Tuesday, June 20, 2006

"When I'm 64"

Talk of Paul McCartney's 64th birthday brought back a strange memory.

I think it was late summer of '63...... someone correct me if I'm wrong.
WIFE had been running a promo on the Beatles.....

(Sung, as a jingle:)
"The Beatles,
The Beatles,
The Beatle, Beatle, Beatles.....
(this part was in spoken word, with an English accent:)
We really don't want to bug you about them, but they ARE too much!
(Jingle again:) Better look out for the Beatles!"

Apparently, WIFE had acquired the rights to be the first radio station to play The Beatles' first U.S. releases in our area. They announced they would be playing four Beatles records, and the audience would then vote on which tune was their favorite.

The afternoon came with much anticipation.
WIFE played the four records.....as I recall they were:

"I Want to Hold Your Hand",
"She Loves You",
"Please Please Me",
and "Love Me Do".

When they had played all four records, they broadcast a number to call to vote for your favorite.
Of the four, I liked "She Loves You" best. But when I tried to call the number to vote, I got a busy signal.
I hung up and tried again.
Busy again, but in the background, behind the busy signal, I could hear voices......
(Male voice:) Beep, What, Beep, Is, Beep, Your, Beep, Number?

Then, a Female voice: Beep, 8, Beep, 8, Beep, 1........and so on, until seven digits had been given.
Wow! How exciting!
Forget voting for "She Loves You", this had never happened before!
The volume of calls to WIFE had simply overwhelmed the phone company's ability to handle them.

Between the Beeps of the busy signal, I gathered four or five phone numbers of female voices and called them, just to find out who they were and where they lived.

And nothing ever came of it.

I have no idea why I remember this incident, except it was exciting and fun at the time.
But I do remember that "She Loves You" won in the voting, even without my vote!

Sunday, June 18, 2006

Florida Fishing Trip w/FlyGirl

I met FlyGirl early one recent morning at the Drop Anchor Inn in Islamorada, Florida. The Drop Anchor Inn is a quaint little resort in the Florida Keys. Obviously used by the fishing crowd because the Atlantic Ocean is at its back door. You can tie up at the docks and without having to go in or out of an inlet; you can be fishing in the Atlantic within minutes. On the east coast of Florida, you have to travel up or down the Intercoastal to an inlet and then on out into the Atlantic from there. The inlets are few and far between. Depending on where you start from, this takes time away from fishing. The beauty of the Keys is that the Atlantic is right ‘there’.

It was good to see FG again. She introduced me to her Hoosier Boy. HB is a great guy who seems to be a good fit for FG, if I may say so. Their fishing boat is a Mako w/ twin outboards. Great fishing machine! We started trolling for Dolphin after running out about 8/10 miles. After some instructions as far as compass headings and GPS readings, HB handed the controls over to FG at that time and HB and TwoDogs concentrated on catching fish. FG did an outstanding job of staying the course, all the while watching for the birds. Birds are an indication of bait fish. Bait fish attracts the bigger fish. We eventually ended up about 20 miles out and got lucky in the fact that we spotted some kind of floating structure. FG guided the boat to it and it looked like it was a large wooden gate or possibly part of a good sized crate. The good thing about this – it attracted the fish as well as us. At once, we begin to see activity all around the boat. One time, we had 3 fish ‘on’. Several times, we had 2 ‘on’ at the same time. We lost a few and had to put back a couple because of their size. We ended up with 8/10 - 10/12 ???(honestly, I lost count...) nice size dolphin in the fish box. Also brought in a small Black Fin Tuna. Not sure how we ended up with him, but, we did. We arrived back at the docks at 1600hrs. and FG and TD started cleaning the boat and rinsing off the salt from everything. HB started cleaning the fish. FG had made an 8:00 reservation at Happy Days. This is a ‘Hook and Cook’ restaurant not far from the Drop Anchor Inn. The same fish that we were at the docks with at 4:00 – we were having for dinner at 8:00. Cinders and I were staying at the Sheraton on Key Largo and I had run back to pick her up. She wouldn’t let me wear my fishing clothes to dinner so I had to shower and change into something a little more presentable. She assured me that everyone would be very appreciative of that. I think they were….

And what a dinner it was. As soon as we were seated, the Chef/Owner sent over shrimp cocktail – enough for everyone. Some of the biggest shrimp that I had ever seen. Very good, too. For dinner, we had the option to have the fish prepared several different ways. We chose Blackened, Coconut encrusted, lightly fried, and the Happy Days special - all very good. Pete and Judy, friends of FG and HB, joined us for dinner. Pete is a Charter Boat owner and Captain. He and HB have known each other a long time and thru the years, both have earned their fishing ‘wings’. Tales of men (HB) overboard and almost drowning, fishing for sails off of Palm Beach to running aground in the Marco Island area (as the tide was about to go out) to coming back in Sebastian Inlet during a raging storm as the tide was going out. Each of us had some tales to tell. Some funny and some not so funny. Respect of the ocean and the recent storms seemed to be a theme. When you are surrounded by water as you are in the Keys, you certainly better respect both the ocean and the storms.

As our long day drew to a close, it seemed a good time was had by all.

But, has it really been 40 years, FG??

One Fine Day. Wasn’t there a song by that name back in our day? 40 years ago…..

Tuesday, June 13, 2006

Vandy Called !!

Getting a phone call from Mr. V. really took me off my pegs! Here I am getting supper ready and out of the blue, Vandy is on the phone!

He sounded so good and chatted for a quite a while. He wanted to tell us how much he appreciated all that we did for him at the reunion and let us know one more time how much he enjoyed our class.

Flygirl, he really liked the Vandy Candy. "I put it out for the old people around here and it goes fast,” he said. He likes the blankets too but I don't think he naps much; I think he uses them as chair covers which is a fine idea.

He said he should have known they would ask him to speak at the Alumni Banquet when they gave him a free ticket! He really gets a kick out of seeing people he knew as kids. "I really enjoyed my job there. It was a good place. Good parents. Good kids,” he said.

I told him we want to gently roast OJ in October and he was happy to volunteer some OJ stories -- one story about OJ losing a golf ball and them spending a very long time trying to find it. Another story about OJ going ballistic and throwing a club into a tree. He had them looking for that club for a long time before he realized them were looking in the wrong tree. I’m sure he can add more stories by Fall!

Be on the look out for a golf ball that chirps (I know they make them some place). That would make a great gift. I have a small kid’s golf club that I can paint glow-in-the-dark orange -- the better to see in trees. All other roast ideas are still in play so keep thinking about it

I think Vandy really enjoys hearing from kids from CG so sending him a note, giving him a call or even stopping in to see him means a great deal to him. He has many friends and interests where he lives. He stays active and has fun every chance he gets. Still, a note or call from a student would probably make his day.

He sure made mine!

Sunday, June 11, 2006

CGHS Alumni Banquet 2006

Ferdy and I got all cleaned up and went to the Alumni Banquet last night. First time for both of us and we did have a good time. We sat with Hawkeye and Hotlips, Mr. and Mrs. Shifty and djinindy. Bob White and Mrs. White were at the table next to us and Bobby Hudson was there. He has moved back to Indiana from living in Florida for 22 years. Ruel West brought Mr. V and he gave a little "people" speech that was touching. What a man! He said it was the first banquet that he had attended since Mrs. V passed away and it felt good to get out and see everyone. Bless his heart, you can't help loving that man.

A viewing of the new DVD about the history of the school in White River Township ran before we had our meal. It is really interesting to see the first school located in the "grove of maple trees", the old school buses and then the old high school and gym that burned before we started first grade.

The class of 1956 had a bunch there to celebrate their 50th and it looked like they were all having a great time. There were several from the class of 1946 also. The most "senior" alum was a gentleman that graduated in 1934. I didn't get to talk with him but wish I could have. I think he would have had some interesting things to tell us.

Before the meal we sang the Star Spangled Banner then had a blessing praying for our men and women fighting for our country. We feasted on a buffet of fried chicken, ham, mashed potatoes, green beans, fried biscuits and cake. YUM...it was gooood!

GOLDEN HORSE! Ferdy and I could NOT see any silver sparkly balls anywhere; you must come back and whip things into shape for future alumni. Ferdy and I were so disappointed that they have discontinued your silver sparkly balls; the cafeteria lights just didn't have quite the same ambiance!

At any rate, the class of "65 had fun talking and laughing with each other about old times, weddings coming up this summer for Ferdy's and Hawkeye & Hotlips' kiddos, plans for future "minis" and visiting with other old friends. WE MISSED YOU ALL THAT COULDN'T BE WITH US LAST NIGHT, but "a good time was had by all" who did go.

Would you change anything?

Thinking about the last 40 years, it's easy for the "if-I-had-known-then-what-I-know-now" thoughts to set in.

What would you do differently, if anything? College, marriage, kids, hair color?

"She's Real Fine....."

(Simultaneously Posted at "Pitchpull".)

I'll bet many of you reading my title finished that sentence, didn't you?

I bet also that you finished it by singing it to yourself!

"4-0-9".....
Not
one of my favorite Beach Boys tunes.
It was catchy and fun.
You still hear it now and then,
not because it was a great song, but because it was done by a great group.

"The Beach Boys" were, and are, one of my favorite groups.
I think they're underrated by many.........
Not the Beatles, who were motivated to produce "Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band" after hearing "Pet Sounds" by the Beach Boys.
During turbulent times growing up, the Beach Boys took what was in my head and put it on the radio.

Brian Wilson, Beach Boy #1, was a genius.
The harmonies he molded, using his brothers, a cousin, and a friend, were fabulous. Combined with a simple but well written verse, you've got music that will stand up for years.

Go back now and listen to "In My Room".
What a great song:

"In this world I lock out all my worries and my fears,
In my room."

Did your room ever feel like sanctuary when you were growing up?
Mine sure did. And the harmonies on the song are breathtaking. Brian put my thoughts to simple, wonderful, words and music.

A couple posts ago, (at "Pitchpull"), I wrote about the "Oldies" DJ I used to listen to on Monday nights. One of the love songs I used to request and dedicate to Sara Jean was "God Only Knows":

"If you should ever leave me,
My life would still go on, believe me.
The world could show nothing to me,
So what good would living do me?
God only knows what I'd be without you!"


Wow.
All my adult life I've envied Brian Wilson's ability to not only write those words, but put them to music that brings tears to my eyes.

On a more upbeat note, musically, there's
"Wouldn't it be nice?"
I think these words illustrate the huge change that has taken place in our attitude towards sex, marriage, and relationships:

"Wouldn't it be nice if we could wake up
In the morning when the day is new
And after having spent the day together
Hold each other close the whole night through?"

A catchy, upbeat tune........ but as a young man with hormones beginning to rage, I could easily identify with the accompanying words!
Part of my attraction to the song is the fact that it sprang in what seemed to be a simpler, more structured time, when there were unwritten rules about what was, (AND WAS NOT) supposed to happen when "Boy meets Girl."

Music from the mid-60's through the mid-70's tells much of the story and mood of our time. I think some of it is truly classic, and will still be getting airtime when many of us are motivating from point A to point B on our "hover-rounds".

Late 60's Beach Boys stuff, when Brian began to experiment with drugs, confuses me. No longer simple, the music is strange....more complex, and doesn't stay in my head. But the early stuff, when he was still thinking like a teenager and writing for them/us, is unforgettable!

Tuesday, June 06, 2006

How to Post on "Vandy's Kids"

This was originally posted on 19 January. An email came today asking about it. I'm tickled that there is more and more interest......... this is such fun!
Here's the deal, my friends....... ya just gotta experiment; take a chance on making a fool of yourself. Those that have learned how to post here have done it by making mistakes and learning from them. We won't think less of you while we watch you make the same mistakes we made!
Dive in!
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~


This ain't rocket science, folks.
Don't hafta be pretty......
Like TwoDogs says: Jump on in here!

Those of you listed in the "Contributors" list ought to be able to click on "Blogger" up in the upper left corner of "Vandy's Kids".
Type in the user name and password you selected.
That will direct you to the "Dashboard".
There, under "Blog Name", find "Vandy's Kids" and click on "New Post".

Type in your title, then put your cursor in the main body of the page and tell us your funniest, saddest, fondest, stupidest CGHS story.
When you're done, click on "Preview" to see how it will look once you publish. Click "Hide Preview" to go back and edit some more.
Once you're happy with what you've written, click on "Publish Post", and you're famous! (Within our small circle.)
And if you're not yet on the contributors list, you can still participate by clicking "comments" at the end of each post.
(Why aren't you on the contributors list? Did you respond to our invitation? Shame on you!)

I don't care how lame you may think your story might be......I bet some of us will remember it and have a similar story to tell.

One thing is sure........you can't participate if you don't "buy a ticket".
The price of a ticket is mighty reasonable......the time it takes to type, edit, and publish your post.

What we have going here already brings a smile to my face......
If we get about eleventy-leven folks posting, it will be nothing short of wonderful.

Quit sitting on the sidelines!
Aren't you getting tired of seeing posts by Purple Tabby and Greybeard?
Dip your toe in the water!

Monday, June 05, 2006

Sharing a Alumni Story and a Red Face.

Not too many years after we were out of high school, I got elected to the Alumni Committee. Back then, there was always a huge turn out and the old timers would show up like crazy and fun was had by all. It was the early 70's and I was secretary and the dance part of the banquet was big stuff.
We had had one of our many committee meetings to make the banquet a success and we each were given our lists of errands to do. Mine was to make several calls and one of them was to locate the music and a huge silver, rotating ball to hang from the ceiling.
One day as I am flying through my list of to dos I make my call to the party company and as soon as the kind gentleman on the other end of the phone line answered, I blurted out, "Do you have Sparkley Balls"....Silence.... Dead Silence on the other end of the line. I had no idea what was going on. Then a little chuckle, then it turned into a huge laugh and he is sharing this with the other employees, I still did not have a clue as to what was going on. He said, "Thanks for asking...but I don't think so." By then I had realized what I had asked and was so embarrassed, I had a really hard time finishing the call.
Well, needless to say, we got our ball and the dance was a success. The night of the banquet, as all the officers stood up and gave their reports, our lustrous President, Bob Kelso, told my story to the whole room. It pretty much brought down the house and I could barely read my minutes when I stood up next. I did get a big round of applause though.
It wasn't too many years later, I left the state.

Saturday, June 03, 2006

Long Time.........

............No open forum!

Address your thoughts on any subject right here, gang!

(7 Dead in Nap-Town? What the heck is goin' on?)

Friday, June 02, 2006

Vandy's Kids

Vandy's Kids

WRT and CGS greetings, wet and cool, great day to share memories with friends.

150 attending alumni banquet with more hopefully to attend. tickets still available or at door 6/10 6 pm HS cafeteria. committee is working hard to make this evening memorable. Tours of HS available if any interest.

DVD is completed of CGS and WRT , 30 minutes of professionally narrated music and voice telling a little about our school and communitiy. 100 photos used along with copies of advertisements shown, lots of memories. cost is being determined by alumni committee but should be around $15.

thanks for allowing me to share. my mother, first CGS likes to hear about students to used to care for when they were ill or just wanted out of class for a few minutes. JT working hard on his farm, excellent neighbor hatchet

AMAZING INVENTIONS OF OUR TIME

Over the months we have talked about so many things that were so important to our growing up. Before computers, microwaves, Ipods, gas alternative vehicles, CD's, tapes, even tape players and on and on, there was one thing that stood out over and among the rest for me.
THE FIRST COLOR TV.
WOW, I remember when dad brought the first one home, a big (well it was back then) 21" RCA combination TV, Radio and Record player. It was in a beautiful walnut cabinet, and I was in total awe of it. It had those beautiful reds, blues and yellows, all perfectly running together like a new madras shirt, sans the white levis and loafers.
He had sneaked out of the house one weekend day without a word and came back several hours later with this huge box in the back of his pick up truck. Just as proud as a peacock.
I know he had to have paid on it forever, since back then they weren't cheap, but nothing was too good for my dad to watch his beloved Bonanza. It was his pride and joy.
On Bonanza night, me and all the little neighbor kids would stand at our picture window with our little snotty noses and dirty hands leaning in as close as we could to watch that amazing appliance.
That was one of the most ornery things I had ever seen, if you bumped it, or looked at it wrong or God forbid move the living room furniture around, you had to call in the TV repairman to bring out his metal ring to do a voodoo dance around the room.
I suspect it had something to do with demagnetizing, but back then, who knows what it was called. But anyways it worked....sorta of.
Over the years, I suspect, I wore that great machine out more than once at parties. We burned records on it until the wee hours. We had the TV repairman on speed dial back then...okay it really wasn't speed dial, but we did know his number by heart.
In spite of all of it's problems, it was a special treat for our family and will be treasured always.
Do you remember your first color TV?