Lee High School - Huntsville Alabama Alumni

Lee's Traveller's

Mission Statement

Our primary audience is the members of the Lee High School Classes of ’64-’65-’66. We will accept inputs from other classes, teachers, and visitors from other schools including stories, photos, and e-mails if they relate to the members of those classes or the era or location where they grew up.

Our primary goal is entertainment and to have fun. We do not desire to offend any person or group, but we will not let political correctness cause an unnecessary hardship.

While the editor is the person primarily responsible for publishing the paper, the rest of the staff will assist with ideas and suggestions. Basically, if your name is on the masthead then you have a right to discuss content, since the other members of the class consider you a part of The Traveller staff.

Anyone can send in an article to be considered for publication.

If any staff writer or contributor writes an article that includes information about another person, then it is that writer’s responsibility to insure that the person will not be upset about what is written. It does not have to be “pre-approved” but in most cases each person knows the feelings of the person they are writing about.

The purpose of most articles will be to inform and inspire. We want articles that will make our classmates relate to the subject and force them to remember common things. A good article will include as many names, events, and items that other classmates remember and if possible some visual aid should be included. Some articles will be designed to show that we are not dead yet, and to let our classmates know that there is still a lot of living to do. We want a lot of humor in our lives, and the more we can add the better. The primary goal of most articles is to encourage feedback from other classmates with similar stories or to enhance or expand on the idea. Of course, death notices, sick family, etc. will be the exceptions.

For memories of most music, entertainment, events, etc. we should try to use 1966 as the cutoff. If that is not possible, at least try to relate what we write to that time, such as going to a concert today for someone we listened to back in school, or something that happened in college or afterward, but with a classmate from school. Lee High School and Huntsville in general are our most common bonds for the entire group. Most of our readers are entertained by the things that happened from 1st grade to the time of their graduation. Political and religious controversial topic should be avoided. Churches and patriotic memories are okay, but we do not want this site to become a place for debate over political candidates, parties, legal issues, and things like that.

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Tomorrow Is Never Promised

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you."

So while we have it, it is best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage......And old cars... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it.

Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.

Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I published it here for the people I think of in the same way... Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them?

I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do. And just in case I'm gone tomorrow.

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

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Watches were not sold under the name Timex in the U.S until 1950. Over the next three decades, Timex watches were sold through a series of advertisements which emphasized durability by putting watches through "torture tests," such as falling over the Grand Coulee Dam or being strapped to the propeller of an outboard motor, with the slogan "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking." With the help of TV newscaster-turned-spokesman John Cameron Swayze, sales took off.

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Bob Alverson, Class of '65 - The ad is for Timex Watch, with John Cameron Swazey. The tag line was "it take a licking and keeps on ticking!"

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Bruce Folwler, Class of '66 - Most Shining Editor,

The man in question is John Cameron Swayze (sp?); the product is a Timex wristwatch; and the catch phrase was "takes a licking but keeps on ticking."

I have only owned one Timex watch in my life and I found it inadequate. When I graduated high school I received two graduation presents from my parents: a K&E Log Log Duplex Decitrig slide rule and a Bulova Accutron watch, the early kind that had to be set using a folding knob on the back of the watch. The watch got me through undergraduate school and graduate school through a master's upon which time I had to retire it as too worn out to repair. I still have the watch. The slide rule saw me similarly through; it was succeeded by an HP 35 nerd calculator but I still have the slide rule as well and it still works.

Today I wear a Freestyle Old Retired Flatulence's watch - digital with large numerals that I can read without my glasses, explicitly display of day and month numbers, and day of the week, a wheat grain light bulb, and an alarm for pill time.

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J. R. Brooks Class of '64 - I think it is John Cameron Swayze. Advertising Timex Watch. Catchphrase—It takes a lickin’ and keeps on tickin’

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Jeanne Ivey Carter, Class of '66 - Without doing an online search for the guys name ( I seem to have this problem more and more lately) I can only remember the product being a Timex watch that "could take a licking and keep on ticking". I am sure that some of my classmates will have a better memory of this but I wanted to participate if only to say Thank you for all that you do each week to keep us informed. I check each Sat. for your release of the weeks edition of "our'" newspaper. I know this is a lot of work for you but it would be like losing an old friend if you decided to stop. I know this sounds selfish of me since I don't participate often but I hope you will reconsider your decision. I am on FB just as much as the next person but I still need to have my connection to the past through your online updates. Thanks again for all that you have done for the classes of '64, '65 and '66 and please find enclosed my dollar for the chance of going back to dance one more time.

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Lynn Vanpelt, Class of '66 - That's John Cameron Wwayze, Timex, it takes a licking and keeps on ticking.

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Suzanne Pettus Thomason, Huntsville High School, Class of '64 - Tommy, thanks for your interesting newsletter that I read every week. I wish that I could be as creative as you are, and have the time to do what you do.

The mystery photo was of John Cameron Swayze for the Timex watch. "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking" was the motto. That fit right in with the story of your time pieces!

I wrote to Wayne Price to ask if he was in the picture that you had in the previous issue. I thought I also recognized Norman Waldrop.

Don't worry about me being on FaceBook. I don't have the time for something else! I'm still a loyal follower of yours!

I'm still looking for classmates from HHS '64 if anyone knows how to contact them, please let me know.

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Barb Biggs Knott, Class of '66 - Thanks for all you do keeping the Lee Alumni connected. Your efforts are definitely appreciated. The mystery photo is of John Cameron Swayze touting the Timex watch which ‘takes a licking and keeps on ticking’! Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to you and your family.

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Gordon Pruitt, Buckhorn Class of '66 - The man's name was John Camron Swaasey in a commercial for Timex watches. The watch that takes a licken and keeps on ticking.

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Chip Smoak, Class of '66 - The man is John Cameron Swayze (sp?).The product being advertised is Timex watches. The catch line was, "Timex-takes a licking and keeps on ticking."

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Glenn James, Class of '65 - The man is John Cameron Swayze, he is advertizing Timex watches, and the catch line is "It takes a licking and keeps on ticking".

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Subject:Happy New Year

Patsy Hughes Oldroyd

Class of ‘65

Hey Tommy and all,

I loved the picture from East Clinton Elementary School because I went there in grades one through six. I could not identify any of the people in the picture, although some of them had very familiar faces, because I was in the class after them. It distresses me that this school is also scheduled to close after this year, and I know that many of you will share my sorrow over that as well.

Here’s just a wild guess on a couple of the kids in the picture at East Clinton Elementary. On the top row, left side, that looks like my cousin, Barbara Wilkerson Donnelly. On the top row, right side, that looks like Connie Mullins. On the second row, right side, the one receiving the hug, that looks like, Wayne “Butch” Price. Sorry if I have incorrectly identified any of you in the picture. All of them look so young and happy, and it recalls a very happy and wonderful time in my life when I attended that school for six years. Lots of memories took place on those front steps, like my very first kiss from Dillard Broadway when I was in first grade, and the May Day celebrations with the most anxiously anticipated May pole dance. I remember all of the dances each year and the crepe paper costumes as well. Those were the best of times, and schools have never done anything to compare with it since. I am so thankful to have grown up in that wonderful era with so many memorable experiences. My grandchildren get a real kick out of my stories and pictures from those times, and I just love getting to share with them. I love the old pictures that are sent in. Thanks to all of you who share them with us.

I retired from teaching back in May and have spent these last months trying to get the hang of being a retired person, but I am just too busy. I have no idea how I had time to work a full time job! It has given me time to contact and reconnect with some old and dear friends that I simply did not have time to communicate with or visit while I was teaching full time. In last week’s issue of our web site, you mentioned that we should all make an effort to do this, contact old friends, for the new year. I took your word’s to heart and have done that very thing. It has been wonderful to talk with old friends, and I sent Christmas cards out to some and received cards from some as well. Thanks for the reminder for all of us to stay in touch. Please do sent me a note, an email, or give me a call when you have a minute. I would love to hear from any of you. May God bless you with a very Happy New Year!

Patsy and Keith Oldroyd home (256) 232-7583

304 Wellington Road cell (256) 431-3396

Athens, Alabama 35613 kpoldroyd@pclnet.net

p.s In last week’s issue, that picture of my old and very dear friend, Pam Grooms Smith, was taken at the North Pole when she and her husband, Leon, went on an Alaskan cruise this past year. That is about as close to being the real Santa Claus as one can get.

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Subject:Mrs. Walker's Class Photo

Gordon Pruitt

Buckhorn, Class of '66

I believe the person to Norman Waldrop’s left with the wrinkled expression is me.

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Subject:New Year's Day Snow

Aaron Potts

First class of Lee

Houston, Texas

Just a quick reminder if people can remember where they were in 1963 on New Years Eve when there was predicted an accumulation of 1-2 inches of snow. Later that was revised to 4-6 inches of snow. The weather forecaster continued to revise the forecast and finally said, "I'm not sure when this will end but right now we have nearly 18 inches of snow on the ground." So Finally on New years day, 1964 we had an official accumulation of 17 inches of snow, 46 years ago on New Year's. Snow flurries were predicted on New Years eve this year!! 1964 will be one New Years Day I'll never forget, ever!

I had seen a weather prediction that we might have "snow showers" and that was the terminology that was used New Year's Eve evening on WAAY TV by "Bob Barron" I think was the meteorologist. I know we made fun and so did he about the prediction of 1-2 inches. He said he would be more correct if he had predicted 1-2 feet of snow, and laughed.

Jerry Fanning and I left Huntsville to go to Decatur, Alabama for an all night skate party and we had to drive home in the 17" of snow. I was driving a 1963 Chevrolet and my friend Jerry Fanning was driving a 1964 Chevelle. I don't think the weather people measured the final measurement until it stopped snowing New Years Day 1964.

(Editor's Note: If you want to re-read my stories about New Year's Eves and also that snowfall click here:

December 31, 2001's Story

Last Year's Story

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