MethuenHighSchool.com Newsletter v3.0
Tue, 10/28/2008 - 00:11 — Miguel
Hi folks,
It's me again invading your inbox bringing you the bi-monthly, semi-every-other-weekly, pseudo-quarterly newsletter. When enough of these go out to establish a pattern, one of the math whizzes from high school will report back to me exactly what their frequency is. At that time you will also be informed.
1) Halloween is coming up, so in an effort to stimulate Halloween picture posting (and rid myself of any dignity), I have posted some fond costume memories of our past (circa mid 90s). I recommend you empty your mouth of any liquid not suitable for nasal output. You have been warned.
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/photos/halloween-high-school-style.htm
2) Susie Castillo Signed Books at the Loop
Last time I wrote I talked about her and her new book, then last month she shows up at the Loop to sign copies of her book. I am guessing there were exceedingly long lines of the MTV demographic there. If you happened upon the madness (for the sake of your kids, nieces and nephews of course) and got any pics, this is an official request. Even if you just know someone that went (or you don't want to admit you were there), post them to the site.
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/news/events/susie-castillo-1996-book-signing-at-borders-at-the-loop.htm
3) Speaking of her latest book, the winner of our little contest was Noelle (Grasso) Englehart who coincidentally (seriously) requested that I send her Susie's new book. I never heard from Nicole whether or not she got it, but Amazon says that the book was delivered even though the delivery person suffered severe frostbite. For those of you keeping score, she lives in Alaska.
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/news/mhs-online/noelle-grasso-englehart-1995-wins-free-methuen-gear.htm
OK, read on for the rest of the newsletter which is certified Susie-free.
4) New Methuen Law Gives Preference to Veterans for City Jobs
What a great way to support those that served. Here's more info:
"[Veterans] can come into City Hall ... get an application, fill out the application for any type of a job that they feel as though they are qualified to do, and put their name on this list," Pappalardo told MTV News. "If something becomes available, they will be called upon first."
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/news/helping-hand/new-methuen-law-gives-preference-to-veterans-for-citys-jobs.htm
5) Remember to check in on reunion announcements like this one:
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/news/reunions/jrotc-15-year-reunion-1995-thru-2008.htm
And:
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/news/reunions/class-of-1998-reunion.htm
And reunion requests like this one by member thinksincode:
Is there going to be a class of 1999 reunion?
http://www.methuenhighschool.com/
6) Lastly, since I last brought you one of these newsletters, we learned that some members of our Methuen High School family lost loved ones. I like to think that those that pass on prefer that we remember them by celebrating their life and being kind to those still with us. If you share this feeling, pass on a little kindness to everyone around you and make the most of your time together. We know it never seems like enough.
Keep in touch.
-Miguel
Comments
Offended in Wasilla
I must say, all these references to "igloos" and "frostbite" shows just how ignorant the rest of the world is to Alaska culture and lifestyle.
I live in Wasilla and I am sick and tired of questions involving Sarah Palin (who does not wander around shooting things at random), Eskimos (a generic name for many different tribes), Polar Bears (who do not cover thier noses with their paws to hide in the snow), igloos (there are NONE in AK...northern Canada, yes), and Penguins (which are an ANTarctic bird).
Educate yourselves people.
Now, you must excuse me. I am off to dine on whale blubber while clubbing seals as I drill for oil.
I hope you are not
I hope you are not serious.
It was a joke.
Someone seems awfully defensive about living in AK.
Even Noelle (another Alaskan citizen) thought it was funny.
Regarding the eating blubber, with seals while drilling...you shouldn't multi-task so heavily.
Pace yourself.
Anyway, post some pics of Alaska will you? This will help educate us.
:)
Regards,
Miguel G. Perez
Yes, I can see that you are
Yes, I can see that you are all in need of schooling.
I will educate.
And of course, I was kidding and am laughing on the inside.
Uh... actually there ARE Igloos in AK
I hate to be the bearer of bad news here JVCahoon.... but as a dog musher here in AK; I personally have encountered MANY igloos. They are of varying construction and people up in Barrow actually do utilize them for their whale hunts, which are done by a form of a canoe and pulled ashore using a quad, some rope and the entire village.
There is a nationality of Eskimo's. I have a very close friend who is of such descent.... and we do have a FORM of a penguin it is called a puffin. I have seen them myself as the sports I am involved in and the occupation for which I have (Wildlife Photographer) have given me the ample oppurtunites to see them. My husband WHO JUST SO HAPPENS TO DRILL UP ON THE NORTH SLOPE FOR OIL has seen the igloos over in Barrow, and has had three encounters with polar bears. I hate to say this my CHEECHAKO friend; but before you upchuck anymore mukluk (Whale blubber in inupiat) you also might want to become a smidge more educated yourself. Unless you have seen them yourself or have been there to witness them, I don't suggest educating to many people.
And to live up here you SERIOUSLY need to get more of a sense of humor lighten up and start to let things roll off your back more. Miguel I will forward you some pics of a polar bear northern lights and alaska that i have taken that you can put on here. With the temps where i am right now outside of mcgrath tipping the scales at MINUS 52 not including the windchill this evening, a sense of humor takes you a long way. Not to many people can say that they have experienced a 100 degree temp change in less that 3 months.
I for one found the comments about windchill and frostbite to be comical and accurate. Get on the back of a dog sled that is 16 dogs long (an 18 wheeler in length) and meet some native people out in the villages OFF the main road system and you will find your sense of humor if not you will definitely find some humility.
I found your post/rant about ignaorance to be offensive to me an alaskan and mom to a native alaskan. So thus I am off to go and get 4 hours sleep and train some more, the Iditarod start isnt to far away.
sorry for typos
sorry for typos, i am trying to warm up i have been outside all night and my fingers are still a little cold.
Miguel , JVCahoon was/is defensive about living in AK; most oputsiders are for the first few years. That either goes away after they have been here in AK for more than 6 years or they go back to where they came from. Once you get AWAY from cities/towns such as Anchorage Wasilla and Fairbanks and actually spend time in ALASKA the uncommericalized part of the state, where you can only get there by boat, by quad, by sessna, by dog or by snowmachine/snowmobile; you truly get an appreciation for the Alaskan way of life.
Denali fairbanks wasilla anchorage etc... are all towns on the road system here in AK, there is still some 60% +/- of the state that most people don't see when visiting... not many people want to leave the hotel/house acrutiments. I personally have been awoken by a grizzly bear, have stood less than 5 feet from one and have gone out to some seriously remote parts of Alaska, I found humility it is a matter of time before others find it too.
I hate to be the bearer of more bad news...
A puffin is not any FORM of penguin. Sure they are both birds, but by that logic you could say a blue jay is a crow. Also if I was upchucking mukluk it is because I ate a slipper...or did you mean MUKTUK...with a T. THAT would be whale blubber. There may be Eskimo tribesmen left, but not every tribe is Eskimo - a common mistake made by folks in the lower 48 (being married to a Native, I am sure you know this). Finally, you may want to give Juneau a jingle at let them know about them igloos. According to the AK government, there are no Igloos left that are used for housing in the state.
So, with all do respect, perhaps if you plan on educating us all, you may want to retool your syllabus.
As far as you taking offense to my post, perhaps you should thaw those eyeballs for a few minutes before reading.
I acknowledged I was kidding in the second response.
I'd say chill out, but that would seem redundant. So...lighten up!
Good luck in the race! Hope there is more running surface than there was last year.
Again, for the record...
Not defensive about living in AK. I was joking. And I will be the first to admit that I have not lived in any of the remote parts of the state (the most remote area I lived in was Denali).
However, I have taken many informative classes run by the ACVB and the State of Alaska. In my line of opinion, even though I am in tourism/hospitality it pays to be able to set people on the right path and send them to the NON-touristy wonders that AK has to offer. Anyone can toddle around Anchorage then follow parks Highway up through Talkeetna, Denali, and Fairbanks. But how many people have hiked in the backcountry? How many people have flown to Barrow or Eek in a one prop plane? How many people come in the off-seasons and witness the caribou migration? These people who do remember AK for it's beauty and mystery. Unfortunately, too many people remember AK for the one mountain range they see and the too-expensive food they eat.
And if we love Alaska, Isn't it our job to educate the world about what they are truly missing?
Whoa, consider me better
Whoa, consider me better educated on Alaska.
If you can, make an album of those pics Noelle, if not, I will when I get them from you.
Sounds to me like you are well located for your line of work. The stark contrast of beauty and danger you witness must make for some incredible shots.
JV, are you running a hotel business in AK?
Regards,
Miguel G. Perez