My Career:My husband and I moved back to Bradenton and into the house I grew up in. I got a job as a reporter at the Bradenton Herald. I was making $3.75 an hour at the Bradenton Herald. We were going to be rich! After almost five years at the Bradenton Herald, I got a job (and a raise) at the Sarasota Herald-Tribune. After almost five years at the H-T, I decided to change fields and went to work at the Ringling Museum of Art. I really liked the people at the RMA, but I never felt like the job would be there the next day. The whole enterprise was a lot shakier back then. So I went to law school after only ten months at the RMA. I graduated from Stetson University College of Law in 1989. After working for the circuit judges in a research capacity, I am now Child Support magistrate for our circuit. I have never run out of work.
How I spend my free time:Well, get a law degree and suddenly people want you on their board. I was the second woman admitted to the Bradenton Kiwanis Club in 1992. I became its first woman president in 1999-2000. In addition to my job I was doing all sorts of things for boards of non-profits. It all came crashing down in May of 2000. That was when I had four or five strokes in 24 hours. I was in the hospital for eight weeks and out of work for 12 weeks. It was horrible, life and death stuff, but things seem to be over for now. So I was whacked by life, but I’m still here. (Although, if not for my husband, I don’t know where I would be.)
Other comments:I like to walk and stop and look at the flowers. I also like to see and listen to the birds. I used to read a lot, but reading is not as easy as it once was. I just rest up so I can go back to work, and am thankful that I can still work.
Joyce (Nicki) Hirshberg Borden Address:4112 Lorraine Rd Bradenton, FL 34211
Home:941 746-6770 Email:bordenn@juno.com
Spouse:Married to Richard for 42 years with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Personal:I meet Richard when I was at Walker Jr. High and he was a senior at Manatee High. Richard retired January 1, 2010. We are planning to retire to our home in Dawsonville Ga. when economy turns around enough to sell out here. I was born in Bradenton but have fallen in love with Northern Georgia. The only problem I have with moving, will be leaving all my family and friends 9 hours behind. I can't imagine not seeing the grand kids all the time. They are growing up so fast.
How I spend my free time:The grandchildern take up all my hobby time now and I love it. (Updated 6/11/2010)
George Hiskes Address:2105 Riverview Blvd Bradenton, FL 34205
Home:941 746-8573 Email:GMHiskes@Verizon.net
Spouse:Married to Marlaine for 48 years with 2 children and 6 grandchildren.
Personal:I met Marlaine at Calvin College in Grand Rapids, Mi.
My Education:B.A. Economics, Calvin College
My Career:Taught mathematics at Bradenton Christian School for 3 years.Developed and managed the Information Systems group at Beall's for past 32 years. Now retired.
How I spend my free time:Travel, boating, old cars, and playing with grandchildren.
Other comments:I married a wonderful woman and we are best friends. (Updated 11/8/2017)
Cheryl Hitchings
Linda Hoffman Allen Address:10205 Nw 32 Place Gainesville, FL 32606
Home:3522140455 Office:Retired Email:lmallen330@gmail.com
Spouse:Widowed We were married for 35 years with 3 children and 5 grandchildren.
Personal:. Gainesville, Florida I had been a single mom for several yearsaftermy divorce and met Rick at church. We dated a year or so , but he was definitly worth the wait! He is completing the school year teaching at ahighschool and is also working for Florida Virtual School. I have a daughter-Jen who is a partner in her ex-husband’s business, she has 3 children; my son Andy is a medic & Army Ranger-he supervises medics at ranger school, he & his wife have an 18 month old daughter; my youngest son, Eric is autistic & has Down’s syndrome-he lives in a group home in Inverness.
My Education:after graduation, I went to Loyola University in New Orleans graduated and am a dental hygienist -retired
My Career:retired
How I spend my free time:I like to knit and crochet, we also enjoy kayaking,hiking and camping; also visiting my children & grandkids
Other comments:Rick and I facilitate an 8 week course - Dynamic Marriage and will be starting with a new group this week. (Updated 11/8/2017)
Sherry Holeman Sheffield Address:4047 Cypress Landing E Winter Haven, FL 33884
Home:863 969-3172 Cell:863-651-6087 Office:863 534-5924 Email:sherry65s@yahoo.com
Spouse:Married to John for 10 years with 2 children and 5 grandchildren.
Personal:My sons are Jon and Michael Foerster and they live in Winter Haven and Orlando. Jon is married and has 3 children. Michael is married and has 2 children.
My Education:I didn't go on to college. I did get licensed in cosmetology, but didn't work at it and stayed home and raised my sons for a few years before I joined the employed. Hold all certifications in Code Enforcement.
My Career:After high school I married Larry Foerster and we went to Battle Creek, Michigan and Duluth, Minnesota as he was in the Air Force. During those years I worked for Sears. Then I raised children for a few years and then owned a restaurant (hated it!). I worked for 24 years for City of Winter Haven and Polk County Government in Code Enforcement. I retired in 2013 and then went back until husband retires in 21months. As of today...31 work days left.
How I spend my free time:We are active in our church and we spend time with grandchildren! Looking forward to getting an RV and seeing some of the country after retirement. with work and church and family...that's a pretty full schedule.
Other comments:I'm just looking forward to seeing everyone can't believe we are 68! I believe we were so lucky to grow up when we did, I wouldn't trade places with these kids today for anything. I have great memories of school and hope we get to take a tour of MHS. Recently I've joined the ranks of Facebook and am enjoying talking with 'kids' from our school days. So looking forward to this reunion! 50 years...who would have thought...seems like yesterday. As of 11/9/17, the reunion was a couple years ago and it was great! We are still planning on RV-ing and are looking forward to that. (Updated 11/10/2017)
Laraine Holeman Holcomb
Christina Hollingsworth Johnson Address:4704 50th Ave. W Bradenton, FL 34210-2988
Home:941 739-0353 (Updated 5/19/2015)
Julie Hullinger Bechko Address:400 Alejandro st Santa Fe, NM 87501
Home:505 9891312 Email:jbechko@gmail.com
Spouse:Married to Michael Bechko for 45 years with 1 child.
Personal:My husband Mike was from Sarasota and I ended up living there for all these years until we made the big move for the first time in my life to any place other than west Fla. We moved to Santa Fe N.M. in the winter of 1999. It's really beautiful here, lots of amazing scenery and Mountains. I had a job in a big nursery and have learned alot about western plants- pretty different from the tropical stuff I was used to. I do alot of gardening and work in the yard as much as I can. I have tons of flowers and trees and big vegetable gardens. I have a sewing workroom and make custom home decor things for interior designers. Our daughter Corinna is 44 and is married, lives in Los Angeles and has a zoology degree. She works with her husband in the comic/graphic novel world. She is active in animal rights and wildlife rescue centers,and feral cat rescue. She also volunteers in the Paleontology dept at the L.A. Natural History Museum and sometimes gets to go on fossil digs. Her husband also works in the film industry and has been involved with alot of big movies. They have alot of animals. My husband works in the IT department at St.Johns college here. Hoping to retire.
My Education:I went to MJC for a few sporadic years-took all the art classes and not much that would get me to graduation. I learned to sew for interior designers and did that for about 10 years in Sarasota till I moved.
How I spend my free time:Spare time- We go hiking in the mountains, so much to see out here. I work in my gardens, and go thrift shopping and searching for antiques. We have a dog and three cats running around in here, they are pretty entertaining. (Updated 11/8/2017)
Brenda Hunt Alcorn Address:4711 22nd Ave. W. Bradenton, FL 34209
Home:941 713-4991 Office:retired Email:Bhalcorn65@aol.com
Spouse:Married to Jerry for 30 years with 1 child and 2 grandchildren.
Personal:I met Jerry on the beach about 39 years ago. He loved ham radio and photography. My son, Todd is a teacher of ESE children ages 4 - 3rd grade. His patience is remarkable. My grandchildren: Logan is 12 and Brandon is 9 (10 in September).
My Education:I have a BA from USF and am certified in ESOL and gifted education. I also have certification in AP English Language and Composition courses from various colleges during summer workshops.
My Career:I taught English at Manatee High School for 32 1/2 years. I retired four years ago!!
How I spend my free time:First and foremost, I take care of Logan and Brandon whenever possible and it is more fun than I could have ever imagined. Next, I am an experimental watercolor artist and I spend a great deal of time painting and printing fish (Gyotaku). I have sold nationally and internationally and I truly love art! I purchased an etching press last summer and I'm learning how to use it.My artwork is listed on fineartamerica.com and I'm also in Gallery West on the Island. Last Sept, my grandboys and I started camping and fishing. We have gone to many state parks in Florida over the past year and really had a lot of fun! I bought an RV this past fall.
Other comments:I am now 67 years old (I think..) and enjoying life as much as I can. I have fibromyalgia which has been causing me a fit lately. The meds I take for it have caused a weight gain that I truly hate but hopefully can eventually get off now that I've retired. I paint "take classes" every spare minute that I can. We purchased a golden retriever whose parental lineage is quite impressive as show dogs (His sister came in first in Brazil recently). He is a little over a year now and is NUTS. Loves water...loves us...he is just extremely rambunctious for older people!! He has now been "fixed" and is driving us really crazy with the cone he has to wear for 10 days. We also have two 5 yr. old Lhasas who put up with him. **Update - We now have another Golden - a little girl who has turned the house upside down! She is a hoot and very hardheaded!! Riley, the male golden mentioned above is now 6 and a joy!!! The lhasas are now 13. My, time does fly by. Edited June/2014 My husband, Jerry, died February 24, 2014. He died in his sleep from heart failure.**Update -It's been a year since Jerry's passing. Funny, I never used the term "passing" until his demise. I guess "died" is just too harsh. When Jerry would speak of his own death..he would call it being "beamed up" which is far better than either word given above. I miss him but I also know he is with me in spirit.I had to put one of the llhasas to sleep and bought a shiu tzu who is now 9 months old. She has brought me back to life in many ways and is wonderful.To make a long story short, three years ago, I fell off a dock out at AP Bell in Cortez, knocked myself out on a boat and landed face down in the water. We were out taking pictures and Jerry was on the other side of the building. Fortunately, even though the restaurant had closed, a couple was still there, he, being a fireman, jumped in and saved me! They did not think I would live that night, but all of my angels and guides were there and I was in ICU for a week and made it. Just wasn't my time, I guess. It's odd how something like that can change one's outlook on life. (Updated 3/17/2015)
Rick Hunt Address:3066 Salerno Lane The Villages, FL 32163
Home:813 244-4647 Email:rickhunt810@gmail.com
Spouse:Married to Betsy for 36 years with 4 children and 9 grandchildren.
Personal:Bradentown - Seems like yesterdayBradenton and North Carolina
My Education:USF Bachlors in working
My Career:Sales / Army Vietnam E5 QMS
How I spend my free time:Golf,Motercycle Riding,Travling (Updated 5/16/2015)
Richard Jackson(Passed Away)
Virginia Jackson
Richard Jennette Address:423 Saint Armands Cir. Sarasota, FL 34236 (Updated 9/7/2009)
Scott Jerrems(Passed Away)
Lois Johnson
Marshall Johnson Address:5705 - 9th Ave Dr W Bradenton, FL 34209
Home:941 761-7347 Office:941-526-8555 Email:mljohnson1@verizon.net
Spouse:Married to Karen for 29 years with 2 children.
Personal:I met my wife, Karen (Levengood) (MHS class of 1969) 29 years ago. We have two children, Garrett, 19,is a student at MCC and works as a part-time life guard at a county pool. My daughter Paige is 15 and active at YMCA and Manatee Players, and church. Both have been homeschooled from first grade. Garrett made the Dean's list last semester at MCC.
My Education:AA from MJC; BA from University of South Florida; Manatee Police Academy; Numerous FBI courses; Expert forensic witness, State and Federal courts; Amateur Radio license; Fixed and rotary wing pilots license (not current-cost too much to fly anymore!)Various SCUBA certifications; Instructor, Manatee Police Academy.
My Career:U.S. Army Security Agency, intelligence work,four years. Three of which were in Southeast Asia. Returned home in 1970, restarted MJC, and went to work for the Manatee Co. Sheriff's office in summer of 1971. Most of my time spent in forensic and special investigations. 1985 I became the chief investigator for the District 12 Medical Examiner's office out of Sarasota. After five, very long years,of running around Manatee,Sarasot,and DeSoto counties investigating deaths, I returned to the Manatee Sheriff's office and criminal investigations. Currently (last six years) I work as a special investigator and plan to retire when they quit paying me!
How I spend my free time:Spare time?? whos got spare time? Actually, I manage to stay quite busy. I am on the board of directors for the Florida Parent-Educators Association. The FPEA is the state's largest homeschool organization with approximately 10,000 member families. My district covers Manatee,Sarasota,Charlotte,DeSoto,Highlands,and Hardee counties.
Other comments:Look forward to seeing all at the reunion.
Ruth Johnson Finger(Passed Away) Other comments:Date: May 28, 1982 - Gender: Female - Age: 36 - Home address: No permanent address - Occupation: None - Cause of death: Gunshot wound to the head. Location discovered: On Myakka Road, one-half mile south of State Road 64. Location occurred: Unknown. Deputies believe she was killed elsewhere and transported. Investigating agency: Manatee County Sheriff's Office. Notes: She was found partially clothed, wrapped almost completely in a blanket. Deputies suspect a shotgun was used. (Updated 8/3/2015)
Dennis Johnson Address:1706 154th St E Bradenton, FL 34212
Home:941-713-8375 Office:941-713-8375 Email:marciajfl@aol.com
Spouse:Married to Marcia for 38 years with 3 children and 4 grandchildren.
Personal:at a party. all children and grandchildren live in Bradenton fl
My Education:General Residential Contractor. sons work in business with me. son Brian has state license.
My Career:4 yrs Navy. and reserves. Have owned Johnson Homes of Bradenton for past 36 Years
How I spend my free time:FISHING and softball. (Updated 4/11/2010)
David Johnson Address:Bradenton, FL
Cell:941-704-0265 Email:dkjjsw@webtv.net (Updated 10/21/2015)
Randy Jones(Passed Away)
Barbara Jones Brand Address:2930 Sunnyside Street Sarasota, FL 34239
Home:941 955 9906 Office:941 496-4663 Email:barbbrand@comcast.net
Spouse:Married to Kenneth for 27 years with 1 child.
Personal:My husband Ken and I met in Ft. Myers, and I have to say it was love at first sight! My husband is a real estate broker and does property management. We also are developing property in Gatlinburg TN. Our son lives in Sarasota also and is a mortgage broker and a property appraiser. He became engaged to a wonderful young woman only this month.
My Education:Florida Real Estate License
My Career:I started out with TimeShare on Sanibel Island. After coming back to Sarasota I represented a developer at Tidy Island off of Cortez Road. From there I have spent 10 years selling new homes on Palmer Ranch, then on to Hidden Bay in Osprey and have been in Venice for the last 9 years. At present I sell new homes for Sam Rodgers Properties at Pelican Pointe. I love what I do!
How I spend my free time:Ken and I both at this juncture in our lives are pretty tired at the end of the day. Mostly I like to read and garden. When possible I still like to paint (as in pictures) I love going to the beach at dusk and particularly love the beach at night during a full moon. We really do live in paradise.
Other comments:I was a very shy girl and quite insecure. Part of it was due to the fact that there was another Barbara Jones who was one to two years older than I who had quite a reputation with the boys. Unfortunately, I was accused of doing "things" with other girl's boyfriends. That was a hard knock for a very sweet, very innocent girl. I do regret letting my shyness get in the way of enjoying life as a teen and not getting to know classmates I spent so many years with. However all that has changed and I have long since emerged from the cocoon and can quite honestly say that I am happy, healthy and in love with life.
Bill Joslin(Passed Away)
Margaret Kane Address:150 Alfred Drowne Rd Barrington, RI 02806
Home:401 245-4606 Email:mkane@fctvplus.net
My Career:FOR THE past 30 years, Margaret Kane, executive director of the American Lung Association of Rhode Island, has been fighting to ban smoking in the workplace.
Other comments:http://www.projo.com/news/content/projo_20050227_smoke27.22596d4.html
Ruth Kaylor Tait Address:Crofton, MY
I have 2 children.
Personal:In a committed relationship
How I spend my free time:Dine with friends, Go to movies, Have drinks with friends, Listen to music, Read, Spend time with family, Travel, Volunteer work, Watch TV (Updated 8/19/2010)
Lynda Keever Address:12029 HAZEN AVENUE Full Moon Ranch THONOTOSASSA, FL 33592-2822
Home:727 572-0743 Office:813 287-8787 #6 Email:lyndakeever@gmail.com
Spouse:Married to Bill Eshenbaugh for 28 years with 1 child.
Personal:I met my husband Bill while we were both members of the Board of Directors of the Tampa Builders Assn. We got to know each other while working together on various committees. We were married in 1988. Bill has a grown daughter by his first marriage. Krissy Chutz works as his assistant at our company, Eshenbaugh Land Co in Tampa. Bill was named the 2003 Land Realtor of America.
My Education:Florida State University BA Degree in Government; minor in Business Administration, 1969. Manatee Community College AA Degree ’67.
My Career:I worked as a Legislative Aide and Analyst with the Florida Legislature for 7 years until '74. (I also taught vocational school for 2 years during that period.) In '76, I founded KeevCo Advertising & PR in Panama City. In '79 I moved to Tampa to begin work in sales for Florida Trend Magazine. Starting in '82 I spent 9 years as pubisher of a new home guide, the rejoined Florida Trend in '91 as Publisher. Retired from that position after nearly 20 years and now am Executive Vice President of Eshenbaugh Land Company. I have the pleasure of working with my husband every day.PR, in Panama City, FL. I sold everything in early 1979 to accept a sales position with Florida Trend Magazine and moved to Tampa. In 1982 I began as Publisher of HomeBuilders' Guide. At the beginning of 1991 I came back to Florida Trend Magazine and accepted the position of Publisher working in downtown St. Pete.
How I spend my free time:Bill and I love to travel. Our favorite places to visit are anywhere out West during spring, summer, fall as well as winter skiing. Some of our other favorite places are Santa Fe, Park City, Utah, Durango, Sedona, Cheyenne, Jackson Hole,everywhere in Colorado, Idaho, Seattle, Vancouver, Puerto Vallarta, to just name a few. We also love to go horseback riding, visit historical sites, go deep sea fishing.
