Keeping up

Well, I have to post to this every six months, and I'd like to keep it going from reunion to reunion. Just remember, if I get hit by a truck someone print it out before they cancel my account!

Our sympathy to Phillip Peck in the death of his sister, and to Wanda Stamps in the death of her father.

I have made a list of all the pictures I've posted, which will let me know which ones haven't been on here because I fully intend to document every person who attended the 30 year reunion.

I'm also going to post some cool pictures from my daughter's wedding because you'll know half the people there...Randy Burbank was the pastor, Robbie and Mary were there. Glenda Redding. My parents (of course). Robbie and James Spry. People you won't recognize (the world moves on) but I'll point them out because you know them.

I haven't forgotten you!

There are a LOT of pictures on here! I'm going through month by month...it's funny how long ago all this seems now. In the meantime, I have a family reunion in Tennessee Saturday, an Open House Sunday (want to buy a really cute house on Houston Town Road?), the Fourth of July, a Critter Crawl birthday party for 50 kids July 10, and my oldest child's wedding July 17.

Call and ask me to do something. I'll probably say yes.

Is this cool or what?

Aaron, our DJ at Dales? I had emailed to ask if he could do the music at my daughter's wedding next month. Got an answer today saying he'd have to check to make sure it wasn't breach of contract...he's been signed by Columbia Records!! How 'bout that?

That Stanley!

A while back I ran into Stanley somewhere and walked up behind him and called his name. Stanley. He was smiling when he turned around, and told me he can always tell what part of his life people are from by what they call him...pre-1974 is always "Stanley." After that, they call him Stan.

I remember the first time my mother told me she had heard Stanley speak...she was so impressed with his eloquence. And my mother is not easily impressed. When she told the story, I was puzzled because that couldn't be OUR Stanley! OUR Stanley doesn't talk! Can you believe that someone so quiet and low-key has evolved into one of the best speakers around? The Lord works in mysterious ways. He does a column in (I think) Saturday's paper, and has done a compilation of these into a book. (Stanley, not the Lord.) I'm sure Mars Hill carries it and I'll bet the Christian Bookstore downtown does, too.

My middle child had the chance a couple of years ago to sing in the chorus of "Oklahoma" when Alan Flowers did it at UNA. These are not high school productions; there is an orchestra and the sets are wonderful. Anyway, there was this absolutely gorgeous kid in the production. Movie star good looking, and he could sing and dance like you would not believe...I kept wondering what he was doing in Florence, Alabama, instead of trying to get on Broadway! Turns out, he's Stanley's son! If you ever get the chance to see him don't miss it...he is a wonderfully talented young man.

For real...

I can't remember who I've posted and who I haven't. I'll go through the archives this afternoon and make myself a list, then I can do pictures of the people I haven't gotten to yet.

Here are the email addresses

The odds of my typing all these in with no mistake are...slim to none. I'll proof and double-proof and take my best shot.

PLEASE. Don't abuse this list. I have a friend whose husband once took the addresses off my emails and forwarded his business stuff to them. Shut down my husband's email box. These are strictly for your convenience to help us stay connected...I've heard from lots of people who say they'd love to stay in touch, and this is a great way to do it.

JohnnyAllen cynorcyn@aol.com Veronica Allen viallen@una.edu Tony Barber tony.barber@lmco.com Robert Baugher rebspringr@aol.com Randy Black pblack@att.com Randy Burbank circuitriding_biker@yahoo.com Stanley Dean deanjs@wmconnect.com Philip Gooch leetood@aol.com Shelaine Goodwin tpsmarti@bellsouth.net Amy Greer amycruce@aol.com Linda Harden williams_lin@hcde.org Randy Harden rharden879@aol.com Vicky Harper vicky@waynecountybank.com Linda Harrison lfh0710@aol.com Tony Hendon codhendon@aol.com Freddy Hice dingy@hiwaay.net Danny Holder dannyrholder@yahoo.com Kenny Johnson kojohnson@tva.gov Brenda Jones engteacher402@yahoo.com Robbie Killen robkillen@aol.com Glenda Kretzer gvinson@prodigy.net J.C. Lovelace jcprojack@aol.com Myra McGuire mooshieneedlepoint@msn.com Sherry Miller sherry.nation@wku.edu June Montgomery junebugberry@bellsouth.net  Angie Owens idun4got2@aol.com Phillip Parker prparker0856@aol.com Phillip Peck unclebubba5684@wmconnect Mona Perry ramonajc@earthlink.net Mary Anne and Tim Rippey mrippey@firstsouthern.com Rose Skipworth drjwpettus@walmart.com Dennis Smith dennis109@juno.com Wanda Stamps magic-wanda@lycos.com Debbie Stepp debra.moore@avon.com Geneva Stutts gnevaann@aol.com Mary Walton mre1002@aol.com Charlotte White smyrick@wt.net Connie Williams mamacparrish@aol.com Jennifer Lamar mjttzahnd@juno.com

(Ooops! Okay, found two errors. If there are any more, I'll correct them as I find them or as you let me know! I know this takes up a lot of space, but the Journal automatically inserts a line when you hit enter, and this is the smallest size I can get the font. I tried putting it into one paragraph, but the emails confused everything. Five minutes later...Never miiind! If you sit here long enough, you can figure out just about anything. Now we're late for tennis camp. Oh, well. For the picture...I may have already used this group shot, but it's a good one.)

 

The beard agrees with him...

JC has a profile back in the archives, and I know he's been married a long time. But look at her! She doesn't look old enough to be OUT this late at night!

Mary Walton

(Mary and Ronnie Rainey)

You know, I don't think there's a bio on here from her! I know she lives in Center Star, I know they've been married a long time and I know she has a child who did something really cool, but she hasn't shared! For shame!

Ooops!

Who slipped those Methodists in there?

Archives

Someone asked yesterday about going through the old stuff. Click on View Older Entries in the upper right hand corner. Then, click on each month to view all the posts in that month. We started in March. At the end of each month, click on the next month.

I'm going to have to sit down and go through the archives myself. I'm having trouble remembering who I've posted and who isn't here yet!

That Dennis!

At the picnic during the twentieth reunion, Dennis Smith got on a tear and kept us in stitches all afternoon long. I don't remember what he was doing, but it was hysterical. So we never could figure out who he could have married...who could keep up with him?

Well, this is Kim and she is wonderful. They didn't come Friday night (for shame), but they hung in there with us until the end Saturday night...and I still say it takes someone special to put up with a bunch of people who have known each other for 50 years. She's our new best friend.

You know, Robbie's like Shelaine...you have to keep an eye on him, too. I had printed and done all the name labels I could, but on the ones where I didn't know the spouse's name I left it blank and we filled it in at Dale's. Robbie was helping write in the names, and Dennis noticed later that Kim's nametag read, "Dennis Miller Wife".

That there's funny. I don't care who you are.

Phillip finally made it

Now THAT'S a photo opportunity. I'm telling you, there are some good-lookin' people in these pictures! There's only one picture of Phillip by himself and I'm not printing it...the camera fouled up all night long and these DOUBLE CHINS kept popping up when we laughed. And as I have pointed out, we laughed until we hurt. For six solid hours.

I don't remember the specifics, but for the tenth and twentieth reunions Phillip had literally sent in his reservations and packed his bags when, both times, something came up at the last minute and he couldn't make it.

He looks exactly the same. I know he was in Florida for a while, then Robbie said he was in Nashville, and now he's in California. Has a beautiful teenage daughter...he did remember to bring a picture, but he's forgotten to send me the rest of his info. He does something with healthcare systems, best I remember.

He's another one who made everything feel right again.

Heeeere's Connie!

That there's funny. I don't care who you are.

Connie sent me the cool photo-booth pictures. Thank you...they were the best we posted.She's another I didn't get to sit down and talk to...you demanding people like controlled the night.

Go back into the archives and look at the pictures she sent and then look at this one...the girl is living right!

While you're in Hong Kong....

...and you hear that voice you recognize as Johnny Allen's, see if you couldn't pick this little girl out of ten million people. All night long people kept walking past and going, "Look! There's Tony Barber's little girl!" This is Clare. Sam was there, too, but I don't have a picture. They both are Tony...chewed up and spit out.

As a mother who is a mass of recessive genes, I hate it when that happens.

How we got all these pictures...

Cindy Barber is to the far left, and that's Bryan Cruce (Amy) and Pamela Black (Randy). There were four OTHER people standing on the other side with cameras, too.

Before I stop with the posting, I WILL get everyone who was at the reunion on here. I'm working my way throught the album so if your picture hasn't shown up...it will. And I'd love to have your pictures...digital or your extra prints.

Keep me updated!

Please send me pictures throughout the year! I promise you, everyone DOES want to know where you are and what you're doing.

This is Mary, Robbie and George McPeters at George's house Memorial Day Sunday. Mike Frye should be in here, but he's standing in the corner making stew. We let him out once an hour.

This video from the reunion weekend is really pretty neat. I know the video camera hooks to the computer, so if I can figure a way to put it on here so you all can play it, I will. I know it's too long to put into a file, but maybe there's another way. If YOU know what it is, let me know. Tony Barber.

The storms Sunday night got one of the old silos at the Cunningham Plantation...don't tell me you don't remember riding around down in Houston Town and Bluewater. It's funny, but EVERYONE who remembers stuff only remembers how RIGHTEOUS they were...I'll bet you 50 people have told me, "I drove everyone else around." So far, there hasn't been a single miscreant in the bunch. Wonder how that worked?

Email addresses

Several people have requested that I post email addresses so that you can stay in touch with each other. If you'd rather I NOT share your email address, let me know. I'll send one to everyone on the list and ask individually, but I don't want to impose. Thanks!

See? What did I tell you?

Don't they look just like they're sitting in the big pod getting ready for Economics?

This is, of course, Mona and Angie at the branch and I have already mentioned how much they brought to help. Thanks again.

Other things that never change? Tony Barber called last night on his way to see Leon Russell in Huntsville. Tony and B like the same music (all of it) and keep each other updated. Sounded like a lot of fun...for an old man!

JuneBugBerry

That's her email address, only her computer is dead right now. This is June and her husband, Doyce, and I think he gets Husband of the Affair. He was wonderful and he never even yawned.

June lives in Decatur and I hear from her every now and then. I know she's had some ups and downs in her life, but June gets Happiest Person Award. Doesn't matter where you are or what you're doing, your day is better every time you run into her.

The second picture is June and Mary, but look at Tim behind them. He sort of looks like he's angling for a hug, too, doesn't he? Bless his heart, they won't let him play.

Here's Noah!

You know, there's no telling WHAT Noah could tell if he wanted to. He never misses a reunion, and he's always there quiet and smiling...I bet he sees stuff the rest of us never catch because we're too busy running around being LOUD. I never got to sit down and talk with them; being the nice, polite person he is Noah doesn't demand attention like SOME people. Robbie says Noah is just "cool".

Sherry Miller's boys

If you remember, Sherry Miller, Charlotte White and Brenda Jones missed the reunion because of children's graduations. I asked them to send me graduation pictures, and Sherry sent this...she has some good looking boys, doesn't she? Now, if I can just get her to send me pictures of the MOTHER.

Brenda and Charlotte just haven't gotten to the mailbox, I guess. Any time, girls, any time.

Mary Anne's Beans

Mary Anne brought a ton of these and there weren't too many left the next morning. We ate at seven o'clock, we ate at nine o'clock and we ate at eleven o'clock. They're good.

1 large can Bush Original Baked Beans

1 medium onion, chopped

1 pound hamburger meat

2 tablespoons mustard

1 tablespoon ketchup

1/2 cup brown sugar

1/2 cup dark Karo syrup

Brown meat and onion together. Mix all ingredients in a casserole dish, drizzle a small amount of Karo on top. Bake at 350 degrees for 30 minutes. (Mary Anne: I really don't measure anything, I just guess. Most of the time I double the recipe.)

Thank you, dear!

Amy was voted "Wittiest"

And there's a really good chance that guy had just said, "Bar's closed."

Boy, we messed this one up!

When we handed out certificates, we gave Tim and Mary Anne one for being married the longest. Wrong! Jennifer and Martin Zahnd have been married 31 years!!!!

More group shots

These are from Robbie's camera and are from a little closer angle. Remember, you can right click on them and print them but you may have to resize them first. I'll try it later and see if it's easy. If not, you can always email me and I'll send them to you in an attachment.

(Okay, I tried it and I have a postage stamp. If you click on "View Larger" there is a bar to "Save To". Save it into a photo program and resize it. Or email me and I'll send it to you as an attachment.)

Philip Gooch and Sandi

This is one of those "old" relationship things with the families and such.

About 15 years ago Bryan had to work a promotion in Marietta and I went along for the food. That meant that all day Saturday B worked and I sat in the hotel room. I knew Philip had been in Atlanta, so I picked up the phone book and sure enough...there was Philip E. Gooch. Now see, if you're from Center Star you KNOW that he only has one "L" in his name and that his middle name is Eugene. I called and he was there and I have never been so glad to hear a person's voice in my life. I think all I probably said was, "Come get me!"

We sat in a sports bar all afternoon and watched Alabama play and had a blast. He took me out to the airport and I will tell you...we don't want his job. (He's an air traffic controller.) The whole afternoon was just so...Center Star. Call your buddy and pick up where you left off.

THEN. Friday night at the reunion both his boys were there and they are cuties. Halfway through the night Lee, the older one, walked up to me and (no lie) said, "Can we have one of those torches?" I thought he was joking and I asked him, "What?" and he repeated it, "Can we have one of those torches?" We're talking fire here. Petroleum fuel and flame and the child wanted one to hunt crawfish with.

I think we found him a flashlight.

I love Tim Collier

Tim Collier has always been Tim Collier, and it's a good thing because it would be hard to improve on the original. Friday night of the reunion his youngest daughter, Ramsey, came down to the branch. She used to look just like Tim's little sister, Joetta, but now she favors her mother. Which is where the story comes in.

Ramsey was standing beside us, and Tony Hendon was teasing her about something. And she was giving as good as she got. Later on, Mary Killen asked Robbie why Tony Hendon was picking on Tim Collier's little girl since he'd never met her.

Tim's wife. Allie Sue. Allie Sue Hendon. Tony's little sister.

That's another pair that we were talking about being so pretty...Allie Sue and Charlotte, Tony's sisters. Charlotte is married to Steve Oliver and she works at the bank in Center Star. (I know it's not Bank of Lexington, but for the life of me I can't think what it IS.) Notice sometime when you see them.

Tim told a story that, of course, I had forgotten, involving a blank report card and my handwriting. I think I've forgotten some of these things for a reason.

You know what I do remember? Tim getting on the bus in the mornings with hot fried apple pies. Jiminy. Hot fried apple pies for breakfast. Two kids ago I used to do that, and Daddy mentioned a while back that there wasn't a lot of point in me learning how to make them from Virgie if I never DID. Make them. So I'll add that to my list. Maybe we can do that at the next cookout.

Two things

One. You know, the BAD thing about film and video is that it records EVERYTHING, not just the things I want it to. And it sort of records them the way they happened as opposed to the way I SAID they happened. So. We really did have a concert at Dales and it was a really good one at that. Yesterday I was changing video tapes in the camera and guess what? We have Tony and Shelaine on video. Playing music. Very well.

Never mind.

Two...It has been suggested that I do a list of our emails for everyone so people can get in touch if they'd like. Charlotte White in Texas specifically mentioned this as a way of staying connected. The problem is that the list is in Print Shop and I'm not sure how to convert it to a different file type that everyone can open and that will keep it in nice tidy rows. If I can do that in ten minutes or less I will. Otherwise I'll take five minutes and retype it.

Wouldn't you know him anywhere?

(Johnny and Cindy Allen)

Actually, it's his voice. I could be in Hong Kong in a crowd of a million people and if he were behind me and said something I'd know it was him.

Cindy is another one who helped above and beyond the call of duty...she brought a ton of food and then kept insisting we CLEAN UP. I never did make her understand that...oh, it'll take care of itself. Tomorrow. Or the next day. Maybe.

Were we glad to see him!

Grady had a heart attack Monday and was at the reunion Saturday night. I love a man who lands on his feet!

See? I told you so.

Rosemary is beautiful. She is, however, a LITTLE tardy with the bio so I'll see if I can't get some information out of her.

I know she's sweating bullets...

...so here's Shelaine's official Cutest Girl portrait. She also got Least Changed, which is a previous post.

She and I had a lot of fun doing this. We go back a long way (I didn't come to Brooks until seventh grade. Our parents are friends so we have known each other always.) and she makes me laugh just as much today as ever.

Her husband, John, is another spouse you have to sympathize with. How boring must we be to other people? He was a trooper and a super nice guy and I've got a good picture of them together I'll find later.

Class Cutie

Randy Harden was elected Hottest Boy. This is his official "Hottest Boy" portrait.

You should hear Shelaine squalling. SHE'S the one who came up with the categories, but now that I'VE got the pictures and I'VE got the computer, she's worried about how this all looks. Hmmm. Too bad, I promised I wouldn't tell.

Good Lord!

This is that moment everyone had when they looked at the picture on the badges. Good Lord! Did I look like THAT?

This is Randy and Pamela Black. There's a bio in the old postings but they never sent a picture so I took my own. Robbie was telling stories about Randy's basketball skills; I'll have to get him to tell me again so I can write some of them down. I didn't remember, but Robbie says Randy had a motorcycle accident our junior year and hurt his leg. Didn't faze him on the court. Pamela's parents live on Shoals Creek, so maybe we'll see more of them.

The second picture is our table...people taking pictures of people taking pictures. And Randy and Pamela laughing at the annual. And B and Cindy wondering what in the world they're doing with these people.

Tim & Mary Anne...Still crazy after all these years...

...about each other. It feels good to be around them.

Yes, those pants make your butt look big.

Just kidding! These are actually two of the nicer rear views present. Except for B.

Tony and Robbie wanted to dance but no one would dance with them, so they led each other all around the floor. Never did get it worked out as you can see in #2 as one dipped and the other didn't! They need to keep their day jobs...this exquisite move looks like Tony has just socked a good one to Robbie's jaw.

About the band...

As has been mentioned we kept waiting on this concert and the next thing I know, we're all standing out in the parking lot! (Or, outstanding in the parking lot, which actually is a more apt description.)

This is Tony Barber and Shelaine, and then Tony, Shelaine and Aaron (calvinks1400@comcast.net) our spinmeister.

Killen Elementary School...1962 to 2004

We had the group picture from Killen Elementary in 1962-63. The first picture is y'all trying to figure out who's in it. The second picture is the old picture, and the third picture is all of the people in the group picture who were at Dale's.

This would be Tony Barber, Tony Hendon, Connie Williams, Tim Rippey, Angie Owens, Mary Tidwell, Phillip Peck, Shelaine Goodwin, Robbie Killen, Phillip Parker and Randy Burbank.

No, wait...

THIS is the funniest man on the planet! In later years I would make that statement and people who only knew him as principal would A: not have a clue who "Coach" Smith was, and B: look at me like I was crazy. Which just proves my point, it takes a superior intelligence to understand even a fraction of his dry wit. I alway leave a conversation with him KNOWING he has hung me out to dry and I didn't catch half of it.

Coach Smith is the first person to ever tell me I could write. Funny how little things (you know he doesn't remember that!) can change the course of a person's life.

I was angling for a ride in that car!

Phillip is single and not looking, so I got to be his picture mate.

Robbie and I have stayed in stitches over Phillip and Dennis Smith. They are hysterical and if someone had his ducks in a row he could open a Comedy Club with just those two.

Somehow, we didn't get a picture of Phillip's car. When he came down the hill Friday night, everyone there just stood up and stared. It is too cool. 1977 black Thunderbird.

Phillip is another one we don't see often enough. Glad he was there.

Some things haven't changed!

(Pam and Tony Hendon)

They live in Elgin and I'm on Houston Town Road so we see each other a lot. We both have four-year-olds. There are days he wishes I'd move back to Texas (he's who I called when I needed my refrigerator moved and a new one picked up in Florence. I told you my husband loves him!) but he's stuck with me.

Pam has a neat home furnishings shop in Madison and I'll find the name of it in a minute. She has more energy than a tornado and the patience of Job. She used to own MooMoo's in Elgin and I am the witness...the girl can cook! So here's her recipe for white sauce, which we used on the beer can chickens. I brought ALL the leftover sauce home with me.

Miss Pam's White Sauce for Chicken

1/2 cup mayonnaise

1/2 cup lemon juice

2 teaspoons white apple vinegar

Garlic powder to taste

Coarse ground black pepper

Milk to thin if necessary, but it's usually not.

Have I mentioned we LAUGHED?

(John Martin, Shelaine's husband, Mary Tidwell Killen and Amy Greer Cruce.)

I can't remember what was so funny here but it doesn't matter. We laughed all night long. When we left Bayou Blue, there was a table of people on the patio who were our new best friends. I found a phone number in my car the next morning...I bet we invited them to the next reunion.

Wonder who they were?

Notice the name tags. We took the pictures from the annual and gave each classmate and spouse a nametag with that picture on it. It was funny. Most people were horrified...remember the HAIR?

I have three rolls of film, so I'll be adding for a while. Send me yours if you have extras. I put these into a little album this morning and then realized, the album says "For Baby" and has ducks and lambs on it. Welcome to my world.

And more beautiful people...

(Mona Perry Cody and Angie Owens Tidwell.)

Mona and Angie showed up with this BOX of life saving "stuff". Food. Paper towels. Necessities. It was like Christmas.

Shelaine sent me an email that was sort of funny because SO many people said the same thing about Angie. Angie is a saint. With a DEVILISH sense of humor. Here's part of the email:

I am still so exited over seeing everyone again.  It was just like old times.  I know our class was the closest of any; it's just like we picked up where we left off.  Maybe the older you get the more you appreciate friends...this was great. Also as I mentioned earlier, Angie (Owens) Tidwell is one of the sweetest people I have ever known.  I knew in school she was good but she is more, she is genuine to the core.  And Shannon, is he wonderful or what? I could go on and on but I won't.  Yeah, maybe I will.(not). And yes, I agree with you on Mary Anne, Mona and Rose, they are gems. Talk with you soon! Shelaine  

And then I got this message from Mona. Weren't you glad she, Randy Harden and Randy Black were there? It never seemed right without them.

Sorry, my kids kind of have a monopoly on the computer, and I don't know how to do much but type a letter and do a little searching! I hadn't checked my email for over a year until the other day, and I had 81 messages to read! Most of them were ads. Did you hear that my youngest son Jacob, and Angie and Shannon's daughter Allison, having been dating for a year? Angie and I are so excited that we might be in-laws!                                         Mona Perry Cody  

Some day I'm going to publish all this, and show these emails in their ENTIRETIES. You wouldn't believe what I leave out.

Some things, and people, never change. You guys make me smile.

Doesn't he look good?

(Randy Burbank and Robbie)

Either one.

Too cool for words.

(Tim Collier and Randy Harden.)

They both had the best time all weekend.

When we did new Class Favorites, Randy got "Hottest Boy". There is a reason.

He did, however, nearly get shot out of the saddle by Coach Smith, who only lost by one vote.

These are the greatest pictures EVER!!!

(Phillip Parker, Mary Tidwell Killen and Randy Harden)

Here are our prodigal sons! Randy and Phillip both missed the ten and twenty-year reunions. It's good to have them back. Mary is our official Greeting Committee because she does it so well. Just ask THEM!

Last One Until Monday

Remember I said I had resigned as chairman of Arts Alive, because Parks and Recreation and the Florence City Council were taking half our profits...which we raise for area schools...in "fees"?

Later on, it looked like P&R was going to look the other way and we weren't going to have to pay the fees. So I took on the Gala...let's feed and entertain 250 people Saturday night, May 15. I have an out-of-town artist friend coming in to stay the weekend, and we lost our caterer for the judge's luncheon this Friday so I'm making ten pounds of chicken salad and four strawberry cakes as we speak.

Turns out, P&R DIDN'T look the other way and the fees DO have to be paid, but hey, I'm in over my head now.

The point is...these are the last posts until Monday. Robbie's and my pictures should be ready today or tomorrow, so come Monday I'll be full steam ahead but in the meantime...if you come to Arts Alive (and you should) come see me in the garden behind Kennedy Douglas. Remember my workboots and t-shirt last Friday night? That'll be me.

And another thing...someone asked last night: "Do you stay on the computer ALL DAY?" The answer is, no. The COMPUTER stays on all day, but I just pass through. Each of these posts is probably one hour from when I start it until when I finish it, but I only spend eight or ten minutes total working on it. Two minutes here, three minutes there. Then the phone rings or someone has a bike wreck or the cats eat the hermit crab. Again.

Again, thanks for all your help and all the great feedback. And NO. We will not do this again next weekend.

Group pictures

Like I said, you can print these by right clicking on them. You can also right click, save them into a file and open them in your photo program and play with them. (I just lost 50% of you there, didn't I?)

There should be five prints here. They're all from the same camera, which means later there may be others that are better. If you'll notice (this is the point where I got accused of being bossy but pay attention, the people who didn't do what I told them to are hidden behind other people!) if you go through them all, eventually you can see every face. Unless there were still people outside and I haven't had time to check yet.

The emails and phone calls just keep coming. Mona Jane said last night she hasn't checked her email in a year and look...she's back! I'm going to post regularly for at least another month, or until I get through all these pictures and papers. I'll do the class favorites...they were fun and there were comments on the ballots I'll post. I've still got to tell you about the neat stuff...Phillip Parker was there, and Randy Black. Lots of the old regulars. Coach Smith. Who almost won an award. I've got to get Charlotte White, who had an almost-daughter-in-law graduate from college that night, to send us some info. Brenda says she can't believe she missed it, either, but she was at graduation, too.

If you took digital pictures, send them to me and we'll post them all. One of the emails last night just said, "More, More, More!" I'm dancing as fast as I can!

And still smiling. You people are the greatest.

SEE...THEY COULD HAVE BEEN ON SATURDAY NIGHT LIVE...

...with Bill Murray.

Aaron Sumner was our entertainment guy and he was great. The room's a little small for the music, but he did a wonderful job of learning early 70's music REAL quick. I think he's 20, which means he was born in 1984. Jeez. If you ever need entertainment, he has a wonderfully versatile voice and his email is calvinks1400@comcast.net People kept asking all night, "Where did you FIND him?", and he told me later that everyone was really nice to him. Like he was surprised or something. Go figure.

Anyway, that's Tony Barber and Shelaine doing their lounge lizard thing, only they never got around to it. They kept fiddling around and we all kept waiting and the next thing I knew we were leaving. Maybe they were just vying for the photo op.

I just crack me up sometimes.

I'm Posting! I'm Posting!

Okay, here's the group picture. If it's too dark on your monitor let me know and I'll lighten it up and repost...my monitor is too dark and I can't tell what things really look like. And I've tried counting...were there still people outside? They are so dead if they were.

If you'll notice, after all my arranging we still have heads behind heads. So I think I have three of these on digital and I'll post all of them and everyone's face should be showing at least once. But right now I've got to go cook supper!

Look what a good-looking bunch.

On improving and getting to be 50. Years. Old.

(This is the only picture of Tony like this I can find. I'll add one of him by himself later.)

Something else. And I'll get in trouble for leaving people out, but I can only tell the stories I remember! You're welcome to add yours!

Rosemary is beautiful. She walked up and my jaw dropped. I don't have a good picture of her in the digitals, but maybe Robbie or I have one at the developers. I don't know what she's done, but she is Elizabeth Taylor drop-dead gorgeous.

And speaking of movie stars. Mary Anne looked like one. She had this great dress and she was just so serene...only word I can think of. Elegant.

And then MONA came in and jeeze...it ought to be a crime to have skin like that. Robbie and I were talking about this later and you ought to see her...what are these people DOING? (I'll tell you what they're NOT doing...they're not chasing four-year-olds.)

Then. I'm going to clean up this story for a public forum, but this improvement thing has been going on for years. Shelaine mentioned last night that Tony Barber was just gorgeous...the best looking thing she has ever seen. Bryan and I have friends on Court Street who have a Handy Party every year, and a couple of years ago Tony went to the party with us. He only knew one other couple, but it's a fun crowd and so he made friends left and right. Later in the night, one of our friends asked us if we (Tony and I) were an item in high school. And I have no idea where this came from, but Tony told them that my friends and I had this "list" in school of "acceptable" guys, and he wasn't on it. So no, we'd never dated because he wasn't on the "list".

My friend turned around and looked at me incredulously and in a voice that probably carried to Tupelo said, "He's so gorgeous everyone here wants to meet him and he wasn't on your LIST?"

So. Here's to all the gorgeous people at Dale's Saturday night. Who are almost 50 years old. I didn't see an ugly one in the bunch!

 

TWO THINGS

The previous picture is of Randy Burbank, Phillip Peck, Robbie, and Debbie Ainsley, who hung in there with the best of us.

And have I mentioned that you can right-click on any of these pictures and print them?

About Friends and Important Things and Getting Out of Something What You Put Into It...

I think I'll get on a soapbox here and talk about my friends.

The emails and phone calls have been overwhelming. I've heard from people I haven't talked to in years who have called or emailed to say how much they enjoyed seeing everyone and what a pleasure it was spending time together.

When I walked into Dale's, I was late and flustered. (Instead of finishing the name tags early and having a nap and a leisurely shower, I had a family emergency involving a broken down tractor in Colbert County and my day was shot.) I was loaded down...I had the name tag stuff and a sack of papers and a bag with my cameras...I brought four. I walked into the room in a panic, and there you all were and the years just fell away. Everyone was laughing and talking and I think I grinned from ear to ear and just quit worrying.

If you had turned on a tape recorder at any time during the night, you'd have recorded laughter.

Several weeks ago, Robbie and I were having a conversation about y'all and what you mean. We have a friend who has gone through a twelve-step program and some of the people in the program insisted that you have to break ties with all your old associates in order to stay clean. And Robbie and I were talking about how other people don't understand, we didn't just meet up on a street somewhere. A lot of us had parents who went to high school together, and grandparents and even great-grandparents buried in the same cemetery. We have a history.

Some of the comments, I think, bear repeating.

Mary Anne sent me her bean recipe and I'll print it later. In her email she said, "Since I did not grow up here it does amaze me the ties people have with each other.  That is one thing I wanted to give my children, a home where they were able to grow up with their friends."

Randy Harden sent an email that was too sweet, and in it he said, "Thanks for everything, you really made me feel like I was home again." Which is strange, because two seconds after he drove down to the branch, we'd all have sworn he'd never left Killen.

Mary Ellen was talking about the reunion after it was over and she said the same thing. "We go to my reunion and we have fun but it's just sort of 'Hi, how are you'. I wish we had what y'all have."

And most touching, I think, was from Angie. She doesn't talk about it, and you sure can't tell from looking at her, but Angie has had cancer twice in the last few years. She said, "We're not getting any younger and it would be nice if everybody could be at the next one. Whatever their excuse is, they need to lose it. Life is too short not to grab every minute of fun that you can."

The whole weekend was a fuzzy sort of Kermit-the-Frog feel-good thing and I walked away from it feeling grounded...like I belonged somewhere.

If you left that room Saturday night with any other outlook, you have my sympathy. You guys are the BEST!

OKAY, THEY HAVE MORE CLOTHES ON...

We redid class favorites, and Robbie and Shelaine were voted "Least Changed Boy and Girl". (I have the ballots. By the way.) Here's them at the ten-year and again at the 30-year. This is scary.

ON TO SATURDAY NIGHT

I have four rolls of film at the developers, and Robbie has some, too. Right now we're running on digital, of which I know I took 60 Saturday night. I'm waiting on Pamela Black to get home and see what she has...the girl was clicking.

I started to take this picture and told them, "Boys. Line up." and OF COURSE one of them said, "Who you callin' 'boy'?" I kept waiting on one of them to say, "You call a shark a fish?" (REMEMBER that?) but it's a done deal. You may get grey and bald and old and fat, but you will always be my boys. You look, to me, just like you did 30 years ago and I wouldn't trade any of you for anything. (Well, maybe a good babysitter but we won't go there.)

THE GREEN BEAN THING

I just had this long thing ready to post and X'd it out. Dumb.

Friday night was too much fun. The picture is the last one I took before my camera batteries died...this was Philip who was one of the 2 a.m. crowd. As you can tell, we were laid back. Literally. The waterfall sounds beautiful at night and we debated the cost of hammocks. We also solved a lot of the world's problems.

Okay...let me do my thank you's. Thanks to Robbie and Tim Collier who sat here one whole Saturday afternoon on the phone and computer while we found 90% of the people we were looking for. They then beat the bushes for the remaining 10%.

Thank you to Shelaine, who had Tuesday meetings with me at the tennis courts at Turtle Point when she left work while we waited on my eight-year-old to finish lessons. She did the tables, the new class favorites and handled the money and reservations. She also kept me laughing the whole time

Thank you to our ministers!! I walked into my parent's house yesterday to hear my sister telling my mother about Randy Burbank's beautiful prayer at the branch Friday night. And I was wishing Saturday night for a Lauren Bacall version of Stanley's voice for myself. They both spoke of the beauty of enduring friendships, and I myself am just tickled to death I got to spend the weekend with all of y'all. (Stanley told me last year he can always place what part of his life people come from by what they call him. "Stanley's" are always one of us.)

YOU need to thank Tony Hendon, who hauled tables and chairs and did the weedeating and cleaning and unloading and who put up with me Thursday and Friday when I panicked because I thought I'd left too much until the last minute. My husband loves him.

Thanks to the spouses who put up with us...can you imagine anything more boring than sitting in a room full of people who've known each other for 40 years and listening to them talk about things you've never heard of? I made two new friends...Randy Black's wife, Pamela, and I have conversed over the last month or so, and Dennis Smith's wife just rolled right in there with us...she's got to be funny to hang in therewith him!

THANKS FOR THE FOOD! I heard from Angie yesterday and they made the beer can chickens at home Sunday. Her green beans were a hit, as were Mary Anne's baked beans. Miss Pam (Hendon, but my kids have to call her Miss Pam) made white sauce for the chicken, and Johnny's wife, Cindy, brought a ton of stuff. I don't know who the other dishes belonged to but I tasted them all.

Thank you for my gift certificate, which will NOT involve kids.

The problem with thank-you's is that you always leave someone out, but I've got time. I'll cover it all eventually.

Here's The Green Bean Thing, from Angie:

  2 LARGE CANS OF ALLENS CUT GREEN BEANS (DRAINED)

2 CANS MUSHROOMS (DRAINED)

1 CAN SLICED WATER CHESTNUTS (DRAINED)

2 TABLESPOONS (REAL) BUTTER

SPRINKLE OF ZATARAIN'S CREOLE SEASONING

SPRINKLE OF GARLIC POWDER

SALT AND PEPPER TO TASTE  

MICROWAVE FOR ABOUT 10 MINUTES.

We were actually very funny

This is Mary Anne bundled up Saturday night. But what's funny:

She and I had to go to the bathroom. Happens. Except the door to the girl's bathroom was locked. And ten minutes later, it was still locked. And ten minutes later, it was still locked. So FINALLY, I went into the guy's restroom, LOCKED THE DOOR, and did whatever. When I came out, the door to the girl's restroom was still locked and Mary Anne was still waiting. So SHE went into the guy's bathroom and locked the door.

When she came out, there was a guy coming out of the girl's bathroom. She looked him up and down and said, "Sicko", and came back outside.

He said, "Bitch-slapped"

In front of Stanley and Coach Smith and Rosemary. Now, look at this picture. Can you see his inherently criminal tendencies?

She was cold all weekend...

This is Mary Anne and Tony Barber Friday night...she's the clothesline in disquise. No kidding, the girl nearly froze to death all weekend...that's what happens when you get skinny. There's another picture somewhere of her wrapped up Saturday night, too.

Tim and Mary Anne had the most appropriate Branch Vehicle, and later Tim pulled it behind the Great American Exploding Grill and played music that made everyone smile and remember where they were when they heard it the first time.

I've just realized I don't have a picture of Phillip Peck's car. 1977 Thunderbird. Shiny black. Tony Barber kept trying to steal it all night. At least, I THINK that's why he kept going to the barn.

I'll do this later

It is probably not legal to have this much fun in one weekend.

We have had an absolutely wonderful time the past three days. If you missed any of it...well, shame on you. This was one of those times when you could not have planned for all the great things that just "happened". Friday night was too laid back for words and CERTAIN PEOPLE didn't get home until 2 a.m. Saturday was an absolutely beautiful day and the clean-up crew sort of...sat. Saturday night was too much fun...there were people there we had not seen in 30 years. We elected new class favorites and I'll post that and pictures later. We had the cutest kid singing 70's music...he wasn't even THOUGHT OF in 1974. We had classmates performing with the band, and we had a "floor show" at the end of the night. I have photographic evidence of all this so stay tuned.

The guy in the picture is Topper Price...he is a session harmonica player who can make you cry he is so eloquent. Allman Brothers, Dickie Betz, my knowledge is limited but he is famous among musicians. B and I have always followed him during Handy Week. After Dale's shut down Saturday night, we went to Bayou Blue and Topper was playing. We sat outside on the patio and laughed some more. Perfect.

My ribs hurt I have laughed so much. Later I'll start posting pictures (they are SPECTACULAR) and commenting. And boy, do I have some commenting to do! Like, I AM NOT BOSSY. You just need to get it right the first time.

I have a ton of emails and phone calls about how everyone enjoyed seeing everybody and can we please do this more often? Mona Jane looks just like she always did. Randy Harden looks better. Robbie looks like he's a hundred years old and everyone was just being nice. GRADY WAS THERE! And Dennis Smith is still the funniest human being on the planet.

Yes, we will do it again in five years...probably the outdoor thing. Which lasted three days for some of us. We may have to take Mary Anne up on the port-a-potty offer. You should have been there for "clean up" Saturday. We were vegetables. We've decided to invest in hammocks.

I'll post more over the next week or so. I was so glad to see you people...it is hard to explain to people who didn't grow up like we did that y'all are not just friends...we have a history that, in some cases, goes back generations. Robbie and I talked about this a couple of weeks ago and you brought it home this weekend.

I'm going to bed now. At a decent hour. For a change.

Are they good lookin' or what?

That's Randy Harden (he has not changed ONE bit!), Tony Barber, Tim Rippey and Tim Collier. They look so good!

We had a blast last night...and if you were there when the paint can exploded that has a meaning of its own (apparently when we were weed eating, we set a can of grill paint on the platform the grill rests on. When all six bags of charcoal got going REALLY good, one of the cans blew up. Scared half of us to death, and the other half never noticed.)

I'll do some more pictures next week...thank you to everyone who worked so hard...we had enough food for an army and it was wonderful! Angie's green bean recipe to follow.

They kept threatening to call the ASPCA...

This was the grill full of chickens...before we ate every one of them.

Maybe the next time we do this, we need to consider just throwing BREAKFAST into the mix, too. A good time was had by all.

And y'all...wait until you see Phillip Peck's COOL car!

Hooo Boy....

We found her! You know, the missing Reunion Secretary! She's back, we have lists and plans and it's time to just sit back and enjoy.

A couple of people are coming who haven't made it before...some from a ways. Phillip Parker is here from California (one of the things about living in Center Star, you hear everything. I learned this in the grocery store in Elgin: turns out Phillip called his mother and said, "Guess what, Mom? I'm coming home for Mother's Day!"). Randy Harden is on his way in from south of Atlanta, Randy Black from north of Atlanta. Philip Gooch hasn't missed one yet and has cranked up the old motor home and will be tooling in from Memphis. Robert Baugher will be here this time. Mona Jane is coming. Coach Smith will be at Dale's.

We'll also be missing some regulars...Brenda Jones, Sherry Miller and Charlotte White have children graduating from college and they usually come. Grady Miller had a HEART ATTACK, but when Robbie went by to check on him yesterday he had been discharged so we hope he's better.

Oh yeah...I THINK I know who has little kids coming Friday night and who doesn't, but kids are welcome and will have a blast...just bring them lots of extra clothes! Philip Gooch's boys, Lee and Todd, are eight and ten, so are Tony Barber's son and daughter, Claire and Sam. Tony Hendon's Hayden is four; and my Pariss and Allie Craig are eight and four. And we have a guest eight-year-old for the night. So if you have an extra one around the house, bring 'em on.

710-1177 is my cell phone if you need us this afternoon. Looking foward to seeing you all.

From Kenny...

Kenny Johnson isn't going to be there Saturday night....job obligations...even though I have offered to go beat up someone for him. There's nothing more intimidating than a nearly-50 year old Mom with a fly swatter.

He did, however, send this along and I agree wholeheartedly...I don't want to rust.

"LIFE IS NOT A JOURNEY TO THE GRAVE WITH THE INTENTION OF ARRIVING SAFELY IN A PRETTY AND WELL PRESERVED BODY, BUT RATHER TO SKID IN BROADSIDE,  THOROUGHLY USED UP, TOTALLY WORN OUT, AND LOUDLY PROCLAIMING----WHEW----WHAT A RIDE!!!"  author unknown but a product of the 70's  

Digging through the boxes...

As you know, Randy is moving back to Center Star. He found these while packing up. Can't wait to see him! (And no, you can't have a ride unless you wear your helmet.)

Where we are today...Tuesday

Where we are is in a tizzy. Mark my word, I'm going to kill Shelaine Goodwin.

Judging from my email responses, there are a TON of reply envelopes sitting in Shelaine's mailbox. So we're set up with Dale's for Saturday night...six o'clock social hour and we'll order at seven. Nice little DJ who has been instructed to find "Band on the Run", and then educate himself on 70's feel-good music. Sorry, no Pink Floyd. I didn't like them 30 years ago and I think it would interfere with my digestion now.

Friday night at the branch...local people are bringing side dishes. We will have whole chickens and desserts. Bring drinks and ice. Tony and I will do the set-up Thursday...bug spraying, torches, extra tables and such. 710-1177 is my cell phone if you need us Friday.

Guess where Randy Black is?

Name...Randy Lee Black
Place you live...just moved from Cumming GA on Lanier Golf Course to 5 acres in White GA
Married?...20 years to Pamela Lee George (Bradshaw 1979)
Kids?...none, but raised 4 felines (Garfield passed at 19 years and Nermal just passed at 17 years - Ali and Tigger are 11 and 9)
Grandkids?...none Nephews?....3 (Justin and Christopher from brother David, and Justin from my sister-in-law) Brothers?.... David Glen Black (Brooks 1979) and Allen Keith Black (Brooks 1980)
What did you do after high school?...about 8 years in the chemist lab at NAFCO in Florence where I designed some new blends for Armstrong
After that?...brother David recommended me for a Journeyman welder's job with a union company and I worked in Florida, Tennessee, Louisiana, Pennsylvania, and Georgia for about 10 years. David left the company to become a real estate agent, now a real estate developer, and I'm his residential builder and restorator.  I've been the CEO and creator of ROM Inc, and am also the CEO of Ashland Homes.  I live in a home my wife designed and I built in Hawks Farm at Lakeside on Lake Allatoona in White Ga, alongside other estates I've built. I'm currently directing the renovation for a $4M estate, and my next project is building the homes in my brother's new development at Crystal Lake Estates in Henry County Ga.
Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...I've traveled to 25 US states, Canada, Mexico, England, Germany, Austria, Switzerland, and Italy on vacation.  A few months ago, I met a man at a convenience store in Cartersville GA with a Shriner's group who knew not only my father and other relatives, but his doctor delivered both me and my father.
Important things...Married my best friend.  We had our first date on Dec 23 1983 when I was on vacation in Florence while working in Florida. I was assigned a temporary job in Tennessee and then was reassigned to New Orleans.  In a long distance relationship, three months later on March 23, 1984 she asked me to marry her and 3 months later we were married on June 23, 1984 after she graduated from UNA. (I am open to any suggestions for a 20 year anniversary celebration/extravaganza, plus he is turning 50 next year and I haven't figured out how to top the spectacular semi-public surprise party that I threw for him on his 40th....Pamela) She continues...Randy was great friends with his father (who passed away on April 28 in 1995), and his mother is retired but loves working for the boy's companies.  He was great buddies with my grandfather who just passed away just one month shy of his 99th birthday, and is adored by all of his in-laws (a couple of hundred that have a reunion once a year).
Hobbies, interests, vices...close family, true friends, golf, NASCAR, traveling, home projects, openness for chatting and helping elderly persons, and is a fantastic listener to anyone in need

Oh, people, where has the time gone?

I was talking to Randy Harden and realized...my instructions say "Turn across from Outpost 72." If you haven't been home in a while, or don't get out this way when you do, let me clarify myself:

Go to where Leonard Loveless's USED to be. It is now a trendy BBQ place that sells $37 cakes (the Italian Cream is heaven). People come from 100 miles around to buy the cheesecakes. It's called Outpost 72. The rest of the instructions stand...I don't think the scenery has changed much in 30 years except that where Mitchell's lake lot was? With the steep up and down hills that most cars couldn't climb? There are now three-story half-million dollar houses built into the hillside down there. Go figure.

Louise Loveless died a couple of years ago, and Leonard and Donnie are in nursing homes. Remember how much Donnie loved pumping gas? "You want gas?" and if you weren't from around here you didn't know what he was saying. They had oatmeal cookies in these big round glass jars with metal tops. They tasted like Archways do now but they were better because they were in those jars. I have looked all over the Southeast for one of those jars and if you ever find one, buy it for me.

Last summer I needed a belt for my tiller on a weekend and for some reason drove to Rogersville. They sent me north towards Anderson to this store on the right that, I promise, hasn't changed in 50 years. And while I'm in there, three men came in and ordered lunch...two had bologna and cheese sliced and wrapped in white paper and the other...I AM NOT MAKING THIS UP...ordered a souse meat sandwich. I did not know there was still such a THING as souse meat, much less that you could walk into a business and order a sandwich made of such. Or that you'd want to.

Remembering Leonard's is what made me think of that.

Tony Hendon and I each have 4 year old's, and he's going to help me set up at the branch Thursday and Friday. My cell phone number is 710-1177 and if you need anything Friday, like directions, call me. It also helps if a couple of people pick up ice on their way down there...I always run out.

It is amazing how easy technology has made this reunion...we've heard from people we haven't talked to in years. Can't wait to see you all.

Oooops!

It appears that most of you HAVE sent in your reservations. And I didn't know it. WHY? Because the reunion secretary is lying on the beach in JAMAICA, probably sipping one of those pansy drinks with little umbrellas in it. Enjoying herself. With no children.

So, thank you to all you concientious 99%'s who did what you were supposed to do. Now I think I'll go get my card off the refrigerator like I said I was going to do YESTERDAY and send it in.

(Just realized this doesn't make sense if you're not on the email list because I sent out an email chastizing everyone for not sending in their reservations. Only, I was wrong. (If you don't know who Ron White is, that's not funny.) OH! Sometime this week the counter went over ONE THOUSAND! Who'd a thunk it?)

Getting my ducks in a row...

Friday night at the branch at my parent's...we're doing whole chickens on the big grill. If it's convenient bring a side dish, and bring drinks for your family. Wear old, comfortable clothes, this is outside and the facilities consist of trees and bushes. Oh, and this is sort of "Open" night. Extra guests are welcome...brothers and sisters who we ran around with, parents and kids, buddies...the more the merrier.

Saturday night put on your clean clothes and be at Dale's at six...we've allowed time to TALK. We should order around seven. I've found a DJ and tried to explain to him about 70's music but I don't know...he acts like these songs are OLDIES or something. Bring your cameras and any memorabilia you can find...I'm still waiting on pictures from the prom!!!

See you all next week.

I just love good news!

Remember, Randy Burbank was supposed to lead a spiritual retreat next weekend? And I wondered if it was sacrilege to wish for a change of plans? This is too cool also because if I'm not mistaken, Randy's Dad was pastor at Center Star, too.

Good morning Amy,   I know I said I couldn't make it, but I am going to be there--and for once, I have already sent my reservations in to Shelaine.  I don't know if I've said it, but thanks for working so hard to get this together.  Really looking forward to seeing everyone.  Oh, by the way, did I tell you that I'm moving this June?  Guess where?  As of June 16, I'll be the pastor at Center Star & Elgin United Methodist Churches!  Take care, and see you May 8   Randy

The Weekend

The Friday night party at Trousdale Branch...

(I added two pictures after the first post...they're from Labor Day last year. One is Mike Frye in the swimming hole and the other is all of us at the waterfall...I think that's George McPeters standing on the right, Mike and Martha Frye are in there as is George's wife, Ann, and Robbie and Mary. It will be a little colder than that now!)

This is a shot from the branch last weekend...you can only see a tiny bit of the other side of the water but it's gorgeous down there now. Friday, May 7 we are meeting at Trousdale Branch at my parent's (South on CR31/Belview Road across from Outpost 73. Right on CR 171. First house on the right, in the curve. Drive straight down the dirt road if you are in a regular car; stop in the yard and call 710-1177 if your vehicle has ever been featured in Car & Driver) at around six o'clock...some of us will be there all afternoon so just come whenever. Saturday night at Dale's, social hour starts at six and we have learned we NEED this so we can talk first and eat later.

Send me prom pictures!

My mother says she can't believe I don't remember the fountain. She thinks we had nearly $10K in magazine sales to sponsor the prom because (and I didn't remember this) the juniors did the prom for the seniors. She says we had the coolest prom anyone had ever seen...no one had ever done anything like the fountain before. I have faded pictures of people, but none of the fountain. Are they out there? Email me or mail them to Amy Cruce, 46 Hanson, Killen AL 35645 and I'll scan them and send them back to you.

(Someone asked me the other day, what's 46 Hanson? Street? Drive? Lane? It's Boulevard. Boulevard. In Center Star Alabama we have a boulevard which consists of a dead end street with ten houses. Boulevard. So I just leave it blank whenever possible.)

Someone's fixin' to get a lickin'...

...I am sending invitations to Virginia and Harlan Hill, Glenda Redding, Kaye McCabe, Edna and Lloyd McPeters, Donald Behel, Bill Dean, Mike Lewey, Roger Howard, Glenda Weir, Wanda Phillips, Naomi Flurry, Odie Mae Garrett (we saw her at Mr. McCabe's funeral and she was so glad to see us!), the Pettuses and Coach Smith.

If you know of anyone I've missed let me know.

It has been brought to my attention...

...that I'm getting a little tardy with the posts. Truth be told, I'm running out of material! I didn't have that many pictures to begin with and half of them aren't recognizable any more...funny what 30 years can do to photo paper.

So I'm posting this picture...none of these people ever married so it's not like they were ever divorced! The back says it's the 1972 prom but that can't be right...Philip and Tim wouldn't have been there. Must have been ours in 1974. It's of Tim Collier and Donna White (I think she was someone's little sister from another school), Jean Wright and Philip Gooch, and Amy Greer and Bobby Gautney.

Robbie did tell this a couple of weeks ago...and I don't even remember the fountain. But he says we had a fountain at our senior prom and after we spent two days setting it up with things around it, Coach Redding walked in and had a fit...said everyone was going to come in drinking and someone would fall in the fountain and ruin his new gym floor. So we had a huddle and someone told Grady Miller and two hours later there was a white picket fence around the fountain.

And not a living soul even got wet.

If you have pictures, scan them and send them to me or mail them to Amy Cruce, 46 Hanson, Killen AL 35645 and I'll scan them and mail them back to you. Stories are good, too, because I'm not joking about my lack of memory.

I do, however, know all the words to the Barney song.

Driving stories...

Since I don't remember this stuff I don't know why I'M the one writing it down, but every time I get off the phone from talking to Robbie I have laughed myself sick.

Driving Story #1...How did we get onto this? I have no idea, but according to Robbie one night he, Phillip Parker and Dennis Smith are riding with Philip Gooch in Philip G's mother's car. (Robbie, of course, told me the make, model and color of said car, but I don't remember what he said.)

ANYWAY. Gooch is driving like a maniac, or at least like a teenage boy..."determined to tear that car up" according to Robbie. Finally Dennis Smith realizes that he has a LOT to live for (stole that line from Ron White) and starts yelling, "Whoa, whoa, whoa," and makes them stop the car. He then starts looking for the seatbelts which, if you remember, always had to be dug out from down in the seats. He finds it, attaches himself to the car and they drive on. When they stop at wherever it was they stopped at, everyone gets out except Dennis who is stuck in the car. Turns out he had TIED the seatbelts together and he couldn't get the knots out.

Driving Story #2...Monica had...a Chrysler or something? Long, low white car. Or at least light colored. We were going down Tennessee Street into downtown Florence one day and she wasn't paying attention to her driving. Seems like someone was always yelling, "Pay attention!" or "Watch the road!". Just as we rounded the curve there at Florence Cemetery someone said something else to her and, I swear, I was in the back seat and I saw it...she took her hands off the wheel, turned around and crossed her arms on the back of her seat, rested her chin on her hands and stared at us. With the car still going forward.

Uncle Robbie wants YOU!

Robbie and Johnny at the ten-year.

The reservations are rolling in daily. Go on and send yours so we have an approximate head count...we figure about 80, give or take. Since we're going to order (steak or chicken, take your choice) I don't know if I have to give them a definite head count or not. Guess I better ask.

I'm not answering that!

(Shelaine is another of those people who remember stuff. I had to copy and paste this one because I'm laughing too hard to type...Amy)

Almost every time I open one of your posts I remember something...do you remember the night we rolled yards?  We had made-up names for each other so no one would get in trouble and then...somone got in trouble! ME!  Someone chased us and rather than you calling me by my made-up name you were screaming "Shelaine! Shelaine!".  Now how many Shelaine's were there?  Especially that would have been out rolling yards in Rivermont by Robbie's house.

Another was when we were talking in class and Coach Day was going to paddle us. Well, you starting crying and got out of it. I got the licks. Mother had made me a leather skirt and I was wearing it.  Have you ever been paddled in leather?

Outstanding in their fields ;)

That there's funny; I don't care who you are.

This is Philip, Kenny, Dennis, Robbie, Tony Hendon and Tony Wilson with his back to the camera. From the 20-year picnic.

Veronica...we share the same vice!

Name... Veronica Irene Allen   Place you live... Same property where I grew up but different house, at County Road 27 in St. Florian, with parents.   Married?... Never married, although I was asked a few times over the past 30 years, but revelations saved me.  It's not too late in life, if God wills it to be.   Kids?... No, never seriously considered having any children, although it would have been nice with a good husband. At this point, it will require a miracle to have one.   Grandkids?... No. But I have 3 beautiful nieces (ages 23, 10, and 6) and 2 handsome nephews (ages 12 and 11).   What did you do after high school?... Pursued pre-med curriculum at U. of Alabama at Tuscaloosa from August '74 until Dec. '76. Enjoyed campus life and student government, including being administrative assistant to the first Black SGA president at Alabama. In honor societies and on Dean's List a few times.   After that?... Came home and started working at IFDC while parents built house (we are living in it still). Work at IFDC included general analytical chemistry and wet-process phosphoric acid research on sub- and tropical indigeneous phosphate ores.  Decided to finish at UNA while working at IFDC. Graduated in May '83 in industrial chemistry. Began work at Reynolds Metals, first in reduction plant as analytical chemist, then at Alloys Plant as process lubrication chemist, as casthouse chemical anaylsis lab supervisor, then as plant quality engineer. The management decided to shrink the quality assurance department and I was given freedom from the industrial setting, RIF'd in '96. Then worked as cognitive learning therapist witih emphasis on math processes using manipulatives; also as office manager for home health agency. Began working at UNA in 1998 as administrative secretary in Housing and Residence Life, with a lot of emphasis on publications and management of housing database systems.  Have been accepted to grad school but not pursuinganything definite right now; courses in computer information systems, gerontology, and criminalistics have been interesting.   Strange or interesting things that have happened to you... I have had prophetic dreams since I was 14 years old, usually things that are about to happen in the lives of friends, family and myself. Sometimes it is years before the events occur. The dreams have continued over the years and have been truly revelatory.     Important things... The most importaint thing to me is loving the Lord Jesus Christ and living for Him. For the past ten years I have been actively involved at Christ Chapel, primarily in bookstore ministry, intercessory prayer, choir, and other ministry areas. Also, I have been an abstinence educator and volunteer with Shoals Sav-A-Life for about 10 years, making presentations at churches and schools, including Brooks High. My current job at UNA allows for good interaction with college students and opportunities to mentor them.    Hobbies, interests, vices... Presently I serve as treasurer of Shoals Chapter of IAAP (International Association of Administrative Professionals), which provides opportunities for certification. I continue to serve as trustee/secretary for Bailey Chapel Cemetery since its incorporation 10 years ago. This is my second and final year as chairman of the Student Affairs Professional Development Committee at UNA.   I enjoy reading, occasional sewing and cross stitching, crossword puzzles, sightseeing (just getting in the car and seeing where the road takes me), listening to music (preferably inspirational and praise/worship music), and family gatherings (dogs and goldfish included). I don't do as much adventure cooking as I did when I lived by myself, but I love experimenting with new dishes and new ways to prepare good food. For several years I did amateur photography at weddings for family and friends, but I sold my Nikon right before I sold my house a few years ago. I enjoy sandy beaches and the ocean and would like to take another cruise.   My major vice is my love of fresh-baked home-made bread with pure rich butter. A pastry chef could be my best friend! (Try Plugra when Sam's carries it or drive to Publix...Amy)

It means graduated and someone told HIM...and I'll tell! I'll tell!

Name: Tony Barber
Place you live: Somerville, AL
Married: Married 17years to the former Cynthia Allen
Kids: Sam 10yrs, Claire 7yrs
Grandkids?...
What did you do after high school? I matriculated. And, I found that I enjoyed it so much that I matriculated again in 1992
After that?..Found that there was no need for further matriculation.
Strange or interesting things that have happened to you: I made a promise to never tell.
Important things: See above
Hobbies, interests, vices: Guitars, water skiing, and see above.

Geneva Ann

Geneva Ann Stutts Cox 
Killen, Alabama

Married for 27 years to Terry Cox

One child, Courtney Ann Cox 23/Courtney had a very serious car accident on January 17, 2004. She was in UAB Hospital for 12 days and is still unable to walk but hopefully she will be able to soon. She had both arms broken, broken shoulder blade, broken ribs, head injury causing her brain to bleed, a broken leg and crushed ankle. She is improving daily but this has been a very tough year.   

I have worked at Elkins Funeral Home for eighteen years, I am the office manager. 
I meet all kinds of people at the very lowest point in their lives but I have learned how to appreciate life and how very fragile it is.

My hobby is drinking a cold margarita after work with my friends and living life to the fullest. I suppose the best thing that has happened to me is meeting Terry and falling in love with him. He is wonderful to me and has made my life complete. Our daughter Courtney is our greatest achievement.

CLASS OF 1974
Though not in the "IN CROWD" back then, I still have good memories and enjoy hearing what everybody is up to.

My philosophy of life is "Don't sweat the small stuff."  

Quit Moving Around and Just LINE UP

Oh my goodness...look at those tans. Remember when "sun damage" and "wrinkles" were for old people?

You're invited...

Invitations went out in today's mail. Check below for what you're invited to!

Such SWEET little kids

Oh. My. Goodness.

If you know where any of these people are who haven't attended before, and you think they'd like to join us, feel free to give them a call! They just need to get in touch so we can send them an invitation...Robbie @ 757-4032 or amycruce@aol.com.

The Senior Trip bus ride

I don't think there's a whole lot to be said about these...they pretty much speak for themselves!

May 7 and 8

I don't know why this has a place for me to select a font and size when it just does what it wants to anyway.

As of TODAY we are planning a moonlight picnic down at my parent's branch for Friday, May 7. We'll do chickens on the grill and contact local people to bring sides, and everyone can bring drinks for his own family. Saturday, May 8, at Dale's we have a social hour starting at six and we'll order dinner at seven. We're trying to find some sort of favor...koozies, mugs or something. Cost will be $30 per person...that's dinner for two nights, whatever favor we come up with, and THE PLEASURE OF OUR COMPANY!

Directions to the branch...From Hwy 72, go south on Belview Road (county road 31), across from Outpost 72 (did y'all know that's Johnny Allen's baby sister's place?). Take the first right, which is county road 171. My parents live in the first house on the right in the curve. Pull SLOWLY into the driveway...we have kids and dogs all over the place. If you are in a truck or car, drive straight down the dirt road instead of curving right up the driveway. If you are driving a showroom Corvette or a 2004 Lexus SUV (this has happened), pull into the yard and call 710-1177 and someone with a more practical ride will come up and get you. If you don't have a cell phone, go into the house and call. We have a great place set up down there with tables and grills and it's beautiful at night. Several of us will be there all afternoon, so come early or late. It's negotiable.

In case of rain? It's not going to rain.

On my way to Robbie's...he's found pictures of you in first, second and third grades. You know the ones...everyone sitting at his desk with hands neatly folded on the desktop. I'll post them later. Unless AOL goes on vacation again.

Farrah Fawcett, eat your heart out

Name...    Vicky   (Harper)   Martin

Place you live...   Collinwood, TN.

Married?...   Yes

Kids?...   2 Boys

Grandkids?... Not as of Yet

What did you do after high school?...  Went to Work  and got Married ( Our 25th Wedding Anniversary is this year )

After that?... Stayed at Home for 8 years and raised 2 boys – Then I returned to work at the Wayne County Bank as a Loan Officer – I have been employed there 14 years

Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...  My oldest son went to Boys State in Cookeville, Tn. in 1999 and when we dropped him off, Rose Skipworth was there with her son!  That was the first time I had seen her since graduation. My oldest son went to college in Chicago, Illinois, graduated in 2003 and returned to Florence Alabama. He is the current Youth Pastor at Florence First Assembly.  My Baby is a sophomore at Collinwood High School and is a competitive Skate Boarder. 

Important things... My Oldest son just got married in January – I finally have the daughter I always wanted.

Hobbies, interests, vices... Sitting at the ball park and skate parks supporting my youngest son.   When I finish supporting my children’s hobbies maybe I can find one for myself! 

Oh, people, you were so cool...the Senior Trip

Thank you! Sherry Miller Nation...these are courtesy of her scrapbook. I, of course, missed the Senior Trip because I was in LOVE...guarantee you that won't ever happen again. Heavens, can you believe we were ever this YOUNG? Make sure you check these pictures out in the larger view...check out the sideburns! the skinny! the long hair!

Sherry also sent a current picture of her family and I'll add it to her earlier post.

It works!!

I hate technology when it doesn't do what it's supposed to. I THINK we're back online.

Posting?

Posting?

Look at that baby face!

The child doesn't look old enough to drive.

He says:

Danny Holder

Place you live...Still in Florence after all these years

Married?...Sally Hamm from Cherokee

Kids?...Son, Chad; daughter, Allison; stepson, Zach

Grandkids?...Noooooooo

What did you do after high school?...Kicked around for a little while and then decided I needed a real JOB.

After that?...Went to work selling insurance in 1977 and have been doing it ever since. FREY & HOLDER INSURANCE, 885 COX CREEK PKWY, FLORENCE, AL

Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...WORK A LITTLE, PLAY HARD!

Important things...I've been able to travel the world with different insurance companies picking up the tab.

Hobbies, interests, vices...Working and playing golf.

 

Archiving these entries

This screen only shows so many entries, and then it saves them in archives. That's why you have to go to "Older Entries" to see most of the stuff. But someone just let me know that when you go to "Older Entries" now, it's switched over to April so you have to click on March to get most of them. Jeez. Just leave my stuff ALONE!

Need your memories...

...because mine are SHOT! I remember absolutely nothing about graduation, and that's a shame. I don't have the same screen on my computer you do, but somewhere here you have a place for comments. Go in and post some things so I can say, "Sure! I remember that!"

WHO DID I WALK IN WITH?

(Please keep in mind that one of the reasons my memory is so bad is that I am failing third grade math...40 years after the first time I didn't get it. Do YOU know what an "array" is? I didn't, and they didn't even send home an explanation. I had to send a note to the teacher! For ME!)

Where's Wanda?

I'm checking the address book and I don't have any information for Wanda Kilburn! Somebody do something!

There is mischief in those eyes!

I want to know what happened in the FOURTH one!

Freddy didn't send me a picture either!

Hi Amy,

Freddy Hice

I have lived at Shoals Creek in Killen for the past five years, and am married to Deborah McCullought from Central. I have three stepsons, Chris, 24, Kyle, 18 and Kevin, 11. No grandchildren.

I went to work as a crane operator and have been a member of Operating Engineers for the last 25 years. I've traveled throughout the United States working, in the earlier years. I am now working at Colbert Steam Plant on the barge unloaders.

My stepson, Chris, is a combat medic for the Army, in the 2nd Armored Division and has been in Baghdad for the past year. He's due back in Louisiana April 3 and we're looking forward to a 30-day leave at home in Alabama sometime around Easter.

My wife and I both have Harleys and spend our free time riding. My stepson, Kyle, has a sport bike and also rides with us sometimes.

They haven't changed...!

From the 10-year. I swear, they all look the same!

Email addresses

Make sure I have your email address! That's how all inquiries, questions and communications are being handled...we can't afford postage and don't have the time to call everyone everytime something comes up. Invitations will go out through the mail in a week. Or so.

Pictures are coming...she's going to mail them

Connie Williams Parrish

Married to James Edward Parrish, who is employed at Occidental Chemical. We married May 31, 1974.

One son, Christopher Williams Parrish, 21 years old and single. He is a Wireless Retail Manager, currently starting up 19 stores in Minneapolis. One daughter, Courtney Lynn Parrish, who is 17 years old and will graduate from Brooks this year. In 2003 she won a silver medal in the state shot put competition, within 1/2" of a gold. This year she plans to break the 10 year record in shot put!

Jim and I have built our home on my family's home place at 121 Mountain Brook Drive in Killen.

I've hung wallpaper for 20 years, something I could do while Chris and Courtney were at school. For the past four years I've been substitute teaching in the Florence City Schools. This year I've been asked to work at Bradshaw in the cafeteria, but I'm not sure what will happen because of the school closings. I enjoy it very much.

I've been very active at Brooks every year, as my kids have moved through the Brooks school system. I've served several years on the board of the Brooks Athletic Boosters.

I am a Certified Planning Commissioner for the Town of Killen, where I have served as secretary for the past five years.

No grandkids, and in the summer we like to travel.

The counter and the CD

Look at the number on the counter! This is amazing; I had no idea this site would work so well...especially since it's FREE.

Have I mentioned that everyone should run out (or go online) and buy the soundtrack to The Big Chill, to get you in the mood for a 30-year reunion? My three-year-old and I dance all around the house every time "Good Lovin' " by The Rascals comes on. Don't forget "I Heard It Through The Grapevine" (Marvin Gaye), "My Girl" (The Temptations), "The Tracks of My Tears" by....just go buy it. It's wonderful, even if you don't believe in compilations.

JC Lovelace...To Beard or Not to Beard?

I was checking the reunion pictures and it looks like JC was there for the ten-year, with a full beard, and totally absent for the 20th. (The 10-year picture is in "Older Entries.") I think we shall request a George Clooney look for the 30th.

Here's what he has to say:

Hey, guys and gals. Great to hear from you. Sorry I have waited so long to reply, here are the answers to your questions.

Place I live...Greenhill

Married...Yes, happily for 29 years.

Kids...We have two...Brandon who is 23 and Jessica who is 21.

Grandkids...Not yet but there is always hope.

After school...Went to work and have been working ever since. I worked at Nafco for three years then went to work for Vulcan Materials and have been there for almost 27 years. I have been a plant supervisor for the past 14 years.

Strange or interesting things...Not much, just the normal everyday stuff.

Important things...My family and friends.

My email...JCProjack@aol.com

Just to let you know, we plan to attend and the buffet is fine with us.

On a sad note...

We have been getting together a list of former teachers and such to invite, and I asked my husband to get me Dale Hancock's address...they work in the same industry. He died last month!

About ten years ago we were at a party and he was there, and he was MORTIFIED when I introduced myself. He kept telling people he graduated from college when he was 16 and that was the only reason he was old enough to have taught my class! He was still just as cool and funny as ever.

Just some good ol' boys

Tony Hendon and Philip Gooch at the 20-year picnic.

Philip graduated from UNA where he was in ROTC, then went into the National Guard. He's been an air traffic controller for at least 25 years. Lived in Atlanta for a while, then Chattanooga and is in North Mississippi now. He married Sandi Henson from Killen and they have two little boys...Lee and Todd. Eight and ten.

Tony has worked for the Army Corps of Engineers at Wheeler Dam for forever. He is married to Pam Cox. He has a 23-year-old son, Corey, and a four-year old, Hayden.

(Boys, If I didn't remember that stuff correctly...maybe you'll fill out your little form next time!)

Someone organize these people!

This was at the picnic at the 20-year reunion, and all I remember is it being really funny. Can't remember why.

Also, I am trying very hard to be politically correct, but if I post a picture and it features two people who aren't married to each other any more, I apologize ahead of time. I didn't mean to.

Stand up and testify

Brenda didn't send a picture, so this will have to do. She was a witness at my wedding, and we share an anniversary. I'll put up a more recent picture when I find one.

Place you live...Muscle Shoals

Married...For a long time...27 years

Kids?...Two. Jason graduates from college the night of our reunion...computer software engineer; Emily is a freshman at Old Miss...liberal arts today, who knows what tomorrow

Grandkids...not now, probably never

After high school?...I finished college, married Jim, went back to college, taught school in Colbert County for 15 years and then in Muscle Shoals for the next 11 years. Traveled as much in the U.S. as time and money permitted.

After that? I'm retiring this year. Jim bought a motorhome, so we're traveling more.

Strange or interesting things that have happened to you...I am too ordinary to talk about, but all the people around me are strange so I live vicariously through them!

Important things...1. I think the shiny man and street musicians in New Orleans have great lives. 2. My kids are terrific and have been so easy to raise; I'm really lucky/blessed! 3. Maine in October is the closest thing to Heaven on earth. 4. I am terrified of edges.

My email address is engteacher402@yahoo.com I'd love to hear from everyone

Hobbies, interests, vices...I love carbs, coffee and reading. I don't collect anything of value but I buy Powerball tickets! Auctions and shopping are great fun, but buying is not as important as looking. (From Amy: I'll testify to THIS, too. She and I were in Huntsville having lunch with Tony Barber last summer and I came home with a four-foot tall mirror, ten rolls of ribbon, a lamp and two picture frames. She didn't buy a thing.)