Death of George Bruce McKinnon

George Bruce McKinnon, former Vocational Agriculture teacher at Fair Park, passed away on November 12, 2009. Visitation with the family will be from 5 PM until 8 PM on Friday, November 13, 2009 at the funeral home. Services will be at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Southside, at 1:30 PM on Saturday, November 14, 2009. Interment will follow in Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood, LA.

If you wish to read the full obituary or leave a message in the Guest Book just click on the title line of this posting.

Thanks to Mickey Phillips for letting me know about Mr. McKinnon's death.

Changes In Access Methods

One of the reports I receive on web site activity shows the computer operating systems used to access our class web site. Usually the operating system is either Window's XP or Vista, and Windows 7 is now beginning to show up. However, the operating system that caught my attention recently was the IPhone hits that occasionally occur.

I'm wondering if the web site is easily viewable on an IPhone and particularly if the text based information in the Blog and the web site can be easily read. If you use an IPhone to access our web site drop me a note to let me know how it works. I'm sure using Internet connected phones will become a more common thing so I might as well get up to speed on it now. Just use the News email link at the top right of the Blog to get in touch. Thanks.

Giving Honor To Whom Honor Is Due

Options For Navigating The Blog

Do you scroll through the blog to read the various articles? If so, you might want to consider some options that greatly reduces the need for scrolling.

As you've probably noticed the blog opens to the most recent year and month of articles. If you read the most current blog article first, don't scroll down to read the older articles. Instead, go to the list of blog articles on the right side of the page and click on the title of the next blog article you want to read. You can click in any order you choose. Each clicked article will open at the top of the left column.

After three or four clicks you will probably have a good idea of how the process works. If you want to open articles posted in other months and years the process is the same as described above.

There is also a second navigational option. At the bottom of each article are links that take you to the next older or newer article. There is also an Home link that takes you to the most recently posted article.

Give these options a try and see if they are a help to you.

Bill's July 2009 Big Trip

Bill  Roberts provided the following info about a trip he took in July 2009.

OK, The big trip I took in July, for 14 days, 3,700 miles on my Harley, w/16 other Harleys.

We left Jax. Fl., 300 miles in Ga. was the first night, London, Ky. the 2 night.

Columbus, Ohio for July 4th, Erie, Pa. 4th night, then into Buffalo, N.Y. for lunch.

Then on into Niagara Falls, New York, for two days & two nights. One day we all rode over into Ontario, Canada to get a Harley "Tee." I went to the falls 4 times, walked under the falls on the USA side. Then off to Lake Placid, N.Y.  & White Face Mtn. The next day we went to Binghamton, N.Y. for the New York State HOG Rally (2 days there).

Then off to York, Pa. to the Harley assembly plant (always wanted to go there). After that we rode to Gettysburg Natl. Military Park. On the way home we all rode the Blue Ridge Skyway.

11 States in 14 days and it didn't rain one time on us !!!!
That is what Bill Roberts did in July 2009.

Who Knows?

What's the story on how the Class of 1961 came to have the tile display of the Indian Chief in the main entrance foyer at Fair Park? Who proposed it? Who paid for it? When did it happen? Am I the only one who doesn't know? If you know anything about this jot it down and send it to me in an email. I'd like to document this so that the info won't be lost. If it has already been documented, point me toward it. Thanks.

Fair Park Class of 1964

The Class of 1964 recently had their 45th year reunion. They have set up a Blog and posted lots of photos of the festivities. If you want to take a look at the photos just go to the Fair Park Links on the right side of our Blog and click on the link to the Class of 1964.

Death of Anita Neeson Chandler

Anita Neeson Chandler, Mother of classmate Don Chandler, passed from this life on October 25, 2009. Visitation will be held at Rose-Neath Funeral Home, Southside Drive, from 4:00-6:00 pm, Friday, November 6, 2009. A graveside service will be held, Saturday, November 7, 2009 at 11:00 am, Forest Park West Cemetery.

Anita graduated from Centenary College in Shreveport, Louisiana in 1939 with a B. A. in Education. She began her teaching career that same year in Ida, Louisiana. In 1970, Anita earned a Master of Arts degree in Counseling from Louisiana Tech University. Anita taught 30 years in the Caddo Parish Schools at Linwood and Midway Junior Highs and retired in 1978 from teaching while at Woodlawn High School where she served as Coordinator of the English department. She was a member of the Caddo Parish Teachers' Association and the Louisiana Retired Teachers' Association. Anita loved teaching and loved her students. She always tried to make a difference in each of their lives.

The full obituary and Guest Book for Mrs. Chandler are available by clicking on the title of this posting. Please keep Don and his family in your prayers.

Death of Janice Salley Chance

I received a note from classmate Mary Palmer Strange that classmate Janice Salley Chance passed away in her sleep last night or early this morning. I'll be watching for the obituary and will add an addendum to this posting when it becomes available. Please keep Janice's family in your prayers.

Addendum: 11-5-2009

Funeral services for Janice Onita Salley Chance, 66, will be held at 11:30 AM Friday, November 6, 2009 at Rose-Neath's Southside Chapel. Officiating will be Rev. Randy Johnson. Interment will follow in Forest Park West Cemetery. Visitation will be from 5-7 PM, Thursday, November 5, 2009 at the funeral home.

The full obituary for Janice is in today's Shreveport Times. Click on the title line of this posting to go directly to the obituary and Guest Book.

Reading The Blog

If the text in the Blog articles is smaller than you prefer there may be an easy way you can make it larger. First click your mouse on a blank area of the Blog's dark blue background. Then, press and hold down your Ctrl key while you press the + key one or more times. If you make the text larger than you want you can reduce it by using the Ctrl key and the - key.

October 2009 Alumni Address Updates

There were three address related change received from classmates during October 2009.

• Richard Lindsey provided his home and email address.
• Joyce Duck Lodatto provided her updated email address.
• Chris Roach provided his home and email address.

The updated email addresses are shown in our Class Email Directory dated 11/01/2009.

For All Teachers

A Grand Reunion
By OVID VICKERS

In September 1952 with my newly-earned college diploma in hand, I walked into the first class I ever taught. I had accepted a position teaching high school English in a consolidated school in the small town of Rhine in the wiregrass region of South Georgia. This was in the midst of the Korean War, and I knew I would be lucky if I were not drafted during the year. Sure enough, the day the school year ended the local draft board sent me greetings. In two years, when the war ended, I was discharged and soon joined the faculty of East Central Junior College.

The year I taught in Rhine, a community settled by German immigrants in the late 1800s, was my only experience with high school teaching, and I learned a great deal that year. Colleges of education make a great effort to teach prospective teachers how to teach, but a teacher only learns to teach by teaching.

At that time, Georgia students graduated after eleven years of school while those in Mississippi attended for twelve years. However, students in Georgia were in school nine months each year while the school year in Mississippi was for eight months. So, each state was offering the same amount of instruction.

The last week in August of this year I received a phone call inviting me to attend a reunion of the first class I taught. It had been over 50 years since I stood before those seventeen-year-old students and lectured about grammar, composition, and literature. I was flattered to have been asked to attend the reunion, so I accepted the invitation and asked my son to make the seven-hour drive to South Georgia with me.

This "eating meeting" was held in the county seat of Eastman (the home of the Stuckey Candy Company) 16 miles from the little town of Rhine. After the usual reunion questions had been answered (Who came the greatest distance? Who has the most children? Who lives out of state? Who continues to live in the county?), I was invited to say a few words.

I had the opportunity to congratulate the class, although they are all retired, on the successes they have enjoyed, on the contributions they have made to their communities, and on the great debt I owe them for making my first year of teaching such an enjoyable experience.

As I looked over this group of gray-haired folks who are now in their seventies, I realized how successful they had been even though the curriculum of the high school they attended was very limited. As was true of most small high schools in the 1950s, the only mathematics taught was first and second year algebra. There was no trigonometry, geometry or high school calculus. The biology was strictly a lecture course without a microscope, much less a laboratory. Chemistry and a foreign language were also not a part of the curriculum.

A few years ago, the five high schools in the county were consolidated into one high school and two elementary schools. The Rhine High School building has since burned, although the gymnasium now serves as a community center. The graduates of the school have erected a marble monument where the school once stood to honor the school and the years it served the community.

During my lifetime, I have traveled a great deal in this country and in Europe, but I must say that Rhine, Georgia, was the most interesting place I ever lived. The people were very proud of their school and their town. They were like a large family that sometimes argued among themselves, but criticism from an outsider was not tolerated.

And what did I learn from my students that first year? I learned that a class of 25 students are smarter than the teacher because each student knows something the teacher does not know. I learned to respect students' opinions. Forget the adage "The teacher is always right." If you make a mistake, admit it.

Be prepared. The students will know if you are not prepared or if you come to class after having thrown something together at the last minute. I realized a teacher learns more the first year that he or she teaches than was learned during four years of college. I learned to be reasonable. Teachers must learn that students do have problems which can interfere with their school work.

When I taught there, fifteen teachers were on the faculty of Rhine School. Today only three of us are alive. The oldest is a spry 93, and the youngest is 79. Three members of the class have passed away, and so the class decided to begin meeting each year rather than every five years. I probably won't make the long trip for the next reunion, but I will never forget the class who taught me so much that first year I walked into a classroom.

"Its A Man's World" by James Brown

Have you ever seen soul singer James Brown and opera star Luciano Pavarotti singing together? Check out this YouTube video.

Sharing The Entire Blog Or A Specific Article

Did you know you can "Share" a link to the entire Blog on Twitter, Facebook, or Google Reader? Just click on "Share" at the left top of the Blog and follow the instructions that appear. Its really quite simple. I've done it for Twitter, but not Facebook, or Google Reader.

Want to share a specific Blog article with someone? First, click on the title of the article you want to share. When that article appears on a page by itself click on "Share." You can then email the article, send a link to Twitter or Facebook, or send it to Google Reader.

Please note that if the Title of a Blog article opens another web site the "Share" process does not work in those cases.

Where Is Everybody?

The graphics in this video are SPECTACULAR! And the topic is thought provoking.If the "Fermi Paradox" mentioned in the video is of interest to you, more info is available in Wikipedia by clicking HERE.

Death of Lela Mae Adkins Sewell

Judy Sewell Wilson sent the following info to share with the class. Please keep Judy and her family in your prayers.

My Mom, Lela Mae Adkins Sewell, was born February 24, 1922 and passed away from natural causes on October 13, 2009 in Coushatta, LA. Burial services were on October 16, 2009 at the Martin Cemetery in Martin, LA.

While Mom was receiving care in the nursing home she never fell and broke any bones. We are so thankful for that.

2009 Fair Park Homecoming And Veterans Day Events

Thanks to Susie Johns Gilley, Class of 1964, for this info.

Homecoming Events:

Coronation - October 22, 2009 - 6:30 PM - Fair Park Gymnasium

Alumni Breakfast - October 23, 2009 - 9:00 AM - Fair Park Cafeteria RSVP by calling Fair Park (318)-635-8181 - $10 Donation for Breakfast - Honoring Class of 1984 this year - Last year Honored Class of 1953

Homecoming Football Game Tickets - On Sale at Breakfast

Tour of school following breakfast

Pep Rally - 3:30 PM - Fair Park Gymnasium

Homecoming Football Game - October 23, 2009 - 7:00 PM -Independence Stadium

Veterans Day Program:

November 11, 2009 - 10:00 AM - Fair Park Gymnasium

Key Note Speaker:  The Honorable Jackson B. Davis

Web Surf to Save Your Aging Brain

By Amanda Gardner
HealthDay Reporter

MONDAY, Oct. 19 (HealthDay News) -- Surfing the Internet just might be a way to preserve your mental skills as you age.

Researchers found that older adults who started browsing the Web experienced improved brain function after only a few days.

"You can teach an old brain new technology tricks," said Dr. Gary Small, a psychiatry professor at the Semel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior at the University of California, Los Angeles, and the author of iBrain. With people who had little Internet experience, "we found that after just a week of practice, there was a much greater extent of activity particularly in the areas of the brain that make decisions, the thinking brain -- which makes sense because, when you're searching online, you're making a lot of decisions," he said. "It's interactive."

Small is co-author of the research, which was scheduled to be presented Monday in Chicago at the Society for Neuroscience annual meeting.

"This makes intuitive sense, that getting on the Internet and exploring and getting new information and learning would help," said Paul Sanberg, director of the University of South Florida Center of Excellence for Aging and Brain Repair in Tampa. "It supports the value of exploring the Internet for the elderly."

Most experts now advocate a "use-it-or-lose-it" approach to mental functioning.

"We found a number of years ago that people who engaged in cognitive activities had better functioning and perspective than those who did not," said Dr. Richard Lipton, a professor of neurology and epidemiology at Albert Einstein College of Medicine in New York City and director of the Einstein Aging Study. "Our study is often referenced as the crossword-puzzle study -- that doing puzzles, writing for pleasure, playing chess and engaging in a broader array of cognitive activities seem to protect against age-related decline in cognitive function and also dementia."

The new study takes the use-it-or-lose-it concept into the 21st century.

For the research, 24 neurologically normal adults, aged 55 to 78, were asked to surf the Internet while hooked up to an MRI machine. Before the study began, half the participants had used the Internet daily, and the other half had little experience with it.

After an initial MRI scan, the participants were instructed to do Internet searches for an hour on each of seven days in the next two weeks. They then returned to the clinic for more brain scans.
"At baseline, those with prior Internet experience showed a much greater extent of brain activation," Small said.

After at-home practice, however, those who had just been introduced to the Internet were catching up to those who were old hands, the study found.

"This is a demonstration that, over a relatively short period of time, patterns of brain activation will occur while engaging in cognitive activities change," Lipton said. "That is at least a first step toward gaining insight into the mechanisms that might allow cognitive engagement to influence brain function."

But, Small said, beware how you use the Internet. "You can exercise your mind by using the Internet, but it depends on how it's used," he explained. "If you get hooked on gambling or eBay shopping, that may not be positive."

Obituary Links

The Shreveport Times recently updated the appearance of their online obituary page. Since that update I've noticed that you will get an error message if you click on an obituary in our blog that is older than the 30 day online period. In the past a click took you to a link where you could order a copy of the obituary and Guest Book. Based on the way things seem to work now it would be a good idea to print anything you want before the 30 day period ends.

Note From Sue Scott Gough

Sue Scott Gough has provided the following update on her husband's medical condition. John has been hospitalized since early August.

I asked John if he cared if I went to Sunday School & Church tomorrow since I haven’t been in a while. He said he does not want to be alone up there as he needs me there right now (Ricky was going to go with me to church) but, Ricky said he would be up there for him. So, I will go up there after church. John is getting stronger now “Thank God” and he did stand up straight two times on Friday after he did his exercises in the bed first to “warm” his muscles up.

He has gotten very dependent on me being there all of the time for him – he just does not want me out of his sight. He gets the nurse to call me on my cell phone from his room to find out where I am and when will I be back. (The other day I just wanted to get away for a while so, I left around 3:00 p.m. and told him I would be back for his supper feeding before 5:00 p.m. – Well, my cell phone rings about 4:45 p.m. and it is the nurse tracking me down for John – he got on the phone and wanted to know where I was and I told him right across the street at Wal-Mart – he said what in the world are you doing at Wal-Mart when all that "stuff” was going on up there where he is – so, I left and went on up there – just in time to feed him.

I have gotten 4 wreaths decorated and working on the 5^th one for one of the nurses up there. She wanted to have Red, Green, & White as her Christmas colors. I am charging $35.00 per wreath so I can get back money to help me out with the supplies that I have purchased. I am trying to keep my hands, mind, & body busy doing something while sitting up there each day.

Ricky, our son got in this afternoon from NC. Ricky will be working here at the house from 7:00 a.m. – 4:00 p.m. each day here. Then he will go spend the evenings with John – so, I will be there during the day and leave once Ricky gets there so, I can have some “me” time!

John is able to sit on the side of the bed with the nurse helping him sit up – and he did this 3 times today when his breakfast, lunch, & supper was brought in – then I fed him but, he was doing pretty well on his own today too.

Kenneth the PT guy told John, to get plenty of rest this weekend because come Monday he was going to encourage John to stand up and take a few steps for him.

Tina the PT gal came by Friday and said she will no longer be working with him because he had advanced on up to get Occupational Therapy from another person. She will be working with John to have him wash his face, brush his teeth, and brush his hair. As he gets to the point he can walk again he will be learning more “life skills” like going to the bathroom on his own, etc.

John is more than ready mentally but not physically to come home. So, just keep those prayers coming! The ICU nurses have been coming by and praising John for coming this far in his recovery from his illness. There were times they all thought that he would not make it – but like one nurse told me only prayers and God would be able to heal him. She told me his story is not over yet!

Well, need to head to bed so I can get up and go to Sunday School & Church tomorrow!

Love,

Sue

Saturday, October 17, 2009 7:49 PM, CDT

New Template For Blog Articles

There hasn't been a change in the Blog background template since the Blog was created about 3 years ago. In looking at the backgrounds now available for selection I chose one that locates the text on the left side of the page and the table of contents, links, and other such items on the right side. Its probably just my perceptions, but it seems easier now for me to read the articles since they have a left margin at the traditional left side of the page.

New Music Player

I recently added a user activated music player to the class web site. The player is located to the right of the History link. Hopefully, most of you know how to use this type player. If not, email me with your questions.

The music playing at the time of this posting is the old standard Funny How Time Slips Away. The artist is Jimmy Elledge. If his name doesn't ring a bell the sound of his unique voice probably will. I'll probably change the music frequently just to keep it fresh so if you want to hear this song don't put it off.

On a related note, about 10 years ago I visited a cousin who lives in east central MS. I'd never met him personally before my visit, but we had traded lots of emails as part of our genealogy work. While in his home I learned that he played several musical instruments and that as a teenager he, Jimmy Elledge, and 2 or 3 other local teenagers played in a string band as part of their school related FFA activities. Elledge did most of the singing because of his vocal talents, but he also played the piano. The guys in the band were apparently pretty good musicians because their band won the state level FFA competition in 1956. They also competed in the national level FFA activities in Kansas City that year and appeared on national TV.

Elledge was the only one in the band who spent his career in the music business. The other guys went on to careers in education, business, or other type jobs. My cousin showed me a picture of the "boys in the band" in 1956. Looking at that photo made me realize just how quickly time does slip away.

Email Usernames and Passwords Stolen

You've probably heard the news reports that thousands of email usernames and passwords were stolen via some type of phishing scheme, or keylogger virus.

Most of the news reports I found about the stolen usernames and passwords did a mediocre job explaining what happened and how to prevent it. I did find one that did a pretty good job. If you'd like to read it, click on the title of this posting.

Catch The Google Wave

Google may be about to "upgrade" how we communicate with each other using our computers. They are working on a program that will make most everything you need to stay in touch work together as part of the same package. It will also allow more to be done in real time, if need be, than the current way of doing things.

Google calls the new program they are developing the Google Wave. Earlier this year I watched a video about what they want to accomplish with this program. It really is a big step forward in having communication packages work together in a more seamless way.

Google is currently testing their Wave program with about 100,000 volunteers. They want to see what works and what doesn't. I haven't seen a time table for when they plan to launch the program, but next year sometime is my best guess.

I came across a 2 minute video tonight that explains in broad terms how the Google Wave concept is supposed to work. If you're interested, give it a watch.

September 2009 Alumni Address Updates

There was only one address related change received from classmates during September 2009.

• Martha Daugherty Winford provided her new email address.

The updated email address for Martha is shown in our Class Email Directory dated 10/01/2009.

Hubble Ultra Deep Field in 3-D

The deepest look into the universe ever achieved by mankind.

Death of Joseph H. Zmek

Graveside services for Joseph H. Zmek, father of classmate Patty Zmek Primm and Uncle of classmate Don Zmek, will be held at 10:00 am, Monday, September 21, 2009, in the Centuries Memorial Park with Rev. Lance Alexander and Kerry D. Tarvin officiating. The family will be receiving guests for visitation at Centuries Memorial Funeral Home Sunday, September 20, 2009 from 4-6 pm.

Mr. Zmek was born May 29, 1911 in Cleveland, Ohio to the late Joe and Anna Pekarek Zmek and was called home September 17, 2009 at The Grace Home in Shreveport, Louisiana following a courageous battle with cancer.

Please keep the Zmek family in your prayers. Home address info is available for Patty and Don, but no email addresses. The full obituary and Guest Book for Mr. Zmek is available by clicking on his name in the title line of this posting.

Update on Johnny Newberry

I received this updated info on Johnny.

Sunday - Johnny still has not been sent to Houston. He is still home and is still "testing". He is to have a "procedure" this Thursday that is supposed to be the final one before the big decision if he will be going or not.

Shirley Baldwin Chandler

Shirley Baldwin Chandler sent this note for posting on the blog. If you are interested in Shirley's offer contact her directly. If you need her email addresses its in the Email Directory available in the Class Directory page.

In going through some of my "stuff" I came across some books that were written by Sandra Canfield. Sandra also wrote under another name, Karen Keast. Sandra was C. K. Canfield's wife. I thought I should email C. K. and ask him about the books, but as far as I know he does not have an email address. I would like to offer these books to a classmate that remembers Sandra and has not read her books. I have three books by Sandra, Tigers By Night, Dark Journey, and Night Moves, and I have two copies of this book. I have four by Karen Keast, Night Spice, The Surprise of His Life, A Tender Silence, and Notorious. If you would put this on the blog and ask if anyone would like to have the books to get in touch with me. I will mail them to them. The first person to contact me would get them.

Johnny Newberry

Classmate Johnny Newberry has entered the VA Hospital in Houston for heart related surgery. No details are available at this time, but will be posted as they become available. Please keep him in your prayers.

A Hubert Humphreys Vignette

John Cole provided the following in remembrance of Fair Park history teacher Hubert Humphreys.

Upon learning about the death of history teacher Hubert Humphreys I couldn't help but remember a brief encounter back in 1961. It was getting close to time for finals and we were all looking forward to graduation. One day Mr. Humphreys called me up to his desk after class dismissal. He was looking nervously down at his grade book. He looked up at me and back down and was clearly searching for the right words. Finally he looked up and said, "John, do you ever pray?" I was knocked back and said, "Mr. Humphreys, do I NEED to pray?" After a brief pause he told me that he was assigned the job of organizing the Baccalaureate services for the Seniors and was asking if I would say the invocation (or maybe it was the benediction). When I realized this wasn't about grades or graduation I would have agreed to anything. I thought about this incident and reminded him of it every time I saw him at class reunions.

Flies On The Butter

I heard a song about 10 years ago that had lyrics so poignant that I found them online and saved them to my computer. That's where they've been ever since until they showed up this morning. Hope they make you smile thinking of at least some of your own experiences growing up in the south.

FLIES ON THE BUTTER

Old tin roof, leaves in the gutter
A hole in the screen door big as your fist and flies on the butter
Mama baking sugar cookies, we were watching cartoons
Heard her holler from the kitchen which one of you young’uns wants to lick the spoon
Yellow jackets on the watermelon, honeysuckle in the air
Daddy turning on the sprinkler, us kids running through it in our underwear
Old dog napping on the front porch, his ear just a twitching
Fall asleep on Granddaddy's lap to the sound of his pocket watch ticking
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't feel like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
But you can't go home again
Me and my best friend Vickie, set up a backyard camp
Stole one of mama's mason jars, poked holes in the lid and made a firefly lamp
Me and Jimmy Monroe, sneaking down by the river
I'm still haunted by the taste of a kiss I didn't get 'cause he was too chicken liver
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't feel like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
But you can't go home again
There's a blacktop road, a faded yellow centerline
And it can take you back to the place, but it can't take you back in time
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
It doesn't feel like it was all that long ago
Oh, oh, oh - Oh, oh, oh
You can dream about it every now and then
But you can't go home again
Old tin roof, leaves in the gutter
A hole in the screen door big as your fist and flies on the butter

Stairway To Heaven

Have you ever heard "Stairway To Heaven" played on an acoustic guitar? If not you are in for a treat.

Death of Hubert D. Humphreys

Thanks to Helen Lindsay Rigg for letting me know about the death of former Fair Park history teacher Mr. Hubert D. Humphreys.

Hubert D. Humphreys (Professor Emeritus of LSU-S), age 86, died Friday, August 28, 2009 in Ollie Steele Burden Manor of Baton Rouge, LA. Services will be 11AM Saturday, September 5, 2009 from the chapel of Riser Funeral Home in Columbia. He was a native of Caldwell Parish, long time resident of Shreveport and he lived his last days of retirement in Baton Rouge.

During his working years, he spent 33 years as an educator in Louisiana. He started in Webster Parish High School then moved to Fair Park in Caddo. He joined the LSU-S faculty in 1967 as one of the Charter faculty members and served 17 years.

If you wish to leave a note in the Guest Book, or read the entire obituary, click on the title of this posting.

Changing Times

Recently I read a short article on the origin and history of the Internet. That article caused me to recall how and when I became involved in using computers and the Internet. I shared that article, and my own experiences, with some folks and invited them to let me know about their experiences. The responses I received were all interesting, and in many ways mirrored my own experience. However, one lady who was in a genealogy email group with me several years ago shared a rather unique experience that she had. Here is what she had to say.

I got my first computer around 1992. I don't even remember anything about it. My kids were on it more than me. My kids were learning how to use computers in school so they taught me about computers. My youngest son says, "Mom taught me when I was around 4 how to cut pictures out of magazines and paste them on posters. When I was older I taught Mom how to cut and paste on the computer."

An unusual thing happened in the late 90's when we had dial up Internet service with Net Zero. I was having trouble connecting to the Internet. After about 30 minutes of trying I decided to give up. It was just not worth my time. I went outside and there were 5 police cars sitting in my drive way. It scared me so bad because I had no idea why they were there. One of the officers came to me and said "Are you ok?" I told him yes and asked what was the problem. He said they had been getting 911 calls from my phone and no one would answer when they called back. Standard protocol was to come to the address and check it out. I told them I had not dialed 911. But they had to make sure that I was not just saying that because someone could have been forcing me to say that. I told him they were welcome to come in but the only people that were there were my sons. They came in and walked around and we discovered that when I was trying to connect to the Internet, Net Zero was dialing 911. I thanked them for checking on me and promised never to use Net Zero again, and I haven't.

I am now on DSL, and at any one time there may be 3 or 4 computers going. And now we get the Internet on the phone too. I don't know how I ever lived without my Blackberry. Now I get to play on the Internet while in bed without having a light on to disturb my husband. Funny how we can't live without things that didn't even exist when we were children.

August 2009 Alumni Address Updates

There were three address related changes received from classmates during August 2009.

• Joan Stockard provided her new email address.
• Sonny Hedges provided his email address and home address information.
• Betty Sims Rose provided her updated email address and home address information.

Thanks to these folks for helping keep their alumni address information current. This is especially important as we move ever closer to the time for our 50th year reunion. The updated email addresses for these folks is shown in the Class Email Directory dated 9/01/2009.

Death of Charles Thomas Mercer

Thanks to the classmate who found this obituary and noted that this young man is the son of classmate Nancy Key Mercer.

Services for Charles Thomas Mercer, 38, will begin at 11 am Saturday, August 8, 2009, in the Chapel of Osborn Funeral Home. Interment will follow at Forest Park Cemetery West. Visitation will be held from 5 until 7 pm Friday, August 7th at Osborn Funeral Home.

Charles died suddenly Monday, August 3, 2009, in Birmingham, AL and is now at peace. Charles was preceded in death by his maternal grandparents, Thomas and Muriel Key; and his paternal grandparents, Thomas and Esma Mercer.

Left to cherish his memory are his children, Jacob and Kate Mercer; and their mother, Amy Bickers of Birmingham, AL; his parents, George Ronald Mercer Sr. and Nancy Key Mercer of Shreveport, LA; his brother, George Ronald Mercer Jr. of Raleigh, North Carolina; his extended family and a multitude of dear friends. Pallbearers will be Stephen Thigpen, Christopher Talley, Scott Bucy, Brad Bates, Matthew Faust, Michael Moloney, Brent Durham, and Rex Durham.

We have Nancy's home address in the alumni records if anyone needs that. The online Guest Book will be available through about 9/7/2009. Click on the title to this article to sign the Guest Book.

Please keep Nancy and her family in your prayers.