Tommy Nixon

Jim, great to hear from you. I know you’ll have some amazing stories of being a trainer at UF and other places. I remember you with football and JOHN KRAUSE with basketball. There were others too. I’ve got my old basketball sweater in our storage closet but we’ll be traveling in a small trailer for 10 weeks before and after the reunion so I’d prefer to leave mine at home if Hans or someone else can bring theirs instead.

Basketball was ultimately not good for my body even though I still love the game and the Golden State Warriors. I’ve had 5 knee and 3 hip surgeries with all of them now replaced. Should’ve stayed with only surfing but I can no longer do even that. Lucky to be walking and out of pain after many years of discomfort. I plan on ‘cutting a rug’ at the reunion though. I look forward to seeing you.... Tom

Pamela Brown (Warren)

 Tommy so glad you and your wife are going to be camping at Hannah Park.  There is a school at the entrance of the park .  I taught there for 3 years.  I will also be at the beach staying with Joanna(Juanita) DeLoach in Atlantic Beach. Let me know when you arrive and we can have a campfire at the beach. She is coming with me to the Reunion. hal and I come to Saint Augustine beach every spring.  We have been here since March. Hal will be leaving around the middle of May.  I will be heading back to Colorado after the Reunion. I would love for you to make a stop In Evergreen on your way back to Cali.  What are your plans?

Pamela Brown (Warren)

Jim,  I retired a couple of years ago after 30 or so years working as a fitness therapist /trainer in Evergreen, Colorado.  I have to say it was a great run.  I met so many interesting folks working with their injuries or chronic disease.  I worked with many athletes all referred to me by orthopedic surgeons in our area.  We could trade quite a few interesting stories.  Looking forward to seeing you.

Pamela Brown (Warren)

Taylor I am looking forward to meeting your wife.  I think Tommy, you  and I are the only ones from our class that have lived most of our adult lives west of the Mississippi!

Tommy Nixon

Pam, always great to hear from you. I’m sorry we’re going to miss Hal as I understand it. Juanita is so cool. Last time I saw her was at Rosenblooms (another Atlantic Beacher). My brother stills lives in Jax Beach and he still surfs all over world. With our golden retriever and his cats, we decided to just camp at Hanna which I love anyway. On the way out, we’re staying in Durango for 4 nights. That’s our only Colorado port of call. From there we’re headed to Taos. Evergreen, as I recall, is closer to Denver or Boulder (?) On the way home we’re going up through the Blue Ridge, Upper Michigan, Northern Plains to Yellowstone, so we’re going too far north on the return. I would love to visit you and Hal in Colorado at some point. But we can bonfire on the beach at Hanna. Love it. I’ve got the guitar, you bring the s’mores. Taylor and Juliann Corse are dear friends and we’ve spent many a great time with them in Tempe. You’ll dig Juliann. We’re meeting them on the way out near Flagstaff if they’re not too tied up in Tempe. As far as others living out west, there are more than you think. Harriet Colee and Nick Jones both live in California. I don’t know how many are driving out like us but hopefully we’ll discover other westies from the class of 69. I’m looking forward to seeing you and give my best to Hal...Tom

Tommy Nixon

BJane, thanks for the information. I’ve made some notes. I used to work for North Carolina Outward Bound School so I have some familiarization with the area, but not all, so any other suggestions are welcome. We’ve reservations at Powhatan Lake (Asheville area), and James River and Shenandoah River State Parks in Virginia along the way. We have some improvisational time allotted so we’re open to any recommendations. Some of the most interesting places we’ve ever visited come from people who tell us of places we should see. Out west we can go to lots of places during the week without reservations but summer in the Appalachians is probably different so we decided to make more reservations mid- week. Anywho, I’ve already make some notes. Thanks... see you soon.

Katherine McDonald (Johnson)

https://www.rollingstone.com/culture/culture-news/1969-woodstock-stonewall-abc-trailer-822825/

Hey Classmates....

Just saw where ABC  will be broadcasting a six-part docuseries entitled "1969" where they will review and explore many of the historical and memorable events and changes that occurred in the US in this extraordinary year. "1969" (part one) premieres on Tuesday, April 23rd at 10:00 PM on ABC. I have attached a link above that has a trailer for the series that was reported in Rolling Stone.

Since we are all celebrating our 50th Lee HS reunion this year, we already knew 1969 was a "great" year....however this historic docuseries ought to be a good primer plus walk down memory lane to remind us of events and activities that shaped our lives as we all graduated from Lee HS.

I look forward to seeing many of you at our reunion weekend on May 31st and June 1st.

Best...Kathy

Michael Ferrara

 Gerald Jenkins.....He was the first black student at Lee.  He was the only black person in a class of almost 700. I always considered him the Jackie Robinson of desegregation..I had a lot of respect for Gerald ..Someone told me his family owned Jenkins BBQ and he was murdered in a robbery.   Since the first reunion I have always hoped he would attend...Does anyone have any info on him?  

Tommy Nixon

Mike, I believe Gerald was first but by the time we graduated there were others including Harriet Murray who has previously responded on this classcreator site. Gerald, Harriet, her brother and others were incredibly courageous people. The Jackie Robinson story did play out at Lee. Harriet has been in my thoughts for decades. I can’t tell you how many times in my life that when I think of Lee, I think of her. I didn’t even know her that well and perhaps that and the fact that we all lived in such a different world then is why I have my own personal regrets. I wish I was smarter and more mature then with a little bit more of the life experiences I have now. White guilt... you better believe it. I just want all of the pioneering African American students and the current students of Lee to know how proud we are of them now. We are still fighting that old stupid war. On my trip east we’re visiting civil rights sites to continue our education of understanding and compassion. It’s never too late. I hope some of our black former students show up to the reunion. I’d love it! Tom Nixon

Michael Ferrara

While staying in a hotel is an option, we decided to rent an apt in Riverside on Air BnB .  We are in apt 2 doors down from where our reunion roommate, Steve Batey ( yes, he's coming ) where he spent his youth. ( Fortunately he hasn't grown up :). ) We have short walks to Park and King, 5 Pts, or  Willowbranch .

Just an alternative I wanted to share ...

Susie Seashole (Wells)

Yay! Love that you both will be there!

Pamela Brown (Warren)

Tommy,  When are you leaving Cali?  I think you have my phone number....text or call when you arrive Hanna.  I am going to Juanita's(Joanna) Sunday before reunion.

I am thrilled to see everyone.  I went to the Ocala Reunion in March.  FYI I moved to Ocala after the 8th grade and returned to Lee middle of 11th grade.  I hadn't seen these folks in nearly 50 years.  Most I didn't recognize until began talking of memories.  Then memory of body language and events kicked in.  It was sort of like great psychedelics from college....flashbacks, laughter and joyful tears.  The sage in all of us needs nothing more than breath and the gathering of lifelong friends to dance like Zorba and allow our souls to be one.  C U all Soon!

Tommy Nixon

Pam, we left 2 weeks ago. Currently eating breakfast in Las Vegas NM. In and out of c phone and WiFi. Just left Taos after 3 days. Long haul to Oklahoma today. I get in touch as we get a little closer. Headed to the Buffalo River in Arkansas for the weekend. We arrive at Hanna on the 29th. Looking for the seeing you soon. By the way, Colorado in May is beautiful! Tom

Thomas Ray Vittum

Hi Tommy a must to see in Oklahoma City is where Tim McVay blew up the city.  Hopefully you can find a local person to provide you with some of the back and history.  If you can’t the chairs represent the people who died there.  A small chairs or for the children and the large chairs represents the adults the futher back is the floor they were one.  The wall on one end of the “water road” is 1 second before the bomb went off, the other wall is one 1 second after the bomb went off.  A building would have been in between those two walls.  A catholic church to the west was destroyed but the guardian angel statue is still there.  The tree across the street survived.  If he parked the truck in front of the building then building probably would have survived.  He parked it about ¼ way from the end of the building and the blast twisted the building and caused it to collapse.

You will probably be going through Memphis TN on the way to Florida. I live just outside of Memphis in a small town called Collierville, just East and a bit South.  I would say stop by but I will be leaving for Tallulah GA on the 18^th.  Take care.    

Richard "Parky" Parkhurst

Hi Tommy & Val,

Theres so much history and beauty to discover in Oklahoma City, I'd suggest the Cowboy Hall of Fame, and if you'd like to revisit what the Indian Nation did for the US in WW2 the 45th Infantry Museum. Lots to be proud of for since the Trail of Tears ended in that territory before becoming a state.

Wishing Y'all safe travels and fond memories! See you soon! Parky & Kate

Tommy Nixon

Tom and Parks- love the travel advice. We’re at Wichita Mt. Wildlife Refuge in southern Oklahoma now best wildflowers of the trip. Never knew Oklahoma had mountains.There are 650 bison here as well. Tom- we’ re in Memphis next week for one day. Maybe we can connect. I’ check my calendar later today and see if you’re around. Looking to visit the Lorraine Motel and Beale St. Later ...Tom

Thomas Ray Vittum

I am leaving Sat the 18th and will not be back in town until June 5th.  Sorry we missed each other.  Be VERY VERY careful in downtown Memphis.  Watch your back, a lot of things happens down town.  The motel is good but it shows a very bad time in the 60's, I got very sad and mad when I went through it. There is good eating down town, you will have to ask the police on the street where to get some good BQ. This week, May 14-18, is BQ week, good food but do not leave anything in your car in site, because it will be gone when you get back.  I think Memphis is the 6th or 7th highest crime city in the US.  Out side of Memphis is another story, safe.  Again, take care and be safe.  

Tommy Nixon

Tom- sorry I’ll miss you in Memphis and thanks for the advice. I’ll see you in Jax. Cotton Morlock and I also failed to connect in the area. He’s at a retreat doing blues harmonica in the area (or was). Anyway see you soon. Headed to the Buffalo River tomorrow in Arkansas. I hear funky weather is moving in Saturday. Later Tom

Werner R. "Cotton" Morlock

Ernestine (Tina) Schmehl (Kirby)

I can not believe that it has been 50 years since we graduated. Our reunion is going to be great. Does anyone know if there are any good restaurants near the Friday night gathering place? It would be great if we could plan to eat dinner somewhere close.

I wanted to let everyone know that Melody Jackson Neely and her husband, Scott, Sharon Porcher Harby and her husband Fred will be joining Bill and I at the Florida Theater for The Happy Together Tour on Sunday night, June 2nd. The Turtles, Gary Puckett, The Buckinghams, The Classic IV, and The Cowsills will be performing. We will probably have dinner before the show and then enjoy the old tunes. We would  love for others to join us. 

Tommy, your trip sounds wonderful. Bill and I talk about traveling out west. Two years ago we drove to Canada to visit Bill’s cousin. We stopped and did a lot of sight seeing on the way to Canada. We were gone two weeks. Niagara Falls was absolutely breath taking. Our trip was cut a few days short when Hurricane Irma  decided to visit St. SImons Island. Thank goodness our home did not receive any wind or water damage. 

If you are near St. Simons on your trip we would love a visit or maybe just meet for lunch. We have lots of good seafood restaurants.

See everyone soon.

Tina Schmehl Kirby

Donna Loomis (Arthur)

Tommy Nixon,  when are you gonna be at James River State Park? That's only about a hour from me and would love to catch up with you and your wife there. Let me know.  Thanks. See you soon either way.

Donna

Tommy Nixon

Donna, I believe it’s around June 9/10. Love to hook up if possible. The main calendar is currently in the packed up trailer and I only put May on my IPhone. I’m now in Memphis with cell phone coverage. For three nights we were on the Buffalo River in N. Arkansas without coverage. Meet a bunch of Oklahoma guys and had two campfire nights of bluegrass music interrupted by a rained out night of tornado warnings and strong winds. The humidity is killing me in Memphis but at least I’m acclimating. Tina, our daughter Lauren is flying in on June 2 so we’ll be preoccupied with her. Otherwise we could sing “Happy Together,” with you all. The latest from the road. See you all soon! Headed to Mississippi. Tom

Debra Anne Frey (Whittier)

Tommy, Cary and I would like to talk to you at reunion. We are planning to hit the road next year and would like to pick your brain about your trip. See you soon.

Tommy Nixon

Debra, I look forward to talking with you as well. Today is 3 weeks into it with 7 and 1/2 weeks to go. The springtime has been an unreal time to travel. I think I can turn you onto some great places to visit. I look forward to hearing from everyone about their live experiences and travels. When the reunion ends I believe we’ll all regret not having more time together to share. There are remarkable stories amongst the 200 or so of us attending this 50th reunion. I look forward to listening to them. See you in a short time! Tom

Tommy Nixon

Donna, I checked. We’re at James River SP on June 9 & 10. Tom