The fall of 1954--it was warm, and so are the memories.

 (Note: this was transferred from Mike Balluff's  Mt. Morris High School page on Facebook which covers a number of classes, which is why you'll see references to FB on it)

Today (and yesterday) in central Ohio we’re supposed to match the temperature records for 1954! I think it will be about 72, depending on where you are, and I [Norma] hope to get out for several walks. We get our weather about a day after Illinois, so I’m thinking it was warm there too in November 1954. I was a sophomore in 1954 at Mt. Morris High School so I pulled out my school annual (white, padded cover, Mounder title in red, 1955) to see what was going on. Tina Kable would walk from her home on North Hannah, stop at my house on South Hannah, we’d walk up Main Street and pick up Kay Alter and Priscilla Drummond.

In the fall months we also stayed in touch the old fashioned way—through our school newspaper, The Hilltopper put out by the journalism class. By doing this group project they learned writing style, proofing for mistakes, how to paste-up pages, typing copy and running a mimeograph—probably not useful skills today, but teamwork is always important. I see names from Facebook like Bob Rawes, Donna Coddington, Ralph Dollinger. On a warm November day we’d all walk together after school on our way to Felker’s for a cherry coke searching for our names in the Hilltopper.

By November, the annual staff had already begun preparations of this book by getting advertisers, developing a theme, taking photos and planning the art work. I see some Facebook or email list members I recognize like Joyce Kinsley, Bob Rawes and Jerry Wallace. A promotional sign says the year book cost $2.75! That was a good buy—mine is 60 years old. There’s even a photo of my sister Carol (d. 1996) whose grandchildren are on Facebook so I can keep up with their activities.

I’m looking through the names of the varsity football team who played that fall and see a number of people on Facebook or local e-mail lists, some deceased (Jim Mongan, Phil Egan, Gerald Blake, Stan Messer, Don Satterfield, Pete Smith), and some who seemed to have dropped out of sight. The junior class that fall presented “One Foot in Heaven” on Friday, November 19. I see Bill Allenfort, who is still active in community theater getting a beard.

And there’s the student council learning the basics of representative democracy with cute freshman Carol Samsel and junior Murray Trout (deceased). The Council organized all the Homecoming activities, sponsored dances and provided the concession stand. They sent delegates to district and state conventions—sounds familiar, doesn’t it?

We did have professional lyceum speakers for assembly in those days, but also our in-house thespians provided entertainment. It was a big group—I see Jerry Wallace, Harold Hanke, Mike Balluff, Joyce Kinsley, Connie Frey, Sally Olsen, all of whom are on Facebook.

The fall of 1954. It was warm, and so are the memories.

Birthday parties were big for the ladies of '57

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Can't be sure of the years, but I'm guessing the Lake Ripley event was May of 1952 or 1953,  and the party at the Olsens was 1954.  Does anyone have photos? Nowadays, everyone would have a cell phone camera and there would be 25-50 photos of each party!

In the good old summer time

We were fortunate to have a community gym in Mt. Morris. The college gymnasium burned in the fire of Easter 1931. A new one was built in 1932 financed by contributions with the agreement that it would go to the town if the college closed. And it did after the 1931-32 school year when Mt. Morris College merged with Manchester College in North Manchester, Indiana. The swimming pool provided some great times--as I recall a swim was 10 cents and you had to go through a foot bath. It seemed like a very old building when I learned to swim and passed the test in 1951--but it really wasn't. That's how kids see things.

That looks like Keith N. (class of 54) and Bill N. (class of 55) having a knock-em-off fight in the foreground, possibly our Dave B. in the back along the tile. Then in the bottom photo we have identification of two of the fine golfers, Dick and Dick in a Jaycee Junior Golf Tournament at the Sunset Golf Club, another fine athletic facility that set our town apart.

When seniors taught the classes, May 1954

I flipped through the 1954 Mounder to see if this event was listed, but I didn't see anything about the senior class taking over for the teachers. But here's the record from the Mt. Morris Index. In the photo members of our class from the left are Larry S., Duane B., Gary H., and Glenn R. They all look very attentive. Teaching the Industrial Arts class was Gary Miller, class of 1954.

Girl Scout troop 227 at Camp

This photo from a June 12, 1954, issue of the Index brings back a flood of memories. On one hike we took the back way to the White Pines State Park. Roads were gravel then and it was a hot and dusty hike. Our leader, Mrs. Lamm, had us take breaks in the shade where we'd all flop down to rest. Suddenly, Fran was jumping and gyrating like nothing we'd ever seen before. She had landed on a huge ant hill and they didn't like it at all! Mrs. Lamm had us form a semi-circle while first-aid was applied to Fran's back side. Years later while watching the 60's TV program, Laugh-In, we realized they were doing Fran's dance--a cross between the Funky Chicken and the Watusi. Fran survived and so did the story--Fran, ever the good sport and joy to this day. Lynne

If you think we looked young in 1957 . . .

Take a look at 1954! A big shout out for Lynne and Nancy scouring the Index archives. Click to enlarge and read the names. But I'll bet you'd know Bob C. and Phil E. anywhere! And isn't #34 our president?




According to the 1955 Mounder, football practice began August 30, 1954. The Freshman-Sophomore squad had a 4-1-1-record, displaying great promise for the future varsity. That was a pretty good prediction, because in the fall of 1955, the Mounders were undefeated with a few blood baths, 32-0 over Lanark, and 52-0 over Milledgeville.

1954 summer baton class

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Nancy and Lynne are hard at work at the town library this Spring finding interesting things about the class of 1957. I actually remember this one because I had the newspaper article in my scrap book years ago. The note under the photo says six of the girls would be picked for the fall of 1954. So I checked the 1955 yearbook and found a photo of the marching band majorettes lead by main majorette, Gayle O. Others were: Barbara N., Jane K., Mary Ann M. (not in the above photo), Wilma W., and Salley O. Baton twirling is pretty athletic, and MMHS most famous athlete, Salley, is the only one in our class that made the cut that year. The following year (fall of 1955), again, Salley was the only one from our class along with 3 freshmen and two seniors. In our senior year (fall of 1956), again, only Salley.

I'm happy to report that Lynne is up and around after some serious health set backs, and is again walking and checking on our class tree on the campus which appears to have survived a pretty tough winter.

Tennis squad, 1954

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Members of the class of 1957 presented in this Index photo are Glenn O., Mike B., Jon M., Jerry T., Gary H. and Neal J. According to Lynne, who submitted this photograph, the old tennis courts are now used for bike racks and some basketball hoops. There are nice tennis courts in Dillehay Park and many young people and old timers make good use of them.

Remember Mr. Sandman?

I seem to remember learning this song--but have no recollection of where or when we sang. "Mr. Sandman" debuted on 10/30/54 and peaked at #1 for 7 weeks.



The Chordettes were Carol Buschman, Janet Ertel, Lynn Evans and Jinny Osborn. Janet Ertel was the mother-in-law of Phil Everly of “The Everly Brothers.”

Deficio -ere -feci -fectus--be lacking, missing

It's really difficult to schlep these huge Index ledgers to the copy machine and get the part that's nearest the binding, but Lynne managed to get most of the photo of the Latin contest winners of 1954. Valerie K, Latin II, came home with a 2nd, and Nelson P. and Neal J. got a lst and 2nd for Latin I at the Sectional Latin Contest at Lyons Township High School in LaGrange, Illinois in 1954. Evan Kinsley, the principal, taught Latin. He had a B.A. from Manchester College and a Master's from the University of Wisconsin. Lynne recalls that a few in the class transferred to Home Economics, but that even a few weeks or a year were useful. I know that I always used my Latin and typing in any job, clerical or professional--the two most useful courses I took at MMHS.

The 1953-54 Fresh-Soph Squad

Lynne and Nancy have been busy looking through the Index archives. This scan from the Sports Section reminded Lynne of the movie Hoosiers--except for the white shoes. Lynne identifies line up as: Back row: Phil E, Moe K, Ray G, Dave S, Jon M, Chuck W, Larry B; Middle row: Glenn R, Dick Z, Dave B, Ron D, Mike S, Mike B; Front row; Gene H, Dick H, Stan M, Dave B, Bob H, Murray T.

The coach was Ray Walder, a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College and our General Science and Biology teacher. He led the "Moundets" to 15 wins and 5 loses that season, with only 2 returning lettermen. In the Conference, they finished with 7 wins and 1 loss. The main 8 lettering players were 6 sophomores--Stan, Dick, Bobby, Murray, Dave and Gene, with our own Dave B and Dick Z adding a lot of glam and action.

Memories of the Canteen, by Lynne

During our four years at MMHS, the Wagon Wheel Canteen in the Community Gym was a big part of our week-end social scene. I vaguely recall painting something, as I was handy with a paint brush (still am) during a summer renovation. If anyone can explain where the "Wagon Wheel" name came from, I'd surely like to know. If I knew, I have forgotten (imagine that!). I have also forgotten the membership cost. I do remember going to the re-opening though, and that is (photo and Index article below) Francine K in the patterned skirt with her arm on Priscilla D and deep in a conversation with Nancy L right in back of Priscilla. Although the photo is fuzzy I think in the background is Bob O, Joyce S and Pat F on the right, and possibly Jean M and Greeley M over on the left.

I do remember the music. Not long after the re-opening, the Lamb Theater had a coming attraction for the movie, "The Glenn Miller Story," and not long after his music made its way to the canteen record player. I have Glenn Miller music on my I-Pod to this day. How that music has endured is nothing short of amazing!

In one issue of the Mt. Morris Index I read about a canteen sponsored dance, "the music, in part, by Noel McInnis and his Modern Music Manglers." I had to laugh out loud. It reminded me of a dance at NIU right after high school and my young date excitedly explaining that at this St. Patrick's day green pig dance, the music would be provided by "Oink" Henderson and the Squealers. I am not making this up! As much as I wanted to laugh, I remembered the Modern Music Manglers from high school and thought, why not? Both of these dances were fun.

The canteen was an after game stop--win or lose--and if you had a Friday or Saturday night date, sometimes the couples would pop in before heading home. Pop corn was sold and I can't recall what else, and there was a pool table and a shuffleboard game. Most parents enforced the 11:30 PM, "be home by" time. Often parents chaperoned and I always winced when by parents took a turn.

In this same 1954 issue of the Index, the Clara Warden Apparel Shop, 5 S. Wesley Ave., later to become the Smart Wear, ran an ad for a dress, "Snow Glitter" by Vicky Vaughn, $7.99, with eyelet snowflakes from yoke to hip, banded with daisy trim and a full swinging skirt in ice blue, parfait pink or white. Wing Song perfume was selling at $2.00 for 2 oz. down the street at the Mt. Morris Dress Shop. Nine out of 10 high school girls smelled of Wing Song at the canteen re-opening I am sure.

Anyone have canteen stories they'd like to share?


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Party time 56 years ago

From the Mt. Morris Index--important social news!

Friday night January 22, ". . . a few of Priscilla D's friends gave a little surprise party in honor of her birthday in the home of Lynne F. Guests included Marion D, Tina K, Kay A, Salley O, Sara Y, Norma C, Nancy G, Nancy L and Fran K. After enjoying ice cream and cake, the honoree opened her lovely gifts."

Class of 56 and 57 CBYF trip

Although I'm not positive of the date, I think this is Spring 1954. From left, Joyce K., Gayle D., Barb N., Norma C., Sharon R., Deb P., Sylvia T., Jackie K., Mike S., Pastor Dean Frantz. Can't see him, but I'm guessing Forrest Kinsey, our Sunday School teacher took the photo. We were visiting Chicago.

Go Team!

This is from the 1954 Mounder which accounts for the poor scan quality. I can identify Sara jumping up--I guess we know why she was a cheerleader! I think that's Tina and Mary Lou on her left, and possibly Deb next to the person in black with her head turned on Sara's right. The person in front of Tina might be me, but it's hard to tell. Libby M. possibly in the front row. That's Nancy L. 2nd from the left edge of the photo, and possibly Barb E. behind her, with Nelson P. and Marv M. a few rows back. Up near the top is Steve B. Get out your annual and look at the page sponsored by Houghton and Buser, and see if your eyes are better than mine. It's a pretty small photo. I'm always surprised when I look at these old photos how much better dressed we were than today's teen-agers, and on a smaller budget, too!

We'll take a cup of kindness yet. . .

Christmas Party 1954
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and never brought to mind?
Should auld acquaintance be forgot and days of auld lang syne.
For auld lang syne, my dear, for auld lang syne,
We'll take a cup of kindness yet, for auld lang syne.
Robert Burns
Photo submitted by Nancy L., who is taking the photo, and I'm not sure whose mom was hosting this, Lynne's I think. Back row, Fran K., Sara Y., Tina K., Norma C., Salley O.; front foreground Deb P., then behind her Lynne F., Nancy G., Kay A., Priscilla D., and Marion D.

Lynne writes about this photo: "Always lots of great food at our parties after football and basketball games. No matter where we met--brownies, popcorn, French fries, and cokes--supplied by the mothers. One birthday party for Marion D. was celebrated at Lake Ripley at the Plum summer home. We swam, pretended to fish and looked for boys! Notice the saddle shoes, white shirts, rolled up jeans, the shiny, many colored aluminum glasses. Some Mamie Eisenhower bangs--it was 1954 and everyone liked Ike. Christmases have come and gone and I look forward to the Christmas greetings from these friends and remember that long ago Christmas when life was fresh and unfolding."