Jimmy Willis

GOOD MORNING MATES,

I WAS JUST SETTING HERE HOPING WILD CAT MEAT

WILL BE AS SWEET AS THE TIGER WE HAD LAST WEEK!

GO DAWGS!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

LATER

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations and happy Monday one and all!  I suppose all of our Georgia sports fans are still celebrating as the Dawgs and Falcons each won.  And everyone else is either preparing for Thanksgiving or Black Friday - or both.  Slow weekend around the Grice household.  Sherron is still helping Erin so she spent most of the weekend trying to recoup from chasing the grandkids.  Back at it today!  Our builder said he will be through with our remodeling "this week".  I think he's said that before, like last week.  We can't wait to enjoy our new grill and patio - if it isn't too cold when he finishes.  It may be our Christmas present.  Anyway there's always next spring.  I don't know how I let it slip by without posting, but Mr. Houser passed away on Nov. 10th.  I've updated his profile.  I know many of you really love pumpkin pie!  I also know how fattening it can be, so in my interest to help those who can't help themselves - I'm posting a picture of where pumpkin pies come from.  Maybe this will help you avoid a few extra pounds.  I hope eveyone has a very blessed week.  Later.

Gary Grice

Why we may not be hearing from Jim:

Jimmy Willis

HA! YOU CAUGHT ME DID YA?!!! THAT'S ALL RIGHT! THAT'S

ALL RIGHT! GUESS I WAS THE FINEST CATCH OF THE DAY!?!!!

MAN! WE LOST THE BIGGEST FAN THE DAWGS EVER HAD

TODAY! GUESS THE "GOOD LORD" NEED SOMEONE TO CALL

THE GAMES IN HEAVEN HUH!!!! 

LATER MATES!

Connie Morgan (White)

Gary, I loved the music box story and the song!  A "treasure"!

I do hope that each of you -- and your families are feeling well.

I was out with the leaf blower yesterday afternoon and Leon Dalton stopped by.  Enjoyed standing outside talking for a few min.   He said that he only taught school for 2 years, then went and got a degree in clinical psychology.   Lived in the Atlanta area and in Boston before moving back to Crawford a some time ago.   He said his sister, Janice (in the class of '67), has had some health issues.

I just want to wish all of you a very happy Thanksgiving.  I know I've said it before, but I am so thankful for my OCHS friends, and for the blessing of being in touch of so many of you.

Jimmy Willis

HELLO MATES,

I'D LIKE TO BE THE FIRST HERE TO WISH EACH OF YOU A VERY

HAPPY SAFE THANKSGIVING. I'M THANKFUL FOR EACH OF YOU

GUYS. YOU HAVING BEEN A VERY IMPORTANT PART OF MY LIFE.

SO--- SAFE TRAVELS AND MAY ALL YOUR FAMILY'S BE SAFE. AND!

GO DAWGS!!!!

LATER

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all and happy Thanksgiving eve!  I too wish to add to Jim's well wishes and appreciation for each of you.  You have all inspired me in some way to become what I am and I hope I haven't dissappointed you. I am looking forward to a few GREAT days off.  Knowing Sherron, I will be looking forward to returning to the office come Sunday where I can get some rest.  This is traditionally our weekend to decorate for Christmas and that means .....  WORK!!!!  Connie, glad you like the song.  I hate to hear we drove Leon Dalton out of teaching also!  Since I didn't have him for a teacher, it couldn't have been me.  Now some of our classmate (Jim, Foots, Charles (O) and (Mc)) were known to be a bit disruptive.  I'm just saying .........    I have been re-reading many of your profiles lately and see that most - mine included - are somewhat out of date.  If you have a few moments and think about it, please update as you see fit.  Speaking of profiles, I was looking at Don's and noticed his new picture as Cap'n Don.  Well I searched and searched the internet and discovered a story of when he was in training to attain that lofty position.  So here is his story.  I hope you all have a VERY BLESSED AND SAFE THANKSGIVING and THANK YOU for being you.  Later.

A young man (Don) who wants to see the world signs on to a tramp steamer to be trained as a helmsman.

He masters the classroom instruction, then starts his practical training on the wheel of the vessel. In his first lesson, the mate gives him a heading, and the young fellow holds to it.

Then the mate orders, "Come starboard."

Pleased at knowing immediately which way starboard is, the young man leaves the helm and walks over to his instructor.

The mate has an incredulous look on his face as the helm swings freely. Then, rather gently considering the circumstance, he asks politely, "Could you bring the ship with you?"
 

Donald Chandler

Well, I think our buddy Jim said it better than I could, so I'll just say, "ditto" to what he said! 

Gary, I think you're just trying to confuse me with all that sailor talk.  I can't even swim, mate.  By the way... I liked your "Gladys Dunn" joke... I passed it along to some church friends.

Do any of you remember Janet Byrd (now Janet Hulsey) from the OCHS Class of '69?  This past weekend, I had a visit with Janet and her husband Lamar.  They live in Acworth and spend some of their weekends exhibiting their crafts at various arts and crafts shows and festivals in the region.  After church on Sunday, Liz and I went to the Sprayberry Arts and Crafts Show at Sprayberry High School here in Cobb County.  Janet and Lamar were there and we had a nice visit, and I bought one of Lamar's hand crafted bird houses for our backyard friends.  I had not seen Janet for 43 years... we both rode Boyd Andrews' school bus (Connie rode it too).  In high school Janet lived on Wolfskin Road which runs between Watkinsville and Crawford.  I remember she lived in this big beautiful old two-story columned mansion that looked like something out of "Gone With the Wind".  It was the historic "Old Edwards Plantation House", built before the Civil War (ca 1859), and the Byrd family began restoring it in the 1960's.  To my great surprise a few years ago, one of my first cousins informed me that our great-grandfather, John Ancil Chandler (1857-1928) was one of the owners of the property in the early 1900's when he moved his large family from Madison County to Oglethorpe County and bought 971 acres of land in the Wolfskin District.  Great-grandpa lost his left hand in a cotton gin accident.  Unfortunately none of his vast property or it's proceeds made its way down through the generations to little old me.  This land has had a number of owners through the years, and I drove by it last month when I was in Oglethorpe County for our class gathering at Connie's.  I noticed that it is for sale again, and an internet search revealed that the house and 25 acres of land can be yours for the bargain price of $750,000... complete with a beautifully designed "outhouse".  :-)  What a deal!... check it out...    

http://www.georgiarealtysales.com/oldedward.htm

RIP, Larry Munson.  I probably won't be able to watch the Georgia/Georgia Tech game on Saturday, since we will be driving to Lincolnton, Georgia to visit family... maybe I can catch part of it.  Should be a good game.  GLORY, GLORY TO OLE GEORGIA!

HAPPY THANKSGIVING!

Be safe out there, mates.  Reporting live... and very thankful... this is "Captain" Don.

Diane Harris (Moore)

To my friends.... "Happy Thanksgiving"!  To those who have lost loved ones this year, I pray that you will be comforted by memories that  will help you remember their love. May we all be thankful for all the good things we have been given, and not dwell on wishes that didn't come true. Most of mine came true, but there are still a few I long for, and shame on me, for I have more than I ever deserved. 

Thankful for all of you, who share my history of another time and place.

Dick and I send our love...

Gary Grice

Happy Thanksgiving Everyone ! ! ! .....

Elizabeth "PeeWee" Brooks (Fountain)

Hello Classmates:

It is with deep regret that I inform you that Inez's husband, Henry Rogers, passed away yesterday.  Yes, on Thanksgiving Day, can you believe it?  I received a text message on my phone stating that "Papa passed away today"  and called wandering who they were talking about and was in total disbelief that it was Henry.  It was sudden, he had a stroke a couple days before, his heart was erratic but they thought he was getting better and got the call that he had passed away around 5 a.m. on Thanksgiving Day.  

For funeral arrangements you can check the web page for Lord and Stephens.com, East Athens.  I was informed that visitation would be on Saturday, November 26, from 6 to 8 p.m. at Lord and Stephens Funeral Home and the funeral will be on Sunday, November 27, at 2:00 p.m. at the Word of Life Church in Colbert, Georgia.  These are the same locations that Inez was eight months ago.  I am still in total shock that this could happen so soon after her death.  It reaffirms that God is in control and our plans are not always His plans.

Please keep their daughters, Robin and Jennifer, in your prayers along with the rest of the family.  I'm sure this is heartbreaking and just beyond their comprehension.  They are strong in faith and I know Jesus is carrying them every step of the way.

Henry graduated from Oglethorpe in 1967 so if you can get in touch with any friends or schoolmates, please do so.

Love to all,  

 "PeeWee" Brooks Fountain 

Diane Harris (Moore)

Everyone please read Pee Wee's sad message above mine.

This is so tragic! Pee Wee, thank you for letting us know. It is very easy on a busy holiday weekend for such news to pass us by when we are occupied with family and/or traveling. My heart goes out to the daughters of Inez and Henry, and my prayers for them have begun. 

Thank you, Pee Wee, again. You are dear to us.

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all and a Happy Monday!  I trust you all had a Great Thanksgiving and have managed to sleep off all you ingested!  We had a busy and non-traditional Thanksgiving.  Sherron is still helping with the grandkids as Erin continues to recover and dealing with some post surgery issues.  Hopefully doctor's appointment today will lead to the resolution of some of those.  Even under trying circumstances, its always good to see my kids and grandkids.  Our oldest daughter and family are still in Minnesota and decided to take a Thanksgiving excursion to Duluth.  She sent us some beautiful pictures of sun rise over the lake.  They almost missed Thanksgiving dinner, literally, as they had a difficult time finding anything open on Thanksgiving day.  Hopefully this is the "this week" in which my builder will complete his work which he promised last week.  I'm getting a little frustrated - if you couldn't tell.  To add to my frustration, another typical Monday at the office - after a holiday . Two of the ladies called in sick and the third was late.  They are lucky I'm not in charge or they could have off Tuesday through Friday as well.  Well nothing good to say so I'll shut-up and sign off.  Oops, I almost let the obvious slip by. If you'll look at our Home Page, you'll notice another classmate has joined the website, so no more snide remarks about David, cause he has checked in.  Welcome aboard David.  We all look forward to you joining the banter here in the Forum. Go ahead and take your best shot at Don or Jim.  I hope you all have a very BLESSED week.  Later.

Connie Morgan (White)

I hope you all had a good Thanksgiving week-end.   Gary, I sure hope your daughter recovers soon!

I was very sorry to hear about Inez's husband, Henry's death.   Their poor family.  We must keep them in prayers.

Have a good week.

Gary Grice

I thought I didn't have anything worth posting today and then I noticed that today is a special someone's birthday!  HAPPY, HAPPY BIRTHDAY to MRS. PRYOR!!  I hope your day was filled with much joyous celebrations with friends and family.  May God richly bless you as you blessed each member of the Class of '68.  Thank you for contributing to our lives.  Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Yes, Happy Birthday to Mrs. Pryor!  We even remember far enough back to the time she was "Miss Veal". That year, the 8th grade I believe, was a pretty good one as I recall. We were all up on the high school wing for the first time, and no longer the big shots from the lower classes. I had been forced to leave my safety patrol belt behind, and had no status whatsoever. I had to enter 8th grade with the remnants of a "permanent wave gone bad" that Mama had given me over the summer, and didn't know what to expect from life as a sub-freshman. And another thing....that term "sub-freshman" did nothing to build confidence. I mean as soon as we arrived we were already considered "sub". But I recall Mrs. Pryor's class well. I still have the paper that we had to do on genetics. I made an A, which was probably one of her rare mistakes. I also recall her getting very upset with a couple of boys in our class one day. I remember one of the boys, but won't mention him by name. The initials of his last name however are "m c g a r i t y". 

Mrs. Pryor, as Gary said, thanks for providing us with a good education and some happy memories.

Jimmy Willis

GO DAWGS!!!!

Diane Harris (Moore)

Seems kinda quiet on the site, so I thought I'd just say "hi" to everybody. 

Hope everyone is OK. Gary, how's Erin? Don, how's Liz? Jim, I guess your up in a tree somewhere looking for deer in black dresses. My gal pals? 

We are well, but water logged from all the rain we've had the past few days. It is gloomy looking outside, and though cold by Georgia standards, it's not too bad yet. 

I feel like I am living in the house of the Grinch, since we don't have a tree. We are leaving for Christmas this year, and plan to stay in CO near the grandkids for about 6 weeks. I just can"t work up the enthusiasm to pull everything down from the attic. I miss it, but I know that the last thing I will want to fool with when we walk in the house after 6 weeks is taking down Christmas stuff. I tossed out some outdoor lights and wreaths for the windows and door, so we don't look like the grumps on the street. I really hate that we all live so far apart. Bah humbug.

Well, that is all my grumpy news for now.

Love to all...

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all.  Its beginning to look a lot like Christmas - except at Dick and Diane's!  We've been there and I know what you mean.  You will love Colorado though I'm sure.  I would recommend anyone put that on their bucket list - Christmas in Colorado.  Erin continues to progress - just had a few rough moments - and Grandma and Papa are half past wore out!  But this too shall pass.  Has been quite around here.  I figured the diehard Bulldog fans are still drowning their sorrows.   Too bad the team forgot to show up for the second half.  I'm really starting to get excited about retiring - in 122 days - but whose counting.  Trying to undertake some projects that will make it easier for some folks when I'm gone.  I've already been asked if I would be available for consulting work when I retire.  I don't think they will be able to afford me.  A deer (or is that dear) in a little black dress - bet that got Jim's heart started!  Not much else to share for now, so I'll leave you with 10 reasons why God created Eve.  Enjoy.  Later.

10. God worried that Adam would always be lost in the garden because men hate to ask for directions.

9. God knew that Adam would one day need someone to hand him the TV remote.

8. God knew that Adam would never buy a new fig leaf when his seat wore out and would therefore need Eve to get one for him.

7. God knew that Adam would never make a doctor's appointment for himself.

6. God knew that Adam would never remember which night was garbage night.

5. God knew that if the world was to be populated, men would never be able to handle childbearing.

4. As "Keeper of the Garden," Adam would never remember where he put his tools.

3. The scripture account of creation indicates Adam needed someone to blame his troubles on when God caught him hiding in the garden.

2. As the Bible says, "It is not good for man to be alone!"

1. When God finished the creation of Adam, He stepped back, scratched His head and said, "I can do better than that."
 

Donald Chandler

Good Evening, Mates...

At least our Dawgs stayed with the Tigers for the first half of the SEC Championship game, and missed several opportunities to put up a bigger lead... too many dropped passes.  One of the most amazing statistics to me was that LSU, the number one team in the country, did NOT even have a first down in the first half!  But the second half started out bad and got worse in a hurry.  Oh well, we have the Outback Bowl to look forward to on January 2nd.  Wish it could have been "Sugar falling out of the sky" as Larry Munson would say.  But the Sugar Bowl has a pathetic matchup this time around (Michigan vs Virginia Tech) with NO SEC team... what's up with that?  I just think the BCS is a bunch of BS.

I did get to see the UGA / LSU game, even though Liz and I hosted a Christmas Dinner Party here at our home for some of Liz's friends in our church choir (and their husbands).  Our party started Saturday at 4 pm, the exact same time as the SEC Championship game.  The ladies ended up in one room, giggling, eating and exchanging gifts, and us guys ended up in another room eating and watching the game.  GO DAWGS!  A good time was had by all even though we lost the game.

Well, Diane... we did decorate our house for Christmas to prepare for our party.  I put up the tree on Black Friday, and even though I have sworn to NEVER go shopping the day after Thanksgiving, my tree stand broke and I had to make an emergency trip to Walmart for a new one.  Never say "never"!  I even shopped online on Cyber Monday to get an extra 30% off an item on my Christmas list.

If you're not aware of it, mates, our friend Jim has already done some Christmas decorating of his own... he put up a spectacular lighting display on his house which I understand is attracting visitors from miles around.  I know Jim is very proud of it but too modest to say anything about it, so I thought I would share a photo for those of you who haven't seen it...

By the way...

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, JIM!

Hope you have a great day!  May God Bless You Real Good!

Diane Harris (Moore)

Yee Haw! Happy Birthday, Jim Willis!!! Love your Christmas lights! So glad Don posted the picture!

Gary Grice

Greeting and salutations one and all and a very Happy Birthday to Jim.  May your day be filled with much celebration.  And love the decoration.  Glad Don was able to capture it.  Maybe you could go help Diane decorate for Christmas, though not sure how such a display would be received north of the Mason-Dixon.  Today is the day that will live in infamy, Pearl Harbor Day.  May we never forget those days when others sought to take away our freedom.  I hope everyone is having a very BLESSED week, and here's a little funny to brighten your day.  Later.

The Cleveland Symphony Orchestra was rehearsing Beethoven's Ninth Symphony. There is an extensive section where the bass players don't play for twenty minutes of so. One of them decided that, rather than stand around on stage looking bored and stupid, they'd all just file offstage during their tacit-time and hang out backstage, then return when they were about to play. It seemed like a good idea at the time.

On the night of the performance, the bass players filed off as planned. The last one had barely left the stage when the leader suggested, "Hey we've got twenty minutes, let's fun across the street to the bar for a few!"

This idea was met with great approval, so off they went, tuxedos and all, to loosen up. Fifteen minutes and a few rounds later, one of the bass players said, "Shouldn't we be heading back? It's almost time."

But the leader announced, "Oh don't worry, we'll have some extra time - I played a little joke on the conductor. Before the performance started, I tied string around each page of his score so that he'd have to untie each page to turn it. The piece will drag on a bit. We've got time for another round!"

So another round they did, and finally - sloshed and staggering - they made their way back across the street to finish Ludwig's 9th.

Upon entering the stage, they immediately noticed the conductor's haggard, drawn and livid expression.

"Gee," one player queried, "Why do you suppose he looks so tense?"

"You'd be tense, too," laughed the leader. "It's the bottom of the ninth, the score is tied and the basses are loaded."
    

Jimmy Willis

MORNING MATES,

SORRY BOUT NOT BEING ON LINE YESTERDAY WHEN I HAD MY

BIG DAY! BUT ALL THE WELL WISHES ARE GREATLY APPRECIATED!

SEEMS  IT IS IMPOSBILE TO HIDE ANYTHING FROM DON! I'M

JUST GLAD HE'S NO A GAME WARDEN! THANKS DON!!!

I DID HAVE AN EXPERIANCE YESTERDAY THAT I HESITATE TO

MENTION, BUT IT WAS SO GOOD I DON'T CARE IF IT MAKES ME

APPREAR TO BE LESS MASCULINE OR NOT!  IT SEEMS AS I HAVE

GOTTEN OLDER MY EYES ARE NOT WHAT THEY WERE AT ONE

TIME. SO I HAVE TROUBLE SEEING MY TOES TO CLIP THEM. SO---

MY GIRLS GAVE ME A  "D"ELUX  PEDICURE FOR MY BIRTHDAY!

SO I WHEN! "YES I DID"!  AND IT WAS GREAT!  IF YOU AN'T HAD ONE

YOU BETTER GO BOYS!!!

SO YES GUYS, I HAD A GREAT DAY! AND I THANK EACH AND

EVERYONE OF YOU!

LATER

Gary Grice

Greetings and salutations one and all.  I trust everyone is having a GREAT week.  Well Don, it looks like Jim has gone Metro on us.  I guess that's what happens when you move a country boy to the city.  So Jim, what color did they paint them toes?  I hope you realize that Tangerine Tango, an electric orange red, is the color of 2012, according to the Pantone Color Institute?  Wouldn't want you to make a fashion faux pau.  Well the holidays are upon us, which tends to put the pounds upon us as well.  So today's story is about a diet that some may choose to satisfy that New Year's resolution to loose weight.  Later.

Connie Morgan (White)

I've enjoyed catching up on the posts here!

It has been a very sad week for our family.   My mother-in-law, Dolores White, died unexpectedly early Monday morning.  I've been in Stone Mountain staying with Mr. White until Wednesday .  Her funeral was Wednesday in Decatur, then we drove to Macon for the graveside services.   She is buried next to her son (my husband), Jim..      I've been one of those fortunate ones that had a wonderful mother in law.   We have stayed close all thru the years and she was a loving, supportive person.

I hope you all have a good week-end.  I know that everyone has things going on in life.   We are blessed  by the love and support of friends and to be able to pray for each other.   I am thankful for y'all.