Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

Could The Halls We Walked

Be Scheduled for Demolition?

Some Are Pushing For It!

by Tommy Towery

Class of '64

The following article from The Huntsville Times was sent to us by a Classmate. It has been cut a little to fit into our format, but the idea is still strong.

City Leaders Take Lee Tour;

Raising TIF Limit Sought

Wednesday, April 06, 2005

By CHALLEN STEPHENS

Times Staff Writer challens@htimes.com

Virginia Lamb stood stage left Tuesday morning, staring over the heads of the school board members, PTSA parents and Huntsville Mayor Loretta Spencer. Lamb, a senior at Lee High School, directed their attention upward.

"To start off, this lovely, lovely, dirty ceiling," said Lamb, serving as tour guide to the physical decay of Lee High School. The auditorium contains 15 circular air vents, each ringed by a halo of black mold on the white ceiling.

Spencer left the group of city leaders after 15 minutes. She asked for a separate, expedited tour. In part, that's because Spencer arrived with her own opinion: "I think Lee needs a new school. There has been no question in my mind," she said Tuesday morning.

Now Spencer intends to borrow the money to help make that happen. But first, the Legislature will have to extend the city's credit limit.

And most school board members seem eager for that to happen.

Yet on Tuesday, city leaders continued on this tour of peeling paint, pock-marked ceiling tiles and ever-present streaks of mold and mildew.

Doug Martinson Jr., who represents Lee on the city school board, was the most optimistic in the tour group on Tuesday. Martinson said a new Lee could be designed and built within two years.

Yet for anything to improve, the board members agree, at least some of the money will have to come from other city leaders.

Since 2000, city leaders have borrowed money to help pay for a new Huntsville High and the opening of a new high school, Columbia, in west Huntsville. The money comes from the city's latest borrowing tool, the Tax Increment Financing district.

The TIF program is designed to improve a neglected or blighted part of town. A city borrows money to improve the area with a new school or other construction project. Theoretically, businesses flourish and property values rise. The TIF works by siphoning all increases in property tax revenue in the surrounding area to repay the construction debt.

But Huntsville has already reached its TIF limit.

Hinshaw, who graduated from Lee in 1978, joined Tuesday's tour: "This community always wanted some things but they haven't complained so much," he said of his alma mater.

But in recent months, Lee parents have occasionally spoken at board meetings to request a new building. And Tuesday the PTSA sponsored the sight-seeing tour.

Board member Topper Birney said the tour didn't provide a lot of new information.

"To me, they were kind of preaching to the choir," Birney said. "I think the majority of the school board realizes we need to do something. "

"I wish to heavens we could come up with $20 million tomorrow."

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Note: While I personally would hate to see the building we used go away, things like that happen, and such a move might make be nicer for the students. What bothers me is an idea that lurks in the back of my head that if such a decision is made, will the name "Lee Generals" go away with the building and be replaced with a more politically correct name?

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Growing Old

submitted by Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly

Class of '64

The other day a young person asked me how I felt about being old. I was taken aback, for I do not think of myself as old. Upon seeing my reaction, she was immediately embarrassed, but I explained that it was an interesting question, and I would ponder it, and let her know.

Old age, I decided, is a gift. I am now, probably for the first time in my life, the person I have always wanted to be. Oh, not my body! I sometime despair over my body - but I don't agonize over it for long.

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become more kind to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to overeat, to be messy, to be extravagant. I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon, before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read until 4 am, and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 50's & 60's, and if I at the same time wish to weep over a lost love, I will. I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten - and I eventually remember the important things. Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turn gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face . . . So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver. I can say "no," and mean it. I can say "yes," and mean it. As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore. I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer the question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever, but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. For the first time in my life, I don't have to have a reason to do the things I want to do. If I want to play games on the computer all day, lay on the couch and watch old movies for hours or don't want to go to the beach or a movie, I have earned that right. I have put in my time doing everything for others, so now I can be a bit selfish without feeling guilty.

I sometimes feel sorry for the young. They face a far different world than I knew growing up, where we feared the law, respected the old, the flag, our country. I never felt the need to use filthy language in order to express myself. And they, too, will grow old someday.

I am grateful to have been born when I was . . . into a kinder, gentler world.

Yes, I like being old!

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Numbers

by Collins (CE) Wynn

Class of ‘64

Like all of you I am sure, I have been watching the rapid rise of gasoline prices with a good deal of trepidation. You know, a cent or two here and there is not a big deal but when the increases are measured in whole dollars they can certainly get your attention. I read an article a day or two ago that said premium gasoline (which is all they have) in the Netherlands is right at $6.00 a gallon. Talk about threatening your lifestyle; this situation probably has more of a direct impact on all of us as a whole that any other I can think of.

I’ve heard it said that the prices of things are all relative and I suppose that’s true – someone making a lot of money can afford to spend a lot of money. But, sometimes, it’s just fun to play with the numbers. Ya’ll have all probably had similar experiences.

Pat Grubis and I were fortunate enough to be able to buy a house in Huntsville when we were 20 years old. We paid a guy $750 for his equity and assumed an $18,000 mortgage. Yeah, that’s right - $18,000 with a payment of around $105. And…. it was for a 3BR/2BA/Dining/Living/ Kitchen 2 story w/a full den and two car garage downstairs. That same house today is worth maybe $150-$200K or more. I remember we sold it in 1977 or so for over $20,000 and thought we had struck it rich.

My first true slamdunk with sticker shock came in about 1968 when I was stationed at Fort Gordon, GA in the Army. I was driving back and forth to Huntsville on the weekends and stopped in a gas station just a bit due east of Atlanta on I-20. I was stunned to see a Coke machine that had drinks for $.25 each. I had never heard of such a thing – I mean 5 cents for a coke was ok and even 10 at a carnival or fair but never, never $.25 – what was the world coming to?

Pat and I also bought a little sports car in 1967 – a green (British Racing Green, of course) brand spanking show room floor new Austin Healy Sprite for $2,100 total. I doubt if someone could buy a passenger side door for that these days especially when you consider that a reasonably nice vehicle goes for $20,000 and is likely to be $30k or more.

I promise I recall when gasoline was around $.20 a gallon and cigarettes were 2 for a nickel or $.30 a pack meaning a carton of cigarettes went for $2.50 or $3.00. I saw the other day where cigarettes were $35 to $40 a carton. Back when I smoked I did at least two packs a day which would be costing me more or less $6 a day or at least $180 a month. At a rate like this I would not have been able to buy milk for the baby much less my monthly wine ration. There were a lot of reasons for me to quit smoking and my financial considerations ranked right up near the top of the list.

A witty and urbane friend of mine once summed up inflation by saying “Gee, everything sure is high at the fair this year!”. I suppose that applies to the fair every year.

But, when it is all considered, our quality of life is way ahead of where it was during our high school years. Just ponder what has happened to the City of Huntsville – how it has grown and improved itself over the years. And our homes, cars, and offices are full of gadgets that we never dreamt of. And, and --- those gadgets are now indispensable must haves. To be truthful I enjoy the security and comfort these gadgets bring even if they do cost an arm and a leg. I just don’t understand how I can be unable to find anything to watch on TV with over 300 channels costing $100 a month. My Mom would say I am just a spoiled little boy which is, of course, true.

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Subject:Dallas Cemetery

Bob Alverson

Class of '65

I read with great interest C. E.'s article on the Dallas Cemetery. My youngest daughter lived in the house that boarders the fenced area for a while and took me back to see the area.

My interest is deeper than that my daughter lived there. The tombstone marked "Pearlie Bell Hayes" is the tombstone my my Great Aunt. She was my Grandfather's younger sister. The initials for the parents should read J.C. Hayes and M. L. Hayes. I remember seeing a book in the Heritage Room of the library with a list of some tombstones in this cemetery. Next to Pearlie Bell Hayes was one for William Columbus Hayes, my Mother's older brother who died before she was born.

The families of those buried in this cemetery were never notified that houses were to be built in that area and nothing was done to preserve the graves. It is a shame that such history is lost.

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Subject:Traveller Articles

Annette McCraney

Class of '64

The Tik's did rule!!! The main song I remember them playing was "Long Tall Texan"" I never left Bradly's with dry hair, which I imagine was quite gruesome due to the amount of hairspray that was sprayed on, and the heights of the do's we were wearing back then. Of course Terry Wampler would always go really fanatic on my hair when he was in school to be a "High-Fashion" hair stylist. I never knew what color or what style he would decide to "do" me in, but it was always different.

Hey, Tommy. I still have my USS Alabama membership card, too. I don't have any idea where they came from, but I still have it just in case I make to down to Mobile to see it.....And I also still have my little chicken that layed eggs, too. I can't believe with all the changes that I have gone thru in the past 40 years that I could have anything left, but Mom and I were both kinda pack rats, so when I find boxes that I haven't been thru in awhile, I usually find some little remembrance of Huntsville in the 50's and 60's.

I have a little trivia question to ask...Who wrote and recorded the very deep, reflective, memorable words?

Baby, baby, I love you,

Do you, do you-oo. love me too?

Baby, baby I-I-I love you-oo oo,you-oo-oo

Oh yes I do-oo-oo

Just a hint...He didn't go to Lee, but his record was played on all the local stations.

Another remembrance is the Lee High News that a couple of our classmates (Woody Beck and Wayne Lankford) had on one of the local stations, but I don't remember if it was WAAY or WBPS(?) but it was fun to listen to and get all the lowdown on what was going on in our hallowed halls. They would have a guest announcer come to the studio and give a broadcast--The only time I participated, it was on a very short notice and I didn't have time to dig very deep, so it was the "Who's going with Who" spot. Absolutely nothing of any substance was said on my few minutes of fame, but it was fun anyway.

I'm really looking forward to the reunion. I'm going to take off several days before and after so I don't miss anything. (I'll pass on the golf game) Until then, I'll stay in touch through the website. Thanks for your hard work keepin' us together like this. It means a lot.

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Subject:Tics

George Vail

Class of '66

Sorry folks got a little carried away.. Jerry Brewer was the answer. I guess I might have been showing-off.. Bob Claycomb also is a Lee High alumni - not sure of his class year (maybe '66 or '67). These guys were music teachers to me. Jerry even gave me drum scores to practice. Thanks, to Jerry & "Toot" ,mostly, they helped me realize some dreams. Bob added some mentoring, but gave most of his tutoring to Eddie Burton('66). Thanks to the Traveller and staff.

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Subject:Reunion Whining

Charlie Hancock

Class of '66

I'm a member of the class of '66. I live in Puyallup, Washington. I've always been a Yankee. The August heat is TOO BRUTAL for me. I attended in 2000. I about died in the heat. Life is too short to deal with that in August.

How about having it in March or April. Maybe October? In the mid 1960s, NASA contractors from all over converged in Huntsville. My Dad was one. When that work was completed, he got a return to Seattle/Greater Puget Sound. We left mid June, 1966. Now we don't deal with heat like ya'll do regularly. We're not going in August again. I have friends to visit there. But not in August. So I suspect if Yankees living up north don't come, that's why. I have relatives in Kansas too that I don't visit in the summer. Especially August.

I'd give it serious consideration in a cooler time of the year. August? Nope. Never gonn'a happen. OK... I don't mind being a Yankee nonhacker. Yep. Guilty as charged. Never going again in August.

Thank you volunteers very kindly. I wish I could convince you consider a cooler time of the year. (I'm not talking June.) Your efforts are still appreciated.

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Subject:Reunion

Dianne Hughy McClure

Class of '64

I also want to thank the reunion committee for all of their hard work. I have not been able to particiapte in the planning due to my home circumstances but i have helped plan in the past and know the work involved. I would love to see the people from out of town and also in town friends but it is not always possible at this time for me to do what I would like to do. I will probably not be able to attend the reunion due to Ronnie's illness but my thoughts will be there. So i just wanted Tommy and everyone to know that it is not lack of interest in my fellow classmates and their lives it is just circumstances in my life that prevents me form doing a lot of things I would like to do these days. Once again thanks to the committee all for their hard work planning the reunion and to the editors of the paper that helps keep me informed. Hope to see you sometime in the near future.

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Subject:Reunion

Chip Smoak

Class of '66

I want to add my voice to Tommy's in saying "THANK YOU !!!" to the Reunion Committee and all of our other classmates who pitch in in any way to bring off the reunion. Unless you have done something like this you have no idea what a Herculean but thankless task this is. Most of us will not do anything but show up and think that we are owed a vote of thanks for that. We all owe these classmates a vote of thanks, whether or not we attend. They are among the best of us. So thank you again, gang, for what I for one know will be a job very well done.

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Subject:Next Reunion Meeting

Alice Gullion Preston

Class of '64

Reminder the meeting is at 5:15 on Tuesday. Building locks down at 5:30. Call 713-2270 if you are running late.

Lanier Ford Shaver & Payne P.C.

200 West Side Square

Suite 5000

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Subject:Updated Missing List for Class of '66

Kathy Harris Jones

Class of '66

I have updated the missing list for our class. I am sure that there are people out there who know how to get in touch with some of these. Please let us know. We really need to find them soon. We have also had very few who have sent in the forms that we mailed out. We really need to be making our plans and have an idea of how many will attend. Thanks. (Click on Missing Classmates Button to right)

Ex-Lee Principal In

Serious Condition

Jasper Jenkins Was Robbed,

Assaulted Last Week At Home

Saturday, April 02, 2005

By Wendy Reeves

Times Staff Writer wendyr@htimes.com

A former Lee High School principal remained hospitalized Friday for injuries sustained in an invasion-style robbery at his apartment more than a week ago.

Jasper Jenkins, 77, was in critical condition at Huntsville Hospital. Jenkins was principal at Lee High in the 1970s.

Earlier this week Huntsville police charged three people each with first-degree burglary, first-degree robbery and first-degree assault, said Sgt. Wayne West of the west precinct.

Charged were:

Julius Antonio Strickland, 22, of 1500 Sparkman Drive, Apt. 26;

Urshela Pamela Strickland, 21, of 102 Apartment C, Mason Court;

A 17-year-old Huntsville boy, whose name was not released because he is a juvenile.

Jenkins lives at Royal Pines Apartments off Old Madison Pike. About 7:30 p.m. on March 23 Jenkins called police after two men and a woman rushed inside his apartment when he answered a knock at the door.

Police said Jenkins was assaulted and robbed of money and other items. The night of the attack, West said, HEMSI paramedics examined Jenkins at the scene, but Jenkins did not want to go to the hospital. West said investigators later persuaded him to seek treatment when it was learned he had serious internal injuries.

All three suspects were being held in the Madison County jail late Friday. No bond has been set.

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