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,

            We are less than 5 months and counting until September 19^th and 20^th when we again gather as one body to celebrate our 50^th High School Class Reunion.  Aren’t you getting excited?  The anticipation builds with each passing month!  I remember vividly August of 2006 when I mailed the first “teaser letter” to each of you to see if we could generate interest in having a 50^th Class Reunion. Your response was overwhelming, and now, 19 months later, here we are with our vision in sight.

            Plans for our events are progressing quite nicely. Locations for the events are chosen; menus for Friday evening, Saturday’s Box Lunch at the school, and Saturday Evening’s dinner/dance are in place; A Disc Jockey, Vince Rutherford with Sound Tracks of Asheville, will host our Saturday Evening Dance and play tunes from yesteryear for us to dance to, Decorations are in the process of being created—and they will be fabulous based on the presentations by Elaine McPherson Cole and Jo Ann Chandley Elliott at the Steering Committee meeting on the 22^nd of April.  Patsy Farmer Jones and her Greeting/Registration Committee are gearing up and are in the process of making name tags on which your Senior Class photos are pasted. We will continue to fine tune and tweak our plans at each monthly meeting. However, we are so far ahead of the game, we are planning to take a month off. Barring any emergencies, The Steering Committee will not meet in May.

Yet, we do plan to post the reunion registration forms on the web site in May. As you can see, we are slowly, but assuredly, getting there. The Steering Committee is certainly pleased we started the planning as early as we did. We are older and do not move quite as fast as we did 25 years ago. Yet, quite honestly, we are having a wonderful time at our meetings each month.    

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Classmate Responses

           
      With each passing day, I continue to hear from many of you. Whether your correspondence is by e-mail, snail mail or a phone call, it is always good to hear from you. Following is a sample of the written correspondence and phone calls I have received since March’s Maroon and Black Threads was posted.

            Becky Atkinson Aydlette, who lives in Jacksonville, FL, reminded me during a conversation with her, the school colors were actually Maroon, Black and Gold which I remembered after she reminded me.   Well, I’m not sure how my newsletter would sound if it were the Maroon, Black and Gold Threads. Yet, for the record be aware, there were three school colors—not two—and all three colors will be evident in the decorations we use. Thanks Becky! 

Of course that was not the only reason Becky called. She gave an update on the health of classmate, Judy Henderson Smith, who is resting at home after a hospital stay. Judy is in the process of taking chemotherapy and radiation and as to be expected, the chemo is a rough treatment to endure. Please include her in your daily prayers.   Becky also mailed some photos from yesteryear.  One photo in particular caught my attention. The photo was taken at Hall Fletcher and she and Morgan Pritchard are sitting on a throne as Queen and King of May Day. Morgan has his legs crossed and his Argyle socks are up-front in-your-face. Nice photo Morgan!

            Joan Smith Werhan, who lives in Asheville, sent me an e-mail with news about classmate Tommy Gibson. (We previously did not have contact information for Tommy and last month I contacted his step brother, Claude “Hoot” Gibson, [Class of 57], to see if he had an address for Tommy. Hoot had an address but could not find it at the time.)  It seems that Joan’s late husband was also a half brother to Tommy and she informed me Tommy was hospitalized during late March suffering from a serious heart attack. He was in a coma for several days, and after rallying, he had open heart surgery to correct his heart problems.  He is now at home at: Tommy Gibson, 385 Mulberry St., Manteno, Ill, 60950. Cell Phone: 708-975-3663.  We wish Tommy a speedy recovery.

(Update 4/25: Rex, talked with Tommy yesterday, sounded really good ....was going to Dr. for check-up yesterday said he's feeling much better.....also said he was planning a trip down in Sept. so if you hadn't already sent him information for the reunion, you can reach him by his cell phone as I did.....hope all is well with you. Ttake care and God Bless.....Joan Werhan)  

After many years of living in Buncombe County and especially in the Reems Creek Valley of Weaverville, NC, Nancy Drum Clark and her husband, Arnold, moved to Cary, NC, on March 31, to be near family members.  Nancy’s new address is 814 Footbridge Place, Cary, NC Phone 919-535-8660. Her e-mail of 4/3 said, “We are covered up with boxes. Have loads of help from family and friends in the area.”

            Joyce Almon Rowden has also moved. Joyce’s new address is: 221 Black River Road, Fletcher, NC 28732, Phone: (828) 684-1244. Please note new e-mail address as well.  (jrow221@bellsouth.net).

            The first week in April I received a nice letter from classmate, Ron Rice, who lives in Ormond Beach, FL. Ron informed me he was now getting all our messages and complimented the Steering Committee for doing a great job.  He says, “I’m looking forward to seeing my old friends and I hope I recognize everyone.” He included--in his words, “a small contribution to the effort!”  Ron is very involved in the life of his teenage daughter, Sterling, an actress, and formerly the young TV daughter of Dr. Quinn, Medicine Woman.  He and Sterling appeared on their own postage stamp on the letter I received.  Now, that is notoriety, folks!

            Steering Committee member, Jennie Lazenby Padgett forwarded two notes received by two of her adopted classmates who do not have computers, and to whom she mails the newsletter.  One note from Tom Tomlin of Asheville says, “Jennie, Thank you ever so much for sending me the update information regarding our up-coming Class Reunion in September.  I do have an e-mail address at TomTomlin39@aol.com. I look forward to seeing you all in September.  Tom.”

            Emilie Osborne Anderson of Logo Vista, Texas, sent Jennie a note on 3/16 that says, “Dear Jennie, Thank you so much for sending me the LEHS 58 newsletter. It’s very generous of you to take the time and expense to do so. I remember you also having auburn hair.“  She goes on to say she will not be able to attend the reunion as she is the care giver for her husband who is disabled. “But I do send my best wishes to everyone, especially Paul Thomas, whom I had a crush on all through our years at Grace School! (“Alas, my crush was not reciprocated,” says Emilie!)  (Paul, do you have a comment as to why you would break a young red-haired ladies heart?)

Margaret Garren Blackwelder sent a neat card and a contribution. “Thanks for all your hard work getting everything together on the computer and all the hard work all of you are doing with the reunion. I look forward to the newsletter every month and thanks to you I have been in touch with a couple of long lost friends.”

            “Henry” Ramsey Vanarsdall who now lives in Columbia, SC, sent a card expressing her appreciation for the work the Steering Committee is doing. We also appreciate her monetary contribution.  Henry made an earlier comment that she wanted to stay where our reunion was going to be held as she did not want to “travel far” after partying. We are not sure what “Henry” means by that remark so we will keep an eye on her at the reunion to see what she meant. :-)

Jacque Lyda Davis sent an e-mail thanking the Steering Committee for all their hard work and asked for her e-mail address, Jacquerd@cytechusa.com, to be added to the web site. Her request has been granted.

            My old buddy, Gary Scott, who I use to see in Charlotte when I lived there, has returned to Charlotte from Winston Salem after living in Winston Salem for several years, where he works with BB&T. (Gary and I both married Class of 59 Enka High gals our first time around).  He sent along his new contact information and a nice note telling me he is working on one final project for BB&T, and then he is retiring in 2009 and moving back to the mountains of WNC, most notably, Asheville.  He sent along some funds for the cause and says he is looking forward to seeing all his friends whom he hasn’t seen in 10 years (since the Millennium Reunion of 99).   He inquired if I had grown a new crop of hair and states that most of us have probably grown out instead of up. He says, “Take care, you and your crew are doing a great job, can’t wait to see you and all the `old gang.’”  Gary’s new contact information is 6315 Park Creek Dr., Charlotte, NC, 28262, Cell phone: 336-406-8797, Work Phone: 704-717-4207.  (gsscott@bbandt.com)

            Pippa Clark Dolen (our detective from the Class of 59) has come through for us again. Time after time during the past year, Pippa has unearthed a missing classmate from the clutches of obscurity, and given us a name and an address of a lost classmate. At this time, I am happy to announce again, we think we have found every living classmate in the Class of 58 who graduated in 1958, plus some classmates who did not graduate.  The last two classmates who we thought were lost are, Betty Jo Conner Swayngim who lives in Asheville at 19 B Kirby Road, 28806, 828-505-4117, and Bob Cunningham who we thought lived in Chevy Chase, Maryland, but instead lives in Charlotte, NC at 1709 Tamworth Drive, Charlotte, NC 28210, Phone: (704) 553-2381. (Betty Jo’s husband, Bob, passed away March 25, 2008.  

Occasionally I hear from Barbara Hall Morris who calls from Smoaks, SC, to check on reunion progress. She anticipates receiving the newsletter each month and is looking forward to seeing everyone at the reunion.

Beverly Ward Hewitt from Conway, SC, sends her best wishes to everyone along with a donation. She too looks forward to seeing everyone in September and expresses her thanks to the Steering Committee for all their hard work.

Classmate John Price, who lives in Madison, Connecticut; sent a token of his appreciation in the form of a nice contributrion. John has been instrumental in helping Pippa and me locate missing classmates and we certainly appreciate John's effors also. 
           Mary Kay Ricker Thompson, one of our many Texas classmates, sends her hellos to everyone and is enjoying her “mini reunions” in Texas with Lynette Kelly Ames, Mary Carolyn Hawkins Pfalzgraf, and Betty Ann Ray Richardson. Mary Kay donated to the cause as well.  

Former Maroon Devil Cheerleader, Jean Hawk Gibson of Kingsport, TN, sends greetings to all her former classmates. Jean says, We (husband Bob Gibson, Class of 57) are looking forward to the reunion. Thanks for all your work in organizing the reunion. We are excited and looking forward to being with my classmates. Jean enclosed a donation to help with expenses and says she will see us in September.

Many thanks to all of you who write or call. I, too, anticipate the mail every day to see who has written. I enjoy hearing from you. You help make my day! 

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Contributions and Final Reunion Expenses

     Many of you continue to open your hearts and pocket books by sending a donation to support your Class’ 50^th reunion. In so doing, your contributions have greatly helped us offset the majority of the reunion expenses, plus enable us to invite former teachers of LEHS as guests. On behalf of the Steering Committee, whose names are listed in the Sig. Line at the end of this newsletter, we extend our utmost thanks for your generosity. If anyone is still planning to make a donation, please do so by June 1^st as we plan to post the final reunion costs in late May when we post and mail the registration forms. You may send your checks to either Ken Cooper or me, Rex Redmon, and make them out to “LEHS Class of 58 Reunion”. Our addresses are also listed on the Sig. Line at the end of this Newsletter.     

Former Teachers

           
      Speaking of teachers, we presently have the names of 15 teachers who we plan to invite to our Saturday evening festivities. Those names include, Mr. & Mrs. McNeil, Martha Swanson, Doris Sparks, Bill Stanley, Johnny Shaver, Billie Owen, Phyllis Myron, Vince Martinson, Don Jones, W.P. Griffin, Julia Capps, Francis Bennett, Betty Isbill Dalton and Faye Pierce, We are not including teachers from Hall Fletcher or David Millard as we have to draw a line somewhere.

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W. P. Griffin Gym Contaminated?

     I have received a report from a reliable source informing me the W. P. Griffin Gym at Asheville High School is possibly contaminated and we most likely will have to by-pass the new gym during our school tour. The classmate who sent me the information was very upset upon hearing the news. As a responsible reporter and editor of Maroon and Black Threads, I made inquiries to verify the report.  Sure enough, depending on which side one butters his/her bread, the school gym is perhaps contaminated. I’ll explain why the gym might be contaminated and allow each of you to decide for yourselves if it is contaminated.

Recently, former Democratic President, Bill Clinton, was on a speaking tour of NC to promote the political ambitions of his wife, Hillary, who is seeking the Democratic nomination to be the first female president of the United States.  One of Bill Clinton’s campaign stops was in Asheville. (You know where this is going already, right?)  Yes, you guessed it! He spoke in the W. P. Griffin gym of Asheville High School.  I only report the news, not make the news. You will have to judge if the gym is contaminated or not. 

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Who’s Who in my Junior Yearbook

     The same classmate whose name I did not mention above, but whose initials are VADJ (scrambled), also supplied me with an interesting page from his/her junior year book at Hall Fletcher.  The page from the year book is titled, “Who’s Who In My Yearbook.” The list goes like this;

Friendliest—Charlie Pruitt and Jerry Jackson, Best All Round—Janice Harris, Most Courteous—Steven Brown, Most Athletic—Judy Henderson & Keith Anders, Most Studious—Carolyn Congdon, Most Musical—David Edwards, Most Outstanding—Bette Wilson, Best Looking—Morgan Pritchard (Oh Lord), Most Popular—Becky Atkinson & Ann Cole, Most Likely To Succeed—Fran Fusco & Jim Casabella, Neatest—Joyce Almon, Best Personality—Mary Carolyn Hawkins, Wittiest—Jeanne Randolph, Best Sport—Gary Scott, Most Dependable—Barbara Hall, and Most Appreciative—Ann Crabtee.

With the exception of Morgan Pritchard, who I see at least once a month, I wonder how many of the attributes apply today?  Any comments?

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Interesting Facts and Tidbits

       
     Did you know? World News Headlines in 1940, when the majority of us were born read; Churchill Becomes Prime Minister of Britain; German Troops Parade Through Paris; Allies Evacuated Dunkirk; British Cruise Ship, Queen Elizabeth Launched; Germans Build Concentration Camps At Auschwitz; Germans Capture Denmark and Norway; Roosevelt Wins 3^rd Term; Forty Hour Work Week Goes Into Effect; First Draft Number Drawn; FCC Develops Television Rules; Roosevelt Warn The Nation Against “Unpreparedness” In Case Of War.[1] 

        Now, lets move ahead 18 years to 1958—our graduation year--and the World Headlines were: Rioters Attack U.S. Vice-President in Venezuela; Yemen announces it will join the United Arab Republic; Venezuela imposes restrictions on U.S. Oil Companies (The more things change, the more they stay the same. Editor.) President Eisenhower sends troops to Lebanon; Prince Charles becomes Prince of Wales; Nikita Khrushchev becomes Premier of the U.S.S.R.; Charles de Gaulle becomes the new President of France.[2]    

An interesting fact to consider. Did you know in 1983 when we held our 25^th reunion; a postage stamp only cost 20 cents?

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April Steering Committee Meeting

I am happy to report; we had one of our best Steering Committee Meetings Tuesday Evening at Kelsey’s Restaurant in Hendersonville. Enthusiasm was high as we began the meeting because we were anticipating fantastic progress reports from each sub-committee.  As the meeting progressed we were not disappointed.

Joining us for dinner as drop-in guests were Paul Sheldrick and his wife, Jessie, and Bill Gardner, Class of 59, who wanted to say hello and renew acquaintances to many of his friends from LEHS. Also, LEHS classmate, Gary Roby, joined us for the first time. Gary is going to “drum up” some local publicity for us through the local news media who we hope will cover our events.  After all, this is our 50^th Class Reunion. We deserve the publicity.  Following, I will briefly outline a report on the results of the Steering Committee Meeting.  

Pippa Clark Dolen, (Class of 59 Guru and woman about town) brought two bags of Maroon and Black “Pom Poms” for us to use during the Saturday evening reunion program. Cheerleaders, brush up on your cheers!  

The Steering Committee did approve to have a video made of the reunion events. The video will be made by a very professional and reliable company. Opportunities to purchase the video will be made by the video production company after the reunion events at the cost of $29.95. Ken Cooper and I reviewed a video the company produced of a 50^th Class Reunion in Ft. Lauderdale, FL and the video is outstanding.

Memorial boards and boards for nostalgic photos of classmates during previous eras are in the production process.  Also, Elaine McPherson Cole, one of our decorations coordinators has made arrangements for renowned artist, Jeff Pitman, to display some of his nostalgic paintings of Asheville landscapes and old buildings. You may review Jeff’s work at the following websites:

http://www.jeffpittmanart.com/pages/asheville_art-paintings.html or at CITIZEN-TIMES.com: Photo Gallery: March Historic Photos..   

Rex reminded committee chairs to begin following up with all volunteers who wish to help with the reunion activities.  Those of you who agreed to participate in the final activities of the reunion events will be contacted by each committee chair in the near future.

As we reported last month, registration forms for each reunion event will be posted on line for those of you who have PCs. Those forms, along with your personal information sheet, which will be used for the Class of 58 Directory, will be included also. The forms will be mailed to those classmates who do not have PCs.  We plan to post the forms no later than June 1, and we will expect them to be returned between July 1 and July 31.    

The tour of our Alma Mater is falling nicely into place. Committee chair for the tour is Suzanne Jacobs Gershen and she and Rex will meet June 17 with the contact person at Asheville High School to work out the details and finalize all plans.

Ken Cooper reported our finances are in order thanks to all our contributors, and everyone is working well within their designated budgets.  With each $200.00 we receive, we are able to reduce the reunion charges by one more dollar.

Which, speaking of reunion charges, Ken also reported the final reunion costs (based on the money we have at this time) is going to be $32.00 per person for Friday evening’s activities, $12.00 per person for Saturday morning’s activities, and $44.00 per person for Saturday evening’s activities. For all three events the total cost will be $88.00 per person. We do reserve the right to vary the price—up or down―by a dollar or two by the time we post the registration forms no later than June 1^st. If you still plan to make a donation, please do so by June 1^st.

Barring any unforeseen circumstances, the Steering Committee is going to take a month off and resume activities in June when we will begin processing your information sheets.  This writer is taking a two week sabbatical between May 6 and May 17 to do some traveling. My young bride and I are taking a fourth honeymoon in so many years.

Cheers and best wishes to each of you and please remember the following classmates in your prayer who each have health concerns―be they large or small concerns, Judy Henderson Smith,  Francis Arnette, Becky Denton Lawrence, Betty Jo Conner Swayngim,  Tommy Creasman and his spouse, Harry Godwin, Paul “Tammy” Powell, Brenda Hough Goad, Thelma Lacasse Sinard, Kent Lominac’s spouse, Gwen Palmer Pace, Gwen Richardson Redmon, Carl Swan and Tommy Gibson  

As I close out April’s edition of Maroon & Black Threads I leave you with these parting words. Someplace in the USA, probably Asheville, the following conversation recently took place between two LEHS female graduates of the Class of 1958.

First Female Classmate: Have you heard? There is a class reunion in September!  Second Female Classmate: Oh, no! Not another one! They are always the same! We sit around a table, have a few drinks, they boast about their husbands and I lie about mine!

(Compliments of Jo Ann Chandley Elliott for the cartoon. A similar version appeared in the cartoon, Andy Capp by Reggie Smythe on 3/15.)

          Peace, Rex Redmon