Category Archives: Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion

1969 Class Reunion, Aging during Covid-19, Baby Boomers, Baby Boomers and Covid-19, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Dixie M. Hollins Class of 1969, Growing older, Life Experience, Memories, Wisdom

Remembering “Then” During Covid-19

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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…

 

 

 

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1969 Class Reunion, 50th Class Reunion, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Dixie M. Hollins Class of 1969, Memories, Reunion, St. Petersburg FL

Happy Thanksgiving!

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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…

Your Reunion Committee

 

Baby Boomers, DHHS 50th Reunion Weekend Experiences, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Memories

Creating a DHHS Blog Community 50 Years Later

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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:

  • Next get togethers
  • Baby Boomer tips and treasures
  • Travel
  • Diet and health
  • Shared experiences
  • Caregiving
  • Exercise
  • Leisure
  • Networking
  • and more…

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!

 

 

 

 

1969 Class Reunion, 50th Class Reunion, DHHS 50th Reunion Weekend Experiences, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Dixie M. Hollins Class of 1969, High School Football, High School Football 1969, Memories, Michael Taylor

Reflections on a football team after our 50th high school reunion – Michael Taylor

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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.

Reflections on a football team after our 50th high school reunion  

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.

 

1969 Class Reunion, 50th Class Reunion, DHHS 50th Reunion Weekend Experiences, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Memories, Reunion, Wisdom

Bon Jovi – Reunion

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Searching for just the right song to share on the eve of our 50th Reunion, I ran across “Reunion” by Bon Jovi.  I’d never heard it but fell in love with the heartfelt meaning behind it…

 

Oh!  Sorry!  You’d rather see Bon Jovi perform it?  Here you go!  Enjoy!

 

 

See you at the Reunion!!

DHHS 50th Reunion Information, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Dixie M. Hollins Class of 1969

Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Reunion Times and Parking Details

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Can you believe it?  Our reunion is less than 1 week away.  Here are the final details and information on parking for the event.  For those of you who are not staying at the hotel, the parking Saturday may be at a premium as there is a Rowdies soccer game that night and they play across the street from the hotel at Al Lang field.

Friday – June 7, 2019
Registration: 5:00 – 7:00 PM
Poolside Reception: 6:30 – 9:30 PM
Friday Night, at the pool, will include a complimentary drink (soft drink, beer, wine or cocktail) followed by a cash bar.  There will be passed appetizers.  Also there will be assorted snacks.
Entertainment: Mike Giles (1969 Classmate) on guitar.  Special guest singer (1969 Classmate) – Nancy Pimpinelli Ellington
Dress:  Casual
Saturday – June 8, 2019
10:00 AM – James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art docent led tour (advance sign up or at Reunion Registration desk – Friday)
11:00 AM – Golf at the Vinoy Golf Club on Snell Isle (Advance sign up ONLY)
2:00 PM – Museum of Fine Art docent led tour (Advance sign up or at Reunion Registration desk – Friday)
——————————————————————–
Saturday Evening – June 8, 2019
Ballroom Reception:  6:00 – 10:00 PM
Cocktails – 6:00 PM
Food Service and Stations Available from 6:30 – 8:30 PM
Food will include several food and bar stations around the room with a cash bar.  There will be a fajita food station with chicken, beef and all the fixings; a pasta bar of assorted pastas and sauces. Fruit and dessert stations will also be available for your pleasure.
Entertainment:  DJ Phil Nathanson playing the tunes of the 60’s
Dress:  Business Casual (not ties or sports coats necessary)
——————————————————————–
Downtown Looper:
The looper goes by the Hilton every 15 minutes and goes to the Sundial Parking Garage, which is open 24 hours per day for $5.
Hours of Operation:
Monday-Thursday: 7am-10pm
Friday: 7am-Midnight
Saturday: 8am-Midnight
Sunday: 8am-10pm
Service is scheduled every 15 minutes
All vehicles are equipped with a wheelchair lift
————————————————————————–
Public Parking in Downtown St. Petersburg: 
Sundial Parking Garage 117 2nd Street North – St. Petersburg  (727) 895-3800 
  • Monday-Friday   $1 per hour ($7 maximum) 6 a.m. to 5 p.m.
  •  Monday-Friday after 5 p.m.   and all day weekends: Up to 4 hours: $1, $1 each additional hour 
SouthCore Parking Garage 101 1st Avenue South – St. Petersburg, FL (727) 896-2256
  • Open 6:00 AM ⋅ Closes 12:00 AM 
  • Floors 7 and 8 – Monday-Sunday from 6 a.m. to 12 a.m: First hour free, Each additional Hour: $1/hr, $7 maximum 
Camden Parking Garage (Behind the Hilton Hotel)
155 Charles Ct S, St. Petersburg, FL 33701 
  • $5.00 per entry 
Al Lang/Progress Energy Park Surface Lot: 
1st Avenue South between 1st Street and BayShore Boulevard
  • Monday-Sunday: $5/Daily The special event rate is usually $5 and occasionally $10 for larger events
800 1st Avenue South Lot:
Entrances: 
  • On 1st Avenue South between 8th Street and MLK Jr. Blvd.
  • On 2nd Avenue South between 8th Street and MLK Jr. Blvd.  On MLK Jr. Blvd. between 1st and 2nd Avenue South 
Monday – Sunday: $3 / Day The special event rate is between $5 and $20 depending on the event 
Thank you,
The 50 Year Reunion Committee
1969 Class Reunion, 50th Class Reunion, DHHS 50th Reunion Activities, DHHS 50th Reunion Information, DHHS 50th Reunion Weekend Experiences, Dixie Hollins High School Class of 1969 50th Class Reunion, Dixie M. Hollins Class of 1969, FL, Memories, St. Petersburg, St. Petersburg FL, Things to do St Petersburg FL

DHHS 50th Class Reunion Saturday Off-Site Events and Additional Weekend Experiences

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Saturday Off-site Events:

Golf

The Vinoy Golf Club – www.vinoyclub.com/golf

600 Snell Isle Blvd. NE

Tee times for our group start at 11:08 AM on Saturday. Proper golf attire (collared shirt-no jeans) is required. You must sign up in advance if you want to play. Email me at fyacko@verizon.net.   The price will be between $40-50 for 18 holes. Driving range, putting green and chipping area are included. Club and shoe rentals are available.

 

Museum Tours

James Museum of Western & Wildlife Art – www.thejamesmuseum.org

150 Central Avenue

A 10:00 AM Saturday morning docent led tour is scheduled. You must sign up in advance if you want to join the group. Email me at fyacko@verizon.net. The price is $10 for this 45 minute tour of Native American art.

Museum of Fine Art – www.mfastpete.org

255 Beach Drive, NE

A 2:00 PM Saturday afternoon docent led tour is scheduled. You must sign up in advance if you want to join the group. Email me at fyacko@verizon.net. The price is $15 and we can hop on the free Looper Trolley for transportation.

Dali Museum – www.thedali.org

1 Dali Blvd

The Dali has docent led tours every 30 minutes. The price is $22 and the museum is less than 5 blocks away. We will have a sign up at registration if you want to join us for this magical tour.

 

Other Things to do while at the Reunion –

 

 

Friday night is First Friday St. Pete – www.firstfridaystpete.com

It is a fun evening of live music, vendors and restaurants. It is held on Central Avenue between 2nd and 3rd Streets. Get a real taste of downtown St. Petersburg. Check it out before or after our poolside gathering, it runs from 5:30 PM – 10:00 PM.

 

The Looper Trolley – www.LooperTrolley.com

Maybe you would like to ride around the downtown area and see all the changes and what you might want to do later. Ride the FREE Looper Trolley. The Hilton is a scheduled stop and the trolley stops there every 15 minutes.

Times:

Friday 7:00 AM – Midnight

Saturday 8:00 AM – Midnight

Sunday 8:00 AM – 10:00 PM

 

There are many other museums and things to do: Coast Bike sharing, Segway tours, Pub Pedal Trips, shopping at the many boutiques and unique stores, finding a seafood or Irish pub for lunch. Enjoy yourself.