I hope this month’s newsletter finds all of you as well as can be and I hope you are ready to enjoy a “Long Hot
Summer”. Thank goodness for air-conditioning.
How did we manage without air-conditioning back in the day? Margaret and I have been on the go since the middle of
May. We left Sunday, May 17, for Mobile, Alabama. We stopped in Montgomery, where we spent the night and had a wonderful
dinner with classmate Sarita Krickhan DeRamus who lives in nearby Selma. Francis Bruce Williamson,
who lives in Opelika, Al, was supposed to join us for dinner but had grandchildren graduating from high school and
was unable to join us. Francis sends her love and asked me to tell all her classmates “Hello” as does Sarita.
We could have sat and talked with Sarita all evening but had to rise early in the morning to travel on to Mobile. It was good to
see and visit with Sarita again.
While
in Mobile visiting friends, I had coffee with classmate Sandra Jones Lee on Tuesday, the 19th.
We had a great time sitting in a neat little out-of-the-way coffee shop catching up on all the latest about classmates.
If you felt your ears burning that day we were probably talking about you—all good of course. Sandra
sends greetings to all her classmates also.
We left Mobile Wednesday morning and drove across Mississippi, Louisiana and into Texas
where we visited friends in Lufkin for two days. Friday morning we departed Lufkin and headed for Frisco, Texas,
a suburb on the north side of Dallas to meet up with the “FAB FOUR” for lunch. I thought Atlanta traffic was bad but it will not hold a candle to Dallas traffic. Thanks goodness for a GPS Santa brought us for Christmas because
it took us right to the front door of the restaurant where we were to meet Lynette Kelly Ames, Mary K, Ricker Thompson, Betty
Ann Ray Richardson and Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf and their spouses.
Having lunch with the “FAB FOUR” was like attending a reunion
all over again. There was plenty of jumping up and down, neck hugging and squealing. Lunch lasted two and
a half hours then all of us drove to Mary Carolyn’s lovely home out on the plains of Texas for desert and
coffee where a wonderful time was had by all. If I recall correctly we departed Frisco about 4:00 in the afternoon
and drove to Texarkana, Texas and spent the night before heading home to Greenville the next day. Today, June
20, we just arrived home from a four day visit to Gatlinburg, TN.
Speaking of traveling, traveling classmates, Ron and Anne Moore Henderson are
off to see more of the US countryside again. I received the following e-mail from Ron and Anne
who were in Albuquerque, NM on 6/13.
Dear Rex, Hope this e-mail finds you and Margaret doing well. You haven't mentioned how your health is doing recently.
How are you? We are traveling for four months in the motor home and we are now in Albuquerque, NM. Our plans are to
slowly work our way through New Mexico, Colorado, Wyoming, Montana, Idaho, and continue until we reach Asheville in September. Maybe you will be having a gathering somewhere in Asheville and we can join you while we are there. Could you send us Mickey's
address so we can send him a card. We are praying for Mickey and would like to let him know that we are thinking of
him. Also, thanks for Becky's address and we are sending her one. We look forward to your news letter each month and
appreciate your taking the time to keep us posted on everyone. Anne & Ron
Many of you continue to inquire about the health of Mickey Hoyle (57) as well
as other classmates who are ill. Rusty Herman (57) posted the following update on Mickey Hoyle’s illness on 5/16.
Mickey did start his chemo cycles this past
Tuesday (5/12). The first day is a strong dose nicknamed "Red Devil", and this is followed with weaker doses
the next three days. Each dose is a shot. He is off the chemo for 3 weeks and then goes through another cycle.
After the 2nd cycle, tests will be run to see if the tumors are shrinking and/or have shrunk enough for surgery. If
they haven't, he will go through more cycles.
After his first round Tuesday he felt fine and
also felt fine yesterday (5/15). Last night he had some nausea, but after he ate it was gone. So far
he has not had to take anything for nausea, which is very good. Maybe some of the following is a repeat and if so I apologize. There is a tumor on
his pancreas which is at the lower end and does not concern the doctors. However, that tumor metastasized to three tumors,
one each on three of the four lobes of the liver, and these are the ones that need to be shrunk.
A friend of Mickey's, Charlie Reynolds, is driving him to the doctors
for his shots. He is still staying at his Mothers. From what I've been able to learn, it does not appear that
he has access to email right now.
I will report more when something new is available.
Rusty
The following e-mail with regard to an update on
Mickey’s health was received a week later from Rusty.
Here is the latest info which I got from talking to Mickey’s daughter,
Kelly at 11:30 this morning.
Last Tuesday, Mickey got 3 chemos. One is called "red devil"
(the bad one) and 2 others. On Wednesday, Thursday & Friday he gets the 2 that are not as bad. Of course it
takes time for them to get all the way into the system and he was doing fine up until the week end. He got ulcers in
his mouth from one of them, making it difficult, if not impossible to eat. Not eating caused his blood sugar to drop
again. As a result, he went back in the hospital yesterday, where efforts are being made to again regulate the blood
sugar level. Please continue to keep him in your thoughts and prayers. Rusty
Bob Yingling, husband and companion to classmate, Carole McCarson Yingling of Maryland wrote the following e-mail.
Rex, I am Bob Yingling,
husband of Carole (McCarson) Yingling and we both were there at your wonderful 50th reunion in Asheville last year. I'm the e-mail receiver and sender in our family- so I get to respond to all incoming
stuff. Thanks for all you do, sending the monthly events and news concerning your classmates- Carole is getting it all! Just
a small note- We have our 1st grandchild- a beautiful boy born November 9th 2008. His name is Brandon Swain Yingling and he has changed our lives forever!! What a wonderful gift from God he is. Hope
all is well with you and your family and keep those e-mails coming. Bob & Carole Yingling-Sykesville, Md.
The following two e-mails arrived 5/18 and 5/30 from classmate Pat Alexander
Masters.
Rex, We have not contributed anything to your emails. Really enjoyed the latest
one very much. We have had our illnesses also. Allen's dad passed away last May whom we were very close to. His mom who is
95 fell recently breaking her hip, and now is under our care.Allen’s sister has had numerous physical problems and we try to help her out as much as we can.
I have had numerous illnesses which I will not go into at the present time. We are getting old and do not want to admit it. There are so many
illnesses and deaths re: our classmates. Hope you are doing well.
I so admire the attitudes of many of our Classmates. Allen and I are very close to Mickey Hayle. He has been in our church
and Allen plays golf with him occasionally. Allen talked to him a few days ago, his spirits good as usual.Very sincerely yours., Pat
Alexander Masters
Rex, Do you know Becky's (Atkinson Adylette) email address? So much is happening to so many people.
.Allen has arthritis and bone spurs in his right arm, shoulder, neck, arm and hand. And he is on pain med. They are
saying that this is something that he will have to live with--so much for his golf game! His mom who is
95 fell breaking her hip and she will be moving in with us Monday. Allen’s dad died last year at 92. His only sister,
Betty nursed her husband for five years, then he died, and she is not in good health herself. Allen keeps her lawn mowed,
his moms and ours which is about 4 acres. He is trying to garden like his dad did for years and is keeping bees as his dad
did.. We are trying to keep up with our two grandsons here, they are in ball and one is in karate. They will be staying with
us some this summer because both parents work. Pat Masters (Alexander)
(PS) Becky Atkinson Aydlette does not have e-mail. I forward the
newsletter to her each month by US Mail.
My dear cousin, Bette Wilson
McClain of Charlotte sent the following 3 e-mails. Cuz,
Thanks so much for all the effort you put forth, even as you prepare for a
trip! I’m praying that you and Margaret have a wonderful trip, and that you both feel well the entire time!
I’ve been putting off contacting Mickey because it’s so upsetting to me! But I don’t think I
should put it off any longer. I’m so glad people are contacting and going to see Mickey, I’m sure it lifts
his spirits so much. He’s always been a great friend to me, and I am going to see if I can find out where to contact
him, or his daughter, Kelly, by phone. I don’t want to just email him, because he probably gets so much of that.
If I can’t find out where to call him, I’ll mail a card to his home address. I noticed the letter from Bill
Waddell was dated few weeks ago, and a lot can change during that time. My thoughts and prayers are certainly with him
and his entire family.Thank you again, Rex, for the amazing job you do as our
Leader!
Bette
Hi Rex, I just talked
to Becky, and she sounded so much better. She said the pain was less now. She goes to therapy twice a day, and that taxes
her. Becky told me that the doctors said she would be in the rehab facility at least 20 days, so that means maybe 2 more weeks.
Her children are picking up her mail at home and taking it to her. She said she wouldn’t mind at all your mentioning
her health issues in the next newsletter. Bette
6/15 Hi Rex,Your mail was so timely. I talked to Becky yesterday (6/14).
She came home last Friday. Becky was overwhelmed and very touched by all the Get Well cards waiting for her! She sounded
more like the old Becky than I’ve heard in such a long time. She’s walking on her own, and her voice seemed very
strong. She said that her son and daughter are taking really good care of her. I talked to Bill Waddell last night, and
he expressed concern about Mickey Hoyle. He said he wasn’t sure if Mickey was out of town still. Mickey has been
a very good friend to Becky and to me, for many years. Do we just send cards to Mickey’s home address? I’d
love to send him one. I’m so glad you enjoyed your trip and what a treat
to be with that fun group of girls. Thank you for the great pictures. Have fun in Gatlinburg! Your Cuz, Bette
Tom Hatcher voices an opinion about sleigh riding in Asheville during the cold snowy days of the 50s.
I did a lot of things on Kimberly Ave., but sledding was not one of them. However, I took many daring rides down Macon Ave. from WLOS. I almost went under a parked car when Craig Bruton '59 was on my back. tah
Jerry Warren (60) sends the
following information about his class reunion.
and class website.
Dear Rex, You continue to do an outstanding job with your "Maroon & Black Threads" I am almost ready to "Go
Public" with the Class of 1960's web site. Our Monthly newsletter with be dubbed "The Hillbilly Herald". Yours
truly will be writing it I suppose.
We will have our 50th reunion on June 11-12, 2010. We've been working steadily for four months now. The web site has
been a real 'labor of love' for me and I wanted to thank you for your help in getting me going. We will be doing our first
mass mailing in June and at the time I will send you the web address which you may publish in your class newsletter if you
like. Again, thanks for your help. Jerry Warren Class
of '60
I hear from reliable sources the Class of 59 is having
a 50th class reunion this year during the weekend of September 18th and 19th. One of the
events is scheduled at Pack
Square in the old Plaza
Theater building. As more information is released I’ll post the news. Roslyn Cooley Lewis, Chattanooga, TN, wrote to say…
Hi Rex! Thanks for the
new Maroon and Black Threads! You do a great job, and I really look forward to receiving each issue. If
I am listed as one of the 4 people who want a copy of the 1958 year book, I still would like a copy. If not, please add me
to that list. I hope you and Margaret have a great time on your trip to Texas.Thanks again for
all your efforts. Roz
Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf, one of the “Fab Four” members from out near Dallas, Texas
wrote the next message on 5/23.
Hey guys, It was such a pleasure having you visit
with us yesterday—just wish we were closer and could do it more often! The Rum Cake and Frozen Fruit Dessert were
exceptional. The restaurant was not shabby either. Rex and Margaret, it’s your fault that we had such a great
time!!! So any time you can return we’ll enjoy doing it again! Now I need to ask—did anyone walk away with my reading glasses??????? They were sitting out on the counter and
were not there after everyone left. I figure someone must have a pair that looks like them and picked them up thinking
they were theirs—do you have an extra pair of glasses anywhere? Please check, as I would love to be able to read the
paper in the morning without having to retrieve my other pair from my purse. (Lynette Kelly Ames’ husband accidentally
picked them up thinking they were Lynette’s). One more thing—I attached the Bread Pudding recipe at your request—enjoy!
Have a really good week because you made the last one a great one. Mary
Bill Waddell ‘59, who lives in Asheville sent the following e-mail on 5/30.
Thanks Rex for getting
the word out about Coach Nockow. Betty Wilson McClain is a sweet lady who lived across the street from Malvern Hills pool and with her husband Henry were in our church at Arden Presbyterian for years before moving away. And who could forget Dick Hensley and
that 57 BelAir. I remember him being the Mgr. of the Basketball team along with Bill Keith when I was in the tenth grade.
You are doing a great service to us all with that newsletter! Bill
Both Tom Hughes (60) and George
Couch (58) sent a message to me with regards to the death of Asheville Citizen Times writer Bob Terrell.
Just read the AVL paper and saw where Bob Terrell had died in Arizona. He was 80 YO. I really remember him doing a lot of good sports stories for us
when we were in high School. Sure don't have sports writers like him anymore.............Tom
I remember Mr. Terrell giving both Boyce Ford (59) and Charlie Smith (57) writing
opportunities in the sports Department. George
PS Ten years ago
I visited the Asheville Library and copied all the sports articles Bob and Charlie had written about the Maroon Devils 56/57
basketball team of which I was a member. I treasure those articles dearly. Also, I invited Bob to be the
guest speaker at our Rice Family reunion in Beaverdam five years ago and he generously consented. He was
quite a man.
Anne Cole Keast from way out in Nevada sent the following message on 6/10.
Dear Rex, I loved the updates
from all in the last Threads. You are fabulous doing all the sharing of information. Hope your trip was great.
I remember Mary Carolyn from elementary school all through high school. I would love to see her. Thanks for the
information on Dick Hensley. I have known him since I was in the 8th grade. He used to come to hang out
with a group of us in the neighborhood in West Asheville. He had
made contact with me just before the last class reunion several years back and I had wondered why I had not heard from him
lately. I felt something was wrong. He was a good person. Love, Anne
Charlie Waddell (57), brother to Bill Waddell (59) recently started corresponding
with me. His e-mail is quite interesting as you will see.
HI REX, I JUST GOT YOUR E-MAIL AND I SURE DO APPRECIATE THE FAST GET BACK. I COULD GET INTO THE '57 WEBSITE
BY CLICKING ON THE ADDRESS THAT YOU SUPPLIED THIS TIME BUT FOR SOME REASON I CAN'T FIND IT BY TYPING THE ADDRESS?????????
ANY WAY I MADE IT AND TO MY SURPRISE "I'M DEAD". . I
WAS CHECKING THE DECEASED CLASSMATES AND THERE I WAS (OR WASN'T). TOMORROW I WILL HAVE TO NEGOTIATE WITH SOME ONE TO
BE BROUGHT BACK TO LIFE.
YOU WERE TALKING ABOUT NOT KNOWING OF JOHN INGLES MURDER. YOU MAY HAVE HIM CONFUSED WITH ANOTHER. JOHN
WAS IN THE CLASS OF '56 WITH MY BROTHER FOSTER. HE OWNED "COWBOYS", A HONKY TONK OUT ON HAYWOOD RD. WHERE
THE POOR'S HAD THAT FLOWER SHOP, ABOUT 4-5 BLOCKS BEFORE YOU GET TO PATTEN AVE. YOU KNOW HE WAS ASHEVILLE'S GAMBLING
ICON IN THE 60'S & 70'S AND GOT KILLED AT AN AFTER HOURS JOINT IN 1979 AT AGE 41. HIS FIRST WIFE WAS JUDY SELLERS
WHO I THINK WAS IN CLASS OF '58 OR '59. His BROTHER WAS CLASS OF '56 AND HIS NAME WAS DAVID. THE LAST I HEARD
HE WAS STILL IN THE AIR FORCE AFTER MORE THAN 25 YEARS. I HAVE LOST TRACK OF SO MANY AND NOW WITH THESE WEBSITES I WILL
REFRESH THE NOODLE A LITTLE. ANYWAY REX, AGAIN I THANK YOU SO MUCH. HAVE A GREAT DAY.
CHARLIE
An e-mail from Sally McCanless
follows with regard to a WNC Class of 58 mini gathering.
Rex, please enter into the newsletter the following info:"
A '58 WNC gathering is planned for dinner at TGIF on Monday, July 13, '09
at 6:30 PM." I emailed Ronnie and Anne,
wished them Happy Trails and asked when they would visit here in Sept. If I get a definite answer, Allan and I will plan accordingly.
Thanks Rex. Sally
For those Maroon Devils of WNC and the Upstate in
The Class of 58,
a mini-gathering is planned exclusively for the class of 58.
Join your classmates July
13th, at 6:30
p.m. for dinner at
TGIF in Biltmore.
Contact Sally McCanless at Sallys_alley@live.com (277-1158) or Allan White @ 350-9155 and let them
know you will attend.
A head count is required. Mark your calendars now to attend and stay connected with your
former classmates.
Saturday, June 13th The Upstate Maroon Devils from the Lee
Edwards Classes of 57-62 gathered in Spartanburg at the beautiful home of Patty and Harry “Bo” DeLoach, ’57,
for BBQ Ribs and all the trimmings.
We had a great evening
of fun, fellowship and food. Our common bond as Alumni of Lee Edwards High School and living in Asheville during our teenage years gives us plenty about which to talk. We have located 24 Maroon Devils from the above classes who live in
the Upstate and 20 of those Maroon Devils plan to have mini-gatherings every four months. The gathering
at the DeLoach house was our summer gathering and another gathering is planned in the fall at Sidney Mitchell’s house
in the fall. Bo’s lovely wife, Patty, invited us back to their house during the Christmas Holidays for our holiday gathering.
Are you getting all this Bo? Maroon
Devils living in the Upstate who have responded to our gatherings are: Ann Ingle Boone, Kaye Reinhardt Walker and Kay Nelson
Strange Class of 57; B.L. Coleman, Jennie Lazenby Padgett, Jo Anne Dalton Vaughn, Sidney Mitchell, Morgan Pritchard, Beckiy
Denton Lawrence and Rex Redmon Class of 58; Bo DeLoach, Bill Gardner, Larry Mucci and Elaine
Scott Brown, Class of 59; Katherine Algary class of 60; Elaine Chandley Pack, Jane Nelson McDonnell, Pat Alexander Abee and
Joan Brendle Harrell Class of 61 and Jerry Abee Class of 62.
I encourage you to write and let me know what you are doing in your
life this summer
and I’ll pass your e-mails on to your classmates. Remember to keep up with other Maroon Devils Alumni from other classes
by checking out their websites at http://s1.webstarts.com/webstartscomleeedwardshigh/ (Class of 56) and the
(Class of 57) site at http://leeedwardsclassof1957.shutterfly.com. Jerry Warren, ’60 will send his class website as soon as he has completed putting the
site together.
Even though the Class of 58 website is still up and running, I am unable to post
to it because of incompatibility between the web host and my AOL browser that occurred in May. I was never able to post photos
to the site either and I’m presently building another site and hope to have it ready soon—time allowing. Retirement
is not all rest and relaxation as one would think. I now wonder how I ever found time to work before I retired.
As I
conclude the June issue of Maroon and Black Threads I want to call your attention to those Maroon Devils who are ill and, or, are recuperating
from various surgeries and set-backs which have altered their life styles. Continue to remember in your
prayers Jennie Lazenby Padgett and Becky Atkinson Adylette, ’58, Mickey Hoyle, ’57, and Pat Alexander Abee ’61.
Recently one of my brothers-in-law had two heart attacks thinking his discomfort was indigestion. He is scheduled for triple
by-pass on the 23rd. Go see your doctor if “it” hurts and take good care of yourselves.
Peace, Rex Redmon
