For retired coal miner Brian L. Evans, Class of 1969, and Patti DeMary Evans, Class of 1972, life is a beach.

To be more specific, Carrabelle Beach in Florida’s northwest panhandle, on the Gulf of Mexico coastline southwest of Tallahassee. That's where they're "roughing it" as you read this.

Patti is a retired nurse (1987-2006) and graduate of MHS and Fairmont State. She lives in Fairmont with husband Brian.

Patti’s parents are Tina Ann “Peaches” Aldridge DeMary, Class of 1945, and Frank DeMary, Jr., Class of 1947. Frank and Peaches once had a grocery store at the end of Bridge Street in Monongah before they moved to Rivesville.

Patti’s sister is BettyAnne DeMary.

Kim DeMary Clowers lives in Red Bank, Tennessee.

 Patti's cousin, Junie Osborne Aldridge, lives in Farmington.

William Ray Evans is Class of 1967. Bentley Evans, Class of 1978, has a birthday Tuesday, July 14.

I was in the Class of 1950 with Anthony DeMary, Jr., Frank DeMary, Jr.'s cousin. My son’s grandparents are Ann Eates DeMary and Joe DeMary. I played childhood sports with the late George “Sonny” Evans, Jr., who lived across the U.S. 19 street from another “Sonny,” the late Lawrence J. Godby, son of Lawrence Godby and Regina Boone Godby.

As I’ve written many times, nearly everyone in Monongah High has a connection with everyone else in Monongah High, through birth, marriage or life-long friendships.