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CLASS NEWS:
FLASH - NEWS WITH DATED INFORMATION Greetings Class of 65 and friends...I have to start by apologizing for taking so long to do what some of us talked about at the last All School Reunion.... and I've taken so long that we now have a very "short" window to see if some of us can get together this summer on a fun weekend.. I have worked out through a friend and travel agent here in Fort Lauderdale a three day cruise out of Miami. The Carnival Cruise lines ship "Ecstasy" will leave Friday July 13 at 4:00 p.m. and return to Miami at 8:00 a.m. Monday July 16. We arrive Nassau, Bahamas at 8:00 a.m. Saturday morning and we depart Sunday morning at 8:00 a.m. for a "day at sea" to return to Miami. The travel agent has reserved 18 outside cabins at $370. plus $93.75 (taxes) per person (2 per cabin)...(The 3rd & 4th persons in same cabin are $303 plus $93.75 each.. (There are also 7 inside cabins at $310 plus 93.75 each)
The "short notice" is that she can hold them as a group only until April 11. (A minimum of 8 cabins (or 16 persons) is required for the group to operate.... So, my question is: Can any of you make it on short notice and at this cost? (I had hoped some of you might plan a whole long driving trip to include Walt Disney World with the kids or grandkids and wind up in Miami for the 3 day cruise.... but I KNOW that takes some planning ahead..) At any rate, if enough of you can make it, we'll have a mini-reunion this summer....If it becomes impossible to make such a fast decision, maybe we can begin to plan for the next summer.... I'm game to go either (or both) time(s)..... but, then again, I'm already down here.... Please forward this notice to any of our classmates who aren't on my list.... If there are "travel related" questions, please call Linda Bregartner at Victoria Travel in Fort Lauderdale.... 954-462-8800 or FAX questions to 954-462-8331.
A deposit of $200 per cabin is required by April 11 (I know, really short notice) ..... but it's refundable up to May 20.... Final payment is due on May 20 for all who plan to make the trip/cruise.... The agent needs names, all dates of birth, and emergency contact.... If you can each and all do a quick e-mail back to me with a yes, no, maybe, would love to but can't, or once every five years is enough to see you guys or whatever,...... I will appreciate it..... Again, I apologize for the late hour.... But if there is enough spontaneous interest... we'll make it go...Bob Daugherty (Ed Note: Bob's e mail address is texrjdfla@aol.com)
February Nifty Fifties Luncheon reported by Margaret Nossent Nixon - Well, another luncheon has come & gone. We had 27 today. They are as follows: Big Lake, TX: Jack & Joleta Harris, Donald & Mary Ann Barbee Meroney, Boone & Joyce M. Nunn Stokes, Buddy & Shirley Swanzy Miller, and Lloyd & Bobbie Malone McAlister. Buchanan Dam, TX: George & Diana Lea Salyer Dykes. Odessa, TX: Nancy Boyd Chapman. Midland, TX: Don & Joan Johnston Johnson, Jenny Pepper Wade. Girvin, TX: Carolyn Pepper Dolan. Mertzon, TX: Ray & Sharon Dorsey. Atwater, CA: Bob Meroney. Euless, TX: Wilbur Lancaster San Angelo, TX: Jim & Lucille Warriner Vinson, Tex & Peggy White Collins, and Max & Margaret Nossent Nixon. Our next luncheon will be March 24, 2001, Zentner's Steak House, San Angelo, TX.
March Nifty Fifties Luncheon reported by Margaret Nossent Nixon - We had a small crowd at Zentner's Steak House on 3/24/01. Big Lake: Shirley Swanzy Miller, Donald & Mary Ann Barbee Meroney, Jack & Joleta Harris, Jerry & Billie Floyd. Euless: Wilbur Lancaster Mertzon: Ray & Sharon Dorsey San Angelo: Gerald Owens, Max & Margaret Nossent Nixon. Our next luncheon is scheduled for April 2l, 200l.

E BYTES RECD:
From Billy Jack Rankin '65 ....I am presently the Superintendent of Schools in Bangs, a small rural school of about 1100 students. I am a good example of the old adage that "there is hope for everyone".
From Janie Holt Giddiens '65 ....Just a short note to thank you for the web page. I have truly enjoyed viewing the sign-ins and the comments from everyone. I must admit that I cried as I read the highlights from Jan.2001. You have brought back wonderful memories that make me remember why I loved growing up in Big Lake and why I remain certain to this day that no one had the kind of special people caring for and about us as those of us from our small West Texas Town of Big Lake. San Angelo has been my home for 25 years. Ron and I both are retired now. I am not totally sure I will not become involved in something if the right things comes along, but for now, I am a bum (and loving it!!). My children, Scott and Jennifer, 27 and 25 respectively, are married; however, I have no grandchildren, only high hopes!! P.S. Soon I will write to you again to tell you who influenced my life. I love hearing the stories everyone tells. Print more!!
From Bobbie Boyd Smalley '65 ...Am enjoying being retired so far--this is really my first year (September to now)to not be teaching. I taught in a private school last year and realized that for me it was not just working with public school students--I really didn't want to teach ANY kids anymore. I enjoy substituting ever so often, but I don't want the responsibility of doing that full time any more. I have a part time job working in the Kimbell Art Musuem gift/book store that I am enjoying thoroughly. When 5:00 comes around, I can go home and not have to take any of the job home with me and I like that so very much. ....the cruise the first week in June. And I'll take notes. With this new Dell computer, I also got a digital camera--again I don't have the faintest idea how it works, but I'm suppose to be able to send pictures on the internet. So I'll learn all there is between now and June and take some of us while in Alaska.(Ed Note: The "cruise" Bobbie is referring to is one that several from the class of '64 are going on. For those that don't remember or didn't know: the Class of '64 was the last class to have a traditional Senior Trip as other classes in the past had.)

IN SYMPATHY - The Owl Spirit sadly learned of the death of Patsy Ray Barton '56. Patsy was Joan Johnston Johnson's cousin.
Also, sympathy is extended to Bruce '5? and Bill Ashcraft '63 for the death of their mother, Mrs Azalee Ashcraft, former Reagan County ISD teacher.

POEM BY M T WHALLETTE
Too Soon
Too soon the world forgives, and
Too quickly the world forgets,
Those atrocious, heinous and vile acts,
Heaped upon man without remorse or regrets.

The world exacts little penalty,
Of those who destroy and decimate.
The victims feel quite often,
That it's too little, too late.

Too soon the creeks flow clear water,
That once with red blood flowed.
And the griefless world moves hastily on,
Forgetting the debt that's owed.

Too soon the price of freedom,
Becomes tarnished by the beneficiaries and heirs.
Too soon the sacrifice of valiant men
Is not cherished and no one really cares.

Our freedom, others fought for,
And many met a horrible fate.
So tribute whenever it's offered,
Can never be construed too late.

Too often the world is complacent,
And forgets its heroic men,
History seems at times to be cyclical,
It seems to happen again and again.

M. T. Whallete 2000

THOUGHT FOR MARCH, 2001 - Pop, pop, pop! Bom, bom, bom! Throughout the day -- no time for memorandums now. Go ahead. Liberty and independence forever. Davy Crockett (last entry in his journal, The Alamo, March 5, 1836)

Thanks, again, to all who helped with this edition!