Aubrey Wiley
~ A Person ~
Lynchburg, Virginia
The World of VgnRy43 ("VIRGINIAN RAILWAY 1943")
Left: Charlotte and Aubrey representing Lynchburg citizens at the turn of the 20th century for the bicentennial parade of the historic Old City Cemetery, November 2006.
Right: Aubrey with his second annual Virginian Ry Calendar, fresh from the press and they continue each year.
Charlotte and Aubrey, two happy people at Nags Head, NC!
Charlotte and Aubrey took turns sitting in the engineer's seat of a Norfolk Southern Railway locomotive during an Open House at the railroad's shops in Roanoke, Va. Sept. 8, 2007. We think we look pretty natural!
Visit our web page for our wedding: http://ply361.googlepages.com/charlotteandaubrey%27swedding3
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There are many thresholds in life. Maybe goals or mileposts are better words. For me, some of these thresholds and goals would be, but not in order; learning to walk, the first day in school, learning to drive, high school graduation, college graduation, finding the right person to be your partner, the birth of a child, having good, dependable friends, the years of a good career(s), serving and helping our fellow man, good health, retirement and peace. As I grow, I have found several phrases to be true and important. Some are mine, some are borrowed and I will share them nonetheless. 1.) "You are never to old to have a happy childhood." My point here is to always live, love and laugh. 2.) "When in doubt, rephrase." This one used to refer to my poor spelling but as I am now older, it is good advice for many situations before one speaks words that can never be retracted. 3.) "Lead, Follow, or Oh Well!" This is my way of saying that all people have their own abilities and needs. Respect that! Don't try to change them! 4.) "Everything we do is illuminated by the light of our history. It is up to each person to determine how bright that light will be." Darn, I wish I could always remember to do these things! ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ July 13, 2008 was my 65th birtdhay and wife Charlotte and daughter Amy planned a grand birthday party for me on the 12th, which was a Saturday. Three dozen of our closest friends came starting at 9:30 am and I had a wonderful time with all of them. I am blessed!
To learn more about Aubrey Wiley, explore these headings for links: ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ My Jobs
While teaching United States and European histories, I reacted to student interest and inquiries and organized trips to Europe for students and their parents. Additionally I was asked to join a committee to develop teaching strategies for integrating the teaching of American and European histories. Combined I made twenty trips to almost all of Europe.
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As I assemble and organize this material, then create and write these pages, I realize that in essence, I am doing my autobiography. A person can read and learn about my life and what is important to me as they waste otherwise perfectly good time. I have structured the other web pages into the phases of my life. And a major part of everyone's life is how ones passes the years earning a living. My first paid job was working as a sales clerk at Baldwin's Department Store on Main Street in Lynchburg, Virginia, starting during the Christmas season of my 13th year. In order to work at such an early age, I had to obtain a special work permit and abide by its restrictions. It should be no surprise that my sales job was in the store's "Toyland," specifically selling Lionel trains! So I joined the workforce in 1956 and continued working until medical situations changed it all in 2003. Maybe the best way to meander through those 48 years of employment is by a simple timeline. 1956-1960 - Baldwin's Department Store- sales clerk. 1957-1974 - O.C.Wiley&Sons, family trucking company-laborer and driver. 1961-1963 - Ferrum Junior College - student for associate degree. (A.A. degree in Education) I finish in 1990! 1961-1962 - Summer employment with Southern Railway System as extra "Agent, Operator, Leverman, Telegrapher" Danville Division 1963-1989 - Lynchburg News & daily Advance newspaper - photographer, writer, chief photographer, picture editor. 1963-1989 - Free Lance Public Relations and Photographic business. 1988-1989 - Lynchburg College - student for undergraduate degree. B.A. degree with major in History and minor in Art History) 1990-1996 - Lynchburg College student for graduate degree. (M.Ed. in Curriculum and Instruction Education -gifted) 1989-1999 - Asst. Professor Lynchburg College. 1990-2003 - Lynchburg City Schools - teacher and department chair. Subjects: World Cultures, U.S. History, European History. 1992-2002 - Tour Leader for 20 educational tours to Europe: Scotland, England, Ireland, Wales, The Netherlands, Germany, France, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Liechtenstein. 2005 - Officially, medically retired! Through my adventures and careers, I have been blessed with several forms of appreciation and recognition. When a photojournalist, my work was published in virtually every major daily newspaper in America as well as those in many foreign countries. Various professional journalism, history, teaching and art organizations and associations have honored me with awards. As a teacher, some awards stand out. First in my regard is my school's student body voting me "Nicest Teacher." Then there was the award from the Council of Native Americans who recognized me for my teaching methods in depicting their history with the awarding of my Indian name, "Gentle Wind." Also having my name inscribed on a "Wall of Fame" at the National Civil Rights Museum in Alabama is very meaningful for me. And of course, there are plaques that are nice expressions for Alumnus of the Year from Lynchburg College, Virginia History Teacher of the Year and so on. But my most cherished ones are the first three I have singled out.
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