Your Story
This site is great,although I have not seen any of you for many years,the stories make me feel like I just talked to you!Keep in touch Phl Pixley A X E. P.S. please put me on your mailing list.
Karen lives in Colorado..maybe Ed remembers..he remembers everything..oh I will tell Carole to leave a message..if you can ask the question..I can surely answer it truthfully..as god is my witness...:)
Darlene: You cannot settle a dispute between us by repeating your position in the dispute! C'mon, haven't you ever watched Perry Mason? We need an objective third party, like Karen Bernt! Where is Karen?
Marc, all of the girls wore hose,,62-66...no one wore socks and keds..that was grade school..we were hot stuff once we got to high school..as I am sure you guys would attest to..so score 1 for Darlene..0 for Marc...your memory is fading fast!!
Eddie: The thing that I thought was most exciting about writing our stories for this site was that for us, and probably for any others who read them, the stories of one caused the the others to remember similar experiences. That was rule #1 and of the most importance. Your story of Halloween (and Beggar's night), has done this. I really admire your ability to write simple and concise accounts of your experiences that consistently achieve our #1 objective. Darlene and I both were consumed with memories as soon as we read it. Thank you for taking the time to share with and inspire us.
Re: Pictures from the past; Fairview 66 trucks. In 1991, I went to Hendersonville, NC (just south of Asheville, NC)for a temporary work assignment which turned out to be two years. At the time our home was in Maryland, between Baltimore, Annapolis and Washington, but I also rented a house in Hendersonville. Darlene often came down to stay with me. On the weekends we liked to take day trips through the beautiful western NC mountains. On one of these trips, in 1992, we went through a small town named Fairview, NC. Beside the road was a Phillips 66 service station. The owner had painted his trucks "Fairview 66", although he apparently didn't realize they should be blue and gold. We had a camera with us---so now you know the other half of the story.
Darlene and I have this disagreement: I say that girls at FHS wore white wool sweat socks and white keds. Darlene says they wore hose. Who is right? Remember, we are talking about a four year period from '62 to '66. Could we both be right? Need some help from you girls out there!
Eddie: "You broke my heart, cause I couldn't dance; you didn't even want me around. And now I'm back, to let you know.....I can really shake'em down" Thanks, Eddie.
Marc, there are many things I could say about your fine story: Music Part 1, Dancing. It brought back a lot of great memories. But there are two things I will say. First, while Sam Kingston was a great dancer, you were better. Second, and most important, your story made me want to dance. It made me want to punch in the one Contours song I have on my iPod. Plug the iPod into my receiver and turn the volume up to window shaking loud, and dance. Then wait for the part that goes "now that I can dance...(then brief silence)...WATCH ME NOW". Yes indeed, it made me want to dance. Thanks and please know that I eagerly await, Part 2.
Marc - thanks for another terrifc story. I was only at Menker's Party Hut a couple of times. Now I can fill in the gaps in my memory about location etc. . . do have vivid memories about the music and atmosphere. I have made up for my lack of dancing while in high school during the past twenty years. My husband and I love to dance and I just have to put on some old rock 'n' roll golden oldies while cleaning the house. PS: Hi Susi K. - tell us more!
Hey Marc, Susi Kruskamp here... great musings on the music! This is just a note for now. (I'm going out of town later today & have travel stuff to do.) If you remember, me Nancy Marker, Susie Behney, Kathy O'Rourke & my (oldest) bro Eddie all started working with Jim Burt & Mike Conwell from the beginning. I have some "behind-the-scenes" stories from Wampler's Barn, Menker's Party Hut to The Ho-Dad Club behind Forest Park (I still have my membership card!)...now, if I can just remember them! ;) to be con't ... ...This message board is a really cool idea!
Ed: I loved the TV story. I know I say I loved all your stories and I do, but with each line of this one (except Patty Duke, which I swear I never watched) a memory was triggered. That cute little boy in the picture used to watch Howdy Doody every day on that TV. At one point Buffalo Bob began to tell us that on such and such a date, Howdy and the gang would be in color. He repeated it every day for weeks until my excitement was hard to contain. Until the day came--and there was no color on my TV. Bob neglected to mention you had to have a color set. I had the pleasure of meeting Buffalo Bob in 1990 at his home in Western North Carolina. Darlene and I were there at the time. Bob lived on a lovely golf course and guess who he had with him. Yes, Howdy was in the foyer in a glass case. I was kind of hoping for Princess Summer Fall Winter Spring. The Mickey Mouse Club: what kid doesn't have a special memory of that? The tons of westerns; I liked The Rifleman-Lucas McCain, and The Rebel-Johnny Yuma. Chester on Gunsmoke. Andy Griffith and Barney, and I often thought Jethro made a lot of sense. Finally, I know a lot of us guys never missed an episode of The Twilight Zone. Oh, and I almost forgot, Omar Williams hosting Wrestling. My favorites were Magnificent Maurice and Handsome Johnny Baron. They used to come to the matches with hair nets on to keep their locks in place. But, Eddie, I regret to say, I don't remember ever watching Patty Duke---I guess I missed out. Please keep writing.
Darlene and Marc, What about those big black and white Fairview '66 trucks. What is the story behind them and why not blue and gold?
Loved Ed's paper route story! The "creek dumper" term made me cringe and laugh. The story certainly brought back memories from a different time and place. I remembered that Phil Tudor '66 had the DDN route for my house on Tennyson Ave. He always had trouble getting payment from my Mom but my Dad was more generous. Those were his words. It also reminded me of Nancy Marker telling me about her paper route which she shared with her brother Mike Marker '63. She said some of her houses were the "mansions" on Philadelphia Drive near FHS. We both thought they were mansions. They were lovely. All of you, please keep those great stories coming and thank you!!
Darlene, I remember the clothes and shoes you mentioned from our high school days. It reminds me that at Christmas my Grandmother would always give me a box of hose. Very nice gift, however she would always select a horrid reddish tone. My sister and I would laugh. I always had to exhange them for the more classic beige. As far as the wool skirts and sweaters, I remember John Meyer of Norwich and The Villager brands as being a favorite of many girls. Remember the little lady bug pin that came with one of those brands? Remember our white Keds and ugly salmon color gym suits. Ugh!
Here's to Jack Berkemier, "canned" in the line of duty by Miss Folger for saying "S.H.I.T.: So Happy It's Thursday" during morning announcements. Way to go, Jack! You're OK with us!
Tom's fine story about his favorite teachers brought back a lot of memories. Mrs. Rowe was a great teacher. I'd love to tell her how much I enjoyed her classroom and her positive approach to her profession. I hope she is still with us and if anyone knows how to contact her, please let me know.
Ed: Just finished your paper route story and it was wonderful! "Creek dumper", oh, I love that. Sounds as bad as "barn burner". Like all good stories it brings mental images to mind of the early morning in the winter, folks driving to work at the teeming factories of Dayton, the crunch of snow and ice under foot. Speaking of under foot, I'll bet you didn't wear Nike's or insulated, waterproof boots, just the old leather shoes. The initiative you showed then is probably why you are doing well now. $140 was nothing to sneeze at, so you were amply rewarded. I'm glad you wrote that story as I'm sure the folks on your route were glad you got up every morning at 4. Thanks.
To our classmates: We are having a lot of fun reliving the past at FHS. I know your lives are busy, but if you invest a little time on our site, and contribute your memories, I guarantee at least a 100% return on your investment. Try it and see if it isn't so. Every story told here triggers a memory of those who read it. You will be doing yourself a favor, I swear.
Hey, Tommy, I liked your teacher story. I liked to hear you tell about your feelings and interaction with some of the people whose job it was to instruct and inspire us. Funny, even though at the time we considered teachers a nuisance, often they were getting through to us more than we could have imagined.
Oh my,,fashion page is great..do need some girls clothes tho..ahem..need some pics? We wore skirts and hose all the time..except on weekends..winter was nice wool slacks and sweaters..love the capezio shoes..like ballet slippers..oxford button down with monogram on the sleever or collar...matching sweater and skirt..wow loved my clothes from back then....will think bout more of them..do still have some in my trunk..including my prom dress ..wore the same one..to jr and sr one..yes was frugal too!! :)
Hey Guys, I have to say this is really great. Reading your stories brings back great memories. Keep up the good work and maybe I will contribute something someday. Hopefully it will be both positive and humorous. All the Best,
Comment this, Tom!!!!!!! HA!
Marc, just read your "Buzz me" story..was so good..felt I was right there with you..and in Scott's rec room. You have been hiding your writing talent under a bushel basket too, huh? I took pool as PE class at Miami U..meet uptown at a hall..didnt know one end of a cue from the other..at first..at the end of semester..was the best in the class! Should have become a Pro, huh? ODJ :)
Thanks Ed..for taking us back to that horrible and wonderful time..was mind numbing the day Kennedy was shot..our world was changing..the Beatles..coming..our world was changing..we all changed just a little with it all..Great story!!!
Funny story Darlene.....can hear the gears grinding now....driving in first OMG...women and cars = oil and water....those were the days.....God bless all of you for sharing...I get younger by the minute
Ed: The story is another great one. But this one causes me to think about our state of mind in '63, '64. You may be right. There is no question that the country was tender with loss after that fateful day in Dallas. It was a significant time for our generation and we should think about it and what followed. Your footnote mentions Don--I assume, McClean? Thanks for taking the time to put this story in print.
OMG..will try not to go overboard..LOL..site is just fantastic..love Mike's speech on our site..when we were young and stupid..didnt mean much..now we are older and maybe a little wiser..means so much..just great,,Thanks, Mike ...and Thanks, Tom for putting it up..keeps us all grounded..wow!,,also love the song dedications..is like Xmas everyday we come here..so funny..our endorphins are spilling out of our ears..LOL..keep up the great work..oh,and one last thing...just love the pic of that beautiful girl..lets see..think it is Darlene..! :))
Ed....Re: the house painting job in Fla.....it's just the slightest twist in the road, that takes us to our destiny....lord, a housepainter in Fla..OMG lol
Just read your comments...too funny...it was the 53 Chevy and painted white....remember when we took it down to ...umm...can't remember that lake ...oh yeah Cumberland Lake in Ky...I am sure it was you, and the Jer and Pat Colley and we threw our beer bottles and busted them all night long and the next day the Ranger came and made us clean it all up and then threw us out...Also, we were trying to hit on some girls who were there camping with their parents....god, what days....what hell raising days....
Tom, I really enjoyed your mooning story. Did it take place in that yellow 53 Chey, or was it in the blue Tempest? My guess is was not the Chevy because I don't think it could have made it to Ky. Finally, as I've told you before, you may have passed up a great opportunity to be a house painter in the Sunshine State.
Is Steve related to Larry Cruea? I knew him when he was hanging out with Terry Engle. Enjoying the comments; keep up the fun!
Thanks Marc...still laughing...actually, it didn't quite cure me tho..was known to throw a few moons later on in life....Hell, if I hadn't run out of gas...I might be paintin' houses in Florida!...Will never forget tho..when Norman looked me in the eye and asked me the question about mooning...so much wanted to "Well, duh!"
Tom: What a legacy! The story, which, unbelievably, I have never heard, is hillarious. The best part of these events, I think, is after we get caught and are paying the price for our misdeeds. I'll bet you haven't mooned anybody since then. What an inspriation! Love, Marc
Loved your story Ed...Had never heard of Fred Sherman...you are a wealth of information...am still looking for baseball pics of when we played on different teams together lol..Keep up the good work guys...I think people are enjoying the site
Great Story Ed
Ah, dating and broken hearts..Tom..those are most of my memories of HS..great story..sums a lot of it up..does he like me..does he know I am even alive..and if he does..will he ever ask me out..we girls had to wait for that phone call..or put a bug in a friends ear..to pass the word..that we really, really liked him..and would he please ask us out..and I remember saying yes to every guy that asked me out..for good or bad..because I didnt know what else to say..didnt have a pat answer ready..so yes went on some dates I didnt want to..and some I really wanted to..and wow..when it all clicked..was fantastic for awhile..til the inevitable..someone got tired of the other..and would move on..but each day was an adventure..and each weekend held some promise...of true love..to come..wow..well guess we know can see why Darlene never made it into the National Honor Society..hmmmm..well is more to life than just getting straight A's! YES! :)
Tom, read you biology story..good one..I had Mr Kaenzig..and it wasn't advanced LOL..otherwise why was I there? But yes had him sophomore year..maybe yours was freshman..was an icky class..pithing frogs brains..OMG.. not fun,,the smell..ugh.Why did we have to take it anyway..was reading the DDN last winter and noticed he passed away this past year..he had been living at Friendship Village...where my Mother was..and I never saw him..I would have loved to have talked to him again..yes..he still lives in our memories..for good or bad..RIP..Mr. Kaenzig. Darlene '66
Oh, those crazy times....definitely remember the fun times in Mr. Senseman's classroom where all of the square dancing took place! Moved away to Huber Heights when I was in the 7th Grade and missed attending highschool at Col. White or Fairview since I graduated from Wayne High School. Can remember good times at parties with Pat O'Connell, John Siebenthaler, Larry Cruea, Tim Kirkendall, Judy Rich, Maureen Kuppin, Gretchin Davis, Steve Smith, Suzi Donenfeld and many others. Linda Koogler and I were dancers together at Jean Hiatt's Dance studio most of our lives until about 18 years old, so we saw each other at least 3 days a week in dance class. The parties she and I had together in the interim were a blast! Mooba Kooba, Linda? ;-) Linda always had the best "slumber parties"! Ironically, Linda and I visit back and forth in our lives today whether either of us couples are wintering at our FL homes, Linda and Ted are in Dayton or we are summering at our home in Blowing Rock, NC. Good friends last forever!Good to see you on here Linda & all! Goody Goody was an awesome rendezvous to meet up with good friends. Wow, Pat that "Pull Me" trick sounds painful! Yikes! Cheers, P
"Oh those 60's, Goody Goody, Wamplers Barn, Hunzie and the Imperials, MoTown and LilStevie Wonder. The memories just roll on and on and on. One of the best stories I can remember is when we made Billy Massey tie a string around the end of his penis and pull it up through his shirt and put a sign on the end of the string that said "Pull Me" All of the girls went crazy pulling that sign and at the end of the day Billy was a very swollen and hurtin puppy."
"I remember the great times at the Goody Goody and open houses at friends homes. Fun times with Susi Kruskamp, Craig Conover, Jim Burton. I went to Julienne but ran around with Fairview kids."
Hey guys...just wanted to say "Thank You"...this site has been a thought I have had for some time...without you and your stories...many more of which are to come... these stories about our crazy times growing up together will in some way be preserved...it has truly been a labor of love and I hope we can bring joy and laughter to our friends and remember some great times that made us who we are today...it will be one hell of a roller coaster ride...
Tom, I loved your dating and broken hearts story. That was what FHS was all about, really, for many of us. And it could be painfull. Your story brought it all back to me. Thanks.
Tom..forgot to tell you..yes your bio is great..but shy?..uh think I hold the all time record on that one..you cant claim it..let's have a shy-off contest..face to face..see who blushes the most..otherwise..glad to hear you never voted for a Dem..you go! Contest: Noon...place of your choice !! :)
Oh boy..looking good..What a great looking group of FHS kids..yes..weren't those the days..we didn't know what was ahead of us..when these pics were taken..but think we have all enjoyed the ride..huh? This is just great..we have all come together here, with our memories..too fantastic..I think I am in some pretty good company here..yes..I do. Ed, your story was great..I can see Stormin'Norman striding down the hall..a blaze of red..getting out of his way...hoping he wasnt coming after me..he probably was looking for Tom..for something he did...and shouldn't have! What a great way to keep our memories alive..and yes, stay young..at least in our minds...for just a little bit longer!!Go Bulldogs..and dont stop!!! :)
I just read Tom's bio. I was shocked to see that he's never voted for a Democrat. Even as a confessed "Yellow Dog Democrat", I once voted in a Republican primary in Virginia. It was an effort on my part to keep Ollie North from getting the Senatorial nomination. It didn't work. Also, about 20 years ago I coached baseball with a Republican member of the Virginia House of Delegates. I voted for him. Come to think of it though, he may have been running unopposed. So, unlike Kender, I've shown the ability over the years to put party politics aside and vote for the person not the party.
Wow! I just love the Two Families story..really brings a jolt in my heart at the end..what a wonderful son-in-law we ended up with..we couldnt have ordered a better one if we could..and we do always tell him that..yes the Groff family and ours..two great families..it truly is a small world..and our paths cross at times that we never know where they will end ..good one...odj '66
Marc, just read your girls and horses story..yes that wasnt me..once again..that you took..I hate horses..just too big and scary..but I do know you love that story..even tho..once again..you didnt ask me out..well is all right..you have me now..ha..and arent you just the luckiest guy in the world? And arent we both glad Darlene doesnt like horses..as I have always said..because then I would just HAVE to have one..! :))..odj '66
Great web site..a genius must have put it together..guess that leaves all of us out!! Do need to get the Dixie Drive-In ad up..cant forget that one..oh no..so, well the bios need to go up too..but know the webmaster is on some much needed R&R, so guess we will give him a pass for just a little while..yes this is very nice..kudos to the creator..whom ever that may be..:)}..from a Scotchette who got straight A's..and we all know how hard that was to do..LOL..ODJ '66
Great story, Darlene..you are just a magnificent writer..you must have been hiding you light under a bushel basket all of these years..You are so much better than those other guys...maybe you should have been voted Homecoming Queen..1966..you are so beautiful..how do you do it? signed...all of your old boyfriends..from the past!!!! :)
Marc, such a wonderful story you wrote..yes I sure didnt know how you felt back then..but now wonder why you didnt ask me out sooner..I was available my whole senior year..but did you ask me out..? No..so someone took his good ole time..oh BTW..did you take out the garbage last night..just checking..also how's bout we go out to dinner tonight :) Darlene '66..was a Scotchette...oowee!
Today I got a call from two women who identified themselves as former Meadowdale students. (MHS-66, I believe) They were asking about the proper venue and jurisdiction for a defamation action. Did they have to file suit in Georgia or Texas? They also wanted to know if they could bring their claim in federal court. I told them that I had a conflict and couldn't discuss the matter.