Pat and Sue

Pat and Sue at my high school class reunion June 8, 2019

Two of my favorite people met for the second time at my 60th high school class reunion last Saturday. 

All of us, during our lives, meet people who we like and become friends with. I've often wished that I could introduce them to each other but because of the different paths we choose in life, that is often impossible. Especially impossible when many of our friends are no longer with us.

During the six years I've known Pat, I have introduced him to some of my friends from different phases of my life.  The picture above is of Pat and my former high school classmate and friend Sue M.  During my school days I didn't know Sue that well (she was known as "Su Su"

Sue S. (high school yearbook picture)

then but since dropped that nickname) but I always admired her.  She was always nice to me and everyone I knew and she knew.  Sue is one of those rare people who everyone likes. Pat is the same.  Unfortunately, I can't say the same of myself, I am liked by some and some don't like me.  For whatever reason, which sometimes puzzle me because I think I am a nice guy.  But I am opinionated and I often express those opinions. That's how one makes enemies.

Sue and I have a secret, we're one of the few Democrats in our class.  Everyone else that we know of is a Trump (Republican) supporter.  In order to maintain peace we do not discuss politics at our reunions. Although I am often tempted to discuss politics, especially where Trump and his Deplorables are concerned. 

I love introducing Pat to my friends, especially friends from my former life.  I plan to introduce him to more of my friends. My only regret is that I cannot introduce him to my friends who have since passed on. Maybe we'll all meet in the Great Reunion in the Sky.  Just like the ending scene in "Longtime Companion."

Sue and her late husband Denny from our 40th Class reunion (20 years ago!)

Turning Points In My Life - Rebellion

Me as a senior in high school 1959 - rebel (no smile)

My class schedule card 12th grade

Like most teenagers I made my period of rebellion. 

Up until my senior year, I was a quiet, go along student. I was a "good boy" and did as I was told. I wanted every one to like me and the best way I could do that was obey my superiors, even when I sometimes had questions about their judgement. 

Me as a junior in high school 1958 - my "good boy" phase, before I rebelled for being wrongly accused of cheating

I almost got through high school with my "get along, go along" attitude until an incident in my second year bookkeeping class.

Bookkeeping was a requirement of the commercial course I chose. I wasn't a big fan of bookkeeping, this wasn't the sexy and interesting job choice I had hoped for my life. But even at that time I knew I had limited talents and realized that I had to acquire certain skills to get a job after graduation since I wasn't going to college.  

Our school had a program in the senior year in which we could work outside school during part of the school year.  Sort of an apprentice type job. Thus when I graduated from high school I could transition right into my office clerk job, probably a bookkeeping job.

I was on that course until this "incident" happened in my second year bookkeeping class one morning.

Mr. Vincent King was my bookkeeping teacher. He was a World War II veteran who walked like a penguin. This was the result of his toes being frozen off.  Mr. King was a very serious teacher. I don't ever recall him smiling or joking with the class. No one ever questioned Mr. King. 

I was a fair bookkeeping student. Mostly B's and a few C's. I don't think I ever got an A.  I found bookkeeping boring but as I said before, I knew it was course I had to take to survive and get a job after I graduated from high school.  If I didn't take an office job I would have to get a job at Lukens Steel Mill.  That's where most of my fellow male students, who didn't go to college, would get a job. Lukens Steel, the only game in town for well paying jobs in my little town of Downingtown, Pennsylvania (population 5,000).

Now for the incident that changed the course my life was about to take:

That spring morning in 1959, I arrived at my second period bookkeeping class. As I was sitting down at my desk and taking out my bookkeeping book, I realized I had forgotten and left my homework at home. This was the first time I did this. I don't think I ever forgot my homework before.  

As I and my fellow students settled ourselves at our desks, Mr. King walked into the classroom.  He told us to pass up our homework.  I raised my hand and told him that I had forgotten my homework. He immediately verbally attacked me and accused me of loaning my homework to fellow students.  I was shocked. I had always gotten along with Mr. King. Sure, he was distant and not particularly friendly with students but I put that to his injuring he suffered during World War II, his missing toes that affected the way he walked. No students ever made fun of him like they did other teachers who had unusual characteristics. No one dared.

I was shocked that he would accuse me of cheating.  I never cheated in high school.  Never.  I know that's hard for many to believe (which I have since found out since I've told this story to others).  No, I have NEVER cheated.  Even back then in my ignorant teenage days, I didn't see the value in cheating. You either learned the subject or didn't, what was the value in cheating?  

Mr. King knew others were cheating in his class. Looking back on it now I think he was disappointed in me that he thought I was part of that cheating ring. I knew other students in my class who copied other's homework but that wasn't me. I never loaned out my homework. I have a lot of flaws and I am far from perfect but one thing I don't do and never have cheated or help others to cheat, which sometimes caused me to lose friends. 

When Mr. King yelled at me in front of the class I yelled right back at him that I didn't loan my homework out to others. He continued to berate me in front of my fellow students.  I couldn't believe that he didn't believe me. I got up and walked out of the class.  I was mad. 

I don't remember exactly where I went next but I do remember that I was going to quit his class. I had enough credits to graduate so I didn't need his class.  

My high school report card

I told my Mother what happened. I told her I was going to quit Mr. King's class.  She advised me not to.  I disagreed with her.  She advised me to see the guidance counselor, Mr. Kline.  I didn't like Mr. Kline.  I considered him weak and a loser and   ineffectual. When I saw him I told him I was quitting Bookkeeping because I couldn't be in a class where the teacher falsely accused me of cheating without any proof.  Of course Mr. Kline sided with Mr. King.  This was the first time in my life I realized that right doesn't win, power does. 

Mr. Kline with my classmate Marlene Alwood. Ironically I was there when this picture was taken for our yearbook.  Marlene and I were on the yearbook staff to take pictures of different scenes.  Of course I refused to be in this picture with Mr. Kline because I didn't like or respect him. I stood off to the side while the photographer took this picture for our yearbook.

There was no way I was going back to Mr. King's class under those circumstances which in effect would acknowledge that I did cheat by loaning out my homework papers. I refused to go back.  An Army couldn't get me to go back.  Of course my father didn't care. He quit school in 8th grade.  My Mother quite school in her senior year after she eloped to get married to my father.  At least I wasn't going to quit school. As I said before I had enough credits to graduate.

Mr. Kline and the school administration took me out of the bookkeeping class and put me in place put me in study hall.  When my Mother found that out she said "You're not wasting your time in study hall, you're going to take a course that will help you to get a job."  The course she wanted me to take?  TYPING! I told her I was already taking Typing. She made me double up on my Typing course, in place of the bookkeeping periods that I would no long being taken. She did not want me wasting my time sitting in Study Hall.  She was adamant. I doubled up on Typing.  Best decision she/I ever made. I always struggled with Typing.  That's just what I needed, a double dose of Typing. 

Now, the result of me quitting bookkeeping that changed the course of my life.  Since I quite bookkeeping I wasn't eligible for the work/student program that our school had for commercial students.  That meant when I graduated from high school I didn't have a job.  

After I graduated from high school I tried to get a job.  I was blackballed from all office jobs in Downingtown, Mr. King had his revenge.  Downingtown was a small town then and word got around that I was a rebellious student and not for hiring.  Lukens Steel was my only choice.

Lukens Steel Co., Coatesville, PA - where I didn't want to work after graduating from high school

And being the sensitive young gay boy I was at that time, that kind of butch job wasn't a realistic option for me.  That was when I decided to join the Navy.  And that folks was when I encountered another major turning point in my life. I will tell that story in my next "Turning Points In My Life" installment.  

High School Classmates - 1957 - Lifelong Memories

How good is your memory?  I have this uncanny ability to remember names of folks that I know.  

I was reminded of this recently when I posted this photo of my sophomore class taken in 957.  After all these year I think I can identify everyone person in this photo.  

Now let's see.  I will start with the first row left from right:

Pat Weber, Anne Yerkes, Jackie Schmidt, Elsie Strock, Mary Jane Sabellico, Judy Wagner, Frances Wilkenson, Patty Zittle, Betty Lou Woodward, Virginia Walters, Bonnie Walton, Linda Smith, Jean Timmerman

There!  I got the whole first row.  I also remember all there personalities.  Who liked me, who I liked and who I didn't know that well.  My late friend Wayne "The Cajun" Juneau used to mock me for "living in the past."  I liked Wayne but he was wrong in his observation of me and my propensity to remember my past.  We are who we are today because of our past. Both the good and bad experiences and people.  We learn from the past.  

Now for the second row.  Notice that the first row was all girls.  This WAS back in the Fifties when the guys were always told to stand in the back, especially the case with me being so tall.  I think these days schools are more egalitarian in the way they treat and respect their students. One thing I have never forgotten from school days was that I was always in the back of the room and any group setting.  From first grade on we were seated alphabetically and since my last name begins is a "T" I was in the back.  I truly believe that this "you can't sit at the lunch counter" syndrome affected my self confidence.  My good friend Bill B., who was short and always sat up front was and is a very confident person, even to this day.  While I put up a good front, I never completely got rid of my lack of self confidence. 

Now let's get to that second row:

Polly Weber (who is the twin of Pat Weber in the first row), Anne Williamson, Cookie Seibert, Su Su Serafino, Judy Scarborough (who is a neighbor of mine now here in southern Delaware), Gracie Styer (who was good friend of mine in grade school, I never knew what happened to her), Jean Szell, Duer Smedley, Lou Wilkerson (who I got into a fist fight with - 9th grade), Don Smith (who I had the hots for), Kenny Van Lew (who I also got into a fight with - 7th grade and who died in combat in Viet Nam), Francis Trego, Olin Siever.

Hey!  I got the whole second row!!!  I'm impressed with myself.  Damn I'm good.
Yes, I'm complimenting myself.

Here we go with the third row:

Bob Zynn, Jack Swarner, Donald Yanascoli (who I also had a crush on), Bob Watts, Blaine Stong, me (believe it or not I had too much hair), Don "Buddy" White who was our championship quarterback, Henry "Champ" Stehman, Denny Williams (another crush of mine), Terry Stimson, Alan Wilson, Harry Styer, Bill White

There!  I did it!  Looking at this picture I'm reminded at how all the girls wore dresses.  Many of them with crinolines, I remember the rustle of those crinolines when the girls would seat themselves on the wooden chairs in our classrooms.

The guys who wore short sleeve shirts would roll the short sleeves up.  Why?  Where the short sleeves too long?  No, it was just the "thing" to do.

By the way, my very first real date (at the Soph Hop) was the girl third from the right in the first row.  Her name was Bonnie Walton. She of the sweater and plaid skirt.  The next time I saw here was at our 35th Class Reunion.  Guess what?  She was a lesbian.  Looking at this photo now I guess I could have figured that out when we went to the Soph Hop.  Not that I was trying to make out with her, or any girl.  I guess sub consciously I wanted a "safe" date, which is what I got.

Bonnie Walton - 1959

 

Bonnie and me at our 50th class reunion 2009

Ah memories.  

My First Public Exposure

Ryan Gosling and Steve Carell in the infamous scene from their movie "Crazy, Stupid Love."

A long time ago, a young Ron Tipton joined a stamp club.  

The year was 1953.  

I was an innocent (yes, at one time I was "innocent") 12 years of age.

It was my first year in high school.  Junior High to be exact.  I think in these politically correct days "Junior High" is called "Middle School", lest we traumatize young 12 year old minds that they are "less" than their senior high school classmates.

Oh how well I remember my traumatization of entering high school.  My biggest fears were gym and taking showers NAKED.  Yes folks, I was scared shitless.  But I'll always remember what my gym teacher, Mr. White, told us during our first gym class (before the showers).  He said (and I am paraphrasing here):

"I know a lot of you are afraid to take showers with the other boys.  Well, I'll tell you right now they all LOOK ALIKE."  

And of course we all knew what he meant by "they."  He's talking about that male anatomy appendage, the penis.  

Folks, going from elementary school (grades one through six) to high school was a major life change for me and many other 12 year old boys.  Not only were we on the threshold of our teenage years, we were literally losing a major part of our innocence. 

Check out the photo in the header of this blog.  I am on the far right (with my name over my head), the boy with the rolled up jeans.  Back in those days I was growing in leaps and bounds, thus my Mother brought me "expandable" jeans.  By the way, the photo I took from my former classmate and long time friend Larry ("Lar") Meredith.  "War" is third from the left in the back with a circle over his head "Lem".

1953-54 Stamp Club Downingtown High School

So back to my first big "exposure."  After Mr. White had his "talk" with his bunch of Nellie Boys, we had our gym period class.  Don't ask me what we did, I was too preoccupied about the Big Moment.  That "Big Moment" was after our physical activity and we all ran back to the funky smelling gym to take our showers. 

Nervously, I went to my gym basket where we had stashed our school clothes after we changed into gym shorts. By the way, those white gym shorts were very cute.  I guess the kids these days wear the ultra silky and baggy NBA type "shorts."  Not sexy at all. 

I pulled off my white T-shirt and white shorts (all white in those days folks) and my white socks, not daring to look around at me.  Then I shakily walked towards the sounds of the rushing shower water pounding on the funky tiles of the HUGE shower room.  No individual stalls here folks like I heard they had in the girls showers.

Well, my first impression was that I was overwhelmed by all the nakedness.  With two younger brothers and a father who like to lounge around the house in his sweaty tank top and greasy gray (formerly white) jockey short (no "tightie whitie for Pop here folks), I was no stranger to seeing a penis other than mine.  But to see so many all at once.  OVERWHELMING. 

And you know something folks?  Mr. White was wrong.  They don't all look alike.  In fact, everyone was different.  No two were the same. Penises and fingerprints, all different. Mr. White lied.  I know, I looked.  And looked. In fact, for the next six years I looked. 

Shocked?  Well, don't be.  Just imagine if you were a young heterosexual 12 year old and you were taking showers with the opposite sex, wouldn't you do some ogling too? Sure you would.   I'm telling you folks, this was one time being a homosexual where I had an advantage.  Nice.

By the way, I started this blog posting about my stamp club membership.  I was reminded of that occasion by the picture my friend Lar had posted on his blog of our stamp club membership.  Maybe I'll do a posting about that subject next time.  

Throwback Thursday - 1959 - Senior Prom

Hey folks, I decided to do another "Throwback Thursday."  My earlier one today got a bit off the subject.  

Today I saw this on my friend Larry's blog entry.  Lar and I were best friends during our high school days.  I attended his high school senior prom back in those Eisenhower Fifties Days.  Back in those days when the only thing we had to worry about was an atom bomb being dropped on our heads (we were told to hide under our desks, remember that fellow oldies?)  Ah yes, we didn't have to worry about terrorists cutting off our heads and going viral on You Tube.

So here I am with my date, Suzy Cannell.  I don't remember how we danced but I know it wasn't cheek to cheek. By the way, I never did have a good Poker Face.  Take a look, don't I just seem thrilled?  Ah well, Suzy was very nice but there was no danger of her losing her virginity that night (or any other night for that matter). Just saying.  

My friend Larry with his date Pamela - 1959 - take a look at the expression on his face - looks like he definitely had something in mind more than just a fox trot of two

Roads Not Taken Part One

Front cover of my yearbook - 1959

From my vantage point in life now I look back with interest and see the roads that I didn't take when I had the opportunity.  I also see the roads that I did take and wonder what why life would be like now had I not taken those roads.

Me in the "Center Square" - our high school yearbook photo and yes, that is me standing in the doorway 1959

Perhaps the first road I chose to take was when I quit my bookkeeping class when I was unfairly accused of helping some of my classmates to cheat.  This one day I had forgotten and left my book and homework home.  My teacher, Mr. King, knew there was cheating going on in his class, which there was.  However, I wasn't involved.  I never cheated in class in my life, a fact that most find hard to believe but it is true.  I just never saw the benefit of cheating, especially risking my reputation for integrity to help fellow classmates who were to lazy to do their homework.

Mr. King called on me and I told him I had forgotten my homework.  I must have been the straw that broke the camel's back

because he erupted and blasted me in front of the whole class. Up until that morning, Mr. King and I had gotten along just fine.

I tried to explain to him that I had really forgotten my homework but he didn't want to hear it.  I left class angry and frustrated.  

I saw our guidance counselor Mr. Kline, who was totally worthless.  We all knew it but what other choice did I have?  As expected I got nowhere with Mr. Kline, he sided with Mr. King.  I forget, but there was some kind of punishment involved.  There was no way I was going to be punished for something I didn't do and something they couldn't prove.  I decided then and there to quit Bookkeeping.  I was a senior and had enough credits to graduate so I didn't need Bookkeeping credits to graduate from high school.

My report card for 12th grade - note that my Bookkeeping grades ceased halfway through the year

And that folks is when the fit hit the shan.  I was told "You can't do that!"  Oh yeah, watch me.  I wasn't about to take blame for something that I DID NOT DO.  Especially when I knew there were classmates of mine who WERE cheating.  Why not go after them?  Of course I was asked to identify them but I wasn't about to rat on anyone.  Because I wouldn't squeal is probably why their attitude hardened on me. Hey, I have to live with my classmates.  I wasn't going to be the stool pigeon.

The next few weeks went by in a blur.  Mr. Cline, the waste that he was, insisted that I could not quit Bookkeeping.  He contacted my Mother, who agreed with him!  I told her that I was quitting.  I was adamant.  I quit.  I told them all "Just watch me."  

Well of course I won the battle but lost the war.  I quit Bookkeeping and did graduate.  But this is where my decision changed my life forever.  Because I quit Bookkeeping I wasn't eligible for the student work program.    That's where Commercial Course students got to work at a local business for half a year and attend their high school senior class for half a year.  I was fucked (although I didn't used the "F" word at that time - didn't find out about that all purpose word until I joined the Army the next year).  

So here is how my decision affected the course of my life from there on out.  When I graduated from high school I didn't have a job.  I couldn't get a job.  I had to join the Army.  And therein begins the next chapter of my life, The Journey of Ronald W. Tipton.  Stay tuned.  

Ron Sings! (Or tries to anyway)

Hey folks! Aren't you glad you woke up today?  Why?  Because you're going to get a special treat right now......I SING!  

"OMG!" you say?  Yep, the last time I sang was in high school chorus and that was in 1958.  I didn't even go out for chorus in my senior year, that's just how bad I was.  

Yes, that's me in the back, the tall head fifth from the left in DHS Mixed Chorus - 1958

Of course I never sang solo.  Never was asked to.  Well, of course I couldn't much carry a tune.  Mr. Ifert (yes, that was his name and we did make the appropriate or inappropriate jokes about his name), our choir master and music director was very kind to this awkward and self conscious 16 year old.  Heck, I wanted so bad to just belong.  I have to say I did enjoy the camaraderie but I was too self conscious to enjoy singing.  My, my, how times have changed.  Here I've recorded a video of me singing acapella!  Who do I think I am anyway?  Well, glad you asked.  I'm having the time of my life and doing just about anything I want to without fear of social rejection.  Been there, done that fans.  Just another great thing about getting old.....I really don't care what people think.  Oh of course I want everyone to think well of me but I learned a long time ago that I could be the most perfect person in the world and yet there will still be a certain segment of folks who aren't interested at best and at worst just plain dislike me.  Hey, so what?

So anyway folks, listening to a fellow blogger singing inspired me to try my vocal chops out again.  

Downingtown High School Boy's Chorus 1958 - that is me in the back row fifth from the left with the Gay Tilt to my head.  What was with that?  Do you know I still do that?  The Gay Tilt.

By the way, I've posted my singing video to You Tube.  You think Justine Justin Beiber's original You Tube video took off?  Wait until you see my video go viral.

Wrestling

During my high school days I wasn't much good in any sport.  I went out for basketball but never learned how to dribble (sounds like a STD condition doesn't it?) and move the ball down the court at the same time.  Uncoordinated I was. Plus, I didn't like that jab to the ribs I usually got from players on the opposing team when I tried to hang a basket.  Even though I was tall (6'4") for my age (12), Ron wasn't going to be a basketball star.

Next up was football. First of all I throw a football like a girl (my gay gene in full bloom).  Secondly, have you even been on the bottom of a pile up?  All that mud and bodies laying on top of you?  What really freaked me out was the seeing the cleats of the shoes at eye level whilst the side of my face was squashed in the mud.  Ron wasn't going to be a football star, even though I was a tight end (gay gene again).

Next up, track.  I tried the high hurdles but almost always knocked every one down, much to the amusement of my friend Stuart in the stands who would let out a low guffaw that could be heard for miles.  Then I tried long distance running, the mile.  That's four times around the track folks.  First time I ran the mile I noticed that some of my fellow sportsters had ran completely around the track once and were passing me.  I was told that I was "lapped."  I stuck with long distance running for longer than any other sport but after one season decided to give it up after having finished last in all my races save one, in which I finished next to last.  Ron wasn't going to be a track star.

That's me, first row kneeling on the right - 1959

Next up baseball.  Well, since I threw a football like a girl, how do you think I threw a baseball?  That's right, Priscilla Mae throws a long one!  Baseball out, even when I played the outfield.  You should have seen me dancing around the outfield trying to catch a long fly only to have it fall behind me, in front of me, and even one time right on my noggin.  Ron wasn't going to be the next Joe Dimaggio.

Now we come (no pun intended) to a sport that I liked and did well in, wrestling.  I don't know why but I was very agile in wrestling.  I didn't have the weight (I was skinny all through high school, never weighing more than 160 for my 6'4" inches of height) but I was able to outthink most of my opponents. However, I had one BIG problem.  As you know in wrestling, the outfits are tight and some of the holds are...um....awkward.  Now this is where my gay gene comes into play again.  Because I was young with my hormones just starting to kick in, wrestling was out of the question for me.  Oh sure, I tried it but invariably I became aroused (or halfway aroused-my lady readers might not understand this but I'm sure most of my male readers understand) and I would have to throw the match to end it quickly before I became the butt (no pun intended, well maybe) of jokes.  "Hey look!  Tipton has a hard on! What are you?  A fairy?"  Oh sure, I wanted to GO THERE.  

So last night while I was perusing the local newspaper I came across these wrestling photos that brought back fond (and erotic) memories of the one high school sport I enjoyed - wrestling.  

So what was your favorite high school sport?