50's Culture: Memphis Zoo

How many of these shots must still be out there all dusty in the bottom of old boxes? Dig Walter's shoes! Who are the other kids?


Bogie says...That photo is priceless!! Who are the other guys? And aren't you glad the folks at the zoo had dated the photos!! This needs to be framed! Ha!

Bogieland: More Rascals

Admin note: We have discovered that there are places in Forrest City that you can go just in the experience of good storytelling. This blog has provided a forum for some great storytellers, which is an endangered art we wish to honor and promote. So with a playful accolade, we will begin to bestow names of those places after the storyteller who take us there (when the stories don't particularly fit in any obvious category).

Bogie Class of 62: I was so ashamed that I was a part of this so many years ago that I have found it hard to share with you guys!! Does anyone in Mr. McClure's home room, (I think we were A thru D), remember the choir trip that took practically the whole school away for a whole day? I know it was a Friday, because there was an assembly that morning in the gymatorium and all of us left in school had to attend.

There was a very nice preacher that made a talk for about 15 or 20 minutes, school business was discussed and that was about all there was on the program. Well, seein' as tho we had no teacher with us that day in the bleachers, Mr. McClure's homeroom class did everything but listen to the preacher! We disrupted the whole program by moving about in the bleachers, pea-shooting wads of paper, laughing and talking--and yes, we all took part!

Welllllllllllllll Mr. Leiblong didn't appreciate the fact that some of his students were so disruptive plus he couldn't count on one of the teaching staff to be at their post to guard against such a thing!! He was dismissing the audience one class at a time--guess who was last!! Man! I dreaded that man coming up to our area in the bleachers!! He stormed, and I do mean stormed, up the stairs and over to us (we sat up about 10 rows close to Miss Smarts office) yelling all the way, "I cannot believe I have a class of students that would pull such a stunt!" (or words to that effect).

Anyway, we were amply awarded--2 weeks of detention staying after school until 4pm. I don't know what Mr. McClure's punishment was, but I'm sure he got one! And be sure that 2 weeks of detention wasn't all I got! When I had to tell my folks about the whole incident--I got 2 more weeks at the house! I never tried anything like that again!

The others in the class know who they are--I wouldn't dare mention names. Except MCCLURE!

CLASS of Pre -1945

Mrs. Coffee's 2nd Grade Class

B.J. Class of '68: My dad sent me this picture when he heard about the blog. Can anyone guess the year? It looks like everyone was having a bad day in Mrs. Coffee’s class. Check out the list below to see the names. My aunt was Ruth Rowland in the back row, but there are several names missing from the list. Can anyone fill them in? By the way, I thought the school in the background was the old elementary school, but my dad says this school was closer to town on Rosser Street where the Baptist church is now. Click here to download picture.

Admin note: Henry Haven, Peach Fuzz Blogger Hank Haven's dad, is first boy kneeling, 2nd row left. Notice all the girls are in the back so they aren't on their knees or sitting!

Sula Class of '68: I'm guessing c. 1928-31?

CLASS of 60

Anyone recognize this gent? Hint--he graduated in 1960 with you Butch! That's his wife and first born!
Bogie







(That is Booger Montgomery, son Kent in his arms and wife Charlotte when they lived in Yankee Town)

Butch Class of 60: SPO Formal taken at the Peabody in about 1956. I'm not completely sure, but I think this is our 9th grade year. If so, it was my first date in life. My date was LaNan Hamilton. She shed the "La" later to become known simply as Nan. The second date in my life was the next year at the same dance with Gay Burke. I was a real lady's man back then. "A white sport coat and a pink carnation.." You might notice that I was wearing the only white sport coat in the room. It was a hand-me-down from my big brother, Charles.The people at the table are: (Left to Right) LaNan Hamilton, Butch Ford, Forrest Bogart, Patricia Sulcer, Sandra Woods, and Sid Fogg.

Ollie Warren Class of '60 & Claire Kenyon (Mr. & Mrs. now)

45th Reunion Pictures from Billy Lieblong
From Butch Ford: This was the 45th year reunion for the Class of 1960.We convened at the Red Apple Inn on Greers Ferry Lake in mid-February, 2005. All agreed that this was a perfect time and place for a reunion. It wasn't hot, the weather was great, there were no mosquitos, we all stayed in the same facility and the Red Apple Inn staff did an excellent job of making our reunion a success. As you might have noticed, some of these fine folks in the photos have changed a lot, others have survived rather well. I'll let you decide who belongs in which group. OK, here goes. I'm going to reveal the names of all those fine looking young people in the group shots. I'll use the maiden names for the girls for accuracy.

TOP GROUP PHOTO:
Front row/knealing: Patsy Pettus (she really doesn't like to be called Patsy anymore), Freddy Swan, Patricia Sulcer (married to the guy to her right), Mimi Butler, Cam Cameron, Butch Ford, Robert Padgett.
Second row: Robert Jones, Paula Light (married to the gentleman on her right), Charlotte Sulcer, Sue Gore, Maybelle Knust, Danny Harrelson, John Dudley Bridgforth.Third row: Jerry Shurgar, Larry Immel, Ronald Davidson, Doug Smith, Jack Oskowis, Booger Montgomery, Harris Hollingsworth.
Fourth row: John Threat (standing behind Shurgar), Walter Cox, Ted Huffstutler, Tommy Clark, Billy Lieblong.

GROUP PHOTO #2 - see names above.

Small Group shots in order: Ollie Warren and his new bride, Claire Kenyon. Next, Larry Gene Immel and Tommy Clark. Next, Ollie Warren & Claire Kenyon Warren, Dub Laws, Larry Immel, Billy Lieblong, Robert Padgett-- and last: Doug Smith and Butch Ford

Walter Ferguson said..Billy, I only wish Tommy could have been there. I remember all too well you and Tommy chasing the girls. What a pair! I also remember you coming to one of the SPO formals and doing the alligator! We had never seen that. COOL. I'm glad we're related. WF

Bogie: Hey Butch! I think the photos of the reunion are great--one question--isn't Claire Kenyon a member of the class of '62? I remember her in our class our sophomore year but after that, I lose her! Where did she go and where did she and Boone graduate? We were not close in high school--wish we had been--I know she's a lovely person--would like to invite her and all you guys of '60 and '61 to come see us next year at our 45th! Maybe we can do a triple-play weekend! I'll bring it up when we start our planning!

Doraville: On Getting Polio By Lying

Dora Class of '68: When I was in the ninth grade, I loved to go to the high school whenever I could. My sister and brother were there and I just liked the older kids! That year they were giving sugar cubes to people who didn't have their polio shots and you got to leave school and walk over to the high school. Now I had my polio shots, but I wanted to get out of school and go to the high school! So I LIED! I said I had not had them.

I walked over to the school and walked around the halls and eventually went to where I was suppose to go and ate one sugar cube. I felt awful. I thought God is going to get me for lying! I mean I felt so bad about it. You were suppose to go back and take two more I think and I didn't go.

That summer I pledged DBS. Lee Long was my big sister. We had to sit for hours on a hard floor with our legs crossed at the first meeting. My legs went to sleep! I mean I had no feeling in them at all! I started crying. I mean really crying and Lee and Carolyn walker came and helped me up and I left with them and we went riding. I can remember the crawdad-Lee said, "Dora, smoke a cigarette- it will make you feel better."

I finally said, "I know what is wrong. I have polio!" Lee said, What? I said, "I lied, I lied-- I took a polio sugar cube last year at school and I already had a polio shot and God has made me have polio for lying!!!" I mean I was serious! They started laughing and said NO, you dont have polio! Eventually the feeling came back in my legs.

BUT it did something to me about lying(except skipping school and church) BUT when I was point blank asked about whatever I had done-- I would tell the truth or sometimes tell on myself. It was the fear I had of my legs going numb again!

**In the United States, polio was the most notorious disease of the 20th century until AIDS appeared. On April 12, 1955, it was announced that Jonas Salk, using March of Dimes donations from millions of people, had developed a vaccine to prevent polio. See: What Ever Happened to Polio? by the Smithsonian.

Doraville: On Being Rascals

Dora Class of 68: The summer after my ninth grade year Paul and Brant would walk to my house on Saturday mornings. EARLY Saturday morning! My mother would let them come upstairs and wake me. They would have this stuff called Crazy something- Paul might remember what it was. It was a foam that you sprayed out of a can and they would spray me in the face! Then we would go in the guest house out back and they would spray it everyplace. They would also visit with my older sister Lynda. She was a great sister and always treated my friends well and never thought I was a tag along. She was going with Walter Ferguson her senior year and freshman year in college. I can remember Walter teaching me how to play the first three chords to Don't let the son catch you crying.

That same year a bunch of us skipped school on exam day. I had permission from my parents and told them we could leave after our exams I also went to the office and got an excuse from Mrs. Ferguson(Walter's mother) so I was in the clear. I always managed to cover my tracks. I can remember a whole bunch of us went to the little guest house out back. Nancii and BJ were there. Buddy Billingsly had a black pick up truck and took us riding in the back of it and someone from school saw us and called Mr. Lieblong. As I said, I didn't get in any trouble. BUT Bj and Nancii were expelled and their parents had to come to the school. Mr Lieblong made them go from class to class and sing. I never understood that but I am sure B and Nancii can tell you more.

Dora: Correction--After 43 years, I had B and Nancii's punishment mixed up with the wrong crime. They had to sing for something else they did and had another punishment for skipping school. Nancii will have to tell you about it. Regardless, I managed to not get in trouble. Almost makes me feel like Eddie Haskle!

Years later in the 11th grade Sula and I left school early. Mrs. Henderson, Sula's typing teacher, saw us at Faupel's. Once again, I had an excuse and Sula got in trouble! There were 2 months left of school and she was put into detention for every last day until school was out. I must have been pretty slick! I always managed to get by with stuff.

My sophomore year, we were having religious week at school. Can you belive that? Times have changed but we actually had a religious week with a 45 minute program, True to our nature, Jan and I would skip with Warren Lawman in his little yellow VW. We came back to school to early on the last day. We entered the newer part of the high school and Jan and I went in the girls restroom. We walked out and saw Mrs. Henderson! We ran back in the rest room and Warren ran in with us. We told him to get out and as he ran out to hide in the boys rest room, he ran into Mrs. Henderson. He was suspended. Jan and I were standing on the toilets. I don't know why she didn't come in and look in the stalls, but we were safe. Once again I escaped punishment.


I could never sing. Never. My senior year I was on the Emissary staff and we would leave school to sell ads or say we were selling ads. It was during the Christmas holidays. We were bored and a group of us (Jan, Lou & 2 others I can't remember?) - none could sing- went to the primary school and walked down the halls singing Christmas Carols. The teachers would come to the doors and give us cookies and punch that they were having. When we went back to the school, I was helping in the office next period. I heard Mr. Hawley on the phone. The school had called to thank Mr. Thomas for sending the Christmas carolers over to their school! I stood there thinking I am dead this time! Mr. Thomas walked in the office and Mr. Hawley said the principal called and said to thank him for the entertainment. He of course did not have a clue! I walked out of the office and I guess it was never known what we did!!

In looking back, we were rascals- but we didn't use guns, we were not mean and we just had plain fun!

Mystery Poem

Walter Ferguson saved this love poem to our childhood homeland from his parents' papers. He does not know where it came from, who wrote it or the occasion. Anyone have any clues?

Forrest City
(On Crowley's Ridge)

This land of cotton still
Although it started long ago
When westward trekked the pioneers
To help a fledgling nation grow
They followed the trace from Eastern shores
Across the mountains rugged bar
To turn the wild into a garden
As each one followed his wiseman's star.
They cleared the forest land and tilled it,
They let the warming sunlight in
And this, our present Heritage
By their labors did begin.

Now in those early days
Tis true, there was a servitude
But lest we hasten to condemn,
Remember, there was much of good.
Life held a bit of leisure then
With a dignity in common toil
For tasks were done with human hands
And not by gasoline and oil.
There was a charm and graciousness
Which we shall never see again
With much of kindness, yes and joy
To counterbalance all the pain
And when we talk of bondage
Be it long ago or now
We are all "bound to the wheel"
With just the Master's changed somehow.

This earth is God's own footstool
At least so we are told
And he formed it and embellished it
With mountains fold on fold
He spread about the sweeping plains
The broad and high plateaus
With here and there a flatland
Through which each river flows.
From the level of the Grand Prairie
To the Eastern Mountains rise
Lay a rich and far-flung flatland
Quiescent neath the smiling skies
From this expanse to the northern hills
There seemed need of link or bridge
So this prairie He divided
With the folds of Crowley's Ridge
Here, lifted up in beauty
Beneath the smiling sun
One may look to East and West
To view the wonders God had done.

Smoking

In prior stories, Dora talked about smoking in high school. In Buddy Stories, she says she and Jan decided once to blame it on Connie Bassett's influence (bless her heart)...but Dora knew no one would come close to believing the real story. So she hid the truth for fear of ridicule. Now what most people don't know...it's one of the deep dark secrets of Forrest City... and it's going to be revealed for the first time in public on Peach Fuzz Chronicles... this will astound you... well you all recall that many people have talked about hunting for crawdads in the creeks around the elementary school...see Hank's story-- what people don't know is that it was the crawdads in the creeks of Forrest City that corrupted many young people to indulge in that nasty habit and it corrupted many youth of our city. Hank, that is why a fence was put up around the creek when your brother John started elementary school...to prevent the kids from being led into sin by those toking crawdads. Now some people go even further and say the ghosts in the Becker & Rush houses only come out when crawdads are restless from scarce butts in the creek...but that's just hearsay, you know. I think there's more credence to the rumor that UFO's were here to study the amazing smoking habits of our crawdads. There are some pitiful souls who grew up in our town that are still plagued and afflicted with crawdad tabacky fever contracted during childhood while carrousing with those swamp water lowlifes. It's Ok now, Dora, you don't have to hide your shame any longer. We caught one of those boogers red handed and have proof of it now for all the world to see the real culprit.

CLASS of 55

Mary Jo Zipp: My brother and I grew up in FC. We go back a Little further than some of you. I graduated in 1955. We just had our 50th reunion last summer and it was great to see so many old friends. We really enjoyed the week-end. There was no better place to grow up than good old F.C. We get back for visits every now and then and it has changed but its still home. mjs

School Lunches

What's for Lunch?
Butch Ford Class of 60: Lunchtime was really something for school kids in Forrest City. From elementary school through high school. Our food and the facilities in which we "dined" ran the gamut... As I sit here thinking of all the different places and people, my mind whirls. Mrs. Turley's cafeteria in the old Elementary School (peanut butter balls come to mind); the "awful-teria" under the stadium behind the high school (spider webs come to mind). How happy we were when we moved into the new Junior High and when they finally finished the cafeteria/gym/big hall and we could eat in a real cafeteria...uh oh, new facility, same food... One thing ALL the cafeterias had, other than the little boxes of milk, that was those great rolls. Still the best rolls I've ever had. I think cafeteria managers all over the country must share the same secret roll recipe. They were the same at the school where I taught in Memphis.

I always did like to have a class on the second floor, east side of the high school in the period before lunch to watch the sprints across the campus to see who could get to Campbell's grocery first. And then, the bell rings and it's the Oklahoma Land Rush and a buffalo stampede at the same time. What was the hurry" Ten cent lunch meat sammiches, fifteen cent hamburgers? Nah. Some kids always ate at Boone's, some at Campbell's and others at, what was the other one? Then Donny Kessinger's relatives opened an actual burger stand on the corner. The crowds in those stores were panic-inducing while the herds crowded up to the trough to get their swill. And then, there was Bell's Cafe.

A short walk from campus to the that little paradise of the perfect hamburger owned by Bell Butler-May-Butler-May on Washington next to Winfield's Drug Store (which wasn't mentioned in the drug store section). The request for extra onion resulted in half-inch thick slices of onion piled on top of a big, juicy hamburger pattie, buns grilled to crispy edges, mustard slathered on both sides. Oh, man, that memory makes hungry. Only a few of us made that walk every day. None of us had a car, except Immel and he always had a girl with him. The joint would be full of old guys and Bell, the Queen of the Hamburger. We made nuisances of ourselves more than a few times. You guys remember the note Bell wrote to us on the bathroom wall?

Anonymous said...Did the sign in the bathroom say PLAY NICE?

Butch said...PLAY NICE was definitely NOT what she wrote on the wall. I'll have to admit that we had trashed her bathroom, which had an outside entrance, several days in a row. We thought our little tricks were hilarious. We would laugh all the way back to school. If I remember correctly, the guilty parties were Butch Ford (me), Mike Deaderick, Doug Smith, Billy Lieblong, Danny Harrelson, maybe Phil Hicky and maybe Freddie Swan. In fairness, not sure about the last two, but they did eat at Bell's pretty often. Some of the girls started going their during the senior year. Patricia Sulcer, Sheila Sweet, Mimi Butler, Gay Burke, Paula Light, Betty Jo Buford, Pam Daniels, Ann Runyan were always running around together...not sure of the exact group. That was a long time ago. Oh. The girls had nothing to do with the bathroom incident.

Janet Class of '62: Why couldn't girls eat lunch at Aldridge's store? I remember that was just understood but I never knew why. Most of us ate our lunch in the gym because the high school did not have a cafeteria that I can remember. We would go to Burrows' Grocery, the Korner Kreme (Kessinger) or to Boones. If you were lucky someone would bring you a hamburger from I also remember being allowed in the 6th grade to go to Boone's store and buy lunch and walk back to the elementary school. Seems impossible today.

Sula Class of '68: I think the last time I ate in the school cafeteria was in Jr. High. We had big thick round glasses & you went to a milk machine to fill them. I remember Tim Mize always age with a napkin over his milk glass. I asked him why & he said to keep things from falling in it. In 10th grade my boyfriend had wheels & we went to Faupel's almost every day. I gained 20 lbs the year I dated him! My favorite was fried ham sandwich...and frito pies (not all at once) :)

Anonymous said...I always loved cho cho's. does anyone remember chocolate ice cream bars being called cho cho's? I said that to my niece one day and she did not have a clue what I was talking about! I loved the rolls and cho cho's in the cafeteria. The rest of the time I ate at Faupels or the Corral.

Admin said...oops sorry BJ. Thanks for pix...We replaced Sealtest with Borden's milk-- BJ's dad, Buddy Rowland was a Borden's distributor & helped all of us grow strong bones!

Daisy Mae 1970 Dogpatch, USA

By popular demand (3 people!)-- sending in pictures in the last week, it looks like we finally have a female entry for the Hall of Fame. Our very own Miss Dogpatch USA, Daisy Mae of 1970 (also known as Jan Greene Sprott). Jan is spending a busy year in 2006-2007 as the First Lady of Arkansas lawyers. Her husband Jim Sprott from Harrison was just sworn in as President of the Arkansas Bar Association. Here's the announcement. The Arkansas Lawyer magazine just published today has a full story with a picture of Jan & Jim at Dogpatch which is where they met. Here's a 2004 Ark Democrat Gazette story of how they met at Dogpatch. Jan's story will be moved to the Hall of Fame after awhile. Lil Abner Comic Strip Official Website. (Photos of Polka Dot Daisy courtesy of Hank H. Flowered skirt from Bogie.)

My Hot Mama Daisy Mae,
I am SO PROUD OF YOU!!! You were...and are...so gorgeous and such a great role model. You will always be in my Hall of Fame. Love, Your Baby Girl, Emily.
(Note: Jan's daughter, Emily, is in law school at University of Arkansas).

What I Remember

Janet Montgomery - I remember spending summer days at the public swimming pool, shopping at Goldsteins, going to the Skipper and later the Dairy Diner, pledge pins and the basement at the library, dancing in the big hall at the junior high, the football game on Thanksgiving Day (Forrest City always played Wynne) and eating lunch at Faupels. Will anybody admit going to the PI? Fraternities rented buses for formals in Memphis, and the girls worried about not being invited, or about being invited by the wrong boy. I loved growing up in Forrest City.

Anonymous said...
Hi Janet! I also remember spending summer days at the swimming pool--remember Tommy Smitts (sp), the lifeguard? And when Doyle Butts was lifeguard too?The dances in that huge hall at Sam Smith Jr. Hi. after ballgames. The game on Thanksgiving Day eluded me--I never had a date so I never got to see one. I wouldn't dare go by myself--all the girls had dates and their dates brought mums for them to wear on their winter coats. I never got a mum. The frat boys and sorority girls got to go to the formals in Memphis--I considered myself fortunate to have a date for the senior parties! And then I had to do the asking! I guess that's what I get by dating a guy in college--and one that always had his college parties to go to--he didn't have a free weekend or night to take me. I love the fact that I was fortunate enough to live in FC now--I just wish I had realized it then! Wed Jul 19, 12:02:17 AM 2006

Anonymous said...
I remember going to town with Dian Baldwin and we would stay there all day. We would go from store to store calling home to tell them where we were. There were cheerleading practices with Cissy England, swimming in the creek that flowed under Forrest Street, kick-the-can, Cotillion (?) that was hosted by Mrs. Hodges, SPO's, Delts, DBS, FCCC, Clarence the shoe shine man, the Hot Tamale man, Cohen's Department Store and Shyrock's. Sat Jul 22, 05:02:56 PM 2006

Sivad

Debbie Montgomery says...One of my most memorable moments at the Imperial was the night that "Sivad"(his name, Davis, spelled backwards) from Fantastic Features made an appearance. All I remember is that the auditorium was packed and Sivad came on stage and talked a little. It was a really big occasion!Does everyone remember Fantastic Features that would begin with Sivad riding on a hearse through a foggy cemetery(I think)? That gave me the creeps everytime!

Anonymous: Oh my gosh I haven't thought about Sivad in years...when was that?

Paul: the magic of google...
http://www.chillercinema.com/sivad.html

Jeannie says... I remember Sivad! I was very young but I can still remember the horses, the fog, and his, "Goooooddd Eeevvveennniinggg". I would bury my eyes in my daddy's chest so I wouldn't have to watch the whole thing and yet, I loved it!! Sat Jul 22, 05:07:59 PM 2006

Anonymous says... Jeannie, what year did you graduate? Just trying to figure out who you are.
Sun Jul 23, 01:05:21 PM 2006

50's Music

Bogie Class of 62: I did a little diggin' in my scrapbook and found a list of favorites of mine during my high school years. Music and movies were what we lived for!! Read this list and go through the day remembering all those great times--bet'cha have at least one of the songs on your mind all day!!
Some of the favorites were:

1958------
Volare
All I Have to do is Dream
Don't I Beg of You
Witch Doctor
Get a Job
The Purple People Eater
It's All in the Game
Auntie Mame
Cat On a Hot Tin Roof
Vertigo
A Night to Remember
Gigi

1959------
The Battle of New Orleans
Mack the Knife
Personality
Venus
Stagger Lee
Smoke Gets in Your Eyes
Lonely Boy
Some Like it Hot
Ben Hur
The Dirary of Anne Frank
Anatomy of a Murder
North by Northwest

1960------
The Twist
A Summer Place
He'll Have to Go
Kathy's Clown
Running Bear
I'm Sorry
It's Now or Never
The Apartment
Elmer Gantry
Butterfield 8
Psycho
Spartacus

1961-----
Tossin' and Turnin'
Michael
I Fall to Pieces
Cryin'
Will You Love Me Tomorrow
Hit the Road Jack
Running Scared
Breakfast at Tiffany's
Splendor in the Grass
West Side Story
Judgment at Nuremberg
The Hustler

1962------
Strangers on the Train
Can't Stop Loving You
Mashed Potato
Loco Motion
The Wanderer
Day's of Wine and Roses
Dr. No
Lawrence of Arabia
The Longest Day
The Manchurian Candidate
To Kill a Mockingbird

In the Still of the Night (The 5 Satins, Right)
(Listen to sample)

Bogie: Ok, you guys, put your memory cap on! Does anyone remember the trio that sang to the sixth grade assembly in 1956? I put my cap on just now, got out my 1959 annual and found who I think made up the trio--Stevie Stevens, Doug Smith, and (was it?) Butch Ford. They sang "In the Still of the Night" in perfect acapella harmony! I fell in love! Of course Bratcher was my first love, but Stevie and Doug were the second and third! I could always have someone to fall back on! I didn't fall in love with Butch Ford--when I was a sophomore and he was a senior, I had a date with him--I knew then why!

Anonymous said... 7/17/06
Inquiring minds want to know...Why?

Bogie said... 7/17/06
Ok inquiring mind--because he didn't give a flip about me! Darn! All us sophomore girls were in love with all the senior guys!! We thought we were so cute and they were so cool! Of course, I was never cute.

Butch said... 7/21/06
That was us. I sang lead, Stevie, bless his heart, sang base and Doug sang tenor. Our little group never did have a name. We sang acapella because we didn't know how to play any instruments. Perfect? Not hardly, honey. Mike Deaderick also sang wih us some. Boy, we thought we sounded good. We were bound for glory. Only problem was, that was the only song we ever learned. I still love the song and consider it one of the two best songs of that kind ever recorded. The Five Satins recorded it. It was THEIR only hit, too. The other song is "Earth Angel" by the Penguins (at left). (listen to sample). What memories. I really wish I could still hit those high notes at the end of "Still of the Night." Hi, Bogie. I'm sorry I left you with that impression. Booger told me he ran into you down at the Greenwood, or is it Greenville, Holiday Inn. Thanks for the memories.

Bogie said...7/21/06
Hey Butch! I was hoping I could get a rise out of you!! Where are you? We (Cathy and I) have been to a few class reunions, including the one in 2000 for the class of '60 and '.61. I didn't see you there. Our class, '62 will be getting together next year for our 45th--maybe you and some of your fellow classmates from '60 can join us! We have a blast and it would be fun to share it with you guys! Love ya, Miss ya,

Butch said...7/26/06
Bogie, Email at: widewadr@bellsouth.net

Late 40's: The Creek

Hank Haven: I grew up in the old family house at 626 N. Grant. It had been in our family for many years prior to mom and dad living there after WW II. My Great Grandfather had built the house. I lived there for about 9 years until 1952 when dad completed the home where he lives now. I can remember the old mule drawn ice wagon being driven down Division Street to the Delta Ice Plant. We didn’t have refrigerators. We had ice boxes and needed the ice to keep our food cool. I can also remember the Hot Tamale man hawking his hot tamales as he walked north up Division. Mom would buy some when she wanted to have something special for supper that night.

Forrest City had only about 6,000 people in it in the late 40’s. Everybody watched out for all the other children that lived in the neighborhood. Donald Isbell, my third cousin, lived at the other end of the block from where I lived. Everyday when the weather got warm enough, I would sneak out of my bedroom window at dawn and go play down at his house. Keep in mind I was only 4 years old. At that age I was climbing into and out of everything. Mom and dad got to sleep late on those days.

When we were about 7-10 years old, we were all over the neighborhood. There was a creek that ran through the north end of the school grounds at Graham Elementary School. I can remember Donald and me wading in the creek and hunting for crawdads or trying to find what junk had been left after a rain storm. We went under the road bridges and traveled as far as we could down the creek until we came to an impassable culvert. We stayed away from the creek during and after heavy rain storms because the water was too swift. John, my brother, told me that the ditch was closed to playing and the city had put up a chain linked fence seven years later when he was going to school next to the creek.

Homegrown Pairs

Help make a list of couples from Forrest City who got married
...and some divorced

Carolyn Crawley & Don Kessinger
Annette Vaccaro & Buddy Billingsley
Linda Rosica & Jim Machen
Susan Pollard & Jimmy Hargraves
Gigi Gilbreath & Eddie Twist
Margie Sharp & Gene France
Allison McCollum & Gene Crawley
Linda Trimue & Mack Norton
Mary Faith Fogg & Jimmy Oskowitz
Daisy Campbell & Joe Ash
Rosemary Haven & Otto Kirkpatrick
Margaret Buford & Charlie Haven
Ann Haven & Skipper Morledge
Pam Edgar & Frank Morledge
Linda McAuley & Jim Edgar
Carolyn Walker & Bill Beson (sp?)
Pam Van Vranken & William Nolan
Dora Flanagin & Sam Hughes
Sula McAuley & Bob France
Al Harris & Nell Brandon
Cathy Rosica & Raymond Davis
Mary Lynne Bogart & Jerry Mahan
Faye Carroll Wilson & Larry Kelly
Peggy Pipkins & Steve Toomey
Paulette Petty & Eddie Anderson
Joanne Austin & Jerry Bunch
Mary Brown & Mike Spivey
Nita Davidson & Walter Cox
Joyce Gray & Sidney Burns
Claire Kenyon & Ollie Warren
Janet Montgomery & Jack Findley
Karen Sutton & Ed Toomey
Mr. & Mrs. Turner (?)
Marge McDaniel & Louis (Junie) Haven
Tina Trapp & Eddie Ferguson
Mary Beth Ford & Harry Chism
Louise West & Steve Taylor
Linda Rauscher & Dave (?) Hodges
Lindsay Bridgforth & Dave Hodges
Lynn Moore & Hank Haven
Jan Campbell & Buzz Haven
Cathy Hammons & Doug Buford
Johnnie Nell Young & Scott Carroll
Debbie Sampley & Mark Montgomery
Brenda Forrester & Billy Burrows
Vicki Spivey & Tommy Skeleton
Anita Sampley & Joe Hodges
Judy Jones & Rodger Taylor
Vicki Hutcherson & Chuck Forrester
Pat Parker & Phil Hamilton
Paige Findley & Terry Laws
Carol Rich & Robert Cosgrove
Margaret Ann Green & Charlie Rich
Mary Ann Parnell & Bill Baskin
Christy Mashburn & Sam Rolfe
Claudette Lindsey & Noel Ferguson
Virginia Green & Morgan Collins
Martha Sweet & O.J. Gandy
Edwene Stevens & Bonner McCollum
Phyllis May & Tommy Nance
Letitia Harrison & Doug Varner
Jeannie Poland & Thomas VanVranken
Kathy Morledge & Buddy Meredith
Madge Seay & Stevie Causey
Joyce Buford & Walter Sweet
Maureen Buckingham & Rick McCollum
Susan Craig & Jay Hughes
Linda Coley & Charles Barg
Courtney Trapp & Aubrey Jolly
RoAnn Troxell & Greg Powell
Cheryl Collins & Jimmy Draper
Glenda Gail Gilbreath & Stewart Dunn
Dale Kirkpatrick & Bobby Montgomery
Jan Hankins & Louis Rowland
Jeannie Rolfe & Daniel "Speck" Espey
Ann Claire Christenson & Victor Vaccaro
Janelle Cange & John Machen
Linda Jones & Brent Powell
Ann Heustess & Charles Ford
Patricia Sulcer & Fred Swan
Catherine Plummer & Danny Harrelson
Betty Clair Carlisle & George Morledge
Kim Pipkins & Kem Merrell
June Edmondson & Virgil Merrill
Marsha Clarke & Billy Trail
Elsie Callaway & Richard Trail
Claudia Zetuski & Larry Immel
Joanne Shirley & Bill Walker
Ann Runyon & Arne Thompson
Jo Green & Henry Clegg
Sheila Sweet & Billy Bob Vance
Paula Light & Robert Jones
Susan Diffey & Charles Johnson
Ann Ellis & Ralph Pipkin
Betty Sue Gore & LC Tiner
Chris Fogg & Bob (Quail) White ( Dec. 1966)
Susie Gibbs & Ricky Stephens
Christy Gibbs & Sonny Kay
Ellen Whiting & John Alderson
Janet Guthrie & Billy Lieblong
Linda Gadberry & Ronald Miller
Maureen Smith & Jerry Bumgarner
Jeannie Poland & Thomas VanVranken
Lisa Austin & Billy Ferguson
Daisy Campbell & Joe Ash
Melva Walker & Bill Skelton
Christy Whiting & Finley Cranor
Linda Coley & Charles Barg
MaryLynn Buckingham & Bobby Montgomery
Rosamond Abel & Mike Crawley
Virgimai Porter & James H. Abel
Virgie Bell Moore & John Rosamond Porter
Ginger Montgomery & Jesse Jackson

Nicknames

Can you add to this list?

Bogie, Hoot, Jimbo, Pokey, Doonie, Tally, Junie, Pud, Dee, B, Gee, Tish...
Rat, Biscuit, Hooker, Dogger, Toad, Pinky, Booger , Binky
Grill, Prune, Raisin,Turtle, Turkey, Gert, Sassy, Buddy,Wiggy, Poot
Redbird, Choo-Choo, Bomba,
Shovel (Steve Taylor: I've been married to "Shovel" for 35 years.....still has some steam!!! )
Hank, Mack, Skipper, Buzz,
Whacker
Ox, Moose (several)
Bear, Bull
Cissy, Jiggy
Spider, Speck
Lukie, Smif, J. Fred Muggs, Ears, Starchie, Bubba, Chee Chee, Butch, Four Door, Goat, Pinkie (the big, tall, fightin' kind of Pinkie), Wally Proo, Imma, Legs, Mitt, Possum, Sambo
Nimrod, Anna Clodda, Stump, Lolo, J (pronounced Hea - like the J in spanish), Bonita, Nasty, Roach, Mo
QUAIL
Monk. (I believe Jim Finch had a great nickname! He signed my yearbook "Monk"!! Bogie)
PIERRE
The EEL

* Click on Comments to talk about who they are and how they got their nickname.

Hangouts: The Hargraves' Home

In High school, I hung out at the skipper and up on the hill at the Judge's house. Those were the days! Rosemary, when I think of the Skipper I think of your house that was home to all of your friends. I can still hear Judge Hargraves saying, " Dora, move your car out of my parking space!" I loved him!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Who's Your Buddy?

DORA and BJ
BJ Class of 68: This is a picture of Dora Flanagin and me one year in downtown Arkadelphia. We had just been to Baptist choir camp at Ouachita Baptist University and my aunt and uncle who lived in Hot Springs at the time had picked us up. You can't tell it from the picture, but Dora and I were feeling sad that day because we had fallen in love with boys at camp and we knew we'd never see them again. This was pretty much an annual thing each summer from about 6th through 8th grade. Just like with church, we spent most days skipping out of the classes we were supposed to be going to. At camp, we hung out at the little hamburger joint on campus drinking cokes and listening to the jukebox. One year, maybe the one this picture was taken, we kept playing "It's my party and I'll cry if I want to," by Leslie Gore over and over. Finally, one of the other patrons got so sick of listening to it he went over and unplugged the jukebox. That ended that. What I can't figure out is what you were doing in the choir, Dora. I don't remember you being in the choir at school. Did you sing in the youth choir at church?

Thursday, July 13, 2006
Busted, Grounded...or almost
I'll tell this anonymously. See if the guys involved can recognize themselves.

My girl-friend and I were just old enough to wear make-up but not to drive. Her house had a little house behind it, a one room guest cottage. We would go out there to play records, talk on the phone, play games. Her mama and daddy usually went to bed early. Her daddy was a big, tall-bear kind of man. Gentle with a deep voice. Friendly, loveable but still an imposing authority figure.

Anyway, while we were doing the girl thing trying on each other's stuff, messing with our hair, trying out make-up, listening to records in the little house...we started talking about boys we liked (I know, you're shocked). I had this long-time crush, puppy-lust for a boy in my class. My friend thought his buddy was cute. So we hatched the idea of waiting until Mama and Daddy had gone to bed and then calling the boys. We giggled and said, maybe they would come over. We'll mention it to them... to see if they were interested in us, too. If they went to the trouble of coming over, then we would know for sure, you see. But we didn't want Mama and Daddy there...that might scare the guys. They would be more likely to actually come over if we said we were alone. Then we would know they really liked us like we liked them-- if they came over. We didn't think past that. Really, we didn't.

My friend talked to my crush's buddy on the phone, hung up calmly and then shouted at me, "They're coming! They're coming over, oh my god!" And we proceeded to freak. At the main house it looked like "lights out," so that was good. We kept watch for them peaking out the window...and in no time, here they come walking up to the door. One thing led to another and here we were all 4 sitting on the couch, visible from the little glass window in the top of the door, not exactly behaving ourselves. Now mind you, my friend and I had experienced pretty much nothing more than a puppy love kiss-- and here were the boys wasting no time getting down to bizness. Particularly my friend's luv interest who had her completely engulfed and was all over her in a wrestle hold.

Just when both of us were to the point of thinking "wow, I'm glad he really likes me but this is going a little fast" -- the door blasted open... Daddy Bear loomed over us, a tall dark shadow in the doorway, and calmly but ohhhh so deep sounding slowly announced: "I... think... it's... TIME... for...you BOYS... to LEAVE... now." All I remember is his voice resounding against the 4 walls of the room like God Himself had appeared, everyone scrambling to unlock and the boys getting up immediately and mumbling "yes, sir" as they scurried out the door past him. Daddy walked back to the house and it was understood that we should follow him obediently and hope for the best. He didn't say a word. Went straight to bed. That was our signal to do the same.

My friend and I immediately went to her bedroom down the short hallway, got in our jammies in a rush, whispering the whole time and jumped in bed. Nothing was on our mind but damage control. How much did her father SEE anyway? WHAT did he see? Was he looking through the window in the door? Maybe not. Maybe he saw it all. Maybe nothing. Maybe something...we didn't know but we quickly decided to devise a cover just in case he saw nothing: we would leave the door open to the bedroom and act like we were talking to ourselves in bed but loud enough that Daddy Bear could hear us in his bed in the next room. "Well, nothing HAPPENED you know..." "Yeah, I KNOW...nothing really HAPPENED" "They were just in the neighborhood and saw the lights on and stopped by." "Yeah, that's right...they had JUST come in the door when your daddy came in..." "And you know, we were just talking..." "yeah, that's all, just talking and they were about to leave." "Yeah." "We didn't really do anything wrong" "Oh no, we were just playing around, just talking, they were only there a second."

The next morning, we sheepishly went to breakfast and Daddy Bear was reading the newspaper. 'Morning! ...we chirpped, like 2 innocent little birds to Mama, Daddy, her sister... still trying to put up the damage control front. But no acknowledgement from her father that we were even in the room...he just kept reading the paper. We looked at each other like "oh, S__ ." Had our cover worked the night before? We chatted mindlessly while taking side glances at each other and then at her father. We tried to act like everything was normal. Still nothing. Dead silence. Still the newspaper and his reading glasses never budged an inch. The chatter subsided, replaced with an awkward quietness. You could hear a pin drop in the room while we picked at our plates, wondering just how much he really saw the night before.

Finally, he slowly put down the newspaper on the table, tilted his head down slightly to make eye contact over his glasses with his daughter. She froze in mid-bite on some bacon, not blinking. So did I. Our eyes must have been as big as his coffee cup. When he saw he had our undivided attention, he then (again, slowly, calmly), asked... "So... who was the... little QUARTERBACK... who came to visit last night?" I can't recall exactly, but I think she dropped the bacon still halfway in her mouth.

40 years ago... it's still one of our favorite stories...and I still have that puppy crush, too.

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right), Email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Comments:
Contributor said... What a HOOT!! You guys must have been a trip! But knowing you as I do now--I don't doubt it a bit!Bogie.
Anonymous said... I love it! Nothing like risky innocence!



CATHY & BOGIE

Cathy and her family had invited me to go to Philly with them to meet the Philadelphia Rosicas! A trip of a lifetime! This is Cathy and Bogie just after the trip--we had just arrived home and Cathy's mom took this photo. We had one of the best times of our lives!




















Dora and Jan (1956-1968)

Last night I was thinking back on childhood memories. Jan, I know you remember this. Jan, and I would sneak around and smoke in high school.. We were in the tenth grade. Her mother (whom I loved with all my heart) would stop us at the door and smell our hair when we would come in to see if she smelled smoke on us. Jan would carry a bottle of perfume in her purse and spray her hair and clothes to fool her mother. One day we walked down the street from Jan's house and we smoked a cigg on the porch with Connie Bassett. We panicked as we walked back as Jan did not have her perfume with her. We thought we would beat her mother home but we were too late. We knew as soon as we walked in the house she would smell smoke. We had a plan. We would blame Connie Bassett! When we walked in, we began to tell her mother how Connie Bassett was smoking and MADE us try a cig and it made us sick! She just looked at us. I often wondered if she believed that story or not. I am sure she knew the truth as much as my mother did when I would smoke in the den and put the cigg in a glass of water if she came in the den. She would turn on the light and I would play innocent. Duh! Never did it occur that when she turned on the light there was smoke all over the room and the smell of ciggs. She would not say anything. She would look at me with a look. I know you remember the "mother look". I use to get a lot of those looks. One of, "Do I go into this with her, ignore it, or where did I go wrong look?"

I can also remember how Jan The Baptist enlightened me as to what the F word meant. We were ten years old and at a church picnic at Stu rat Springs Park. The pavilion at the top of the hill had a poem carved in the table with the F word.Since we didn't have Home Box Office back then, I didn't have a clue as to what the F word meant! Jan told me she did. She said I will tell you if you walk to the bottom of the hill. We walked down to the field behind a tree and Jan in all of her intelligence said, "Dora, not many people know what it means and you have to promise me you will not tell anyone what it means". I promised as I waited on the mystery of what the F word meant.She leaned forward and whispered in my ear, "It means shit". I can remember thinking that was bad but nothing like what I expected to hear. Jan, I am sorry that I kept your secret for 45 years and finally broke and told the world! I just want to thank you for informing me about life at such a young age!

Jan Says... Dora, we were older than 10!!!! I was still playing with dolls at 10 and didn't know either word existed---I don't think you did either!!! We had to be 12 or 13 at least!!!!! Love, Jan The Baptist!!!

Your turn: Comment (below) or Email:

ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

PICTURES

We would love to post your pictures... and the blog is one way for so many to enjoy them that otherwise would not be able to do so. So if you could be so generous as to take a little time to share photos but don't know how to get copies of your pictures to us by email - then just send us an email note and we'll get back to you and help arrange the easiest way for you to get a copy to us. You don't have to risk sending your valuable originals. You never know what joy these pictures can bring to others...those who may, for one reason or another, not have any momentos of their childhood in Forrest City. Thanks for all your valuable contributions...photos of childhood are rare so it is a real treat and a blessing to share with others.

Send pix or ask us to help you get copies & send: ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Chris Fogg White: My dear friend, Nan Montgomery, (Booger and Bobbie's sister) lived in Bay St Louis, MS last year. Because of Hurricane Katrina, she and her family lost everything. The furniture, clothing, etc. have been replaced, but she has no pictures of her childhood or any other pictures for that matter. I ask that if you have any pictures with Nan in them to please make a copy and send to her. Her name and address are below. Thanks:

Nan Montgomery Signorelli
1568 Brookshire Drive
Benton, AR 72015

Administrator's note: You can also send any pictures you have on a CD or digital pictures for Nan to our email box and we will print them out and mail them to Nan for you. You can take your pictures to Office Depot or Office Max and they will scan them for you and put them on a CD for you...then you can send the CD to Nan-- or you can just copy the picture files off the CD in your computer and send them attached to an email. If you need more help with this process, please email us. Thanks.

CLASS of 58

Frances Walker (McCampbell) FCHS '58 says...I just 'ran up on' this blog spot. Who put it up? I think you are older than I am, but just wondered. I've enjoyed reading the posts.

Contributor says... Hi Frances, Class of 68 folks started it, but those who contribute own it. You can read the story of how it started in the very first post (scroll all the way to the bottom). So glad you stopped by and enjoy it. We are having a ball! Tell us some stories!

Frances Walker McCampbell says...My parents were Lois and Clement Walker. We lived on the corner of Buford and Divion in the large white house. My mother is still there, and Daddy died when we were children. Our farm was below Madison in the St. Francis River next to Web Sweet's farm. Whew...... that's going a long way back.I hope you have many people participating from different classes. I think this is wonderful!!!

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (right) or email:
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Watkins Restaurant

Jeannie: There are so many things I remember about Watkins. When I was young Parker Furniture Store was behind Watkins. Because my father, Sam Rolfe, and Ted Parker were best friends there were many times we would go to the furniture store so Ted and Sally could join us for our afternoon tradition known as "coffee time". We would walk from the back door of Parker's to the back screened door of Watkins. To get there we had to walk through the alley and cross a long wooden plank. (I can still smell the wonderful aroma of the rolls before we were anywhere near the door!) As we walked through the kitchen each of the cooks would greet us with a warm smile and a friendly "hello". It was so fun to exit from the kitchen and watch the customers faces as we appeared in the doorway of the dining room. I too remember the small glass individual creamers they used to serve with the coffee. I loved to drink that cream! That was also the place I filled out a Grid-Iron Guesser for the upcoming football week and at age 10 or 11 I won, beating out all the Parker boys! My dad got a big kick out of that!

Bogie: Speaking of "hang-outs", does anyone remember how "up-town" we felt when we were treated to dinner at Watkins? Eating out wasn't as common then as it is now and going out was such a treat! My dad would call it treating mom special on "her day"--Mother's day or her birthday--to take the whole family out to eat at Watkins. I believe the family who owned or managed the restaurant were the Paul Graves' family.

Sula: Eloise Watkins Graves, Paul's 1st wife, was sister to Chan (Chandler) Watkins. Chan owned Watkins in West Memphis which was also hugely popular in the 50's and 60's. I remember the rolls that melted in your mouth. Great family style restaurant and the food was always really good. Eloise was one of grandmother's best friends. She died too young. My grandparents in W Mphs both worked in their store across the street from Watkins & when I stayed with them we ate there daily. Went to kindergarten with Chan's daughter. Watkins was an institution in both FC & W Mphs. Church crowds would unofficially "rotate" for Sunday dinners after church . I can recall hearing things like "let's wait until Methodists are finished eating" or "you won't be able to get a seat right now, the Baptists just got out."

B.J. said... That's right. Since the Methodists were right across the street there was no beating them there after church. But, our Baptist preachers were always holding us past 12 anyway, so it worked out anyway. I remember Watkins in the 50's when I was pretty young. I finally convinced my daddy to take me fishing with him. He had warned me that we would have to get up at 5:30 to get out on the lake before the sun came up so we'd be there when the fish started biting. I was up and rearing to go right on time, but what did he do? He took me straight to Watkins Cafe where we ate breakfast and he had a couple of cups of coffee first. It was well past sun up when we finally got to the lake, but it was a real treat to eat breakfast out at Watkins Cafe. The owners were so friendly, and so were the waitresses.

Dora says... BJ, can you remember the two of us walking to Watkins on Saturday from my house and eating lemon ice box pie! The best pie ever! I can also remember our pretending we were on candid camera and the camera was hidden in the flowers that were along the wall. I mean we were only 12 but we were strange! I also remember Dr Charles Lattimore eating in Watkins. He was the first African American to eat there. It was a big deal at the time. It was during the time of the Sweet Wiliie Wine march. Really hard to believe that his eating there was such a big deal. I can remember people staring at him and I thought he was cool!

Carol said...I remember that Watkins in Forrest City had the best fried chicken and rolls of all. Chan Watkins died last year here in West Memphis. I'm in a civic club with his widow, Dorothy, and she told me that when she married Chan and moved to Forrest City she had no idea that she would be required to work in a restaurant. She was so beautiful and looked like a movie star to my young eyes. Does anyone remember her then?

Paul said...Our family ate many Sunday dinners at Watkins Cafe after the Methodist Church let out. While those dinners were memorable for the yummy food after a too-long sermon, they couldn’t compare with the unforgettable early morning breakfasts. Starting at age 12, I helped load meat trucks for my father at 6 a.m. on summer mornings and weekends during the school year. He would rouse me out of bed at 4:30 a.m. and we would be at Watkins Café by 5:15 a.m. Claude Buford, Johnnie Turner, Web Sweet and a couple of other men were always there at their favorite table when we walked in. They had a never-ending catalogue of good jokes, but what I remember most fondly were the hilarious stories they told on each other. Often they had everyone in the cafe in stitches. My father and I both enjoyed their friendly comradere and hearty laughs – so aside from the great food, breakfast at Watkins Café was always a memorable experience and a great way to wake up! When I was younger, I remember getting “lost” in daydreams about the panoramic photos that lined the walls. By the way, B.J., I believe your father was also there frequently for early morning breakfasts during those years.

Hangouts: The Corral

Bogie: The Skipper was a fun place to go for a burger and coke after the movies on Friday or Saturday nites. But remember "The Corral" after the ballgames? Some of the finest victory parties were had there--(when we had a victory)! The jukebox had the latest songs and we could all dance--we would dance if we could get the guys to join in! Most of us girls had to dance together--then it was common.

Teachers

Butch Class of 60: I think I saw a mention of Mrs. Bratton. She taught Latin, as I remember. It's only a memory, cause you can bet I didn't sign up for a foreigh language. I remember that there was the possibility of Latin being offered in the ninth grade if enough 8th graders signed up for it in advance. Claudette Lindsay ran all over the Junior High hammering on likely Latin scholars to sign up so she could be sure and get Latin I. Well, enough suckers signed up and Latin I would be offered in the ninth grade the next year. Yippeeee! The next year, everyone who signed up was pre-registered and it became one of their classes. Everyone but Claudette! Et tu, Claudette?

Janet, Class of 62: Teachers - I think Mr. Bratton was one of best teachers I ever had. Jimmy Lindsey told a wonderful story about him at one of our reunions. After Mr. Bratton passed away there was a sale at his home. Jimmy's sister went to the sale and found numerous yearbooks each literally stuffed with clippings about students he had taught at Forrest City. He had evidently kept up with students after they graduated and saved newspaper articles that related to them. Mrs. Bratton was also a good teacher. She was really strict but cared about her students. She expected you to do your home work. Karen Moore, Class of 62, can attest to that since she was the center of the story that circulated through FC High for many years about translating a Latin story. And who can forget Miss Smart? Mr. McClure made my life miserable. The only time my parents ever came to school was in my defense for punishment he gave me. Couch Slaughter threw erasers at us in class.

Anonymous: Alice Anne DeRossit was the best teacher ever. She made history come to life and one of the only teachers I can remember that all the kids liked. Miss Engles would get on my nerves! SHe would say Memphis Egypt not the Memphis in Tenn but Memphis Egypt! DUH! (July 24, 2006)

Anyone remember one of the not-so-favorites--Mr. McClure? Eighth grade American History, Sam Smith Jr. High, 1957-58 school year. Just one year--but what a deal he made!!

Bogie said... Others that come to mind--a not-so-favorite, remember her? She was a fairly large woman, (they all were to me at that time), kept pulling her bra or slip straps up in class and study hall. She was well-known for knowing how to "turn the page of the book or magazine". If you were ever lax enough to "flip" pages she made a special trip to your desk or seat to show you and those around you how to turn the page. You gently grasp the top right corner, slip your fingers down the side of the page and "fold" it to the left. Get it? I did--about 100 times!

One of our favorites--Mr. Henley--band director. Did everyone realize that Mr. Henley appeared in the movie "Jaws 2"? When I saw that movie at the theatre, I never suspected I was looking at him--and it was several years later that I really looked at him and on my own decided "that was Mr. Henley!" There was some clairification with other students that I had not gone insane--they also knew he had appeared in the movie.And my all-time favorite--Mr. A.F. Thomas--choir director. He stuck to his guns as a director--I had to take a math course in my junior year and had to give up choir for that one time. I had been in his choir since jr. hi but missed that year. I didn't get to go on the choir trip my sr. year. Mr. Thomas said it was because I didn't take his class in the 11th grade. I was heart-broken.
Mon Jul 10, 10:07:57 AM 2006

Paul said… YES, A.F. Thomas was as cool as he was good. He also put up with a lot of shenanigans from the boys in the choir. We (the others know who they are) used to make farting sounds by squeezing our hands together. Of course it would disrupt everything and trigger giggling fits throughout the choir. His response was the best. He would get this sad, tired look on his face…glance up in our direction…then put his hands on his hips, and state in a tone of resignation as he looked towards heaven…”It takes so little to entertain some people.” And you know, that was a pretty effective response. I didn’t feel so hip making the farting sounds after that. My experience in choir was just great though.

Mr. Bratton was probably THE BEST overall high school teacher I ever encountered. He could have been a professor in a university because he was that smart and that good. He made both geometry and physics understandable and fun.

Mrs. DeRossitt was a joy – both as an excellent teacher and as a mentor. We used to drop by her house unannounced on weekend evenings to visit with her. She always made us feel welcome. I marveled at the fact that she read a book a day – which of course gave her a great breadth of knowledge on a range of subjects.

I had a mad crush on Mrs. Holland (11th grade English). But aside from that, she was a wonderful teacher, got me interested in poetry and writing, and helped me analyze some Bob Dylan songs.

Mrs. Harrington was a very good teacher, an enjoyable friend, and at times an enigma as both. She was an excellent bass fisherwoman – as Jim Machen and I can substantiate. She also had two lovely daughters. We also used to drop by her house in Marianna on weekend nights to see her daught…er…I mean, to visit with her. lol

And then…at the other end of the spectrum was Mr. Shuford. *sigh* Uh…perhaps I should let Jan, Linda, B.J., Nancy, Dora, Gee Gee, et al. cover those stories…

CLASS of 65

1959
Photo courtesy of Walter Ferguson. To see a close up, right click on picture, download to your computer and open up in your computer picture viewer.

Walter Ferguson: Billy Lieblong just sent me the link to the site. It's great. I've been living outside Nashville, Tn. for 25 years doing music. I love all the comments about FC. It WAS a great place to come of age. I talk about growing up there often to people everywhere. St. Francis county will always be apart of my life. I'd love to hear from old classmates. wfergus5@bellsouth.net

Walter Ferguson, Jr. Class of '65

Re Nan Montgomery: My dear friend, Nan Montgomery, (Booger and Bobbie's sister) lived in Bay St Louis, MS last year. Because of Hurricane Katrina, she and her family lost everything. The furniture, clothing, etc. have been replaced, but she has no pictures of her childhood or any other pictures for that matter. I ask that if you have any pictures with Nan in them to please make a copy and send to her. Her name and address: Nan Montgomery Signorelli, 1568 Brookshire Drive, Benton, AR 72015. Thanks, Chris (Fogg) White

60's Culture: Vietnam Vets

Homecoming Party

Hank Haven (Pennsylvania):
I went to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam as a Phantom II (F4C) fighter pilot in July 67 and returned in July 68. It was a time of anti war upheaval in the United States (The GI’s knew as “The Real World”). Protesters were everywhere demeaning the returning GI’s. I had been home about two weeks trying to get my time zones turned around from the jet-lag of being halfway around the world, when I found out about a ‘small’ party that was being set up in my honor. Mom and Dad, with the help of a lot of family and friends had set up a dance floor, juke box, hurricane lamps, food tables, drinks and chairs. They had invited what seemed about half the town (600 people) to welcome me back home. There was our Congressman, Mayor, family and friends all there to greet me and to show that they didn’t agree with the protesters. It was an extraordinary event that I’ll never forget. Very few people asked me about the war but they did ask me if I had seen “The Graduate” with Dustin Hoffman. They seemed to think I favored him a little. Thank you for your kindness.

This is one of my mission pictures.

Your turn: Comment (below), Blog (at right) or Email (we'll post for you)
ForrestCityMemories@Yahoo.com

Tuesday, July 11, 2006
Another Vietnam Vet

Walter Ferguson, Dickson, Tn. I was in Vietnam in 68. I was a doorgunner with the 121st Assault Helicopter Co. in Soc Trang. Richard Hodges was there at the same time and we sent a photo to the Times Hearld. Our parents were so surprised. We were standing next to a chopper. J.O. Smith, Keith Harrelson.....I'm not sure who else went. After I got home I remember talking in Mr. Webbs history class to kids about what I did. I'm so thankful to be alive. St. Farncis County has a long history of Veterans. WF

Bogie: Thanks so much for your service. I pray for our guys overseas now and hope that they can come home soon. The freedoms I enjoy come only from one place--our vets!Thanks again and God bless you!

CLASS of 82

Preston: There are lots of you guys on here from the 50's and 60's...but I have to tell you the early 80's were not that much different in Forrest City....The only thing that was different was that we hung out at The Sonic instead of The Skipper. We still enjoyed going to the Imperial to the movie...but were given a second choice for a couple of years after The Twin Cinema opened...and we were still able to enjoy The Skyway Drive In.....Is there anyone else out there who graduated in the early 80's?

Drive-in movie

Carol Class of '51 : Who remembers the old drive-in theater? That was THE place to go on a date. So many of us would pile in one of our parent's cars (even in the trunk) and have a ball. Sometimes we even watched the movie.

Butch Class of 60: Was it the "Sky Vue Drive-In"? I have a few memories about that place, too. I remember the first time we went as a family. The drive-in was new and it was a really convenient and inexpensive place to take the whole family to the movies. The Ford family didn't go to the movies much....more like never before or after. The Ford kids had their jammies on and the back floor was made level to the back seat with quilts. It was pretty neat. I would like to think we took our own popcorn and snacks, but I really don't remember.

Years later, my Dad's pickup truck was my primary vehicle. I remember taking the truck to the drive-in a couple of times. I usually took the cover off the bed. Had to, it had FORD'S FOOD CENTER on both sides. You couldn't get away with very much in FC in those days. It was a cinch you couldn't with that kind of publicity riding around on the back of your transportation.

Back to the point. The drive-in was often referred to as the "passion pit." A couple of us guys got a bale or two of hay and spread it around in the back of the truck, got dates and went to the drive-in for a genuine hay ride. (There were some other hay rides back then that were memorable.) All we had to do was park backward. It didn't work. The hay got all over us, down our necks, everywhere. Plus, it was pretty warm and the hay stuck to the sweat. Seemed like a good idea at the time.

I remember those little curly green things you could light and the fumes were supposed to keep the skeeters away. Nothing keeps St. Francis County mo-skeeters away. Cigarette smoke was probably just as effective. How about the guy with the fogger who would fog up the place between movies. He would look for cars with kids he knew, especially if they were making out, and fog 'em good. I don't remember that the fogger had any real effect on the mosquitos, but it had a sudden and negative effect on the make-out part.

50's Culture: Elvis

Elvis Presley played at least 2 times in Forrest City, which is just 40 miles West of Memphis. (As reported on the webiste "The Girl's Guide to Elvis" ). This bit of history is curtesy of Marianne (via Paul Gibson, her brother).

"In Forrest City he [Elvis] performed at Smith Stadium on 9/5/55 as part of the Labor Day celebration and on 11/14/55 at the Forrest City High School Auditorium to benefit the Crowleys Ridge Shrine Club."

The high school auditorium? Anyone recall it?

Bogie: I'll have to answer for my sister, Mary Lynne. She remembers Elvis' visit--boy, does she! She and a friend climed into the back of his car when the concert was over and he asked them if they wanted to "go to Memphis"! She had to decline. We had our photo made with Elvis shortly after at his home on Audubon Drive. He was being interviewed by a couple of reporters and photographers in the front of his home. We were just out for a ride and decided to go by his home to see if he was there. He was! Our photo appeared in the Oct. issue of "Elvis Speaks" 1956--the very last picture in the magazine. I was 12, Mary Lynne was 18, and our cousins, Bill and Shirley were 14 and 15--we were in heaven!!

Bogie:
When? Summer of 1956
Where? Elvis' house on Audobon Drive, Memphis, TN
Who? Left to right--My sister, Mary Lynne Bogart, 18, cousin,
Shirley, 16, Bogie, 12, and cousin, Bill, 15.
How? Went riding one Sunday afternoon--checked to see if
Elvis was home--he was! And so were two reporters and
a photographer with The Memphis Commercial Appeal.
picture didn't make the newspaper--it was on the last
page of a magazine called "Elvis Speaks", released in
October, 1956. Ain't we sum'um'!!??

Lin: Elvis left one broken hearted teenager in his wake when he played FC. It seems that Linda Carroll kissed Elvis in front if my older brother Nick. To this day he says that the trauma of seeing Linda kiss Elvis destroyed his ability to like music for life. That is his story and he has stuck to it for fifty years.