Bisonalities, Again

FLBHS                                    WHS

A quarterly Newsletter dedicated to the Alumni of Waterford and Fort LeBoeuf High Schools

July 2008---------------------------------------- Summer Issue ---------------------- Volume 9 - Number 4

INSIDE THIS ISSUE
Cat's Corner - by the Editor
Waterford Memories - by Harry Thomas, Class of 1959
Test Your Memory - Received from Elizabeth Potter, Class of 1955

Welcome to the Bisonalities, Again, a newsletter dedicated to the alumni (students, teachers, and administrators) of Waterford and Fort LeBoeuf High Schools. This newsletter will be issued quarterly. New issues will be posted for viewing on the Web site on, or about January 1, April 1, July 1, and October 1.

The Bisonalities, Again Web site may be viewed by going to:

www.bisonalitiesagain.com

The success of this newsletter will depend on you. I need contributors. Do you have an interesting article, a nostalgia item, a real life story, or a picture you would like to share with other alumni? Do you have a snail-mail or an e-mail address of one of your former classmates? If you do, please send it to me at the following e-mail address:

candoercat@gmail.com
or at my snail-mail address:
Robert J. Catlin, Sr.
2670 Dakota Street
Bryans Road, MD 20616-3062
Tel: (301) 283-6549
Fax: (301) 375-9250

Please, NO handwritten submissions.

The Bisonalities, Again Newsletter is available to any and all alumni, teachers, and administrators of Waterford or Fort LeBoeuf High Schools on the Web site, free.

If you know an alumnus, teacher, or administrator who would be interested, tell them about the Web site. None of the material in this newsletter has a copyright unless otherwise noted. If you wish to make copies of this newsletter and distribute it to other Alumni or friends, please feel free to do so.

If you are reading this newsletter on-line and would like a printable version of it, a PDF version is available on the web site. That is, a file that can be read and displayed by the FREE Adobe File Reader. This will allow you to print the newsletter exactly as if you had received it by snail-mail. If you would like a PDF copy of the newsletter, it is located on the Main Menu under as "Past Issues Bisonalities Again."


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Bob Catlin - Class of 1956

Cat's Corner

Spring started off early here. By the time April 1st arrived I had already mowed, edged, and trimmed my yard, twice. Like the first three months of the year, we averaged a couple degrees above our normal average temperatures but unlike the first three months we received a lot of rain. We were better than 4 inches short of our normal yearly rain fall by the first of April. By the end of April, we were 1.5 inches above our normal yearly rainfall.

Then along came May. During a seven day period, from the 6th through the 12th we received over 8 inches of rain. Six inches of the rain fell in a two day period. We had some minor flooding in the area. Many roads were closed, but luckily no major rivers flooded and caused wide spread damage to homes and property like the Midwest has experienced.

June came along and it was more of the same. By the time June ended our rainfall for the year was 1.3 inches more than our average for a full year.

The one-liners and “Test Your Memory” were both received from Elizabeth Faulhaber Demmery-Potter, class of 1955.

I am running out of stories. I need stories to keep this publication going. PLEASE, send me stories of your adventures in life. There has to be a million stories out there, please, share them with the rest of us.

The Bisonalities Again web site (www.bisonalitiesagain.com) contains information on most classes from 1947 through 1980. Recently I expanded the alumni pages to include the years 1981 through the present graduating class, but I have been unable to contact anyone from these years to furnish information so I may complete their web pages. If you know anyone from the years 1981 through the present, please have them contact me with the information I need to add their class to the web site. Thanks!


The Amazon rainforest produces more than 20% the world's oxygen supply. The Amazon River pushes so much water into the Atlantic Ocean that, more than one hundred miles at sea off the mouth of the river; one can dip fresh water out of the ocean. The volume of water in the Amazon River is greater than the next eight largest rivers in the world combined and three times the flow of all rivers in the United States.


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Harry Thomas - Class of 1959

Waterford Memories
By Harry Thomas, Class of 1959

I moved to Waterford in 1957, just before the start of my junior year in high school. I grew up in eastern Pennsylvania (Pennsylvania Dutch Country) but moved after the death of my mother, to live with my older sister, Helen Shiffer. She took me in. My brother-in-law pushed me to go out for football because I was fairly big. I had little experience in football as my old school had just started a football team in my ninth grade year and had only assembled a scrimmage squad to learn the basics before joining the county league.

My move to Waterford and the decision to try out for football proved to be a life changing experience. I made friends which have, literally, lasted a lifetime. Guys have stayed in touch with each other for now over 50 years. I still get together as often as possible with Buck Davis, Dave Pifer, and Walley Mahle, to mention a few. While we have physically changed a bit, our friendship remains as close as ever and, probably, deeper than ever. I still see Coaches, Bonito, Shesman, DeLuca, Wolf, Orris and others when I attend area functions or go back "home" to Waterford for Heritage Days or other gatherings.

It is a testament to the quality of caring and integrity found in our Fort LeBoeuf coaches and other teaches we knew that THEY also regularly get together as friends today as they have over the years. To me, this is clear evidence of the true community spirit we experienced as we grew up in Waterford.

I remember:

Riding on the back of Carl Wolfrom's flat bed truck in full football gear with the entire team to go to practice in a field north on Route 97 when I was a Junior;

Running down the back dirt street to the ball diamond to practice football as a senior and the dirt and stone surface (and dust);

Listening to skinny sophomore quarterback, Walley Mahle, trying to call signals at practice when his voice was changing and the entire line cracking up when his call would sometimes squeak to a high pitch;

Hanging our at Hoppy's Drive-In by the lake in the summer;

Enjoying a "soft drink" at Homer's on High and Second Streets and being told that "we call it 'pop' around here," and, playing pin ball in the back;

Talking about going to sneak into Erie to see that new risque movie "And God Created Woman" and hearing Walley ask about that new French movie star, "Briggety Barrdott";

Taking part in the first "Jake Russell's Talent Show" and wearing a skirt made by Ma Davis so Pifer, Buck, me and others could dance in a can-can line (and I use the word "talent" loosely);

Decorating the gym for the Prom and putting up all that awful angel hair on wires to resemble clouds (the bright idea of Lynda Humes and her committee) and all of us itching like hell with that stuff all over us and down our necks. (It did look nice, though);

Looking in awe at a couple of new Pontiac "Tri-Powers" (3 carbs) that "older" guys had in the area;

and

Getting 19.9 cent a gallon gas at Humes' station north of the park.

There are, of course, so many more memories. Hopefully, some of your readers will take the time to send in some more.

I am so thankful that I had the opportunity to spend my last two years in high school at LeBoeuf and to enjoy the friendships that began there. If it had not been for Coaches Bonito and Shesman pushing me to go to college I know that I would have probably joined the service.

I went on to Edinboro and taught for four years. Then I went on to law school and practiced in Erie for 37 years. I am now working about half time. I try to stay involved in community service but also try to get back "home" now and then. Waterford has certainly changed over the years, but so much has stayed the same - that is the beauty of the place.


Antarctica is the only land on our planet that is not owned by any country. Ninety percent of the world's ice covers Antarctica. This ice also represents seventy percent of all the fresh water in the world. As strange as it sounds, however, Antarctica is essentially a desert. The average yearly total precipitation is about two inches. Although covered with ice (all but 0.4% of it, i.e.), Antarctica is the driest place on the planet, with an absolute humidity lower than the Gobi desert.


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Elizabeth Potter

Test your memory
Received from Elizabeth Faulhaber Demmery-Potter, Class of 1955

Here is a little quiz to see how much you remember about some less-than-important things from a few decades back. Even the wrong answers may bring back a memory or two. Have Fun (but no peeking!).

1. What builds strong bodies 12 ways?
A. Flintstones vitamins
B. The buttmaster
C. Spaghetti
D. Wonder Bread
E. Orange Juice
F. Milk
G. Cod Liver Oil

2. Before he was Muhammad Ali, he was . . .
A. Sugar Ray Robinson
B. Roy Orbison
C. Gene Autry
D. Rudolph Valentino
E. Fabian
F. Mickey Mantle
G. Cassius Clay

3. Pogo, the comic strip character, said, "We have met the enemy and . . .
A. It's you
B. He is us
C. It's the Grinch
D. He wasn't home
E. He's really mean
F. We quit
G. He surrendered

4. Good night, David . . .
A. Good night, Chet
B. Sleep well
C. Good Night, Irene
D. Good Night, Gracie
E. See you later, alligator
F. Until tomorrow
G. Good night, Steve

5. You'll wonder where the yellow went . . .
A. When you use Tide
B. When you lose your crayons
C. When you clean your tub
D. If you paint the room blue
E. If you buy a soft water tank
F. When you use Lady Clairol
G. When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent

6. Before he was the Skipper's Little Buddy, Bob Denver was Dobie's friend . . .
A. Stuart Whitman
B. Randolph Scott
C. Steve Reeves
D. Maynard G. Krebbs
E. Corky B. Dork
F. Dave the Whale
G. Zippy Zoo

7. Liar, liar . . .
A. You're a liar
B. Your nose is growing
C. Pants on fire
D. Join the choir
E. Jump up higher
F. On the wire
G. I'm telling Mom

8. Meanwhile, back in Metropolis, Superman fights a never ending battle for truth, justice and . . .
A. Wheaties
B. Lois Lane
C. TV rating GS
D. World peace
E. Red tights
F. The American way
G. News headlines

9 . Hey, kids, what time is it?
A. It's time for Yogi Bear
B. It's time to do your homework
C. It's Howdy Doody Time
D. It's Time for Romper Room
E. It's bedtime
F. The Mighty Mouse Hour
G. Scooby Doo Time

10. Lions and tigers and bears . . .
A. Yikes
B. Oh no
C. Gee whiz
D. I'm scared
E. Oh My
F. Help Help
G. Let's run

11. Bob Dylan advised us never to trust anyone . . .
A. Over 40
B. Wearing a uniform
C. Carrying a briefcase
D. Over 30
E. You don't know
F. Who says, "Trust me"
G. Who eats tofu

12. Who was the NFL quarterback who appeared in a television commercial wearing women's stockings?
A. Troy Aikman
B. Kenny Stabler
C. Joe Namath
D. Roger Stauback
E. Joe Montana
F. Steve Young
G. John Elway

13. Bryl Cream . . .
A. Smear it on
B. You'll smell great
C. Tame that cowlick
D. Greaseball heaven
E. It's a dream
F. We're your team
G. A little dab'll do ya

14. I found my thrill . . .
A. In Blueberry muffins
B. With my man, Bill
C. Down at the mill
D. Over the windowsill
E. With thyme and dill
F. Too late to enjoy
G. On Blueberry Hill

15. Before Robin Williams, Peter Pan was played by . . .
A. Clark Gable
B. Mary Martin
C. Doris Day
D. Errol Flynn
E. Sally Fields
F. Jim Carey
G. Jay Leno

16. Name the Beatles?
A. John, Steve, George, Ringo
B. John, Paul, George, Roscoe
C. John, Paul, Stacey, Ringo
D. Jay, Paul, George, Ringo
E. Lewis, Peter, George, Ringo
F. Jason, Betty, Skipper, Hazel
G. John, Paul, George, Ringo

17. I wonder, wonder, wonder, who . . .
A. Ate the leftovers?
B. Did the laundry?
C. Was it you?
D. Wrote the book of love?
E. I am?
F. Passed the test?
G. Knocked on the door?

18. I'm strong to the finish . . .
A. Cause I eats my broccoli
B. Cause I eats me spinach
C. Cause I lift weights
D. Cause I'm the hero
E. And don't you forget it
F. Cause Olive Oyl loves me
G. To outlast Bruto

19. When it's least expected, you're elected, you're the star today . . .
A. Smile, you're on Candid Camera
B. Smile, you're on Star Search
C. Smile, you won the lottery
D. Smile, we're watching you
E. Smile, the world sees you
F. Smile, you're a hit
G. Smile, you're on TV

20. What do M & M's do?
A. Make your tummy happy
B. Melt in your mouth, not in your pocket
C. Make you fat
D. Melt your heart
E. Make you popular
F. Melt in your mouth, not in your hand
G. Come in colors

Okay, that's it. Here are the answers. 1. D - Wonder Bread
2. G - Cassius Clay
3. B - He Is Us
4. A - Good night, Chet
5. G - When you brush your teeth with Pepsodent
6. D - Maynard G. Krebbs
7. C - Pants On Fire
8. F - The American Way
9. C - It's Howdy Doody Time
10. E - Oh My
11. D - Over 30
12. C - Joe Namath
13. G - A little dab'll do ya
14. G - On Blueberry Hill
15. B - Mary Martin
16. G - John, Paul, George, Ringo
17. D - Who wrote the book of Love
18. B - Cause I eats me spinach
19. A - Smile, you're on Candid Camera
20. F - Melt In Your Mouth Not In Your Hand


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See you all next issue!
Be safe and stay well!

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