TJ Class of '68     UPDATE                                                                02/15/07    
         
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Ayyeee, 
       That is cajun for HELLO!  It is Mardi Gras weekend (Thursday -Sunday) here in SE Texas!!  That gives us a few days to go crazy before the Lenten season!  It seems that I was just wrapping Christmas presents.  Oh well.  I guess if I keep waking up, the days will just keep adding on.  The robins have returned after several years of being on vacation elsewhere, I guess.  It is nice to see and hear them, though.  I hope all is well for you readers.  Don't forget to jot me a few lines to add to the UPDATES.  If it wasn't for the last minute rush of messages, I wasn't going to have enough for this UPDATE!  Ya'll came close.  So, let's get to the heart of the matter.....
 
MAIL CALL
from Sara Little in Beaumont
I'm still searching and searching for the checkday picture to send to Mike.  I KNOW I saw it recently in all of mother's things that I've been trying to organize and put into safe places.  Guess I put it into a VERY safe place!
(Keep looking~!  We need some new items for our photo section)
 
from Lyn Frasier in Port Neches
Thanks for all the hard work that you two are doing on keeping us informed of the other classmates.
 
from Karen Giles Hopper in Sugar Land, TX
I have been living in Sugar Land since 1997.  I married Rick Hopper in 1993, and he has been a real blessing in my life.  I have one son from my first marriage, Jason, and he has 3 children, 2 girls who are 9 and 11, and one baby boy. 
(Karen is married to one of Linda Hopper's brothers)
 
from Linda James Louvier in Pennsylvania
I have moved to Pennsylvania (Oct. '06).  I am loving it.  A little cold, but great place to be.  My children are grown.  My daughter (29) is married with 2 children (grandson is 9 and granddaughter is 4).  I have an unmarried 25 year old son.  Thank you, Mike and Linda, for our website. It is great to know how our fellow classmates are doing.  I hope that 2007 is a great year for everyone.
(Pennsylvania....BRRRR)
 
from Betty Bernauer Waedemon in Sugar Land, TX
I would love to get Mr. Rowland's email address from you.  He was my favorite teacher in all of the years that I spent in school.  I would like to thank him for putting so much of himself into his teaching.  I have often thought that I would love to tell him that he is thought of and appreciated, but did not know where he lived.  I even looked his name up in the PA phone book.
 
Ron and I are fine.  Our empty nest is full once again. Our youngest son, David (who is 6'7") graduated from A & M and is working for Flour Daniel Engineering company in Sugar Land where we live.  Our oldest son, Mark, is back home as well.  I think that Ron and I have been way to nice to them.  (I certainly did not want to live with my parents after finishing school!)  There is always something going on and very large shoes to trip over.  Ron enjoys his own real estate brokerage business in Houston and does not plan to ever retire.  I have been working as a dental hygienist for 35 years in the same dental practice near the Galleria in Houston.  I am now working just 3 days a week so that I have more time for my volunteer activities.  I am involved in Restorative Justice ministry.  I go to the Carol Vance Prison (a Interchange Freedom Initiative prison) once a week to help facilitate the Alpha program and participate in an aftercare program called His Father's Heart Ministry at our church.
 
My mom died in June and  Dad and I have gotten even closer.  We talk at least once a day.  My brother, Dale (class of '65, is an orthopedic surgeon in Lake Charles), his wife, Ron and I are going to take him to New Orleans to see the WWII museum for his 89th birthday.  He still plays golf twice a week and is in very good health. 
 
I recently got news from Kay King Young that she and her husband, Dwayne, are moving back to Texas from Denver.  She will be living in Tyler.  It will be nice to have them so much closer.  Dwayne and Ron went to Rice together. 
 
Thank you and Mike for all that you do to keep our class together.  It is a wonderful service to all of us.  I have finally gotten a scanner.  I have a lot of really good pictures from the "old" days.  As soon as I learn how to use it, I will send them to you. 
(I am sending her Mr. Rowland's e-mail address.  I will also send any classmate's home address upon request.  I just want to hug everyone that is using this forum to contact others!!!!  Mike and I are thrilled.)
 
from Pete Lippincott in Houston, TX
I am Jane Lippincott Koerth's brother from the class of '63.  The website looks excellent.  Thanks for putting me on the mailing list. 
 
from Tommy Theriot (class of '67)
January 31, 2007
Greetings and Happy 2007, folks.  I thought you might appreciate an update of my condition, which I’m happy to report is slowly improving.  Following my December 19 surgery and a brief recuperation period, I resumed oral chemo treatments in early January to deal with isolated active cancer cells.  I’m on two different drugs—the same drug as before and a more experimental drug—as part of a new clinical trial.  I take a daily dosage, alternating on a weekly basis, with no breaks.  After two months of treatment, I will have an MRI in early March, likely followed by many months of chemo. Healing from the surgery has gone well.  My energy level is low, but improving; my stomach continues to offer its challenges.  I’m reminded that my recovery is slow going and hard work, which is important for me to understand and accept graciously.  More importantly, I’m constantly aware of the significance that your prayers and support provide for my healing and comfort.  Overall, I remain optimistic for a long term recovery. 
God’s Blessings. 
 
from Kathleen Adams Newton in Conroe
(Kelly Adams' little sister)
I LOVE your website for '68 grads. Your class is doing such a fabulous job with the TJ '68 site.  You have so much to be proud of in what you are accomplishing. I was a 72 graduate, but we have an interesting class, and I have never really been involved in any reunion stuff.  I have read just about everything that Fred Schneider has written about his '66 class and about TJ.   I went back to see everything last summer after the Rita tragedy.  It broke my heart.  My dad lived in PA ever since 1924, graduating in 1929, and my mother loved to PA in 1934.  So, my roots truly are there, and I found it so heartbreaking to see the devastation of what was once such a thriving city.   I lived in PA until 10 years ago when my husband was transferred to the Conroe area.  He words for Entergy.  I am the Administrator of a Christian school in Conroe, and we are the proud parents of 4 sons ranging from 27 to 19  years old.
 
from Fred McCarty in Kingwood, TX
I recently made contact with David Salter as a result of getting his e-mail address from the website and, as luck would have it,  he was coming to Houston for some meetings. We got together for lunch at a restaurant downtown last week and got caught up on some old times. You and Mike keep up the great work. Thanks for all of your efforts to date in making the TJHS1968 website my favorite.
(Fred used the e-mail addresses just like Mike and I wanted all of you to do.....to get back in touch with our "old" friends!)
 
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WEBSITE CONTRIBUTIONS
Ronnie Hollier
"Just found the class website".  I sure enjoy it.  I cannot believe so many have died from our class.  Hope this $$$ will help. 
 
Other contributors previously mentioned:
Mindy Marburger, Jenny Rhodes, Robert Sandoval, Janette Light, Arlene Lang, Lizbeth Branick, Richard Daniels, Linda Blakley, Janis Hamilton, Terry Watson, Glenda Patin, Tommy Thompson, Fred McCarty, Charles Cramer, Gary Barbin, Jody Hopkins, & Carmen Babin.
 
Contributions may be sent to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
112 Woodsong
Bridge City, TX 77611
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CONDOLENCES
 
Fred Hollier, Jr.
(death of his mom on Feb. 1, 2007)
14126 Queensway St.
San Antonio, TX 78217-1339
 
from Karen Giles Hopper
Thanks so much for your kind condolences.  The day of my dad's visitation and funeral were some of the worst in January. It really is hard to lose your parents.  I think my dad kind of knew he wouldn't be here too much longer right before the holidays.  He had heart problems for years, and had a quadruple bypass in 1997.  He told us he never wanted to go through anything like that again.  He died in his sleep, and I think if any of us could pick a way to die, that might be it.  I  lost my mom in 1999, and my dad had taken care of her during several years with Alzheimer's.  Both of my parents were wonderful people, and life without both of them is hard to imagine. 
 
YOU MAY  ORDER THE MEMORIAL DVD OF OUR 53 KNOWN DECEASED CLASSMATES.  The cost is $9.00.
Order:
Mike Lawson
2119 Twin Lakes Blvd.
West Columbia, TX 77486
(979)345-5901
If you have previously ordered one of Mike's Memorial DVDs, drop me a note telling me what you think about it. 
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PROJECT OBITUARY
It looks as if I will need to spend some time at the PA library to hunt for obituaries to include in Mike's new expanded MEMORIAL section that is planned when his revision of the website is complete.  Kitty Killebrew's mom, Cynthia Elizondo's mom, &  Lynn Henderson's dad were gracious enough to send me their children's obituaries from the newspaper. Lyn Frasier sent one for Donnie Hollier.  I still have a few of you that are trying to help.  I thank you.  That will save me some time and effort. 
 I have obituaries for:
Kitty Killebrew
Lynn Henderson
Mike Quebedeaux
Donnie Hollier (a memorial)
Galen Bailey
Ralph Moore
Betty Sue Ratley Pilitere
Clifford Antone
Donnie Wade
Cynthia Elizondo
 
I ONLY NEED 42 MORE!!  {:0(
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CLASSMATES MARRIED TO CLASSMATES
I thought of something the other day that I felt might be interesting.  I would like to add a section on the website for the classmates that married each other.  I know we had lots of couples at first, but some have parted ways, so I didn't think that would be a good idea to contact them for this! Here is the list of married couples that  I THINK are still together:
 
Gary Barbin & Jody Hopkins
Charles Blanchette & Nelwyn Comeaux
Barry Boudreaux & Janice Hebert
Gary Bouillion & Tonna Cooksey
Ricky Bradley & Gloria Phillips
Horace "Tinker" Brown & Jody Juneau
Terry Cook (deceased) & Brenda Rector
Bart Darby & Laura Meece
Wayne LaGrappe & Jean Ann Virden
Marc Marroquin & Janelle Prince
Rex Meyer & Linda Olivier
Dale Netherland & Kay Campbell
Tim Phillips & Kathleen Rosenthal
Jimmy Schexnayder & Myra McConathy
Ron Waedemon & Betty Bernauer
Bobby Williamson & Jonnye Dee Doering
(Do you know of others?)
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MARDI GRAS tradition
Mardi Gras, or Fat Tuesday, is the final fling day before Lent.  It's designed to be the big party before everyone starts concentrating on fasting, and the Easter season.
 
King Cakes
The Epiphany or Little Christmas is observed on January 6 in many Christian churches.  This day has come to be known as "Kings Day."  Since the 300's the day has honored the meeting of the Three Wise Men with the infant Jesus.  King Cakes became part of the celebration to symbolize the "finding of baby Jesus."  The Mardi Gras season which begins on January 6th, is expressed on King Cakes by using the carnival colors of green, yellow, and purple.  As a King Cake is cut, each person awaits anxiously for his piece to locate the small baby.  The person who finds the "baby" is obligated to bring a King Cake to the next seasonal celebration.
 
"Laissez les bons temps rouler!" is a Cajun expression meaning "Let the good times roll!" It strongly conveys the "joie de vivre" ("joy of living") attitude that pervades south Louisiana.  Although hardly a new invention, the expression now appears on everything from T-shirts to bumper stickers; it also is now generally regarded by Cajuns as a cultural cliché.
 
Courir du Mardi Gras
In the bogs and bayous of rural Louisiana, the residents living on scattered farms liked to come together to give Mardi Gras season a proper beginning.  A huge pot of gumbo shared by friends and neighbors was often the center of the event that brought the whole community together.  But, since many were poor, getting enough to make the favorite treat often took input of ingredients from far and near.  So, when you get a group of Cajun folks together, even a simple task like collecting vegetables, meat and flour and oil for roux became a celebration in itself.
 
Horseback riders started going door to door to ask their neighbors to pitch in some okra or a chicken or pig for the evening's meal.  When the riders began to don costumes and play Cajun music along the way, the event took on a life of its own, and became La Courir du Mardi Gras, French for "running of the Mardi Gras." The chicken toss is part of the rural tradition, too, when some homeowners would add a touch of mischief by releasing the chicken that had been requested and making the revelers chase after it. 
 
The roots of the costumes, which are often homemade, come from the Medieval "begging festival" and include colorful conical hats known as "capucchons," torn sheets or rag costumes and masks made of wire mesh that depict clowns, monsters and other characters.  In the rural tradition, after the courir du Mardi Gras, the gumbo is cooked and the community gathers for a dance, called a "fais do-do" by the Cajuns.
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Well, that about does it for another go-round.  I hope you are enjoying the newest addition  I REMEMBER WHEN.  Mike and I never know what is going to come to our mail boxes!  We love 'em.   We also could sure use some photos (new or old) for our photo section. We haven't had anything for our ARMED FORCES section in awhile, either.  So, now I'll end with an anonymous quote, "Be yourself. Everyone else is already taken."
 
                                                        Stay safe and keep in touch,
                                                        Linda DeCuir McFadden
                                                        lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net
                                                        www.tjhs1968.com

 

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