OwlSpirit
Web Site of
The Reagan County High School Alumni
of Big Lake Texas
E Mail Addresses
RCHS Alumni
RCHS Album


About Texas

CONTENTS
Summer, 2002, updated 06/29/02
Winter, 2001, updated 02/18/02
Fall, 2001, updated 11/15/01
Summer 2001, updated 07/10/01
April, May, 2001
March, 2001
February, 2001
January, 2001
December, 2000
From the Editor's Desktop, updated 05/26/02
OF OTHER INTEREST
Guestbook thru 10/20/01
Guestbook thru 04/30/01
Guestbook thru 12/20/00
Links to Other Web Sites
The Mystery of Texon Hill
July,2001, updated 07/15/01
OwlSpirit Beginnings
November 2000

OWL SPIRIT UPDATE
SPRING, 2002

REUNION INFORMATION

Received from Karman Weatherby, ' 59: Hi Diane, I am going to try this one more time. We are having our reunion may the 17, 18 and 19th of May at Sherries place in Brownwood. We are going to have a good group again I think. If anyone wants imfo about this they can call me at 915-944-3116. We have lost two friends since we had our 40th two years ago, so decided to have ours every two years instead of five.

Received from Jeanine Tarvin, ' 72 (Jeanine's e address is jtarvin@esc18.net): Hi Diane, Yes, the Reagan County High School Class of 1972 will be celebrating its 30 year reunion this summer in San Antonio. We celebrated our 25th there 5 years ago and had so much fun that we decided to make a return trip there. Five years ago we stayed on the River Walk and this year we will be staying at the Menger Hotel. It is located across the street from the Alamo and borders the River Walk Mall. We will be meeting on June 21, 22, & 23 of this year. Thank you for your interest.

Received the following from Sam Douglas, ' 70. There is no editing because no one could say it better. In his news there is a reminder (take care of ourselves), a bright outlook (positive thinking works wonders) and a reason to celebrate (he is getting better). As a 6 year, 6 month cancer survivor (who's counting :-}), I can only say "ditto" to what Sam has said:
Diane, U mentioned a while back when I submitted my sunset, that U needed sum news. U have my permission to edit (and correct my spellin!) My name is Sam (Buddy) Douglas. I greaduated RCHS in 1970. I recently had a colonoscopy because I recently turned fifty and other symptoms I'll mention later. The biopsies showed no cancer, However sugery was required. I had the scope done in San Angelo, and elected to have my surgery in Midland by Dr. Viney. They removed 22" of my colon and a large amount of blood vessels and lymphs just in case the was cancer. After the surgery the Oncologist (cancer expert) discovered cancer in a number of the lymphs removed. Because they took the measure to remove the extra on both sides of the mass, the doctors feel certain they removed all of the cancer but I will undergo 5 months of light chemo and radiation treatments to be sure. Because the cancer was far enough from the rectum, a re-section . or tying the colon back together could be performed. I am a Very lucky man, considering the alternatives. Now for my main news. DON"T hesitate to have the proceadure done!!! In my case i had symptoms of a bit of blood on my stools. DON"T be a tough guy and think it's just years of beer and spicy food! Other symptoms include sore back, failing eyesight, and Graying hair (Get the Picture!!) The process is simple. Make and appointment at Shannon Hospital to have a Colonoscopy. It's painless and takes about 20 minutes (they give U some Forgetful medicine. (I didn't need as much as others). It is kind of an inconvinience in thet U have to Purge U're System 24 hours prior to the event. Simply get a motel or in our case we took the camper, and, well I know some of U can't imagine missing two, much less three meals back to back! Then when it's over U have a real reason to eat out. Oh, yea , I forgot to mention it cost some money to have the proceadure done, co-pay, medicare , or whatever! If that's U're biggest excuse, then chances are retirement isn't high on U're list any way. It's been two weeks since my surgery, and the wife and I are scheduled to attend R.V. rally at Buckhorn in Kerrville with probably a hundres other rigs. We're one of the youngest couples in the club, But don't think I wont have a message for the Elders there too. I'm alwayss kidding about practicing real hard for retirement, But i never dreamed getting cancer was part of it. Now I can really look forward to retirement with a new perspective that I didn't have before. Thank You Lord , ahmen. Oh, yes, and my sister (Linda) is living in Mississippi and is happily married to the same man she married when she was fifteen. (many moons ago) She has two grow children and five grandchildren (some almost grown already) amd enjoys sewing , farming, and helping raise grandchillin'!!!

FROM THE EDITOR: I have truly had what one could call a "home town weekend". Friday night, surfing the late night shows, I came across a Home&Garden piece called "Places to Live" and the show was highlighting San Angelo TX! What a treat. Then, on Saturday, I go to the movies to see "The Rookie". I have had e mails from co workers who remember that I lived in Big Lake TX bragging about the story. Well, I couldn't agree more. Even though I thought the movie should have been shot in Big Lake (it is definitely "purtier" than where it was shot), the heart and spirit that IS Big Lake was captured in the film. During a scene where Jimmie Morris is throwing balls down the highway and in between my tears of pride, I wrote a few words from the song that was playing: "stuff that's real, stuff you feel, stuff that's not on the wall". How true and how fortunate we were to have grown up in a town that guided our value system to what we are today.

NIFTY FIFTY NEWS:From Margaret Nossent Nixon, ' 56, : We had 20 persons at the March Luncheon at Zentner's Steak House, San Angelo.
Big Lake: Donald & Mary Ann Barbee Meroney, Tom & Marian Sue Roach Byrd, Jack & Joleta Harris.
Midland: Don & Joan Johnston Johnson, John & Marinell Cartwright Glidewell.
Waco: Ross & Ruth Murr Pilant.
San Antonio: Doris Holmes Matranga.
Odessa: Myrl & Nancy Boyd Chapman.
San Angelo: Grace Owens Buckbee, Gerald Owens, Max & Margaret Nossent Nixon.
Mertzon: Ray Dorsey.
The next luncheon is scheduled for April 27th. Anyone interested in attending is very welcome.
From Margaret Nossent Nixon, '56, The Nifty 50's met at Zentner's Steak House in San Angelo on February 23rd. Those in attendance were:
BIG LAKE: Jack & Joleta Harris, Bobbie Malone and Lloyd and Ric McAlister, Richard & Jean Warriner, Buddy & Shirley Swanzy Miller, Boone & Joyce Nunn Stokes.
SAN ANGELO: James & Lucille Warriner Vinson, Max & Margaret Nossent Nixon, Grace Owens Buckbee, Gerald Owens, and Peggy White Collins.
ABILENE: Ruth Theus Livezey, Welton & Sally Robinson.
MERTZON: Richard Boggs, Ray Dorsey.
BUCHANAN DAM: George & Diana Salyer Dykes.
JACKSONVILLE: Jim Dishman.
ATWATER, CA: Bob Meroney.
The next luncheon is scheduled for March 23, 2002. The Hickman Museum will host this group in Big Lake in the near future.

E BYTES RECEIVED:
From Sam Douglas, ' 70, Maybe not coverpage material, but thought i'd share it anyways. Was leavin a wedding in sheffielf a couple of months and couldn't resist. My name is sam douglas and have been in the big city of Iraan over 20 years now. Graduated RCHS in '70. Really enjoy the site. Just turned 50 this last year and plan on making it to a nifty fifty outing in the future. thanks again, sam & sheila douglas (editor note: Sam sent a bee-uuuu-ti-ful picture of a Texas sunset. I am working on getting it sized for the page).
From Jerry Ward, ' 63, I was just on your web site and it is so fantastic - I just had to Thank You so much for keeping it up. I have written to several of the folks on the list and have had some success. I have to ask if you are able to do something for me. I was looking at the pictures in the RCHS Album and I didn't know anyone - except possibly Ann Storey. But, I am not even sure about her. It would help so much if you would put the names of the people in the pictures. P.S. I only have 32 working days until I retire and move out west to my new home. Which I am going to build. I do mean build. My wife and I will put in every last screw and nail. We think that we are still young...ha. They may have to put us in a grave when we are done..ha. Well I hope your doing well and enjoying life as much as possible. Jerry

IN SYMPATHY:
The following is a partial obituary taken from the March 21, 2002, issue of The Big Lake Wildcat. Our sympathy is extended to the family.
Walter Dayton (W.D.) Martin, ' 62, passed away Sunday, March 17, 2002, in Decatur, TX, Survivors include his mother, Leona Jones and stepfather, Wayne Jones of Big Lake; son Mike Martin, daughter, Casey Martin, all of Lubbock TX; sisters, Gayle Gray, Wichita Falls TX; Waynette Foster, Big Lake; Deona Thompson, Ft Worth, TX; and three grandchildren, all of Lubbock TX. He was preceded in death by one sister, Glenda Sue Bolton, Pauls Valley, OK.

The following picture was received from Cheryl Parker Shipp, ' 64. It was taken on her ranch in Iraan, Texas.

No matter how far we may wander, Texas lingers with us, coloring our perceptions of the world. Elmer Kelton