Mrs. Van Eck's 1st Grade Class

Believe it or Not!!!

The Tale of Finding Frank French

The "WATN?" Bounty Hunters started looking for Frank at the beginning of April, 2011. They knew he went off to a private school in Missouri after 7^th or 8^th grade but continued to live in Chapel Hill and spent the summers and holidays there. They found an address on Old Lystra Road but no phone. Esau cold-calls a Dr. Frank Sikes French of UNC fame who is some sort of UNC research scientist hot shot that came up on a google search. He is indeed Frank’s father. Esau has the added pleasure of having Mr. French reminisce about him and his brother Bobby and their adventures; some would call it unstructured mayhem, in the neighborhood. They talk for a while and he gives Esau Frank’s contact information and mentions he married a girl name of Sherry Wynn. Esau asks if she is related to Stacy Wynn.

Dr. French replies, “Why, she is Stacy’s sister.”

"WATN?" had been promoting Frank as a person of interest for over a month at that point as well as listing him on the big board of "classmates we are looking for" at the web site.

Stacy Wynn was part of the original inner circle of 50 found prior to April 10. Stacy is active on committees, Facebook, and going to the meetings in Chapel Hill. He grew up in the same same neighborhoods, Coker Hills and Lake Forest, as Frank and Esau. All three were in Troop 835 together.

Frank French was contacted on May 17, more than a month after finding Stacy. When asked if he had heard there was a reunion being planned that he was invited to, Frank replied,

"No, but I'll be sure to tell Stacy Wynn. He's my brother in law you know and I am sure he'll be interested."

Esau took down Frank's contact information and then compared it with Stacy's. Check it out. Not only are they family,

They are next door neighbors!!!

Stacy Wynn

1234 Old Lystra Road

Chapel Hill, NC

Frank and Sherry French

1236 Old Lystra Road

Chapel Hill, NC

When interviewed by "WATN?" in a follow up, Stacy shared a truly pleasant and infectious laugh.

You can’t make this shit up!!!

Frank Sikes French Jr.

Frank left after seventh grade to attend a prep school in Missouri. He is marrried and WATN? thnks he hastwo children. He and his wife live in Chapel Hill and he commutes to work as a manager at a grocery store in Burlington.

Stacy Hunter Wynn

"Where Are They Now?" brings its viewers this edition from the confines of the media and publishing conglomerate, The Daily Tarheel . Stacy has put in over thirty years getting out the campus newspaper. Stacy is lending his expertise as a roadie in getting the Rigmor set up for the weekend festivities including parking (quite the clallenge if the turnout is as expected) and set up for Liquid Pleasure.

Stacy and his wife Tracy make their home in Chapel Hill.

Good news is Liz is all registered up.

Patsy Ann Barbee

Native Daughter: 7 November 1953

CHHS Vanguard

Patsy has been on board since day one for this party. She resides in Hillsborough these days. Patsy has one daughter, Essence. She has helped find a few hard to find classmates during the outreach.

Editorial Production Manager

The Daily Tarheel

BA Journalism

University of Texas at Austin

Class of 1976

Former Grateful Dead Roadie

This week's "Photo Caption" Contest

John has published a couple of books and you can read about them and John at his web site Better Than Lennon.

John was the organizer for the CHHS Class of 1972 27th reunion in 1999. "WATN?" will air another chapter as soon as we gets some pix and and a guest list.

Partial guest list from the CHHS '72 27th Reunion: Penn Corbett, John Cherry, Will Johnson, Nancy Preston Cherry, David and Linda Lane, Terry Basnight, Jesse Basnight, Larry Caldwell, Jane Wells, Lauri Hopper Langham, Molly Kirpatrick Raymond, David Kirkman...

Hey Mike,

It will take me a little bit to gather this info. I can tell you that it was in 1999, around 75 attended, we had dinner in Bowles Hall, adjacent to the natatorium. Think we met informally at Baileys on Friday. Have a few pix somewhere. The Beatle tribute band, The Sponegtones, played on Friday night in Bowles Hall. I'll get back to you when I have more. Phone is 941-375-3122.

Only a very small chance I will be making the reunion. I already had plans to be in NC, but it is early part of May at Holden Beach, where I am half owner of a beach house. Not cheap to fly anymore. I am amazed at all the good work you and others have done. Wish I had had Facebook, email addresses, etc. back in '99 to get more people there.

JC

This week's "Photo Caption" contest

Stacy is a happy camper:

A bunch of really cool students and co-workers at UNC allow me to work with them to produce an extremely fine daily newspaper, whose content just happens to be generated by college students. Did I mention it's the best job ever?

Stacy gives an interview on 27 years service at the Daily Tarheel

Believe it or Not!!!

The Story of Finding Tyrone Edwards

DATELINE "WATN?" Studios, Bounty Hunters Division

22 OCTOBER 2011

From the Bounty Hunter Files

Of Michael "The Man" Esau:

April 2, 2011: Several leads on Tyrone, all pointing to Seattle working as a chef.

June 23, 2011: Located DeWitt Long today. Tyrone elevated to "Most Wanted CHHS Classmate". Set bounty at $1.00.

August 26, 2011:

BOUNTY ON TYRONE EDWARDS RAISED TO $30.00

As some of you know, me and some others have been hunting for Tyrone pretty fierce including the Caldwell brothers-actual real police. Now the bounty has been raised to $30.00 for information leading to contacting him. Tyrone and I hung out some after high school when we were both working in restaurants until 1982 so this is personal and I would like to find his butt. We have been chasing our tails. He was last known to be working as a chef in an Irish pub in Seattle, WA circa 1996. I called the pub and they did not recognize the name so he probably moved on.

September 11, 2011: These are the leads we have accumulated:

A lead from classmate Kevin Taylor, June 29 at 2:57pm: Hi Mike, Now that the bounty on Tyrone has gotten so big I thought it was time to weigh in. He went to Seattle, mostly, because of a girl, of course. I think her name was Nikki Taylor and I think she was a year behind us at CHHS. Don't know if she'll be easier to find than Tyrone, but if so she should be a good lead.

More from classmate Mac Allen: I asked my sister, Kathy, now Kate, about Tyrone, because Kate lived in Seattle for a while. Her reply is not helpful, but it will make you smile!

"oh my, I remember Nikki Taylor....they lived up that steep driveway on Estes Dr. right? Her and her sister and mom. Her mom drove a stick VW I think, or something like it, 'cuz I remember her fenagling the gears going up and down the driveway when she'd take us to school. ... Funny, I was in SEA then too. I didn't hang in any pubs tho'! hee-hee. I could use the bounty....

The bus driving Tyrone Edwards in Chapel Hill is not ours. The business Tyrone that Mac Allen and Susan Sockwell found is not ours. That guy was nowhere near as handsome as our Tyrone.

Then the latest break: We established contact with Darryl Revels. His memory suddenly became a little sharper reference Tyrone when the reward was mentioned. Tyrone has a much younger brother, around 40 years old, named Gabriel Weaver last known to be in the Greensboro area.

Found that Gabe on Facebook and messaged him. He actually read it and responded but did not give us squat. I'm just saying.

July 21. Michael Esau

o Gabriel,

What's up brother? My name is Michael Esau. Long story short; I got your name form Darryl Revels and found this handsome mug on FB that has a bunch of friends from NC and looks about the right age.

The rest of the story; I am praying to God that you are the Gabriel Weaver that is the brother of Tyrone Edwards. Tyrone, Darryl and I went to school together in Chapel Hill. After high school Tyrone and I ran together some-we both worked in the restaurant scene and would spend time in the bars around town after work. Last I saw him was around 1984.

Our class, CHHS Class of 1972, is having a reunion next year and I am the Reunion "finder" guy. Tyrone's trail runs cold for us around 1996 after he followed Nikki Taylor to Seattle, WA. We have about 350 people (his classmates) "looking" for Tyrone. We want to find Tyrone. Can you help? Please let me know and accept my apologies if I've got the wrong Gabriel.

Thanks,

Mike Esau

Michaeljesau@aol.com

(845) 298-8696

July 27, Gabriel Weaver

o Yes. I'm his brother.Sry don't do Facebook much.

July 27, Michael Esau

o Gabriel- I appreciate you don't do Facebook much. Can you tell me how to contact Tyrone-a phone number maybe? Thanks- Mike

August 9, Gabriel Weaver

o I wish I had a number to reach him myself. I've tried and made numerous efforts to get ub touch but have had no luck.

August 12, Michael Esau

o Thanks- When I find him I'll message you the contact information.

August 12,Gabriel Weaver

o Whatever u can do would be great. Thank u

Then a big break !!!

DATELINE SEATTLE; OCTOBER 22, 2011

Seattle, WA

MOST WANTED CHHS CLASSMATE TYRONE EDWARDS LOCATED

Lynn Lloyd new "CHHS Most Wanted Classmate"

In an interview with J. Galt of "Where Are They Now?" Studios, Bobba Fetti of the "Most Wanted Classmate Bounty Hunters and Ass." today confirmed that Tyrone Edwards has been located.

WATN?: Is it true that Tyrone Edwards has been located?

Bobba: We have verified Mr. Edwards address in Seattle, WA but we have not as yet established contact.

WATN?: You said, and I quote, "not yet established confirmed contact". Please elaborate.

Bobba: We have not actually communicated with Tyrone at this time. We are in touch with his associates and they have passed on our message and we are awaiting a reply. We will release a statement when we have more information. There is no doubt that we have found Tyrone.

WATN?: Then what about the reward?

Bobba: The information was from a source who wishes to remain anonymous.

WATN?: How did this come about? What was the big break in what appeared to be a series of dead ends.

Bobba: As often happens in cases like these, all it took was the fresh eyes and a little luck.

WATN?: Who is the "Most Wanted CBH & Ass" turning their attention towards now?

Bobba: We are aiming to locate and contact the last of the Vardell Hall High School Gang of Four, Lynn Lloyd.

A triumphant finish to a long chase? Hardly. Tyrone had fallen on tough economic times about a decade ago. He qualified for permanent housing for those in need and recovered. He was elected to the board of trustees as one of the two resident representatives in 2005 and has served on the board since. We contacted the Plymouth Housing Group but due to privacy laws protecting the tenants they were unable to confirm or deny Tyrone's status let alone give out contact information. They promised to pass along any mailed correspondence to Tyrone, if indeed he was a tenant. Here's Tyrone at a meeting of the board.

Copy of Return Receipt and letter to Tyrone Edwards c/o Plymouth House:

Nancy Preston Cherry

Nancy has been pretty busy. First, she had to recover from Miss Hurricane Irene and she has just moved to Clemmons.

18 April 2011

Nancy: Hello, everyone! I l just moved from Manteo to Clemmons. I am retired from teaching high school English, and the grandmother to two little boys. My son, Pat, practices law in Manteo and lives with his little family in Kitty Hawk. My daughter, Drew, lives in Wilmington and teaches high school math. I am grateful to be included in past reunions and this upcoming 40^th one!

26 February 2012

I have decided that I wil not attend the reunion.

Have a grand time!

Nancy

¿Who can say what the spring will bring?

Clara Alicia Fernandez-Bobulinski

The "WATN?" Bounty Hunters had just about given up on finding Alicia who came to CHHS in her last year of high school. While interviewing Mickey Fearrington for an episode the crew found out Mickey had been married to Gabriella Fernandez who turns out to be Alicia's younger sister.

Alicia graduated from Old Dominion and now lives in Virginia Beach with her husband, Bob. They have one son, Anthony. Alicia and her husband run the non-profit Making A Difference Foundation. She is active on all fronts advocating for the Latino community. Alicia was a founding Member of the Virginia Latino Advisory Board commissioned by Governor Warner.

2008 Report.

Check it out; Alicia in a local news feed in 2010

November 26, 2011

Dear Tyrone,

What’s up brother? Michael Esau here. I bet you did not see that coming. It’s been too long. I think the last time we tipped a cool one at He’s Not Here was along about 1982, right before I moved to Florida and started working for the FAA as an air traffic controller.

The Chapel Hill HS Class of 1972 is having a high school reunion this Memorial Day weekend. We are contacting classmates all the way back to 7^th grade. We have been locating our classmates since April. Some other people have helped along the way and I, myself, have have talked to over 250 classmates of the over 400 we have found so far.

You were hard to find and now even harder to contact! We started by looking in a Chapel Hill HS Alumni Directory from 1996. You were listed there as working at an Irish pub in Seattle, WA. I have several addresses from search engines, but they are all old. I had one number to a Donnell Edwards that I never got a call back from and it eventually went dead. I talked to Earl Bynum and Larry Caldwell back home. They said you had come back for your mom’s funeral about eight years ago and they had not heard from you since. We put a bounty out for information leading to contacting you. It started at $1.00 and eventually made it to $30.00 before someone that wanted to find you just as bad as I did got lucky on a Google search and found your name on the board of trustees for Plymouth Housing Group. Then I saw your face in one of the annual reports and I knew we had found you. The classmate, wants to remain anonymous; but I can tell you that are quite a few people that remember you fondly and want to reconnect even if it is just to catch up and reminisce. I don’t know if you remember but Peggy Beattie and I got married in 1978. You have met Schuyler, our son. He was only two then but I brought him to dart matches. We have a daughter now, Kate-28, and two granddaughters, Megan-8 and Lucy-4. Peggy misses you, too. You must have some kind of “Je ne sais quoi”, which you need to bottle and market.

The contact protocol for Plymouth Housing Group has been frustrating for us. I know they have to protect people’s privacy but it is a ball buster to get through to you. I have sent this letter to the Plymouth Management Office. I pray it makes it into your hands.

Dude, please contact me. We have a bunch of stuff going on that I think will make you smile. A lot of it is on the Internet so that people can join in even if they cannot actually make it to the reunion. Besides that, I am pretty sure we can get you to Chapel Hill and back if you are willing. From that picture, I know you have a Mac and must have an email account. Life is too short. Here is our web site:

Call me. Email me.

Talk to you soon brother,

Mike Esau

6214 Princess Circle

Wappingers Falls, NY 12590

(845) 298-8696

Michaeljesau@aol.com

By the way Tyrone, we found Maureen~Michigan, Lynn~Durham, and Barry~Florida

DATELINE SEATTLE; January 15, 2011

Outreach Central "The Hovel", Wappingers Falls, NY

Tyrone Edwards called out of the blue last week. He said it took a while for the letter to pass muster and make it through all the middle men. He is still working and living one day at a time. We have his contact information and we have put Tyrone and Gabriel in contact with one another. They have been looking for each other for over a decade. Tyrone basically needs some brothers and sisters to come up with a round trip plane ticket to make it back. Here's hoping it comes to pass. Case closed??? Hardly.

You can’t make this shit up!!!

Tyrone Edwards

Native Son: 15 March 1954

CHHS Vanguard

Tyrone started work in the restaurant industry while in high school and continued working as a short order cook and chef in Chapel Hill. In the early 1990's he followed his heart to Seattle and lives there, still. And he is coming to the reunion!!!

Short Order Cook/Chef

Day laborer

Karate Black Belt

Board of Trustees

Plymouth Housing Group

Michael, Michael, Michael,

As far as my Bio for the last 4 decades, I have had a pretty boring life. You know that’s a lie! Anyway, after high school, Alicia Fernandez and I moved away and went to collage at the same school. In 1976 I moved to San Francisco alone and then to Honolulu in 1978 where I started my career as a Insurance Fraud Investigator. I did that for 20 years before accepting a position with American Savings Bank as a Corp. Security Investigator handling robberies, embezzlements, and other financial related crimes. I then accepted a position with the City and county of Honolulu, Medical Examiners Office as a Death Investigator. After years at the ME's Office and working from 11:00 pm to 07:00 am and my wife begging me to find another job, I recently accepted a position with a private firm as a surveillance investigator handling insurance fraud and criminal cases. I feel very fortunate to have a fantastic wife of 32 years, 2 sons that I could not be more proud of, and to live in one of the most beautiful places on the planet. Our oldest son just graduated from the University of Hawaii with a degree in criminal justice/psychology and is trying to get into the FBI. Our other son wants to become a fire fighter after college.

Currently, my only goal in life is to make it to the CHHS Class of 1972 40th Reunion!

Tell Peggy that I say hi. Take care my friend and I hope to see you real soon!

Larry

From Michael Esau: I knew he would end up in the crime business one way or another.

Ava and Larry

This week's "Photo Caption" contest

Bill Expounds on developments in an interview with John Galt: I got married to Laura, moved to Cary in '81 and have lived here ever since. I have two daughters; Amanda is married and teaching in Jacksonville, N.C. Erin is a senior in high school.

From about '76 to '84, I worked for OWASA, at the water and waste treatment plant. I remember seeing Esau working construction during an expansion project that tore down the Tin Can back around 1978. I worked for 25 years at a Japanese pharmaceutical plant in Raleigh, as a stationary engineer (power plant operator), but had to retire in 2009 for health reasons. I pretty much just hang out figuring out what the next chapter will be.

Take care.~~Bill

Time for a Twin Spin. "WATN?" was surprised to learn that Dana Andrews and Mike Rubish RIP were cousins. Read more about Mike on our memorial page and leave an anecdote if you knew him (who didn't?).

Emily L. Carnes

CHHS Vanguard

"WATN?" continues its focus on classmates that have comitted to attending the 40^th reunion. Emily is one of the four classmates that matriculated at the NC School of the Arts HS with her gift for music flourished. Since graduating from NC State Emily has worked several day jobs while pursuing her first love, the clarinet. Now she owns and manages a plumbing supply and contracting business in Arlington, VA where she lives with her husband. Both are Big Wigs in the Lion's Club.

This week's "Photo Caption" contest