James A "Jim" White

Today in Palm Springs, BARBARA BUZBEE met with KATHY and I and also LINDA HENRY'S mother, CAROL HENRY, and Linda's sister, BRENDA HENRY WHITE. We had a fun lunch on the strip and stayed for three hours. I hope all our classmates will take the effort and time to find classmate friends and visit with them. You may be missing a lot if you do not, and may never have another opportunity with the friend in which you have so much history in common.

Barbara and Jim. Today Barbara phranked me and stood on her head in front of the Sonny Bono statue, but that may be TMI.   (-:

Jim, Kathy, Barbara, Carol and Brenda.

Happy MARTIN LUTHER KING DAY tomorrow and also a very Happy Birthday to our extremely successful Wyoming hunting and fishing guide, GEORGE HUNKER, III.

Barbara Dell Buzbee (Thompson)

We all look so forward to your posts. Especially, after meeting with you guys. How much fun!!! See you guys this week. San Diego is so perfect too. Especially summer. 
looking so forward to meeting you guys this week. Just following excellent weather is so fortunate. It makes for such joy. Great fortune of joy. 

Karen McCarty (Messina)

What great photos!  Looks like everyone had a great time and had fun!  Thanks for sharing Jim! 

Michaele Austin (Kelly)

I just returned from my annual trip to Florida where I visited with my cousins and we met with Bill and Margie Sloan for a wonderful lunch at the Outback in Lakeland, Fl.  They are preparing for their 6 month “around the world trip” and have promised to post pictures. On my trip I also stopped in Pass Christian, Ms. and spent time with Bobby and Ernie Allison. They are regulars on my pit stops on my trips and are a delight to be around. I also spent time with Karen Herrington and Bob Ream on my way home. What a wonderful couple and I so love to see and visit with old friends so we can reminisce and renew our friendships. Old friends are The Best friends! I reconnected with my best friend from high school recently (Cathy Morris Rhoades) through Facebooks Remembering Roswell page and that has been an incredibly rewarding experience! Why do we let so many important people drift out of our lives and so much time pass before we realize that they are still so important to us? I am so grateful for getting to reconnect with Margaret Nichols Kuenzler for the last 7 years and my life has been so much richer for her presence and I don’t want to take for granted the gifts that are presented through old friendships. I cut this trip short but plan on going down to Aransas Pass, Tx probably next month and stopping to visit with Mardi Gonyea Nicklin before returning home. Until the next time..........

James A "Jim" White

I love what MICHAELE AUSTIN KELLY sentiments were, after reconnecting with school friends, when she asked "Why do we let so many important people drift out of our lives and so much time pass before we realize that they are still so important to us?" This is so true. Contact friends and you will find out they have missed you too.

MICHAELE visited a number of classmates from Texas to Florida and did manage to snap a picture of COL. (USMC RETIRED) BILL SLOAN and wife, MARGIE.

You most likely know that MARGARET NICHOLS KUENZLER recently past away, but did you know that her husband, BILLY, followed her days after? Isn't that a love story children and grandchildren will talk about?

We have been in Yuma for a week or so (go back on the road Monday) and MARIANNE COONS McCULLOUGH connected KATHY and I with MARY MAULDIN GARCIA and husband, RAY. We had a really good visit and pleased with MARY'S recovery from recent extensive heart surgery. MARY and RAY now live in Las Vegas most of the time, 'tho they were in Yuma for a couple months or so..

MARY'S mother is still alive and living with her brother, BILL MAULDIN, in Talequah, OK.

So, what travels are planned? We know BOYCE McFARLAND is going to Sweden in March; and I think TERRY BOONE is going back to Peru in March or April; and JUDI ADAMS MORRIS last day in the Caribbean was today; and BILL SLOAN is going on a 6-month trip around the world soon; and MARY HUSEMOLLER has not advised me lately of her travel plans, if any (and you can lay money on it that she will be traveling); and KAREN McCARTY FINK will be going to New York next month and visiting her sister, DEBBIE. What are your plans? Do not be bashful. It is not bragging. We sincerely want to know what our classmates have been up to.

Let me see ... what other news do I have. KATHY and I saw 93-year old Tony Bennett a couple weeks ago, and will see the Righteous Brothers (Bobby Hatfield died but we will see his replacement and Bill Medley) the end of this month. I also wanted to see Paul Anka but, sadly will be moving down the road about 100 miles. Besides being a teenage heart throb singer and song writer in our day, Paul Anka also has written for many singers including Tom Jones and Frank Sanatra. In fact, Paul Anka wrote Sanatra's classic, My Way. DONNA GOUGE O'BRIEN has been busy but darn if I can remember what at this time. Kind of the same with MILDRED ANDREWS FORD ... we get a report every two or three years or so ... right MILDRED? Sorry, MIKE TURNER, we did not make it to San Diego. We had to change directions. We were in Orange County for a day but did not get to look up MARLA GIBSON FREY.

RHONDA and MARY FRANCES, happy birthday in a half-hour after I post this note. We hope it is a great one. You folks should contact your classmates with upcoming birthdays. Let me say that we recently lost GARY SOLEMAN and MARGARET NICHOLS KUENZLER. Have you gone to their "In Memory" page and written your story or remembrances? Please do and any other classmate that we have lost and you were close to.

A special THANK YOU for three classmates that have sent in $400 to help our class treasury so we can possibly plan a reunion in 2021. Money is still being accepted if you care to contribute.

Finally, BILL LEGGETT, we look forward to your return.

Kindest personal regards, everyone.

William Samuel "Bill" Sloan

Margie is recovering nicely from her cardiac surgery in early December so we are going on our "bucket list" trip starting mid-March. Some places I have been without Margie and some places Margie has been without me. Most often the places are new for both of us. Follows a brief itinerary so if any of you have any "DON'T miss this" places please do not hesitate to give us guidance.

11 March - 30 March: India with side trip to Kathmandu

31 March - 30 April: Vietnam with side trip to Angkor Wat

1 May - 15 May: Spain (Eurorail pass)

16 May - 19 June: Italy (Eurorail pass)

20 June - 24 July: Australia

25 July - 9 Sept: Peru (we recently decided to skip Chile)

We are interested in hearing from you. Bill

William Samuel "Bill" Sloan

My brother-in-law Jim Smith (husaband of sister Sandy) passed away from cancer this Tuesday 11 Feb. He was most recently (15 years?) the minister at First Christian Church, Ruidoso. Margie and I are flying out for his Memorial Service Saturday the 22nd and then I will stay until Friday morning 28th Feb. Please let me know if any of you would like to get together for a breakfast, lunch, or dinner Monday through Thursday IF you live:

east of Lordsburg,

south of Albuquerque,

north of Juarez, and

west of Tatum

Bill

Michaele Austin (Kelly)

So sorry to hear about your brother in law. Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

Im so jealous about your upcoming trip and looking forward to those pictures! Have fun and be safe! 

Diana M. Codling (Reed)

Wow Bill!  Glad Margie is doing well and you are going on that very special trip.  We were able to go to Australia in the 80's and loved it (Canberra and Sydney).  My brother was pilot for the ambassador there and took us to all the places he took "wheels" that visited.  With all the fires they have had, I'm sure nothing is the same.  Obviously the Opera House is still there and it is spectacular.

Sending prayers for Sandi.

Diana

Terry Michael Boone

Hey, Bill--and I thought I was a travelin' man.  Quite an itinerary.  I've been to Australia a couple of times and can give you some advice on that trip.  Going to Peru is a great idea.  I went last October and am going back this June. I can give you some great advice on Cusco, Machu Picchu, the Sacred Valley and just general information. I can also hook you up with a fantastic Peruvian travel agency.  Very reasonably priced and very thorough.  Will personalize a tour according to your interests and time frame.  In my opinion, the only way to plan a trip to Peru.  My phone number is 817-821-5670.   In June we are going to Lima, Paracas and the Nazca Lines, Lake Titicaca, and the Amazon- having the travel agency plan everything according to our preferences

   Mr. Jim White, you ask where I'm going-well we are off in May to a river cruise on the Colombia river-also taking in the Snake River.  Following in the footsteps of Lewis and Clark.  Supposed to be great scenary.  Been on my bucket list for a long time.  June is the aforementioned Peru trip.  Then in September we are flying to Venice and taking a cruise to the Dalmatian Coast-another destination on my bucket list.  Still trying to get another trip in  between now and May.  So many places to see and so little time.                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                           

Robin E. Lostetter

So nice to hear about MARY MAULDIN GARCIA.  I have vivid memories of a party at Mary's house where I developed quite a crush on her older brother.  (Bill?)  It was a vivid memory because my parents were out of town and the woman house-sitting with me forced me to leave the party early.  I was really bummed!

I'm glad to hear that Mary has recovered well from extensive heart surgery.  That fits with my memory of her - a sweet person . . . but with an iron will when needed.  Hope you continue to feel better and better!

James A "Jim" White

Welcome back, BILL LEGGETT, and continued best wishes for a full recovery. Do not worry about the class site until you have fully recovered. So sorry the surgery ended up being so extensive.

We have an announcement about our 55-year reunion coming up next year but I am trying to get a few more pieces of the puzzle put together before we make the announcement.

Who is visiting who? I hear that MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN was recently visited by MICHELLE AUSTIN KELLY. Michelle also visited CATHY MORRIS RHOADES recently and connected Cathy to the class. Yes, Michelle, I sent connection today.

My wife, Kathy, and I visited with LINDA HENRY CROWDER'S family again this week. Her mother, CAROL HENRY is a hoot and Linda's sister, BRENDA HENRY WHITE is very funny and delightful. In the picture below is also BARBARA BUZBEE who met with us one time.

JIM WHITE, KATHY WHITE, BARBARA BUZBEE, CAROL HENRY and BRENDA HENRY WHITE.

LINDA HENRY'S mother and sister are so cool, I am going to try to see CHIP KING'S mother when I go to Albuquerque.

Kathy and I leave Palm Springs tomorrow for Laughlin, NV. Places we will go afterwards include Sedona, AZ, Winslow, AZ (...take it easy...take it easy ... standing on a corner of Winslow, Arizona ..[Eagles]), Wines of the San Juan (60 miles south of Durango), Albuquerque (2-days), Roswell (4-days), TERRY BOONE'S mecca on Possum Kingdom Lake, TX for 3-days, then North Texas, later, Northern Oklahoma and, finally, Wichita, Kansas by May 1. KEITH BURKE, we will be on Lake Texoma for a couple week in April then Lake Kaw for 4-days if you are interested in fishing. If any classmates are near any of those places named and would like to get together, send me a private message.

Kathy and I went to the Righteous Brothers concert Friday night. It was incredible. Not just because you know many of the songs, but because they are performed so well, so much history is explained, and more. Bobby Hatfield, who died in 2003, is honored in the performance. Bucky Heard, who sings Bobby's high tenor music as Bill Medley, age 79, still sings his deep baratone incredibly well. If you can see their performance, GO!!!

DONNA BIRKENBUEL recently moved to Albuquerque. Has anyone else moved?

Hey, everyone, please do three things for us:

(1) Check your address details on our site and update any incorrect information.

(2) Be certain to give my email or phone number to a child or friend with instructions to notify us of your passing. Do not wait until you get sick before you do this. Jim White (206) 999-3154  JWhiteCLU@aol.com

(3) Participate in the class site. You may not think anyone cares but I assure you they do. Do NOT waste time thinking you will connect in the future with those that meant so much to you when you were young. Drop us a line and let us know what is going on in your life.

Thanks, everyone.

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

God bless you, Bill! You have had a tough go lately.  Stay spunky! 
 

Richard Marcum

Classmates:  Especially Terry Boone.  I have just got some news about traveling, especially to Venice.  The Italian government has clamped down on tourism, events, etc. to Venice, Italy.  Read this news article.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-51602007

Now I found this artical because I have a trip already paid for air, condo, rent car...todos.  But I have until March 31 to get my money back.  This is a very special trip as it is an exploratory trip as my wife and I have read and heard so many good things about a very hot real estate developed area Rosarito Beach, Baja California Norte, Mexico.  We think this place is worth a look.  It takes an hour and fifteen minutes to drive from Rosarito to San Diego California.  So all our medical can be handled in the U.S. and that is a good thing.  We lived in Cuenca, Ecuador for a year and a half and the only reason we returned to the U. S. was the medical did not meet our needs.  But in Rosarito, we can live in Mexico and get all our medical needs met in San Diego.  

Now I have read some of my fellow RHS pals make positive statement about living in the San Diego area.  I have visited San Diego before and enjoyed it greatly.  So if any of you have any comments about our proposed move to Rosarito, please let me know.

Now, this corona virus is something worthy of paying attention to.  I also know that many of my RHS classmates travel, so here is the current country by country stats on the virus.  I am not going to let the virus rule my life, but I did get an 'A' in stats at Texas Tech.  Mexico has only 5 people with the virus and no deaths, so I will proceed with my trip.  Here are the numbers of cases from the rest of the world.

Mainland China: 80,026, South Korea: 4,335, Italy: 1,694, Iran: 978, Others: 706, Japan: 256, Germany: 130, Singapore: 106, France: 130, Hong Kong: 98, U.S.: 86, Spain: 58, Kuwait: 45, Thailand: 43, Bahrain: 47,Taiwan: 41, UK: 36, Malaysia: 29, Australia: 29, Switzerland: 27, United Arab Emirates: 21, Canada: 24, Vietnam: 16, Norway: 19, Iraq: 19, Sweden: 14, Netherlands: 10, Macau: 10, Lebanon: 10, Austria: 14, Israel: 10, Oman: 6, Croatia: 7, Pakistan: 4, Mexico: 5, Greece: 7, Georgia: 3, India: 3, Denmark: 4, Philippines: 3, Finland: 6, Romania: 3, Azerbaijan: 3, Belgium: 2, Russia: 2, Brazil: 2, Afghanistan: 1, Qatar: 3, Nepal: 1, Lithuania: 1, Cambodia: 1, Ireland: 1, Nigeria: 1, Ecuador: 6, Algeria: 3, Iceland: 3, Armenia: 1, San Marino: 8, North Macedonia: 1, Luxembourg: 1, Monaco: 1, Belarus: 1, New Zealand: 1, Estonia: 1, Egypt: 2, Sri Lanka: 1, Czech Republic: 3, Indonesia: 2, Dominican Republic: 1.

Richard Marcum

Oh,  one other very important news item, I now have a great granddaughter.  Her name is Luna Rose Marcum.  Here is a picture of our first meeting.  Like many of my grandchildren, she thought I looked pretty damn funny.

And yes, I know you're thinking it.  I am get balder by the day...dammit!  I hate this getting old shit...but it is still better that the other option.

Karen McCarty (Messina)

First of all to Bill Leggett. Glad you are home and recovering albeit slowly from the extensive back surgery you had. It sounded like quite an ordeal!  Good for you for limiting the pain pills to a minimum. I'm not sure I could do it!  Anyway, hang in there and rest up!  I will be sending prayers and good wishes for you. 

To Richard Marcum.  That is the cutest baby ever!  So sweet to see the response you had from her and that big smile on both of your faces! 

To all you travelers out there. My understanding is that if you are careful and practice all safety protocols regarding transmission of any virus or bacteria, you should be fine. As always, it is better to be safe than sorry but should not prevent you traveling to where you want to go. 
 

Happy travels everyone!  Looking forward to seeing more pictures and commentaries about each new place! 
 

Have a great week everyone! 
 

Diana M. Codling (Reed)

Welcome back Bill.  Take care of yourself....in other words, don't push it too hard!  We need you!

Diana

Donna Birkenbuel

Hi Jim, yes, I am in Albuquerque for now, but I'll be more than happy to help with the reunion next year! After living in Las Cruces for the last 50 years, I hope to relocate to Roswell in the next month or so. Roswell has always felt like "home,"  and that is where I want to be. I just want to sit under a tree with a cold beer and RELAX for a change!! *L* If that tree is by a lake, and I have a fishing pole in my other hand, that's all the better!! We'll see if the good Lord agrees with me!! *L* 

But,  I will need to find some kind of housing that fits my circumstances and my - hopefully temporarilly - financially challenged pocketbook. So any information/advice/leads my classmates can offer will be greatly appreciated!!

Everyone take care of yourselves and I hope you all have a blessed day!

Richard Marcum

All:

I would like to respond to Bill's comments regarding the coronavirus.  I agree it is a serious scenario and I can see how most of us will be fearful of this virus.  However, I can't relate this virus to the Bible because I am more believing in science that things found in the Bible.  I first must state that I am glad that Bill and probably the most of the Goddard & Roswell classmates get comfort from the Bible.  And I would fight for their rights to have such a faith and be able to proudly proclaim those beliefs.  However, I must admit that I am what is called an agnostic.  A 'gnostic' is a person with knowledge on one subject or another.  I am a gnostic in scuba diving, I know its science and as well it skill set requirements.  But regarding God, Heaven, Hell or almost anything in the Bible I am 'agnostic'...I know nothing.  And that includes that I do NOT know whether or not there is a God...I certainly can't rule it out.  But God or No God is not what I would like to discuss.

The reason I travel so much is because I want to pack as much wonder, excitement and pure fun into each and every day that I can.  And to be honest one of the things I hate most in life is fear.  So, I am going to give you some updated info that might take away some our most of the fear you might be experiencing.  Coronavirus has just replaced Donald Trump as the most talked about subject in the world.  And I think that we should step back and look at the stats...the numbers...and change focus.  The only A I ever got in college was in stats.  So, let me give you some numbers.  

 Beginning October 1, 2019 through February 29, 2020 the CDC estimates that there have been in the U. S.;

1) 34 -49 million cases of the flu, 2) 16 - 23 million medical visits of persons with the flu, 3) 350,000 - 620,000 flu hospitalizations, and 4) 20,000 to 52,000 flu deaths.  You can go to this site to get more details: https://www.cdc.gov/flu/about/burden/preliminary-in-season-estimates.htm .

And these numbers are pretty much in line with every other year.  Add in the car crashes, shooting victims, cancer, heart attacks, etc. etc. all are responsible for deaths.  The fact is this, each and every one of us is going to die.  No getting around it.  Being the son of football coach can make you some times look forward to it.  But as I have always done, I think NOT.  That is the why I travel to places that may appear weird, strange, unique, hostile, etc. etc.  I am wanting to pack as much living into each and every day of my life...and I refuse to live any other way.  People ask me 'where is the best place you've been to', and I answer that I don't know because I have not been to them all yet.  So, let's not crawl under our beds and fear getting up and going about life each and every day.  I am flying to Rosarito, Mexico on Apr. 30, with the intent of possibly living there for 2 or 3 years.  My wife is as excited as I am about the prospect of that.  

So my friends, I hope you will put things into perspective.  Throughout the annuls of time, there have been many plagues, dissasters, wars.  Heck, if it hadn't been for Adolf Hitler, I would not be alive, as my father married my Mom in Uxbridge, England and one year later, Elenor Roosevelt lobbied congress to pay for the transportation of all the war brides to get to the U. S.  Thus, I was concieved and here I am.  I do very much believe in doing good, not just so that I can get into a heaven in which I do not believe in, but because it feels good.  And life has taught me that the more good you put out, the more good you get back.  

Well, I just hate fear and what it does to one's psyche.  Let's all just worry about chasing all our rainbows...and adventures.  So in the words of Forrest Gump, "that's all I have to say about that."   

Hope to see you all whenever the next reunion is.  Take care and have some fun!!!

Richard Marcum

Bill, my comments really were intended to undo my earlier comments regarding coronavirus I made regarding Terry Boone's plans to visit Venice. ... which Italy has quarantined.  I did a horrible job making the point that we should base our activities on the 'odds'.  I should have done a better job of saying how we should be smart, yet not afraid to live our lives...but to do so within the boundaries of reason.  Nor do I in any way want to belittle your religious beliefs.  If they give you comfort, that is a good thing.  And as I said, beliefs are things to which I have no special knowledge of.  To me, teachings of the Bible have no relationship to knowledge...they only relate to faith and belief...of which I put very little value.  I only look to reason, logic, proof and practicality.  But I must say, it has been proven to me that doing good pays off in real time, however, I have been burned many times by faith.  And that history of betrayal may well be a weakness of mine.  I know my wife loves me and I know I love her...and I put all my strength in those two FACTS.

So, I hope with our exchange of these two comments to each other, we have better clarifyed our comments.  Hope to see you at the next reunion!  Be well and have fun!

Robin E. Lostetter

Well, you guys, this has been an interesting dialog to observe.

First of all, Bill, glad you're on the road to recovery.  Ankle, back, and knee . . . you're a walking miracle.  But I have you on number of screws . . . I have 12 in my hip, to the 7 in your back!  (plus knees and back issues)  Not that it's a willing contest.  ;)  Thank heaven for what surgeons can do today!  They're keeping both you and me mobile!

And Richard, I really admire (with a bit of envy) your ideal of traveling and learning, year by year. Keep it up!

I have one comment to add to your discussion.  Early on, Bill stated, "experts are warning that over half of the population of the world could eventually get this virus."  That is true, over a period of about two years.  But bear in mind what that really means -- The coronavirus is in the same family as the common cold and the flu.  And  more than half  of the population of the world has been exposed to other corona viruses.  (I hope I'm using the proper terminology now.)  Almost everyone has had a cold, and many have had the flu.  But by the time this new virus has made its way through the entire population, we should have a vaccine, as we do with flu, which will lower the risk of serious illness and death. And we will also be making our own immunities.  At this point, because it's new, we haven't developed any protection yet.

An interesting fact is that COVID-19 is predominantly an adult illness. There is a very small percentage (one study showed about 2%) of patients who are under the age of 19.  But it is most dangerous to those over the age of 60, and increasing with increased age, and to those who have underlying medical issues such as heart, diabetes, and lung problems.  I guess each bug has its own characteristics, but remember, this one is still within a family of viruses that give the medical community the benefit of some commonalities with the cold, flu, etc.

So - wash hands!  And don't pay $79 for antibacterial hand sanitizer!  And use common sense!

Bye, y'all!

Deborah Pike

Hi Guys,

First of all, Donna, I envy  you being so close to Roswell and I know exactly what you are talking about Roswell "feleling like home".  I know a teriffic reale estate Lady in Roswell. Her name is Charlotte and her phone number is 575-420-9277. Good luck.

Bill, I read your post of the ordeal in the hospital. Next time you want to have surgery, call me. I will stay with you overnight to protect the nurses! Besides I can stay in the daytime to listening to your stories and jokes. Let me know, My Two Black Belts are still good!

As for the theological conversation, very interesting gentlemen BUT.... Think about the BLACK DEATH in the Middle Ages. Bet they thought it was the end too.  My personal thoughts on the subject. I think that ALIENS have salted the air with the bugs so they can watch humans  run around like chickens. While the Aliens  laugh knowing that brussell sprouts are the cure, Dang those Aliens, they have terrible senses of humor

Don't think I am not concerned, it was brought home today. My granddaughter was  supposed to go to Disneyland and sing. The trip was just cancelled.

Stay safe, EVERYONE, the world needs us!

Debbie

Deborah Pike

Bill, 

Now I know what I want for my birthday!

Debbie

Deborah Pike

Of course!

Richard Marcum

Bill,

Sorry to hear about your family's loss.  I had many friends at Ruidoso myself.  I hope you have a safe trip to and from.  And if by any chance you run into an old pal of mine, Ronny Maskew, please tell him I would like to hear from him and my tel# 214-494-8497.  He was a big Methodist and the ex-football coach in Ruidoso.  Again, take care flying...lots of hand santizer. 

Rick Marcum