Est. March 31, 2000 27,432 Previous Hits August 19, 2002 Editor:Tommy Towery http://www.leealumni.com Class of 1964 Page Hits This Issue e-mail ttowery@memphis.edu Staff Writers : Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly , Joy Rubins Morris ,Terry "Moses" Preston Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
Est. March 31, 2000 27,432 Previous Hits August 19, 2002 Editor:Tommy Towery http://www.leealumni.com Class of 1964 Page Hits This Issue e-mail ttowery@memphis.edu Staff Writers : Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly , Joy Rubins Morris ,Terry "Moses" Preston Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
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Still Crazy After All These Years |
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1961 The Year That Was by Terry 'Moses' Preston Class of '64 I was recently asked, "If you had to pick one year out of your life, and call it your best ever, which year would it be?" Of course my response was, "The next one!" When that didn't work I tried, "There was something special about all of them." That was viewed as a cop out. Being hesitant to isolate only one of my great adult years to the exclusion of many others, I offered to answer the question as it pertained only to my childhood and adolescence. That was easy. It was 1961. Ah, 1961! The last year where it didn't make a difference if you read the year up side down until 6119. 1961 was a year with good news and bad news on the national and international front, but just good at Lee Junior High and Lee High School. What a year it was! The U.S.- backed Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba flopped, the trial of Adolf Eichmann for the murder of millions of Jew took place, Yuri Gagarin (a Russian) became the fist man in space, construction of the Berlin Wall (8/13/61 11/9/89 R.I.P.!) was begun, murderous dictator Patrice Lumumba of the Congo was (guess what?) murdered, and Chico Marx (member of the Marx Brothers) died. On the other hand JFK was inaugurated president of the United States, Roger Maris hit 61 Home Runs, South Africa declared its independence from Britain, Allen Rex Sandage at the Mt Palomar observatory discovered the first Quasar, Alabama won the National Championship of the NCAA, and Wayne Gretzky, Princess Diana, and Lee High School were born! Calendar year 1961 began with us attending Lee Junior High, and finished with us attending Lee High School. It began to the soothing strands of Bert Kaempfert's Wonderland By Night, and ended to the tones of the Token's The Lion Sleeps Tonight. In between we danced and listened to Billboard Number 1 hits Will You Love Me Tomorrow, Calcutta, Pony Time, Surrender, Blue Moon, Runaway, Mother-In-Law, Travelin' Man, Running Scared, Moody River, Quarter to Three, Tossin' and Turnin', Wooden Heart, Michael, Take Good Care of My Baby, Hit the Road Jack, Runaround Sue, Big Bad John, & Please Mister Postman, and dozens of great songs that didn't make it to Number 1. On the Country stations we heard Walk on By, San Antonio Rose, Big Bad John, Don't Worry (a model for future synthesized sound recordings), Hello Walls, North to Alaska, I Fall to Pieces, Sea of Heartbreak, Tender Years, and Foolin' Around. In the spring the 1961 Lee Junior High baseball team went undefeated, won the county championship and was dubbed "the best team I ever had" by coach Hub Myhand. Attendance at the games was impressive, as Optimist Park was the fun place to be when the Generals were playing. I can still here the strands of Why Haven't I Told You? floating from the stands, sung harmoniously by more than a dozen Lee Girls as the Generals were taking care of business on the field. Lee Junior High's final spring was fun away from the field, too. Socializing while strolling the halls at Lee became an art form, 'going steady' and Slam Books were in, as were white dress shirts, Lee jeans, and penny loafers with white socks for the boys. The girls were required to wear modest dresses that sometimes inadvertently gave the boys a show, but this was really quite rare. (The Lee girls were ladies first and foremost). And it seemed that there was a party every weekend hosted by Barbara Wilkerson, Dianne Wilbourn, Mary Ann Bond, Barbara Rousseau, or Marquietta Hunt. The fall of 1961 gave birth to Lee High School, as the class of '64 began our sophomore year. For the second consecutive year we were the 'seniors' of the school (which would happen for another two more years after that). And we came onto the high school scene with a splash! The first Lee High football team went undefeated and untied, extending the 1961 Generals unbeaten streak through two sports. The soundtrack album for "Blue Hawaii" entered the Billboard chart in October for a year-and-a-half run, staying at number one for twenty weeks (second only to "GI Blues" as the biggest album of Elvis's career) on the Billboard charts. It also yielded a number two single that was destined to become an Elvis classic, Can't Help Falling in Love. The movie "Blue Hawaii" opened nationally and got to number two on the box office charts, becoming the top-grossing film of Elvis's career to that date. Meanwhile, we were wearing out the jukebox at Mullins with Dion's Runaround Sue. At school we were back to the socializing that had characterized the previous spring, building upon friendships that were to last a lifetime! Our band was really good, our cheerleaders were talented and pretty, and going to school was something that I looked forward to every day. There was pure joy in the hallways of Lee, and all seemed well as we said so long to one another and broke for the Christmas holidays. Was 1961 as great as I remember it having been? Probably not. Reality is probably more like Barbara Streisand sang years later: "Can it be that things were so different then, or has time rewritten every line?memories may be beautiful and yet, what's too painful to remember we simply choose to forget! So it's the laughter we will remember, whenever we remember the way we were!" One final thought. Those of us who attended the 2K2 mini reunion shared more of that same, idealized laughter in 2002! Somehow some of us have managed to maintain a very special portion of the wonderful way we were. My warmest appreciation and best wishes go out to everyone who attended. ___________________________________________ |
We've had trivia about the boys in our songs, and the girls in our songs; so this week we are going to remember those people in the songs that went un-named. These were the unsung (well sung about but not by name) heros and heartthrobs of our teenage years. Yes, we had many songs that we sang along with that never bothered to give the real name of the person it was written about. The songwriters of these classics only used a "Pet Name" or a nickname to identify the person the song was written about. Below are ten questions which came from such songs. See if you can give us the identities of the un-named people. Pick one song and expand upon it with a personal memory if you can. 1. Tall and tan and young and lovely, the____________ goes walking, and when she passes, each one she passes goes - ahh. 2. And everybody's saying there's nobody meaner, than _________ ____________, she drives real fast and she drives real hard, she's a terror out on Colorado Boulevard 3. He's kind of shy, but he's my guy, And I sure do love him, let me tell you why (Why?), He's so cute, in his birthday suit, and the way he loves me, well, my dears, it's to die! 4. Well, she dances to the bop, she dances to the stroll, She dances to the walk, whoo, she can rock and roll, she's my ____________________ 5. Thought I was in love before, then you moved in next door, _________ 6. So I say from me to you, I will make your dreams come true, do you love me do you _______________? 7. I know you were sent from heaven above, You rule my life with your wonderful love. I know we'll be happy for eternity, 8. _________, I think I need you, but I gotta know for sure. Come on and squeeze me tight. Oh I need it. 9. I'm never in one place. I roam from town to town, And when I find myself fallin' for some girl I hop right into that car of mine drive around the world 10. Her lovely hair. Her skin so fair. I could go on and never end. Oh, I can't help I'm in love with __________ __________________________________________ |
I waited to see if anyone but me would remember one of the fun pranks of the lockers that Barbara wrote about last week. As I am typing this, I have yet to get a comment from any of you about the lost art of "stacking books" in the lockers. Doesn't anyone remember secretly opening a locker and putting all the books where they leaned up against the door, so that when the unsuspecting person opens his or her locker, all the books came tumbling down. This usually scattered papers all across the hall, and sometimes the books fell upon the unfortunate one who had the locker below the victim's. Those who have an EDU mailing address know that the school year is rapidly coming up on us. I unboxed and set up 113 computer in labs in the last week and am not frantically installing software on them. Because of that, The Traveller might be missing a few bells and whistles this week. Thanks to Terry "Moses" Preston for his uncanny ability to send in a story just when I need it the most. One more week of panic and then things should settle down. T. Tommy _____________________________________ |
Last Week's Trivia Answers Gary Kinkle, Class of '64 was the first to respond with all the right answers to the songs. He wrote: This week's trivia songs where just another group of good songs for the moment. I am submitting my entry even though I don't really have any particular memory that goes along with the songs. 1.Oh Carol I Am But a Fool, Darling I Love You, Though You Treat Me Cruel, You Hurt Me And You Make Me Cry, But If You Leave Me, I Will Surely Die 2.But what good does it do me? 'Cause Linda doesn't know I exist. I can't help feelin' gloomy, Thinkin' 'bout the lovin' I've missed 3.Went to a dance looking for romance, Saw Barbara Ann so I thought I'd take a chance 4.She likes to travel around. She'll love you then she'll put you down., Now people let me put you wise. (Run a round) Sue goes, out with other guys. 5.Well, Long Tall Sally, she's built for speed, She's got everything that Uncle John needs 6.Never knew a girl like-a little Sheila, Her name drives me insane 7.Why don't you come out, with your red dress on, Come out, Mmm, you look so fine Sherry 8.He saw a sign for a stock car race, A thousand dollar prize it read, He couldn't get Laura on the phone, So to her mother Tommy said 9.Wendy, Wendy what went wrong, Oh so wrong, We went together for so long 10.You passed me by one sunny day, Flashed those big brown eyes my way, And oo I wanted you forever more (Hello) Mary Lou _____________________________________ The song in this group that provokes the most vivid memory is "Hello Mary Lou" ...Ricky Nelson has always been one of my favorite artist....We all grew up with him on TV... The night he was killed in that terrible plane crash, my two sisters, their husbands, and I were going to see him perform....A former member of his band had opened a niteclub in Guntersville, AL and Rick was helping him out with the grand opening.... As we started out to leave it began to thunderstorm with torrential rain... the forecast was for the same all night....We decided not to go and stayed at my Mother's and played cards....I almost cried the next morning when I heard of his death.... I regret to this day, not braving the weather to see Ricky's last performance.... Jim Bannister Class Of '66 Birmingham, AL ______________________________________ Would you believe that just recently I told a couple of the runners in our office about Slam Books. I thought I still had one of mine but have been unable to find it. Maybe it will appear the next time I move. 10. Hello, Mary Lou by Ricky Nelson. When "Santa" gave me my first record player, I also got two 45 RPMs, one by Elvis and Hello, Mary Lou by Ricky Nelson. I am more than sure that my folks got really sick of both of them. Come to think of it, we lived in a duplex and I guess the older couple on the other side of us, learned the lyrics too. I had a lip sync routine to Mary Lou. Those who can't sing, lip sync. And the record player was an Emerson, was blue and white, and played 45s and LPs. No stereo. Linda Beal Walker Class of '66 Jackson, TN _____________________________________ |
From Our Mailbag Subject: Locker Memories Date: Wed, 14 Aug 2002 16:09:07 -0500 From: "Jim Bannister" <jbann@hotmail.com> The lead story in last week's issue was very entertaining....there was even an occasional reference to lockers....just kidding....Great job Barbara...I really enjoyed the article....My locker memory was from my Junior year when some Senior girls (You know who you are) filled my locker with shaving cream....I didn't try to clean it up and by the end of the semester I had scattered dried Gillette Foamy throughout the halls and classrooms....I never did get revenge.... Jim Bannister Class of '66 Birmingham, AL __________________________________________ Subject: Lockers Date: Sun, 11 Aug 2002 20:02:18 +0000 From: "Gary Kinkle" <garycark@hotmail.com> I do remember a couple of locker stories. I remember when a bird was put in Lehman's locker. It started out with someone (don't know who) putting fake dog dodo in Lehman's locker before school started. About the same time a bird got into the building and someone caught it. It was decided by someone (again, I don't know who) to put the bird in the locker also. Naturally the word spread, and by the time Lehman arrived, which was almost time for the bell, quite a crowd had gathered. Lehman kept hesitating before opening the locker, because he was telling a story about a dream from the night before. When he finally opened the door, the bird leaped out, and there was no need for the fake dog dodo, because the bird had done the 'real' thing on his notebook. I think that is enough locker stories for now. Gary Kinkle Class of '64 Miami, FL ______________________________________ Harold Shepard Saturday, 8/10/02, 5:39 PM Although I didn't graduate until 67, I still enjoy reading about old frinds and classmates. Keep up the great work. Harold From: Huntsville E-mail: hshepard@bellsouth.net Year of Graduation: 1967 ____________________________________ Don Philip (Phil) Rairigh Saturday, 8/10/02, 1:45 AM This looks like a good site to me, I will come back later and see if all of the pages are working then. I really want to look up some of my old classmates. From: Burns, Oregon E-mail: p.rairigh@att.net Year of Graduation: Class of '64@Lee '66 Albany, OR ___________________________________ Subject: A Comment Date: Sat, 10 Aug 2002 18:47:46 EDT From: Barbdonn13@aol.com Hey, Tommy! Just a quick comment. I was just brushing my teeth and humming the Mickey Mouse Club song. Started thinking about your article on why we're all still so close, and it occurred to me that maybe we influenced Tiffany and Devon in some way to aspire to Mickey Mousedom. What do you think? Also, I just realized that the tune works for us this way: L-E-E G-E-N-E-R-A-L-S!! Okay, okay, so I have too much time on my hands!!! Can't wait 'til the next mini-reunion. Love you guys bunches! Barbara (Wilkerson) Donnelly Class of '64 Anderson, SC _______________________________________ Subject: Class of '67 Date: Sat, 17 Aug 2002 21:37:38 -0500 From: Phillip Rutledge <alexisdr@bellsouth.net> Do you know if there is a similar page for the class of '67? I enjoyed seeing your site but would like ot know about my class also. I moved about 4 years ago and have not heard about any reunions since. Phil Rutledge Class of '67 (Editor's Note: Phillip. You might check with Classmates.com for some info...But I know of no other Lee classes or any other classes that have a weekly web newspaper like the Lee Classes of '64-'65-'66. But, all classes are welcome to visit us and share with us things that are of interest.) ___________________________________ |
Can you name this week's Mystery Classmate? __________________________________ |
One Liners Tom Clancy: "I believe that sex is one of the most beautiful, natural wholesome things that money can buy." Steve Martin: "You know "that look" women get when they want sex? Me neither." Drew Carey: "Sex without love is a meaningless experience, but as meaningless experiences go, it's pretty damned good." Woody Allen: "Having sex is like playing bridge. If you don't have a good partner, you'd better have a good hand." Rodney Dangerfield: "If it weren't for pickpockets I'd have no sex life at all." Rodney Dangerfield: "My wife said she'd like to have sex in the back seat of the car... .......and she wanted me to drive." George Burns: "It isn't premarital sex if you have no intention of getting married." George Burns: "Sex at age 90 is like trying to shoot pool with a rope." Lynn Lavner: "There are a number of mechanical devices which increase sexual arousal, particularly in women. Chief among these is the Chevrolet Corvette." Harvey Korman: "Using Viagra is like putting a new flagpole on a condemned building." _________________________________________________ THE BRIGHTER SIDE OF GROWING OLD Submitted by Bobby Cochran Class of '64 Finally you can eat dinner at 4 P.M. Your investment in health insurance is finally beginning to pay off. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac. Your secrets are safe with your friends because they can't remember them either. Your supply of brain cells is finally down to a manageable size. Your eyes won't get much worse. Things you buy now won't wear out. No one expects you to run into a burning building. There's nothing left to learn the hard way. Your joints are more accurate than the National Weather Service. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first. |
