Kathy Carter (Campbell)

Don, I just love that kitty cat!!!

Diane, I was up very late when I posted. Have those kind of nights sometime, too often actually. Hope Dick is going to be okay. Rabun had one a few weeks ago & everything was clear & he won't need one agin for 10 years. I have to have another one sometime next year, it has been 10 years for me.Thanks for your prayers. Love you.

Gary, I know you are looking forward to holding that precious new granddaughter. Hope ya'll have a good trip.

Jim, I hope you get a deer. Rabun got to go once during bow season. Primative weapon season begins here Friday & he is looking forward to going since we have received rain. They were thinking of not having it this yar due to the drought & the danger of fire from shooting. Surely glad we got some rain!!

Sweet Connie, I love you and I know those who get to come on the 24th will enjoyed being in your home.

Donald Chandler

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, STEPHANIE DUDLEY TRAMMELL... wherever you are.  Hope you have a grand day with many blessings.

Jimmy Willis

Happy Birthday Stephanie!!! And Many Many More!

Connie Morgan (White)

Hello all:

I've enjoyed your recents posts and jokes! 

Happy birthday Stephanie.

Gary, I  hope that your family and that beautiful baby are all doing well.

Poor Dick - you have a colonoscopy (with all the fun of the prep that goes with it) and all of a sudden, everyone is a comedian!  Hope your results were good.                    Since my daddy had colon cancer, I've had to have a colonoscopy every 5 years since I was 35 .   I know, I know - too much information.

Jim, how are the wedding plans coming?  How are you holding up?

Kathy, I will sure miss you on the 24th.!   If your plans change, just come on.  Have such a good time at the beach.  I do hope you are feeling better!    Good luck to Rabun with his hunting.  Kyle has been bow hunting twice, but has not seen anything.

Diane, y'all come too if by any chance you can be in Ga. then!   I was so touched by your post about the veterans remembrance of singing Amazing Grace.  They truly were a great generation!

Don, have fun at the fair!!!    I look forward to hearing about it.

I hope everyone from OCHS '68's doing well.

love you.

Connie Morgan (White)

VOLUNTEERS -------    (and I'm not talking about the Tennessee ones!)

I asked for volunteers to help call some of our class members about the "informal gathering" on Sunday afternoon, Oct. 24 at 2 p.m.      I have had exactly zero volunteers, SO I'm making assignments to some of you.    If you can not contact the people on your list, please let someone else know so that they can do it.       Jim, because of your upcoming wedding activities, you're off of the hook of making calls (unless you just want to)   :)

Due to time (or laziness)I am just going to write the girls maiden names.  I certainly hope no one is offended...

GARY GRICE - can you please call:                Tommy Adkins,     Benny Allen,   Jesse Allen Bray,   Ross Dudley,     Steve Eberhardt,     David Landers,    Charles McGarity,     Roy Nation,    Bobby Sparks   and    Jimmy Tiller

DON CHANDLER - can you please call:       Dale Bishop,   Joel Colquitt,    Stephanie Dudley,   Danny Gabriel,   Dorsey King,    Junior Smith,   Susan Peterman,  Lanny McFalls

CONNIE   -  I have or will contact:        Diane and Dick,   Nancy Tucker,    Linda Wheless,    Beverly Bramlett,   Teresa Burt,    Kathy Carter,    Judy Stewart,    Janie Ethredge,    Gail Gabriel

LINDA WHELESS, BEVERLY BRAMLETT AND KATHY WHELESS    -----      I've talked to Linda about them calling:              Vicki Arnold,   Pee Wee,    Sheryl Burgess,   Travis Bramlett,   Joy Callaway,  Dennis Helmreich,  Montene Fields,   Jane Griffith,   Edna Howard and Terry White,   Ralph Huff,   Ray Wheless,   Kay Wheless,   Dorothy Jones,   Linda Massey,   Alvin Mathews,   Inez Nation,   Glenn Nix,   Louise Patton,   Tessie Stevens,   Thelma Tucker,   Delores Tucker,   Melvin Young

IF ANYONE WANTS TO HELP MAKE ANY OF THESE CALLS, JUST LET SOMEONE KNOW  ---- If you can think of anyone that was ever part of our class that I don't have listed, call them.

I'll put a notice in the ECHO

THANK YOU for your help.   

Diane Harris (Moore)

Connie Morgan (White)

thank you dear Diane!   I do hope that remote possibility of y'all being in Ga. happens!

I will take you up on your offer to help!   I've started on my list,  but could you call Teresa Burt, Gail Gabriel and Janie Ethredge for me?

If the other "callers" want to share their list with you, they can let you know!   I do appreciate it.

love!

Gary Grice

Good morning one and all.  Well it looks like the rain may be just about over for a while.  Thanks Connie for assigning the calling of classmates.  I'll get to work on my assignments and send out an email as well to all this morning (hopefully).  Don, please note that Lanny passed away earlier this year.  Speaking of plans and passing away, we had another death in the family last evening.   Sherron's brother's mother-in-law had a heart attack late yesterday afternoon.  We were at the hospital most of last evening with Sherron's sister-in-law and family.  Sherron's brother is at a trade show in Las Vegas and left his cell phone in his car at the airport so they were having a hard time getting in touch with him last night.  We are awaiting the funeral arrangements to determine what our schedule will be.  We were to leave tomorrow morning for Hickory but will have to postpone for a day or two.  Plans ..... always subject to change.

I heard from Ray this morning so he had better be posting something here real soon!!!  Guess I had better get some work done so I can clear my calendar for whatever today brings.  Hope you all are having a blessed week.  Later.

Donald Chandler

Good Friday, mates…

Connie… I will be happy to do my part to contact the list you have given me.  I have already let Stephanie know about the gathering in a Happy Birthday email to her a couple of days ago.  She responded to the message but did not say one way or the other whether she could be there.  I also let Kay know about it too.  And Gary… I did remember that Lanny passed away a few months back.  I will do my best to contact the others and if I have problems then I will appeal for help from some of you.  Thanks again Connie for having the courage to open up your home to a bunch of sexagenarians.

I’m happy to hear that Dick’s colonoscopy went well.  I have no clever one-liners to offer.

Gary… I am sorry to hear of another death in Sherron’s family.  Her family sure has had more than their share of bad news lately.  Our prayers are with both of you.  Hope y’all get to see that beautiful new granddaughter soon.

Well, Liz and I had a “fair” Thursday, and it was a GREAT fair Thursday.  The rain cleared out of Cobb County just in time for us to go to the North Georgia State Fair about 4 pm yesterday.  We live only about 12 miles from the fairgrounds.  It was a lot of fun… great exhibits and great shows… everything from a petting zoo, to elephants, tigers, and tropical birds, to a guy carving wood sculpture with a chainsaw… and all the usual blue ribbon fruits and vegetables, arts and crafts, and of course the midway.  And all of this was topped by the big concert… featuring a fine opening act, EDEN’S EDGE, a new country/bluegrass trio with a wonderful sound.  And then of course CHARLIE DANIELS.  Even at his age (he will be 74 in a few weeks) he is still a great showman with a lot of energy!... and a first class band!  He is such a good musician playing several instruments, and he can absolutely play a mean fiddle!!!  "That's how you do it son" Wow!  He played everything from “Amazing Grace” to “Fire on the Mountain” to “The Star Spangled Banner” to “The Devil Went Down to Georgia” (his finale).  I took lots of photos at the fair, including the concert.  I may post some of them on Facebook later, but I will share one of them with you here.

Have a great weekend, folks!  The weather should be beautiful here in Georgia.  Maybe the DAWGS can turn things around in Colorado, and maybe the BRAVES can clinch that wildcard spot and send Bobby Cox to the playoffs again.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Gary Grice

I just checked the obituaries ....... and I'm not listed there so I guess I should get to work.  HAPPY MONDAY one and all!!!   What???  Oh ...... its tuesday.  Looks like Don had a GREAT weekend.  I miss going to the county fair.  Maybe I'll have to put that on my bucket list.

I had a quick trip to Hickory this weedend leaving Friday afternoon after lunch.  I took a different route looking for one off the interstate.  Sherron hates competing with 18 wheelers for lane space.  The route I took was pretty as it wound through some national forests but that means no place to stop and it took almost an hour longer.  Saturday I went with my middle daughter and her husband and the three oldest grand-daughters to an apple orchard.  The scenery was beautiful.  (Wish I had Don's talent for capturing a moment with camera.)  Saturday afternoon I took my oldest grandson shopping for a new Wii game.  Spent a lot of time holding Lyla and just watching her sleep.  Both sons-in-law left Sunday about 4:45 AM for Kansas and I departed at 6:30 AM for home.  As soon as Sherron got home from church, we headed off to CICI's for a quick lunch and then to funeral for her sister-in-law's mother.  Home about 5:00 and out the door at 6:00 to visit her brother and sister-in-law.  My bed was calling well before I got to it about 10:30 but Sherron had it covered with clothes and suitcases as she packed for her trip to Hickory.  So now I'm batching it for this week as Sherron is in Hickory.  And that was my whirlwind weekend.  Pretty boring, huh?

Don, I hope you got to see Pawn Stars last night.  The owner of the pawn shop went to the doctor and was given some rubber balls to squeeze to relieve stress.  The old man says, "In my day we just grabbed a bottle of Jack to relieve stress.  I've been stressed for 60 years and I don't sit around playing with my balls."    

Well I've got a lot to get done this week so I guess I had better get at it, but wanted to leave you with one thought.  I believe we should have a two (2) term limit for politicians.  One in office and one in jail.  Have a BLESSED day.  Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Gary Grice

Diane, thanks for passing along the information on Janie.  I am glad to hear she is doing better. 

Janie, since you have such a good attitude about your situation, it provides me an opportunity to help brighten your day even more.  I have a friend that I thought had the perfect job.  She tattooed nipples on individuals that had reconstructive surgery.  I work with several "Pink Ladies" and as most of you probably know - October is Breast Cancer Awareness month. So here is a little reminder.

 While I have the stage, today would have been my older brothers birthday. Here is a very interesting fact about this day.

I guess a lot of couples like to end the year with a bang.  And one more interesting fact.

That's enough sharing for one day. Hang out, I mean in there Janie! Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Donald Chandler

Good Morning, all…

And HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nancy!!!  Hope you have a fantastic day!  Let us hear from you.

Janie… I am so sorry to hear of your health issues.  My prayers are with you.  Thank you, Diane for getting the word to us.  We are all behind you Janie and would love to hear from you.

I guess none of us are as strong and healthy and young as we used to be.  Liz and I had originally planned to be in Texas this week, but had to cancel the trip.  Instead I took her to an appointment at Emory Orthopaedics & Spine Center yesterday.  The news was not very encouraging.  Even though she has had three back surgeries, they think that she may need another major surgery.  They believe her spine problems are causing other health issues… pain in her left hip, in her left knee (which needs surgery), in her neck, and even with her bladder and chronic kidney issues.  She will go back to Emory later this month for an MRI and consult with an orthopaedic surgeon and see where we go from here.  I ask for your prayers for a proper diagnosis and successful treatment… whatever that might be.

Connie… I’m working on my list.  Does anyone have any idea how I could contact Joel Colquitt or Dorsey King?  I have no phone, no address, and no e-mail for either of them.  I did a Google search and came up empty.

On a lighter note… I am one HAPPY baseball fan this week!  The regular MLB season is over, but the BRAVES are in the playoffs!  So they will play at least three more games… and I hope they can win 11 more games!   They are NOT the best of the eight teams in the playoffs by any means, but… it is not always the best team that wins the World Series.  I will be up late Thursday night watching the Braves first game of the National League Division Series against the San Francisco Giants on the west coast.  Gonna be fun!  GO BRAVES! 

Gary… it just so happens that I did see Pawn Stars Monday night.  Liz was at church for a Women’s Prayer Group so I controlled the remote.  Since one of my favorite shows (“24”) was cancelled, there has been nothing for me on Monday nights (besides the Braves)… but now I am a Pawn Stars fan.  It is so interesting to see the things that come through the door of that shop and the cast of characters is a real hoot.  American Pickers is good too.

Have a good trip, Kathy.... relax and enjoy!

And hope you all enjoy this wonderful Fall weather, mates.  And enjoy the rest of your week!      

Gail Gabriel (Wilbanks)

Hi everyone! 

Just checking in to see what's going on with you guys.  So sorry to read Janie's news and sending her my best wishes.  Janie, you are in my thoughts and prayers. 

Also sending good wishes to our birthday girl.  Nancy, I hope your day is very special.  Love and hugs to you.

Gary, congratulations on your new granddaughter.  You and Sherron are very blessed to have all those precious grandchildren.  Sorry to hear about the deaths in your family.  Give Sherron my love.  

Don, I am a happy Braves fan this week too.  I honestly didn't think they could pull it off, but they did it and now it's on to the World Series, right?  My thoughts and prayers are with Liz.  I know way too much about kidney disease as my dad has it.  It seems he is always at the lab or at the doctor's office, but his kidney function is pretty stable at about 20% at this time.  He says he will not go on dialysis if it gets to that point and at his age (81) I really don't blame him.  I hope Liz will do well with whatever decision she makes about treatment.  

Diane, thank for the call yesterday.  I was out running errands.  Connie, I am planning to be at your house on the 24th.  Thanks for inviting us.  Kathy, hope you are feeling better.  You are in my prayers. I love you girls.

Beverly Burgess, if you check in here, I want to tell you what a great grandson you have, of course, you already know that.  I enjoyed his visit, he was so nice and polite.  I know you are very proud of him.  Hope to see you soon.

One more thing, has anybody seen my husband?  It's deer season and the woods are always calling his name.  He has not killed one with his bow, but did miss one.  We set up a trail camera down at the creek on our place and have pictures of an 8 point buck he is anxious to kill.  Gun season opens soon, so maybe he will get him then.  Anyway, if you see him, give him my love.

Love you all and hope to see you soon.

Gary Grice

Happy Birthday Nancy!!!  Re-reading my previous post - your parents must have begun the New Year with a bang! 

Spent most of the morning with the old sawbones.  Looks like a common occurance among this crowd.  X-rays, CT scan, more medicine ...... I think I like the Republican medical plan - don't get sick, but if you do, die quick!!!  Remember those extra years you were promised if you didn't smoke, ate right and took care of yourself?  Well, this is them!

Gail, if your husband wants some great deer "hunting", he should come sit in my back yard one night.  I have a bumper crop of acorns from the Chestnut Oaks and the deer love them.  Its like walking on marbles back there.  Tell him to bring a hammer and come on over.  You see my lot is in the city, about 1/4 acre and along side a busy road, so no shooting.  But if he's real quiet, (and has a BRIGHT light) he can sneak up on one while they are feeding (blind them with the light) and knock them in the head.  I know it works cause cars do it all the time.

Look forward to seeing everyone the end of the month.  Hope your days are blessed and your nights filled with sweet dreams.  Later.

Connie Morgan (White)

Happy 60th. birthday Nancy!!!!!!   Glad you have joined the over 50's crowd!!

Janie, I am so sorry to hear about the breast cancer. I am glad you got your mammogram and caught it early!   Please know that you are in many thoughts and prayers!!  I will try to call you soon.

Thanks so much to all of the "callers" for contacting our class members about the gathering on the 24th.

Don, Gail, Jim and all the Braves fans --- Congratulations!!!   I hope they do great in the playoffs.

Don, I am glad the fair was fun!!  Sorry to hear about Liz's health issues. 

I am having relatives from Tennessee as well as my children & grandchildren visit this week-end.  Pleaseeeeee  Ga. Bulldogs........   pull this one out!

Love you all.

Gary Grice

Howdy Ho Good Neighbors!  Another beautiful day in the neighborhood.  I'm sitting here listening to a little political analysis as the campaign train begins to pick up steam.  Never seen so much mud flying.  One would think we might be at a drag race at a dirt track on a rainy day.  One of the HOT topics (as usual) is education.  I came across this pic that illustrates the issue quite well and the need for further improvement. 

 Maybe it should read, "Miss Ippi's"; a very sweet lady known for her affairs with many a young boy. 

As you might have guessed, things are kinda slow around here today.  I hope everyone is having a GREAT day.  Later. 

Gary Grice

Well it just goes to show, you never know who you might run into.  I walked into CVS yesterday evening and who should I see,  Kathy Wheless Little!  The pharmacy was struggling so we had an opportunity for a long visit - every cloud DOES have a silver lining.  Great to see her again.  She plans on being at Connie's on the 24th.  I had the pleasure of another doctor visit this A.M. so he could go - up my nose with a rubber hose (and camera).  Have you ever seen your vocal cords at close range?  Very interesting.  "Take this medicine and come back in three weeks." 

Another BEAUTIFUL day here in the Classic City!  A little fall in the air, sunshine and the leaves are starting to hint of changing colors.  Don, and other Braves fans, I apologize for my chipperness inlight of your down day.  If I may say, can't play ball, may as well take a walk in the park.  

I hope you all have a Blessed weekend - especially Dale who will be celebrating the joys of another birthday.  Happy Birthday!!!!!  Later.

Donald Chandler

DAG-NAB-IT!  The Braves came up short last night (it's hard to win when you score ZERO runs).  Oh well... hang in there, Gail...maybe tonight.  If we can win one game out on the left coast we are still in good shape coming home.  GO BRAVES!

UPDATE... Connie, I made some phone calls and had a nice chat with both Danny Gabriel and Susan Peterman Harris.  Danny and I talked a lot of "BULL"DAWG Football and Braves Baseball.  I'm not sure if he will be there on the 24th but sounds like he will keep it in mind.  Susan is very busy with a work project through the end of the month and can't make it, although it sounds like she would make the long trip from Texas if not for that.  Connie... she went on and on about how sweet you are...  I guess we can all agree on that.  I left phone messages for both Junior Smith and Dale Bishop (HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DALE!).  And I sent a second e-mail to Stephanie Dudley with detalils of the gathering.  I guess I've covered my list unless someone can help me with contacting Joel Colquitt and Dorsey King.  

Connie... I hope the BULLDOGS do you proud tomorrow, so you will not be embarrased with all of your Tennessee house guests this weekend.  Enjoy your family!  I have a few Tennessee cousins myself.  GO DAWGS! 

Have a great weekend, mates!... and enjoy this GLORIOUS weather!  Come Monday morning, I hope we will be celebrating a Dawg victory, two Braves wins, a Falcons win, and cousin Diane's 60th birthday! 

Donald Chandler

BTW, Gary... in 1992 I became very hoarse and had some problems swallowing... felt like something was stuck in my throat.  I went to a throat specialist who gave me the news that I had a "nodule" growing on my vocal cords.  SCARED ME TO DEATH!  I was scheduled for outpatient surgery to remove the nodule and it checked out fine with a biopsy... NO CANCER!  What a relief!  I did have to shut up for a few weeks and write notes to Liz instead of talking.  But to answer your question... yes I've seen pictures of my vocal cords up close... kinda erotic, but not nearly as pretty as a picture of a beautiful sunrise.

Gary Grice

Don, I know that was scary, but as Winston Churchill said, "There is no more exhilarating feeling than to have been shot at and missed."  My problem (hopefully) isn't that bad.  My throat looked about how it feels - irritated and gunky!  Looks like thrush, probably caused by Advair (steroid), other auto-immune supressing drugs I'm on and reflux creating irritation and mucus deep in my throat.  Dr. is reducing the Advair and adding meds to treat thrush and reflux.  If that works - all is well.  If not, next stop is a gastroenterologist to go a little deeper - literally.  Just one more thing to tarnish my "golden years".  HA!!!  Have a HAPPY one an all!!! Later.

Diane Harris (Moore)

Donald Chandler

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, DIANE!!!  Hope you have a wonderful day filled with smiles and hugs and love and blessings (and maybe a little birthday cake too)!  And remember... you're not getting older... you're getting wiser!