CLASSMATE VISITS

View of resort swimming pool on Peggy's recent vacation in Mexico.

There are two more of her vacation pictures at the bottom of this blog entry.

I believe these were in Puerto Vallarta

The lovely lady on the right is none other than Peggy Branham Krumlinde. I'm sure you all remember her as one of our class favorites until her family whisked her away before our senior year. Peg and I were neighbors in Albuquerque for a brief time in the early 70s. Peggy was unable to make it to our 50th class reunion, but she will be here this weekend for a family reunion. We thought it would be great fun to all meet somewhere for lunch this next Monday before she returns to New Mexico on Tuesday. I just spoke with the Main Street Sandwich Shop (it's on the corner of Hutchins and the Paint Rock Highway). The gentleman there said if we could come about 11:45 there should be plenty of room for all of us. It would be helpful if you could give me a call (716-1062) or email me that you are attending. If you know a classmate who might like to come who doesn't have email, please let them know about this luncheon. Of course, this is dutch treat. None of us has struck the lottery to my knowledge! And oh, yes, you guys are welcome to join us, too!

As most of you know, James Hays had a double coronary bypass yesterday morning. I talked to his wife Kay, and to James himself just a short time ago. He is out of ICU and now in Room 2016 at Abilene Regional Medical Center. If any of you in the area wish to visit, please remember to keep it a very short visit until he's had more time to regain his strength -- and to get more of the tubes out!

I asked James if he had a message for everyone and he said, "Watch your cholesterol, and don't end up in this condition!" His wife Kay said that they had him out of bed, sitting in a chair, and eating his breakfast when she got there this morning. He may get to go home this Saturday.

More healing prayers and good wishes are being sent to you, James. We want you "fit as a fiddle" for the next homecoming celebration.

Some of us have grandchildren who are graduating from high school. I have two who are seniors this year. As one is in Amarillo (Audrey), and one is in Dallas (Cameron), I found it a little difficult to attend both graduation ceremonies. I left it up to each of them and both wanted me to come to their final performances in high school. Audrey is a ballerina, and Cameron is a singer. Both have received scholarships for college, but I'm not certain where each will go. Audrey has received an academic scholarship to SMU, but has also been accepted into the University of Utah's dance program. She informed me that their dance program is the second most prestigious one in the country. (I forgot to ask which was number one!) Her final high school dance performance will be May 17th.
This weekend Cameron is performing in the musical, "Anything Goes" in Dallas. He's extremely excited that Louisiana State University has granted him a four-year guaranteed scholarship for tuition and residency fees. They have a great opera department (although, I think he is as excited about their football team -- even though he doesn't play), and a local professional opera company wants him to study with them, also. Now if we can come up with room and board, this talented young man will be all set.
I hope you all forgive me my grandmother "bragging rights", but seeing these children thrive gives me so much hope for our future. Both of these seniors are honor students; Audrey also is an award winning violinist; and Cameron is very active in his church as well as in politics. Both their grandfathers were Ballinger High School graduates. Cameron's grandfather is the late Ray Young; and of course, Audrey's grandfather is our fellow classmate Bob Burton.

I will be happy to put your photos, as well as write about your news, on this blog. Just get them to me any old way you can and I'll do my best to figure out how to post them! Which reminds me. Before James had the angiogram that cinched his surgery, he sent me the following news:

JAMES HAYS:

"My youngest son, John, has moved back to Brownwood and joined a medical group as an interventional radiologist in the Imaging Center, reading studies as well as doing a lot of procedures involving x-rays, cat scans, MRI, etc. He lives at Lake Brownwood, and is a 37-year-old bachelor, very eligible. I'm glad to have him nearby finally. His older brother, Jet, is a Lt. Colonel in the National Guard, staying on active duty in Austin but living in Harker Heights. He is divorced and has a 5-year-old son. Their sister, Susan, is a Dallas lawyer.

I'm staying halfway busy, working in the Coleman medical clinic on Tuesdays and Wednesdays, which keeps me out of the pool hall part of the time, otherwise going to gun shows, flying, and doing chores around the house."

Needless to say, since James's surgery, the schedule he outlines above may change a little. He may be feeling so much better that he can go full-time to 1) the medical clinic or 2) the pool hall!

You know what? James is living proof that "good stuff happens"!

Marilyn

Beautiful Mexican Coastline (by Peggy)