160509 May 9, 2016
Minute Man at Lexington Battle Green
The Shot Heard Round the World
Bob Alverson
LHS ' ’65
April 19th marked the 241st anniversary of the first battle of the American Revolution. In Maine and Massachusetts, the third Monday of April is observed as Patriot’s Day celebrating this part of American History. Since this is a Monday holiday, it allows for a long weekend to remember those who took a stand for what they believed and began the long bloody process of gaining independence from Great Britian. The only other state to observe Patriot’s Day is Wisconsin.
Mary and I spent this past weekend in Concord and Lexington, MA observing this holiday. We had the opportunity to visit the sites and experience military engagement reenactments.
Much can be learned visiting such historical sites. In school, we learned of the “midnight ride of Paul Revere” to spread the word that “the British are coming”, thanks to Henry Wadsworth Longfellow.Revere did make the ride but so did William Dawes. Their destination was the Hancock-Clarke house in Lexington to warn John Hancock and Samuel Adams of the approach of the Regulars (re-member then they all were British) to possibly arrest them. From there, they headed to Concord but never made it. They ran into a squad of British officers and were arrested.
It is interesting to note that there is a continuing battle between Lexington and Concord as to where the war actually began. Lexington claims to be the site of the first battle. The Minute Men faces off on Battle Green on April 19, 1775; and although there was never an order given to fire, someone fired a shot; and a quick skirmish was under way. There were casualties. After this skirmish, the Regulars continued to Concord to capture supplies stored by the Minute Men.
In Concord, about 100 Regulars were posted at South Bridge and another 100 at North Bridge over the Concord River. The Minute Men gathered on a hill over looking North Bridge. In Concord, the Regulars burned the supplies they captured; and this spread to the town meeting house. The Minute Men on the hill thought they were burning the town and marched toward the bridge. Warning shots were fired; and the battle was on. Thanks to Ralph Waldo Emerson’s “Concord Hymn”, which he wrote in the family home “the Old Manse” that over looks North Bridge, this became known as the “shot heard around the world.” A side note, Emerson’s Grandmother Phoebe Emerson watched the battle at North Bridge from an upstairs room of their house. Emerson wrote his “Concord Hymn” in this same room.
I have always had an interest in History; and now, retirement lets me visit places like Lexington and Concord. It is an opportunity to walk in the steps of our forefathers. If you have the opportunity to visit any of the historical sites in our great country, I encourage you to do so and soak in the history.
The Adventures of Spin and Marty
John Drummond
LHS '65
Recent stories about "The Mickey Mouse Club" brought back memories of the popular short series "The Adventures of Spin and Marty." There were 25 segments of 11-minute episodes first broadcast in the 1955 season as part of the MM Club shows. Set at The Triple R Ranch, a boy's western-style summer camp, David Stollery played Marty Markham, a rich, orphaned lad who was sent to the camp against his will and hated the place at first. Tim Considine played Spin Evans, the most popular and athletic boy in the camp and the polar opposite of Marty. They eventually became best friends; much of the action developed while riding their horses Skyrocket, a Palomino, and Sailor. In the second season Annette Funicello joined the cast as a camper from a nearby girl's camp. The third season added Darlene Gillespie, another MM Club cast member.
No doubt most of us young guys had a crush on Annette; she was, after all, the first Mousketeer to wear a bra. But my personal favorite was Darlene, with her big smile and those dark pigtails. The youngest, and arguably cutest, cast emembers were Cubby and blond-haired Karen.
Tim Considine was born December 31, 1940 in Los Angeles. TV credits included "Swamp Fox," "The Hardy Boys" and "My Three Sons," the latter as one of the sons of a widower father played by Fred McMurray. He also starred in "The Shaggy Dog," a Disney film also featuring Fred McMurray. In the 1970 film "Patton" he played a shell-shocked soldier who is slapped in a hospital tent by General Patton, played by George C. Scott (who won the Oscar for Best Actor). In the credits Tim Considine is referred to as "Soldier Who Gets Slapped."
Memphis, TN - Thanks to Bob Alverson for his submission about his trip to Concord and Lexington. I am a little late getting his story published, since I was out of town when I received it. When I was at the Boston Tea Party Museum last year we were told Paul Revere actually cried "the Regulars are coming" as he made his famous ride.
Thanks also to John Drummond for once again providing us with an insight into the world he remembers. Again, let me make it clear, anyone of you who wishes to submit a story for consideration is more than welcome to do so. We prefer stories about our youth, but contemporary activities are just as welcome.
Since Mother's Day is on many of our minds, I draw attention to the photo below of my mother, who passed away in 2003 at the age of 80.
My brother Don (back), my mother, and me and our TV on East Clinton Street.
The Vintage Television
Tommy Towery
LHS '64
Ramar of the Jungle
Ramar of the Jungle was a syndicated American television series (1952–1953) that starred Jon Hall as Dr. Tom Reynolds, (the titular “ramar,” an African title for a white medicine man) and Ray Montgomery as his associate, Professor Howard Ogden. Episodes were set in Africa and India. Produced by Rudolph Flothow for Arrow Productions and ITC Entertainment, four sets of 13 episodes were produced for a total of 52. Each episode runs approximately 25 minutes. In season one, the first 13 episodes are set in Africa and the second 13 are set in India. For the second season, all 26 episodes take place in Africa.
Click on Either Poster to get a larger view.
From Our Mailbox
Subject: Last Week's Time Travel Article
Bruce W. Fowler
LHS '66
I shall not bore you with my ruminations on time travel. The mood you set was excellent but I fear my own thoughts would be depressing.
Subject: Last Week's Trivia
Terry Barnes
LHS '66
Mr. Peabody and his boy Sherman had many time travel adventures in the "Way Back" machine.
(The correct answers were also sent in by: Mike Crowl and Randy Goodpasture who identified the show as "The Adventures of Rocky and Bullwinkle and Friends."
Subject: Class of '66 Get Together
Lynn Bozeman Vanpelt
LHS '66
The flyer advertising the party for the class of 66 does not indicate WHERE the party is.
(Can someone let us know?)
