Est. March 31, 2000 30,617 Previous Hits November 4, 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 Cherri Polly Massey Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
Est. March 31, 2000 30,617 Previous Hits November 4, 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 Cherri Polly Massey Staff Photographers: Fred & Lynn Sanders Contributers: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 |
Still Crazy After All These Years |
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I first thought the fellow on the left was Alex Boldog (sp.), who came to Lee from somewhere in Europe, I believe, late in our high school careers. Alex had the most fantastic spirit -- especially for someone who didn't start out with all of us. He became a "General" very quickly! Johnny had a beard, too, somewhere around that time, and now I agree with you and think that's Johnny. I agree with you on all the rest. By the way, Terry identified the girls' photo a couple of weeks ago and, for some reason, he thought one of them was my picture. Not so! That was my cousin -- Wilma Finkbinder. Also, the one Terry didn't identify is Edna Freeman Sharp, who's married to Johnny (of the above debate). Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly South Carolina Class of '64 ______________________________________ |
Sandy Kay Smith Ray LHS Class of 1966 1948-2002 |
Sandy was not in my class, but that doesn't mean that I didn't know about her, even though I was a senior and she was a sophomore. She was the kind of person and the kind of classmate that stood out in a crowd. She had the General "Spirit." And when I was looking for her picture in the yearbook to include with this article, I saw that sweet smile and I knew that the world had lost a treasure. How can you look at her pictures and not feel that? My deepest regrets and prayers go out to Larry and to Kyle and to the rest of her family, and to you, her classmates and friends that will miss her. - Tommy |
__________________________________________________________ I am so sorry to hear of Sandy's death. I did not know her personally in high school, but I do remember that when I attended the 10 year class reunion, and was feeling a bit fearful that no one would remember me, she and Larry invited me to sit at their table. I thought she was prettier then than she was in high school and she made me feel very comfortable. My sympathy and prayers go out to her family. Linda Beal Walker, Class of '66 __________________________________________________ So very sorry to hear of Sandy Smith Ray's death. She was a sweet person. Paula Spencer Kephart, Class of '66 ____________________________________________________ Thanks so much for including the information on Sandy Smith. I really appreciate that. She was a fine gal. Many, rather most, times I have unfortunately been ignorant of the status of former classmates and I just really thank you. My prayers are with her family. GOD BLESS you for your thoughtfulness David Mullins, Class of 64' ___________________________________________________ Judy Scarborough Milner called me last Sunday afternoon with the word about Sandy Smith Ray's death. Since Larry is my cousin, (3rd, our grandfather's were brothers) I called my aunt to make sure. She had talked with Linda (Larry's sister, class of '66). To my understanding, Larry had gone to bed early on Friday night and when he got up on Saturday morning found Sandy downstairs. She apparently had died sometime during the night. I know all our hearts go out to Larry, their son Kyle, and the rest of the family. Sandy was one of those people that you never forget, not only was she beautful,she was just as sweet! I have Larry's address if anyone is interested in sending him a card. It's: Larry Ray 1300 Bonita Blvd Opelika, Al. 36801 It breaks my heart that we have lost so many of our classmates and friends. Carol Jean Williams Carroll, Class of '65 __________________________________________________ |
From Our Mailbox Subject: store Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 15:58:03 -0600 From: "paula kephart" <paulakay7@knology.net> The name of the store on Maysville Rd. was Prince's Grocery Store. It closed about 20 or 25 years ago, I believe. Paula Spencer Kephart Class of '65 ____________________________________________________ From: "jim mcbride" <jmcbridemail@yahoo.com> To: <cherylmassey@attbi.com> Sent: Sunday, October 27, 2002 10:53 PM Subject: grrocery store Hi Cheryl, I'm here to put you out of your misery concerning the grocery store on Maysville Road. During our heyday it was Prince's Grocery. I drank lots of cokes and ate too much candy there.It may have had a different name later on, but, I believe I'm right about this. Jim McBride Class of '65 ____________________________________________ Subject: Cheerleaders Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 15:21:47 -0600 From: "Linda B. Walker" <lbwalker@usit.net> Tommy, do you still have the magazine that our cheerleaders were featured in during the time that Sandy was one of the cheerleaders? I think I have a copy in the attic, but I can't remember if it was Look or Life. I do remember that everyone was very proud of them. We not only had great athletes during 64-66, but our cheerleaders were the best. Linda Beal Walker Class of '66 Jackson, TN (Editor's Note: I never saw the magazine, and did not know it existed until your e-mail. I moved away from Huntsville the day after graduation and lost out on a lot by not being around and staying in touch. If anyone has a copy of this, please let us know so we can share it with the rest of our Classmates.) _______________________________________________________ Subject: I'm Back Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 11:05:42 -0600 From: "Sherman Banks" <sbanks1@charter.net> You're doing a great job. This is the first chance I have taken to look at the website since we moved back from CA. Dropped out of Silicon Valley and am teaching school back here. LIFE IS GOOD. Here is my new address. 22 Hawthorne Lane Fayetteville, TN 37334 Please add me to the list. Regards, Sherman Banks Class of '65 Fayetteville, TN _____________________________________________________ Subject: Darryl Glassco email Change Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 10:39:25 -0700 From: darryl_glassco@agilent.com My email is changing after October 31, 2002 to: darryl_g@sbcglobal.net I am retiring after 30 years in the electronics business with HP/Agilent Technologies. After taking some time to catch up on visiting family, doing some fishing and paying attention to my very neglected golf clubs I plan to get in to something that is as far away from high tech as possible. Regards, Darryl Glassco Class of '65 ___________________________________________________ Subject: Sara address Date: Sun, 27 Oct 2002 20:15:53 -0600 From: "Bob Ramsey" <rramsey@lvnworth.com> Sara is visiting this weekend, so shared this wonderful home page with her. We've giggled all weekend with many memories, even though, she remembers a couple of things I don't. Don't know is it's short-term or long-term memory loss for which one of us. Ha!! Having so much fun. She live in Arizona and has come at a beautiful time of year in Kansas even though we haven't seen sun since her arrival, Hum wonder if that's an omen. Her address is: ssvad1@aol.com Sometime soon ( or when film developed) I'll send picture of us having fun. Til later. Sandra Schiff Ramsey Class of '64 Leavenworth, KS ______________________________________________________ Subject: E-Mail Addition Date: Mon, 28 Oct 2002 16:11:51 -0600 From: "Alice Preston" <apreston@lfsp.com> Please add J. R. Brooks to the e-mail list. His address is jrb@lfsp.com. Thanks, Alice Gullion Preston Class of '64 __________________________________________________________ Subject: Mailing List Date: Wed, 30 Oct 2002 10:20:47 -0600 From: royalashbrook <di-roy@ragland.net> I hope I am doing this right. I am not real confident of my computer skills. I am Dianne Ralston Lashbrook graduate of 65. There was another Dianne Ralston but she was a couple of years younger and I don't think she stayed at Lee very long. I have been visiting the site for a while and have now gotten up my courage to try to get on your mailing list. I left Huntsville soon after graduation and my husband of 35 years, Roy and I have lived all over the country. We now live in a very small town on a 54 acre farm on the Coosa River and I have told my husband if he wants to move again will be happy to write to him. Ha Ha. No more moving for me. I have two daughters and a grandson eleven years old and at this time they are all living with us. It is true what they say about kids, they grow up and leave home only to multiply and move back home. But I love having all of them here. They are a great deal of help to me because I am disabled with rheumatoid arthritis and osteo arthritis. I still have a great life and love every day. Knowing Jesus has made the difference. I am enjoying each issue of your web site. Your articles have helped me remember old times long forgotten. It's been wonderful!! And it seems that each issue is getting better and better. Thank you for this great romp down memory lane. Please let me know if this has gotten to you. God bless, Dianne Ralston Lashbrook Class of '65 ______________________________________________________ Subject: just checkin' in Date: Fri, 01 Nov 2002 12:20:27 -0600 From: Carol Carroll <jdcaroljosh@comcast.net> Hey Everyone, I'm embarassed to even write in, it has been so long since I did! I haven't been on the computer much in a long while and it has taken me forever just to catch up. The summer was one giant blur and it seems the fall has been even more so. I was ill in July and almost died. After spending four days in CCU and every test known to man, it took my doctor in Birmingham to figure out that I had had an allergic reaction to a Remicade Infusion (for my Crohn's Disease). Only 1% of patients will do this and unfortunately, I was one of them. Anyway, I'm much better now . (I had just had the infusion the day before the mini-reunion on the mountain and didn't feel like coming.) About the next mini-reunion---some of you may already know that for the last few years several of our classmates have been getting together at my house on the Friday night after Thanksgiving. It is very informal and has been by word of mouth to anyone who might still be in Huntsville or visiting for the holidays. I would love to have any classmate who is interested to come and join us. If ya'll are interested, let me know and we can give more details, etc. I can't get last week's edition to pull up on my computer, so I don't know if there is something else already planned. On a brighter note, the grocery store on Maysville Rd. that you are trying to remember was Prince's Grocery. I am not for sure if that was always it's name, but it was for the last many years of it's existence. I lived fairly close to it and that was one of the first places my Mom let me walk alone. Of course, when I was older it wasn't cool to walk anymore, but us "girls" still found excuses to stop by. Namely, we might run into Jed Stephens, Dwight Kephart, J.R. Brooks, Carl Scheer or any other guys who lived nearby. There were even some "older" guys that we really hoped we would run into-- Carl's brother Kerry, the Fretwell twins, "Bugs" Owens. They really weren't that much older, but they sure seemed it then! It really is wonderful what is going on with the web-site. It is so good to hear what is going on with so many of our classmates and all the articles' jogs my memory of some of the best times in my life!! Hope I can contribute as time goes on----Tommy, I know you don't have much patience with those of us who don't check our e-mails regularly, but not all of us are not as computer savvy as you---now if I can just figure out how to send this thing--- Love to all, Carol Jean Williams Carroll Class of '65 (P.S. My new e-mail address is: jdcaroljosh@comcast.net |
One Less Memory by Tommy Towery I lost another classmate of mine today A part of my past has faded away I have one less friend to share a laugh And one less memory of my past We grew together, from first grade on Our friendship, once weak, grew oh so strong And throughout our schooldays we had a blast Now there's one less memory of my past We shared the fun, the work at school We shared at church, the Golden Rule Our hearts were bonded, our dice were cast Now there's one less memory of my past We got our diplomas, turned our rings around My classmate stayed home, I moved from town Visited at reunions, with the rest of the class Now there's one less memory of my past We didn't see each other, not every day Nor did we talk, not much to say But we were friends until the last Now there's one less memory of my past It happens too often, it seems these days I lose too many, in too many ways Before I know it, they go so fast Making one less memory of my past I feel like I want to hug you all The ones I still have left, I need to call And tell you before my time has passed Before I'm one less memory of YOUR past - I cherish you all _____________________________________________ One of the things I wanted to do when I was a kid, was to write a book of poems. It looked like an easy way to whip out a book. I wrote the "Great American Novel" book, but I never wrote the book of poems. I wrote some great poems as a student at Lee, like "The Death of The Bomb," and "I Must Go Down To The Creek Again", and "The Death of the Intruder." Mrs. Parks always encouraged me to do more. But I didn't. As a matter of fact, it seemed that when I hung up my editor's hat at Lee's Traveller, I gave up on the poetry dream too. I had to write one or two in college I suppose, and I wrote a few of my humourous ones for roasts in the Air Force, but not many and none that meant anything to anyone else. I envy Jim McBride for his songwriting, and Terry Preston for his recent epic work. They did not give up. Above, you see my first renewed effort, which I dedicate to the memory of Sandy and to all of you who are a part of my past and to whom I never seem to really get the time to tell you how much you mean to me. You are the greatest bunch of friends that anyone on this earth could ever have, and even the ones I ignored in school back then, I cherish today. Sometimes I am asked why I do so much work on a weekly issue of The Traveller without getting anything in return. They don't understand how much I really get in return. Each e-mail that thanks me for bringing up an old forgotten memory, or each old set of friends that I help get back together is my payment. This gives me and the other members of the staff an outlet for things we have wanted to say and write all our lives, and it is us who should be thanking you for taking the time to read it and to contribute. T. Tommy ______________________________________ |
Things I've learned about Alabama ..... There are 5,000 types of snakes and 4,998 live in Alabama. There are 10,000 types of spiders. All 10,000 live in Alabama, plus a couple no one's seen before. Possums will eat anything. If it grows, it sticks; if it crawls, it bites. Onced and Twiced are words. It is not a shopping cart, it is a buggy. Coldbeer is one word. People actually grow, eat , and enjoy okra. Fixinto is one word. There ain't no such thing as "lunch". There's only dinner and then there's supper. Sweet Tea is appropriate for all meals and you start drinking it when you're 2. Backards and forwards means I know everything about you. 'Jeet? is actually a phrase meaning "Did you eat?" All of the Festivals across the state are named for a food, grain, or animal: Rattle Snake Rodeo, Peanut Festival Stores don't have bags; they have sacks. Going to Wal-Mart is a favorite past-time known to some as "goin' Wal-martin " or off to "Wally World." The local papers cover national and international news on one page but require 6 pages for local gossip and sports. You know you're from Alabama if: 1. You measure distance in minutes. 2. You've ever had to switch from "heat" to "A/C" in the same day. 3. You see a car running in the parking lot at the store with no one in it, no matter what time of the year. 4. You use "fix" as a verb. Example: I am fixing to go to the store. 5. You install security lights on your house and garage and leave both unlocked. 6. You know what "cow tipping" is. 7. You only own four spices: salt, pepper, sugar, and Tabasco. 8. You think that the first day of deer season is a national holiday. 9. You find 100 degrees Fahrenheit "a little warm." 10. You know all four seasons: Almost summer, summer, still summer, and Christmas. 11. You describe the first cool snap (below 70 degrees) as good chili weather. 12. You know that a carbonated soft drink isn't a soda, cola, or pop ... it s a Coke, regardless of brand or flavor. Example "What kinna coke y'all want?" 13. You understand these jokes and forward them to your friends from Alabama. ________________________________________ |
Thanksgiving Weekend Mini-Reunion Plans Are Coming Together Okay, we've got some tentative plans for the Mini-Reunion for Thansgiving and are trying to include some activities that will give everyone a chance to visit and have fun. Try to make one, if not all, of the activities. We'll start the fun by invading Carol Jean Williams Carroll's house on Friday night. She has traditionally hosted an open house on that Friday night, and has extended an invitation to all of us to join. More on time and instructions will follow in the next couple of weeks. Saturday will begin with breakfast at Mullins at 9am. You know where Mullins is. Now here comes the challenge. At 2pm on Saturday, we're turning back time and headed to the Odyssey Skate Center on Sourth Memorial Parkway. Bring your skates, rent skates, or just sit and watch the rest of us make fools of ourselves. Even if you don't want to skate, you can have a Coke and candy bar and visit and talk about the good old days at Carter's. I have my skates and I will be on them, and maybe on the floor. I will bet that the music won't be as good as ours, but let's see. It's a great photo opportunity anyway. _______________________________________ |
It's Not Our Fault We would like to point out to the new generations that the Classes of '64-'65-'66 were not the ones who took: The melody out of music The pride out of appearance The romance out of love The commitment out of marriage The responsibility out of parenthood The togetherness out of the family The learning out of education The service out of patriotism The religion out of school The Golden Rule from rulers The nativity scene out of cities The civility out of behavior The refinement out of language The dedication out of employment The prudence out of spending The ambition out of achievement And we certainly are NOT the ones who eliminated patience and tolerance from personal relationships and interactions with others!! Does anyone under the age of 50 know the lyrics to the Star Spangled Banner? We're the ones with tears in our eyes and pride in our hearts as we stand at attention with our hand over their hearts! Remember.......Inside every one of us is a younger person wondering what the heck happened! _______________________________________ |
