| 20 | Summer | 04 |
|---|---|---|
| Linda White Box 311 Cheyenne, OK 73628 | News from Monta
| Virginia's Family
| Richard's Family
Garland's Family | Ed's Family | Dale's Family Bill & Mary | Elmeda's Family | Announcements |
Joe Elder 813 SW 63 Oklahoma City, OK 73139 |
| Volume 14 | of the family, by the family, for the family | Issue 1 |
| The cost is $2.00 per year (mailed). If you have an e-mail address, Joe can send you a newsletter via e-mail for free. So send him your e-mail address and save money. The news needs to come to Joe or me, Linda White. If you have any suggestions let us know. We will publish the newsletter four times a year. The deadline for your news to reach either Joe or me will be the 1st day of each new season i.e. June 21, September 22, December 21, March 21. The newsletter should be out a week later, give or take a day or so. We won’t send out reminders, so be sure to mark your calendars now. If we don’t have to send out reminders, we can keep the prices lower. Linda White, Editor | ||
News from MontaIt was so great to see so many at the Cousins reunion. I am truly blessed with such a wonderful family. One day is just not enough time to really visit with everyone, but is certainly better than none. I am sorry my back gave out and I had to go lay down in the van for a while. I had just had an injection (a nerve block) on Saturday prior to the reunion and will go back on June 25 for another. There for a while on Sunday, it felt as of someone was stabbing me in my back. After a few days, it was apparent that it had done a lot for the pain on the right side of my back, so hopefully the next one will do as much for the left side. I was sorry Dale and Frances had to go home so quickly. Why, he hardly got started on his “brother-do” list. He was here long enough to take me to Home Depot and pick out all this “stuff” I needed to get the job done. Teach me not to leave my checkbook at home!!!!!! But, drat it, I accidentally “found” it, right where it was hiding in my purse. I found another box of fittings that Bob had with hose to pipe fittings in it. Maybe I can figure it all out since he had to leave. We had a nice visit with Karen and Neil when they came by after a visit with her grandmother in Borger. Grandmother Dixon-Roby is a wonderfully Christian lady and is suffering in the final stages of cancer. Neil is such a neat young man and a very good speaker. Karen deserves to be proud to call him son. My garden is doing well, what there is left of it. I didn’t plant much and can water it by turning on two hoses. Dale, Nancy and Randal moved a storage barn for me. It is now setting where I wanted it in the first place and it looks so much better. I appreciate the can-doers in my family. Nothing has happened around here to brag about so I will consider my summer news letter written. Love, Virginia’s FamilyNews from Idaho I returned home from a wonderful week in Oklahoma and Texas on June 11. Thanks a lot to everyone for bed, board and transportation while I was there. I had a good time and was so glad to see so many relatives. A special thanks to Bill and Mary for hosting the Cousins Reunion and all the hard work they do to keep this family together. Barbara and Dennis are doing well. Dennis is bidding on some jobs with the BLM. They volunteered every Monday morning at T.J.'s kindergarten class for the whole year! Now they are busy with yard projects. Over the last few years they have upgraded their house to A-1 condition doing most of the work themselves. Roger has finished his 3 year job as grievance chairman for his union and is now on special assignment reaching out to the membership to help create a stronger union and will finish that by mid-August. After that I hope he finds time for himself. He is also flying some international trips. He moved into his new town home in April. Shannon, Kenneth and little kids are OK. Busy with working and taking care of their little family. T. J. graduated from kindergarten in May and Jordyn was 3 on May 18. They are sweet, beautiful children. I finished both online computer lessons with a 94% on both finals. Also finished the 34 week Bible study course at church. I spent 2 weeks with Roger in April helping him move and really enjoyed just being with him for that length of time. Love to all. Richard’s FamilyNo submissions Garland's FamilyAmarillo To those of you who didn't make it this year, you were missed at the ‘04 Cousins Reunion which was held at Fair Park in Childress, Texas. There were at least 60 people there; I suspect some folk didn’t sign in. Bill gave us a little history lesson with that photograph he brings in each time. Fred's granddad, his granddad, Mac’s granddad and my granddad are all brothers but I guess you already knew that. I’m a little behind age wise but none-the-less just as much interested in the likes of the history of our kin. The food was delicious and there was plenty of it. A variety of meats, vegetables, fruits, salads and desserts were presented buffet style and with entertainment. The auction was quite a show. Many items had been donated to help defray the expense of renting the building and bringing in the grub. My sister Carol just couldn't pass up the opportunity of getting paid five dollars to take that table. And Bruce had a ball competing with everyone in the auctioning of several items including Fred's book, the unseen book as the Auctioneer put it. The bidding on this mysterious book started at twenty and I jumped right on it. After that, well, funds had been a little short as I was unemployed for eight months so I retreated. Was it Geneva Sue Watts Lowrie the cousin that was bidding against Bruce? I can remember the stern look she gave him each time he would up the bid! The auctioneer would announce "Going once! Going ..." but before she could say twice, Bruce would up the ante. And it was just the two of them going back and forth determined to get that book! My branch of the family showed up in force. All of my Dad’s brothers and sisters were there along with quite a few of their children, grandchildren and even great grandchildren. I was trying to explain to Karen how she is related to Lester Watts who she says showed up at our granddad’s farm periodically. I guess we could have asked Lester if he knew as he was there at the reunion. Having found the right one, there are three in the index of Fred's book, born in Wellington and living in Stinnett, 2449. Lester Ray Watts descended Leo6, John5, Richard4 making him a second cousin to Karen or a great nephew to our granddad. I then referred her to the "Watts News" index I have on the web where there is a link to a Relationship Chart. I have had to do some moving around with this site as well as the free sites tend to dry up and blow away. If you missed it in a previous issue of Watts News, the new address (it's been there for nearly three years now) is: Until the next reunion, let's keep in touch! The newsletter is a great way to do just that when we get so busy to call or write individually. Roy ps The Reunion photo's link on the Watts News index will soon be updated for all those pictures I took at this years reunion. Oh, and I am now employed with Keys & Shehan Engineering in Amarillo! Lubbock This was my first Watts Family Reunion. In fact, it was my first family reunion. I tell you this because, since three or four family gatherings at holidays in the fifties and sixties, I have not experienced “family” and I found I missed it. You have something very special that many families in this country have lost. I don’t care what you blame it on, we’ve lost the meaning of family in this country and I found it again with Carol and the Watts Family Reunion. I don’t mean the Watts Family is “Leave It to Beaver” and “Father Knows Best” re-visited. Where you find people, you find friction, and I’m sure there was some and it will continue. But you came together by tradition and, whatever else is happening in your lives, you stop to visit and recognize each other, pay respects to your elders, and encourage each other JUST BECAUSE YOU’RE FAMILY. I think when God told us to “Honor thy Father and thy Mother”, He knew that if we adhere to that commandment, we would never disrespect or harm our family members because it can’t be done without dishonoring our Father and Mother. So I thank you for letting me join your Watts Family Reunion. (Yes, Carol helped too, but she didn’t get to stop my typing.) Stephen B. Reddish Steve and I married on March 29, 2004 in Lubbock at the Lubbock Primitive Baptist Church. Laura graduated nursing school. Jennifer and Jamie are residing in Ardmore. Jaxon is growing so fast and cutting teeth. He has taken his first steps and I got to see him walk the full length of the living room with him laughing and squealing as if to say, “I figured this out!” Oh what fun my grandsons are. Venessa and JL are beating the gas prices by parking their fifth wheel trailer by their store in Sulphur. Venessa did not say how often they went back to Duncan. Their store came in second in sales in OK. Carol Ed’s FamilyHello, all! We have a few changes for us at the moment. I was fortunate to have the opportunity to teach where I live. . .Fairview! We are all excited. I will have only two preps, freshman and sophomore English. I also was pleasantly shocked when I was chosen as our NW OK Area Master Teacher candidate for English. It isn't a high paying position, but it is an opportunity that I am excited about. Connor will be in the third grade next year and is growing fast. He is keeping busy this summer with a Rec and Read program at school, VBS, and practicing tennis with his dad. This past year Herb ran his first half marathon. He first started training because he hit the 35 age mark last year, but now he decides it makes him feel better. We have a new addition to our family. Maddie is a beautiful yellow lab puppy, and she thinks (and Herb does too) that she's a duck dog. She loves the water and will work very hard. Skip, our other dog, is currently in Mississippi getting training. Herb has decided that he's going into the dog business, so we will see how that turns out. It will be a while before puppies come about due to Maddie only being a baby at the moment. Bye for now! Dear family, Lindy said she was writing some for the newsletter about the reunion and everyone else she can contact, so thought I would fill yens in on what has been happening with us. In case you haven't heard yet, Randal and I are going to GRANDPARENTS!!!! Heather and Ray are expecting in December, and we are super excited! Although her workload has been heavy, and the Hugh O'Brian Youth Leadership Conference she was in charge of was stressful (but a roaring success), Heather's health has been good, and we are extremely thankful. There will be another sonogram on July 15th, but the kids haven't decided yet if they want to know what the sex of the baby is. I've sent Heather a few maternity clothes, and she can't believe she'll get big enough to fill out all that fabric! Rhett and Ashley celebrated their 1st anniversary on June 14th, and they will sign the papers on their new home on Monday, the 21st. So, there's gobs of excitement in the metroplex as well. We will probably go down on Thursday to help gather up fabric to make curtains, etc. and try our hands at some faux painting. Rhett will be up past his eyeballs at work the first half of July, so I think they will move before the end of July. Their new address will be: 7977 Meadow Spring Lane We have been busy trying to help with Randal's mother the past few weeks. On the 9th of June, the doctor put her in a pacemaker. That is working well, but some of her meds were working against her instead of for her. The past couple of days have been better, thank the Lord. Randal and I just got our cholesterol tests back. Randal's count was 150, after taking 20mg of Lipitor. Mine was finally down to 163 after adding fish oil capsules to the 10 mg of Lipitor. Randal also got a great 6 month checkup with his heart doctor last week. So, all in all, our thankful hearts are praising the Lord for many, many answered prayers. We hated so badly to miss many of you at the reunion, but we'll send our love to you through this newsletter. Sincerely Dale's FamilyFrom Brandt and Gailia Smith: We wanted to be with you all at the reunion. The longer we area in Asia the more valuable family becomes. This week Nathan, my second son, returns to the USA. He will depart Kunming, China on June 10th and travel to Bangkok, Thailand where he'll have lasik surgery and then onward to the USA on June 15th. After visiting with Brandt's family for a couple of days in Arkansas he'll drive out to Davis, Oklahoma and work at Falls Creek Camp for the summer. He plans to enlist into the Navy and process into the SEALs in the Fall. Whitney is home for the summer. She like boarding school and will be her junior class vice president next year. We are all ready for a vacation. Again this year we'll head to the island of Koh Chang, Eastern-Central Thailand along the Cambodian border. Justyn is working and doing fine in Hot Springs, Arkansas and can hardly wait for Nathan to get home for a visit. If you want to write Nathan occasionally he would appreciate hearing from you. His stateside mailing address is: Nathan B. Smith Blessings -----Editor’s Note: There was a high school graduation announcement attached to their e-mail from Nathan. Regretfully, I am unable to reproduce it here. Joe--- Bill & MaryDear Family, This has been a busy time for us getting ready for the "Cousin's Reunion" which was held yesterday June 6, 2004. We would like to thank everyone for all their help in making this a great reunion. The crafts were beautiful and the auction was fun. The food was prepared this year by a local catering service and we had plenty. We want to thank Krista Duffield (age 10) for helping at the registration desk and Will Baumgardner for drawing the names for the door prizes. Also, Georgia Watts for selecting the door prizes and handling the auction. Everyone was so helpful in cleaning up after the reunion and helping me load my car, which I appreciated very much. The two that came the farthest were Karen Watts Waters from Virginia and Virginia Patterson from Blackfoot, Idaho. Bill & I spent a week in Colorado around the 17th of May as our grand daughter; Audrey Vallelonga graduated from high school with 43 of her classmates at Paonia, Colorado. While we were there we also were able to attend the regional track meet and see our grandson, Justin Vallelonga come in with 2.068 in the 800 meter race which allowed him to go to State in Pueblo, Colorado where he broke his own record with a 2.05, but did not place. It seems some of the older boys beat his time. He will be a Junior this next year. We also visited with some of my brothers and their families who live in Montrose, Colorado, and with Bill's cousin, Rod Beynom from Clifton, Colorado. We are going to work real hard the next three weeks and then take off for Colorado again for my family reunion. I have 8 brothers and sisters and we meet at Silver Jack Reservoir which is between Lake City, Montrose and Gunnison. We spend the weekend with them and then in August we have another reunion just north of Flagstaff, AZ with my mother's family. We also camp out for the weekend with them. Every other year we have these 3 reunions to go to and it makes the summer fun. It was good to see all of you, please call us if you come through Childress. Bill & Mary Watts Elmeda's FamilyDear All, I want to thank those of you that have sent cards and letters to John in Iraq. They are unsure of when they will return. The rumors are always circulating. They were originally scheduled to return in October, and he hasn’t seen anything official that would contradict that. The reunion in Childress was very enjoyable; the auction was spirited and entertaining. This was the first time that I have seen someone get paid to haul off some of the treasures. Those of you that didn’t attend missed out on the cash coming your way. Elmeda’s family was well represented; all of her kids and all but two of her grandkids were present. It was especially nice to visit with Virginia and Karen who both traveled quite a distance to be there. Rachel went through driver’s education and then passed her driver’s test “with honors” she claims. Currently she is attending volleyball camp. She has volunteered to help at vacation bible school and then will attend Camp Fire camp. I am glad that she is driving; otherwise we would feel like a shuttle service. John is still in Fallujah Iraq. His last letter was asking for us to send his baseball glove. That is good news, He was asking for ammo magazines and medical supplies. John called to wish me a happy father’s day, his unit has moved back into Fallujah. We pray that everything will be resolved peacefully. Carol is busy working at the hospital and taking care of our extended family. She was unable to attend the reunion at Childress because it was her weekend to work. When she takes a day off during “her” weekend, she then has to make it up. I am still employed. Recently, I attended some computer classes to keep me current with some new software. Only sixteen more years until I get to retire. Some of Carol’s relatives came to Oklahoma City for a baseball tournament. They stayed with us and it was nice seeing and visiting with them. Announcements
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