MAIL CALL
from Barbara Bowers in Costa Rica
I am well, acclimating to life in Paradise! We have a 3-room “B ‘n B” outside of San Jose. We are loving this country. It is so beautiful and warm, 80 degrees and after freezing my ears off in Colorado for 25 years, it is welcome! Tourist season starts back up next week so keep eyes open for new stuff.
hotelcasayayaz@gmail.com

from Bill Horton in Austin
In November, I took a trip in Morocco with my son, Andrew and daughter, Leah. We did an 8-day road bike tour (320 miles) with Ciclismo Classico, ciclismoclassico.com, and then 3 days in Marrakesh. The country is really nice to visit, interesting scenery and history, friendly people, good food, and I'd go back. William Hudson had signed up for this trip, invited me, and it sounded too good to pass up.
Billh812@gmail.com

from Carole Oubre Reeves in Groves
Despite frequent doctor visits for checkups or whatever I must say, we are so blessed to be in fairly good health, for which we are both so thankful! Our prayers go out to all my classmates who have health issues. Thank you, Linda and Mike, for all you do, and for keeping us informed of what’s happening in our classmate’s lives. Our love to all of you and our prayers for restored/repaired health for all! We love all of you and pray for you all.
Carole.reeves@att.net

from Carolyn Bigler Hebert (wife of faculty member, Alfred Hebert)
My compliments to your webmaster for keeping up a very nice clean website. My website is still up.
http://moonlightflower.org/MyPages.html
hawaiistomnd@hotmail.com

PORT NECHES EXPLOSION
I didn’t receive any responses about homes that were damaged but I did hear personally about some. I know many garage doors were blown in, windows broken, bricks dislodged, some homes knocked off of the slab, roofs damaged, etc. While riding around the neighborhood, we saw many windows boarded up and adjusters looking at damage.

Southwest Conference Hall of Fame 2019
So proud of our classmate and standout football player, Gary Hammond, for getting this much deserved award.
Congratulations, friend.





BOOGIE KINGS CONCERT
Feb. 15, 2020
9pm-1am
Honky Tonk Texas
2389 Hwy 96 N.
Silsbee, TX
(409)386-1995 $15.00
Tickets may be bought in advance or at the door.
Classmate, Florence “Sissie” Woods Kilcrease, is saving some tables for those who contact her in advance. Her e-mail contact is sissiekilcrease@aol.com or messenger her on FB. She is listed as Sissie Woods Kilcrease Many classmates have already contacted her. Hope to see you there.

WEBSITE INFORMATION
Our website has so much more information than just what each update gives us. I was thrilled when Barbara Bowers asked me how to find the pictures on our annual. It is under SITE LINKS, then MICELLANEOUS, then 1968 ANNUAL. Then entire annual is available for viewing on our fabulous website.

Throwback information:
Editor Bookmark this section
• Kirkland, Christi Editor-in-Chief
Editors Bookmark this section
• Harriman, Marilyn Associate Edito
• Babin, Carol Associate Editor
• Turner, Darlene Sophomores Section
 • Bivens, Becky Favorites Section
• Lewis, Sharon Academic Section
• Copeland, Beverly Who's Who? Section
• Evans, James Sports Section
• Roccaforte, Gail Publication Section
• Juneau, Jody Advertisements Section
• Hatfield, Susan Administration and Faculty Section
• Powell, Brenda Future Citizens' Section
• Messina, Camille Girls' Sports Section
• Ippolito, Nancy Seniors Section
• Weisinger, Judy Juniors Section
Other Bookmark this section
• Verret, Vicki Business Manager

Sponsor Bookmark this section
• Redman, Ethel
Please feel free to contact me lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com or Mike miklaws33@yahoo.com for any information on how to find something on our website.
Notice: Mike has a new e-mail address.

CLASSMATE LISTING
Please click on the link on our front page and make sure your information is correct. I know some are still listed with a work e-mail even though you might have since retired. Contact me with any additions or changes.

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
There isn’t too much going on over here. I took all my Christmas decorations down around the second week in January except the main Christmas tree. It usually stays up until Valentine’s Day. Why? Well, one day about 15+ years ago, Murphy made the mistake of sarcastically saying, “When are you going to take the tree down, Valentines?” Sooooo, a tradition started! I love my “Memory Tree” ornaments. (I stole that phrase from my friend, Martha Lipe Bodin.) It isn’t the kind of tree that would make it into a magazine, but if I could have any wish for my funeral, I would like my family to have my tree there with all my ornaments that show my family’s momentous events, our travels, our pets, and friends and co-worker’s ornament gifts. If I had room, I would keep it up all year. One downer this year, I had a tree stand that rotates and it allows me and others to see ALL my ornaments. This year, I had to buy a new tree and the base of the new tree did not fit in my stand. Hmmm. I know there must be different size rotating tree stands. Maybe one of you could tell me where I might find one that would fit for next year.
I have decorated for Mardi Gras, though. My table, hutch, side table, coffee table and mantle have some Mardi Gras flare. It is a fun season around here in Southeast Texas, as well as Louisiana. Lots of events are happening in the area. The Mardi Gras will be held in Beaumont instead of Port Arthur starting this year. All of the Krewes from the parades in downtown PA will participate as well as some new ones. They will have hot air balloons, Clydesdales, White tigers and many other attractions. It will be held between the Civic Center and the Event Center on Feb. 20-23. Check it out online on Mardi Gras Southeast Texas. They have really been working on it and hopefully, the entire southeast Texas will help to make it successful.
We are enjoying watching our two granddaughters play varsity soccer for Hardin Jefferson High School. This is the first time both have ever played on the same soccer team since they started soccer at 5 years old.
The youngest granddaughter, Drew, 15 years old and a freshman, donated 10 inches of her hair recently. We are proud of her. She often thinks of others and is a treat to have around. She makes us laugh and tries to make a game out of everything.

SUPPORT
Dec. 19
Ricky Bradley has been diagnosed with bladder cancer. Surgery scheduled. Dec. 20
The doctor feels like he got all the tumor and no residual left in bladder. After the bleeding stops they will send him home with a catheter.
Dec. 23
Rick is still in the hospital since his surgery. He is having a lot of bleeding & pain. We are still waiting for the Pathology Report! His Red blood count has been dropping and White blood count is rising, so they put him on IV fluids and IV Antibiotics along with saline drip for his bladder. We probably will be here through Christmas.
Dec. 27
Rick is headed for surgery again right now because he has not stopped bleeding in his bladder since last surgery.
# PATHOLOGY REPORT
TA Papillary Urothelial Carcinoma
High grade
Noninvasive Into
1st wall Not Muscle
STAGE 1
He will have to have some Cancer treatments later. Dec. 29
Going home!!!
Jan. 20
BIOPSY on inside of his bladder!
Everything looked good, he took a Biopsy from the Muscle due to Rick's cancer was an aggressive type. We're waiting for pathology report Friday, Jan. 24. Dr. said Rick still isn't healed enough inside bladder to take chemo; if pathology report is Negative, so he'll have to wait 3 months to start chemo pills.
Rbradley73064@yahoo.com
9221 SW 99th
St. Mustang, OK 73064

Pat Trahan Knox is still having ongoing medical issues including intense pain after a fall that landed her on her “good” hand. She has had a couple of tests that aren’t showing fractures. One of her doctors did ask her permission to pray over her. She said she isn’t able to type much on the computer, though, due to constant pain.
patknox@hotmail.com
925 Brandywine St.
Beaumont, TX 77706

Bill Richey went to Fondren on Dec. 16th for surgery on his left hand due to a condition caused from Dupuytren’s Contracture. It causes a finger to be permanently bent. He had surgery and then had to go back for a cast the following week. Now that the cast and stitches are out, he is rehabbing at home and is looking forward to scheduling a TEE time, not to be mistaken for TEA time!!!! But, now that Bill is recovering, Rhonda can make time for a Downton Abbey tea party with her friends. Only set back is that Bill came down with a case of the shingles the week following his surgery. He is recovering.
Wrichey001@gt.rr.com
3695 Woodway Dr.
Orange, TX 77630

Glenn Wigginton broke his hip and had to get two heart stints before he was able to have surgery to repair it. He is now recovering and looking forward to going home.
Rwigginton50@gmail.com
377 Brewer Cemetery Rd.
Leesville, LA 71446

Jeanette Constantine Morgan had a “mild” heart attack Monday,
Jan. 20.
She is in the Medical Center in Port Arthur.
Jan. 21
from Jeanette: They did another enzyme test and my heart enzymes are still high. Dr. Badlissi said he wants them to take care of it while I am here and not to exert myself. I could still have another one. The heart doctor is scheduling an arteriogram tomorrow.
denandjune@yahoo.com
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, TX 77619

Mikey Varing He has been staying with his daughter for a while but is back home. He had an appointment at MDA today (Jan. 21). No news for me to report yet. While talking with him this morning on the way to his appointment he got his church friend to stop with him and buy some hamburgers to give to some of the homeless.
Varingmichal32@gmail.com
749 Queen’s Court
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Debbie Felder had a total hip replacement Monday, Jan. 20.
She is recovering.
Dfog50@yahoo.com
995 Northampton
Conroe, TX 77303

Johnny Denison
December 18
My wife, Ramona, has been having some bad headaches. She is in the hospital. After some testing a tumor was found to be on the pituitary gland which is attached to the brain. A rather large one. She will undergo surgery
Dec. 31.
Surgery went well. Ramona is recovering and doing well.
(No e-mail. He is on FB) Glenwood, AR

from Jan Russell
(update on her stroke recovery)
You probably know that your brain sends messengers to the brain to collect data from writing words. That is then transferred back to the brain which then transferred the information to the mouth to articulate the words. (Noticed my scientific terms! Ha ha!) What happened with my stroke/TIA is that the connection to the brain was disturbed. (Aphasia) My speaking aloud is really improving. However, reading aloud from a written text is much more difficult. I still have to speak slowly and try to remember how to pronounce certain words. Again, I’m doing much better. However, I now I have a new mountain to climb - singing aloud while reading music with a group. In this situation I don’t have the ability to read slowly and try to understand each word. I have to stay in tempo with the rest of the group. I can tell you that this is extremely difficult and mentally exhausting. After just a little bit of time my brain just tires out and I can’t do it anymore. Ironically, I can sing the notes correctly; apparently that part was not affected. But at this point, singing aloud with a group is excruciating, causing great mental fatigue and anxiety. My anxiety is increased by the fact that I’m not able to do the very thing that I love so much. I’m having a little pity party right now even though I know I will continue to improve. But right now, I’m really hurting. I am continuing with speech therapy and practicing on my own. Those of you who sing with me, thank you for your patience and love. Other singers that know me, please keep me in your prayers. I want to keep singing JOYFULLY to the Lord.
Jlrussell49@att.net
10225 Wortham Blvd.
Apt. 5104
Houston, TX 77065

from Alfred Hebert’s (faculty member) wife, Carolyn Hebert
She is suffering from a spinal injury and other ongoing health problems.
Moonflower.org
Flint, TX

CONDOLENCES
Zemly Turner
(death of a classmate)
January 24. 1951 – October 7, 2019
(Zemly died from complications of Parkinson’s and Alzheimer’s disease. I was so happy she had a friend bring her to our 50th reunion BOTH nights! She had a wonderful time. She also was the big raffle winner of the 1968 annual that was donated by Jennifer Reid, the daughter of the late Cheryl Robinson Jones.
(Thanks to Jan Russell who informed me of Zemly’s passing.)

Molly Bigler Gerald
TJ ‘69
(sister-in-law of Alfred Hebert and sister of Carolyn Bigler Hebert)
October 2, 1950 – November 27, 2019
2060 Rana Park
Flint, TX
75762

I am happy to get this newsletter wrapped up. I have been under the weather with sinus, congestion, sneezing, coughing….you all know what I’m talking about. It was like living in Seattle the whole week. Now, Mike and I have to work on some internal issues with the website to get it sent out. I don’t know if you will be reading this in January or not. I hope so, though.

Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com

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