The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between our classmates. There are no items, topics, subtopics, etc.

Forums work when people participate - so don't be bashful! Click the "Post Response" button to add your entry to the forum and then click "Submit".

Lloyd Pond

Pecan crop is a bust this year. We are going to have to go out to Bastrop to buy some I guess. Ferrell is such a marvelous cook. We made pumpkin 🎃 bread and pie last weekend, so good and a start for  treats to come during the holidays. My fathers sister would always bring a car load of homemade candy, fudge, date nut loaf, divinity at the holidays. Her 1954 De Sota convertible could have doubled for Santa's sleigh. Of course , she gave everyone got a haircut and made my sisters new 👗. Christmas was never the same after she passed away. Of course, we,were all getting to be adults ourselves, so we were able to make new or continue some of those traditions. Giving thanks and then sharing the abundance we are  blessed, right? <>>

Don Ellisor

Our pecan crop is non exitant this year as well. We still have some in the freezer from two years ago.  Felt really bad that I missed not seeing everybody at the get together. Old age strikes again. God bless everyone and protect everyone!

Tom Britton '65

It's wonderful that us Waltrip grads can keep in touch. Love hearing about Lloyd & Ferrell's pecans....and yours too Elisor. Plus Bo's posts are always a delight. Priceless.

Bennie Schielack

Speaking of crops, our acorn crop is fantastic this year.  I have already picked about 4000 of them, and just looked out and there are acorns like sand at the beach.  (I pick them because I don't want to be forced to pull little oak trees all next year).  

I did purchase about 20 lbs of cracked Choctaw pecans and have been steadily pulling the meat out.  Most are really good, but some, not so much.  I de believe they come from the Bastrop area, which, as most of you know, is known for its pecans.  There are lots of pecan trees here in Wharton, but, for some reason, no one really brags about them here.  

Hope everyone local is enjoying the great weather we have been having. 

After attending the TT/UH game, I spent the next 8 weeks enjoying Covid.  After losing 20 lbs, I am at the weight my Dr. wanted me to reach 12 years ago.  Things are returning to normal (except new, restricted diet for Diabetes).  Season tickets to UH Football have been wasted for the most part, but we did manage to attend the last game, and are looking forward to the last two home games.  Also, our 3rd consecutive season Basket ball tickets have been well used.  We both enjoy bb.  Last year, I drove to Indianapolis three times, in addition to Fort Worth once for games.  The game last night was exceptionally exciting for the last 10 minutes, and we are really looking forward to another fantastic season.  The past few seasons have been as exciting as the Hayes/Chaney and the Hakeem/Clyde years were.  Bring on the "good times" @ UH . . . . .  

Sharon Allen (Richardson)

Thank you to all our Waltrip Veterans we appreciate your service and sacrifices 

Teddie Jordan

Today being Veteran's Day is an ideal time to visit the Military Salute section indicated on the tab on the left side of the home page. So many of our classmates and parents who served are recognized and saluted there!

This section of our class website is another sterling gift that our dear Jackie has left us, and that our other dear classmate Beverly now works so diligently to maintain. Both have given us special gifts!

Teddie Jordan

Sharon Smith Gouras, we enjoyed seeing you and celebrating your birthday. Ol' time is flying but havin birthdays is always agood thing!!

Beau Wann, Jr.

     hello boys and girls, im baaack.  this will be be the 2nd time I tried posting this, the first time I got it typed, and forgot to hit Post, and swooscj she dissappead. after being down at chez MDA FOR 48 HOUR, OR MORE, GOT SOME GOODNEWS AND SOME REALLY GREAT NEWS.  IM NOT CURED, BUT THE INFUSION TREATMENTS HAVE DONE WHAT THEY WERE SUPPOSED TO DO.  REDUCE THE SWELLING . HAD MY SIXTEENTH mRI OF THIS year.  that's got to be some kind of records. I think they are going to give a plaq

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

This is great news, Beau.  Way to enter the Holidays.  Hope and pray you and Diane and familyfor an enjoyable holiday ahead.  I can only imagine what they will put on that plaque.

Mary Weidner (Williams)

Great news Beau! To hell with a plaque, you need a huge trophy for all you have been through!! 😂 Great way to start the holidays! 

Scotty Croom

just got call from betty geiser 65...she is moving to assisted living facility in humble...heritage retreat on hot creek trace..7105 humble 77326...keep her in our prayers... will be in houston for just the weekend ..plan to visit mother in georgetown fri...have a safe holiday...

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Betty and Allen Geisle, one of the most beautiful couples of our year...remenbering  all of their grace and power, Betty, enjoy your life.

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Anderson, tx is having a music bash, with vendors, music goes on late and is so enjoyable. It is Dec. 4th.  Sue visits with her family in tow; musician grandson, who loves this venue.

Sue and I walk around with drinks in hand to all the venues, and go home leaving the kids to have fun. We get into our pajamas, talk about our lives, drink more wineand end up in bed 10ish.  Such is life

Beau Wann, Jr.

      Hello Myne Phyne Waltriphynes the brain thatwouldnt dye.   In the jungles the mighty jungles he brain sleeps to night, maybe.  just cant get comfortable.  Remind me again to get in the running car and not hide behind  the chainsaws. Left foot an ankele swollen, thought I mike hde a blood clot, but after a scan, ther was no clot, so clean bill of healt on that subujet, and eveerthing eles looks goo, whiteblood cheels and red blood cells all are in limits, in fact bettere than espexed. started my new chemo last monday an will starte again in 23 days, again. I'm tring to beat this things. Go back to drs in January, a year after this thing begain have another mRI AND EVER ONWARD,   THEY SAID iCOULD QUIT IF i WANDTED TTO, bUT i THINK NOT, ide like to see where god is taking me on this journey Im hoping it helps to find aa cure, wouldnt that be something. I know of so many people with cancers, worst than mine. mye son kevin lost hie father in law to the c just lst month

Teddie Jordan

So good to read this update Old Friend. Have worried that there was no news on you.

I guess I am a worrier, no that is no guess, I plead  guilty!

I have faith,  but being human means I still worry about the welfare of all of my Family  and Friends who I love!

Even after I pray for you regularly.  

Beau Wann, Jr.

     they changed the spellingof thsnkginging to snafu and fubar. you couldnt plan a more catastrophic alleged holliday than this past tday, visisions of punkin pie danced thtrough my no brainer. the dishwasher went out bout a month ago. we thought we were covered weth the warrarenty, if they had takenk down our addess correctly insted of placing us somewhwere in noretheast county, and since that wast wrogn, they could possible get the part and two moron reparn men out till after snafu and fubar day. the brand is fridadaire in yohave a coich be fridadaire and nothin choosethe nothing, iether they amount to the same same thing, nothing.   having backup plan, goodole paper plates rathner than our good china,now what  which wheve gotten to use on serveral occasions, just cant think of when,. and now we'er not even ;at fubar and snafu day, and we get an alarm on ye ole septictank, iand that's nver a good think if one is ecpevtinting company, or me,   sooo the septic peopele sennd out a couple trucks and guys not from frididaire, and lo and behold they found us, no prob  they fixed the septic, no prob, a switch had failed and geess what, they allways carry a couple of ectra switches on all there trucks at all timee,  what a concept.   When I worked for swbt I allways carried so many parts, my tires were almost flat.   i didint want to have to tell the payin costimor "soory, your just goona have to use these 2 tomato cans anthis finee twineyg rated5g provided by yor service warrity fron frididair e .  there were a coulpe of occacions i couldent fix somthink like wheen a water moccisin and i were trinf to work in the same splice encloser up inthe woodlands after a major flood, or general flood if you will, and even if you wont. seems someone had the platt chanened fron 100 year to  500 year flood stuff   even washed out a briged. the next fubar and an safu was maytad washing machin broke down, proboy made by ftididaire now how were we gonna wash all the   paper plates l  now the snafu and fubar my trained nose smelled  a sknunk lurhing about, should have let bad boy shutterall down then all from heretofore would would not have mattered 

Beau Wann, Jr.

but wait, heres the rest of the story seems word  was out, i liked peach pie and or cobbler, not any more, every one brout at least two t a way apiec now whatt a way to ruin ice cream. didnt feel that way before snafu and fubar day.    som folks were over patronixing. tried to carve the turky, that didnt work out at all "cut this way, now try thise other way"  i kmow its well meaning, but well meaning can get ot hand."here handme that steerimg wheel ill help you drive"   not from diane, but others and i love them all. i dont think we do christmas this year, no telling what callamity awaits us, "ride boldly ride if yoseek for eldor addo aand trust in the lord. he is it.seek the lord early when he is first in our livfe, we will first in his may god continue bless your as he has blessd me. well maybe not with this brain thing, but sure got my attention to wdats important

Tom Britton '65

Well, Beau....as always your posts not only make us smile but also give us food for thought...and a way of looking at things that's just a tad bit different. You certainly did miss your calling, my friend. You would have been one heck of an author or comedy writer. So glad you are still here with us. We love you man!!!

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Heartfelt, dear Beau Merry Christmas to you and Diane and family.

Wayne Lake

Beau, glad to see you are back at your keyboard providing entertainment for us and hoping for your continued progress.

Kay/aficionados of small venue live music, especially Texas singer/songwriters, Rockport recently paid tribute to Guy Clark as he grew up in there. There was a display at the Rockport Art facility by local artist and high school friend, Steve Russel who painted themes of 16 titled songs such as ‘skinny Dennis, stand-up bass player from LA Freeway, home grown tomatoes, boats to build and the Randal knife. The live music tribute was provided by Verlon Thompson and Shawn Camp at the Rialto Theater (seats about 75) here in Aransas Pass who both played/collaborated/toured with Guy Clark for several years throughout his life. Both are great pickers/story tellers who gave insight to the man and his music. It was a night to remember and I was glad to be a part of it.

On Friday night, Ray Wylie Hubbard played the 3^rd Coast in Port Aransas with his son Lucas, in another small venue with capacity of about 60 – open seating and I was sitting about 8’ away. As usual, RWH put on a great show telling funny stories and singing notable hits (sort of hits) like Snake Farm, drunken’ poets dream and up against the wall.  RWH was born in 1946 so he is our age and still doin’ his thang with no regard to his long time critics/adversaries from Nashville.

Interesting that Jerry Jeff Walker’s most notable hits nearly 50 years ago were Guy Clark’s LA Freeway and RWH’s Up against the wall redneck mothers. We are very lucky to be in Texas and to have lived here during a time when so many great artists also lived here and called it home.  In case you haven’t  realized it by now, I love this music and small, live music venues, it’s one of the benefits of living on the Texas gulf coast in a small town.     

On a more somber note, Keith Kupec in now in a nursing home, Caraday Corpus Christi and fading fast. Parkinson’s disease is not a fun way to go as it sucks the life out at a fairly fast pace – sort of like the aging process as viewed through the lens of a camera on fast-forward. Semper Fi Amigo.

I hope when the time comes for me, God has a sense of humor and grades on the curve…………..

From the coastal bend, been catchin’ trout on top waters which is about my favorite trick and dancin’ with dolphins, wtl         

Lynn Prewit

I understand Keith Kupec is on his last leg of life. Keith was awarded a SILVER STAR for his action in heavy fighting in Vietman,  Lord Knows how many men he saved for his action. He is a TRUE HERO. I hope people understands..

This week a Four Star Gereral (who is now the Secrectary of Defense) was awarded The Silver Star for commanding an  army  in the middle east.  He was miles away from the action. This was just his job..

He does not meet the requirements for receipments for receiving the Silver STAR.

This is the case of one solder putting his life in arms ways and a General just doing his job.

Wayne Lake

Lynn, thanks for mentioning Kupec’s Silver Star and no, he is not being treated like the combat hero that he so well deserves which is very sad. The VA is a sub-par medical system from my perspective and they have failed LCPL Keith Kupec, USMC.

Several years ago I was googleing around searching names (including my own) to see what was out there and I googled Keith and found the SS commendation write-up so I asked Jackie to post the cut n’pasted version without telling Keith and she sort of reluctantly did it after a conversation or two – I don’t think he ever knew it was there or he would have mentioned it to me I am sure.

Keith and I have been fishing together for past 10-15 years as we would fish his boat in the Laguna near his place and mine in Aransas with annual trips to Mansfield until about 3 years ago when the Parkinson’s amped up. He opened up about the SS commendation event once (usually a lot of dead air time when fishing) and here is what I remember:

Keith and close neighborhood friends like Burgess Webb, Roger Conaway and Gary Keith (I apologize as I know I am leaving out some Waltrip64 Marines that joined about the same time but these are the names I remember that Keith knew), joined the Marines in late ‘64 or ’65 so they went to Viet Nam early on in the conflict before there was much onshore housing facilities and were living offshore on chopper carriers and ‘dropping in’ for engagement missions, usually under the cover of darkness. On one of his first drops in the jungle, they landed in a rice paddy under heavy fire and his platoon leader and radioman – the two most senior leaders were killed immediately which left a bunch of 19 year old Marines on their own. During boot camp, the Drill Sargent noticed Keith had a good arm (played outfield and could throw a strike from deep center) so he was designated the platoon's human grenade launcher and he went to work that night which won him the Silver Star. He also got a Purple Heart for a rifle bullet wound in the elbow. Keith told me he probably would have been killed with the rest of his platoon later on but was in a Saigon hospital with Malaria waiting to be sent back to the states when all the men in his platoon were KIA.

All of our Waltrip Viet Nam combat veterans deserve our utmost respect and the best medical attention money can buy.         

Jenny Taylor (Williams)

I just called the Caraday of Corpus Christi nursing home to get the mailing address and room number for Keith Kupec so that I could send him a card and let him know he is not forgotten.  If you would like to have the address, please email me at jennywilliams@kw.com and I will send it to you.  Keith is one of our true heroes. Please keep him in your prayers.   

Kay Watters '65 (Greene)

Wayne,  you've pegged me, enjoyed your descriptions of these musical artists.  May I add our Mance Lipscomb, noted for his blues, a native of Navasota who played for the president, as well as Frank Sinatra and his then wife, Mia.  Texas has so many of these venues, people hear little of.

I didn't know Keith, but proud of his military accomplishments, Burgess, who was quite vocal on the message center, and of course, the other classmates who joined and served in the Military.  God bless them.

Johnny Sheffield

I would like to take this time to wish all

My waltrip graduates and there families 

a very merry Christmas and happy new year. 
 

May you and your families have a safe

and wonderful holiday,

Gods blessings be with you all during the holidays.

Johnny