Sheridan 88 Blog

ValentiMe's Day

2012-02-14T02:00:00.000-06:00

A fourth re-post.

This is not the first time I've re-posted these pics on the Sheridan88 blog. And honestly, I'll post them every year around this time. They're just such GREAT photographs and represent wonderful memories of our childhood.
I sent two of my children to school today with their bag of obligatory valentines for their classmates. They'll be having their parties today just like we did over 30 years ago. Something tells me though that they just won't realize the memories they're making. Not for a long time.

When you find some gems like the ones below, submitted by Mandy (Jester) Martindale, you can't fully appreciate them by just watching them click by in a slide show. There's no way. I'm telling you - as an "unofficial" nostalgia expert, I don't think I've ever seen a set of pics that have stirred up so many memories than these. I mean, you can't help but be time-warped right back into 1979's fourth grade year when you look at these.

So, let's have a look then. And remember - you have to click on each of these to enlarge them and study them. There is MUCH to be appreciated here. I'll try to talk you through it.

This is Mrs. Rundell's fourth grade class party. Pictured above are Mandy Jester, Shari Rupe, Kim Derrick and Susan Averitt. Now just take a look... go on... what do you see?
I see four ten-year-old girls giddy over goodies received in Valentine's Day bags. All but Shari are oblivious to the camera... they're too busy taking inventory of the 20+ cards that we all had to deliver out of obligation to everyone in our class. Whether it was the cootie monster or the cutie pie, you HAD to send them a valentine. Careful thought was given as we decided which card to use. You dare not make the mistake of sending someone an innuendoed Minnie Mouse card instead of a safe, neutral Goofy card. This could make the last 3 1/2 months of your fourth grade year pretty uncomfortable.

Now take a look at Shari - check out her vintage Mickey Mouse ringer tee. Wait... I guess it wasn't vintage back then.

Now what do you see in the background? Yep - valentine crafts hanging on the wall... AND... is that a SLIDE PROJECTOR! If you're quiet, you can hear the small cooling fan humming in the dark as we watch film strips about the origin of Thanksgiving. I've got more on film strips for a later post. Let's move on.

The photo above was taken from the same position, only the camera man (probably a mom) raised the camera to catch the other side of the room, which reveals another mom sitting smack dab in the midst of the kiddies... and some body's little brother too. Who invited him?
Notice everyone has matching Valentine sacks. [SIGH] So much for personal expression and creativity. Never mind though, Jody Wiggins and Robert McClung - like the rest of us - never judge a bag by it's decor - but by the delicacies waiting inside!
I also see Kim Vailes at the bottom of the picture - you can just barely see her head with the tiara on top. Hmm. A tiara. Not sure about that... did Mrs. Rundell select a Valentine King & Queen? If so, then who was the King? And where is his crown? This is indeed a mystery.

Another shot - again rotating the camera instead of raising it. It must've been unseasonably warm this February since the classroom door is propped open.
In the first row on the right, by the open door is George Tompkins, Christian Sandoval, and Jason Moore. The next row, in the middle, has Michael Hix, Steven Coleman and Brett Cato. The far left row shows Robert McClung and Lee Shaw in the flannel shirt. That could be Pam Wells walking in front of the camera.

And last, but not least... hey wait a minute - I think I see what's going on here - the guys are on one side of the classroom & the gals on the other. Interesting.
So in the photo above we see, L to R, Lee Shaw, Jeff King, Scott Herron, Brett Epperson, Ricky Whitaker, Steven Coleman and Brett Cato. Nice hair boys! Can you say "MOTORCYCLE HELMET?"
Couple of other observations... if you enlarge this pic, you can almost see the photographer's reflection in the mirror of the girl's bathroom. Since these photos belong to Mandy, the photographer is most likely her mother. Also, I'm seeing some decorated shoe boxes on many of the desks. Were these the recepticles for the valentines... or the strict, uniform, non-variant and consistently decorated sacks? I'm confused! Could it be that this class was privy to TWICE the treats on this celebratory day of love!!??
This would be unfair to the rest of us.
I demand an explanation! Someone from Mrs. Rundell's class please let me know!

Honda CR-V Throwback Commercial

2012-01-30T19:00:00.000-06:00

80's, Amazon, and $5 Albums

2011-05-02T19:18:00.000-05:00

May is here and so is another great selection of $5 mp3 albums over at Amazon. Here's a few that caught my eye:

And there's more. Over 1500 albums - all for $5. They're not all 80's albums, but you'll find plenty of retro grooves in the selection of Greatest Hits albums here, Rock albums here, and Classic Rock here.

And don't forget, every purchase you make through any of the links above will help feed starving kids - mine!

Stand By Me - 25th Anniversary Blu Ray

2011-03-29T21:57:00.000-05:00

There's no doubt that one of the greatest movies from the greatest decade was Stand By Me. Released in 1986, this movie is doubly nostalgic! Our generation has our own fond memories of watching this great movie a quarter of a century ago, and yet our parents enjoyed the movie as well because it took them back another 30 years to the 50's, when the movie was set, reminding them of their own childhood. Needless to say, it has appealed to all generations, and still is. One indication of the movie's ongoing popularity is the recent release of the 25th Anniversary Edition on Blu-ray.

To celebrate the release, four of the original cast, and director, Rob Reiner, were reunited for an interview - for the first time since the 80's. Here's a couple of minutes of what Wil Wheaton said was close to an hour interview:

I found a few sites worth checking out. This article on a new blog I found, Retroland, includes the original movie trailer. Here's a brief post about the reunion, including a brief update of each of the stars. And, this is as close to an "official" movie website I can find: www.standbymemovie.com.

Finally, if this post has left you wanting, buy the 25th Anniversay Blu-ray here.

I Wish I Were An Oscar Mayer Wiener

2011-03-16T08:21:00.000-05:00

This morning my son asked me how the Oscar Mayer Weiner Song went. I was quick with the first line, but then I blanked. How could I forget one of the most memorable commercial jingles in history? What do you do in a situation like this? You go to YouTube. That's what you do.

Here's a short & interesting background story to how the jingle came about. It wasn't originally written to be sung by children.

I'm guessing that it's rare for an ad campaign to have two "hit" jingles, but Oscar Mayer did it again with this one, which most of us remember from the 70's.

80's, Amazon, and $5 mp3's

2011-03-15T21:24:00.021-05:00

Every month Amazon puts 100 mp3 albums on sale for $5. I'm a bit late this month, but I will try each month to feature a few of the 80's albums being offered for the same price we used pay at Breckenridge to see a movie.
And, when you purchase any of these albums using the links below, a small percentage of the sale goes to feed starving children... mine!

If you don't get any of the others, please get Full Moon Fever!

Five Things You Never Knew About Pac Man

2011-03-05T12:28:00.000-06:00

Which of the following are true about the 80's greatest arcade game?

The ghosts were originally supposed to be all one color.
Only one ghost actually chases Pac Man.
The original name was changed to prevent potential obscenity.
Pac Man was created for girls.

Find out which of these are true here.
And why not try your hand at playing Pac Man online!
Here's a few other Pac Man play options.

Where are they Now?

2010-12-31T10:20:00.000-06:00

As we find ourselves on the last day of 2010 you're probably thinking back on the past year & wondering where it's gone. Let's go a step further. Many steps further, actually. Let's look back to the 80's (of course) and see where they've gone. You'll remember that on the 88 blog, I've featured long gone & forgotten celebs from our 70's & 80's childhood. Today I found this fun look at even more folks from our 80's.

If the names Michael Anthony Hall or Molly Ringwald make your ears perk up, then you remember those great John Hughes films. Find out where many of those 80's stars are now.

Or what about Run D.M.C., Debbie Gibson, Duran Duran or Devo? Did you know one of these groups has a new album coming out soon? Find out who & much more here.

And if all this makes you regret selling all your cassettes in your mom's garage sale, you can find some great 80's albums here and John Hughes movies here.

Amazon.com Widgets

Just Hear those Sleigh Bells Ringing

2010-12-21T00:00:00.001-06:00

Re-posted from last year:

Here are four songs from the 1983 Junior (middle school) Band Christmas Concert. We were in the 8th grade, so this would be our last year in junior band. If you listen to the first song, you'll hear just a bit of Mr. Ed Grissom introducing the songs.

What Child is This?
Of course, there are no lyrics sung to any of these band performances - you'll have to find some archived choir recordings for that - but did you know that there are two "missing" verses to "What Child is This?" that you've probably never sung in church - or anywhere else for that matter? If you can endure these four songs, I'll show you the two missing verses at the end of the post.

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Title Unknown
That first song wasn't too bad, was it? This next song is fun to listen to, but I don't know the title. A special prize goes to any former Jr Band member who can tell me!

**UPDATE: I was just listening to this again & it hit me - the title is something like, "Santa's Toyshop".

RIGHT CLICK to Download

All I Want For Christmas
(Is My Two Front Teeth)

This song is dedicated to those awkward tooth-losing years. If you don't know what I'm talking about, just look at our 2nd grade yearbook!

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Holiday Sleigh Ride
If you were ever in concert band, then you'll no doubt remember how much fun this song was to play. Just think of how enjoyable it is to listen to (well, maybe not when a bunch of 13 year olds try to belch it outta their horns...) and you can imagine why it's so fun to play. One fortunate percussionist each year would get the honors of doing the whip crack SFX by using a couple of 2x4's hinged together. When the music called for it, you'd slap the two boards together to make a loud "crack". You were really cool if you could split the 2x4's by slapping them too hard.

RIGHT CLICK to Download

Missing Lyrics:
Below are all three verses to "What Child is This", one of my favorite Christmas carols. Traditionally, we sing the last half of the first verse "This, this is Christ the King..." as the "chorus" to all three verses. However, there's really not a chorus to this carol at all, just three verses. I've highlighted the two "missing" portions of verses 2 & 3.

A quick bit about the song itself - notice in verse one that the first half is a question, "Who is this Child?", and the answer in the last half "This is Christ the King..."

Verse two asks another question:"Why is He here in such a humble place?"

Answer: He now pleads silently from the crib, but will soon scream from the cross.

And the last verse is an explanatory imperative (i.e., because of what's just been said about Him, do this for Him...), and it calls & commands all to worship the Christ child.

What Child is this who, laid to rest
On Mary’s lap is sleeping?
Whom angels greet with anthems sweet,
While shepherds watch are keeping?
This, this is Christ the King,
Whom shepherds guard and angels sing;
Haste, haste, to bring Him laud,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Why lies He in such mean estate,
Where ox and ass are feeding?
Good Christians, fear, for sinners here
The silent Word is pleading.
Nails, spear shall pierce Him through,
The cross be borne for me, for you.
Hail, hail the Word made flesh,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

So bring Him incense, gold and myrrh,
Come peasant, king to own Him;
The King of kings salvation brings,
Let loving hearts enthrone Him.
Raise, raise a song on high,
The virgin sings her lullaby.
Joy, joy for Christ is born,
The Babe, the Son of Mary.

Words: William C. Dix, The Manger Throne, 1865.

The Walkman is (officially) History

2010-10-28T15:02:00.000-05:00

According to this article, the last batch of Sony Walkman's have been made and distributed. If you don't buy one now, you'll have to convert all your tapes. You'll also have to explain to your children what a "cassette" is.
And according to sales statistics, you'll soon have to explain to them what a "compact disc" is.

HT: The Great 80s Blog

In Memory of Meliana Drake

2010-10-16T00:00:00.006-05:00

Today marks the six year anniversary of the death of one of our classmates. Meliana Drake died suddenly due to complications of a brain aneurysm on Saturday, October 16, 2004.

Please visit her memorial page on the 88 site to read her obituary, see photos and leave your thoughts. If you are still in touch with the family, perhaps an encouraging card or phone call might be appropriate, just to let them know you were thinking about them.

My desire is to honor the rest of our deceased classmates throughout the year on the date of each of their deaths to keep their memory fresh in our minds & give us all a reminder to number our days.

80's Links

2010-07-22T00:00:00.004-05:00

Here's another round of retro related fun I've recently found out on the web:

School supplies are stacking the racks at Walmart & prompted this retro writer to remember a new back-to-school invention from 1980: Erasermates.
Hot enough for ya? Here's some pics of an old school water slide from the 70's. The main reason I link it here is because it reminds me of the one at Willow Springs, which was was a summer haven to many of us Sheridan & East End-ers before the days of Magic Springs.
I've found a new retro-blog that any child of the 70's & 80's would love: The Retroist. I've also been listening to some of their podcasts. Pretty good stuff.
Does the name Toru Iwatani ring a bell? Well, the legend tells that game designer, Toru Iwatani's eureka moment came when he removed a slice of pizza from a pie, creating the visual inspiration for his next idea. It was in this moment that, according to Iwatani, Pac-Man was officially born. Now that he had the look, he needed that special something to attract his target audience. After listening to girls talk to one another, Iwatani determined that food and eating would be the way to get the girls in the arcade halls.
But wait - there's more - a Pac-Man Museum to celebrate the game's 30th birthday this year.

Olan Mills

2010-06-28T19:23:00.009-05:00

Ok - I'm taking one for the team here.

For the sake of a good 80's blog post I'm risking any last shred of respect I might have and I'm going out on a limb to display - for the whole wide web world to see - my Olan Mills photo. If there's one thing that a wiry, dorky, Casio-watch-that-plays-Dixie-wearing, breakdancer-shirt-sporting kid doesn't want to see during his awkward middle school years, it's the Olan Mills photographer. I don't think I've ever seen a flattering Olan Mills picture - of anybody! Or maybe it's just a guy thing. Or maybe it's just a me thing. Maybe I'm just realizing that me & the O.M. just don't work.

Anyhow, I'd never just post a ugly picture of myself if I didn't have something to go with it. And I do. Thanks to a stash of memorabilia I just received from my mom (perhaps she's my archiving inspiration), I have not just the Olan Mills photo, but the actual order form we used to throw away my dad's hard-earned cash so my mom could immortalize my awkwardness in an 8x10 matte finish.

For some reason, I don't think it's necessary to include "Click on any image to enlarge."

Retro Can

2010-06-11T02:20:00.078-05:00

Here are three magazine ads featuring soft drinks in those retro cans with the pull tab that came completely off of the can (it's interesting that the only ads were for diet drinks). Remember those tabs? The top of the can had instructions: "Dispose of properly." I remember Trent Allen telling me that as a child he always thought that tab was called a "properly."

These cans are just another piece of our culture that have received enough packaging and often logo redesign, that seeing the vintage pop cans fizzes up memories. Wanna shake up some more? The Retro Soda Pop website has some good info about vintage pop & some fun soda commercials from the 70's & 80's, including this jingle, "I wanna pop (pop) (pop) I wanna shhhhhhhasta!"

The first two ads came out of a 1980 Good Housekeeping magazine and the third ad came out of an early 80's Rolling Stone Mag.

Click on any image for supersized view.

Also interesting is the superhero theme in two of these three ads. Wonder Woman above, Superman below.

And speaking of retro drinks... Mello Yellow is coming out with a throw-back packaging design similar to the 1979 logo complete with a groovy new website. Here's a pic of three of their can designs:

And here's the new packaging:

The reason I'm even including this in a blog post is that in this new re-design you have three of my favorite things combined into one: 1) my favorite soda as a kid, 2) logo design, and 3)... retro! What could be better? I know - a trip down the clay hill to the Mad Butcher during summer vacation with my quarter in hand to buy me a Mello Yello in a glass bottle (and usually a Whatchamacallit to wash it down). After popping the cap off with the bottle opener built into the coke machine, I could chug the whole thing just standing there - probably because it was so good, but more likely so I wouldn't have to pay a nickel for the bottle deposit if I left the store. Remember that - paying deposits on glass bottles!? It worked both ways though... I'd often take a sack full of bottles that I had collected from the neighborhood down to the store & they'd pay me a nickel apiece. Some easy coin.

That's all I got. Another post in the can.

Gary Coleman | 1968 - 2010

2010-06-09T22:25:00.003-05:00

I was involved with my grandmothers memorial service the week Gary "Whatch-you-talkin-bout" Coleman died from a severe head injury and I completely missed the announcement in the news. Coleman and both of his TV siblings (Dana Plato and Todd Bridges) all had many troubles & rough lives after Diff'rent Strokes went off the air. But during the show's run we all certainly enjoyed their characters (all only a few years older than us 88ers) and never would've imagined that their futures would have turned out so sad, including Plato's suicide in 1999. Unfortunately, many child stars that we grew up with ended in disappointing and dreadful lives.

Here's a nice tribute to Arnold Drummond from a fellow 80's fan, including a couple of video compilations of his finest moments.

And below is the CBS news video of Coleman's death.

Watch CBS News Videos Online

Big Red

2010-06-04T08:37:00.016-05:00

No doubt you've seen the Verizon commercial that parodies the classic Big Red chewing gum commercial from the 80's. Ever since I first saw the Verizon ad, I've wanted to find the original and compare the two. So, where do you go when you want to relive a tv memory from your childhood? Why... YouTube, of course!!
Here's the current Verizon commercial:

And now a couple of originals:

There's a few obvious differences necessary to advertise the current product (using a chewing gum commercial to sell 3G wireless phones must've been quite a challenge), and it took me a while to realize they used several different commercials to pull from. I'm still not sure where the concept of the couple on a horse came from, but the line in the jingle is epic, "You'll watch YouTube on a horse...!" Kudos to the creators of this ad.
Wanna see more classic commercials? Check out this YouTube channel.

In Memory of Melissa Williams

2010-05-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Today marks the 15 year anniversary of the death of our classmate, Melissa Williams (Fuell). She died in an automobile accident in 1995.

Please visit her memorial page at our 88 website to read her obituary and leave your thoughts. If you are still in touch with the family, perhaps an encouraging card or phone call might be appropriate, just to let them know you were thinking about them. Melissa's family still resides in Sheridan.

My desire is to remember our deceased classmates throughout the year on the date of each of their deaths to keep their memory fresh in our minds & give us all a reminder to number our days.

80's Links

2010-05-21T12:10:00.000-05:00

It's been almost a year since I've done an "80's Links" post here on the 88 blog. I'm afraid to think about all the gnarly news & totally tubular tidbits of radical retro culture out in cyber-space that you've missed because of my negligence. Shame on me.

:: Bad news first. The death of the floppy disc. RIP.

:: Do you remember what your room looked like in the late 70's & early 80's? Fellow 88er & Arkansan Kirk Demarais does & sends us on a "geek & find." This is great!

:: Calling all Star Wars fans! The second George Lucas blockbuster, now known as Episode V, "The Empire Strikes Back" is celebrating it's 30th birthday. Neatocoolville begins a week-long blog tribute here and John Rozum has been forcing out the posts all month here.

:: Op is back (dunno if they ever left, actually). If you don't like the new line of beach clothing, you can always buy the vintage.

:: CBS.com has a nice selection of some of your favorite 70's & 80's television shows for free viewing!

I Love America :: 1976 Bicentennial Celebration

2010-05-17T10:57:00.032-05:00

I think I've already posted several pics from this old, 1976 Bicentennial special edition of the Sheridan Headlight, and I've got more to come. The photo & article below features a special choir performance by First Baptist Church's Youth Choir. There were only a few names listed in the article, but perhaps taking a closer look at the image below (click to enlarge) might allow you to find some folks you know. One of the soloists mentioned in the write-up is Phil Tygart, father of 88 grad, Bryan Tygart.

"WE LOVE AMERICA," says the First Baptist Church youth choir, who will be presenting the premier of their Bicentennial musical, "I Love America," tonight at McKenzie Hall. They are the second feature of a special Bicentennial program beginning with the Arkansas Arts Center's production of "By George" at 8 p.m.

Click to enlarge this detail.

I was also surprised to find someone in this photo that I know very well - my friend, pastor & fellow colleague, Lance Quinn. Lance attended SHS his sophomore year and part of his junior year before moving away. We were recently sharing his vague & dusty Sheridan memories and he mentioned singing in the FBC choir. I, of course, knew I had this newspaper write-up at home and we both wondered if we might find him in this very picture. And... whah-lah:

Click to enlarge.

Totally Rad 80s Fads

2010-05-14T00:00:00.001-05:00

Ladies, slip on your legwarmers, shoulder pads and fingerless gloves. Men, dig out your pastel t-shirts to throw on under your blazers and your acid-washed jeans. Gel your hair into a mullet. Go on, we'll wait here. In fact, while you're changing we'll go ahead and put our Appetite for Destruction tape in our ghetto blaster. OK, now that you're situated comfortably in the 80s, you're in the mindset to remember some of the biggest fads of the decade.

Take the Totally Rad 80's Fads quiz here.

Summer Wear

2010-05-06T11:00:00.031-05:00

Summer is upon us and what better time is there for going to Dillard's at McCain Mall (remember, Park Plaza wasn't really cool in the 80's and University Mall is no more) to shop for your summer wardrobe. We're all quick to point out that the girls did this frequently... but many guys - if they're honest - would have to admit that they, too, shopped for the summer wear.
In the 2-page layout below you'll see some sporty fashions that I'm sure every Grant County boy would want hanging in his closet - just in case Cox Creek or Degray Lake opened a Yacht Club or something. Ya never know.

click any image to enlarge

Speaking of malls... check out this blog dedicated to the memory of long-be-gone malls from the 50's, 60's & 70's. And, for those of you who still have some Grant Co. red neck left in (I sure do!), I've got a nice collection of Cox Creek Lake photos just waiting to be posted. Check back soon!

I Want One.

2010-03-14T21:22:00.000-05:00

I need one.

80's Child Star Corey Haim Dead at 38

2010-03-10T10:59:00.001-06:00

I'm watching internet updates literally scroll down my Google search page for "corey haim" right now. Any fan of 80's pop culture would want to know the breaking news.

Eighties-era teen actor Corey Haim was found dead Wednesday in what is being termed an accidental overdose. See a photo journal by the Washington Post here.

We all remember him from great movies like Lost Boys, Lucas, and Dream a Little Dream. Here's a video compilation of Corey Haim & childhood friend Corey Feldman.

Read the USA Today write up here. Fox News has a slide show here. And MTV's write up and video tributes can be found here.

Sheridan Football has New Website

2010-03-08T06:47:00.001-06:00

Be sure and check out the new website for Sheridan Football. Just go to sheridanfootball.com where you'll find this year's schedule, photos, videos, info on the new coach and much more!

In Memory of Belinda Reynolds

2010-02-18T00:59:00.001-06:00

It has been over twenty years now since we lost our classmate, Belinda Carol Reynolds Ellis. She and her husband, Eddie and their 3-month-old son, Brian Keith, died in an automobile accident on this day in 1998.

Please visit her memorial page on our 88 website to read her obituary, see photos and leave your thoughts/comments. Anniversaries like these are always an opportunity to write or call the family, if you're still in touch with them (Belinda's parents are still living in Sheridan), to let them know you're thinking about them.

This is also a time to be thankful for life and family and to remember how our days are numbered.

In Memory of Detra McMurtrey

2010-02-13T01:02:00.003-06:00

Today marks the 10th year of the death of our classmate, Detra McMurtrey. She died on Sunday, February 13, 2000.

Please visit her memorial page at our 88 website to read her obituary and leave your thoughts. If you are still in touch with the family, perhaps an encouraging card or phone call might be appropriate, just to let them know you were thinking about them.

My desire is to remember our deceased classmates throughout the year on the date of each of their deaths to keep their memory fresh in our minds & give us all a reminder to number our days.

We Are The World... The Remake

2010-02-02T08:27:00.003-06:00

So I'm sitting here at the Crain Ford dealership waiting on the family wagon to get some recall work done and on the tv I hear a story that catches my all-things-80s ear. It appears that, in an effort to raise funds for Haiti relief, a group of musicians and actors/actresses have gathered to record a new version of "We Are The World."

I only recognize a few of the names in this new cast, and frankly, of the names I do recognize, I couldn't tell you a single song they sing. Perhaps as my children grow older I'll end up with some 'Lil Wayne or Jonas Brothers on my iPod. But I doubt it. Here's what I do know about the remake.

The lyrics remain the same.
The music, for the most part, remains the same (some 21st century liberties are taken, I'm sure).
Not ONE of the original 1985 singers were invited back for this remake. None.
Many of those who did participate in the remake weren't even BORN when the original was recorded! That'll make you feel old.
The honor of singing of the opening line was given to the pop-star... Justin Bieber from Canada. Huh? He's fifteen years old.
The song was recorded in the same studio, with the same producer (Quincy Jones) and co-writer Lionel Richie - exactly 25 years later (well, give or take 3 days).

There are no public videos of the recording yet, but my guess is that they'll be popping up soon. For now, here's rapper 'Lil Wayne commenting on the news that he would be singing Bob Dylan's line. [SIGH]

MTV Shows

Where Are They Now? 70's Stars

2010-01-29T00:25:00.018-06:00

Have you ever wondered what might've happened to Laverne & Shirley... or Chachi... or the Partridge family? Ok - maybe not the Partridge family. Fox News has a fun slide show featuring over 20 then & now photos of some of our favorite stars from the 70's.

The Memories Ad Up

2010-01-28T00:00:00.000-06:00

I found these simple ads from our high school newspaper that easily brought back lots of memories.

Many of the guys would order their prom tuxes here or flowers for their sweetheart. Toward the end of our high school years - or perhaps it was after our graduation - this florist was owned by Brand & Neal Moon's mother.

Owned by Kelley Erstine, the science teacher's husband (and now my cousin-in-law) and then owned & operated by Mandy Jester's family.

The Midget Market. What can you say?

Elementary Textbooks

2010-01-26T10:36:00.002-06:00

On Wednesday morning, August 16th, 1978 I walked into the 2nd door on the third row of buildings on the Sheridan Elementary School campus to begin my third grade year. Most of us had our moms in tow, to not only meet our new teacher (mine would be Mrs. Pyle), but to sign the card above legally binding them to pay for any damage their careless 8 year old kid might cause to the stack of books he/she was about to receive.
I have since begun a very small collection of some of our grade school books - mostly readers. So now I'm really wishing we would've taken better care of them. It's hard to find a 40 year old school book in decent shape.
By the way - I'd like to have a set of the old spelling books we had in grade school. Remember those? Each year's cover was a different color, but all of them had a pattern of letters on them something like this:

If you happen to find any of these - lemme know.

So anyways... I'm not sure what the process is now-a-days - if they even have to sign for textbooks at all. I do know that in some high schools, they're moving from textbooks to MacBooks! I doubt they even have a damage waiver like we did - because if you damage these hi-tech toys, you can just buy them at the end of the year - for a dollar.

A-Team

2010-01-09T13:45:00.003-06:00

Just saw the trailer for the new A-Team movie coming out in June.

You can watch some of the original episodes here and here.

In Memory of Scott Pumphrey

2009-12-14T00:00:00.003-06:00

Today marks the anniversary of the death of one of our classmates. Scott Pumphrey died December 14, 2000. Though he wasn't a graduate of Sheridan, he walked our halls, attended our classes, and was a part of our basketball team for a short time - long enough though, to consider him a classmate & certainly a friend.

Please visit his memorial page on the 88 site to read his obituary, see photos and leave your thoughts. If you are still in touch with the family, perhaps an encouraging card or phone call might be appropriate just to let them know you were thinking about them. His father still resides in Prattsville.

My desire is to remember our deceased classmates throughout the year on the date of each of their deaths to keep their memory fresh in our minds & give us all a reminder to number our days.

One Sidewalk. Many Memories.

2009-11-21T11:44:00.002-06:00

I've posted most of the pictures you'll find on this blog over on Facebook for others to enjoy. One of my favorite features of Facebook is the way you can easily comment & interact on any photo. That's what happened on the photo below. For some reason it received an unusually long comment thread that I thought you'd find amusing, so I copied it here. What's so amazing, as Steve Warmack comments, is the amount of conversation created by one simple photo - and the range of topics covered (from the sidewalk we jumped to the city pool and then to the slaughterhouse and then to Jimmy Wimberly!) If you're on Facebook, you can add your own comment here. If not, enjoy the conversation below & add your own comment on this blog post.

The Sidewalk (taken in '08):

The Sidewalk (taken in the mid-60's):

The Memories:

Courtney Sligh Moss at 4:28pm September 11, 2008
Oh the memories!!! Thanks Aaron - this is great! I used to ride my bike up and down the sidewalks everyday.

Scott Warmack at 9:02pm September 11, 2008
And that would be the awning I was jumping up to touch.

Trina 'Smurl' Williams at 9:07pm September 11, 2008
You can just see the gym off in the back. I remember it being built. I also remember getting the cool job of going to get the milk before naps. Yes, back when you went all day everyday. :-)

Heather Young Malone at 9:14pm September 11, 2008
I loved!!!!! going to get the milk!!!! What a long sidewalk!

Scott - the higher you could jump... the further down the sidewalk you could reach... the cooler you were. That's it.

Stacy Cunningham Gilbert at 9:31pm September 11, 2008
Milk and moonpies!

Trina 'Smurl' Williams at 9:41pm September 11, 2008
Huh, Scott some of us were never really tall enough to touch the awning... let's not rub it in.... Ok? K.

Scott Warmack at 9:47pm September 11, 2008
Another thing about that sidewalk...it was the absolute greatest place to ride your bicycle during the summer.

Melody Gartman Lucas at 10:10pm September 11, 2008
The Gym....blood,sweat and tears!! The new smell. They made us run like crazy in that gym. I think Coach Cooper was there...not sure. Help me out Stacy. I think this is where we got our yearly shots. Even as a nurse I hate needles.

Stacy Cunningham Gilbert at 10:28pm September 11, 2008
I remember practicing there too! Ugh...Coach Cooper and Coach Honnell, her sister, before that! They LOVED to make us run....8,6, 4, 2's were their favorite! I remember rug burns from the carpet!!!!!!

Stacy Cunningham Gilbert at 10:30pm September 11, 2008
Scott...I cannot tell you how many summers I spent riding on those sidewalks..great fun!

Darrin Theiss at 10:12pm September 12, 2008
Milk trips that was the best thing - to get picked to get the milk

Pam Hill Arpin at 10:25am September 21, 2008
We lived two blocks away from the school. I spent everyday riding my bike around the school. I don't remember seeing any of you! lol

Brian and Carrie Gartman at 9:59pm October 23, 2008
How about dusting the chalkboard erasers on the big tree between the school and the lunch room? The 500 ft tall slide that was the cause of at least one broken arm a year? And the tragedy of all tragedies,,,when they closed the city pool across the street from the school?

Aaron Wilson at 10:03pm October 23, 2008
Now you're talking Brian. That a boy! Keep the memories coming!

Our DADS used to go swimming in that pool!

Andrew Welch at 1:51am October 24, 2008
I remember when my brother, Robert, fell off that slide. I think that was when they took it out. Oddly enough he wasn't hurt, but I think the fall explains some of his more unusual quirks today...LOL

I still miss the pool whenever I go past that parking lot. Its not the same swimming at the rec center...probably why I don't go.

Stacy Cunningham Gilbert at 9:19am October 24, 2008
The City Pool! There is not one summer that goes by that I don't think about that pool! It seems like the deep end where the

guys played "swim tag" was 50 feet deep! I was there every day in the summer! I walked from my house barefoot! What was my mom thinking letting me do that...well, now that I think about it, she probably didn't know!

Aaron Wilson at 9:25am October 24, 2008
Chris Paty taught me how to dive in the city pool.
My first swim lessons were in the city pool.
Kristy Evans was also in my swim class... and kept flirting with the instructor (why is that not hard to believe!) in the city pool.
Scott Holt got his arm stuck in the drain & almost drowned in the city pool.
Back in the day, it cost a quarter to swim... in the city pool.

CHALLENGE:
First one to find & post a picture of the city pool wins.

Brian and Carrie Gartman at 9:58am October 24, 2008
The first time that I watched The Sandlot (the best kids movie ever !!) the pool scene really got me...and when they were walking around town getting bottles to buy a baseball...I remember doing the same thing and going to Graves to buy whatever it was we wanted that day! BTW, Aaron, one of the instructors back in the day is my stepmom!

Trina 'Smurl' Williams at 11:08am October 24, 2008
I loved swimming there. I also think about that pool whenever I drive by. I remember being scared to death to jump off the diving board too. I remember our parents would just drop us off too. I wouldn't do that now with my kids!

Mandy Jester Martindale at 12:28pm October 24, 2008
I've loved swimming at the pool!! When it was time to leave mom would yell our names to get out, and we would go under real fast and pretend like we didn't hear her. haha I remember all the older guys with their cut offs on, making huge splashes!

Steve Warmack at 2:34pm October 24, 2008
What I find interesting and a little touching if I can set aside my usual smart-@$$ ness... is how many responses have been generated by this simple picture.

It was the best for riding bikes.. but I will go old skool on you and say that I remember riding "Big Wheels" and "Green Machines" there...

As for the city pool......Great memories... the guys driving up in their trans ams with Bostons first album jamming.... cut off shorts.

BUT... does anyone remember the slaughterhouse that was just a short distance away? Does anyone other than me remember the squealing of pigs from this very sidewalk?

probably not.

Stacy Cunningham Gilbert at 2:43pm October 24, 2008
I absolutely do, Steve! In fact, I remember walking by there to go to the Grant County Museum from my house on Vine Street and putting my fingers in my ears and going "la, la, la!" until I got further away. I would never let myself look in the
back pen to see the pig when driving by. I think I was afraid they would plead to me with their eyes and I would be forced to do a jail break!

Steve Warmack at 2:53pm October 24, 2008
Yeah... weird place for a slaughterhouse... smack in the middle o' town.

BTW - I think I was at the pool the day someone almost drowned because their arm was in the drain. I remember someone diving in to save him.

Aaron Wilson at 3:22pm October 24, 2008
I could only dream of a Big Wheel. And a Green Machine?! Why, my daddy would have to take a second job!
Flaunting your childhood life of luxury and on top of that scaring the children with "this little piggee" stories cannot be tolerated. :o)

I like your old skool Steve... keep bringing it.

On a very similar yet unrelated note - Eric Hanson recently gave me a cool vintage t-shirt that says "Old School" across the front... with a picture of a Big Wheel on it! Classic.

Aaron Wilson at 3:42pm October 24, 2008
Ahhh haaa! Now I remember the Avant's store that Stacy mentioned on another post! Was it right there on the corner of Vine & Hwy 35? The city pool dialogue stirred up my memory a bit... seems that my mom forgot to come get me at the pool one afternoon so I started walking home (at an age too young to walk home - even in Sheridan). I vaguely remember sitting on the curb or maybe the platform where the gas pumps once were, waiting on mom to come get me. Wow. That's weird. This is fun.

I've been trying to get this much action at my blogs for years! Who'd a thunk some pictures of old buildings would create so much buzz.

Seriously - I'm enjoying this and appreciate everyone's comments. Now, go listen to Kenny Rogers sing "20 Years Ago" and have a good nostalgic cry....

Eric Hanson at 4:01pm October 24, 2008
City pool- I learned to swim there, too. That pool was a babysitter during the summer. But the level of stink in those bathrooms could make a sewer inspector blush.

It was Scott Holt that got his arm stuck in the drain. Was feeding it leaves or something when it sucked him in. The guy that saved him was an older guy that played tag in the deep end. Forgot his name but it was something like Wimbo.

Kathy Flynt James at 10:35pm October 24, 2008
This is so funny. When I was in elementary school I used to have real dreams about riding something like a big wheels or other type of vehicle at the elementary school! I had no idea kids actually did that! And when I was taking pictures of the
school yesterday I remembered that old swimming pool nearby. I only went there a few times because I lived in Ico. And I also remember the slaughter house because my parents used to get a bunch of meat there to put in the freezer every year.

I hated going in there. As my nearly four-year-old nephew would say, "it was piscusting"....

Brian and Carrie Gartman at 1:17pm October 25, 2008
Jimmy Wimberly

Aaron Wilson at 3:54pm October 25, 2008
This marvelous pit of memories has no bottom.

Aaron Wilson at 3:57pm October 25, 2008
Wimbo pulled up next to me at the red light in Sheridan once, rolled down his window and with a jaw full of chaw, in a Grant County neighborly way asked, "Gotta pool chain?"

Brian and Carrie Gartman at 6:27pm October 25, 2008
How many people were there the day of the near drowning?! I was among the 10,ooo.

Bruce Dobbins at September 8 at 8:50am
Aaron, I really appreciate the work you have put into this site. You have made me remember many things of my childhood I simply forgot. Thank you.

Stand Out in a Crowd

2009-11-12T00:00:00.000-06:00

I've posted similar pics like these before and do so again because there's just something about a candid crowd shot.

I like how you can spend much more time pouring over group photos like these... looking for as many people as you can... finding yourself... seeing who you were standing beside... who were you talking to... who was screaming the battle cry behind you in your ear. I also think it's neat how you're seeing most people (except for the front row and/or anyone who sees the cameraman before the pic is snapped) in their natural element, unaware that countless people will one day be staring at them, frozen in this photographic image for years to come. Kinda creepy, huh?

Click any of these to enlarge, grab your magnifying glass and start searching.

Pep Rally crowd, circa 1987

Homecoming Crowd, circa 1986

Hey Now You're An All Star!

2009-11-09T00:00:00.002-06:00

I had forgotten just how much more memorabilia I have yet to post on the blog! The images below were scanned from the cover of the 1988 All Star Game roster featuring our own seniors, Steve Coleman and David Damron. There was also an All Star cheer squad, of which Mandy Jester and Michelle Stoops were members. Thanks to Mandy Jester for loaning me this little piece of history.

Incidentally, Scott & Michelle's daughter was also a SHS cheerleader and went on to cheer for the Arkansas Razorbacks. And Mandy Jester's (Martindale) daughter is a high school cheerleader and active in cheer competitions.

Arkansas Democrat Top 10

2009-11-05T00:00:00.005-06:00

This is a poor scan, but you should be able to click & enlarge this Top 10 list to see Sheridan at number 10. Could someone tell me how these rankings are determined? There are only three undefeated teams in this list (including Sheridan), but they're not in the top three spots (except for Arkadelphia). Are there other stats that factor in?

10. SHERIDAN (11-0, 5AAA-South) - In two years, Don Campbell has turned the Yellowjackets from a team known for a long losing streak to a team contending for a state championship. Halfbacks Gary Brown and David Damron each went over the 100-yard rushing mark in a playoff win against Trumann. Campbell and the Yellowjackets meet top-ranked Arkadelphia this week.

80's had Sole

2009-11-02T00:00:00.000-06:00

Here's a few more ads from my small collection of Rolling Stone mags. These images will pay brief homage to 80's footwear. And that's all.

Looks like the velcro strap wasn't just invented for kids' shoes.

"a shoe biomechanically designed to help players play there best..."

Eric Hanson & I proudly owned several white pairs of these high-tops.
They looked great with our tight-rolled, stone washed jeans.

Keys to the 80's

2009-10-29T00:10:00.000-05:00

You can't have a discussion about 80's music trends without the words "keyboard" or "casio" being brought up. They're what made 80's music so ~~great~~ memorable. Below are a few ads from various Rolling Stone magazines featuring just four of the dozens (I'm guessing) of different versions of these mini electronic pianos.

I'm sure the Boss thought he was doing Casio a favor to grace their ad with his face, until we see who the company's other spokes model was (below).

Mr. Ed?

"Where miracles never cease."

There weren't many contenders to Casio, but Fisher sure had a practical idea of combining the keyboard with the jambox (now there's a whole 'nother topic!)

1988 All Region Band Members

2009-10-26T00:00:00.000-05:00

Front Row (L-R): Suzy Tillman, Eugenia Dreher, Brooks Boyd, Angela Rogers, Tabitha Logan, Shawna Veazey
Second Row: Keith Wilburn, Jay Mizell, Aaron Wilson, Billy Arpin, Aaron Tygart
Third Row: Jeremy Crosswhite, Darrin Theiss, Cary Martindale, Lance Ashley, Matthew Adkins
Back Row: Nick Sullivan, Bryan Flynn, Jerry Flynn, Jason Moore, Allen Kelley

Wayfarers

2009-10-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

Hey! Is that the cast from the latest John Huges film?!

No - it's just a guy in front of a fake wall with fake spray paint wearing fake leather and boasting two fake girlfriends.

1987 AAA Playoff Predictions

2009-10-18T23:55:00.002-05:00

From the Arkansas Dem/Gaz:

AT A GLANCE - The third ranked Yellowjackets also made it through the regular season unbeaten and are coming off two straight shutouts over Malvern and J.A. Fair. Sheridan's ground game continues to rack up the yards behind the running of Gary Brown and David Damron. Trumann, after dropping four straight games in midseason, came on strong and won its final three, including a big 34-0 victory over Marion. The Yellowjackets' relentless running attack will eventually wear down most teams.

PREDICTION - Sheridan 27, Trumann 8.

Does anyone remember the actual score? Scroll to the bottom of this post for the answer.

Final Score: Sheridan 33, Trumann 12

In Memory of Meliana Drake

2009-10-16T00:00:00.004-05:00

Today marks the fifth anniversary of the death of one of our classmates. Meliana Drake died suddenly due to complications of a brain aneurysm on Saturday, October 16, 2004.

Please visit her memorial page on the 88 site to read her obituary, see photos and leave your thoughts. If you are still in touch with the family, perhaps an encouraging card or phone call might be appropriate, just to let them know you were thinking about them.

My desire is to honor the rest of our deceased classmates throughout the year on the date of each of their deaths to keep their memory fresh in our minds & give us all a reminder to number our days.

Name that Font - ANSWERS

2009-10-16T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here are the answers to Monday's trivia:

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

Gilligan's Island

Chips

Facts of Life

Diff'rent Strokes

The Love Boat

The Latest from the Late Michael Jackson

2009-10-13T00:00:00.004-05:00

In keeping with the "all things 80's" theme of this blog, I feel some obligation to present to you a preview of Michael Jackson's first (and doubtfully last) posthumous release. Reviews aren't raving yet. This is it...

Was I the only one who cringed at the border-line blasphemous Messianic self-proclamation of "light of [the] world?"

Name that Font

2009-10-12T00:00:00.000-05:00

I like retro TV shows. I also like the graphic design element behind fonts & logos. So this quick little trivia game will test your knowledge of each.

Below are five letters taken from the screen shots of five 70's TV shows. See if you can guess the TV show based off of the letter below (the letter is not necessarily the first letter in the name).

Leave your guesses in the comments. I'll post the answers Friday. Have fun!

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

The Birds

2009-10-08T07:23:00.004-05:00

Some of my favorite elementary school memories involve crafts - especially Halloween crafts. Remember making the owl out of black construction paper with cupcake papers as eyes? Or if you were in Mrs. Haskins' fourth grade class, you got to make a life-size skeleton out of rolled up newspapers! Then after Halloween was over we started working on the multi-colored feathers for our Thanksgiving turkey or the big, black-buckled pilgrim's hat. Good times!

Sadly, I don't have any of my Halloween crafts - or the newspaper skeleton for that matter. But I do have My Bird Book. And you get to see it. Not to show off my stunning artwork (though I'm certain I was beyond my years in the fine art of crayola), but just to serve as a jolt to remind you of the many great craft projects we did as grade schoolers.

Now, if my memory serves me correctly, I constructed this ornithological compilation during Mrs. Thompson's second grade class. That is, when I wasn't writing all those lines for talking during class. Interestingly enough, I can actually remember coloring some of these pictures.

And of course, your practical, take-home point for the day is this: save all that junk your kids bring home from school. I'm sure they'll want to blog about it in twenty years.

2010

2009-09-07T00:00:00.000-05:00

Below is the movie ad for "2010" found in a December, 1984 Rolling Stone magazine. What once seemed so far away is now upon us. We've well surpassed the year 2001. And who can forget the prequel to the movie below, Space Odyssey that gave us this great opening scene? Now we're just a few months away from 2010. Crazy. We should be living on the moon and driving spaceship rocket cars by now, shouldn't we?

So what's happening in 2010? How will we even pronounce 2010? Two thousand ten or twenty ten?

Here's the skinny on 2010.

Jacket Pride Shines Once Again

2009-09-04T00:00:00.004-05:00

Tomorrow, September 5th, marks a significant day in the history of Sheridan football. Twenty-three years ago, our team broke a 27 game losing streak when they beat the Bryant Hornets during the season opener.

Below is the front page of the Sheridan Headlight from the following week. Unfortunately, Page 12 of this edition (containing the write up) is not available. Something tells me though that this image alone is enough to make you smile.

Sheridan stuns Bryant
7-0 in season opener

Number 10, senior Allen Crawford at halfback, pictured at right, looks downfield for yardage in Friday night's game against Bryant.

Crawford went on to score the only touchdown of the game on a four yard pass from senior quarterback Jeff Henard.

1983 Eighth Grade Sheridan STINGERS

2009-08-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

From the collection of Jamey Black, here's the official roster for the 8th grade Stingers, including the coaches and cheerleaders.

More Old School

2009-08-28T00:00:00.002-05:00

I've posted this pic on Facebook (FBers can view & comment here), but I don't think it's ever made it to the blog. The building in the foreground below is where many of us had kindergarten (Easton, Birdsong, Tolson). You're looking North at the back of the building, our playground would be to the right. Obviously, the building in the background was already gone when we started kindergarten. See caption below.

SHERIDAN'S only college, the old Missionary Baptist College founded in 1918, stands in the background of this photo which also shows the building in the foreground constructed as a primary school in the 1930's. the Missionary Baptist College was established as a junior college, but offered senior courses in later years. The college was unable to continue functioning after the Depression of the 1930's brought on financial difficulties. The building burned in 1957, and a grade school now stands at the site.

See more on our grade school buildings here and here.

1977 SHS Band

2009-08-24T00:00:00.001-05:00

The back of the pic indicates that this was taken in October of 1977, probably during the Grant County Fair Parade. I found this in a stack of old photos given to me by my grandmother.

This photo was taken on the west side of the court square facing North. You can see the green & white striped awning of ABC Bookstore in the upper left corner of the photo. These band uniforms were finally retired in the early 80's.

Collect All 21!

2009-08-21T00:00:00.000-05:00

Even if you aren't/weren't a Star Wars fan, you've got to appreciate this excerpt from John Booth's book "Collect All 21! Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek,"

Star Wars even made school supplies cool. I still have the 9 ½ by 12 ½ -inch Mead portfolio folder I carried around in second grade. Obi-Wan’s on one side, two Stormtroopers on the other, and on one of the inside pockets, there’s that rear-three-quarters shot of a Star Destroyer. The Finney’s 39-cent price tag is still stuck inside. The folder’s in two pieces, and the edges are worn soft as old socks, but when I hold it, I can smell crayons and purple-ink mimeographed worksheets and Elmer’s School Glue and brick walls and the cement floors of the second-grade basement hallway at Hartville Elementary, and remember sitting on the carpet in our room listening to Miss Hogan read “James and the Giant Peach.” (emphasis mine)

Fellow Arkansan Kirk Demarias designed the cover, and comments on the blue & white play-on-Kenner label at his blog. Order your copy of Collect All 21! Memoirs of a Star Wars Geek - The First 30 Years here

Grant County Museum

2009-08-18T00:00:00.003-05:00

I promise this isn't a paid endorsement, but I would like to recommend to any of you the Grant County Museum. If you enjoy the historic and nostalgic posts here at the Sheridan 88 blog, then you'll really be in for a treat at the museum. Below are a few pics I took last summer of some of the exhibits that pay tribute to the Sheridan schools.

This is a watercolor painting by Sue Scroggs of the many schoolhouses which make up the Sheridan schools. Most of these are recognizable except for the building in the upper right, which burned down in 1957. Scroggs has it labeled as a grade school (might've been used for that), but it was built around 1918 as Missionary Baptist College.

Do you recognize these chairs? I would love to have a pair of these, so if you know anyone who has some, please let me know! These are chairs from the McKenzie Hall auditorium.

Here's an exhibit featuring some of the old band uniforms from the 1940's & 50's. Next week I'll be posting a pic of the 1977 marching band in their German-inspired uniforms.

Here's a display case showing some of the EARLY Yellowjacket football teams & letterman jackets/sweaters.

Yes my friends, all this and more... at your Grant County Museum.

John Hughes Dead at 59

2009-08-06T17:40:00.006-05:00

Source: TMZ

John Hughes has died of a heart attack.
Hughes suffered the heart attack while taking a morning walk during a trip to NYC to visit family.
He was 59.
Consider just a few of the films he made in his lifetime:

The many late night hours we spent in the theaters and renting videos with friends wouldn't have been the same without Hughes' numerous contributions.

Here's one of the first of what will be many tributes to Hughes featuring the famous museum scene from FBDO.

The Revenge of the Upside Down Clown

2009-08-04T22:30:00.000-05:00

There are few more highly anticipated times than at the end of each school year when we get to sign each others ~~crack~~ yearbooks. This event is rivaled only by the receiving of the yearbooks themselves. The next best thing to cracking open that brand new photo directory of classmates and taking that first whiff of the fresh, glossy pages is giving your peers the privilege of writing in it.

Today's post is a playful poke at our friend Serena Koon (I have her permission to do this and the remainder of this post comes complete with a double coat of sarcasm). You see, for the past two decades as I've recalled and recounted all the wonderful school memories tucked away in my simple little mind, there was always something lurking in the shadowy corner. What was this dark mystery hiding in the cleft of my mind - or was "it" a "who"? Who could still be haunting me & taunting me like a schoolyard bully even twenty years later? Well, the answer to these questions has been revealed - yea, even documented in the annuals of history... our yearbooks. The evidence I have is as plain as words on a page. Read on.

Just take a gander at the verbal assaults below - beginning in the 2nd grade for crying out loud - and tell me if any decent human being is deserving of such ill-treatment.

You see that it starts out cute, playing the ole "upside down clown" card. But notice the subtle twist - this clown doesn't just sign upside down - but BACKWARDS TOO! I had to get out my pocket mirror to verify the signature... and sure enough, it was Serena Koon. What could this mean? Upside down? Backwards?

Then... the clown strikes again (see below). Same page. Same pen (not supposed to have pens in Mrs. Thompson's class!). Same clown. Same vertical orientation. Same horizontal reversal. I'm sure that something's going on here. This is senseless torment for any second grader.

The disoriented clown laid low for a few years, but in 1980 she struck again. And, as before, ever... so... subtle. Notice the underlined word "nice" in the image below. And notice the parenthetical laughter - HYSTERICAL parenthetical laughter. Everyone knows how to decode this: the underlined word goes with the parenthetical remark - easy. It's the LOL version of the grade school yearbook. And LOL she did - about me being "nice."

Childish flirting? No way. She's moving in for the kill.

The year is now 1983. Put on your CSI cap and just let the evidence do the talking. My investigation of the image below produces the following observations:

1. Clue: Cursive writing. Meaning: Intimidation.
2. Clue: Red ink. Meaning: One word. Blood. I'm really feeling threatened now.
3. Clue: Parenthesis right off the bat. Meaning: It's like the viewer discretion warning at the beginning of a television show - you just know something bad is gonna happen.

4. Clue: Sarcasm. Meaning: Just another way to toy with my mind. Is she serious? Is she lying? Are those question marks or exclamation points? Is she really "kidin"? Does she really not know that you double the final consonant when you add "ing"?

This next and final piece of evidence that seals the case against this mental maniac is nothing less than a roller coaster ride of tricks and taunts that are only meant to play with my feeble esteem like a yo-yo. Again, I observe:

1. After 10 years of knowing each other, she immediately strikes down my significance and deflates my ego by misspelling my name. Granted, this is before the age of "spellcheck", but that's still no excuse.
2. The flow of this, her longest yearbook contribution, is a poetic and rhythmic assault against any shred of dignity I might have left. See the repetition: NOT, NOT, NOT. This really stings.
3. Three opinions are expressed here as facts: 1. I'm not nice, 2. I'm not a stud, and 3. I'll need luck with the girls. I beg to differ. I think after 13 years of marriage and four children this can be easily refuted. However, to be fair, back in 1985 I was a far cry from the typical boy favorite.

If you've enjoyed this, why not pull out your old yearbooks and read all the silly & sweet & maniacal things that your friends wrote to you way back when. And, many thanks to my friend Serena for being a good sport.

uosןıʍ uoɹɐɐ-ƃuıʞoɾ ʇsnɾ

Rock-ee... Roooad?

2009-07-31T00:00:00.001-05:00

One of the great movies from our teen years (before we became too cool) had to be Spielberg's "The Goonies." LOTR's Sean Austin, Corey Feldman and Docka Jones' Asian sidekick were all a part of this cult classic.

Recently a guy I work with told me about a documentary that a couple of his friends were doing that was really gaining some popularity - even from the original cast. Visit www.thegoonies.org to check it out, including this exclusive interview with Chunk recalling some of the perks of being a Goonie, even one-upping Rick Shroeder at an MJ concert.

Oh, and here's a seperate website that shows then & now pics of the Goonies.

Les Chanteurs :: 1985

2009-07-29T00:00:00.000-05:00

Here's another set of pics from our 1985 (9th grade) yearbook. Below are the Les Chanteurs, I think that's French for, um... "9th grade choir girls."

Bottom: Carol Reeves (love the Lionel Richie shirt!) and Jan Powell, Music Librarians;
Top: Kim Derrick, President; Teresa Webb, Vice Pres and Melissa Benefield, Secretary.

Jr. All Regions winners: Bottom: Carol Reeves and Kim Derrick;
Top: Lisa Bradford, Kaye Harris and Tamala Ingle

Front Row: Unknown?, Christy Givins, Melissa Nesbitt, Marsha Haymes, Jan Powell, Lisa Thomas, Charla Bryant, Robin Walters, Tamala Ingle
Middle Row: Teresa Webb, Kim Derrick, Carol Reeves, Debra Howard, Jaime Dougan?, Kristy Scribner, Marlena Ukno, Lisa Bradford, Tammy Carrol
Back Row: Unknown, Kaye Harris, Corinna Hartman, Melissa Benefield, Melissa Williams, Christy Romine, Jody Wiggins

1986 SHS Golf Team

2009-07-27T00:00:00.000-05:00

Members of the 1986 SHS Golf team are: (from left to right) front row, Shawn Rash, Trent Allen, Courtney Robinson, Michael Ross. Back row, Steve Coleman, Jamey Black, Chuck McCurdy, Brent Caple, Jason Jordan, Mark Mayfield, and Coach David Robinson. Not pictured is Bryan Tygart who is on the injured reserve list.

Golf team will 'put experience' to work

The 1986 Golf team has experience in its favor this year, according to Coach David Robinson. After finishing second in the district and 10th in the state last year, Coach Robinson says the returning players make for "the most experienced team we've had in a while." "And," he continued, "we'd really be tough if we hadn't lost a key player to injury."
Top players returning include seniors Brent Caple, Jason Jordan and Chuck McCurdy, the coach says. Bryan Tygart, last year's number two player, is out with an injury. Robinson says he expects other team members to step in and "pick up the slack" in the place of Tygart.
Other team members are Steve Coleman, Jamey Black, Mark Mayfield, Trent Allen, Shawn Rash, Michael Ross, Brad LaRue, and the first femal team member, freshman Courtney Robinson.
The coach sees Miss Robinson as a welcome addition to the team and says he believes "she will work out well."
The team begins its season this week. A summary of the games will be in next weeks Sheridan Headlight.

9th Grade Yearbook Online

2009-07-25T09:25:00.004-05:00

So where can you find lots of great pics like these?

Anthony Duncan, Bobby Tompkins, Lee Shaw, Christy Berry

Sara Luft, Dolph Crosby, Kim Russell, Kevin Young

Sherri Jones, Vicki Thompson, Dean Crouse, Paula Ferguson

Find them in the 1985 (9th grade) yearbook. Now online!

1985 (9th Grade)

Click here for full size slideshow.
Click here to download.
Click here for other yearbooks.

We are the World

2009-07-24T00:00:00.003-05:00

This little musical artifact won't fetch much on Ebay even after MJ's sudden death, but I'm still glad my wife held on to her cassette copy of USA for Africa's "We Are the World".

Unfold the insert and you're tempted with several opportunities to feed the hungry in Africa while sporting the current 80's fashions.

click to enlarge

Now, don't try to read the small print above, because I found a fun way to find out who all participated in this historic event... I'll show you at the end of this post. For now, below is the article I teased some time ago from the March 14, 1983 edition of Rolling Stone. This is a brief yet insightful write up about how "We Are the World" came to be. Click either image to enlarge & read.

Interesting, huh? Prince - hmphh! Who needs him anyway?! So, back to the album art. Take a look at the group shot below and try to identify some of the artists at this interactive guessing game.

Now, sit back, pretend like you've just tuned in to Friday Night Videos and enjoy the song.

Related links:

Wikipedia entry for "We Are the World"
Scripted lyrics for "We Are the World"

Pep Rally Peeps

2009-07-23T00:00:00.000-05:00

How many '88 peeps can you pick out of this pep rally crowd?

1985 Stinger Cheerleaders

2009-07-21T12:11:00.004-05:00

As I'm slowly but surely scanning in all of our yearbooks (I've posted all of them through 5th grade here), I'll occasionally pick some pics to post here on the 88 blog. Now that I've uploaded one of our 4 junior high yearbooks, I'm jumping ahead to work on our first senior high yearbook and I'll alternate from here on out (5th, 9th, 6th, 10th, 7th, 11th...).

Below are photos from the two-page spread featuring our 9th grade Stinger Cheerleaders.

(L to R, Top to Bottom): Michelle Stoops, Pam Drake, Vicki Thompson, Shelli Smith, Kim Sites, Dana Oates, Cindy Grace, Kristy Evans.

The Stinger cheerleaders attended the NCA cheerleader camp at ASU. They were taught new cheers, chants, pyramids, pom pom routines, and spirit ideas. At the camp the Stinger cheerleaders won two excellent and three superior ribbons. Over 500 cheerleaders attended the camp and out of these, nine were selected as All American cheerleaders. Michelle Stoops was selected as one of the nine. The Stinger cheerleaders showed outstanding spirit and support for their team through pep rallies, banners, signs, parties, and selling spirit ribbons.

The Stinger cheerleaders raise the spirit even at away games.

The Stinger cheerleaders know who is number one.

80's Links :: Retro TV Guide

2009-07-17T00:58:00.000-05:00

Today we sit in front of the computer screen about as much as we sat in front of the TV growing up. I don't know if one is to be preferred over the other - both have much to offer and also plenty that's undesirable.

The following links pay homage to our time growing up with the tube:

:: Summer days & sick days allowed us our fill of game shows. Here are some highlights.

:: Ponch... Crissy... Gilligan... where are they now? Here.

:: And a web-museum for the idiot box.

:: Here's a good starting place to research your favorite shows from the 70's & 80's (did they even have tv in the 90's?)

:: What do Brady Bunch & Gilligan's Island have in common? Sherwood Schwartz. (Warning: this lengthy interview contains brief foul language)

:: Not directly tv-related... but has 80's all over it... here's a cover of Billie Jean done with 80's electronics. Nice vocals, too!

Coming Soon to Riverfront Park

2009-07-15T08:19:00.001-05:00

Bueller... Bueller... Bueller...

If you live in central Arkansas, you might be interested to know that "Movies in the Park" at Riverfront (downtown Little Rock) is showing the 80's movie, Ferris Bueller's Day Off. The movie is scheduled to show on Wednesday night, July 29. And it's FREE!

Get more details here .

And hey - remember Cameron's house? It's for sale.

Variations on Africa

2009-07-10T18:16:00.008-05:00

Over the past year or so, it seems that this great song from the 80's group, Toto, has resurfaced several times in some form or another. Perhaps many of you heard a re-work of this song back during Christmas with the viral YouTube video, "12 Days of Christmas". If you're not really in the holiday spirit, you can advance this first video to 1:45 just to hear Toto's tune set to the lyrics of drummer's drumming, pipers piping and maids-a-milking.

You can hear their acapella version of "Africa" on their MySpace page.

This next acapella choir was introduced to me just a few days ago. This group is amazing. From the unsuspecting beat boxer doing drum fills, to the lead melody line, to the phenomal SFX of rain and thunder at the beginning, you'll really enjoy this.

Andy McKee is an incredible guitarist who does things with his guitar that I didn't even know were possible! Here's his instrumental version of "Africa":

And this guitarist, Jimmie Inch, is equally talented - able to lay down 3 separate tracks with three separate guitar parts and three separate vocals. Amazing!

I also found a few cultural shout-outs to this great song. Here's one from Scrubs and one from Chuck (2 shows of which I've never even watched, btw).

Then you have the Africa re-mix (and there are many)...this one's gotta good beat & you can dance to it. Unfortunately, once you've heard the first 25 second loop, there's nothing new.

So what about the original? Before we get to THE original, here's SOME of the original band performing in 2003 in Amsterdam. Believe it or not (I didn't) the lead singer here is the same guy from the 80's.

And now - the #1 version (Billboard, February 1983) we all know & love. You know a song is great when a cheesy video like this can't even mess it up.

Ok, confession time. Here's my misunderstood lyric: "There's nothing that a hundred men on Mars could ever do."

The real lyric: "There's nothing that a hundred men or more could ever do..."

Read the rest of the lyrics here.

Kate and the Big Cat

2009-07-08T00:00:00.001-05:00

As promised, "Kate and the Big Cat" from "Air Pudding and Wind Sauce." You may click on any image to enlarge.

Air Pudding and Wind Sauce - Continued

2009-07-05T16:02:00.014-05:00

Continuing our perusal from last post through one of our elementary readers, "Air Pudding and Wind Sauce" (APWS). Today's post will feature images from several of the stories as well as these first six images that serve as divider pages between the story sections in the book. The bright colors continue and more hand-drawn, simple, fun fonts are used to give this a nice touch.

Any Old Junk Today?

The image above and those following are opening pages from several stories from APWS. Two decades of influence are noticed here. The bright, vibrant colors reflect the newly liberated 70's generation (Lisa's Song, Trouble with Susie, Emperor), while there are still some talented water color images remaining from the 50's & 60's (Snowshoe Thompson, Danny and the Rangers).

From the size & difficulty of the vocabulary lists, I'd guess this to be at least a 3rd or 4th grade level reader.

Why Don't You Invent It?

For Mary Ellis

Lisa's Song

Trouble with Susie

Snowshoe Thompson

Danny and the Rangers

The Emperor's New Clothes

Be sure to gather around for the next post kids!

We'll be reading together,
"Kate and the Big Cat!"

Air Pudding and Wind Sauce

2009-06-30T20:32:00.002-05:00

If the title of this reader from our elementary days doesn't ring a bell, perhaps one glimpse of the beautiful red & purple cover will reveal a whole new corner of memories that have been supressed in your mind. It certainly did for me when I saw this book in our local Goodwill store for $1.00.

In all of our grade school classes we were divided up into reading groups according to our individual reading levels. I'm not sure what group I was in, but I distinctly remember this book. "Air Pudding and Wind Sauce"... who could forget a title like that? Do you remember any others? How about Green Feet, Blue Dilly Dilly or Cloverleaf. I had a copy of Cloverleaf - with the milk carton-shaped holstein cow on the front - until one of my kids left it out in the rain.

The next couple of posts will feature this great book - both it's contents and it's cover. Speaking of the cover...

The red & purple analogic color scheme, the inconsistent checkered tablecloth and hand-drawn fonts on the cover only hint at the great & groovy, psychadelic-seventies style illustrations awaiting the young reader within the book's pages.

Is this table of contents too inticing for you? Just wait - next week I'll post some of the incredible artwork filling this volume and then we'll get to read a story together!
My favorite from APWS... "Any Old Junk Today," featuring this great illustration.

And the World Mourns...

2009-06-29T08:24:00.003-05:00

From Los Angeles to London, fans all over the world mourn the passing of the King of Pop. Here's an interesting photo essay showing the obsessive nature of a society mourning a pop star.

Visitors pay their respects as news crews record a sidewalk shrine of mementos, flowers, candles and notes adorning the star of Michael Jackson on the Hollywood Walk of Fame in Los Angeles Friday, June 26. AP / Reed Saxon

Last week I offerd a very brief post reflecting on the death of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett and Ed McMahon, from strictly a cultural perspective. However there is much more that could be said about the way we react and respond to such trajedy from a biblical perspective. If you're interested, here are a few sobering considerations of the death of MJ from some trusted sources. And at this blog, my friend Jeff suggests some ways you can talk to your children about celebrities, stardom, death and other related topics.

The Death of a Pop Icon

2009-06-26T00:00:00.013-05:00

What's sadder than losing one of our pop-culture icons - even sadder than losing three in one week - is the way the media will use the latest and the greatest to trump the other. For example, you've probably already forgotten that Carson's late night co-host Ed McMahon died three days ago, haven't you? And - you can quote me on this - Farrah Fawcett's death yesterday morning will soon fade into the shadow of Michael Jackson's sudden death last evening. It's just the method of the media. (Case in point, when I linked this website's coverage of Farrah, MJ's death was headlined at the top of the page)

All three of these entertainment personalities had their own special places in shaping the lives of our generation. Ed McMahon was among those remaining who brought the last bit of dignity and (mostly) tasteful humor to late night television. Farrah Fawcett Majors (remember her marriage to the 6 Million Dollar Man?) graced our weeknight tv time with a few other angels. And Michael Jackson... well it goes without saying that he was in a league of his own.

As I prepared this post last night at 11pm, I knew there would be plenty of internet buzz this morning all saying the same things. So I'm not going to try to compete. Just do your own google search for Ed, Farrah or MJ and you can find your own reading material. But I did want to post a couple of videos here for you to enjoy.

Though she was only on for one season, Farrah is most likely everyone's favorite angel.

Watch Michael's other videos here.

And heeeeeeere's a CBS recap of Ed McMahon's career.

My choice to feature these three people on this blog was primarily because of their contribution to our 70's & 80's entertainment culture. I haven't kept up with any of these three in any detail for many years, and certainly do not condone many of their lifestyle choices. As with anyone's death, my hope for them is that their hope was in Jesus Christ - the only Hope. If so, then and only then may they rest in peace.

The Book Brigade

2009-06-25T00:00:00.001-05:00

Let's go back a few more years for this post. We'll move beyond 1988 - in fact, we're going 45 years back! The year is 1964, when many of our own parents were still walking the halls of their own high school (our middle school bldg) - which was brand new. The building was finished just a year earlier and the new library had yet to be filled with books.

I'm not sure who came up with the answer, but the $64,000 question had to be something like, "Just HOW IN THE WORLD are we going to transfer 4,000 books from the old library on one end of the campus to new library on the other end?" The answer? See below.

Do you know where the old library was located? Only if you were in band would you have had any reason to go around back & beneath the band hall, as your musty, polyester band uniform (complete with blue velvet cowboy hat & white plume) was issued from this dungeon. The spooky place we knew as uniform storage, was the old library.

These are the steps & sidewalk that lead back behind Mitchell Hall and under the band/choir halls.

I think that's my dad in the middle of the line wearing the dark shirt & horn rimmed specs as the books pass in front of Kelly-Williams Gym. Kinda looks like Annette Funicello there about 5 people on down the line. Well... I guess all those girls looked like her back then.

I wonder what they were singing?

Those are probably the football players in the back wearing the white shirts & ties. This tradition continued through our high school days. One of those football players is Rick Balwanz, who signed this photo out of my dad's yearbook.

For some reason - even in high school - life seemed so much more innocent back then.

Senior Favorites

2009-06-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

From the Yellowjacket, Friday, May 27, 1988:

Senior Favorites

Teacher	Mr. Ausbrooks
Subject	English
Food	Pizza
Restaurant	Casa Bonita
Sport	Football
Pastime	Sleeping
Hangout	Geyer Springs
Movie	Dirty Dancing
Actor	Patrick Swayze
Actress	Demi Moore
TV Show	Alf
Commercial	California Raisins
Song	Pour Some Sugar on Me
Singer	Def Leppard
Video	Girls Girls Girls
Car	Porsche 911

It's Like, a Rolling Stone

2009-06-19T00:00:00.003-05:00

During a recent visit to Sheridan, I stopped by Resurrection's Antique Mall on the town square (located in the old ABC Bookstore building). In the back of the store I found these first three Rolling Stone mags from the 80's for just a couple of bucks each (The last three I snagged on Ebay). You won't believe all the retro-culture treasure that is to be found in the pages of these periodicals!

Issue No. 436 December 6, 1984
Cover: Bruce Springsteen

Issue No. 508 September 10, 1987
Cover: Madonna

Issue No. 443 March 14, 1983
Cover: U2

Issue No. 493 February 12, 1987
Cover: Pee Wee Herman

Issue No. 474 May 22, 1986
Cover: Michael J. Fox

Issue No. 471 April 10, 1986
Cover: Stevie Wonder

And here's a sneak peek at one of the articles contained in these pop-culture time vaults - a write up of the production of "We Are the World". Notice the subtitle, "Record could raise millions for hungry." The final total was over $60 million dollars. By the way, USA for Africa is still going strong today.

Stay tuned for many more excerpts from these 80's magazines -including trendy fashion ads, cutting-edge 80's electronics, Hollywood scoops and much more!

Sheridan Middle School

2009-06-17T00:00:00.001-05:00

Way back in November, I posted this pic & asked where it was. There were a couple of guesses, but none got it right. These water fountains are located in the front hall of our middle school - right across from Mrs. Allen's 8th grade English class & next to the boys bathroom.

Below are a few more pics from our middle school, taken in October 2008 by Kathy Flynt. I've also tried to find an older picture of the same area for comparison.

Here is the front hall of the middle school, looking north. If you went out the double doors way down at the end of this hall, you'd be heading towards the gym. You can see the set of water fountains on the right. The open door in the foreground is most likely Mrs. Rhoden's old room. I only have one memory of this room: spitwads.

circa mid-1960's

Similar hall, 2008

The main hall. Who had lockers in this hall? The retro-odd-shaped windows on the right look into the library.

You can see the Alltel dude guarding the Library door and asking for old cell phones for recycling. Crazy... we didn't have cell phones in middle school. We didn't have cell phones in HIGH SCHOOL! Heck - recycling wasn't even invented yet, was it?

Below is the same trophy case next to the library entrance (above). I can't remember what we put in the trophy case during our four years in middle school, but FORTY years ago, some of our parents displayed championship trophies for their high school sports teams.

circa mid-1960's

Above was our 5th grade hall bathrooms - you remember? They were between the end of the 5th grade hall and the cafeteria. This photo is looking back down the fifth grade hall (Mr. Hope's class on the left & Mrs. Rash across the hall). I don't know about the girls, but could I get some guy to back me on this one: this boys bathroom was the grossest thing I've ever seen in my life. This place was so nasty, you dared not even breathe the air. And the walls - covered with snot hockers, green, yellow, slimy snot hockers.

This place would rival any outdoor Citgo Station restroom in Jefferson County.

Recognize this place? I didn't either, because the sidewalk cover is gone. This is the blacktop parking lot between the middle school and the old gym. The door on the left goes into the front hall and the door in the background takes you into the cafeteria - where I ate my salami sandwich, cheetos and Little Debbie Swiss Rolls out of my Tupperware lunch box. EVERY STINKIN' DAY. Well, except for the time I actually ate cafeteria food while on the free lunch program when my dad was out of work when the West Bend Company shut down. [enter sad violin music]

Here's a view of the sidewalk turning 90 degrees from the previous photo, taken in the 60's. Notice the area on either side hasn't been black-topped yet.

Aaahhhh... the blacktop!

It's where we hung out before school in the AM and then during our lunch recess.
It's where we gathered in clicks.
It's where we swarmed in sadistic frenzies watching fist fights.
It's where we played four square against the Tompkins. And lost.
It's where I saw a pair of Nike's for the first time ever.
It's where we paired up on those white curbs and tried to pull our opponent off without losing our balance.
It's where several of us weaker ones got "pantsed."
It's where Jamey Black "two'd" Andy Mayberry.
It's where we passed origami-like folded notes with the fateful question "WILL YOU GO WITH ME?"

I wonder what kind of memories are being made on the blacktop today?

I wonder if they realize it?

Brett Michaels: Still Head Banging

2009-06-15T00:00:00.004-05:00

Before it's old news, here's 80's glam rocker Brett Michaels getting owned by a stage prop after finishing a lip synch "performance" at the Tony Awards just over a week ago.

And, not seen in this clip is Tony's emcee & 80's icon Doogie Howser, poking fun afterwards saying that Brett "gave head banging a whole new meaning."

Vacation

2009-06-12T00:00:00.004-05:00

You can't possibly pick just one clip from this movie.

Red Dawn

2009-06-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

Opening scene from the movie, Red Dawn (which, BTW, is up for a remake).

Trivia: Red Dawn holds the title as the first motion picture to have a ____ ___________?

Steve Vai vs. Karate Kid

2009-06-10T00:00:00.001-05:00

Likely: Not
Enjoyable: Absolutely

And 2-in-a-row for Ralph Macchio in this short series of movie clips.

Stay tuned...

2009-06-09T00:00:00.003-05:00

I'm a bit tied up with some other obligations right now that are keeping me from creating any new posts. The 88 blog should be back in a week or so. Until then, enjoy this clip from a classic 80's flick, and over the next few days even more 80's movie clips.

I walked into Leigh Shannon's house - full of friends watching this last scene from Karate Kid. I hadn't seen any other part of the movie and yet got chills watching Daniel-son kick blonde-preppy-boy in the face. I still enjoy watching this scene.

From "Others" to "Visitors"

2009-06-05T00:00:00.000-05:00

Elizabeth Mitchell (aka, Juliet from "LOST") will star in the new ABC re-imaging of the 80's sci-fi mini-series, "V" (for "Visitors").

I don't remember watching this series, but I do remember, vividly, seeing the promotional spots & specifically the spray-painted "V" on the wall.

You can refresh yourself on the classic "V" series here, or watch the opening credits here:

Or find out the main plot of "V" in 10 seconds with this clip:

V on Variety
V on tV.com

(HT:The Great 80's)

PS: Speaking of "Lost" and the 80's, in case you were getting excited about NBC's new show this fall, "Lost in the 80's", according to this site, they deemed the 80's show a lost cause.

Graduation Program

2009-06-03T00:00:00.000-05:00

Twenty-one years ago today:

From Jeans to Life Dreams

2009-06-01T00:00:00.003-05:00

Wednesday will mark 21 years to the day that we all received our diplomas, moved our tassels and tossed our caps into the air. I'll be re-posting our graduation program on that day, commemorating a milestone in our young lives and concluding this run of graduation-related posts. For today though, we'll get a bit out of chronological order and remember the events immediately after we graduated.

Do you remember how you celebrated your graduation? Did you do something or go somewhere afterwards?

I had a small "party" with my family & several friends. Nothing too exciting. Really. It was a kind of drop-in type of thing. In fact I still have some video footage of the wild & crazy event, but I'll spare you the boredom. My Mamaw was there if that tells you anything. Oh, and there was a cake. Nothing too exciting. Really.

I think Trent was the only other senior there. Friends Eric Hanson, Aaron Tygart, Jimbo Weser, Deana Brown and a few others came by, as well as a surprise appearance by a possum trapped beneath the junk stacked under my carport. Trying to catch the critter was the most adventuresome part of the evening. The rest just wasn't too exciting. Really.

But there was the cake that my mom had made for her new high school grad. "From Jeans to Life Dreams" was on the left side of the cake. The cake was made to look like the back of a pair of jeans. Not just any jeans, "Guess" jeans! Which, by the way, I never owned until my first year in college when I begged my parents to buy me a pair of Guess jean shorts from the Buckle.

While I'm complaining about jeans and my poor upbringing that caused me no small amount of humiliation in my own personal fashion world, may I attempt to evoke just an ounce of pity from you with just one word?

Braxton.

Yeah. That's right. Couldn't afford Jordache.

Senior Activities

2009-05-29T00:00:00.003-05:00

Here is the offcial list of senior activites leading up to and including our graduation. Our Senior Trip was at Wild River Country.

Senior Sunday began with breakfast at Charlie's Restaurant (owned by Travis Miller's family, and formerly known as Smitty's and Essie's and more recently as Karla's and Catherine's, etc. etc. ad nauseum).

Afterwards we attended East Union Baptist Church in East End (where Larry Campbell is currently on staff as Children's Pastor). I'm ashamed to say my only memory of Senior Sunday was driving very fast to East End after breakfast to get to the church. It was indeed the Lord's grace that we made it there alive. Does anyone know if they still have a Senior Sunday anymore?

click to enlarge

And here are four pics from our Senior Breakfast:

L to R: Jason Smith, TJ Lavelle, Don Eslick, Tammy Ingle, Jeremy Crosswhite, Angela Rogers

Debra Howard, Robin Walters and Kim Derrick

Cindy Grace, Jari Seppala and Jerry Mills

Baccalaureate Services

2009-05-27T00:00:00.003-05:00

I saw in last week's Sheridan Headlight the class of 2009 graduation photos, scholarships and other awards. In keeping with that time of year and as I promised earlier, here's a re-post from the fall.

Click to enlarge

80's Links

2009-05-26T00:00:00.001-05:00

Memorial Day

2009-05-25T14:24:00.001-05:00

To those we know and to those we don't.

Thank you.

William & Mary... & Michael

2009-05-22T00:00:00.003-05:00

"it's yet more evidence that
quantity of media attention
rarely provides a reliable indicator
as to music quality and lasting significance"

So said Steve Peake on a recent blog post where he questioned the massive media coverage of a new Guiness World Record. At The College of William & Mary in Virginia, 242 students, faculty and children set a new record last weekend as part of the largest dance rendition of Michael Jackson's 'Thriller'.

I won't fire-hose Mr. Peake with venom, as he suspects some opponents will. However, regarding his quote above, where he poo-poos the "music quality and lasting significance" of the King of Pop - I must respectfully disagree. Certainly, Jacko has gone wacko (no argument from me) but Mikey's music is quality and significant. After all, you don't see people trying to set records to ONJ's "Physical" or Paula's "Straight Up" videos, do you?

If you agree or disagree with Steve Peake, you can tell me here or tell him at his blog. But for now, you know you wanna see it - so here is the world record rendition of the "Thriller" dance.

Watch the original Thriller video here.

Senior Last Will and Testament - 1988

2009-05-20T00:00:00.005-05:00

Last week we read what the Class of 1987 left for us in their last will & testament. Today we'll read what some of us tried to pass down to the lower classman at the end of our senior year. We'd been waiting to write our wills ever since we could remember reading others in the school newspaper. The goal here was to be clever and unique, personal and specific... you only get one shot at this, so it'd better be funny. Before you read any further, do you remember what you wrote?

We, the seniors, will the following items and memories upon our graduation…

I, Vicki Ausbrooks, will to Scott Boatright the ability to run from the auditorium to the lunchroom without falling down, and to Marqus Dorn my ability to be cool and immature at the same time.

I, Tammy Carrell, being of sound mind and body, do hereby leave my common sense and, above all, my ability to put two and two together, to Jeni Crosswhite.

I, Jeremy Crosswhite, being of sound mind and body, will to Matthew Adkins the ability to play the piano without moving.

I, Laura Heird, being of sound body and mind, will to all members of the 1988 Junior Class who plan to take Mrs. Cook’s Advanced English IV class the right to wait until the night before research papers are due to get NO sleep.

I, Don Eslick, leave my ability to wait until the last minute to study and to finish the famous research paper to anyone who will take it. Someone please take it!

I, Vandra Williams, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to get through track practice without complaining to Shannon Hooten and my ability to play racquetball to Darrin Theiss.

I, Susie Larkin, will my ability to keep up the spirit of the basketball team at all times to the Lady Jackets of 88-89.

I, Melissa Plummer, hereby leave my ability to tolerate blue Mondays and rainy days the same as any other day to my brother Tim Benfield. Good luck!

I, Jackie Davis, being of sound mind and body, do hereby leave my propane system to the science classes.

I, Jon Paul Anderton, being of sound mind and body leave Michelle Romine the ability to stay out of D-hall.

I, Jason Smith, being of sound mind and body, will a pack of Big Red gum to Justin Gaddis.

I, Rodney Cossey, left my mind somewhere.

I, Marlena Ukno, being of nervous mind and exhausted body, leave all the stress and anxieties of being a senior to the members of the Junior Class.

I, Kevin Sollars, leave my ability to be quiet, kind, and courteous to Clarence Howard.

I, Penny White, being of sound mind and sound body, will my ability to NEVER get into trouble to Marcy Holmes and my brain to Gwen Curtis.

I, Gina McCool, being of unusual mind and strangely clad body, will my ability to dress the way I do to anyone who has the guts (or stupidity). Good luck!

I, Rickey Whitaker, leave my driving record and ability to stay out of trouble for one year to Buffie May.

I, Karen Vanlandingham, leave nothing to anyone because I’m taking it with me!

I, Jamey Black, leave all my torn blue jeans to Chris Campbell, my awesome golf scores for Brent Winston to try to beat, and my shorts over sweats to Mr. Robinson, along with a free driving lesson.

I, Larry Campbell, will my extremely thick and voluptuous hair to Bob Easton.

I, Kim Vailes, of unsound mind, will my brains to the sophomore class to be divided equally among them because they will need all the help they can get to get out of here by 1990.

I, Clif Arnold, will my truck to my dad because after all my wrecks, I’ll never be able to afford insurance again. Now he can make the payments!

I, Dana Oates, being of sound body and mind, will my ability to pass Mrs. Cook’s English class to Bobby Taylor. Good luck because you’ll need it!

I, Phillip Clifford, will my tan to Melissa Caple.

I, Lance Ashley, being of sound mind and body that speaks for itself, will my lack of concern, my ability to procrastinate, and my knack for doing nothing and getting by, to anyone that wants it.

I, Steven Benning, being of sound great mind and awesome body, will my brain to Johnny Nooner so he can stay out of trouble in Mrs. Williams’ class and my King Delbert crown to Mr. Simpson.

I, Andy Mayberry, being of brilliant mind and fantastic body, will my tremendous free-throw shooting ability to Laith Adams, my sportswriting ability to Jamie Gartman, and my full head of hair to Mr. Easton.

I, David Damron, will my ability to shoot on the right goal during a basketball game, and not to make a fool of myself while singing “Joy to the World” in front of the whole school to Lisa Deal.

I, Trent (Mini Shaw) Allen, being of average sized body but bigger than Aaron Wilson, hereby will my ability to shred anyone, anywhere, anytime to my younger brother, Justin (Executive Shaw) Allen, and I will my ability to exclaim, “OH, Yeah,” to Bobby Lee Taylor.

I, Travis Miller, being of unsound mind and body, will my ability to get up early to Wayne Miller, and my ability to survive the ordeal of fighting, kicking, and struggling with Mrs. Cook’s research paper to Speedy Wilkerson, and my grades to the Blivets, Shrons, and Pencil-necks below me.

I, Paula Ferguson, being of semi-sound mind and body, will my title of “Platinum Princess” and my whips and chains to anyone who wishes to take it over.

I, Christi Eggburn, being of sound mind and body, will my good luck to anyone who has all the time and patience to play all the contests in the Arkansas Democrat and the Arkansas Gazette.

Bon Voyage, Class of '88

2009-05-18T00:00:00.001-05:00

For the remainder of the month of May, I'll be posting a few more articles, items and photos surrounding one of most significant times in our lives - graduation. Below is an editorial written by JoomMi Ha bidding a short & sweet farewell to our classmates.

Bon voyage, class of '88

Most seniors are waiting in anticipation for the ringing of the last dismissal bell, signifying the end of our high school career.
While the majority of the seniors are impatient to leave school, they will also be saddened at the prospect of leaving a way of life known to them f or most of their lives.
The graduating class of 1988, as did other graduating classes, shared many moments together. Most importantly, we grew up and matured together. We came in as children and will now depart this institution as adults.
Now we are going to leave a way of life known to us for 13 years for something totally different and new, but wherever we go, Sheridan High School will always be a special bond that ties all of us together.

Bon voyage, class of '88

Written by Joomi Ha

You can see what's already been posted about our mass exodus from the public school system, by clicking here.

Mario Madness

2009-05-15T00:00:00.000-05:00

The year: 1988 (of course)

The show: Inside Edition

The host: Bill O'Reilly (much younger)

The story: The new Nintendo craze.

Sure, we were in our late teens and about to graduate high school, but how many of you came close to flunking out of college because of your addiction to Mario & Louigi?

Senior Last Will and Testament - 1987

2009-05-13T00:00:00.000-05:00

One of the anticipated events leading up to graduating was leaving our "Senior Last Will & Testament." But before we could leave our final words to the juniors, one year prior we were the juniors receiving from the '87 seniors. Below are the bequeathals from the '87ers to the '88ers. Enjoy.

Senior Last Will and Testament

I, Sandra Moltz, being of sound mind and body at the moment, will my ability to stay out of trouble and ability to drive safely to Wendy and Amanda Moltz and Misty Moody.

I, Bret Boatright, being of smart mind and body, leave my ability not to care about it to David Lunsford. I leave Scott Herron my ability to not get knocked out in a football game and I leave my life-of-the-party ability to Brad LaRue.

I, Clay Bob Hooten, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to be bad to the brass in his remaining year of years to Lance Ashley.

I, Heather Cornelius, being of sound mind and broken body resulting from football season, will be my ability to twirl to anyone who can do it and love it as much as I did. I also will my ability to fade into the woodwork whenever Mr. West mentions band practice to all of the sophomores and juniors in band.

I, Laura Johnston, being of sound mind and body, will my patience to Shelli Smith and my ability to never have long, skinny legs to Aaron Wilson.

I, Kim Weser, being of not so sound mind and body, will my ability to survive Mrs. Cook’s Advanced English IV class to Jay Mizell.

I, Barry Blake #1, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to work hard and maintain a positive school attitude to Brand Moon. I also will my common sense to the girls from Mills.

I, Bill Murphy, wild man all the way, will my little brother the ability to party with the best.

I, Leigh Shannon, of sound mind and body, will my unique ability to gain the ultimate respect of all my teachers to Shelli Smith. May the classes of ’88 and ’89 have as good a senior year as the class of ’87.

I, Jimmy Choate, being of questionable mind and fine body, leave my ability to steal tenor sax reeds from Mr. West to my good friend Aaron Wilson and my most prized possession, the ability to keep the beat, to Allen Kelly, who’s gonna need it when I’m gone.

I, Rhonda Fiser, being of sound mind and body, do will my academic abilities that I can spare to my cousin Ky.

I, Jenny Luft, will my ability to smile at Mrs. Cook while she is fussing about the newspaper to Jim Pollock and Joomi Ha, who will be the co-editors. I will to Sara Luft my ability to get up in the morning earlier than 15 minutes before it’s time to leave for school.

I, Mary Norton, being of sound mind and body, will Joomi Ha my long legs so that she can finally be the center on the drill team.

I, Jenesse Harrington, being of sound body and mind, hereby will my ability to keep everything in a mess to Jeremy Crosswhite.

I, Janet Shadwick, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to stay out of detention hall to Bryan Ard, who really needs it.

I, Julie McElrath, being of airheaded mind, will my ability to be the life of the party to Scarlet Damron.

I, Buffy Thomas, will my ability to sneak out of the house without getting caught to Vandra Williams.

I, Kim Hale, being of sound mind and body??, will my ability to be great but humble to Paula Ferguson, my brain to better think with, to Andrea Winston, and my ability to have wrecks and survive to Larry Campbell.

I, Tim Herbert, being of sound mind and awesome body, leave my ability to be awesome at everything I do to my brother David Herbert.

I, Gordon Brodsky, do hereby will my divine musical ability and rhythmical talent to Lance Ashley and Trent Allen. Good luck to the CLASS OF ’87.

I, Amy Michelle Vinson, of sound body and not so sound mind, do will my ability to skip school to Tamila Jill Vinson.

I, Jeff Lisenbey, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to make good grades without studying to Jim Pollock.

I, Kelley Vanlandingham, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to drive on wet pavement without going into the ditch to Beverly Tucker.

I, Pam Stanton, will my ability to get ready in 15 minutes to Vandra Williams.

I, James Edward Squires, being of sound mind and body, leave my abilities to drive Mr. West insane to the entire trombone section for next year.

I, Melissa Eulitt, being of sound mind, do leave my sense of money and how to spend it to Mr. Easton so that he can buy a black and white TV set on which he can watch ALF.

I, Greg Tisdale, would have been of sound mind if not for Mitch’s rock music, will my ability to not loan money to Bill Murphy to the people he meets in the future.

I, Jeff Butler, being of sound mind and body, do will my ability to get out of trouble, my ability to pass English, and my penny collection to Matthew Oakes.

I, Mitch Watson, being of sound mind and body, do hereby leave Larry Campbell my atrocious ability to belch like a true frog from the mentally deranged dimension.

I, Steve Shaw, being of sound mind and body, will my ability to handle the pressure of driving to school from East End to Mrs. Reynolds because maybe someday she’ll have a car that will pass.

I, Seth Lowrey, being of super sound mind and fine body, do will my grades in chemistry to Kim (Sethea) Sites and my ability to keep the band together without anyone watching me to Lance Ashley.

I, Allen Crawford, do hereby will my ability to get a tan to Roy (Torch) Clark, my sociable look to Andy Crouse, and my 300 int. med. Hurdling ability also to Andy Crouse.

I, Clint Rhoden, of sound body and mind, will my procrastination to Jim Pollock.

I, etc., will my bad jokes to Lynn Taylor, who deserves them, and my procrastination to Joomi Ha. Thanks for the memories, Don Romine.

I, Kevin Boyd, being of sound mind and body, will my position as head redbird of SHS to David Damron.

I, Tracy Earnesty, being of small mind and short body, do will my ability to talk through my nose to Trent Allen and my ability to stay an airhead throughout high school to Eugenia Dreher.

I, David Bell, being of brilliant mind and fantastic body, leave my ability to make great grades without doing any homework to my girlfriend Jamara Taylor.

Come back next week to read what some of us left for the Class of '89.

First Cell of Knowledge

2009-05-11T00:00:00.001-05:00

Editorials…First cell of knowledge
Jim Pollock

For about a month now, students at SHS have been counting down the number of days left in the school year. Leading the efforts have been several seniors who have posted the progress on the blackboards of several classrooms. Why are these students so anxious to graduate?

The answer probably does not lie with the quality of the school for several reasons. Sheridan High School is very popular with the majority of the students. It is also well known and respected around the state for its honors and superior aspects in many areas. Despite the fact that Arkansas teachers are underpaid and overworked, the teachers work diligently to help students succeed in a certain field and in life. Because of this, students generally respect their teachers.

Again, why are these students so anxious to leave all these good things?

The answer lies in the purpose of high school and our changing society. High school is meant to be the place where one can learn the basic skills needed for success in life. Unfortunately, or fortunately, depending on how you look at it, basic skills become more advanced with our changing society. Because of this, SHS teachers prepare us for future education in a field.

If we, as adults, are to achieve in life, we must always continue to build upon that first cell of a developing embryo of knowledge better known as high school.

Where Were They Then?

2009-05-08T00:00:00.007-05:00

A quick spin-off of our "Where Are They Now?" category:

Recognize this up & coming actor?

I've removed the embedded video since it starts automatically. But you can still
click here to view this 80's Bubble Yum commercial.

More from '84

2009-05-06T00:00:00.003-05:00

I found this 1984 Olympics edition of LIFE magazine not long ago and will be posting some interesting photos & articles of the 80's athletes (In particular, the 21-year-old, college player of the year, Michael Jordan. Heard of him?)

But for now I'll continue the car theme I began Monday with this series of Chrysler ads (RIP). Apparently Chrysler was the official automotive sponsor of the '84 Olympics. Each of these ads was a 2-page spread in the magazine.

The Plymouth Voyager

The Sports Sedan

The Reliant K

New Yorker

LeBaron Town & Country

The Laser

The Plymouth Horizon

Plymouth Turismo Duster (the Mustang wannabe)

See more Vintage Vehicles in my Facebook Album (membership not required)

Oh - and ladies, lest you think that I'm being partial to the guys with all these cars & video games & such, I do have a couple of Vogue magazines from the 80's that my wife is helping me sort through so I can post here. However, as finely dressed as you gals were, I don't know that there was a whole lotta Vogue fashion goin' on in Sheridan. :)

'84 Models

2009-05-04T00:00:00.001-05:00

I have an April 16, 1984 edition of Time Magazine (I'll post the cover & some articles later) published during the year that most of us 88ers were receiving our driving permits. For today's post I want to show you the automobile ads that were included in this mag.

Two thoughts come to mind:

1. It's highly improbable that our folks were buying the latest models (maybe the K Car).
2. It's even more improbable that if they did have a new model, they'd let us practice our road skills with it.

If 1984 was the 20th anniversary for this great little car, then that makes this year it's 45th anniversary. After the Big Boog retired (my '72 LWB Dodge pick-up), I was the happy recipient of an 1986 model 'Stang. Though it was only a "LX" model (a GT wannabe).

Though the K Car was soon a plague to be avoided by teen drivers, it actually sold pretty well. I also have the 1984 special "Olympic" issue of LIFE magazine, in which Chrysler (the uppety older brother to Dodge) apparently bought all auto ad space. Guess the advertising didn't work too well, since they just announced bankruptcy last Tuesday. Speaking of which - here's a bit of trivia for you. Did you know that the Chrysler headquarters building was designed to easily convert into a shopping mall? Why did the designers do this back in the 80's when it was built? Answer: In case of bankruptcy! Believe it? I heard it on NPR.

Ahh - the Ford pick-em-up truck. A common ride for Grant County residents.

Out of all the sports cars that were popular in our day, Camaro has always been my least favorite. I have no educated mechanical or technical explanation... pro'bly just asthetics. And, it has nothing to do with the fact that my best friend wrapped one around a telephone pole in the curve in front of the Whitworth's house.

Nineteen Years Later - They Still Remember

2009-04-30T00:00:00.015-05:00

It was 19 years ago today that Sheridan High School was in the news probably for the first time since our football team made it's remarkable comeback in 1986-87. However, the contrast in the two events couldn't be more drastic.

In 1986 it was victory that drew the media's attention. In 1990 it was tragedy.

On April 30th, 17-year-old Tommy Smith asked to address Rick Ward's history class. After Tommy expressed his love for a girl in the class, he put a gun to his head and pulled the trigger, ending his life in front of a room full of his peers.

My sister was in that class. Perhaps you or someone you know was also in the class.

Andy Welch ('85) recently sent me an article he found in People Magazine's online archives that gives a brief yet thorough, honest yet non-graphic snapshot of what would finally be 4 teen suicides in just 5 weeks.

A sign on the Sheridan Pentecostal Church says, GOD NEVER PROMISES SUNSHINE WITHOUT RAIN. But though the town's 3,200 souls have endured storms, fires and tornadoes, nothing could have prepared them for the blows of this spring. Tommy Smith was the second of four Sheridan High School teenagers who killed themselves in the tiny community in a span of five weeks. It began when Raymond Dale Wilkinson, a 17-year-old senior, took his life on March 28. Smith was next. That same evening, Thomas Chidester, 19, turned a gun on himself in his bedroom. The next day, 17-year-old Jerry Paul McCool also put a bullet in his head. The four stunning fatalities added to the nationwide toll of teen suicides that claims some 5,000 lives a year. As elsewhere, the victims were bright youths who, despite adolescent traumas, seemed to have much to live for.
Read the entire article here.

Since I was away at college when this happened, it would be, well, almost wrong for me to share my own thoughts. Sure, I had a vested interest towards my sister's well being. But I knew nothing of what she & her classmates were going through. So a few days ago, I asked. I realized that I had over two dozen Facebook friends that would've been in school during this time, so I attempted to submit some questions to them, asking (respectfully, I hoped) what they remembered about "that day." Here's what I learned.

Those who were there - now in their late 30's - still remember what class they were in that afternoon... when they heard the sounds... when they were detained in class without explanation... when they worried together... cried together... questioned together... prayed together. But what seemed most evident from their testimonies was their coming together. And now - almost two decades later and spread many miles apart - they are still together, bound by their memories and their resolve to overcome this dreadful experience.

Out of over a dozen responses I received, I don't think anyone said that their lives had not been impacted by the suicides. Some are parents now, some teachers, and often reflect on their experience as they interact with their children and students. One of Tommy Smith's former classmates and friend is a social worker now who now interacts with people in crisis, doing her part to help prevent what she witnessed first hand as a teenager.

Were it possible to erase the events of their past, would they? In a heartbeat. Do they regret the many ways this has made them the people they are today? For the most part, I don't think so.

Having received about a fifty percent response to my inquiry about the suicides, I suppose that there are still those who would rather not recall the memories. One person was even honest enough to tell me that.

So, with respect towards them, thankfulness for those who did respond and in memory of Raymond, Tommy, Thomas and Jerry... I submit this blog post as a simple and insufficient memorial.

Mr. David Ward and Tommy Smith's 1990 History Class
photo submitted by Lisa Wilson Crutchfield

Blessed be the God and Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, the Father of mercies and God of all comfort, who comforts us in all our affliction, so that we may be able to comfort those who are in any affliction, with the comfort with which we ourselves are comforted by God.

2 Corinthians 1:3-4, ESV

80's Rock... is Back?

2009-04-28T00:00:00.000-05:00

In case you missed Tommy Shaw (STYX) and Kevin Cronin (REO Speedwagon) on "The Early Show" yesterday:

Several random thoughts IMHO:

Too much time was spent on this video.
Did that old bald man just say, "Duuuuuude!"? Please.
I can't fight this feelin'... of nausea.
Same old bald man carefully said, "Not bad for about five minutes rehearsal.
Same old bald man is trying way too hard to be cool.
I'm sorry I made you watch this.
I really do like STYX and REO, really. Back when they were younger than me.
If, even after this train wreck, you're still hopeful that they'll be better in concert, help yourself.

Gawdy Grad Gifts

2009-04-27T00:00:00.001-05:00

Anita & I received our first graduation announcement last week from a friend of the family. As we approach the end of a school year you'll probably start getting them too - many from kids you never see & barely know who only want a hand out (hey - we did, didn't we?!). Can you remember any of the gifts you received 21 years ago? Do you still have any of them?

Hopefully the folks on your invitation list didn't shop the Walmart ad below. What 88 senior wouldn't be beaming at these wonderful grad gifts?!

Images taken from The Sheridan Headlight, circa 1987-88.

Prom Pics

2009-04-24T00:00:00.002-05:00

Ok - I'll take the lead here and post my own pic first, but then I'll embarrass the rest of you below. In the photo above is Eric Hanson ('89) and his date Jenni Crosswhite ('90), my date Carrie Rhinehart ('89) and myself, and LeAnn (forgot her last name... Lisa Deal's cousin) and Trent Allen. Trent and I followed 80's tradition with white shoes, white tux, white boys. Eric broke out and bravely wore the new paint-splatter pattern.

Senior prom gents David Lunsford, Brad Larue, Shannon Talbert ('89) and Scott Herron.

David again, now with his date Cindy Grace; as well as Scott & Michelle.

From our Junior Prom, here are three lovely ladies. Melissa Nesbitt, Corinna Hartman and Christy Romine.

Ok - maybe Eric wasn't the only cool guy this year. Wearing matching paint-splatter shirts and shades are David Herbert ('89), Breit Hicks ('89), Brian Pruett, Billy Bob Bryant ('89) and Kevin Young.

Prom Prep

2009-04-23T00:00:00.002-05:00

Before we could enjoy our Prom, many of our classmates had to spend many selfless hours decorating. Below are several pics of some of the people who made our Junior Prom so memorable.

Here are Sara Luft, Vicki Thompson, Mandy Jester and some unidentified male imposter.

Andy Crouse stops from streaming to pose for pics. (Ugh! That sounds so "yearbook photo caption")

Jerry Mills & Vicki Thompson goofing off.

Andrea Winston, Michelle Parker and Christi Sullivan.

Something tells me that this might not belong with this group of pics... but none the less, Phillip Clifford is decorating for something. Can someone verify that this is prom decorating or something else?