Season’s Greetings Classmates,
Tis that time of the year when the left hand is trying to keep up with the right hand,
only the right hand is so confused and has so many things to do it does not know what to do next, therefore
the left hand ends up idly marking time until the right hand gets organized. Sound confusing? Perhaps!
While the December holiday season is a bustling
and hustling time of the year for the majority of us, there are many people less fortunate than ourselves who perhaps might
like to have the opportunity to partake in all the Christmas or Hanukah pageantry. Yet, because of their social and economic
standing in society or community, whether it be from homelessness or loss of employment, might prevent them for sharing the
blessings of the Holiday Season. Let’s all remember to be generous with our time and talents and assist those who are
not as fortunate as ourselves. I’m not real big on receiving gifts and presents, but I sure get a
whole of enjoyment in giving—and that includes giving to those less fortunate than me—because I have been blessed.
Also classmates,
take some time out for your selves this Holiday Season—especially before the New Year begins. Relax alone with a cup
of coffee, hot tea or what ever your favorite winter beverage is, and count your blessings, then give thanks for the
many blessings you received this past year. I think you will be surprised how many blessings you actually
received, but did not consider it to be a blessing. God’s Grace is forever upon us—whether we acknowledge Him
or not—He is in control and the universe is unfolding as it should—despite how hard man tries to be in control.
There have been three Classmate gatherings
during the month of
December; one gathering in Asheville,
one in Charlotte and a mini gathering in Ormond Beach at Ron Rice’s Christmas Party.
Sally McCanless and
Allan White hosted a Christmas Dinner on Thursday, December 3rd for the WNC Classmates that was attended by 18
people at O’Charley’s Restaurant on Tunnel Road. Those classmates attending were Sally, Allan, Jo Ann Chandley Elliott, Linda Sluder
Tandy, Loretta Jarvis Sanders, Gary Roby, Tom Hatcher, George Couch, Elaine McPherson Cole, Judy Justice Humphrey, Jo Anne
Dalton Vaughn, Becky Denton Lawrence and Rex Redmon. There were also 5 spouses in attendance.
As compared to the last gathering of the WNC classmates, the numbers were down leading to the assumption the timing
for the event was either not good or the cooler weather was uncooperative. However, everyone attending the gathering at O’Charley’s
enjoyed good fellowship, tasty food from a diverse menu, and if you missed the event, you missed a good time.
Yet, we owe a vote of thanks to Sally and Allan
for coordinating four gatherings this past year for the WNC classmates. The brunch during the spring at Cracker Barrel was
a successful event as was the gathering in Biltmore in July at TGIF where 30 classmates and spouses attended. Also
the homecoming in September for Ronnie and Anne Moore Henderson and Gary Scott was a well attended fun event.
Margaret
and I drove to Charlotte on Tuesday, December 8th to support
the classmate gathering in that fair city. Judy Lance Smith and Bette Wilson McClain were hostess for the Christmas Dinner
at Providence Cafe. Bette was unable to attend at the last minute because her doctor put her to bed because
of lingering back problems. Dave Ehle and Laura Williams Taylor, both avid bridge players, also had to cancel because of bridge
commitments.
Those who did attend, Judy Lance Smith, Linda Matheson Wilbur, Bob Gambell, Jerry Warren (60), and yours truly had
a very intimate evening catching up with Bob and Linda who were unable to attend our 50th Class Reunion.
We put Linda in touch with Melvin Thrash, Don Printz, Betsy Parker, Kathleen Beakly and other classmates she
remembered from the National Honor Society. Bob and I have recently communicated via e-mail and AT&T
and Bob has caught up on the whereabouts of many of his old friends from LEHS. Jerry Warren, brother to
Class of 58 member, Jeanette Warren Thompson, lives in Charlotte and was invited to join us as will other LEHS graduates from
the classes of 57, 59 and 60 who live in the Charlotte area for future events. Despite the low turn out which included spouses of those in attendance,
we enjoyed a very nice gathering. Generic gifts were exchanged and enjoyed by all. The gifts included gift cards to Starbucks,
popular reading material and lots and lots of chocolates plus some interesting hot teas.
Prior
to Ron Rice’s Christmas party in Ormond Beach I received the following e-mail from Larry Ingle who lives in Venice, Florida.
Rex,
Just wanted to let you know that Donna and I will attend Ron's party. These plans were made some time ago.
Ronnie & Anne will attend also. Sorry that you cannot make it. We have attended many of his Christmas &
Halloween parties. The Halloween parties are quite a show. Hope you and Margaret had a great Thanksgiving.
We spent ours in Clearwater with our daughter and family. Our daughter is four
months pregnant with her second child, a little girl; her son is four years old. This has been a wonderful early Christmas
present. Hope your health problems are not to severe. Seems like we get medical procedures all the time.
I have just had my second MRI in the last couple of weeks. I have an ongoing bout with neuropathy that resulted from
getting a virus while on the cruise in the Mediterranean this past May.
There are alot of details that I won't bore you with. I am not letting this problem slow me down. We just
got back from a Disney cruise last weekend. We went with our daughters’ family. Have a ten day cruise to
the Caribbean in Feb. with ten couples from our neighborhood and going
to Egypt in April with seven couples from our neighborhood. I tell people that
I can't quit living just because I have a medical problem. In case you don't remember I had extended an invitation
to you and Margaret to come for a visit when ever you get down this way. Now all you have to do is wrangle other invitations
from Florida classmates and you guys could have a nice vacation.
Ron Rice has the two guest houses beside his main house and is always hosting friends. In case we are not
in contact again before the end of the year, Donna and I wish you and Margaret a wonderful holiday season.
I hope your health holds up and please keep us updated. Best Regards, Larry
As
Paul Harvey used to say before his broadcast; Now the Rest Of The Story as told by Anne Moore Henderson in
an e-mail of 12/18.
Rex, We just returned
to St. Petersburg tonight after attending Ron Rice's Christmas Party.
Enclosed is a picture of the five classmates that attended the Christmas party. (Gary Scott, Anne Moore Henderson, Larry Ingle,
Ron Rice, and Ronny Henderson) Ron had the most fabulous party, exquisite food...everything was perfect. Ron is a wonderful
host and all of our classmates would thoroughly enjoy attending one of his parties. We hope you and Margaret have a wonderful
Christmas. Ronny & Anne
And a regret I received earlier in the month.
Rex,
Thank you for the invitation
to Ron’s Christmas Party, but we will be coming back that day from NC. I hope all will enjoy the gathering.
I continue to enjoy your web site. Thanks for keeping it up for all of the 58 classmates.
Marcia Davis Padgett
Sandy Setzer Rau from of Carlsbad, CA is keeping us informed with regard to her move to a new home.
Sandy writes:
Hi Rex!
Another wonderful newsletter:) We aren't moving
the end of November after all - will probably be the end of December. After much preparation and anticipation, our buyer couldn't
get his loan together. However, God miraculously brought us another buyer one day later. This one is better qualified and
we'll probably close escrow Dec. 2nd or sooner. Then we'll rent back our house for up to 5 weeks (if needed) while we completely
remodel the other one. (New kitchen, bathrooms, etc.) I'll get excited once our escrow closes because then we can do all the
desired things to the new place.
I envy you living in those beautiful mountains
this time of year. We haven't had a drop of rain in such a long time here in San Diego and things are getting quite brown - no gorgeous
green trees. However, we DO have Liquid Amber trees. They look like small maple trees and the leaves become yellow, orange
and red and make it seem more like fall.
I hope you and yours have a very happy Thanksgiving
- also a Merry Christmas as well in case I don't get a note off to you.......Blessings, Sandy :)
Don Printz is ever faithful to keep us informed of the progress his wife, Debbie, is making in her
battle with colon cancer. Don sent the following update in late November after Thanksgiving.
Rex: Debby
visited the surgeon today and may the LORD be blessed, the tumor has decreased enough that the cancer can now be removed.
The surgeon was surprised how much it had changed. The cancer which in September was completely bound down is now free from
the surrounding tissue.
Also we heard from the oncologist
that he will not need to give any more chemo until after the surgery is complete in January.....then we start chemo again.
But Debby will not have the nausea and malaise during the holiday when all the kids are scheduled to be here. The burn from the radiation has eased considerably over the past five days.....although
she can still feel the discomfort. Please pass this good news to those about to gather this
Thursday. In Him,
Don
Classmate Roslyn Cooley Lewis of Chatannoga, TN. has a new e-mail address which needs
to be changed in all your Bio Books. Her old e-mail address of ALewis213@aol.com is now rcladlewis@gmail.com.
I received a wonderful letter from classmate
Gwen Palmer Pace who lives on
Merritt Island, Florida. I asked Gwen if I could
share her letter with our classmates and she gave her permission. Following are paraphrased exerts from her letter...
2/06/09 Hi Rex, I want to let you know how much I have enjoyed
the newsletters. You have done a great job and it takes a special person to take on something like that.
It seems such a short time since we were at LEHS. Yet, I
celebrated my 50th wedding anniversary June 6th of this year. I have two children; one boy, retired Air Force White House Communication agency and traveling
with many of the presidents. Now as a civilian he is still working for the government doing the same job. He has twin girls,
one a teacher, and the other will graduate in May of 2010 from Harvard as an International Corporate Lawyer My daughter works for NASA Public Affairs and her daughter has a teacher’s
certificate and a degree in Psychology but will graduate in 2010 as a nurse. My daughter’s son is pursuing a career
in professional baseball and is presently playing with Cocoa Beach. He aspires
to be a big leaguerI married a Navy man and when
we retired we moved to Merritt Island, went to work for NASA and eventually retired from there. Overall I have enjoyed a great life. I had a very good upbringing and
my faith has enabled me to come through many things. I spent last Christmas week (2008) in the hospital with heart and kidney
failure, but came through OK—with God’s help! I ended up back in the hospital one day after my birthday in September and I am dong much better, but no heart surgery
this time. Please add me to the newsletter prayer list.
I recently found my
Class of 58 annual that I thought was lost and have enjoyed catching up! It has been great. Please extend
Christmas Greetings to all classmates and Take Care… Gwen Palmer Pace. PS I am sending a donation to help with the newsletter
a little.
Gwen does not have e-mail but if any classmates wish to write Gwen or
send her a card, her address is 218 2nd Street, Merritt
Island, Florida 32953. I will admit to classmates what I admitted to Gwen after receiving her
letter. I had a crush on her in high school but was too shy to act on the crush.
Sweet Becky Atkinson Aydlette called me Friday, December 18th. We talked on the phone for a long time about various things, her health, her father’s
death, and her recent move from Jacksonville, Florida, to Williamston, NC, near the North Carolina Outer Banks where she is now living with her
son. She is suffering no ill effects from the recent stroke she suffered including no signs of paralysis. She specifically
asked me to please say, thanks for all the phone calls, the cards and letters, in addition to your prayers during her
recent illness and especialy Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Those of you who responded greatly
touched her heart and life. Becky’s new address is: 1080
Mocking Bird Road, Williamston, North Carolina, 27892.
Her phone number is 252-792-2798.
My usual eight page newsletter is restricted to six pages this month because of a minor, but annoying, medical complication.
I’m having some issues with sitting in front of the computer—bent over. Irritable Bowel
Syndrome if you will. That’s all I will say about that. However, in Larry Ingle’s
e-mail above, he alludes to some other medical issues he and I discussed during our cyber conversation. What
has caused a lot of medical trouble, in my case, is the cancerous carcinoma that invaded my tonsils way back in 1974. The
throat and neck issues I am experiencing of late concern my vocal chords again, (a situation I expected) scar tissue on my
esophagus which prevents me from swallowing food normally, and my left carotid artery is becoming restricted again after having
a by-pass in 1994. Surgery is scheduled January 21 for the vocal chords which will be laser trimmed again
at the Medical College of Georgia. Also, my esophagus will be stretched during the same surgery to improve
my swallowing ability. With regard to the carotid artery, I had a CT scan Thursday, December 17th to
determine the next treatment process. Another surgery is out of the question because of damaged tissue caused by radiation
and implantation of a muscle flap from my chest. Perhaps a stint will work--perhaps not. If not, medication is the only route left to treat the problem.
I will learn my fate when I see the vascular surgeon on the 28th of December. And that is the rest of that story.
Here is wishing all the Lee H. Edwards High
School Class of 1958, The Merriest of Christmases, The Happiest of Hanukahs, and The Greatest New Year Ever. May Santa Clause
be good to each of you, May God give you His richest Blessings and may your investments pay high dividends in 2010. To All,
Good Night.
