Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

I Miss Summer Camp

by Tommy Towery

Class of '64

This morning I walked out of the university’s parking garage and into a warm and bright June day in Memphis, Tennessee. I don’t know why, but my mind flashed back to earlier summer days of my life and how much fun they were, instead of them just being another workday. Work! My mind just dwelled on the fun of summer back in the early days and of the mundane routine it has become today.

I thought to myself, how great it would be to take a week off and just pack up and go to summer camp, instead of working. Back when I first came to this campus following my graduation from Lee in 1964, I spent all my summers working as a counselor at the YMCA camp at Pickwick Lake. It was always six and sometimes ten weeks of going to camp. That was a fun job that didn't pay much, but had great benefits. It was not as fun as being a camper, but it was fun being out in the woods and on the lake all summer long. I even enjoyed the US Air Force’s survival camps more than most people did, because I was at ease in the woods. I was a veteran camper. I had spent almost 200 nights out in the woods before I graduated from college. I even took a three-semester-hour course in camping during my college days.

When I was in the scouts in Huntsville, Camp Westmoreland was always a part of my summer schedule. Each year when the dates for the camps were announced I'd start my dreaming. I would look at the pictures in the brochure of all the things there was to do. I'd look at the same activities that I'd done a dozen times, but still was thrilled while planning on what I would enjoy doing the next time I went to camp. Ironically, I heard that a year or so after I left Huntsville, a picture of me sitting at a campfire playing my guitar was in one of the brochures. Once I had filled out my application and put down my deposit, my excitement increased. I was committed to going to camp. I think back then the cost was somewhere between $25 and $40 for a week.

I dreamed of the time that me and my scout buddies would be camping out in tents or cabins for a week, enjoying canoeing, swimming, sports, campfires and sing fests. We’d go over there in a bus or van together and for a week we’d live in harmony with nature and usually each other.

Many of my camping buddies were later to become my Lee High School buddies as well. I know I'll forget to list a few names, but for sure I remember Johnny Carter, Bob and Jim Ramsey, Don Cornelius, Ronnie Hornbuckle, Bryan Towery, and Bobby Cochran. Like I mentioned in the article a few weeks ago, Jack Dickerson and I attended the ROTC summer camp together, but that was a whole different camping experience.

I loved the one week each year that I spent with my pals at the scout camp. The one drawback as I got older was that it was also a week without girls – which got to be even a bigger problem as the hormones started flowing.

But again, there were lots of other things to do and keep my mind off of the fairer sex. Meals were usually eaten at the dinning halls and the food was good and plentiful. Sometimes we'd cook around campfires. Entertainment was all provided and I never seemed to get bored, and it was always sad to have to break camp and head home.

Along with the scout camp, I usually also put in a week of church camp each summer, and would go with my Central Presbyterian Church crowd to Camp Ovoca in Tullahoma, Tennessee, and then over to the new one near Wilson Dam which was a little closer. The basic concept of church camp was the same as scout camp – fun, food, and fellowship. There was a little difference in that we studied wood lore in the scouts and we studied the Bible at church camp. The other activities were about the same. We swam almost every day; rode in canoes; had campfires; and sang lots of silly camp songs. We ate three meals a day at the dinning hall and on rare occasions we would go on a field trip to town or some other location.

The big difference in scout camp and church camp was that there were girls at church camp. In the early years, that was okay but no big deal. Once I became aware of the differences between boys and girls, then it was a definite plus to spending a week at camp. The girls didn’t wear bikinis and most of them didn’t even wear two piece suits, but even in their one piece swim suits that covered what little development of the female body they had, they were fun to be around at the swimming hole. Even though we stayed in boys’ and girls’ cabins, there was still some fun times to be had. We even had a panty raid one summer at our church camp, but we just took the clothes from one of the girls’ cabins and swapped them with all the clothes from their partner boys’ cabin, but that was fun in its own way.

So, here I was today, walking across the campus in the 90 degree 8am weather, wishing that I could stay out in it, rather than go spend my day at my desk in my air conditioned office. Some of you will think that is crazy, especially those of you in the Northwest. Some of you might relate. But I was just wondering why adults didn’t get to go to summer camp like kids do. Then an idea came to me…no, it was not to start up my own summer camp for adults, but instead it was the realization that there is almost one already, but called by a different name.

Eddie Sykes will understand this concept more than anyone else I think. Eddie is a cruiser. I went on my first cruise last year and have already booked a cruise for Sue and me for next year. This one is a five-day cruise, but it could have been a week, just like camp. Looking at the brochures, seeing all the activities, and putting down the deposit that commit me to the trip still has the same excitement. On the cruise I can go swimming and have evening entertainment. I can sit around and sing songs…at a dueling piano bar instead of a campfire but that’s okay. Its co-ed and this time I’ll share my cabin with a girl instead of me being in a cabin with a bunch of guys and her across the road with a bunch of girls. We’ll have all the food we want, any time day or night. We can buy souvenir t-shirts even. We’ll have the opportunity to take field trips, take boat rides, rent horses or bicycles. We’ll take photos, sit in the sun, and lay on the beach. The girls will have on much sexier bathing suits than they did at church camp, you can believe that. They even have their own adult version of a "Snipe Hunt" on a cruise ship, only they call it a "Casino".

And so, when you think about it, you realize that a cruise is a lot like summer camp only without counselors and more freedoms. It might cost more, but when you compare "kid" dollars to "adult" dollars, there's probably not much difference. I think that’s probably why I enjoyed myself on my first cruise so much and why I look so forward to my next one. Now if only I could get someone to sing “Kumbaya” with me at the dueling piano bar that would make it perfect.

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Memories of LHS

Dennis "Dink" Hollingsworth, Class of '65

Marty Fincher Hollingsworth, Class of '65

Recently our daughter asked what year Marty and I graduated from LHS and when we told her '65 she told us about this great website. Seems our daughter was looking for a friend or hers she had graduated from Shades Valley with and is now on staff at LHS and the friend told her about the site.

I am not sure how much should be rememebered about your high school days but my memories are as vivid today as if they were just yesterday. Like many of the '64-'66 classes, I attended LHS for six years and I like to tell people I went to the same high school for six years and never failed a grade. My parents were transferred to Huntsville just before the start of my 7th grade and I made the transition with all of you from a junior high to high school.

Since I did not go to elementary school in Huntsville, my closest friends turned out to be the ones with last names starting with "F" through "I" as that is how the homeroom assignments were.

How well do I recall going to the Lyric and telling my mom or dad to pick us up at the Krystal on the square. I remember getting into and eating contest and loosing after downing sixteen "gut bombs" at a dime each. I do not remember who won, I just remember loosing. Here is a name for you. Who remembers going to T. T. Terry's on the square to buy school books the first few years?

Then came 1964 and a young lady transferred from Woodlawn High in Birmingham and because her name was Fincher, she was assigned to my homeroom. I felt bad for her because one of her first friends was Mike Garrison (1947-2004) and there was not much he would not tell her. Mike introduced Marty and I and that was 41 years ago. We were engaged

to be married in 1966 but upon receiving my "Greetings" letter we moved up the date to June 1966. We have two childern, both of whom graduated from Shades Valley and one granddaughter with a grandson due in August, the week of the next reunion. Forgive us if we miss the event.

We will never forget our days at LHS and really enjoy the website. I think we have missed only one reunion and look forward to seeing everyone UNLESSS Reid Palmer Hollingsworth has other plans.

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Subject:Our Good Fortune

Chip Smoak

My hat is off to Dianne Hughey McClure for pointing out that it is a wonder that any of us managed to grow up to be adults with all that has been found to be hazardous to the human condition. She also very ably points out that the imagination of today's children is being destroyed and it is our fault. Too many of us are guilty of pandering to our own children with the latest computer game or other device. Our children raise their own in the manner in which they were raised. We should talk to our children and strongly recommend that they quit giving their children the latest games. If our grandchildren complain about being bored we should tell them to find something to do or to read a book rather than hand them an electronic game.

A very wise person once observed that we learn when we are bored, making boredom a good thing.

As long as I am on my soap box I will also say that we are fortunate to have been children when we were.

The world was a safer place. We had heroes to whom we could look up to.

Ask your grandchildren who their heroes are. You may find the answers shocking if they even have any.

Our parents did not have to worry too much about letting us go to the movies.

Those with a lot of nudity, sex, and foul language were only shown in certain sleazy theaters that most of us would not have been caught dead entering.

So, thanks again Dianne for reminding us that, although some of us may have not had it so good, that overall we grew up in a better time.

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Subject:SMRs

Linda Kinkle Cianci

Class of '66

Many years ago, while visiting our pediatrician in Nashville, I was quite surprised to walk past an examination room and see Sharron Smith sitting there with one of her sons. We learned that day that we had one other thing in common - we both had sons with chronic asthma. Sharron and Wayne lived about 35 miles from us and we never saw each other again after that day. Another former classmate I ran across many years ago in the grocery store in Nashville was Barbara Rousseau. It's an odd feeling to come upon someone you once knew in another town. You have to do a double-take and shake your head, wondering if you're indeed where you think you are. Mike and I were pleasantly surprised to meet some Tennesseans in Italy; we didn't even need to know them - just noticed the Tennessee sweatshirts and struck up a conversation, glad for someone who spoke not only American English, but Southern.

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Subject:Lehman's Comments

Linda Kinkle Cianci

Class of '66

In response to Lehman's wish that he could get Gary to play golf at the reunion - we'd just like to get him there! And as for those "short" golf clubs, I think Mike and I might still have the set we got for Daddy many years ago - those should just about fit!

Here is a story of another wish Lehman had quite a few years ago, of which he will avow no knowledge. Lehman lived up the street from us on McCullough Avenue.

My uncle was visiting one summer when Gary and Lehman were probably 16 or 17, and Lehman volunteered to let Uncle Joe hypnotize him, since our mom wouldn't let him hypnotize any in our family. While Lehman (before he changed his name to George) was hypnotized, Uncle Joe asked him what he wanted to be when he grew up. Lehman said he wanted to play drums on the Lawrence Welk Show and that he wanted to be called "George." We all about died laughing (mostly about the Lawrence Welk part). I don't think any of us knew his first name was George. Since Lehman smiled through most of this experience, while laughing, crying and barking like a dog on command, we doubted he was really under. So Uncle Joe held a match under his fingers, telling him he wouldn't feel a thing. Uncle Joe asked if he could feel it, but Lehman just said no and kept on smiling. When he came out of the hypnotism, he didn't remember a thing, wondered why we were all laughing and why his fingers were burning. Lehman even talked to his mom on the phone when she called while he was hypnotized and didn't remember that either. I guess he got part of his wish, since he now refers to himself as "George," but he'll always be Lehman to us, and I'm still watching for him on those Lawrence Welk re-runs.

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Subject:Let's Go To The Movies

Eddie Zachary

Class of '69.

I remember going to the Golden Flake movies during the summer. I also can remember the morning movies at the Martin with six Double Cola caps or $.25 to get in to see them. The best I can remember was that sometimes they had one of the local garage bands playing. Some of the movies I can recall were " Where the boys Are" and "Ferry across the Mercy" about Garry and the pacemakers in Liverpool. I have fond memories of going to the movies downtown as I was growing up in Huntsville. I also can recall a many Friday nights going to downtown and meeting my Mom after she went to beauty shop upstairs near the Martin( every Friday she would get her hair fixed for church on Sunday) and my two brothers closest to me in age and I would go eat at Krystal and go watch at movie at either the Lyric or Martin. While we were at the movie Mom and Dad would go to the old Winn Dixie and buy groceries for us. Those were the days when every thing seem so much similar. Keep up the good work on the Traveller and I look forward to reading it every week.

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Subject:Movies

Randy Goodpasture

Class of '66

The Grand Theatre was the Lyric Theatre's main competition. It was on Washington I think across the street from Fowler's Clothing store.

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Subject:Movies

Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly

Class of '64

Eddie, the other biggie that's missing is the Grand Theater. I think there used to be a 231 Drive-In, but I'm not sure. I also think I've posed this question on the website previously. Perhaps the 231 became the Parkway Drive-In???

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Subject:Huntsville Theatres

Mike Griffith

Class of '66

If memory serves, there were two other "indoor" theatres open during the timeframe that you mention: (1) the Center; and (2) the Grand ... by the time we graduated in 1966, they were closed and the Tony (across the street from the Lyric) was open.

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Subject:Lee High School - disrepair and possible closing

Peggy Towery Pierce

Class of '68

Tommy: Have you heard the news reports/rumors from Huntsville that Lee High School (and now also Johnson) may be closed? We first heard something last week, but were very busy with a family member in the hospital and another visiting, but I vaguely remember the report only being about Lee and the reason was the dwindling student population, etc. Then last night (we live on Lee High Drive) two vehicles literally raced past our house at about 9:50 pm prompting me to look and realize it was a Channel 19's news team - I ran out my back door to see them pull up in front of the school. 15 minutes later, the lead story on the news was the possible closing of Lee High School due to disrepair (a report has issued saying it is "environmentally unsafe") and the decline in student enrollment. This news story also claimed that Johnson was being considered for closing and that the student bodies of Lee and Johnson would be combined in one school - p! robably a "new school." We know no other details - e.g., if a new school is built, on what site? I wanted to make sure you were apprised especially with the big '64, '65, '66 class reunion coming up. Jim was not sure we were going to attend, but I told him that at the next incremental reunion (45 yrs, 50 yrs?) Lee High School may no longer exist in Huntsville!

Just accessed your Lee High website for the first time in months. I especially enjoy reading the mailbox.

(Editor's Note: We covered that story in our April 18th issue...click here to read what we wrote.)

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Subject:Reunion and Victoria's Secret

Jim Pierce

Class of '64

I ran into two classmates within two days recently and both asked whether I was going to be attending the reunion. So, with that encouragement, sign me up for the golf and I will be getting my registration in for the overall reunion soonest! P.S.: Really appreciate the reminders of the movies - what about the Grand Theater downtown? And, anybody remember the old Grand News Stand where we'd try to get a peek at (blush) the Playboy magazines? I get (well, my wife shares) racier pictures in the mail from Victoria's secret these days. Also... who remembers the donut shop across from the Catholic Church of the Visitation?

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Subject:Reunion Golf

Lehman Williams

Class of '64

I didn't see Jerry Brewer's (call me) name on the golf confirmations. Does that mean he is afraid to defend his title? (Wuss). How about Bannecke? I wanted to clarify some points in the "Lehman Express" story while we downed and hit a few. I have some "Bear Bryant" collectibles - I might be willing to give one to Eddie Sykes after reading about his passion for Ala football.(gwilliams@ymcawhittier.org). I will be flying in from CA at about 10:30 a.m. on Friday morning, Aug 19th, will check-in at Marriott, then head to Mullins for a breakfast and lunch combo, anyone want to go or meet me their ( must have permission slip from wife ), call me (cell 626-347-1469).

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Subject:Reunion Committee Address

Annette McCraney

Class of '64

Hi Tommy. You are still putting out the best website on line!!! Can't tell you enough how much it means to me to be able to get some awesome information and to be able to keep up with classmates. I am very excited about the reunion.

Which brings me to a tiny itsy-bitty problem..I can't find the address to send my check!!!!! Please help me!!!

(Editor's Note: I've added a box to the right that links to the Reunion Registration Form. All the info is there.)

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Subject: Theatres

Mike Thompson

Visitor

The name of the theatre was the Grand and it was on Jefferson St.

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