MAIL CALL
from Susan Hardcastle Beatty in Phoenix, MD
We've been doing some traveling over the last year, and when we weren't traveling it seems like we've been busier than ever. September, 2010, we spent a week touring Ireland. We opted for a bus tour so no one had to drive on the left side. The tour was really nice; all the hotels were 5- star and the food was great. This summer we went on a tour of Scandinavia with some friends of ours and saw Copenhagen, the fjords area of Norway, Oslo, Stockholm, Helsinki and Talinn. I really enjoy travelling to all these place I've heard about all my life. The fjords area of Norway is beautiful--waterfalls everywhere from the snowmelt running down to the sea. We were there in late June, so we got to see the midnight sun. Now, I just have to manage a winter trip some year so I can see the Northern Lights.
We became grandparents for the 2nd time this summer' Narlin's oldest son had a second son on July 10th. Narlin's other son is engaged and will be getting married in June, 2012. I also want to thank you and Mike for all the work you do keeping up with the website.
from Mike Bourg '69
Thank you so much for the work ya'll do in bringing your website to all former TJHS students. I only wish that the class of '69 had a website. Thanks again for such a wonderful effort.
from Loretta LaLonde Myers in League City, TX
We are all well and Glynn and I are leaving for Rome Oct. 22. This is our first visit to Europe and we are very excited! We will spend three nights in Rome then on Oct. 26th we will take a 16 night cruise that returns to Galveston. When we return I will send some news of the trip and some photos. I also want you to know how much I appreciate all that you and Mike do to keep all of the '68 grads connected.
from Carolyn Bigler Hebert '58 (wife of faculty member, Alfred Hebert '56)
Alfred competed in six triathlons this year. He came in either 1st or 2nd with the exception of the National Senior Games where he came in 8th, that in the nation. At his 55th class reunion I was injured. I stood on a chair to take a photo. I fell backwards hitting my head. I am now having confusion, misspelling typed words, using wrong words in sentences, and in tremendous pain but thankfully no bones broken. I still cannot stand or put full weight down. I still have a bit of a balance problem from the wreck of St. Patrick's day this year.
Alfred is a real happy camper here. We both belong to the East Texas Triathletes Association and I have several photo albums in their website of the 2011 events, Killer Hill Time Trials 1,2,and 3, the Tyler State Park picnic, and the RCV Tri Clinic. Thanks for keeping us up to date. Your class has the best website out there!
from Victoria "Vicki" Brunow in La Veta, CO
I am sending a few photos of my October adventures. The backyard is my backyard in La Veta. The dog is my dog who has been such a joy since the passing of both of my parents. Dogs don't ask for much, but they really can read your emotions and make you smile even in sadness. Hope everyone has a good Thanksgiving.
from Ike Landry in Woodville
I retired from NCR and am now working in San Antonio. I have a house on two acres in Ivanhoe and will retire completely soon. I am in sales of pressure washing systems and the oil people are good to us.
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DONATIONS to the WEBSITE
from Janice Huebel Slaughter in Gunthersville, AL
I enjoy the website and am glad to make the donation to help it along. Thanks for everything.
from Ernie Castaneda Bullion in Lumberton, TX
I really do enjoy getting the updated website and NEWSLETTER. Thanks
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THE GREEN THING
(sent in by Janette Light Norton in Cypress, TX)
Checking out at the store, the young cashier suggested to the older woman that she should bring her own grocery bags because plastic bags weren't good for the environment. The woman apologized and explained, "We didn't have this green thing back in the earlier days." The clerk responded, "That's our problem today. Your generation did not care enough to save our environment for future generations. "She was right--our generation didn't have the green thing in its day. Back then, we returned milk bottles, soda bottles and beer bottles to the store. The store sent them back to the plant to be washed and sterilized and refilled, so it could use the same bottles over and over. So, they really were recycled. But, we didn't have the green thing back in our day. We walked up stairs, because we didn't have an escalator in every store and office building. We walked to the grocery store and didn't climb into a 300 horsepower machine every time we had to go two blocks. But she was right. We didn't have the green thing in our day. Back then we dried clothes on a line. Kids got hand-me-down clothes from their brothers or sisters. We didn't have the green thing back in our day. We had one TJ, or radio, in the house--not a TV in every room. We blended and stirred by hand in the kitchen and we wadded up old newspapers for padding in boxes when mailing items. We used a push mower that ran on human power. We exercised by working. We didn't have the green thing back then. We drank from a fountain instead of using plastic bottles or styrofoam cups. We refilled writing pens with ink and we replaced razor blades when the blade got dull. But, we didn't have the green thing back then. We rode bikes to school and had one electrical outlet in a room, not an entire bank of sockets to power a dozen appliances. We didn't have the green thing back then!
Fred McCarty responded to this e-mail:
Thanks Janette for forwarding this great note. Our grocery store offers "paper or plastic?" and I am so old-fashioned that I still ask for paper bags. I have explained to countless cashiers and baggers that paper bags are easily bio-degradable and are in fact about 80+% recycled paper products such as newspaper, telephone books, etc. which reduces waste to landfills. Plastic bags (like styrofoam cups and most plastics) last for 40+ years once discarded. Hence paper bags are much friendlier than plastic. The grocery stores brought in plastic bags because they were cheaper than paper bags and still are. Now, they want/expect you to bring back your own bags. They sell the cloth bags for $4-$6 each. I have noticed those bags are pretty small, the handles tear off easily, and the stitching gives way after only a couple of months.
PS I thought all the "smartass young people" were working in MY grocery store!
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NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Well, Murphy had another bout with the cardiologist this week. He had 6 heart blockages repaired in March (3 with stents and 3 opened with balloon angioplasty). Seven months later this week he was found to have 5 more blockages (4 new ones and 1 that had previously been opened in March by balloon procedure.) The doctor opened two with stents and decided to forego the smaller artery that has three blockages. He felt that the balloon procedure warranted would be okay to let it go without intervention. So, Murphy was able to make it to the "beer lease", I mean deer lease for opening weekend.
Dad is doing well especially for 95 1/2 years old. Murphy and I say that his health is better than ours and that he will probably be OUR pallbearer. I don't think his dementia will allow him to write our eulogy, though!!! I was glad he was at our house on Halloween this year. We get around 400 trick or treaters. He sat on the porch for about an hour while my kids and grandkids handed out goodies. He got a little chilled and went in for about 5 minutes to watch tv. He came back out after hearing voices outside and said, "What the hell is going on?" completely forgetting about Halloween. Ahhhh, dementia. It has its moments. Gotta love it.
My sister, on the other hand, is not doing well. She is bi-polar, ADD, and has dementia. Some days are better than others but she sure has some rough ones! Keep her in your prayers. Her husband is a stroke victim and has trouble getting around on his walker and also helping her with her issues.
I am enjoying my granddaughters as much as possible. They are 7 and 8. They grow up too fast. Having an only child, these will be my only grandchildren to spoil and I am really doing that. I sure love being around them (mostly on the weekends).
I did take some time to have a girls luncheon date with classmates, Diane Richmond, Ernie Castaneda, and Debbie Borres. We ate lunch at a quaint restaurant that has opened in the old Teacherage in Sour Lake and then enjoyed the movie FOOTLOOSE!
Murphy and I also took some time to go to Larry's French Mkt. in Groves to hear some fabulous music by Gregg Martinez and visited with classmates Eugene Quibodeaux, Janette Light, Susan Hatfield, and Jack Etheredge and their spouses.
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SUPPORT
(a note from Jimmy Hebert's wife, Suzy) in Burkeville, TX
Just wanted to ask for prayers for Jim's mother. On July 17th, she went in the hospital. On July 21st, she had gallbladder surgery. Complications occurred and we are now having issues with the kidneys not working, a mild heart attack last Sunday and they haven't done the corrective surgery needed from the gallbaladder being removed. We are just asking for all to keep her in their thoughts and prayers. Thanks to all.
Phillip Bodin
He is in critical health and suffering from complications while fighting cancer. Hospice was called in today.
Buddy Cunningham '67
Tumor on his kidney. Being tested at M.D. Anderson
Jeanette Constantine Morgan's mother is having health issues.
Mike Barbay had heart bi-pass surgery.
Lillie de los Santos Wersig '69 is fighting cancer
( a note on FB from Lillie's daughter about her mom)
Some of you may know, but my mom has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The cancer has spread and is in her hip bone and also her blood. She is starting chemo and radiation on Nov. 2nd. Also, Lillie said that lung cancer does not always strike SMOKERS....it is an equal opportunity illness for non-smokers!
2530 Little John Lane
Groves, TX 77619
(a note from Janice Huebel Slaughter)
I am in Texas staying with my mother. She has not been doing well. I would appreciate prayers for her and all of her family. Thanks.
Beverly Copeland Gaspard
(mother-in-law is in ill health)
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CONDOLENCES
Kay Campbell Netherland
(death of her brother, Doug Campbell '66)
4119 Timberleaf Court
Port Arthur, TX 77642
(a note from Fred Schneider '66)
Patricia Ann Landry '66 passed away in Conroe, TX on Oct. 18, 2011
Mr. O.G. Vela (band teacher and classmate Mike Vela's dad
March 16, 1928-September 27, 2011
You may view these three obituaries in the OBITUARIES section on our front page of the website. Please remember these families in your prayers.
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It is important to send me any news that you may have. I did not receive enough for the last update to warrant a NEWSLETTER. I hope to hear from you soon.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden