Up Date on those Class of 55 Youngsters

We've got to admit that those kids of the CHS class of 55 are doing a darn good job of "sticking togeher" and keeping the friendships up after all these years.  Frank Clontz is one of the leaders of that bunch....and so is John Lomax.  John filled in for Frank this month and sent out this note to his Class of 55.

Since we all remember many of those youngsters....I though you'd enjoy reading their latest newsletter.

-Ed

Dear CHS'55 Classmates,

Your newsletter editor Frank Clontz. jclontz1@carolina.rr.com  has been "under the weather" some this month but is at home now and doing well from what I hear.  Here are some highlights from our September 20, 2016, luncheon at Jimmie's Restaurant in Mint Hill.

 

• Cards were sent to the following classmates:  Ann Holland Trammell, Tommy Graham, Frank Clontz, and Yvonne Doster Hutchinson. 
• We were sorry to learn of that Jackie Hart Lookabill passed away in August.  She was in the class of 1954.
• An old newspaper article that showed Billy Mills winning a cherry pie baking contest!  I believe Nancy House was a contender also. 
• Jimmy Suit reported that Pat Newman has been in the hospital recently but is back to work now.
• Ann Stack has had a second eye surgery. 
• We were glad to see Nancy Thames at the luncheon. 
• Joan had baked 40 small pecan pies that were served to the group complete with whipped cream! We are fortunate to have her as our  moderator each month.

Tommy English has kindly offered to have our "80th Birthday Party" at his home in May, 2017.  You might remember that we had a "70th Birthday Party" at Pat Beattys home in 2007.  More information will be upcoming about this event in future newsletters.

 

We hope that you can attend one of the luncheons which are held on the third Tuesday of each month at 11:30AM at Jimmie's Restaurant in Mint Hill.  The next luncheon will be on Tuesday, October 18, 2016, at Jimmies.

 

 

 

Blogging

Andrew Sullivan

I first Heard about a new fad in 2004 called "blogging."  A pioneer in that new fad was an English writer named Andrew Sullivan, who created one of the first in 2000.

 I did a little research and before I knew it, CHS54.net was born.
Slowly a few of you began to "tune in" and here we are 12 years later....well, some of us anyway.

Your friendly, handsome, fit as a fiddle modest webmaster is still enjoying writing and trying his best to keep in touch with his wonderful friends from those magic 1950;s  Charlotte and Central High School days.But, a few aches and pains and normal old age issues (nothing serious, thank God) are taking its toll.  Plus, as my physical body no longer bounces back from minor aches and pains, etc. like it used to,  my old wood burning computers are beginning to drain my bank account with aches and pains of their own.

"Blogging" is no longer a "fad."  In fact Andrew Sullivan gave it up 2 years ago. Most people have now turned to things like "Facebook," "Twitter"......and other means of communicating that I know nothing about.

The number of viewers have been declining regularly.....as my posts and updates have not been as regular as in the past.  The "Muse" doesn't seem to visit as often as before.....and Doctor's appointments, etc......have become a real nuisance.....there are days I don't get down here in the "Bat Cave" to up date the web site at all.

But, I plan to be here "for the duration."

I'm proud that you and I were among the first to participate in "Blogging"  (writing an reading)  and perhaps we'll also be among the last.

That's my hope.

-Ed

Thinking of you

Those of us former Charlotteans are all hoping and praying for your safety and swift end to the chaos happening down there.

-Ed

September LDL TOMORROW!

Greetings to all of us "basket of deplorables"   (her words)......from the "smartest woman in the world."

"I remember landing under sniper fire."

Jerry Gaudet invites you all to yet another riotous LDL at the Famous "Jimmies" of Mint Hill!

Typical LDL Event

This month's "LDL" (Let's do lunch) will be held on

Tuesday, September 13, 2016, 11:30 AM

at "Jimmies" Restaurant in Mint Hill.

We're sending you this personal invitation to join in.  We'd like to see you.  Help us spread the word! Invite other classmates to come! Even better, bring someone with you! Just be sure YOU, come!  (We hope you get the idea)

Charlie Willis will be this month's host.  

How About a little Respect for Kudzu and Friends

Sticks and Stones may break my bones, but don't call my front yard friends "weeds!"

The Sophistocated Europeans were glad to get rid of the Riff Raff who left Europe to become the early Americans. They were considered the "weeds" of society. When they got here, they fought and struggled...and through sheer determination.... prevailed.

My favorite weed  (Look Closely)

As nature author Michele Collins wrote:  These plants (weeds) are resilient and proud. More importantly, they are choke full of medicinal value.  Many are rich sources of vitamins and minerals and have powerful healing potential for a vast range of common diseases like diabetes, cancer, liver disease, just to mention a few. Plants like dandelion, burdock, red clover, chickweed, wild violet, couchgrass, kudzu, plantain.

Like the early pioneers, my favorite weed......in my yard ....is a survivor!

-Ed

But a weed is simply a plant that wants to grow where people want something else.  In blaming nature, people mistake the culprit.  Weeds are people’s idea, not nature’s.  ~Author Unknown

A weed is a plant that has mastered every survival skill except for learning how to grow in rows.  Doug Larson

I learn more about God
 from weeds than from roses;
 Resilience springing 
through the smallest chink of hope 
in the absolute of concrete….
~Phillip Pulfrey, “Weeds,” Perspectives

A Note From Above

I'm not sure if anyone reads "blogs" anymore. Perhaps an old codger like me is just "drooling" in the wind.  But, as long as I enjoy it (which I do) and can still find my way down to the Bat Cave where my wood-burning computer lives, I'll keep doing it.

The muse doesn't visit me very often anymore, but this morning nature did.....and left me a note on my weed infested front lawn......that said, "here's your story for today."

A Note from Nature

It used to be called Harvest. but ever since the 16th century most English speakers have called it Autumn, or Fall.

It's the only season we have two names for, and I believe that's because it's so special. Like "love" no one knows exactly when it begins....they just know it's very special.  Meteorologically, Fall begins on September first every year.

Astronomers base the date of the seasons upon celestial events, in this case the autumnal equinox, when night and day are roughly equal length. The equinox normally takes place around September 21st.

The third definition of the start of autumn, which is more fluid, comes from phenology – the study of periodic plant and animal life cycle events.

The start of autumn in this field is dictated not by a set date or a single event, but the changes in the natural world, such as the tinting of the trees and the ripening of autumn fruits.

However,do not confuse phenology........with Phrenology...which is the study of  bumps on a person's head. 

More about that later, but for now, I'll just say that anyone who doesn't love the Fall Season....should have his head examined.

 
-Ed