They haven't changed...!

From the 10-year. I swear, they all look the same!

Email addresses

Make sure I have your email address! That's how all inquiries, questions and communications are being handled...we can't afford postage and don't have the time to call everyone everytime something comes up. Invitations will go out through the mail in a week. Or so.

Pictures are coming...she's going to mail them

Connie Williams Parrish

Married to James Edward Parrish, who is employed at Occidental Chemical. We married May 31, 1974.

One son, Christopher Williams Parrish, 21 years old and single. He is a Wireless Retail Manager, currently starting up 19 stores in Minneapolis. One daughter, Courtney Lynn Parrish, who is 17 years old and will graduate from Brooks this year. In 2003 she won a silver medal in the state shot put competition, within 1/2" of a gold. This year she plans to break the 10 year record in shot put!

Jim and I have built our home on my family's home place at 121 Mountain Brook Drive in Killen.

I've hung wallpaper for 20 years, something I could do while Chris and Courtney were at school. For the past four years I've been substitute teaching in the Florence City Schools. This year I've been asked to work at Bradshaw in the cafeteria, but I'm not sure what will happen because of the school closings. I enjoy it very much.

I've been very active at Brooks every year, as my kids have moved through the Brooks school system. I've served several years on the board of the Brooks Athletic Boosters.

I am a Certified Planning Commissioner for the Town of Killen, where I have served as secretary for the past five years.

No grandkids, and in the summer we like to travel.

The counter and the CD

Look at the number on the counter! This is amazing; I had no idea this site would work so well...especially since it's FREE.

Have I mentioned that everyone should run out (or go online) and buy the soundtrack to The Big Chill, to get you in the mood for a 30-year reunion? My three-year-old and I dance all around the house every time "Good Lovin' " by The Rascals comes on. Don't forget "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye), "My Girl" (The Temptations), "The Tracks of My Tears" by....just go buy it. It's wonderful, even if you don't believe in compilations.

JC Lovelace...To Beard or Not to Beard?

I was checking the reunion pictures and it looks like JC was there for the ten-year, with a full beard, and totally absent for the 20th. (The 10-year picture is in "Older Entries.") I think we shall request a George Clooney look for the 30th.

Here's what he has to say:

Hey, guys and gals. Great to hear from you. Sorry I have waited so long to reply, here are the answers to your questions.

Place I live...Greenhill

Married...Yes, happily for 29 years.

Kids...We have two...Brandon who is 23 and Jessica who is 21.

Grandkids...Not yet but there is always hope.

After school...Went to work and have been working ever since. I worked at Nafco for three years then went to work for Vulcan Materials and have been there for almost 27 years. I have been a plant supervisor for the past 14 years.

Strange or interesting things...Not much, just the normal everyday stuff.

Important things...My family and friends.

My email...JCProjack@aol.com

Just to let you know, we plan to attend and the buffet is fine with us.

On a sad note...

We have been getting together a list of former teachers and such to invite, and I asked my husband to get me Dale Hancock's address...they work in the same industry. He died last month!

About ten years ago we were at a party and he was there, and he was MORTIFIED when I introduced myself. He kept telling people he graduated from college when he was 16 and that was the only reason he was old enough to have taught my class! He was still just as cool and funny as ever.

Just some good ol' boys

Tony Hendon and Philip Gooch at the 20-year picnic.

Philip graduated from UNA where he was in ROTC, then went into the National Guard. He's been an air traffic controller for at least 25 years. Lived in Atlanta for a while, then Chattanooga and is in North Mississippi now. He married Sandi Henson from Killen and they have two little boys...Lee and Todd. Eight and ten.

Tony has worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at Wheeler Dam for forever. He is married to Pam Cox. He has a 23-year-old son, Corey, and a four-year old, Hayden.

(Boys, If I didn't remember that stuff correctly...maybe you'll fill out your little form next time!)

Someone organize these people!

This was at the picnic at the 20-year reunion, and all I remember is it being really funny. Can't remember why.

Also, I am trying very hard to be politically correct, but if I post a picture and it features two people who aren't married to each other any more, I apologize ahead of time. I didn't mean to.

Stand up and testify

Brenda didn't send a picture, so this will have to do. She was a witness at my wedding, and we share an anniversary. I'll put up a more recent picture when I find one.

Place you live...Muscle Shoals

Married...For a long time...27 years

Kids?...Two. Jason graduates from college the night of our reunion...computer software engineer; Emily is a freshman at Old Miss...liberal arts today, who knows what tomorrow

Grandkids...not now, probably never

After high school?...I finished college, married Jim, went back to college, taught school in Colbert County for 15 years and then in Muscle Shoals for the next 11 years. Traveled as much in the U.S. as time and money permitted.

After that? I'm retiring this year. Jim bought a motorhome, so we're traveling more.

Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...I am too ordinary to talk about, but all the people around me are strange so I live vicariously through them!

Important things...1. I think the shiny man and street musicians in New Orleans have great lives. 2. My kids are terrific and have been so easy to raise; I'm really lucky/blessed! 3. Maine in October is the closest thing to Heaven on earth. 4. I am terrified of edges.

My email address is engteacher402@yahoo.com I'd love to hear from everyone

Hobbies, interests, vices...I love carbs, coffee and reading. I don't collect anything of value but I buy Powerball tickets! Auctions and shopping are great fun, but buying is not as important as looking. (From Amy: I'll testify to THIS, too. She and I were in Huntsville having lunch with Tony Barber last summer and I came home with a four-foot tall mirror, ten rolls of ribbon, a lamp and two picture frames. She didn't buy a thing.)

She actually said "Golf"

The picture is from the ten year reunion and she looks EXACTLY the same. Someone just slap her jaws.

Shelaine Goodwin Martin

I live in Rivers Edge Condo in Kendale Gardens and am married to my wonderful John. I have two boys, Corey, 25 and Rusty, 20. I have two stepdaughers, Jennifer and Shelley, a daughter-in-law, Courtney, and a grandson Kyler. (She has a bunch of wonderfuls and beautifuls in there but I've got three kids. They can't be that perfect.)

I have enjoyed life. I've had fun raising my boys and spending years at sporting events. I have had the privilege of traveling a lot with my husband, which has been nice. I enjoy gold, tennis, decorating and spending as much time as possible on the river. I now enjoy spending time with my grandson, Kyler. I have worked at Turtle Point for 28 years and now am also selling real estate for Neese on the side.

I'll get back to you on the strange or interesting things!

Remind me to invite this man to dinner....

Place you live...Florence

Married...Some say twice, but really just once (long time ago)

Kids...One

Grandkids...Hope not

What I Did After School...Same as in school. Hate working!

Strange Things That Happened...Marriage (Didn't like that, either)

Important things...My son

Hobbies, Interests, Vices...Just vices!

Well, there's no way I'M using an old picture!

In fact, here's two! One is the only time in the last five years I've been out to dinner at a place that didn't offer a toy with my meal. The other picture is the reason that I GET toys with my meals!

I live on Houston Town Road in Center Star. We were in Decatur 8 years and Fort Worth 5 & I swore if I ever got home I'd never leave this corner of the state again. Just call me Dorothy. I'm married to Bryan Cruce; he's three years younger than we are, went to Bradshaw. I met him in graduate school in Tuscaloosa. When we don't have little kids, he's a scratch golfer. Now, I think he hits balls on Sundays.

Kids? This is the kicker. Three kids...23, 8 and 3. The first two were miracles of modern medicine and the third was just a miracle. I am proof God has a sense of humor.

Grandkids? No. They'd just be overlapping my kids.

What did you do after high school? Went to school. And went to school. And then, ummm...went to school some more. I'm VERY good at it but as my husband pointed out every time I wrote a tuition check, it doesn't PAY very well.

After that? Uhhh. Went to school. When I finished my undergraduate work I had four majors because I'd been there so long so I did the logical thing and started on a Masters. In PE. Which I didn't have a major in. Both times I was ready to finish I got pregnant.

Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...The kid thing pretty much controls my life. That and construction at Shoals Creek Bridge.

Important things? I moved back home. Texas was fun but at this age I like the thought of being "settled".

Hobbies, Interests, Vices? I chaired Arts Alive last year and that was a lot of fun, but then Parks and Recreation came in and demanded half our profits (which we raise for local schools) in "fees" so I stepped down. I don't work for Parks and Recreation. I chaired the fundraiser for St. Joseph (third grader there) last year and raised over $23K. I'm a Master Gardener, secretary of the local chapter. I've learned a lot, but they're all retired and have nothing else to do but sit around and think up things for ME to do!

Greg Muse

Dear Amy & Robbie, I thank you for the card and phone call; it's nice to be remembered after so long...not that I'm counting years any more! I'm sorry but I will be unable to attend the reunion. I will not have any vacation or free time during that period. There are folks I would like to see, as I've been either overseas or out-of-state ever since graduation.

FYI for those who are curious: I am employed as a Baker at a Super Wal-Mart here in Lexington. I am the Donut Crew, fryer and finisher, so I get to keep my Kentucky neighbors fat and happy. I've been burning the midnight oil here for almost three years.

I do welcome any emails or letters that anyone wishes to send. I thank you again for the card and call and I appreciate the invite.

Sincerely, Greg Muse (gthuse111@hotmail.com)

SEVENTEEN?????

Tim and Mary Anne Rippey

We live in Killen and have been married 30 years. We have two grown children; Rodney will be 30 this year and Tommy is 27

We have four beautiful grandchildren; one girl, Avery, and three boys: Hunter, Brannan and Macale

Right after high school Tim was in the Air Force and we moved to Dover Delaware for three years. We have lived in Florence and Killen the rest of the time

I am currently working at First Southern Bank in operations and Tim has been with Liberty National Life Insurance for 20 years. We have bought and sold 10 houses and moved 17 times. The joke is that the only thing Tim has kept is me and the kids!

I am busy with grandchildren and I volunteer for victim service providers. I am currently president of VOCAL (Victims of Crime and Leniency)

Tim is an avid golfer in warm months and hunts and fishes with his sons. We have traveled a lot with his company. Have been on both coasts and beyond. Loved traveling to the Caribbean islands...the ocean is my favorite. We both love going to Jimmy Buffet concerts. Yup, we are Parrot Heads.

Tim lost hismother to cancer 11 years ago and my older brother Danny was murdered five years ago. Both of these tragic events have altered our lives, but finally we are seeing positive things come out of the dark.

Look forward to seeing everyone!

(The picture is of Tony Barber, Mary Anne, Tim and an aggressive flower arrangement at the 20 year reunion.)

While I'm Thinking About It

The picture is June Montgomery and Tony Wilson at the 20 year picnic. There were maybe five children there, and we all fell in love with June's little boy. More personality than a radio talkshow host.

Randy is the third person to mention motorcycles to me. Every year for the Trail of Tears we go up to my grandmother's old house...the little white house on the hill beside Dallas Direct on Hwy 72 in Center Star. We cook a big chicken stew, hotdogs for the kids, and just sit there and watch the parade. If you ride, or you'd just like to come sit and eat and watch, you're invited! You usually have to get there by noon before they close the highway, but if you're coming east you can park on the other side of the highway and RUN! We'd really love to have you.

Randy Burbank

Here's what we hear from Randy Burbank...is it sacrilege to hope his plans change so he can be here?

Hey Amy,

Here are my answers. I'm afraid I'm going to miss the reunion. I have been asked to help lead a spiritual retreat that same weekend. Send everyone my love...Randy

Place you live...Scottsboro until June

Married?...Divorced

Kids?..2--Matthew-26 and Leslie-23

Grandkids?...2 stepgrandkids Cole & Katelyn

What did you do after high school?...Got married, became Methodist pastor

After that?...Still doing it

Important things that have happened to you...My son Matthew served in Bosnia, then in Operation Enduring Freedom, and Operation Iraqi Freedom; My daughter Leslie graduated from the University of Alabama and married.

Hobbies, interests, vices...Bought a motorcycle last year and loving it! Other hobbies: Fishing, hunting, camping and hiking.

What a distinguished looking couple!

Shannon and Angie Owens Tidwell. From the 20-year reunion at the Holiday Inn. Don't they look nice?

I've sent out little bio forms and I'll start posting them as soon as I get some replies. Have a great weekend...we have 78 degrees and SUN here!

Ten Year Pictures

This is from the ten year reunion, although I found the 20-year photos this afternoon. I'll post some of them later.

The Diet Thing

When we first picked a date, I thought, "This is good. I'll go back on Atkins and start running again and be back in shape in no time."

Well into the second basket of warm chips at La Hacienda today, I decided that those of you who live here already KNOW I don't still weigh 98 pounds, and since I don't see the rest of you but every ten years...it doesn't really matter WHAT you think, does it?

So. You all have my permission to show up fat and happy.

Sherry Miller Nation

Found Sherry in Bowling Green! Isn't her name great? Makes you wonder if she wakes up in the middle of the night with overwhelming urges to carry a flag and picket the White House.

She didn't send me a picture...so I took the liberty. She says:

The last ten years have brought a lot of change in my life. I divorced in 1996 after a 20 year marriage. I have two sons, Jim and Jonathan. Jim graduates this May from Western Kentucky University with a major in Communications. (Jim is my serious one!) Jim is married to Deon Werle from Brentwood (beautiful wedding June 15,2002). Jonathan is a freshman at WKU, majoring in Graphic Design. (Jonathan is my fun one!)

I married Michael Nation June 20, 2003. Michael is from Springfield, TN, and is a salesman for Comstar Systems in Bowling Green. He has two very sweet daughters, MacKenzie, 11, and Morgan, 9.

I am employed at WKU in Human Resources.

I was hoping to be at the reunion. After talking with Robbie last night we realized that May 9 is Jim's graduation day.

Please share my email address with everyone. (sherry.nation@wku.edu) My home address is 134 Silver Springs Ave., Bowling Green KY 42104. Just stop by if you are traveling 1-65 North, exit 22 Bowling Green!

Here's where she answered the questionnaire...

Name: Sherry Miller Merkling Nation
Place you live: Bowling Green, KY
Married: Yes
Kids: Two sons; Jim, 25 and Jonathan, 19. Two stepdaughters; Morgan,  9, and MacKenzie, 11. Daughter-in-law Deon, 25.
Grandkids: Granddog Daisy
What did you do after high school?: Got married, moved and worked in newspapers in Alabama, Tennessee, Arkansas. Started family.
After that?: Went to little league games, band competitions, basketball games, soccer games, academic meets, scout meetings. Settled in Bowling Green in 1991. Worked as an elementary secretary for 8 years. Now at Western Kentucky University in Human Resources.
> http://www.wku.edu/Dept/Support/HR/AAAweb/staff.htm

 

Extra Points!

You get extra points for recognizing people who weren't in our class!

When you grow up...

Kenny says, Okay this is what I want to be when I grow up. But wait, this is what he was doing when he was a kid! You've got to love a man who chooses a path and sticks to it. Oh, and this isn't what he does for a living...he's a Project Controls Engineer with TVA.

Sunday Morning

I originally thought it would be nice for those of us who could, to go hear Stanley preach Sunday morning. I've never heard him, but he's one of my mother's favorite speakers. Then I was reminded that May 9 is Mother's Day and my presence is required elsewhere (for those of you who aren't around here, my children are 23, eight and three. I don't have the same life you do.) But I'm sure Stanley won't mind me inviting you to the worship service Sunday morning, May 9, at Killen Church of Christ.

Two more names

We found Sybil Banks Woodall in Spanish Fort, and Charlotte White Myrick in Houston. That's 65 complete names and addresses.

Funny stories

We've been telling funny stories about things we remember...which is really interesting to me because I'VE FORGOTTEN ALL OF THEM. If Robbie or Melanie don't remember an event, it is gone. When we were looking for Grady Miller, Robbie came up with this great story about a fountain and our prom, which the computer promptly lost. I'm waiting on him to send it again and I'll share it. But Kenny Johnson called last night to give me his email address and I REMEMBERED something! On my own!

Kenny's email is KOJohnson. I was working in the office one afternoon and Mrs. McCabe came out and handed me a slip of paper. Apparently, when we ordered those little name cards that went into our graduation announcements, Kenny had left his blank or they couldn't read his writing or something, and Mrs. McCabe wanted me to go down to the classroom and find out exactly what his whole name was and how to spell it. I go down to where Kenny is supposed to be, but he's not there. (Neither, I think, were Philip and Tony but the office wasn't looking for THEM.) So there I stand. Kenny's parents live two doors down from mine. I KNOW his name is Kenneth O'Neal Johnson. He is named after his Dad. But am I absolutely, positively, completely SURE? Maybe the "n" isn't capitalized. Maybe they changed Kenny's to Neil. Maybe I can't go back to the office and tell them HE'S NOT THERE. So I filled out his card and turned it in, in a panic. If I was wrong, how was he going to explain to his Mama that he couldn't spell his own name? Four weeks before he graduated from high school? Needless to say it worked out fine. His little card was correct, no one knew he might have been SKIPPING SCHOOL and we sailed through.

Again.

More pictures

Well, if I deleted and reinstalled that scanner software once I did it ten million times and THIS time, it worked. So here are some more very young cuties!

My pictures are disappearing...

The older entries are being archived...make sure you go back and check out the pictures.

And three more!

I also have Deborah Hale White, Robert Baugher and Steve McDowell. Thank you!

Three down!

I have Jennifer Cottles, Joyce Michael and Connie Montgomery. Thanks!

Missing names/Order or buffet?

Okay, speak now or forever hold your peace. Robbie says buffet (prime rib)...no one wants to sit down and eat...everyone's talking! Tony B says if he's going to Dale's, he wants a STEAK! I'll have to let Chuck know in about two weeks so let me hear from you.

The scanner is acting like scanners do...as soon as I get it functional again I'll post some more pictures. I'd LOVE for some of you to send me photos of you NOW...see if you're still recognizable.

Missing addresses...Robert Baugher, Sybil Banks Carr, Jennifer Cottles, Deborah Hale, Lloyd Hayes, Tim Kelley, Wanda Kilburn, Cindy Knight, Steve McDowell, Joyce Michael, Allan Scogin, Richard Smith, Charlotte White Myrick, Brenda Minch, Doug Keeble, Ellis Swinea.

Notecards

Having (temporarily) won the battle with my computer over accessing my files, I'm going to put everyone's names into an address database today and mail save-the-date cards. Non-email people will get this card and an invitation in a couple of weeks. Email people will receive updates, and of course can access here whenever they like! If I don't have your email, SEND ME YOUR EMAIL ADDRESS. You don't know how much I've enjoyed hearing from all of you! Phillip Parker was making travel plans from California Friday. Sherry Miller had her bags packed before she realized her son graduates from college that weekend. Randy Harden is in Atlanta. Several people have asked that I share their email addresses and I'll try to type up some bio's this week. I had some more pictures to post, but lost the file in the computer war. I'll rescan them today if possible.

Looking forward to this!

More missing names

Robbie came up with some more names we don't have connections to: Ricky Cobb, David Herston, Diane Jenkins, Bobby Lanier, Joyce Michael (she was at the 20th), Janie Petrone and Chris Zook.

Here. I found some more goodies.

Looking closely, you'd almost think the edges of these photos were yellowed.

People! Look at the counter on here!

Look how many people have visited this site! This is going to be so much FUN!

The weekend of May 8

...is Mother's Day weekend. It's also the weekend of the Shoals Garden Tour, which is a wonderful thing to do if you're in town for the weekend.Shoals Water Garden Speaking of gardens, recognize this flower-surrounded cutie?

Coming Soon!

Where are they now? Who has the most kids? the least hair? the most extensive education? the wildest adventure? I've asked for bio's from different people and you'll be surprised at where life has taken some of us. Check back.

Help us find these last few people

Here are the last few names of people we have no idea how to contact. Can you help? Leave a message here or contact amycruce@aol.com Also, if you know someone who'd like to attend whether they graduated with us or not, we'd love to hear from them.

Mike Beavers

Sarah Posey

Jennifer Cottles

Wanda Kilburn

Cindy Knight Venable

Buffet or Sit Down?

Dale's can accomodate us in the back May 8, and since we had such a good time there at the ten-year we've decided to go back. Some people think we should do a buffet rather than a sit down dinner, because no one is ever ready to eat...everyone wants to talk.Others say they don't want to go to Dale's without the full Monty...let's all order a steak. What do you think? The buffet is roast beef with sides. When you order steak, they give you a choice of two cuts of meat (I think ribeye and filet) and maybe chicken. LET ME KNOW. Comment here or email amycruce@aol.com

This is Robbie trying to find YOU.

This is a true story...We'd find a name in the phone book that looked like who we were looking for and dial it and hand Robbie the phone. He'd go in the other room to talk, be gone for 15 minutes having this conversation and then walk back in the room and announce, "Nope. Don't know WHO that was."

Where ARE these people?

HE DOESN'T REALLY NEED THOSE GLASSES, THEY JUST MAKE HIM LOOK SMART. We met today to try to finalize our list of names. Here's Tim Collier, pouring over his list.

So, where are the pictures?

There's a storm tonight, we missed the tornado but the flooding is intense. Maybe my pictures got washed away.

Pictures from the past

Here are pictures from the tenth and twentieth reunions. Good Lord, I hope you people are getting old as fast as I am!

30 Years...and counting

May 8...put it on the calendar now! That's the weekend we're having our 30 year class reunion...it's Mother's Day weekend and we're hoping that will put people in the mood to come home. Soon as I figure this out, I'll stick some pictures in here!