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Wow! Wilbur Smith is a prolific writer! The first I saw were his Egyptian Series which I would love! When I went to the Smithsonian, I spent most of my time in the Egyptian area! Mummies fascinated me!!!
Thank you!!! New adventures!!! Wish I had known at the beginning of this pandemic!!😊

Patty

04/09/21 05:27 PM

#149

Maurice K F Shaw

Yes, Patty , Ancient history has always fascinated me since middle school.

While I was growing up in Tyler, I had access to the personal library of my great -grandmother, Sally Sandoloski Friedlander, at the family homestead!

The Friedlander homestead in Tyler, which was located at 404 West Elm Street, was constructed in 1888, approximately.

Elm Street was once known as Tyler's "Fifth Avenue", probably because so many prominent

families lived on that street.

When my maternal grandfather, Maurice Klotz, passed away in New Orleans, my maternal grandmother,

Lena Friedlander Klotz, left and returned to Tyler (where she was born) to be with her father, Isaac Friedlander(a native of Lithuanua) . She resided with her father in the family homestead with her daughter, Fannette (my mother) and son Harold(Uncle).

Tyler and Smith County has an interesting history including about settlements of refugees from Europe and the Middle East.

In fact, my great--great grandfather, Rabbi Benjamin Sandoloski, was one of the founders of the Orthodox

Jewish synagogue, Ahavath Achim.

Anyway, Shabbat Shalom!

Maurice

05/12/21 07:21 AM

#150

True words Tommy!!!

05/12/21 10:51 AM

#151

Marshall Davidson

Thank you, Tom.

07/05/21 10:03 AM

#152

Here are some partial memories of events that I have always been curious about.
1) In grade six at Birdwell I " traded disks" with Evelyn Griffin. How did that trading disks get started? Was it local or a national fad?
2 I remember hearing that "two guys" were bringing Jimmy Reed" to play at a dance. Did that ever happen? Who were the two guys?
3) When we played JT at Rose Stadium, and the Rebel Guard was scheduled to " fire the canon" that Byron B made, a large crowd of JT students gathered on the hillside and charged down on us. I remember that it was surreal. My good friend Bobby Carpenter, who went to JT, charged up to me and we started laughing. The police stepped in quickly and shut it down before anyone was hurt.
4) Mr Wyche is misunderstood. He taught us about the Civil War as a cover for his real views on the world around us. Behind that cover, he taught us about racism in South Africa, about a stupid war that we were getting into in Viet Nam, about the folly of " the lost cause". He gave me a book Martin Luther King that changed my life. Did anyone else see what he was doing? I did not until years later.
observations? Mike Miller

07/09/21 04:56 PM

#153

Tom Ashcraft

Mike, interesting memories of the old days. I don’t know the answer to your questions, but I do remember the events. If I remember correctly I exchanged Discs with Evelyn G. also while at Hogg. Seems to me life was a lot less complicated 65+ years ago. Band Stand on TV after school, talking on the phone, dinner then homework while listening to the radio kept a lot of kids out of mischief. Thanks for reminding us. Tommy A

07/10/21 12:47 PM

#154

Hey Tom Wow! Evelyn was a heartbreaker!

Marc told me in an email that he thought one of the two Jimmy Reed promoters was Gary Walker. Somehow our paths, yours and mine, never crossed much. Wish I could have know you better. Mike

10/01/21 12:44 PM

#155

Douglas Warner

GETTING READY FOR THE REUNION

A hush rolled over the floor of the gym. Over in the corner all eyes had turned to an 80 year old man who was preparing to lift a 250 pound barbell on a straight jerk and lift.

Oh, he had completed the feat many times in his youth, and with a 60^th High School reunion on the agenda, he would prove that time is relative and that he is still a man of endurance.

There was a slight delay in the action when he realized that he couldn’t squat. Well, partially, he couldn’t squat; he could go down but his knees would no longer respond to the lift command. It was determined that leg braces would be needed for that part of the lift.

Then, another inconvenience developed, the leg braces made it impossible to keep the back straight, an unbreakable requirement for weight lifting. However, once again, the problem was solved with a steel back brace.

Now, all was ready. The old man slipped over the barbell with the grace of a ballerina. Onlookers held their breath as the old man took two deep breaths and jerked as he bellowed the sounds of a bull.

The doctor says the old man should be out of traction in a couple of weeks. Having pulled both shoulders out of joint, he will require some recovery time, but if he is careful and drinks his GERITOL daily, he might be well enough to attend the reunion.

Ok, ok! So my humor is dry. Sorry

See you there…

01/01/22 12:47 PM

#156

Gail McKinzie (Clark)

Tom-

None of us were ever Red Raiders unless we attended TEXAS TECH. We were Rebels even if some don't like to admit it.

08/26/22 08:20 PM

#157

I am completely shocked over the death of Evelyn Griffin! We just saw her at the reunion looking wonderful! Someone let us know what happened! Prayers for her family and Rest In Peace Evelyn!!!

10/21/22 09:46 AM

#158

Douglas Warner

ON MY 80^TH BIRTHDAY,

A Salute

To the Robert E. Lee High School

CLASS OF 1961

Strange, I do not feel as old as they tell me I am; I do not feel eighty, until I look into a mirror. In my mind, my touch, taste, smell, sight and hearing still functions adequately (though hearing has lost range). Yet, deep down, when I move, I know that time is relentless.

The records show that our class of 1961 is diminishing. Approximately half the class has passed-on or is missing in action. All of us still living have passed the age of “expected life” and have moved into the 13^th hour of existence.

We have lived, loved and made our significant contributions to society. If you look at our accomplishments you will find physicians, nurses, dentists, technicians, entrepreneurs, engineers, accountants, attorneys, inspectors, distributors, ranchers, researchers, analysts, pastors, builders, editors, bankers, brokers, retailers, professors, teachers, deans, principals, presidents and chancellors.

The Class of 1961 has kept its pledge. We have outlived our alma mater and find no disgrace in the name we proudly wore in the years that built our character. The Class of 1961 has served its country and has contributed to the betterment of mankind.

Thus, this eighty year old man ends his catharses with this: I salute the Class of 1961 and express my deep appreciation for the influence you had on my life.

Now, in order that our life experiences not go unnoticed, I propose we share our learned views of life. Oh, I know, no one will listen to our ramblings (fool will not heed and the wise don’t need it), but perhaps it will be thought provoking to express a few:

Experience has taught me that many presumed truths are but precarious assumptions.

History is but slanted “cherry picking” of events.

I have realized that politics and religion often hide dangerous dogmas and prejudices.

Money is necessary for survival, but it cannot solve the more important problems of life, and the gift of wealth does not improve the character of a person.

I have come to realize that time is, indeed, relative. Some days are longer than others, especially those filled with pain or grief.

I have learned that complements come and go, but critics accumulate.

While change is inevitable, no one likes change unless it was their idea.

Life is messy, but every once in a while unselfish love restarts hope.

In life, forgiveness trumps revenge, kindness trumps rude, and temperance trumps indulgences.

The prime directive of God is sacrificial love, all else is commentary.

The true meaning of love is not about emotion, but behavior.

NOW, WHAT ARE YOUR THOUGHTS OR COMMENTS…

10/22/22 10:29 AM

#159

Gayle Dunn (Payne)

Living on this earth today has turned into mostly memories. Gayle Dunn Payne

10/22/22 09:26 PM

#160

Welcome to the world of octogenerians, Doug. Your essay expressed my feelings very well, and I have little to add, just a sincere thank you to the class. Moving from Midland to Tyler in 1959 after my sophomore year at MHS, I would have been totally lost had it not been for our wonderful classmates. I think we can all look back and realize that we were lucky to live during such a great period in our nation's history, a period of much change in our culture, our music, our daily lives, the advent of televison, and computers, and even footprints on the moon. Who would've ever imagined that the Big Bang would refer to something other than a fourth of July fireworks show. How exciting it was and what a great time to be alive. And who would've ever thought we'd make it this far when there was a time when over thirty was considered over the hill. But wonder of all wonders, we're still here. Will the future be as exciting and as much fun? Just in case, what's the word for folks in their nineties?

12/15/22 07:31 PM

#161

My second book is a novel of the Southwest. It is entitled THE TWO DEATHS OF FATHER ROMERO, It is available on Amazon. Google Michael Nelson Miller for more details.

12/16/22 04:27 PM

#162

Mike, congrats on getting another book published. I used to write short stories, submitted one after another with nothing but rejections, until (wait for it), until I finally received a letter from a literary journal accepting one of my stories for publication. A few months later I received an email from the journal saying that they were shutting down publications, going out of business. But wait! My story hadn't been published yet. So, I guess you could say I'm a semi-published writer, or perhaps an almost-published writer. Oh well, it was fun writing all those stories (about 75) even if none of them ever got published. Merry Christmas and have a very good 2023! For those interested, here's a website for Mike's book: https://www.goodreads.com/book/show/63346488-the-two-deaths-of-father-romero

ps: I noticed that Byron Baldwin has also done some writing. Do you think that all the guys in the Rebel Guard drank the same Kool-ade?

pps: Just ordered your book off Amazon. It's getting great reviews!

12/17/22 09:12 AM

#163

Thank you Jack for the kind words. Don't give up on the short stories. I think writing ( at our age ) is its own reward.. It is fun to invent a world and people it with our own imagination. Most of the things I've written have never been read by anyone else. I got lucky when I got my dissertation accepted by the University of Texas Press as a text for Mexican history. . This new book is a part of a trilogy based on a Mexican detective. I think it was accepted because of the first book,

I lost my REL annual in a hurricane years ago. Who was in that first Rebel Guard group besides you, me, Byron of course and Marc?.

I was great to see you at Campbell's gathering in Austin. Hope we can get that group together again soon. Call me if you are ever in Wimberley. 512-749-0404. Have a great Christmas! Mike

12/17/22 04:24 PM

#164

Ricky Stripling, Gary Walker, Mike Biggs, and Gary Shipman, but can't remember for sure.

Robert E. Lee High School's history reveals complicated past involving Confederate imagery

12/17/22 04:54 PM

#165

Just found out that Gary Shipman passed away in 2017. Dang, too many folks are leaving us behind.

12/17/22 08:21 PM

#166

Loved Doug's salute to our class!

will be looking up new books online written by our class members!

Look forward to keeping up with all class members online since there won't be more reunions!!

Happy birthday to anyone I have missed telling!

here is to a fantastic Christmas season and a Grand New Year!

12/18/22 08:10 AM

#167

Byron A. Baldwin

Patty, this is old news but I had a book come out in 1999. "The 521 All-Stars". I spent two years with a Black baseball team in rural South Carolina and got a book out of my efforts. Frye Gaillard wrote the text and I did the photographs. Frye is a celebrated author, about 30 books to his credit. It is on Amazon. One of the highlights was CBS Sunday Morning doing a piece on it, which is on Youtube under 521 All-Stars. I also did the cover art for Mike Miller's book and am working on a cover for his next book. A WW II drama. Mike is accomplished in many ways, minister, university professor and now writer of dramatic ficton. He wears many hats. I have been living in Charlotte, NC since '72.......

12/18/22 03:17 PM

#168

Byron! So good to hear from you! I knew you were a photographer but had no idea to the extent! Fantastic that you and Mike could collaborate! I will be watchful for the books and photography! I love books about WWII!!!

I pray that you and family are doing well! Merry Christmas and have a blessed new year!!!

Patty

12/18/22 03:32 PM

#169