RD and Betty Molcany Barber

Where has the year gone? Seems like we were just getting the seasonal greetings to Bill for last year, and now it is time to do it again. To all of you that missed the mini-reunion in October, a good time was had by everyone. Thanks to Linda for pulling things together for the class. What a remarkable thing that the class of '61 is still so connected after all these years. RD and I send all of you our warmest wishes for a wonderful holiday season full of laughter and love.

Ron and Fay Cagle Tooley

A CHRISTMAS greeting . . .

To quote an old song, Christmas “is the most wonderful time of the year.” But for many of us who have lost loved ones, it can be a sad time as well. The Spirit of Christmas gives us pause to remember past Christmases, good times with family, friends, and classmates. May our wonderful memories sustain us all in times of sorrow and distress. And may our celebrations of the Birth of Jesus bring us joy, hope, love, and peace now and always.

Merry Christmas.

James Edward Robertson, Sr.

South Florida Sun-Sentinel
November 27, 2007

JAMES EDWARD ROBERTSON, SR., "EDDIE", 64, of Boynton Beach, Florida died November 21, 2007. He was born in Shreveport, LA, where he also attended Fair Park High School. He graduated with honors from North Western University. He was an entrepreneur, who owned and founded numerous companies, and also taught people how to make money. Eddie proudly served his country during the Vietnam War in the Marine Corps and the U.S. Air Force. He is survived by his children: Candace Strickland, James E. Robertson Jr., and Russ A. Robertson; grandchildren, Brock O. Strickland, Hannah Strickland, Seth T. Strickland, Cameron J. Robertson, Brandon E. Robertson, Cassie Robertson, Brandee Robertson and Alison J. Robertson. Also survived by the mother of their children, Dianna B. Robertson. Visitation will be at Babione Funeral Home East (561) 395 8787 from 10 AM until 8 PM on Wednesday, November 28, 2007. Service with Military Honors will be at 7:30 PM. Interment at a St. Louis, MO cemetery at a later day.

Jerry and Sharon McClain Carter

Jerry and I want to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas and a prosperous and healthy New Year.

May God bless and keep all of you and your families during the holiday season and the coming new year.

Brian and Camilla Fulco Doughty

Christmas has and always will forever be my favorite time of the year. Each year diligent time is spent trying very hard to keep Christmas going throughout the entire year. It does not always happen. My dear, dear, friends thank each and every one of you for being the folks you are and always have been for me. May this season be the very best for you and yours. Love, peace and good wishes to all.

Camilla invites everyone to watch her, Brian, and their grandson Liam do a little Christmas dance. Click here.

Lester and Clara Anderson

Merry Christmas everyone. Thank you all so much for including me in all the festivities even though I was not able to graduate with the class.

Eugene and Carol Blake

I want to wish all of the Fair Park Class of 1961 a Merry Christmas and a Joyful New Year. I will retire on January 1st from General Electric. I am looking forward to next year. May God Bless each and every one.

Henri and Carol Ann Hawkins Deshotels

Happy Holidays to Everyone! Hope this Holy Season is especially wonderful for all. Thanks to all who kept me in their prayers this past summer as I underwent breast cancer surgery. All has gone well and I am doing great! I am cancer free! The reconstruction is complete and my family can finally rest and not worry. My best wishes to each one of you during this special time as we all celebrate Christ's birthday. Merry Christmas and Happy New Year!

Bill Scott

Wow! Christmas 2007 and the New Year are right around the corner! My sincere wish is that this Christmas will be a most blessed time for you. May it be filled with the joy of being together with your family and friends as you celebrate the single most important event the universe has ever known. Only after that blessed event could the angels say “Glory to God in the highest and on earth peace, goodwill towards men.” I also hope that 2008 will be a wonderful time for you as we continue to enjoy the good memories, good times, and good things that the years of our journey have made possible.

Click here for a nice Jacquie Lawson card.

Bettye Bogue Jones

I wish for everyone in our Fair Park class family, and their loved ones, a peaceful and blessed holiday season.

Robin and Carolyn Holliday Eichner

Wish everyone a Wonderful and Happy Christmas and all will go well with everyone. May God bless all of us in the year 2008 with good health and happiness.

Carolyn provided a photo of her and Robin on their 35th anniversary - 7/25/2007. Click here to go to the photo.

Gloria De Soto Eubanks

To my classmates of Fair Park High Class of 1961! Hoping that each of you and yours have a wonderful Christmas and a Happy New Year in 2008. May God bless each and everyone of you now and in our new year. Your classmate Gloria De Soto Eubanks from Leesburg, FL.

James and Vel Gilley

James reports their Thanksgiving has been a little different this year. Their community has been a bit strained by a major forest fire in the Manzano Mountains about 13 miles from their home town of Mountainair, NM. It has already burned 8,000 acres and is still only 5% contained. The Forest Service has called in firefighters from California to fight the fire. Vel is the Mayor of the town so she is guiding all the relief efforts.

James had smoked two large turkeys and he and Vel thought they were ahead of schedule for their holiday preparations. But the firefighters needed them so James and Vel donated both turkeys along with other donations from the town and were able to feed over 200 hungry firefighters. The town has really pulled together and has taken in many evacuees and firefighters. And they are all still thankful for all they have left.

James was beginning to wonder what his own family would eat for Thanksgiving when Vel came to the rescue again by pulling an extra turkey out of the freezer. Now they are hoping it will defrost enough to cook. Vel says that James is truly her Knight, as he always is, and he has started cleaning the smoker so he can smoke this turkey.

James and Vel we all wish you the best in your jobs during this trying time. God Bless All this Thanksgiving Day.

Becky Odom Goodwin

Becky wanted to share with the class how very blessed she is during this Thanksgiving season to still have her Mother, Mrs. Odom, with her. She will be 92 on the Friday after Thanksgiving. What a party that will be with all those candles.

God Bless Becky and how lucky the family is to still have your Mom. May she have many more happy and healthy birthdays to come in the future. All your classmates of '61 send love and prayers her way.

Ed and Becky Odom Goodwin

Wishing everyone a Wonderful Christmas and Happy New Year!

Click here to watch Ed and Becky do a little dance for you.

Ronnie and Josie Middleton

As I was missing for so long I would like to start this holiday season early with a Thanksgiving Blog and then a Christmas Blog.

I do thank God for those who dedicated themselves to getting me reconnected to the Fair Park High School Class of '61. I also thank God for all He has done for all of us as we hover around the 65 year mark of life.

May God bless all of you and your families during this period of celebration of His Son and what He did for us. Josie and I wish you all health, happiness and prosperity for years to come.

I am still in Guam till July 31, 2008 then retirement in the Philippines.

Kay Burford Murphy

I want to wish everyone A Merry Christmas and Happy and Properous New Year.

I had the good fortune to be able to see Becky Odom Goodwin and her group Texas Harmony at the Bay Area Bluegrass Association last concert of the year. That is talent with a Capital T ! Good going, Becky.

I am blessed with the life of my daughter, Gayle who has survived 13 years since her brain cancer was first detected. I am hoping we get at least another 13 years. She will start the new year on her 4th round of chemo-therapy for the latest brain tumor. We appreciate all the prayers from fellow Fair Parkers.

Those of you who knew my mother back when we were in high school will be happy to know that she is doing quite well after the death of her husband of 68 years (my dad). We often talk about life on Curtis Lane and all the good time we had there with you.

Love to all of you.

Kay also sent a photo of her family. Click here to go to it.

Johnny Newberry

Bill, I just wanted to thank you again for all the time you have given to our class with your computer skills for the blog. This past year has been good but sad. My Father, Jim Newberry passed away on June 28th. Not long after that my younger daughter gave birth to a baby girl to assist my 22 month old grandson terrorize their neighborhood. I have been enjoying my year when not attending funerals or births by playing as much golf as possible or traveling. Merry Christmas to all and I hope everyone has a safe and prosperous New Year.

2007 Christmas and New Years Greetings

All 2007 Greetings are above this posting. They will be activated on 12/1/2007. If possible, send me your greetings before then. If you don't get them in by 12/1/2007 send them in anyway. I'll post them as soon as time permits.

All 2006 Greetings are below this posting.

October 2007 Jeeping Trip

Joan Stockard sent a report on a trip she and Larry made in October 2007 in their new Jeep Rubicon --

What can I say except what a trip! Larry and I were just so blessed to see and experience so many of God’s wonders and beauty all along the way. How lucky we were to be running around parts of Arizona, Utah, and Colorado, doing much of it on back-roads and Jeep trails. This was definitely a different kind of adventure from our many awesome Harley trips.

Once across Texas we headed for Flagstaff, Arizona where we would enjoy the town and the surrounding areas for a few days before heading on to Utah. Flagstaff has a lot to offer from good eating places to the brightly lighted cute shops in historic downtown. And of course, it is a “Route 66 town.”

The next morning caught us heading north on Highway 89 to take in the South Rim of the Grand Canyon. We spent lots of time on and “off road” enjoying the magnificent Canyon, and we got lucky enough to catch a glimpse of a condor soaring up out of the Canyon walls. It was hard to believe that it was probably more than a mile away from where we stood watching. It looked as though we could have almost reached out and touched it. That’s just how huge these birds are in size. The drive back to Flagstaff that evening was along scenic Highway 180 where the views of Mt. Humphreys are fantastic, especially as the sun is setting.

After pigging out on some of the local breakfast tacos, another morning took us along Highway 89A to Sedona. It is a beautiful winding drive (made for Harley’s) that descends into Oak Creek Canyon. It is said by the locals to be “a drive never to be forgotten.” Once in Sedona we headed for the Red Rock Mountain cliffs and the Jeep trails that surround and look down onto Sedona. It was a fun day on the trails with spectacular views, but before leaving, we walked the main street and of course, visited the local Harley shop! The drive back to Flagstaff took us through the beautiful Coconino National Forest.

Williams, Arizona is just down the road from Flagstaff. If you like Route 66 towns this one definitely is “A Must.” It is so cute and well worth the visit. Somehow though Route 66 is just made for old cars and Harley’s! But back to Jeeping!

About ten miles out of Mexican Hat, Utah brought us to our next trail, a loop winding through the “Valley of The Gods” at Monticello, Utah. I wouldn’t want to do it on a bike, but you don’t have to have 4-wheel drive either to enjoy the beautiful and interesting Cedar Mesa sandstone monoliths and pinnacles.

At Monument Valley you just know that John Wayne is going to come riding around the bend with John Ford close behind directing the scene. We took lots of pictures!

Moab is sitting in the southeastern corner of Utah. It is surrounded by Arches and Canyonlands National Park, with the Colorado and Green Rivers winding through the awesome canyons. Capital Reef National Park and Natural Bridges National Monument are also nearby. The La Sal Mountains always seem to be in view with their snow capped peaks. There are Jeeps and more Jeeps everywhere you look. Our little Rubicon was truly at home in Moab. It is really a cute little town, too, catering to the Jeepers, the hikers, the rock-climbers, and the bicyclists, not to mention the anglers. Our days there were filled with good food, friendly people, and unbelievable views with great Jeep trails in every direction.

There was lots of wildlife, including our sharing one mountain ledge with 9 Big Horn Sheep while on a trail winding through the canyons of Canyonlands National Park.

Another awesome trail took us across beautiful, bubbling creeks and creek beds as we wound through canyons below the La Sal Mountains. And still another climbed and wound its way along canyon walls and rocks and boulders. At one turn, we came upon a group of rock climbers, right in the middle of nowhere. Another turn brought us to slick rock and mountain bikers riding those cliffs. Ha! And you thought we were nuts! Hee hee! I’ll take our Harley or Jeep any ole day!

As we headed out of breath-taking Utah that keeps your head turning just trying to see it all, we spotted over 50 deer, two Golden Eagles, and more Big Horn Sheep as we entered the Rockies and Colorado, definitely God’s Country! Although our Jeep trails ended due to the passes and trails being snowed in and closed, we still enjoyed the “Million Dollar Highway” remembering our many motorcycle rides we have taken on this spectacular scenic byway of the Rockies, and enjoying the beautiful towns of Ouray, Silverton (one of my favorites), and Durango before heading on into New Mexico, to finally start winding our way slowly back home.

Best Wishes to All and God Bless

Joanie

Linda Robertson Grissom

Well it's only been two weeks now and Linda's husband Stuart Grisson sent good news on Linda. She is home from rehab from her recent back surgery and is doing good, all things considered. Stuart says its been a long 4 weeks for both of them but things are looking up and there are no complications from the surgery so far. He says Linda is gaining her strength now through daily visits to rehab.

She should continue to improve and within the next year all the bone fusions will be permanently set. She is able to walk slowly now with a walker and uses the wheelchair when needed. She's taking it slow and easy.

Nice Going Linda. Please keep up the good healing. Our prayers for you and Stuart were answered.

Linda Robertson Grissom

Linda's husband Stuart Grissom has just given an update on Linda as she just had major back surgery recently. He says Linda is doing better every day and she is still in the rehab hospital trying to regain her strength and cognitive functions. She speaks well but is still having some memory problems, but is improving and expected to fully recover from that aspect of the surgery. He does not know when she might be coming home as the Dr's meet every Wed. and discuss the case. So they will have to wait until next Wed. when they will know more about this. He is hoping it should not be more than another two weeks that she does get to come home.

He is visiting Linda everyday and that does keep him busy. Good luck Stuart and Linda our prayers are with you both.

Judy Sewell Wilson

Judy is home and doing okay after the surgery to her right shoulder on October 31st. She said the surgery was tough and the medicine they gave her made her a little sick, but she is doing okay now. She'll go back to the doctor in a week for a checkup and will let us know then how she is doing. Good luck Judy. We are thinking of you and praying for you daily.

James Gilley

James sends news that his hometown of Mountainair, NM received their second snow of the season this week. He said the snow dusted the town real good. The weather is beautiful now being in the 20's at night and 70's in the daytime. It is great fishing weather for James.

Mountainair is about 80 miles south of Albuquerque and the scenery is always breathtaking this time of the year. James wife, Vel, is the Mayor of Mountainair and will be for 2 more years. So she is keeping both the town and James straight.

James said he was sorry he missed the reunion and said to tell everyone hello. He hopes all works out so he and Vel can come to the next reunion and visit with everyone. Hope to see you then James and enjoy the snow for us.

Linda Terry

Have you ever wondered if an individual News Blog article can be easily printed? Yes it can. To print an article click on the Title of the article you want. The Title is the words to the right of the small blue cupola shaped icon at the top of each article. Clicking on the Title opens a copy of the article. Then you can print that article in the same way you print any article. Once the article is printed click on the Home link at the bottom of the article to return to all the News Blog articles. It's just that easy.

Bill Roberts

Bill reports that he just completed another Harley trip. After he got home from the mini reunion on Sunday he had to pack for the Florida State H.O.G. rally in Coco Beach. On Thursday morning 20 Harleys left out of Jacksonville going South on the back roads. They had lunch at a seafood restaurant in New Smyrna Beach and then headed South and stopped at Cape Canaveral and took a few pictures. When they finally got to the hotel Bill says there were people and Harleys everywhere. On Friday morning after they had breakfast his group found a few more from the Jacksonville H.O.G. group and they headed South again to see more of the coast and towns like Melbourne, Palm Bay, Sebastian, and Vero Beach. Then they headed back to the hotel where they sat around on the Atlantic Ocean beach. Saturday they road to the Harley shop where a band was playing and food was available for all the riders. They stayed there most of the day. When they came back to the hotel they hung around the pool before turning in for the night. On Sunday morning they headed out for the trip home. Bill how fun was that trip? Wow!

Camilla Fulco Doughty

Camilla wanted to share with her classmates from Lakeshore Jr. High that she recently talked with the lady who was their band director - Ms. Eleanor Humble Poole. Camilla said she really enjoyed her talk with Ms. Poole. Camilla said Ms. Poole would love to hear from any of her former students and particularly asked about Kay Owens and Raymond Pelton. Camilla said if anyone would like to contact Ms. Pool she can be reached using the following information:

Ms. Eleanor Poole
9409 Palmetto LN
Shreveport, LA 71118
318-686-1661

Ms. Poole had also recently talked to Johnny Newberry and Camilla wanted to thank Johnny for mentioning Ms. Poole at the mini-reunion. Camilla said it was swell to speak to Ms. Poole again.

If any of you had Ms. Poole for band give her a call or mail her a note to let her know you are thinking of her.

Thanks Camilla for the note.

November Birthdays

Happy Birthday to the Class of 1961 folks with November birthdays:

Dewitt O'Donley - November 05
Jimmy Talley - November 06
Don Greene - November 08
Wilma Beard Adams - November 09
Betty Molcany Barber - November 12
Willis Dear - November 15
Linda McDaniel McVay - November 19
Carolyn Brown Roy - November 29
Bill Scott - November 29

May each of you have many more Happy Birthdays to come.