A note from Klaus' widow Margot

Please click to enlarge. She is thanking the class for the memorial tree and notes that Klaus loved Amazing Grace, which was played at his funeral and played by Sylvia at the planting ceremony.

How many of us remember him.

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.

Proud to be Girl Scouts

Every store I've been in this week has a table set aside for the Scouts selling cookies. My neighbor came by with her granddaughter to pick up the donation I'd promised instead of purchasing cookies. So here's a wonderful memory written by Lynne F. with photos submitted by Nancy L., whose mom was our leader.

Our class had a large, very active Girl Scout troop in the 50s. We hiked, biked, had camping trips, rolled back the sod, cooked our hobo stew and made S'mores. We also had one memorable trip to Chicago on the train and two nights at the Palmer House--the hotel was never the same! We girls thrived on this and we were blessed with two leaders who were very good sports, Mildred Lamm and Velda Plum. Some girls stayed on and were Senior Girl Scouts through high school. My personal motivation may have come from that Hollywood movie magazine of the 50s which said Debbie Reynolds had been a Senior Girl Scout. I like to think it was the fresh air, exercise and friendship. To this day I buy Girl Scout cookies.

Left to right: Barb E., Norma C., Sara Y. and Nancy L. ca. 1951. Photo submitted by Nancy L. Verso says: "Ready to leave on our 2 day camping trip." Norma says: All I remember of G.S. camping is the cows coming to our tents and scaring us. I think this street is Emily.

Left to right at a Girl Scout play day, Robin Hood theme, April 1952: Carolyn M., Darlene H., Sharon R., Norma C., Donna B., Sara Y., Deb P. Salley O., Fran K., unidentified, Diane B., Marion D., Kay A. Back row, left to right: Nancy L., Lynne F., Mrs. Lamm, leader, unidentified.

Lynne remembers: This photo brings back a flood of memories. One hike we all took was the back way to the White Pines State Park. The roads were gravel then and it was a hot and dusty hike. Our leader, Mrs. L. had us take interval breaks in the shade. On one such break we all flopped down but soon. Fran K. was up jumping and gyrating like nothing we'd ever seen before. She had landed on a hugh ant hill and they took exception to it! Mrs. L. had us form a semi-circle while first-aid was applied to Fran's back side. Years later while watching the 60's program Laugh In and realiized that was Fran's dance they were doing--a cross between the Funky Chicken and the Watusi. Fran survived and so did the story. Fran K ever the good sport and joy to this day.