Jack Habich

Named after Florence, Italy Ed, and if so, why?  Or, was is just some guy's wife's name?

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Forgive me for being so retentive (an old friend used to say I was anal retentive, until I corrected him), BUT I couldn't let this go. The name Wedowee came from the Muscogee Indians who were the first Native Americans to accept George Washington's civilization plan. The Alabama tribes were know as the Creeks and Wedowee was their word for "old water". That would certainly explain why Rod is running around hollering "Weeeeeeeeedowee" if you know what I mean.

Jack, every time you ask a question I have to find the answer. Florence, Alabama was named after the Tuscan city by an Italian named Ferdinand Sannoner who was a surveyor for the Cypress Land Company in 1818. Just trying to help Ed out here before you and Steve catch him in your cross-hairs and try to clean out his bank account by placing bets.

Ed, fascinating info about Winston. If we keep this up, Marilyn, Judy and Helen will be loaded with good trivia when they go to your great state of Alabama.

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 OK Mel, you're pushin' things a bit about the Trivia, however the great information will help in a pinch!  Also, the Opera Music is VERY POWERFUL!  Thank you for sharing!  I enjoyed it thoroughly!

Ed Stanfield

Mel, You are exactly right about Florence... good reaearchin job!

Florence is famous for many things besides being my birthplace. For ecample, Alex Hailey's (Roots) grandmother was born on a plantation called the Forks of Cypress. The forks is on Cypress creek just outside Florence. Rod will be excited to know that it was the home of some of the most famous Thorobreds of the 19th century..... Down by the river is one of the largest mounds in the entire Ohio River valley. It was built during the mississippian period and has never been opened. It is a ceremonial as opposed to burial mound. One branch of the trail of tears began there when the Creeks, Chickasaws, Cherokees and Chocktaws of the area were forced to move to Oklahoma terratory in the 1830's. Gen Jackson was a frequent visitor and an investor in the Cherokee land company (Andrew). It was he who uttered the famous sentence "It's a damn poor man who has only one way to spell a word!"

W.C.Handy was born there and the Handy Music Festival is going on right now. ... Just accross the river is Muscle Shoals City, home of the Shoals sound. Also the town of Tuscumbia is just accross the river. It is the location of Ivy Green, home of Miss Helen Keller.

Just down the road at Gravelley Springs is the site of the largest calvary encampment in the western Hemisphere .. 30,000 calvarymen under Gen Wilson wintered there during the winter of 1864-65. It was General Wilson who later captured President Jefferson DAvis of the CSA.

Oh, the river is the Tennessee....

Jack Habich

Wow, I knew that a lot of the rythm and blues sounds I liked back in the day ......Little Richard, Little Johnny Taylor, Bobby Womack, Clarence Carter came out of Muscle Shoals and I do remember Aretha Franklin spent some time down there, but I had no idea until just looking about the sheer quantity of artists and hits that came from the area.  Rolling Stones, Paul Simon, Bob Seger and on and on all recorded there at some time.

You're probably aware Ed, that Sam Phillips...the guy that found Elvis and is probably the founder of rock & roll, got started in Florence.  Did Elvis ever make it there when you were growing up?

For some reason, I always thought that Muscle Shoals was somehwere in far southern Alabama.

Melvin (Mel) Theobald

Ed, I know we all have had very complex issues in our lives, but for me you will always be Bloomingtonian. Sorry pal. You are a 21st century Yankee. But, holy s__t, you got your stuff down. I'm totally impressed. I still think about my visit to your office and the flags on your desk representing every stage of Texas history, not to mention the citation of military pedigree of your ancestors on the wall. Wish everyone could experience the real you. It, or should I say "you", are a very special blend.

Helen, all is well, I am so glad that your appreciation for opera outweighs your distaste for caviar. (Laugh) I would love to sit down and talk with you in person. How beautifully alive you are. Are you sure you aren't from the Class of 84, you are ageless my friend. Wish we all had your spunk.

 

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Mel, sometimes I DO wonder where the spunk went, sorta like I wonder where the yellow went?  Ha Ha!  Thank you for your kind words.  I'm liking you more every day!  Don't tell anyone though!    One day we WILL talk again, most likely at the next class reunion we're able to attend.

I'm so glad you guys got this site back on track.  It makes me smile and sometimes even laugh, as you say Milan! (Laugh)

Ed Stanfield

Jack,

Yea we know Sam Phillips... I am not aware of Elvis appearing in Florence, but given the closeness to Memphis and more especially Tupelo, I would not be surprised to learn that he did. The music business was a BIIIG deal in the area and I have seen several videos of the Stones leaving a local Holiday Inn in Florence and driving accross the bridge to Muscle Shoals for a recording session. There were LOTS of concerts in the area when we were young and now the W.C.Handy music festival, a week long affair, draws in hundreds of performers of all types.. there are venues going on all over the area so one has a choice of entertainers/ style and location.. inside, outside, on the river, etc... it's a pretty cool place, but has one major drawback. There are no major highways near and that hurts economically. It is hard to get factories when there are no interstates...

Mel,

While not a yankee, I am a product of Illinois now, having lived here for so long. I have finally come to realize that I am not going anywhere now that there are both children and grandchildren here... Oh and by the way, those flags on my desk are the 5 flags of the CSA, not Texas... some have said that walkin into my office is like walkin into the 1860's, with a computer on the desk!   I loved the time I lived in Houston, but have not been back since 1966, so that connection is lost... still have good friends from that era, but they have all left as well

Rod,

The horses from the Forks were Leviathan (1830); Gallapade (1836) and Glencoe (1836)

They are said to be the foundations of American thourobreds

Jack Habich

People continue to step up to the plate in a big way and the Class of 64 will no longer qualify for food stamps.  Thanks everyone for your donations.

Milan Jackson

 Happy Birthday Kathy Rockwell Mitchell !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Victor Jackson

Terri Baxter (Whirrett)

 Hello Everyone:  I started a message and somehow it disappeared so hear goes again - the shorter version.   Hmmm to caviar and opera.  Thanks for the history lesson re: Alabama and the sixties info, which I will listen to later.  

Check will be coming with me on August 8.  So glad for the great response so quickly!  I am not surprised!

Can't wait to see everyone who can attend on the 8th

Isn't it great to have this Forum.  Especially appreciate the growth that you all have attained over the years!  :)

Boo Baxter (Terri Whirrett)

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

 Victor, WOW, great walk down Memory Lane of the 60's.  Thanks for sharing.  Boo Boo, glad you can attend even though I won't be able to make it.  I suppose they're thinking of serving Cavair?  Guess that's a good reason NOT to attend?  EWWWWWWWWWWWW!  Eat it all up so it will be TOTALY GONE!  HA HA! PLEASE take lots of pictures to share on this site.  Class of 64 GO RAIDERS!

Jack Habich

Generous donors continue to appear in Steve's and Sandy's mailbox, and there is a real positive message here.

Milan Jackson

 I'm "positive" you aren't broke anymore. (laugh)

Jack Habich

Milan, the class will no longer sleep at The Mission.  We can even drive past Motel 6.

Milan Jackson

 Then we shouldn't leave the light on for you? (laugh)

Jack Habich

Not unless Tom Bodett gets a job at The Plaza in NY, and the room faces Central Park.  With AARP discount, I do believe we have enough for a one night stay for a very lucky class member.

Milan Jackson

 Latest list of classmates coming Monday, August 8th to Gill Street Grill at 7pm. Lazy man that I am, I used maiden names. :)

Diane Gardner

Holly Rust

Suzi Denton and Dave Merritt

Julie Hart

Judy Winquist

Ed Stanfield (hopefully)

Linda Bristow

Pat Hocenic 

Ken Lehr

Rich Crusius

Karen Crusius

Judy Walker

Mel Theobald

Terri Baxter

Sandy Hammond

Mike Eddings

Annie Bailen

Steve Jetton

Sandy Hardin and husband

Beverly Lowery and Husband

Milan Jackson

Marvin Theobald

Cheryl Turner and Mark (maybe)

Dianne Shaffer and Roger

Milan Jackson

 August 8th, 2011 at 7pm, the Class of 1964 is having a gathering at Gill Street Bar and Grill. This is a restaurant as much as a bar and from what I hear, they have good food. We will be making reservations so we need a rough count of who is coming so we plan on enough space for everyone. We have several friends coming from out of state to see us so don't let them down. Let's have a good showing. See you all on Monday night, August 8th at Gill Street. 

Rodney (Rod) Hayes

Ed,

I have no real feeling for Gallapade.  But Leviathan and Glenco were said to be super horses.  Leviathan was the type of horse that in today's racing would be a for sure Triple Crown winner.  He was big at an early age and very fast.  Tale has it that he could run as fast and and as far as needed.  I do know that pictures of him show he was very beautiful and majestic.  All that being said, all three of these horses were from Great Britain.  They didn't race in the US until they were 6 or 7 years old.  But they did come over here and located in Alabama with a man named Jackson, I think.  It is somewhat time consuming to track the pedigree of a horse before the 20th. Century, but maybe I will try that one of these days.  I'm sure Leviathan is responsible for some great horses along the way.  I still think Rachel Alexandra, who is ranked in the top 100 today, is one of the greats.  Like most females, she was unpredictable, and moody, but for a Philly, she could run with all the big boys.  She won a lot and when she didn't, she was pushing the leader.  She had to be not only a great horse, but the best Philly in the last 100 years.  She was bred with Curlin, but I haven't heard anything since. 

Jack Habich

8 more donors today.  This running to the bank will start cutting into Steve Jetton's tennis time.

Thanks people.

Sandra Hammond (McHugh)

 We now will have over $900.00 dollars in our account after today. I also have deposited 2 more checks today. 

Helen Nicolaysen (Thompson)

WOW!  Way to go RAIDERS!  My bank account is running a little low. Suppose some of the monies can be redirected into my account?    Only kidding ha ha!  GREAT JOB!  Gee Jack, and to think, all you asked for was $5 each?  Boy do you know how to get everyones attention!  

On another note, my husband and I just returned home and while traveling up the back way in the foot hills, to our house, a mamma black bear and her two small babies ran in front of our car.  The cubs were no bigger than our Bichon Frise' dog.  They were adorable.  And to think, I didn't even have a camera. Mother Nature certainly creates beautiful animals along with everything else. 

Karen Sue (Suzi) Denton (Merritt)

Helen,

You need a cell phone with a camera.  They work great and you can down load the pics to your computer. 

We are headed west next month.  We are going to Vegas, but we are driving so I hope the Rockies are OK now.  The last time we came that way we got in one big snow storm.  It scared the BAJESUS out of me.