Bob Fagan

I started at Little Picadome, then to Big Picadome, Porter Memorial church basement for 5th grade, Glendover for 6th grade, then Lafayette Jr. High and Lafayetter Sr.  I was a "Polio Pioneer" at Picadome, getting the Jonas Salk vaccine with reusable sterilized needles. First batch for me was the control, so I had to get eight shots in total! I remember the split shift. I was in the afternoon-evening shift. It was an adjustment.  I learned to study some in the evening and more in the morning. Band class and sports teams met in mid-day to accomodate both shifts. 6th grade was the year that Sputnik went up. We were all alarmed that the "Ruskies" were getting ahead of us. We were all encouraged to study harder, especially in math and science. Mrs. Azevedo at Glendover was a tough teacher. School construction was half finished. We ate lunch at our desks. Band class met in a janitor's closet for half the year. 

My father taught chemistry at Lafayette Sr. the first year it opened in 1939/1940--before I was born. Then he became principal of Lafayette Vocational School for 17 years before transfereing to UK. I remember when the school bus garage for Fayette County Schools occupied the buildings that later became Lafayette Jr. High. I also remember that during jr. high school  some of the male students would not join us for a few weeks until after school started, because they were needed to bring in the tobacco and hang it in the barn. Junior high was also the time when brightly colored khakis for guys became popular. Of course you also had to have a pair of Bass oxfords to go along with them. 

I went on to UK dental school--where we thankfully had the availability of one time use needles. I did my military time at Leavenworth Penitentiary in Kansas for two years while the Vietnam war raged on. I asked for an assignment in NY or San Francisco, so the government split the difference with me and sent me to Kansas. 

Bob Fagan

Philip Marcum

My family moved to Lexington from Corbin, Ky in mid-year 1957.   I attended Glendover for the remaining time in 6th grade, then attended Lafayette for grades 7 thru 12.  My dad's cousin, Walter Marcum, was principal of the junior high.  As Jim Ishmael can probably attest, a relative as your principal is no picnic.  In fact, I was occasionally disciplined three times, by the teacher, the principal, and my parents.  Once I was caught throwing raisins at other students in Mr Stahls' class, one of many engaged in the activity, but I was picked to be "the exaample."  He had me prop my hands on the blackboard and bend over and gave me about 12 whacks with a fraternity style paddle with holes in it.  Thank goodness I was wearing jeans.  I didn't cry, but I was sure fighting back the tears.  It was really painful and I never forgot it.  Child abuse did not exist at Lafayette in those days.

Ellen Everett (Warren)

It's hard to imagine now, Phil, that teachers once paddled students. You were definitely singled out .. how awful! My main memory of YOU is when we carpooled to ballroom dancing classes. I was shy, but you were not and I think that probably helped my jitters on those nights. I also recall that you entertained everyone during the car rides with your storytelling. I know that we've seen each other since then, but the childhood memories do stay with us. I wonder if you are planning to attend the reunion in August.(?) Fondly, Ellie

Laurel Richards (Kane)

I moved to Lexington the summer before 10th grade from Cleveland, Ohio.  Not an IBM kid, yet still a Yankee. Tenth grade was difficult because I was too shy to make friends and the few friends I'd made that first summer went to Henry Clay.  The whole first year at Lafayette I never ate lunch because I was afraid nobody would sit with me in the cafeteria.  Eleventh and twelfth grades were much better -- made friends, had dates, and even ate lunch!

I loved the split shifts because I'm a morning person and had the morning shift.  I remember standing at the bus stop in the cold and dark -- freezing -- until someone on a road crew brought us a smudge pot around which we all gathered for warmth.  Went to U.K. and loved it, got married the day after graduation, and lived in about 10 places since then.  Life has been so good!  One daughter in Chicago, and I live in Tulsa, OK.  I'm divorced now, but my ex and I still own and operate (together) a vintage car museum on Route 66 in Afton, OK.  Come for a visit some time!

Linda Mitchell (Birk)

Laurel, so many adventures!   Please tell us about your blog (Nancy F Mullins mentioned it). 

Jim Brinegar

Is there any late information on activities other than the Saturday party?

Jim Brinegar

Lynne Scott (Kearns)

Yessiree ! There will be a Golf Scramble at the Greenbrier Golf and Country Club...a buffet luncheon prior to play that classmates may attend...don't have a price yet...

Van Sudduth

Lynne's comments on Friday golf and lunch are accurate, but before I put the detailed information on the web site, Tom Baker needed the GM approval.  I will post when I get the approval.

By the way, they may be looking for someone or someones to drive the refreshment cart to deliver beverages to the golfers.  Might be a fun assignment.

Van Sudduth

I forgot to mention other activites that will be available through Lexington Convention and Visitors Bureau.  They have specific information on bourbon tours, horse farm tours and other golf.  It was believed by the committee that people might want to do different activities rather than one organized event.  You can schedule these events on Friday or Saturday.  It might be that someone would want to connect with some friends and schedule these events on their own.  Becca Rogers at LCVB would be happy to mail you information.  PH 859--223-1221 or 859-233-7299.

I will post information on this in the next week.

Wanda Freeman (Seltsam)

I attended Lafayette Jr. High and Senior High. I remember being in Ms Taylor's class. She would go crazy when she lost control of the class.  Being in Mr Witt's math class. I remember changing classes from gym building and home ex building.

Donald Howard

I went to Little and Big Picadome.  When Clays Mill opened I went there 3-6 then on to Lafayette Jr High.  I could walk to school once Clays Mill opened.  After Lafayette I went to Okla. Univ then on to Western and Eastern.   Graduated EKU in Jan. 69.  Did some insurance work in Lousville and went to Mississippi after Hurricane Camille.  Then traveled out west and on to Europe for a year.  Took a job with Mercantile Stores, Inc. (McAlpins) and was transferred around to various store groups for 22 years.  Moved to SC from Cincinnati and sold real estate for 20 years. I am now retired, my wife (Marina) and I travel and take it easy. 

Don Howard

Janice Bache (Jones)

Hey Don.....I remember you were in my English class our  junior year.....I still remember the essay you wrote  entitled ROTTEN DINGLEBERRY JUICE.   I've laughed about  it over the years.  Jan  Bache Jones

Bradley Morris

I ry menber you. we went to school togeather. How your brother. we went to all the same schools. Do you still have your mom house? What was the boy name that lived across the St. frome you. I rymenber going sleigh ridding dow at the creek and playing soft ball. and of  eating at the Rx. druge store. They have a book behind the counter you can right rymemberys about when you use to go there.

Donald Howard

Yes Janice that essay did not go over too well grade wise.  I remember the good times we had in class.  Bradley my parents their home in the early 80's and eventually moved to Florida.  My Mom and brother are still there.  That was a fun neighborhood as we could walk to school and there was very little traffic back then so when it snowed or iced the streets were ours.  I remember the drug store, good brown cows at the soda fountain.  Hope both are doing well thanks for the resopnse. 

Donald Howard

Bradley the guy across the street was Chuck Finnell.  Steve Monroe lived one street down, Doug Stephens and Dean Wilson lived on the other end of the street toward shopping center.  Doug Lowery lived on Clays Mill and Sidney Haney and Ted Hardin lived on our street on other side of Clays Mill also.  Larry Davis lived one street up for a while.  We had a neighborhood full of 64 grads.

Bob Miles

I was one of those yankees, that moved down from New York. My dad worked for IBM. We moved here, on Dec.1 1956. We spent a week in the old Phoenix Hotel. We really had a good time there. Went to the old Ben Ali movies right across the street at the time. That is where I first saw the 10 Commandments. 4 hour movie. I finished 5th grade at a real old school, that I can not remember ( old age memory syndrome). I think it was Linlee. Got a spanking with one of those paddles with a hole in it. It was done in the coat room. The next year, 6th grade started out in a church, because Leestown would not be complete until December. That is were we ended up and became the 1st graduating class of Leestown Elementary, since becoming a Junior High. Then it was on to Lafayette Junior High. I was one of a bunch from Meadowthorpe that went the Lafayette. Bruce Pieratt, Harold Meek, Roy Crouch, Rusty Holscaw, David Karrick, to name a few. I managed to get rid of my yankee dielect soon after I moved to Lexington. It was that or get beat up everyday seemed like. I had the help from Rusty's mother. She was from Mississippi. That is southern as you can get youall. Many many fond memories at Lafayette. The only thing I regret was missing out on an award for not missing any days of school from the 9th to the 12th grade. I was proud of that, even though I was not that great with grades. 

Philip Marcum

All former classmates -- I've been asked to try to find Jeannine Lyle Russell so that we can contact her about the event.  So far, the search engines are coming up blank.  Did anyone keep up with her beyond high school?  I assume she married and has a different new name which makes a search nearly impossible.  If you have any information that might help refine the search, Iwould appreciate knowing.  Thanks all.  Phil Marcum

Dean Wilson

John Russell is her brother and i will contact him and get a current address and phone number for her and will post this in a few days.

Dean Wilson

Dean Wilson

Phil

Go on facebook to Jeannie Russell Gaiek and make her a friend and invite her to the 50th. I didn't know her personally. Notice that Chuck Finnell is a friend on facebook.

Dean Wilson

Linda Pendley (Stephens)

Dean and Phil

I had email contact with Jeannine Russell Gaiek two years ago. She had just moved to Grayson GA from her home in Lawrenceville GA. Her husband Bob died in 2005. Sorry, don't have her address. I've emailed her about our reunion and no reply as of yet. You're right, she's on Facebook, so hopefully contact can be made with her there. Hope she can make it to the Reunion. She and I were good buddies in high school. Lotsa good memories!  Linda Pendley Stephens

Dean Wilson

LAFAYETTE BAND (PRIDE OF THE BLUEGRASS)

Everyone who was in the LAFAYETTE BAND please meet at the Hyatt on Aug. 23 at 9:00. It is across the street from the Hilton where we are staying next to Rupp Arena. I spoke to Mr. Hall last night and invited him and because of health reasons he declined the invitation. He wished everyone well and told me that we were one of his favorite class. You have to remember he has us from the 7th to the 12th grade and we were the only class that he had from the beginning to the end.

Dean Wilson

Dean Wilson

Story about the LAFAYETTE BAND

I work part-time at Milwards Funeral Home and last summer I did a funeral and drove a family car. The fellow in the front seat with me, we started talking and he asked me where I went to school and I told him Lafayette and we started talking about the Lafayette Band. I told him that we went to Virginia Beach and St. Petersburg for band contests. He ask me about Virginia Beach and I told him we came in 2nd place. I remember Mr. Hall saying to us before we did our show at Virginia Beach that a perfect show would put him in tears. Guess what.. after our show he was in tears..only time I saw that with him. The man's wife in the limo was in the back seat and she was with the Virginia Beach band that beat Lafayette that year and came in first place. Was the show fixed because of home band.. We never know.. but good experience that we did our best.

Dean Wilson

David G. Vest

The winning band was from Chilhowie, Va.

Jim Brinegar

The web site is heatin' up.  New people daily.  Keep 'em coming.  Reach out to old friends who have not signed up yet.

Jim Brinegar

I had Mrs. Lunde for senior English. She was indignant when I had to be excused from her class to register for a math class at UK.  I explained that it would be only one time, for registration.  She told me that math was an inferior subject which should not interfere with her class. When I asked my counselor to transfer to a different English class, she explained that I could not transfer out of honors Englsih unless I got Mrs. Lunde's permission, or failed the course.   She insisted that I must remain in her class, so I failed the first term. My final grade in senior English barely got me through graduation.