In between the tour of the new Alton High School in the morning and the evening reunion event, Curt Madison and his mother Grace Madison came across the river from Portage des Sioux, Missouri, where Curt inspected a roof for his brother Paul. Curt, his wife, and Grace had come to visit us at my…
As part of our 40th reunion we toured new new Alton High School, open just a year now and built at a cost of several millions. Among it’s charms, it boasts a three-court gymnasium. There’s also a beautiful auditorium and stage…a pit for the pit orchestra (I ducked down there for old times sake)…and a…
The purpose of reunions, most deeply, ought to be to re-unite us not only with those we once knew back in the day, but with ourselves. I experienced this healing balm at the mixer at the Alton Sports Tap, night one of our class of 1967 40th high school reunion. I heard someone call out…
I had a better time at my 40th high school reunion than I’d any right to have, considering how it was not exactly the peack experience of my life the first time around. “Well,” responded a friend and classmate, “I’d be worried if it was the peak experience of my life.” Because I graduated early,…
If I am not a Glimmer, So I have to be a Shimmer. And if I am not a Shimmer, I must be a Himmer. And if I am not a Himmer, I must be a Jimmer. And if I am not a Jimmer, I must be a Chimmer. And if I am not a…
Getting Real Not so’s you notice it. or: Not so’s you know about it. That oughtta tell you someth’n. Shortcomings He doesn’t have enough energy to blow his nose. A day late and a dollar short. Not enough sense to pour p**s out of a boot. Good/Bad Out of this world! Communication •Sounds like somebody…
I’m a nut on regional accents and regional idioms and turns of phrase. My peregrinations around the globe have sharpened my ear. When I first left the USA in the 1970s, I didn’t know I talked funny. Coming home after long absence, I get a real kick out of the special way my father and…
As part of my welcome move-in packet for West End Terrace, I recieved a 20 per cent off coupon for a haircut and styling at Lemon, a salon just a few blocks from me up on Euclid. Even with the discount, the price is 1/3 more than I’m used to paying in Lake County in…
My niece took a break from her work with the National Consumer Law Center and brought her two daughters over to view the bridal dress exhibit at the Missouri History Museum (click here for beautiful pictures from the exhibit) (Lindell and DeBaliviere in Forest Park). Amazingly, it’s free! The brochure describes this exhibition thusly: Beyond…
Country Mouse….then city mouse. As city mouse I’m experiencing wonders such as the Butterfly House, Japanese films and gallery talks on Romare Beardon’s “Show Time” at the St. Louis Art Museum, a Black Artists Exhibition at the Urban League Convention held at the America Center…all in St. Louis, of course. Cousin Cynthia and I compared…