We hear from Marsha Ballard:
"Martin is getting ready to start his second semester in 'Show Production & Touring' at Full Sail in Florida. He came to Texas at Christmas but was really glad to get back to warm Florida.
"I have been so busy with Kia that I haven't gotten to the theatre here yet! Kia is in her sophomore year of high school, plus working on modeling. She has had several shoots, so of course like a good mom I am sending [one of] her photos. I only have about 1,500 and getting more all the time. Hope all are well there in Wichita Falls.  I keep up with what is going on there via the website.
Hello to all. Kia and I hope to be back for a visit this summer!"     >>>>>

The Cartwrights: John is still a stay at home dad.  Aaron turns 3 on 2/16, and Zach was 8 months old on 2/5.  Here they are for you enjoyment:

Georganne Payne passed her CFRE exam in Midland TX recently, on her first attempt. This is not done often. She is the fourth CFRE in the Permian basin (which is 22 counties). There are about 4500 in the entire world. Georganne currently works for MD Anderson in Houston, TX,  and sometimes advises the board at Backdoor Theatre about fundraising skills.

Here are some great pictures from the Genesius awards at Backdoor:

All photos above by Robin Robbins

Want to keep up with your old Backdoor friends? Check out Backdoor's MySpace site...maintained by "Agent Mama" Jeri Sharp! Thanks Jeri...

On June 16, James Downs married Joyce Gardner in California with 70 witnesses under a spreading willow by a rolling creek with reeds springing up, tree fluff snowing down and birds chirping out their assent. Profound and magical day, punctuated by boogieing into the evening to a zydeco rock band. Family and friends came to the wedding from all over California and from as far as Arizona, Colorado and Montana. After a marvelous honeymoon to Monterey, San Francisco and Harbin Hot Springs Resort above Calistoga, California, the couple are back in residence and work at Yosemite National Park where Joyce spends free time landscaping the front yard into a flower and zen garden, and James writes poetry. Anyone wishing to say hi can e-mail them at jamespeakdowns-at-yahoo.com.

****NEWSFLASH*** HELL FREEZES OVER (AGAIN ! )
From Mitch: "I just wanted to let you know that after some eight years or so, I finally made an honest woman of Ronya on June 19, 2007. We were married in a quiet ceremony at a Vegas style wedding chapel in San Antonio Tx. The military in its great wisdom canceled her leave at the last minute and the honeymoon to Playa del Carmen MX should take place sometime in August (Bush willing). Our best to all!

Mitch

PS: No gifts please, however beer will be appreciated on my next visit."

Sydney Rush is ending her junior high career this year and going out with a bang. At the annual Bowie Junior High academic recognition ceremony, Sydney was recognized with the Presidential Award for Excellence in Education, the Bowie Junior High Award for Excellence in Education, Algebra student of the year, and Bandmember of the year, as well as her academic UIL awards. Sydney will, once again, be attending band camp at Southwestern Oklahoma State University in July before starting summer band and, later, the jazz band at Bowie High School where she will play alto saxophone. She's now topping the ruler at 5'11' and, at 14 years of age, we're not sure she's finished growing yet. The picture shows her at her mom's work waiting for the mall to open this past spring break.