January
20th, 2008
Greetings Classmates and
Maroon Devils across the Continental United States, Europe and other points East, West, North, and South of this great planet
on which we live.
Did you happen to notice this New Year begins Volume IV of Maroon and Black Threads? Little did I realize when I published the
first LEHS Class of 58 newsletter way back in February, 07, where this enterprise would eventually take me? The impact the
newsletter has had, not only to the classmates of the Class of 1958 but to the extended readership from other classes as well,
an appreciation for helping the Alumni of LEHS in the late 1950’s and early 1960s stay connected. In addition, the newsletter
is copied and archived by members of the Alumni Center at Lee Edwards High School (Oops,
that’s Asheville High School—sorry) in Asheville for posterity.
I
have also created a bound version of the newsletter to which I add each month’s publication. Unfortunately,
issues IX and X (September and October) from Volume I, 2007, are missing and are lost in cyber space forever. For some unknown
reason I did not retain hard copies or those issues. If anyone should happen to have those particular issues I would very
much appreciate copies.
Lets see what else is new? Interesting turn of events in the world of politics, and in the state of Massachusetts on Janaury 19th
wouldn’t you say? I promised many months back not to be political in the newsletter but I hope someone
in Washington gets the message from Massachusetts.
Many thanks to all of you who wrote to your editor of Maroon
& Black Threads during the holidays. Your e-mails, cards, letters and phone calls are always appreciated
and welcomed. Also a very special thanks to those of you who showed concern for the surgical procedures
I had on January 14th. The procedures went as expected—what else could I expect from a
teaching medical college hospital (Medical College of Georgia at Augusta)? My voice is a little
more diminished making it difficult to talk on the phone or talk in a noisy room, but hopefully my ability to gain some volume
will increase as time goes by. I am breathing much better and swallowing better as well. However, I do
have a lingering after effect--a result of anesthesia--which is a nuisance until January 25th.
Our Wisconsin classmate, George Holmes, who summers in the north near the Great Lakes is spending the winter in Cullohwee enjoying the tropical weather of the
south—or so he thought until the recent frigid weather hit us. George sent the following e-mail.
Great newsletter, Rex, sorry I missed the Asheville get-together
in December, guess I didn't see the email. Good luck with the medical issues, while I've nothing really serious happening,
it does seem I spend an unseemly amount of time at the Doctor's office and can therefore sympathize. Hope you and yours enjoy
a wonderful Christmas this year! Thanks for the work on the newsletter! George Holmes
George spent his summer repairing and painting a huge three story Amish Barn on the property where he
lives in Wisconsin. He said, the big barn needed paint, and as it turned out, a fair amount of structural repair,
since it was built about 1900. A few beams replaced, sill plates, masonry, and the like. Fortunately we are blessed with an
Amish community nearby and a couple of those industrious folks helped me and did most of the work. It came out well, don't
know if another 100 years is in the cards, but I've done what I can. I've included a couple shots of the old homestead...can't
resist sharing, it looks so much better from a distance!! I'll definitely try to make the next get
together in Feb.
I caught up with Classmate Charles Beaman who is TDY in San Pedro, California from Houston, Texas, where he and wife, Trena Griffin (60) have a permanent residence.
Actually Trena responded in lieu of Charles who is temporarily living and working in San Pedro until January 21st
when he completes his current construction project. Trena says Charles is retiring—finally. She says; At this point,
we are anxious to be together and spend time going on a much anticipated vacation to celebrate Charles retirement. (We
have been married 46 years!)
We
talked about the cold weather gripping the entire country and we both fondly remembered the snows during March, 1960.
Oh, yes, I do remember the snow in 1960 and the sledding on the golf course! Such fun! My, that was
a long time ago! It is COLD here in Houston, we did have snow before Christmas but the cold has remained. You can catch up with us at this e-mail address,
Beamant@aol.com and our new mailing address is: 1010 Bittersweet Dr. Richmond, Tx. 77406. .....I read the newsletter you send out every month. So interesting. Take care-love, Trena .
Kathleen Beakley Jackson who lives in New
York City missed our class reunion because her
husband, Edward, was undergoing treatment for cancer in September of 08. I wrote to her recently to inquire about Edward and
following is her response. Hi, Rex - thanks for asking about my husband. He's having
another bad health siege (cancer), and is now home from months in hospital & rehab. Lots of family will come later
in the week to celebrate his 85th birthday. He's thrilled to be home, as am I! I meant to write you earlier to say thanks so much for the newsletters - I
always enjoy them so, but it's been hectic here. I hope you have a good year -All the best -Kathleen
Kathleen
recently enjoyed catching up with classmate Linda Matheson Wilber who lives in Charlotte.
Speaking of cancer, I recently learned
classmate Fran Fusco Scott’s husband, Tom, has confirmation from his Medical Doctors he has overcome bladder cancer.
Congratulations Tom. We wish you and Fran continued
good health.
A man has surfaced―not that a man has been lost but this particular man I
have not heard from in a year. I received a neat updated Christmas letter from classmate and band leader of the Combo
Masters, David Edwards. David and Connie are enjoying their first year and a half of retirement
shuttling back and forth between Knoxville and Marco Island, Florida, David says, we still maintain our little place in
Knoxville on the lake and try to come up for the fall and UT football. The weird thing about coming to Knoxville now, from Marco, is not being on such a busy schedule. It means that we can enjoy
Knoxville in a completely different way. While at the Beach he can only say, ‘Life’s
a Beach,’ It does not get any better than that!
Former fellow Beaverdam
resident, Margaret Ridenhour, (60) sent the following e-mail. Rex...I can't begin
to tell you how much I look forward to your newsletter, and I am not even a member of your class!!!! Do you really realize
what a positive message you always send? Your talent is very special and obviously appreciated by many! Sounds like you and Margaret have a challenging few months ahead. You all will be in my thoughts
and prayers daily...and for now I am wishing you a Merry,
Merry Christmas and may 2010 Be the Best Year Ever for You and Yours! Most Fondly...Margaret
Ridenhour
Still pretty as ever, Elaine Scott Brown, (59) is a nearby resident of
Taylors, SC and recently joined the Upstate LEHS Alumni at a gathering in November. Elaine and I attended
grammar school at the old Grace School then moved over to David Millard and finally LEHS. Elaine works part time in a very unique
local Ladies Boutique—which my wife now likes to frequent. Elaine responded to the December issue
of Threads.
Hi Rex, Thank you for the update on everyone. Although I do not remember
a lot of these people I enjoy hearing about them. I was so sorry to hear about your recent illness and the problems you are
having. I will be praying for you and will be anxious to hear how your surgery goes.
I am so glad that we connected this year and was so very happy
to meet Margaret. A sweet lady. Yes, we are so blessed in many ways and I am very thankful for my relationship with God. We
are living in hard times and He is our only hope.
We are taking our youngest daughter and her family
(3 children) on a Disney cruise after Christmas. We are excited about that as it is a surprise to our grandchildren. Again, I pray you and your family has a blessed Christmas and look forward to hearing from you after the first of the
year. God Bless. Elaine
Margaret and I visited with Elaine at the boutique
shop again on Monday, the 18th . Margaret was looking for a skirt to match a nice scarf she received for
Christmas. Elaine and her family enjoyed the Disney Cruise and Margaret not only found a skirt but two
jackets and another outfit to match. Sixty per cent off was hard to resist.
Brian Roberts, who lives out in Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, sent a nice note. If you recall, Brian moved to Miami after Brian completed
the 10th grade and he finished school in Florida but his heart still lies with the Maroon Devils. Brian’s
older brother, Dave, is my contemporary for the Class of 1956. Brian wrote to say hello and to express his appreciation to
classmate Suzanne Jacobs Gershen who forwards the newsletter to him. He also showed his thanks to Suzanne (according to Suzanne)
by sending her a book of forever stamps. A really neat gesture Brian.
I talked with Suzanne today by phone. She lives in Hendersonville and is
doing well. I had not been able to reach her recently by e-mail thus the phone call. Suzanne has a new e-mail address and
it is part of her business, so if anyone wants the e-mail address please let me know and I’ll give it to you.
Sally McCanless writes to
say the women of the Class of 1958
who live in Western North Carolina are gathering the last Friday of January, the 29th, at a 12:00 luncheon at the Corner Kitchen
in Biltmore. Sally says, We would love to have a large turnout. Due to knee surgery on Monday, January
12th and rehabilitation afterwards I will be temporarily unavailable for information and anyone wanting more
info about the luncheon can e-mail Linda Sluder Tandy at email jltatarden@bellsouth.net or telephone her at 1-828-6547880. Thanks. Sally
A follow up e-mail from Sally: My knee replacement was accomplished Tuesday last (12th) at St. Joseph's Hospital, and without problems. I am assigned to The Summit Rehab on Riceville Road
and it is the best rehabilitation facility in which I have been "incarcerated". I am not using a wheelchair often,
just a walker and getting steadier on my feet. Like anyone else with the same surgery might say," this hasn't been easy.
My pain Meds a little too sparse, but everything has been doable. Seems I will need about 2-3 weeks of therapy before I can
head home. Sally
Classmate Gayle Roberts Kelly who lives in Black Mountain contacted Elaine McPherson Cole in Asheville to tell her that Gayle’s younger bother, Drew, 49, passed away.
Please remember Gayle and her husband,
Bob, in your prayers. Gayle’s address is 490 Cragmont Road, Black Mountain, NC 28711.
I have two e-mails from classmate,
Don Printz, with regard to his wife, Debby, and
her battle against colon cancer. The first e-mail on January 12th followed Debbie’s surgery on January 11th.
Dear Rex: We had the follow-up surgery for Debby
yesterday and I am sorry to report that the cancer had invaded to the surrounding tissue; the small intestines were also involved
and the surgeon removed about a foot of diseased intestines along with some of the colon. Some of the cancer that he could
remove he tagged for radiation on these areas.We will start the radiation and chemo in February. Sorry for the bad news.
Debby has having a lot of nausea but otherwise is not hurting too much. She will be in the hospital until next week.
Update 1/16 Dear Rex I
wanted to give you an update on Debby’s medical condition. The good news is that her recovery from Monday’s surgery
was so good that she was discharged yesterday, three days early. In addition, the oncologist and radiologist have concurred
that further surgery and radiation will not indicated since the metastases have occurred outside the pelvic area. There is
no reason to have further treatment on the pelvic since radiation cannot be used in the general abdomen. Accordingly,
we will start chemo in mid-February after the surgical work has healed. This will continued on a semimonthly schedule for
an indefinite time and will be monitored via CT scans. Don
A prayer of praise and thanksgiving is in order for Don’s good news. However, their battle is not over. As Don
continues to be a care giver for Debby and as she continues her struggle against colon cancer please continue to pray for
the two of them. They are both full of faith and believe in miraculous healing.
What is happening with Mickey Hoyle many
of you have asked? A most recent e-mail from Rusty
Herman (57) to his classmates was forwarded to me by another of his classmates. Rusty says, First, an apology from me for not doing a better job of keeping you
informed about Mickey. I talked to Mickey just a short time ago and this is the latest. He has a
sinus cold and has for the last 3 days. It is causing him to cough frequently and he sounds stopped up. Aside
from that, the healing is going as hoped. He still has some back pain and in the next few weeks is going to have an
MRI on it just to be sure that there is nothing else wrong. He did say that some of the stitches are still tender from the
surgery in November. Periodically, he sees his internist and oncologist, but aside from the cold, things are progressing
for his return to Houston in April or May. I asked him what he
was doing and he said that mostly he was just trying to heal. He does go by the office to look at mail and emails every
so often but is not really working. I'll try to do better with updates.
Rusty
Saturday morning, February 13th at 9:00 a Valentine breakfast gathering
is scheduled at the Country Ham House in Greenville, SC, for the Upstate Alumni of LEHS from the Classes of 57-62. There are
approximately 20 Maroon Devils from those classes who live here in the Upstate of SC and we all enjoy the
fellowship of our mini gatherings. The gatherings are not closed to other Alumni who might wish to join us.
Please contact Rex at redhrex13@aol.com if you plan to attend the breakfast. A headcount is needed.
I spoke with Bill Gardner (59) on the phone last week. Bill recently visited the Greensboro area of North Carolina and dropped by to visit with former LEHS
classmate Johnny Spain. Many of you will remember Johnny who played both basketball and football for the Maroon Devils
before transferring to Greensboro after his junior year. Johnny is retired, single and lives alone aftrer recouperating
from open heart surgery a couple of years ago. After talking with Bill, classsmate Bob Gamble of Monroe, NC also contacted
Johnny to reneew acquaintances with him.
Classmate Ken Cooper and fellow
Tar Heel basketball supporter (The Heels are still
National Champs—go easy), has graced us with a very neat story. I know many of you forward stories
and interesting nostalgic tidbits to me on a weekly basis and if I considered for the newsletter each and every message I
receive there would not be enough pages to hold them all. However, I feel the message in Ken’s story
is certainly worth while to share. Ken writes…. His name was Fleming, and he was a poor Scottish farmer.
One day, while trying to make a living for his family, he heard a cry for help coming from a nearby bog. He dropped his tools
and ran to the bog.
There, mired
to his waist in black muck, was a terrified boy, screaming and struggling to free himself. Farmer Fleming saved the lad from
what could have been a slow and terrifying death. The next day, a fancy carriage pulled up to the Scotsman's sparse surroundings.
An elegantly dressed nobleman stepped out and introduced himself as the father of the boy Farmer Fleming had saved. 'I want
to repay you,' said the nobleman. 'You saved my son's life.'
'No, I can't accept payment for what I did,' the Scottish farmer replied waving off the offer. At that moment, the farmer's
own son came to the door of the family hovel. 'Is that your son?' the nobleman
asked.
'Yes,' the farmer replied proudly.
'I'll make you a deal. Let me provide him with the level
of education my own son will enjoy. If the lad is anything like his father, he'll no doubt grow to be a man we both will be
proud of.' And that he did.
Farmer Fleming's son attended the very best schools and
in time, graduated from St. Mary's Hospital Medical School in London, and went on to become known throughout the world as
the noted Sir Alexander Fleming, the discoverer of Penicillin.
Years afterward, the same nobleman's son who was saved from the bog was stricken
with pneumonia.
What saved his life this time?
Penicillin.
The name of the nobleman? Lord
Randolph Churchill. His son's name?
Sir Winston Churchill.
Someone once said: What goes around comes around.
So, Work like you don't need the money. Love like you've never been hurt. Dancelike nobody's watching. Sing like nobody's listening.
Live like it's Heaven on Earth.
May there always be work for your hands to do;
May your purse always hold a coin or two;
May the sun always shine on your windowpane;
May a rainbow be certain to follow each rain;
May the hand of a friend always be near you;
May God fill your heart with gladness to cheer
you,
and, may you be in heaven a half hour before the Devil knows your'e dead.
What better
way to end the newsletter than with the above Irish Blessings.
Peace, Health and Happiness to each of you.
Rex Redmon
Redhrex13@aol.com
