What's Happening Now June 2010
The Reunion was sublime! Yee-Ha!
June 3 from Gary:
BHS ’60 Classmates:

Think of life’s journey as intertwined trails with
decisions at each juncture required to move
forward.  As Yogi Berra said, “When you come
to a fork in the road, take it.”  Well, I took it and
find that travel along this fork does not include
my attendance at our 50th reunion.  A half
century of trails and forks may animate our
lives but show us we are not the ultimate
masters of our own destiny - or destination to
be redundant.

I reflect with regret on missing the opportunity
to indulge in the nostalgia of remembered
friendships, events and impressions and to
learn of the personal adventures experienced
in the intervening years. It would be pleasant
to imprint new memories of present
circumstances and future plans. But
unfortunately my chosen trail leads me astray.

I extend a long distance special thank you to
the planners, organizers and facilitators of the
event.  I trust new smiles will be seen and felt
and the strong sense of unity experienced by
our class will continue as comforting warmth in
the coming years still to hit us in the face (and
neck and knee and hip etc.).

Go Big Red!  Gary

PS:
Let me assure all those who have invested
funds in the fantastic opportunities I have
encountered that those investments are
sound, the opportunities are vital and we will
all have huge financial rewards one day. Your
trust and faith in me will prove well founded
and fortuitous.

For those of diminutive faith who have
requested a return of their investments, I had
indicated those funds would be available to
you at the reunion. Unfortunately I cannot be
there to provide those disbursements.
However, please see my pal Walt who has
agreed to make things right for you. Walt and I
will settle up later.
June 3, 2010 from Billy Wilbanks: The Bell County
Museum sports exhibit has been delayed until
opening of Sat. June 19 at 2:00 PM--it will run all
summer  Billy Wilbanks
June 7 from Jeanne:

dear jan,

...thank you so much for your concern about my not
attending the class reunion this weekend...you have done
an outstanding job the past few years with the
website..staying in touch and your diligent planning for the
50th...

...i am doing great..fully recovered from my back surgery in
december and doing really well...coach is absolutely
wonderful and you would never know that he is 82...pretty
amazing....plays golf 4 days a week and all the things that a
60 year old can do.....

...no hurt feelings.....nothing wrong...no illnesses...i have
simply made the decision not to attend the reunion..
..sometimes we all make personal choices that perhaps
others do not understand, but ones that work best for us....i
did see many at the 50 year anniversary for the state
basketball championship in 2008...and that was special...

...i want to wish and hope for all who are attending a great
and memorable time that will exceed all expectations..
..thanks again for the outstanding job that you have done
and have given to the class of 1960 and one that has
apparantly been filled with your love....

...have a great time and my best to all.....have a safe trip to
belton,

from my heart to yours,
jeanne
2008: Jeanne with Nate at
Basketball Monument Dedication
June 7 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: I appreciate your encouraging Jeanne and our
other "non-attendees" to change their minds and come. I did not have Jeanne's
email, or I would have asked her to come as well. I have emailed Zona and Chuck
(no response - and they live in Belton) as well as others you know about,
especially Rob (he is NOT coming) and Dewey. Had I info on others (Ted, James,
etc.) I would be on the phone with them as we speak. If Skip and wife can come
from FL, Walt and Carol from CA, Lynn and Judy from CO (and me, had I been
there) and you and Len from VA, as well as Jim and wife from TN, one would think
people living in Bell County would come. Is "Maxine" coming? If it is a money
issue, I'll pay!!!! Doctor wants to test me for prostate cancer - I'll see him again
next week. PSA # is marginal - further tests needed!. I'm coming, even if it is in an
ambulance or a hearse!!!! Travel safely!!! Geezer
June 15 from Dewey:
Jan and all who were in the class of 1960, I am really
glad that I was able to make it and I tried to visit with
everyone that I saw. Many of my old school friends I
didn't even recognize till I saw the name tag or
someone told me; I was using David B to point
people out. A "well done" to all who were there and I
hope you all had as much fun as I did, cause that's
the kind of guy I am.  I also want to thank the better
halfs of the classmates as they have really been able
to get involved with some interesting people. I hope
I didn't offend anyone... God Bless you all, and I love
ya, Dewey.  P.S. I thank you all for making Ira feel at
home too; he had a great time.
June 15 from Rob:
Our house sitter is answering my email when I call
in. Will be home around 7-1.  RLL (Note from Jan:
Rob and Paul are traveling in Europe.)
June 17 from Walt:
The trip was great for both of us. It tired out both of
us, but we are recovered. Carol really enjoyed
everything. The night after everything was over I
had some regrets about not going around and
talking to everyone, as you suggested. However, I
think that I would have not had time to talk to some
in depth had I done that. I talked to Shirlene, Skip,
Morris, Linda M., Dewey, Lynn, George, Bill S. and
some others. Many of these I had not seen in many
years. So, I think it was time well spent. It is an
amazing group.
Walt
June 14 to us from Dick's Nancy:
I am not a class member, but I am certainly glad to
be a part of this group of wonderful, caring people.
Thru the years I have cherished the friendships
thanks to RY!!!  Great weekend for sure and
again--Jan Stoehr---thanks for all you do to keep us
in the loop.  Prior to Jan, a big huge thanks to Judy
PS for many years letting everyone know what was
happening to class members and for her efforts to
make sure things were organized for previous
reunions---all leading up to this really great
weekend of the 50th!!!                         Nancy B
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE from Morris: My thanks to all of you who planned, decorated,
hosted, and entertained for our WONDERFUL 50th year reunion! Never have I enjoyed an
event like this one as much as this one! All who chose to attend made the event
memorable, especially my "roomies" Dewey and Ira!! To those of you who could have come
but did not (for whatever reason) shame on you - you missed out on a BLESSING. Please
continue to pray for Jane, Harrell, and Sammie, and JudyER's eyes! I pause, again, to
remember our classmates, from Terry to John, who have passed on. I thank Beerwinkle for
calling their names, and Jan for listing them in the RedBook given out. (Note from Jan:
Janean compiled the red book. Thanks, Janean!) Calvin called Bill Su a "hero" Friday night,
and I spoke up that WE had left our heroes dead on the field or buried in National and
local cemeteries. Calvin did not know of my service in Viet Nam and Cambodia - so, once
again, I SALUTE ALL WHO SERVED, in combat (me w/CIB, Bronze Star, etc.) or those who
rode a desk like Rob! If you wore the uniform and got a government check, you ARE
special!!! Looking forward to 2012 and 2015! I'll come from CO, the old folks home, or
whatever. I LOVE YOU ALL!!!! Geezer
June 17: Jan – I am Nancy Teas Hardie, class
of 1961. I have enjoyed your Belton High School
webpage & think you have done a wonderful job.
Our class will have our 50th next year. I hope we
can be as successful as your class in getting the
word out. I wish I could have come to your
reunion. I am sure it was a blast. I see Will &
Janean here in Austin from time to time. Hope you
are doing well & again, you have done and
outstanding job!!!!    Nancy
June 18 from Morris: Just a note to wish all of our
gang who are fathers a very happy Fathers' Day! I
have had many successes in life (thank you,
Jesus), but the endeavor of which I am most proud
is step-father to 2 and father to 2. I want my
tombstone to read my name, dates of birth, and
death, then "a great dad" and "I told you I was
sick!". Geezer
Father's Day from Beerwinkle:

Yes, Jan, it was truly a remarkable occasion.  I only regret that the number was not larger.  I
had called many who still live in the area trying to get them to come and after our talk I was
sure a good percentage would show up but nary a one did except Shirlene and Millard and
I feel like they would have been there whether I had called or not.

The success and attendance can only be attributed to you  and the committee.  We were
always a pretty cohesive group but the web site and your gentle reminders to "cherish one
another" have helped us reconnect in spite of  all the years and  miles that may separate
us now.  And the committee put in many hours in preparation, especially Janean.  She was
wound tighter than a 9-day clock for the occasion.  I told her that I hoped that I didn't botch
her well planned agenda to badly.

I was hoping to see somebody on the dance floor doing the "dirty bop" or some dance from
the 50s but that didn't happen.  I'll bet Dewey would have if he could have found a partner.  
I knew I wouldn't be the one because I couldn't dance way back then and any dancing I've
done since happened just before I was ready to "slide under the table" from too much
drink and I quit behaving like that 20 years ago.

One classmate's spouse who is impressed with our reunions says that her high school
senior class just quit getting together after about the third 10-year reunion.  They
apparently didn't have people with the dedication that you, the committee and, for many of
the preceding years, Judy PS.

Hope everybody takes care of themselves and we can all do it again in 2012.  I told Joe
Henry today that I had confidence that he would be with us in 2012 and he said, "I sure
hope so."

Beerwinkle
June 19 from Janean:
Jan, wanted you to know I've been
playing your 50's CD over and over
since we got home...makes me think
of you each time!  Thanks so much...I
know all the gifts you provided were
majorly labor intensive!!!  luv, j
June 20 from Jim H:
Jan,
Enjoyed the reunion also.   One question did you
find James Wilson?
(Jan's reply: No, Jim, but I tried every way I knew
how. Guess his name is just not unusual enough.)
June 19 from Linda M (She sent lots of good photos most of which I'll share with you):
The reunion was fun – I did enjoy it quite a bit.  I spoke with a lot of folks who probably
never spoke to me in high school!

I am not a good photographer – I didn’t get pictures of everyone, either and most of the
pictures were too dark.  For example, I didn’t get a good one of Jane, and I
didn’t get Richard at all and I don’t think I got one of Coach Pirtle – how I missed those I
don’t know.  Do you remember Ira’s last name?  (Class of 59) and Buddy’s wife’s name?  I
think Dewey will be one classmate in LOTS of photos.  I don’t know Carolyn Boales’
husband’s name or Lila Harrell’s husband’s name. He really circulated!

Best of luck on the move.  About the only thing I really like about moves is that I can finally
bring myself to divest of a lot of “stuff” that I don’t really need but haven’t had the heart to
get rid of.  The idea of having to pack it all and find a place for it in another house can work
wonders on sentimentality.  Plus – I clean like a demon when I move into a new house, so
by the time things are finally unpacked and put away I can relax in good conscience.

Hugs, Linda
June 21 from Zona: Thank you Jan for sending
pictures and news of the reunion.  We really wanted
to be there....at least for the Saturday night
activities.  We had out-of-town company since May...
waiting for their house to be finished...then helped
them move that very weekend.  Don't work too hard
moving, although I know that's pretty impossible.
Thanks again....you've been wonderful to keep me
updated, and I appreciate it.       Zona
June 21 from Gary:
Thanks for the kind words, Jan. Thankfully my non-attendance at the reunion was not health
related. It was simply a priority business issue that intrusively arrived with little warning and
was unhappily unavoidable by me.

I've enjoyed looking over the various photos of the events. It is certainly interesting that
some classmates are clearly recognizable despite time's corrosive workings and others
would be passed on the street as unrecognized strangers. I am truly saddened to have failed
to embed some happy memories from the celebration and even sadder to note that in a few
more years, I likely would forget them anyway.  Even from afar, I can appreciate the caring
efforts and expended resources volunteered to make the events the successes they were.

Two more years will come around quickly enough and I'll start planning now to be there.

I realize you initiated the web site with the stated purpose of improving communications for
the 50th reunion. Congratulations to you for the fantastic success of your efforts.  If you plan
to continue the web site, I'm confident all will enthusiastically cheer. If there are ways I can
assist or encourage you, please let me know.                                  Sincere warm regards,  Gary
June 22 from Cecelia:

Jan, thank you for your nice note.  I know I
would have enjoyed everything if I had been
there.

I'm really glad Jane was able to be there.  I'm so
sorry to hear about Joe Henry.  

I can only imagine how much work you and
some others put in making the 50th a
memorable experience.  I know your work was
appreciated.  Seems like we had a good class; I
don't know of anyone who went into a criminal
career.  Seems like everyone is hard-working
and successful and caring.

Thank you for the update.  Love, Cecelia

(Note from Jan: Cecelia's husband wasn't well
and she didn't want to leave him to come to the
reunion from their home in San Angelo.)
June 22 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: Ira lives near Llano, TX. You have
his occupations noted. Also, Joe Henry lives
in/near Temple, as I recall, and has a cabinet
shop there, I believe. Gary brought up a good
point about recognizing people from the pics.
I am very good with names as was there, but
still have some difficulty in remembering who
is who/whose. Someone (not me!) should try
to identify the people in each of the pictures,
if that is possible, for the benefit of Gary and
the other interested non-attendees. Geezer

Jan's response: What a fine party that was!!!
We have now received 77 photos from Peggy
Madden, 62 from Janean, 48 from Dewey, 80
from Walt, and the few I put up immediately. It
would be a major job for someone to identify
everyone in the photos. If there's a photo
you're especially interested in, send it to me
and I'll do my best. Gary asked about one
person and I identified it for him.
June 22 from Morris:
Hi, JanBee: how wonderful to see Walt and Carol's pics and
videos. He captured the Friday night event as well, the only
pics of that gathering I have seen so far. I was teased for
my bright (read "loud") attire for the 2 days. I am so pale
(hair, skin, etc) that I always wear a bright colored shirt
and/or tie, to put some color in my face. I told someone that
in the catalog, those hot pink pants (Saturday) were redder
than they turned out to be. I was just attempting to wear
school colors, as I was disappointed to not buy a red and
white '56 Ford Fairlane for the event. Please keep the
website up and running at least thru the gathering in 2012!!
Thanks, again, to Janean, you, and all who contributed and
attended the great event. No word from Harrell (1phone call
and one email to him). I MUST get to San Antonio to see
him! Pray for him, Jane, Sammie, JudyER and any others I do
not have info on. Love to all!!! Geezer
June 25 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: Had supper at Babe's
Chicken House last night with "Chop" Chaney, class of '58,
brother to Neale and Larry. He and I were pals from First
Baptist Belton, fellow car nuts, and he drove me to my
Army induction in 1966. I had not seen him since Spring of
1999! So, we had a lot of "catching up" to do, as well as
enjoy a good meal. He will be in Belton for the July 4th
festivities. With our gathering 2 weeks ago, I have now
seen all but 3 of my close friends from Belton days -
Harrell (who is too ill to have come), David Hair (Class of
59-where is he?) and Marva Jo (in Belton, missed last
year). Keep praying diligently for Jane, Harrell, and
Sammie!!!!!! Geezer
June 27 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: Somehow, I missed out
on Joe Henry's cancer diagnosis and treatment. We did
not have the opportunity to visit, and I just shook hands
with him and patted him on the back a few times. Of
course I have now added him to my prayer list. I prayed
for Jane, Harrell, and Sammie at the close of my sunday
school class this morning, and updated my prayer
warriors on Jane's current status (which I will let her tell
you about) this morning as well. Please keep me updated
on all the health concerns you know about!!! Apparently,
JudyER's results are wonderful, as has been reported on
"What's Happening". Praise the Lord!!! Geezer
June 28 from Judy PS:
I love the CD and thanks so much
for all the work you all did.  No, we
didn't get to talk too much,  but I
really enjoyed visiting with Joe
Henry.  I guess I talked to him more
than anyone else.  His daughter
Laurie and my son Robert were
born on the same day at Scott &
White in Temple in 1962.  Linda and
I saw each other in the hospital!   I
asked Joe if he remembered that
and he said yes.  

Time has just been flying by and I
imagine you are working hard on
your move.  Looks like we may get
some very needed rain tonight and
possibly the rest of the week.   It is
really dry here now and we could
use the rain.Don't work too hard,
and again thanks for the really
great  50th reunion....j
June 29 from Morris: On this date, 06.29, 40 years
ago (it was the 30th there), we came back into Viet
Nam from Cambodia about 100 yards, then turned
the APCs (tracks) around to face Cambodia, and
stayed parked that way, on high alert, for 5 days.  
After about 30 hours, we heard the sounds of traffic
resume on the Ho Chi Minh trail, as if we had never
been there! Dumb strategy and policy then, dumb
strategy and policy now in Iraq and Afghanistan! How
many more of our kids must die or be maimed for an
insufficient/inept war policy? Jan, now you can
correctly call me "bitter"(not true when you said that
to me in 2008 and not true on every subject, but true
on the Viet Nam experience.) Geezer
Jan's response: Oh, Morris! That must have been SO VERY SCARY! I
can't imagine myself in such a situation. I'd have been running naked
through the jungle doing "screaming meemies" and would have been
sent home in a straight jacket! Aren't we fortunate to live in a place
where we feel safe? And it's made so by people like you who have
served our country valiantly. I wish we could just wish our country's
enemies "into the cornfield." (Do you remember that Twilight Zone
show in which a little girl had the ability to "wish into the cornfield"
anyone that she was mad at?)
Must pack.
Love, Jan Bee
June 29 from Rob:
Good morning, Jan Bee, from the Pacific coast. Back home after a "teaching moment " in Europe. Jane,
Sammie, Joe Henry and the people living along the Gulf Coast are in our thoughts and meditations
today.

We learned that Northern Italy is the best kept secret on the Continent. Great geography, people and
cuisine. We did an excursion by EurRail. It's the best way to see the country in sleek, new rolling stock,
clean and very comfortable.  South of France is terrific as billed. Different menus than those found in
Paris, more "earthy" like the people and geography, similar to California's Wine Country. The views
from the train, routed along the French coast, were extraordinary. Francois, (Say "Franswaa") our
friend of 20 years and guide, a retired French Railway Administrator, upgraded our accommodations.  
The Chef was a former colleague of his, so you can imagine what came out of the train's galley! We just
missed the flash flooding in some parts of the country.   

Attached is my own little "Declaration of Independence" for the personal page.  It takes less than 5
minutes to read. A few of the words may be uncomfortable for some but hopefully, most will agree the
letter is honestly and truthfully written, with genuine affection for the class and the place where I was
raised.  

Luv,  Rob and Paul     
Concord, California
June 28 from Judy PS: This is my boy John
Howard (on right) with his friend Gerald
Waltman at the Houston Marathon last
weekend.
June 30 from Nancy D:
Hi Jan,
Just wanted to thank all of you who went to the reunion for
sharing the great pictures and videos, which I've really
enjoyed going through and trying to recognize people. It was
a special weekend for me, too, as, at the very moment you
were all gathering in Texas, I was attending the high school
graduation of my oldest grandchild in the San Juan Islands.
So I was watching my son watch his son graduate and
thinking about all of us graduating and then getting together
fifty years later! Many layers of time and friendship and family
connections at once!
Also, to you specifically, Jan, thank you for the website itself
and best of luck with your move. Look forward to hearing
from you "from the other side" of the move in your new home!
Nancy
June 30 from Morris:
We'll miss you while you are away. I
mapquested your new address, and
you are very close to the Skyline
Drive, one of my favorite road trips (I
get on The Blue Ridge Parkway at
Gatlinburg, continue on Skyline Drive,
and end up at Harpers Ferry/Antietam
and Gettysburg). The sattelite view of
the house and golf course looks really
nice! Talk to you next month! Geezer