Beltsville Shell Reunion #20

 Sunday, October 20, 2024

For the twentieth time in twenty-two years friends, family, and fans of Beltsville Shell gathered for the thirteenth time at Herman's Garage in Beltsville, Maryland for a reunion.

What had begun in 2002 as a reunion of seven people who worked at, or frequented, the Shell service station on Route 1 in Beltsville, Maryland has grown to include an extended circle of friends and high school classmates.  We share remembrances of a small town from a time that was extraordinarily special, a fondness for each other, and hope for continued health and happiness in the years ahead.

None of this would be possible without Herman, of course.  Nan and I will never be able to thank him enough for his many kindnesses.

Many people contribute to making the reunions a big success, but special recognition needs to go to Herman's daughter, Tammy, and Tom and Bonnie Hontz.

Herman's Garage is located in the peaceful, remote area of Beltsville surrounded by the sprawling Beltsville Agricultural Research Center. 

Beltsville Agricultural Research Center 

It is fewer than 19 miles from the White House to this special place, but the milieu could not be more different -- here you will be unable to find controversy, conflict, hatred, or any of the upsetting things of our contemporary world.  It is a welcome respite for those who come to visit, and the perfect venue for these reunions.

On our way to Herman's, Nan and I stopped in old Beltsville to shop for refreshments at the Costco store that is directly across the street from the "new Shell Station".  It had changed little from the time described in the book.

After buying some food and wine for the party, we drove out Edmonston Road to Beaver Dam Road (the "back way" to Herman's house) to enjoy the scenery.  We were greeted to fall colors, a winding road, and no traffic.  The scenery could have been confused with any rural area of Pennsylvania, Maryland, or Virginia.  Too bad we weren't driving a Corvette!

Beaver Dam Road

We enjoyed excellent weather -- a warm autumn afternoon greeted us as we arrived at Herman's Garage. 

This year Herman arranged it so that there were two reunions combined into one -- the first as noted above, and another for the "Verizon Bell Heads" -- people who worked with him at Bell Atlantic, and later Verizon.  In a few cases the members of the groups overlapped!

Cars have always been important to us, so it was fitting that classic cars filled the parking area: Herman's 1934/35 Ford Truck (made from scratch), Malcolm Van Kirk's 1963 Corvette Roadster, Dave Bratton's 1959 Chevrolet El Camino, and Gary Manley's 1939 Ford Coupe.

Herman's 1934/35 Ford Truck

Malcolm's 1963 Corvette

Dave's 1959 El Camino

Pat Thomas inspecting Gary Manley's 1939 Ford

The Gear Head line up: Bill Goodwin, Dave Bratton, Gary Manley, Tick Mangum, Cary, Phil Corbin, Pat Thomas, and Steve Anderson.

In total, including the Verizon Bell Heads, the attendance was 50 -- the most ever.  People came from as far away as Delaware, Florida, Missouri, North Carolina, and Virginia (and California).

We always have a good Delaware group and this year it included Dave Bratton, Dexter Drake, Bill and Maryjane Goodwin, and Tom and Bonnie Hontz. Steve Anderson came from the Eastern Shore of Maryland (and that's sort of Delaware).

Maryjane and Bill Goodwin drove from Delaware - it was (approximately) Bill's birthday

 

Steve Anderson showing his Maryland pride

Phil Marcus came from North Carolina, Lynn Stephens came from Missouri, and the Virginia group included Mike Calhoun, Gary Manley, and Lou and Melanie Pai.

Two people who appear prominently in the book are Dexter Drake, and Nace DeLauter.  They each have their own chapter! 

Dexter, Nan and Nace

Nace holds the record for attending every Beltsville Shell Reunion

Almost everyone who worked at Beltsville Shell attended High Point High School in Beltsville, and these reunions have become a proxy for our class reunions -- which is a bonus. My count might be off, but I believe that of the 44 people in attendance, 27 attended High Point.

High Point classmates Mike Calhoun, Doug Jones, Tom Hontz, Bonnie Hontz, Lou Pai, and Cary

We had a few newcomers this year -- Lou and Melanie Pai, and Mike Calhoun.

There are so many  things that I love about the reunions, but at the top of the list is getting to see Tom Hontz.  Tom and I have been friends since the first day of first grade -- 71 years and counting!

The second best part about the reunions (after visiting) is eating.

And every year Malcolm brings a celebratory cake!

We recognized Bill Goodwin's birthday!

The day always ends with our traditional group photo.

From left to right we see: Phil Marcus, Bill Goodwin, Fred Davies, Bonnie Hontz, Tricia Reid, Tom Hontz, Dave Bratton, Maryjane Goodwin, Doug Jones, Jim Ziepolt, Anne McFarland, Tick Mangum, Suanne Lees, Rick Ransom, Barbara Ransom, Phil Corbin, Pat Thomas, Nace DeLauter, Mike Calhoun, Dexter Drake, Kathy Bartmanski, Sandi Watt, Bruce Clark, Allison Roach, Cary, Mark Roach, Nan, Lou Pai, Melanie Pai, Herman Knauer, Donnie Borgwardt, Lynn Stephens, Sharon Nomikos, Vern Isley, Malcolm Van Kirk, Bonnie Williams, Eddie Scarcia, Tammy Yokum, and Jannah Hobday.

Also in attendance, but not in the photo, were Steve Anderson, Bud Duley, Gary Manley, Janet Merkel, Michael Moore and Matthew Vasquez, photographer.

As the Sun continued its arc across the sky elongating our shadows, and as people said their goodbyes, I thought of the many people who wrote to me to share their regrets for missing #20, all for good reasons. Health issues, distance, or family conflicts precluded them from participating.  It would have been good to see them.

We are at the stage of our lives when friendships and memories are among the best things in life, and each day is a gift.  

I want to thank everyone for giving me this particular day as a very special gift.

Sincerely, Cary

Epilogue

The fact that Herman owns a plot of land surrounded by a huge Federal Government research compound is amazing.  He can give you the personal history on how this happened.  Here is how his property looks on Google Maps.  Notice especially that his property lies between two bodies of water -- Beaver Dam Creek and Beck Branch.

Herman has done his own research on the land and has traced his property back to 1717 -- more than 300 years!  Here is what he found on the original land grant on the Maryland Land Records website:

So, to commemorate his family's ownership of the land for more than 100 years (since December 31, 1908), Herman constructed and erected a sign on the property.  How cool is that??

Herman, you are amazing!!!