MAIL CALL
from Fred Schneider (TJ'66) in Groves
July 31
Some time ago I saw an obit in PA News that caught my eye. There was a gent from the Lincoln Class of 1966 named Arthur Raymond. The name rang a bell and I looked to see that his nick name was "Hubba" and I smiled. In the summer of '66, David Meeker and I worked at Standard Brass Foundry near Houston Avenue. Our job was shoveling sand from box cars into hoppers that supplied the sand blast machines. Out of boredom, David & I sang while we worked, Everly Brothers, folk music, and whatever we liked.
One day the boss brought "Hubba” Raymond to work with us. He was young and handsome and strong! After we finished a song one day, we heard Hubba finishing a negro spiritual we recognized.
"What's that?? Meeker said. The next thing you know we were singing all the negro spirituals we knew in 3 part harmony. We became friends, played and picked at each other like old buds.
At lunch one day Hubba was washing at the sink and David told him he didn't have to wash so hard, cause it all wasn't coming off anyway.!!! For a second I thought we were in trouble, but Hubba busted out laughing till we cried.
I remember the strangest thing. RIP Hubba.
jacket66@sbcglobal.net
from Janis Hamilton Lee in Port Neches
July 28
Thanks for all the birthday wishes. I wish it had been a better day. Jeff, Jean, Mark and I got food poisoning & we were all sick today. Jeff ended up in the hospital with his heart acting up. Hopefully he'll go home tomorrow.
markjlee@yahoo.com
from Felicia (Hiatt) and David Petit on the road again
Aug. 13
We are on our way to Hobby Airport to pick up my cousin, Margaret Harfel. She's going to be going with us on our RV east coast adventure. We are leaving Saturday, August 15 and will be back late October. I'm going to do my blog again for those interested. Our destination is New Foundland!
texteach@yahoo.com
davidandfelicia.blogspot.com
(Follow along and enjoy the vacation “with them”.)
from Cynthia Duplantis Roberts in Horseshoe Bay
August 14
This is for all the teachers out there, especially my daughter Amy York and all the teachers I have taught with over the years. You should be celebrated, esteemed and affirmed each and everyday. You live your life answering a most noble cause. You fight battles everyday in your classroom that mean so much to the lives of the students you serve. You make the difference; and even when you want to give up, say you are giving up you don't. You lose a few but you win so many, more than you know. They come back seemingly out of no where to let you know they made it and they remember you in that struggle. I'm wishing you all a year that will be as awesome as you are!
ckdroberts@gmail.com
from Sharon Lewis Forrest in Nederland
August 18
Today was such a bittersweet day. I closed on my new home in Nederland, the first home I will live in without Jim since I was 18 years old. I'm excited to be starting on remodeling the house, but sad not to have him to share that process.
sharonaforrest@yahoo.com
(Sharon is living with her sister, Brenda while making a few changes to her new home. She is moving back to Southeast Texas from Boerne, TX where she and Jim moved after Hurricane Ike in '08.)
from Carolyn Bigler Hebert (wife of Alfred Hebert, TJ faculty)
August 19
Alfred is tending the house while I am in neuro/ICU. I have been here a week now. They will be transferring me to a rehab hospital soon. We are watching a slide show on the TV set, beautiful pictures with music. It's a soothing channel for patients. My diagnosis is http://myasthenia.org which is a bit scary.
Since the AFib surgery and hip fracture Alfred no longer competes in triathlons but he is enjoying being around thehouse and planting plants and tending the garden area, nothing planted yet but a Satsuma tree up there. But we have two Sweet Tea Olive trees to be planted. My son told us about them. He and his wife have some. The aroma is fantastic and you can make tea from the leaves. This is not an ordinary olive tree. It's the Sweet Tea Olive Tree.
As always, the TJ '68 website is so refreshing, crispy clean and great to view.
hawaiistomnd@hotmail.com
from Hal Ross in Nederland
August 21
In this morning’s Port Arthur News, Danny Tyree comments on Tom Purcell’s column, and after reading it, I felt it relevant enough to republish, modify, and add my own thoughts.
Facebook can be a powerful communication tool. It is also a place where people post for their electronic “friends,” important updates such as detailed descriptions of what they had for breakfast.
Facebook has helped people locate, and be located by friends they haven’t talked to for years. The downside, though, is maybe there’s a reason you haven’t talked for years, like maybe you’ve already told them everything you had to say – except what you just ate for breakfast.
Texting is when you press both thumbs against a miniature cell-phone keypad to bastardize the English language, use non-existent grammar, and typically compose indecipherable communications.
Drunk texting, is not new in concept, only in its execution. Originally a person would “drunk walk” to the person’s house and knock on the door. Then came the “drunk phone call”, then the “drunk e-mail”, and now the “drunk text”. Despite the technological differences, they all are equally disingenuous, although one might argue the effort involved in the “drunk walk” might indicate some sincerity, even with the likely indecipherable communication.
Meeting people for breakfast and seeing firsthand what they’re eating is my preference.
Hal.ross@me.com
from Debbie Borres Desmond in Nederland
August 21
On August 8th, my husband and I went on a cruise. We went to Key West, Freeport and Nassu Bahamas. We only lasted two hours on shore at each stop; it was just too hot. We went on this same cruise before so we didn't do any excursions this time. We both needed the time away, but Raymond needed it more after taking care of me before and after my recent two surgeries. I did well on the trip. This was an interesting cruise. Before we left, we found out our table mates we had met on our first trip to these ports left on the Carnival Magic on Sunday the 9th (the day after we left) going to Cozumel, Grand Cayman and Jamaica. Also, while in the buffet line the woman behind me asked where we were from. When I replied Nederland she said I know where that is. I am from Port Arthur. Mindy was from the TJ '88 class and her father is still shrimping but is living in Port Neches. She is teaching and living in Austin. We also met the parents of a Inhalation Therapist that was there when our granddaughter, Morgan was a patient at Shriner's in Galveston. She is still there but is now in Management. As we were waiting to disembark I heard someone asking where they were from and she said Port Arthur. I stepped back and said what year did you graduate? She was out of the '72 class. She hurt her ankle on one of the excursions and was in a wheel chair for half of the cruise. Her initials are M S. I thought I would remember her name and of course, I didn't write it down. I think it is Madeline Swift. If anyone knows who I am talking about, I would like to find out how she is doing. There was something really special that happened to Raymond just before we were called to leave. There was a Mother who had a mentally challenged and partially handicapped girl and her brother was autistic. We waved goodbye to them and the young man turned and walked straight to Raymond to tell him bye. Raymond stood up and he hugged Raymond. His mother was so surprised. I heard her tell him that was so sweet. Autistic kids very rarely do this. Glad we didn't wait till our anniversary to go on this cruise because that hurricane out there could have made the trip a little rough.
rgdesmond@att.ent
from Jeanette Constantine Morgan in Groves
August 22
We just got home today from a great week in Gulf Shores, Alabama. We really enjoyed ourselves. We had some rain while there but not enough to ruin the trip. Our son Chris flew in from New York to meet us along with his precious little sidekick. Our daughter Michelle and her son joined us. We made this trip all about our kids and grandkids letting them choose what they wanted to do. We did have 1 disappointment in that the zip line they wanted to go on was booked thru August. We stayed at a beautiful place that had 3 pools; 2 outdoor and 1 indoor with basketball court, and tennis courts and also a golf course. Laila Bug had a fabulous time especially shopping in all the shops. One of our favorite things was our meal at Lambert's Family Restaurant. The kids had a ball there and the food was great. I must say no one was ready to leave.
denandjune@yahoo.com
from Sharon Lewis Forrest in Nederland
August 26
I'm at Houston Hobby airport waiting to board for flight to Virginia. Dear friends Warren and Kathy Wright are being so gracious to pick me up at the airport, host me at their home and accompany me to visit Jim at Arlington National Cemetery tomorrow on his birthday. In addition, so many thanks to my sister, Brenda for puppy-sitting with Katy and Lacey! What in the world would I do without all the support of family and friends?
sharonaforrest@yahoo.com
“MEMORIAL” WEBSITE DONATIONS
Mike and I received two website donations in memory of classmates that passed away recently, Marilyn Harriman Cribbs and Janette Light Norton. Both donation checks were given by classmate, Pat Trahan Knox.
Notes from Pat that were included with the checks:
(for Marilyn)
This website donation is in memory of a dear friend and very brave lady. Reading the website enabled me to have a chance to tell Marilyn I loved her and pray for her entrance into heaven before she left her earthly home.
(for Janette)
I talked with Liz Tieskens Ellis today. I know she and Janette were best friends. I asked her what she thought Janette's family would prefer as a remembrance. I ruled out flowers. Liz felt the website meant so much to Janette in that it kept her in touch with her friends and classmates. I, therefore, am going to make a donation in memory of such a wonderful, selfless person.
“CLASS REUNION” DONATION
(from me, Linda)
I made a donation to the CLASS REUNION fund in memory of Janette. She was a former member of the reunion committee when she lived in Bridge City. She so enjoyed the class get-togethers and was a wonderful addition to our planning committees. She was a bright light that is now shining in heaven.
MINI-REUNION (Aug. 5th)
What a wonderful gathering. Thirty seven classmates and spouses showed up at the Schooners Restaurant and the laughter and stories were so fun. It is great to have friends reunite and reminisce. Those present were Linda DeCuir and Murphy McFadden, Juanita Perales, Carla Castro, Linda Gothia, Marilyn Jackson, Adela Cantu, her dad and husband Juan Martinez, Loretta LaLonde and Glynn Myers, Arleen Lang and Marlon Hulin, Jan Russell, Bruce Meyer, Laura Meece and Bart Darby, Paula Daigle, Cecelia Trevino, Darlene Turner, Peggy Fontenot and Steve Mundschau, Sharon Gary, Linda Eldemire, Debbie Borres, Dianne Dupre, Pat Trahan and Ray Knox and grandson, Rhett, David Petit and Felicia Hiatt, Beth Anne Sutherlin, Jane Lippincott, Janis Hamilton, Debi Tate, Ernie Castaneda, and Florence “Sissie” Woods.
This was held on a weekday and we hope to have the next one on a weekend. But, we will need to find a location that holds more. This room only held 40. Any suggestions?
'66 REUNION
from Fred Schneider
jacket66@sbcglobal.net
The reunion committee for the class of 1966 has set June 3 ,4, and 5th, 2016 as the dates for our 50th reunion.
We graduated on June 2, 1966 and the calendar obliged us with nearly a perfect weekend to celebrate our 50th.
The reunion dance, and social will be at the Port Acres K C Hall, just as it was in 2011. All the other activities will be announced as soon as we secure times and locations.
Please set the dates above aside to travel home to reunite with your old classmates and friends. If you have a different address or email since the last reunion, please forward that info to the email below. Watch for further info as it becomes available.
I AM A SEENAGER (Senior Teenager)
(“borrowed” from FB)
I have everything that I wanted as a
teenager, only 50 years later.
I don't have to go to school or work.
I get an allowance every month.
I have my own pad.
I don't have a curfew.
I have a driver's license and my own car.
The people I hang around with are not
scared of getting pregnant and they do not
use drugs.
And I don't have acne.
LIFE IS GREAT.
LAKEVIEW SWIMMING POOL
Living in Lakeview was a wonderful advantage once they built the Lakeview Swimming Pool. Day after day I could walk or ride my bike over there and either swim or meet my friends and visit. Oh, the
sight of Mike Quebedeaux diving off the platform! Memories of the lifeguard's blowing their whistles, the large PINS that locked up the lockers protecting our “valuables”, the blue water, the concession stand, and the hours we could spend just hanging out. One of the memories I loved best was swimming in the evening when the lights shown below the water. What fun. No electronics, then. Wait. Maybe I brought my transistor radio when I wasn't swimming!
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
A little busy. I spent the day in Humble with my sister, Gerry for her 74th birthday. She is in a private Assisted Living facility. It was the first time I had been there. It was a very nice place and seemed a comforting place for the ten residents. It is called Estia Care. I believe there are a few of them in the Houston area. My niece and I brought her out to eat at an Italian Restaurant since spaghetti is her favorite. Now that school is back in session and I don't have the granddaughters as often, I am going to attempt to go see her more.
My daughter, niece and our two granddaughters spent a week at Fort Walton beach in Florida for their last hoorah before school began. I enjoyed the funny pics they sent each day. I sure wish I was with them to enjoy the beautiful water and white sand. My youngest jammed her big toe on the stairs the day before she left and is still hobbling around. It has made playing soccer a no, no. She has tried and it made it worse. This happened on August 14 and she still can't play. Ugh. The oldest just started seventh grade and is trying out for the volleyball team for the first time. I can't wait to go watch her play. It has been a long time since I have sat in stands to watch. We are usually in chairs watching soccer.
A wonderful friend shared some ASTROS tickets with my family and we were able to go and watch a great game where the ASTROS won 3-1. My brother and sister-in-law from Friendswood met us there and their daughter and son-in- law came in from Fulshear, (near Katy). I just love my family and LOVE baseball. Can't beat that with a stick!
Murphy is getting excited about deer season. He is heading up to Wiergate tomorrow to help a nephew set up his RV camper and deer blind. They are glad the mornings have been cooler. The last time they went the temperature was 98!.
Our only child, Stacy, is turning 38 this coming Monday. Gosh, it doesn't seem like she is that old and i
t doesn't seem that long ago when we were enjoying her playing sports and involved in extracurricular activities like the grandgirls. Somehow, I haven't gotten out of helping with PROJECTS yet, though. The granddaughters have them just like she did. I can't help with anything technical, though; just the cutting and pasting! We are so happy with our two granddaughters and are so proud of the role model our daughter has been to them. I can see some of her in each one. I wish they would all slow down with growing up, though. I can't keep up with them.
Happy Birthday, Stacy Mac! May you have many more blessed years to come to enjoy your girls like we enjoyed all of your adventures.
CONDOLENCES
Another classmate has passed away too soon.
Helen “Janette” Light Norton
Aug. 16, 1950 – Aug. 5, 2015
(see Janette's obituary in the MEMORIAL section of the classmates)
Send support and condolences to:
Richard Norton
20219 Sweetgum Way
Cypress, TX 77433
nortonr87@yahoo.com
Karen Cooper Cappel
(death of her father, Bill Cooper)
40502 Ethel
Prairieville, LA 70769
lcappel@eatel.net
(See the obituary for Mr. Cooper in OBITS section at top of website front page)
School has started and I am STILL retired! I hope you are enjoying the cooler weather, (at least in the mornings). We have not had an update of our website for a month. We didn't have enough news to share. The more you get in touch, the more often Mike and I will be informing you of information.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com