These Are A Few of My Favorite AHS Things

Here's a poem written for our 2006 class reunion, written to the song: "These Are a Few of My Favorite Things."


--

The Spinners, Paul Simon, The Who, and The Eagles

Fr. Goetsch was a softie, but not Fr. Speigel

Skating at Vander Veer -- the cold, it would sting

These are a few of my favorite things

When a fellow named Ron taught the "Ballard of Mitosis"

"Unnecessary Nerdness" was his students' diagnosis

But Ray Ambrose, in teaching, was as tall as Yao Ming

These are a few of my favorite things

In football we shut out each Scott County foe

Jim Morrison, while pool hopping, broke his big toe

In tennis, Steve Maller, had a sweet backhand swing

These are a few of my favorite things

Steve Van Camp was a threat, on the mound and the bases

A brutal '73 song: Midnight at the Oasis

Bonfires at Junge in the fall and the spring

These are a few of my favorite things

Junior year "Skip Days" produced colorful stories

And the water was freeeeeeezing at the Tipton Quarries

Old TV newsmen -- Don Rhyne and Jim King

These are a few of my favorite things

Open campus as seniors -- now that was an upper

Intramurals, choral concerts, Prom, Spaghetti Supper

Nicknames like "Twinkletoes," "Don Juan," and "String"

These are a few of my favorite things

Driver-Ed classes at Central -- kind of a downer

Library talkers made Sister Elizabeth a frowner

Yoda, from Star Wars, eating Hostess Dong Dings

These are a few of my favorite things

Peacock's, the Circle, and then Uncle Sams

We spent a lot of time, but not a lot of "clams"

Happy Joe's Pizza -- Mr. Quick onion rings

These are a few of my favorite things

Junior Year '50s dance -- right out of Grease

Joe Maher would lecture, and then offer "Peace"

McCartney with the Beatles, and later with Wings

These are a few of my favorite things

The hallway radiators were a gathering spot

But the bathrooms reeked of tobacco and pot

A yearbook, old clippings, a Josten's class ring

These are a few of my favorite things

Lockers of burnouts feared search and seizure

Guys' fashion was awful -- suits made for Leisure

Shopping at Northpark (except at Chess King!)

These are a few of my favorite things

David L. Watson directed school plays

The AHS art room had its own smoky haze

(Just like the movie "Confused and Dazed")

(And the jukebox freshman year was all Surfin' USAs)

Running cross country, being first to the string

These are a few of my favorite things

Marcia was a babe on TV's Brady Bunch

A cook kicked the jukebox, so we boycotted lunch

July at the Bix feels as hot as Palm Springs

(This is not one of my favorite things)

Annie Wittenmayer fireworks packed a big "Wow" 

Renee Neubauer, Jim Boyle -- Where are they now?

(Did a classmate, driving back from UNI, really hit a cow?)

Our class has matured -- we no longer mudsling

These are a few of my favorite things

Jeff Hart drove a Signet, Kevin Perry drove a Pacer

Mech. Drawing's Mr. Becker got hit by the eraser

(Tim Burke did it)

Reunion golf tournaments, the fun that they bring

These are a few of my favorite things

The Class of 76 women -- 100% hotties!

(Two of them were tipped over in a port-a-potty)

In Loehrer's Death & Dying class, we saw dead bodies

The hot sauce at Rudy's packed quite a zing

These are a few of my favorite things

As freshmen we "Frolicked" to a band that was "Natty"

A Gusta named John, an Ehlert named Patty

(The junior-year crackdown nearly drove us all batty) 

Central and West High had a lot of ding-a-lings

These are a few of my favorite things

Pepe's, Chef's Hat, Italian Village -- good grub

The Palmer chiropractors let us drink at their Pub

The Chicago Science trip -- a memorable spring

These are a few of my favorite things

A Hein named Anita, a Navarro named Ruby

We listened to music of Brothers called Doobie

(And Saturday cartoons with Shaggy and Scooby)

Steely Dan, Elton John, BTO, Carole King

These are a few of my favorite things

A Frandsen named Tim, a Simpson named Sue

Jim Jr. beat Jim Sr in football -- the Devils were blue!

(And on Gary Laake's test -- questions 2,5,9,12 are "True")

In baseball, the White Sox own championship rings

These are a few of my favorite things

The Coronet and Capital -- old movie houses

And AHS girls wore plaid skirts, white blouses

(In Christian Marriage we had make-believe spouses)

Jeff Beck is a wizard when he strums guitar strings

These are a few of my favorite things

So many memories -- we could fill up this blog

Let's not forget our deceased -- from Barta to Zaug 

I think of Kim Wamsley when Cat Stevens sings

These are a few Class of 76 things

Like a fine wine (no, not Boone's Farm!), reunions get better with age

Greetings. Another AHS Class of 1976 reunion has come and gone. Amazing.

What’s especially remarkable is the fact that we graduated from high school 35 years ago, yet nobody looks a day over 39. Go figure. (There must have been some fountain-of-youth ingredient mixed in those beverages served at Junge and Cedar Street parties back in the good old days).

Despite unusually hot and humid conditions, the July 1-2 gathering will be remembered not for the weather but for the cold drinks, warm food, good conversation, trivia, an encore of the class video, laughter, cold drinks, and a lot of reminiscing. (Did I say cold drinks twice?).

If you were among the 56 classmates and another 15-20 spouses who came to at least one day, I think you’ll agree it was well planned and executed by the reunion committee. A special thanks to Ed Cervantes, Mike Coughlin, Tom Engelmann, Tim Frandsen, Eileen Grady, Anita Hein, Tim Kilfoy, Mary Beth Leese, Ann Peine, Andorthy Speer, Sharon Spreit, Chris Springer, Joe Van Camp, Cathy Weiman and Dan Zack for their time and attention to detail.

We attracted four foursomes for golf, and assembled bright and early at 9:30 a.m. on Saturday at the Rock Island Arsenal. A golf course housed on a U.S. government facility meant cheating wasn’t only unethical, but a federal offense! (That still did stop me from executing several foot wedges and mulligans, though). I didn’t break 100, but I managed to break off the heads of my 4- and 5-irons. I guess it’s time to retire my 1960s Chi Chi Rodriguez-signature clubs. I’ll save the surviving clubs for 2016 reunion door prizes.

Golf awards:

--Tom McDermott had longest drive on hole #7
--Ed Cervantes had closest to the pin on hole #9
--Dan Gerety had longest put on hole #12
--Cheryl Lambrecht (Gannon) had closest to the pin on hole #17
--Low score by the team of Steve VanCamp, Luke Harkins, Cheryl Lambrecht (Gannon) and Tom Engelmann

--“Foursome that most resembled a Three Stooges episode” was Tim Kilfoy, Mike Early, Jeff Epping and Gene McGivern

I've heard that most of the reunion absentees had conflicts and would have loved to have joined us. Let’s hope it works out for more people to attend in 2016.

I hope I’m not missing anyone, but thanks to these classmates (and some spouses) who attended:

Sue Bales, Jennifer Bernat, Terry Breheny, Chris Browne, John Bugos, Barb Bushur

Lynn Callahan, Ed Carroll, Ed Cervantes, Mike Coughlin, Liz Czolgosz

Ray Donahue

Mike Early, Tom Engelmann, Jeff Epping

Linda Foley, Tim Frandsen

Cheryl Gannon, Dave Geisler, Dan Gerety, Tom Gosser, Eileen Grady, John Gusta

Luke Harkins, Kathy Hasley, Kathy Haut, Anita Hein, Steve Hinton, Diana Hupperts 

Steve Johnston

Tim Kilfoy, Mike Koprucki

Mary Beth Leese

Dino Madrigal, Ann McCabe, Tom McDermott, Gene McGivern, Kathy Mulligan, Beth Murphy

Ruby Navarro

Karen Omahen

Ann Peine, Mac Pritchard

Mara Quinn

Debbie Ruiz

Sue Salter, Andorothy Speer, Sharon Spriet, Chris Springer,

Kathy Tomsha

Tony Valainis, Joe Van Camp, Steve Van Camp

Mary Walsh, Cathy Weiman

Dan Zack

A special salute to the folks who came so far to take part, including Linda Foley, Dan Gerety, Steve Hinton, Ruby Navarro, Karen Omahen, Mac Pritchard, Mary Walsh and Tom Gosser. It was especially good to see the likes of Mary, Tom, Cheryl Gannon, John Gusta and Tony Valainis, who have been unable to attend many recent reunions. I’d bet they’re glad they showed up and would encourage any others to make the next bash in 2016.

If anyone has any photos, please send to me (ejmcgivern@stthomas.edu) and I’ll post here. I also will continue to add post-reunion items and links. This blog, as well as Facebook, can be a way where we still communicate class news and updates.

Watch your emails next December for news about a Christmas-time Happy Hour in Davenport for any classmates who are back in town.

At age 53, we’re all at slightly different points in our family and career life. Yes, we’re running out of time to match Bill Gates’ bankroll, Michael Jordan’s hang time, Mother Teresa’s holiness, or Oprah’s influence.

But in our real worlds -- after our good health and family focus – there’s nothing quite like good friendships, laughter, and a variety of memories, and last week let us experience all three.

Take a 1970s Quiz

With the reunion just one week away, it’s time to get ready for a trip down memory lane. Remember – Brian Pollmiller was the tall twin, with more brown hair; Brent was more muscular and blonder.

Here are some quiz questions to get you back in that 70s mindset:

The "Summer of '69" signifies

A) A transitional time in society marked by the first moonwalk, Woodstock, and the Manson murders

B) A hit song by Bryan Adams that reached No. 5 on the Billboard list in the summer of 1985

C) The season the Cubs choked away the NL pennant against the Miracle Mets

D) The last time the Assumption High art room was ever cleaned

  

If the AHS Class of 1976 had a theme song it would be:

A) Don't You Worry About a Thing (Stevie Wonder)

B) Margaritaville (Jimmy Buffet)

C) Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur)

D) We Can Work it Out (Beatles)

E) Everybody Plays the Fool (Main Ingredient)

My most valuable piece of 1970s memorabilia is:

A) 1972 Presidential Physical Fitness certificate (signed by Richard Nixon)

B) A yellow waffle ball bat from AHS gym class

C) A 45 rpm record of Surfin’ USA that played 29 consecutive times in the AHS lounge jukebox

D) A “Keep on Truckin” T-shirt

E) An all-inclusive wristband from outdoor parties held on Cedar Street  

“Live or Die” refers to

A) A James Bond movie

B) A Paul McCartney and Wings song from a James Bond movie

C) A religion class at AHS taught by Fr. Hoenig

D) The New Hampshire state motto

The most popular bumper sticker in the AHS parking lot in the 1970s was:

A) Make love, not war

B) Nixon’s the one

C) KSTT preferred listener

D) My other car’s a Jaguar

E) AHS is No. 1 (and don’t you forget it)

Which of these events DID NOT happen in summer 1975?

A) Thriller “Jaws” is box office smash-film

B) First Bix 7 run is held in Davenport with 10 a.m. start and 84 finishers

C) Cable TV comes to Davenport, includes “Channel 100” movie channel

D) Alice Cooper falls off stage during concert in Vancouver, breaks six ribs

E) Peter Gabriel leaves Genesis

F) Davenport band Nattyscratch breaks up and then reunites

Which of these events DID NOT happen in September 1975?

A) Manson follower Squeeky Fromme points a gun Gerald Ford

B) 17 days later, Sara Jane Moore tries to shoot Ford

C) Rocky Horror Picture Show is first released in a U.S. movie theatre

D) Foghat released “Fool for the City” album

E) Gerald Ford increases his life insurance policy

Which of these events DID NOT happen in October 1975?

A) Rock band Kiss gains pub for playing the Homecoming dance at Cadillac High in Cadillac, Mich.

B) On the second ever Saturday Night Live episode, Simon and Garfunkel reunite and play three songs

C) Bruce Springsteen appears on cover of Time and Newsweek in same week

D) Boston’s Carleton Fisk hit a famous 12^th-inning HR and used body language to coax it to stay fair in game 6 of the World Series

E) Ali defeats Frazier in the Philippines in the ‘Thrilla in Manilla’

F) John DeLorean starts his car company

G) West High hosts a stock car race in its parking lot

It's an open book test -- you have until June 30 to gather answers

Were you more "Chess King" or chess club?

Today’s flashback exercise involves many staples of Davenport pop culture in the late 1960s into the 1970s.

We all remember that Marie Osmond was “a little bit country,” while Donny Osmond was “a little bit Rock N Roll” (a very little bit, as I recall.)

In honor of the Class of 1976, here's a list of 76 top people, places and products from our "Wonder Years."

I’ve probably left out some good choices, so send in a comment in the box below with any pairs that should be included on the list.

So, do you remember identifying more with….

Geifman’s… or Eagles Foods?

AHS art room… or AHS library?

McQuick… or Hardees?

Schutman’s… or Syndicate Hub?

Royal Blue… or 7-11?

8-track… or vinyl?

Teem… or 7-Up?

KSTT-AM… or KIIK-FM?

Emeis… or Credit Island Golf Course?

Shakey’s Pizza “Bunch of Lunch” … or Pizza Hut buffet?

VanderVeer… or Lindsey Park?

Levi’s jeans… or Levi’s cords?

Marcia Brady… or Laurie Partridge (yeah, baby!)?

Lujack Chevy…  or Dahl Ford?

Whitey’s Slushie… or Dairy Queen Mr. Misty?

Transferring into AHS from Bettendorf…  or transferring out to Dav. West?

Converse Chuck Taylor Hi Tops…  or Converse AHS red Low Tops?

American Bandstand…  or Soul Train?

Circle Tap… or Peacocks?

Beating Central High at sports… or beating West High at sports?

Harris Pizza… or Italian Village?

Mr. Neat tuxedos… or Skeffingtons? (Hint, everyone was loyal to the Burke family biz)

Tipton Quarries… or sneaking into the swimming pool behind AHS?

Denny Glancy's "History of Comic Books" class … or Mike Loehrer's "Thanantology" class?

Palmer Pub… or Trilighter?

Freshman Frolic… or Junior Skip Days?

Rudy’s… or Ganzo’s?

Drawbridge... or Velie’s?

Frequenting Happy Joe’s… or working at Happy Joe’s?

Kunkel’s… or Craton’s?

Buses to Cubs game… or trains to Hawkeye football games?

Riefe’s…  or Bishops?

Jim Morrison, legendary Doors frontman... or Jim Morrison, legendary classmate?

North Park Cinemas…  or Milan Cinemas?

Junge Park gatherings… or Duck Creek Park parties?

St. Paul’s… or Holy Family?

Free peanuts at Ground Round… or free popcorn at Filling Station?

CORE weekend retreats... or Coronet Theatre on weekends?

Midnight Special… or Chuck Acri Creature Feature?

AHS Stage Crew… or Assumptionaire Chorus?

Painter pants…  or bell bottoms?

Mountain Dew… or Mellow Yellow?

Col Ballroom concert… or Iowa Jam summer concerts?

Spudnut Shop…  or Mr. Donut?

Going crazy at Brady Street Stadium… or going to hear the “crazy people” on Brady Street?

Ford Mustang… or VW Beetle?

Pepe Taco…  or Sanchos?

Chess King… or chess club?

Izod gator… or Munsingwear penguin?

Spirit Pizzas…  or girl-scout cookies?

Oasis…  or Bel-Air Drive Inn?

AHS lunch burrito…  or tavern sandwich?

Beatles…  or Jacksons?

Captain Ernie’s Showboat…  or Romper Room?

Miss. Valley Fairgrounds… or Masonic Temple?

AHS’ modular scheduling of the 1970s… or real high school?

Hungry Hobo… or going hungry on AHS "Boycott Lunch" day

Harrison Street one-way…  or Harrison Street two-way?

Dr. Dimento…  or Casey Casem's Top 40?

Slim Jims or Virginia Slims?

Peterson’s downtown…  or Von Maur Northpark?

Foosball… or billiards?

AHS Coach Dave Triplett…  or AHS Coach Jimmy Fox?

Starsky & Hutch... or Miller and Sunderbruch?

30 Lanes…  or Bowlmor?

Fake ID…  or Uncle Sam’s Horny Pass?

Dr. Pepper…  or Mr. Pibb?

Cruising the ones…  or driving through cemeteries?

Pinball…  or ping pong?

Ringo Starr's song "You're Sixteen"... or Janis Ian's song "At Seventeen."

Jack’s Tuna Tap…  or Al’s Lounge?

Doobie Brothers… or Beach Boys?

Freshman year Science trip to Chicago… or road trips for college visits?

Central Little League… or Northwest Little League?

McDonald's twoallbeefpattiesspecialsaucelettucecheesepicklesoniononansesameeedbun t-shirt... or Property of Assumption sweatshirt?

Fr. Spiegel… or Sr. Elizabeth?

--
So as Harry Caray used to say before singing Take me out to the Ballgame: "Let me hear you" -- use the comment box below

1975-76: Senior Songbook

Here are some memories of senior year and the tunes that helped passed the time -- send in your comments below

Best:  

Born to Run (Bruce Springsteen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9wgnTU31z7s

One of These Nights (Eagles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HGr6mj5E90g

Show Me the Way (Peter Frampton): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_2bJMm-XT3c

Bohemian Rhapsody (Queen): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=iMX8d7KxoS0

Memorable:

The Hustle (Van McCoy):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uQoz-203hz4

Chevy Van (Sammy Johns):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=RiEIToOWr64

Silly Love Songs (Paul McCartney and Wings): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k8iNQvFhrNY

Slow Ride (Foghat):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wQ9LvqUAjxk

Play That Funky Music (Wild Cherry): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fRr2kf84V2M

Afternoon Delight (Starland Vocal Band):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=tpGRdX5sUAs

Worst:

Convoy (C.W. McCall): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wwaygKjs2fI

Feelings (Morris Alpert): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SzBJmoVSIYE

Mandy (Barry Manilow): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aGfcD5qycQY

Let Her In (John Travolta): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=7H4NRyqEwyY

1974-75: Junior-Year Jukebox

It's Junior year again -- Nioxon resigns, the whole class has drivers' licenses, the big crackdown of AHS open campus... In music, here's some songs that we listened to (or avoided listening to):

Best:

Sweet Home Alabama (Lynyrd Skynyrd): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-Du-CWASm20

The Joker (Steve Miller Band): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5yle1USyhCY

Cats in the Cradle (Harry Chapin): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KUwjNBjqR-c

Black Water (Doobie Brothers): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hQuSqzM4ZM0

Memorable:

Life is a Rock , But the Radio Rolled Me (Reunion): (http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=16kh-AP4OCU

Rock the Boat (Hues Corporation): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FfBwsG8ubFw

Rock Me Gently (Andy Kim): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MnqkaH_EP_o&feature=related

Come and Get Your Love (Redbone): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjrA3vcu_UI&feature=fvst

Kung Fu Fighting (Carl Douglas): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jhUkGIsKvn0

Jackie Blue (Ozark Mountain Daredevils): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wjsDpkvBxaY&feature=related

Wildfire (Michael Martin Murphey): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=heuFg8Lk9p4&feature=fvsr

Worst:

The Night Chicago Died (Paper Lace): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p-L0NpaErkk

(Yikes, this has 2,000,000 hits on YouTube!)

You and Me Against the World (Helen Reddy): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XfMpVHXSOe4

Having My Baby (Paul Anka):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CZYNA6qUNTE

Love Will Keep Us Together (Captain and Tennille):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rAVZaeH22eg&feature=fvst

Morning Side of the Mountain (Donny and Marie): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TzXtvhaKTPI

Beach Baby (First Class):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ii4ON7XHGCA

Musical Memory Lane -- Tenth-Grade Tunes

Greetings AHS classmates -- here's part 2 of 4 of Best, Worst and Most Memorable Songs of our high school days. (Scroll down to see freshman year nominations).

Feel free to send in your own nominations using the comments section below or write to me via email (ejmcgivern@stthomas.edu):

1973-74, Tenth-Grade Tunes

Best:

China Grove (Doobie Brothers): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TMX0ad8sfRw

Band on the Run (Wings): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S7D65IomNYY

Loves Me Like a Rock (Paul Simon): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=h3BJl5Zy7HQ

Hello it’s Me (Todd Rundgren): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=wLiSj9WHjvU

Bennie and the Jets (Elton John): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=p5rQHoaQpTw

Best of My Love (Eagles): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=z_M_27ciAKI

Memorable:

Smoking in the Boys Room (Brownsville Station) (special clip from Don Kirschner’s Rock Concert): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=SxBbmoUdEac

Hooked on a Feeling (Blue Swede):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bo-qweh7nbQ

Loco-Motion (Grand Funk Railroad): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jxyU4W8iyeI

Come And Get Your Love (Redbone): (note the old stereo equipment): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=GjrA3vcu_UI&feature=fvst

Rocky Mountain High (John Denver): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OwARpaKHx_w

Touch Me in the Morning (Diana Ross):  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=qa-mjjdt24g

Worst: 

Seasons in the Sun (Terry Jacks): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cd_Fdly3rX8

Midnight at the Oasis (Maria Muldaur): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s6lJ7NWxDws

Billy Don’t Be a Hero (Bo Donaldson and the Heywoods): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FS2nW6w-sZQ

Sunshine on My Shoulders (John Denver): http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2AbxQ2Q4HeU

--
Coming soon, Junior-Year Jukebox