Patricia Veresan (Hughet)

Well, with all the talk about cars here I sure hope someone from this form went to the Dream Cruise this past weekend.  It was a real blast from the past!  I wonder if any one went Cruising back in the 60's?  I did.  Some of us gals would drive down Woodward cruising and meet guys from other schools and we cruised with our parents car or some times I was lucky to get one of my uncles cool cars.  Gas was really cheap then, about 25 cents a gal.  We would stop at Ted's, the Totem pole, Mavericks, Big Boys or any of the other small drive-in's looking for cool guys.  Now all of those places are gone replaced by a Drug Store.

My Husband, Roger came to MI in 1959 to design cars for GM.  While we were at the Cruise, he would say I design the front end of that and the rear end of this and the side body of this and it was really funny to hear about all of the cars he worked on and designed.  It also dated both of us.  Time sure does fly by fast.  We have hundreds of renderings and sketches of cars that he did at GM that looked like a lot of the cars that were driven down Woodward.  We were cruising down Woodward last Weds in our Vette with 400 hundred Corvettes from the Radisson Kingsley Inn near 18 mile to 11 Mile Rd.  Friday we changed cars, drove the 82 Trans Am Firebird and cruised to a few parties.  Saturday was a 10 hour day with our Corvette club and we did not cruise as it was wall to wall cars everywhere.  If you haven't driven in the Dream Cruise you really need to at lease park and see all the cool cars.  It really is the largest car show in the world ( Detroit 8 Mile Rd  to Pontiac) and it showcases part of our past.

David Daniels

Car People (and there seems to be a fair number of those among us) -- below is a rendering of a license plate that could potentially be yours.  Doug Bastian came up with what I think was a wonderful idea.  (And as my roomie at Oakland University, I can assure you this was not his first one.)  Doug recently bought a new car and thought that he would like to adorn it with an identifying mark of his glorious high school years.  He had this plate made for his vehicle, but decided not to stop there.  He had a total of 12 plates made and will be bringing them to our reunion.  If you would like one, the cost will be a mere $12.75.  First come, first served.  Just post your order here or contact me at dcd3@cornell.edu.  Doug has reserved 2 for himself and I want one -- unfortunately, here in New York we're required to have a state-produced license plate on both the front and back, so I can't use it there.  Do you think the Thurston blue will class with John Deere green?  I hope not, 'cause that's where its going.  So, there are but 9 left.  Let me hear from you.

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Leonard Capelli

Patti, sounds like a lot of fun. Living elsewhere since 1980, I have heard about thr Cruise and seen pictures and seen the signs along Woodward, but have never had the opportunity to actually see it or drive in it. I will make it a point to put it on my bucket list.

I do have a cute story though, we were out at the Rose Bowl to watch MSU, and we got there as the parade was almost over.  The road up to the parking lot we were in, was blocked.  I had rented a 1953 Ford convertible from National Car Rental, classic collection, so, I just pulled into the parade, told Marilyn to wave at everyone and joined the parade for about two blocks, until I was able to turn off to go up the hill to park. MSU won, and it was a great day. 

Linda Garcia (Garcia-Shelton)

My brother Bob has a number of classic cars ('50 Mercury, 50ish Nash Metropolitan, 60ish Mercury Bobcat) and was likely driving up and down in the Woodward parade in one or another of them.  He keeps them in mint condition (as much as is possible) and only occasionally lets us ride in them.  We took a cross-country trip in the 1950 Mercury when it was brand new--I was 4, my brother 2, with my parents and my grandparents.  Both men were smoking cigars most of the time, with my brother sick when they did.  We didn't know about reactions some kids had to environmental smoke then.

This car was not big, and driving to St Louis, NYC, and back to Detroit via relatives in Pennsylvania was a really long trip with both of us bouncing up and down on one person's lap or another.  I remember the trip vividly. It was a large and comfortable car for its time, but now it looks small and cute.  Perhaps it is nostalgia that keeps folks going to that parade.

Douglas Bastian

Linda, I think you're right about the Dream Cruise nostalgia. Has a lot to do with growing up in the home of the Big Three auto companies. 

The '50 Mercury seemed larger at the time, and smaller now, because we were much smaller at the time. Same effect when we as adults walk into a classroom we inhabited as kids. We look at the furniture and wonder how we were ever comfortable in THAT. 

Patricia Veresan (Hughet)

Nostalgia can have a lot to do with some of the car shows.  I would not call the Dream Cruise a parade as there is no set formal  drive for any cars. This a cruise where you drive where ever on Woodward and is a one week deal with Saturday being the final drive down Woodward from Detroit to Pontiac.  All Summer long there are Car shows everywhere and not just in Michigan.  We just came back from Dayton Ohio where there was the Pontiac Trans Am National Car Show.  Lots of young people that were way younger than we are and they  had these old Pontiac Firebird /Trans Am's. There were 500 people with Trans Am's from all over the US there, so I don't think this is just nostalgia or Michigan thing.  We picked up a 2nd place trophy for our 82 Trans Am Firebird and my husband was the guest speaker there speaking on the 3rd generation Firebird/Trans Am. He was the designer who designed that car.  Cars are liked by almost everyone because it is something we all use and some of us love the style and feel of the cars, be it a new or old car or if you are young or old. We all have stories to tell about cars from the past or now with new cars.  Even girls like cars.  When I buy a car I want a fast, good looking designed car and a brighter color. I appreciate the old and new cars.  Driving the 82 Trans Am to Ohio & back was fun but I like our newer cars better for a trip.  There is no cup hold in the 82 car and my husband said that cup holders were not in cars till the mid 80's. He made a cup holder for the trip and it looked really good. The car didn't ride as smooth as todays cars, and we had a cassette player that skipped when we hit a bump in the road. Good thing I found some old cassettes to play on the trip.  I guess we are all really spoiled with the new cars as they have so much more new technology and driving is made easy now.

Leonard Capelli

The dream cruise is over for a year. Who remembers hanging out at McDonalds on Plymouth. The police cruising through to see if anybody was obviously drinking, and when they did find a few beers, they poured them out and gave a warning. I remember one time several of us were in my old Ford, and throwing a few water balloons.  We hit one car, who immediately turned around and started to chase us. I whipped into Mac's went around back, and backed in. We begged the girls in the next car to exchange cars for a few minutes. We sat in their car, while the guys we hit with the ballon cruised through two or three times. We had fooled them on two counts. My Ford was blue in the back, but in black primer in front, so no blue ford, plus pretty girls would never throw water balloons. 

Carol Strucel (Rohlinger)

I led such a sheltered high school life!  I had no clue what you guys were up to!  I'm gonna miss connecting with all of you former classmates at the reunion next month, but I'm thankful for the opportunities to reconnect via Facebook, e-mail, and this website.  I hope it stays "up" long after the reunion for post-reunion comments and lots of photos.  Have a great time.  Wish I could be there.

Linda Garcia (Garcia-Shelton)

Len, I absolutely remember the McDonald's on Plymouth.  My father worked parttime for the Redford police as a non-sworn officer.  One of the very many rules I lived under was to never be at that McDonalds, not day or night.  Of course I never knew why, but that was par for the course.  On the very rare occasions that I was out on a date and was taken to the McDonalds, it seemed that my father knew this before I even got home. It was good for a 2 week grounding.

Bob Michaluk

This is a “coming of age” story  that only guys will appreciate since it has to do with turning 16, testosterone, and pumping iron. I have stories for you girls but they are only tear jerker’s.  I was watching American Ninja Warrior the other night and noticed something they apparently did not notice as contestant after contestant failed.

Go back to 1961 and a group of guys from Thurston are going to a health club on five mile that is offering free weight room for three months.  Teenage logic saw no problem with that pitch until the bait and switch occurred.   Dejected but still arrogant we went next door to a coffee shop, which in those day was really a restaurant that was not happy about patrons to only order coffee.  As we recouped our misadventure and bragged anyway about how our exploits would be missed by the health club since we were all in our prim physical conditions and excellent specimens (of course before the discovery of “Abs”)

What happened next I think is more about a fellow traveler who had heard just about enough of useless bragging teenagers. Suddenly the non descript gentleman appeared at the entrance to our booth. He made a declaration to all of us.

                “Hot shot kids well I manage that ‘worthless health club next door” and  I challenge you all to a contest of physical strength where you can prove to everyone your claims and if any one of you wins I’ll give him that three months of access to the weight room for free.” 

“And if we loose? The pessimist of the group (and a future accountant) asks.

“If you loose you have to buy me a cup of coffee each day for the rest of the week. The waitress will take your money.” A man in control.

The challenge was to hang from a parallel bar for three minutes and no touching the ground otherwise you could do whatever worked.

As you consider what suckers we were,  consider that even twenty years later the teenage population still gets sucked into that physical prowess thing of male teenagers.  I had told my daughters this story and one day I came home from work to find three of her male teenage friends hanging from our gutters.  I just smiled as I walked pass not saying a word  (which I later learned they thought was really cool).

Of course we all took the bet and all lost.  I only know of one success, Roger Hamilton. No matter how strong you are after three minutes the blood has left your fingers and they just open on their own.  Roger was a cross country athlete and his heart and arteries were better at keeping the blood in his fingers.  The American Ninja Warriors all dropped from holding their hands up too high to long, it takes one of us old guys to notice.

Catherine Micallef (Kosikowski)

I can't believe we are just around the corner from the reunion.  When we attended Edd's reunion last year we were disapointed that we didn't take the tour of THS.  Many of his classmates were very impressed with the changes and what things have remained the same.  They actually found out about things we didn't know about, like a gun range! I know on the night of the reunion, there was hardly enough time to talk to everyone. I think that the tour and lunch make for a nice casual time to rekindle some friendships.  Hope to see you there.

Gerald Wiebeck

I recall a group of us going to a restaurant where they offered all you can eat fish dinner.  Well being the chow hound jocks we were it was an easy choice.  We tae plate after plate of the fish,  but one in the group had a hollow leg and asked for his 3 or 4th plate, but the manager of the restauarant seeing a loss spiked the plate with paprika.  I don't know how much of it JH ate but he didn't want to let them stop his free diner with paprika.  I believe LC was in on this too.  Imagine paying to get your mouth burned out?

Gerald Wiebeck

Bob Stockton were you refering to the "Sportsmen's Club" trip down the AuSable River when you said the senior trip?  That 8hr trip took us 2 or 3 days.  What a trip!!!  LOL

Gerald Wiebeck

I know those who have been organizing this big event are trying to make sure everyone who can make it to the reunion does, but I was wondering if there is anything you can do on Face Book to get the word out?  If you have great.

Robert Stockton

Hey Jerry, hope all is well with you and yours.

Yep, the references to the alternate senior trip are about the Sportsmen Club trip down the Au Sable. We left from Mio and went almost to Lake Huron. I don’t know the mileage, maybe a canoe racer could make it eight hours, but as you said we weren’t in a hurry. We spent one night on a little island in the high banks area. That’s where the “devil” showed up. The last night was on a larger island near the Lumberman’s monument. That’s where some big guys got what they deserved for “bad mouthing” some little guys girlfriends. Somewhere in between I vaguely remember being shot at, though I’m not sure who did what to whom. Some things have gotten a little fuzzy after fifty years. All in all it was a memorable trip and a great preparatory experience for college.

You didn’t finish your story about the all-you-can-eat dinner. Don’t you remember the milk shake bribe?

Hope to see you next month. Say howdy to your wife for me.

Gerald Wiebeck

Bob:  That wasn't a trip it was sorta like a nightmare.  I laughingly  think of it sorta like, "Deliverance" LOL.  There was a lot of fun and excitement to be sure.  Someone was upset with the photos and destroyed a few of the pics.... but that what they make darkrooms for.  Ish and I and our family are doing well.  I semiretired for a while because of work related issues.  But I'm back at it along with giving seminars in Risk Management.  I delivered a speech last Wednesday and got 4 more requests including a 5th in Ontario, Canada.  After watching you get married it impacted on me so Ish and I eloped.  I was disillusioned about love for others.  But being the romantic that I am I still think love is forever because what is forever for?!  Blessings to you and each of your family.

Gerald Wiebeck

No, I don't recall the milkshake bribe.  What happened?

Robert Stockton

Jerry – Glad to hear things are going well you and Ish. I don’t remember seeing pictures from the Au Sable trip. Do you have some?

You’re right, love should be forever. Unfortunately life sometimes gets in the way, throwing curve balls we can’t dodge regardless of our intentions. Congratulations to you and Ish for doing it the right way.

About the milkshake bribe – Ask Joe at the reunion. He tells stories much better. There’s a reason we called him the Golden Tongue

Gerald Wiebeck

Bob I have about two dozen photos from the "Senior Trip"  aka Deliverance...  I'll try to find them.

William Cox

OH MAN!!!  I'm laughing out loud, Joe Halonen "The Golden Tongue" I've never heard that refterence before.  Big Joe, what have you got to say for yourself???? You guys are the greatest!

Leonard Capelli

Bill, Jonas was much too glib, erudite,and forceful in his delivery to merely be Silver tongued.   Add to that a forceful presentation and you have a gifted orator. Mrs. Jones from high school didn't necessarily agree but what did she know?

William Cox

Len,   Ok, But I'm still laughing!  "Forceful Delivery", "Forceful Presentation",  I get, for sure.  I'm really looking forward to this upcoming reunion, thanks for your thoughts & insight, re. Big Joe!..................BC.

Leonard Capelli

Eastern Michigan University honored the 1963 EMU Hurons football team. Two of our own, Bob Stockton and Joe Halonen were starters on that team as freshmen in 1963. 50 years later and still going strong. Well, still going. 

Linda Garcia (Garcia-Shelton)

Cathy,

Was the shooting range under the pool?  I have a vague memory of seeing it once, but the image is shrouded in smoke.

Patricia Veresan (Hughet)

OK everyone on this form, I want to know what the dress code was while we were attending THS.  I thought it would be a great talking point to display on our memory boards & compare THS today's dress code VS our dress code 50 years ago.  Do any of you remember what the dress code at THS was 50 years ago?  I know girls could not dress in jeans or slacks.  Please help  me out with this project.  If you have a chance, read the Currant THS dress code on the Thurston's school site now.  I'm sure it is different code than what we had. 

Thanks,  Patti