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Updated January 14, 2004

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Reunion Plans

Your Reunion Committee is working diligently to pull the upcoming Continentals 50th Reunion together.

We will be meeting on January 31st, 2004 to approve the first of a series of letters intended to let you know the cost and payment options so we can begin to accept your reservations.

We will also be requesting that everyone complete a biography page with information to be included in the 50th Reunion Memory Booklet.

Continue to check "Breaking News" for updated information.

Here is a letter from Larry Allmon received in November 2003.  Larry is at SIAS International University in Xinzheng City, Henan Province, teaching English and Spanish to Chinese middle and high school English teachers and students. 

Larry and Margaret Allmon

168 Peoples Road East

Xinzheng City, Zhengzhou

HENAN 451150

Peoples Republic of China

e-mail:  allmon36@yahoo.com

telephone:  371-260-7775

FAX:  371-260-0851

November China Update

November 11, 2003 (Veterans Day)

Dear (extended) family and friends,

            I see from my records that the last "Update" was sent out way back in August!  Wow, how time flies!  I think that today I will just (again) try to describe in some detail one day (yesterday, Sunday, November 2) which I think will give you a good picture of our current situation, living conditions, activities, etc.

Well, on second thought, let me briefly describe Friday night (Halloween) first. We had nine students in our living room (on little stools, our couch, and chairs from the other rooms.  They were all interested in practicing their English, a common happening here.  I had "warned" them that we were expecting "trick-or-treaters" (the few children here of faculty members).  Since there was some negative feeling among some of our faculty about celebrating Halloween, those of us who were "game" gave our approval to those kids who were going to dress up, etc.

So, when the knock on the door came, our guests were all primed to see costumed children.  However, it was just two more students!  I joked with our guests feigning surprise, and said, "Look, two kids dressed up as students. How very clever!"  Anyway, we then had 11 students in the room when the children actually showed up in their costumes along with two adults in costume, as well. We had plenty of candy available as well as individual bags of "Bugles".

Now, back to the following Sunday.  We decided to go again to the Chinese church service.  This is the huge (by our standards) government-approved "Three Self" congregation (Self Governing, Self Supporting, Self propagating  - a Hudson Taylor concept, by the way!!!).  There are about 1,000 in attendance at the 9:00 service; we have "reserved" seating (!) in the front pews, and the service begins with the robed choir (usually all women) processing down the two side aisles singing, "Be silent, Be Silent": a song my wife remembers from her childhood!  It is beautiful (and moving) as they come down the aisles stereophonically!

            Of course, we don't understand a word of what is being announced, prayed, or preached, but it is really a wonderful experience being in the midst of this lovely crowd!  We can sing along with most of the hymns since we have a bilingual hymnbook and we have had translated for us into "Pinyin" Chinese (Chinese written in the Roman alphabet) both the "Lord's Prayer" and the "Apostles Creed", and we try to join in as best we can.

Upon arriving back at our flat we were "greeted" with water everywhere!  Coming down the walls from the unoccupied apartment above us, and all over our floors in our two front rooms.  Some had also splashed on my computer!!!  I investigated upstairs and the clean-up crew was busy mopping up (a pipe had burst)  We mopped up our area (only one rug soaked).

After lunch, I went to the SIAS Choir rehearsal (I accompany the choir on the piano).  They are learning "Almost Like Being in Love" and a new song written by the wife of the director: "SIAS, We Love You".  Very nice.

After choir practice, Michael, a speech contest contestant came up to our flat and wanted me to help him with his speech (pronunciation, etc.)  Actually, his English is pretty good, and it was a pleasant experience helping him "touch-up" some of his pronunciation difficulties.  He is really a nice kid, with a good sense of humor!

Later in the afternoon I worked on my lesson plans for tomorrow's classes, then we had our Sunday evening "church" service in which I presented an introduction to the Book of Hebrews.  Did I mention that our foreign teachers staff now numbers over 75?  Of course, not all are believers, but we have a goodly attendance Sunday evenings at our meetings.

"International Culture Week" began on Monday, and my "role" was to be "Sheriff Behan" (in full cowboy regalia:  black boots, red kerchief, cowboy hat, badge (fake, of course), hand-made (by me) leather holster and a  "lighter/replica six shooter") on Thursday, "America Day", reenacting the "Shootout at the O.K. Corral"!!! (Ironically one of the original film versions was made at Old Tucson Studios where I had worked a couple of years ago!)

The rest of the evening was spent preparing for tomorrow's class (including a vocabulary test).

            Life here is BUSY and varied, and taking all into consideration (including the few "negatives") it is a GREAT LIFE for us "old-timers".

            Now for a bit of news:   We are planning on returning to the States on December 24 and returning to China on January 30 (the new school semester begins February 8).  D.v., we will be in the Southern California area during two periods:  December 24 to 31, and again from January 20-30.  In the Ponderosa Basin from December 31 to January 10, and in Santa Cruz/Felton/Mt. Hermon from January 10 to 19.  Of course, we would love to see as many of you as possible during these visits!!!  You can contact us through our daughter, Laurie's phone #:  562-698-8323 (in Whittier) or at my Mom's in Mt. Hermon (831) 335-7377.  Yes, we would even like to visit our G.R. friends in Temecula!

            The next few weeks will be a bit hectic, getting our final exams, grades, etc. accomplished, then packing up for our visit "home".  We are now counting the days!!!

            Thanks for caring for us "pilgrims", and y'all have a very happy Thanksgiving!!!

Nancy Tafel Minor 

We also have some very sad news.  Our classmate, Nancy Tafel Minor, passed away on September 12th, 2003, after a long struggle with colon cancer.  Nancy will be remembered for her sweet smile along with her optimism and artistic talent.

Here is the text of a letter from her husband, John, written to Shirley Adams during the 2003 holiday season.

December 26, 2003

Dear Shirley, 

Thanks for remembering me and my family this Christmas.  

Let me begin by apologizing for being so slow in getting the news out to everyone.  It has been a hectic time, to say the least.

I'm sorry to have to tell you that we lost our beloved Nancy on September 12.  She had been diagnosed with colon cancer in June of 2002, and she battled bravely to the end.  She endured four surgeries and 15 months of chemotherapy (with all its side effects).  We had been encouraged by her ability to hold her own, and her spirits were always good.  But in September, the cancer took over and she went very quickly, at home with many of the family here.  I'm sure it will be no surprise that her thoughts were always for how others were doing and rarely for herself.

While we miss her terribly, I know she would not want us to dwell too much on her but rather look to our future here.  I am blessed to have our wonderful (and still growing) family - our five children and 10 grandchildren, with number 11 due in May!

Wishing you all the best for the new year.

John Minor

John's email address is:  johnandnancy55@hotmail.com in case anyone wishes to contact him.

Send us your news at cont54@prodigy.net and we will post it on our web page!

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