Well friends,
      I'm back at home sleeping in my bed after being out of pocket for a little over 2 weeks.  I took Mom and Dad to Houston to have Mom's procedure/surgery, but she decided to fall down stairs at my brother's home first.  She is all bunged up, black and blue (and yellow), still hurting from the procedure and still not feeling well. Dad turned 91 Sunday, and even with dementia, is healthy.  Some decisions will need to be made in the upcoming weeks/months that are going to be a big change for all of us.  Keep us in your prayers.  I know that many of you have gone through trials with your elderly parents.  It is so hard for them to become dependent on us.  I am also so sad to list parents' deaths in the CONDOLENCE section each NEWSLETTER.  I know it is inevitable, though! 

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MAIL CALL 

from Jack Etheredge in Bridge City
Thank you so much for keeping me and everyone else in our class updated with the class web site.  Linda, thank you most of all for being a life-long friend.  
(Jack and I grew up in Lakeview and were classmates throughout school and are still close friends to this day.)

from Peggy Foster Hoyt in Huntsville
My mother died 2 years ago, and after a year, I sold my home in Houston and moved to Huntsville to live with my dad.  It has been an adjustment, but we are doing fine---actually he's fine.  I've had to adjust to living in the small city after life in the big city. I like my new-found independence now that my children are grown.  I went to the website and was very impressed.  What a work of love.  Thanks for asking for my updated information.  I look forward to seeing my classmates at some TJ event. 

from Dianna Caillier Lewis in Port Arthur
(via US Mail)
I hope this finds you and your family well.  We'll keep your mom and dad in our prayers.  I received a short note from Mr. Rowland.  That was nice.  I can't believe it has been 39 years!!! 
(Dianna also sent me a blue ribbon to wear for domestic/child abuse awareness.)

from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
I love the website and check it out all the time; just haven't taken the time to write before.  I moved my mother (who has dementia) to assisted living here in Houston from Port Arthur last December.  So, as I'm sure you know, I spend a lot of time trying to keep her on an even keel while maintaining a life of my own.   I've noticed that a number of our classmates are in the same boat and I always feel for them.  It is not an easy road. Anyway, thanks for all you and Mike do for us.  I have some other class photos that I'll send you as soon as I learn to use my new scanner.  (Cherlyn sent Mike several names to be added to Janice Huebel's Girls Scout photo and to a 3rd grade Sam Houston photo. )  

from Ronnie Hollier in Port Neches
Your mention of Friday the 13th in the last NEWSLETTER made me think of the following:  Friday the 13th,  in May of 1948, Donnie and I were born.  Donnie at 12:23pm and me at 12:26 pm.  So, not too bad. 

from Carole White Metnick in Highland Park , IL
I checked out the website and couldn't believe all the work that went into it.  A lot of time and effort has been put into making it a fun and informative site for all of us to enjoy.  Thank you. 

We had a very cold Easter here in Chicago .  We had such nice weather for one week and then the bottom fell out and we got cold, wet snow and freezing tempertures again.  I enjoyed reading about your trip to the midwest and Chicago .  Sorry that you went out of your way and took some scenic detours .  I have found Chicago to be a wonderful big city and a good place to raise a family.  There is always a lot to see and do and when our weather is sunny and warm, it's hard to beat. 

Thanks to Sara Little, also.  I got a kick out of the pictures she sent in.  Were we really that young?  I hope that she's still finding some time to sing (church choir?).  She had such a pretty soprano voice and it was fun singing with her, Tillman Richey and David Nicholas. 

Things are about the same here.  Our grandaughter, Megan, is now 5 yrs. old and has a little brother, Sean, who's 7 months  and getting a big laugh out of watching his big sister.  They are our daughter Kim's children with her husband, Liam.  Kim's twin sister now lives next door to her in the Northwest suburb of Wauconda.  Our son, Jason, and his wife live in the city where they are both practicing attorneys.  It's good to have all of them so near by. I still work and Larry's semi-retired and is enjoying the time to get caught up on some of his reading.  The common thread that I hear in all of the various e-mails seems to be that of ageing parents, some illnesses and people enjoying their new grandkids.  I guess that life tends to follow similar paths for almost everyone.  Best wishes to all and again, thanks for all your hard work. 
(I am sorry that I didn't remember that Carole lived in the vacinity of where we vacationed.  I would have tried to contact her.)

from John Wilson in Houston
I want to thank you for your support in my cycling in the MS 150.  I must say that it was a very ambitious undertaking, but well worth it.  There were some powerful moments along the way, but I was never in doubt that I would make it.  I had a wonderful support network!  
(John sent a picture that is included in the photo section of the website.)

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VOTING REMINDER
(I received this message from Mr. Rowland and 4 other classmates.  I thought I would pass it along.)

To all Texans, you need to vote for this.  It is very important.
The amendment is to correct an error admitted to by the lawmakers when they voted for a reduction in school property taxes in 2005. When the lawmakers voted for a one-third reduction in school property taxes beginning in 2006, they forgot about the homestead exemption for senior citizens and people with disabilities. The state constitution caps school property taxes for homeowners 65 years and older and those who are disabled. As a result they DID NOT get any reduction when the property tax cut for schools was voted on two years ago even though they will be subject to any taxes or fees enacted to replace the lost revenue from that cut.
 
So, an amendment is on the May ballot to correct this error. PLEASE get out
and vote for this amendment; if not for yourself then for your parents,
grandparents, aunts, uncles, or friends. We would really appreciate your
getting the word out to all your friends and families to vote for this amendment.
 
So, please, pass the word and VOTE for the constitutional amendment. Early voting will take place from April 30 to May 8 from 7 am to 7 pm. Election day is May 12 from 7 am to 7 pm. So there are plenty of options to stop by a polling place and vote. Y'ALL PASS THIS ON AND Go VOTE!!  We need your help.

(Classmates....please correct me if this is incorrect information.  Linda)

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MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS 

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