This is my FIRST Newsletter of the year 2012. I have lost count of how many I have written. I am glad I have enough news items to put one together. My goal is to have one published every other weekend when Mike updates the website. It doesn't always go as planned!
MAIL CALL
from Mike Soileau in Atlanta, TX
I got to meet up with Randy Baker. He is living in Bridge City and doing fine. He, like others, has restored his home that was ravished in Hurricane Ike. It really looks nice. Randy said he plans on going to the next reunion and says to tell everyone "Hello". We shared some good old memories of his Vietnam stories and says he is counting his blessings to be here.
Speaking of Vietnam. I remember one Christmas I was on board the USS Kitty Hawk in Vietnam. We had been bombing day and night off of the carrier and the night sky was constantly lit up from the explosions. It had a strange glow but not like the Christmas tree back home! Another memory was the most wonderful mail that I ever received while away in the war. It was a small package from mom and the family. It contained a letter sending their prayers and greetings for a Merry Christmas and sending their love. It also had the most delicious homemade cookies and candies. I don't remember them ever tasting so good before but I am sure the circumstances made the flavor elevate. I had seen in the movies where the guys just waited anxiously for the mail but I just can't explain the feeling when you got a few lines and knew that others were thinking of you. We almost always shared the packages of goodies with the rest of the guys and it was a delight to sample all the homemade goodies from the other packages. So, when I enjoy a Christmas and New Year meal and treats I think of our troops out there and say a little prayer for them. Freedom ain't FREE!
from Shari Louvier Parker in New Boston, TX
(taken off of Facebook)
What a good year!! I can't wait to see what God has planned for 2012. I have learned some valuable lessons this past year, so now I don't have to repeat the mistakes. Love to all.
from Janette Light Norton in Cypress, TX
The holidays were bittersweet this year: a year since my sweet mother has gone, but our first grandbaby is due this spring. My son and his wife are waiting to be surprised, so shopping for unisex was difficult......ballet slippers or high top tennies? I settled on a BLANKET! But the grandpets hit the jackpot!! Happy New Year to all of you. Keep in touch--it's great to hear from everyone.
FOUND (TJ '68 class ring)
I received a call from the PAISD to tell me that a TJ '68 class ring had been turned in. It was found in the Austin area and seems to be a MAN'S ring with the initials DJT on the inside. We searched the directories, annuals, graduation commencement brouchures and came up empty on the initials matching anyone. Any help would be appreciated. I would love to be able to return it to the rightful owner. I also have the info on who found it so that they can be notified and thanked.
WEBSITE $$$$ DONATIONS
We have received some donations since the last newsletter.
from Paula Daigle Sheppard:
We appreciate all the work you and Mike put into the website to keep us all informed about our classmates. I can't wait until we start working on the reunion.
from:
Loretta LaLonde Myers, Jan Russell, & Janette Light Norton
(I hit the jackpot while eating out with classmates. I guess it was the MARGARITAS that made them so generous (wink, wink)!!!
a note from our esteemed classmate and webmaster, Mike Lawson:
After some hard shopping online, I was able to find the updated website software at a great price. I also had to buy another external hard drive after discovering the one we purchased about three years ago is about 80% full with graphics, photos and several videos. I will begin saving our newest web information to the new drive. Because of all who have been so generous in their donations, we are able to maintain and enhance our class website so that we may continue enjoying the memories and recent happenings of our classmates.
MOVIE OUTING
Several classmates and some of their spouses recently got together in Baytown. We enjoyed the movie
WAR HORSE and then some excellent Mexican food at El Toro!
Fred McCarty was gracious enough to put all the logistics together so that it was a successful afternoon with lots of tom-foolery going on around the table!
(Notes from some of those attendees)
from Loretta LaLonde Myers:
We just returned from seeing WAR HORSE and having a late lunch with a group of TJ '68 classmates. We had a great time visiting and WAR HORSE was an awesome movie!
from Jan Russell:
I just spent a wonderful day with some friends from high school. We all still look FABULOUS! We went to see WAR HORSE- great movie, good ending, but bring tissues. Then we had a wonderful meal. It was great to be with long-time (I refuse to say "old") friends.
from Janette Light:
Today was a lovely day: upper 70's, blue skies, and cotton ball clouds. Best of all, another movie and dinner date with friends from TJ '68 who are still in the area. When we first met last fall to see THE HELP, we decided it would be fun to do this again. A new tradition. Friends and spouses who joined this time were Linda DeCuir and Murphy McFadden, Loretta LaLonde and Glynn Myers, Mike Harmon, Fred McCarty and his sweet wife Sandy, Jan Russell, and Ernie Castaneda and Ron Bullion. We missed Jane Lippincott and Kent Koerth and Jack and Charlotte Etheredge this time. Here's the deal: A few months in advance we plan which movie we would like to see. We read the book in advance (of course, if there is one the movie is based on), we meet at San Jacinto Mall, followed by Mexican food down the street. There! A tradition has started. Dee-lish and fun with lots of laughter. Join us next time!
Happy New Year to all of you! Keep in touch-it's great to hear from everyone.
MARDI GRAS
Downtown PA
February 16-19, 2012
mardigras.portarthur.com
(409)721-8717
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
sHHHHH. It has been pretty quiet and NOT TOO MUCH DRAMA. My sister is doing pretty good with her bipolar and dementia problems. Keep your fingers crossed. Dad is doing well. I drag him all over and he never remembers. After a day of errands, out to eat, ball game, etc. he will tell Murphy he had just another day!
I spent a nice lunch and movie date with Debbie Borres Desmond, Ernie Castaneda Bullion, and Diane Richmond Miller celebrating Debbie's birthday. It is always fun to get together with classmates. Diane couldn't make the movie because part of her house was flooded due to a messed-up pipe. I also was finally able to make a luncheon date with Beverly Copeland Gaspard. We caught up with family news and just idle chit-chat. We need to get the husbands to go out with us now. They are also classmates and old friends from the class of '67.
I am looking forward to an annual get-together with Lynn Eldridge, Paul Colletti, Jude Arisco, and Jim Andrus and our spouses. We usually try to find a central location for the weekend. Lynn lives in Dallas, Paul in Fort Worth, Jude in Temple, Jim in Jourdanton (outside of San Antonio) and me in Lumberton. This year we will converge in New Braunfels in April. It is always a fun weekend!!!
SUPPORT
(a note from Norma Guidry Rose)
My husband, Ed, has been diagnosed with lung cancer. The love of my life is sick and I'm hurting. I have to be strong. He is in the icu right now. His prognosis doesn't look good. A miracle sure would help us. Please continue with your prayers and support. We could use them.
Norma Guidry Rose
3220 Grand Point Hwy
Breaux Bridge, LA 70517
Leah Conner Shields has asked for prayers for her husband, Dr. R.J.Shields. He is suffering from esphogheal cancer.
Leah Conner Shields
901 Funf Kinder
Fredericksburg, TX 78624
Carl Bodin is at home recouperating. He had a mild stroke and a heart attack on New Year's Eve. He spent a week in the hospital and a week in Rehab. He is now home.
Carl Bodin
342 Roberts
Bridge City, TX 77611
CONDOLENCES
Glenn McGee
(death of his father, Sorris McGee)
Just wanted you to know that my father, Sorris McGee, passed away Jan. 7th, 2012. He lived a very full 92 years; very successful at Burton Shipyard; served 25 years as an elder at the Church on the Rock. Our loss but heavens gain. We will miss him.
Glenn McGee
4512B N.81Hwy
Duncan, OK 73533
Jimmy Hubert
(death of his mother)
6940 Hansen
Groves, TX 77619
Mike Soileau
(death of his father)
My Dad died at home in Silsbee with his family around him. He was a smoker and it finally got to his lungs. We all miss him.
Mike Soileau
3223 FM 2791
Atlanta, TX 75551
Robbie Greig
(death of his mother, Gloria "Glodie" Broussard)
3410 Woodrow
Port Arthur, TX 77642
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That is it for this edition. I need to get some added rest tonight. The granddaughters are coming tomorrow for some needed spoiling! I sure can do that! Oh yeah, and don't forget to help me find the owner of the class ring!!!!
Keep in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden