The Original Dream Girls

I think "When The Lovelight Starts" was the first of a ton of Supremes hits.
Be honest now...
Didn't you know all the words to most of The Supremes songs?
I did.... and still do. I have their "Greatest Hits" album and play it all the time.

How many TV skits have you seen of girls lip-synching to
"Stop, In the Name of Love!"
Cracks me up.

I had a crush on Mary Wilson and had a poster of The Supremes on my wall for a while.

Lots of Chick groups were popular during that time...
The Chiffons, The Shirelles, Martha and The Vandellas, and many more.
In my opinion, none compared to Mary, Diana, and Flo.
Wanta argue?
The forum is open. Click "comments"!

Tall Jane and Her Guy

If ya wants, ya gotta ask. So I asked.
"Hey Guy, how's Jane doin'?"
Here's his response:

First off, we have a change of address and e-mail address. My charter.net service will terminate soon. Please update your address book.
(New address: guystrang[at]charter.net)

Although we have not yet sold the house in Clarksville, due to the delay caused by Janie’s accident, things are progressing nicely.

Janie should be walking again in a couple of weeks, although complete healing will take another three months. In the meantime, she has taken a teaching job at the Trigg County (Kentucky) high school, teaching geometry. Yes, after a short retirement she is back teaching already, from a wheelchair. It’s a part time job; she teaches on Tuesday, Thursday and Friday. I have also volunteered to be the assistant coach to the high school basketball team (a non paying job).

So, we are spending most of our time at the lake house, coming back to Clarksville on weekends to have garage sales and finish preparing the house for sale. The painting is finished, thanks to (Steve W’s) donation of time and sweat and some neat vinyl work. I have put out “for sale by owner” signs in the front yard and have already received a few inquiries, but not yet ready to show the house until we can move some of the junk out of it.

Not much else to report.
Thanks for the inquiry.
Keep in touch.

So... teaching from a wheelchair?
(Makes it SO hard to pace in front of the class... but Jane could spin a few doughnuts for the kids!)
Get well soon, Jane!

A Year Ago Today

August 23, 2007 Hawkeye posted this news.

The year has passed quickly.
Funny though, checking here at VK on a frequent basis, Mr. V. is still a part of my life every day. Most often, that brings a comforting feeling.
Wouldn't we all love to be remembered that way?

We still miss you Vandy.

Sad News From Mr. L:

(Greybeard),

I was at a local hospital today getting tests, and got to talking to the lady that was administering my test, and she was the widow of Rocky Schienbein. His dad, Ed, was basketball coach there at some period while I was at CG. His dad left to coach basketball at Madison, IN around 1964. She said that Rocky graduated at Madison in 1964. I thought he might have been in your class. Rocky passed away in 2003 with throat cancer. I remember Rocky. I had him on my 6th grade basketball team, and all the girls were crazy about him. Thought you might want to place this on Vandy's kids...What a small world this place is? I was thinking about Ed not too long ago. He is retired and lives in Madison, IN.
Best to you and your wife.

Mr. L

Updated 23 August-
TwoDogs found an obituary in the Indy Star dated 11 March 2003:

Fred Rockne "Rock" Schienbein, 56, Madison, died Mar. 8, 2003. 
Arrangements: Morgan-Webster-Nay Funeral Home, Madison.

I've added Rocky to the memorial with his classmates.

Roy

It was Autumn, 1964, and life was GOOD.
On the way to school I'd turn East on Olive Branch to pick up John T.,
and we'd switch around on the radio dial until we found a station playing "Oh, Pretty Woman".
What a great way to start the school day!


For me, Roy was mysterious. It seemed to me he'd been around the music scene forever... "Oh, Pretty Woman" was huge, but we'd all heard his other songs on the radio, a few even reached number one, and many others had climbed the charts to a lesser degree.
"Crying" was another of my favorites, as was "Running Scared".
I had heard there was much tragedy in Roy's life, but didn't pursue trying to nail down information about him back then, mostly because I didn't know where to go to learn.
Looking into his career now there are several things that surprise me:
He was 52 when he died in 1988. I'm surprised he died that long ago... time sure passes quickly, doesn't it?
I'm also surprised he was that young.

And there certainly was tragedy in his short life...
In 1966 his first wife Claudette, (subject of an Everly Brothers song written by Roy) was killed in a motorcycle accident. He had divorced Claudette in 1964, then remarried her in '66.
In 1968, two of his three pre-teen sons were killed when his Tennessee home burned to the ground while he was on tour in England.

The Beatles and Rolling Stones credited him with influencing them.
He toured with the Beatles in 1963, with the Beach Boys in '64, and with the 'Stones in '65. Folks that know music talk about what a trailblazer he was in the early Rock and Roll era, writing tunes that didn't fall into the normal musical "formula", and writing "Rock Ballads". Combined with that voice with the four octave range...
Roy Orbison was one of a kind.

Just before his death, Roy got together with Jeff Lynne from "Electric Light Orchestra", Tom Petty, Bob Dylan, and George Harrison to form "The Traveling Wilburys".
He died in December of 1988.

I have his "Greatest Hits" CD, but can only listen to it infrequently.
Sara Jean isn't a big "Roy" fan, so I poke it into the player when I'm in the car solo.
I think she's missing some great music.

If you're interested in learning more about Roy's "dash", you can go here, or here.

And now, TGIF time...
How badly are you being affected by anthropomorphic global warming?

Prayer Request

My brother Floyd called to let me know that his daughter Julie Ann has breast cancer. We should find out tomorrow more on the stage of the cancer and treatment she will go through. We are leaving in the morning to go to Ohio where Julie Ann lives. They removed 3 lumps which one had already attached itself to the skin.
Julie has a very strong faith in our God which she is relying on to get her through these trying times.
Please pray for Julie's speedy recovery.

In My Room

Schmaltzy? Maybe.
The Beach Boys were every bit the influence on me the Beatles were. The words to this tune are a great example... perfect for a teen facing adulthood but living in the bedroom he grew up in.

All is well with us.
Is all well with you?
Tell us.

Robert Cassotto

This one is for Anonymous...
Y'all remember anonymous, don't ya?



Bobby Darin was one of my favorites. If you've not seen the movie about Darin's life, "Beyond The Sea" with Kevin Spacey, I recommend it.

For TD:

How's Your Dukedom?

Would you attend one of these oldies shows, given the chance?
Many of these "YouTube" clips are from a PBS fund-raiser, and I'm pleased at how many of these folks can still sing...
I think I'd love to be in that audience!

They Don't Write 'Em Like That Anymore...

My favorite from Little Anthony and the Imperials, TD...
Got one you like better?



And Bo, we'll cue this one up at the next mini, and you can give us a 30 second demo!

One Fine Day

I thought she was a doll, and hoped she realized how I felt.
When she came to the restaurant I'd go immediately to the jukebox, drop my dime and play this tune. She came three times...
I played this song for her each time.

The fourth time she came, before she sat down she dropped her own dime in the jukebox and sent me a message by playing "One Fine Day" by the Chiffons.
For me that truly was a fine day!

Now I'll Never Dance With Her Mother...

...since I saw her standing there!
(Or something like that).

Musical Memories

Participation time now...

Bouncin' Bill Baker has been a topic of discussion here. Most of us listened to him at least a little. A morning DJ on WIBC, I frequently was catching Z's while he was on the air. Some of us listened to Dick Summers over on WISH. The guy I remember most was another WIBC dude... Tom Doyle came on at 9 P.M. and I would turn on his show until I dropped off to sleep at night. But as I've said here before, music was a very important part of my teen years.

So my question to you...
What song(s) made a strong enough impact on you that you remember it/them fondly today?
We've mentioned a few here at VK already, but it's okay to rehash them if they were important to you. I'll keep mine to myself until others have had a chance to share.
For fun, here's one that put a smile on my face...

I can still remember the words by heart, and sometimes sing it to young patients we are transporting in the helicopter ambulance:



Made ya smile, didn't I?
Tell me your favorites and I'll do some searching and post 'em here.



And now, TGIF...
It's 8/8/08, and VK open forum time!

Finally Back

Well its so fun getting old. I just got out of the hospital. Went in July 26 1AM with heart pain. Heart was not beating together. They finally got it beating normal Sat. about noon with drugs. So I didn't have to have it shocked. After Eco gram and stress test had a heart cath. Found one blockage about 90% in the lower heart so they did angoplasti and put a stint in. The rest of the heart looks great. So I'm back to work. Starting to watch what I eat got to lose some weight and will still exercise. So all is well. Sharon and friends couldn't believe they actually found a heart. I think the nujrses even wondered if I had one. At our age we all need to take care of ourselves better. Take care all.

Just In From Hawkeye-

(GB),

I wanted to let you know that Cathy Simpson's ( '66 ) half-sister, Phyllis Clearwater Cantwell ( '57) passed away Thursday. You might want to add that to the growing list.
(Hawk)

Done.
Sorry to hear that.
As always, thoughts, prayers, and condolences to the family.

Don't Worry, Be Mellow Yellow!

Ahh, it's Friday...
If only I didn't have to mow the lawn, pick up sticks, and fill holes in the ground where the neighbors Labrador tried to be helpful by ridding me of my mole(s)?. Oh well, the sun is out, and I'll get my needed dose of Vitamin D!

Are you thinkin' about Alaska? I hope so. All are welcome... classmates, schoolmates, relatives, and friends of all of the above. We'll all enjoy watching Eagles soar.

And the Irish Fest is just around the corner. Why not come and see how long it takes to get a smile on that face?

And speaking of putting on a toothy grin, take a few seconds to watch/listen to a couple GB dedications-
This one is for Joker. (Hope you got your sound card, girl!)



And a more recent tune for GH:



I hope your life entails more than yard chores, but even if it does, you can "Be Happy" doin' 'em, and that's a fact.

VandyForum time....
Give us your news/thoughts, and make us all smile if ya can!