Lee Note 36 More Memories

From Bob Roush:

Hearing those names brought back memories. With the exception of home economics I had all those teachers, too. I do recall hearing that one day the home ec teacher parked her car adjacent to that classroom and left her car running until it was out of gas.

One of the postings yesterday mentioned Mrs. Mabel Plagens. She tried valiantly to teach algebra to me. I tried hard, but barely passed. I also had Mr. Wedgeworth for plain geometry and did fairly well. Solid geometry was another story, and I too transferred to another class, although I can't remember which one.

Another great teacher was Mrs. Jeanne Gelber, one of the chemistry teachers. She was so dedicated to her students that she held Sunday afternoon tutoring sessions in her home. I was having trouble with oxidation reduction and went to her home for several sessions before I gave up. And on the subject of chemistry, I was a member of Alpha, Beta, Gamma Chemistry Club. We met weekly in one of the downstairs classrooms and frequently would go upstairs to see a movie about some scientist.

On more than one occasion, a few of us would take positions at the end of the single file line led by the club's sponsor, Mrs. Edith Hodges, the other chemistry teacher. When the others had turned right to go up the stairs, Duane Cartlidge and a few of us would turn left, go out the door, sneak around to the parking lot, get in Duane's car and go down to Sambo's Drive-in for some French fries and a coke.

While there was good "chemistry" between the co-conspirators, I don't recall that any of us became chemists. Probably a good thing. With all these "confessions" I hope there is a statute of limitations on having our diplomas withdrawn.

So much for reveries this morning.

Cordially, Bob Roush

From Phyllis Busby;

Donna's memory about the geometry class reminded me of the experience I had with Mrs. Gelber in chemistry.

I took her class as an ELECTIVE, not realizing how much algebra was going to be involved (my brain cells for algebra have always been missing).

I really bled during that course, as did my dad, I think, and I tried so hard. She realized that and gave me any number of make-up tests (which I also failed).

Finally on the last day, she called me up to her desk and said, "Phyllis, if you promise to never take another chemistry course in your life, I will give you a C for trying".

I know she went straight to heaven.

Phyllis Busby