New Words

What do “carbon footprint,"  "webisode" and "staycation" all have in common?  All three are new additions to Merriam-Webster’s new dictionary.

The company says the answer to "how do new words get in the dictionary" is simple;  they get used.  A lot.
According to the Internet, the editors at Merriam-Webster spend a bit of time each day reading different books, newspapers, magazines and electronic publications. While reading, they keep an eye out for things like new words or phrases, new spellings and new uses for existing words or phrases.

When editors come across something interesting, they mark the word and collect information that explains how it is used and what it means. This process is called “reading and marking.”

Once a new word or phrase has been marked, editors enter it into a computer system. Then, the word is tracked and counted.....and if it is used some undisclosed number of times.....it automatically goes into the latest addition.
I came across some "new" very descriptive words...not yet used enough to make the cut...but words that I think are very likely to  soon be included.

See if you agree:

Nonversation...a completely worthless conversation...small talk.

Cellfish..an individual who continues talking on their phone so as to be rude or inconsiderate of other people.

Errorist...someone who repeatedly makes mistakes or is always wrong

Askhole...who asks many stupid, pointless, or obnoxious questions

Internest....the cocoon of blankets and pillows you gather around yourself while spending long periods on the Internet

Chairdrobe... piling clothes on a chair in place of a closet or dresser....also see floordrobe

Unlightening...learning something that makes you dumber

Destinesia...when you get to where you were intending to go, but forget why you were going there in the first place.

Textpectation....the anticipation felt when waiting for a response to a text.

Columbusing...when people claim to have discovered something that has been around for years, decades or centuries.

Ambitchous...striving to be more of a bitch than the average bitch.

Afterclap...the last person who claps after everyone else has stopped.

Beerboarding....extracting secret info from a colleague by getting him drunk.

Chiptease....when you buy a bag of potato chips thinking that it will be full...but it turns out it's just air.

On another subject, generally speaking, I believe the accepted terms for the age of groups of people are:

20s ~ 30s = 'young adults'
40s ~ 50s = 'middle aged'
60s ~ 70s = 'seniors'

Finely Aged Citizens

80s ~ = 'elderly'



I don't like the term, "elderly"...but 

"seasoned adults" ain't bad.

But the one I like best is, "finely aged."


-Ed

Did You Hear the One About...

Bathing Suit 1910

I don't get asked much anymore, but whenever I attend a gathering at which I'm introduced and expected to "say a few words," it's been my habit to open with  something mildly humorous. That seems to "break the ice" for the group AND me.
 That always seemed to work.

Until yesterday.

The event was a neighborhood "swim" party to welcome all of the new families who had recently moved in.  It was a fairly good size group. When I was introduced to the crowd, I told them how happy we "old time original owners" were to have them as neighbors.........etc........but I wouldn't be able to join them in the swimming pool.....because I just discovered that morning that my swimming trunks had a hole in the knee.

Then, silence.

My "break the ice" bit of levity had fallen flat.

Whenever that happens, I just want to go hide under my bed and for at least the rest of the day I kick myself for not taking my wife's advice and use every opportunity that comes along to JUST SHUT UP.

Velocipede

Oh well.

It's an old, old joke, but I still think it's funny.  However, maybe the reason it fell so flat with the crowd of young families, is that they have no idea that men's bathing suits in the early 1900's came down almost to their ankles.

And then again, maybe it's just time to retire that joke.

I know a real funny one about a velocipede

-Ed

Carolyn Keziah Hudspeth Passes

Carolyn Keziah 1958

We were very fortunate that Carolyn stayed in touch with

Carolyn Leading an LDL

those of us in our class still around, attendng many LDL's and leading the discussions at several of them. I'm also personally very proud and flattered that Carolyn was a regular reader of this website.

We were very sad to learn that we lost another of our popular classmates this week, Carolyn Keziah Hudspeth.

CHARLOTTE OBSERVER

Carolyn Hudspeth

Obituary

Guest Book

• "Deepest sympathy in the loss of Carolyn. I worked at Cytec..."

View Sign

Carolyn Keziah Hudspeth CHARLOTTE - Mrs. Hudspeth, 79, of Charlotte, passed peacefully in her home on August 24, 2015. Carolyn was born on November 10, 1935, the younger of two children to Zebulon Vance Keziah and Guyoma Cline Keziah. She graduated from Central High School in 1954 where she met her husband to be Jackson G. Hudspeth. They were married June 8, 1957 and Carolyn became a Marine Corps wife as they took up residence in Quantico, VA, and then at Camp Lejeune, NC. In 1960, having started a family, Carolyn and Jack returned to Charlotte and settled into civilian life. Carolyn worked 40 years for American Cyanamid and Cytec Industries as an administrative assistant. She was an active member of Amity Presbyterian Church where she used her wonderful gift of hospitality to plan and participate in many church activities, as well as community events. Carolyn always looked forward to spending time with her sister and brother-in-law, Freda and Ed Donaldson, at their beach house on Isle of Palms, SC. She was most passionate about her children and grandchildren and loved attending their scholastic and sports activities. Carolyn was preceded in death by her parents Zeb V. and Guyoma C. Keziah. She is survived by her husband of 58 years, Jackson Gregory Hudspeth, daughter Paige Bennett, of Mt. Pleasant, SC, sons, Mark Hudspeth (Jackie), of Holly Springs, NC, Leigh Hudspeth (Susan) of Waynesville, NC, and her grandchildren, Paul Bennett IV, Lauren Bennett, David Hudspeth, Brett Hudspeth, and her loving sister Freda Donaldson of Davidson, NC. A service to celebrate her life will be held at 11:00am Friday, August, 28, at Amity Presbyterian Church, followed by a visitation in the church fellowship hall. In lieu of flowers memorials can be made to Amity Presbyterian Church Endowment Fund, 2831 N. Sharon Amity Rd., Charlotte, NC 28205. Condolences may be shared online through,www.tallentfuneralservice.com.

Funeral Home

- See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/charlotte/obituary.aspx?n=carolyn-hudspeth&pid=175648691&fhid=5224#sthash.G7kXvMSz.dpuf

What Ever Happened to

Pete Toomey

The late Pete Toomey, an old friend I knew from my WGIV days in the early 50s, made a tape recording of what he remembered about the history of that station. He stayed in contact with Bill Lineburger, the long time chief engineer of Charlotte's first "independent" station.

On that tape he mentioned a name that I heard many stories about, but never met. Since he was mentioned by so many in the broadcast business, I figured that our paths would cross eventually.

But they never did.

I never forgot his name though...and some of the stories about him.

But since my retirement, almost 2 years ago, I have time to do a lot of things I never found the time to do.  One of which is searching on the Internet.

However, I have come up with NOTHING but dead ends in my search for the legendary...CONRAD PHILLIPS.

All I know is that he was a great football player...for Central High before WW2...fought in that great war, losing both feet in the process, returned to Charlotte and was hired as a DJ for WGIV and attended Charlotte College......

Walter Cronkite and Julian Barber

My friend the late Julian Barber and he were good friends and Julian once told me a story about
Conrad.  

It seems that he and Julian were going somewhere and they came upon a bunch of young boys playing football.  Conrad decided to coach them a little on the finer points of "passing" and "punting" the football.

The kids watched spellbound as he showed them exactly how to grip the football...and how to "lead" a receiver, etc.

They were in complete awe as this ex-football star began explaining the finer points of "punting;" how to grip it with the laces up and arms fully extended....then two steps and drop the ball....and KICK!

As his foot met the ball.....the perfect spiral sailed high in the air.

And so did his prosthetic foot!

Julian said he never saw a bunch of scared kids run home so fast!

So, if any of you know anything about CONRAD PHILLIPS......let me know.

-Ed

LDL Report

By Jerry Gaudet



Some folks make a mighty effort to get to "LDL" gatherings.  With great help from his son Donnie, "Pookie" Conder rolled in to be with us and seemed to enjoy being with classmates.  Though "Pookie" can no longer speak, he can certainly communicate with his eyes and laughter.

Jim ("Pookie" and Don Conder

We are told "Pookie" suffered a stroke in 1989.  He was 53 at the time.  Son Donnie shares that prior to that he was an entrepreneur with interest all over the board.  Commercial Fisherman (shrimp), Bait and Tackle Shop in Beaufort, SC.  Owned a Restaurant (Steak and Seafood), A Fence Company and too many others things of interest to list.  His stroke was traced to a blocked artery.  He's resided in four different Assisted Living Facilities.  Each of his moves has been due changes in facility policies or moving him closer to Donnie. He's loved wherever he goes.  The present facility has over eighty women who pick at him...probably why he smiles a lot. 

Here's "Pookie's" contact information.  Get a card off to him, won't you?

James Thomas Conder

c/o Concord Place

2452 Rock Hill Church Rd.

Concord NC 28027

Or, an email can be sent to him by way of Donnie:

citnc1@gmail.com 

Or, you can contact "Pookie's" son at:

Don Conder

200 North Moose Rd.

Mt. Pleasant NC 28224

Telephone 980/722-7313

Email citnc1@gmail.com

***

It's that time of year again...

Sarah Lynn Black

for FOOTBALL!

From at least the second grade on...whenever that number 6 Elizabeth bus I was riding up town would start down Elizabeth Avenue toward Central High, my eyes were glued to the right hoping to see that exciting billboard with the Wildcat's football schedule on it. I forget when exactly the new schedule was posted each year, but I think it was sometime in early summer.

Whenever it was, it got my heart beating faster imagining what the upcoming season would be like.

That was my very favorite billboard.

Last time I was in Charlotte, I looked for that billboard and noticed something slightly similar was there, but, of course it had nothing to do with Football.

But to this day, I think of that billboard whenever the pigskin season approaches.  I think perhaps because for so many of my impressionable years, the appearance of that sign was, to me, the harbinger of the approach of my favorite time of the year, football season!

The falling leaves, and cooler temperatures and all are nice...but, to me, the four seasons are Winter, Spring, Summer and Football!

-Ed

PS....This is my favorite picture of that iconic Billboard. There's something about it that makes it simply unforgetable!   Hummmmm....

Crime Stoppers

I see where someone started a fire in the  first floor bathroom of our old high school building.

It must not been much of a fire, since it only took firefighters 8 minutes to extinguished it.

But according to reports, the powers that be at the school followed the school's evacuation plan and everyone marched out of the school without panicking. The City shut down the Citi Gold Line Streetcar service and who knows what else.

According to the Observer, they have no idea who did this dastardly deed, but asked the public to contact CRIME SOLVERS if they have any idea.

I wasn' there, so I'm just guessing, but if John Otts were still in charge, that perp would have been wearing an orange suit by supper time that evening.

But, that was then, and this is now.

However, I'm happy to report that there are still a few plain speaking, no nonsense, people around; like this sheriff in Texas...

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=S8zXPJf8GZA


-Ed

Mouse Travel

I had pleasant drive around Charlotte the other day, sitting here at my computer thanks, of course to Google Earth. When I take these virtual tours,  I always stop by the old CHS building to make sure the powers that be in Charlotte these days haven't embarked on another one of those"Renewal Projects," like they did back in the 60's, which Mary Kratt called their "Removal Project."
`

The town actually looks pretty good!  I "drove" around back of that grand old CHS building to see if I could figure where the field house used to be and noticed a "sick"looking, tree... is standing there now, which only confirmed my suspicion that
 nothing would ever grow well in the same spot where that
that foul smelling,
structure once stood.




I also noticed the name "Central High School" is still on the back of the building.  Or is that my imagination?

Sorry to see that almost all those great old houses on Elizabeth Avenue are torn down....but, progress.......?.......I guess.

I didn't see any "street theatre" scenes.....such as those that have shown up in other Google Earth shots.

Enjoy:

-Ed

Connect the Dots

In case you haven't made the connection yet.....

that lovely lady who just announced her candidacy for Attorney General of North Carolina, Holly Jones, is the daughter of our own Neil Jones!

Here's how the Associated Press covered the story:

Holly Jones

RALEIGH – Buncombe County commissioner Holly Jones announced Wednesday she’s running for lieutenant governor in 2016, saying she’d serve as a counterweight to the North Carolina legislature’s conservative agenda, in particular on its interference in local government affairs.

Jones, a Democrat, wants to replace Republican Lt. Gov. Dan Forest, who is seeking re-election. She would first have to compete in next May’s primary against 2012 Democratic nominee Linda Coleman, who narrowly lost to Forest in that year’s general election.

Coleman, a former legislator and Wake County commissioner, announced last February she would run again. Former longtime state employee Robert Wilson also plans to run in the Democratic primary.

A commissioner for seven years following seven earlier years on the Asheville City Council, Jones said she wants to present the state an “alternate vision” to what Republicans have offered since taking over all of state government.

I'm wondering if she is elected, and Neil says she will be, how is he going to address her?

Darling? Honey? Naw, forget that fatherly talk, he'll have to address her like everyone else.......

Madame Attourney General.

-Ed

Finger Licking Good

KFC Restaurant

"There's no accounting for taste," goes the old expression, but personally, the Kentucky Colonel's "finger licking good" fried chicken is hard to beat.  In my opinion, it's the best since my Aunt Kathryn's (Charles Mateer's mother)  iron skillet fried Sunday dinner special.

( Sunday dinner, of course, was at 12 noon, right after church.)

As modest as I am, truth dictates that I admit that I am somewhat of a celebrity at my local KFC restaurant.  It's all because I mentioned one time that I knew the white haired, goateed old man in the white suit, pictured on the wall of the restaurant.

Not well, BUT I once spent a couple of hours with him when

Colonel Sanders

he was a guest on the TV show I was hosting.  (I only bragg about all the celebrities I knew to people who don't realize that anyone who ever hosted a local TV or radio show probably interviewed  at least a 100 "stars" whose 
PR people regularly booked them on as many stations as possible.)

The Colonel seemed to me to be a very 
nice, modest man...who had a lot to be 

modest about.  His early life was one of 

ups and downs, mostly downs, until his love of cooking finally paid off.

Prior to that he had held a variety of jobs, selling insurance, working for a steamboat ferry company and eventually took a correspondence course that allowed him to earn a law degree. 

However, he ruined his legal career by getting into a fist fight with his client in the courtroom.

Sanders First Restaurant in Corbin, Ky

Later he opened a restaurant in Corbin Kentucky and found modest success for the first time in his life. 

 But at the time of his 65th birthday the restaurant had ceased being profitable and he had completely used up his savings. 

 He was  dead broke.

Harland Sanders

Sanders used the money from his first social security check to travel by car, often sleeping in it, calling on restaurants to try his special chicken recipe and invest in its success.  He estimated that he called on 1009 restaurants, often cooking samples for the restaurants, before he got his first "yes" response. 

And, the rest is history.

TRADER VIC

I could also impress the workers at the local "Trader Vics," except for the fact that there is not one anymore close to where I live.

In fact, there are only 4 left in the United States.  But in the 1960's the "Tiki" theme was popular and a self promoter  named Victor Jules Bergeron changed the name and decor of the restaurant he owned in San Francisco, from "Rinky Dinks" to "Trader Vics."  (Rinky Dink was borrowed from he WW1 song, "Rinky Dinky Parley Vous.")

Bergeron told me that until he came along, there was no such

Victor Jules Bergeron

thing as "Polynesian Food."  He said he just made that up. 

He also "invented" himself, falling right in to the persona of a South Pacific trader/pirate.

His wooden leg (lost in a shark attack, he said) fit right in with  his new image with which he was known to entertain customers by sticking an ice pick in it.  Often he would tell people, "Never get one of these...unless you really need it."

I guess that was pretty entertaining after the customers had consumed a couple of Trader Vics other "invention," the Mai Tai.

-Ed

STOP-ed

Remember how telegrams used to end sentences with the word "STOP," instead of a period?

The reason was because Western Union charged for punctuation, but not for words of only 4 letters.

Western Union Delivery Boy

I learned that small fact in an article I read about the 150 year old company sending its last telegram in 2006.

In its time Western Union played a huge part in this country's history.

It was an important part of my family as well. One of my father's first jobs was as a bicycle delivery
boy for Western Union. He later taught himself the Morse Code and worked as a telegrapher for the company.  My mother also worked at Western Union.  She retired from there after 40 years.

I often think of how depressing many of her days were...putting those telegrams together from the War Department during WW2 informing parents of the deaths of their soldier sons and daughters...and then sending them out to be delivered.

As far as I know, Western Union is still around, doing fairly well sending money orders.

But those "glory days" of bringing "earth shattering" news, both happy AND tragic, have STOP -ed.

Ed

LDL This Tuesday

This month's "LDL" (Let's do lunch) will be held on

Tuesday, August 11, 2015, 11:30 AM

at "Jimmies" Restaurant in Mint Hill.

We're sending you this personal invitation to join in.  We'd like to see you.  Help us spread the word! Invite other classmates to come! Even better, bring someone with you! Just be sure YOU, come!

-Jerry Gaudet