Who else had this guy?

Okay, I admit it: I had a miserable sixth grade experience with my first male teacher. Who else had him? What was his name? What are three attributes of his classroom that you can remember!

What building is this?

Recently, there has been a lot of rehabilitation of buildings that had fallen into disrepair. Hooray! Here is a sketch of one of them. Which building is it? What was the original use of the building? And, what was business was in there when we were in school?

Remember: winner gets a prize!

Who's the mystery author of The Old Class Ring?

THE OLD CLASS RING

Walking through the Mall the other day I passed one of those gold merchant, island stalls. As I was glancing at his wares, the merchant smiled in the typical friendly manner of a successful entrepreneur as he looked for any sign of an affinity I might have for his wares. Spotting the ring on my little finger, his expert eye recognized the gold content of the ring was vastly higher than anything on the market today. Knowing that the piece could be melted down and would turn a fine profit for him, the merchant again smiled and politely asked, “How much do you want for the ring?” Taken by surprise as I rarely wear the ring anymore, I glanced down and looked at the old high school class ring on my little finger. It was on my little finger as it was a little tight and hard to take off even when I could slip it on my ring finger. You know what I mean; weight changing from 165 lbs. in high school to 190 lbs. now. Damn, I got to get back down to 180 lbs. like I was a couple of months ago.

“Well,” I replied to the merchant, “I really haven’t thought about selling it. Let me think about how I can put a price on it.” “Let’s see”, I wondered. Thoughts flashed through my mind in no particular order or sequence, just delightful memories.

It would have been the spring of 1957 that we ordered our rings. The price I can not even recall, but it was a pretty good price in those days. Even though it would take some effort to pay for it, my folks had agreed to buy it for me as a reward for nearing graduation. Come fall, our class would receive our rings and we would start wearing them as “seniors.” Ah yes, we had reached the pinnacle of our young lives.

The fall semester finally arrived and shortly thereafter our class rings were delivered. What pride we had as everyone would ask to see our new ring. The under classmen would look and touch them in reverence with anticipation of their own eventual rise to our level of achievement.

The cool nights of fall weather announced the arrival of football practice and Friday night games. During practice and games our rings came off and were safely stored in the coaches’ office until we returned to collect them. After our Friday night games with our class ring proudly displayed on our fingers, we ascended to the gymnasium for an evening of dancing. If we had a particular date or were there as a single, we would have a great time with the young ladies.

Glancing at my ring, I see it is slightly “out-of-round.” That was from the time I got it slammed in a locker door. The ring saved my finger from a lot of pain and injury.

Some of the fellows even started “exchanging rings,” “going steady” that is, with their girlfriend. Ah, isn’t young love wonderful?

Well, the holidays passed and we entered our final spring semester. A virtual “whirlwind” of events then began. At the Senior Prom, where we were the guests of honor, our class rings accompanied us, verifying our status and prominence. And then came our Senior Trip to New York City. Of course, like an old friend, our class rings accompanied us as we visited and experienced the beautiful, large and important city.

Finally the day came. The day that we had been waiting some twelve years for finally arrive. The day we had, oh so often, wished could be “moved-up on the calendar” so that we could go out into the world and start our new lives. Graduation Day had finally arrived.

Dressed in a cap and gown, and wearing our class ring of course, we walked down the isle to the stage and awaited the activities that would lead to our receiving our diplomas. Finally after the appropriate speeches and music, our individual names were called and we proudly walked across the stage. Our right hand shook the congratulating hand of the school Superintendent and our left hand wearing our class ring accepted our diploma. That evening was a time of happiness and celebration.

Later that summer of 1958 as I prepared to go away to college, I sadly had to part with my old class ring. High School memorabilia wouldn’t be appropriate at college, don’t ya know. Into my dresser at home it went and there it stayed for several years until I was “out on my own” and I retrieved it to stay in my jewelry box through the years.

As I now glance down at that old high school class ring, there are a few minor scratches here and there but it is still in pretty good shape. The nicks and minor scratches all represent a piece of my life, an experience, a moment of joy or pain.

Returning to reality, I turn to the merchant and say, “No thanks, there is not enough money to buy such a large piece of my life.”

I had to turn quickly and walk away because the tears began to fill my eyes and run down my cheeks.

Senior Trip Good-bye

Here are a few folks saying good-bye after our Senior Trip. Do you remember where we went? Can you name any of the people in the picture? Check out the cars and the skirts!

Cheers, cheers for ol' Chelsea High

Check this out! Who can name these cheerleaders? I think they were younger than our class, right? Rattle your brain cells awhile and submit a guess. The first one to name the most cheerleaders correctly in the comments section will win a free drink for the Fall 2007 Round-up. Can't make the 2007 Round-up? Don't worry -- your free drink will last until our 50th reunion! Prior winners cannot compete. Good-luck!

First Grade Birthday Party

Here are some of us at someone's first grade birthday party! We had three first grade teachers that year! I think this was number three. What was her name?? Who was having the birthday party?? (Not me, I was born in August.) Who can you name in the picture??

You have to comment to win the prize!

One winner so far...

Bob Brown was able to ID the Fellow Classmates posting. Congrats, Bob! One free drink for you at the 2007 Fall Round-Up. Still a mystery is that tuba player. Anyone know who it was?

Just a snack

Can you name these classmates? Who is eating a snack? Which one is waiting for his critique?
Where do you think this taste-testing is taking place? The first person to name these two classmates correctly wins a free drink for the Fall 2007 Round-up. Those pictured and prior winners cannot compete. Post your responses in the comments section. Good-luck!

Fellow Classmates

The first person to name all four classmates in this junior year picture will win a free drink at the Fall Class Round-up! GET OUT THOSE YEAR BOOKS! Join the fun by naming your classmates in the comment section!

Again, to post a comment, all you have to do is put in your email address as the username and create a password -- and that should be it. I think you are then sent one email to verify you are you (it's been a long time since I registered -- if this is not the case, someone please let me know). That's it. Please let me know if you are having trouble posting comments. If anyone else has any advise or tips, please post it here as a comment. After all, someone might be out there trying really hard to win a free drink and getting mad that it isn't working! Feel free to email me at janbernath@yahoo.com with any questions. Thanks!

PS We have had one donation thus far for our Fall 2007 Round-Up. We have 5 free drinks to give away! Thanks for the donation! Join the fun and get your free drink today!

More Band

Check out the socks! Another challenge and prize for the person who can name that tuba player. The first person to respond correctly will win a free drink at our Fall 2007 Round-Up. Post your answers in the comments section. Obviously the tuba player cannot compete!

It looks like there may be some uncertainty surrounding how to post a comment (or else maybe people aren't interested?! Say it isn't so...). To post a comment, all you should have to do is put in your email address as the username and create a password -- and that should be it. I think you are then sent one email to verify you are you (it's been a long time since I registered -- if this is not the case, someone please let me know). That's it. No spam. No dateline reports coming to your house. Please let me know if you are having troubles posting comments. If anyone else has any advise or tips, please post it here as a comment (hopefully it works!) so we all know how to post comments better. After all, someone might be out there trying really hard to win a free drink and getting mad that it isn't working! Feel free to email me at janbernath@yahoo.com with any questions. Thanks!

Candyland

Rockin' Around Candyland! Let's see if we can name the dancers! Click on the picture to make it bigger. Who do you recognize? Are you in there? Can you remember who your "date" was? Enter the test of your memory by clicking in the "comments" section and answer the three questions! The person who names the most dancers (and standers) correctly, will win a prize at the 50th Reunion in 2008.

FYI--CHS still decorates the gym for the prom! That's pretty unusual these days, as most go to a commerical venue...

And the band played on...

Let's see, that would be Gene Shroyer directing, right? Gene, can you name that tune? Can anyone name a musician or two? I think I see Barnie at the beginning of his career!

In Loving Memory

Posted here are the pictures of our fellow classmates who have died. We have listed their names, pictures, and known burial sites. If you have a memory of one or more of them to share, please do so in the comments section here.

The mighty senior year football team!

Class Picture

Here we are! My goodness, how we've changed! How many faces do you recognize? How many people can you name? Click on the picture to enlarge. Post your comments here on the blog. We look forward to hearing from you!

Check back next week for more pictures. Feel free to email some of your old and/or new pictures for posting. Also, if you have a personal website you would like to have linked here on our class blog, please email me the web address. You can reach me at: janbernath@yahoo.com Please note, by sending a photo to me via email, you consent to and give your permission to publish the picture on the CHS58 blog. Thanks!

Fall Round-Up 2007

Mark your calendars! The weekend of September 15 will be our Fall Round-Up 2007. Details are as follows:

Thursday, September 13
7 p.m. to ?: Dinner at Cleary's Pub (see link on this site).
This will be a planning meeting--everyone in or around town, please come! At this meeting, we will decide who will pick up food and drinks for Saturday. Also, we will decide where and when we will meet to set up the Depot.

Friday, September 14
9:00 a.m: Breakfast at Main Street Coney Island Restaurant
Note: Chelsea plays their game away, so we are not planning on going to the game.
Bill Sorensen suggests we just go and drink beer that evening! Any other suggestions? Where and when shall we meet?

Saturday, September 15
9:00 a.m.: Breakfast at Main Street Coney Island Restaurant
12:00 Noon to ?: Food & Drinks at the Train Depot. We are open for your suggestions for activities and chairpersons to coordinate any events for Saturday afternoon.
6:45 p.m.: Dinner at a restaurant. Where do we want to eat?
After dinner it seems as everyone likes to drift back to the Depot to extend our conversations.
Note: The Train Depot is reserved all day (Thanks Sandy!).

Sunday, September 16
9:00 a.m.: Breakfast at Main Street Coney Island Restaurant
After breakfast many like to go to Church and/or visit the graves of classmates to let them know we are thinking about them.
Do we want to get together late Sunday afternoon? I vote for the Firefly at 5:30! If you haven't been there, check out the link on this site. What are your suggestions?

This information has been provided by Doug. He says, "I'm happy to coordinate this weekend for our class, but please don't think that I or just a few of us are deciding everything. We need each one of you guys to tell us what you want. We welcome your suggestions; we want your participation; and we'd love to have you "step-up" and plan and chair an event/activity for our weekend."

Therefore, the above is a DRAFT of the Fall 2007 Round-Up. Which means--we are awaiting input from all of you to make this weekend a great event! Please indicate any changes, suggestions, etc., in the comments section on this site or email Doug. Thanks for your help!

Mailing List

We have a mailing list feature on this site. It's quite simple. All you do is type in your email address. Next, you will be sent one email from feedblitz, that you need to click on the link to prove you are you. After that you will be "registered." Then you will receive an email notification whenever something new is posted on the blog. The email notifications are sent out during the night of the day I post something (e.g., If I post something at 8 a.m. on Monday, you will be notified Monday night via email of the post). This will save you from having to check the blog on your own to see if new posts are made. You will NOT receive any spam from signing up on the mailing list. You will also not be notified every time a comment is made by someone. Questions? Let me know

50 Year Class Reunion

I thought using some modern technology may assist us with organizing our 50 year class reunion. Yes -- that's right -- we will be having our 50th class reunion next year (2008)! I also thought this might help us with our annual gatherings in the summer, as well as help folks stay connected. Let's see if it works... Pass this site on to others you know who graduated from Chelsea High School in the class of '58 and let's see what happens. Thanks!