MAIL CALL
from Sharon Gary
Peters in Lumberton
The check is in the mail:) Retirement is sweet. My son, Michael, graduated from Lamar University
and moved to Austin. Music is his passion. After 39 years in education, I was quite ready and willing to retire. All my kiddos are out of the nest and I have many plans! Travel plans! See you in August!
(Congrats on your retirement!)
sharong.peters@gmail.com
from Leah Conner Shields in The Colony, TX
A funny incident: my granddaughter plays flute in a middle school band here. (Will be in 9th gr. this year.) Back in late October, the middle schools played with the high school at a ball game. They struck up their fight song and when I started singing along, "Go ye Port Arthur....."
my daughter says, "Mom, shush, those aren't the words!" Well, in my world, those words definitely go with that tune!!
I am on the fence about coming to the reunion. If I go, I'll register at the door.
Never mind! Check is in the mail. I'm coming!
(Woo hoo. See you there.)
leash0316@gmail.com
from Creig Romero in Houston
I am planning to attend the reunion but still trying to convince David, my partner, to go with me. I plan to attend just Friday as my grandson's 8th birthday is Saturday. What we give up for kid's and grand babies. :-) But, I would not have it any other way. In fact, I spent today with my granddaughter, Avery. She turned 7 today and we had lunch and spent 3 hours shopping for birthday clothes which she loved. Then, you have to add in merchandise for Addy(5) and Alysse (7 months) who also attended the shopping spree also. My four grand babies keep Paw Paw broke.
Thanks, also, to you and Mike for doing a fantastic job on the website and keeping us all informed of what is going on with our classmates. I will see you for the Social on Friday night!
(I know all about being broke with having my granddaughters this summer!)
creig@creigromero.com
from Phillip Romero in New York City,
NY
I have not ruled it out, but there are several other commitments that may preempt attending this year's reunion. I'll keep you posted.
(I hope it works out. Looking forward to seeing you. It has been many, many years!)logosoma@aol.com
from Bill Horton in Austin, TX
I'm hoping to be able to attend the 50th reunion since I can't make this one. I will be going to Alaska, which is a life-long goal, and taking my 2 kids who are 26 & 28. We will fly to Juneau and spend a week paddling kayaks and camping in Glacier Bay
National Park, then another week doing day trips - hiking and such - in the area. We are really looking forward to seeing amazing scenery and wildlife.
Retirement is going very well, but I got another reminder to enjoy life when you can. I thought I was healthy but 2 months ago started having heart problems whenever I was exerting myself running or biking. That was diagnosed as atrial flutter due to a congenital defect that took 62 years to show up! The fix was a pretty simple ablatement procedure and it's working fine now (except for getting old).
Thanks for all you and Mike do.
(Enjoy your Alaskan vacation. You deserve it. But, we'll miss you. See you in FIVE years.)billh812@gmail.com
from Skippy Cole in Alexandria, LA
I want to go to the PARTY! Sorry I'm running late with this payment. Looking forward to seeing one and all.
(Thanks for sending in your check! Can't wait to see you and your smile again. I'm saving you a big hug!)
enochcole59@yahoo.com
from Glenda Hill Tate in Wichita
Falls, TX
I recently found the website for the Class of '68 and noticed that I was one of the “MISSING” classmates! I have been here in Wichita Falls ever since I moved from Port Arthur in 1967. If anyone's been missed, it's been ALL of you. I will not be able to make the August reunion but would love to get information about future reunions. I have enjoyed the website and all of the memories it envoked. I look forward to receiving reunion and class information in the future. I hope that everyone has a wonderful time at the 45th class reunion.
(So glad you were not LOST! Whew. Thanks for contacting us.)
ftate@sw.rr.com
from Rouel Rothenberger (faculty) in Azle,
TX
I will be at the Friday, Aug. 2 mixer by myself. I married a '62 Nederland Bulldogette but she will be visiting some PNG friends where we will stay that night. We will return to Azle Saturday the 3rd.
I taught Bio. I and II from Sept. '66 to May '69, became the Director of Student Activities in Sept. '69 and replaced Charles McBee as Principal of TJ in Sept. '74 where I enjoyed the Yellow Jacket pride and spirit until May '86. I moved to the principal's job at Azle H.S., west of Fort Worth, that summer. We have been here since and enjoy the retired life and traveling around the world and in the USA.
I am looking forward to seeing some familiar faces-you and others! I just looked through my '68 annual.
(I am excited that some of the faculty members are going to attend. Thanks for being one.)
roueljr@charter.net
from Marvin Cichowski (faculty) in Lake Charles, LA
I will not be able to attend the TJ 45th class reunion due to reasons beyond my control. I wish you and your fellow classmates all the success that comes your way.
REUNION DONATION
Thanks to Skippy Cole for the donation for the reunion committee to use as we see fit.
REUNION NEWS
The committee had an extra long meeting this week making decisions, delegating assignments to members, last minute changes, and trying to make an approximation of attendees. I have so many that say they are coming but I still haven't gotten their checks. I hope they are still coming. It is going to be so fun and we are really getting excited. Now, I can't do anything about the heat! Just come in an air-conditioned car, jump out and then get in the air-conditioned buildings. There you have it! Maybe I did do something about the heat!
SUPPORT
(update on Jeanette Constantine Morgan's mother)
My mom is on the mend and doing much better thanks to all my friends and family for all the prayers for her and love to all. Also thanks for all the personal phone calls. I appreciated them.
denandjune@yahoo.com
Diane Barker Foreman
My mother is in the hospital with an infection and some cardiac issues. My mother-in-law is in the hospital across the hall with an infection.
diane.foreman@lamar.edu
from Linda Yancey concerning classmate, Carrie Stout Robert
Well, Carrie has been in a total of 5 different hospitals since her stroke on February 28th. She has yet to go home. It is the hardest thing for me to understand on how the medical industry has changed.
Just when you think she is finally getting the therapy that she needs she spiked a fever and it was because the previous hospital left a lead line in her arm and once they removed it and tested-they found it was infected. So, the therapy was put on hold. Today, June 21st, they moved her back to the previous rehabilitation hospital that did nothing for her but put her in a chair when we would ask them.
We all want her to get the treatment she needs and deserves, yet I don't know if that will ever happen. I am saddened by the whole set of circumstances and she deserves so much more.
Please say a prayer for Carrie and her family.
lky1949@gmail.com
Correspondence for Carrie:
Carrie Stout Robert
3054 Lebonnett Dr.
Beaumont, TX 77705
CONDOLENCES
Albert “Bert” Smith
(death of his mother, Geraldine “Gerry” Smith
116 Rosewood
Lake Jackson, TX 77566
(Her obit is in the OBITUARIES section on the front page of the website.)
agsdev@earthlink.net
I just looked at the COUNTDOWN on our website! Yikes. 35 days left to get EVERYTHING done for the big 45th reunion! Hope the ones who have responded will enjoy our efforts. We are going to make it a special Mardi Gras event. Don't forget....just CASUAL. We are too old to be dressing “FUSSY”. Of course....Mardi Gras colors ARE fun! PUT THAT CHECK IN THE MAIL PRONTO~!
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com