The message forum is an ongoing dialogue between classmates. These are random subjects, topics, and trivia.

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Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Years ago Memorial day was called Decoration day, a day when everyone cleaned the Graves of their loved ones, and decorated them with flowers. Decoration day was made a national Holiday to remember the fallen soldiers, in combination with those we've lost. True, it's mainly known to honor military soldiers that have lost their lives, but you will still see everyone headed to the cemetery to clean grave sites and remember their loved ones. Pretty cool

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

Thanks for that post, Sherry. I often find myself a bit sad when it seems that this holiday is spoken of almost flippantly.  Maybe  that comes from my upbringing and my different life experiences. Anyway, thanks for the reminder of why we have Decoration Day/ Memorial Day. I am so thankful that America is the land I love!  

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

Yes Paula I think we all forget this day is for those that gave there lives for us to be free!

John Doyal

For those of you that believe in tradition of honoring those who gave all, the 500 race is one of the best.  The prerace is steeped in tradition with the flag and counyry #1... It is the most attended with it being the only function with an attendance of over 200,000 people with a prerace prayer still a major part.   Jim Nabors is no longer around to sing, but for those who are not race fans the prerace tradiions will make you proud to be an American and for most bring tears to your eyes.  While going to school, it seemed like every year I had to go get my report card on Memorial day in the middle of the start of the race.  Had to listen on my transistor radio(still miss it)  Hope everyone has a memorable day.

John Doyal

Sorry about the 500 recomendation, it was terrible this year.

Rex Booth

Well, John D.

There's always 'next' year...!!  

Rex Booth

We lost another classmate Barney Durham on May 30th.      Go to "In Memory" to view Barney's obituary.  If you'd like to share a comment while there... you may do so.   

Rex Booth

Ferrell sent this and I thought it would be "Great Fun" to post!

For All Y'all Dance Lovers !!

Check out the “L.A.  JItterbug Shag team” dance to: "I want my Dime back"

Ferrell Dunham

I was sorry to hear about Barney passing away. I used to live with him, Danny Causey and Alex Pankey in Roswell after I got back from the service. Would borrow one of his cars from his lot when we had a big date. I saw Barney in Albuquerque in 2006 while staying overnight with Larry Adams. I never new that he had moved to Amarillo. He was on of the good guys.

Saundra Bennett (Whiteside)

Rex,  I love the video, La Shag, you posted of the dancers!  It is amazing that they stay in sync!  It must have taken a great deal of practice!  Thank you for sharing with us!

Paula Carl (Cowee Miller)

I agree with you, Saundra. Absolutely amazing and energetic!

Rex Booth

You have any favorite dance videos.........

"You" would like to post? 

Saundra Bennett (Whiteside)

For the past five years I have been tapping with the Lynda Tarpley Tappers.  We perform every Spring at the OKC & Edmond Arts Festivals. This is a great deal of fun and great exercise!  Lynda has the studio and does all the choreography.  I have had a lot of fun, and gotten to know some cool ladies.  This is a montage of several performances.

Lynda Tarpley Tappers

https://vimeo.com/435597888

Sherry Hester (Trasp)

When I lived in Las Vegas, Nevada The Killers Band ask me to be in their 2011 Christmas Video!  I am in it towards the end in the Groups with the Gun Men and the Dancers. You get a Quick glimpse of me I have darkbrown short pixie hair cut and am in the middle of last dance group but it is quick! It sure Was Fun!! Love Line Dancing, Country Waltz, Cowboy Cha-Cha and of course the 2 Step!!

    The Killers - The Cowboy's Christmas Ball - YouTube

Rex Booth

Saundra and Sherry, 

You both sound like you really enjoy dancing!!

Any other 'dancing aficionados' out there...?  Haven't heard from Alice, Patsy, Lynn, or Linda yet... hmm?

Pat Sullins (Carpenter)

Rex Booth

Pat,

I remember you and the dancing girls entertaining us at several Class Reunions!  It definintly took a lot of dedication and intestinal fortitude as a team effort to make those dance routines work! Thanks for sharing your good experiences! Give Tamara a friendly nudge so she can share her dancing experiences as well!

Mike Curtis

Saundra Bennett (Whiteside)

I was inspired to start tapping due to the Rac-a-taps!  They always look like they enjoy tapping and have so much fun!  My husband and I were at the Arts Festival several years ago snd watched the Lynda Tarpley Tappers.  I told Cal that the tapping looked like fun and I wanted to do that!  I called Lynda and found out when the beginning class started, bought tap shoes and the rest is history!

Rex Booth

Mike,

Those were some great songs  back in 1958. If I had to pick two songs from the ten, I would select Everly Brothers' "All I Have to do is Dream" and Bobby Freeman's "Do You want to Dance"!

I would also include our West Texas Buddy Holley who recorded at Norman Petty Studio in Clovis.  "Buddy Holly" was the debut album by Buddy Holly. It was released in February1958. The album has Holly's four hit singles: "Words of Love", "Peggy Sue", "I'm Gonna Love You Too", and "Rave On… and not to forget his band “The Crickets”!

Let's hear it from our classmates: "What were your favorites in 1958" ?!!

Rex Booth

Saundra,

It is wonderful to start dancing again! Dancing really gets one motivated! In this case being a Tapper! I'm sure you have made many freinds  and have great fun with your tapper group! Motion is Emotion! Thanks for contributing! 

Rex Booth

Saundra sent this dancer...

https://youtu.be/VFuH4sGetOA

Put on "Full Screen" (lower right) after video starts

John Doyal

In 1958 I was playing every Johnny Cash record I could find, I walk the Line being the best one.  I also was listening to KOMA out of OK and they were playing a lot of the Everly brothers songs.  I liked and listened to country and rock.  Was forced to listen to classical at south junior high in a music class, tried to hide my transistor radio and listen on an ear plug but I was so small it was hard to hide it and got caught.

Mike Curtis

Rex;

That list of songs from 1958 certainly shows it was a transition period.  It has a mix of the big band/crooner music (‘Return to Me’ - Dean Martin & ‘Looking Back’ - Nat King Cole) and music from the earliest days of rock and roll (Johnny B. Goode’ - Chuck Berry & ‘Do You Want to Dance’ - Bobby Freeman). I’m pretty sure that once Chuck Berry, Jerry Lee Lewis and Elvis got started our doom was sealed.  It turned out to be a pretty good ‘doom’!!

Rex Booth

Speaking of Country Greats!