Tanners

Tanners

Of all the eateries in Charlotte that flourished during our mostly golden years of growing up, I think probably the most memorable was TANNERS on South Tryon Street.

Who can forget the black lady in the window slicing oranges with the speed of Fireball Roberts and the precision of a brain surgeon....and once inside... the freshest and best fruit drinks You've ever tasted; especially the fruit punch which consisted of equal portions of orange, pineapple and grape juice.
And, of course, served with the best salted peanuts in little wax paper bags....that I've ever tasted.

Tanners closed sometime in the 70's I believe and a new one, under different management opened up in the 80s on North Tryon, and tried to reproduce the magic of the old Tanners.

But, unfortunately, like Humpty Dumpy.....it couldn't be put back

H. Dumpty

together again.  Even though, when I spoke to the owner sometime in the mid 80s....he told me that he had paid a lot of money to find out what kind....and where to get...those oh so different peanuts that the original Tanners packaged in little wax paper bags.

In other words, he was not going to reveal to me the great secret that many considered the Holy Grail of the Tanner's success. (I've searched high and low...and still have no clue as to what kind of peanuts those were, and where in the world I could buy some!)

However, even with those one of a kind peanuts, he obviously failed to replicate the magic of the original Tanners.

There's something about "magic," that seldom can be repeated.

There's only one........"first time."

-Ed

Humpty Dumpty sat on a wall, 

Humpty Dumpty had a great fall; 

All the king's horses and all the king's men 

Couldn't put Humpty together again.

-Mother Goose

Good News

By Jerry Gaudet


The report on Buck Anderson is good as we hear from his wife Peggy:

..."The surgery went well and we are so thankful..Buck is doing pretty good and will be in ICU for 24 to 48 hours. Thank you for the prayers. I will keep you up to date as the days go by. Please let the classmates know and  we thank them for the prayers."

Peggy Anderson

Things Southerners Never Say

            Carolina Rice

"Honey, did you mail that check to Greenpeace?"

"Trim the fat off that steak."

"We're vegetarians."

"Unsweetened tea tastes better."

"Would you like your fish poached or broiled?"

"You cooked those green beans too long."

"I think okra tastes so much better steamed, don't you?"

"Cracker Barrel again?!"

"If I have to watch those race cars go around that track ONE more time...!"


-Hat Tip, The Internet. - Ed

• 
  

Things Yankees Never Say

"Yes, Ma’am. Thank you very much." "I haven’t been bowling all week!" "I already have too many black turtleneck sweaters and chocolate brown jackets." "Amen." "I’m in no hurry. Let me put on some coffee and we’ll chat a while." "Don’t the magnolia trees in my backyard smell wonderful?" "I am so glad to be back from my visit to the South. People are so much nicer here." "Y’all look like you might be lost. May I help?" "Oh, Mom! You must be outrageously angry if you used the ‘F’ word." "I see you are only buying three items. Why don’t you go in front of me?" "It’s no bother. It’s just good old Yankee hospitality." "Oh, I don’t want to be pretentious – I’ll take whatever [coffee blend] [scotch] [martini] [beer] [cigar] you have to offer." "We could never eat it all ourselves, so we brought you some squash, tomatoes and beans from our garden." "We were just out for a stroll and saw the lights and decided to stop by and say, ‘hello.’" "Okay, so maybe we have accents too." "Honey, have you seen my white cotton socks? I absolutely refuse to go out in shorts with dark socks on!" "Howdy!" "Pass the butter beans, please." "May I please have more grits?" "I'm fixing to go to the store. Do y’all want anything?" -Again, thanks to the internet. Ed

Marlene Ritch Beaty's Husband Passes

By Jerry Gaudet


It is with great sadness that we learn of the passing of Thomas Beaty, HUSBAND of classmate Marlene Ritch Beaty,  We have the following contact information for Marlene:

Mrs. Marlene Beaty

209 Marshall St.

Fort Mill, SC  29715-1817

Email  beatymarlene@gmail.com

Thomas V. Beaty Sr. (1933 - 2016)

Obituary

• 

Mr. Thomas Vernon Beaty, Sr., 82, of Fort Mill, died Sunday, July 10, 2016, at CMC-Pineville.

A memorial service will be at 11 a.m. Thursday, July 14, 2016at Unity Presbyterian Church, with Dr. Dan Holloway officiating. The family will receive friends following the service in the Fellowship Hall.

Born and raised in Charlotte, Mr. Beaty was a son of the late Amos Florida Beaty and Suzie Mae Belk Beaty. He attended Harding High School and served in the U.S. Army, where he worked on radios. Following his time in the service, he graduated from Charlotte College. Mr. Beaty retired from Springs Industries after 35 years of service as an architect.

He was a former member of St. John's United Methodist Church where he served as a Trustee and Assistant Boy Scout Leader. In 2002, he joined Unity Presbyterian Church where he served on the building and stained glass committees and was an elder.

Having working in a movie theater during his youth, Mr. Beaty loved old movies, silent films in particular. He was instrumental in the development of the Fort Mill Community Playhouse. He also enjoyed bluegrass festivals, hiking, canoeing and photography. Being civic-minded, he was the Chairman of the Planning and Zoning Committee and the Board of Appeals for the Town of Fort Mill for many years.

He and his wife enjoyed traveling and made many trips in their travel trailer, notably to Alaska, Nova Scotia, Mexico, and Arizona and all the Walmarts in between. Their travel companions were comprised of some of their closest friends and their daughter's family. Most recently, they had traveled to Switzerland.

He had a curious mind and felt that his time in the Army ignited his interest and ability to design and repair most anything in ingenious ways. He was also well known for his talents as a woodworker and was a member of the York County Woodworker's Club.

Surviving are his wife of 56 years, Marlene Ritch Beaty; his son, Thomas Vernon Beaty, Jr. and his wife, Karin of Irmo; his daughter, Valerie Kahabka and her husband, Doyle of Greenacres, Wash.; his sister, Thelma McKinney of Rock Hill; four grandchildren, Thomas Jordan Beaty, Bailey Thomas Kahabka, Morgan Renee Kahabka and Aaron John Kahabka; and niece, Ramona Williams of Rock Hill.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to Unity Presbyterian Church, P.O. Box 1267, Fort Mill, SC 29716.

Condolences may be made at www.wolfefuneralhome.com.

***

Huh Oh....

Tiangong-1

Time to get out your tin foil hats again.

Tiangong-1

    is coming!.......Down, that is....down from orbit...and you could wake up some morning and find it in your front yard.   Or worse.

Odds are probably a million, give or take a few, that it won't land on your head.

But, if you're wearing a tin foil hat.....the odds go up one billion to one!

Now, I'll take those odds.

That's the reason for the hat.  It's hard to argue with scientific statistics.

The Tiangong-1 satellite was launched in 2011, and should have come back down to Earth in the ocean in a controlled crash. But watchers have said that it now appears to have gone into freewill, with China losing control of it, and so it could crash down onto the Earth any time.

...and go boom!

-Ed

Raiford at Random...temporairily

Carol Coleman and Bob Raiford
Hosts of Morning TV show on WBT 1954

I first met radio personality Bob Raiford at Central High in 1954 when he spoke to Mr. Balance’s radio class.  As a matter of fact, I was the one who suggested we invite him.  I really didn’t think he would accept, since he was hosting a TV show as well as his night show, RAIFORD AT RANDOM five days a week.

CHS Radio Club 1954

But he did and that was the beginning of a life long friendship. I feel very blessed that over the years, Bob and a number of my broadcast “heroes” that I highly respected and looked up to, actually became my friends. Bob and I  worked together here in Washington for a number of years. We’ve stayed in touch since then and usually talk on the phone every couple of months.

The last time we spoke, he mentioned that he had suffered a strange happening when suddenly…his words became garbled… It only lasted a few seconds, but it worried him.  I knew exactly what he was talking about, because I had experienced the same thing a few months earlier……

My Doc said that it was a “TIA” (small stroke that is not unusual in old people…and not to worry.)

That’s what I told Bob.

I wish now that I had recommended that he go to the emergency room……

However Kelia, Bob’s wife told me that Bob’s Doc said that wouldn’t have helped.

So, I’ve stopped feeling guilty.

Bob and Ed 1996

Kelia asked me not to mention Bob’s condition to anyone…..thinking he would recover and return to his radio show before now, but his progress has been slower than thought, so he decided to finally “retire” from radio.

I’m looking forward to his complete recovery and the return of  perhaps the finest radio voice in its history.

I still remember his talk that day in Mr. Balance’s radio class.  Among other things, he quoted

Alfred Lord Tennyson:

“I am a part of all that I have met…”

The rest of Tennyson’s poem, Ulysses, is:

Though much is taken, much abides; and though We are not now that strength which in old days Moved earth and heaven; that which we are, we are; One equal temper of heroic hearts, Made weak by time and fate, but strong in will To strive, to seek, to find, and not to yield.

Raiford will be back on the air before long.

You can take that to the bank.

-Ed

It's Time now for Warren Sparrow's.....

                    The Weakly Reader

                     Vol. II, No. 3      Winston-Salem, North Carolina       7 July 2016


“Good evening” and “welcome” to those who have joined us for another edition of The
Weakly Reader. Today’s program is brought to you by Ralston-Purina, makers of the cereal that
can’t be beat: Hot Ralston. We have a guest today: This is not your ordinary guest. Before he
rolls out I want to tell you a little about him. When introduced to the public in 2002, our guest
stunned audiences with his style and grace. His energy and endurance were the envy of all who
saw him in action. After almost 16 years on the road, he is performing better than ever.
Please join me in welcoming the world renowned… the sleek and stout climber of Mount
Washington… let us give a hearty welcome to the 2003 Honda known around the world as
Accord One! (Thunderous applause.)

Accord One!

Thank you very much, ladies and gentlemen. It is an honor to be here today. I want to
take this opportunity to thank the Honda Motor Company for taking a chance on me in 2002.
My design was a radical change for Honda. Thankfully, the public was ready for it.

Today I want to tell my story, starting with the early days when the Sparrows bought me
in December 2002 off the Flow Honda lot in Winston-Salem, North Carolina. They took me
without a test drive. In fact, they never even kicked my tires. The Sparrows seemed excited to
get me. I know I was happy to get off the lot.

Within a few days I had forgotten about the Flow car lot. There I was, enjoying the
tennis at Amelia Island, Florida. Those were heady days. After returning to Winston-Salem, It
was not long until disaster struck. I shall never forget it.

Picture this: I am resting comfortably in the garage under an apartment building off
Connecticut Avenue in Washington, D.C. I had given the Sparrows a smooth ride from Winston-
Salem to D.C. for a visit with Mrs. Sparrow’s brother Jac Smit and his wife Lee. They lived in the
building where Harry Truman had lived when he was a Senator from Missouri. What a treat it
was to be parked in such an historic place.

What happened next is hard to describe. On the morning of the “event,” the Sparrow
family prepared me for a trip to Mount Vernon. Being familiar with D.C. traffic, Mrs. Sparrow’s
brother Jac was chosen to drive me. He got behind the steering wheel while the remaining
three members of our party put their coats in the back seat but did not get in the car. They
thought it would better to wait to get in until Jac backed out of the narrow space in the garage.
So he started to back up. I heard this terrible crunching sound and felt a sharp pain in my left
side where the rear door was attached to my frame. I stopped as quickly as my driver would let
me. It was too late! The frame around the old garage’s bay was shattered. My left rear door
was clinging to its bent hinge. I was in shock. I was barely a year old, now maimed for life, I
thought. What was to become of me? Would I be left to die in a Washington junk yard? Or,
worse, would I be operated on by some opportunistic shade-tree mechanic? This nightmare
came about because some fool did not close my back door after putting in their coat.

Then a miracle happened. I should have known: The Sparrows are the luckiest people
on Earth. Brother Jac, the man who backed up without knowing my door was open, saved me
and the day. He manhandled the door, bending the hinge just enough to allow the door to shut
flush against the frame. “Do not try to open the door,” he warned, “maybe it will hold together

Seriously wounded, I carried on as if nothing had happened. I made to Mount Vernon
and back without incident and without anything to dull the pain in my left side. I bore the pain
but could not escape the mental anguish caused by what I believed to be a life-shattering
experience. The old wooden frame in Truman’s garage could be easily replaced. To repair
what happened to me would be expensive and life-altering.

As it turned out, the repairs were neither expensive nor life-altering. Remember how
happy I was to get away from that Flow parking lot? Well, the folks at Flow welcomed me
“home” when the Sparrows took me there after our return to Winston-Salem. The Flow body-
shop guys did a great job on me. They eliminated the pain in my left side. The door worked
perfectly. They gave me a “new beginning,” all for less than Three Hundred Dollars. The
Sparrows were very happy.

For the next 12 years I performed before audiences all over America. Like it says in the
Army song, I was rolling through hills, dales and dusty trails, getting 32 miles per gallon. In
addition to my climb to the top of Mount Washington, I appeared in central Florida, eastern
Kansas and southern Vermont. During June of this year I completed a 2,006-mile tour known
as The Odyssey. The trip took me to a few places I had never been. One was Allentown, PA.
Another was a sea-coast town south of Boston—Marshfield, MA.

The high point of The Odyssey came near the end. It was a dream come true. For the
first time in my 14 years on the road, I got to roll through the streets of Manhattan. Yes, it is
true: “Getting there is half the fun.” Getting out is the other half. The stuff in between was
boring, being stuffed in an underground garage, but it was a cheap price for being able to
“make it” in New York, New York.

After the incredible rush of my Manhattan performance, I needed a break. Heading
south on the New Jersey Turnpike, I quickly distanced myself from the tall buildings and the
Lincoln Tunnel. Though I enjoy showing off in crowded venues, I always feel better on the open
road.

On the way from Manhattan to Winston-Salem, I spent the night parked in front of a
lovely brick home in Chevy Chase, MD, a Washington suburb. It was my 12 th night on the road
and I slept soundly. The next morning, the 13 th day of The Odyssey, I woke up early, eager to do
what I do best: Glide along at 32 miles per gallon. Off we went. It was about 9 a.m. Delayed a
little by massive traffic on Interstate 95 near Fredericksburg, VA, it took me until 4:30 p.m. to
get home.

There you have it: My story from beginning to end-- from the awful moment in
Truman’s garage to the exhilarating Manhattan experience. Hopefully, it is not the end. I am
looking forward to many more miles of “Happy Motoring.”

My time is up. Thank you for listening. Thank you for letting me tell my story. I am sure
each of you has a better one. (Thunderous applause!)

That is all the time we have for today’s program. We hope you have enjoyed this
edition of The Weakly Reader. Until next time, please remember, “Hot Ralston can’t be beat!”

7 July 2016                                                             s/ Warren Sparrow

Betty Bowers Shue Passes

By Jerry Gaudet

Betty Bowers 1954

It is with great sorry that we learn of the passing of classmate Betty Bowers Shue, while in recovery following open heart surgery.

We have the following contact information should you care to reach her grieving husband, Jim, and their family:

Mr. Jim Shue and family

2414 Thornton Rd.

Charlotte, NC  28208

Email jimshue2@carolina.rr.com

Elizabeth B. Shue Obituary Elizabeth B. Shue, (Betty), passed away on July 6, 2016 at 80 years of age. She was born March 29, 1936 in Charlotte to John Bowers and Tennie Nance. Betty graduated from Central High School in 1954. She was a big fan of John Wayne and of Betty Boop, a nickname for which she was often called. She retired from both Transports Clearings East and Rea Construction. She was a member of Durham Memorial Baptist Church. Those who knew Betty, knows she treated her friends just like family; she was very loved by all. Betty is survived by her husband, Jim Shue; children, Glenn Shue (Elaine) and Darrell Shue; grandchildren, Crystal Newcombe (Michael), Kelsey Shue and Jeremy Hicks; and great grandsons, Dane Newcombe and Dalton Newcombe. She is predeceased by her parents and a grandson, Jason Shue. The funeral service will be held at Forest Lawn West Funeral Home on Friday, July 8, 2016 at 2:00pm; Gene Boatwright officiating. A visitation with family and friends will be one hour prior at1:00pm. Interment will follow the service at Charlotte Memorial Gardens, 7632 Hood Road in Charlotte. In lieu of flowers, contributions may be made to the Make-A-Wish Foundation. Offer condolences through forestlawnwest.com Published in Charlotte Observer on July 7, 2016 ***

A couple of things:

.

We've been "pet less" here at the Shephard household every since our cat"Larry" died a few months ago.

Meanwhile, some bozo originally from Pakistan with more money than sense, and who also wants to give the "back of his hand" to some of the "hated" middle class Americans,  has chosen to purchase one of our 1969 built, modest homes...tear it down...and build one of those monstrous "Mac Mansions," right in the middle of our peaceful little slice of America.  It sticks up like a giant Italian Salute. (which, no doubt it is.)

Nothing I can do about it. Linda and I have decided long ago that we are here for the "duration."  Or until they build a 7-11 next door, whichever comes first.

Now, as far as choosing another pet...to replace Larry...I think I've made my decision.  Recently, new research has shown that these rascals have proven to be almost as smart as dogs, are affectionate and have over 10,000 years of experience co-existing with humans!

That's good enough for me.

And of course, I've never been one to want to emulate everyone else....so I can soon join my "dog walking" neighbors every evening.

I can' wait to introduce them to "Mac" (short for McMansion). I have a feeling that he's going to like the grass in his namesake's yard and spend a lot of time there.

Mac the Goat

And. if this doesn't discourage future intrusion into our little slice of heaven.......well....at least Mac and I tried.

-Ed

(The McMansion exists to separate and then celebrate the people who are wealthier than everybody else; this is the transcendent theme on which its crazy, discordant architectural features come harmonically together. This form of development wants nothing to do with the superficial community-mindedness of the postwar suburb, and the reason the giant house looks the way it does is to inform you of this. -Salon" )

It's that time Again !

I was afraid I would'nt be able to make it.
Hillary and I were pinned down by sniper fire. 

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

Tuesday, July 12, 2016, 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!

"The War to End All Wars"

Ellouise Shoeteller

Our famous "Story Teller Superstar," Ellouise has recently been featured by the "WW1 Centenial Commission in their national magazine "Dispatch."
It's the number one publication about WW1.
To be asked to write an article in that magazine is quite an honor!

Take a look!

http://bit.ly/29fCyrH

-Ed

Young Whippersnappers

Frank Clontz

Those "younguns" over at the CHS class of 55 are doing a heck of a job keeping up with each other!

There's a lot of credit to go around for this, but a couple of the obvious "leaders" are Frank Clontz, Joan King and John Lomax.  Frank writes a monthly newsletter, shortly after their lunches at "Jimmies of Mint Hill" (just like ours...but on a different day of the month).

Their newsletter is a lot more "newsy" than ours...since your mild mannered editor, me, lives in Falls Church, VA and Frank (and wife Shirley) are in Charlotte, where all the "action" is.  I'm jealous, of course, but not resentful. Frank and I go a long way back...if fact, to my days at WGIV.  The first remote broadcasts that I ever did were in 1952 when I did a weekly show, live, from the Parker-Gardner record store in downtown Charlotte.  Frank worked there demonstrating pianos...and whenever, I ran out of things to say, (ad libs) I would point to Frank and he would start playing a tune on the piano.

Years later, when I was interviewing politicians up here in Washington....and they would "clam up" when asked a controversial question...I thought of Frank....and wished I could again point to him to fill the "dead air."

Alton Widenhouse

Anyway, I said all that to let you know that you can read Frank's newsletter at  www.chs55.blogspot.com and even news that I missed. For example, Frank reported that Alton Widenhouse had a heart attack a few weeks ago...but is recovering nicely now.

-Ed

Have a Safe and Happy 4th of July!