|
|
|
|
|
|
Page Five |
|
Memory from Charlie Underwood - class of ?? "PRECIOUS MEMORIES
HOW THEY LINGER" - What an honor to be asked to send in my memories
from the wonderful Alumni weekend at RGNS. As I thought about how
to condense so many memories into a brief statement, I thought about
what really happens on every visit I make to RGNS. I think
it is best summed up by the following - Always a WARM
WELCOME, LOTS OF MAGIC MOMENTS, AND A FOND FAREWELL.
A warm welcome is always present from all I meet whether they be first time acquaintances or those that I have had the opportunity to get to know on previous visits. The lasting memory of this warm welcome is that you feel you have known all these wonderful people all your life. Magic Moments, where do they start and where do they end? At the very beginning just having the opportunity to sit back in one of the beautiful rocking chairs and watch the faces of all as they renewed their friendships and shared stories about days gone by, renewing their memories and sharing stories about school days as well their journey through life. 
A very special moment was the opportunity to tour the Old Thurmond home place and experience a rare photo opportunity to capture some fantastic shots of the barn as well as enjoy the company of Harold Thurmond while he shared the history of his wonderful childhood days at this beautiful place. THANK YOU Harold for being so kind to make the arrangements for this experience. By the way I felt I had known Harold forever after just an hour or so on Fri afternoon. 
Meeting James Smith and his wife Lee was another one of those magic moments and having the opportunity to tour the old dairy barn, mule barn and the ole slaughter house while James shared some of his memories and experiences about his days at RGNS. As always it was a pleasure seeing my friend Phil Landers and his wife Linda. By the way Phil and I share the same passion for the great game of golf, Phil we'll take the old men on next year. Its always good to get a chance to visit with Dess Oliver and talk with him about the TF railroad and any other subject you care to discuss. He also shares the same passion for the game and I bet he'll take all the strokes you'll give him and take your money too. 
And as usual the Fri nite get together, along with the Sat nite event at Bill Kelly's, was as special as ever and the good times shared by all, along with stories of the past, were memories for the year to come. 
Breakfast on Sat was a special time to enjoy more fellowship and make more acquaintances and listen to more stories that I'm sure were all factual and not embellished one bit. 
Finally chapel on Sunday and lunch afterward was the icing on the events of a wonderful weekend. The fond farewells of hugs, kisses, and tears with the final words heard from all - “Great to see you and look forward to next year”. Thanks for allowing me to be a part of your very special 50's Alumni Fraternity.
Memory from Another Memory is ............... Jimmy Moore
Memory From Beverly Guthrie Lougher - Class of 58 Senior year, 1958,
and I was lucky enough to be friends with three wonderful community
girls. It took me a long time to worm my way into their circle
but once there, they were terrific to me and we sure had some fun times.
Last year at reunion, I saw two of these dear friends, Robbin and Vicki,
for the first time since 1958. This year our circle was complete
when Vicki brought Carolyn Darnell Hicks to reunion. What a joy to
see these three together again! This was THE highlight for me this
year. Thank you dear friends, after all these years, for such wonderful
memories. (We won’t talk about who taught me to smoke on the Senior
trip at Fontana.)
Memory From
Viola Robbins Starr - Class of 57 Martha Ann was kind enough to pick me up at the airport and we had an extra day before Homecoming. We shopped till we dropped and then came to Homecoming the next day. I enjoyed having this extra time with Martha Ann. 
Homecoming was special this year because we had some newcomers that I had not seen in many years, like the Wards. I had good fellowship with them. Having new people is great. Aaron Perry - I totally went nuts when I saw Aaron. Thomas George - Where are you? I had not seen George Lansdell in years and it made me feel so happy to see him. He is so funny and we had a good time. It was a joy to talk to Randy on the phone. 
All the good food at the Friday and Saturday night parties and the close fellowship - that means a lot when all of us can get together. It seems like we never left - like our family came home. 
The last Homecoming that Ross came to, when he was so sick, he told us that if we wanted to do anything in his memory we should put a bench looking out over the mountains. It took so long to get the bench and it meant so much to me to be at the bench dedication. Ross and Judy were my best buddies and I miss them so much. Another thing that meant very much to me was I was able to donate a rocking chair in Bea’s memory for the Heritage Center. She would have liked that. 
A special thanks to Jimmy Moore and Bill Coleman for helping me get to Homecoming this year. After I lost Bea last year, Jimmy and Bill called me to make sure I was okay - that meant so much to me. They are good friends. Looking forward to seeing all of you next year.
Memory from I thoroughly enjoyed
the Alumni Golf Tournament and playing with Dennis Dickerson, Don Kelly
and Gary, the RG golf coach. Dennis was almost as good as me.
I am looking forward to playing next year. I would like to team up
with Rex Neal, the JC player who won this year.
The Friday night party was great. Food was good and I saw some old friends that I had not seen in a long time, especially Aaron and Harold. Aaron had not changed at all and it was just like yesterday - he still acted and looked the same. Still the same sweet guy I remembered. I thoroughly enjoyed Bev’s husband, Jim - his company and conversation. 
Also at the house party I realized a fantasy of mine from 1956, I finally got to pat Pat Phillips Miller’s hiney. 
Harold reminded me of a basketball trip we made to Cleveland or one of those mountain towns where we played. I have some nice memories of that trip - very uplifting. When Harold left the picnic on Saturday, he came over and gave me a hug and called me “Chief” - that surprised and pleased me very much. 
Saturday at the lunch it was a thrill to see Carolyn and Vicki this year. I recognized both of them, they had not changed. We started talking like we just got out of class. 
I am really looking forward to next year. My sweetheart, Linda, has really enjoyed meeting my other “family”. 
Linda speaks - Warm memories of the joy that Phil gets out of going to reunion. It is like a good tonic. Seeing him so happy makes me happy. I felt welcomed by Phil’s friends, they made me feel at ease and made me feel like I have always been a part of the group. I am also looking forward to next year.
Memory from As you have seen
from the previous pages I have many many memories from Homecoming 2002.
My memories of homecoming actually started several months back when Bev and I were visiting Rabun County one weekend. We were looking for a place to rent for homecoming when we happened by this neat farmhouse, a.k.a Cottage 14. Bev and I knew immediately not only was this a great place to stay but would also be the perfect place for the Friday night RGNS 50’s open house party. Judging from the picture below we were correct. 
The turn out was tremendous. There was tons of good food and wonderful fellowship. I was so pleased to see several first timers, Aaron Perry, Bob, Ron, and Ken Ward to name a few. It was so good to see Carol, Fern and Alice again. 
A most pleasant surprise was William Thurmond showing up. I called William a week before homecoming and once again he gave me his usual replies… “Maybe”, “We’ll see”, “Depends”. Even William’s baby brother, Harold, was a doubting Thomas. He told me, “William won’t come”. Not only did William come to the open house, he attended the Farm Family breakfast on Saturday morning and also the picnic at the Falls Saturday night. I’m not one to boast (ROFL) but never under estimate the power of a woman. And, I’ll just bet you that William will come again next year. 
Seeing Tim Dickerson after so many years was great. We talked about old times and about when Hayden and Tim came to the New Year’s Eve party I had in Atlanta during the 1958 Christmas Holidays. (Roomie, didn’t you also come to the New Years Eve party?) Thank you’s go to Carolyn for her time and talent in donating the beautiful painting. To Vernon for the wonderful behind the scenes tour of the A&T Building he gave to Harold, Gail, Alice and myself. To Janie for being the fastest “wheels” on campus. To BJ for his dedication “to a school we love so well”. And to all of you alumni who attended and made the weekend such fun. We were all kids again if just “For A While". I could go on and on about all the memories of homecoming weekend but rather than put them down on paper I’ll just hold them close in my heart. There was just one thing wrong with homecoming this year………….it just wasn’t long enough. I’m really looking forward to Homecoming 2003. I hope to see all of you there…Wish it were next week. To the Hills I Lift Mine Eyes.
Memory From Even though
I was unable to attend Homecoming this year, I still had a special treat.
Thanks to Dale and her cell phone, I was able to talk to several old
classmates and also some people that I've never met except through our
web site. I talked to almost everyone in this photo and a lot more
later. It sure was great talking to all of you. It wasn't as good
as being there but still nice.
I even got to talk to the elusive Richard Melvin who was my roommate for our senior year along with Glenn Green. 
And, of course Vi, who hasn't changed a bit in all these years. As all the rest of you have said so eloquently; "We just picked up where we left off". We are indeed a "special" family and I'm glad that I had the opportunity to share at least part of the experience with some of you. Closing by J. Harold Thurmond - Class of 60 
Bill Kelly exemplified
the fun and fellowship of Homecoming 2002. No one laughed more and no one
gave more to see that others enjoyed themselves. But the enjoyment would
not have been possible without the presence of all that attended. So thanks
to those that made the effort and a particular thank you to those who shared
memories for these pages. If you were unable to attend, please plan to do
so next year. The old adage: The more, the merrier; certainly holds true.
See you next year.
Beverly, Dale, Harold and Randy
photos |
| Page Four |
2002 by Beverly Guthrie Lougher, J. Harold Thurmond,