Embedded Files
Memories of the Old Fairgrounds
Don Wynn
LHS '67
When I was about 9 years old, my parents allowed me to go to the county fair at the old fairgrounds on Church Street with my brother Collins (64), Walt Thomas and Mike Smith (64). Those guys were about 3 years older than me. This is just another reminder of the freedom that we had growing up. Collins couldn’t go unless he let me tag along. Reluctantly, they agreed for me to go.
Once we got to the fair, I wanted to look at the exhibits in the building under the grandstand while everybody else wanted to go into the grandstand to see the show that was just starting. Being a self-directed bunch, we decided to split and to meet up later. We figured we would just run into each other on the midway. Off we went.
Sometime later, maybe an hour or so, I saw them walking down the midway between all the rides. As soon as they saw me, Mike Smith rushed up to me and told me that I had won a bike. He went on about how bright and shiny the bike was. He went on until I was sufficiently excited about my good luck. “Where do I go to get it?” was all I could say.
The trap was set so it was time for the hammer to drop. Mike said “Well, you can’t. Since you weren’t there, they drew another kid’s name and that he got the bike.” That was a crushing blow to a 9 year old boy who didn’t have a bike in the first place. I remember being depressed for days and maybe weeks after that. It was a long time before I realized that they could not have had my name. Mike had just made it all up. Knowing Mike, I should have realized what was happening but I didn’t.
Looking back, it is kinda funny but right then, it wasn’t funny at all. I guess that is the price I had to pay for being the youngest and most gullible one in the group.
Memories of the Fair after it Moved to Highway 20
A few years later when I was about 13 years old, I went to the fair at the new location with my friend Robert Brodeur (67). My mother dropped us off and would come get us when she picked up my dad who was a Huntsville Cop. It was the last night of the fair and we were excited to get to go. My dad was paid to walk around the grounds in his uniform just to keep order. He did lots of jobs like that just to make ends meet. I am sure he interacted with many of the kids who attended Lee in those years and hope some remember something good my dad did for them.
The police Paddy Wagon, a fat-fendered van from the late 50s, had been on display in the “Law and Order” booth. It was black and white with a big Police Star painted on the sides. Since it needed to be driven away at the end of the night, the police department had dispatched another cop to pick it up. My dad asked that guy for a ride home to save my mom a trip back to the fairgrounds around midnight. Being a Cop was membership in a brotherhood of sorts, so the answer was an automatic yes.
As everything was wrapping up, Robert and I stood around beside the Paddy Wagon, never realizing what was going to happen next. My dad walked up, opened the rear door and waved us into the back. This was going to be a cool adventure that neither of us expected. We bounced right into the back as my dad closed the door with a thunk. It was a spartan interior with bars welded over the rear windows and no door handles inside. It was immediately clear to us that we weren’t getting out until someone opened the doors from the outside. It was cold and dark in there, partly because there were no windows behind the steel benches that lined the sides.
I remember bouncing around on those steel benches as we drove across the fairgrounds, out to the highway, then it got smoother. For the entire trip home, Robert and I had our faces in those rear windows. That was great fun and even more so when the van stopped at traffic lights and traffic lined up behind us. People must have thought that the Huntsville Police had arrested a pair of hooligans. Rather than taking us to the industrial school for boys (the reformatory), we were let out right in front on my house.
That was the one and only time that I rode in a Paddy Wagon.
Memphis, TN - Happy to hear from so many of you this week - makes this all worthwhile. I've spent most of the week formatting my Air Force B-52 books to post on Amazon to be sold in print form. In the past I have had to get them printed in lots of 100 but now, using the Amazon Print-On-Demand feature, I can print as few as a single copy or up to 999. If you have written something you want to publish and need help getting started with Amazon, then let me know and I will do my best to try to help you.
Last Week's Name That Tune
The five correct song titles are highlighted in Green.
Linda Collinsworth Provost, LHS '66, "Even though I suggested the topic, I did not do too well with this week's songs."
1. I haven't a clue. the music doesn't even sound familiar
2. Baby Love - The Supremes
3. Angel Baby - Rosie & The Originals
4. music sounds familiar can't grasp the song. i'll listen to it again tomorrow & see if a light bulb goes off
5. Be My Baby - The Ronettes (this one was easy because I have it as a ring tone on my phone)
Jeffrey Fussell , LHS '66, "It’s getting tougher! I blanked on Number 3 this week. It sounded like someone attempting to play “Sleepwalk”. The rest came in pretty clear. Last week, I missed the artist on 2 of the songs. It’s interesting to note how often that a cover of a song can be more popular or more recognizable than the original artist."
“Be Bop Baby” - Ricky Nelson
“Baby Love” – The Supremes
(Worst version of “Sleepwalk” ever)
“Baby, the Rain Must Fall” – Glenn Yarbrough
“Be My Baby” – The Ronettes
Max Kull, LHS '67 "My guesses for this week:"
1) I (Ain't) Got You Babe! (seriously...I can't place this one)🤔
2) Baby Love - The Supremes
3) Angel Baby - Rosie and the Originals
4) Baby the Rain Must Fall - Glenn Yarbrough
5) Be My Baby - The Ronettes
The one that gave more folks problems:
This Week's Name That Tune
Lee Lunch Bunch
Patsy Hughes Oldroyd
LHS ‘65
LEE LUNCH BUNCH ‘64, ‘65, ‘66
Save The Date!
Thursday, October 31, 2019 - 11:00 a.m.
Logan’s Restaurant
Balmoral Drive Huntsville, AL
Hi Lee Lunch Bunch friends. Please remember to save the date for our fall gathering. The last Thursday of October falls on October 31 this year. Yes, that is also Halloween, and if you want to come to lunch dressed in a costume, just knock yourself out and do so!
We are so lucky to be going back to Logan’s, our old favorite place, and we will have plenty of room in the fireplace room to roam around and visit. As many of you remember, we were a bit confined at our last lunch back in April when we went to Gibson’s. Good food, but not enough space. So, we will be happy to hear from you as soon as you can let us know that you will be here.
I will have to miss this time, for the first time ever, due to a trip that cannot be changed, but my very capable co-host, Judy Fedrowisch Kincaid, will be very happy to take your RSVP. Please put the date on your calendar and do let her know as soon as possible if you plan to come.
Thanks and I hope you all have a really great time.
If you are planning to attend the next Lee Lunch Bunch please text, call, or email me by Tuesday, Oct. 29th. We need to give the restaurant an approximate group number for seating and staff coverage.
I will respond back to each of you with an 'okey doke' or 👍 so you will know that I received your message and have got you on the list. Just need name, class year, and if you are bringing a guest....
Hope to see a 'bunch' of you there!
Judy 'Fedrowisch' Kincaid '66
256-656-3667
njkincaid@hotmail.com
(Patsy's pitch-hitter)
RSVP Judy Fedrowisch Kincaid ’66 (256) 656-3667 or on Facebook
From Our Mailbox
Subject: Madison County Fair
Charlie Freeman
LHS '66
Thanks for reposting the Madison County Fair piece. Your memory is amazing remembering and describing all the smells, sounds, and fun stuff we did at the Fair
in the 60’s. I appreciate all the time and work you do each week producing the newsletter.
Subject: Madison County Fair
Dianne Hughey McClure
LHS '64
I remember we got out of school for half a day to go to fair. My mamabell and papa took me that day. My daddy or my sister took me again at night. I remember first thing my grandparents did was go through the building that judged cakes pies preserves etc. I remember most the little biscuits Martha White gave out. My mamabell took me to all the kiddie rides as long as we were back to meet papa so he could take me to see a sheep sheared.
I always left the fair with a little glider doll on a stick.I remember when I was older I never liked the ferries wheel because I always rode with someone who would rock the seat. I have good memories and special smells associated with the fair I could not wait for fair time to arrive. It is one of the best memories I have of my childhood.
Subject: Madison County Fair
Don Wynn
LHS '67
I enjoyed your memories of the fair very much. Your vivid descriptions reminded me of things that I haven't thought of in years. It really was an adventure growing up during that era in Huntsville.
All of the stories that you publish are like that. They make me smile as I remember some long forgotten detail of the past. Like all of your avid readers, I just cannot thank you enough for doing this for us every week. This is a gift you are giving us and I appreciate it.
Subject: Bluff City Law
Eddie Burton
LHS '66
Tommy, I love watching you on BCL. I spotted you in both scenes last week. I think it’s a well done show.
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