Hey friends,
       This NEWSLETTER deadline slipped up on me this time.  It didn't seem as if two weeks had already gone by since I wrote the last one.  I am going to start adding a section for you to look over.  It will list classmates that I am having trouble finding a "good" address for.  Please look the list over and give me any information that might help me contact them.  Now, on to the news from your friends and classmates......

MAIL CALL

from Delilah Holman Ivey in Ocala , FL
I received a message via my mother that you were trying to get in touch with me.  Thanks to all for the work on the website which I enjoy keeping up with.  I will not be able to attend the 40th reunion, but I sincerely appreciate your efforts on behalf of the class of '68.

from Gale Laure (married to TJ grad)
author of "Evolution of a Sad Woman"... a murder mystery debut novel
The "Book Expo America " is scheduled for May 29-June 1 in Los Angeles .  It is like the "Super Bowl" of the book industry.  Each publisher tries to take their best authors.  Well, I never thought I had a chance.  Then, about 2 weeks ago I received an email saying I was a candidate to attend.  I was asked to complete a survey detailing why I should go, etcetera.  I never thought I stood a chance since my publisher is only featuring 12 authors in their booths.  On Friday, I was notified that I am one of the lucky, chosen 12 authors to be featured.  Shock! So we'll be LA bound!  Whoop-de-doo! Just had to share---

from David Lapham in Sunset Valley , TX
My compliments, to join with all the others you've deservedly received, to you and Mike regarding the TJHS website.  Life in the Austin area is good at the moment. The weather is pleasant and the trees are green.

The weekend of April 12-13  I rode for the first time in the MS 150 bicycle ride from Houston to Austin . This effort raises monies to aid in finding a cure for Multiple Sclerosis (MS). It was, for me, pretty grueling. If I'd trained a bit more, as my wife several times suggested, I guess it might have been less difficult. Oh well, it was a great time and everything was very well organized. John Wilson and his wife also rode, however they were ahead of me and we weren't able to get together. We exchanged a few phone calls, but missed seeing each other.

from Judy Thompson Orr in Fremont , CA
We know all about the reunion because I keep up with the wonderful website that you and Mike create but do not know if we will be able to come.  My husband Alan, who grew up in England , thinks that reunions are "way cool" and wishes his schools had them - he is really keen to come, also.  I am waiting to be notified by my HMO for a place on a surgery list to have knee replacement - hopefully as soon as school is out- when we know the date for that and when I will be able to travel, hopefully we will be able to come.

from Janette Light Norton in Amarillo/Cypress
When do you know your husband's "a keeper"?  When he sleeps every night at his mother-in-law's house and makes sure she eats dinner, because you, her daughter, haven't yet moved. For Five months he has done this. My daughter is waiting for someone just like her dad, she says.  "And do you think he came this way?" I ask her. "It's taken 38 years to shape this guy." Oh, but he is good.  My mother can't remember what she had for dinner last night, doesn't recognize some of her "left-overs," so she serves them in the most interesting combinations.  Maybe a little gumbo, a few greens, and some left-over macaroni and cheese.  Richard takes a bit, stirs it around his plate like he's eating, cleans the kitchen (throwing out as much as possible), and then runs down to Taco Cabana for nachos.  During Spring Break  (I took an extra week) I really spoiled him though. Something fresh and homemade every night.  Anyway, I am blessed. As of today, my oldest sister has now moved in with my mom and Richard can move home (which is just a few blocks away).  While I stayed with Mom over Spring Break, she went into diabetic coma twice but was successfully revived each time.  Again, it seemed to be (her) confusion with her medication.  Now, with help from Home Health Care five days a week, she's determined to be driving again soon.  During that week I was in a mirror image of my mother and me when I was 17.  I heard us arguing about the car, eating right, not getting enough rest.  Only this time, she was the petulant one.  I stepped closer to understanding Love.

from Gerald Broussard '63
Larry' French Market is having their 4th Hoot-n-nanny on OCT. 4th this year.  We are trying to get the different classes to get as many of their classmates to attend.  So far the classes of '62 and '63 have had the best attendance.  Now, we are trying to get as many classes as possible involved.  Recently, I had a great time at the RAGIN CAJUN weekend in Houston . 
(You can view photos from previous Hoot-n-Nannys under CLASS PHOTOS on our website.)

from Danny Landry in Fannett
I was watching the evening news a few nights ago and was shocked into the realization that I was getting older. A commercial came on and as NORMAL it was about some new and improved medicine that has come out on the market. The medication that was being advertised was a treatment for  BLADDER inconsistency and in place of actual people it portrayed what appeared to be WATER BALLONS with the idea (I SUPPOSE) that you didn't want to be a LEAKER.  Well, as always, I barely paid any attention to it until my very observant wife asked me if I noticed anything strange about the commercial.  After close examination it appears that the WATER BALLONS were attending their CLASS REUNION and you quessed it.....the banner hanging behind them said:  CLASS OF 1968 …..WELL, I'LL NEVER BUY ANY OF THOSE PILLS…WHAT EVER THEIR NAME IS.   I can't remember.

from Leonard Hilliard in San Antonio
My wife, Kathy, and I will be attending the reunion both nights.  I'll try to get a check headed your way this week.  Any chance of a cool front for August?  Uh.. didn't think so.  Come to think of it....I need to send you a check for the website support.  You and Mike do a really nice job.  Fun to see what people are doing these days.  I went with my wife to her 40th Nursing Class reunion at the end of March.  (I'm much younger than she is...hee, hee).  What a hoot!!  One of the ladies, Paula, was the head nurse at the Ben Taub ER when I was a medical student and intern.  We (young docs at the time) were scared out of minds working in that ER.  She was awesome, and really looked out for us.  It was really fun to see her.  So....my point is, (if there is one), the reunion should be a blast.  Hope we have a good turnout. 

from Carolyn Bigler Hebert '58
(wife of TJ Biology teacher , Mr. Al Hebert '56)
Alfred and I are on our way for our mini vacation and then my 50th class reunion. I created a DVD of 50 plus memories for our class reunion. You may be interested in how I did that. There are almost 300 photos of then and now plus music. I am still so very proud of your class for not waiting until most of your teachers were deceased to invite them to your reunion. You have to be commended for that.

(Be sure to check out Carolyn's website for more on Mr. Hebert, the triathlete!) http://moonlightflower.org/Alfred.html

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FACULTY SEARCH

I need help in finding information on  '68 faculty members .  I could use clues to names (& spouse), address, city, zip, phone, cell, e-mail address or even if they are still living.  We would love to send free tickets for the faculty member and guests to the class of 1968's 40th reunion August 1-2, 2008 .  The social is Friday, August 1, at the Holiday Inn on Jimmy Johnson Dr. in PA and the social/dance/get-together is Saturday, Aug. 2, at the Brad Club between Nederland and Beaumont.   

Their photos may be seen on the website and also may jog your memories.  For faculty photos, go to www.tjhs1968.com , go to  Group Photos listed at the top of the page, click on Admin/Faculty , and there they are!

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HELP NEEDED TO LOCATE CLASSMATES

(Their postcards were returned with address problems )

Bruce Griffiths
Marilyn Blanks Burke
Willis Gary
Carlos Barbosa
Clarence Bertrand
Eddie Jiminez
Patsy Johnson Hawks
Robert "Bob" Sewell
Nancy Cricchio Hinitz
Martha Fontenot Lewis
Robert Davalos
Beth Hobbs Lunde
Judy Cutten Henry
Sondra Holstead
Susan Sherrer Daigle
Richard Gillette
Linda Dillingham

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NEWS FROM THE HOMEFRONT

Dad turned 92 on April 22nd and I took Mom and Dad to the casino in Kinder, LA for his birthday treat.  They had a fun day and they returned a little "lighter" but didn't matter much.  They used "birthday $$$$".  Mom's days are mostly good lately.  Yeah.  Murphy is at the deer lease for a "work weekend"!  Sure!  I am going to babysit the two granddaughters for two days while they paint the inside of the new house.  The house building is going very quickly.  Lots of work involved.  I had forgotten about all the decisions to be made since we haven't built a new home since 1977~ 

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WANTED:

a good home for a female yellow lab

A yellow lab showed up at my daughter's land in Lumberton a couple of months ago.  She had a collar, seems to understand commands, and is friendly with the two girls (5 & 3) and their other two dogs.  But, the family doesn't want or need a third dog.  They will be finishing up their home in a month or so and need to find a good home for "Molly".  Contact me if you know of someone who would like a good pet .  She sure likes to fetch (even the corks on the fishing string). 

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(contributed by Donnie DeLee in California)

You know you are from California if:

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REUNION

Ernie Castaneda Bullion  found this website for anyone looking for something TROPICAL  to wear for our "Luau" themed reunion.   (Of course, you don't have to dress any certain way EXCEPT CASUAL & COMFORTABLE !!!!  www.TropicalHawaiianshirts.com

Don't forget to send in your $$$$ ASAP .  We are ordering decorations soon and need to have more money in our fund to do so.  Linda Gothia is heading up the decoration committee and has come up with some FANTASTIC ideas.  We hope to have some cute backgrounds for picture taking.  So, practice with those digital cameras before you get here.  If you know of someone that is having a tough time that would otherwise like to join us at the reunion, please contact me.  We have had a donation to pay for those tickets.  This will be handled confidentally.  We know that with high gas prices, motel costs, and meals it can be costly.  We want EVERYONE to have the opportunity to attend.
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WEBSITE $$$$$$ CONTRIBUTIONS