PANTHER'S CLASS FORUM

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Jan 1, 2003 at 23:13:35	David & Rosemary

With Ellie we now have 89 members we know where they live. Jacque said I had to have 90 or else!! How many of you sixty something people ever been to "Chucky Cheese"? Talk about a experience. We took two Grandkids, one in the third grade and one in kindergarten. I thought we were going to eat! They have pizza that would make tombstone taste like. ..real tombstone. No beer! The place is a casino. You give the guy money. He gives you tokens. You stick the tokens in a bunch of different machines and you win tickets. With the tickets you win prizes. With 300 tickets, that you could have paid $30 for, you can win $1.50 worth of cheap toys. Kids loved it. Life is great. Very Happy New Year To You All. Lets start getting ready for Reno. Send Vera Money. Rosemary and I will be there or bust. That sounds good "Reno or Bust". ....Love DG & RO

Jan 2, 2003 at 11:32:00	BillyC

Hi Everyone, I am back from the Pyramids. Got back last night about 10:00 pm. WOW. What a trip. Egypt is everything you would think about it and more. They say getting there is half the fun. One of my sons lives in Stamford, CT. Our flight to Cairo left out of JFK, so I decided to fly from Cinti to New York through LaGuardia as it is much closer to him than JFK, and we decided to take the shuttle bus from LaGuardia to JFK. The DL and I took the bus along with about a dozen other brave fools. We got part way there. One of the others was going to the Long Island Rail Depot, so we had to make a side trip along the way. After the depot, we were on our way back to the highway to JFK, and had a flat tire. The driver said we could either take a cab or wait for the next bus, if it came by the Depot. We waited for 15 minutes, no taxis, no more buses. We saw a city bus go by with JFK as a destination, the driver said we could take one of those, too. So we went over to wait for the next bus. This driver said he didn't go to the passenger terminals. Back to the old bus, all the others have already taken taxi's. We talked to the driver awhile, when the next bus came by. Took that one. Got there three hours before our flight time. What a relief. We got to Air France, and checked in. No reservations. The travel agent forgot to send them our ticket numbers and they canceled our reservations. Ticket agent was a trainee and couldn't get us loaded back into the computer. It took two hours to get back in and our seats on the plane. So we got off on our trip with a lot a adventures as we got started. We got to Cairo at 8:30 pm on 12/21. OK. We didn't get visas for Egypt before we left, they wanted $125.00 for them from the travel agent. The guy who met us for the travel agent got them for us at the airport for $40.0

Jan 2, 2003 at 11:35:53	BillyC

Ooops, got bit by the length monster again. Fortunately didn't lose much. Great work Dave, I'm glad we finally got in touch with Ellie. Got to get to work a little, I closed the motel for 11 days for our trip. Got to turn the heat on, it's still a little cold in here.

Jan 3, 2003 at 14:20:11	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Will I just got a email from member number 90. Now Jacque say I have to get 100! Wait, I jumped the track. Number 90 is David Folsom. He said, "Several people have called recently with the message that you are the keeper of the class of 1956 Corcoran high school." My mom always said I needed a keeper now I are one. No David I'm the.. What did Barb G call herself..Oh! Webmaster. I'm the class Webmaster. I like that. I'll add that to my resume. I'm almost old enough to get me a real job at McDonalds. I don't know who called first so I can't award points. I think it was Big J, but I won't mention her by name. OK, I need ten more or she will pluck my feathers. Come on people, I need help.

Jan 4, 2003 at 11:10:54	JimG

In answer to Dave's question about Chucky Cheese. We have one in Visalia and we almost know all the characters there by first name. We have had many birthday parties there with our grandkids. ::::The do sell beer at this one but at 4.50 a glass not too many people buy it. It doesn't make since to have beer at a kids place anyway.::::JimG::

Jan 4, 2003 at 12:36:21	Betty & Sid Grant

HI, THIS BEAUTIFUL FOGGY MORNING IN VISALIA. WE'RE MAILING IN OUR RESERVATION TODAY FOR RENO. WE'RE REALLY LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE. WE'RE ALSO LOOKING FOR THE GOLF LINK, WE'LL KEEP SEARCHING. HOPE EVERYONE HAD A MERRY CHRISTMAS AND HAPPY NEW YEAR. I NOTICED SOMEONE WAS LIVING IN WHITE CITY, OR. WE JUST GOT BACK FROM THERE. SID HAD 3 SISTER IN THAT AREA.

Jan 4, 2003 at 16:39:13	BillyC

Hey, I used to take my boys to Chucky Cheese's back in the early 80's. They have been here, went out of business, and are back again. Actually I'm drinking Grape juice from a Chucky Cheeses' red glass right now, at least the boys accused the DL of taking the glasses from there, a great place. The boys went from the video games there to video games at home on the Atari machines, to video games on the PC, to Information Technology at work. The little one makes only $175.00 per hour now playing with computers at Pitney Bowes. So there is some advantage to games at Chucky's, if you wait long enough. The DL and I celebrated Christmas on a cruise boat on the Nile. It was neat, but the Belly Dancer didn't show up - I was disappointed. Hey, Dave, I saw what looked like a couple of guys you were talking about, but I didn't have anything for them to take. Weather was cool and dry, much better than Ohio where it was cold and wet when we left. It is nice to see other people putting stuff on this site. It's possible that some of us older folks just have more free time. There seems to be a lot more yes's on the member list now. That's great. See you all in Reno.

Jan 5, 2003 at 22:27:00	Jacque P

There have been 603 visitors to the site since November 24th and approximately 50 messages left in the guest book! 1/12th !!!!!!! If it wasn't for Billy C's travel logs we'd have few comments! I sure hope everyone who is saving their comments are going to be "big talkers" when we get to Reno! Anyone looking for a special classmate on the lost list? If you know something let me know by Tuesday AM (1/7/03) My daughter is going to tryout some special software for 1 day. If you have hints on where they lived after Corcoran it helps her track them. Send me an email....she is going to stay after work and run a list. jt

Jan 6, 2003 at 22:55:30	BillyC (ColdIndiana)

I agree with you Jacque!! There could be many more comments listed here by some of our silent classmates. But I can understand their hesitation to write their comments. Believe it or not, it was not until I was in Turkey from 1974 to 1976 that I became as talkative as I am now. From 1956 til then, I was not too talkative, mostly because of the security training I received at the National Security Agency, and my natural reticence to talk from my early years. Dr. Thiess doesn't realize what he has released on the world after his courses there. Oh Yeah, the Ohio State Buckeyes are NATIONAL CHAMPIONS!!!! I graduated from OSU in December 1971 on my birthday. That fall they had the worst team in the past 50 years. Oh Well, If I had requested Season tickets that year, my name might have come up two years ago after 28 years on the waiting list. Oh well, it's a long drive to Columbus from here. We only get the Bengals here. I wouldn't go see them if they paid me. Anyway, it really doesn't hurt to write a few words here in the guestbook. It's almost as easy as reading, with your fingers. BillyC

Jan 8, 2003 at 19:01:01	Elinore Ross North Fort Myers

I'm so glad to be in touch with all of you and all the memories again.(David Gilbert told me to say this!)I would like to hear from anyone who would like to contact me by US mail to North Fort Myers FL.

Jan 8, 2003 at 20:12:58	BillyC ((OOOH, it's getting colder here))

Hooray, We can reach out and touch a new person.

Jan 8, 2003 at 22:27:50	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Hey People, If you want Ellie's phone number and address, send me an email. I feel we have a bunch of new class members coming just around the corner. What a group! Zane has a cattle ranch on Montana. How about Wyman raising race horses out in the middle of West Texas? We purchased two tickets to Reno yesterday!!

Jan 9, 2003 at 11:12:39	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Hi Yesterday we picked up two new members. No. 91 is Wyman Scarborough of Texas. No. 92 is Derek Rea of Alameda. Both are over sixty years old! My goodness some people can put the years on. Thank You Jacqueline.

Jan 9, 2003 at 23:57:54	Patty (Shepherd) Elrod

Hi Everyone. It's wonderful to be able to read all your messages in the Chat Room. Darold & I had so-o-o-o planned to be able to go to Reno, and started to make all reservations, when one of our son's set the time for a Wedding at that time. And one of our Grand-Daughters has her Graduation a couple weeks prior in Illinois. So, our priorities had to be changed. We will be thinking about ALL of you in Reno and hopefully this will be the only Reunion we will miss from now on. Hopefully, there will be lots of pictures show up on the PHOTO SECTION when you guys get back. Miss All You Guys. Love, Patty::P.S. I talked to my Cousin in Corcoran, Freddie Gresham, a couple times this past few weeks and he let me know how things have changed there from our days. Sure sounds different, but still hope to get back there some day.

Jan 10, 2003 at 13:00:15	Bill Rose

Sure good to hear comments from all the old classmates. My wife and I were sure planning on Reno....but it doesn't look like it will happen. We are real envolved in motorcycles, Honda Goldwing, and our State is having their State Rally @ Branson, MO the same week as the reunion. We have plans to go to CA in the month of May, but we can't leave MO until May 9th. We are riding our Goldwing to CA and spending most of our time with my sister, Florence, near Pismo Beach. Hope we can connect with some of you then. Have a great Reunion...::Bill

Jan 10, 2003 at 19:34:57	Jacque

Talk about moving mountains for the Reunion in Reno! May 4th was going to be the day for my grandaughter & class to make their first communion.....got it rescheduled on the 18th of May. Where there's a will there's a way! jt

Jan 12, 2003 at 08:16:46	JimG

Hello everyone,::::I was reading Patty's comments and didn't realize that Fred Gresham was her cousin. Lew Florence and I watched his Grandkids playing football for Tulare Union. They were both first string which won the valley championship two years in a row. They had a great couple of years. As it turns out Fred bought and lives in the home I lived in at 1515 South Wigdal. ::::JimG::::

Jan 12, 2003 at 08:43:34	JimG

Hi again,::::The wind blowing through the hair (?) on a Goldwing is far greater than you can imagine unless you have been there!::::. . . By JimG::::We will have to catch Bill in Pismo later . . . Maybe at the coffee shop in Morro Bay!::::

Jan 12, 2003 at 09:13:35	JimG

I was reading the Panther Tales and saw where Wayne set a new school record in the shotput as a freshman. The new record he set was 5 feet, five inches. Pray tell will somebody tell me what the old distance was!::::JimG::::PS . . . Maybe it was a typo? Naugh

Jan 12, 2003 at 17:39:15	Patty Elrod

Hi All,::Sure do enjoy this Chat Room. Was so neat to read Jim's message about my cousin, Fred Gresham, buying the house he lived in. Small world, isn't it!!!!! Hope everyone is doing okey and also hope all of you are having better weather than we are here in Southeast Kansas. Just got through having 10 inches of SNOW here. Believe me, that's one of the last things us Insurance people look forward to. Have a great week. Patty

Jan 14, 2003 at 12:31:09	Jacque

Jim G & Bill My offer still stands, I'll meet you at the Coffee Pot in Morro Bay when you are in the area. Bill I told your sister I'd meet her for lunch on a non golfing day (not mine, hers) but havent done it yet. The offer for lunch or breakfast is open to ANY classmate who is in the area....it's fun meeting again.

Jan 14, 2003 at 22:10:52	wayne crow

Hi Classmates, time to check back in and see what i have missed. Wow! too much to take it all in. Well i aam up to my ass in snow here at Donnerlake but that is why I am here instead of Pallm Desert. I skied today at Sugar ::'Bowl and it was very good. I am sorry that some of you are not coming to Reno( Patti and Bill ) will we ever get to see you again? I heard from Melvin Jones and he is inviting Jim Reilly and Leonard Thigpen who live in the area. The more the merrier. I will be here in the snow until March and then pat and I are going off to New Zealand with a home exchange . Hello to all of the lost souls that are respoonding to DAve and Jacques efforts to find people. Hi Ellie and Calvin and Derek and Wyman. Hope to see all of you in Reno. Wayne

Jan 15, 2003 at 09:10:27	JimG

Dave,::::Tell me something . . . are those Big Brother eyes following me around?::::JimG::

Jan 15, 2003 at 09:13:23	JimG

Hi everyone,::::It was my turn to spend a couple of hours at the Social Security office. Now I am a bonified senior citizen!::::JimG::

Jan 15, 2003 at 15:13:12	Bill Rose

Jacque....you have a date at the "Coffee Pot" in Morro Bay...Don't know where its located, but Morro isn't that big. Will be there the week of May 18th...

Jan 15, 2003 at 22:36:17	BillyC (ReallyColdIndiana)

Hey Jim, I went to the Social Security Office on Monday. I told them I would be that golden age in December. They tried to get me to make an appointment. I told them to go jump off a bridge, I had spent enough time there already. 20 years was long enough. My source will retire sometime this year, I may have to come up with a new source before then. I'm afraid many of our classmates will be going to their SS office this year. I spoke with Ellie last Friday. She said was a computerphobe, like many others, but would be delighted to hear from any of us who would write to her, or give her a call on the phone.

Jan 16, 2003 at 09:57:41	Dave (Baton Rouge)

In this age of internet miracles, it doesn't make much sense to go to the Social Security office and stand in line. Rosemary or I have never been to a Social Security office. Try https://s00dace.ssa.gov/pro/isba3/wwwrmain.shtml to apply for Social Security. There are also 800 phone numbers you can use to apply. I was looking forward to seeing Bill and Patty. I guess we will have to wander up to Branson, MO. someday maybe and see the snake and monkey shows. I've never been to Bronson, but have been to Gatlinburg, TN. many times. Lots of snakes and monkeys. Snakes and monkeys are high class dog and pony shows.

Jan 17, 2003 at 08:09:19	JimG

Dave,::::I guess I just would rather talk to people instead of a computer. It kind of reminds me of my daughter when our electricity went off and she wasn't going to get out of bed the next morning because she did't have electricity for her curling iron. Long time ago.::::JimG

Jan 17, 2003 at 08:16:54	JimG

Dave,::::I forgot to add that was refering to the government setting up social security. We had a lot of questions to ask. I'm not sure they all got answered anyway . . . Maybe you're right! The next time I will try it via email.::::I'm not quite sure how old I will be then . . . ::::JimG::

Jan 17, 2003 at 13:42:17	Bill Rose

For anyone that has never been to Branson, MO, let me say that you have missed a great vacation spot. After I retired from the Postal Service in 95, I drove a tour bus all over the USA for seven years. I've seen many tourist traps and lots of hospitality. Many places, I have returned to, with my wife, for additional visits. Believe me, Branson is one of the best with their Ozark hospitality.::Still, my most favorite spot is Quebec City, PQ, Canada.::Anyone visiting Branson, give me a call so we can get together.

Jan 17, 2003 at 21:40:16	Wayne Crow

Hey, I just read some back items and found Jim G said that I set a new school record for a freshman in the shot put of 5'5". Wow that was some big put!!! The ring is 6' so I quess I made it out of the ring. I did get better later. Bill, some day I will get to Branson. Jacque I will see you at the Coffeepot but not till after the reunion. Patti I wish you could come but I know family iis top of the list. What else? I will go over to Reno next week so I will go to the Peppermill and check ouut the slots and food. It has been in the hihg 50's and way to early for spring up here. Keep on writing these little gems of old dwisdkom for all of us to read. Each one brings back memories good and some sad but they are still ours. I hoope you are all well. WC

Jan 17, 2003 at 22:33:44	Dave

Today we found Classmate No. 93, James Ordonez, retired from the USPS ten years ago. Lives in Fresno with his wife Georgia. More to come! Fermin sent me another photo of that group of classmates taken in the 7th or 8th grade. Now I have one from Rosemary,Julia and Fermin. They are not the same photo. Fermin thinks its his 7th grade class. We don't have a 1951 Harvester to check. Go to the snapshots 1 page and click on Question. Tell me what the occasion is.

Jan 18, 2003 at 13:42:00	Dave

How about member No. 94? Give up. OK its Rufus Ortaga. Lives in Fresno. Six more and they will have to find this place on their own.

Jan 19, 2003 at 22:06:27	Jacque (Sunny/warm/SLO)

David.....you know if we reach 100, it would be fun to try for at least another 10....I know I"d better duck quick before you sling something all the way from Baton Rouge. Wonder how many of the 94 will arrive in Reno....2 have already sent their regrets.

Jan 20, 2003 at 15:09:18	Jacque &Bob the cat (jqthmsn)

Those eyes are a draw for my cat, he hears the computer and in he comes, sits right in front of the screen and bats at the cursor, goes crazy when I roll the eyes and loves to watch the panther. I'm getting old! In days of old I would have shoved the cat off the desk and chased him out of the room, now I let him sit and bat at the eyes for a good minute.David senta class list from the 81 reunion, 34 valid addresses now it's 94 and counting. We all need to give David a big HUG for putting in the time and energy not only to find everyone but also to keep this website interesting.

Jan 21, 2003 at 10:48:50	Dave

Added a new page today. The link is off the 2003 reunion page. The title is "We Are Going List". Its time Rosemary and I to make reservations at the hotel and pay Vera for the dinner and expenses. My problem now is the dinner choice. No crawfish, catfish, hushpuppies, french fries or anything. I'll use the dart board method.

Jan 22, 2003 at 19:27:06	BillyC (ReallyReallyColdIndiana(3Deg F))

Well, the Buckeyes are National Champs, and the Raiders are going to the Super Bowl. I hope the Raiders win.

Jan 22, 2003 at 22:47:46	JimG

Hi everyone,::::Just got word that Wayne C was changing his email address to Waypatcrow@aol.com . . . I guess the eyes must have made him do it.::::JimG

Jan 24, 2003 at 02:30:29	Derry Rea (somewhere in Alameda)

I guess I don't know anyone here. All my friends were Billy or Bobby and all I can find are Bills and Bobs. There were some Henrys, Waynes, Jerrys, and Jimmys. I haven't grown up. But I guess the rest of the world has.

Jan 24, 2003 at 09:35:24	BillyC (ColdIndiana)

We were supposed to go to -6 degrees last night, but the cloud fairy came by and kept it to +3 degrees. Welcome aboard Derry, it is good that new people show up. It keeps us old guys honest. BillyC

Jan 25, 2003 at 01:47:24	Derek Rea (Check the roster)

I've been reading the past entries in this fun place. and I've found a problem. When I first came to Corcoran the enrry fee to the theater was 9 cents. it was raised to 14 cents after the War.

Jan 25, 2003 at 02:06:38	Tom Nevarez

here is my email address to put in the email address

Jan 25, 2003 at 08:31:39	JimG

That is very true that when some one calls me Jimmy I know that is a school friend from the word go. Of course when I was called James Louis then I also knew I was in trouble.::::JimG::

Jan 26, 2003 at 07:32:35	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES. GOOD TO SEE THE NEW NAMES. HELLO DEREK AND TOMMY. I WOULD REMIND ALL OF YOU TO LOOK AT THE "MISSING CLASSMATES LIST" TO SEE IF YOU KNOW WHERE TO LOCATE ANY OF THEM. TWO WEEKS AGO ON JAN. 12, 03, THE IDEA CAME TO ME TO START PRAYING FOR ALL MY CLASSMATES. I CARRY THE CLASS LIST WITH ME EVERY DAY. I DON'T THINK I HAVE MISSED A DAY SINCE THEN. IT OCCURED TO ME A COUPLE OF DAYS AGO THAT THAT DATE IS THE DAY I WAS "BORN AGAIN" JAN 12, 1964. 39 YEARS AGO. I AM PRAYING FOR THE MISSING ONES TOO. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING ALL OF YOU IN RENO. LOVE BRAD

Jan 26, 2003 at 15:02:32	Dave

My cat Sally Fang read what Jacque said about Bob the Cat and this pair of...of...pair.. will eyes, I guess. I call the something else. This pair of eyes. Now, she likes to set on the key board and watch. She swats at them, then runs around to the back to see if they are back there. I click on mail and then new message. This gives me something the eyes can't see through and they will be peaking around the edge at the last place you were at. I'm using it as I write this. Then I can spell check before pasting it in the "Add page" If you are wondering what I'm doing. I'm killing time. Its somewhere in the high thirties outside and raining. I'm not going out there. The game doesn't start for 3 hrs. Poor BillyC and the weather where he lives. Will someone has to live there; might as will be Billy. Ellie told me they had frost in Fort Myers the other morning. That's cold. She said the ink wouldn't come out of the pen. The first house my son had in Tampa didn't even have a heater! You want to see something. Go to the top of your screen, click on View,then click on source, scroll halfway down until you see the name Kurt Gregg. This is what this page really looks like. The Kurt is at the bottom of the page and everything else is to make the pair of...eyes work.

Jan 26, 2003 at 20:31:57	Jacque & Bob

Happy to see someone else has enter the "crazy cat zone". Today it was in the mid 70's, so nice infact I quit pruning the roses, took the book that I'm trying to finish (John Adams) and sat on the deck. The panther on the top of this page is another cat pleaser. jt

Jan 26, 2003 at 21:00:01	BillyC (Snowy&FrozenIndiana)

Well guys, We only had about 5 inches of snow this morning, it was about 24Degrees at 4:00am when the temp started dropping. It's supposed to be -3 in the morning, schools in the country are closed for tomorrow. City schools are open unless it really gets messy. The DL gets to drive to school in the mess. I get to set here at the motel and watch the trucks drive by on Hwy 52. The Bucks are up 35-15. Looks bad for the Raiders. Bye. See You in Reno. BC

Jan 27, 2003 at 10:48:53	BillyC (FrozenIndidana)

I think the weather guys missed it again last night, it was -12 instead if -3, my water lines are ice this morning. At least the heat is still working, I think the heater in the pump room gave up the ghost last night, something like the Raiders. I also have a electric motor connecter in my boiler was making rattling noises this morning. Oh the problems of an older motel in Indiana.

Jan 27, 2003 at 14:41:26	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Wow! We've had 5000 visitors to the home page since this site started more than 18 months ago. Better yet, January 2003 is the busiest month ever! In January there were 44,197 request for pages. The second highest was 33,983 in October 2002. It is a lot of work for me to hold up each page so you can look at it, but I guess it comes with the job. Thank You.

Jan 27, 2003 at 17:52:57	BillyC (WarmingUpIndiana)

Shortly after I finished this morning we had our first guest, he just wanted to get a little sleep. About 15 minutes after that, No 2 came in, got a room, called 5 minutes later, No Water, Toilet wasn't working. HMMM - -12 degrees - pipes probably frozen. Called plumber. No 2 left because of no water. Plumber came, put good heater in pump house, water back on shortly - about 5 minutes. Heater in pump house gave up its hard work. Replaced with new heater -almost all is well. Also found bad faucet, and had bad electric motor on one pump for heaters in 1/3 of rooms. Replaced that, all is working. I love really cold winters. Temps are slowly rising. expectly low in low 20's tonight, which is higher than now. Tomorrow Middle 30's, day after in the 40's - almost spring like, almost 50 by the weekend. Wow.

Jan 27, 2003 at 18:46:42	Jacque (Hot in California!)

Hey Billy what does a plumber cost in Indiana? In SLO the charge is $85 per hour!....it's higher in other parts of California. Today I made reservations, sent Elvira a check, and hired a house sitter/ animal sitter ( for Ace, Bob, & Zip) so David you can add a big fat yes! by my name. still working on some additional misplaced classmates. LETS ALL LOOK AT THE CAN'T FIND LIST ONE MORE TIME....IF YOU KNOW WHERE THEY LIVED 15 OR 20 YEARS AGO LET US KNOW IT HELPS IN THE SEARCH.

Jan 27, 2003 at 22:32:02	JimG

Dave,::::I was looking for the view at the top of the screen, but this DL (Dragon Laptop) does not seem to have it at the top of the screen . . . who knows!::::Talk to you guys later, going to the missing list to see who is missing still.::::JimG::

Jan 28, 2003 at 07:45:08	BillyC (WarmingUpIndiana)

Yesterday at this time it was -11, now it is 24 going up to 37. Jackie, it is about $67.00/hr here, even in the snow and outside. Yesterday we just put a heater in the pumproom, but I also had an electric motor go bad to so they had to change that too. It wasn't too bad, only one service call. When I went to McDonald's for breakfast, it didn't even need my gloves. It's getting almost balmy here now.

Jan 28, 2003 at 16:04:39	DAVID (BATON ROUGE)

WE NEED TO KNOW WHAT STATE MARY JO JOHNSON WAS BORN IN. IF YOU KNOW PLEASE SPEAK UP. That's "state" like one of the United States, not mental or physical!

Jan 28, 2003 at 23:59:19	Jacque

How many of you remember when we use to get "mass" vaccinations in grammer school. Smallpox was the worst! Mine didn't take because my first one gave me a slight case of smallpox. I was always jealous of the bumps everyone got on their arms and how they showed them off. I'm sure they weren't as bad as I remember but it seemed like the whole shool was lined up at the same time, they gave you several different shots as the same time and it "seemed" like it was a yearly thing. It scared the heck out of me and I'm sure I cried each time, then they didn't believe in spoiling the child like they do in the Dr.'s office now.

Jan 29, 2003 at 13:45:11	(Barbara Goodrich) Weaver

I thought I added something to the chat room a few weeks ago, but apparently I haven't concurred this task. Hope to see many of you at the reunion in May. ::::Looking forward to old time (and looking for my Harvester to bring.)::::See you then.::::Barb.::

Jan 29, 2003 at 21:52:30	wayne crow

Dear Classmates, Today our good friend Stanley Verdell Florence met with a surgeon in Bakersfield to discuss the impending removal of most of his left lung due to a discovery of cancer in the major lobe. I have talked to Stan and he is being very strong about this. You may not know but 15 years ago lhe had cancer in the other lung and had a successful removal of the infecfted lobes. He also has had a heart attack in the last 6 years or so. You can say that he has had many chances to give lup but he hasn't. I know he would like all of us to keep him in our prayers and thoughts as he and Joan go through this trying time. He says that nothing will keep him away from the REno Reunion in May so lets all hold him to that . His address is 3408 Cedar Canyon Bakersfields Ca 93306. Today is also his 65th BD. What a way to spend that special day. I can remember the day that he checked in to our first grade class and we have been best friends ever since. Pray for him.

Jan 30, 2003 at 03:31:23	BRAD

HI WAYNE, THANK YOU FOR SHARING ABOUT STAN. I WILL CERTANLY PRAY FOR HIM DAILY. ALSO, CLASSMATES, WE LOCATED MARY JO JOHNSON IN WASH. STATE THROUGH HER SISTER BETTY. LOVE BRAD

Jan 31, 2003 at 14:52:30	David Gilbet

Stan Florence, We totally expect to see you and Joan at the reunion along with a lot of others. If you don't show, you are in a bunch of trouble. Tom Nevarez! Please email me. We need your email and home address. Check out who will be at the reunion. Click on "We Are Going List!" at the bottom of the reunion instruction page. The search engines love to pull up this page. It is pulled up on a search two or three times a day. Don't write anything you don't want the world to know.

Feb 2, 2003 at 06:59:32	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES,the reunion is getting closer. It is getting exciting. When we were at the reunion in Bakersfield in 91, as Wayne was asking for someone to volunteer to head up the next reunion, the idea came to me that I would like to organize the reunion in 2056 ( the 100 yr ).The idea was born. You say we won't be here then, you are right. It won't be down here, it will be in heaven. Since then, I have been working on ideas. If anyone is interested in helping, I have some ideas. E-mail me and I will share them. That will be an exciting reunion. Love Brad

Feb 2, 2003 at 22:40:42	BRAD

IT WAS 2001, NOT 91. I DON'T KNOW HOW I COULD HAVE EVER MADE A MISTAKE LIKE THAT. LOVE BRAD

Feb 3, 2003 at 09:48:42	BillyC (WarmSpringlikeIndiana)

Wow. I got up yesterday morning and did not even need a jacket to go outside. It was 57 around noon, and supposed to be around 60 today, but it's an Indian Spring, cold weather again tomorrow, only in 30's, and lower later this week. I guess it's better than a steady diet of teens and 20's weather.

Feb 3, 2003 at 20:31:10	Dave (Baton Rouge)

OK, Back to the hunt. Thanks to Brad, we have member number 95 on the list. Mary Jo Johnson (England) lives in Federal Way WA. Also,if anyone got their reservations for the Peppermill Hotel via email, you may not have got the Special Corcoran Deal. Check if your name is on the "We Are Going List" Tomorrow, maybe, I'll email everyone about the reunion.

Feb 4, 2003 at 17:57:09	BillyC (Backinfreezeragain)

It was nice and warm yesterday. I put 480 lbs of salt in my water softener, and my car in the mud next to the pump room. Couldn't get it out. This morning was 29, went back and tried the car, no luck. Got a shovel and dug a path for the wheels to come out, much firmer this morning, did I say it was really really cold? Anyway I got the car out of the mud. Next time I'll wait til the ground is frozen again to put the salt in. I'm glad I can still put 480 lbs of anything in anywhere at 64.

Feb 5, 2003 at 09:51:11	BillyC (BlueIndiana)

This morning was 12 degrees, not too bad, going up to at least 27, so it's back to normal, as long as it's not -12 again. Sun is shining bright, no snow, no rain. It's a wonderful day, and the 35 mph wind is down to next to nothing. Talked to the girl in Reno, got my room reservation done, all I need now is my airline stuff once I decide when to go. We have a fishing tournament scheduled for May 2nd and 3rd, I'm not sure if I want my son to take that on all by himself, so I may have to forego flying into LA and driving by and seeing my cousins and others on the way to Reno. What a bummer.

Feb 5, 2003 at 11:49:33	J.Polzin

Billy you are missing a perfect opportunity to start a Journal. From your entries here I can see that you would enjoy that. I have a friend who has kept a Journal that is more than a diary since 1959. It has even help me win a few arguments with the Big Guy because she makes notes on everyone she came in contact with that day. We all rely on her to "remember" the events. You must have additional material to draw from with visitors to your motel....if you kept notes for 5 years you could write a book and retire! I wish I had recorded all of the sayings the Big Guy (my DL) came up with in the past 45 years.....no one would believe it! Glad to hear you've made your reservations.

Feb 5, 2003 at 23:09:43	Dave Gilbert

I received this email from Anna Clark: I was hoping Hank could attend the reunion this year but due to an illness we won't be able to be there. Hank had a blood clot in his leg and then in his lung, as a result he is still seriously ill. He won't be returning to work due to this illness and will officially retire in October 2003. I regret having to send you this news, it's very hard on all of us. Hopefully, he'll recover to the point that he'll be able to do some of the things in his retirement that he's always looked forward to doing.

Feb 6, 2003 at 20:24:39	Dave Gilbert

Hey all you all. Today, Thanks to Barbara, we added Harold Hagler to our list of classmates. Harold is number 96.

Feb 8, 2003 at 04:34:08	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES, DOES ANYONE HAVE A PICTURE OF OUR KINDERGARDEN CLASS? ALL MY OLD PICTURES GOT LOST YEARS AGO WHEN THE ROOF LEAKED ON THE OLD BARN. I HOPE SOMEONE HAS TAKEN BETTER CARE THAN I. LOVE BRAD

Feb 8, 2003 at 20:08:10	BillyC (

Hi Guys and Gals, I just got an e-mail from Anna Clark. I sent them one after seeing Dave's post. She said she got several e-mails from people from here that she accidentally deleted before she got the chance to read. So if you sent them something and didn't here from Anna, you were one of that group, send it again. I'm sure she will answer. It was on 2 degrees here again last night, I had hoped it was over, but it's not. I usually starts warming up a little this month, but later on, I guess. Well, anyway,I didn't have to go out until later on. I had a drunk come in yesterday, and we couldn't get a response from him, so later on called the sheriff's office in case he was in trouble. Nope, he was just soundly asleep. Better safe than sorry.

Feb 10, 2003 at 13:56:25	Betty Wolf

Hello to all of you. It has been some time since I have written,since I didn`t go to school there nearly as long as most of you I don`t feel I have much to add, But I do enjoy reading all of your comments and of course even tho I don`t remember too many I do remember lots of the names and enjoy being a part of it. I am sorry we won`t be at the reunion but I just can`t get my husband to go, but its ok as I am expecting to read lots of comments and see many pictures.Brad I am interested in your idea of a reunion in 2056 and you can count on me to help out I will be emailing you more on this a little later, think we still have plenty of time. God bless all of you. Betty(Blankenship) Wolf

Feb 12, 2003 at 10:42:09	David Gilbert

Found an email that was sent to Vera on 11/16/01. It's a list of all class members with known addresses. The list had only 57 members. Today we have 96. That's good! I want to thank all ya'll that helped with our list. Now, we be's off to Biloxi, Mississippi to insert some revenue into the poor local economy. Bought cheap gas yesterday for $1.50 / gal. Can't imagine the cost in California.

Feb 12, 2003 at 18:48:33	BillyC (WeirdWeaInd)

Yesterday I woke up to 12 degree weather with snow pouring down, by noon it was sunny and almost warm. We had a cold front blow by last night with 45mph winds blowing. It was 15 Degrees this morning, but sunny. Went home this morning to film the DL's Chinese New Years Program. On the way I saw some really weird things out on a golf driving range, that was covered by snow. I thought there had been a snowball fight out there - NO - they were just snow rollers, caused by the wind. They were kind of cute.

Feb 12, 2003 at 19:11:51	Loren Vincent

Hi All,::I just got thru reading the comments on our web page.::It is good that we have that many "Old" classmates listed.::Good work on finding that many.::We were planing on going to the reunion but I got the opportunity to go on a work and Witness trip through our Church. It is a trip to Australia. We are going down under to work on the kitchen of the Nazerene College there. So far we have 28 folks going.::I hope that you all have a great time and post a lot of photos on the web so we can see them.::Social Security is not that hard to get on. I have been on S.S. for 3 years. When I retired at the ripe old age of 62:: I signed up for S.S. ::If any one wants to e-mail me please feel free to do so. I would love to hear from all of you.::Loren Vincent::"Class of '56"

Feb 12, 2003 at 21:16:57	Jacque Polzin

David, gas in California varies but in this town today the highest was $1.87. $197/ $2.07 at the Chevron Station and two blocks down it was $1.67/$1.77/ & $1.87 at the Arco. In fresno it can be 20cents cheaper on the same day,go figure! If I could get gas that cheap I'd be filling the machines in Reno or Las Vegas. I remember cruising in Fresno when gas was 17 1/2 cents a gallon. Those were the days.

Feb 13, 2003 at 10:18:03	BillyC

Well, the price of gas here in Ohio and Indiana is quite volatile, at least in Ohio. Here in Indiana, it doesn't change that much except goes higher. In Ohio most gas is about $1.7499 for regular people, except some are $1.55. A couple of weeks ago it was anywhere from $1.29 to $1.49 for regular. It has had a 30 cent hike in one day, then down 20 cents the next. Now it is fixed, for a least a few hours anyway. It acts like the temperature. Yesterday and today it was 10 Deg in the mornings, up to 25 in the afternoon. Today it is suppose to be in the low 30's, and in the 40's and 50's on Saturday and Sunday, then back in the freezer next week. I almost liked it better in Korea when it was -35 to -40 the whole winter.

Feb 13, 2003 at 21:47:26	Dave Gilbert

With the help of Jacque and Jerry, we added Odell Wyatt to our membership list. Odell brings the total to 97. Also, we can welcome No. 98 Tom Nevarez to our pride.

Feb 15, 2003 at 10:52:36	JimG (Arlenejimjag)

I have a question for all the classmates. How many grandchildren are attending Corcoran High? Or maybe finished there and going to college. Or . . .::::I know we all had fun growing up there!::::JimG

Feb 17, 2003 at 16:23:58	BillyC

Well, The Big Storm didn't pass us by, but it didn't smack as bad as other places. My oldest son, Dave, Flew in from Tucson, last Thursday. It was raining there while he was there from Boston. I told him thanks, as he was bringing the weather with him. He was supposed to stay until yesterday, but he left Saturday instead becaue of the weather. He made it back to Boston before it got too bad. Saturday night when the DL checked on her brood, they were playing games online on their computers. WE got our parking lot plowed this afternoon. I has finally stopped snowing, but we only got about six inches over 3 days, not as bad as the east coast. It's supposed to be in the 50's soon. Can't wait.

Feb 18, 2003 at 22:06:37	BillyC

Talked to Dave this afternoon via IM. He had 20 in of snow there in Boston, the same rain he had in Tucson. It followed him, he brought it here too.

Feb 19, 2003 at 20:23:02	BillyC

While my son, Dave, was almost stranded here this past weekend, I was discussing Reno with him, and the DL decided that it wouldn't be a good idea for him to take off to take my place for Reno, and said she would ask her sister, who takes our place when we go off running around in the Summer galavanting around the globe. She has to leave for Taiwan as her husband has some sort of cancer that is going to be removed. We'll know later on after the operation. But one way or another, I'll be there. I think the DL is mad because I don't want to go with her during her Spring break for her college class reunion. I told her that I didn't want to go because there was only going to be old people there. Now she's really in a dudgeon. Oh well.

Feb 19, 2003 at 20:39:26	Dave

Hey Billy, with all the talk about the cold weather in Southern Ohio / Indiana, I thought I would tell you that the flowers blooming in Louisiana. Better yet, Elinore said she put on her swim suite and went swimming at beach today. It was 70º here and 80º in North Fort Myers. So..why do you think so many people are living in the cold rust belt? When I lived outside Philadelphia every morning in the winter I said to myself. "What in the __ are you doing in this place?" And yes in the summer I said "Wow! I love this place." Almost every place in the world has its good points and bad points. However, if you ever had to give the world a enema, I've been to some places where you can stick the hose in.

Feb 19, 2003 at 22:46:43	BillyC

Actually Dave, Cincinnati Winters and I go way back. I was coming to work here on 1/30/78, which was a Monday. The Thursday before that the blizzard of '78 hit. I was living in Columbus and it took me three days to get my car out of the snow. It took me 9 hours to drive down here to Cincinnati, a normal 2 hour drive. The next year was the same, then it went to 1998 til the next bad winter. Now this year. The DL wants to move either to Callifornia or to Taiwan. I told her California was almost okay, but Florida would be better, but no I didn't want to go to Taiwan to live. Louisana wouldn't be bad either. I have friends near Slidell. Oh well, Whatever will be, will be. I hope someone will take my place here in May.

Feb 20, 2003 at 08:04:31	BRAD

DAVID, YOU GET THE "GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION AWARD" FOR THE DAY. BRAD

Feb 21, 2003 at 09:08:02	JimG

Hey Brad,::::When was the last time it snowed around here? When you get a couple of inches of snow here in California WATCH OUT! All the driver's think they are all of a sudden practicing for the olympic bobsled run. It must of been about 5 or 7 years ago that it snowed. The big thing was everyone lost a lot of their queen palm and sego palms. Nurseries loved it.::::JimG::::::

Feb 21, 2003 at 13:37:12	David Gilbert

Sorry about my graphic description Brad. It was one of many quotes my physic professor at COS was always saying. Also, when describing a book he would say, "The paper is too slick to be of any good use." Jim, our oldest grandchild is in the fourth grade, but I did have two sons that went to grammar school in Corcoran. Sadly, I had one son who attend Hanford High School, but only a half year. Thinking back, when he graduated from the 8th grade, Kay Maroot gave him his diploma. All three of our kids went to the grade school that was located between our houses in Hanford.

Feb 22, 2003 at 05:58:30	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES, DAVE, I WAS NOT OFFENDED BY YOUR GRAPHIC DESCRIPTION, I THOUGHT IT WAS CUTE. WE GOT A GOOD CHUCKEL OUT OF IT. I HAD THAT SAME PHYSICS PROFESSOR, BUT I DON'T REMEMBER THAT ONE. I DO REMEMBER THAT THE SLICK PAGES IN THE SEARS CATALOG WERE NO GOOD. JIM, I THINK IT WAS THE WINTER 99-00, THOUGH I CAN'T THINK OF ANYTHING TO TIE IT TO. THERE WERE A LOT OF FENDER BENDERS THAT DAY AND THE PALM TREES DIDN'T LIKE IT. NO ONE RESPONDED TO MY INQUIRY ABOUT PICTURES OF OUR KINDERGARDEN CLASS WITH MS. GORDON. MAYBE THAT'S TOO FAR BACK TO REMEMBER.LOVE BRAD

Feb 23, 2003 at 23:03:23	BillyC

Hi Everyone, Here I am again. Hey, Dave, I've been to one or two of those enematic places, too. Probably at least the same Korea as you. I still remember the smell of that place, and it reminds me of an enema. About those Kindergarten pictures - I don't think there were any. My mom gave me all of the pictures from school a couple of months before I got married, and there were no Kindergarten pictures, but then again I didn't get any 2nd grade pictures, just a 1st grade class picture, and a bunch of single pictures. I had those until I retired from Social Security, then I put them somewhere, and can't remember where. I put away some stuff out of my wallet before we went Egypt, and when we got back, I haven't been able to locate them either. I hate that.

Feb 23, 2003 at 23:26:25	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES, STAN IS BACK IN THE HOSPITAL. HE GOT PNEUMONIA. HE IS SEDATED AND ON A RESPERATOR. HE NEEDS OUR PRAYERS. I WAS PRAYED FOR IN HIS PLACE TONIGHT AT CHURCH. I TALKED WITH JOAN THIS EVENING, SHE THINKS HE IS DOING BETTER. LOVE BRAD

Feb 26, 2003 at 13:28:52	Dave (BR, LA.)

Well, that was fun. I moved the site to one with 150MB of space. Everything went smooth except..I forgot to record the number on the counter. I think it was around 5800. That's where I reset it to. The big item was the guest book. It just flat didn't want to move. After about a day of begging the it gave in after I said I would turn its power off. We are starting with a new page. The last entries are in the archives.

Feb 26, 2003 at 16:19:45	BillyC (BR, IN)

OH Shoot. I wanted to have the firs post on the new page. I tried this morning and it wouldn't let me in to this page. OH well. I expected something was up. It is still cold here, it usually starts warming up by now, but we're still in the Freezer. The last two years I haven't had to have the parking lot plowed from the snow, Five times already this year, it seems "El Nino" is back.

Feb 26, 2003 at 21:35:22	Janet Howe Wolf

Reply message to Rosemary Gilbert - Rosemary, Glenda Howe is my mother. If you would like to send an e-mail to me @ jusgoofin@yahoo.com I would be happy to pass your message on to Mom. Thanks!

Feb 26, 2003 at 22:23:37	David Gilbert

WOW! Would you look at this. I think we done found Glenda Chipman. This is great. I love this place. Thank you Janet.

Feb 26, 2003 at 23:12:53	Bill Rose

Good work on the move, Dave. Sure glad that we have a talent such as you when it comes to keeping up the computer. I just hack away and haven't any idea of what makes everything work. The only good thing I have is a very good typing ability, thanks to the Air Force and my days as a cryptographer. Just keep up the great work.

Feb 27, 2003 at 01:22:53	Patty Elrod

Reading all the notes has been such a Blessing. So glad to hear there are so many on the list. What a "Brownie Point" for Dave. He has done such a great job. We had still tried to work something out for the Reunion, even though it was clashing with several Family Ordeals, but we seem to have lost this year to make it work. Darold was not released from his Back Surgery last Monday as the bolts are not sealing properly so we have several months still of treatment. We are still gonna hang in there for the next Class Reunion though. We know you'll all have a wonderful time & hope to see "Bunches" of photos. Keep in touch through the Guest Book & maybe we'll be in some of your States for a personal visit some time. Patty(Shepherd)Elrod

Feb 28, 2003 at 18:59:26	David Gilbert

Hi Patty, Sorry to hear the news. We know its tough. I had said I wasn't going to the reunion, unless Rosemary was up to it. I want to tell everyone that she is doing fine and we will be in Reno in May. Sometime after the reunion I've got to go to Arkansas and put our armadillo ranch on the market. Possum on the half shell just isn't selling this year. Maybe we can meet up in Bronson, MO. Bill Rose and Betty Evans can meet us. We can take Bill's motorcycle for a spin and open it up. Jim G said he would come to any events we have. Bill Rose.. your mention of the Air Force reminded me of the times we had in Japan. BillyC.. Korea is the worst place I've ever been and deserves the biggest hose. The diesel fuel to the generators and stoves would freeze in the lines. Inchon harbor is the only place I've been where the ocean was froze when it hit the beach.

Feb 28, 2003 at 22:25:51	BillyC

Hey, Dave. I agree about Korea at that time. They saved a lot of money on diapers there, with the kids' pants split in the crotch. There were 4 space heaters in my quonset, of which only 1 worked, it was 8 degrees in there. At least the Binjo was heated to at least 40 degrees. Later on I actually met a guy who spent time there in the 70's who loved it. Maybe they weren't making cars out of 55 gallon drums then. On the island where I spent the summer, there was a honey pit next to the main gate on our compound, and in the three months I was there, only one GI fell in coming back from the village. That's what fire hoses are for.

Mar 1, 2003 at 12:29:26	BETTY & SID GRANT

KEEP US POSTED ON THE TRIP TO BRONSON. WE HAVE NEVER BEEN THERE AND WOULD LOVE TO GO. LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING EVERYONE IN RENO. HOPING TO SEE MORE NAMES ADDED TO THE LIST AS WE ARE APPROACHING THE DEADLINE.

Mar 1, 2003 at 14:59:30	David Gilbert

Hi Betty, Rosemary says nobody ever been to Bronson, Missouri. My mistake, it's Branson, Missouri. We'll talk about a trip at the reunion. Bill Rose is the Branson expert. The 7th of April is the last day you can get the class discount at the Peppermill Hotel. I'll send everyone an email next Friday with a reminder. Vera is going to notify the ones without email.

Mar 1, 2003 at 21:48:00	JimG (Arlenejimjag)

Dave,::::Tell me how close Tunaca is to Branson, MO. If we meet in Branson we should be close to Tunaca. You need to bring photos of that place to the reunion. ::::This new site is working fine on our computer.::::Betty, Sid::::It sounds like you guys are ready to go to Branson. Keep us posted.::::JimG::::

Mar 1, 2003 at 22:05:29	JimG

Jacque . . . where are you. Haven't seen anything on this guest book lately. You guys are probably soaking up the SLO weather. Or maybe at the coffee shop in Morro Bay.::::JimG::

Mar 1, 2003 at 23:01:06	Dave Gilbert (Baton Rouge, LA.)

Hi Jim, I'm not sure, but I think driving from Tunica, MS. to Branson, MO. would take 5 hr. 53 min. to travel the 338.38 miles with an average speed of 57.515014 miles/hour. This would require eight road changes thru four states. In California terms, it about the same as driving from San Diego to Fresno! Branson is 209.81 from Chanute, Ks., 207.19 miles from Columbia, MO., 115.61 miles from Elk Creek, MO., 676.12 miles from Baton Rouge, LA. and 1740.66 miles from Tulare, CA. But don't quote me on this.

Mar 2, 2003 at 10:21:30	Bill Rose

Getting from Branson MO to Tunica MS....It's like you can't get there from here.....As Dave said, it's a lot of road changes and very doubtful you could average 57 mph. Now if you were flying....You could fly from the Branson/Springfield Airport to Memphis TN and then rent a car in Memphis. Tunica is about an hour SW of Memphis....But why would you want to go to Tunica....Nothing there but gambling casinos....Very little other entertainment. California people would be disappointed after Las Vegas or even Reno.

Mar 4, 2003 at 00:54:40	Jacque** I'm back!!

Hi to everyone,Jim, I have been to the Coffee Pot for a cup of coffee twice in February.The weather is good but not as hot as in January. My friend Lu Chi Fa is still selling his books. He visits classrooms all over the state and his book is now required reading for a class at Cal Poly as well as one at the Junior College (Cuesta College). My offer still stands, meet me at the coffee pot in Morro Bay and if you buy Gordon's (Lu Chi Fa) book, I'll treat you to breakfast or lunch. got to go, hope to see all of you in may.

Mar 5, 2003 at 23:05:28	David Gilbert

Daniel Adney is member No 99. He lives in San Angelo, TX. and is retired from the army. Thanks Dan, I enjoyed our talk. We have lots of memories together.

Mar 5, 2003 at 23:42:44	David Gilbert

Received the following email from Joan Florence:::Hi Dave & Rosemary::Thanks for the phone call the other day. It made me feel better. I haven't been checking my e-mail very often and when I turned it on yesterday I had 675 messages! It's mostly junk, but I'm tryinig to work my way through and find the important ones like yours. I'll give you an update and try to put something on the web site soon. The surgery was on the other side this time, and isn't a recurrence, but an entirely different kind of cancer. The surgery went fine this time and he was home for a week and doing well when he got pneumonia. He has been in ICU since 2/17. The pneumonia is pretty much gone, but his remaining lungs (about 48% left) are having a big problem healing and working properly. He is on a ventilator and totally sedated. The doctor says he should recover, and they're just trying to wean him off everything gradually, as he heals. ::If you want to post this on the web site, go ahead, and maybe I'll have some good news to add before long.::Joan

Mar 6, 2003 at 10:04:56	JimG

Hi everyone,::::I promise I will not ask Dave about getting somewhere again. I felt like I was in mathmatics class again. However, I now know how to get to Tunaca (sounds fishy to me) so I guess it should be spelled Tunica. Branson the spot to stay!::::JimG::::

Mar 9, 2003 at 07:28:23	BRAD GILTON

HI CLASSMATES, YESTERDAY I HAD A MEMORY OF AN EVENT IN THE SECOND GRADE. DURING CHRISTMAS VACATION, OUR FAMILY WENT TO OKLAHOMA TO VISIT GRANDMA AND GRANDPA. WHILE WE WERE THERE, DAD TOOK US TO SEE THE COUNTRY. WE WENT TO A PLACE WHERE MY DAD SAID THE WATER IN A LITTLE CREEK RUNS UPHILL. IT APPEARED TO BE RUNING UP HILL. ( IT WAS AN OPTICAL ILLUSION.) THEY FAILED TO EXPLAIN ALL OF THAT TO US. SOME TIME LATTER, THE TEACHER ASKED "HAS ANYONE EVER SEEN WATER RUN UPHILL" TO WHICH I IMMEDIATELY RAISED MY HAND. YOU ALL LAUGHED AT ME. I WAS SERIOUS. I REALLY DID SEE IT, BUT NO ONE BELIVED IT. IT WAS MANY YEARS LATTER THAT I DISCOVERED WHAT AN OPTICAL ILLUSION WAS AND RELATED IT TO MY SITUATION IN THE SECOND GRADE. THIS IS THE FIRST TIME I HAVE HAD THE OPPORTUNITY TO EXPLAIN IT. ANYWAY, I STILL GET A LAUGH WHEN I THINK ABOUT IT. WE HAVE A UNIQUE CLASS, AND I LOVE ALL OF YOU. BRAD

Mar 9, 2003 at 09:03:09	David Gilbert

Vera has come up with the address of Charles Toledo. Charlie is the BIG member No. 100 and lives in Escalon, CA. Way to go Vera! I love it. OK, Jacque thats a hundred. Can I quit now?

Mar 9, 2003 at 17:16:00	Jacque

You can take a rest, but lets see if we can get a few bonus members. Surely some of our classmates can look at the list and give us a few hints. David, you have gone way above and beyond.....but isn't it fun finding a lost friend. I talked to Ellie, Rosemary and you the other day....that was special. Two years ago, I didn't know where you lived or what you had been doing all these years. Now I have close friends again!

Mar 9, 2003 at 23:58:59	BillyC

Hi from Frigid Indiana again. It is supposed to be 12 degrees tonight, it was in the 60's and sunny Saturday, tomorrow the high is supposed to be 28, and the high next Saturday will be in the 60's again, maybe 70. I think it's great we can get phonenumbers now on the members' list. We're at 100 now, and rising. Were we the first class in high school to exceed 100? I have bad news for everyone. The DL has learned about our reunion from my oldest son, now she is threatening to go with me. I'm really scared. I just got through talking her out of retiring this year, even though she has a real bummer of a new principal at school this year. It was really hard, but I convinced her that her retirement pay would be higher than mine if she could just hold on one more year. That's if Governor Taft's budget cutting doesn't do her salary a big blow, but I think that is happening all over the states now. OH well, things could get worse.

Mar 10, 2003 at 00:00:43	BillyC

Oh heck, I wanted that last one to show up at midnight, I missed it a bit.

Mar 11, 2003 at 00:29:25	Jacque & Bob the cat

David, Bob wants to know what happen to the eyeballs?? now we have to sit here and type something or just sit and watch the panther. Billy, why not bring the DL? We are going to be disappointed if we don't get to meet the famous lady, especially since we know so much about her. I'll bet she loves to gamble! I'm going to pass through Corcoran (on purpose) between the 21st & the 25th...anyone want a picture or discription of something or some place? Bob says the Panther is boring compaired to the eyes, all it does is run in place. bye

Mar 11, 2003 at 20:39:55	David Gilbert

Hey Jacque, I can think of a number of reasons why I took the eyes off. The No. 1 reason was...They gave Ellie trouble. I'm working on a solution for Bob the Cat. With the help of Sally Fang, I'm building a Cat House of Pleasure. I finished the foundation for my new shop / warehouse today and rain is forecast the next three days. During that time, I should be able to relocate the phone line and breaker box for the new guest suite and get the Cat House of Pleasure operational.

Mar 12, 2003 at 08:47:55	JimG

Dave,::::I saw a movie the other day about a retired engineer from a university who was also an inventor and during the cold war era in 1960s he secretly built a bomb shelter . . . are you sure the room you are building as a guest room is really a bomb shelter in disguise? Can't remember the name of the movie. Somebody help with the name of the movie!::::JimG::::

Mar 12, 2003 at 09:04:58	BRAD

HI DANIEL ADNEY, WELCOME. ONE OF THE FIRST THINGS THAT COMES TO MIND IS IN THE SECOND GRADE, YOU AND DAVID WERE YHE FIRST TO GO BAREFOOT IN THE SPRING. I ASKED MY MOM, SHE SAID NO, SO I LEFT MY SHOES IN THE PIPE YARD ON THE WAY TO SCHOOL. I'M SURE I DIDN'T FOOL HER. I ALSO REMEMBER THE GOODRICHES RUNNING THEIR DAIRY COWS IN THE OPEN FIELDS SOUTH OF SCHOOL IN SPRING WHEN THE GRASS WAS TALL. SO MUCH FOR NOSTALGIA. LOVE BRAD

Mar 12, 2003 at 22:24:31	David Gilbert

Boy! Barefoot and Dairy Cows bring back a lot of gooey memories. They just don't mix. Also barefoot and goatheads ring a bell. Corcoran has to be the World Capital for goatheads. Most people I've met have never heard of goatheads. We undoubtedly have more goathead memories than any group of people in the entire world. I remember being on a bike in a field North of Barb G's and ran into the mother patch of all goatheads. I got a flat tire and yes, I didn't have shoe on. Even the dog wouldn't come and get me. They should change the name from the Corcoran Panthers to the Corcoran Goatheads.

Mar 13, 2003 at 08:32:09	BillyC

Goatheads?? I don't think I can ever remember the "Stickers" referred as "Goatheads". But I do remember them nasty things. The only other place I can remember anything like them was in Ft Walton Beach, FL. But they were easier to spot, as those things grew on weeds that grew up instead of out, and there weren't as many as the goatheads, but boy, were they nasty. The stickers were longer, thinner, and much sharper. Fortunately, I wasn't going around barefoot by then. Goatheads were worse.

Mar 13, 2003 at 16:37:38	Norman Kane

I ran across your web site and am very impressed at the work that was put into it. It is something that the class of '56 canbe proud of. I graduated in '58 and wish I had the time and ability to get something like this going for that class. I have enjoyed especially looking at some of the old panther yales articles and seeing names that I have not seen orheard of in many years. Keep up the goog work on the site and I WILL return to keep up on the new postings.

Mar 13, 2003 at 20:20:37	BillyC (Spring in Indiana)

Hi NE, Welcome to our site, come visit NEtime you like. I found your picture on page 25 of the 56 Harvester. Does your class have any kind of get togethers? Dale Thayer in your class was a very good friend of mine.

Mar 15, 2003 at 23:45:50	BillyC

Hi folks, I got a message from classmates.com, Mary Dallas Mathis was listed as a class member, sent her an e-mail with this Web address on it, Maybe she will respond to us sometime.

Mar 16, 2003 at 06:27:19	BRAD

NATHANIEL AND MAURICE, I DON'T SEE YOUR NAMES ON THE "GOING" LIST. I WAS THINKING ABOUT YOU IN THE FIFTH GRADE, MR. JOHNSON'S CLASS. IT SEEMED AS THOUGH, TO A 10 YEAY OLD, THAT HE GAVE YOU GUYS MORE ATTENTION THAN HE GAVE THE REST OF US. IF IT WAS TRUE, I AM SORRY. I WANT YOU TO KNOW I LOVE YOU AND AM LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU IN RENO. AND, NO I DON'T WANT TO PLAY DOMINOS WITH YOU. LOVE BRAD

Mar 17, 2003 at 08:30:06	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES, I TALKED WITH JOAN FLORENCE LAST NIGHT. SHE SAID STAN IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL. AND IS STILL SEDATED. IT HAS BEEN 5 WEEKS SINCE HE WENT BACK AFTER CONTRACTING PENUMONIA FOLLOWING SURGERY. HE NEEDS OUR PRAYERS. PLEASE PRAY FOR HIM. LOVE BRAD

Mar 18, 2003 at 14:19:31	Jacque

David, I never thought I'd say I visited a cathouse on a regular basis. Bob is in Love! He can be at the other end of the house and hear me turn on my computer. He's been cranky for days because I've been cooking Maybelle meals (45). I'm leaving Friday for what I thought was 3 days but has turned into 5. I'm looking forward to Reno, Nathaniel & Maurice, I'm like Brad, I'll be disappointed if I don't see you there. Praying for Verdell/Stan and keeping good thoughts.

Mar 20, 2003 at 07:21:56	David Gilbert

We have the addresses of three class member thanks to Emilio Rodriguez. James Meek and Manuel Zepeda in Corcoran and Robert Ruiz in Hanford.

Mar 20, 2003 at 09:05:33	JimG

Dave,::::I know you and your family spent some years in the Mid-east and thought you might know how many of our classmates might have been involved there? It reminded me that Calvin Stidham worked over there also. I emailed him to see if he was going to the reunion in Reno. ::::JimG::::

Mar 20, 2003 at 15:22:31	David Gilbert

Hi Jim, I don't think you can spend twenty or more years in the service without going through the Middle East. I know Billy C., Melvin, Daniel and Mike B. are retired from the Arm Services. I know Billy lived in Turkey.

Mar 20, 2003 at 23:50:59	BillyC

Hi Jim & Dave, In 1973 I had an A2C working for me whose father was an E-9 in Officer Personnel at Kelly AFB, TX. Once I was talking to the E-9 about things and told him I had been in Taiwan for 4 years. He told me that the Squadron Commander position was opening in 10/74, so in 01/74 I volunteered to go to Taiwan. The E-9 said there was no one else volunteering for the position, so I would probably get it. On 04/01/74 my Colonel told me they wanted to see me at Personnel as they had an assignment for Turkey waiting for me. I told him, "Nice try, Colonel. But I'm not buying that joke." He said, "I'm not joking, go see them." I laughed all the way over them. They weren't joking. I called the E-9 up in San Antonio, and asked him what was going on with this Turkey thing. He said, "I'm sorry, but this Turkey assignment just came up and you were the only volunteer on the list for an overseas assignment, and they took you because that one opens up in 07/74." So that's how I got to go to Turkey. The same April Fools day, the DL and I were setting on our front porch, and this Asian looking lady and her husband walked by and started talking with us. She was actually an Eskimo, and they had just come back from Turkey, the same base where I was going. They had been there for 5 years, and absolutely loved the place. So instead of going back to Taiwan and having our boys learn Chinese first hand, we went to Turkey, and loved it. That's how I got to go to the Mideast. But fortunately it was the European part of the Mideast. Wow, it's Spring in Indiana.

Mar 25, 2003 at 09:12:27	JimG

Billy C,::::That story reminds me to never volunteer for anything when you don't know what it might be. Sounds like every thing worked out fine as you ended up where the Eskimo came from. I never experienced being overseas and it sounds like a bunch of tales are going to be told at the reunion.::::See everyone there,::JimG

Mar 26, 2003 at 07:17:03	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES. I SPOKE WITH JOAN FLORENCE YESTERDAY. SHE ASKED ME TO POST A MESSAGE ON THE SITE FOR HER. STAN IS STILL IN THE HOSPITAL. HE IS SEDATED. I THINK THIS IS SEVEN WEEKS NOW. MONDAY THEY DID A PROCEDURE TO GET A BIOPSY FROM HIS LUNGS. HE HAS BEEN HAVING A FEVER AND THEY HAVE NOT BEEN ABLE TO FIND THE CAUSE OF IT. THEY HAVE TRIED TO BRING HIM OUT OF SEDATION, BUT, HE HAS NOT RESPONDED SATISFACTORALLY. JOAN IS SPENDING MOST OF HER TIME WITH HIM. IT IS A VERY TRYING TIME FOR THEM. THEY NEED OUR PRAYERS AND SUPPORT. JACQUE, THANK YOU FOR RESPONDING THE LAST TIME I ASKED FOR PRAYER FOR STAN. TODAY, THEY WILL HAVE THE BIOPSY TEST RESULTS BACK. I AM PRAYING THAT THE DR'S WILL HAVE THE INFORMATION THEY NEED IN ORDER TO PROPERLY MEDICATE STAN AND BRING ABOUT HIS RECOVERY. I AM PRAYING FOR HIS COMPLETE HEALING AND RECOVERY. WILL YOU JOIN ME? LOVE BRAD

Mar 27, 2003 at 06:38:11	BRAD

HELLO CLASSMATES, I LOOKED BACK ON PAST COMMENTS AND FOUND THAT ON 1-29-03 WAYNE INFORMED US ABOUT STAN'S CONDITION AND ASKED US TO PRAY FOR HIM. WHO WOULD HAVE THOUGHT THAT IT WOULD BE THIS LONG A BATTLE. AND, IT'S NOT OVER. PLEASE CONTINUE TO PRAY FOR HIM. LOVE BRAD

Mar 27, 2003 at 23:03:50	BillyC

Hi Guys and Girls, I installed a new printer on my computer Monday morning, I printed out several pages, black and color, and then the computer crashed and died. I tried several days before putting the new one away and reviving the one it replaced. I didn't get back up til this morning. JimG, I lived a long time before volunteering for anything. When I applied for the Bootstrap Commissioning Program in 1970 to finish my bachelors degree, I had to put down a place to go afterwards, So I put down Florida as my first choice, thinking they would send me to the West coast. I went to Ft Walton Beach, Florida to Eglin AFB. So I thought they treated officers differently, so I volunteered for Taiwan. Spring was shortlived this year, tomorrow night Winter is coming back, at least for the weekend. Oh, Yeah, the Reds open up on Monday - they almost always get bad weather for their openers. BRADG - THANKS FOR SHARING INFO ON STAN FLORENCE WITH US. I'M ALMOST AFRAID TO PRAY FOR HIM, IT SEEMS LIKE EVERYTHING I DID WITH HIM AWAYS ENDED UP GOING WRONG, AT LEAST SINCE THE FIFTH GRADE SOMETHING ALWAYS HAPPENED A LITTLE WIERD. Hey, Jacque, the DL changed her mind about Reno, She's going back to Taiwan on 4/11 for the 40th reunion of her college class, but she is threatening to retire this June so she can keep an eye on me, but she is going to take a week off in May for me to go to Reno so my son, David, doesn't have to take off work to take my place. He was really happy when I told him he didn't have to come and run the motel for me. Oh well, I guess it's enough for a while.

Mar 28, 2003 at 17:41:50	Jacque (In a Hurry!)

Hi Classmates, I talked to Brad G. today and he brought me up to date on Verdell- oops! Stan. He gave me a little more information on Stan's condition. I remember when John was in intensive care and hospitalized for 6 months....the patient gets good care but the spouse is verrrrrry neglected. For those of you who have met Stan's wife and kept up with him through the years I would like to suggest that you drop his wife a note and let her know you are not only thinking of Stan but of her as well. Maybe you might even be able to help her in some way.....it really is hard going it alone. After talking to Brad I can only urge everyone of you to keep both Stan & his wife in your thoughts and prayers EVERY day!!!!

Mar 29, 2003 at 05:56:54	ANONYMOUS (FORSTAN&JOAN)

CLASSMATES, MAYBE IT'S TIME FOR A LOVE SHOWER FOR STAN AND JOAN. EVERYONE COULD SEND A GET WELL CARD WITH A LITTLE PERSONAL NOTE AND A C-NOTE. WOULDN'T IT BE GREAT IF 20 OR 30 RESPONDED. IT WOULD BE A GREAT MORAL BOOSTER AND FINANCIAL BLESSING. DO IT WITH LOVE

Mar 30, 2003 at 12:36:06	Patty Elrod

Anonymous, you had a wonderful, loving idea for Stan & Joan. We sent our card to them today. May God Bless them both and all our Classmates that reply to them as well. Hopefully, there will be an immediate recovery for Stan and much peace for Joan. Our Prayers are with them & the family. Love, Patty

Mar 31, 2003 at 20:23:51	Wayne Crow

Hello classmates and friends. Pat and I just got back from spending March in New Zealand and we had a great time there. I am glad so many of you have kept up with Verdell/Stan's medical condition. I have kept in touch with Joan via email while I was away. I know the many prayers will be answered soon and Stan will start to recover. The list for Reno is growing but there are many names mising from our past reunions. Time to get the last word out to them. Dave you are really doing a great job for all of us with this site. We can't thank you enough but I will try in Reno. I got a call last night from Don Gilkey and he is coming to Reno to join us. He came to San Diego also. I 'need to hear from any golfers that haven't replied. Dave can you change my email from juno to aol on lthe golf reply site? WC

Apr 2, 2003 at 08:30:56	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Hey, We've lost contact with Mary Ellen. I haven't heard from her since April a year ago. Her phones been disconnected, I've sent a letter and got no reply but it didn't come back. Anyone got any suggestions? New page (snapshot 8) Lake Sequoia YMCA camp 1951. Also, I stuck a picture of my new storage shed in the back yard on a family page.

Apr 2, 2003 at 23:21:53	wayne crow

Hey Dave I liked the pic of your toolo shed. Wow, it looks like a guy getaway place. Does it have a tv and refrig? I am not getting much action on the golf request but that is just as well. More time to talk and lie and drink. I am off to Fremont to sell our old home. Lots of memories there lbut too much cash to let it sit there as a rental any longer. I sent some emails out to names that are not on the Reno list. Sure hope some more of the regulars sign up. Hello to all of the classmates on the chat line. See you in Reno.

Apr 3, 2003 at 00:28:29	Charlie Toledo

This is my wife's e-mail address. I can't seem to ever remember mine. Looking forward to the reunion in Reno. Hope to see many old friends and classmates. See you in May!

Apr 6, 2003 at 13:07:57	Dave (Baton Rouge)

Sad news. Today we lost one of our oldest friends. Stan /Verdell Florence was a very good friend to all of us. He lost his battle this morning and has passed on. We would like to extend our deepest sympathy to Joan and their children. When we get information on the services we will post it here.

Apr 6, 2003 at 14:05:09	BRAD

CLASSMATES, IT IS WITH A HEAVY HEART THAT I WRITE THIS MORNING. STAN WENT TO BE WITH THE LORD TODAY. WE HAVE INDEED LOST A GOOD FRIEND. ONE OF THE LAST TIMES I SPOKE WITH HIM, I TOLD HIM I LOVED HIM AND HE SAID HE LOVED ME TOO. I'M GRATEFUL FOR THAT MOMENT. HE WON'T BE AT THE NEXT REUNION HERE ON EARTH, BUT I BELIEVE HE WILL BE AT OUR 100 YEAR REUNION. WE'LL MISS YOU STAN, WE'LL SEE YOU AGAIN. I AM LOOKING FORWARD TO THAT TIME. OUR HEARTS AND PRAYERS GO OUT TO JOAN AND THE FAMILY. I KNOW IT IS A DIFFICULT TIME. MAY GOD GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND COURAGE. LOVE BRAD

Apr 6, 2003 at 18:21:57	Sid & Betty Grant

Sorry to get the news today about Stan. He and Joan were a wonderful couple, always so happy. They did a great job on our last class reunion. I think they had made it to all our reunions. Stan will certainly be missed. Our prayers are with Joan and family in this very difficult time. Please keep us posted. Sid & Betty

Apr 7, 2003 at 00:37:25	wayne crow

DEar Classmates, Today has been a very sad day in my life. Verdell has been my good dear friend for 59 years. His family and mine shared so much in common being Texans who were called Okies, having siblings in the same classes, going to the same Church of the Nazarene, being poor but not knowing it. I have many good stories to share about this great friend but I cannot type through these tears so I will save them until later. Joan told us tonight the details of his last day. The family got to be with him at the end. Services will be at the Greenlawn Mortuary at 3700 River Blvd. Bakersfield, Ca 93305, Thursday April 10 at 1:30 p.m. This will be a memorial service. Thanks for the prayers for Verdell these last days. I know he heard them all. We all lost a true friend today. God Bless. WC

Apr 7, 2003 at 03:40:23	Kathryn Florence Woitalla-Lloyd

I AM STAN FLORENCE'S NEICE. MY MOM IS GWEN FLORENCE WOITALLA, CLASS OF 1947. I VISITED WITH MY AUNT JOAN TODAY, AS WELL AS A VISIT FROM MY UNCLE LEW FLORENCE ( CLASS OF 1951 ) AND FLORENCE FAMILY FRIEND JIM GONSALVES;JIM TOLD ME OF THIS WEBSITE. AS YOU HAVE READ, MY UNCLE STAN HAS PASSED FROM THIS WORLD TO A PLACE WHERE THERE IS NO CANCER, DOCTORS, NEEDLES OR RESPIRATORS. WE ARE ALL SADDENED BY HIS PASSING, BUT WE TAKE COMFORT IN THE WONDERFUL MEMORIES HE SO GENEROUSLY LEFT US. HIS MEMORIAL SERVICE IS SCHEDULED FOR THURSDAY, APRIL 10TH @ 1:30.IT WILL BE HELD IN BAKERSFIELD @ GREENLAWN CEMETARY. I AM SPEAKING AT UNCLE STAN'S SERVICE ON BEHALF OF MY MOTHER AND OTHER FLORENCE FAMILY MEMBERS. I WAS HOPING THAT SOME OF MY UNCLE'S CLASSMATES WOULD BE KIND ENOUGH TO SHARE A THOUGHT, A STORY OR KIND WORD CONCERNING THEIR FRIENDSHIP WITH MY UNCLE THAT I CAN THEN SHARE WITH THOSE IN ATTENDANCE AT HIS SERVICE. MY UNCLE STAN WAS A WELL LIKED AND HIGHLY THOUGH