. Thank you

– Updated on Thursday, July 18, 2002 at 16:28:13 (EDT)

Previous Entry:

Please remove the "juno" email address, it no longer exists.

Update. Erica is at home attending a local community college, not sure what she wants to do career wise.
Jessica will be graduating in May, she also is not sure career wise.
I am now just subbing as needed in the school district. But in the evenings I'm selling my Home Accents Products and doing VERY well. I have earned 2 more trips, took the one to Cancun in Feb and will go to Atlantis in the Bahamas in December w/ Tim!!
Would love to hear from any former classmates and our home is always open to all. Lena Langston, daughter-in-law and grandson came by a few months back. They are all doing well and live in Memphis, TN. Saw Terry on Friday in Kansas City, MO, he is doing well, too.

– Updated on Monday, April 01, 2002(EST) Original Entry:

Greetings to the Class of '77, esp you Ruthie!! I have been married 21 yrs to Tim Carpenter and we are presently living in St Peters Missouri outside of St Louis. I am working in our local High School as a fulltime sub/monitor of the computer lab, stuff job!! I also am involved in the evening doing home parties w/ The Homemaker's Idea, a total home decorating products. I'm still a people person and love getting out into homes to sell my products!! I've earned an all expense paid trip to London, England in Jan and can't wait to travel. Any tips. Our oldest daughter Erica is attending Maryville Univ which is only 20 miles away and has been accepted in to the Occupational Therapy Program, can't beleive I'm a mother of a college student. Jessica is a beautiful 16 yr old, cheerleader and jr and attends the high school that I'm working at. God has provided this wonderful job for me and I love it!! My husband Tim and I are active in our church Grace Community Chapel. Tim sings, teaches SS, I'm involved in various women's ministries, usually preparing food or running the show!! If anyone every gets to this area, we are right off I-70, please look us, our home is always open to guest. Would love to hear from any of you. Terry Adams lives in Kansas City, Mo, he travels alot but I'm sure he'd love to be in touch w/ many of you. God bless.

– Originally signed on Tuesday, September 19, 2000

Hi becky, hope you are well. I'm now in NJ. Took a job as CEO of a joint venture based in New York. Recently remarried. Anyone headed to New York should send me a note, I'd love to hook up with the old gang.

Cheers, RC

– Updated on Tuesday, May 28, 2002 at 11:55:39 (EDT)

Original Entry:

Charlotte, NC, USA

Here is the 3 minute version of "this is my life"

1. Spent 4 long years in the Army after graduating from Ben
Lippen. Lots of overseas travel, decided being an army NCO
was not wanted I wanted to do.

2. Went to University of Texas business school, majored
in Finance, minor in Systems, graduated August 81.

3. Spent 5 years in Dallas working for two banks that no
longer exist. Married Lynn in February, 82.

4. Joined Citicorp in May of 86. Spent 3 years in Delaware
running various cash management business areas. Spent a
year in London doing cross border treasury marketing.
Spent 3 years in Tokyo as the transaction banking executive
for Japan and running Treasury product management in Asia.
Spent two years in New York as the senior product manager
of customer delivery systems

5. Decided I'd had enough of the big cities, joined
NationsBank in Charlotte as their international strategy
executive for the treasury business. Am now the associate
managing director of the corporate bank's product division,
overseeing product development, global strategy, and
emerging technology deployment ->which includes all of the
Internet development work for the large corporate bank.


6. Still married to the same woman (15 years next month),
like me she's an army brat, she keeps busy as a para-legal
for another bank here in Charlotte, and singing with a
couple of different groups, including a small jazz group. We
have no kids, and we are currently between dogs (We took
3 dogs to Tokyo, not something I would do again).

7. I've become a biker (two Harley Davidsons in the garage),
scuba diving, golf playing, shotgun shooting banker
(everyone's worst nightmare no doubt!)

I spend a lot of time traveling, (domestic and
international). I have staff scattered all over, so I
spend a lot of time on email and video conferences as well
as on planes. I speak at a lot of conferences on a
variety of topics ->everything from emerging technologies
to global markets to payment systems. That speech class my
senior year has really paid off! In general, I'm having
lots of fun, and doing some neat stuff.

– Signed on Sunday, January 19, 1997 at 09:22:28 (EST)

Just discovered this site not too long ago. At present I am living in State College, PA working as a Charter/Corporate Pilot for GPI, Aviaition. My wife, Lynn, and I have been married for 21 years and have 7 children. Ben (18), Josh (16) Aaron (12) Stephanie (10) Caleb (7) Nate (5) and Daniel (3). After moving here a year and half ago, discovered that Eileen McCloy (sp?) (Girls Counselor until 75 or 76) also lives here with her Pastor husband Freddie Fritz and two children.

Two weeks after starting my job, Bob Major ('71) also started working for the same company. We have had some great mini-BL reunions. I fly all over the country and would love to run into some BL friends. If you want a visit let me know and if I happen to be in your area with some spare time, I'll look you up.

– Signed on Saturday, April 20, 2002 at 23:25:28 (EDT)

We have been married for 19 years and are still living in Linwood, NC, which is right outside of Lexington, Greensboro and Winston Salem. If anyone is in the area give us a call sometime 336-853-6289.
We have 2 daughters, Courtney 15 and Bethany 11. Ron has just recently sold the Western Auto Store which he managed and was family owned. Debbie works for a Mortgage Broker as a Loan Processor.

– Signed on Friday, January 04, 2002 at 23:38:40 (EST)

Tuesday, April 3, 2001:

Wow! What a great night!

I went to the Washington Capitals hockey game against the NJ Devils (Caps lost, unfortunately), and they made an announcement, The Washington Capitals would like to welcome the senior class of Ben Lippen School! I looked around and this small group of people sitting 2 sections away from me stood up and cheered. So at the first break, I went over and introduced myself to them -

Are you from Ben Lippen? I asked.
Well, I'm from the Class of 74!

The senior class trip to Washington! When we made that trip, the metro was still being constructed underground, and we were walking across metal plates instead of pavement!

Everyone looked so good! A couple of the girls took photos with me. They asked if I knew Miss Long! (Did I know Miss Long! Indeed!)

I told them that I was the one who did the alumni Web site, and Mr. White's face became bright with recognition. I told them all to come here and post their updates next year!

I just noticed I don't have a Classes of 2000+ decade page yet! More work for the weekends!

Oh, by the way, I received a great email from a former Eliada Home student along with a photo of Johnny Weeber that I added to the Faculty Kids page!

Enjoy!

Becky Dimon as in Simon

– Updated on Sunday, January 1, 2002 at 12:20:00 (EST)
– Updated on Tuesday, April 03, 2001
– Updated on Thursday, March 23, 2000
– Originally Signed on Saturday, January 18, 1997

---------- Updated Entry ----------

It's the year 2002 already! Whew! Well, let's see . . . I've been married for almost 17 years now to a wonderful (and especially funny) man named Ron. He's 7 years younger than I, and he's been into computers since he was a teenager.

I got involved with computers in the early 80s. I completed my M.A. in English in 1980, and taught Report Writing for the Business School at the University of Richmond for about a year. About a year or two later, I started typesetting with computerized equipment for several years, and then I worked for the manufacturer (Varityper) as a Marketing Support Rep – training people on the computerized phototypesetting equipment. It was during that time that I met Ron on Compuserve – yes – online in 1985.

The catch is that Ron was in Toronto, so I married a Canadian. We met in early April online, met in person 3 weeks later, and married 2 months after that – on our 4th date!! About 2.5 years later we had a beautiful son, Harrison William (AKA Harry - who is about to turn 14)!

We lived in Toronto for 6 years. I worked as an Information Center Programmer/Analyst for over 5 years, and Ron was at Deloitte, Haskins & Sells for almost 10 years. In 1991, we moved back to Virginia to be close to my family. Ron's from a large family – he has 3 brothers and a sister, but his dad died when Ron was about 15. Since Ron's so much younger, his mom, still a widow, is very young and can just come on down to see us whenever she wants to. But my folks are very elderly, and it's even hard for them to travel the 2 hours from Richmond to Fairfax, VA, where we live now.

In the Fall of 1994 we had a baby girl, Ruth Ann – she's a real hand full, but we're so happy to have her!!! I ruptured a disc in my back during the pregnancy and was out of work for about 8 months, but as long as I'm careful and do my stretching exercises, I won't have to have surgery.

From the Fall of 1991 until the start of 1996, I was on contract to IBM in Bethesda, MD, doing LAN, database, and OS/2 support for several hundred people. It was a lot of fun, and I met some really nice people there. At the end of the contract, my boss at NeuroSystems brought me in-house to manage the Internet Development Team and Networks. But in the summer of 1998, the company went under, and I began to work for the same company my husband had worked for since 1991 - Integration Technologies Group, Inc.

I was there doing Project Management from June of 1998 until May 2001. My first project there was to rollout the installation and training for over 200 "Adaptive" computer systems for the IRS - these are specialized computers for low-vision and blind people. My last project was managing the development and operation of an online purchasing system for CitiBank's Navy customers. Citibank took that one in-house, and I found myself unemployed - happily, I might add! I am still unemployed, but I agree with that TV commercial - whoever coined the phrase "Stay-At-Home Mom" was crazy! I almost never get to stay at home now! I'm PTO Treasurer at Ruthie's school - my involvement there is very important to our family.

Harrison loves soccer and played for many years. He has played on two select travel teams in the Old Dominion Soccer League. He took a leave of absence from soccer after his 9th season because of his school work, then went back for a 10th season that ended in November. Last winter he took up roller hockey (goalie) with a community league, and he played 3 seasons, winning two championships! This summer he decided to try it on ice! So now he's rostered on three ice hockey teams (goalie) - two in-house teams for the Northern Virginia Hockey Club and one public school team. We love the ice time!

We go to Truro Episcopal Church in Fairfax; it's a big church, and we are very happy there. Harrison made a profession of faith early on, but he decided he wanted to be baptized in May of 1996. That was really special for me, since we hadn't pushed him about it! Of course, Ruthie's eager to be baptized, too, but we're waiting another year or so to make sure she really understands completely. She's not as interested in the immersion part of it as Harrison was.

I am still a season ticket holder for the Washington Capitals! I wear my "Chris Simon" hockey sweater and usually take the subway to downtown Washington, D.C., for all the home games! The highlight of my first year going to the games was getting Chris Simon to autograph my jersey.

In 1998 I got to go to the NCAA Men's Basketball East Regional Tournament at the MCI Center - the First and Second rounds were hosted by George Mason University here in Fairfax - although I didn't get to see my Tar Heels, we did have a great time watching Bobby Knight, and the UConn players! This year, Georgetown will be hosting the First and Second rounds, and again, I was fortunate enough to get 2 tickets! Ron's brother Bob will be flying down from Toronto to accompany me to several of the games!

I still only hear from a few people - Linda Crabtree Byne (4 daughters/1 husband/living in Georgia) and Karen Shuman Sims come through the area every few years. And we did meet up with Janet Brown Bullard and her family a couple of years ago.

My sister is brilliant, don't you think, to create this
way for all of us to keep in touch? Of course, those of you who remember her from BL already know that! This is a great idea, and I hope many will participate.

After studying Art Education and teaching for a while, I went back to school and studied Dramatic Arts. I worked in television and radio news departments, which I really enjoyed, in Mobile, Nashville, and Richmond, Va., which is home. After doing this for five years, and not wanting to leave Virginia, I went to law school at the University of Richmond, continuing (perhaps unconsciously) a Branham tradition (following in Becky's footsteps, not to mention Dad's, since he graduated from UR law school the month before I was born).

Following graduation, I worked for Hunton & Williams in Fairfax, practicing law with their Corporate & Securities Team. Much of my representation involved local government clients, especially the Fairfax County School Board. After three years, I decided to explore my interest in trusts and estates and took a position as an estate tax attorney with the IRS, where I have worked for the past ten years.

I am working with a friend to create photographic greeting cards in my spare time.

My husband retired from Sony Music 2 years ago. He worked in promotions for the Sony 550 label (anyone heard of Celine Dion?). We don't have children, but we really enjoy spoiling Becky's kids, Harrison and Ruth Ann.

By the way, most of you “old timers” who remember us at BL may not know that Becky and I have a wonderful younger brother who's about to turn 27, Stanley, who is living in Fairfax with Becky and Ron, graduated from VCU last summer, and is now working for TASC/Logicon. He met a lovely girl from Chesapeake, and they plan to marry this summer.

David and I feel very lucky that Becky, Ron and the kids are in Fairfax and that we can see them and Stan often. Mom and Dad still live in Richmond - just across the James River from us.

I would love to hear from any and all of you!

– Updated on Sunday, December 30, 2001 at 21:58:00 (EST)
– Originally Signed on Wednesday, January 22, 1997

What a great site! I just happened on it from a Google search.

My wife of 21 years, Dawn, and I have 2 great children. Rebecca will be 21 in May and is a Junior at CIU (last year she had a class with Jack Layman and I hope he did not hold my old antics against her ). Becca decided on CIU never knowing about it's Ben Lippen connection! Our son, John Timothy, (named after Tim McQuay) is a Senior at Chamberlian-Hunt High School in Port Gibson MS. This Christian Military school has been GREAT for John!

We moved from both our families long-time home in southern Delaware about 9 years ago to Fort Wayne, Indiana and the Lord has really blessed us here. I love my job as Vice-President of Sweetwater Sound (a company that sells high-tech musical equipment via mail-order nationwide) and Dawn teaches piano at Taylor University Fort Wayne she also plays every chance she gets. We have been very involved in the same church ever since we moved to Fort Wayne. Fellowship Missionary has been a place of growth, comfort and community for us! We have been small group leaders and Dawn is very involved in worship ministries.

I would love to hear from classmates and look forward to having a great 25 year reunion in the fall of 2002.

– Signed on Thursday, December 06, 2001 at 14:38:06 (EST)

Great to find a BL websight! and thanks to Becky for doing this! Just got back from our 30th reunion and a thin one it was! But worth the trip, for sure!

I just finished a masters in education, having taken a long time in figuring out what I wanted to do when I grew up. I work with at risk students, work with our teachers in implementing new strategies in the classrooms, and am writing teaching materials which will appear through Zephyr Press early next year. (www.zephyrpress.com) :)

I have two children, Matthew, 24, and Melissa, 19, who are the delight of my life. We are based in Michigan (why? I could not tell you! as the winters are gruesome after we get over the beauty of the newly fallen snow.) I miss the south and could very easily settle on a tropical island with my laptop computer. Would love to hear from those of you who have dropped out of sight for a few years! Write me!

---------- Original Entry ----------

HI ALL,

We had the coolest girl's reunion this summer in June. Judy Lub Campa was the host and was it wonderful! Ten of us made the journey back. We were within a stone's throw of the old campus, and enjoyed so much getting back together and laughing and crying...sometimes in rapid succession! :) We've all grown up, that is for sure!

I will rewind: I went to the U of Puerto Rico for a year after leaving BL, then on to Wheaton, where I graduated with a degree in art. I married Steve Morgan and we worked in Christian schools for about 13 years. Matthew was born in 1977, and Melissa in 1982. Both of the kids are also art majors: Matthew from Hope College - runs a lighting gallery in Manhattan now - and Melissa is studying interior design. They are absolutely the delight of my life!

I just finished working on a masters in education in spite of swearing when I was 18 that I would never teach...I will begin teaching in two days! I also am knee deep into writing projects: currently a series on teaching to visual and kinesthetic learners available starting in January.
I live in Rockford, Michigan and have turned into an avid gardener and crafts person. There is something about being in the dirt, the sun, and the weather that is very restorative to me. The hummingbirds are even starting to come around, which is the coolest thing!

I'd love to hear from you guys, and Becky, aren't you the wonder for doing your bit to keep us all in touch. I just found out about this site through Eileen McCloy Fritz. It is a small world, it is!
Love,
Sarah

– Updated on Saturday, October 13, 2001 at 22:14:45 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Saturday, August 18, 2001

I thought it was time for me to update my entry and went to check what I had last said. I found to my surprise that I had disappeared! I must have floated off into the ether so it's definitely time for another update.

After BL I did 1 1/2 years of Bible Institute (Music) in France, 1 year of Bryan College in Tennessee (Music), then I achieved my BFA in Photography at the University of New Mexico. We moved from Albuquerque to Saint Louis 27 years ago and have lived here ever since. We Home-Schooled our children for 18 years. Despite my fears of insularity and social awkwardness, they turned out pretty normal! If you haven't heard how notorious Saint Louis schools are - you must live abroad. We live in the inner inner city in an area some would consider blighted, but we love our community here which is more of a village in the middle of a city. We belong to a grass roots urban restoration group.

I married a freckled red headed African (2nd generation MK). He is a kind and patient man (though often naughty) which is how we stayed married for almost 32 years. When we met he was a wild artist who loved to camp in the wilderness with a blanket, a frying pan, and some salt and pepper. Now he is a Project Manager who does a lot of work on various government projects and gets itchy if he's at a pick-nick. He is a church elder in the Presbyterian church. But our passion and calling is working with artists - in dialog with unbelievers concerning the claims of Christ Jesus and helping Christians get out into the market place. We have hosted/created 5 different arts groups over the years. Currently we have a group which critiques each others work and organizes shows together.

My oldest, Sylwinn, married in 2001, graduated college in 2005, from Washington University with her BFA in Photography (like her Mama). She had her firstborn son in the Fall of 2005. Much to our shock he is a red head like his Grand-Father. She is expecting her second child. She is also a working artist.

My middle child, Gwyneth, is a manager at "that" coffee store. She also has her own wedding flower business. She is a single Mom and God has used this fact profoundly in her life. She lives next store to us and we spend a lot of time helping her raise her daughter.

My youngest child, Tynan, has been avoiding college for three years, pursuing forging apprenticeships. He is finally feeling ready to pursue his degree in Metal Working next year. He's also building wind mills and learning about solar energy. He lives and works with some old hippies, learning to live christianly in a hostile (but entertaining) environment).

My kids are pretty funny; we enjoy their many quirks. People talk about how wonderful it is to be a Grand-Parent, and they are right. It's terrific and there's a lot of potential for revenge!

The last three years (notice the relationship to Tynan's graduation from Home-School), I've been working consistently at my artwork and getting into shows. This is slowly moving forward and I have a big show coming up at the end of the month. My husband is finally painting again after 27 years and we're excited about that. The biggest change in my life is that I was diagnosed with a chronic form of Leukemia (Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia) last year. So far my blood counts are stable and I don't yet need medication; the greatest danger is a susceptibility to pneumonia so I wear a face mask most of the Winter.. I am so very grateful to God for ordaining the days of my life and feel such joy to be alive.

For those who knew my siblings - Gary Barnes, class of 1967, died of complications from amyloidosis and sarcoidosis in May 1988. He was married and has three kids and a Grand-Son, whom he never met. My sister, Vicki Barnes Joubier, married a Frenchman and lives in the Alsace area of France, near Mulhouse. They own a restaurant there and have two tri-lingual children who speak English, French, and German. They attended a French/German Grammar School and now the attend a German/French Lycee right across the border. We seem them about every two years.

Greetings, Kathleen

----Former Entry ----

I just wanted to update my e-mail address. I just survived the summer of "marrying off the oldest daughter." It was an incredible overwhelming and emotional experience, and we did it the simple way! Thank you very much for keeping this up. I lost track of the site for awhile and was glad to find it again.
Love, Kathleen

---------- Originaly Entry ----------

Dear Becky,

This is great. I was perusing the net and envying others their well organized High School pages and MK info lines when I stumbled across this. What a nice gift.

I was telling someone recently about these two southern sisters who increased my love of country music by hootin' and wailin' in our dorm rooms. What incredible tone and vocal texture they created. Hmm...

Update:
European Bible Institute, music major, 2 years
Bryan College, music major, 1 year
Marriage to John (SIM MK from Nigeria)
Birth of first daughter, Sylwinn
University of New Mexico, College of Fine Arts, BFA, 5 years
Birth of second daughter, Gwyneth
Birth of our son, Tynan
Husband now works as a computer multi media developer

I have done many odd jobs to make ends meet: teaching French, photography and art, coaching swimming, illustrating computer user manuals... As the kids get older, I am beginning to do my artwork professionally again. I have a show coming up at Covenant Seminary, Schaeffer Institute, in the Spring of 98. I'm working on that now. I'm also growing more and more interested in liturgical art and have had the opportunity to create a few pieces for my church.

We homeschool our three children. The oldest is graduating this spring and saving her money in order to spend 9 months in Europe before starting college. We live in the city and attend an inner city church. John is an elder. Ray Payne (71) and his family also attend there.

Siblings:
Gary Barnes (67) died. He had originally left France to board at Ben Lippen to improve his lungs in that fresh mountain air. How ironic. Remember Enka-stenka? His poor body struggled with ill health all his life. He is survived by 3 children and his widow. Vicki Barnes Joubier (69) is married to a frenchman and lives in France. She has two small children. Miracle babies. Our youngest sister, Claire, never made it to B.L. because Black Forest Academy had opened for MKs. Some of our classmates'children attend there now.

Thanks again, Becky, for doing this. Love to everyone, Kathleen.

– Updated on Wednesday, September 12, 2007 at 05:32:15 (CDT)
– Updated on Friday, October 05, 2001 at 06:05:57 (EDT)
– Updated on Tuesday, February 23, 1999
– Originally Signed on Wednesday, September 24, 1997

To summarize where I've been or come from I'll quote some lyrics "What A Long Strange Trip It's Been" and it's only just begun. Let's see?? Left BL to Furman Univ., to Auburn Univ., back to Naples, FL, to Atlanta, GA, met my very patient and wonderful wife Pam (married '88), to Jacksonville, FL, to current location Waycross, GA (about 60 miles N. of Jacksonville. We have 2 boys 8 and 6.

God is patient and kind and therefore I'm still under instruction (or construction) and hope to remain so. I'm a slow learner (experience had to be my instructor for a long while before I realized that self can't drive the bus of life near as well as the Lord) but I still forget and try to take the wheel sometimes.

Started my own company doing Commercial Real Estate Development across the S.E.

– Updated on Sunday, September 02, 2001 at 17:59:50 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Monday, April 23, 2001

The pictures and e-mails brought back alot of memories. I'm currently living in Miami,Fl. I'm married and have two kids Jonathan (14) and Sara (12). They both have their Dad's love for soccer. Since I have a bad knee(soccer injury)I now play golf. I currently work with an air conditioning company and I'm responsible for Sales in Latin America and the Caribbean. Would love to hear from my classmates.

– Signed on Wednesday, August 08, 2001 at 14:55:55 (EDT)

May 30, 2001 update:
Home email changed to Earthlink.

Thanks
Martha

April 14 2001 update:
Jed our son, should graduate from NC State in December, a half a semester early. This summer he has an internship at Computer Associates International on Long Island, NY.
Our Daughter Anne is finishing up her soph year as an athletic trainer. She plans to be home for the summer and work in the area.
I have been moved to a larger elementary school here in town with after school care.
My husband is still with TAMSCO, a contract company with the Coast Guard.
My sister Fran (class of 74) has just celebrated 20 yrs in the rubberstamping business take a look at her website www.stampendous.com.

My brother David (class of 72) lives in Houston, TX - works in computers and has two boys. Philip 22 graduating from college next month and going into business. Their youngest is finishing up his first year in college.
Take care and send an email some time. I love to hear from the BL group.

Martha

---------- Original Entry ----------

Thank you Becky for this wonderful place to keep updated with our past friends.
After leaving Ben Lippen Martha lived one year in Columbia, SC before going into the Coast Guard as a Storekeeper. That is where Martha met Rick in Astoria, Or and we married on March 6th, 1976.
We were transferred to Elizbeth City, Martha was discharged from the CG and this is where Jedediah (Jed) was born in 1979. We moved to Sacramento, CA where Anne was born in 1981. Then on to Arlington, TX for 6 years, on to Hawaii for three and back to Elizabeth City for almost 8 now.

Anne turned 19 in Jun. and Jed turned 21 in Nov.
Anne was accepted into the Athletic Trainer course at APP. in Boone NC. In her interview she was asked, "If she won a million dollars what would she do with it?" She had gotten an M&M package just the week before that had that very question. She had figured out to whom she would give all the money to: her family, friends and charity.
This year starting in August(00-01) she was teamed up with the Football team at App. State. She had very LONG hours in the training room. She just focused on the job and made it through. Once school started she only had one practice a day. After football season she had logged over 700 hours since school started.

Jed has had many computer programs to write keeping him very busy. Along with school he is a teachers aid for a computer class, teaching them and grading papers. He has had interviews with computer companies, i.e. CAI in NY and Hewlett Packard in CA for possible summer internship for next summer (2001). He was also inducted to the Computer Honor Society: Upsilon Pi Epsilon.

Rick has been retired from the Coast Guard (W-4) with 24 years and with TAMSCO (a contracting company with the CG) since June 1996. Doing much of the same job as while in the military, but "recommending they do this or that, not telling them."

Martha worked as Administrative Assistant at our church for over 5 yrs. Has had crafts in tole painting and did some framing during this time too. After leaving there she now works with after school care (K-5th)in one of the public school system here in town.
Please send a emails, I love to get them and take a look at my web page: http://www.geocities.com/mjsmallwood/
Take care and hear from you soon.
Martha


– Updated on Wednesday, May 30, 2001 at 08:45:41 (EDT)
– Updated on Saturday, April 14, 2001
– Originally Signed on Thursday, January 04, 2001

Rich Kennedy told me about this site. I've attempted to visit this site several times, but couldn't get in. I just upgraded to AOL 6.0 and voilá! I am delighted to see names on this site that didn't appear on the Ben Lippen site listed on Classmates.com Thank you Becky, for putting this together!

– Signed on Saturday, April 21, 2001 at 05:02:47 (EDT)

to all in the class of '71, please forgive me... i was fat and depressed and walking around in a permanent state of mild concussion due to being beaten about the head by the rules book.

it only took me a decade to recover. I'm coming back to the 30th reunion in south Carolina for the homecoming weekend and bringing a couple of absolutely fabulous gorgeous divine kids in tow.

I'm looking forward to spending time with anyone who might remember the 10 minutes i was there at school.

judy weeber, where are you??

seeya,
lynette wilson

– Signed on Friday, April 20, 2001 at 09:59:34 (EDT)

Boy, am I bringing up the rear here. Just found the site today and killed an afternoon looking for folks I know (found a number of south east Michigan people).

Between careers right now, I'm the cook at a Jesuit novice house near here and working with "the Babe", my wife Dena on starting up an antiques business.

Anyone passing through Detroit area, lemme' know.

– Signed on Monday, April 09, 2001 at 15:15:48 (EDT)

April 7, 2001

This is a marvelous website and great way to catch up with old friends.
After Ben Lippen, I attended Moody Bible Institute, upon graduation toured for a year
in the U.S. and Europe with a Christian singing group. Then worked in Christian
Retail as well as directed a small youth group for a year and a half
in Kansas City, KS. I then relocated to Chicago and became the Music Director for the Moody Broadcasting
Network. I have since transitioned into on air work and I'm the host of Midday Connection, a
noon(central time)to One o'clock call in talk show. I also
host a Sunday morning devotional/music show on Moody Radio called
Sunday Praise. My son and I live in the western Suburbs of Chicago where he is a 2nd grader at a wonderful Christian school.
I host a Bible study from my home, and daily marvelous at the goodness of God in my life.

My folks live in Sarasota FL in the winter, Northern Maine in the summer, so I find my way both places quite often. If you are in
and around Chicago look me up. If you are in FL or Maine, let me know where.

Hope to year from some 1978 grads! God bless you all.

Anita (Fore) Lustrea

– Signed on Saturday, April 07, 2001 at 15:06:47 (EDT)

Hi Becky,

You don't know me but I was a classmate of David McWilliams, John Laird, Bob Fortosis and Jeanne Weeber at the Eliada School, over the hill from Ben Lippen and stumbled on your site will looking up other things. I remember many of the faculty kids from Ben Lippen went to school there until 8th grade and I have plenty of pictures and memories of those years.

Ironically, I was contacted by a historian who has been hired by Eliada to do some research and history project leading up to 100th anniversary of Eliada's founding in 1902. I was last on the old campus (Ben Lippen) in 1974 visiting some friends I had met at Camp Meeting at Eliada who were attending the Ben Lippen Camp.

Ironically, we both work in similar industries as I do supplier adoption consulting for Commerce One primarily in the Northeast although I live in Atlanta. I had also suggested to this researcher that Eliada construct a more robust website that allows for better alumni postings and information exchange which may be a quicker way to find anecdotes from old days and allow alumni to stay in touch.

I like what you have done on the site and was curious to know how much effort you have put into that and wonder about creating a site for Eliada with a link to the Ben Lippen site for those who went there.

Incidentally, Arch Cameron who was Director at Eliada from 1956 to 1976 (?) was a math teacher at Ben Lippen and coached soccer before moving over the hill to Eliada. While attending Asheville High after Eliada, a group of us from many area private schools missed the soccer in the fall and started the soccer program at Asheville High in 1973 and played against Ben Lippen and Christ School, Asheville School and anyone we could schedule...but I digress.

I look forward to hearing from you when you have a chance to respond.

Sincerely,

Paul McMinn

P.S. Here's a picture of John Weeber at Eliada School in summer of 1968.


– Signed on Thursday, March 15, 2001 at 15:31:57 (EDT)

Married to Julie Lawrence (class of 1976). Have two boys: Jonathan (born in 1983) and Nathan (born in 1985). I own a management consulting firm (ReCourses: http://www.recourses.com) and publish a newsletter (Persuading: http://www.persuading.com).

– Signed on Monday, December 11, 2000 at 18:58:31 (EST)

Hey guys -- and Mr. Layman especially. I thought that comment about Becky and friends being "PRECIOUS" 17 AND 18 year olds was perfect. I don't think he probably called us that when we were BLS students. We had a great time anyway, and I have wonderful memories. Janet Brown Bullard

– Signed on Wednesday, December 06, 2000 at 10:38:06 (EST)

From Robby Richardson, Class of 1975 <robby@gospelcom.net>
North Muskegon, MI, USA

Reply to Janet Brown,

I believe Mr. Layman said "precocious, not "precious". Big difference ... and more in line with what Mr. Layman probably thought of us!?!?!?

Good to hear from you.

Robby

– Signed on Thursday, December 21, 2000 at 11:09:12 (EST)

Hello Everyone(:
I live in Atlanta with my wife of 17 years.
We have 2 children Kelsey-9[she has c.p.] & Christopher-10.
Kelsey made it to 1st grade and loves Barbie.
Christopher is in 5th grade and loves anything with 4 wheels. Debra is an Educational Nurse in diabetes at the hospital.
I work in state government with the Department of Transportation in the H.E.R.O. Unit.
We are on the Interstate in Atl every morn at 5 am.
I have been with the state for 12 years.
Time keeps on slipping away...doesn't it???
Sincerely,
chris

– Signed on Sunday, September 10, 2000 at 02:28:01 (EDT)

Thanks for getting this site up Becky. After graduating from BL, I went to CBC/CIU. Boy...I hope Miss Harden isn't reading this. I am scared I will have a comma splice (Just kidding).

Here is a timeline of what we have done for the last 20 years:
* 1984 graduated from CIU & got married to Debbie Klippenstein.
* Joined the Army full time went to Officer Candidate School.
* 1986 Had our first child Joshua.
* 1987 Got out of the Army full time and moved to WA to become a contractor.
* 1988 Had our second son Daniel.
* 1989 Went back on active duty with the Army and became a helicopter pilot.
* 1990-1991 On active duty during the Gulf War, but I wasn't deployed.
* 1992-1995 Went to work for Washington State. Debbie started homeschooling. Bekah our daughter was born in 1993 and Luke our youngest was born in 1994.
* 1996-1998 Salesman for IKON Office Solutions
(sold copies and print).
* 1999 Salesman for Kaye-Smith Business Graphics (sold copies, print and direct mail).
*2000-Present Salesman for US Office Products (sell office supplies, furniture and breakroom supplies).

I stay in touch with Joel Natwick, Dan Marsh (he's a doctor now isn't that great)and Melanie Bubank. We attend the CMA church in Tacoma, WA.


---------- Original Entry ----------

Mark and Debbie Young
34430 8th Ave SW
Federal Way, WA 98023
253.874.2430
I married Debbie Klippenstein in 1984. We met at CIU. We have four children: Josh-1986, Daniel-1988, Bekah-1993 and Luke-1994. I am a salesman for US Office Products in Seattle and I fly helicopters for the Washington National Guard. We attend Tacoma CMA church.

– Updated on Monday, August 21, 2000 at 15:55:38 (EDT)

– Originally Signed on Friday, July 28, 2000

Dan & Julia Marsh
30146 Brentwood St.
Southfield, MI 48076
248.723.2275
MD at the William Beaumont Hospital in Royal Oak, MI.

– Signed on Friday, July 28, 2000 at 02:32:05 (EDT)

I live in Gurnee, Illinois with my two children, David (15) and Grace (10). Would love to hear from classmates. This is a great site. thanks!

---------- Original Entry ----------

I have two children, David & Grace. David is 14. He just started his first job working at camp with special needs children. Grace is turning 10 in August.
I currently work part time as a Recreation Specialist with special needs children, and full time as a Special Education bus driver. Sorry, but bus driving pays a lot more.
I have been divorced since 1996 after 13 years of marriage. Currently, I live in a northern suburb of Chicago with my two children and my mother.
I am really excited to find this site, and hopefully be in touch with my long lost friends. Anybody know where Susan Knott or Nancy Applegarth are?

– Updated on Saturday, April 07, 2001 at 00:48:56 (EDT)
– Updated on Sunday, July 23, 2000
– Originally Signed on Sunday, July 02, 2000

Just an update to my previous posting. Don't know how to do it other than this way.

Since my last posting I've joined Beal Aerospace Technologies as a Vice President and General Counsel. Beal Aerospace is a start-up rocket company located in Frisco, TX, a suburb of Dallas. Check the company out at www.bealaerospace.com. It's been an extremely exciting job. We're trying to develop a new, very large launch vehicle primarily to launch commercial communications satellites to space. We plan on launching our first vehicle from Cape Canaveral, but also plan on developing our own launch site, most likely in Guyana, South America. I've been going down there quite a lot to negotiate the deal, etc.

I'd love to hear from any BL grads at any time. One of our most famous grads, Dr. Clayton Bell, recently passed away here in Dallas. He was the sr. pastor of Highland Park Presbyterian Church and was Billy Graham's brother in law.

David Spoede

---------- Origianl Entry ----------

Many kudos to Becky. This is really great! BL has a unique place in each of our lives, doesn't it. Very few other people can claim to have gone through an experience like ours.

Since BL, I attended Texas A&M for 1 year, then transferred to Bryan College. After graduating, I attended UTexas Law School. I practiced law in New Mexico for nine years, and then took a three year "break" in Washington. I worked in the Bush Administration in the Department of the Defense, the Pentagon. What an experience! Since Bill beat George, I've been scrounging around Dallas, TX, building a solo law practice and depending on God, whether I want to or not.

Anyone know how we can get the word out on this to other alumni? The Alumni Association ought to publicize this.

Thanks again Becky.


– Updated on Sunday, July 09, 2000 at 21:11:31 (EDT)
– Originally Signed on Saturday, May 03, 1997

Dear Becky,

Beth Taylor now Blanton here......well , needless to say Rick and I need to "update" our info on the web site.

Rick relocated to Va to take a new job . . . . We got reacquainted via your BL web site. We were married in Dec. 2001 and are extremely Happy! We have five children between us, and we are living in King George on the farm where I grew up.

Rick works as a Federal Police officer, and I am raising Labrador Retrievers.

Thanks,
Beth

- former entry -

Just a update. I am moving to Va. and looking at taking a job with the CIA. I am through with island life and it is time to move on.

----------- Original Entry ----------

COVINGTON, La., USA

Where to begin? Right now I am visiting with my old roommate from B.L. Ted Winston. Currently I work on a small island in the South Pacific about eight hundred miles from Hawaii where we destroy chemical weapons. I have been married almost thirteen years to my beautiful wife Faith. We have two children, three-year-old Ashley and two-month-old Joshua.

I am gone from home for eight weeks and home for two. So spending time at home with Faith and the kids is my greatest joy. God has blessed me with a great family and a great church who look after my family while I am gone. They also have my mother and my brother Don and his family to help also.

I spent three years with the Va. Beach Police and after Faith and I were married we moved to Asheville where I worked at a local food chain until I got on the Sheriff's Department. I spent five years there and the Lord opened up a business for us to buy in Covington La. Where Don and Mike and my mom were living. After a month in La., Mike and his family moved to Asheville where they still live now. Mike has four kids two boys and two girls. We sold our business and I went to work for a company cleaning up hazardous waste. I then heard about the job in the South Pacific and have been there a year.

Just an update on Don and Mike. Don and Connie are doing great! James, their oldest, is now 14 years old and stands at almost six foot three. Annah Kate is 12 and almost as tall as Connie. Don is doing great, but is always busy or traveling somewhere. We do manage to get a few rounds of golf in when I get home.

Mike and JoAnne have their hands full with Christopher, Chad, Catlin and Chelsea. Mike is very involved with the kids and loves spending his free time with them. He still sees a lot of his B.L. friends.

We would love to hear from any of you and if you are near New Orleans come on by - we would love to see you!

– Updated on Wednesday, May 24, 2000 at 03:41:24 (EDT)
– Updated on Wednesday, October 7, 1998
– Originally Signed on Tuesday, February 25, 1997

Greetings to all Ben Lippen friends. It has been almost 30 years since we left BL and the only constant is God and change. My wife Diane and our three kids live in Plano Texas. Our three kids have a wide spread and diverse interests. Our oldest Jennifer is currently a freshman at Texas A&M university and truly "drank the kool aid" and has really adopted the aggie traditions of which there are many. Our oldest of the boys is Jason (17) and plays basketball much better than his father. Our youngest son Andrew (8) is so mellow.

I am working for a small software company and run a region of sales people throughout the central US. It involves a great deal of travel but is a great deal of fun.

Diane, is running a Precepts class at our church. We attend Fellowship Bible Church where Gene Getz is the pastor. Gene has written many books including The Measure of a Man and Sharpening the Focus of the Church.

If you are ever in the Dallas Area please look me up. We have had some nostalgic visitors: Bob Reed (71) Howard Hawkins (71) A. C. McWilliams. So stop in..

Don Trout

– Signed on Wednesday, April 05, 2000 at 12:50:20 (EDT)

I am living in Greenville S.C. with my wife Jane and our two children. After graduating from B. L., I attended Bryan college for two years. I transferred to Lenoir Rhyne College in 1978. I graduated with a degree in Bus. Admin. I worked at Hickory Manufacturing in production scheduling after graduation. In 1986 we moved to Greenville, S. C. I took a position as salesman in a furniture company.

Becky, thanks for developing this internet site. It was exciting to see what some of my classmates have been doing. Jane and I were married in 1982. We have two children Richard 15 and Amanda 10.


– Signed on Wednesday, April 02, 2000 at 21:49:24 (EDT)

After graduating from BL, we completed the four year training program of New Tribes Mission (NTM). (We were married in 1975.) Our desire was to serve in the country of Indonesia. In the meantime, we were asked to work for two years at New Tribes Bible Institute (NTBI)in Waukesha, WI. We ministered there for the next 14 years! Bob was a teacher, the Dean of Men, then Dean of Students and one of the administrators. I worked part time as a bookkeeper in the Finance Office. The summer of 1993, we moved to Jackson,MI where Bob became the president of NTBI - a sister school. I continued to work in their finance office. We also began to work on a committee of 4 couples that oversee the three phase training of NTM. This fall, we will work full-time with that team, Bob being the administrative coordinator. It will involve traveling to our various training facilities from time to time.
We have two children, Christopher (20), who is a Junior at Lancaster Bible College (Lancaster, PA) and Carrie (22), who is married and lives in Waukesha, WI. Both Carrie and Chris graduated from NTBI. Carrie married Caleb Bast, an NTM MK from the Philippines.
If any of you have high-schoolers looking for a college, check out www.ntm.org/ntbi. We offer a great two-year Bible education. We would love to hear from any of our BL friends!

– Signed on Sunday, March 05, 2000 at 19:09:43 (EST)

After graduating from BL I attended CBC for two years. Then stayed out a year because my mom and dad were still at BL and mom had cancer. She went to be with the Lord. I went back to CBC for another year, Lived in Winston-Salem North Carolina for a year, went back to CBC and graduated.
After graduating I took my first teaching job at Nothlake Christian School in Covington, La. After two years of teaching Second grade, I met and married my pen-pal, Peter, from Indiana. We married in 1981 and I taught for another year until we had our first child in 1982. We have three sons and one daughter. Next year they will all be teen-agers. We are licensed Theraputic Foster Parents. We have had as many as four (plus our four) children at one time. We have two foster babies right now. I am very involved in Our Church, Liberty Bible Church in Chesterton, Indiana, play volleyball once a week, Hometeach and I am on a committee that is trying to start a new Christian School. I am also a very busy mom.

– Signed on Friday, March 03, 2000 at 00:05:39 (EST)

February 2000

It has been twenty-four years since I entered BL as a freshman. This past Nov. my Dad handed me a priceless gift. Remember all those letters we had to write to our parents? Each week we were required to have a letter to send home. My Mom had kept all of those letters from that first day in 1975 right through graduation in 1979. Many of the events long forgotten have been revisited and many of you have been mentioned. What a treasure these have been as I have shuffled through them. I laughed mostly but cried as I thought through those formation years. How good God has been to me through it all.

After BL I went to Moody in Chicago and then Belhaven College in Mississippi where I roomed once again with Brian Eifert (we roomed four years at BL). I was married in 1985 to the sister of Brent Casper's wife. Laurie and I did a few more of those educational years (seminary) and I even taught a year of Spanish at Ben Lippen in its first year at the new campus. Then in '91 we headed for the field. Language school was first (French) and then on to Guinea, West Africa in '93 where we have been involved in church planting with an unreached group.

Laurie and I have five beautiful children and continue to pursue the God of all grace (we need it & Him). I have not found Him to be lacking in any good thing over the years thought we have known many difficulties. As Mr. Weeber often prayed, "He is enough." May the Lord be so pleased as to fill you with encourgagement.

I would love to hear from you! Especially those from the class of '79.

– Signed on Friday, February 25, 2000 at 15:59:27 (EST)

I am living in Maine with my husband and 3 kids for the last 10 years. Last year we were on sabbatical and we got together for Maryland crabs with John Hopkins and his family and John (Mic) Roush. John Hopkins has a wonderful wife and two awesome kids. His oldest daughter is a student at Columbia and had Jack Layman as a teacher this year! John's son is even taller than John. Dawn, John's wife is a talented musician. John Roush had lots of fascinating stories that only Mic could have, being a spy in Russia, flying U-2's in Desert Storm, marrying Kaiju from Finland etc. They have a son, Sam. While on sabbatical, our oldest daughter went to a school where Ron Whipple is the superintendant, Annapolis Area Christian Schools. We also spent Thanksgiving with Jan Brokaw Lacy and her family. As for me, Dave and I built a house in the woods here in Maine where Dave teaches engineering at the university of Maine and I have a private practice in child and family counseling. We love living here, and in general are enjoying our life, our family, our faith. I'd love to hear from any B.L. folks!

– Signed on Monday, February 14, 2000 at 01:31:42 (EST)

So good to see this page after so many years! Can't believe its been over 20 years since the "Mountian of Trust". A special "thanks" to Anita (Fore) Lustria for sending me this direction. Caught up with her at the 2000 National Religious Boradcasters Convention in Anaheim, CA last weekend.

I've only held two full-time jobs since graduation. In the fall of '82 I graduated from Moody Bible Institute (along with Dan Porch, Carey Owen-a.k.a "Mickey", Brent Casper, and Sandy McKean Sledge). I got married to a Minnesota gal named Kirsten that summer and moved to Cedarville, Ohio where I took a full-time staff position at Cedarville College and tried to finish my degree. After cramming 4 years into 8 1/2 years, I graduated with a BA in Communications with a broadcasting emphasis. I continued on at the college for another three years where I was an adjunct instructor and full-time Audio Engineer for WCDR.

In the Summer of '91 I felt the Lord's nudge to move and was given a job with Focus on the Family. At that time they were moving from Southern California to Colorado Springs, CO. I started managing the department that put the 30 minute daily radio broadcast together. I did that for about 18 months until I moved into the live sound reinforcement area. I have been in this role for about 7 1/2 years and currently manage the Audio-Visual Department for Focus.

I am currently traveling with Focus on the Family's parent/teen conference (Life On The Edge Tour) to about six cities a year. I'm hoping to contact classmates in those areas to get together with them.

My wife and I have been married for 18 years this summer and have three great kids: Erin (16/f), Er1ic (14/m), and Nathan (12/m).

Ben Lippen was a great experience in my life. God definately knew what I needed and I am very thankful to Him for that opportunity!

If any of you are out in this beautiful area, please stop by! I'd love to get reacquainted with you.

– Signed on Thursday, February 10, 2000 at 00:15:20 (EST)

This is neat! I'm not sure who Becky is (the one responsible for setting this up), but I will thank you anyway.
After graduating from Ben Lippen in '77, I attended the Moody Bible Institute in Chicago for one year in their Sacred Music Department. Transferred to and finished my Bachelor's Degree in Piano Performance at the American Conservatory of Music (now defunct :-( ).
Married Pam Holtzapple in 1983. Melissa was born to us in 1985 and Kathleen in 1988. We were divorced on January 4, 1999.
I live in McHenry with my two girls. Melissa is my boy--black belt in the martial arts just before her 10th birthday. Currently an avid ice hockey fan and player.
Katy is my sweetheart. Diagnosed broadly as CP (Cerebral Palsey), she is a total care individual. Happy, energetic and winsome. God has graciously allowed me to be her primary care-giver and has met our needs in various ways.
I drive her school bus for the Special Education District of the county. I run an offset printing business out of the basement (Finest Impressions). And I photograph weddings on weekends between April and December. We are having fun!!
Divorce is not fun--I would not recommend it to anyone. However, there is life on the other side if it is a path you find yourself having to take.

The URL I have supplied will lead you to my latest endeavor--e-commerce at its finest. Check it out!

– Signed on Friday, October 15, 1999 at 00:13:46 (EDT)

Becky, this is too wonderful to have found your site!! I will e-mail more info on myself when you have the new site up. Please feel free to give my e-mail to anyone. Our 20 year reunion is coming up and I would selfishly love to see a record turnout.

Susan McCready Darnell 1979

– Signed on Friday, June 25, 1999 at 10:15:04 (EDT)

Hi Becky...

Sorry to have taken a while to write back . . . . Good to be in touch with you and to hear a bit about what is going on. I would love to hear about others in our class...Eric, Pete, Dwight, Goober etc. I have written and called Linda a few times...saw her once or twice... just like the old days 25 years later. Amazing.

I am athletics director at Cornerstone University in Grand Rapids. My journey has been long and has taken many turns but things are going well. I am married to Felicia, a California girl and a former All American volleyball player. She is a delight and a great wife and mother. I have two daughters, Jalyn-Anne (5) and Rylee (3) and we are expecting our third in November. I love being a dad...it is the best thing about me and the thing I love the most about my life.

This coming Spring I will be ABD in an EdD in Higher Ed Administration. It has been a lot harder than I thought it would be but now that I am in it I have to finish it. I actually enjoy the learning but it is the stress in trying to hold the rest of my life together that is so demanding.

We both would like to move back to California...we feel that is home for us. Had a great offer this past Spring to move to Riverside, CA but turned it down. I never felt good about it for some unknown reason. I since have had second thoughts about my decision but cannot back out now.

Let me know what you know about mutual friends...thanks for your correspondence.

Bob

– Signed on Monday, May 24, 1999 at 11:17:38 (EDT)

Greetings Becky and family,

Thanks for setting up the Alumni Guest Book. I ran across the BL one yesterday and my college one today so I am on a steep Internet learning curve! I've recently been in touch with your sister (first time since '72 graduation) about a class reunion on the "new" BL campus June 20th. Hope I can shake a few classmates out of the trees to come. The following is my addition to the BL Guest Book. I'll include an entry for my sister Bonnie and brother Leo.

Since moving off "the hill" in May 1972, I've lived much of the time overseas, mostly in the Pacific island nation of Papua New Guinea. There I've been teaching middle and high school subjects (Spanish, English, history, Bible, phys ed, etc.) at Ukarumpa International School (k-12). Wycliffe Bible Translators is the school's sponsoring agency. Around 500 attend from various missions and some non-mission local PNG children plus foreign business kids as well so it is an interesting mix of nationalities and viewpoints. My sister Bonnie (BL class of 71) and her husband John Price (and two children) teach there as well so it is nice to have family close by even though we live thousands of miles away from the US.

To back up, I attended Whitworth College a Presbyterian affiliated liberal arts school in Spokane, WA. I graduated in 1976 with a BA in social science. From there I moved back to Arizona, got my teaching certificate and taught a year of 3rd grade in public school and two years of 6th in a Christian school. Wanting to teach overseas I attended the Summer Institute of Linguistics in North Dakota where I first said "Hello, Mary Lou!" We were married the following August, 1981 at her church in Albany, NY and left the country in October for the highlands of Papua New Guinea. Except for one year furloughs in upstate New York and short assignments in the US and Mexico, we've been there ever since. Our children were all born in the US as Mary Lou is diabetic and we wanted to be near good medical facilities. Ben is now 13, Daniel 11, Nick 8 and Julie 4. No more planned!

– Signed on Thursday, May 28, 1998 at 18:25:39 (EDT)

Bonnie attended Bob Jones University graduating in 1971 with a BA in Christian Education. After teaching grade school for a year she joined the Wycliffe Bible Translators and was assigned to Togo, West Africa as a translator. In 1987 she married high school science teacher John Price. They bought a house in Charlotte and had three children (lost the first in childbirth). After earning her Masters in Teaching English as a Second Language at UNC-C they made the move back into missions and over to Papua New Guinea. When not in Waxhaw, North Carolina, they can be reached at SIL Box 312 Ukarumpa, EHP, 444 Papua New Guinea.

(Submitted by Steve Walker)

– Signed on Thursday, May 28, 1998 at 18:25:39 (EDT)

Leo Walker attended the Cleveland Institute of Art for two years after Ben Lippen. While maintaining his interest in art he was employed as a bus driver in the Cleveland metro area. He then moved to the Albany, NY area where he had various jobs before hiring on with Konica. His training as a photocopy technician eventually led to his transfer to Memphis in 1993. He later met Amy a tax accountant for the state of Tennessee. They were married in 1996 and are raising a cocker spaniel named Charm. For further information call him at (800) 255-2273.

(Submitted by Steve Walker)

– Signed on Thursday, May 28, 1998 at 18:25:39 (EDT)

How interesting to find this page after all these years! My thanks to Sara Layman Leonard for sending this URL to me. I've been listed on the web for some time, but I never expected to actually hear from anyone...

After BL I attended Boston University, spending a semester at sea on the R/V Westward before graduating in 1982 with a BS-BA. Several months later I moved to Houston, Texas, where I've lived ever since. I tried my hand at a variety of jobs including chef, bartender, insurance agent, restaurant manager, masonry worker, and flight attendant before settling on computer technician, and now, after seven years as an independent Computer Consultant, I'm currently the Service Manager for a Houston-based computer service center and provide on-site support for a number of corporations here in town. I've also written over a dozen computer programs for various organizations, some of which are, amazingly enough, being distributed internationally.

I studied Fencing (foil) and Tae-Kwon-Do for a bit in college and picked up martial arts again around 1985. A couple years later I starred in a (very) low-budget martial arts film, which is hopefully unavailable to the general public! Since then I've focused primarily on Aikido and Jyodo, recently attaining Rokudan (6th Dan) in both arts. I spent a little over five years assisting in the making of a rather lengthy series of training videos in each art, and had the pleasure last summer of studying under, and teaching with, Tsunako Miyake Shihan, a very dear friend and, I believe, the highest ranking woman martial artist in the world. I expect to open a school along with two very close friends in the next year or so.

Those of you who attended the Class of '79 8th year reunion might be amused to hear that I recently cut my hair for the 2nd time in 10 years (it's now only a bit past my shoulders). I don't have the beard anymore, but I do still wear the earring. I'm sending the 12"-plus lock of hair to the M.D. Anderson Children's Hospital here in Houston (they use donated hair to make wigs for kids on chemotherapy). I still wear dark colors, although not quite as often, and love trench coats, weather permitting in Houston. And yes, I've been told I look a lot like the Highlander when I wear my hair down with my long coat. I don't usually carry my katana in town though.

I'm still single, and still looking, although I thought for a while I had found that "special someone" (fortunately I was wrong). It did help motivate me to write more poetry though, a cathartic process which I've indulged in frequently over the years. I even went so far as to put in online. You can find it, along with my other "hobbies" on my home page at:

http://www.cyber-usa.com/employee/craig/index.html

The picture's a little dated, it's from my younger brother's college graduation, around 1987, but it's all I had. Feel free to drop by.

– Signed on Wednesday, April 22, 1998 at 17:08:38 (EST)

Dear Becky,

Beth Taylor now Blanton here......well , needless to say Rick and I need to "update" our info on the web site.

Rick relocated to Va to take a new job . . . . We got reacquainted via your BL web site. We were married in Dec. 2001 and are extremely Happy! We have five children between us, and we are living in King George on the farm where I grew up.

Rick works as a Federal Police officer, and I am raising Labrador Retrievers.

Thanks,
Beth

- former entry -

Dear Becky and Ben Lippen Friends!

Wow! How great it is to see this page! I have been waiting for such a page and hoping to hook-up with BL friends! Where are all the 1979 people????? Well, lets see where do I start???

After Ben Lippen I went to Eastern Minnonite for one year and then transferred to Washington Bible College in Lanham, Md. I graduated in 1983 and went on to Graduate work at James Madison U. in Harrisonburg, Va. From there I worked as an Aquatics Director for a health club in North Va.
God has worked faithfully in my life since Ben Lippen, and I Thank Him daily for a family who loves Him and desires to serve Him. I currently lead a Bible study for the women of my church. (Trinity Bible Church . . . Pastor: Tommy Ice) and also teach in the Children's Church ministry. My husband leads in the Awana program. To God be the Glory . . . for He is my strength and my salvation . . . by His grace alone!!!!
-->
My senior year at Ben Lippen was the BEST year of my
life . . . . I knew it then, and I know it now!!! I look forward to a 20-year reunion in 1999!

Blessings to all! Beth

– Signed on Sunday, April 5, 1998 at 17:28:16 (EST)

Hi! We just got Internet and of course I had to check out the news of B.L. friends. David, my brother, had told me that you have a website. Thanks. It was nice to read the entries of folks I knew. Here's my update.

After graduation from B.L. I went to Wheaton at first, then transferred to Bryan College where my dad taught. I met my husband, Jerry, the summer after graduation from Bryan and we were married a few months later. So we've been married over 21 years now! Jerry is a graduate of the Naval Academy, so the first five years we were in the Navy and made it to both coasts. (He was a submariner.) Since the Navy, he's been working as an engineer in various nuclear power plants, mostly in the South. We now live in the lovely town of St. Francisville, LA, right on the Mississippi River. It's a town rich in history and does a lot of business with tourists.

God has blessed us with three children: Matthew (13), Stephanie(10), and Julianna (4). All are adopted; Juli is from China and has been with us a bit over a year. I homeschool, which is a full time job, teach a group of homeschooled children literature once a week, and am involved at church. Our family enjoys hiking, vintage dancing (that's a surprise even to us!), Bible studies, and the Smokies. We take an annual vacation to a cabin near Waynesville, N.C. We did spend a year in China as tentmakers about 8 years ago. We now have a high school exchange student from China living with us. Jerry leads a Bible study of Chinese grad students attending LSU.

Its hard to believe its been over 25 years since graduation. I greet each of you with love and fond memories. I did get a letter from Steve Walker and will answer it this week. Anyone want a class reunion?

Lots of love, Becky

– Signed on Wednesday, March 25, 1998 at 08:23:48 (EST)

Dear Becky,

It was great to find out about the BL website through Ruth Ellen Howdyshell. She does such a good job putting our (Class of 75) annual newsletter together. Ben Lippen holds many unforgettable memories for all of us.

Even though it doesn't seem that long since we graduated, I had to come to grips with reality---------- I turned the big 4-0 this year. Yes, it is kind of depressing, but I have so much to be thankful for. I'm sure many of you feel the same way.

My husband, Buddy, is an HVAC Contractor, and I help him with operating the business. Our area is growing very rapidly, and the building industry is booming. This keeps us very busy as well. Our oldest daughter, Kelly, got married over a year ago. Her husband, Tim, is a Youth/Assistant Pastor here in Greenville. My son, Aaron, is in his first year of college and majoring in engineering. My daughter, Anna, is a junior in high school. She plays varsity basketball and is on Honor Society. Wow! What a great family.

Even though we have tried to keep in touch as a class, it's great to hear from other BL alumnae. Just seeing pictures of the Inn really makes me miss the old campus. I'd love to hear from any of my "old buddies."

Thanks again Becky!

– Signed on Thursday, February 26, 1998 at 15:16:17 (EST)

Dear Becky:

What a nice surprise to hear from you. I had wondered where you and Margaret where and then I get a note from Margaret! I have been in touch with all kinds of BL friends the past few weeks. It all started when Steve Walker and I saw each other at our 25th reunion. We promised to stay in touch, and he took it upon himself to get in touch with as many in our class as possible, in hopes of another reunion. He contacted people who contacted others who contacted me and so on.

I loved your home page. You did an outstanding job on it and the BL guestbook. I tried to enter my info but I got your message about changes you are making. Anyway, the last time I saw you was in Richmond at your parents' house I believe. It was in the fall of 1983 on my way to New York. Margaret was working in Richmond, and I met her fiancé then.

I am married to a Greer girl (of course!) and we have three children. I brought my two daughters with me to BL to the reunion, but there were only four of us there from my class. Anyway, my brother and I are in the furniture business as we have been since I graduated from Furman University. My wife's name is Ruth and our children are Will (15), Anna (8) and Emily (6). We live in Greer and have been here almost ten years.

I was glad to hear from Margaret. She was a great classmate and a good friend. I always had a lot of respect for her and enjoyed getting to know her and Carol even after BL when they were at BJU.

You have a beautiful family. My girls laughed when they saw the picture of your child getting a haircut. It seems you have been very busy with computing since we were in touch ! I remember you were interested in it when I was up there.

Take care and you can add any of this to your BL alumni page that you wish.

Gary

– Signed on Tuesday, February 24, 1998 at 19:57:10 (EST)

Where are all the '71 grads? I've really enjoyed reading all the posting on this site. It really brings back fond memories. Never thought I'd say this at the time, but my years at BL have had a greater impact on my life than I ever imagined they would. After wandering aimlessly in my spiritual life for a lot of years I've come to realize that what Mr. Mack and Mr. Weeber spent so much time trying to get us to see was what I wanted all along. God truly does look after His children!

After leaving BL I started college at Westmont but bailed after about a half a semester, a pattern I continued at the next 3 or 4 colleges I tried! I never did get a degree but I did end up with a pilots license somewhere along the way. I've been a pilot for Ameriflight, Inc., a small package cargo airline based in Burbank, Ca for the last 13 years. We carry mostly bank mail and cancelled checks all over the country.

I've been married for twenty years to Shell and we have two great kids. Chelsea is almost six and in kindergarten at Intermountain Christian School here in Salt Lake. Chase is two and a half and keeps us very busy being a normal rambunctious boy. He certainly fits his name!

It may sound trite, but we would really like to hear from any BL grads coming through Salt Lake or via e- mail. Our phone number is (801) 967-4353.

– Signed on Saturday, January 17, 1998 at 16:08:46 (EST)

Greetings from Florence, SC where Jim Braswell lives with his wife Peggy and their two children Elizabeth and Matthew. Jim stays busy with his job as a therapist with the SC Dept. of Mental Health as well as a Presbyterian Minister at Large. Jim loves E-mail. Hope to hear from others from the class of 1973. If you are in Florence, SC area, please stop in. 803-673-0247(HM) 803-432-5192 (Office in Camden).

– Signed on Wednesday, January 07, 1998 at 22:01:28 (EST)

Hey folks! Here I am sitting at our "retail internet store" in downtown Portland, OR thinking of things to search for. We have 20 computers with huge monitors for use by the hour, and have been an internet service provider for 14 months too.
I have been in the Portland area since going to Multomah School of the Bible for one year right out of BL. After that I went to nurses training. I have been married for 15 years and have three red-headed boys, 9, 11, &13. (Almost- they all turn over another year in December.) Barb Anderson has been down here from Alaska for 5 years.
I had the great pleasure of going to Europe with Susan Layman and Leslie and Mr. and Mrs. Layman too in 1995. I saw Susan again this summer in Cal. at Leslie's. Good times!
I can't believe the guys are trying to get ME off the computer to go for dinner. That is usually my role. More later. Donna

– Signed on Friday, November 07, 1997 at 20:57:15 (EST)

Dear Becky,

I wanted to write to update my email address for the BL alumni website. I am no longer teaching middle school science but am teaching childbirth classes and doing some photography. Our oldest daughter graduates this year from high school.

My husband, Mark is in the audio-visual field as a stage manager/technical director for corporate meetings. We have 5 children, ages 10 - 17. I sing with the Garden State Philharmonic Chorus (Mr. Parker, are you reading this?) as well as doing solo work and singing in a small group. Life is not boring!

After Ben Lippen, I attended The King's College for 2 years and then transferred to Wheaton College, majoring in Biology. I taught middle school science for many years.

Thanks again, Becky, for your work. The pictures of the Inn brought back so many memories!

Index of
Entries by
Class Year:

1970s:

Eliada Home:
Paul McMinn

1979
Craig S. Boyett
Kathy Davis Gasper
Dan Marsh
Susan McCready Darnell
Joel Natwick
Dan Porch
David Samuel
Beth Taylor Blanton
Mark Young
1978
David C. Baker
Rick Blanton
Sheryl Dillinger
Anita (Fore) Lustrea
Chris Fortosis
Joe Hart
Benjamin Howell
Jay Jackson
Randy LeTourneau
Bob Neef
Mark Owens
Bill Peoples
1977
Diana Adams Carpenter
Dorothy Christian
Jackson
Sam Germann
David Gute
John Hopkins
Steve Jackson
Lois Kelsey Dvorak
Ruth Mooney Akers
Paula Spoede Halvorson
Ron & Debbie Washburn
1976
Donna Anderson Neff
Julie Crabtree Baker
Kirk Gehman
Rick Huss
Pam (Kistler) MacRae
Susan Layman
Chris McAdams
Louise Stewart Kemp
Leo Walker
Jon (Jonathan) Walton
1975
Mike Blanton
Norman Holland
Joy Joner Vaughn
Karen Raws Richardson
Robby Richardson
1974
Becky Branham Dimon
Janet Brown Bullard
Bob Fortosis
Leslie Layman
Rick Leander
Karen Shuman Sims
David Spoede
1973
Flora Jean Bailey
Jim Braswell
Sharon Hopkins McAfee
Polly Kistler Lemenager
Andy Maples
Cherri Raws Pavuk
Martha Seiford Smallwood
Bruce Short, deceased
Bob Strauss
Carole West Strauss
1972
Kathleen Barnes Wyllie
Don Blanton
Margaret Branham
Kimmel
John Cook
Dave Craymer
Philip Dell
Calvin Germann
Paul Gordiejew
Gary Griffin
Fred Huebner
David Orth
Becky Spoede Parker
Steve Walker
Kathy Weeks Aull
1971
Steve Fortosis
Richard "Rich" Kennedy
Bob Major
Sarah Perry Morgan
Bill Townsend
Don Trout
Bonnie Price nee Walker
Lynette Wilson
1970
Christopher Charles
Stube