Karen Rasmussen Peifer and brothers Tom (WHS '65) on the left and Pete (WHS '67) on the right.
Greetings to all who attended the reunion in June. It was good to see those old familiar faces (Did I say OLD? What was I thinking?)
I have been married to Mike Peifer, class of '59, since 1965. We have lived in Woodbridge, Virginia since 1970. Mike is a plumbing supervisor and is currently renovating the Department of Justice in DC and is starting to think seriously about retiring in 2 - 4 years. He has had a successful career with Washington's largest mechanical contractor and participated in building or renovating several sites in this beltway area. He is a golfer and Mr. Fix-it extraordinaire. I think I will keep him. His class of '59 only had one reunion he knows about, so he always enjoys coming to ours.
I am the Event & Media Coordinator for the Prince William Regional Chamber of Commerce, one of the largest chambers in Virginia. I plan signature events, networking opportunities, educational seminars and legislative breakfasts / lunches for a membership of almost 800. Our website is www.Regionalchamber.org. I was a volunteer for the President's Cup golf match in October and have a wonderful collection of people and things I have had the privilege of associating with.
Mike and I have 3 grown kids and have paid off 3 college tuitions and our house.
My son Timothy was born in 1962. He is an assistant regional vice president for Bank of America in the Shenandoah Valley, is married with one adorable precocious daughter of 6 (Do I sound like a grandma?), and a charming beautiful wife. They settled in the Valley after Tim fell in love with the area as a counselor at our church camp in his teens. Kristy and Tim married in 1990, the year of Mike's and my 25th wedding anniversary and my parents 50th. They lived next door to us for 7 years before going "west.' I miss them terribly.
My second child Joyce was born in 1967. She graduated from James Madison U with a theatre degree and is currently the stage manager for an Australian theatre group touring the US. She will return home for Thanksgiving and leave for England and the Globe Theatre for a stint there. She and a partner have their own Shakespeare company here in Manassas VA, and their website is www.vpstartcrow.org. We have a lot of fun with them and do more theatre than Mike would probably like, but it's his daughter and you know that routine. Joyce came close to marriage 3 times, but still hasn't found Mr. Right. She is a 6' tall redhead with a mind of her own and energy to spare.
Our third child Kristen was born in 1974. SHe is in PR /Communications with the NBA Washington Wizards. (Yes, she works for Michael Jordan) She is a Washington commuter. She graduated from Old Dominion U. in Norfolk with a degree in Sports Management and is a men's basketball nut. She and her 3 year old son live with Mike and me, and we are committed to little Brenden's care until she can be independent. He is a source of joy and laughter. Kristen brings home the best stories for the dinnertable for her dad, and we share this nest with 3 cats.
Mike and I have a timeshare at Ocean City MD, where we go annually for our retreat, do Williamsburg twice a year and spend several long weekends a year with his brother and wife in Fenwick Island, DE. I am a lifelong Lutheran and have dedicated much of my spare time to my church activities. I have been blessed with good health, although the last decade has brought the normal things late middle age brings us all.
I was a Navy kid and spent my high school years between Wheaton and Radford High School in Honolulu, HI, attending that Reunion in September of this year too. Yes, it was wonderful, warm and we had the hula at that dinner/dance.
Aloha nui loa to all my classmates and I will certainly be happy to check in on the website for further news.
Update 06-18-2005: I retired in 2004 following careers in fashion retail and professional event planning. I currently volunteer with the Williamsburg Hospital, the James City County Citizens Academy, and the Jamestown 2001 program to celebrate America's birthday. Mike and I are proud parents of 3 and grandparents of 2.
Update 05-19-2006: My hobby is Jamestown 2007.