Girl Scout Troop 7 receives badges and stars

This item, now almost 60 years old, appeared in the Mt. Morris Index probably in 1951 and Lynne uncovered the clipping recently.

"Fourteen members of Girl Scout Troop No. 7 and their leaders, Mrs. Lawrence Lamm, with her assistants, Mrs. Dan Fishman and Mrs. William Folgate, enjoyed an overnight hike to the Ross farm last week. A potluck supper for all the parents and families was a feature of the evening after which the girls were presented their badges and stars showing they have been girl scouts for the year. During the badge presentation ceremony, the investiture was held for Norma Corbett who has recently joined this troop. The Scout girls who participated in this overnight recreation were Sharon Rothermel, Sara Yoder, Barbara Emmert, Diane Bechtold, Darlene Holverson, Dorothy Raney, Marion Duncan, Kay Alter, Salley Olsen, Francine Kitzmiller, Lynne Fleming, Deborah Plum, Nancy Lamm and Priscilla Drummond.

Thanks for sending this Lynne--I remember Ross Farm, but don't remember this particular event. Also, I don't remember Mrs. Fishman being our assistant leader--I used to babysit for them. It's a good thing the class of 1957 was such a busy group--what would the paper have been without us?

Mt. Morris Times story about class tree

"Members of the Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 gathered on Kable Square Aug. 13 to dedicate a gift to the village."


"Members of the Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 pose with the autumn blaze maple tree they donated to the village and dedicated Aug. 13. Pictured left to right are: Laurie Hough, daughter of Donald Hundertmark, Linda Hundertmark, Bob Coddington, Nancy Falzone, Dave Saunders, Priscilla Campbell, Lynne Wilburn, Greely Myers, Jeanne Scholl, Marian Thompson, and Sylvia Saunders." (Photo by Vinde Wells )

Red House Mystery, the Senior Class Play

Lynne F. writes her memories of the senior class play, April 12, 1957. Photos by Nancy L.

Mt. Morris High School traditionally had an annual junior play in the fall and senior play in the spring. We also had a very active drama club which went by various names during our high school years (see the Thespian story), and our English teachers encouraged participation in the arts--acting, writing and set design.

I think half of our class was in our senior play, The Red House Mystery, either in the cast or the production crew. Some of us doubled as actors and production staff.

left to right: Lynne F., Glen O., Sharon R., Carol K.
The play was based on the book by A.A. Milne, the author of House at Pooh Corner and Now we are Six, so enjoyed by generations of children, my sisters and me included. Adapted for the stage in three acts by Ruth Perry, it is still being performed by schools and community groups. It's a relief to know it survived the class of 1957 which performed it 50 years ago this month.

The plot is complicated with sibling rivalry, house guests, a murder and even a ghost, and is set in an English manor house. Darlene H. played the actress Ruth Norris and wore a sheet to be a convincing ghost. David S. and Duane B. were Inspectors Birch and Turner, trying to investigate the murder of the master of the manor. Jon M. and Nancy L. were Antony and Angela, an engaged couple. Myron B. played Cayley the foster son (and murderer) who is killed by Inspector Turner (Duane). Sharon G. was the housekeeper and Mary Lou S. and I were maids. Glenn O. played a retired Army officer and put his whole heart and soul into his scenes and was the only one who could be heard in the back of the auditorium. Other cast and crew members were Priscilla D., Carolyn M., Carol K., Pat B., Mike B. and Nelson P.; please add names that I've missed--and parts if you remember.

Mary Lou S., Lynne F., Dave S., Sharon G. (?)
Our director was the wonderful and patient Mrs. Burstrom (she was also 8th grade teacher for many in the class), and I can't say enough about how hard she worked with us to get our lines right. One phrase, "They quarrelled" kept coming out as "The squirelled" by the time it was heard in the back. We had a great time during rehearsals and poor Mrs. Burstrom was in tears more than once, as we could not remember our lines. Opening night came and went and we managed to get through our three acts with parents, sisters, brothers, aunts and uncles all assembled and applauding dutifully.


Priscilla D. and Jon M. making pop-corn at rehearsal
Diane B. hosted our cast party following the play and she and her mother were wonderful hostesses with much food and drink and a huge cake. We presented our beleaguered director with a thank you gift from everyone in the cast and crew and a card signed by everyone. I presented the gift to her and once again she cried. She was a wonderful person and a great teacher.