| What's Happening Now September 2009 |
| Sept. 4 from Lila: Thank you Jan and how beautiful, amazing how many classmates that have wished me a Happy Birthday! Hard to believe I am 67 though but I do thank God everyday to have made it this many years! |
| Aug. 31 from Nancy: Thanks, Jan. Yes, I was very pleased to see the message from Mrs Johnson and to know she is doing well. I was recently cleaning out old letters and found one she wrote me shortly after I left Belton, when her daughter Laura was just a baby. I wanted to tell you, too, that I so much enjoyed your book recommendation, Forward From Here by Reeve Lindbergh; she certainly had a lot to adjust to, including all those half-siblings! Here are a couple of books I've enjoyed: Olive Kitteredge by Elizabeth Strout is a quiet, slow-moving novel about the first few years of retirement for a retired schoolteacher and how she comes to terms with changes in her family relationships and her own failing health; it's both realistic and optimistic but not syrupy. Another novel I've just read is The Crying Tree by Naseem Rakha, who's a Portland author; she writes about a murder and how the victim's family forged a relationship with the murderer. It's based on a real case the author covered as a journalist. In nonfiction, I just finished A Comrade Lost and Found by Jan Wong, the true account of how a Canadian journalist betrayed her Chinese classmate in Beijing during the Cultural Revolution and, years later, went back to seek forgiveness. It's about these two classmates, but also about the whole issue of what to do about mistakes we have made in our past, if they can be "fixed" and how to live with our imperfect selves. Cheers! Nancy |
| Aug. 28 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: # 21575 here (we sure are popular!). I noticed LindaM, Sue's hubby and daughter, and Dewey have all had "special circumstances" in their lives lately, and I am adding them to my classmate prayer list today, joining Jane, Harrell, and JudyPS. I hope the written expression of my faith does not offend anyone (as your note above Gary's joke states). Last I knew, this is America (In God We Trust - all others pay cash!) and we do have the First Amendment also. Were it not for my personal relationship with Jesus, I would have "quit" life either after my 2d divorce or my business reversals in 1991. Look at what I would have missed, not being here! My all-time favorite car is the red 1963 Corvette Split-window coupe, followed at # 2 by the 1957 Chevy Bel Air. 3 of Dew's 4 pictures you posted are of those cars. I had a Saddle Tan Split-window, and a Tropical Turquoise '57 Bel Air. Mom and Dad had (and I drove '57-'59) a Dusk Pearl '57 Bel Air. Wish I still had all 3! As I remember, Walt is 6'6" tall. You get a good idea how massive the General Sherman tree is from the picture of Walt in front of the tree. My neck still hurts from looking up at it when I was there last (90's, I think). Geezer |
Sept. 2, 2009 from Gary:
Here is a photo of Grandson Alex
(he'll be 4 years of age in October)
headed for his first day of
preschool in Tarrant County, Texas
on September 2, 2009.
Here is a photo of Grandson Alex
(he'll be 4 years of age in October)
headed for his first day of
preschool in Tarrant County, Texas
on September 2, 2009.
A neat video of Belton scenes created by stowellstar for YouTube. Turn on your sound! Sent by Richard I---Thanks, Richard; this is priceless to all of us who live so far from home! http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ep2PImQpcF4 |
Sept. 13, 2009, from Walt:
I got lots of e-mail from BHS '60
friends. Thanks to everyone for all
the great greetings, especially the
one from Gary P. telling me to blow
it all out like there is no tomorrow.
I was reminded by Carol that if I did
that there may be no tomorrow.
Anyway, all the greetings are really
appreciated.
More later from the lower
scorched left coast,
Walt
I got lots of e-mail from BHS '60
friends. Thanks to everyone for all
the great greetings, especially the
one from Gary P. telling me to blow
it all out like there is no tomorrow.
I was reminded by Carol that if I did
that there may be no tomorrow.
Anyway, all the greetings are really
appreciated.
More later from the lower
scorched left coast,
Walt
Judy E
relaxes
with two of
her best
friends,
Cosette
and
BelleMarie,
her new
Ragdoll
kitty.
relaxes
with two of
her best
friends,
Cosette
and
BelleMarie,
her new
Ragdoll
kitty.
| Sept. 14 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: you have probably heard from others about our heavy rainfall and flooding near Salado, Georgetown, and elsewhere. We have had over 10" of rain here since late Thursday night, and our creek (10 Mile) has flooded again. Where I am is "high" ground, but 7 of our church members live across 10 Mile Creek, and had trouble getting to/from church yesterday. I wish some of this rain would go to Southern California, and put out the fires. Morris II is on the east side of the mountains (Barstow) but there is a lot of smoke over him. |
| not Scripturally qualified to be deacons but who have the integrity and capacity to serve as a deacon, just not be "ordained". I hope that clears up any question my "know-it-all" pally has So, to be perfectly accurate, our meetings are "Deacon/Yokefellow" meetings. Just missed buying a 2tone green 55 Chevrolet Bel Air 2 door sedan ("Nean's family had a pink and gray one like that, and I had one in my inventory in AZ). I heard about the green one, but, by the time I called, he had sold it. I did get to see it as the transporter loaded it and hauled it off. Boo!!! Geezer |
| Our monthly deacons meeting was yesterday. I placed Jane, Harrell, JudyPS, LindaMW, Sue and her hubby, and Dewey's family on our prayer board, and we prayed as a group for each one. I am going to trust that you will post this and each of them will read the posting, as we are temporarily out of the cards I usually send. BTW: some old "grouch" has let it be known that divorced people can't be deacons in Baptist churches, which is so very true. However, at FBC Lancaster, we have what are called "yokefellows", men like me who are |
| Patrick Swayze, Star of 'Dirty Dancing,' Is Dead at 57 Patrick Swayze, the balletically athletic actor who rose to stardom in the films Dirty Dancing and Ghost, and whose 15-month battle with advanced pancreatic cancer drew wide attention, died on Sept. 14, 2009. The Associated Press reported. He was 57 and lived near Los Angeles. |
| Mary Travers Dies of Cancer, Wed., Sept. 16, 2009 |
Sept. 20 from Morris: Hi, JanBee:
Betty Sue Beebe from UMHB called
me Thursday, and we spoke of the
Salado Creek flooding and damage
to that low-water bridge, plus the
one-lane bridge downstream at
Amity Road. Chop Chaney's
forwarded picture matches her
description. Jane said that it took
her 2 hours to drive from Jarrell to
Salado. I encouraged Rob to come
next year, and hope he will. Geezer
Betty Sue Beebe from UMHB called
me Thursday, and we spoke of the
Salado Creek flooding and damage
to that low-water bridge, plus the
one-lane bridge downstream at
Amity Road. Chop Chaney's
forwarded picture matches her
description. Jane said that it took
her 2 hours to drive from Jarrell to
Salado. I encouraged Rob to come
next year, and hope he will. Geezer
Sept. 20 from Judy PS: Not much
to report here....still doing the
skate parks locally with Seth and
Jake...looking forward to my trip to
Germany and Czechoslovakia with
my brother in Nov. We are going
to our old "homesites"....should be
interesting. Thanks for all the
work you continue to do with our
website.....love, j
to report here....still doing the
skate parks locally with Seth and
Jake...looking forward to my trip to
Germany and Czechoslovakia with
my brother in Nov. We are going
to our old "homesites"....should be
interesting. Thanks for all the
work you continue to do with our
website.....love, j
Sept. 16 from Charles C, Class of '58:
Hello Jan,
The photo (of Salado's flood) was sent to me by my
old friend Charles Huey who grew up in Salado. One
of his relatives sent it to him.
Yes, I went to East Texas State and got a BS in
Commercial Art. Then spent some time in the Air
Force... not my cup of tea at all!!. Worked as the only
artist at Channel 6 TV for a year. Then got a job as an
illustrator with the Civil Service at Ft. Hood.
Eventually, I decided to use my GI Bill benefits
before they expired. I wound up getting a masters in
Library Science. I took a job with the Cleveland
Public Library thinking I would get 2-3 years
experience in a large library system then move on.
But, I wound up staying 26 years retiring in the fall of
1998. I now live in a suburb of Cleveland, Westlake.
I sold my little house in Cleveland 5 years ago when
the neighborhood got unbearable. I moved into a
condo within walking distance of just about all I
need.... except a library and a post office.
Of course, I went home every year as long as my
parents were living. Dad died in 1989 and Mom in
1999. I missed going for five years but have been
back the last 3 Thanksgivings. I also went home
early last year when my brother Neale died. His
wife/widow Linda (Spitzer) is still there. My younger
brother lives in Garland just northeast of Dallas.
I have enjoyed retirement. My primary hobby has
been genealogy and I have been involved with the
Dameron-Damron Family Association for some years,
now editing their newsletter.. and maintain a
website. (My mother's mother was a Damron.) In
fact, I was in Virginia last June when the association
had their first reunion in Northumberland County
where our ancestor, Lawrence Dameron, settled
from England in the mid 1600s. We gathered in
Kilmarnock. Beautiful area... if warm and humid at
that time! I stopped at Stratford Hall on the way in
since I was driving only a very few miles from it.
Thoroughly enjoyed that place.
I haven't kept in touch with many of the old BHS
people.
Hello Jan,
The photo (of Salado's flood) was sent to me by my
old friend Charles Huey who grew up in Salado. One
of his relatives sent it to him.
Yes, I went to East Texas State and got a BS in
Commercial Art. Then spent some time in the Air
Force... not my cup of tea at all!!. Worked as the only
artist at Channel 6 TV for a year. Then got a job as an
illustrator with the Civil Service at Ft. Hood.
Eventually, I decided to use my GI Bill benefits
before they expired. I wound up getting a masters in
Library Science. I took a job with the Cleveland
Public Library thinking I would get 2-3 years
experience in a large library system then move on.
But, I wound up staying 26 years retiring in the fall of
1998. I now live in a suburb of Cleveland, Westlake.
I sold my little house in Cleveland 5 years ago when
the neighborhood got unbearable. I moved into a
condo within walking distance of just about all I
need.... except a library and a post office.
Of course, I went home every year as long as my
parents were living. Dad died in 1989 and Mom in
1999. I missed going for five years but have been
back the last 3 Thanksgivings. I also went home
early last year when my brother Neale died. His
wife/widow Linda (Spitzer) is still there. My younger
brother lives in Garland just northeast of Dallas.
I have enjoyed retirement. My primary hobby has
been genealogy and I have been involved with the
Dameron-Damron Family Association for some years,
now editing their newsletter.. and maintain a
website. (My mother's mother was a Damron.) In
fact, I was in Virginia last June when the association
had their first reunion in Northumberland County
where our ancestor, Lawrence Dameron, settled
from England in the mid 1600s. We gathered in
Kilmarnock. Beautiful area... if warm and humid at
that time! I stopped at Stratford Hall on the way in
since I was driving only a very few miles from it.
Thoroughly enjoyed that place.
I haven't kept in touch with many of the old BHS
people.
I used to hear from Morris Tyson from time to time but
not for ten years. Exchanged e-mail a few times with
Marion Hagler... (He was sort of an unofficial "cousin"
because my dad was rooming with his parents when Dad
met Mother. They were married in the Hagler's home.)
Of course, I would usually see Joe and Linda Smith while
home. The last couple trips I visited with Betty Kemp.
She was a friend from church when I was still in Belton. I
also have several relatives living around the Belton area.
I saw the page about Rob on the Class of '60 webpage
and emailed him. We weren't close at all for the most
part. But he turned out to be one my first friends just as
we were moving into Belton from the Armstrong
community. I went to his house and we went to some
movies. I have no idea how it happened since we
weren't in the same grade, didn't go to the same church.
I have a feeling that our mother's arranged it. My mother
was prone to do that with me... something I wasn't aware
of until many years later.
I continue to have an affection for Texas but there is not
drive to return to live. I never liked the heat! And I love
the seasons up here... especially now that I am in a
condo and someone else clears the snow... and I don't
have to get out in it to go work. And there are real trees
up here! Went with a friend today to walk in a lakeside
park. The trees are huge with just a tinge of fall color
beginning to show. The wind was up and the lake had
pretty good sized waves coming in. There was an ore
board out on the horizon. Very nice. Just a little chilly
under the trees but quite pleasant in the sun.
I have subscribed to TEXAS HIGHWAYS for the last 4-5
years. The current issue had an article on railroad
museums and included the one in the Santa Fe station in
Temple. There was also an item of the Grace Jones
dress shop that was in Salado. It isn't often that TH has
much on the area around Belton and Temple so I enjoyed
this issue. I gave issues to a friend visiting a sister in
Killeen so she learned about Salado and enjoyed the
shops and eating at the Stagecoach Inn.
I am babbling. Sorry, I sometimes do that on the
keyboard. ttyl, charles
not for ten years. Exchanged e-mail a few times with
Marion Hagler... (He was sort of an unofficial "cousin"
because my dad was rooming with his parents when Dad
met Mother. They were married in the Hagler's home.)
Of course, I would usually see Joe and Linda Smith while
home. The last couple trips I visited with Betty Kemp.
She was a friend from church when I was still in Belton. I
also have several relatives living around the Belton area.
I saw the page about Rob on the Class of '60 webpage
and emailed him. We weren't close at all for the most
part. But he turned out to be one my first friends just as
we were moving into Belton from the Armstrong
community. I went to his house and we went to some
movies. I have no idea how it happened since we
weren't in the same grade, didn't go to the same church.
I have a feeling that our mother's arranged it. My mother
was prone to do that with me... something I wasn't aware
of until many years later.
I continue to have an affection for Texas but there is not
drive to return to live. I never liked the heat! And I love
the seasons up here... especially now that I am in a
condo and someone else clears the snow... and I don't
have to get out in it to go work. And there are real trees
up here! Went with a friend today to walk in a lakeside
park. The trees are huge with just a tinge of fall color
beginning to show. The wind was up and the lake had
pretty good sized waves coming in. There was an ore
board out on the horizon. Very nice. Just a little chilly
under the trees but quite pleasant in the sun.
I have subscribed to TEXAS HIGHWAYS for the last 4-5
years. The current issue had an article on railroad
museums and included the one in the Santa Fe station in
Temple. There was also an item of the Grace Jones
dress shop that was in Salado. It isn't often that TH has
much on the area around Belton and Temple so I enjoyed
this issue. I gave issues to a friend visiting a sister in
Killeen so she learned about Salado and enjoyed the
shops and eating at the Stagecoach Inn.
I am babbling. Sorry, I sometimes do that on the
keyboard. ttyl, charles
Sept. 23 from Linda DB:
I am doing much better now. I have just
had eyelid, corner of my eyes, and
eyebrow surgery. My right eye would not
stay open due to all the excess of my
eyelid. That is horrible surgery. It's been
3-1/2 weeks now and my lids are still
swollen some. But now I think I'm going
to live. Three weeks ago I didn't know for
sure. Take my word for it and don't do it if
you can help it. They are also
electrocuting some nerves in my spine to
keep my hips and neck from hurting. I'm
just a wreck, but a work in progress.
I am doing much better now. I have just
had eyelid, corner of my eyes, and
eyebrow surgery. My right eye would not
stay open due to all the excess of my
eyelid. That is horrible surgery. It's been
3-1/2 weeks now and my lids are still
swollen some. But now I think I'm going
to live. Three weeks ago I didn't know for
sure. Take my word for it and don't do it if
you can help it. They are also
electrocuting some nerves in my spine to
keep my hips and neck from hurting. I'm
just a wreck, but a work in progress.
I see that Morris is into a prayer group.
I'm involved in one at our church and
would love to get in touch with Morris to
see if maybe we could combine our
prayers. The more people pray, the more
we see miracles. I don't have his email
address. Would you send it to me or give
him mine.
Just remember next year at the reunion,
I'm going to be looking like a teenager.
Love you for doing all this work so all of
us can enjoy it. Linda DB
I'm involved in one at our church and
would love to get in touch with Morris to
see if maybe we could combine our
prayers. The more people pray, the more
we see miracles. I don't have his email
address. Would you send it to me or give
him mine.
Just remember next year at the reunion,
I'm going to be looking like a teenager.
Love you for doing all this work so all of
us can enjoy it. Linda DB
| Sept. 24 from Jan: Hi, Linda! It was so good to hear from you. The warning about eyelid surgery scares me. My eyelids are getting droopier by the year, and my eyes seem to be sinking into my head. I can't wear eye makeup because my eyelashes are buried under my eyelids, so I've been thinking that I should get the surgery soon while I can enjoy the results. Your report gives me pause! I'll bet once you're healed, you'll be glad you did it. May I put your message on What's Happening Now? ! |
| Linda says: Yes, you may put it on the web site. If they only do your eyelids, it's not too bad. On me they said they had to do all this other stuff to keep my eyebrows where they belonged. A friend of mine at church (man) had his lids done on Friday and he was at church on Sunday and looking pretty good. Mine was done on the next Friday and on Sunday I was still in shock and looking like a person from Mars. Everyday I'm getting better. Still have some swelling but not too much. Everyone thinks it was worth it. (No wrinkles in my forehead.) It was my forehead that hurt so bad even if my eyes looked that bad, they didn't hurt too much. I'm just glad it's over. |
I have heard that JOE HENRY registered on Classmates.com, the traitor. He could have registered with US for FREE! If you're in touch with him, please ask him to join our class site. We MISS him! Speaking of missing links, CALVIN still hasn't sent in his bio. Please get on his case! Thanks, Jan Bee |
| Sept. 25 from Morris: Hi, JanBee: You have my consent to give Linda DB and "Chop" both my email and cell #. Mrs. Chaney used to call me her 4th son, and "Chop" and I used to be close friends. He was my best man at my wedding to SharonB (DD) in 1964. And, I remember George Huey very well. Linda is correct in that the more of us that pray for a common purpose, the more the LORD will hear and consider our petition. Skip and Mrs. Skip look great! I hope you are successful in getting |
| Joe Henry and Calvin and Gayle in the fold again. Marilyn's jokes are always funny, as are Dew's. He emails me most of what he sends you. Fall is here - we went from 90s Monday to upper 50s, and I had to turn the heater on. Snowed in LaVeta Monday - the Spanish Peaks look beautiful with the snow (there is a live webcam at Rattles Ranch 2 miles NW of town, usually focused on the peaks, so I get to see them. It will be 1 year Oct 3d since I have been there, but hope to die and be buried there.) Later, Geezer |
| Marching 100 Reunion Great Success (Thanks to Gibby Bailey for sending this article.) Did you hear about the Band Reunion that took place at the Tigers' first home game? One hundred members of the 300 Ex-Marching 100 organization pulled off a stellar performance, despite the soaking rain. They had practiced several times during the summer and also before the game. Current Band Director Scott Dudley helped to find instruments for everyone. The reunion performance was the brainchild of Bobby Hilliard. Much of the energy behind that performance came from the great affection the band members had for former Band Director Richard Crain, who returned from Houston to direct the event. When he began leading The Band in 1964, it was less than 100 strong, but soon there were more than 200 members. Crain left in 1979 to lead Spring High's band in Houston. According to David Tuma's article in The Belton Journal, the half-time show "was without question one of the biggest events ever held at a Tigers home game. The crowd went nuts and the performance by the Ex-Marching 100 members went off without a hitch. Their ages ranged from 43 to 62... No twirler dropped a baton and no band member was out of place. You could see the effort and emotion put forth. It was beyond electifying. The effect it had on the crowd and kids, you had to be there to see it." So much enthusiasm was generated that Hilliard said, "We will definitely do this again." P.S. Janean's brother Kenny marched with the group. Did anyone else from our class? |