James Clayton:
CLASS OF 1976
Bensalem High SchoolClass of 1976
Bensalem, PA
James's Story
I attended Bensalem 74-76. I was a resident of St Francis Home for boys (the HUT). I was a big pothead in HS and was always looking to party. Had no real ambitions back then. I remember cutting classes to smoke weed.From the second we stepped off the Bus in the morning til the dismissal bell rang it seemed like a never ending party. I was in OCC,where the majority of the "Heads" were. I hung out down by the Stone, which was in the woods near the creek behind the school. I remember some of the Teachers; Mr Orbann Social Studies was my favorite. I also remember Mr Brennan, Woodshop he would always check our eyes and try to smell our breath for signs that we were smoking. I remember Mr Long, Mr Garawski, Mr Heslin, Mr Ody, Mr Coltreyhan, and Mr Petreziak. I wound up being removed from BSH by St Francis because of my behavior.I was always high and I wound up gettin caught with two joints.I was then placed at De La Salle Vocational which was on the Grounds of St Francis. I was devastated as I really loved BSH.Bensalem Twp, and the suburban atmosphere of a seemingly normal community,Bensalem was a far cry from the nasty violence of my former home in Phila.I prefer the suburbs over the city any day! Originally from Philly, Hunting Park Section(It is now an Urban Ghetto) Was Trying to fit in.I wanted to feel accepted, get girls, party and just have friends. However I was very insecure.Used to get beat up and picked on constantly. Did Many Substances back then.Went to Keg Parties and Concerts at the Spectrum. Have a lot of fond memories of "Dance Concerts"(We did everything except Dance). I remember when Led Zeppelin Played the Spectrum, It Was Feb, 8 1975. I did not have money for a ticket, tickets sold out in 20 minutes. I was devastated because I couldn't go, I remember seeing Bad Company in 75, right up front on the barricade directly in front of the stage left center. Paul Rodgers was a mere 10 ft away. I remember seeing Aerosmith in 75 & 77, Lynyrd Skynyrd and The Outlaws in 76, Humble Pie in 75,Queen and Thin Lizzy at the Civic Center in 77,Blackmores Rainbow w Ronnie James Dio Tower Theater 76 Foghat, Kansas, Styx, Fleetwood Mac, Alice Cooper, Blue Oyster Cult ,Boston, Foreiner, Van Halen, Sabbath, Kiss, Rush, ZZ Top, Yes and Peter Frampton at JFK 76 PeterframptomLynyrdSkynyrdJgeils band JFK 77, ELO 76 and many others. * I saw Stevie Ray Vaughan 4 times in the 80's and saw Metallica 7 times. Moved back to philly in 1976 w father. Joined US Navy Aug 1977. Tried to get stationed in California. Wound up going AWOL (IT'S A LONG STORY) Hung out in Andalusia and NE Philly Potters Field in Parkwood. (Morrell, Millbrook, Parkwood) then Hung out at Doral Gardens, Finally wound up in the Nottingham section of Bensalem.I followed "The Party" where ever it went, Kept on getting Stoned, Kegs, Concerts, And general bumming around. Met a Lot of Good and Interesting people from 1974 to 1986. Used to hang around with Joe Ruiz. I remember a lot of People; Rodger Cieri, Tommy Cieri, Tony Gigliotti, Jimmy Egan, Sammy Watson, Dave Husted, Bobby Holt, Kimberly McGlashen (I had a wicked crush on her) Mark Selkow, Charlie McMenamin, Joe Jenigen, Al Harris, Gar...Expand for more
y Pinciotti, Bonnie Garthly, Cheryl Weiss, Bruce Childs, George Wissman, Guy Saloman, Mike DiEgidio, Phyllis and Lois, Danny Colacicco, Kathy Sicilia, Terry Stahl, Joanne Stojak, Kelly Hopkins, Gina Zimmerman, Anne Zimmerman, John Zimmerman, Spanky Lafferty, Don Medvic, Rich Lipp, Eddie Cahill, Fudd Barth, John Gryzbowski, Ralph Chairmonte, John Chairmonte, Jim Sweeney, Terri McGinley, Pete McGinley, Denise Cristella, Marie Carsillo, Bobby Parker, Freddy Lloyd, Vince Formosa, Danny Wilson,Kevin Bongard, John Rosado, John O'Neil,Billy Smith, Buddy Smith, Lisa Grist, and many many others. From 1986 til 1998 I was in Philly Homeless, In and out of jail, or rehab, always on some type of probation or parole.in either Bucks County or Philly, Wound up down Wildwood for a couple of summers in 82' 84' & 88. and always was in trouble. I made a lot of bad choices stemming from a nasty addiction to Drugs and ALCOHOL! (Alcohol is in caps for a reason) Wound up doing a couple of years in various institutions on the installment plan in various spurts of time. In 1998 I was homeless and was out of jail for 3 months and had resumed using again,I was drinking heavily Vodka and Wine and malt liquor, Using Cocaine and Heroin, And was very unhealthy. I wound up in an Alcoholics Anonymous Clubhouse At Torresdale and Blakiston called Life or Death in the Holmesburg section. I was in extreme alcohol withdrawl and I felt like I was Dying. After 2 days I went to Torresdale Frankford Hospital and was admitted for observation. After they ran some tests and took some blood, The Senior Medical staff informed me that I was very close to going into shock as my system was Nutritionally deficient, meaning that my body was totally devoid af all nutrients, viamins and enzymes that a Human body needs in order to function, I was told that it would have been a matter of hours before my system would collapse.I then spent the day in the hospital getting IV Vitamins and antibiotics to save me from death. This day, January 5, 1998 was to be the beginning of my journey out of hell. I now have 11 years of Sobriety in AA. I Got, clean, got my GED,Took care of my legal issues, Was diagnosed with several disabilities and was approved for SSI, Enrolled in Community College of Philadelphia and took up Computers and Addictions Counseling. Moved into my own apartment in 2003 after spending 5 1/2 years in a recovery program working on myself. Today I have a feeling of self worth that is Beyond my Wildest Dream.I no longer need the approval of others to validate myself as a person. I just recently discovered this website. I plan on becoming a Gold Member very soon. I am looking forward to reconnecting with some old acquaintences. People who have their lives together and some of who may also have survived addiction. I am 49 years old, live in NE Philly 19152 zip code. Am an active member of AA And the Recovery Community. I still think about some of the women who I liked but never got to Date and I am still single. looking forward to Making New friends as well as old ones.Still remember the Old Days and accept it all good and bad as the sum of my lifes experience Peace and Love Jim Clayton
Register for Free to view all details!
Reunions
Photos