Est. March 31, 2000                28,306 Previous Hits                     September 9, 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                28,306 Previous Hits                     September 9, 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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Looking Back at 1960 by Tommy Towery Class of '64 We read a few weeks ago about how Terry "Moses" Preston felt that 1961 could have been the best year of his life.  I will not say that 1960 was the best year of my life, but it was certainly a very good year and one that stands out fondly in my memories.  I finished the 8th grade in 1960.  At that time I was still going to Huntsville Junior High, and had no idea that by the year's end, my world would change in a manner that would shape me into the person I am today.  So, what all was going on in 1960 you ask? The top five songs we were listening to were: 1. You Talk Too Much - Joe Jones; 2. Cathy's Clown - The Everly Brothers; 3. The Twist - Chubby Checker; 4. Save The Last Dance For Me - The Drifters; and 5. Running Bear - Johnny Preston.  Also in the top 10 were  Walk, Don't Run by The Ventures  and Stay by Maurice Williams & The Zodiacs. We went to the Lyric or Grand Theater to see Psycho, The Alamo, G.I. Blues, Exodus, Spartacus, The Magnificent Seven, and a favorite of our generation, Where the Boys Are.  On TV we watched Gunsmoke; Wagon Train; Have Gun, Will Travel; The Andy Griffith Show; The Real McCoys; Rawhide; Candid Camera; The Untouchables; 77 Sunset Strip; Perry Mason; Bonanza; and The Flintstones. It was in 1960 that we saw headlines in the newspaper about Capt. Gary Powers U-2 Spy Plane Shot Down Over Russia; Khrushchev at U.N. Pounds Shoe In Anger. John F. Kennedy Wins Democratic Nomination and Nixon wins GOP but Kennedy Wins Presidency, and Two White Public Schools in New Orleans Are The First To Integrate. New words that first became popular were anchorman, sit-in, cosmonaut, bluegrass, laser, and compact car. We also saw the first appearances of products such as Astroturf, Librium, felt-tip pen, and Rayon. Pittsburgh beat the NY Yankees in the World Series.  The Superbowl had not been dreamed up yet. And during Scouting's Golden Jubilee Year, thousands of boys earned the 50th Anniversary Achievement Award. Some 56,378 Scouts and leaders attended the Fifth National Jamboree at Colorado Springs, Colo., July 22-28. In May, at the end of the 1959-60 school year, I still lived on East Clinton, and as summer approached I found out that my family was moving away from East Clinton Street and all my friends.  We were moving to West Huntsville, and I would have to change schools.  I would attend West Huntsville Junior High in the 9th grade. I did not have time to worry about that too much, because I had been looking forward to summer so long because I knew that the summer would lead me on one of the most fantastic adventures that a boy could ever experience.  It was in July of 1960 that I attended the 5th National Jamboree of the Boy Scouts of America.  This was not just a Camporee, but a Jamboree where Scouts from all over the nation merged onto one big campground for an event that only took place every ten years.  It was a two-week bus trip (three bus loads of Scouts from Madison County) and an eye-opening experience for a poor boy from Huntsville like me. I did not have enough money for the trip, but the Kiwanis Club selected me to sponsor and paid my basic expenses.  My family had to come up with the $25 spending money I would need for the trip. We headed out early one morning from the Trailways Bus Station headed west.  We stopped in Memphis for lunch and I still remember that first visit to the city where I now live.  We were given about an hour for lunch while the buses were gassed up, and we wandered about the town.  I remember a magic shop that no longer exists today, but on that hot summer day, was like nothing I had ever seen before.  I also remember that the smell of diesel fuel was the smell that would always remind me of downtown Memphis. We ended up at a large ranch near Colorado Springs, Colorado, where we camped for a week and did all those Scout things.  We traded patches, had competitions, and had many campfires.  I wrote earlier that I got to see the Sons of the Pioneers there.  I also got to stand by the road and see and wave to none-other than "I Like Ike", President Dwight David Eisenhower.  It was so exciting to see him.  On the final night's campfire, I experience my first candle lighting ceremony where the first candle was lit at the front of the assembly and we each lit our candle from someone and then turned and lit the others behind us.  When done, over 50,000 flickering flames made up one of the most inspirational moments of my young life. I returned to Huntsville and to my new home but dreading the school year that would eventually make me attend the high school that I hated the most in Huntsville, Butler, instead of Huntsville High where all my friends would head after they finished junior high.  Shortly before the start of the school year, I got my reprieve when my family made the second move of the summer, landing us on McCullough Avenue.  We moved in right across the street from where my paternal grandmother rented a room from Ginger Cagle's aunt.  Later on, this would prove to be a very handy place to live. This move also paved the way for me to start riding the school bus to Lee Junior High. I was unaware on that first day that I would eventually join my 9th grade classmates as the first graduating class of Lee High School. On the first day of class I found that I had Mrs. Parks for my English class, and she was given the task of starting a school newspaper. I had worked on the paper at Huntsville Junior High, and so I quickly volunteered for service on the new paper.  Woody Beck came up with the name "Traveller" for Lee's horse. I was given the title of Managing Editor, and given the opportunity to learn how to use the Guestetner mimeograph machine.  Early in my days at Lee Junior High, I was asked to give a speech to the Kiwanis Club about my Jamboree experience, which I did without a thought.  I never realized that I should be in a state of stage fright, and that speech was the foundation for my speaking abilities and an event that I attribute to leading me to earn a minor in speech in college.  Mr. Fain was in the audience, and he made an announcement about it during the morning announcements over the P.A. system. He also gave me a letter "L" for my newspaper work, just like the football players got. He gave a lot of those away. I remember going to many parties in 1960, but this was before the "kissing game stage for me" so we mainly listened to records and ate potato chips and snacks. I was quite involved with Westminister Fellowship at Central Presbyterian Church also. Early friends at Lee were Barbara Seeley, Pam Grooms, Dianne Hughey, Carolyn McCutcheon, Steve or Kenneth Burkette (I foget which, but someone will tell me), Sherry Adcox, Vance "Rusty" George, Mack Yates, and Gary Helms.  I remember Jerry Brewer in a class along with Jerry Schultz and Bob Walker (who was still going by Robert then).  I remember Jerry Schultz's book report on a book that he had not read, but gave the report on the movie, which was nothing like the book.  Mrs. Parks figured that out too, but gave him a good grade anyway for being creative. I remember a girl named Gloria Matthews, who was a beautiful girl and was very well endowed for a ninth grader, and usually wore low cut or open neck tops to bring home the point. I think she moved to California the next year. I also remember that during that year, Mrs. Parks had us do a play in English Literature, and I was cast opposite of Linda Pell, who in my opinion was one of the most beautiful girls in Huntsville at the time.  The highlight of the acting career was that the script called for me to kiss Linda. Yeah, 1960 was a pretty good year. ____________________________________________

I have to start off this week's rambling by venting to all of you about a sight I saw on the way home from work on Friday.  It made me furious.  I pulled up to a redlight near the university and was right behind a beautiful 1963 1/2 Mustang.  I remember so fondly how much I loved that car when it first came out and even wrote about it in "A Million Tomorrows..." What made me mad is that as I pulled up close I looked down at the tag and there in bold letters in black and white it laughed at me and all of you.  The tag was "Antique Automobile".  Can you belive that, the Mustang that we fell in love with is an antique now? Okay, that being out of my system, we'll go on.  Not much mail this week, maybe because of the Labor Day weekend.  But that's okay, because work is still slowing down my creative juices.  I can tell you that you will not want to miss the special issue next week. The Traveller staff is putting something together as a joint effort that I know will bring back a lot of fond memories. By the way, for those of you in Huntsville, you'll want to pick up a copy of the Old Huntsville that's on the market now, and read my story about the memories of my dad in it.  I hope you'll find it interesting. And I also have to report to you that we have had to move my mom out of the rehab center and into a nursing home that can provide her with the care she needs.  It was a hard move. Let us hear from you...we need your support to continue to be the best weekly high school alumni web newspaper on the whole www. Oh yeah, and looking at the photo to the right..."For God and Country" still makes a lot of sense. T. Tommy ____________________________________________

Anyone remember these? _________________________________________

From Our Mailbox Subject:         The "TEMPEST"   Date:         Fri, 30 Aug 2002 10:07:07 -0700   From:         George Williams <georgewilliams@afcjiffylube.com> Special Request - I played drums in a Band called the "Tempest" in 1963 and 64. We played a lot at Bradley's Cafeteria, parties and just about anywhere. If anyone has film or photos of us, any photo, any film, of us playing or not, please contact me. I have nothing that I can show my grandson and granddaughter of a very special time in my life. I will be glad to cover any cost of reproduction. Thanks in advance to any of you who will take the time to look and or ask others. Toot Snoddy(?) was lead guitar and Bobby Vanvakenberg (?) was bass guitar. Lehman Williams Class of 1964 gwmopar@aol.com 626-353-5861 626-332-6155 ____________________________________ Subject:        Telethone   Date:         Mon, 2 Sep 2002 03:44:35 -0500   From:         bob.alverson@whnt19.com Tommy, Thanks for publishing my write up about the MDA Telethon.  As I sit in my office at 3:40 AM, unable to sleep, I can announce that we are currently running very much ahead of last years pledges and I hope and pray that it continues through the day today. I have one correction to make on the article.  My class was 1965 not 1966 but then when I wrote that it was again early in the morning and I very well may have put the wrong year down. Thanks again for publishing the write up and thanks to all who gave. God Bless, Bob Alverson BobAlverson@peoplepc.com Class of 1965 ________________________________ Subject:         Interesting item on eBay web site item#1559720202: 1967 Silver Sabre Lee High                                    School Alabama   Date:         Mon, 02 Sep 2002 18:26:08 PDT   From:         gcmoore@charter.net This is the first time I've seen anything w/LHS. Title of item:  1967 Silver Sabre Lee High School                            Alabama Seller: lynnmed@prodigy.net Starts: Aug-30-02 04:59:48 PDT Ends:   Sep-09-02 04:59:48 PDT Price:  Starts at $5.00 To bid on the item, go to:      http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&item =1559720202 Item Description:                      1967 Silver Sabre-Lee High school-Huntsville Alabama year book. Large book in good condition for the age. Minor age color, some writing on the inside. All pages intact and readible. Questions about this yearbook, please email me. Bidder pays shipping $5. Ins. extra. PLEASE get back with me in 3 days of notification!!! Over sea's extra. THANKS FOR L@@KING!!! (Editor's Note:  Thanks to Ginger Cagle Moore for sending us this...If you are interested you better bid quickly it ends at 4:59 on September 9.) _________________________________________ Subject:         Endorsement   Date:         Tue, 3 Sep 2002 08:53:54 -0400   From:         "GRIFFITH,MIKE (HP-USA,ex1)" <m_griffith@hp.com> Tommy, all is forgiven; your endorsement was quite satisfactory ... got to get the Hewlett-Packard stock price up as I'm still funding two kids through college. Mike Griffin __________________________________ Subject:   Old Huntsville   Date:         Thu, 5 Sep 2002 22:52:00 -0500   From:         "Robert Alverson" <BobAlverson@peoplepc.com> Tommy, I just read your article about your Dad in "Old Huntsville".  It was very good and made me think about my father and his war experiences. My Dad was in the Seabees and served at Tinian and Okinawa.  I could not get him to talk about his experiences but sure wish I knew what he went through. Apparently when he came home he left all of it behind. Just thought I would drop you a quick line about the article.  Keep up the good work. Bob Alverson Class of '65 Huntsville, AL _________________________________

My South submitted byCheryl Massey, Class of '66 This is an awesome description of our beautiful Southern Heritage.  This was written by Robert St. John, executive chef and owner of the Crescent City Grill and Mahogany Bar of Hattiesburg, Miss.  Just three years ago, my wife and I were attending a food and wine seminar in Aspen, Colo. We were seated with two couples from Las Vegas. One of the Glitter Gulch gals was amused and downright rude when I described our restaurant as a fine-dining restaurant.  "Mississippi doesn't have fine-dining restaurants!" she demanded and nudged her companion. I fought back the strong desire to mention that she lived in the land that invented the 99-cent breakfast buffet.  I wanted badly to defend my state and my restaurant with a  15-minute soliloquy and public relations rant that would surely change her mind! It was at that precise moment that I was hit with a blinding jolt of enlightenment. In a moment of complete and absolute clarity it dawned on me-- my South is the best-kept secret in the country. Why would I try to win this woman over? She might move down here!! I am always amused by Hollywood's interpretation of the South. We are still, on occasion, depicted as a collective group of sweaty, stupid, backwards-minded and racist rednecks. The South of movies and TV, the Hollywood South, is not my South. THIS IS MY SOUTH: My South is full of honest, hard-working people. My South is the birthplace of blues and jazz, and rock n' roll. It has banjo pickers and fiddle players, but it also has B. B. King, Muddy Waters, the Allman Brothers, and Elvis. In my South, football is king and the Southeastern Conference is the kingdom!! In my South, the only person that has to sit on the back of the bus is the last person that got on the bus. In my South, the tea is iced and almost as sweet as the women. My South has AIR-CONDITIONING. In my South, soul food and country cooking are the same thing. In my South, family matters deeply. In my South, people still say "yes, ma'am," "no ma'am," "please" and "thank you." My South is camellias, azaleas, wisteria, magnolias, hydrangeas, and the smell of newly-mowed grass. My South is hot and in August the humidity will kill you. In my South, people put peanuts in bottles of Coca Cola and hot sauce on almost everything. In my South, serving in our nation's military is still considered an honorable profession. My South is gumbo, boiled shrimp, blackberry cobbler, peach ice cream, strawberry preserves, cornbread, butter beans, fried chicken, grits and catfish. My South is also sushi, champagne, caviar, risotto, and any other fine food you can imagine. My South is home to some of the most beautiful women on the planet. My South has fostered some of our nation's greatest writers: William Faulkner, Eudora Welty, Willie Morris, Ernest Hemingway, Richard Wright, Shelby Foote, etc. My South is home to some of the friendliest and most gracious people you will ever meet. In my South, we all wear shoes.... most of the time. My South is the best-kept secret in the country. Please continue to help us keep the secret.... it keeps the idiots away!

___________________________________ Why does a slight tax increase cost you two hundred dollars and a substantial tax cut save you thirty cents? In the 60's people took acid to make the world weird. Now the world is weird and people take prozac to make it normal. How is it one careless match can start a forest fire, but it takes whole box to start a barbecue? Doctors can be frustrating. You wait a onth-and-a-half for an appointment, and he says, "I wish you'd come to me sooner."