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Richard Meek '65

Good morning Waltripians, I'm planning to head up to Washington On The Brazos on Saturday. Robert had an excellent idea. If you want to get a detailed idea owhat is taking place over several days go to www.starmuseum.org. It sounds like it will be fun. There will be a lot re-enactment of of events and just how life was lived back then. HHmmm. . . .it was a very tumultuous time in people's lives. . . not much changes does it?

Keep on dancing,

Rich LH

Stay Calm, Carry On

Paige Talley (Meek)

Texas Independence...  I got to trekk along with Richard last Saturday to the San Jacinto Monument and the Battleship Texas. I got a passport, too. It had been a long time since I'd been out there. The monument looks just like it did when we packed up with a sack lunch and went there in the forth grade. I also remember the trips by train to Capitol in Austin and to the Alamo in San Antonio. It was as exciting to ride the train as to see the places we had been studying in Social Studies.  I am anxious to get my Texas Passport stamped at Washington on the Brazos this weekend... I don't think I am riding the train, though.

Did you know the big guns have the Texas Star on the cover?

Susan Howard (Bowman)

I haven't been here in a few days - catching up is always fun!  I worked downtown, too in the 60's and 70's.  I worked for an optometrist, Daniel Klaph, during the summers in high school, actually starting in the 8th. grade.  Used to catch the bus on Ella and 43rd and ride it to and from work.  Then I worked at Texas National Bank of Commerce (funny) for a couple of years in the late 60's, then at Shell Oil Company in the library, then in the mid 70's I was a reservations agent for Delta Airlines in their Rice Hotel office.  Wow!  You are so right!  Those are some memories - bought my first set of "lovely" wine glasses at Woolworth!  I still have them! 

I'll be in Houston next week to take a look at Sun City in Georgetown as well as the new Del Webb community in Richmond - my other half will be with me this time.  I'll miss Fudd's again, but I hope to get back this summer.

Paige Talley (Meek)

Susan, I worked at Texas National Bank of Commerce in '64 and 65'. Started in "bookkeeping" filing checks then went to Business Development. Shopped during lunch and could open the windows and watch a parade or two pass by from time to time.

Paige

Richard Meek '65

Good morning Waltripians. You all probably slept more soundly last night, maybe not realizing why. The Whirld Affairs & burger Review Committee met successfully yesterday. the burgers were of high quality and you could say the whole group visualized whirld peas. It is a truly strange group! See all the fun you're missing by not being there. Jon Enloe joined us and we welcome him to the the group. Richard McCauley was there after a long absence, welcome back.

On March 19th an historic event will take place. The class of '61 is going to have their first ever reunion! yes you are reading this correctly. they're having their first and 50th reunion at the same time. I know that's a little unusual but they fit in with the rest of us. It is from 1-4 P.M. There is no cost to attend. Everyone just takes care of their own expenses. it's being held at Cyclone Anaya's. Go to their website to register, www.waltrip61.com  I'm planning on going but don't let that stop you from attending. These are the folks that set a lot of traditions in place. If you've never met them come on out and do so. You can thank them or set something straight that has been bothering you for 45+ years.

Also if you haven't joined the Waltrip Alumni Association please do so. It is in its formative stage so join and help grow it so we can help return Waltrip to the level of accomplishment it had when we attended. Don't take the attitude "somebody should do something". How about you do something with some other people and we'll have an impact. Otherwise I'll have to have Dr. Enloe call you and we wouldn't want that to happen, would we? It's easy, go to:

www.waltripalumni.org 

Keep on dancing,

Rich LH

Stay Calm, Carry On

Scotty Croom

i got email tonight about 67 class member jack moore, killed in tragic 290 accident...many of us knew his family from baptist temple...his sister, sharon was married to roy hill for many years...several cousins also went to waltrip with us..keep family in your prayers

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Info from Pat Clooney - I just sent out emails to everyone.

Please remember Debbie and her family in your prayers - Jack Moore '67 death.     

It is with great sadness that I inform you of the sudden death of our fellow classmate Dr. Jack Strickland Moore on Wednesday, February 23, 2011.  According to the Houston Chronicle, Jack died in a one car accident at the intersection of Hwy 290 & Field Store Rd.  I visited briefly this evening by telephone with Jack's oldest son, Joel's wife, Jennifer.  I was told that Jack was on his way home from visiting his parents in Brenham, TX.  The cause of the accident is not known and is under investigation.

We know from Jack's comments and the photos he added to our website that he loved his family very much and that he enjoyed and was very proud of his days at Waltrip High School - especially those spent playing basketball & football.

Pat (Clooney) King '67

 http://www.Waltrip67.com

Jackie Crowe (Finch)

Jack Moore - Jack's wife is Debbie Hunt class of '65.

Jack Strickland Moore ,62, passed away Wednesday February 23, 2011, in Houston, Texas. He was a loving husband, father, son, brother, grandfather and friend who was the rock for his entire family. He is survived by his loving wife Debbie, his two sons Joel and John, daughter in law Jennifer and three granddaughters Tatum, Parker and Kimbell. As well as his mother Lonnie, father Joe, brother Greg and sister Sharon. Jack was born in Houston where he attended Waltrip High School. At a young age he knew that he wanted to be a veterinarian and was a proud graduate of Texas A&M University class of 1971. Upon graduation Jack proudly served our country as a Captain in the United States Air Force.

Returning to Houston from his service he opened his own veterinary practice in 1975. In 2004 he formed a partnership with Dr. Bill Haglund at Echo Lane Animal Clinic where he was able to enjoy practicing in his own neighborhood. Dr Jack Moore was a very strong, kind and loving person who touched many lives throughout his years here in Houston. He will be greatly missed.

A Memorial Service will be held at Chapelwood United Methodist Church on Sunday February 27, 2011 at 2:00pm with a reception immediately following. In lieu of flowers, the family requests that contributions in Jack's memory be made to The Association of Former Students at Texas A&M University under his name.

 

Jim Taylor

Wow, I'm a little slow on the uptake.  Until I saw the picture and read Jackie's note, it never dawned on me that Dr. Moore was our vet at Echo Lane Animal Clinic. He bought into the practice in 2004 when our next door neighbor, Robert Davidson, retired.  I was never aware of the fact that he was a Waltripite.  He was a good guy and a consummate professional.  He leaves quite a void at that small clinic.

Steve Puckett '65

Paige, you mentioned parades downtown.  For 7 years I worked in the Portland OR office of First Interstate Bank.  We once had a big conference call with co-workers who worked in downtown Houston.  We could hear music & drums in the background so we asked about it. They explained that it was the rodeo parade and they had the window open so they could hear & see better.  My Oregon co-workers thought it was very odd but I did my best to explain why this would be considered OK there even if it interfered with the call.  They still shook their heads, though.

Paige Talley (Meek)

My Texas Passport has TWO Stamps...

Star of Texas Dulcimers- Kay Derrick at the Texas Independence Anniversary Celebration (175 yeas) at Washington on the Brazos this past Saturday Feb 26, 2011. The little one is my granddaughter, Marianne Thomasson (6 yr). Since the Dulcimer band(?) was playing in the museum and the museum and sites were to hear, see and touch (after all she had already made a rope over at the farm) Marianne jumped right in the middle of the group to play the Dulcimer. Marianne and one of her older sisters, Madeleine, both got to play along as the others joined in with "them". Thanks Robert for letting us know about Kay being a part of the celebration. It was great !!!

                           Kay Derrick     Marianne Thomasson    ???

                        Madeleine Thomasson         ???         ???

 Liberty Longhorn   ???    Thomasson  Family                      NanaPaigeMom

George Childress

                  Richard Meek

After spending some time raising money and volunteers in Tennessee for the Texas army, Childress (on the left in the photograph) left permanently for Texas. He arrived at the Red River on December 13, 1835, and reached Robertson's colony on January 9, 1836. The following February he and his uncle Sterling C. Robertson were elected to represent Milam Municipality (formerly known as Viesca) at the Convention of 1836. Childress called the convention to order and subsequently introduced a resolution authorizing a committee of five members to draft a declaration of independence. Upon adoption of the resolution, he was named chairman of the committee by Richard Ellis and is almost universally acknowledged as the primary author of the document. The other members of the committee were Edward Conrad, James Fannin, Bailey Hardeman, and Collin McKinney. The committee finished the drafting in only one day, leading many to believe that Childress already had gone to the convention with a draft already prepared.

The convention approved the document on March 2, 1836. The document is modeled closely on the United States Declaration of Independence with its list of causes. Although the document is dated March 2, the actual signing took place on March 3, after errors were discovered when it was read. On March 19, 1836, Childress and Robert Hamilton were sent to the United States to gain recognition of the new Republic of Texas. They were later replaced by James Collinsworth and Peter W. Grayson.

Beau Wann, Jr.

Good Morrow Mine waltripians, how you like this font and format???
Pretty easy to read even for an old blind bat like me...eh what!!!
Did youse youtes miss me???? I hope so...It's nice to be missed...
Been woiking hard in the yard, and the old sacariliac has just been screaming...just couldnt traverse the stairs this past week...going up not so bad, but bad enough, but coming down...be a bear...

Paige Talley (Meek)

I happen to really like HEB's Texas Pecan coffee, but then I like FruFru as well. I must say that 2.5 lbs scattered about may be a bit much even for me.

Bless you Diane

"A lucky few individuals in history have used their knowledge and skills to make truly unique, fundamental, and lastly accomplishments. These accomplishments mark significant strides in understanding the universe and making life easier for everyone on this planet..."   Thank you Beau !!!

Isn't March supposed to be windy and Ides-y (Idus Martii). It was very windy the last week of February, but now the winds have laid down (or is that layed down... always get it wrong no matter which one I use). One would think that spring had arrived as beautiful and refreshing as these past few days have been. That said, has anyone checked the pecan trees to see if they have leafed? If not, we could still be in for a hard freeze with snow, sleet and hail... all with the sun shining!

H P P y     B  i  R  t  H  d    y    

to all you March Boomers

!!!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6mI4fkQO5wk

Texas, Our Texas! All hail the mighty State!
Texas, Our Texas! So wonderful, so great!
Boldest and grandest, withstanding ev'ry test
O Empire wide and glorious, you stand supremely blest.

(chorus)

Texas, O Texas! Your freeborn single star,
Sends out its radiance to nations near and far,
Emblem of Freedom! It set our hearts aglow,
With thoughts of San Jacinto and glorious Alamo.

(chorus)

Texas, dear Texas! From tyrant grip now free,
Shines forth in splendor, your star of destiny!
Mother of heroes, we come your children true,
Proclaiming our allegiance, our faith, our love for you.

Chorus

God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.
God bless you Texas! And keep you brave and strong,
That you may grow in power and worth, throughout the ages long.

From Prissy Pirate Paige on the Prairie

Richard Meek '65

Good morning fellow Waltripians. It is a truly gorgeous day isn't it? I hope you're all having a good  one and remembering that today is Texas Independence Day!

There is a great article in section E of today's Chronicle. It starts on page 1, titled something like It's a Deer Story. . . . anyway the article is about a man named Donnie Dunnagan. When he was 7 he was the voice of Bambi in the Disney movie of the same name. He has had an interesting life and currently lives in San Angelo. Be sure to read the whole article. The last paragraph is a good life lesson for all of us, even at our youthful age! For those of you who don't subscribe go to www.chron.com and I think it would probably be in the Lifestyle area (not sure).

I'm with you Beau, just straight Joe in the cup every morning. If you want to fru fru up your coffee I'll give you my formula for a really great cup of after dinner coffee (surprise it involves a couple of adult beverages).

Beau remember when you leave doors open things can get in as well as out. Following Tropical Storm Allison I left the door open from the house to the garage because I was coming and going so much doing clean up and drying out. wound up with a couple of snakes in the house. That was a little unnerving to see a three foot snake crawling down the hall, yikes. The extraction of same was exciting. Good news is they were both non-poisonous, bad news is even non-poisonous snakes will try to bite you, good news is they weren't successful in their attempts. Doesn't seem I should be dealing with wild critters, afore mentioned snakes as well as raccoons, possums, etc., in the heart of the 4th largest city in the country.

Speaking of wild critters, Miss Liz starts to school next week. Even though she's a canine, she is a girl. So she has started lobbying for a new wardrobe to start school. Time is flying, the Rushin Setter is now 11 mos. old and is just a beautiful dog.

I checked my pecan tree last evening. No sign of buds yet. keep your coats handy a bit longer.

Time to return to the free enterprise system. Keep rekindling your Texas spirit of Independence. Remember that when the Cruiser USS Houston was sunk in WWII that the people of Houston (not the 4th largest city at that time) raised enough money to build a new cruiser and donated in to the government. In addition, enough men enlisted in a Navy recruiting drive to provide a crew. That my friends is what being a Texan and a Houstonian is all about!

Keep on dancing

Richard LH

Stay Calm, Carry On

Jimmy Brown '65

 Paige I really like your new picture and I wish Jackie

C. would put up a new picture,the old one has her

collar up on one side.

Beau you need to get some Folgers Classic roast

and forget about the fancy coffees. I used to work

by the Maryland Club Coffee on old Post Oak and it

always had a good aroma .

Happy Trails till we meet again.

Richard Meek '65

What you need to look for in coffee is one that is made from Arabica beans instead of Robusta beans. First the Arabica will give you better flavor. Second is has 50% less caffeine than Robusta. It's kind  of like high quality grapes or cheap grapes being used to produce wine. Also, many of the mass produced coffees like Folgers, Maxwell House, Hill Brothers etc. will put supplemental caffeine in their coffee. People get hooked on that extra jolt of caffeine so they keep buying it. At least that is what I've been told by the folks that run the House of Coffee Beans! To my taste with a premium coffee you get a lot of flavor with the cheaper brands you get a real jolt but the flavor is kind of flat. Just my opinion but . . . there you go as Marshall Sam MMcCloud used to say. Off to a meeting. Adios muchachos.

Rich LH

Teddie Jordan

Beau, I think you need to start going down to Ol' Fourbucks every morning ( actually it's probably more like Fivebucks now days ) and sit around with all the rest of those yuppies and stare at your I-phone! 

Now don't tell Francine I said that because she likes the stuff.

I'm with Jimmy, Folgers Classic Roast made in my cheap little Mr. Coffee works just fine.

Robert Derrick

Rich, I always like the way you can steer just about any conversation into something about wine. And if any of you have not tried it, Kay and I love the Folgers Black Silk. Dark and bold, but very smooth.

Beau Wann, Jr.

just typed in about an hours worth of good stuff...lost it all...

John Burgess Webb

black coffee;hot and steaming;its aroma could wake up the dead.the exotics have their place,as does hot chocolate.under almost universal circumstances,coffee is venerated.

Richard Meek '65

Ted and Jimmy I don't think you have to pay the most to get good coffee. My taste runs more to Community (preferably bought with a coupon). I have an espresso machine but 99% of the time it's Mr. Coffee. I still remember those Joe Dimaggio commercials for Mr. Coffee. Ted I agree with you. I don't much care for Starbucks. I'll go there to be sociable but to me they over roast their coffee. Robert you have to go with your strength and passion.

Drink no wine before it's time,

It's time!!!!

Rich LH

Scotty Croom

got note from david zaring that his mom passed away in ft.worth wed.visitation next mon. 6-8...funeral tues. 12;30pm  at pat foley  ,on 34th...

Beau Wann, Jr.

Beau juwann valdez here, coffee expert...Arabica coffee is, to me, the best all round straight coffee...I use dunkin donut coffee, because thats what they use...I bought the beans for about 8 dollars a pound, and Lynn Burkhart told me that Costco has 2.5 pounds of grounds of Dunkin donut coffee for about 15 dollars....it has now gone up to 17 dollars for 2.5 pounds...

I bought the Texas Southern Pecan beans because I THOUGHT, I could improve the flavor of already good coffee...hmmmm...guess I'll punt for now....but not gonna give up....I have added vanilla to the coffee, usually a drop per pot, and it does make it smooth and mellow, but still kinda artificial in its taste...I have also tried the Rich LH method of adding Brandy, Cognac, Jack Daniels and Wild Turkey etc....thats ok for a one timer, but not a steady diet...I am, for all intents and purposes, a true coffee drinker...My bretheren-in-law, stops at Star Buck Rogers on the way to work and from work, and gets a maple concoction with cream and stuff, twice a day...methinks it is in excess of 5 or 6 dollars a cup...when I want coffee, I dont want any other taste, BUT coffee...

I am still stepping on coffee beans in the kitchen, and some as far away as the bedroom...I thought I would grow out of my clumsiness from childhood...but it has followed me all the way to oldhood...so the lesson is...dont go barefoot in my house..."how did you hurt your foot Mr Wann", ..."uh, I stepped on a coffee bean...er several coffee beans..." Yeah, I know, I hate it when that happens...

Hey Rich LH, you had SNAKES ON A PLANE IN YOUR HOUSE???? Lord a mighty, I'd a rolled out the artillery and blasted away until A; the snakes were dead or surrendered Or B; I ran out of ammo...If the latter, then a FOR SALE sign would have appeared on the lawn rather quickly...
and an add in the Leader; FOR SALE, SWISS CHEESE HOUSE; OPEN FLOOR PLAN; AIRY; WILDLIFE FRIENDLY; AND LARGE IN GROUND CISTERN...

Good luck to Liz as she embarks on the academic journey from puppy hood to growed dog hood...in the hood...Yall gonna go to Pet Smart on 290 at Tidwell???? Anthula still teaching that class???? Havent seen her in a while...me and cooper go by there after our class on monday at cy fair...her hours have changed, so we dont get to see her anymore...

I didnt see a report on the Whirld Problem Solving and Burger and Fry Boys and Girls Club, from last tuesday or whenever in the heck it was...THE PER usual suspects were there, along with a guest speaker...Dr John Enloe....Yup, the one what wrote our school song...He is leading the charge for the Waltrip Alumni Association, herein after known as the WAA ...And he is doing a great job...he is very passionate about the WAA, which is as it should be...We, as the class of 64 graduates of Waltrip, and the ones before and after us, have contributed greatly to our communities and country...we should be proud of our accomplishments and success, no matter how large or small we think it might be...

According to Dr Enloe, the powers that be are not as cooperative as one would think they should be, in fact seems some foot dragging has occured...even after the WAA has offered to repair certain items at it's own expense, in the auditorium and elsewhere, as well as a rather large fund for college scholarships to deserving students...Dr Enloe says the lights dont work in the auditorium as well as the sound system, among other things...my question would be, "dont they use the auditorium anymore"???? apparently not...we sure used it in our day didnt we!!!!!

I also dont want to leave out the IMPERIAL GUARD...I think they were instrumental in getting the WAA launched...they were instrumental in rescuing trophies and mementos from the trophy cases and other items that had been thrown in the trash and stored in closest to be thrown away by whoever came after Mr. Cotton or after that...dont know the whole story, and if I did, I'd probably get it wrong...but we are indebted to all the alumni that has taken an interest in preserving our history and heritage at Waltrip...as we are indebted to Jackie for this website...HOORAY FOR THEM...if I have slighted anyone at all in my dissertation, it is TOTALLY UNINTENTIONAL AND DUE TO some ignorance of the subject...but just wanted to pass along the existence of the WAA, and all can join, it's free, as I understand it, but open to donations...

Maybe the Waltrip Halls of Macademia need a visit from ol ERIC VON ZIPPER...
Pegasus and I could ride up and down the Waltrip Halls of Dadgumit and get them ol folks on board with the WAA...sounds like a great title for a movie; THE HALLS OF DADGUMIT, STARING BILLY BOB BEAUREGARD C EPHUS AND A CAST OF THOUSANDS; SEE THE MIGHTY BILLY BOB TAKE ON THE MATH DEPT SINGLE HANDED; SEE BILLY BOB MANGLE THE FOREIGN LANGUAGE DEPT;
WILL BILLY BOB EVER CUT HIS HAIR? WILL BILLY BOB EVER GRADUATE???? THESE QUESTIONS AND MORE WILL BE ANSWERED IN THIS HISTORICAL AND MOST IMPORTANT MOVIE OF OUR TIME; FILMED IN RAMAVISION; SOUND BY BIONICAL; COSTUMES BY ELVIS; SCREENPLAY BY BILLY BOB; DIRECTED AND PRODUCED BY GOLLY;

Ok, ok, guess I will sign off for now...I hop this note takes, unlike the last pulitzer effort...
your frien and bretheren Billy Bob Beauregard C Ephus...

Paige Talley (Meek)

I don't suppose any of you COFFEE AFICIONADOS would be interested in the coffee I drink or make. Fresh or not... makes no difference. I will drink it left over from the day(s) before or fresh brewed; boiled with egg shells or boiled with out shells; but when one can find it... Arabica AAA one level iced tea spoon of fine grind for each cup and one for the pot is yummmm and smooth. Black of course. Cream is for the old-er coffee from Monday...lol

My earliest recollection (would that be this morning) was coffeemilk. Getting to sit with the grownups at the big table to cure the ills of the day, I got to drink "coffee" from a mug. Sure it was a half cup of milk with a tint of coffee, but it gave me great insight into curing those ills that my world was facing... did I build a fort or a doll house behind the barn today ???

Beau, try writing you "good" stuff in "Word" save it along the way then copy it into the Forum. You will then have all your great word works in a safe folder for future reference in the "Memoirs of a Beau".

Richard, I am certain that there must be a coffee laced with wine out there or wine laced with coffee... yuk !!!

PPP

Bernd Joachim Tonat

Memoirs of a Beau

One for me please!