Lee Note 78 Small World Story and Memories July 7, 2001

From Bob Roush:

Mary Sue, hearing that you, too, made a "C" under Mr. Wedgeworth made me feel better about having been one of those lucky to pass his course. I still have fond memories about Mrs. Gelber, Mrs. Nelson, too. Bob

P.S. Speaking of "Bugs" Nelson, a friend of mine was at a flea market a year ago and bought a copy of EXPLORING BIOLOGY, the book we used for biology in the 10th grade. What was all the more remarkable, my name is followed by "M. Nelson, Rm. 215, and the date of September 6, 1957. "

Other names following mine are a Donald Repp, Lera Schrock, and Peggy Sue Beene, the latter person being, I believe, Billy Mitchell's wife. Small world, isn't it?

Bob Roush

From Martha Prather:

I had forgotten about Mr. Childress and his liking of the girls on his bus! Marie Wood is right about that. No one wanted to have to ride that bus! I sat as close to the back as I could get!

Martha Prather Edwards

From Roy Bachmeyer:

I have read with interest the many "Notes" about the teachers we had back then: and, can't help but wonder what they have to say about the "Class of 60" when they have their reunions "Up There". (At least most are "Up There" by now.)

Based on the biographies submitted, I think they may well "Tip a Toast" to

themselves for a job well done.

Roy Bachmeyer

From Rand Evans:

I had to smile at the stories of Mrs. Nelson. I had her for Biology in the 10th grade. I remember too having to get up and tell how a hamburger is digested. I also remember the dissection of a starfish (well pickled) – the starfish, that is.

I heard the story about the boiled cat too, but I never knew if it was just an urban legend or the real thing. She was an odd person, but very warm and kind, in her own way. I remember her telling the class one time that it didn't do any good to swat mosquitoes because you wouldn't cut down on the population of the little devils. Somehow I never thought I was cutting down on populations, just defending myself.

Mrs. Nelson always liked me for some reason. I always made good grades in her class. One time I wondered if she really read all the way through my papers before putting down a grade. On one report I left out the middle portion of the paper and lo and behold, I still got an A. Only after I became a college professor did I understand the sheer agony of grading a mass of papers -- and she had probably five classes.

I have to admit I have left out reading some of the term papers all the way through now and again in my time. I learned a lot in her class, some of which I still call on now and again in my own classes. I can't remember all the steps in digesting a hamburger, though.

I also learned I didn't want to be a biologist -- just as Mrs. Gelber taught me I didn't want to be a chemist. I guess knowing what you DON'T want to be is learning something valuable.

Best, Rand Evans

Brad Cash