2023.08.24 Throw Back Thursday - Memories - class news
Response from Larry Francis about the Razorback Drive In Movie. Amazing thing, Elaine Evans still married him. Now it's been, what? 60 something years!!!!
So Elaine and I doubled with another couple (who shall be nameless) and went to the Riverside drive in movie. I was driving Elaine’s Dad’s brand new Ford.
As we were leaving, the couple in the back seat asked for the cigarette lighter. I partially turned around to hand it to them and ran smack into a telephone pole.
Elaine was taken by ambulance to St. Vincent’s. The car was totaled. I got a ride to the hospital. My first words to here were “are we still going steady?”
Larry Francis
"The Boyle Building TBT"
I got braces in the fall of 1952, a little late I guess for braces. Guess it took that long to move too many teeth in my mouth to grow. I was starting 9th grade and thought it was
the end of my life..I believe in the fact that Junior High Age students were not really human then and I think that fact still holds true today. There is something about transition
from Elementary School to High School, that Junior High is where we live between a caterpillar and a butterfly. It's called metamorphosis (change) and it's not pretty. No one
can be more of a bully boy or a 'starts with a b' girl than 12 to 14. So you can imagine what I thought humiliation I would go through with braces and then to have to wear them
into LRCHS the next year - OMG, my life is over... it wasn't. And that was my connection to the Boyle Building... the Orthodonists I went to was Alstadt and Smith (Richard
Alstadt's Dad) He was a friend of my brothers and lived on Edgehill (I think it was Richard) and Mike Smith's Dad (our Class but away at Military School, still had to suffer being
his date for Riverdale Dances as did he.) What I remember though was I skipped school one day at PHJH and said I had a dental appointment. Being the 'not so bright' 14 year
old, I had no idea Ms. Lange (Georgiana's Grandmother) calls doctors offices to approve appointments as she was a pro in knowing that students did this all the time. It was my
first and only time so I did not know the rules for skipping school. Might have been better if my favorite great aunt died or something. Anywho, all went well and I was none the
aware of this rule until my next appointment and Dr. Alstadt, who was a very large and jolly man said, "Jan, I covered you this time, but don't do it again." I knew exactly what he
meant and from then on I thought Alstadt and Smith were the coolest dentists in town, considering Dr. Smith said he guaranteed me marriage or Hollywood. I wonder if Othodonists
are still that cool!!!!
Now, next time write one on the Donaghey Building, got a story for my regular dentist, Dr.O.C. Greene, and regular doctor, I believe they are called General Practitioners,
Dr.William Snodgrass,(Phllips Dad) who both officed there at 7th & Main. Doesn't every 10 year old ride the bus downtown to their Doctor. Oh, I forgot, now, children are not
allowed outside the house until 18, must wear helmets for everything, and if they are allowed to venture out, must have someone older than 21 with them as a chaperone.
Those were truly "Happy Days"!! Thanks Richie, Fonzie and especially "Mrs. C".
Jan Nix
When we first moved to Little Rock from Los Angeles in 1947 after the War we lived for a short time with one of my Dad’s Aunts. Rightsell Grammar School
was a few blocks away from her home and was the first school my older brother and I went to that Spring. We later moved to 353 Roosevelt Road (current l
ocation for the old Veterans Hospital) for the summer and Dad finally found a house to buy at 3011 Wolfe Street where we all grew up. Edwina Keith lived a
couple of blocks away (Wolfe Street) and was the heart throb of many. Mooser and I met at Mitchel Grammar School and have been close friends all of our lives.
If my Mother wanted me she called the Mooser’s (34th Street); if Mooser’s Mother wanted him she called my house. If they couldn’t find us they knew we were
riding our bikes somewhere or exploring and shooting snakes in the Foushee Lafae bottoms at the end of Wolfe Street with Jackie Holtzman. I would not trade
places with anyone,
Bill Harmon
One more note about Edwina. She was the prettiest and most popular girl on Wolfe Street; and Mooser and I both dated her until she was wooed away by someone
else with a lot more class. Thanks, Bill
Hi Mary Lou! Again, what a gift you give us weekly! This mention of a happy marriage came up years ago when I was invited to a bridal shower asking that
we bring a recipe for a marriage. This is what I “Stirred up” and it actually worked for Jim and me. Along with…”What’s cookin’ , good lookin!?” Hello to all!
I have saved your dear card to me , from the lunch bunch after Jim died. Sweet!!
Thank you!! Delrena Conner
ML. I am happy to report that our address has changed. We now reside at Pinnacle Groves Senior Living. 5520 West Northgate Road.
Apt 222. Rogers AR 72758
Edna Halley Smith. And Bobby Smith
Always enjoy your TBT! Just got home from knee replacement and being well cared for by Nurse Susie.
All the best to you!
Jim Norsworthy
Reading the offer by Jan Nix reminded me of an adventure once. Living on Spring Street, being 7 yrs old, I decided to curl up inside of a large truck tire and have
the guys give it a shove down the street which was downhill. So they did, it started picking up speed, as down I went. Soon tho, it started bouncing and swerving
as it was unbalanced. I was sure I had attained a speed of 50 miles per hour, ha. Within a few feet, maybe 25 or 30, I was flung out and skidded down the asphalt,
banging and rolling. Similar to a song, I was skinned and scraped all over. As I got up the first thing to do was to run home where I was long away from that evil tire.
Mom saw the bloody spots and immediately went for the bottle of Iodine. Within a flash I stated to her that I really wasn't hurting and would be fine. The suspicion
that her eyes conveyed to me let me know that I could skip the medicine, but would have to pay the price of the pain. Wow, the burning of those injuries went on
well into the late evening. My how we lived out dreams and concoctions of our imaginations.
Don Szurgot
I agree with Gilbert Raney. Love all the news and old stories.
Probably because my dad was an Alderman on the East side of town and ran for Mayor 3x, unsuccessfully, we ate out at least once a week. We went regularly
to a Chinese place (was that Canton Tea Garden?) on Main St, the Marion Hotel, a smaller, garden-type hotel on the south side of Capitol Ave, and another,
named after a historical figure, on the east side of town (Louisiana st?), a Mexican place (Mexico Chiquita?) in No Little Rock, Bruno’s Little Italy, and for special
events, Tijuana Steakhouse, which was WAY on the other side of town (probably not in the city limits in those days). We also went to a Barbecue place on west
9th st, and a Cafeteria, which I think was on Scott st , fairly often.
Of course, we had to be on our best behavior - other people would often drop by our table to speak to my Dad and/or Mother. She was the state chairwoman
of the March of Dimes campaign at one point, due to my brother Richard having had polio.
It was many years before I realized how rare that was - it was what we did - especially on Sunday after church - Winfield Methodist, where I sang in the choir.
Diana Loy ‘55
We lived in the BEST of times. I cherish every memory, even the embarrassing ones. We had such fun and we’re So innocent.
Jane Parkin McMillan '55
1956 CLASS NEWS
Vernon Newman has been moved to hospice. Keep him in your prayers.
