Susan - Thank you so much. I've been wanting
to contact him.
Mary Kathryn (Clark) Sims And then, back from
James:
Thanks Susan, and I did hear from
her........
James (Bear) Hanner Sr. That made my
day!!!
And while we're on the subject
of reuniting people, let's try some others!
This request
came from Don '43 Stephenson:
Dear Susan: I
had two close friends from my Lexington High School graduation class of
1943 that I lost touch with after I went into the Army during World War
II. One was Ralph Hawkins and the other was Jeff (or
"Bicky") Roberts. After I came back home after being
discharged from the Army, I was never able to find out what happened to
them.
I think that Ralph Hawkins went into
the Navy V12 Program and I was told that his
family moved away from Lexington during World War II. Jeff Roberts'
family also moved from Lexington and, for awhile, lived in Provo,
Utah. While there, Jeff attended Brigham
Young University and I had some contact with him at that time. But
whatever happened to him after that, I do not know.
I would appreciate it if you could
put the above in a future TLC and maybe someone reading it that knows
anything about these two men could also respond in a subsequent
TLC.
That would be great if someone
does know, and here is yet another request, this time from Jerry Shinn
Warner:
If you have addresses for the following we
would really appreciate your sharing them: Jerry McKean, Dorothy Beggs and Shirley Grimes.
And another from Jack
Gueguen:
I suppose you never knew Mary and Dean Saxton, or would know anything about them now. He was the DO man. I'd like to thank her. They'd be in their early 80s. Does LHS keep track of former faculty? Most of you have learned that we lost one of our TLC community on February 14. Marlene Yowell '54 Martin passed away in Arizona. She had been in ill health for some time.Good news from Wally
'55 Hulver that his sister Mildred Burns is recovering nicely
from recent surgery. She should be released from the hospital soon. For
those who would like to send a card, her address is P.O.
Box 352, Lexington, MO 64067. Wally will deliver
personally.
The following is an amazing
story with a Lexington connection. The URL connects to an interview on the
local ABC affiliate in KC. The background: Cindy Dickmeyer,
who is being interviewed about the historical incident, lives in
Lexington, and once served as mayor. Her mother was Beverly Riley
Chamberlain and - correct me if I am wrong - her uncle is Forrest
Riley.
First report came from John
'57 Lefman:
HIGH SCHOOL BOYS Once upon a time there was a fair young typing teacher who cooked up a plan for some of her favorite students-- to get them to form a barbershop quartet. One day she asked them to stay after class, and said: "Would you like to sing?" "Sing?" they asked as one. That gave away their answer! Then she guessed their natural range=97 first and second tenor, first and second bass-- and gave each his corresponding note to sing and hold. Four high school boys
singing! The four notes blended perfectly, The eyes lit up, and "The Four Roses" came into existence: Mike McDonald (sweet tenor), Kent Hicklin, Jack Gueguen, and Larry Marcks (basso bombasto). When Larry hit the low notes, his eyes would bulge. Mrs. Saxton (Mary to her friends) had struck gold. Thereafter the lads began to rehearse, four high school boys singing. She handed them some music to try out: "The Old Songs," "Honey," "Little Liza,"
" They became the favorites. Others were added: "My Wild Irish Rose." "Me and My Gal." "Down by the Old Mill Stream." "Shine on, Harvest Moon." Another teacher heard about them, Angela Mautino put them in her minstrel show. Four high school boys
singing. They started singing a lot; friends liked to listen in at practices=97 Jimmy O'Malley, Donald Simmons ... The parents heard about it and bought them look-alike grey suits. One mom put blaze-colored roses in their lapel when May came. A grandpa coined the name--from a famous brand of whiskey. Pictures were taken. Where are they? Four high school boys
singing. What did they sing? "The old songs, yes the old songs, that gave our fathers joy, the songs they sang till the welkin rang, when Nelson was a boy." They used to change the name and point to him: "When Mikey was a boy ... when Larry was a boy ... when Jackie was a boy.... when Kent-o was a boy." Four high school boys singing! They were invited to sing for civic clubs, up on stage at the Mainstreet, and even in churches. Mary Saxton took her boys to the competition in Warrensburg, and even to the State in
They were naturals. They won ribbons. Mike gave each one "his note" and off they went: Four high school boys singing. What kind of boys were we? They got good grades because they did their homework. They came from good families in town. They said their prayers at night. They went to church on Sunday-- 2 Methodists, and 2 Catholics. Ecumenical harmony. Four high school boys singing. Roy B. heard about them, too, and nodded his approval. It would keep them out of trouble, thought he. It did. From typing class to singing. From singing to friendship. They kept singing the rest of high school and into college years. Until Mike went away to M.U. and Jack to N.D. But during summer vacation they got together again: Four college boys singing: "Honey, honey, bless your heart. You're the 'honey' that I love so well, so well ..." "Little Liza, little Liza, little Liza Jane. I got a gal that calls me 'Hon.' Little Liza Jane. Oh Eliza, little Liza Jane ...." "The bells are ringing, for me and my gal. The birds are singing, for me and my gal ...." Do high school boys still sing? Together? Without guitars? They don't need any accompaniment. Just the voice--the perfect instrument of nature. Sonorous harmony. It builds character, by gosh. "Goodbye, my Farewell, my own true love, true love. I'm gonna go away and leave you, never to see you any more, any more. I'm gonna sail upon that ferry boat, never to return again. So long forever ..." Do high school boys still sing? The old songs? "They will echo onward, down the years, and never, ever fade. For 50,000 singing men will never be afraid. For to raise their lusty voices, their spirits to revive. And tell to all eter-ni-tie: 'We're glad that we're still alive!' |