In
the words of the Great Ghoulardi, "What a group!" The Vians were a
social club of beautiful young ladies who hung around Mrs. Smith's house. If
you haven't figured it out by now, Smith's was a hangout for most everyone in
the neighborhood. She let us take over her basement. We had the walls painted
pink with pictures of dancers and record players and soda pops. Couches to sit
on. Plenty of floor room to dance, if so inclined. If anyone danced, it was
a couple of Vians. I have no idea what Vians means. I always figured it stood
for Vampirish-Insidious-Aggessive-Neighborhood-Sluts. But of course, that was
far from true. Just kidding now girls. You know you were nothing like that.
More likely it stood for Vivacious-Intelligent-Attractive-Nefarious-Sweethearts.
A person could not grow up threw his teenage years and meet a better group of
young ladies. And ladies they were. Make no bones about that. They were all
sweet little Catholic girls with all the morals attached. Fun, yes. Out of bounds,
no way, Jose. I guess that is why I love them so much today. In truth, they
were the only women I really had close contact with throughout my teenage years.
Remember, this was Mr. Bashful. Don't know if they knew it or not, but I did.
I never dated any of them but had many, many close personal talks with each
of them. Let me see how many names I can remember. Of course, the personality
leader was Micki Eagan. And it is so nice to see that she hasn't changed in
all these years. What a true sweetheart of a lady. Then the two I had a crush
on but never divulged, Fran Ralph and Pat Parsells. I suppose one could say
they were the sexpots of the group. I say that with all respect. Cookie Campbell,
a very pretty girl with a very bad ass boyfriend. We always stayed arms length
from Cookie. But she was a sweet lady too. Connie Tico, the quiet, demure one.
Very pretty also. Her running mate I believe was Joan Pickering. Pick always
had a smile on her face too. Mary Chervenak was the youngest. Never really said
much but was probably the most intelligent of them all. Carol Guide. The only
one who scared me. Just kidding. But Carol was a big girl and sometimes agressive.
She later went in and out of the nunery. Big girl with a heart of gold though.
Bea Neenham. Bill Brown's true love and a redhead extraordinaire, complete with
a face full of beautiful freckles. Bea was everybody's buddy. One of a kind
lady. Oh how we used to make fun of Bill on how he would act whenever he saw
her. Linda Jelenik. I am sure I blew the spelling. But what a beautiful girl.
One of those ladies who was so beautiful, guys were afraid to ask for a date.
Yes. That beautiful. I am remembering now, she was too pretty to even get a
crush on. I am sure there were more members in the group but these are the only
ones I can remember. Which I guess means these are the one who had the most
impact on me. I was never shy around these girls. Except when it came to asking
them for a date. As they say in Japan, "Nevuh Hoppen." But all the
conversations, the dancing, the joking, the playing around, (read wrestling),
the parties or just getting together over at Micki's house to watch Elvis the
first time on tv. So many memories. What is sad but still nice is most all of
the guys from that time have passed. I would say at least half of them. But
all the girls, to my knowledge, are still around. You go ladies. See. It paid
to be good little girls back then...lol. Actually too many memories to put in
this page but ladies, I can not thank you enough for all the wonderful memories
I have of you all. Whenever I am reminiscing of days gone by and one of you
comes into my thoughts, it matters not who it is, I instantly get a big smile
on my face. I think the background music says it all. I love you ladies so much.
But not you Cookie...OK Mike? lol. Continued happiness to you all. And like
I say so often, "Thanks for the memories." (Yes, Bob Hope has always
been my hero.)