Avondale High School - Avonian Yearbook (Avondale, MI)

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Moy 24, 1961 Dear Barbara: After seeing so many of my old friends and school chums during my visit to Auburn Heights last week, I decided to write and tell you how the class of '51 is coming along. I was very surprised when I arrived and found Auburn Heights to be a booming metropolis with department stores, theaters, bowling alleys, schools, a community center, hotels and other new buildings. I was so tired when I arrived that I decided to go to my hotel room and rest before looking up my friends. At the hotel I recognized Milford Tompkins, who was chief doorman. I saw Phyllis Jenereaux who recognized me and said she was the hotel matron. She told me that Jackie Penrod was the owner of the hotel and Bob Lorenz, the manager. Later, I took a stroll downtown. On my way, I ran into Norma Stuart, now owner of an exclusive pet shop specializing in Angora kittens. Serving as her business manager was Marge Price, who had decided to have a career instead of marrying and settling down. The next person I saw was Ron Walters, who is now head coach at the University. Assisting him was Bob Lewis, who is married and has twins with red hair. When I asked Ronnie what the rest of the class was doing he said that Bob Uhan was a comedian at broadcasting station N-U-T-S located in Auburn Heights. Owners of this fine company were Isabella Schankin and Rita Leggett. I then stopped at a new and fashionable dress shop. Going in I saw Jeanette Miller who is a model of women's hats, while Noraetta Robinson and Carol Moss are the buyers. I was sorry not to see them but they were in New York at the time, purchasing new styles for the coming fashion show. A few of the models to be in this show were Darlene Walker, Betta Sheldon, June Wyrick, and Mozelle Seaman. On the way to the hotel I saw Donna Van Housen and Elaine Schwerin across the street. We talked for a few minutes and they told me they owned the Walk-On- Em Shoe Store, and informed me that Chuck Schultz was president of the Auburn Heights Rubber Band Factory. Along the way I came to a tall, modern looking building, and went inside. To my surprise, I saw .lim WilIiamson's name on a door marked Private. I went in to see him and he told me that he owned the building and a manufacturing factory for hot rods and flying submarines. Continuing on I met Betty Kenworthy who told me she was married and working at BIanchard's entertaining the guests. Well, Barb, I'm so happy to hear that you are pleased with your position as supervisor at the Memorial Hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Your friend and classmate, Jeri Lovett 23

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I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, I, To Lewis Gaeth, will my sociology book to Ronnie Dixon. Phyllis Jenereaux, will my boisterousness to Beverly La Forge Ruth Donnelly, will my dimples to Ed Campbell. Ken Brewer, will my wrestling techniques to Bob Watts. Dorothy Adams, will my pigeon-toed walk to Pat Cannon. Donna Bigham, will my directing ability to Pat Devereaux. Wilma Irwin, will my English accent to Donna Beacom. Robert Lorenz, will my longies to Mariorie Skosich. Jeannette Miller, will my posters to Peg Starkey. Bill Bennet, will my everlasting love to Joe Ann Hughes. Lee Grable, will my iob at Sears to Jim Hulen. Jim Williamson, will my flirting ways to Ronald Lafnear. Jerry Eschendal, will my speedy Ford to Jack Grusnick. Betty Lou Dennis, will my carpenter ability to Opal Sheehy. Willyne Bowen, will my four feet ten inches to Ethel Keller. Wanda Bailey, will my bobbie pins to Roberta Palmer. Pat Evon, will my pierced ears to Chuck Williams. Doras Craun, will my ping-pong playing to Jerry Jean Tom. Eloise Dancey, will my ability to shift gears to Clata Tompkins Bonnie Atwood, will my mathematical mind to Danny Talierclo Anny Ayers, will my boogy to Margaret Elkins. Carol Moss, will my subdued manner to Wayne Jaycox. Andy Foster, will my ability to climb trees in a moving vehicle to Don Stevens Chuck Schultz, will my Willy's car to Ronnie Stephan. Milford Tompkins, will my drums to Dick Methner. those of you who have received no earthly possessions from one of our group, we hereby bequeath to you the fond memories of our class which we trust you shall cherish forever. 22

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Dear Jeri: After receiving your interesting letter about your trip to Auburn Heights and vicinity, I decided to spend the weekend there. I could hardly believe my eyes it had changed so. I went into the modernized Kroger Store and found the owner to be Kenneth Brewer. My next big surprise was to look across Squirrel Road and be confronted by a huge building with a large neon sign advertising Grable's Bowling Hall. I had to see Lee because he had been a neighbor on Coolidge Highway in the good old days. He was inside with Gene Gentges, who was getting an interest in the establishment. Lee offered to drive me out to the new Avondale High School. We entered the school and collided with a teacher. When she turned around I recognized her as Wilma Irwin. She told us that Donna Bigham was the nurse in the school. We continued down the corridor until we came to a door marked Physical Education. Lee and I, remembering the gay times we had in that class with Mr. Kirby, decided to drop in. Teaching this class was Jerry Eschendal, an old classmate who took a great interest in that course. Jerry told us that the principal was Lewis Gaeth. When we got back to the Heights, I went in the Beauty Shop to have my hair fixed. Wanda Bailey lor I should say Suttonl is the new owner. I waited while she finished Irene Barr's hair, Irene was getting married in three days. I then went to a hotel rated as the finest in the state. When I rang the bell for service, Jim Har- graves answered. His hotel was very different from any other. Instead of bellboys, Jim had bellgirls, three of whom I recognized as Willyne Bowen, Eloise Dancey, and Ruth Donnelly. They invited me to see the floor show in progress. Leading the band was Bill Holloway, the singer was Bob Caskey. I never thought Bob was serious about his voice. The following morning' I went down to breakfast and found the head-waiter to be Bill Bennett. He, of course, has been married for years to Joe Ann. I wanted to go horse-back riding so I visited Lee once again to find the best place. He told me to continue on Auburn Road until I came to Rochester Road and I would find a riding-stable. I borrowed his car and started out. Bonnie Atwood entered my mind as probably owning the stable because she had always liked horses, but when I got there I had a great shock. Arlene .Iaycox owned it and Barbara Barrett was the riding instructor. I had to know why Bonnie wasn't in this business and Arlene explained that Bonnie had gone to college, maiored in music, and was playing concerts in New York while Pat Evon was giving ballet lessons there. We went to the new hospital on South Boulevard. I noticed a tiny nurse walking towards me, it was Dot Adams. One of the doctors on the staff was Ray Block. They told me that Doras Craun is married to Rod and is a nurse at the hospital, and Anny Ayers has a night club with boogie as the only kind of music played. Ray said that Betty Lou Dennis is the publisher of a magazine called CURTIS FOREVER and that Andy Foster had made a career of the Army. He is now a five-star general. It was a nice trip to see the graduates of '51, Jeri, and I hope you are successful in your iob of editing the NEW YORK DAILY SUN. As ever, an old classmate Barb Walters 24 ,