The reception room opened at about 6:00 PM Friday evening. Lots of ’54 classmates were joined by friends from other classes. The food and beverages were great, the stories were funny and heart warming. Old photos were brought out including one with this writer and Ted York behind McArthur. Barbara Roberts had pictures of her birth mother and her long lost siblings. We wrote about her story in an earlier Gusher. If you get a chance to talk to Barbara you will be amazed.

A bunch of young punks from the class of ’56 won the golf tournament Saturday. They took advantage of the old men in our class. The ladies toured the McFaddin mansion. Then 22 of them along with Wilberne McNease, Jerry Bell and Carlos Maggio had lunch at the Green Beanery. The rest of us went shopping or stayed at the Hilton to decorate the ballroom and visit.

Saturday night we had a nice buffet dinner and a program led by Master of Ceremonies, Chief Justice Ronny Walker. Don Kaye called out the names of deceased members. A different class member answered each call and lit a candle. Glenn Kittel played a couple of show tunes on his trumpet, then played our school song while the crowd sang "South Park, South Park, Dear Old South Park". Virginia McDaniel Hurley made few very funny comments. Names were drawn for door prizes. One was a white rocking chair with green racing stripes. It was built by Don Kaye and won by Jackie Mahfouz Harris. Gifts were presented to the committee members. Mine was a green hat with the title "#1 Greenie" embroidered on it which I really thought that was very special.

Then came the big surprise, at least for this writer. (Everyone else knew about it). The Judge called me up to the rostrum and presented me with a large check. He said it was for all the work I’ve done on the Gusher. Well, this ain’t work. It’s a joy doing it. It was a totally humbling experience. I wanted to express my gratitude, but was afraid if I said anything I’d start crying. My feet have not touched the ground since.

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Johnny and Mildred Watson have done a great job putting the page together. You will enjoy the pictures or the 45^th and other reunions, old photos and the photo of the 1948 McArthur football team. Beginning with this issue, you will also be able to read the latest Gusher.

Robbie Dodge Sissom (’53) sent a nice e-mail with a photo of cub scouts from her Mother’s Den. Charles Clifton (’54), Malcolm "Cotton" Dodge (’55) and Lester Leblanc (’56) were among the scouts. You can see this picture on the web site.

Mickey O’Shaughnessy came from the Big Apple for her first reunion and writes that she had a wonderful time.

Don Duggins (’53) and Iva Purkes-Duggins (’55) came to the reunion. They said they averaged ’54. We were glad to have them. Then ol’ Don decided to have a heart attack last week. They did an angeoplasty and inserted a shint to correct his problem, so he’s doing fine now.

Mary Frances Freeman, Journalist teacher, passed away on Monday, March 29. She was 77. She was a 1939 graduate of SPHS. Mary Frances earned many honors including the A & M Club outstanding teacher award. She will be missed.

We’ve received many notes, letters and e-mails for friends that we can’t possibly put them all in one issue, so another one will follow soon. That’s it for this issue. See you next time.

It is fun hearing about old friends and they are just as interested in hearing about you. Let us know what’s happening in your life and we’ll print it in the next issue.

Send it to:

R. H. Berwick
1706 Gardenia
Houston, TX 77018