3/9/25

MAIL CALL
from Cherlyn Hebert in Houston
The week before Christmas, my sister Nancy Schmidt (class of ’72) and her daughter Jennifer Schmidt accompanied me to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge TN to celebrate my 75thbirthday on December 20th. None of us had ever been there before. Our first plan had been to split the week between Asheville NC and Gatlinburg; but after Hurricane Helene devastated Asheville, we had to rearrange our travel plans and moved everything to Gatlinburg for the whole week. We were all real sad to have to skip Asheville, especially since we already had two-day tickets to the Biltmore estate. But supposedly, if we ever get to go to Asheville, we can re-book our tickets.
It worked out well to spend the entire week in Gatlinburg because we still ran out of time to do everything on our list. Here are some of the things we did do: Sky Fly and the ferris wheel at The Island in Pigeon Forge; Hatfield and McCoy’s Christmas show; Anakeesta; Shadrack’s drive-through Christmas light display; Dollywood; the Array Christmas show; the Apple Barn Cider Mill; the Old Mill shops, The Village shops; and the Aquarium. Plus, a LOT of eating and other shopping.
We were lucky enough to find a real nice 3-bedroom/3 bath condo in Gatlinburg for 6 of our 7 nights, with the other night spent at a hotel our first night there. We had a really good time; the weather was cold, with just a few rainy days, but no ice on the roads. Jennifer acted as our GPS, Uber driver, IT department and all-around designated young’un to do the schlepping. Sometimes she would ask if we minded if we backtracked to do something she wanted; and I would confess that Nancy and I wouldn’t know that we were backtracking so she could do what she wanted. LOL If you haven’t been to Gatlinburg/Pigeon Forge, I highly recommend it, especially at Christmas to see the beautiful decorations.
Houston8514@yahoo.com

from Janis Hamilton Lee in Port Neches
Mark and I celebrated our 50th Anniversary in October in New York. We started in Castile, NY at Letchworth State Park, The Grand Canyon of the East. We stayed three nights in a cute log cabin just outside of the park. The reason I chose this park was because I booked a hot air balloon ride. Three balloons launched and we were in a basket that held eight plus the pilot. Luckily the wind took us over one of the waterfalls, which was amazing. We went as high as 4000 feet and were up for an hour. I would highly recommend this awesome experience. Then we drove to Niagara Falls, NY and took a bus tour, which skips lines, and rode on the Maid of the Mist boat which rides right up to the falls. We also stayed on the Canada side because everyone said there is a better view of the falls and it’s true. We drove to a neat little town, Niagara on the Lake, to shop and eat lunch. Driving back to the airport in Buffalo we stopped at two Frank Lloyd Wright homes. A wonderful Anniversary bucket list trip.
markjlee@yahoo.com

WEBSITE DONATIONS “Overwhelmed” is the word that Mike and I used when we received donations after the last update at the beginning of January. We received donations from Lyn Frasier and husband, Perry Lee, as well as Cherlyn Hebert, Sharon Lewis, Beth Ann Sutherlin, Terry Watson, Jan Russell and a check from a classmate that wants to remain anonymous. I also contributed in memory of classmates Linda Clause and Paul Broussard. We have never received a response like that. I had to go back and read what I wrote on the newsletter to see if I was on my knees begging!!!! THANKS, thanks, and thanks again. We appreciate the support. It warms our heart. Ways to donate to the Website:
Send a CHECK made out to:
Linda McFadden
Send To:
Linda DeCuir McFadden
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
or
Pay by Venmo
user: Thomas-Jefferson68
or
Pay by ZELLE
lindadmcfadden@yahoo.com

Lyn Frasier Lee wanted to share something she read. This is special. Thanks.
THE POEM THAT ONCE WAS US
A little house with three bedrooms,
One bathroom and one car on the street;
A mower that you had to push
To make the grass look neat.
In the kitchen on the wall
We only had one phone,
And no need for recording things,
Someone was always home.
We only had a living room
Where we would congregate;
Unless it was at mealtime
In the kitchen where we ate.
We had no need for family rooms
Or extra rooms to dine.
When meeting as a family
Those two rooms worked out just fine.
We only had one TV set
And channels, maybe two,
But always there was one of them
With something worth the view
For snacks we had potato chips
That tasted like a chip.
And if you wanted flavor
There was Lipton's onion dip.
Store-bought snacks were rare because
My mother liked to cook,
And nothing can compare to snacks
In Betty Crocker's book
Weekends were for family trips
Or staying home to play.
We all did things together,
Even go to church to pray.
When we did our weekend trips
Depending on the weather,
No one stayed at home because
We liked to be together.
Sometimes we would separate
To do things on our own,
But we knew where the others were
Without our own cell phone.
Then there were the movies
With your favorite movie star,
And nothing can compare
To watching movies in your car
Then there were the picnics
At the peak of summer season,
Pack a lunch and find some trees
And never need a reason.
Get a baseball game together
With all the friends you know,
Have real action playing ball
And no game video.
Remember when the doctor
Used to be the family friend,
And didn't need insurance
Or a lawyer to defend?
The way that he took care of you
Or what he had to do,
Because he took an oath and strived
To do the best for you.
Remember going to the store
And shopping casually,
And when you went to pay for it
You used your own money?
Nothing that you had to swipe
Or punch in some amount,
And remember when the cashier person
Had to really count?
The milkman used to drive a truck
And go from door to door,
And it was just a few cents more
Than going to the store
. There was a time when mailed letters
Came right to your door,
Without a lot of junk mail ads
Sent out by every store.
The mailman knew each house by name
And knew where it was sent;
There were not loads of mail addressed
To "present occupant”
There was a time when just one glance
Was all that it would take,
And you would know the kind of car,
The model and the make
They didn't look like turtles
Trying to squeeze out every mile;
They were streamlined, white walls, fins and “skirts”,
And really had some style
One time the music that you played
Whenever you would jive,
Was from a vinyl, big-holed record
Called a forty-five
The record player had a post
To keep them all in line,
And then the records would drop down
And play one at a time.
Oh sure, we had our problems then,
Just like we do today
And always we were striving,
To find a better way.
Oh, the simple life we lived,
Still seems like so much fun.
How can you explain the game,
“Just kick the can and run?”
And all us boys put baseball cards
Between our bicycle spokes;
And for a nickel, red machines
Had little bottled Cokes?
This life seemed so much easier;
Slower in some ways.
I love the new technology,
But I sure do miss those days.
So time moves on and so do we,
And nothing stays the same;
But I sure love to reminisce
And walk down memory lane.
With all today's technology
We grant that it's a plus!
But it's fun to look way back and say,
Hey look, guys, THAT WAS US!

NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
Well, wasn’t that snow day special in Southeast Texas? It was so fun to watch the children AND grownups playing in the snow. It was extra exciting that it continued to snow during the day instead of just waking up to see it already on the ground. There is not much going on at our house. Just normal activities and staying out of the rainy weather when possible. This weekend so far has been fabulous. SPRING has sprung or so it seems. We are looking forward to going to a Woodmen convention in April in San Antonio at the hotel on the river walk. I have been wanting to go there for a long time. As always, Murphy and I are looking forward to baseball season. We aren’t basketball fans except for the college bracket. We are hoping to make a springtime trip to my paternal side of relatives in SW Louisiana (Loreauville, New Iberia, St. Martinville, Abbeville, and Lafayette). I will visit my grandparents’ graves while there. We are enjoying the Mardi Gras season that will be ending with Ash Wednesday. I might or might not have enjoyed a “few” slices of King Cake. Murphy even found the baby in one of his servings.

SUPPORT

Carole Oubre Reeves
After a lengthy stay in a Houston hospital recently, Carole has returned home and is now receiving hospice care for pancreatic cancer. Please remember her and Marvin in your prayers.
Carole.reeves@att.net
Carole Reeves
6536 Jefferson
Groves, TX 77619

Diane Barker Foreman
Major health issues
Dianebforeman@gmail.com
Diane Foreman
5541 Garfield
Groves, TX 77619

Darlene Turner Landry
Ongoing issues from shingles. She has had procedures and surgery on her affected eye.
Gran0901@yahoo.com
Darlene Landry
3195 Williamsburg Ln
Port Neches, TX 77651

Ernie Castaneda Bullion
Diagnosed 3+ years ago with NASH (Nonalcoholic steatohepatitis). She is in Stage 5. Her health issues have caused multiple hospital visits over the last few years. She is on a liver transplant list.
Ron Bullion (Ernie’s husband)
Fell in his shop and was knocked unconscious. Received a large cut on his head, concussion and 2 broken ribs. He is healing well. Both Ron and Ernie are on walkers which make helping each other extra hard.
Prayers for the both of them.
1950tinab@gmail.com
Ernie Bullion
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Charlie Fontenot & wife, Becky
Battling prostate cancer
From Charlie:
I am doing good. First check up after radiation was good. I received my shot, which I get every 3 months,, and continue the daily hormone pill. I have to continue both for about another year. The side effects of both are a little tough sometimes. Tiredness, lack of energy and some serious hot flashes daily. Yes, I know, see what you gals go through, LOL. But, overall doing well. My wife, Becky, is still fighting her back issues, and struggles pretty much daily.
cajunfont@aol.com
Charlie Fontenot
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Dianna Caillier Lewis & husband, Robert Lewis
Both have multiple health issues
Robert is in an assisted living with dementia and seizures.
Dianna Lewis
912 E. 6th Street
Port Arthur, TX 77640

Johnny Vasquez
Dementia
Johnny Vasquez
4546 Springdale
Port Arthur, TX 77642

Mike Faulk and wife, Linda Faulk
From daughter, Malinda Faulk Boudreaux on FB
Our mom continues her targeted therapy for NSCLC (the most common lung cancer for non-smokers) and all is currently stable. Unfortunately, our dad has recently begun his own battle, and we are still working with MD Anderson to nail down a diagnosis. We appreciate the love and support from family and friends. Please continue to keep TEAM FAULK in your prayers.
Mike Faulk
8370 E. Bridgefield
Orange, TX 77630

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

Several other classmates have confided in me about health issues but want to remain anonymous at this time. But they have asked for prayers from classmates.

CONDOLENCES
CLASSMATES Gone Too Soon

Linda Clause Glenn
8/8/1950 – 1/10/2025
Family of Linda Clause Glenn
752 Bourbon Ave.
Baton Rouge, LA 70808

Paul Broussard
7/7/1950 – 1/10/2025
Denise Broussard
21166 FM 365
Beaumont, TX 77705

FACULTY Member Death
Bertha Hebert (Girls PE)
12/5/1933 – 2/3/2025

FAMILY of classmates
Maria Graciela “Gracie” Turner
8/28/1954 – 2/8/2025
(sister of Ernie Castaneda Bullion)
1950tinab@gmail.com
Ernie Bullion
6215 Marble Falls
Lumberton, TX 77657

Glenn Fontenot
6/19/1954 – 2/8/2025
(brother of Charlie Fontenot)
cajunfont@aol.com
Charlie Fontenot
412 Brookdale
League City, TX 77573

Please remember all of the classmates mentioned in the SUPPORT AND CONDOLENCE sections with your prayers. Also, contact in person, USPS, text, etc. I have been to six funerals since my last newsletter and had to miss two more. Praying that this number is significantly less the next time. Enjoy the coming spring.

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