Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

BRANSON, MO. - Sue and I are in Branson attending a much different type of reunion than the ones we have for LHS. This is a group of people who were only a part of my life for a short period, but a period that became a defining period - to say the least. I am here with many that I would call heros in the classic sense. Sometimes that word is cheapened by over use, but not in this case.

Please include your class year with your e-mails.

T. Tommy

________________________________________

Subject:Another Fami-LEE loss

Carolyn Burgess Featheringill

Class of '65

Once again, I seem to be the bearer of bad news. Gudrun has probably sent this to you. I feel sure that this is the mother of Mike Stilson '65 and mother-in-law of Sandy Shipman Stilson '65.

Nancy Nichols Stilson

Feb. 3, 1922 - Sept. 11, 2008

Nancy Nichols Stilson, 86, of Huntsville passed away Thursday.

Mrs. Stilson was born in Jackson County. She graduated from the University of Alabama in 1945 and worked at Redstone Scientific Information Center for 41 years. She was preceded in death by her husband, Charles E. Stilson; parents, E.O. and Donnie Nichols; and sisters, Ophelia Little and Idella Phillips.

Survivors include her sons, James E. Stilson and wife Brenda and C. Michael Stilson and wife Sandra; grandchildren, Christopher Stilson, Charles M. Stilson Jr. and Suzanne Stilson Robinson; great-grandson, Blake Canyon Stilson; and sister, Mary Lee.

Visitation will be from 1 to 2 p.m. today at Laughlin Service Funeral Home. The funeral service will follow at 2 p.m. at the funeral home chapel. Burial will be in Unadilla, N.Y.

In lieu of flowers, memorials may be made to your favorite charity.

___________________________________

Subject:Military Reunions

Charlie Hancock

Class of '66

I hope you have a good time in Branson. Be sure to see all the military attractions.

I'm leaving Wednesday (9/17) to go to Corpus Christi, Texas for a reunion of the AAoNHC (American Assn of Navy Hospital Corpsmen). In 2006 it was in my region. I sent some homebrew beer ahead to share. I called it "Corpsman UP! Lager.*" That is the call with Marines for the "Doc" to move forward to bandage someone wounded. I always felt like I had so many Marine bodyguards along that no harm could come to me. I was shot at at missed, sh!t at and hit. Ha! Ha!

Not all Corpsmen serve with Marines. Some spend a career in the real Navy. I was never in the REAL Navy. I was, however, part of the REAL Marine Corps. One enlistment was plenty for me!

__________________________

Retraded Grandparents

(This was actually reported by a teacher)

After Christmas, a teacher asked her young pupils how they spent their holiday away from school.

One child wrote the following:

We always used to spend the holidays with Grandma and Grandpa. They used to live in a big brick house but Grandpa got retarded and they moved to Florida.

Now they live in a tin box and have rocks painted green to look like grass. They ride around on their bicycles and wear name tags because they don't know who they are anymore.

They go to a building called a wrecked center, but they must have got it fixed because it is all okay now, and do exercises there, but they don't do them very well.

There is a swimming pool too, but in it, they all jump up and down with hats on.

At their gate, there is a doll house with a little old man sitting in it. He watches all day so nobody can escape.

Sometimes they sneak out. They go cruising in their golf carts.

Nobody there cooks, they just eat out. And they eat the same thing every night -- early birds.

Some of the people can't get out past the man in the doll house. The ones who do get out, bring food back to the wrecked center for pot luck.

My Grandma says that Grandpa worked all his life to earn his retardment and says I should work hard so I can be retarded someday too.

When I earn my retardment, I want to be the man in the doll house. Then I will let people out so they can visit their grandchildren.

_____________________________________

If There's A Rock and Roll Heaven

It Must Be Branson, Missouri

by Tommy Towery

Class of '64

This week I find myself in Branson, Missouri, attending a reunion of the B-52/KC-135 groups that were involved in the Vietnam bombing campaign. It is an honor to spend time with some of the people who I think sacrificed so much for their country. Three of the attendees were shot down over Hanoi and were prisoners of war.

Apart from the reunion, I am amazed at the number of musical acts that take place in Branson each day. I am more amazed to find that many of the current acts contain music of my teen years.

Here are just some of the current shows that feature music or stars of our times:

Liverpool Legends, the Ultimate Beatles Experience

Bill Haley's Original Comets, The Diamond's Dave Somerville and Mckenna Medley

Righteous Brother's Bill Medley with Paul Revere & the Raiders

Jim Stafford

#1 Hits of the 60's

'57 Heaven

50s At The Hop

Andy Williams

Bobby Vinton

Sons of the Pioneers

The Platters

Johnny Mathis

Tony Orlando

The Lennon Sisters

This list does not include all the many tribute shows to the stars that have died, including several to Elvis and others like Jim Reeves, Patsy Cline, Hank Williams, and many more. Branson brags of having 100 shows per day.

One of their greatest niches of audiences is the way they attract veterans and veteran organizations. This is accented by the fact that almost every show presented here features a tribute to the American veterans and is full of patriotic songs and good old red, white, and blue.

In the hotel where we are staying there are at least five veteran groups holding reunions here.

I would be interested in hearing any reports from any of you who have been to Branson for either a reunion or just a vacation.

__________________________________

Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly, Class of '64 - The mystery photo is "The Frito Bandito." I think you and I have discussed our mutual fondness for Fritoes while at the Big Spring Park swimming pool. I NEVER ate them any other time. I was totally a chips gal. But now, Chili Cheese Fritoes (or whatever the actual name is) have found their way into my heart. Alas, they've discovered my hips, as well! Regular Fritoes are great with queso dip, too. Ah, makes me miss the pool and those young, carefree days with all you guys!

_______________________________

Chip Smoak, Class of '66 - This week's mystery picture is of the very macho "Frito Bandito". Unfortunately, not only he was throw under the "politically correct" bus but so was Speedy Gonzales. I really enjoyed those cartoons. People wear their feelings on their shirt sleeves too much and are overly sensitive.

______________________________

Mary (Ardrey) Aukerman, Class of '66 - The photo this week is the Frito Bandito, Ai, Yi, Yi, Yi! Mel Blanc did this voice and so many other great cartoon character’s voices. Fritos are still my favorite chip to this day. I love all these things that you find to jog old memories. Thanks for your efforts, Tommy.

______________________________

It's late and the editor is tired so we're going back to a known popular Mystery Photo format. This was a TV show which was later the source for a parody show. What was the original show and what was the parody? Class year with answer please.

_________________________________

I’m told these classifieds were really published – which may or may not be true. But they’re entertaining in any event.

FREE YORKSHIRE TERRIER. 8 years old. Hateful little bastard. Bites!

FREE PUPPIES: 1/2 Cocker Spaniel, 1/2 sneaky neighbor's dog.

FREE PUPPIES.. Mother, AKC German Shepherd. Father, Super Dog...able to leap tall fences in a single bound.

FOUND DIRTY WHITE DOG. Looks like a rat. Been out a while. Better be a big reward.

COWS, CALVES: NEVER BRED. Also one gay bull for sale.

NORDIC TRACK $300 Hardly used, call Chubby.

JOINING NUDIST COLONY! Must sell washer and dryer $300.

WEDDING DRESS FOR SALE Worn once by mistake. Call Stephanie.

And the best one: FOR SALE BY OWNER: Complete set of Encyclopedia Britannica, 45 volumes. Excellent condition. $1,000 or best offer. No longer needed! Got married last month. Wife knows everything.

_________________________________