Laurie Anne Shuey (Andersen)

Happy Passover today, Happy Easter tomorrow.  Happy Spring to all!  We have been spared tornadoes and floods suffered by friends in other areas, and the softball-sized hail predicted for last week turned into quarter-sized icy spheres.

Bill Leggett, I hope that you recover quickly from your back surgery.  I need the same operation, but my husband's five spinal surgeries for 13 degenerating vertebrae in the last two years took priority.  I'll write more about Agent Orange in another post.

I will be in the Washington, DC (my birthplace) area June 27- July 6, 2019.  The first three days will be for a reunion of students that I taught in England. The rest of the time I will visiting with family and friends.  Will any of my RHS/GHS classmates be in that area during that time?  Please let me know if you would like to get together.

I love the new forum set-up.  Thanks to all of those who made this possible.  

James A "Jim" White

 HAPPY EASTER everyone. Believe it or not, Kathy and I did get up and made it to a sunrise Easter Service. HE has risen indeed.

Our deepest sympathy goes out to US Navy veteran, KEITH BURKE, who just lost his mother this past Friday. We are so sorry for your loss, Keith. I know she was friends with many including TOMMY HOLLINGSHEAD.

LAURIE SHUEY ANDERSON, we will most likely miss connections in Washington, D.C. While we will be driving up the east coast about that time, I am purposely avoiding the D.C. area while I am pulling that 4-Story building lying on its side that BOYCE McFARLAND gave us so we could have this adventure. I am sorry to miss you but Kathy and I are going so far west to avoid D.C area, you will be able to find us in Nashville, Tennessee before we continue to Connecticut. Give my Texas twin a hug from me.

While at BILL SLOAN's home this week, we looked at his yearbooks. I do not have one and, as you may know, am not in our senior annual but still love to see people I know. Two of them are in the below picture - TOMMY HART and BRENDA RIDENER. Since TOMMY never reports in, like 90% of you (ha), here is what little I know. Tommy says, "Everything else is falling apart but my voice is still holding on." Did you know Tommy has performed in all 50 states? He use to go to Paris nearly every year, sometimes to perform, sometimes because he just loves that city, and the fire at Notre Dame has devistated him. Tommy has more offers to perform than he accepts so that is nice. After his performance yesterday, Tommy was flying to LA to record something secret, like a possible pilot for TV show. He does not even know until he gets there and, of course, he has signed a non-disclosure agreement. BRENDA RIDENER, let us know what you are doing. Since I am in Florida, how are your Florida grandchildren doing?

While Kathy and I were in Austin, Texas and visiting with LINDA HENRY CROWDER and LABAN and BRENDA STEWART, we stopped by the most famous Honky Tonk there, the Broken Spoke.

This was almost two months ago when I spoke with the owner of the club. He told me George Strait had just been there and they were going to use his club on the cover of his next CD.  Guess what I saw in Walmart today? Yep, George's "Honky Tonk Time Machine" C.D.

 Two classmates who have CD's that you cannot go wrong with are BOBBY ALLISON and JERRY ROBBINS. Kathy and I listen to both every day whether we are driving or just sitting by our lovely camping spot or beach. I have no idea if JOHN LESLIE WOLFE has a CD out, but once I did purchase his deck of cards.

I see that BETTY McCOMBS has a birthday this week. Let me see, who was I talking with this week when I was talkiing about her?  ha ... just kidding  (yeah, right). And MARIANNE COONS McCULLOUGH and CRAIG SUTHERLAND, did you hear Billy and I speaking about you?

BILL LEGGETT, both of my brothers, Don and Bob, always defended me .... and, yes, there are many stories. Most we cannot tell. Thanks for keeping the website home page timely. Oh, and while I hope to visit with BILLY SLOAN one more time before moving on, I will be seeing the famous disc jockey turned NASA computer guru, CHIP KING, and his lovely wife, BONNY, in three weeks. Now, everyone else, make like MARDI GONYEA NICKLIN who recently let us know about her trip and what she was up to.

William Samuel "Bill" Sloan

Margie and I had a GREAT time with Kathy and Jim. While they were in the area we went to the Salvador Dali Museum in St. Petersburg (see photos). We are looking forward to seeing them again on the way north from Key West. And you all know Jim and I stayed up late telling each other stories about the rest of you (and ourselves).

Laurie Anne Shuey (Andersen)

Tell us more about Chip and Bonny King. Disk Jockey, where and when? NASA geek, where and when? Did he work with Hank Garrett?

James A "Jim" White

REST IN PEACE JOY BURKE - Many of you remember KEITH BURKE. Keith's mother, Joy Burke, funeral is set for this Thursday, April 25th, at 11:00 a.m. at Highland Baptist Church. I hope Roswell classmates or those living nearby that knew Keith will go to the funeral to show our class support for this wonderful woman, florist, parent, nature lover. Also, you may double check the time as I read one place the funeral was at 10am and others, including newspaper, at 11am. Keith is a great guy, a retired Navy Veteran, currently an active camper and hiker. This is one of the few times you will be able to catch Keith in Roswell. He lives in McAlester, Oklahoma.

To answer other questions, CHIP KING was a radio disc jockey in Roswell until he moved to greener pastures and larger radio station in Florida. He sticks to his story that he was not asked to leave town by Lt. Frank Hale (Roswell PD) who many of us knew. In Florida, Chip met a lovely and vibrant young lady name BONNY, who worked for a competing radio station. Somehow, they managed to get together and make it last. Bonny obviously has the patience of Job. As to how Chip got involved in computers and then working for NASA, I have no clue ... but he was involved in every moon/space shot for about three decades. On his own time, Chip created and ran a commmunity bulletin board for Electric Island. Yes, Chip is fortunate to live on a stunning pretty island off the Florida atlantic coast, south of Datona. Chip did not work with HANK GARRETT. Hank, I believe, worked at Lawrence Livermore Labratories closer to San Francisco, and Chip was working at Cape Canaveral in Florida.

BILL LEGGETT - glad the staples are out and hope the fused back vertabraes are improving daily.

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Hi classmates...

Wanted to drop in and say hello. I enjoy all the postings and enjoyed geting to see the posts from all the Easter celebrations that were posted on Face Book. I mean to tell you, there are some beautiful children and grandchildren among us. Also enjoy the beautiful Easter postings and spiritual postings on Face Book as well.Originally, I wasn't going to do Facebook, because I would have my family send everything through my email. The engagements, the weddings, the children being born and a whole host of other events got missed through the emails so I finially had to give in and set up my page. It has been a joy to see all the "goings-on."

Before I go to the next subject, I wanted to send my sincere condolences to Keith Burke regarding the loss of his mother. Prayers coming your way Keith for your precious loss.

I am going to "bounce-back" to the subject of Face Book. Recently, one of my close friends learned, and many of you may know this, got "sucked-in" to a FB hoax that just makes me livid every time I think of it. Remember this....IF it looks too good to be true, IT IS!! Also, remember, IF you're gut is telling you something is NOT right, listen to it!! She was on her FB page. She has been wanting a partner but has not wanted to go onto the sites in search of one, especially, for many reasons. On this particular time she got a friend request from what turned out to be a four star General in the US Army. Shortly after she "friended" him, he told her to go into "Hangouts" so they could talk privately. That "should" have been her first clue but for some alluring reason she didn't stop there, she signed onto Hangout. The conversation's were very friendly, very inviting and VERY realistic. A couple of the days into the back and forth conversation's she came over and started telling me about the convincing picture, the bio, and the story. As she was telling me this, red flags were waving like the fourth of July in my head!! I started telling her about this part, and that part that just couldnt be true. Even though we are good friends, she made the choice to continue the conversations that turned into phone calls, all against my advise to do so. I had my retired US Army career brother, and even myself, went onto the guys site to see if he was a legitt person. My brother told me that the chances that he would have "picked her out" of the thousands of person's who friend people on FB, would just pick her out at random. She came over a couple of days later and read me one or two of the texts. I told her, "I love you dearly, I have to tell you, THESE are not the kind of messages or conversation's a person of this caliber would send out to someone...it is just NOT. She went the next day to upgrade her phone. She shared the situation with two of the techs there. They sent her to a site called, "Google.com/check." Something like that. On that site it showed her the exact picture of the General and underneath it, it showed that "FAKE" messages had been used over and over using this man's profile, his bio and his FB information.

It made me even more livid when she was told that these "fakers" are using mostly military people;s sites to get away with this crazieness. Incredibly sad.

You know....or you may not know....I am not what you could call incredibly "computer-savy" especially when it comes to all the very updated technology but this I do know and can advise: (1) If you use Face Book, set your security settings to apply to ONLY the friends you wish to have in you're circle. If you leave you're security settings to apply to the general public, you are opening yourself up for a whole host of preditors. There are a gazillion of them out there. (2) DON'T post where/when you are on a trip, or when you are going or when you will be returning. There are probably a whole host of "Dont's" from members here on our site that should apply so if you would like to post additional things to watch for, feel free to do so. ALL advise is surely welcome. It breaks my heart to see people who are so kind, so giving, and who would like someone in their life to share life with, to see them getting scammed.

I love you all....be careful out there. Luv N Hugs from Mardi

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Thanks for the warning dear Mardi. Something so innocent looking turns out to be a scammer in disguise! How awful for your friend to be taken in so easily it seems. I don’t even understand what it means to go to a “hangout?!”  Or even how to navigate there? I have read that can happen in other social mediums like Instagram too. Warn your friend to not accept friend requests from anyone unless she actually knows them “in person!”

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

The passing of an upper classman.....

I got news yesterday that one of our upper classmen has passed. His name is Tommy Hargrove. He is married to Oretta Thompson Hargrove, RHS 65. They had been life long friends when they married. They still live in Roswell. I don't have any more details other than he had pneumonia and had been in ICU when he passed. A very amazing guy, a heart of gold, and a humble man. Oretta and my sister, Madge are best friends.

James A "Jim" White

Thank you, Mardi Gonyea-Nicklin for informing us of Tommy Hargrove's passing. If anyone else ever knows of classmates passing, please notify us. Also, give your children's our address (or mine, JWhiteCLU@aol.com) in the event of your passing so we will know.

Happy Birthday today to Smitty Smith (now living on a beautiful ranch in Hondo) and sweet Jill Webster, who helped us on reunions. Normally, this would be confidential but since Jill informed the classmates at our Ft. Worth mini-reunion, so I hope it is okay to repeat. Nothing to be embarrassed about. Jill has been diagnosed with early stages of Alzheimers. If you would like to write Jill a card and do not know her address, please write me a private message and I will give it to you. Her husband, Harold, is doing a yoeman's job. Thank you, Harold, for taking care of our sweet Jill ... er ... your sweet Jill.

Gayle Moore DiOrio, you moved recently. Have you update your contact info on this website? How about the rest of our classmates? We are a moving lot, it seems, so update your page so we can contact you if/when we have another reunion or activity.

Boyce McFarland should return from Sweden today. We hope "Mac" had a terrific trip and wish him the best with all the changes in his life. Now, the rest of you, please write your story and let us know what you are doing.

As for Kathy and me, we went to Key Largo Friday night and visited the actual club (Caribbean Club) that Bogey and Bacall filmed KEY LARGO in. We have done a few other things, like go on airboat rides down Alligator Alley (Cooperstown, FL), but tomorrow, Monday, will be the first of ten days on the Florida Keys. Don't think I have fallen off the earth if I am not visable for while. Again, go ahead and write and let us know what you have been up to.

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Deborah Pike

I love the Home Ec class. What was that girl's name?

By the way, my daughter has been telling me how weird I am and she said that that book about aliens just gives her proof that her mother is an alien. I don't understand why she thinks that; I talk about Roswell all the time, I love Star Trek, I like to ride mules down cliffs, have 2 black belts in Karate, liked being a corrections officer, put strange colored streaks in my hair! None of that is weird! Is it?  

Oh well, Kids Now-a-days   Debbie

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Heyyyy Classmates...

I hope this finds all of you having a blessed day.

First off, I have to make a HUGE apology. I posted that Tommy Hargrove had passed. I must have been having a serious senior moment. It was TOMMY GRAVES that passed. I am so sorry for the mistake.

I have had a history of calling people the wrong names, Some of you may have read in one of my previous posts, as I do a comedy routine of calling people by the wrong name. In case you didnt read it. it went something like this:

In about 1968, I wasn't yet 21. I still lived in Roswell. Hitting the local bars was a week-end thing. On one of those nights I came into one of the bars. I was by myself. I saw standing at the bar a very tall handsome sailor. He gave me a friendly smile that said, "I know you." I did the same. So we had some drinks at the bar and danced and laughed a lot. During the course of the evening I called him Mickey. So it was, "Mickey this and Mickey that." Later, he asked if he could drive me hope. I said, "OK." When we got to my place he kissed me goodnight. Our conversation continued and I invited him in. I continued with calling him Mickey. He was getting a little frisky. I said, "Mickey, we should go out to dinner tomorrow night." He stopped. Dead silence. He then said, "That sounds good but I have to tell you, my name is not Mickey." Could there be an bigger rocks to crawl under! Throughout the night he hadn't called me by my name. Many of you know, I have the sister one year older named Madge. A lot of people confused us saying we looked alike. I didnt see the resemblance...but, that is just me. The next thing he said was, "i apologize, could you please tell me if you are Madge or her sister?!!" We both had a really good laugh and yes, he did take me out to dinner the next night.

I have to laugh at Debbie's comments about the things she did....and the things our children do and have done. Yikes, there is no way I can tell my son now or in the past that he can't do something because he is going to do it and in doubles!!

Be safe out there. Luv N Hugs. 

Deborah Pike

Mardi,

I know what you mean about memory of names. So I started taking Prevagen and and now I never forget where I put my keys. But???? uh! what's your name again

Debbie

Margaret W. "Peggy" Ware (Koger)

Deb, you’re a bad ass! Two black belts! 

Bill, how is your back feeling now that all the staples are out?  That’s an impressive photo!

Mardi, You’re a hoot! Keep those stories coming ! 

James A "Jim" White

James A "Jim" White

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Thank you for the funny story Mardi. I actually laughed out loud ... and I am by myself! Yes, I do remember Tommy Graves. I may have had a class or two with him. So Mardi, what is the story about him? Did you get the news from your sister? Debbie, I am impressed when I hear someone has earned ONE black belt in karate....how do you earn TWO black belts?! I’m sure you could defend yourself in a pinch! Have you moved to New Mexico yet? By the way, is our class planning a 55 yr reunion,  and if so, what year would it be? Stay happy and healthy everyone!

Deborah Pike

Hi Karen, You get a 2nd degree black belt is keep on training. I just wanted to feel lke I could take care of myself.  I never thought I'd use it on a job. Too bad I can't use it at my current job-high chool substitute teacher! I am still in Hawaii. My daughter has type one diabetes and it is a whole nother disease. I feel I need to stay with my daughter and granddaughter until the Vivien (granddaughter) get to college. I really can't wait.  I miss cactus, tumbleweeds, horned toads, and MEXICAN FOOD!!!!

HOW ARE YOU DOING?

Karen McCarty (Messina)

Hi Debbie, You are funny! Of all the things to miss about New Mexico, the only things I miss is the FOOD! Thanks for the explanation on the black belt training.... I can understand how a person would gain confidence with more training. Especially in today’s world. I can also understand wanting to be close to daughter and granddaughter. I live only five miles from mine and I love it that way! It has been a joy to have a little one around again and brings back such happy memories of when my daughter was that age. Five year olds said the darnest things as Art Linkletter used to say! I used to love watching that segment of his show when he interviewed children. He always got them to say whatever they weren’t supposed to say! Anyway, I digress... When my husband and I lived in the San Francisco Bay Area (Fairfield and then Livermore)for over 30 years, we would always go on vacation to Hawaii. Been to all the islands and Maui three times over the years. I had no idea at the time there was a classmate living there! We were there one year when the Ironman triathlon occurred (not participating but just watching) and I remember how impressed I was with all the athletes there. I felt I was at the Olympics! So where does someone who lives in the Hawaiian islands go for vacation?! I recall another year when we vacationed on Kauai the week AFTER Thanksgiving. I had a hard time booking tours and when I asked why, I was told,” this is the week the tour companies staff go on vacation so there are limited staff available for tours!” We did manage to score some extra special tours since the ones left were willing to add in some extra trips where we got to do some things they told us “normal” tourists during heavy travel times don’t get to do. Scuba diving to see turtles at their “cleaning station,” petting a friendly Moray eel (with a glove on; safety first! And taking a catamaran sail over to a secluded beach where I found a HUGE conch shell (with no animal inside so I was allowed to keep). These are just a few of the awesome memories I have of the islands. Thank you for asking how I am doing. I know I am not the only person to lose a spouse after so many years (47 for me) and I have wonderful memories so I would have to say I am slowly adjusting. I am busy and active, taking various classes at the Y. It gets lonely at times and I find I am not getting all my 20,000 words said someone once said most women need to get out in a day. (My husband was an excellent listener!) but I am managing alright. It is a process someone else informed me cannot be rushed. So I am also spending some time planning at least one weekend trip a month away so I have something to look forward to. I am also exploring going to the Holy Land in 2020 which is a trip my church is planning to do next year with a group that is well rehearsed at doing so life is good. I hope you are well and if at all possible I hope to meet you in the future someday (future reunions?!). Take care.

Mardi Gonyea (Nicklin)

Duhhhh I left the guys name out. I do names in my comedy routines when it is about someone who passed. My favorite comedy stories are about my chidhood best friend, Judy Lynn Shows Brown. We were inseperable throughout grade school. Her birthday was June 11th and mine is May 11th. We got in so much trouble. I will write down some of the routines another day. Ohhhh sorry, the guy was Jim Reed. Most humble guy on the planet, and just kind. I told this story on his 65 Class Memorial page.

My sister, Madge hasn't heard of all my comedy routines about all her boyfriends who chased me after she discarded them. She has very selective memory and swears, well she doesn't swear, but says I am making the stories up. She often says, "And, where was I when all this was happening>??" I save a lot of them for when Auntie Mardi shows up for her children's and grandchildren's reunions....ha

I remember one particular time, she had only one date with this guy who was to die for, THAT good looking....I don't remember his name but I remember that gorgeous head of black wavy hair. He was really bashful at a dance on one particular dance. It was one of those dances out at the armory, where there was virtually no air conditioning. Of course, she and I constantly argued over the mascara and the Aqua Net hair spray. So I asked him to dance with me. As we were dancing, the song felt like it was going on forever. To add to it, it was a slow dance. My plastered aqua net hair was up to our sweating cheek. The dance ended. I almost died when I pulled away from him!! It felt like cotton candy sticking on the side of his face. I.m pretty sure he went to the bathroom to wash his face afterwards!  Did I give up my Aqua Net? Are you kidding....I just made sure I slow danced where the air conditioning was hitting us!! Be safe out there. Luv N Hugs

Deborah Pike

Karen, You sound like you are processing the loss of your spouse OK. OK is good at this time, you will get better but I can tell you that those losses, you don't exactly over them, you just learn to live around it. You start remembering  good times before you start remembering that they are gone. My son has been gone for 20 years come November but I still have times I feel the pain; but the bright spot is that you know that when your time comes, they will be there waiting to hold you again.

Hang in there and it will get better.

Debbie

James A "Jim" White

Happy Birthday to the only "Gold Star" Vietnam widow in our class (that I am aware of), Laurie Shuey Anderson. Blessings to you.

PLEASE REMEMBER CLASSMATES THAT ARE SUFFERING. They are part of your history. If you pray, please do. If you do not, please think good thoughts and send them to the universe. Here are a few situations we are aware of:

- Neuro muscular condition that barely allows this sweet woman to speak, she barely weighs a hundred pounds and is caring her her husband who has alzeiheimers.

- Another classmate, friends to us all who has helped with reunions, has diagnosed alzeiheimers.

- Another classmate with Lyme disease and is in constant pain in all her joints.

- A classmate who recently lost her husband unexpectedly, and is now facing all the decisions and change of life that comes with a loss such as this.

- A classmate who lost his wife several months ago, and has not been back in his house since the funeral. He still will face many, many decisions and many moments or days of sadness.

- A classmate with a history of mouth cancer and may have it again, and is in constant, very harsh pain.

- A classmate with a Neuro condition and sensitivity that even a small wind on her face can be painful.

- A classmate whose wife has a very dibilitating condition and he has been her care giver for may years.

- Another RHS grad who cares for his wife with dementia while struggling with very painful back injury himself.

We could go on and on. These are not the people that send in pictures showing the fun they are having. They rarely, if ever, visit this class website. Please remember them. They deserve our concern, thoughts and remembrances.

______________________________________________

1

JIM WHITE, KAREN PATTERSON NICHOLS and LOUIS BAGWELL met in North Houston on March 13th to share memories of growing up in the Utopian town of Roswell. Life was simple, life was good, growing up in Roswell in the 50's and 60's. Of course, the day seems like yesterday when you have lunch with a classmate that looks like she just graduated a year or two ago. It was nice, since I cared so little about school back then, to share the love with two classmates that were both class officers and very involved in everything, including yearbook, back then. Thank you for your service to our class. You are the best!

On March 8th, several Houston area classmates gathered for lunch. If you are thinking, "Would you have anything to say after 50 years?" Well, apparently plenty. Most stayed for six hours! Even after we left the restaurant table 4 hours later to free it up for customers, we went out front and talked for two more hours.

Those present, from Left to Right, BOB REAM, KAREN HARRINGTON REAM, KATHY WHITE, JIM WHITE, MICHAELE AUSTIN KELLY, MARY VEATCH, BUTCH COLBERT, SHARON COLBERT, HEARKY VEATCH. Another lunch gathering will be this Wednesday, March 13th, and will include LOUIS BAGWELL, KAREN PATTERSON NICHOLS, JIM and KATHY WHITE and hopefully a few more Houston area classmates.

It is absolutely fascinating learning about childhood friends and acquaintences. If you grew up with all our wonderful Roswell classmates, you would love learning the business people, lawyers, chemical engineers, etc. they have become. If you don't, uh ... well ... I worry about you.

Besides the meeting this Wednesday, as Kathy and I travel east on I-10, we will be seeing BOBBY ALLISON in Mississippi, and in Florida hope to catch up with KAREN McCARTY FINK, BILLY SLOAN, CHIP KING and anyone else we find in that state. Don't think we are just chasing classmates. We are also seeing lifelong friends, going to enjoy New Orleans, the Gulf Coast, Mobile Alabama, we even have 10 days reserved on Fiesta Key in the Florida Keys. After Florida, Kathy and I are heading up the east coast. We also hope to make it to TERRY BOONE'S lake home sometime. And, of course, JUDI ADAMS MORRIS and ELIZABETH GWARTNEY LOWNEY always welcome us when we are in Denver area. Thank you, BOYCE McFARLAND for helping make this wonderful trip possible. Keep dancin', yaw'll.

James A "Jim" White

Hey ROBIN LOSTETTER. Happy birthday in a couple days. I hope it is a good one as you have earned it. I your address right on this site? I am coming up the east coast this summer and would hate to be near you without seeing you.

Talking about Kathy's and my travels. We are on the Florida Keys for one more day then we head back to central Florida, to go to the ocean with BILL and MARGIE SLOAN .... then onto the Space Coast of Florida where we will see CHIP and BONNIE KING. I probably need advice from 7-Year RVer, PETE GARTON. We need to reach Connecticut. I am book through FL-GA-SC (yes, Myrtle Beach) and NC. I intended to go east to Nashville (listen to music), then up through KY, OH etc.  But now I may just go north from Durham, NC. Any advice? Anyone?

Take care,

Jim White

Facebook group: Jim & Kathy's Excellent Adventures

Robin E. Lostetter

Thanks, Jim!!  I'm now in Naples, NY, in the Finger Lakes, outside of Rochester NY.  There are 2 wineries in town, as well as many, many nearby.  Working part time at Trinity Federated Church, living at their manse - easy to find, and right across from the best pizzeria around!

Now back to work . . . I'm still a night-owl, and have a few e-blasts to send out . . . 

peace,

Robin

James A "Jim" White