We have built quite a tradition of sharing personal news through periodic newsletters as well as this Classmate News page of our web site. Maintaining personal communication with everyone is important for creating a sense of WWW’67 family. Because we now live in a world of spam filters and bounced e-mails (not to mention classmates who change addresses as often as they change their socks), I am never quite sure who actually receives messages anymore. Therefore, after I send newsletters by e-mail, Charlie will post them here in Kathy’s Corner. Continue to write to me, WWW’67, and stop by often to catch up on what’s going on!

~Kathy

One day Alice came to a fork in the road and saw a Cheshire cat in the tree. “Which road do I take?” she asked. “Where do you want to go?’ was his response. “I don’t know.” Alice answered. “Then,” said the cat, “it doesn’t matter.” - Lewis Carroll

 

 

WWW ’67  45th Reunion - the weekend of April 28, 2012

 

Dates on the calendar are closer than they appear!  Our 45th reunion is only 5 short months away, and the committee has been busy planning the type of event you have requested -

            Affordable (many comments similar to, “PLEASE keep the cost down”)

            Informal

            Plenty of time to visit with classmates

            Quiet enough to hear each other (numerous comments about hearing impairments!  You people must be much older than I. 

 

Now, down to business.  The committee needs “seed money” to move things along.  I was looking at notes from our 35th & 40th reunions, and you guys came through like champs with checks to ensure a great reunion experience, and I think you’ll agree a great reunion experience is exactly what we got.  I hate asking for money, and I hate dealing with money.  Unfortunately, there are quite a few expenses involved in planning and holding reunions.  Times are difficult for all of us, but please do what you can to help.  I know you will.  If you have a business and would like to be a sponsor, let me know!  We will be more than happy to give you plenty of advertising.  :-)))

 

Mail checks (of any amount) made out to Woodrow Wilson Class of 1967 or (WWW 1967) to

 

Kelley Geary Burks

5303 Bent Tree Dr.

Dallas, TX  75248   

 

Okay.  Now that we have the money issue addressed, read what the committee has planned for you!

 

Friday night, April 27 – Classmates are on their own Fri. night as it is not included in the price of the reunion ticket.   Those who want can meet us for dinner (we’re checking out places now) and then head over to Lone Star Roadhouse to watch the Exiles play!  (Be sure to go to the/OUR Exiles’ brand  new web site!)  We’re inviting people from all Woodrow classes to attend, so this will be a very special event.  No telling who might show up!  The LSR has a very low cover charge (probably $8.00), cash bar and good food.   It will be great fun!

 

Saturday night, April 28 – This is our main event focused on the incomparably devoted (but to what?), incredibly intelligent (mostly), unimaginably youthful (in spirit, folks, in spirit)……………………… members of the Class of ’67!  The committee is planning a wonderful evening at Top Golf, a relatively new place  located at 8787 Park Lane in Dallas.  We will have a beautiful dining room to ourselves, buffet dinner, and all kinds of golfing activities for those who want to participate (all included in price of reunion ticket).  A cash bar will be available.  Let me say right now for those of you who are wondering, “Golf??”   I am NOT a golfer, but this is a very cool place, and I’m so looking forward to being with all of you that evening!   As they say on their web site, “Top Golf is a cross between the ambience of a 1950s bowling alley and an episode of The Jetsons.”  It is perfect for a baby boomer’s 45th reunion!  The amount of seed money received will determine the reunion ticket price.  More details later.

 

Sunday brunch, April 29 – Because of the overwhelming success of our Memorial Brunch at the 40th Reunion, we have decided to repeat this event for the 45th.  Those of you who attended last time will agree this was a touching but joyful tribute to classmates we will forever miss, and it was the perfect ending to a wonderful reunion weekend.  The place is to be determined (somewhere convenient – the Lakewood/Hillside/Mockingbird area). The time will be around 10:00 a.m. on Sunday.   Purchase of brunch is optional, but you will not want to miss this event.

 

So, there you have it, WWW’67.  Save the dates and please send any amount of seed money you can to help the committee get going.  Oh, and for those of you who think you’ve gained too much weight, look too old, or think you need to have a complete makeover before you would ever attend……. I, in all of my pudgy/wrinkly/saggy/gray-haired/62 yr. old glory wouldn’t think of missing all of those hugs and laughs with my pudgy/wrinkly/saggy/gray-haired-or-bald/62-63 yr. old classmates.   :-)    Life is too short to worry about anything except what’s inside.   Connections – They’re what life is all about.

 

Love you guys,

~Kathy  

“Invisible threads are the strongest ties”   (Friedrich Nietzsche)

 

 

 

 

November 15, 2011

 

Greetings WWW’67 –

 

If you are going to be in Dallas this Friday, head over to  Wildcat-Ram Stadium  (Lake Highlands) at 7:00 p.m. to watch Woodrow (10-1, district/bi-dist. champs) play Highland Park (undefeated).  They are hoping to pack the stadium with alumni and are asking everyone to wear red.  Kyle Rains thinks Woodrow & HP haven’t played each other in 50 yrs.  He tells me he found a 1952 Crusader that showed Woodrow beat HP 18-0 in the fall of ’51.  Coach Riley led the Wildcats to victory -  team members included Bill Cheadle, Jere  Hays, Harold Hil (later coach at W.T. White), Gene Ward, Gene McCoy, Curley Johnson (1969 Super Bowl), Elbert Norton, Bobby Ewell (later WW and Hillcrest coach) and renowned physician Floyd Bloom (discovered endorphins) was a manager.  If you don’t know Kyle (WWW’76), you have missed a veritable walking encyclopedia of Woodrow trivia.  He’s amazing.

 

Other notes:

 

I heard from Kaye Walker Norris today.   She volunteered to help with the reunion – Committee take note! 

Re:  the dream I mentioned in the last message I sent…  Sharon Thomas reminded me she never lived in the R.L. Thornton house, and asked if maybe I fell asleep in a magic field of poppies when I mentioned she was cleaning house.   Jimmy Barnett asked if I still have hallucinogenic flashbacks, but he’s glad he was in my dream.   Okay, ’67, I’m stating for the record I am drug-free……mostly.   :-)

Does anyone have email addresses for the following people?  The ones I have no longer work.

Al Radtke

Mark Lund

Scott Broyles

Marva Doak McGahey  (old address with gpisd)

 

From Christy Thomas:  Hilarious dreams, Kathy!  Loved reading about them.  I've got the reunion on my calendar.  It is just before I start a three month sabbatical, so it will be a wonderful way to kick off that time and really hear about the lives of others and re-visit great memories before heading to NYC (grandchild number five due just then) and London

 

From Christina Gray Henderson:  Jay Settle, who was in the class of ‘68, lost his son in an automobile accident last week.  His name is John Doyle 'Trey' Settle, the obituary is on Dallas Morning news.  Many of us knew and loved Jay. 

o    From Nancy Crabb Cox:   Just wanted to tell you that my Dad, as a veteran and former POW in WWII, represented Woodrow in the coin toss at the play-off game last week. He was so honored and excited.

From Bill Miegel:  I will not be able to attend the 4/28 get together. My wife and I are finally retiring from the education maze on 12/16 and we will be in the middle of our 23 day European odyssey then. I believe we will be in France, so I will toast a good glass of French wine. Also finishing up 39 years of football officiating. Will do one more year of that to get to 40 and quit. We are currently considering housing where it never freezes again, possibly USVI or Hawaii.

 

From Martha Murphy:  I am SO excited! I can be there [reunion]! Yippppeeee!

 

From the Reunion Committee:

Remember to save the date, WWW’67! 

Our 45th Reunion will take place the weekend of April 28, 2012. 

Details coming soon…

 

…and last but not least, the quote this time is from Patricia Mooney Marlowe … “Imperfection is beauty, madness is genius.  It’s better to be absolutely ridiculous than absolutely boring.” (Marilyn Monroe)   

I agree, I agree, I AGREE!!! (obviously)]

 

Until next time...

~Kathy

 

 

August 17, 2011

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

This is a quick note – Sorry about the list format below, but it’s about all I have time for at the moment.  Honestly, I never dreamed I would be so busy in retirement! 

 

A couple of business items first – We desperately need to reserve a place or places for our 45th reunion coming up next year.  Most of you who have sent your 2 cents (some of you only 1 cent) have said you want something simple, low key and informal.  I couldn’t agree more.  Kelly, let’s set a meeting for those who want to be on the planning committee and get going.  These things don’t happen by themselves  - we will need help, and first on the agenda is securing a place! 

 

Let me hear from you!

 

~Kathy

 

“And it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard, it’s a hard rain gonna fall.”

Bob Dylan  (We can only hope ol’ Bob knows!  Here in East TX, we’ve had 60 some odd days of 100+ and ½ in. of rain since May.  Blah…)

 

 

CLASSMATES

 

Very sad news, WWW’67.  We have lost a classmate.  Services for Susan Abbott Cone were today in Decatur.  Check Classmate News of our web site for details.  Although I hadn’t seen her in many, many years, I remember her well from Woodrow days.

 

Kathy Thomas Gerwig,  Mike Ellis, and Sonny Thompson are recovering from surgery.  All report they are doing going well.

 

Long lost classmate Bill Crawley found us through our web site!  Welcome, Bill!

 

I received a note from Mike Managan a few days ago.  He said Nancy Bartlett Bourne had found him through the ’67 site.  Nancy went to Lipscomb and was at Long thorough 8th grade.  I guess I must have had classes with her because I remember her well.  Nancy is now on this email distribution list and also in the web site directory.  You can go there to send her a message.  Welcome to the group, Nancy!

 

From Gary Houston’s sister last week - Gary is in ICU. He went in night before last with a 103.4 temp and hard chills. His BP has remained below 100 and thus they are keeping him in ICU. He has infection somewhere but they aren't sure where yet. He Is on 2 antibiotics. Once the infection gets under control they will run some tests to see what's going on. Debbie said he was much better last night but still weak. Thanks for your prayers!

 

The sympathy of the class is extended to both Bill Oates and Nancy Cook Pendleton who recently lost their mothers.  See Classmate News of the web site for more information.

 

Susie Coniglio Calmes is attending classes to become a Texas Master Gardener.  I have been one for several years.  Are there any others from our class?

 

 

RANDOM ITEMS

 

I am hearing almost weekly from Wildcats from other classes who are trying to reconnect with their classmates.  Charlie and I have been working on the WoodrowConnect site (Charlie, for more than I, of course!), and it should be up and running by early next year.  There is a very real need for a place to bring the Wildcat nation (all years) together.  In the meantime, Charlie is revamping our ’67 site to fit the new format.  WWW’67 will be the guinea pigs for the umbrella site until all of the bugs are worked out.   When things are running smoothly, other classes can have pages on WoodrowConnect.  It’s going to be great!  Stay tuned…

 

Woodrow has a new principal!  His name is Kyle Richardson, and he comes to Woodrow from Marsh Middle School.  There was a reception for him last night, but I was unable to get to Dallas for it.  I do, however, plan to meet him fairly soon and present him with the “80 Years of Woodrow” documentary the fabulous Class of ’67 produced!  http://eastdallastimes.com/2011/08/17/new-woodrow-principal-brings-measured-approach/  

 

I had a funny dream a couple of months ago.  It was the ’67 reunion, an overnight weekend at some camp on a lake.  All of us were staying in a dorm-like building with a commons area and several wings of rooms.  Jay Ballou was in charge of making room assignments.  I remember trying to see the list but he kept it covered.  Now, think about that.  Ohmygosh.

 

Woodrow Homecoming parade – Wednesday, Sep. 21, 5:30 p.m.

Woodrow Homecoming game – Friday, September 23

ZZ Top at Winstar – Saturday, September 24    :-)

 

Back when the Dallas ISD had 6 (white) high schools  – Woodrow, Forest Ave. (now Madison), N. Dallas, Susnset, Adamson, and Crozier Tech, the Sangar Trophy was awarded annually to the school that amassed the most points in UIL athletic competition for all the sports for which they competed.  Sunset and Woodrow won it the most, but it came to rest at Sunset.  They had won it one more year than Woodrow.  Once the DISD expansion began in the ’50s (BA, Samuell, TJ, Hillcrest, Kimball, etc.), the trophy retired at Sunset and was not awarded again.  Soon, the trophy will be on display, along with information about the original 6 schools, at the Old Red Courthouse Museum in downtown Dallas.  I will keep you posted as to the date.

 

LINKS

 

Check this out!  The history of J. L. Long!  http://www.jllong.com/Home/HistoryofJLLong/tabid/3478/Default.aspx

 

In case you missed it, you can watch Mariano Martinez (and Wanda!) on ABC’s Nightline, here –  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=81DBfNJ3Xps

Mariano’s Recipe for the Perfect Margarita - http://abcnews.go.com/Nightline/recipes-margarita-man-mariano-martinezs-perfect-margarita/story?id=14072936

 

The Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni Association, Inc. (what a mouth full!)  has a new Facebook page.  If you are on Facebook, please go to the page and “like” it.  I’ve posted quite a few old Woodrow photos there.   https://www.facebook.com/#!/pages/Woodrow-Wilson-High-School-Alumni-Association-Inc/125276830896145

 

For an INCREDIBLE trip through Dallas back in the day, click here and check out what a BA Cougar ’66 has put together!   http://bacougars66.com/index.php/dallas-  

 

The Advocate has been covering desegregation in Dallas lately.  Today, they posted a video with Kim Wade, John Paul McCrumbly, and Jeff Patton. http://lakewood.advocatemag.com/2011/08/advocate-video-three-wwhs-alums-recollect-their-high-school-days-during-desegregation/?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+BackTalkEastDallas+%28Lakewood%2FEast+Dallas+Advocate%29

 

Until next time, WWW’67…

 

 

March 27, 2011

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

…and ACHOO! to each of you.  Don’t know about where you are, but we are covered in our annual, thick, greenish yellow blanket of yuk here behind the Pine Curtain in East TX.  It’s also Mud Nationals weekend in Jacksonville.  Don’t even ask.  Just know we have extraordinarily high counts of both pollen and rednecks. 

 

I wanted to send several links (below) about Woodrow.  In these incredibly depressing days of public schools on the budget chopping block, Woodrow is providing refreshing, encouraging news.  Last week, the school received notification that it is now an official IB (International Baccalaureate) World school after a grueling couple of years of the application/certification process.  They will celebrate their new status next Wednesday morning, and everyone is invited.  I’ll be there.  If any of you can attend, maybe we can go for coffee/breakfast after the ceremony.

 

IB Flag-Raising Ceremony

8:15 AM

Wednesday, March 30th 2011

Front Lawn

Woodrow Wilson High School

100 S. Glasgow

Dallas, Texas 75214

 

Yesterday, the Dallas Morning News saluted the accomplishment on its editorial page.  http://www.dallasnews.com/opinion/editorials/20110325-editorial-hits-and-misses.ece   

 

Here is a link to the Woodrow information on the IBO web site - http://www.ibo.org/school/006377/    Also see:  http://www.ibo.org/school/newschool s/

I can’t stress enough what an accomplishment this is.  The day the announcement was made, I had an extended conversation with Kathy Scherler, IB program coordinator, about Woodrow’s financial situation in light of the coming drastic budget cuts.  I’m sure those of you in Texas are aware of the $23-$27 billion state budget deficit and the toll it is going to take on our public schools.  Dr. Scherler said Woodrow is losing up to 13 teachers (13!!!), class sizes will increase, courses will be dropped, etc., but they are determined the IB program will continue.  At my request, she sent financial information – becoming and remaining an IB school is not cheap.      For our 40th reunion, WWW’67 gave a scholarship to a senior going into the teaching field.  Maybe this time around, we can contribute to IB.  What do you think?  Remember, Woodrow is the only school in Dallas with this prestigious academic program.  When I’m in Dallas on Wednesday, I will be meeting with Richard Vitale, who heads up the Woodrow Foundation (501c3), about designating donations to IB.  I’ll get all of this information to you soon.  If you will remember, the profits from our “80 Years of Woodrow” DVD went to Woodrow’s IB, to help with teacher training.

 

Here is a great story about construction of the new building on campus (with video!):  http://lakewood.advocatemag.com/2011/03/academic-addition/   It’s really going to change the looks of the place but will provide much needed classroom space. 

 

WWW Band Chili Cook-Off is going on right now (Sun. afternoon) in the horseshoe at school:  http://eastdallastimes.com/2011/03/24/woodrow-chili-cook-off-moved/   Burton Gilliam (Woodrow alum of Blazing Saddles fame) is one of the judges.   If you are in Dallas and have a chance, stop by, taste the chili, and support the band.

 

The White Rock Centennial Celebration committee has all kinds of events lined up this spring, including a golf event on Apr. 4 at Tenison Highlands course.   Here’s a chance for all of you golfers to help support the lake!  Check their web site for details- http://www.whiterockdallas.org/ 

 

Adios for now, and keep those antihistamines handy, WWW’67!

 

…from a recent facebook chat…

Jay:  By doze iz ruddig - and ebrythig iz greed...

‎Kathy:  ...ad I ab coffid, too...

Jay:  Oh doe!

 

Grow up?  Who, us?

 

Until next time…

 

~Kathy

 

February 17, 2011

 

Happy middle of February, WWW’67, and a belated Valentine greeting from me to each of you!    As much as I like cold winters (wearing big ol’ sweaters, sipping wine by a roaring fire… KK = a hopeless romantic), I’ll admit I’m enjoying the mild weather this week.  Temperatures in the ‘70s make me want to get out in the garden and play in the dirt. 

 

Now, on to a brief summary of what’s going on…

 

There are 32 new posts on our Classmate News page!   Way to go, WWW’67!  Of course, there is room for many, many more, so keep ’em coming.  A few teasers: 

 

1.      a props person for “Annie Get Your Gun” now is an experienced wedding planner

 

2.      a classmate who once worked for another classmate is now back working with that classmate

 

3.      a couple of our classmates are newly single

 

4.      one of our classmates is again a married man

 

5.      one classmate has moved from sea-level to thin mountain air

 

6.      …and more!

 

 

A request –

Ladies, when sending a note concerning WWW ’67, please sign with both your maiden and married names or your maiden name only if that’s the way you want it to appear.  I receive so many messages from so many people, I just can’t remember all of the names.   Part of it is my aging memory, but some of you change names fairly often.   :-)   (That’s only a joke…..sort of.)   Remember that although you may have had your married name for over 40 yrs., 99% of your classmates know you by your maiden name.  On the flip side, if you sign your messages with only your married name, this old lady sometimes has trouble remembering who you are.  Oh, and guys, you aren’t off the hook, either – I can’t always recognize you from your email address alone.  Please sign your messages!

 

A mini-reunion in the making –

Betty Benda has volunteered her house for a mini-reunion in Houston sometime after March.  Brenda Bock is onboard to help host, and I know others in the Houston area are ready for a gathering.  Let’s make it happen!  You know I’ll hit the road whenever possible!

 

A surprise –

Do you ever open your inbox and find a surprise there that makes you smile all day?  I love when that happens and consider it one of life’s little blessings of the  digital age.  For quite some time, I have wondered how Angelina Manos is doing, and others have asked about her, too.  Her smile is one of those Woodrow memories that has stayed with me all of these years.  I am happy to report that she is still the sweet, incredibly positive Angelina I remember  from ’67.  Her smile was showing in every word of her message!  

 

Reaching out –

I continue to hear from Woodrow grads from other classes, who keep up with Woodrow through our web site.   We must show up somewhere near the top when people do Google searches.  During the past 3 or 4 months, I’ve received messages from graduates from the ‘40s, ‘50s, ‘60s and ‘70s!   What fun to know we are providing information for so many Wildcats.  Speaking of the web site, I know we haven’t updated it in awhile.  There is are two reasons for that –

(1.)  I just haven’t done it,  and (2.)  Charlie has something really cool in the works.  Stay tuned….

 

Lunch Ladies –

Brenda Hornsby Pool wants to get the ’67 Ladies Lunch Bunch together again sometime soon.  In the past, Kathy Thomas has been the coordinator of these gatherings, but she has retired from the position.  Someone in the Dallas area needs to take over planning.  Brenda, why don’t you volunteer for the position (after all, you DID suggest it!), and then others can volunteer to “host” (find a restaurant/meeting place) for the 4 or 5 times we get together during the year?  Just a thought…

 

Help –

I no longer have correct email addresses for the following people.  Please send contact info. if you have it, or even better, contact these classmates!

Mark Lund

Gary Houston

Al Radtke

Jan Kimbro Matthews

 

Exiled Classmates -

Well, not really, but here’s the latest about our very own Exiles.  They are playing on April 15th at Poor David's Pub (Dallas) with Claxton Welch (Bill Claxton - WWW '72 - is Cathy's younger brother), and on May 28th for the Class of 1966 45th reunion.  

 

Ohmygosh!  

I just realized if the Class of ’66 is having their 45th this year, that means that next year we will be doing the same!  Okay, folks – suggestions?  Committee volunteers?  Before we even get started, I will voice my opinion.  (My days of being shy are long over.)   Let’s have something informal, laid-back, easy…..and inexpensive.

 

Randall Park Woodrow Wilson High School ScoreboardWildcat Baseball at Randall Park-

Just in case you happen to be driving down Glasgow anytime soon, take note of the NEW Randall Park.  It has had a complete remake.  The new baseball scoreboard was designed by Steve Cargile, an '80's Woodrow grad and son of Mr. Cargile (Woodrow teacher when we were there).  Steve has showcased his talents for the annual musical and special events at Woodrow for many years.  He is an Imagineer Designer for Disney and is a genuinely great guy.

 

Naked Lady-

Did I get your attention?  Click below to read an article about an extremely interesting Woodrow connection to a statue at Fair Park -http://www.txcn.com/sharedcontent/dws/news/localnews/tv/stories/DN-kyserob_18met.ART.State.Edition1.1478cff.html

 

Woodrow Memorabilia –

This Saturday, I am meeting with the Woodrow Alumni Assn. board to go through some boxes of memorabilia that have been stored at the school and various other places.  Going through boxes of “stuff” is right down my line.  Can’t wait to see what treasures we uncover!  I’m hoping the Alumni Assn. will spring for some kind of archival storage folders/boxes/whatever to preserve what we find.  I will keep you posted.

 

Just for Fun  –

On our web site, go to the Links page and scroll down to Fun Videos Recommended by Classmates.  Karen Laurea sent a great one -  Photos & Music from the ‘50s & ‘60s.

 

Tracy Coffey sent a site for music from the various decades.  (Don’t let the name of the address scare you away!)  www.upchucky.com   Scroll down the column on the right to see the various years, then scroll through the songs listed alphabetically on the jukebox for that decade.  

 

Kathy Thomas sent this really, REALLY cool video - http://www.wimp.com/kineticsculpture/   I just love this kind of thing!

 

That’s it for now.  Keep those notes coming.  I love hearing from you, and so does everyone else.

 

Until next time….

~Kathy

 

Dan Hatzenbuehler sent the following poem.  The title is “25th High School Reunion,” but I think it applies to all reunions after the 10th.  The final few lines sum it all up, WWW’67.

 

We come to hear the endings
of all the stories
in our anthology
of false starts:
how the girl who seemed
as hard as nails
was hammered
into shape;
how the athletes ran
out of races;
how under the skin
our skulls rise
to the surface
like rocks in the bed
of a drying stream.
Look! We have all
turned into
ourselves.

 

 

 

 

Wednesday, September 22, 2010

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

Our thoughts and prayers are with Christy Thomas, whose mother passed away last weekend after a major stroke last month.  Mrs. Thomas’ service will be Friday, September 24 (this Friday) at 1:00 p.m. at East Dallas Christian Church.  If you are not a facebook friend of Christy, you may not be aware that she blogged her hospice experience with her mother.  Many of us have lived through similar, difficult times during the final days of our parents.  Christy beautifully put into words what most of us could not.  You can click on the link below and then on any of the dates in the Blog Archive on the left to read her touching thoughts.  http://krumchurch.blogspot.com/2010/09/what-would-i-have-done-differently-part.html?utm_source=twitterfeed&utm_medium=twitter&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+TheKrumChurch+%28The+Krum+Church%29&utm_content=FaceBook 

 

***********************************

 

One of the coolest things about facebook is getting in touch with long-lost friends.  I’ve been in contact lately with our ’67 exchange students, Rassoul Mahdavi (Tehran, Iran), and Elia Pesenti (Italy).  Both are doing well.  On the ’67 web site (Classmate News), I have posted a message and photos  Elia sent awhile back.  They got buried in my Woodrow files for a couple of months, and I just rediscovered them!  So sorry, Elia!

 

***********************************

 

Speaking of photos, I have sent Charlie some others photos to post on the classmate news page of our site.  If you check and they aren’t there yet, stay tuned.  He will get to it as soon as possible.  Celia Merrick (’68) recently posted on her facebook page pictures from a ’66 pool party at her house, and I have reposted them.  There is one shot of The Rooks - Steve Hughes, John Moranz, Tim Mitchell, Paul Gentry…   What a hoot!!!  You’ll recognize Rassoul and many other ’67 and ’68 characters in the other pictures, too.

 

***********************************

 

Speaking of J. Moranz, he received the University of North Texas - Outstanding Alumnus Service Award 2010.  Congrats, Mr. Moranz!  ….and to think he was a former Rook.  My, my, my….       :-)       http://www.unt.edu/development/alumniawards/2010/2010recipients.html  

 

Outstanding Alumnus Service Award

John Moranz - Outstanding Alumnus Service Award

John Moranz (’71 BBA General Business) has had a career dedicated to the computer industry, with companies such as IBM, Oracle and NC4. He has also successfully operated his own information technology consultancy for several years.

Mr. Moranz understands the value and role that technology plays in public and private sector organizations. His vision is to bring state-of-the-art technologies to communities to enable a profound improvement in their ability to prepare for and respond to crisis. He sees the path to achieving his vision in the ability to provide students in our higher education system with the knowledge and skill set to be successful in their careers of protecting lives and safeguarding property.

****************************************

 

…and even more about old photos…

Remember back in April when I posted the newly discovered 10th reunion pictures and asked you to try to identify the people?  Well, Jay Ballou was able to name the most.  Go to http://www.www1967.com/Assets/slides/10th_Reunion.html  to watch the slideshow - then see if you can add to Jay’s list.  He did far better than I could have!  Karla Kirby came in second – Her list is below Jay’s.   However, the answer from Sharon Thomas was by FAR the most original – “OK... I'm pretty sure I spotted Ringo Starr, Burt Reynolds, Sally Field, and Rock Hudson..... did I get those right?”  

 

From Jay:

SLIDE #

NAME

LOCATION

1

Libby Zaby

Background

2

Dee Owen

2

Billy Jenkins

Back right

2

Linda Willis - ?

Back center

3

Paul Harris

Front left

3

Mrs. Eckleman

Reaching

3

Jane Farrar

2nd table left

4

Susie Robison

Who is that she's with?

4

Don Mohon - ?

Behind Susie

5

John Grizzafi

5

John Amend

Background

5

Randy Cooper

5

Randy's wife

6

Deni Montoya

Green

7

Cliff Delk

Left

7

Tracy Coffee

Right

9

Walter Patton

Who's the teacher?

10

Denni Davis

Talking to Bob Simmons

11

Ringo Starr

12

Bob Riley

Left

12

Randy Frank

Center

12

Jay Ballou

Right

12

Linda Ballou

Back of head

13

Martha Murphy

With her ex

14

Bob Riley

Is that Raza he's with?

15

Walter Patton

15

Janis Stone

15

Tony Mantzuranis

Back right

16

David Rodriguez

Front

16

Mabel Barfield

Red dress

16

Jay Ballou

Back right -stylin' with the 'stache

17

Billy Moegle

18

Marilyn Moore

Only girl I recognize

19

Johnny Reed

19

Tim Mitchell

20

Bob Simmons

20

Melissa Hill

20

Martha Bruton

21

Not a clue

22

Sara West

22

Russell Light

Behind Sara

23

Kelly Guerry

23

Bob Riley

24

Mike Looney

24

Susan Ashburn

24

Nancy Clark

25

Bob Simmons

25

Linda Willis

25

Andrew Brockles

Behind them

26

Carolyn Janocek

Left

27

Karla Kirby

27

Judy ?

27

Jay Owens

28

A bunch of cute girls whose name I can't remember (except Carolyn)

29

Brenda Boch

Ringo on the right

30

Some guy I don't recognize looking at some girl's chest.

31

Same guy, Brenda and Ringo

 

From Karla:

1.

2.

3. Dee Owen and ?

4. Larry Wallace, Susie Robison

5. John Grizzaffi, Rand Cooper and ?

6. Dini Montoya and ??

7. Tracy Coffee and ??

8. Tracy Coffee and ?

9. Walter Patton and ?

10. Denni Davis, and maybe Bob Simmons

11. Frank Segura and maybe Glenda Knight?

12. Randy Cole, Bob Riley

13. Martha Murphy and ?

14. Bob Riley and Rassool Mahdavi

15. Walter Patton and Janis Stone

16.

17. Bill Miegel and debie Gill

18 Marilyn Moore and ??

19. John Reed and Tim Mitchell

20. Bob simmons, Melissa Hill, Martha Bruton and ?

21.

22.

23.

24. Keely Geary and Bob Riley

25. Mike Looney, Nancy Clark, Debbie Gill

26. Bob Simmons and Linda Willis

27.Judy Manning

28. Karla Kirby

29. Mike Candler, Brenda Bock and Frank Segura

 

**********************************

A question from Brenda Hornsby Pool –“ When we were at Long, did we have football games on Friday nights or another night during the week?   My grand-daughter is cheering for her middle school.  We sat in the rain last night doing our due diligence, with much LOVE.  I did not remember Tuesday night football games.”     I told her I remembered Friday night Woodrow games and Saturday Long games, but I could be wrong.  Anyone else?

 

*******************************************************

 

Several of our classmates have serious medical problems but would rather not advertise the facts.  As I’ve said many times, we need to keep in touch with classmates.  We never know what others may be going through, and a cheerful note might just make their day a little brighter.

 

Kathy Thomas recently had her 3rd knee replacement.  Now, that takes talent when you have only 2 knees!  Actually, I don’t think this last one was a complete replacement but a repair of a damaged knee that had been replaced.  I’m happy to report she is back at work and doing well!

 

**********************************************************

 

Now, THIS is going to be fun!!! 

‘Grease’ picked as Woodrow’s spring musical

The word came down last night: Woodrow Wilson High School’s annual musical this spring will be “Grease”. The play’s identity was announced at Woodrow’s mini-school, which introduces parents to students’ teachers, along with promoting the school’s various extracurricular activities. No word on the play’s leads yet; those tryouts happen later this year. Last year’s musical was “Beauty and the Beast”. Here’s a couple of tidbits, though: Instead of Rydell High School, the play will be set at Woodrow, and instead of the Frosty Palace malt shop, the directors are thinking about using neighborhood favorite Burger Houseas the hangout.

As someone posted under this Advocate article - if the musical is set in the ‘50s, Harrell’s should be used, and if the ‘60s, Charco’s!  April 14-17 2011

 

**********************************************************

 

A wish for many happy days ahead for Rhonda Halasz, who retired from the University of Texas last month.

 

**********************************************************

 

My big news is that my grandson was born yesterday!  There is a lot of cuddling time ahead for Gran……and I love it.  Check my facebook page for photos & video!  (I warned you 3 yrs. ago that I would be the epitome of the insufferable grandmother……and I am.)

 

 

Until next time, WWW’67…….

~Kathy

“Holding a grudge is like drinking poison and waiting for the other person to die.”----unk

 

Suzi Shuler Harkey sent this photo.  I would laugh if it didn’t hit so close to home.

 

cid:C17E3ACADBCF4CFFBB542485518B072B@SuziPC

 

 

Friday, February 19, 2009

 

LOTS of Woodrow in the News!

[February, 2010]

 

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Below is a note I am sending to various classes, trying to spread the news about Coach Miles’ upcoming induction into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame this spring. I hope some of you will contact him and/or attend the banquet in Waco!    Almost as soon as I sent the message to the Alumni Assn. board members, this article appeared online - 

http://lakewood-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/articles/21089   I’m sure many more will follow.

 

 

Woodrow Nation,

 

More good news for Woodrow!  Yesterday, Coach Cotton Miles called to say he is being inducted into the Texas High School Football Hall of Fame in May.  He may be 84 yrs. old, but he sounded like an excited little boy when I spoke with him.  There will be press releases and other media coverage closer to the induction banquet in May, but Wildcats should be the first to know about this honor! 

 

Information about the banquet to be held in Waco on Sat., May 8, 6:00 p.m. is available here - http://www.tshof.org/highschool/banquet/  It is open to the public, and I’m sure some of his former players and friends will want to be there to see him accept this honor. 

 

Check out past Woodrow inductees into the TX H.S. Football Hall of Fame - http://www.tshof.org/highschool/inductees/  (Note:  Sam Blair is listed for his sports writing, but he is a Woodrow alum as well!)  It is amazing how many there are considering the number of high schools in the state and how relatively small Woodrow is.  Also, note that Coach Miles will be one of the few coaches in this select group. 

 

A bit of trivia – Coach Miles got his 200th win in 1973 against North Dallas.  He was inducted into the Texas High School Coaches Association Hall of Honor in 1977.  http://www.thsca.com/documents/ALPHA%20LIST%20OF%20HOH.pdf   His coaching record is 184/81/7.   (http://www.texasfootball.com/index.php?s=&change_well_id=2&url_article_id=1434 ) .

 

I’m sure some of you will want to call or mail a note to Coach Miles, and I will be happy to share his contact information.  (He does not have e-mail.)  Just reply to this note, and I will send it your way.   He will love hearing from you – even if you didn’t know him well!   Let’s flood him with cards and calls!  Please forward this message to anyone you think may be interested.

 

Kathy Kilmer Moak

WWW 1967

kathy@www1967.com

 

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

More football news for you addicts who just can’t get enough –

An informal ESPN interview with Sergio Kindle, Woodrow grad, 4 yr. UTexas player, expected to go very high in the NFL draft - http://sports.espn.go.com/dallas/nfl/columns/story?columnist=watkins_calvin&id=4920694

 

_____________________________________________________________________

 

…and even more football….

 

Super Bowl Kickoff at Woodrow

 

Oh my!  What a day at the school last month!  You have never seen such preparation for all of the gridiron celebrities who attended.  I don’t even know where to begin with the name dropping –  Roger Staubach, Troy Aikman, Tony Dorsett, Michael Irvin, Daryl Johnson, Joe Green, Billy Sims, Abner Haynes, Craig James, Woodrow’s own Tim Brown, Charlie Waters, Preston Pearson, Rayfield Right, Norm Bulaich, Sam Blair and many others.  David O’Brien was there representing his father, Woodrow’s Davy O’Brien.  Woodrow was chosen by the Super Bowl Committee to host the kick-off to next year’s game to be played in Arlington because we are the only public high school in the nation to have two Heisman trophy winners (Brown & O’Brien)……………and BOTH trophies were there on display (with guards) in front of the trophy cases in the front hallway!  The red carpet was literally rolled out in front of the school for the stars, and the North TX, TCU, and SMU cheerleaders/mascots were there to greet everyone.  Woodrow football players and cheerleaders were stationed around the building as hosts/guides/etc.   Brad Sham, well-known radio announcer, emceed the event.  The school was absolutely transformed by ESPN with hundreds of cameras, lighting, big-screens, speakers, backdrops, huge chairs for the stage (no metal folding jobs for THESE players!), banners, etc.  Michael Irvin was set up in the front hallway, broadcasting his radio show live.  [Of course, it was only a few days later he was fired from that job, but that is a story for another time.  J]  Even knowing his background and reputation, I could hardly turn away from watching his animated discussions while wearing head phones.  What a character that guy is.  Mike Barnes and I were there as part of the media with our video crew and have the afternoon on tape for future projects.  What a day….and what an honor for Woodrow. 

 

The best thing about all of this to me was the fact it just added to the positive publicity.  The school is maintaining its reputation as being well-balanced with academics, the arts (especially performing), and sports,.  We have good reason to be proud of Woodrow.

 

After the big afternoon, we met with alums from different classes as well as a couple of current teachers, the principal, and football coach at Matt’s for dinner.  It was fun to hear all of the discussion of what had occurred.  What glitz!  What hoopla!  What a day!

 

 

Great photos of the afternoon here - http://gallery.me.com/rkelemen#100389&bgcolor=black&view=grid

http://www.northtexassuperbowl.com/voices/one-fan%e2%80%99s-perspective

http://www.northtexassuperbowl.com/news/star-struck

 

 

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http://lakewood-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/articles/20812

 

Students do not need to live in the Woodrow district to attend!

 

NEW WOODROW WILSON COLLEGE PREPARATORY ACADEMIES

Dallas Woodrow Wilson High School announces four new “College Preparatory Academies” which will be implemented in fall, 2010. The newly redesigned high school format will emphasize college readiness for all students.  Students will choose between the four academies:

 

1) Academy of Math, Science and Technology

2) Academy of Business, Finance and Entrepreneurship

3) Academy of Performing Arts

4) Academy of International Baccalaureate*

 

* Woodrow is one of four Texas Candidate Schools for the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme.

Incoming ninth graders for the 2010-2011 school year will have the opportunity to choose which College Preparatory Academy they wish to pursue. Incoming ninth grade students in the Dallas ISD may apply to Woodrow Wilson High School as a “Choice School”. 

 

The IB Diploma provides an opportunity for students to earn up to 24 hours of college credit in their junior and senior years.  Advanced Placement (AP) and Dual Credit courses will be available for all Woodrow Wilson High School students in all academies. Pre-IB courses will be offered next fall for incoming ninth graders. For more information please call 972-502-4419.

 

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The current issue (March 2010) of This Old House magazine has an article on the Best Old House Neighborhoods, which includes a reference not only to Junius Heights, but also to Woodrow!   You can see it online at: 

 

http://www.thisoldhouse.com/toh/photos/0,,20343299_20738516,00.html

 

Best Old House Neighborhoods 2010: the Southwest

Junius Heights, Dallas, Texas

Like most of Texas, the city of Dallas is obsessed with all things big. But the people of the Junius Heights neighborhood beg to differ. "This is a small-town, front-porch community," says Bill Williams, who purchased a Craftsman here in 2003. Junius Heights is home to some of the city's most interesting residents, including artists, reporters for The Dallas Morning News, and about half the lawyers in town. And it's turning into a haven for families looking to eschew traditional suburban living. That's thanks in part to Woodrow Wilson High School, "one of the best examples of an inner-city high school in the country," according to one resident (and Newsweek magazine). The school provides a top-notch education, as well as entertainment for Junius Heights residents through its excellent theater and athletic programs.

 

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For up-to-date about what is going on at Woodrow, go to the PTA web site - http://www.woodrowwildcats.org/   I receive the weekly newsletter and am constantly amazed at the diverse activities and accomplishments at the school.   Latest newsletter - http://www.woodrowwildcats.org/WildcatWeekly02152010.pdf

 

Monday, January 4, 2010

Happy New Year, WWW’67!  

 

Poll – Will you call it “two thousand ten” or “twenty ten”?

 

Photos….

 

We have added a couple of early ‘70s photos to our collection, but we need more, more, MORE!  You know how I can nag, folks.  Please don’t make me call you out by name.  Send in those photos!  (somewhere around the late ‘60’s through mid ‘70s) Check out the collection and see if you don’t agree these are absolutely wonderful!!!  http://www.www1967.com/classmate-news-pages/hair.html   .

 

 

Fun, but not so important stuff ….

 

Even if you are not a football fan, you need to watch this ESPN clip about Sergio Kindle.  What a touching story about two Woodrow pals.  Get your hanky ready.  You’ll need it.  http://espn.go.com/blog/sportscenter/post/_/id/17573/kindles-source-of-inspiration   Although I’ve been to the last two UT Rose Bowl games (including, of course, the incredible National Championship game!), I will be cheering the Horns from behind the Pine Curtain this time.  In case you need reminding, the game is this Thursday, Jan. 7, 7:00 p.m. CST, on ABC.  That’s 3 days, 00 hrs., 14 min., and 01 sec. from right now.  Get your Horns up, folks!  Hook’em!!!

 

Don’t forget to watch the Fiesta Bowl (TCU vs. Boise State) tonight (Jan. 4).  It's on Fox at 7:00 p.m.  Woodrow's Greg McCoy ('07) will be starting as one of the cornerbacks.  He's #7.   This will be his second start of the year.  He has 2 interceptions this season.  Greg is also the leading kick-off returner for the Frogs with an average of 38.5 a return.  He ran one for 81 yards and a touchdown.  He also has one extra point blocked this year.  Greg has been timed as the fastest member of the team.  Greg was an all-area wide receiver and all-district cornerback while at Woodrow, and was the 4A Most valuable player as a senior.  (Note:  The last time TCU had an undefeated season, Woodrow’s Davey O'Brien, 1938 Heisman winner, and IB Hale led the charge!   Another Note:  UT’s Colt McCoy won this year’s Davey O’Brien Award  J  Davey O’Brien info. - http://www.daveyobrien.org/adminnm/templates/aboutus.asp?articleid=26&zoneid=1).

 

Until next time, WWW’67….

~Kathy

 

I expect to pass through this world but once;
any good thing therefore that I can do, or any
kindness that I can show to any fellow-creature,
let me do it now; let me not defer or neglect it,
for I shall not pass this way again.

Stephen Grellet

 

December 7, 2009

 

Hey, WWW’67!

 

Hope all of you had a nice Thanksgiving.  Mine was wonderfully wild – had my 3 daughters, 2 sons-in-law, granddaughter, and 3 granddogs here for 9 days.  Gulp.  When they left, the silence was deafening.  I crawled to the couch and didn’t move for hours.   I have become a very old person.   J 

 

Well, my Longhorns are Pasadena-bound once again.  I was at the Big 12 Championship game last night – not a pretty sight, but a win is a win.  What a nail-biter!  While I’m happy they will once again be playing for the National Championship, I SURE do think the whole BCS thing needs revising.  There needs to be some kind of playoff system.…..and now, I will step off my soapbox.

 

I haven’t had a chance yet to write/post about the extraordinary Veterans Day ceremony at Woodrow last month, but I will as soon as I have the chance.  Our class received many, many thanks for our involvement and sponsorship of the day. 

 

This is really just a quick note to say hi between holidays.  Don’t forget to check Classmate News periodically.  Charlie & I try our best to keep it updated with news you send me.   

 

Brief updates –

 

Kathy Thomas Gerwig’s mother passed away Friday.  Her service is tomorrow (Monday, Dec. 7), 10:00 a.m. at Restland, Wildwood Chapel.

 

Classmate Diane Little passed away recently. More information on the Classmates News page.

 

Nancy Clark sent a note saying that the former principal of Stonewall had been robbed and beaten.  Very sad.  You can read the story here….and see a picture of him here,

 

Tim Brown (WWW Class of '84, Heisman Trophy winner at Notre Dame 1987, and former Oakland Raider All Pro) has been selected as one of 25 semi-finalists for the 2010 enshrinement candidates into the Pro Football Hall of Fame. The 25 will be shaved down to 15 on 1/7/2010, with the final decision on 2/6/2010, the day before Super Bowl XLIV.The 2010 enshrinees will be chosen from a very distinguished and competitive list including: Emmitt Smith, Jerry Rice, Charles Haley, former Cleveland Browns owner Art Modell, former NFL commissioner Paul Tagliabue, and former Oakland Raiders Ray Guy, Cliff Branch, and Lester Hayes.  Stay tuned... 

 

Have you sent me a picture of you from the ‘70s yet?  Go to the web site to see those who have………….and then get yours to me!!!!!!!!

 

One last reminder – the “80 Years of Woodrow” DVDs are still available and will make excellent Christmas gifts for friends and family!!!

 

Until next time, WWW’67

~Kathy

 

A good holiday is one spent among people whose notions of time are vaguer than yours.

 

 

 

 

October 28, 2009

“80 Years of Woodrow” – Fairy Tale and Nightmare

 

The Fairy Tale….the Premiere

 

Thursday night, September 24, 2009………an evening I’ll not soon forget.  For five months, Mike, Mark (videographer) and I had worked on the Class of ’67 sponsored “80 Years of Woodrow” documentary - researching, interviewing, editing, publicizing, fundraising……and now we had taken a giant leap of faith and booked the Lakewood Theater for the premiere.  The evening had finally arrived, and I have to tell you, driving up to the theater and seeing “80 Years of Woodrow Premiere” splashed across the marquee……..well, it very nearly took my breath away. I was forced to regain my composure quickly, however, because David Hamilton’s parking attendants jumped into action, opening my door, taking my keys, and politely but haltingly asking, “Are you here for….for……” as one of them glanced up at the marquee and said “….the Premiere?”  I smiled and nodded my head, unable to do much else.  I was there very early – one of if not the first to use the valet services.  Another asked, “Ma’am, do you mind if I ask exactly what this event is?”    A quick slideshow of memorable moments from the last five months flashed through my mind.  In April, “this” was going to be quick video capture of a day-long parade and party.  In May, it began morphing into a summary of the celebration with a few additional interviews.  By June, “this” had become a full-blown documentary of 80 years of people, events, and Woodrow spirit.   “This” was, without a doubt, one of the most rewarding adventures of my life – an opportunity to meet scores of new people of all ages, to write, to use my love of research, to learn about making documentaries, and most importantly to work with a fellow classmate and friend of about 50 years to provide something unique for our alma mater.  Now, on the evening of September 24, 2009, what we had created was being unveiled for the first time to the Woodrow family at the Lakewood Theater.  The LAKEWOOD THEATER. Even now that is difficult for me to believe.  My answer to the parking attendant?  “A film about a high school.”

 

The evening went exceptionally well – lots of people and lots of laughter – a unique reunion of Wildcats ranging from 97 year old Louise Sellars, Class of 1930, to current Woodrow students.  WWW ’67 was well-represented, and our class received thanks from scores of people for providing the initial funding for these DVDs.  Mike, Mark and I stood at the back of the theater while the crowd watched.  What a feeling to witness something we had created being shown on a big screen!  Gotta say, gang, that’s something I never thought I would experience.  I mean, N-E-V-E-R.  Wayne Pierce, Coach Miles and Coach Dawson were there – smiling, laughing, and telling tales that seem to grow taller each time we see them.  Current and retired teachers I did not know were there, too.  The most fun for me, however, was watching the interaction of the generations of Wildcats…….all 80 years of them right there in the classic Lakewood Theater.

 

The extraordinary generosity of two of our classmates made the night of the premiere perfect.  What would we have done all of these years without Gregg Hill covering our printing needs and David Hamilton providing valet parking?  Once again, they shared their talents, time, and money to see that we Wildcats had a perfect evening.  Bless you, guys.  You are the best.  FYI – Gregg printed the DVD jackets and Hall of Fame inserts, and David footed the bill for the valet parking…..and as all of us know, parking near the theater is not easy at night.  As I’ve said many times, without the Class of ‘67, the DVD project would never have gotten off the ground last April.  The Class of ’67 has accomplished something no other class has in the 80 years of the school – We have preserved bits of history that would have been lost forever had it not been for our efforts. 

 

The Nightmare….the U.S. Post Office and video duplication company

 

Nightmare, pt. 1 – the discovery of a misspelled word.  Happens all the time in projects like this, I’m told.  Maybe, but not to THIS former teacher….and not THIS word.  However, it was no problem – second batch (hundreds) of copies were made with corrected spelling.

 

Nightmare, pt. 2 – the Post Office wouldn’t take our money or mail the DVDs.  I’m not kidding.  We stuffed two boxes of addressed mailers, took them to a Dallas Post Office, stood in line f-o-r-e-v-e-r (a single clerk where 4 or 5 should have been), witnessed a guy nearly go “postal” over the long wait, and then were told we had “too many” to process at the counter and would have to go to the “do it yourself machine.”  Okay.  Just get them in the mail.  We carted the boxes in the direction of the machine only to be stopped by another postal employee and told we had too many for the machine and would have to go to the counter.  Then, you guessed it, first employee told us again we would have to use the do it yourself machine.  A woman in a red vest would help us, she said without a smile.  Yes, this time the woman in the red vest helped us ………… by telling us to find our way back to the counter because we had too many items.  The machine only takes charge cards, she said, and only $50 could be charged on a card.  Clearly, we would be purchasing more than that.  It was back to the counter where, with clenched jaws, we told the lone worker we had cash and were trying our best to give it to the government to mail these things.  Again, she told us she could help us because it would take too much time and the line was too long.  Did you get that?  The government refused to take our money.  I ended up carting the things to Jacksonville, where I knew the people at the post office, and where I had no problem getting the things mailed.  I guess there are some benefits to living behind the Pine Curtain after all.

 

Nightmare, pt. 3 – the wrong video.  A couple of days later, I received the first of many emails from Wildcats telling me the DVD they had received did not have anything to do with Woodrow.  Huh?  They all had our labels when we stuffed the cases!  Seems the company we hired to make the second batch of copies HAD USED OUR LABEL BUT PUT THE INCORRECT VIDEO ON ½ OF THE ORDER.  Of course, I had not checked all 300 discs – why would I do that?  Even if I had spot checked, I may have thought everything was okay.  Good grief.  Nothing to do but try to contact people, and brace myself for a full inbox.  The company is reimbursing us for expenses, of course, but they can never pay for the headaches they have caused.

 

The Good News……

 

1.  Fairy tales may be brief, but nightmares end.  Although I’m still mailing replacement DVDs, I think the worst is over.

2.  The large crowd at the premiere took us out of the red financially, and now every dollar we make will go to Woodrow.  These DVDs make excellent birthday/Christmas/etc. gifts for Woodrow family and friends!  They are available through this web site.  (see home page)

3.  Mike and I have begun working on yet another documentary about Woodrow – this one about military veterans.  We have already uncovered an amazing story about a WW grad and pilot in Vietnam who was shot down and captured.  He escaped, was recaptured, and tortured to death.   This man was and is a true American hero, yet few people from Woodrow know his story.  We aim to change that.  We are looking for Woodrow vets of all ages and their stories.  Please help us with this research!  We’re also looking for funding for this project.  Once again, we are starting with $0, but once again, we know this is a story that cannot be shelved for another day.  If you have suggestions for corporate and/or business sponsors (would be nice if they were Woodrow alums!), please let us know.

 

Be sure to check Classmate News for the latest from the ’67 crowd.  (See news items in Pt. 2 below.)

 

Until next time, WWW’67….

 

~Kathy

 

“Fairy tales are more than true; not because they tell us the dragons exist, but because they tell us that dragons can be beaten.”

                       F. K. Chesterton

 

 

October 28, 2009

Pt. 2 – Misc.

 

 

Bits and pieces ……

 

Very sad news – We have learned that our friend and classmate, Brandy (Mabel) Barfield White passed away last spring.  I received an email from her husband telling me about her death.  Read his note on the Classmate News page.  Although I knew she was very ill, it’s difficult to know she is no longer with us.  What goofy fun we had at Woodrow.

 

Also go to the Classmate News page to read about the following -

The San Antonio Mini-Reunion – We had fun, fun, fun in S.A. last month!  Read about it and see photos.

The Halloween bash coming up THIS Saturday at Sons of Hermann Hall!  Our Exiles will be playing.  Jay has all of the details in his entry.

            Kathleen Wright’s latest literary adventure.

            Sharon Thomas’ house.

 

Reminder –

 

If you picked up your DVD the night of premiere, Disc #1 has a misspelled word in it.  Just let me know if you want a replacement.  If you received your DVD in the mail but have not had a chance to watch it. please check Disc #1 to be certain it is “80 Years of Woodrow” and not something called “The Youngest Brother.”  If you have the incorrect video, let me know.

 

More DVD News –

 

Check photo of “The Producers” on the home page!  Fred Holmes, WWW’69 (the graphic artist/photographer who designed the DVD jacket and labels), took the picture the night of the premiere.  Thanks, Fred!

Read the article and see photos about the premiere from BlackWhiteRead-Lakewood!  http://lakewood-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/articles/14611?page=1&r=1910

 

The Dallas Morning News had a nice article in its Lakewood neighborhood section.  Pictures from the premiere are on the front page!

I forgot to mention that a great group of ’67 classmates celebrated at Matt’s after the premiere.  The perfect evening!!! 

Please send your comments about the premiere and/or DVD.  We are going to post them on the web site.

 

Interesting web sites –

 

For a couple of really interesting 115 yr. old looks at Dallas take a look at these treasures - http://www.archive.org/details/souvenirguideofd00ande  and http://www.archive.org/details/dallastexasthrou00chur.  Both were posted in Robert Wilonsky’s blog, Unfair Park, at the Dallas Observer.  He also posted a really cool clip of the streetcar lines (4 of them!) at Fair Park circa 1953. http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2onfAFBg0w&feature=player_embedded  Wow – I remember the streetcars in Dallas – how quiet they were, and how I thought all of those electric lines above them were ugly.  I remember riding them downtown and back before we began taking the bus.  I also remember the one that ran down Matilda, behind Robert E. Lee.  Another couple of recent goodies from Wilonsky – a 1958 aerial view of Dallas  http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/downtowndallas1958.jpg  and a shot of the old downtown library, where I, nerd that I was/am, spent many hours back in the stacks working on research papers  http://blogs.dallasobserver.com/unfairpark/oldlibrary.jpg .

 

If you are like me and enjoy reading differing opinions (I love to think!), check out this web site - http://www.soulpancake.com/ 

 

Patti Glenn sent this one about the sixties - http://objflicks.com/TakeMeBackToTheSixties.htm  

 

Look at the Charco’s pic at the bottom of the home page – www.www1967.com.  You’re going to LOVE it!

 

Until next time, WWW’67…..

 

~Kathy

 

“You have to leave the city of your comfort and go into the wilderness of your intuition.  What you'll discover will be wonderful.  What you'll discover is yourself.”

                            Alan Alda

 

 

September 22, 2009

The first Day of Autumn

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

It has arrived at long last…..autumn.…..and what a perfect way to make an entrance here behind the Pine Curtain.  We were blessed with storms last night, mild temperatures/sprinkles this morning, and a refreshing north breeze this afternoon.  For weeks now, my yard has been full of my favorite flowers – hundreds and hundreds of spider lilies.  (Am I sounding like an old lady or what?!!!) They begin to pop up seemingly overnight around the first week of September and put on a brilliant display until October - mainly because I accidentally planted them at different depths.  The last ones to bloom, the ones planted too deeply, are those I rescued from my old house on Vanderbilt when we sold the place about 3 years ago.  I spent hours digging them up, fearing they might be lost forever beneath a WalMart-sized foundation for some future McMansion.  6142 Vanderbilt - a tiny, frame house my Dad bought sight unseen during the post-war housing shortage; a house so small it did not provide privacy for any of its 4 occupants; a creaky, drafty, pier and beam house without central air; a house I still drive by every single time I am in Dallas.  Like so many other things in life, I took those spider lilies lining the driveway and fence line for granted for almost 58 years…..but not that last fall when they seemed to bloom more profusely than ever, begging me to take them with me to join the hundreds already scattered in my yard.  Those most recently planted bulbs, the ones planted too deeply causing them to bloom later than all of the others, are the ones making me smile today.  Funny how mistakes in life often turn into such blessings.

 

******************************************

 

Getting down to business….

 

This Thursday is our big day, WWW’67 - the premiere of the Class of 1967-sponsored “80 Years of Woodrow” documentary at the Lakewood Theater!  I am very excited for our class and for the entire Woodrow family.  Our ’67 classmates have provided something invaluable to the school, and I can’t wait for all of you to see it.  If you haven’t already purchased a copy, please do so ASAP.  Instructions for ordering as well as video clips from the documentary are on our class web site, www.www1967.com .  The other day, BlackWhiteRead – Lakewood ran a nice story about the premiere.  If you would like to read it, click here http://lakewood-dallas.blackwhiteread.com/view/article/14017?r=1910 .  Wildcats from many classes will be there, and ‘67 will be recognized for sponsoring this worthwhile project.  Those of you who made donations last spring/summer to get this thing off the ground will see your names on the big screen!  By the way, Allison (Ruth Smith) is coming in from Michigan for the premiere, and I know of someone from another class who is coming from California.  Louise Sellers, Class of ’30, plans to attend as well as Mr. Pierce, Coach Miles, Coach Dawson, and other “dignitaries.”  I do hope many of you will join us.

 

Below are a couple of comments we’ve received about the documentary trailer posted on our web site.  (Isn’t this what movie moguls are supposed to do – spread the good news? 

 

From Patty Landers-

 

Kathy - I'd pay $25 for the trailer - it is SOOOO good!   Can't wait to see the entire video - cannot imagine the hours you all have spent on this - it is a treasure.  I have to attend the first part of a City Council meeting on 9/24 but will get there as fast as I can.

 

From Paul Dalton (’68) –

 

You've hit on an amazingly rich span of time and topics from Woodrow's past in this 2 minute trailer!!!

 

It stirs memories of:

 

The way every day started at Woodrow for decades;
 

The pride and strength of Woodrow's ROTC through the 40s and 50s, when WWII and the Korean War stirred patriotism, participation, and service by the men of Woodrow;
 

Hall of Fame Principals Pop Ashburn and Wayne Pierce;
 

Woodrow's 1969 State Finals Football Achievement and Hall of Famer John Paul McCrumbley, our unstoppable juggernaut;
 

Viet Nam, through Hall of Famer Larry Karl reminiscing about '68 classmate Harold Sides and;
 

The history and success of WW's unparalleled musicals . . . .

 

Unbelievable coverage of so much in such a short spot! Brilliance is the word that comes to mind! This 2 minutes -- alone -- should get every WW alum excited about seeing this ENTIRE DVD when it premieres Thursday night at 7pm on the BIG SCREEN at the Lakewood Theater! I hope we'll have a Standing Room Only crowd! This is NOT to be missed by any of Woodrow's alums and friends! By copy of this e-mail, I'm forwarding this right now to everyone I can think of, and I'm asking each of them to be there next Thursday night and to please forward this along to all of their Woodrow alums and friends!

 

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The day after the premiere, I will be heading to Austin and then to San Antonio Saturday for the Central Texas/Houston mini-reunion at Patricia Mooney’s house!  If you will be in that area and want to have some fun, just let us know.  Patricia threw one of these bashes two years ago, and it was so much fun I wouldn’t dare miss this one!!!

 

Look out, Dallas!  Halloween night, the Exiles will be playing at The Sons of Herman Hall.  What fun!  http://www.sonsofhermann.com/sohh_menu.htm   That same weekend, Nancy Clark is giving a party (including the Exiles’ event) for Stonewall alums.  Suzi Sargent will be in town for the weekend.  Get the details in Nancy’s post on Classmate News.

 

From Dee Anne Egan –

 

I was watching HGTV, some show where people look at three houses and then purchase one of them.  The show was in Dallas, Lakewood to be exact.  The couple looked at a house on Lakewood and one from the Swiss Ave area, both beautiful!  Then they looked at a house that was in shambles....restoration had begun and then very obviously the investors had run out of money and left the job.   Now this TV show drives me crazy because I can never guess which house the people will buy, and I was sure way off on this one, as well.  They bought the 3rd house then totally restored it and boy, was it beautiful!  The most amazing part was that it was the house near Long that served as the East Dallas Y!   How many parties did we attend there after football games?  I guess I was too young to notice a beautiful grand staircase and several beautiful fireplaces, but that is what they showed at the end of the TV show.  I sure wish that home would be open to visitors now, it was beautiful.

 

Looking forward to seeing you Thursday evening at the Lakewood theater, WWW’67!

 

Until next time……

 

~Kathy

 

“Many people die with their music still in them. Why is this so? Too often it is because they are always getting ready to live. Before they know it, time runs out.” 
              Oliver Wendell Holmes

 

 

August 12, 2009

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

Below is a note from Patricia Mooney Marlowe re: the ’67 mini-reunion scheduled for Saturday, September 26 in San Antonio.  Everyone who plans to attend needs to let either Patricia and/or me know.  Her email address is pmmarlowe@gmail.com. I know of at least 2 people from Houston who plan to drive over.  Hope to hear from more of you!  It’s going to be great fun!  I will be in Austin the weekend before for the UT/TT game (Sep. 19), and probably will just stay in Austin/SA for the week because it’s such a long drive for me.   Anyone in the area who wants to meet for lunch, dinner, a movie, etc., just let me know because I will have lots of free time on my hands that week! 

 

Be sure to check Classmate News to read the note I received from a member of the Class of ’50.  It is so much fun to hear from Wildcats from other classes!

 

80th DVD update – We are putting in long hours now, but the end is in sight.  We still need you to help spread the word to help cover costs.  (Direct people to www.www1967.com for information.) This thing has taken on a life of it’s own – so much broader, more professional, just plain better (and thus, more expensive) than originally planned.  Remember we’re relying on pre-sales to cover all costs proceeds beyond that go to Woodrow for the new International Baccalaureate program.  So many people have contributed their time, talents, information, and money - this is truly a Woodrow family project.

 

Send your news, WWW’67.  I am waiting to hear from you!

 

Until next time…..

~Kathy

 

Same quotes this time…..Some of you have your fingers in your ears and are refusing to listen …… J

 

“They had waited for too long, and the result ….. was the reflection that time and patience may bring poor rewards, that time itself, if not confronted at the appropriate juncture, can play sly tricks, and, more significantly, that those who do not act are not infrequently acted upon.”   Anita Brookner

 

"Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things you didn't do than by the ones you did. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover." -Mark Twain

 

*****************************************************************************************
From Patricia:


Subject: San Antonio Mini-Reunion

Saturday, September 26

6:00 PM-ish

 

 

Rudd and I are delighted and excited that we have picked a date and 

it is on the calendar!  If folks could start letting Kathy and me know  

who is coming and what they are bringing to eat, it would be great.  

We will provide the meats and drinks (and probably a couple of other 

things) and any and everything else will be more than welcome.  If it 

is a favorite of yours, don't forget to bring the recipe to share.  I 

have yearbooks here, so no need to bring yours, but, if you have 

pictures you would like to share, that would be great.  I have a 

scanner and printer available.

 

Our address is

4329 Muirfield St.

San Antonio, TX 78229

 

210 348-8466 home

210 478-9201 cell

 

We are close to what we in San Antonio call the Medical Center.  Not 

far from Loop 410 and I10---just off Callaghan Road between 

Fredericksburg Road and Babcock Road.  I suggest that you Google the 

address to get directions.  Once you turn onto our street Muirfield, 

come all the way to the back and turn right. ( The Google map doesn't 

show this part.)  We are the second house on the left-- white with a 

grey roof and brown front door.

 

Looking forward to seeing everyone.  Hope there is a HUGE turnout.

 

My best,

Patricia

pmmarlowe@gmail.com


 

 

July 28, 2009

 

“And the end of all our exploring
Will be to arrive where we started
And know the place for the first time.”
~T.S. Eliot

 

Bricks and mortar…windows and doors…hallways and rooms. Woodrow - 80 years young. A Dallas landmark. During the past four months, my appreciation for the building and for the thousands of students and staff who have walked those hallways has increased enormously. The school has been in my life in one way or another for 60 years, but I honestly feel I have just come to know it.

 

Since we began working on the “80 Years of Woodrow – A Celebration” DVD, I’ve spent more time in the school’s cramped, 3rd floor library than I ever did as a student. Old Crusaders have been my focus. Laptop and scanner in hand, I set up shop in a corner and spend hours poring through old yearbooks looking for just the right photographs to include in the video. When I was on the Crusader staff many years ago, I gave absolutely no thought to the fact we were recording a slice of history of the school that would be used for reference many years down the road. My focus was on producing a book for the kids who were there that year – especially the Seniors ’67. I remember looking at past annuals for layout design, poses and copy, but the idea that our book would be on a shelf gathering dust with the 79 other Crusaders for 42 years until I came back to scan pictures for a documentary……..well, that never crossed my mind.

 

Photographs of the building have been a priority. Maybe I’ve been hanging around Mike Managan too much during our past couple of reunions, but I have become acutely aware of even the smallest details of the building. I now look for the unique characteristics, and believe me, they are plentiful. Make it a point sometime to stop by and check out the elegant filigree in the concrete around the outside entrances, the spires along the roofline, the light fixtures, the floors, the woodwork. Even the peeling paint, tacky lowered ceilings, and window unit air-conditioners hanging awkwardly out of office windows don’t detract from the classic and classy style. Well…..maybe those awful ceilings do. The photos have revealed that although each year has brought changes to the landscape – a tree here, a shrub there, the facade has remained virtually unchanged. Neither Mark Lemmons (the architect) nor the 1929 graduates would have a problem recognizing the place.

 

When not holed up in the library, I’ve spent some time wandering the halls, imagining the students who have done the same over the 80 years. EIGHTY years. No wonder the stairs have worn grooves on them. I love to peek in the classrooms remembering this is where I had Spanish with Miss Turman, who I was sure hated me but who was stunned to learn I was not enrolling in Spanish 3…..that is where Mr. Allen asked us, “Parlez-vous francais?” with a Spanish accent and also helped us meet Crusader deadlines……over there is where Mr. Stephenson wisecracked as he demonstrated jewelry design…..and down there is where J. Willie tried his best to teach me how to use a slide rule - always with one foot in the doorway so he never missed whatever action might be going on in the hall. I try to imagine what the then year-old school must have been like when 97 year old Louise (WWW ‘30) graduated. Did she take Spanish from Mrs. Turman, who was on the original faculty? Did she meet her friends at the lockers and then rush up the stairs to lunch? Did she sit in the same uncomfortable, wooden seats I did in the auditorium and yell with the same enthusiasm during a pep assemblies? After listening to Louise and all of the other remarkable alums we interviewed, one thing is certain. Whatever that intangible “it” is that makes Woodrow unique has been present from day one. Mr. Pierce pondered, “What is it about Woodrow that makes it so different?” He then went on to answer his own question as only Mr. Pierce could. (You’ll have to watch the DVD to see what he said!)

 

I now refer to the years we were there as “Middle Woodrow” because I have such an appreciation for “Early Woodrow.” Let’s hope that “Current Woodrow” will pass that intangible “it” down to future Wildcats. Cheers, guys. Here’s to the next 80.

 

Bricks and mortar……windows and doors…..hallways and rooms…..but it’s Woodrow. ‘Nuff said.

 

~Kathy

 


June 8, 2009

 

Just in from a good Longhorn baseball game in Austin Saturday night, there I was, sitting on the balcony outside my hotel room, feet propped up, sipping a cool one with just enough lime, and watching the most beautiful full moon rising over the campus.  The term “many moons,” as in “Kathy has been around for many moons” suddenly came out of nowhere to snap me out of my Austin-induced trance.  Normally, birthdays don’t bother me, but I’ll admit this one coming up in a couple of days, this 720th full moon, is a little difficult to wrap my head around.  That is what I will write my next Kathy’s Corner about, I thought -  reflections on turning 60.    Besides, I shouldn’t feel all that old.  I am one of the young ones in the class – Think of my ’67 friends who will be turning 61 soon. 

 

Anything but a morning person, I dragged myself out of bed Sunday morning and over to my laptop to check the headlines and email.  The first message in my inbox was from Mike Barnes, which had been forwarded from Mike Ellis, the original sent by Mike Peret. (There are an abundance of Mikes in WWW’67.)  When I saw the subject line, “Sad news,” I literally paused and took a deep breath before reading on.  I’ve come to react to “sad news” subject lines much the way I respond to middle of the night phone calls.  Oh no……Chris Pappas……It was Chris.  (Read Mike Peret’s heartbreaking message on the Classmate News page.)   A couple of notes down, I saw that Mike Ellis had sent a tribute to Chris for the web site.  This time, I became very teary reading about the influence Chris had on Mike’s music career.  Although I’m sure Chris knew, I hoped Mike had told him, that he had looked him in the eyes and thanked him.   That’s not always easy to do, but so many times during the past ten years or so, I’ve wanted to call Sandra Newsome to tell her how our talks decades ago had helped shape my beliefs and the person I became.  She never knew, and sadly, it’s too late to tell her.  It’s a regret that will forever haunt me. 

 

Free, easy-going Chris……..Can’t you just see him onstage at our 35th and 40th reunions with the Exiles - long, unruly hair flying, perspiration streaming down his face?  That mischievous grin and twinkle in his eye always made me wonder what he was up to now……even at 60…….or what emotions he may have been covering.  Chris seemed to need so few material things, and that was baffling to many of the ’67 bunch. Undoubtedly, he met with trying times more than once, but still, he was quick to flash that contagious smile.

 

Chris’ senior picture is now on our  In Memoriam   page on the web site.  It has become a ritual for me to pause and remember each of those fresh, young faces after we add another to the group.  They cause me to think of the brevity and unpredictability of life, the inevitability of death, and the wasted opportunities to express to friends what they mean to us. 

 

In memory of Chris, Sandra and all of the others who have gone before us, let’s enjoy life to the fullest, savoring those fleeting moments of fulfillment that unexpectedly come along ……..and let’s thank the Chrises and Sandras who are still in our lives.

 

Chris Pappas was around for many moons, but not nearly enough.  Rock on, amigo.

 

~Kathy

 

"In three words I can sum up everything I've learned about life. It goes on."
- Robert Frost

 

 

 

April 22, 2009

 

Happy Earth Day, WWW’67!

 

The countdown has begun!  2 days until our 60th birthday dinner at Angelo’s and 3 days until Woodrow’s 80th celebration!  I’ve learned from third parties that a couple of you are planning to be there Friday night.  PLEASE let me know if will be there.  Space is limited!!!

 

Thank you, thank you, THANK YOU for your response to our request for donations to make the Class of ’67-sponsored 80th video happen.  As of tonight, we are halfway to our goal.  If you have not yet donated, please do so ASAP.    You can see the current list of donors here  and click here to read the background information.  This has been a marathon, whirlwind of a week trying to get this project going, but it is nothing short of amazing what we have accomplished in 3 days.  Although people from many classes are donating, this is a Class of ’67-sponsored project – a unique gift from all of us to the school.  Mike Barnes, Charlie Taylor and I have been on the computer with cell phones to our ears for about 36 straight hours.  (Don’t know about them, but I DREAD receiving my cell bill!)  We’ve been bouncing ideas off Jay Ballou, who has been terrific support.  Dan Hatzenbuehler has helped us with his legal expertise, Kelley Geary is using her organizational talents with financial matters (along with Charlie), and Gregg Hill is going to print flyers about the video for us to distribute.  Most importantly, YOU GUYS are coming through with the bulk of the donations.   Another stellar ’67 group effort!  Remember that all donations will go to the production of the video.  Anything over that amount along with profits from video sales will go directly to the Woodrow Wilson Alumni Association, which is raising money from the entire 80th weekend for the new International Baccalaureate program at the school.  We should be very proud that the Class of ’67 is (1) preserving this moment in the history of the school, and (2) helping the prestigious IB program get off the ground. (It costs thousands of dollars and will be the only IB program in DISD.)  We have not given a scholarship for the past 2 years…….now is our chance to make up for lost time!  Please forward the request for donations to anyone and everyone you know who is connected with Woodrow.  As a member of ’67, you are on this team, too, and time is running out!  Let’s wind up this part of the project soon!

 

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Questions I’m being asked –

Dress for Friday night?   – casual …… really whatever you want.  Just don’t embarrass us.  J  We will be able to select from these 3 entrees – lasagna, Shrimp Oglio, and pesto primavera.  Visiting, dinner & laughs – no “program”

Where to meet for the parade?  – I dunno.  For the 75th, most of ’67 was on the corner across from the school (Randall Park side).  I guess I’ll try to be there.

Our “homeroom” during the open house after the parade?  -  Again, I don’t know.  We’ll just have to find it when we get there!

Dress for Sat. night?    – very casual.  It’s a barbecue, bands, & beer evening

 

***************************************************************

Early sales for tickets ($35. ea) to the Sat. night event at Eddie Deen’s ends Thursday, April 23 (tomorrow) at noon.  After that, tickets will cost $45. each at the door.  Remember that this money also goes to the WWAlumni Assn. and to the IB program.  Go to www.www1967.com  for more information. 

 

***************************************************************

More opportunities to help with the 80th/International Baccalaureate program:

 

The Woodrow Wilson High School Alumni Association is raffling off a 2009 SmartForTwo Cabriolet automobile, and the winner will be drawn and announced at the Alumni Round-up & Party on Saturday, April 25, 2009 (you don’t have to be there to win).   Tickets are $100.00 each and only 600 tickets will be sold.   Of course, that means each ticket-holder will have at least a 1 in 600 chance of winning that new vehicle, but -- much more importantly -- if all 600 of those tickets are sold, the WWHSAA  will raise about $40,000.00 for Woodrow’s IB Program! Any money received for a ticket after the 600th ticket is sold will be returned.
If at all possible, please buy a raffle ticket ASAP and encourage as many other to do so as you can.
To purchase a raffle ticket: Make your $100.00 check out to WWHSAA, and if it is convenient, drop off an envelope with your check in it to the address below (it’s the UPS Store in Lakewood) and those folks will place it directly into the WWHSAA Box, which is checked regularly or call Meredith Manak (214-478-8802 -- she's chairing this effort),

WWHSAA
1920 Abrams Pkwy., #201
Dallas, TX 75214

 

The 18th annual Woodrow Wilson Tim Brown Golf Tournament is on Monday May 4th at Tennison Highland Course.  Due to DISD funding cuts that have affected all the schools, the Woodrow Booster Club would like to extend a challenge to all graduating classes.  Since we are in major need of funds, the idea is to have each class sponsor a hole at $250.00, the more classmates to participate the better (25.00 per person times 10 people equals a hole).  With each hole sponsor comes a sign representing your class year.  The class of 74 is the first to sponsor a hole, so don't be out done by the class of 74, every class deserves the recognition.  Also if you would like to play yourself, just contact Sam Harrington for all the information.

 

Sam Harrington

214-558-0582

Class of '74

*****************************************************************

 

Let me know if you have any questions!

 

~Kathy

 

 

April 15, 2009

 
Woodrow Wilson shortly after completion. The PTA campaine3d for the paviing of Glasgow Drive!

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

This is a quick note packed with a lot of information.  Is everyone paying attention?  Hope so! 

 

First of all, the sympathy of the class goes to Susie Coniglio Calmes, whose sister, Benita, passed away last week.  We also extend our sympathy to Dusty Hill, whose brother, Rocky, died last week.  See more information about both on the Classmate News page of the ’67 web site. 

 

Re: Rocky Hill – Monday, Kyle Rains (WW’76) sent a note asking if I knew when/if Rocky Hill graduated from Woodrow because he had just learned that he (Rocky) had passed away.  I pulled out the ’65 Crusader, scanned a couple of pictures and sent them to him.  He then forwarded them to a guy who writes for the Dallas Observer.  That’s when the emails began flying – scores of them between Woodrow grads from various classes.  I began wondering what was on our 20th reunion video about the Hill brothers – I vaguely remembered something but wasn’t sure what was there.  I scanned through the vids and couldn’t believe the treasure I found.  Good grief!  I sent it to Kyle & the Dallas Observer guy, and this is what he posted  Rocky’s Road Back to Woodrow .  For a shortcut to the video clip of both Rocky and Dusty at our 20th reunion, click here.   Many thanks to Charlie for posting all of our reunion videos on our web site, and many, MANY thanks to Mike Barnes, Dee Anne Egan, and anyone else who worked long hours to put the 20th video together so many years ago.  If you have a chance, take a look at it – All of us looked incredibly young ………….lots of hair and skinny, skinny, SKINNY! 

 

Last Thursday (LT) will be on April 30, 2009 at The Fox & Hound 6:00pm

 

There is a good article about the Woodrow musical, “The Secret Garden” ,in today’s Black White Read, Lakewood.   “The Secret Garden” runs April 16-19, Thu., Fri., Sat. @ 7:30 p.m., Sun. matinee @ 2?30 p.m.  General admission - $10 in advance, $12 @ the door.  Reserved tickets - $15 in advance, $18 @ the door.  Visit the Woodrow Web site to purchase tickets online by credit card via PayPal or to download a ticket order form. All tickets purchased online will be held for pickup at the "will call" window on the date of the performance. General admission tickets are available for purchase at Whole Foods or Kroger.

 

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WWW’67’s 60th Birthday Celebration – April 24
We still have room for those who want to come to our 60th birthday dinner at Angelo’s on Fri., April 24th, 7:00 p.m.  We have the upstairs room reserved but need to know if you want to come because space is limited.  It’s going to be a fairly small group – lots of opportunity to relax, talk and laugh with classmates.  I’m really looking forward to it.  For more information, go to www.www1967.com and let me know ASAP if you are planning to be there……and I sincerely hope you do plan to be there!   Both Allison/Ruth Smith and George/Bucky Gross are coming all the way from Michigan to be with us!

Check out the articles about Woodrow’s 80th celebration and the bands that are playing at Eddie Deen’s, (including our very own Exiles!)

 

Woodrow’s 80th Celebration –
The day begins with a parade, next is the open house (each class will have an assigned room for “home base”), then the induction of the newest members of Woodrow’s Hall of Fame (names listed below).  The 1969 football team (my baby bro’s) also will be recognized.  The grand finale is the Alumni Band bash at Eddie Deen’s downtown Saturday evening.  Our Exiles are joining several other groups – check www.www1967 for complete information.  We need to have a good showing from ’67 – Let me know if you’re planning to join the fun!

 

If you are planning to go to the barbecue dinner/alumni band event at Eddie Deen’s, buy your tickets now!  The cost is $35 each if purchased by April 23 at noon and $45 each at the door.  The easiest way is to go to this Woodrow site http://www.wwwildcats.org/ , look at the “80th Anniversary” at the bottom left, and then follow the directions.  Be sure to print a copy of your payment.  There will be a list of those who have paid, but a copy of your payment will serve as your ticket in case there is any kind of problem.  Proceeds go to the new International Baccalaureate Program at Woodrow.  Check the IB out if you are not familiar with it.  It is an excellent, prestigious course of study, and Woodrow will be the only high school in Dallas that has it.  You can also join the Alumni Association for $10 either through the  http://www.wwwildcats.org/ web site or at Woodrow/Eddie Deen’s on the 25th.

 

This bulletin just in from Jay Ballou – “The Exiles are going to play in the 5th slot, and our downbeat should be around 10:00 pm – better known as PRIME TIME!!!  Everyone will have time to get a belly full of barbeque, down a few adult beverages and give us a rousing welcome.  We have 9 songs for just less than 30 minutes, and are going to ROCK – who cares if we are the oldest to play.  We think we are like fine wine – better with aging!  Seven of the songs are new for us, with some “message” songs, some classics and some r&b.  We are gonna have some fun – can’t wait to see everyone…jab”

 

How many of you remember that we had an “other” fight song besides the traditional one set to the “Anchors Aweigh” tune?  It’s a long story (pun intended for my fellow punsters), but bottom line, I now have a recording of it.  Earlier this week, I was involved in an email discussion about it with a group of ’66 folk who had been at Long’s 75th celebration.  Apparently, the band played a different fight song than the one they remembered, and that made me recall “The Long Song,” written by the band director, Mr. Estes.  I contacted Christy Gay because I remembered she had been in the band.  Sure enough, she had a recording of it!  (I, too, remembered having a 45 of it way back when.)  She put it in MP3 format and sent it to me.  I’ve sent it to Charlie, and at some point we will get it posted to the web site.  In the meantime, if you want to hear it, let me know and I’ll forward it to you.  As soon as it started playing, all of the words came back to me and I sang a long!  (another pun intended)  Thanks, Christy!

 

Kelley Geary Burks and I went to the open house at Long the night of their 75th celebration.  It’s always such fun to walk those halls again!  We had fun running into classmates (Jane Anderson, Karen Grubbs…) and friends from other classes who were trying to figure out whose classroom had been where.   We walked down to the cafeteria, which is soooooooooo much smaller than we remembered.  It was a hoot!  More about all of this in another note.

Hope to see everyone next week, and as always, let me hear from you!
\Until next time, WWW’67…..
~Kathy

 

"You can exist without your soul, you know, as long as your brain and heart are still working. But you'll have no sense of self anymore, no memory, no ... anything. There's no chance at all of recovery. You'll just — exist. As an empty shell. And your soul is gone forever ... lost."
                                                         Harry Potter, Prisoner of Azkaban - Lupin

 

P.S.
Well, I believe this may be the first time I’ve sent a correction, really more of an addition, to a long note I just sent to the class only a few minutes ago.  HOWEVER, when this error was pointed out to me (in an ever so gentle way), I knew a follow-up was necessary.  In my previous message, I mentioned Allison/Ruth and George/Bucky were coming to the ’67  60th and the Woodrow 80th celebrations all the way from Michigan, but I neglected to add that Barbara/MyGoodFriend Brown is coming as well……from California!  HOW could I forget?  Did I mention that I have this upper respiratory thing going on, I have too many irons in the fire, I didn’t sleep well last night, I’m almost sixty years old, and, and…………and I just plain slipped up?  Maybe it’s because I talk with you so often, Barbara/MyGoodFriend, that I feel we’re much closer geographically.  Yeah, that’s it – our frequent communication has erased the miles.  Please accept my sincere apologies, Barbara/MyGoodFriend.  (I believe her exact words were, “Is Michigan farther away than California?  J  No, no, don’t resend the email…”    ……but I never do as I am told.)

 

J

 

I love having fun with you guys.  Can’t wait to see everyone (especially Barbara/MyGoodFriend Brown who is coming all the way from California) next week!!!

~Kathy

My forgetter's getting better
But my rememberer is broke.
To you that may seem funny but,
To me, that is no joke.
                  ~anonymous

 

 

 

2009 Woodrow Hall of Fame Inductees

 

(Note these ’67 ties - Mariano Martinez is married to Wanda Wade, and Larry Wright is Kathleen Wright’s brother.)

 

Ed Bentley, 1940 - Chairman of the Board and CEO of Republic National Bank-Greenville Avenue with a long history of generous support for Woodrow programs and Juliette Fowler Homes.

Elizabeth Cupples Blessing, 1936 - First woman to campaign for mayor of Dallas; second woman elected to Dallas City Council.

Alan Bromberg, 1945 - Senior fellow of Yale law faculty, visiting professor at Stanford Law School, professor at SMU law school.

Bob English, 1942 - Borrowed $1,100 from parents on graduation from Texas A&M, started English Bros. and built it into largest distributor of automotive paint and body supplies in the Texas, Oklahoma and Louisiana region.

Neil “Skip” Fletcher, 1953 - As 7-year-old served as “official taster” in family kitchen as father Neil and Uncle Carl developed recipe for their ever-popular Corny Dog at State Fair of Texas. Today he and brother Bill keep the dogs coming.

Lawrence Good, 1968 - Distinguished architect whose projects include University of Texas-Dallas campus master plan, Lakewood master planning and Dallas Civic Garden Center.

Bob Goodrich, 1963 - All-state end for Woodrow who achieved fine career as sports TV producer, winning 14 Emmy awards. Worked on ABC’s Monday Night Football, Super Bowls, Indianapolis 500, Summer and Winter Olympics.

Tracy Hiser Harding, 1981 - One-time Yale cheerleader later served two years with Peace Corps, earned master’s degree in international relations at University of California-San Francisco and now works for State Department in Jakarta, Indonesia.

Phil Johnson, 1943 - Longtime professional dancer who helped launch Woodrow‘s proud tradition of annual musicals by choreographing 1958 production of Oklahoma! and continuing until 1970 with Carnival. Still fit enough to wear his WWII Navy uniform when he marches in school’s celebration parades.

Larry Karl III, 1968 - National Wrestling Hall of Fame member has achieved great success as coach of men’s and women’s teams at Skyline High School, winning a total of 31 district championships.

William Lewis Lester, 1929 - Gifted painter who executed a mural commission entitled “Development of American Industry” during the Great Depression for the Public Works Arts Project which hangs in Woodrow’s library.

John Paul McCrumbly, 1971 – Woodrow’s first African American football star helped 1969 team reach state semifinals. Also played for Tyler JC, Texas A&M and NFL Buffalo Bills.

Mariano Martinez, 1963 - In 1971, the young restaurateur modified a soft-serve ice cream machine into the first frozen margarita machine, which is now displayed in the Smithsonian’s National Museum of American History.

Steve Miller, 1961 -The Steve Miller Band’s Greatest Hits 1974-1978 has sold over 13 million copies. Long-popular singer and guitarist and his band continue to perform at sold-out concerts.

Danielle Drury Petters, 1985 - First of seven siblings to graduate from Woodrow, she was a successful international fashion model before pursuing a career in education. Now in her first year as principal at J.L. Long Middle School on adjoining campus to Woodrow. Fluent in Spanish, she earlier taught ESL and cheerleading at Woodrow.

Marjorie Hardwick Schramel, 1982 -Acclaimed ballerina danced with Mikhail Baryshnikov at American Ballet Theatre. Now director of Schramel Conservatory of Dance in New Orleans.

Inez Sookma, 1983 -This is a great month in her life. She was promoted to colonel in the U.S. Air Force on April 1 and she’s being inducted into Woodrow Hall of Fame on April 25. Currently serving with International Military Staff at NATO Headquarters in Brussels, Belgium.

Barbara Galleher Tonry, 1954 - Held 12 national titles in tumbling and qualified for the U.S. Olympic Trials in 1960 before a knee injury redirected her focus to coaching. Organized first women’s gymnastics team at Yale and has been head coach since 1973.

Ruth Allen Vail, 1991 - First Woodrow graduate to serve as school’s principal, her academic goals at her alma mater include overall quality, solid academics and a comprehensive athletic program. Her father, a 1965 Woodrow grad, met her mother in Mexico City where he was serving as a medical missionary. Multi-lingual, having majored in foreign languages at SMU. Daughter Karissa Vail will enter Woodrow fall of 2010.

Larry Wright, 1965 - Author, screenwriter, playwright and staff writer for The New Yorker magazine, his book, The Looming Tower: Al-Qaeda and the Road to 9/11, was an international bestseller and won the 2007 Pulitzer Prize for general non-fiction. His memoir, In The New World: Growing Up In America, 1960-1984, is set in Dallas and recounts his experiences at Woodrow during the Kennedy assassination period

 

 

 

 

February 21, 2009

 

Late winter greetings, WWW’67!

 

It turned rainy, windy, and cold this morning wrecking my plans to travel to Jefferson for the afternoon Mardi Gras parade.  How dare February weather act like, well, February weather. 

 

[If you don’t have time to read anything else at the moment, be sure to skip down to the Mark Your Calendar section at the end!]

 

NOT EXACTLY YOUR BORING STUDY HALL –

 

Check out these new courses being offered at Woodrow next year – Aquatic Science, Analysis of Visual Media Graphics, Astronomy, Scientific Research & Design, Independent Research/Thesis, Senior Seminar.  Wow.  I would have loved all of those!

Also, read about the exciting college preparatory redesign at Woodrow and Long here http://outside.in/places/woodrow-wilson-high-school-dallas .  If you aren’t familiar with the exceptional and rigorous International Baccalaureate program, learn about it here http://www.ibo.org/ .  Woodrow will be the only school in Dallas to offer IB.

Read about the unique Choose Woodrow campaign here http://cbs11tv.com/business/education/choose.woodrow.wilson.2.904607.html and watch a recent TV clip about it here http://cbs11tv.com/video/?id=36967@ktvt.dayport.com .

As if we weren’t already, we should be very proud and supportive of the school!

 

THE EYES HAVE IT –

 

Along the lines of “we’re in this aging thing together so let’s help each other by sharing our common experiences”, indulge me while I relate a recent, personal medical experience.  Just as some (many?) of our classmates are getting lifted, liposuctioned, nipped and tucked, I’ve endured a winter of not-so-glamorous repairs.  A couple of days after Christmas, it was foot surgery, which meant hurriedly undecorating the house and cleaning up after all of the guests had left so that I could then lie around with a swollen, tender foot for about 6 weeks. (Tenderfoot – isn’t that some kind of Cub Scout?).  Then a couple of weeks ago, I finally gave in and had….gasp….cataract surgery.  For a couple of years, the dr. had told me I had two of the worst, fastest growing cataracts he had come across.  If the guy hadn’t looked all of about 15 yrs. old through my impaired eyes, his comment may have alarmed me.  I mean, how many cataracts could a 15 yr. old doctor have seen?  I asked him, “Don’t OLD people usually have cataracts?”  The 15 yr. old leaned back, smiled sympathetically, and nodded his head.  Zowee.  That one stung.  Stubbornly, I thanked him and went about my business – at least until I realized I probably couldn’t pass a driver’s vision test.  That’s when my practical side kicked in, and believe it or not I do have one.  Winter, I reasoned, is a good time for this avid gardener to be house-bound, I was already laid-up with the foot, and most importantly - I had met my insurance deductible for the year.  Why not fix everything all at once?  I know a couple of you have already had this surgery, but let me tell everyone else, if you’re ever told you need it, RUN, don’t walk to have it done!  Ohmygosh – I had no idea my vision had gotten so bad.  The week between the surgeries, I was able to compare eyes – you know, cover one eye, then the other, then repeat….again and again and again…..and exclaim to anyone who would listen and some who would not that the difference in quality of sight was incredible!  After the second surgery last week, I became downright intolerable – “Just look at all of those branches on the trees and the blades of grass and the beautiful grain in the wooden floor and the intense red of that sign and the rainbow of colors on HDTV!”  Yep, it was a miracle.  I had been experiencing life through an increasing thick brownish-gray fog and hadn’t even realized it.  The giddiness, however, ended abruptly when I looked in the mirror for the first time with my new bionic eyes.  It was the shock you get whenever you try on a swim suit….. “OH……MY……..GOSH….Just look at those wrinkles and all of that gray hair and my grandmother’s skin and my bloodshot eyes and, and, and……”  Comfort came when I realized most of my peers have not yet had the surgery and must be looking at me through that familiar, muted, brownish-gray fog.   :-)

 

JUST ONE OF THE KIDS –

 

Something else I finally broke down and did a couple of weeks ago – I created a page on Facebook…….or fb as we kids say.  For a few years now, I have been asked why I don’t have a fb account since I seem to be on the internet, uh, frequently.  (understatement)  I decided why not give it a try.  I immediately found WWW’67 classmates, and friends from other classes.  It was fun looking at their information and photos, and chatting with them real time.  Then, all of a sudden, I began receiving numerous requests from former students to become their “friend.”  For those of you unfamiliar with the world of fb, you must send a friend request if you want to view someone’s pages.  It strikes me as very junior-high like – “Will you be my friend?”  ….but it’s a good filter.  You always have the option to ignore such requests.  :-)    Many of these kids were/are wonderful individuals……others, not so much, and all I could think was I have done my time with these characters and am under absolutely no obligation to “be their friend.”  My daughters stressed it would not be good fb “etiquette” (fb etiquette???) to ignore large numbers of requests, and they reminded me I live in a small, gossipy town, and that my husband does business here.  Sheesh.  Okay, I thought, I’ll open the floodgates and accept all of the requests (except a couple I just couldn’t bring myself to click).  Truth be told, I was a little flattered they wanted to include me in their online world.  Not wanting to invade their privacy (although precious few care about these things anymore), I’ve developed the policy of not asking these “kids” to “be my friends,” but if they ask me, I’ll accept.  Now, if there were ever any doubt about the meaning of the internet being an infinite web, just get on fb.  You become one person’s friend, then another sees it and sends a request, then ten see it, then twenty…….You get the picture.  Did I mention some of these kids have 800 – 900 “friends?”  (It’s a generation gap thing – impossible for me to understand.)  On fb, six degrees of separation quickly becomes one degree….maybe even a half.  So, if any of you break down and become fb regulars, just look me up, and I’ll be your friend.  By the way, although it was suggested fb might be a replacement for the WWW’67 site, I believe it serves an entirely different purpose.  I do see, however, how we might incorporate some kind of ’67 group and link it to the web site.  We’ll see.

 

MARK YOUR CALENDARS!

 

February 26 – Last Thursday, Fox & Hound, Dallas.  Monthly Woodrow alumni gathering. 

 

April 2, 7:00 – 9:00 p.m. (Thursday) - J. L. Long’s 75th   Celebration – “Creating the Future, Honoring the Past” is the theme of Long’s birthday celebration.  I’m planning to attend – Let me know if you can be there, too!   There will be an open house, tour of the school, performances, Long history presentation, speakers, etc.  They are looking for memorabilia to display.  I have a few football ribbons and copies of the old Long Log, but I think some of you may have uniforms, etc. you may want to lend.   The email address is jllong75anniversary@yahoo.com   

 

April 16-19 - WOODROW's  52nd Annual Musical, "The Secret Garden" 

 

April 24, 7:00 p.m (Friday) at Angelo’s in Lakewood – A 60th birthday dinner for WWW’67!  Get the details here, and let Kathy know if you plan to attend.  Space is limited!

 

April 25 (Saturday) – Woodrow’s 80th Celebration!  Let me know if you plan to attend!

10:00 a.m.  - Parade from Lakewood Shopping Plaza to Woodrow   Carroll Shelby ’40, Grand Marshall; Contact jimwalkup@sbcglobal.net for parade entries
11: 00 a.m. - Classrooms open for class gatherings (’67 will have a designated room)
12N - WWW Hall of Fame Induction ceremonies – auditorium  (inductees to be announced soon)
12N – 4:00 p.m. – Woodrow open house continues/tour the school, etc.
7 p.m. – Alumni Band Roundup at Eddie Deen's  (Our Exiles will be playing along with bands from ’68, ’72, ’78, ’95, ’03, ’05… and possibly more)

Pay in advance: $35.00   Admission at the door: $45.00   Full BBQ dinner/dessert and coffee/tea included – cash bar.

I’ll relay info. as I receive it.  Memberships for the Woodrow Alumni Association ($10.00) will be sold as a fundraiser for the new International Baccalaureate Program. 

 

Until next time, WWW’67….

 

“Sometimes safe is a trap – we can get stuck there, never taking risks or experiencing anything new…”        unknown

                                               

 

 

 

 

November 21, 2008

 

Early Thanksgiving Greetings, WWW’67!  

 

Have I ever told you how much I love the fall, especially the late fall?   Sunny, cloudy, foggy, blue skies, rain, chilly, warm (but not too warm!)…….doesn’t matter to me.  I don’t even mind raking leaves.  Did you happen to see the spectacular full moon the other night?   I received a text msg. from a good friend, who told me to get out side to see it, but I was already there -  on the back deck, feet propped up, merlot in my special TX wine country glass, patiently watching the moonrise over the barn.  My dream is to take a leisurely trip following autumn down the east coast someday, through the Smokeys, zig-zagging across the midwest from September through Thanksgiving.  (I know I’ve mentioned this before, but if I say it oftenenough maybe it will happen one day.)  In the meantime, I will enjoy this best of all seasons in East Texas. 

 

Zoweee!!!!  I filled my car with gas this morning for $1.67 a gallon and was very nearly giddy.  Nightmares of $4.00+ a gal. still linger…

 

News from Karen Laurea -

I’m sure most of you have been following the recent/current California fires.  Last week, when I heard that one of the worst was in Santa Barbara, I sent Karen a note saying I hoped her home had not been affected.  She replied Sunday night that it had burned to the ground.  I can’t imagine what she and her husband must be going through.  She sent a short note, and I do not know any other details other than she and her husband are okay.  If you’ve ever been to Santa Barbara, you know what a beautiful place it is.  I’m sure I speak for all of us when I say my heart goes out to Karen and to the hundreds of others who have lost everything. 

 

Update: I just received this second message from Karen –

Things have been crazy….  We had 30 minutes to pack and get out.. we packed documents, 8 photo albums, jewelry and sterling, and clothes for overnight..  The good news is that we were given the keys to a 3 BR condo in Montecito Del Mar yesterday and will be moving in this morning. What a wonderful gift it is to have friends who are working to help us get situated and back on the road to moving into our new home! Things are moving forward slowly.. We are safe and sound.. We will rebuild in the same place with a lot of hardscape vs. landscape.  Thank you for your thoughts &  prayers.

 

Odds & Ends….

 

Some of you may have seen Steve Miller on “Sunday Morning” (CBS) last week.  It was interesting to hear him talk about his past and what he’s doing now.  Ah, the memories of all of his songs!   Ever the curious one, I ran to Google to see what I could find about his time at Woodrow.  This was on the somewhat reliable and ever changing Wikipedia site -   

 

After leaving St. Mark's — "I got kicked out," he recalled with a laugh in a 2004 interview[3] Miller graduated from Woodrow Wilson High School in the Lakewood area of Dallas in 1961. The following year,[4] he entered the University of Wisconsin-Madison, where he formed The Ardells. Scaggs joined the Ardells the next year, and Ben Sidran became the band's keyboardist the year after. After attending the University of Copenhagen in Denmark for a semester in his senior year to study comparative literature,[2] he dropped out six credit hours shy of a literature degree, opting to pursue a music career with his mother's encouragement and his father's misgivings:

 

Being a person who cannot easily pass up the temptation to click on links when they are offered, I checked what Wiki information there is about Woodrow. Imagine my surprise when, at the bottom of the article, I found this listed under “External Links” –   Woodrow Wilson Class of 1967 Official Website I love it! 

 

Another interesting bit of trivia in the article –

“At the cornerstone-laying ceremony in April 1927, a piece of the wedding cake of Woodrow Wilson's second daughter, Jessie, was included in the cornerstone "in memory of Mr. Wilson.”    My, my, my……

 

This morning (Friday) I read that one of Steve Miller’s Woodrow classmates, former TX Attorney General Jim Mattox, died yesterday.  Several years ago, I was talking to him after a funeral here in Jacksonville of a friend of mine (relative of his), and somehow the conversation turned to Dallas.  It was cool to discover our common roots at Woodrow.  Kyle Rains (class of ’78?) said in LakewoodNow, "[He was] one of four Woodrow U.S. Congressmen: Mattox, Harold Runnells, Jim Collins, and current Sam Johnson. Mattox and Texas Attorney General Tom Phillips '68 were probably the two highest ranking state politicians from Woodrow. Mattox grew up on Valencia. I believe his mother was a waitress at Brownie's on E. Grand."

 

**********************************************

 

NOTE:  Evidently, Bailey’s First & 10 in Hillside shut down unexpectedly.  Yesterday, I received notice the new location of the monthly LT (Last Thursday) gathering of Woodrow alumni is the Tipperary Inn   (commonly known as the Tipp Inn)  5815 Liveoak - #214-821-6500  (at LaVista & Skillman).  If you haven’t been down that way in awhile, it is in the southwest corner of what used to be the old Volks Dept. Store back in the day.  I have fond memories of that old store – a fish pond, a message system like notes pinned to a string on a pulley moving from dept. to dept., and of course, those now extinct (I suppose) but familiar dept. store tones/bongs/whatever.  Remember those?  I guess the number of bongs alerted certain departments or people to……..well, to something!

 

**********************************************

 

Woodrow in the news:

 

The Mock Trial Team is raising money for a trip to Boston, where they will attend a workshop at Harvard on Dec. 6 & 7. The team won second in state last year, and has an outstanding reputation. As of this writing, they have raised only about half of the needed travel expenses. This is a wonderful opportunity for the students. If you can send a donation to help them, please mail a check payable to Woodrow Wilson High School PTA (write Mock Trial on the memo line) and send to Susan Matusewiez 6910 Wabash Circle, Dallas, 75214.

 

The Woodrow Wilson High School community has reason to celebrate this week. Thirty-two students - some graduated and now attending college, and some still enrolled at Woodrow - recently were named AP, or Advanced Placement, Scholars based on exams administered during the spring by the College Board. AP and pre-AP classes equip high school students for higher education because the curricula equal those of college-level courses. Most colleges grant credits to students who pass AP exams. Students receive a score based on a zero-5 scale. AP Scholar: Granted to students who receive grades of 3 or higher on three or more APexams.

 

**********************************************

 

 

The Old "Y"

Old East Dallas YMCA

 

6220 Worth Street

 

 

This amazing, Spanish Mission style home represents a fairytale ending for a group of neighbors who saved it through designation as an historic landmark. Originally designed and custom-built by its owner, Joseph F. Parks, for his wife Lucy and their five children in 1922, the home became the East Dallas YMCA in 1957. Today the current homeowners have completed a restoration and preservation project, which brings this incredible home back to its original glory. Some of the hallmarks of this home are three tile fireplaces created by Ernest Batchelder, its striking architectural style and the use of walnut paneling, not common in this area. The grounds also feature unique details, including an organic and native garden and a 45,000 gallon rainwater harvesting tank.

 

[Note:  The above info. was from the Lakewood Tour of Homes last weekend.  A fellow Cherokee County Master Gardener worked on the landscaping – dirt improvement and rainwater harvesting system on the property.  He tells me the home is scheduled to be on HGTV sometime in February.  I will keep you posted.]

 

*************************************************

 

From the Woodrow PTA newsletter –

 

Please click here to check out the current issue of the Woodrow PTA’s weekly newsletter.  I’ve included it so that you can see what a terrific job the PTA does communicating with parents. They also send once or twice weekly e-mails.  Of special interest are requests for two books English classes will be reading.  One is Night by Elie Weisel, the edition with blue on the cover.  I’m thinking that may be the edition I have.  I need to find it and send it their way.  English teacher Paula Burkham is also looking for a class set of 1984 – any edition.  Do you remember reading it and thinking how far into the futuristic it seemed?  I re-read the book of Big Brother, doublethink, doublespeak a couple of years ago, and it gave me chills to think how close we have come to that type of society.  You know, donating class sets of books might be a great way our class can help the school.  What do you think, WWW’67? 

 

************************************************

 

Okay, enough for now.  Enjoy your Thanksgiving, WWW’67, wherever and with whomever you spend it.  As for me, I will be in Austin with all of my girls, sons-in-law, granddaughter……and, of course, those University of Texas Longhorns.

 

 “Everything we see hides another thing.  We always want to see what is hidden by what we see.”

Rene Magritte  (my favorite surrealist painter, born 110 yrs. ago today!)

 

 

September 11, 2008

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

By now, I hope most of you have dropped by to take a look at our revamped web site.  It’s the same address – www.www1967.com , but a whole new look.  I am slowly receiving your directory updates.  Be sure to do that soon.  Also, there have been several new messages posted from classmates.  Have YOU sent one yet???  Oh, and on the Links page, we’ve added a whole section related to Dallas.  Be sure to click on the KLIF link and listen to the “K-L-I-F…1190” jingle.  It will make you smile!  Ah, the memories……

 

This afternoon, I received the note below about the Woodrow Walk of Fame Commemorative Bricks.  The deadline has been extended to September 15, but I was assured they would accept money for a few extra days.  This is a terrific opportunity for each of us to make a lasting ’67 mark on the campus!  I’ve attached the form– You can either print it or simply include all of the information requested and mail along with your check.  It will be fun to go back to the ol’ horseshoe one day and look for people we know.  :-)   Purchase your brick today – Time is running out!

 

~Kathy

 

"This is directed to all of you who have inquired about or have an interest in the upcoming installation of bricks and benches at the entry across from the main parking lot. We've extended the deadline until next Monday to give everyone a chance to order their brick(s) @ $25 apiece. Just follow the directions on the form and return it, along with your check made out to Woodrow PTA, to Vickie Thompson at 6683 Lakewood @ Pearson. This is a wonderful opportunity to be a part of this great project sponsored by our alumni of the Class of 2003 Please direct any questions to Vickie @ 214.824.7191 or vickie81@sbcglobal.net."


 

 

September 3, 2008

 

September greetings, WWW’67!

 

Has something in your life ever become so familiar that you rarely notice it anymore?  (Now, I’m talking about someTHING, not someONE – a topic  we’ll save for another day.)  After five years, that’s how our original web site had become to both Charlie and me, and probably to some of you as well.  It wasn’t that it was no longer functional or out-of-date or….. or……or ………..So why go to all of the trouble to redesign the ’67 web site if it ain’t broke or ugly?  Because it was simply time for a little streamlining and rearranging to keep life interesting.

 

If you landed here from the e-mail message I sent, the first thing you’ll notice is the different banner at the top.  See the menu buttons?  They let you navigate the entire site just as the buttons on the left did on the old site. 

 

Home – two columns now; much easier to scan the main page

 

Classmate News – the same as it was – check back often and send me your news …. no matter how boring you think it may be!

 

Kathy’s Corner – where you are now!

 

Directory – the same as it was – perhaps a bit more sophisticated, but it’s past time to update your entry! Remember we have two directories – the Online Directory everyone who goes to the page can see, and the password protected directory that has your contact information and much more (most of which was posted years ago). Currently, the password protected directory is in pdf format. Soon, it will look like the online directory but with additional information. So what’s holding us up? You are! We are waiting for your updates before we launch the new format! Please go to the pdf directory and send me your updated information ASAP. If you have forgotten the password, contact me here, and I will send it to you. Note: The “Send this Classmate a Message” button feature of the Online Directory will be down a few days this week, but it should be functioning again very soon.

 

Photo/Video Gallery – Now here is where you will see major changes!  You will find more than a 1000 new photos including over 500 from our 40th reunion!   We have photos and video from the 40th, 35th, 25th, and 20th reunions, but absolutely nothing from our 10th.  Surely someone out there has something from our first reunion.  Please send me anything you might have!  Wait until you watch the video from the 20th – You’re going to love it!  Also, we have the complete Exiles’ concert from the 40th posted.  In total, there are over 5 hours of new entertainment content, but it is set up so that you can skip around and watch what you want.

 

Calendar – a new feature!  We’ll post your birthday, mini-reunions, Exiles concerts at American Airlines Center, etc.  Now, as proud as we might be of our spouses, significant others, grandchildren, etc., this calendar really isn’t the place to post their big events.   It’s for us!

 

Links – If you have your own web site, please let me know.  Also, this is where you can read about what’s going on at Woodrow (both academic and sports news), interesting ’67 sites, and there is even a place for all of those fun/silly/wonderful web sites many of you send to me.  You’ll want to check this page often as we will update it as information comes in.

 

In Memoriam – Sadly, we have familiar faces to add to this page with increasing frequency.  You’ll notice we’ve added single photos of each classmate in addition to the slideshow.    
      
Contact Us – Send me a quick note here!

 

So, WWW’67, like our bodies, health, hair color, and so many other things in our lives these days, our web site has changed.  Charlie and I have spent a lot of time, thought, and cell phone minutes creating a new web site for you.  Now it’s your turn.  Send us your updated information, photos, links and more so that we can share them with everyone.  I will post another Kathy’s Corner as soon as I hear from all of you.   Okay now, take a look around and let me know what you think!

 

Until I hear from you, WWW’67….

 

~Kathy

 

“Life belongs to the living, and he who lives must be prepared for changes.”
                                                                              Johann Wolfgang von Goethe


Late Spring Greetings

May 27, 2008

 

Greetings, WWW’67!


During the past few months, we have lost two classmates – Karl McCurdy and Bobby Black. Read the Classmates News postings about their passings. Both of these gentlemen attended Robert E. Lee, and I know I speak for all of the Lee Kids as well as others when I say they will be missed. I have done quite a bit of reminiscing about these “boys” during our Lee years – the first “spin the bottle parties,” silly things that happened at school, craziness at Tietze Park when we were kids…… Memories are nice, but how I wish I could visit with both of them again.

 

During the season finale of Boston Legal last week, one of the eccentric characters of the quirky show compared friendship to having a backyard garden – it’s something we plan to tend but usually end up forgetting. The analogy got my attention……probably because I have many gardens which need tending, both real and figurative. I thought about how good it feels to have a weed-free garden (even briefly), and then I thought about this web site and how it makes me smile to read all of your messages. I guess that’s what we’re doing here – tending our ’67 backyard garden. If that’s the case, my nagging for news from you must be the fertilizer because the Classmate News page has a bumper crop of new posts! If you haven’t already taken a look, do so……and if you haven’t sent anything, do it now!

 

As difficult as it is to believe, it has been over a year since our 40th reunion. It was about a year after the 35th reunion that we launched this web site, and I remember well when Charlie stepped up and said he would create it. Little did I know what we were getting ourselves into. Ohmygosh, the hours he and I (especially he!) have put into this thing. Marsha Neil and I had started planning a site, so we already had a basic blueprint, but never did I think it would grow into what it is today…….and what it is today isn’t what it’s going to be in the near future. Yep, Charlie is at it again – beginning with redoing the whole thing using new software. I won’t pretend to understand all that he is doing – My job is to offer advice when he asks. As Dan Hatzenbuehler said, “Redoing the website must rank right up there with new water heaters in terms of being under appreciated…..Glad SOMEONE knows how to do it, though!” Yep, water heaters. When the “new” site is up and running, it will look familiar - similar to what you now see. We want you old folks to feel at home. However, as you click your way around, you will notice new features that are great. One is a calendar on which we can post mini-reunions, mega-reunions, LT (Last Thu. in Dallas @ High Point), Dallas Area ‘67 Ladies Who Lunch, Exiles concerts, etc. I, for one, will LOVE that! Also, remember those reunion photos you sent to me……..last year? You will soon see them online. Yep, it’s true! FINALLY! Let me explain……….We had great intentions of putting them onto a DVD similar to after the 35th reunion, but, well, the usual post-reunion exhaustion set in. If you will remember, the same thing happened after the 35th – We didn’t get the DVD out until our 55th birthday party. Actually, I think it’s some kind of natural phenomenon – After a year+ of preparing for a reunion, it’s necessary to take a year off in order to survive…..or else face certain extinction. Remember my banter about not having another reunion for 10 more years? Reunion burnout. Nothing more, nothing less. Anyway, back to the web site – We plan to post the photos on a page of the new site this time around instead of making a DVD. We had every intention of producing one (DVD), but it just didn’t happen this time.


Other future plans - I have absolutely loved the mini-reunions I’ve attended during the past year, and I definitely think we should continue those. Most everyone who has gone to them would agree. So, you Houston, Austin, Dallas folks – get busy!!! Also, when Lois Dickerson and I were visiting Martha Murphy last fall, she offered her place on Whidbey Island (WA state) for a gathering at some point. Let’s go for it! It’s beautiful there, Martha is the perfect tour guide, and we would have such a great time. We have a few classmates already in the Pacific Northwest……and others of us NOT in the Pac. NW who would attend! What about it, gang? I will help anyone get any gathering together….anywhere……anytime!!!!


Now, as for a 50th reunion – Yes, of course. We will have one. Definitely. But life is too short to wait until then. Let’s think about a 60th birthday party next year sometime. Most all of us turn 60 (YIKES!) either this year or the next. Let’s plan some kind of informal party. As for a 45th, yes, I’ve read your many e-mails on the subject. Everyone seems in agreement that we should have some type of gathering. Again, perhaps something very informal. Think about it.


A little Woodrow News – The school has been receiving quite a bit of coverage in the media lately……all very positive. There is a big campaign going on for attending Woodrow. If you drive around the Lakewood area, you see many “Choose Woodrow” signs in yards. By all accounts, the musical this year, “The Sound of Music,” was outstanding………as always. See photos here. What a tradition. Woodrow placed in the top 2.5 % of all schools in the country in the Newsweek Ranking. Check it out! http://www.newsweek.com/id/39380. The school is scheduled to receive a $9 million science wing addition from the recent bond program, and it was named one of 39 model high schools in Texas for it’s science program - even with the current 1928 labs they are using. A female Woodrow student won the gold medal at the state swimming meet! J. L. Long recently won state in math/science. Story here. Finally, the Class of 2003 WW Walk of Fame Brick Project will be installed this fall. Contact Vickie Thompson at vickiet81@sbcglobal.net for information.


In closing, I’ll just remind you that life is short, WWW’67. Let’s make the most of the time we’re given.


~Kathy


“Go for it now. The future is promised to no one.”
Wayne Dyer


 


Happy January

January 29, 2008

 

 

Where have you been?”

 

“I hope everything is okay. You have been awfully quiet.”

 

“Thanks for all that you do for us, Kathy, now get back to DOING it!”

 

…..and your point is….? Actually, I began a note just after Thanksgiving and another just after Christmas – but like many of you, I’ve been sidetracked by a few unexpected events. However, here I am – your “gentle hints” duly noted! By the way, I want to thank you for your overwhelming response to my request for news to post on the Classmate News page. It has been such a pleasure to hear from all of you! Having said that, I will move on to….

 

January Greetings, WWW’67!

 

Sadly, our class suffered yet another loss just before Christmas. Classmate Suzanne Rieves Chambers passed away December 17, 2007 at Baylor Medical Center after a two-year fight against gall bladder cancer. She will be missed by all who knew her. For whatever reason, I remember standing around talking with Suzanne one day in the cut-through hallway by the girls’ gym dressing rooms at Woodrow and both of us getting so tickled about something that we absolutely couldn’t stop laughing. Isn’t it strange the little, seemingly insignificant things that stick in our memories? We posted news of Suzanne’s death and services on the Classmate News page of the web site back in December. The In Memoriam page also has been updated. Charlie and I try our best to post information as soon as we receive it.

 

Dallas Area WWW’67 Ladies Who Lunch –

 

Okay, ladies, it’s time again for lots of chatting and laughter! Everyone is invited – 11:30 a.m., Saturday, Feb. 2 (this Sat.), Baker Bros. Deli at Old Town on Greenville. Hope to see you there!

 

Bounced email addresses –

 

I no longer have working e-mail addresses for the following people: Gary Houston, Doris Johnson, Lloyd Edwards, and Billy Jenkins. In addition, I’ve had to remove these people from the list because of a series of bounced messages: Gordon Grundy, Judy Stevens, Elia Pesenti, Jenny Morrow Glass, John Farmer, John Ramsey, Patrick Roy, Steve Thomas, Becky Bredow Brown, and Barbara Sue Carter Hisle. If you have current e-mail addresses for any of these classmates, please forward them to me. My last message also bounced to Joy Stevenson, but I googled her name and found another e-mail address to try, and I also found a wonderful article about her. (click here) Who would have guessed she secretly wants to be Annie Lennox?!

 

This and That -

 

Our web site continues to bring me in contact with interesting people. I received a message from Suzi Sargent Bezemer, now in Idaho, who attended Stonewall before moving to CA in 5th grade. She said she had lived next door to Cynthia Cannon and was best friends with Nancy Clark. Jay Ballou later told me he had a mad crush on her although he says he was “painfully shy” around girls…and still is. (yeah, right) I posted her note on the Classmates News page.

 

Another note was from Dan Gannon, Class of ’55. He had received an invitation to his reunion and was looking for information about his class. He moved from Dallas in Aug. after graduating, and hasn’t been back since. I told him to be prepared because there will be very little, other than Woodrow itself, that he will recognize!

 

If you saw Woodrow’s musical last year (Fiddler on the Roof), I’m sure you were as impressed as I was with Matthew George, who played the lead. He is now a star on the stage at Yale – Check this video clip on YouTube. http://lakewood-now.net/view/article/1801 Matthew is the shorter guy. I had to watch a couple of times to get all of the dialogue, but it is really cute.

 

Back in November, I had lunch with Jan King in Austin. What a great time we had! I don’t know that Jan and I had seen each other since graduation. We at lunch in a very “Austin” outdoor spot and talked about so many things – especially about the people who influenced us during our formative years. Isn’t it fun to think back to those individuals – people we took for granted when we were young? Jan is not a “reunion-goer.” We need to work on that. :-)

 

Classmate News page teasers

 

Click here to check the latest postings on the Classmate News page. Among many, many other items, you will find"

 

The Exiles on YouTube!
a non-CIA agent
a sound legend
a shattering mishap
5 wives/5 children/5 grandchildren…..and a greenhouse
a preacher with a purpose….and a shovel
an EXCELLENT quote – “When I die, I want to come back as my children.”
a biographer
a baby named Remington who was almost named Winchester
a couple of eyelid surgeries of the non-cosmetic and cosmetic varieties
a couple of old Foo Fighter fans
a chance meeting between a web wizard and a snow bird
news of a Northwest classmate who has been MIA for most of us
bionic knees
ballroom dancing in NYC
grandbabies, grandbabies, and more grandbabies
lunch dates
awards
retirements

 

A funny –

 

The other night, I e-mailed to my three daughters some family tree information I have been compiling. I quickly typed the names in the address field and sent the note on its way. Very quickly, I realized there was a mistake on the attachment, so I made the correction and resent. That’s when I noticed auto-complete had filled in the address not of my daughter, Susan, but of Susan Ashburn. I immediately sent the latter a note of explanation (an admitted full-blown case of old-timer’s disease), knowing everyone involved would think I had lost my mind. My daughters certainly did, and Susan Ashburn? Here is her reply – “I thought for a moment that you had figured out a way that the entire WWW '67 class was related.” Beware the auto-complete feature of e-mail programs.

 

In closing, I will paste part of the newsletter I began composing during the holidays, ‘07 -

 

Last night I poured myself a glass of wine, exhaled, and turned my gaze toward the Christmas tree. I smiled as I realized that tree seemed to perfectly reflect the year – colorful/glittering, tilted a bit to one side, more than a few tangled wires hidden deep within the branches, an old, broken glass ornament glued together because I was not ready to part with it, another from my childhood – now very tarnished but proudly displayed among newer ones, a burned out light here and there, the inevitable problems putting the whole thing together….and the resulting familiar, comforting scene. ’07 has not been an easy year for many of us – we’ve lost parents, siblings, classmates, jobs, marriages, friendships, and confidences. At times, it has been difficult to find balance….to “find our footing” as a good friend recently said…..and sometimes we found that “footing” only to realize other aspects of our lives had crumbled during the process. On the flip side, we’ve celebrated marriages, the births of grandchildren, retirements, graduations, new “downsized” homes, victories over illnesses, our 40th reunion and resulting numerous mini-reunions, picking up where we left off with long-time friends, and the unexpected surprises that have come with exploring new relationships……even at “our age.” All of this has made for a dizzying ride from January to December. Something tells me it only gets wilder from this point forward. We are losing our “sandwich generation” status, WWW’67, and are moving up the ladder to the top rung. The view, I hear, is wonderful although precarious….but then, we didn’t get to this point without balancing on one foot and taking chances now and again. The ladder, we know by now, is made of strong stuff……and the view is ours for the taking. 2008 will be a good year, ‘67. We will make it one.

 

Take care, WWW’67. Until next time…..

 

~Kathy

 

“Don't cry because it's over. Smile because it happened.”

Theodor Geisel (Dr. Seuss)

 

 

Happy HalloweenHalloween

 

October 31, 2007

 

Halloween greetings, WWW’67!


Fall has arrived, finally, and although my Longhorns are not exactly having a stellar season, my little (very little) teacher retirement check barely covers the cost of gasoline these days for my aging car and my evening glass of wine (medicinal purposes only Smiley1gif), I’ve worked in the yard for the past few days and what isn’t stiff in this old body is really sore, I read that the price of beer is going up due to a shortage of hops (the truth!)……….despite all of that…… the weather this past week has been autumn-perfect, pumpkins and scarecrows are in my yard, newly baled hay is decorating the pasture, there was the most beautiful harvest moon a few nights ago, and I’m loving all of it! Yessireee, life here behind the Pine Curtain is good during the fall…..especially if I can stay on the road for most of the other seasons of the year! (Note to the East TX Chamber of Commerce: Don’t get your pine cones all in a wad. I’m just joking…….sort of.)

 

Before writing this column, I decided to look back through all of the Classmate News and Kathy’s Corner postings since we began the web site in ’06. It is almost the end of another year – the traditional time for reflection. It made me wish I had kept all of the newsletters since I first began sending them in ’01, long before our web site was created. I both laughed and became a little misty-eyed while re-reading everything including Jay Ballou’s hilarious account of his first day at Woodrow, the continuing fun of all of the mini-reunions, Dee Anne Egan’s suggestion for a WWII book, Sarah Burden’s touching celebration of being cancer-free, the saga of the found Woodrow charm bracelet, the anticipation of the reunion, the celebration of retirements, the birth of grandbabies, the overwhelming sadness of the deaths of so many classmates and parents…….And then there are the photos – post-reunion gatherings, Jay in a field of bluebonnets (really!), Susan Ashburn flashing her ’67 poster to Dusty Hill at a ZZ Top concert, Martha Miller talking on the phone to Don Mohon, Joy Stevenson and her dog, Sonny Thompson and his Crusader, Dan Hatzenbuehler and his camel (!)…… Of course, there are also my endless notes in preparation for the reunion – contact us for this, sign up for that, send your money here …….the, uh, “encouragement” (read: nagging) made me cringe until I read again the many, many positive post-reunion notes everyone sent. I do hope all of you make a point to read Classmate News from time to time. It’s a great way to keep up with everyone – even people you may not know. We are an interesting bunch of young-at-heart old folks, and we are lucky to have each other. Charlie, we thank you again and again for providing this web site so that we can share our lives.

 

Speaking of people you many not know, someone from another Woodrow class commented to me the other day he wouldn’t go to a reunion if he knew his close friends weren’t going. I heard that from and about a couple of our own classmates before our 40th. There was a time, I suppose, I might have felt the same way. Not now, and I am very thankful most of our class broke loose of that high school mindset. I’ve given this quite a bit of thought and have come to the conclusion that our class may be special because most of us have been able to set aside the self-imposed social restrictions and artificial barriers of our teen years, and have allowed ourselves to branch out. I won’t go into details, just know that time and time again you have shown that we genuinely care about each other.

 

Not one to pass up the chance to have a good time with a group of classmates, I’ve begun feeling a bit like the “roaming gnome” lately, showing up in mini-reunion photos of the ’67 crew in cities scattered all over TX….and even WA. On September 10, the Houston-area bunch got together, and what a super time we had! Those attending were Lois Dickerson, Cynthia Cannon (who wore her senior ring!), Brenda Bock, Betty Benda, Gary Houston, Elaine Cogswell, John Witmer, and yours truly. The next day, Lois and I flew to Seattle to meet Martha Murphy and spend time on beautiful Whidbey Island. Read the details here about all of the fun we had.

 

Dallas-area ladies – Kathy Thomas reminds us that the next meeting of the ’67 Ladies Who Lunch is this Saturday, Nov. 3, at Baker Brothers Deli in Old Town (Greenville Ave.) at 11:30. We had a great time chatting, laughing, and eating in August. Hope to see you there!

 

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Odds and Ends:

 

When you have time, take a look at this – DaVinci’s The Last Supper in 16 billion pixels. There’s a video showing how they did it. I found it fascinating.

 

Look at this web site for some very early White Rock, Lakewood, and Forest Hills history.

 

One of the best “tributes” to the sixties I’ve seen is here…..although I differ with the guy on a couple of points. As an emotional, teenaged girl, I LOVED West Side Story! Be sure to turn on your sound.

 

I recently received notices of a couple of interesting Lakewood area meetings – My, how times have changed! “First Grade Mom’s Club of Lakewood – the Margaritas Moms met @ Matt’s in Lakewood…” and “The Dad’s Club @ Lee met for beer & burgers….”

Polly Bohmfalk recently wrote an article for Lakewood-Now in which she described “the very loose and very unofficial means by which we came to know this neighborhood as Lakewood.” A subsequent article stated, “She’s looking for old-timers who might be able to recall a Lakewood without McMansions and Garage Mahals, when the Lakewood Rats were a household name, when the Lady of the Lake might really have walked the Woodrow halls.” I guess all of us, WWW’67, are qualified “old-timers.” You can contact her at lpb1103@sbcglobal.net.

 

For Lady of the Lake information, check this out.

 

Happy 50th birthday, Lyle Lovett! (I know we have several devoted fans in our group.)

 

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Tell us what you are up to these days! Please help keep this web site going by submitting information for the Classmate News page.

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A notice to all of you grandparents out there who, over the years, have excitedly flashed pictures of those smiling little cherubs, shared the joys of first steps, soccer games, dance recitals, and even high school experiences (these classmates obviously are much older than the rest of us!)………be advised that my first grandchild is due in April! Furthermore, I plan to be the most insufferable, proud grandparent of the bunch of you! It’s payback time, folks! :-)

 

Until next time, WWW’67…..Autumn smiles to all.

 

~Kathy

 

The other day the TV was on while I was working in another room. (I know - a waste of electricity.) I have no idea what the movie was – but one of the last lines came through loud and clear…..and I’m sure it was spoken directly to me - "It's cool when you stop being who you're supposed to be and start being who you are."

 

 

Vacation is Over

 

August 22

 

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

“A vacation is what you take when you can no longer take what you've been taking."

 

Okay. Yes. I know. It has been much too long since I have posted anything here. More than a few of you have politely let me know that my “vacation” from Kathy’s Corner is over, and it’s time I get back to work! Actually, I did not realize my last posting was May 8. That was quite awhile ago. I suppose both Charlie and I needed a breather after the reunion, because we certainly took one. I managed to post a recap of the reunion, and he put up a few photographs on the site……..then we kind of shut down for the summer. However, it’s not as if we have taken a total leave of absence from the web site – If you have been checking the Classmate News page (here), you’ve been keeping up with everyone. You send it – We post it!

 

Web Site

 

As for reunion photographs, it is going to be fun to look at them again after putting them aside for a few months, but here’s the deal. Before we go to all of the trouble of posting slide shows/pictures, etc., we want to revamp the entire web site. ……..and before we do that, we want your suggestions about what to change, what to leave the same, etc. Our feelings will not be hurt, so fire away! Tell us what you like and dislike – from the general layout down to colors, fonts, etc. This is your chance, WWW’67! If you have other web sites you like, please send them to us as examples. Take a stroll through www1967.com and let us know your thoughts. Once we get your input, we’ll get to work and have an all new web site for you soon. See? When we come back from vacation, we come back with a vengeance! Oh, and please send us your reunion photos if you haven’t already done so. Thanks.

 

A couple of months ago, I was at a party and overheard the spouse of a ’67 classmate say to another, “Close? This class is unusual, all right. What could they possibly want to know about each other that they don’t already?” (Proof positive you have to be a Woodrow alum to “understand.”) I smiled when I heard that because we have a new feature in the works for the renovated web site – a series of podcast phone interviews with classmates. We’re still working out the details of these podcasts, but Mike Barnes, Charlie and I have already had one meeting this summer about it. The possibilities are endless…..and very exciting. Our class has some wonderful stories to share. Stay tuned…..

 

This web site has brought me into contact with so many interesting people – a pawnbroker in Dallas among them. His message, sent yesterday, is posted on the Classmate News page here. In short, he is in possession of a charm bracelet, all of the charms being Woodrow related, probably from the class of ’70. I immediately sent the information to people from the classes of ’68, ’69, ’70, as well as to Kyle Rains (’78) who has scores of contacts in many classes. I just received a reply from my brother & sister-in-law, who said they thought the charms had something to do with Jeff Senter, the president of their class (’70). They are in the process of tracking him down. They’re thinking the bracelet may have belonged to Jeff’s mother, who is now deceased. In the meantime, Kyle has posted the information as well as photographs on the Lakewood Now web site. See it http://lakewood-now.net/view/article/1112. Solving mysteries fascinates me, and I love using web connections to do it!

 

…and that reminds me of an excellent article Christy Thomas sent me awhile back that really hit home. It’s entitled, “Aristotle’s Email, or Friendship in the Cyber Age.” You can read it here. You’ll enjoy it.

 

Mini-reunions abound!

 

Kathy Thomas is calling together all ’67 ladies in the Dallas area for lunch this Saturday, August 25, at Baker Brothers Deli, (Old Towne Center, 5500 Greenville Ave., near Michael’s) at 11:30 a.m. I will be there and am looking forward to it! Please join us – everyone is welcome!

On July 10, Patricia Mooney hosted a group of San Antonio/Austin area Wildcats at her home for dinner and laughs and laughs and more laughs. I was able to attend that bash as well and have posted pictures on the Classmate News page here.

 

A month before that, on June 10, a group of about twelve of us met at Kirby’s on Greenville (what memories!) for a two-fold celebration - Barbara Brown, who was unable to attend the reunion, was in Dallas, and that day just happened to be my birthday! We had such a great time!

 

Also in June, the reunion committee had its wrap-up party at Kelley Geary’s house in Dallas. We had a delicious Mexican dinner, watched the Exiles video Charlie had put together, looked on in amazement at the antics of Kelley’s h-u-g-e dogs, and bid an official farewell to the 40th reunion.

 

As the result of a conversation at the April reunion, Lois Dickerson and I are flying up to Seattle and then going over to Whidbey Island to visit Martha Murphy next month. Can’t wait! We will be flying out of Houston and are thinking we might see if any ’67 classmates in that area would like to meet us for dinner the night before, the evening of Sep. 10. Let us know if you’d like to get together!

 

Dan Hatzenbuehler and Sonny Thompson, both Memphis residents, have met for lunch a couple of times this summer. They even gave me a call during their last meeting. What a conversation! See a photo here. There aren’t many ’67 folk in their vicinity – I think a group of us should head up there sometime to join them. Dan and Sonny could show us the real Memphis…..and something tells me Graceland (a place I have resisted visiting for years, no offense to The King) would be on the tour.

 

Wouldn’t it be fun to have a traveling ’67 group? We could visit classmates scattered across the country, letting resident Wildcats act as tour guides. I would love it!

 

Next Thursday, August 30, is the monthly LT (Last Thursday) get-together for all Wildcats (any class) at the High Point, 12101 Greenville Ave. #105, Dallas (between Forest Lane and LBJ), after 6:30 p.m. I hope to be there to see what it’s all about. Read an article about last month’s gathering here - http://lakewood-now.net/view/article/1075

 

Losses

 

The sympathy of the class goes to Mike Barnes, who lost his mother last week. There will be a memorial service this Saturday, August 25, at 10:00 a.m. See details here.

 

Since the reunion, several of us have lost family members – Keith Barnett’s brother, my dad, Betty Benda’s dad, Gayla Duce’s dad, Barbara Brin’s dad, Kathy Thomas’ dad, Ben Bennett’s mother, Judy Manning’s mother (Judy’s dad died in March)…….and others are dealing with parents who are very ill. This is a difficult time of life for many of us and a time of transition for all of us – moving from the sandwich generation to the oldest. You’ve been sending numerous emails discussing the new sets of challenges we are now facing. I was grateful for the support I received from all of you ……. I wonder if we might have some type of discussion group so that we might benefit from the experience of others. Just a thought – let me know if you are interested. We might be able to work something out on the new web site.

 

Bits and Pieces

 

Check the link to the Woodrow football schedule on the home page. The Wildcats begin the season ranked #13! Homecoming is Sep. 28.

The class of ’68 has a new web site - http://www.www1968.com/

 

See photos of ZZ Top fan, Susan Ashburn here!

 

Travelers – Carol Fuess is in Australia (surfing?) and Dan Hatzenbuehler is wiggling his toes in the sands of a Florida beach.

Final Thoughts

 

Okay, I’ve come back from my “vacation.” Now, you come back from yours! Let me hear from you!!!!!

 

Until next time, WWW’67…..

 

~Kathy

 

“Time is too slow for those who wait, too swift for those who fear, too long for those who grieve, too short for those who rejoice, but for those who love, time is eternity.”


Henry Van Dyke


 

What a Reunion!!!

 

May 8, 2007

 

We, WWW’67, are a unique, caring, cohesive group…….and you have proved that both at our 35th and especially at our 40th reunion. OHMYGOSH!!! What a weekend, what a weekend, WHAT A WEEKEND!!! I don’t even know where to begin……….In the words of another classmate and of members of the classes of ’66, ’68, ’69, ’70, ’82, and others – we are the envy of our peers.

 

No kidding, ’67 – at the musical Sunday afternoon, at the reception at the bank that evening, and around Dallas last week – time and time again people stopped me to say, “Oh! We heard you had a wonderful reunion!”…“You must have an extraordinary group of classmates!” etc. All I could do was smile and say, “Yes, we did….and yes, we do!”

 

For a bunch of old folks, we certainly know how to have a good time, don’t we? Although the headcount was rather hazy ( “fuzzy math” at its best due to people paying at the door, unable to come at the last minute, “new friends”….read: bar patrons Fri. night, etc.), we had over 100 classmates Friday and somewhere around 135 classmates and guests Saturday night. I won’t know for sure until the committee has it’s wrap-up meeting next month…….and then again, we may never know the exact number…….but who cares? All I know for sure is that the people who attended had a wonderful time. I ran across a quote today, "There are two types of people -- those who come into a room and say, 'Well, here I am!' and those who come in and say, 'Ah, there you are.'" Without question, the vast majority of our classmates fall into the second category, and it showed all weekend.

 

Your generosity is incredible – so many of you offered your time, your talents, and your dollars to the reunion effort. Your extraordinary kindness provided “scholarships” for grateful classmates who otherwise would not have been able to attend the reunion, and also a $1000 scholarship to a graduating senior (WWW’07) who plans to pursue a degree in secondary education. Even classmates who knew they would not be able to come sent money for the scholarships…..and several who had unexpected family crises prevent them from coming donated their registration fees to the cause. Selfless acts of kindness, WWW’67 ….. Don’t know about you, but I am very proud to be a member of this class.

 

Charlie and I have begun posting reunion-related information and a new slide show with the first photos we’ve received. Check our updated home page, www.www1967.com You will also see how to send us your pictures, and we do need everyone’s photographs! Please send them ASAP! Some of the first sent in can be seen here .

 

There is so much to say about the events, our classmates, the atmosphere……..the hugs……oh, the many, many wonderful hugs! I think I will simply give personal recaps of each event and then ask every one of you who attended to send your thoughts for us to post on the web site. This will be long – pour yourself a cool one and get comfortable…..

 

Friday – Backyard Beach Bar

My reunion weekend actually began Friday afternoon by unexpectedly running into classmates….but it was only a taste of what was to come. What an evening! Many thanks to the youngsters from the class of ’68 who worked the registration table allowing all committee members to enjoy the evening! As always, the Friday night “classmates only” event, was my favorite of the weekend. I loved seeing the initial excitement on everyone’s faces as people walked in…………and those Friday night hugs were the best, weren’t they? Years, pounds, wrinkles, gray hair……all of it vanished instantly as soon as we came through the door. Unlike the first couple of reunions, no one was out to impress anyone else – no one cared about a thing except reconnecting with long-time friends….and making new ones. I guess what I loved best ….well, next to the hugs, anyway…..was the sound of the Friday night laughter…….the genuine laughter of 18 yr. old spirits emerging from 58 yr. old individuals. No question, the hugs and laughter were my favorites………..well, next to the Exiles! OHMYGOSH, WWW’67! If you weren’t there to witness this group of amazingly talented guys, you have no idea what you missed. I mean, even the twenty-somethings at the bar were rocking to the music and were quite impressed! That had to be the ultimate compliment. Mike, Jimmy, Jay, Blake, Chris….and the newest Exile, Keith, put on a show that won’t soon….or ever….be forgotten by those who witnessed it! Not only have they not lost their touch, they’ve never sounded better. The many hours these guys rehearsed paid off, and every single person in the place (and out on the patio as well) loved every minute of the 2 hr. set! Want to relive some of what they did? Click here for a sneak preview of the future video….and turn up those speakers! Yeah – no doubt about it, the Exiles’ performance was my favorite thing about Friday night, which was my favorite event of the weekend……..well, maybe next to the basket of wine and goodies that Jay and the group presented to me that night! Smiley1

 

(By the way, although Kelley Geary (fearless leader of the reunion committee) wasn’t there in person, we made certain her spirit and life-size photo were. Stay tuned for hilarious pictures and video as proof…..)

 

Saturday golf
I can’t give a personal account of this event because (1) I was on the bus tour during the golf tournament, and (2) I don’t play golf…….but I heard plenty of great stories from and about this group. If you participated, will you send me your tales? Also, I need a list of who won what trophies. We already have some fine photographs of our golfers in the new slide show on the web site.

 

Saturday bus tour
Manuel Zaby, in all of his creative genius, came up with the idea of a bus tour of our old stomping grounds. He arranged to get the 27 passenger SMU shuttle (appropriately, red) and the best bus driver ever! Although I had planned to give up my seat to another classmate, Manuel “forced” me to go…….and am I ever glad he did as I do believe it ended up being my favorite event of the weekend! After pulling out of the Woodrow parking lot (was there ever a more beautiful high school built anywhere in the nation?), we headed through old East Dallas to Fair Park. Oh, the stories that were told of those Friday “school days” at the Fair each year – parents dropping us off early in the morning and picking us up late at night – surviving all day on a few dollars – getting sick after riding the Rotor or Himalaya….then going back for more – hiding the fear of roller coasters in order to impress a date – walking through the automobile building (only air-conditioned bldg.) and gathering 10 lbs. of brochures to lug home only to throw away…….and on and on. We were fortunate to have Allison (Ruth) and Avelino (Frank) on the bus – Fair Park historians, both. The addition of historical facts only enriched the drive through the area. Next, we headed through Deep Ellum to downtown where, of course, many told of their JFK experiences and pointed out where they had been standing, what they had seen, who had been with them, etc. We gazed at the old buildings – Neiman’s H.L. Green’s, Titches, Sanger Harris Jr. College, the courthouse, City Hall…… Next, we headed up Mockingbird, pausing, bowing, and observing a moment of silence when passing the sacred ground where Charco’s once proudly stood. Our Flag Pole Hill picnic couldn’t have been better – Manuel provided absolutely delicious box lunches from Neiman’s, and we enjoyed them from one of the new picnic areas…… the weather couldn’t have been better. An after lunch drive around the lake - great views of Dallas, Winfrey Point, the Bath House, etc., was followed by a drive up Tokalon and Lakewood back to Woodrow. What a day, what a day.

 

Did Manuel really challenge the group to see if we knew the words to the state song? Did we really still know the words……did we really sing them? Am I breaking a promise never to reveal this bit of information to those who were not present and couldn’t possibly understand we did not look/sound like a bunch of old geezers on a school field trip? Personally, I would have liked it if we had followed up with “The Wheels of the Bus go Round and Round”……….remember that one?!

 

Those who elected not to go on the tour because you “live in Dallas and see it every day” missed a golden opportunity to take a look at the city through renewed eyes. It wasn’t where we went – it was the people on the tour that made it such a rich, rewarding experience. The bus was small enough so that everyone could be heard – and every single person shared his/her experiences, memories, and priceless trivia. My only regret - Bill O. remained silent whenever talk of bridges came up…..

 

Yes. The bus tour had to be my favorite event of the weekend. Thank you, Manuel.

 

Saturday night
While some of us were playing golf or enjoying a tour of East Dallas, Tommie Attlesey and Nancy Crabb were busily decorating Lakewood Country Club. The hours they spent on this labor of love were evident. Every detail, from the elaborate jukebox/turntable in the entry down to the napkin holders (45 records with red/gray WWW’67 labels) and beautiful centerpieces on each table made LCC ours for the evening. We’ll never be able thank these ladies enough. The golfers, bus tour folk, and casual carousers from the night before cleaned up nicely for this affaire, and it was apparent everyone had a grand time. Tim Mitchell, a guy who never needs a script, was our emcee – recognizing various classmates, presenting golf trophies, beautiful plaques to the committee members…and crowning me queen of the prom. Good grief – a person who is much more at home in jeans, t-shirt, and behind a keyboard was standing there wearing a crown, holding a scepter and the most beautiful bouquet of spring flowers……blushing, no doubt. I sincerely thank each and every classmate for making it such a special evening. (As a side note, I wore the crown to the hospital the next day and took the gorgeous flowers to my mother, who enjoyed them immensely all week.) The DJ got things cranked up for dancing with some twisting…..and hula hooping, believe it or not. Amazingly, many people still could keep those things turning……fun at the time, but I’m almost afraid to look at the video. (As a somewhat crude but hilarious side – more than one person was overheard asking, “Did you get it up? Were you able to keep it up?” Sorry, guys – it was just too funny not to pass along.)

 

What I enjoyed the most about Saturday night was witnessing the now more familiar hugs, the tender smiles, the toned-down conversations – all a natural progression from the frenzied excitement of the night before. I learned so many things about and from so many classmates Sat. night…….not the least of which was how to order the perfect martini. Thank you, Mr. Gross!

 

I’ve always enjoyed Saturday night reunion events, but they’ve never compared to those of Friday in my opinion. This time was different – the evening was perfect and rose to the top as my favorite event of the weekend.

 

Sunday brunch

Months ago, when the committee planned the Sunday In-Memoriam Brunch at LaMadeleine as a sort of farewell event for the weekend, it sounded like a great idea. However, when my alarm went off Sunday morning after very, very late night post-party discussions with classmates, I was convinced we had lost our minds planning something for Sunday morning. I dragged myself there and cringed when I saw Charlie with his video camera pointed at me. I remember wondering if I could get away with wearing my sunglasses inside. When everyone arrived (a wonderful turnout), however, the morning brought magic with it. We met in the private room, ate a delicious meal, and then began informally talking about our lost classmates pictured on the in-memoriam poster. It was touching, to be sure – each poignant moment followed by some entertaining tale about that person – the perfect balance of reverence and humor. As I gazed around the room, it struck me as inconceivable that this would be the group to meet for such an occasion 40 years post graduation. As a very close friend who was there said to me, “This seemed to be the nucleus of WWW’67.” We were an unlikely band of classmates by ’67 standards, but a core group of loving, sensitive adults, who enjoyed sharing our memories – both happy and sad – with each other. At the conclusion, we all went outside, gathered in a circle, observed a moment of silent prayer, and Walter released his white birds. As those beautiful birds spiraled above us, we were speechless until as if on cue Russell spontaneously quoted a portion of Carl Sandburg’s poem, “Little Word, Little White Bird.”

 

love is a little white bird
and the flight of it so fast
you can't see it
and you know it's there
only by the faint whirr of its wings
and the hush song coming so low to your ears
you fear it might be silence
and you listen keen and you listen long
and you know it's more than silence
for you get the hush song so lovely
it hurts and cuts into your heart
and what you want is to give more than you can get
and you'd like to write it but it can't be written
and you'd like to sing it but you don't dare try
because the little white bird sings it better than you can


I cannot begin to explain how touching the entire morning was. Words fail me - It was truly one of those “you had to be there” moments.


Without a shadow of a doubt, the Sunday brunch was my favorite event of the weekend. It was the perfect ending to a perfect two days with the perfect group of people.

 

Post-Reunion Event ---- Woodrow Musical/Alumni Reception/50th Musical Celebration
If you missed “Fiddler on the Roof” this year, you missed one of the best musicals ever produced at Woodrow. The kid who played the lead (Tevye) is one incredibly talented young man – Nat’l Merit finalist, headed to Yale, etc. The sets, the cast, the costumes, everything, as always, were excellent. Perhaps the best thing of all, however, was the opportunity to sit on those same hard, uncomfortable wooden seats in that magnificent auditorium. Classmates at the matinee Sunday – Charlie, Manuel, Rhonda Halasz, Mike Looney, me………..and a sizeable group from the classes of ’68 & ‘70. Charlie and I went to the alumni reception at Professional Bank in Lakewood after – It was exciting to hear from past directors, a member of the very first musical, “Oklahoma,” tributes to Ms. Eckelman, and to be able to visit with members of just about every class for the past 50 years. I had the pleasure of meeting and having a nice conversation with Steve Cargile, son of Mr. B.J Cargile. – the drafting teacher while we were at Woodrow. Steve is a delightful young man, obviously quite talented, who is a Principal Show Designer for Walt Disney Imagineering. He is a WWW’82 graduate, who comes in from California to assist with the musicals. Before he spoke to the crowd that evening, I gave him one of our reunion wristbands to make him an honorary member of WWW’67. What an extraordinary group of dedicated alumni. I wonder if there is another public high school in the nation with the tradition of Woodrow.

 

It was a delicious weekend, WWW’67 – every minute of it. I’m sorry each and every one of you were not there to experience it.

 

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We have extra 40th reunion t-shirts available for $15 each (11 mediums, 10 larges, and 1 extra large). Attendees have already received theirs, but if you did not pick yours up, I will mail it to you – probably sometime next week. They are very nice-looking…..gray with the red “40th WWW 1967” logo on the left front. I wore mine to the store while in Dallas and received several compliments.

 

Special Note: We owe Charlie Taylor so much – Not only did he step in to see that everything ran smoothly during all reunion events, he took video and photographs at each event, and now is spending endless hours updating the web site, getting things ready for the reunion CD and DVD. We sincerely thank you, Mr. T.

And, do you remember my pledge to eat onion rings and curly fries after the reunion?? Well, guess what..... Charlie treated me to a huge plate of onion rings Sunday night and I ate every single one of them!!!  Thanks again CT.

Don’t forget to send that note telling me your impressions of the reunion……and also get those photographs to us!

I will close with a special quote…..a quote I knew had to be posted on the ’67 home page long before we even began creating our web site…..a quote that I hope has special meaning to every person who attended the reunion….

 

Until next time, WWW’67…..

 

~Kathy

 

"And the end of all our exploring

Will be to arrive where we started

And know the place for the first time."

 

~T.S. Eliot


 

Happy Earth Day +2 and 40th reunion - 3, WWW’67!

 

April 24, 2007

 

One last email before the reunion weekend. ……still hoping some of you who have not registered will do so…..at the original price. Just let me know. Remember, we will not have another big reunion for 10 long yrs………when we will be almost 70 yrs. young.


First, let me extend the deepest sympathy of the class to Keith Barnett, who lost his brother, Arthur, to cancer last Friday. Arthur taught at Long for many years and retired only two years ago. Our prayers are with you and your family, Keith.


The reunion committee had a wonderful final meeting last Saturday. As we sat there eating lunch, I looked around and thought what a terrific group of classmates we have – absolutely the best. The committee members have dedicated many long hours to this effort – every member has followed through with his/her responsibilities….and more. Queen Kelley Geary, our exalted leader and the epitome of a committee chair., has done an incredible job coordinating everyone and everything. Her leadership skills and attention to detail are unsurpassed, and we are very lucky she agreed to guide us. Only half-jokingly, I moved to elect her chairperson of the 50th reunion…….a motion which passed quickly and unanimously. She, of course, simply rolled her eyes. Others on the committee are Charlie Taylor (wristbands, video, audio, and our webmaster!), Manuel Zaby (bus tour/t-shirts), Nancy Crabb (scholarship), Robert Creel (Sat. night music, golf), Keith Barnett (hotel arrangements), David Hamilton (valet parking, super sleuth!), Lee Russell (super sleuth!), Patti Glenn (Sun. brunch, awards), Tommie Attlesey (Sat. night decorations), Gregg Hill (golf tournament), Paul Wood (accountant – Mr. $), Christy Thomas (mailed invitation), Walter Patton, and yours truly (communications and various other “stuff”)…….a dedicated and fun-loving group!

 

At that meeting, I also looked around at what these jokers ordered for lunch – I was surrounded by plates piled high with huge, mouth-watering onion rings and seasoned curly fries …….. I, on the other hand, had a small serving of fresh fruit as if it were going to help me lose 20 lbs. by Friday. Sunday night, it’s onion rings and curly fries for me.

 

Many thanks to both Brenda Bock and Eve Holland, who spent hours contacting classmates for the committee. We couldn’t have made it without them!

 

What to wear –

 

You know, I hadn’t really given much thought to this until I suddenly received scores of emails asking. Okay, here are my thoughts –
Friday night – extremely casual (Backyard Beach Bar – the name kind of says it all)


Golf – golf clothes? (Obviously, I don’t play)


Bus Tour – again, very casual – we’ll be ending the tour with a picnic at White Rock – I’ll probably wear jeans
Saturday night – you will see everything from suits to jeans – most guys I’ve asked said they will probably wear sports coats – since it is at the country club and is a seated dinner, I’d probably say “business casual/dressy casual”…………but you know what? It doesn’t matter what you wear as long as you are there!!!


Sunday brunch @ La Madeleine – casual/whatever

Speaking of the bus tour, I suddenly have two vacant seats. If you are interested in going, let me know ASAP. The cost is $25 and includes a Neiman’s boxed lunch. Manuel showed me the route we will follow – He has a great road trip planned for us. We’ll leave from the Woodrow parking lot at 10:00 and return around 1:00. Be certain to let me know NOW if you would like to join us!

Golf – If you want to play with the best, brightest, and bravest Wildcats, let me know, and I will add you to the list of golfers for Saturday morning, 10:00 a.m. at Tenison. Cost is $75, lunch included.

 

Sunday brunch – No reservations required – Just meet us at LaMadeleine (SMU) at 10:30.

 

Weather forecast –

 

Believe it or not, people are asking me (I’m in East TX, remember) about the Dallas forecast for the weekend. Now, folks, even the weather gurus have trouble with this in TX during the spring, but here is the current prediction at weather.com:

Friday – partly cloudy, high 80, low 60
Saturday – AM clouds/PM sun, high 76, low 58
Sunday – partly cloudy, high 76, low 60

All of this, you understand, is subject to change hourly

!

We’ve added items to the classmate news page on the web site. Be sure to check them out here!

 

EXILES…..SNEAK PEEK!!!!!!

 

Sign me up as an official groupie! Check out this web page Charlie has put together, and be certain to click on the video clip at the bottom of the page. Not only have these guys not lost their touch, they are even better than they were five years ago!

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Woodrow/Long News


Don’t forget the musical, “Fiddler on the Roof”, is this weekend. There is a matinee Sunday at 2:30. I am staying over in Dallas an extra day to see it. Because this is the 50th musical, there is going to be a casual get-together with wine & cheese reception for alums, parents, and participants of all Woodrow musicals past at Professional Bank in Lakewood, 2101 Abrams Rd. (corner of Abrams and Prospect). For more information, contact Marybeth Shapiro at 214-232-3728. The event will be emceed by Duward Sumner ’59 (Will Parker in 1958’s “Oklahoma!”) with a tribute to the late founder Helen Eckelman. Jerry McKinney, who took over from Ms. Eckelman, is expected to attend, along with Marcia Lee Bircher and Patricia Hardman.

 

See a great story on Fiddler - “Lakewood People” here:


There are also a couple of good stories in the Lakewood Advocate here - scroll down to see a photo of a very young Ms. Eckleman and also read the story about the class of ‘54! Reading the Advocate is a wonderful way to keep up with what is currently going on in Lakewood, and it always has such interesting stories from the past. What a wonderfully rich tradition Lakewood/Woodrow have.


One more Fiddler link – click here to watch a super Ch. 8 interview with a Skyline student and with the incredibly talented Matthew George (Tevye in Fiddler – Woodrow senior, Yale-bound).

 

Congratulations to Lawrence Wright (Kathy Wright’s brother, WWW’65), who won the Pulitzer Prize (General Nonfiction) Monday for his book, The Looming Tower: Al-Quaeda and the Road to 9/11, a penetrating analysis of how Islamic fundamentalism has reshaped the modern world. There is a link here and also one to the book serialization here - other good stories here and here.

 

Congrats also to J.L. Long math and science teams who won state for the third year! (TMSCA competition – article here.)

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Trivia:

Check out this touching video.

….and did you know that at three minutes and four seconds after 2 AM on the 6th of May this year, the time and date will be 02:03:04 05/06/07? This will never happen again…….Information you can’t afford to overlook, folks.

*******************************************

 

I’ll close with this gem:

High School Reunion

There are always two ways to look at everything, I guess. My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table. My wife asks, "Do you know her?" "Yes," I sighed, "She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since."

"My God!" says my wife, "Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?"

*******************************************

 

That’s it until after the reunion, WWW’67.

 

I look forward to seeing each and every one of you this weekend……and to those of you who will not be there, I’m sorry you are going to miss all of the fun!


“To me, old age is always 15 years older than I am."
Bernard Baruch


 

April 10, 2007

 

Only two and a half weeks until our 40th, WWW’67! Can you believe it? I know the committee can’t! We met during the Easter weekend blizzard (what crazy weather!) last Saturday at La Cantina Laredo in Lakewood (El Chico’s back in the day – remember the Wed. night specials there?!). We’re putting the final touches on all of the plans and have only one more meeting, on the 21st , before the big weekend.

Newsflash – It’s too late to sign up for the bus tour because it’s full!

 

Are you wondering who is going to be at the reunion? Check the list of those who have paid (classmates only) here -

 

http://www1967.com/www1967_40th_paid.html Oh, and for those of you who have wondered…….yes, each and every one of us on the committee is paying the same amount you guys are to attend…..some even more. Believe me, this is not a money-making adventure. It’s anything but. Speaking of money (not my favorite topic), please do not let the cost of registration prevent you from coming. Reunions are incredibly expensive undertakings – I would never have believed just how expensive had I not been so closely involved with the past two. Just let me know if cost is a problem, and I will quietly take care of it. No one else will know…..but please, tell me if you plan to come. Our cost (food, etc.) is determined by the number of people attending. We have some generous classmates in our ’67 family who donate extra money for this purpose. It went to good use at the 35th and will do the same at the 40th. Okay. Enough of all of that. Just know that we want each and every one of you to be there.

 

Excuses I’ve heard for not attending: (I hope you do not see yourself on this list….or if you do, I hope you will reconsider.)

1. “I went to the 35th. It was only five years ago, so I’m going to wait until the 45th.” Well gang, most likely, the next big reunion will be our 50th, in 2017, when we are 67/68 yrs. old. Give that some serious thought – how our lives will have changed, how difficult it will be to “find” everyone, how many of us will not be able to attend…and sadly, how our numbers will have been reduced. Do not assume there will be a 45th…… the committee talk is for the 50th. I think it may take everyone that long to recover from two major events within the past five years.

2. “I’ve gained a lot of weight.” Helllllllooooooooooo….. Have you SEEN the rest of us lately?

 

3. “I look so old now – everything is sagging, drooping, wrinkling, folding……” ………and that is different from everyone else because…..????????? (see response to #2)

 

4. “I don’t have anyone to go with me. I don’t want to go alone.” Listen, I’ve gone to the last 3 reunions by myself and have had a great time….each time. While I know that’s not for everyone, I love the freedom to visit with classmates all evening without worrying about my bored spouse!

 

5. “My friends won’t be there/I already see the people I want to keep in touch with.” Perhaps it’s time to spread your wings! The entire room will be filled with potential friends……but only if you give them a chance. We’re 57/58 yrs. old now. The word, “clique,” is no longer in our vocabulary. Give yourself permission to sit with someone other than your regular lunchroom group! Move to another table and give it a try.

 

6. “I don’t want to run into so-and-so. We have somewhat of a history.” Okay, six years of corresponding with all of you gives me more than a little insight into this scenario. Believe me, chances are “so-and-so” doesn’t want to run into you, either. Besides, both the Fri. and Sat. night events will be crowded and busy – with plenty of room to steer clear of whomever you wish.

 

Along those lines, I ran across this amusing reunion tale a few days ago on some blog – Hope it brings a smile your way.

 

I went to my 30th class reunion back in Ohio. Very laid back, a park with lawn chairs. My high school sweetheart was there with his wife and two kids. Interesting, but not out of the ordinary. Then, two days after the party, when I was back home, I got a phone call from the h.s. sweetheart. He wanted to get back together (What about the wife and kids?). What a hoot! I liked his wife better than I liked him, and I finally had resolution for being dumped 24 years before.

 

7. “I never really enjoyed high school.” One of the first things that came through loudly and clearly not long after I (somehow) became “e-mail central” six years ago was this – happiness is a relative term. Classmates we might expect to be miserable even today due to their “place” in high school, are some of the happiest, most open, caring, sincere people among us. On the flip side, the exact opposite is true with some – some we may think have always had the world at their doorstep were not then nor are they now “happy.” You didn’t enjoy high school? Wipe that 40+ yr. old slate clean and begin again. Take it from a person who attended only a single high school dance – a Sadie Hawkins at that – it’s not too late. I think maybe during h.s. we concentrated on what we thought would make us happy instead of focusing on what actually did …… peer/high school pressure to the max……and maybe some of us are stuck in that tired rut. That has been the beauty of middle age for me (and…gulp…now post-middle age) – I’ve given myself permission to know you – tossing the book jackets/critic’s reviews aside, and getting to the story……and believe me, there are fascinating individuals among us.

 

Life is short, gang. Get those reservations in this week. See you on the 27th.

 

Until next time….

 

~Kathy


“Twenty years from now you will be more disappointed by the things that you didn’t do than by the ones you did do. So throw off the bowlines. Sail away from the safe harbor. Catch the trade winds in your sails. Explore. Dream. Discover.”
~Mark Twain

 

 

March 29, 2007

 

Greetings, WWW’67!

 

Facts –

 

  • Our 40th reunion is less than a month away!

  • Our next reunion will be our 50th, in 2017, when we will be 67/68 years old….and sadly but realistically, many of us will be unable to attend.We have a great group of classmates signed up so far, but we want all of you to share the fun!

  • There is a $40 late fee if you register after April 11.

  • Our class is awarding a WWW’67 scholarship to a graduating Woodrow senior this year thanks to the generosity of classmates who are registering on the Silver and Wildcat levels.

  • Even if you will not be able to come to the reunion, you can donate to the scholarship.

Jay Ballou, of Exile fame, sent this teaser the other day –

The Exiles are continuing to practice hard for the Friday night gig at the reunion – we are really excited. Just so you will know, we have had quite a surprise in the last couple of weeks. It turns out that after over forty years, there is a Sixth Exile – yes, our very own Pete Best (the earliest Fifth Beatle) – only recently discovered, but now an integral part of the band. We can’t tell you any more about it, but we have a surprise coming – not only to us, but to all our “fans”…

 

Hmmmmmm………. a sixth Exile……..our own Pete Best……...after 40 years………hmmmmmm………….When I sent a questioning reply, I believe Jay’s exact response was, “If I told you, I would have to kill you.” My, my….those Exiles are serious about their stuff! If you attended the 35th reunion, you know how much fun it was to experience those guys and their music once again. What a treat to know there will be a mystery classmate performing with them this time!

 

What to expect –

 

Friday night –lots of laughter, hugs, laughter, terrific live music, laughter……and did I mention hugs?!

Saturday morning/afternoon optional activities – Manuel sent a note yesterday hinting at something special for the bus tour. Ah, another mystery! Also, Gregg has all kinds of fun (and trophies!) lined up for you golfers.

 

Saturday night – an informal, relaxed atmosphere at LCC with a seated dinner, a D.J. playing “our” music at a level that still allows good conversation, one of our own as emcee (yet another mystery!), and the opportunity to sit down and really visit with each other

Sunday brunch – an informal time to enjoy good food, say good-bye, and honor classmates no longer with us. (There will not be a formal program.)

 

I’ve done quite a bit of thinking about this reunion…..I suppose it’s only natural to reflect on the past at this point. A few random thoughts –

  • For years my parents enjoyed meeting regularly with their “20/30” Sunset club (Sunset grads from the ‘20s & ‘30’s) until the group disbanded when their numbers dwindled and those left were too ill to attend. I went with them once a few years ago – It was heart warming to watch the interaction, hear their high school stories, and share their laughter. It was all about their past but a glimpse into my future.

  • Each of our reunions, 10th, 20th, 25th, and 35th, has been such a different experience for me. I wonder how I will remember the 40th.

  • Reunions are not about who we were in high school but the people we’ve become. I guess I look at them as celebrations of our common roots, the varied paths we’ve taken during these 40 years ranging from tangled webs of back roads to straight and narrow superhighways, as occasions to reconnect with childhood friends, and most importantly as opportunities for discovering new friends. I’ve said it before, but it is worth repeating – during the past 6 yrs. or so I’ve formed rich friendships with classmates - people I’ve known all along, but never took the time to appreciate. One of my “new” friends sent me a list of 6 people he is particularly looking forward to visiting with next month. The list made me smile – a wonderfully eclectic group of interesting classmates who probably never said more than a few words to each other during 3 yrs. at Woodrow, but who really do have a lot in common.

  • Without a doubt, the Woodrow years were awkward for all of us in one way or another, whether we knew we were popular, thought we were popular, or felt hopelessly unpopular. As a good friend often reminds me, Lyle Lovett had it right – “I went to high school. I was not popular. Now I’m older, and it don’t matter.”

  • Often….almost always….we never know what we mean to our classmates. What I wouldn’t give to be able to see Sandra Newsome one more time – to have the chance to let her know what an influence she has had on my life….an influence I didn’t fully realize until several years ago.

  • Roots – it all goes back to our common roots.

So, here we are, WWW’67 – less than a month away from our 40th, and I say this with all sincerity – I hope to see you there.

Carpe diem, gang!

~Kathy

“Deep roots are not reached by frost.”
J.R.R. Tolkien

(…more news later in a follow-up note….)


A Sad Beginning to 2007

 

January 2, 2007

 

2007 begins with some very sad news for all of us. We have lost a classmate and good friend. I have just learned that Gary Ruyle died last Friday and will be buried in Claremore, OK this afternoon.


His obituary, and other information can be found here and classmate tributes here.

 

I was thinking about Gary the other day – about that beautiful white hair and beard of his, how his face always lit up when talking about his horses and peaceful life in Claremore, the time he sent a photo of Garth Brooks (also a Claremore resident), how much he enjoyed the 35th reunion, how I hadn’t heard from him lately, and how good it would be to see him again in April. The words of James Taylor keep going through my mind now – “But I always thought that I'd see you again.”

In other news – our sympathy goes to Karen Laurea, who lost her father over the holidays. Be sure to check http://www.www1967.com/www1967_reunion_committee.html to read a summary of reunion committee decisions from the December meeting. Many of you seem to be changing email addresses, phone numbers, and/or mailing addresses. Don’t forget to keep me posted so that our directory will be up-to-date.


Until next time, WWW’67…


~Kathy


 

Thanksgiving Greetings, WWW’67!

 

Each time I stand in the checkout line on one of my frequent but much dreaded trips to Wal Mart, I must psyche myself up to focus on the goal of getting out of that place with only what is already in my basket…and that, invariably, is much more than I set out to purchase in the first place. Come on, I tell myself, you can do it – make it to that magical revolving circle of plastic bags and the oh-so-easy-to-use-while-spending-too-much-money credit card swipe terminal without so much as glancing sideways at the boxes of Snickers, Milky Ways, Butterfingers, and those mouth-watering Reese’s Peanut Butter Cups, all of which seem to call my name. At those moments, I have great sympathy for Odysseus and his voyage past those tempting Sirens. Although I successfully navigated the calorie-laden chocolate passage to the outside world the other day, there, at the end, was the ultimate temptation. Neatly boxed in a set of three DVDs were the Peanuts Holiday Classics – “It’s the Great Pumpkin, Charlie Brown,” “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving,” and “A Charlie Brown Christmas.” Chumps like me are every Sam Walton’s dream. I can’t use grandchildren as an excuse because I don’t have any…..I bought them for myself – sort of seasonal comfort food for a weary soul. At least there were no calories involved. Doesn’t the Peanuts’ theme make you smile? http://www.bright.net/~jcbk/filez/snoopy.mid How can anyone possibly NOT smile when hearing it?! I just now watched the Thanksgiving ‘toon and thought how each of those characters, as unique as they are, have such strong bonds with the others. They are simply thankful for each other. This Thanksgiving, WWW’67, I am thankful for the difference so many of you have made in my life. What a ride this never-ending reunion e-mail business has been.

 

(By the way, one of my favorite lines from “A Charlie Brown Thanksgiving” is spoken by Sally - “I went down to buy a turkey tree, and all they have are things for Christmas!” Ain’t it the truth!)

 

Down to class business…

 

Check out our growing list of reunion sponsors! http://www.www1967.com/www1967_40th.html. What a dedicated, generous group we have!!!

 

Also, don’t miss the picture of Sheik Dan Hatzenbuehler riding his camel (with his harem?) across the desert sands in Morocco – http://www.www1967.com/www1967_classmate_news.html

 

Reunion hotel news - Keith Barnett reports we have 20 reserved rooms at the Radisson Central for each night (4/27 and 4/28). The price is $99, single or double occupancy. There is a $10 charge for any additional people. State and local taxes add an additional 15%. Our room reservations are honored until March 27, 2007. After that, reservations are subject to space availability and prevailing room rates.

Hotel guests must contact the hotel on an individual basis. They can call the Radisson Hotel Central Dallas at (214) 750-6060 or through their toll free number at hotel at 800-333-3333. Be sure to tell them you are with the Woodrow Wilson Class of 1967 Reunion.

On a serious note, the sympathy of the class goes to Christy Thomas, whose father-in-law (the father of Keith Cupples, class of ’66) passed away last week. Keith lost his mother only five weeks ago. Mr. Cupples’ funeral is Wednesday, Nov. 22, 11:00 a.m. at Munger Place UMC with interment at the National Cemetery at 3:00 p.m. with full military honors.

 

We also send our sympathy to Blake Miles, who lost his father, Wayne, last weekend. Viewing and burial will be through Bailey Foster Funeral Home in Palestine, TX. A memorial service is planned for Friday, Nov. 24, at 10:00 a.m., Lewisville Estates Nursing Home, 800 College Pkwy, Lewisville, TX. (972-434-1727)

 

Continue checking our web site, www.www1967.com. Charlie’s counter shows the home page received 354 hits Nov. 1-18! In case you should miss one, all newsletters are posted here - http://www.www1967.com/www1967-kathys-corner.html . We’re whittling down the Lost List, but we need your help in order to pick up the pace or we’ll never get it done by April. See how you can help here -

 

http://www.www1967.com/www1967_lost_list.html

 

Happy Thanksgiving, WWW’67.

 

Until next time…..

 

~Kathy

 

“Thanksgiving, after all, is a word of action.”

W.J. Cameron


 

November greetings, WWW’67!

 

“Researchers at the Harvard Medical School and the National Institute on Aging report that a natural substance found in red wine, known as resveratrol, offsets the bad effects of a high-calorie diet in mice and significantly extends their lifespan.” I knew it all along, gang,….every evening when I enjoy that glass of vino. Next step for the researchers – extend those results to include humans….and chardonnay. I should be covered then.

 

Yesterday afternoon, I spent a couple of hours looking at the video of our 20th reunion. Two comments – (1) Dee Anne Egan, Mike Barnes, and others who participated in the project put in an incredible amount of time and effort visiting classmates for the interviews and editing the footage. I would like to thank them again for sharing their creativity with us. (2) My GOSH we looked young, slim, and wrinkle/gray hair-free 20 yrs. ago! I had forgotten about the interview with Dusty & Rocky Hill, Avelino (Frank) Segura describing the dinosaur he had recently reconstructed, Randy Cooper singing a solo (!) of the Alma Mater, the WWW’67 Catholic Connection genuflecting in unison, Blake Miles dressed in a tux exiting a porta-potty, Manuel Zaby enjoying a cool one while his wife mowed the lawn, Jimmy Barnett introducing his sons as only Jimmy Barnett could or would - as budding drug dealers, Martha Murphy’s bubbly interviewing skills, and Glenda Knight’s ability to jog along White Rock and talk at the same time! Can you still do that Glenda? It was fun to see Mr. Pierce, Mr. Allen, Mr. Brown, and Mrs. Enlow. When I saw Sandra Newsome, I smiled and became teary at the same time. As for the footage of the football games, well, it looked as if it had been filmed during the Depression!

 

REUNION BUSINESS….

 

Plans for the reunion are coming along nicely. We had our fifth committee meeting a couple of weeks ago at Tommie Attlesey’s house. Believe me, Tommie is our very own Martha Stewart (minus the prison record, of course). What a spread she had for us! Somehow, we did manage to get quite a bit of business accomplished. You can read the notes from the meeting here -

 

http://www.www1967.com/www1967_reunion_committee.html

 

So many of you are always asking how you can help with the reunion. Well, here’s your chance. Please look at the Lost List http://www.www1967.com/www1967_lost_list.html for people you know, knew, or have no idea who they are but wouldn’t mind trying to find, check for any information we may have on them in the pdf directory, then use your super sleuth skills to try to find missing people! Some of you were quite good at this before the 35th. Here’s the information we need – email address, mailing address, phone number. If you’ll send the information to me as soon as you get it, Charlie will keep the list posted on the web site current. Never underestimate the value of a personal call - it just may be the encouragement a reluctant classmate needs. Important information to give “found” people – dates of the reunion (April 27-29, 2007) and our web address – www.www1967.com. Time is growing short, WWW’67. We need your help finding classmates now!


WEB SITE CHANGES….


Just because the format of the web site looks the same, don’t be fooled into thinking the content hasn’t changed! We are continually updating it. A couple of new features –

 

Kathy’s Korner - http://www.www1967.com/www1967-kathys-corner.html is where all newsletters will be posted after they are sent by email.

 

Directory - http://www.www1967.com/directory_pages/www1967_directory_a.html On the right where you type the password, the date of the last update is now shown.

 

40th Reunion - http://www.www1967.com/www1967_40th.html - On this page, you now will find the list of reunion sponsors. Coming soon to this page – all of the details about the reunion will be posted (events, places, times, cost, as well as how to pay).

Speaking of sponsors, many thanks to the following people who have responded to our request for donations to the reunion seed money fund:


Robin Abbey
Carolyn Aiken-Duke
Keith Barnett
Marianne Behr-Gibson
Lois Dickerson-Morton
Brenda Bock-Linzel
Jacques Ebbo
Jane Farrar-Admire-McDonald
George Foster
James Foster
Patti Glenn
Gregg Hill
Kathy Kilmer-Moak
Mike Looney
Mark Lund
Managan, Mike
Terry Maness
Judy Manning-Blissard
William Marlowe
Tim Mitchell
Susie Parker-Miller
Walter Patton
Al Radtke
John Reed
Susie Robison-Mohon
Joy Stephenson


Thank you, thank you! Without this money, it would be very difficult to get a reunion started. If you would like to become a sponsor, make your check to Woodrow Wilson Class of ’67 Reunion and send it to


Kathy Kilmer Moak
220 Beach
Jacksonville, TX 75766


WOODROW NEWS….

 

The undefeated, #6 Wildcats won a squeaker against #14 Lincoln last week for the district championship. Charlie Taylor, Gregg Hill, and Mike Looney were in attendance. Check out the scores for the season, articles, and a short video clip of the last game here http://www1967.com/www-2006-Schedule.html. You see a few plays in addition to the cheerleaders and band. Many thanks to Charlie for posting all of this!

 

Speaking of football, here are some good photos of the ’06 homecoming parade http://woodrowwildcats.org/Photos_Parade10042006.htm and also the homecoming pep rally http://woodrowwildcats.org/Photos_PepRally10062006.htm

….and then there is some basketball news here

 

http://www.dallasnews.com/sharedcontent/dws/spt/colleges/recruiting/stories/101006dnspohswoodrow.1fe99a75.html about Woodrow’s Anthony Randolph, ranked 16th nationally by Rivals.com, committing to play at LSU.

 

BITS & PIECES…


Let’s see, Dan Hatzenbuehler has been riding camels in Morocco (Please tell us more, Dan!), Mike Barnes is off to VA for his daughter’s wedding, Gayla Duce plans to move back to Dallas soon, Vicki Telkamp’s daughter is getting married this month, and Linda Stephens, Lisa Albright, Marsha Neill, Cynthia Cannon, and Rhonda Halasz are meeting for lunch in Austin on Nov. 18 for one of their regular get-togethers (Sorry I can’t attend - Send a photo!).


Let me hear from you – what you are up to these days, holiday plans, etc. Also, I’m still collecting classmates’ memories of specific songs of “our time” – any songs…..romantic, goofy – anything! Please send them my way!

That’s it for now, WWW’67. Don’t forget to vote today, and in case you need to know how to vote, just give me a call. There’s not a partisan bone in my body.

 

Until next time….

 

~Kathy


“Delicious autumn! My very soul is wedded to it, and if I were a bird I would fly about the earth seeking the successive autumns.”
~George


 

October greetings, WWW'67!

 

How are all of you? Hope you are enjoying this wonderful fall weather.........That's a joke, folks. It's hideously hot for October, and I, a person who lives for the fall, hate it. I feel as if I'm being robbed!

 

Evidently, the note I sent referring to the joys, frustrations, and heartbreaking situations many of us are facing at this point in our lives struck a chord. I received numerous, thoughtful replies to that message. I wish we had some type of forum to discuss such issues.


By now, most of you should have received the letter mailed by the reunion committee on Monday. If not, please let me know. In fact, be SURE to contact me in some fashion - email, snail mail, phone - to let me know you did/did not receive the letter. In the letter, we asked that you go to the web site to check your directory information. Here is how to do that - Go here and you will see a text box to the right (Complete Class Directory). Type the password ********** (contact me if don't have it) and then hit "go." Please do not share this password as this contact information is for classmates only. This complete directory is a pdf file - you need Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is free, to see it. If you have problems accessing the document or if you have changes to your contact information, please let me know.


On Saturday, Sep. 23, your dedicated Reunion Committee met. You can read the notes from the meeting here

http://www.www1967.com/www1967_reunion_committee.html.

 

Will you need a hotel room for the reunion weekend? We are negotiating a deal with the Radisson, and in order to reserve a block of rooms at a special rate, we need to know how many people might take advantage of it. Please let me know ASAP if you would want to stay at the Radisson (Mockingbird at Central) for approximately $99. per night. The hotel is conveniently located for our reunion activities, will serve as our "home base" (several of us on the reunion committee will be staying there) and it has nice rooms/bar/restaurant. I really need to hear from you soon on this one so that we can seal the deal with the hotel. Check the facility here - http://www.radisson.com/dallastx_centralexpy - and then let me know!

 

For those of you interested in the post reunion cruise (the week after the reunion), go to the web site, http://www1967.com/reunion_cruise.html for complete information.

 

Don't forget I need your memories that are tied to the music of our time - "our time" meaning the late '50s through '67. I'm not looking for a list of your favorite songs, rather specific memories you have when you hear a particular tune. I know there are songs that bring to mind certain events in my life every single time I hear them. Here's a remote one for you - Do you remember the song from the late '50s - "Pink Shoe Laces"? (It ranks up there with "Yellow Polka Dot Bikini", "Giant Purple People Eater" and "Kookie, Kookie, Lend Me Your Comb")

 

He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces
A polka-dot vest, and man, oh man!
He wears tan shoes with pink shoelaces,
And a big panama with a purple hat band!

 

- Anyway, for some reason, I picture being on the Lee playground talking with Tim Shaw when I think of that song. Why? I don't have a clue, but I remember Gary Ruyle, Gary Crafts, Carol Fuess, and Lois Dickerson standing there, too. We were on the gym side of the "black top" outside of the cafeteria .....and that brings to mind vicious tether ball games, throwing spear grass at each other, and hunting horned toads after lunch. Good grief!

 

Please help me with this, WWW'67! Send your memories to me! Lists of songs can be found on the following web sites -

 

Top 10 songs - http://www.www1967.com/memories_pages/www1967_Top10.html

Songs of the 1960's (click by year on the list on the right) http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Pop-Modern/60s-Music.html

1960's - Click on the year at the bottom of the page. http://www.musicradio77.com/surveys.html

Top 40 songs - 50's/60's - http://www.classicbands.com/top20.htm

 

Here is your homework, WWW'67:

1. Let me know if you received the mailed letter (U.S. Mail).

2. Check your contact information in the pdf directory and let me know if it is correct.

3. Let me know ASAP if you want to stay at the Radisson during the reunion weekend (one or both nights).

4. Check the class web site for recent classmate news postings, reunion committee notes, and cruise information.

5. Tell me memories you have of songs of "our time."

Finally, here is a short video guaranteed to make you smile.... (Be sure to turn up your sound.)

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vr3x_RRJdd4

 

Until next time, WWW'67....

 

~Kathy

 

"I always felt that the great high privilege, relief and comfort of friendship was that one had to explain nothing. ..... This is not a letter but my arms around you for a brief moment.” - Katherine Mansfield (New Zealander writer 1888-1923)

 

 

September 4, 2007 Newsletter

Sad news, WWW'67. We have lost two classmates. Randy Frank passed away Saturday night, and Susan Geary Wisk died this morning (Monday) after suffering a major stroke.

 

Visitation for Randy Frank will be Tues., Sept 5th from 6:30-8:30 pm at Restland. Services will be Wed, Sept 6th at 11:00 at Prestonwood Baptist Church in Dallas.

 

As far as we know, Susan's services have not yet been set. You might check the Dallas Morning News obituaries for more information. As soon as the information is available, we will post it on the web site under Classmate News.

 

http://www1967.com/in_memoriam/www1967_in_memoriam.html now reflects the passing of Steve Barber, Hank Hodgson, as well as Randy and Susan.

 

Last month, I exchanged several e-mails with Randy. He was looking forward to the birth of his daughter's twins, who arrived before he died – weeks early. In one of his messages, he told me his advice to everyone was "Never give up....have fun in life and NEVER play the 'coulda, shoulda, woulda games. They never work."


I'm sure both Randy's and Susan's families would appreciate cards from us.

 

The Frank Family
1410 Seminary Ridge
Garland, TX 75043

The Wisk Family
4428 Beverly Drive
Dallas, TX 75205-3002

 

Please keep both families in your thoughts and prayers.

 

~Kathy

 

"When you are sorrowful, look again in your heart, and you shall see that in truth you are weeping for that which has been your delight." - Kahlil Gibran

 

 

August 27, 2006 Newsletter

 

Don't forget to mark your calendars!!!!! Our 40th Reunion weekend is set for April 27-29, 2007.

 

August Greetings, WWW'67!

 

(Please read this entire note. I have a special request at the end!)

 

Today I read the following painfully accurate description in Texas Monthly, "Any Texan knows that good ol’ T. S. Eliot was wrong: April is not the cruelest month around here. It’s September, of course—that period when weaklings in other parts of the country, recovering from stultifying, suspiciously globally warmed summers, are beginning to throw on sweaters, plant fall gardens, chop firewood, and send the kids back to school after, not before, Labor Day. Here, instead of a break in the heat, September brings more of the same—the last of that very long march that begins in May and stretches, during the worst of times, all the way to Halloween. The best you can say about the month is that it is a true test of Texanness: After weeks of relentless heat, the fire ants seem hungrier, the mosquitoes thirstier, the temperatures and the sun so murderous that a trip across a glary grocery store parking lot is like a trek across the Sahara, without water." Don't know about you, but I'm completely worn down from the summer heat, and my parched fingers are crossed for an early, glorious breath of cooler air.....say, in the mid-nineties. Oh, and you can quote me on this - I will NEVER complain about rain again. Never!

 

Did I mention our 40th reunion weekend is April 27-29, 2007? :-)

 

A serious moment -

 

As I've said many times, I feel truly blessed to be "e-mail central" for this class. Somehow, I have found myself in the incredibly fortunate position of having the opportunity to communicate with everyone in the class - re-establishing long-time friendships and making new best friends. My inbox overfloweth, and it's wonderful! Frequent communication, however, means sharing a roller coaster of emotions with our classmates - our joys, frustrations, and heartbreaking situations. As you know, what is private stays private........but I want to stress to everyone that you are not alone in what you may be going through at the moment. Many classmates are experiencing the same things - financial troubles, marital difficulties, the stress and uncertainty of caring for aging/ill parents, personal health concerns... The list goes on. Please know you are not alone. Also, keep in mind that you never know who may be going through extremely rough times. Some would surprise you....you'll never be aware of most of them. Sending a simple hello/thinking of you message just might make someone's day. You never know.

 

On the same serious note, Randy Frank is in ICU at Baylor Hospital in Dallas (Rm. 412, Truett Bldg.). Please keep him in your thoughts and prayers.

 

The WWW'67 web site ( www.www1967.com ) has been updated. Read the home page for new information, and especially check out the list of famous alumni which has been added to the Links page - http://www.www1967.com/www_famous_alumni.html . The minutes from the last reunion committee meeting are here http://www.www1967.com/www1967_reunion_committee.html . Many decisions were made by this multi-talented, super-efficient, fun-loving group at the August meeting. Be sure to take a look!

 

Speaking of the web site, we continue to receive compliments from members of other Woodrow classes. They are fascinated with the amount of information there. Don't forget it is YOUR web site, WWW'67. Be sure to check it regularly for updates, and please send new/changed contact information and items for the Classmates News page to me. Very soon, you will receive a mail-out from the Reunion Committee as well as information about the new password-protected pdf directory. We need your current addresses!

 

Remember that you do not need to fill in the entire directory update form (on the web site) each time you wish to make a change or addition. Simply fill out the parts you want (always include your name!), and we'll do the best we can to keep the records current. If you need to change only one or two items such as address or phone no., just drop me an email if that would be easier. kathy@www.1967.com

Are you interested in going on the WWW'67 40th reunion cruise? It will be offered as a completely separate reunion celebration in addition to the reunion weekend. You can contact Ellen Goodbar, who is making the arrangements, for more details. She needs input about possible dates, etc. ASAP. Please send her a message today if you think you may be interested. It is not necessary to commit to the trip at this time, but she needs to hear your thoughts. Ellen's email address is elleng099@aol.com.

 

Last but certainly not least, here's something you can do for me. I've decided to gather your memories that are tied to the music of our time - "our time" meaning the late '50s through '67. I'm not looking for a list of your favorite songs, but specific memories you have when you hear a particular song. I know there are songs that bring to mind certain events in my life every single time I hear them. An example (not the best, but at least it's something!) - Whenever I hear "Take Good Care of My Baby," I think back to the end of a particular summer at Tietze Park - about 1961. (I literally grew up at that park - spent just about every waking hour there during the summers.) We always knew all of the lifeguards, and one perennial heartthrob was Buddy Cates. He drove a huge, heavy, red and white convertible, was quite a flirt although he had a beautiful girlfriend, and was much older - probably all of 16 or 17. He had sun-bleached blonde hair, a gorgeous tan, muscles that.....but I digress..... It was a chilly, wet day during the fall, long after the swimming pool had closed for the season, when I saw Buddy standing alone, leaning on the fence, solemnly looking at the empty pool which was by then partially filled with leaves. "Take Good Care of My Baby" was playing on his car radio - the car parked near the pool with motor still running. I had never seen Buddy alone - he was always surrounded by his teen friends and many an admiring, giggling young girl like me. He didn't return to lifeguard the next summer, and I've always wondered what happened to him - and what was going through his mind that day as that song played.

 

The memories can be reflective, silly, really goofy, whatever. A word of caution, however - "X-rated" memories may have an honored place in your mind, but they don't in my collection. Now, that's not to say some that are "R-rated" won't make the cut. :-) If you need help remembering "our" songs, below are some web sites that list songs by year. I hope you'll help me out, WWW'67. This could be a lot of fun!

 

Top 10 songs - http://www.www1967.com/memories_pages/www1967_Top10.html

Songs of the 1960's (click by year on the list on the right) http://www.popculturemadness.com/Music/Pop-Modern/60s-Music.html

1960's - Click on the year at the bottom of the page. http://www.musicradio77.com/surveys.html

Top 40 songs - 50's/60's - http://www.classicbands.com/top20.htm

 

Okay, that's more than enough for now. I hope you made it through the entire message. You just may have a pop quiz sometime soon.

 

Until next time, WWW'67....

 

~Kathy

 

"Music takes us out of the actual and whispers to us dim secrets that startle our wonder as to who we are, and for what, whence, and whereto."

- Ralph Waldo Emerson


 

June 20, 2006 Newsletter

 

June Greetings, WWW'67!

 

Okay, okay, okay.......I've heard from several of you that although you really like our web site, you miss the newsletters. I will get them out as I can......but probably with the message to CHECK THE WEBSITE FOR UPDATES! ( www.www1967.com ) In all honesty, I love putting them together.....but again in all honesty, they are extremely time consuming. Perhaps I should ask for a raise in salary or some kind of incentive package from you guys.....

 

:-)

 

Also, more and more people have stronger and stronger spam filters which either bounce my messages or put them directly into the trash. And then, of course, there's the added frustration of not hearing from classmates so that I can have enough info. to compose a newsletter! See how bitchy I've become in my old age?

 

Speaking of birthdays (were we?), does anyone else have trouble remembering how old you are? I tend to remember the ones that end in 0's and 5's but have to stop and calculate anything between. Mine was the 10th, and it suddenly struck me that I will be 60 in three short years. Ohmygosh, WWW'67! How did this happen to us so...so.... so quickly? I don't know whether to celebrate or mourn the fact that Paul McCartney turned 64 the other day.

 

I've received a few inquiries asking if there is a way to review/revise the directory information without filling in the entire directory form (on the web site) each time. The answer is yes. Simply fill out the parts you want (always include your name!), and we'll do the best we can to keep your info. updated. Please do check it from time to time to make certain we've posted it correctly. If you need to change only one or two items such as address or phone no., just drop me an email if that would be easier.

 

Web site update: Charlie has changed all of the slide shows on the Memories page. We've also shuffled things around a bit on the home page, and there are 10 or 11 new postings on the Classmates New page. The 40th Reunion Committee met for the first time Saturday, and the notes from that meeting are on the site. (Click on Reunion Committee on the left.) Also, if you click on 40th Reunion, you will find yet another call for updated contact information from you. (It's a never ending process, gang.) We hope all of you with internet access/email will respond to this request within the next few days. I'm going to paste the requested info. at the bottom of this message so you can send it now by hitting reply. We will mail postcards to everyone who does not respond by email. I would like to update the existing database before the committee begins searching for "lost" souls. Thanks in advance for your cooperation

 

For those of you in the Dallas area - Mike Looney's speech of January 25th to the Dallas Downtown Rotary will be televised several times in June on Dallas Cable TV- - 6/20 12 PM, 6/22 9PM, 6/23 7:30 AM, 6/24 12PM. This is channel 75 for those with digital cable or 15B for those with the analog cable.

 

Interesting web sites:

 

Are you addicted to the Internet? Take this test to see! http://www.netaddiction.com/resources/internet_addiction_test.htm

Despite what many of you may think, the results of my test were - "You are an average on-line user. You may surf the Web a bit too long at times, but you have control over your usage."

 

So there. :-)

 

Check out this site when you have a chance. http://www.phylotaxis.com/phylotaxis.html It is really different - designed as an artwork in addition to a source of information. It examines the links between science and culture by arranging links to the stories in a circle. You can click on one of the links to read a summary. If the story interests you, click to read the original source. It's confusing, but that's part of the beauty of it. I think you'll enjoy playing around with it as much as I did!

 

Learn all about yourself here: http://www.paulsadowski.com/birthday.asp

 

Inspiration/motivation here: http://www.page-visions.com

 

More fun here: http://www.davidbessler.com/pulldown/pipecleaner_dance.html

 

Okay, WWW'67, that's it for now. Take care, check the web site, and keep me posted as to what is going on in your lives!

Until next time....

 

~Kathy

 

"They deem me mad because I will not sell my days for gold, and I deem them mad because they think my days have a price."
-- Kahlil Gibran