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.

Fortieth reunion, 1997

Digging around in a box today, I found this article about our 1997 reunion. If I've already posted it, well, who would remember?  Certainly not me.  I tried to post it on Mike's FaceBook class site, but my 9 year old computer is having a struggle with FB.

Band memories from high school

On Facebook at Mike's wall for MMHS classmates, I asked about band memories and who continued with their music and got some good ones from our era. I'm adding them here, or they will be lost. The memories went all the way back to Beth Amsrud (d. 1997 at 89), who was sort of a circuit music teacher, covering many small districts.

Mike wrote: “I played the clarinet right next to Eddie Gruen. Frannie Kitzmiller was squeaking right behind me. We both squeaked our way into retirement. I was late to a basketball game where the band was playing and Beth Amsrud told me not to come back. Don't think I was too disappointed.” 

Jon wrote: "I played the drums as most of you will remember. I started taking lessons in Rockford when I was in 4th grade. I believe I got to start playing in the High School band later in 5th grade. I believe Sylvia and I were the first ones in our class to play in The Kable Band. After high school I pretty much quit playing.  I won contest awards I believe four times in solo drums and then we did a quartet I believe once or twice. It was so long ago I do not remember all of the details. I am sure Sylvia won as well as several others that went to contest. One of the fun things we did was to put together the top people in each section of the band and combine it with the same from all bands in the conference. We practiced all afternoon along with top individuals from the HS choirs. We then did a performance that evening for the parents. That was a really fun day for me. I still love music." [I think Jon is referring to the Blackhawk Music Festival.]

Sylvia wrote: "Jon Martin and I played in the Kable Band under J.J. Richards in 1954. He received a check at the end of the season for $13.15. Me...I only got $8.85. (I think I had another job, or was at Camp some weeks.). It was a privilege to play for Richards. He was a well-known conductor, next to Sousa. Richards performed and conducted in the Ringling Circus Band.

My first band experience was with "No-nonsense" Beth Amsrud. Was thrilled to play in the high school band with Nancy Thomas Brinker, Joy Edwards, and Mike Miller. On to Manchester College band. Great flute section and flute friends there. Back to MM to Kable band, then onto Maryland. Played in Rockville Community Band. Many retired outstanding service band members. Great band. Played. Evening concert outside the Kennedy Center in DC.

Back to MM and Kable Band. Also, fun playing in Pit orchestra for Pag performances. And for the last 6 years, I've traveled to Sarasota, FL, to play with the Windjammers. (A group that plays circus music.) So thanks to all conductors, "encouragers", etc. It's been a fun ride...you just never know where music will take you. (Tell your kids that! They won't be sorry.) Thanks again to both Reckmeyers and other conductors.  I wouldn't have changed one minute.

Other class members in the Kable band according to old payroll records (which Sylvia has) were Salley Olsen, Darlene Holverson, Dwayne Zipse, and Nelson Potter.

According to a 1955 program I have, other class members in the high school band were Lynne F., Nancy L., Sharon R., Sara Y. and Priscilla D.

 I (Norma) played trombone with Mr. Johnson and Mr. Reckmeyer in high school. I had started the bassoon in elementary school and hated it, picked up my brother's trombone one day and never gave it back. It's not an instrument you take to a party, and I think I sold it around 1967 when we moved to Columbus. My husband bought me one for my 50th birthday as well as hiring a trombonist to come to the house and play for me. But it was too late . . .　

I looked up Mrs. Amsrud’s obituary, and she died in 1997 at 89. "Beth began her career in 1929 teaching band in the following schools: Chadwick, Thomson, Cordova, Elizabeth, Orangeville, Mount Morris, Byron, Oregon, and Forreston, where she started teaching full time in 1951. She retired in 1964 after 37 years." I had her in Forreston because she also did the school wide musicals that included the elementary kids. It's amazing she could remember not only what town she was in, but our names. It's in my memory she also had the little one room rural schools and folded them in when we had large events.

Go Mounders! We have a hydrant!

On behalf of the MMHS Class of '57 Lynne has submitted an outstanding entry in the town hydrant contest with the theme "Be True To Your School" at the corner of Hitt St. and Mulberry. Thank you, Lynne, for all the hard work (and the idea and talent) on behalf of the class. It is the most handsome hydrant I've seen. I wish I could see all of them; I'm sure the town looks very festive. A great way to build community spirit.
 

Looking ahead to summer events and 2017 and the 60th reunion

CLASS OF '57 UPDATES

Several members of the class met in May at the McKendrie Street Cafe for breakfast.  And then, last week, three class members talked some more at the Pines....Here is what we'd like you to know...

Everyone who is in town on July 4, is invited to come to the Fireman's Breakfast,...at the Fire Station.  Some tables are reserved for our Class on the east side of the station.  Those firemen/women do some fine cooking.  Get in line around 8 AM, (a little later is okay, too) and we'll hope to see you there.

 

Just for fun....the town has decided to have a paint-the-hydrant contest.  So our "artist-in-residence" Lynne has offered to paint our hydrant.....with a red and black Mounder theme...of course!!  Thank-you, Lynne.

 

Regarding the big 60th Reunion!!!  The date is Saturday, October 14, 2017.  At the present, the time will probably be in the afternoon.  Plan A is the Mt. Morris Moose Lodge.  One whole room will be available for us, and there will be a complete meal with a salad bar, etc.  Some surprises are planned, too.

 

Cimino's is always a good gathering place the night prior to the Reunion.  More details will continue, but save these dates:

July 4, 2016, Breakfast at the Fire Station in Mt. Morris

October 14, 2017.....60th Reunion

 

Sylvia and the "Committee"

A documentary film made in Mt. Morris in 1957 is now on YouTube

In 2009 I was blogging about class stuff and found out from Nancy F. that there had been a documentary filmed in Mt. Morris in 1957 and that she and her family were in it. I was in California that summer so had no recollection of it.  So I went looking for it on the internet and found it in an archives of old films, called AV Geeks, contacted the owner, but never heard anything, so we dropped it. I came across that blog the other day, reread it, and decided I'd try again, and so told Linda Miller of Mt. Morris about it and she put my request for information on the Mt. Morris Facebook page site, “Do you remember this in Mt. Morris.”  I also through Facebook am friends with Nancy's brother, so I told Don Snodgrass about the database of old films. He did what I did in 2009, but got an answer and the owner provided a link to YouTube. Although I'm not sure how it works, it's possible that unless they have a demand, they don't transfer the film to YouTube. https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5GTRdPsZxrc#t=68

 

Here's how it lays out: There is a town named Spring Valley (most of the scenes are Mt. Morris.) Opening scenes of a quiet town showing Brayton, Wesley, the high school, Trinity Lutheran, either Sunset or Hannah ranch homes, and two scenes of industry, which do not seem to be from MM. Then Ralph Zickuhr, possibly Harvey Miller, then Richard Butler, Mike Babler (wearing their FFA jackets) and other teens building something on the campus. You'll see Lila Baker, Marilyn and Eddie Miller, and Les Lundgren. The doctor and his father are actors, and scene at the medical clinic looks like Oregon to me. In the community meetings the setting is the Mt. Morris high school, which was only a few years old then. I recognize Marilyn Muller, Mrs. Marge Long in white dress, Phil Orr, Mr. Snodgrass, Nancy's father, Sybil Dohlen (what a gorgeous smile), and a very young Don Snodgrass in a flat top. I don't know the minister (an actor?), and one farmer in a straw hat in the interview phase sort of looks like Forrest Kinsey, and Kinsey is the name on the questionnaire. 

Lew Behrens is hired in the film as the recreation director and shows up around 16:36 and he's in a number of scenes, and I suspect probably his children. I think I spotted Ron Duffy of our class in the scene of the young people who volunteer labor to build the center, which I think is the current senior center in the construction site. Bill Lundholm is in the car wash scene (to represent raising money by teens). The scene at the end of the large family piling into a Buick station wagon, looks like it was in front of the Behrens home.

I recognized no one in the square dance, singing group or drama group and wondered if those scenes are from another effort, or actors. But if you do, please chime in.  Perhaps others might recognize someone. All the sport scenes of tennis, golf, and baseball show both sexes--such a progressive town. The machine shop instructor didn't look familiar. The lake scene is from Byron, since Mt. Morris didn't have one. At 21:02 in the film you see people sitting in what looks like a park, I spotted Dave Dillehay. Interesting that Mt. Morris does have parks named both for Zickuhr and Dillehay.

Needless to say, our classmate Nancy is thrilled to finally see this film, and especially the scenes with her family. Plus others in the community are having a lot of fun identifying the townspeople. You'll all have a good time looking at it.  I looked today and it already had 318  views even though it was only posted yesterday on YouTube.

Raymond Appler, former Mt. Morris teacher, dies at 96

Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, Illinois, the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war.

When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star.

After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's.

Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): four children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, Illinois, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, Colorado and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, Michigan; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4-8 PM at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1:00 PM; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/).  His wife died last year.

I know many in our class have fond memories of Mr. Appler.  The photo is from our 50th reunion.

Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf

Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf

Raymond G. Appler 1920—2016
Raymond G. Appler, 96, of Oregon, died peacefully at Heritage Square, Dixon on Thursday, May 12, 2016. He was born on March 7, 1920 in Steward, IL., the son of Ray and Ruth (Byrd) Appler. On June 18, 1950 he was married to Esther J. Semmler in Ashton, IL. As a young man Ray attended Byrd School and graduated from Steward High School in 1938. He played baseball at the high school level, as a pitcher for Northern Illinois University and was a professional baseball prospect before the war. When WWII broke out, Ray chose to enlist in the Marine Corps. After completing basic training at Camp Lejeune, he was sent to the Pacific front, where he fought on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. On Okinawa, Ray risked his life to save those of his fellow marines when he used hand grenades and his baseball pitching skills to defeat an enemy gun emplacement. For his heroism he was awarded the Bronze Star. After the war Ray returned to Steward High School as a science and physical education teacher. He continued his teaching career at Mt. Morris Junior High and then Jefferson School in Oregon. Ray was promoted into administration first as Principal of Pleasant Hill School in Oregon and then as Assistant Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. In DeKalb County Ray gained more experience as Assistant Superintendent before finally becoming Superintendent of Schools for Ogle County. After his retirement in 1982, Ray earned his real estate license and enjoyed working for Century 21 in Oregon well into his 70's. Grateful for having shared in his life are his wife, Esther (deceased): 4 children, Mary (Mark) Kiepura of Arlington Heights, IL, John (Diane) Appler of Kihei, Hawaii, Joe (Colleen) Appler of Littleton, CO., and Marcia (Ned) Birkey of Ida, MI.; and 10 grandchildren, Whitney and Madeleine Kiepura, Justin and Richard Appler, Nicholas Snoey, Kirstie and Jordan Appler and Leah, Lauren and Ben Birkey.
Visitation will be held on Friday, May 20, 2016 from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. at Farrell Holland Gale Funeral Home in Oregon. Funeral services will be held at the First Presbyterian Church in Oregon on Saturday, May 21st at 1 p.m.; burial at Chapel Hill Cemetery, Dixon, IL following the service. In lieu of flowers, memorials may be directed to the Injured Marines Semper Fi Fund. (https://semperfifund.org/). www.farrellhollandgale.com. - See more at: http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/rrstar/obituary.aspx?n=Raymond-G-Appler&pid=180023498#sthash.jU2LkAuV.dpuf

Plans are underway for the 60th!

The Mt. Morris High School Class of 1957 planning committee met Friday, May 6, at the local McKendrie Street Café to start plans for our 60th class reunion.  Saturday, October 14, 2017, has been selected for the big day. The location is yet to be determined, but it was agreed it will be a noon/one o'clock luncheon. Details will follow in June when the committee meets again.  In the meantime, mark your calendars for pending 60th reunion.  Also, please make a note on your calendars for July 4th of this year for our annual breakfast gathering during the Fireman's Breakfast on the morning of the Fourth at the fire station. Classmates usually start showing up around 8 a.m., and the firemen have a special table set aside for our class. Look for a lot of gray hair and join us.  Story and photos submitted by Lynne.

Marion, Mary Jane, Nancy, Sylvia, Lynne, Jean

Dwayne, Mary Jane, Sylvia, Jean, Marion, Nancy, Greely

 

Coach Ray Walder

I am still waiting on an official confirmation or obituary for Coach Ray Walder, who died recently at age 90.  Ray and Faye have been living with youngest daughter Cathy.  The news has been circulating on various MMHS lists, but the family (as of Feb. 17) hadn't put a notice in the paper. Here is the note in the 1955 MMHS Mounder, which means even those of us who were not athletes, had him for an instructor. I think general science was a required course.

"Science is Mr. Walder's field.  He teaches biology and general science in addition to coaching the fresh-soph football and basketball teams which takes a lot of his time.  Mr. Walder can usually be seen at the games.  He is a graduate of Iowa State Teachers College with his Bachelor of Arts degree."

 

High school tennis by Mike

Based on a 1955 Mounder, I think I know the people in this story. (nbruce, blogger)

"I happen to know someone who holds a world record. He holds the record for the world's longest tennis racket throw. (Unsubstantiated of course, it has never been entered into the official record books because, I suppose of embarrassment). My doubles partner in high school had a terrible temper, it was pretty funny, you know? He'd miss a crucial shot in an important match and he'd jump up and down, hit his racket on the court surface, and sometimes break it.

It was all his fault when I began to manifest the same behavior. ( Notice how I'm blaming him). We were in high school and he and I were winning a match against our rival team from Rochelle, Illinois. The coach, Lew Behrens was watching, and one of us settled under a lob in order to put it away for the final point in the first set, and hit the ball on the racket frame, rather than the strings, and the ball went into orbit over the fence and into the adjacent ball field. Well, I turned in anger and threw my racket high and far. It helicoptered onto the roof of the high school. How am I admitting this? Oh, the embarrassment! The coach admonished me, but not too much to affect my game, but he then loaned me HIS racket with the appropriate threat.

After the match, which we fortunately won, without any more foolish tantrums, I had to go fetch my racket somehow. So, I went inside to find the school custodian, Art Goldberg, and borrow a ladder. I found him in a stall in the Men's Room. The conversation went something like this:

Me: Mr Goldberg, where can I find a long ladder?
Art:  It's in the back.... Why do you need a ladder?
Me: Well I need to get on the roof.
Art: Oh, well it is in the back room behind....... Why do you need to get on the roof?
Me:  Something of mine is up there.
Art:  Oh, look in the storage..... What of yours is up there?
Me: My tennis racket.
Art: Oh. Well, get the ladder out and... How did it get up THERE?
Me: Uhhh.. I threw it there, I guess.

 By this time Art flushed and came out of the stall and said, "Oh it's you, Well I'm not surprised. I'll get it for you this time, but next time you'll need a new racket!"

 Bless his heart.

1954 Mounder photos