Happy go lucky meets hard,cold,Reality

We are children of our own time & culture.

How big of a part did music play in your life back in 1959-60? One of the many voices I remember from my high school days was that of Johnny Cash. More than most, I think captured to a large degree the mood of our society at the time, at least from a teenager’s perspective. He recorded his first song in 1955 and soon after recorded this one, “I Walk the Line”, which became the name of a movie about he and his wife, June Carter.

Here is Johnny Cash in his happy go lucky days singing to a crowd in San Quentin Prison. Now there is an example of ‘hard reality’ if I ever saw one-even in the ’60s. When I look at these men’s faces, I can’t help but wonder if any of our classmates did time behind bars? Cash’s career became a sort of American tragedy but that was later in his life- here he is in 1969.

Johnny Cash was twenty-eight at the time of our graduation.

Much of Cash’s music, especially that of his later career, echoed themes of sorrow, moral tribulation and redemption. . .a devout but troubled Christian, he has been characterized “as a lens through which to view American contradictions and challenges”.

(from the article at Wikipedia)

Summer Music 1960

Remember any of these from our senior year?

• It’s Now or Never
• At the Hop
• Greenfields
• Only the Lonely
• The Battle of New Orleans
• Theme from ‘A Summer Place’

Wonder if there will be some oldie music to dance by at our 50th Reunion? Guess we need to get prepared and make a list of those we remember- even to this day. Of course who can forget those by Elvis. But I do remember, now that you mention it, some of the instrumentals, such as the one above and Greenfields.

If your favorite of the time is not here, add it as a comment below and I’ll try to find a youtube link.

Got Reservations will travel

Do You have reservations yet?  

Overland Park Sheraton-Reunion Central

 It’s not too early for you out-of-town classmates to make your reservations for our 50th anniversary celebration, September 17th and 18th. Please refer to the original information from the Reunion committee. (First post)  

In that notice a rate of $99 was mentioned as the rate available by mentioning “Southeast Reunion”. However, an e-mail today from the ever-resourceful Pete Clark alerted us to a few rooms at a better rate-$79/night.  

“i called the sheraton   where the reception will be or next door from the convention center where we might be.  below is the $79 AARP rate i got for 2 nights for my wife and i.  

i was going to book a suite, but only suites they had were $479.00, and sure not going to pay that for as little as we will be in the thing!!……………….that $400 will buy lots of rounds of drinks!!!  

someone please pass this along to the “arizona” clan. also, not sure how many of these rate rooms they will sell, so if you know you are coming to our 50th reunion, you may want to call now….the hotel phone number is 913-234-2100……………i believe the SE Reunion rate is $99 .
look  forward to seeing everyone, and please forward this onto to all out- o-f towners you know, as my send to list above was strictly off the top of my head with no list in front of me.  

cheers!
pete  

Thanks Pete. Sure enough I just got off the phone making my own reservation at the $79 rate (AARP rate). It might help to have a Starwood Preferred Guest card-don’t really know.Don’t forget to send in the registration forms to the committee by August.  

We sure are getting excited about seeing all of you that can make it!  

   

  

 

 

   

  

 

 

Not your fathers’ art museum

The Nelson Art Museum was one of the destinations that just about everyone at Southeast visited on at least one field-trip. Remember? I have a vague recollection of such a trip and was impressed more by the building and grounds (park) than any of the exhibits.  

History and art were definitely not my favorite subjects in high school. Looking back, I wish I had valued more than I did the fantastic resources we had in the K.C. area for our pursuit of knowledge.

I have put up two or three of these resources (see links page) that we may remember from our school years. But all of them show major improvements/developments since 1960. My favorite is the World War I Memorial, a world-class combination of  historical exhibits and educational research center.

If you leave a comment on these or other museums that are special to you, we can add the links as well. Here is the blog of the Nelson-Atkins museum.

 http://www.nelson-atkins.org/blog/

Enjoy! Go Knights!

Do you remember when. . .

I remember riding in the new red ’60 Ford convertible that Bob Jergens brought to school just after his parents had bought the new model. It was a major model change from ’59 so it attracted a lot of attention. Here are a few other things about the price of things.  

If you have $100 Converted from 1960 to 2005 it would be equivalent to $679.09 today

In 1960 a new house cost $12,700.00 and by 1969 was $15,500.00

In 1960 the average income per year was $5,315.00 and by 1969 was $8,540.00

In 1960 a gallon of gas was 25 cents and by 1969 was 35 cents

In 1960 the average cost of new car was $2,600.00 and by 1969 was $3,270.00

Want to read more go here.

Knights and Ladies of Southeast finish strong

1960- 2010 and counting!

Those of us that have lived to celebrate the 50th anniversary of our class of 1960 have received a precious gift. But it also involves a tremendous call for courage and determination to finish STRONG.

Knights do breakfast on 9/11

Anticipating the 50th anniversary one year in advance, some of the brave Knights of Class of ’60 found a round table to gather around at breakfast. Some 40+ men have enjoyed these monthly reunions such as this one on September 11, 2009. The celebration has already begun.    

Men's Breakfast- 9/11/2009

 Standing (left to right): John McBride, Jim Hix, Paul Magill, David McClendon, Bill Shepherd, Bob Lampson, Bob Hamilton, Richard Bartlett ( Mickey’s brother), Harold Neptune, Ed Harnett, Mac Hooper, Bob Blaine, Tom Keck, Pete Clark, and Mel Pheffer.

Kneeling (left to right): Arlen Winningham, Dean Sparks, and Terry Paul. Thanks to Terry Paul and Gerry Lynas for the picture.

50th Anniversary Edition! Class of 1960

SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL – Kansas City, Missouri

Dear Knights and Ladies,1955-1960—Five fabulous years! It was the beginning of a new adventure, a new building, new teachers, meeting and making new friends, life-long friends. There were no wars, no drugs, no drive-by shootings, just 400 new friends. We fell in love, some just once, others every other week. Almost all of us discovered the means to make our future successful. And now we meet many of our lifelong friends for the first time in 50 years. Your Reunion Committee has planned an exciting and entertaining weekend of activities to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the graduation of Southeast High School’s most remarkable class, the Class of 1960. The only thing needed to make it perfect is YOU!

 The following pages provide the details of the events of the weekend, and a BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORM to be returned to us by AUGUST 15, 2010 (even if you cannot attend).

In summary, the weekend will look something like this:

 Friday morning, September 17

Friday afternoon/evening

Saturday at 11:30 a.m

Saturday evening

Sunday is reserved for recovery.

 

Please let us know that you will be here as soon as you can. We are really anticipating a wonderful weekend of fun, getting reacquainted with old friends and making new ones.

 

　Southeast Class of 1960 Reunion Committee

During Saturday evening we will have a program, provided by fellow Knights and Ladies. We have a committee working on the format and content of this exciting and entertaining program. But since we are providing our own program, we need your help. We need a number of volunteers who are willing to embarrass themselves by putting on a short skit or other kind of entertainment of their own choosing, in good taste of course. Hopefully, the piece will have something to do with high school days or themes, funny memories, etc., perhaps something like Knightlites. Costumes are allowed. If you don’t have a clue as to what to do but are willing to participate, let us know that as well. We’ll come up with something for you. Tom Keck and Bob Lampson have already volunteered, and they have no idea what they will do. Never did!

If there is enough interest, we have arranged to produce a hardbound 35-40 page Class Reunion Book that will include your biographical information and pictures from the evening. The book would be produced after the reunion and mailed to those who have pre-ordered. The cost, including shipping, would be about $20.00 if enough are ordered.

, please contact Dean Sparks at sparks.dean@gmail.com, or 816-741-3747; or Marilyn (Pinkston) Myler at myler1063@mokancomm.net, or 816-250-2393; Ed Harnett at eharnett@everestkc.net ,

913-469-6621.

 

SOUTHEAST HIGH SCHOOL —

50-YEAR  REUNION

PLEASE RETURN BEFORE AUGUST 15, 2010

Classmate Name_______________________________ Maiden Name____________________

Spouse/Guest Name___________________________________________________________

Address________________________________

City__________________________ State_____ Zip Code__________

Phones: Home_______________ Cell_________________

Email Address____________________________________

Contact information for someone who will always know how to locate you:

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

_____________________________________________________________________________________________

Family Information (Use back of form if more space is needed): _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Memories that may be worth mentioning at the Reunion (Again, use back of form if needed) _____________________________________________________________________________________________

_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

REGISTRATION:

I will attend the following events

1. Knights’ Golf Outing ____ ____ $40.00 ____ $__________

2. Party/Picnic at the Holmes’ ____ ____ $ 5.00 ____ $__________

3. Ladies’ Reunion Luncheon ____ ____ $23.00 ____ $__________

Menu selection A ___ B ___ C ___ D _____

4. Reunion Dinner and Program ____ ____ $55.00 ____ $__________

Menu selection A____ B ____ C ____

I want to purchase the following memorabilia:

Reunion Polo Shirt(s) ___@ $25.00 each size(s) ____&____ $__________

Reunion Tee-Shirt(s) ___@ $10.00 each size(s) ____&____ $__________

Colors Crimson_______, Royal Blue_______, White_______

Class Photo ______@ $10.00 each Reunion Yearbook _____@ $ 20.00 each $__________

: YES NO COST (ea. Number Total

Make check payable to SEHS Class of 1960 Reunion

Total Amount Due: ____________

Mail to: SEHS Class of 1960 Reunion, P.O. Box 902118, Kansas City, MO 64190

I AM WILLING TO PARTICIPATE IN THE SATURDAY NIGHT PROGRAM. PLEASE CONTACT ME TO DISCUSS MY ROLE. YES only______ No Charge!

　

 

 

CLASS OF 1960

BIOGRAPHICAL INFORMATION and REGISTRATION FORM