Note from your webmaster, emails follow this note:
FYI: Ike was a category 2 but did the damages of a category 4. Ike
was the third worst hurricane to hit the USA. There is reason now
to re-evaluate how they categorize hurricanes. Ike gave that reason.
Vance Jacobs responded with this email. This morning I called Gary
Dorsey and he said Dale has lost everything TWICE now. I have to
tell you folks this made me cry. Big girls do cry. Pat Sabo Oldham
and I went to see the Boogie Kings at their 50th anniversary gig
in 2005 when Dale and Gary played with them. They played with
the Boogie Kings back in the 60s. They are listed at the Museum of
the Gulf Coast. We went to give them support. Being a singer and
a musician myself I know how this loss hurts.
-----Original Message-----
From: vance jacobs
Sent: Friday, November 14, 2008 8:16 AM
I saw Dale Gothia last week and he lost everything at Crystal
Beach n the hurricane. Nothing is left standing where his house
was and his truck is destroyed. He was away taking care of his
mother who had had a stroke and didnt even know the storm was
coming until it was to late to go back and save anything. His
saxaphones, guitars, and valuable art work could have been
easily carried to safety but he was too late and lost it all.
Vance
From your webmaster Carolyn:
With respect to Gary, he said what Rita didn’t take Ike took.
I sent an email out as to what I am doing for Gary on my little
income.
I gave my phone number and cell phone number to Gary for him to
give to Dale’s wife. My son has a truck for sale and will sell
it to someone in Dale’s position for a much lower price than he
is asking for it.
The truck is listed here:
http://easttexas.craigslist.org/cto/919818120.html
Of the post cards I sent to our classmates who live in Bridge
City and Orange these are the ones that were returned:
Valda Davis Simon – Orange, Texas
Linda Wall Cuccia – Orange, Texas
Betty Wooley LeBlanc sent me a Christmas card thanking me for
caring. She said she and Ray have been working on their house
every day but one since Ike hit and hope to have the cleanup
and repairs complete in time for Christmas. Thanks Betty!
Side note: Betty does not do computing.
Several emails have bounced as many usually do because email
addresses get changed or mailboxes get full however these have
never bounced before:
Gene Dammon – returned email - his column is still in the Port
Arthur News so he is still around.
Judy Landry sent me a short note that read:
My home did not get any water.
Judy Deslatte Landry
Donna Jones Houseman changed her email address. Check our email listings.
She did not say anything about any damages.
Our classmates need prayer and some need our help.
Neil Diamond stopped by Oak Island and visited a community meeting
at a Baptist church there. He is donating 100 percent of the money
from the rest of his tour to the cause of rebuilding this community.
Dig this, some gal offered her seat to him without even knowing
who he was. He just sat and listened and then stood up and said he
wanted to help rebuild the community but with his money. Wow! He was
in the Houston area on tour. Yes, the legendary Neil Diamond!
Angel Food Ministries has locations throughout the US. Their link is
in my website on this page: http://moonlightflower.org/FavoriteLinks.html
For $30 you get a lot of food, at least $60 or more worth of food.
You can now get fully prepared senior meals, a Christmas meals package,
fresh fruits and vegetables box, and different meats or meats and cheeses
boxes. The menu has grown and so has the variety. This is a year round
ministry.
You don’t have to use the food for yourself and you don’t have to be
destitute to get the food. You have to order by a certain date and pick
up on a certain date. IF you are on Food Stamps you may your your Food
Stamp card to make your purchase. You can also make purchases and give
the food to those in need. Go to their website to find out how to order.
Otherwise the web address is here:
Amgelfood Ministries
December Menu download in pdf format.
The churches serving our area are:
BEAUMONT
Christ Covenant Church 409-898-7900 x13
Trinity Church of Beaumont 409-838-2545
BRIDGE CITY
St. Marks Lutheran Church ELCA 409-735-4573
ORANGE
McDonald Memorial Baptist Church 409-883-3974
Trinity Lutheran Church 409-883-3916
PORT ARTHUR
Park Central Church of Christ 409-727-6255
First Church of the Nazarene 409-985-9395
VIDOR
New Life Church on the Rock 409-769-0628
Other sources of help are Modest Needs and Wheels of Love. Modest Needs
can provide financial support up to $2000 but you have to apply within
a deadline. Only a few people are helped each month. This organization
is legitimate and they are growing. Their funding comes from donations.
Wheels of Love is just that, wheelchairs and motorized wheelchairs. Their
links on my my Favorite Links page listed above. Scroll the page till you
find those links. That page is full of resourses for help.
I have had people who are not from our class thank me for this page.
Some of those people know or knew people from our class even though
they graduated several years after us.
Carolyn
From: Carolyn
To: My brother
My doctor passed out ice etc. She is going to try to get her sister and go to
Bridge City and take videos. She said her sister knows the right media contacts.
They are missing the story. Bridge City needs the media down here.
Well lots of people have sinus and bronchial infections right now and it’s
understandable. There’s lots of germs unearthed by hurricanes.
(FYI:
My doctor is Kimberly Pitts. Google her name, a world power lifting champion.)
I love you, Ronnie,
Sister
His reply:
From: R Bigler
Sent: Monday, October 13, 2008 12:45 PM
Ike is like Rita Chapter 2. Most of America has no concept of the damage
and suffering inflicted in that region. It will take a long time to recover
totally from the likes of Rita, Gustav and Ike. We are too busy rebuilding Iraq,
who has a $80 billion surplus.
Your Brother
(The list is hurricane Ike page two of this section. Then there is the official
Laura List linked above.)
From: Diane (Capps) Lee
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:53 PM
I live in Austin (well, Buda, actually), and the teeny bit of rain we
got was from rainstorms pushing east from Lubbock. We didn't get
anything from Ike but evacuees - I'm glad we were able to help (I say
"we" in the most general terms; I didn't personally help.)
Ike did affect me personally in that an evangelism class I was supposed
to take at Lon Morris College in Jacksonville was cancelled.
I've tried to check in with relatives outside of Beaumont and in Groves,
but haven't heard how they fared. I did watch a lot of the coverage,
especially whenever they talked about Port Arthur, Beaumont, Gilchrist,
High Island, etc.
Sorry to hear about your boat, Carolyn. I hope others were spared
substantial damage. I have a friend who lives in Galveston, and she came
back home to several feet of water in her home, all of her furniture
ruined, a broken and unfixable ac/heating system, and a freezer that had
baked goods in it that swelled to the point of not being able to open
the freezer door because of the electricity being off.
Rev. Diane (Capps) Lee
From: Michael Gracey
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 2:54 PM
Hi Carolyn,
We had power out in our area of Houston for a few days (almost a week).
A couple of days or so without any power then a couple of days with a
generator. Other than fences down and debris in the yard, we were OK.
In Woodville, we had some trees over the driveways and power out for a
couple of weeks. We have the drives clear now and power back on.
The wireless phones and laptop helped to keep in touch with the world
and other people.
Regards,
Mike G.
From: Betty Harris Dunnam
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 3:08 PM
nO....WE didn't have any damage from Ike. My parents graves are in the
Harris Cemetery backed up to a bayou....but I put them in underground
vaults....so I'm hoping they are where I left them....as I've heard caskets
were found floating in SAbine River. Sandra offered to call and check for
me...but alas...its a private cemetery so there isn't anyone to call. My
grandmother sold the land to the man who sold it to Dupont.....we could have
been rich....she didn't think anyone would want swampy land......I loved going
to that cemetery when I was younger...as there were Confederate graves in the
lower section and I loved reading the tombstones.
We just returned from a cruise to Canada/Nova Scotia.....where we met up
w/Hurricane Kyle.....but our ship stayed on the fringes....but we seem to
find hurricanes....or earth quakes where ever we go.
A friend sent me an interesting email....it opens an end of time library....
don't know why but I clicked on tsunami.....and it told of islands actually
moving and then it quoted Bible scripture talking about the end times when
islands would move.....if u are interested....let me know....and I'll forward
it to u....very interesting.
From: Joan McMonagle Bosman
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:17 PM
We were going to stay home until they started talking about the water
coming over the seawall. I am only about 5 blocks from it here so we
left on Friday morning and went to Palestine, TX. Nice little town and
the LaQuinta let us have the dogs in our room. Really nice new motel.
Stayed there until the following Wednesday and came on home to no lights
but light damage to the house. Some shingles off and of course the wooden
fence went down but other than that we are OK. Thanks for asking!!
From: Rick Chrétien
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 5:36 PM
I live in San Antonio and we didn't even get rain. My sisters in Orange
and Port Arthur did OK but the Port Arthur house was broken into,
ransacked and robbed. The police caught the robbers and the goods were
returned.
rick
From: Fred Broussard
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 6:00 PM
We stayed nearby in Kingwood parked in front of Sandra's sister's
house where there were no large trees. No significant damage was
evident to anyone around us and all of our relatives did fine too.
After the storm was passed, we drove to Buna to enjoy the benefits
of having electricity sufficient for air conditioning in another
sister's house.
We are indeed blessed..again!
Fred
From: Carolove Smith Hegstrom
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 7:29 PM
Hi Carolyn,
I am sorry to hear about your boat. As you probably know, I live in
Seattle, but was glued to the TV for days. I have 3 cousins and an aunt
in Bridge City..all of whom lost everything. My aunt in Groves fared
better as did my cousins and aunt in Houston. You guys on the gulf coast
area have been battered a lot in recent years. Here in Seattle we are
subject to earthquakes, mountain eruptions, and lots of rain. I suppose
every area has it's own demons.
God bless you all,
Carolove Smith Hegstrom
From: Johnny Bersin
Sent: Thursday, October 02, 2008 9:19 PM
Hey carolyn, yes we did fine. no flooding where we are. fence down
and some limbs, but that is all. Hate to hear about your boats.
Thanks for thinking about us. Hope you are doing fine Carolyn.
I always am glad to see emails from you. Keep 'em coming.lol
Johnny Bersin
From: Jane Lakie Bronstad
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 7:55 AM
Good Morning, Carolyn....
Thank you for the update....
I'm so sorry about your boat; however, I'm glad your home was
spared major damage...and, of course, I'm so glad you were not
harmed. I have been wondering how everyone fared. I know that Marie
Weeks Norton lives in Orange and her home was damaged in Rita, so
I wonder how she came out on Ike.
Of course, we are up here in Sherman, so we only got a bit of rain
as a reminder of Ike.
Blessings on your day today....
Jane Lakie Bronstad
From: Elvin DeShazo
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 8:12 AM
We had no damages. We were without water for about one week and
electrical power for 1 1/2 weeks.
Many others were much worse off than we. Good to hear from you.
From: Ed Lindgren (Pastor)
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 9:10 AM
Hi Carolyn,
Sorry to hear about your boat. Yes we survived and got some needed
rain.
Ed
From: Sylvia Ann Hebert
Sent: Friday, October 03, 2008 10:08 AM
Hello ,
I'm Sylvia (TJ 58) . I still live in Port Arthur.
So what happened to me for the past 50 + years before Ike?
I returned to Port Arthur after my divorce , Finished classes at
A&M, Lamar U. ,Auburn U. ,and Stilwell Tec. Worked as a Veterinary
Med.Tec. and later went to work in the Lab at Gulf Oil ( Chevron )
as an EPA water analyzer and product analyzer.
Retired from the refinery to a second career in showing pure bred dogs.
I rode out IKE at home !! Weeee what a ride !!!
I had no damage , my brothers home in Bridge City however did not
make a good house boat , and sank under 4 foot of sea water.
Love to hear from other class of 58 and what they have done.
Sylvia
From: Fred Broussard
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 5:37 PM
I remember living in Bridge City for several years at 4 feet above sea
level and at Crystal Beach for several years at sea level. In each
location, it was common talk that it was not "if" a hurricane ever hit
us; but "when".
And everyone agreed that "when" it happened; we'd be wiped out; leveled
by the surge. I never met anyone who felt otherwise.
The "when" finally happened and I can't imagine a good reason for not
buying insurance on one's house; but it happens. It is sad; so sad to
see the devastation. I know much of the anger must be directed inwardly
but they still need help..and quickly. The mold grows fast and it can
be deadly.
We drove to Dickinson to help a friend and the mold gave me a headache
for two days. I can't return to help anymore. Such a helpless feeling.
FEMA folks and tree trimers are running around everywhere here and each
day more are being reassigned to Galveston and Bridge City.
fred
IMPORTANT HELP/TIP FOR HURRICANE SURVIVORS:
There is a lot to be learned from folks who have already dealt with
insurance and FEMA. Encourage them to share learnings.
One example is contacts to call for temporary housing. These companies
will take care of contacting your insurance company to arrange payment.
Saves you lots of stress and time. They can deliver a trailer to your
driveway. A friend received a new one to use until her house is livable
again.
One such is CRS Temporary Housing. 281 399 9396. Website is
http://www.crstemphousing.com
Another "learning": The adjuster can usually give you a check on the spot
to help with short term costs like securing roofs. Removing trees for living
structures, hiring guys to cut out sheet rock to dry out the inner walls.
Don't be shy about asking for the money; most are empowered to do this but
may not offer it.
One more IF your subdivision does not allow trailers in driveways; you can
request a letter of exemption for a short term from mayor or subdivision
"supreme commander" person. My friend requested and received such a letter
in one day. Then CRS was able to deliver and set up a nice 2 bedroom RV in
her driveway.
We can learn from each other and by doing so "understanding" may help relieve
fear, stress, pain and anger somewhat.
from classmate Fred Broussard
From: Sonja Hinds Wilson
Sent: Saturday, October 04, 2008 9:20 PM
I had a little damage to my carport and the roof on the back of my house
but that is all. Sorry to hear about your boat.
(Sonja lives 4 houses up the street from me.)
From: Pat Sabo Oldham
Sent: Sunday, October 05, 2008 4:56 AM
I need the time to reply to my personal e mails so much it is
terrible. I am still working 12 hour days and I have had my first day
off since 9/7/08 Pat
(Pat works for FEMA. She is still in Austin, was in McAllen and was in
Illinois before that and in Arkansas twice before that. Most people do
not know the long hours FEMA employees put in. Pat is in a management
position. When she says 12 hour days that is seven days a week. She
has not been home in months.)
From: Linda TJ class of 1968
Sent: Monday, October 06, 2008 2:37 PM
Our home got 6 feet of salt water, sludge and marsh grass in it. We are
displaced in Lumberton behind my daughter's home in a small apt. in their
storage shop. My parents that lived with us are temporarily in
Friendswood at my brother's home. They will move in a 2 bedroom small
home in Groves on Wilson off of 39th in a few weeks. My sister and husband
and niece that lived with me are in a rent home in Groves off of 32nd.
My sister got 3 feet in her home.
Granddaughter is in wonderful health at the time thanks to all the
prayers and support.
Note: Alfred and I were invited to the 40th reunion for the class of
1968. Alfred was a biology teacher for that class. The reunion is
how we got to know Linda. Her grand daughter had surgery around the
time of hurricane Ike. We all need a lot of prayers people.
From: Edie Treibel Lopez
Sent: Friday, October 10, 2008 8:01 PM
To: Carolyn
Subject: Re: are you okay?
thanks for asking, yes, we did survive Ike w/minimal problems,
thanks to God! Sorry so many people lost so much, it happened in our
family as well w/cousins in Bridge City and the beach, but no one lost
their life!
Note: Carolyn Bigler Hebert:
Well Alfred discovered we did have damages IN our house. The high
window in the exercise room, the wall under it and the beam that
goes to it are damaged. Water got in that wall. Alfred noticed the
bulge in the sheetrock as he came out of my bathroom which is part
of that room. It's really an apartment we use for a gym and computer
center. There is also damage in his bathroom on the other side of
the house. Next he needs to check the attic since he found these
damages. That window is damaged outside too. That is a big wall
because there isn't a low ceiling in that room. It's open rafters
and wood paneling on the ceiling like on the wanes coating on the
walls.
As for the people in Bridge City and surrounding areas, some people
who had insurance are having problems because the insurance companies
are saying the water damage was caused by wind and a surge not by a
flood. Our insurance agent said it depends on how the flood policy was
written so it pays to really know your policy and read the fine print.
Then again, some people who did not have insurance are getting help
from FEMA. But then again there are those who are supposed to be
getting help from FEMA who have not received that help yet.
Many of our classmates lived in the areas affected by the hurricane.
Some of our classmates had relatives and friends who lived in these
areas and they have not heard from them or been able to locate them.
Please, we need to hear from everybody to know how everybody fared.
And too, we need to know who needs help and who needs special prayers.
We all need prayers folks. This was a very stressful time and the
recovery period is still stressful.
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