I have received e-mails from some readers who have had trouble posting comments. It is somewhat of a mystery as comments have been successfully posted in the past. The blog settings show to be wide open and allow anyone (even Elbonian cranks, I suppose) to comment. Until I ascertain the problem, please e-mail me any comments you wish to make and I will publish them.
E-mail bobreagan13@gmail.com
Friday, December 27, 2013
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Merry Christmas
Publishing this blog for the 50th celebration has been a rewarding experience – one of my fondest for the past half-century. It will stay open indefinitely, and I hope to find time to post items from time to time, and continue to welcome any contributions. Thanks to everyone in the Class of 1963 for the inspiration to create and maintain it.
One item of note, two weeks ago, Bill Murphy and I attended a meeting of the 1964 class reunion committee. They believe Bill, Chris, Sherman and all did a good job and are seeking suggestions for their bash. No one has a monopoly on good ideas, so suggestions from anyone will be welcome.
To everyone in our Class of 1963, those who attended in October, and those who did not, for whatever reason, I wish a Merry Christmas, and a Happy 51st New Year.
One item of note, two weeks ago, Bill Murphy and I attended a meeting of the 1964 class reunion committee. They believe Bill, Chris, Sherman and all did a good job and are seeking suggestions for their bash. No one has a monopoly on good ideas, so suggestions from anyone will be welcome.
To everyone in our Class of 1963, those who attended in October, and those who did not, for whatever reason, I wish a Merry Christmas, and a Happy 51st New Year.
Friday, November 1, 2013
A Week Later
I hope everyone had a great 50th reunion weekend. It was really great seeing so many from so long ago. there will be more to come. Please post comments or send ideas or items to BobReagan13@gmail.com
Special thanks to future President Bill Murphy and his cabinet for keeping everything on track making arrangements and guiding us through the festivities.
Wouldn't you like to see Murphy in the Oval Office next time we get together? (Oh well, if you lose your dreams, you’ll lose your mind.)
This month was a most fateful time in 1963. Beginning with the first day, when Viet Nam president Ngo Dinh Diem and his chief advisor and brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were deposed and assassinated. An interesting analysis in today’s Wall Street Journal by Mark Moyar "JFK and the Seeds of Disaster in Vietnam." Moyar believes that politics supplanted policy and caused the U.S. to back the insurgents notwithstanding that Diem had essentially a stable regime and had been able to hold the Viet Cong at bay for eight years. This resulted in a series of unstable governments that ultimately required U.S. combat troops to keep afloat, ultimately a futile endeavor. See Moyar's article in the WSJ here.
Special thanks to future President Bill Murphy and his cabinet for keeping everything on track making arrangements and guiding us through the festivities.
Wouldn't you like to see Murphy in the Oval Office next time we get together? (Oh well, if you lose your dreams, you’ll lose your mind.)
This month was a most fateful time in 1963. Beginning with the first day, when Viet Nam president Ngo Dinh Diem and his chief advisor and brother Ngo Dinh Nhu were deposed and assassinated. An interesting analysis in today’s Wall Street Journal by Mark Moyar "JFK and the Seeds of Disaster in Vietnam." Moyar believes that politics supplanted policy and caused the U.S. to back the insurgents notwithstanding that Diem had essentially a stable regime and had been able to hold the Viet Cong at bay for eight years. This resulted in a series of unstable governments that ultimately required U.S. combat troops to keep afloat, ultimately a futile endeavor. See Moyar's article in the WSJ here.
Friday, October 25, 2013
Days to Outlive
I doubt that the timing of our 50th Anniversary Reunion was planned this way, but I think it is appropriate that the first day of this milestone weekend falls on October 25, St. Crispin’s Day.
Recycling Does Work. The following is an updated and combined version of previous posts commemorating the day of St. Crispin, the patron of one of my other blogs.
October 25, 1415
This day is called the feast of Crispin:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispin.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
- Wm. Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3
October 25, 2013
In addition to his titanic literary talents, William Shakespeare was politically savvy and knew how to ingratiate himself with the powers that were. Some have gone so far as to claim the Histories (which included Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV (parts 1 & 2), and Henry VI (parts 1 & 2) as well as Henry V) were written at least in part as Tudor propaganda during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His depiction of Richard III as a depraved and deformed monster who was overthrown by the noble and virtuous Henry Tudor, Elizabeth’s grandfather, is a case in point. In any event, the St. Crispin’s day speech may well have been written to remind the English of Elizabeth’s exhortation to her forces to successfully repulse the attempted Spanish invasion of 1588, and thus foster English nationalism. It evidently served both of them well.
In addition to King Henry V’s victorious battle of Agincourt in 1415, St. Crispin’s was the day of the Battle of Balaklava during the Crimean War in 1854 where the less successful Charge of the Light Brigade occurred, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 when the U.S. Navy consigned nearly the entire Japanese fleet to the bottom of the sea. The U. S. Invasion of Graneda to expel a Cuban sponsored Marxist takeover occurred on the day in 1983. Quotations from Henry’s speech have furnished many a title and pithy quote for military as well as other works of fact and fiction.
St. Crispin’s Day remains a Black Letter Saint’s Day on the Anglican Calendar (for obvious reasons), but not on the Roman. It seems that the Vatican II Council decided there was insufficient evidence that St. Crispin ever existed. Perhaps accurate history, but, as an Orthodox priest of my acquaintance once remarked, bad PR. Shakespeare, however, knew that when the legend becomes fact, print the legend. (Quote from The Man who Shot Liberty Valance, (John Ford film, 1962)
T.S. Eliot wrote that April is the cruelest month. That may be so to certain perspectives, but I find that October is one of the most uncertain and eventful months. For one thing, here in Texas there is a saying that if you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes and it will change. That adage is truer in October that it is in any other month. I recall near 100 degrees at the State Fair, as well below freezing temperatures around Hallowe’en.
Putting aside the weather, there been a number of other momentous events in history that occurred in October. The battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066 in which the present Queen Elizabeth II’s distant ancestor William of Normandy conquered England and established his line of succession which is unbroken to this day.
Fast-forward to the United States in 1962, 51 years ago to the week of this writing, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off in what has become to be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Many have opined that this is the closest the world has ever come to wholesale nuclear war. Some dispute this, and I reserve judgment. It was nevertheless a significant turning point in the Cold War. An ironic note: of the three major participants, President John F. Kennedy, Soviet president (or whatever his title was ) Nikita Khrushchev, and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Kennedy was assassinated little more than a year later, Khrushchev was deposed in 1964 and died in 1977. Castro remains alive and in actual, if not formal, power (although his current state of health is a matter of mystery and speculation). On an even more ironic note, Sergei Khrushchev, Nikita’s son is now a U.S. citizen, and lives in Rhode Island.
Tomorrow is the 132st anniversary of the Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. As insignificant as this event probably was, it made Wyatt Earp a legend of the old West, and spawned no fewer than five motion pictures. Made millions for Hollywood.
And of course, today October 25 is St. Crispin’s Day. It is one more day that most of those in our old school class has outlived. But there are those whose hour upon the stage was cut short, and we will also remember them at this time and pray that they have gone safe home.
Here is the entire passage for those interested:
This day is called the feast of Crispin:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispin.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispin:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Note: Sts. Crispin and Crispian were twins reputed to have been martyred for the faith in the Third Century. They both were commemorated, but Crispian got short shrift.
Hey! If you can't be a little over the top at a time like this . . .
Recycling Does Work. The following is an updated and combined version of previous posts commemorating the day of St. Crispin, the patron of one of my other blogs.
 |
| Azincourt, Pas-de-Calais, France |
October 25, 1415
This day is called the feast of Crispin:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispin.
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
- Wm. Shakespeare, Henry V, Act IV, Scene 3
 |
| 3812 Oak Lawn Ave, Dallas, Texas |
October 25, 2013
In addition to his titanic literary talents, William Shakespeare was politically savvy and knew how to ingratiate himself with the powers that were. Some have gone so far as to claim the Histories (which included Richard II, Richard III, Henry IV (parts 1 & 2), and Henry VI (parts 1 & 2) as well as Henry V) were written at least in part as Tudor propaganda during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. His depiction of Richard III as a depraved and deformed monster who was overthrown by the noble and virtuous Henry Tudor, Elizabeth’s grandfather, is a case in point. In any event, the St. Crispin’s day speech may well have been written to remind the English of Elizabeth’s exhortation to her forces to successfully repulse the attempted Spanish invasion of 1588, and thus foster English nationalism. It evidently served both of them well.
In addition to King Henry V’s victorious battle of Agincourt in 1415, St. Crispin’s was the day of the Battle of Balaklava during the Crimean War in 1854 where the less successful Charge of the Light Brigade occurred, and the Battle of Leyte Gulf in 1944 when the U.S. Navy consigned nearly the entire Japanese fleet to the bottom of the sea. The U. S. Invasion of Graneda to expel a Cuban sponsored Marxist takeover occurred on the day in 1983. Quotations from Henry’s speech have furnished many a title and pithy quote for military as well as other works of fact and fiction.
St. Crispin’s Day remains a Black Letter Saint’s Day on the Anglican Calendar (for obvious reasons), but not on the Roman. It seems that the Vatican II Council decided there was insufficient evidence that St. Crispin ever existed. Perhaps accurate history, but, as an Orthodox priest of my acquaintance once remarked, bad PR. Shakespeare, however, knew that when the legend becomes fact, print the legend. (Quote from The Man who Shot Liberty Valance, (John Ford film, 1962)
T.S. Eliot wrote that April is the cruelest month. That may be so to certain perspectives, but I find that October is one of the most uncertain and eventful months. For one thing, here in Texas there is a saying that if you don’t like the weather wait 15 minutes and it will change. That adage is truer in October that it is in any other month. I recall near 100 degrees at the State Fair, as well below freezing temperatures around Hallowe’en.
Putting aside the weather, there been a number of other momentous events in history that occurred in October. The battle of Hastings on October 14, 1066 in which the present Queen Elizabeth II’s distant ancestor William of Normandy conquered England and established his line of succession which is unbroken to this day.
Fast-forward to the United States in 1962, 51 years ago to the week of this writing, the United States and the Soviet Union faced off in what has become to be known as the Cuban Missile Crisis. Many have opined that this is the closest the world has ever come to wholesale nuclear war. Some dispute this, and I reserve judgment. It was nevertheless a significant turning point in the Cold War. An ironic note: of the three major participants, President John F. Kennedy, Soviet president (or whatever his title was ) Nikita Khrushchev, and Cuban dictator Fidel Castro, Kennedy was assassinated little more than a year later, Khrushchev was deposed in 1964 and died in 1977. Castro remains alive and in actual, if not formal, power (although his current state of health is a matter of mystery and speculation). On an even more ironic note, Sergei Khrushchev, Nikita’s son is now a U.S. citizen, and lives in Rhode Island.
Tomorrow is the 132st anniversary of the Gunfight at the OK Corral in Tombstone, Arizona. As insignificant as this event probably was, it made Wyatt Earp a legend of the old West, and spawned no fewer than five motion pictures. Made millions for Hollywood.
And of course, today October 25 is St. Crispin’s Day. It is one more day that most of those in our old school class has outlived. But there are those whose hour upon the stage was cut short, and we will also remember them at this time and pray that they have gone safe home.
Here is the entire passage for those interested:
This day is called the feast of Crispin:
He that outlives this day, and comes safe home,
Will stand a tip-toe when this day is named,
And rouse him at the name of Crispin.
He that shall live this day, and see old age,
Will yearly on the vigil feast his neighbours,
And say 'To-morrow is Saint Crispin:'
Then will he strip his sleeve and show his scars.
And say 'These wounds I had on Crispin's day.'
Old men forget: yet all shall be forgot,
But he'll remember with advantages
What feats he did that day: then shall our names,
Familiar in his mouth as household words
Harry the king, Bedford and Exeter,
Warwick and Talbot, Salisbury and Gloucester,
Be in their flowing cups freshly remember'd.
This story shall the good man teach his son;
And Crispin Crispian shall ne'er go by,
From this day to the ending of the world,
But we in it shall be remember'd;
We few, we happy few, we band of brothers;
For he to-day that sheds his blood with me
Shall be my brother; be he ne'er so vile,
This day shall gentle his condition:
And gentlemen in England now a-bed
Shall think themselves accursed they were not here,
And hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks
That fought with us upon Saint Crispin's day.
Note: Sts. Crispin and Crispian were twins reputed to have been martyred for the faith in the Third Century. They both were commemorated, but Crispian got short shrift.
Hey! If you can't be a little over the top at a time like this . . .
Thursday, October 24, 2013
More Then and Now
 |
Slide Rule c. 1963 - $15 (in '63 dollars) TI Calculator (solar powered) -- $35 (in 2013 dollars
As we all remember, learning to efficiently use a slide rule took time and a lot of practice. Even so, the accuracy was never great beyond 2 (or 3, for virtuoso users) decimal places.
The electronic calculator shown has more computing power and functions than the largest and most expensive IBM mainframe had, even as late as 1983. It's accuracy is beyond who knows how many decimal places.
|
Update on Saturday Morning Parking
St. Rita’s called late yesterday and has requested that we park on the Harvest Hill side parking lot.
That is to the north of the church. See map on previous post.
That is to the north of the church. See map on previous post.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Event Schedule and Friday Parking Map
Here is the schedule and some logistical information for the 50th Reunion weekend provided by the alumni office.
1. Parking for Friday Night: We have reserved the lot located behind the school for reunion parking. The entrance to this lot is located at the northernmost edge of campus - adjacent to the driveway for St. Rita's. (See the map below.) There will be an officer stationed there. Please tell him you are with the Class of '63 Reunion. Note: This will also change where you enter the building. Signs and Jesuit Alumni/Advancement Office staff will be stationed in the parking area to direct you to the Historical Library from the rear of the building. We appreciate your patience and are confident the prime parking more than makes up for the confusion...hopefully.
2. Parking for Saturday Morning: St. Rita's has kindly offered for us to use their parking lot. Please enter the lot off of Inwood Road (the driveway just north of the one shown on the map below) and proceed to parking nearest the Jesuit school busses which will be waiting for you. David Wright is a phenomenal Math Teacher at Jesuit and will be driving one of the busses. Please join me in thanking him for helping us out on his day off!
3. Weekend schedule of events: See below.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
Tour of Campus
Alumni Director, Kevin Mullan, will lead a short guided walking tour of campus.
Location: Historical Library (Main Entrance)
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Pre-game party at Jesuit
Dinner and drinks with fellow members of '63 before kick-off @ 7:30 PM.
Jesuit football game ticket included. We will line up on the field around 6:45 to receive Golden Diplomas from Jesuit President Mike Earsing.
Location: Terry Center
Time: 6-9 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013
Tour of George W. Bush Presidential Library and Lunch
Take a tour of Dallas' newest museum, followed by lunch at Back Country Bar-B-Q, owned by Frank Hart '67
Location: Meet at Jesuit at 8:45 a.m. to board the bus
Time: 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
'63 Reunion Cocktails and Dinner
Join fellow members of the Class of '63 and spouses/guests for a buffet dinner and wine.
Location: Lakewood Country Club
Time: 6:30 PM
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2013
Alumni Memorial Mass
Each year, the Alumni Memorial Mass remembers alumni who have died in the last year. This year, special prayers will be said for each of the members of our reunion classes, including the Class of 1963. Light breakfast reception will follow.
Location: Terry Center
Time: 10 a.m.
1. Parking for Friday Night: We have reserved the lot located behind the school for reunion parking. The entrance to this lot is located at the northernmost edge of campus - adjacent to the driveway for St. Rita's. (See the map below.) There will be an officer stationed there. Please tell him you are with the Class of '63 Reunion. Note: This will also change where you enter the building. Signs and Jesuit Alumni/Advancement Office staff will be stationed in the parking area to direct you to the Historical Library from the rear of the building. We appreciate your patience and are confident the prime parking more than makes up for the confusion...hopefully.
2. Parking for Saturday Morning: St. Rita's has kindly offered for us to use their parking lot. Please enter the lot off of Inwood Road (the driveway just north of the one shown on the map below) and proceed to parking nearest the Jesuit school busses which will be waiting for you. David Wright is a phenomenal Math Teacher at Jesuit and will be driving one of the busses. Please join me in thanking him for helping us out on his day off!
3. Weekend schedule of events: See below.
FRIDAY, OCTOBER 25, 2013
Tour of Campus
Alumni Director, Kevin Mullan, will lead a short guided walking tour of campus.
Location: Historical Library (Main Entrance)
Time: 5:15 p.m.
Pre-game party at Jesuit
Dinner and drinks with fellow members of '63 before kick-off @ 7:30 PM.
Jesuit football game ticket included. We will line up on the field around 6:45 to receive Golden Diplomas from Jesuit President Mike Earsing.
Location: Terry Center
Time: 6-9 p.m.
SATURDAY, OCTOBER 26, 2013
Tour of George W. Bush Presidential Library and Lunch
Take a tour of Dallas' newest museum, followed by lunch at Back Country Bar-B-Q, owned by Frank Hart '67
Location: Meet at Jesuit at 8:45 a.m. to board the bus
Time: 8:45 a.m. - 2:15 p.m.
'63 Reunion Cocktails and Dinner
Join fellow members of the Class of '63 and spouses/guests for a buffet dinner and wine.
Location: Lakewood Country Club
Time: 6:30 PM
SUNDAY, OCTOBER 27, 2013
Alumni Memorial Mass
Each year, the Alumni Memorial Mass remembers alumni who have died in the last year. This year, special prayers will be said for each of the members of our reunion classes, including the Class of 1963. Light breakfast reception will follow.
Location: Terry Center
Time: 10 a.m.
Have a Great Time!
Monday, October 21, 2013
Tuesday, October 1, 2013
Pat Guillot --- RIP
I received this forwarded e-mail today
Dear friends--
If you don't already know, Pat went to be with the Lord very peacefully yesterday morning.
We are having a memorial service at Preston Hollow Presbyterian Church at 1:00 p.m. on Thursday. The obit will be in the paper tomorrow.
Again, thank you so much for your love, messages, prayers, and caring.
Becky
Tuesday, September 24, 2013
Latest List
This is the latest list of those who have sent in their reservation and paid. If anyone sees an omission please contact me.
Current Attendees - Reunion Weekend
| Alumni | First Name | Spouse/SO | Fri-Sun | Bush |
| Bartley | Terry | 1 | 0 | |
| Bird | Chris | Patti | 2 | 2 |
| Blackburn | James | Barbara | 2 | 0 |
| Caffo | Gary | Kris | 2 | 2 |
| Colgin | Larry | Mary | 2 | 2 |
| Cuellar | John | Susan | 2 | 2 |
| Daniel | Mike | Theresa | 2 | 2 |
| Erler | Don | Cyndy | 2 | 2 |
| Fertitta | Frank | Linda | 2 | 2 |
| Fioletta | Carl | 2 | 2 | |
| Hanley | Mike | Diane | 2 | 0 |
| Harford | James | Rose | 2 | 2 |
| Huffhines | Tommy | Lou Ann | 2 | 2 |
| Hutchison | Darwin | Debbie | 2 | 2 |
| Janick | Mike | Mary | 2 | 0 |
| Kerr | Mike | 1 | 0 | |
| Krebbs | Charles | Mary Ann | 2 | 2 |
| LaBarba | Sherman | Carla | 2 | 2 |
| Land | Tom | Penny | 2 | 2 |
| McAuliff | Mike | 1 | 0 | |
| McShane | Ray | 1 | 0 | |
| Murphy | Bill | Sherrie | 2 | 2 |
| Nasky | David | Trish | 2 | 2 |
| Neilon | Bill | Toni | 2 | 2 |
| Neuhoff | Bob | Andrea | 2 | 2 |
| Owens | Warren | Joan | 2 | 0 |
| Reagan | Bob | Martha | 2 | 2 |
| Ricci | Caesar | Paula | 2 | 2 |
| Roppolo | Tommy | Joan | 2 | 0 |
| Scottino | Vince | 1 | 1 | |
| Sefcik | John | Shelley | 2 | 2 |
| Seward | Steve | Catherine | 2 | 0 |
| Sullivan | Roger | Marguerite | 2 | 2 |
| Trevino | Gilbert | 1 | 0 | |
| Vadala | John | (wife) | 2 | 2 |
| Vavasseur | Milton | 1 | 1 | |
| Vinton | Paul | Mindy | 2 | 1 |
| Weissert | John | Julie | 2 | 2 |
| Wilson | Clancy | Julie | 2 | 2 |
| 71 | 53 | |||
| Guests | ||||
| Cathy Vance | ||||
| Bill DeOre | ||||
| Ann Marron Clark | ||||
| Carla LaBarba Bass | ||||
Inflation
Fun(ny) Facts
The tuition and fees for Jesuit in 1963 was $610 per year. This year 2013 - 2014 it is $15,385 for seniors (tuition for all classes is $14,900; fees for seniors are more – retreat and graduation).
According to the calculator on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’s web page, $610 in 1963 would have bought $4,650 worth of goods and services today. So the cost of sending a boy to Jesuit has tripled in 50 years. Has the quality of education there increased commensurately? Certainly the facilities are vastly more elaborate.
The price inflation might be somewhat misleading. The FRB calculates an average of consumer goods and services. The cost of many items has decreased. Quite a few items we take for granted today were not available at any cost. Example: a color television set with a 21" screen sold for around $500 in 1963. Food costs have generally decreased over the years.
Average prices for 1963: Car: $2,300, House: $19,300, Gas: $0.30, Loaf of Bread: $0.21, Gallon of Milk: $1.04, First Class Postage Stamp: 4 cents.
The tuition and fees for Jesuit in 1963 was $610 per year. This year 2013 - 2014 it is $15,385 for seniors (tuition for all classes is $14,900; fees for seniors are more – retreat and graduation).
According to the calculator on the Federal Reserve Bank of Minneapolis’s web page, $610 in 1963 would have bought $4,650 worth of goods and services today. So the cost of sending a boy to Jesuit has tripled in 50 years. Has the quality of education there increased commensurately? Certainly the facilities are vastly more elaborate.
The price inflation might be somewhat misleading. The FRB calculates an average of consumer goods and services. The cost of many items has decreased. Quite a few items we take for granted today were not available at any cost. Example: a color television set with a 21" screen sold for around $500 in 1963. Food costs have generally decreased over the years.
Average prices for 1963: Car: $2,300, House: $19,300, Gas: $0.30, Loaf of Bread: $0.21, Gallon of Milk: $1.04, First Class Postage Stamp: 4 cents.
Thursday, September 19, 2013
Update on expected attendance for the reunion, October 25 - 27
The following alumni have responded and are expected to attend.
List from the Alumni Office received yesterday:
T. Michael Bartley
J. Christopher Bird
James W. Blackburn
Michael M. Daniel
Donald J. Erler
Frank J. Fertitta
Michael J. Hanley
James D. Harford
Thomas D. Huffines
Darwin R. Hutchison
Michael D. Janick
D. Michael Kerr
Charles H. Krebbs
Sherman C. LaBarba
John T. Land
William M. McAuliff
Raymond D. McShane
William J. Murphy
William J. Neilon
Robert V. Neuhoff
Robert J. Reagan
Caesar A. Ricci
Thomas J. Roppolo
Vincent C. Scottino
John D. Sefcik
Stephen L. Seward
Roger C. Sullivan
Gilbert T. Trevino
John C. Vadala
Milton L. Vavasseur
Paul A. Vinton
John M. Weissert
John C. Wilson
Also, late word: Warren Owens, Paul Berry and we're resending to Bill Mokry. and Carl Fiorletta. Bill DeOre (our semi-official cartoonist -- stay tooned) and Guest, Class of 65 (Bill Murphy's Guest) Sherman La Barba's sister Carla Bass and Ann Marron Clark (Tim Marron's widow) and Gary Caffo.
I hope soon to have an update on who will be in the Bush Library tour.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Pat Guillot
I received this note today from Joe Pete Wilbert, Class of '62:
Dear Bob,
As you may or may not know, Pat Guillot '63 has been battling cancer for a number of years. I've been in regular contact with his wife, Becky, and it appears Pat may be nearing the end of his fight.
Hospice anticipates that he has only a few weeks left. The family is requesting no visitors, but cards and prayers are appreciated.
I wanted to provide you with the update, and also ask for your prayers for his wife, Becky, and their family, including his brother Larry '61.
Either myself or Jesuit will provide updates as they are available. Thank you for your prayers.
Sincerely,
Joe Pete Wilbert '62
Dear Bob,
As you may or may not know, Pat Guillot '63 has been battling cancer for a number of years. I've been in regular contact with his wife, Becky, and it appears Pat may be nearing the end of his fight.
Hospice anticipates that he has only a few weeks left. The family is requesting no visitors, but cards and prayers are appreciated.
I wanted to provide you with the update, and also ask for your prayers for his wife, Becky, and their family, including his brother Larry '61.
Either myself or Jesuit will provide updates as they are available. Thank you for your prayers.
Sincerely,
Joe Pete Wilbert '62
Sunday, August 25, 2013
More of the Same (and sad news)
As mentioned a week ago, the invitations to the 50th anniversary reunion have been sent. I've returned mine with a check. Hope many other have done so, but haven't received word from the Alumni Office yet.
Sadly, Robert J. (Bob) Reames won't be attending. Received and confirmed news from Sharon last week that Bob passed away on June 16 after a long illness. No other details at this time.
As for news from the past ---
From Paul Crume’s front page column on the Dallas Morning News Sunday August 25, 1963:
"A staunchly Democratic Dallas family was embarrassed the other day by an 8-year-old had suddenly noticed the current events all around him.
"He was trying to piece out some meaning out of what he was getting from grown talk and TV, and he finally asked his grandmother what about these wars. ‘When were these World Wars I and II, and who fought them?’
"She told him that France, England, United States, Italy and Japan were fighting Germany and Austria In World War I, and that the United States, France. England and Russia had paired off against Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II.
"The 8-year old nodded sagely.
"‘And now,’ he said, ‘we are fighting the Russians and the Democrats, aren’t we?’"
In many ways, little has changed in 50 years.
In some ways they have. On this day Channel 8 TV featured a "Home Town Hootenanny" at 9 PM sponsored by the Varsity Shop (now Culwell & Son). Haven’t heard the term "hootenanny" since around that time. They were open-mike affairs for amateur folksingers. I attended at least one where I made a fool out of myself after being overserved. "Folk music" had been growing in popularity for several years: Woody Guthrie (who I do not believe I have actually heard sing) was the godfather, followed by Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, the Kingston Trio (very popular during our high-school years), The Highwaymen ("Michael rode the boat ashore"), the New Christy Minstrels (members included Barry McGuire, Kenny Rogers, and Kim Carnes who later became famous in their own right), Peter, Paul and Mary (heavy on the social commentary, but with pleasant harmony), Joan Baez, Bob Dylan (who pretty much founded "folk-rock"), Judy Collins, and many others in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Hasn’t been much on that scene for awhile.
Sadly, Robert J. (Bob) Reames won't be attending. Received and confirmed news from Sharon last week that Bob passed away on June 16 after a long illness. No other details at this time.
As for news from the past ---
From Paul Crume’s front page column on the Dallas Morning News Sunday August 25, 1963:
"A staunchly Democratic Dallas family was embarrassed the other day by an 8-year-old had suddenly noticed the current events all around him.
"He was trying to piece out some meaning out of what he was getting from grown talk and TV, and he finally asked his grandmother what about these wars. ‘When were these World Wars I and II, and who fought them?’
"She told him that France, England, United States, Italy and Japan were fighting Germany and Austria In World War I, and that the United States, France. England and Russia had paired off against Germany, Italy and Japan in World War II.
"The 8-year old nodded sagely.
"‘And now,’ he said, ‘we are fighting the Russians and the Democrats, aren’t we?’"
In many ways, little has changed in 50 years.
In some ways they have. On this day Channel 8 TV featured a "Home Town Hootenanny" at 9 PM sponsored by the Varsity Shop (now Culwell & Son). Haven’t heard the term "hootenanny" since around that time. They were open-mike affairs for amateur folksingers. I attended at least one where I made a fool out of myself after being overserved. "Folk music" had been growing in popularity for several years: Woody Guthrie (who I do not believe I have actually heard sing) was the godfather, followed by Pete Seeger, Burl Ives, the Kingston Trio (very popular during our high-school years), The Highwaymen ("Michael rode the boat ashore"), the New Christy Minstrels (members included Barry McGuire, Kenny Rogers, and Kim Carnes who later became famous in their own right), Peter, Paul and Mary (heavy on the social commentary, but with pleasant harmony), Joan Baez, Bob Dylan (who pretty much founded "folk-rock"), Judy Collins, and many others in the ‘50s and early ‘60s. Hasn’t been much on that scene for awhile.
Sunday, August 18, 2013
Invitations Have Been Sent (and other stories)
The invitations for out 50th Reunion went out this past week. Please reply – with the dough, preferably – as soon as possible so we can get a count. Will update with the attendees weekly in this space.
We are currently having a respite from the summer heat here in Dallas. Rare for mid-August, but not unprecedented. Had one in August 1963. Here's the high-tech weather map from the Dallas Morning News:
Sears: Washer $159 & dryer $99. (2013 equivalents $1,212. & $755)
Skillern Drugs: Toothpaste $0.44 ($3.55); Lavoris mouthwash $0.56 ($4.27); charcoal briquets $0.87 ($6.63).
Ward’s Cut-rate Liquors: Pabst Blue Ribbon beer $0.99/6, $3.65/case of 24 ($7.35 & $27.80).
Also, the advertised no-haggle price for a new 1963 Volkswagen beetle, 4 speed, no A/C, at Economy Cars on Lemmon was $1,595 (today $12,160).
Also in the news:
Annette Funicello, who passed away earlier this year, was in Dallas for the opening of the movie Beach Party at multiple first runs at the Circle, Inwood, and a number of drive-ins.
You could have "all you can eat" (except for the meat) at Underwood’s Bar-B-Q for $1.20.
And there was free admission for ladies to see "Jada – the "world’s hottest exotic," at the Carousel Club, corner Field and Commerce. We would hear a bit more about that place and its infamous proprietor later in the year.
Finally, from the Dallas Time-Herald spread on the school’s re-location:
Tuesday, August 13, 2013
The Final Roundup
While looking through some files in the attic this past Sunday, I came across the school newspaper/magazine for May 1963. It was the final Roundup from the old school. Enjoy.
Sunday, August 11, 2013
Past and Present
In addition to those listed in the previous post (8/2/2013) Mike Kerr will attend the tour of the Bush Library on Saturday, October 26.
From the past:
The August 8, 1963 cover of Time, The Weekly Newsmagazine (see below) featured Tran Le Xuân, better known as Madame Ngo Dinh Nhu, the sister in law of the South Vietnam president Ngo Dinh Diem, Time had this to say:
"[The wife of President Diem's younger brother and closest brain-truster. In addition to acting as official First Lady for the bachelor President, she is in her own right one of the two or three most powerful people in the country and in a sense embodies all its problems.
In any Western nation she would be a political force to be reckoned with. In an Oriental country burdened with centuries of ignorance and bloodshed, she is probably more feared than any other man or woman — and fear under such conditions can mean power beyond either respect or popularity.
"A fragile, exciting beauty who stands only 5 ft. 2 in. in high heels — who has kept her girlish grace though she is the mother of four — Mme. Nhu does not look the part. To her critics she symbolizes everything that is wrong with the remote, authoritarian, family-dominated Diem regime. But if she is vain, arbitrary, puritanical, imperious and devious, she also exudes strength, dedication and courage. To some it seems that she belongs in an intrigue-encrusted 18th century court, or that she should wear the robes of a Chinese empress — or both.
"Her only official positions are those of Deputy in the National Assembly and chief of South Viet Nam's women's movements, but Mme. Nhu orders around army generals, Cabinet ministers, and even the President. Though he is often reluctant to go along with her, Diem regularly yields to her when she bursts imperiously into his study, and even allows her to countermand his own orders, because he desperately fears a public display of family friction.
"When a group of disaffected South Vietnamese paratroopers attempted a coup against Diem three years ago, one of their first demands was that Mme. Nhu be removed from the presidential palace. She was flattered by the attention, and also brags that the U.S. has tried unsuccessfully for years to get Diem to curb her power. She bitterly attacks the anti-Diem U.S. press corps in Saigon and accuses Americans generally of being a lot of "Ivanhoes"—perpetually in love with the underdog but confused about just who the underdog is."
She got that last about right. On November 2, 1963, Diem and Nhu were assassinated in a coup by the Vietnamese military, with whom, it has been rumored our CIA was complicit. Madame Nhu left Viet Nam forever. Sometimes unkindly referred to as the Dragon Lady, She died in 2011, in Rome, Italy at age 86.
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From various news sources:
This past August 7, 2013, President John F. Kennedy’s third child, Patrick Bouvier Kennedy, would have been 50 years old. As it was, the newborn infant died less than two days after his pre-mature birth of hyaline membrane disease (now called respiratory distress syndrome, or RSD). A funeral mass was held Saturday August 10, and the child was interred at Holyhood Cemetery in Brookline, Massachusetts. Not quite four months later, Patrick’s remains were exhumed and re-interred next to his father at Arlington National Cemetery.
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From Time, The Weekly Newsmagazine
Despite the fact that it already sells 52% of the nation's autos, giant General Motors keeps itself whipped into a competitive lather—and its largest division is the most competitive of all. Though its sales are already greater than those of the entire Ford Motor Co.... (Time, 8/30/1963)
The landscape is considerably different today. In 2012, GM had a U.S. market share of 17.9%, while Ford had 15.3%. Of course, we all know that GM was bailed out by the government while Ford attained its share without help from the Feds. Japan’s Toyota Motor Co. had 14.3% during the same time. (Time, 8/30/1963)
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It was reported that sex matters in the courtroom in that women stand somewhat less chance than men of getting a fair verdict from a jury, because two large groups tend to be biased against women: 1) men earning less than $5,000 (today's equivalent = $38,100) a year, and 2) women. (Time, 8/23/1963)
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The then current top ten moneymaking movies in the U.S. were:
1) Cleopatra – made notorious by the Elizabeth Taylor/Richard Burton imbroglio during filming.
2) Come Blow Your Horn – Coming of age in hip New York story. Frank Sinatra and Tony Bill (anyone ever heard of Tony since?).
3) How the West Was Won – Grand epic with multiple star appearances.
4) Irma La Douce – Jack Lemmon and Shirley MacLaine comedy. Shirley plays a French hooker; Jack is a gendarme in a dual role.
5) Lawrence of Arabia – Another grand epic; released about a year previously in 1962.
6) The Great Escape – World War II prisoner of war escape. Steve McQueen, James Garner, Richard Attenborough. Who could forget the motorcycle jump over the barbed wire fence.
7) Bye, Bye, Birdie – Janet Leigh & Ann-Margret. Rock star (similar to Elvis) about to be drafted performs on the Ed Sullivan Show, Cameo appearance by Ed.
8) Summer Magic – Had to look this one up. Walt Disney flick with Hayley Mills. Never saw it.
9) Donovan's Reef – One of a number of joint appearances by John Wayne and Lee Marvin. World War II veterans living on a South Sea Island. Seri-comedy; great barroom brawl.
10) PT 109 – Drama about President Kennedy's World War II Navy service. Cliff Robertson played Kennedy.
(Time, August 8, 1963)
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Not counting men and women in military service, 13.5% of the nation's workers are government workers. Since 1955, the federal work force has increased 8% , to 2,500,000, but the real jump has been in the number of employees of state and local governments, which has increased 45% , to 7,000,000. (Time, August 8, 1963)
How many are so employed today?
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Saturday, August 3, 2013
Then and Now
Condolences to classmate Vince Scottino on the passing of his sister Rosalie Scottino Weir this past week.
From the Saturday, August 3, 1963 Dallas Morning News:
— U. S. Soldiers of the 1st Cavalry Division engaged a communist North Korean patrol in a firefight that lasted two hours in the demilitarized zone this day. That was 10 years and a few days after the "armistice" that supposedly ended the active military operations. Now, 40 years later, tensions between the United States and its south Korean ally and the North are still there. I saw the DMZ first hand in 1969. It was a fortified 2½ mile wide no man’s land that cuts the Korean Peninsula in two. Still does. In fact, it may be the most heavily militarized border in the world.
— High temperature of 100 degrees predicted for Saturday. Friday’s high was 99. Not much different than today.
— Ed Maher Ford, at 420 North Harwood, was running a special on 1963 Thunderbirds. You could have one for $100 down and $100 per month. Doesn’t for say how long. Might be still paying for it today. On the other hand, maybe not. My recollection is that it was not one of Ford’s more successful models, and had a lot of mechanical problems.
— In baseball, the New York Yankees led the American League (as they tended to do in those days) with the Chicago White Sox 7 games behind. The L.A. Dodgers were ahead 3½ games ahead of their nearest rival, the St. Louis Cardinals. The Dallas Fort Worth Rangers led the Pacific Coast League Southern Division, though they lost Friday to the San Diego Padres.
— The Cotton Bowl announced that the Texas-OU game was already sold out for the 18th consecutive year.
— At the movies: at the Majestic was "Donovan’s Reef" with John Wayne and Lee Marvin; the Palace was showing "Spencer’s Mountain" with Henry Fonda and Maureen O’Hara; the celebrated "Cleopatra" was a road show at the Tower; "How the West was Won" with 24 guest stars was a limited engagement at the Capri. Various drive-ins featured "King Kong vs. Godzilla"
Current list of those planning to attend the Bush Library tour
2. Larry and Mary Colgin
2. Jerry and Beth Taliaferro
1. Bill Mokry
2. Paul and Karin Barry
1. Ray McShane
2. Bob and Aurora Leicht
2. Bill and Sherrie Murphy
2. Tommy and Lou Ann Huffhines
2. Sherman and Carla LaBarba
2. Roger and Marguerite Sullivan
2. Bob and Martha Reagan
2. John and Susan Cuellar
2. Chris and Patti Bird
2. Steve and Cathy Seward
2. Gary and Kris Caffo
2. Caesar and Paula Ricci
2. Tom and Penny Land
2. Clancy and Julie Wilson
2. John and Julie Weissert
2. Bob and Andrea Neuhoff
Again, if anyone who want to attend is not listed, please let me know so I can add.
The capital from a column on the front porch of the old school was delivered last Thursday. It awaits its place of honor in the prayer garden.
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