Blog 69
Trying to get back in the saddle…I don’t intend to do these blogs regularly—only when there I find information that might be of interest to classmates both in and out of town. I did renew the domain for another year, so the website is available for the next twelve months. Further note is that this publishing process changes the formatting, and I cannot figure out some of the strange things that sometime occur, especially with the photos. Not my fault.
April Lunch.
Thanks to all 60 or so who attended. Once again, Betty Stensland Saunders drove over from Louisiana, and Connie Mayes Dyer and Ed Davis made the Houston same day roundtrip (not together.) Pete and Carolyn Sweet came down from Georgetown. Bob and Phyllis Tate from Austin and Patsy Hatch and Tom Patterson were over from Houston. Both stayed overnight for the Jeff Open House on Saturday. Although I had my camera along, I took almost zero photos. Fortunately, Patsy had her camera. I will be posting her photos in the next several blog efforts.
Does anyone remember the old advertising campaign from the 50’s or 60’s, which included a photo of a gorgeous lady and the question beneath the photo: “Does she or doesn’t she? Only her hairdresser knows for sure!”
In looking at Patsy’s photos, there is little left to doubt. She does! Or she doesn’t! No question about it. I had a good chuckle, and I do hope none of those who do are offended.
I did take a couple of shots of the Senate Patio, which is on the west side of the auditorium. I always thought it was a bit non-descript, but it looked great, as you can see below.
Good news!
Local elections were last week, with a significant bond issue passed for the San Antonio Independent School District, which includes Jefferson. Those who were at the lunch last October will recall that our speaker indicated that approximately 76-78 million will be allocated to refurbishing Jeff. That is a sizable amount, for sure, though to replace the school today would cost in the hundreds of millions. I don’t know how all will be spent, but a good portion of it will go to foundation work under the gym and the cafeteria. I believe they will also powerwash the grime away that has collected in the past eighty-five years since the school was completed.
Recent Passings.
Several classmates have sent along information about deaths of four more classmates, some very recent, some older. It is sad news to receive, but it does help keep our records updated. As Bill Crocker said earlier today, “I don’t know how you got to be class archivist, but keep it up.”
Since the last blog, we have lost Betty Ann Canfield Penick and Barbara Hattan Stokes. I also learned of the deaths of Mary Lee Tiller Dunn and Doug Steubing. I will post one of obituaries today and more in a day or so.
Betty Ann Penick
Published in Austin American-Statesman on May 8, 2017
A few photos from Patsy…
Dorothy Martin Akers Fay Lawrence Armstrong &
Marilynn Black Warren
More photos next time.
jeffclassof54 
As usual, thanks again for keeping us up to date. I loved the pictures.of all enjoying the meal. You always plan a great event and have a wonderful turn-out. Jeanine
Most of you are not aware, but Jeanine is one of the jewels of our class. She has consistently volunteered to help in any that she can, even though living in the Valley, five hours away from San Antonio. Any time we ask for volunteers to contact those sixty or so classmates who do not have a computer or email, Jeanine always responds. She called about forty classmates twice for the last lunch–first time to inform and second time to remind. Thank you Jeanine.
Thank you, Jack, for your sweet words. I love calling the classmates and do enjoy having really good conversations with them. I wish I lived closer and could help with more but…….I will have to settle for the good old telephone time. Please keep me on this committee.