Mystery Classmate 126

Congratulations to Lauren Hoener Nace and Brian “S.D.” Stevenson, both of whom sort-of correctly identified Dave Weidenhamer (’84) as Mystery Classmate #126, and are listed in the order that their responses were received.

However, once again there was a controversy over the photo.

Dave Weidenhamer wrote, “Well, this is a most interesting photograph. This was the first job I had when I moved to Gettysburg over two years ago. A few months after I started, and much to my amazement, Lauren Hoener Nace came on board. It took me a few minutes to convince her
I had gone to elementary school with her and her sister, Kim.

“However, I don't see Lauren or myself in this picture. You can't dispute that is a male from the clothing. So that rules out Lauren, who's not that tall anyway, and my face isn't that angelic anymore! I do believe this is an old photo as the fellow on the far left has been dead for almost four years. (Editor’s Note: Well, duh, it’s a Ghost Tour! Finally some truth in advertising!) It could be that they have a new guy that sort of looks like him, and this is a new guy, but then other details in the picture would be different. Katie, the little girl would be taller, the company name would be on the sign, the background would be different. So, if it's not supposed to be me - and it's not - then I don't know who it is. And I can't imagine that a third Churchill grad would have worked for this company and no one would've brought it up before.”

Later, Dave added, “Sorry, it's not me. I just showed the photo to my co-worker, and he informs me the picture is at least five years old, and the two kids in the back were Gettysburg High School students.”

Lauren concurred with at least part of the story. She wrote, “Dave and I actually did the ghostwalks together in Gettysburg, but we have both since retired from the business. He is a newlywed and I still see him and Terah around town every now and then. He is a sweetheart!”

So, that wasn’t him. Kudos to Lauren and S.D. for guessing correctly anyway. In the interest of accuracy, a photo of the real Dave “Sweetheart” Weidenhamer is posted as well. He’s the one on the boat.

And, in case you were wondering, Dave writes, “My wife Terah and I celebrated our first wedding anniversary at the end of September while moving into our new home near Waynesboro, PA, about 25 miles from Gettysburg. No kids - yet. I work as an Instructor for the Training Division of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (yes, FEMA). I work in a reservist capacity, so when I'm not developing materials or traveling to disasters, I put in some hours at a history book store and at a "wet-plate" photography studio in Gettysburg.”

Ted Showers guessed Ron Ways. Karen Campbell Ricci guessed Clay Aiken. Kira Kenyherz Bartlett guessed Adam Karsten.

Jerry Koutavas guessed Kevin Cervi. Paul Rodgers guessed Daniel Boone. Mike Kuzy guessed Brian Talbert, or his brother Dan Talbert.