03

For the third time in a row, today's theme is also being rerun from over three years ago. Actually, I'm enjoying seeing how the same graphics appear in the format I'm using today - and it's still easier than starting from scratch!

Happy Birthday today to

Mildred Mae Linkous Spriggs ('38) of VA - 1921 - deceased 07/04/07) - also Mother of

Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA) AND Doris Burns ('38) - also Mother of Steve Burns ('65) of MN;

Happy Birthday this week to: 09 - Patrick Burke ('57) AND

Bobby Hilling ('62) of VA AND Katie Haan Spaulding ('64) of CA;

10 - Helen Avant Neal ('57) of VA!

Hello Carol,

Just take care of yourself, get the rest YOU need. We understand about insurance, etc. There are some helps available, perhaps call your local health department, etc. Most communities have "Helping Hands" for meds, a clinic for physician treatments with pay based upon income, etc. Had to do this one time in my life.

Prayers and best wishes,

I did make some calls last week to see about a program - disability medicaid for people over 60 - which had been recommended to me by several people. I was under the delusion that it was operated separately from low-income medicaid, which is by far more restrictive and degrading. So I spent a good deal of time rounding up the mounds of necessary paperwork, and we went down there last Monday morning, walked forever to reach our destination, found there was no separation whatsoever, and filled out a large batch of forms. We sat for 2-1/2 hours until we were exhausted and headachy, and finally were forced to leave just to survive - without ever having seen anyone. Perhaps I'll try something else....

WOWZERONI! Thank you so much, Mary! Your words meant a great deal to me! I'm sorry our paths never really crossed in high school. I remember seeing you in a play or two, but as you were a mighty senior and I but a lowly mouse, I wouldn't have considered approaching you to mention that.

I do love living this fantasy life I have! Reconnecting with people after so many years is beyond dreamlike, it's positively surreal. I'm glad you're enjoying the quotes as much as I am. I've always been in awe of those who could articulate what I was feeling far better than I ever could.

From Norris Perry (Warwick HS - '61) of VA - 03/07/08 - "Re: 03/07/08 - You Were on My Mind":

Carol,

David Spriggs' ('64 - of VA) comment on "You Were on My Mind" certainly brings back a nostalgia trip for me as well. When first I heard it four other Sigma Nus from Missouri and I were in the Tulsa University student Union for Easter break in1964. That place had a wonderful sound system. I still play the album and a tape as well, it brings back memories of being young and carefree with a heartthrob.

Isn't it incredible, the power of music to evoke such memories?!? Thanks, Norris!

From Dorothy Jean Bell Boulter ('66) of VA - 03/07/08 - " Shirley Eanes Matthews '66":

I hope so too, Dottie!

I forwarded your note directly to the email addy I had for Shirley, but it was returned marked "user unknown". Perhaps she'll see it here! Y'all lemme know if you're able to reconnect!

From Joyce Lawrence Cahoon ('65) of VA - 03/07/08 - "Important Info about Tax Rebate":

Hi all!

I just wanted to take a minute to fill you all in on what David and I learned from our tax preparer tonight. This is very interesting and very important that you all SHARE THIS WITH YOUR FRIENDS, FAMILY, CO-WORKERS, ETC.

People who don't normally have to file taxes because they have retired & have small pensions or just have very small incomes MUST file taxes this year if they want the tax rebate we've heard so much about. I repeat, if you want your tax rebate, you MUST file taxes this year. If you do not file, you will NOT receive the rebate.

Our government is counting on people being uninformed and not having to pay out this rebate.

Let's get the word out!

Joyce Cahoon

From Neil Sedaka For Fans - 03/08/08 - "Wish NEIL SEDAKA A Happy Birthday !"

Dear Carol Buckley Harty ,

Are you aware that it is Neil Sedaka's 69th birthday on Thursday, March 13th?

If you would like to send a birthday greeting to Neil why not do it on the MSN group 'Neil Sedaka For Fans'?

You can find this group at http://groups.msn.com/NeilSedakaForFans/general.msnw

All messages posted here will be sent to Neil's New York office as usual - and, yes, he does read them!....

If you are not a member but wish to send a message to Neil, you can mail it to neilsedakaforfans@bol.com.br .

Your message will be forwarded to Neil's office next week.

Best regards,

Neil Sedaka For Fans - Neil's Fan Base

NEIL SEDAKA is still not nominated...
for the ROCK & ROLL HALL OF FAME...
Please ask all your friends and people you know to vote : CLICK HERE

From Wayne Stokes ('65) of VA - 03/08/08 - "Daylight saving time uses more energy, not less - USATODAY.com":

This is something that has troubled me since the beginning! I have yet to have anyone give a reasonable and believable explanation of how DST saves energy!! I have never believed that it did; that's my story and I'm sticking to it!! Remember, you get to lose an hour's sleep tonight and go through the entire Summer and early Autumn tired!

BOY HOWDY, am I with you, Wayne Honey! I personally think the entire scam it quite insane! It takes a full three days for your body to recover - and no matter WHAT your clock says, the sunlight has not changed one iota! Light is light and dark is dark! ARGHHH!!!

The wolf was painted on a door and was given away one evening as the "door prize".... an insurance man named Bill Suttle was the winner. I wonder if his family still has the door??? My parents met at the Original Club, and their wedding reception was held there in 1948. Formerly in this building at 34th and West was The Tidewater Club, a Newport News businessmen’s organization. Around 1960(?), The Original Club building was bought by the shipyard in an expansion effort, and was torn down. The location of the club was moved to the Warwick Shopping Center. The club then became somewhat smaller, and I guess it shrank down to nothing over the next 25 or 30 years. If anyone spots any historical boo-boo’s in this paragraph, don't your feathers in a ruff, just let me know! :-)

From Bob Buchan ('61) of VA - via phone call - 03/06/08 - "The Original Club":

... Somewhere I have an old postcard of the Original Club before it became that. It was a U.S.O., perhaps. I'll try to locate it.

From Bill Lee (Warwick HS - '54) of NC - 03/07/08 - "The Original Club":

Hi Carol,

..... About the Original Club.

Dick (Krause - '56 /'57) was a long standing member and we attended many events. I will try to find out the year the club was formed, I believe it was late 30's or early 40's. The Club was not connected to the shipyard in any way. Most members were shipyard employees. And many were graduates of the apprentice school. In "those days" Virginia did not have any nice public dance clubs for adults. So the clubs were primarily "private". We paid membership dues, which supported the operation of the building and employees. Beer and fountain sodas were the only beverages sold from the bar. The Virginia ABC laws allowed private club members to bring alcohol in "brown bags" or flasks.

The Original Club was open at lunch time for members, who usually had soup/sandwiches. I suppose some would have a beer with their lunch. They had monthly meetings for fellowship and planning of events. At least one dinner/dance was held each month, which members paid a "ticket" fee. This covered the cost of the band. We had many fine evenings out as we both enjoyed dancing. One of our favorite events were the steam shrimp feasts. We also had wonderful holiday - Christmas and New Year's Eve events. The club building was also used by the USO during WWII for their events. The "O" Club sponsored children's sports such as Little League teams. The wives were active in the community through the Lady "O"s.

All my photos from those years are packed away, but I will look for them and see what I can get together for you.

Joan

1. Jerry Allen ('65) of VA - began radiation for cancer last week of February; it was delayed when he was diagnosed with pneumonia on 02/20/08

5. Me ('65) of NC - recent escalation of shortness of breath, heart and blood pressure problems plus the usual .....

6. Emily (daughter of My Niece Shari) of VA - continuing problems with advancing scoliosis; surgery 03/11/08

7. Frances Heath Scott ('62) of VA - inflammation of nerves; due to be released from hospital on 02/27/08

8. Linda Lamb Stokes (Hampton HS - '66) - surgery of the cervical spine on 3/5/08 to place a new stainless steel plate and screws to eliminate extremely severe pain

9. Heidi Hice MacKay of MI and her Family - stressing over their beloved patriarch since late January 2008

10.

Herb Hice of MI and the MacKay Family - triple bypass surgery plus carotid artery cleanup - @ 01/25/08

11. Patsy Lewis Hancock ('57) of VA - suffered second massive heart attack - 01/31/08

12.

John London (Warwick HS - '57) of VA - lumbar surgery to fix a spinal stenosis [ laminectomy]; will also involve fusion of vertebrae - 02/05/08

13. Pam Pennington Cherry ('58) of VA - congestive heart failure; cardiac ablation procedure - 02/06/08; second surgery on 02/20/08 for aneurysm

			My dad was very familiar with the Original Club in the 1940's. It was a nice, respectable social/dance club where gentleman took their dates, singles met other singles, and married couples enjoyed it too! Most of the musical entertainment was provided by local bands, some from NC. It was located at 34th Street and West Avenue. My father (Bud Lankes) was a card-carrying member and actually lived there for a year during the 1940’s (the club got cheaper insurance rates if people lived in the building). Dad painted cartoon characters on the club's walls -- see photos.

		I did find a picture of an even earlier apprentice alumni event that was held there - a reception and dance following the first homecoming football game (1947) at the stadium behind the old Apprentice Athletic Building (which faced Washington Avenue). The picture doesn't show much of the club, however, just a crowd listening to a singer (can't see her face, but it's remotely possible that she is Dave's aunt - Shirley Linkous Girt Calloway of TX). For that reason, a scan is attached, so he can guess right along with me.
1947

		Old American Gas Stations from all around the country Some are abandoned, some are restored and many are still in use.