Newsletter #3

Time Line

Birthdays: Sept. 8 – John DeMas; Sept. 15 – Cary Findlay, Sept. 23 – Bill Cotton. October – None that we have so far!

Anniversaries: (Missed last month) Aug. 23 – Rhona (Berube) and Ambrose Chabot (1958); Sept. 10 – Glenn and Diane McNew (1960); Oct. 19 – Marc and Pat Adams (1963).

C’mon, email us yours! newsletter@gables56.com.

Special congratulations to Bill Schroeder, who married Ms. Dorothy Norris on August 6^th! They have just returned from an Alaskan honeymoon. Their picture is in the Photo Gallery at the end of this newsletter.

Birthdays of Celebrities our age: Sept. 1 - comedian Lily Tomlin (1939); Sept 5 - actor William DeVane (1939) and The Kingston Trio's John Stewart (1939); Sept. 13 - the late actor Richard "Jaws" Kiel (1939); Sept. 23 - singer Ben E. King; Oct. - the late rocker Eddie Cochran (1939); Oct. 8 - actor Paul "Crocodile Dundee" Hogan (1939); Oct. 16 - daredevil Evel Knievel (1939); Oct. 18 - former football coach/ESPN analyst Mike Ditka (1939); Oct. 19 - designer/artist Peter Max (1937); Oct. 27 - "Monte Python" member John Cleese (1939); Oct 30 - "Jefferson Airplane" singer Grace Slick (1939)

It’s College Football Time!

A great many of us attended one of the three major Florida universities after leaving Gables. As the 2007 season gets underway, here are their football schedules (all times eastern):

One Riding Mower For Sale

Our classmate and good buddy David Willis is recovering from a freak accident in which his rider mower ran into a tree and flipped over on top of him, resulting in a broken back. He is home, in a plastic cast and undergoing outpatient therapy, but definitely on the mend and in good spirits. It was he who said, “Know anybody who wants to buy a rider mower? He wishes to thank all of you who have called and sent cards. Write to David at 8100 SW 97^th Terrace, Miami 33156, email him at Davidlwlls@aol.com, or feel free to call him at 305-271-5995.

10 Trivial Fun Facts

• According to a recent national survey, 55% of Americans aged 61-70 years use the Internet (regrettably that includes us). Only 27% aged 71 or older use it. (That is bound to increase in the years to come.)

• In 1900 the average human life expectancy was 47 years. If our mortality rate had stayed as it was then, the U.S. population would be 139 million, instead of what it is: approx. 280 million.14%of us would never have been born because our mothers would have died before having us. 87% of us would never have been born because our grandmothers would not have had our mothers.

• The first air-conditioned car was the 1939 Packard.  It’s hard to believe that most of us didn’t have air conditioning in our homes during our young years, much less in our cars!

• The first U.S. car to offer seat belts was the 1950 Nash Rambler.

• The makers of Rolls Royce take 30 days to build a car.  They must sell 1,350 cars a year to break even. By comparison, it takes 16 hours to build a Pontiac.

• Golf causes more injuries than karate, bowling and horseback riding combined.  Physical therapists say most golfing injuries occur in the first 3 holes (lack of warm-up) or the last 3 holes (muscle fatigue).

• That is a crocodile, not an alligator, on the Izod apparel that was so popular in the 50’s…and still is!

• Jet setters: The word “taxi” is spelled the same in English, French, German, Portuguese and Swedish.

• If the amount on your check in numbers differs from the amount written in words, the bank will pay the sum written in words.

• James Cagney never said, “you dirty rat” in a movie, and Cary Grant never said “Judy, Judy, Judy”.

Aloha From Paradise

Lenny “Scoop” Kacher has checked in from his home overlooking the ocean in Honolulu (poor guy), where he has resided for 10 years. He passes along his regrets for not being able to make the 50^th reunion (that is a long way to come) and sends his best regards to one and all. If you are fortunate enough to find yourself over there, perhaps on vacation, call and say Aloha! His number is in the reunion book.

A Little Senior Humor

A husband fears his wife isn’t hearing as well as she used to and he thinks she might need a hearing aid. Not quite sure how to approach her, he calls the family doctor to get his advice. The doctor tells him of a simple informal test for the husband to perform that will give him a better idea about her hearing loss.

The doctor explains, “Stand about 40 feet away from her and ask her something in your regular conversational speaking tone. If she doesn’t respond, move up to 30 feet, then 20 feet and so on until she does.”

That evening the wife is in the kitchen preparing dinner and the husband is approximately 40 feet away in the den. He decides to give the doctor’s test a try. In a normal tone he asks, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

No response.

So he moves closer to the kitchen, about 30 feet from her and repeats, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

Again, no response.

Next he enters the dining room, about 20 feet away and clearly asks, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

Still no response.

He stands in the kitchen doorway, now about 10 feet from her, and slowly says, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

No response!!!

Frustrated and concerned, he walks right up behind her and again asks, “Honey, what’s for dinner?”

She turns and says,

(You’ll love this…)

 “Ralph, for the fifth time, Chicken!!!”

A Tribute To Troop 7 (Scout’s Honor!)

Take a look back at the history of Coral Gables Boy Scout Troop 7, originally founded in 1922 and still going strong! Note the names of some of our classmates who achieved the honored rank of Eagle Scout!

Click here: http://www.troop7.org/

Mr. Huggins – Tracer Of Lost Persons

Call him relentless!  Since the reunion last year, Tommy Huggins has taken it upon himself to track down a lot of our fellow alumni who were not able to be with us for the 50th.  Here are the some of the classmates he has reached (in alphabetical order):  Bannister Barnett, Butch Burbacher (who graduated from McCauley Military Academy and attended his 50^th reunion there, where he was reunited with his fellow cadet Ted Turner), Ed Chalfant, Jack Cheatham, Gail Dioguardi, Charles Eikenberry, Pat Haggard Holdcraft, Pat Kehoe, Bob LeFiles, Jeneal Leonard Benton, Carla Rentz Bost, Joan Rosasco Mitchell, Judy Weiland Coon, Mike Whitney, Phoebe Wilkins Wershaw, Clarence Woody, Lyons Williams and Chuck Zito.  He has also spoken with Coach Ed Injaychock.   If you give Tommy a call (his number is in the reunion book), he’ll gladly fill you in on where they are and how they are doing.  P.S. All are fine!

More Bunches For Lunches

The Cavalier Lunch Bunch, comprised of Gables grads from several years, continues to hold its popular monthly gatherings at various Florida locales. Just click on the “Lunch Bunch” link we have added to the left of this page to find out when and where the next one is being held, and how to RSVP.

More Music And Memories

This very clever video, featuring the old Burma Shave road signs and lots of other great 50’s visuals, is synchronized to accompany the nostalgic hit Country song “Do You Remember These” by The Statler Brothers, which we also used throughout our 50^th reunion “time capsule” video.  Enjoy!

Click here:  www.oldfortyfives.com/DYRT.htm

Getting Closer: The 5-Day Cruise Of Cruises On April 19, 2008!

Just click on the Reunions link on the list on the left.  Everything you ever wanted to know about our Celebrity cruise ship “Century”, including her destinations and especially how to sign up, is available there.  There’s also an updated list of the 1956 classmates (and some from other years as well) who have already booked passage.  We look forward to you joining us on board for all the festivities!

Quotes To Remember

*“Playboy will soon publish editions strictly for married men. It will have the same centerfold every month.”- The Unknown Comic

* “Nobody will ever win the battle of the sexes. There’s too much fraternizing with the enemy.” - Henry Kissinger

* “What lies behind us and what lies before us are small matters compared to what lies within us.”-Ralph Waldo Emerson

Order In The Court

From the Miami Herald 8/27/07 By Susannah A. Nesmith

History Lesson (Compiled by Bill Sutton)

The following is a year-by-year listing of major news events in our lives that led up to our senior year at Gables, as narrated by Bill Sutton and Judy Kotys Summers at the 50^th reunion. For you who weren’t there, and for you who may not have been able to hear everything clearly that evening, here is what they presented:

In Memoriam

The intent of this newsletter is to provide a light-hearted and (hopefully) amusing look at the past, the present and, to some degree, the future. It's also a convenient way for all of us to stay connected. Don't forget to pass along any news and/or photos to newsletter@gables56.com.

Unfortunately not all news these days is positive. There are lots of serious issues facing us at this stage of our lives. We have lost many dear friends over the years, some very recently. It's an unavoidable reality that we must cope with this kind of unexpected and most unwelcome news. We respectfully suggest that you periodically check the "deceased" link on the menu to the left of this page. This list is regularly updated.

Our hearts also go out to those classmates and their families who have had to overcome devastating losses. We don't feel this newsletter is the proper place for such deeply personal and sensitive matters, so by all means stay in close touch with your friends, especially during such difficult times.

Previous Newsletters

If you missed newsletters 1 and 2 or wish to revisit them, they are available below in the "Newsletter Archive" section that follows the Photo Gallery.

Photo Gallery