Berea High School

I did not know that there military offspring in High School.

Of course, there was a lot going on in BHS that escaped my attention besides the classwork. Man, I was lucky to get a diploma.

I was largely oblivious. Spectacles were on my face too, I hardly noted them on others, so a GI issued fashion was just another fashion. In my last years at BHS, I wore rectangular "steelies". After High School I took to wearing rimless spectacles. I suppose I thought that they made me look older and wiser. Looks ain't everything. But I did keep getting older which is better than the alternative. Wiser? Nope. Not a bit. I try to do more listening than talking and that helps to perpetuate the deceit. My Gramma was wise. She made particular note of my appearance on a regular basis. One day she peered at me very intently. "Why Arthur, you have two ears and one mouth! You should listen twice as much as you talk!" Huh. As it turns out, that is pretty good advice for me.

She also noted one day, "Arthur, with your looks you should be on the radio!" It was years later that I awoke from a dream racked sleep and remembered those words. Sigh. She had a major "old lady" crush on Arthur Godfrey and at the time I had been certain that she was paying me a compliment. I shoulda listened about twice as well.

( a side story) A few weeks ago I had a last minute opportunity to attend a performance by Arlo Guthrie. Just before I gave up my ticket to the door-man / usher I looked at it. Without my reading glasses, the name was blurry enough that I imagined that I was seeing the name Arthur Godfrey, not Arlo Guthrie. As I handed over my ticket, I said "One for the Arthur Godfrey Appearance" and without blinking an eye the ticket taker pointed across the street "go left down the alley. Waaaaay down the alley, then keep going." Wow. I can't get a laugh as easily as I used to. Doc

06/28/14 05:54 AM

#27

John Farner

Hey, Doc,

Along those lines, I got a Harley for my 60th birthday. During lunch at Pinera, my wife offered me her pickle. Of course, my response was, "I don't want a pickle, I just want to ride my motorsickle." That earned me the same look you got from the usher. Thanks to that intenet thing the kids are all talking about, I was able to retrieve a rendition and calm her fears that my age-related cognitive decline was not as sever as she thought.

John

06/28/14 10:57 PM

#28

Perfect.

Please to submit a photo of the motorcickle. Great tale, John. Arlo did the Motorsickle Song at the concert. He is "living the dream" as they say. He travels about by bus (scuuuuze me; MOTOR COACH ) and plays music with some friends and family members. I'd do that if I were getting paid to do that. He did NOT perform ALICE'S RESTAURANT MASSACREE. 2017 will be an anniversary year for the song (released in 1967) and he noted that if we wanted to hear it performed live by the composer, we would need to get tickets for an Arlo concert in 2017. "I mention it " he says "because I had better start learning it. After playing that song every day of my life for over a decade I had to quit playing it".

Instead of performing the ALICE'S RESTAURANT MASSACREE he played the guitar part and said that he could do it in his sleep. And that he had performed it in his sleep. and when skydiving, sking and scuba diving...

07/30/14 02:41 PM

#29

Susan Long (Morrison )

Hi doc

Happy Birthday!! Was it yesterday or today? Your birthday was always the sign that mine was 2 weeks away. In the old days that was a good thing. Not so anymore. I,m currently in Berea till 8/14. Maybe I can find some old pics to post. I remember in elementary school how much you and Bonnie hated when I would bring in the pics of us as toddlers. Guess I've never grown out of that annoying habit!

Do you remember when you fell down into our old cistern? Hilarious! Or how once a summer you would manage to bust thru the glass door on the side of your house?? Fun times!

Sue Long Morrison

07/31/14 08:27 AM

#30

My birthdate is 29th. I remember nothing of THE CISTERN INCIDENT except that it is not a fable. Family lore keeps the memory, not the event itself. Yes, I did manage to crash through the glass door in the breezeway more than once. Whoever took the screen away and replaced it with glass...
Happy Birthday to you, too! I hope that your Berea visit is fruitful. Walk around the triangle and read the names on the bricks. Many memories can be dislodged. And DICK'S BAKERY... Get a cookie, or if you're there in the morning fresh baked bread. FISHER FAZIO COSTA (?) cannot compete!

We hosted many players for BBQ and music 26 July. I smoked two pork shoulders for pulled pork, harvested cucumber from the garden and made cuke-n-onion relish. I squoze limes and lemons for sweet-n-sour mix and those who imbibe were treated to Doc's really good margaritas. Others had wine, Mojitos or water. Marcia baked potato buns for the pork and baked a gluten free cherry cobbler. Guests brought even more of everything (although they know to not bring entree when I have the smoker fired up)
We played all day on the patio until there was more sun than shade. We went indoors and played some more. It was a great day. 2pm until nightfall. A pretty good length of time for us geezers.
Doc

Margaritas
FIRST: Make a sweet sour mix. DON'T buy one.
8 limes to every 2 lemons, shake vigorously with baker's sugar, also known as "superfine". I quit measuring because the vividness of the limes can vary a great deal. Don't be afraid if seems like you need a lot of sugar. Sometimes you just need a lot of sugar. Trust yourself. You can add more, or more juice if it seems too sweet. Make a lot. It is worth it. It gets even better on day two and on day three. I always run out so I don't know if gets better than that.

Now, on Margarita Day, to fill a two cup shaker:
IN THIS ORDER

Two Thirds c sweet and sour mix
One Third c cointreau
One Third c triple sec
Two Thirds c GOOD tequila (Cazador, Coralejo...)
Shake vigorously, then let rest while you
Salt the rims of the glasses [two saucers. one has a double layer paper towel. Soak it, pour off the water. The other saucer has kosher salt in a shallow layer. Wet the rim, twist the glass in the salt.
Fill glasses with cubes.
(This is better than blendered tequila slushies. Serve that to kids. 21 year old kids, that is)

Shake for just a few moments. Pour in the margarita.
TEACH SOMEONE TO MAKE THE NEXT BATCH!

07/31/14 05:45 PM

#31

Robert Colvin

First time I have checked this out... really nice to hear how all are doing... We did have a great class... Cannot get used to GO TITANS though... once a BRAVE always a BRAVE! ... Susie and I live in Berea so if any one visits home shoot me an email... A great spot to eat and bump into people is Mike's Bar and Grille on Front Street... Great food, great selection of beers/wines and great atmosphere. Mike is also a great guy! Best to all! Bob Colvin

08/06/14 08:41 PM

#32

Steven Rowsey

Since you're talking birthdays here, a belated Happy Birthday to Jennifer Runyon!

Last summer there was a movie released which was filmed around Cleveland, Chagrin Falls, etc. The closing scene was shot on Front Street, looking north, at the foot of the new railroad overpass bridge. A bridge that was what, 40 years in the making? I remember talk of it during my days of high school.

Anyway, the movie is titled Kings of Summer and is a sweet little flick--you can watch it with the kids.

08/07/14 01:13 PM

#33

Steve, that was very kind of you to post a belated birthday shout and remember me. I haven't conversed with you for a while because I've been so busy, but soon I will e-mail you. Seeing your picture brings back so many memories. It is like a knife in my heart when I pass the former Roehm Junior High and see only the gym still standing. I'll never understand the rhyme or reason for the school changes, but apparently the Bereans agreed. It is nice to see the former Berea High building and the former Loomis Elementary building still standing (though Loomis is now a facility used by Baldwin Wallace). I visit Berea often and while there are remnants of the past and some good things that have been added, it will never again be as it was. It was also sad to see the former Manners Restaurant torn down and made into an empty lot. Oh well, as we age and disappear, so does our former Berea. I'm glad there are still pictures. I will take a look at the film you mentioned. Steve, you have always been, and remain, a good friend and I think of you often.

Jen

08/08/14 05:13 PM

#34

Juliana Savino

Hi, Jennifer,

glad to hear you are doing well. I remember you from HS, and also working together at the LK.

best regards,

julie

08/08/14 07:09 PM

#35

All Class BHS Reunion photos are posted. Who is whom? I recognized a total of ZERO!

Find out how to supply a caption and make your mark. Future historians will need to know. I suppose the IRS and the NSA already know... Doc

08/08/14 07:49 PM

#36

Hi Julie. I didn't remember working with you at L&K, but I remember you from school. If I recall correctly I believe you played a musical instrument. I admired your dedication and your vision for your future. You always had goals. Thank you for giving me a hello. I hope all is well with you and it was a pleasure to hear from you.

Jen

08/10/14 04:50 PM

#37

Steven Rowsey

I never would have imagined Julianna Savino knew Jennifer at Berea. Or that I would run into Julianna with her son, in a Cleveland Heights coffee shop a couple years ago when I was out with our mutual friend, Jeremy (not a Berea grad).Funny how life just keeps circling around--with intersections never before seen.

Arthur--the only person I recognized was Bruce Merwin-- a class ahead of us.

08/11/14 12:05 PM

#38

Steve: Remember the Potawatomi Tribe..? Were you and your Dad "Tonowanda & Stillwater" or was that Jay Krand & his Dad..? Just reaching back a bit further in our shared histories...

08/11/14 12:14 PM

#39

BTW, nice to hear from Julie Savino (as I knew you)... As my former neighbor and orchestra compatriot. I was always impressed by your house. .. facing right-on the MetroPark... where I spent 'way more hours' exploring down in the Rocky River ravine than ever on homework. Best wishes to you, Scott

08/12/14 10:29 PM

#40

Steven Rowsey

Scott-

Potawatami Tribe. I recall my name as Deerfoot and being a bad son can not recall my Father's name. Steve Batthauer believe it or not, still has the "war chest" complete with the Chief's head dress, tom-tom the the rest of the garb.

Maybe it's just the left over excitement from the opening ceremonies of the Gay Games--my first time at The Q--and a real plus for our city, but I'm enjoying the diversity of the people in this thread--

Arthur is now Doc

Julie is now Julianna (did I get that correct?)

Scott is now Jon (the only way to spell that name)

And Jim is now Jennifer

And Steve is still Steve---did I miss something?

08/13/14 03:12 PM

#41

Steve:

As I explained to "Doc" (formerly Art)...I've always gone by Scott, still do. Jon shows up herein because the default infill is from our yearbook information...my first name is Jon...I don't think anyone from our class knows me by "Jon"...Mr. Deutschlander did however...

Indian Guides was a wonderful framework for sharing some time with my Dad and younger brother. I remember using my woodburning set to make our name tags on rectangular scraps of leather. Nice that Batthauer has some mementos from thoses days...Wow.

The Spring weeklong Campout was a blast...especially, in our day and circumstance, we had no distractions, radios, certainly cell phones...

Take care, Scott ("Thundercloud")

08/13/14 09:18 PM

#42

Jeepers. I am so far behind.

1) I do not know L&K.

2) I thought that the Savinos lived on Wesley between Emerson and The Mall, walking distance from Riveredge Elementary.

3) I don't remember falling into the Long's Cistern.

4) I often have to look up lyrics to songs that I have written.

5) There are two other things that I do not remember, but I cannot bring them to mind right now.

Odd, then, that when asked, I can always respond correctly to: Who recorded GIMMEE DAT DING?

And I can remember all of the auxiliary verbs.

08/14/14 10:37 PM

#43

L&K was a restaurant chain that specialized in Steaks. When Mr. Manners sold the Manners Big Boy chain some of the restaurants were purchased by L&K. They also bought some of the Howard Johnsons. The Manners Restaurant that was located in Berea up at the point was changed to L&K. Unfortunately, L&K went bankrupt after a few years. The restaurant at the point was sold/leased to several other independent restaurants, but none were successful. It is now an empty lot.

08/15/14 12:07 AM

#44

Ahh, thank you Jennifer.

I have recollection of Manners restaurant being near to the point where Front Street and N Rocky River drive converge on their way to Cleveland Hopkins International Airport. It did not become a Manners Big Boy until it existed at the strip mall on Bagley road, across the street from WT Grants, where I held my first "real" job (not cash, paid taxes etc), suffered an industrial accident, and bought my first C F Martin® guitar with the payout from Ohio Workmans' Comp. Since you are either well connected or have tremendous recall, I will certainly defer to you if my recollections are false.

Doc

08/15/14 12:24 PM

#45

Rick Andrisek

Wow. It's interesting that Scott and Steve have brought up Jay Krand, Indian Guides and yes, the Potowotami tribe. Jay was a year behind us but he lived the next street over from me and we were great friends in our grade school and junior high school years. I thought I had deleted anything related to the Indian Guides from my hard drive but I can remember my dad and I being in the Potowotami tribe along with Jay and his dad. We would have been what, seven or eight? I don't remember much about it other than meeting in a circle in someone's living room and all of us wanting a turn to play the tom-tom. Steve, Scott, where you there as well?

Dad has long since passed away but Mom is still in Berea so I get up there a few times a year. It's really strange seeing the demolition of Roehm and the "Titans" being proudly displayed on the electronic sign in front of what will always be Berea High School to me.

Best regards to everyone. The years certainly go by quickly.

08/15/14 01:41 PM

#46

Hi Art. You know I totally forgot about WT Grants. Thanks for bringing that up. Your memory isn't as bad as you think it is. Maybe all this brain teasing is a good thing. It's nice to be able to remember Berea and all of the great stores/shops that used to be there. Do you remember when Pizza King was on the triangle and they had a big window in front where you could see the guys making the pizza? Not only is the store gone, but so is Pizza King!

Have a great day Art/Doc.

Jen

08/15/14 05:11 PM

#47

PIZZA KING exists for me only on the triangle. I visited the location (beside the Post Office?) and I did not have an enjoyable pizza experience. When Papa was still alive I was introduced to Dante's which is (or was) also near where Front Street and N Rocky River Drive meet. We had more than a few very nice meals there. Pizza and other classic meals and sandwiches and pie. Really wonderful pie. Did I mention the pie?

Doc

08/15/14 05:49 PM

#48

Rick: I remember you well (Nice guy, Same homeroom inhabitant and Master of the Saxophone)...don't remember you being in the Potowatomies though...likely before or after we joined. I think we were in it for 2 to 3 years. It was a small group...at the Spring Outing we'd usually get our butts kicked by the Big Tribes; like us (20 Boys and Dads) VS, say, The Mohicans (at over 80 total braves)...ouch, I still can feel the rope burns on my hands..! Baseball was a fairer test due to the format...all good fun as no real time to develop rivaries. I do remember hitting my only Grand Slam...as I was skilled enough to hit a hard one past my Dad in RF. (he was a great sports car racer...but no real "game athlete") I still have to laugh that minutes prior, he was telling me of how important it was to "break-in" a mitt...he was still looking down/pounding his glove when my ball whizzed past him...a precious memory to me.

Remind Doc (formerly Art R.; formerly "Pedro") that he wasn't the only one that wore glasses. Unless I'm mistaken, by the end of our Senior Year, I remember "wire rims" coming into vogue...Dean Motter sported some (I picture him with a leather headband, too)...didn't you wear "wires" Doc..? This is fairly vivid to me as I was always in Art Class with Barb Wismar and Gerry Wilhelm...putting in some after hours time to catch-up on projects...Dean was around a lot...

Anyway...hope you all have a great weekend... I'll continue to "fill-in" around your memories as best I can muster...

Oh, shoot, Jennifer, I know the old Pizza King very well...not so much for their pizzas but because I used to meet friends outside the PK; it was The Landmark of that corner to us...and one time I went in to see of my buddy Len Peterson was there...he was...and as we exited, I saw Chuck Rich sitting with some guys (in this case, Greasers). I knew Chuck somewhat from either a Shop class or Gym class and we got along pretty well...so, I threw him a quick wave on my way out the door. A second later, Gordie Hughes was in my face, yelling, "what'd you say..!!!"...over and over and over...creeping closer and closer with each repeat. Intimidating stuff. He swung at me, I ducked and he hit his hand hard on the corner light pole...me, sprinting across to join a laughing Len...easy for him to do. The next day Chuck Rich apologized to me for Gordie's actions. I always thought that was pretty classy of Chuck.

Later All...

08/15/14 06:26 PM

#49