Established March 31, 2000 100,866Previous Hits Monday - September 25, 2006
Staff :
Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly, Joy Rubins Morris, Rainer Klauss, Bobby Cochran, Collins (CE) Wynn, Eddie Sykes, Don Wynn, Paula Spencer Kephart, Cherri Polly Massey
Contributors: The Members of Lee High School Classes of 64-65-66 and Others
Chip Smoak, Class of '66 - I may not get the name totally correct but I certainly remember seeing the ads. I believe that they only quick running those commercials for Popeil fishing rod when the film wore out. Its knowing about things like this that get me accused of living in the past.
___________________________
Skip Cook, Class of ‘64 - The item is definitely a Popeil’s (sp?) Pocket Fisherman. You are indeed strong willed to admit that you actually bought one of these things. What happened that night you were watching Ron Popeil making his pitch line on TV? The truly enlightened fishermen were using Zebco 33’s.
___________________________
Jeff Fussell, Class of '66 - Wow, a Pocket Fisherman!
In my retail store years, we sold untold hundreds of these things alongside Buttoneers and Veg-O-Matics. Ron Popeil's products, marketed either as "Popeil" or "Ronco", often seemed absurd, but the Pocket Fisherman was sturdy and actually worked. Very few of them were ever returned by a customer.
After a television blitz, Ronco would offer their products to retail stores -- generally around Christmas. They were one of the few wholesale distributors that offered their product on a "guaranteed sales" basis. Whatever we didn't sell went right back to Ronco for full credit. I've never really understood the cachet that "AS SEEN ON TV" imparted to a product. Crest toothpaste is "seen on TV", but they don't make an issue of it.
Ronco's products weren't all gems. Anybody remember the spray paint marketed to hide thinning hair? And where would we be today without the smoothest pick-up line in history, immortalized in the "Mr. Microphone" commercial?
___________________________
Randy Goodpasture, Class of '66 - This is a Popeil Pocket Fisherman. The handle is also a mini tacke box containing hook, line, sinker, and bobber. You can still buy these from Ronco Products. It was the beginning of millions of dollars added to Ron's coffers.
__________________________
Johnny Sharp, Class of '64 - If I remember correctly; this week's mystery photo is one of "Popeil's Pocket Fisherman".
___________________________
Pat Worley Reid - The mystery photo is Popeil Pocket Fisherman. I think that is what started his career. I did not graduate from Lee but I attended the 9th, 10th and 11th grade at Lee. I remember just about everyone one who writes in. I did not get to attend last years reunion but am looking forward to the next reunion. Tommy, I really enjoy reading about all the events and what is going on with the different graduates.
____________________________
Betty Jo “Key” Scholter, Class of ‘65 - The mystery photo for this week is a fishing pole and I believe the name was “Zebco”.
_____________________________
Annette McCraney, Class of '64 -Well, I can't remember the name, but it was a handy dandy portable (aren't they all?) fishing rod called some kind of "Angler" that could be carried in your pocket (sounds kinda dangerous) and ready to catch the big ones (THE FISH!!!! I mean) at a moment's notice.
___________________________________
Karen Tucker Oliver, Class of '65 - If memory serves me right, that is a Popeil's Pocket Fisherman. I always thought that would be a great gift item for my daddy. He informed me that he probably wouldn't use the item as much as I thought he would. It seemed perfect to me - compact and ready to use. Guess not!
_____________________________
Subject:
Mr. Fox
Chip Smoak
Class of '66
Someone mentioned Mr. Fox in a recent email. I remember him well. I had his class right after lunch and always had trouble staying awake in his class because of his voice. I remember that he came out to track practice one day and showed off his high jump skills. Yes, he could still get over the bar.
______________________________________________
Subject:My Car
Billy Byrom
Still in Florida
Please tell C.E. that my car was a candy apple red 1954 Ford with a straight 6 cylinder engine that took 2 1/2 years to blow up so I could install a rebuilt 312 Interceptor V-8 motor. My daughter found the May 2005 issue on the internet and saw the red 1950 Ford and article which C.E. thought resembled my first car. Hope all my living classmates have good health and God Bless all.
__________________________________
Don Wynn Announces Marriage
Don Wynn
dnwynn@aol.com
256-653-7392
Dear Friends,
I just wanted to let everyone know that I was married to Dixie Vaughn on September 3, 2006, in a ceremony on the dunes at Cocoa Beach, Florida.
I was surprised when Dixie accepted my proposal and was even more surprised when she actually married me. So far, we have had about 15 days of wedded bliss and expect that trend to continue.
I am enclosing three pictures so you can remember what I look like and so you can see Dixie and me together. There is a picture of me and Dixie with my brothers and their wives.
