A group of alumni have been working with Rapides Parish School Board Members, Central Office Administration, and Bolton administration, faculty, and staff to help address several things. We are concerned about decreasing enrollment. We want to maintain Bolton’s academic standards and reputation of excellence. And we want to support the Bolton Conservatory for the Arts.

Since the initial letter was drafted and sent to the School Board, members of the Citizens Group have attended school board meetings, District 62 committee meetings, and individual and small group meetings with various relevant parties across the school board system. The desire for continued support for Bolton High School, its faculty, and current and future students has been communicated and well received. Lines of communication have been opened, challenges reduced, and future plans made. There is still much work to be done. This Citizens Group continues to work in areas of community engagement, awareness, and fundraising opportunities.

During the month of February, the Conservatory has visited multiple schools with performers to increase awareness and has plans for much more before the month is out.

CLICK HERE to read the entire letter composed by the Citizens Group and sent to on January 10th. If you are unable to sit with the entire document just yet, the last three pages provide an overview of what is being requested.

CLICK HERE for contact information to send your letter to the Rapides Parish School Board.

CLICK HERE for a school zoning map.

CLICK HERE for feeder system schools list.

Becki Lymberis Gordy, a native of Alexandria, LA, and a resident of Gonzales, LA, passed away on January 19, 2022 at the age of 70. Becki was a loving wife and mother. She loved sewing and was an avid swimmer. Becki enjoyed growing flowers in her green house, hummingbirds, and spending time with family and her many friends. She will be greatly missed. Becki is survived by her husband of 53 years, Richard A. Gordy, Sr.; children, Melissa D. Gordy, Richard A. Gordy, Jr., Stephen M. Gordy; siblings, Janie Ryan (husband Mike), Janice Gill, Stephen Lymberis, III (wife Celia); 6 grandchildren; 1 step-grandchild; 1 great-grandchild and 2 arriving soon; 4 beloved canine companions; 7 nieces and 7 nephews.

She was preceded in death by her parents, Steve Lymberis, Jr. and Lorena Beck Lymberis; and brother, Bruce Lymberis. Relatives and friends of the family were invited to attend a memorial service at Healing Place Church in Baton Rouge on Tuesday, January 25, 2022. Burial was at Laurel Hill Cemetery, LeCompte, LA at January 31, 2022.

Janet Giambrone Pardue sent me these two lists of approved authors for our sophomore English class taught by "Miss Guillory". Janet Guillory was an attractive and intelligent young teacher and many of us were very fond of her. She left mid-year, only giving us one semester of her talents.

As I recall, we were instructed to read one book each week. Only the authors on these two lists were approved. Class time was a bit chaotic and informal. One day Randy Fox came up to me in class and said, "you have to go ask Miss Guillory about her brother. It'll be really funny. Tell her you heard that he's a great snow skier." So I dutifully went up to her desk and, when I finally got her attention, gave her my message in pretty much those words. She looked at me completely deadpan and said "my brother has been paralyzed for most of his life". I was absolutely stricken and mortified. Randy had concocted this with her assistance and, yes, it was very funny! But not funny to me!

Recently, when Janet Pardue sent me the lists she had found, she asked me to send them to Chip Rothschild. I include here some of the correspondence:

Janet Pardue, 12/31/21: Greetings! I found our approved author lists from Miss Guillory! Could you share with Chip also? We talked about her at the last reunion. I also found my essays

from her class. What a wonderful and glamorous teacher! Wishing you all the best in the new year. Cheers! Janet

Chip, 1/3/22: Thanks much for passing this along. I'll write Janet separately to thank her. And it would be good to share it in the newsletter. I, too, loved and was inspired by Miss Guillory. Although I was fortunate to have many good teachers growing up, she was unique and an inspiration, unlike any other teacher I had. We were really lucky to have her. Best, Chip

Janet Pardue, 1/4/22: Hi Chip, So good to hear from you! We are in the midst of moving, thus spurring all kinds of sorting and cleaning out of storage spaces. Honestly, I was amazed at the items from my childhood and teenage years that were stored in a big footlocker. In addition to these lists, I also found all the essays from Miss Guillory’s class, my junior high cheerleading outfit, copies of Cumtux, research papers and more. While it was wonderful reliving good memories, it was rather overwhelming. Most things got pitched, but definitely not these author lists. Do you remember she swapped test papers with a friend who taught English at Exeter? She was so proud that we were more analytical and produced better essays than the prep school kids. Hope all is well with you and your family. All the best, Janet

I sure wonder whatever happened to Miss Janet Guillory. If anyone knows, please speak up!

My grandparents on both sides came from Sicily and, until I was ten, I lived next door to my dad’s mother. She was always cooking and always had something to eat when I went over. We always had Sunday Dinner with about fourteen family members around her table. To this day we have our main meal on Sunday at noon and we eat together.

Food is a big part of an Italian’s life. However, growing up first in Bunkie and then Alexandria (from 1960 on) we didn't have access to some of the typical foods my grandparents would have cooked in Sicily, such as seafood. Our recipes were more rustic and country-style with vegetables, home-raised chickens and homegrown and preserved foods. My daddy always had a garden and he could raise anything! We had tomatoes, lettuce, peppers, cucumbers, and other fruits and vegetables including cucuzzi, an Italian gourd.

When I was around twelve Mama went to work and my cooking career started. Mama would start something in the morning that my 16-year-old sister and I would finish. Or sometimes we would get things started and Mama would finish them when she got home. I learned how to cook rice, pasta, and meats such as pork chops and chicken and how to make salad, among other things.

When I went to LSU in Baton Rouge I lived with one or two roommates in an apartment for the next two years. I would cook our night meal and they did all the cleaning -- great deal for me!

Over the years I've enjoyed cooking for family and friends and even for my co-workers. For the last fifteen years or so I've helped with preparing and serving meals at Steubenville South, a religious conference. From 2500 to as many as 6500 young people attend, and I enjoy helping some of the great chefs of the area. I also pick up plenty of good tips this way!

When I find something I want to cook I usually look up several recipes and narrow to one, which I usually tweak. Sometimes, it may be the second or third time I cook it that this becomes my final recipe.

Sarah, my wife, is the baker in the house. I don't bake. When you cook you can quesstimate and add in more or less or, as my grandmother would say, “a little this and a little that”. Baking is more precise, and timing and measurements are important.

I love to cook and to enjoy the food with family and friends. Eating out is also something I enjoy and, since I've retired, we make short daytrips around the state to eat at restaurants, some of which are small quaint places that are not only good but have a great atmosphere.

[A big thanks to Vince for the story, the recipe, and the photo! Please send your recipe for this column to boltonclassof1969@gmail.com]