Greetings and Happy New Year Lee Edwards Alumni,

        If you live in Southern California, Miami or Hawaii, feel blessed because you are more than likely warm. However, those of us who live in other geographic areas of the USA are more than likely freezing off unmentionable parts of our anatomy.  Here in the Upstate of SC the low temperature overnight was 17 degrees. (Friday, 1/16).  Margaret and I are buttoned up inside sitting beside the fireplace watching old movies and Carolina basketball--North Carolina that is. We have delicious vegetable soup simmering on the stove, pones of hot corn bread and Southern ice tea with which to wash it all down. We have no reasons to venture outside.  I do not envy classmates John Price who lives in Connecticut or Roger Faulkner who lives in Michigan.  

I am still receiving comments about or 50^th class reunion. On 12/19, Linda Sluder Tandy sent a nice picture card which I did not receive in time to include in December 08 Threads. The picture was taken of my wife, Margaret and me, standing beside Morgan Pritchard’s robin egg blue and white, 55 Chevy. Standing beside us was Pat Bates Davis in her “Poodle Skirt”. The picture caption read, “What fun it was to pose in front of a 55 Chevrolet, “Fa-la-la-la”.     

Linda also wrote, Rex, I can’t let this year end without telling you how great the reunion was. You and your committee thought of everything! What a wonderful planned event. After all the activities were over, we all had a great Bio Book to read at leisure. Thank you for your vision, your mission and the hours and hours you and the committee gave to make it all happen—even recreating the Maroon Devil! Thanks for the memories. Linda Sluder Tandy  P.S. Although I did not help on a committee (because of my husband’s back surgery) I did find some time to help Elaine & Jo Ann with the decorations.)

Margaret and I were privileged to receive an annual Christmas letter from June Randolph Clark and her husband, John, who live in beautiful Roanoke, Virginia, in the Blue Ridge Mountains. Included in the Clark’s Christmas letter was a paragraph telling about June’s 50^th High School Class reunion which she describes as one of the highlights of the year.

In early fall, June’s high school class celebrated its 50^th anniversary in Asheville, a wonderfully planned and well-attended two-day event. The hours together were full of fun and grief and joy and sadness. For some classmates, joint memories; stretched back over 60 years to early elementary school. Really a matchless weekend

A personal note on the back of June’s Christmas letter reads; Rex, you made a lot of people very happy this year—2008. Hope you are resting on very well deserved laurels at the conclusion of the yea[1]r. Have a lovely Christmas time friend.  June.

An e-mail message dated 12/26/2008 to the LEHS Class of 1958 says:

Dear Classmates, It is with great sadness I forward the following obituary to you sent to me by class mate, Cissy Brown Hampton.  I received Cissy's e-mail Christmas day. I know each of you join with me in extending our deepest sympathies to Cissy and her family during this time of grief and mourning.  Those of us who attended the 50th Class Reunion did have the honor of reacquainting ourselves with Cissy and Tom; an opportunity and privilege of which we are grateful.   Rex

 G. Thomas (Tom) Hampton, Jr., 68, of Raleigh, died Monday, December 22, 2008 at Rex Hospital.

Tom was the Owner-Broker of Hampton Properties Real Estate.  He was a member of St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church and the Franciscan Coalition.  Tom was an avid reader who taught literacy to prisoners.  He later counseled callers at the AIDS Hotline and served as vice chair of his political precinct.  A devoted Dad, Tom volunteered for countless basketball games, swim and dive meets, horse shows and theater performances.  He also loved jazz.

A funeral mass will be held at 1 p.m. Saturday December 27 at St. Francis of Assisi Catholic Church in Raleigh.  A graveside service will be at 2pm Sunday December 28 at Green Hills Cemetery in Asheville, NC.   

Tom is survived by his wife of 45 years, Cissy Hampton; daughter Angela Hampton and her husband Alan Hale of Raleigh; son, Christopher Hampton and his wife, Toni of New Orleans, LA; and daughter Tiffany Hampton and her husband Brian Lee of Asheville, NC along with 3 grandchildren, Anna, Henry and Marin. 

In lieu of flowers, remembrances may be made to the V Foundation for Cancer Research at www.jimmyv.org

Cissy's contact information follows. Cissy Brown Hampton, 11501 Old Creedmore Road, Raleigh, NC 27612 Thampton@portbridge.com

        Tom Hatcher, Elaine McPherson Cole, Anne Beckham Ewald, Jo Ann Chandley Elliott and Charles Zibelin attended Tom’s graveside services in Asheville as representatives of LEHS Class of 58 on Sunday, December 28.

        I regret Sally McCanless’ following message was received after publication of December’s newsletter and it consists of two parts.

Rex, I know you have to pick and choose about items for the newsletter. But, if possible, please include this article. At 94 years old, Elizabeth "Libby" McCanless, my aunt and, former David Millard Secretary, and mother of Jim, Floyd III "Skip", Stuart McCanless and their adopted brother, Bill Walden (all former students at DM and LEHS) has had to leave assisted living and permanently go into a nursing facility. She is understandably depressed, and added to that fact, she has no vision because of Muscular Degeneration. In this season of Good Will and caring, if any classmate would like to get in touch with her, they can send a card to me at Apt. E-2, 431 Fairview Rd., Asheville, NC 28803 or an encouraging word to my email at sallys_alley@live.com. I will be glad to take the messages to her. Love and thanks.  Sally McCanless

Jan 17; Rex, My aunt, Elizabeth McCanless, passed away this morning. It is a blessing she did not have to go through several more weeks of pain and disorientation. I do not know the funeral plans as of yet. But, I am sure the obit will be out soon. I will let you know when. Thanks. Sally

            As Sally stated in her message in December, Mrs. McCanless was the School Secretary at David Miller Jr. High when we attended there from 1952 to 1955.

A fun time was had by all who attended the “Class of 60 Alumni Breakfast” in Asheville.

January 3^rd Margaret and I joined members of the LEHS Class of 1960 for breakfast at the renowned Moose Café near the Farmer’s Market in Asheville. Jerry Warren, Class of 1960, and brother to Jeanette Warren Thompson (Class of 58), extended the invitation to Margaret and me to join the Class of 1960 for the occasion. Also in attendance were Roy “Sephus” Stewart, Richard Barrett, Kathy Shoffner Henderson and husband Jerry (Class of 56 and brother to Ronnie), Sally McCanless (Class of 58), Jimmy Hoyle (Class of 61 and brother to Mickey) Shirley McDonald’s little brother from the Class of 61, Ann Gosnell (61) and several other 1960 and 61 LEHS Alumni whose names I did not record (My apologies).    

The purpose of the gathering?  “To stay connected as former LEHS Alumni”. We had a great time reuniting with those we knew in high school even though all of us were not in the same classes but knew each other from social gatherings at school. Some topics of conversation in particular were about the movie “Thunder Road”, starring Robert Mitchum, that was filmed in Asheville in the 1950s. Jimmy Hoyle remembered the scenes filmed at his family’s business, Hoyle Office Supply, and we all remembered WLOS radio personality, Farmer Russ, getting roughed up by Robert Mitchum at the Patio Restaurant (or was it Chez Paul, or The Sky Club)?

While on the topic of “Staying Connected”, Betty Ann Ray Richardson who lives in Weatherford Texas near Dallas, tells me the “Fab Four”, including classmates Mary K.  Ricker, Mary Carolyn Hawkins, and Lynette Kelly continue to gather for three hour lunches at least once every six weeks. I personally support local gatherings by classmates and think it is a great idea.

Many of you want to stay connected and as a result, I’m happy to announce those Classmates who live in Upstate, SC, gathered for a three hour lunch on December 18th.  In attendance were Sidney Mitchell, Ken Cooper, Morgan and Jerri Pritchard, Margaret and me, and Becky Denton drove down from Hendersonville to join us.  Jo Anne Dalton was planning to join us but was admitted to the hospital for a brief stay the previous day.  She is now doing well and is planning to join us as we gather again on February 14^th for a Valentine’s Breakfast. For that breakfast we are also including members of the Classes of 1957, 59, 60 and 61 who live in the Upstate.

        I have taken the liberty of grouping the majority of our 58 Alumni into geographic regions for the benefit of encouraging “Staying Connected Outings”.  For instance, the Greater Charlotte, NC, Metro area has 16 Classmates who include Marshall Bessinger, George Beck, Bob Cunningham, David Ehle, Danny Evans, Margaret Garren, Bob Gamble, Judy Lance, Linda Matheson, Louise Scarborough, Gary Scott, Barbara “June” Sorrells, Nancy Weddle, Bette Wilson, Laura Williams and Sarah Gosnell.

            The Fletcher, Skyland and Arden communities of Buncombe County has 11 Classmates that include, Joyce Almon, Brenda Diehl, Bob Gurley, Jane Harrell, Dorothy Jean Gregg, David Rickman, Jack Romine, Linda Sluder, Dwyre Stroup, Nell Whitaker and Bob Williams. 

Hendersonville has Keith Cochrane, George Couch, Becky Denton, Patsy Farmer, Suzanne Jacobs, Porter Jennings, Jacque Lyda, June McNeely, Paul Sheldrick, and Francis Arnette, (Brevard).

The Candler Community of West Buncombe has Roy Carter, Jo Ann Chandley, Possum McDowell, Tommy Patelidas, Gene Redmon, Gloria Ann Whitaker, Pat Wooten and Jimmy Coddington (Class of 57 who wants to stay connected with 58).

Weaverville and North Buncombe include, Janice Harris, James Davis, Jane Jenkins, Kent Lominac, Betsy Parker, Jimmy Rickman, Charles Zibelin, Dick Mauldin, and Arthur Cheek.

Swannanoa/Black Mountain is included with Charles Bradley, Brenda Davis, Keith Nelon, Bryant Helton, Judy Justice and Marjorie Powell,

Raleigh/Durham/Chapel Hill has Carl Bean, Paula Jo Bradley, Dale Briggs, Cissy Brown, Nancy Drum, Tom Haber, Sam Leaman, Tom Neal, Teresa Greene and Judy Erwin.

The Greater Greensboro area has Dick Angel, Hugh Bryson, Ed Lurey, Betty Lou Rice, Bob Sevier and Joe Dibacco,  

Metro Atlanta has Don Printz, Helen Lentz, Charlie Pruitt, Pat Brookshire, Carolyn Bennett, Larry Freeman, Eugenia Burton, Fran Fusco, Jim Kirby, and Heather Snodgrass.

Eastern and Knoxville Tennessee are represented by Shirley McDonald Hedrick, Dave Edwards, Joel Zibelin, Jean Hawk Gibson and Bobby, Lewis Goforth and Tom Hatcher who lives in nearby Marion, Virginia.

(Speaking of Shirley McDonald Hedrick, I received the following e-mail from Shirley on 1/17. Rex, I want you to keep an ear out for any yearbooks from our years at David Millard and Lee Edwards. Mine were unfortunately lost in a move. Maybe if you put my request in the newsletter I may get a response. I just can't stop thinking about how wonderful the reunion was. It was really the highlight of 2008 for me. My only regret is that I didn't have enough opportunity to see and talk to everyone.

I can't thank you and the committee enough again for all the work you did. I have my school color butterflies up in my kitchen as daily reminders of everyone.)  I have a David Miller Class of 55 “Bagpipe” I am going to copy for Shirley. If any classmate has any LEHS annuals with which they wish to part, please contact Shirley at Shirleyanna@bellsouth.net.

I am still in the process of compiling Virginia, Florida, Texas and California where many classmates live. Those will follow in the February Threads newsletter. Yet, there is still the Greater Asheville area where we find the majority of classmates still living and several groups could materialize from there.

Folks, all it takes is one person! Only one person in a given geographic area is needed to pick up the phone, and make plans to gather classmates for breakfast, lunch or dinner. Plan a date, pick a restaurant, and make the calls--soon. If you wait for someone else to make the call, a gathering will never happen. Phone numbers and some e-mail addresses are available in the online Class Directory at the Class Website or in your personal Bio Book.

If, and I use the word, if, very cautiously, If there were any complaints with regard to our 50^th Class Reunion, those complains were, There was simply not enough time to visit. The weekend passed by so quickly. I wish we had more time to visit with each other. Those are statements I have read over and over, time and time, again and again.

What if? What if you had the opportunity to visit with your classmates again, and not too far in the distant future? With the passing of classmates Pat Owens and Tom Hampton since our 50^th Reunion, my wheels got to turning. Why wait five years before we gather again?  At least, give those classmates who wish to see each other again, before 5 years passes, an opportunity to do so and see how many will be interested.

Here is the proposal for your consideration!  I have contacted the Crown Plaza Resort in Asheville (Formerly The Holiday Inn Resort behind Westgate). I asked The Crown Plaza for a price on a Four Day and Three Night “Getaway” beginning on a weekday night (including Sunday night) and ending on a weekday night. For instance, Sunday night thru Wednesday morning, or Monday night through Thursday morning, or Tuesday night through Friday morning. That is Four Days and three night’s folks of “reconnecting”.

•The cost for a single person would be $533.13 including breakfast and dinner each day.

•For couples the cost would be $649.26 including breakfast and dinner each day.

•For those living in Asheville and want to share breakfast and dinner with everyone, the total costs would be $116.13 for a single person and $232.26 for couples for three days, or $12.90 for breakfast and $25.82 for dinner. Menu is available upon request.

The prices do include gratuity and food tax but does not include room tax.

I am not suggesting a reunion format at all, but a common place and time for everyone interested to gather as one group and be together in a setting where we will have plenty of time and opportunity to visit for as long as we like. What say you?

The Crown Plaza has gathering rooms, a nine hole golf course, tennis courts, swimming pool, exercise rooms, and they are only fifteen minutes from down town Asheville.

I am looking at September of 09. If we choose October, when the leaves are in full color, the cost would be $10.00 more per night per person for occupancy only. Food costs remain the same for those only wanting to have meals.

There you have it. A Four Day, Three Night opportunity to gather again as classmates and “catch up” with those classmates you missed last September.  How many of you are interested and how many would attend? Please let me know your feelings about such a gathering right away. Respond to Redhrex13@aol.com or phone me at 864-284-6360.        

Classmate Jack Romine of Arden, NC sent the following article about deceased classmate, Patricia “Pat” Owens Brinkley Shulimson.

The Reverend and the Rabbi

by Edward T. Wolfsohn in Vol. 15 / Iss. 25 on 01/14/2009

As the reverend and the rabbi stood upon the altar at Calvary Episcopal Church in Fletcher and looked out at the filled pews, they complemented and acknowledged each other with every word and every gesture, however subtle.

The men, women and children assembled to honor the memory and life of Patricia “Pat” Owens Brinkley Shulimson (1940-2008) were witness to a perfect paradigm of two religions combining to yield an amalgam of mutual respect, understanding, cooperation, acceptance and love.

Whether in English or in Hebrew, from the Gospels or the Torah—and despite a personal grounding in one—not for a moment did I embrace one reading more than the other. The vision, the sounds, the aroma, the feelings and, yes, the taste that permeated the air was akin to manna. When the final hymn was movingly sung and the final prayer offered, the people filed out of the church and many elected to travel several miles to the Lou Pollack Cemetery, historically reserved for interment of this area’s Jewish population. That day in late October, for the first time, a plot was dug in an area to be reserved for interfaith couples.

Again, the reverend and the rabbi faced the two families gathered beneath the canopy and friends surrounding it and seamlessly combined to conduct the burial service. Jewish custom suggests that immediate family, followed by extended family and then friends, disperse a shovelful of earth upon the lowered coffin. As each mourner participated in this final phase of the service, my wife and I turned to observe Patricia’s 93-year-old mother seated in a wheelchair. After Patricia’s husband, daughter and brother each returned from the graveside, we were unsure if Mrs. Brinkley would be physically capable of wielding a large shovel, or whether she would be inclined to participate. As she approached the graveside, stood and tossed a hefty shovelful of earth upon the coffin, our doubts were erased.

Leaving the cemetery, I remembered that Patricia had orchestrated all that had passed that day. She anticipated the diversity of the people who would gather and the possible reluctance of many to accommodate unfamiliar beliefs and customs; however, in her foresight and wisdom she trusted that a greater purpose and common emotions would transcend all else and prevail.

I hope that all who attended realized the simple yet profound lesson taught and how germane it is to the difficulties that plague our country today. Only by putting aside our petty differences, respecting and appreciating our diversity and working together toward a common and greater good for all can we ultimately prevail?

The reverend and the rabbi know it; Patricia Brinkley Shulimson in her wisdom knew it. Let us hope that the rest of our great nation will realize it and embrace it before too long!

— Edward T. Wolfsohn
Asheville

 Classmate George Couch of Tryon, NC sent the following obituary on 1/16. George is not sure Skip attended LEHS but feels the majority of those who attended Hall Fletcher will remember Skip.

David ‘Skip' Fowler

Nebo - David Ray “Skip” Fowler, 69, of D54 Old Camp Ground Road, passed away at his home Wednesday, January 14, 2009.

A native and resident most of his life of Buncombe County, he had resided in McDowell County the past 10 years. He was formerly employed with Roche Laboratories, was a member of the Marion Moose Family Center-Chapter #1705 and was a U.S. Marine.

Mr. Fowler was a son of the late Ted Ellis Fowler and Elsie Irene Fore Fowler, and was also preceded in death by his brother, Jimmy Arthur Fowler, and sister, Jerrie Ann Plemmons.

Surviving are his wife, Charlene Whitaker Fowler of the home; daughters, Tracey Fowler and Terrie Sharpe; granddaughter, Leah Sharpe; brother, Kenneth Dennis K.D. Fowler and wife, Sherrie of Weaverville; and nephew, Jeffrey Fowler and wife, Susan, of Colorado Springs, Colo.

A memorial service will be held 2 p.m. Saturday in the chapel of Anders-Rice Funeral Home. The family will receive friends immediately following the services at the funeral home. Memorials may be made to Hospice of McDowell County, 575 Airport Road, Marion, NC 28752.

Attention 1958 LEHS Classmates and others from the LEHS Classes of 56 & 58 who wish to attend a “Staying Connected” gathering. The LEHS Class of 57 extends the following invitation. 

LEE H. EDWARDS HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1957

DINNER AT TGI FRIDAY'S IN BILTMORE

TUESDAY, 27 JANUARY AT 7:30 PM

CLASSES OF 1956 AND 1958 ARE INVITED TO ATTEND

I will close this month’s newsletter with the following borrowed words of wisdom for “middle aged adults” such as our selves. The words were sent to me by classmate Jennie Lazenby Padgett. The author is unknown but the question is: How does it feel to grow old?

I know I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, and my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I’ve aged, I’ve become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I’ve become my own friend. I don’t chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn’t’ need but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat to be messy to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4:00 in the morning and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50s  and 60s and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love…I will—so be it!.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the new jet set. All too soon they too will get old. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten and I eventually remember the important times.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not be break when you lose a loved one or a child suffers, or even when somebody’s beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.   

            I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face. So many have laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. As one gets older, it is easy to be positive. You care less about what other people think and I don’t question myself anymore. I’ve’ earned the right to be wrong.

So, to really answer your question, How does it feel to grow old? I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what I could have been, or worrying about what will be. And, I shall eat dessert every single day—if I feel like it!

And there you have it for this month’s bit of wisdom. Please let me hear from you! Remember, this is your newsletter and I need news from--and about each of you. The publication date of Threads is usually the 20^th of each month. Until February…God’s blessings!

Rex