Looking back it is difficult to put everything in order. I remember going to John D Pierce then on to Waterford Township. I believe I was enrolled in Kettering during its first year because of that class we had called “Reasoning”. Ms Loomans Class. I understand it was a very unique class at the time. That was a scary class for me since it was ‘in the round’ so to speak and we had to stand up and give little speeches now and again. Ms Looman was a great teacher. (You will find that I have revised my memories throughout the sight as I put things in order and gain back some of my senses.)
There was a young lady named Barbara Smith that caught my eye and that was probably when I first discovered that this was going to be a difficult time for me. Going to a school with so many pretty faces, and be expected to do school work too. There was a popular tune at the time that should date that memory, a song by Conway Twitty, Its Only Make Believe. If I look up the date of that tune I can then piece together the memories. I think that was around 1959 or 1960. Barb may not remember this but at that time, when Conway Twitty had such a big hit with that tune, I bought a copy and had it given to her in school by a classmate. I was so shy I could not do it myself. She probably never knew that I gave her the record.
I lived on Bird Island, on Lake Oakland, next to the Forbes family. Ken, John, Walt, Linda and Susan. You must know the Forbes since Kenny has kept the family business running in Drayton Plains, Forbes Printing and Press.

John was a very good friend for many years but we fell out of touch when he got girl crazy too. He was going with Nancy Ray at the time. She and I were good ole’ phone buddies.
Don Card lived at the beginning of the street I lived on, Island Park Drive. I remember he was the first kid I met that was adopted and he had really great parents. I often wondered how it must have felt to be an adopted child but he seemed to except it and he did have a nice family.
Tom Nolan and I planned a trip to Miami. I left without him. Still think of him often. He had a neat Turret Top car that ran like a charm Stud-a-baker!.
Tom and I installed Ms. Pety’s rug for her. A very abstract design by her own admission. Took us a couple of weekends but it looked very “Ms. Pety” when finished. She was probably my favorite teacher.  Note:  From a Forum visitor! Carrie Smith('70) and she had talked to Denise Pety earlier in the day. Lois Pety is alive and well and living in Grand Blanc! Denise lives in Clarkston with her two children.

This is how I remember Toms car. Maybe gray or something like that.This is how I imagined it would look after he finished tinkering with it.

He had great plans for that car. I think he said black or red would be a nice color. Would have been nice to have traveled to Florida in a car rather then hitch hiked.

Not to far away lived the Carriers, I can’t remember their first names but I almost bought a car from them. It might have been Brad and Tom Carrier.
Just off the Island were the Verheys, Bob, Bill, Janice. A very religious family that I spent a lot of time with. I went to their church often and enjoyed the enthusism and friendship at the church and the church events. Those particular memories are still with me to this day. That’s back when John Simon was an exchange student and he lived with them for awhile. John was and has been my only true friend although he died sometime in 1964.

John Simon Class of 62. A very good friend. Carole Bane sent in these photos from the year book. They should bring back many memories for all those that were touched by John’s presence. He was a fantastic student and friend. He had a very friendly personality and was a big flirt. He would spend hours on my phone calling girls from his little black book. John, Peggy Turner, and my date Pam Frantz went to the Ringley Brothers Circus with me and John took Peggy Turner.And I am sure that was one of the highlights of his stay here in the US

Judy Ott lived at the opposite end of our street and I remember her since so many guys had crushes on her and went wild when she got on the bus going to school.
There was a small grocery and dry clean at the corner of Sashabaw and Island Park Road. Eventually the dry clean turned into a small pizza parlor. There was a gas station across from there that we all gathered around while waiting for the bus in the morning.
This is what I remember about Michigan. Those good ole’ Root Beer stands. And that fabulous Root Beer float. Nothing better on a date then a Root Beer and a hot dog. And of course that very special ‘someone’. Waterford Drive In or the Pontiac Drive In were my favorites.

Another special memory was of a girl named Jean Smith. I have looked for her for years. We were in grade school or junior high together but she did something for me that was so very special I have never forgotten it.

Note>
Just thought I would add this as I just now discovered a date in time I can relate to. The Such Crust Race in the Detroit River. I was there on this day July 23-1ugust 1st at the 1949 Harmsworth Trophy Races. I was there the day the Such Crust won which helps me with more dates I am trying to put together.