MAIL CALL
from Kathleen Rosenthal Phillips in Groves
A quick note to let my classmates know Yellow Jackets are alive and well in Vivian, Louisiana . My adventure with them began with a trip I took when I brought my sister, her 9 year old granddaughter and my 5 year old grandson for a visit with my Dad. My Dad is 97 and had recently been in the hospital. His wife is 94 and not in the best of health but wanted us to bring the grandkids to visit. Of course they are not accustomed to small children but still always look forward to seeing us. Vivian, LA is about 30 miles north of Shreveport. They live in the country and the children love to play in their huge yard. My sister and I were visiting and the kids were outside playing when they both ran into the house totally hysterical screaming about bugs. At first my sister and I thought it was a huge over-reaction on their part but in truth it was a swarm on Yellow Jackets all over them! When I say this was not a good situation, believe me, it was really bad. The children were screaming uncontrollably, my sister and I were trying to figure out what's happening, and the old folks were in total shock!! Yellow Jackets are really not very large but they are very dangerous. I ended up getting stung trying to get them off the kids and they were also stung multiple times. Thankfully, none of us had any allergic reactions to the bites but did incur a lot of pain and swelling. We had to cut the visit short with my Dad that day and leave before we caused any more commotion. Friends, take my word for it that if you have never experienced it yourself, you DO NOT want to come in contact with a Yellow Jacket UNLESS they are an alumni from our beloved TJHS!
kk5010@yahoo.com
(Kathleen doesn't usually write, but she sure saved a good story to share with us. Glad an ER visit wasn't involved! Write us again.)
from Beth Anne Sutherlin Coakley in Bedford, TX
Larry's Speake's youngest daughter, Summer, with her sons, Dakota and Cherokee came to visit the Port Arthur area. While here, they visited Pat Trahan Knox, Patti Hebert Ross '69 and Beth Anne Sutherlin Coakley. Summer would like to hear from anyone that was friends with her dad, Larry or her uncle, Mike Speake. She also wants to know if anyone knows the whereabouts of Jimmy Bean.
eac2005@sbcglaobal.net
(Contact Beth Anne with any message or memories you would like to share with Summer. Both Larry and Mike have passed away. Also, the reunion committee have listed Jimmy Bean as “MISSING” for many years. We have no info on him.)
from Lee Benedetto Martin in Tigard, OR
I have lived in Oregon for years but I am always surprised when I can step outside my door and pick blueberries, cherries, blackberries and this year dig up elephant garlic. I love it!
leemnsf@msn.com
from Mike Harmon in Beaumont
I missed the newsletter in the last update (July 10) but now I know why! Sorry to hear about your "episode". Who knew Spa Day could be hazardous to your health!
I was impressed with your son-in-law and granddaughter's hike to the top of Handies Peak... however, if it were 1453 MILES high, the hike would actually qualify as a space walk. I point out the peak is actually 14,058 feet or slightly over 2.5 miles not to be a know-it-all but to prove I actually love to read every word of your newsletter!
I am glad your Dad got moved. I know you will miss him but it will be good for him to be pampered by all those women... all men should get that treatment in their senior years!
aggie75@gmail.com
(You weren't the first one to tell me about my mistake in the last NEWSLETTER, but I am certainly happy that you “missed” reading the NEWSLETTER in that update. I would rather have written one than being in the ER! I am still counting on that “luncheon date” you promised.)
from Carmen Babin Hardy in Lumberton
July 27
Well, the time has finally come. After 26 years, I have repaired my last sewing machine! I have met so many wonderful people over the years and have enjoyed all the visits from family and friends. I'm not quite sure what I will do with my time yet, but I'm sure there will be plenty to do. I'm sure Facebook will keep me busy!
carmen@gt.rr.com
(Congratulations on your deserved retirement. I am sure that you will be missed. I saw your car parked at your little shop on 39th Street in Groves many times. But, I was usually on a “mission” and didn't get to stop.)
from Loretta LaLonde Myers in League City, TX
Glynn and I had a great trip to Seattle and on our Alaskan cruise. We stayed at a Bed & Breakfast and on our second morning at breakfast, two couples from New Braunfels walked in and we started talking. We found out that, not only were they from Texas, but one of the ladies was from Port Arthur and is a TJ ‘65 grad. Well guess what? She was Ruth Colletti, Paul Colletti’s sister! Also, Glynn and I went to visit some friends at another time and our classmate, Marian Taylor Bellanger, was there and we had fun talking about high school classmates. Marian’s husband is our friends’ brother. Small world!
lorettamyers@verizon.net
(Yes, the world seems to get smaller as we age. Marian's brother is the one who was our photographer at the last reunion. Now we need to get Marian to come to one. Sorry we weren't home when you came through Lumberton. Keep trying friend. You know that my fondish wish is for classmate's to re-connect with each other.)
MEMORABILIA
Lenny Larson '66, (brother of the late Dwight Larson), has been going through boxes of saved items. He has sent me a couple of large envelopes containing photos of Dwight and friends during our Travis Elementary days along with many editions of the Sea Breeze, the newspaper from Woodrow Wilson Junior High. He also included all the beauties that were CavOILcade princesses our Senior year. That was the year that Gretchen Lueders was crowned QUEEN! Lenny even included three NEWSLETTERS for the summer months between our Junior and Senior years that my homeroom wrote to only our homeroom members! I didn't even remember doing it. It was for Mr. Rowland's homeroom class where we called ourselves “ROWLAND's MAFIA”! I was the NEWSLETTER'S editor; imagine that. Our homeroom members were like a FAMILY for the three years we were together and Mr. Lionel Rowland was our mentor, counselor, and FRIEND! I have to admit that I cried, smiled, AND laughed out loud while going through the envelopes containing memories of the good old days! Thanks, Lenny for sharing! I loved Dwight with all my heart. He was my first boyfriend for many years at Travis as well as a dear friend my whole life. We visited each other's homes in Lakeview living two blocks apart, played together, carpooled to Woodrow and stayed friends until the end. RIP sweet Dwight.
(I hope that you enjoy these memories that this brings. I got a kick out of the names of some of the businesses that I had forgotten.)
THE MAFIA MESSENGER
(June 1967 edition)
Editor: Linda DeCuir
Asst. Editor: Kenny Bragg
Reporters: Jean Ann Virden and Phyllis Hargrove
Traveling to Baton Rouge, Houston and to Six Flags has taken up most of the summer so far for James Miller.
Linda Gothia is working at her mother's shop this summer. Also, Linda's family is purchasing a beach lot and has unknowingly invited the whole MAFIA up there.
It looks as if we have a monopoly in Mr. Kroutter's government class this summer. Three members of the MAFIA, Donnie DeLee, Linda DeCuir and Kenneth Bragg have reportedly taken over.
Kenneth and Linda are both on softball teams this year. Kenny plays for St. George's Episcopal Church and Linda is on the team for St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
Linda Olivier works at Irene's Fashions this summer and also celebrated her seventeeth birthday with a beach party.
David Weldon is working at T.G.&Y. His family has been spending some time at their camp “at the edge of the Big Thicket.” Also, David has become the new owner of seven new beagle puppies. Congratulations!
To Austin for a week, was the destination of Gayle Endsley. She spent it relaxing, swimming, and enjoying the summer sun.
Alvin Jones is spending his summer usefully. He is employed at Union Drugs where he delivers prescriptions. In the same line of work is Gerald Huebel who is delivering for Webb's Pharmacy.
Speaking of more of the MAFIA'S more studious students this summer is our own “hair god”, Dwight Larson. Dwight is enrolled in English IV. Spending time at the Lake of the Pines and holding down a paper route is keeping him mighty busy.
Jean Ann Virden is beginning practice for the HUSSARS and is taking government.
Our hero, Wayne “the toe” Lagrappe, has been spending his summer so far practicing field goals. He will have the additional duty of punting for the football team this coming season. Good Luck!
Richard Cole is employed as a painter's helper at Jefferson Chemical.
The brain of the MAFIA, Fred McCarty, is relaxing after a hard school year by “goofing off” at the Edison Gym in the mornings and napping in the afternoons. Sounds exciting!
Glenn McGee spent a memorable week at Coco, Florida where he painted the town red while visiting the sites.
Steve Baker keeps busy by holding down, can you believe, two jobs! He has a paper route and is working at Bob Hall's service station.
Teaching the new junior HUSSARS their drum cadences, is a job for the Assistant Drum Sergeant, Phyllis Hargrove. She took a day off, though, to spend a day at the beach.
Mr. Rowland, our gang leader, has gone straight for awhile. He is taking a Political Science course at Lamar Tech while working on a research paper.
That's it for this month, gang. If you are planning on leaving for awhile, drop a line or call me or Kenny Bragg. So long until next month.
WEBSITE DONATION
A big thanks to Randy Landry for sending in a donation to help fund our class website. The money helps with the expenses occurred when Mike has to purchase newer softwear that allows us to be able to view our website easier.
HURRICANE SEASON
Keep your fingers crossed that the Gulf Coast has a calm summer for hurricanes. Hurricanes RITA and IKE are still too close in our memories.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Murphy and I spent ten days in July with a tour group visiting the Seattle area, Vancouver, Whistler, and Victoria CA. We saw many sights, relaxed and ate, ate and ate! Ugh. It was relaxing and needed.
I went to a neurosurgeon in Beaumont to check on my neck and ask his opinion about my “episode” that was mentioned in the last NEWSLETTER dated (7/24/14). He felt like it was a TIA. He has referred me to another neurologist. I have an appointment scheduled for a NEW PATIENT on OCTOBER 30th! They are going to put me in sooner IF they have a cancellation.
We have been keeping the two granddaughters all summer when they weren't traveling or we weren't on the road. It is fun with them to see how they are growing. We have worked on projects and shopped. We spent this last weekend at a soccer tournament in Atascocita. With the temp in the 90's, I don't know how they do it. It is HOT just watching them.
Dad is doing exceptionally well at his private Assisted Living facility in Nederland. He is KING. He is the only guy and there are eight women residents. They all think that he is “courting” them. He pulls out their chairs , fixes their napkins, and pushes their wheel chairs. Hey, now that I think about it, Holland Place should pay us for him living there! LOL.
WEBSITE UPDATES
Mike and I normally write the updates bi-monthly. I think we will have them once a month while Mike is working a shutdown. The updates take several hours on both our parts and we will take a little break until things calm down. PLEASE continue to send in any items of interest. It is very appreciated.
E-MAIL ADDRESSES
There is a method to my madness! I try to include e-mail addresses below our classmate's news so that you have their info at the touch of your MOUSE! Please contact them to reconnect, comment on their news, or show them your support.
SUPPORT
Charlotte Pace Thurston is recovering from having her cancerous kidney removed. This is the second surgery in just a few weeks. Please continue with your prayers and show her some support as she recovers.
2702 Mazur
Pt. Neches, TX 77651
from Rhonda Carleton Richey in the Bridge City/Orange area
Aug. 6
My news from the doctor is pretty good. The fusion x-rays look good after 3 weeks. I will have a return visit in 3 months, BUT for precaution, I am to wear the hard neck brace for 3 more weeks. I shall not complain.
3695 Woodway Dr.
Orange, TX 77630
rrich@gt.rr.com
from Janis Hamilton Lee
July 27
I want to thank everyone for the birthday wishes & cards. I've had a rough
two weeks because I fractured a bone in my foot playing tennis. The doctor
said it will hurt for three weeks, so just one more week in pain. The good
news is that our son, Jeff & daughter-in-law, Jean are expecting a baby in January.
712 Little Jeff
Pt. Neches, TX 77651
markjlee@yahoo.com
a note from Juanita Perales
Aug. 5
Last week and this weekend has been a bad time for me. I hurt my knee and had to go to the Bone Doctor. I was so afraid that I had to have surgery. My docter gave me a shot in my knee and the prayer began--I asked EVERYBODY to pray for me that this shot would work and that God would heal my ligaments/tendons behind the knee. And as usual, he answered my prayers (and everybody else's). I noticed that Saturday and Sunday was less and less pain and then this morning, I had NO PAIN in my knee!!! I cannot tell you how much The Lord has helped me in my lifetime--always protecting me and healing me!!! I owe my life to him and that's how I will continue to do--live for the Lord!!! PRAYERS WORK!
1425 Washington Village, Apt. 607
Beaumont, TX 77707
peralesalvarado@yahoo.com
update on Dianne Dupre in Groves
Aug. 3
I am down 101 lbs! Really excited and blessed!
(Dianne is on FB)
Cherlyn Hebert's response on knee replacement surgery
Aug. 1
I've had some rough spots but nothing this Texas gal can't handle.
(She also noted that I had previously given out an erroneous address. I guess I MADE IT UP. I have it written correctly on the spreadsheet.)
7928 Ellinger Ln.
Houston, TX 77040
hebert1220@att.net
My youngest granddaughter, Drew Boullion (9), went to the pediatric cardiologist today for a routine follow up. He found that her blood pressure was again high. She has been off of her medicine for 6 months, (I think), and everyone had been hoping that she would not have to continue them. She is the one that was so sick the week of Hurricane Ike and had surgery in Houston for her blocked duct to the kidney. She has been on BP meds since she was 4 ½ years old. You prayed then and sent well wishes. Please continue to do so and maybe even add her name to the prayer chain at your place of worship.
11930 Audubon
Lumberton, TX 77657
drewboullion@gmail.com
My neck is tired, my back is screaming, my seat is throbbing so I know it is time to put this issue AND my body to bed. Okay Mike, I am sending it to you~
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com