MAIL CALL
Feb. 18
Bill Horton in Austin This year's winter hike was a 103-mile backpack trip across Big Bend Ranch SP and Big Bend NP. Weather was great, water was sufficient (with a water cache at Homer Wilson ranch house), but wildlife sightings were rare. We saw no snakes or lizards, no javelina, 2 jack rabbits, no cottontails, 2 coyotes, a few mule deer in Boot Canyon. Persistent drought has existed in the Big Bend region for over 6 years and it has hit the vegetation and animals hard. But the hike was fun, we covered a wide variety of landscapes, and we completed it on schedule. Billh812@gmail.com

CLASS REUNION
I’m guessing that this time next year, (spring, 2022), the reunion committee will start getting back together to plan a 55-year reunion for 2023. We will have to gather update info on everyone at that time. It would really help if you have moved since the 50th reunion in 2018, that you give me a head’s up on your new address, phone number changes and e-mail changes for my class spreadsheet.

TJ ’68 Reunion Account
Thank you to Bart Darby for preparing the taxes to the IRS again this year. He has to complete about 5 pages and we paid $0.14 this year, down from $0.28 last year. It cost more for Bart to print out the pages, mail them to me to sign, me to print the pages for my files, put a stamp or two on the envelope and then send to the IRS, then the amount we have to pay in taxes. GEEZ.

CLASSMATE WEEKEND
Our annual “classmate weekend” that had been postponed for two years because of the Covid, was held Mar. 5-7 in Concan, TX on a golf course near the Frio River. Each year, the same five couples (Jim Andrus, Lynn Eldridge, Paul Colletti, Jude Arisco, and I along with our spouses) find somewhere in Texas to hang out for the weekend. This year had us renting a beautiful 5-bedroom, 5-bath home with a pool, volleyball court, basketball pad, outdoor kitchen and large area along with an outdoor fireplace and sitting area. Bummer, at the last minute, Paul and Jude couldn’t come. We did a lot of relaxing and just reminiscing. I try to bring my classmate spreadsheet and senior annual each year to jog our memories. This year took a lot of “jogging”! (By the way, the pool, volleyball sandpit and basketball pad were not used! HaHa)

WEBSITE $$$ DONATION
We received a donation from Pat Trahan Knox in memory of Jane Lippincott’s husband, Kent Koerth (TJ ’66). We appreciate you, Pat.

A CLASSMATE COULD USE SOME HELP
I received a sweet note from Dianna Caillier Lewis this week, Monday, March 8. She often sends me sweet notes in the mail, so this was not unusual. This is what it said:
How are you and your family? All well, I hope. How did you come out with the storm? We had a broken pipe. We have no water (since the ice storm in the middle of February). We had water all over the house. We had to use all of our blankets, sheets, and towels to wipe up the water in the kitchen, bathroom, by the front and back door. We called Stanley Steamer to come and clean the carpet. He pulled out the padding and cleaned the carpet. We had to throw out the recliners. We sit on chairs around the table. I thank God for everything. We have been blessed; people have brought us water and some dinners. A friend brought us groceries and cat food for the cat. We are number 70 on the list for the plumber.
The family is fine. My granddaughter joined the Navy. She is going to Japan for two years.
Well, it is late. Bye for now. Love, Dianne

I called Dianne the day after I received her note. She said that they are making it as best as they can. She uses a walker due to advanced arthritis. He husband has epilepsy. She mentioned that someone noticed that they have termites in their FEMA home that was built after Rita. She has a gas stove but can’t wash clothes and take baths due to plumbing issues.
She is always so upbeat and writes to classmates and friends when I send her names of those on our support list. She is a very kind person. I am going by next week to bring a donation from a group I contacted. I am also going to bring some groceries.
Dianne doesn’t know I am writing this in my newsletter. If anyone would like to drop by and bring her anything, I know it would certainly be helpful. Maybe your church group might have a way to help. Possibly someone has access to getting her a couple of recliners at a discount rate. If so, I will pay for them. Let me know. My mobile # is (409)749-4879.

Her info is:
Dianne (Caillier) and Robert Lewis
912 E. 6th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640
(409)983-1255

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
I’ve got great news! I received a CURLING ornament for my SPORTS Christmas tree!!! Now, I’m happy.
My oldest granddaughter turned 18 in February and will be headed to Texas A&M in the fall. Her parents are both Aggies. She was actually born in College Station while her dad was still in Grad School getting his CPA.
The granddaughters’ high school soccer team made the playoffs and will be meeting Hampshire Fannett in their first post season game.
Murphy and I have received both of our Moderna vaccinations and were lucky that we did not have any side effects except somewhat sore shoulders with the first one. We are thrilled to have these behind us now.
Our golden retriever Grand dog puppy will be spayed this week. I have so much fun with her each weekday. While Murphy is catching 40 winks, I head over to her house to let her out to play fetch and run around for a couple of hours. My daughter lives on 7 acres so there is a lot of place for her to roam.
We were so very lucky to have made it through the ice storm with no plumbing or electrical issues. Our Generac didn’t even have to come on.
Crawfish season is here but the prices are still too high to get our fill. But, as luck would have it, our niece invited us to Fulshear for her son’s first birthday that just happens to also be a crawfish boil. So, now we can fill up while enjoying the family reunion with that precious T-Boy, Vincent “Cousin Vinny”. Because of Covid, this will only be the second time to see him in person.

SUPPORT
Ricky Bradley is still pushing forward with his cancer battle. He seems to be holding his own and enjoying life and family activities. Always a trooper. Glad to see his smiles on FB. You’ve got this, Lakeview friend.
9221 SW 99th St.
Mustang, OK 73064
Rbradley73064@yahoo.com

Lana Weber Guidry has been recovering from Covid. Her son also had it at the same time along with her husband, Carl Guidry. Sadly, Carl did not recover. She could use your kind words and cheer.
3333 Turtle Creek Dr. #811
Port Arthur, TX 77642
Lana72850@yahoo.com

Laura Meece Darby has had a device implanted to help to prevent strokes. It was an outpatient procedure. She is recovering well.
24606 Heirloom
Katy, TX 77493
Lauradarby49@yahoo.com

Peggy Foster Hoyt is having health issues.
Elmcroft of Timberlin Park
76120 Timberlin Park Blvd.
Jacksonville, FL 32256
psfhoyt@gmail.com

Pat Trahan Knox had an “oopsie” and fractured her clavicle. I’m sure she would love to hear from her classmates. She follows everyone so closely on FB and always has such kind words to share. Give her a shout out or drop a note to this sweet classmate.
925 Brandywine
Beaumont, TX 77706
patknox@hotmail.com

Kay Campbell Netherland– dementia
Let Dale know you are thinking of BOTH of them. We all know that this disease is tough on the caregiver, as well.
198 Tall Timbers
Burkeville, TX 75932
d.netherland@sbcglobal.net

CONDOLENCES
Classmates gone too soon

MARTHA CRUZ
Aug. 24, 1950 - March 3, 2021
Robert Middlebrook

HORTENCE LOZANO TOWNSEND
Oct. 27, 1949 – Jan. 25, 2021 J
James R. Townsend
Po Box 8
Harrisonburg, LA 71340

JERRY BETTS
May 30, 1950 – Feb. 8, 2021
Kim Betts
9923 Goldenglade Dr.
Houston, 77064
(Two weeks before he was scheduled to retire, Jerry came down with Covid and was hospitalized and passed away.)

GAIL HOLTZCLAW TERRY
Feb. 3, 1950 – Feb. 26, 2021
Ronald Terry
2970-62nd St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Diane Johnson Faulk
(death of her husband, Charles Faulk)
May 1, 1945 – Jan. 23, 2021
8440 Edgar Dr.
Orange, TX 77630

Sherry Clingan Armentor
(death of her sister, Carol Clingan Dauphine)
Dec. 5, 1955 – Feb. 3, 2021
3235 Woodlawn
Groves, TX 77619
Sherryc12009@hotmail.com

Lana Weber Guidry
(death of her husband, Carl Guidry)
Feb. 11, 2021
3333 Turtle Creek Dr. # 811
Port Arthur, 77642
Lana72850@yahoo.com

Homer Torres
(death of his wife, Juanita Ramirez Torres)
Feb. 18, 2021
8410 Edgar Dr.
Orange, TX 77630

Barbara Evans Hanley
(death of her sister Candi Evans Hayni)
Oct. 15, 1954 – Feb. 21, 2021
3001 Madison
Nederland, TX 77627
Barbarahanley50@gmail.com

Harold Schkade
(death of his brother, Glenn Schkade)
June 14, 1941 – Feb. 24, 2021
2701 McBride
Port Neches, TX 77651
sagsshws@swbell.net

Gary Cross (TJ, ’67)
Aug. 16, 1949 – Mar. 6, 2021


Thanks to Loretta LaLonde’s husband, Glenn Myers, for his help locating some of the obituaries I had trouble finding. He’s the best!


Okay, this is another newsletter in the books. I’m looking forward to spring and daylight savings time. It will be nice to see people out and about again, nice to see the landscaping start turning pretty colors and nice to start a new year since the pandemic began our lockdown a year ago.

Take care and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com

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