Don Connolly

OK, folks, Gary has given me a second chance to be a little more serious. Forgive my awkwardness, but if any of you ever noticed, I never talked that much at CHS due to my shyness, and when I had to give an "oral report," my knees knocked. I'm better at public speaking now, but I'm still a little hesitant about talking about my personal life. I guess that's because I never knew many of you as well as I would have liked, and I have to wonder just how interested you are in what I have been doing. This may be the reason so many have not responded with a "bio" yet -- or it may be that like me, they have a second marriage and don't want people to wonder what happened to the first. I can tell you that my marriage is one of those second marriages that worked out real well.

The former Linda Ainsworth and I were married a little over a year ago at age 50, proving that hope (and love) does spring eternal.

Jobwise, I've worked at the State of Mississippi and with HUD.

My favorite avocation: teaching Sunday School at Crossview Baptist Church in Brandon.

I have three boys, ages 19, 16, and 13.

Art -- thanks for your comments. I remember your role in a play -- you were Caesar? And during rehearsals you kept everybody cracked up with an occasional "twitch."

Marsha -- you are, and were always, the embodiment of the favorite scripture you listed.

Jane -- where do you get off looking exactly the same as you did in high school?!

Dave -- thanks for your constant humor.

Jerry (both) -- thanks for your constant smiles.

John -- thank you for your example.

Mike and Allan -- thanks for your singing and guitar -- it was as good as the Kingston Trio.

And, Gary -- thank you for laughing at my jokes and cartoons -- that alone helped bring me out a little.

For those I have missed -- chalk it up to the years -- I know the thought of you is hiding just behind a smile, or a favorite song, or a prayer.