OUR CLASS REUNION WAS THE WORK OF MANY PEOPLE THAT GENEROUSLY VOLUNTEERED THEIR TIME AND TALENTS, AS WELL AS FINANCIAL RESOURCES. I KNOW I SPEAK FOR ALL THE 370 PARTICIPANTS, (CLASSMATES, SPOUSES, AND FRIENDS OF OUR CLASS OF 1952), OUR SINCERE THANKS FOR ALL THEIR WORK THAT HELPED US HAVE AN OUTSTANDING REUNION. TANDY ALLEN HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AS BOTH ADMINISTRATOR AND TREASURER. THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM FOR DEDICATION AND GIVING 100% TO HIS OUTSTANDING COMPUTER WORK THAT ALL OF HIS CORRESPONDENCE MAKES EVIDENT. TANDY AND I HAVE WORKED WELL AS A TEAM. HE KIDDINGLY SAYS THAT ALL HE DOES IS SAY, "YES, MAM" AND THEN HE DOES IT, BUT THAT REALLY ISN'T SO. HIS INPUT, ADVICE, AND ALWAYS CHEERFUL AND ENCOURAGING PERSONALITY HAS HELPED ME AND OUR COMMITTEE THROUGHOUT OUR 14 MONTHS OF PLANNING. HE AND I BOTH WERE GREATLY SURPRISED AND MOST APPRECIATIVE OF THE BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED RICHARD DE SPAIN ETCHINGS OF LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL WITH ENGRAVED PLAQUES WHICH WERE PRESENTED TO US DURING THE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY P.M. A TREASURE FOREVER FOR BOTH OF US. IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE SO MANY FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT BACK MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. HOW SPECIAL IT WAS TO SEE MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THESE 50 YEARS SINCE OUR GRADUATION ON MAY 23, 1952. IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE VIDEO THAT WAS SHOWN AS PART OF THE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY P.M., I SAID THAT IT TOOK A LOT OF FAITH TO HAVE A REUNION. YOU MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES WITH WHICH YOU CONTRACT. YOU MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE COMMITTEE. AND, YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE FAITH THAT IF YOU PLAN THE REUNION, "THEY WILL COME." MY FAITH AND THE FAITH OF THE COMMITTEE WAS REWARDED FOR YOU DID COME FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR A WEEKEND OF FESTIVITIES AND YOUR PRESENCE MADE IT A GREAT TIME FOR ALL! IN OUR EARLY CORRESPONDENCE WE PROMISED TO HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WOULD "TOUCH YOUR HEART, SPARK YOUR MEMORIES, AND BOND US IN LOVE." FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF NOTES, E-MAIL, PHONE CALLS, AND OVERALL RESPONSES I BELIEVE WE FULFILLED THAT PROMISE. OUR EVENTS BEGAN AT PLEASANT VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB AT 3 P.M. ON FRIDAY WITH REGISTRATION AND WARM GREETINGS BY BARBARA COOLEY CLARK, LYDA CRITTENDON CAMPBELL, AND THEIR COMMITTEE. EVERYONE REALLY ENJOYED THE MEMORALBIA ROOM THAT JACK BURNEY AND HIS COMMITTEE HAD ASSEMBLED AND DISPLAYED. IT WAS A DELIGHT FOR ALL OF US TO SEE THE REMEMBRANCES OF THOSE WONDERFUL DAYS WE SHARED AT LITTLE ROCK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. OUR SOCIAL HOUR WAS FILLED WITH HUGS AND HANDSHAKES AND LAUGHTER AS WE BEGAN TO SEE AND RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER. THE LARGE NAME TAGS MADE BY LEE ANN HELMS, DAUGHTER OF PAT LEE STEPHENS, HELPED US IN IDENTIFYING ONE ANOTHER. THANKS TO CAROLYN CORLEY AND HAROLD STEELMAN OUR BUFFET TABLE WAS CENTERED BY A 6 FT LONG TIGER MADE OF LEATHER WITH VICIOUS TEETH. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT THE PINE BLUFF ZEBRAS BEAT US OUR SENIOR YEAR AND THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE---WHAT A TERRIBLE DAY THAT WAS FOR US. HAROLD STEELMAN PLAYED ON THE PINE BLUFF TEAM, SO AFTER HE LEFT FROM DELIVERING THE TIGER FOR OUR USE, WE JUST HAD TO PUT SOME ZEBRAS IN THE TIGERS MOUTH AND AT IT'S FEET. HE TOOK OUR HUMOR JUST FINE. THE ONLY BREAK FROM CONVERSATION THAT NIGHT WAS BY THE HONORABLE JUDGE JOHN PLEGGE WHO GAVE US A WARM AND HUMOROUS WELCOME AND A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS. THOUGH RAIN WAS THREATENING AND IMMINENT, WE WERE STILL ABLE TO HAVE A GROUP PHOTO MADE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL. WHAT FUN IT WAS TO RETURN TO THE HALLS OF LRHS ONCE AGAIN. SOME HAD NEVER BEEN BACK AND THEY WERE ESPECIALLY THRILLED TO BE THERE. THE SETTING FOR OUR SATURDAY P.M. EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE BEAUTIFUL. JOIE THOMPSON NUTT AND TINY BROWN BRACY ASSISTED BY MEREDITH WARD ROOKER, SALLY MCKELVEY POWELL, AND CAROLY CORLEY STEELMAN HAD BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED THE DINNER TABLES WHICH WERE CLOTHED ALTERNATELY IN BLACK AND GOLD WITH GOLD AND BLACK BAGGED CANDLES IN LARGE GLASS CANDLEHOLDERS ON NESTS OF GOLD NETTING. BETTY FOWLER AND HER BASS PLAYER PROVIDED MUSIC THROUGH THE SOCIAL HOUR AND DINNER. THE DINNER MENU INCLUDED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO ROULADE WITH ROASTED TOMATO ON A SALAD OF BABY GREENS WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE, AND BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH CHORIZO AND PORCINI MUSHROOMS, WITH TIRAMISU FOR DESSERT. JIM WALLACE OF PRESCOTT, WISCONSIN SERVED AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND HE WAS TERRIFIC! WE HAD 2 LARGE SCREENS AND A VIDEO TECHNICIAN SO JIM COULD BE SEEN LIVE ON SCREEN ALONG WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM. THE RT. REVEREND CLYDE BREWER GAVE THE INVOCATION. SPECIAL GUESTS THAT WERE RECOGNIZED INCLUDED MARY FRANCES "MISS PINKY" THOMPSON. THE REUNION COMMITTEE WAS RECOGNIZED ALONG WITH IKE SCOTT WHO DONATED THE PRINTING OF THE "TIGER TRACKS"ADDRESS BOOKS THAT EACH REGISTRANT RECEIVED. ED GOLDMAN, VICKIE EDMONDSON OF CREATIVE VIDEOS, AND I PRODUCED A VIDEO, "50 YEARS AND UNITED WE STILL STAND." IN INTRODUCING THE VIDEO I SAID THAT WE HAD TRIED TO CAPTURE THAT -------YES-------THERE REALLY WAS A CAMELOT, ( FOR ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT WE WERE YOUNG AND CAREFREE), AND THAT WAS THE GOLDEN YEARS OF LITTLE ROCK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL,OF WHICH WE GOT TO BE A PART OF BEGINNING IN 1949 THROUGH OUR GRADUATION IN 1952. LIGHTS WERE DIMMED AND WE HAD THE PREMIERE SHOWING. DURING THE FINAL SCENES THE VIDEO WAS DEDICATED TO "THOSE WHO WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED FOREVER." THE NAMES OF ALL OUR CLASSMATES WHO ARE DECEASED WERE THEN SCROLLED. LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT THAT VERY NIGHT ANOTHER ONE OF US, CHARLIE ADCOCK, WOULD BE LEAVING US. CHARLIE HAD BEEN AT ALL OUR MEETINGS BOTH OF THE REUNION COMMITTEE AND THE BIOGRAPHICAL COMMITTEE THIS PAST YEAR. HE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO BOTH GROUPS. A REAL SHOCK FOR ALL OF US, BUT ANOTHER REMINDER OF "CARPE DIEM"-----SEIZE, LIVE EVERY MOMENT! SUNDAY MORNING WAS JUST WHAT WE HAD HOPED FOR, A BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINY DAY AS WE GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE. REVEREND REX BLASINGAME ALONG WITH PAT COURTNEY AND DICK GLADDEN LED US IN A BRIEF, BUT MEANINGFUL SERVICE. MARY LOU MORRIS CRAVENS AND HER COMMITTEE HAD THE GARDEN ROOM FOR OUR BRUNCH FESTIVELY DECORATED AS WE ENJOYED DELICOUS FOOD AND OUR PARTING TIME TOGETHER. DURING THE FINAL SCENES OF THE VIDEO I CHOSE THE MUSIC "FRIENDS" RECORDED BY MICHAEL W. SMITH. THE LAST WORDS OF THAT SONG ARE, " A LIFETIME IS NOT TOO LONG TO LIVE AS FRIENDS." THANK YOU MY FRIENDS OF A LIFETIME FOR BEING THERE WITH US. THE WEEKEND WAS "CAMELOT REVISITED". FOR ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT WE WERE YOUNG AGAIN AND CAREFREE! GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PRESENCE MADE IT OUR MOST WONDERFUL REUNION EVER, ETHEL BELLE GRIFFIN ROBERTS-CURRY To Top
TANDY ALLEN HAS BEEN EXCEPTIONAL AS BOTH ADMINISTRATOR AND TREASURER. THERE IS NO ONE LIKE HIM FOR DEDICATION AND GIVING 100% TO HIS OUTSTANDING COMPUTER WORK THAT ALL OF HIS CORRESPONDENCE MAKES EVIDENT. TANDY AND I HAVE WORKED WELL AS A TEAM. HE KIDDINGLY SAYS THAT ALL HE DOES IS SAY, "YES, MAM" AND THEN HE DOES IT, BUT THAT REALLY ISN'T SO. HIS INPUT, ADVICE, AND ALWAYS CHEERFUL AND ENCOURAGING PERSONALITY HAS HELPED ME AND OUR COMMITTEE THROUGHOUT OUR 14 MONTHS OF PLANNING. HE AND I BOTH WERE GREATLY SURPRISED AND MOST APPRECIATIVE OF THE BEAUTIFULLY FRAMED RICHARD DE SPAIN ETCHINGS OF LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL WITH ENGRAVED PLAQUES WHICH WERE PRESENTED TO US DURING THE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY P.M. A TREASURE FOREVER FOR BOTH OF US.
IT WAS SO GOOD TO SEE SO MANY FRIENDS WHO BROUGHT BACK MANY WONDERFUL MEMORIES. HOW SPECIAL IT WAS TO SEE MANY FOR THE FIRST TIME IN THESE 50 YEARS SINCE OUR GRADUATION ON MAY 23, 1952. IN THE INTRODUCTION TO THE VIDEO THAT WAS SHOWN AS PART OF THE PROGRAM ON SATURDAY P.M., I SAID THAT IT TOOK A LOT OF FAITH TO HAVE A REUNION. YOU MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE FACILITIES AND SERVICES WITH WHICH YOU CONTRACT. YOU MUST HAVE FAITH IN THE COMMITTEE. AND, YOU REALLY HAVE TO HAVE FAITH THAT IF YOU PLAN THE REUNION, "THEY WILL COME." MY FAITH AND THE FAITH OF THE COMMITTEE WAS REWARDED FOR YOU DID COME FROM ACROSS THE COUNTRY FOR A WEEKEND OF FESTIVITIES AND YOUR PRESENCE MADE IT A GREAT TIME FOR ALL!
IN OUR EARLY CORRESPONDENCE WE PROMISED TO HAVE A PROGRAM THAT WOULD "TOUCH YOUR HEART, SPARK YOUR MEMORIES, AND BOND US IN LOVE." FROM THE ABUNDANCE OF NOTES, E-MAIL, PHONE CALLS, AND OVERALL RESPONSES I BELIEVE WE FULFILLED THAT PROMISE.
OUR EVENTS BEGAN AT PLEASANT VALLEY COUNTRY CLUB AT 3 P.M. ON FRIDAY WITH REGISTRATION AND WARM GREETINGS BY BARBARA COOLEY CLARK, LYDA CRITTENDON CAMPBELL, AND THEIR COMMITTEE. EVERYONE REALLY ENJOYED THE MEMORALBIA ROOM THAT JACK BURNEY AND HIS COMMITTEE HAD ASSEMBLED AND DISPLAYED. IT WAS A DELIGHT FOR ALL OF US TO SEE THE REMEMBRANCES OF THOSE WONDERFUL DAYS WE SHARED AT LITTLE ROCK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL. OUR SOCIAL HOUR WAS FILLED WITH HUGS AND HANDSHAKES AND LAUGHTER AS WE BEGAN TO SEE AND RECOGNIZE ONE ANOTHER. THE LARGE NAME TAGS MADE BY LEE ANN HELMS, DAUGHTER OF PAT LEE STEPHENS, HELPED US IN IDENTIFYING ONE ANOTHER. THANKS TO CAROLYN CORLEY AND HAROLD STEELMAN OUR BUFFET TABLE WAS CENTERED BY A 6 FT LONG TIGER MADE OF LEATHER WITH VICIOUS TEETH. DO YOU REMEMBER THAT THE PINE BLUFF ZEBRAS BEAT US OUR SENIOR YEAR AND THAT HAD NEVER HAPPENED BEFORE---WHAT A TERRIBLE DAY THAT WAS FOR US. HAROLD STEELMAN PLAYED ON THE PINE BLUFF TEAM, SO AFTER HE LEFT FROM DELIVERING THE TIGER FOR OUR USE, WE JUST HAD TO PUT SOME ZEBRAS IN THE TIGERS MOUTH AND AT IT'S FEET. HE TOOK OUR HUMOR JUST FINE. THE ONLY BREAK FROM CONVERSATION THAT NIGHT WAS BY THE HONORABLE JUDGE JOHN PLEGGE WHO GAVE US A WARM AND HUMOROUS WELCOME AND A FEW ANNOUNCEMENTS.
THOUGH RAIN WAS THREATENING AND IMMINENT, WE WERE STILL ABLE TO HAVE A GROUP PHOTO MADE IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL. WHAT FUN IT WAS TO RETURN TO THE HALLS OF LRHS ONCE AGAIN. SOME HAD NEVER BEEN BACK AND THEY WERE ESPECIALLY THRILLED TO BE THERE.
THE SETTING FOR OUR SATURDAY P.M. EVENT COULD NOT HAVE BEEN MORE BEAUTIFUL. JOIE THOMPSON NUTT AND TINY BROWN BRACY ASSISTED BY MEREDITH WARD ROOKER, SALLY MCKELVEY POWELL, AND CAROLY CORLEY STEELMAN HAD BEAUTIFULLY DECORATED THE DINNER TABLES WHICH WERE CLOTHED ALTERNATELY IN BLACK AND GOLD WITH GOLD AND BLACK BAGGED CANDLES IN LARGE GLASS CANDLEHOLDERS ON NESTS OF GOLD NETTING.
BETTY FOWLER AND HER BASS PLAYER PROVIDED MUSIC THROUGH THE SOCIAL HOUR AND DINNER. THE DINNER MENU INCLUDED MOZZARELLA AND PROSCIUTTO ROULADE WITH ROASTED TOMATO ON A SALAD OF BABY GREENS WITH BASIL VINAIGRETTE, AND BREAST OF CHICKEN WITH CHORIZO AND PORCINI MUSHROOMS, WITH TIRAMISU FOR DESSERT.
JIM WALLACE OF PRESCOTT, WISCONSIN SERVED AS MASTER OF CEREMONIES AND HE WAS TERRIFIC! WE HAD 2 LARGE SCREENS AND A VIDEO TECHNICIAN SO JIM COULD BE SEEN LIVE ON SCREEN ALONG WITH OTHER PARTICIPANTS IN THE PROGRAM. THE RT. REVEREND CLYDE BREWER GAVE THE INVOCATION. SPECIAL GUESTS THAT WERE RECOGNIZED INCLUDED MARY FRANCES "MISS PINKY" THOMPSON. THE REUNION COMMITTEE WAS RECOGNIZED ALONG WITH IKE SCOTT WHO DONATED THE PRINTING OF THE "TIGER TRACKS"ADDRESS BOOKS THAT EACH REGISTRANT RECEIVED.
ED GOLDMAN, VICKIE EDMONDSON OF CREATIVE VIDEOS, AND I PRODUCED A VIDEO, "50 YEARS AND UNITED WE STILL STAND." IN INTRODUCING THE VIDEO I SAID THAT WE HAD TRIED TO CAPTURE THAT -------YES-------THERE REALLY WAS A CAMELOT, ( FOR ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT WE WERE YOUNG AND CAREFREE), AND THAT WAS THE GOLDEN YEARS OF LITTLE ROCK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL,OF WHICH WE GOT TO BE A PART OF BEGINNING IN 1949 THROUGH OUR GRADUATION IN 1952. LIGHTS WERE DIMMED AND WE HAD THE PREMIERE SHOWING. DURING THE FINAL SCENES THE VIDEO WAS DEDICATED TO "THOSE WHO WILL ALWAYS BE MISSED AND REMEMBERED FOREVER." THE NAMES OF ALL OUR CLASSMATES WHO ARE DECEASED WERE THEN SCROLLED. LITTLE DID WE KNOW THAT THAT VERY NIGHT ANOTHER ONE OF US, CHARLIE ADCOCK, WOULD BE LEAVING US. CHARLIE HAD BEEN AT ALL OUR MEETINGS BOTH OF THE REUNION COMMITTEE AND THE BIOGRAPHICAL COMMITTEE THIS PAST YEAR. HE CONTRIBUTED SO MUCH TO BOTH GROUPS. A REAL SHOCK FOR ALL OF US, BUT ANOTHER REMINDER OF "CARPE DIEM"-----SEIZE, LIVE EVERY MOMENT!
SUNDAY MORNING WAS JUST WHAT WE HAD HOPED FOR, A BEAUTIFUL SUNSHINY DAY AS WE GATHERED IN FRONT OF THE ARKANSAS ARTS CENTER FOR A MEMORIAL SERVICE. REVEREND REX BLASINGAME ALONG WITH PAT COURTNEY AND DICK GLADDEN LED US IN A BRIEF, BUT MEANINGFUL SERVICE.
MARY LOU MORRIS CRAVENS AND HER COMMITTEE HAD THE GARDEN ROOM FOR OUR BRUNCH FESTIVELY DECORATED AS WE ENJOYED DELICOUS FOOD AND OUR PARTING TIME TOGETHER.
DURING THE FINAL SCENES OF THE VIDEO I CHOSE THE MUSIC "FRIENDS" RECORDED BY MICHAEL W. SMITH. THE LAST WORDS OF THAT SONG ARE, " A LIFETIME IS NOT TOO LONG TO LIVE AS FRIENDS." THANK YOU MY FRIENDS OF A LIFETIME FOR BEING THERE WITH US. THE WEEKEND WAS "CAMELOT REVISITED". FOR ONE BRIEF SHINING MOMENT WE WERE YOUNG AGAIN AND CAREFREE!
GOD BLESS YOU AND THANKS AGAIN FOR YOUR PRESENCE MADE IT OUR MOST WONDERFUL REUNION EVER,
ETHEL BELLE GRIFFIN ROBERTS-CURRY
EDITOR's NOTE -- Ethel Belle Griffin (Curry) writes 7/9 about DELIVERY PROPECTS Class 52 reunion book and you may want to see her message below!
Thanks Ray for forwarding that on to me. I just replied to him --- booklet is not even to the printer yet. A big project --- our committee met today to do our final editing. We will have a model booklet printed and then after editing it, then to the typesetter and then to the printer, who gave us a time frame of 6 weeks. After that the committee has to address and mail. So it looks to me like it will be September at best before they receive them. I think it is outstanding and will be well worth the waiting.
1. MOM WAS HOME WHEN THE KIDS GOT HOME FROM SCHOOL.
2. NOBODY OWNED A PUREBRED DOG.
3. A QUARTER WAS A DECENT ALLOWANCE, AND ANOTHER QUARTER, A HUGE BONUS.
4. YOU'D REACH INTO A MUDDY GUTTER FOR A PENNY.
5. ALL OF YOUR MALE TEACHERS WORE NECKTIES AND FEMALE TEACHERS HAD THEIR HAIR DONE AND WORE HIGH HEELS.
6. YOU GOT A WINDSHIELD CLEANED, OIL CHECKED, AND GAS PUMPED, WITHOUT ASKING, ALL FOR FREE, EVERY TIME.
7. IT WAS CONSIDERED A GREAT PRIVILEGE TO BE TAKEN OUT TO DINNER AT A REAL RESTAURANT WITH YOUR PARENTS.
8. THE WORST THING YOU COULD DO AT SCHOOL WAS SMOKE IN THE BATHROOMS, FLUNK A TEST, OR CHEW GUM.
9. YOU PLAYED BASEBALL WITH NO ADULTS TO HELP KIDS WITH THE RULES OF THE GAME.
10. BEING SENT TO THE PRINCIPAL'S OFFICE WAS NOTHING COMPARED TO THE FATE THAT AWAITED A MISBEHAVING STUDENT ONCE THEY GOT HOME.
11. DECISIONS WERE MADE BY GOING "EENY--MEENY---MINEY---MO?"
12. THE WORST THING YOU COULD CATCH FROM THE OPPOSITE SEX WAS "COOTIES."
13. ABILITIES WERE DISCOVERED BECAUSE OF "DOUBLE-DOG-DARE."
14.THE WORST EMBARRASSMENT WAS BEING PICKED LAST FOR A TEAM.
15. "RACE ISSUE" MEANT ARGUING ABOUT WHO RAN THE FASTEST.
16. BEING OLD REFERRED TO ANYONE OVER 20.
17. IT WAS UNBELIEVABLE THAT DODGE BALL WASN'T AN OLYMPIC EVENT.
18. HAVING A WEAPON AT SCHOOL MEANT BEING CAUGHT WITH A SLINGSHOT.
19. A FOOT OF SNOW WAS A DREAM COME TRUE.
20. BASEBALL CARDS IN THE SPOKES TRANSFORMED ANY BIKE INTO A MOTORCYCLE.
21. YOU THOUGHT YOU HAD "ARRIVED" WHEN GOING TO LITTLE ROCK SENIOR HIGH SCHOOL WAS A REALITY.
22.WE BOUGHT WAR BONDS AND STAMPS.
23.EVERY FAMILY HAD RATION BOOKS FOR SUGAR, GASOLINE, AND EVEN SHOES?
24. WE HAD BLACKOUT DRILLS?
25. THE FISH POND IN FRONT OF OUR SCHOOL REFLECTED THE MASSIVE HALL OF LEARNING ? THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HIGH SCHOOL IN AMERICA.
26. WE TRIED TO GET BY THE "HALL MONITORS?" WHY WERE THEY THERE, ANYWAY?
27. COKE WAS SOMETHING YOU DRANK, GRASS SOMETHING YOU MOWED, POT WAS SOMETHING YOU COOKED IN, AND CRACK WAS SOMETHING IN THE SIDEWALK YOU DIDN'T STEP ON.
28. FIVE AND TEN CENT STORES WERE WHERE YOU COULD BUY THINGS FOR A NICKEL OR A DIME?
29. THERE WAS NO FORMAL SEX EDUCATION IN THE SCHOOLS, BUT THANKS TO OUR MUTUAL ADVICE AND ASSISTANCE, WE SURVIVED.
30. THE GIRLS WERE TAKEN WITH PERFORMERS SUCH AS CLARK GABLE, TYRONE POWER, DICK POWELL, AND SWOONED TO FRANK SINATRA. THE BOYS HAD GREAT ADMIRATION FOR THE TALENTS OF RITA HAYWORTH, BETTY, GRABLE, AND OTHERS.
31. EVERY NEIGHBORHOOD HAD A LITTLE SHOPPING AREA, USUALLY CONSISTING OF A DRUG STORE, A GROCERY, A BARBER AND BEAUTY SHOP, AND MAYBE A SHOE REPAIR SHOP.
32. WE LEARNED TO READ WITH THE HELP OF COMIC BOOKS THAT COST 10 CENTS EACH.
33. FOUNTAIN COKES COST 5 CENTS AND A HAM SANDWICH COST 10 CENTS AT WOOLWORTH'S.
34. WE HAD 3 RADIO STATIONS IN LITTLE ROCK AND ALL WERE AM----- KARK, KGHI, AND KLRA.
35. NO ONE ASKED WHERE THE CAR KEYS WERE 'CAUSE THEY WERE ALWAYS IN THE CAR, IN THE IGNITION, AND THE DOORS WERE NEVER LOCKED. YOU GOT IN TROUBLE IF YOU ACCIDENTLY LOCKED THE DOORS AT HOME, SINCE NO ONE EVER HAD A KEY.
36. PEOPLE WENT STEADY AND GIRLS WORE A CLASS RING WITH AN INCH OF WRAPPED YARN, SCOTH OR ADHESIVE TAPE, SO IT WOULD FIT HER FINGER.
37. YOU HAD YOUR FIRST CRUSH? YOUR FIRST KISS? YOUR FIRST DATE IN A CAR?
38. PARKING AT THE LITTLE ROCK WATER WORKS-------HAD A BEAUTIFUL VIEW OF THE CITY, BUT WHO EVER SAW IT?
39. YOU WENT "DOWNTOWN" SHOPPING YOU WORE A HAT, GLOVES, AND HIGH HEELS?
40. YOU LOVED TO GO EAT AT OLE KING COLE, OR THE MINUTE MAN----THE FIRST RADAR COOKED BURGERS, OR THE TODDLE HOUSE----SCRUMPTUOUS ICEBOX PIES, OR MANY OF THE OTHER FOLLOWING PLACES IN LITTLE ROCK------FRANKE'S OR LIDO CAFETERIA, HANK'S DOG HOUSE, TIA WANNA, WINKLER'S DRIVE IN, CHARLIE BROWN'S STEAK HOUSE, CANTON TEA GARDEN, THE SHACK, THE LIDO INN, TOM AND ANDREW'S, BRIAR'S, GRANHOFF'S, SAM PECK'S, BROWNING'S, AND ACROSS THE RIVER TO MEXICO CHIQUITA FOR THE BEST MEXICAN FOOD EVER.
1. MISS EMILY PENTON'S FAVORITE EXCLAMATION OF "YE GODS!"?
2. SENORITA BELTZ' FLASHING SMILE?
3. MISS CELIA MURPHY SAYING, "YES, YOU SHOULD PREPARE YOURSELF FOR HIGHER EDUCATION, AND EVEN IF YOU DON'T FOLLOW THAT PLAN, ANYTHING YOU PURSUE WILL EXERCISE YOUR BRAIN AND INCREASE YOUR GRAY MATTER WHETHER YOU USE THAT KNOWLEDGE OR NOT?"
4. THE EXCITEMENT OF GETTING NEW CLOTHES AND NEW SHOES (SADDLE OXFORDS OR "PENNY" LOAFERS NO DOUBT) FOR THE FIRST DAY OF SCHOOL?
5. THE DAILY FLAG CEREMONY IN FRONT OF THE SCHOOL?
6. THE FABULOUS ART WORK OF DICK KECK IN OUR PIX?
7. ASSEMBLIES IN THE AUDITORIUM-- AND HOW BIG THE STAGE WAS AND HEARING GENERAL DOUGLAS MCARTHUR'S RESIGNATION SPEECH WITH THE FAMOUS WORDS THAT BECAME A POPULAR SONG, "OLD SOLDIERS NEVER DIE, THEY JUST FADE AWAY?"
8. GUYS WHO DELIGHTED IN PULLING THE TROLLEY OFF THE ELECTRICAL LINES AT THE REAR OF THE STREET CARS--ESPECIALLY ON HALLOWEEN?
9. THE REAL "COG" RESPONSIBLE FOR TURNING THE WHEELS OF LRHS? IT WAS NONE OTHER THAN THE FORMIDABLE YET SOFT-HEARTED MISS OPIE.
10. TRANSPORTATION TOKENS? ONE FOR REGULAR PASSENGERS AND A DIFFERENT SCHOOL TOKEN?
11. THOSE STREET CARS THAT DIDN'T TURN AROUND, BUT MERELY WENT THE OPPOSITE DIRECTION BY SIMPLY MOVING THE CONTROLS TO THE OTHER END AND REVERSING THE SEAT BACKS?
12. OUR COMPETITION AGAINST EACH OTHER IN GRADE SCHOOL AND JUNIOR HIGH SCHOOL TRACK MEETS?
13. CHILI MAC, AND THE PIMENTO CHEESE SANDWICHES IN OUR CAFETERIA---AND THOSE WONDERFUL HOME MADE YEAST ROLLS?
14. TRYING TO BEAT THE TARDY BELL?
15. THE TRADITIONAL THANKSGIVING RIVALRY WITH OUR NEIGHBOR TO THE NORTH WHOSE PSEUDONYM WAS EQUATED WITH A MEMBER OF THE FOUR LEGGED GENUS OF THE CANINE VARIETY?
16. "THE SQUARE OF THE HYPOTENUSE IS EQUAL TO THE SUM OF THE SQUARE OF THE TWO SIDES," THUS SPOKEN BY OUR GEOMETRY GURU, MR. W.P. IVEY.
17. THE CAMPUS INN? DANCING TO THE JUKE BOX?
18. "BUNKING PARTIES AND PILLOW FIGHTS AND JUMPIN ON THE BED?"
19. CANDY CIGARETTES? ACTING LIKE YOU WERE SMOKING THE REAL THING?
20. WAX COKE-SHAPED BOTTLES WITH COLORED SUGAR WATER INSIDE?
21. NEWSREELS BEFORE THE MOVIES?
22. STUDEBAKERS?
23. ROLLER SKATE KEYS?
24. CLASS FIELD TRIPS?
25. CATCHING 'LIGHTNING BUGS IN A JAR?
26. GOING TO THE "PICTURE SHOW"-- BE IT AT THE NABOR, PROSPECT, HEIGHTS, CAPITAL, LEE, ARKANSAS, CENTER, THE PINES DRIVE IN, OR THE ASHER DRIVE IN?
27. THE REFINEMENT OF OUR SCHOOL ADMINISTRATOR'S AND TEACHERS, THEIR DIGNITY, INTEGRITY, AND DEDICATION TO EDUCATION AS A PROFESSION WHILE ACTUALLY SACRIFICING A MORE LAVISH LIFESTYLE FOR A CAREER OF NURTURING HUNDREDS OF FUTURE CITIZENS?
28. MISS MARY PIERCEY GAZING OUT THE WINDOWS OF HER 14TH STREET CLASSROOM OVERLOOKING THE TENNIS COURTS QUOTING "ODE TO A GRECIAN URN?"
29. MR. TANNER'S GREENHOUSE?
30. LYING ON YOUR BACK ON THE GRASS WITH YOUR FRIENDS AND SAYING THINGS LIKE, "THAT CLOUD LOOKS LIKE A……?"
31. YOU FIRST GOT MARRIED, THEN LIVED TOGETHER? WE WERE "SO DUMB" THAT WE THOUGHT YOU "NEEDED A HUSBAND TO HAVE A BABY."
32. BLACKJACK, CLOVE, AND TEABERRY CHEWING GUM?
33. IN OUR TIME, FOR A NICKEL YOU COULD MAKE A PHONE CALL, BUY A COKE----OR ENOUGH STAMPS TO MAIL A LETTER AND TWO POST CARDS.
34. ANOTHER THING WE KNEW WAS THE DIFFERENCE BETWEEN SEXES, BECAUSE WE WERE BEFORE SEX CHANGES, WE JUST MADE DO WITH WHAT WE HAD.
35. WE WERE BEFORE THE EXPRESSION "HE IS TRYING TO FIND HIMSELF", BECAUSE WE ALWAYS KNEW WHERE WE WERE.
36. 45 RPM RECORDS?
37. HOME MILK DELIVERY IN GLASS BOTTLES WITH CARDBOARD STOPPERS?
38. PARTY LINES?
39. SODA POP MACHINES THAT DISPENSED GLASS BOTTLES?
40. MIMEOGRAPH PAPER?
41.WADE'S DRUGSTORE AT WRIGHT AVENUE AND WOLFE, OR DAWSON'S, HALL, KING'S, PAISLEY- LAWSON, REAGAN'S, THE FREDERICA, SNODGRASS AND BRACY, SMITH'S COUNTRY CLUB, WEBB'S, LANE'S, ADAY, BUICE'S------- OR PONDER'S DRUG STORE AT 16TH AND PARK?
42. DELICIOUSLY COLD ROOT BEER OR BETTER STILL A ROOT BEER FLOAT AT WEBER'S ROOT BEER ON MARKHAM?
43. FEEDING PEANUTS TO "RUTH" AT THE ZOO?
44. SWIMMING AT LAKE NIXON, FAIR PARK, WILLOW SPRINGS, OR IF YOU WERE DARING ENOUGH "BLUE HOLE?'
45. WEARING A BRIGHT YELLOW OR GOLD MUM WITH BLACK AND GOLD RIBBON TO THE THANKSGIVING FOOTBALL GAME?
LITTLE ROCK HIGH SCHOOL WAS BUILT IN 1927 AT A COST OF $1.5 MILLION, A GRAND SUM IN THOSE DAYS. IT HAD 100 CLASSROOMS TO ACCOMMODATE 3,000 STUDENTS. THE AUDITORIUM SEATED 2,000 AND THE CAFETERIA COULD HOLD 910. LOCATED ON THE GROUNDS OF THE OLD WEST END PARK, BOUNDED BY PARK AVE, 14TH, 16TH, AND JONES, THE SCHOOL MEASURES SOME 564 FEET LONG BY 365 FEET WIDE.
QUIGLEY (TIGER) STADIUM WAS LATER BUILT IN 1935-36 ON THE WEST END OF THE SCHOOL PROPERTY (THEN CALLED KAVANAUGH FIELD) AT A COST OF $100,000.
THE NEW YORK TIMES WROTE THAT IT WAS THE MOST EXPENSIVE SCHOOL BUILDING EVER CONSTRUCTED IN THE UNITED STATES AND REMAINED SO UNTIL AFTER OUR GOLDEN ERA.
THE NATIONAL ASSOCIATION OF ARCHITECTS NAMED OUR ALMA MATER "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HIGH SCHOOL BUILDING IN AMERICA" AND IT IS THE ONLY SCHOOL TO EVER HOLD THAT TITLE FROM THE NAA.
IN 1977, OUR ALMA MATER'S MAIN BUILDING WAS ACCEPTED BY THE UNITED STATES DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR AND LISTED ON THE NATIONAL REGISTER OF HISTORIC PLACES.
IN 1982, THE DEPARTMENT OF THE INTERIOR DESIGNATED THE BUILDING AS A NATIONAL LANDMARK.
EVER VIGILANT AT THE PORTALS OF "THE MOST BEAUTIFUL HIGH SCHOOL IN AMERICA", THOSE FOUR STATUESQUE SUMBOLS OF AMBITION, PERSONALITY, OPPORTUNITY, AND PREPARATION STAND GUARD OVER A COMMUNITY OF SOME 2,000 PEOPLE. THESE CARVED FIGURES REMAIN PROMINENT ON THE FRONT OF THE BUILDING AND EACH DAY USHER OUR YOUNG CITIZENS INTO VARIOUS AVENUES OF INSTRUCTION ARRANGED BEST TO MEET LIFE'S NEEDS.
IN THE FALL OF 2002----------50 YEARS FROM WHEN WE DEPARTED LRHS, MY GRANDSON, THOMAS WESLEY ROBERTS, WILL BEGIN HIS FIRST DAYS OF EDUCATION WITHIN ITS PORTALS.
"HAIL TO THE OLD GOLD" WAS COMPOSED BY THE DIRECTOR OF BANDS AT LRHS MR. L. BRUCE JONES AND HIS PROTÉGÉ AND SUCCESSOR, MR. A. F. LAPE
THE NUMBER 1 SONG ON THE "HIT PARADE" ON MARCH 4, 1952 WAS "CRY" BY JOHNNY RAY. NANCY AND RONALD REAGAN WERE MARRIED THAT DAY.