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Sweating
bullets in the house since my parents moved in. They are so cold-natured
and well, I'm 57! Enough said. Sure wish that the weather would turn
a little cooler. Hmmm. Never mind. That would mean
having to turn the central heat on. My mom asked, "Did you take a
shower?" "Nope, just sweating a lot I guess." I think
I will just be satisfied with the temperature as is.
from
Susan Hatfield
Miguez in Port
Neches
I just found out that TK Hulin will be at Larry’s French Market in
Groves
on December 29th. I heard him a couple of months ago and he is
as good as ever, IF NOT better.
(Sounds terrific!)
from
Jud Hollingsworth
('66) in
Lake City
,
CO
It's great for so many to keep in touch - as we get older & wiser, ( I HOPE
), friends are so very important.
from
Jeanette
Constantine in
Groves
I am looking forward to the reunion and seeing everyone. Take care and I
hope everyone has a wonderful safe holiday season. And Linda, I agree. How
bout them Cowboys!!!
(Well, Jeanette sent this in BEFORE the Cowboys made a mess of things on Dec.
16th! Let's hope that the future looks better!)
from Gretchen Lueders
McCurley in Lago
Vista
As most of you know, we moved in September 2003 from Humble/Kingwood to
Austin
. We rented a house for a short
time before we purchased a home in Round Rock in March of 2004. We found a
wonderful church home (
Hill
Country
Bible
Church
) in
Cedar
Park
where we began serving in the Worship Ministry (Gretchen on vocals, Ken on Tech
Team). We also bought some property in Lago Vista with a great view of the
hill country and
Lake
Travis
. God opened doors to sell our house, so we did, and are renting in Lago
Vista while planning to build next year. Our pastor Tim Hawks
preached about “being a community within your community”, so when we moved
to Lago we felt compelled to once again leave a large church that we loved, and
join a startup church here called North Lake Bible. It is wonderful how God
equips you for the task at hand…..we both felt very sure
about leaving a church with all the bells & whistles to go to a church that
is meeting in an elementary school with an interim pastor! (last month we
hired a young man from Friendswood as our first pastor). Gretchen is already
involved in the Music ministry and Ken is helping wherever the needs may be.
Since
we moved to
Austin
, Ken had struggled with finding
the right employment until July of 2006 when God brought an opportunity to him
to start his own business – Compass Logistics freight brokering. (now we
both enjoy the blessing of working from home!) Our business has
steadily grown over the past year to allow Gretchen to give up her directorship
with Pampered Chef (now
she is just a consultant) and become more involved in
the community and the design of our home to be built soon. We dedicated our
business to God when we started and it is just amazing to see how He has helped
it to grow.
Our
family has grown as well. Ken’s oldest son Kevin & wife Vera in
California now have 3 girls (5 mo, 2 yrs, 4 yrs) and Gretchen’s oldest Derek
& wife Joy in seminary in
St Louis
have 2 boys (4 mo, 5 yrs) & a girl 6 yrs. We just returned from
grandparent duty while Derek & Joy interviewed for a college ministry with
RUF. It was great fun and a confirmation that the Lord gives you children
when you are young for a good reason! Ken’s other sons Josh and Trey are
in Kingwood, and Gretchen’s daughter Elisa and her husband are in south
Austin
. We are looking forward to
having lots of family during the holidays!
We
think of all of you often, even though we don’t let you know it!!!
And you all have a standing
invitation to come see us!
During
this wonderful time of year when we all
focus on the birth of our Savior, from our home to yours, we wish you all
of the blessings that God has given us in His Son Jesus Christ – the Reason
for this Season!
Merry
Christmas and a very Happy New Year!
Ken, Gretchen, & Maggie(our Schnauzer) McCurley
from
Jan Russell
in Spring
We're getting too old for Cowboy games like the one Dec. 9th and 16th!! I
may have to increase my heart meds !!!!!!!!!
from
Gary Jones
in
San Diego
,
CA
Check out the the show 1968
on the History Channel as soon as you can.
Last night (Sun, Dec. 9th), I watched a show on the History Channel,
hosted by Tom Brokaw, on the events of 1968. We all know that a lot was
happening in 1968 beyond it being our senior year, and this show was an
excellent summary. It was a pivotal year. I am surprised I got any
schoolwork done with all that was happening in the world. Anyway, I
suspect The History Channel will replay it and I suggest that you take a look at
it...TiVo if need be. I don't know how long it will be broadcast, but I
will bet that many classmates would enjoy it considering the milestone 1968 was
for us and our nation.
Today, a trailer can be found here or the rotating lead video. http://www.history.com/
At times I tell the Gen X and Y kids that they have no idea how much was going
on in the late 60s with the simultaneous head-on collision of race, music,
drugs, sex, Viet Nam, protest, college, youth, and general experimentation.
The kids think it was spread out. It was concentrated and an extremely
confusing time. It took place faster than you could understand it, and no
one could predict how it would end. By 1969 I was out of
Port Arthur
and into this potent stew.
"Something is happening here. What it is ain't exactly clear."
After I watched the show I asked,"So, what happened in 2007?"
Answer, "In comparison, nothing."
from
Linda Hopper Hunt
in
Port Arthur
I just got on the website and loved looking at all the good things that we had
going on in 1968. I will always remember all the good times that we had a
Woodrow Wilson Jr. High, too.
(I hope that you have checked out the MEMORABILIA section located on the
drop-down under CLASS PHOTOS on the home page. You can find lots of
Woodrow and Edison items there that will really tug at your heart strings.)
from
Cindy Duplantis
Roberts in
Horseshoe Bay
,
TX
I wanted to write and tell you that I have been following all the updates on the
website. It is always a treat to hear about the goings on of our
classmates. I hope that everyone has a wonderful holiday season
and best wishes to all.
from
Mr. Lionel Rowland (history teacher)
Sorry you didn't make the Christmas program this year. The program went
extremely well. Our auditorium holds about 1100 people and we had at least
1000 Sunday and Monday nights and probably 700-800 on Friday and Saturday.
(Mr. Rowland is the organist at the
First
Baptist
Church
in Port
Neches
.)
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
1.
Avoid carrot sticks. Anyone who puts carrots on a holiday buffet table knows
nothing of the Christmas spirit. (In fact, if you see carrots, leave
immediately. Go next door where they're serving rum balls!)
2.
Drink as much eggnog as you can. And quickly. Like fine single- malt scotch,
it's rare. In fact, it's even rarer than single-malt scotch. You can't find it
any other time of year but now. So drink up! Who cares that it has 10,000
calories in every sip? It's not as if you're going to turn into an eggnog-aholic
or something. It's a treat. Enjoy it. Have one for me. Have two. It's later than
you think. It's Christmas!
3. If something comes with gravy, use it. That's the whole point of gravy. Gravy
does not stand alone. Pour it on. Make a volcano out of your mashed potatoes.
Fill it with gravy. Eat the volcano. Repeat.
4. As for mashed potatoes, always ask if they're made with skim milk or whole
milk. If it's skim, pass. Why bother? It's like buying a sports car with an
automatic transmission.
5. Do not have a snack before going to a party in an effort to control
your eating. The whole point of going to a Christmas party is to eat other
people's food for free. Lots of it. Hello?
6. Under no circumstances should you exercise between now and New Year's,
you can do that in January when you have nothing else to do. This is the time
for long naps, which you'll need after circling the buffet table while carrying
a 10-pound plate of food and that vat of eggnog.
7. If you come across something really good at a buffet table, like
frosted Christmas cookies in the shape and size of Santa, position
yourself near them and don't budge. Have as many as you can before becoming the
center of attention. They're like a beautiful pair of shoes. If you leave them
behind, you're never going to see them again.
8. Same for pies. Apple. Pumpkin. Mincemeat. Have a slice of each. Or, if
you don't like mincemeat, have two apples and one pumpkin. Always have three.
When else do you get to have more than one dessert? Labor Day?
9.
Did someone mention fruitcake? Granted, it's loaded with the mandatory
celebratory calories, but avoid it at all cost. I mean, have some standards.
10.
One final tip: If you don't feel terrible when you leave the party or get up
from the table, you haven't been paying attention.
Reread tips; start over, but hurry, January is just around the corner.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
http://www.firemuseumoftexas.org/
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
1.
If you are choking on an ice cube simply pour a cup of boiling water down your
throat. Presto! The blockage will instantly remove itself.
2. Avoid cutting
yourself slicing vegetables by getting someone else to hold while you chop.
3. Avoid arguments
with the Mrs. about lifting the toilet seat by using the shower.
4. For high blood
pressure sufferers: simply cut yourself and bleed for a few minutes, thus
reducing the pressure in your veins. Remember to use a timer.
5. A mouse trap,
placed on top of your alarm clock, will prevent you from rolling over and going
back to sleep after you hit the snooze button.
6. If you have a bad
cough, take a large dose of laxatives, then you will be afraid to cough.
7. You only need two
tools in life - WD-40 and Duct Tape. If it doesn't move and should, use the
WD-40. If it shouldn't move and does, use the duct tape.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
40TH
REUNION
Aug. 1-2, 2008
Suggestions
sent in by Sandy
Ellis
First
-
considering that the reunion theme is Hawaiian
Luau - what if some of the cast members from the
senior play "South Pacific" could show up in costume. I know I
was in the dance chorus and if I could find my costume I am SURE it would fit me
beautifully. What do you think of that?
Next-Has
the committee considered t-shirts? Something tasteful - something to
continue to strengthen our connection. Maybe even a contest - a way for
lots of people to participate in this powerful connection other than just
reading about other people's lives. They could be sold to cover the
expenses. Sign me up for TWO - please.
Suggestion
sent in by Joel
Levy
I think we should try to track down Mr. McBee and send him a special
invitation to the 40th reunion. Other teachers , coaches (e.g., Smitty
Hill, Wayne Williams, etc.), and administrators, too, for that matter. They
participated in our getting to have a 40th.
REMINDER:
Pleeeese send me ANY changes of mailing address BEFORE
the committee SPENDS
postage on postcards and correspondence to the WRONG
address. The address I have on the spreadsheet will be one from the
spring and summer of 2007. Also, send me any changes if you are
moving in the very near future.
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
HAPPENINGS
IN
BRIDGE
CITY
Mom
and Dad are gradually getting the hang of life in small town,
USA
. My sister has "adopted" my parent's cat, which has really
helped. This was really bothering Dad. With dementia, he is very
confused about the move, his furniture, leaving his home in Lakeview, etc.
It is hard to move things and clean up while he is around his old house. I
am hoping to do more when they go to spend a few days at my brother, Danny's
home in Friendswood around the first of the year. Mom has been on oxygen a
lot more and I am pretty sure it is because she is trying to do so much
over here to HELP! She is so worried about being in the way. We are
really loving having them here, though. We even have "game
night". BINGO, anyone? Murphy is eating a lot of rice (as
opposed to potatoes every night) lately. That is the German in him.
But, he loves eating good homecooked cajun food. My poor poodle, (you
remember Dad thinks she is a cat), has already gained pounds in a month because
Dad actually
thinks he has to feed her every time she begs!!! I am going to have to
remember to put her out DURING the meals!! My granddaughters (4 1/2
and 3) are really enjoying having their great-grandparents here to
"play" with. My youngest had my Dad wearing a tiara last time
she was here! I have received so many notes and messages from friends and
classmates telling me that I am doing something good by having my parents move
in. But, I
am the richer for it! What a wonderful
opportunity has fallen in my lap that has truly TURNED INTO A BLESSING! It
is amazing how much we can still learn from our parents when we thought we knew
it ALL! I see them in a totally different light. AMEN!
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
SUPPORT
NEEDED
a
note from Cindy
Duplantis concerning her husband, Tom
Our family has been going through some tense times lately. My husband had
quadruple heart by-pass surgery at the end of November. We hit a few
bumps, but with powerful prayers, wonderful family (especially all my girls),
and loving friends, we have him home healing. His wonderful big heart is
all repaired and we have been humbled by the whole experience.
an
update from Mr.
Lionel Rowland
Saw the doctor Wednesday. The two areas on my lungs have shrunk because of
the chemo but the tumor in my esophagus has not changed. They are looking
at adding radiation treatments in addition to the chemo inJanuary. If that
is the case, I would have chemo once a week and radiation five days a week for
five weeks. I am feeling fine and enjoying the holidays except for the
fact that I can't eat anything :( We are in good spirits and believing God
for complete healing.
an
update from Walter
Jones ('67) about his wife, Linda
Messer ('66)
Dec. 18th was a late start, so we finished late, not getting home until 1:30 AM
this morning. All went well. Physical was ok, blood work OK, incision
healing is progressing, and CA 125 went down by 53%. Today is our
anniversary. We plan to spend many more together.
wdjrel@hotmail.com
a
surprise message from Bobby
Williamson
I'm
writing you from my recovery bed (Dec. 8th). Dr. Morbia gave me two stints
yesterday, to cure an 80% and a 60% blockage he found in the same artery.
Jonnye said I paid him extra to get bragging rights. She has only one
stint to cure a 95% blockage put in about 2 weeks ago.
I
might write an article for the website. I had symptoms for a year and did
not realize what they were. I'm lucky to be alive. BTW, I
feel great. I had my breath and energy back by the time I went into the
recovery room. I had to get well to figure out how really sick I was.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
CONDOLENCES
Diana
de la Rosa Elizondo
(death of her father)
c/o 3069 Hackberry Ave.
Ingleside, TX 78362
tudi_2d@yahoo.com
Deborah
Welty Stewart ('69)
(death of her son)
2711 Miller
Port Neches, TX 77651
Cathy
Jones Kasper
(death of her father)
7009 Alameda #1837
Houston, TX 77054
dave_cathykasper@sbcglobal.net
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Well,
with the upheaval with trying to relocate my parents, I have bought ONE, count
it, ONE present. That one was bought in early November. I
guess everyone else will get a gift card. I am sure that is what
they would rather receive anyway. Blessings to all this Christmas
season and wishes for a very happy New Year!
Our
lives are woven together for a reason.
Anonymous
Stay safe and stay in touch,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net
www.tjhs1968.com
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