Around the Horn - November 10, 2006 - Paul Pewitt Class of 1966

Donna Gibbs Johnson sent this photo of her new granddaughter, Rilee Marie Runnels, and Rilee's big sister, Taylor. Rilee arrived on September 28, weighed 5 lbs. 14 oz., and was 18 in. long. These are two beautiful girls—congratulations, Donna!





Got a note from Rick Cobb.

"This is sort of an answer to your e-mail 'it’s about me.' Been married three times; one child with each of first two; perfect match finally with Sally and she had two boys. Between us we have four grandchildren and two step grandchildren, a four door truck with child seat, bicycles and a toy box in the guest room."

"If I hadn’t joined the Navy and worked for the government, I may have never gone anywhere."

"One interesting work-related adventure – going downtown Kuwait City with an embassy provided driver from Damascus who drove like hell and never stopped talking about his life."

"Good vacations outside U. S. – skiing with my son in Austria; two weeks Eurail with my wife."

"I’ve been at Red River Army Depot for 20 years, but before that I was in the navy, worked on a trash truck, drove a forklift, worked as an electrician at the steel mill, two power plants, and for T&N railroad, and then I was self employed for 4 years."

"Best movie ever made is Sling Blade – has more to say and better acting than most."

"I’m old, but my daughter said I still look good for my age."


Also received this from Judy Daniel McCollum.

"I moved to Naples in April of the 4th grade and was in the "A" class. My parents are both from here, but moved to Dallas when I was little. In the fifth grade Patty, Barbara and I would walk to the old Inez Theater and take in a movie, such as Where the Boys Are with Sondra Dee."

"Jerry and I have been riding 4 wheelers today and checking on my deer stand. Believe it or not, I hunt, love Nascar and love my hand guns and rifles and shot guns. I just bought a 5 shot 22 that is only 3 & 1/2 inches long. More later."

Barbara Griffin sends along this poem about class reunions.

Every ten years, when summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
We make plans to attend without fail.

I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried oh so hard to impress.
Some drove fancy cars and smoked big cigars,
And wore their most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve their great fortune and fame.
And meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And their beautiful children's cute names.

20th
The homecoming queen who once had been so lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders couldn't do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who'd always been plain;
Who had married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we'd decreed as "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" had become a good priest;
Just shows that we're wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have held up the best
And while we drank beer we gave a big cheer
For the most distant drive to the fest.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
And tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini,
You never saw so many thighs.

30th
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed all their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
And without many cares we sat in lawn chairs
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

The fortieth year it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And get home in time for their pill.

So now I can't wait as they've set the big date;
Our sixtieth's coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my old hearing aid;
My pacemaker's turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.

I'm feeling quite hearty; I'm ready to party,
I'll dance until dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; and I hope at least one
Other person can make it that night.


That's all I have. If you have any news,

Regards,
Ron