Sunday, August 13, 2023

Thank You, Larry!

 


This is my memory brick.  Les' brother, Larry, got it for me and mailed it to me.  And here is the story.

I was in the high school class of 1967.  We were seniors when Fairless, the new high school, opened and we were the first class to graduate out of the new school.

This was a big event at the time.  Les and I are from a rural area of Ohio.  Each town had their own school.  And those schools were getting crowded.  The plan was for consolidation of the all the towns schools into one school district.  That took a few years.  First the idea had to be voted on and passed.  And it would require a small increase in taxes, which evidently a lot of voters did not want.

I remember in grade school, before elections, our teachers would have us make posters for the school levy and instead of recess, we'd walk around town with the posters.  Eventually the levy passed, but it took a few years.

Each town kept their own grade school, grades one through six.  All of the districts' seventh graders were bussed out to one really small town, Justus, for that school.  All of the districts' eighth and ninth graders were bussed to Brewster.  And grades ten through twelve were bussed to Navarre.  Of course, if you lived close to whatever school your grade was assigned to, you just walked there.

When the new high school was built out in a great open area sort of between the towns, it was quite an occasion.  All of the high school students were bussed.  A few had the privilege of driving, but I don't remember many.

The principal of the high school was Mr. Cain.  Every morning, rain or shine, he was out in front of the school checking to  make sure no one wore any cleats on their shoes that would damage the floors.  He also checked to make sure the girls' skirts were not too short and the guys didn't have cigarettes rolled in their shirt sleeves.

Time passes, things change.  Fairless High school that I knew is no more.  It was just torn down and a new school built close-by.  A lot of things from the school that were not being moved, were sold or auctioned.  And a notice went out that unbroken bricks from the old school could be picked up for anyone who wanted a "memento".  I had mentioned that I wouldn't mind having one and Larry had a chance to get one for me.  So thanks again, Larry!

I have not decided where exactly the brick will stay but for now it has a "place of honor" in our living room.


Take care of yourselves and stay safe.  Life is good.  And God Bless America!

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