Debra Kallis:
CLASS OF 1972
Bethlehem-Center High SchoolClass of 1972
Fredericktown, PA
Debra's Story
I am currently, by choice, an unemployed dental hygienist, married, "empty nester". I worked for 34 years until my boss retired in June of 2008. John and I just had our 30th wedding anniversary in August. Jon is working at CalU and Rhiannon is pursuing her Masters in Interpersonal Communication at the University of DE. She is also on the girls ice hockey team there (and they are currently undefeated). John and I are very proud of their accomplishments.
It is now 2 years later and John and I are about to celebrate our 32nd wedding anniversary. Rhiannon has just graduated with her Masters from the University of DE. She is now a member of the Pittsburgh Penguins Ice Crew! Jon, who has been a fan of the Masters of the Universe since childhood, has actually traveled to CA a few times and met most of the creators of the series. He has been a moderator on the website and was also drawn in as a character in one of the comic books.
I am checking in again. It is now June 2012. My daughter, Rhiannon, just got engaged to Brad Garrone on May 5th of this year (the wedding will be in the summer of 2014 so I still have her for a little while). Jon is looking for his first home to purchase. My husband, John, is about to be named Interim Dean at Cal U of PA. My current craft is making somewhat personalized dolls for gifts and to sell. I have taken Bible study classes and continuing education classes to keep up my dental hygiene license. So, life is good!
On October 8, 2012, I have this to report. John and I have now been married for 33 years. John is Interim Dean of the Eberly College of Science & Technology at Cal U. Rhiannon and Brad moved their wedding up to August 10, 2013. Rhiannon and I attended a couple of bridal shows and got to meet both Randy Fenoli and Monty Durham of the Say Yes to the Dress series on TLC. Rhiannon is currently waiting for the NHL lockout to be over so that she can resume her job as a member of the Pittsburgh Penquins Ice Crew. She is also teaching part-time at WCCC this semester. I was busy taking Jon back and forth to the airport for his various trips out to California this summer to attend Comic Con. In addition to his job as Instructional Designer in the Office of Web Based Programs at Cal U, Jon also teaches 2 night classes there. I hope all is well with everyone who reads this blog.
Some of you may also know my sisters, Kim and Alex, so I thought I would update you on their lives. Kim lives in Charleston, WV with her husband, Jerry. She is planning on attending her Beth Center class reunion coming up in 2013. Kim is a librarian in the Kanawha County Public Library and has traveled extensively over the years to places such as Russia, Germany, France, Ireland and Italy, just to mention a few. Alex lives in Murrysville with her husband, Bruce and her 2 daughters, Riley and Faith. Riley is in her second year of college and Faith will graduate high school in 2013. Alex is busy attending equestrian competitions with her daughter, Faith.
As is often said, "time flies"! In June (2013) it will be 5 years since my boss retired and I worked as a dental hygienist. After a good bit of soul searching and receiving advice from those in the same situation, I decided to put my license on "inactive status". It took me weeks before I could finally put my check mark in that box on the license renewal form. I felt like I was losing a part of myself but then I realized I would always be a dental hygienist whether I was actively working or not.
I have joined the Social Committee at church and agreed to be a "greeter" and and a "lector". That seems to be a good "fit" for me at this time in my life. I have also continued to take my Bible Study classes. John is in the church choir so I may join for the Christmas season.
Our daughter's wedding plans are moving along nicely. She is such an organized person that staying on course isn't any problem for her. She is teaching 2 classes at Cal U and working for the Pittsburgh Penguins at the same time. When her classes end at Cal U she will start teaching at WCCC again. Rhiannon is also contemplating starting a doctorate program at IUP.
Jon was moved back to the Cal U campus, finally. Then he teaches 2 night classes there each week. He decided to trade in his Juke for an Acura and is very happy with that decision.
I hope I don't bore you with my updates, if anyone even reads them, lol!
As I am a fan of summer, fall has returned too soon and the holidays are just around the bend again. Rhiannon's beautiful wedding took place on August 10, 2013...seems like so long ago now. She and Brad are all settled into their townhouse and Rhiannon has started her doctorate program at IUP while teaching 4 classes at Cal U and 2 at WCCC plus continuing her job with the Pittsburgh Penguins. Poor John took a month to recover...you know, the special bond between daddy's and their daughters. It was tough on him.
Mom and I attended a preseason Pens game and John and I were invited by my sister Alex and her husband Bruce to join them at the October 8th game. Bruce won the tickets. He is one lucky guy as he also won a tour of Consol this summer and my children and I got to tour the normally "unseen" areas to which only the Pens have access. The only rule was "don't step on the Pens logo in the locker room" as this is apparently bad luck.
Jon, our son, made 2 trips out to California, one for Comic Con and the other Power Con. He is the traveler in the family for sure. Jon decided to rent his apt. for one more year and then look into purchasing a home.
John and I celebrated our 34th anniversary in August, just a week after Rhiannon and Brad's wedding. As next year is our 35th I already scheduled a "blessing" mass for us in 2014. We actually attended our church picnic on our anniversary this year. It was nice to spend time with those friends.
I experienced teaching my first CCD class this past Sunday. What a cute group of K-1 students! They were actually well behaved and I really enjoyed spending time with them. The "greeter" program is on hold right now. We need more volunteers. I hope people find it in their hearts soon to join our group.
I have reconnected with a few Beth Center graduates and am trying to meet with some for lunch. With all of our busy schedules it hasn't been easy to schedule but it is important to me that we do.
So, that is my update for now. I have let my access expire for now as I didn't get much interest on my site. Maybe my curiosity will get the best of me again one day and I will join again. Until that time I hope everyone is enjoying life to the fullest.
So, today is May 6, 2022 and I am contemplating my 50th cl...Expand for more
ass reunion this summer. Where did those years go? It doesn't seem that long ago that I was 5 and crying as I entered the kindergarten classroom.
Thursday, April 11, 2019
Thought it was time for an update as it is my 65th year of life now. John and I are both on Medicare, Social Security and retired, lol!
Both my hometown church (Sts. Mary & Ann in Marianna) and the church that John and I attended after marriage (St. Thomas Aquinas in California) closed for good this year. That was a tough pill to swallow. We now attend the St. Katharine Drexel Mission Church in Richeyville (formerly St. Agnes), thankfully, with many of our California Parish family. I continue to lector, greet and serve as Extraordinary Minister. John has volunteered to greet and usher. We haven't yet joined the choir again.
Stress, here there and everywhere, I suppose, is resulting in me getting a night guard. People who experience severe tooth pain have my sympathy. This pain was worse than when I fell down our 12 basement steps in 2017 and broke my right wrist. I had surgery on that and only took 2 pain pills afterwards, unlike the tons of Motrin I had to take until the ENT appointment finally diagnosed TMJ.
Jon moved to Lawrenceville and Rhiannon and Brad to Easton, PA...just temporarily. Jon continues to travel...recently he took trips to NY and New Orleans. He still works at Cal U but loves living closer to Pittsburgh. Brad took a job with Direct Energy in New Jersey to learn new skills for a couple of years and Rhiannon got a job as an adjunct at the College of New Jersey while living out there. She also is an online adjunct for California University of PA.
No grandchildren for us...just our grand kitty, Oops!
I will be checking back in sooner than later, hopefully.
January 11, 2022
We are still in the midst of the Covid pandemic. Thankfully none of our family has experienced Covid but we did recently lose Rhiannon's first figure skating coach to it at the age of 51. We are still in disbelief!
My mom had some medical issues last year that kept me and my sisters busy. We are a close knit group and all were willing to pitch in and help where and when we could. I am happy to report that mom is doing very well in 2022 thus far.
This year is our 50th anniversary of our 1972 graduation from Beth Center. Where did the time go? I remember others at this point and couldn't even imagine getting there myself this soon! The years have been good to me, though, and I am grateful.
John and I continue to volunteer at church. He joined The Knights of Columbus so we are involved with a new group of friends. Our lives are still busy and that is a good thing.
Our son now lives in South Pointe and our daughter and her husband in Beaver. Thankfully they are both close enough to visit. Jon still works at California University of PA (soon to join with Edinboro and Clarion as Penn West ) and Rhiannon is an Assistant Professor at the University of Akron in Ohio. We are so proud of both of them! Our only grandchild is still our grand kitty, Oops! We were blessed with some Great Nieces and Nephews that keep us "in the know" when it comes to children's toys, lol!
We may not have the most exciting life but it is our kind of life. So, until next time (maybe the 50th reunion) I wish the best class ever a safe and healthy New Year! Debbie
Friday, May 6, 2022
As I sit here contemplating my 50th class reunion this summer, I have to wonder how those years went by so quickly. It doesn't seem that long ago that I was 5 and crying on my way to kindergarten. Grandma always said that as a person ages the years go by even more quickly. Of course, I realize now that she was right.
My life hasn't changed much since the last post and hopefully that is a blessing. John and I are happily retired. Jon moved to South Pointe but still works at Cal U. Rhiannon is Beaver and has her PHD and teaches at The University of Akron. She and Brad's baby girl is still their cat, Oops! I now have 7 great nieces and nephews as I near the age of 70 in a couple of years. The most recent one, Vienna, was born on April 27, 2022. She joins her brother, Brecken, who is 2 and my youngest sister, Alex, is their grandma.
My sister, Kim, lost her husband, Jerry, in October 2020. She is having his memorial service this July as his ashes have just been returned to her on Valentine's Day, 2022. Jerry, generously, donated his body to research.
My mom is 88 and has been my mom and dad since my dad passed away unexpectedly in 1963. She had a tough year health wise in 2021 but made a great recovery. My sisters and I are so thankful still have her living independently.
John and I both tested positive in April along with some other choir members from our church. Thankfully we had a pretty mild case and have fully recovered. Who ever imagined living through a pandemic?
But, life goes on and I try to be positive. Keep your chin up, too!
Best wishes,
Debbie
Saturday, October 15, 2022
As the holiday season approaches once again, I tend to get a bit "sappy", I suppose. So I felt a need for an update.
I highly suggest that IF you are able to attend a class reunion that you go for it. Even my husband, John, had fun at my 50th and wants to be an honorary member of our class of 72, lol! I hadn't attended many and now have regrets. Some of our caring class members take the time to set up a picnic every summer at Ten Mile Park, I believe, so try and attend some of those as well. I intend to give them a try. Regretting not getting to revisit with those who have passed is the worst feeling.
Miss Pepper's and Mr. Kutska's passing hit hard. They were among two of my favorite teachers at Beth Center.
My cousin Denise Sawicky Monica recently passed away after enduring a double lung transplant 19 months ago. She was only 63 and one of the sweetest people on this earth. She fought a hard fight but is now at peace. Please keep her in your prayers as well as Sister Martha Baier. It will be so hard not to see Sister at our parish events.
At our age we have to live every day like it is to be our last and enjoy life and every precious person in it. If you are like me, you don't feel your age but the numbers don't lie. As my 95 year old friend said, "my children think that I am going to live forever but that isn't the case". I can only hope to reach 95 and be self-sufficient as she.
Please don't leave this post on a low note. Let it be a wake up call if you need one in your life. Enjoy life and the people in it who are really important to you. I wish all of you a blessed holiday season and hope to see some of you in the coming new year if not before.
Debbie
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