MORSA 2011 Annual Conference
Set for Saturday, May 21
by Larry Schlack

MORSA returns to the west side of the state for its 2011 annual conference. Saturday, May 21, is the date. The all-day conference opens at 8:30 a.m. and wraps up idafternoon.

Bowne Township Historical Center is the site. It’s located in Kent County south of Lowell on M-50 near Alto.

Focus of the conference this year is restoration of buildings. MORSA president Tom M. Johnson will recount the experience of restoring the Branch School near Williamston.

Lessons he learned can help others who are involved in schoolhouse restoration.

Another highlight is speaker Steve Eyke, a restoration expert who will discuss points to make a restoration authentic. Steve is owner of LaFollette Custom Homes Ltd. in Williamston and has much experience in restoration.

There will be a tour of Bowne Township Historical Center’s historic buildings which include a schoolhouse, church, township hall, museum, carriage house, and cemetery. Participants will enjoy a scrumptious lunch and many opportunities to exchange ideas, suggestions, and reminiscences about one-room schools.

Mid-afternoon, following the formal meeting, participants will have an opportunity to visit another one-room schoolhouse in the area and to visit several nearby antiques stores. And keep in mind that Grand Rapids is close by and Meijer Gardens, the Gerald Ford Presidential Museum, and the Grand Rapids Museum are well worth a visit either the day before the conference or on Saturday afternoon following the conference.

Registration materials will be mailed to MORSA members
and may also be found on the MORSA website.

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Linda Chapman, MORSA Board Member Dies

MORSA Board member, Linda Chapman, passed away on Feb.3, 2011, after an extended illness. She was one of the charter members of MORSA, joining at the first meeting at EMU in 1993. She has been an active MORSA board member for several years. Linda helped plan many annual conferences and co-chaired the 10th anniversary conference at EMU in 2003. She received her Bachelor of Arts degree at the University of Michigan, and her Masters of Science in Historic Preservation from EMU.

Linda was an exceptional educator as a teacher and administrator in the Dexter Public Schools for over 30 years. She was also on the Dexter Public Library Board for 20 years serving as the Facility Chair for planning a new library. Local preservation was her passion. She was active in the Webster Township Historical Society. She proudly led the effort to bring the Wheeler Blacksmith Shop and the Podunk Oneroom School to the Webster historic site.

We will miss a great friend of historic preservation.

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The Walk to School
by Myrna Grove

Former one-room school students fondly remember the walk to and from school. Since there were no school buses with scheduled routes, the walk itself posed an exciting adventure in all kinds weather. The path from home to school may have led down a farm lane, across a cow pasture, over clear-running creeks, or through fields of ripening crops. Such shortcuts provided close-up glimpses of science lessons.

Children walked along country roads in groups of two or three as they carried their lunch pails and perhaps a book. Because children lived far apart on farms, they welcomed the chance to leave chores behind and join their friends. The company of playmates made the mile or two journey seem much shorter.

The walk to school varied with each season of the year. In spring, rain muddied the roads and made them difficult to navigate. Boys in bibbed overalls and girls in cotton dresses got quite wet wading across overflowing creeks. In summer, wildflowers, butterflies, and small animals captured their attention and caused various detours. In the fall, children stopped by the roadside to pick sprigs of bittersweet for their teacher. Or they jumped in piles of leaves.

Schools never closed in the snowstorms of winter. Students clothed themselves in layers of long underwear, leggings, coats, stocking caps, and mittens. They may have been transported by sleigh over banks of snow or in wagons pulled by horses. The warm clothing prevented frostbite. Some brave souls rode bicycles on ice. A few lucky students rode ponies to school. Some children made the daily trip by hitching horses to carts. During the day, the horses required care and feeding. This activity provided another source of entertainment for students at recess.

Walking to and from school was a creative adventure for country school children. Friendships flowered and pranks were instigated. The journey was a time of camaraderie and mischief at the beginning and end of the school day.

~From the book, Legacy of One-Room Schools by Myrna J. Grove, pgs.39-41. Her book is available on her web site: www.mgrovebooks.com.

An early 1900s Defiance County, Ohio, schoolteacher, Rosa Valet, hitched up her horse each morning for the ride to school.
(Legacy of One-Room Schools by Myrna J. Grove Used by permission)

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Schoolhouse Memories
By Gordon Burgar

Dora, John, Ruth and I attended the Town Hall School (Washtenaw County, Michigan). It was a one-room, one teacher school that taught all eight grades. We had a wood stove for heat but it had a metal jacket around it that was supposed to make the heat circulate around the room. It would be noon or after before we would be warm enough to take off our coats. At first the only water we had we brought from home, usually in a quart jar. Several years later a pump was put in beside the school. There was no electricity but we had kerosene lamps. There were two outhouses or "privies," one for girls and one for boys. There was a bell on the roof and the rope came down just behind the teacher. It was considered a privilege to be chosen to ring the bell. We took turns helping the teacher after school to clean blackboards, empty wastebaskets, sweep floors, etc. At the close of the school day we would sing:

At the beginning of each day we would go out in front and raise the nag and say the Pledge of Allegiance. Then we would go in and sing some songs like "Battle Hymn of the Republic," "My Old Kentucky Home," "The Swannee River," "The Old Rugged Cross," and other wellknown songs. The teacher would call up one class at a time and the students for that grade would come sit on a long bench in front and "recite" and use the blackboard. There was an average attendance of from 12 to 24 students. Sometimes there might be no students for some grades, but that was O.K. I believe there were some advantages in the one-room school. Each one had a foretaste for what was coming in the future. There were few disciplinary problems, mostly talking, passing notes, or a fight on the schoolyard.

The one big event of the year was the Christmas Play. We all participated and had a part to play. We would hurry to get our studying done so we could help make paper chains, string popcorn and other decorations for the tree. One year the teacher sent the boys out to find a Christmas tree. The Morgans had two beautiful large pine trees in their field across from the school. The boys climbed one tree and cut about six feet out of the top. It made a beautiful Christmas tree but it also made the Morgans furious. I guess that is why Sam Morgan began to see the teacher. Anyway, they made up and got married.

The night of the Christmas Play was an exciting time. Neighbors and parents came from all around and the school would be filled. The Play would be presented, we would all say our parts, then it would be time for the presents. There would be a jangling of sleigh bells and shouting at the reindeer outside, then old Santa would come in stomping the snow off his boots, calling out his "Ho Ho Ho, Merry Christmas Everyone!!" There was always something for everyone. Thank you, Mr. Fiegel, for being such a good Santa.

One Christmas I made a present for him. It was a monkey made of cigar box wood. It had a wide grin on his face. His arms and legs were pivoted and hung straight down, but when you pulled down on his tail the arms and legs would fly out. Dad said later that Mr. Fiegel was really pleased.

My grades were not very good. Mostly B's and C's, once in a while an A and sometimes a D. I never did fail a grade though. Dad was very hard on us. Dora made very good grades and John's were good. Ruth was always a good student. I don't know about Janet and Catherine's because they came along later. I did get an "F" on my report card once. When the rest went home I stayed in my seat crying. When the teacher told me I had to go I told her I just couldn't. She finally changed it to a D.

I know I spent a lot of time daydreaming, mostly thinking about building cars, boats, planes or anything else that moves. For English I was told to write a short story. I tried but was getting nowhere and told the teacher so. So she said, "Just invent one then." Well, that was different. I figured I could invent anything! So I wrote a story about a boat race in which our hero wins the race by loosening the exhaust pipes from the sides of his boat and lowers them into the water. The jet action was enough. And I got an A.

We lived about three miles from Ypsilanti Airport and on Saturdays John and I would go there and watch the planes. We were fascinated by them. John built a rubber--band-powered model.

In 1927 when Lindberg flew the ocean I (eleven years old) wrote a poem about it. I suppose it was for English class. Somehow it got put in a newspaper. Mother saved it and gave it to me.

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President's Column
By Tom M. Johnson

As this is my first President's Column I feel like a new kid on the block, especially following Bill Winglar as President. He was a true gentleman and an excellent leader. It is also somewhat intimidating to have a board with such a wealth of experience in one-room school matters. The board, to a person, is enthusiastic, knowledgeable, willing to pitch in and also fun to be with.

Sadly, we recently lost board member Linda Chapman who had all of the above attributes. She will certainly be missed. We are always on the lookout for new people with an interest in one-room schools to join us on the board. If you are interested, please introduce yourself to me at the annual meeting or contact me at 517-655-1030. Larry Schlack is previewing this year's annual conference in the adjoining column of this page.

The theme of the meeting is restoration and, in my opinion, the conference is being held in a wonderful location. Margaret Mead once said that great things can be accomplished by a small group working together. After you visit Bowne Center, where the conference is being held, and hear the story of the Bowne Center historical group, you will appreciate what this small group of creative and dedicated persons has accomplished.

One of my goals for the next year is to find a way that those of us involved in one-room schools can share information, provide answers to questions, and identify sources for supplies, etc. on a regular and rapid basis. I have a very selfish reason for wanting to do this because I have a lot of questions myself.

Hope to see and meet you at the annual meeting at Bowne Center on May 21st.

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Teacher Is the Umpire
By Odeal LeVasseur Sharp

I was the teacher at North Williams from 1938 - 1941. Average enrollment was 35 students in a pleasant well--equipped schoolroom including a piano. That school site had a water problem. Many attempts had been made strike water - but of no avail. We hauled water by the pail from Christone's, just across the road. That task was assigned to an older student, boy or girl. We just took it as a matter of course.

A music program was offered by Michigan State University with Wanda Cook as a music director. The teachers who use to participate met with Miss Cook once a month at a central location to learn songs, music appreciation, folk dancing. The teachers brought back instructions printed in a supplement, music and words of songs, dance instructions, and text for music appreciation. By this time a record player was available. A Bay County Chorus of all the participating schools was a springtime event - Spring Song Festival. The boys and girls met at a central place, with other school singers, and had a pleasant time, singing and dancing there. My North Williams students were happy to participate The children at North Williams loved sports especially softball –both boys and girls—and they were very good players. Games were played with other country schools of the area. SOMEBODY HAD TO BE UMPIRE! Guess who was elected - me. I had hardly ever played ball, but then, I thought I knew the basic points. I told my kids I would do the best I could. I took my position behind the catcher and called strikes, balls and fouls. We lost a few games, but won many. One time, I called "ball" on the opposing team. My catcher whispered "That was a strike." I whispered back "I'll try to be more careful." I wanted fair play all around. I was umpire from then on.

One year we won Williams Township and went to a playoff in Bangor Township, a bigger school. We lost by one point but we were shocked - both the kids and myself! We were shocked by the language used by the opposing man-teacher coach - scornful words yelled at his own team players. We talked about that and good sportsmanship when we got back to our own schoolroom.

My first 4-H Club work started at North Williams in 1938. Mrs. Marie Colbert helped the girls with sewing and the boys with electrical projects. I took care of the clerical part. Marie Calbert and I developed a great and treasured friendship. Bay County Fair time we had a chance to show our accomplishments. Field trips to the woods, southeast of the schoolhouse, were always fun events - spring and fall. Library books were loaned to us by the Bay City Public library for two months. We could borrow twenty books at one time, with titles suggested by the librarians. I drove my Model A Ford, a distance of thirteen miles from Bay City, driving either on Wheeler or Midland Road.

One winter morning Midland Road was icy, but it was being sanded by the Bay County road trucks. They had run out of sand and were waiting for another load. A flag man was waving his arm at me to slow down. I braked and my Ford whirled round and round, not too fast - like a dog chasing his tail. I finally landed on the north side of Midland Road, neatly parked right next to another car that had spun out the same way. My guardian angel was surely with me that morning!

I wasn't late for school. Henry Carlin, one of my older boys was my custodian, and always unlocked the school building, made fire, and swept the floor. He was very dependable. In 1941 I began driving a Chevrolet, 1941 model, Tudor Sedan - my husband’s and my first new car. Oh, I was so proud and extra careful driving it. The big boys at school admired that Chevy from top to tires.

I started at the wage of $125 per month in 1938, increasing to $145 in 1941. I enjoyed those years at North Williams very much. The children were eager and parents very supportive. Some families were Colbert, Berg, Clarey, Christone, White, Walther, ]ezowski, Bell, Maple, Aspen, Rosenbrock, Carlin, and Kryzyaniak.

~from Country Schools of Bay County, Michigan (1838-1970)
by Odeal L. Sharp, pg 25. Used by permission.

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Fun and Games

About midday, there was a recess for all pupils. Those who liked sports and active games, especially baseball supervised by the teacher, could play.

The early baseball games were played with stuffed stockings for balls. There were no sport stores in those days, and bats were carved from old wagon tongues.

When someone's dad bought a real baseball from out of town, it was patched and sewn reverently until the cover fell off from age. Then the bare strings were taped with black electrician’s tape over and over again, and it sailed an incredible distance when it was struck.

When some boy inherited a real baseball bat, it was cherished like King Arthur’s scepter. Whoever broke it, by forgetting to hold the label up, was sent home with the broken pieces and the dire warning, “Your old man is gonna pay for this.”

~Mary Magirl Dougherty, Central School, Tripp County, SD,
1922-23 in One-Room Country School: South Dakota Stories.

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Hawley One-room School House,
Mathias Township, Michigan, circa 1880.
Notice the hats hanging on the outside wall.

Reproduction through “Views of the Past,” shown in “Haiku for You,” pg.67. Used by permission.

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Comparing Yesterday with Today ~Excerpted from The Little Red Schoolhouse
by Eric Sloane

Perhaps the rugged life and strict religious rules of colonial days caused children to be more serious about life and exacting in their learning: perhaps the easy living and absence of rules nowadays causes children to be lax. At any rate it is interesting and enlightening to compare yesterday with today. Consider one letter written by John Quincy Adams when he was in school at the age of nine years:

Braintree, June the 2nd, 1777.

Dear Sir: I love to receive letters very well, much better than I love to write them. I make a poor figure at composition, my head is too fickle, my thoughts are running after bird's eggs, play and trifles till I get vexed with myself. I have but just entered the third volume of Smollett 'tho I had designed to have got it half through by this time. I have determined this week to be more diligent. . . . I have set myself a stent and determine to read the third volume half out. If I can but keep this resolution, I will write again at the end of the week and give a better account of myself. I wish, Sir, you would give me some instructions with regard to my time and advise me how to proportion my studies and my play, in writing: I will keep them by me and endeavor to follow them. I am, dear Sir, with a present determination of growing better, yours,

John Quincy Adams

P.S. Sir, if you will be so good as to favour me with a blank-book, I will transcribe the most remarkable occurrences I meet with my reading which will serve to fix them upon my mind.

If such a letter is an indication of the typical child and his schooling in America two centuries ago, we might ponder the effects of modern day progress.

Nostalgia has no place in today's school: nostalgia is a kind of disease-a "dis-ease" with the present, and a desire to return into the past. But there were good things of the past which should be recognized and revived: this. is not nostalgia. The one-room schoolhouse is too much a part of America to be forgotten, and its lessons live on in the words of those who learned there as children and grew up to mold the nation. The little red schoolhouse did its job well.

An authentic cabinet card photo from the late 1800s-early 1900s,with school children standing and sitting behind the stove that warmed them up when it was chilly outside. ~Photo in Haiku for You by Cheryl Vatcher-Martin, pg.86. Used by permission

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Michigan One-Room Schoolhouse Association

Dr. Tom Johnson, Chair

Steve Rossio, Vice-Chair

Larry Schlack, Treasurer

Hannah Geddes Wright, Secretary

Rochelle Balkam

Linda Chapman

Suzanne Daniel

Dana Deimel

Tamara Gady

Thomas Gwaltney

Yvonne Hafner

Tom Johnson

Judy Shehigian

Cheryl Vatcher-Martin

Hannah Geddes Wright
"The Slate" Editor and board member

$10 Senior (age 62+) or Student

$15 Individual. $25 Organizations. $100 Life