Dear BSU Friends,

August is here. I must get in gear. September (reunion) is near. And, I am a year older now. That July birthday slowed me down for a few days. I wouldn't want to do without them but I am beginning to wonder how many more are going to be available to me. I don't plan to worry about it. I mentioned the September Reunion. I am ready for you. The program is planned, the church has been warned, the weather selected, and I am sitting here waiting on 100 BSU members to invade our city and our church. It will all begin on Thursday night at 5:30 PM. (suppertime) Well, the Chapel Singers will practice at 4:00pm. That is an "extra goodie". You best be on time too. We wait on no one. Come prepared to have a good time. I plan to. The program is planned and it is planned for you. We plan to relax, eat, enjoy ourselves, have fun, renew friendships, and worship together. You will receive a registration letter from Gerald Glasco in mid August. Please return it as soon as possible. We need to know who is coming.

Here are my news items:

1. I have added to the directory (on the web site) the name and address of two new BSU family members. Mrs. Bill (Alice Yewell) Weeks. She attended SIU and was a member of the BSU in 52-57. Her address is 2513 Market Road, Marion IL 62959. Phone number is 618-964-1264. That email address is bweeks@verizon.net.
   I also added the names of Ray and Charlene Purnell. They live at 323 Meadowlark Lane, Belleville IL 62220. That email address is bcpcrp39@peaknet.net. The Purnells were BSU member in the late 50's.
2. Archie Mayo's brother who died May 31, 2008 was Leland Mayo. Shirley died in 1959
3. The email address for Jim Ebbs is jebbs@verizon.net
4. Melvin and Marta (Richardson) celebrated their golden wedding anniversary June 27, 2008. They were married 6-27-1958. Their address is in the directory.
5. The email address for Paul and Doris Dempsey seems to be incorrect. Let me know if you know anything about their whereabouts.
6. I notified you about the death of Shirley Harvengt Cullem. Shirley died June 28, 2008. Shirley was a BSU member during the 50's. Tom Harvengt, her brother Thom, also a BSU member in the 50's plans to be with us this year at our reunion. In fact, he plans to sing with the Chapel Singers. Robert Cullum, Shirley's husband, died in March of 2008.
7. T.H King, long time pastor at the First Baptist Church in West Frankfort, died July 14th. He was 100 years old. Many of our older BSU Members will remember Theron King.
8. George and Juanita Kunce have a new email address glkkrk@verizon.net.
9. Bill and Mildred Christoff have a new mailing address.It is 1810 Greybrook Lane Apt. 306, New Albany IN 47150. The email address is the same. I had a lovely letter from the Christooffs. I will share --just ask.
10. I have reserved 10 more motel rooms for you. They will be on the second floor. An elevator is available. That number to call is 618-345-2000. Ask for rooms reserved for Helen Galloway I did get you a special rate--total price is $49.40. Ask for Pam. She is there Tues.-Wed.-Thurs- and Sat.
11. In mid August you will receive a registration letter from Gerald Glasco. Please return this letter as soon as possible. This will help with our planning for food, etc. The registration fee will remain the same. We did include $1.00 for you to receive an individual picture. Geo Casey will be taking our pictures again this year.
12. Those scheduled to help me this year on the program are: Jim Cox (Mid-50's BSU student) KEZK news commentator--Nate Adams, Ex. Dir. IBSA--Rayford Raby--HelenRuth Dillow--Jim and Rosie Robinson--Geo Casey-- and others.
13. The website for the Meadow Heights Baptist Church is www.meadowheightsbc.org. The email address is mhbc@juno.com
14. Dale Clemens is doing a bit better. He needs your prayers.
15. New phone number for Frank and Dorothy GerickeÊ 928-301-3154

Well, that is all for now. Our 16th Annual BSU Reunion is upon us. We still love to get together and share memories of those long ago days. It was there that decisions made shaped our lives down through the years. The Lord has been good to us. In 2008 (as of today) we have lost only 2 of our loved ones (that I know about). That is remarkable. I look forward to seeing you all again.

Helen Green Galloway
BSU President

I've learned that under everyone's hard shell is someone who wants to be appreciated and loved. I've learned that to ignore the facts does not change the facts. I've learned that when you plan to get even with someone, you are only letting that person continue to hurt you. I've learned that love, not time, heals all wounds. I've learned that the easiest way for me to grow as a person is to surround myself with people smarter than I am. (Copied)