FLASHLIGHT

SEPT/OCT, 2011

Copper thieves broke into my St. Louis residence and really made a mess of things. I had both copper water and gas lines. The thieves couldn't find the water shutoff valve and in addition got into the gas lines as well. The police and gas company had to evacuate the area etc. I did have insurance and I think everything will work out but what a mess to deal with. Anyhow, in my venting process I sat down and wrote an article entitled "The Thief, Parrot, and Jesus (see attached). If you desire, you may publish it in the Flashlight.

Best I can recall, the story goes something like this: a burglar (professional name for a thief) is in a bedroom stealing jewelry. He thinks he hears a noise and it sounds somewhat like this, “Jesus is going to get you.” He gathers his composure and rationalizes that his mind is playing games and nothing is wrong. He continues with the business at hand, and he hears a louder voice from the corner of the room, “Jesus is going to get you.” Something is going on here.  He turns around slowly with his flashlight and spots a parrot sitting on his perch. He is somewhat relieved, gains his composure, and continues with his nightly chores. The burglar hears another sound from the corner of the room; he turns around with his flashlight in the direction of the parrot which is still sitting on his perch. Then he lowers his flashlight towards the floor and sees the snarling white teeth of a big Rottweiler dog. Without much further delay, the next thing he hears is the parrot say, “Sic him, Jesus.”

 There are several things that aggravate me in today’s world. One of them is a thief! It seems to me that to invade someone’s property, home, etc. and take possessions that do not belong to you is about as low life as one can get. Recently I had heard about a number of incidents of thieves doing their thing, probably laughing about what they got away with. I have heard of incidents where churches have also fallen victim to these thieves. Apparently, nothing is off limits! I pray that these thieves will realize that such behavior does have consequences. A heart and attitude adjustment is certainly in order. There is another Jesus and another two robbers mentioned in the Bible. If you are a thief, please take time to read the account of these two thieves. You will find it in Luke 23:38-43. You, as they, have a choice. One thief is in paradise with Jesus, the other is not.

I noticed, James Graeser ’55, an old friend and Wellston childhood neighbor of mine was not listed in the Wellston High School Senior Alumni List on the internet. I checked the Classmates Remembered list only to discover Jim passed away in 1997. I am very sorry for the loss of my old friend. Jim was an exceptionally good person! Thanks for your help.  Alan Taylor ‘56

My time in WHS was the 50s. I remember when principal, Donald Neibeck at lunch time put chains on the doors so we couldn’t sneak over to Bennett’s grill for lunch. Bennett’s was under the new Lindy Ballroom next to the barber shop. Later my father and Red Henson’s dad had the fire department remove the chains because they considered it a safety hazard in case of a fire. Larry Wright ‘57 1116 Delaware

FLASHLIGHT

SEPT/OCT, 2011

 OFFICER AND TRUSTEE ELECTIONS

The probability of failure should never keep us from attempting that which should be done.

 Sept/Oct, 2011

WELLSTON HIGH MEMORIES
Joyce (Perkins) Sudbeck ‘53
1853 Irving Avenue

While browsing through the July Birthday List, in July’s Flashlight, I happened across one name that set my mental wheels turning - Dave (Poncho) Canady ’52. Ah yes, what an extremely handsome young man he was. He made all the girls' hearts beat a little faster when he smiled at them, including mine.

I began musing back to my first year at Wellston High. If you will look under the 1950 school year, November 1949 Flashlight, you will find a picture of Mary Jane Purl ’53 and me, Joyce Perkins ’53.

Good grief! Did I really look like that? That would likely be a “yes.” They tell me cameras don’t lie.

 As you can see, in my Freshman year I was certainly not one that would make any boy’s heart skip a beat. I probably wasn’t too interesting either.

 My brother, Bob Perkins ‘50 got all the good looks - three and a half years before I was born. He had the winning smile (white, straight teeth), soft blue eyes, and very dark hair. On top of that, he had a genuineness and a great personality.

 Me well, if you look at the Flashlight picture you saw a thin, very plain girl, with the huge mane of curly hair. Unfortunately I was the youngest girl in the whole Freshman class which meant I still had a lot of physical as well as social growing up to do before I could catch up to the older girls. There were certainly a lot of pretty girls in Wellston High. Maturity takes time and I certainly wasn’t there yet.

 The one thing I did have going for me, that occasionally sparked some interest from the opposite sex, was my academic ability. I had no problem there.

 That was where Poncho came in. If I remember correctly, we were in Algebra at the same time. He was a regular at wanting to look at my homework. When we had a test he would ask if I could keep my arm off my paper and keep the paper close to the edge of desk. Of course, I didn’t mind. He was so good-looking I appreciated his attention regardless of what prompted it.

 There were several boys I remember quite well.

 Three stand out in my mind as the epitome of gentlemen. They had good manners, intelligence, good looks, and great personalities. I am referring to Bill Brown ’53, Norman Bauer ‘53 and Carl Detmer ’53. They were classic “All-American Boys.” They didn’t use profanity, weren’t disruptive in class, were respectful to our teachers - the whole nine yards. At the same time they were accomplished self-confident young men.

 Two more I admired as being extremely intelligent and capable. Kenneth (Deanie) Guinther ’53 and Sam Dicks’53. They were my nemeses in competing for the top grade in Lance Williams general science class. We always waited eagerly for the tests to be graded as the three of us all fought vigorously for that top “A”. Sometimes I won, sometimes I didn’t, but I definitely held my own with those two.

 In grade school, I remember being fascinated by Deanie Guinther’s and Carl Detmer’s penmanship. I recall that they were left-handed and I loved watching them writing upside down and producing such beautiful cursive.

 Sam Dicks and I were always appointed captains of the spelling teams by our English teacher for the weekly spelling bees. We carefully chose ours teams and battled to the bitter end. Sam was a worthy opponent. Wow, he could really spell.

 There were upper classmen I admired. Truthfully, I could never have received a passing glance from any of them had I painted myself blue or set myself on fire. It just didn’t happen.

 One time though I had a wonderful surprise. I cannot remember why I was selected to be in that particular court of honor. I just remember being in it. Guess who was assigned to be my escort for the entry procession? It was Norm Siebern ’51. Of course, being my escort had nothing to do with anything. We were the two tallest students in the group of honorees so we were paired to walk together for that reason. I felt like a princess walking on the arm of Norm Siebern. He was so tall and handsome and such a nice young man.

 I never became an “item” with any of the boys at Wellston High. I always dated boys from other schools.

 In 1952, my junior year, that all changed. Mom and dad moved from Wellston to the Normandy School District. I transferred at the second semester of my junior year. I was devastated at having to leave all the friends with whom I had gone through Wellsmar, Wellston Jr. High, and Wellston High.

 The first semester I spent at Normandy was lackluster but over the summer of my junior year, a metamorphosis took place. The “Ugly Duckling” took on “Swan” characteristics. I had a growth spurt that completely changed my physical appearance. I rounded in all the right places and gained new self-confidence. I was a real “teenager” at last. Boys began noticing me and I became much more popular in my senior year.

 I was nominated for St. Patrick’s queen during my senior year at Normandy. I would never have imagined, in a million years, that I would be voted for as any kind of Queen. I was very honored and very flattered. It was a dream come true for me.

 There is even more to the happy ending to my story.

 After dating several different boys the last year and a half of high school, I met a young man who was already out of school. He had been drafted into the U.S. Army. I am happy to say he found me so irresistible that he wanted to spend the rest of his life with me - and he has. Harold (Buzz) Sudbeck and I have been happily married fifty-six and one-half years and I’d be the first to say, I am one lucky lady.

 Not being one of the gorgeous girls or the most popular really didn’t matter in the large scheme of things. I was contented with just the friendships of both the boys and the girls at Wellston. There were a lot of terrific people there. Although some are more memorable than others, I have fond memories of many faces and many good times I shared with them at Wellston High School.

 I am grateful for the gift of all those good memories. My thanks to all of you who participated in making it real for me.  

Be neither enamored by your success---nor defeated by your failures.