Answers to periodic questions posed on the home page:
First Question: Who was your favorite teacher and why?
There are so many that come to mind right away: Mary Margaret Schmidt, Mlle Struble, Ferdinand Reichmann, and Marshall Schools. Ms. Schmidt was a wonderful teacher of pottery, which I realized much later had a lasting influence on me. She traveled every summer to learn more about her art, one of which was to study pottery at the University of Minnesota under Warren McKenzie whose philosophy and understanding of pottery is the same school that I embrace in my pottery making today. Ms. Schmidt's teaching must have left a subconscious impression on me because it all came out in my career in pottery making and teaching. Mr Reichmann was such an interesting teacher. I still remember his wedding gift to me to this day. Ms Struble was so unique and totally committed to her profession with her own methods - she always had an alphabetical seating arrangement - I usually sat between David Adamson and Dick Brammer, which led to a lot of kidding around. Ms Schools was a dedicated teacher with good people skills. She once told me that my father was such a funny man, which surprised me and led to my looking at him in a completely different way.
Barbara Bailey
Barbara Bailey
As for memories, It was so long ago...I remember Dr. Bebb always combing his hair to try to cover a bald spot. We had a great time making a record with our glee club and doing concerts all over town. I recall teaching the guys in our class how to dance - 4th grade? Working the concession stand one summer at the swimming pool to raise money for our trip to Washington DC. Dr. Immerzeal encouraging my math skills - got a BA in math due to his encouragement - maybe? Never did teach it. Coach Stokstad encouraging my tennis - which I still play. Our Super-senior women's tennis team went to Nationals this year - great fun in AZ.
Such a wonderful time we had in high school!
Sigrid (Erickson) Jones
Such a wonderful time we had in high school!
Sigrid (Erickson) Jones
I have fond momories of several teachers from my high school experience. Obviously my father, Coach Aldrich, Les Hale and Ken Butzier come to mind. My favorite teacher was Ms Struble and she was very special to me. Ms Struble sponsored my AFS nomination to go to Denmark after my junior year as a foreign exchange student plus her emphasis through my two years of Latin and two years of French gave me an apprieciation of those languages but more so of history and travel. Even today from her influence I still have a desire to travel, especially to Europe. A lot of my reading has been about the past. Especially of early Roman and Greek history. Robyn and I have traveled to France, Greece and Italy and got to see many of the places she shared her love and knowledge of with us. I often found myself thinking she would be proud of us traveling there. She was much more than a teacher of language to me and that is why she is my favorite.
Arden Stokstad
When I consider my favorite teacher there are 3 who come to mind...Dr Vander Beek, Miss Harper and Miss Stone and all for very different reasons. I guess I will go with Miss Stone and probably because she introduced me to the world of "business machines." Machines that now are antiques such as the manual typewriter and for duplicate copies using carbon paper, mimeograph machines, the "foreign language" of shorthand and the basics of bookkeeping. Technology has outdated most of them but the background was invaluable. I now think how easy it is to type this and simply delete rather than learning to erase and then to try and get a newly typed letter aligned in the same spot etc. But along with the computer and spell check come many frustrations when things don't work properly and it takes me forever at times to try and figure out how to do what is probably an easy task for my grandchildren. At any rate all the repetition and learning that we had in those classes set the stage for all the advancements we have today and I even occasionally find myself using a shorthand symbol when writing a note to myself so a few did stick. But that background has served me well in my personal life as well as in the jobs I have held over the years.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
There were many teachers at SCHS who deserve honors for putting up with me. They and their subjects had long-lasting value, but one stands out in that category -- typing. I use it every day. Although Mr Prsychodzin (sp?) was not present a great deal, and his sports analogies were unbridled, the class was fun and practical. Jackie's astounding speeds set the unobtainable bar for most of us guys and gave us a glimpse of what was possible. However, my favorite teacher for sheer preparedness, focus, timely corrected papers, and most enjoyable subject, was Mlle Struble in French.
Karl Knutson (Pierre)
Arden Stokstad
When I consider my favorite teacher there are 3 who come to mind...Dr Vander Beek, Miss Harper and Miss Stone and all for very different reasons. I guess I will go with Miss Stone and probably because she introduced me to the world of "business machines." Machines that now are antiques such as the manual typewriter and for duplicate copies using carbon paper, mimeograph machines, the "foreign language" of shorthand and the basics of bookkeeping. Technology has outdated most of them but the background was invaluable. I now think how easy it is to type this and simply delete rather than learning to erase and then to try and get a newly typed letter aligned in the same spot etc. But along with the computer and spell check come many frustrations when things don't work properly and it takes me forever at times to try and figure out how to do what is probably an easy task for my grandchildren. At any rate all the repetition and learning that we had in those classes set the stage for all the advancements we have today and I even occasionally find myself using a shorthand symbol when writing a note to myself so a few did stick. But that background has served me well in my personal life as well as in the jobs I have held over the years.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
There were many teachers at SCHS who deserve honors for putting up with me. They and their subjects had long-lasting value, but one stands out in that category -- typing. I use it every day. Although Mr Prsychodzin (sp?) was not present a great deal, and his sports analogies were unbridled, the class was fun and practical. Jackie's astounding speeds set the unobtainable bar for most of us guys and gave us a glimpse of what was possible. However, my favorite teacher for sheer preparedness, focus, timely corrected papers, and most enjoyable subject, was Mlle Struble in French.
Karl Knutson (Pierre)
Mlle Struble had clear and challenging assignments. Ils ont finis apres un jour pour retourner.
Mon professeur prefere estais Miss Struble. She was dedicated to not only teaching us language, but she passionately shared with us her world. The way she lavished us with her travel experiences, post cards, stories, special chocolates, and daily artfully printed blackboard gave me a desire to explore, travel, see the world, visit art galleries and perhaps, in a way, she inspired me to become a teacher.
Becky (Penly) Herrington
Becky (Penly) Herrington
Ken Butzier. Even though he was only there our last two years, he reaffirmed my need to do theater. Here I am 50 years later still doing it. For some reason, I also remember Miss Mantor - 3rd grade - still up on campus. I really loved that old building with all the different floors and all the different ages. She gave us a secure base from which we could explore physically and mentally. Finally, the Schneiders and their amazing music program. When I tell colleagues about starting with a class orchestra in kindergarten and continuing through 12th grade, they are amazed. I took and aced a music theory class in grad school in 1977 that didn't have anything that I hadn't already heard from Melvin and Naomi Schneider.
David Adamson
David Adamson
I was able to take subjects, all of which were entirely new to me. How fortuitous was the typing course. It has been a blessing in my professional life. I do not remember the names of the various teachers. The ones who probably made the most impression were the history teacher and the maths (the English in me) teacher who taught me statistics.
Tony Hooper
Tony Hooper
Who was my favorite teacher? That is a hard question to answer because there were many. I started at Teachers College High School as a new 7th grade student so Miss Anderson comes into my mind first. As a new student to the school she took me under her wing and made sure I felt comfortable being at an all new school with all new faces. I remember Mr Swatts our math teacher in 8th grade who always gave us a weekend math assignment to "get dirty, grow an inch and gain a pound," but that was after he had given us a full week's worth of math assignments. I remember Dr. Happ our physical education teacher who always had time to help a student better himself no matter what his athletic talents were. I think he was the first teacher to pull his class aside and talk to us about our "coming of age" and the "birds and the bees and the flowers and the trees." I remember Dr Potter and his science and lab classes. He always had interesting lectures and presentations where the whole class seemed to be drawn into his discussions. In particular he conducted a lab class where he was going to have us dissect frogs. At that time I was raising chickens for a produce business I had started and I asked him if I could bring in one of my laying hens that had died suddenly, and I wanted to know why. I remember opening that chicken up and I called Dr. Potter over to have a look. We both stood there in silence while other students gathered to have a look too. Its liver was five to six times the size it should have been. After a moment he quietly said, "Gary, I think you should stick to frogs," and quietly walked away. There are also many others like Howard Vander Beek who helped me with writing and reading skills and whom I got to know better after high school than during high school. There was Mrs McMahon, Miss Divelbess, and Miss Schools, my student advisor with whom I had many talks about report cards and future plans. It was Miss Schools who talked me into staying in high school when I was going to drop out after my junior year. And Mrs Brown my math and business teacher, even though I wasn't a "great" student of math her classes always were interesting. There were other teachers but these are the people I remember the most.
Gary Waldon
Gary Waldon
Wow, this is hard because there are so many good ones to remember, and my memory isn't too sharp. I took Latin with Miss (not Ms.) Struble where I really learned to diagram a sentence and spell better which has helped my technical writing career; also I think of her each Christmas as we sing "Adeste Fidelis" in Latin! Then there was Miss (not Ms.) Schools who was my advisor and mentor; I'm saddened to see that she just passed away and shocked at her age as all of our teachers seemed so old! And like many others, I thank Miss (not Ms.) Stone for typing and business courses which provided the foundation for the Age of Technology; yes, I can type pretty fast which helps in word processing, but beyond that, the technology of computers still baffles me--please don't ask me to text message, join FaceBook, or Twitter because those are beyond my capabilities! Finally, there is Les Hale who, with Mr. Butzier, gave the community great musical and theater enjoyment. Good teachers are a gift to children, a gift which lasts a lifetime, and we had many great ones as evidenced by our individual and collective accomplishments these past 50 years. Thanks to all of you wherever you may be for that gift!
Nancy (Schmidt) Zetlmaier
Nancy (Schmidt) Zetlmaier
Bonjour les eleves! (thank you Ms. Struble!)
Many great teachers come to mind - especially after all of you have refreshed my memory! I remember Ruth Mahon as our class sponsor - all of the counseling, hanging-in-there with us, evening "look at the stars" parties, and she even attended my father's memorial service. Of course, I guess my joy at Les Hale arriving on site was the highlight of my junior year - not to mention the great musical opportunities we had way before that time (the Schneiders who started many of us in kindergarten on string instruments - "the elephant carries a big trunk"!!) As seniors we had the duo of Les Hale and Kenneth Butzier directing us on the unforgettable "Annie Get Your Gun." Their dedication was fabulous! I still remember when Ardie S. was singing to Marilyn N. (leaning on the railing) and it gave way under his weight and he landed on the floor below! But he carried on in fine fashion - guess he really fell for Marilyn (sorry Robyn!). I especially enjoyed the probability and statistics math class, but can't remember who taught it - it was fun and has been a great help when I go to Las Vegas (ha ha). Can't wait for others of you to sharpen my memory...and I do look forward to seeing all of you!
Sonja (Sears) Lundgren
Many great teachers come to mind - especially after all of you have refreshed my memory! I remember Ruth Mahon as our class sponsor - all of the counseling, hanging-in-there with us, evening "look at the stars" parties, and she even attended my father's memorial service. Of course, I guess my joy at Les Hale arriving on site was the highlight of my junior year - not to mention the great musical opportunities we had way before that time (the Schneiders who started many of us in kindergarten on string instruments - "the elephant carries a big trunk"!!) As seniors we had the duo of Les Hale and Kenneth Butzier directing us on the unforgettable "Annie Get Your Gun." Their dedication was fabulous! I still remember when Ardie S. was singing to Marilyn N. (leaning on the railing) and it gave way under his weight and he landed on the floor below! But he carried on in fine fashion - guess he really fell for Marilyn (sorry Robyn!). I especially enjoyed the probability and statistics math class, but can't remember who taught it - it was fun and has been a great help when I go to Las Vegas (ha ha). Can't wait for others of you to sharpen my memory...and I do look forward to seeing all of you!
Sonja (Sears) Lundgren
It's hard to pick one favorite, but I guess it would be Dr. Vanderbeek because he taught me how to evaluate my world and learn to make valid and defendable choices for life. Do you remember reading Crime and Punishment? That was really a challenge for me, but I discovered the satisfaction of a challenge. I adored Mlle Struble. Still remember singing "Sur la pont d' Avignon" and her regular habit of handing out chocolates on someone's birthday. I had her for both Latin and French so that added up to four years with her and I was never bored.
Meriel (Roskamp) Abrahamson
Meriel (Roskamp) Abrahamson
Second Question: What is your fondest (or not) memory of the Washington D.C. Trip?
Watching submarine races on the Potomac and avoiding my parents.
David Adamson
David Adamson
Two things are vivid in my recollections of the Washington D.C. trip. One is laying the wreath along with Don Wood at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. Don was class president and I was vice-president, but I think the main reason I accompanied Don was that my natural father had been killed while serving in WWII. One of the teachers suggested that it would be meaningful to participate, which it was.
The other memory I have is something that could have only happened 50 years ago, not today. I wanted to go to the National Museum again ( we had already been there as a class a few days before), so the teachers and chaperones turned me loose by myself. I found it OK, but on the way back I got lost and wandered further into an urban area of well...inner-city blight . At one point I was about to cross a street and an African-American gentleman saved me from getting hit by a car by grabbing my arms from behind. Of course I was very thankful and asked him which way was the Washington Monument. He pointed the way and I made my way back to the buses.
Barbara Bailey
The other memory I have is something that could have only happened 50 years ago, not today. I wanted to go to the National Museum again ( we had already been there as a class a few days before), so the teachers and chaperones turned me loose by myself. I found it OK, but on the way back I got lost and wandered further into an urban area of well...inner-city blight . At one point I was about to cross a street and an African-American gentleman saved me from getting hit by a car by grabbing my arms from behind. Of course I was very thankful and asked him which way was the Washington Monument. He pointed the way and I made my way back to the buses.
Barbara Bailey
Washington D.C. -- best memory for me was our all being together and really accepting each and every one of us as "family." So, as strange as it may sound, songs and talk and laughter on the bus was the best. Yes, seeing the real places of history was good, but the sights don't leave the same impression on my memory as the peers do.
Meriel (Roskamp) Abrahamson
Meriel (Roskamp) Abrahamson
On our trip, four of us, two boys and two girls, decided to climb to the top of the Wahington Monument. I don't remember who the other classmates were (perhaps someone of us four will also remember and own up to it), but we climbed to the top and it was a total of 998 steps. The girls were in dresses and at least one of them had high heels on. The rest of you chickens took the elevator. Bet none of us could climb even half-way up now!!!
Pete Eisbach
Pete Eisbach
The thing I was amazed at, although I carried my little brown bag with me all the way on the bus, I never got sick once as I was worried I would. I almost didn't go on the trip because of fear I would, but I am glad that I did go. It was a lot of fun and quite an experience and one I won't forget.
Jo (Amundson) Roberts
Jo (Amundson) Roberts
D.C. was quite a trip for all of us. My memories are fading but hearing from all of you helps get the brain juices flowing.
Our trip to the Pentagon was a memory that returns often. 9/11 is one time many details returned to me. We were able to get into places not often allowed by your general tourist because of my uncle, Colonel Bill Penly, who worked in the five-sided building. Some of the trip photos, as I recall, showed a group of tired or bored students sitting around a table listening to talk ...but for me that was my uncle talking. Caveat: My uncle turned 99 on April 15th, 2012. He and his wife live in Sherman, Texas. He must have been around 50 years old when we visited his office...he is full of "war" stories even to this day.
Rebecca (Penly) Herrington
Our trip to the Pentagon was a memory that returns often. 9/11 is one time many details returned to me. We were able to get into places not often allowed by your general tourist because of my uncle, Colonel Bill Penly, who worked in the five-sided building. Some of the trip photos, as I recall, showed a group of tired or bored students sitting around a table listening to talk ...but for me that was my uncle talking. Caveat: My uncle turned 99 on April 15th, 2012. He and his wife live in Sherman, Texas. He must have been around 50 years old when we visited his office...he is full of "war" stories even to this day.
Rebecca (Penly) Herrington
There are many memories of the Washington D.C. trip that come into focus when I play back the tapes in my mind. In order, they are: When the girls and guys were divided into separate buses for the night, there was an outpouring of jokes not fit for this webpage and raucous laughter as we cruised safely through scary Gary, Indiana. The song, Arrivederci, Roma, for some reason, pops-up on the tape. At the Washington Memorial some of us practically ran the whole way up the steps--an elevator was too easy. The Pentagon was huge and we received special treatment thanks to the Penlys . The Tomb of the Unknown Soldier and how some of us tried to see if the guard would break his concentration and look at us. The stoic guard actually saw a lot because he came up after his duty in civies and asked about the many pretty coeds in our group. The absolutely perfect weather at Mt. Vernon. A Washington Senators baseball game. The stunning architecture of the Capitol Rotunda. The Iwo Jima Memorial. Walking to a movie theater to see Judgment at Nuremburg. Going to Andrews Air Force base and watching President Kennedy saunter off Air Force One. (Jackie cried when the honor guard marched on the field). On the way home, Where Have All the Flowers Gone was playing on the radio and we sang along. I remember thinking how proud I was of our capital, our government, our military, our president, our congress, our history. The song was about peace and the USA fought against world tyranny in WWII and brought peace. Korea was a United Nations action. Our presidents and military would never abuse their power in the world. What a bright future!
Karl Knutson
Karl Knutson
What I remember most about our "road trip" to Washington D.C. -- I think I need to chat with a few folks about their memories to hopefully jump start my brain as I fear the brain battery is dying....Hmmmm..... I recently took a nostalgic trip through some postcards I had sent home from that trip. We certainly did see a lot in those few short days, and I commented several times that I wanted to stay because I was having so much fun. That must have have been a little unnerving for my family! And I told my folks that I had "only spent $6.00 in two days but wasn't hungry because we didn't have time to eat." Apparently, we ate on our own but I don't really remember that, and isn't it a kick that we could eat on $3.00 a day? How times have changed! What an event in our high school career -- I just wish I could remember more of it! Help me out, friends!
Nancy (Schmidt) Zetlmaier
Nancy (Schmidt) Zetlmaier
As I sort through my "Reunion/Class of 62" box I run across so many memories of the DC Trip and I must admit I love reading all the comments from classmates and seeing the pictures again. I remember those straw purses like it was yesterday. As Meriel said, the feelings of closeness as a class are the best of the memories.
I most remember the feelings at the placing of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and the changing of the guard. Don Wood and I and Barb Bailey as Class Officers were fortunate to be a part of that very moving ceremony. One of the main things I remember...Don Wood needed a sport coat and ended up wearing Dr. VanderBeek's which was a bit too big. WHY do I remember that?? And I remember playing volleyball? or something outside our cabins on a grassy area. Where did the ball come from? And of course all the emotions that came with being in our Nation's Capitol.
For most of us this was an adventure of unparalleled experiences. I guess the idea that a group of 7th graders were given an idea and we were lucky enough to build it into a reality and take a trip with our classmates. I have letters from Mr. Swatts that I am sending to Karl for the web page that show just how supportive our teachers were even one who was there for just a brief time. So a belated "Thank You" to our techers, parents, and other adults that had a part in working with us from 7th grade on to raise funds and make this dream a reality for a group of classmates.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
I most remember the feelings at the placing of the wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldiers and the changing of the guard. Don Wood and I and Barb Bailey as Class Officers were fortunate to be a part of that very moving ceremony. One of the main things I remember...Don Wood needed a sport coat and ended up wearing Dr. VanderBeek's which was a bit too big. WHY do I remember that?? And I remember playing volleyball? or something outside our cabins on a grassy area. Where did the ball come from? And of course all the emotions that came with being in our Nation's Capitol.
For most of us this was an adventure of unparalleled experiences. I guess the idea that a group of 7th graders were given an idea and we were lucky enough to build it into a reality and take a trip with our classmates. I have letters from Mr. Swatts that I am sending to Karl for the web page that show just how supportive our teachers were even one who was there for just a brief time. So a belated "Thank You" to our techers, parents, and other adults that had a part in working with us from 7th grade on to raise funds and make this dream a reality for a group of classmates.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
Third Question: What was your favorite song and artist when you were a teenager? Name more if you have them! Thanks for contributing.
You gotta figure I would have a list of favorites a mile long. I culled it down, but not too far. BTW, if you're having trouble finding any of the songs you need, I have them, or can easily get them.Carl Perkins - Blue Suede Shoes
Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues
Chuck Berry - Rock And Roll Music
Little Richard - Keep A 'Knockin'
Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless
Harry Belafonte - Day-O (Banana Boat Song)
Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
Fendermen - Mule Skinner Blues
Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
FYI, I still can't dance. And I gave up golf years (and years) ago. But I helped design a float for the Cotton Bowl parade years ago, so I'm really looking forward to Friday night and Saturday.
Craig Eaton
Everly Brothers - Bye Bye Love
Eddie Cochran - Summertime Blues
Chuck Berry - Rock And Roll Music
Little Richard - Keep A 'Knockin'
Jerry Lee Lewis - Breathless
Harry Belafonte - Day-O (Banana Boat Song)
Bo Diddley - Bo Diddley
Ray Charles - Georgia On My Mind
Fendermen - Mule Skinner Blues
Tokens - The Lion Sleeps Tonight
Ray Charles - I Can't Stop Loving You
FYI, I still can't dance. And I gave up golf years (and years) ago. But I helped design a float for the Cotton Bowl parade years ago, so I'm really looking forward to Friday night and Saturday.
Craig Eaton
I have a remembrance: Judy Hurlburt and I worked with a bunch of our guys teaching them the can-can for one of the Chili Supper shows. They did a super job and were a real hit! They looked really cute in their red dresses and petticoats. ~ Songs I remember: Rock Around the Clock by Bill Haley and his Comets, Great Balls of Fire by Jerry Lee Lewis, Lay Your Head on my Shoulder by ? or was it Put Your Head on my Shoulder by Paul Anka. Misty is right up there and other hits by Johnny Mathis.
Sonja (Sears) Lundgren
Sonja (Sears) Lundgren
I loved Elvis Presley, and still do. My favorite of his was Blue Hawaii.
Linda (Kramer) Thierman
Linda (Kramer) Thierman
Any Elvis song - I still like them, today. I often listen to the XM radio Elvis channel.
Marcia (Thuesen) Williams
Let's Go to the Hop by Danny and the Juniors, Buddy Holley's Peggy Sue, The Lettermen, Kingston Trio, and The Big Hurt by Miss Toni Fisher, written by her husband Wayne Shanklin that featured phasing effects of loud and soft back up that sounded like they were traveling in a big circle, and Silhouettes by The Rays.
Karl Knutson
Marcia (Thuesen) Williams
Let's Go to the Hop by Danny and the Juniors, Buddy Holley's Peggy Sue, The Lettermen, Kingston Trio, and The Big Hurt by Miss Toni Fisher, written by her husband Wayne Shanklin that featured phasing effects of loud and soft back up that sounded like they were traveling in a big circle, and Silhouettes by The Rays.
Karl Knutson
Our generation (in my opinion) had the best songs ever. My favorite artist had to be (no, not Elvis) Johnny Mathis with the favorite song being Misty.
Another one right up there was To Know Him Is to Love Him - I think it was the Teddy Bears, but not sure on that. Every once in a while I hear another one on XM radio and think, oh my gosh, another favorite, and the worst part ...I remember all the words just like it was yesterday. Oh, yeah, and usually I can't remember what happened yesterday.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
Another one right up there was To Know Him Is to Love Him - I think it was the Teddy Bears, but not sure on that. Every once in a while I hear another one on XM radio and think, oh my gosh, another favorite, and the worst part ...I remember all the words just like it was yesterday. Oh, yeah, and usually I can't remember what happened yesterday.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
Fourth Question: Do you have a funny story from your school days that still makes you laugh?
Picture, if you will, algebra class. Mrs. Brown, one not prone to smiling, was the teacher and brooked no disturbances. However bedlam ensued when Bob Sprague sat in front of me with what you might call a plumber's gluteous maximus posterior exposed. For reasons still unknown to this day, a hat pin lay on my desk. Equipped with a boy's adolescent mind set, and feeling it was my duty to awake the sleeping Bob to the joys of parabolas on the x y axis, I demonstrated Newton's 3rd law of "For every action, etc. etc." by poking him where the sun shouldn't shine with the hat pin and Bob let out a scream as he defied gravity in a launch from his nearly supine posture. Order was restored after some length of time.
Gary Waldon
Gary Waldon
I had only been in America for about a month when our class decided to have a pop bottle drive to help raise money for the senior trip to Washington D.C. It was a beautiful fall day on a Saturday when everyone fanned out to knock on doors and ask people to donate any loose bottles for a good cause. After several tries I had to repeat the request for pop (pawp) bottles several times until the homeowners understood what I was saying. Not discouraged I decided to change my accent as best I could to meet the American dialect and changed "pop" to "parp" bottles and everybody understood right away.
Tony Hooper
Tony Hooper
The night was Homecoming our senior year. After the dance there was a slumber party at Sigrid's house. Well, as we all "settled" down to listen to records and do whatever we did while trying to stay up all night, there suddenly was a disturbance outside the windows. Guess there were a group of senior boys who were trying to CRASH our slumber party. Some of the details are foggy, but I remember some of the boys came in and we all ran from the living room past the stairway and into a back room to look out those windows to see some couples out back on the trampoline? I believe. Was pretty fun until Mrs Erickson heard the commotion and the only thing I remember was her standing at the top of the stairs saying we were all in so much trouble. Now at this time it wasn't really too funny because we all thought we would be in big trouble. I don't remember at the time, but now as I look back I can still see all of us running to the back room to check out the couple (whoever they were) and the look on Sigrid's mother's face still sticks in my mind. I remember Becky and I had to get up early the next a.m. as our parents were picking us up for church. So, between the lack of sleep and the fear that Mrs Erickson was going to "tell" of our adventures, I remember it was a pretty uncomfortable morning.
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
Jackie (Ackerman) Wulf
When we were in 7th grade choral music, Mr Wikstrom often engaged in repartee with his combined class of 7th and 8th graders. The subject of rock and roll came up one day and Mr Wikstrom bemoaned its erosion of American culture in general and music in particular, especially the impact of Elvis Presley. His songs were repetitious, elementary in basic rhythm, and plebeian, according to Mr Wikstrom. The class took umbrage at that, of course, saying Elvis was cool, the beat made you want to dance, he would always be great to listen to, and they would never grow tired of his songs. At that time, You Ain't Nothin' but a Hound Dog was number one on the charts. So Mr Wikstrom made a deal, he would start every class by playing that song and we'll see what happens. We all were delighted! Every class, three times a week, started with "You ain't nothin' but a hound dog, just a crockin' all the time...etc. etc." This was really cool. All right! I think it was about the third week when we begged him, begged him, to play the flip side (Don't Be Cruel) just once for a change, and pretty soon it was "Please, Mr Wikstrom, give us a break, don't play him at all."
Karl Knutson
Karl Knutson
At a Committee meeting, Jackie had numerous artifacts from 8th Grade Camp. The blue mimeographed sheets had long ago lost their fragrance, but there were several sheets that contained lists of duties at meals, one day's agenda, recipes, and procedures for the cookout meal. The cookout one reminded Gary of how he accidently scuffed up some sand when working around the fire that put it out. Mrs Mahon was understandably peeved at having to start over with the fire. ~ Don told about a time that he and five other guys were hiding up in the loft when an angry Miss Harper made all the boys of one cabin run laps outside because of rowdiness and reluctance to go to sleep. Miss Harper's inability to climb the stairs to the loft precluded any visual check of the boys' presence and they weren't telling. Roger was especially thankful as he was recovering from bouts of wheezing after climbing hills all day. ~ No conversation about humor at 8th Grade Camp would be complete without mention of Mr Mazula. At the talent show on Thursday evening, Mr Mazula, fully dressed, did a ...well, a strip tease to the tune of "The Stripper." It was hilarious as he took off articles of clothing, such as his shirt that exposed enough body hair that looked like he was growing a sweater. At the end, with great applause and laughter, he was down to his Bermuda shorts, which thankfully remained totally on. An unforgettable highlight. Jackie may include some of the camp memorabilia in future emails.
Linda, Jackie, Don, Gary, Karl.
Linda, Jackie, Don, Gary, Karl.
Hi. I'm sinking in paperwork---report cards, general marking, and much paper nonsense. My students are done and done with school and we still have four weeks to go. ~ My favourite song was "Moon River". My strict Presbyterian family wouldn't let me listen to much else. A dancer I was not, being unpracticed in that line and therefore very self-conscious. Loved watching everyone else, though. ~ I have never forgotten Mr. Mazula's "strip tease" at Grade 8 camp. It shocked me to see so much black hair on a man's chest---totally destroyed any admiration I might have had for him as a teacher. I still laugh when I think how silly he looked and how much we screamed. Still have my "diary" from camp. Terrible writing by today's standards, but the "Mazula" event is in there.
Meriel Roskamp
Meriel Roskamp
June 7, 2017: Dear Classmates of 1962, Greetings from Vancouver, British Columbia!
It is shocking and astounding to realize that all of us are now 72 or 73, not the 17 or 18 we can remember. Who could have possibly predicted there would still be a connected group 55 years later?
My memory of you takes me back to the 30th year reunion in 1992. I had to do some real "arm twisting" to get my principal and school district to release me early in June so that I could attend.
The time with you in Iowa was sweet. Your smiles and unique personalities were all intact. You still called me "Mert," and I didn't mind. Affection, that was. Don's speech at our dinner at "The Mill," still rings true: "We experienced the best of times." What Grade 12's face today is a completely different and frightening challenge.
I remember that as a group you were surprised (even shocked) that I had become a Canadian citizen, due to governmental requirements for classroom teachers. That event took place in 1978. Nearly 40 years later, I do not regret my North American "status."
It seems I had convinced all of you just how much I loved teaching. But life catches up to us. Finally, after 45 years in the classroom, I retired at the end of June, 2015. it took at least six months for me to adjust! Completely "letting go" was difficult. So now I am tutoring East Asian (Indian) students, ranging from Grades 3 to 12. They treat me with high regard, addressing me as "Teacher" and always making me chai tea with real cardamon seeds!
David and I will be married 50 years on September 2. Who would have thought the time would fly by so fast? We could each write a book of memories, discoveries, and growth. The most significant being our meeting and embracing David's brother who shares a wonderful Sioux (Dakota) history. We had always known my husband was adopted, but only after much research did he find his roots.
When Don phoned me in April, I thought, "Great--a road trip." However, David had promised his brother, Mike, that this year we would finally drive to Cheyenne to spend time with him and the family "clan." (That's a 3-day drive from Vancouver and less than half the way to Cedar Falls!) Unfortunately, the convenient and workable dates with them conflict with your/our reunion time.
However, I wish you well and a good time to be had by all.
Just to let you know, as history moves along, there are no more Roskamps in Cedar Falls. Florence, my "little" sister still lives in Tacoma after decades. She has 5 adult children and 12 grandchildren! (Makes up for me, although I brag about having over 1300 "adoptees.") My brother, Bob, as well as my parents, are buried in the cemetery north of town. All of my father's seven brothers and sisters are gone. There is only one cousin who lives near the Amana Colonies.
So my heart will be with you. My physical presence, not. May God bless each and every one.
Love Meriel (e-mail contact: merielab@outlook .com)
It is shocking and astounding to realize that all of us are now 72 or 73, not the 17 or 18 we can remember. Who could have possibly predicted there would still be a connected group 55 years later?
My memory of you takes me back to the 30th year reunion in 1992. I had to do some real "arm twisting" to get my principal and school district to release me early in June so that I could attend.
The time with you in Iowa was sweet. Your smiles and unique personalities were all intact. You still called me "Mert," and I didn't mind. Affection, that was. Don's speech at our dinner at "The Mill," still rings true: "We experienced the best of times." What Grade 12's face today is a completely different and frightening challenge.
I remember that as a group you were surprised (even shocked) that I had become a Canadian citizen, due to governmental requirements for classroom teachers. That event took place in 1978. Nearly 40 years later, I do not regret my North American "status."
It seems I had convinced all of you just how much I loved teaching. But life catches up to us. Finally, after 45 years in the classroom, I retired at the end of June, 2015. it took at least six months for me to adjust! Completely "letting go" was difficult. So now I am tutoring East Asian (Indian) students, ranging from Grades 3 to 12. They treat me with high regard, addressing me as "Teacher" and always making me chai tea with real cardamon seeds!
David and I will be married 50 years on September 2. Who would have thought the time would fly by so fast? We could each write a book of memories, discoveries, and growth. The most significant being our meeting and embracing David's brother who shares a wonderful Sioux (Dakota) history. We had always known my husband was adopted, but only after much research did he find his roots.
When Don phoned me in April, I thought, "Great--a road trip." However, David had promised his brother, Mike, that this year we would finally drive to Cheyenne to spend time with him and the family "clan." (That's a 3-day drive from Vancouver and less than half the way to Cedar Falls!) Unfortunately, the convenient and workable dates with them conflict with your/our reunion time.
However, I wish you well and a good time to be had by all.
Just to let you know, as history moves along, there are no more Roskamps in Cedar Falls. Florence, my "little" sister still lives in Tacoma after decades. She has 5 adult children and 12 grandchildren! (Makes up for me, although I brag about having over 1300 "adoptees.") My brother, Bob, as well as my parents, are buried in the cemetery north of town. All of my father's seven brothers and sisters are gone. There is only one cousin who lives near the Amana Colonies.
So my heart will be with you. My physical presence, not. May God bless each and every one.
Love Meriel (e-mail contact: merielab@outlook .com)