Remembrance from Monica Dean

Remember that if you were sick you had to stand in line outside Mr. Taylor's office and he called you in, and then phoned your parent while you’re standing there? And remember his absolute monotone and cold icy blue-eyed stare? Imagine that voice and this scene:

Kathy Derbonne is really sick (as opposed to just wanting to cut the rest of the day’s classes). She is literally about to keel over. She gets into Mr. Taylor’s office and says she feels like she is going to faint. He doesn’t bat an eyelash. He phones her mom: “Miz Derbonne, this is Douglas Tay-lah at Bo’ton Ha Skule. Your daughter is in my office saying she feels like she is going to faint.” (pause, same monotone, doesn’t bat an eyelash) “Miz Derbonne, your daughter has now fainted. You will need to come pick her up.” He doesn’t change his tone, doesn’t get up from his desk to peel Kathy off the floor, he just motions to the next person in line (me) to come into his office. It was classic.

Take care, enjoy fall in Louisiana . In Virginia , it’s been lows in the low 50s and highs in the low 70s and the leaves are beginning to turn golds and reds. Perfect fall weather.

Here's her contact info:

Monica F. Dean

Associate Director of Philanthropy, Foundations and Corporations

mdean@tnc.org

(434) 987-0980

(Mobile) (434)951-0583

(Office)(434) 946-7032

(Home Office) (434) 979-0370 (Fax)

nature.org

The Nature Conservancy

Mid-Atlantic States

490 Westfield Rd.

Charlottesville, VA 22901