I remember little about my grade school years and whether that is by choice or chance, I know not. Every year we had a class picture made and every year I was on the end of the front row because we were grouped according to height and I was pretty much the runt of the litter, so to speak. I remember we had to walk to a seperate building for music class. Miss Barkiss was the teacher and she later married David Houston, who was the son of the Principal at Nickerson Grade School. I do know I could not hit a note if my life depended on it. I still remember her making me stand in front of the class and how hard I tried to hit middle "c" what ever the hell that was. I don't think I have hit it yet, though I do love to caterwaul the country music I grew up listening to on the radio. When it was time for the annual music program, Miss Barkiss gave me the job of announcer since I could not sing, but my voice carried and she needed some one whose voice carried. I loved that. I could stay behind the curtain with my microphone and no one could see me.
Most of the school work I considered stupid and did not bother doing it. Poor mother! I remember a few of the kids I went to school with, but really don't care what became of them, although I do wish them well. Nancy Cuthberson who's dad was in constuction and they had 2 Great Pyrennes dogs that I was terrified would step over the fence and eat me. Martha Knobloch was a pianist and we were taken to her recital which was held at her home and we had to dress up and we were most uncomfortable, but for years after I would point at her house and tell whoever I was with that I had been inside that home and it was beautiful! Barbara Hawk was the daughter of the dentist and my best friend. Mother cleaned house for Mrs. Hawk and sewed for them. I remember once I was over there and Mr Hawk made us an ice cream with a cherry on top and mine fell off and I cried like a baby, so he gave me another one. There was Joan Moore, Beth McGonigle, Linda Schlatter, Gary Battey, Earl Kelly, David Sjoborg who's older brother was at college and died in a car wreck. Irene Rienke, Evelyn Piper, Loren McQueen, Kenny Fenton, Ronnie Beck, and names that completely elude me.
In 8th grade 2 new boys arrived on the scene. Billy Newman and Steve Dorrell were from the big city of Hutchinson. The were cousins. I had no idea what cool was, but one look at Steve and I knew the definition of cool, super cool, and coolest thing in the world.
Remember Fonzie? The Fonz? Steve exuded cool and never let on that he even knew us little girls were batting our heads against a stone wall. He wore blue jeans with the belt loops cut off so they rode down his hips just a tiny bit. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up exactly one and a half turns. And the collar up in the back, but laying flat in the front. His black hair was combed into a duck tail and every hair was held in place with axle grease. Billy was just there, but when Steve walked in the room he arrived and when he left, he sucked the air out of the room. He was skinny, giving him the lean and hungry look He was my first honest to goodness crush, and bless his heart, he had eyes only for himself.
I do not remember graduating from grade school. I don't think it was a big deal back then. I just remember reading on my report card that Louella Bartholomew was promoted to grade 9. That was it. Grade school was behind me. Off to the big High School on the other end of Main Street. But, alas, before that could happen my life took a bit of a turn and I was sent to Plevna, Kansas to take care of grandma Haas and Great Grandma Hatfield, thus seperating me from classmates I had gone to school with for 8 years.
Stay tuned.
Most of the school work I considered stupid and did not bother doing it. Poor mother! I remember a few of the kids I went to school with, but really don't care what became of them, although I do wish them well. Nancy Cuthberson who's dad was in constuction and they had 2 Great Pyrennes dogs that I was terrified would step over the fence and eat me. Martha Knobloch was a pianist and we were taken to her recital which was held at her home and we had to dress up and we were most uncomfortable, but for years after I would point at her house and tell whoever I was with that I had been inside that home and it was beautiful! Barbara Hawk was the daughter of the dentist and my best friend. Mother cleaned house for Mrs. Hawk and sewed for them. I remember once I was over there and Mr Hawk made us an ice cream with a cherry on top and mine fell off and I cried like a baby, so he gave me another one. There was Joan Moore, Beth McGonigle, Linda Schlatter, Gary Battey, Earl Kelly, David Sjoborg who's older brother was at college and died in a car wreck. Irene Rienke, Evelyn Piper, Loren McQueen, Kenny Fenton, Ronnie Beck, and names that completely elude me.
In 8th grade 2 new boys arrived on the scene. Billy Newman and Steve Dorrell were from the big city of Hutchinson. The were cousins. I had no idea what cool was, but one look at Steve and I knew the definition of cool, super cool, and coolest thing in the world.
Remember Fonzie? The Fonz? Steve exuded cool and never let on that he even knew us little girls were batting our heads against a stone wall. He wore blue jeans with the belt loops cut off so they rode down his hips just a tiny bit. He wore a white dress shirt with the sleeves rolled up exactly one and a half turns. And the collar up in the back, but laying flat in the front. His black hair was combed into a duck tail and every hair was held in place with axle grease. Billy was just there, but when Steve walked in the room he arrived and when he left, he sucked the air out of the room. He was skinny, giving him the lean and hungry look He was my first honest to goodness crush, and bless his heart, he had eyes only for himself.
I do not remember graduating from grade school. I don't think it was a big deal back then. I just remember reading on my report card that Louella Bartholomew was promoted to grade 9. That was it. Grade school was behind me. Off to the big High School on the other end of Main Street. But, alas, before that could happen my life took a bit of a turn and I was sent to Plevna, Kansas to take care of grandma Haas and Great Grandma Hatfield, thus seperating me from classmates I had gone to school with for 8 years.
Stay tuned.
