Mexia Blackcats 1959

Wednesday, September 12, 2007

Les Baxter

Les Baxter: b. March 14, 1922, Mexia Texas; d. January 15, 1996, Newport Beach, CA
"Sometimes I can not get over the fact that my records still make money," joked Les Baxter from his Newport Beach, California home in 1993, "When the band got together for those recordings we hoped it would bring some immediate response and pleasure. We had no idea those songs would be requested in high school gym dances some 50 years later!"

The ever humorous Baxter lead a series of orchestras in the 1950's and '60's, recording a host of million selling instrumentals including, "I Love Paris," "Blue Tango," and "April in Portugal." Baxter conducted other bands that performed with such singers as Nat King Cole, Bob Eberly and Mel Torme.

{Trivia: Les Baxter was not only a member of Torme's back up group, the Mel-Tones, he also was part of the vocal quartet lead by Frank DeVol that recorded the Capital hit, "Love Letters in the Sand."}

In later years he helped popularize a Latin-American style which featured jungle drums. Baxter composed more than 250 scores for radio, TV and movies, his songs include, "Sunshine at Kowloon," "Shooting Star," and "La Sacre du Sauvage."

One of Les Baxter's first jobs on radio was as musical arranger for Bob Hope. When asked about his first job Baxter replied, "Luckily for me, no one can take those memories away. Making music is all I ever wanted to do and some bum wanted to pay me on top of it!"
Above notes by Mr. Dan DelFiorentino

Monday, September 10, 2007

Obit

Most of you will remember the Reverend Buckhanan as part of the MHS maintenance crew and as the driver of the band bus. He put up with a lot from the band students over the years.

Rev. Charles D. Buckhanan WHITESBORO — Rev. Charles D. Buckhanan, 92, passed from this life to be with his Heavenly Father Wednesday, September 5, 2007 at Wilson N. Jones Medical Center in Sherman, Texas.

Charles was born in Cooke County on June 25, 1915. He was preceded in death by his wife of 63 years, Geneva Buckhanan; their eldest son, Travis Buckhanan; his parents, William and Bonnie Buckhanan; one brother, Jack Buckhanan; and one sister, Ruby Holt.

He is survived by one son, Bill Buckhanan and his wife, Linda of Cripple Creek, Colorado; his daughters, Bonnie Henry Finch and her husband, George of Austin, Texas and Charlene Blevins of Whitesboro. Also surviving are one brother. Thomas Buckhanan and his wife, Wilma; one sister, Ruth Buckhanan of Whitesboro; and one niece, Connie Buckhanan.

His grandchildren are Travis Buckhanan Jr., Beverly Lee, William Dale Buckhanan, William Gregg Buckhanan, Cindy Hughes, Trey Henry, Danny Finch, Genie Finch, Geoffrey Blevins and Jeremy Blevins; three stepgrandchildren, several stepgreat-grandchildren, seven great-grandchildren and two great-great-grandchildren, along with several nieces and nephews.

Rev Buckhanan, a native of Whitesboro, was an ordained elder in the Church of the Nazarene, on the Dallas District, and throughout the state of Texas for 56 years. He served as an active pastor for 33 years of his life.

In 1971, he retired to become head of maintenance and a school bus driver for 13 years in Whitesboro ISD. He was better known as “Buck.” His hobbies included gardening flowers and vegetables, raising rabbits and participating in the Peanut Festival. He had a wood shop, and also repaired and sold bicycles. He was a member of the Sherman Church of the Nazarene.

Homecoming, September 28-29

Several class reunions beginning to take shape

At least three, and possibly four, class reunions are in the works for Mexia High graduates later this month during Homecoming, Sept. 28-29. As time progresses, the paper will repeat these class reunion dates/plans, but right now, here are the ones we have: The Class of 1982 is going full steam ahead in plans for its 25th-year reunion. Friday, Sept. 28, following the football game there will be an informal gathering/mixer at the Cowboy Western Club. On Saturday, Sept. 29, from 3 until 5 p.m., there will be an informal class gathering at the Mexia Police Department meeting room (formerly SESCO to some older “grads” - families of class members are welcome to this gathering. Shawna Little Sterling, a spokesperson for that class, says, “We will be collecting dues of $10 per class member, for expenses (reunion activities, memorials, etc.).” For additional information, you may e-mail to mhs classof1982@yahoo.com or telephone Shawna Little Sterling at (254) 562-6258, or phone Leana Boyd Dabney at (254) 562-5071. —- The Class of 1956 now has a display case in the Mexia Public Schools Museum and is looking for donations of memorabilia to place into the case, reminds class member Charles Sadler. That class will have some sort of get-together, with plans to be announced nearer to Homecoming. Sadler reminds that items for the museum class display case may be delivered to the museum on Saturdays between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m. Please leave the name of the contributor, with the item. “Hopefully, the case will house items in time for Homecoming 2007,” Sadler adds. —- The Class of 1947 encourages all class members to meet on Saturday, Sept. 29, at the Farmhouse Restaurant at 11 a.m. for its 60th-year reunion class picture. Paul Russell will meet you there, and says, “We want you in the picture.” —- The Class of 1951 is also “hanging in there” with yearly reunions during Homecoming. More about this class as time approaches for events, but the main thing is those class members will have a get-together at Fort Parker State Park. Pat Prince, Marilyn Keeling Ford, Mary Ann Butler and “the gang” have apprised class members and the newspaper about some plans. The class is planning to gather Friday, Sept. 28, at the Fort Parker Lake Pavilion. A barbecue from Kirby’s is in the works, and during the meal, there will be a time for visiting. The class has the pavilion rented until 10 p.m., so you class members may stay that late, or attend the Homecoming football game at 7:30. A donation of $20 per person is asked, to cover the costs of pavilion rental and the barbecue.

Saturday, September 08, 2007

House of DeLong

This B&B is at 300 North Ross. Would that be the corner of Ross and Palestine? At any rate, there's a description and lots of nice photos here.

Friday, September 07, 2007

Whippersnappers

News about the Robinson Family

The Courier: Commitment to patriotism runs deep in many area residents, but for one local family, the tradition begins with infants younger than 3 months old.

Military service is a tradition in the family of Elizabeth and Wilson Robinson, of Conroe.

To honor their grandchildren now serving in the U.S. Army and Navy, the couple commissioned a patriotic photo of Riley Forman, their first great-grandson born June 13.

"All of the kids in the service were very pleased with the photo," Elizabeth said. "Our grandson, Philip DuBose, insisted on taking copies of it back to Camp Anaconda in Iraq."

The image, shot by central Texas family photographer Chris Orchenski, shows the 2-month-old Riley sleeping comfortably in an American flag.

"It was a real privilege to be involved in creating the patriotic image for the family," Orchenski said. "I think there is a strong message there." Elizabeth agreed.

"It has great symbolism for our family and perhaps other families," she said. "We can enjoy a peaceful life because of the sacrifices made by those in the military." The Robinsons' grandchildren currently serving in the military include First Sgt. Noah Edney, U.S. Army, serving in Baghdad; SPC Philip DuBose, U.S. Army, serving at Camp Anaconda in Iraq; Elisa DuBose, MM3, U.S. Navy, serving aboard the U.S.S. Kitty Hawk aircraft carrier; and Phillip Damuth FT3 (SS), serving in the submarine service out of Seattle, Wash.

Serving in the military is a tradition being handed down through the family, according to Wilson.

"My husband served in both the U.S. Army Reserve and National Guard," she said. "We've always encouraged a commitment to God and country."

For information on photographer Chris Orchenski, or the image she created, visit her Web site at www.amemorycatcher.com.

Wednesday, September 05, 2007

Kickapoo

Wasn't Martha Roark from Kickapoo?

Mexia Daily News - Sign Of The Times: Boob And Bethel: "A.N. (Boob) Little, 86-year-old longtime Mexiaite and businessman, stands by the old Bethel School sign, denoting location of the grammar school in olden days. Boob attended school at Bethel, and serves as a reminder of the current ongoing project to get locations of old schools. It's a historical preservation thing, a project undertaken by Leonard Mills, John Rasco and Arlan Hudson. A bit disconcerting to this group is the fact that a couple of the signs have been stolen. That's terrible, since these World War II veterans have worked so hard in attempting to preserve our county's history. There is a $100 reward up for the thieves. So far, only two signs are missing. If you have any information relating to this low-down crime, please call Leonard Mills at 729-5256. Little remembers this site of a school known as Kickapoo, which is an Indian name and could have been a nickname for Bethel School. Others recall the school as 'Old Bethel.' Including black and white schools, there are more than 100 sites to be located in Limestone. 'Since all of the school buildings have long since been torn down and materials removed, exact locations are difficult to locate,' says Leonard Mills. "