The Class of 1960 has many memories growing up in Ada. On this page are some photos from those memories. I apologize for the poor quality of some of the photos, but scanning them from the yearbook, it is the best I could do. If anyone has photos of any of the more poorly depicted items, I would appreciate having them long enough to scan them into my computer for later replacement. I would also appreciate the loan of any photos you might have of the actual coronations of the various Kings and Queens as I had to use the class photos because I could not scan the photos from the yearbook.
Thanks to Carolyn, Carole Jo, Nancy, Holley, Joe and Jill for sending photos and for help with identification. Any mistakes are mine.
I'm sure that some of you have pictures that should be included on this page. If you will get them to me, I will add them. BILL
Check out these links for some memories:
Songs of our youth
Do You Remember These?
Memories
LAST UPDATED 06/13/2006
  Not all memories were entirely happy. In 1957, Carolyn McIntosh spent her school year in bed due to several back operations. She was able to attend classes thanks to 1957 state of the art technology. Shown in the photos are Carolyn in bed, following the lesson in her textbook and Dell Howry, plugging in the speaker which connected Carolyn with the class. I'm sure it was a real hassle lugging that speaker and his books from room to room with each change of class, but for someone as nice as Carolyn (Beautiful too!) Dell did not mind. We missed her smiling face gracing the classes and were amazed that she always seemed to be cheerful. |
 Thanks to Jill (Etier) Botkin for this memory from an article in the Ada Evening News. Nancy, Jill and I can only identify Glenda Morrison, arm raised, and Jill herself, in hat, Zuda, right behind Glenda. If anyone can identify any of the others and let us know, it would be appreciated. |
 There was a very active Amateur Radio Club at Ada High School. Here, Bill Myrick operates a ham radio contest from Doug Smith's home station. |
 Jr. High Cheerleaders. L to R: Sandra Smith, Larna Witt, Holley Robinson, Mary Ellen Alletag, Nancy Domjanovich, and Janet Baber |
 Here are the Sr. Cheerleaders practicing during the summer.(About the only thing that might get the boys to come by school during those months) L to R: Janet Baber, Julia Chapman, Nancy Domjanovich, Glenda Morrison (hidden) Mary Ellen Alletag, and Larna Witt |
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 This is a scene from the 1960 Sr. Class Play "Meet Corliss Archer." At the typewriter is Glenda Morrison, Nancy Domjanovich (pointing at book) and Sue Stidham. In background are Joe Knickmeyer (half cut-off) and Carolyn Morris. |
 Marilynn Blackmon and John Fred Jumper. Am not sure where this was taken, but maybe the front steps of the Jr. High School(?). |
 This is either the National Honor Society(Carole Jo) or the Student Council(Joe Knickmeyer) Picnic held in May 1960. Left to right around table: Holley Robinson, Carole Jo Holmes, Julia Chapman, Nancy Dveney, Mary Corbin, Jill Etier, Margie Cottingham, Zuda Wright, Bob McCurley, Sue or Lou Courtney. Let me know if these are correct. |
 Washington School Sixth Grade Graduation 1954(?) Front Row: Mrs. Peak (Matthews), Mrs. Lois Holmes (Duncan), Glenda Abney, Janet Baber, Carole Jo Holmes, Mary Ellen Alltag, Sue Stidham, Bob McCurley, Danny Evans, John Fred Jumper, Curtis Bond, Mr. Finis Morrison 2nd Row: Jimmy Christian, Judy Beasley, Nancy Dveney, ?, Mary Kate Hayes, Marie Burns, ?, ?, Don Collier 3rd Row: Darrell Briscoe, ?, Jay Carter, Anna Lee Smith, Malvina Macsas, Linda Hensley, Jenease Deering, Wayne Putman, ?, ?, Jack Miller, Bill Myrick 4th Row: ?, ?, Ann White, Carol Ann Jobe, ?, ?, Richard Teel, Gary Putman, ?, Richard Guinn, James Hensler Linda Smalley is at left and behind Carol Ann Jobe, bill Dillon is near the back on the right, Judy Lillard is Center back. Stu Gluckman is on row below the back. If you can identify any others, please let me know so that I can correct caption. |
 Prom 1960 L to R: 1st four Mike Chapman, Sidney Sudberry, Richard Thompson, Carole Jo Holmes, Carolyn Pearson, George Hanson far right. |
 Carole Jo and Richard Thompson Prom Night 1960. |
 Not all of Carolyn McIntosh's memories were bad. Here she hugs a stuffed tiger while overnighting at Jill's home. Jill says that both she and Carolyn had terrific sunburns after a day in the sun. |
 Newspaper report on Demolay Sweetheart, Jill Etier, installation and Sweetheart Dance. |
 Another note from the newspaper, chronicling Charlene Rushing and Jill Etier's attendance of a Baton Twirling School at Midwestern University, Wichita Falls, TX. |
 Need some help with identification of participants. This was taken at one of the Drive-in's (Dog House?) that was a regular hang out. Far right: Pamela Pitts. Next to Pamela, Mary Ann Kidwell. Between two boys, Jill Etier. Next to Mary Ann, Richard Guinn(?) then Jon Krause(?) Face half hidden, Julia Chapman then Michelle Handley and Janet Baber. Any other guesses? |
 Many of us have memories of Vietnam. Here Sgt. Vestil Stiles and friend pose outside the Marine SAR (Search and Rescue) ready room at Chu Lai, former Republic of Vietnam |
 Here is Vestil at Marble Mountain, home of the Marine Helicopter Squadrons just north of Chu Lai. |
 Senior Play Cast (Meet Corliss Archer) Stuart Gluckman, Mr. Franklin; Carole Jo Holmes, Mrs. Franklin; Sharon Gregg, Louise; Joe Knickmeyer, Mr. Archer; Carolyn Morris, Mrs. Archer; Richard Guinn, Doctor; Sidney Sudberry, Nurse; LeDon McAnally, Dexter; Mrs. Loague, Director; Nancy Domjanovich, Corliss; Glenda Morrison, Mildred; Nancy Wadlington, Cousin Agnes; Sue Stidham, Betty |
 Valentine Queen, Larna Witt Valentine King, Ronnie Padberg |
 Harvest Queen, Nancy Domjanovich Harvest King, Richard Guinn |
 Band Queen, Anna Lee Smith Band King, Danny Evans |
 Band Drum Major, Le Don McAnally Majorettes, Judy Briscoe and Pamela Pitts |
 Miss Cougar, Brenda Henry Mr. Cougar, Richard Wilson |
 All Around Girl, Julia Chapman All Around Boy, Charles Mayhue |
 Miss Contnahoma Sherri Jackson |
 Citizen of the Year Sue Stidham |
 Girls' and Boys' State Sue Stidham; Zuda Wright Michelle Handley; Jerry Smith |
 How many of the people in these photos can you identify? Let us know! |
 Here's some more from the yearbook. Let us know which ones you can identify. Can anyone identify the legs in the second from left top in number two? |
 Willard School 6th Grade Need some help with identification. 1st Row L to R: Benny Sleigh, Sandy Palmore, Loretta Logan, Karly Brashears, Beverly Holmberg, Helen Anne Parrish, Judy Timmons, Sharon Gregg, Nancy Domjanovich 2nd Row: Forrest Goodell, Linda Carriger, Sharon Archer, Ronnie Padberg, ?, Richard Thompson, Zuda Wright, Beth McCord, Glenda Morrison 3rd Row: Doug Smith, Wayne Putman, Ted Hartman, Jack Allen, Jerry Smith, Rigby Sanders(?), Jean Vail, ?, Linda Jones, Ruby Lou Montgomery 4th Row: Mike Nease, Larry Jones, George Parrish, Carolyn Reynolds, ?, Marilynn Blackmon, Mrs. Wallace, ? |
 Graduation Photo This is the true graduation photograph of you webmaster. It was taken in April 1960 shortly before completion at the Infrantry Training Regiment Camp Pendleton, CA after twelve weeks of Boot Camp and four weeks of infrantry training. |
Below is a retyped copy of an article by Ernest Thompson from the Ada Evening News. Nancy Domjanovich found it with her mother's photos and sent it to me. We do not know when it was written, but feel that it expesses the way our class feels about our hometown.
Ernest Thompson
Ada
Last week, an out-of-town acquaintance if mine called ada a "hick" town. I got mad . . . really mad.
It didn't last long. My "mad" spells never do. Not that I am more pacifistic than the average person; it's just that life's too short to go around being angry at something all the time.
But, this time, I couldn't help myself. You see, I happen to love this town we live in. I wouldn't be happy anywhere else in the world.
Oh, it has it's faults. We're a bit limited in the "cultural" field, but not nearly so much so as the average town our size -- and, besides, the "culture" is available in spades at Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, all within about two hours driving time.
We also have our slums -- one out in the western part of the town and the other in the north along Broadway. But we're trying to do something about both of them.
We are still sort of a "segreated" city. Our small Negro population has never really been "integrated" in the sense that color means nothing at all. We're working on that.
But, while admitting these minor flaws, I am willing, verbally or physically, to fight any man who degrades Ada, Okla. It is my home. Except for a few months' sojourn to the concrete jungles of the East, it has always been, and always will be.
Many editorials have been written in this newspaper, delineating the advantages of Ada. I shan't go into that except to say that we do have a fine college, and excellent public school system, the greatest parks of any small city in Oklahoma, an efficient police force, the best downtown business district in this quarter of the state, a labor force that is neither belligerent nor docile and about 17,000 people who are unequaled anywhere in the world, with a few minor exceptions.
The cliche is that "people" make the town. That is, of course, true. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a cliche.
But, it goes beyond even that. "I am that I am," said God to Moses. Ada can say the same to the world.
Why Ada? It has rolling hills, I love rolling hills. It sits on a plateau overlooking green valleys. This, I also love. It has people who are aware--in the fullest meaning of the word. This I could not do without. It is a busy, but quiet place--bustle on Main Street belies the quiet comaradarie that lies just a few feet inside any store.
Even if you live in the heart of Ada, as I do not, you can sit on your front porch or patio in the evening and listen to the sounds of the night--and I don't mean beeping horns, thundering trains, squealing tires, the tumult of "civilization." I mean the far away cries of children at play, occasionally the song of a whipporwill, the incessant chirp of the locusts, the flutter of the sphinx moths, and at the turn of season, you can lie in bed at night and hear the cry of geese and ducks as they head north or south.
In Ada, time does not push you. No matter how "busy," one can always find time to stand or sit a moment and talk a bit to a friend or passing acquaintance. Pick up a phone and call somebody and there's none of this, "May I say who is calling?" bit. He's right there, willing to talk business or exchange a ribald joke or two.
In Ada, you can go to a football, basketball or baseball game and feel a real identification, because the kids out there on the team, in the band and pep squad are usually neighbors or at least you've know them since they were mere babes. And, for a college athlete to be from "Big A" is a great source of pride for him.
Yes, I stipulate provincialism; in fact, I wallow in it. But, I do not apologize for it. Because, having shopped around, I just don't ssee how civilized people can live--alienated from nature, even from their fellow men--in the big city. The small town is the only place left in this mad world where a man can find peace and joy.
And, it just so happens that I think Ada is just about the best small town ever was or ever will be.
So, go ahead and call me a "hick" if you wish. I'll get mad for a moment, but then I'll pity you, because you see, you really don't know what living is until you've been a "hick". . . Ada Style.
Ernest Thompson
Ada
Last week, an out-of-town acquaintance if mine called ada a "hick" town. I got mad . . . really mad.
It didn't last long. My "mad" spells never do. Not that I am more pacifistic than the average person; it's just that life's too short to go around being angry at something all the time.
But, this time, I couldn't help myself. You see, I happen to love this town we live in. I wouldn't be happy anywhere else in the world.
Oh, it has it's faults. We're a bit limited in the "cultural" field, but not nearly so much so as the average town our size -- and, besides, the "culture" is available in spades at Dallas, Oklahoma City and Tulsa, all within about two hours driving time.
We also have our slums -- one out in the western part of the town and the other in the north along Broadway. But we're trying to do something about both of them.
We are still sort of a "segreated" city. Our small Negro population has never really been "integrated" in the sense that color means nothing at all. We're working on that.
But, while admitting these minor flaws, I am willing, verbally or physically, to fight any man who degrades Ada, Okla. It is my home. Except for a few months' sojourn to the concrete jungles of the East, it has always been, and always will be.
Many editorials have been written in this newspaper, delineating the advantages of Ada. I shan't go into that except to say that we do have a fine college, and excellent public school system, the greatest parks of any small city in Oklahoma, an efficient police force, the best downtown business district in this quarter of the state, a labor force that is neither belligerent nor docile and about 17,000 people who are unequaled anywhere in the world, with a few minor exceptions.
The cliche is that "people" make the town. That is, of course, true. Otherwise, it wouldn't be a cliche.
But, it goes beyond even that. "I am that I am," said God to Moses. Ada can say the same to the world.
Why Ada? It has rolling hills, I love rolling hills. It sits on a plateau overlooking green valleys. This, I also love. It has people who are aware--in the fullest meaning of the word. This I could not do without. It is a busy, but quiet place--bustle on Main Street belies the quiet comaradarie that lies just a few feet inside any store.
Even if you live in the heart of Ada, as I do not, you can sit on your front porch or patio in the evening and listen to the sounds of the night--and I don't mean beeping horns, thundering trains, squealing tires, the tumult of "civilization." I mean the far away cries of children at play, occasionally the song of a whipporwill, the incessant chirp of the locusts, the flutter of the sphinx moths, and at the turn of season, you can lie in bed at night and hear the cry of geese and ducks as they head north or south.
In Ada, time does not push you. No matter how "busy," one can always find time to stand or sit a moment and talk a bit to a friend or passing acquaintance. Pick up a phone and call somebody and there's none of this, "May I say who is calling?" bit. He's right there, willing to talk business or exchange a ribald joke or two.
In Ada, you can go to a football, basketball or baseball game and feel a real identification, because the kids out there on the team, in the band and pep squad are usually neighbors or at least you've know them since they were mere babes. And, for a college athlete to be from "Big A" is a great source of pride for him.
Yes, I stipulate provincialism; in fact, I wallow in it. But, I do not apologize for it. Because, having shopped around, I just don't ssee how civilized people can live--alienated from nature, even from their fellow men--in the big city. The small town is the only place left in this mad world where a man can find peace and joy.
And, it just so happens that I think Ada is just about the best small town ever was or ever will be.
So, go ahead and call me a "hick" if you wish. I'll get mad for a moment, but then I'll pity you, because you see, you really don't know what living is until you've been a "hick". . . Ada Style.
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