Bob Campo's Big Reveal!

As you all know, I let the "Big Reveal" out of the bag in the information I sent you in the green envelops...   Bob Campo, master craftsman extraordinaire, is building an electric guitar for the reunion.   It'll be auctioned off to raise funds for the Sisters of Divine Providence who taught us so well.   

Following is the first of several updates Bob has agreed to do...   just to let you know how the project  unfolds....   

Hello, classmates.

Ever since our senior site chat [Facebook] has directed us towards a reunion for this October, Betty and I have become quite excited at the prospect of seeing old friends, acquaintances and classmates we haven't seen or kept up with in years.  The more I thought about it, the more I felt I wanted to do something a little special for the occasion, as it has been way too long since we all got together, and no telling how long it will be before it happens again.  I have worked with my hands all my life, and most recently have been employed for the last six years building custom furniture here in Alexandria.  Having talked to Sheila and Ted Powell, an idea has sort of evolved about not only giving away some token or memento for the reunion, but perhaps enabling us to raise some money for the Sisters of Divine Providence.

At first I thought about a piece of furniture or such, but decided to show Sheila and Ted the efforts of a new venture I have embarked upon.  I decided to try my hand at building an electric guitar, and my first attempt seems to be fairly well accepted with the people I have had play it.  The guitar Sheila and Ted were shown is my second attempt.  When I suggested that perhaps we might have one to auction off, it seems as thought it was 'game on'.  So guys, and gals, it is a privilege and a pleasure to offer up one of my first guitars to the efforts of the reunion.  Hopefully whoever ends up with it will look at it, or play it occasionally, and remember fondly the night we will spend together, and indeed all of our past experiences.  But most importantly, it would be extremely gratifying to give back to the nuns that dedicated their life to servitude and were there for us.  We are products of our past, and they contributed dearly to us all.  So, please understand...this is not about me, or guitars, or even us as a class, but in fact about the Sisters.  

We truly look forward to this reunion and expect it to be special for all of us.

Thanks for everything.

The build that I have in mind happens to be a fairly close representation of probably the most iconic electric guitar ever built.  The Gibson Les Paul has become the holy grail of electric guitars, with the '59 model commanding figures pushing one million dollars.   The picture you see is of two guitars that a fellow Les Paul forum member built as his rendition of the Les Paul guitar.   The Menard build will have a front (or top) more like the gold colored one on the right.  The back and neck will have a transparent emerald green color.  Our guitar will bear serial number 2, as #1 is going to my church.  We will post pics as progress is made.  I will not go into much detail, but try to give you a little idea of what the process is for those that may be interested.  If anyone is interested in more details, don't hesitate to ask.

The Les Paul was made with mahogany back and neck, with a maple top and either ebony or rosewood fret board.   The Menard build will have Spanish cedar back and neck, with a lightly figured maple top and a rosewood fret board.  It will be fitted with traditional humbucker pickups like the ones pictured and virtually identical trim and hardware.   I will think of you guys every time I go to work on the guitar, and truly hope it does well for the Sisters.

Thanks.

Sister CC's Jubilee Celebration!

Mary David and Anita represented us well at Sister CC's wonderful celebration....   She's been a nun since around our first birthdays!    Thanks to those of you who sent special notes...  you'll see a pic below where she's reading them.  Just thought I'd share a few of the beautiful pictures Mary David sent me.   (Long story, but I missed the trip...   Will not miss next year when Sister Ann celebrates her 50th, though!)

Here's Bob's Resume... In case you can help!

Send in those Green Envelops!!!

Just thought I'd let you know about who's registered for the reunion so far....     it really ought to be fun!  Would sure like to get some more green envelops soon!

Ted Powell
Anita Saybe Ehlers
Sheila Moore
Michael Blank
John Barnidge
Gordon Gremillion
Mary Ann Percy Meeks
Bob Deville
Jo Fomby Gavin
Phillip Lemoine
Mary David Baker
Vicki Vanderlick Methvin
Marilyn McStay
Dave Hussey
Paul Dupuis
Janie Pias
Kathy Scalfano Yates
Ginger Thiels
Linda Jarred
Deborah Jones McBride
Eileen Burden Arsenault
Ray Tracy
Frances Ward Johanson
Debbey Scheuermann Brown
Donnie Welch
Mike Conolly
Herbie Way
Walter Swift Caroline Noone Mott
Cynthia Price Parker

Some of my very favorite people can't make it, but all send their best wishes for a wonderful time...  and wish they could be with us!
Tom McQuilling  is celebrating his anniversary that weekend. Rose Ann Guidry Schwartz's husband is ill.  Frank Fazio already had a big hunting trip planned,   (Franks sends his thanks to all of you for the prayers and support after the death of his son last year.)   John Dunn is not going to make it.   And David Kaufman will be celebrating the win of $6,500 in a football pool by chillin' in a Florida condo...    maybe we can move the reunion to you, David?!! 

We'e So Popular!

It looks like word is out that we're having a reunion!   And it must sound like fun, because we've had a few folks from outside our class ask to come.    You are, of course, most definitely welcome to invite anyone you wish!   Just put their names on your registration form and send in the moola...   $50 per guest.   If you love 'em, we love 'em! 

And if you like 'em, but not enough to spend the money, please invite them to the Friday evening festivities.  The Alumni Reception (5 p.m. - 7 p.m.) is sponsored by the Diocese for all Menard graduates.

On the other hand...   it's been a long time since we've been together and the general sentiment is that our reunion should be small enough so that we can really visit and catch up with each other.   So, early on we declined an invitation to be included in the "Grand Reunion" that was held last fall for several of the Menard classes that followed us.   And, shoot me, but my answer to a very recent request to include other classes in our October festivities was a resounding no.  

By the by, we may have one surprise visitor....   last fall I called "William L. Glasscock" in Oklahoma; he gave me his physical and email addresses and I sent him the "green envelop."    This week I got a note from him and his wife: 

               Sheila, this sounds like fun!  but we have to confess, we've never heard of Menard H.S.!  My husband, Bill Glasscock, is a 1969 graduate of Washita Heights H.S. in Corn, Oklahoma.  Must be the wrong Bill Glasscock that you found.  We were tempted to send in our money and crash your party and have everyone wonder who the heck we were...    Anyway, we hope you find the Bill Glasscock you are looking for, and that you have a great reunion!     

                                                                                                         Bill and Dana Glasscock

Don't they sound like fun?   I think I'm gonna ask 'em to come as my guests!     

As of today, I've received registration info/checks from 10 of you.  Thanks!!!!    I know our deadline is not until the end of July, but the sooner the better! 

Sharing the Love... With Sister CC and Friends!

Working on our Reunion plans has been pure delight, not only because of how wonderful it's been to become reacquainted, but also because of the outpouring of generosity I've witnessed.   So many of you have come forward to offer help and do special things that I couldn't have even imagined...   we're going to have an amazing reunion!

Given the love I've seen,  it was only natural that I thought of you and your big hearts, when I learned that Sister Cecil Clare Vanderlick was living in McCullough Hall, the nursing center for the Sisters of Divine Providence, and had need of a few personal things to make her retirement comfortable.  Can you imagine that this passionate woman with boundless energy for teaching and nursing would find herself at a point in life where she would request a few stamps when asked if there were something she might want?    That's how Anita and Mary David learned of the needs of the Congregation when they visited her last year in San Antonio.

As you might imagine, Sister CC's situation is not unique.  While she and other retired members of the Congregation of Divine Providence are well-cared for, they are not living in the lap of luxury, nor do they wish to be, haven taken vows of "poverty, simplicity, charity, and abandonment to Divine Providence" many years ago.   But they do have needs and the Congregation is experiencing an up-hill battle trying to meet them.   

At the forefront of the battle is another beautiful woman with whom we are all acquainted:  Sister Ann Petrus.   It is her greatest challenge as the new Superior General of the Congregation to care for those aging and ill women who dedicated their lives to us.  She and the few active sisters work tirelessly at their own jobs, teaching, seeing to the housing needs of poor women, ministering to the spiritual needs of many more, and then contributing their own hard earned income to care for their retired sisters.  There are 170 nuns in the Congregation today, and nearly forty percent of them are in assisted living or require nursing care.  It is staggering to consider the personal burden that providing even the most basic care poses to each working member of the Congregation.

So what can we do?   In the long run, we can, as individuals, donate to the Providence Trust, a charitable fund "designated to ensure the future comfort, safety and if necessary, nursing care for Sisters in their later years."   To do this, simply go online at http://www.cdptexas.org/donatenow2.html and make your donation!  It couldn't be easier, and wouldn't this be a fine charity for regular giving? 

 

In the short term, we're going to have a load of fun at this reunion, and part of that will be a live auction for a really wonderful memento being built as we speak...   stay tuned for full disclosure in the next few weeks!  We'll also have a silent auction and I encourage you to participate.   We already have the promise of some gorgeous jewelry made by our own Frances Ward Johanson, some etched wine glasses created by Joe Hebert's daughter, and music CDs customized by Mike Blank and Mike Conelley for our class!   If there's something you'd like to donate for the auction, let me know.    

And of course, outright cash donations, large and small, will be gladly accepted on behalf of the Sisters at the reunion!   Don't forget Sister Ann will be there...   we ARE her favorite class!

By the by, you should receive your reunion registration package in the next two weeks! 

Much love to all of you.....    Sheila

Remembering.....

For those of you on FaceBook, you already know that Albert Lanius found our Principal...   Fr Hugh Biggar, now Dr. Biggar, having earned a Doctorate in Education after leaving Louisiana.  He's living in Florida with his wife, Shirely, and gave me this update:

"I did love my job [at Menard} and the wonderful kids I had to work with.  My wife, Shirley was a widow with two children, so I got a ready-made family.  Our son is an officer in a local police force, and our daughter is a medical assistant to a physician locally, so our family has stayed close. They have given us four grandsons and one granddaughter.  The oldest grandson is president of the honor society, on the president's list, and he works a 40 hour a week job for a subsidiary of Century Link.  The rest are obviously younger and have yet to meet any major challenges.  You might see the humor in the fact that my wife's name was Greco." 

Debbie Jones McBride remembers enjoying coffee with Fr. Biggar and L'Anne Methvin Sciba while they were supposed to be in Home Ec sewing!   And Michael Conolly says,  "My dad once told him, "Father Biggar, I'm in your office more than you are.""

Would love to hear your memories!