09/28/04 - NNHS Newsletter - Shine On, Harvest Moon

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

    I had unexpected phone calls from a couple of you this week.  That's always a real delight for me.  Thanks!

NEWBIES:

1. Martha Lou Goding Forti ('58) of CA - 09/27/04 - courtesy of Joe Drewry ('58) of VA

2. Barbara Dye-Hensley ('69) of ? - 09/27/04

   Welcome, Martha Lou and Barbara - and thanks, Joe!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/alumni-list.html

From Brian Beachum ('72) of VA - 09/26/04:

That's for the GASP.

   Brian, after looking at that breathtaking red Mustang of yours, GASP was my only possible response.  Thanks again
for sharing it with us.

http://www.beachumstudios.com/toy/

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/our-old-cars.html

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 09/26/04:

Hi, Carol:
Thanks for the Newsletter. It was a great diversion from Hurricane Jeanne this morning. If I may, I would like to add to the
comments of Eric Huffstutler (Bethel HS - '75) when he remembered that Tankar Gas Station was next to a junk yard.
The 39th Street Bridge went over Jefferson Avenue at this point, and "Vicky" Victor ('5?) and his father operated a Junk Yard
that used the space below the bridge, and almost to the corner of 38th Street. "Vicky" had one bad Junk Yard Dog inside the
premises when he was not there.
Across 38th Street, fronting Jefferson Avenue on the same side, was the Peninsula Dairy Store, a spacious and clean dairy
store that served their brand of ice cream and some outstanding milk shakes. Many residents purchased their eggs at this store,
for they were fresh daily. Peninsula Diary delivered milk to residential customers for many years by using horse drawn wagons.
They were neat wagons, painted green and had yellow and black lettering. Of course, the horses were later replaced by trucks
that were specially designed for this type of delivery. The milk was delivered in glass bottles. Peninsula Dairy furnished the
customers insulated boxes for the deliveryman to place the milk. It protected the product from heat in the summer and helped
prevent freezing in the winter. Many a bottle of milk would freeze and pop the cap and extend the frozen product out of the neck
of the bottle, before they found a solution.
Captain Dave will likely come up with some neat photos of this Old Stomping Ground.
Joe

   WOW, Joe, you continue to amaze me!  Thanks for sharing that with us!

From Sarah Puckett Kressaty ('65) of VA - 09/26/04:

You have had some very interesting info attached to our newsletters!  I have forwarded them to my granddaughter, Ciarra. 
She loves butterflies!!!   Sarah 

   I'm glad you and Ciarra liked it, Sarah - thanks!

From Tom Norris (HHS - '73) -  09/26/04:

Hi Carol ..... glad to know I am still "Da Babe" :-).

Good that you now have someone else in their 40s .... I have less than three months to hang on to that distinction before I head over
to the "Dark Side" :-). But .. from the way y'all act it looks like 'over 50' is pretty cool!

Cool 'Stang,  Brian .... I remember your older brother Butch (Beachum) had some pretty neat cars too .... I remember a beautiful
gloss black '58 Impala and a Nova.

Sorry to say I won't be able to attend the big reunion next month .... I'll be in Connecticut on business .... but thanks for inviting the
closet 'Phoon' :-).

Here is something you can publish about the 63-64 basketball team. In 2001 when HHS had their "Grand Reunion" called Crabbaganza,
among those in attendance was Warren Chapman (HHS -'64), our center who gave y'all some fits during those four losses to NNHS.
Also in attendance was Pat Patrick (HHS-'69), who was a member of the 69 State Champ team. Pat and Warren spoke .... first time
they had actually met. As these two basketball legends spoke, Pat mentioned how he looked up to Warren and admired the powerhouse
team they had that year. Warren replied "thanks .... but you did something I never did ... you beat Newport News and brought that state title home!"  Quite a testament from a fine athlete and gentleman to arguably one of if not the finest team to ever come out of the Peninsula.

Wild giggles myself .... take care.

Da Babe

   Thanks, Babe!  I can only speak for myself, of course, but I'm having WAAAY more fun at 57 than I did at 47!

   I'm sorry you won't be able to join us next month in Newport News next month, Tom.  It would have been fun meeting you.  (Of course,
I had somewhat backed myself into a corner by overstepping my bounds and issuing that invitation, 'cause technically as a Crabba, you're not allowed at a
Newport News reunion except as an escort to a Typhoon, and I was gonna hafta do some fancy dancin' to correct and facilitate my faux pas there, so we'll
just worry about that one next year...)  Have a nice time in Connecticut!

   I've added your remarks::

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/BASKETBALL.html

   Thanks again!

From Jean Poole Burton ('64 ) of RI -  09/26/04:

I don't know how you come up with these wonderful songs.  I had not heard "So Rare" for a very long time..."September Song"
made me cry...and "What Are you Doing the Rest of Your Life" ditto.  Cannot wait for our wonderful reunion. 
Love, Jean

   Thanks, Jean.  I'm glad you're enjoying the songs  I find them floating around in my mind.  They make me cry, too.  I'm only too happy
to share the tears!

   I'm anxiously awaiting the time of that reunion as well.  Seeing everyone again is going to be wonderful!  I haven't seen you, for instance,
in - well, in forty years! 

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 09/26/04:

Hi, Brownie and Carol:
It looks like Hurricane Jeanne did not damage our residence. The fury seems to have let up, as it travels west to the Gulf of Mexico.
Of course, the exterior inspection of the roof will have to wait until the rains stop and day light in the morning.
You all are so sweet to ask about us. Pleased to report all is well for family in Florida.
Always,
Joe

   Y'all have been constantly in our hearts, thoughts, and prayers for the last six weeks while these insane hurricanes and tropical storms
have been wreaking havoc.  We're so glad you made it through another one.  Let us know about that roof!  Thanks, Joe!

From Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA - 09/26/04:

Dear Carol,
 
Yes, there were Tankar Stations all around the Peninsula. And indeed, atop their small building was a "Tankar Car" to be taken
as the real thing. Those were the days that "gas station attendants" still existed and would come provide the service, plus!, that we
all do ourselves in this day and time. I remember one on Pembroke Avenue down a bit toward NN from Shoney's. I also think there
was one at 25th. and Marshall?
 
I clearly remember that they carried "bulk oil" (reprocessed) in bottles for 20 cents a quart. Rip (Collins - '65 of TN) can tell ya that
I'm not kidding when I say I would pull up to these places and tell the attendant to "fill the oil with the 'bulk' and check the gas"! I got
about 4 stations to the quart of oil with that old '54 hand brush painted Plymouth. It beat walking, barely.
 
Take Care!
RWS

   Thanks, Wayne!

From Dave Arnold ('65) of VA - 09/26/04:

Joe Madagan ('57 of FL) is correct about the gas station. I worked at the Chesapeake and Potomac Telephone
Company storeroom at 930-39th Street from 1967 - 1973 when I was in line crew and then a residential installer.
Dave

   Thanks, Dave!  

From Jimmy Parker ('62) of VA - 09/26/04:

 Although feeble of mind, I can actually be of assistance with respect to the Tankar Service Station. It was located in the 700 block
of 25th Street, on the west side of the street and one building away from Madison Avenue. That building was also a service station,
but memory fails me as to brand. Directly across Madison, on the west side, was an Amoco station. During WWII my father operated
the Amoco station, so actual memory of it is nonexistent. The Tankar Station is another story. The station was managed and operated
by my uncle, Paul Helfrich, who was the brother of my mother and father of my first cousin and classmate, Gertrude (Helfrich -'62)
(she is married, by the way, to Ricky Hedrick. I noticed sometime back that a former wife was searching for him.) Adjacent to and
attached to the left side of the Tankar Station was a small used car lot named, appropriately, Parker's Auto Sales. You can guess
whose father that was. Time frame, as best I can remember, is mid '50s to early '60s. Oh, by the way, the station was built into the 
side of the tank car. The tank car was not on top of it. I try hard to remember another Tankar station located somewhere other than
25th Street.  I don't deny another one on 39th Street, so there may well have been one there as well. So, here is my contribution for the
day.  My memory fails for most things, but I do remember Peterson's Yacht Basin and Chesapeake Boulevard.

   Jimmy, darlin', how delightful to hear from you!

   For a man who ten years ago underwent brain surgery and was given less than two months to live, I'd say your memory is nothing
short of miraculous and phenomenal!

   OHHHH, when you said that the station was built INTO the tank car rather than sitting underneath, I suddenly had a clear vision of it! 
And I'm seeing the one on 25th Street, too!   WOWZERS!!!  It's just a little memory, and I never even got out of my mama's car there,
but I'm so happy to have it return!  The name of the station was mounted atop the tank car in free-standing red block capital letters,
was it not?  Ohhh, yeah, I remember it now!  I thought the whole concept was so clever!

   Thanks for restoring yet another lost memory to me.  We've long since established that your memory is far superior to mine,
Jimmy-Jimmy, but I'm glad to know that you remembered the important things.  I remember the Scenic Overlook on Chesapeake
Avenue and Peterson's Yacht Basin quite clearly all by myself!

From Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA - 09/27/04:

Dear Carol,
Now that I think about it, I do believe Jimmy (Parker - '62 of VA) to be correct!  It was NOT on top but was indeed "built into",
to convey that "clever concept". 
But I do stand by my Pembroke Avenue station!
Take Care!
Wayne

   Thanks, Wayne!

   All this input on the Tankar Stations led us to a New Page:

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/old-stomping.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/tankar.html

   Thanks to all of you for your help!

From Pam Smith Arnold ('65) of VA - 09/27/04:

Sorry about your fish - death is difficult, no matter what form it takes. Dave, Jeff and I have two Bettas along
with our four cats (the fish are safe!). I have a nice way to fix up a Betta and will have one for you and yours when
you come to the reunion - my treat. Since it will not be a female, you may not want to call it Betty. Ours are named
Lamont and Phillippe (Phil the Phish).
Love - Pam

   Oh, Pam!  How sweet of you - thanks!  Oh, Betty was a male as well.  That was the joke - sort of like "A Boy Called Sue".  We tend
not to have normal names for things.  Okay, we tend not to be very normal at all......

From Janice McCain Rose ('65) of VA - 09/27/04:

This past weekend was our Club's annual Championship Tournament, and I am very proud to say that I am the Woman's Club
Champion for 2004!!!!  I played very well on Saturday...had a 9 stroke lead over my closest competitor...didn't play as well
on Sunday, but had enough lead to carry me through.  Received a very nice wall plaque...and of course, my own parking space
complete with sign "Woman's Club Champion".
Janice

   WOWZERS!!!  Congratulations, Janice!  Thanks for letting us know!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/news.html

From Doug Phipps (George Wythe HS - '77) of VA - 09/27/04:

Greetings, I am from Richmond (George Wythe class of '77). In my SOPHOMORE summer (75), MY favorite week
was spent @ Sans Souci Motel.  As a kid, I loved Buckroe Park. I was TERRIFIED of "the dips"
I got your page by searching the net. THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES,
AKADoug

   We're glad you enjoyed it.  Let us know if you'd like to join our Merry Throng, Doug!

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/alumni-list.html

From Charlie Hilling ('56) of FL - 09/27/04:

Greetings from Soggy Florida!
We dodged another bullet, 70 mph winds and 8-10 inches of rain.  We had no damage to our house or yard, but there is a lot
of water laying around and the wind is still blowing at about 35 mph.  Hopefully, Jeanne will be the last hurricane for this season. 
We are so fortunate and blessed to have come through all these hurricanes unscathed.
Stay Safe!
Love, Charlie and Annette 

   We rejoice with you that you and yours were unharmed.  Thanks for letting us know!

From Tom Norris (HHS - '73) -  09/27/04:

Carol .... this belongs in the hands of you or one of your classmates. Just listed on eBay with no bids. If one of the 'gang' wants it
I will not bid on it ... otherwise I will place a bid before the end of the auction.
Take care ...
Tom Norris .... aka hamtownbuggin ... aka 'da Babe' :-)

Title of item: 1965 NEWPORT NEWS HIGH SCHOOL NNHS Banner VA Virginia
Seller: 2bdebtfree
Starts: Sep-26-04 11:55:22 PDT
Ends: Oct-03-04 11:55:22 PDT
Price: Starts at $4.99

To view this item, go to: http://cgi.ebay.com/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewItem&category=39727&item=3932618699&rd=1

Item Description:

*** 1965 NEWPORT NEWS HIGH SCHOOL NNHS BANNER ~ VIRGINIA ***

This auction is for a Class of 1965 NNHS banner. I believe this is Newport News High School which used to be in Newport News, VA.
It is cream with a blue-ish/green border. It is about 33 1/2" long. There are a couple of small holes in this piece from wear. It is
in pretty good for its age considering it is almost 40 years old.

   I still have my matching Senior Class pennant - a bit bedraggled with more moth holes than I'd prefer, but mine nonetheless.  In fact,
I even have it laid out to bring to the reunion.  Are any of y'all interested in this?  Please lemme know either way so that I can tell Tom.

   Thanks! And thanks, Tom!

From Joe Drewry ('58) of VA - 09/27/04:

   This is the mother of Martha Lou Goding Forti ('58) of CA:
 

Dorothy Ridings Goding   
 
POMONA, CALIF. - Dorothy Ridings Goding, 97, went to be with the Lord on Sept. 14, 2004, at The Claremont Manor Care Center
in Claremont, Calif. She had been a resident of Claremont for eight years. Mrs. Goding was born in Buena Vista, Va., graduated
from Parry McCluer High School and Madison University. In 1937, she married Owen Goding from Lynchburg and moved to Hampton.
Mrs. Goding taught elementary school for 37 years. For nearly 60 years, she was a very active member of the First Baptist Church
in Newport News, where she taught Sunday School, sang in the church choir and directed a choir for senior men and women.
Mrs. Goding was a member of the Daughters of the American Revolution. She is survived by her daughter, Martha Forti and husband,
William, of Claremont, Calif.; her brother, Vernon T. Strickler Jr. of Hampton; six grandchildren, Scott Forti of Wrightwood, Jennifer
Brawley of Flossmoor, Ill., Meredith Dodds of So. Pasadena, Calif., Kimberly F. Hauser of Denver, Colo., Mark Forti of Claremont, Calif.,
and Andrea F. Zabel of Los Angeles, Calif.; and 20 great-grandchildren. The family will receive friends at 10 a.m. on Monday, Sept. 27,
at Peninsula Funeral Home. A funeral service will follow at 11 a.m. at the funeral home, officiated by Rev. Dennis Adams and Dr. James E. White. Pallbearers include, Leck Hanger, Steve Gurvich, Paul Means, Jay Royal, Mike Lynch, Ron Perry, Hal Perry , Douglas Dwyer
and Clark Strickler. Honorary Pallbearers include, Dr. Randel Everett, Bill Chambless, Bob Yeatman, Charlie Hogan, Richard McMurran
and Edger Nettles. Burial will be in Peninsula Memorial Park.

Published in the Daily Press on 9/25/2004. 

   Thanks, Joe, for bringing this to our attention.  Our deepest sympathies are extended to Martha Lou and her family at this difficult time.

From Barbara Dye-Hensley ('69) of ? - 09/27/04:

Hello Carol,
Thank you for this wonderful website.  I've only been aware  of it's existence for about a month but find that I
frequent it regularly now.  Wanted to give you some info for your memorial section.  Randy Kiser ('66)
died on February 8, 1995 of post surgical heart failure.  I was married to Randy for 13 years and was blessed
to have a  son by him. He was a wonderful father and I know he would have been a wonderful and much loved
grandfather to our son's children.  The other info pertains to my sister, Sandra Dye ('68), who passed away
September 4, 1975 from cancer.  As you know, the Class of '69 just had a 35 year reunion.  Hopefully someone
will forward some pictures along to you soon.  Again, thanks for your hard work and dedication to keeping the
memories alive...
Mercy, peace & love be multiplied to you.
Barbara

   Thanks for joining us, Barbara.  And thanks for the additional information.  While I did not know your sister, I remember Randy as
a really nice boy. 

   I'm so sorry for your losses.  If you have their birthdates and places, obituaries, memorials, images, school activities, or whatever,
I'll be glad to post them as well.

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam-all.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam66.html

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/memoriam68.html

   I truly appreciate your blessing of mercy, peace, and love, Barbara.  This has been one of those weeks....
 

From Catherine Slusser Hudson ('64) of VA - 09/27/04:

Hi Carol:
Hope all is well with you. I briefly caught Joe (Madagan)'s message on Fred Christy's Lighting Business.
I believe you will find it was Centralite Lighting Supplies. It was on the corner of 39th and Marshall Avenue
across from the BeLo Super Market. The Railroad tracks ran behind the business.  Down 39th Street a little
way was the Pompi Tile Shop. and Across the Tracks was Seven Oaks Apartments and Marshall Courts
Apartments. It has been a long time since I was down there. The last time I was in that area I was attending
an Apprentice School Football Game.
Take Care, 
Catherine

   WOW!  Y'all just keep astonishing me with your memories!  Thanks so much, Cathy!  See you soon!

From Eric Huffstutler (Bethel HS - '75) - 09/28/04:

Glad the Tankar Gas question panned out to be fruitful!

One other question... I have fond memories of going to the Paramount and Warwick theaters when going to Saturday matinees
were still the thing to do. This was pre Internet, pre Video Games, pre Cable (only had 3 television channels). Even prior to my departure of Newport News some 20+ years ago, the Paramount was condemned by the Fire Marshals and slated for demolition.
Out of curiosity I was looking for info of my old haunts and knew my own mother remembered seeing Elvis Presley perform live
there on February 13, 1956. There were several venues listed for various artists to perform at what is listed as the Paramount Theater Auditorium but can not find any information of such a business nor one listed in the phone book? I've also noticed one
act, Dr. John, was scheduled to play there but now shown to be performing at the Ferguson Center for the Arts. What happened
to Paramount and why the change? Was this newer listing the "same" theater that I remember on Washington Avenue which once
had a small eatery next door on the corner?
Eric

   Thanks, Eric - we'll see what we can do.

   Well, Wayne, it appears that we have an exact date for your Elvis story!

   This one is waaaay out of my ken.  Panel of Experts, if you will, please?

   Enjoy tonight's Harvest Moon.  Y'all take care of each other.

                                   Love to all, Carol
 

==============================================

NNHS CLASS OF '65 WEB SITE: http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com
PERSONAL WEB SITE: http://www.angelfire.com/weird2/cluckmeat

"I only have two kinds of days: happy and hysterically happy."

==============================================

 

Shine On, Harvest Moon

Lyrics by Jack Norworth
Music by Nora Bayes and Jack Norworth, 1908
 

The night was mighty dark so you could hardly see
For the moon refused to shine.
Couple sittin' underneath the willow tree, For love they pined.
Little maid was kinda 'fraid of darkness
So she said, "I guess I'll go."
Boy began to sigh, looked up at the sky.
Told the moon his little tale of woe.

Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky.
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July.
Snowtime ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon.
So shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me and my gal.

I can't see why a boy should cry when by his side
Is the girl he loves so true.
All he has to say is "won't you be my bride, For I love you."
But why should I be telling you this secret,
When I know, that you can guess.
Harvest moon will smile, shine on all the while,
If the little girl should answer yes!

Shine on, shine on harvest moon up in the sky.
I ain't had no lovin' since January, February, June or July.
Snowtime ain't no time to stay outdoors and spoon.
So shine on, shine on harvest moon, for me and my gal.
 

"Shine On, Harvest Moon" midi and lyrics courtesy of http://www.rienzihills.com/SING/shineon.htm
and with the assistance of my son, Nathaniel Harty of IL - 09/20/04

Full Moon clip art courtesy of http://webclipart.miningco.com/library/cos/blmoon1.htm - 09/20/04

Gold streaked blue divider line clip art courtesy of http://webclipart.miningco.com/library/line/bline1.htm - 09/14/04

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