02

02/04/05 - NNHS Newsletter -
It's Only Make Believe

Dear Friends and Schoolmates,

We have even more surprises today!

By the way, if you're trying to figure out how I'm choosing the themes for these Newsletters when a holiday or anniversary
is not involved (oh, don't try to follow the workings of my twisted brain; you could injure yourselves!), I'm pretty much taking
them from the fabulous CD's that Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA made for the World's Greatest Reunion - more or less........

From Jeanette Parrish Houston ('64) of VA - 02/03/05:

Hi Carol,

Just finished catching up on your newsletters. I've been without a computer for a while and now am back "on line".
What a pleasure to drift back in time with you leading the way. Thank you for all you do. Now I have to get the DVD
of the reunion ordered. Have a great weekend.

Jeanette

Thanks, Jeanette! "... without a computer for a while ..."?!? YOWZERS! Now, those are words which definitely send
a chill up my spine! GIGGLES!!!

You're going to love that video presentation! It's fabulous - as was the reunion itself!

From Kathy Pilgrim Clark ('63) of VA - 02/03/05:

Well, I sure didn't mean to get folks going about the Oasis. It has been open since the 1950's and does remain
the same. I didn't mean to imply that it had ever closed or changed; sorry if folks took that idea as it wasn't
intended. As to the hours being weird, I called them and here's what I was told: Mon-Fri 7A-8P; Fri 7A-9P;
Sat-Sun, 7A-2P. What you/others may be doing is reading the 11A-2P on the menu cover (which are the delivery
hours) and assuming those to be the actual hours. I know I have eaten breakfast there many times and that would
be before 11A. And I know that lunch specials begin being available by 11A sometimes - like Thursdays when it
is Chicken and Dumplings.

Thanks for the info on Sally Todd. I am quite familiar with Southern Shores, NC. My folks retired to Nags Head
in 1970 and it wasn't possible to miss the development of Southern Shores through those early years. I've also
stayed there a few times; it is a very nice community.

I have read many laments concerning the way downtown Newport News looks today. I am employed in the
development business for Hampton. Here's a chapter of the real story.

Newport News is a long, north-south lying city which had thousands of acres in the north (not to be confused
with North End which is really the north end of the lower quarter of the city) that can be developed. This land
is not hung up in wetlands or other things that ring certain bells for state and federal law. This land doesn't have
sewer and developers will build it as they move northward. What Newport News has been able to learn from her
neighboring cities is that you can't keep building residential; you must build commercial. Commercial doesn't use
school buses and refuse collection and does pay tax on more valuable properties and improvements. (Residences
in Hampton have to have a value of over $250K in order to pay the taxes to equal the services they receive. But
sadly, we have a large inventory of homes in the $50K range. I don't know the 'break even' number for Newport
News.) So Newport News has built commercial and had the room to grow north. Newport News has a gorgeous
development at Oyster Point Park. The architecture there is the best around and at "Town Center", there's a
fountain and open plaza areas. The City developed the park and lot owners have built commercial offices. Big tax
dollars coming in to Newport News.

Hampton has hired a firm (Urban Design Associates) that designs urban areas. Ray Gindros, the principal, has
done a design for Hampton. And guess what? All the streets that were built to four lanes in the redevelopment
of the 1960's are being closed down to two lanes driving and two lanes parking. And all those old streets that
were removed (Wray Street, Collier Street, Banks Street, Academy Lane, etc.) are going to be put back in place
or nearly so. The reason is that the new urbanism concept of design calls for shorter blocks and pedestrian
friendly streets with parking at the door of the store or office. So everything old will be new again! Settlers
Landing road has been closed to two driving lanes with parking on each side. The old Goodyear store is razed and
the building that will replace it will be L shaped and parking will be behind it. It will have attractive facades
on all sides. There will be residential upstairs over commercial downstairs. Sidewalks will be wider than before
to allow more pedestrian use - tables at cafes, sales racks, strolling.

As long as Newport News has the land to grow to the north, they will not turn their eyes back south to downtown.
Hampton's position is based on the fact that we are within 5% of build out. And the land we have left is fraught
with environmental issues that will strictly curb its development. And Hampton has more trouble with elevation
for sewer than Newport News does. Hampton has had no choice but to look downtown. Newport News has a
developer doing a new urbanism model called Port Warwick. But it is basically across the street from Casey
Chevrolet, ten miles from downtown. And as everyone knows, it is easier to build from scratch than to rehab
that which is already built. It will be a long time, maybe even a whole generation, before Newport News runs out
of land and needs to look back south.

Carol, I got real carried away here and I don't expect you to print this, though you may use any parts you choose.
See, as someone who has lived here throughout and has seen what happened, I realize it shocks you all who moved
away. But unless you were here and knew the politics of the times and the issues that drove the politics, you can't
grasp what happened why. It is the same all over. There are places you have lived and where you were fully aware
of the happenings while you lived there. You're such a go-getter that you probably jumped in with both feet and
helped out! The difference here is that this was HOME and everyone's emotional investment in it was greater. So
it seems to mean more. But in many cases, change has been more good than bad. There are some lovely changes that
have come about because of the desertion of downtown. But city officials owe it to people in east end to keep a
municipal facility there for ease of paying taxes, close availability of city services, etc. So I believe that
downtown will be better some day. I shall put my soap box away now.

WOWZERONI! First of all, thanks for the update on the Oasis hours. I thought they were strange because we
came up there on Saturday, December 27, 2003 with Dale and Adrienne. I thought it would be nice while we were there
for my little chickadees to eat where I used to dine as a little bitty baby chick myself, but alas - they were closed by suppertime.
I realize that their specialty now is their breakfast bar, but I still thought it was weird.

I saw no reason to abridge your remarks, Kathy. I appreciate any insights on this situation. I did realize that the city fathers
were doing a beautiful job in developing the northern portions of Newport News. I just didn't understand why they abandoned
so thoroughly the downtown area where it all began. Now I'm beginning to understand. But somehow I still find it reprehensible.....

Thanks so much, Kathy!

From Ron Miller ('59) of NC - 02/03/05:

Carol -- there are two other great quotes about history that are complementary to the quote
by George Santayana. Both are attributed by various authors to the late President Harry Truman:

1. "The thing we learn most in history is that we don’t learn from history."

2. "The only thing new in the world is the history we don't know."

Those are good, Ronnie - thanks!

Also From Ron Miller ('59) of NC - 02/03/05:

Carol -- the note from Hunter Todd ('57) of TX on 02/02/05 brought me to near tears
with laughter. I used the same technique when boys came to pick up the daughters for dates.
I showed them the shooting medals and plaque from Ft Bragg (NC) when I broke the course
record in the summer of '62. And, of course, also showed them a couple of targets like Hunter
did!

NEVER had a problem with them being brought home late!!

Another thing that helped: the oldest daughter started this, and the others used it. Before
any boy came by the first time, she warned him "For heaven's sake, don't say anything stupid
around Dad."

Of course, the poor guys were terrified -- showed a lot of courage for them just to show up.
And especially to try to say something.

We've had a lot of laughs about this over the years, and Hunter's remarks brought it all back.

Ron

WILD GIGGLES!!! That's great, Ron - thanks for sharing it!

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 02/03/05:

Hi, Carol:

Thank you and all of your faithful subscribers for indulging me in a little fun with the word problem in the last few
Newsletters. I hope they had as much fun as I did seeing the responses, and I am so relieved to know that Jean
Poole Burton ('64) of RI will cease having the recurring dream that she could not leave Mr. Taylor's class until
the Word Problem was solved. Class Dismissed!!!

Gail Kiger Bonsey (Ferguson High '73) of OR and her Hawaii educated hubby came up with the correct answer,
and I was so relieved. I thought Calculus was the younger brother of Julius Caesar when I was attending NNHS. My
math skills sound about on par with yours, Carol.

I stole the Word Problem from a Delta Airlines inflight magazine, so I had the full answer should a challenge come
from Cap'n Dave (Spriggs - '64 - of VA), who apparently does not have time to read his emails since he is busy
burning copies of CDs.

From time to time your subscribers tell us of their favorite books and movies. I sure enjoyed reading the comments
of Dianne Hunter Preston ('64) of FL recalling getting caught skipping school to see "Cool Hand Luke". That was
a great movie, and I loved the line of the Warden, who seemed to sum up every situation in the prison by announcing:
"What we have here, is a failure to communicate." Boy, does that line ever apply to most relationships that hit speed
bumps.

Always,

Adonis

Thanks, Adonis! The last time I checked, I think my math skills were on about a fourth grade level. It's very sad.......

I usually have a failure to communicate as well. Sigh.

And David is a very busy man, it's true. He's quite adorable, but very busy.

I remember seeing lots and lots of movies, but I usually cannot remember with whom I saw them, and I almost never
remember which theater it was, especially between the Palace and the Paramount, although there are, of course, notable
exceptions! WILDEST GIGGLES!!!

Actually, on Thanksgiving Day of 1966, Rose Woodard ('65) and I double dated a couple of soldiers whom she had met that
summer while working at Fort Eustis (which seems very strange to me now, that we would be going out on such a night). We
went to the Wythe Cinema and saw "The Blue Max", which I thought was one of the most visually beautiful movies I had ever seen.
Three days later, I had a date with Bill Dunkley (Hampton HS - '62) to go to the new Newmarket "Rocking Chair" Theater -
for which we had to make reservations! - to see "Doctor Zhivago". (No, Jimmy-Jimmy, I do not remember what I wore for either
of these two events.)

But while we're on the subject, my sister, Eleanor Buckley Nowitzky ('59 - of NC) and I spent hours and hours
about three years ago trying to remember the name of a movie we saw before we ever left Richmond. It was probably
in about 1952. I wonder if y'all can help?

It was in vivid color, had big name stars, involved life in India under British colonial rule, featured a passenger train, and we're
relatively certain that it was filmed in 3-D. There was a grizzly scene of the Untouchables being drenched by slop buckets
from the train, which caused the entire audience to reel backwards to avoid being splattered.. GROSS! I thought surely that
with that much information, I could just run it through http://www.imdb.com, and the answer would suddenly appear. It didn't.
"Anyone? Anyone?"

And speaking of trains, we had a last minute entry from one of my local experts:

From my friend, Rob Powell (North Beach High School, Ocean Shores, WA - '89, United States Air Force Academy
- '93) of NC - 02/03/05:

As far as I can tell the answer to how long it takes to double the distance is 4 hours. It took 4 hours for the train
to travel the 360 miles. To go another 360 would take another 4 hours. Is that too simple of thinking? Now if the
train has to slow down to follow the freight train -- it will take 6 hours to travel the same 360 miles. Not sure if this
is what you are looking for. If you want the math here it is:

(T+2)*60 = Distance traveled by the freight train -- T+2 since it had a 2 hour head start

(T) * 90 = Distance traveled by the passenger train

If we assume they are equal -- because the passenger train has caught up to the freight train then the equation becomes:

(T+2)* 60 = T*90 OR 60T + 120 = 90 T

120 = 30T

T = 4

Passenger train took 4 hours to cover the distance

Freight Train took 6 hours to cover the same distance

Does this make sense?

Rob

WOW! Thanks, Rob!

Rob phoned me moments after he sent this email to tell to me that there were two ways of reading the problem, which explains
why we had a variety of answers in an exact science. Of course, I didn't follow exactly what he said, because my brain seems
to automatically shut off when it encounters math problems....

Sorry, Jean - after Rob exerted so much effort in trying to elucidate this for us when he was hard at work on his Master's degree
(from Webster University), I just felt it should be posted. As you'll note, this answer is in agreement with some of the earlier ones.
Now get some sleep. Mr. Taylor will let you out of algebra class any day now.

From Me ('65) of NC - 02/03/05:

I just found an old business card in a book with a date of 07/13/66 which I had written on the back, so we have a new page:


Wednesday, July 13, 1966

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

http://www.nnhs65.00freehost.com/papa-ds.html

From Albert Dorner ('66) of VA - 02/03/05:

Carol,

I've attached a recent acquisition!!!!

Albert


June 1927 NNHS Pennant

WOWZERONI, Albert! This, of course, predates our beloved building! That is quite a find, indeed!
Congratulations!!! I've posted it here:

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

From Joe Madagan ('57) of FL - 02/03/05:

Hi, Carol:

Here is an interesting tid-bit.

The June 6, 1957 edition of The Beacon featured an article entitled the "Roving Reporter" in which the reporter asked
the following question: "What will you remember most when you leave NNHS?"

Among those interviewed was Nancy Timberlake Spencer ('57) of VA who answered: "Quarreling with Mr. Huller."

Now we know why Mr. Huller lost so much hair during the 1953-1957 period.

Always,

Adonis

GIGGLES! Thanks, Adonis! We'll be adding several teacher pages quite soon, including Mrs. Clark, Miss Helmer,
Mr. Huller, Coach Plummer, Mr. Raine, Mrs. Shelton, Miss Suttle, and Mr. Willey. I'll add this to Mr. Huller's page then.

There will be another bonus issue on Sunday in honor of - oh, c'mon, surely you know whose birthday it is Sunday! And one
can never tell just how much of my backlog I may be able to add before then. But right now, I must head to Apex this morning.

Y'all have a good weekend, and take care of each other! TYPHOONS FOREVER!

Love to all, Carol

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

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

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It's Only Make Believe

Conway Twitty and Jack Nance

People see us everywhere they all think we really care
But myself I can't deceive I know it's only make believe
My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care
My hopes, my dreams, come true my one and only you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My only prayer will be some day you'll care for me but it's only make believe
My hopes, my dreams, come true; my life I give for you
My heart or wedding ring, my all, my everything
My heart I can't control; you lure my very soul
My only prayer will be some day you'll care for me but it's only make believe
My one and only prayer is that some day you'll care
My hopes, my dreams come true, my one and only you
No one will ever know how much I love you so
My plans, my hopes, my schemes; you are my every dream but it's only make believe

"It's Only Make Believe" midi courtesy of http://members.fortunecity.com/jacksmidi/conwayt/conwayt.html
at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/22/05
Thanks, Dave!

"It's Only Make Believe" lyrics courtesy of http://www.oldielyrics.com/lyrics/loretta_lynn_and_conway_twitty/its_only_make_believe.html
also at the suggestion of Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 01/22/05
Thanks again, Dave!

Cherubs, Heart and Flowers clip art courtesy of http://members.tripod.com/~emelinda/index-12.html – 10/04/04

Flower Vine Divider Line clip art courtesy of http://www.bravenet.com - 08/22/05

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