front row from left: Ellen Ostrum Moss, Renee Casey Rabke, Billie Van Meter Oliver, Carolyn Center Summers, Dorothy Krejci
Dear Lee Friends
Wow, What a Party!!!! On Friday, May 4th, Linda Land Ramsey hosted a get-together at her home for some of the girls from the Class of '60 and girls she and I worked with at Gulf Oil - Cedar Bayou Olefin Plant.
Linda and I have been e-mailing each other since the Newsletter started and I mentioned that I would be coming home in May for my Mother's 80th birthday. She immediately decided this would be a good time to have a get-together. It started out to be a small group; however, there were 24 who were able to make it.
She started making calls and contacted a number of our friends. Some had prior commitments, however. In addition to Linda and I, 15 classmates 4 Gulf girls, Linda’s sister Monte, niece Jan and friend Melinda attended the party.
front row from left: Ellen Ostrum Moss, Renee Casey Rabke, Billie Van Meter Oliver, Carolyn Center Summers, Dorothy Krejci
2nd row: Gail Roberts Thomas, Faye Cone Crunk, Ferne Nichols Masters, Linda Land Ramsey, Margie Morris Dolezal, Martha Swick Haynes, Betty Ferguson Lostak, Dorothy Allen Bryant, Sue King Pearson
More photos.
It was quite a thrill for me as I have had very little contact since I moved to California in 1972. Getting re-acquainted and sharing school day memories, as well as having lots of food and wine (shipped from California) made for quite a lively evening. We even tried (and I say tried) to play Bunko (Linda even sported her Bunko hat).
Classmates attending were: Betty Ann Ferguson, Renee Casey, Ellen Faye Ostrum, Sue King, Dorothy Krejci, Ferne Nichols, Billie Frances VanMeter, Carolyn Center, Joy Washburn, Charlotte Herring, Dorothy Allen, Faye Cone, Martha Swick, Gail Roberts, Lucy Sanders and, of course, Linda and I
Our apologies to anyone that didn't know about the party or were not able to attend because we probably talked about you. Just joking, we did bring up others names that we have lost contact with and hope that in the future we will be able to locate each and everyone from our class.
As far as the Gulf group, we had a number from our class that worked at the plant, Becky Gonzalez (not able to attend) and Duke Colley are two that I remember. Maybe some of you will remember others that worked there. I was there from 1967 until 1972 and Linda worked for a number of years after I left.
Many thanks to Linda for all her efforts and opening her beautiful home and hosting this event. It really meant a lot to me to spend some time and relive the good times that we have shared over the past 40-50 years. Linda had a prize for the girl that I had known the longest and that was Faye Cone. We lived on the same street and started school together.
The five year class reunions are great (I believe I have attended 4) and I have always had a great time, but I highly recommend get-togethers like this. We were a "special" class and are sure there are others that have or will have some small get-togethers. Sorry I won't be able to make the mini-reunion planned for July, but certainly plan to be at the 45th reunion.
In closing, all I can say is "thanks for the memories" and thanks to Linda and to everyone who was able to come to the party. Until we meet again, God bless, good health and much happiness to everyone.
The following is an addendum from Linda Land:
This is a recollection of something that happened Friday night. I think you will be able to see how much personality Carolyn Center Summers still shares with her classmates. To set the stage for you:
I had invited my great looking niece, Jan, to come to the party and enjoy herself as well as explain the rules of Bunko. Jan was born when we were all in high school. I also gave Jan the job of nametags.
After working all day and attending a Cinco de Mayo party Carolyn Center Summers arrives at the party. Jan meets her with the nametags. Carolyn takes one look at Jan and says, "Who in the - - - - are you? If you graduated with us I am going to kill myself." Jan tells her she married a very good plastic surgeon. Jan asks "And who are you?" Carolyn wants to know if she can be anyone she wants to be. Jan replied, "That works for me." So Carolyn says "Lonnie Anderson." The rest of the night Carolyn Center was Lonnie Anderson.
I told this story to let you see some of the flavor of the evening. The party was a happening that demands to be repeated. All we need is an excuse for a party. A special Thank You to Kay for helping us all reconnect. Now when we want to have a get together of our classmates all we have to do is go to the address book of our computer.
Look forward to seeing everyone in July at the mini reunion.
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