Hello Friends!
My anthology on the NHS Class of '70 has been dubbed the "Miles' Files" by the unassuming Cherry Lou Smith Simmons. So I will roll with it. Being a small town banker (yawn!) has its moments, especially in a college town. The opportunity to routinely visit with young people (college students) keeps the mind alert. This past week was particularly refreshing. Last night Kathi and I attended an outdoor concert at Henderson State put on by their 20 piece jazz ensemble, Nufusion, which was absolutely wonderful. I wish you could have heard them. The students do some original stuff as well as some of their own arrangements of other's songs or pieces.
They did an arrangement of Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past" (1972) which was outstanding. Following that fun, I then went across Highway 67 (the road to Newport) to the campus of Ouachita Baptist University to participate in the American Cancer Society's annual Relay for Life. Our bank was one of the sponsors and I got to put in my four miles of walking/running between 2:00am and 3:00am this morning mostly surrounded by students from both college campuses. (I am currently in recovery.) Some of these "kids" are friends of my daughters and others are total strangers, but not for long. They are usually quite eager to strike up a conversation. Recently (since this reunion jargon has been going on) I have noticed these young people around this college town reminding me of the "group of us" at their age.
Back to Jethro Tull's "Living in the Past" --- DON'T!!! A line from that song reflects, "Let us close our eyes; outside their lives go on much faster." Keep your eyes open and live for the tomorrows that certainly will be going on much faster, but remember the past for the lessons learned, the never ending friendships. Remember the past for the roller coaster ride that it has been. That ride is picking up speed. Have FUN! (Remember wanting to go fast?)
What fun this week has been in front of this computer screen as well. I have received cybernotes from Cherry Lou, Laura Benish Goodyear, Diane Madison Lumpkin, Kathy Foley McKee, Ruth Johnston, Richard Riley, David Reid, Scott Baker, Clay Wright, and Greer Guinn. I have had actual conversations with Ann Gardner Hearn, Joe Black and, just this morning, Gene Bennett. I have been in the proverbial "hog heaven".
Laura reminisced about Jenetta Ashley, Ruth Johnston, Joy Stanfield and Bobbye Ellen Davis. My lips are sealed. Diane reported that her Easter musical was truly wonderful. Kathy passed her exam and is now a licensed therapist! Hooray! Congratulations to her. Did you hear that Scott Baker? Now when we visit with her "on the couch" during the reunion, some "real" therapy may take place. Ruth sent me a "Baby Boomer's" quiz which was clever (and I did quite well). I guess all of you will be watching the TV special tomorrow night "The 70's". Scott Baker, you didn't script this show, did you? "Four dead in Ohio."
The words from all of you this week brought back thoughts of small town neighborhoods full of kids the same age "growing up" together. During the 60's, my two block neighborhood pals were Donny Appleton, David Sibley, Ann Gardner, Jenetta Ashley, Laura Benish, Kathy Spann. Cherry Lou reminded me of snowy days when bunches would gather on the levee in that neighborhood to sled and then "warm up" at David's or Ann's house. Cardboard boxes worked well for sliding on the levee even on a hot summer day. She also remembered the "free" matinees at the Strand theatre. At one of those matinees, a showing of "101 Dalmations" (the original), Mrs. Evans gave away a puppy from the pound. My friend Donny Appleton and I were called on by her to pull ticket stubs from a bin and Donny pulled my ticket as the winner. We carried that puppy home, but my mother would not let me keep it since I already had a dog, so I gave it to Sandra Laufer who lived at the corner of Remmel and Walnut Streets.
Clay remembered the old Walnut Street School where those of us on the south and west sides of town started grade school. I remember going to that old school proudly dressed in my Cub Scout uniform. Gene told me that he has a picture in his kitchen at home of Donny Appleton, Kenny Thaxton, Billy Wayne Matthews, David Heasley (Booger) and him as Cub Scouts. I also "fondly" remember the Popejoy brothers dominating the big fallen tree on the playground where everyone liked best to play. We were the last class to attend all three years at Walnut Street.
I recall playing wiffle ball until dark (or even after) in Jenetta's or my back yard with throngs of kids. Trading baseball cards with David and Donny was a year around passionate activity for me. That passion was rekindled after I finished college and I still have quite a collection.
As teenagers, Donny and I tried to build a still to brew beer in the loft of Mrs. Gray's garage (Donny's next door neighbor and my great aunt) and we almost burned the place down one day. Looking back, that neighborhood brought realism to "Leave It To Beaver". The Beave, Wally, Eddie Haskell, Lumpy and Whitey live on in my mind.
Well, the "Get Together" commemorating the 30th anniversary of our departure from the hallowed halls of Newport High School is beginning to shape up. Cherry Lou tells me that 64 have now registered and plan to be in the Port city on June 17. Those of you who are receiving this transmission and have not yet let your intentions be known, please respond to the "hard working, hard drinking" group who has planned this gala event (whoever they may be -- I know Cherry Lou and Becky Landreth have certainly been busy. The others may choose to remain anonymous.) Thirty years has been a short time for some and much longer for others. Regardless of the ride you have been on, I'm sure the "experience" has been priceless. As the old baseball pitcher Vernon Law once said, "Experience is a tough teacher, she gives the test first and the lesson afterward."
Keep those cards and letters coming! I love hearing from you and sharing your experiences.
Today's file is closed. joe
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