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12/24/24 11:56 AM #1111    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all my classmates!  We are doing well in Florida. We don't travel as much as I used to as my new husband, John, has had some challenging health issues since we got married two years ago. We are still going out to listen to music and the many tribute groups that pass through our area. My daughter and only child will be visiting for Christmas from Dothan, AL.  We are taking life one day at a time and enjoying what God has given us. May each of you enjoy your family and friends always. I enjoy hearing the news of each one even if I don't remember all the details of my high school exploits!  Enjoy life and be kind as a songwriter once wrote! 


03/10/25 08:11 PM #1112    

 

James A "Jim" White

This class site use to be the envy of other classes because we were so active. Now we have gone almost three months without a single comment. Help us out folks; even if it is bad news. I barely missed JIM NAPIER who happens to have a birthday this week. Kathy and I were able to visit with BOB and KAREN HARRINGTON REAM. They may move back to Oklahoma within a year or two. We also had lunch with LOUIS and MARY BAGWELL. What fun people they are. Wow, the interesting lives our classmates have lived. Also, MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN hosted us for a great visit. I was close, but not close enough, to go see BUTCH COLBERT. Sorry, Butch. BARBY MITCHELL STAGNER is maybe 70-80 miles from me out on the Island. Kathy and I will be visiting with HERKY and MARY VEACH very soon. Did anyone else know TERRY BOONE has been in Antarctica, his 7th continent to visit? Please drop a note and let us know how you are doing. KAREN McCARTY MESSINA cannot be the only person going to shows and dancing. Write us, please, even if it is to tell us you are about to have brain surgery and would like our prayers.

03/12/25 10:31 AM #1113    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)


03/12/25 10:47 AM #1114    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Here we are this past Christmas.  Unfortunately, the last time we were able to go out. Since then John has been suffering from a recurring sarcoma brain tumor. The first time it occurred, he had surgery after which the surgeon announced they had removed it all. Then a year and a half later, it has returned with a vengance in the same area. This time the neurosurgeon says it is inoperable because it has encroached into the brain tissue where the main artery enters the brain. Therefore chemo will not work either. They are going to try radiation next week for five days.  If that does not shrink the tumor enough, then he will go on palliative care and next will be hospice.  So far John is receiving the best care possible through VA Community care at the University of Florida Neurology Dept which is one of the highest rated cancer centers in the US.  The doctor has him on morphine for pain management.  I don't share this information for sympathy but to remind everyone we are not guaranteed tomorrow on this earth but to hold your loved ones close. Enjoy each moment you have together here and tomorrow will take care of itself. We covet your prayers for safe passage through this life and onto the next.  I love to hear and read about others and the fun things each of you are doing. Keep us all posted! 
 

 

 


03/30/25 02:15 PM #1115    

 

Keith Burke

I’m posting this after reading Karen McCarty’s message, have no idea where this is going to go but here it comes..my first time to post on this sight.Also still feeling the effects of past chemotherapy, the pain medication, so please excuse the typos. Hands kinda shaky. I think overall I’m doing OK, waiting to hear if my white count is stable enough for my next immunotherapy maybe next week. Having a little fun now and then, went out to the range a few times breaking in my new little toy, a Ruger .380 pocket pistol, fun to shoot and surprisingly accurate for such a short battle. My brother and I were supposed to go fishing Friday but got rained out, trying to find productive things to do around the house. Oh gotta tell you… about 5 years ago I bought an old DVD/VCR recorder at a garage sale. Had no idea if it would work. Well guess what ? It works. I have several old VCRs from a camcorder I had long time ago. I messed with it enough that I know it’s recording from tape to DVD. Just gotta figure out all these settings. The girls and grandkids will be here next week, I’ll let them figure it out. Speaking of girls… Sandy and Jamie have stayed with me through the hard times, radiation and chemotherapy, they are some troopers!! They’ve been taking turns babysitting me through this mess, one coming up from Texas and one from Mississippi. I’ve also been fortunate to find a gardener/lawn care guy. he’s a little slow but does outstanding work at very reasonable rates. Lemme see now… what else do I have to report ? I know I’m forgetting something… 🤷‍♂️ oh I talk quite frequently with Tom Hollingshead, were vandajs and poachers together in High School. Hey best to you all !!

03/31/25 11:54 AM #1116    

 

Doris Flood (Burton)

Thanks for sharing your story with us, Keith.  You will be in my prayers as you continue your journey.  Best wishes. Doris Flood Burton


03/31/25 01:39 PM #1117    

 

James A "Jim" White

Thank you KEITH BURKE for your openness and honesty. We do care and want to know about our hard-headed U.S.Marines classmates. At our age, many are suffering. I know of two classmates who have husbands in final stage. Another, who's husband has always been the picture of health, now has something I cannot describe or pronounce. Two of our classmates (I am certain there are more) have Parkinson's. We were lucky to see BOBBY ALLISON a few days before he passed (from Parkinson), spoke with his wonderful wife, ERNIE, two weeks later and about 10 Hours before she died. We think BOBBY pulled her up to Heaven to be with him.

LOUIS BAGWELL and Mary met us for lunch. HERKY VEACH and his Mary will meet us before we leave the Island (Galveston) May 1. We were lucky to meet with BOB and KAREN HARRINGTON REAM as I reported earlier.

KATHY and I are, luckily, basically healthy. How is your health? Anything we can pray for? Like KEITH BURKE reported, he speaks with TOMMY HOLLINGSHEAD fairly regularly. Which classmate have you spoken with in the past year. JIM NAPIER, sorry I missed you in AZ but hope to see you in NM in May. BARBY MITCHELL STAGNER, we are somewhat near you. Do you read this class website? Please, everyone, chip in your 2¢ of information. You would be surprised how much we all care. Oh, and TERRY BOONE is back from Antarctica, and JUDI ADAMS MORRIS is taking a little P.T. so she can keep dancing. 🥺

04/01/25 09:22 AM #1118    

 

Beatriz Valadez (Ferreira)

Hola Everyone! 

Firstly, I send good healthy and happiness thoughts to all those in the classes of 1966 for both Roswell and Goddard High Schools as most of us started as Coyotes.  Secondly, I send extra strong healing thoughts to all those facing health challenges and visualize you recovering as soon as possible so that you may continue enjoying what you like to do the most. I was unable to make the 51st Reunion as I was out of country which is what I like to do the most!.  It's good to see that many of you are, like me, living the gypsy life!  It keeps our minds active and for me, lifts the spirit!  I can't recall when I last posted any thoughts, but I do try to read the messages!  I have mourned those that have left us and rejoice in those who are busy and continuing to enjoy life. 

International economic developement and human rights issues and projects keep me busy!.  And, I love  experiencing the many wonderful curltures Planet Earth offers.  So, I try to combine work, learning and some fun wherever I end up. The last few years, my husband and I and on accasion a grandchild who has been free to accompany us, have concentrated our travels in Europe with an a break to touch on Asia, Canada  and Latin America.  So, we have been fortunate to travel in almost all of the United Kingdom (England, Wales Scotland), parts of Sweden, Denmark, Finland (where we spent time with my friend, Tapio who I met in Moscow in 1975), then Estonia, Latvia, Lithuania, Hungary, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Slovenia, Montenegro, Croatia, Austria, Germany, Italy, France,(spent time with two friends)  the Netherlands (where my husband's godson lives/works), Belgium, Luxembourg, Ireland, the Canary Islands (spent time with friends who now live in Maryland), Guatemala, El Salvador (friends), Costa Rica (friends), Venezuela (friends who I just reconnected with after 35 years) , Ecuador (friends), Bolivia (friends), India, Phillipines and this summer, we will head to Poland and Leichtenstein and back to the UK, Switzerland, Germany, and Austria. I hope to visit the UNICEF headquarters in Geneva.  

I have been busy with unity-building and peace-efforts that are unfortunately still so badly in demand in too many parts of the world. Humanity tends to adopt the latest in technology and autos, tv's, but, for me, a bit too slow in advancing the human virtues of respect, equality, unity, justice and peace. (note: my personal opinion based on my personal experiences). Suffice it to say that I am not a fan of the word "retire"  Like I say to my husband, the word sends the message that I may not only be "tired" but more than "tired" as the prefix "re" indicates "again" and "again" or "backward".  And, being either one of those is not in my life style!  Lots to do, so never a boring moment.

At the moment, just having come in from the outdoors where I witnessed the birth of three baby curved bill thrashers in a large nest built between the spiney arms of a cane sholla cuctus. I was intrigued by the complicated pattern of the nest starting with quite thick branches on its exterior and finer dried grass in its interior making it cozy where mama had laid her three beautiful eggs. 

Then I came inside and checked emails and saw the most recent message on the Roswell-Goddard high message board. One of the message encourages classmates to share. 

So as I sit in this quiet, peaceful room in my Las Cruces home, able to look out toward the Majestic Organ Mountains, no overpowering windy dust, enjoying the perfect termperature, our English Oak enjoying its new Spring leafs, the irises launching their purple, white and yellow blooms and the birds sharing their different melodies as they make our back yard their temporary rest stop before they take off to their next destination, I have treated myself to reading as many high school messages as time has permitted. Many brought joy, others sadness. Those leaving us to the next worlds have become more common as the years go by.  I miss so many of them! 

I don't know when I will have another opportunity to have a day like this, as I get ready to "hit the road again"...but I am  that so, so glad that I caught up with those of you who have posted.  And, I encourage as many others to share, both the happy and the sad about our experiences since 1966! 

Be healthy and be happy, Beatriz  

 


04/01/25 03:56 PM #1119    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Hi Keith, thank you for sharing your experience with your recent health journey. I know how difficult these challenges can be, but remember several of us are right there with you!  You are blessed to have family who have been able to come and help support you emotionally as well as physically. You are in our prayers as well. 🙏💕


04/01/25 04:01 PM #1120    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Dear Beatriz, thank you for sharing your life stories with our classmates. I believe you and I had a class or two together during those impressionable high school years. I am happy for you that you and your husband are able to continue sharing life experiences and traveling together. Many happy trails to you, (as Roy Rogers and Dale Evans used to sing at the end of their tv show that I loved as a kid!), sincerely, Karen McCarty Messina 


04/01/25 06:52 PM #1121    

 

Roger Carl

I recently spent most of a week in Abq with my little sister Rada [RHS70].  She is a great tour guide for NM and took me to a different Mex food place every day.  Man I miss green chili and sopapillas!

She was a friend of Sandra Spangler's little sister Shirley and has never been able to track her down after school.  I just remembered to send her the DOD for Sandra with her married name to attempt getting a handle on where Shirley might be.  Anybody on this sight have any memories or clues of where Shirley might have lived or if she was married?  Thanks in advance...

Paula and I will leave Charleston this week to spend a while in Greece.  It has become one of our top Europe destinations.  Food, people, weather, culture just seem to work for us.  We do slow travel and it gets slower every year!  We will have a car and spend a few nights in places we have been and also try some new places.

We did the same way in Germany, France and Austria last fall.

Good to hear from folks!  God bless!


06/22/25 12:47 PM #1122    

 

Robert A Markham

Well things have been vary slow on this sight.  Is this due to age or is everyone  traveling?  My excuse is traveling,  We got a new class C RV in April and went on a three week trip to upstate NY to visit Bev's brother.  Sadly we got there just 4 hours before he passed.  From there we went to Dayton Ohio to visit fiends we haven't seen for 30 years.  Also made a visit to the National Aircraft Museum at Wright Patterson AFB.  Haven't been there since 1960.  Made one more stop at a casino in OK and then back home.  I have a good deal with the RV so when we are not using it the RV company stores it and makes it available to be rented and I get 50% of the fees.  

Anyway, lets hear about what you have be doing over the past year.


07/06/25 10:34 AM #1123    

 

James A "Jim" White

MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN lost many of the addresses and phone numbers on her phone. However, she would like everyone to know she is safe. Mardi lives in Kerrville, TX where the flooding has been. Luckily, her condo is on a hill. She reports that as of this morning, there are 80 confirmed drownings and rain may continue until Wednesday. May our thoughts and prayers be with the families who have suffered this unimaginable loss.
KAREN McCARTY MESSINA is doing well but as many classmates have learned, it is NOT easy taking care of a spouse with a terminal illness. Blessings to all our wonderful classmates.

07/07/25 01:04 PM #1124    

 

Linda Lee Henry (Crowder)

Jim, my love and prayers go out to all of the people in Kerrville and surrounding communities! I'm so glad to hear that Mardi is okay! And Karen, my heart goes out to you! 😘


07/07/25 01:19 PM #1125    

 

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hello everyone. Waking up to the death toll rising here my beautiful hill country of Kerrville TX I have to tell you this has really gut punched me.i know we are not the only areas in some of our classmates places that have lived through so much climate tragedies. I've watched Ruidoso and Roswell go through some pretty bad flooding over the past 2 years so I don't think our tragedy call for such dire attention. But I will tell you we are pretty much beyond devastation. I am 4 miles down stream from the river.our apt. complex has 72 duplexes all one level. We are elevated enough that we are safe. When the warnings and 911 calls flooded in it was pitch black. We had a LOT of people camping on the river for the 4th of July weekend. Our population is 25K so we had a lot of visitors plus locals that have vacation cabins and a lot of the RV parks along the river for at leas30 miles. The Guadalupe River runs the entire length of our town.No amount of alarms would have made a difference at that time of day. Camp Mystic has been here almost 100 years. I've lived through 3 floods here. In my 77 years I have lived thru 6 floods,3 tornadoes,3 horrific blizzards, and one earthquake. Yhe only road into Ingram and Hunt is right in front of me. The sirens are endless. The ambulances carrying the bodies has been endless. There are 15 helicopters and 1,000 people working search and rescue. We had very quick response. More people that can go down the river are on the way. I'm amazed at the organization of all of it. Please pray for my community, for all the lost lives,all the children's families and all the continued search which is affecting the surrounding area's(Ingram, Hunt, Center Point, Comfort and more clear to the Canyon Lake) i love you all and hope you are doing well. My phone # is 830 257 8371. I don't do FB any more.

07/07/25 04:58 PM #1126    

Patricia "Patsi" Hughes

Mardi, I am so glad you're safe. The first news of the flood I started praying as I'm sure many others did and will continue to pray. It is so awful.       

Patsi Hughes

 

 


07/08/25 01:24 PM #1127    

 

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hi Patsy I'm so glad you are safe too. I'm still emotional exha and detested like so many of us.our prayers as well continue. Sirens went on last night into midnight as well as helicopters. I'm so very thankful for the help from so many. Love you friend.

07/08/25 01:26 PM #1128    

 

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Sorry didn't edit. I was trying to say devastated and exhausted

07/08/25 01:34 PM #1129    

 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Thank you Jim for posting about Mardi being safe from the floods and for my journey as now being a full time caregiver giver for my Marine husband of three years.  No one can know what adversity or even tragedy any of us will face in our lives.  Knowing that our classmates of so long ago care about what we are facing and are praying for us helps tremendously as we cope and go forward. I am blessed and thankful for the VA medical care and services available to my veteran husband.  I am thankful for the happier times and memories we have had to sustain us now.  Today my husband wanted to go and see his cardiologist for a six month checkup even though he is now on palliative care and nothing is being done to "cure" anything.  He is currently doing ok so he just wanted to let his cardiologist know he is still here. We left there and John wanted to go get a meal at our favorite restaurant. We were warmly welcomed and met other military retired folks sitting at nearby tables. We were the last to finish and went to pay our bill when our waitress stated our bill was paid by folks who had already left!  Tears sprung to my eyes when I realized the man who paid for our lunch was in a motorized chair with no legs and on oxygen!  Even those veterans who have suffered find time and money to bless their fellow veterans!  Our hearts are so thankful. When we got back to our car we said a prayer for that nameless veteran who was thinking of making someone else's day rather than focused on his own infirmities or worries. God is GOOD all the time!!   Love to all and thank you for your prayers. 


07/08/25 01:45 PM #1130    

 

R. E. Herky Veatch

Mardi,

Where in Kerrville do you live? I hope you live towards IH10.

Herky


07/09/25 12:26 PM #1131    

 

Karen Moore (Wilson)

I am so sorry to hear all the devastating new about Mardi and Karen.  I hold you in my heart for better times. 

Love, Karen Moore Wilson


07/09/25 03:46 PM #1132    

 

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hi Hearky. I live in West Kerrville.Just 4 miles from Ingram and Hunt. Right on the Junction Hwy that is the only road to I gram and Hunt. Sitting on my front porch hear all the helicopters and sirens. The search teams work in 3 shifts. They work all night. We don't go out unless it's necessary to continue to give the massive a.ount of people that one road access.
I am so very sorry for Ruidoso's flooding once again.
The tragedy of all is just so very overwhelming. We are heartbroken. Your prayers are so very welcome.

07/09/25 03:48 PM #1133    

 

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Sorry Herky I misspelled your name.

07/09/25 04:49 PM #1134    

 

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

Prayers for Texas and Ruidoso!  And I always fear 'the rule of 3'. 


07/10/25 03:18 PM #1135    

 

R. E. Herky Veatch

Mardi,

Don't worry about the spelling, we are too old for that.

My father-in-law owned a ranch near Junction, where Bear Creek fed into the Lano. It flooded there many years ago and distroyed the pecan orchard in a matter of minutes.

LIke I have told anyone thinking about moving or visiting that area, which is beautiful by the way, always be aware of the weather. I am pretty sure I know the area where you live. Thank God you are okay.

Keep eveyone appraised of the issues.


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