stories

The first reunion party of any kind at the Biograph happened on the occasion of the theater's third anniversary. We showed a few films, drank some beer, and so forth. Here are a some shots from that afternoon's get-together in the theater on Feb. 11, 1975.

softball

With the 27th annual Biograph softball reunion a week away (May 6th), from Ernie Brooks here are four softball-related group pictures:
The shot above was taken in my living room at 2321 Floyd Ave. after a postseason keg game with WGOE's team, the Gonads, in 1978. Yes, of course that's a jock strap on the head of the guy to the left of Jack. Can you tell who that is? Hint: He's a Lakers fan, at least he is when he needs to be.
The horse race fans above were in the then-new Track Restaurant on Cary St., watching the 1980 Kentucky Derby following the first Biograph reunion softball game, which was played at Thomas Jefferson H.S. A print of this same shot hung on the wall behind the bar in the Track for years afterward.
The black and white photo above is from the 1989 Derby Day party at Chandler Ballfield. Has anybody gotten in touch with Angie (in the middle) about this year's party?

All four of the men pictured above at this mid-90s Derby Day reunion at Pine Camp were assistant managers at the theater during Terry Rea's stint as manager, 1972-83. Left-to-right they are: Bernie Hall, who was one of the two original ushers, was assistant manager from 1973-76; Trent Nicholas, who had also been an usher, followed Bernie from 1976-78; Chuck Wrenn was the first assistant manager from 1972-73 and served as a pinch-hitter a few times afterwards; Mike Jones followed Trent from 1978-83. Mike then served as manager from 1983-87.

still crazy after all...

Looking good: In beautiful early-spring weather comely Judy Faircloth Cook and dashing Larry Rohr, as they were, under their stylish hats, at Moument Avenue's 2006 Easter Parade.

Hopping onto the Wayback Machine, below is yet another shot of Larry, looking almost as happy and a little less gray. Also in the picture are Billy Snead, Whitey Berndt and a four-year-old Leo Rohr. By his expression, I'm not sure if Leo was happy to be there, or looking for the first possible ride home. It was shot at the Fan District Softball League's 1985 All-Star Game/Picnic.

Photos: SLANT

softball

It's 22 days until the next Biograph softball reunion on May 6th. The photographs in this post offer five reasons for attending this year's party:

1. For the record.

The photo to the left, shot by Jack Colan in 1989 at Chandler shows Larry Rohr keeping track of matters. Yes, Larry is still keeping track of who shows up and who doesn't.

2. For the laughs.

The second shot, also by Jack in the same year, shows the unique pitching form of Dusty Thorn. Dusty may have gotten a bit grayer since then -- who hasn't? -- but he still has that chock-full-of-finesse pitching delivery and it's always good for a laugh to see him on the mound. Perhaps only Hank Brown, Thorn's longtime apprentice, has a daintier pitching form. Some of the guys look pretty weird running, too.

3. For the camaraderie.

The group picture below, by Dutch Perlstein in 1999 at Pine Camp, depicts the sort of classic Fan District Softball League camaraderie that can easily be found at every reunion gathering. From left to right they are: Chuck, Ernie, Saz, Martha, Terry, Stu and Jack. You'll think you're still at Chandler Ballfield, but probably glad you're not.
4. For the weather, as shown in the scene below, which was shot by Kim Pickle (now Tucker), in 1980 at a season-ending keg party for the Naturals. The gathering was at (and in the courtyard behind) the Franklin Street carriage house I inherited from Chuck Wrenn, in which I lived in that one summer.
5. For the good luck it brings when you get in the group photo, as the 1984 shot at Clark Springs below. The luck lasts for pieces of the year that follows (the photographer is unknown).