Threads--May 09

I hope all is well with everyone across the USA, Hawaii and the Netherlands. Margaret and I are fine as usual. We are looking forward to a trip to Alabama and Texas for a few days to visit friends and call on some classmates along the way. I will be away from my desk on the 20^th when I usually publish Maroon and Black Threads and for that reason you are reading the newsletter earlier than usual First things first! I am excited to report a successful gathering of members of the Class of 58 at the Cracker Barrel Restaurant in Asheville on Wednesday, May 6^th. Classmates Sally McCanless and Allan White were successful in rallying twelve (12) Class of 58 Maroon Devils to the restaurant for brunch. Those attending the brunch were Becky Denton Lawrence, Loretta Jarvis Sanders, Elaine McPherson and husband Cliff, Malcolm Sorrells, Betty Dermid Owens, Gary Roby, Bob Gray, Linda Sluder Tandy and husband, Joe, Jo Ann Chandley Elliott, Rex Redmon and wife, Margaret, and Sally and Allan. A survey sheet to determine how frequently the group would like to gather was passed around to each classmate and the unanimous decision was to gather at least every two to three months. Included in the survey was the type of format a gathering would include and picnics in the park or at someone’s home, breakfasts, lunches and dinners in restaurants were the top vote getters. Also, each person in attendance was challenged to bring at least one classmate with them for the next gathering. A good idea! The numbers increase from 12 to 24—then from 24 to 48! All future gatherings will be announced by Sally and Allan either by e-mail, or phone calls. Also, Maroon and Black Threads will carry future announcements. And, the Class website will feature a new “calendar of events” for future gatherings regardless of where they are held. Speaking of gatherings, Shirley McDonald Hedrick and husband Bob, were in Spartanburg, SC for several days the week of May 10^th as Bob participated in a trap shooting tournament. Sid Mitchell, wife Vera, and Margaret and I met them for dinner Wednesday evening, May 13^th,and had a great time catching up since the class reunion last September. Sidney and Shirley lived in the same Montford neighborhood when we were in Jr. High and High School, and it was Shirley who tried to teach me to “jitterbug” when we were in the 9^th grade at David Millard. While I am on the subject of gatherings, while we are in Texas, we are planning to lunch with the “Fab Four”—Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf, Betty Ann Ray Richardson, Mary K Ricker Thompson and Lynette Kelly Ames—plus Mary Carolyn has summoned other classmates who live in the Dallas, Fort Worth area to join us. Hopefully Billie Rogers Stapleton, Jim Reeves and Marion “Vic” Holcombe will attend. A full report of that gathering will follow in the June issue of Threads. Continuing with gatherings, the Upstate of SC alumni are gathering soon--Saturday June 13^th—for a picnic/cookout at the home of Class of 59 Maroon Devil, Bo DeLoach, and his wife Patty, who live in Spartanburg. We expect between 20 to 30 alumni and spouses to attend. What is happening with classmates in your part of the country? The LEHS Class of 59 announces 50^th reunion date. Although I have not received direct word from the Class of 59 director, Pippa Clark Dolen, several members of the class of 59 have told me the 50^th reunion date for the Class of 59 is set for the weekend of September 18^th and 19^th. I understand future mailings will announce the time and places. The LEHS Classes of 56 and 57 now have individual class websites. Big Jim Mills, Class of 56, and pretty Glenda Suttle Southern, Class of 57, are the web hosts for the websites for our upperclassmen. You may view the Class of 56 website at http://s1.webstarts.com/webstartscomleeedwardshigh/ and the Class of 57 site at http://leeedwardsclassof1957.shutterfly.com. I have learned through the grapevine there is a possibility the Class of 60 has a website in the works too. Perhaps if there is any truth to the rumor we will learn about it soon.   I do know the Class of 60 is beginning to organize their 50^th Class reunion headed up by Jerry Warren of Charlotte, NC, brother to Jeanette Warren Thompson, Class of 58. Congratulations to classmate Jo Ann Chandley Elliott. She has officially retired as of Tuesday, May 12^th. Jo Ann previously retired in 2000 after serving as a teacher in the Buncombe County public school system at Enka High School. Yet, teaching was in her blood and for the past nine years she taught English at Asheville Buncombe Technical Community College. Enjoy your new found freedom Jo Ann. Congratulations to classmate Patsy Farmer Jones for accomplishing a life time achievement award. Thursday, April 23, 2009, Patsy Farmer Jones was inducted into the Education Hall of Fame for Henderson County, North Carolina during a ceremony at the Hendersonville Country Club. Patsy, a teacher for 33 years, was praised for her achievements in research work to study the effectiveness of how year round schools would work in Henderson County. Patsy said one of the highlights of her career was seeing her students succeed and all the small steps they took to get there. News from the Class of 57 with regard to the health of Mickey Hoyle follows. I received the following forwarded e-mail on April 22^nd that was originated by Rusty Herman, Class of 57. A few minutes ago I talked to Mickey's daughter Kelly and was told that Mickey was released from the hospital today at about 5 P.M. He is staying with his Mother and Kelly sort made a joke about them taking care of each other. I believe that his Mother uses a walker and that could make things tough. Mickey has been on a chemo pill and another medication to even out his sugar level. His tubes were taken out a couple of days ago and the sugar level has been constant for 3 days. He has to take 3 shots each day. The doctors want to be sure the levels are correct for a total of 2 weeks before he goes to Houston. When I learn more, I'll let you know. Rusty This updated e-mail was received from Dr. Mack Anders, Class of 57, on May 4^th.This morning I talked with Mickey's daughter Kelly to see what Mickey learned in Houston. There were many tests, scans, etc., and the results of all of them won't be known until today or tomorrow. The one thing that was learned was that the tumors on his liver are to large for surgery at present, and they must be shrunk before they can be removed. Therefore, either tomorrow, or next Tuesday, Mickey will start a cycle of chemo for 4 days and then off for three weeks. The cycle will be repeated and then they will determine if surgery is possible, or if more cycles are necessary. The first day of the chemo is a very strong dose and will probably make him very sick. Mickey returned from Houston on Saturday and Kelly said he was really down that day. His attitude has improved since then as he realizes that the treatments are necessary or there would be a result none of us want to consider. Where he will be when the treatments start has not been finalized yet. He is working on that today. It is known that his Mother cannot take care of him, and for very good reasons, neither Kelly nor Rick can. As more is learned, I'll do my best to let you know. Keep Mickey in your thoughts and prayers. Mack JoAnn Smith Werhan sent the following message on April .23, the day after April Threads was published. Hi Rex, I am glad to hear you got the clippings. (Newspaper articles written by her brother, Charles Smith, Class of 57) You are so thoughtful in every thing you do. Of course by all means put the articles in the alumni museum. I didn't even know of it.   I hope others enjoy them as much as I did reading them. As I read through the articles they brought back a lot of memories. (Charles Smith was a sports writer for the Asheville Citizen Times and wrote many articles about LEHS Sports.) My oldest and dear friend, Carol Ray is principal of Asheville High now. If you haven’t met Carol, she is a must. She is a jewe!! l never dreamed she would someday be in that position. She has a job not every one wants.    Thanks for asking about my health.   I am feeling so good these days. I have been put on different chemo pills and don't have the sick feeling I was having before.. I am sending a lot of prayers up for Mickey. I know a lot went up for me and God hears everyone of them.   I hope all is well with you. Take care and keep in touch. LOL    JoAnn             Bill Waddell of Asheville, Class of 59, sent the following e-mail on April 22. Rex, thank you for a wonderful job of getting the Maroons newspaper out to all of us. I was reading your article about sled riding on the golf course, it reminded me of 1958 when Jim Mears and I went down Kimberly Ave. all the way to Charlotte Street on a sled in that snow you were probably taking about. How we ever made it around those curves I will never know. Also I remember going to Wray Jr. Hi and Arlington Jr. Hi. and riding on that bus when I was at Hall Fletcher. We rode with David Millard and Clyde Holzclaw drove it. We would play one of the Gastonia teams and David Millard would play the other. I remember that H-F would stop at Stamey's BBQ also. Great memories! I had a great visit with Mickey Hoyle this week; also Coach Marvin Nockow is on the eight floor at the same hospital. Both need our prayers and support. While I was in Mickey's room for I guess 25 minutes, he must have had six or seven phone calls from everyone. Mickey is one of the most loved persons in Asheville. His dad is in the Baptist Home here in Asheville, where my mom is. Mickey is worried about his parents, because he goes twice a week and drives his dad all over Asheville. How blessed we all were to grow up and go to the Jr. High's that we loved and then to have a High School like Lee Edwards to go to. All the friendships we have had thru the years, along with the memories are a treasure of a lifetime. I talk to George Couch often and he keeps me up with people like Robert Gamble and Garry Scott, etc. I hope your health is still doing ok. You have made a lot of folk’s happy doing the newsletter. Thanks so much, your friend, Bill WaddellTom Hughes, Class of 60, wrote to me on April 23. Tom, a former SBI agent before retiring, lives in Mt. Pleasant, SC and plays lots of golf. Rex, What a pleasure it is to read your news letters each month, and I look forward to hearing from you and members of the Class of 58. As you know, our class, Class of 60, is preparing for our 50th, and I hear from Syvone Eason, Jerry Warren, Ben Morrison. Please tell me where time goes. It seems like yesterday that we were walking from DM Jr. High to Pritchard Park to catch the bus home. Times were much simpler then because the only worry we had was to study, make passing grades, talk on the phone, and wait for the week ends. I guess this was our age of innocence. I was shocked when I read that Mickey Hoyle is having medical problems. I have been including him in my prayers and hope he will recover. He is a true warrior and has a lot of fight in him. His father is the same way. A few weeks ago, my wife and I had a get together with a member of the class of 59, Sonny Enloe, class of 60, Ben Morrison, Tom Eller, Mary Clare Krause, and their better halves. It certainly was a fun time, the dinner was great, and what a pleasure it was to be together once again.            I see Sonny at the gym where he is still trying to keep to his playing weight of 148 #'s. Currently he is preparing for a bike ride in New York along with a fellow classmate, 59, Jim Rhodes. He as been training hard and looks to be in great shape. Sonny, Ben, Jeff Lipe, and Tom Eller had lunch a couple of wks ago and Sonny was preparing to go to some type of US Marine Corp Function. Sonny had his MC Blues tapered so him could get in them. The only thing he couldn't find was a pair of low quarters to wear. Anyway he went dressed to the hilt and said he did enjoy the function.             Ben and I are going to play golf tomorrow. I haven't been able to play since I had prostate surgery and then had some additional complications I wasn't counting on, but it appears I am on the mend and now if I can just hit the ball straight, I will be okay. Not much more news, but once again, thanks for keeping me posted on the Classes of 57, 58, and 59. Tom HughesSandy Setzler Rau caught up with me on the 23^rd of April and sent the following message. I had spelled her maiden name wrong and she politely corrected me.   Hi Rex!   The link you sent in your e-mail did not work. (I left out an “s” in class) I’m not sure what was wrong but fortunately I had saved the link and was able to read the newsletter there. Just a reminder, my last name was Setzler not Setzer. :-)            I so enjoyed reading comments of others and certainly will be praying for Mickey Hoyle. I doubt he'd remember me but I remember him fondly. How is YOUR health? You haven't said anything specific lately. We're headed to Seattle in May to see our son and wife and the 3 grandchildren there. We're ever so grateful to have our daughter and 2 grandchildren here. I think I've told you that we have ALL girls--5 granddaughters and no grandsons. We love our girls but wish we had some boys too! (Even our doggie is a girl!) Thanks for all you do......... Blessings,    Sandy :-)I had just published the newsletter on 4/22 when I heard from cousin Bette Wilson McClain who lives in Charlotte, NC. Rex, I’m such an idiot!! You know the student who asks questions before they even read the written directions for a test? Well, I had lots of those when I was teaching, and now I did the same.The trip to Dominican Republic was fantastic! The beaches were wide and white. And the ocean water was warm. It was just good to “get out of Dodge City” for a few days. I’d totally recommend the resort where we stayed. It was so beautiful, and all the people working there were gracious and helpful. Of course the food was unbelievable! It was just like a ship cruise on land! My daughter got the “all inclusive” stay, and that was wonderful. Just ask for a bottle of water or a drink of your preference around the pool, room service any time; the kids loved to order something at 11 PM to polish off their day. Seven different dining places--French, Chinese, Mexican, All-American buffet, etc. The kids would sometimes order two entrees, 2-3 desserts, whatever they wanted to sample! There was sometimes a little bit of a language barrier, but not really a problem. I’ll e-mail you a few pictures if you like. My grandchildren went sailing, scuba diving, parasailing, etc. They had a blast. Now I’m going to go read the newsletter you so kindly have written for us. How are YOU doing, health wise?     Bette        Mary Carolyn Hawkins who Margaret and I will have lunch with—along with the other members of the Fab four who live in Dallas, Texas—on May 22^nd sent the next e-mail. Hello Rex and Margaret,           I have been unusually terrible about following up on emails lately!!!!! I decided today would be the day to better my image of communication.I just read the latest edition of the “Threads” and am reminded again that each day is a gift which we don’t earn but are given. We have a lot of people around us as well as away from us that are experiencing the difficulty of getting older. I truly appreciate your taking the time to keep us linked in such a great way—always interesting—did you really mean Tar “Hells”??? I have heard from those copied above that they would like to get together when you visit next month. You had asked how far Lufkin is from Dallas, and it is about 200 miles. Depending on traffic factors/time of day, it will take 3 + hours. Don’t know whether you plan to make a short stop through here or plan to stay overnight. I have included a couple of restaurants that have meeting rooms (depending I suppose on how many people are able to attend) as well as great food!   We will be honored to be a part of your trip!Kathy Shoffner Henderson, Class of 60 and wife of cousin Jerry Henderson, Class of 56, sent the next message on April 23^rd. Rex, you do such a great job on the news letter. I want to thank you for sharing it with me, I enjoy it so much. KathyClassmate Paul Sheldrick comments on my Senior Citizen mistake of spelling “Tar Heels” as “Tar Hells”. Rex, Thanks for the update, and yes I wondered if there was a slip of the tongue repeated over & over. Must be the age! Just kidding !!!! You do a WONDERFUL job with the news letter.         Paul SheldrickAnne Cole Keast, of Carson City, Nevada contacted me on April 23^rd.  Dear Rex, Hope you are enjoying spring in the beautiful mountains of South Carolina. I do so miss them. Thank you for the updates. So sorry Mickey is going through so many medical problems. Give him my best.  We are off on a cruise to Norway this Tuesday, April 28th. We will be leaving from Ft. Lauderdale on Princess Cruise lines on Tuesday morning and sailing for 17 days to Oslo, Norway, and then taking a train to Bergen where we board a ship with the Hurtengruten Cruise Line and sailing the west coast of Norway for 14 days. Needless to say we are excited and anxious to go. We should be home June 3rd. Thanks for all the sharing of emails from our classmates.    Anne Sandra “Sandy” Jones Lee of Mobile, Alabama, sent the following message on April 23^rd also. Dear Rex,    As always, thanks for the newsletter. It is always interesting to read about people we all know. Sorry to hear about Mickey Hoyle. I have a close friend here who has that same cancer.  I hope Mickey gets stable enough to go to Houston.  Also, my doctor's mother was cured by the "Wipple"( sp?) operation. The cancer is rare so I send information you can pass this on if needed. I will be here when you come in May. I have an obligation on Monday 18th at 2:30, but am free on Tuesday and Monday morning. I still think of all the fun I had at the reunion and many thanks to you for all your hard work. That is what it took.
    You are right about our getting older. A close friend died about month ago. She was found dead and had been reading her devotional book. My girls said I would probably be reading some history store or a racy novel. They promised to place a Bible in my hands.
Happy Spring to you and Margaret. Sandra Dave Roberts, Class of 56 sends some good advice about recording annuals for permanent keeping. We have four classmates who have requested Class of 58 annuals if we ever have any extras to share. As a result, I am considering either copying or scanning an annual for those classmates—when time permits.           Hi Rex, Several classmates in every class have misplaced or discarded their annuals. Ed Dalton in our Class of 1956 made a CD of our 1956 annual and brought copies to our 2001 reunion. We could obtain a copy for a donation of any size to the Mrs. Marjorie Kunze Memorial Library.You might make a suggestion to the members of 1958 and see if anyone would volunteer to make a CD of the 1958 Annual. It means a lot of scanning but in the one Ed did, each page is available. If you'd like to ask him about it, his email address is <edandsharonpeace@yahoo.com>. That way, those that would like a copy can obtain one.   Just a thought.    Regards,    Dave  Pat Brookshire Reinhardt of Atlanta sent the next remembrance e-mail.  Hey Rex, Do you remember willing your basketball uniform, number 13, to anyone who was lucky enough to get it? It was for the 9^th grade class will. It was a sight seeing the long skirts and thick bobby socks. Seeing the group picture was awesome. I didn't realize how large our group was. I was in shock when I found the Bagpipe, I thought it had been lost forever. I hope everything is good with you.     Pat Brookshire Reinhardt Classmates George Couch and Joan Smith Werhan sent the following information on 4/25 concerning the death of Lewis Reynolds, Class of 57.    Rex, Lewis Reynolds was a member of the class of 57' and worked for the Northwestern Bank for many years. He was a good friend and will be missed by many. His obit is   http://obituaries.citizen-times.com/obituaries/obit.php?id=62431. George Couch Hi Rex,   Just a quick note to let you know if no one has let you know about Lewis Reynolds passing Friday he was class ahead of us was very well known @ lehs. His.picture was in paper this morning. I had seen Lewis and his wife in the drss office 5-6 mos ago. was seeing dr. because he had found breast cancer (yes) men are at risk also, but told me at the time that the dr. was going to watch it and not do anything at that time he looked great.anyway was sad to see his pic. in today’s paper.....take care, Joann Molly Alexander Haskell sent the following e-mail on 4/25. Thanks Rex for all you do, just was scanning the Roster of 1958, and can't believe the number of deceased classmates, so sad! I see so many classmates are still in North Carolina. My beloved and I are headed to Big Canoe in May for a week of golf, he just finished Tax Season and that’s very stressful, but he gets through with lots of prayer from friends, and we always go on our golf week, right after tax season, this gives him the incentive to get through, we enjoy our golf. We will leave Big Canoe and go to my Mother's who is still in Asheville, and spend a few days with her, then back to Orlando. Best Regards, Molly Alexander Haskell             And with all said and done, I bring to a close this month’s edition of Maroon and Black Threads. I wish everyone good health, much happiness and safe journeys. Peace, Rex Redmon

May 2009

Lee Edwards High School Class of 1958 Newsletter

Class website: http://www.lehsmaroondevilsclassof58.com

Published monthly by Rex Redmon, Greenville, SC (864) 284-6360 Redhrex13@aol.com

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