April 29, 2006

Thank you all!

The good news is that we are back in the house after a 6 month exodus. The furniture that was ordered back in December has been trickling in until we are at a point now where we can finally see the light at the end of the tunnel. Our neighborhood is still a mass of FEMA trailers but that is also good news in that it means the people are planning on moving back and not just abandoning their former homes to the rats.

I can not really put into words how wonderful it is to be HOME.

The bad news is that Hurricane season is just over a month away, and frankly we do not have another flood in us. The city is no where near ready no matter what you might read in your papers up north. Those of us in the suburbs are in better shape although the basic problems with the pumps that got us in trouble in the first place have still not been resolved. These people down here move at a glacial pace. Where is Robert Moses when we need him!!! Or any New Yorker!!!!! For that matter.

Speaking of pumps, we had our first real rain storm since the hurricane this week. It came down hard enough to require the pumps all over the city to be started. When three were started and brought up to capacity they caught fire!!!!! And are now down for the hurricane season!!! When asked about this situation the pump people said they sort of expected there to be a problem with those pumps since all three had been underwater for two weeks after the hurricane and they thought maybe there had been some corrosion. Think about it: copper wires— flooded for two weeks--- in salt water? And there MIGHT? Be a little corrosion? These people seem to have the intellectual prowess of yogurt cultures sometimes.

I am so grateful to be part of such a caring group as our Class of ‘67 and I would like to thank you all again for your financial help over some pretty rough times, but most of all a special thank you to Brad, Peter, and Alison for their many notes and phone conversations that truly let me know we weren’t alone and forgotten down here in the swamps.

Love to you all,

John Ellis

November 20, 2005

Dear Members of the Class of '67,

As Thanksgiving Day quickly approaches, I just wanted to thank all of you that have been so very kind to me and my family this year. I always knew we were a special group of young people back in the sixties, and now even though we have grown and live very far apart, we still are that very special class of '67. I for one, am honored to be apart of this caring group of people.

So this year as all your famly members come together for the holidays, hug each other a bit tighter, hold on to all the special memories you are making with your children and grandchildren, and most of all double check you have good flood insurance!!!!

Laissez le bon temps roulez mes amis!!!! Thank you all again so very much.

J.Ellis

October 10, 2005 news-link from John

September 24, 2005

Fellow Friends Academy '67 Classmates,

As all of you know, hurricane Katrina recently devastated the Gulf coast of our country. I'm sure that many of you have already given generously to the charities of your choice. I am appealing to you on a much more personal level. One of our own, John Ellis and his family, have lost nearly all of their possessions as a result of the hurricane and subsequent flooding. A group has been formed and a bank account is being established to which John will have direct access. This account will be funded by donations from any and all who wish to assist John and his family in their time of crisis and greatest need.

Checks can be made out in the name of John Ellis - these can be sent to Friends Academy,

Attn: Carl Pozzi, Alumni Development Office, Friends Academy, Duck Pond Rd., Locust Valley, NY 11560 direct tel 561/393-4269. They will be sent directly by Carl to the bank John chooses as a deposit.

These are gifts to John and his family and are not charitable contributions to FA for IRS purposes. All gifts will remain confidential - both as to whether or not any individual has made one and as to the amount. Many of us will be attending Homecoming this October 1st. We will begin to collect any an all donations of ANY size. All will be greatly appreciated and will remain anonymous.

If you have any questions or would like to make suggestions or help further in any way, please don't hesitate to call me or Brad Lovette (the big-shot producer) on our cell phones [both these phone numbers are listed in the Class Directory - login to access!] . Thanks as well to Didi for all her input and suggestions and to Mike and Mary Brandt at Valley Web Designs who always give so generously of their time and energy. Oh, yea, Wicker called me from Bejing last night, he'll be at Homecoming. I look forward to seeing you all soon. All of you and Friends Academy has and remains a very special part of my life and heart.

Best to all,

Peter T. Lyman