Monroe Grade School Year Book Part One: 1969

When the moon is in the Seventh House

And Jupiter aligns with Mars

Then peace will guide the planets

And love will steer the stars

This is the dawning of the Age of Aquarius

The Age of Aquarius

So much happened in the year of 1969. A man walked on the moon, The Met's won the World Series, The Beatles recored their last album and I began guitar lessons. I turned ten in June of that magical year and I was obsessed with sports, especially baseball. My brothers and I still had baby sitters to watch us on the weekends but I was now in the fifth grade, which meant the hall with the sixth and seventh graders!!! I finally convinced my Mother that I could stay up now past 8:30 since I was in the older kids hall.

This was the summer that I began splitting my time between my baseball buddies and my next door neighbor Darin. He had started taking drum lessons and I was learning guitar. He was mastering his instrument through hours of practice. Me, I didn't like practicing much. It took a few years for me to become obsessed with the guitar. But during that Summer, Darin would play 45 rpm records in his basement and we would try and play along with them. Honky Tonk Women, Come Together, Sitting On The Dock Of The Bay, Lonely Days and many more. It was fun Summer. I also kissed my first girl that Summer.

Awhile back, I was going though some boxes of things I've saved over the years and I came across a couple Grade School Year books. I thought I'd share the messages that were written to me that May of 1969. I’ve included the actual autographs.

*To a kid who has a lot of money and gives neat cards - Diane

I'm not sure which Diane that was. Could have Been Diane Bocamper or Diane Ingrahm

I certainly never had a lot of money .

*To a kid who is good in every sport and something else ( sex ) - Tim Segal.

I did play a lot of sports back then. Basketball, Baseball and was captain of our indoor hockey team, The Golden Peacocks The sex part was just a guy joke!!! Tim passed away a few years go.

*To a good singer - Leann

Leann Bessert.

Nice girl.

*To a swell buddy - Joe Duez

A lot of the kids were kind of mean to Joe but I was nice to him. I can't barley remember him now.

*To Willie Mays Jr. I like you. - Jeff Otten.

It's true I was a big baseball fan in 1969 and Willie Mays was one of my favorite players. He was just starting to slow down a bit in his career. Jeff still looks the same, he never changes. Ii still see him on occasion for lunch and a chat. Great Friend.

*Brett Trunk - Brett Trunk

Neighbor friend who lived behind us back then. We hung out time to time.

*Daniel Russell Brown - Danny Brown

One of my oldest friends since first grade. Dan's been living in Texas but is thinking about moving back to Peoria sometime. I still stay in contact with him.

*To Muhammed Ali, Willie, Decon, Ali Peacock - Kevin Schell ( Dick Butkus)

As you can see, I was a big sports fan. I loved Muhammed Ali so much that I tried out for the basketball team later on so I could wear satin shorts like boxers wore. I even had my parents save their tassels from their Royal Crown bourbon so I could tape them to my tube sox like Ali did in his fights! I also liked Decon Jones from the LA Rams and of course, Willie Mays.

Kevin passed away several years go.

*Dan Light - Danny Light.

Danny and I became lifelong friends and ended up playing guitar together and later played in several bands together. I still see Danny. Great Friend.

*To a Good Card Fan - Bobby W.

Bob Wilhelm I believe. We were just school friends but a nice kid.

*To a kid who has everything ( nothing ) Simon The Greety

David Berry I think. David and I were partying buddies later on in high school and was a very nice guy. A good friend at the time.

*To Sey Hey Kid Muhammed Ali Also

Rudy Finkral.

Rudy" the Rink A Dink Fink" as I called him back then. I lost touch with Rudy after school but I think he went on to work for Peoria Disposal. I remember him selling these key rings in school that had "mod" saying on them. I seem to remember he “borrowed" them from the Peoria Airport gift shop.

*Glen G - Glen Gardener

Glen lived down the street from us and our paths crossed throughout the years. We used to sled ride in his back yard. In 1971, my brother built ramps like the ones Evil Knievel used. All the kids in the neighborhood jumped their bikes over that ramp. Some were unsuccessful. Glen was one of the unsuccessful ones. The frozen look of pain on his face is etched in my brain. Poor Glen.

*To a great shortstop - Kyle Y.

Kyle Young

Kyle was one of the Harp Hallow regulars and a very close friends for many years. A good party buddy. Once again, my love of baseball is mentioned. Kyle was never the same after meeting Nancy Nipples!!!

*Theres also a bunion pad stuck on the page!

*Steve Cannon - Steve Cannon.

Steve lived around the corner from us and was my inspiration to join cub scouts and later, Boy Scouts. A talented artist and one of his drawings still hangs in my studio.

*Mike S - I'm not sure

*To a cool kid Bobby.

I'm not sure who Bobby was unless it was Robert Fromberg.

*To a cardinal fan - Nancy - I can't be sure.

*Jeff Love.

I'm sure this was my close friend, Jeff Furniss. Jeff was one of the first people I met after we moved in to Mardell Manor. We had some great times together and actually worked together at Shady Oaks. Jeff passed away sometime ago. I miss him.

*Mitch B - Mitch Bloomfield.

Mitch was was my friend Darin's brother. They lived next door and we played a lot of football and baseball together. Funny enough, Mitch was a jock but he turned his brother and I on to a lot of cool music including David Bowie, Rush, Kiss and The New York Dolls.

*To my boyfriend - Shawna.

Now this was my first "girlfriend" Shawna Lambert.

Shawna was a friend of Cathy Davis and was a year older than me. She was soooo hot as I remember, and she terrified me!!! I was always so nervous around her but we talked on the phone for hours and she talked me into skating with her at Fernwood roller rink. Her foxiness also got me in trouble when my Mom gave me five dollars to spend at a thrift store in Bartonville. My friend and I used to walk down Smithville hill to the thrift shop and buy candy and baseball cards. I had been told that Shawna was coming up on her birthday soon so I used my Mom's money and bought her a birthstone ring!!!! My Mother was furious when she asked for her change and I had nothing to give her except a ring for my telephone Girlfriend!!!

Shawna dumped me soon after she signed this yearbook.

*Lance D Good luck with S.L.

My old friend Lance Dieckow wrote this. I guess I could have used a little more luck!!! I still see Lance on occasion. An old and dear friend. Known him since first grade.

*Kim Hurley - Kim Hurley.

A school friend who I saw a few years go at a class reunion

*David Berry - David Berry

*John Cool Kid Darren - John Gwendon.

John was always one of those guys who had a plan. He always seemed like he had a bit of the mafia in him. Years later, I ran into him at a buddies house and he had been shot in the leg the day before and was not getting medical attention. I didn't ask why.

*Joann Z - Joanne Zimmerman.

Joanne wzs one of the Zimmermzn twins nd lived down the street from us. She has one of the four drawings from Steve Cannon I believe.

*John Mc - John Mccelfesh (sp?)

I played baseball with John over the years. He was a year older.

*Tom M - Not Sure

*Lisa W - I think that was Lisa Winger

*To one of my favorite kids I babysit for - Martha Jo Guthrie also Dennis Guthrie.

I remember Martha but her brother, Dennis was my favorite. he was a bass player in a band and I liked to hear his music stories as I was beginning to learn how to play the guitar. He also let me stay up late and watch Playboy After Dark and World Of The Weird which instilled my love for B movies. Yes, we still had baby sitters then.

*Jamey - Jamey Parrott.

Another great guy that I spent a lot of time with over the next couple of years. There would be a Parrott, a Segal and a Peacock in the same class at times. Or it may have been my brothers signature.

*To Darin Jack S - No Clue

*Theresa - This may had Been Teresa Kelly.

Theresa and I went steady for a while.

*Kent George - Kent George.

A good friend and scout buddy. We used to spend the night at his place a few times. Kent ended up playing trumpet with my Band, Maiden Cane in later years.

*Diane - Can't be sure.

*To Darren, A nice kid I babysit for - Sharon Hensley.

Our neighbor, Chris's older sister. I picked up my first guitar in their basement one day around 1967-68.

To a great boy - Bobby Blase

Bobby was a big kid and as nice as could be. He'd get picked on by some of the kids but I always liked him. He was a Scout as well.

Scroll down to read more actual autographs.

*I see Lou Brock and Babe Ruth signed my yeaerbook as well. It looks like my handwriting.