Gail Johnsen Holland

Gail Johnsen Holland, Class of 1959

When at Sachem, Gail had the the ability to bring out the best in the people around her. She was always a very positive person; and had the ability to turn negative energy into positive energy through her keen perception, and sophisticated sense of humor! Gail would always focus on the funny side of any bad situation!

Dear Ben and John,

I rec'd with much pleasure your newsletter and it certainly sent me into a "blast from the past". Especially seeing "Stu", my old pal, Marian Stuart Eskijian.

Tony Holland, my husband, and I visited my dear old pal Gail Tierney Griffith and her husband, Hoyt, at their home in Hendersonville, North Carolina last year. We had a wonderful time.

Tony and I live in Buckinghamshire, England. Here is some of what happened to me. In 1974 I came to England on a working holiday. I sent along my credentials and asked whether I could get a teaching job. I got a job in a primary school on the outskirts of London and spent the next 32 years teaching , which was wonderful. This enabled me to travel all around Europe. I married Mervyn Kelly who worked for British Airways and we settled down near Heathrow Airport. Sadly Merv died in 1996 and then after 8 years, I met Tony and we have been married for 2 years . Tony was also widowed , so we two old recycles got together and have happy times hiking, biking, playing in the brass band (trumpets) and in the concert band (Tony, trumpet, me, French horn), microlight flying and travelling as much as possible. Between us we have five children and 6.5 grandchildren. Life is very good.

My sister, Judith Johnsen Donovan, Class of 63, lives near Hartford, Conn with her husband, Russ. They have a son, Glen , and married daughter, Kristie, and two grandchildren. Her e-mail is DONRDJJ@aol.com .

Thank you so much for your time and effort and contacting the alumni and I shall look forward to hearing from you again.

(Another letter from Gail)

Hello Ben,Yes, it is alright to leave the contact numbers - who knows, someone might come to "Jolly Old" and it would be fun to meet up - we are 50 miles from London and on train lines.Regards, Gail (Johnsen) and Tony Holland

My address is :

14 Denham View, Granborough, Bucks, MK18 3NW, United Kingdom, and our phone is 01296 670 266 . We live between Milton Keynes and Aylesbury, Bucks.

Email Address: tgholland@hotmail.co.uk

Cheers!

Gail Johnsen Holland , Class of 59

Alumni Vacation Report

Pat Perkins Hits Caribbean!
Cruise Line Goes Wild!
In April 2006 our fellow alumna Pat Perkins had all good intention to have a restful vacation by going on a caribbean Cruise. As it turned out, the "party side" of Patty, took over, and the R and R was thrown out of the Porthole. It's party time and Patty showed the cruise line, exactly how it's done. At the "Island Party" Patty was the defacto event director; she soon found herself coaxing her fellow passengers into doing the Conga! That's right folks, one thousand passengers doing the conga across a deserted island, and patty was the ringleader!

The cruise line soon noticed that Patty was indeed doing a better job at creating a party atmosphere than the Cruise Director! The deck manager instructed the bartenders to take good care of their most valuable passenger!

Now it's time to "hit the Water," and swim with the animals! Our fellow Alumna was an instant success with the animals. Animals such as Sting Rays, and Dolphins have a sixth sense, and have the uncanny ability to sense a persons emotions. Even the fish knew that Patty was "good party material." Just for the fun of it Patty Kissed a Sting Ray, and a dolphin. As you can see, the Dolphin knew where the action was, came back, and then kissed Patty back. It is reported that these events transpired mainly because of our alumna's spirit, with a little help from a pitcher of Margaritas.

Patty also kissed a Frog. This time prince charming didn't materialize, but the cruise line is already soliciting Patty for a position of Entertainment Director. Who knows maybe prince charming will show up on the next cruise!!!

We Love You Patty!

MORE PHOTOS TO FOLLOW