Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

Ginger Dickerson Canfield, Class of '72 - Ahhhh, Yes, I had, and still do have those exact nutcrackers and picks from my childhood. The picks were esp. handy for extracting pecan meats and that stuck section of Brazil Nuts! They were really put to use after Christmas, since we always got fruit and assorted nuts in our christmas stocking, along with a BIG candy cane, Hershey minatures, and various unwrapped candy that stuck to the stocking until they were fuzzy and tasted like felt! By the way did my brother Jack (Class of '64) ever tell you all about the Christmas Mom made "Boiled Cookies"( a chocolate candy like creation) for a Home Demonstration Club Meeting, and told Jack he could have as many as he wanted? I don't recall how many he ate, but all of us sisters Myself, Jill Dickerson (Class of '66), and Pat Birchfield (Class of '66),also profitted. He was so sick that Christmas, that he gave away ALL of his stocking goodies!!! Poor Jack could not even watch a Betty Crocker Cake commercial on our old RCA TV, without getting ill. I guess Jack probably does not have happy memories of that Christmas, but I certainly have happy memories of growing with Jack!

_____________________________________________

Annette McCraney, Class of '64 - Here we have the ubiquitous nut cracker and picks. They were usually packaged with a nut holder that was made from a section of tree trunk with a middle island with holes where the nut cracker and picks (six) would rest when not in use.

_______________________________________

Jim Bannister, Class of '66 - The Lee-Bay item is a nut cracker & nut picks. What is missing is the wooden bowl with the raised mount in the center for the crackers & picks. My Grandmother had one of these sets and I can remember spending quite a bit of time cracking & eating various types of nuts. I could never get the meat out of Walnuts or Brazil nuts even using the picks. English walnuts were a treat but pecans were always the most plentiful. I enjoyed the pecans until I got a piece of the "Bitters" then the session was ruined. There was nothing that could remove that taste, it just had to wear off.

_______________________________________

Rainer Klauss, Class of '64 - Mystery Objects of the Week: What we have there is a nutcracker, one of the many variations and types of that implement or tool. You got your kitschy, decorative nutcrackers that can cost a pretty penny, you got your dynamic, solenoid-operated electric

nutcrackers designed for professionals (guaranteed not to overcrack or crush the nuts), you got your basic hammer for inflicting blunt force trauma to the nuts, and then you've got this simple machine which, with its suite of picks, is designed to make nutcracking a family affair. We had a set like this when I was a kid. Put on some Tchaikovsky, get those bubble lights abubblin', and let's go to work!

______________________________________

Don Stroud, Class of ' 65 - I've cracked many pecans with the items shown in the Traveller last week. Yes,I still have a set and continue to use them. Hope everyone has a very Merry Christmas and Happy New Year. Thanks for the memories,Tommy.

_____________________________________

Tommy Towery, Class of ’64 - The nutcracker suite (whoa, that's a pun) served a double purpose for me. First the tools were used during the Christmas period with the nuts that were in my stockings. I never really wondered why it was only during Christmas period that we had nuts that needed the nutcracker and the picks. There second purpose was to use the picks as weapons when I made soldiers out of clay. I’d use the picks as spears and throw them into the clay bodies of the men I made. They made great weapons – were strong and durable and inflicted great wounds into the bodies of the advancing hordes. I also seem to remember that I would sometimes inflict great pain upon my self when a nut would finally crack from the pressure I applied to the nutcracker and I did not notice where my own fingers or the palms of my hands were located. Ouch!

______________________________________

John W. Turrentine, Class of '65 - We have all seen, and probably have, a set of the nut crackers shown on the last issue. What seems different is the fact some of the picks are straight while others have a curved

appearance. Is this a difference?

__________________________________

Christmas at Jimmy’s House

By Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly

Class of ‘64

Ed and I moved with our nine-month-old son, Chris, to Aberdeen, Maryland in August, 1971. Ed had just graduated in June from Auburn University and had been commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U. S. Army. We were stationed at Aberdeen Proving Grounds where he completed basic and advanced Ordnance Officer Training. We moved there knowing no one, and because we were only planning to be in Aberdeen for three months (which turned into six), we had difficulty finding a place to live since most places required a six-month lease. We finally found a trailer, which was nice enough, but had no air-conditioning and just a wee bit of trouble with (gasp!) roaches. We rented an air-conditioner, and the exterminator got rid of the unwanted guests. That being said, I can only state unequivocally that Aberdeen is now one of my most treasured memories.

We made several good friends, all in our class, and went to the Officer’s Club regularly to dance downstairs in the “Ratskeller.” The O. C. was located on Chesapeake Bay, and I could get a complete lobster dinner for only $3.95! Sheer heaven. There were more memories of that short period of time than space allows, but I’ll try to hit some of the high points before I actually end this with Christmas at Jimmy’s house. As Tommy has previously stated, you can send me to the store for a loaf of bread, and somehow I’ll end up making a side trip to the Home Depot. The bread will, of course, finally arrive when I do.

One thing I did back then, which still surprises me because I am NOT a morning person, was to be at the gym with friends at 8:00 AM SHARP to exercise with some former WACs. They didn’t cut us any slack either. I have difficulty finding the coffee pot in the morning to get me going, but I had to drop Chris at the babysitter’s and still manage to get there on time. It was grueling, to say the least, but always ended with a visit to the steam room. After that, the day was just a total pleasure. I remember being in the commissary grocery shopping and hearing, “Hey!” I stopped to talk to a lady from the class, and just as a joke she said, “I almost didn’t recognize you with your clothes on.” (Because of the steam room.) You wouldn’t believe the stares we got after that. Luckily, I don’t embarrass easily.

Chris started walking while we were in Aberdeen, and soon after we celebrated his first birthday. One very cold morning while I was at the gym, Ed stepped outside the door to put the garbage out just by the steps. The door shut behind him, and he heard the button push in. He couldn’t get back into the house. Chris tried and tried to open the door and even though he could push the button in easily, he just didn’t have the leverage to turn the knob at that age. So there was Ed, barefooted in his robe with only one option. He told Chris to lie down on the sofa, and he literally ran about one mile up the highway to our landlord’s house! God was looking out for us, because the man was home. When Ed returned with the key and opened the door, he found Chris lying on the sofa, wide-eyed and scared.

Our friends lived in very diverse housing, as well. One couple lived in a nice apartment in Edgewood. Our closest friends, John and Lemoyne, lived on the upper floor of a big, old house at Havre de Grace, overlooking the harbor at Chesapeake Bay. Another couple, Cindy and Danny, lived in a really cute little apartment over a garage. In fact, we had looked at that same apartment earlier in the day, but when we went back to take it, it was already rented to them. We all spent a lot of time visiting back and forth, and they felt more like family to us than friends. I had my time with the girls when we were being instructed in proper etiquette for the officers’ wives with the outgoing class. Then we spent more time together teaching the incoming class. I think I have mentioned before that I was first in line to meet the general, his staff, and their wives and made the faux pas of not having my gloves on. I was busy talking (Who’d a thought it?) when the general’s wife changed her mind and put her gloves on. The first person was responsible for watching her and emulating whatever she did. Needless to say, our outgoing class and the incoming class all defied custom! She was a good sport, though. Later that evening, after she had her “spirits” lifted and was talking with a few of us, she told us that she had informed her husband when she married him that there were three things she’d NEVER do: 1) go to the liquor store, 2) take the car in for routine service, and 3) dress that damn uniform. She had learned, however, through many tours of duty which took him away, that unless she wanted to remain “high and dry,” so to speak, she needed to be able to drive to the liquor store which involved compromising on numbers 1 and 2. She added, “I still don’t dress that damn uniform, and I’d suggest that you never start it.” Good advice.

We probably could have spent Christmas in Aberdeen and been pretty happy. Neither of us had ever spent Christmas away from our families before, but if you had to be away from home, we were in the ideal situation. We decided to drive to Morgantown, West Virginia to spend the holiday with Jimmy, Ed’s older brother. Jimmy lived on top of a mountain in a really great house. He was into his period of shunning “conspicuous consumption,” (I am happy to report that his future wife, Brenda, cured him of this dreaded disease!) and would have no part of anything which reeked of commercialism for Christmas. Therefore, while Ed and Jimmy were off doing the guy thing in the woods, cutting down the perfect tree, I was cutting strips (I kid you not, people!) of aluminum foil to make icicles. We also strung popcorn and made paper chains and other ornaments, which I don’t remember at this point, but it was really a handsome little tree and wore its adornment well.

Ed and I slept in the living room on a fold-down couch before a roaring fireplace which was really fun and as close to outdoorsy as I cared for. My idea of “roughing it” is a color television with no remote control. I had a long gown with a design on the front which, for lack of better words, I will describe as “looking like Marlo Thomas in “That Girl” with her face removed. It really did look a lot like that flipped up hairdo with nothing under it! I can only assume that Jimmy’s cat was extremely attracted to (or repulsed by?) that design, because during the night I felt it land on my chest. As I came up screaming, the claws came out and I ended up with four angry-looking marks as the cat was ejected from the bed. Jimmy gave me some kind of spray-on antibiotic to which I was allergic. Not only did I have four red marks, but now they were covered in a rash!

I wouldn’t trade that Christmas for all the tea in China, rash and all. We have precious pictures of Chris riding on Jimmy’s yellow lab, Chief, who possessed more patience than any dog I’ve ever met, of Chris playing with all of Chief’s puppies, and even of Chris pulling Chief’s tail, while the poor dog wore an expression of great tolerance and love for our little person. I’ve had many Christmases to remember since that time, but the Christmas of “non-conspicuous consumption” will always hold a special place in my heart. The little non-pretentious tree, a giant in its own right, serves as a reminder that it doesn’t really matter how many decorations you have or how fancy the gifts are. What really matters is our Lord and the dear people with whom He has chosen to grace our lives, sometimes for only a brief period in His grand scheme of things. My wish for all of you this season is that you have experienced the same love and that your own precious memories will endure forever, as will mine.

_____________________________________

High School Christmas Memories

Jerry Dorriety

Class of ‘70

Tommy and I didn’t know each other but I’ve written several times with things I’ve remembered. I really appreciate the work he and the staff does on the website. I discovered it at a point in my life where I needed to remember some of my foundation. As I’ve looked at the weekly issues I’ve laughed, thought, then been saddened by changes. But it has all been so positive.

The class of 1970 was a great group of people. I had friends that I went to elementary and junior high with (Chapman School). What memories. I remember in the sixth grade some special times. Construction was going on at Chapman Junior High and my grade had no where to attend school. The old Risen school had been condemned and closed, but they reopened it that year and that’s where we went to school. That’s also the year that George Wallace stood in the doorway to refuse entrance to Veronica, a little black girl entering the sixth grade. The only black girl in the school. I remember most of us being confused about what was going on. I also remember how alone Veronica looked. She was a very nice girl.

I remember the day I helped the art teacher (who came once a week I think) take her supplies back out to her car. While we were loading the car, the radio announcer broke into the regular programming to announce that President Kennedy had been shot. I went in and told my teacher, Mrs. Lawler. The rest of the day is a blur.

Speaking of Mrs. Lawler. I don’t know if any of you remember her but she was a special sort of person. She had been a truant officer for many years before becoming a teacher. Nothing got past her. She could be warm and loving, then in the next moment strike fear into the heart of any self-respecting sixth-grader. The great love she had for us became more apparent as the years passed. She was a firm believer in learning new things. I’ll never forget when she decided we all had to cross-stitch an apron for our mothers for Christmas. Imagine seeing a room half filled with little boys, embroidering on hoops the little gingham aprons for our mothers. Those were some ugly aprons! But my mother wore hers proudly until the day she died, a little over 12 years ago.

Mrs. Lawler told a story of finding a little boy in her class playing with matches. She said she pulled out the paddle and went to work, without realizing he had another pack of matches in his back pocket. She found that fact out when his pants began to smoke! (She said it, it must be true!)

Any of you remember Coach Myhan? Mr. Brady? Mrs. Garrett? They stuck in my mind as great Jr. High teachers.

At Lee I was involved in the music program. I played the piano for the chorus and sang in the chorus. Anne Ivey was our conductor and boy was she great! I also remember when Jasper Jenkins was the choral director. My brother, Jim, sang with the chorus back then. All that meant for me was that Mr. Jenkins already knew who I was when I went to Lee. And that wasn’t necessarily a good thing. My brother’s and my good friend, Tommy Esslinger, was a teacher then and followed Anne Ivey in the music department.

I remember the first year I took geometry. Mrs. Gudrin Turner was also in her first year as a teacher. She was so beautiful and I had a huge crush on her. I thought she looked just like Sandy Dennys, the movie star.

Then there was Mrs. Aderholdt, the English teacher. She was so strict. I remember thinking she was mean and demanding. There was a day when we had to pick out an item in the room and write an essay about it. I chose the little American flag hanging above the blackboard. My paper was a pretty predictable piece of high school writing, but I do remember getting into the spirit of the essay. She had led us to really get in touch with our insides, not just reflect the outside. I remember her reading that paper and tears being visible in her eyes. The paper was about patriotism. I did not know her husband was in Vietnam. The last I heard of her she had moved to Florida and was teaching there. I also remember that I was one of the few kids prepared for college English when I went away to college. Thank you, Mrs. Aderholdt.

There are so many memories of teachers and classmates. These are just a few off the top of my head. It does us all good to keep in touch with these memories, good or bad. Thanks for offering this forum for our memories.

______________________________________

Christmas Dreams of Yesterday

by Eddie Sykes

Class of '66

For Christmas in 1963 I got my first stereo record player. It had removable speakers on both sides of the turntable. I would lay on

the floor and put the speakers up to my ears so I could play the music loud enough for me without disturbing my mom. This was before stereo head phones. Ray Charles was one of my favorites. I was partial to slow sad love songs. Probably because I was too shy to ever let the girl know how I felt about her. So, I could really relate to the Ray Charles song "You Don't Know Me".

No you don't know the one

Who dreams of you at night;

And longs to kiss your lips

And longs to hold you tight

Oh I'm just a friend.

That's all I've ever been.

Cause you don't know me.

(no you don't know me)

I know that many of us felt this way during our high school years. The words from the song were right on, but we would go dumb when we entered the presence of our latest "crush". The lyrics continue to nail the emotion.

You give your hand to me

And then you say, "Hello."

And I can hardly speak,

My heart is beating so.

And anyone can tell

You think you know me well.

Well, you don't know me.

(no you don't know me)

There are several reasons that I chose to write on this topic. As you know, Ray Charles passed away this year and there is also a movie out about his life. I am also following up to the slow songs feature. When you chose a partner to a slow song, often it was your way of saying without having to, that this song is how I feel about you. More often than not we were at lease hoping that's what the other one was thinking.

Another reason is that I wanted to communicate how memories are forever. The past is a great place to visit, because it is always the same in our ever changing world. The old songs transport us back that place where we will always be forever young. I fondly remember finally falling in love for the first time. Well I should clarify, with someone who felt the same way about me. It is also special to fall in love during the Christmas Holidays. (We can still say that here ?)

I think it the following year 1964 that I gave my girlfriend, Sandra Parks Bozeman '67, a charm for her charm bracelet. It was shaped like a stop sign and engraved with "I Can't Stop Loving You". Now, this was my favorite Ray Charles song. I remember dancing to this song over and over. It was sort of a declaration of Love. The lyrics also help to make my last point.

(I can't stop loving you)

I've made up my mind

To live in memory of the lonesome times

(I can't stop wanting you)

It's useless to say

So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday

(Dreams of yesterday)

Those happy hours that we once knew

Tho' long ago, they still make me blue

They say that time heals a broken heart

But time has stood still since we've been apart

Although I look forward to the Holiday season each year. It never passes without a memory lane visit to those Lee High days. With each passing year more and more of our classmates and people who influenced our lives also pass. I hope you can attend the reunion, it may be the last time you will be able to see some of your old friends. Merry Christmas to the Lee Family !

"So I'll just live my life in dreams of yesterday

and those happy hours that we once knew!"

Ray Charles 1930-2004

_________________________________________

Subject:Slow Songs

Barbara Seely Cooper

Class of '64

I am late in responding to the "slow songs" issue. The songs in everyone's responses, especially T. Tommy's, hit home. I remember skating to "Put Your Head on My Shoulder" by Paul Anka also. Nowadays I tune in to a "Golden Oldies" radio station, even though none of us are oldies (much less golden), and it is always a pleasure to have some of the good old Carter's Skateland Couples Only songs come on. Folks here in Naples must wonder who is the nutcake driver swaying from lane to lane...little do they know I am doing a couples' skate to some of my old favorites. Who says cell phones are the biggest danger??

________________________________

Subject:Submissions

Barbara Seely Cooper

Class of '64

The article on typing class struck home with me, and I spent time on this e-mail page typing an article about my memories in typing class. It seems it was too long for this space because all of a sudden my article disappeared. I emailed you again asking how to submit a longer article (in Microsoft Word?? What??) but never got an answer. T. Tommy, you have asked for contributions to articles. Please let me know how!

(Editor's Note: The "Easy Mail" option listed above has its limitations. Anyone wanting to write a nice article should e-mail me directly at ttowery@memphis.edu and "attach" the document to the e-mail.)

__________________________________

Subject:A Tale From Long Ago

Linda Collinsworth Provost

Class of '66

A few weeks ago someone mentioned Coach West in the newletter and it brought back a favorite memory of mine. I remember that when he came to Lee, Coach made quite an impression on many of us young girls who considered him "dreamy." When I was in the 9th grade I fell on the icy sidewalk between the two wings at Lee and broke my right arm. For some reason I was driven to the hospital by Coach West in his brand new baby blue T-bird. That was certainly a thrill for my young heart, (both the ride in the T-bird and riding with Coach.) But even better than that, I had to keep my arm elevated during the ride to the hospital which meant that I had to lean on Coach as he was driving. I don't think we had seat belts back then. I have no recollection of feeling any pain and while I have forgotten many many things about high school, this memory seems to linger on. Imagine that!

__________________________________

Subject: 13 Screamin Niggers

George Lehman Williams

Class of '64

I do recall a band named "Thirteen Screamin Niggers" - saw them at the Ocean Pier, Daytona Beach - summer of 1964 - also at a fraternity party at Auburn Univ. during South Sea Island Week ( I think ) - I seem to remember them being from the Univ of Virginia or West Virginia. They were good. That period of my life is mostly a blur, either fast cars or various substances that erodes the memory base.

________________________________

Subject:E-Mail

John Scales

Class of '66

Are you still sending out e-mails weekly to remind us about the paper? I haven't received one for several weeks but I'm not sure whether that's because you discontinued them or perhaps that when I sent in my information several weeks ago as requested it didn't "take."

(Editor's Note: I am now sending the e-mail announcements only to those who have used the new form to submit their e-mail address and to request the notification. I started with the last issue.)

_______________________________________

Subject:The Letter

John W. Turrentine

Class of '65

I was moved about the letter regarding the former Commander. Seems you miss the Military culture as much as I.

___________________________________