Philip D. Hightower

Philip D. Hightower

I AM HEARTBROKEN. A GREAT MAN AND MOST OF ALL A GREAT FRIEND. EVEN THOUGH I HAD NOT SEEN HIM IN QUITE AWHILE, I HAVE SUCH WONDERFUL MEMORIES OF HIM AND THE GOOD TIMES WE SHARED. OUR WORLD WILL MISS HIM GREATLY. I KNOW FOR SURE I WILL.

PHIL HIGHTOWER

Marilyn Elsie Miller (Morris)

I'm in the process of downsizing and having trouble with the idea of getting rid of my RJR yearbooks.  I just found a site online that has scanned copies...just found 1962 at http://library.digitalnc.org/cdm/singleitem/collection/yearbooks/id/7886/rec/13
I was able to download a free copy in .pdf format. It has no markings in this copy.  Now I can just scan the written messages if I want and will have a digital copy of the yearbook!  I'll look to see if the other years are there.

Marilyn Elsie Miller (Morris)

I just checked the website with the online yearbooks and found all the years we were at RJR, and the years I was at UNCG.  The quality is OK but not great, so I think I'll scan the pages I really want to keep from my yearbooks if I need to get rid of the hardback copies.  You can get copies by clicking on the "i" icon and choosing a format.  I chose .pdf, but maybe some of the other formats are clearer.

Bonnie Forrest (Boles)

Can you come live with me for a couple of days and teach me more of this computer stuff. I am getting better but want to improve a lot.  I can cook but I am sure yo can do that, too,  being single I am getting wiser.

Terryll J. Brewer (Gilliam)

Wishing all happiness, joy, good health, and blessings for the coming holiday season. Happy Hanukkah, Merry Christmas, Joyous Noel, Merry Yule, Happy Kwanzaa, and a bright and happy New Year to one and all. May we also take a moment to remember those who are no longer with us. Blessed Be.

Dianne Church (Church)

A very Merry Christmas to all my classmates of 1962 - may you and your families have blessed and happy holidays.

Mabel (Beth) Bayless

A very Merry Christmas to each and everyone of you. Each time I receive a message on our web site, I am thankful for those who had the insight to set it up and keep it running. I can't count the number of times I have been in conversation with friends who have recently celebrated their 50th or are going to do so soon and none of them have such a wonderful tool for keeping in touch. It is a blessing.

Anita Smither (Love)

May all of you have a very blessed Christmas and New Year.

I am getttng ready to start my 30 plus years as  tax preparer.  

My husband and I just celebrated our 49th wedding anniversary. 

I  hope to retire in 5 years. 

Dianne Church (Church)

Is there going to be a mini-reunion in 2015 or 2017?  I have heard rumors to that effect, but received nothing in the form of an announcement.  If anyone knows anything about this, could you let us all know?  Thanks!

Dianne Pfefferkorn (Hobbs)

I, too, would like to know if a mini reunion is planned and/or when our next reunion is planned!

Melinda Lou Lee (Trevorrow)

A mini-reunion is a wonderful idea and I would be willing to assist in any way. The 2012 reunion was a wonderful event and so very well planned and executed.  I vote yes and volunteer to help. 

Melinda

Rosa Lee Ashburn (Scarborough)

It truly is a great idea to try and have something.  Our 50th was so much fun and it seems time is just flying so fast.  I know it takes a lot of planning so simply might be the way to go.  The most important thing is just seeing each other again while we can still travel and remeber each other's names.  Ha Ha  Hope it can be done.  Rosie

Phyllis Anne Stallings (Collins)

Today was my first time reading the message forum.  Thanks to all who took time to write notes.  The link to the digital version of our yearbook is greatly appreciated.  I hope a mini reunion can be arranged.  Bes wishes to all.  Stay warm.  Phyllis

Vilia Wood (Marshall)

I would love to attend a mini reunion. I lost my husband unexpectedly last Sept. A harsh reminder of our ages. I has been great to get in touch with friends on this site. I hope everyone has a great new year. Stay well and happy!

Bonnie Forrest (Boles)

I hope we can all get together again, sooner than later.  A few of us have become single since our 50tth reunion.  That will be happening more. It would be nice to visit while we can. Life really is short for some. It could be simple and more of us could help. Just saying ??

Nancy Crews (Ash)

Yes, we should definitely have a mini-reunion!  It may be hard to get out in 2022 when we are nearing 80 yrs. old.  I will come all the way from Shreveport, La this time.  It doesn't have to be anything fancy and a lot of trouble, just a get-together!

Dianne Church (Church)

It would be nice to have an afternoon luncheon or dinner in a quiet place where we could move around and talk to one another and spend the afternoon together.  At our last reunion, the music was so loud many of us had to go outside to talk. I noticed, too, that the loud music bothered many people who had hearing aids.  So all we need is a  place to meet - no music, no entertainment, just our fun selves!  I so hope we can do it.  Our last  reunion was such fun and we really appreciate all the work that went into it.  Thank you again, Reunion Committee!

Harriet Nanzetta (Clark)

Perfect ideas for our next gathering, Dianne! Quiet , relaxing and spacious for easy mingling! Yes, yes, yes! 

Danny T. Ferguson

Terryll J. Brewer (Gilliam)

Since so many of our class members have done extensive travelling over the years, I thought this might be a good place to start with finding a home for part of my inheritance from my parents. They were avid collectors of rare seashells, some of which are quite valuable and only found in private collections. There are nearly 2,000 shells of all sizes, from all parts of the world. If anyone knows of a place (university, library, museum, etc.) which would accept the collection as a donation, please let me know. All except the very large shells are in glass-front cases, with tags stating the common name, as well as the Latin name, in front of each shell. I also have a written inventory and a computer disc inventory of the collection. They would need to meet me where they are stored and pack them for transport. Thank you for any help. - Terryll Brewer Gilliam

Jayne K. Keith (Appleyard)

Have you contacted SciWorks here in Winston?

Marilyn Elsie Miller (Morris)

What a great thing you are doing!  You might try contacting Ocean Conservancy and see if they know who could benefit from a collection like this.

Marilyn Elsie Miller (Morris)

Terry, I'm giving more thought to your question about the shell donation.  I see that UNC-Wilmington offers programs in Marine Biology and Biological Oceanography.  I would think your collection would be quite valuable to them, and worth the shipping effort. Let us now how this turns out. 

Hugh V. Overcash

Terry,

  I have been living at Ocean Isle Beach for the past 11 years.We have a wonderful museum ( MUSEUM OF COASTAL CAROLINA) on Ocean Isle Beach. I think they may be interested in your donation of shells. The contact person for the museum is the director, TERRI BRYANT... phone # 910-579-1016.

   The president of the NC Shell ASC. is Gail Hughes . Phone # is 910-575-3327. I know that she is interested as well.

Hope this information is of some use to you

                                    Hugh overcash 

Helen Dempsey (Ramsey)

I'm fortunate to live on Sanibel Island, Florida. Recognized as the top shelling destination in the country, visitors around the world journey here to collect and admire our shells. With such an abundance of shells, the local moniker describes the famous shell collecting as the "Sanibel Stoop! "

The renown Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum was established here in 1995. This museum is devoted to all aspects of seashells, conchology and malachology, including the study of paleontological aspects of seashells.     

This museum is accredited by the American Museum Association, with a primary mission of educating children through touch tanks, beach walks and many other enrichment programs. One particular program of interest focuses on underprivileged, inner-city students; many of whom live within 10 miles of the Gulf waters, yet have never seen or felt the warm waters of the Gulf of Mexico, much less a seashell. The museum staff includes several well-known experts in the field. The museum is a a 501(c)3 non-profit organization, dependant on grants and donations.                                                                                                                                                      

They would treasure your donation, and I believe this is an organization you'd be very proud to support. I'm quite certain you'd love this beautiful island and our wonderful Shell Museum.    

I am including their contact information. I hope you will consider this organization for your generous donation!                                                                          

Bailey-Matthews National Shell Museum                                                                                                              3075 Sanibel-Captiva Road                                                                                                                                 Sanibel, Florida  33957     239-395-2233     888-679-6450

Helen Dempsey Ramsey    Proud Clasmate of RJR, 1962