King and Queen of 4-H--Dwayne and Mary Jane

You can click to enlarge and read the story about two members of our class, Mary Jane and Dwayne being crowned King and Queen of the Ogle County 4-H clubs in Spring 1956. Nancy L. another class member was included in the Royal Court. What a lovely slight this must have been during the candle lighting ceremony.

Report on the Class Breakfast, July 3, 2010

In the middle of June we got to thinking there would be no breakfast this year because the Fourth fell on a Sunday. Lynne and Nancy didn't want to see a tradition die, so they decided the class could have the breakfast on Saturday with no problem at all. Nancy talked with the folks at the Dogwood Inn, which is at the site of the old truck stop at "8 mile" at the corner of routes 64 and 26. They have a huge room there and they promised we could have it for our breakfast get together. It did in fact work out very well and we could visit without bothering other people.

It was a day of perfect weather and the restaurant set up things very nicely for us. The breakfast was at 8:30 am and many arrived early to visit. This year instead of "Ladies Only" as we've done for years, we invited the guys and also spouses. We had 19 in attendance and it seemed to work out perfectly. Sylvia read a funny little poem about reunions through the years and how each one changed through the years. Letters and e-mail from absent members were shared. Camera flashes went off and a group picture was taken at the end.

Those attending were Sylvia and Dave, Mary Jane and Dwayne, Moe and Nancy, Ron and Faye, Nancy and Don, Sara and Bill, Glenn and Donna, Jean, Lynne, Marion, Diane, and Jerry B.
Report by Nancy and Lynne with candid photos to come.
Update with additional photos.

Learning about voting with Mr. Worley

This was posted at "Do you remember this in Mt. Morris (Facebook) by Mr. Worley's daughter. Appears to be either civics class or American history, but the students are definitely class of 1957.

From left: Duane, Sharon, Pat, Myron, Mary Lou, Jon. Can anyone identify the adults?

New Band Uniforms, February 1954

And didn't we feel special! Lynne scanned this from the Mt. Morris Index which reported, "Attired in their new uniforms for first appearance at half time during the Mt. Morris/Polo basketball game." A special fund was used to buy these uniforms with help from the PTA. Our director was Wayne Johnson, a graduate of Murray State College with a M.M. from Indiana University who also directed the choral groups, did arranging, and played trumpet in a local orchestra.

That year there were 50 band members--wouldn't that be about a fourth of the school body? We played at half time during the home football games and the half during the home basket ball games, the homecoming parade, the various special musical programs, school assemblies and the opening of the summer concert season at the bandshell on the campus. We also participated as a band and as individuals in band contests with other schools, and the Blackhawk Music Festival. Did we ever give a passing thought to the wonderful opportunities provided to us by our community and parents?

The trombones are completely out of view over on the left, but our class of '57 was well represented in that section--Steve B., Dwayne Z., Myron B., Sara Y., and Norma C. are there with a little help from senior Noel Mc. and sophomores Bob B. and Jim I.

Help me out if I misidentify the musician or instrument: Sylvia T., flute; clarinet--Neal J., Sharon R., Lynne F., Diane B., Francine K.; Priscilla D, French horn (shiny blonde hair in the photo); Nancy L., saxophone; Jon M., drums; trumpet--Salley O., and Darlene H. also Tom W. and Deb P. (I'm guessing here). I think it was either our junior or senior year that Nelson P. took up the bass, joined the band and entered musical contests. In our final year there were 8 seniors who played in a pep band--if you remember who--add it in the comments.