It is always hard to believe friends from childhood pass away and especially younger siblings. I visited with June Jenks Staggs about her sister, Jerry. David Scaife, Jerry’s son shared on Facebook about her death. When we were kids we played with June, Jerry, Johnny Young, Mavis Upton, Judy Kilgore and others who lived in Jasper. Over the years we played in the branch, the river, in town, and at their houses after school and in the summer. When I went to college, Jane and Jerry must have done everything they could find to do all over the county. Oh, the stories they told about going to the Boy Scout Camp and having car trouble and how they fixed it so they could get home. Going to Pratt’s Town and going to the movies were some of the stories they told about. June and David will let you know when Jerry’s ashes will be brought to Jasper for a burial. David will post it on Facebook when the plans are finalized.
A friend I play bridge with, belongs to TTT club with and went to Arkansas Tech with celebrated her 80th birthday on Saturday. It was funny how I found out she and I went to Tech at the same time. We were visiting at bridge one day and we shared we had lived in Massey Hall and then found out it was at the same time. She and I went to Wesley Foundation often and surprisingly, we were not friends. She was a couple of years ahead of me so maybe that is why we didn’t run around with each other, but we did know the same girls in the dorm.
When I graduated from Tech, Mrs. Lois Griffin hired me to teach at Sequoyah Elementary. Recently, one of my students and I “found” each other on Facebook. I taught her for three years from 4th to 6th grade over 50 years ago. Surely, I am not that old! She is working at Harps in Fayetteville since she has retired from teaching. I am going to see her soon. I saw a picture of her and she still looks like that little girl I taught in 4-6th grades. Amazing!
Sunday, March 9, my daughter, Kara celebrated her 42nd birthday. Kara was born in Calico Rock. The doctor decided to induce labor because Rachael had weighed so much and he didn’t want me to have another large baby so he induced labor on her due date!
Amanda had already made plans to float the Mulberry River in their annual race. So, she didn’t get to come to the house for the birthday lunch. I was talking to Amanda and she told me she had raced in a race that she was the only female in her age group. She came in “first” place with a time of 1:27:10 for the eight mile race. Some of the men didn’t have better times than hers. I can’t imagine paddling for an hour and a half for that many miles!
I am hearing of people throughout the United States are getting measles and some are dying. Also, people are getting the flu and are very sick. Be careful and take care of yourself. It is getting close to gardening time. Have a great week.
