My first summer on Winterset came to an end on August 29, 1978 and it was back to the grind – my second out of thirteen grueling years of public school. I returned to Fairbrook Elementary, but this time instead of going to school in St. Andrew’s School next door, I joined the ranks of the kids who were in ‘numbered’ grades in the main school building. While it was true that we were the low men on the totem pole – or as some upper classmen referred to us, firsties – we had to start somewhere. The other big change was that I was now going to school for a full day, which began somewhere around 8am and ended at 3:10pm, as I recall. I braced myself for the big leagues. I had my picture taken on October 9 – at the age of 7 years, 7 days – to commemorate this occasion.
We had a new principal this year as well. Mr. Huff replaced Mr. Mercer, whom I never met. Mr. Huff would remain at Fairbrook though my whole career there. I think I was only sent to him once, but he still knew me by name.
There were four First Grade teachers: Mrs. Buck, Mrs. Fletcher, Mrs. Hignite, and Mrs. Fulkerson, who was my teacher. She was a short older woman with an impish and raspy voice – but clearly a very kind lady. We got along swimmingly right off the bat, despite my tendencies toward being a class clowns. Usually my good grades offset any behavioral issues and it wouldn’t be long before I got the reputation as a ‘smart kid’.
Mrs. Rosenbaum had been a first grade teacher the year before, but had been bumped up to the second grade. I still remember some kid talking about how lucky we were that we didn’t get her and mentioned that she was a ‘rose’ when she was on the swing, and a ‘bomb’ when she slammed the closet.
We didn’t change classes or switch teachers yet, but there were numerous occasions where our class would combine with another for some project or educational film or program viewing. I think Mrs. Hignite was who we usually paired up with. I knew Mrs. Buck pretty well too and her grandson Jason Painter eventually would become one of my classmates. I gradually got to know all the kids in my grade over the years as we would mingle in the halls and on the playground even if we weren’t sharing a homeroom.
Here are the kids who were in my class:
First Row: Mrs. Fulkerson, Dustin Lowe, Mike Ross, Larry Nichols, Brian Snider, Melissa Wilkerson. Second Row: Traci Hertenstein, Niki Schaefer, Angel Borger, Tonia Schockey, Jeremy Thompson, Doug Baker. Third Row: Eric Rybold, Lee Ballinger, Tony Kerr, Tina Rader, Marci Gauder, me. Fourth Row: Heather Jamison, Jennier Updike, Jennifer Lewis, Lisa Demeter, Jason Recker, Brenda Fielitz. Last Row: Matt Crowley
Noteworthy among these kids was Lee Ballinger. We didn’t meet until we started school, but I soon came to learn that Lee was living in my neighborhood. In fact, he was in the house facing Indian Ripple as you entered the plat. We soon became the best of friends during this time period. Often joining us at play was Chris Demeter who was a grade older than us. Chris was a really nice kid with rather strict parents. Lee was more of a rebel who was allowed to do pretty much whatever he wanted. I was a chameleon and could adapt to either style and personality. Although I spent more time with Lee, we also got in a lot more fights with each other. He was a rather tough kid too, and would also get in some serious skirmishes with Kenny Carroll up the road, and generally come out on top. He also beat up Stevie Mayne a few times.
Chris’ younger sister Lisa was in Mrs. Fulkerson’s class with me. I had a bit of a crush on her as well and delighted in the fact that we had ‘secrets from the neighborhood’ that other kids weren’t in on. Sometimes we would make up lies about things we did, like having a clubhouse or eating cat food.
And poor Jennifer Lewis was one of those poor souls who somehow once got sent to school in a dress and no underwear. Not so good for her. Plenty good for the boys.
Also joining me at Fairbrook for the first time was my immediate next door neighbor Mark Staples, an upper-classman getting ready to enter Fourth Grade. Mark and his Mom moved in next door in the late summer and I quickly became acquainted with him. His Mom had a boyfriend named Tom who was a nice guy who would sometimes take us to Riffles to get candy and Styrofoam airplanes. Mark thought Tom was a goof. We had an incident right off the bat when Mark’s bus from his old school showed up to take him to school. He came pounding on our door to ask my Mom what to do since his Mom had already gone off to work and my Mom advised that he go to the school that his Mom told him to, which was Fairbrook.
Kelly Nye was a fifth grader who lived on Birchall and would quickly get the job as baby sitter for Denise and me, despite the fact that she initially picked on me mercilessly at the bus stop when we had first moved in. Besides the fact that Kelly ended up being a lot of fun to hang out with, there was another perk to having her as our babysitter; the Nyes were the only family in the neighborhood that I know of withan in-ground pool. Later we would add Kim Stanford to the payroll. I had a mild crush on both ladies.
We spent our first Fall on Winterset, doing the normal things. We attended church regularly, and I went to Sunday School where my teachers were Jeannie Campbell and Joy Hurley. Sometimes I lit the candles, and sometimes my folks acted as greeters or Dad worked the collection plate.
Mom resumed working at Connelly and Company after being on hiatus for nearly three years. She also resumed activity in her card club and I partook in the school fundraiser selling candy (nuts would come in later years). I checked books out from the library and participated in the Read-a-Thon. Mom went to open houses and teacher conferences.
There seems to be only one photo taken on my 7th birthday, so I’m not sure what kind of celebration I had, but clearly Grandma Murphy and my new friend and next-door neighbor were on hand. I do recall that, in my mind, the age of 7 seemed so much older than 6.
The Spider Colorforms were obvious, but I can’t for the life of me figure out what that birthday gift is that I’m opening. Looks cool though.
Beggar’s night was Monday, October 30th. As you can see from the photos below, Denise went as Mickey Mouse and I was the Incredible Hulk, each of us clad in one of those cheaply designed store-bought masks. The TV show had made its debut earlier that year. There was no notation made on the calendar about where Thanksgiving was held, but I suspect that it was at Grandma and Grandpa’s house.
I’m assuming that this kid is Denise
Rowrrr! Step away from my candy
As we moved into December, I was quite ready to spend my first Christmas in our new home on Winterset. And as I recall, it was a good one.
1978 will conclude with Christmas…
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