Hello
TJ friends,
Spring has certainly sprung!
Sometimes it even feels like early summer. I do love the smell of a
freshly mowed
St. Augustine
lawn, though. Mike and I are really excited with this publication.
We have had great response from many of you. I hope that it isn't a
fluke. Keep in touch so that we can bring you all the news. Now,
let's begin our MOTHER'S
DAY
edition:
MAIL
CALL
from Linda Yancey
in
Nederland
I would just like to share with you how and where I ran into our classmate,
Linda DeCuir.
It was on a sunny Sunday afternoon and there were flowers everywhere and
beautiful marble and stones. Have you guessed where yet? The
cemetery! I was there to place flowers on my parents' gravesite and to
visit my niece's grave. She was 21 years old, had everything going for her, but
as fate would have it, she developed a rare adrenal cancer that took her life.
Linda was at the cemetery placing flowers on her father-in-law's
gravesite. We pointed out to each other where our loved ones were and at
that very moment we realized that this is in some way where all of us are in
this faze of our lives. Saying good-byes to loved ones, some older, so many too
young. Did we ever imagine in our younger fun-loving days that this
is where we would all eventually find our way back together? I don't know
about everyone else, but I so looked forward to growing up and now I realize we
had it made during those great years.
Now, just a little about myself. I have a home in
Nederland
and have two brothers, two sister-in-laws and was blessed with three beautiful
nieces. They gave me five great-nephews and two great-nieces. I love
children and they have and will always will be what keeps me young. I feel
30 but I'm 57. I love to travel and that is my goal for retirement.
I've been to Hawaii, Vegas (what happens in Vegas stays in Vegas), Florida,
Alabama, snow skiing at Whistler/Blackcomb in Canada, Scotland, London, just to
name a few and my next venture is either Norway or Nevis in the British West
Indies. My place of serenity is, of the course, the beach. To walk on a
beautiful beach in the morning or at dusk and listen to the waves...well, there
is nothing better!
God is an Awesome God. Praise Him every day for all our blessings.
Looking forward to seeing everyone at our "40th".
(Linda Yancey LOOKS 30, also! I bet she tapped into the "fountain of
youth" during her travels abroad.)
from Ronnie
Campbell in
Port Arthur
I belong to the Scooter Club of the Golden Triangle, and we usually have rides
and activities every week, weather permitting. If anyone has a scooter or
small cc motorcycle, please come on one of our rides - usually every Saturday.
Check out the SCGT website at http://www.myspace.com/scgoldentriangle .
There are numerous photos and videos of recent events, and we are always looking
for new riders. It is great getting updated information and memories
on the website of our 1968 graduating class. Thanks for all the hard work!
(Be sure to check out the BIKER section in the CLASS PHOTOS of our home
page to see photos of Ronnie and friends.)
from
Sheridan
Jones Thornell
in
Port Arthur
After being off of the mailing list for awhile, I got your e-mail address from Chrissy
Dupuis Mullens. When Hurricane Rita HIT MY
HOME, I got a foot of water inside. I lost my 66, 67, & 68 TJ annuals.
I am looking to buy any of those years from someone who might have an extra one
or who knows someone who might. What I always enjoyed with my annuals was
looking up my 4 children's friends' parents. Most of their parents went
to school with us. I will have a lot of catching up to do with the class
of '68 now that I have the website address. Thanks.
from
Lynn Eldridge
Gill in
Dallas
Jim and I went to the Big Bend area for a week and then over to
San Antonio
. He ordered a Pinzgauer, (ugly Austrian troop carrier), that we
picked up there. Now, we can transport 14 people around our
ranch...not even MUD stops us-woo-hoo! While we were in the area, we
stopped to visit Jim
Andrus and his wife, Jane. I hate to mention
this, but I had to deliver my losing bet to Jim since UT beat TEXAS TECH in
football AGAIN last season. (I am slow on paying up).
While there, we drove the Penz around their ranch in Jourdanton (outside
of San Antonio). The wildflowers were spectacular. We got home just
in time for my daughter, Meredith, to deliver our first granddaughter, Molly
Claire on April 4th. She is beautiful and we're thrilled.
Well,
we also have more good news. Our son, Addicus, and his wife announced
that they are going to give us another grandbaby! Their first born
and this new addition will
be 17 months apart! That may cure them of wanting 5 kids. We'll see.
(Lynn and Jim had their children 11
months apart in the '70's. That sure made them
STOP at TWO kids!)
from
Mike Soileau
in Atlanta, TX
Hi … sorry I have not written... been real busy … no excuse.. :)
I am sending a poem to all the classmates as we need a wake-up call
now and to let us realize that we need to slow down a little and visit and call
friends and relatives. It is hard...I am the worst. You and Mike are
doing a great job. What a blessing to have this kind of site.
from
Frank Piletere
(husband of the late
Betty Sue Ratley)
While browsing the web recently, I was very impressed when I encountered the
home page for the Thomas Jefferson High School class of 1968. However, I
was saddened when I read the memorial section of your site and my late wife, Sue
Ratley Piletere, appeared on this page.
Although Sue left us three years ago June 3, I still have fond memories of my 32
year marriage with her and the memories that she shared with me about her school
days in Port Arthur. I just wanted to let you know of the great job that
you and others have done to preserve these memories, and the way that you have
remembered those that have gone before us. As you probably know, Sue was a
wonderful wife to me, and being the tough lady that she was, fought a rough
battle with breast cancer for eight years prior to her death.
Please
keep in touch, as I too, am a TJ graduate of the class of '65. I would
like to be advised when you guys have your reunions.
from
Diane Richmond
Miller in Silsbee
I've noticed something from reading all the e-mails being sent in to you that
you use in your NEWSLETTERS each month. Either the e-mails are being
corrected by you, our 1st grade teacher, or our class has well above the average
ability to spell and use proper grammar. Even on printed signs now, you see such
awful misuse and misspelling of words, and yet the e-mails sent in by our
classmates are written so well! Maybe we were just exceptional??
Thanks for all you and Mike do.
(Diane sent a very special card with a sweet message. Her mom has dementia
and has recently moved into Diane's home.)
from
Carole Oubre
Reeves in Groves
Just wanted to drop a line to tell you how FABULOUS the website is. I
am so very proud of you and Mike and sincerely appreciate all the work that has
gone into this.
We'll
be hosting our son, Spencer, daughter-in-law, Zoe and two granddaughters, Kiara
and Aiyana for three weeks beginning June 30th or so. We're really looking
forward to seeing them. Other than than, life pretty much as usual.
Parents aging - Dad 96 and mom 88. Mom is an Alzheimer victim,
unfortunately. We're in the moderate stage right now so she still
recognizes people. It's not pretty. My heart goes out to anyone else
who is going through this with their parents. Dad is still driving (so,
look out!). His mind is still fairly good but his joints are giving him a
fit.
from
Jane Lippincott
Koerth in Port Neches
I love the website and all of the time and effort you and Mike have put into it.
I'm sorry you are having such difficulties with your parents. It's so hard
to watch them grow old, become frail, and have to depend on us. It's hard
to believe that my dad has been gone since 1980 and my mom since 1998. I
miss them both dearly. Parents teach us so much, we just don't realize it.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
MOTHER'S
WISDOM (light-hearted
but so true!)
1.My
mother taught me TO
APPRECIATE A JOB WELL DONE.
"If you're going to kill each other, do it outside. I just finished
cleaning."
2.My
mother taught me RELIGION.
"You better pray that that will come out of the carpet."
3.My mother taught me about TIME
TRAVEL.
"If you don't straighten
up, I'm going to knock you into the middle of next week!"
4. My mother taught me LOGIC.
"Because I said so, that's
why."
5. My mother taught me MORE
LOGIC.
"If you fall out of that
swing and break your neck, you're not going to the store with me."
6. My mother taught me FORESIGHT.
"Make sure you wear clean
underwear, in case you're in an accident."
7. My mother taught me IRONY.
"Keep crying, and I'll give you
something to cry about."
8. My mother taught me about the science of OSMOSIS.
"Shut your mouth and eat
your supper."
9. My mother taught me about CONTORTIONISM.
"Will you look at that
dirt on the back of your neck!"
10. My mother taught me about STAMINA.
"You'll sit there until
all that spinach is gone."
11. My mother taught me about WEATHER.
"This room of yours looks
as if a tornado went through it."
12. My mother taught me about HYPOCRISY.
"If I told you once, I've
told you a million times. Don't exaggerate!"
13. My mother taught me the CIRCLE
OF LIFE.
"I brought you into this world,
and I can take you out."
14. My mother taught me about BEHAVIOR
MODIFICATION.
"Stop acting like your
father!"
15. My mother taught me about ENVY.
"There are millions of less
fortunate children in this world who don't have wonderful parents like you
do."
16. My mother taught me about ANTICIPATION.
"Just wait until we get
home."
17. My mother taught me about RECEIVING.
"You are going to get it when you get home!"
18.
My mother taught me MEDICAL
SCIENCE.
"If you don't stop crossing your
eyes, they are going to get stuck that way."
19. My mother taught me ESP.
"Put your sweater on;
don't you think I know when you are cold?"
20. My mother taught me HUMOR.
"When that lawn mower cuts off
your toes, don't come running to me."
21. My mother taught me HOW
TO BECOME AN ADULT.
"If you don't eat your
vegetables, you'll never grow up."
22. My mother taught me GENETICS.
"You're just like your
father."
23. My mother taught me about my ROOTS.
"Shut that door behind
you. Do you think you were born in a barn?"
24. My mother taught me WISDOM.
"When you get to be my
age, you'll understand."
And my favorite:
25. My mother taught me about JUSTICE.
"One day you'll have kids, and I
hope they turn out just like you."
"Happy
Mother's Day"
to all Moms, Grandmothers, Aunts, Godmothers, Step-Mothers and "Surrogate" moms.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SUPPORT NEEDED
Jimmy Simmons has been in touch with fellow classmate, James Miller. James's
wife, Suzzane (Sue) Adams Miller, is receiving treatments for Follicular
Lymphoma. She was diagnosed around the holidays. The doctors are
very pleased with her progress in battling this disease. Suzzane is a
teacher for the Bridge City School District. She may be reached at:
Please
contact me if you know of anyone that could use our added support.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
CONDOLENCES
No deaths
that I have heard about!!
Praise
the Lord!
I
do think we should keep all of our classmates in our prayers that have
lost their MOTHER since last May.
Harold
Schkade
Glen Tryer
Betty Bernauer Waedemon
Ron Waedemon
Danny Phares
Randy Monte
Billy Jordan
Daniel Wolf
Loretta LaLonde Myers
Linda King McComas
Jonnye Dee Doering Williamson
Shirley Roll Rabuck
Barry Boudreaux
Sandra Garsea Broussard
Leo Foreman
Butch McWilliams
Fred Hollier, Jr.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
MISCELLANEOUS TIDBITS
Vote
Saturday, May 12
If you don't use your right to vote
Then you lose your right to gripe!
Stamp
Price
REMINDER: First class stamp increases to 41 cents on Monday,
May 14th.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************TOO
CLOSE FOR COMFORT
(cute e-mail
received and forwarded by Janice
Huebel Slaughter)
I
was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist.
I noticed his DDS diploma, which bore his first name. Suddenly, I remembered a
tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school
class some 40-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy that I had a secret crush
on, way back when?
Upon
seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding,
gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my
classmate. Hmmmm or could he?
After
he examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended Morgan Park High School.
"Yes, yes, I did. I'm a Mustang," he gleamed with pride.
"When did you graduate?" I asked. He answered, "In 1959.
Why do you ask?" "You were in my class!" I exclaimed.
He looked at me closely and then that sorry you-know-what asked, "What did
you teach?"!!!!
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
WEBSITE
$$$ CONTRIBUTIONS
from
Kenny Bragg
I've really been enjoying the updates. My first
thought after reading them is to send a contribution. So, I'm finally
getting around to it. Thanks to you and Mike for all the hard work.
I'm still looking for a few old pictures.
from
Linda Langhoff
Wheatley
I want to tell you & Mike that your
time and efforts put into this project are noticed and enjoyed by many
of us.
from
Diane Richmond
Miller
Well, I know that I never write, but I ALWAYS read!!
I think it's like listening to the music on public radio though...if you listen
and enjoy, you need to help support it. So, I am sending you some money to help
do my part. It's really a great website and getting better all the time.
from
Brenda Rector
Cook
Finally, my promised contribution! Hope this
helps. Again, much gratitude and lots of appreciation for all your hard
work.
Contributions
may be mailed to:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
112 Woodsong
Bridge City, TX 77611
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************I
think that just about does it for this edition. If you haven't smiled even
once while reading it, shame on you! I really can't wait to see what Mike
has in store for his part of the updated website. We both appreciate the
generosity of the time and effort that goes into sending us items. But,
the classmate participation is certainly why our class website is so
UNIQUE! Life
is like a roll of toilet paper. The closer it gets to the end, the faster it
goes...so have fun, think "good thoughts" only, learn to laugh at
yourself, and "Count your blessings"! Anonymous
|