- Thanks for stopping by "The Very Best of Times". This is YOUR website for memories of the 40's, 50's and 60's in a special place at a special time. You are the most important part of this site and we'd love to hear from you. We change things fairly often so make this a regular stop OK? If you have any pics from "the good old days", we want to share them. Just let me know and we'll figure a way to get them on this site. Email me (Tom) here. Share your thoughts and memories on the "Blog" section above or "comment" section below, so others can see them and add to them as well. Click on the "Music of the '50's and '60's" above and take a trip down memory lane, special music , reunion pics, videos and so much more will bring back memories of those special years of your life. Please let us know of any special occasions, news or events that would be of interest to your old schoolmates. These, indeed, were "The very best of times".....we hope you'll agree.
Our wish for you is a normal and healthy 2023.
I just wanted you all to know that Bob Holly, MHS '56, has retired after five years as a valued member of the MHS Hall of Fame selection committee. Bob asked me if I'd be interested in service to the committee, repesenting and evaluating those possible future candidates. I appreciate the opportunity to serve with members of the committee that will be reviewing suggested MHS HOF candidates in preparation for induction to the HOF. I hope to be a positive influence during this service to Mahtomedi and Mahtomedi Schools. Thank you Bob Holly for your five years of service to the HOF committee. As MHS grads you all have the opportunity to suggest athletes you feel should be considered as candidates to the HOF and I would appreciate any names you can suggest. Please contact me with information at [email protected]. Thank you, Tom Langford MHS '60 |
MHS Athletic Hall of Fame inductees for 2022 named. Three more outstanding athletes were named to the MHS HOF and were honored during halftime ceremonies on Sept 17th in the game with Hill Murray. Welcome to Jim and Jerry Blasena MHS-'58 and Brittany Voeller (Henry) MHS-2009 to the Hall of Fame
Dugout pics.... The venue for the 2023 All School Gathering was set for Friday, August 25th, 3:00pm to ??? again at the Dugout. As usual it was a FREE event. We have enjoyed this event every year since 2012 with the Covid exception and hope saw a good crowd of MHSers this year. . Here are some pics taken at t he event. Also check out FB "You know you grew up in Mahtomedi" and see many pics Mary Jo Stangl put up on the site.
|
The Lunch Bunch gathered at the Stadium Club. Plenty of tales were told and memories shared. Recognize anyone?
|
Check out the pics from the All School Gathering held in 2021 at the Phoenix Event Center in Baldwin Wisconsin. A great time of sharing memories by over one hundred folks from classes ranging from 1955 to 1969.
.
The creator of this site, Paul Chester, has not forgotten the best music of the 40's,50's, 60's and beyond. Check it out by clicking HERE. Thanks Paul for all your great work!
Just a note, if you enjoy the music Paul has provided, don't hesitate to help keep it free and alive and please donate whatever you can.
THIS WILL BE FUN TO WATCH-Remember The Diamonds and their top forty hit of 1957, "Little Darlin'"? See them as they appeared then in '57 and when they were invited to do it again 47 years later. Click HERE to enjoy the show!
....Thanks to Grover Eaton (MHS '60) for sending me this link. You absolutely won't believe what you're seeing!!! This fellow may well be Elvis reincarnated. Click HERE to be astounded and brought back 55 years in time.
Click HERE to see this Canadian 15 year old "Elvis" sing "Blue Christmas"....WOW!
Check out the "50s & 60s" page at the top for more wonderful music of the "Best of Times".
The creator of this site, Paul Chester, has not forgotten the best music of the 40's,50's, 60's and beyond. Check it out by clicking HERE. Thanks Paul for all your great work!
Just a note, if you enjoy the music Paul has provided, don't hesitate to help keep it free and alive and please donate whatever you can.
THIS WILL BE FUN TO WATCH-Remember The Diamonds and their top forty hit of 1957, "Little Darlin'"? See them as they appeared then in '57 and when they were invited to do it again 47 years later. Click HERE to enjoy the show!
....Thanks to Grover Eaton (MHS '60) for sending me this link. You absolutely won't believe what you're seeing!!! This fellow may well be Elvis reincarnated. Click HERE to be astounded and brought back 55 years in time.
Click HERE to see this Canadian 15 year old "Elvis" sing "Blue Christmas"....WOW!
Check out the "50s & 60s" page at the top for more wonderful music of the "Best of Times".
Old Time Radio Fun-
We all remember the days before TV, sitting in front of the radio and letting our imaginations create the "pictures" of the story. Bring back those great memories by clicking HERE to listen to your favorites from yesteryear. Fibber McGee, The Shadow, Amos and Andy, Gene Autry, Johnny Dollar and so many more. See how they made the sound effects too.
We all remember the days before TV, sitting in front of the radio and letting our imaginations create the "pictures" of the story. Bring back those great memories by clicking HERE to listen to your favorites from yesteryear. Fibber McGee, The Shadow, Amos and Andy, Gene Autry, Johnny Dollar and so many more. See how they made the sound effects too.
Featured Class of 1963
We're featuring the Class of 1963 as they celebrate their 60th Reunion
Remember... Wally's and .24 cent per gallon gas?caricature of Wally done by Steve Lund
Thanks to Jackie Swenson Thauwald ('58) for this picture (ca.1947) of her dad's Pure Oil service station (when you actually got SERVICE!) located next to Vince Guarnera's on Mahtomedi Ave. Wally moved to a new location on "the front" next to The Curve Drive In. This great old building was demolished and a new station took it's place.
d UNSCORED UPON!! -Perfect season an Thanks to Jim Guarnera for sharing the ;59-'60 Zephyr Scorecard we all saw at Vince and Marge's restaurant for so many years. Vince put the scores of each game over the date. Notice all of the ZERO's after the opponents name. Add 'em up neighbors, 407 to 0. Still a state record and will never be equaled.
It should be noted that, in one of the "Eye Opener" columns by Don Riley, it was mentioned that no team scored on the Zephyrs, even in the pre season scrimmages with teams like St. Paul Central and Cretin H.S. A PERFECT SEASON indeed! Thanks, Jim, for sharing a wonderful memory. |
The Question is...What made us who we are?
The Answer: Click HERE to find out! Thanks to Terry and Karen Ford for this. It brings back so many great memories! REMEMBER?
Lowell Konkler found this on Vimeo and posted it to his Facebook page. Remember the early '50's and the Drive-In's. The cars weren't classics YET and the times were worth remembering. Click HERE to travel back in time. Click HERE to see some photos that are sure to bring back great memories.
ABOVE: Gone, The Piccadilly....Now Piccadilly Square Senior Housing~
Reunion NewzThis is a pic of the '60 MHS 55th class reunion. Stop by the "Other Reunions" section, above, to see other class reunions.
No, we didn't get rid of the All Class, '60, '61 and '62 and 66th 50th Class reunions. You'll find several 2016 reunions, above, under "Other Reunions"...enjoy! |
Memories-We spent the majority of our youth in the building above, developing memories that last a lifetime. Click and enjoy this wonderful video.
In April of 1991, another memory was created when the old High School was partially demolished and a portion of the remaining structure was developed into a Community Center. Thanks to Karen Komonko Leahy (MHS '65) for sharing these photos, taken by her parents during the process. Note the old Gym/Shop roof at the rear of the new/old building.
Wildwood School Going...going...!!!!!
Click HERE to see what Dave Meaney sent about the last day of school at Wildwood Elementary. Thanks Dave! P.S. I grabbed a BRICK from the pile, to be passed along later! |
The one thing we all can agree on is, we experienced the greatest automobiles of all time. I've saved this space so I could add memories of those days when cars were our identity and passion. You'll see classic commercials, wonderful cars and great memories. Check this out...Remember??? Click on this link and enjoy...... https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9i8857WvWyQ
See some of the classic cars, at the bottom of this page, your schoolmates are enjoying today.
See some of the classic cars, at the bottom of this page, your schoolmates are enjoying today.
***********************************************************************************
HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO YOUUUUU!
Send a Birthday wish to the following on their special day by clicking on the "Blog" section, above. Can we add you to the list? Send your name and birth date and email address to me and I'll add you to the group.
You can click on a person's highlighted name and send them a Birthday wish too...try it.
January-Sharon Gilbert(10th),Carole Lennartson(17th) Nancy Koester(26th) Linda Franklin (28th)
February-Gwen Langford(9th), Nils Johannessen - Gary Flint (10th) Dave Wlaschin(20th), Bruce Faribault(21st), Bruce Fredrickson(27th) Gayle Duncan(28th) March-.Gary Walen(2nd), Bill Krey(7th), Linda Komonko(13th), Jim Komonko(15th), Karen Komonko (26th), Jakki Bogart(26th) April-KarenFord(3rd),TerryFord(16th) May-Jan Spidahl(20th), Dave Harrod(24th), Jean Harrod Strenger and Joan Harrod Ross(31st), June-Len Capaul(25th), July-Del Demars(15th), How many remember THIS car? Was Warren Weaver's '56 Chev BelAire reborn to come "Back to the 50's" in 2014? This one's a carbon copy of the one we remember!
Lots of memories of that one for sure!!! ....and Gary Jensen's ('61) '53 Ford brings back lots of memories. Sweet!!
Thanks to Royce Morrissette ('61) for this pic of his beautiful'61 Chev SS!
Rich Werges ('62) sends this pic of his gorgeous '50 Lincoln Tudor. WOW!
|
August-Joe Kunert(4th), Rick Demars(8th), Peggy Zimmerman(16th), Bill Harrod (18th), Harvey Strecker(19th), Grover Eaton and Lael Eaton Ramaley(30th)
September-PeteKluegel(8th), Cathie HowellWlaschin(20th), Jim Langford and Tom Langford (25th) , John Maturen (29th), Sandy Flint(30th), October-BobHolly(2nd), Thomas Krueger (18th) November-KrisHansen(21st) SueSell(21st), Craig Thaler(22nd),Dave Meaney(23rd),KarenDuncan (23rd), December-PatWessel(7th)JoyceEaston (20th), John Strenger(28th), '65 PonchoTerry Ford brought his'65 Pontiac 2 plus 2 to the June 2013 lunch.
Thanks to Paul and Cathy (Millner) ('60) Yarnell for these pics of their Nash Metropolitans. Paul customed his Metro Pickup himself. Cathy is teaching G'son Jerrod how to drive! Thanks ...great Pics.
|
Check out Carl and Meg Smith's (MHS '60) Jag XKE Convert. I, personally think this is one of the most beautifully designed automobiles of all time. Carl says that now that this is a runner, he's going to get started on the XK120 (top left).
How many remember Carl Smith's '51 Ford Custom? Shaved, primed, full Moon's and ready to go...until 1963 when it found a telephone pole. The pole won!
Bottom pic (Circa '69) is of Carl's wife Meg in their 54 Jaguar XK120 that is now in his garage, waiting a complete clean up so it can be shown off. Thanks for the pics Carl. Check out Chuck Ohr's (MHS 61) ride!! Chuck wins the Wild West Arizona PT Cruiser of 2012 award!!! |