Brookings Receives Accolades From The Argus-Leader

For many people in the area, the Sioux Falls Argus Leader, the largest daily newspaper in South Dakota, is jokingly called The Argus Liar.  Despite what may be the paper's shortcomings, a recent edition featured Brookings, as the city "is morphing from a college town to community with explosive growth in jobs, amenities, and success."

Brookings is now the fourth largest city in the state, trailing Sioux Falls, Rapid City, and Aberdeen.  There are 22, 065 residents, of whom about 13,000 are students at SDSU.  What was the population and enrollment 45 years ago, 12,000 and 4,000?

A number of businesses and industries call Brookings home.  According the Argus Leader article, the top 15 employers in town are SDSU (3,359 employees) ; Daktronics (1,700); 3M (850); Larson Manufacturing (503); Hy-Vee (443); Brookings Health System (433); Wal-Mart (425); Twin City Fan (405); Brookings School District (400); City of Brookings (222); Falcon Plastics (221); Brookings Municipal Utilities (216); Advance (213); Fishback Financial Corporation (210); and United Living Community (175). Some of these  businesses were not located here when we were in school.

The latest addition promises to improve the business climate in the area.  Recently, the new Bel Brands USA plan, where Mini Babybel cheese is produced, started operations (http://www.argusleader.com/picture-gallery/news/business-journal/2014/07/30/15-photos-booming-brookings/13336997/).  This plant will become the largest producer of this product.  By the end of the year, 250 will be employed at the plant.  Presently, there are 40 salaried and 110 hourly employees.

The director of the plant, Francine Moudry, who came from the Babybel plant in Kentucky, stated "Not all of the states had to offer what South Dakota had."  She especially cited the presence of SDSU and its dairy science program, and the ability to find workers.  A number of those employees are former students who wanted to return.  "Finding them was not very difficult because they wanted to come back," she added.

A number of other businesses were also recognized by the Argus Leader.  Daktronics not only has 1,700 employees working in Brookings, but also has plants in Sioux Falls and Redwood Falls, MN.  Daktronics  has various offices throughout the world, raising its total workforce to about 2,500.  3M has expanded its physical plant a number of times since coming to town, and is planning to add production of a new product in the future.  The plant is getting $11.7 million in new equipment for these improvements, and expects to add 80 new employees.

In addition to these large-scale business, there have been some smaller businesses that call Brookings home.  One of these is Wooden Legs Brewing Company, which is located at the site of the former Pizza Pub.  The owners considered locations in Sioux Falls, Watertown, and Rapid City, but chose Brookings because there is "...some serious cash out to attract young professionals and keep them.  The labor here is highly skilled and highly motivated.  Brookings is a highly competitive market."

One reason Brookings is attractive to so many people is the abundance of family-oriented activities.  These include the bike trail; the expanding school system, especially the new elementary school in the south part of town (about a mile and one-half southwest of the old drive-in location); entertainment and activities affiliated with SDSU, and the Children's Museum (http://www.prairieplay.org/).  Those of us who attended Central Elementary have seen that structure transformed into one of the finest museums of its kind in the United States, thanks to the generosity of the Larson family.  The number of visitors since its opening four years ago is estimated at one-half million. Midwest Living named the museum one of the top  place to visit this summer.  This website, http://www.tripadvisor.com/Attraction_Review-g54533-d2015987-Reviews-Children_s_Museum_of_South_Dakota-Brookings_South_Dakota.html contains a number of comments and reviews of the museum.  This first comment (as of July 31, 2014) is by an individual named sorensonjm2, and states

"The recent trip I made to Brookings was fantastic, The museum was busy with kids visiting
from everywhere ( Me from Texas). I was especially interested to find how they remodled
the building which included my OFFICE for ten years. I was teaching Jr. High girls and elementary physical education in Brookings (1953-64). Those were good years. My office
WAS downstairs under the big windmill now.
Thank you Mr. Larson for this great remodeling idea - to keep kids playing.
My suggestion for a better name--The Dinosaur Play House and Museum in South Dakota.

Visited June 2014"

Does anyone remember this teacher?  She would have taught up through our 7th grade year.  Judging by her name, my guess is that she was Mrs. Sorenson, who would have been the counterpart to Mr. Francis (Franny) Dolan.  In the 1956 annual, she is listed as Miss Baldwin, so she evidently was married after 1956.  Does anyone else remember her?  My memory of her is rather vague, but I do recall her from elementary school.  If she started teaching when she was 22, she would be in her mid-80's by now.  It sounds as if she is still in good health.  Good for her. I also seem to recall a Mrs. Thurston for gym class in the annex lunchroom, possibly in third grade?   Was she just a substitute teacher for a time?  Did those two (three?) rotate between the elementary and jr. hi schools?    In 4th, 5th, and 6th grade, we went to the pit with Mr. Dolan if we were unable to play outside (was PE separated into boys and girls classes at that point?).  Vern Olson and Arlan Meske could do more chin-ups and pull-ups than anyone else, if memory serves right.   For calisthentics, we would line up and count off in fours.  The ones would take one step forward, the twos two steps, etc., so that we could have room to bounce and stretch.  "Let's bounce nice and high" was one of Mr. Dolan's favorite chants.   Do any of the girls remember Mrs. Sorenson (Miss Baldwin) for a gym teacher?

Remembering Mr. Gibbons

Now that we have your attention, Mr. Gibbons has not left us.  He is still alive and doing well.  Recently, the class of 1979 had their reunion, and Mr. Gibbons, along with some of that class's teachers, were recognized and honored for their influence, guidance, and inspiration that they had on that class.  About half of those teachers were also our instructors, such as Mr. and Mrs. Jostad (she was a student teacher in German for Fraulein Huwe our sophomore year, the last year that building was a high school), Mr. Walder, Mr. Tlustos, Mr. Klavetter, and Mrs. Edwards. 

However, a couple of weeks before that, Mr. Gibbons received a special honor.  The Project Adventure course at the high school was rededicated in his honor.  Project Adventure is part of the P. E. curriculum, and was started in 1978. The idea for the course came after he participated in a workshop in the Black Hills.  Consequently, the course does take on some of the same challenges as mountain climbing or rock climbing.

The course in many ways is  intimidating, yet challenging, for the students.  According to one of the present teachers, "The class spends two weeks doing team-building and leadership skills before they step foot onto the sprawling course outside.  Another two weeks allows the student to get their fill of the adventure course, with features that offer both physical and mental tests.  Balance, fear of heights, courage and trust are tested on a climbing wall, zipline, a catwalk, wire bridge, swing, a rope ladder with rungs increasingly farther apart, and a giant, unsteady pole that tapers at the top.  Students climb to the top and then jump from the pole to a trapeze bar."

The course is just south of the high school.  When we were students, there was a little gravel road that connected the south parking lot to 8th St. South.  A few years later, that road was removed when a new building called the "Multi" was built.  It was a joint venture with some of the local high schools, such as Soux Valley (Volga),  and Deubrook (White and Toronto), hence the "Multi", short for "Multi-District".  Classes such as auto mechanics, building trades, health occupations, and business were taught there.  Because these classes were "hands-on",  they were scheduled for two-hour blocks rather than the traditional one hour.  The building trades class, for example, would actually build a house that would be auctioned off at the end of the school year, while those in health occupations might spend some time in a clinic, hospital, nursing home, or assisted living complex.  These classes were often the inspiration for students to choose careers in related fields.

One reason for the dedication is that the old sign was hardly legible, and it seemed fitting to honor Mr. Gibbons for what he had done for the school and the community.  Secondly, his whole family would be in town that weekend for the wedding of his grandson.  Additionally, Mrs. Gibbons was able to invite past students and teachers to come and be a part of the celebration.  What was amazing is that Mr. Gibbons did not know of this honor until he showed up at the high school on June 20.  His wife was able to organize this  gathering without him even suspecting anything. 

Mrs. Gibbons received a phone call on June 20th, and was told that she and her husband were to meet someone at the high school.  She was in on the ploy, but acted as if she knew nothing (shades of Sergeant Schultz of "Hogan's Heroes"?) .  Once inside the school, one of the PE teachers began by telling stories and expressing thanks for Mr. Gibbons' work and impact on the school.  Others then did the same.  Mr. Gibbons spoke and expressed his gratitude and appreciation.  The group then walked to the adventure course and unveiled the new sign.  Mr. Gibbons was so surprised, and had a difficult time believing that they had planned such a wonderful tribute for him.  "I said, 'Why didn't you tell me something?'  I was so happy, I think I cried.  It's pretty hard to believe that people care that much."

Mr. Gibbons was quick to pass the credit around.  "I've had a lot of  other help.  I haven't done everything myself.  People help me.  I've had administrators back up some idea I had.  And I had family help.  I feel pretty fortunate."  He also had high praise for the present P.E. teachers.  "They've really got it worked out...they really handle it good."

Just as Brookings was once the only South Dakota high school to have its own swimming pool, Brookings is still the only high school in the state to have it own adventure course.  The course has also changed over the years.  Weather has taken its toll; a severe windstorm a few years flattened part of the course, resulting in changes to the heights of the towers, and the actual location of the course itself.  Equipment has also improved in the 36 years since the course was first offered. 

Mr. Gibbons is representative of the many fine teachers who have in some way shaped our lives.  We all have our favorites, and probably our not-so-favorites.  They have likely helped us in ways that we may never realize, and we thank them for that.   To paraphrase Mr. Gibbons, we really do care for all that they have done for us. 

A brief introduction to the original article can be found at http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21670&page=76

The Mother of Patty Felt Passes Away

Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to Patty Felt, whose mother passed away July 12 (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1358167Felt).

The Felt family lived a couple of miles north of town.  My guess is that Patty attended country school through 8th grade, as there are no pictures of her in the yearbooks until our freshman year (my collection is missing the 1965 annual, when we were in 8th grade, so I could be wrong).  Her path and mine seldom crossed.  She was very active in the fine arts, while I lacked any aptitude in those areas.  She also had some older siblings who were in the same classes as my older brothers.  If memory serves correctly, her older Jim, class of 1962(?), was a very gifted and talented student/scholar. 

In 9th grade, she is pictured with the chorus members.  In our sophomore year, she was a member of the student council, Future Homemakers of America, and Girls' Glee club.  In our first year at the new high school, she had a prominent in the musical "Oklahoma," playing Ado Annie.  Her musical abilities were beginning to shine, as she sung her way into Select Chorus, and L'Allegro.  She also continued with her membership in Future Homemakers.  Her musical talent really blossomed our senior year.  In addition to her Select Chorus and L"Allegro, she was in Mixed Chorus, and was selected as a member for All-state Chorus.  Fifteen other BHS students were chosen for his honor, eight of whom were Patty's classmates (Peggy Bush, Helen Sheimo, Pat Collins, Peggy Christie, Patsy McKeown, Steve Miller, Eugene Mueller, and Walter Osterberg).   She also had a major role in the Arthur Miller play "All My Sons."  The annual did not display a group picture for a number of clubs, such as FFA, FHA, FTA, FNA, Spanish Club, German Club, etc.

Patty's younger sister Janet married Tim Fergen, and they have lived right next door to the south of Patty's parents for a number of years.  Tim is a very skilled builder, both of buildings and of cars.  He has built a number of houses and garages in the area, including a massive garage for my brother.  It had to be approved by the city council because it was too large for the lot size.  He also enlarged Nick's Hamburger Shop when his older brother Dick purchased it from Duane Larson of our class.  Main Barbershop, which was next door to Nick's, was about the same size as the hamburger shop, rather long and narrow.  Tim removed most of the wall separating the buildings, doubling the counter space for the well-known eating establishment.  Tim is well-respected as a car buff, and is presently restoring a 1939(?) Chevy pick-up that has been in the Felt family for years. 

Again, our thoughts and prayers go out to Patty during this difficult time.  Feel free to visit the website for Rude's funeral  home above and perhaps sign the guestbook.  I was able to talk with Patty briefly at the visitation.  Some messages of condolence from her close high school friends may ease the pain of the present moment.

Brookings Summer Arts Festival

This is the weekend for the Brookings Summer Arts Festival.  Some classes schedule their reunions to coincide with this event.  The classes of 1984 and 1979, for example, are meeting this weekend.  It's an opportunity for people who have not seen each other for a number of years to get together and reminiscence.  Some chance encounters prove to be rather fruitful. 

One such encounter occurred yesterday, when a  former student who was in town invited me to Nick's, where we met Denny Hauge, class of 1971.  He was on the championship wrestling teams of 1969 (whose co-captians were Dan Liebing and Craig Knock) and 1970. We then went to the SDSU alumni office to get permission to climb the steps of the campanile.  There is an all-encompassing view of the Brookings area from the top.   One benefit of stopping by the alumni office is that we received a certificate for a free ice-cream at the dairy bar.  While we were there, we were graced with the presence of Jan Sanderson, one of the leaders of those two championship teams, and perhaps the finest wrestler from BHS (http://local.brookings.k12.sd.us/activities/HOF/Jan%20Sanderson.pdf).  He told us about his collegiate wrestling career at the University of Iowa.  Jan was as perhaps as well-known for his knitting skills as for his expoits on the mat (http://www.hawkeyesports.com/sports/m-wrestl/spec-rel/041712aab.html). 

Later that night, my niece's 8-year old  son was playing in a baseball game.  One of the players on the other team was the grandson of Denise (Gabel) Christianson.  Denise would be Sandy Gabel's sister.  Their mother recently passed away (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1323903Gabel).  Denise told me that Sandy was not pictured in our junior or senior annuals because they had been in Germany due to their father's military career.  She thought that they had returned in time for Sandy to graduate with us, but that it was too late for her picture to be included in the yearbook. 

Another Loss, And So Soon

Recently, the mother of Cathy Wilber (and the mother-in-law of Tom Madson) passed away (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1320423Adamson).  After her first husband passed away unexpectedly, Mrs. Wilber married Glendon Adamson.  Sadly, Mr. Adamson passed away on July 5 at the age of 85, only five weeks after his wife had passed away (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1353329Adamson).  Our thoughts, condolences, and prayers go out to Cathy and Tom, and the rest of the family.     

South Side Reunion

A previous post indicated that the SouthSide Reunion would be held on July 26.  My mistake; it will be held on July 19 at the VFW, 520 Main Ave (next door to the old State theater) from 11:30 a.m.-4:00 p.m.  My first time attending was last year, and it was a wonderful time.  Hope that you can make it if you are in the area. 

Graduation Day

Recently, 183 graduating seniors received their diplomas from BHS (the total school enrollment was listed at 807, according to  http://high-schools.com/report/sd/public-school-enrollment-rank-in-south-dakota.html).    These figures are slightly higher than when we graduated.  45 years ago, according to the Bobcat of 1969, 178 seniors received their diplomas (the total school enrollment, based on class pictures in the yearbook, was 770; 187 juniors, 214 sophomores, and 191 frosh)..  Although the population of Brookings has almost doubled, that increase has not carried over in the same proportions to the school population..  Indications are, however, that the trend is about to reverse itself in a rather large way.  This year's kindergarten class was about 300.  Construction is underway for a new elementary school in the southern part of town (near Taylor's Fireworks, if any remember where that still is--roughly a mile south of where the Drive-in was, or about a mile and a half south of the old Purple Cow).  Within a few years, then, there will likely be graduation classes in the 220-250 range.

Most of us realize that the cost of post-high school education has skyrocketed.  Many of us were probably able to pay for much of our later education by working a part-time or a summer job(s).  Our parents may have helped, but they were unlikely to be saddled with the huge debts that many students face nowadays.  Scholarships helped, and undoubtedly a number in our class received generous aid from an academic and/or an athletic standpoint.  If memory serves right, there were not that many local scholarships available, such as those given by Kiwanis, Rotary, or  Brookings Ready-Mix.  According the the 1969 yearbook, the Knappen scholarships were awarded to Ron Havermann and Brian Johnson in math, and to Helen Sheimo and Lynne Kamstra in English, and the Guy O. Karnes Scholarship to Mark Bortnem. On the national level, Ken Beckman and Helen Sheimo were honored with National Meris Scholarships.  BHS was the only school in South Dakota to have more than one student to receive this prestigious honor.  Undoubtedly , there were others that were honored for their high school achievements.  Lee Colburn had a basketball scholarship to play at SDSU.  Did Stan Skubic receive a scholarship from a fairly new college, called, ironically New College, in Florida? 

Today's seniors can apply for  a multitude of local scholarships.  The Brookings Register recently listed the 2014 local scholarship recipients that were honored at the 29th Academic Awards Night (meaning  the inaugural ceremony was first held in 1985).  Would you believe, as Maxwell Smart (http://wouldyoubelieve.com/ and http://www.bing.com/videos/search?q=maxwell+smart+would+you+believe&qpvt=maxwell+smart+would+you+believe&FORM=VDRE) used to say, that 173 local scholarships were awarded to 109 of those seniors for their academic, school, and/or community achievements.   Some, of course, received multiple awards, but few of these were available when we were in  school.  The local businesses, organizations, clubs, companies, churches, and individuals recognize how expensive a college education can be, and are willing to donate and sacrifice to ease the burdens of those wishing to further their schooling.


The scholarships can be broken down into various groupings.  There are scholarships from some of the various graduating classes of BHS, namely the classes of 1950, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1967, and 1976.  Our class started a fund a few years ago, but there does not seem to be a large enough base to make it a yearly award yet.  Does anybody know? 

A number of scholarships in honor of individuals who have been closely associated with the school were also listed.  Most of us had some association with these wonderful people, such as Alice Sheimo (Helen's mother), the Beatty Family (Beatty Jewelry?), Bob and Jean Jostad (The buck a point scholarship-appropriate as he was one of our basketball coaches, as well as biology teacher and later principal and superintendent), Doc Serlet , Dr. Scotty Roberts (Gawain's dad), Victor Webster (Skip Webster's dad; Skip was our JV basketball and a freshman football coach), Guy O. Karnes, Helsper and Mahlke (Rich Helsper is a lawyer in town, and was a year behind us), Mert, Karen, and George Lund (Mert graduated in 1954 and became a successful banker; his son George graduated in the early 80's .  Mert passed away recently, and was a close friend and classmate of my oldest brother), Wayne and Rosemary Hauschild (Patty's parents; each of them have a scholarship in their honor), Pete Hays (he was a fine golfer in the same class as Rich Helsper; Pete sat next to me in Mrs. Lippert's typing class our senior year), Patricia Lou Horrigan (was her father the superintendent during most of our school days?), and Virgil and Eileen Bell.  Most of us probably have some vivid memories concerning these individuals.

For example, on the first day of senior English class, Mrs. Sheimo was calling off the roll.  She had taught in the system for a number of years, and knew our older siblings, so she didn't necessarily have to look at the class roster to know who we were.  Four of my older brothers were also her students.  When she came to me, she knew my last name, but called me by each of my older brothers' names before she was able to recall my first name.   There are a number of stories that concern Mr. Jostad.  We were 8th graders his first year in the district.  He and Mr. Kabrud were our football coaches.  One time at practice, we were learning how to run some plays.  Our team was on defense, and we were just going through the motions.  I was shocked when he told me rather loudly "Knock em on their ass!"  I had no idea teachers talked like that, that's how naive I was at that age.  If any of you readers out there have some good tales to tell, feel free to enlighten us in the comments section. 

A number of businesses have also been quite generous.  Avera Brookings Medical Clinic, Banner and Associates (a local engineering firm), Best Choice Real Estate by David and Sara Kneip (they graduated a few years after we did), Children's Museum of South Dakota (now located in the old Central Elementary building), Daktronics (you may see their scoreboards and video screens at many of the large arenas and stadiums all over the world; once in a while, you may even see their name during a televised event--you probably have to look closely at the scoreboard or video screen), First Bank and Trust (formerly First National Bank that is still associated with the Fishback family), Metabank (the bank that Mert Lund was associated with),  and Mills Construction (I believe he built many of the early homes in East Acres out by Hillcrest). 

A number of churches and religious organizations have scholarships for the students who are active in thier respective denomination or chapter.  Those listed are Ascension Lutheran, Eastern Star, First Lutheran, First Lutheran in honor of Gladys Vanderwal, First United Methodist, Masonic Lodge, and St. Thomas More.

Many of the school clubs and associations have their own scholarship.  These include the BEA (Brookings Education Association), the Monogram Club, SADD, Student Council, High School PTA, High School Visual Arts, School Administrators, School District CTE, and School District Permanent Fund.

Some of the civic organizations that fund scholarships are the American Legion, Bobcat Backers (http://bobcatbackers.com/), Municipal Utilities, Police Foundation, Brookings Regional Home Builders, Brookings Wrestling Association, Elks, Kiwanis, Noon Lions Optimist Club, and Rotary.

 These are just a partial listing of the local scholarships available, and are named because most of us may be somewhat familiar with the people, businesses, churches, clubs, and organizations that generously sponsor these scholarships.

If you have some time, don't be afraid to pass on your stories about the above-named people or organizations.  Those few of us who follow this blog would love to hear from you. 

Celebrating 50 Years

 It's been a while since a computer has been accessible for me; thus, there have been no posts for some time.  The last month or so has been rather wet around here.  Consequently, major flooding has taken place in many parts of the state.  A number of houses in some of the newer developments in town were extensively damaged because so much water infiltrated the basements.  Construction is taking place at the airport, which may have caused some unusual flooding at nearby storage units.  There was even some flooding on the downtown streets (http://www.ksfy.com/story/25674135/downtown-brookings-business-owners-cleaning-up-after-flooding).   An internet search will yield even more articles.  Its been reported that in Canton, 90% of the houses received water damage when the town was isolated because the floodwaters were so high over the roads that vehicular access into or out of the city was impossible.  Even parts of the interstate were covered with water, backing up traffic and/or forcing drivers to turn around.

Do any of you remember 9th grade English class with Mrs. Wheeler during the 1965-66 school term ?  She was probably in her second of teaching, as she is pictured with the other Junior High teachers in the 1965 Bobcat.  Do you recall your teachers and your class schedule from way back then?  In the morning, our section had Mr. Paul Johnson for HR and math; Mrs. Doris Larson for English; and Mr. Duane Rykhus for science.  After lunch, we had Mrs. Etta Olson for history; study hall or gym (we boys had Franny Dolan; who was the girls PE teacher?) or chorus; and then nine weeks each of art, followed by SRA reading(?), shop or home-ec, and speech.  Mr.  Lloyd Wesche taught art: Mrs. Larson was our reading teacher: Mr. Leslie Peterson (Uncle Petey) tried to guide us boys in the proper use of shop tools, while I believe Mrs. Eleanor Cochrane refined the girls' cooking and sewing skills; and Mr. James Klassen tried to inspire us to appreciate public speaking.  Fifty years ago this summer, Mrs. Wheeler had gotten married to Mason Wheeler, a 1956 graduate of BHS.  It appears that they had met earlier when he was stationed in the service in Texas.  After their marriage, they settled in rural Brookings, where he farmed and she began a long career as an English teacher in the Brookings school system.  In that graduating class of 1965 were some familiar last names:  Adamson, Ahlers, Allstot, Berkland, Bortnem, Bozied, Colburn, Egeberg, Graff, Ishmael, Kallemeyn, Koenders, Kohl, Kortan, McCone, McKeown, O'Connell, Person, Prussman, Roberts, Skubic, Simmons, SloatSmith, Steen, Taylor, and Workman.  Some are definitely siblings, but some may be cousins, or perhaps no relation at all to any of us. 

In the weekend edition of the Brookings Register, Chuck Cecil compiles and edits a column entitled memories from Brookings Past.  A recent entry for June 21, 2014 noted that "Preliminary plans for a new high school to be built on a 50-acre site along south Medary Avenue is being designed for an en enrollment of 600 students." 

Chuck Cecil mentioned above is the brother-in-law of Tom Madson.  Thus, Mrs. Cecil (Mary) is the sister of Tom's wife, Cathy (Wilber).  In addition to compiling the weekly history column, Mr. Cecil also writes another weekly column entitled Stubble Mulch.  Basically, it is a general interest column, and tends to poke fun at some of the antics that occur in town.  Mr. Cecil grew up in Wessington Springs, and graduated from SDSC in Brookings around 1960. ( Have you heard about the tornado that recently wreaked havoc there?  This is just one link  http://www.huffingtonpost.com/2014/06/18/south-dakota-tornado-wessington-springs_n_5509952.html   A web search will undoubtedly yield many more)  He worked in the administrative offices on campus for a number of years. He has been involved in the newspaper business, and has written a number of books on the local history of this area (A somewhat recent Register article can be found at  http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=12500&page=76  A list of his books can be found at http://www.brookingsbooks.com/?page=shop/browse&fsb=1&searchby=author&keyword=Cecil%2C+Chuck).  His Stubble Mulch  writings often recall memorable events from his years on campus in his writings.  His wife was a good high-school friend of one of my older sisters.  Anyway, his column of June 18, 2014, was somewhat more serious than his usual fare.  The title that day was "Plain talk from the olden days," and was a brief tribute to his mother-in-law, Rebecca Adamson (nee Howell)

According to the article, she was the youngest of 10 children.  Her education ended at the end of 8th grade, after which she was hired to clean neighboring farm homes around Elkton to help her parents make ends meet .    She met her future husband Leon Wilber at the skating rink at Lake Campbell, and they were married on June 2, 1937.  However, he died unexpectedly, perhaps from diabetes complications, in 1956 while working on the family farm south of town.  That farm later became Bob Shelden Field, part of the high school/city complex mentioned above. 

Mr. Cecil emphasized that his mother-in-law, and many others of that day, spoke "Plain talk, regional speech peppered with rich and colorful phrases that others could understand, and perhaps, picture it in their mind's eye."  Some examples he cited are "hog tight and bull strong; God won't hoe your potatoes; easy as apple pie; hogs on ice; live one day at a time; only scratch where it itches." Rather reminiscent of Guy O. Karnes and his colloquialisms:  "My sainted aunt; I'll be a cow kicked into Texas; If you don't give me the answer, I'll kick you in the shins (or 'If you don't...I'll cut yer gizzard out with a dull knife')."  Those words probably would not go over very well in today's classroom environs. 

Tom (Madson) gave a beautiful eulogy, evoking memories of days past when just about everyone in town knew everyone else, and nicknames were recognized more readily than one's given name.  Anyone remember Flap the grocer, Snort the barber, Shorty the postman (there was also Shorty the waitress), Slim the cop, Buck the haberdasher, Barney the bartender, Hawkeye the road grader or snow plower.  Teachers were not immune, either.  As mentioned above, there was "Uncle Petey" and "Mad Etta" Olson.  Let us not forget our athletic director and coach, Arnold "Nig" Johnson.  Would there be an uprising today if a man or a boy had that nickname? 

Our condolences and prayers go out to Cathy and Tom on their loss (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1320423Adamson and http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21194&page=80).

Below is a photo of Cathy's First Communion class.  Can you identify her and any others?

 Unfortunately, others in our class have also lost a parent recently.  Our thoughts, prayers, and condolences go out to them as well.

The mother of Sandy  (Davis) Meisenheimer passed away on June 18 (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21341&page=80 and http://www.furnessfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/Furnes1/obit.cgi?user=1335928Davis).  Sandy's husband was a custodian at the high school for a number of years.  My teaching assignment was in another building, but coaching duties took me to the high school regularly, so I was fortunate to know Sandy's husband Larry.

On June 7, the mother of Mary (Kidwiler) Moritz passed away  (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21300&page=80 and http://www.montgomerystryker.com./page.php?page=obit&id=951). I regret that I was unable to find a photgraph of Mrs. Kidwiler.

 One June 6, Hazel Gabel passed away (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21230&page=80 and http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1323903Gabel).  She was the mother of Sandy Gabel.  I believe Sandy attended Hillcrest, so I never really knew her.  She's pictured in the yearbooks up through our sophomore year, but not  in our junior or senior years.  Did her family move before then?

Several others have also departed, who, while not directly associated to our class, may have close connections with some of us.  On May 9, Rosemary Tordoff  (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=20961&page=80  and http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1306660Tordoff) passed away.  Her son Don was a year ahead of us, while Jerry was a year behind us.  Her other children may have been in some of the classes of our siblings.  Don and Jerry both played on our baseball teams throughout Little League, Teeners, and Legion. The oldest son Duane was a successful track and field coach in Spearfish, SD until he retired a few years ago.  Their father ran the DX station on 6th St and 5th Avenue, where Pizza Hut presently is.  He was a big promoter of baseball, and was one of the chaperones when our Teener team went to Hershey, PA in 1965.

Frances Otterness passed away May 8 (http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1311636Otterness and http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21232&page=80).  Her oldest son Ron was on the 1962 state champion basketball team.  He was about 6'7", but also had good speed for a big guy.  In track, for example, he long-jumped, ran the 220 yard dash, and threw the discus.  Not many boys could do all three of those as well as he could.The youngest son Brian was a fine tennis player.  In our senior year, he teamed with Marty Johnson, Lefty's son, to help win conference and state titles in tennis.  According to the annual, Craig Derscheid, Harry Rossow, and Steve Miller from our class were also on the tennis roster.

The manager for that 1962 basketball team was Ronny Milfs.  He passed away on May 26  from complications after surgery (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21255&page=80).  Some of us may have had siblings in that class.  Leanne Hirschenman (sp?) had a sister, Marnel,  in that class.  Marnel was a long-time secretary at the Middle School, so we became very well acquainted with each other.  Her husband was also a custodian at the high school, and worked with Larry Meisenheimer, Sandy Davis's husband.

Passing away a few days ago was Arpinee Berberian (http://www.brookingsregister.com/v2_news_articles.php?heading=0&story_id=21409&page=80 and http://rudesfuneralhome.com/sitemaker/sites/RudesF1/obit.cgi?user=1346484Berberian).  That name probably means nothing to most of us.  However, if any of us were in orchestra our senior year, we may recall that the directors were Dr. John Colson and Mr. Hratch Berberian, who had just recently married his wife Arpinee.  They both were extremely gifted and talented musicians. Orchestra member from our class, as pictured in the Bobcat, were Kim Hamilton, Cecilia Kellog, Kris Lyons,  and Stan Skubic. Kim was honored for her talents when she, along with five other members,  was selected to represent BHS at All-State Orchestra. 

I believe that on July 26, 2014, there will be South Side reunion.  If any of us had any connection with that part of town, we are encouraged to attend.  I attended for the first time last year, and had a wonderful time.  Emmett Early from our class is one of the organizers.  If you happen to be the area, feel free to come.  A number of people journey from quite a distance to be a part of this grand event.