SUCCESSFUL REUNION
On the weekend of April 28, 29 and 30 of the year 2000, there was a gathering of classmates of the Little Rock High School Class of 1950. There were over 200 classmates plus their spouses or guests present for the festivities. What a grand tie was had by all! The first event was a party featuring pick up food and a room full of memorabilia.... and about 350 persons were there filling the atrium of the Best Western Governor's Inn in west Little Rock. The Registration was to have begun at 6:00 p.m., but the crowd gathered much earlier eager to see and be seen as early as possible. As each of the guests registered they received a name tag and, if they were graduates, their picture from the 1950 Annual Yearbook was enlarged and placed on the tag...it was 'fun' (?) to see the changes. The registration packet included a wonderful, 70 page bound booklet with names and addresses of each classmate, if known, and also a biography if one was sent. Betty Brooks is credited with the production of this book, and it took hours of loving labor to make it happen. Also in the packet was a "Tiger" flashlight (cute for grandchildren) which was originally a favor from our Little Rock Friends of the Zoo and thanks to Ivonne Ooley Hurley, who serves on that Board, we co-opted it to our use. Additional items included were pencils with "Little Rock' imprinted, and "favors" which Jessie Lanier brought from the Casino where his wife has a management job. All this was packaged in a black canvas bag with the *Tiger-LRHS* logo....Edna Lou Broadnax Green came up with this great idea. The food was really good and plentiful so that no one had to leave to eat....everyone stayed and visited until well after 9:00. The memorabilia room was really special. All kinds of pictures from snapshots to newspaper articles and scenes of group gatherings were blown up and labeled with as many names as could be supplied. There was a large wall plaque with pictures and names of classmates who are deceased ... about 86 that we know of. The room was set up with a long table down the middle where you could sit and pour over the many items, or you could stroll around and look at the things that were posted on the walls. It was a truly a walk down Memory Lane. Saturday morning dawned as a perfect spring day and lured another large crowd of "us" to the campus of LRHS. We gathered on the steps and inside in the halls and then we had a brief message from the vice principal of the school after which we were free to roam around looking at the building ... and most of us were busy trying to find our old homerooms and lockers ... they have been replaced and don't look anything like they did when we were there. The school building looks good, the wonderful tile floors still gleam, but the trophy cases which we remember as being full of many of the actual trophies which we won were painfully empty. Apparently, many of the trophies earned after a certain date have been removed and lost (?). No one could answer as to their whereabouts. Our school has recently been made a National Historic Landmark and the building is more impressive than ever. Over time its historic significance will grow, and we can expect its upkeep and the surroounding grounds to be improved. Academically, the school maintains an excellent record. This past year the total enrollment was 2,045 and there were 17 national merit semi-finalists ... more than all the other schools (private and public, combined) in Pulaski County. Central always has a high proportion of high achievers. We gathered on the lower steps near the "pond" (it is no longer a pond) to have the class picture made. Many people ordered the picture and it is an excellent product ... the name of each person in the picture is listed on a separate page in order by row so that each of us can be identified. A TV camera from local Channel 7 was on hand to take live footage of the group and there were several interviews done which appeared later on the local news broadcasts ... more on this at another place. The remainder of the day was free but you could see small groups of "old friends" bunching up to make plans for lunch or some other extended activity. Saturday night saw us gathered at the beautiful Country Club of Little Rock all dressed up for a lovely dinner and dance. There were 275 reservations made for this dinner and those were people well rewarded. It was simply a "smashing" evening. Phil Dixon, Joe Bates and Ken Carter were our honorary co-chairmen and each had a part on the program. Joe introduced and recognized all our wonderful workers and "dignitaries', and Ken had a few sentimental words to say. Then Phil took over to present the entertainment. With a backdrop of a very large 12' by 12' screen, we saw a video projection of various events pertinent to the era. The video was put together by Randy Dixon (Phil's son who works for Channel 7, and it is for sale ... see another section. It included newsreel scenes from the year 1950, and then bits of footage from personal films such as the football team leaving by bus for a big game, and then shots of "pictures" featuring all kinds of different and interesting groups and activities. The musical background was, of course, music popular in 1950. At one point, the film showed a quartet of very handsome, young high school boys singing away in some typical harmony, then that very same quartet ... Pat Hogan, Phil Dixon, Don wardlaw and Ted Kell actually sang for us!!! They sounded good, and looked really good, too. Another vocal highlight was the 1950 A Capella Choir (with about 25 present) who sang several numbers for us under the direction of "Miss Pinkie" (Thompson) concluding with *Hail to the Old Gold*. There was hardly a dry eye. Miss Pinkle was the choir director in 1950 and she looks well still. Everyone danced!! Yes, they did. Maybe it was the music. The Townsmen, a 14-piece dance band, played music from the 40's and 50's ... and the group itself was really "us" ... these are guys that play for a hobby (but play well) and are great favorites for reunions. During the evening, smaller groups who had gone to elementary school and Junior High school got together to have "class" pictures made. I have to mention that there were 4 people there who went to Peabody School together ... that school was torn down to furnish the site for the present Federal Post Office. Lots of reminiscing, and it seemed to thoroughly agree with everyone. I'm not sure, but I'm willing to guess that no one left early, and that everyone loved the entire evening ... and day. On Sunday morning we were treated to a simply delightful Brunch at Trapnall Hall ... our last event. And, I'll bet that lots of people said, before the fact, that it would be a drag ... WRONG! The weather was glorious, and so was the place and the food. We all milled about inside and out and got in one last round of visiting. There were 165 of us still mixing it up at that party. Finally, at about 1:00 in the afternoon, the party did break up, and people got in their cars to depart the event and the city. It was sweet but sad, because a really good time was had ... after 50 years. If you did not or could not come, that is really too bad ... it was a fine thing, and good friends and friendships were brought together again. AND, we missed those of you who were not here. You were talked about. In fact, many folks just did not want to let it go. SO, there are some plans in the mill for another gathering. Look elsewhere for the details on this. TO Top
The first event was a party featuring pick up food and a room full of memorabilia.... and about 350 persons were there filling the atrium of the Best Western Governor's Inn in west Little Rock. The Registration was to have begun at 6:00 p.m., but the crowd gathered much earlier eager to see and be seen as early as possible.
As each of the guests registered they received a name tag and, if they were graduates, their picture from the 1950 Annual Yearbook was enlarged and placed on the tag...it was 'fun' (?) to see the changes. The registration packet included a wonderful, 70 page bound booklet with names and addresses of each classmate, if known, and also a biography if one was sent. Betty Brooks is credited with the production of this book, and it took hours of loving labor to make it happen. Also in the packet was a "Tiger" flashlight (cute for grandchildren) which was originally a favor from our Little Rock Friends of the Zoo and thanks to Ivonne Ooley Hurley, who serves on that Board, we co-opted it to our use. Additional items included were pencils with "Little Rock' imprinted, and "favors" which Jessie Lanier brought from the Casino where his wife has a management job. All this was packaged in a black canvas bag with the *Tiger-LRHS* logo....Edna Lou Broadnax Green came up with this great idea. The food was really good and plentiful so that no one had to leave to eat....everyone stayed and visited until well after 9:00.
The memorabilia room was really special. All kinds of pictures from snapshots to newspaper articles and scenes of group gatherings were blown up and labeled with as many names as could be supplied. There was a large wall plaque with pictures and names of classmates who are deceased ... about 86 that we know of. The room was set up with a long table down the middle where you could sit and pour over the many items, or you could stroll around and look at the things that were posted on the walls. It was a truly a walk down Memory Lane.
Saturday morning dawned as a perfect spring day and lured another large crowd of "us" to the campus of LRHS. We gathered on the steps and inside in the halls and then we had a brief message from the vice principal of the school after which we were free to roam around looking at the building ... and most of us were busy trying to find our old homerooms and lockers ... they have been replaced and don't look anything like they did when we were there. The school building looks good, the wonderful tile floors still gleam, but the trophy cases which we remember as being full of many of the actual trophies which we won were painfully empty. Apparently, many of the trophies earned after a certain date have been removed and lost (?). No one could answer as to their whereabouts.
Our school has recently been made a National Historic Landmark and the building is more impressive than ever. Over time its historic significance will grow, and we can expect its upkeep and the surroounding grounds to be improved. Academically, the school maintains an excellent record. This past year the total enrollment was 2,045 and there were 17 national merit semi-finalists ... more than all the other schools (private and public, combined) in Pulaski County. Central always has a high proportion of high achievers.
We gathered on the lower steps near the "pond" (it is no longer a pond) to have the class picture made. Many people ordered the picture and it is an excellent product ... the name of each person in the picture is listed on a separate page in order by row so that each of us can be identified. A TV camera from local Channel 7 was on hand to take live footage of the group and there were several interviews done which appeared later on the local news broadcasts ... more on this at another place.
The remainder of the day was free but you could see small groups of "old friends" bunching up to make plans for lunch or some other extended activity.
Saturday night saw us gathered at the beautiful Country Club of Little Rock all dressed up for a lovely dinner and dance. There were 275 reservations made for this dinner and those were people well rewarded. It was simply a "smashing" evening. Phil Dixon, Joe Bates and Ken Carter were our honorary co-chairmen and each had a part on the program. Joe introduced and recognized all our wonderful workers and "dignitaries', and Ken had a few sentimental words to say. Then Phil took over to present the entertainment. With a backdrop of a very large 12' by 12' screen, we saw a video projection of various events pertinent to the era. The video was put together by Randy Dixon (Phil's son who works for Channel 7, and it is for sale ... see another section. It included newsreel scenes from the year 1950, and then bits of footage from personal films such as the football team leaving by bus for a big game, and then shots of "pictures" featuring all kinds of different and interesting groups and activities. The musical background was, of course, music popular in 1950. At one point, the film showed a quartet of very handsome, young high school boys singing away in some typical harmony, then that very same quartet ... Pat Hogan, Phil Dixon, Don wardlaw and Ted Kell actually sang for us!!! They sounded good, and looked really good, too.
Another vocal highlight was the 1950 A Capella Choir (with about 25 present) who sang several numbers for us under the direction of "Miss Pinkie" (Thompson) concluding with *Hail to the Old Gold*. There was hardly a dry eye. Miss Pinkle was the choir director in 1950 and she looks well still.
Everyone danced!! Yes, they did. Maybe it was the music. The Townsmen, a 14-piece dance band, played music from the 40's and 50's ... and the group itself was really "us" ... these are guys that play for a hobby (but play well) and are great favorites for reunions.
During the evening, smaller groups who had gone to elementary school and Junior High school got together to have "class" pictures made. I have to mention that there were 4 people there who went to Peabody School together ... that school was torn down to furnish the site for the present Federal Post Office. Lots of reminiscing, and it seemed to thoroughly agree with everyone.
I'm not sure, but I'm willing to guess that no one left early, and that everyone loved the entire evening ... and day.
On Sunday morning we were treated to a simply delightful Brunch at Trapnall Hall ... our last event. And, I'll bet that lots of people said, before the fact, that it would be a drag ... WRONG! The weather was glorious, and so was the place and the food. We all milled about inside and out and got in one last round of visiting. There were 165 of us still mixing it up at that party. Finally, at about 1:00 in the afternoon, the party did break up, and people got in their cars to depart the event and the city. It was sweet but sad, because a really good time was had ... after 50 years.
If you did not or could not come, that is really too bad ... it was a fine thing, and good friends and friendships were brought together again. AND, we missed those of you who were not here. You were talked about. In fact, many folks just did not want to let it go. SO, there are some plans in the mill for another gathering. Look elsewhere for the details on this.
The steering committee for this Reunion made it possible. It was a wonderful group of peole who each did his or her job to the fullest, and with enthusiasm and imagination. They met at least two times each month at lunch (at Julie's in Little Rock) from January 2000, onward, and several times before that starting in the early spring of 1999. Their names are mentioned at the end of this newsletter. Many of you have already thanked them ... at the last meeting, after the event itself, and many of us brought the MANY cards and letters you sent and passed them around to be read. We enjoyed getting together so much over lunch that it has been decided that this will happen on a continuing basis ... and anyone is invited. It is set up to happen regularly.
We enjoyed getting together so much over lunch that it has been decided that this will happen on a continuing basis ... and anyone is invited. It is set up to happen regularly.
ALSO, The committee has decided that we will: 1. Plan for another Reunion in three years (2003). It will be a Friday night-Saturday affair. 2. Send out a newsletter on a regular basis ... this will only help us keep up with old addresses and pick up new ones. 3. Continue to ask you to send us brief biographies to be included somehow in another publication. 4. Consider getting together for a "Cruise". Oley Rooker is interested in putting one together for classmates of 1950 (and others of our friends) for next year. If you are interested get in touch with him for details ...soon. Get address for mailed newsletter or contact Maybian Cook! 5. We will finance the Newsletter (for now) with the funds that were donated for the 2000 Reunion ... we made our expenses and have a little left over. Of course, it would be wonderful if you would volunteer some extra money so we will be sure to have enough to handle the cost of mailings.
2000 REUNION BOOKLET For $15 each, as long as they last. Send money for order to M. C. Sloan.
2000 VIDEO "The Visual Scrapbook" This is a 15 minute video shown at the reunion dinner dance plus interviews and footage taken by Channel 7 cameraman and aired on the local TV news program. $25 payable to and ordered directly from: Randy Dixon (see mailed newsletter for address) Little Rock, AR. 72205
Class Photograph Still available by order directly from: Wayne Smith (see mailed Newsletter for address). Little Rock, Ark 72210 (see mailed NL for phone number) Two sizes: 11 x 14 $30 8 x 10 $20 Both have a list of names identifying the pictures
NEWS OF CLASSMATES .... If you know news, put it on the web page, or send it to M. C. Sloan (mamayb@aol.com) for incorporation into a newsletter.
Lynn Babcook Craig Joe Bates Shirley Bradley Davis Edna Lou Broadnax Green Betty Brooks Barbara Carter Clark Ken Carter Fred Clark Maybian Cooke Sloan Bob Cress Phoebe Darby Norman Phil Dixon Patsy Ellis Grace Bob Gee Jim Gray Judy Harris Bauer Thommie Herndon Tom Lane Bill Mayer Glenna Mclver Waller Linda Newland Denson Yvonne Ooley Hurley Freda Palmer Graham George Plastiras Jim Parker David Powell Oley Rooker Jane Scott Ward Pat Sivewright Parker Claire Stannus Elletson Patsy Stokes Hodges Carolyn Thurman Clark Ben Wright
THANKS to THEM, AND THANKS to YOU for coming and making the party a great success.... couldn't have done it without either group!
Ray Hudson of Class '48 put a LRHS GRADS link on his website at http://netpluscom.com/~rhudson/lrhsindex.htm. Enjoy LRHS links so far of classes '48', '49, & '50. Its a fun way to communicate!
If you have an e-mail address, please send it in so we can list it. Many people of our class are already staying in closer touch that way.
PLEASE ........... ALWAYS STATE YOUR MAIDEN AND MARRIED NAMES, PLEASE, BECAUSE THAT IS HOW WE KNEW YOU IN 1950 !!!
Class numbered about 580 at graduation We have "good" addresses for about 360. We had attendance at the REUNION of about 200 classmates. We had responses from another 60 classmates. We have lost about 100...NO addresses. There are known to be 86 deceased. TO Top