Retired geometry teacher Wilhelmina Blevins still lives in Lakewood. I frequently hear from people who see her tooling around in her white Honda Accord.
I recently saw her in one of our neighborhood grocery stores. She said she’s still interested in Woodrow and gets upset if she sees anything negative about the school. She gave me her tickets to an SMU-game at the Cotton Bowl. That’s one place that hasn’t changed too much, thank goodness.
I enjoyed my trip to the stadium where Woodrow greats Davey O’Brien, Bill and Herschel Forester, Jerry Griffin, Sherwood Blount, Eddie Garcia, Joe Shearin and Tim Brown have played.
A full moon, a glorious view of Downtown over the landmark Hall of Sate, a frito-pie and a Dr Pepper – who needs domed stadiums, luxury boxes, commercial cacophony and corporate clutter?
Thanks again, Mrs. B.
Legendary Wildcats
In East Dallas, several new elementary schools are being constructed. The Dallas public schools need your input for naming the buildings. Among the current list of suggestions, I recognized only one name from Woodrow, the late congressman, Jim Collins ’32.
Let’s put forth an effort to submit names. How about some Wildcat legends in teaching, commerce and sports, such as G.L. “Pop” Ashburn, Davey O’Brien, Buddy and Henry Minyard, Paul F. Allen, Jim “Coach” Riley, Wade Thompson, Mabel Thurman, Doyle Smith or Martha Timm?
Unfortunately, my favorite idea can’t be considered: Wayne C. Pierce Elementary.
Why not? He’s still with us.
A Voice from the Past
Nancy Johnson, ’76, former deejay for KZEW, the lamented ZOO, called to get the ball rolling for our 20-year class reunion (ouch). She currently announces for KZPS. Her 12-year-old daughter, Jennifer, a student at Greiner Arts Academy, scored in the top one percent on her ITBS. Duke University wants her to take the SAT early.
San Antonio Revisited
A few months ago, I mentioned that Spanish teacher Betty Parrett chaperoned a group of Woodrow students on a European tour. I chided her for only taking us to the San Antonio Travelodge. I received a letter from her that said she rather enjoyed the Travelodge.
Parrett’s humor often had a sardonic edge.
Okay, so the next year we stayed at La Mansion and dined on boats, complete with mariachis, on the river. Domestic, but not déclassé.
She also noted that French teacher and former one-act-play director Monty Holamon also leads an annual student European excursion.
