Upper Merion

I've been a bit remiss - the UpperMerion.Net website has moved to 2 different servers over the past year - and being busy with other projects, I have been a bit slow in keeping it updated - including fixing the darn "Enrollment" section...

 

It is now fixed and I am now busy catching up with all the other changes...

 

Sorry folks !

 

Oh, and I now have a new phone number - so check out my 'profile' here to get the latest number.

 

Thanks !

 

Bruce Koehler,

UMHS Class of '71

 

Another of our class mates passed away earlier this month...  It always makes me sad to add to the Memoriam list.  How many remember this classmate?  How many even know of the passing?  And what of the family?

 

When was the last time YOU contacted an old friend and said, "Hi !"  When was the last time YOU turned to an old friend and asked "How are things going?"

 

I ask each and every one of you to turn to old friends and not only remember the past, but genuinely find out how they are doing.

 

I, myself, welcome my class mates (no matter WHAT year) to contact me...  After all, we have at least one thing in common - graduating from the greatest high school ever!

 

Bruce Koehler,

UMHS Class of '71

OK, I, probably more than most of my class mates, have grown up with technology - starting with computers back in 1964...  And yet, I am still awed by it all...

 

I just got off with a nice 'conversation' with my daughter - living almost 3,000 miles away - Instant Messaging...  something that I was using back in 1974 and 1975 - during the Viet Nam War....  and I am still awed... 

 

Man has certainly created an amazing way of keeping 'communication lines' open.

 

The following is an excerpt from one of many conversations back in '74.  My nickname was 'BC' - 1-Eyed Jack was a friend in Okinawa.

=========

1-EYED JACK DE BC                (1-Eyed Jack, This is BC)

CIP CIP CIP CIP CIP               (CIP - means Come In Please)

ZYH ZRG                                (ZYH and ZRG rings the bells at the terminal)

CIP CIP CIP CIP CIP

DID YOU GET THE INFO IMI     (IMI - a Question Mark)

RGRGRGRG                            (RGR - Roger)

OK

TANX                                     (Thanks)

BCNUL8R                               (Be Seeing You Later)

DE BC OUT                            (This is BC - signing off)

=========

 

Things haven't changed much over the years - the main difference is that where once only a select few had access to this playground, now just about anyone in the world has access to these same tools / toys...

 

Amazing...

 

DE BC OUT

 

"Saturday, February 17th, we took our son up to Lees-McRae College to help him determine which college he would like to attend. The college was quaint and beautiful. The town of Banner Elk was small, warm and welcoming. And the local ski slopes were in operation. We had a wonderful time at a wonderful college, and in our spare time we traveled all 4 roads in and out of town. It certainly was in the mountains!

However, within this beautiful setting, one 'thing' marred the beauty of these majestic mountains. Along our travels around town, I looked up upon the ridges and was shocked at the results of unrestricted development.

The top of the ski slope had, what appeared to be a bank of grain silos rising high over the mountain. And the surrounding mountains had, hundreds of homes closely scattered along the once beautiful mountains. It looked like someone dumped a Monopoly set, houses and all, desecrating the beauty.

This could have been prevented, or even controlled. It wasn't, and it is a reflection on the concern (or lack of concern) of the county's citizens. They have devalued not only the environment, but also their own property values, as it no longer is a 'pretty sight.'

I hope that our own county does not follow in that county's footsteps as it wrestles with 'zoning' or controlled development. I hope that enough citizens become concerned and involved in the process - no matter which side - so that we, as a community, can keep the beauty we all enjoy and yet effectively accommodate growth.

What can you do? Find out what is currently in place. Find out what is being said and what is being planned. Read what you can about 'Planning' in general and visit http://www.planning.org. Visit the town and county web sites and look at the ordinances and the meeting minutes. Go to the county and town meetings. Go to the Zoning and Planning Board Meetings. Decide for yourself what is needed, and then MAKE YOUR VOICE KNOWN."

 

 

 

 

 

Looking through our database, I am amazed at how spread out everyone is - and yet, few, if any are not within a stone's throw of another graduate of Upper Merion!

 

This gives us an UNPRECEDENTED opportunity to help other members - or at least get in touch and let them know you're there...

 

I lived in Duluth, GA for 4 years and didn't realize that one graduate lived in Lawrenceville, GA - just a few miles away! 

 

Living in Franklin, NC - I discovered that another graduate lives up in Lake Toxaway, NC - again, just a few miles away!

 

So, IF you want to reach out, let me know...  I will let you know of other members in your area...  Who knows - maybe we can have some 'regional' reunions - maybe a picnic or barbeque at a local park - and just get acquainted... 

 

(I am simply amazed...)