I'd like to hear from some of the younger crowd as my ramblings are based upon times before "Pork and Beans". The Streetcar was important to us in Nuroad and Berkeley as we were out in "The Sticks". It was the only mode of transportation for many families who relied on the "Dinky" to connect them to the Kirkwood-Ferguson Car to make a Wellston shopping run. In the 30's and 40's, Wellston was "The Place" to shop. It was a Friday night family custom to converge on Easton Avenue to do their shopping. There was Katz Drugstore, Walgreens, Piggly Wiggly, Central Hardware, Western Auto, J & R Auto, Sally Anne, Alberts Shoe store, Deluxe Hamburger, White Castle, Muehlings Grocery Store and many street vendors trying to make a buck during the hard time 30's. In those days, you could walk the side streets and not have to be armed with an AK-47. Today, it would be a survival requirement!
So...how about some of your memories. Do you remember Ice Skating on Schweitzer's Pond, Champ's Pond and Ramona Lake? Or perhaps you have some more contemporaneous memories to share with us. I have a few stories I will save about what happened around the fire at Ramona Lake for later. Emails accepted 24/7!
Friday, November 18, 2011
Tuesday, November 15, 2011
Eureka! We found it...
Thanks to Dorothy and Blaine Kohler the words
to our BHS School Song have been recovered!
to our BHS School Song have been recovered!
( Does anybody know who originated the lyrics of our hallowed song?)
BEER BEER FOR OL' BERKELEY HIGH
BRING ON THE COCKTAILS BRING ON THE RYE
SEND THE FRESHMEN OUT FOR GIN
AND DON'T LET A SOBER SOPHMORE IN...
JUNIORS NEVER STAGGER
SENIORS NEVER FALL
THEY SOBER UP ON WOOD ALCOHOL
WHILE THE TEACHERS ALL GO BURPING DOWN TO THE BAR FOR MORE...
If we have any of the words wrong, please send us any corrections.
Saturday, November 12, 2011
Another Streetcar Memory!
Remember the "Dinky"?
Remember the "Dinky"? The rickety old red streetcar that ran from the Kinloch junction to Wabash Avenue. It connected to the Kirkwood-Ferguson line at the junction; which then rattled it's way to Wellston or even further into the bowels of St. Louis. It took several transfers to progress downtown to Famous Barr, Scruggs and the downtown movie houses.
Many of us remember the cranky old Irishman "McGuire", the motorman who shuttled "The Dinky" back and forth on the 3 1/2 miles of track numerous times a day. There was a stretch of this track that gave Ol' McGuire a fit! The "Stella" stop had a deep cut through the terrain and the top of the streetcar was about even with the top of this cut. Several of my acquaintances figured that if they stretched a rope across the tracks, it would be above the streetcar roof but would be properly placed to knock the trolley off the wire and shut down the streetcar. The trolley provided the electrical power to run the car but without it...it stopped. Untold times at night, McQuire would be tooling along and all the sudden his lights would go out! He knew he had been had again! He would get out of the "Dinky" and fumble around in the dark trying to find the trolley wire to regain power (all the time cussing a blue streak). After several near misses and sparks flying, he would get back in and head towards the next stop, Airport Road. Often when he applied his brakes at this stop, he would find the car failing to stop...he knew he had been had again! The same ingenious acquaintances also found that if they greased the tracks at this point, the car would just slide past the Airport stop until it ran out of the greased track. Often different stretches of the track were selected for "greasing". The streetcar tracks ended at Wabash Avenue and this too was a favorite area to "grease the tracks". I suspect McGuire spotted his laundry many times during his tenure as Berkeley City's favorite motorman.
Another favorite prank pastime was the RR track crossing at Wabash and Graham road. It was determined that when a steel bar was placed across the RR tracks, the crossing lights and bell would signal STOP! The "Perps", as they call them today, would lie in wait for a car roaring down the hill on Graham Road. At the precise time, the bar was placed, the RR signal would signal STOP and often the sound of tires screeching to a halt were heard. They would then stop and wait and wait with no train in sight. Finally, they would dash across the tracks realizing they had been duped.
I have many stories like this of the pranks that were in vogue in those days and now they can be told as many of the "Perps" have departed to the happy hunting grounds. I will protect the few of us who are still on the right side of dirt.
Many of us remember the cranky old Irishman "McGuire", the motorman who shuttled "The Dinky" back and forth on the 3 1/2 miles of track numerous times a day. There was a stretch of this track that gave Ol' McGuire a fit! The "Stella" stop had a deep cut through the terrain and the top of the streetcar was about even with the top of this cut. Several of my acquaintances figured that if they stretched a rope across the tracks, it would be above the streetcar roof but would be properly placed to knock the trolley off the wire and shut down the streetcar. The trolley provided the electrical power to run the car but without it...it stopped. Untold times at night, McQuire would be tooling along and all the sudden his lights would go out! He knew he had been had again! He would get out of the "Dinky" and fumble around in the dark trying to find the trolley wire to regain power (all the time cussing a blue streak). After several near misses and sparks flying, he would get back in and head towards the next stop, Airport Road. Often when he applied his brakes at this stop, he would find the car failing to stop...he knew he had been had again! The same ingenious acquaintances also found that if they greased the tracks at this point, the car would just slide past the Airport stop until it ran out of the greased track. Often different stretches of the track were selected for "greasing". The streetcar tracks ended at Wabash Avenue and this too was a favorite area to "grease the tracks". I suspect McGuire spotted his laundry many times during his tenure as Berkeley City's favorite motorman. Another favorite prank pastime was the RR track crossing at Wabash and Graham road. It was determined that when a steel bar was placed across the RR tracks, the crossing lights and bell would signal STOP! The "Perps", as they call them today, would lie in wait for a car roaring down the hill on Graham Road. At the precise time, the bar was placed, the RR signal would signal STOP and often the sound of tires screeching to a halt were heard. They would then stop and wait and wait with no train in sight. Finally, they would dash across the tracks realizing they had been duped.
I have many stories like this of the pranks that were in vogue in those days and now they can be told as many of the "Perps" have departed to the happy hunting grounds. I will protect the few of us who are still on the right side of dirt.
Thursday, November 10, 2011
Photos for BHS Classes of 1957 & 1958 - Thanks to Shirley (Strassner) Wilkins
Berkeley Junior High School - 8th Grade Graduation (1953)
Berkeley Junior High School - 8th Grade Graduation (1954)
Berkeley High School
Class of 1958
(Click on Photo to enlarge)
Berkeley High School
Class of 1957 
Berkeley High School
Class of 1958
(Click on Photo to enlarge)
Today, Shirley Wilkins stopped by with Troubadour yearbooks from 1957 and 1958. I scanned the above photo of the 1953 - 8th grade graduation class (Berkeley High School Class of 1957). This photo also appears on the Classmate Photos page (click on the tab at the top of the blog to see this photo and more). As I peruse each of these yearbooks, I will post pictures and interesting stories gleaned from these yearbooks. This will give a presence of the classes in the later '50's. Much of my memories came from the Dark Ages of the '30's through the 50's. This will permit me to accentuate your Berkeley High School memories beyond my days of ol' BHS.
I'd like to hear from all who care to share some interesting story of their school days or moments of history that happened in Berkeley City, MO. My days go back before "pork and beans" and might get a bit boring. So, please help me to come up with some contemporary information, instead of just my reflections from the Jurassic Age.
I am sending out an "All Points Bulletin" to help find the lyrics of our School Song "Beer, Beer for ol' Berkeley High". I am unable to fully recall all of the lyrics and would like to publish them on this blog for those among us that have forgotten them too!
Please email me if you come up with these "hallowed" lyrics for the school song!
Wednesday, November 9, 2011
Good news...Check Out the New Lower Price!
With George Tayloe's input, we were able to negotiate a lower price for the reunion. The Reunion Committee met today with "The Columns". We were able to get a reduction in price, which is a welcome relief. Hopefully this will make it easier for all to attend the reunion. To see updated information and price, go to the BHS Reunion Information page, by clicking on the tab at the top of the blog or you can (click here). Plans are progressing well. A lot of thought is being given to this reunion. For many of us, it has been far too long since our last gathering. Our aim is to make it an outstanding reunion. The clock of life seems to run faster with each passing year!
Sunday, November 6, 2011
Comments, Comments, Comments . . . We Love Comments!
Did you know you can leave a comment after each post? When a blog reader leaves a comment on a post, it provides the Reunion Committee with useful feedback. Additionally, blog readers can also view comments that classmates have left on the blog post, thus providing interesting reading.
Not sure how to leave a comment? Here's how:
Look at the bottom of the post (see area circled below in the image). If you need to see the image below larger, hover your mouse over the image and click. A window will open, allowing you to see the image larger.
Step 2:
Now you will see a box appear like the one below. This is where you will type your comment. Type your comment into the box; see example below.
If you have a Google Account, click on Google Account. Your comment will then be posted using your Google username automatically.
What if you don't have a Google Account, or don't want your Google username to appear with your post? Click on Name/URL.
You will be prompted to type your name in the provided box. Once you have your name typed in, press the Continue button.
Step 4:
Now you are ready to finish the comment posting process. Click Preview to see a preview of your post as it will appear on the blog, or skip the preview and click on Post Comment.
Step 5:
You must fill in the word verification section, before you can post your comment. This step helps to keep our blog spam-free.
After you have typed in the word verification, click on Post Comment.
Things to remember:
Your posted comment will be seen by all readers. If you want to keep a comment private, send a private email message to joesow@gmail.com.
To get back to the home page after you post your comment; click on the word Home at the bottom of the page, or click on the Home-Blog tab at the top of the page.
Give it a try! We love comments.
*If you would like to print this tutorial for future reference, click here
Not sure how to leave a comment? Here's how:
Tutorial - How to Leave a Comment on a Post
Step 1: Look at the bottom of the post (see area circled below in the image). If you need to see the image below larger, hover your mouse over the image and click. A window will open, allowing you to see the image larger.
Step 2:
Now you will see a box appear like the one below. This is where you will type your comment. Type your comment into the box; see example below.
Step 3:
Now that you have your message typed in the box, you are ready to submit your comment. First you must click on Select profile (see image below). Your profile is the name your comment will be posted under.
If you have a Google Account, click on Google Account. Your comment will then be posted using your Google username automatically.
What if you don't have a Google Account, or don't want your Google username to appear with your post? Click on Name/URL.
You will be prompted to type your name in the provided box. Once you have your name typed in, press the Continue button.
Step 4:
Now you are ready to finish the comment posting process. Click Preview to see a preview of your post as it will appear on the blog, or skip the preview and click on Post Comment.
Step 5:
You must fill in the word verification section, before you can post your comment. This step helps to keep our blog spam-free.
After you have typed in the word verification, click on Post Comment.
Success! Your comment has been posted.
Things to remember:
To get back to the home page after you post your comment; click on the word Home at the bottom of the page, or click on the Home-Blog tab at the top of the page.
Give it a try! We love comments.
*If you would like to print this tutorial for future reference, click here
Saturday, November 5, 2011
Reunion Price Information
Since the Columns "doubled booked" us on our date, we negotiated a rock bottom price for our reunion at "The Columns". The criteria we have always used in making decisions about this reunion is to keep costs down as many classmates are on fixed incomes. I personally visited 5 possible sites for the reunion and found all had much higher prices than what we were able to negotiate at "The Columns". The NEW price per person is [$25 per person or $50 per couple] which includes a delicious Buffet Dinner. Walk-in's will not be admitted.
We are now accepting reservations . Paid reservations will not be refundable. Once we commit a headcount, the Reunion Committee is on the hook for the cost of all reservations. A cut-off date for reservations will be around April 15, 2012.
"The Columns" is a first class facility and have their own kitchen for the food preparation (no catered rubber chicken). I have attended several affairs there and found the food, facilities and service excellent. We aren't looking to impress anyone with fancy table embellishments, as the purpose of this reunion is to reacquaint ourselves with old friends, keep costs low and offer a quality buffet dinner.
Since most people have digital cameras today; we will spare the cost of a photographer, which runs the price up quickly. You can select who you want to photograph and enjoy it better than a canned group photo; where heads are about as big as a pea and unrecognizable.
We will have some awards and special gifts, which will be made and furnished by the Reunion Committee at no cost to all. Maybe something for the "Oldest Classmate", the "Classmate Who Traveled the Farthest" and any other categories we can come up with. Any suggestions, please drop me an email at joesow@gmail.com.
Coffee, tea, water and soft drinks will be available as part of the package. No alcohol bar will be available, as that really adds to the cost and many of us are on medications that forbid it.
Our aim is to provide the most "bang for your bucks" as possible. I have checked with several other Class Reunions and the cost per person was considerably higher. Elaine did a good job of driving a hard bargain for us. Things are beginning to fall into place and the list of classmates planning to attend is growing daily. Keep checking regularly to see who is coming!
And...how about emailing me some stories of your recollections of your first grade experience with "Miss Barker". I'm sure there are some interesting stories lurking out there!
We are now accepting reservations . Paid reservations will not be refundable. Once we commit a headcount, the Reunion Committee is on the hook for the cost of all reservations. A cut-off date for reservations will be around April 15, 2012.
"The Columns" is a first class facility and have their own kitchen for the food preparation (no catered rubber chicken). I have attended several affairs there and found the food, facilities and service excellent. We aren't looking to impress anyone with fancy table embellishments, as the purpose of this reunion is to reacquaint ourselves with old friends, keep costs low and offer a quality buffet dinner.
Since most people have digital cameras today; we will spare the cost of a photographer, which runs the price up quickly. You can select who you want to photograph and enjoy it better than a canned group photo; where heads are about as big as a pea and unrecognizable.
We will have some awards and special gifts, which will be made and furnished by the Reunion Committee at no cost to all. Maybe something for the "Oldest Classmate", the "Classmate Who Traveled the Farthest" and any other categories we can come up with. Any suggestions, please drop me an email at joesow@gmail.com.
Coffee, tea, water and soft drinks will be available as part of the package. No alcohol bar will be available, as that really adds to the cost and many of us are on medications that forbid it.
Our aim is to provide the most "bang for your bucks" as possible. I have checked with several other Class Reunions and the cost per person was considerably higher. Elaine did a good job of driving a hard bargain for us. Things are beginning to fall into place and the list of classmates planning to attend is growing daily. Keep checking regularly to see who is coming!
And...how about emailing me some stories of your recollections of your first grade experience with "Miss Barker". I'm sure there are some interesting stories lurking out there!
Friday, November 4, 2011
New help is arriving each day!
Today I was lucky to connect with Tom Smith, Shirley (Strasser) Wilkins and Denis Huston who have all worked on putting together reunions in the past. Their help in getting the word out will really help. I'm hopeful they will be able to give us some suggestions in planning the best reunion yet. Fred Rubel also has been a big help in sending notification to the email addresses he has from previous Class of '59 reunions.
As of this moment, we have people who are planning to attend the reunion from Classes '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, '50, '51, '53, '54, '57, '58, '59 and '60. My estimate of Alumni contacted is around 60 so far. With the networking of Tom, Shirley, Denis and Fred...things might start to take off. I am posting peoples names who are planning to attend the reunion as I receive them.
It was a welcome surprise to hear Imogene (Behle) Freeman ('43) and Bud are interested in coming to our reunion and encourage them to help spread the word.
Again, the ol' clock on the wall tells me that's enough for tonight!
As of this moment, we have people who are planning to attend the reunion from Classes '43, '44, '45, '46, '47, '50, '51, '53, '54, '57, '58, '59 and '60. My estimate of Alumni contacted is around 60 so far. With the networking of Tom, Shirley, Denis and Fred...things might start to take off. I am posting peoples names who are planning to attend the reunion as I receive them.
It was a welcome surprise to hear Imogene (Behle) Freeman ('43) and Bud are interested in coming to our reunion and encourage them to help spread the word.
Again, the ol' clock on the wall tells me that's enough for tonight!
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