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Memories
Shared |
Since we began publishing this website, we have met new friends
and alumni with many stories to tell. It is our pleasure
to provide an area in which to record these stories. Whether
you are a graduate of Winchester Community High School, Lee L.
Driver High School and Winchester High School, or perhaps you
spent several years in the City of Winchester and Randolph
County, we are eager to hear from you.
We invite you to share your short stories, memories, historical
information and photographs with our class and friends.
Click here to
send submissions to the Webmaster. |
MEMORIES OF
THE WINCHESTER SPEEDWAY - Phyllis Harris DePoy
I have many
fond memories of the race track. The earliest was as a very
little girl. My grandparents Fred and Stella Moore were the
"parental figures" at the James Moorman Orphans Home for
years and I spent as much time there as possible. The only
thing that separated the race track from the Orphans Home
was a woods. I thought it belonged to the Home farm, but
I'm not certain of that. The big boys built platforms in
the trees on the east side of the track and climbed up into
them to watch the races. The girls and little kids [like
me] were driven out there in pick up trucks and we watched
from the truck backs. I was certainly NEVER allowed to get
out of the truck.
Bob Ludy and his family were life-long friends of my
family. My mother hinted that Bob was her first
boyfriend!! Well, anyway, his kids, Charles and Roberta,
were my age and we were the best of friends. Oh the stories
I could tell!! So of course I worked for Bob at the race
track but mostly I just typed the newspaper reports of the
races. This did get me into the races however. I met the
first love of my life at that track.
And then there is one last little thing.....in 1955 I bought
the pink Chevrolet Bel Air convertible in the showroom of
the local Chevy dealer just a block south of the main square
on Main Street. And, believe it or not, I drove that car
around the track.
Thanks for the memories.

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CITY CAB - Dave
Freeman
My name is David Freeman, and although I did not graduate at
Winchester (Bryant 1960) I did attend school in Randolph Co
from grade 1 at Spartanburg to grade 11 at Saratoga. I grew up
in & around Winchester in the 1950's. My Dad, Francis Freeman,
ran the City Cab Co. for several years and was a dispatcher at
the police department before his death in 1973. He also ran the
Brown Street Market just a half block from the high school. He &
my Mom, Mable (Mosier) Freeman both drove taxis when Roy and
Fred Durban owned the cab company. I would like to share stories
with your "Class of 1967" but I don't want to overstep my
bounds.
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CLASS OF
1959 - Deacon Ronald M. Forrest
From Sioux
City, Iowa. My name is Ron Forrest and I graduated from
Winchester High School on May 27, 1959. Our 50 year reunion
is fast approaching and lately a flood of memories have been
rekindled about growing up in Winchester.
Sally (Simpson) Tucker forwarded me your message and I have
visited your Class Web Page. I think it's very well done and
I enjoyed looking at the photos....and most of
all.....remembering. I wish I had some photos to send to
you. Several years ago our basement flooded and I lost every
single photo I had at the time. I also lost my precious
class jacket, and my letter jacket, plus my four annuals.
All that is left is my class ring. So....your web page has
filled a void in my past.
Thanks for sharing.

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My
memories of the Winchester High School - Glen Coffman
This is only name I remember calling it before Driver came
along. The principle’s (Dale Braun) office was center/front on
second floor of the building. Little Sally Smith was his
secretary. I think she actually ran the place as she could
answer any question you had. I only remember Mr. Braun and the
wide wooden paddle. Next to his office was Mr. Rogers English
class and beside that room was the Superintendent’s Office. Then
the big stairway leading up or down, depended upon what floor
you were on at the time. On the right side of the steps was the
science room.
The wide front sidewalk made a perfect ski slope in the winter
and we could slide on our shoes from the steps of the building
to the steps that lead to the sidewalk across the front on South
street. I was sliding one time and another boy stuck his foot
out and I went sprawling down onto my face knocking out two
front teeth. I still wear the original partial to this day
reminding me of that day. I was 15 then.
Mr. Lee was one
of the two janitors. His job was to ring the big bell at the top
of the tower by pulling on a rather large rope from the basement
to announce that you had ten minutes before you were counted
late with the first ringing. Five minutes later you got the
second and last ringing meant you better get a big move on. The
famous 'hallway bridge' connecting the front class rooms to the
ones over the field house was some how not fastened down to
prevent it from moving when jumping up and down on it or just
walking with an up and down heavy motion steps.
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Gasoline tanker wreck - Dave Freeman
I don't
remember the date, probably about 1950, when a gasoline tanker
was North bound on (now old) US 27 and rounded the curve just
East of the Fountain Park service station at a high rate of
speed. The tanker crashed into the gas pumps at the service
station and caught fire. Burning gasoline ran down the gutter
and into the nearby creek and burned most of the pine trees
along the cemetery fence line. The smoke could be seen for
miles. I rode my bike to the scene and got as close as I could
to watch the excitement. It was quite a sight for a little boy
who would some day become a career firefighter.
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Proud to Serve - Dave Freeman
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I served with pride, as
did 4 of my 5 sons.
That is me on the right. I had 5 years in the Air Force, 23
years on the fire department, and 18 yrs on the sheriff's
department. Next is Bob, he is smarter than the rest of us
by staying out of uniform and a machinist for 23 years.
Next is Mike, 5 years on the fire department, 3 years on the
sheriff's department and 9 years as a city police officer.
Next is Don, 23 years US Army and is now the Command Sergeant
Major of the 61st Ordinance Brigade at Aberdeen, MD. Next
is Matt, 5 years US Army (combat Desert Storm) and 11 years city
police officer. Next is Pat, 5 years US Army, 2 years
National Guard, and 10 years fire department. Mat & Pat
are twins.
There your have it. The FREEMAN men. All ruggedly handsome
critters. Yep, I brag on us a bit.
Webmaster's note: I wish to thank Dave Freeman and his
sons for their service to our country and their community.
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