MAIL CALL
from Janette Light Norton in Cypress, TX
We just returned from Williamsburg, Jamestown, and Yorktown,
VA. I am working on my bucket list of visiting all North American beaches. I think I've finished all east and gulf coasts, and most of the west, as well. We traveled with some old Bridge City
friends and my daughter and son-in-law.
The reunion check will be in the mail tomorrow...no, really! You can count on me. All that will keep me away from the reunion is wild horses or the birth of the grandbaby GIRL, our second one.
All is well here in Houston. Love to you all. Thank you for the generosity of the reunion committee and, of course, the hard work of you and Mike.
(I know you want miss the reunion. We can't wait to see your beautiful smile.)
from Loretta LaLonde Myers in League City,
TX
Glynn and I went to the Ragin Cajun Shindig last night, but we had a hard time getting there! The skies opened up after we left home and what should have taken no more than an hour, took us two hours! The turnout was pretty low, maybe because of the weather. Peggy Fontenot Mundschau and I were the only TJ ‘68 grads and my sister, Judy, and her husband were also there.
(Thanks for sending in the photo of you and Peggy. You two are looking fabulous, as usual.)
from Jan Russell in Spring, TX
Today I participated in a 1-mile fun run/walk with Klein ISD where I am employed. For most people, one mile is nothing, but for me it was HUGE! Although I'm in very good health now, I have had some bad health issues in the past. So, I got some running shoes and a knee brace(!), and I've been "training" for about a month. I walked the 4 laps of the Klein Memorial track, coming in dead last! But I finished, and that was a very big deal for me. One of the 8th grade cheerleaders from my school walked the last 2 laps with me. We had a nice talk and sang "I know who goes before me, I know who walks behind. The God of angel armies is always by my side." It was great fun, and I didn't even need oxygen or CPR at the finish line! LOL! I plan to keep doing this every year, the Lord willing, as long as I am able.
I always love reading your newsletters, and tell Mike
the new format for the web page is great! Looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.
(I got your check in the mail today! Thanks for sending it in.)
from Lynane Louvier Eifler in San Antonio,
TX
I enjoy reading the website very much. Kudos to you and Mike. I was sorry to read about the death of classmate, Phil Hall. Thanks for passing on the information of fellow classmates.
(It was wonderful talking to you in person. Thanks for the phone call. I enjoyed catching up. Maybe you can make it down for the reunion and you can reconnect with other classmates.)
from Joel Levy in Houston, TX
We are all well. We are eagerly anticipating our daughter's graduation in a few weeks from Texas A&M. She is so good and so lucky; she has landed a good job even before graduating! She majored in finance and minored in economics (and sorority fun!). She will be working as a financial analyst trainee at Schneider Electric, which is a multinational manufacturer and designer of computer controlled electric power distribution. She is so sad to leave though, that was her sorority paradise. We are so glad that she got a good job right out of college in this day and age, and in this economy. And she is in an up and coming industry, as long as we don't have a scenario like that TV show Revolution about no electricity in the world. The company she works for is out of France, and I am told they started in 1803 making guns and munitions. I guess they gave that up because the work was intermittent in Europe-only making a living during wars.
The boy, (actually a man now-he is almost 27 but he is still my boy), is doing well but wants to move up in his job. He is doing cybersecurity at his company, but he really wants to do software development.
Daddy is still doing well, thank God for Revlimid, the successful chemo for his cancer. He is 93 and sharp as a tack.
I have been busy with the two jobs I have; being a contract psychologist at the Houston clinic doing assessments of psychiatric status, and teaching at Houston
Community College at night. Kinda wears me out.
I will be at the reunion God-willing.
(Looking forward to seeing you and Judi at this year's 45th reunion.)
from Merwyn Wright in Houston
I am glad that I got in contact with Mike. Since I moved, I didn't receive the information about the reunion. My wife and I are looking forward to coming. I hope Coach Wayne Williams is there. I missed him last reunion. I will send my money promptly.
(Thank you for contacting us with your new information for your new mailing and contact info. I spent quite a while looking for you and kept getting the mailings back. Now, you are OFFICIALLY not MISSING. Now, go write that check for the reunion, friend.)
from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
Linda Smith Webber and I took a trip to Las Vegas in March. We had a lot of fun but realized that we were both a little more rickety than our first trip there together right before our 50th birthdays. We are still trying to figure out how that happened. LOL. Anyway, we let Vegas keep all their money plus a little of ours, just so they'd let us come back.
(I hope you two saved money to send in for the reunion. Let me hear from you before you spend it ALL!)
from Ernie Castaneda Bullion in Lumberton, TX
Great newsletter. Mike, I love the new look of the website, also! Awesome!!! We all appreciate your hard work you put into putting it together. We also appreciate all the time, effort & hours of work you & Linda do on our website, to keep us all informed of our fellow classmates. Thanks again for all your time & dedication for our class of '68'.
(Gracias mi amiga!)
REUNION NEWS
The “countdown” clock that Mike has put on the website under REUNION NEWS makes me nervous! AWWWWWW There is a lot of pressure when you are heading up an event like this. Kay Campbell Netherland did such an awesome job on the 10th, 15th, 20th, 25th, 30th, 35th, & 40th reunions! She stepped down this year for a much needed rest. I sure have big shoes to fill. The way to make it a success is to have lots of classmates attend. We have a good start but please don't procrastinate any longer. I'll refund your money if you are not able to attend.
We are hoping to have a VERY SPECIAL heartwarming item that ALL WILL RECOGNIZE at the SOCIAL at the Holiday Inn on Friday night. I can't tell you. You'll just have to come to see what I am talking about. Yes, it will be worth it.
We will also have special guests for our MARDI GRAS party on Saturday night. We will be throwing out beads and maybe other items. It depends on the money that we get in early. Remember we have to pay in advance when we order items to give away.
I noticed that some of you are sending in money for ONE NIGHT. If you do, please note which night you want to attend. The name tags will be made for each night. PLEASE don't skip the Saturday night extravaganza because you don't dance. As we get older, many more of us use Saturday night as an additional SOCIAL! Also, Saturday night is the night that we really decorate. We spend many hours planning and making items to make our night seem like a special night. We will be able to spread out more to visit, also. The food will be delicious. There will be plenty. Don't eat before you come.
Can you see me doing the HAPPY DANCE? I received money from ten classmates in the last two weeks. The reunion committee also received an “anonymous” donation with one of the reunion checks to help with the reunion expenses where it is needed! You are so special! Now, the rest of you can help spread the news and contact an old friend and tell them to come, also. The more the merrier.
WEBSITE $$$$ DONATION
Sweet Diane Richmond Miller sent in a website donation with her reunion check. You are so kind. Thanks for remembering us and appreciating our efforts.
(By the way, I am happy that the rehabbing of your knee is paying off. I cannot imagine how painful knee replacement surgery must be.)
CHARLES SCHULZ PHILOSOPHY
·List a few teachers who aided your journey through school.
·Name three friends who have helped you through a difficult time.
·Name five people who have taught you something worthwhile.
·Think of a few people who have made you feel appreciated and special.
·Think of five people you enjoy spending time with.
The lesson:
The people who make a difference in your life are not the ones with the
most credentials, the most money...or the most awards.
They simply are the ones who care the most.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
My sister is doing better with her change of meds. Yea. Dad is doing so well. 97 is the new 70! He gets tickled when people find out he is 97 but looks so much younger. He puffs his chest out and grins. Murphy is doing good with the “honey-do” list. I think it is because he is taking FEMALE HORMONES for his prostate cancer. He is even multi-tasking like a woman! But, he is hating the hot flashes and not sleeping as well as usual. I say to him, “Welcome to our world. Now, let's go shopping!”
Ernie (Castaneda) and Ron Bullion went with Murphy and I to the Lamar Alumni night for the Lamar baseball game! The alumni association fed us, gave us free tickets to the game, and other fun give-aways. The baseball team even won the game with a walk-off home run in the bottom of the eleventh inning. Fun night.
On Sunday, May 5th, all of our DeCuir side of the family is coming together for a Cinco de Crawfish Boil! It just happens to be on my birthday. I am so excited that my sister's children and grandchildren will be there. She only sees them together once a year during the holidays. We haven't told her yet because with her dementia, she would get too excited and then confused about when and where. Then, she would bombard me with phone calls! She will see them when she sees them! Sometimes you have to just play it cool. “-)
I have been really enjoying following the BOSTON RED SOX this season. After last year's debacle, it is nice they are leading the AL
in wins! Our local homeboy, Clay Buchholz is OUTSTANDING this year with 6 wins and no losses.
Go Clay Boy! Murphy and I have tickets to the Boston vs Astros games the week after the reunion. Our good friends, Ernie and Ron, are going to join us, as well!
HAPPY BIRTHDAY
Happy May 4th birthday to our webmaster extraordinaire, Mike Lawson! I know that most of you know the story about when Mike and I were born. I will repeat a little for the new readers. Mrs. Lawson and my mother were suite- mates in the hospital during labor. Mike and I were born a day apart. Our mothers became friends after that. We went to different elementary schools until Woodrow. Mike's mom told him to look me up. And the rest is history! Now, we are “married” WITHOUT benefits!
SUPPORT
(a note from Ernie Castaneda Bullion in Lumberton, TX)
Dear TJ classmates,
On March 25th, I had a surgery called micro vascular decompression due to my years of having a condition called Trigeminal Neuralgia. I am doing great & finally pain free! I want to thank all my classmates who sent me cards, meals, flowers & especially prayers . When I woke up in ICU & realized my face pain was gone, I felt so grateful and relieved! Now, I can get back to enjoying my family and especially my grandsons, Zackary and Nicholas. I could not have recovered as well as I have without the care of my wonderful husband Ron, who I feel so blessed to have in my life.
Thank you again for all of your prayers.
tbull50@sbcglobal.net
Joanna Simmons Moreau ('69) is having major heart issues. She will have surgery on Wednesday, May 8th to have a valve replacement, a blockage repaired, and an AFIB repaired. She just completed a year since having breast cancer surgery. Please keep her in your prayers.
kaypee1@aol.com
Joanna Simmons Moreau
7692 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
RONNIE BONEAU BENEFIT
To help with expenses incurred for chemotherapy treatments during his battle with colon cancer.
Saturday, May 11
11:00 am – 2:00 pm
Brisket plates $8.00
Silent auction
Donations also accepted at:
Golden Triangle Federal Credit Union
for
Friends of Ronnie Boneau
Acct. # 9987-60
Routing # 313182602
CONDOLENCES
Sandra Nicks Kelley
(death of her husband, Steve “Gunny” Kelley)
235 Johnny Dike Rd.
Taylorsville, NC 28681
gunny69@wildblue.net
Phil Hall's obituary has now been added to the Memorial section.
Remember that you can click on the deceased classmate's name and see the graduation photo. The photos that you see WITHOUT clicking are photos provided by the families or the newspapers.
TRIBUTE TO MOTHERS
Please remember those classmates who have lost their mothers since last MOTHER'S DAY. This is the first Mother's Day without their mothers on this earth and will most likely be a difficult one. Please keep them in your hearts.
Jenny Havens McCormac
Richard Daniels
Ronnie Moerbe
Mary Bess Rizer Johnson
Shelley Dettman
Diane Richmond Miller
Linda Lehr Stinson
Okay, send me a reunion check right now before you forget! Chop, chop. See you next update.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com