Earlier this month I wandered back down stream to Newport for a special occasion...the third annual Newport High School Hall of Fame banquet. The 2011 honorees included my good friend Dr. Jabez Jackson, Jr. (NHS '59), Steve Stephens (NHS '48), David Belva (NHS '79), Billy Warren (NHS '82), and Lt. Lynn Michael Travis (NHS '59). Each of these individuals has left a legacy of good works and career accomplishments that yield a clear reflection of their personal commitments and the influence of family, friends, teachers, coaches, and other mentors prominent in their lives. Also, each of the honorees has left an everlasting mark on the hearts of loved ones and the community of Newport.
I am most fortunate to have been able to attend this year's NHS Hall of Fame banquet as well as the two previous ones. These banquets are indeed a homecoming. Many former classmates of the honorees are in attendance along with townspeople and school leaders. Perhaps the finest acceptance speech I have ever witnessed at such an event was delivered at this year's banquet by my life long friend and NHS Class of 1970 'littermate' Freeman Travis. Freeman represented his sisters Molly Travis McGonigal and Becky Travis McCartney and the family of their brother Lt. Lynn Michael "Mike" Travis who was being honored posthumously. Effectively, Freeman made a few personal comments from the perspective of a younger brother who was only seven years old when his 'big' brother graduated from high school and left home. But then he allowed Mike to 'speak' for himself through a couple of letters written home to their parents at critical times in his life. One came in the aftermath of the Cuban missile crisis when Mike was a Midshipmen at the U. S. Naval Academy and the other came while on deployment in Vietnam just weeks after the birth of his first child, a son he would never meet. Mike lost his life on a reconnaissance flight off the Vietnam coast a short time after he penned the second letter from which Freeman read. The letters spoke with a mature voice, a patriot's voice, laced with care, commitment, and love for family and country. Of course, Freeman's delivery was impeccable. His strong, 'radio voice' and 'spot on' inflection brought 'life' to Mike's words and tears to my eyes. And the Gold Star he wore on his lapel honored his brother's sacrifice. The Doris and Buddy Travis family has been a shining star in Newport's universe for decades and Mike Travis is the first 'real hero' I ever knew.
While sitting at the banquet and listening to the antics of dear friend and emcee John Pennington (NHS '69) in addition to the remembrances of the honorees and those who inducted them into the Hall of Fame, I was captured by this 'magic moment' and lapsed into a Newport state of mind.
Billy Joel wrote a song, "New York State of Mind," in 1976 about a return trip to his 'home town' of New York City after an extended absence. Newport and New York City are similar only in the hearts of 'home town' boys. I listen to Billy Joel's lyrics with a Greyhound (a nice summer drink to beat the heat...a 'salty dog' without the salt) in my hand and the Greyhounds in my heart. The lyrics aren't exactly as he wrote them, but they are what I 'hear'...maybe it's the heat.
Some folks like to get away
Take a holiday from the neighborhood
Hop a flight to Miami Beach
Or to Hollywood
But I'm taking a Greyhound
On the White River Line
I'm in a Newport state of mind
Some folks do "get away" from Newport. Some of those honored as Newport High School Hall of Fame inductees have been recognized for merits made after they got away from 'home' and traveled to bigger cities with brighter prospects, at least 'brighter' in the innocent eyes of a teenager. But one does not have to "get away" in order to take significant strides on life's crooked pathway or to make their marks on the heart of a community. The NHS Hall of Fame certainly recognizes the importance of good leadership returning home. Several of the early inductees into the NHS Hall of Fame returned to Newport after extending their education beyond high school. They have spent their adult lives giving back through time and talent in effort to enhance the quality of life for all in the town...Kaneaster Hodges, Jr. (NHS '56 and NHS HOF 2009), John Mullins (NHS '40 and NHS HOF 2010), John Minor (NHS '52 and NHS HOF 2010), Bill Keedy, Jr. (NHS '63 and NHS HOF 2010), and Jabez Jackson, Jr. (NHS '59 and NHS HOF 2011) are among them. Many who have left the city limits yearn to return to Newport, if just for a short stay. I often get on that imaginary Greyhound bus and travel through time to the Newport of my youth. Back to Billy Joel's thoughts...
I've seen all the movie stars
In their fancy cars and their limousines
Been high in the Rockies under the evergreen
But I know what I'm needing
And I don't want to waste more time
I'm in a Newport state of mind
I certainly haven't rubbed elbows with "all the movie stars" as Billy Joel has, but I have been lucky enough to travel around a bit and fortunate enough to realize that I need the embrace of the home folks from time to time. Reuniting with people who have White River water running in their veins lifts my spirit. On the evening of the Hall of Fame banquet I felt the hugs of many I hold dear. Sissy Hurley Sanborn and Bobbie Hurley Harper were there. Miss Bobbie came in from California and attended the banquet to support her NHS classmate and honoree Steve Stephens. (I always enjoy my conversations with Miss Bobbie and Sissy, mother and aunt of my littermate David Sibley.) Fellow NHS Class of '48 mate Bobby Newell was also in the crowd supporting Steve. Steve was introduced by another classmate, Sonny Burgess, who is sure to join him in the NHS Hall of Fame some day. After all, Sonny is already in the Rockabilly Hall of Fame and the Rock in Roll Hall of Fame of Europe. In accepting the night's honor, Steve Stephens recalled the beginnings of his long radio and television career at KNBY and noted his first interview with Carl Perkins at the Silver Moon.
Several members of the NHS classes of 1959, 1979 and 1982 were in attendance at the banquet cheering on their fellow classmates for honors received. It was a fun evening. Sandra Belva, one of my former teachers at NHS, was beaming with pride as her son, David, accepted the Hall of Fame tag. After a distinguished military career, David currently serves as director of information technology for the Defense Threat Reduction Agency, which is a first line of defense in safeguarding America and our allies from weapons of mass destruction.
Billy Warren is perhaps the finest football running back to ever wear the Orange and Black. Today he is a senior administrator for building operations in Fulton County, Georgia. Billy was introduced by his junior high school coach Stan McKee. Charles Balentine (NHS '81 and NHS HOF 2009), a former Greyhound teammate was in the audience along with Billy's wife and daughter. Cheers for Billy on this night were as joyous as they were on Friday nights in the early 1980's.
Jabez Jackson, Jr. has practiced medicine in Newport for over 35 years and delivered thousands of babies to Newport's playgrounds. He cares about his family, he cares about his patients, he cares about Newport. I served on the Newport School Board with Jabez in the late '80s and early '90s and witnessed his commitment to education. Over the years, Newport has been blessed with many fine doctors. Jabez Jackson, Jr. is among the finest. In his acceptance remarks, Jabez not only gave credence to his family and teachers for his success, but he also heaped accolades upon his peers, the boys he grew up alongside in his Newport neighborhood.
It was so easy living day by day
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
Out of touch with the rhythm and blues
But now I need a little give and take
The Newport Independent, a bit of daily news
It is really easy to let the "day by day" work routine soak up your time and distance you from the happenings along the Rock 'n Roll Highway where the "rhythm and blues" of our youth plays on in our hearts. The Newport Independent is no longer a 'daily,' but it still brings me the news surrounding the lives of people important to me. Despite the 'good news' like the recent Hall of Fame announcement of honorees, often times my initial instinct is to turn to the obituary page. In recent months, several of my friends have experienced the loss of a parent as I did earlier this year. "To everything there is a season." I remember Elouise Grimes, mother of littermate Jan Grimes Ott; Norma Nelson, mother of littermate Billie Jean Nelson Rice; Lola Mae Baker, mother of littermate Scott Baker; Sonny Bullard, father of littermate Dinny Bullard; James Hopkins, father of littermate Jamie Hopkins Block; Henry Lake, father of littermate Robert Lake; Bette Phillips, mother of friends Bill Phillips (NHS '69) and Mary Lou Phillips Delcase (NHS '72); Jonita Reid Darling (NHS '63), mother of friend Jamie Darling (NHS '90). I also wish to pay respects to Cathren McCartney, a 'forever youngster' and teacher to generations of Newport students who recently dusted her chalkboard erasers for the final time in this life at age 98, and to James Logan Morgan (NHS '58), possibly Jackson County's finest historian, who departed this life in the past week leaving us to discover the mysteries of the past on our own.
I did not have to rely on the Newport Independent to deliver the 'news' of my long time pal and littermate Marion "Cotton" Mullins' death on July 15, just four days prior to his 59th birthday. Coincidentally, I was in Newport for the annual Invitational golf tournament at the Newport Country Club at the time of Marion's sudden death. Such a kind and thoughtful man he was. My heart breaks for his family and his wide circle of friends. The NHS Class of 1970 will sorely miss Marion's presence in our lives, yet he will remain forever in our broken hearts.
I must mention the passing from this life of another man I have never met personally, but I know him through his music. Jerry Leiber died this week at the age of 78 after writing a myriad of iconic songs for my generation. Some of the better known songs he brought to the jukeboxes and the airwaves in collaboration with Mike Stoller are "Kansas City," "On Broadway,", Yakety Yak," "Young Blood," "Hound Dog," and "Stand By Me." I would venture to call "Stand By Me" my personal anthem. Thank you, Jerry Leiber! Godspeed!
It comes down to reality
And it's fine with me 'cause I've let it slide
Don't care if it's Remmel Park or down by the river's side
I don't have any reasons
Cause I've left them all behind
I'm in a Newport state of mind
Did I mention it's been hot in Arkansas this summer? That is the "reality" of the situation. I worked in the yard Saturday and to catch a breather I slipped indoors and tuned in the Little League World Series national championship game between California and Montana on the television. I had been alerted to the determination of the 'little big men' from the Big Sky country of Montana by Jack Payne (NHS '64), a Newport transplant to Montana and fine friend in Facebookland. Facebook is not Newport, but it serves as a fun gathering place for 'old' friends to reminisce, cuss, and discuss the events of the day. Being the baseball fan that I am, I really appreciate Jack scattering the word about the Big Sky Little Leaguers (his grandson plays in the local Billings league). The 'underdog' Montana team lost to the California nine that came to the championship game with some really hot bats. Watching these enthusiastic, young ball players took me back to summers in Newport in the early '60s. To have played on a national stage in the Little League World Series would have been a grand experience at the age of 12, but the times spent on the baseball diamonds with my friends growing up produced a lot of fun memories.
A couple of patient men who coached me on the youth league baseball fields of Newport were among those gathered at the NHS Hall of Fame banquet. I have already mentioned Sonny Burgess' introduction of honoree Steve Stephens. Sonny is not only a top notch Rock 'n Roller, he was a really good ball player. He was often at the ball field volunteering his time to teach the kids the fundamentals of the game when I was a boy. My other former coach present that night is Dale Harrison (NHS '59). Dale introduced the crowd to Mike Travis by remembering their days together as boys. Dale coached baseball in the Newport in the '60s and often called me "Bounce" after he experimented with moving me from second base to third base. As a youngster, my arm wasn't particularly strong and my throws from third to first were often on one hop. I was lucky to have someone like Mickey Doyle playing first base then. Mickey was a good fielder and saved many of my errant throws.
My 'young' baseball buddy, good friend, and littermate Mickey Doyle was present at the NHS Hall of Fame banquet. He was there with his wife, Tinker, in support of honoree Dr. Jabez Jackson, Jr. Tinker works on Jabez's staff. While Mickey and I were visiting, he mentioned our days of playing ball together. Mickey and I made up the right side of the infield (Mickey at first base and I at second) for several Little League and Babe Ruth League teams and played some Legion ball together...from little boys to bigger little boys. But it wasn't the 'organized' ball Mickey was remembering as it was the neighborhood 'pick up' games we played with so many others on the south side of town back when we were 'little boys.'
We had a couple of reliable 'fields' we played upon...vacant lots. The one most often used was in the southern most block of Walnut Street across the alley from my house and next door to littermate Ann Gardner's home. Mickey challenged me to recall the boys who so often joined us in these 'pick up' games. Most times there would only be enough boys to play 6 or 7 on a team, but there were those days when we had enough to field two complete nine man teams with some waiting to get in the game. Those were the days! At the risk of leaving someone out, I will venture to remember some of the 'regular' players in those early days of baseball on South Walnut Street. In addition to Mickey and me, there was Donny Appleton, David Sibley, Jim Reid Holden, Jerry Ashley, Mack Adams, Billy Joe Adams, Buddy Conner, Coy Womble, Doug Lambert, George Rogers, Billy Goss, Bobby Goss, Edward Kinney, Tim McDowell, Bobby Fife, George Causey, Bobby Alcorn, Billy Alcorn, Lee Conditt...Some of these 'boys' are three or so years older than I and some three or so years younger, so all would not have been at the 'sandlot' at the same time. I'm confident I have omitted someone who played 'regularly,' but it is hot outside and I'm a bit dizzy...I'm sure it's the heat, can't be the drink in my hand. If you remember playing ball with the South Walnut Street gang, drop me a line and jog my memory.
Baseball on a hot summer's day...nothing like it. As former major leaguer Roy Campanella once said, "to be good at this game, you gotta have a lot of little boy in you." In recognition of those 'little boys,' California defeated Japan Sunday in the finals of the Little League World Series 2-1.
And I tip my hat to Graham Godfrey, the son of my college gal pal Vicki Gray Godfrey, for climbing the stairway from Little League to the major leagues. Graham made his major league debut earlier this year as a pitcher for the Oakland A's.
Thoughts of Little League past and the dreams of major league play take me to the time when Newport hosted the Regional American Legion tournament in 1961, I think it was 1961. I was a Little Leaguer and 'worked' the tournament as a bat boy. I'm thinking two future major leaguers played in that tournament (or maybe it's just my imagination...or the heat)...I believe Rusty Staub played on the Lousiana team and Phil Gagliano played for the Tennessee team from Memphis.
I appreciate Jack Payne and Mickey Doyle circling the bases with me as we stay in touch with baseball past and present. I invite you to join us on the playgrounds of Facebookland. Facebook really is a fun place to gather and share life's triumphs and trials. Sure there are a few 'goofy' pals who will go on and on griping about something or telling us what they had for breakfast, but you can ignore that banter on Facebook as simply as you did when you were face to face with the same 'goofy' friend at Headlee's Drug Store after the ball game back on those hot summer days in the early '60s.
I'm just taking a Greyhound on the White River Line
'Cause I'm in a Newport state of mind
I'm hanging out by the river just a few miles upstream from my boyhood dreams. I wish to acknowledge the dedication of those men and women serving our nation in the armed forces. It is their sacrifices that have allowed me the freedom to pursue those boyhood dreams. As we stand on the threshold of the tenth anniversary of the September 11, 2001 terrorist attack on U. S. soil, let us remember those who perished that day and all who have had their lives taken from them in valiant effort to preserve the freedoms we enjoy.
I'm in a Newport state of mind........
joe
