With "Roadrunner," the latest IBM supercomputer, performing calculations at one petaflop (one thousand trillion calculations a second), tell your grandchild about trying to reach 40 wpm on those Underwood and Royal typewriters in our Typing Class. Have a camera ready, because the expression on their face is priceless!
The '59 class was so large, I did not know most of the members. Just those I went to elementary, junior high and church with. Also, surprised to find quite a few not listed in the Annona senior pictures. Horace (Buddy) Fleming is only one I know we lost in Viet Nam. Were there any others?
Buddy Fleming's helicopter squadron was on the other side of Freedom Hill (Danang) from my recon company and they provided us with transportation to/from combat missions. Sadly, I did not know of his proximity until I received word of his MIA status (later KIA). Later, at Troy University, the "Remember Buddy" day ceremony was attended by over 10,000 students, local citizens, and the news media. It was a fitting tribute to an outstanding Marine, Troy graduate, and PHS alum, who gave his life while attempting to rescue his comrades.
Horace (Buddy) Fleming's classmates from A. K. Suter School had a special program at the school honoring Buddy. At that time we also presented his flag and photos of him to the school. If any of you ever visit Suter School, ask to visit the Buddy Fleming Memorial Wall.
John ,I was sad to see that so many of our classmates have passed on. Does any one know what happened to Rick Rooker? He and I were very good friends in school, and we lost touch after I left. Thanks, Bob
Long before the term "designated driver" surfaced, there were "bridge drivers" in P'cola. It was an agreement among friends, that if you were too intoxicated to drive on the 3-mile Bay Bridge, you called a friend. Being a non-drinker (wow! has that changed!), I got a call from Conner Shaw; who was obviously feeling no pain and needed a ride home. When "Tex" Brock and I arrived at the Beach and located Conner, we discovered that Conner had gone behind a dune to "water some plants" and had encountered a skunk with an attitude. Conner smelled so bad, we made him ride on the fender of the car; which may sound dangerous, until you realize that the top speed of that vehicle under perfect conditions (i.e., hurricane-force tail wind and passengers leaning forward) we might reach at top speed of 40mph. When we got to the Santa Rosa Island Bridge, the draw-bridge portion was up, allowing a boat to pass. To Conner, that was a perfect opportunity to make new friends. He dismounted from the fender and began to go from car to car, greeting his soon-to-be victims. The car windows would open and after a sniff-or-two, close with record-breaking haste. We laughed until our sides hurt, as Conner swept the entire line of vehicles. It was one of those priceless moments.
What's the big deal about a high school reunion? I have been intrigued about what makes a high school reunion so different. Perhaps you do, but I seldom place any importance on the assemblage of the classmates of the three universities I attended. After considerable reflection, buttressed by a few drinks, I have concluded that the difference lies in the combination of time and people. As teenagers, we were soaking up social information with adult-sized brains; how to establish friendships, how to influence decisions, how to be accepted in various groups, how to harness our peaking body chemicals (SEX), how to fit into the society beyond our own immediate neighborhood, and how to do it in a manner that would evoke parental pride (or relief). Being a product of a working-class family, I hungered for the success and security that many of you seemingly took for granted. Having no big brother or sister to mold my actions and thought, I learned by watching you, my high school classmates. You taught me many, many things; most were good, a few not-so-good. But the central theme is that you helped shape the character that I carried into college, into a war, through a successful career, in raising six kids (and the death of one), and into an love affair with the woman of my dreams. So, thanks for tolerating my curiosity and impatience, laughing at my cartoons, not laughing at my dancing, pushing me to use my brain, and most important - for being my friend. As a role model and example, you did a pretty damn good job! As for those who were rude and snooty, that's okay: I don't remember you anyway. Don
I guess my Dad was one generation ahead of Don Coleman's, but he was from an Illinios farm family. He was injured as a boy and only grew to 5'7' (hist twin brother was 6'8". and all the other boys were tall. He told me once they sent him to college because he was the "runt".
He was a research chemist ( remember Acrilan?) and ran the techincal lab for Chemstrand. My mom was achemisty professor at PJC.
Being serious, Don? Your comments re high school v. college friends resonates with me. Who were my college friends? I don't remember and don't really care, except for many of us from PHS who attended PJC--and that's because we all grew up together, some of us from early childhood. Thanks you to and Johnny Reb, we've all been able to reconnect with those with whom we had lost touch after those college and/or career years. I'm still discovering delightful links!
As has everyone else, want to express my thanks to all who put the reunion together and also thank all who have done such a great job of this site. Have thoroughly enjoyed it and check it almost everyday. As I imagine it has for others. this has opened a flood of memories for me. Would like to hear from anyone who might remember me after checking the 1959 Annona.
I have done the best that I can to find and include ALL classmates in this reunion. It will be a success for me if I am able to find, contact, or account for every single one of them. I am highly amused by the Dawn Benoit falderol, but such is almost a necessity to generate interest, however prurient it might be. Those of you I have contacted have been, for the most part, a real pleasure to have known or to get to know in a small way by a brief conversation. I can only hope that you all might feel the same way about me - the Rodney Dangerfield of the class.
Anyone remember Direct Plumbing Supply's annual jingle contest? The first was, "Direct came alive in '55." The next one was "Direct still clicks in '56". I forgot any subsequent years' winners. Kreitlein.
Hey, Bill,
Got in touch with Gene Rosenbaum, owner of Direct and his reply to other jingles after your "55 and '56 were: Direct at 2911 offers real big savings in '57; Direct is Great in '58; Direct has your line in '59 and the last one Gene could remember is: Direct for Thrifty in 1960 !!!
Roz
Anybody remember the early days of TV when big Leroy Morris did humorous commercials for Jarrard Motors. I remember one phrase he used was Swindlin' Wendell. Did that really happen or am I hallucinating in a senior moment? Also, Lynn Toney was a favorite of mine. Was anyone ever in a Fiesta parade? I was on a float depicting the Three Little Pigs my Cub Scout Den sponsored. I was about 8 years old. Bill
And do you remember the DJ, Ted Cassidy (before he became Lyrch of the Adams Family)? The theme song for his radio show was "Satin Doll" and he used to say "I'll be around...if I don't stop eating these jelly donuts."
I, too, was in several Fiesta Parades as a kid. I vividly remember being on a "Snow White" float, dressed as...yep, one of the dwarfs (Mom thought I should have been Snow White). I think that one of our classmates, Fay Tucker was also on that float as was Linda Livingston, rest her soul, who did play "Snow White" beautifully.
I remember "Terrible" Ted Cassidy. I can still picture him standing in front of First Baptist Church before the service started smoking a cigarette. Ted played basketball for Stetson University. He was massive in size, not just tall. Someone speculated that he had the same congenital, abnormally large bone structure as Abraham Lincoln. That feature made him ideal for the character he played in The Adams Family. Kreitlein
Although I can't remember his name, every time I see a Reese Peanut Butter Cup, I think of the classmate who ate them daily at lunch, to collect enough coupons for the "grand prize." After several months and tons of chocolate-laden peanut butter, he finally had the required "zillion" coupons. Reese acknowledged the box of coupons and he soon received his prize.......a case of Reese Peanut Butter Cups.
Just found the website today. What a trip! I've enjoyed all the comments I read, as well as all the divisions.
Whoever is responsible must be some kind of genius, because it is really very, very well done. Thanks a whole bunch!
k
I would like to say to all who knew her that Judy Nichols Talley passed away. I saw her name on the reunion list and e-mailed her back in October of '08 . We discussed some of our old memories from PHS and our year together attending Huntingdon College in Montgomery before I transfered to Auburn. She told me her struggle with cancer and how tired she was of the extreme treatments. She had her old sense of humor about life and her predicament had not dampened her desire to live. I've lost loved ones during my life but to re-discover an old classmate and while writing back and forth, have her die, is an awful experience. I will always remember our short reunion and can only say to any of you that want to reach out to an old classmate now is the time. God bless you Judy
Rufus, Thanks for comments about Judy. If you attended Huntington, did you know June Killinger there? June went to McReynolds Elementary with us but I don't see her in our PHS class. I know she was at Huntington because I travelled over from Livingston and bumped into her at a dance one weekend. Bill
Bill, speaking of Agnes McReynolds, I found a class picture in moms cedar chest after she passed in 94. Not sure what grade but pretty close to 50 years ago. Many of our classmates in pix. You too! Many will recognize themselves & maybe some I could not put a name to.
I can't believe this. I talked to Judy on her birthday to wish her a Happy Birthday. Not having seen her name on the RSVP list, I was going to call and encourage her to attend. My, how uncertain life is.
I've tried to answer the blog on Direct Came alive in 55. Someone asked about the slogan for '57. I think it was:
Direct at 2911 offers real big savings in '57.
ng
I am thinking about the Big Reunion. Looked at this blog as Buddy Fleming was my college room mate at Troy State University or Troy University now.
A friend of mine went to his reunion and said it was all a bunch of OLD PEOPLE -- that scares me but would like to see some of the bald and over weight guys again.
My wife, Anne, and I didn't meet and start dating until we were 25, but after we were engaged to be married we discovered that we had both attended Ms. Pates Kindergarden together. We know that PHS classmates Roy Baysden and Bill Keyser also went to Ms. Pates. Who else in our class went to Ms. Pates with us? Maybe we can have a mini-reunion for our kindergarten class. Please reply if you were a classmate.
Joel, I was in Ms Tate's class. I don't remember much, but I remember her name. Wasn't it located on Cervantes street, between 9th and 17th ave. Looking forward to seeing everyone soon.
Who was your favorite teacher at PHS? One of mine was Miss Swain. As a true Southern lady, she made Civil War history come alive. I did not have our classmate's, Jim Fitzpatrick, mother for English but heard she was very good. Of course, the one who impacted my life the most was Coach Shorty Sneed. That was a real love-hate relationship. Those who knew or knew about Shorty know what I mean. Bill Kreitlein.
one of my favorite teachers was Mrs. Holt, my math teacher. She was very much into helping with ticket sales at the stadium. The night we played Murphy in Mobile, it was on a Thursday night and we got in late Friday morning, I had class early with her and she saw how tired i was and that I really wasn't going to be any good that day so she told me to put my head on my desk and take a nap, only at P.H.S. in those days can something like that happen, she was a very nice lady...Ronnie Marshburn
I think that my favorite was Mrs. Partridge, hands down. Bill Kreitlein and I were in her class together. I remember her to this day, how she made me realize what I could accomplish with a little hard work. But the person who had the most effect on my life was Coach Sneed. Bill and I both had the same type of relationship with him. But he did more in building character than anything else. I owe him a great deal in making me the man I have become. I only regret that I didn't get the chance to tell him.
One of my favorite teachers was Harriet Knight who taught American History. I was one of several "Jo's" or "Joe's" in my junior year class, so she and I agreed that I would be addressed as Harriette (different spelling from hers; mine is French). Probably many of you in that class don't even remember me as otherwise! Miss Knight, if you recall, seemed to be extraordinarily gifted as a history teacher, especially when we reached the Civil War era in our course. She closed her books, notes, et cetera, and lectured from memory as though she had been there herself, even drawing freehand all those beautiful maps on the blackboard (remember blackboards?). I think she had grown up listening to a grandfather telling his stories. Well, I used to stay up all hours of the night to draw my own maps to accompany numerous hand-printed reports. Didn't have a typewriter. then. ~ Just call me "hattiejo."
I had two favorite teachers. The enduring Miss Partridge who taught Spanish for tons of years. Secondly was Mr. Bragg, who taught algebra or math. He was bald on top and when asked he commented that when you land upside down on a carrier deck, your hair falls out. He was a hoot!
I had both Mrs. Fitzpatrick & Miss Swain & really liked them both.Doubled dated with Miss Swain a few times & went to the Acrack with Mrs. Fitzpatrick as she was a chaperone.
So many teachers that I loved to frustrate, but the ones I remember most were Reggie Butler and Edgar Bragg both of whom had a lasting presence in my professional life and I remember them both fondly to this day. Mrs. Priest and Miss Hussey also withstood the trials of my "studentdom" well.
What were your favorite places to go on dates or otherwise hang out? Mine were the Pensacola Dairy (the Milk Bottle), Famous Drive-in (still haven't found a better hamburger), A&W Rootbeer, Firehouse Drive-in. I went to all the movie theaters. The Saenger and Florida seemed to have the first-runs. Did not go into the San Carlos until an adult for a convention. Spent a lot of younger years at YMCA. Before the new Y was built, we were bussed to Corry Field to swim. Bill
Bill, those were some great places to hang out, I learned to swim at Corry station thru the YMCA, could not wait to get my "shark" award so I could go to the deep end of the pool, how about A&D root beer place in Warrington, it had the coldest rrot beer and the best hot dogs around
Ah, the Milk Bottle! The Old Firehouse continued a favorite through early adulthood until I moved to Tallahassee in my mid-twenties. This place used to served shrimp burgers and it seems that's all I ever ordered because I was stuck on those shrimp. Yum! I think this also is the restaurant that served pizzas; if so, I had my first one there and ate it with a fork and knife. Still do! We used to call them "pizze pies." So much for favorite eateries. I also remember a Goofy Golf place where Steve Jorden [class of '58] took me a few times. And, of course, there was always the beach.
I have really enjoyed the web site and all the comments from classmates. My memories have gotten vaguer through the years and some fond memories have been stirred a little. I went to a SOUTHERN BAPTIST CHURCH and my memories are a little different if you know what being a Baptist means. Our church had a banquet for all the seniors in the church on the night of the prom. Those were the days. I have three grown up daughters and have vicariously shared their prom experiences. I found out that you could be a christian and still dance. I married a man from Pennsylvania who I met at college. We have been to all his class reunions....I think it helped that he was the class president. He is the one who has been encouraging me to go to this one. He is also looking forward to it. We have both retired from teaching....me from kindergarten and him from high school. He occasionally teaches college classes to keep in touch with teenage kids. Patricia
Someone mentioned "Swindlin' Wendell" and I vividly remember seeing ads on WEAR-TV with a guy calling himself that and who sold used cars. I'm not from PCola and didn't graduate from PHS obviously, but this blog was the only reference to "Swindlin' Wendell" that Google could come up with. I someone else remembers these funny commercials, please get in touch with me. This is a fond memory of the early years of WEAR-TV from someone who lived in Mobile at the time. I am Jim G and my email is jfgard44@mchsi.com Thanks, all.
Later, at Troy University, the "Remember Buddy" day ceremony was attended by over 10,000 students, local citizens, and the news media. It was a fitting tribute to an outstanding Marine, Troy graduate, and PHS alum, who gave his life while attempting to rescue his comrades.
Horace (Buddy) Fleming's classmates from A. K. Suter School
had a special program at the school honoring Buddy. At that time we also presented his flag and photos of him to the school.
If any of you ever visit Suter School, ask to visit the Buddy Fleming Memorial Wall.
Since I retired I wonder how I ever found time to go to work!
Being a non-drinker (wow! has that changed!), I got a call from Conner Shaw; who was obviously feeling no pain and needed a ride home.
When "Tex" Brock and I arrived at the Beach and located Conner, we discovered that Conner had gone behind a dune to "water some plants" and had encountered a skunk with an attitude. Conner smelled so bad, we made him ride on the fender of the car; which may sound dangerous, until you realize that the top speed of that vehicle under perfect conditions (i.e., hurricane-force tail wind and passengers leaning forward) we might reach at top speed of 40mph.
When we got to the Santa Rosa Island Bridge, the draw-bridge portion was up, allowing a boat to pass. To Conner, that was a perfect opportunity to make new friends. He dismounted from the fender and began to go from car to car, greeting his soon-to-be victims. The car windows would open and after a sniff-or-two, close with record-breaking haste. We laughed until our sides hurt, as Conner swept the entire line of vehicles. It was one of those priceless moments.
I have been intrigued about what makes a high school reunion so different. Perhaps you do, but I seldom place any importance on the assemblage of the classmates of the three universities I attended.
After considerable reflection, buttressed by a few drinks, I have concluded that the difference lies in the combination of time and people. As teenagers, we were soaking up social information with adult-sized brains; how to establish friendships, how to influence decisions, how to be accepted in various groups, how to harness our peaking body chemicals (SEX), how to fit into the society beyond our own immediate neighborhood, and how to do it in a manner that would evoke parental pride (or relief).
Being a product of a working-class family, I hungered for the success and security that many of you seemingly took for granted. Having no big brother or sister to mold my actions and thought, I learned by watching you, my high school classmates. You taught me many, many things; most were good, a few not-so-good. But the central theme is that you helped shape the character that I carried into college, into a war, through a successful career, in raising six kids (and the death of one), and into an love affair with the woman of my dreams.
So, thanks for tolerating my curiosity and impatience, laughing at my cartoons, not laughing at my dancing, pushing me to use my brain, and most important - for being my friend. As a role model and example, you did a pretty damn good job! As for those who were rude and snooty, that's okay: I don't remember you anyway.
Don
He was a research chemist ( remember Acrilan?) and ran the techincal lab for Chemstrand. My mom was achemisty professor at PJC.
Got in touch with Gene Rosenbaum, owner of Direct and his reply to other jingles after your "55 and '56 were: Direct at 2911 offers real big savings in '57; Direct is Great in '58; Direct has your line in '59 and the last one Gene could remember is: Direct for Thrifty in 1960 !!!
Roz
Anybody remember the early days of TV when big Leroy Morris did humorous commercials for Jarrard Motors. I remember one phrase he used was Swindlin' Wendell. Did that really happen or am I hallucinating in a senior moment? Also, Lynn Toney was a favorite of mine.
Was anyone ever in a Fiesta parade? I was on a float depicting the Three Little Pigs my Cub Scout Den sponsored. I was about 8 years old. Bill
I, too, was in several Fiesta Parades as a kid. I vividly remember being on a "Snow White" float, dressed as...yep, one of the dwarfs (Mom thought I should have been Snow White). I think that one of our classmates, Fay Tucker was also on that float as was Linda Livingston, rest her soul, who did play "Snow White" beautifully.
"Don't get took by a crook or had by a cad---get swindled by Wendell."
I wonder how many cars he sold with this ad!
Just read your Direct comments. I remember them well, but unfortunately only the same two that you mentioned.
It was a hoot! Just keep searching; maybe '57 will come forth!
khw
Just found the website today. What a trip! I've enjoyed all the comments I read, as well as all the divisions.
Whoever is responsible must be some kind of genius, because it is really very, very well done. Thanks a whole bunch!
k
God bless you Judy
Good to hear from you. Hope your cousins, Glenda Delmar and Marsha Campbell will be there. Bill Kreitlein
Direct at 2911 offers real big savings in '57.
ng
A friend of mine went to his reunion and said it was all a bunch of OLD PEOPLE -- that scares me but would like to see some of the bald and over weight guys again.
Chuck Ottwell
My wife, Anne, and I didn't meet and start dating until we were 25, but after we were engaged to be married we discovered that we had both attended Ms. Pates Kindergarden together. We know that PHS classmates Roy Baysden and Bill Keyser also went to Ms. Pates. Who else in our class went to Ms. Pates with us? Maybe we can have a mini-reunion for our kindergarten class. Please reply if you were a classmate.
Joel & Anne
I was in Mrs. Pate's kindergarden. I learned this at the reunion from Judy Groff who was there too. Bill
~ Just call me "hattiejo."
Ah, the Milk Bottle! The Old Firehouse continued a favorite through early adulthood until I moved to Tallahassee in my mid-twenties. This place used to served shrimp burgers and it seems that's all I ever ordered because I was stuck on those shrimp. Yum! I think this also is the restaurant that served pizzas; if so, I had my first one there and ate it with a fork and knife. Still do! We used to call them "pizze pies." So much for favorite eateries. I also remember a Goofy Golf place where Steve Jorden [class of '58] took me a few times. And, of course, there was always the beach.