Cars

I was reminiscing recently with my brother about our times in Rison and suddenly realized how much of a role that automobiles played in our lives. What would life in Rison have been like if we'd not had a personal car, family car or friend's car in which to ride around?

In 1973, a period movie was released entitled "American Graffiti." Anyone see that? I sure did. The theme of the movie was based mostly around teenage angst but, interestingly, it also depicted the importance of relationships...and cars! (Funny, but in looking up the movie information on the web, I noted that George Lucas of Starwars fame was the director. Too, even though I remembered a few name from the cast, I failed to realize that so many stars were in American Grafitti: Harrison Ford, Richard Dreyfuss, Cindy Williams, Ron Howard, Wolfman Jack and even a very short cameo by Suzanne Somers - the mysterious blond that Richard Dreyfuss chased throughout the movie).

We had our own version of American Grafitti in Rison, though we didn't have as many places to "cruise." As I recall, our opportunities were limited to Highway 35 in front of the Dairy Dip or the Car Wash.

On any given night of any given weekend, we'd see Phil Green whiz by in a Mustang (he had a couple I think). Mickey Coats drove a Chevy "Goodtimes" Van it seems; rumor has it that some "good times" were had therein. Ronnie Word drove his dad's blue Dodge truck forever and Mark Trucks had a Ford Torino (wasn't it?). Mark Cathey had this green Ford Maverick as I remember and it seems that sister Kelley wound up with a white Chevy Vega in our senior year.

The Herbine-Macedonia-Pansy crowd would make it through town occasionally. Joe Rauls was a Chevy guy; seems like a Malibu? Freddy Terry...I can't remember. Nor can I remember what Joanie Lunsford or Mary Cummings Vallance or Steve Edwards drove during those years - so I expect some feedback please!

Suzy Pate Lunsford breezed around in a Mercedes. Yes, a diesel Mercedes! (By the way, Suzy, I NEVER got invited to ride in your car!). Typically, you'd see Suzy, Jeannie Phillips...and a third member of their standard trio (but my memory fails). And Jennifer Bell Sipes' car? Help me out...what was it?

Who am I forgetting? Upper classmen had some very cool wheels: Butch Lunsford with a Chevy SS, Steve Pate drove a Dodge Challenger for a while and Ricky Rauls a Pontiac GTO (which Roy Phillips inherited and subsequently drove into the ground). Terry Sipes had a Pontiac Grand Prix that was amazingly fast - too fast for my family-style Dodge Charger that I borrowed when I could afford the gas.

One quick story which should get a laugh: my first attempt at dating was a disaster. I had asked Susan Cash Wentz to "meet me after the game" at the school gym. I think I was maybe 15 at the time (not legal to drive) and all of 4' 10" tall. Susan was at least a head taller that me. Despite the law, I somehow convinced my Dad to allow me to borrow the family car (at that time a Dodge Coronet). I could barely see over the steering wheel, but I drove around and around the school until I thought Susan had arrived (it was an "away" game and she was to be delivered via the Band Bus). During the process of looping the school, I saw the local Barney Fife (whoever that was at the time) and frantically backed all the way down the back drive of the school campus, turning the corner and ducking into Suzy Pate Lunsford's driveway (which would have been a great time to ask for a ride in the Mercedes, by the way).

Despite my best effort, erratic driving and lots of Aqua Velva, I missed Susan somehow and went home discouraged (sniff!). But, to my credit, I dodged the police and made it home without any calamities.

Besides, picking up Susan would have been embarrassing anyway. Taking your first date home while driving on a pillow isn't cool - in any generation!

Cheers,
Ken