IRENE'S DAVID

I'm sure all of you remember this warm, friendly guy who was married to our late, beautiful IRENE PIEL BATTS. My first memories of him were when I was in high school and he was president of the Jaycees (do they still have those?) in Ballinger. I got to know him only after he and IRENE married in the early 60s. I recall how impressed I was when he and IRENE took ballroom dancing together in San Angelo. The Cha Cha was really big then, and I got them to demonstrate it to me in my living room in San Angelo. They were so cool!

Through the years, we stayed in touch as I moved around; we both had children; and I even visited from time to time at their home in Ballinger. David was always such a welcoming host, and the children liked him very much. I got to know David better in the 90s, as he and IRENE and I shared the same political leanings! We cussed and discussed what was going on in politics. I remember David bringing me a copy of a TIME magazine with an article on President Bill Clinton. Always plain-spoken, he was disgusted with Bill at that time and said to me, "If only he could learn to keep it in his pants!" I laughed out loud at that one.

When I moved to Ballinger in 2005, he, IRENE, and their precious daughter Amy (who inherited all the good qualities of her parents and more!) did a lot of painting on the little rent house I moved into. David, even with his beginning macular degeneration, built me a wonderful 7 ft. tall bookcase that I still use. 

The last time I talked to David, his sight was almost completely gone, but he still had an optimistic outlook on life. He said his daughter Amy was his personal angel. She took very good care of him every day after IRENE left us. I'm sure she is devastated by her loss of both parents. Please keep her in your prayers, and if possible, let her know we're thinking of her. Amy, my love to you.

I was hoping to find more information about David's early years, but the following is all I've got so far. It tells nothing about his education (I believe he was an A&M graduate), his military service (I think he was a pilot), or his wonderful, humorous personality. He was always "there" for friends or family -- doing whatever he could to help out. The two pictures below were taken at our 50th Class Reunion. As usual, he's seen working! Amy brought him to the 2012 Class Reunion, as I believe it helped them both feel closer to IRENE to be around folks who knew and loved her.

I will forward any more information I get on David.

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William David Batts, 89, of Ballinger, Texas passed away Saturday, August 2, 2014 at Ballinger
Memorial Hospital.

 (2007 Reunion)

(2007 Reunion)

He is survived by his daughter, Amy Batts of Ballinger; and a sister, Betty Batts Agnew of Austin.

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PAT SMITH MULLINS lost a brother, who was also GLENN SMITH's cousin. Our love and condolences go out to them as well.

Bobby James Smith, 83, of Ballinger, Texas passed away Sunday, August 3, 2014 at Elsie Gayer

Healthcare Center in San Angelo, Texas.

He was born July 17, 1931 in Ballinger to James Lee and Leora (Bowen) Smith. Bobby married Sharon Hampton on November 17, 1956. She preceded him in death January 27, 2013. For a total of 34 years, Bobby worked for the Texas Department of Transportation in San Angelo, Ozona, and Ballinger. He was a member of Ninth Street Church of Christ.

He was preceded in death by his parents and wife; brother, Delbert Smith; and infant twins, Ricky Gale and Vicky Dale Smith; and a great-grandchild, Hank Smith.

He is survived by two sons, Quentin Alan Smith and wife, Teresa, of Burnet, and Gary Lee Smith and wife, Judy, of Austin; a daughter, Rhonda Kay Glover and husband, Chris, of San Angelo; sisters, Margie Hallmark of Ballinger, Jean Stewart of Cedar Hill, PAT MULLINS of Blanket; and a brother, Billy Wooten of Huntsville. Also surviving are nine grandchildren, Blake Smith, Ryan Smith, Nathan Smith, Justin Smith, Rachael Smith, Daniella Smith, Natalie Glover, Garret Glover, and Elijah Samaniego: and four great-grandchildren, Wyatt, Walker, Paiton, and Lorabelle Smith.

Visitation for family and friends will be Tuesday, August 5 from 6:00 to 7:00 pm at Lange Funeral Home. A graveside service will be conducted Wednesday, August 6 at 10:00 am at Old Runnels Cemetery with a memorial service following at 11:00 am at Ninth Street Church of Christ in Ballinger. Max Pratt will officiate.

Memorial donations may be made to Rotary House of Hope or a favorite charity.

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Peace and love,

Marilyn

TOO YOUNG TO SAY GOODBYE

A tragic accident recently took the life of PEGGY VIRDEN SHARP'S niece as she was practicing barrel racing for the upcoming Coleman Rodeo. Those of you in Ballinger probably know of this talented young woman. Our love and condolences to PEGGY and her family.

Ashley Renee Virden, 17, of Ballinger died Wednesday, July 30, 2014 at Shannon Medical Center in San Angelo, TX (From the Lange Funeral Home site.)

Ashley was born April 19, 1997 in San Angelo, Texas to Nicole Boyd and Lynn Virden. Ashley was an incoming senior at Ballinger High School. Ashley was an avid horse rider, trainer, and barrel racer. Ashley’s sister Amy and her mother Nicole thoroughly enjoyed spending time with Ashley and watching her accomplish any goal she set. Ashley was an excellent student, earning straight A’s throughout her school career. 

Ashley was a member of the FCCLA, where her article about her horse “Lucky,” earned her both state and national honors. Ashley was a member of the FFA, where she participated on the horse judging team. She was an active member of the National Barrel Horse Association, Districts Eight and Nine, in which she qualified for the NBHA World Championships four times. In 2010 and 2011, Ashley qualified for the championships as a youth barrel racer, which was held in Jackson, Mississippi. In 2011, Ashley was injured during training for the NBHA Youth World Championships. Her doctor restricted her from any riding activities for six weeks. For most, this would have resulted in cancelling the trip to the championships. Ashley’s passion, courage and hard headed determination prevailed, and Ashley not only continued to train, she participated in the championships and narrowly missed qualifying for the world final round by thirteen one-thousandths of a second.

The only year that Ashley participated in NBHA barrel racing and did not qualify for the world championship was in 2012. In late 2011, Ashley lost her best friend and prize horse, “Lucky.” Devastated by the loss of Lucky and left without a horse that could perform at a similar level, Ashley was unable to obtain enough points to qualify for the championship.

In 2013, the determined, hard-headed Ashley armed with her new mount “Sherbert” and old, reliable, “Sippy” qualified in the NBHA World Championship Open Barrel Racing in Perry, Georgia, which is open to riders of any age or experience level. Three days prior to leaving for the world championships, tragedy struck again. Robert Virden, Ashley’s Pa-Pa, was involved in a serious traffic accident in which he was critically injured. Ashley was torn between the desire either to stay home and support her Pa-Pa in his recovery, or participating in the world championship barrel race that she had worked all year to attend. Ashley’s burning passion, courage, and determination to compete told her that she needed to attend the world championship. But Ashley would not consider going until she knew her Pa-Pa would be o.k. Once Ashley received confirmation that Pa-Pa would completely recover from the accident, and his blessing was given, she was determined to go and do what she does best. That year, Ashley narrowly missed qualifying for the final round by eight one-thousandths of a second.

In 2014, Ashley returned to the NBHA World Championship in Perry, Georgia. For this trip, Ashley participated in the Teen Division and qualified for the prestigious final round, riding Sippy. Ashley and old faithful accomplished the goal that had eluded them in previous years. Ashley finished sixth in the fourth division of the world championships. The 2014 World Championships ended just last Sunday.

Ashley was a member of the Bethel Community Church in Bethel, TX, located in southern Runnels County. Ashley was recognized by many for her honesty, sincerity, integrity, and her strong Christian faith.

She was preceded in death by her maternal great-grandparents, John and Dorothy Nichols; maternal grandfather, Bill Minton, Jr.; and great-grandfather Bill Minton, Sr.; her great-grandparents Rube and Naomi Virden and Roscoe Woodring.

Survivors include her mother, Nicole Boyd and husband Ray of San Angelo, her father, Lynn Virden of Ballinger, one sister, Amy Lynn Virden of Indianapolis, Indiana, her maternal grandparents, Sheila and Harold Combs of Oklahoma, her paternal grandparents, Robert and Bonnie Virden of Ballinger, her maternal great-grandmother, Fern Woodring of Kokomo, Indiana, special cousins, Shayne and Terri Bomar of Odessa, and numerous aunts, uncles, and cousins.

Also surviving are special friends, Hadley Hatler, Ethan Langston, Emma Chapman, and Danielle Holmes. Ashley and Lucky have been reunited and are turning the golden barrels across Heaven. Visitation for family and friends will be held from 3:00-5:00 pm Sunday, August 3 at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Funeral services for will be held at 2:00 pm Monday, August 4 in the Ballinger Community Center Show Barn with Rev. Bryan Highsmith officiating. Burial will follow in the Old Runnels Cemetery. A candlelight service will be held Monday, August 4 at 9:00 pm at Ballinger Community Center Show Barn.

In lieu of flowers, the family request that memorials be made to the NBHA, District 9, the Ashley Virden Memorial Scholarship Fund, or a favorite charity.

Ashley is in heaven taking selfies of her and Lucky.

GOOD HEALTH AND GOOD MEMORIES

Finally, more good stuff to report! JAMES and DOTTIE sent me the following emails. JAMES, I have to think there were definitely guardian angels watching over you. So happy to hear the outcome went so well.

"Because of a conflict, I moved my annual cardiac checkup up six weeks (six years since cardiac bypass). A bruit was heard in my neck (noise from turbulence of partial obstruction) and with my radiologist son's help found a fairly high grade obstruction in my left internal carotid artery. Not particularly wanting a stroke, I underwent a carotid endarterectomy, clean-out job May 16th. Went home the next day after I went to a gun show - how lucky could I get - and back to work five days later. The arterial plaque was degenerating and trying to peel off and visit my brain within days or hours. Not really lucky, but definitely several miraculous coincidences in timing. I am doing good now for one who has had his throat cut, and am back to nearly full speed and waiting for my 75th birthday later this month.

The conflict? Went to the county Republican caucus meeting, and since the attendance matched the number of delegates to the state convention this coming weekend, I got elected a delegate. I think I will show up."

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DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS sent me the following after I shared the "50s video with you all:

Dottie & Larry '11

"Thank you for the trip down memory lane. Has it really been that long???? Holy Cow. I went to a classic car rally today with Larry. His ‘67 Mustang is great, but oh, the fifties “were nifty”. Anyone remember cruising “the drag” in Kirk Brunson’s old Ford? One night the left rear wheel went down the street before we did! Whee! 

Another great memory is riding in his Hudson with no seats except for the 5-gal. can he sat on. $2.00 a car night at the Horseshoe usually carried about 15-20 of us for the movie. Halloween and “swiping” those fire pots from road construction was a real daring thing for all of us. OOOH! How sinful!!! As I write I think of more and more, but my fingers don’t go as fast as my brain. (Well, DUH!)"

Love you all,                    

Dottie

Oh yes! I remember Kirk's Model A Ford. Kirk, NANCY THOMPSON BAKER, BOB BURTON, and I made a few drags in that one. I remember it had a patterned oilcloth on the interior.

But the Hudson! I remember a funny story my dad, Jarvis Moragne, told me about the Hudson. I am not sure of the year (I have pictured a '53 model), but I do remember it was beige. My dad and Salty Brunson (Kirk's dad) were friends. When Salty bought the new Hudson he asked my dad to take a ride with him. Dad said that Salty was very "close" with his money, and he bought a no-nonsense model to get the best price. However, it was winter when they took the ride, and Dad said he nearly froze to death. Not only did it not have a radio - it didn't come with a heater either! Talk about your economy model!

Another story about the Hudson... It wasn't very old when Kirk and BOB and others had it out one night and they came upon an armadillo. Kirk wanted the 'dillo for some reason, so he put it in the trunk. Uh-oh. He forgot to take it out and left it there overnight. Imagine the trouble he got in when his dad saw the Hudson the next morning. The armadillo had dug its way through the back seat from the trunk, and totally destroyed the seat! That may have been why there were no seats when you rode in it.

I thought the carload night at the Horseshoe Drive-In was $1.00 a carload. I have a clipping somewhere when Gary Ferguson had a bunch of us meet at the drive-in ticket booth. He had a Buick convertible, and with the top down we all climbed on and hung on until he could barely get it to move through the ticket booth line. I wish I could remember the number, but we broke records for the most ever getting in on a $1.00 a carload ticket! 

I looked for a photo of the old Horseshoe, but both it and the Hillcrest Drive-In have been torn down and nothing remains. If anyone has an old photo, I would love to have it.. Scan and send, or mail it to me and I'll return it. By the way, has anyone been to the "new" renovated Texas Theater? Let us hear about your experience.

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I got the following email from PEGGY BRANHAM KRUMLINDE:

"This landed in our park this morning while Guenter and Maggie were there for her walk. The lady who took the picture took it from her backyard which is next to the park.  Maggie was terrified when the burner started up for lift-off again." (April 19)

Until next time..

Peace, love, good health and good memories,

Marilyn

HAPPY 50TH ANNIVERSARY

THE PABLO (PAUL) MOTAS

Pablo (Paul) of Ballinger, Texas, and Sally of Phoenix, Arizona,were married at the Maricopa County Courthouse in Phoenix, AZ on March 6th,1964. Witnesses to the ceremony were A1C Charles Kallwait and Ms. Isabel Lopez. 

Pablo was stationed at Luke AFB and Sally was working at Motorola. Their first residence was at Green Park Housing Annex, Japan. 

Pablo served in the Air Force until his retirement in 1975. They then moved back to Texas and soon settled in San Angelo. He earned a degree from ASU and worked at Goodfellow AFB until his retirement in 2002. 

Sally is a homemaker and takes good care of her family. They enjoy day trips in and around the Hill Country especially Fredricksburg, traveling to Las Vegas and visiting their grandchildren in Houston. 

Sally has many interests. She enjoys exercising, and has placed first in her age bracket in the "Pink Ribbon Run". She is also fond of reading, needlecrafts and is a member of the Sacred Heart Cathedral congregation.

Pablo and Sally have a married daughter Linda, wife of Tim. A grandson, Daniel and granddaughter, Ana Marie. They will celebrate in Houston Texas.

Linda, Tim and their children are delighted to share this celebration with "Nana and Grandpa" in Houston.

(From The San Angelo Standard-Times Facebook page)

Many thanks to NANCY THOMPSON BAKER for sending me a clipping from the newspaper regarding PAUL's 50th wedding anniversary. I hope it was a glorious celebration with their daughter's family in Houston.

Congratulations, PAUL and Sally.

Peace and Love,

Marilyn

EVER WONDER WHAT HAPPENED TO.....

BARBARA BRADSHAW?

I am an inveterate web-surfer. Also, I'm still curious about people in my past. Since working on our 50th Class Reunion handbook in 2007, and discovering that BARBARA was a published author, (SNAKE DANCE - Barbara Bradshaw Rogers) I have searched from time to time to see where she was. I found an old website made when she was going by Rogers - her married name at the time, but it was not current. Then there was an obituary in the Ballinger online newspaper for her brother Cecil Bradshaw, which listed her with the new surname Atherton as a survivor. Another web search turned up an email address for her. I have tried unsuccessfully to contact her. Today as I was clearing out some of my bookmarks, I saw where I saved her address in Tulsa.  A quick search turned up this little jewel. I am not certain when this was put online by the Tulsa Toastmasters' Speakers Bureau, but I have not had my email to her returned to me, so I am assuming BARBARA is still "alive and well" in Tulsa.

BARBARA was one of us girls who used to make the drag when we were Freshmen in PATI COCKRELL'S "little gray bug"! You know, the one with the steering wheel on the right? What crazy fun we had. I am hoping BARBARA reads this and feels the urge to write and fill us in with what she is doing at the present time.

BARBARA BRADSHAW ATHERTON, a humorous motivational speaker for over thirty years, is a dedicated Silver recipient in Toastmasters and a Dale Carnegie graduate. She admits each humorous speech holds a hidden serious message. She is a published author, prize winning poet and short story writer. Barbara is a lively engaging master of ceremonies (M.C.) for any occasion and will speak within a 50 mile radius of Tulsa. HOW TO WRITE YOUR LIFE STORY--- MILITARY HEROES ESPECIALLY STEP FORWARD My SECRET goal would be to have every military person that ever served our country to write, preserve, record or speak about serving our world. These heroes inspire us all. An easy way to start and finish a twenty five page life story is audience participation, fun and lively. THE SECRET COPING SKILL---WE CAN'T SHARE WITH JUST EVERYONE In speaking to groups, those in grief, for caregivers or friends, diagnosed as Barbara is, with a life altering diagnosis, she uses soft wit and sly humor built from her life experiences and empathy, the courage of coping every day. She speaks to grief counseling groups, those surviving loss and tough times with an empathy that comes from experience and caring. THE FIFTH SEASON---PHOTOGRAPHS AND PHOTO-JOURNALLING Old barns? They speak to me. Makes me see my own immortality. The old barn? Me? My mortality. Barbara shares enlarged beautiful photographs taken by her husband John Atherton and reads brief poems she and he wrote connecting to the picture. She shares how you can take your photograph and write little snippets of your own life. ****************************************** Speaking of authors, another one I've been wondering about is GLENN SMITH - his whereabouts since he moved to Mexico, and the status of his book! I got this from him a day or so ago: "I am soon returning to Ballinger. I have sold the house at 602 McCarver Drive in Ballinger, but as irony would have it, I am buying one at 608 McCarver. Guess I am not supposed to get far from the park in Ballinger. My phone number will remain the same. Flint Rock novel number 3, titled Ultimate Thirst, is finished and will be available through Amazon's Kindle book store by the time I and my three dogs leave Mexico for Ballinger in a month. Novel number 4, to be called Stolen Gold, is ready to start and will find Flint Rock operating out of a charming west Texas town called Ballinger. I suspect that Ajijic, Mexico may appear also. There is a no longer worked gold mine, owned by a Russian ballerina till her death, that is in a mountain a thousand yards from downtown Ajijic."  If I remember correctly, GLENN, you had only two dogs when you moved to Mexico! Did you by chance pick up a little Chihuahua? **************************** As I was working on this, I decided to use a much larger font than usual, as GLENN's email was in a large font. He has been having some vision problems, as we all have as we grow older. Let me know if this is better for all of you. Tell me about the good stuff happening in your life! Peace and love, Marilyn

ANOTHER LOSS

Last night ROSALYN URBANTKE HOELSCHER called me to inform me of our classmate JERRYE BROOKS JACKSON's husband's passing. I did not know JERRYE, but I know she had several friends while in BHS. She attended our 50th high school reunion. However, the physical and email addresses for her in the back of your handbook are incorrect now. I do not have a current email address, but ROSALYN gave me her current mailing address, should anyone wish to send her a card:

                    JERRYE BROOKS JACKSON

                    119 N Eisenhower Drive

                    Midland, TX 79703

Please make the correction in your handbook.

Bennie Toy Jackson

Bennie Toy Jackson passed peacefully from this life on February 17, 2014. He was born on January 22, 1937 in Canadian, Texas to Charlie and Zona Ladd Jackson. He married JERRYE BROOKS on March 10, 1956 in Ballinger, Texas. He was employed with Permian Corporation for over 20 years until his retirement. PaPa loved fishing, John Wayne and his Dallas Cowboys, but his most prized possession was his family. He loved the outdoors, attending sporting events for his grandkids and great-grandkids, and he was always their Number 1 fan. He always said his kids and grandkids were as pretty as their Papa. He was preceded in death by his parents, two brothers, Charles Jackson and Jim Jackson, and a sister, Bess Randall. He is survived by his wife, Jerrye; children, Larry Jackson and wife Val, of Russellville, Missouri, Bennita Clark and husband Larry, of Midland, Texas, and Mark Jackson and wife Georgia, Midland, Texas; grandchildren, Shawn Berry (Julie), Dave Clark, Heath Clark (Stefanie), Brandon Mitchell (Stephanie), Eric Clark (Allison), Josh Jackson (Elaine), Jarred Mitchell (Amber), Payton Jackson (Amber), Frances Jackson, and Rachel Jackson; great grandchildren, Kaleigh, Dustin, Kate, McKenna, Anthony, Brandi, Matthew, Dacota, Alyssa, Emmaleigh, Kylie, Brady, Karsen, Colby, Xander, Landon, Annie and Abigail; great-great grandchildren, Harper and Cameron; and by numerous nieces and nephews who he loved dearly. Visitation will be Thursday evening, February 20, 5:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m. at the funeral home. Funeral services will be held Friday, February 21, 2014 at 10:00 a.m. at Cuthbert Avenue Baptist Church with Pastor Dean Cook officiating. Interment will take place at the Old Runnels Cemetery, Ballinger, Texas at 2:30 p.m. on Friday, February 21. Donations may be made to the Ronald McDonald House, Special Olympics – Missouri. Arrangements are under the direction of Nalley-Pickle & Welch Funeral Home & Crematory of Midland. Online condolences can be made at www.npwelch.com.

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Our heartfelt sympathy goes out to JERRYE and her family. It is very difficult to lose a spouse after any length of time, but they were married nearly 60 years.

Peace, love, and good health to you and yours,

Marilyn

ANOTHER CLASSMATE'S LOSS

BALLINGER Mary Alice Harral Cole, 79, of San Angelo, went to be with the Lord on Thursday, Feb. 20, 2014. She was born on April 7, 1934, in Buckholts, Texas, to Elmer and Hazel (Brown) Harral. She grew up in Ballinger and graduated from Ballinger High School. Mary married Maxie J. Cole, "M.J.", on Aug. 14, 1953. They enjoyed 60 years together, raising two children and being an active part of their grandsons' lives. She was a woman of faith and beauty and the world was a better place when she was in it. Mary was preceded in death by her son, Douglas W. Cole; her parents; her sisters, Ruth Harral and Dorthy Camp; and four brothers, Kenneth Harral, Elmo Harral, Paul Harral and Wayne Cole. She is survived by her husband, MJ; her daughter, Leslie Stegall and husband Larry of Killeen; grandsons David Stegall of Rockport and Christopher Stegall of San Antonio; her sisters, Virginia Egan and husband Mike of Ballinger, Darlene Jones and husband Jimmy of Rockwall, Martha Sherman and husband Dennis of Abilene and Helen Cole of Round Rock; and her brother, Pat Harral and wife Carolyn of San Angelo. Also surviving are numerous nieces and nephews. A memorial service will be held at 3 p.m. Saturday, Feb. 22, at Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. Arrangements are with Lange Funeral Home in Ballinger. 

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I know we all wish to send our prayers and condolences to VIRGINIA HARRAL EGAN on the loss of her sister. I remember Mary as a very sweet and loving woman.

Peace and love,
Marilyn

MOMS' BRAGGING RIGHTS

Today I received the following email from DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS that I know you will get a kick out of:

"I continue to be amazed at all the work you put in for all of us. Thank you again, and a special thanks for all the news about so many of our flock who have gone on. We cannot help but remember them at this time and kick ourselves for not thinking of them more often. My prayers go out to all those who are grieving at this time and prayers for those who are suffering from maladies. I can only close my eyes and say a prayer of thanks for the wonderful life I am living. My children are with me so much, l am in good health, and yes, I am certainly still having fun.  

A little note of smiles: my son Greg who has a welding company here was called by a friend a few weeks ago and was asked for a recent photograph. He complied and before days end a movie company working in Old Tucson called and asked if he would come and become part of the company. Now Greg is 6’3”, 198 lbs., dark wavy hair, and a graying beard and mustache. He was hired immediately (we think because he can ride a horse). He plays a bad guy with a huge scar on his face. The title of the event is DEAD MEN, THE SERIES. You can look it up on the internet. He is having a ball. He will only have one line in this film, but has been asked to be in a movie being shot there in  a few months.

We all tease him unmercifully , but he is a good sport. It is a fun recess from all the work he does welding. We tease, but we are so proud of him. Who knew!!!" Love to all of you, DOTTIE

We can't wait to hear what other movie he will appear in, DOTTIE. Please keep us informed.

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We mothers and grandmothers have such fun watching our kids grow, achieve, and even perform, don't we? Which reminds me.. my younger son Matthew has his own business and works out of his home. He can pretty much set his own schedule most of the time. He and I usually like the same movies and TV shows, and the past few months we've enjoyed the new NBC TV series REVOLUTION. It is set in the future, when the United States has suffered a blackout that left the entire country without electrical power. Different pockets of rebellion set up across the U.S. as groups try to gain control of the government. Of course, it is not possible that this could happen in the U.S. -- or is it?

By accident, I found out that they were filming this series in and around Austin. On a lark, Matthew answered a call for extras to be in the series. He sent photos and they called him throughout the month of December. As it was the end of year he was busy with his own work, closing out his year, and couldn't work for them.  He finally got to report for two days of shooting, although one day the weather kept them from doing so. He plays a Marine Commander at Gitmo (I guess it still operates in the future!), and although he speaks, it is without a microphone. I'm hoping he gets to have more of a role in the future. He just had a good time hanging out with all our favorite stars from the series. They don't allow people (like moms and wives, drats) on their sets, and no cameras. He had another extra take the photo above with his cell phone.

Now Matthew doesn't ride a horse, but he has ridden quite a few motorcycles and ATVs. He even did a commercial for a large car dealership in Austin. He wears a big hat in this one, and doesn't get to show his face, but again, he had lots of fun doing this when he was on a motorcycle trip in Big Bend. Turn your speakers on to watch this video. Needless to say, the guy at the end is not Matthew, but Cecil, the owner of the dealership.

 

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Now all of you mothers and grandmothers out there, send me your bragging rights so we can all share in the fun. New photos are welcome, too.

Peace and love,

Marilyn

MORE GOOD STUFF FOR A CHANGE

I know all of you who live in the Ballinger area, and those who read the Ballinger Online News already know about the renovation and recent Grand Opening of the old Texas Theater in Ballinger. It is a new experience for such a small town - a dinner theater. They have their own website that I encourage you to check out. Texas Theater website. It contains pictures, menu (below), upcoming films, and a really fun video with some current Ballinger residents. I've been to one similar in the Dallas area years ago, but the food was not nearly as extravagant. My sister Jean and I order pizza! We had extremely comfortable seats that swiveled and even reclined somewhat. I thought the price was a little high, but when I see what the Texas Theater offers, and the price, ours was really rather cheap. I'll have to admit, though, that the one we attended only showed movies, and probably only had burgers, hot dogs, and pizza on their menu. Nothing like what the Texas Theater offers. If any of you have been, please share the experience (and photos if you have them) with us!

This is one of the menus on their website. A meal such as this would cost much, much more in a larger city. In 1950 dollars, this $30 for a meal and movie would have cost $3.60 plus the cost of the movie ticket. Considering the cost of the movie in Ballinger at that time was (you old-timers correct me if I'm wrong) about 25 cents, and a McDonald's hamburger could be bought for 15 cents (I know there wasn't a McDonald's in Ballinger!), $3.85 would have been a little expensive for most citizens. Especially the teenagers on dates. No one dared to go Dutch treat back then - the guys always paid. Right?

Live performances, music, standup comics, all seem like Ballinger will become a hub for entertainment. What a great place to take your sweetie for Valentine's Day, anniversary, birthday, or any special occasion.

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This photo is of Dream Lake in the Colorado National Forest, where JIM COWLISHAW and his wife Betty went last year. He sent an email describing another trip they took last fall:

"We went to Red River, New Mexico for a week. This was one of our better trips. We rented a cabin in the mountains.and just took it easy. Had to come down and go several miles into town to use the phones. (And no Walmart.)

We picked and enjoyed wild strawberries and mushrooms off the mountain. I don't know how the people survive, but it would be really tempting to try. Then I remember my banker, and what he would do - maybe come along, you think?"

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DON WHITE ? and  DORIS ?

Now for some fun photos. I check out the Ballinger Online Newspaper from time to time, and sometimes come up with tidbits of information, like the Texas Theater opening, that haven't necessarily been shared with me. (Hint, hint.) I'm not certain, but I believe these auto pictures are from the 4th of July parade. As there were no names with them, I guessed on the one above. It sure looks like DON WHITE driving, and a hint of red hair on the passenger side must be DORIS WHITE. Correct me if I am wrong. Whoever it is, I really like their wheels!

When I saw this photo, I couldn't make out the face of the driver, but I thought I had seen the car before. Sure 'nuff, the next photograph confirmed my suspicions:

Yep, it's BILL KING, the silver-haired fox, with a young cutie at his side that I assume is his granddaughter. Again, correct me if I'm wrong.

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As you've read about before, DENNY HILL has a flat (apartment to us) in Warsaw, Poland that he returns to during breaks from school and in the summer. He was there during the Christmas vacation. I had inquired about how he was faring in NY when the first big Polar Vortex hit the east coast, and he wrote he was in Warsaw and sent me some interesting replies.

"I have been following the extreme cold in the USA. And as I think you know, here in Warsaw it has been correspondingly very mild. It is as if the 'atmosphere' of the earth has slipped, like a cloth covering a globe of the earth, in which the North Pole has slid down towards Minnesota, bringing another part of the cloth up from warmer regions, so that here we are in something like early spring or late fall. Bizarre! Don't know what to think of it, except that it might just be the beginning of another 'little ice age'. Some scientists think that 'global warming' might in fact trigger another little ice age. It is complicated, but it might have to do with the famous loop (the conveyor belt in the Atlantic, from the Gulf of Mexico to northern Europe). If that collapses, or reverses course, or even weakens a little, we could see the top half of the USA freeze over in an ice sheet."

Every time I hear from DENNY, no matter what the topic, he gets my brain to stirring. I end up having to look up a lot of things on the Internet. There are some interesting articles on what scientists are saying about the possibility of a "new little ice age". Whatever happened to global warming? The extreme cold we've been having -- even as far south as Austin -- makes me hope they are wrong about an ice age. DENNY got home just in time to experience this second round of ice age type weather! Two days ago he said it was 19 degrees there, and he had about a foot of snow in his yard! Brrrr.

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NEIL BROUSSARD has moved his family to Wimberley, Texas from Houston. (I will email his new address for you all to place in the back of your handbook.) When I asked if there were a reason for the move, he promptly replied, "To get out of Houston"! Having lived there many years ago, and hearing how much more congested it is today, I can't say I blame him. Shortly after that, I was watching one of the Today news shows on NBC, and they were spotlighting romantic getaways all over the U.S. Lo and behold! Wimberley, Texas was the first one they showed. It was a beautiful inn or bed and breakfast. Of course, I had to go to my favorite source, the Internet, and look up Wimberley. I couldn't believe there were so many inns, hotels, and bed and breakfasts in and around Wimberley. The Hill Country is beautiful some of the time, but the photos of these places really made it appealing no matter the mesquite or cedar trees that abound down here.

Blair House Inn, Wimberley, Texas

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One more photo before I go. JUNE CURRY HASH and I frequently communicate. We've talked a bit lately due to the extremely frigid conditions in which she lives in Edmond, Oklahoma. JUNE and her son Chris are loving pet owners. Chris has a cat named Sydney, and JUNE has two little rescue dogs that have become like members of her family. She sent me this adorable photograph of  them:

Now, do those look like pampered, loved pets or what? The one on the right is named Dori, but I have forgotten the other. JUNE will have to clue me in. 

I think DOTTIE BISHOP ROGERS is the only one of us who lives where the cold and ice hasn't hit. To the rest of you

Love, peace, and warm fuzzies,

Marilyn

CONDOLENCES FOR ANOTHER CLASSMATE

James Hays sent the following message:

"Jerlene Piel Steel's husband, Sam Steel, died in Abilene two days after emergency surgery for a pericardiac effusion.  He was recovering satisfactorily when he suddenly took a turn for the worse.  I met Sam years ago when he was a deputy sheriff sometime before he and Jerri married, and had the privilege of treating both of them for a number of years.

  

My heart goes out for Jerri and this family.  (This was a tough one for me)."

James

Sammy Ray Steel

Sammy Ray Steel, age 72, of Blanket went to be with the Lord Saturday, January 18, 2014 at Abilene Regional Medical Center.

Graveside Services for Sammy will be held at 10:00 a.m. Wednesday, January 22, 2014 at Eureka Cemetery with David Roe officiating.  The family will receive friends Tuesday evening from 6-8 p.m. at Blaylock Funeral Home.

Sammy was born on December 1, 1941 to Oliver and Audry (Nelson) Steel in Brownwood.  He graduated from Early High School.  His first job was working for Citizen’s National Bank.  Over the years Sammy worked various jobs in Brown and Crane County including 3M, Brownwood School District, Brownwood Police Dept., Brown County Sheriff’s Dept, General Telephone Electronics (GTE), and Charles Land.  He was farming and ranching alongside his wife, Jerri when he retired.

Sammy leaves behind his wife of 37 years, Jerri Steel of Blanket; children, Richard Steel and wife Donna of Brookesmith, Cindy Steel of Austin, Connie Steel of Round Rock, Jeff Steel and wife Beverly of Brookesmith, Randy Tischler and wife Dondi of College Station, Mike Tischler and wife Robin of Denton, and Steve Tischler and wife Gina of Midland; fourteen grandchildren; sixteen great-grandchildren; a sister, Jeannie Belle Fisher of Early. He is also survived by numerous nieces and nephews, other relatives, and friends.

He was preceded in death by his parents, Oliver and Audry Steel; and brother, Bobby Steel.

The family request that memorials be made in his honor to The American Cancer Society or American Heart Association.  Family and friends are invited to leave online condolences at www.blaylockfuneralhome.com. 

Our love, prayers, and condolences to JERRI and her family,

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Also, as some of you already know, Gary Ferguson (BHS Class of '54 - brother of the late Barbara Ferguson, Class of '57) left this earth January 2, 2014. I remember him as a giant teddy bear.. with a good sense of humor, and great on the football field. His obituary can be read on the online Ballinger News site.

Peace and love

Marilyn