Class of '56 has 56th.

Our 56th. class reunion was held at the lovely home of Janice Fant Carpenter and her husband, Ben.  Some pictures of our last reunion can be found at:

http://www.flickr.com/photos/42268143@N08/

There are 70 + pictures there, both of our classmates and some of the folks in the class of '55 and the class of '57.  At the bottom of the page you will see a way to move to the next page of pictures.

Only a few pictures have captions.  You can do your classmates a favor by adding captions.  In order to add captions your first have to become a Flickr user.  Then you can add captions in the Comment section below each picture.  Flickr will not spam you or otherwise do anything evil.  Just sign up for the free account and you then can add captions or upload pictures yourself.  Very nice site.

I did not post these pictures to this blog as it is very time consuming to do so.  If there is a blogger out there who would like to do so let me know!!

Bill

50th Anniversary!

Gary and Gwen Amis Harrell is soon to be celebrating their 50th anniversary together (Nov. 5).   She send a photo of her and Gary taken on their wedding day.  What a grand couple they made!

Happy 50th Gwen and Gary!!

The 55th Reunion Was Great

We had an excellent turnout inspite of the tropical storm Lee dropping TONS of rain. And everyone had a great time.

I will be putting up some pictures in the next week or so. If you have some please share them with Lionel or Billy.

Our Class Picture

Please click on the picture to enlarge it.

Kudos to Anna Gayle, Marilyn, Gwen, Ruth Ann and Becky Marr for helping to match names and faces in our 1956 graduation picture. They spent hours of hard work on this project -- but always kept it fun! Thanks, ladies!!

1st Row, Sarah Jane Embry, Betty Hammett, Claudetta Needham, Ann Mason, Enla Ray Grimes, Mary Louise Skelton, Ida Well, Dorothy McCaleb, Bessie Hamilton, Geraldine Fulcher, Helen McRaney, Sharon Cothern, Doris Jean Jackson, Carolyn Garner, Nancy Jost, Lin Owen, Betty Cox, Joanne Haluska, Mary Ellen LaCaze, Lynda Caldwell, Nancy Fant, Betsy Rouse

2nd Row, Jo Ann Gannon , Francis Mobley, Eleanor Rouse, Betty Jo Enroth , Martha Davis, Jewel Peterman, June Vierling, Marie O'Neal, Betty McMurray, Patsy Langston , Evelyn Clark, Joanna Dodson, Cynthia Dabney, Becky McMichael, Carol Anderson , Peggy Holcomb, Alison Pringle, Mary Crouch, Gayle Owen, Carol Rainey, Jane Causey, Jackie Glass

3rd Row, Carolyn Bohn, Kay Minor Fant, Russell Rape, Linda Scott, Irene Sanderson, Dorothy Kinsey, Mary Shiyou, JoAnn Hatten, Mary Hanson, JoAnn Lowery, Janice Bowden, Rozanna Brady, Noel Egge, Jane Hunt, Jill Hunt, Susan Medley, June Ramsey, Barbara Swarthout, Clydie Schmidt, George Rosetti, Shelton Sylvest

4th Row, Jimmy Rester, Tippy Milner, Archie Crowder, Robbie Besse, Ramsay King, Lionel Blum, Wayne Davis, Dexter Patterson, Larry Hatfield, Mary Roberts, Bobbie Hall, Gary Harrell, Gwen Amis, Sarah Odle, Carolyn Keel, Alice Jean Arthur, Roger Bailey, Harold Hill, Paul Frank, Jim Morrow, Mike Stewart, Jim Gay

5th Row, Ned Craig, Ron Stewart, Leon Christodolou , Ron Broussard, Thomas Persons, Gary Bell, ??, Bill Mabry, Jeannene Dubuisson, Sara Lewis, Bunny Stehling, Marilyn Sisson, Ruth Ann Gauthé, Martha Hatten, Peter Sheely, Spence Cuevas, Joseph Cuevas, Victor Wimpee

6th Row, Jimmy Deen, Glen Ray Walters, Phil Bolton, Ralph Cuevas, Abraham Kassis, Glenn Wright, Larry Lenoir, Kenny Rich, Joe Gannon, John Davis, Joe Coefield, Frances Head, Anna Gayle Davidson, Jane Hallett, David Broome, Walter Fulton, Jimmy Clark, ???, Darrell Smith, Graham Smith

7th Row, Jerry Crawley, Billy Mount, Jerry Carriere, Billy Hewes, Roland Bond, Douglas Ladd, Gordon Smith, ???, Jim Head, Robert Stevens, Ray Powell, ???, Billy McGown, Jan Perrett, Kenneth Gibson, Scott Embry, R. L. Stafford, ??? , Barry Monroe



The following people are either not identified or not in the picture.

Inez Cameron, Jane Causey, Leon Christodolou, Evelyn Clark, Jerry Crawley, Ralph Cuevas, Johnny Davis, Scott Embry, Charlene Erath, Marco Figueroa, Carolyn Finch, David Fitch, Samuel Fitch, Janet Floyd, Joe Gorman, Harry Hewes, Lauralee Keen, Mary King, Jerry Kinser, Donnie Faye Lawrence, Judy Locke, Johnny Martin, Eva Meadows, Barry Monroe , Frank Moses , Jeanette Norris , Thomas Persons , Raymond Powell, Glenn Rouse, Cecelia Schick, Larry Schultz, Robert Stevenson, Mary Louise Stewart, Paul Walker, Carl D. Williams, Jerry Woleben

Driving Miss Daisy

Ruth Ann has been busy.  She played a starring role in a play produced by the JORT group and EVERY ONE says it was a wonderful production!
Below are some pictures of her.  As you can see, she played a grand "Miss Daisy".

This link will take you to a write up of the JORT group in the Hattiesburg American:
JORT GROUP

Congratulations Ruth Ann!

The Lunch Bunch

A fine group of lunch bunch fellows.  Looks like Ron is not going to go hungry!

From L to R;

First row........Ronald Brussard, Frank Palazzo,  Billy Mount,Baxter Jones

Second row..Paul Franke, John Rosetti, Benny Roy Easterling, Ernest Ray Kirby, Buddy Hammett

And, sadly, I have been informed that Baxter Jones has passed away since this picture was taken.  RIP

Lionel Blum and Submariners

Lionel had a picture of him and his submarine friends in the Mississippi Press on Jan. 3 2011.  I have added it to our blog for a number of reasons. 

First, it is always great to see one of us making the news. 

Second, it would be great if you would send either Lionel or I links to articles about our classmates or emails letting us know when one of them makes the news.

And third, Lionel has had a serious illness the first of the year but is over the hump. 

And, last but certainly not least, we all need to thank Lionel for all the work he does for the GHS Class or '56.

(Sorry about the quality of the image, it is from the newspaper and I could not get rid of the 'bleed' from the back side.)

The Ring

The Blog has been slow lately.  But there is a small drama unfolding—Someone has found a lost class ring and we are looking for the person who might have lost it.  So here  is a very rough compilation of the email that has been shuttling back and forth for the last day or two.  (pardon if I missed a name or two)

From Mike Stewart:

Hi, Classmates!

Thanks to our Golden Commodore blog, I have been contacted by someone about a GHS 56 class ring found near Knoxville. She sent me the following:

Hello, A friend of mine found a class ring from Gulfport HS class of 1956 with the initials BRC. Looks like a ladies ring. He would like to return it to original owner or family.

Rather than send this person’s address to everyone, I thought it might be easier if one of us acted as a clearing house. If anyone has any thoughts on this, please let me know and I will follow up, or provide you with the finder’s contact information.

Please give this the widest distribution you can and maybe we can locate our
classmate who lost this ring.

Blessings and Happy New Year to all,

Mike

From Anna Gayle:

Hi Mike and other classmates,

The best I can do from the year book is Betty Cox.  Anyone know Betty's middle name?  Oh shoot -- just found she was Betty Ann Cox.  What a great human interest story this would make for the paper.

I am now looking on an ole email sheet for BRC and see Ralph Cuevas.  Was Ralph his middle name?

I see that Edward Craig lived in Knoxville.  C fits -- but don't know about the BR.  Any ideas?

Hope someone claims it.  I am adding five people to the mailing list who helped me with names -- and brains.

From Gwen:

I am perusing our graduation program and the list of all the graduates.  Ralph Joseph Cuevas is listed as well as Edward Raymond Craig.  Could the B actually be an E.  How clear is the engraving on the ring?    Gwen

From Anna Gayle:

Thanks. I spoke with Ned and he can’t find his ring! His initials are ERC and I’m waiting on a reply from the gal in Knoxville about the possibility of the B being an E. Personally, it sounds like we have a fit. Just waiting.

From Mike:

Dear Friends –

FYI, I have written the finder in Knoxville again and asked her to let me know where we stand on this. There’s a fine line between being persistent and being a pest and I don’t want to cross  that line, so I’ll just wait to hear back from her. She has a small business that probably keeps  her running on weekends, if I understand her website.

I will let you know when something happens.

Best to all,

Mike 

Commodores Having Fun

We have Linda Scott and Richard Waters to thank for these recent photographs.

Cynthia Dabney and Marilyn Sisson Hammet discuss the world situation.
 

In Biloxi Cemetery, Dexter Patterson, Linda Scott, and Richard Waters await a tow truck for Dexter's disabled van.

Marilyn and Buddy Hammett celebrate Father's Day 2010.

Charles and Dottie Long.  Charles was class of 54 but we consider him an honorary member of our class.

GHS'er on Front Page Sports!

Linda Scott was on the first page of the SunHerald Sports section today (May 16, 2010).  Way to go Scotty!

You can read the full story here


Remember if you see any news on any of our classmates drop Lionel a line and a link.  Thanks.

Marco St. John

Marco has made the news in our local paper, The SunHerald.  Here is a copy of the article.

I would have just linked to it but I could not find it on the paper's web site.

Also, if you Google "Marco St. John" you will find out even more about our very busy classmate!

Congratulations, Marco!

Beating the Heat!!

Are these people holding Beers?

I can't believe any of our classmates would let alcohol touch their lips!

This picture was taken the summer of 1960 at Bobby Buck's parents pool on Briarfield Ave,  just north of the old Dr. Gay Clinic. 

Photo taken at a pool party at Bobby Buck’s house (from left to right) is Larry Lenoir, Marco Figueroa, (unknown), Brent Richardson,  Robbie Besse,  Dexter Patterson, and Harold Hill – “we need your help to identify the person who is 3rd one from the left”

Photo from Ron Broussard -- Thanks Boz!!!

The Old Yacht Club

Another grand photo from Marilyn!!

This one of the Yacht Club in about 1956. There were lots of dances and parties held there during our school years.

Hey, I have even heard rumors there were places to "park" around there. Only rumors, you know.





Now a trivia question -- what was in the portion of the building to the right of main building.

If you would like more on the history of the GYC they have a wonderful GYC history page at
http://gulfportyachtclub.webs.com/history.htm

Gatherings -- Old & New

These are some wonderful shots that Marilyn (Sisson) Hammet sent in for the blog. Thanks Marilyn!
Allison Pringle is in the foreground and Marilyn Sisson next to her riding as Freshman Maids in the Homecoming Parade. Mairlyn says "I can remember where I was standing when BeBe Jost called to tell me that I had been elected for maid! It was really exciting."


A gathering of the girls in the summer of '55 or '56.

Marilyn says: "I don't know what we were celebrating but I am sure it was legal."

Front - Marilyn Sission and going to the right, Martha Hatten, Frances Head and Joanne Haluska. Standing -- Peggy Holcomb.


Summer of 2009 gathering at Martha's Tea Room.
Left to Right: Joan Haluska Edwards, Nancy Fant Timko, Marilyn Sisson Hammett, Linda Scott, Allison Pringle O'Neal, Francis Mobley Ladd, Gwen Amis Harrell and Peggy Holcomb Brown.

Summer of 2009 at the Yacht Club
"Harry Hewes trying to teach Nancy Fant Timko and Buddy Hammett how to sail!! Good luck, Harry."
Taken Mother's Day, 2009 at the Yacht Club

Left to right: Francis Mobley Ladd, Douglas Ladd, Marilyn Sisson Hammett and Linda Scott.

We Will Meet Just About Anywhere!!

Four "Old" Friends meet for lunch in Williamsburg, VA.! It looks like a great time was had by all.

Pictured are Gary and Gwen (Amis) Harrell, "Bebe" (Jost) and Martin Ficken.

How about it -- do any of you have photos of "Mini-reunions" in other places. If so shoot the pics and details to either Billy or Lionel. Everyone will enjoy them.

Classes of the '50s Dock Gathering

Front row seated left to right: Margaret "Peggy" (Holcomb) Brown; Nancy (Fant) Timko; Cynthia (Dabney) Stevens; Ruth Ann (Gauthe) Black; Barbara (Swarthout) Smith; Lynda Caldwell) Gilmore; Frances (Mobley) Ladd; second row standing, Johnny Davis, Harry Hewes, Billy Mount; Abraham Kassis; Murph Burdine. Third row Douglas Ladd; Mike Stewart and Roland Bond; last row standing on bench Jimmy Rester, Paul Franke, Ronald Broussard, Dexter Patterson and Lionel Blum.

Add: If anyone knows the lady standing right behind Frances (Mobley) Ladd, please let us know.

Photograph permissions by Kyle Garner (228)596-7808. If you wish to purchase a copy please contact him www.KyleGarnerPhoto.com.

Never the ones to miss a chance to get together!

The folks in our class are NEVER the ones to miss a chance to get together. Here are some of them gathering at Salute' before the main party for our 53rd reunion. It looks like they were doing a good job of catching up on old times.



Pictured above are Linda Scott, Red Phillips, Ruth Ann (Gauthe) Black, Marilyn (Sisson) Hammet and Buddy Hammet.

Pictured above are (L-R) Barbara and Mike Stewart, Joanne, Dudley Davis. Dexter Patterson and Nancy Fant are in the foreground with back the camera.



Above are Nancy Fant, Dexter Patterson and Jack Stevens, husband of Cynthia Dabney.

Pictured here are Dexter Patterson, Jack Stevens, Cynthia (Dabney) Stevens and Betsy (Rouse) Matthews. Standing is Linda Scott.

Many thanks to John Davis for the photographs!

1956 Homecoming Parade

Again we have our parents to thank. This photo was taken by Anna Gayle's mother as the parade passed by the Greyhound bus station at the corner of 24th and 14th. That's the Markham Hotel in the background. If you click on the photo you will get a larger image and you can make out some of your classmates. I recognized two.


Anna Gayle is shown in the car and Ronald Broussard is the drum major. If you recognize any more leave a comment. Just click on the word "Comments" below and sign in and post your comment with the names of anyone you might have identified.

Ah, The times we had!

A night to remember at the "Pink Pony." It took me a moment or two to remember where it was. Do You? Hint -- It was not on the beach.



Pictured above are Dickie Waters, Anna Gayle Davidson and Emery Davis (L-R).

Now here is another mystery -- who was the person taking the picture?

Thanks to Anna Gayle for finding the shoe box this one was hidden in.

At the Ball

Victor Wimpee and Anna Gayle Davidson at the 1956 Homecoming Dance. You can see a bit of Dexter Patterson behind Victor. He escorted Frances Head.

And here are a few comments from Anna Gayle --
Other pictures of 1956 Homecoming Court are already on the blog but here is a new one. It is of Victor Wimpee and myself being introduced at the dance that night. The thing that is so cute about it -- his nose was smashed in the football game and you can see his war injury. Because he was my date and he was a football player -- he could not escort me on the field at the half time. Therefore, dear, dear Roger Bailey was my escort for the game and Victor was for the dance. A few other gals had to do this, too.