First Friday November 3, 2023

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Here is a photo from the November 3rd First Friday Event at Chop House in Kingsport.  Great looking group!!  Thanks to Jane Harris for keeping those of us who could not join the gathering up to date!!

Starting on front left and going around and ending at front right we are: Phyllis Fugate, Sondra Dotson Bridwell, Jane Beck Harris, Ben Harris, Linda Lambert Robinson, Rhea Robinson, Diana Woodard Agett, Art Williams, Margaret Ketron Colley, Martha Ward Duane, Kathy Morse Parham, Carolyn Devault Tichnor, Vivian Eversole Brown.

Next month we go to Cheddars - we have enjoyed each restaurant we have tried out for a new First Friday "home".  We may just keep visiting around town!  If you want to come visit with us and do not get the emails with details give Jane a call at 423-239-9477.

First Friday September 1st, 2023

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Here is photo from First Friday on September 1st.   We missed some of our regulars today probably due to the holiday weekend.  The missing included Kathy Morse Parham who has almost recovered from Covid.

We have made changes in our luncheons due to O’Charleys' closing.  The luncheons will be held at different locations each month for the next few months.  Out-of-towners, check with Jane (423-239-9477) about our location for the month you plan to visit.

Left side table: Art Williams (class of '61), Margaret Ketron Colley, Vivian Eversole Brown, Sondra Dotson Bridwell, Bill Mc Connell, Barbara Williams Coughenour
Right side table: Ben Harris, Ben Hunter, Jane Beck Harris, Diana Woodard Agett, Phyllis Fugate, Rita Bookhardt Deason, Micky Deason.

Marcia Derby

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Sondra Dotson Bridwell alerted me of Marcia’s death on September 1st.  She did not graduate with us but kept in touch with many of our classmates and attended several reunions.  Click here to view her obituary from the Johnson City Press.

Jane

Selina Pendergrass Woods

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Jane was notified of  Selina’s death on July 29th by Selina's sister Jean.

Selina has not been well for some months.  She fell in the fall of 2021 breaking her hip.   Her health has gone downhill since then.   She has been in and out of rehab facilities several times as a result of falls, seizures, and recently pneumonia.

If anyone wants to send her husband William Woods a card, his address is 41 Wildwood Street, Winchester MA 01890.

Our condolences go out to William and Selina's family.

Best regards to all of you, dear classmates.

Click on the image of Selina's obituary to view a larger, readable version.

Jack Ferrell

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The Monzas

Our classmate, Jack Ferrell, passed away Thursday, June 22nd in Knoxville.  We will remember Jack for his beautiful voice in the Madrigalians and as bass player and vocalist with  Kingsport’s own Monzas.   There was a graveside service in Knoxville on Monday, July 3 2023 at Highland Memorial Cemetery on Kingston Pike at 3:00.

Thank you,

Jerry McIntosh

Click on the image of Jack's obituary to view a larger, readable version; click on the photo of the Monzas to see a larger version.

FYI, in the photo, Jack is at top rear and Jerry McIntosh is at lower left.

Katie Taggart Driskell

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Katie welcomes the class to her lake house during our 2015 reunion.

We are sad to let you know that Katie passed away on June 6th.

She will be missed. She was a joy to be around - always happy … always willing to lend a hand and a hug.

Katie was a member of our class reunion planning team and was a big part of planning each of our past reunions.

Her family received friends on June 10th at East Tennessee Funeral Home, 2630 Highway 75 in Blountville. Her funeral service was followed by a private graveside service.

Our best to you and to Katie’s family.

Tom “Pinky” Gannaway

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We have learned that Tom Gannaway passed away recently.

Tom was a member of our class, attending DB with us through our sophomore year.  He transferred to Baylor School in Chattanooga and completed his junior and senior years there.

Until recently he lived in the Sacramento CA area.  He recently returned to the Kingsport area and was in touch with classmates.

Jane found an obituary for Pinky, shown to the right.  Click on it to view a more readable version

As Rusty and Chip commented in their notes, Pinky was a good friend and he will be missed.  In our pre-DB days, I remember him as an active player in Fairacres / Linville St / Watauga St neighborhood activities such as football games in the vacant lot next to Bob Reagan's home on Belmeade, and softball games in the back yard at Bill & George Hutchins' home on Watauga.  I smile at the memory of stopping by the grape vines in the back yard of the Gannaway family's Watauga St home in the summer and sampling the yummy sweet grapes that thrived there.

I cherish these good memories and many others from Pinky and our class ... and miss all of those who are no longer with us.

As Barbara  Coughenour would remind us, "God Bless us every one!!"

Our 80th Birthday Party Reunion

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By Jane Beck Harris

The 80th Birthday Party Reunion for the DB Class of 1960 is behind us, and everyone attending had a wonderful time! While our numbers were down from past reunions, the spirit was the same as ever. There is no doubt the DB Class of 1960 has a bond that simply cannot be broken. We had expected forty-eight for the dinner on Thursday and varying numbers for the other events. Several last-minute illnesses and home repair catastrophes brought our dinner total down to forty. Unexpectedly Andy Slemp turned up; driving from Roanoke VA as soon as repair folks left his house at noon. We had classmates travel from Chapel Hill NC – John Reed, Vienna VA – Fred Churchill, Lebanon TN – Joe Shaffer, Lexington SC – Zollie Harrison Miles, and Edgemont AR – Libby Strong Roller. The rest of us from the Tri Cities area, many who do not attend First Friday, were enjoying seldom seen classmates. Many other classmates regretfully due to health issues, vacations and traveling, or long distance to attend sent regrets.

Those on the bus tour learned about changes that have occurred over the past 60+ years and heard about a few changes to come – i.e., a large townhouse development that will be built along Main Street – where Citizen’s Supply was located near the train station. The changes to our “DB” are significant – it looks the same from the outside, but the inside is greatly changed. We did recognize the seats in the auditorium – they are the same!

We enjoyed visiting and great food at the Press Room dinner. Ralph Suit welcomed everyone, Fred Churchill brought comments from the out-of-town group and thanked those who planned the reunion. Recognition went to Barbara Williams Coughenour for all she has done over the years to keep our group connected. We called Sue Shaulis Thomas in Colorado. Sue has been instrumental in planning most of our past reunions – many of us spoke with Sue.

A small group braved cool temperatures (due to Hurricane Ian) on the Friday morning barge ride on the lake at Bays Mountain Park. We learned about beaver, fish, the history of the lake, and enjoyed the almost turning leaves. We then joined a group of about twenty for a delicious lunch at the Chop House. Again, visiting, and renewing friendships was enjoyed by all. The final event was a tour of the STEM area at the new DB. 

There was a “mini” DB 60 reunion on Thursday night in Brentwood TN as Kathy Morse Parham and Ellie Whitlow Cate enjoyed their own reunion.

It was great to see our 80-year-old classmates enjoying their birthday party. We wish all of you could have been with us.  Chip Coffin commented he wanted to remember us as we were at DB – healthy, good looking, smart, slim, and full of life. That is indeed a great memory. But Chip, while the group present at the 80th Birthday Party may not have been 100% healthy and not all were slim; they were definitely happy, smart, good looking (for 80) and definitely full of life!

Everyone absent was missed.

And last but not least, we owe a huge "thank you" to the 80th Birthday Party Planning Committee members.  They dedicated countless hours out of their busy personal lives to make sure the event was outstanding and that all attendees enjoyed a memorable experience.  From the huge smiles in the reunion pictures in our photo gallery, I'd say they were successful.  THANK YOU TEAM!!  Committee members include Vivian Eversole Brown, Carolyn Rice Cameron, Barbara Williams Coughenour, Phyllis Fugate, Jim Gee, Jane Beck Harris, Margaret Ketron Colley, Kathy Morse Parham, Ralph Suit, and Diana Woodard Agett.

Photos of the event  (including six new photos submitted by Zollie on Tuesday, October 4th) are available in the photo gallery.  Click here to enjoy them.

80th Birthday Party Invitation

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What: 80th Birthday Celebration Reunion
When: Thursday & Friday, September 29 & 30, 2022
Where: Kingsport, Tennessee
Why: Because we deserve a CELEBRATION!

A group of your classmates have spent the last few weeks scouring Kingsport for locations to give us an opportunity to enjoy friendships from 62+ years ago; explore several venues that have changed significantly over those years; and review some of the history of our hometown. Most of all we want to have fun remembering and have FUN.

Times and events are listed in the following section. Detail will be sent (email or snail mail) to those who respond they will attend.

The Committee needs your check to cover the cost of the Thursday dinner and a commitment for which events you will attend by Thursday SEPTEMBER 15th.

Please download, print and return the 80th Birthday Reply Form with your check to Jane Harris, 600 Rambling Road, Kingsport TN 37663.  Make your check out to DB Class of 1960. Click here to download the reply form.

Planned Times and Events
Thursday 29th

3:00 – 5:00 Bus (nice comfortable one) tour with immediate past city manager, Jeff Fleming. Jeff is a Kingsport native, a DB Grad, and a true cheerleader for Kingsport. He will share highlights of our history, show us the significant changes (including the new City Hall) – not just downtown – over past years. He also hopes to gather some of our memories. No cost to you but we need to know if you will attend to ensure space on bus.

6:00 – 9:30 Get reacquainted hour with food and drink. Cash Bar. Dinner at 7:00 – the location is the Press Room located behind the Food City, Farmer’s Market, and Carousel off Center Street across from Domtar (old Mead Paper) Plant. Enjoy food, drink, and good fellowship at this popular venue. Cost $25 per person.

Friday 30th

10:00 – 12:30 Bays Mountain adventure. We will enjoy a barge ride on the lake, walk across the dam, and enjoy any of the displays and museum we want. There is a $5 entry fee per vehicle to be paid as you enter. No other cost to you but we need to know if you will attend to arrange barge ride on the lake.

1:00 – 3:00 We have reserved a room for lunch at the Chop House on Eastman Road. This will give us a time to again enjoy visiting and some tasty food. Everyone will pay for their own food.

4:00 – 5:30 Tour of the new DB on Center Street – we will be able to tour the STEM section as well as other highlights of the school. No cost to you; but we need to know if you plan to attend so they can arrange adequate tour guides.

This will end our formal events. You are encouraged to plan dinner with friends or family. We can provide a list of local restaurants if needed.

Your Planning Committee

Vivian Eversole Brown, Carolyn Rice Cameron, Barbara Williams Coughenour, Phyllis Fugate, Jim Gee, Jane Beck Harris, Margaret Ketron Colley, Kathy Morse Parham, Ralph Suit, and Diana Woodard Agett. Bill Cobb is also part of our team as he is currently handling our Google Group communications.