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Happy April to you all !!! I sure have been busy working on finding
our faculty members from our high school days. Read more about this in
my NEWSLETTER. Now, let's begin......
from
Cherlyn Hebert
in Houston
I found
Coach Bertha Hebert
and talked to her tonight. I told her someone from the reunion committee
would be in touch with her about the faculty being invited to our 40th
reunion in August. She says she's been playing a lot of golf since she
retired. She used to play golf with my dad and his friends before he
died, and I got to see her at his funeral in 2000. She was just as
pretty as ever.
from
Linda Mathews Doise-'66
I'm a friend of
Ernie Castaneda.
She sends me a note when your site has something of interest to me. I
want to take the time to compliment you and Mike on the make-up of the site.
It is GREAT!! I do believe that this is one of the BEST TJ class sites I
have visited. It is well put together and very informative. In
talking to Ernie, I know that the TJ Class of 68 is very close. I'm
afraid that I'm in contact with very few of my TJ Class of '64 classmates.
I was a "wall flower." My sister,
Edna Mathews-Martin,
was in the TJ Class of '66. Now, SHE was the brightest flower of the
"bunch".
I am so proud that I
graduated from
Thomas
Jefferson High
School. In our day there was respect for
school, teachers, classmates,ourselves and parents. The 60's at TJ were the
Golden Years in my opinion.
"TJ, Gone
BUT Not Forgotten"
from
Jack Bottoms
(former chorus teacher at TJ) in Marquez, TX
It was good to hear from someone connected with
good ole TJHS. I have thought about trying to get a reunion for
the A Cappella Choir going but, living in
Colorado and
Missouri for so many years, I just never was
able to get it done. I don't know how many of my choir members
would be included in your 40th reunion, but I imagine there would be
some. I would like to attend if at all possible. I only have
two times when I couldn't attend; the second week in June because
of
Vacation
Bible
School and the first two weeks
in July because of a choir tour in
England,
Wales and
Scotland.
Just let me know. Looking forward to hearing from you.
(We're in luck! The reunion is Aug. 1-2. See you there.)
from
Leah Conner Shields
in
Fredericksburg,
TX
Hello from
Fredericksburg. Please count
2 in attendance for both nights of the reunion.
www.chocolateselrey.com
from
Ricky Hebert
in
Groves
I got my computer back on line with the same email address!!! Thanks
for all you and Mike do to keep all of us in touch. God bless and take
care.
(Thanks for keeping me informed of the change. I don't like to
"lose" MY people.)
from
Nancy (Decker)
Primeaux in
Kerrville,
TX
I am so very sorry to say that once again we will be unable to attend
our reunion. It just appears that we have other obligations for
that weekend. I know that we will be missing out on a fabulous
event. Have a wonderful time and I will be looking so forward to
the pics.
(Maybe you can make the 45th reunion in 5 years.)
from
Robert Sandoval
in Fulshear,
TX
Robert asked about Mrs. Tenney. I sent him the following
note about Mrs. Tenney's passing:
"Sorry
to inform you, but Ms. Jeanette Tenney showed up a little tardy at
heaven's gate. They let her in but called her doctor to see if she
really was sick!"
His response:
Poor
Ms. Tenney.
May she R.I.P. She was among the first women outside of my family
to really get on my case. Good experience for later in life. By
the way, I saw photos of
Gary Hammond
on the site. He looks like he could still be throwing those laser
passes into an end zone. The Texans or Cowboys ought to be calling
him. Keep up the good work and we'll mail you some more cash to help
with your costs. Let me talk to the 'war department'. She controls
the checkbook.
from
Charles Cramer in Downingtown,
PA
I just got in from the mailbox and noticed that this month's AARP
Magazine has a great feature article on "1968, The Year That Rocked Our
World". It's quite a history of 1968 and may save someone a
lot of research time, just in case they have to make the usual "What
happened in 1968" speech at the reunion. If you don't get AARP
Magazine because your are obviously too young (at least at heart), you
can view it here.
http://www.aarpmagazine.org/people/1968/
Port Arthur got its
due....according to the article,
Janis Joplin
made the cover of Rolling Stone on Jan 24th.
from
Gale Laure
(Mystery author mentioned in our last website update)
(author of her debut novel
"Evolution of a Sad Woman" )
I just found my book-signing mentioned on the
website. Y'all have a great website. I even found my
husband's old high school photo on the site. He never purchased an annual so
it was so neat to see. My compliments to your webmaster. Thanks
for thinking of me and advertising me.
www.galelaure.com
from Sandy
Ellis MacNamara in
Elgin,
TX
Just read the newest addition! Can't wait to see everyone in August -
already have hotel reservations at the Holiday Inn - will send money SOON
for tickets!
from
Marilyn Estes
(wife of
David Estes '67)
Someone signed me up for your wonderful web site. I graduated from PNG
in '69, but married
David Estes TJ
'67. He and I both have enjoyed your class site.
(Glad to have you. Tell David to spread the word about our website to
his class friends.)
from
Jackie Jones
'67 (daughter of
Coach Bentley Jones)
Thank you for inquiring about my dad. He is deceased having died
in October of 2006. We lived in several different cities where he
taught and coached; however, we always considered
Port Arthur our home
town. In fact, when he announced that we were moving to P.A., my mom
who was from central
Texas, had her doubts. The wonderful people
and excellent schools soon made it clear that Dad had made the right
decision. P.A. was a wonderful place to raise four children.
In 1968, when we discovered that my youngest sister, Sherry, had bone
cancer, the entire town, including community, school and church friends,
were so supportive. My brother and I always enjoy the Class of '67
reunions. Hope your reunion is a success. I know it is lots
of work.
Jackie
Jones Jones (Having met and married David
Jones at Baylor, my name did not change. Dad always thought that
was great.)
from
Gary Hammond
in
Plano
I visited with
Smitty and Helen Hill
by phone yesterday and invited them to the
reunion. Knowing Smitty like I do, he
would not miss it for the world. He loves to see his players
and short of a health issue he will be there.
Tommy Thompson and
I thought we would have dinner with he and
Helen the night before the event. It was not that long ago
that we had a football reunion and got the guys,
all the guys , together and had a blast….. Let
me know if I can help.
(Just make sure you aren't late to the social!)
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
August 9, 2008 at the Port Arthur Civic Center
on 9th Ave.
and Hwy 73
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Things sure are going
pretty smoothly over here. I have even been able to keep the
granddaughters (one at a time) on the weekends. Dad has been enjoying
the nice spring weather and sits on the screened-in patio and watches the
cars go by. He will turn 92 on April 22nd. Mom seems to be gaining
some strength back in her legs. She hasn't had to be on oxygen quite
so many hours each day. My daughter's house in Lumberton is coming along.
If the gasoline wasn't so dadgum high we might be able to go check on the
progress more often. Murphy had been talking about retiring a little
early from his pipeline job, (he will be 59 in June), but the stock market
has put a skid on that "thinking". So, we are rolling merrily along
here in Bridge City.
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
I have had
tremendous support
in helping to find addresses (and yes, CONFIRMING
deceased members) of our esteemed
high school faculty. We will continue to search for those not yet
found. The faculty will receive a formal invitation, with all the
important information, at a later date. Those who have helped
me on the list are classmates
Bill Horton,
Arleen Lang, Tillman Richey, Billy Jordan, Fred McCarty, Tommy Thompson, George Collins,
Shari Louvier, Jane Lippincott, Jan Russell, Darlene Landry, Sara Little,
Beth Anne Sutherlin, Cherlyn Hebert, Charles Cramer, Rodney Gouthier,
Beverly Copeland, David Weldon, Cecile Trevino, Jeanette Constantine, Carole
Oubre, Shirley Barra, Lynn Eldridge, Janis Hamilton, Sandra Durham, Gene
Baskin, Debbie Borres, Gary Hammond, & Joel Levy.
I also heard from TJ students from
other classes:
(my sister-in-law) Linda McFadden '75, Brian Hopkins '58, George Taylor '67,
Walter Jones '67, Martha Bodin '69.
Even former
faculty members have pitched in:
Jayne Smith, Hugh
LeBaron, Lionel Rowland, Nancy McClain, & Lavern McMillan. A
couple of moms
have also helped:
Sue Lipe and Yvonne Sutherlin.
Carolyn Bigler Hebert, (wife of our biology
teacher, Mr.
Alfred Hebert), has been a tremendous help. She
is the webmistress of the class of '58's website and has compiled a list of
teachers from several years. Last, but not least, is of course,
Glynn Myers,
(classmate
Loretta LaLonde's husband), who is
ALWAYS helpful at a minute's notice!!!
(I apologize to ANYONE who
has been in touch with information and was left off the list!!!)
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
EXERCISE FOR THOSE OVER 50
(Be sure to ask your
doctor before beginning any exercise program)
-
Begin by standing on a
comfortable surface, where you have plenty of room at each side. With a
5-lb potato sack in each hand, extend your arms straight out from your sides
and hold them there as long as you can. Try to reach a full minute, then
relax.
-
Each day you'll find that
you can hold this position for just a bit longer.
-
After a couple of weeks,
move up to 10-lb potato sacks. Then, try 50-lb sacks. (I'm at this level.)
-
After you feel confident
at that level, put a potato in each of the sacks!
******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Shelley Dettman
(concerning her mom)
Mother was released from the hospital late on Friday, Mar. 28th. She
had to have a feeding tube put in her stomach and still has pneumonia, but
has made improvements in other areas. I am back to work and may never
catch up!!! Thanks to all for their concern and prayers.
sdettman@pngisd.org
Linda Dowling Weldon
Linda made a trip to the ER but is doing better. Please keep her in
your prayers.
lindadweldon@yahoo.com
Laurie Bromley (my niece)
She DID get the job at FIRSTCARE in Round Rock. She said to tell all
of you that she appreciates all the prayers and support that was shown to
her.
lbromley1@gmail.com
Gerry & Teddy Landry (my
sister & brother-in-law)
The doctor put Gerry back on her bi-polar medicine and she has started
feeling much better. Teddy is having physical therapy and home health care.
He is on 2 shots of insulin a day and is doing well as to be expected.
With two bad knees, two bad shoulders, and a stroke that affected his left
side, he is having trouble getting around. Thanks for all your
prayers. Keep them in your thoughts, PLEASE.
150 Blueberry
Bridge City,
TX
77611
Lionel Rowland (history
teacher at TJ)
I met with my doctor at MD Anderson Wednesday, April 9. Since she was
not able to meet with me two weeks ago when I first got the good report,
this was our first meeting since the report. She was elated at the
results. I then told her that I was taking additional medicine.
She looked puzzled until I gave her the five pages of scriptures on healing
and faith that I read through and pray every day. She took them and
said, "That is the ultimate treatment." I had a treatment Wednesday
afternoon and am home and feeling fine.
llrowland@sbcglobal.net
Kent Koerth '66 (Jane
Lippincott's husband)
Kent
had his surgery on April 1st at
Methodist
Hospital in
Houston where they removed about
a foot of his colon. The good news is that his tests have come back
negative for having to have further cancer treatment. Thank you all so
very much for your thoughts and prayers during this time.
kkoerth@gt.rr.com
jlkoerth@gt.rr.com
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
A.J. Judice "the Crazy
Frenchman"
*******************************************************************************************************************************************************************
That is it for this
update. If it hadn't been for the FACULTY SEARCH this last week, I
don't think I would have had enough news to put in the MAIL CALL!!
Please let me hear from you with any kind of news. We need memories,
news, photos, etc. Don't forget to send in $$$$ for reunion tickets.
The information can be found on the front page of the website under REUNION
NEWS/SCHEDULE.
.
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