ACU-YOGA
Maybe I could do this...we'll see...
Tuesday, October 16, 2007
Wednesday, January 17, 2007
Nefarious Doings of the Class of '57
It has always been my understanding that you painted the water tower (the statute of limitations has run out). The question is was Keith Fletcher also involved or someone else?
I've got you down for a T shirt.
Bill
Ah, yes, the water tower and the effigy dummy of Principal Apwisch! If you can get hold of Curt Beckner, there may even be a snapshot of the culprits posing with the dummy that his mom took after being sworn to secrecy. The deed was done by our Ricky Rat (evil cousin of Mickey Mouse) Club. Members were Bruce Drees, Bill Tucker, Keith Fletcher, Curt Beckner, and Jerry Young. I’m not certain which ones actually participated in the prank, but I’m pretty sure it was the first four listed and me. There were really a series of pranks. I’m not sure if they were all perpetrated on the same day, but my memory says they were. If not the same day, I’m sure it was the same year. I remember distinctly climbing up the tower with a pint can of red paint strapped to my leg. There were no spray cans available in those days. Halfway up, the lid came off the can, so my leg was soaked in red paint. The water tower was also speckled with red paint from top to bottom since it was a windy night. According to Bill Tucker, a village official later came into the clothing store where he worked. Bill overheard the gentleman tell his boss that he would like to know who painted the tower because it had a fresh coat of paint thanks to insurance. The official said that he would gladly spring for steak dinners if he only knew who to thank. Sensing a trap, Bill kept silent. That prank probably happened around Halloween. The other component must have been close to graduation. We were foolishly unable to sense a trap when the constable offered to let us into the high school. Our artistic pursuits included placing a coffee can of cat excrement in the science teacher’s drawer and stacking of desks in the corner of a classroom. But the coup de grace was placing the lab skeleton, feet on the desk, reclining in the principal’s chair. During commencement rehearsal some of us were summoned to the principal’s office over the intercom. Yes, our hearts really did sink to our feet. After sailing effortlessly through high school we were now to be denied graduation. We were ushered into the outer office to cool our heels for what seemed like an eternity. Principal Apwisch came in and sat silently looking at his hands for another eternity. Finally, he spoke: “I didn’t mind when you stacked the chairs. I didn’t even mind the excrement in the drawer. But, when you insinuate that I’m a bonehead, that’s too much!” Laughing heartily, he sent us back to our rehearsal.
I've got you down for a T shirt.
Bill
Ah, yes, the water tower and the effigy dummy of Principal Apwisch! If you can get hold of Curt Beckner, there may even be a snapshot of the culprits posing with the dummy that his mom took after being sworn to secrecy. The deed was done by our Ricky Rat (evil cousin of Mickey Mouse) Club. Members were Bruce Drees, Bill Tucker, Keith Fletcher, Curt Beckner, and Jerry Young. I’m not certain which ones actually participated in the prank, but I’m pretty sure it was the first four listed and me. There were really a series of pranks. I’m not sure if they were all perpetrated on the same day, but my memory says they were. If not the same day, I’m sure it was the same year. I remember distinctly climbing up the tower with a pint can of red paint strapped to my leg. There were no spray cans available in those days. Halfway up, the lid came off the can, so my leg was soaked in red paint. The water tower was also speckled with red paint from top to bottom since it was a windy night. According to Bill Tucker, a village official later came into the clothing store where he worked. Bill overheard the gentleman tell his boss that he would like to know who painted the tower because it had a fresh coat of paint thanks to insurance. The official said that he would gladly spring for steak dinners if he only knew who to thank. Sensing a trap, Bill kept silent. That prank probably happened around Halloween. The other component must have been close to graduation. We were foolishly unable to sense a trap when the constable offered to let us into the high school. Our artistic pursuits included placing a coffee can of cat excrement in the science teacher’s drawer and stacking of desks in the corner of a classroom. But the coup de grace was placing the lab skeleton, feet on the desk, reclining in the principal’s chair. During commencement rehearsal some of us were summoned to the principal’s office over the intercom. Yes, our hearts really did sink to our feet. After sailing effortlessly through high school we were now to be denied graduation. We were ushered into the outer office to cool our heels for what seemed like an eternity. Principal Apwisch came in and sat silently looking at his hands for another eternity. Finally, he spoke: “I didn’t mind when you stacked the chairs. I didn’t even mind the excrement in the drawer. But, when you insinuate that I’m a bonehead, that’s too much!” Laughing heartily, he sent us back to our rehearsal.
Tuesday, December 19, 2006
Tuesday, April 25, 2006
Monday, October 17, 2005
So much has happened!
The plans for the end of September and the beginning of October 2005 were mind-boggling (bloggling?). Apprehension was heightened still more by the fact that my family is nationally far-flung and seldom able or willing to communicate. Could we really do all that? We did it and I'm glad!
Here's the story:
On Wednesday, September 28, my brother, Ken, flew from his home in New York City (I always hear the Pace Salsa cowboys when I write that) via Detroit to U of I Willard Airport in Champaign. Connie and I met him on the only rainy day of our adventure. Ken turned out to be a delightful traveling companion for the entire journey.
The next day the three of us left (by car from that point on) for DeKalb so we could get settled and I could rehearse with my son, Gavin, for the third annual benefit "Gavin Show" we have done for DeKalb's Egyptian Theater. I was afraid Ken would be bored while I was busy, but he was fascinated with every moment of our putting the show together, even missing dinner at Gavin's Hillside Restuarant.
On Friday evening the show went off well if not without a hitch (examples: this old man trying to find his way down the unrailed steps off the stage and starting to wander off after our (awww!) three generation barber shop quartet number. A quick jerk of the head by Gavin prevented my straying too far.
One of the things that made that week even more wonderful was the fact that Gavin based the show on a fantasy around the lives of my parents, Millard and Rebecca Wilson.
Ken, Connie, and I left Saturday morning to attend the coincidentally scheduled 75th birthday party for my oldest surviving sibling, my brother Norm. His real birthday was August 20. We enjoyed the reception at the Red Lion in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania on the evening of October 2. Norman had been grieving the loss of his wife, Miriam, for quite a while. He had reconnected with Margie, his junior high girlfriend, at a Martinsburg High School reunion. We were delighted to meet her and glad to see the renewed twinkle in Norm's eye. The next day we visited Norm's house on lake Wynonah.
After putting Ken on the train back to New York at Harrisburg, Connie and I enjoyed a tour of the Hershey factory and visited Martinsburg where I spent my elementary school years while my father was pastor at Martinsburg's Memorial church of the Brethren.
This is a long post. I hope you found it interesting...
Comments or questions are welcome!
Gordy
Here's the story:
On Wednesday, September 28, my brother, Ken, flew from his home in New York City (I always hear the Pace Salsa cowboys when I write that) via Detroit to U of I Willard Airport in Champaign. Connie and I met him on the only rainy day of our adventure. Ken turned out to be a delightful traveling companion for the entire journey.
The next day the three of us left (by car from that point on) for DeKalb so we could get settled and I could rehearse with my son, Gavin, for the third annual benefit "Gavin Show" we have done for DeKalb's Egyptian Theater. I was afraid Ken would be bored while I was busy, but he was fascinated with every moment of our putting the show together, even missing dinner at Gavin's Hillside Restuarant.
On Friday evening the show went off well if not without a hitch (examples: this old man trying to find his way down the unrailed steps off the stage and starting to wander off after our (awww!) three generation barber shop quartet number. A quick jerk of the head by Gavin prevented my straying too far.
One of the things that made that week even more wonderful was the fact that Gavin based the show on a fantasy around the lives of my parents, Millard and Rebecca Wilson.
Ken, Connie, and I left Saturday morning to attend the coincidentally scheduled 75th birthday party for my oldest surviving sibling, my brother Norm. His real birthday was August 20. We enjoyed the reception at the Red Lion in Pine Grove, Pennsylvania on the evening of October 2. Norman had been grieving the loss of his wife, Miriam, for quite a while. He had reconnected with Margie, his junior high girlfriend, at a Martinsburg High School reunion. We were delighted to meet her and glad to see the renewed twinkle in Norm's eye. The next day we visited Norm's house on lake Wynonah.
After putting Ken on the train back to New York at Harrisburg, Connie and I enjoyed a tour of the Hershey factory and visited Martinsburg where I spent my elementary school years while my father was pastor at Martinsburg's Memorial church of the Brethren.
This is a long post. I hope you found it interesting...
Comments or questions are welcome!
Gordy
Tuesday, September 06, 2005
Labor Day Weekend Retrospective
Well, UHS didn't do so well, but it was good to see Cory march across the field as an Urbana Football Alum.
Also saw the Illini/Rutgers game Saturday. What a game! My brother Ken was on the Rutgers faculty until his retirement, so that was an interesting sidelight. It may not be true that, as Cory said, "Rutgers invented football". But you can get the real story of the first intercollegiate game here.
Also saw the Illini/Rutgers game Saturday. What a game! My brother Ken was on the Rutgers faculty until his retirement, so that was an interesting sidelight. It may not be true that, as Cory said, "Rutgers invented football". But you can get the real story of the first intercollegiate game here.
Wednesday, August 24, 2005
Urbana vs. Champaign at Centennial High School Field
On September 2nd, 2005, which also happens to be Connie's birthday, the 100th football game between Champaign (Central) High School and Urbana High School will be played at Centennial Field.
Jeff Isenhower, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Urbana High School told me:
Gordon-
Jeff Isenhower, Assistant Principal and Athletic Director at Urbana High School told me:
Gordon-
We have tickets to the 100th game right here in the main office at Urbana High School. The tickets are $3.00 for adults and $2.00 for students. Let me know how many of each you need and they will be waiting for you at the front desk. Thank you for your support of Urbana Football and for helping us celebrate the 100th game.
...let others know to contact me either by e-mail or at 384-3533. The tickets are not reserved seating, but at the field (Centennial High School) they have two very small gates and it will probably take quite some time to get in the gates if you are purchasing tickets there. With buying them early you will be able to walk up and go on in. Children in arms do not have to pay."
Jeff
Jeff Isenhower
Athletic Director/Assistant Principal
Urbana High School
217-384-3533
jisenhower@usd116.org
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
