I wrote about the Caribou Trail family who installed a stand-up urinal in their upstairs bathroom to accommodate four sons who shared the space.
George Russell, ’73, reminded me that the couple who bought the house and moved in last fall has four daughters. Perhaps the fixture makes an attractive fountain or space for a floral arrangement.
If anybody has any creative ideas, send them in, and I’ll pass them along to the new occupants.
In fact, Caribou Trail was home to numerous large families in the ’60s, ’70s, and ’80s.
George Russell grew up on Caribou Trail with his sisters, Rebecca Cowls, ’66 and Sally Grinsfelder, ’70, and brothers, Richard, ’68, and Charles, ’75. That’s an average-sized family by Lake Highlands standards.
Rebecca, an artist, was in town recently from her home in Ithaca, New York, to do some painting for a client in Arlington. She specializes in turning everyday spaces and objects into items full of frivolity and life.
It’s difficult to put into words what Rebecca does, but in keeping with the bathroom fixture theme this month, I can tell you about the bathroom she transformed into a frog pond. The toilet was made into a lily pad with a frog decorating the tank.
Richard Russell is currently living in Hangzhou, China. His wife is an organic chemist with Mark Kay Cosmetics, helping her company set up manufacturing for the make-up deprived population in the Asian country. Does anyone know a Lake Highlands High graduate residing in a more distant or unusual locale?
Please notice this is the first column in many months not to carry even one mention of the movie “Cotton Candy.” I think we’ve exhausted that subject. How about a new topic for discussion?
I suggest “Forgotten Lake Highlands High School Traditions.” For starters:
- The Flag Hangers. I understand that in the beginning, this bold group got into some serious trouble concerning a certain banner hung at Jesuit High School with a certain suggestion for the Pope. Can someone tell me about any flag-hanging activities (at least, activities that I can print).
- ZEKE’S House. I’ll leave the horrifying details of this subject to the imagination for fear of spawning some copycat high schoolers. Send your memories of ZEKE’S House. (Just so this doesn’t stay an “inside joke,” I will reveal to those readers who are wondering – Zeke was the first occupant of an early version of the seniors’ parking lot guard shack.) I’ll write about anything concerning this subject that won’t attract the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, and Firearms. Incidentally, I think the statute of limitations has expired.
- Getting beaten in football by Plano High School. This was an unfortunate tradition for many years, I’m told.
- The Senior men’s camp-out. Send your memories. From some of the tales I’ve heard, most memories of this unsanctioned activity will likely be very foggy.
- Homecoming Car Bash. No, I’m not talking about the stunt driving the kids do in and out of the student parking lots. (I take my life into my hands when I pick up our sophomore in front of the band hall).
- Basketball contest between faculty and players.
- Hanging out at the Dairy Queen. Send me your memories of the Dairy Queen site at Kingsley and Audelia that has now been replaced by Bank One. Or tell me about your favorite hang-out in the olden days.
Dairy Queen was the favorite hang-out of Reg and Tanya McGuire Baker. The 1969 graduates started dating at the establishment.
In 1968, Reg got a job working for Mr. Neiman at the Texaco Station on the corner of the Lakeridge Shopping Center. After working there for 21 years, Reg bought the place! It’s the only job he’s ever had.
I haven’t heard of many situations, other than instances where someone took over a family business, where you can find this kind of stability. The Bakers have two sons, Jared, a freshman at Forest Meadows Junior High, and Jordan, a sixth-grader at Aikin Elementary.
