Doug traveled with his lovely wife Jaye, their granddaughter Tia and her husband James Rogers.

The first photo was taken at the west rim of the canyon. Also at the west rim is the Grand Canyon Skywalk which is a glass bridge that protrudes over the wall of the canyon. With much apprehension we walked out and looked thru the glass floor at the canyon floor about 4,000 feet below. (I've heard much about this and not sure if I would want to venture out on the bridge).

The second photo was taken inside the Venetian Hotel in Vegas. Notice in the background the Gondola with passenger being guided thru the hotel. The Gondoliers also sing as they maneuver the Gondola and sing really well. They were at the Venetian to attend an evening performance of "the Phantom of the Opera" which is always a great musical.

This is a picture of our "attack cat" that guarded our house while we were gone.

From left, Jerry Vaughn and his friend, Aleksander Blaszczyk from Poland.

Happy Anniversary

Anita Quinn Wright and Jim Wright atop the Space Needle in Seattle, Washington.

Battery Chatfield on Morris Island.

Andy and his Delorean.

Doug and Jaye we know that you are proud of your son Andy. Thanks for sharing!

Henry Snyder during a recent trip to Raleigh, NC.

Congratulations, Henry, for combining your love with a volunteer program that brings you much joy!

Seated, first row (left to right): Bob Rayburn & Brett Rayburn. Second row (Left to right): Their wives, Kelly Rayburn & Cindy Rayburn. Back row (left to right): Austin Rayburn, Jack Rayburn, Me, Walker Rayburn and Matt Rayburn. (The brothers are Austin and Matt; Jack and Walker). Note: Nita also has a daughter her two sons that were not able to be at this gathering.

"Dear Friends and Family,

2011 marks fifteen years since my father-in-law, H.L. Rayburn, lost his battle with cancer. In his memory and to support the efforts of the Leukemia & Lymphoma Society, I have joined the Team in Training program ad will run my first marathon at Walt Disney World on January 8, 2012.

Over the next four months I will be pounding the pavement, running and rasing funds to find a cure for this disease that claims nearly 1,200 victims a week. It is estimated that leukemia and its related cancers will strike over 100,000 Americans this year. The cause of leukemia remains unknown. However, the effectiveness of recent developed treatment methods and steady advances in research bring us closer every day to finding the cause and probable cure of leukemia and related cancers.

Although H.L. did not have a blood cancer, I believe that advances with any type of cancer will surely be beneficial to all those battling cancer. My goals are to raise $3,800 for the Leukemia and Lymphoma Society and to finish the marathon...without injuty. 75% of every dollar I raise will directly support research for a cure and provide fanancial assistance to families in our country struggling with the financial burden of treatment.

I have made a commitment to run this marathon and bring us 26.2 miles to providing hope, support and pease to individuals battling blood cancer. I am hopeful you will support me in the fight against blood cancer.......

Thanks so much for your support.

Sincerely,

Cindy"

Yes, Nita can be very proud of her family and looking on from the outside, she has done a wonderful job of raising her family!

His first book, "Hiwassee: A Novel of the Civil War", appeared in 1996. His second, "Freedom’s Altar", won the Sir Walter Raleigh Award as the best fiction of 1999 written by a North Carolina author. "The Cock’s Spur", his third title, received an Independent Publisher Book Award as one of the Ten Outstanding Books of 2001 and Price was named Story Teller of the Year; it also won the Historical Fiction Award of the North Carolina Society of Historians. The last in the series, "Where the Water-Dogs Laughed", was released in 2003. It also garnered the Society of Historians’ award, was a nominee for a second Sir Walter Raleigh Award and was a first finalist for the Independent Publisher Book Award for historical fiction that year. David Dennis notes that, although Charles only spent his last year at CHS, he wrote in my wife’s 1957 annual that this was the best year of his life to that point and he wished that he had been at Central for all three years. Perhaps one of those highlights was the fact that in "Oklahoma:, he got to kiss Ado Annie (Sandra Markham – who became my wife) a number of times in rehearsals and the final performance. His kiss was so exuberant in the dress rehearsal that he almost caused the two of them to fall into the orchestra pit!

Like the rest of us, you probably won’t recognize Charles from his current photo (see above), but if you see him at a book signing around North Carolina, you’ll find him very easy to talk with. If you want to know more about him, go to his web site by clicking HERE.

There is more beauty to this clown than her face



Lu Lu Pickles the Clown. Also know as Lundee Williams Amos

This is one lady that doesn't know its time for retirement

Lundee graduated from Eden Energy Medicine in February 2011 after studying for two years. In April she became a certified practitioner after a two hour exam, one on one with an instructor. She presently is taking the third year of training.

In 1994 she began studying Healing Touch and has been certified since 1997. She volunteers offering Healing Touch/Eden Energy Medicine to residents at Arbor Acres, a United Methodist Home in Winston-Salem, NC with Doug Suggs, a United Methodist Minister, who is their Chaplain.

In addition, she volunteers at a Healing Touch Clinic at West Markt Street United Methodist Church in Greensboro. She visits hospitals, nursing homes, and private homes in addition to a private practice in her home. Also, she volunteers healing touch/eden energy medicine sessions at health fairs, employee appreciation days, and recently at the IANDS conference (studies near death experiences) in Durham.

In August she attended the Healing Touch Worldwide Conference, Bridging Science and Spirit : Celebrate Healing, in San Antonio, TX. She took a special class on Utilizing Auricular Acupressure after the conference. She teaches classes at Guilford Technical Community College three times a year on Healing Touch and Eden Energy Medicine.

She offers Laughter Programs after being trained with worldlaughtertour.com to seniors, business clubs, churches, autistic children, stroke victims, dysphonic people, garden clubs, etc. Dr. Kataria, from India at the American Therapeutic Humor, developed Laughter Yoga which is the origin of how Lundee was trained in Laughter by Steve Wilson from Columbus, Ohio. She became a Certified Laughter Leader before she retired from Guilford Technical Community College.

She went to clown camp three years ago and volunteers with the 5th grade clownettes at Florence Elementary School in High Point, NC. She always visits sick people after the clownette programs because she looks so cute.

She will be hosting a lady from Peru for a week along with other families hosting the other 11 ambasadors through Friendship Force International. Sounds like she isn't retired. Her hobbies are contra dancing, kayaking, water aerobics, hiking, walking, yoga, and zumba.

Lundee tells me that she loves Contra dancing. I am still scratching my head trying to figure out when she has time for dancing.

Lundee lives in Greensboro and has three grandsons which she adores. They are ages 9, 11, and 13, live in Hickory and are GROWING UP FAST!

WOW!! is all I can say. Lundee, keep on staying young. A very blessed classmate who in turn is blessing people all over the world!

After a workshop in California on the rhythm's for her sister's friends.

Then on November 17, she will teach "Healing Touch: Promoting Health, Harmony & Balance". Learn about and experience Healing Touch (HT) which is described as a Biofield Therapy by the National Institute of Health which brings comfort, diminishes pain, eases stress, helps to rid body of toxins, instills serenity, and promotes the body's natural healing ability.

You can learn more about these classes at the Guilford Technical Community College web site (www.gtcc/continuing-education-(com-ed).aspx.

Lundee, also know as Lu Lu Pickle,s bringing smiles to the River Landing Senior Center

Bob tells me that When they were going into one of the clubs, a fellow looked at him and Yvonne and then he said, "I see you brought your daughter with you". All during the next night he could hear Yvonne laughing when she was supposed to be asleep in bed. She has gotten many miles out of this story.

Front row: Electra (our daughter-in-law), Hoover, Barbara, Jodi (our daughter), back row: son, Jeff, grandsons: Daniel & Tommy Harelson, Brad & Brian Ruhaak.

A wonderful story from a friend and and dear classmate, Liz Lazarides White.

Liz wrote a wonderful Greek cooking book ('Opa') and I recently asked her about her achievement and the following is what I was able to gather.

How OPA Cookbook happened to be:

My parents, Thomas and Eleni Lazarides were both born in Greece. They came to the States in the mid 20's, had a small cafe in New Jersey. After I was born,we moved to Charlotte and they opened a restaurant on West Trade Street. "The Charlotte Waffle Shop". I remember loving being in the kitchen watching my Dad cook. He was equally talented in preparing food and as a pastry chef. My Mother was just as talented in her kitchen except we enjoyed her Greek cooking, that she did so well.

I always wanted to learn how to cook. My parents never wanted to take the time to teach me. I remember asking Dad to teach me and his reply was "These are my recipes, I made them up and when I'm gone, they go with me. You'll have to make up your own someday"!

I grew up, married, had 5 children and had to teach myself how to cook for my family. I fell in love with cooking and my children, David, Melanie, Anna, Todd and Chris loved to taste! It's amazing how your memory and senses stay with you as I remembered what my parents prepared, how it all tasted. I never forgot what their food looked like and I could still remember the aroma of flavors and seasonings they used. The sense of smell never left me.

My children kept after me over the years to write recipes down for them since they were all in my head. My son Todd and his wife, Cami are both in marketing and advertising so they really pushed me to write a cookbook just for the family to have copies. After I put it all together, wrote some family history and about 150 recipes, I turned it over to Cami to design. The next thing I knew, instead of just becoming copies for the family to have. they insisted we do photography, self publish it and see what would happen. Naming the book was the biggest obstacle as we all had ideas of what the title should be. Until my little 4 year old grandson, Jacob, was running around one evening while we were all out having dinner, yelling out to the customers "OPA"!! We couldn't shut him up. Todd had taught Jacob a couple of Greek words and Opa was his favorite word of all, we discovered.

Jacob named our cookbook.

I never dreamed we would publish OPA Cookbook in 2007 and people are still interested in having a copy. I've met a lot of people that I never would have met, shipped copies of cookbooks to places that I never knew existed and and traveled to towns and some states that I've never been to. Even have given some food demonstrations and cooking lessons thanks to OPA!

I couldn't have paid for the fun I've had over the past 4 years and I'm still having fun. From it all, I've learned doing something like this, isn't about money, or ego. It's all about doing what you love doing, taking a chance because of someone encouraging you to do something you've never done before. To see the finished product and share with others what you've learned while taking a journey with life! The most valuable lesson learned? Never say "No I can't" and always remember you can do anything at whatever age you happen to be.

It's been priceless! I think my parents would have been pleased that I watched their every move in their kitchens when I was small and never forgot and was able to almost prepare their recipes like they did and also made up my own recipes along the way.

Thanks, Liz, for sharing this wonderful story!

As a footnote, you may be interested in knowing that the greek word 'Opa' Is a word of "Cheers", "Hooray", "hell yeah" and "yeehaw" too!!

Derek, at age of 40, began medical school at UofA August 1 of 2011. This is his first white coat ceremony.

Derek has been a resident of the state of Arizona for more than 10 years. He received a bachelors degree in English from the University of Virginia and worked in the restaurant business for a number of years. He completed studies in the University of Arizona school of nursing in Tucson AZ and has worked as a critical care RN in the pediatric ICU of the University Medical Center for the last 5 years. August 1, 2011, he began his first year in the University of AZ's College of Medicine school. He is married to Sylvia, a psycho therapist. They have two children: son, Gabriel, 8 and daughter, Emma, 4 in September.

Stacie and Gayle at our 70th Birthday Party

Stacie received a bachelors degree in International Relations & Russian Studies at the University of VA. She has lived and worked in several US states as well as in Germany. She received her Masters in emergency managment and is now living in Indian Trail and working with the Charlotte/Mecklenburg Fire Department in Homeland Security and in cooperation with the Police Department. In addition to her normal duties, she is working hard on plans for the upcoming 2012 Democratic National Convention and plays a large part in educating the public in these areas.

Gayle we know that you are so proud of your children and thank you so much for sharing with us your love!

Our daughter, Jodi, who has been a single mom for 8 years and a breast cancer survivor was married in July to Richard W. Arnold of Canton, Ohio. Our son, Jeff and Electra Harelson live in Dallas, Texas. Our 4 grandsons: Tommy is a senior at the University of Texas, Brian, a sophomore at Ohio State University, Daniel, a freshman at University of Virginia and Bradley is a senior in high school in Copley, Ohio. Life is good!

Lundee Williams Amos three grandsons at the oldest one's birthday. From left to right: Grant Amos (11), a friend, Davis Amos (9), and the birthday boy Cameron Amos (14).

I need you to send me information about you, your children, your grandchildren, your dog and anything else you would like to brag about. Come on people, help me out.

Anyone have any news, interesting stories and items you would like to share with your classmates, please let me know.

PRAYER REQUESTS

Catherine Steagall Peeler - Catherine is having her right knee replaced on Jan. 3. She is really dreading it since she had the left one done last January. Please have a prayer for Catherine's operation and recovery.

Jim Barnett - I received the following email from Jim's wife on 12/30 and I am sure that prayers are needed for both Jim and Pattie:

"An update on Jim. He had to have a pacemaker put in 6 weeks ago. Since then he has been cardioverted 4 times, had 2 heart caths and a stent put in the 2nd time. He has Afib and still is not in rhythm even with the pacemaker. They have him on new meds and they are waiting to see what these meds will do before they shock him again. He is doing much better, but spent most of Dec in & out of the hospital."

Hearing of several of our classmates having problems, I have decided to add a section on our site that will allow you to read and note of those that would desire our prayers. Nothing will be posted without the permission of either the person or family approval. Also, a name without any details may be the only thing noted to keep anyone from any embarrassment. Thus, if you desire to be placed on a prayer list for either health and/or other reasons please let me know. Names will remain on the list for as long as desired but will be removed if additional information has not been forwarded to my attention within a few weeks time.

Other Classmates I am aware of classmates that are having some health problems but prefer not to disclose information for personal reasons. Thus, it would be nice if prayers go out for the health of all of our classmates.

MONTHLY CLASS SOCIAL LUNCH GATHERING

Thanks to Doug House and his wife, Jaye for taking and sending me pictures of those attending the August Luncheon at Jimmie's. All are welcome to the luncheons and no reservations are required.

L to R: Walter Elmore, Gene Davis, Jackie Shaw O'Neill, Susie Kisiah Moore, Clair Thornhill Skinner, Tom Skinner, Patsy Boyte Ratchford, Ricky Ray, Jim Bennett, Bob Beard, Donna Beard.

L to R: Manning Watts, Rita Watts, Henry Snyder, Harry Litaker, Doug House, Walter Elmore, Gene Davis, Susie Kisiah Moore and Jackie Shaw O'Neill.

L to R: Manning Watts, Rita Watts, Henry Snyder, Harry Litaker, Doug House, Walter Elmore, Gene Davis, Susie Kisiah Moore, Jackie Shaw O'Neill, Clair Thornhill Skinner, Tom Skinner, Patsy Boyte Ratchford, Ricky Ray, Jim Bennett. Bob Beard, Donna Beard.

The monthly class luncheons will be held at 12:00 noon on the third Saturday of each month. Come on out and join the fun.

The next Class of '57 Luncheon and Fellowship will be held on Saturday, April 21, 2010, 12:00 noon at Jimmie's Restaurant. Jimmie's is located in downtown Mint Hill, (7024 Brighton Park Drive, Phone: 704-545-7750) South of the intersection of Lawyers Road and Highway 51. Directions from I-85, exit off I-85 onto I-485 and continue to exit 43 (Hwy 51), turn right (Hwy 51 South) and travel approximately 2.5 miles. At Wendy's turn right into shopping center. Turn first left and Jimmie's will be on your left.

No reservations are necessary.

The phone rings and the lady of the house answers, 'Hello.'

'Mrs. Sanders, please.'

'Speaking.'

'Mrs. Sanders, this is Doctor Jones at Saint Agnes Laboratory. When your husband's doctor sent his biopsy to the lab last week, a biopsy from another Mr. Sanders arrived as well. We are now uncertain which one belongs to your husband. Frankly, either way the results are not too good.'

'What do you mean?' Mrs. Sanders asks nervously.

'Well, one of the specimens tested positive for Alzheimer's and the other one tested positive for HIV(aids). We can't tell which is which.'

'That's dreadful! Can you do the test again?' questioned Mrs. Sanders

'Normally we can, but Medicare will only pay for these expensive tests one time.'

'Well, what am I supposed to do now?'

'The folks at Medicare recommend that you drop your husband off somewhere in the middle of town. If he finds his way home, don't sleep with him.

Anyone having items of interest, please send them to me!

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This site has been developed and is maintained by MIckey Connell for his friends from the Charlotte Central High Class of 1957. If you have any stories, photographs, memories, current news, etc. of our classmates, contact Mickey