The Hancock-Henderson Quill, Inc.

Thanks For The Memories

by Dessa Rodeffer
Quill Editor/Pubisher

28 June 2000

I wanted to write about my son's recruitment experiences but then I thought I would probably have to write about life at the emergency room after putting my husband's photo in the paper last week with a wig on.

Actually, I just was given a new name by Michael. He said my name was "Mud".

I assured him it was Rodeffer just like his, but he said, "No, it is "Mud!"

After laying low this week, buying his favorite foods, baking him a nice birthday cake, and crowning him king for the day, I think I can avoid the trip to the emergency room this time, thank goodness.

There might be a little bit of a problem getting an ambulance anyway. I've heard the 18 EMT students who have been studying diligently each week took their state test with 10 receiving word that they did not pass, and 2 receiving word they had.

Seven others are still in limbo about the matter and many are very upset about the hours and work they have put into diligently studying the lessons.

Evidently, many of the test questions had not been discussed in class and many felt that they had not passed the test as they walked out the door of the Galesburg classroom.

I hope we all show our appreciation to our volunteers for the time and effort these people put in, to serve us and our communities.

I decided that "Thanks For The Memories" must be my title for this week's editorial because of an enjoyable outing I had this weekend to the Stronghurst Alumni banquet.

Since Saturday, the little tune that goes to this song title has been running through my head and I haven't been able to stop it.

Ada Hubbard, a graduate of the honored class of 1950, had written words to this song and as she played, three of her classmates sang.

It had several verses, and all of us were amused at their getting amused as they tried to stay together singing the verses of this song.

This is what was so much fun about attending our alumni banquet. We all felt as if we were back in school, laughing as our classmates tried to perform some new feat.

I seemed tremendously aware of everyone at the banquet this year as I look at the oldest to the youngest with much more concern. Age doesn't seem to be a factor anymore.

As I sat at my table of graduates ranging through a four year span, I listened to the tales of "remember whens" and the catching up on the "where abouts" and happenings of some of our classmates and other Stronghurst grads.

All the tables were buzzing with conversation and laughter.

At my table, Tom Edmonds was laughing during the sing along to "Loyalty" because he said during school days, he was only allowed to play it on the drums because he couldn't carry a tune, he was told.

But at most of the tables, no one cared if you could carry a tune or not. We all sang several old tunes as classmates had their arms around each other who they hadn't seen for years. Several were swaying to the music and laughing at their sometimes off-beat sounds.

I found out some interesting things about the guys that they never would have admitted in school to the girls.

When one young, beautiful English teacher was hired, wearing rather short skirts, the guys moved from the back row to the front row and their grades improved a grade.

Of course, there was a table of teachers from the class of 1950 sitting together that probably had memories of their own as they really seemed to be enjoying themselves.

Our table members were talking about, "What ever happen to" so and so and I sure would like to see her. "Do you see her and does she ever come to the banquets?"

The sad thing is, you just never know how great it is to be back together with old school chums, until you go to a banquet or to a reunion.

You are more appreciative of each other's plot in life than ever.

I was excited to see Tom Eisenmayer and his wife, finally, after we had exchanged e-mails some time ago.

Now it seems Alaska isn't so foreign when I think of it, knowing Tom's family lives there.

It was good to see all of the Mynatt family together at the banquet and I took a picture which will be in next week's newspaper.

There were others who traveled great distances to come to the banquet in hopes of seeing classmates.

For one, I was overhearing Larry Bowen who is retired with his wife to a travel trailer. He was talking to Steve Magee who lives in Germany.

The two were discussing the different golf courses around the world and the cost of playing on them. They were also debating on where the best places to retire were.

On Sunday, there was a lot of interest in the hallways at SHS of the class senior photos on the wall.

A couple of graduates had approached me with the idea of printing a class photo regularly until they were all published.

Another thought it would be fun if digital photos could be made of each classmate as their name tag next year.

That would be great if there was a volunteer that wanted to spend that much time producing them.

A few class mates who had met the night before, did have name tags with the senior picture on them. It sure was a lot easier to recall who they were if you hadn't seen them since high school.

Of course, I haven't changed, its everyone else.

At Stronghurst, alumni meet every three years at which time they honor the 50 year class and the two preceding it.

It is the way we all get to know a little about other graduates.

At the Sunday afternoon open house at SHS, several of us were pleased to see a former music teacher who had come, Jim Smith of Danville.

He taught music from 1961 to 1965 and had introduced Yale Martin to the Tuba, Dorothy Martin told him. It was Yale who inspired Rex who we all know is now a legend on the Tuba.

Well there are many many stories at alumni banquets. You won't find a more fascinating place to go. Many have wonderful adventures, even bring pictures, and the learning starting at SHS.

So with that little tune stuck in my head from the class of 1950, I just want to underscore what they sang: "Thanks For The Memories!"

To all who came, and to all who helped plan the SHS Alumni Banquet, do what former SHS principal Harold Ferris use to make me do, wrap your arms around yourself and give yourself a big hug.

Those who missed it, try to attend in 2003. I am constantly reminded, our classmates and friends don't live forever. You won't regret coming.