ALVAREZ-AYERS
BACZEWSKI-BOOKOUT
BOTELLO-CALZADA
CAMPOS-CARLISLE
CARPER-CHAVARRIA
CHAVEZ-CORONADO
CORTEZ-DANAHER
DANIELS-DELGADO
DEVAUX-EDWARDS
ELDER-ESPINOZA
EASTMAN-FLORES
FLORES-GALEN
GALVAN-GARCIA
GARCIA-GARY
GARZA-GOMEZ
GONZALES-GOODLOE
GRACIA-GUTIERREZ
GUTIERREZ-HAVEY
HAWKINS-HOHIMER
HOLMES-JOSEPH
JUAREZ-KRABILL
KRUSINSKY-LEE
LEGGETT-LOPEZ
LOPEZ-MCCARTY
MCCORMICK-MAJORS
MALDONADO-MARTINEZ
MARTINEZ-MIDDLETON
MONTALVO-MYERS
NAVARETTE-PACHA
PAGE-PENA
PENA-PLATA
PLYER-REEDER
RENAUD-ROBLEDO
ROCHA-ROSAS
RUTOWSKI-SANCHEZ
SANCHEZ-SCHMIDT
SCHNEIDER-SMITH
SNEDEKER-STILLMAN
STOKES-TORRES
TORRES-TRISTAN
URBAN-VILLANUEVA
VILLAREAL-WILLIAMS
WILSON-YOUNG
ZAMORA
46 comments:
We are up and running! This is just a start. There will be additional features and the list of classmates with their addresses will be posted soon. The addresses will be 10 years old. I will do a mailing and try to direct everyone to this blog site. We will have to personally contact those that have drifted into the ozone.
Your comments and suggestions will be very helpful.
MCK
The mass mailing of the current class list will be going out within 2 weeks.
I salute Garrett Cox (Tommy Cox's son) for building this blog site. I also salute Rick Weed, who designed all of the graphics for the blog site as well as the post card for mailing. It is all very handsome!
Tommy Cox should also be saluted for having such a gifted son.
Well Done Men!
With Kindest Regards,
Mike McKinney
The Commander
It's good to see this is really happening. I look forward to seeing folks again.
My current mailing address is 305 South Bridge, Weslaco, TX 78596
I have updated my information with this site. I am looking forward to getting together and seeing everyone!!
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 02-01-08
There are some of you who have been doing an outstanding job! You have jumped into battle and are locating many of our lost Classmates. I would like to give each of you a big kiss on your mug and sweep you away to the Islands for a month of R & R. While others???.........Let's just say that you won't be making the traveling squad. The Commander has a long memory. He never forgets a favor!
We have about 80 people registered, to date. Out goal is 150 and my statistician (Bill McBride) informs me that we should expect 200 attendees (which would include spouses and significant others).
A date has been selected: The Third Weekend in October, 2008 at South Padre Island. Tentatively, the main event will be a dinner Saturday night with music and a program. I will provide more information, about additional activities, as soon as it materializes.
You should be advised that two of our classmates are not doing well. I recently talked to Paula Faye Reeder (Doster) and Bobbye Lawton (Peak). Paula Faye has suffered from illness for the last 4 years. Her affliction is Dystonia, which is a type of Parkinson's. This is a very debilitating disease and Paula Faye is fighting a good fight. Bobbye is now bedridden with MS that she has had since 1978. Bobbye is a strong fighter, as well. It would be kind, for each of you to send them a short note of encouragement.
Paula Faye Reeder (Doster)
1742 Bobby Jones
Harlingen, Texas 78552
Bobbye Lawton (Peak)
8626 Kirkham
San Antonio, Texas 78239
I am not asking you to donate a kidney! I'm asking for 2 minutes out of your life and a 41 cent stamp. You may know Paula Faye and Bobbye well or you may only know their names. I can assure you, if you send them a note, they will know who you are. I send several notes of encouragement a year to friends and those less fortunate than me. That's why I am The Commander!
We update the blog site twice a month with new information, newly found souls and reunion activities. Check it frequently: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
Soldier On Comrades! You are doing a great job! If you help The Commander in his time of need, he will remember your efforts!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 02-10-08
Today we are 100 strong ! Today we are a formidable team! Well done! We will eat as a team, dance as a team and laugh as team! With this mighty force, the results are a forgone conclusion: IT'S A 41ST REUNION AT THE BEACH!
THE DANCE IS ON! THE MALIBU'S ARE PLAYING! We have a few logistical problems, such as transporting Mike Ferguson from Arizona to South Padre Island. But, we will work it out. The Commander may be "deaf as a biscuit", but he can already feel the vibes. The Class of '66 will be invited to attend the dance.
Last week we found: Roel Campos, Jaime Stone (Roberts), Mildred Yates (Crawley), Don Heep, Linda Maldonado (Jolly) and Sid Corliss.
This week, the reunion staff will focus on locating Jerry Wilson. In 1968, Jerry left The Commander rotting in a Mexican jail. The Commander would like to speak to Jerry.
Are we old? I think not! At this year's Super Bowl, Tom Petty (dob 10-20-50) and the Heartbreakers was the Half-Time Feature. His music was a few years younger than our era, but not by much. We are in style, my friends!
General Weed and I have looked at your annual pictures so many times, that you have become a loyal and beloved "Band of Brothers and Sisters". Each of you will remember your youthful days as General Weed continues to post pictures from the annual on the web site.
CODE YELLOW! CODE YELLOW! We all need to focus on the classmates highlighted in YELLOW on the Class List. There are many that we would like to see, but they must be located before they can be coerced to attend. We have 250 classmates highlighted in Yellow. That's half the Class! By my estimates, we should be able to move 50, or so, out of this category.
We will need volunteer scriveners for the reunion. The Commander loves scriveners! Competent personnel who can legibly print the names of classmates on name tags as he/she arrives.
We will need volunteer photographers for the reunion. The Commander loves photographers! Competent personnel who can operate a digital camera and document each classmate as he/she arrives. Also, to capture The Commander's every move.
We will also need volunteer "strippers" for the reunion. The Commander loves strippers! Whoa!!!!......Check that last comment.......General Weed tells me that is inappropriate. What I meant to say was "streamers"! The Commander loves streamers! Lots of streamers will decorate the banquet hall! For a moment, The Commander's cheese slid off his cracker.
We update the blog site twice a month with new information. Check it frequently: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
The Legend of The Commander has been molded by two principles of life:
"Never walk across the street with your hands in your pockets!"
and
"Always, always respond to the needs of your friends!"
This is why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
OMG!! Mike McKinney. You always made me laugh and now I am laughing my ample ass off at you again. I got so excited when I read your email(about the reunion)that my grandkids and my daughter Summer thought that I had won the lottery. That is because I was sreaming (not real loud). I volunteer to be a scrivener. Well I am on a mission now to lose a few pounds. I can't wait to see everyone and The Malibus OMG!!!
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 02-25-08
IT WILL BE A BEACH LANDING!
The Commander loves the Beach! The Commander longs for the Beach! I live on the High Plains of Texas, where you can see your dog run away for three days. A little wave action would soothe the soul.
We welcome the Class of '66 to the Malibu's performance and dance on Saturday night! I, already, feel younger with these old people reading our mail! We will keep the 66'rs in the loop. The Commander always dated women from the Class of '66. I can count all of them on ............two fingers. They were older, more mature and taught me their worldly ways. I am forever grateful! We are only adding 79 of the old folks. Hardly a Hiccup! We will add them to our monthly (or semi-monthly) broadcast. We may be crowding the limits of the facilities, but there are contingencies. The Commander and his Chief of Security, "Tiny", will personally interview and approve each 66'er for admittance to the dance. They will be screened and admitted on the following criteria and in this order: beauty, wealth and intelligence. They are a good looking horde! We may have to take them all!
The Commander has "Boots on the Ground" in South Padre Island
(Not Willeford! He maintains vigilance from Austin). First reports indicate that the Radisson Hotel is a Dump. I will bivouac my troops on the beach before I will billet them in a Dump. Candy Curry (Crouch) is conducting reconnaissance and will have detailed reports on all facilities early this week. The hotel and reunion date may change, once again!
Now, a little business. I ask that each of you go to the Class List on the Blog Site and check the accuracy of your contact information (address, phone # and e-mail). Please respond if there are inaccuracies. I know that you believe The General and The Commander to be infallible...........however...............
General Weed intends to assemble a "Digital Reunion Chronicle." It will be available online. By reunion time, it will include the final revisions to the Class List and a biography of each classmate in "His/Her Own Words." No photos, please! We shouldn't scare the children! Wait for your cue! We will provide the outline of information. We will guide you as to what is appropriate and what is ill advised in describing your life. Some things are better left "Unsaid." However, if you are fishing for a man or a woman, or a "Mistress" or "Stud Muffin", we can help. General Weed and The Commander are accomplished in rejection. We know, "What Not to Say!"
For those of you registering late, all previous e-mails from Headquarters are catalogued under "Comments" at the bottom of the front page of the blog site. You will find comments from other classmates, as well. You won't have to scroll far, there are only 7 entries! If you are feeling "frisky" or "eloquent", you too, can leave a message. Currently, The Commander is doing all of the talking! By now, you realize, The Commander has no private thoughts!
Surely, it is obvious, that I know each and every one of you. That's why I am The Commander! I am quietly telling a story about each of you. Though I love the sound of my own voice and adore reading my own words in print, I would like to read yours, as well. A superb idea would be, for you to send me one of your favorite recollections of the HHS years. Send me your story. I will edit it, make it fantastic and we will share it with the others. Is that too much to ask?
I would strongly suggest that you provide your version of events, before I publish mine. Some of the stories in the hopper will include:
Boots Willeford
Harold Smith
Linda Avila (Poteet)
Jean Fry (Maddox)
Faye Jean Williams (we need to find her)
Susan Foiles
One of the Headlines will read: "How About Those Drunk Cheerleaders!?"
Where is Jesse Bermea? The last time I saw him was in his restaurant (Jessie's Cantina) on South Padre Island (great Mexican food!). Where is Elaine Benton? Where are Tommy Tierney, Joe Gonzales, Ellis (Buzzard) Lee, Gary Gray, Dennis Dean, Jorge Gonzales, Jack DuBois, Kathy Galen, Cheryl Garrett, Leticia Gutierrez, Deborah Haney, JC McCall & Nancy Majors (McCall), Juan Serrata, Gail McElwrath, Irma Sanchez and Betsy Jennings (Dalton)?
These are friends of The Commander who remain silent. If you can provide an address for these friends, The Commander will dispatch a squad of his finest "Water Boarders" to secure their registration.
This month we found Linda Avila (Poteet), Gilbert Soto, Felix Torres, Kay Scott (Belschner), Karen Warner (Kennedy), Chickie Rogers Hensz), Charley Adair, Dawn Place (Langham), Judy Julliard (Purdy), Cruz Cuellar, Ed Krusinsky, Leo Solis, Orlando Campos, Candy Curry (Crouch), Arlene Adair (Shafer), Darlene Adair, Randy Baczewski and Rusty McGee.
Carolyn Murphy (McCall) gets the prize for being the first classmate to register on the blog site @ 11-14-07!
On the other hand, Rusty Armstrong, Chip Hall & Andy Hawkins are in a three way tie for ignoring us the longest! To determine a winner, we may need to have a "Snub Off," a simple timing of the nose "turn up."
Sidney Corliss registered three weeks ago. Sid is a successful golfer/golf course developer. He lives in Georgia and is developing golf courses with his little brother. Sid's older brother lives in Harlingen. Sid still has his smooth, sweet golf game. He has played in 4 Senior British Opens and 2 Senior U.S. Opens. Every time I think of Sidney, I remember the “Famous Foot Race” of 1967. Some Jock (either Football or Track) told Sid that golfers weren’t athletes. That was a mistake! Sidney promptly challenged him to a race after school. The course was to circumnavigate all of the canals north of the high school. This was very exciting for a guy in Choir, so I gathered up my friends and we made camp at the start/finish line. The rules were simple: Start here, keep turning right and get back here as fast as you can! All I had was 75 cents and some S & H Green Stamps, and it was all riding on Sid! The two disappeared into the brush to the northwest. There was no visual contact with the runners for 10 to 15 anxious minutes and then I could see Sid turning the corner at the last canal. Long-legged Sid's gait looked like an octopus running from a shark, but his competitor was no where in sight! The Legend, to this day, is that Sid was running in Penny Loafers and no socks! Sid beat the guy by 300 yards and I won $1. It was Sid’s, and my, lucky day!
Greg Newland is looking for a golf game, at the reunion. In his owns words, "I've been afflicted with a serious addiction to golf, for some years now. We'll ask Sid to play from his knees to level the playing field." Greg, Randy Fletcher is a gamer! The Commander is a solid bogey golfer! Anyone who is interested in getting up a game, exchange e-mails. There is no planned event.
We are toying with the following schedule of events:
Friday, October 31st @ 5:00 p.m. Cocktails & Dinner at the Hotel. This is Dutch & you order from the menu. We can probably commandeer the restaurant (If, The Commander has his way). Everyone checks in with The Commander's Scriveners. All should be able to attend, save Phil Danaher, who will be coaching his team Friday Night.
Saturday, November 1st @ 10:30 a.m. The Commander's Brunch.
At the Hotel. This is prepaid by Attendees. Everyone checks in with The Commander's Scriveners. Opening remarks of the Reunion, with a short program.
Danaher should be able to drive from Corpus Christi to attend this one.
Saturday, November 1st @ 5:00 p.m. The Reunion Dinner & Dance. At the Hotel. 5:00 cocktails -- 6:00 dinner & program. Everyone checks in with The Commander's Scriveners. Dancing to The Malibu's. This is prepaid by the Attendees. Danaher had better make this one!
There may be several of you, who are local, do not have a hotel room, and need a nap after The Brunch. You can always bunk with The Commander!
We have located the "Young Brothers." After these many years, we call them the "Old Brothers." However, they seem to have the same Zip that they are noted for. Apparently, the Navy (JAG) talked Tim out of Hawaii, moved him to Newport, RI and he is now retired in the foothills of the Blue Ridge Mountains in Nellysford, Virginia. Mike maintains his role as The King of Mexican Food and other fabulous cuisine. Chuey's is still a barn-burning enterprise and Mike lives, quite comfortably, in Austin, Texas.
The last time The Commander spent any measurable time with Tim Young was in 1966. Eric Anderson (class of '66) had a Turquoise, Fast Back, '66 Mustang; A "Hog" of a machine. The destination was Ruidoso, New Mexico, where The Commander was to deliver a Key Note Address ....... on Civics! We three men traveled with Eric's mother (Mrs. Anderson) whom we were transporting to visit her eldest son, Wynn Anderson, a professor at UTEP in El Paso. After El Paso, Tim took the wheel. After a wrong turn and a few bumps and starts in Mexico, he regained his heading, found the U.S.A. and he was off and running. I asked, "How fast?" He said, "120 mph". I asked, "How long can we run?" He said, "'Till she quits!" Our fuel was adrenalin and testosterone! I delivered my patriotic speech. Tim and Eric applauded voraciously. We were asked to leave New Mexico. And, the rest is legend!
I am saddened to learn that Tim won't be attending the reunion. He and his wife have a long standing commitment in Europe during November. I can easily imagine Tim on the Autobahn!
You are probably anxious to hear about Jerry Wilson. The Commander has located Jerry! Since retiring from the Air Force, he is living in Harlingen, Texas. Jerry has some corrections to my previous story. The year was 1972 and not 1968. In Jerry's own words, "I chased the Federales through the streets of Matamoros intent on freeing their prisoner, but I, subsequently, declined to storm the penitentiary, when I spotted machine gun emplacements on the parapets." Jerry returned the next day and freed The Commander. To the delight of The Commander, Jerry has registered and will be attending the reunion!
Jimmy Carlisle has checked in. He and his wife of 34 years, Valerie, will soon be retiring to Benson, Arizona. They have been living in Corpus Christi for the last 35 years. A case of lip balm would be a nice retirement gift.
Check the blog site frequently for new information: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
Last week, my grand-nephew asked me, "Uncle Commander, were you a hero in High School?" I said, "No, but I studied with heroes."
This is why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
I got a phone call on Wednesday night from Yolanda Pena that Martin Lopez passed away from a heart attack. Yolanda had contacted him in Alice, TX where he lived and he had said he wanted to attend the Class Reunion.
Its so sad to get news like this. I will always remember him as the happy go lucky guy with that twinkle in his eyes, always joking. I was looking forward to seeing him.
Just thought I would pass this to you all.
Eloise Romero Padron
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 02-29-08
Candy Curry has reported. After her inspection of all appropriate facilities on the Island, and through a matter of deduction, the date and location stand. The Reunion will be held at The Radisson Hotel, South Padre Island, Texas, October 31st through November 2nd.
The Tentative Schedule of Events remains valid.
The Grand Ballroom, seating 350, has been reserved.
The Sheriff's Department has been notified.
All EMS Teams have been informed.
I will publish the cost of the events as they become available.
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 03-01-08
E-Mail Policy:
I encourage each of you to correspond with Headquarters as well with individual Classmates. However, only Headquarters is permitted to send "Broadcast" e-mails. If you wish to address all Classmates, please post your comment on the blog site. Any one who responds to an e-mail by selecting "Reply To All' will answer to The Commander! I consider this a breech of common courtesy. Justice will be swift and harsh! Are we clear?
To post a comment on the blog site, simply scroll to the bottom of the page and under "Comments", you may leave a message to your classmates. The instructions are simple: You may not leave an anonymous message. You must create a user name and Password.
We will all enjoy hearing from you!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 03-16-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
Fortunately, there are no apologies required for this broadcast.
For Correction: Tim Young and Eric Anderson have responded to the previous story about the Ruidoso, NM trip: It was Eric, Mrs. Anderson and me that traveled to El Paso for a Key Note Address. We were driving Mrs. Anderson's '62 Chevy Impala. It was Tim and me that traveled to Ruidoso for a different Key Note Address. We were driving Tim's '66 Mustang. The conversation about "speed" occurred at night, on the King Ranch (and could have been embellished). Other than these small details, the story is extraordinarily accurate! The Commander is indifferent to his doctors' prognoses. He is perfectly happy with his mental health.
For Amplification: General Weed unexpectedly published the unauthorized photo of The Commander astride his trusty steed. I am certain that everyone enjoyed a good laugh, at the expense of The Commander! Fortunately, I have broad shoulders and a stable ego. I want each of you to relish these moments, for one day, you won't have ole McKinney to kick around any more!
We all give a special "Thanks!" to Bonney Bott. Bonney is the reunion organizer for the Class of '66 and has been instrumental in helping us organize this reunion. Not only has she offered us sound advice, she allowed us to plagiarize her web site and paste it onto ours (see Important R.G. Valley Links).
The Dinner/Dance will be as much about the Class of '66 as the Class of '67. This will be an HHS Reunion. Class vintage is not important. There is room for everyone at the Icebreaker, Commander's Brunch and Dance. As both classes merge in their interests, the programs will be planned accordingly.
I want to thank all of my classmates who have sent in their stories and recollections of their high school years. How many you ask? ZERO!!!! A BIG FAT ZERO!!!! Well......there was that one cutie who shared her experiences, but it didn't pass the Censor Board. Do any of you remember anything about those formidable years of the '60s!? Have drugs and alcohol destroyed your brains!? I am approaching Writer's Block! As Ringo would say, "I'll get by with a little help from my friends." Help me friends, or the next e-mail may be a recitation from the Houston phone book.
The last few weeks we have found: Anna Karlsdottir (Foreign Exchange Student), Andy Hawkins, Terry Morrow (moved to Minerals Wells, Tx for his senior year), Elaine Benton, Jesse Bermea, Cheryl Garrett (Wallace), Lorraine Payne (Woolam), Buck Bickley, George Maxey, Hayden Hamilton, Johnsie Pylant (King), Annette Lake (Matson), Gail McElwrath (Doran), David Moore, James Sears, Betsy Jennings (Dalton), Karin Stokes (Gregor), and Tommy Tierney.
Here is a portion of the M.I.A. list............ Walt Ridings John Johndahl, Richard Bravo, Cleto Botello, Rachael Burton, Bernie Polokowsky, Kathy Biela, Jaime Cano, Warren Carper, Joe Colmenero, Alice DuBose, Yolanda Elizondo, Juan Espinosa, Judy Mae Fankhauser (Moncus), Jimmie Garcia, Maria Corina Garcia, Sallie Ann Glick, Sondra Hendry (Bryce), Annie Justl (McMimm), Barbara Justl (Thomas), Ted McDonald, Peter Noel, Arturo Perez, Daniel Robledo, Debby Sullivan (Charles), Dennis Dean and Terry Woodward.
The Reunion Staff has completed its "Surge" of skip tracing. The men made a "Forced March" through the Class List, from A to Z, with staggering results. I have declared the Surge a Victory. We now have 145 classmates registered. That is 25% of the graduating class. Not bad for a 40th+ reunion. Count in the Class of '66 for the dance and other activities, throw in your spouses and dates and we could have a 250+ party. Many classmates remain M.I.As. We desperately need your help in locating these friends. Please review the Class List on the Blog Site and do your best to add to our numbers.
To bring the late arrivals up to date, the Reunion Staff is all male. We are skilled and accomplished revelers! Collectively, we have been thrown out of more parties than most of you have attended. We have fed, entertained and lodged thousands. Girls are an important part of this reunion. We will need your help. We need you to break out the push-up bras and hot pants! I understand that Dance Poles are the new fad. We will have six poles installed for the dance. We welcome suggestions from all of the class. For some of you, one day, The Commander will call upon you to provide a specific service. You should be prepared for that day. For the rest of you, we suggest that you simply sit back and fasten your seat belts.
Now, A little business........
All facilities at the Radisson Hotel on South Padre Island have been reserved for October 31 through November 2, 2008. The Ballroom for the Saturday dance accommodates 350 and we will have a similar facility for The Commander's Saturday Brunch. The Friday night Icebreaker will be in a suitable Ballroom. The prepaid price for all three events should be $85.00 - $90.00. We need to tabulate all expenses, as they become available. You will be able to mix and match which events you will be attending.
Friday Night Icebreaker 5:00 p.m.
Hot Hors De' Oeuvres 14.95/person + 18% gratuity = $17.64
Cash Bar
The Commander's Saturday Brunch 10:30 a.m.
Brunch Fare $21.00/person + 18% gratuity = 24.78
Cash Bar
Saturday Night Dinner/Dance 5:00 p.m.
All American Buffet
$27.95/person + 18% gratuity = $32.98
Cash Bar
Plus $2500 Malibu’s Expenses @ 250 people = $10.00 42.98
Estimated Total $85.40
The following sleeping accommodations have been reserved at the Radisson Hotel:
65 Hotel rooms @ $89.00/night
35 Condos (2 bdrm, 2 bath) @ $169.00/night
The Commander and his personal staff will occupy a Condo. For you retired folks, you might consider the second bedroom to set up your AmWay exhibit.
Wait for your cue about reserving a hotel room in your name! You will be notified when it's time to mail in your pre-paid registration! "Eager Beavers" will be sent to the back of the line!
The Commander will personally make all cash deposits required by the Hotel Caterers and for reserving the block of hotel rooms and condos. You should be advised that, The Commander has deep pockets, but short arms! Don't even think about stiffing The Commander!
The Hotel Caterer and I have been corresponding. She has provided me with several varieties of banquet fare: Italian, Luau, Mexican and Seafood. She is perplexed when I mention The Commander's favorite cuisine: Viking Food! A Roast Leg of Anything and some Grog! Lot's and lot's of Grog! She and I will continue to work on the menu.
An elite squad of Special Forces has been assembled in Harlingen, Texas. Their mission? Locate and secure the 1960's Cardinal mascot! You remember him: 7 feet tall, cross-eyed, red top knot, husky build. This was the papier machet Fighting Cardinal that some one had made in Mexico. Believe it or not, he was last seen two years ago, slumping in a forgotten warehouse. You remember our terrifying chant: "Peck 'Em! Peck 'Em!" The opposing teams must have been petrified! Max Yarbrough was in charge of this ominous, symbolic figure. Through some unknown reasoning, Max, and another guy, were to drive the mascot onto the football field at half time. They had the bird in the back of Max's 1966 green F150 Ford pickup. Max forgot to check his clearance. On cue, he stormed onto the field, drove under a guywire and decapitated the Big Fella. It was an anti climatic moment for the Fighting Cardinals. Max had to take the Big Bird to Matamoras for some extensive repairs.
Someone tell me, "Who commissioned the sculpting of this mascot?'
Mr. Cleckler must know! Glen, give us the answer.
What's with this "Retired" talk! Don Heep, Penny Cash, Tim Young, Rick Weed, Jimmy Carlisle, Jerry Wilson, Kent Weaver, Buzzy Frysinger and Johnsie Pylant (King) are all retired! What on earth do these people do every day? This notion of retiring is foreign to The Commander. It could be that it's been 35 years since The Commander has had a job! Regardless of my laziness, I never retreat and I never retire!
I like to get up close with my Cardinals. Mildred Yates, now Dr. Millie Yates (Crawley), PHD Psychologist, Litchfield Park, AZ. is our featured classmate this month. And "NO," you farm boys, PHD does not stand for Post Hole Digger!
A look at Mildred's early years:
HHS
Executive Council '64-'67 (I never understood the Executive Council)
Student Council '64-'67 (this is O.K.)
Class Treasurer '64-'67 (she made a career out of being a Treasurer)
S.P.T.A. '64-'67 (or S.P.A.T. in the annual)
President '66-'67 (President of anything is nice)
Delegate Girl's State '66-'67 (Excellent!)
Cardettes '64-'65 (she dropped out!)
Annual Staff '66-'67 (Need to learn to spell S.P.T.A.)
National Honor Society '65-'67 (Excellent!)
College
Bachelor of Science, Pan American College (Good)
Masters of Science, Texas A & I University (Better)
PHD, University of Virginia (Great!)
Riddle: What do you call a Therapist that falls down?
Answer: A Freudian Slip!
Mildred was always one of my favorites. Most called her Millie, but I called her Mildred. I now realize that this formal approach was doomed. In high school, she was stately. Tall, erect, shoulders back; the perfect posture. Had she stayed in the Cardettes, Mrs. Brotzman would have made her the Poster Cardette: "I Want You to be a Cardette!" We never dated in high school. Looking back, we should have. We did dance a couple of times. Once, in the 9th grade and then again in our Sophomore or Junior year. When we danced, the bells just never went off. I don't know if the Clappers even moved! Sometimes, boys' bells and girls' bells ring at different times. We were all raised very conservatively in the '50s and '60s and were reserved. It's difficult to say why Mildred and I never hit it off. It could have been that I was holding my boy's bells back waiting to see if Mildred's girl's bells would ring. They never did. Boys' bells, girls' bells and all bells need a Clapper to ring. Sometimes, boys and girls go for years before they realize: "they never had the Clapper". But they should be patient. Once you get the Clapper, you will never forget it!
I should have called her Millie.
Mr. Bruce Snider, '67 Class Sponsor, has checked in and he and his wife will be attending. We haven't heard from Glen Cleckler. We may have scared him off! Mildred remembers one of the last Pep Rallies, when we got "out of control" in the gymnasium and he sent us all back to our seventh period classes. I can't remember the threshold for being "out of control" at a Pep Rally in 1967, but apparently Mr. Cleckler knew the definition. Glen, I know that you are reading this memo and it's time for you to break your silence! What was the threshold for being "out of control?"
Several of our classmates are accomplished in their fields and have achieved notoriety. Please visit their web sites:
Larry Haines ('67) Artist
www.saltyflyshop.com
Specializing is salt water fish paintings
Tony Bennett ('66) Artist
www.fpbennett.com
Specializing in South American Bird paintings
Nacho Estrada ('67) Ventriloquist
www.maclovio.com
Specializing in the avoidance of drug abuse for children
We will soon send each of you a template for your Biography, which will be posted as the "Reunion Chronicles" on the Blog Site. This should be fantastic reading! Most of you will lie to us, just as you lie to your banker!
The Blog Site has recently been updated. Rick Weed will be loading photos next week on the new "Picture Slideshow" feature. http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
The Commander welcomes feedback of this Reunion Project. You are allowed to be critical! Take your best shot! I cannot be embarrassed without my consent!
That's why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
Wow time flys when you're having fun doesn't it. I remember it like it was yesterday --- I was at the beach chasing Martha McCormick in her blue Chevy Corvair through the dunes on the bay side. Yep, I chased her till she caught me. Next month it will be 40 years since we said our "I do's." After 40 years it's nice to know that so many of our old friends are still alive and kickig!
Mike McKinney (poor soul) lived next door to me for many years.
I once fainted into his bushes after I cut my finger to the bone with a model airplane engine. I woke up on his couch with his mom putting ice on my head.
Buddy Brown
Class of '66
Chuck and I are really glad to see so many of our classmates are planning on attending the Reuion. We visit the Valley occassionally to see family, but never have the time to look anyone up that still lives down there. As you know, Chuck's mother worked at the City Library for years and we actually keep up with a lot of you through her. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in the fall.
I returned to HHS in 1989 and retired in May 2006 where I had been the dept. chair for special ed and foreign language. And Miss Lambert was there until 2002!
Those halls are very different from when we were there-so crowded that a sane teacher never walked the halls at bell time! Many times it was 6 or past when I left, and it was during thoses evenings that I could see all the little groups-boys on one side-girls on the other-and I could hear the laughter and goings-on of those happy and not so happy times of the late 60's. The kids of today don't know what they missed!!
Hey, Folks,
I'm looking forward to seeing you all, again. The ten years since the 30th sure do seem a long time. See y'all then.
Well after reading what some of you all have written I must have led a very sheltered life if high school or else my memory has really failed me. As Susan mentioned, I too remember a snatch breakfast,not the same on though. I remember the sock hops in the gym, the pep rallies and we had some of the prettiest cheerleaders, right? Someone mentioned ag, I remember someone had their hogs in the back of the school and one of them got loose and was being chased by whomever and that thing screamed like a woman. It was so funny.I remember the first day of school(10th)dad let me take the car to school and I wrecked into a pole at Clydes after school and Clyde himself, with his loud voice, came out and read me the right act about learning to drive before coming thru his place. Talk about embarassing!!! Well if I sat here long enough and thought about it I could probably think of many more things. I think I had a crush on a different boy each week ( when I wasn't going steady that is) Well it is fun to remember, see every one at the reunion.
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 04-27-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: Unbelievably, AGAIN, there are no apologies required for this broadcast. It is difficult to imagine that The Commander offended no one last week.
For Correction: Remarkably, there are no corrections.
For Amplification: Several of you have questioned the accuracy of the recollections printed in the last broadcast. My response to you is: "If you have undeniable evidence to the contrary, I will make the appropriate corrections. Otherwise, the recollections are factual as published." The legends continue.
Today, I received notice from Anna Karlsdottier that she will be attending the reunion this Fall. Anna was our Foreign Exchange Student from Reykjavik, Iceland. Anna and her husband will make the trip from Iceland to South Padre Island to join all the classmates, one more time. This is an extraordinary story that I will share with you, in due time. It made The Commander weep like a child. You too, will be overwhelmed by the compassion and kindness.
Now, a little business: Being The Commander is a very cushy assignment! All I have to do is dream this stuff up, mentioned it to my friends, and......... "SHAZAM!!!"........................It happens overnight!
Mike Young and his staff in Austin have tackled the name badge crisis. With his creative crew, we can all be assured of First Class name tags. Mike will pay for all of the lanyard style badges and the hours of tedious work required to print and assemble each classmate's picture and name. We salute you, Mike! For those of you that appreciate the magnitude of this undertaking, you might consider e-mailing Mike an "Atta Boy!" and, a "Thank You!" myoung@austin.rr.com This takes a tremendous load off of the reunion staff and will allow us to focus on other pressing issues.
Randy Fletcher is in charge of golf at the reunion. Randy has always been a man that you can count on. We thank you, Randy, for taking command! He is planning matches in Harlingen on Thursday and at South Padre Island on Friday. Please e-mail Randy if you have an interest in playing: randy@randycfletcherco.com I will be there, along with my "Bogey Game." I have suggested to Fletcher that the winner be awarded a Two Week Golfing Safari in Scotland. He has taken this under advisement.
The last few weeks we have found: Lupe Davila, Donna Duncan (White), Joe Elizondo, Peter Noell, David Peters, Janey Zamarripa (Traub) and Yolanda Pena (Leal).
We need help finding the last classmates that may want to attend the reunion. PLEASE! PLEASE, go to the Class List and help us. You may know a brother, a cousin, a parent, a parole officer, or a mistress that knows the whereabouts of someone. It will only take two minutes out of your life! Please share this information with Headquarters. We want everyone to have the opportunity to attend this historical event. The Reunion Staff is exhausted, but not spent! We are seasoned front-line troops and we will remain loyal to the end!
Last week The Commander embarked on his seventh bi-annual "Sympathy Tour." Eight days on the road, driving Texas towns, visiting old friends that won't come see The Commander. I spread friendship, genuine affection, faith, hope, wise counsel and an occasional toast to good health. I danced, wrestled, wined, dined, golfed and had one unforgettable massage from a 300 pound British woman. On day seven, I called The General; "General Weed! I'm listing! I may have gone a bridge too far!" He promptly sounded the alarm: "Foam the Run Ways! The Commander is coming in on one engine!" I survived. But, not without the help of my friends!
Our goal was to have 150 classmates registered. Today, we are approaching 200! Well done! Count in the Class of '66 and we are close to 300.
You!..........whoever you are, is why I stand guard over this reunion! Every day! Never forget that!
I was taking a bubble bath this morning...........Yes, The Commander loves bubble baths! It's the only opportunity for a man to spend quality time with himself. Reiterating................, I was taking a bubble bath this morning, when I remembered a Thursday in the Fall of 1965. I was designated as the Public Address anchor for school announcements. I was under the tutelage and supervision of Mr. Glen Cleckler. In those days, we announced that day's luncheon menu for the school cafeteria. Thursday's fare was Mexican Food, and I read it with the enthusiasm of Grandpa Jones reading the Hillbilly menu on Hee Haw (I still believe that he stole my sketch). I was precise; very deliberate. I carefully described each dish, complete with proper inflection to depict the aroma. Everyone was imagining the food! The mistake I made was.......................... reading it with a Hispanic accent. It was funny! But, it was inappropriate. Cleckler collared me before I could rise from the chair! I believe his exact words were, "You are in the penalty box, ole buddy." He didn't have to explain. I learned at an early age that, you can say, almost, anything with self-effacing humor. Mockery produces undesirable results.
At that same time, I was in charge of changing the message on the sign/billboard in front of the school. I believe that the Class of '64 or, maybe, '65 had donated the sign. We had just beaten the Weslaco Panthers in football. Frank Chapman scored most of the points. That was also the year that the James Bond movie, "Goldfinger" was released, featuring, "Miss Pussy Galore." Tom Jones had released his hit record, "What's New Pussycat?" that very week.
The sign read: "What's New Pussycat? 31-7!" I thought that it was funny! Cleckler had me cornered within the hour. I believe his exact words were, "You are in the penalty box, ole buddy." It's no wonder that Glen Cleckler and I are such good friends; we spent a lot of time together.
I need more recollections of those HHS years. Roel? Vicki? Martha? Bill? Orlando? Phil? Jean? Angel? Max? Kay? Bob? Frank? Tim? Andy? Donna? Boots? Gail? Please, don't disappoint me.
AND NOW.................., without further fanfare, I proudly present MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS:"
"In Their Own Words" Kent Weaver and Rick Weed @ 04-01-08
A historical recollection compiled from the factual memories
of Kent Weaver …………..As told by Rick Weed
It was a typical fall morning; waiting by the mailbox at 5:00am for Kent Weaver to give me a ride to school so we could be the first ones in the HHS library to study a few hours before class began at 8:00am, as we did most every morning.
(Weaver Fact Check: Did HHS have a library?….. the story continues…)
Kent always picked me up in his 1948, World War II vintage, open-aired, black Willys Jeep. Weaver loved that Jeep. It was slightly smaller proportioned than a regular Jeep and very economical.
He called her “The LuAnn”.
You were lucky if you were chosen to ride in “The LuAnn”.
Weaver always had a 5-gallon Igloo full of iced tea strapped to the back and a box of cloverleaf dinner rolls under the seat. They were free. Lemon slices and butter pats, however, were 5cents each. Weaver was generous but he was saving to buy a show calf. (…..the story continues)
Fifth period Ag class rolled around and we assembled in the Ag building, only to hear that were being forced to skip valuable classroom learning time for a field trip to Warren Carper’s citrus orchard.
Mr. Ed McKinney, our Ag teacher (no relation to The Commander), wanted to teach us how to grade fruit. After much protest from the Ag scholars, we relented and loaded up in our vehicles for the trip. Weaver, of course, was driving “The LuAnn”. I recall it was me, Ellis (Buzzard) Lee and Tommy Tierney who were the passengers.
Having undergone intensive training at the orchard, we loaded the vehicles for the trip back to school. Weaver had asked and received permission to leave a few minutes early so he would be sure to get to his 6th period Physics class on time. Weaver loved a good banter about quantum theory.
(Weaver Fact check: Weren’t Ag students exempt from physics and choir?)
We decided to take a shortcut back to school, so we cut through the Beck-Williams Housing Edition, just a few miles West of HHS. As Weaver came to a complete, safe and proper stop at a 4-way intersection, several unidentified projectiles came raining down on “The LuAnn” and it’s occupants. While the passengers received no hits, Weaver caught one in the right temple and ear. Being a bit dazed and confused, Weaver asked what had hit him.
It was at that point that Buzzard picked up the remains of the projectile and confirmed that it was indeed a US No. 1, well colored, firm, well formed, smooth textured, not excessively thick skinned, free from decay and disease Ruby-Red Grapefruit; much like the ones we had just seen at Warren’s orchard.
As we gathered composure; Vernon Selby, Gary Gray, David Gray
(aka: The Gray Brothers) and Juan Perez came flying by in Vernon’s 1959 Taumus sedan. (I have never, before that day or after, seen a Taumus vehicle. But I know that one existed on that day.) …….the story continues.
It seems Vernon and his gang preferred hijinx instead of education in the citrus fields.
Weaver immediately began chasing Vernon through the neighborhood streets of Beck-Williams. The LuAnn was in hot pursuit and gaining rapidly on the boys. When Weaver made an attempt to pass Vernon, they had the good sense to roll up their windows on the driver’s side to prevent retaliation. To this day we cannot remember how those 10 heads of cabbage ended up in The LuAnn but it was fortunate that we had them aboard. As Vernon bobbed and weaved through the streets he made one fatal error. He made a right turn and forgot to roll up the windows on the passenger side of the Taumus. With no communication necessary, three large heads of US Fancy, reasonably solid, not withered or puffy, free from discoloration, rot-free, disease and decay free green cabbage were launched. One hit the trunk and the other two flew inside the open windows exploding on impact and taking out Vernon’s interior rear view mirror.
As Weaver drove by, he was reminded that, ironically, cole slaw was on sale at Luby’s that night.
"In His Own Words" Eric Anderson ('66) @ 04-10-08
Aah our high school days.................. Why does it take 40 years for us to realize just how great they really were? Of all the friends we make, as we travel through life, our dearest and fondest were from high school.
At an age, when our memory is not one our best attributes, we still remember the names and great times we had with our friends from high school.
Our lives were so rich and we were in too big a hurry to graduate and move on to appreciate it to the fullest.
My children relate my school days to a death sentence, since there was no Nintendo, computers, or cable TV. Little do they know! Padre Island, Mexico, unlimited hunting and fishing, dragging the strip between Clyde's and Sammie's (good thing gas was only a quarter), the Arcadia and Rialto theatres, the Drive In, Palmetto Inn, Sun Valley Inn, etc., we didn't need today's time wasters. We had the best thing going: LIFE as a teenager in the 60's in Harlingen Texas.
Tank of gas $3.00
6 Pack $0.98
Dragging the strip
with your friends Priceless
My thanks to all who shared their lives with me, for you will always be an important part of who I am today.
"In Her Own Words" Kay Laffoon @ 03-31-08
Our Senior year, I was dating Ray Harrison (my first husband) and he had a baby blue Mustang that I drove when he was out of town. I would pick up the girls and we would drive the "strip" and go to Clyde's.
Bill Connelly had a yellow Mustang at that time. As we would drink our Coca Colas, everyone would gather round. Bill made the remark to me one day that his car was faster than mine.....I insisted it wasn't. This went on for weeks and finally one day, Bill challenged me to a drag race north of town on a two lane strip. I was scared to attempt this, but the girls encouraged me to do it. So, finally, I said O.K. and we set a date and time.
It was amazing how many people showed up and lined the road. It was just me and Bill and our cars. Someone flagged us to start and we were off. Well, I beat him by a ways. He was really ticked. By the time my legs stopped shaking, I was rather proud of my driving. He said, "Bet you can't do that again!" and, of course, we went back to the starting line. The flag went down and we were off. Well..........I beat him again! After that, he accepted the defeat and the fact that baby blue is faster than yellow. We all went back to Clyde's for a drink. A grand day in my racing career!
"In His Own Words" Greg Newland @ 03-18-08
After a serious memory bank check and a verbal check with one of the co-defendants (Laffoon), the following is one of my favorites. Not only because it's quite humorous (now, it wasn't at the time), but it's pretty much typical of that time concerning a "kinder, gentler" attitude between law enforcement and teens, doing what we all did.
It was Sunday afternoon, our junior year, in Kay Laffoon's Peugeot with the sun roof open. Kay, Susan Foiles, myself and 2 or 3 others (memory escapes both Kay and I as to who and how many). We were doing what we all did on a weekend afternoon - cruising Sunshine Strip with the necessary swings through Clyde's, while enjoying several adult beverages. Somewhere about 13th St., "someone" tosses a can out through the sun roof. A few blocks down the street we have red lights (maybe, even a siren) behind us. We pull into the Broil-a-Burger lot, dumping beer onto the floor of Laffoon's car, trying to look as innocent as possible. All of us thinking .................... "Oh, ****!" None other than our favorite officer of the law, "Barnie", walks up and asks who had thrown the can out back down the street. Again, memory fails me as to whether I was volunteered by others or was attempting to be gallant and confessed to the crime. He requested that I step out and come with him. We got into his car (I'm thinking seriously, "Oh, ****!") and drove back to the scene of the alleged crime. He told me to go retrieve the can that I had thrown out, which was not a problem, as that field was vacant at the time and there were 10,000 beer cans lying around. We drove back to join the others and he told me to take the can and put it in a near-by trash can. He then proceeded telling us that he knew who we all were and he knew who our parents were and that if he caught any of us "LITTERING" again, we would be facing some serious charges. He turned around, got back in his car and drove off into the sunset (No doubt howling with laughter).
This is my story and I'm sticking to it. To this day, I am very conscious of my littering etiquette and would bet money that all involved are likewise inclined.
"In His Own Words" David McCall @ 03-26-08
The 60's were all good times for me. But, the memories hit and miss like flash backs from an old movie. It's taken me weeks to remember:
Showing my brand new 20-gauge shotgun to Freddy Campos, Mike Stevens and Covert Harris in my bedroom and accidentally blowing a hole in the wall.
Playing with The Malibus at the end of the pavement on the beach in a tent and having the tide come in as we were packing up, and, barely saving the equipment, and ourselves, as the waves rolled under the car and trailer.
Vague memories of Jay Meade’s story of us escaping the Federales in South Matamoros, after jamming with a few of the locals.
Collecting copper for a charity fundraiser and being shocked to learn that the plumber, from which it came, did not share the same sense of charity as my comrades and me, and so stated in the next morning’s Valley Morning Star Police Blotter.
The unfortunate incident with the Hereford cow that, even today, precludes me from being within 1000 feet of a feedlot, and requires
me to register with the local Ag Extension Agent.
The untimely visit to HHS by Harlingen Police investigating water
ballooning incidents, as we transferred reloads to our car’s trunks.
In High School, I had this white, way underpowered clunky '59 Dodge Valiant. It had the old push button automatic transmission. We called it “The Cloud”.
One night, I had the entire band, plus Tim Young and Tommy Cox piled into The Cloud. Now we are overloaded AND under powered. We were doing the usual run...........Clyde's to Sammy’s and back. At Harrison Street, we hit a stop light. A VW bug pulls up next to us. Finally.....(I'm thinking) a car I can race, and maybe beat. All my life I had dreamed of winning a drag race and God gave me a '59 Dodge Valiant as my ride. I look over, and it's three nuns, peeping over the door locks. "Yes!!!!!! Tonight, is my night! Thank you God! I will never forget this moment." I start revving The Cloud's motor. The nuns respond and start revving the VW. Together, they sound like a flight of Cockatiels having breakfast. I am poised for take-off; with my index finger hovering above the "D" button. One of the Sisters is pulling her habit down on her head, preparing for the G Forces. The boys and the band are working themselves into a racing frenzy. From the back seat, Tommy Cox yells, "We're gonna kick some penguin fanny!"
The light turns green! I rev the engine and I jab the "D" button! The nuns lurch forward and are off! The band and the boys are screaming. Go! Go! Go! Nothing is happening. The Cloud is just sitting there. I push the "N" button and then "D" again. We have movement. Within seconds, we are doing 25 mph. We can see the nuns several blocks ahead, hanging out the windows, waving at us. By the time we get to the Little Creek Motel, we turn right. In darkness and the back streets, we make our way back to Clyde's. Not much was said between the boys and the band. We spent the rest of the night trying to forget about it.
"In His Own Words" Leo Solis @ 03-18-08
This is based on a true HHS incident (taking a little literary license). I'll never tell who it was because, I keep secrets for a living, and besides, I never liked snitches.
“IGNACIO!”
“Yes sir?”
“Come here boy.”
I did the perp walk.
“Now!” he bellowed.
“What sir?”
“Don’t give me that.” The man was upset. “Go to the office!”
I, the only child of an overworked cantina boss and a traveling father, shrugged and shuffled toward the office. Three weeks from graduating with the Class of ‘67, and I had violated the most sacred of rules, speaking Spanish in an American school.
My working mom and I lived above a cantina that catered to roughnecks, farm hands, the undocumented, the thirsty, and the drunks. Her job included managing the place while simultaneously swatting towels at bar flies, roaming hands and keeping an eye on me. She worried about feeding, clothing, and housing me. The rest was up to me.
Living above a bar had its advantages. I learned math from my mom’s bookie friends. I honed keeping a straight face during questioning by cops and border patrol agents looking for informants. The priests and pastors, who visited the taverns in search of lost souls and homeless beer, blessed me with the gift of gab. The bar patrons warned me to stay sober and keep my own counsel. I was expected to be the first of my family to graduate from high school and was earning a Degree in Life while awaiting my diploma. Sometimes I waited in the office.
The school office was packed with secretaries and clerks killing time, teachers taking breaks, counselors and administrators dreaming of promotions, and a principal behind a closed door. My face was also a familiar sight. Now and then, a teacher would liberate me from first period class for gulping tacos or pan dulce in the presence of classmates who hadn’t come directly to school after hurling newspapers in the dark from a bike. Infrequently, I endured lectures in the office about the length of my hair, the condition of my clothes, my tardiness, or my unbridled need to talk in class. On two prior occasions, I had been accused of speaking Spanish on hallowed school ground. This, my third bilingual offense, meant certain expulsion with no hope of graduation.
As I entered the office, the staff greeted me with yawns and returned to looking busy. I spotted Miss McClure’s burgundy hair and walked toward the brass plaque screaming PRINCIPAL’S SECRETARY.
“Are you here again?” she murmured while adjusting her rhinestone glasses.
“Yes ma’am.”
“Well, sit down. I’ll tell him you’re here.”
She lifted the receiver from its cradle and dialed a number. “Mr. Robbins? It’s Ignacio again.” She paused, and then replied, “ I didn’t ask him.”
She turned to me. “What you here for this time?”
Avoiding the reflection coming from her rhinestones, I told her.
“He says Mr. Meyers sent him.” She nodded, hung-up the phone and snorted, “He’ll see you in a minute.”
Then “Baldy” Meyers waddled up to her desk. “Good morning Lucy. How’s it going?”
Looking at me, but speaking to Baldy, she replied, “Fine, Mr. Meyers. The Principal will be with you shortly.”
Her remark baffled him momentarily, but he stormed her fort again. “Care to have lunch in the cafeteria? My treat.”
“No thank you, I brought my own,” Lucy said, and continued to peck at the typewriter.
Baldy blushed, “Maybe next time, Miss McClure.
At that moment the Principal’s door creaked, and the tallest man in the school, Mr. Glen Robbins, stepped out. He was a kindly looking man, with a shock of white hair, and a presidential face. His suits were gray, his shirts crisply white, and his ties habitually dark, except for the red one he wore on game day. His well-polished and laced shoes were the size of shoeboxes. He never raised his voice, only his eyebrows.
In a velvety tone, he addressed Baldy. “Good morning Mr. Meyers.” He generated a concerned look my way and sighed, “Do we have a problem?”
Baldy pounced. “This boy’s been talking Mexican again sir.”
Mr. Robbins gave Baldy the eyebrow, nodded at me, and motioned us in with his hand.
I stepped into the room as if for the first time, my eyes scanning the collection of Class Pictures adorning the walls.
“Ignacio. Is it true? Were you speaking Spanish again?”
Meyers answered for me, “Yes sir, I heard him telling his compadrees....”
The Principal lifted his hand as if taking an oath and stopped him, “Let him speak Mr. Meyers. I heard you the first time.”
Meyers cleared his throat.
“Yes sir,” I said, “I guess so. But it was only a couple of words sir. Nothing serious.”
Mr. Robbins grinned. “Well Ignacio, you know the rules. Three violations and you’re out. Let’s see. You’ve already had detention, and I’m sorry Mr. Meyers had to paddle you for the second violation. But now, I’ve got no choice. Rules are rules. Understood?”
I understood. A Mexican-American student heard speaking Spanish by some rogue teacher, and it was off to the gallows. No excuse or justification could save the accused. Even the President of Mexico had to speak English at our school. Mr. Robbins was right, even if the rule was wrong. I pleaded the Fifth by remaining silent.
Mr. Robbins extended the hand of mercy. “Do you have anything to say?”
I shook my head at the floor.
“Okay then.” Mr. Robbins proceeded to pronounce sentence. “Since you’re close to graduating, I’ll let you return if you bring one of your parents tomorrow. Understood?”
I nodded several times in gratitude.
He handed the assignment to a smirking Meyers, “Take him to his locker, and then escort him off campus. Understood?”
Now Baldy nodded.
Ten minutes later, I began the slow bicycle ride home to the bar.
Next morning, I padded into the office followed by the old man who was short, unshaven, and disheveled. He carried a faded red cap which he kept twisting and bending. With a shake of my head, I urged him to lead. With a firm hand, he pushed me forward.
We walked to the desk with the brass tombstone. After a brief exchange, Miss McClure picked up the receiver. A minute later came the sound of the creaking door and the appearance of the man in the gray suit. With a welcoming smile, he extended his hand and said, “Good morning Mr. Martinez. I’m Glen Robbins, the Principal. Please come in.”
The old man made a quick bow, took the hand extended to him, and followed Mr. Robbins. He took the seat offered and motioned me to take the other.
“Sir?” Mr. Robbins said respectfully, “do you know why you’re here?”
Still torturing the cap, the old man gave a shrug and puckered his lips.
“Ignacio? Did you tell your father why he had to be here today?”
“Yes-s-s-sir,” I stammered. “I told him I couldn’t graduate unless he came to see you. But I didn’t tell him why.” Shifting my gaze to the old man, I added, “He fires up right away, if you know what I mean.”
My old man displayed no emotion and, except for the cap he was strangling, remained still.
Perplexed, Mr. Robbins reluctantly asked, “Does your father speak English?”
I turned to my left and saw the old man looking around the room.
"A little bit sir, but mostly Spanish. Like my mom. She hardly speaks English either.”
"Well that’s not a problem,” Mr. Robbins said. “I speak a little Spanish myself, don’t-you-know. Let’s see what I can do.”
Mr. Robbins turned to the old man, who was now staring at the pictures on the wall.
“Señor Martinez?” Mr. Robbins paused as the old man turned and nodded. “Mi nombre es Glen Robbins, el Principal.” The Señor continued nodding. “Ignacio,” he said, gesturing to me, “hablar español en .....” He faltered and looked to me, “How do you say school son?”
After a quick translation in my head, I replied, “Escuela hijo.”
The Principal continued, “Si, en mi eskela hijo, el.... el....” He kept pointing at me while repeating, “No.....no…” He looked bewildered and again sought my help, “How do you say “It’s not good?”
“No es bueno,” I replied.
Again looking at the old man, Mr. Robbins pointed to me and made another attempt while pointing to me, “El no es bueno.”
Upon hearing this, the old man’s cap turned into a weapon. I covered my head and managed to ward off all of the blows except one, which cuffed my ear. Mr. Robbins jumped from his chair, hurried around the desk, and wrapped his arms around the old man in the gentlest of bear hugs. For a second, I wished he had been a real bear. I used the distraction to jump from my chair and scamper toward the chair formerly occupied by Mr. Robbins, my newly found champion.
“¡Señor! ¡Señor!” Mr. Robbins pleaded with the old man. “No is necesario. Please, por favor. Stop. ¡Alto!”
The old man began nodding anew and collapsed in Mr. Robbins’ arms. Mr. Robbins maneuvered him back into the chair while I eased back into my chair like my movie hero’s martini, shaken but not stirred. Mr. Robbins lingered between us.
“Señor,” he said. “It’s okay. No problemo. Ignacio can stay in la eskela hijo. No problemo. Understood? I mean, entiende hombre?”
The old man nodded and smiled, but his eyes never left me.
Like a man tip-toeing around a sleeping lion, Mr. Robbins whispered out of the side of his mouth, “Tell your father that I’m pleased to meet him and thank him for coming to see me today. Tell him that you will graduate and that I guarantee you will make him proud. Understood?”
“Yes sir, thank you.”
I translated too quickly for the novice-Spanish-speaking Mr. Robbins to understand. The old man rose, shook Mr. Robbins’ hand with the vigor of a man spared from execution, and bowed several times. He raised his cap to me once more in admonition, but Mr. Robbins again intervened and gently escorted us from his office.
Outside, and well away from any building or person, I turned to the old man, who was still throttling the cap in his hand, and spoke to him in his native tongue.
"Joe, why did you hit me?”
Joe smiled and replied, “I won’t charge you extra, if that’s what you mean. Besides, if I were your father, you’d be bleeding. Now how about my five dollars? Your mother said you would pay me when we finished.”
I reached into my shirt for my hard-earned money and handed it to him.
As Joe counted the money, I gave him a tip, “I have to return to la escuela now. You be careful going back to the bar. Understood?”
“You mean la eskela hijo. And, speak English!” he said, smiling and nodding as he walked away, cap in hand.
End of Recollections.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
My friends never disappoint me. I am a wealthy man!
That is why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 04-06-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: Fortunately, again, there are no apologies required for this broadcast.
For Correction: Max Yarbrough reports that the Cardinal Mascot only suffered a severed beak in the calamity. In Max's own words: "His pecker (beak) was knocked off. And yes, Matamoros, known for their Pecker Replacements, came to the rescue................"
We found Rusty Armstrong! We had him listed as DECEASED. A terribly permanent classification! We stand corrected, Rusty. No man should be administratively terminated!
For Amplification: Glen Cleckler has spoken! In the last broadcast we asked him two specific questions: "What was the threshold for being out of control at a Pep Rally in 1960's?" and, "Who commissioned the manufacture of the 7' papier machet Cardinal mascot?" I expounded on these questions to Mr. Cleckler, at great length. It was seven tortuous, anxious days before I received his answer. And so, "In His Own Words:"
"I have no idea, Mike. Sorry." Glen
Further, Our Champion Sayeth Not! Glen has never been a man to waste words.
You responded! You beautiful Cardinals! My cry for help was answered! I have friends. Many friends! A sampling of those who have responded with HHS recollections are: Greg Newland, Leo Solis, Betty Murray (Smith) Charles Smith, Kent Weaver, Kay Lafoon (Bird), Carolyn Parsons (Hall), Buzzy Frysinger, Anne Flory, Judy Morrison (Akers), Patsy Cook, Mike Dailey, Chickie Rogers (Hensz), Harold Smith, David McCall and Lawson House and, obviously those in this broadcast. I have promises for additional stories. However, you should be advised that, The Commander cannot take promises to the bank! I need more recollections from your high school years. After you read this broadcast, surely you will loosen up and send them to me. You only have to realize, "If these people can make fools of themselves, so can I!"
I am pleased to announce that, operations are proceeding as planned! We are 45 days ahead of schedule! High School recollections are arriving at Headquarters, classmates are locating lost friends, comments are being posted on the blog site and The Commander has had two invitations of "Meet me in Vegas!" This could be, "The Perfect Storm!"
More importantly, no one is peeved at The Commander! Well...............there are two. Acceptable casualties, for such a grand campaign!
We now have 175 classmates from the '67 Class registered with their contact information. We located an additional 10 from the Class of '66, plus their original 79, throw in those with no e-mail addresses, we have a total of 280 who have responded. Not everyone will register for the reunion, but we will fill a ballroom!
The last few weeks we have found: Arnulfo Ayala, Elizabeth Cantu (Ayala), Warren Carper, Diego Gonzales, Jr., Ted McDonald, Bernie Polikowsky, Rachael Burton, Virginia Clark (Ploch), Linda Torres Mazik, Walt Ridings, Rodney Thornburg, Juli Kirk Bergstrom ('66), Hermelinda Gonzales (Stillman), Renee Flores, Marvin Payton, Annie Justl (McMinn), Roy Hernandez, Rafaela Luna, Ellis (Buzzard) Lee, Mary Kay Muggley ('66), John Hohimer, Rusty Armstrong, Eric Anderson ('66), Esther Macias (Charles), Jimmy Roller, Thomas Stillman, Isabel Vallecillo (Castillo), Nancy Bitler (Vano), Vicki Lusk (Wood) ('66), Fred Campos ('66), Alice Dubose (Harrison), Mike Newland ('66), Joe Gonzalez, Martha McLelland (Stenseng) ('66) and Yolanda Elizondo (Acosta).
Here are a few, of the many, that that are still missing: Joan Beautiechies (Serio), Roe Rutowski (Davies), Jaime Cano, Janie Edwards (Rodrigues), Donna Peterson (Willis), Judy Mae Fankhauser (Moncus), Ada Fuentes, Dennis Dean, Deborah Haney (Thompson), John Jondahl, Faye Jean Williams, Sally Ann Glick (Decker), J.C. McCall & Nancy Majors (McCall), Debbie Sullivan(Charles), Mary Lou Zamora. Please help us make that call to the lost ones. Everyone should, at least, have the opportunity to attend this historical spectacle.
Now, A little business........
Save your money for the grandest party of the decade! If you can't make it, send your grandkids! They will be talking about it for generations!
If any of you, through your business connections, have access to 500 clear, clip-on name badges, please contact Headquarters. This is your opportunity to earn a Gold Star.
The Picture Slideshow is up and running on the Blog Site. General Weed is skillfully loading all of the Photos. There are several features to this photo gallery. Experiment with it and you will be delighted.
*Click on one of the photos on the web page
*Use the blue arrows at the top of the new window to select your photo
*On the right, select "Download Photo"
*The photo will be "enlarged" on your computer and you can zoom,
pan, print, etc. (easier to see the photos in true size)
**More photos are being loaded all of the time. Keep checking the site.
If you have some old photos that you want to add just scan them in,
at a fairly high resolution, and email them to us.
The High School Recollections that we have received are all outstanding! All of you should be commended for having the courage to put them in print. You should have no fear of recrimination. We operate under a "no-fault" system and I am certain that all Statutes of Limitation have expired. The Censor Board is working overtime editing your stories. While many of them should be enjoyed in a dark, cold bar in Mexico, some of them are suitable for publication. Several of them are so well written that, Mrs. Adams would blush with pride.
There is no featured Classmate for this broadcast. All of the students from '66 & '67 are to be saluted! Without further introduction, I PRESENT TO YOU, "MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES:"
"In His Own Words" Randy C. Fletcher @ 03-17-08
These are some rambling thoughts and stories about my high school days. Sometimes I can't tell whether it is a memory, whether it really happened, or if it is something I just dreamed up.
Laying on the couch one Sunday afternoon, recuperating from a sugar coma, and half watching the golf tournament, I asked my wife (#5 but more on that later) to read from my 1966 Harlingen Cardinal annual. She read to me all the fine, nice things that women say, you know, like what a wonderful person I was, how sweet I was or what a bubbling personality I had. With all of them signed "love ya," whoever! Then she read to me a paragraph of what a wonderful person I was and how much that person enjoyed my company signed, "Patsy Cook." I knew something was wrong so I had to get up. I have no memory of Patsy Cook acknowledging my existence in high school. Sure enough, much to my discouragement, I had ended up with Dickey Roberts' 1966 year book. So I went to the closet and found my 1966 year book and discovered the nicest thing being said to me was "Glad to have you in my typing class," signed by Mary Avila. I laid back on the couch, handed my wife Dickey's 1966 annual and told her, "Read on".
Thoughts about high school????…........You will hear this a 100 times: the memories of Clyde's Drive Inn! The driving from Clyde's to Sammy's (back and forth all night long). I do recall the monumental moment of when I was allowed to park my car at Clyde's and get out and stand around; the only problem was that it was on a Sunday night. I always envied the people that stood outside their cars and hung around Clyde's on Saturday night. Then there was always the case that the loser would hang at A&W Root beer. It is sad that I know that.
In 1966, Hank Frailing and a group of us discovered the Paradise Bar in Matamoros, Mexico and how to drink Tom Collins by the gallons. I guess you may remember the infamous "Charlie's Special" at Charlie's. On a personal note, that year was the beginning of a long and torturous life style that lasted until February of 1985. I am grateful to say I got sober in February 1985 and have been sober ever since.
Back to the good stuff….......I have this memory in the beginning of 1967. Having spent that summer in Houston, Texas, I came back to Harlingen armed with a new wardrobe. BJ Joseph and I, on the first day of school, wore black and white saddle oxford shoes with tight, blue, pin-striped navy, bell-bottom pants and some type of polyester shirt. I made it through the first day with all the ridicule and never wore them again (in public). BJ Joseph spent the rest of the year being different. BJ had no problem standing out and being different (to this day, I miss him so).
I do recall how Hank Frailing and I would skip school and would ride around all afternoon tormenting other citizens, only to be called into Mr. Cleckler's office the next morning for a lecture and a spanking.
My, how times have changed. I have this vague memory of sneaking out one Saturday night stealing my dad's 1963 Rambler Ambassador, putting 50 cents of gas into the tank and driving around for hours. Speaking of ramblers…......there was the night that Steve Rupert, myself, and two other guys broke into Scurloks, stole 4 bottles of Vermouth and went riding around in Steve's little Rambler, high as a kite.
High school is still kind of a blur. I dated Jan Scott who was two years behind us. Mike, as us old people do, I lost my train of thought........... More on this later.
Now to share a more current funny story.......... Four years ago, I married the love of my life. A women who is 26 years my junior (pictures and more stories to follow). This is my 5th marriage. When Kim and I were making wedding plans, she insisted on a church wedding (having been there, done that; I still wanted to accommodate her). So we met with Pastor Janie one afternoon in her office. We had the moment of silence, a prayer, and the lecture about the seriousness of marriage. After that, she looked at Kim and asked, "Have you ever been married before?" Kim smiled and replied, "No." Then she turned to me and asked me if I had ever been married before, and with some authority I replied, "Yes, 4 times." With that, she slammed the bible shut, creating a small dust storm, and threw her appointment book across her desk. She said, "The Bishop will never approve this! At this Episcopal church we take our wedding vows very seriously!" To which I replied, "I did too! Four times!" We were dismissed. In the parking lot, I told Kim the obvious, "I don't like our chances of getting married in this church."
Mike, sorry this was so rambling, but perhaps this will open the flood gates of people getting information and memories to The Commander. Now if you do not mind I am going back to rest while my wife proceeds to read more from Dickey Roberts' 1966 annual.
"In Her Own Words" Allyce Pletcher Bullock, Class of '66 @ 03-26-08
snapshots from my life in Harlingen
the beach
the boys
the bars in Mexico
sitting in cars after student council meetings
HHS band
Coakley versus Gay football
Goldwater coming to Harlingen
Closing of the Air Base
November 23, 1963
Gene Trevino's election
Great teachers
Not so great teachers
Cardettes and cheerleaders
and wannabees
Sammy's Red Barn
Lulu and Pat
Ray, el Presidente
Mike and Kathy
The Annual
Dragging Clyde's
getting coke machines
'upperclassmen'
Great Expectations
Civics and Econ
my driveway for long talks and long kisses
Jutta Klaus' german lingerie
Powers and Todd twins
sadness at not knowing more of you
grateful for those I do
Beatles and Stones
and Malibus too
glad to leave and happy to remember
"In His Own Words" Billy Ayers @ 03-16-08
Back in 1966-1967, while in FFA, we traveled to Chickasha, Oklahoma to purchase some show pigs. We were with Mr. McKinney and Mr. Pawlik, the Ag teachers, if I remember. We traveled in the back of the Ag pickup with a camper shell on it and 2 mattresses in the bed. There were 7 of us Ag boys stacked in the back. I believe it was me, Tommy Tierney, Warren Carper, Gary Gray, Rick Weed and a couple of others that I can't remember.
It was a 14-hour trip to Chickasha from Harlingen. We left around 4 p.m. and arrived the next morning at 6 a.m. It was our first introduction to Wolfman Jack's radio program transmitting from Del Rio and we listened to it from Midnight on.
While we were there we visited the local high school. We wandered through the halls and caused a bit of a disturbance and were asked to, "Please leave the state as soon as possible." Once we got the pigs, or I should say piglets, we headed home to Texas and the Rio Grande Valley; another 14-hour ride.
We occasionally had to open the back door on the camper shell to vent the cigar smoke. Since the door was open, it was an opportune time to moon a few cars as they passed our cattle trailer and us. (For more vivid details, please see me at the reunion) So as the story goes, we were yelled at a bit and threatened, but did make it back to Texas with our prize pigs. We raised them at Rick Weed's house and I don't remember about the others but I got 2nd place in the Duroc Division. Was a great trip and extremely educational; which of course, is why we were there in the first place.
"In His Own Words" Jay Meade @ 03-26-08
In the mid 60s the Beatles were exploring new sounds of music. They were on the cusp of Transcendental Meditation and the Maharishi Mahesh Yogi was just around the corner. The Malibus were also seeking new forms of expression. We found excitement in the bands of Matamoros! We used to sit in with the locals. We would show them our licks and they would respond with their favorites. A Twing here, a Twang there and we were multi-cultural. We were cool before anyone even thought of NAFTA. One night, the Malibus were in a certain, well-known, district of Matamoros. The Federales were sweeping the area. We made a run for it! The old Plymouth wouldn't start! We were pushing that old heap down the street with the Federales 30 feet behind us. "Heh, Americanos!" "Pop the clutch, Tony! Pop the clutch!" It finally started and we were out of there! That was our last trip to that part of town. Fast Learners!
As we negotiated the winding road from south of town, along the river, we passed close to the Federale Prison and I swear that I heard a faint tenor voice screaming from deep inside: "Get hold of Jerry Wilson and have him bring the bail money to get me out of here!!!!"
"In Her Owns Words" Susan Foiles @ 04-01-08
Lessons Learned 1965:
"Wake up, Susan! Wake up!" someone calls to me.
My bedroom light is flipped on. It is Saturday morning and only 5:30. I open one eye and see 3 or 4 figures standing over my bed. As I clutched a pillow for protection, I asked "What is it? What is going on?"
"Just get up, and come with us! You cannot get dressed; you must come as you are. This is a snatch party!"
"This is what? I can't do what? I must do what?"
It seems that someone (I would like to know the name of that person!) decided to be creative in engineering a new class of "girls only" party. Now keep in mind, back in 'those days' we girls used to put our hair in curlers, wear those awful flowered head bonnets and slept in anything from granny gowns and socks to baby dolls. I was a big t-shirt wearer and still am.
After taking it all in and coming to my senses, the first thing I thought of was the disaster of a mess my room was in. I mean it looked like a seriously ill person occupied that room. Ever since I can remember, my parents tried to encourage me to keep it picked up. Did I listen?
"Can I pee first?"
"No" I was told.
"Can I put my 'civies' on?"
"No."
This was a brand new experience for me and about 15 minutes into it, I figured out that this was supposed to be fun. As we went from house to house, grabbing more and more unsuspecting victims, it did become quite a lot of fun. This was a time of relaxed households and families that hardly ever locked their doors. No one (that I knew) had security alarms and for the most part trusted their neighbors. As we continued in our 'snatching', I wondered how our parents knew to just let us go without questions or clearance. I found out that all the victim's parents were in on it and were sworn to secrecy. How could they let this happen to me? How could they not tell me that half of HHS was going to come into my room and discover what a slob I was? I felt betrayed by my own family.
Now you could always tell who was 'in on it' and who wasn't. These were the girls that didn't have rollers and bonnets on their heads, or their hair wasn't matted to the side of their head and weren't in tacky pj's or t-shirts. They were the ones that glared with derision and giggled.
These parties were quite popular for a short while. Either the girls got worn-out or they just quit inviting me. Either way, for some reason, they just stopped.
Lessons learned:
1.) Always make sure your room is clean, especially on Friday nights.
2.) Weekends are best for your better pj's.
3.) Set your alarm for 5:00 a.m. and get up and pee.
4.) Take off that stupid flowered bonnet.
"In Her Own Words" Linda Avila (Poteet) @ 03-22-08
Well.........,a few years after we graduated, I was talking to Leo Solis.....he enlightened me to the fact that when we had our pep rallies and we (the twirlers) performed, he and his buddies would bet on if I would drop my baton, or not. I guess I had a history of frequent drops...........! Well, Leo evidently did well with this "baton drop pot" since he went on to law school. I hope he appreciates my financial contribution to his future.
"In His Own Words" Danny Young @ 04-03-08
Of all the sports that I played in high school, I liked baseball the best. I was good at it and, in all modesty, I could throw the ball pretty hard. The Commander has often told me that the most frightening moments in his younger years was batting against me. I think that his exact words were, "For those few terrifying minutes at bat, I never knew if I was going to live or die!" His greatest concern was that he didn't know where the ball was going. I have been known to have some control problems.
In 1967, I threw seventeen scoreless innings against Pharr San Juan Alamo. It was during a back-to-back, double-header against the Battlin' Bears. Both Cardinal wins knocked them out of first place. It is still a great memory! Especially, since my roommate at Blinn Junior College the next year, had played third base for P.S.J.A. during those games. In the second game, the scored was tied at 0 – 0. We were in the eleventh inning. Danny Trejo was catching and I was on the mound. The first batter grounded out to short. I struck out the second guy. Then I hit a rough spot in my pitching. I had allowed a single and then, walked two batters. The bases were loaded and their stud player was at the plate. I threw two four-seam fastballs by him. He never saw them. I threw two more fastballs at him and he fouled them off. He was starting to groove the speed of my pitches. This had me worried. So, I started working the edges of the plate, throwing some junk balls: two curveballs and, a "slider". None of them worked. Now, it's a 3-2 count, bases loaded with two outs. I could tell that Trejo was a little concerned with the situation. We were in a tight spot! But, in vintage Trejo, he maintained his positive attitude and kept encouraging me. "Let's finish this up!", he was probably saying. Trejo gave me the sign for a fastball and I shook him off. He gave me the sign for a curveball. I shook him off. Then the slider. I shook him off. Danny yanks his mask off and comes trotting to the mound. He said, "I've called for all of your pitches! What do you want to throw?" I told him and his face went blank. "Do you have that pitch?" "I think I do. Listen Danny, this guy has figured out my speed. He's fouled two fastballs and won't go for the junk. I have to put it right down the middle." Trejo was still looking at me like I was nuts. But in his winning style, he said, "Let's do it!"
I always liked the resin bag. It was fun to play with. I would toss it, rub it and squeeze it all during the game. After nine innings, I looked like I had been rolling in the dirt. Now, I'm walking around the mound, with resin dust flying everywhere. Trejo is standing in front of the plate, his mask under his arm, directing traffic. "Full Count! Two Outs! Any base!"
Trejo gets set. He's going through all the signals, but it was all for show. We both knew what was coming. I start my wind up. In those few micro-seconds your whole life passes through your mind. All I remember thinking was, "Please be right!" I threw it as hard as I could. Three-quarters way to the plate, I knew it was going to be good. The ball starts hopping. Up, then down! Then some weird movements left, then right. Trejo is squatting. Then he goes to one knee. Then two. Then, he just sits down. When the ball gets to the plate, the bottom just drops out. The batter swings! Strike three! Trejo caught the ball!
I threw the one and only knuckle ball of my life!
The crowd goes wild. Our team is screaming all the way to the dugout. Danny Trejo and I were both laughing. Mostly, in disbelief!
We won the game in the bottom of that inning.
Now you realize....... this all occurred prior to my extensive education under your tutelage in what has come to be known as the "McKinney School of Hard Knocks" or "How to Survive UT and Austin during the Sixties". This would include such humbling experiences as being a cedar chopping, pig farming, Limo man and janitor; along with the other countless and priceless life lessons.
"In His Own Words" Houston Yarbrough @ 03-28-08
Exalted Imminent Commander (EIC):
I have racked my brain (literally, it's about 12 x 12 with tiny chains and hooks, but that's another story) for a tale worthy of your review but alas I have not been able to revive one which did not require lengthy releases from others or did not shed light on still-open cases where the statute of limitations have not yet expired. Perhaps one will yet arise from the massive collection of dead or near dead cerebral cells, which I use for storage, but one can never be certain.
Personal history review has, however, revealed an emotion to me, which I had not encountered before and would like to share with you now. That is one of great and profound sorrow. Sorrow, not for acts committed but for thoughts and actions never taken. Predominantly, concerning the interaction (or lack thereof) between any female and me I ever encountered after my 10th birthday. It has just recently dawned on me that girls/women are really people, too. They are not just the "pretty faces" that has so dominated my hormone-clouded vision all these years; they are real people. Real people that I should have taken the time to get to know, to have made my best friends, to have camped with or showered in the gym with. Having not done any of these I feel that I have certainly missed some of the major benefits in life. So, to all of the girls, women, mothers and grandmothers of our combined classes I would like to say, "I'm sorry." Sorry, that I didn't take the time to get to know you better and get to know who you truly are. The only excuse I can offer is that I was a beginner. An unenlightened, uninformed beginner. As even one of our leaders has said, "EIC ben ein beginner, too."
Now, if any of you can find it in your hearts to forgive me, I think it would be heaven itself if, upon encountering me at the reunion, or just on the street, you would embrace me deeply and whisper softly in my ear, "It's OK Houston, we always knew you were an idiot, we're just glad you finally figured it out for yourself."
With all humility to Your EICiness, I remain, Houston.
"In Her Own Words" Anna Karlsdottier @ 03-30-08
I'm not sure you are interested in hearing about all the really stupid things I got caught up in during my year at HHS. However, there was the time I forgot my textbook in English, when we were having a "book check." Mrs. Jondahl was not too happy with me (she never was). She started to write me a note to the office. I got up and asked, "Can I go and get it from my locker?" Since I was the Exchange Student, she didn't feel she could refuse me, but was having some words about it while I got up and proceeded to get out of the room. I stopped and said "Excuse me, is the number of the book enough?" She answered, "Yes, but….." I stopped her and blurted out the correct number! Not being too happy with me, she barked out "You can sit down!" I felt pretty good for a tiny moment, never knowing how I managed to remember the number.
Or, the time when I was really annoyed in Speech II. I know most of the kids were ready to kill me, because I was enjoying (just a little bit too much) saying "nei", which is an Icelandic word. Talk about homesick!
I also remember debates in Mr. Bueno's class on communism. This was not a popular subject amongst the other students.
The strangest thing about school was some of the rules. Such as: when all the girls had to get down on their knees to check if the hems of their dresses were the proper length. The length of the boys' hair was also checked. Just having to wear a skirt to school was more than enough change for me.
The more e-mails that you send me about the reunion, the more I want to be there with you. So, I am going to look into it. My husband will have to come with me, since I am not able to travel alone, any more. I know you are thinking, "Why?" So, I'll tell you: "I have MS, and it is taking its toll."
I'll try my best to write some more stories.
Best Wishes, Commander.
End of Recollections.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
My motivations are selfish for bringing everyone together this year. I simply want to see Everyone, one more time!
That is why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 06-05-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: No Apologies.
For Correction: No Corrections.
For Amplification: I would like to recognize those who sent a Thank-You note to Mike Young for donating all of the name tags for the reunion. Both of you are to be commended! Organizing a reunion is a thankless job.
These last few weeks we have found Nancy & J.C. McCall, Carol Carden, Cindy Cocke (Sutton), Janie Edwards (Rodrigues), Judy Fankhauser (Latham), Kathy Gary (McCraine), Bruce Kinney and Karen Sadler (Cline).
Now, a little business: Here are the tentative final plans and costs for the reunion activities. All activities are at the Radisson Hotel, South Padre Island, Texas, October 31st and November 1, 2008.
Friday Night, Oct 31st: "Icebreaker" (Poolside, weather permitting)
5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Hot Hors De' Oeuvres $15.95
18% gratuity 2.87
8.25% tax 1.55
Total $20.37
Open Bar for one (1) hour
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cash Bar thereafter
Saturday Morning, Nov. 1st: "The Reunion Brunch" (Ballroom)
10:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.
South of the Border Breakfast Buffett
with Fajitas & Barbacoa $15.95
18% gratuity 2.87
8.25% tax 1.55
Total $20.37
Open Bar for one (1) hour
10:00 a.m. to 11:00 a.m.
Cash Bar thereafter
Brunch: 11:00 a.m. to 12:00 p.m.
Program: 12:00 p.m. to 1:00 p.m.
Saturday Night, Nov. 1st: "Dancing with the Malibus" (Ballroom)
5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
All American Buffett $29.95
18% gratuity 5.39
8.25% tax 2.92
Total $38.26
Open Bar for one (1) hour
5:00 p.m. to 6:00 p.m.
Cash Bar thereafter
Dinner: 6:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m.
Program: 7:00 p.m. to 7:30 p.m.
Dance: 7:30 p.m. to 10:30 p.m.
The cost is $79.00 per person, if you attend all three events. You may mix and match and attend any or all of the events. You will make your selection, when we ask you to register for the reunion events, which should be some time in August. Remember that we will have 65 hotel rooms reserved at the Radisson for Friday and Saturday night at a cost of $89.00 + tax and 35 Condos (2 bedroom, 2 bath) at a cost of $169.00 + tax.
The Biographies have been sent...........I trust that each of you is working diligently to complete and return your life's story to Headquarters, on, or before, June 11th.
General Weed and I are preparing the programs. So as not to offend any one, we intend to offend everyone.
We've had quite a few e-mails arrive at Headquarters the last few weeks. Many only provide basic information to us. But others, are absolutely fascinating! Let's read the mail!
Dear Commander:
I have really enjoyed receiving all of your e-mails the past months and am looking forward to the Reunion. I can't wait to see how everyone looks. I run three miles a day and tried on my Cardette uniform yesterday. It fits as well as it did 40 years ago! The problem I have is my husband, Bob. I am not sure if I want to bring him to the reunion. He is very possessive and jealous of me. I don't know why. All he does is watch TV. I'm not sure if I would have any fun if I brought Bob.
Please help.
Confused in Houston 05-03-08
Dear Confused:
First, tell Bob that the Reunion is December 15th.
Then, tell Bob that you are going to visit your sister.
Buy him new batteries for the remote.
We will send the plane for you.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I can't wait for the reunion this Fall. I recently remarried and my wife, Kitty, is 20 years younger than me. She is a "knock-out" and the most beautiful woman I have ever seen. I'm not sure if I should bring her. Everyone will think that I found a trophy wife and make fun of me.
What do you think?
Chuck in Breckenridge @ 04-24-08
Dear Chuck:
Reunions can be awkward for spouses. Maybe you should just send us a current photo of yourself. We will send the plane for Kitty.
The Commander
There are only five (5) months remaining until the reunion. You still have time to lose that extra weight that you have gained over the years. Surely, there is some vanity left. Show me a person with no vanity and I will show you a closet full of sweat suits and tennis shoes!
The Commander weighed in on May 14th, 2008: a strapping 195 pounds or 88.4 kilograms or 14 Stones. I prefer to be weighed in Stones. According to the national height/weight chart (big-boned category), I should be 6' 2". I need to grow two inches by November. Since that won't happen, I need to lose 7-8 pounds. My doctor says 10. Those of you who have seen me naked may say it's closer to 15. I was sharing this information with George Maxey and his response was, "10 pounds! That's like throwing a suitcase from the Titanic!" I have done the calculation and if I lose 7 1/2 pounds I will look spectacular in my 1967 Choir Jacket. That is the goal! I accept the fact that I am not 35 and I have gotten a little out of shape the last few years. My doctor is a 62 year old tri-athlete and he is driving me crazy. His philosophy is: "No Dieting! Exercise is the answer!" He's probably right. I just need to shift some bulk around. I started to exercise a few weeks ago. The first day, I did 6 ½ pushups. I know that you are laughing, but that ½ pushup was very important. It was a mental milestone: ½ more than 6! I slacked off for a few weeks and then set June 1st as the deadline to start the exercise program (didn't make it). I moved it to June 8th (I will be out of town). Moved it to June 10th (still out of town). So now, my date for starting to exercise is June 15th. Surely, I can make that one!
Headquarters has exercise information that can help you. We have links to web sites and personal consultants trained in "Pilate's", "Callanetics", "Navy Seal Training Exercises" and "Chris Farley's 5 Step Program to a Body of Steel."
We know how difficult it is to adhere to an exercise program. The Reunion Staff is empathetic. We are all natural born quitters.
AND NOW.................., without further fanfare, I proudly present MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS:"
"In Their Own Words" Harold Smith and Mike McKinney @ 03-25-08
Harold Smith and I were good friends in high school. This friendship was forged through the A Cappella Choir. In our senior year, Harold was voted President and I was voted Robe Chairman. I'm not sure what the duties of Chairman of the Robes entailed, but it must have been important, because I was in charge.
I admired Harold, greatly. School was easy for him (National Honor Society, three years running). It was so easy that he had time to become an accomplished musician. I was fascinated by his talent. A fabulous pianist! He could either read music or play, anything, by ear. If I had his talent, I would have played every Honky-Tonk in Texas. He and his piano were the core of the choir and made us sound better than we were. Harold also found time to work at Kreidler-Ashcraft Funeral home. An even more fascinating interest of his was, Bull Fighting. It was confusing to me that my friend was a "Musician – Mortician - Bull Fighter!"
Early one Saturday morning Harold called me and asked me to travel to Corpus Christi with him. It was a transport job. We were picking up a body at a funeral home in Corpus and bringing it back to Harlingen for burial. Back in those days all ambulances were operated by the funeral homes. An obvious conflict of interest! The ambulances were nothing more that station wagons with lights, siren and some hooks in the back to latch the gurney. This one didn't even have tinted windows.
Within three hours we were in Corpus and loaded with our cargo. Then Harold tells me of a book store down town that has a rare book on Bull Fighting. He hops out and I am now driving the ambulance around the block waiting for Harold's return. After two, three and then four times around the block, I find a parking space right in front of the book store. It's then that I realize that I am a little more high profile than I am accustomed to be. People are staring and pointing at me and my cargo parked downtown Corpus! I slump in the seat and anxiously await Harold's return. He finally emerges, with book in hand, and takes the wheel. All I recall saying was, "This had better be a good book!"
Now, we are running late. This particular ambulance was a 1966 Oldsmobile with a 400 cubic inch engine. All engine! By the time we hit the King Ranch, Harold is running flat out: 130 -140 mph. Everything was fine until we had a blowout on the right rear. The fish-tailing starts. The cargo is rocking. Harold has two hands on the wheel. I'm facing backwards with one hand on the headrest and the other on the cargo. We go from one side of the highway to another. That day, I learned another of Harold's skills: Wheel Man! He skillfully shut the wagon down and pulled to the side of the road. Now, we are looking for the spare. Yep, you guessed it! It's inside the wagon in a well in the floor. Yep, you guessed it! We had to roll the cargo out of the wagon and hide it behind the vehicle from the gawking traffic. It is difficult not to look foolish in this situation. Harold is feverishly changing the tire and I am left to stare down the traffic, like a sentinel with a somber glare.
We got home safely. Mike and I never told anyone about all aspects of the trip. I chalked it up as part of the learning years.
Harold never became a Bull Fighter. He's a Neurosurgeon in Nashville, Tenn. I would like to hear him play the piano, again.
"In Her Own Words" Juli Kirk (Bergstrom) @ 04-15-08
Allyce's list reminded me of a lot of things. How
could I forget Clyde's? My most vivid memory is of a
couple of friends of mine dedicating a song to me: "Go
Away From My Window" when I had a night visitor for a
period of time. Does that sound familiar, Mike? (The Commander notes that he dedicated the song to Juli and was not peeping in her window; not that he didn't think about it).
Has anyone seen HHS lately? Or Boggus Stadium? Major
renovations. I was there last weekend to visit my
month old grandson who lives in Harlingen with his
parents and stepsister. The stadium is really impressive.
"In Her Own Words" Elvira Ledesma (Aguayo) @ 04-16-08
Ah, the years at HHS.....…..I remember my first day as a sophomore….........riding in with my brother Bobby, who was a senior, and who told me in the parking lot, “Sis, now you go your way and I’ll go mine. See you after school.” HUGE relief! I did not want my older brother watching over me!
Ya gotta remember that high school life isn’t all fun and games for everyone. I worked my way through high school, so extra-curricular opportunities fell by the wayside for the most part. But I didn’t really suffer for that. I did enjoy many activities…editing the Spanish Club El Perico gossip sheet (I didn’t belong to the Spanish Club, mind you….I took Latin all through HS, even to the French we studied as seniors) But I edited that gossip sheet one year. It was so much fun! Latin Club with Mr. Dens, who was a true polyglot.
Junior English with Miss Burless -- sitting in the back with a small group, writing paraphrases to poetry that we NEVER shared with the teacher (oh, yeah….) Late study/research sessions at the public library. US History and our group projects.
Senior year – Civics with Mr. Atchison. Journalism class. Nacho Estrada “ringing” the school bell at odd hours and people scrambling until someone (Mr. Cleckler?) yelled out Nacho’s name. Viet Nam and all the lovely boys we lost to that war. Going to the drive-in on Saturday nights (remember the drive-in?). The prom at the Elks Lodge.
Graduation night and the after-party in Matamoros…............coming home by the dawn’s early light and realizing you wouldn’t see everybody on Monday, ever again.
"In Her Own Words" Betty Murray (Smith) @ 03-25-08
I'm sure ALL of us remember the Colorado Choir Trip!!! For this sheltered bumpkin from deep South TX, one of the highlights for me was the romp in the snow (in June no less) when the bus stopped somewhere up on the mountain. Of course, singing in the Air Force Academy chapel was an unbelievable experience as well. Cindy Cocke sang the solo in my favorite arrangement of "Pie Jesu." It was absolutely bone chilling! Stopping to see the natural rock theater (I believe it was on Pike's Peak) carved out of the mountain was another "first". And taking a shower in those primitive, unheated cabins with the ice cold Spring Mountain water gave all new meaning to "cold shower"! Never before (or since) have I had quite that experience.
The story, however, that I heard my "ex" tell people for years (therefore, it was second-hand) arose from one of the BOYS' cabins (the one where Mr. Irby chaperoned). In typical "macho-teenage-boy-away-from-home
fashion, each of the inhabitants took turns quietly relaying a story of the trip from their bunks, trying to "top" the previous story in its mischievous nature. Of course, this occurred in the wee hours of the a.m. LONG after Mr. Irby had "retired" for the night, as no one would have included half the details had HE been conscious. Finally, after ALL the tall tales had been exhausted, someone in "John-Boy Walton" style decided it was time to call it a night and began the roll call. As an afterthought (trying to have one last laugh) after each of the teens had whispered their "PRESENT", the caller snickered, "Irby". Much to everyone's surprise, came the final "PRESENT" from his long silent corner of the room in that unmistakable bass voice, literally the final word of the evening!!! What a guy, our Mr. I.
Thanks for the memories, all!
"In Her Own Words" Carolyn Parsons (Hall) @ 03-25-08
I remember the 1966 Colorado Choir trip, also! We nearly froze to death in our cabin. Betty and I hung our underwear out on the line during the night and when we woke up it was frozen. I remember the snowball fight in June. Amazing! I also remember the Theater where the Beatles had just preformed. The Japanese Gardens! It was a really fun trip!
"In His Own Words" Lawson House @ 03-20-08
Wow, 41 years! Your request for a favorite recollection after 41 years is a tall order. In my case, we are talking about 41 years of far too many Crown Royals on the rocks and maybe a touch of Mad Cow Disease. Very bad for the old brain cells. Also, you must understand, I am now an old and retired American Airlines Captain still hoping that I did not forget to zip up my pants before I walked out into the terminal to meet my passengers and crew. I will, however, try to honor your request for a favorite HHS recollection.
As I sit at my computer pondering your request (pondering is what retired folks do), I think about Clyde's. Lots of memorable things happened there. There was also South Padre Island. I was never into the surfing scene very much except for The Beach Boy's music. Today I can't remember where I parked my car in the mall parking lot, but I can remember every word to all to their songs!
But, looking back 41 years, my best recollection involves the last class period of each day. As soon as the period was over, I was, as my Dad use to say "like a raccoon let out of a cage". I would bolt out of the building to the parking lot, get my car, and head to the airport. I do recall taking some of my HHS classmates flying. Some or most had never been up in a plane before I took them. Looking back, I was glad I could share the experience with them.
"In Her Own Words" Cindy Cocke (Sutton) @ 05-27-08
This is great! I read all the comments and have not laughed so hard in a long time. It makes me feel young!
First, let me dispel the rumors: I did not keep a keg in the trunk of my red mustang. I would like to know who started the rumor, though, (probably David McCall)
Speaking of David McCall - his shot gun seems to have had a penchant for mishaps. I remember going Snipe Hunting at the low water bridge in Rio Hondo with him, Mike Stevens, and a couple of others. Mike was using the infamous shotgun. As Mike and I were getting into the car I asked if he had unloaded it; he said yes, aimed it at the ground, pulled the trigger and blew a dust cloud into the "White Cloud".
David McCall and Mike Stevens were my buddies. I remember that my dad always made me run a mile every day. If I missed a day, I had to run two. I had missed 4 days. When David called to see if I could go somewhere with him and Mike Stevens, I explained my predicament and they came right over. I ran two miles and was about to collapse as I came around the corner at Grimes Rd back toward Wildwood, David ran to catch up, grabbed my hand and began pulling me onward. I was handed off like a baton to Mike as we came into the home stretch for the last mile. I got to go, but I slept, and don't remember a thing.
We were such a talented bunch:
-For the opening of our Talent Show, our beloved Commander came out onto the stage with a dust mop on his head. The lights came up and he raised a large cardboard circle to his face, cocked his head and roared like Leo the MGM Lion.
-One of the best displays of our talents was our senior year at the Fall Festival when we had the "Bunny Club" in the Cafeteria. We wore pink satin ears, black satin vests, black short shorts, and large pastel powder puffs pinned right where they should be. There were lots of us: Allyce Pletcher, Kay Sutherland, Lulu Ashcraft - and others. You know who you are - confess. Kay Sutherland also had a skit with Bobby Fry and a plant. Ask me at the reunion.
-Oh how we loved to sing! I think we had a record my Senior Year when 8 of us made All State Choir. Mr. Irby was so proud. Help me remember who made it that year: David McCall, Barton Knott, Jackie Jordon, Robert Mars, Betty Murray. Who else made it? I remember trying out for A Cappella Choir at UT for Dr. Beachy. He was a tyrant, and when I finished my audition, he leaped up, slammed the piano shut and yelled at me, "Who taught you to sing?" I yelled back, "Robert Irby!" He shouted, "You're in!"
-Harold Smith took up bullfighting his Junior year. He and I went to Mexico to see the fights many Sundays, I spoke Spanish pretty well and we did OK navigating the streets of Matamoros, The problem developed the time his dad decided to go with us. It was dark when the event was over and his dad insisted on driving. We were lost for a long time, and as we drove past a tumbled-down-looking shack, the five federales sitting on the bench outside jumped to their feet. They had seen me in the car and the one on the end nearly hit his head on the red light above him as they started screaming and waving their arms. Mr. Smith gunned it and we got away. I was so thankful that I did not have to call my dad and explain why he needed to come to Matamoros and bail me out of the "prostibulo".
"In Her Own Words" Chickie Rogers (Hensz) @ 04-02-08
Since I came to HHS only for my senior year, my memories are short and sweet - more like flashes. OK, here goes: You, me, Anne and Max driving down 77 doing "chinese firedrills" at every stoplight. Packed into Anne's car (with the top down) going to Clyde's for lunch. Carpools with Mildred. Senior English in Mrs. Sander's class with Johnny J. and Steve Schneider. Having crazy talks with Buzzy in class while I'm sure we were supposed to be doing something important! Typing madly in Office with Patsy. Arriving at a couple of football games in the ambulance with Harold. Fun conversations and good times with Mike and Timmy Young. Weekends with Anne and all the gang at the Flory's condo at the island - drinking beer on the flats. Last, but certainly not least, "Father's Been to Mars". After being told by Mr. Purdy, not to get too much sun during spring break, guess who shows up "beet red" sporting a huge fever blister on her lip? That would be Me! Just in time for the play and my big "love scene" with Mike Young. Mike and I were supposed to kiss and the phone was supposed to ring to breakup the kiss....But someone (who shall remain nameless) delayed the phone and we were stuck there while Mike whispered how gross it was kissing someone with an oozing blister on their lip!!! Oh well! It was fun anyway!! So many more flashes, but we'll talk about them at the reunion!
See you in a few months, and, I can't wait.
End of Recollections.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. The site has been updated and all reunion activities and costs are posted. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
I may be wrong but I think the papier mache bird was our Senior gift to the school (probably because it was cheap). I sort of remember going to Matamoros with Dorothy Yarbrough to order it, and then we made a quick drive thru of Boy's Town to see if we saw anyone we knew. Even hazier is Max picking it up (Big Red) in his pickup...that must have been a sight on the highway coming home. I have no idea where it could be hiding now...but I'm sure it probably smells delightful.
Mike, I am sorry to have to let you know that Gonzalo Gonzalez Sr. has passed away on Tuesday July 8th. He was parts manager for Boggus Ford here in Harlingen for 20 some odd years and his son (Jr.) works in the parts department also and has for some 10 years. We called him Gonzo and I really enjoyed working with him when I was at Boggus as Customer Relations Manager. We always teased each other that I was Older than him (my birthday is August 13 and his was August 14). He was a gentle and easy going guy. He had a number of ailments from the Vietnam war from agent orange and then in May he developed something in his thyroid and could only whisper. They found a large cancer in his throat and from my understanding it had spread. He was excited about the reunion and showed everybody at work how Margie and I looked way back when!!! What a nut. We will miss him and I just wanted you to know Gonzo and with the Lord now. Thanks, Ann Forbes
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 07-13-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: No Apologies.
For Correction: No Corrections.
For Amplification: No amplifications.
Now, a little business: All of the costs and the schedule of reunion events have been posted on the blog site. As soon as we sign a contract with the Radisson Hotel, then each of you will be able to reserve a room under your name. This should all happen in August. In an upcoming e-mail, you will be asked to register for the reunion events and send in your money. Let's hope that each of you respond faster with cash than you do with your biography. There will be a Class List of Registrants posted on the blog site. It will be updated, periodically, so each of you can see who is attending and who needs encouragement.
Only 15% of you have mailed in your completed biography. You may be thinking that your life has been too boring. Not True! We would ALL like to know what has happened to you over the last 40+ years. Take two minutes out of your life tell us what you have become. If you are still breathing, at this point, your life hasn't been that bad. If you can't locate the Biography Template, contact Headquarters and we will walk you through the process.
We have had several contributions and many pledges to the Expense Fund. Pledges are nice, but, they won't buy The Commander a new pair of boots. Let's spill some ink, folks! The Commander is still footing the bill.
The last few weeks we have found: Carlos Gracia, Carol Carden (Woodward), Evila Castillo (Gonzales), Bonnie Galvan (Sanchez) and Margie Garcia (Rangel)
To date, we have contact addresses for 205 of the '67 classmates. That's almost 40% of the graduating class! Not bad, after 41 years. We have located many others, but they simply won't respond. That's understandable. There are still 15 -20 that I would really like to see this Fall. Hopefully, with some effort from each of you, they will be found and have the opportunity to attend.
Anne Flory left a comment on the blog site. Check it out. Her explanation about our Mascot is as good as any. We will accept her memories as fact!
Ann Forbes left a comment on the blog site. She reports that Gonzalo Gonzales, Jr. passed away July 8th. Read Ann's comment for additional details.
Let's check this month's mail:
Dear Commander:
Several of us have been e-mailing each other the last few months. It's really been nice reconnecting after all these years. Our lives have changed so much, yet we still have that common connection from 50 years ago. I am torn between bringing my new companion to the reunion and devoting all of my attention to visiting with old classmates. My companion is exactly what I need in life: loyal, kind, reliable and responsible. I am not sure what to do.
Lost in Dallas @ 06-12-08
Dear Lost:
Never take a ham sandwich to a BBQ!
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I just found out that my high school sweetheart will be attending the reunion this fall. He was such a wonderful athlete in school and so handsome. What can I do to prepare myself to see him for the first time in 40+ years?
Excited in Electra @ 07-20-08
Dear Excited:
I've seen your sweetie lately and he, obviously, has been cut from the team. I suggest a heavy drinking regimen and very dark glasses for the encounter. Also..................well,....... start that drinking at least a week before the reunion and you should be fine.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I took your advice and started an exercise program in May. Everything is looking good except for the chest area. You know, we men develop certain chest features late in life. Do you have any tips about the subject?
Sagging in San Antonio @ 06-3-08
Dear Sagging:
They're called "Travoltas or "Newtons" a/k/a "Man Boobs." You're lazy! Lay off the jelly donuts! Drop and give me 20! Work your way up to 100 pushups a day and you'll be fine. My guess is that you will never make it, so you had better contact Headquarters about being fitted for a "Bro" or a "Manzier". We have valuable information about popular models and performance statistics.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I am so nervous about attending the upcoming reunion but my husband tells me that I look just the same as the day I graduated from high school and there is nothing to worry about. "Go and have fun!", he says.
Enclosed is a current photo of myself. What do you think?
Cautious in Canton @ 06-7-08
Dear Cautious:
Were you 59 when you graduated? I'd swear you were my 10th grade math teacher from the photo. You better hang on to that husband of yours. He's either crazy about you or is planning a trip of his own on reunion weekend.
The Commander
AND NOW.................., without further fanfare, I proudly present MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS:"
"In His Own Words" Danny Trejo @ 06-14-08
Cruising the Hi Way Inn.
Cruising Angie's in San Benito...and loving the way the guys stared at us for checking out "their" girls.
Dances at the Casa del Sol with The Cruisers and Ray and the Bellaires.
Dances at La Villita and the Community Center in San Benito...and loving the way the guys stared at us for dancing with "their" girls.
Cutting school to go to Charro Days in Brownsville.
Cutting school to go to McAllen, Edinburg, etc. to check out the girls (there's a theme here).
Going to garage parties.
Spending hours at Galvan's Pool Hall.
The whole gang driving to Matamoros (La Zona, actually) in Rudy Sandoval's jalopy.
Getting in trouble for speaking Spanish on campus.
Getting in trouble with a couple of new coaches who came to HHS and weren't used to the "diversity". They eventually caused me to stop playing football, my first love.
Jumping the fence at Boggus Stadium to play no-pads tackle football on Saturday afternoons...........until the cops came.
Playing baseball from sun-up to sundown.
Looking forward to Mr. Dens' Latin class every day...he prepared me for my future career as a professional linguist.
Finishing up HS with neighborhood friends from 1st and 2nd grade Bowie Elementary -- Leo, Orlando, Roel, etc.
"In Her Own Words" Anne Flory @ 03-29-08
What sticks with me, after having just spent the last 7 years working on Graduation Celebration (a party graduation night designed to keep our kids from drinking), is OUR graduation night when Tommy Cox’s father gave us $20 (which is probably equivalent to $100 now) and told us to drink it up. I presume we did, though I don’t remember. Actually, I don’t remember much from our sophomore year forward, largely due to the Mustang Club.
"In Their Own Words" Charles Smith and Mike McKinney @ 03-25-08
Charles Smith and I have been friends for 50 years. We are life-long friends. We grew up on opposite sides of Harlingen, but were brought together through the First Methodist Church. When you are thrown together in Vacation Bible School at age six, male bonding is fast and secure. When we left HHS for the University of Texas we roomed together our first year. Charles had a definite vision for his education. He enrolled in the music department. That sounded good to me, so I followed Charles.
In high school, I dated Linda Cherrington and Charles dated Rachel Burton.
We were all home in Harlingen on a holiday. I told Charles of a brilliant plan. He would ask Linda to dinner and I would ask Rachel. The girls never knew of our plan. This was to be a very elegant evening. The boys, in coat and tie, and the girls, in their evening dresses. Charles picked up his date and I mine. At 7 o'clock, that Saturday evening we all met at the Valley Transit Bus Station near the old Casa Del Sol. Charles and I reacted with surprise, "What are you doing here!?" The girls quickly figured it out. They were probably not amused, but both were good sports. Fortunately, we were all friends. We boarded a bus for Brownsville. We all sat in the back of the bus and chatted about our lives. There was only one other patron on the bus, which made it seem like the largest Limo we had ever seen. This was not the Express Bus. We stopped in San Benito, Olmeto and a couple of other grocery stores, along the way. In Brownsville, we disembarked and walked the two blocks to Matamoras. There, we caught another bus to the famous Drive In Restaurant. As we entered the restaurant, there was a street vendor selling flowers. We bought each of the girls a Gardenia. Not just any Gardenia, but one of those large, perfectly formed, Grande, aromatic Gardenias that is so intoxicating, you are immediately transformed to another world. The girls were pleased! The Drive Inn was always known for its roasted quail. We may have all had the same entree. During the meal, we summoned the violinist to the table. He played, "The Shadow of Your Smile". Everyone's eyes glazed. There was clever banter, winks, smiles, and laughter. Lots of laughter! We wined and dined. It could not have been a more perfect evening. We were smooth and we thought the girls loved us. By the time that we got to the flan and coffee it was 10 o'clock.
The last VTC Bus left Brownsville at midnight. As we were walking the few blocks to catch the local bus back to Brownsville, we passed a bar named "Jesse's Cantina". Many of you will remember Jesse's. It was basically two large rooms. The front was the bar and the back was a dance floor. Jesse had a "Pulke Bar". It wasn't advertised, but there was a wooden bucket, with a ladle sitting on the bar. If you were tough enough or crazy enough, you could pay a few cents and ladle a gulp from the bucket. Remember that, Pulke is the milky swill that is the first fermentation run in making Mescal. Mike convinced everyone that we had time for one drink and a dance. We had one drink and a dance; then we had another. It wasn't long, before Mike was Pulkeing to the Polka. Rachael was wearing a pendant around her neck that had a tiny clock in it. She was our time-keeper. We would never blame the following predicament on Rachael, but after a fairly decent rendition of Mick Jagger's "Everybody Needs Somebody to Love" someone announced: "It's a new day!" Midnight had passed. The bad news was: We missed the last bus back to Harlingen. The good news was: We were at Jesse's and the band was still playing!
At that age, we were all optimists. Mike asked the group, "What's the worst that can happen to us?" Linda replied, "Die in Mexico?' It was time to make new friends. Mike recognized a guy from Port Isabel and Linda knew someone from Brownsville. We needed a friend a little further up the Valley. This friend needed to have a large car.
The girls thought this dilemma to be funny, at first. But after an hour, they grew increasingly despondent. We had worked the crowd and our prospects of finding a ride home grew dimmer. It was difficult to believe that no one from Harlingen would frequent Jesse's that night. We watched the door like four lions hunting from the bush. A little after 1 o'clock we hit the jackpot! In walks Gail Cocke, escorted by Bill McBride. We, four, stood in unison and shouted, "McBride!" Apparently Bill had escorted Gail to The Cotillion Ball and then to an evening in Matamoras. They found our story a little hard to believe. But, we danced a little more and everyone was happy.
For the ride home, we only had to step outside Jesse's and into McBride's parents' 1966, Sea Green, Chrysler Newport. So roomy, we could have taken the band home with us. The girls thought that this was sheer luxury, compared to our normal means of transportation. It was a joyous ride back to the VTC Bus Station in Harlingen.
We had the girls home by 3:00 a.m. Mike spoke to Rachael several weeks ago and she remarked, "That evening was the most memorable date of my youth!" Mike and I may not get high marks for the sensitivity of plan, but we both enjoyed it immensely!
We never saw those women again.
"In His Own Words" Charley Adair @ 04-23-08
The Kentucky Colonials were to sing at Pan American University in Edinburg for a Lion's Club benefit. Harold Smith was our pianist and we had to get with him on our own time to practice. Since Harold worked at Kreidler-Ashcraft Funeral Home at night, that's where we had to practice. We were just told to come in the back door. Remember, I was too young to realize that dead people can't hurt you. In fact, I'm still too young to realize that dead people can't hurt you. I remember my mother dropping me off at the back alley of Kreidler's. As I walked to the back, I saw several back doors. Harold forgot to tell us which back door to come in. Very shakily, I opened the first door. Lying on a table was a naked man. Very quickly I shut that first door. I went to the third door, thinking that surely I had gone far enough. I opened it ever so slightly and to my dismay, I could still see the naked man on the table. But, I heard organ music coming from another door. Now, I had sung by that organ many times as I was growing up, for many funerals. I looked down an open door and could see down a hallway to the organ where there were some more Kentucky Colonials. I walked straight down the hallway and my eyes never ventured left or right. Needless to say, when I got to the organ I mentioned the naked man to Harold. His reply was, "That's the bum that got killed in Santa Rosa. Wanna go look at him?" Needless to say I declined.
Then it was on to rehearsal. We were singing the song "Good Ol' Mountain Dew" in the chapel. McKinney decided we needed to make up a verse. Mike and I sang this verse together. It went something like, "My cousin Nell is ugly as hell (at which point Mike was supposed to cover my mouth)........" The night we did the show at Pan Am, Uncle Bob decided he would show up to hear us perform. We debated whether or not to sing our new verse, but decided to proceed as planned. All went well except for the fact that Mike missed my mouth with his hand and I was the only one singing "Hell". We got lots of laughs, but we feared the wrath of Uncle Bob. Much to our surprise, he thought we did a great job of entertaining. I sure miss Uncle Bob Irby.
Oh yeah, I remember the time we were standing on the risers in choir and Tony Bennett accidentally spit in a girl's hair in front of us. His hand was faster than lightening wiping the spit off.
"In Her Own Words" Kay Laffoon (Bird) @ 03-31-08
I used to have very large slumber parties at my house.....all the time, it seemed. I lived in the country and my bedroom was upstairs. A group of us got bored one night, so we crawled out onto the porch (which had a flat roof), climbed down the tree and took many rolls of toilet paper across the street to wrap George Maxey's house. What a fine job we did.....covered many of the beautiful trees. Bright and early the next morning, my mother came up, woke all of us, and said Lou Maxey had just called and wanted ALL the paper off her trees.....NOW. We didn't even have time to deny it.....and they knew it was us. So, of course we went over and spent the rest of the morning unwrapping the trees while George just smiled at us.
And then there was Jessie's in Matamoras. None of us ever had permission to go there, but we frequented the place often. I will never forget....we were all dancing to the live music of the band they had. In the middle of the floor was Frank Chapman on his stomach, in his white pants, doing the Alligator. It was a howl.....and everyone danced around him watching as he went from his stomach to his back. This became a regular "Chapman" dance at Jessie's. On another night at Jessie's, Sandy Richards and I had to go to the restroom. We took a wrong turn and ended up in the kitchen. To our horror, we saw several skinned cats and immediately ran out and I believe we both threw up. How many of us ate nachos there? We didn't anymore.
There were those Friday and Saturday nights when a group of us would go to the drive in movies. We were all pretty broke back then (as we had to get together quarters for gas money). Sp, we would take our refreshments, put as least one or two of us in the trunk and go in....saved paying for each person. Can't remember how we decided who went in the trunk, but we all took turns.
"In Her Own Words" Donna Page (Chapman) @ 04-28-08
I can remember my first day of class in 1963 at good ole Vernon, our freshman year. I can remember being so nervous walking up that mile long sidewalk and feeling like everyone was staring and summing up the new girl in school. Well, Darth Vador couldn't have felt more welcome. All the girls had a great time whispering, laughing and picking me apart the first few days which made me more determined to survive. All the guys were very friendly, with the whistles and the funny, throaty sounds guys their age make, but all the girls were relentless. The current sport activities, for the young ladies, were the second obstacle I had to come to terms with in this foreign school. Moving from Corpus Christi where girls were allowed to participate in team sports; basketball, volleyball, track, etc. and I competed in all programs. In Harlingen I had the overwhelming choice of P. E. or Tennis. Since I came in Mid-year I had to choose P.E. My thoughts, "Will I ever forgive my parents for doing this to me". The answer was, "Yes!" On or around the 3rd day of school that same year, while standing in front of Vernon, Jaime Stone walked over to me and said "looks like you need a friend". A great friendship began and I found that time takes care of all, taking the edge off of all obstacles, adjustments can be made, friendships and activities become refreshing, life falls into place and the fun and memories begin.
Memories like:
The beach parties
The sailboat adventure with Tommy Cox (We were both knocked out of the boat twice)
The horseback ride with Sam Holliday through Clyde's
The ride through Clyde's in the trunk of a car (that's another story)
Sneaking friends into the drive-in movies in the trunk of a car
The snatch breakfasts (Kay Laffoon's parents came up with this idea and continued as a reoccurring event)
Walking with friends into town in our PJ's (Must have been a snatch breakfast time)
Swamp Club dances
Cheerleading Camp (#1 Champs everyday)
1966 outing with the Senior Cheerleaders (that's another story and if I had it to do over ?????????)
Water Bucket Girls (Another story that involves me and Jean Fry)
Mr. Snider's class, using my blood, B negative, for each of his class labs
Phil Danaher and his fearless group of followers coming to my home late at night to perform their skills in exterior decorating using the standard rolls of white paper, Northern 2 ply. Well, we got word early and my dad set up the sprinklers through out the yard, set up his hunting spot lights, called in our friends from the local police department, and loaded his shotgun with birdseed. Talk about a deer getting caught in your headlights, this group scattered in every direction, even under our house. I’ve never laughed so hard in my life. After the police rounded everyone up, we had a party in the back yard then played some basketball in our driveway. What fun!
My first date with Frankie Chapman in Jesse's in Mexico where he dropped to the dance floor an began to have a panic attack , or at least that's what I thought at the time, however he was demonstrating the alligator, a native dance only performed in the Valley. I didn't know whether to run or to stay. One thing for sure I knew we were not going to dance real close no matter what they played because his shirt was as black as the dance floor.
I ended up staying and 41 years later we are still married. We have so many treasures now, 2 children, almost 4 grandchildren (3 and 1 in the oven) and we are retired and enjoying them.
Thanks Commander Mike for being a good friend, for singing in my wedding and for pulling us all back together after 41 years to celebrate. No matter what they say about you, though it's probably true, you're a pretty nice guy. Thanks to you all for all the hard work.
"In His Own Words" Buzz Lee @ May 7, 2008
Dude was an interesting character and I was told from my youth he was a Rhesus monkey. When I lived on a farm near Weslaco as a child my grand parents had retired and lived in a small house next to ours. We had what I thought was a typical family, back then. Granddad was a character, and was always getting some different pet; Canaries, parrots, dogs, cats, but nothing that would tie him down. He took special care to humanize these pets. He would let Dude sit on his shoulder, eat from his hand, spoon or fork. One of my uncles, a WWII Guadal Canal Marine, had a dragline and built many of the old gas stations in the valley. One of the station owners had old Dude at his station. People would stop and. "look at the monkey!" They would give Dude a nickel and he would put it in the candy machine and get him a candy bar. Well that guy owed my uncle Jim $100, and was slow to pay. Jim was looking at old Dude and thought of Grandpa, and his birthday being the next day, November 4, 1953. Jim told the station owner if he didn't pay him the $100, he was going to take that monkey for payment! Well the monkey left with Uncle Jim.
I remember telling my Mom the next morning that I had a strange dream and that Grandpa had gotten a monkey. She told me I was not dreaming. In disbelief I stared at her for a few seconds. Then she said "Go look." I ran like the wind and there he was, a cocky 2 foot tall monkey with a dog collar around his neck and restrained by the attached dog chain. He was a little wild. Granddad had to work a long time with Dude to "tame" him. Of course the brasero kids, my sis and I were entertained by the novelty for a while. Soon we learned never to get within Dude's reach with anything he might decide to have, because he would snatch it away in a heart beat. You did not fight with him for it either, because he had canine teeth that were 2-1/2 inches long and cupped on the back side for slicing. He had a powerful bite!
Dude had scratched and bitten my granddad several times. They would just hunch down and glare at each other. A real Mexican stand-off. It was quite funny to watch. The monkey couldn't decide if the attack was worth it, and granddad would not let the monkey get the "upper" hand. Granddad would cuss at him and call Dude an SOB and that seemed to soften the tension. I mean Dude knew what he was, he just had his ways.
Granddad would put peas and carrots in an old tin for Dude's dinner. Dude would peacefully eat until my beer drinking Marine uncles would come around and start harassing him. They would act like they were going to grab his food. Well Dude would take exception to that behavior every time. When the mean glare and flashing of teeth did not stop the Marines from advancing at his victuals, Dude would throw the contents and the can at them and make a hasty retreat into his High Rise Monkey house granddad had fashioned for him out of 2 X 4s and tin. It was about 40 inches tall, four feet long and two feet deep, and a foot or so off the ground. It had two rooms, one enclosed and one open, like a porch/landing.
Eventually, Dude became much tamer, though he always needed to be on a leash. One time he developed a neck rash, so Granddad, let Dude run loose on the farm. We had to be sure to latch the screen doors, or that rascal would be in the house in a heart beat. He was always in search of eats. His favorite thing to get into in the house was the sugar bowl on the kitchen table. You could not take anything away from him once he grabbed it. You could only chase him out of the house and hope, that he would not break the item before he tired of it. It was a cautious few days, back then. I remember we had three or four hounds, and Dude thought he was one of them, of course. He apparently drew the line with humans, in his willingness to part of a society. Perhaps he was not such a limited thinker after all. Dude did see him self as a protector of other animals. Perhaps he even saw himself as the animal God Father of the entire farm. He was definitely the Alpha Dog.
Back then, every day a hired hand of the fellow who owned the section of land next to ours, would drive his old pick-up over the canal bridge and make a left turn on to that property. When he slowed to make the turn, his big German Shepherd would bail out of the truck and run over into our yard to menace our hounds. I had seen it many times, it was always the same ritual. Our dogs would charge around the side of the house at the sound of that truck slowing. They would shoot into the front yard, charging with reckless abandon, as growling and barks of contempt echoed off the walls. It was peculiar that, as the gap narrowed between them and the oncoming monster twice their size, discretion would over take their desire for Home Land Security. At twenty paces they would turn tail and beat paws back around to the back of the house. I knew they hid some where, but I never found it. Of course the Shepherd would slow at their retreat, and begin the urination sequence which claimed the yard as his own. Not to mention the humiliation of the lingering scent reminding the hounds of their cowardice.
Well this is what happened one fateful day for the Shepherd, when Dude was on the loose with the pack. The truck came, Shepherd jumped, all normal. The dogs ran to the front, like clock work. A precision team if there ever was one. The pack even had a new funny looking dog. Dude was not in the lead, he like to blend in with the masses. And to the enemy, in the middle of the pack, he was hard to pick out. Of course that changed abruptly when the fear factor kicked in and his buddies turned tail and ran. Dude was not a scholar of the “Ways of the dogs on the Lee Farm”, so he did not slow a step. The closure rate from the time the dogs began to break to when Dude made his move was less than two seconds.
Well, it was a joyous thing to behold. The Shepherd, in hot pursuit of the usual escaping crowd, had a brief “What the hell?” look on his muzzle. As he was half turning at a gallop and looking at this “thing”, that obviously had not read his well laid scent marking this as his abode! As the two were passing, Dude reached out with a hand, grabbed the shoulder of the Shepherd and mounted him slick as a whistle. All the while, those teeth began to work. All over that poor old dog. It was a rendition of a rodeo that would bring tears to your eyes. The big tough dog was screaming for relief. Jumping and shaking, Dude hung on with the tenacity of a pit bull. Dude even got the Shepherd to roll over a couple of times. After about 15 seconds, of screaming, moaning, the dog decided he would escape by running for it. Dude was relentless. I think he was showing off a little at this point. The other dogs heard the Shepherd’s moans and came to see this event. However, they were cautious not to join in the fracases. As Dude and his mount neared the edge of the yard, Dude did a dismount that would make any bull-rider green with envy. The Shepherd continued his retreat in haste, and the hounds ran over to greet their champion as he swaggered toward them, tail high in the air. I swear, if they could have given high fives to each other, Dude would have gotten them. I mean those dog tails were wagging so fast, they could have stirred up a dust devil. And thirty seconds after it started, it was all over. Serenity and peace reigned again on the farm.
Of course, a few days later the Hand stopped by the house. The Shepherd, would not leave the “safety” of the truck bed. He did bark at our dogs and if I understood dog barks, I think it would have gone something like “I’d be in your face, but you guys don’t fight fair!”
The man explained in Spanish and broken English, that his dog had been attacked by some wild animal earlier in the week. When he got home that day, his dog would not get up and out of the truck. When he went back to the truck to get the dog out; he found the dog had several holes with exposed flesh in his neck and his sides. The holes were the size of racquetballs. And there were long gashes too, and they had to be sewn up by a veterinarian. The man was truly concerned for our safety. He had no idea that the “wild beast” had all but killed his sweet dog. Dude was capable of killing, but I never saw him do it. Now my uncle later told me that was probable reason for him acquiring the old monk in the first place. Rumors had it that Dude in his younger years had dispatched two German Shepherds.
Now that was entertainment out on the farm. But when we moved to La Feria, from Harlingen in 67, Dude woke me up one day barking. Not like a dog barks, but a “Brrrerakk”. He only made that sound when threatened, and the higher pitch, the more stress on Dude. Normally he would just grunt in agreement with you if you asked him anything. I mean, he did not want you thinking that he was rude. Anyway, That day it was a seven foot black snake that had him in fervor. Dude was up on his house going nuts. I chased the snake away. He was soon calm and I was his friend for the moment. Dude could never be considered a trusted ally, like a dog. You could not turn your back on him, especially if he was mad at you.
Back in 66 they had a zoo open in San Benito, and they had two female rhesus monkeys. This information was could have been discovered by my best friend, Danny Young. Danny found that a fee could be obtained should a rendezvous be scheduled and Dude proved to be successful. Hey, we were teenaged boys who could sympathize with a deprived male of any species. So I made the suggestion to my folks, who were quite adamant in a negative response, that I will not soon forget. I just could not understand why such contact would bring out the beast in old Dude. Only a few years later did I begin to understand the power of such enticements over common sense and good morals.
Then Wade Goad (God rest his soul) and Kenneth Smith *rascal that he was) decided to get old Dude inebriated one time. It did not take but two or three beers, and it was really funny to see the old monkey real mellow, so they told me. The folks found out about it and were miffed at them for a few weeks, but they forgave them. Should have taken Dude to that zoo! They would have gotten over that too, I’ll bet.
Dude hated the color red, especially florescent orange red, like plastic rain ponchos. He would also go nuts if you had something that made loud noises, like motorcycles, cars with loud pipes, etc. He would run into his house then come out fighting in an attempt to chase you off. The red was a real fear thing. I guess someone had abused him wearing red once in his earlier life. I used to take motorcycles and chase Dude into his house and rev the motor. In his younger years he would rock his house in excitement, or climb a tree and shake the limbs. As he got older he would just lean down on his front legs and push up a little. I think I can relate more to him now, than ever before.
One day back when I had a red Toyota pick up. I came down from Houston with harassment on my mind. Dude did not like the truck any where near his house. He would run out to chains length to try to chase it off. Well unbeknown to Dude, I had a red pancho, and I had procured this Gorilla mask and fake Gorilla hands, to boot. I took the truck around the corner of the house donned the hated apparel. I came back around the house toward Dude racing the motor and honking (he hated honking too). I took the truck and bumped his house, and backed away the length of his chain. He took the bait! He came out in full monkey rage to the end of the chain. I jumped out of the truck and that poor monkey froze. There was a fear in his eyes, like that of someone who had just made eye contact with the Angel of Death. He knew, I could read it in his eyes, “I am going to DIE! And the Monkey from Hell is here to do it now!” Of course I took off the mask and the hands and the red pancho and tried to sooth his fears. He was okay with it and let me get near to him. Then when all was peaceful he grabbed my right hand and bit me with his short front teeth. When he did that, he would barely break the skin, but it hurt. It was his way of saying “I could have made this a lot worse, you Moron!”
But I always brought him fresh produce. He loved all fruits and vegetables, he was a vegetarian. He died at the age of 33. Some dogs attacked him over some food he was not even interested in eating.
He never recovered and only lives now in memories of those who knew him.
End of Recollections.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
My goal is to master happiness!
That's why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 08-12-08
Well...........................Hello Dolly!!!!!!!
The Great Reunion has been rescheduled for December 5th & 6th, 2008!
The Radisson Hotel @ South Padre Island contacted Headquarters today and described unexpected, extensive damage to their facility, due to Hurricane "Dolly." The "Disaster Recovery Team" reports that they have lost a substantial portion of the roof, the first two floors of the hotel suffered catastrophic water damage and the elevators are inoperable.
The Reunion Committee convened this morning, via satellite. After three grueling hours (or was it three minutes?) of discussion, we elected to move the date of The Reunion to December 5th & 6th and continue to enjoy the Radisson Hotel on South Padre Island.
Our logic was:
1) We can survive without a roof.
2) We can survive without a bed.
3) Walk three flights of stairs? No can do!
The schedule of events remains the same, the costs remain the same and the anticipation remains the same. Only the calendar date has changed. Remark your calendar!
We have had 100 suggestions about how to proceed since Dolly hovered over the Island. If you have a comment, we are all ears! The Commander's preference is to lease Garcia's in Matamoras for a week. That was quickly censored by The Committee.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
Life is about adjusting to disappointments.
That's why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
Sad news has come to one of our former classmates. Norma Cantu (Franco) is seriously ill. She has had a tumor removed from behind one eye. 90% of is was removed and was benign, Thank God. But, in the process she has suffered a massive stroke. She is paralyzed on one side. At this time she is under induced come to prevent the brain from swelling. She is at Valley Baptist Hospital in Harlingen and only immediate family can visit since she is in ICU.
Please forward this to all e-mail addresses you have so we can start a prayer chain for her quick and healthy recovery. I know we would all like to see her at our upcoming reunion.
Thanks,
Diana Trevino (Perez)
Gilbert Perez
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 08-26-08
Well...........................Hello Santa!!!!!!!
The Great Reunion has been rescheduled, ONCE AGAIN AND, FOR THE LAST TIME, for January 23rd & 24th, 2009!
There was dissension amongst the ranks about having the event during the Holidays. So much dissension that The Commander's ego is still battered and bruised.
In the last broadcast, I made the fatal, and obvious, mistake of asking for comments. Today, I will only say: "If you show up, I will kiss your old mug. If you're a no-show? I'll see you in 40 years!"
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 08-31-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: Unfortunately, you will be receiving these Broadcast E-mails for another five months.
For Correction: The Reunion date has been changed to January 23rd & 24, 2009.
For Amplification: Hurricane Dolly sent us all scrambling. In all our wisdom, the Reunion Committee, mistakenly, selected the weekend of December 5, 2008 as the replacement date for the Reunion. The Committee loves turkey and Santa Clause. We thought that December 5th would be a festive time to reunite. Today, we all have appointments with Dr. Boots Willeford, a renowned Austin Gastroenterologist, to determine if our posteriors exist, after the last few weeks of chewing. We are not perfect. And, we have Court House Records to prove it. We quietly and willingly moved the Reunion date to January 23rd & 24th, 2009.
The greatest compliment some one can offer is to tell you the truth. Regardless of how painful it may be. This means that they trust you to handle the complexities and disappointments that the unvarnished truth always brings. I have many friends that live on the fragile side of life, so I always give them a choice, "Would you rather hear a good story or the Truth?" They always choose the truth, when, in reality, they would prefer to hear a good story. I have had many, many compliments the past few weeks. I am very flattered. And, exhausted!
So...............................Let's read the mail!
Dear Commander:
How could you possibly pick December 5th as a reunion date!!!!!! I have grandkids to shop for and it is the busiest time of the year for me. I can't possibly fit all of this into a 4 week period!! Do you have any scruples? What are you thinking????????
Frustrated in Farmer's Branch @ 08-13-08
Dear Frustrated:
Apparently, I am just another pretty face.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
My dog died. My girl friend moved out. And, now you have changed the reunion date to the same weekend as "The Live Oak County Sausage Cook-Off and Knife Swap." It doesn't get any worse than this. Are you a complete moron?
Gored in George West @ 08-14-08
Dear Gored:
I would love to comment on the imagery in your note. But, I'll only suggest that you take plenty of Beeno and Band-Aids to the festival.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I have bought plane tickets to The Valley for November and (as you suggested) told everyone that I am visiting my sister. I have already blocked out vacation days for Halloween and they will be lost. I have lost 25 pounds over the last 4 months and I want the reunion to be held NOW!!!!!! Since you are the Grand Poo-Paw, what are you going to do about it?
Peaked in Plano @ 08-15-08
Dear Peaked:
Well.............I could borrow a camper.......and, if you don't mind a little sand..............my number's in the book.
The Commander
Now, a little business: We will not begin collecting reunion fees until we sign a contract with the Hotel. My guess is, that the contract will be signed in November. Please be patient. We are vigilant. There will be no classmate left behind.
Someone mentioned TWIRP Week in one of the e-mails. TWIRP: "THE WOMAN IS REQUESTED to PAY." It was our version of Sadie Hawkins Day. The girls got to ask the boys out all week and then to a dance on Saturday night. It must have not been very popular, because it was rescinded in our Sophomore or Junior year. Girls asking guys? Not in the early '60s! I remember it well. I had my eye on this tall brunette but was too intimidated to ask her out. Finally, there was a proclaimed and sanctioned event for her to ask me. The phone never rang that week. I was heart-broken, for a while. She never knew what she missed.
AND NOW.................., without further fanfare, I proudly present MY FRIENDS AND FELLOW CLASSMATES, "IN THEIR OWN WORDS:"
"In His Own Words" Randy Fletcher @ 04-07-08
I am recalling the days when there were weekend dances at the Elks Lodge featuring the Malibus and sometimes the playboys from Edinburg. How could one forget the incredible rendition of Wipe Out by Jay Meade. There were also the Sunday afternoon dances at Creasey’s Bowling Alley. Hank Frailing would pick me up along with the Kerr sisters and we would dance the afternoon away. Back to the Elks Lodge….........I was explaining to my wife the way we danced in the 60’s. The dance I remember the most was me doing the “alligator” with Cindy Snedeker. With that, Kim suggested I show her how the alligator was done. Feeling frisky, and forgetting that I am 60 years old, I found some old 60’s music and HIT THE FLOOR. There were arms flailing, legs twisted in directions they hadn’t seen in 40 years, and the body twisted in configurations, I still can’t explain. Kim began to laugh hysterically and had to excuse herself to use the restroom. I heard the laughter as she walked out the back door, leaving me on the recreational room floor, with a lower back that is 60 years old. In desperation, I begged Kim to help me get up. I cried out, please somebody come help me…………..somebody please………anybody……..damn it.
I was quite surprised when someone asked me how the wedding story from my previous recollection turned out. So I will finish the story. Obviously, Pastor Janie would not marry us. As it turns out, one of the guys that I hold basketball season tickets with was a dear friend of another Episcopalian Pastor. We met with Father Bill and explained our situation. I told him I was changing the number of wives from 4 to 2. Of course, he asked, "Why?" I replied; “If I can’t remember their middle name then they should not count”. (Belinda if you are reading this over Mike’s shoulder I remember your middle name). Father Bill married us. End of that drama.
See everybody on South Padre Island.
"In Her Own Words" Kay Laffoon (Bird) @ 04-06-08
In the eighth grade at Gay Jr. High, we had a teacher named Mr. Posey. Phil Danaher and a bunch of us had his class together. Well, one morning when Mr. Posey left the room I was chewing a large piece of bubble gum. Something cam over me and I went to his chair and put the wad on his seat. I really thought that he would see it, but he came back, went straight to the chair and sat down. Well, everyone knew that I had done this and we were all trying really hard to control ourselves. Finally he stood up and the gum strung out. Everyone cracked up and he felt it and started pulling. He was ticked.....he stood there asking for the person who did this to confess. Everyone was dead quiet. Then he said that no on would leave his room until the guilty person confessed. As I was about to say something, Phil Danaher stood up and said, "I did it Mr. Posey". Everyone was stunned. Of course, Phil went to the office about every other day for something, but I couldn't let him take the blame for something I had done. So, I stood up and said, "I did it." The Phil started arguing with me......back and forth and finally Mr. Posey realized that I was really the guilty one. He sent me to the office.....fortunately, I had to go home and write a paper on respecting the teachers in our school. Also, I had to take Mr. Posey's pants to the cleaners. Can't remember how I paid for it and am not sure my parents ever knew. Thanks for trying to take the blame Phil.
I remember the night we were having graduation Commencement practice. A group of us (Jamie, Sophie, Page, Susan and whoever else) decided it would be cool to drink....rum and Coke....to help ease the evening. We bought plastic baby bottles, loaded our mixture in them and set out for the evening. Somehow, I remember we had to fill them more than once as the night progressed.
"In Her Own Words" Judy Morrison (Akers) @ 03-20-08
Because Patsy's handsome surfer dude lived in Samaneeta and Phil and I were always fighting, we were left with our wits to find something to do during lunch. I've no idea how it started. Perhaps, it was our getting tired of eating in the car. Anyway, there was this great-looking couple who went to school with us. We were entranced because they couldn't keep their hands off each other before class. What no one knew (but us) was that things got even more exciting during the lunch hour.
I don't remember us ever eating anything but we did a lot of rational-emote-about-your-sister-and-boyfriend therapy in the car. Tired of talking about all their perfection, we look up and see the love couple driving off. We followed. Not just that one time. Beating them out to our cars soon became a ritual. This was how we'd spend lunch. We'd talk with the lovers in class, like regular sane people. Then when the lunch bell rang, we were off. The entwined two drove every single day to Pendleton Park and parked in a little clump of trees. When we saw their heads disappear, Patsy made me pull up to their rolled down window and turn the motor off. She'd then proceed to ask the guy for something...anything...like Hey, where can we get any salt around here. Or, do you have change for a quarter? We were like pathetically bored kids out of The Last Picture Show. But what was so remarkable was this guy would always raise himself up to the open window and smile and apologize to her and then disappear again. Neither of them ever lost it with us. And it wasn't until we left home that we realized that those two lovers might have gotten as many laughs out of entertaining us as we did interrupting them.
End of Recollections.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
Yee Shall Know the Truth and It Will Scare the Hell Out of You!!
That's why I am The Commander!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
We have just lost Norma Cantu Franco on September 1, 2008. She was having surgery but she was not able to make it. She did not come out of it. She was a very sweet and special friend to me and many others as well. She had been working at Dillards for 17 years. She is survived by her son Maximo Franco, Jr., her mother and three brothers.
Thanks,
Eloise R. Padron
Just to let you know that our beloved friend JoAnn Kullin-Smith passed away this morning at 5:10am in Harlingen VBH after a partial hip replacement. She was a wonderful friend and we were blessed to have had her in our lives. Please keep David, her husband, in your prayers.
We will miss her very very much!!!
Lucky to have been called her friend,
Ann Forbes
Joann Kullin(Smith)died this morning. She had battled poor health for many years but had never let it take over her. She never said "Why me?" or pitied herself. She had a joyous heart and spirit. Her wonderful husband, David, called me this morning. Joann is no longer suffering. She was so fortunate to have had David; it is him we worry about now. He is of strong faith but it will be hard.
We will miss her beautifully painted birthday, Christmas and Easter cards. She was an excellent artist and David did the photography for her. They are cherished by those of us who have them.
My first thoughts of her after I got off the phone with David were of our bicycle tours. From the time we were 7 years old we would pack a lunch and go "exploring" all day long-finding secret places to hide! A freedom my children ,or today's children, never got to experience.
Karen Kennedy
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 11-01-08
First, the Apologies, Corrections and Amplifications:
For Apology: Unfortunately, there are no apologies.
I must be getting soft.
For Correction: Fortunately, there are no corrections.
I must be getting accurate.
For Amplification: No amplifications. I must be getting explicit.
Our last communiqué was August 31, 2008. A lot has happened since then. Mother Nature sent her nephew, “Hurricane Ike”, plowing through Galveston and Houston. Many of our friends suffered through that storm. Then, Mankind sent its creation, “Chaos” surging through the Global Financial markets. We are all suffering from this one.
I am a big fan of Mother Nature. I love her unpredictability. We expect dramatic change from her. She brings us the four seasons and flushes out cumbersome growth that builds over time. I have learned to live with Her. Must be why I’ve only been married twice……..so far.
Mankind? He is predictable and not nearly as charming. We grew up believing that all the gambling took place in Las Vegas. Experience has taught us that Wall Street is the largest casino of all.
Now, a little business………..
The Radisson Hotel has been reserved. The menus have been selected. The band is practicing. Now, we are just marking the days until January 23rd. We will start collecting money from each of you as soon as we execute new contracts with the Radisson Hotel. My guess is that will happen this month.
Let’s read the mail:
Dear Commander:
Last night I woke up in a cold sweat. I dreamed that I was denied entrance to our reunion because the censor board would not accept "my kind". I suppose I didn't have the greatest morals at HHS, but I was a lot of fun. Can you assure me that I will be allowed in after traveling 2000 miles to get there?
Wondering in Washington @ 10-27-08
Dear Wondering:
If you’re a gal, I will comp your reunion fees. So…….Come On Down!!! If you’re a guy, don’t bother.
The Commander
Dear Commander:
I have been alone most of my adult life. Frankly, I am getting tired of it and I am running out of time. Are you going to have a list of all the eligible classmates that are "available" at the reunion?
Lonesome in Lampasas @ 10-01-08
P.S. Since there is not much time at the events, could you please furnish a financial statement each of the “eligibles?” This would help the process a great deal.
Dear Lonesome:
Trust me, you will know who is “available.” Finances? It’s too late for that. Surely he/she will qualify for Social Security.
The Commander
Please review the web site: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
We will have new Classmate Biographies and a revised Class List posted within a few days. Please send me your Biography. You will feel silly not having one posted.
The Reunion Staff is in a steady march to the finish. You should make your plans for a grand weekend.
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 12-06-08
Rick Weed was far too kind in describing our experience with the Radisson Hotel @ South Padre Island. It's behind us now. We are gathering at the "Old Ranch"; "Rancho Viejo" in Olmito, TX. January 23rd & 24th!
What should you expect at each event?
The Friday night "Icebreaker" (5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.) is a Cocktail Party with hot Hors D' Oeuvres. You will check in for a nametag and see your fellow classmates for the first time in many years. There is no program.
The Saturday "Reunion Brunch" (10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.) will have a short program during the meal.
Saturday night "Dancing with the Funky Malibus" (5:00 p.m. to 1100 p.m.) There will be a short program during the meal. This is an "All American Buffet." The "Funky Malibus" will be playing at the dance Saturday night. This is Jay Meade's band, "Funky Stuff" with David McCall sitting in. Mike Ferguson has a conflict that weekend and Tony Bennett has an art show in McAllen. Tony will make a cameo appearance.
Some of you have expressed concern about "dancing". The Commander is as lame as a 5th place race horse but he can still tap his hoof to the music. Remember, these formats are all very informal and mainly scheduled for the purpose of renewing old acquaintances. Dancing is not mandatory. Nothing is mandatory, except having fun seeing everyone.
For International travelers: Until June 1, 2009: If you are traveling to Mexico by land, the following documents are required for reentry to the United States:
1) A valid Passport
2) OR, a government issued photo ID (Driver's License) AND a copy of your Birth Certificate. A certified copy of your Birth Certificate is preferred and will speed the reentry process.
You will be notified shortly about when to make hotel reservations. I will give you all of the information. Please don't panic. Your sleeping accommodations are my first concern.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
There is also an Attendance List posted on the web site. You can see who is attending and who is not. I intend to call all of my friends who have not registered and ask, "Why not?"
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 12-14-08
The Game is On !
The deal has been struck with Rancho Viejo Country Club! The entire facility has been reserved for two days. Deposits have been made, the food has been ordered and they are cleaning the pool, as we speak.
You have one more week to send in your registration form and your reunion fees. This could be the "last roundup" of getting everyone together under one roof. Without being patronizing, if anyone has a problem paying the fees or expenses, contact me directly: mikemck@nts-online.net. I will see that you attend. I guess that does it! Now, no one has an excuse for not attending!
We have classmates arriving from Spokane, WA, Chicago, IL, Atlanta, GA and Reykjavík, Iceland. I don't see why anyone would have a problem showing up for this grand event.
I must prepay all food costs to Rancho Viejo 30 days in advance. Please remember that The Commander has deep pockets, but short arms.
There have been some ugly rumors circulating that, "I have spent all of the collected fees and blew $30,000.00 on whiskey and women." That is absolutely not true! I did that last year.
Here is what you are paying for:
Friday Night "Icebreaker" January 23rd – 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Pool Side or Casa Grande Supper Club
MENU
Crab artichoke dip with tostadas
Beef and chicken quesadillas with salsa avocado pico de gallo
Ice Tea/Coffee
Saturday "Reunion Brunch" January 24th – 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Casa Grande Supper Club
BRUNCH MENU
Assorted Breads and pastries
Chilaquiles with Roasted Spicy Tomatoes and Melted cheese
Crispy Bacon, Sausage
Breakfast Homemade Potatoes with diced onions
Orange, Grapefruit juices and Coffee
Tomato cucumber Mozzarella Salad
Mixed Green Salad with Assorted Dressings
Pasta Salad with Ham
Roast Pork Loin Stuffed (Carved to order)
Roasted Chicken Brest with Lemon Butter Glaze
Vegetable Medley
Rice Pilaf with peas, tomatoes and green onions
Saturday Evening "Dinner Dance" January 24th – 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
Convention Center Ball Room
DINNER BUFFET
Mixed Greens Salad with Assorted Dressings
Chicken Marsala
Blackened Fish with Mango Pico
Round of Beef Au Jus (Carved to order)
Rosemary Roasted Potatoes
Wild Rice Medley
Cheese cake and Double Chocolate cake
Rolls and butter
Ice Tea/Coffee
I'll see what I can do about buying each of you a cocktail. There will always be a cash bar and let's not forget the "Funky Malibus" Saturday night.
Room Reservations:
It's time for you to reserve your room at Rancho Viejo! The cost is $90.00 + tax per night. Please call 1-800-531-7400. Mention that you are attending the HHS Reunion to receive the special rates. There are 50 rooms available at Rancho Viejo. If you miss reserving a room at Rancho Viejo, here is a link for other hotels in the Harlingen area:
http://www.tibp.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirecatn?catid=43&city=&lcZip=&client=HARLINGEN
You could always stay at the Radisson Hotel @ South Padre Island a/k/a Isla Beach Resort. Just don't mention my name.
For International Travelers:
I have been told by our local friends that, en lieu of a valid Passport, a certified copy of your birth certificate and a Driver's License is the best form of identification for traveling to Mexico.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List posted as well as an updated Reunion Attendance List: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 12-21-08
HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!!!
We all hope you have a warm and cozy Christmas!
We’ve had a flood of e-mails about registration and room reservations. 93.2% have said, “The check’s in the mail!” Yeah…..yeah….yeah…..
After 40 years, nothing has changed. We still cram for that test the night before and squeak by the deadline. I am no exception. Three weeks before my annual check-up at M.D. Anderson, I start eating the recommended portions of fruit.
You have all done remarkably well, even in these difficult times. With all of the pledges and “swearing on your mother’s grave”, we should have 150+ attending the reunion. There are some stragglers and I have granted some exceptions with a few special privileges.
Now, a little business……..
We need Volunteers! There are two categories to be filled: 1) Scriveners, and 2) Paparazzi.
Scriveners:
Permanent, eloquently designed Name Tags are being manufactured by Mike Young. Again, we thank Mike for donating his time and his cash! Since we have different people attending different events, we will need a staff of scriveners to man a station to assure that every person has their name tag. How hard can this be? Here are the requirements:
1) You must be literate.
2) You must be able to write legibly (if required).
Other than that, we will train you. We will need, at least, two scriveners at each event. So we need, at least, six (6) of you to step forward and run with the ball.
E-mail me and volunteer.
Paparazzi:
We will create a DVD of photographs and mail it to each classmate. We need a group of you to utilize your personal Digital cameras and take still photos and video clips of the activities. At the end of each event we will load your photos onto my laptop for editing and publication.
Everyone will enjoy having a photo collage of the Reunion. We need dedicated Paparazzi. You should take this assignment seriously. If you need official documentation to differentiate you from the masses, I will provide you with a Beanie or a Badge. Personally, I think that you walking around with a camera will separate you from the crowd. Please, use discretion. There may be classmates who are still in the Witness Protection Program. We will need 6 or 8 of you to constitute the Paparazzi. E-mail me and volunteer.
Golf @ Rancho Viejo………..
Randy Fletcher has arranged a golf outing at Rancho Viejo. He has reserved, at least, four tee times starting at 9:00 am Friday, January 23, 2009 at The Angel Course. The cost will be $64.00 including taxes and carts. This invitation is open to men and women. If enough people are interested, he may put a tournament together that will add another $20 per golfer. The Devil Course will be open for play for anyone interested on Thursday. If you are interested in playing, contact Randy. I know that I will be there.
Randy Fletcher randy@randycfletcherco.com
I have had some disappointments in the past few weeks. There are those of you with prior commitments and cannot attend in January. Maybe I’m getting soft in my old age, but I will deeply regret not seeing you next month. For those showing @ Rancho Viejo, “We’re going to have a lot of laughs!”
Room Reservations:
At Rancho Viejo……..call 1-800-531-7400. For other hotels in the Harlingen area: http://www.tibp.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirecatn?catid=43&city=&lcZip=&client=HARLINGEN
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List, new biographies as well as an updated Reunion Attendance List: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 01-05-09
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!
We are less than three weeks away from a great weekend at Rancho Viejo!
Most of you have mailed your checks in (and none of them have bounced)! Of course, we have stragglers. If I didn’t want to see each of you, I would make you play by the rules. Cleckler would have cut you off (then quietly let you in). If you want to attend, just contact me and I will make special arrangements for you. If you can’t afford the trip, contact me. I will see that you make it to Rancho Viejo.
Now, a little business……..
We have plenty of Scriveners. I would like to see a few more Paparazzi. Contact me if you have a digital camera and want to take pictures at the events. The more photos and videos the better!
Here are some rules to live by at the Reunion……..
1) The name tag you will receive is permanent. Wear It!
2) If you have an uncontrollable desire to tip someone at an event, tip The Commander. All gratuity has been prepaid.
An updated Attendance List has been posted on the Blog Site. Check it out to see who’s attending and who is not. If someone you would like to see is not registered, call them up and coerce them to attend. All of the names and addresses are on the Class List, which is also posted on the Blog Site.
There are also new Biographies posted on the Blog Site.
Room Reservations:
At Rancho Viejo……..call 1-800-531-7400. For other hotels in the Harlingen area: http://www.tibp.com/cgi-bin/foxweb.dll/wlx/dir/wlxdirecatn?catid=43&city=&lcZip=&client=HARLINGEN
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List, new biographies as well as an updated Reunion Attendance List: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
I have one more e-mail left in me. I will remind you of the dates and times at Rancho Viejo. You will have to find the place.
I am really looking forward to seeing each of you!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 01-12-09
We are getting close to the final Communiqué! I know that you will all be relieved!
All events are scheduled @ Rancho Viejo Country Club, Olmito, Texas.
Friday, January 23rd
“The Icebreaker” 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24th
“The Reunion Brunch” 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24th
“The Dinner/Dance” 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
If you are late, it will be your loss!
We tried our best to organize this reunion. We even scheduled the Saturday morning Reunion Brunch as the main program. But Noooooooooo………!!!!!!!!!! You wouldn’t listen. Not as many seemed to like The Brunch idea. 30% more of you decided to attend the Saturday night Dinner/Dance. So……….We have moved the main program to Saturday night. I hope that this makes all of you happy. We are flexible and only here to serve you.
Over 100 of you submitted a Biography. Bravo! That number surprised me. Another surprise is that many of you are flying solo at the reunion. I guess that you are planning on one Big Party!
“Laissez les bon temps roulez”………………..Let the good times roll!!!.........
Now, a little business……..
If you own a digital camera, bring it! We need more photographers. Surely, you are not asking us to take all of the photos, as well?
Here are some rules to live by at the Reunion……..
1) Each of you is entitled to receive one complimentary cocktail at each event. Then, you are on your own with the cash bar. This complimentary cocktail is courtesy of The Commodore Fund, a group of your fellow classmates who have contributed to an expense fund. This will be on the honor system. Please, don’t get caught in violation.
2) No fighting on the dance floor.
An updated Attendance List has been posted on the Blog Site. Check it out to see who is attending and who is not. If someone you would like to see is not registered, call them up and coerce them to attend. All of the names and addresses are on the Class List, which is also posted on the Blog Site. New Biographies have been posted on the Blog Site.
Check the blog site frequently for new information. There is an updated Class List, new biographies as well as an updated Reunion Attendance List: http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 01-18-09
This is the final Communiqué! I can speak for the entire Reunion Staff……….
“Hallelujah!”
Somehow, we have managed to send you 30 e-mails in the last 12 months. I don’t know how we were able to write that much drivel and I certainly can’t fathom how you survived reading it all. It’s been fun! Average men would have quit long ago. But, this Reunion Staff is far from average.
If you are still working on changing your lifestyle and trying to look like a 30 year old model………..It’s too late! There’s only a week left………Go with what you’ve got! We will make you feel 18 again.
All events are scheduled @ Rancho Viejo Country Club, Olmito, Texas.
Friday, January 23rd @ Poolside or the Casa Grande Club Supper Club
“The Icebreaker” 5:00 p.m. to 9:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24th @ Casa Grande Club Supper Club
“The Reunion Brunch” 10:00 a.m. to 2:00 p.m.
Saturday, January 24th @ Rancho Viejo Convention Center
“The Dinner/Dance” 5:00 p.m. to 11:00 p.m.
The Ballroom and Banquet facilities are removed from the main restaurant, club house and hotel rooms. Attached is a map of the Rancho Viejo grounds. The Friday night “Icebreaker” will be held at the Casa Grande Supper Club or, weather permitting, Poolside. The Reunion Brunch will be held at the Casa Grande Supper Club. And the Saturday night Dinner/Dance will be held at the Rancho Viejo Convention Center. For those of us staying at Rancho Viejo’s hotel facilities, there are shuttles that can transport us from the hotel to the appropriate events. Or, if you have ground transportation, you can drive to the facilities, which are about 15 blocks from the hotel. If you have a cell phone and can dial 911, you can walk.
Don’t be late to any event! You will be sorry. If you are planning on a “Grand Entrance”, trust me, no one will notice!
Many of you have responded with conflicts with the dates of the reunion. We appreciate your thoughtfulness. It makes our job easier. You will be missed. Then, there are the usual suspects that continue to ignore us. You will get your due, in time.
Cocktails are $6.00, this includes tax and gratuity.
Now, a little business……..
Your first duty at each event will be to find the registration table. This is where you receive your name badge from the Scriveners and an embrace from the Staff.
Those of you with digital cameras should turn in your photos to us after each event. We will load them on a laptop for a commemorative CD.
Here are more rules to live by at the Reunion……..
1) If you are carrying a 45 year old grudge; let it go. No one remembers and no one cares.
2) There is still no fighting on the dance floor. Unless………the girls start a cat fight. Then, the Reunion Staff will sell tickets.
An updated Attendance List has been posted on the Blog Site. Check it out to see who is attending and who is not. New Biographies have been posted.
http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
Headquarters is bugging out and moving south. It’s a massive operation, but we will be operable @ Rancho Viejo in four days.
I look forward to seeing each of you!
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
A POST SCRIPT FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 01-31-09
What a gas!!!!!
There were 200 of you who showed up……a surprise to all of us! Another 50 of you personally contacted me with regrets that you could not attend. That is a huge base of classmates! For an unruly crowd that didn't want a 40th reunion, you came alive for the 42nd! My sympathies to those who didn't attend.
First, a little business……
Most of you turned in your photos Saturday night. However, there were a few of you taking pictures and we would like to have your photos for a Commemorative CD. The easiest way for us to process this data is for you to load your photos onto a CD and mail it to Rick Weed @ 5903 Mission Ridge, Arlington, Texas 76016. Please mail this ASAP. We would like to complete the CD soon.
The HHS Blog Site will remain up and running for a while. If you would like to preserve any photos, lists or other information, you can download the information from the blog site and print it for your private collection.
The Reunion Staff would like to thank all of those lovely ladies (and guys) who contributed to the costs of the handsome Plaques presented to us Saturday night. Your thoughtfulness overwhelms us.
A special thanks to Randy Fletcher for organizing the golf. The match was fun! Losing $40 to Sid Corliss and friends, was not!
A special thanks to Eloise Romero (Padron) for the Fallen Classmates Display.
A lot of care and love went into your project. We appreciate your dedication. We are all lucky to still be here.
A special thanks to all the Scriveners. In particular, Chickie Rogers (Hensz). Chickie, you had the toughest assignment on Friday night. You diligently and faithfully handed out each and every nametag. And, you never left your post! Albert was a trooper during your assignment. We are all eternally grateful for your commitment.
A special thanks to all the Paparazzi: Danny and Lana Young, Chris Bird, Bob Pryor, Virginia Clark (Ploch), Angel Ferreiro, Judy Morrison (Akers), Paul Crawley and Elizabeth Cantu (Ayala). We have 1000 photos and videos that Rick Weed is editing. We will have the Commemorative CD out to each of you within a few weeks.
I know that each of you is thankful for The Commodore Fund. These are 18 of your considerate and unselfish classmates that contributed $12,000.00 to subsidize the costs of the reunion.
And, of course, an Enormous Thanks……………….
to Buzz Lee for selecting such a lovely wife…………to Jack Howell for looking like he is 25…………..to The HHS Mascots (Larissa & Omar) for mixing with us 60 year olds……..to Angela Magee for popping the Vicodin and dancing her heart out………to Leo Solis for not attempting a "comb over"………to Eric Anderson for not giving away ALL of the free drink tickets………to Bob Fry for the Champagne and just hanging out…………to Ann Dickson (Forbes) and her heart of gold for taking all of the flowers to nursing homes……..to Sidney Corliss for shooting a 65 and his impression of a one-armed drunk man counting his change……….to Roel and Mini Campos for enduring the interview…………to Kay Laffoon (Bird) for being Kay…………to Orlando Campos for remaining "cool" for 45 years……..to Bruce Snider and Glenn Cleckler for being good sports…….. to Ronnie Valerius for looking like he's still in High School……….. to Mario Garcia for not revealing, after all of these years, how the Little League team had to carry The Commander …….to Donna Page for marrying Frank Chapman…...to Danny Young for the caricature of The Commander……to Walt Ridings and Hank Frailing for finally showing up…….to Jean Fry (Maddox) and her infectious laugh…….to Bernie Polikowsky for not chickening out at the last minute……..to Cleto Botello for keeping his hat on….……….to the Twirlers performance to Peter Gunn……..to Linda Avila (Poteet) for dropping her baton (seemed like old times)…… to Frank Garcia for finally allowing someone to take his picture ……to Millie Yates (Crawley) for looking better than when she was 18………….to Houston Yarbrough & Tommy Cox for their memorable percussion with the Malibus………………..to Phil Danaher for allowing us to roast him……….to Anna & Elli for making the trip across the Pond……….to Yolanda Pena (Leal) for a stunning rendition of "La Bamba"…….to Yolanda Elizondo (Acosta) for staying in shape for 45 years……..to Juan Espinosa for staying in shape for 45 years…...to Susan Foiles and Mike Young for doing the "Gator"……..to the Malibus (sans Mike Ferguson) …… to everyone who came and helped us relive a tiny bit of our lives……
…….and of course ……to Rancho Viejo; what a great venue!! (The Beach is a Bust!)
I have enough names and addresses to keep a "Sympathy Tour " booked for several years. I may visit you in my travels, so…….. be sure to lock your doors.
The lights are dimming at Headquarters. We are signing off now. It's been fun!
We will have to do this again, sometime.
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander and The Reunion Staff
Mike McKinney
Rick Weed
Tommy Cox
Bill McBride
does anyone know how to contact phyllis grove? she was my uncles sweetheart and hes been trying to find her. if anyone has any info please email me at meese_3@yahoo.com
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 08-18-09
My sympathies to all of the Texans who live south of Waco. Drought is a four letter word! Keep the faith folks……..it will rain, someday……it always does.
Class news………
Phil Danaher got the new grass laid on his football field……..Danny Trejo is still officially retired………Kay Laffoon (Bird) is selling houses like hotcakes in Illinois…………Anna Karlsdottir is doing well with her new medical treatment………Bill McBride is still saving the world, one roof leak at a time………Randy Fletcher still has a 6 handicap…….Ronnie Valerius just found a grey hair.........David Moore just found a hair.............Frank Garcia found 3 free-drink tickets from the Dinner-Dance and is depressed......Leo Solis finally threw his comb away……..Diana Trevino (Perez) has booked her room for the 2012 reunion............Angel Ferreiro and Linda Avila are getting married…..WHAT??!!!!!
Yes, it’s true! Angel and Linda hooked up at the reunion and have plans to marry this Fall. Angel lives in Hurst and Linda in San Antonio, so….I-35 has seen a lot of action the last 6 months. If you think about it……they are a perfect match. It only
took 45 years for them to realize it. A tentative date of October 10th in the DFW area is planned. Sounds like a mini reunion to me! Those of you who can make it are invited. We envision a private ceremony and then a reception for everyone to attend. How about a cover charge at the door? $10 or $15 a person? Sounds perfect to me! The details will be worked out and everyone will be apprised of the festivities. We will start a RSVP list and post it on the web site:
http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com
As always, we need an accurate count of those attending the Linda/Angel Party.
I hope that all of you are well.
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
GREETINGS FROM THE COMMANDER:
@ 08-30-09
The die has been cast….and the Angel/Linda Wedding is on! Attached is the invitation to all of you that can attend. Read it carefully. All of the information is plainly printed. It will be a grand evening for all of us!
This wedding is the perfect time for many of you to renew your vows……Tommy Cox with Sendera and Niko (his two Labrador Retrievers)……….Sid Corliss and his Scotty Cameron putter……
Kent Weaver and his livestock…….Mildred Yates (Crawley) and her couch…..Boots Willeford and his Hippocratic Oath……Susan Foiles and her three ex-husbands………
For those of you thinking that this is a “Shot-Gun” Wedding………Let me assure you that there is no “bun in the oven.” 60 year old ovens can’t cook buns!............. This is a 60 year old love story! And, a fine one it is!
If you are in the Corpus Christi area, be sure to visit the “Phil Danaher Field.” On Friday, August 28th , Calallen honored Danaher for his 26 years of excellence in coaching by naming the field after him. This is quite an honor for a guy that’s still living! It puts him in the Darrell Royal category. The only thing that I have had named after me is a drink at the local bar. That night, the Calallen Wildcats beat Edcouch Elsa 8 – 0. Sounds like a defensive slugfest. Phil calls it a rebuilding year for his team. He says that every year and then goes on to win 10 games. We are all proud of Phil.
I hope this note finds all of you well. Stay in touch with us. We would hate to lose you again. http://www.harlingen1967.blogspot.com/
With Kindest Regards,
The Commander
Mike McKinney
Lina E. Whitaker passed away from metastatic sarcoma, a rare form of cancer on July 31, 2009. Lina was in our Class of ‘67. All of our thoughts and prayers go out to her family.
Listed below is the link for anyone to leave a comment on her Guest Book page for the McAllen Monitor newspaper. Lina’s husband, Jerry, would relish the comments for his memory.
If this link fail to operate you can go to the McAllen Monitor website and leave a comment on the online Guest Book.
Guest Book for LINA E. WHITAKER – Online Guest Book by The Monitor and Legacy.
Robert Briggs, Jr.
Private graveside services for Robert Briggs, Jr, 61, of Cleburne, Texas were conducted Tuesday, April 06, 2010 in Rosehill Cemetery. The Rev. Steve McCoy officiated. Mr. Briggs passed away on Thursday, April 1, 2010, in Cleburne. He was born in Harlingen, Texas on February 20, 1949, the son of Melba (Cotney) and Robert Emery Briggs. Mr. Briggs was a licensed vocational nurse. He was a patient, kind, and loving person; beloved husband, and father. He is preceded in death by his parents. Mr. Briggs is survived by his wife, Sherry of Cleburne; sons, Michael Dunn and wife, Edith, of Eastland, Texas and Eric Briggs and wife, Marca of Cleburne; daughter, Brandy Briggs of Cleburne; sisters, Dolly Hill and husband, John of Oregon and Patsy Wiesche and husband, Don, of Harlingen, Texas; nine grandchildren and five great grandchildren. Condolences may be sent to the family at condolences@rosserfuneralhome.net
Who all is coming to the Jan. 2011 HHS Reunion in Kerrville, TX. Sounds like some fun.
I was a junior when I left Harlingen in 1966. I know a lot of the 67 HHS graduates. Can I join the club?
Dan Garza (Danny)
Is there going to be a 50 yr reunion in 2017?
How 'bout a century celebration in 2067?
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