CHS54.NET: 09/01/2004

Tuesday, September 28, 2004

Senator Helms and Obie

I thought you'd like to see this photo that ran on the AP wire recently:

It shows former Senator Jessie Helms congratulating our own Obie Oakley, obviously, for the outstanding job he and the committee did on the hugely sucessful CHS54 reunion, which played a significant roll in Charlotte's (and indeed North Carolina's) early summertime economic surge.

The article also mentioned something about Obie presenting Helms with his organization's 2004 Freedom Award.

(Seriously, Obie is the OCO ..Executive Director of the Carolina's Freedom Foundation, a not-for-profit organization whose mission is to "Honor Those Who Serve". The Foundation has a number of Events/Programs in which it Promotes Patriotism.
Throughout the year the Foundation works closely with the school system and the Junior ROTC program, culminating in the Awards Ceremony which masses over 1500 young cadets on the Coliseum Floor for recognition.)

Monday, September 27, 2004

Notice!

Jerry Gaudet has compiled an updated list of "MISSING CLASSMATES."

Be sure to look it over and let him know if you have information on any of our fellow classmates.

(Click on "Updated list of Missing Classmate"....under ARCHIVES....just to the right....and the list will magically appear!

THE RAMBLER

CHS' longest practicing Rambler columnist, Warren Sparrow files a true adventure story titled A Case of Emergency. Click under the archives on Tips for checking in to the Emergency Room, and read about this exciting adventure (Soon to be a Movie).

AND.......Warren has written a fascinating artlcle about THE USS WASP the ship he served on.......while an officer in the US NAVY. Click on the "WASP UPDATE" in the archives.

Also, don't forget to check the LIFE AFTER THE 50th archive often. That's where I put bits and pieces of info that come in about happenings since our big bash back in June. (You'll see a real nice note that Warren sent about his recent visit with Jennie Margaret and her husband Bill Forehand.)

Notice!

Saturday, September 25, 2004

JIMMIE'S is back!

Jimmie's Restaurant across the street from our old Central has now opened in Mint Hill.

Our ace reporter, Shirley McClanahan Maynor files this report from Mint Hill:

Our own Ronnie Rallis Pourlos and her husband Jimmy (who owned the old Jimmie's) have just opened the new Jimmie's across from the Mint Hill Festival on Rt. 51.

Had dinner there tonite with friends and it was great. Broiled salmon, one of

their specials. Ronnie came over to table and talked with us for a while and

we had a great time.

The Resturant is a smashing success!!!! Parking Lot full and lines to wait in and

meet the clientele!

Ernest Phipps wife has already been in and really enjoyed her meal.

Jimmie's is located in Mint Hill on 51 Just before getting to the main intersection

of Mint Hill. Brand new developement and shopping going in. Over 400 homes

and some Townhomes to be built.

Ronnie Rallis Pourlos

They have really been surprised as to the wonderful reception they have had

and have not done any advertising yet. Would you believe it, many graduates

of Central, who are letting them know they are there and finished at Old Central.

All the way back to 1948!!!!! Ronnie and Jimmie's sons Chris and George own Jimmie's now. But Ronnie

and Jimmie are there most of the time.

Anyone in Charlotte or coming to Charlotte from Central should plan to dine with them and please let them know you are

there.

-Shirley McClanahan Maynor

Thanks Shirley. Just looking at their menu makes me want to gas up the car and hop right down there. "Country style steak, fried okra, fried squash, homemade meatloaf, pinto beans, pot roast, chicken and dumplings........You can bet I'll be there next time I'm visiting Charlotte......! For more information, visit their website

-Ed

JIMMIE'S is back!

Jimmie's Restaurant across the street from our old Central has now opened in Mint Hill.

Ronnie Rallis Pourlos

Saturday, September 18, 2004

ALMOST CHS54

Thanks to this website, I’m hearing from CHS grads from classes OTHER than our famous class of ’54. In fact, I’m getting emails from a number of our contemporaries who didn’t even go to Central; instead went to Myers Park or Tech or…..moved away before high school. But many of us remember them from grammer school or from Piedmont or AG or even (horrors) Harding. (Just kidding, Rams.)

I want to officially welcome all of you to our “Little House on the Internet.” You’re all invited to send in snapshots....articles...whatever; we’d love to hear from you.

I’m going to start a new section here on the website……called ALMOST CHS54

And I'll start it off with perhaps the most famous in our ALMOST category: the nationally renowned, best selling author Jan Karon

Of course, those of us at Piedmont knew that outstandingly pretty girl in Coach Edelman’s homeroom as Janice Wilson. (Last girl in second row)

Read more about Jan:

http://www.mitfordbooks.com/index.asp

...and another PIEDMONT PANTHER:

Richard Ratcliffe

"Ed, Richard Ratcliffe here from Tampa Bay Area of Florida. I have been enjoying your web site for some time. Found it earlier this year while searching for "1954 Charlotte Annuals". Quite a gold mine of memories.

I went to Piedmont in the 8th and 9th grades. Possibly you remember me as Dickie. I then finished at Tech in 1954. Plus we also had our 50th Reunion June 5th. in Charlotte.

Not quite the grand function your group held since we only had 60 in our graduating class and 10 or more are deceased or missing.

I would liked to have attended one of the Central functions but could not swing the time. I talked to John Culp and he told me about the plans for your reunion. From the photos and write ups it was well done.

Interestingly, I ran into a couple of Central Class of 1954 Alumni as I was checking our of the Courtyard at South Park on Sunday morning after the reunion. Apparently, Central people are everywhere and can show up anytime."

Miss Godfrey's Homeroom

Richard Ratcliffe is in the third row...next to last...(left to right)....just over Conrad Grimes' right shoulder.

ALMOST CHS54

Of course, those of us at Piedmont knew that outstandingly pretty girl in Coach Edelman’s homeroom as Janice Wilson. (Last girl in second row)

Read more about Jan:

http://www.mitfordbooks.com/index.asp

...and another PIEDMONT PANTHER:

Miss Godfrey's Homeroom

Richard Ratcliffe is in the third row...next to last...(left to right)....just over Conrad Grimes' right shoulder.

Tuesday, September 07, 2004

In Case You've Just joined us....

This is the internet home of Charlotte Central High School's class of 1954! Our 50th reunion was held last June, and is being praised by folks far and near for its roaring success!

The class of 55 is doing their best to match it, but what do those young whippersnappers know about partying.......however, they've already got a very nice website so they're off to a good start! Check it out:

Class of 55

When you're navigating this page, don't forget to click on the many interesting articles listed under "archives"...only 10 stories are listed on a page, so to find more, simply click on an archive story...and there will be 10 more listed in the archive box..to the right of that page.

Life AFTER the 50th......Be sure to click on this link for new photos that come in showing what some of us have been doing since our great event.

Sending Sam to Charm School

We here at the award winning CHS54 website have decided that our ace reporter Sam Salamander needs a little more training in the social skills. So we're going to send him off for a 3 week crash course at the Odom School of Charm to see if we can smooth out some of his rough edges.

In order to pay for this, we have begun accepting ads here on the site.

Here they are: