Happy belated Cinco de Mayo (or Clay Wright's Birthday if you're from Newport, Arkansas)! Clay has complained that he "never gets any mail", so with several old cronies now able "to remember" his birthday, he should get lots of cards and letters.
Thanks again to Cherry Lou for naming my little chronicle of memories. As I sit sippin' on some fine scotch trying to "prime" my memory during the week, lots of good thoughts run through the mind. I am certain it is more fun for me than it is for you, but I do appreciate the "conversation" generated by your replies. Early in the week I heard from several of you (Betsy, Margaret Ann, Kathy, Cherry Lou, Drew Stewart, Mike Stephens, David Reid, Greer Guinn). I hope the "Love Bug" or its imitations hasn't attacked any of your PCs since Thursday.
Cherry Lou (reporting from the City on the White River known as Newport) has made it clear that all is going well with the Top Secret Planning Committee for "Reunion 30". It sounds to me like more alcohol is being consumed at those "meetings" than is absolutely necessary, but I guess it is needed to "spark" the creativity in this unknown group of schemers. Envy (one of those seven deadly sins) is creeping into my soul. Just think about it, this "Scheming Committee" is actually having a 30th Reunion that is lasting four or five months. The rest of us will have to pack all the fun into two days. Scott Baker, bring the "really good" scotch! Drew Stewart is going to be there with bells on!
I can really get lost in the past with Drew. The trips we would take to Helena to see Eddie Harrison and the Short Kuts at the Legion Hut there were a blast. Just this week Drew's old pal and drumming coach Levon Helm reopened the Delta Cultural Center at Helena with his new group The Barn Burners featuring Levon's daughter. Drew went to see Levon at Cajun's. Levon was the drummer for Bob Dylan for a while and for The Band, formerly Ronnie Hawkins and the Hawks who played often at The Silver Moon in Newport when we were kids (I have great memories of "The Moon" as a kid since my Dad took me out there often). Drew has also been playing with the Stardust Dance Band and Kathy Foley McKee tells me that the Stardust Dance Band is led by Harvey Haley (NHS band director in our era). Ya'll bring your instruments. I would love to listen to your music.
I regret that Mike Stephens can't make it to the reunion due to a family vacation conflict. Mike was one of my very first play mates (not to be confused with those who wore bunny ears I later drooled over in the magazine). We lived across the alley separating Hazel and Laurel Streets from one another the first six years of my life. Greer indicated he wanted to come, but had not yet registered for the reunion. Hurry up Greer and send money, the "Scheming Commitee" probably needs it for next week's round of drinks at their meeting. I went to my first Razorback football game with Greer and our dads. It was 1961 and the Hogs played Rice in Little Rock. I believe the final score was Arkansas 3 - Rice 0. Sweet memories!
I mentioned Gene Bennett and the Walnut Street School last week and Betsy McCall Compton's cybernote this week recalled Gene's grandmother, who lived near Walnut Street School, making the best popcorn balls for kids who visited her with Gene. Betsy also reminded me of those big blue metal policemen that blocked Walnut Street during recess so we could play in the street. Betsy occasionally visits with Miss Helen Shoffner, her first grade teacher (and mine) who lives across the street from Betsy's old home, when she returns to Newport. I, too, see Miss Shoffner at church when I go to visit my mother. More sweet memories!
Margaret Ann would like for someone (one of you knowlegeable folks) to set up a chat room where several classmates could log on the net and chatter away. If you can do it, get it done and clue me in. And David Reid sent me the "taste of Hawaii" this week. I received from Kailua, Hawaii a gift of "Kick Ass" coffee and nuts. Now "Kick Ass" is not the reaction I got from the coffee, it is the brand name. I think it was the nuts that made David think of me with this gift idea. "Kick Ass" Nuts! Sounds exotic, erotic and fun! Thanks, David! I'll buy you a drink at Newport. We should probably go out to John Ruble Brownd's place and have what the "Scheming Committee" has been drinking.
Since Betsy mentioned Miss Shoffner and Kathy mentioned Mr. Haley and Scott Baker has previously had flashbacks of Lena Baker, Kathy Glasgow, Zora Reid, Betty Newell, Ima Jean Paige and others, has the "Scheming Committee" invited any old (and I mean old and living) teachers to the reunion? Might be fun! I have "chatted" via email with Coach Massey. Something to think about. Have another drink while you're thinking and write me about your favorite teacher. I need a good giggle.
Well, got to go catch a jet plane. Since President Bill is coming to Arkansas this weekend, I thought I would go to DC for a few days. I get this occasional urge to go mildly protest (or at least put in my two cents worth of comment) legislative proposals on banking issues that impact my daily routine.
I'm "Miles from Nowhere, not a soul in sight, Oh yeah, but's it's alright", 'cause I will see you all soon back at the point where we began our journey into the "real world".
Until next time, love to you all, joe
"Miles from Nowhere," (Cat Stevens, Tea for the Tillerman, 1970)
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