200106 January 6, 2020

Lest We Forget

The Classmates of '64-'65-'66

Which We Lost in 2019

As we enter a new decade here is the list of the classmates we know we lost during 2019. We realize there were also losses in the classes following 1966, but this site was originally designed to serve the classes of '64-'65-'66 and has traditionally only given notice of the loss of members of those classes.

Patrick R. Sheldon

September 27, 1946 - January 12, 2019

LHS '64

Raymond Kenneth "Skip" Gurley

LHS '65

? - February 28, 2019

Richard Lyons

June 3, 1946 - April 11, 2019

LHS '66

Mike Smith

LHS '64

? - May 18, 2019

Gloria Joan Baber McCutcheon

LHS '64

July 2, 1946 - May 25, 2019

Frederick Miles Ramsey

LHS '66

1946 (?) - September 22, 2019

John Schmitz

LHS '64

1946 (?) - October 1, 2019

Save the Date!

September 25 & 26, 2020

LHS Reunion

The Westin at Bridge Street

Huntsville, AL

More Information to Come Later

Reunion Contacts

Ann Redford (redforda@uah.edu)

Niles Prestage (napjr@me.com)

Sarajane Steigerwald Tarter (starter@hiwaay.net

Fruitcakes

Linda Kinkle Cianci

LHS '66

Several years ago, I enjoyed one day a week with a lovely elderly friend, who loved fruitcake. She ordered one from Claxton every year and took great joy in sharing it with me. I never eat fruitcake. That is, except when I need to be gracious to the one offering it. So, I would tell her I was so full from our lunch that I could only eat a thin slice - very thin. We "enjoyed" it together, along with a lot of hot tea to wash it down, as we talked over the latest books and authors we were reading. Then came the year she bought two Claxton fruitcakes. And she lovingly and excitedly shared that second one with me, because I was the only one she knew who liked it. And, I graciously thanked her and brought it home. Mike was not feeling gracious when he saw that box. So, after a little surveying among people we know, that cake brought new meaning to re-gifting that year. Never waste good food. Ha! How I would love to sit and share a cup of tea, some fruitcake, and good conversation with Ms. Lara today.

Johnny Roberts and I worked together briefly around 1967-68. That Christmas, his mom baked her fruitcake for our office. Did I mention that I never, ever, eat fruitcake? However, I can vouch that hers was not the typical fruit "cake" and was delicious. She gave me the recipe and I still have it....somewhere. With this memory - thanks Tommy - I began searching and found her recipes for icebox rolls and coffee cake. If I'd known enough about cooking back then to carry out the instructions in her recipes, I might have tried them. Over the years, I do think of that fruitcake every Christmas. My memory told me her fruitcake was made from the same type dough as the coffee cake, rolled into a ring and topped with a thin icing. But after seeing Johnny's story, I think maybe she actually made us two things - a coffee cake and the fruitcake cookies. Regardless, the recipe seemed complicated, so I never made it. Wish I could find that recipe and introduce people to the fruitcake that doesn't taste like fruitcake.

Memphis, TN - Since it is the start of a new year, I think it is only appropriate to restate the mission goal of Lee's Traveller. You may read it by clicking here. Lee’s Traveller Mission Statement

For most of us the football season of 2019 is over and win or loose we will continue to support our favorite teams in the coming year. For me personally I will still be going to basketball games and rooting for the Memphis Tigers.

The upcoming year of 2020 will include the combined reunions of the classes of 1964-65-66 and we should all look forward and make plans to attend the get together.

As always I invite any of you to share your memories or life events with the rest of the readers, which you can do by emailing your stories to me.

The following email addresses have been rejected by my server and have been removed from the mailing list. If one of them is yours and you want to update your email address for notification then please email me.

talgw@knology.net

rgswaim@knology.net

mkuettner@cox.net

lhc5@pbtcomm.net

Last Week's Name That Tune