I enjoy reading the old time stuff.. some I remember and some I don't.I read Gilsey Viator's fond memory about solving world problems and laughing a lot ... and Gilsey I do remember spit balls flying on the teacher and sticking on walls and shirts and such, hahaha but can't remember what class it was.. Imagine that :).
Published 12/23/07, contributed by Joel Levy
I remember that night of the Lincon/TJ basketball game our senior year quite well, too, except that I didn't see the physical contact that started the fight. I was manager, trainer, statistician, and general, all-around whipping boy for the Basketball team. At the point the fight broke out, I was looking down at a clipboard upon which I was recording locations on the floor of where shots were made. When I looked up, the fight was on. I, as the others on the team and the cheerleaders, got out of the gym under cover of the police and coaching staff and rode back to school on the team bus. I don't remember running the gauntlet of getting pushed or punched when leaving with the others, but maybe I was too shocked.
However, an aspect of that night that I clearly remember emotionally was back at the locker room and coaches' offices at TJ. My team uniform was a maroon sport coat and tie, so I didn't have to change. I was wandering around, trying make sense out of what had happened. I wandered by the coaches' offices, and Mr. McBee was in with them. Now, some of you may remember that some of my buddies and I had our moments with Mr. McBee regarding a certain "alternative" publication. But, when I saw him, really in anguish over the events of the evening, and overheard him saying something to the effect of "We tried so hard to make this work...," I felt so bad for him, with what must have felt like the weight of the city on his shoulders.
Mr. McBee is still around the area. Really, Dr. McBee! About 25 years ago, I saw him get his Doctorate in Education at the same commencement ceremony at University of Houston when my wife got her Master's of Education (she is still a Special Ed teacher and Special Ed chairperson of her elementary school, by the way). My dad recently sent me a page with a picture of Dr. McBee from one of the area papers (the News, I think), and he was pictured doing some kind of cooking for a fund raiser.
Published 12/23/07 , contributed by Jeanette Constantine
I have a lot of good memories of going to Woodrow Wilson. I was in Mrs. Barnes' 6th grade class and wonder if anyone has any pictures from that class. At this time of the year, one thing always comes to mind. That is being in the choir and how beautiful it was and so put together by Mrs. Oder. I will never forget the beautiful, beautiful way that Datha Pugh sang O Holy Night. I absolutely love that song because of the way she sang it with so much feeling
Published 12/23/07 , contributed by Sandy Ellis MacNamera
Does anyone remember "the gator?" So - what do you think - we should all practice our BEST Gator - maybe look up our prom date - be it OUR own proms (Jr. and/or senior) or the exciting date for THEIR prom - (in my case that would be 1966 Sr. Prom with Jerry Jordan) and really strut our Gator Stuff for prizes and/or PRIDE. I suggest Ruelle Parker to spearhead this worth while and exciting event.
The delightful "remembering the sixties" site references "American Bandstand" - shares pictures and remembrances of a show filmed in Philadelphia PA. But - no mention of "Live at Five." How can we forget this award deserving show filmed in "beautiful downtown Beaumont , TX (or was it Port Arthur - channel four?) with our own personal friends, family, and classmates as stars. Surely someone has video (movies), pictures, and/or remembrances of this fabulous show. SHARE.
Who remembers "The Town Club", "The Crystal Ball" (not to be confused with the more modern "Crystal Meth Ball)? Who can forget those leisurely summer days lounging around the pool, eating burgers and fries from the burger shack, flirting with those cute boys and girls? Pictures anyone?
Here are a few more places that I remember- do you? Gibson's, Bluesteins, Jonie and Jowells, Irene's fine fashion (with fond remembrances of the lovely Irene - mother of Carol and Linda Olivier,) Joey's candies on Proctor Street, the lunch counter at Walgreen's downtown, Cow Bayou, Lakeview swimming pool, Candy Cane Lane (a good one at this time of year to remember), Amuny's liquor store, and I could go on and on. What do you remember?
The day JFK was assassinated. I was at Thomas Edison - the announcement was made on the loud speaker and we were all dismissed from class. The first person I remember seeing was Nancy Ippolito - she was sobbing and I also began to cry. What a powerful event in the life of a 13 year old child. Who was the first person you saw - how were YOU affected? So - my friends - I have a mind like a steel trap - LMAO - or so my husband says. I could go on and on - with other memories, events, places and people but enough is enough for now. I am hoping that this will jar your powerful memories. How blessed are we to have the strong connection that we have with our childhood, our friends and classmates and our city.
