FEBRUARY 2005 TRIP TO LAS VEGAS



Golf and the Chicken Ranch By Cal Roe

It was a wonderful time at the third mini-reunion in Las Vegas for the JBHS Class of 1955 that three classmates decided to play some golf. A threesome composed of myself, Cal Roe an aerospace engineer, Bob Carter an educator, and Chuck DeVore, a utilities Engineer. Classmate, Bonnie Horton, had said over the JBHS Chat that she could get us onto a course in Pahrump, Nevada. She came to the Sunday evening gathering at the hospitality room, and were were told where to go.

Monday morning we met for breakfast at the coffee shop. Bob confused the Mexican waitress with his order of 6 egg whites and 1 whole egg scrambled, and a bowl of oatmeal. This is some sort of diet that Bob is using to maintain his high school physique.

Then into Chucks SUV, and a picturesque ride through the Charleston Mountains to the rapidly growing town of Pahrump Nevada. We arrived in about an hour, and took the "scenic" drive that Bonnie suggested, and we arrived at the golf course without a hitch.

We asked Bonnie how she was involved with this golf course. She explained that many years ago a large company wanted to develop Pahrump, and built two golf courses to entice people to buy property in Pahrump. About 5 years ago the company went bankrupt, and sold the large championship course. But, the small executive course was allowed to return to the desert. This left the home owners around the course with a mess in their back yard, and this included Bonnie and her husband. About 2 years ago, 50 of the home owners bought the small course, and began a renovation program with their own volunteer time. Today, they operate a reasonable course where "snowbirds" can play during the winter without breaking the bank. I think they have a great thing going for the future with all the building we saw in Pahrump.

Off to the first Tee where Bob has a persistent problem of "topping" the ball, and my slice is near out of bounds. Thanks to Chuckıs putts being consistently 6 inches short, and Bobıs putts being 1 inch to the left, I managed to get the low score of 81 on the par 59 executive course. Generally, we play boggy golf (one over par) and we enjoy the day as if we were old time buddies. One odd thing I noticed, was we all had our problems but not one "four letter" word was heard. I will return to this course in the future.

Now, Pahrump is located in the infamous Nye County Nevada that has legal brothels. Since we were there, we figured we should drop by the Chicken Ranch, and Bonnie provided driving instructions. We took some photos, and almost pushed the button to open the gate. We did not enter. But, we now can say we have been to the Chicken Ranch.

THE SECRETARY'S REPORT

Many of the Vegas pics are up on Terry's class page for JBHS 55. Just go down on right side of opening page to Vegas. Also he has a new page for Classics a Hot Rods and R.V.'s More pictures of Vegas are coming - so many took them. Here is list that went to Vegas last Sun.

Linda Schofield Baldwin & Ronetta, Don & Norma Boggs, Bill Biewiener, Pamela Abele Carlson, Charles Devore, Denny & Rowleen Grossman, Rose Knaur Harris and friend, Joyce & Richard Lyle Haskitt, Dorene Lloyd Kessinger, Barry & Irene Knight, John & Romilda Lovrensky, Karen & Jerry Fairfield Lucas, Richard & Wendy MacDonald, Carol Muscorella Maitland, Darlene & Ken Enochs Mc Elderry, Ted & Sharon Myers, Leon Newbanks & John Dondanville, Barbara Squires Price, Cal & Barbara Roe, Fred & Deanna Roth, Bob & Lynne Uhl, Earl & Fidelina Williams, Bob Carter, Ellen & Rob Connor Robin, Ron and Sally Thatcher Geraci, and Terry Ward. We have 27 Rooms reserved. Pat & Brian Blalock Harrington will be at events and staying in their motorhome. Bill Paisley had something come up and can't make it. Doug Morris fell off a ladder on Thur. and couldn't make it and his wife was sick also. Barb Squire brother Bob and grandson joined us. Sharon and Dick Stevens Cox couldn't get a flight out of Memphis and missed the trip - we were all bummed out and they were even more bummed out. Only one flight a day out of Memphis to Vegas.

Then we have the following Vegas Classmates joining us: Henri "Duke" & Kathi Ducassee, Marilyn & Don Spitz Seckinger, Carol & Gene Handy Yannello, Carol & Dan Sykes Grant, Dale Judson, Bonnie & Doug Shaw Horton, Ray & Donna Nisbet Hammond. We had a few guests come with some of our classmates.

We had 53 go to the dinner and show on Mon. nite. Many pics were taken and some pretty funny ones.

We have 6 couples all ready signed up and paid for the Reunion and the invites just went out so we have a great start. Carol really worked hard in getting all the plans made and the paperwork done first class. We did give her a little help but she did by far the most.

Carol has the great pal system well started. This will have those on e mail keep the 100 snail mail people informed on what is going on via phone or reg. mail. We have over half the names already covered by volunteers.

We are pushing for Bio's and will have a list out soon on those that already have them in. This will make it easy to look at Terry's site and ck. out a friends bio. And it is supposed to get others without bio's to see how easy it is to write something. I didn't want to as just delivered donuts for 35 yrs. I started writing the bio and found out I did have a lot to put down with trips and family. Now I figure I did accomplish something in the last 50 yrs.

Barbara Squires and her brother Bob and Grandson joined our Vegas Party. Barb is doing well having had her first chemo the week before. She really was a great joy to be around in Vegas - put on her Red Hat garb with the rest of the Red Hatters. Talked to her today and she just had second Chemo yesterday and is doing well. Usually about the 2nd. day after Chemo she gets a little weak. She had been driving all over and up to her place in Shoshine, NV. She drove back to her brothers a couple weeks ago to start her Chemo.

Barbara Roe was in Las Vegas and she and Cal had a great time. Barb is doing well and faces some treatment in the next week for her Non Hodgekins Lymphnoma. She has the most easy to treat case. Then after some treatments they will remove a small spot of cancer from her lung which can be a pretty big operation as they take out part of lung.

Carol Handy Yannello was at our party and full of pep. Wouldn't know that she was very sick a year ago.

Ronetta Scott Antcil was her usual friendly self in Vegas and visiting all the 65 there. She was decked out with the other Red Hatters. Ronetta has more doc. appointments to get her irregular heart beat controlled with medication. She goes back to work on Monday - we would like her to retire - she loves work but any stress and work for us 67 or 68 yr. olds is tougher and not good.

Don Boggs was visiting with everyone, with his catchy remarks, and was doing real well. He ate a ton of desserts and ice cream as his diabetes is gone because of the medications he was on for other things, had caused it, and they changed medication. He was a happy camper!

I did some lifting 2 days before Vegas and my knee swelled up bad so Bob Carter had me put ice on it in Vegas and Linda and others kept telling me to stay off of it and keep it raised. It did look bad and today I went to orthopedic surgeon and he drained out 45 cc's of liquid and it feels and looks better now. They took the fluid for a culture to see if they are using the best antibiotics for the infection I have. Next Tues. I go to the blood specialist that is keeping my red and blood count in limits with all the infection and antibiotics that messed it up. I go to him every 3 weeks and he has my blood under control and I feel great and strong. Before this I was drowsy a lot as low red and white count. Get shots and take pills and my blood is holding good. Hopefully the infection will gradually go down and away at some point. I know now that I can't lift heavy things anymore. It could come to me not being able to do normal things and then I will need to have knee taken apart and then a antibioti c block put in for about 3 months with leg in a cast. Then when the infection shows it is gone they put a new knee replacement in. Taking out the old knee replacement and putting in the new one is tougher than doing it the first time. Also the new knee could get infected which has happened to many, even tho they thought they had the infection gone. I feel the infection could be in the bones that are around the area and they would have a tough time getting completely rid of it. Infections go to any metal in your body and this knee was the newest metal. I have the other knee with a replacement and ankles with metal also. I feel good and walk OK but don't run and don't want to climb hills our walk miles.

They could get rid of the infection in a month if I didn't have the metal in my knee and it wouldn't come back as no metal. Also the infection just stays in the one location and doesn't spread so that is good. Did ride a bike last week. So now I should be fine and can handle the small swelling with no problems so will just have to not overdo. My favorite thing is working but now I know I can't work hard. We have 3 grandkids with us a lot and they are so much fun plus I am on the puter a lot so have plenty of lighter things to do to keep busy. Today I have a little more swelling and I was off of leg most of yesterday and today. If the swelling can't be controlled then I have no option but to get the new infected knee taken out and keep it with an antibiotic block for 2 or 3 months. This will mean a leg in a full cast and I would have a tough time driving with my left leg as only one useable.

I am thinking positive and the swelling will go down. I have the blood doctor appointment on Tuesday and Othro Doc. appoint on Fri. again. I did tell a lot of friends about my problem and two of them had bad infections and had a 30 treatment program that got rid of them. I told my doc. and he said that is great but the metal in you is what is causing the problem and the treatment wouldn't help. Sometimes if you pass out your medical problem you will find answers from someone who has information. Barbara Landin does this all the time and has been able to keep going with the information.

Many of our classmates have health issues and that is just part of getting older. We still have a lot of good years in us and need to use them for having fun as we deserve fun and laughs after years of work. We sure get fun and laughs when we have dinners and events like Vegas and the Picnics. Cal Roe said that the first two Vegas trips were great and this one was the best ever. Cal is conservative and doesn't come out with things unless he believes it.

Just let me know if you have any circumstance to be put on the prayer team or if you want to join the 23 classmates on the prayer chain. We keep the prayer needs just to ourselves unless those want to tell all about their problem like Barbara Squires and she beat a death sentence on her cancer for over a yr. so far and doing very well. Barbara and others say a positive outlook and knowing others are pulling for you really help. We are so fortunate to have Linda Schofield who is a retired RN who gives many of us helpful info. She makes many phone calls also. Also we are so fortunate to have Sharon Stevens who keeps on top of our ill classmates and calls them with great uplifting messages. She called me in hospital when I was in over Christmas 03. She made me feel so much better that I almost walked out of there. It made me feel good and stronger that so many cared about me getting better.

Regards and God Bless, Denny

P.S. Carol has really gotten this 50 th. Reunion to be first class. Ron Geraci will probably give and opening prayer and Darlene Enochs will sing for us among many other great things. Fred is getting great wine glasses for all with our JBHS 55 on them. Video and a memory album plus a CD with all the bios and the complete Ward JBHS website on it. If you didn't get your invite and packet please let Carol or myself know.

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