Funeral for Classmate Marvin Miller on October 9

From the Ogle County Life:

"COLUMBIA, MO — Marvin R. Miller, 71 passed away Aug. 29, 2010, in Columbia. Born August 21, 1939 in Freeport.
He served in the United States Army Reserve and was stationed in Germany during the Korean war.  He grew up in Mt. Morris  where he  resided and worked at Kable Printing Company  until moving to Columbia,  MO in 1974.
He is survived by sons Charlie (Lisa) Miller of Menomonie, WI; Andrew Miller Webster of Eau Claire, WI; and Frank Miller of High Bridge, WI.  Grandchildren are Ash and Tyler Miller of Menomonie, WI and Lilly Miller of High Bridge, WI.  Sister, Dianna (Wayne) Kretsinger of Leaf River, IL and several nieces and nephews.  He is predeceased by parents Edna Cullen and Kenneth Miller and brother John Miller. 
Military Honors will be held at the graveside in Oakwood Cemetery in Mt. Morris on Saturday, Oct. 9 at 3 p.m."
Note: I think the author of the obituary made an error on the era in which Marv served in the military--the Korean War ended in July 1953, the year we graduated from grade school. Sylvia Hageman of our 1957 class was his step-sister. His brother John (d. 2008) was a freshman when we were seniors and I think Dianna was a few years younger.

Our archivist Nancy S. found this great photo of the class walking in the 1992 July 4 parade and Marv is out front.

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?

Girl Scout troop 227 at Camp

This photo from a June 12, 1954, issue of the Index brings back a flood of memories. On one hike we took the back way to the White Pines State Park. Roads were gravel then and it was a hot and dusty hike. Our leader, Mrs. Lamm, had us take breaks in the shade where we'd all flop down to rest. Suddenly, Fran was jumping and gyrating like nothing we'd ever seen before. She had landed on a huge ant hill and they didn't like it at all! Mrs. Lamm had us form a semi-circle while first-aid was applied to Fran's back side. Years later while watching the 60's TV program, Laugh-In, we realized they were doing Fran's dance--a cross between the Funky Chicken and the Watusi. Fran survived and so did the story--Fran, ever the good sport and joy to this day. Lynne

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.

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.

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.

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.