The MMHS 1957 blog is closing down

A huge thank you to Nancy Falzone, Lynne Wilburn, Sylvia Saunders and Mike Balluff who have supplied the majority of the photos, stories and newspaper articles. We've got stories and photos of the 10th, 15th, 20th, 30th, 40th, 45th, 50th, 57th, and 60th reunions, and the 52nd and 53rd "events," plus the ladies breakfasts that met whether or not the whole class did! Actually, the 50th reunion entries are a bit skimpy. If I have the correct labels, about 70 of the entries are from the 1950s (there is some overlap), there are a number of birthday parties, lots of sports stories--baseball, basketball, football, golf, track and tennis--organizations like 4-H, scouting, band, GAA, Student Council, churches, town businesses, town landmarks, 4 trees to help reforest the campus, plus a memorial tree dedicated to deceased members of the class, a class marker on the campus, 4 entries in the town Christmas celebration, a painted hydrant for July 4, weddings and anniversaries (there would have been more but I didn't get photos from Jon and Phil who celebrated their 50th anniversaries during our blog's time), the class plays, current health problems of class members, and a number of obituaries, including class members who died during the time of the blog--Carolyn, Marv, Neal, Klaus, Diane, Francine, Darlene, Jerry, Sharon, Glenn R., Nelson, Phil and Libby, as well as our former teachers, and parents of classmates. Probably the saddest entries for me were the obituaries of the sons of our classmates, Glenn R., Lynne and Salley. Those I didn't expect to write. But we also have poetry (thank you, Lynne), some YouTube videos of songs and music of "our times," a movie made in Mt. Morris, and some warm memories. As long as Blogger dot com continues, our class and its times will have a spot on the internet. Have a blessed Christmas and a great 2019.

National Honor Society election 1956

No date on this Index photo, but it says we were juniors (1955-56), and in the Yearbook photo the girls are wearing white shoes, so induction must have been in the Spring, because you know we all followed those fashion dictates in those days. The Yearbook reported that only 15% of a class can be elected, and the Index said the upper 25%, and both that the standards were rising. The class of 1956 had 8 members, ours only 5.

Music activities from 1955

Sylvia T. won a first at District Music Contest along with Mary Ellen K. and Jon M., and then went on to play at the University of Illinois at the State Music Festival in Urbana (I don't have the outcomes for the others). In this Index photo she is going over her music with Wayne Johnson. She still plays in the town band and is the organist for the Church of the Brethren. Band members also played for school assemblies, marched in the Homecoming parade, played for football and basketball games and with the choral groups participated in the Blackhawk Music Festival.

Photos from the Pinecricker PowWow in Polo

The mostly local members of the class of 1957 met for lunch on a lovely fall day at the Pinecricker Grill in Polo on October 8. I thought the food and service was excellent, so if you're looking for a spot for your Friday night date, check this out. I took a few photos, and I think Sylvia did too, so let's see what we have. She has a much better camera and usually alerts people to "look this way," so I expect hers to show more faces, and fewer backs.

Here we have Bob C., Nancy S., Dave S., Sylvia T., and Ebba L.

I get some great "back of heads" photos--this is Bob C., Ron D., Lynne F. in the red, Fran K., Nancy G. standing, Marion D. and Diane B. The child is Diane's grandson, and the two guys you don't recognize are Fran's friend (green shirt) and my husband (blue shirt). Nancy S. husband Don was there too, but I don't see him in any of the shots. Jean M. was there, but maybe came after I took the photo.

Here's a surprise! Fran laughing, Lynne making a strong point, and Dave drinking a cup of coffee! Is there life after high school, as they say.

Photo from Sylvia added Jan. 16, 2011

It was a very hot day for October, and the sun was so bright we're all squinting, but we sat down for a mini-group photo on the bar side of the restaurant for a one last "see you next time."

I hadn't been to Polo in years. It looks much the same as when I was a corn detasseler in the 1950s, and the town has a very nice looking business district. Like Forreston it no longer has a grocery store. Shop local! Save your stores!

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.

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.

Breakfast in 1996

I can't tell you much about this photo except that I found it in an album of photos where I keep 40-50 years worth of Christmas card photos, and it was in a section with Lynne and Sylvia's families (what adorable children!) I wasn't often around for these mid-year events, but I think Lynne and/or Sylvia used to gather up some folks for coffee at the little restaurant on Wesley when Nancy L who lives in California was in town. My photo-detective eye spies an artificial pointsettia in the foreground, so I'm guessing this was December 1996 and I was probably in town visiting my parents so I got invited. I probably took the photo because I'm not in it, and I do have a vague memory of seeing Deb at one of these coffees, and I don't think I've seen her since. From the left: Francine, Deb, Nancy, Sylvia, Lynne, Marion.

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 )

Autumn Blaze Maple selected for Class of 57 tree

What: Class of '57 Memorial Tree Dedication
When: Friday, August 14th
Time: 9:30 AM
Place: Campus(south portion)
Optional: There will be an 8 a.m. breakfast prior to the dedication at Spring Valley Coffee Shop located across the railroad tracks east of Mt. Morris, just past Kable News Fulfillment and across from Finch Funeral Home.

There will be a photo op on the Campus and the local Mt. Morris TIMES has agreed to take a photo for the paper.

Come if you can. . . Hope to see you there. . . casual dress.

Lynne reports that "our" tree is 10 ft. tall. According to a web site I checked, "the Autumn Blaze is an extremely fast-growing maple with brilliant red fall color. Under good conditions it can grow 3 ft. or more per year. It is tolerant of clay soils and drought and has a dense, oval head with strong branching. Developed in North Central Ohio, this tree will grow in a wide range of climates from Michigan to central Florida. It grows 50 ft. high and 40 ft. wide."

A big thank you to all the class members who worked so hard getting this done.

Several class members (Bob, Lynne, Sylvia and Dave) assist the nursery crew in finding just the right spot for the Class of 57 tree, under the careful eye of Tess and Buddy, the Saunders' border collies.

"Nancy S. marks just the right spot of our memorial tree." Photo and comments by Lynne. Bandshell in background.

"Fresh in the ground, tall and straight." Photo and comments by Lynne. In the background is the dormitory from the college years, sold to become apartments after its closing in 1932.

More mini-reunion photos

Sara, Fran, Mary Jane and Sylvia enjoy the lovely weather and flowers

Sara's husband Bill and Dwayne.

Here's Bob C. chatting with Pat B., Nancy K., Nancy S., and Mary Jane F. Pat's husband Tom D. from class of 1956 at left.

Sylvia S. with the three Nancy's.

The guys sitting under a tree, l. to r. Fran's friend, Jim, Glenn R., Phil E., Diane's husband John T., Don F. husband of Nancy S., and Tom D., Pat's husband. Darlene H. in the foreground.

Enjoying the day are l. to r. Darlene, Donna wife of Glenn R., Diane B., Nancy L., Greely M., with Nancy S. in doorway.

Moe and Nancy's place has prairie grasses and wild flowers east of the house. Their 80 something neighbor still milks his cows and makes hay.

Class reunion, July 2, 1977

Nancy and Lynne, top; Sylvia, Donna, Barb and Sally, bottom.

Trips to Chicago

On May 11, 1957, the senior members of the National Honor Society--Sara Y., Sharon R., Norma C., Sylvia T., Sharon G., and Nelson P. went to Chicago with their advisor, Mr. Harvey, to see a play, "The apple cart," by George Bernard Shaw, and the Cinerama production, "The Seven Wonders of the World." Two guests, Mr. Yoder, and Mike B. accompanied the group as guests. I've been wondering about this event which was reported in the final issue of the Hilltopper. Why don't I have any memory of going? Although I do remember going to the play J.B. in Chicago with some group from school. Nor do I know why Mike B. was the only classmate invited as a guest, unless it was to protect Nelson from all those girls. Mr. Yoder probably drove a car, because even with the huge sedans we had in those days, all of us wouldn't fit in one car. But if you had asked me before today if I'd ever seen a Bernard Shaw play, I'd have said no. Nelson P. was the Editor of the Hilltopper, so I'm going to assume he wrote the article because it is mentioned that the comedy was a social protest, which would have gone right over my head.

Then on June 3, 1957, the FHA (Future Homemakers of America) went to Chicago to visit the Merchandise Mart, with lunch at Sears Roebuck. Thus inspired, they went shopping, then relaxed at a nice restaurant for dinner (there was a typo in the Hilltopper that referred to them as "sinners"). In the evening they split into two groups, one to see "The Ten Commandments" and the other to see, "Around the World in 80 Days." They would drive back to Mt. Morris around midnight. The article doesn't provide names, and we can't be sure who went (seniors had already graduated by then), but seniors in that organization were Pat B., Nancy G., Barb E., Mary Lou S., Debora P., Daisy W., Donna B., Lynne F., Judy T., Diane B., Dorothy R., Bonnie W., Nancy S., Carol K., Sharon R., Francine K., Priscilla D., and Nancy L.

Breakfast cookout--senior girls

It is my hope that we've all improved our cooking skills since May 1957 when some of the senior girls gathered for a breakfast cookout. We were not like today's students who would probably stop by a Starbucks or McDonald's. No, we had bacon, eggs, o.j., milk, and someone probably figured out how to make toast on an open fire. I'm trying to remember what the occasion was, but the only thing I can remember is that we were allowed (or flaunted the rules) to wear casual clothes to school, so we combined that with a breakfast. It must have been a chilly day--we're all bundled up.

Upper left is Lynne F. pouring orange juice; upper right (that is not smoke, just a bad exposure) are Sylvia T. warming her hands, Darlene H. watching, and Nancy L. wondering if she should blow on the fire; then lower left is Francine K. stirring the eggs and Darlene trying to take the spoon (or is that a rake?); Then lower right is Nancy blowing on the fire (her mother was our Girl Scout leader), with Frannie laughing (surprise!) and Nancy's back to the camera. I don't know who that is in the white Illinois sweat shirt with loafers and white socks, but she's in 3 of the photos (possibly Pat B?). The picnic tables look like we were at the White Pines State Park, but the shelter house in the back ground doesn't seem right, unless it was the one right at the entrance.

Halloween Party 1953

This photo was taken in the community gym, but I don't recall who sponsored the Halloween party--perhaps the youth canteen. I found seven members of the class of 1957 in this photo--but I don't know who is behind some of the masks. The non-class members I recognize are Danny, Joyce, Larry, Mary Ann, Wilma, Murray, Don, Gerry, Joyce, and Bob from Polo.

Can you find the seven members of the class of 1957 in this photo? Are you behind a mask?