MAIL CALL
January 6
(a memory from Pat Trahan to Sandy Ellis )
I just remembered a funny story when the preacher's wife was miffed at you. Remember the oxford button up shirts that had a loop on the back? Everyone was always tempted to pull them. This particular Sunday at our CYF meeting, you pulled Jim Wright's loop and it tore the shirt all the way down. I've never forgotten that, even though not everyone thought it was funny, I thought it was!
Sandy's response:
That was for him breaking my front tooth in the fellowship hall!
January 8
from Terry Watson in Richardson
My wife, daughter and I went to Santa Fe, NM for Christmas.We had gone there with my mom a few years ago.It brought back many memories.I am gradually heading into retirement from Kimley Horn.I am working a few days a week now.
January 16
from Fred McCarty in Kingwood
I am doing well, and I have all my home repairs completed post-Harvey, so things are back to normal here. I am looking forward to the 50th Re-union, and l know it will be a great event as it always has been.
January, 2018
from Jack Etheredge in Bridge City
I'm retiring January 28 from Total. Like nearly everyone I know who is retired, l should be in good shape financially. My children are grown responsible parents. Some of that is, l like to think, is from good upbringing but honestly we have been lucky. I'm happy and have no resentment toward anyone. I've had a good life and have more than l deserve in many ways.
WEBSITE DONATION
We received TWO donations this month from classmates.
Terry Watson wrote, “Please use the enclosed check for the website.I always enjoy it.Please thank Mike for me.”
Fred McCarty wrote, “I want to thank you and Mike again for all that you do to help us stay together as a class. The website updates and your Newsletters always are read as soon as I receive them. Although I thought I had made a donation to the TJHS1968 website last year, my records do not indicate that. Therefore, I am sending you a check in the US mail to cover my donations for 2017 and 2018.
Thank you both for your generous contributions but especially for your undying support.
MARDI GRAS PORT ARTHUR
26 th annual event
February 9-11
Downtown Procter Street
2018 Highlights
• Ms. Mardi Gras Pageant
• Carnival Rides
• Concerts
• Parades
• Food Vendors
• Arts & Crafts
• Kids Zone – Games & Costumed Characters
• Street Entertainment
• Clydesdales
REUNION NEWS
Our committee meetings are getting heavy with all the decisions we are making for this 50 th reunion event coming up July 27-29.We are beyond excited to have our SOCIAL at the Museum of the Gulf Coast on our first night, Friday, July 27 th .T he Museum of the Gulf Coast , located in Port Arthur, Texas , specializes in Texas and Louisiana Gulf Coast history. Its most notable exhibits are a gallery of Robert Rauschenberg 's artworks and a Music Hall of Fame honoring performers from the region; featured in the latter are artifacts of Janis Joplin 's youth. The museum is sponsored and administered by the Port Arthur Historical Society, and is the descendant of the original Port Arthur Museum chartered by the state in 1964. The administration of the museum is done in partnership with Lamar State College-Port Arthur and the City of Port Arthur.You can find out more about the museum on Facebook.
The museum will offer an opportunity for classmates to gather and move around while enjoying the exhibits (some are traveling or changing exhibits).We will have bar areas and a food area with finger foods.The museum is located at 700 Procter but the entrance is on Lakeshore Dr. next to the police station.We will have one or possibly two golf carts to help any classmates that need a short ride in the parking lots.Tables will be set up in and around the museum for your convenience.
The committee and caterers will be setting up from 5 pm to 7 pm, so please don't come early.We will still be very busy.You will have plenty of time to check us out later. The SOCIAL will be held from 7pm to 11pm.Dress casual and be ready to mingle and reminisce with your classmates.We can't wait to see you all there.
I will write more about the REUNION in the next NEWSLETTER.
INFORMATION NEEDED:
For some crazy reason we can not seem to remember the date of our 25 th reunion which was held at St. Peter's Church Reception Hall in Groves on Taft Ave.Please check around for any pictures, memorabilia, etc. that possibly have the weekend dates on it.We are stumped right now.But, it is important that we find the date.Let me hear from all you “sleuths” out there.
E-MAIL CHANGES
While trying to update the class spreadsheet, we are finding many, many e-mail changes.I know lots are retiring and will no longer have their work e-mail addresses that you provided to us many years ago.We don't want to “lose” you or keep you out of the loop.Send your changes to me.Also, if you have a classmate friend that you stay in touch with that doesn't seem to ever HEAR FROM US, we might not have their updated contact information.Please help us out.
NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT
It has been awhile, but we finally saw our granddaughter play high school soccer in her freshman year.The weather, committee meeting conflicts, ice storms, snow, and life had gotten in the way.It was a proud moment when we finally saw her in uniform and on the field.Being on the high school soccer team has always been her goal since she was small.Proud of you #6!
Our second granddaughter is working really hard to learn all the dances for her drill team WINTER SHOW which is at the end of this month.She is in the 7 th grade at Henderson Middle School in Sour Lake in the Hardin Jefferson ISD. She is planning to try out for captain for her 8 th grade year.Her school was flooded and will need to be demolished.The middle school mixed with the high school for a few months until the district was able to complete portable buildings for them to have school in for the next few years until a bond issue can be passed to build a new facility.
My daughter is back in her home after her home was also flooded in Lumberton.She has gotten most of her furniture and all the flooring now.It just needs the pictures to be hung and rugs on the floor.Good job, Stacy.
My brother, Danny Boy, is finally seeing the end of the tunnel on his remodeling after getting flooded in Friendswood.They have been living on the second floor of their home even though everything up there is pretty much covered with sheets.They are lucky, though, instead of having to live in a trailer or motel as so many around here in SE Texas are having to do.
I am excited to go see my sister, Gerry, Monday.I haven't seen her since she was in the hospital a couple of months ago.I hope she remembers me.Sometimes does, sometimes doesn't.It really doesn't matter much, though.We seem to always connect.
I am so proud of Murphy.He is enrolled in the RCIA program which is the Adult class for those wanting to turn Catholic.Murphy and I married in St. Joseph Catholic Church 45 years ago this coming July.I told him at that time that I would never push the issue of him turning Catholic.He was raised Lutheran but chose to go to the Catholic church with me and our daughter all these years.He made the decision on his own and will “graduate” on Holy Saturday at the Easter vigil mass.He and I go to lessons every Thursday and then he goes for half of the mass on Sundays.He is gung ho.While attending classes, I have been re-learning so much that I had forgotten from my catechism classes in my youth.We are both enjoying this process.
Now, it is time to pat ME on the back!!!February 1 st was my 38 th cancer survivor anniversary.It seems a lifetime ago, but yet even conversations that went on then are fresh in my mind.My 40 year old only child was just 2½ years old then.Murphy worked shift at the Texaco and he was a wreck.I was so lucky to have my mom and sister help out.It was a long trek with the thyroid cancer surgery paralyzing my right vocal cord.That caused me not to be able to teach for the next 4 months until school was out for the summer.I took Radioactive Iodine orally twice to try to kill cells that still remained.Other surgery was needed to remove more cancer that had radiated to the neck and shoulder.Due to the extensive surgery to remove many, many cancerous nodules, I have to this day, nerve damage to my neck, shoulder and arm. I need rotator cuff surgery but the doctor doesn't feel that it would improve anything.I have also had several throat surgeries to help improve my voice which now my friends don't seem to notice a problem.It is usually those that do not know me that say, “Oh, you have it, too?”I usually just say, YES!I actually had to quit teaching in 1999 because my voice had been abused enough.I still go to a voice specialist in Houston who checks on a granuloma that has grown in my throat.So far, so good.Now, this reunion will be a culprit, again.Trying to talk over noise or talking too much will wear this old voice out.But, it doesn't bother Murphy when I get my temporary laryngitis.It gives him a BREAK!!!
SUPPORT
Randy Blanchard had to have rotator cuff surgery on the same shoulder that had previously had the same issue.Hope this time it works!
3810 Lexington
Port Arthur, TX 77642
Arleen “Becky” Morgan Jackson also just had rotator cuff surgery.
6245 Jenny Lane
Lumberton, TX 77657
Joyce Marceaux's husband, Ronnie Abate , is having prostate surgery iat Methodist Hospital in Houston on February 20.He has previously battled cancer and had a successful lung transplant.The family is asking prayers that the surgery does not find cancer in the lymph nodes.
6305 Marble Falls Dr.
Lumberton, TX 77657
Sandra Garsea Broussard's granddaughter, Katelynn , underwent ankle surgery.She had several issues and finally surgery was the next option.
2640 66 th St.
Port Arthur, TX 77640
CONDOLENCES
Yet another classmate gone too soon
ALAN FOLEY
July 6, 1950 – January 7, 2018
RIP
Coach Ken Barland
(TJ faculty member)
1933-2018
Paul Colletti
(death of his mother, Jo Colletti)
1921-2018
3730 5 th St.
Fort Worth, TX 76107
David Aleman
(death of his brother, Carlos “Tinky” Aleman)
7007 Hot Creek Trace
Atascocita, TX 77346
(Please take the time to read the obituaries in the OBITUARY section on the front page of the website.)
Enjoy this new month of February.I remember teaching first graders for 30 years and February was filled with fun days.We studied about Groundhog Day, Abraham Lincoln, Valentine's Day, George Washington and then we started also having Black History Month and that was all in the shortest month of the year.
Stay in touch and contact a classmate,
Linda DeCuir McFadden
7699 Boardwalk
Lumberton, TX 77657
