April 2006 Update

March was a fairly active month. I’ll just hit the highlights for you in a somewhat random order.

Have you noticed that I am not sending very many classwide emails anymore? That’s because I am now posting class related info here on the blog page where you can read it at your leisure. Check the blog page once or twice a week and you should have all the latest info. If you have any comments you want to share on a topic posted here just use the comment box that is at the bottom of every article. If you have something you want to pass along to me personally send me an email.

Photos from the Sequoyah of the 1961 senior class have been added to the website photos server. If you haven’t checked them out yet find some time to do it soon! Mickey Phillips did a wonderful job scanning all those photos. Thanks Mickey.

I received an update during March from Betty Carter Stokeld’s brother Sonny. He said Betty seems to be doing very well. During March Betty had another CAT scan and they did not find any recurrence of cancer or anything else unusual. Sonny said he appreciated the continued interest of everyone in the Class of '61 in Betty’s progress. As you may recall Sonny is from the FP Class of 1953.

I received a note from Judy Sewell Wilson regarding a chance meeting she had with classmate Barbara Kennedy Blaylock. Judy said Barbara had not heard of the planning going on for the reunion. Judy provided Barbara the class website address so Barbara could catch up. Judy also provided me an email address for Barbara and I wrote asking her for permission to add her email address to our class directory. If Barbara gives her permission I will include her email address in the May 2006 email directory.

RD and Betty Molcany Barber provided a new email address during March. It is shown in the email directory that I sent you for April 2006.

Henry Pharis from the FP Class of ’62 sent a note that he thought "missing" ’61 classmate Terry Dean had died sometime ago. Checking into that disclosed that Terry died in September 1999. Jackie Johnny Jones used that info to obtain Terry’s obituary from the archives at the Shreve Memorial Library. Terry's obituary has been included on the Memorial page of the web site. Thanks to both Henry and Johnny for their help on this matter.

The Mother of classmate Beverly June Mullins Shay passed away in Shreveport on March 8th, and the Mother of classmate Donald Greene passed away in Shreveport on March 27th. Please continue to remember Beverly and her family, and Donald and his family in your prayers.

I had a note from Jackie Caldwell Valentine in early March that she and Earle had visited with classmate Barbara Addison Cromer during February. Jackie noted that Barbara is a first cousin to Earle and was in town for a 96th birthday party for their aunt. Jackie said she does not have Barbara’s email address but is in email contact with Barbara’s sister. Jackie is supposed to get Barbara's email address and see if she wants to be added to the class email directory. Jackie also noted that Barbara retired in November 2005 and is still living in Florida, but isn't quite sure if she will stay there. As soon as Jackie gets Barbara’s info she said she would pass it along.

Carolyn Holliday Eichner sent a note March 1st that her youngest daughter Christie is finally home in Oregon after completing an extended trip throughout Central America. Christie completed her Peace Corp service in Panama on October 14, 2005, but spent the next four months “moseying” through Central America. No doubt Christie saw sites and had experiences she will remember the rest of her life. Carolyn is just thankful that Christie is safely home. Amazing how our priorities changes as we age.

Planning for the reunion is continuing. Do remember to mention the reunion to any Class of ’61 alumni you may encounter. They may be hearing the news for the first time. Please be prepared to tell them how to find the latest reunion information on the class website. If they have questions not covered there tell them to get in touch with Camilla using the email capabilities of the Classmate Directory webpage.

And finally, at least one reunion committee member is a firm believer that getting involved can be very good for you. Jerry Cook told me back in January that his reunion committee work had brought him back into contact with Carrol Ann Hanson Simpson. He and Carrol had dated while at Fair Park but life took them in different directions. However, after they reconnected Jerry was quite delighted to find that they both still enjoyed being together. On March 28th I received the following note from Jerry. “I am pleased to announce the formal email address change of Carrol Ann Hanson Simpson from carol_simpson99@------ to carrol_cook@------ (all legal and final). As of last Sunday at 2:00 pm, 3/26/2006, my high school sweetheart became Mrs. Jerry Cook, making me the happiest guy on this earth. At least I will be when my feet get back to earth. "Lil' miss goody 2 shoes" has been corrupted by the dirty old man, finally!!!!! Please update the database and change her address and phone # to mine. With a big smile on my face, Jerry Cook .”

Carrol also sent a note and said, “Just a note to let you know that I am Proud and Pleased to have the distinction or being Mrs. Jerry Cook. Jerry said he has corrupted goody 2 shoes, well "goody 2 shoes" as he called me does not feel corrupted. She definitely feels very LOVED. I could not have had a greater honor conferred on me!!!!!!!!”

Carrol also included two photos with her note. One photo was taken in February 1961 when she and Jerry were at their church sweetheart banquet. The other was taken on March 26th at their wedding. I wanted to include both photos but found that I could only get one to show up, so I chose the photo made on their wedding day. Please join with me in wishing Carrol and Jerry the very best the Lord has to offer for their life together. If you want to see both photos go to Album o2 on the Photos page.

Well on that note I will make my exit. I do hope April is a great month for everyone. Stay in touch.