Time for the 60th reunion of the Class of ‘63 Northside High School. Happy for those of you who will get together in Fort Smith. Will be looking forward to hearing the stories and seeing the photos. 

Since leaving Fort Smith I have enjoyed the past 60 years. First it was off to Arkansas Tech for college, then six years as an Army wife during the Vietnam years. I finished my business degree at San Jose State in the early 70’s. Was married to Andy, a Hungarian immigrant, until he passed away at the young age of 30.  I spent the early years of my career as a financial analyst in Silicon Valley as the high tech industry developed. Weekends were spent exploring San Francisco and Northern California. 

In the late 70’s I married Chris who was then a Lt Cdr at Moffett Field flying for the Navy in search of “Red October”. We moved to Japan in the 80’s and lived there until his retirement in the 90’s. I started teaching English at Boei Daigakko, the “Japanese West Point” and later at Meiji Gakuin University in Tokyo. To this day, I miss living in Japan. Was offered a faculty position after Chris retired, but we decided we would come back to the states and build our home in Corvallis, Oregon. First, though, we would spend a year living in our Airstream visiting our beautiful national parks. 

When we were finally settled after eight years away, I became the academic advisor for the football and basketball teams at our local university, Oregon State. (The Beavers not the Ducks.)  I am still in contact with the many young men and women (who are now nearing 50) that I met at OSU. One of them is Little Richard’s nephew! I was on the sidelines for PAC 12 games and traveled with the teams. Still have season tickets and enjoy tailgating at the alumni tent. 

Corvallis has been a wonderful place to live. I became a Master Gardener and enjoy our community garden space. Finally, after all these years, I am understanding how to garden in the Pacific Northwest, but still can’t successfully grow okra. I enjoy looking for treasures at estate sales and flea markets, fiber arts and walking the hills around my home.

Fort Smith was a fantastic place to grow up. Our teachers, especially Miss Barnwell, Mr. Hudson, and  particularly, the two women who organized our basketball team, Ms. Beall and Mrs. Crosland, were the best. We had the games, the sock hops, “dragging the main”,  Creekmore Park, the skating rink and many friendships. I even remember sitting beside Jerry Lee Lewis as he played “Great Balls of Fire” at a dance in Fort Smith.

Best wishes for health and happiness to all my classmates.