MAROON & BLACK THREADS

Written and published online by Rex Redmon from Greenville, SC

w/contributing notes and responses from Class of 58 Alumni.

Greetings Classmates,

            How many of you remember May Day in elementary school? At Grace Elementary School in North Asheville, May Day was a grand day of celebration, although at the time I could not tell you what we were celebrating or why. I do remember May Day in the sixth grade as having a colorful May Pole which we marched around holding onto streamers of crepe paper.  We also participated in track and field events and I remember winning the 100 yard dash against such hopeful notables as Jim Groce, Jim Rickman, Mickey Ammons and Allan White.  Huge Rutledge, Richard Walker and Allan Masters probably ran the race as well although the memory of every boy who ran in the race escapes me. We also drank gallons of lemonade, ate cup cakes by the dozen, and, oh yes, we had a May Court with a King and Queen of May Day.  Our May Queen was none other than classmate Kay Williams who shared the throne with King, Paul Walker, Class of 56.

However, the celebration of May Day, probably originated in the spring fertility festivals of India and Egypt.[1] The festival of the Roman goddess of spring, Flora, was celebrated from April 28 to May 3. In medieval England the chief feature of the celebration of May Day was the Maypole; this was decorated with flowers and streamers, the loose ends of which were held by dancers, who encircled the pole, weaving intricate patterns as they passed each other in the dance. These dances are still performed for exhibition purposes in England and the United States. The Second Socialist International in 1889 designated May Day as the holiday for labor, and since that time it has been the occasion for demonstrations, parades, and speeches among socialists and communists.

                Nostalgia!!!  Nostalgia is a portion of what reuniting is all about, yes? As the count down for the 50^th LEHS Class of 58 Reunion draws ever so close (actually 4 months from May 19^th) I’m sure, like me, many of you experience a spell of melancholy occasionally when you hear a particular tune from the 50s, or perhaps the opposite happens and a jubilation of longing to again be among friends with whom you congregated in the rotundas before class, or wistfully holding onto a special memory of a particular time and place at LEHS.  Kind of makes one a little homesick when we pause to reminisce about things of yesteryear, does it not?

I met a man once in Atlanta who was born and reared in Asheville. When I mentioned to him about growing up in the 40s and 50s in Asheville he informed me he did not live in the past, but concentrated on the moment at hand, and of what the future held for him.  As a historian, I thought, how sad, but knew he wanted a debate and was also in desperate need of an attitude adjustment, so I did not give him the pleasure of the responses he expected, but commented on how well the Braves were playing at the time.   

            Yet, without looking at the past and occasionally basking in the moment of a memorable nostalgic experience, how are we to know completely what the future holds for us?  Do we not learn from past experiences?  Hmmmmmmm…on second thought; let’s not go there lest we get political!   

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Bits of Nostalgia

          Let’s do regress for a moment and go back to the days of yesteryear at LEHS.  I would like to hear from you, the Alumni of the LEHS Class of 1958, what little things about LEHS do you remember the most?  For instance, I remember gathering in the basement rotunda before class and socializing with Jim Coddington, Ted Sellers, Jimmy Miller and Don Haynes where we did some very serious girl watching. I remember homeroom and morning announcements that included a daily devotion. I remember the “What Not Shop” in the basement rotunda that did not sell such things as “legal pads” and “felt tipped pens”, but where one could buy a “spiral notebook” and a “fountain pen”. I remember “game day” when we football or basketball players were required to “dress” for the occasion by wearing a coat and tie. That is one reason why we are gentlemen today, ladies. Values and standard codes of conduct were set for us and we adhered to them or paid the consequences. I remember school dances in the girl’s gym that was decorated with maroon and black crepe paper.  Most of all, I remember the innocent fun we had at school as teenagers. There were no drugs, no alcohol, no shootings, no beating up teachers or each other, and certainly no promiscuity between teachers and students. At least, if there was promiscuity, we never heard about it. 

            So everyone, write to me at redhrex13@aol.com and tell me what stands out in your memory as unforgettable events at LEHS. I’ll print all your responses in the June issue of Maroon and Black Threads.  Oh, one other thing I remember that stands out in my mind, were all the pretty girls who graced the halls and classrooms with their natural beauty and innocent charm.

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Classmate Responses

I do know however, those of you who plan to attend the Class of 58’s 50^th reunion activities are looking forward to seeing old friends again and bask in the moments of yesteryear.  During the past 18 months I doubt there are only a dozen or so classmates with whom I have not communicated, and each of you never fail to comment on how much you are looking forward to seeing your classmates again.  Talk about school spirit, it is very much alive within the ranks of the Class of 58.

            For instance, Anne Beckham Ewald of Asheville tells me she has now established a continuing dialogue with former missing classmate, Pat Brookshire Reinhardt, of Lawrenceville, Georgia.  As a result of their dialogue, Pat at least plans to attend the Friday evening festivities at the Country Club of Asheville. Pat is a Grace Elementary School Alumni whom many of us remember.  She has suffered a couple of strokes that limit her activities to an extent, but she is excited to learn about the Class Reunion.  

        Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf of Frisco, Texas, commented on one of the nostalgic web sites that appeared in the newsletter in April. Her comments—Thanks so much for sending—what a great life we had and did not even realize it until much later!  She also gathered again in April for lunch and an afternoon of conversation as a member of the “Fab Four”—Betty Ann Ray Richardson, Mary Kay Ricker Thompson and Lynette Kelly Ames.

            And, speaking of the enthusiastic Betty Ann Ray Richardson, I received a very pleasant letter from her along with a nice donation for our reunion festivities. She too informed me she was gathering with the “Fab Four” on April 29^th for lunch and an afternoon of talking and visiting. Some excerpts from her letter include;

The April Newsletter was fantastic!  I read every word, then printed it and read it again! It was so wonderful to hear from the many classmates.  Even though they (classmate’s comments) were addressed to you, I felt as if they were speaking to me as well. I really look forward to the Maroon and Black Newsletter every month. Once again, I want to thank you, Ken and all the others on the Steering Committee for the great job you are doing. I really wish I were closer so I can be involved. This is my cup of tea! This is all so exciting! I am really looking forward to seeing and visiting with everyone.

Betty Ann added she really looks forward to the gatherings of the “Fab Four” in Texas. She says they have made such a wonderful connection and that it has made the September reunion even more exciting because, if the four of us can come together in such a short time, I know we will reconnect to our friends and acquaintances at the reunion.

Now, speaking of connections, Sally McCanless is interested in making connections with all single female classmates (and maybe single male classmates as well) who live in the Western North Carolina area. During a phone conversation with Sally on May Day, she related to me she realizes many single women hesitate to attend social functions alone, especially class reunions, without an escort. Sally is interested in connecting with as many single female classmates as she possibly can for the purpose of reconnecting for the class reunion much like the “Fab Four” are doing out in Texas, but with an emphasis on single classmates.  Sally broke her ankle during the winter and has been “laid up” for several months while on the mend and is ready to get busy again.  She also sent a nice card along with a donation for reunion expenses and wants me to post her address and phone number in the newsletter for the benefit of those who want to contact her. Sally McCanless, 431 Fairview Road, Asheville, 28803 (828) 277-1518.

(P.S. Sally also has a daughter in the military, Sergeant Sarah Garland, who is on active duty in Kuwait. We thank Sarah for her service to our country.)

I received a nice e-mail from Billie Rogers Stapleton of Village Mills, Texas, who sent along an e-mail address change. Billie says she could not figure out why she had not received recent updates about the class reunion in the newsletter until she realized she had not updated her e-mail address. She and her husband are arriving for a week’s stay at Lake Lure during the reunion and will make a mad dash to reach the Country Club of Asheville after checking in to their living quarters at Lake Lure at 4:00 Friday afternoon, the 19^th of September.  I informed her the trip to the CCA was doable in 2 hours from Lake Lure but not to worry as we will not eat until about 7:00 Friday evening.

Classmate George Couch of Tryon, NC sent an e-mail to inform me he was recently in contact with classmate Richard Higgins of Leeds, Utah. For some unknown and strange reason, we did not have Richard’s phone number but do have an e-mail address for him.  Richard’s phone number is (435) 879-0253.  I will post it to the web site along with other changes I need to make when I post this newsletter.

I am always happy to hear from Becky Atkinson Aydlette who lives in Jacksonville, Florida.  Between Betty Ann Ray and Becky it is hard to say who is the most enthused about our class reunion.  Becky called today, May 12^th, for a reunion update and relays her excitement about our reunion to all her classmates who she is looking forward to seeing in September. She asks me to tell everyone “Hello” for her and she tells me she just cannot wait to see everyone again. She gets very excited every time we talk—excited about the reunion that is. She also wanted to tell me she is sending along a donation to help with reunion expenses. Despite Becky’s enthusiasm, there was sadness to her voice today as well. 

With deep regrets Becky informed me classmate Judy Henderson Smith is now hospitalized again and is under Hospice care.  Judy was communicating with us late last year and had sent a donation to help with reunion expenses. However, earlier this year she informed us she was not going to be able to attend the reunion but did not tell us why.  We later learned cancer had invaded her lungs and had spread to her neck and back and she was undergoing both chemo and radiation treatments and was in and out of the hospital numerous times.  Out of respect for her privacy we did not make this information public until now. Classmate and long time friend, Beverly Griffin Fish, who lives next door to Judy, has been a very loyal care giver for Judy. Beverly is to be commended for the loving care she has given Judy in her time of need. 

Both Becky and Bette Wilson McClain have been in constant touch with Judy and Beverly and have kept me informed of Judy’s health. I will notify everyone with any news I receive concerning Judy’s health. Let’s remember Judy, her family and Beverly in our prayers.

I did receive an e-mail from Bette Wilson McClain of Charlotte, NC, today as well.  Bette sends her love to all her classmates and like everyone else can hardly wait until September. She sent along a photo of the McClain Clan when they were all on vacation in Virginia last year.  Bette has a beautiful family.

I have not yet heard this spring from our transient classmates, Martha Ann Fuller Hale and George Holmes who change residents as the weather changes. Martha Ann usually leaves Goodyear, Arizona, around May 1^st every year to return to Camano Island, Washington, where she will spend the summer and fall before returning to Arizona in October.  George spends the winter in Cullowhee, North Carolina, and returns to Hudson, Michigan, in the spring. Perhaps they will send us an update on their nomadic travels now that they know we are thinking of them.  

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Reunion Registration Forms

Crunch time is almost upon us.  I will post the reunion registration forms to the class web site during the first week in June. We expect all donations will be in by that date and Ken Cooper can finalize the reunion costs.  Once the registration forms are posted and then mailed to those who do not have PCs, each of you will have until July 31^st to respond with your payment.  Also, I will post the personal information sheets to the web site at the same time.

The personal information sheets will be used for the Class of 58 Directory which each classmate will receive at the reunion. The personal information sheets include space for your personal biography as well. If you have already forwarded your bio to me, please complete the forms leaving that information blank. I will include your bio when we retype the forms. 

We, the Steering Committee, do expect full cooperation from each of you with regard to this very important project.  If your registration forms and information forms are not in by the deadline you will receive a phone call from a member of the Steering Committee.  You can save all of us a lot of time and energy if you promptly return your forms by the deadline, regardless whether you plan to attend the reunion or not.  A copy of the class directory will be mailed to all classmates who do not attend the reunion.   

Please let me remind everyone at this time; the registration forms along with your remittance will be mailed to Ken Cooper at the address shown at the end of the newsletter. Your personal information forms are to be sent to Rex Redmon at the address shown at the end of the newsletter.  All meal tickets will be issued upon registering at the reunion events.  If anyone has any questions once the registration forms and personal information forms are posted, please direct you questions to either Ken Cooper or Rex Redmon.     

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How Things Change

(The Year Was 1940[2])

            The majority of us were born in 1940, the year Roosevelt won a third term in office and when the forty hour work week went into effect. The FCC was in the process of developing television rules—boy, have those standards relaxed in the past 68 years—and the U.S. debt was only 43 billion dollars.  Jimmy Stewart won best actor for The Philadelphia Story and Ginger Rogers was best actress for her roll in Kitty Foyle. Popular music during 1940 was Blueberry Hill, When You Wish Upon a Star and San Antonio Rose.  The University of Indiana was the NCAA basketball champs, Tom Harmon won the Heisman Trophy, the Chicago Bears were pro football champs, and the Cincinnati Reds won the World Series.  Joe Louis reigned as the world’s heavyweight boxing champion and the Indianapolis 500 was won by Wilbur Shaw at an average speed of 114.277 MPH—today they run in the 180 MPH category. 

            How many of you are aware that McDonald’s Hamburgers were first created in 1940? as was radar and plutonium fission. (As I recall, McDonald’s arrived in Asheville in 1963).

            The average income in 1940 was $1, 725.00 a year. A new car averaged $850.00 and a new house sold for $3,925.00.  A loaf of bread was only .08 cents, a gallon of milk was .51 cents, and this one will make you set up and take notice; a gallon of gas was only .11 cents a gallon.  Life expectancy was 62.9 years in 1940.  (The majority of us have outlived that one.)

            Some famous people born in 1940 were the members of the LEHS Class of 1958 along with John Havlicek, Al Pacino, Raquel Welch, Tom Brokaw, Mario Andretti, Julie Christi, Nancy Sinatra, Frankie Avalon, Jack Nicklaus, Ricky Nelson, (we share the same birthday, May 13), Ted Koppel, Anita Bryant, Lee Majors, Ringo Starr and Fran Tarkanton, who I met on a weekend outing in 1984 at Folly Beach.

(The Year is now 1958[3])

If we fast forward to 1958, the year we graduated, and make a comparison of events and prices, we find Eisenhower as a lame duck president, Governor Faubus is shutting down schools in Little Rock, Arkansas; the U.S. launches its first satellite, Pizza Hut opens in Kansas City, MO., American Express makes its debut as does BankAmericard, the forerunner of Visa; Elvis ships out in uniform, and the Air Force Academy opens.

            Popular TV shows were Wagon Train, The Rifleman and Maverick. Arnold Palmer won the Masters, Pete Dawkins of Army won the Heisman, LSU and Iowa were NCAA football co-champions, Kentucky took the top prize in NCAA basketball, The speed at the Indianapolis 500 had increased to 133.791 MPH, The Baltimore Colts were pro football champs and the New York Yankees won the 1958 World Series. Life expectancy had increased to 69.9 years.

The average income for 1958 had increased to $4,650.00 per year and the new house that only cost $2,935.00 in 1940 now cost $11,975.00. If you could not afford a new house you could rent an apartment for an average of $95.00 a month. A new Ford or Chevrolet sitting in your driveway sold for only $2,155.00. If you went to Harvard University your tuition was $1,000.00 per year which helped you afford the $1.00 movie ticket to take your “steady” to the movies. Gas was still cheap at .24 cents per gallon while milk had increased to $1.01 per gallon. A loaf of bread was still affordable at .19 cents and, Oh, a roll of Butter Rum Life Savers, and most candy bars, were still .05 cents.

Famous people born in 1958 were, Madonna, Alan Jackson, Michael Jackson, Jennifer Leigh, Sharon Stone, Alec Baldwin and baseball player, Wade Boggs.

Steering Committee Meeting

The next Steering Committee meeting is scheduled for Tuesday, June 17^th at Kelsey’s Restaurant in Hendersonville. We meet at 6:00 for thirty minutes of socializing, have dinner between 6:30 and at 7:00 we begin our meeting. All classmates are invited to sit in on a meeting. We promise we will not put you to work. So, join us in June. However, please let Rex know so we can tell the Restaurant how many to expect.

And as Earnhardt Junior says when he hosts the old NASCAR races on TV, “Folks, that’s how things were back in the Days”.  I bid you goodbye for this month. Take care and may that special peace that passes all understanding be your companion until next month.   

My Best Regards……,Rex Redmon

P.S. I reported in April’s newsletter the Steering Committee is inviting a number of teachers whom we located to our Saturday evening reunion festivities.  Since that announcement we learned Mrs. Francis Bennett, Mrs. Billie Owen and Mrs. Phyllis Myron are deceased.