I’m thinking of you all this Veterans Day and wishing you a peaceful day. Today, I’m thankful for my family members who served in the military. Many of us have poignant memories of family members or friends on this day and every day. After all, the ’60s saw many of those we knew and loved enlist in the draft. I encourage you to share any memories you’d like to here as you reflect on the significance of this day.
November 11, 2025
I remember exactly where I was on September 11, 2001. I can still see the faces of my first-grade students looking up at me. The morning announcements ended abruptly. We were advised that students would probably be picked up by their parents throughout the morning.
Then, the tragic news of an airplane flying into the Twin Towers. Then, over time, another. A third plane crashing into the Pentagon, and finally, a fourth plane plowing into a Pennsylvania field. Within what seemed like minutes, parents were rushing to school to sign their children out early. There sat twenty curious children, wondering why everyone was leaving class so early in the day. I decided to speak with the children about what was happening before they left. Knowing the time constraints on most working parents, I wanted to ease as many possible children’s fears as I could. I briefly explained the situation. I ended the discussion by telling them that their parents might be upset. I told them if they were calm and well-behaved it would help their parents and them. I reassured them they would be fine and we’d be back together in the morning. The next day began with further discussion. Most of the children had seen the news and needed to talk more. We did.
Compared to the fears and attacks that children experience at school today, the fears of 9/11 to children seem matchless. Years later, this plays over in my mind. In twenty-four years, the world has become increasingly unsafe for all of us.
For many students in 2001, the classroom was their only safe place. Sadly, that is no longer the case.
So, where were you on September 11, 2001? How did you feel on that day? How do you feel today?
Here’s to all my baby boomer friends who worked so hard over the years to help keep Social Security in place! You are appreciated! Have a wonderful Labor Day!
Originally reblogged from https://solsticeson.wordpress.com/2013/01/21/how-brewing-coffee-can-up-cognitive-dexterity/
The Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 celebrated their 55th Class Reunion! The small, but social group of attendees had a great time renewing treasured friendships and sharing fond memories. Did you miss this event? No worries! Planning is in motion to organize future get-togethers on a yearly basis. Watch this blog for new dates and be sure to let us know what you’d like to see planned for the future. Share your ideas in the comments below. Be sure to spread the word!
Also, inquiring minds want to know, so please share your reunion experiences for those who couldn’t be there. Looking forward to hearing from you!
Now, for the fun! Do you see anyone you know in the video reel below?
The idiom ‘time flies’ means more to me now. After our 50th and 55th class reunions, I think about how much we’ve changed since we were in our teens. So, how are you? Has ‘senior’ taken on a different meaning for you since high school? If so, consider yourself fortunate. Enjoy this new ‘senior’ perspective. Finding it easier to enjoy than not? Then, you’ve probably stockpiled yourself with a good dose of ‘keeping the faith’ over the years.
We’ve all faced ups and downs since 1969. We, no doubt, can share many stories filled with laughter and tears. Life experience can teach us that moving beyond the past, especially the hurt, can be healing. Living in the moment allows us to cherish old friendships while creating new memories. For me, the idea of living in the moment lends itself well to ‘keeping the faith’.
I often think about my teenage years and the friendships I formed. Each proved to be a great influence on who I am today. They had a significant effect on my character, development, and behavior. They instilled in me a sense of resilience and the importance of friendship, community, and support.
As Billy Joel wrote…
“You can get just so much from a good thing
You can linger too long in your dreams
Say goodbye to the oldies but goodies
‘Cause the good ole days weren’t always good
And tomorrow ain’t as bad as it seems…”
How about you? Have you been keeping the faith? What moments have shaped your journey toward these golden years?
*Looking for a way to fill some time? Be sure to check out the left sidebar for a fun way to fill it.
Many of us can recall a time when we watched a movie from the back seat of our parents car in the 50’s and 60’s. Some may even recall the allure of the drive-in theater in the late 60’s and early 70’s as a dating “rite of passage” as we came of age. That said, it’s interesting to note that the first drive-in theater was open for moviegoers on this day in 1933 in the city of Camden, New Jersey. Florida would see its first drive-in theater in 1938 in Miami. At their inception, drive-in theaters were touted as entertainment for the whole family from the comfort of the family car.
Who doesn’t remember the family piling into the car and paying the one-dollar admission to enter? Kids loved the concession stand trips for hot dogs, pizza, popcorn, and drinks. I wonder if our parents were ever lucky enough to see most of the movie after taking us on the countless treks to the restroom after eating and drinking all those goodies.
Feeling nostalgic about now? Remembering the Mustang and the 28th St. Drive-Ins? Nothing good to watch on TV? For a wonderful trip down memory lane take some to view the following…
Sadly, drive-in theaters began their slow demise in the mid to late 60’s. The Mustang Drive-In Theater opened in 1966 and showed movies until 1990, eventually being demolished in 2001 to make way for a Publix Market and a Lowes. The 28th St. Drive-In which opened in 1951, was the longest standing drive-in closing in 2000, creating space for Lealman Intermediate School.
There is however, a bit of good news on the horizon. Drive-Ins may be making a comeback. The sad news is we’ll never be able to see the one dollar for carload ticket price again. Today, the mention of drive-in theaters may bring a look of dismay on a grandchild’s face, but I’d trade video streaming for a trip to the drive-in with my Mom and Dad any day.
Have a drive-in memory to share? Would love to hear from you.
For more information on the future of St. Petersburg drive-ins visit https://stpeterising.com/home/2021/3/8/drive-in-movie-theater-is-coming-soon-to-st-pete
From its inception in 1868 as Decoration Day to its official declaration as Memorial Day by Congress under the direction of President Lyndon B. Johnson in 1966, Memorial Day has been more than just another holiday to celebrate with cookouts and family gatherings.
Memorial Day is the day to honor the fallen men and women from every race, creed, and culture who have made the ultimate sacrifice – life, to ensure the American Republic so hard fought for and won remain, allowing every American the opportunity to live in a democracy governed by the people and for the people through elected representation.
To understand and truly appreciate the American culture and form of government, we must understand the history of America. Memorial Day 2021 is the perfect day to start.
We all have family history and history of others who have impacted our lives – people to remember and perhaps honor this Memorial Day. Please comment to add a memory to honor a special person in your life this Memorial Day 2021…
To all our great Mom’s, Grand-mom’s, Sister Mom’s, Aunt Mom’s, Daughter Mom’s, and Fur Baby Mom’s…
Wishing you a Safe and Blessed Mother’s Day…
We couldn’t have know when we gathered in June 2019 for our 50th Class Reunion how dramatically our lives would be changed in the coming year. We also could not have comprehended the significance of rekindling friendships that began so long ago.
So – here we are – a bit more than a year after, as some states see the second wave of Covid-19 and others, as expressed by Dr. Anthony Fauci “Still knee-deep in the first wave of Covid-19.”
How are you doing? How are you coping with this new reality? Are you finding creative ways to fill your days? Have your adult children called on you to teach your grandchildren? What about charity work? Have you been instrumental in helping others in some way? Most importantly, how have you taken care of yourself?
We want to hear from you. The good, the bad, and the ugly. Whatever you’re experiencing, we’re here to listen, share, and offer suggestions if we can. Know that our rekindled friendships offer you solidarity in these turbulent waters.
We are in this together. Stay safe. Be well…
Here’s hoping the words written by David Clayton-Thomas in 1968 hold meaning for the times we are living in 2020…
The months have come and gone yet fond memories live on…
Wishing You and Yours a
Happy Thanksgiving!
Sending warms wishes for a Thanksgiving Celebration
Filled with Happiness and Love…
https://animoto.com/play/3ACdyfVXwJkQP0baf1Yt5Q
Your Reunion Committee
We want to hear from! What have you been up to for fifty years? What personal experiences have you had that created wonderful memories? What special friends did you have in high school still with you today?
You don’t have to be a rocket scientist or have achieved fame to be in our spotlight. We want to know anything about you that you’d like to share. Were you a fabulous:
Tell us about your family, retirement, your favorite book, song, hobby, pastime, best vacation…
We want to hear from you. We want to connect! To submit your information please send to Nancy at nanisss@verizon.net. In the subject line type “Spotlight.” Thanks!
Looking forward to hearing from you soon! 🙂
Okay – so we all needed a bit of downtime after our fabulous Class of 1969 50th Reunion. I hope you’re all rested up because it’s time to get back on track with getting to know each other. Obviously, not everyone got to visit with each other at the reunion so we’re devoting a new addition to our blog. “Spotlight” will give us a chance to find out what you’ve been up to for the past 50 years.
Special thanks to Neverne Covington for being our first “Spotlight Class of 1969 Graduate!” You’re going to love getting to know her and experiencing her special talents. Be sure to visit her website. Her work is amazing! Nancy
Spotlight on Neverne Covington…
Happy Father’s Day to all the Dixie Dad’s with us and passed. Happy Father’s Day to dads everywhere! Special thanks to Gary L. French for sharing his proudest moments!
https://animoto.com/play/NSF6Sph0s2Qnn6Ik86UQmw
Look for more reunion pictures to follow soon!
A slideshow tribute to Dixie Hollins Dads, Grandads, and Great Grandads is planned. Hope you’ll help us share your joy! Please send one picture of you and your family or you and your children with your name and last initial only (last name if you want it listed) to nanisss@verizon.net with DHHS Dads in the subject line. Pictures are needed by Saturday noon at the latest. Looking forward to hearing from you! Thanks!
The reunion dust has settled and we’re off to experiences as yet unknown. That’s where you – my dear classmates, come in. We’ve had but a brief moment in time to reconnect, yet there is so much more to be discovered from the past fifty years and to connect to from this day on.
This blog is “YOUR” blog. We want to know what you want to read about, what you want to share, what you think would be helpful to you. There is much that can be gleaned from staying connected at this point in our lives – even if online.
Many of you have read Michael Taylor’s piece on our champion football team. So many in fact that it’s our top post! I wasn’t on the team (of course!) but reading about it brought back many fond memories of attending those exciting games. It also led me to reflect on other memorable events that significantly impacted my my career choices in life.
Dixie was a trade school and as such gave us the opportunity to explore different vocations. Perhaps you’d like to share how your Dixie years impacted your career choice or choices. Maybe you’d just like to share your memories of the programs you participated in. If so, leave a comment or connect with me at nanisss@verizon.net for writing guidelines. Our community wants to hear from you!
Other topics we’ll explore in the future:
And, speaking of friends – more reunion pictures are coming! If you have any to share please send them to me at the email listed above. Thanks!
Sincere thanks to Michael Taylor for his second written contribution to our DHHS 50th Reunion Blog. His generously shared talent and the enthusiasm from others before and after our reunion has been testament to the continued success of our reunited classroom community.
by Michael Taylor
The DHHS football team, 10-0-1 in the fall of 1968, relied on a double split end/ double-wing halfback formation with a fullback directly behind the quarterback. The QB, Randy Shively (or Don Neel), would set the offensive line with his first sound, start one of the wingbacks (often Don Neel) in motion on the second sound, and have the ball hiked by the center (usually Michael Sykes) on the third or fourth sound. He would pivot with the ball as he read the defense and choose to toss the ball to the motion back, hand off to the fullback (usually Don Dixon or Mark Hobbs) up the middle, run the ball himself, or pass to either split end (typically Riley Erwin or Lyn Dreger) or a halfback. The offensive line, anchored by guards Dave Burns and Skip Culver and tackle Ray Horner, created lanes for the running backs or gave the QB a few seconds to find a receiver. The inventive offense created by Head Coach Frank Goddard with input from Larry Cameron averaged 316 yards a game, which set records locally for a 48-minute high school football game. The defense, fortified in the middle by linebacker Don Dixon, only gave up an average of 8 points and 159 yards a game. Larry Whiteside and Mark Hobbs moved in and out at linebacker while Randy MacGinnis and Mike Taylor played defensive ends. The middle of the defensive line, manned by Dale (Hall) Kersey and Ray Horner, was spelled by John Womer and Andy Charles at nose tackle. Jimmy Macfarlane and Tim Condron played at end and defensive back, while Don Neel, Randy Shively, and Lyn Dreger rarely left the field because they were playing defensive backs. Dixon, Dreger, Shively, and Neel spent the most time during the season playing both offense and defense, but Don Dixon put the most minutes on the field over the eleven games. Of course, there were strong efforts from the juniors and the sophomores on the team. This simple reflection is calling to mind the members of the class of 1969.
Our coaches, Elmer Vogelsang, Elmer Aldridge, Larry Cameron, Gus Stergeos, and Paul Wallace, made us work hard at becoming a team from the August two-a-day or even three-a-day practices in the Florida sun and sandspurs. Our trainer, James McCracken, tried to keep us patched together after we were injured.
Those of us attending the fiftieth reunion missed not being able to reconnect with Larry Whiteside and Ray Horner, who did not attend. We did reflect on the teammates who have passed away: Randy McGinnis, Skip Culver, and Mark Hobbs.
After looking through online copies of the Evening Independent, I came away with a few details from moments during the season.
9/21/68 Seminole 7-7
Don Neel pass to Lyn Dreger for TD (Dreger kicked extra point)
9/28/68 Clearwater 27-20
Shively runs for 2 and passes for one/Dixon runs one
10/5/68 Bishop Barry 46-7 Everyone got to play.
10/12/68 Boca Ciega 32-0
Shively was 16 of 22 for 271 yards and 3TDs and ran for a TD. Dreger catches TD and intercepts pass to stop scoring drive.
10/20/69 Manatee 26-14
Hurricane delay, so the game is played on Saturday
11/1/68 Largo 13-7
Don Neel complete 9 of 14 passes to set up Don Dixon’s winning score in the 4th quarter after Randy leaves the game injured
11/8/68 Dunedin 47-7
Shively is 17 of 36 for 291 yards and 6 TDs and at this point in the season is 84 for 150 for 1326 yards and 10 TDs. Randy MacGinnis kicks an extra point.
11/15/68 St. Petersburg 21-12
Don Neel runs 7 times for 40 yards, catches 4 passes for 101 yards and scores 3 TDs. Dixon carries 11 times for 55 yards and makes 5 unassisted tackles.
11/23/68 Gibbs 21-6
Dixon makes 10 unassisted tackles and Shively runs for two scores.
11/27/68 Northeast 34-7
Mark Hobbs scores on a draw play. Randy throws for 234 yards and two TDs. The defense stops two strong running backs and plays a superior game to finish the season undefeated.
Randy Shively passed for 1,861 yards completing 113 of 206 passes for 14 touchdowns and scored 9 TDs running the ball.
Erwin caught 27 passes for 309 yards (1 TD and kicked 1 extra point)
Neel caught 32 passes for 607 yards, ran 72 times for 353 yards and a 4.9 yard per carry average. He passed 42 times, completing 24for 306 yards. He scored 8 TDs.
Dreger caught 38 passes for 473 yards to lead the conference. He scored 6 TDs and kicked 14 extra points.
Dixon scored 4 TDs.
MacGinnis kicked 3 extra points.
Taylor recorded a 2 point safety.
12/7/68 Bishop Moore (Orlando Bowl) 34-20
Riley Erwin scored twice. Mark Hobbs scored on a one-yard run. Don Neel scored on a flea-flicker from Erwin. Lyn Dreger scored on an 18-yard pass.
What a weekend! The 50th Reunion happened! It was great to rekindle friendships from our Dixie Hollins Class of 1969 and make new friends meeting family members and significant others. Though it took months to plan the reunion, the weekend seemed to fly! With so many traveling from around the nation to join us, Jason Mraz’s “93 Million Miles” lyrics are a “must” to share – even for those choosing to remain close to their St. Petersburg roots. Be sure to click “full screen” when viewing – you just might see yourself!
Know we were thrilled to have you all back home!
https://animoto.com/play/zR5dS1HomJgym5McKM30TA
Special thanks to the Reunion Committee and all who worked so hard to make this a successful event. Also, special thanks to fellow graduate Mike Giles for donating his time and talent to provide music for us on Friday evening!
Keep checking in. There’s lots more to come!
My photos are limited so please be sure to submit any reunion photos you can to me at nanisss@verizon.net so I can get them posted.
Thanks! Nancy
DHHS '69 Musings Past and Present... 