New Classmate Directory

On June 23, 2006, I sent a draft of a new classmate directory to everyone in our email list. Thanks for the favorable comments received on the directory and the updates of address information. On July 1, 2006, I will be sending the same folks a copy of the updated directory. Current plans are to continuously update the directory as changes are sent to me and distribute updated directories quarterly.

Adobe Acrobat Reader software is required to open and use the directory. Click HERE if you need to go to Adobe's download page to get or update your software. By the way, the latest Adobe software will greatly enhance your ability to use the directory. For example, you can do electronic searches of the directory. Also, email addresses are hypertext linked so that clicking on a classmate's email address automates the process to send that person an email. The newest software will even read the directory for you. That’s usually good for a laugh as you listen to the computer voice try to pronouce some of the words.

The updated directory has a total of 55 pages. That's large enough that you should consider using the directory on your computer rather than printing it. The Adobe software provides lots of options to make it practical to forgo printing the file. One of the most convenient options is what Adobe calls the "Full Screen" mode. To use this mode open the directory and then press and hold the CTRL key and press the L key. Press the same keys to close the Full Screen mode. While in the Full Screen mode you can use the Page Up and Page Down keys to go to the sections of the directory that you want to visit. As you use the Page Up and Page Down keys notice how the alphabetic section indicators at the top and in the margins of the directory change to show where you are in the directory. This is a big help letting you know when you get to the section you want.

If you want do an electronic search of the directory, press and hold the CTRL key and press the F key. Then type the word you want to search for in the search box. This can be a person's given name, or a surname, a city, a state, or even a zip code. Spelling is important in electronic searches so if you aren't sure how to spell a name you can search using only the part of the name that you are sure how to spell. That may take longer, but it works.

You can also zoom any part of the directory to a larger size by pressing and holding the CTRL key and pressing the + key until you get the size you want. Use the same process and the - key to reduce the size of the document.

There are lots of other capabilities that could be discussed, but what I have mentioned will get you started. However, if you have any questions about using the Directory please let me know. I’ll do what I can to help.

Volunteers Welcome

Today a classmate volunteered to make phone calls to other classmates to encourage them to attend our 45th year reunion. I provided a list of classmates living in the nearby area and those phone calls will be made over the next couple of weeks as time permits.

As I thought on this I wondered if any other classmates might want to get in on this. If so, drop me a email and let me know. I'll send you a list of classmates living in your area.

Reunion Update - June 12, 2006

Camilla sent a note this morning updating the total reunion registrations received thus far. The count now stands in the mid-30's. Camilla also asked me to pass along the following comments.

____________________

This is Camilla Fulco Doughty----reminding all of you out there---no matter what your schedule---try to include time for our 45th reunion----come visit the past and have a blast with your old cronies on August 5th------we are working hard on some surprises and hope to make it memorable for all----see you there.

____________________

A couple of dates deserve highlighting. First, if you will be staying at the Holiday Inn Financial Plaza, July 17th is the date by which you need to make your room reservations. As of today, that's only 35 days away. August 5th is only 19 days after that. The point of my calendar math is the old clock is ticking. If you haven't done so already mark your calendars so these dates don't sneak up on you, and get your registration letter in the mail to Camilla. If you need another copy of the registration form you can print that from the Reunion page.

Computer Tip

If you like to change the Desktop wallpaper on your monitor occasionally I want to pass along a fun tip on how you can use just about any nice picture you find on a website as your wallpaper. For example, if you go to our Classmates Directory webpage the picture there is the two '61 gold tassels on each side of a dark black background. Want to try that for your wallpaper? Here's how to do it:

• First, right click anywhere on the image. In the options box that appears left click on Set as Background.
  
  
• Next, press and hold the Start key. (That's the key with the small flag located on the bottom left side of your keyboard.) Then press the "D" key. That will open your Desktop so you can see what the picture will look like as wallpaper.
  
  
• If you want to use that picture as wallpaper that's all there is to it. When you want to make a change just repeat the same process with another picture of your choice.
  
  
• As you try different pictures if you don't like the results just repeat the process till you find one you do like.
  
  
• Some pictures may not respond to the right click of your mouse. Just keep clicking till you find one that will.

This is how the process works on the Window's XP operating system. If you use another operating system I don't know if it will work the same way.

Classmate Memorial Board

Thought you might want to get an idea of what the Memorial Board being prepared for display at the reunion will look like. As many photos as available will be mounted on the lower portion of the Memorial Board as an aid in remembering those classmates who are no longer with us.

Thanks to everyone who sent photos to RD and Betty Molcany Barber for the Memorial. I can't say for sure yet but it is looking like there will be photos for every classmate who has passed away.

June 2006 Update

During May we received or found updated home address info for the following classmates:

• Lester Anderson


• Mary Doss Wilson


• Janice Salley Chance


• Judy Sewell Wilson


• Barbara Kennedy Blaylock


• Johnnie Ross McKinney


• Gerry Johnston


• Sandra White Harper


• Fred Seay


• Jerry & Janis Jefferson Bass


• David Smith


• Johnny Newberry

The new or updated home addresses are the good news. The bad news is that 50 of the letters sent to classmates to announce the reunion were returned because of outdated addresses. This return rate of 11 percent would probably be acceptable if this were a business mailing. However, given that it is an alumni mailing it means we no longer have any way to contact most of these classmates. We did have email addresses for 8 of the 50 classmates and they have been asked to update their home address info. However, the other 42 classmates will have to be added to the “missing” classmates group since we have no way of contacting them. If you are planning a move please don’t forget to provide your new home address and/or new email address for the alumni records. Unless you take the initiative there is no assurance we can ever regain contact with you.

Information regarding possible locations of several “missing” classmates was also received during May. Although that information was not detailed enough to result in a confirmed address for those classmates the info will be kept on file in the hopes that it may ultimately prove helpful. If you have any info at all about any of the missing classmates listed on the What’s New Page of the class website please send that info along to me.

Carolyn Holliday Eichner sent a note that since May 1st at 4:30am she has been exceptionally busy. That was when her 83 year old Dad suffered a heart attack. Carolyn got medical help to him in time and after several surgeries to place stents in the proper places Mr. Holliday is slowly recovering at Carolyn’s home. He is a retired Pastor and still lives in his own place near Carolyn and her family. Carolyn asked that prayer be offered up by those who are willing to pray for a full recovery for her Dad.

Judy Sewell Wilson retired at the end of this school year from her work as a teacher in Bossier Parish. She is hoping that the 6 Saturdays and 1 Sunday on her new weekly calendar won’t be too much free time. Only those of us who are retired have probably faced this issue. Since perspective is so important to good decision making, the best advice I can offer is think of the “new” calendar as an asset and not a liability.

As of May 31st signups for the reunion have totaled about 25 persons. As I get further updates I’ll post them in the blog. If anyone knows a classmate who didn’t get an announcement letter and registration form please direct them to the website or any of the reunion committee members for copies of both documents. If they don’t have an internet connection please print them a copy of the announcement letter and registration form located on the Reunion page of the website. If you don’t have a printer, send me their home address and I’ll see that a copy is mailed directly to them.

RD & Betty Molcany Barber are continuing their development of a memorial to classmates who have passed away. Thanks to everyone who has responded to their recent request for info and pictures for certain classmates.

Since the blog page of the class website now functions as the primary way for sharing messages about class related matters I would like to encourage you to read the blog page on a frequent basis, or at least once a week. That will keep you abreast of class related news such as the recent article regarding the group photo to be made at the reunion. That is info you definitely need to know if you plan on attending the reunion. However, if you wait a couple of weeks to read the blog that article could be located so far down the list of posted articles you might miss it.

Also, while a blog is designed to be interactive there has been very little feedback from classmates thus far. When you read an article don’t be hesitant to pass along a comment you might have. Also, if you have class related information you want me to post send me an email and I’ll add it to the blog.

May 31st was the 45th anniversary of our graduation from Fair Park. Check out the Do You Remember posting below for some musings on this topic.

That’s it for now. Summer temperatures are upon us. Stay cool.