I HEARD FROM YOU

I know some of you must read the blog, because some of you answered my request to let me hear from you. The first one is a followup to the climate change post. It's from my faithful reader, PAUL MOTA. He led an interesting life, but from the following I discovered it was also a little dangerous. At least to me.

"Just a quick story relating to earthquakes: 

In Japan we lived in a 3-story building, which supposedly was on rollers to absorb the impact of an earthquake. We could usually feel the movement, but we got used to it and it was hardly noticed after a while. After the third year we mostly ignored it, but at first it was scary. What was amazing was when we read the time of the quake, and sometimes we realized we had been on a railroad/subway at the time. It was amazing how the train stayed on the tracks."  It's amazing to me, too, PAUL! Lucky you.

While I was typing PAUL's story, I received the following from DENNY

HILL - another faithful reader:

"I distinctly remember, back in high school, when there was an enormous amount of water flowing over the dam in the park in Ballinger, much more than in your photo. The space below the dam was filled, and there were giant, very dangerous looking whirlpools, with uprooted trees, etc. And of course, some parts of the park itself were flooded.

"It is indeed strange...while I hear about the severe weather in parts of the middle of the country, here on Long Island we had almost no winter, in the sense of essentially no snow, except for maybe a couple of light ones that melted immediately."

I guess I neglected to give credit to the flood photos of Ballinger City Park. I found them on the Abilene Reporter News website, which had credited them to a photographer for the San Angelo Standard-Times. I did post some of my own flood photos when the park flooded during the time I moved back to Ballinger for the 50th reunion.

As for "almost no winter", DENNY, isn't that a pretty strong sign of "climate change"?

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On another note, my good friend JUNE HASH CURRY shared some news about her son Scott Curry's daughter Morgan. Her granddaughter Morgan will graduate from Oklahoma University in a couple of weeks with a degree in Public Relations. It really makes us grandparents proud - and optimistic about the future to watch our grandchildren grow and accomplish so much that will be beneficial to our country's welfare. Morgan is a beautiful young woman.. she could very well be a talented journalist in the near future..maybe on Television? She comes from such a kind, spiritual family that she would be a refreshing replacement for some of those in today's broadcast industry. 

Let me hear from more of you.

Peace and Love,

Marilyn

COMINGS AND GOINGS

Update: I was informed that the bridge in this post is NOT the railroad bridge that you guys used to ride on in your cars. NANCY informed me it is what we called the Clickety Clack Bridge, as it made that noise when a car drove over it. The railroad doesn't go through there. It's also one that we all signed or left our initials on! Forgive me. It's been a long, long time since I lived in Ballinger and shared its lore! Marilyn

In May, JUNE HASH CURRY told us about her granddaughter Morgan's summer trip to study broadcast communications in London, including a field trip to CNN. (Where In The World..) 

Braden and Morgan Curry

Morgan had a wonderful time in Europe as did Scott and Staci and Braden, her parents and brother, who joined her there her last week. She especially enjoyed her time at CNN, although it was a frantic time as they were there on the day of the terrorist attacks outside Parliament. 

Staci and Scott Curry

JUNE said that Staci was overcome by the beauty of the Eiffel tower in Paris. I think that is understandable.

It's a shame that so many people will put off touring in Europe due to the threat of terrorist attacks. There are some brave souls, though, like JUNE's family and my son-in-law Branch, who took my grandson Tanner to London in July for his high school graduation gift. They had a great time seeing all the sites, and experiencing the English weather!

By the way, Tanner is also BOB BURTON's grandson.

Branch and Tanner Archer in London

On another note, I noticed this article on the internet back in June. The bridge and railroad tracks looked very familiar to me. Looks like it might be gone for good now.

(Photo: Facebook: Jenny Edington Moore)

(Photo: Contributed photo by Todd Cleary)

"Firefighters from the Ballinger Volunteer Fire Department responded to a fire called in about 9:20 a.m. Sunday. (June 18, 2017) When the firefighters arrived on scene, they realized it was the old 12-Mile Bridge, an historic wooden and steel structure that crossed the Colorado River alongside a modern bridge at County Road 129." (San Angelo Standard-Times)

I know you all remember this bridge. Didn't some of you actually drive your cars on the tracks and "ride the rails"?

This afternoon I got a call from PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP in regards to the reunion in October. We had a great visit, catching up. I asked about her grandson Tyce Green, who had such a wonderful voice when I heard him sing one Christmas at a small church in Bethel. He is very busy in his singing and acting career. His debut album is out entitled HERO. PEGGY said that he lives and works in NYC, but will open for Air Supply at a concert in Los Angeles in September. She and hubby Bobby have flown to watch him appear in plays in NYC and San Francisco. The following song is from the play Hamilton:

DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS always has fun stuff to tell:

"I always look forward to the blogs, but it also saddens me. So many of us ('57s) are in ill health and so many losses. I almost hate to report about my busy and blessed life. I have finally let golf go except for once a month scrambles. Instead of golf I have converted my garage into a woodshop (I think I have told you this, but....) and I am making barnwood frames for my Indian art and for many of my artist friends. I do a lot of wine bottle decorations (gee, wonder where I get those bottles??) and neat barnwood signs. 

Recently Larry (Dottie's love interest) and I updated his kitchen and it looked so good, he talked me into doing the same. We did a total remodel. We took down old cabinets, redid cabinet doors, did new countertops and lighting, and I replaced all of my appliances. For two old guys, we did good. Even though my entire house was covered in dust and debris, it is almost complete. Backsplash will be finished this week after my microwave is installed along with the dishwasher. 

Healthwise I am doing well. Takes me a little more time to get up if I get down, but I can live with that. I had planned to come to the reunion, but I may have to change plans. Larry's youngest son and his wife are planning to be here that weekend from Bremerton, WA. I have to refinish a large buffet he has in his dining room and decorate a bedroom for them.

See, I told you, it is kinda boring, but I feel so blessed, even if my memory goes haywire some days. Please give my condolences to those who have lost loved ones, and my prayers for those who are ill or in the hospital. 

As always, dear friend, I cherish the info you send us."

Love to all, Dottie

Dottie was my very first friend when I moved to Ballinger in April of 1953. We touch base off and on - I even have a birth announcement she sent when her first child was born. It's always a joy to hear from her. See? Dottie, there is nothing sad in this post!

Peace and Love,

Marilyn

ANOTHER CLASSMATE PASSING

I have waited a few days to post the following about JIMMY GAMBLE, as I was hoping to get a more complete obituary, and perhaps a photo. I remember most of our classmates from school, but I cannot place JIMMY. More than likely, it's because we didn't have any classes together. In looking through Google articles pertaining to him, I noticed that he was a City Alderman in Junction. I also saw a photo of his son Kevin, who was a local firefighter. If any of you would like to share a memory of JIMMY, just email me and I will post it.

From the San Angelo Standard Times:

"James “Jim” Gamble, 77, of Junction, died Monday, April 25, 2016. Private services will be held at a later date. Arrangements are by Shaffer Funeral Home/Sherwood Way.

Survivors include his sons, Kevin Gamble of Kerrville, Darron Gamble of Rosenburgand and David Gamble of New Mexico; daughters Penny Elaine Stewart of Junction and Kelly Scioneaux of Junction; brother Robert Gamble of San Bernard; sister Wanda Binder of Ballinger."

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JUNE HASH CURRY continues to improve after knee replacement surgery. This week she said that she is able to walk on her knee without pain now. Thanks for all the prayers. JUNE said she knows they helped.

GLENN SMITH, who was in a nursing/rehab facility in Ballinger recovering from surgery on his broken leg, is now at home. He indicated he was not happy at all while in the nursing home, and says it feels great to be home at last.

NANCY THOMPSON BAKER is relieved that hubby Jake is finally home. He was dismissed from the hospital last weekend, and spent the first full day home tending to paperwork that had piled up. NANCY spent so much of her time with him at hospitals in San Angelo and Ballinger, she barely had time to tend to her aching feet! She says that they are finally healing from the plantar fasciitis. Now, with the assistance of home health, her wifely duties include keeping track of the 17 medications Jake is on, as well as remembering to take her own.

NANCY has always been one to "be there" for others when illness or worse happened in a family. Her favorite dish to make enough to share is chicken spaghetti. Once made, she makes the rounds of anyone she knows is in need. It would be nice if others return the favor so she will be spared a lot of cooking in the first few weeks of Jake's recovery. NANCY, I wish I lived close. However, nothing I cook compares to your spaghetti! (Even using your "recipe"). Small towns are known for their coming together in times of crises.

All of this healing is noted under "good stuff" happening. Let me hear from you if you have more.

(Dreamtime)

Marilyn

IN SYMPATHY FOR OUR CLASSMATE JUNE HASH CURRY

Many of you still living in Ballinger probably knew JUNE's sister Myldred and her husband J.B. Terry.  If I am not mistaken, J.B. had a welding business in Ballinger for many years. I did not know Myldred, but I recall June telling me that she created beautiful stained glass images. In fact, Lange Funeral Home has a window of her creation.

If Myldred was in any way as sweet and good a person as JUNE, I know that she was much loved and will be missed terribly. May her family receive many prayers of comfort, and especially for our friend JUNE.

Lange Funeral Home

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Myldred Ann Hash Terry
(February 25, 1929 - January 22, 2015)

Myldred Ann (Hash) Terry passed from this life to her heavenly home on January 22, 2015. Myldred was born in Ballinger, Texas to J. R. and Bertie McGuire Hash on February 25, 1929.She was preceded in death by her parents; and brothers, Charles Ray and James Weldon.

Myldred is survived by her husband of 66 years, J.B. Terry of Ballinger; children, Gayle Corbin and husband Michael of Spring, TX, J. D. Terry and wife Janey of Pearland, TX, Kathy Terry of the home, and Lisa Baker and husband Dan of Round Rock, TX. She is also survived by a sister, June Curry of Edmund, OK, many grandchildren, great-grandchildren, nieces, and nephews. She is also survived by her “adopted” kids, B and Raji Ramadoss of San Angelo, TX.

Myldred has had a positive influence on many family and friends in her 85 years. She has mentored many young adults with her listening ear and wise advice and shared her talent unselfishly with all those who needed help.

Other than four to five years filing medical insurance, Myldred was a homemaker. She loved cooking and sewing for the family. She baked a birthday cake for an 80-year-old neighbor who had never had a birthday cake, and enjoyed that so much, she started decorating cakes for the public. She made many wedding cakes over a period of several years. In 1972 Myldred and J.B. took on a hobby, doing stained and leaded glass. The hobby got out of hand, and they opened a stained glass studio and built many windows for area churches and homes. Myldred loved the artistry of blending colors and choosing just the right design to create a masterpiece. She loved the beauty of God’s creation and masterfully used the array of stained glass to glorify Him in all their work.

Myldred always found a place of service wherever she was. She taught Sunday School for special needs children for over ten years at the Methodist Church in Ballinger and worked with the youth at First Baptist Church, Ballinger for many years. Myldred was best known as a “Prayer Warrior” by all those she loved and made request of her. She was a faithful member of The Heights Baptist Church in San Angelo. Myldred’s love for her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, is her greatest legacy and her greatest example.

Visitation will be at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger on Sunday, January 25, from 5:00 to 7:00 pm. The memorial service will be held at The Heights Baptist Church, 4512 Sherwood Way, San Angelo on Monday, January 26, at 2:00 pm. Graveside service will be held in Evergreen Cemetery in Ballinger at 4:00 pm.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that donations be made in memory of Myldred to your favorite charity.

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I have a brief update on PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE. She met with her preferred heart surgeon this past Wednesday. He wishes to determine if PEG will actually benefit from the mitral valve replacement. Two other doctors viewed her echocardiogram and indicated it was of too poor quality to make an accurate determination. Therefore, PEGGY was supposed to have another echocardiogram yesterday (Friday); has an appointment Monday with a cardiophysiologist; and back to her heart surgeon on Wednesday. (PEG said, "I am like a lost sheep - just go when and where they tell me!") He promised her that something will be definitely decided in 2- to 3-weeks. Hallelujah! She is ready to go shopping!

Kidding aside, let's all continue to hold PEGGY in prayer, and envision the perfect doctor, outcome, and insurance covering it all! I will keep you informed as I hear from her.

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ADDENDUM: In the previous blog post about DORIS STOKES AND DON WHITE'S daughter's family losing all of their belongings in a terrible house fire, I didn't have their names. They are Dedra and Wayne Morrow, and the children's names are Mason, Garrison, and Graham. DORIS doesn't have email at this time, so if any of you wish to help the young family in any way, you might give her a call. She didn't ask for this, but I discovered that the house was a rental, and the landlord had insurance on it. I'm not certain if the contents were covered.

You might want to read the previous blog again, as I added information that was given to me after I published it. 

Until next time,

Love and peace,

Marilyn

MORE FROM OUR CLASSMATES

NOTE: I should have mentioned this before now, but if you will click on any photo, you will be shown an enlargement of it and all of the others in the post.

If any of you guessed that the other "adventurer" I mentioned in the last blog was DENNY HILL, you were right. However, I also heard from another classmate that must be added to the list as well. His update follows this one from DENNY.

"What is up is basically that I just keep on trucking.                                         

This summer I spent my usual month in Berlin, and two months in Warsaw. In Berlin I wound up making friends with the bartender and the cook at my favorite Kneipe (tavern or pub), which is "Zosch". Many nights I stayed until after they closed around 3am, and hung out, drinking free beers with the bartender and his friends after hours, usually until 4am or later, speaking only German, joking, telling stories, etc. It is amazing how fluent one becomes after enough beers. (The picture at right is the Zosch he speaks of, and Denny is the one on the end in a blue shirt next to the red candle.)

In Warsaw I made a breakthrough. For several years I had noticed that on my Rynek (my "market square) there was a compact group of 6 or 7 degenerates who seemed to be the "regulars" at the local "watering hole" (pub). I wrongly thought they must be a snobbish group, and I wrongly thought they spoke only Polish. But this summer somehow I managed to be inducted into this group, and now we are all friends.

They are very friendly, extremely funny, making jokes all the time, and quite helpful to teach me raunchy expressions in Polish. Here is the composition of the group (aside from me, the math prof.):

1.  A garage mechanic (speaks Polish and English)
2.  A taxi driver (speaks only Polish, except when drunk, at which point he speaks any language)
3.  A Polish couple (he speaks only Polish, but she speaks Polish and Italian)
4.  A Japanese who is in Poland because he represents some big company from Tokyo which plans to build power stations in Poland to make electric power. (He speaks Japanese and English)
5.  Another Polish couple (he speaks fluent Polish, German and English), she is the lead dancer in the Warsaw version of a "Moulin Rouge" type of "Review" (she speaks Polish, English, and can do a 180 degree split standing on one leg)
6.  Another Japanese who is the CEO of all of Mitsubishi in Poland. (He speaks Japanese, Polish, and strangely, Arabic)

Now I am in Shreveport, Louisiana, visiting my mother. But on Friday I have to return home in Port Jefferson, NY, to resume teaching, etc." Best regards, DENNY

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Another candidate for our daring senior citizen list is BILL KING. He wrote the following and sent photos of what might be described as his hobbies:

"I have attached some pictures that depict the aging process for me. The red Harley was at one time my most enjoyable and relaxing mode of transportation. Then after I became a little older and not so confident in riding the Harley, I had to resort to a little more manageable mode of 

two wheel transportation, my red 1954 Cushman Eagle. The Harley had to find a new home, but the Cushman is still with me, easier to handle and fun to ride. Now I am becoming a little more comfortable with four wheels under me so I have discovered my 1957 Ford Thunderbird is a little easier to keep upright, besides 1957 was a great year. I have never gotten flying totally out of my system and will take a ride anytime one is available so a couple of shots of my ride in a hot air balloon in Albuquerque, NM that was fantastic.

Hope everyone is having fun."..BILL

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Class President JAMES HAYS sent the following (and is also on our daring senior citizen list):

"I still work for a living supplemented by some retirement which I re-invest, mostly in old guns. I still fly and just made a trip in my 1941 Culver Cadet airplane to Iowa for the Antique Airplane fly-in this past weekend. I also am the Brown County Health Officer 'counting cockroaches' in restaurants. Lots of fun. I am also active in the Texas State Guard (hurricanes, homeland defense, NON-FEDERAL) from which I plan to retire this year, getting too old!!!  Lost my ex-sister-in-law to cancer, Judith Hampton Martin, last month - a sad year. (So sorry for your loss, James.)

(I know this is not your Culver Cadet, JAMES, but that's you in the cockpit.)

NYDAH ELLET is still in a nursing home and really enjoys getting and answering cards and brief letters. Address: Kensington Care Center, Rm 11, 849 N. Aurora Rd., Aurora, Ohio 44202. She can't handle a telephone well since her accident but writes well.  Drop her a note."..JAMES                                         

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I hear from JUNE HASH CURRY frequently. She says she doesn't do anything exciting. Most of us don't, June. However, she does play bridge twice a week. Keeps those brain cells growing! She also has two rescue dogs. I forget both of their names, but below is the cutest picture of the last one she got. This was not long after she and her son Chris brought the little one home, and it was terrified of men. Hiding behind the pillow! I think her name is Tracie.

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A good friend of mine in Ballinger who has been a realtor for 30 years wrote me that a millionaire from out of town had moved there and bought quite a few of the buildings in downtown. These buildings were the old Lynn Building, the old Western Auto, the old First National Bank next to Ballinger Florist, and the Texas Theater. Dot said he is restoring all of them and plans to have a water purification system put in. She also said that the EPA keeps fining the City for not complying with regulations, so they (the City?) are putting in a "reverse osmosis" water system. She then went on to say that the City is in compliance with the EPA -- surprise! As someone who has lived all over the U.S. in my lifetime, I have to say I never experienced worse municipal water anywhere! I hope this rumor is true.

8th St. & Hutchins Avenue

This was back in March, and I haven't heard more since then. NANCY THOMPSON BAKER was aware of some work being done on downtown businesses, but not much more. If anyone knows anything about these renovations, etc., how about letting me know?

That's it for now. If anyone thinks of something to share with all of us, just send it to me. I have not started volunteer work here yet, so I have more time on my hands.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

FROM MY SCRAPBOOK

Eighth Grade Graduation Photo -- Ballinger, Texas (How 'bout those petticoats?):

Someone recently asked me if I moved to Ballinger the first time from Louisiana. No. Actually, in the summer of 1952 my parents divorced and shipped me and my sister Jean off to northern California to live for a while with my mother's dad, his wife, and their three children. We lived in the country surrounded by huge pine trees and beautiful mountains. Mt. Shasta was the largest of these, and the name of the little town in which I started 8th grade.
Optimist that I was, I quickly joined a team of cheerleaders and spent two months rehearsing routines for the tryouts. I was very petite, so they had me be the acrobat of our team of five, as I was easy to toss into the air and catch. (Not many cheerleaders did that in those days unless they were at a college level.) The kids in that school tried out by teams rather than individuals. I loved being a part of this school where I had started first grade, when my mother sent us to stay with Granddad for the first time at the end of WWII. We pulled out class photos from first grade and nearly all the original class members still attended.

A week before tryouts, we were informed that my sister and I would be leaving California to join my mother and her new husband in New York state. I was devastated, as were my classmates. The wanderlust in my family's blood would later become something of pattern in my life as well. The plans for our trip across country soon had me filled with excitement. We were going to FLY!! I was 12 years old and Jean was 10, and we were flying alone. I was so naive that I made promises to all my classmates that when we flew over the school I would throw notes to them from the plane!

The first leg of our trip was from some airport around Mt. Shasta to San Francisco. This was a very small prop plane, and I remember my ears popping. When we got to SF, we had several hours to spend in the huge airport. As the oldest, I was responsible for listening to the announcements that would let me know when our plane was to depart, and at what gate. We did not leave until 11:00 pm, so after we ate and explored every single shop in the airport, I found sofas on a big mezzanine. Jean stretched out and slept while I kept watch. I remember how grownup I felt, and how nervous I was that I wouldn't hear the flight being announced.

I did hear the flight announcement, and we boarded a huge United Airlines plane. Remember, this was before jets. The next leg of our journey would take 7 hours for us to reach Chicago O'Hare airport. I remember the stewardess placing us at the back of the front cabin. Our seats would not recline. Directly behind us was a cabin full of "sleepers" -- just like a pullman car on a train! I was envious of the people who got to sleep in their own bunk that night. We were two very sleepy, mussed, and wrinkled little girls who got off that plane the next morning. A stewardess from American Airlines was there to meet us and quickly whisked us away to catch our flight to Rochester, New York where our mother and new stepfather were waiting.

We ended up living in a little town called Dresden, near Seneca Lake in upstate New York. Mother had a photography studio in nearby Geneva, NY, which they bought from a man who was caught peeking through a two-way mirror in the women's dressing room. They didn't prosecute him, as he had been there for many, many years -- a respected citizen, but they essentially ran him out of town! While there, I attended a two-room schoolhouse in Dresden. First through fourth grades were downstairs, while fifth through eighth were upstairs. In the midst of writing a Christmas play for the school and rehearsing for the Christmas pageant at church, we were saddened to hear we would be returning to Texas.

After an exciting train trip to Texas by way of a lengthy stopover in St. Louis, we started our third school that year in San Antonio. I also hooked up with classmates I had been with at different times in my elementary school years, as San Antonio was our "home base" it seems. By now I had learned to jump in with both feet, get involved, and enjoy the good times while they lasted. Sure enough, by March of 1953, we were informed of our parents' remarrying and moving us as a family to a little town called Ballinger. I said goodbye for the last time to my classmates at Mark Twain Junior High School. This would make four schools in three states in one school year. Imagine -- California history, New York history, and Texas history. Kind of boggles the mind to think about it now.

Recently, my son Matthew made the comment that "at least you got to spend all your school years in one place"!! I don't know what he was doing when I was telling my tales through the years, but he obviously wasn't listening to me! I promptly told him the above story. He got quiet, then said, "well, at least you didn't have to walk 6 miles through the snow!"

(Photo at right: MARILYN and DOROTHY BISHOP ROGERS -- 8th Grade Graduation Picture)

DOTTIE was my first friend here in Ballinger. We had some good times together, and her photos were labeled "My Best Friend" in my scrapbook. The ones below with the rattlesnake were taken at my dad's sand and gravel plant in South Ballinger. I thought the guys would get a kick out of the old cars, and girls, get a load of the pin curls! Remember those?

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Now for some some health updates. I spoke with JERRY DAVIS this past weekend. He has been having some severe back pain, but Carolyn padded all around him with pillows and they took off to visit JERRY'S best bud, CHARLES FIKES. He called me from CHARLES' house and said they were having a great time. He had been taken on a tour of the place and around the barn on CHARLES' four wheeler. JERRY has finished all the radiation treatments and is waiting on the final results from his doctor.

IRENE PIEL BATTS has asked me to post the following note from her to you all:

"I've been so touched by the prayers, warm thoughts, lovely cards and emails I've received from many of my '57 classmates. Thank you for all your many ways of making bright occasions out of ordinary days. I'm so grateful for all your thoughtfulness and caring." Love, Irene

IRENE has shown so much courage during the weeks of difficult treatment and much pain she has endured. She is in Week 4 of 6 weeks of radiation treatments, and has had one full day of chemotherapy. There will be at least one more chemo treatment.

JUNE HASH CURRY has been undergoing physical therapy three times a week to alleviate back and neck pain, and hopefully, to circumvent further surgery.

Please remember these warm, beautiful people in your thoughts and prayers. I know for some, prayer may not be something you practice or that comes easily for you. I recently read something in my Daily Word magazine that I thought was a beautiful way of expressing your good wishes. It went like this:

"Praying for others is as easy as holding loving thoughts.. My prayers do not have to be formal or lengthy. A declaration such as 'I love you,' or 'I see you healthy, happy, and whole' is a prayer from my heart."
From my heart to yours, I love you guys,
Marilyn