| '59ers in Galveston: 24-26 October 2014 It was a blast! |
| Friday Evening Welcome Gathering - photos Saturday Evening Dinner - photos |
 Background: The October 2012 weekend in Fredericksburg was so enjoyed by all that suggestions were made to plan something similar in 2014. After talking it over with some classmates, Galveston was selected because of its proximity to Houston and the many activities available. Through Rollo Storey we obtained a very favorable rate at the San Luis Resort on Seawall Blvd, one of the top hotels on the island. Some classmates stayed both Friday and Saturday nights; some stayed Saturday night only; others drove down for the day. The weather was perfect, the dress was casual, and the smiles never stopped. Who was there? Classmates in attendance: Betsy Johnson Anderson, Kay Ann Johnson Bednarski, Ron Brieger, Mike Blackledge, Maria Burke Butler, Nancy DeLorenzo, Susan Ellis Cooper, Sukey Fenoglio, Tish Compton Hale (Kinkaid HS '59), Tommy Henderson, Larry Hitt, Connie Guthrie Hogland, Jim Jennings, Barbara Hoffman Johnson, Joe Keathley, Rick McDowell, Wendell Mendell, Pat Shannon Needleman, Margaret Hoover Perkins, Barbara Pickard, Sharon Anderson Rose, Bob Sternenberg, Karen Ashmore Taussig and Carol Childress Turner. Note: After all his planning efforts on behalf of the Class, Rollo Storey was unable to get his visa out of Mexico to attend! Rats! |
| Friday, 10/24 – At
about 6 pm – a welcoming cocktail reception was held around the pool with an
assortment of finger food and a cash bar. The picture (shown above) was
taken from the balcony when Maria, Rollo and Larry Hitt made a scouting trip to
Galveston in early summer 2014. The hotel reserved an area for
our group where you see the lounge chairs in the photo. To view a few photos from the event, click here. |
| Saturday, 10/25 – |
 On
Saturday, classmates were on their own to enjoy the many sights and
activities in and around Galveston Island. Having traveled from
the high desert area of New Mexico, Bonnie and Mike Blackledge decided
to partake in the (free! courtesy
of Texas DOT!) ferry to Bolivar Island, as suggested by Barbara Pickard.
They enjoyed lunch there at the Shivaree Restaurant (also recommended
by Barbara) and Mike felt compelled to take a photo of the iconic Bolivar Island tree.  |
| Saturday evening Class Dinner
This residence in Galveston is behind the seawall on 35th street, and has withstood several hurricanes since 1916. Isbell, minister of the 100-member Broadway church in Galveston, is a practicing trial attorney who has preached without accepting a paycheck from the Broadway church since 1977. The Broadway church’s ministries are essential to the island, Isbell contends. Working with the poor and the prisoners gives them a sense of purpose in a coastal area that is seen by outsiders not as a home so much as a vacation destination. Click here for collection of classmate dinner photos at Attorney Allen (and wife Mikey) Isbell's historic home. Here is the caterer’s menu we enjoyed Saturday night: ˇ Foreign and domestic cheeses with fresh and dried fruits and crackers ˇ Cold, peeled Gulf shrimp with two sauces ˇ Crab fingers with two sauces ˇ Salad of mixed greens with pears, fontina cheese and a basil vinaigrette dressing ˇ Lemon chicken breasts...boneless, skinless chicken breasts, lightly breaded, and baked with a light lemon butter sauce/sliced ˇ Scalloped potatoes ˇ Seafood casseroles...shrimp/crab/rice/ ˇ Dinner rolls/butter ˇ Wine, beer, tea, lemon ginger mint cooler nonalcoholic punch |
Sunday, 10/26 – we were on our own for breakfast. Several of us ended up at the Sunflower Café. |
| The McDowells, Hendersons, Blackledges, Hitts gather at the Sunflower Café |
| Other restaurants suggested by Barbara Pickard and enjoyed by our classmates: "Top Water Grill" in San Leon, it's the best, "Floyd's on the water" on Pelican Island just off Hwy.6 in Hitchcock, "Steve's Landing" in Bolivar (which involves getting on the Ferry), "Top of Moody Garden" which is formal dining, "Sunflower" on 14th street, lunches & dinner "Mosquitos" on 14th street, good lunches "The Spot" on the seawall, good hamburger, etc. "The Olympia Grill" by Fisherman's Warf in back of the Strand Ave. "San L. Steak House" in our San Luis Hotel |
A special dinner was catered at the 1916 home of Attorney Allen C. Isbell, 1715 35th St, as hosted by his wife Mikey.