Middleton High School - Middletonian Yearbook (Tampa, FL)

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suggested that we visit Jerome. As we entered the hospital, Dr. Charles Myers, greeted us as he was leaving the operation room. He glanced around to Nurses Curtestine May, Josephine Hester, and Jennifer Jackson who are his able assist- ants. Just then Nurse Gwendolyn Davis appeared to escort us to Jerome's room, as we entered we found AnnetteTillman taking his pulse, and laboratory technician Charles Hadley, a former schoolmate, taking his blood count. I had been invited to lunch at the Golden Room Lounge and I didn't want to be late. I hailed a Cab, gave the necessary information and settled back to rest my weary eyes. The flashing lights startled me and behold I read Fennell Johnson Golden Room Lounge. The meal was delicious and the music divine. Vivian Jones spoke to me as I hurried from the building. I learned from her that we lived in the same neighborhood and that she had just received a copy of a book written by Dr. Mitchell A. Dasher, Jr. , a classmate and a reputable Chicago psychiatrist. Alone in my comfortable home I turned on the radio and hearda voice say Until tomorrow at this time, this is Alfonso Salters signing off. I knew it could be none other than my old friend from the Big M. The telephone rang as I relaxed and listened to the Midnight program, to my amazement, Clarence Jennings told me Alma McNair, Arthenia Joyner, Theodore Lawe, Willie Wallace and Willie F. Anderson were in town to witness a concert at Carnegie Hall by Concert pianist Carolyn Lee. I promised to see them early in the morning after my appointment with the Head Administrator of City Hospital. When I returned Home I saw a 1972 Super Cadill parked in front of my house not being curious I didn't stop to observe its occupants. Suddenly out of no- where came a familiar voice, Ruler of the Big M. I turned around astonished to face Margaret Tillman, Dorothy Minor, Edna Henderson and Emma Brooks. They told me gleefully they were in town on a months vacation and intended to see the first baseball game of the season inwhich Joseph Myrick, Everett Curry, Clarence Chester and Otis Wilson were playing. The team on which they were playing was being coached by Carris Aiken. I forgot my urgent appointment and invited them in for lunch. After we rushed to the park to' see the game. At the ticket box I saw Adam Bostic and Beatrice Williams who told me proudly they had been married for nearly five years. Bea told me that she had received letters the week before from Isaih Evans, Alma Shelton, and Alberta Macon who were in Africa on a good will tour. ' A Ip . '-W - -,iff ..... .Y W..r.....,Y Y ,,,, Vw

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E ICR CLASS PRQPHECY The Difference A Decade Makes It is the year 1971, and I am Ruby L. Thompson, anesthesiologist at the city hospital, Los Angeles, California. Here I relate my visit back to my old home- town, Tampa, Florida. Naturally my first visit was to my Alma Mater, dear old Middleton I-Iigh School. As I entered the familiar portals, who should greet me with outstretched hands but Betty Twiggs? It was no surprise, for I knew tha1 Betty had wanted to be a principal all her life. Venturing into the office, I found that Principal Twiggs had as her secretaries, two of my former classmates, Miss Annie Devance and Miss Barbara Sutton. Exploring still further, I found, to my astonishment, Ralph Rance, former high school basketball star teaching history. Booker T. Lundy, served in the same capacity as Ralph, I learned, but at different schools. Suddenly I heard the loud clatter of typewriters, and a voice saying, Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of their country. This voice came from Joyce Boronell, who was drilling her students in typing. After con- versing for a short time, Harriet McKennon approached. I then learned that she was on the faculty and was teaching mathematics. I was attracted by faint sounds of music from the auditorium and being curious I found that Rosa Edwards was voice instructor, and had been for over five years . On my way out, I happened to pass the library and saw Sylvia Larry, an old chum, explaining the Dewey Decimal System. Chatting with her for a few moments gave me a chance to see Laura McKeever, homemaking instructor go by. After this partial reunion, I proceeded to my car, when to my dismay, I found that some- thing was wrong with it. Calling a repair shop, I found that Unice King, owner of the repair shop, had a very prosperous business. After a few minor repairs, Unice offered to show me around the city and to take me to dinner. While waiting for time to pass, I decided, Cas Women will do, that I needed a hair-do. I located a gorgeous and fabulously decorated shop. The owner, Veda Gibbons, was married and had a fine daughter. Barbara Blue, one of the beauticians in the shop began to give me a lovely hair style then the dryer went off. This time, Menifee White prominent electrician entered the shop and repaired the dryer in record time. After leaving the shop, I started for my date. On my way, I collided with someone whose arms were filled with papers and books . I then recognized her as Joy Lawe, now a leading social worker with the state. Joy mentioned that Lillie Nix, Vernice Gaylord, Edna Washington, Mamie Jackson, and Martha Core were also social workers, and that Alberta Gaskins was head of the department. Alberta had married Bobby Bowden, who was a television meterologist. Joy Lawe told me that Jerome Matthews, a pilot, was in the hospital suffering from a crash. Since we were to pass the hospital on the way to the dinner, I L--I 5'-, t ,,.

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V' I I No sooner had I closed my eyes, than the door bell rang. I aroused myself rush sleepily to answer it. Telegram for Miss Ruby Lee Thompson I opened it and to my surprise it was from .Iacquelyn Scrivens who was inviting me to joir her in Paris, France for a tour around the world. My eyes sparkled as tears ol joy rolled down my cheeks. As a daydreamer I could see mentally all that haq happened ten years before when Helen Williams, Inez Anderson, Ruby Andrews Alma McNair and others had worked tirelessly on our annual. At 10:00 A, M, 1 reported at the airport to begin the first lap of my tour of the world. Charles Thomas, NAACP accountant and representative, was also on his way to France We talked until both of us were exhausted. A familiar voice awaken me, I rubbed my eyes for certainly I was dreaming. Velma Charles, Ruby A.ndrews, Evelyr Roberts and Samuel Scott were aboard the same plane headed for Scotland and England. What a wonderful surprise to learn from them that so many ofour dreams had come true. The plane was slowly landing before I realized my journey was nearly over and I would see another of my friends. I said goodby to the others and rushed to the door of the plane. To my greatest surprise the pilot of the plane abroad was none other than Clifford Knight. Well all good things must end. Certainly, I will enjoy my tour around the world and perhaps meet many more members of the Middleton Family. Ruby Lee Thompson bt. . A L f X eff' 1 , -15 ti , .A 1 I