Tomato fights at mathinson hammack against Gentry and the Chinks we kicked their ass and used green ones on the jerks

sid davis cracking his bull whip in parking lot

cops hauling me and my "girl" out of the back seat and telling us to go home...4 nights a week

jerry wincher dances at bayfront park...dirty earnie arrested and joined the marines

Terry Ward...my sponsor in Tau and big bro in Sigma Chi...what a loss

Art Pritchard and I spending the night at the top of courthouse after stealing a $1 worth of gas...police dropped charges...

lee & marty bruder tom southard & I going to Sir John Club in Overtown to >>>>>>>>>>>>>>

House parties on miami beach a bore for some of us who indulged on a weekly basis

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2003 12:50:27

Terry, great subject! A few of my memories.

Mike Clowe sent home from school for "inappropriate attire" and returning to class in a tux with the legs cut off.

Never getting served at 17 at Sara's Nook or any other establishment because I was "size challanged" (at 17 I was 5'4", 100 pounds and looked 13.)

Being told to wait in the car outside Sara's Nook while the other brothers went inside because I could not fool a blind bartender.

Consistently being almost everyone's "worst pledge of the week" because most of the brothers laughed at how far a "good lick" would lift me off my feet.

Spending hours trying to figure out ways to soften the lick and reduce the pain. Taking Mrs. Cook's (Charlie's Mom) suggestion to never wear more than one pair of underware.

John Crane spray painting "Gentry .." on my primered '49 Merc and returning to the parking lot to find my car surrounded by a group of Gentry guys.

Ignoring the tomato fight rules(no green tomatoes). Preparing for a fight at the coral rock tower near Mercy Hospital by taking a pickup truck to the Homestead tomato field and loading it up with hard, green tomatoes topped off with the ripe, mushy part of the crop. A midnight run of course.

My first visit to the Sir John Club with Ed Short.

John Crane cracking his bull whip in the parking lot.

Gathering at Good Food Restaurant after dates.

The "required technique" we pledges had to use to acquire the many bottles of Tabasco Pepper Sauce used for our own hell night.

Parking on a double date, getting the car stuck on a rock, having to walk to get assistance, and still having a great night.

The look I got from Herb Gonzalez at the end of my freshman year when I asked "What's Stags Club?"

John Dannelly

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/19/2003 07:28:01

By Don Humphries

Boy youse guys got good recall. A few quickies:

Going to the Nook, going to the Nook, going to the Nook.... The night I told Sarah when I turned 21 and had been a regular for years. Does anyone remember Freddie the painter?

Ten guys jamming into the bathroom when the enforcement guys would raid the place.

Getting clipped in scrimmage by some B teamer named Riggs, blowing out my knee.

Donnie Ross spearing me at practice and giving me 10 stiches over the left eye.

Taking Gary Durrell on at 170 lbs ( he was 230+) in practice head on and wondering "what happened"

My junior year Ross Downing knocking me down at least five plays in a row, and Kotys saying"well, he does keep getting up!"

Going over to Patti Davis' house wuth Keno and Pete Swartz. Pete was a real ladies man, but Patti didn't think so.

Beating Miami High in '56 and kissing a certain cheerleader in the middle of the Orange Bowl after the game.Harrison ribbed my ass for a looong time.

Beating the crap out of a bunch of Chinks one night, and Jack Pendray asking if he could stand by me so no one would take a swing at him. Dean DeMello was really kicking ass.

Beating the crap out of Dean when he was a pledge. Don't know why, I really liked him!

Tau Delt sub-culture-Kings "X" and Big Three.

Hanging out at Alan Finneston's house. His maid cooking us steaks for lunch.Borrowing his '46 Ford with the Olds engine and spinning it out in some neighbor's yard. This will be the first he has heard of this.

Snake hunting with Jim Kavney. The time his '46 Plymonth slide onto the Trail Canal-all the way.

John Crane's secret project of putting a hemi in his '55 Ford ( and the Chevys still out ran him).

And of course John's bull whip.

Maybe someone can refresh my memory.
Don H.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/19/2003 07:38:58

Don:

Frigging great...dont remember Freddie the painter but remember Hillary and Stilts..I remember johnny the cook from the new england oyster house .i remember everett lee kicking everyone's ass took on maurice & spratland both at the same time

I went in to sara's at 16 and asked for brother Mike Day she said he hasnt come in yet...i would say thanks and leave...did this a few times then said i'll wait she handed me a draft...started my bar career

I remember working for mike clow's dad the coppertone people.. put different tanning lotions on our back while at sea and our backs looked like checkerboards...beer and sandwiches plus a few bucks

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/20/2003 12:02:42

By Don Humphries

It's starting to slowly come back.

The summer that Tony Cook and I had dates with Paul Whitting's ( famous band leader of the 40's and 50's) daughter and friend at the country club. Tony and I had been working construction all summer and were brown as berries. We told the girls we had been sailing all summer. Whitting took us for breakfast after the gala.

Tony and I pledging to go into the Army together. Never did figure that one out.
DH

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/20/2003 12:48:01

speaking of the army...a judge suggested to dirty earnie that he join the service...i said i will go with you....I was 4 F and earnie wound up in the Mid East writing Joannne Parker letters that were printed weekly in the Herald

Terry Ward's mom worked for the herald

while in college late 50's 60's Jerry christman was a cop and I was riding patrol with him...he got a call so I had to get out of the patrol car (and walked home)...he was killed that night..in one years time Jerry met a stew, got married , had a baby and was killed in action...one sad memory....of a truly good friend and great guy

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2003 02:28:48

By demello

Good times with good buddies.

POOL HOPPING: Willaimson in the back of a police car naked and reeking of beer. I tried to give him gum and he replied "you dumb shit I'm handcuffed".

HAVANNA: Len DeFore performing..........The first time I knew what it was.

PEAKING: Fitz panicking when a dog barked and ran into every lawn sprinkler for two blocks waking up the neighborhood.

FALL GUY: John O'Day picking fights and then saying "he's to small you kick his ass demello"

TORTURE: Charlie Cook making me hold a mouth full of ice 'til it melted. I'd rather have 3 licks from Kaylor.

SPORTS: Watching Ted Sauselle glide like an antelope,Birdies'graceful moves and deadly shooting, Harrison thunder with the ball, Fitz fly thru the water,Slaton launch one and Ernie Knighton star at Southwest High School posing as a freshman after graduating from C.G.H.S.

FEAR: Avoiding Pete swartz while pledging.

PAYBACK: Beating the hell out of David Swartz.

AGONY: Being forced by Tony Cook to pinch Janet Reno on the ass.

EDUCATION: Being instrusted on the proper post testing and destruction of a Trojan by Birdie Henderson.

ECSTACY: Getting a lick from John Dannelly.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2003 06:24:42

Great Dean:

It was in the 50's when O'Day was having a party at his house and he and Pritchard deceided to kick my ass...they picked me up and sat me on the stove....they didnt realize the burner was on and i had three semi circles on my ass and ruined a new suit...this was after john o was a pledge or i would have returned the incident

while pledging i had a string pulled up thru my shirt and it was attached to my dick (cotton or something so i wouldnt get injuried) and a sign to girls pull gently here.

while pledging a brother's ex girl was having her period and i had to go by her house and collect proof...went back again!!!!!!!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/28/2003 07:34:06

By Brooks

Dean: I'm trying to figure out what post testing and destruction of the Trojan condom means. Since I never had a POA in High School (or never used one), I'm not sure what you're talking about. But, I appreciate you giving me some good advertising.

By the way, since you were real friends with Billy Hager, I think you would appreciate knowing I met his widow in Gainesville and that he was really well thought of in the editorial news field.

Brooks

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/28/2003 08:50:03

glad to see you here birdman...geezz i thought we all went with nymphs

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/28/2003 11:16:22

Brooks, pleased to see you are visiting this site. Remember this incident - I am pledging under you. Your Mom's car needed a battery, an Olds as I recall. My first introduction to the noon equivalent of midnight auto supply. You were the calm teacher, operating in a slow and deliberate manner and explaining the procedure is the same except in the daytime you act like it is your vehicle. You also needed gas, same vehicle I think.

For 20-25 years I used to see your UF room mate, Wayne Beckner, frequently. Wayne and I used to fish together once or twice a year. Haven't seen Wayne in several years, I'll look him up.

John

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/29/2003 01:07:03

By dean

Birdie or is it Brooks. We were in Miami Beach when the Srs (Stags) had a getaway weekend courteous of the Stags treasure. I think the girl was Jewish. Also, how about that cute tennis player. I followed your career at Florida thru the newspapers or Sporting News. Did you average 20 PPG there?

Thanks for the information on Bill Hager. I knew he was a journalist of some sort but suprized to learn he was involved in editorial pursuits.
It seems like all my good running mates are gone..Julian, Kaylor, Cabeza and Hager.

Wally tells me you are a retired banker now using slave labor in the field of furniture. Hope to see you in August. By the way, you were my hero at Gables. I even backed you on the D.D. incident.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/29/2003 05:02:06

Birdie I think you ought to take a close look at your "fan club" What does DD mean...not drunk driving does it you told me you didnt drink at gables

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/04/2003 07:06:29

By Brooks Henderso;n

After living in NY all my life, moving to a better place which I never thought possible. After falling in cheerleader Kathy O'Brien's lap during a junior basketball game I completely forgot my former life.

Harry McCabe, Terry Ward and Ronnie Muzii singing to me while I was recuperating from a sports injury. Sorry that my father passed out and you had to carry him to bed. Coming back and finishing the song was beyond the call of duty.

Bob Leidy moving to Coral Gables from Rye, NY, minutes from where I had lived in Scarsdale, NY. Thanks for helping make us a better team that wound up at the state tournament for the first time in Gables history. Along with brothers, Elvin, Charlie C., Ronnie V. and John Slaton.

Mike O., please tell your sister she was the sweetest girl at Gables.

Going to Allen's Drugstore for a sundae every day after school. After the 45th reunion, Annette Crofton and I had lunch there. She's the one that Dean DeMello refers to as the cute tennis player.

Being "Captain Jack's" (Slaton)third son for my whole senior year. See you in August, John and Jack.

Do you believe that "high pockets" Dean Cook swore I'd never amount to a hill of beans. He probably had good reason to believe that.

Bob Leidy lifting his head when we were scrambing for a loose ball and flattening my cods. The embarrassing part was Ed Stoeckel bouncing me on the court in front of the whole world because he said " it would drop your nuts from being lodged in your throat".

Coach Stoeckel showing Bob Leidy and myself a diagram from a basketball book what play we would run to win the city championship from Miami High. Don't forget, Coach lost the finger toss to see who would coach basketball. Ed was a good guy though.

At the thirtieth reunion, Harry Rath "dissin" the younger generation and our class booing him off the stage. What if he did it now?

Going to football games at the Orange Bowl with thousands of other fans against Miami High, Edison,Jackson, etc.

My favorite trophy of all time-Stags Best Athlete.

Coach Stoeckel refereed my first college basketball game against the University of Miami and Rick Barry and the boys. He called an obvious charge against me and I said " I'm over you Ed". I'm sorry you're not with us though.

I've never had any better friends than you guys. Talk about "hanging with the bro's".

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/04/2003 10:17:08

I remember "long legs" Bob Leidy driving on LeJune and in and out of the Gables parking lot. Past a group of a dozen or so girls. He was driving from the passenger side. Looked like there was no driver. Bob came back a few minutes later driving normally. Told the girls I was driving but I was so short they couldn't see me.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/05/2003 04:04:47

By Don Humphries

Now John, do you expect us to believe that stuff?

How about Hell Night? I can still smell the Tabasco Sauce. Everytime I smell that oder I get chills.

Bill Day ( with Pete Swartz)used to pick up all the pledges in a stake body truck and run us around town , thru Jimmies'Hurricane, etc., making us do really "cool" stuff.Dean, I think you can relate to this combo-Day and Swartz.Wonder we didn't get 5-10 in Raford. What happened to BD?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/05/2003 10:32:57

I have not heard anything about Bill Day in more than 20 years and that information came from his sister. I ran into his sister a few times. I think her name was Naomi. She had not heard from her brother in several years. I think the last time she heard from him he was somewhere out west. Anybody have anything more recent or more accurate on BD?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/20/2003 11:42:31

By Joseph Byrd

I remember when the University of Miami was just a big eyesore,construction having been stopped because of the Depression and there were just a foundation of the "A" Building with half built sides jaggedly pointing upward.Construction began again after the War, in the meantime "Card Board College" as it was known, functioned as the University on Lejuene Road, The Ladies Dorm is now a Condominium but I don't know if the original Building is still there are not.Ponce won one Football Game in 1948, we beat Lake Worth and I started as Right End.Maybe that's why we lost the other 8!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/12/2003 05:43:13

By Tony Cook

- Demello running into a house on Thanks & snatching the turkey right of the family's dinner table; JohnO & I caught window peeking because he lost his glasses & ran into a tree - his dad came to the police station & asked if they had any dirty movies they could show us; Bob Leidy, who came to dinner often and overly complimented Mother on her cuisine, which were mostly variations of pot pies & all the time at Sarah's!! Great times w/Great Guys that I haven't seen in a very long time - see you in August w/brother Tom

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/12/2003 11:54:49

Tony, ever since I read some of Tom's comments I have been wondering if you were avoiding us. Great to see you are on board and pleased that you will be at the Biltmore.

It's sad that today's kids don't get the enjoyment we did in high school. They were wonderful years. Some of those bonds with Stags brothers will never be broken even if we never see one another again.

More Gables 1950s memories...
Huge crowds in the Orange Bowl for football games. Maybe 90% of the student body attending. 30,000+ in the stands.
First ever football victory over Miami High, storming the field and walking all the way back to the Gables campus carrying the goal post.
Ed Harrison picking up a fumble late in an Edison game on about the two and going 98 yards for a TD. Don't remember if we won.
Getting to school thirty minutes early almost every morning to meet with the brothers at the Stags hallway corner. Hey, brothers from the 1960s and 1970s - I would like to know if that great tradition continued until your time?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2003 00:05:49

John, the class of 68 didn't have a Stags corner,we owned the school.We hung out at Don's Den. The owner of Don's was a Stags brother his wife's name was Melba Howard. Does any one remember his first name????

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2003 07:06:41

After getting my memory back, his name was Lloyd Howard, if I remember he once told me that he was in Stags during the years at ponce but ended up graduating from Gables.Does anyone remember the year or Lloyd Howard????

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2003 08:45:33

Tony....glad to see you on this..will never forget all the times at your house and the girls next door...didnt miriam hall live near you and karen mcgaffin(spelling). FYI I introduced Miriam (whom I dated for a short time) to my good friend Tom Southard (St. Thersa grad) and they got married...Tom was a WILD human and flew for Delta and the Georgia Nat Guard...killed on a motorcycle in his early 20's...the last time i saw miriam is when i went to funeral in Georgia. do you have any contact with her...also get some more of the guys invloved in our sight

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2003 08:04:39

Hey brothers, the 1968 class got together last night and would love to have you guys give us a more educated background history of the past . We want to learn about your days . We want to make the reunion special to all, not just us, we really want you all to help us appreciate and learn what you delt with. Please let us know.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2003 01:11:31

By Don H.

Tony,
Great to see you on the web.Remember our sail boat story with the suntans and that summer you busted your ass on the pole crew?
Best to you and yours,
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2003 09:30:06

Don...the suntans are you talking about working for mike clow's dad (Coppertone)where we went out all day on the boat with tape to our backs testing different oils...looked like ad's for Ralston Purina checkerboard square...beer sandwiches and $$...boy what a gig

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2003 10:32:06

By Don H.

Big T,
Tony and I were working for FPL( I think) that summer. Wherever it was, it was outside and we were really tanned. We told Paul Whitting's daughter and her friend that we were sailing all summer.Big play boys!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2003 10:43:12

By Don H.

All,
I'm in touch with the National President from about 1949. He and other Tau Delts from this area (WPB)are interested in attending. Joe Byrd, Bob Bouchlas remembers you from the formation of the Zeta Chapter.This is really getting wild.For you youngsters we're the Zeta Chapter.
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2003 11:17:28

Don, did kavney ever talk to anyone about the article I sent him about Stags club of Naples ??? the newspaper article is dated January 1958 the membership back then was over 115 guys. They were divided into two groups .1st Juniors then Stags.It also says that a group that went to jr. college at st petersburg opened a branch on campus. It was originally organized by Sgt.Stan Loncon of the Naples police department.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/15/2003 01:19:57

By John Dannelly, 1957

Great work guys. I have learned more about the history of the Club in the last several months than I learned in the three years I was in Stags. Of course, I care about meaningful things (like history) now, and in those years girls, cars and sports were at the top of my priority list. Hell, I have to be truthful, besides family and the brothers, they were about the only things on my priority list.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/15/2003 08:45:25

Great find guys...wish you could get these guys on this web to share this stuff...try to come up with a way that each era could tell the mass at the reunion some of the highlights of that period. for instance I never realized alot of the 60's stuff (problems of those days ie gangs, guns etc) until Gaston visited me.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/15/2003 10:34:32

By Don H.

Gaston,
Talked to Jim yesterday and he didn't mention the Naples article. Will follow up with him.
Don

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/15/2003 10:51:44

Terry, To define clubs and gangs .
1. Club: A group of people organized to contribute for a joint or common purpose.To be able to give, receive and enrich those we meet and socialize with.Provide and take care of each other as a real family would.

2. Gang: A group of people who band together, an adolescent,juvenile delinquent. A group that bands together for profit, protection and the destruction of the real purpose in life.

We were a club with a purpose in life. We banded together because we had many things in common. We got together to party ,meet and make new friends and enjoy our teenage years.

We had a purpose in life. As times changed and the world got more complicated, those opportunities faded. We should be thankful that Stags was there for us to enjoy our teenage days. Who knows what would have happened to some of us without the brotherhood we shared by being a Stags member.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/15/2003 01:04:11

I agree..without Stags I would have been a juvenile delinquent instead i've spent the past 45 years just acting juvenile...which is OK

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/17/2003 09:18:25

By Bob Ross

Just read your thread Terry and wante to thank you for saving me all the small (28's) football pants. Never would have made it without you taking care of me. Also for holding onto my plate till game was over. Or was that Bruce Stallings. Oh well that was only nearly 50 years ago, right.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/17/2003 10:07:37

Bob:

Great to hear from you and hope your coming to the reunion...Try to get the other brothers in 55 to show..mccabe, swanzo...i dont remember so it must have been Bruce or Muzii...geez you've been wearing a plate for 50 years long time...i remember Papy Joe was first married guy in high school and you were the first guy with a plate that i knew. again please try to make it you will have a great time and also glad to see you on the web...read some of the stuff and add to it

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/20/2003 07:41:56

By Herb Stebbins 68

IMPORTANT/IMPORTANT Please RSVP on the "Stags Club Miami Gathering, Friday, July 11" Thread if you are planning to attend. This will really be helpful. Herb Stebbins

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/22/2003 03:11:48

By Jim Tormey

Little things that I remember:

Riding in Bill Day's father's truck collecting newspapers to turn in for cash and at the end of the day burying guys to increase the weight.

Tommy Atwood and his date Sylvia picked me up and on the way to pick up my date, we cut through the rock pits off Miller Road only to come upon a guy who had removed the front seat from his car and right there was going at it with his girl. We, of course, honked the horn and cheered the guy on.

Pete Schwartz, whose father owned East Coast Fisheries, would always brag about all the available fish they sold. One day somebody asked if they carried "blind mullet". Pete claimed they sold lots of "blind mullet" only to be told later exactly what "blind mullet" were. In case you haven't heard, "blind mullet" are floating turds.

Thanks for all the memories of Mike and the Coopertone boat, Jimmy's Hurricane drive-in, Mike returning to school in his tuxedo, and being a sports fan, remembering Ross Comander Downing as being one the most aggressive receiver, Mike Harrison as the best running back and Tommy Atwood as the best pitcher I have ever seen in high school.

There are more memories but I have taken up enough space for now. I'll be back. Jim Tormey

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/22/2003 04:37:36

Thanks Jim really glad to see you on this...I forgot all about the weighing of the papers. I remember the drive in where one guy would drive up (and pay for 1) and the rest on the floor and one or two in the trunk with a case of beer. think of all the times with dirty earnie (knighton) the butcher. I cant remember if you were with us when we climbed into (black females bathroom window) in the Dinner Key Aut to see Frankie Lymon and the Teenagers and were chased by 10 black guys waiting outside the bathroom for their dates...we got lost in the crowd fortunatly

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/22/2003 05:24:06

By Don H.

Jim T.
I remember that dreaded truck BD used to pick up us pledges on Saturday night. He and Pete Swartz would come by our houses and pick us up. It was the vehicle of fear! And oh yeah, Pete didn't know s--- about fish!
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/25/2003 12:19:14

OK guys...Jim just posted some more names whose coming...lets contact them and get them to pass the word...there were 30% from the 50's (the action decade)

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/27/2003 04:04:27

By Don H.

Who's that bald headed guy in that pic with the attractive lady? Terry is that you?
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/27/2003 04:25:10

Don...thats me for the cover of Gentlemen's Quarterly

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/27/2003 07:30:51

By Jim Tormey

This weeks memories:

Back again to sports, the two best basketball players, one was a scorer and one was a playmaker. Birdie Henderson and Bob Leidy.

Mowing lawns with Dougie Walker.

Hell week (not Chicago style).

Getting Honky Rush's bra.

Biggest thing I remember of hell night, after all the mess was over, and my jewels were lit like christmas lights, Terry Ward walked over to Johnny Slaton and me and told us we didn't make the grade and to go home. Both naked, we were walking away, only to be laughed at and told that it was just a joke and that we were now members.

Also, drag racing with Tommy Atwood and Dougie Walker out in the rock pits.

Riding around in Artie Pritchards big bomb Buick convertible while tossing water balloons everywhere. And, in order to keep the gas tank full, going to a construction site and siphoning diesel.

Back to pledging, Tex Smoot certainly put the fear of God into me. He was a mean dude!

The fifties cannot not be duplicated and the class of '56 is number one.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/27/2003 09:02:38

Jim: Did you know that Artie and I did time (1 night)for doing the same thing....his tank burned about 4 miles to the gallon

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/28/2003 10:39:07

By Jim Tormey

Here I am again, one more thing--

I heard John Sparkman is coming. I remember him as one of the toughest football players I ever met and for the two years I knew him, he carried a rubber ball with him at all times. At the end of his senior year, he could take bottle caps between his fingers and crush them. That rubber ball was always with him, squeezing and squeezing. Wonder if he is still squeezing?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/04/2003 11:43:58

By Kay Whiteside (Spitzer

What amazing memories you guys have! I seem to suffer from the CRS illness.
Look forward to seeing y'all at the reunion.
If you havent' sent me your info for the Reunion Book, please do the deadline in the end of July. I want to see our 50's well represneted.
Kay

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/05/2003 11:38:41

By John Dannelly, 1957

Dean, I remember a little blond kid at Sylvania Heights Elementary in West Miami that was always getting in trouble at school? Was that you or someone like you?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/06/2003 08:52:39

Being President of the "Dean Fan Club" we need to know the definition of "trouble" before he answers that question.

TG (Past Secretary as was Dean )

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/06/2003 09:29:01

Terry ,I attended the 1st Miami Dolphin game at the Orange Bowl. If my memory serves me correctly , the Dolphins scored their 1st touchdown on a 95 yard kickoff return down the north side line by a running back by the name of Joe Atwood. Is this our Stags Brother from the 55-56 class???????.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/06/2003 09:50:05

By Don H.

The back's name was Joe Auher(sp), an old Boys Club jock. Joe Atwood is a Brother ( see Tau Delt alumni pics),but not the running back. Joe was a coach at the Boys Club in the '50's and played football for Gables.I'm sure Joe would like the compliment.
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/06/2003 09:52:30

By Don H.

And further more, Dean and Terry as Secretary. deM, you were correct, we were very liberal in those days!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/08/2003 11:29:09

By John Dannelly, 1957

Joe Auher is Joe Auer, me thinks. Joe Atwood was also a good catcher. Joe was a firman for the City of Coral Gables for many years. Joe tried to teach me how to chew tobacco while playing ball. Didn't work. To much down the throat and into the stomach. Sick for several days. Joe's brother Tommy (also a brother) pitched for Gables, I think Tommy also pitched for American Legion Post 98. Worked my ass off at their house on Sunset Drive when I was pledging. Great memories of the Atwood brothers.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/08/2003 11:41:20

John , it looks like quite a few Stags brothers plyed legion ball for post 98 . when I played there were at least 6 or 7 of us on the team.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/23/2003 01:06:23

Memories...

When I pledged Stags in '57 there were only five of us - Wally, Bob Pettee, Max Harrison, me and I can't remember the fifth. On the way to a meeting with dear Brother Tony one night, I complained that the brothers were really pounding us and since we were only five, we needed some slack. He just listened. After the meeting the other four pledges went on their way and I got to play 'pinball' with the brothers, and I was the ball, bouncing from one forearm pick to the other, with an ample supply of ass paddling in between. Great 'fun'...and a good lesson. Suck it up and don't bitch.

I have spent the last 46 years getting even with Tony! Just kidding, I love him dearly. He planned to attend the reunion but has an unchangable commitment and can't be there. I'll bring some pictures. My other brother, Peter, who I also love dearly, was a Tau Delt. I was wondering if any other family had three brothers who were either Tau Delts or Stags.

Tom Cook

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/23/2003 01:14:07

Tom:

I think your the only 3...there were many two's..I had the pleasure of knowing Peter and Tony both great guys...they were of the rich set so i hung out with ernie knighton, jerry christman,art pritchard and to us a quart of DURST BEER from Winn Dixie was a big score...looking forward to seeing you in a few weeks

Terry 56

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/24/2003 11:14:58

Terry,

Your comment about the 'rich set' just shows how egalitarian Stags was - rich and poor alike were welcome! Just had to be a good guy. Hell, we even had three Jewish Brothers when I was in - Pete and David Swartz and Alan Finnistan. Now that was a real testiment to 'Stags Brotherhood' in circa 1958 Coral Gables.

Tom

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/24/2003 04:10:47

By Caleb Estes

Tom.

How did your brother Peter end way up here in Minnesota. I haven't met him but he only lives about 5 miles from me. Another Gables alimni from your class lives up here. Trish Towel. Trish is Senior Pastor at a Church in Elk River MN., about 25 miles from here.

Caleb Estes Ching Tang 1961.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/24/2003 06:52:42

Caleb,

He moved there around '75 and with a partner got the Wendy's franchise and opened about 27 Wendy's and then 'retired' at age 43 and has been doing some 'business ventures' since. If you went to Wendy's from 1977 - 1997, you were doing business with my brother, Peter.

Hey, love the ecumenical spirit of this message board - even Ching Tang's are joining in.

Tom

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/24/2003 10:43:13

Tom, not only is CT joining in, Jim Kavney tells me that Caleb has provided exceptional support and "found" a lot of our brothers.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/25/2003 03:14:49

By Don H.

Tom,
They're Chinks. Thought you had a PhD in smartnest.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/25/2003 05:17:17

Don:
I agree what's this Chinks stuff on our thread..the only good ones were tied to a tree in Matheson Hammock forest awaiting a nice rotten tomato delivered by me in knuckleball fashion. lol

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/26/2003 04:29:10

FINALLY A PICTURE OF DeMello posted on Pictures of Today....hay Dean where did you get those PJ's and matching slippers....reminds me of our antics on Grand Avenue

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/26/2003 04:44:29

By guess what?????

I thought Halloween was in October.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/28/2003 09:37:42

Don,

When I see you in CG I'll lend you my spellcheck. My Brother Tony told me that when you guys worked for FPL he should have been paid time and a half, 100% for his work and 50% for his doing 50% of your work. Is it true that he carried you to keep you from being fired so he would have someone to ride home with? Just checking.

Tom

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/29/2003 09:19:35

By dh

Tom,
If Tony said it, it must be true. always loyal to my President.
d

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/01/2003 01:52:50

By little d big m

Made my reservations sometime ago and decided to check the dates today. Anybody need a round trip ticket from Wash DC to Miami on the 14th of August returning on the 16th? Easy come easy go. I've now corrected my wife's error and have the proper booking.

To let you know how quickly I have deteiorated into the initial stages of senility I prepped for my colonoscopy a day too early. The prep is worse than the poke.

A Hardy thanks to Thomas Gaylord Schultz (or his appointed secretary) for the golf planning. My check is in the mail Tom,I think.
d.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/02/2003 05:34:04

Doesn't anyone have a picture for the PICTURES OF TODAY site so that little d big m isn't the last one we see with that outfit...

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/02/2003 06:18:00

Terry, I send Kavney a bunch of new pictures. I'am with you on this one . Some of the brothers are really concerned about those pajamas...

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/03/2003 11:23:05

By little d big m

La di dah. The Supreme Court would scratch your eyes out.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/03/2003 12:31:01

I think Brother Dean looks just swell in his jammies. Especially the slippers. I vote to allow him to wear them for the golf outing at Key Biscayne.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/03/2003 02:39:16

By little d big m

They won't let you wear stilleto heals on the course.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/03/2003 03:41:32

Dean, regarding your colonoscopy comment "the prep is worse than the poke", I absolutely agree. My prescribed prep was "drink two gallons of this miracle clean out liquid" and you will come to us clean as a whistle. A few days after the procedure I learned from one of the guys in my fishing club that there is an alternate prep that only reqires about a pint of prep. I probably will not need another colonoscopy for eight years, by then I will have forgotten about the alternate prep. For you guys that have not had a colonoscopy two recommendations: 1) schedule the procedure, 2) don't be a dumb ass like me and assume the two gallon prep is what you have to do.
Tom Cook - I think you golfers should consider requiring brother Dean to wear his slippers on the links. Maybe you could drive some nails through the soles to provide adequate traction. I heard Dean was heard to brag that his t-shots were consistently over 325 yards.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/28/2003 06:57:37

This will be my first visit/ outing since the reunion with some of the guys of the 50's.( I've talked on the phone to Brooks, Leidy, Ernie) .Life has been a bitch since August but this opportunity will get me back in order and give me a chance to reflect on the past 50 years. Fortunantely for me the guys going are part of the solid backbone of Stags and will pass on their fishing skills as well as wisdom of life.(One of them may even help me clean my catch) Thanks for the opportunity guys (Jim, Don, John).

Terry

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/28/2003 07:24:20

By Don H

welcome aboard and many more to come

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 11/17/2003 02:04:06

Don H & Jim K.

I want to thank you guys for the fishing adventure and I'm looking forward to the next one...if you'll consent to taking a professional angler such as myself.

TG

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 11/27/2003 12:04:22

Happy Thanksgiving to all my BROTHERS not only the 50's...........but for all the years and especially the guys from 1966 to 1970 who should give special thanks to those of us who layed the groundwork so they could get a date and have a great high school experience.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 11/27/2003 05:16:14

We thank you for the great experience without a doubt.. ... But the date part I'm not so sure. Happy Thanksgiving to all.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 11/27/2003 09:43:31

By Art Abney'68

just finished reading your thread,guys,great stories-you guys really did set a precedence for us!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 11/29/2003 12:26:30

Thanks Art

And your one of the guys who I met in July that seemed like I knew you for 40 years...same stories and hell raising that we did in the 50's...and Russi even likes you and thinks you and Herb and even Gaston are class acts....but up grade your cigars...

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 01/16/2004 05:17:26

Does anyone remember The Dream Bar on the Beach that had Buddy Rich playing the drums...and what was the name of the bar in the NW section like 7th street that was Mr...... For all you airline people remember Bryson's (friend of mine bought it a couple of years ago)and the Executive Club and the 600 Club and 6 West geeeze what great places in the Springs..

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/11/2004 10:00:01

I NOTE THAT WE HAVE BEEN POSTING ON THE SITE OF THE YOUNGER SET AND I WOULD LIKE TO GET THE 50'S GOING AGAIN...FOR ANY OF YOU BROTHERS TUNEING IN I WOULD LIKE YOU TO JOIN KENO, JIM K AND DON H. & I ALONG WITH SOME GUYS OF THE 60'S ON OUR FISHING TRIP..

BESIDES BEING A GREAT PLACE TO FISH WWW.ACTIONBELIZE.COM WE CAN BS AROUND THE POOL...THE STATUTE OF LIMITATIONS IS UP SO YOU CAN CONFESS YOUR......UNLESS OF COURSE YOUR WIFE THINKS YOU WERE "LIKE A MAN OF THE CLOTH"

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 10:22:40

By Don H.

T-
Agree. Are we the only ones surviving fom the roaring 50's? Those sixties boys must've been an affluent bunch. Remember going first time over to Tony Cook's house which had cental air conditionng, didn't know what to think.Garage? Didn't have one until I bought my first house. Used to wonder what those big doors were for.Alan's house wth the full time maid was mind boggling.It was a great mix and was never an issue.Brotherhood, brotherhood.
As deprived as we were, looks like we made it OK.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 11:02:18

I AGREE I'M VERY PROUD OF THE BROTHERS OF THE 50'S AS WELL AS THE SUCCESS STORIES I'VE HEARD FROM THOSE OF THE 60'S AND 70'S...OF COURSE I WOULD SURE LIKE TO KNOW ABOUT BILL HEATON (FRIGGING SENIOR CLASS PRESIDENT),TEX SMOOT AND A FEW OF THE OTHERS

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 11:06:40

ALSO JACK SWEENEY (THE 4 SO & SO'S) RAY PETERSON (LAST I HEARD A MAJOR WITH FHP) DEL MOORE(LAST I HEARD NOT DOING WELL WITH THE LAW) BILL DAY

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 11:56:03

Terry, I agree we should get this 50's line going, lets do it!
Jim

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 09:21:49

OK YOU GUYS OF THE 50'S...DO ANY OF YOU REMEMBER WHAT WE POSTED ON A LIST IN OUR HALLWAY MEETING PLACE IN THE MORNING...WE ALSO MET THERE BETWEEN CLASSES...HINT THE LIST WAS LONGER ON MONDAY THAN ANY OTHER DAY OF THE WEEK.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/12/2004 09:25:24

Terry , you guys from the 50's can't recall what happend yesterday...much less 50 years ago......

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/13/2004 07:00:25

GASTON I AGREE THATS CALLED A "BLACKOUT" WHEN ONE CAN'T REMEMBER WHERE ONE PARKED HIS/HER CAR LAST NIGHT OR REMEMBER THE NAME OF YOUR DATE...I HAD MANY OF THOSE BROTHER, BUT ONE CAN REMEMBER LONG TIME BACK...AS AN ADDITIONAL NOTE FOR THOSE THAT ARE DEALING WITH RELATIVES WITH ALZHEIMERS DISEASE LIKE MY MOM...SHE WOULDN'T KNOW WHO I WAS BUT IF I TOOK HER TO A MEMORY WAY BACK (1920) AND WORKED HER FORWARD SHE WOULD REMEMBER MY NAME AND THE GOOD TIMES...THE ABOVE DISERTATION IS AN ADDED BONUS FOR THOSE SMART ENOUGH TO LOG ONTO MEMORIES OF THE 50'S

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/13/2004 11:10:24

Terry, I don't remember a list being posted, much less what might have been on it. You better come up with some more hints.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/13/2004 12:07:35

A LIST OF GIRLS...OF COURSE YOU WERE TO BUSY WITH SNAKES AND OTHER ACTION ALONG KROME AVE

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/13/2004 01:59:41

THE EXACT DETAILS WILL ONLY COME OUT IN BELIZE

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/13/2004 07:16:06

Terry,I know Alzheimers first hand....My mom passed away in 1995 after a long fight with Colon Cancer and Alzheimer.... and you are 100% right ,I could take her down memory lane and she knew her way ,but had a hell of a time remembering me .....God bless and enjoy the moment and the memories no matter how difficult it may get at times....its our time to take care of them.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/14/2004 03:30:08

Terry, great idea. Bring back the 50s. I wish my sons and grandchildren could live in the environment we were privilaged to grow up in. The kids in high school today would find it hard to believe that we had so much fun at the Stags' hallway corner that we were at the corner long before classes started. Despite arriving more than thirty minutes before school started most of us were late for homeroom every day. Great times! And, I don't remember anyone getting in serious trouble. Alcohol, but zero drugs and weapons. It's sad when you consider that today's kids can ruin their lives and damage the lives of their family in the time it took to write these comments.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/14/2004 10:30:19

Thanks John...Artie and I got into a little trouble and spent the night at the top of the courthouse (jail)it's funny as the cops were frisking us a stupid pledge who was with us kept saying yes sir no sir to us..we were 18 he was 17 and we could have received "contributing to the del of a minor" but the whole thing was dropped and the cops apologized to our parents for booking us..that fingerprinting has remained with me the rest of my life ( each time I moved firms as a stock broker I had to answer questions about the arrest some 45 years ago) and I'm sure it awoke me to not break the law again. Got in trouble but didnt break the law. I'm glad the arrest happened and I'm also very happy with my present life as well as my past. Your right we really had a BLAST back then and to tell you the truth I dont know how I made it out of high school (grades) or for that matter a member of the National Athletic Scholarship Society...I cant remember studying except in Jim Seymour's study hall..now there is a guy with one too many prize fights. I went on to Auburn with David Coe as roommate and failed everything except sports and ROTC then transferred to UM and grad with honors(go figure).

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/14/2004 04:09:06

Terry, your memories of a night in jail kinda hit home and like you, it made an impression on me that lasted a lifetime. From the experience I knew one thing for sure, once was enough. One night in the summer later school was out Brothers Joe Weber, John Crane and I decided to go snake hunting out on the Tamiami Trail. We spent a couple of hours and caught a half a dozen water snake, nothing interesting and we soon got bored. We were going to let the snakes go when someone (I can't remember who) said lets let the snakes go in Honky Rush's fishpond. So, as we are heading to Honky's house we had second thoughts. First the snakes would eat all the fish and we'd be in big trouble and they would figure it out who the culprits were in about thirty seconds. So, off to plan two, which was to head to Coconut Grove to create havoc. We cruised around looking for a target of opportunity. We found it at a bar on the Northwest corner of Douglas Road and Grand Ave. Back then very few places had air-conditioning this bar had two swinging door just like in the old cowboy movies, they were propped open. Crane said he could sling a snake though those door with no problem. And knowing what he could do with a bullwhip I didn't doubt him for a minute. The trick was going to be the timing there was a traffic light at the corner fifty feet away. We needed a green light for our get away. It took three trips around the block before we had our green light. Crane opened the car door stepped out and sailed that baby right over home plate into the bar. We hauled ass, hearing screams coming from the bar. We drove around laughing for the next couple of hours thinking how we scared the hell out of everyone inside the bar. It was a night they won't forget soon. After I dropped the guys off at their homes, I pulled up in my front yard right next to the police cars waiting for me, I realized it would be a night I would not forget soon either.
I knew they had me for sure so I cooperated with them and told the story, they smiled and let me go wake my Dad to tell him not to worry, and I would be in jail for the night. I guess he felt sorry for me because about one in the morning he came down and got me out. The cops told me there was a detective in a drive-in across the street that wrote down my license number after he saw us going around the block the third time.

Court was another memorable experience. Charge: Disorderly Conduct, Defendant: Jim Kavney. The bailiff read the charged and everyone in the courtroom is laughing, the judge is smiling, I even have a half ass grin on my face. The judge starts lecturing me on proper conduct shaking his head with still a little smile. I'm thinking this is going to be OK, when someone in the back of the courtroom stands up and ask to be heard. This guy's not smiling, he pissed, he tells the judge that his business has been ruined, a lady went out the back door of the bar fell on the stairs and have to have stitches in her leg. Now the judge is not smiling, now he's looking pissed. Now he said to me; "You like to catch snakes? Maybe you can catch some when they crawl though the fence out at the City Stockade behind the Airport next to the Everglades. Thirty days in the City Stockade,"

Keep going!

"Or fifty dollar fine." Judge waited at least a minute between the sentence and the fine option. At age seventeen that minute pause was a lifetime but over that lifetime it kept me on the straight and narrow.

Jim Kavney

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 07:57:26

Thanks Jim...I wish alot of our grandkids would read that and take heed....by the way in the late 60's early 70's i used to get drunk in the Grove and i'd wind up in that area ...I guess a carryover of my action at the Sir John..lucky to be alive

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 10:39:01

By Don H.

My grandkids can't read yet so I guess there's still some hope.Closest I came to seeing the inside of the lock up was at UF when we pulled off the greatest panty raid in the history of the Gators(or maybe the raids at the Nook).The campus police would put guys in the police cars and the doors weren't locked and we'd go out the other side. Pete McGuire(old Tau Delt) was pres of SAE then. Pledged with John Crane and Bob Kaylor.
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 02:08:05

By Kay Spitzer

Terry,
I was trying to locate Sharlen Smoot while doing research for the 58 reunion. Someone told me that her brothers had a construction company in Dallas. I ran out of time before I could persue that but maybe thats a lead on Tex.
Good to catch up with y'all -- I;ve been rather out of pocket from mid Dec thru Feb. and sim;ly can't remember where March went.
Have to go to a meeting in Atlanta in May and hopr to stay with Jack Slaton. What fun that will be.
Love you guys,
Kay

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 02:25:34

Don where is Pete..you know that he was one of the original Burger King guys.also i heard Kaylor reached a violent death..and Kay I talked to Jack last week and he is going to open some kind of Mexican Diner in ATL area...I will look for Tex

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 02:30:32

Also, Don my kids started young.. hell I have a Grandson who is in college....by the way this old guy is 66 today going on 15 and crazier than ever. And not changing.........

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 05:44:23

Happy B'day!!
Terry, it's nice to have crazy old farts around they keep me looking young by comparsion. Hope you have many, many more!

Jim

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 06:30:11

Terry,Happy Birthday '66'....I was glad to read Jim's post and see he also thinks you are an OLD FART......best to you....its going to be great getting together with you in Belize.... Us younger guys can question you about the time the steam engines were built....

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 07:51:01

By Don H.

Commodore,
Many happy returns, and keep taking that Viagra! Just turned 65 myself in December. Never felt better.
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 07:58:18

By Don H.

T- I spent a lot of time trying to find Pete McG for the reunion, no luck. Yes he got in on the ground floor with BG and no doubt made a gazzzillion dollors. And yes, Jack Slaton is opening up a Mexican resturant ( franchise) in ATL. He really wanted to go with us to Belize but really tied up with his new venture.
Kavney said you are going to start dieing your hair. Is that true?
Is was so funny when I talked to John Crane before the reunion. He told me don't be schocked to see his black hair-Clariol.What color are you going to pick?
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/15/2004 09:08:14

John's hair was by Griffen.....you figure that out..i'd never dye (correct your spelling you Gator) my hair...if i did it would be gray..yes being an ulta kocker (spelling) is great especially when I have a beautiful jewish partner like Russi

I wouldn't trade a thing in my life experience except I wasn't able to see my kids grow up(which is what happens to alot of divorced men whose attorney didnt demand the kids stay in Florida) And when I discovered that I was a full blown alcoholic (7/13/83) and stopped drinking things got better. Sounds strange guys but true as hell. I'm still a crazy good time guy except now I remember what I did last night and yes the little blue pill helps.

Anyway I can ramble on my birthday...Russi has the flu so not going out...by the way we are going to Ernie Knightons for dinner on Saturday..really looking forward to it

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/19/2004 04:17:52

I had dinner at Ernie & Jackie Knighton's last night...really dug up some good ones...how about TeePee Bar on S.W. 8th well drinks 29cents..i used to start there and get juiced for 2 bucks then on my way...how about Red Diamond..Yorkshire Inn Gypsy's Pub...Jackie was a stew with Eastern and remembers Brysons, Miami Springs Villas, 600 Club..Margaret Ann's (Grocery Store in South Miami) at one time these guys worked there Mike Day, Abe Lawton, Scrapper Smith, Dick & Ronnie Wassenberg, Frank O'Dowd, myself....and i think Joe Tamberino, Paul Kilcoyne

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/19/2004 06:57:39

Terry, by the time I got to the Tee-Pee for a watering hole the drinks were more then 29 cents, that I'd remembered. I remember it all they were great places in there time. Miami Springs Villas had the best prime ribs on the planet. Nothing under 2" thick.

Jim

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/20/2004 10:11:01

Prime Rib...back in late 60's early 70's I used to have a table at the Yorkshire on Bird on Friday nights..old waiter (Albert) used to toss a ceasar salad at the table proceeded by alot of booze then a 2"prime rib followed by B&B and topped off with a few Irish Coffee's flamed at the table...this followed by a walk to next door Strip Joint where I proceeded to get on stage and join the show..barred after second visit..but Gene the guy who owned it later became a client of mine as a broker...go figure!!! and the bouncer Jim Marian ( who would bite into a glass and chew it (frigging nuts)..later became the bouncer at the Taurus (in the Grove)...I was first customer at Taurus as the day before it was LaCasita Tea House. Taurus was one of the truly great exchanges.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/20/2004 07:41:57

Terry, small world we all have traveled ...the place next door to the yorkshire on Bird road .........In 1978 was my home away from home .....Gene Willner and I were in business together at the club.....loved tuesday nights .....I got to sit with Gene and pick out future dancers .......

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/20/2004 09:01:15

he then bought the place in the warehouse district off 87 and 130 near that fishing club...i dont know how he could see thru those coke bottle glasses......funny thing is I've never really watched a strip show..just went there to raise a little hell...see like Herb and John we have a lot in common... In 1960 I was in a bar across from the El Panama Hilton (Maxim's) in Panama and as I walked in saw a girl on stage, gave the bartender a fin and said send her over...I immediately fell in "love" and asked her to leave with me...fortunately a fellow Pan Am worker came in the bar and called me over...the girl was a GUY....Got my fin back from the bar tender who was new and hadnt seen me before.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2004 11:00:42

Terry, are you sure you didn't get a little something else before for you got your fin back?

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2004 06:30:22

Terry, you better be ready to come clean , when we question you in Belize........I closed a lot of deals (Financial) at "Bare Essence" .....

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2004 09:59:23

Gastonnnnn I make my living being cross examined..as I said didnt go into the place except once went in to haul out a drunk Gables cop

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/21/2004 10:25:06

Terrrrrrrrrrrrrry.....What ever you say........lot of big time politicians hung out at the club..........

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/22/2004 07:15:56

Let's see "Gastonnn closing a financial deal at Bare..... She wanted a hundred and he insisted on giving her 2 hundred...the best local political guy to bar hop was late Mayor Steve Clark...He would start at the Coral Gate in the morning move to several others before settling down at that one at the end of Coral Way across from Beber Silverstein think called the Clique..Steve was Mayor for ever...and he had the backing of the blue collar guys

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/22/2004 05:31:31

Terry, everything you mentioned about Bars and Theaters , brings back lots of memories....Hate to tell you but they all are no longer around.... How old are you for real???????? I thought you said you graduated in the 50's..... Sounds more like the early 40's.....

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/22/2004 09:31:48

Gastonnnnnnn all this bringing back memories is good for your mental awareness..when you get to be my age these things help along with cross word puzzles, scrable etc..i spent alot of time with my moms alzheimer's doctor and this is what he said to me...by the way i'm very proud of my age and the fact that I can still laugh at myself at the things I've done then and now...

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 09:06:08

By Don H.

At a boy Commodore, defend us gray beards with those young pups.I remember those drive-in days with BD, hiding under the papers and in the trunk, and also the the drive-in with CP.Who was that blond that lived at the end of my street on 33rd. Avenue, the one that Harry McCabe was familiar with? When you mentioned Nettlow's it brought back those old memories. Lots of good times there with Kavney and others.
Sounds like all generations had a lot in common. We also had our own private entarnce to the Gables Theater, side door. I think it might have been after you left, but a bunch of crabs were released during a movie, Return of the Crabs ( I think). I recall it was DeMello who did it, created a giant panic in the theater. Dean denies it, but I'm sure it was him with the bag.I've got a memory like a trap:-)
Have to watch out for those Yo-Yos, or Mexican fly rods.We need to disqualify them from the quest for the fishing trophies. Jim as trip ccordinator should establish the ground rules. If we have eight guys and a $100 each in the pot we need clarity on how this is going to work-biggest, most, by species, tackle, plug, bait, by person, by boat, each day, total trip,etc. What do you think?
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 10:54:03

Biggest PERIOD!!!!!

Catch them anyway you can, PERIOD!!!!!

JK

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 11:11:43

Well I agree with biggest "boated" = alongside and held for picture... regardless of bait...they use mostly lures...Do we want to only say GAME FISH as a guy like Gastonnn could hook up to a ray or shark and claim it as the biggest...I think $100 in is good...I think better than trophy what do you guys think? We might have a second prize ie biggest snook. Each guy could catch at least 20 snook a day...keep the biggest for dinner.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 01:34:45

By Don H.

Gaston will probably bring back a log caught on his Yo-Yo and try to pass it off as a pectoral creature. Good thing John S. is going to be there to keep him honest.. Agree, game fish only, no sharks nor rays. Yes, also something for biggest snoook. Not to get picky, but biggest in weight or length. Been thru this stuff before and can get a little complicated if we don't make it clear from the start. Remember, weight will require a scale. I'll have one, but could be a problem for some of the guys.Jim?
Is it time to leave yet?
dh

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 06:29:35

lets get this back on the fishing site

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 06:34:17

Don, it's time to leave, all fishermen switch back to the fishing channel. RULES of the GAME are on the fishing channel.

Jim

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/23/2004 06:49:28

You guys are making up so many rules,next thing we will hear is that age ,weight ,size ,species and time of day and ss# will be divided by some unknown # plus or minus to find a winner.....Relax we will allow you guys the chance to be competitive.............

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/25/2004 10:15:22

By Don H.

Gaston,
Aren't you a banker? You left the prime rate, discounted by the rate of inflation, compunded by the consumer price index, times the ytd DOW increase, less the 10 year Treasury. That'll do it!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 04/27/2004 10:41:52

Yesterday Ernie Knighton had open heart surgery which included 4 by pass's...his wife Jackie told me this morning that all went well and he should be home over the weekend. You guys might send him a card address is on the web.

Terry

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 05/05/2004 05:59:30

I JUST TALKED TO ERNIE AND HE'S HOME AND DOING WELL 4 BY PASS AND FIX OF VALVE...TOUGH GUY AS WE ALL KNOW.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/05/2004 07:42:03

Guys of the 50's...in 1956 we were National Football Champs ...our #1 student became Attorney General of US...several were inducted in college hall of fame's...several played professional sports....now I need one guy to step up to round out our fishing trip...right now there is Keno, Don H, Jim K and myself of 56-57 going with some of the boys on the late 60's...go to fishing site and after you read it I guarantee you'll want to go just to hone your BS skills as the guys of the 60's are conducting class

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/05/2004 01:41:53

Don: Wasn't Adrian Purnell(1958) killed in Viet Nam? Today being the day before D Day...I want to thank all those brother's who's dad served in WWII and for the brothers who also served the USA.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/06/2004 02:10:40

Terry, yes we did lose Adrian in Viet Nam. I thought that was the case but did not know any details until recently. Turns out that one of the fishing club guests that turned in an application to become a prospective member was Adrian's roommate. He saw me wearing one of my Stags Club shirts and asked me if I knew Adrian. Remind me and I will share what I know the next time we talk.

Reflections on the anniversary of D-Day....
Without the USA the world would not have the freedom that exists today. America was there to defend the freedom of Europe in WW I and WW II. We lost 10,000 men in twelve hours on D-Day. America was there in Korea and Viet Nam. Without America the world would probably still be in the Cold War era.
And, in reflecting on Ronald Reagan's death and his service to the nation - he made a major, major contribution to ending the Cold War without firing a single shot.

The world and this nation are forever indebted to the men and women that have served in the US armed forces.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/06/2004 02:28:01

By Don H. '57

Honored to serve!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/06/2004 02:33:41

Thanks John..Purnell I think got in after I graduated as he wasn't in 1956 composite..if you note in 1957 Don H. was Chaplin ....I'm going to ask him to lead the breakfast prayer at breakfast in Belize

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/07/2004 10:33:32

By Don H. '57

Good luck!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2004 04:27:58

By Onward and Upward

Guy's, yes, Spankey Purnell died in Viet Nam in 1965 or 1966, can't remember exactly which year. He graduated from FSU and was comissioned in the Air Force. Seems like some of the guys from that era would remmember as his funneral was at the Presbyterian Church on Bird Road and Granada. He was a good friend and a great guy.. Another good friend, Chuck Landau, who lives in M. Beach, SC, and a classmate of Spankey's would know. While I was not in TDT/Stags, many friends were. Many of us went through CG Elementary, Ponce Jr High and were members of the last 4 year class at Gables. Sorry to hear a good friend, Bob Kaylor, died. When and how did this happen? Also, Gary Durrell.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2004 08:03:24

This is from memory... I am having more and more senior moments but I think my recall on Bob's death is reasonably accurate. Bob Kaylor was murdered. He was living in or around the Orlando area. I think he was a victim of a robbery that went wrong. He was way to young when he was taken from his family. His death was a real tragedy. He just disappeared after work; his body was not found for several days. His older brother, Ray Kaylor, was at the August 2003 Stags Reunion.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/13/2004 08:06:29

Forget to add information on Gary. See Don H's post concerning Gary's death under the "Roaring 50s" thread.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 06/14/2004 04:09:50

By Onward and Upward

John: Thanks for this information, as sad as it is. Bob and I were really good friends in at Ponce and Gables. Even stayed close with him as a Stage and me in "the other club down the hall in front of the library". Remember Ray, who was several years older, when he played football in the red and black Ponce Sr High uniform. Replied to Don in the other 50's section of this site. Hope you are well.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 07/30/2004 06:10:01

OK this is a call for the personalities of the 50. the Leidy, Henderson,Vara, Tormey,KNighton, Tony Cook, Kraut, McCabe, Smith, Yonge to get with us on the fishing trips...I didnt stop laughing on the Belize trip whether it was fishing, eating. in the pool and eespecially with the beautiful Russian Dancers...tell us where you want to go and we will work up something

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/01/2004 02:53:07

By a fluke I wound up on a site that had the name Jack Pendray...I e mailed him and had a nice chat...his brother Tom was a TDT who died at a young age...does anyone remember the girl he dated in high school Sharon Pacetti...she also dated a guy who wrote a hit song about her....Does anyone remeber the song??? something like It's Almost Tomorrow...who was the guy? Also when is/was the 1954 50 year reunion

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/01/2004 03:07:15

September 17th & 18th, 2004
Hotel Royal Plaza
1905 Hotel Plaza Boulevard
Lake Buena Vista, FL 32830

Don and I are most likly going, maybe just Friday night, maybe both.

Jim

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/01/2004 04:47:44

Thanks Jim...do you have their site so i can see the details I have to be in Boca on the 20th so I too may go for just friday

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 08/01/2004 07:10:14

http://geocities.com/coralgables1954/

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/05/2004 07:30:48

Brothers of the 50's and any other time...note the thread on reunion 1964/65..note that on the Friday night there is going to be a sock hop at CGHS...Becuase one of us is presently a top dog at CGHS this will come off... I personally think this would be a good time to have a semi reunion for STAGS back at the school

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/12/2004 11:35:40

By Claude Thomas 1951

Thanks for the memory...I have been trying to think of the drive-in for years. In fact just this past Sunday nite I had a visitor here in San Francisco "Jim and Helen Kanvney" who I took out to dinner and we were trying to remember the place. I know we had many brawls there with the Grove Gang at times.Your right also about the price. Whow what great times !!!!!

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/13/2004 08:55:33

There was the Tropicare on Bird, Dixie somewhere down south off US 1 and the Lejune off Lejune road south of the airport...I liked row Z speaker 15...more privacy and couldnt see the movie nor did the speaker work...if you hear from Jim remind him he has to be back to fish

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/14/2004 02:15:29

Regarding drive-in movies..
The Tropicare was on Bird Road at 79th Avenue across from what used to be Tropical Race Track (now Tropical Park). My parents lived on 79 Ave about two blocks from that drive in. Their house is still in the family. Before I was old enough to drive, a free movie was a short walk away. Great until I was about 15 when sitting on the benches right in front of the screen and running around like a ninny had lost its appeal.

There also was a drive in on Coral Way at about 70th Avenue. Amazingly eough I think the name was the Coral Way Drive In. I also saw a lot of free movies there but only because I worked at Coral Way and 67th Avenue three nights a week until 10 and the ticket booth was closed by the time I finished work. However, that drive in was our favorite for the reduced admission method of several inside the car and several more in the truck. One memory is still fairly vivid but until tonight I had not thought of it for 48 years. Bob Hance (NS several years older than me) was driving his '49 or '50 Ford. I think Glen Logan (also NS)was in the car with Hance. Ray Peterson, Ed Short and I were in the trunk. Just as we were approaching the pay station, Short ripped a fart that was world class. Loud and extremely toxic. The trunk group was laughing so hard the booth attendant realized we were in the trunk and called security. Hance peeled rubber through the parking area without paying, drove over 8-10 of the parking berms like it was a San Francisco chase scene and made it to the exit lane and out onto Coral Way on two wheels. For Ray, Ed and I it was like riding in a barrel over a water fall.

Regarding drive-in restaurants, the ones I remember are...
Jimmy's Hurricane at Bird Road and LeJuene
The Longhorn at Bird Road and where the Palmetto Expressway is today
The Big Wheel on 32nd Avenue a block south of Coral Way
Pizza Patio on Bird Road and 97th Avenue.
Hot Shopps on U.S. 1 at the intersection where Bird Road crosses the highway and becomes Bird Avenue
The Rocket on SW 67th Avenue 1/2 block south of 8th Street (Bob and Ed's Truck & Auto Center operated out of that location until 2004. The Rocket sign was still out front. The Lohman brothers from my fishing club owned the shop).
The crowd from Miami High had a favorite hang out but I have forgotten the name and location but somewhere in what is now Little Havana.

I can remember details from many years ago that are not very important but forget some current and important things. Lets see...did the doctor say take the yellow pill at bedtime and the green pill at lunch or the other way around and which one was before eating and which one was after eating. I think I better just take both the yellow pill and the green pill at bedtime and before and after lunch...

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/14/2004 06:30:32

John, I used to hang at all those places then their names changed in my fog..Nook, Red Bird,Blue Moon, Coral Gate,27Birds, Munity, Nettlows,Hex,Fox's, 600, 6 west, Mikes, Brysons.Lil TeePee,Gyspy Pub, Taurus,sir John,Urmey hotel, Last national bank; 1800, varsity inn, black beards, yorkshire,cherrio's.abners...i used to hit these places daily (except the beer bars)

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/15/2004 01:04:17

Terry, some of the names are familiar but you are way out in front of me in terms of the number of places where you were considered a regular.

I used to hit the Hex at Sunset and Galloway fairly frequently. We still laugh about one Hex incident that took place over 30 years ago. Terry, we lived in the Village of Kendale so you know how close that is to the Hex. It was during the energy crisis. The college was on a summer schedule with classes Monday through Thursday and no classes Friday, Saturday, and Sunday. The campuses shut down completely at noon on Friday. Huge energy savings with nothing but security operational until Monday a.m. About 1 pm on Friday I pulled into my driveway. Before I could get out of my car (a great '66 Mustang with a 289 that I bought new and kept in the family for 25 years), Ron (one of my store managers) and Joe, a salesman that was a good friend, pulled in behind me. Ron was driving Joe's Mercedes. They said let's go to the Hex for a few drinks. I said OK, but this can't be all afternoon, I told Oci we were going to dinner tonight. "Ron said, it will only be for a couple of hours. Joe did not finish at the University of Miami so he is flying home on a 5 o'clock flight and coming back on Monday. I will keep his car for him. We will have to leave for MIA not later than 4." We left my car in the driveway,I hopped in Joe's car and off we went to the Hex. One drink became many drinks. 4 o'clock came and went. Joe said screw it, I'll stay at Ron's tonight and drive home Saturday. Hours later, in a hushed tone Ron says, "John, don't look up now but Oci is at the door." So what did I do? Of course. I jumped up with one of those liquored grins and said "Hi Oci, want a drink before we go to dinner?" "No, the kids are in the car. And Ron, Sandy (his wife) is looking all over for you." It seems that there had been several recent armed robberies in our industry. The MO was: several guys would kidnapp a store manager at his home at gunpoint and force him to go to the store and open the safe. A few weeks earlier one of the Broward County colleges had been hit. As a result we had implemented some policies and procedures to protect our managers. Ron had told Sandy because we had some code words to alert wives if there was a kidnapping in progress situation. Sandy comes home, sees Ron's car at the house but no Ron. Sandy is certain Ron was kidnapped and was in great distress, maybe even dying. Sandy calls Oci and asks if Ron is with me. Oci says "I don't know where John is, his car is in the driveway but I haven't seen him." Sandy says, "Oh my God, both Ron and John have been kidnapped. They are probably forcing John to open the safes in all of the stores." By now Sandy is crying and nearly hestercial. Oci says, "Calm down, Joe is in town, they are probably at the Hex. I will drive over there and check it out and call you back." By the time Oci gets to the Hex it is 8 or 9. Needless to say, Oci was rather pissed off. I did not get any dinner that night. Nothing else either.
Just thinking about it and writing about it I am having a great laugh.

Ron, Joe and I are still great friends. Ron worked for me from 1962 until he retired at age 52. I love him like I love my Stag brothers.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/15/2004 06:56:06

Thanks for sharing...did you know that when we were in high school the HEX was called Nettlows...Nettlows sold it and opened on US 1 where the Jade Gardens is..later burned down..Nettlows brothers Andy, Al and Don...Don an attorney later bought the cheap motels on US1 just south of Riveria...remind me to tell you the story(in Flamingo) of me(dressed in an Eduardian tux) and a car in the hills of Tennessee outside of Nashville

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/15/2004 07:54:52

That intersection was known as Sunset Corners. Kind of a country and western hang out with the horse crowd. When we are in Flamingo remind me to tell you of the old man that owned the Apolosa stud quarterhorse named Daddy-O and his best competion rider who was about 16, an exceptional body, and blond hair nearly to her waist. Also, the little known connection between the Yorkshire Inn and Stags Club.

Re: Memories of the 50's

Posted at 10/15/2004 07:56:51