TJ Class of '68     NEWSLETTER                                                           07/19/09    

 

Rain, oh glorious RAIN!  At least we had 15 minutes of it.  Hope there is more to come.   

MAIL CALL

from Elizabeth Hall in Lubbock
I guess you will be able to tell about how long it has been since an update by me starting by apologizing for not attending the reunion.  My husband, John, and I spent two great weeks in Scotland--cruising the lochs and playing golf and generally just enjoying the beauty and culture.  We ate haggis and loved it.  Last school year I left my administrative duties as Senior Vice Provost and Chief of Staff to the Provost (TTU) and returned to the classroom.  It was an adjustment but our students are really great and I was glad to be interacting with them again.  I supervised student teachers in Biology and Chemistry and being in the high schools was an eye opener.  My husband is the Dean of Agriculture and we both plan to work for two more years.  I may not make it that long but he is really invested in a few projects that the college has planned (including a new building for Plant and Soil Sciences) so I doubt if we can pry him away before that.  My sister Dot and her husband Peter Bell live in Nederland and were lucky with the hurricane damage but have since moved to a new house.  My mother, now 91, lives with her and they live next door to Dorothy's son and three (of 8) grandchildren.  I was there for a few days in June and realized that I could no longer endure the humidity.  My best to everyone and thanks for all the information you share.
 

from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
Well, I'm now in my second week of retirement; so far, so good.  At first I felt like I was on vacation and should be accomplishing something every day; I'm happy to report that feeling passed quickly and now I just feel like I have been given the gift of unlimited time.  It's such a wonderful feeling to know that there's always a day of leisure around the corner.  July is shaping up to be rather busy, but I'm enjoying the opportunity to do things I didn't have time for before.  I'm keeping my cousin's kids (8 and 11) some during the summer, plus I got to meet Janette Light Norton and Sharon Lewis Forrest for lunch today in downtown Houston.  That was sooo much fun.  We laughed and laughed and a couple of times were those people at the next table that you resent/envy because they're having more fun than you.  Yay for us.  We're planning to do it again in August. 

I'm having my retirement luncheon on July 24th at a great restaurant here in Houston called Maggiano's.  ExxonMobil has a very nice policy still for retirement celebrations, and I'm having about 40 people.  My brother is retiring July 31 from Honeywell in Orange and, as he says, doesn't even get two tacos at Jack in the Box.   

We're getting some rain as I sit here typing, and that is a welcome sound indeed.  Hope it lasts a while.  We could sure use it. 

from Dick James in Nacogdoches
Really hot in East Texas today.  104 in the shade at 2:00 pm.  It's so dry the trees are chasing the dogs around.  I saw two catfish with signs that said, "Will work for water."  My wife, Cathy, still wants to mow.  Maybe she'll kill the grass and we won't have to cut it anymore.  Why do we water it?  Just let it die.  Saves water and gas AND sweat.   

Our oldest daughter, Julie, got married June 16th.  Such a pretty bride.  Our youngest, Robyn, is taking rufuge in the cool blue north.  She works summers at a theatre camp for high school aged kids in up-state NY.  She said yesterday it was "real hot" at 82.  She does that just to get to Dad.  Is it really work if you have that much fun? 

Cathy said yesterday she only has one more month before school starts. She rubs it in every morning as I trot myself off to work. That’s OK, only 75 days left ‘til deer season. Maybe it will be down in the 90’s by then. Only two seasons in East Texas , Deer season and “hot as hell."  

from Gerald Broussard TJ '63
This is information about a website that many might not know about.  www.tjyellowjackets.ning.com   I think you will like what they are doing on it. The TJ/PNG/Bishop Byrne alumni party at Larry's French Market in Groves has been scheduled for Sept. 26th.  Mark your calendars.  Go to 
www.larrysfrenchmarket.com for the updates.  The website also includes past get-togethers. 

from Ernie Castaneda Bullion in Pt. Arthur
The buyer's paperwork was just completed & we signed the papers on our home in Port Arthur yesterday. So, now, we sign papers on the Lumberton home , then  the movers come!!!!!!!!!! Yea!!!!!!!! Finally!! I was worried we would have to lug these packed boxes all over Texas if we waited too much longer & a hurricane comes!! So, we are finally starting to see the light at the end of the tunnel!!! 

(Well, it is about time!  I was beginning to think you would never move to Lumberton.) 

from Kim Weixel
I was an exchange student in Japan with Debbie Boatright Class of 1970. There is not a 1970 graduate website. We were in Japan for the moon landing. Any help would be  appreciated. 

210.364.4397 also at dofferw@yahoo.com  

*************************************************************************

JULY 4th CELEBRATION in TUPELO

Murphy and I spent quality time at Lynn Eldridge Gill's ranch home in Tupelo, (outside of Corsicana), with classmates Jude Arisco and Gail Wilson Felker.  We were finally able to meet Gail's husband that we prayed for last year while in Iraq, Lt. Col. Ross Felker.  It was nice to have a military man with us celebrating our COUNTRY'S glorious 4th of July holiday.  It made it extra special.  Gail and Ross are now stationed closer in Shreveport, LA since transferring from Virginia.  They are very thankful for all who prayed for his safe return.  *************************************************************************

A "THANK YOU" BRUNCH

Bill Richey and his wife Rhonda (Carleton) '70,  hosted a brunch to say "thank you" to many of their friends who helped them recover from the devastation of IKE!  They had only been in their BRAND SPANKING NEW HOME 10 months when Ike paid a visit.  Well, it is beautiful again.  Rhonda prepared a delicious brunch served in a lovely inviting home outside of Bridge City limits.  I was able to hug on their 3 month old baby twin grandsons and also enjoy their older granddaughters.  I'm still wondering WHY Murphy and I were invited, though.  We sure didn't help them get back on their feet.  On the contrary, Rhonda was a shoulder for me to cry on many times during that "crazy" period.  She seemed to always have it together.  Thanks for being there for Murphy and I when we really needed it.

*************************************************************************

Class of '69 40th REUNION

Classmate, Paula Daigle Sheppard, and I were asked to work the door for the '69 reunion held July 18th at the Holiday Inn in Port Arthur.  It sure wasn't "work".  For me, it was SELFISH.  I had many friends from the class "below" us (especially my band friends).  I saw so many and enjoyed reminiscing with them (as long as my hoarse voice could take it.) A lot of laughter and revelry could be heard coming from the ball room.  It reminded me of ours just a year ago.  We had so many to come back to the door and ask if they could find out an address or e-mail of someone they wished to stay in touch with.  Isn't that the whole point?  

Some of OUR own classmates were present.  I visited with Homer Torres, Robbie Greig, and Robert McClintock.  I gave Homer some "grief" since he doesn't come to ours but does go to his wife's reunion.  He is married to Juanita Ramirez!  He just smiled his HOMER-SMILE!  I also saw siblings of our classmates including Fred Hollier's brother, Paul , Alvin Jones' brother, Dwight , Marilyn Harriman's sister, Jane, Jimmy Schexnayder's sister, Kay, and Jennie Haven's sister, Kitty  

Mike Bourg '69, asked me to contact Irene Protas, Linda Blanton, Delilah Holman and Betty Bernauer.  He would like to hear from them. You can contact him at mjbourg@hotmail.com  Sorry that my dear friend, Joe Breaux wasn't able to attend. I did get to have a nice chat with Dwight Wagner.  He is a great community leader and esteemed educator for the PAISD and an excellent example of what TJ did RIGHT!!!  (Check out my next section on EDUCATORS  below.  I bet Dwight would be on many students' list that have been lucky enough to have had him in their lives.) 

Kudos to Sue Ingo Simon (chairman) and co-chair Sally Smith Spell for heading up a very successful reunion.  Now, take your well-deserved rest.

************************************************************************* 

EDUCATORS WHO MADE A DIFFERENCE IN MY LIFE

I can narrow my favorite teachers of my lifetime to three:  one in elementary, one in junior high, and one in high school. 

I was saddened to read the obituary of a former elementary teacher and mentor in my life.  Mrs. Velma Lequeux was the first "coach" that I ever had.  She taught PE at Travis Elementary.  I loved PE.  No, I LOVED PE.  I wanted to be an elementary PE teacher from my earliest memories because of her.  I even received a "whistle" for a birthday gift from my parents one year so that I could be like a coach.  Even though I loved all my PE coaches over the years in junior high and high school, I never saw myself as a coach of anything but for the little ones.  No, I didn't see my dream come through.  I did become an elementary teacher, but not the coach.  I guess it was for the best since I lost my ability to speak loudly when I had thyroid cancer surgery in 1980 which resulted in a paralyzed vocal cord.  Coaches seem to NEED that VOICE!  

My junior high all-time favorite was Mr. Malcolm Lequeux.  I missed his obituary in June (I was out of town that weekend) and noticed that he died just a month before his wife, Mrs. Velma Lequeux.  I was very active in student council and activities at Woodrow Wilson JH and Mr. Lequeux was my hero.  He was there for every problem or craziness that I could get involved with.  I adored him as someone that I could look up to, be friends with, and get help from.  He always had a smile and a kind word.  His obituary tells about his life that spilled over to being someone that everyone must have been happy to be around.  I know I was.   

Of course, if you are an avid reader of my NEWSLETTER, then you must already know who my High School favorite was!  Of course, Mr. Lionel Rowland.  I have previously written about him in the I REMEMBER WHEN section of our website.  Check it out if you are interested.  THANKS, MR. ROWLAND, for all you have been to students in your many years of teaching.   

Now, let us hear memories of your favorites.

************************************************************************* 

SUPPORT 

from Susan Friedl Davis in Livingston
She asks that we please add her husband, Benny Davis to our prayer list.  He has been diagnosed with prostate cancer and is scheduled for surgery July 21. 
 

131 Holly Throw Rd.
Livingston
, TX 77351

(936)967-0044 
susied@eastex.net
 

UPDATE on Sandy Ellis after getting a hip replacement
Well, I'm home, all doped up, staying cool, and being grateful. I am blessed to have amazing family, friends, pet, and co-workers.  Come on out to Elgin and sit on the back porch, or in the air conditioner, run some errands, eat some meat, etc.  I miss you ALL-lovely friends like you, all-who love me and care for me and mine!  Come on out and visit-enjoy some laughs, bring some food, (I'll pay you back when I can get around again. You might just get some fresh tomatoes, mozzerella, basil, garlic, and lemon salad.) YUMMY

1129 N Ave. C 
Elgin
, TX 78621

(512)285-5022
sandymac811@sbcglobal.net

************************************************************************

CONDOLENCES

Deaths of two faculty members 

Mr. Malcolm Lequeux  obituary

Mrs. Velma Lequeux  obituary

*************************************************************************

Enough for now.  Thanks to all that contributed photos, mail, and news items.  Please support those mentioned and WRITE me now BEFORE you forget.                                   

                                 Take care and contact a long-lost friend,
                                  Linda DeCuir McFadden
                                  lindasuemcfadden@sbcglobal.net
                                  www.tjhs1968.com



.

         
    index     back to top