2022.02.14 Fwd: TBT February 12, 2002 - Part 1 of 2 parts

I'm hearing that many of you were not able to open ALL of last Thursday's TBT. It was very long.

So here it is in two parts. Let me know if you do not receive two emails to cover the last TBT on 2/12/22.

ML ******************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
THROW BACK THURSDAY - THE HAYES FAMILY SAGA PART 2 - Plus Class News

This is the second in a multi-post true story in our town. I hope there are some lessons to be drawn here but I’m not sure yet.
The Congressional - Part 2A white sport coat and a pink carnationThe Country Club of Little Rock is about as far away from deadly gunfire as you can imagine, yet tragedy can impact even the most unlikely places. The club is located at the end of Country Club Boulevard in the Heights neighborhood where gate posts greet drivers with a daunting sign reading “Members Only.” Only a small fraction of us have ever been inside a country club and fewer will ever be members. The name itself is misleading, as the Country Club of Little Rock built in 1902, is comprised of nearly 300 acres of golf course and buildings which are totally surrounded by urban development. Post World War II prosperity allowed families to purchase homes, cars, and some luxuries like country club memberships. The late 1950s and early 60s were flourishing years for the club in Little Rock. There was a focus on youth at the club - swimming, tennis, and rock and roll dances with live bands like Johnny and the Rebels, all by invitation only and chaperoned carefully. After entering the club and walking up a wide staircase, a left turn had you entering the largest ballroom imaginable. It was filled with young girls in formal dress - and boys often in tuxedos at Christmas and white sport coats, with pink carnations in spring. The live music included “slow dances” interspersed with fast-paced rock and roll, during which the “jitterbug” was danced by couples holding hands, twirling, and spinning to the beat. Girls and boys were allowed to “tag” dancing couples, and they could then dance with the partner of the person tagged. The dance partners of a young man named William Graham (Bill) Hayes were tagged frequently. Bill had grown up at the club. The youngest son of a physician and himself a tennis champion, he was a popular guy. A female classmate of Hayes described him as “having everything - looks, personality, intelligence and connections.” Another described him as “one of the nice guys.” He lived with his parents Dr. Harry and Violet Hayes. His four siblings Tom, Dick, Harry and Sarah Jane Hayes were much older and by the late 50s and 60s Bill and his parents were the only occupants of the stately home on Shadowlane, just a short walk to the country club. Bill Hayes seemed destined to succeed in life. Some of our lives far exceed expectations and others follow paths no one might ever foresee.Next post, chapter 3 - “ The President’s Daughter.”
1956 CLASS NEWS
Our sympathy to the family of June Clifft who passed away January 9, 2022.

ML