Chapel Hill High School Class of ‘57

Thanks to Ralph Macklin’s efforts, we had a successful turnout for what promises to be the first of “annual” reunions. The next one is set for May 16, 2009 and details will come along later.

About 35 turned out for this gathering, including husbands and wives. Rather than labor you with details, here are some pictures to document the occasion. They should be more entertaining than my words. If you don’t recognize one or more attendees, break out the yearbooks and get to work!

Pete Ness

The next seven photos are similar, but the faces and expressions kept changing so they are all included

(AKA Dinner With Dave)

As you probably know already, there’s a mini-reunion scheduled for Thursday, 15 May 2008, 6 p.m., at Squid’s in Chapel Hill. Yes, David Schwentker will be there, and hopefully several more that don’t always show up.

Ralph Macklin is doing the arrangements and needs an RSVP from anyone wanting to attend — he’s ralphmacklin@bellsouth.net, or, 919-942-1839.

The restaurant’s address is 1201 Highway 15-501 Bypass, Chapel Hill, NC. Squid’s phone is (919) 942-8757. It is a seafood restaurant.

My CHHS friends,

Our dinner for David Schwentker was held on Friday, December 21 at the Golden Corral in Garner.

The following CHHSers attended: David Schwentker; Elizabeth and Jim Naughton; Frank Carlisle; Jeanette Henderson Carlisle; Paul Cheek and Linda Rachel; Dr. Frances Perry Daughtery; Donna Fowler; Pete Ness; Ralph Macklin; Lala and Milburn Gibbs.

There will be mini-reunion at various times in the future.

I wish you each a Merry Christmas and a prosperous New Years.

Milburn
Christmas Eve 2007

Yes Virginia, there is a Santa Claus and his name is Milburn Gibbs. Seen here frolicking with an elf, Milburn had several successful “gigs” as Santa’s helper before Christmas eve. This and the following pictures will give you some idea of how much more fun it is to give than to receive!

See Milburn’s hand? The little girl knows he is after the candy cane. Bad Santa.

It’s a tough job being Santa, but someone has to do it.

Who is having more fun?

Youngster tells Santa what she wants for Christmas. “You want a ‘57 Chevrolet convertible?” Santa says — then a crafty look comes over his face. “I think I know where I can find one of those for you. . .”

My friends,

Haywood Pendergrass (CHHS Class of 1957) died at 7 a.m. on Friday September 7 at his home.

Memorial Services will be held on Monday, September 10 at Bethel Hickory Grove Church, at 9326 Bethel Hickory Grove Church Road. Directions to the church are: come out NC Highway 54 from Carrboro and it is around five miles to the right. I don’t know if there is a sign on NC 54 or not.

The obituary will be in the Raleigh, Durham and Chapel Hill newspapers, Joan Troy told me Friday afternoon.

On Monday, there will be a visitation at 3 p.m. at the church. The funeral will be held at the same church at 4 p.m., and a “Haywood-type celebration of his life” will be held at the Pendergrass home at 1156 NC Highway 54 West following the service.

Milburn

“Ralph Mackerel” shows us his stuff . . .

Chapel Hill has always been known for something. College, basketball, liberals, you name it — but hats??

Through the years since our high school graduation, Ralph Macklin has pursued the unusual in hats, finding them in such esoteric places as the PTA thrift shop or perhaps resting on top of trash cans along Amber Alley. Some may have originated at the Doctor’s thrift shop although that’s usually the source of higher class castoffs.

Ralph and his hats are known about town. Yes, he dares to wear them on whatever occasion strikes his fancy. As far as we know, the townspeople are accustomed to his eccentricities but he does raise the eyebrows when he ventures to places like Garner’s Golden Corral wearing one.

The second day of the 50th reunion, Ralph’s hats started appearing from the back of his van and everyone was urged to wear one and look really foolish/immature/comical/goofy (choose one that fits).

“Parade past the rest of your friends and family” Ralph and Elaini said. “Show them the real you!”

So, we did and it was actually a fun thing. Being weird by yourself is just that — weird. But if everyone’s doing it, then it seems like fun.

Go to the Photo Gallery and look for “50th reunion — Hat Show”. There are dozens more of these “captured moments” for you to look at. But be prepared — you may find yourself the subject matter in this moment of madness, courtesy of “Hats By Ralph”.

Pete Ness

My friends,

Jean Neville Safelle reported to me that Linda Norwood Kitchens passed away on June 8, 2007 in Hillsborough, NC. Jean said she had a second bout of cancer.

The family will receive friends at Orange United Methodist Church from 7 to 9 p.m. Monday, June 11. The celebration of Linda’s life will be conducted at 11 a.m. Tuesday, June 12, at Orange United Methodist church on Airport Road in Chapel Hill.

Donations in her memory may be made to Orange UMC Bulding Fund or UNC Hospice. Arrangements are by Walker’s Funeral Home of Chapel Hill.

Jean and Linda were best friends in high school.

Milburn

50th reunion photos — if anyone wants color prints (4 x 6″) I will be glad to have prints made and send them (or you can download them if you are computer savvy). Send me an envelope with your address and postage to 100 Norte Vista Dr, Easley, SC 29640. I’ll be glad to provide the prints.

Great to see everyone, just too brief!

Chips Weaver

Note: In addition to the above photo, look in the Photo Gallery (right of this page, under General Links) and you will see 14 more photos that Chips took.

Evelyn Culton and Jessie Belle Lewis share a moment before dinner. This may have been their first appearance at a Class of ‘57 reunion since we graduated.

This and many more photos that follow will document and preserve the 50th Reunion. Check the website’s Photo Gallery “link” (right-side, this page) periodically for more as they are added. All of you are welcome to email me your now-generation electronic photos for posting here (peteness@triad.rr.com). Elaini selected Chips Weaver as the Official Photographer for the reunion, so his pictures will appear here as well. It may take a while though since he used a 50’s technology camera to preserve 50’s authenticity. Remember film?

Our thanks, as Gordon Neville once again kindly invited us to share his home and hospitality for the occasion. It was a bit on the cool side, but I don’t think we should hold him accountable for the weather.

Elaini Livas and her able assistant MOS (Milburn Of Siler) Gibbs, did all the planning, organizing, directing, coordinating and communicating that lead to an enjoyable weekend for all. It’s not an easy thing to get a bunch of people together, feed them, amuse them and then send them on their way with enhanced new memories of old friends — but they did accomplish that. Thanks once again. Oh — and what does Milburn have to say about the reunion? Well, visit the “Have U Been Milburnized” page (at right) for his “take” on the get-together!

The following night at Jimmy Freeland’s place, Ralph Macklin (the class “fashion” guru) provided everyone with a complimentary hat (wear it, but not keep it) to help brighten our self-esteem as nightfall approached. Knowing Ralph, we think that was just his way to make sure he was not the only one wearing a weird hat at the reunion.

We hope the trip home was uneventful for the rest of you. Milburn of Siler (no injuries) lost a front fender in an argument with the rear end of a Catapillar frontloader, and I limped the last 50 miles home in 2nd gear after 3rd gear and overdrive disappeared. If you can top our stories, email me and we’ll publish it here.

Pete Ness

Miss May Marshbanks celebrated her 90th birthday Friday, May 18th in an unusual fashion — at work!

Her staff arranged a party for her and invited former students, teachers and friends to share the experience. She regrets not being able to attend the Class of ‘57 reunion, but a birthday celebration understandably trumps our occasion.

For those not aware, she is the Director of the Department On Aging for Harnett County, NC. She was personally responsible for the genesis of the department as a contractor several years ago, and then remained on as the Director when the County formally incorporated her group into the county government structure.

At age 67, most of our class members are retired. Miss Marshbanks works from 7am to 5pm, five days a week. but does relax a bit Wednesday afternoons, we are told. Spry and quick of wit, she still exemplifies what we all could have been in life, had we only paid a little more attention in her geometry class!

Check the Photo Gallery “link” here on the website the next few days for additional photos of her and the celebration.

Pete Ness