Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

Back to the Basics

by Tommy Towery

Class of '64

The last two weeks I have been talking about computer games. We all know that our generation existed before computer games ever came to be. Heck, we were even here before personal computers were.

I have had little response from many of you talking about the early electronic devices designed to entertain us. So, I decided it was time to get back to the basics.

We all know the game shown above. I bet we all have at least one story about it, and that is what I am looking for. What is your most memorable story about playing this game? Was it a mean brother or sister, or even a dad that refused to be beaten, even by a little kid just trying to have fun?

When you first saw the picture above, what was the first thing that came to your mind?

Please send me some things to share with all the classmates. Include your school and class year with your emails.

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Tommy Towery, Class of '64 - I had no emails that identified last week's Mystery Photo, so I'll do it myself. The game shown in the top photo is one of the Magnavox Odyssey that I got off of the internet. The photo below it was taken on Saturday of my original game which I still have. I am not sure if it still works or not, there should be nothing wrong with it, since it was "solid state" technology, so little inside could wear out.

According to the internet, the Odyssey was the first ever home video games console. On release, the Odyssey was unquestionably the talk of the town. However, It's high price of $100 and confusing advertising campaign, which made people think that they needed a Magnavox TV to be able to use the Odyssey, hurt sales badly. Additionally, units were only sold in "Magnavox Stores". Nevertheless, Magnavox managed to sell close to 100,000 units in their first year.

By the way...$100.00 in 1972 had about the same buying power as $511.51 in 2009.

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Subject:Death of Noel Tittsworth

Carolyn Burgess Featheringill

I'm sure that this is the father of '65 classmate Janice Tittsworth Barnett who has been (and may still be) the librarian at Lee High School and who, I believe, has been active in attending our reunions.

Noel Tittsworth

April 17, 1921 - Oct. 1, 2009

Retired Master Chief Noel Anthony Tittsworth, 88, died Thursday.

Noel was born in Warren County, Tenn. He served 25 years with the U.S. Navy in the submarine service. He was a World War II and Korean War veteran.

He was preceded in death by his parents, five brothers and sisters, and his wife of 60 years, Dortha Tittsworth.

Surviving him are his daughters, Janice and husband Larry Barnett, Ann and husband Jerry Brady; son, Barry and wife Donna Tittsworth; sisters, Rose Morgan and Elsie Keith; brother, Larry Tittsworth; four grandchildren; and five great-grandchildren.

Visitation will be from 6 until 8 p.m. today at Twickenham Funeral Home South. Interment will be at 1 p.m. Monday at the Chattanooga National Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial donations may be made to Honor Flight Tennessee Valley, c/o Huntsville Times P.O. Box 1487 WS, Huntsville, AL 35807, or www. Honorflight.net.

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Subject:Website

Gordon S. Pruitt

Tommy

I don’t know if you remember me or not but a lot of these people and times mean a lot to those of us who grew up during this time frame, but went to Huntsville High School. Just wanted to let you know how much I enjoy the web page.

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Perks of Being Over 60 and Heading Towards 70!

01. Kidnappers are not very interested in you.

02. In a hostage situation you are likely to be released first.

03. No one expects you to run--anywhere.

04. People call at 9 PM and ask, did I wake you?

05. People no longer view you as a hypochondriac.

06. There is nothing left to learn the hard way.

07. Things you buy now won ' t wear out.

08. You can eat supper at 4 PM.

09. You can live without sex but not your glasses.

10. You get into heated arguments about pension plans.

11. You no longer think of speed limits as a challenge.