MAIL CALL
from Helen Rethke in Littleton, CO
I just spent a week at Padre Island with some friends that rented a condo there on the water for a month. I had never been to Padre in all the years I lived in Texas. Maybe it’s because I’m not really a beach person – never liked sand and salt water all that much. I’m a big fresh water lake person. But we had a good time, despite lousy fishing and crabbing. In fact, the best we did was 5 crabs, which brought the trip to about $500 per crab! I wouldn’t say our return on investment was all that great!
hlaulk@globausfamily.com
WEBSITE DONATIONS
Thanks to the donations that we have been saving, our classmate Mike Lawson, was able to update his equipment in which he writes and monitors our website. His personal equipment went caput. Now, he is able to write and update with ease. Thanks for helping to keep our website current and informative.
GETAWAY WEEKEND
Classmates Jim Andrus, Lynn Eldridge, Paul Colletti and I, along with our spouses, spent the weekend at Jim and Jane's home in Jourdanton, TX. It is located south of San Antonio. We spent Friday evening visiting, eating, and playing games. Saturday was a day at the ranch watching the guys herd the cattle into another pasture, riding the big 4 wheel carts while enjoying the wildflowers. The guys went hog hunting twice with NO LUCK. More time was spent enjoying the company and delicious food. It was a very laid back weekend. Until next year.
(By the way, Friday night between 8 pm until 8 am Saturday morning was NOT such an enjoyable time for me. I spent it throwing up over and over again. Yuk)
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Well, it FINALLY got here. Dad is officially A HUNDRED! I gave him a SuperDAN party at his assisted living on his actual birthday on Friday, April 22. He looked so
cute. The manager/owner had put 2 balloons on everyone's dining chairs. I had also brought balloons with 100 and birthday greetings on them. The dessert I brought was a giant cookie cake with an edible superman picture on it! We also had ice cream. He looked so cute in his superman t-shirt. He got to eat his favorite lunch....chicken nuggets and french fries. I think he likes them because they are FINGER FOODS.
On Sunday, my brother, sister and I gave him a big party in Lumberton at my daughter's country home. It is located on 7 acres with a pond and pool and lots of trees. I stressed all week because of the deluge of rain. I was afraid the water would still be standing under all the trees and ruts would be made in her yard. I stressed for NOTHING! The weather was gorgeous and very little humidity. The ground hardened up and there was plenty of places to park. Tons of food (too much) and lots of decorations helped to make it a funfilled day. We decorated with red/white/blue to honor his military service and also added decorations of 100's all around. We had rented tables and chairs all set up in the triple garage with a nice breeze blowing (with help from fans). Classmates Diane Richmond, Ernie Castaneda helped with bringing food and picking up trays at local eateries that I had ordered from. Neighbor, JoAnna Simmons '69, also helped with food trays. I couldn't have done it without their help. Debbie Borres 
came and brought homemade candies that were delicious. She also created a beautiful framed Birthday sentiment that I am going to bring to Dad's home. She can embroidery beautifully. Cousin, Nancy Trimble, sent him a darling t-shirt to wear that said, “It took me 100 years to look this good.” What a fun day. My sister, Gerry, was able to enjoy all the guests and smiled all day. With her dementia, she might not remember most of it but she had fun THAT DAY! The day before the party was miserable. She cried all the way down here from Atascocita because she thought she was going to Dad's funeral. It just wouldn't “compute” that the weekend was for a celebration.
I want to also thank the classmates that took the time to send a birthday greeting to Dad. I read each one to him and they are hanging on his wall at his home. You were all too kind. This has been a heartwarming time in all of Dad's family members' lives. So very few make it to this milestone. CONGRATULATIONS, Dad. You did it!
Our youngest granddaughter, Drew, tried out for the TexAnns dance team for middle school last night. She is a 5th grader and will be attending Henderson Middle School in Sour Lake (Hardin Jefferson ISD) next year. I am including a Face Book posting by her GT 5th grade teacher, Mrs. Meredith Love: This little ball of fire has been one of my GT students AND student council member kids for 3 years. I've been her interim soccer mom (grandma) a few times this year too! She loves life! She shocked me this week when she said she wanted to try out for the middle school dance team. She has NEVER taken a dance class. She's a tomboy - soccer playing kid! So Due to her begging(she does this well) we spent her GT class time dancing in the hallway with me providing tips and the other class kids judging her moves! She made the team!!!!! I'm so excited. She told her daddy Thursday, as he was making her take off her new jazz shoes,"tennis shoes are in the past"! This kid has a piece of my heart!
SUPPORT
Paula Daigle Sheppard has been ill lately with pancreas and gallbladder issues. She ended up in the hospital for four days recently. She is now scheduled to have gallbladder surgery on May 24 and they will follow up on the pancreas problems with a biopsy. She has asked for our prayers.
sheppms@att.net
5411 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619
Jeanette Constantine Morgan
April 14
I would like to ask everyone to please pray for my mom. She fell a few weeks back and has really had a rough time felling better. At first, we were told she had nothing broken and she was in so much pain that the Dr. ordered an MRI and found out she had 2 cracked ribs. Nothing much to do for that but wait for them to heal and so she was using her heating pads and fell asleep and got two blisters. So, then that had to be taken care of. Well, she continued to complain about her shoulder. So I took her to an orthopedic Dr. and found out she tore 2 of 3 muscles that keep the shoulder in tact. Poor thing, she will now have to have surgery to reverse the ball and joint. She has been in so much pain she has not been hungry and now has lost close to 20 lbs. Prayers would be greatly appreciated for the surgery and just for her not to be in so much pain.
April 29
My mother's surgery went very well and the Dr. said it should feel great except where he put the stitches. She will be in the hospital for a couple of days.
denandjune@yahoo.com
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, TX 77619
CONDOLENCES
April 12
from Christi Kirkland Havens
I'm asking for prayers to get me & my family through the next few days as we prepare to bury my 20 year old grandson, Reagan. The pain is unbelievable.
April 15
I want to sincerely thank everyone for the prayers, support, food, visits & concerns these last few days. I keep telling myself that the pain will get easier as the days & months passes, but I just cannot believe I'll never seen him again! He was special & always will be. For those who might not know, my grandson Reagan, died from a heart attack, having undiagnosed hypertension & an enlarged heart. He was 20 years old! Please keep us in your prayers...
ckhavens@gt.rr.com
811 S. 5th ½
Nederland, TX 77627
This NEWSLETTER was short compared to last month's edition. I need more news. Thanks for all you do to keep it going. Until next month.....
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com