Sunday, September 7, 2008

50th High School Reunion!

After writing about my trips to Florida and North Carolina, I look forward to sharing with you this story and a few pictures from the third great state we visited this summer: West Virginia---the state where I was born!

High school reunion #50?? Can it be true? I graduated from Huntington East High School in 1958 and we have had class reunions every five years. A wonderful committee headed by my friend, Carolene, organizes the reunions and everyone who attends has a great time renewing old friendships from years gone by. Our class, although large (numbering somewhere between 300-350), delights in remembering the people we knew, the places we went and the things we did in our high school days, as well as catching up on kids, grandkids, and now, even great-grandkids!

One thing that everyone remembers from the "old days" is Stewart's hot dogs! And it is probably the first place that folks from Huntington visit---even before going home to see their families! The little orange hot dog stand on 5th Avenue next to the BASF plant (formerly the Standard Ultramarine) hasn't changed since it was started in 1932.




It was always a drive-in, long before drive-ins became popular in the 1950s. Through the years it has added some items to its menu, but the standard hot dog, with Mrs. Mandt's secret chili sauce, and a frosty mug of Stewart's root beer, served on a tray hanging on the driver's side window, is the unrivaled king of hot dog eating!



Another landmark in Huntington is the Keith Albee theater.

Through the years, many a hand was held, and even a kiss stolen, by high schoolers while watching a movie at this historical theater.

Trinity Episcopal Church is the church I attended and we were married here.

Several high school friends attended the youth group with me at this church.

The face of Huntington has changed and a new multi-use center right downtown is a very attractive addition to Third Avenue.

Pullman Square is home to restaurants, shops, and a movie theater. The old B&O railroad station and the Ohio River provide a lovely backdrop for this area.

And now to the reunion...

Friday night, classmate Jim and his wife, Verna, hosted a lovely gathering in their large yard. The Marshall University Jazz band played while everyone chatted, took pictures, looked at old yearbooks, and nibbled on delicious hors d'oeuvres. We even had two of our former teachers attend. How nice to reminisce with them.

Saturday morning, some of "us girls" met at Bob Evans for breakfast---a meal which lasted four hours! Just can't get those ladies to stop talking! What fun!

All of us not only graduated from high school together, but we also attended Junior High together. We are friends from age 12 in the 7th grade.

After breakfast finally ended, some of us got together with another junior high/high school friend and chatted over lunch!

The day passed quickly and finally it was time for the dinner and dance at the local country club.


Mr. Neat and I enjoyed a delicious dinner, visited with friends, and even danced a few to the 50s music provided by a (very loud!) band.

The night ended too quickly---there was much more to be said to friends. I guess we will just have to get together again in five years and pick up where we left off!

Hasta luego

Saturday, September 6, 2008

Highlands, North Carolina

Hello again to my faithful readers! I apologize for being so lazy this summer and not writing about my travels. Although while I am not in Mexico, I did visit three great states right here in the USA! I already wrote about my trip to Florida in June (see the blog dated June 15 "Fun in Florida" ) and now I will share some of the fun and pictures from a week that we spent in the Highlands, North Carolina in July.

Highlands is a small town nestled in the mountains in the southwestern part of North Carolina. It is a two hour drive from our home in northern Georgia, through the curving hills of NC. How beautiful the scenery was, driving through the mountains, and the village of Highlands had its own charm!


This is Main Street where interesting shops, boutiques, and restaurants line the street.



In front of this store is a pretty waterfall, some greenery and a bench to sit and enjoy "people watching" after a day of browsing in the shops.




There are several churches on Main Street but everyone seems to designate the Episcopal Church of the Incarnation as the landmark from which to give directions. "It is across the street from the Episcopal church." "Walk a block down from the Episcopal church." And here is the Episcopal church!






This is the Highlands Community Theater where Mr. Neat and I spent a lovely evening. Celebrating their 40th anniversary, the musical play highlighted several of the numbers from shows which the theater has performed in the past and also some numbers from plays which they would like to put up on the boards in the future. Such talent from the writers, musicians, and the actors! We thoroughly enjoyed ourselves!


This is the lovely condo we stayed in. Owned by friends of Gainesville State College, they shared their elegant home with us for the week.




Behind the condo was this pretty creek. Isn't the setting beautiful?




And where there is a creek, there will be little boys! Our two grandsons visited for a couple days with their parents and M and M loved wading there.


One day when AE, C, M and M were visiting, we climbed aboard their van and took off to visit a state park a few miles from the Highlands. This Looking Glass Waterfall was so pretty. Tumbling down from the huge rock formation and forming a quiet pool of water below, it attracted lots of folks, some of whom only looked and took photos (me!) and some actually went down and waded in the pool of water. Maybe you can see some of the people in the water at the bottom of the photo.

Travelling a little further down the road, we stopped at Sliding Rock. It is an enormous rock formation with a waterfall on which people could sit down at the top and actually slide down on the rock into the water below. C, M and M went down the rock into the water and declared it was great fun! I took some pictures but I couldn't get far enough away for you to see the whole area. Too bad because it was a fun thing to watch.


On our way home we stopped for ice cream at Dolly's, whose reputation had been touted by many. "You must stop at Dolly's!" Flanked by the two bears, M and M, Mr. Neat and I enjoy the treat.





Our son and his family also joined us for a couple of days and we had breakfast at the pharmacy on Main street. They served up some fine vittles at this drug store!

Being able to visit the beautiful mountains, to become acquainted with the delightful town, and to share a few days with our kids and their families---as well as having a couple of days by ourselves to relax---was a great pleasure for us.

If you are ever in western North Carolina, a side trip to the Highlands would be a treat! Just drop down south of Asheville and you will find the town just waiting for you.

Hasta luego.