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Hi again from MOSQUITO HEAVEN (Bridge City)!!!,
I just didn't know how many
breeds of mosquitoes could live together COMFORTABLY in my yard, patio, front
porch, drive-way, mailbox, etc.
Okay, you get my drift. Blame it on Hurricane RITA. She gets the
blame for everything else.
Well, with a lot of
patience and late nights, I THINK I have finally gotten all the addresses and
info back into my NEW computer since the CRASH OF '06. I have not figured
out how to back up my information on disks, yet. So, there is still a
chance that all this work will be for naught. I hope not. Well, on
to the UPDATE.
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MAIL CALL
Dear Friends:
Lest you think that my life is somehow different from yours, here's my real
life:
- we've just moved my 83 year-old mother and all her heart and diabetic
conditions to a retirement home,
- after never working and being married for 32 years,my 62 year old sister has
come under my care here in Amarillo
- I still am Assistant Principal of Instruction at a large high school, and
last but not least
- neither of my children have married and/or given me grandkids
but...for the past week I didn't think about any of that (not much, anyway)
Finding the time to vacation with girlfriends is much like having children:
there's never a right time so just do it! Last night I returned with my
ya-ya sisters, Liz Tieskens Ellis and
Peggy Foster Hoy, from northern California. We slept at a
mansion and then above the pounding surf; we got lost in the city and lost
in the forest--windswept, wayward, and worry-free, for a while we were young.
My daughter's blessing for our trip was: " I wish that when you
return at least one problem will be solved, one heart mended, and you laugh so
hard you pee your pants" We did.
Make excuses to seek out old friends. Like winter days, our memorial list
is getting longer. If you haven't attended a class reunion, start making
plans now. The class of '68 has aged like fine wine.
Not much new here in beautiful downtown Elgin - just enjoying
the small town life. My husband, Paul and I will be celebrating our 24th
anniversary this month and life continues to be good. Hoping to take a
trip somewhere cooler to celebrate. We enjoy visiting historic hotels that
are off the
beaten track - we spent our 20th at The Lodge at Cloudcroft - high on a mountain
in New Mexico. It was beautiful and cool enough for a jacket in the
evening. We dined on a breakfast of grilled rainbow trout and
scrambled eggs while admiring White Sands New Mexico over a hundred miles away.
I attended Clifford's Austin funeral at St. Mary's cathedral.
The service was lovely and the church was filled with many old friends there to
pay their respects to a man with a huge heart. I was fortunate enough to
call CJ my friend for over forty years. I first met him at the football
field at Woodrow Wilson. I was sure that Elvis was visiting Port Arthur
when I saw him. He was such a handsome 13 year old! Beautiful sexy
eyes and a voice that sent chills up the spine of every 13 year old girl who saw
him! We became friends that day - a friendship that lasted until the day
he passed. I will miss my friend. Many of us retired to The
Headliner's club to share memories of our dear friend. It was great to see
so many friends - to share stories and memories of our
friendship, youth and lives. I am sure that Clifford was with us sharing a
laugh, a song and memories. Aren't we fortunate to have such wonderful
memories and good friends to share them with?
I am looking forward to the big 40th reunion. Hard to
wrap my mind around the idea that it has been 40 years since we graduated.
But - so amazing to realize that those of us who grew up in little ol' PA share
such a bond - such memories, and such friendship. When I talk about the
friendships most people are amazed that so many of us have maintained a bond for
so long. I know for sure that I am truly blessed.
I spent July 1st in Kaufman at the Burning Tree
Programs reunion. I still work at Burning Tree Lodge here in
Elgin as a counselor - I celebrated a year of employment there in April. David
Elliott sure does know how to throw a party! The fireworks were
spectacular as usual. The show last over 30 minutes of continuous
explosions and colors! The food and fellowship were great - and - well,
there was a band! I believe that the ranch in Kaufman has been open for 7
years now and we have been open in Elgin for 1 year.
(news of her first grandchild)
He’s here!!! Jackson
Elliott Gill. He was born 7/25/06 @ 3:58 PM – 7 lbs. 14oz. & 19 ¾
inches long. I’ll send pictures soon…he’s definitely a “keeper”!
(This is an update about the
health condition of Tommy Theriot (class of '67). Some of
you will remember Tommy as he was the Student Body President in 1967). He
married Castine Bluestein (class of 69). The following is a note from Tommy:
Greetings.
This note provides an update
on my condition. I continue to heal nicely and regain my strength
following my surgery on June 22. Discussions are ongoing with the doctors
to finalize my radiation and chemo treatment plans. The bad news is
that I am battling an aggressive form of brain cancer; the
good news is that I have a number of factors in my favor—I came through
the surgery in good shape, the tumor removal was successful, improved treatment
methods, and I’m relatively young and in good health. My radiation
treatments will begin on July 10, occurring daily Monday through Friday for six
weeks. Chemo will also take place during and following the radiation, with
additional planning in progress for the chemo. My understanding is
that the most significant side effect is likely fatigue and low energy. All in
all, I remain optimistic, receiving strength from the Good Lord, family,
friends, and a wonderful group of medical professionals. I look forward
to resuming many of my normal activities—on a limited basis—shortlyafter
my treatments get underway. Your prayers and support have meant a lot to
me and my family.
Tom
(The following is an address
for Tommy if you would like to convey your prayers and well-wishes:)
2014 Forest Falls Drive,
Kingwood, TX 77345
I also received
this note about Tommy's condition from his sister-in-law.
Tom did have a malignant brain
tumor removed from behind his left ear. It's gelo blastonma and it's the
type that will come back. He is having radiation and chemotherapy. The
doctors said that 2 years ago there was only a 2% survival and now it's up
to 25%.
(I received this
note after thanking David for sending me several newspaper articles about
Clifford Antone)
Clifford was a cult hero
in Austin. Who would have thought he would be the most famous person in
our class? Busy summer here. Our oldest daughter, Kendra, is in that
special summer before her senior year and our other daughter, Morgan, will be a
freshman. I'm on the school board and my wife, Lee, is starting a new
business. We have 4 dogs and 4 cats. Dogs range from 30 lbs to 90
lbs and all are inside and outside. Kendra returns from a month in Sweden and
today and I have been out-of-town 3 of the last 4 weeks. Crazy summer, but life
is not boring.
I have just been diagnosed with prostrate cancer. It has been caught
early. My PSA was not high at 4.3 but it had changed from 3.2 in three
months. The urologist could not feel anything and a biopsy was done.
Of the 10 core samples taken, one had the cancer. The local urologist
recommended open surgery because that is what he does. I went to
Vanderbilt University medical center for a second opinion. Basically, they
agreed with biopsy results although they are going to have their
pathologist read the slide as they have a few times had the diagnoses
changed.
I have elected to have the robotic assisted prostratectomy procedure
done. The surgeon that I have chosen is world renowned and does 9 to 11 of
these surgeries every week. His schedule is so full that the earliest that
I could have the surgery in November 1st. The doctors are not concerned
with the timing as they say that I have been diagnosed so early that I could
wait a year and it would still be a 100% chance that I would be cured of the
cancer. With the robotic procedure, I will be in the hospital for
only one night and will have the catheter removed in 7 days.
I am coming to Port Arthur next Monday to visit my
mother and sister. My mother is beginning to go down hill and I am not
sure how much longer she will be able to stay in her house.
Please feel free to use the email in the update. All of our fellow male
graduates should be sure to have a PSA test run at least once a year.
n my case, it was not the PSA number, but the change in the number that
indicated the cancer. If my internist had not been very conservative, then
the
cancer probably would not have been found until perhaps it had spread further.
I am completely confident that I will be cancer free after the surgery.
By the way, I also have my first grandchild. It
is a boy and is now six months old. What a pleasure to have him in our
lives.
(An update from Linda about this topic....My husband, Murphy(class of
67) was diagnosed with prostate cancer in May of '05. After
surgery, he is now cancer-free due to EARLY DETECTION.) Take note,
guys!!!)
Nelwyn Comeaux Blanchette (married classmate Charles Blanchette) in
Kingston Springs, TN nelwynb@aol.com
Believe me it is hot here, not like there, but, thank God for our pool on
days like today. We go to Texas often, but try to avoid the summer months.
Although we did return from Texas on June 11th, & really makes us appreciate
this weather. Humidity is so high there. Have one daughter in
Houston, & she loves it.
The only classmate I stay in touch with from high school is Joyce
(Marceaux) Abate. But, that happens when one has been away
as long as
we have. I often think of some the old classmates & wonder where they are
& what they are all up to. God has blessed us with 2 gorgeous daughters,
one is an atty in Houston, & the other is a nurse practioner in KS married
with 2 gorgeous children. One is 2 yrs old and the other is 5 weeks old.
The daughter in Houston is not married. She just hasn't found Mr. Right
yet, & really doesn't seem to be in a hurry.
My brother who is now an invalid, had a major stroke last Dec and now
lives in Vidor. So, this is one of the reasons we go at least every 3
months.
Sounds like you have a great vacation lined up. I prefer staying
inside the states. We have traveled so much, that we both really
are so tired of flying. Charles retired in 99', & we bought an RV,
which we trade in about every 3 years. Our most recent was last summer, &
they are just so nice & so fun. We use it about twice a month.
Less in winters. . I enjoy staying home in summer more, due to swimming
& just sunbathing, I will never get too old for that! Don't care for
people to see me in a suit, so my backyard makes it all ok!
(Nelwyn, there are a lot of us that feel that way...Hee Hee)
Hot dog days of summer here. Our youngest son,Clay, goes back to SMU in two
weeks (time to get back after a summer at home and not as much freedom!)
He has been working as an assistant at the Waco Cardiology lab for summer. Luke,
our middle child and his new fiancee are thinking about wedding
plans probably next summer in Chicago. Our oldest daughter and her new
husband of a year are located outside of San Antonio. Gary is working too
hard as usual. We are going to Washington, DC in October for a hospital
convention. We are getting a new roof. The other one was damaged by a major
storn in Waco in May. (Hey, Jody. We all know
about new roofs here in SE TEXAS!!) We are
trying to keep up with everything, praying for the world
situation, and that no hurricanes come this year for mainland USA., & all
other problems everyone has and hoping for cool air sooooonnn!!!!!!
We are doing well. Everyone's damage from the hurricane is finally
fixed in our family. Hope this year we have a "quiet" weather season.
(Ernie sends me some really cute e-mail messages. Thank you
Ernie!)
Hello! from San Antonio. We could use some rain here. It has
been a dry spring and summer. Worse yet, now it's HOT. Hope
you are well and that your computer is
doing better.
I received the following letter in the US Mail (imagine that)!
It came after I made phone contact to a classmate that we hadn't
"FOUND" since
the 10 year reunion. Of course, our own PI, Glynn Myers, found her living
right here in Port Arthur!
Dear Linda,
Hello, how are you? I was so glad you called. All
these years-what a blessing-
My husband and I have been married 27 years. We
have 4 children all grown. We have 4 grandkids. I was in nursing (CNA) as
a medication aide and private sitting. I was a cashier-manager.
Then, I stopped working to take care of the kids and my husband who has
epilepsy. I was a church secretary, Sunday school teacher (over the
Children's church). I am the secretary of Woodmen Lodge 6192 in PA.
I send cards and letters out to different people. That is part of my
ministry. I send out over 250 cards at Christmas time. We send care
bags to Cypress Glen Nursing Home. People bring me clothes and I wash and
dry it. I give it out and I have a friend that goes to Mexico and brings
the clothes there, also.
I was wondering about Marilyn S. Blanks,
Sharon Faye Hebert, Robert C. Hickson, Sharon Smith, Kathy Van Slyke, & Nancy
Jowell.
Goodbye for now and God Bless,
Love in Christ, Dianna Caillier Lewis
Talking to Dianna brought back so many fond memories. One
of my favorites was about our homeroom class. Yes, we were in MR.
LIONEL ROWLAND'S homeroom AKA "the MAFIA". We had the
famous "Golden Toe LaGrappe" in there and we blew
away the competion for BEST POSTERS EACH AND EVERY WEEK during football season
THREE YEARS RUNNING~. Fun times!!!
I also heard from the following classmates since the last UPDATE of
July 8, 2006:
Danny Landry in LaBelle, Gail Wilson Felker in
Williamsburg, VA, Steve Wentworth in Humble, Gilsey
Viator Campion in Austin, Jude Arisco in Temple, Norma
Guidry Rose in Breaux Bridge, LA, Mike Soileau in
Atlanta, TX, Loretta LaLonde Myers, Glenda Patin,
& John Wilson in Houston, Roy Dale Birkelbach
in Hitchcock, David Elliott in Elgin, Laura Meece Darby
in Round Rock, Jane Lippincott Koerth, Susan Hatfield
Miguez, and Lyn Frasier Lee in Port Neches, Janice
Hebert Boudreaux in Kingwood, and Robert
McClintock and Bobby Williamson in Port Arthur.
A few more items:
Carl Bodin and Martha Lipe Bodin(class of 69)
of Bridge City celebrated their 38th anniversary on July 15!!! And to
think "they" said it wouldn't last!!! Hee Hee. Linda
Blakley Rindlishbacher of Oroville, CA and Mike Lawson
in West Columbia shared pics of their precious granddaughters. Paul
Colletti of Fort Worth is out and about in Italy with about
20 friends and family!! Bill Richey retired from Huntsman
June 1st and is spending time helping out at Aldersgate Methodist Church and
looking forward to building a new home in Bridge City. His "older"
brother, AKA Dr.Tillman Richey (vet extraordinaire), is
still busy at Groves Vet. Check him out if you need great care for your
pets!!! (Send the check in the mail, Tillman) :-). I ran into Peggy
Edwards Hatfield of Pt. Neches while shopping at Lowe's. We tried
to catch up on 18 years (since the 20th class reunion) while standing in the
aisle. I also shared dinner at Olive Garden with Linda Dowling
Weldon of Pt. Neches (her brother-in-law is our classmate, David
Weldon).
Send in e-mails or snail mails so that I can include them in the next UPDATE.
As I always say, "You are what makes the UPDATE worth having."
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WEBSITES OF INTEREST
I received word from Beverly Copeland Gaspard in Pt.
Neches that Butch McWilliams from Dallas received a very
prestigious award from his company. Check it out:
David Williams is the executive director of the TEXAS STATE
CENTER FOR SAFE COMMUNITIES & SCHOOLS (includes the DARE program). His
website is www.cscs.txstate.edu
He works at the Texas State University-San Marcos campus.
Send us YOUR work or hobby websites so that we can check it out.
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HELP REQUESTED
The class of '66 is planning their reunion the first weekend of
October, 2006. The commitee sent me an e-mail requesting help. This
is the message I received:
We're trying to run a reunion here, and the
folks below are nowhere to be found. I'll bet you know some of them and where
they are. Pass the word to them that we'd like to give them their deserved
reunion invitation. They can refuse,but at least they get the chance to refuse.
The list is:
Joan Lemoine Siragusa
David Gaston
Mary Jane Duplantis Nance
Ronald Comeaux
Ricky Nance
Wayne Dubois
Walter Ransom
Geroge Denison
James Atkins
Dale Schroeder Gordon
David Adams
David Seelke
Debbie Distefano Scott
Donna Wiggins
Linda Johnson Sexton
Martha Neel Johnson
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EMAIL CHANGES AND ADDITIONS
CHANGES
ADDITIONS
Gardner John Clark
Gene Baskin
Allen Baldridge
Nelwyn Comeaux
Paul Colletti
Charles Blanchette
Norma Guidry
Larry Dubose
Leonard Hilliard
Jack Catalina
Contact me if you would like an e-mail address list or spreadsheet.
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CONDOLENCES
Leo Foreman
Jeanne Painton Cain
Sharon Gary Peters
(loss of his mom) (loss
of her dad)
(loss of her dad)
4648 Gulf St. 15975
County RD 30
150 Greentree Dr.
Groves, TX 77619
Delores, CO 81323
Lumberton, TX 77676
(409)962-9592 (409)755-6591
Jonnye Dee Doering Williamson Christine
Crochet Wramp
(loss of her mom, step-mom, & brother in the last few months)
(loss of her brother, "Boonie"
4608 Alamosa
PO Box 1268
Pt. Arthur, TX 77642
Bremerton, WA 98337
PLEASE CONTACT THE ABOVE CLASSMATES WITH YOUR COMFORTING WORDS AND
SUPPORT. IT MAY BE JUST WHAT THEY NEED AT THAT MOMENT.
from Betty Bernauer:
I feel so much relief that my mom is in
heaven and not living the life that had been left to her. It has been really
great to see how many
friends of my parents have rallied around my dad and us.
from Susan Antone:
Hey Linda - I hate to see my
brother's name on the class of '68 deceased list, but I appreciate you
keeping me up to snuff w/ your class and classmates. Please keep in touch
w/ me. Get in touch if you are
ever coming this way.
CONTACT ME IF YOU WOULD LIKE THE LIST OF OUR 52 DECEASED CLASSMATES.
Memorial DVDs are available:
This is a 45 minute presentation of the deceased class members prepared by our
own Mike Lawson. The cost is $9.00
Contact:
Mike Lawson
2119 Twin Lakes Blvd.
West Columbia, TX 77486
(979)345-5901
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I have spent the last two weeks LEARNING how to work on a spreadsheet.
Jonnye Dee Doering Williamson and her classmate husband,
Bobby Williamson, made the spreadsheet for all of the classmates for
the 35th reunion. Due to their increased hectic schedules and duties, they
have passed it on to me and Beverly Copeland Gaspard.
Beverly graciously has answered question after question (many of them EXACTLY
the same as the day before)! The master list will be for the reunion
committee to work from while organizing the 40th reunion in 2008!!! Please
contact me if you have a change of address, or e-mail change. Also, send
me other classmates' names that would like to be added to our UPDATE mailing
list. There are now 208 names on the present list.
I am THRILLED. I guess it doesn't take much to make me happy!
Take care and keep in touch,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
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