Saturday, February
20, 2010
Greetings
Maroon Devils,
Are
you tired of all the cold weather yet—can’t wait until spring arrives? I found an appropriate saying to rid oneself of the winter doldrums inside a Dove® candy
bar wrapper recently. In life’s winters, find your invincible summer. So,
it is up to us to be indestructible and unshakeable when we are confronted with the miseries of life. It
is a mind over matter situation for sure if we let the melancholy of winter get us down. But have faith;
the best is yet to come. We are on the down side of old man winter and spring is only 30 days from today, March 20th.
Speaking
of the weather, which has been a thorn in the sides of many across the country, Tom Hatcher and I were having a conversation
about snow and following are his comments about the snow in his part of the world in the mountains near the VA/NC line
in Marion, VA.
I wish we could only get one inch. Our last storm
only dumped around 4" here, but the wind was blowing so we had drifts much higher than the actual snowfall, plus it was
preceded by freezing rain so it had a nice icy base. To go along with that all the localities have exhausted their
salt supply. I haven't been able to get much work done for the past couple of weeks except online or on the telephone.
Unfortunately most of my work has to be done face to face. Anyway spring will come--------. tah
As I sit here, Friday afternoon,
February 12, working on the newsletter, the scene outside my study window is one suitable for a Christmas Card. There are
tall pine trees behind the houses across the street and the limbs are becoming heavy from the snowfall which began two hours
ago. (Our first sight of snow in Greenville this year). The yards, driveways, and street is covered and thank goodness
we have our required “loaf of bread” and “gallon of milk” secured safely in the pantry and refrigerator.
Last month I checked in with
classmate Bud “Buddy” Batts who lives in Florence, South
Carolina. I’m sure we all remember
where Florence is located because we usually got a speeding ticket in Florence while on our way to Myrtle Beach "back during the day". Bud had previously mentioned an old friend from the Class of 57,
Charles Pfaff. I happened to know where Charles was living and gave Bud his particulars. Following is Bud’s
paraphrased e-mail…
Rex, Good to hear from you. I called Charlie Pfaff after I got your E-mail.
We had a good visit. It had been way to long since we had talked. I am taking a break from working on my taxes. While I was going through
my 2009 calendar to determine my medical mileage, I realized that I had 2 dreaded callbacks last year. One for a biopsy
that turned out to be an early stage melanoma and the other for a positive on a prostate biopsy. The early stage melanoma,
with some surgery, is believed to be 100% curable. Next month I start external radiation to be followed by palladium
seed implants for the prostate cancer. In
addition to visiting Doctors we have been busy. After the 50th we left home mid October for Ft. Myers Beach and stayed through January, with trips home for Thanksgiving and
Christmas. Last summer (2009) we took a
road trip to Colorado, Wyoming and Montana. We flew our 2 grandsons from
Greenville to Denver. We visited Rocky Mt. National Park, Grand Teton National Park and Yellowstone. We put them on a plane in Bozeman and sent them back home. It was a grand trip. After 2 weeks
with a 10 year old and a 6'4" 18 year old in a motor home we were ready to put them on the plane. In
the fall we went back to Ft. Myers Beach.
For the first time in 10 years we are at home for the winter. We are planning a trip to the Boone area
and one to the Outer Banks for the coming summer. We hope to take the Grandsons fishing at the Outer Banks. We also
plan to get up to Asheville after I finish my radiation treatments. I hope we can be there
for one of the gatherings. Stay in touch, Bud
I also received a nice e-mail from another LEHS Class of 58 Cheerleader. Jean
Hawk Gibson writes…
Rex, thank
you for the great news letter. Last year Bob and I celebrated our fiftieth wedding anniversary. Our sons and their
wives gave us a cruise. It was great! Our oldest son and his wife celebrated their 25 anniversary. Our oldest
granddaughter got married in May. So as you can see 2009 was very busy. You continue in our prayers for a
quick healing. Praise God for His Goodness. Jean Hawk Gibson
Gary Scott and I were chit-chatting recently while I was obtaining his
new address in Asheville since he retired and I asked him if he attended the Enka Class of 59 50th reunion last
fall as he is dating an Alumnus from that class. I have several friends who also attended the Enka reunion and I was curious
if Gary attended. His response…
Yes. Diana "My Sweetie"
Class of 59 (Enka), and I attended. Saw a lot of old "buddies" we played against...also saw Coach Bill Stanley.
Their class also had lost a lot of class mates. My new address is 29 Parkview Drive,
Candler N.C. 28715-9354. Still have the same cell #336-406-8797.We are going on a cruise next week for a couple weeks. Will
keep in touch. Gary
A short article written in the 2010 January issue of Maroon & Black Threads was a request
for hard copies of Maroon & Black Threads for September and October, 2007, as I lost those newsletters when I had a PC
glitch. Marshall and Louise Bessinger came to my rescue and forwarded hard copies to me and I am now able
to complete my bound version of Newsletters for the Lee Edwards High School
Class of 1958, Maroon & Black Threads. Louise
wrote…
Rex,
Attached is a copy of the September, 2007, newsletter. Unfortunately, we don't have October's either. If
you receive one, feel free to send us a copy!! Thanks for all you do - we appreciate it. Happy New Year,
Marshall & Louise
Marshall and Louise later found a copy of the October newsletter which
is now safely bound with all the newsletters. In a conversation with Louise on the phone she was telling
me about a Russell Glass who is working as a consultant with the NC DOT where the I-40 landslide occurred just inside NC at
the NC/TN state line. Louise informed me she believed Russell to live on Wolfe Cove Road in the
Beaverdam Community. If you will recall, a Russell Glass was a classmate during the 10th grade at LEHS and we were
curious if Russell has emerged from obscurity. My research has not confirmed the information yet but I’m still working
on it.
Speaking of missing classmates, I have been
searching, along with classmate Paul Thomas who lives in Hawaii, for Gwen Richardson Stockwell whom we have been unable to locate.
Recently I found an address for Gwen in Honolulu, thus Paul’s assistance. I also wrote to Gwen at the address
and am hopefully awaiting a reply. Both Paul and I were in Grammar School and Junior High with Gwen.
I
can always count on Sandy Setzer Rau to get in touch each month. Folks, we need to make sure Sandy makes it to the next class reunion. Her school spirit is second to
none. She writes…
Rex, Our move is a bit frustrating because the
remodeling ran behind as often happens and we just have to be packed and ready, and waiting, and waiting. I have tentatively
planned that we'll be moving the last weekend in January—alas, I thought it would end up that way but, one never can
be sure. We're having wild and wooly weather with tornado warnings, etc. Very unusual for San Diego! Thanks for all the info on the newsletter.
I so enjoy hearing about my former classmates. I loved my time in school in NC and care deeply about what happens to
my old friends.Oh Rex, with the packing to move and remodeling, I can't remember whether I wrote to you about your
procedure on Jan. 14th or not but, I WAS praying for you. I'm so happy to hear that all went well. Do keep me up to date as
it's a privilege to pray for youHello to Margaret.....Take care of yourselves....Blessings, Sandy
George Couch who
lives in the mountain community of Tryon, North Carolina, is a faithful correspondent and keeps us up to date with many activities
happening that involve class mates in WNC. George writes…
Rex, Every
Christmas Otto Debruhl has a Christmas Party on the last working day of the Buncombe County
Courthouse. This year several of us felt that the party would not be the same without Mickey Hoyle & his father, Red.
Well, were we ever surprised as both Mickey and Red attended? Everybody was thrilled because Red had moved to a 'care
facility' as Mickey has not been able to take his father on their daily 'outings'. Everyone has a great respect for Mickey
because of the special way he has cared for his father. However, let’s continue to keep Mickey in our prayers.
At this year's Annual Biltmore House Christmas
Benefit, I visited with Hezzy Miller and he appeared to have made remarkable progress on his stomach cancer. The Benefit
raised $110,000 for the Eblen Foundation, founded by our old Hall Fletcher Coach, Joe Eblen. Take Care…George
Cliff Mashburn, Class of 57, sent information about a website featuring St Genovese School.
If you are interested in reading about St. Genovese go to the following website: http://www.gailgodwin.com/gail_godwin.htm You will recall St. Genovese was on Victoria Road behind LEHS.
Classmate Bill Morgan who lives in the Amish Country of Lancaster, Pennsylvania, sent the following information about classmate Mary Kay
Ricker Thompson who lives in the Dallas, Texas, area. Hi Rex. You are doing such
a great job with this newsletter. I do enjoy hearing of so many of the class members although I must admit I do
not remember many of them. I did want to let you know, Mary Kay Riker Thompson lost her husband last Tuesday,
26 Jan. She was such a great gal and such a special person we need to keep her and her family in our thoughts
and prayers. It is truly amazing how many of our class are still around and getting together. No one up here in
my neck of the woods but still great to hear what others are doing so closer to "home." My very best regards
to you and to the whole "gang." Bill Morgan
Not wanting
to intrude into Mary Kay’s life during her time of sorrow, I e-mailed Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf who only lives three miles from Mary Kay to get
more information about George Thompson’s passing whom I met the first time when Margaret and I visited with the “Fab
Four” in Dallas last July. Following are excerpts from Mary’s e-mail.
Rex,
I will tell you what I know….As you know, George has been ill for over a year. He had a debilitating stroke during
Christmas, 2008. He was hospitalized but did not seem to improve a lot—you saw him here at the house last July. Mary
K. was trying to look after him at home, but that began to take a physical toll on her. She finally admitted him to an extended
care facility after another hospitalization sometime in the fall. He began to improve, but sometime before Christmas
developed pneumonia. He went back to the hospital, was placed on life support but was not improving. Mary K. and her boys
made the hard decision to withdraw life support. George passed away in about two weeks. His memorial service is Feb. 6. Mary
K.’s sister is here with her. Gene and I visited with them Friday and she was OK.I had major surgery
on Jan. 11—pelvic reconstruction! I am just now beginning to feel like a human being again!!!!!
By the way, Betty Ann is having her other knee replaced either this week or next—I talked to her on pain meds (Ha!), so
I can’t remember the correct date. Mary C.
Our student body president in 1958, Bob Sevier, and personal friend too many of us, sends sad news from
Greensboro, North Carolina.
Rex:
I have some devastating personal news to report: On September 26, my only daughter Kelly, 39, a pharmacist and
married without children, died suddenly at home. I held off reporting this until I had all the reports from the autopsy,
toxicologist, etc. Those have finally been reported and show no obvious physical cause of death, no overdose or poisoning
and no other evidence of foul play; the conclusion by the medical examiner was "cause of death undetermined", with
the most probable cause a sudden fatal rhythm disturbance in the heart. All things have a positive side. The autopsy
showed no evidence of ovarian cancer, from which her mother (Mary Jane) died, and which is very much familial. Also,
my son, who had been estranged for several years, is back in touch and spent both Thanksgiving and Christmas with us. Hope
all continues well with you. Thanks for all you do. Bob
Bob’s mailing address is in your Bio Book and on the class website.
My plea for help in copying and forwarding the Class of 58 newsletters to classmates who do not have personal computers was received
extremely well by many classmates from Hawaii to Florida. The school
spirit of Lee H. Edwards High School Class of 1958 is alive and thriving. A personal big Thank You to each
of you for volunteering. We now have 12 new classmates who have volunteered to copy and forward newsletters. Those
classmates are: Molly Alexander Haskell who lives in Orlando, Florida; Anne Cole Keast who lives in Carson
City, NV; Shirley McDonald Hedrick, Knoxville, TN; Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf, Dallas, Texas; Bob Gamble, Monroe, NC;
Bill Morris, Hickory, NC; John Watkins, Virginia, Beach, VA; Jo Anne Dalton Vaughn, Greenville, SC; Jeanette
Warren Thompson, Midlothian, VA; Paul Thomas, Aiea, Hawaii; Loretta Jarvis Sanders, Franklin, NC;
and Paula Jo Bradley Duncan, Wendell, N.C. Another Thank you to Tom Hatcher and
Suzanne Jacobs Gershwin is in order as they wish to continue forwarding the newsletter. Also thanks Jo Ann Chandley Elliott, Jennie Lazenby Padgett,
Patsy Farmer Jones, Anne Beckham Ewald, Elaine McPherson Cole, Morgan Pritchard, Ken Cooper, Bob Sevier, Don Printz and Sidney
Mitchell for forwarding the newsletter at intervals during the past three years. Anne Cole Keast responded with the following e-mail which is
in paraphrased form.
Rex, Thanks for the list. Found their addresses and am
ready to mail the newsletter. Glad to help. I was surprised when I looked them up in the annual. I went "oh,
my goodness as I recognized their faces!" I was recently in San Francisco for a week with my daughter who was in the states from Beijing doing fundraising. With the holidays, and we were gone to Hawaii for ten days in January, I have lost track of time and what is happening. I hope all is going okay
with you. You have had your challenges. Will keep you in my prayers. Love, Anne
Two Class Gatherings are scheduled in Asheville during February and March. Sally McCanless and Allan White send the following announcements.
The '58 Sisters (Womwn from the Class of 58 who live in WNC and Upstate SC) will meet
again this month, at a Friday, February 26th luncheon at the Corner Kitchen in Biltmore, 12:00,
for another great time together. We so much want more members. Come join us, dear friends. You are missed and would
add so much to the group. Please RSVP to Sally at sallys_alley@live.com or Linda Tandy at 775-7883. (Sally)
Also, Sally and Allan have planned a dinner
gathering for the Class of 58 and other WNC Alumni from the Classes of 56--60 for Thursday, March 4th at O‘Charley’s
Restaurant, 6:00 p.m., on Tunnel Road. Sally and Allan hope to include other Maroon Devil graduates at
this gathering. RSVPs are needed so please contact Sally at sallys_alley@live.com or Allan White at 828-225-8722.
Following is a report on the Class of 58 bank balance.
Balance as of 1/29/10 $567.54
Debits for 2009 $239.40
(Website: 12 mo. @ $19.95 per mo).
Credits for 2009
$200.00 (Donations by classmates).
Expenditures continue at $19.95 per
month for the class web site.
I have an updated report from Don Printz with regard to the health of his wife, Debby, who is under
treatment for colon cancer.
Rex, Just wanted to
give you an update on Debby. Last Monday (8th)was the first day of the BIG chemo. Those two days went well,
but on Wednesday morning she started getting very nauseated and lost most of her energy. Thursday, she spent most of the day
on the couch, snoozing much of the day. Each day after that was better and today (Monday 15th) she was back to normal.
We assume this will be the norm. We will have the chemo every other Monday, so she is taking those two days as recover
days. We will have another scan in early April to check on her progress.
Best, Don
The
list of concerns for the health and general well being of our classmates is long this month. We of course want to remember in our prayers all those classmates who are
ill such as Bud Batts who is undergoing treatment for prostate cancer; Betty Ann Ray Richardson who is recovering from knee
replacement surgery; Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf, recovering from pelvic surgery; Debbie Printz, wife of Don Printz and
her on-going battle against cancer; Kathleen Beakley whose husband has cancer; Mary Kay Ricker Thompson with the loss of her
husband George; Elizabeth Gillis confined to a nursing home with complications from a stroke; Harry Godwin who has heart related
issues; Tommy Creasman and his wife, both who are battling cancer; Bob Gamble who battles both emphysema
and diabetes; Barbara Hall Morris who was recently hospitalized in Asheville for an extended stay but is now home recuperating
in Smoaks, SC; Brenda Hough Goad whose cancer is in remission; Kent Lominac whose wife has health concerns;
Elaine McPherson Cole’s husband, Cliff, who has health concerns; Gwen Palmer Pace who has health
concerns; Marjorie Powell Caudle battling breast cancer; Tammy Powell with health concerns; Bob Sevier with the loss of his
daughter. Heather Snodgrass Conner is in a nursing home suffering from dementia; Carl Swan with ongoing health concerns; Bob
Stevens who has Parkinson’s disease; Bette Wilson McClain with serious back issues and Mickey Hoyle and Hezzy Miller
(57) who are hopefully recovering from cancer. Plus, a prayer of Thanksgiving if you are in good health.
Congratulations are in order to Charles Beaman who retired last month in Texas.
And now for a little class humor…
One of our female classmates recently called her doctor’s office saying, Is it true, the medication you prescribed
for me has to be taken for the rest of my life?Why, Yes, Mrs.__________ I’m afraid so, the doctor told her.There was a long pause on the phone followed by moments of silence before
____________ responded.
I’m wondering then, just how serious is my condition because the prescription is marked--You ready for
this? NO REFILLS!
Another classmate—a male this time—was awaiting surgery and he
insisted his son, who was a renowned surgeon, perform the operation. The day he went to surgery and was about to receive anesthesia,
he asked to speak to his son who was standing close by. Yes Dad, what is it? his son asked.
Listen Son,
don’t be nervous. Just do your best and remember, if something happens to me and I don’t make it, your mother
is going to come and live with you and your wife.
When
you are dissatisfied with growing old, and would like to turn the clock of aging back to a day of youth, just think of Algebra.
Speaking of youth, I understand two male classmates bumped into each other with loaded
grocery carts in a Wal Mart grocery store recently. The first classmate says to the second;
Sorry about that ________ I was not paying attention to where I was going. I’m looking for my wife.
Well, ______ what a coincidence, said the second classmate. I’m
looking for my wife too. You remember _________ my wife, you met her at the 50th class reunion.
Oh Yes, I remember ______ but I’ve remarried since the
reunion, said the first classmate. You
have not met my new wife.
Well tell me about your new wife, what
does she look like? Maybe I can help you find her. said the second classmate.
Ahhhhh, the first classmate says, Well, she is 27 years old, nice figure, tall with red hair, blue eyes,
long nicely tanned legs and she is wearing a black mini-skirt today. But don’t worry about her let me help you find
_______, I’d like to say hello to her.
Forget ______ said the second classmate excitedly. Lets go find your new wife,
Getting
old is for the pits isn’t it? First, you begin to forget names, and then you begin to forget faces. Later you forget
to pull up your zipper, but it gets worse when you forget to pull it down. Plus, you know you are getting
old when everything either dries up or leaks.
Have you reached a point yet when you have stopped lying about your age and started bragging about
it? I have learned the older I get the fewer things
seem worth waiting in line for too.
I was talking with Morgan Pritchard recently and he was telling me a little about his life’s journey. Now Morgan is
known for speaking his mind and he said, Some people try to turn back their odometers. Not Me! I want people to know why
I look this way. I’ve traveled a long way in life and some of the roads were not paved.
(Thanks to Elaine McPherson Cole for sending the above bit of humor
in its original form which your publisher edited to fit our benefit).
Also, many thanks to all of you who inquired and shared your concern with
regard to my throat surgery last month. The e-mails and phone calls were many and cards from Gwen Palmer Pace, Bette Dermid
Owens, Jo Anne Chandley Elliott and Jennie Lazenby Padgett were all appreciated. All is well with me at
this point. My voice is stronger than it was but will never be normal again. However, I am thankful for
the breath of life which I can freely breathe. I have magical surgeons at the Medical College of Georgia
in Augusta and an even Higher Surgeon to whom I give praise and Thanksgiving.
Take care of yourselves Maroon Devils, and until March 20th, when the next issue of Maroon
and Black Threads is published, take a moment to drop me an e-mail to say hello if I have not heard from you
in a while. In the meantime, I have a book about the history and the people of Beaverdam
Valley where I was raised to try and finish writing.
Peace and Shalom
Rex Redmon
