MAIL CALL
I apologize for some of the items in this NEWSLETTER that are “old news”. I was physically unable to write one for last month's website update.
From Bill Horton in Austin
(Bill and I just recently became “friends” on FB. While I was catching up looking at his postings, I noticed that this man does not let the grass grow under his feet! So, I stole his writings to share with all of you.)
April 14
I had a great trip canoeing the Green River near Moab, UT. I paddled 105 miles in 5 days.
June 1
Just got back from a 3-day backpack trip in the Gila Wilderness, NM. From the visitor center we hiked up the West Fork Gila River, Hells Hole to the Middle Fork Gila River, up Little Bear Creek. 35 miles with over 200 river crossings. There's a good reason the Gila was the world's first designated wilderness area - it is beautiful.
July 7
Hiked in the beautiful Pecos Wilderness NM over the 4th of July weekend. Despite cool and wet weather the first day, we had a great time. Our route was a 29-mile loop from Jacks Creek trailhead to Pecos Baldy Lake, Truchas Lakes, and Pecos Falls. All but 4 miles was above 10,000' and some trail still had snow.
Sept. 19
16 days hiking the John Muir Trail, Aug 30 - Sep 14, was amazing and the hardest adventure I've ever done. 221 miles, 47,000 feet elevation gain, a dozen major passes and ridges to cross, 2 food resupplies, incredible scenery, 5 great hiking partners. The trail goes from Whitney Portal to the summit of Mt Whitney to Yosemite Valley, all wilderness.
Oct. 17
Devils River Kayak Trip
The Devils River SNA is in 2 parts located on the river about 15 miles apart. We spent 3 leisurely days paddling and fishing. Except for seeing some houses, especially on the lower half of our trip, it was quite a wilderness experience. The river is spring fed so it was like 15 miles of Barton Springs pool with rapids every half mile or so.
(After reading this, I guess me walking 55 steps to the mailbox with a stick is not so much an achievement!)
from Felicia (Hiatt) and David Petit in Texas City
(traveling in their RV)
Felicia and David are touring and exploring New Mexico. They met up with fellow classmates, Jonnye (Doering) and Bobby Williamson at the annual Hot Air Balloon Festival in Albuquerque. Among other places they visited were White Sands, Santa Fe, and Roswell.
(It has been fun following your blog of your travels.)
from Bob Sewell in Colleyville, TX
My son Tyler was honored at Southlake Baptist Church as the police department first responder of the year.
(What a special honor. I know you and your wife are very proud.)
Linda Louise Davis Fitzpatrick in Au Sable Forks, NY Linda has been boasting of the lovely fall colors in upstate NY. The latest weather though, has been SNOW!!!!
from Sandy Ellis MacNamera in Elgin, TX
I am the new Marketing Director at Outcomes Detox and recovery. We are located in Brownsville, Texas (detox facility and men's facility) with 2 new facilities opening in South Padre Island soon.
(Congratulations, Sandy.)
WEBSITE DONATIONS
Lizbeth Branick gave a donation to the class website when we were at the Mini-Reunion that was held in September. Thanks for your support.
Our website account for GO DADDY was up for renewal. We now have a new 5 year membership.
CONTACT INFORMATION CHANGES
Jack Atkins has moved from big city life in Sugar Land to the country life of Village Mills, TX. He is thrilled to be out of the TRAFFIC!
Jan Russell moved from one apartment in Spring to another apartment in Houston. It was a rough move. She has not moved in two decades and was
pretty anxious about it. It turned out well, though.
Both of these classmates made sure that their personal contact info was changed on our class spreadsheet by making sure they contacted me. They sent me their landline, cell #'s, addresses, and e-mail addresses. THANKS! I hate “losing” classmates.
HISTORY OF BOUDIN
Boudin is a word often mispronounced. It embodies a culture of people born with rice flowing through our veins. We are proud of our culinary heritage and it all starts with that one word – boudin.
None of us can count the number of tourists we’ve corrected on all our fingers and toes. It’s not boo-DAN or BOO-den. In fact, it’s something you can’t really translate via text. That Cajun enunciation that cannot be duplicated.
It all started when our ancestors found their way to Louisiana beginning in 1764. Louisiana had recently been turned over to Spain. The majority of our people came in 1785, however, on what are known as “The Seven Ships”. Already here were the Germans, arriving around 1720. Surviving in remote areas of Louisiana took creativity and the ability to make the most of what they had. Using every last bit of a slaughtered hog was the only way. If you've ever been to a Cajun Boucherie, you know what we mean. The scraps of pork, mixed with herbs and spices and stuffed into pork intestine became boudin. Eventually the land became a fantastic place for rice production. The opportunity the use rice as a hearty filler was too good to pass up. If you take the fertile rice fields of South Louisiana, throw in a pinch of Cajun thriftiness, and add a little German sausage making – voila! A recipe for the ages.
The list of delicacies stemming from this one dish reads like Bubba’s script from Forrest Gump – boudin, boudin balls, boudin pistolettes, boudin tater tots, boudin stuffed chicken, boudin king cake… we could fill this page.
Don’s Specialty Meats has been in the business for nearly a quarter-century. Our fans touch every piece of land on this Earth and we are proud to call Acadiana home. Carrying on the traditions of the first Cajun people warms our hearts like boudin warms our stomachs.
FORMER SWINGSTERS
An informational meeting will be held on Nov. 20 from 10am - 2 pm at Memorial Stadium located at 2200 Jefferson Dr. in Port Arthur to discuss possibly
marching in the 2017 Mardi Gras parade in downtown Port Arthur. Please invite all your Swingster friends.
WORLD SERIES
Well, Bob Sewell's Texas Rangers, Pat Lange's Astros nor my Boston Red Sox teams are playing in the fall classic but they played pretty great all year! It is fun watching the Chicago Cubs and Cleveland Indians churn through trying to earn the trophy. It has been decades since either of these teams have been the TOP DOG in the World Series.
VOTE
Early or on November 8
NEWS FROM THE HOME FRONT
To begin with, my 100 years, 6 month old dad is doing better than Murf and I!! I am still trying to recover from this back surgery I had on July 21. My sciatic nerve down my left leg is giving me fits! Ugh. I am having an EMG (electromyography) and nerve conduction test on Friday, Nov. 4. Needles in both left and right legs? The papers from the exam office said that IF you are taking pain pills or muscle relaxers ordered by your doctor, you may take them before the test. REALLY? You can be sure I would get a script for them if I WASN'T taking any!
Murphy just HAD to take away my thunder. I guess he was tired of me getting all the attention. He was scheduled for an upper and lower exam on Sept. 19 and the gastrologist wanted him to abstain from taking any blood thinners, (Plavix and Ecotrin), for 7 days before the test. Murphy has been on Plavix since getting 5 stents 5 years ago. The exam went well, finding a hernia, (knew he had one), no polps like the last time. but found a colon ulcer, which was biopsied. Therefore, the doctor wanted him to continue off of his blood thinners for an additional 7 days due to the biopsy. Five days later.....he ended up in St. Elizabeth's ER with chest pains. Long story a tiny bit shorter, he had developed a blood clot that was blocking a major artery. After being in the ER for 8 hours and a Telemetry room for 2 hours, the cardiologist came back up to the hospital during the nighttime and did an arteriogram and stented the blocked artery. Yes, test results showed he had a heart attack but he had no muscle damage. He had to be good for a week before he could start more regular activities. He is now biking 6 miles around the neighborhood (3-4 times a week) and attends Cardio Rehab twice a week. He has to do this because “beer season” starts next week!
Our youngest granddaughter, Drew, was honored as TexAnn of the week recently. This is the drill team that performs for Henderson Middle School in Hardin Jefferson ISD in the Sour Lake/China area.
Dad was also honored October 8th at the Gulf Retirees reunion held at the Carl Parker Center at Lamar State College-PA. He was the oldest retiree attending at 100 years and 6 months! They announced about him from the stage and asked the audience to acknowledge him. Little did I know that the royal wave I use because I am QUEEN would have to be taught to my DAD in a split second. EVERYONE wants my THUNDER!!!
SUPPORT
from Charlie Fontenot
I had a torn Labrum in left shoulder, and been in one of those 90 degree slings with arm straight out for a month! I got it off yesterday and will be having physical therapy beginning next week. I'm feeling pretty good but I still can't lift anything heavier than a newspaper. (Dr.'s words). It feels great being out of the sling. It was hard to rest or sleep for much over a couple of hrs at a time. cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573
Marilyn Jackson Williamson is having her second knee surgery Nov. 7 at the Fondren Clinic in Houston. Dr. Mathews will do the surgery. He is the one that performed the first one and Marilyn was very pleased with the recovery. marilynsjw@yahoo.com
2315 Glenwood
Port Arthur, TX 77642
Ronnie Abate, husband of Joyce Marceaux, is home from the hospital after receiving a liver transplant.
Sept. 8
To all of our family and friends who prayed their hearts out and supported us through the 2 1/2 years of Ronnie's fight with his liver cancer, we are forever grateful for everyone's love, support and prayers. We could never thank you enough. He has a long way to go yet, but with God's help, we will get there. We hope to see you all real soon. He hopes to get into a room by Saturday. He is very thankful to God and to all of you. Love y'all and thanks again for your love and support.
Sept. 15 Ronnie was doing great after surgery, but he has a chemical inbalance in his body from the meds and the liver trying to do it's job. He fell yesterday morning because of that and fractured a bone in his back. So, they put him back in icu.
Sept. 26
Starting a new journey thanks to God and one sweet, thoughtful, unselfish 80 year old gentleman who decided to be an organ donor!
Home!!!!
Oct. 6
Ronnie is back in the hospital in Houston. We came today for labs and a visit with the doctors. He still has been in a lot of pain from fracturing his back while in the hospital. So, they wanted him to stay and see a specialist for his back. The doctor wants to use a cement type procedure to fix the fracture on his spine. The doctor thinks that this will end some of his pain and he will be able to move around better and start healing from transplant.
They currently have him on a pain med drip and he is feeling much better. I don't know when they will schedule the back procedure. Pray for his pain to end and he can find peace and rest.
Oct. 12
Ronnie had his back procedure on Monday to fix the fracture in his back and a previous back fracture AND he gets to go home today from hospital and his back pain is less than even before his liver transplant! Now he gets to recover from his transplant surgery, free from back pain. Thank you all for the prayers for my him!! This holiday season we get to celebrate a cancer-free patient, a a new liver and no back pain! Thank you, God! abate.joyce@yahoo.com
6305 Marble Falls Lumberton, TX 77657
from Sharon Lewis
Sept. 9
In June, I was diagnosed with endometrial carcinoma. I had a robotic assisted radical hysterectomy at MDAnderson last Wednesday. The surgery went very well and I am sore, but up and about! I'm getting some EXCELLENT care and attention from my sister and brother-in-law. During surgery, they removed a bunch of lymph nodes and pathology results on those will be available in a week or so. Those results will determine what, if any, additional treatment is necessary. We caught this early via Pap smear results - ladies get those Pap smears done!!!! I'm upbeat and truly believe all will be ok!
Sept. 20
Just thought I'd let y'all know we got the pathology results yesterday from all those things they pulled outta me! The tumor was completely contained in the uterus and there was no evidence of cancer in the surrounding tissues or lymph nodes they removed! That's the best news we could have hoped for! I will have to undergo a preventive round of radiation, but it appears at this point no chemo!!Thanks for the prayers!
Charlotte Pace Thurston is at home recovering from treatments for her recurrance of cancer. She is scheduled for extensive testing on Nov. 18. Please keep her in your thoughts and prayers.
2702 Mazur
Port Arthur, TX 77651
a note from Susan Reagle Duplant
Oct. 3
Update:
Danny Pitre, husband of Cheryl Thibodeaux, had his stem cell transplant three months ago. He just got to come home this past weekend. He is doing well, but still has a long road ahead.
dypitre@yahoo.com
9672 Beverly
Orange, TX 77630
Rhonda Carleton Richey '70, wife of Bill Richey will be having an arteriogram on Nov. 3. Keep her in your prayers.
rrich@gt.rr.com
3695 Woodway Dr.
Orange, TX 77630
Carl Guidry, class of '67, suffered a massive heart attack and is recovering from open heart surgery.
lana72850@yahoo.com
2040 13th Ave.
Pt. Arthur, TX 77642
Dorothy Day, PE teacher and Hussar sponsor, is in Magnolia Manor in Groves.
A note from Ellen Fawvor
Sept. 8
Cancer test clear. Now, onto the Kidney disease doctor
efawvor57@sbcglobal.com
Sept. 28
from Linda Louise Davis Fitzgerald in Au Sable Forks, NY
I had to have a blade implant removed from the jaw bone. The last one had failed and had gotten infected. Now, we will wait to get rid of the infection and the site heals and then I will have several more surgeries to complete the work! Not a fun time but I had to do it sooner rather than later. I swear by sedation dentistry now!!!
lfitzpatrick13@gmail.com
PO BOX 37
Au Sable Forks, NY 12912
updates on Gene Ross
(Gene has been in UTMB since Oct. 23 in critical condition)
Oct. 29
a note from his wife, Jacque Landry Ross
This horrible vibrio bacteria is the meanest bug I've ever seen. I don't want to be an alarmist, but to see what I've seen, I encourage folks if you have the slightest tiniest wound stay out of the gulf waters especially if you have a compromised immune system. Gene was punctured by fish fins or bones while cleaning them and he didn't even have an open wound. Those punctures was all it took to bring him where he is today. He was very healthy before this.
This bacteria produces the most devastating effects and leaves a horrible trail of destruction.
Labs still showing traces of the vibrio bacteria and they weren't able to start the grafting.
He'll have another surgery Sunday or Monday to repeat the cleaning process of his arm. They are feeling like after that they will be able to begin the grafting if lab reports are clean from bug. He's trauma doctor hasn't change his status yet, so still critical.
(For EXTENDED details, look under “Gene Ross” on FB.)
CONDOLENCES
Fred Hollier , Jr
(death of his sister, Malinna)
22030 Tower Terrace
San Antonio, TX 78259
Jeanette Constantine Morgan
(death of her mother, Thelma)
denandjune@yahoo.com
3901 Hwy 366
Groves, TX 77619
Ernie Castaneda Bullion
(death of her father-in-law, Horace Bullion)
tbull50@sbcglobal.net
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657
This hasn't been an easy NEWSLETTER to write for several reasons:
1. It is hard to sit at the computer desk for any length of time because my back gets tight.
2. My “bad” finger on my right hand is dislocated and it makes typing normal, very hard!
3. My MAC computer is getting old and cranky and ornery!
4. My glasses must need changing because I am having to use the magnifying glass a lot to read the info on the spreadsheet that gives me info on the classmates.
I hope you have a great rest of the year. Our SUPPORT section is heavy this time. Please jot the classmate's info down and drop them an e-mail or note by snail mail. I know for a fact that it means a lot.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com