Claude Buzz Burnham:  

I have enjoyed 66 years of living and look forward to as many more as come. I have made many friends and a few enemies. To my friends "Thanks" to my ememies "I wish things were different I hope they change". Growing up in Brentwood (birth to 12 years)1950 to 1962 was a fantastic time. Neighbors who were concerned for the well being of not only their own family but others. Children and young adults worried that they may disappoint,by their actions, not only their parents but the lady three blocks over whose husband had not returned from Korea. Walking to Tony's Grocery (corner of Linwood and Pearl)and signnig for your purchases. Halloween bags to full to carry, EB's restaurant on Main Street with car hops on skates and Eb Sistrunk with his cigar stub talking and laughing with his customers(friends)making sure that they knew he appreciated them. Moores Seafood on Pearl Street, Ms. Lowes at Woodbine and Springfield Blvd. with 5 cent ice cups, punch cards and a pinball machine known to pay off in cash. The Freezette, Brentwood Theatre, the sand dunes(no longer) across from where Gateway shopping center is. Red lacquer paint jobs on 1940 Fords with chrome initials on the dash. Unbelieveable teachers at Brentwood Elementary Ms. Jacobs, Ms. Johnson, Ms. Girley, Ms. Parks (sadly passed in my 4th. grade year)but was replaced by Stan Jordon, Jordon again for 5th.,Paul Agner for 6th. and Tuffy Thompson, Dewey Britt and Ms. McQueen for 7th. Now that was an All Star line up. I left Brentwood in June of 1963, most of my friends went to Kirby and then Jackson I went to the "NORTHSIDE" and Ribault. 1963-1968 left only happy memories (maybe a busted heart or two)for me. Surfing dominated most of the years and set a love of the ocean. Early mornings at the North Jetty area, Access 5, Flagler Pier, Patrick Air Force base, Coco, Melbourne, Shark Pit and other spots with good friends. Dances always on Wednesday nights at Southside Womans Club, Friday nights at Riverside Womans Club and Beaches Coliseum on Saturday night. Bands like The Soul Covered Brass, Mouse the Boys and Brass, The Tropics, Procter Amusement Company, Illusions and many more. I had a 57 Chevy stationwagon we would put 6 or 7 friends in it and head to a dance. I got to see the Beatles in 1964 at the Gator Bowl and later on Roy Orbinson, The Beach Boys, The Rolling Stones, Bob Dylan, The Turtles and finally the Jimi Hendrix Experience (opened for the Monkies) at the Coliseum, I loved the years at Ribault Senior High all the good times even the few bad times like losing accreditation, a few deaths and taking a stand that was good for character building but bad at the time for me. I liked 1st. year Latin class although I had no freaking idea what I was doing or why I was there. I cherish the lonesome,isolated,anxious,quesy,glorious feeling of standing on the dar...Expand for more