Missed It!

January 8th of 2006 I published this.
Three years ago... and I missed that anniversary this year.

Do you ever go back through the blog to read and stroll down memory lane?
I do.
Those of you that publish your own posts here... Thank you.
Those of you who take the time to comment... you are the lifeblood of Vandy's Kids.
Without you, VK would wither and die.

Lots of water under the bridge... and the future looks interesting.
Let's share.

Birthday Boys and Girls

TD and Tools had theirs in November. I had mine last week. Gary S. had his the day after mine... 26 January. (Gary, where are you?)
As I recall, Jackie P.'s birthday was also in late January.
Now comes TPO. Unless I've been wrong for many years, his birthday falls the day after Ground Hog Day. So that would be Tuesday.
Happy Birthday old friend!

The above photo was taken at the Irishfest, and TPO was responding to the question, "What's lurking beneath that kilt?"
Edna had to avert her eyes... You should'a been there!

If you'd like to have your birthday recognized here, drop me a note with the date and I'd be happy to do that. (We all know you gals, like my sister, started school when you were just 4 or five, right?!)

Friday once again.
Did it snow on you this week?

Friday, With Sprinkles!

It's our normal "bellyache if you want" Friday post, but this time I'll relay news we can all celebrate-

Sunday, 25 January is a big day for some folks we love...
In alphabetical order, Mr. and Mrs. Hawkeye, and Mr. and Mrs. TwoDogs are celebrating the 40th(?) anniversary of saying their wedding vows.

Forty years!
How is it you gals put up with these guys that long?
I have no trouble at all remembering their anniversaries... can you guess why? ;>)

Congratulations to the four of you.
Have yourself a wonderful day!

The Best Ho'er In Smith Valley, (or Greenwood)

I hope you've noticed the new icon in the "followers" sidebar.
Cissy has written a post I'm sure you'll enjoy.
Click now and go read, then leave her a comment.

1963?

I have no information as to the "where or when" of this image... Wish I did.
My Dad, a lineman for Indianapolis Power and Light Company, talked often about that snowstorm of 1963 and how he experienced the exact circumstances shown by this photo.
Seeing it made me smile.

Friday Morning Quickie-

No, no, no...
Get your mind back where it oughta be!

I just landed and am about to leave work. My flight was to pick up a 23 year old kid involved in a rollover motor vehicle accident. He was drunk X three... blood alcohol content was .0228...
(Most of us would have difficulty walking with that much alcohol in our bloodstream.) This kid was seriously head-injured and was posturing... an involuntary bodily reaction to serious trauma, where your body realizes it has been critically injured.

Outside the ER treatment room, in tears, this kid's Mom told me they lost his older brother in a drunk driving accident two years ago. Now she has to deal with this.

If your kids are close, hug them. If they're not close, email or call them.
Say the words.

And on that happy note, remember... it's Friday again!
Whup it on us!

Beauty

I guess it's natural to complain a little. Feeling overworked, I've done my fair share of complaining over the last several months... like I haven't had time for "fun". Tonight I finally got around to copying all our pictures and putting them on a separate memory device so that one errant spark can't destroy all of 'em in one zap. Reviewing the photos surprised me...
Hawaii. Two DDFF's. Three October mini's. The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas. The Irishfest.
Planning now for Alaska in June...
Yeah, no time for fun at all!

This summer Cinders and TwoDogs went scouting for a possible mini-reunion site alongside Sara Jean and GB at Ft. Knox and nearby environs. The pic above was taken at the Ohio River overlook at the Convention Center at Otter Creek Park outside Louisville, Ky.
The park truly is one of the more beautiful places on earth.

Photos of our travels are a slap in the face for me...
Reviewing these makes me realize how much I am blessed.
I hope you have reason to think you are also.

Friday again... I know you have news.
So "news" us!

Heading West to warmer weather

I hope everyone had a good start to the new year. We spent Wednesday night with neighbors playing card games and WII, (which was brought to the party by some other friends). Since then we've been looking for the WII with no luck. If you haven't tried playing, it is a lot of fun. I like the bowling and golf, Tracy likes the racing. I was so sore Thursday, couldn't believe I had all those unused muscles I hadn't used for a while, They definitely got a work out. :)

We are leaving town at the end of the week. Going to Phoenix for the rest of the month to spend time with our kids out West. I was hoping for some warmer weather but they have been having 40's at night and only 60's during the day. :( Its going to be a long drive 1750 miles (shortest route) from our home to my youngest son's home (one way). Flying would be faster but you miss so much. Tracy has been planning our trip, we're thinking about taking the northern route this time. A little longer but the views are much prettier.

Hope all is well with everyone.
Take care.

First Friday of 2009

Happy New Year to all. I hope your holidays were spent surrounded by good food and smiling loved ones!

Mr. L. asked me to post the following question directed at all Vandy's Kids,

"Why do my thoughts and memories go back to the students I taught at Center Grove my first 7-1/2 years, more than students I taught at two following schools for a total of 31-1/2 years? Names of students keep resurfacing from time to time with great memories".

I'll take first shot at it-
Good students.
Good school.
Good peers.
Good administration.
Good community support.
And the fact that it was your first teaching assignment may have had a bearing too.
But I think the catcher on your second year baseball team was probably a real factor...
Wasn't he wonderful?
(Humble too!)

GB's Holiday Friday Thoughts:

It's another Friday. This particular Friday is the day following Christmas. Some of you already indicated you are sharing time with loved ones, and that thought is heartening. Christmas presents are nice, but eventually we all realize what is truly important about these holidays.
That thought was reinforced in my life this year. Literally watching for Santa's sleigh as I landed Christmas Eve, I realized I may have pushed a little too hard to get home. I was very, very tired when I creaked and groaned out of the front seat of that helicopter, and at that point knew "get-homeitis" was a factor in the last leg of that trip. I was exhausted, but being exhausted with Sara Jean and Big Bubba was preferable to any physical state while being away from my family on Christmas Day. Arriving home I hugged my son, hugged and kissed my beautiful bride, and promptly went upstairs to say "AHHHHHHHHHHHHHH" as I slipped between the sheets in my own bed. Sleep came quickly.
I know those of you reading this well enough to know that you've already thought about my next sentence:
There are troops out there thousands of miles away from home, wishing they could have spent Christmas Eve in their own beds, surrounded by their families. It's a terrible, hard fact that some of those folks so far away will never see their loved ones again... their job description exposes them to dangers we thankfully don't have to face because of their service to US.Thank you Lord, that in this all-volunteer military there are still young people willing to sacrifice for the rest of us. Take a second today to pray for them, please.
Friday again. Boy they come quickly, don't they?
What ya got to share with us?

It's Friday. Care To Rant?

(First rant... I cannot get "blogger" to print the full picture. Click it to see the whole helicopter.)

Sunday I'm headed West to California. The goal is to sign for and take possession of a helicopter very similar to the one pictured above and start back Eastbound with it as early as possible Monday morning. I hope to spend Monday evening in EL Paso, Texas, then finish the journey Tuesday night by delivering the machine to its new owner in St. Louis. Weather is gonna be a real factor on this trip... it's been raining all across Southern Arizona the past few days. I'm looking at a real cold snap here in the Midwest beginning this weekend and I'm hopeful that'll be long gone by Tuesday. Anyway, those of you that pray need to be prayin' a little for me. If you're uncomfortable praying for me... think kind thoughts, please.

All around me, including me, are mildly sick. I call it "The Gump". Cough, clear throat, sniffle, sneeze, blow nose... repeat as necessary. So far it hasn't kept me away from work, but I've had bad weather here allowing me to grab several hours sleep while on shift, so I've stayed ahead on sleep hours. It's another factor to consider for my helicopter ferry (fairy?) trip... I'd sure like to be WELL by Sunday!

What's up with this "NO SMILE" policy on your driver's licenses back home? Are you fellow Hoosiers gonna take that sitting down?

Enough for me... hope you've got RANTS to RANT.
Push "Comments" below and fill us in!

Jerry Lee, Ray and Fats Domino

I know that two of the above 'Stars' had a connection to Indiana. Ray Charles had that infamous run in with the Indianapolis Police Department. If you watched the movie, it is well documented there. Probably embellished some for Hollywood, but I'm sure that it happened, none the less. Don’t remember the outcome of the case, though. Along with robbing the cradle, Jerry Lee was rumored to have rattled the timbers at the Whiteland Barn. I went to the barn a few times in the mid 60s and they had some very entertaining groups play there – so, it would not be out of the question for Jerry Lee Lewis to have played a gig or two at the Barn. Don’t know about Fats Domino. Anyone know about Fats? Does he have any Indiana connections? Great entertainer in his day. Probably on par with Jerry Lee Lewis, but in my opinion, Ray Charles had the most staying power of the three. Or maybe that really translates to star power.

Facts are a little fuzzy about the video.
Occasion: Possibly a Bar Mitzvah for Paul Shaffer’s son or Birthday Bash for Fats Domino - maybe both, Who Knows?
Location: Storyville Jazz Hall, New Orleans, USA
Year: 1986, I think.

Would have loved to have been there. That’s a fact, Jack!

He Imitates The Singer In The Group With The Low-Down Voice

Don't ask why, 'cause I have NO idea, but this tune has been in my head the last few days. It got quite a bit of play in 1961. We used to hear quite a few novelty tunes on the radio back then... today, not so much. Are we too serious these days?

Once again, it's Friday. Got anything to relate, even about your relations?

Caution DDFF'ers!

Next year, be prepared...
There are KILLERS in the area!

Mrs. Skirvin

Again via Bo:

Leona C. (Ramsey) Skirvin, age 92 passed away Wednesday Afternoon, December 3, 2008 surrounded by her family at her residence in Nineveh. She was a former resident of Solsberry and Greenwood. Leona was born March 7, 1916, in Cherokee County, NC, to the late Wiley and Ella (Stiles) Ramsey. She lives in the heart of Kenneth Skirvin her husband of fifty years. They were married in Indianapolis. He survives.

She will be lovingly remembered by her children: Ronald K. Skirvin of Indianapolis and Pam S. (Skip) Van Dyke of Morgantown; much loved grandma to: Ami & Tyler Van Dyke, Angie Bumps, Woody Skirvin, Soni Jackson, Dustin & Steve Skirvin & Randy Wilson; cherished great grandmother to fifteen great grandchildren and two great-great grandchildren. She was preceded in death by her first husband: Woodrow Skirvin, one son: Steven Skirvin; one sister: Nina Ramsey; eight brothers: Otis, Hubert, Lester, James Bruce, Willard, Charles, Earl & Billy Ramsey.

Leona was a graduate of Murphy High School in Murphy, NC. She was a loving mother and homemaker. Leona was a member of the Solsberry Methodist Church and a member of the Solsberry Methodist Church Women’s Club for nine years. She enjoyed working in her flower gardens, planting trees, reading her bible and embroidery. Leona loved spending time with her grandchildren and enjoyed reading and writing poetry and life stories.

A private family service will be held at Meredith-Clark Funeral Home Cremation & Personalization Center in Morgantown with burial at Greenwood Cemetery in Greenwood. Memorial contributions may be made in honor of Leona to the Riley Hospital for Children “Memorial Fund” 50 S. Meridian Street Ste. 500 Indianapolis, IN 46204 Condolences to the Skirvin family can be sent to www.meredith-clark.com.
Information: (812) 597-4670

Ron, you and yours are in our thoughts.

We Are The Trojans!

Just in from Bo:

Hate to be a pest, (but I am!). Do you know that C.G. won the 5A State Football Championship in Lucas Oil Stadium Sat. night? I don't remember how to post it on the blog. I will forward the Journal email they sent me.

-And this is the Daily Journal piece she forwarded:


Dec. 1, 2008
Greetings:

Sports editor Rick Morwick is a gifted writer.

But even he could barely put into words what he had witnessed Saturday night at Lucas Oil Stadium. The improbable comeback of the Center Grove Trojans took his breath away.

In an e-mail sent to me at 12:21 a.m. Sunday, he wrote: "There are no words to describe what that game was like. I've never covered anything like it since I've been here."

For Morwick and all the other journalists we had at the game, the story lines started coming into focus about 9:30 p.m.: Center Grove loses second title game. Carmel gets another title.

Come on, even some folks wearing red were seen leaving Lucas Oil Stadium before the final tick of the clock.

Our goal was to get stories and photos on our Web site just as soon as humanly possible after the game ended, so Morwick had much of the story written. He headed to the field to get comments from the players and coaches to round out his Center Grove-comes-up-short story.

Well, thank goodness for the delete key; a sports editor who is exceptional, smart and quick; and a bunch of teenage boys who would not give up.

Morwick, in the blink of an eye, rewrote his story, gathered quotes from the players and at 10:59 p.m. hit the send button. The subject line: Center Grove miracle.

Indeed it was.

On the field, Morwick interviewed players who were reduced to pure, raw emotion. These were not just tears he witnessed. These were the shaking, ugly cries that are impossible to control. You know because you have been there before. You can't try to stifle it. You just have to give into it and let every ounce of emotion come out.

As Morwick was talking to players and coaches, photographers Scott Roberson and Joe Saba and videographer Adam Roberts were capturing all that emotion in photos and on video.

Roberts captured the action and anxiousness of the fans during the six-minute turnaround. The shots of Trojan fans covering their eyes and crossing themselves were the perfect touch to illustrate those tense final moments.

By the end of the night, Roberson had taken about 1,000 images, Saba about 800.

While the quantity of photos was high, the quality was even higher. The photos they took were stunning. More importantly, they told a story.

Photographers Roberson and Saba captured key moments in the game. Luke Swift stiff-arming a Carmel player. Mike Wood leaping to catch a pass. Jordan Luallen squirming with every ounce of might in him to get the football in the end zone.

They captured scenes from the locker room, of the fans and, especially, of the emotion. Jordan Luallen and his dad embracing after the game. Derek Long jumping into the arms of assistant coach Patrick Mallory. Trojans jumping for joy.

A couple of readers shared their thoughts about the game. Here they are:
You gotta believe.
Beth Meyers writes: This was a fantastic season for the Trojan football community! I want to thank the team for making me a believer! Hearing the announcement over the public address system early in the fourth quarter reminding the fans there would be a fan appreciation assembly in the high school gym after the game made my heart sink. This had been announced all week as a pep session; now it was a fan appreciation session?

I turned to my friend and dropped my lower jaw; at that moment I realized I had not prepared myself to leave Lucas Oil Stadium with a loss. I prepared myself all week believing we were leaving with the title of IHSAA Class 5A state champions.

Thanks to teamwork, dedication, character, leadership and believing, our Trojans turned the game around in six minutes. Wow. I guess this goes to show those who left that it is never over till it's over. Trojan pride.
'I was screaming my head off.'
North Grove Elementary School student Emily Roark writes: I could not believe that Center Grove got three more touchdowns in the fourth quarter. I felt so excited; my heart was beating fast. I was sad to see Carmel's score ahead. I never gave up on my team. I knew they could do it!

Tonight was the first time I had ever been to Lucas Oil Stadium. I was screaming my head off whenever Center Grove won. This was the best game I have ever seen. I will always remember tonight. I am proud to be a student at Center Grove. Go Trojans.

Thanks Mom and Dad for taking me.

Diary of a snow shoveler . . . .

If you want a really good laugh,
take a few minutes and check out this web site.
It has music and animation.
I first read it in 1976 and found it again on the internet posted in 2005.

Mary Ella's Mom-

Several of us received this message this A.M.:


Mom (Luella A. Royston) passed earlier this week and the arrangements are as follows:

All arrangements held at: Olivet Missionary Baptist Church

4141 N. High School Road

Indianapolis, IN

Viewing on Tuesday from 10am-12noon.

Service begins at 12noon.

Burial in Greenwood.

Then back to church for the Repast.

Thanks for all the concern and prayers.

Mary

Mary, we're all thinking of you.
(If you need Mary's email address, drop me a note.)

Classmate of '65

Parvin Salmassie:

She graduated with us in ‘65. Said she was from Persia (Iran). I’ve often thought about her and wondered what became of her, if by chance she was back in Iran. How did she endure the Gulf War or the war we are now in over there in the Middle East?

I ran across her name on ancestry.com the other night and I got 3 returns for that name. Of the info I retrieved it said she was born in Jan. 1948, her last name is now Carter, and that a family member is trying to locate her. That family member left an email address so I replied and gave them minimal info, but enough info so that they could determine if it was the same person. So far I’ve received 2 replies from her son, Robert D. Carter. The first message says:

My mom lives in Indiana. this might be her

My reply back was:

The Parvin Salmassie that graduated with me said she was from

Persia (which is now Iran, I guess). This was back in 1965.
I keep in touch with several of my classmates from back then.

What kind of information did you need? or what were you looking for?

His reply came back immediately:

Anything available. That would be my mom :)

Sent from my iPhone

Ok, so now I don’t know what to do because his email address is from Indiana.
If he knows his mom lives in Indiana, then I’m not sure what he’s looking for.

Please….any suggestions on what I should do from here would be greatly appreciated.

Should I just forget it?

1963, Good and Bad.

Weird.
That car was so far ahead of its time, it was used to depict what an auto might look like in the near future in the movie "Gattaca".

The 1963 Studebaker Avanti had a rustproof fiberglass body, produced by the same factory that made bodies for the Chevy Corvette. The Corvette had just introduced the revolutionary "Sting Ray" body style, and the factory making these "glass" bodies was having trouble keeping up with orders for both cars. Quality suffered.

TD indicates it was a good/bad year for him.
Looking back, most of us could probably say the same thing. President Kennedy was killed in November. I lost my driver's license for six months for receiving a ticket for reckless driving...
Completely deserved, by the way! I worked that year at "Hatfield's Service", the Standard Filling Station at the corner of Smith Valley and Morgantown Roads. Part of my remuneration for working there was to have been a free tank of gas per week.
Oh well!

But the tunes, as indicated by the songs from that FANTASTIC "American Graffiti" soundtrack, were great... and are still heard regularly on the radio.
Surely, VK's have stories to relate about 1963, don't you?
That's the reason we started this blog... to share stories about then, and now.
Care to comment on YOUR 1963?

UPDATE-
For some reason, on Firefox the Avanti picture is cut in half.
If that's true for you, click it to see the full pic.