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?
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
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…
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…
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!
One of my favorite words is “perspective.” Why? Because it’s yieldable to the many different views we take on for the same subject over years on our journey to maturity. My perspective – armed with research, knowledge of current trends (real news trends – not fake), and the opinion of others, has opened my mind to diverse points of view that I might not have found so easy to accept when I was younger. In my morning reading, I ran across this little gem and thought you might enjoy it too. Thank you Dr. Joy Finder!
As always, if you find anything you think might benefit the group feel free to send it in. We want to hear from you! Looking forward to seeing you soon! Nancy
LIFE MOVES AT A FAST PACE It’s tempting to pursue life with such breathless haste that you risk missing all the good stuff there is to enjoy. And here’s the thing, most of the good stuff is free. It doesn’t cost you to enjoy it. So, as you journey through the years, take the time […]
via TEN THINGS I LEARNED ON THE WAY TO GROWING OLDER — DrJoyFinder
DHHS '69 Musings Past and Present... 