Briarfield School
From Joe Wingo of NC - 02/20/03:
Well, I've sat here quietly for as
long as I can----WHERE ARE ALL THE BRIARFIELD/NEWMARKET FOLKS? Let's hear
from you as that area was home
to many of us: Garland Hudson, Donnie Reed, Charles
Embler, Edward Fuller, Tom Oxner, Dianne Adams, Carolyn Webb...help me out,
someone. And
Mrs. Roark, 7th
grade teacher at Briarfield Elementary was, without doubt, the most intimidating
(mean) teacher EVER. And remember the boy's club and
Newmarket Shopping Center? Come on you BBA'S,
SPEAK UP. My sincere best to each and
every one of you and hope you all are
wonderful. I enjoy your work, Carol, as it is the only way to "keep up".
Thanks.
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/20/03:
Well, Joe, I lived on Highland Court
with Donna Worsham on the other
side of the
arc and Pete Tench on the corner or her arc and the Barry and
David Hatchett on the corner of my arc on the park
side. Many of us went to Parkview Baptist: Van, Charles E., Donna and many
others, so that was
another connection. I go by and look at Briarfield
once in awhile.
It is still there. wow. We
went to the little market there on the corner almost daily for
bread or milk or my mom 's cokes... was it Manor Market?
Debbie Freeman, Billy Roberts, Keith
Pennell, Sue (?) who dated and married an Anspach, are a few other local names
that come to mind. The Basses, Joyce Spake, Larry Moran, Becky Price, Billy
Turner, of course. Thanks, Carol, for this connection to our past and future
relationships!
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From Dave Arnold of VA - 02/20/03:
It was the Manor Market, Frances,
and I think the manager's name was Julius and
he knew every customer and their kids by name. Not the kind of
service you receive today. I believe it was Sue
Miller who married Freddie Anspach.
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/20/03:
Yes, you are right!
Remember the skating rink and the drugstore across
from it? I'd go get ice
cream and buy Batman, Superman and Bat Woman
comics. My first big
purchases! I was never too good on the wheels
though.
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From Wayne Stokes of VA - 02/20/03:
Dear Frances,
Your "North End" memories are excellent! But, I wonder if you could go
through the Briarfield "arc" thing again? I
was OK until you got to Pete. At that point, I was dizzy and lost!
That's not news! That's a position to which I am most accustomed.
You did bring forth some memorable "names", thanks.
You know I am KIDDING you! Just trying to have some fun!!
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From Dave Spriggs ('64) of VA - 02/20/03:
While I have gone on
for several posts about North End, that was only because my grandparents lived
there. However, I, too, was a Newmarketer from 1961-1965, and know just about
every name that has been listed for that area, especially those on and adjoining
Madison Avenue. And I spent many days at the Boys' Club, eating 10 cent
hot dogs and watching old cowboy movies. Those of you who also went there will
remember the Director's name: A.T. "Tom" Olaisen.
And I remember all those Highland Court kids. You left out Kim Lassiter who
lived at the corner of Hilton and Madison.
And Bobby Simpson (who married Terri Triplett) and lived at Madison and 73rd.
Yes, it was Sue Miller who married Fred Anspach. She is now married to a fellow
named Dearnly. She lived on Hilton where it intersected Clinton Drive. If you
ran the stop sign on Clinton, you could end up in her living room.
Speaking of Clinton Drive, some may recall that the Dempsey sisters lived there,
and Vicki Edgerton lived across the street. I have mentioned Al Hines before.
He and I lived on 72nd St and palled around with Billy Gallimore sometimes.
Hey, Joe Wingo, I am surprised that you didn't mention Bobby Davis who lived
nearby on the other side of Marshall. Jeez, all those sweaty summer days when
you and Bobby and Donnie Reed and I lifted weights in that tiny room under the
stadium .... "badooch".
We have mentioned Ronnie Wood before; you recall that he lived in that
cul-de-sac just north of your house. He had a "killer" '57 Chevy back then.
(BTW, Joe, how come your photo did not appear with the Junior Class in my '64
Anchor?)
OK, that should be enough to keep it going. GREAT FUN, isn't it??
~*~*~*~*~*~
From Joe Wingo of NC - 02/20/03:
NOW WE'RE COOKING EVERYONE - LET'S KEEP DIGGING AND REMEMBERING AND ENJOYING - THANKS!
Frances, thanks
so much for your reply. I knew there were so many I was leaving out but being of
questionable mental capacity, that's understandable.
I lived close to most of the folks you mentioned and yes, it was the Manor
Market. Funny how, at the time, we longed to see the world and now those
simpler times seem very appealing. Great hearing from you, Frances, and
hope all remains good in your life. Take care of yourself.
All my best, Joe
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/20/03:
You
are correct, Joe, about wanting to spread our wings. Yet, I take great
comfort in the idea of coming Home, whether that is possible or not. To me
the river is the homing point for me. When I come back for a visitor
think about the past here at the computer it is almost like seeing the
weave of the fabric of our lives from a higher perspective, seeing where we have
been, what we've learned and hopefully the meaning our lives have and may
continue to have for society and ourselves. I enjoy the connectedness this
board allows me, although we are spread far and wide.
Remember my brother, Sonny Goodson and Bobby Kenny? They were at the Boy's
Club a Lot. Sonny learned to play chess there.
David Hatchett married Linda DeShazo. Are they on our reunion
mailing list or on this site?
From the midst of deep snow: stay warm and pray for Peace!
Frances
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From Kenny Branch ('62) of AR - 02/20/03:
Hey come on guys; we're not that much older than you! No one has mentioned my good friend, Harold Anderson, who lived on Highland Court -- both of us are from the class of '62. As for me I lived on Temple Lane, but only from the 9th grade through graduation (moved to Newport News in 1958).
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/20/03:
Harold Anderson ('62) still sends my father in NN Christmas cards.
He used to spend Christmas morning at our house every year with Keith and
Billy.
He called me when he found out I'd moved to
Fairfax but somehow we never
got together.
Great guys.
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From Ron Smith of NN, VA - 02/22/03:
Julius Minkoff was the owner of Manor Market. We just had services for his widow, Ethel Cohen Minkoff. Sue was initially wed to Fred but after that union ended she married Ted Dearnley. I spoke with Sue the other day. She recently returned from England where her daughter (who just had Sue's third grandchild) lives. I too played sandlot football under the power lines after the minister at the old Parkview Presbyterian Church told those of us who played in the lot beside the church that we couldn't play there anymore. This was after the Presbyterians moved to their new building on Roanoke Avenue and the former church became Baptist. I see David and Linda (Deshazo) Hatchett on a regular basis. David's mother still lives on Highland Court; the park is still there and the city has fixed it up so it's no worse and probably better than when we used it. Speaking of the park, does anyone from Briarfield remember the dances we used to have on the tennis courts on Thursday evenings in the summer?
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/23/03:
Does anyone from the Briarfield School crowd remember a girl named Margaret Gann? There was a girl named Gloria also who was a sweet girl and a friend of mine up until the 4th or 5th grade. Both she and Margaret may have moved away and I don't remember.
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From Betty Bass Belanger of Northern VA - 02/23/03:
Wanted to chime in as one of the Briarfield crowd & have a few more names to mention--Connie Todd, Wayne Frizelle, Sandra Stewart, Sherry Spain. The teachers I remember were Mrs. Woodward-7th grade, Mrs. Presley-6th, Mrs. Lerner-4th,Mrs. Birdsall-3rd . Can't remember the name of my 5th grade teacher, just remember her mustache! I agree Mrs. Roark was one intimidating lady! We lived on Ellen Rd & I remember the snowball truck, Diamonstein's Drugstore's fountain, the skating rink on Friday nites, Tank (aka Ron Smith) delivering newspapers. I haven't been back for ages and enjoyed hearing from other Briarfield graduates--let's hear some more names since I've got lots of first names, but just can't seem to jog the memory bank to come up with last names!
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/23/03:
Hello Betty,
I understand that Connie Todd has severe rheumatoid arthritis. That makes me very sad, as I once worked for a rheumatologist and learned what a devastating disease that can be.
I remember a boy named Franklin who followed Larry Moran around. Nancy Dodd lived near us on the street Parkview Church was on...Hilton? She was dark, beautiful and really into skating. She had beautiful costumes.
Anne Nuckles had a severe heart attack while teaching years ago and lives alone in Williamsburg now.
I had a teacher in 6th grade, Mrs. Lewis. Michael Cherry is another name that popped up. He was in that class with me.
Becky ------ with the natural curly hair lived across from the grocery store I think.
What was the name of the area where we could go to practice driving in a huge area with streets and parallel parking areas all marked out? Does that ring a bell with anyone?
We used to go to the pool over Hampton at night to swim with Keith Pennell ('63), Billy Roberts ('63) and Harold Anderson ('62). That was my favorite thing to do.
Where are you located now, Betty, and where is Paul?
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From Dave Arnold of VA - 02/24/03:
For some reason the name Franklin Strickland comes to mind. Does that sound right?
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/24/03:
Yes, that is it. Wonder where he is now?
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From Dave Arnold of VA - 02/24/03:
No idea. I don't remember seeing him after about 10th grade. Believe he dropped out.
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From Betty Bass Belanger of Northern VA - 02/24/03:
Hi Frances,
Thanks for sharing all your memories & have enjoyed reading them.
Sorry to hear about Connie T -- she was a cheerleader & great softball player! I do remember Franklin, but can't come up with a last name.
I live in Northern VA/DC area near Leesburg--as far out as possible for commuting. Fortunately I have a home office & that's the best commute
of all.
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From Kenny Branch ('62) of AR - 02/24/03:
Frances,
thanks for the reply. I have been away from my computer since Thursday evening
and am just getting around to reading my e-mail. I have not seen Harold for a
long, long time. I missed seeing him at our class reunion this past October. Do
you know if he is in the D.C. area? I remember going with him and his family to
visit relatives in the northern VA area while we were still in high school.
Thanks again for the info.
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/24/03:
Yes, Harold
and his wife are in the N.Va. area, Manassas if I remember correctly. If I
remember, as my brain is a sieve these days,
I will look at my daddy's Christmas card from Harold and get it to you.
This reminiscing has been fun.
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From Kenny Branch ('62) of AR - 02/24/03:
Thanks, I would appreciate
Harold's address or whatever info you have on him.
You're right, the reminiscing has been fun. I think it's really humorous that
you brought up Becky's name (girl with the naturally curly hair) and Tom Oxner's
reply that it was Becky Braswell who lived across from the Manor Market. Well
she is now Becky Branch and has been for almost 38 years and she still has
naturally curly hair, although it is not the same color. LOL! Yes, she is my
wife and we will celebrate our 38th wedding anniversary in Branson,
MO on April 3rd. Her parents still live in the same house on
Briarfield Road and that's where we stay when we go home to visit
relatives/friends. I called her a few minutes ago, and she said that you were in
her home room and sat at the same table with her. Maybe nothing comes as a
surprise any more.
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From Frances Goodson Wang of MD - 02/24/03:
I missed the reply from Tom. Tom's parents and my folks were very close friends. I always thought Becky was so pretty. Yes, Braswell comes to mind! Your wife? This gets better and better. Homeroom 207, now those were the days. My dad lived on Highland for years after Sonny and I moved out but later her and mother bought a house off of Rt. 17 just a mile past the light on Jefferson and he lives there now alone.
I am so happy to get this news
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From Tom Oxner of AR - 02 24/03:
Hello Frances:
Michael Cherry's mom drove the school bus that
many of us in the Briarfield area rode to school at Briarfield Elementary, and ,
I think, to NNHS also.
Becky Braswell had the naturally curly hair and lived across from the Manor
Market on Briarfield Road. In my list of folks from the Briarfield area, I
managed to omit Billy Mortimer. Thanks for all the memories.
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From Fred Eubank ('64) of Northern VA - 02/25/03:
My name is (Frederick) Craig Eubank (NNHS '64), and I grew up on Decater Street (originally Oak Lane) in Betsy Lee Gardens. I went to Briarfield ES from 1952 to 1960. My teachers at Briarfield (by grade) are listed below:
1-Gatling
2-Foley
3-Turkel
4-Edwards
5-Hammer
6-Woodward
7-Robinson
Of course they were all female.
Also, from Decatur St. and Briarfield Alumni:
Clarence (Clyde) Point--My age but may have
graduated with the NNHS class of '65.
Wesley Staude--Family moved to Hot Springs, NC, in
1962.
Judy Mawyer--NNHS '64 and married Don London, also
NNHS '64, but not a Briarfield grad.
Brenda Poole--NNHS '62. Last I heard Brenda lived
in West Palm Beach, FL.
Janice Poole--NNHS '65 or '66. Still living in NN, I
think.
Ken Taylor--NNHS '65. Went to VA Tech and became a
HS Teacher in Hampton. Had older brother,
Danny, from Briarfield who went to Warwick HS
before the City of NN
annexed Warwick
Co. in 1959
which sent us to
NNHS.
Nancy Soesbee--NNHS '65 I think--also brother Nathan, and older sister Carol ('62). Don't know how many of them went to Briarfield. Nancy and Nathan were younger than me.
Vicky Neal--Believe Vicky was NNHS '64. She had
older brother E.A. Neal.
Dianne Adams--NNHS '65. She had a younger brother,
?name.
Brenda Woolard--NNHS '65. Her family moved away in
early 60's.
Expanding out from Decatur, but staying in Betsy Lee, were Bill Barnard, Greg Hill and Sheila Smith.
Those are all the Briarfield alumni I knew, or can remember, from Betsy Lee Gardens. I knew a few from Briarfield Manor, now the site of Heritage HS. They included Jimmy Faircloth, Allen Jenkins, Danny Foster, Charles Anderson, John Strickland, Ricky Miller, Donnie Tyndall, Ann Marlowe, Ruby Moses, Betty Cooper, Allan Nesbitt, Wayne Frizzele, Ronnie Luther, among others I have yet to remember.
The list could go on to other neighborhoods, such as Sussex Hilton--the area where Sue Miller, Barry and David Hatchett, Billy Roberts, Keith Pennell, Tom Oxner, Bobby Lamb, and Neil Vickers lived, and along Briarfield Rd. going toward Chestnut Ave, including Joe Wingo, Ed Springfield, Jimmy Lamb, Charles Embler, Van Rowell, all of whom went to Briarfield. That's it for now.
Hope this jogs some memories.
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From Glenda Stewart Faires ('68) of GA - 02/19/04:
I went to Briarfield Elementary from the 3rd grade through the 7th. One of my friends in elementary school, and still today, was Vicki Batts. I believe that I mentioned to you before that her husband and mine both work for Westinghouse and have for the past 37 years.
I remember that my friends and I would go to the tennis courts/swing sets that were right in front of Van Rowell's house, just waiting for him to come out and maybe speak to us. He did sometimes (not when we were in elementary school, but later when we were in high school). In fact, I remember that there were a lot of girls, all ages, that thought he was "the stuff". I'm not too sure his mother appreciated all those teenage girls hanging out there though! Van was also in the choir at Parkview Baptist Church for a while when I was too. I knew who his sister (Thommy - '64) was but we weren't really friends, but her husband Charlie (Snead – ’64)was a friend of mine in high school. Charlie was always a very nice person and I'm sure he still is. I think the two of them were always "meant" for each other.
Preacher Kenney was the preacher at Parkview Baptist Church when I went there. He and his wife were wonderful people. My mother always thought he was the best preacher that Parkview ever had. I remember Bobby Kenney and Frances (Goodson Wang’s) brother Sonny ('66). The Sunday school teacher that I loved the most was Mrs. Watson - Sandra's mother. I was very sad to hear of her passing. There were a lot of people who loved her!
Betty Bass Belanger mentioned Sandra Stewart from Briarfield Elementary. She was my cousin. She lived on North Ellen Road across the street from Beverly Miller. Right before she started high school, they moved to another part of town and Sandra ended up going to Warwick High. She was in the bagpipe band there and loved it. She is a music teacher now and lives with her husband, Ken (who is a preacher) in Richmond.
Frances Goodson Wang mentioned Nancy Dodd, who lived on the same street as Parkview Baptist Church. She was also my cousin. I remember that she was always crazy about Tom Freeze (’63)! She has one daughter, who is just as pretty as she was, and lives in Maryland now.
Frances also mentioned Michael Cherry. I remember him too. He and Gene Dismuke used to work at the Boys Club where my little brother, Earl, spent more than half of his life when he was young. Mike and Gene were also very good friends with Danny (O’Brien) (of Danny and the Del Notes) and all of the band members. They would all go to the dances held at the Community Center that was behind the Boys Club. There were a lot of kids from NNHS that would go to the dances there.
Sue Miller (’64) lived next door to Susan Price (class of '68) and across the street from Terry Seay. Sue gave me the first permanent that I ever had! She was a little older and seemed very wise to Susan and me. We would always look out of Susan's window and try to see who her dates were.
I lived on Andrews Place, right down the street from Billy Turner. His mother and father were always wonderful friends to my mother. I don't know if you remember when Billy got his Volkswagon car - but I got one at the same time. Both of the cars came from my Uncle's car lot in Rutherford, NC. I know I loved mine and had some great times with my friends in it. One time Brenda Phillips, Arlene Ellis and I were going to a football game and it was really snowing! My windshield wipers stopped working and Arlene had to stick her head out of the window and work them manually!!! Some of the things we did, not bad, just stupid teenage things - it’s a wonder we all lived through it.