1950s and 1960s

The story begins here...

Highlights

Born "Donnie" Iannone (Donald Terry Iannone) in 1951 in Martins Ferry, Ohio.
Earliest memory: Playing on the floor in the family room and looking at pictures in Look and Life magazines. (~3 years old).
Consistent theme throughout childhood: Being fascinated with "old stuff."
Grade school: Elm Elementary School. (Grades K-7).
Junior High School: Central School (Grade 8).
Very good student in grade school with wide-ranging interests.
"Sensitive" child and "mature" for my age.
Best thing about Mom: She loved me no matter what.
Best thing about Dad: He helped me keep my feet on the ground.
Active church life and spiritual awareness.
Downside of "being spiritual: Being afraid of ghosts.
Biggest regret from childhood: Being too serious and not having enough fun.
Worst childhood fear: Christ's Second Coming occurred and I would be left behind.
Most embarassing grade school experience: My parents not allowing me to go to the Ben Hur movie with my classmates because movies were "against my religion."
Biggest mistake not listening to my Mom & Dad: Not learning music and how to play an instrument.
Biggest waste of time growing up: Watching too much TV.
Side benefit of watching TV: Overcame my sheltered life as a youngster.
Favorite food growing up: Turkey dinner at Thanksgiving.
Frequent contact with my extended family, especially my maternal (Grandma Secrist) and faternal (Grandma Iannone) grandmothers.
Five closest friends in Martins Ferry: Dan Shimp, Robert "Mike" Campbell, Richard Hord, John Barkey, and "Mike (Last name?).
First "girl crush": Sharon Welschan (next door neighbor.)
Loved playing baseball, collecting baseball cards, arrowhead-hunting, and exploring the woods and Nature.
Developed an interest in drawing and writing stories at an early age.
Thing that surprised most people about me: I could be outrageous and loved to cut-up and have fun.
Heros: Well-known baseball players, astronauts, several of my school teachers, well-known comedians of the 1950s and early 1960s, great explorers and discoverers.
Who's from the Ohio Valley?
Christmas: favorite holiday and time of year.
Siblings born (Diana, 1955; Doug, 1964).
Diana had the tenderest heart of anyone I had ever met in my life. She exhibited unconditional love even when I treated her like a jerk.
Doug came along late in my childhood. I was 13 years older than him. I enjoyed holding him when he was a baby. I regretted that we did not have more time together growing up.
Frustrated by the anger, fear, ignorance, and insensitivity of people in Martins Ferry. Folks seemed to have a "chip on their shoulder."
Lived in Martins Ferry Ohio through 8th grade (1965).
Moved to St. Clairsville at the start of high school. This move was very positive for my self-image because it was a "better place" to live. I was very happy we moved because it was a chance for me to startover.
Played football and basketball in high school.
Best friends in high school: Tom Baxa, Dorsey Kindler, Sam Henderson, Buddy Matko, Tony Jaworski.
Very good student in high school with strong interests in Biology, English, and Philosophy.
Network of friends grew markedly in St. Clairsville. I became more popular and more involved in my school life (Philosophy Club, Drama Club, National Honor Society, other activities.)
Most memorable girlfriends in high school: Becky Munas, Cathy Schnell, Barbara Waters, and Becky Cjecha.
Started dating in my Sophomore year in high school. Had three three significant relationships in high school.
Most important thing to me in high school: Being liked by my peers, being smart, and being seen as a leader.
Worst teenage fear: My friends would not like me because I was "religious."
Grandma Secrist came to live with us when I was a Sophomore in high school. This was a wonderful experience for me. I loved her dearly. She died two years later in our home.
Worked at K's Foodland Market in St. Clairsville on a part-time basis during most of high school. (A side benefit of the job was meeting girls and getting in good with their moms.)
Biggest strength throughout grade school and high school years: Having a very active imagination and being able to come up with creative ideas.
Clueless high school experience: Wanting to go to college but not having the foggiest idea what college was "all about."
Applied to and was accepted by several colleges and universities. Decided to go to Kankakee Nazarene College in Kankakee, Illinois because I was offered a part academic and part athletic scholarship. My plan was to become a minister.
After high school graduation in 1969, I went to Tucson, Arizona to work and earn money for college. After two months, I decided to stay. I changed my college plans from the "Bible-thumping" Nazarene College to the "hell-raising" University of Arizona.