2025.10.02 THROW BACK THURSDAY - MORE MEMORIES OF FAIR PARK

THROW BACK THURSDAY - MORE MEMORIES OF FAIR PARK  

PLUS CLASS NEWS

Does anyone know when Robert Jennings was at the Presidio of Monterey?  While in the US Army, I, too, was there from March through December 1958 learning Russian. 

I met my future wife while I was there. I became a Voice Intercept Operator serving on the island of Shemya, Alaska during 1959.

Ken Herman

Pom: Good TBT as usual and your input from Fair Park was great I thought. I hope others will write in and share some of their experiences from there and then.

Amazing about Robert Jennings and his experience in the army. He must’ve been a  Russian teacher at Monterey, which at The Presidio, was the West Coast branch of Defense language Institute,  I graduated from its East Coast branch in Washington.

Joe Crow

Added memories of Fair Park pool…….The very best job in the whole world!  We had loads of fun and memories and to share a couple with the names you have mentioned.  After hours we sometimes ventured to the Crazy Graveyard in groups and played pranks like the time with a bunch that included Jack Sanders and we all heard the first and only cussword ever from Diane Perrier (Linda Cooke probably taught her).  

Jeff Wilson (RIP) and I shared a job underwater of cleaning the bottom in the deep portion of the pool using an air compressor, facemark and long hose.  We entered the water separately beginning at 6:00 am and for about 30 minutes we swept the bottom of the pool.  It was  surprising  one day upon I looking up from the 12 ft. bottom to see a young girl swimming.  That pretty little girl was Mary Louise Core.  She had climbed over the fence and jumped in.  Mary Louise later had a short singing career and passed far too young.  

As for Mr. Scott and Granny.  They came to work together, left work together, vacationed in Panama City each year together and it was all hush hush. They were fun to work with and expectations were high and I loved every minute.

Visitors from the State Hospital included Willie and Pete.  Willie with his famous raincoat and Pete that could only speak a few words

Bob deBin '55

And I remember the little kiosks where you got cotton candy or corn dogs. Remember the needle with big syringe filled with mustard they squirted into the corn dogs.   

Jim Diffee

I VERY MUCH REMEMBER THE FAIR PARK POOL.  I SPENT ALMOST EVERY SUMMER DAY THERE BETWEEN THE 10TH AND 11TH GRADES.  UNFORTUNATELY OR MAYBE FORTUNATELY MY DAD TOLD ME I HAD TO GET A SUMMER JOB SO THE NEXT TWO SUMMERS WERE SPENT IN  THE  S H KRESS STOCK ROOM  IN DOWNTOWN LITTLE ROCK.  NO A/C AND I THINK I LOST 10 LBS EACH SUMMER.  

Jim Norsworthy

My mother, sister and I walked to the pool many days.  Mother wanted to be there at 10, when it opened.  We had season passes for $5 each.  Later, during high school I can remember staying  all day.

I enjoyed eating long johns and listening to “60 minute man”.   We girls took our luggage overnite bags, because of the mirrors.  Once when my suit was torn in  a vital spot I used the basket safety pin 

to hold it together.   No way was I going home early!

Karo Kampbell '55

Thanks for the memories Mary Lou!  We lived on West 10th, & that was our front yard playground. On certain nights we could hear the lions/tigers roar; listen to the Razorbacks play at War 

Memorial Stadium, & didn't miss many days at the best ever swimming pool until I got a summer job. In fact, I think Louise Moore & I learned to really swim there.....only got on the big boards once!!

We were at the end of the bus line near Travelers Field. You might have seen us going to pick up our big boxer that followed the mailman every day to the bus stop! We didn't know how lucky 

we were to be able to ride the city bus anywhere for a dime (unless it was freezing cold & rainy). Then we carpooled with the neighbors. 

We're STILL looking for that fall weather in Texas.....those falling leaves are looking for water.   

Nancy Meeks/Carroll Lochridge 

1956 CLASS NEWS

Today would have been Carroll's birthday.
Carroll Lewis Forbush
October 2, 1938 – March 30, 2025

Joe Crow and I went to pay Tony Owens a visit today at Parkway Village.  As you can see, he is doing great!!

Same ol' Tony!  We had lots of fun talking about old times.

And as you can see, Tony hasn't changed much!!!!!

1955 CLASS NEWS

Be sure and wish these Classmates a HAPPY BIRTHDAY this October:

13 -  BILL SHEPHERD, JR.

 28 - LANA DOUTHIT-Bethune 

OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS

 5                  Nancy Newsom
 6                 Curtis Cook
 7                 Judy Stout
 9                 DiAnn Powers
10                 Paul Brower and Joe Crow 
11                Bill Heath
13                Sandra Snow
14                Marsha Jones
18                Judy Callaway
19                Jim Diffee and Kay Lanford
23                Clara Dean Stoddard
24                Carl Smith
26                Ann Vines
27                Jean Rogers
28                Jo Lynn Hill and Jerrine Jones

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ML