Memories ~ From Classes in the 70's ~

Carolyn Ballenger, Class of '79 (April, 2001)

I graduated in 1979 and my fondest memories at Kae Avenue were Mrs. LaBlanc, Mr. Orr and Mr. Tippett.

Mrs. LaBlanc was the music teacher for an eternity (she might still be there, at least she was a few years ago when I visited). I sure couldn't carry a tune but she taught me how important music is and how to really appreciate it. The Banshee was always my favorite.

Mr. Orr had a love of the English language which I didn't come to understand until I was much older. He got us up in front of the class and helped us to overcome our fear of speaking in public. Impromptu every week with Jimmy Eve and Sam Brown (also class of 1979). Ant races, fly paper and The Raven stand out. Mr. Orr was probably the reason I took speech and drama every year in high school and college.

I had Mr. Tippett in 6th grade and it was his first year at Kae. He got me interested in excelling rather than just getting by. He was a big inspiration. Not that I have always excelled but I have always remembered his words of encouragement.

And I couldn't forget the principal Mr. Spanovich. He wasn't a very big man but as a child he was very intimidating. You didn't want to have to face him. Although the stories were worse the any of my actual encounters with him.

At Rosemore of course was Mr. Eakin and our independent science class in 8th grade. Too much fun. One of our "experiments" was seeing if I would pass out when I took my new pierced earrings out. I told them I would and I did. Of course Mr. Eakin had to walk in right after we finished the experiment and catch me still a little out of it. Thanks to Judy and Ted for their support (both were 1979 also).

High school has me remembering John Wayne Geyer and English and drama classes. 9th grade English with Carol's macrame tying lesson and Donna's shaving demonstration and her pickle sundae (both graduated 1979, I think). Total impromptu in Drama Class 1979 with Brian Cumbo, Jerry Dixon (both 1979) and Lon Allen (1980, I think). Just call me Cleopatra or Liza (because of my short hair). I got teased all the time in that class. The field trips got a little out of line but were always an adventure.

Also Mr. Krause in speech classes and his love of drama which he shared and Mrs. Arbuckle in the library (I practically lived there just to avoid study halls but I really did love to read). Inventory every year and vacuuming all the books and shelves. She was just a super sweet woman when you got to know her. I ended up in documentation and archiving which was a direct result of her passion for detail which she passed along.

If anyone from the late 70's is out there please let me know if any of these strike a cord.

Chris Manack, Class of '72 (August, 2002)

When I was growing up in Whitehall, I had many favorite places to go, mostly during the summer months, but not always. Places I wasn't allowed to go to by myself, my sister Stephanie, class of '67, would sometimes take me.

Here are some of the places I liked to go to. Most of them required a bicycle which probably explains my continued interest in bikes today.

There used to be a place on a vacant lot against Big Walnut Creek just off Main Street at what is now Wyandot Apartments. There used to be huge dirt hills here with very steep trails in the woods that led down to the creek's edge. We used to ride our bikes up and down those hills for hours or until we got tired. The trails were tough to navigate and crashing into trees and stumps wasn't uncommon.

Miles East Main Drive-In Theater was always a great place to go. My dad was an auxiliary policeman and he used to direct traffic out front on Main Street. He was allowed to have a carload of his kids and their friends come into the theater for a free. That was always a great time.

Even though technically this place isn't in Whitehall, we used to ride our bikes out here quite a bit. The place was an incredible candy store that looked like a ginger bread house. It was situated at the corner of Main and McNaughten. A Bob Evans is there now. The candy store was called Maud Muller's, I think. The place was awesome.

I remember when Lamby Field was just an empty lot and we used to ride over there to practice our golf shots. I used to meet Bob Kline over there and we would stand at either end of the field and hit golf balls to each other. At the time, about the only clubs we could use was a 9 iron and certainly no more than a 5 iron. I went by there recently.......funny but that field looks so small now.

My sister used to occasionally take me out to the old riding stable which is now the recreation center at Wyandot. She took horseback riding lessons there and it was fun to watch. The current building looks a lot like the old stable from the outside and brings back a lot of memories.

I also remember all the army we played on Ural Ave. Elvin Henson was always in charge and he would stage great battles and attacks utilizing all the kids in the neighborhood. Kids were always laying around "dead" counting to 10 before they were allowed to get back up and start firing away again. Wherever there was a new house being built, you could bet there was a battle going on with live ammo......dirt clods. They hurt, trust me.

When we were in need of money, which was most of the time, we went hunting for pop bottles in the vacant lot behind Lynn's Pharmacy. You could get 2 cents for a 16 ounce bottle and a nickel for a quart. That doesn't sound like much but then things didn't cost as much back then either. Everything is relative I guess.

And what would Thanksgiving be without the annual "Turkey Bowl" football game on the front lawn of Beechwood Elementary School. Those were the best sandlot games I ever played in.

The Burger King on Main Street was a great place to hang after games at Whitehall. Anybody who ever went there after a game know what I am talking about.

Lisa Krause-Dennis, Class of 1978 (June 2003)

I went to Kae Avenue.  I was one of the shortest kids in the class, and although I thought I had a big mouth, I tended to be very shy.  

I remember my teacher, Mrs. Bird, trying to instill the love of the written word into our nubile skulls.  She was adamant about using the library, and learning the dewey decimal system.  (it still doesn't make sense).  One Saturday afternoon, she had a few of us meet at her house to explore the cavernous rooms of Bexley Public Library.

During this trip, I was allowed to sit in the front seat and have a meaningful dialogue with her.  During this time, she told me that she was expecting great things from me, and that you are only limited by what you aren't willing to learn.  In 4th grade, that was a lot to try to grasp.  In the library, she and I sat down and discussed why reading is so important, and why listening is paramount to get through life.  

She had 5 other kids with her, but I sw! ear, I was the only one there that day.  I learned how to use the library to the full extent, and did very well in her class.  When it came time to go to the 5th grade, we both cried.  It was the first time that I had EVER sent a teacher a thank you note.  She steered me into the direction to be flexible in life, and to not let the naysayers try to get the best of you.  

So, for you Mrs. Bird, wherever you are, I am a successful businesswoman in Houston, Texas.  You were the catalyst for all of it, and thank you for your kindness, sternness, caring and love for all of your students.

Anita Castrillo, Class of 1975 (Submitted May, 2004)

I remember going to Islay's and getting banana ice cream.  We also went to the carryout at Great Eastern (where Kroger's is, but the opposite end)  when we were kids and we could get penny candy everyday and run a tab and our parents would pay at the end of the week.  That was great.  Shakey's pizza with the player piano was a good place to hang out.  The Port bar, a popular Whitehall hangout.  Going to Burger King after the football games is where you went to meet all your friends.

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Click on the "Memory Lane" link below to read memories from other decades.

Have a memory you'd like to share? Something that might strike a chord with your friends and classmates? Please send an e-mail to update@wyhs.org If at all possible, please identify the graduating class of any classmates you mention. Also please pick the decade the memory belongs to.