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

FAMILY PRIDE

LSU A CAPPELLA CHOIR FEBRUARY 19, 2009

I started this blog last Sunday, the 22nd, when I returned from spending four days visiting family in Mineral Wells (my dad), Dallas (my son Craig and his children, Cameron and Hannah), and Plano, where I attended the concert in the above video (and spent the next day with my sister, Jean). It was at a beautiful Methodist Church in Plano, Texas. The concert was an "Evening of Music", beginning with high school choirs from around the Metroplex, and highlighted by the performance of the renowned Louisiana State University A Cappella Choir. (Cameron is second from the top, on the left end.) If you wish to hear this brief video, you might want to click the pause button on the musical Playlist to the left of the blog, then click on the arrow to start the video. The video lasts only 53 seconds. To quote from the musical program, "The chorus is chosen each year from the LSU student population... Members of the choir have been named Rhodes and Fulbright Scholars as well as twice winning the national Met auditions. Graduates hold teaching positions representing all levels of education in twenty-two different states and two foreign countries. In addition, many are now performing with major opera companies throughout the world including the Metropolitan Opera, the New York Opera, Vienna Staatoper, LaScala, Munich, Antwerp, Paris Opera, the Chicago Lyric, and the Houston Opera as well as studying in prestigious graduate programs throughout the United States." Our family is extremely proud that my grandson, Cameron Young, (grandson of the late Ray Young, BHS Class of '54) was one of only three Freshmen to be chosen to sing in this choir. The choir toured portions of Texas last week performing in the Houston, Ft. Worth, and Dallas areas.

Cameron Young and friend Sarah *****************************************************

BARBARA SHARPES BROOKS attended the wedding of her granddaughter in December. She recently sent the following, along with the photo of the wedding party." This is almost our whole family (only two missing). The wedding date was December 20th, and of course, it was beautiful. I did dance a waltz with my oldest son. I was really impressed with everything. Our daughter did it all. Then a week later her son got married, but we were home and didn't attend. Anyway we have had an exciting start to the new year.

The back row is Tom, me, my daughter Cindi, her daughter Jeniffer and new husband Gabe, and my son-in-law K.W. On the left side is my youngest son Tom, Jr. and his wife Mayra and their two girls, Ariana and Isabella. On the right side is my oldest son Marshal and his wife Judy and their two sons, Marshal Jr. and Aaron."...BARB BARBARA, except for the silver hair, you look as young as your daughter!

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BACK IN THE SADDLE AGAIN

Santa Fe Trail Ride 2009

PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP belied any evidence of having had heart surgery in 2007 by riding horseback in the recent Santa Fe Trail Ride, from Abilene to San Angelo, to kick off the parade and the San Angelo Stock Show and Rodeo that ends with performances this week. She spent two days and three nights on the Ride, along with her son Shayne Bomar, who also rode. (Photo on right.) Her great-niece Ashley Virden, (photo on left) age 11, was crowned Queen of the Trail Ride, and appeared briefly on Channel 8 when she was interviewed . PEGGY remains a role model for all us "senior" women! She never ceases to amaze me with her vitality and daring. At a recent medical checkup, her blood pressure was normal for the first time in 43 years! Talk about getting younger as you age! ("Benjamin Button")

By the way, PEGGY'S grandson, Tyce Green, who lives in Houston and attends a performing arts high school, was called back for a third audition this Saturday at Ithaca College School of Music in upstate New York. He also auditioned for NYU in New York City. He will receive a scholarship if accepted at either of these. I heard him sing Christmas Eve 2007, and next to my grandson (just kidding, PEGGY), he will be one of the most famous singers in years to come. Of course, Tyce is opting for a career in musical theater, and Cameron is preparing for a career in opera, so the chances they might compete someday are slim.

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IRENE PIEL BATTS had a recent checkup with the plastic surgeon in San Antonio. She is healing and doing extremely well from all the surgery. Darlene Smith (JIMMIE SMITH '57) recently retired as Runnels County Auditor and decided to move to Abilene. GLENN SMITH just returned from Taipei, Taiwan. Yes, Taiwan! He promises to write a synopsis of his trip for the blog. Next on his agenda may be Hong Kong! Want to share some of your family photos or recent experiences? Just send them to me -- or drop them off. We'd all like to hear about your "good stuff", too. 'Til next time... Peace and Love, Marilyn