210712 July 12, 2021

That's What Friends Are For

John Drummond

LHS '65

    One of my closest friendships while in high school was actually with the parents of my buddy Don Stroud.  They were warm, kindhearted, never judgmental, and staunch supporters of the LHS Marching Band, even coming along as chaperones on our infamous Orange Bowl adventure.  For Craig Bannecke, Ken Megginson and me, "Mama Stroud"  became a second mother.  Knowing them so well did lead to a problem, however.  When my June 1971 wedding invitations were to go out, I had pored over my little address book to be certain no one of importance was left out.  But because I knew the Stroud's address by heart, I never bothered to write it down in the book, so they (of all people) never received an invitation to the wedding.   I can still remember the home address today, as that snafu still haunts me:  Robert and Mildred Stroud, 1602 Chapman Avenue, Huntsville 35801.

    We should remember that the parents of our close friends in high school often became our close friends as well.   For many, their attitude towards us was "Mi Casa, Su Casa."  I can recall many  nights spent in Don or Craig's home feeling safe, warm, well-fed and looking forward to breakfast.  Memories about the parents of  high school friends might be worth an issue of "The Traveller."

        The song "That's What Friends Are For"  was written by Burt Bacharach and Carole Bayer Sager for the 1982 film  "Night Shift"  starring Michael Keaton, Henry Winkler and Shelley Long.  It was performed by Rod Stewart.  The definitive, much more popular version, was released in 1985 by Dionne Warwick, accompanied by Stevie Wonder, Gladys Knight and Elton John.  Their performance won a Grammy for Most Popular Song by a Duo or Group.  The song fits in perfectly with the theme of having close friends, from the current issue by our esteemed editor.  Listen to the lyrics carefully;  they will bring a smile to your lips, and perhaps a tear to your eye as well.

 And I never thought I'd feel this way

And as far as I'm concerned

I'm glad I got the chance to say

That I do believe, I love you

And if I should ever go away

Well, then close your eyes and try

To feel the way we do today

And then if you can remember

Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for

Well, you came in loving me

And now there's so much more I see

And so by the way

I thank you

Oh and then for the times when we're apart

Well, then close your eyes and know

The words are coming from my heart

And then if you can remember

Keep smiling and keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

In good times and bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for

Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

That's what friends are for

For good times and bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for

Keep smiling, keep shining

Knowing you can always count on me, for sure

Cause I tell you, that's what friends are for

Whoa, good times and the bad times

I'll be on your side forever more

That's what friends are for.

        (Editor's Note: John and I had some discussion on which version of the song to use with his comments, and he won - since he was the one who submitted the idea to begin with. Though I did not offer an alternative "Friend" song, the one below is at the top of my "Friend" song list, so I though I would share it with you as a bonus this week. 

When you're down and troubled

And you need some lovin' care

And nothin', nothin' is goin' right

Close your eyes and think of me

And soon I will be there

To brighten up even your darkest night

You just call out my name

And you know, wherever I am

I'll come runnin'

To see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there

You've got a friend

If the sky above you

Grows dark and full of clouds

And that old north wind begins to blow

Keep your head together

And call my name out loud

Soon you'll hear me knockin' at your door

You just call out my name

And you know, wherever I am

I'll come runnin', runnin', yeah, yeah

To see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there, yes, I will

Now, ain't it good to know that you've got a friend

When people can be so cold?

They'll hurt you, yes, and desert you

And take your soul if you let them

Oh, but don't you let them

You just call out my name

And you know, wherever I am

I'll come runnin', runnin', yeah, yeah

To see you again

Winter, spring, summer or fall

All you have to do is call

And I'll be there, yes, I will

You've got a friend

You've got a friend

Ain't it good to know you've got a friend

Ain't it good to know, ain't it good to know

Ain't it good to know

You've got a friend

Oh, yeah, now, you've got a friend

Yeah baby, you've got a friend

Oh, yeah, you've got a friend.

"Who was your Wilson?" Responses

Max Kull, LHS '67, wrote:    "I've had the good fortune of having two (Wilsons) - one of each gender.

    First was Sue Kennedy '68.  Not sure exactly how the friendship started - maybe when we were on Traveller staff together.  I had two sisters but the nearest to me in age was four and a half years younger. In high school that was a bridge too far for relevant angst sharing.  Sue became my surrogate sister.  I would often pick her up on a Sunday and we would go somewhere and just sit in the car and talk.  My mother knew her from teaching at Davis Hills and told me I should be dating her.  I never did since I didn't want to mess up our special relationship.  We've stayed friends over the years through bumps and bruises that we've both endured.  Maybe there was a bit of "Kismet" in play.  We discovered years later that our fathers had the same birthday.  And though neither of us have lived in Huntsville since finishing school, we both ended up in Raleigh for eight years during the 80's during which time she and my wife got to be friends and our kids got to know each other.  It's been several years since we've seen each other so maybe this will be the catalyst to change that.

    My guy "Wilson" was/is P.J. Johnston, LHS '67.  His family moved to Huntsville sophomore year and I remember the first day he showed up in homeroom.  Finding out he came from New York, I immediately wrote him off.  It was probably the next year when the northern stigma subsided and we became friends.  He and Jimmy Bledsoe lived across the street from each other and the three of us spent many hours together talking about girls, shooting basketball, talking about girls, lifting weights, talking about girls, watching sports, and....well, you know.  When it came time for college, P.J. and I both ended up at Auburn.  We ran in different circles there - his more respectable - but we managed to stay in touch.  Since college, we've done a pretty good job of keeping up with each other.  He was the only high school classmate that was at my wedding and I believe that I was the only classmate at his.  He's now in Nashville and I'm near Asheville so we've been able to see each other fairly regularly in recent years.  We've been to his place more than he has to ours but he's retiring this month so maybe we can even things out going forward. Two Wilsons...I'm blessed."

Barb Biggs Knott, LHS '66, "Steve Kerschner. He was a good friend and classmate who lived in our neighborhood. We went to the same church and of course attended LHS together. We dated but it was more like a really great friendship with us. We went to our Sr. Prom together. He was just someone who I knew I could always count on and we would have great talks and a lot of fun together. I never forgot his positive influence during my high school years. We lost touch after graduation and I was saddened to hear of his passing a few years ago."

Cecilia LeVan Watson, LHS '68, "Lejeania Preston. We lived a block a way from each other and went to church together. We were always outside playing when we were little. Our church was our social life! I don’t know what I would have done without her . We had an unspoken language and I would just look at her and she knew!"

Betty Jo Key Scholter, LHS "65, "Peggy Durham My best friend, then and now."

Darla Steinberg, LHS '66, "Bob CrumpI believe we were in the 8th grade when Bob became my good Buddy…and remained so until he passed away. We solved a lot of the world’s problems in our many talks.He was “adopted “ by my parents. He was an “uncle” figure to my kids. He became good friends with my husband. He was just a true BFF!"

Dianne Hughey, LHS '64, "My Wilson was Tommy The things Tommy said about me go right back to him. We had a relaxed friendship that made it possible to talk about anything we wanted to or needed to, thank you for being my forever friend."

Joel Weinbaum, LHS '64, 'Elizabeth(’65) was my listener in HS. When the opportunity arose, I married her."

That Special "Slow" Song

Tommy Towery

LHS "64

        Being a writer means I spend a lot of time sitting at my computer every day. One of the things I usually do is ask my "Alexa" to play Oldie Goldie music which I listen to as I work on my keyboard. Many, many songs bring back great memories and often remind me of some special times and special people in my past. Sometimes the songs take me back to Carter's Skateland. Sometimes it is one of the early boy-girl parties which often took place in the backyards of some of my friends. Almost always there is a song or two which carries my thought back to the dances at the National Guard Armory or to Bradley's Cafeteria on a Friday or Saturday night. I loved all those times of my youth.

        Here's a challenge I have for you. If a magic Genie in a bottle granted you the wish of going back in time and having the opportunity to dance one more dance with some special person in your life at the time, which song would you pick to dance to? I am not looking for the name of the person, but if you were at a dance and the last song of the evening was about to be played and you were about to take a special person in your arms for the final dance, what song would you pick for that special moment? There were so many great songs during our time it may be hard to pick one, but please let your mind wander back to those wonderful times and relive one magical moment granted by the Genie. The song must have been around during your high school days or earlier.