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50th REUNION, MAY 13-16, 2016

Posted on: by Judy 1 Comment

The JHJ 50th Golden Reunion Celebration was held Friday & Saturday nights, May 13 & 14, 2016, at Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston.  We had 194 attend on Friday night, 248 on Saturday night, & had over 100 rooms reserved at the hotel for the weekend.  There were classmates from Austin, Milby, Spring Branch, Sterling and of course Jones.  Classmates represented the years of 1961 – 1970.  The hospitality suite was open Friday and Saturday and was located on the first floor poolside with a large adjoining terrace.

 

On Thursday morning, May12th, we received an e-mail from HISD & JHJ that they had a special gift for our Class of 1966.  We had planned to have Freddy, our mascot, at the reunion but we were told that Freddy was in “fragile condition”.  After discussion, we felt it best not to have him be a part of the reunion weekend – he’s just too old (he is over 50 years old you know!)  We informed HISD & JHJ that we would not be including Freddy.  However, instead, they surprised us and gave us a special 50th Reunion Banner – the front of the high school building on the left side of the banner, Freddy on the right side of the banner and in the middle “JHJ Class of 1966 50th Reunion”.  What a wonderful surprise & definitely will be a special treasure.  We truly appreciate HISD’s and JHJ’s generosity in helping us celebrate our 50th.

On Thursday afternoon, some of us checked in early – Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter & Bill Hofstetter, John & Sonia Mitchell, Cheryl Puckett Bolt, Bobby & Maureen ‘67 Wuensch Varnes, Bobby & Donna Townsend ’67 Wuensch, Larry ’63 & Jeannie Horn Ryan, Hank & Sharon Harmon, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, and John & Judy Ross McNeely. Bobby, & Maureen, and Bobby & Donna set up the hospitality suite, Priscilla & Cheryl looked over the Garden Cay & Flora Hall event rooms pertaining to decorations, John, Sonia, Judy & John helped Jodie transport all of the silent auction baskets & raffle baskets from our 3 cars to her hotel room.  Then we all gathered in Judy & John’s room and unrolled the banner given to us by HISD and JHJ.  Everyone loved it.  Larry & Jeannie Horn Ryan were also there for the unrolling. Everyone went out to dinner and back to their room for a good night’s rest to get ready for tomorrow’s event.

 

Following a leisurely morning, around 2 pm we started bringing a few items down from the hotel rooms to display for the Friday night event in the Garden Cay room – located just off the hotel lobby. Judy had made 2 enlarged posters – one of the Bird Boys – Larry White, & Neely (Cookie) Cook with Sir Frederick which was placed on the mantel of the fireplace (the center of the room), as well as an enlarged poster of Mrs. Caroline Ivy, Freddy & Mrs. Louise Oglesby (taught English 1963-1964) which was placed in the pool room.  Judy also had the large panoramic framed picture of the entire 1966 graduates that was on display on the memorabilia table.  Priscilla had brought the “Silver Quarter” used at our 25th reunion and we put that on display also.  Judy also brought a Commodore sweater, Bobby Wuensch’s letter sweater, a framed picture of the 1964-65 All City football team & a magazine picturing the 1965 State Basketball Champion team. Bobby Varnes brought the 1966 All City Baseball trophy and Judy brought a few other trophies from the 1960’s era.  Tonia Granad Hall made the “In Memory” Boards (9 of them) – classmates that we have lost through the years. John Williams surprised us all and brought in a 15-foot banner of the large panoramic picture of the entire JHJ class.  We all signed our name on or near our picture.  It was fun to try to find ourselves plus other classmates. This was really special and so glad John had this made to share with all of us.  Larry ’63 & Jeanne Horn Ryan brought festive gold arrangements and also some festive multi-colored arrangements that were placed around both event rooms.  She also had a bunch of cut outs of songs popular during the 60’s, and also cut out pictures of places where we used to go during the 1960’s (Lowe’s, Metropolitan, Majestic, Teen Hall, Mount Carmel, etc).  These print outs were placed on the pool tables and were great conversation pieces.  Larry brought his 1963 FFA jacket which was displayed also on the memorabilia table.  Priscilla then set the tables in place for the photographer and videographer as well as a table for the raffle baskets – all inside the Garden Cay room.  Moody Gardens workers put up both of our banners – the gold banner of the JHJ Class of ’66 and then the special 50th Reunion Banner given to us by HISD and JHJ.  Several people stopped by to see if they could help – Brad Stratton ‘64, Max Williams ’65, John & Sonia Mitchell, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Cheryl Puckett Bolt, Dolores Cherry Burdick. & Pat Blasingame Thompson, Sandi Fish Peppeard and others.

 

After we finished decorating, several went to the hospitality room for snacks & drinks. Dolores Cherry Burdick, Sandi Fish Peppeard, Virginia Goff, Chet Sawyer, William DeBerry, Sharon Dunsirn ’69 & Dan Cusick, & Donna Townsend Wuensch ’67 were sitting outside on the terrace – it was a beautiful day.  David & Becky Laich, Pat Blasingame Thompson, John Williams, Max Williams ‘65, Clinton Holder, Karen Davis DeBerry, Cheryl Puckett Bolt, Brad Stratton ‘64, George Goff, Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Judy Ross McNeely, Bobby Varnes & Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Bobby Wuensch, Larry ’63 & Jeannie Horn Ryan & John & Sonia Mitchell were just some of the people that were there.

 

The Friday night event was held at the Garden Cay room located just off the Hotel Lobby. Registration began at 6:00 pm and the event room opened around 7:00 pm.  Between 6-7 pm people visited in the Hotel Lobby Bar area.  At registration, each person received their nametag & a JHJ lanyard, a JHJ 50th Reunion koozie, and each person picked up a program for the weekend events.  You could also purchase a JHJ directory for $10 each (there were only 100 printed so it was first come first serve).  Raffle tickets were also sold.  Those helping Jodie Ross Wurzbach were Becky Laich (Dave Laich’s wife), Virginia Goff (George Goff’s wife) and Claudia Connell (Mike Connell’s wife).  The food served was beef taquitos, chicken tenders, assorted vegetable tray, assorted fruit trays, cheese tray, party mix, water, soft drinks & also a cash bar.  The food that was not consumed that night was brought to hospitality room to share during the weekend. It was great to see everyone there!  Unfortunately, some did not attend because of the horrible weather and traffic jam on the Gulf Freeway and they turned around and went home – but we still had 194 attend on Friday night.  There were lots of hugs & smiles all around the room.

 

After our Friday night event, we continued the party in the hospitality room – drinks & food were available. Besides Bobby & Maureen Wuensch ‘67 Varnes & Bobby & Donna Townsend ’67 Wuensch, the others that helped in the hospitality room or those that brought paper goods, food & drink were Virginia & George Goff, Cheryl Puckett Bolt, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, John & Judy Ross & McNeely, Bill & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter, Bobby & Maureen Wuensch ’67 Varnes, Becky & Dave Laich & Bobby & Donna Townsend ’67 Wuensch.  Fun was had by all till 2 am.

 

Saturday morning some of the guys played golf – Larry White, Coach Ronnie Wright, Charlie Walker & John McNeely (husband of Judy Ross McNeely). We were to begin decorating around 11 am but Cheryl Puckett Bolt and her decorating team got there early – Priscilla Keeton & Bill Hofstetter, Judy Ross McNeely, Linda Price Thompson, Melanie Wallace (friend of Linda Price Thompson), Pat Blasingame Thompson, William & Karen Davis DeBerry, Adrienne Aubrey ’67 & Johnny Meyer, Linda & Gus Voelzel, Virginia Goff (wife of George Goff),  Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Pat ‘65 & Jimmie Cowey Bennett, Carole & Skikp Key, John & Sonia Mitchell, Larry ’63 & Jeannie Horn Ryan, Barry & Sharon Metting Renfro, Mary Heitman Jones (Jane Heitman’s sister), & Cheryl’s daughter Erin Harper Rose and Cheryl’s granddaughter were just a few that helped. Goldenrod overlay tablecloths were placed over the white round tablecloths, mirrors – square, round or octagon shaped were placed in the center of the tables, different shaped glass bowls were placed on the mirrors, and candles were put in some of the squatty bowls and gold branches to fill in the bowl.  The taller bowls had golden tree branches coming out of them with cutout pictures of people from Barney Bolt’s 1966 yearbook that hung on the branches.  Barney was there in spirit and enjoying the celebration.  Also had triangle cut-out pictures and placed them outside the mirrors.  The Falcon pins, the chocolate gold coins, and clear decorative marbles were placed around the mirrors in the center of the table.  There were also golden balloons around the room – some with “50” on them.  Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Karen Anthony Craig, Sharon Oberhoff White, Linda Eckerman Lumpkin, Pat ’65 & Jimmie Cowey Bennett, Mike & Claudia Connell, Mike & Sonia Mitchell, & Virginia Goff (wife of George Goff) helped to bring the silent auction baskets down from Jodie Ross Wurzbach’s hotel room to the event room.  After the items were in place, Sharon and Karen helped spruce up the baskets.  Tables for the photographer and videographer were placed in the foyer and a table for the raffle items were placed next to the registration table.  The easels for the “In Memory Posters” were placed in the foyer area as well as a memorabilia table too.  Dale Thorton ’65 brought his Birdboy Jacket and was placed by the picture of 1966 Birdboys – Larry White & Neely (Cookie) Cook with Sir Frederick.  John Williams brought his 15 foot banner of the panoramic picture of the class for more people to sign – it was placed on the memorabilia table.  Also on the memorabilia table was a Falcon taken from Karen Davis DeBerry’s Co-op uniform and other small poster size cut-outs from Jeannie Horn Ryan including the School Song.  By the way, our School Song was written by her Step-Dad Jim Trevathan and the lyrics were written by her Mother.  Mr. & Mrs. Trevathan also chose the school colors – gold and white – and named the Falcon as our school mascot.  Larry Ryan’s ’63 FFA jacket was also on display at the memorabilia table.  Moody Gardens hung both banners – the gold Class of ’66 and also our new Banner from HISD and JHJ celebrating our 50th reunion.

 

After most of the work was complete, some headed to the hospitality room to visit, eat & drink. Some of those that enjoyed Saturday afternoon in the hospitality room were Kenny Hayes, George ’67 & Diane Hughes, Danny & Mary MacFarlane, George Crockett & his wife Judy Modiselle Crockett ‘70, Lucien & Edla Epperson, George & Virginia Goff, Dave & Becky Laich, John & Sonia Mitchell, Johnny Meyer and his wife Adrienne Aubrey Meyer ’67, Jimmie Cowey Bennett & her husband Pat Bennett ’65, Sharon Dunsirn Cusick ’69 and her husband Dan Cusick, Max Williams ‘65, Betty DeLeon Aadnesen and her husband Chris Aadnesen, Dolores Cherry Burdick, Skip & Carole Key, Charles Browning and his brother Jim Browning ’63, Frances Browning, Doug Johnson, Clinton Holder, Marlene Bachmeyer Smith and her husband Paul (PJ) Smith, Butch Robertson, Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Bill Martin, Dave & Becky Laich, Clinton Holder, Judy Ross McNeely, Tonia Granad Hall, Bobby & Donna Townsend Wuensch, Lucien & Edla Epperson, Brad Stratton, Maureen Wuensch & Bobby Varnes, and Jodie Ross Wurzbach,

 

Saturday night registration began around 6 pm in the foyer of the Floral Hall dining rooms on the 2nd floor of the hotel.  For those that only came Sat night, after checking in, Bill Hofstetter (Priscilla Keeton’s husband) & John McNeely (Judy Ross’ husband) gave each person their nametag & JHJ lanyard, and a JHJ Reunion koozie. Also had the JHJ directories for sale for those that wanted one – $10 ea.  A program for Fri and Sat nights was also given to each person.   The Raffle items and the sale of raffle tickets were sold during the registration time.  When the doors opened to the event room around 7, the raffle items were moved inside near the Silent Auction table.  Becky Laich, Claudia Connell & Virginia Goff helped sell more raffle tickets.  Food was served around 7:30 pm – boiled shrimp, fried shrimp, mini meatballs, garden salad station, Southwest eggrolls, potato wedges, fried zucchini, bacon wrapped chicken jalapeno bites, crab cakes, slow roasted sirloin station, turkey breast station, buffalo wings, water, soft drinks & a cash bar.  Glenn Ballard (wife of Nicki Harris Ballard) and his company “Sounds World of Lighting” played music throughout the evening – 50’s, 60’s & some 70’s music furnished by George Goff.  Even had dancers out on the dance floor.  Bobby Wuensch welcomed everyone to our 50th Celebration and introduced the 2 teachers that were present and thanked them for coming – Coach Ronnie Wright & his wife Dottie and Beverly Green Crockett who taught Math and who is the mother of Scott Sands.  Bobby Varnes thanked all of those that worked on the reunion – from those that helped in locating classmates & teachers by phone calling, or writing letters, decorating, working with the JHJ website & JHJ database, silent auction, raffle, & hospitality suite.  Lots of people to thank!  Then a special part of the evening.  Bobby recognized all the veterans and thanked them for their service.  The veterans all stood and got an overwhelming applause.  Then Glenn Ballard played the song – “Proud to be an American” by Lee Greenwood in honor of our own veterans.  Hard to hold back the tears.  Then Bobby asked for all to stand to sing the school song lead by Jeanne Horn Ryan and Pat Blasingame Thompson. Most people remembered the words even tho they were written on the back of the program.  Bobby Varnes announced that dessert & coffee were served – a special “50th Reunion” cake with the large panoramic picture on top of the cake – plus cookies, blondies & cookies.  All the food was delicious.

 

The silent auction & raffle brought many winners – those that won something in the silent auction were: Cheryl Puckett Bolt, Claudia & Mike Connell, Pat ‘65 & Jimmie Cowey Bennett, Kathy Corbin Carter, Mark & Pat Blasingame Thompson, Glenn & Jamie Bruce, Linda Price Thompson, Melanie Wallace (friend of Linda Price Thompson) Joyce & Tommy Barbazette, Mary & Danny MacFarlane, Danny & Sheila Meyers ’67 Beavers, Glenda & Leon Albarado ‘64, Anita & Gary Holmes, Barry & Sharon Metting Renfro, Sonny & Cindy Estopinal Spurger, Tommy ’67 & Kathy Twiford, Eddie & Bonnie Grien ’65 Barnett, Ginger Twiford Winningkoff, Carole & Skip Key, Cherie Atkins ‘63 & Robert Young ‘62, Susan Temple ’67 & Larry Foxworth, Charles Browning, Sue Reid Bragg, Pat Twiford  (Sterling ’68) Carty (sister of Ginger Twiford Winningkoff & Tommy Twiford) Drayton & Ann Fults, & Vilia & Buth Robertson.  Jodie Ross Wurzbach then pulled out names from the raffle bucket  for the raffle item winners – Eddie Pace (Wando Jo Baker’s husband) won the watercolor artwork from Delton Gerdes ‘68, Sharon Dunsirn Cusick ’69 won the free night at Moody Gardens Hotel with a bottle of champagne & 2 glasses, 2-$10 gift cards to I-Hop in Galveston & an antique map of Galveston from the Land Commissioner’s office signed by Jerry Patterson ’65, an Astro basket was won by Alexis Ferguson, granddaughter of Linda Schroeder Ferguson, Mary MacFarlane (wife of Danny MacFarlane) also won an Astro basket & Linda Schroeder Ferguson won the golf bag, golf club, accessory bag with tees & golf balls, & bucket of  La Cantera golf ball lip gloss.

 

Scott Sands – President of the mid-term class of ‘66 – also gave a short welcome and introduced Cindy Estopinal Spurger who was one of his officers. Cindy was the Chaplain of the class – how appropriate, she even married a preacher. After Scott’s welcome, we had the group picture of the class of 1966 taken by the photographer Steve Steinle (Cherie Steinle wife was his helper).  Pictures were printed that night – but some decided to wait and order them after the reunion – they will print them & mail them to each person with mailing charges.  We had 248 people attend Saturday night.

 

Those that attended either Friday and/or Saturday who came in from out of State:

John Williams, Mission Viejo, California; Max Williams, Jacksonville, Arkansas; Clinton Holder, Slatington, Pennsylvania; Pat Blasingame Thompson and her husband Mark Thompson, Clemmons, No. Carolina; Trudy Skiff Laifer and her daughter Alessandra Laifer, New York City, New York; Glenn & Jamie Bruce, Paris, Tennessee; Peggy Bearden Browne, Littleton, Colorado; Chet Sawyer, Monument, Colorado; Bonny McCauley Carreker, Hinesville, Georgia, Bill Martin, Clearwater, Florida; Bobby & Rita Martin, Bellevue, Michigan; Robert Flandry, Spartanburg, So. Carolina; Whit Reader, Wichita, Kansas, Gary Rawlings, Murfreesboro, Tennessee, and Anne Murdock Elwood and her Neil Craig from Henley on Thames, England (she lives in England ½ of the year and Houston ½ of the year)

We are so glad that each of these could join us for our 50th Celebration.

 

After tearing down the event room – off to the Hospitality room for more visiting and celebrating our 50th.  Some people that joined in were:  Scott Sands, Lucien & Edla Epperson, Judy Ross McNeely, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Joyce & Tommy Barbazette, Bill & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter, Jimmie Cowey Bennett & Pat Bennett ‘65, John & Sonia Mitchell, Johnny & Adrienne Aubrey Meyer ‘67, Valia & Butch Robertson, PJ & Marlene Bachmeyer Smith, Max Williams, William & Karen Davis DeBerry, Chet Sawyer, George & Judy Modusette ’70 Crockett, Brad Stratton, Skip & Carole Key, Eugene Smart, John Williams, Gus Voezel, Kenny Hayes, George & Virginia Goff, Charles Browning and his brother Jim Browning ’63 & Frances Browning.

 

A big thank you goes to Bobby & Donna Townsend ’67 Wuensch and Bobby & Maureen Wuensch ’67 Varnes for hosting the hospitality room for all of us to enjoy. Also a special thank you goes to George & Virginia Goff for all of your help.

JHJ PRE-CRUISE PARTY

APRIL 29, 2011

There was a JHJ pre-cruise party at the San Luis Hotel in Galveston.  There were 33 rooms reserved at the San Luis Hotel and 5 rooms reserved at the Hilton Hotel – the Hilton is located next door.  A total of 75 people spent the night in Galveston prior to the cruise.  The pre-cruise party was free to anyone (cruisers & non-cruisers) that wished to attend.  Food and alcoholic drinks could be purchased.  Soft drinks, water and snacks were provided.  The party was held on the 2nd floor of the San Luis Party/Game Room.  There was an auction for a San Luis Hotel basket which included a free night at the San Luis, a bottle of champagne and 2 champagne glasses. Congratulations to Sonia & John Mitchell who won the prize.  Besides those staying at the hotel, there were several people that came from the Houston area and also from out of town to join us. There were about 100 people in attendance. Those that attended had a GREAT time!

Wrap Up: JHJ Cruising thru the Memories

APRIL 30 –MAY 5, 2011

Day 1 – JHJ Classmates, family & friends joined us on the Carnival Ecstasy

78 cabins and 158 people – including classmates from the classes of 1962 to 1968, and even 2 coaches, Coach Larry Roberts & his wife Shirley and Coach Joel Sturdivant and his wife Elva.  On the first day of the cruise, people checked in at the Chinatown Lounge to pick up their Welcome packet and itinerary sheet.  A thank you to Sissy & John O’Brien who helped at the Registration table with Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Judy Ross McNeely & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter. Each Welcome packet contained a package of shout, tube of lip balm, a small pencil, post’em notepad, Carnival postcard/frame, Deck Plan of the Carnival Ecstasy, JHJ Picture album especially made for the “JHJ Cruising Thru the Memories” cruise, bottle of hand sanitizer, a Falcon lapel pin, gold and silver beads, Falcon nametag, yellow wristband – “JHJ Cruising thru the Memories” printed on it, surf safe holder & a printed Cruise Directory of everyone’s name, address, phone, e-mail and cabin number.  A big thank you goes to Jodie Ross Wurzbach & Judy Ross McNeely who put together these Welcome Packets. When each person went to their cabin, there was a “Falcon” sign on each cabin door which distinguished our group.  We had several that helped put these signs on the cabin doors – a special thanks to all of them – Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter & Bill Hofstetter, John McNeely & Claudia Connell and others. Dinner was served in the Windsong Dining Room and special JHJ table tents were on the tables.  We had some eating at the early seating and some at the late seating.  The JHJ Falcon cabin signs and JHJ Falcon table tents were made by Judy Ross McNeely as well as the JHJ Falcon Nametags, the JHJ Cruise Directory, and the daily itinerary sheets.  Judy also supplied the “JHJ Cruising thru the Memories” wristbands.  We appreciate Carnival donating the Carnival stationery to print the JHJ Cruise directories (with Jodie Ross Wurzbach’s assistance) and Bobby Wuensch & Maureen Wuensch Varnes in running off the Cruise Directories.  After dinner, people wandered around the ship and even tried their luck at the casino.

Day 2 – Day at Sea. 

A relaxing day throughout the ship – some played bingo (we had a $500 winner in our group) some sat out by the pool, some visited as they strolled around the ship decks, and some even won at the casino (How did you do Mary Frances Bonazzi Urie?).  Everyone enjoyed this relaxing time on the ship.  At 5 pm, our group had a one hour private cocktail party given by Carnival.  It was nice to see everyone look so pretty and handsome.  Bobby Wuensch gave a short Welcome and some door prizes were given out.  We even celebrated Nicki Harris Ballard and Glenn Ballard’s wedding – they had re-married on Friday, April 29th.  Everyone was so happy for them!  The Captain’s Celebration followed on the Promenade Deck from 7-8 pm (free cocktails compliments of the captain).  At 8 pm, the Captain and Senior Officers were introduced in the Grand Atrium.  After dinner, some went to the Karaoke Bar and sang and danced the night away – including Dianne Roder Ball, Frank Burns, Cindy Wilson Robertson, Jake Hollabaugh, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Dot DePriest Warrington, Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Judy Ross McNeely & John McNeely. Those especially talented (and brave) that sang Karaoke were Gary Boyd (he has sung professionally with the Bar-D Wranglers inDurango,Colorado, and he has a fabulous voice) along with his wife Denise (she did not sing but did have fun dancing with Gary), Mike & Claudia Connell, and John McNeely (Judy Ross’ husband).  Others went to the casino and tried their luck.  It was a fun night to enjoy the activities on the ship.  Today was Anita James Spedale and Lynn Zainfeld’s birthday.  They each got a special Birthday gift and also a Birthday pin to wear, and a special Birthday decoration was placed at their dining table.  There was also a Birthday ribbon placed on their cabin door to celebrate their special day.

Day 3 – Day in Progresso 

Many different excursions chosen  – a trip to see the Mayan ruins, a day at the beach, learn to dance the Salsa and make Salsa, a trip to Merida the capital of the Yucatan, visit several churches & an olive grove, and even to play a round of golf.  Everyone had lots of fun in Progresso.  After everyone returned to the ship, we all got ready for the evening events.  Carnival gave our group another one hour cocktail party between 5-6 pm.  Coach Larry Roberts & Coach Joel Sturdivant were presented special plaques as a thank you for being our friends and mentors. More door prizes were distributed during this time.  After dinner, some went to the Karaoke Bar – singing and more dancing (Ted Scruggs was the best dancer), others gambled in the casino, and others enjoyed visiting and walking around the ship.

Day 4 – Day in Cozumel

Again many excursions chosen – some drove around the island, some enjoyed the beach and snorkeled, some shopped in the town, some went to Carlos & Charlie’s and enjoyed the bar drinks and food, and again some played golf.  It was a wonderful day inCozumel.  Today was Tom Britton’s birthday – Dianne Love Britton’s husband.  He also had a special Birthday ribbon on his cabin door, a Birthday pin, a Celebration decoration at his dining table, and also received a special Birthday gift.  After dinner, people gambled at the casino (Gary Kovar, Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jake Hollabaugh, Karen Anthony Craig were just a few), sang at the Karaoke Bar, played bingo, and others enjoyed visiting over a glass of wine.

Day 5 – Day at Sea

Our Group Photo was taken this morning.  We all wore bright colored shirts and our gold & silver beads and Falcon pin.  We all looked great and festive!  The Carnival photographer took several pictures of our group – one picture of everyone in our group that was cruising, pictures of the different JHJ classes, and another of the JHJ Committee that help to organize the cruise (Bobby Wuensch & Donna Townsend Wuensch, Bobby Varnes & Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, John McNeely & Judy Ross McNeely & Bill Hofstetter & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter). After the photo shoot, we had a special birthday party for Coach Sturdivant – today he was 83.  At the party, we had a large Birthday cake and presented him with a large Birthday card which we had all signed.  (Thanks to Mike Connell for his help at the Registration Table in getting everyone to sign the Birthday card.)  Coach loved it and said it was the best birthday he had ever had.  Coach Sturdivant also had a Birthday ribbon on his cabin door, a Birthday pin, and also a Celebration decoration at his dining table.  He also received a special Birthday gift.  More door prizes were distributed and we sang the JHJ school song.  By the way, every person that cruised received some type of door prize or birthday/wedding gift.  We appreciate Carnival and Jodie Ross Wurzbach for their generosity for all the door prizes and gifts. During the reception, we took more pictures – one group included all  the guys on the cruise, another of all the ladies on the cruise, a special picture with all the athletes with the coaches, and even all the married couples who both went to JHJ – 13 couples – Jimmie Cowey & Pat Bennett, Donna Townsend & Bobby Wuensch, Jane Dawson & Christy Brookover, Sherry Bell & Gary Kovar, Cherie Atkins & Robert Young, Sherry Duty & James Lea, Linda Eckerman & Pete Lumpkin, Jeanne Horn & Larry Ryan, Maureen Wuensch & Bobby Varnes, Pat Albert & Jim Cross, and Sharon Oberhoff & Larry White. However, some of these did not make it for the picture.  That afternoon, several participated in the Casino Slot Machine contest – lots of fun and we all rooted for our ladies – Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Donna Townsend Wuensch & Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter.  They did not win the “big” prize but each won a t-shirt.  In the Ballroom, some of the group learned a special dance – Sherry Bell Kovar, Dot DePriest Warrington, Claudia Connell, Linda Eckerman Lumpkin & Joyce Barbazette stood out with their dancing ability.  As the day progressed and in to the evening (our last night at sea), the seas became a little rough.  We all helped each other as we walked side to side around the ship.  However, a little rough sea did not stop us – some still tried their luck at the casino, some visited, and others got ready to disembark the next morning.  Just as a side note – we had one person in our group win $500 at bingo, we had several that won BIG at the Casino – Maureen Wuensch Varnes being the big winner – but Cindy Estopinal & Sonny Spurger were right behind.  Congratulations to all the winners.

Day 6 – Disembarkation

Beginning with a beautiful sunrise, and as we disembarked, we can all say that we shared many memories and a wonderful time together!

Wrap Up: JHJ 40th Celebration

The JHJ 40th Celebration was held Friday & Saturday nights, June 2 & 3, 2006, at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston.  Upon arrival, there was a Hotel sign greeting everyone telling of our 40th Reunion.  There were 58 rooms reserved at the hotel on Friday night and 71 rooms reserved on Saturday night for the special 2 night event.  The hospitality room, available the entire weekend, was located on the first floor poolside with a large adjoining terrace.

Friday’s registration began around 6:30 p.m. and was set up in the Starfish Room on the top floor of the Hotel. As each person signed in, Maureen Wuensch Varnes, Judy Ross McNeely, Bill Hofstetter (Priscilla Keeton’s husband) and John McNeely (Judy Ross’ husband) passed out nametags and yellow bags. Inside each bag included a JHJ Directory listing classmates and faculty as well as “In Memory” pages of classmates and faculty no longer with us. Also enclosed in the bag was a writing pen which had a clear barrel and gold lettering – “JHJ Class of ’66” imprinted, as well as a special JHJ CD. The CD contains songs that the Golden Falcon Band recorded in 1966 on a 45 record which included Anchors Aweigh, The School Song & Fight Song as well as a well-known band song, Gallito, Paso, Doble. Judy Ross McNeely burned all the CDs from this 45 record. She also designed the cover. Each person was also given a pearl gold/white tankard with gold lettering – “Jesse H. Jones Falcons 40th Celebration” and our Falcon mascot imprinted on it. The tankards were donated to us by ProfitPlus – Ronnie Wright, one of our former teachers (coach). Through the assistance of Ms. Adele Rogers who is the present principal at Jones High School, our mascot “Freddy” was there, which by the way looked a little different because of a “new” paint job. We displayed several items that we had used for decorating at past reunions – the “Silver Quarter” at the 25th, and the “3 and 0” pinatas at the 30th. Also displayed on the tables were trophies and plaques that we obtained in 2001 plus more trophies and plaques that we obtained this year. These treasures are from the years of 1960 – 1968 and of course they included the prized State Basketball Trophy that we won in 1965 and the Championship Rotary Plaque. Judy Ross McNeely brought the large framed “entire class” picture, several picture albums of high school years and past reunions, as well as her 1964, 1965, and 1966 yearbooks. Jeanne Horn Ryan (Mrs. Larry Ryan ’63) brought a 1959 yearbook too – this was the first yearbook printed for Jones High School. Her Dad, Jim Trevathan, was one of the first of 52 teachers that taught at Jones, and this was his yearbook. Karen Davis DeBerry also brought 1965-1966 Gauntlets to display as well as pep ribbons we wore during football and basketball games. We all enjoyed looking through all of her “treasures”. There were also displayed 4 “In Memory” posters of pictures of classmates who are no longer with us made by Tonia Granad Hall as well as 2 boards of pictures (pictures taken from the yearbooks) showing all who were attending the event. The boards were entitled “Find Us – We are Here!!” made by Judy Ross McNeely.

The Friday night event was held on the top floor in the Viewfinder Terrace Room (just a short distance from the Starfish Room) which is a room surrounded by floor to ceiling glass windows and beautiful views of the Pyramids of Moody Gardens, as well as Schlitterbahn and Galveston Bay. The Hotel also gave us access to the Hotel Bar area which is between the Viewfinder Terrace Room and the Starfish room for overflow seating. In this area we were fortunate enough to have a pianist playing beautiful music on a grand piano which was nice for listening and dancing. The food served included cold cuts, cheeses, breads, assorted fruits as well as party mix and pretzels. Soft drinks and beer were offered, and there was also a cash bar. There were several teachers who attended Friday night – Ruth Quaintance, Dorothy Bowman and Betty Tevis (Smith). When they entered the room, we all yelled and clapped, and many hugs and kisses were given. Several people started looking through their directories and called those not present telling them they were missed. A phone call was also made to JoBeth Williams Pasquin who said she wanted to be with us but her son was graduating from high school this very weekend. In all 167 people attended Friday night.

After the Friday night event, we all went to the Hospitality Room. Our large Hospitality Room was located on the first floor of the hotel and poolside. This room had an adjoining terrace which was the length of the entire hotel room wing. It was a wonderful place for the overflow people to sit and visit. The room was used the entire weekend, day and night, for people to gather and visit. There was also food and drinks available to all, which were brought by different ones who wanted to help. Donna Townsend Wuensch handled getting all the food and drinks for the hospitality room. She is always a wonderful hostess!! Thanks to all who helped her and brought something to share with everyone. We had a wonderful time Friday night visiting to the “wee” hours.

Saturday during the day, people took advantage of the different things to do in the city of Galveston. Some played golf (Randy & Shirley Schiamara & William DeBerry and John McNeely-Judy Ross’ husband), some swam in the pool at the Hotel (Bill Atessis, Ginger Hammett Calhoun, Delores Cherry Burdick, Barbara Johnson Dustin, Richard Valley and George Goff to name a few) or got a massage in the Hotel spa, some enjoyed the activities of the Pyramids of Moody Gardens (David & Becky Laich), some went to Schlitterbahn, some shopped on the Strand (Beverly Weingartner Silhavy and Kathy Wenglar Skinner, and David & Becky Laich) others toured the homes and palaces in Galveston as well as the many museums – like the Railroad, Texas Seaport, Elissa, and Star Flight Museums to mention a few, some laid out on the beach (Peggy Bearden Browne, Bonny McCauley Carreker, Vicki Stone Peterson and Susie Wimberly Knowles), some went and saw the Sand Castle Display (people were building sand castles on East Beach), some went to a dance recital of the granddaughters (wonder who that was Bobby Varnes & Maureen Wuensch Varnes?) and then others just stayed around the Hotel or the Hospitality Room and visited (Brad Stratton, Bobby McClure, Bobby Wuensch, Donna Townsend Wuensch, Judy Ross McNeely, Karen Davis DeBerry, Barney Bolt, Tommy & Joyce Barbazette, Bill Martin & his parents and brother, Nicki Harris Ballard, Jodie Ross Wurzbach, Ted Scruggs, Cheryl Craig Lawrence, Trudy Skiff Laifer, Yvonne Marcuse, Betty White Coscio, Janice Salzman Crow, Dick Shaw, Betty Tevis Smith & her husband Bob, Priscilla Keeton & her son and family to name a few). Coach Joe Sturdivant came to the hotel around 10 a.m., ate breakfast at the restaurant, and went to the hospitality room where he stayed several hours visiting and telling football stories and experiences he had at Jones. Van Brown and George Cox accompanied him. It was a good day of relaxing and visiting.

Saturday night around 7 p.m., the JHJ 40th Celebration was continued in the main Ballroom of the Hotel located on the first floor. Two registration tables were set up in the lobby where our JHJ Class of ’66 Banner was displayed as well as our 25th Silver Quarter. Maureen Wuensch Varnes and John McNeely (Judy Ross’ husband) were at one table and Bill Hofstetter (Priscilla Keeton’s husband) and Judy Ross McNeely were at the other table. As people arrived, we had everyone sign in, and then those who had not registered Fri night, received their nametags, directories, CDs, pens & tankards. Jodie Ross Wurzbach sat at the entrance of the ballroom and gave each person ½ of a red ticket and the other half of the ticket was placed in a bowl for the drawing of one of our 36 door prizes. Inside the ballroom we had several tables with Jones memorabilia including yearbooks, Gauntlets, pep ribbons, trophies and plaques. We also displayed the 4 “In Memory” posters as well the 2 boards of people who were attending -“Find Us – We are Here”. We also had the decorations we used for past reunions on display, and hung the Banner – 30 Something Together – which we used at our 30th. Snacks of party mix and pretzels were located throughout the ballroom and beer and soft drinks were offered. There were also 2 cash bars. The table centerpieces supplied by the Hotel were mirrors, lily bowls with flowers and votive candles. The dinner buffet was called “The Captain’s Table”. Appetizers and salads consisted of chilled Gulf shrimp with red and remoulade sauces, fried crab balls with red & tartar sauce, chicken tenders with honey mustard dipping sauce, sliced tomatoes and fresh mozzarella in a basil vinaigrette, and mixed greens with orange and grapefruit in a citrus vinaigrette. The choices for the main course were chicken anglaise, fried shrimp with red and tartar sauces, roast sirloin au jus with horseradish. The vegetables were carrots, green beans and potatoes. Bread was also included. For dessert there were chocolate covered strawberries, éclairs, mini cheesecake and brownie bites. Everyone agreed the food was delicious!

Around 7:45, Bobby Wuensch gave a short welcome and acknowledged all the teachers present. He also acknowledged a few special people – the first being Danny Beavers who came all the way from Okinawa, Japan, to be with us, and also Ronnie Wright, for the donation of the Falcon tankards he gave to all the classmates and teachers. Each one of these men was presented a gift certificate as a token of our appreciation. Then the serving line was opened for dinner. Bobby requested that we honor our teachers that were present and they were to be served first. Those teachers in attendance on Saturday night were Kathryn Batek and her husband Ted, Beverly Green (Crockett) and her escort Rick Wark, Melinda Friou and her husband Jim, Jack Grochoske, Ed Landry and his wife Hallie, Robert Montgomery and his wife Julia, Charlotte Ragsdale, Larry Roberts and his wife Shirley, Dick Shaw and his wife Anita, Betty Tevis (Smith) and her husband Bob, Ronnie Wright and his wife Dotty Sue, John Zumwalt and his wife Barbara. We felt honored that they would join us for this special 40th Celebration. Door prizes were given out every 30 minutes beginning around 8:30 p.m. The door prizes included gift cards from restaurants – Perry’s Grille, Black-eyed Pea, TGI Fridays, Chili’s, Luna’s, Texas Roadhouse, Olive Garden, Red Lobster, any Darden Restaurants (Olive Garden, Red Lobster, etc) , Tortuga, Cracker Barrel, Gaido’s, Ninfa’s, Pappas, Niko Niko’s, Demeris BBQ, Chesterfield’s, Domino’s Pizza, Damian’s, State Grille; and gift cards from Lowe’s, Wal-Mart, Academy, Bed Bath & Beyond, HEB. Starbuck’s even donated several pounds of Starbuck’s coffee. There were also 2 sets of tickets for 2 to the Astro games donated by Wuensch Sales (Bobby Wuensch & Maureen Wuensch Varnes), a 1974 US coin Proof Set (6 coins) donated by Faye Green Fowler and her husband Thurman Fowler, two $50 gift cards from Academy donated by BV Marine (Bobby Varnes), and a one night stay at Moody Gardens Hotel with tickets for 2 to all the Moody Gardens Attractions donated by Moody Gardens. We thank all of the donors for their kindness and generosity. A special thank you goes to Louie Gavrel for obtaining some of the restaurant gift cards to be used as door prizes for our event. The door prize winners were: Shirley Roberts (wife of Larry Roberts, coach), Charles Akin, Charlie Whatley, Sonia Mitchell (John Mitchell’s wife), Linda Abbott Davis, John Elam, Karen Davis DeBerry, Barron Cagle, Sandra Chesser Harding Wicker, Peggy Bearden Browne, Johnny Meyer, Whit Reader, Bobby McClure, Lucian Epperson, Liz Berner Michalak, Susan Scruggs (wife of Ted Scruggs), Betty Tevis (Smith) (teacher), Drayton Fults, Linda Schroeder Ferguson, Steve Schaeffer, Gary Pick, Vicki Trible Payne, Elaine Pitre Schild, Cindy Estopinal Spurger, Kathryn Batek (teacher), Robert Flandry, Sherrye Letz Schaatt, Skip Key, Pam Foxworth Brandon, Marquita Walker Cantwell, Kenny Hayes, Bill Martin, Patsy Kintz Thomson, Anita Shaw (wife of Dick Shaw, teacher), Jodie Ross Wurzbach, and John Zumwalt (teacher). Also present both nights was Nate Shuffle, a photographer with Imagin8 Photography – 281-648-IMAGE (4624), e-mailnate@imagin8.net This email address is being protected from spam bots, you need Javascript enabled to view it – who took a “million” pictures. He is selling this special JHJ DVD for $30. He even had people bring their own digital cameras to him and he downloaded their pictures that night so they could be added to the special DVD. If you are interested in buying one, please get in contact with Nate.

After dinner, the DJ, Jimmy Werbiski, played 60-70’s music for listening and dancing. Around 9 p.m. however, we had a special break from the music, and surprised everyone with the playing of part of the special JHJ CD that everyone received. The first song played was Anchors Aweigh which is the song the Commodores marched – Trudy Skiff Laifer and Cheryl Craig Lawrence marched on the dance floor and showed us they could still remember the “Cadence”. Then the school song and the fight song were played. Everyone stood and sang – and would you believe, most everyone remembered the words. During the playing of the fight song, some of the Coops and Commodores did their hand motions as they had done when they performed during the football games or pep rallies. Some of us remembered how to move our hands!! Mike Connell later in the evening came to the microphone and thanked all of the committee for all of their hard work and everyone stood and gave a round of applause. A surprise moment was when Bobby Varnes came to the podium and said that this was a special day – June 3rd – which was Jodie Ross Wurzbach & Judy Ross McNeely’s birthday. Everyone sang Happy Birthday and Bobby sang backwards?!? This was very special to both of them!! When the dancing and visiting finished in the ballroom, the party continued in the Hospitality Room. There was a large birthday cake for everyone to celebrate Priscilla Keeton Hofstetter (May 27th) and Jodie Ross Wurzbach & Judy Ross McNeely’s birthday. Many laughs, stories and special memories were shared in to the “wee” hours. In all 236 people attended Saturday night.

Since the reunion, several people have sent pictures to the committee to be included in the special JHJ 40th Celebration DVD and/or to be added to the website. We hope you will look at these pictures on our website and remember a fun-filled weekend that we all enjoyed. Our 40th Celebration was a great success! Now, let’s all look forward to our 45th in 2011.

Judy Ross McNeely

2001 FALCON ODYSSEY: 35th High School Reunion

The 35th reunion, 2001 Falcon Odyssey, was held Friday & Saturday, August 17 & 18, 2001, at the Moody Gardens Hotel in Galveston. Upon arrival, signs were located throughout the Hotel telling of our special event, and about 1/3 of us attending stayed at the Hotel.

Friday’s Registration was set up in the Starfish Room on the top floor of the Hotel. As each person registered, the reunion committee members passed out nametags and a JHJ Directory consisting of classmates, teachers and faculty. “Old” pictures, Gauntlets & Talons from our high school days were on display. Through the assistance of Mr. Allan, who is the present principal at Jones High School, our own small mascot “Freddy” was there, as well as some of the trophies won from school years 1964-1967. Included in these trophies was the prized State Basketball Trophy that we won in 1965.

The Friday event was held down the hall on the top floor in the Viewfinder Terrace Room, a room surrounded by glass walls that had a beautiful view of the Pyramids of the Moody Gardens complex as well as Galveston Bay. The Hotel also gave us access to the Hotel Bar area adjacent to the Viewfinder Terrace Room for overflow seating. The food served included cold cuts, cheeses, breads, assorted fruits as well as party mix & pretzels. Soft drinks and beer were offered, and there was also a cash bar. There were several teachers who attended Friday night –Bettyanne Hall (Home Economics), Joe Sturdivant (P.E. and coach), and Barbara Muse (Mrs. Traywick) (History) and her husband Jesse. The Traywicks even joined us in the Hospitality Room after the Friday night event and visited. In all 147 people attended Friday night.

Our large Hospitality Room at the Moody Gardens Hotel was located on the top floor down the hall from the Starfish and Viewfinder Terrace Rooms. This room also had a wonderful view of the Pyramids of the Moody Gardens complex and Galveston Bay. The room was used the entire weekend, day and night, for people to gather and visit. There was also food and drinks available, provided by the reunion committee. Even lunch was served here on Saturday for all of the classmates staying at the hotel and any of our group who wanted to join us.

Saturday, during the day, people took advantage of different things to do in the area. Some played golf at Galveston Municipal Golf Course; some swam in the beautiful pool at the Hotel or got a massage in the Hotel spa; some enjoyed the activities at the Pyramids of the Moody Gardens complex; some shopped on the Strand; others toured the Museums – Railroad Museum, Texas Seaport Museum with the tall ship the “Elissa”, and Star Flight Museum; some toured the houses and palaces in Galveston; some played on the beach; and some even went to another reunion held that afternoon of members from South Park Baptist Church which was located near Jones High School; and, some enjoyed just hanging out and visiting in the Hospitality Room. It was a great day.

Saturday night, the 2001 Falcon Odyssey was held in the main Ballroom of the Hotel. A registration table was located in the lobby where our JHJ ‘66 Banner was displayed and where nametags and JHJ Directories were distributed. Several tables inside the Ballroom contained “old” pictures, Gauntlets, and Talons of our high school years, as well as some of our treasured trophies. Snacks of party mix and pretzels were located throughout the ballroom as well as beer and soft drinks offered. There was also a cash bar. The table centerpieces, supplied by the Hotel, were “Pyramids” and fresh flowers inside that were beautifully displayed on mirrors. The dinner buffet “The Captain’s Table” consisted of, for starters, Caesar salad, pasta salad, cold boiled shrimp and crab fingers, tomato and fresh mozzarella with basil vinaigrette, and mushrooms stuffed with crawfish tails. The choices to choose for the main course were grilled salmon steak, chicken Anglaise, fried shrimp, or roast sirloin, and the vegetables were carrot Vichy style, green beans almandine, sautéed new potatoes. The desserts were just as good which included bread pudding, fresh seasonal berries and cream, and chocolate mouse. Everyone agreed the food and service were exceptional!

After dinner, there was a DJ (Airwaves) who played music for dancing. Several teachers attended Saturday night also – Callie Brumlow (Ms. Law) (English), Marguerite Raley (English) and her husband Mickey, Ed Landry (Vocational Agriculture) and his wife, Hallie, Ralph Teter (Sciences/Chemistry) and his wife Alice, Larry Roberts (P.E. and coach) and his wife Shirley, and Jack Grochoske (Industrial Arts/Wood Shop). Everyone enjoyed visiting with each of these teachers and was so glad they attended. Bobby Wuensch gave a short welcome speech to everyone and then we had a drawing for door prizes. There were 3 door prizes given to us by the Hotel. The winners were: Dino Mazac (Mrs. Roger Lewis) won tickets for 2 at all the events offered at the Moody Gardens complex, Dixie Reid (Mrs. Gordon Dudley) won a $50 gift certificate for food at any of the Moody Gardens Hotel restaurants, and Richard Carpenter won a one night stay at the Moody Gardens Hotel. When the dancing and visiting finished in the Ballroom, the party continued in the Hospitality Room upstairs in to the wee hours. Many laughs, stories, and special memories were shared. In all 207 people attended Saturday night.

Since the reunion, several people have sent pictures taken that weekend which are now on our website. We hope you will look at these as a remembrance of a fun-filled weekend we all enjoyed. We’re looking forward to our 40th in 2006, and seeing you all there.

~Judy Ross McNeely