10/8/24

MAIL CALL
from Jude Arisco in Temple, TX (Aug. 16)
Cindy and I just finished a much-needed cruise to Alaska while celebrating our 50th wedding anniversary. Cindy is doing well and involved with grandkids and their activities that range from sports to theatre to dance. Our prayers go out to all those who are dealing with health issues. We are doing well.
judearisco@att.net

from Sharon Lewis Forrest in Nederland, TX
I've been busy traveling with my kiddos and granddaughter in the last year. In June of 2023, I traveled to Switzerland with my daughter, Michelle, and son-in-law, Brendan. Brendan grew up for many years in Lausanne, Switzerland. He planned the entire trip, including flights, hotels and train trips between the various cities we visited. This was the first time he had been back to Switzerland since he was a teenager. He was able to reunite and spend time with many of the friends he grew up with. I was able to revisit some of the places we visited when we lived in Germany in the 1970's. In September 2023 I accompanied my granddaughter, Jacquelyn, to Hamburg, Germany, where she was attending a conference on research dealing with Batten Disease. I spent my days sightseeing around Hamburg and brushing up on my very rusty German!!! And there may have been some German beer and weiner schnitzels consumed! In June of this year, I traveled with my son, Chris, and daughter-in-law, Lynn, to Rome, Paris, Normandy and several cities in Germany. We had a wonderful time, even though at times I thought my legs were actually going to fall off! But I powered through and was able to keep up pretty well!!! Once again, I was able to revisit so many places we had enjoyed when we lived in Germany.
All three of these trips were fantastic, made even more wonderful by the fact that I was able to experience them with my kids and granddaughter! I have been so very blessed.
Many of you are aware that in 2021 my great granddaughter, Isla Edwards, was diagnosed with CLN3 Batten Disease. Isla is now almost 11 years old and is doing very well. At this point, she has lost most of her vision, but has not developed any of the other devastating things that almost all Batten children suffer from (loss of motor skills, dementia, etc).
Thank you to all who have inquired about her condition and prayed for her. I am grateful for your continued prayers. If you would like to know more about Isla and her fight against Batten Disease, please join her facebook group, Isla's Faith: Isla Edwards' Fight Against CLN3 Batten Disease https://www.facebook.com/groups/3115234995372649
sharonaforrest50@gmail.com

from Charles Cramer in Clinton, NY
I always stop what I am doing when I see that you and Mike post a new update on the website. My wife, Patti, is still doing her thing on QVC with LockNLock. I can't believe that we have been doing that for 23 years. During COVID we had to broadcast live from our home kitchen. That was a bit too much. Now Patti works behind the scenes mostly on logistics and new product development, so she is not on air as much. I'm retired from IBM, so I help her out occasionally, usually with the technical stuff. I spend most of my time volunteering at the local VFW post and taking some of our elderly Vets to their doctor appointments. The kids are doing well. My son is still in Port Neches, the older daughter just got her Masters in Occupational Health and Safety and moved to Colorado, the younger got her Masters in Education and is living in Vermont. My first grandchild, Allie, graduated from Lamar with the same Environmental Science degree that I got from Lamar 50 years ago! Her grade point average was much better than mine! This summer's garden was incredible. Lots of produce for the family and the neighbors. Leaf season is happening now so I'm heading up to the Adirondacks to chase some fish with friends. When my grandson came up to visit this summer, all he wanted to see was waterfalls and mountains. He couldn't believe the natural beauty of Upstate New York.
insightcdc@aol.com
(I previously sent a message to Charlie asking him if his wife still sold LockNLock on QVC. Thanks for sending a MAIL CALL to get us caught up.)

WEATHER RELATED NOTES
from Dianna Caillier Lewis in PA
I had a tornado touch down very near my back window this summer. The wind was very scary. I had a little damage but it could have been worse. There was some damage a couple of streets over in downtown PA.

from Jude Arisco in Temple, TX
(Aug. 16)
Our Alaskan cruise was a distraction as we have been dealing with tornado damage at our house in Temple from back in May, and hurricane Beryl damage at the Sargent, TX house in July. We feel blessed as we are only dealing with new roofs and other minor damages. Some folks in Temple lost their homes and businesses. The same folks at the coast lost cars, roofs, possessions, etc. I worked in Temple with Samaritans Purse for a while helping people with clean up and volunteered at the coast helping neighbors with their clean up. I am now ready for my next job as either a tree limb remover, roof patcher, pressure washer and general gofer.
judearisco@att.net

OUR HEARTS GO OUT TO ALL WHO ARE DEALING WITH THE AFTERMAST OF HURRICANE HELENE!
The states involved were Florida, Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, Tennesee and Virginia. Classmates listed in those states are:
FLORIDA
Trisha Chisum Bryant – Tallahassee
Christy Dodge Young – Destin
Peggy Foster Hoyt – Jacksonville
Delilah Holman Ivey – Ocala
Barbara King Ringgold – Naples
Joan Moras Carter – St. Petersburg
Robert Veal – Orlando
GEORGIA
(none listed on my spreadsheet)
NORTH CAROLINA
Paulette Duplan Brown – Asheville
Sandra Nicks Kelly – Rutherfordton
SOUTH CAROLINA
Mary Cortez Tomes – Galivants Ferry
TENNESEE
Charles Blanchette – Kingston Springs
Nelwyn Comeaux Blanchette – Kingston Springs
Lester Boehme – Murfreesboro
Clarence Larry – Memphis
VIRGINIA
Westergard “West” Nielsen, Jr. - Fairfax
If you know of any other classmates that have been in the path, please let us know. PRAYERS

WEBSITE DONATIONS
from Sherry Clingan Armentor to use toward expenses for maintaining the website
from Linda DeCuir McFadden in memory of Molly Williams and Mikey Varing

IRS WOES (Maybe your laugh for the day)
Linda Gothia took Bart Darby’s place as treasurer of our TJ ’68 reunion committee. But, being so busy with being a caregiver for her parents, she resigned. Sharon Lewis Forrest generously “volunteered” to take over being the treasurer of our class reunion committee checking account when we were involved in planning the 55th reunion in 2022-2023. Bart Darby had been our treasurer for umpteen years! Since he lived in Katy and was helping being a caretaker of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Meece (Laura’s mom), he had to drop out of being a committee member. Bart always did the tax returns. Sharon took over this year filing the tax return. She called Bart, got the scoop and followed what he had done all those years. Easy Peesy, you think? The taxes due were a whopping $0.69!!!!! Yes, I had to write a check for under a dollar to the IRS. Well, we get a letter back stating we have to send an AMENDED return because we left out a “4626 ALTERNATIVE MINIMUM TAX FORM” that was required! So, poor Sharon had to spend time on the phone more than once with IRS agents. It became a SNAFU because this time was the FIRST year they added a box that needed to have a “YES” in it. Bart’s returns always had a “NO” in each box. By not noticing and putting a “NO” in the NEW box, we were considered a CORPORATION that has assets in the BILLIONS…. $1,000,000,000+ How funny! But, the IRS cashed the check for $0.69. They have priorities. Sorry, Sharon. She is probably sorry she “volunteered”!!!!! We love you for figuring this out. I would hate for our classmates to have to visit us in prison! HAHA

MINI REUNION LUNCHEON
November 9, 2024
Sombrero’s Mexican Restaurant
2095 US 69
(access road)
Nederland, TX 77627
Noon (visiting before ordering lunch)
If you are able and remember, please bring a canned good for the SOUP KITCHEN in PA donated from our class of ’68. We will have a box available at the luncheon. RSVP Marilyn Jackson (409) 474-9209 marilynsjw@yahoo.com or Paula Daigle Sheppard (409)718-7880 paulasheppard1949@gmail.com
When responding, please tell us if you are bringing a guest. Any others who would like to come are welcome.
The last time we went there a few years back, we had 45+ say they were coming and 25 showed up and the management was VERY IRATE because they had hired extra staff. So, please respond but ALSO contact us in advance if you need to CANCEL. We will give the management an estimate about 3-4 days in advance. Thanks for understanding.

Those who have contacted us as of Oct. 5th:
Jim Snoek
Jane Lippincott
Sherry Clingan
Ruelle Parker and Lana
Lana Weber
Linda DeCuir
Darlene Turner & Ronnie
Jan Russell
Loretta LaLonde & Glynn
Linda Carlsen
Jeanette Constantine & Dennis
Florence “Sissie” Woods
Mary Wells
Joyce Marceaux & Ronnie
Diane Barker
Marilyn Jackson
Gaylon Jones & Cheryl
Jonnye Dee Doering
Bobbie Williamson
Lana Oliver
Pat Trahan
Sharon Lewis
Rebecca Harrison
David Petit Felicia Hiatt
Chrissy Dupuis
Paula Daigle
Dale Guidry & Anna

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Murphy and I have a busy October. We are finally headed on a ROAD TRIP. We really haven’t been on a vacation since the COVID shutdown. So, next weekend starts our adventure. We are first going to College Station on Friday, Oct.12. First stop is Mr. G’s Pizzeria where we will have our youngest Aggie granddaughter serve us. We haven’t been there since Drew began working there. We are looking forward to it. Besides being a server, she has painted the wall, made up a sign and worked on designing the menu. She is a sophomore visualization major at A&M. Then, we will visit Murphy’s cousin in Bryan and then check into THE STELLA hotel for a family gathering for our oldest granddaughter’s SENIOR RING celebration weekend. We will all gather at Koppee Bridge, a hamburger joint, for dinner Friday night and continue to visit at the hotel bar afterwards. On Saturday morning Bailey and her boyfriend, Trey Cloud, will have their Senior Ring ceremony and then lunch. Now, Murphy and I will need to leave early and miss their traditional RING DUNK in big mugs of beer on Saturday night. We already had tickets at Ford Park Arena for the comedian, Gabriel “Fluffy” Iglesias, when they set the date of the ceremony. Bright and early Sunday morning (5:30 am, ugh) we will head out for the rest of our vacation. We are finally going to the OK Corral in Tombstone, AZ. We decided to see where Wyatt Earp had his famous SHOOT OUT. We will be staying at a working Dude Ranch called Tombstone Monument Ranch located 2 ½ miles from Tombstone. The ranch itself is built in the image of an Old West town. When in Tombstone, I hope to take the Stagecoach tour. A stagecoach ride has always been on my bucket list as is a western shootout reenactment. After staying in Tombstone for two days and nights we will continue on our road trip ending at a Fondren appointment in Houston on October 22 in Houston. Then, home sweet home. Our vacation will be from October 11- Oct. 22 if my neuropathy doesn’t act a fool to make us shorten it. Wish me luck.

SUPPORT
Carole Oubre Reeves
Pancreatic cancer
Carole.reeves@att.net
6536 Jefferson
Groves, TX 77619

Johnny Vasquez
Dementia
4546 Springdale
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Diane Barker Foreman
Several serious health issues
dianebforeman@gmail.com

Dianna Caillier and Robert Lewis
Health issues. Also, Robert is in an assisted living with dementia and seizures.
912 E. 6th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Charline Valenciano Allen
Assisted living facility dealing with dementia
Jhargrave77@yahoo.com
8695 Medical Center Blvd.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Lana Parker (wife of Ruelle Parker)
Treatments for breast cancer
Wparker423@aol.com
6821 32nd St.
Groves, TX 77619

Felicia Hiatt Petit
(Aug. 17)
Well, yesterday I had a TEE Procedure (transesophageal echocardiogram) done as preparation for an Atrial fibrillation (AFib) ablation. The TEE procedure was not too bad, I went night, night and I was done. They were checking to make sure I didn't have any blood clots in my heart. They said I was good to go. The worst part, as I'm sure some of you know, is the waiting and waiting. Next, on Monday they will do the ablation. The ablation is a procedure that treats irregular heartbeats by creating scars in the heart using heat or cold energy. The scars block faulty signals that cause AFib by preventing them from passing through the heart. Hoping this will stop all my weird heartbeats. Not looking forward to it, but it's necessary.
(Aug. 20)
I want to thank all my family and friends that sent prayers my way yesterday for my ablation procedure. It was a long day, but everything went well. The preparation is the worst part...at least for me. The waiting, waiting, waiting drives me crazy. Trying to find a vein for the IV is always a challenge. Finally, back in the OR they wired me for sound with pads/leads all over my back and chest. Finally, it's night, night-time and I wake up in recovery. Had to be on my back for 2 hours, then home...yeah!! It's so wonderful to have my friends thinking about me while going through something this scary (for me at least). Thanks again...love you all.
texteach@yahoo.com
3008 Cambridge Meadows Ln.
Dickinson, TX 77539

Charlie Fontenot
(Sept. 6)
I had my Prostate surgery back in March of 2023. Almost to the year, in March of 2024, there was an increase in numbers from labs. I watched for a few follow ups and they tripled. We followed this with test and Pet Scans, finding cancer in Lymph Nodes on both sides of where prostate was removed. I started hormonal therapy with injections to stomach. Then, I started with a daily pill and a 3-month infusion which will last for 18 months, along with this will be 35 sessions of radiation to begin on Sept.16th. So, that will be 5 days a week for 7 weeks at MD Anderson. I have been so ready to get this started but could not start radiation treatments until certain numbers were met. So, that's it in a nutshell, but looking forward to kicking Cancers Ass!
cajunfont@aol.com
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Eddy (husband of Jean Hebert Ornelas)
Triple heart by-pass
Ornelas.jean@gmail.com
3318 Whispering Way Dr.
Richmond, TX 77406

Linda Louise Davis Fitzgerald
Knee replacement
Lfitzpatrick13@gmail.com

CONDOLENCES
CLASSMATES Gone too soon

Molly Williams Norris
1/21/50 – 8/13/24
Family of Molly Williams Norris
6218 Pat Ave.
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Michael “Mikey” Varing
7/26/49 – 9/2/24
Family of Mike Varing
749 Queen’s Court
Port Arthur, TX 77642

FACULTY DEATHS
Ruth McGlothlin
6/1/40 – 11/5/20

Alfred “Al” Hebert
9/3/37 – 9/19/24
Cbhebert2006@out.com
Carolyn Bigler Hebert
603 Hollybrook Apt. 83
Longview, TX 75605

FAMILY OF CLASSMATES
Robert Weldon (TJ ’66)
10/18/47 – 9/13/24
(husband of Linda Dowling)
Lweldon50@gmail.com
210 S. Reid St.
Woodville, TX 75979
(brother of David Weldon)
Dwweldon50@gmail.com
404 Cozby St. S
Benbrook, TX 76126

Norbert “Blackie” Hebert
4/17/27 – 9/12/24
(father of Jimmy Hebert)
Hebert340@windstream.net
436 Tall Timbers
Burkeville, TX 75932

There is a lot of information for you in this newsletter. I was so happy to get mail to add to MAIL CALL!!! THANKS. Don’t read this newsletter without jotting down important info needed to contact an old friend. You KNOW how special that can be to that person. You more than likely been on the other end. I appreciate all of you that helped me with info to add to my newsletter.

Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
lindaDmcfadden@yahoo.com
www.tjhs1968.com