CLASSMATE SUFFERS HOUSE FIRE

I received this at 6:00 pm from June Curry. I thought we all would want to send her good wishes. It could have been a very tragic story, but thank goodness everyone got out okay.

"As of last night Chris and I will be residing at the Clarion Hotel courtesy of State Farm Insurance for at least the next four weeks. This hotel is located at the corner of Aspen and the Broken Arrow Expressway in Broken Arrow. We also have our pets with us with the hotel's blessing and a slight surcharge.

After spending four miserable ice laden days without power and heat in our house, the power finally returned at 12:30 pm yesterday. We immediately showered, starting washing clothes and made a trip to the grocery store to restock all the food lost in the frig and freezer without power for so long. At about 8:00 that night we had a fire in the fireplace and were sitting watching TV when we both noticed smoke coming from the bottom and around the fireplace screen. Chris went out to the front porch and came back shouting for me to call the fire department and to get out of the house--that we were on fire (which we very much were). I grabbed my wallet, my dog and my cell phone and ran for the car, dialing 911 at the same time. He ran upstairs for his cat and his wallet and cell phone and came running out to move the car away from the house. Then he tried to fight the flames with our little fire extinguisher, bless his heart. Within 4 minutes of my call to the emergency center, three fire trucks were at our front curb and shortly after were fighting a raging fire which rather badly damaged our townhouse but could have totally destroyed it had they not gotten the fire under control very quickly. We have a restoration company already on the scene who has taken our belongings to their warehouse for cleaning and restoration (even steam cleaning our clothes and delivering of Chris's uniforms to our hotel today). State Farm is totally fantastic--have already been out to the house and have written us a generous expense voucher. They have arranged for us to live here at the Clarion for at least the next four weeks at their expense.

So, God has beautifully taken care of our needs, expressed and unexpressed, during yet another crisis. You cannot reach us at our home phone but must call either the Clarion Hotel or my cell phone. If possible, please call on the Hotel line to save my anytime minutes.

Our kitty had disappeared this morning, and half the hotel management and maids have been joining us in a search for her. I just got a call from Chris in our room saying she just appeared at her litter box as he walked back into the room. We had literally torn the place up inside and outside searching for her--I have no idea where she has been or if one of the maids found her and returned to the room when we were gone--we're just grateful to have her back--she is Chris's absolute love. SIDNEY IS FOUND!!!"

THE SECOND DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Was there ever any doubt in your mind that the American cowboy is still alive and well? This sign appeared a couple of weeks ago in front of the San Angelo Feed Yard between Miles and San Angelo. A little over a week later it was gone! One cowboy hired, I guess. To be politically correct, it probably should have read "One Cowboy/Cowgirl".

Shortly after that picture was taken, June Hash Curry was in Ballinger for the funeral of her beloved mother-in-law Kathleen. She and I had a wonderful, though brief, visit at the new Heritage Funeral Home. She told me that the two beautiful round stained glass windows on the building were made by her sister and brother-in-law, Mildred and J.B. Terry. The weather was in the 80s for a couple of days and the night we visited, it was still warm outdoors. I looked out the window into the parking lot and commented on a cute miniature dachshund walking with a man across the lot. June said that they better be careful... that a four-foot long rattlesnake had been killed in that lot that very afternoon!

Texas!! 80 degree weather, snowfall, and rattlesnakes in the parking lot -- all within a two week period in December. Nothing dull about it for sure.

The blog about the Broadway Hill House has stirred a few more memories. This one came from Barbara Sharpes Brooks:

"The house in the picture belonged to a woman named Jewel Cooper. She ran the house as a room and board place. My mother worked for her in the kitchen for a while as did Ruth Jarrett. She rented to single men only, I think, and always had a table full at lunch. I've sat on that front porch a many a time. This was in the early 50s. I remember I thought it was a huge old house at the time. I don't remember the garage apartment though. In its time it was a really grand house. I also worked at Keel drug for a short time and then at the drive-in at the y, can't remember the name of the place. (Editor: Was this the Dairy Barn?) Gail Kirk and I were working together one night and it was time to slide the awning back. Welllllll, the rope we were pulling got caught on a tray that was in a car window and spilled everything in the lap of the driver! I took off and poor Gail was blamed for the whole thing. I was scared to death and Gail laughed it off. Just a little trivia..."

Charles Fikes had this to say:

"I have really enjoyed the blog for our class. I am learning things about good old Ballinger that I didn't know. Sue Herring is right, Chock and Jeep did live in that house. Am looking forward to more input on the blog."

I don't know how many of you paid attention to the weather news this week, but parts of the Midwest had horrendous ice storms that left many folks without power for days. Our own classmate June Curry was one of them. She sent this to me yesterday:

"We finally got power (we're total electric at 12:30 pm today). We could not go to a hotel or motel as all were immediately booked--no vacancies anywhere. No one had any wood for fireplaces to sell, and we only had enough for two fires as we had not ordered expecting to move at any time. We had no power from early Monday morning (pre-dawn) until after noon today. May I NEVER take warmth for granted again. It was 27 degrees here last night and almost that cold each night with little or no warming up in the daytime. We wanted to kiss on both cheeks the Public Service people who poured in here by the hundreds. I have never before been so grateful for a HOT shower and shampoo as I was today. Wow. What an ordeal! Glad to have it back!"

I leave you today -- this Second Day of Christmas with another little scene from the Concho River Light Tour. Sorry I don't have a shot of the "turtle doves". Last winter I had a live pair of them that ate from the bird feeders in my back yard. Wish I had photographed them! They were magnificent.

Let me know what/who you'd like to hear about or see photos of. I thought I would try to keep this up for the entire "Twelve Days of Christmas".
Marilyn

THE FIRST DAY OF CHRISTMAS

Recently we had a "real snowstorm" as you can see in the photo. Yes, that's Glenn Smith waving at the camera. I forwarded this picture to a few friends here in Ballinger, and received two surprising responses. One of them was from Dot Schroeder who said it looked like her deceased brother! But most surprising was the following statement from Nancy Thompson Baker: "Looks like a ghost on your film, looks like Santa Claus.....on purpose?"

"Look right beside Glenn where the BIG snowflake is.... the tree trunk makes the ghost's arms, the beard is heavy snow in between Glenn and the car... Santa Claus? The limb above the heart looks like Santa's hat.... concentrate on the heart and use imagination. I've never seen a snowflake as big as that 'heart' one! I'm sure it's Santa!!!"

Does anyone else see this "ghost" in the above photo?? I finally did, and it spooked me.

The recent blog on the "hill house" sparked a few responses, but only added to my confusion. Who rented the garage apartment to Wesley Stokes.... and fed him his meals?

Here they are:

From Jerry Eoff: "You are doing a good thing with the blog spot. Keep it going. I never knew of this about Wesley. Wonder what else slid by over my head?"

From Susan Herring Stahl: "Just caught up with the blog...I think I remember that Jeep and Chock Jackson lived in the house on the hill during our high school days. Maybe we could learn more about the Wesley Stokes mystery from Jeep."

From Dorothy Bishop Rogers: "Yes, this picture was a blast from the past! My first husband's great aunt and uncle, Robert Lee, lived here and we visited often. As for Gene Keel, he was my first boss. In the summer after 8th grade, I went to work for Gene at the drugstore. I worked there several summers. I think Danny Baker and Ter also worked there one summer. Nice work, Marilyn, you have no idea how much we all look forward to your blog!"

Ter Cothran told a funny story on himself about his brief stint as an employee of Gene Keel. Maybe someday we can coax him into writing about it on the blog. Had something to do with a box of candy and Tommye Lou Curry.

Irene Piel Batts was also a long-time Keel Drug employee. Which reminds me. Her husband David is in the Community Hospital in San Angelo. I need to wrap this up for now, as I am going with a friend to visit him.

Stay tuned for more tales of the "wild west". Rattlesnakes and cowboys instead of football players!

Marilyn

BROADWAY HILL HOUSE

I feel certain all of you recognize this house, located on Broadway across from the Presbyterian Church. The second photo is of the old garage apartment on the property.

I've always been fascinated by this house, but every time I see it I remember a story from high school. I think it was in our Sophomore year that a 14-year old Freshman football player from Talpa moved into the garage apartment. His name was Wesley Stokes, and he was supposed to be the answer to the football team's prayers. It seems a local businessman -- and perhaps more than one, rented this garage apartment and moved Wesley from Talpa into his new home just in time for football season. I was very curious. How could a 14-year old boy take care of himself? Who would cook for him? I was told there had been an arrangement with the owner of the house that meals would be provided to him as part of the deal.

Gee! How lucky can you get? A private apartment with no parents overlooking your every move! Someone would cook for you and not expect you to wash the dishes afterwards. I was in awe, and did not understand how this came about. When I asked questions about it, I was told in hushed tones that this was not to be widely discussed.

Recently a friend of mine was reading a book many here in Ballinger have been discussing. Gene Keel (of Keel Drug) is written about in the book as a member of a Masonic orphanage football team. The book is titled, "Twelve Mighty Orphans" and is written by Jim Dent. The following excerpt peaked my interest, and reminded me of the time Wesley Stokes was recruited to play for the Bearcats:

“In some respects, Texas was still a raw and rowdy frontier in the 1930s, and the high school kids in shoulder pads and leather helmets furthered that tough image. Stadiums started filling up right after the end of the Big War. West Texans would soon go gaga over football…”

“In the Oil Belt, the roughnecks, speculators, wildcatters, and toolpushers had money to wager and an insatiable appetite for winning. Recruiters combed the countryside searching out the best football talent. So hungry were the little towns for a state championship that football fans went to any length to lure a top prospect into their school district. One of the most popular tricks was hiring away any father with talented football-playing sons. A roughneck making a couple of bucks a day in Mineral Wells would gladly take five bucks to pack up and move his family to Breckenridge. That is, if he brought along his sons…”

And sometimes, as was the case in Ballinger in the 1950s, they just moved the football-playing son!

Marilyn

'TIS THE SEASON

The holidays are upon us and the lights are spectacular! If some of you haven't been to Ballinger at this time of year, you may not have seen the beautiful lights on the Runnels County Courthouse. A sorority in town has been doing this for several years. Irene Piel Batts' daughter Amy is on the committee of young women (and some of their husbands) that actually climbs to the roof of the courthouse and lowers each individual strand of lights every year. This year the weather was very warm as they were installing them, but the weather does not always cooperate in Texas and sometimes Irene worries when Amy is climbing around up there in cold rain or worse.

Driving down the hill on Broadway, the view almost takes one's breath away. I wanted to capture that photo, too, but strung across the front of the courthouse lawn is a huge sign that says, "Welcome Hunters". Somehow that did not seem in the spirit of things.

The bottom two photos are from the San Angelo "Tour of Lights" along the Concho River. Santa Claus fishing on the Concho... he even catches a huge fish. Then there is Santa Claus arriving in a small airplane near the Santa Fe Depot. I know children must be delighted to take this two and a half mile tour of over a million Christmas lights on display. There is even a living nativity, complete with llamas (camels?) and sheep. I know this "big kid" really loved every minute of it.

Good news to report. Last Monday, Pat Smith Mullins, Glenn Smith, and I helped Peggy Virden Sharp celebrate with lunch the excellent report she got on her latest checkup. She got a clean bill of health, and the doctor even took her off three medications she had been taking. The heart valve repair has been successful, her heart rhythm is regular now, and the only thing to slow her down is the wait for the bones in her rib cage to heal.

I was very pleased to get a response from Gene Routh. I had inquired about his foot, and began to worry when I did not get a reply. Nearly two weeks ago, he wrote me the following email:

"Sorry I haven't answered before now. I have been going to Physical Therapy twice a week trying to loosen the ankle up and regain some strength. Seems to be helping, but recovery is a lot slower than I had hoped. I suppose I'm just impatient for things to be back to normal. I'm still so sorry I didn't get to come for the 50th reunion, but that's the breaks (no pun intended) I guess." "...Please tell all that you see hello and Merry Christmas for me. I hope to see everyone at the next school reunion." ...Gene

Nydah Ellet successfully underwent total knee replacement surgery December 3rd in Ohio. I've been getting updates on her progress this week. Two days after surgery, they had her get out of bed three times. She was on a lot of pain medication at first, but was finally able to relay some information. She had blood clots in both lower legs, so she's on anticoagulants now and this is slowing her physical therapy down some. She will go to a rehabilitation hospital shortly, depending on the blood clots. She "prepped" herself well before this surgery, and the dancing she has done has helped a lot with her therapy so far.

The Sunday before her surgery was Nydah's birthday, and she also sang in a Christmas cantata with the Kent State choir. This is one active, talented lady. I know she will be back on her feet soon and showing those young dance students she takes lessons with how to stay young.

Rosalyn Urbantke Hoelscher called me this week to inquire about the heart attack I had. We talked a good while, and she was to go for a checkup the following day. She was a little concerned about a weight gain. I'm hoping no news is good news. If you remember, Rosalyn was in the hospital during the 50th Reunion with heart problems -- much to her dismay. She also was hospitalized since then with more problems. She told me that she was grateful for every morning she wakes up and there is not a paramedic or nurse staring her in the face. Here's wishing you the best of health for the upcoming holidays, Rosalyn.

Rosalyn asked me questions about how a heart attack feels. I realized a lot of folks who have had cardiac problems... even bypass surgeries, have never had a heart attack. I felt a steady crushing pain in my chest that would not let up when I tried to get in a comfortable position. I thought it might be a really bad case of indigestion or heartburn, so I took Tums. When it continued longer than five minutes, I took two regular 325 mg. aspirin. That didn't help the pain, either, and I began to feel numbness and tingling in both arms -- especially from the elbows down. When I began to experience a blurry tunnel vision of sorts, I knew I couldn't wait any longer. I could not drive myself to the hospital -- only four blocks away! While I waited for Nancy to arrive and whisk me off to the hospital, I remembered hearing somewhere that you should force yourself to cough deeply if you suspected a heart attack. I kept doing that on the way to the hospital.

I don't mean this to be a dreary, depressing tale, but rather a really uplifting story of overcoming some of the effects of ill health and hopefully, passing on information that might assist you in saving your own life or the life of someone you love.

My own health is very, very good. I don't go in for my first checkup (and a stress test) until December 17th. However, except for more shortness of breath than usual (I think the medication causes it), I am able to do most of what I've always done in the past. My house now has Christmas decorations up, even though I decided to go with the tiny Gatlinburg pine Christmas tree this year rather than a big one. The two little munchkins that will be here for one night on their way to Aunt Carrie's in Amarillo are so little anyway, it will be eye level for them. The homemade Kahlua is curing in the jar, and I've gone so far as to get the gingerbread man (and woman) cookie cutters out. I'm really in the mood for the holidays.

The story of Mary giving birth reminds me that this time of year is pregnant with possibilities. Think how creative we all get when we decorate our homes and yards.. and presents. I don't know about you, but my mind is filled with many, many ideas I want to see come to fruition! I want to make gifts, candies, cookies... I think of all the things I wish to tell the people I love when I send them letters or emails or Christmas cards. I am filled to overflowing with the spirit of the season. May all this joy and wonder be a part of all your lives, too. Let me hear about it.

If you wish to send a comment, just double click on the "Comments" at the bottom of this message. If you'd rather, you may send me an email and I will post it for you. I'll have more photos and news to share again shortly!

Marilyn

COME FLY WITH ME

"Mom? What happened? Did you hang up and say to yourself, 'I think I'll take a little helicopter ride?'" "Something like that", I replied with a big grin. It was my older son Craig on the ICU portable telephone. We had had a long, happy telephone conversation the night before when he was on his way home from working at a new job he really enjoys. He had finally convinced the ICU nurses that it was not he who talked to me when I first came out of surgery, but it was his younger brother Matthew. Now it was his turn.

It was dark in my ICU room, and I had tubes and wires hooked up all over me. But I had a lot to smile about. The cardiologist had been to see me and to tell me that I was going to be all right. I was a success story. This was in the wee hours of the morning, Friday, November 16th. Dr. Harvey told me there did not appear to be any damage to my heart muscle, my other arteries were clear, and the two stents that he placed in the blocked artery that had caused my heart attack would keep that artery open from now on. He said I would be going home on Saturday, and that I could drive my car on Monday! Such wonderful news to someone who, only a few hours before, was in danger of dying.

As I relayed to Craig the events that took place after our conversation the night before, he laughed out loud when I told him how beautiful the lights of San Angelo appeared from the helicopter. He said he knew I must have been in a bad way if I thought that! But they really were beautiful that night. By that time, the morphine and nitroglycerin had done a good job and I was pain free. It seemed logical that I should be flying around in the sky -- close to God -- and accompanied by the three "angels" of the helicopter crew. I felt very safe, protected, and I knew it was not my time to go. There are just too many things I have yet to accomplish. Too many places I want to go... grandchildren I want to watch achieve their dreams... and too much I still haven't shared with the people I love.

My daughter Carajean, who was a Physician's Assistant at one time, showed up from Amarillo about the time I was being moved out of ICU. It was not enough for her to talk to me by telephone. Her medical training increased her worries I'm afraid. She had to be there up front and personal to be assured that I am, indeed, going to recover fully, and probably be healthier than ever.

My cardiologist said to keep doing whatever I'm doing (i.e., not smoking, healthy eating, exercise, meditation). That this blockage more than likely was caused by the years of heavy smoking I did not give up until 1999. I had a "near-death experience" that year when I was extremely ill and hospitalized with the flu. This time I think of what I went through as a "near-life experience"!

Nancy was my best friend all over again when she dropped everything to come to my house and rush me to the ER. She and Glenn Smith were with me throughout that long night. She made all the necessary telephone calls for me and they both were smiling and comforting me at each move. Somehow the two of them beat the helicopter to Shannon Hospital! It seemed so surreal to me... and to have them there with me made it seem like just another adventure on my life's journey.

It was indeed a very Happy Thanksgiving this year. I enjoyed every minute of the meal preparation, and the food never tasted so good! After well wishes and a visit on the web camera with my children and grandchildren, I slept better that night than many a night. Life is good..... and Good Stuff Happens!

...Marilyn Moragne

P.S.

Everyone in my emergency care asked me the same question that night. "Did you take aspirin?" I definitely did, about five minutes after the pain started. That and deep coughing helped me hang on, I'm sure. Visit the American Heart Association website and familiarize yourself with the symptoms of a heart attack and what to do until help arrives.

Happy Thanksgiving from Dottie

Hi everyone..

The following was sent to me tonight. I wanted to share it since it appears I have "dropped the ball" lately. I really haven't, and will write about it shortly. I "took a little trip" on a MedVac helicopter last week! Stay tuned.

Happy Turkey!

Marilyn

HAPPY THANKSGIVING TO ONE AND ALL!! Wow, aren't we blessed! We are expecting our first really cold spell, and I am sooooooo glad. Does anyone else out there suffer from the freaking sweat running off your nose all the time???

Hey, does anyone remember Kirk Brunson's old Hudson? He sat on a five gallon can, and all the rest of the car was wiped out. We would load as many as 20 (if my mind hasn't completely left me) and head to the drive-in movie for $1.00 Carload night. He also had an older car that lost a rear wheel as we all made the drag one night. Kind of a funny feeling when we saw the left rear wheel pass us on the main drag. Oh, well... these memories just flash by occasionally.

Love you all and wish I could have seen you!

Dottie(Bishop)

VALLEY CREEK ~ NOT ELM CREEK

The following was sent to me today by Jimmie Stubblefield. It's amazing to me how our memories differ from person to person. Of course, if one were actually involved in such an event (streaming down a flooded creek with little or no clothes on!), I believe one would tend to remember.....

"It was Valley Creek--not Elm Creek--there were six of us--we spent many wonderful hours roaming the creek from my house to the city lake--we did some things most people never knew about."

.....Jimmie S.

Hmmmmm Now where was it Rodney dropped off several of us girls to take a late-night swim while he patiently waited a half mile up the road? Was that One-Mile or Four-Mile Crossing?

GOODBYE, BARBARA

BARBARA FERGUSON ROLLWITZ 

Publication Date: November 10, 2007

BALLINGER - Barbara "Ma" Rollwitz, 68, of Ballinger, passed away Wednesday evening, Nov. 7, 2007, after a long, courageous battle with cancer. She was surrounded by her family when the Lord called her home. 

Barbara was born Feb. 19, 1939, to S.L. and Thelma Lett Ferguson in Ballinger and married Eugene Bernard Rollwitz on Jan. 12, 1957. 

Barbara was a loving wife, mother, and grandmother to her family and a cherished friend to those who knew her. She was known simply as "Ma" by many. She served as the cafeteria manager for Ballinger Independent School District for over 20 years where she was well-loved and respected by the students she served. She took special pride in being a Little League scorekeeper when her kids were growing up and was honored for all her years of service. She had a kind and generous heart and often put the needs of others before her own needs. She always had a warm smile on her face and loving words to go with it. In her last years, she enjoyed making fleece blankets for family and friends and donated many of her blankets to charity. During the final months of her life, she became an honorary member of FIT San Angelo and made many new and special friends. The greatest joys of her life were her kids, grandkids and great-grandkids. 

She was a member of St. Mary Catholic Church. 

She is survived by her husband, Eugene Rollwitz of Ballinger; her two daughters, Ronda Ramos of Ballinger and her husband Pasqual, and Della Cowan of Fort Worth; and a son, Jeffrey Rollwitz and his wife, Kim, of Wall; six grandchildren, Michelle Barrow, Jessica Ramos, Tabitha Linebarger, Tiffany Lytle, Mason Rollwitz and Jake Rollwitz; three great-granddaughters; and one great-grandson. Also surviving are a sister, Queba James of Ballinger; and two brothers, Gary Ferguson and wife, Fay, of Horseshoe Bay, and Glen Ferguson and wife, Gail, of Mabank. 

Her family would like to extend special thanks to all of the loved ones and friends for their love and support. We would especially like to thank Dr. Rahman and his staff for the tender, loving care they showed Ma during her 10-year battle with cancer, Hospice of Ballinger, and dear sister, Queba, for the care during her last days. 

Visitation for family and friends will be 7 p.m. to 8 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 10, at Lange Funeral Home. A graveside service will be at 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 11, in Old Runnels Cemetery. 

TEXAS GRILL COMMENT

Here's another great image of the Texas Grill at its present location. Notice the superimposed Noyes statue. This was taken by Glenn Smith. (Thanks, Glenn!)

The following comment by Jerry Eoff is too good to hide in the comments box, so I am printing it here to make certain we all get his great history lesson!

"You're correct on the old location of the Grill. It was on the Hutchins side of the Texas and Daugherty's Drug was on the Railroad side. They were both actually within the theater building and of course went with the fire in or about 1962. I bought many a dime comic book through the drugstore window rack and sat through many coffee break conversations between Dad and R. D. Travis when their cars were the only ones parked on the street at night while work was being done.

I would guess that whoever questioned your memory on the location didn't know that the building that now has the Texas sign was the Palace theater back in those days and the Texas was across the street in the now vacant space. After a year or so in Dallas I had just come to appreciate that the Texas was actually a fairly nice theater on a small scale."