Southern University Laboratory School Class of 1973: June 1, 2021 ETC.

Good morning, Classmates!

Just a few notes on a gathering we had in honor of our classmate Darlene Curry Bowden's visit to BR. Since COVID had kept us from meeting as we planned, some of the guys thought it would be a good idea for us to take advantage of this gathering at the Lagniappe Restaurant in Baker, Louisiana to update on our financial status and to revamp the plans thwarted by the pandemic.

Before I start, I must ask forgiveness for the tardiness of this post, as I'm caring for my mother who has been hospitalized twice since our dinner/meeting. Between then, I believe she saw my notes and thought they were scratch paper and tossed them. So, I am relying on my memory, such as it is, and requesting that everyone who was present, please fill in any gaps I may leave win the comments section beneath this post.

There were ten of us there plus an extra guy who was there to meet with his own class but promised to meet with ours next time. That's another hilarious story you will have to hear at another time. Just suffice it to say that if at the next reunion you should see a face you do not recognize, it could be Mr. Veal of California.

The folks present at 6/1/21 were Rose (Stewart) Beals, Anthony Beasley, Darlene (Curry) Bowden, Mignon (Baranco)Fontenot, Tanya (Moye) Freeman, Frances George, Muriel (Felder) Hayesbert, Kathy (Nichols) Michael, Renee Mozee, Sheldon Johnson, and Michael Thomas.

Sheldon has since emailed an updated finance report but the ones below were submitted by Anthony Beasley and approved as up-to-date on that evening. Anthony wanted us to remember that we agreed to pay dues at $240 a year or $20 per month. The money is to be used as hospitality funds to draw from in case of death of a classmate or the family member of a classmate. Valerie (Woods) Triggs has been in charge of purchasing flowers as evidenced by the photos she takes of the plants. She sends her receipts to Anthony who reimbursed her. Valerie has already sent tokens in our behalf to bereaved class members.

Another reason for collecting dues is so that when we gather for special occasions, there will be no need to try and collect last minute funds. Also, we have promised to gather several times a year for certain events--like the homecoming celebration being planned for next Fall. We agreed that we are not as concerned with fancy affairs as we are with simply getting together. For example, pre-COVID, a cookout was planned for early summer that was to take place at Joycelyn Harrison's house. The dues will also reduce the amount taxed on individuals for reunions. We also want to be able to make donations to our alma mater.

Communication-wise there are several things you must know and share. Contact information has changed for some of you and you need to let us know. If you joined our Remind group, the app is best used with smartphone numbers instead of email addresses. In fact, the app creators are slowly phasing out the email feature since most people are more likely to communicate by text these days. Anything I post here, on our blog has a link that is more easily shared by Remind. Also, the URL for this blog was shared again at the meeting. So there is more than one way to keep in touch with what is going on with the Class of 1973. The Remind app does not expose your phone number to the group so if your number changes it's still easy to use the app. Still a cross-referenced list with texts and emails and this blog will make sure as many classmates are reached as possible. Still make sure that one of us -- Muriel, Kathy, Valerie, Sheldon, Anthony Beasley, Rose--has your contact information.

Rose, Darlene, and Michael

Left: Sheldon, Darlene Anthony, Right: Anthony, Sheldon

The Class of 1971 has planned an event that we are invited to. Purchasing tables is involved at an amount that slips my mind or $50 per person. We agreed to participate. Details need to be posted in the comments by someone else who was present because those details have leaked out of my ear since last month.

Left: (In background) Rose and Darlene. Right: Tanya and Anthony

We had a great time reconnecting with our classmate, Darlene and she had a good time, promising to let us know whenever she is back in Louisiana. She has lived in Denver, Colorado for the last two hundred years.

Michael Thomas also came in from Houston after a meeting in New Iberia. God was looking out for his family as there was a fire in his mother's home that night. If you did not get the message, we took up collections and Mrs. Trini Gibson, our former school counselor and neighbor was collecting items and gift cards for the family.

Prayers were requested for Russell who's wife Paula was placed in hospice care after the cancer returned rather aggressively. Muriel notified us that Paula passed yesterday. Arrangement details will be announced.

Here is the financial info I mentioned above. Let's make sure you're on the list and up-to-date....and remember, I need another set of brain cells to fill in the gaps! Email, text, or reply in the comments below.