REMEMBRANCES OF SCHOOL DAYS WITH THE FAIRFAX HISTORICAL SOCIETY - MAY 18, 2003

Charlotte McNall:

Graduated in 1940, there were 32 in her class. She remembered teacher's reception w/band at the beginning of the school year - everybody dressed up! Sterling Weed played at the prom. Ice skating in the wintertime. Classes started at 8 am sharp until 4 pm. There was a nickel machine (juke box) that they used to play and dance during the day (lunchtime). There was assembly every morning, had a prayer, saluted the flag every morning. Hot lunch was soup (3 cents a cup), also cocoa. Most of the students' car-pooled with others from Westford in a Model A in high school. She remembers band hops, record hops. There were dances at the Masonic February 22nd every year. The girls always wore dresses in school. For punishment one time, she had to write 5 pages for whispering. In this time period you didn't see high school girls pregnant, they were sent away.

Ralph Ellsworth:

Dropped out of school in the grades as his father had a heart condition. He helped out on the farm as most boys did. He later married a school teacher (helped him learn some of the things he missed in school). He would earn 25 cents by helping the neighbors. He remembers the Beardsley's who lived in the area of the Sillers across the way from the Ellsworth homestead. One of them passed away at 96. One died one day and the other one died the following day. Mrs. Macomber was his 1st grade teacher. The Bevin's wh used to live around the Chaffee Road on the Buck Hollow Road, used to bring the kids to school, a sled in the winter and a wagon in the summer (going home was all "up" hill. BFA Basketball used to be played at the old Grange Hall in Main Hill, Now Wold's Book Store. There was a big hot air register in the middle of the floor for heat from a downstairs furnace. He remembers a lot of skinned knees.

Pauline Lavallee:

Graduated in 1959, there were 24 in her class. Her fondest memories in school were playing in the band. Sterling Weed was the teacher. Had it easy in school, "coasted" through school with B's. Her father was on the school board, didn't like that. She would sneak into the locker room and smoke cigarettes; her Uncle Cyrus would catch them but never turned them in. Talked in school a lot, had to write, "silence is golden" 500 times. Had fun in school. Couldn't wear slacks until last 2 weeks of school - game or tests. Wore only dresses or skirts. Rode to school on barge for 2 years, yellow school bus afterwards. Remembers record hops, dance date with Ken Green was scheduled, but they had blizzard and it was cancelled. Junior's put on a prom for the seniors; it was the same week as graduation. Junior/Senior play - Remembers having assemblies 3 times a year.

Larry Parsons:

Graduated in 1948, there were 14 in his class. The prettiest thing at BFA was Ms. Dunsmore, long hair. All of the boys watched her walk. His English paper was passed around school. Had a dance once a month or more often, Junior/Senior prom. Didn't leave town for much, entertainment was in town. Never had an initiation at BFA. Senior Ball (grand march w/Ethel Moren) led everyone. He was teamed up with one of the teachers (ugliest one!). Ethel didn't get matched up with anyone. He was at the old school for 4 years, Methodist Church for 2 years, High School, 7th & 8th in the new school. The girls would also explode things in the Lab and they would have to leave the building. When he was 9 years old (Halloween), good for laughs. They would stack up school barges on the lawn, outhouse on the front steps. Kids lifted up Mr. Rooney's truck and put blocks under it, wheels were spinning, and he lifted it up and shoved it forward about a foot without any help from anyone. Doctor's dog was was a miserable little thing was tied to the flagpole with string and they pulled him up the pole. He always thought that there were only 13 people (he never counted himself) that graduated.

Shelia Newton:

Graduated in 1969 and there were 100 in the class. Went to a Parochial school in the Plattsburg area until the 8th grade, then to a public school for high school. A lot of protest, short skirts, it was a chaotic time (1963). She remembers when she was in the 7th grade, one of the adults brought in a TV - stopped school. This was when the President was killed. They had the rest of the week off to deal with family. They wore uniforms until 8th grade, in public school; jeans were okay (not tight). No shorts and they couldn't show skin at any time. Girls weren't allowed to join team sports (intramurals only).

Toni Stone:

Graduated in 1962 and there were 75 in her class. Went to school in a Parochial school in Boston, MA. The high school was called "Gate of Heaven". They wore green uniforms. They couldn't wear lipstick, nail polish, and elastic in their hair, no jewelry. They wore black loafers with nylons. There was no competition on looks for the girls. Religion in the morning - get in trouble with Monsignor Powers about original sin. Couldn't wear slacks, but in the winter they wore them under their skirts only until they reached school. If you got into trouble you had to stand out in the hall and say ejaculations (Jesus, Mary, and Joseph), less time you would spend in purgatory. Stayed after school, didn't like her writing. On the weekends she would visit older people. USO dances in Boston (parents sent her to). She went to her 40th High School Reunion last year, she saw that they were blessed on how everyone had turned out, the way that they were taught had a lot to do with it. The "creeps" turned out good! There was one gentleman that thanked Toni because she had made such a impact on his life. There are only 7 graduated left in the MA area after graduating.

Steve Overton:

Graduated in 1972 and there were 58 in his class. Went to school in Tenafy NJ, it was a private all boys school. The Father was the teacher there. Shared a lunchroom with the all girls' school across the ways. The boys sat on one side and the girls sat on the other. They admired each other from afar. They wore a blue blazer with an emblem, hair couldn't touch the ears and couldn't wear jeans.

Bob Bessette:

Graduated in 1974 and there were 46 in his class. He said that the best teachers taught him; he proceeded to name all of them. In the 6th grade there were a lot of practical jokers. Thought that they would have to delay the opening of the new school as the tornado went through and tore off part of the construction. 1st grade he wore a brand new pair of jeans, went home with holes in both knees. His mother was mad because they were brand new. His favorite meals were chipped beef, beets, and potatoes. Class trip was to Montreal (Expos game) then Belmont Park. Huge party by the river, teachers were invited.

Sherry Brown:

Graduated in 1964 and there were 48 in her class. Farming community from Michigan. Used to roll up skirt after she left the house, rolled it back down before coming home. School was finished before Memorial Day.

Paul Lavallee:

Graduated in 1956 and there were 19 in his class. Those were The Hot Rod days - One noontime there was a '46 Ford with 3 wheels and 1 rim, making circles in the field where Bernie Keefe's house is now. Academically, don't remember much. They had a brand new '54 Chevy Driver's Ed car. They were taught the proper way to get out of the car (on passenger's side). One time the teacher had to get out to change drivers and there wasn't much room because of the farmer's electric fence! He remembers the fun times!

Elaine Kirkpatrick:

Graduated in 1958 and there were 39 in her class. She went to a school in MA and it was a replica to BFA. She taught at BFA from 1970 - 1989 for grades 7,8, and 9, then teaching Algebra 1 & 2. She noticed that the atmosphere had changed from when she went to school, There was a lack of respect. Speaking badly in the halls was okay (teacher's couldn't say anything) as long as they weren't talking about you, then you could say something. She was married in the middle of her Junior Year, got pregnant so she wasn't allowed to "practice teach". She was so close to the kid's age that's why she wasn't allowed to teach (it would have set a bad example). The kids wrote skits for skit night, not many had a theme! When fire drills ocurred, she used to get scared, she knew that they were going to happen but she would throw a book when it sounded. She always wore sandals, even in the wintertime.

Albert Rich:

Graduated in 1925 and there were only 7 in his class. There was Chapel in the morning. Spent time in the principal's office (Gendroll) - 1st grade got in a fight with Max Taylor, they had to stay in his office until it was time to go home. He was scared; doesn't remember who won but he cried. In the 1st grade (5 years old), the teacher didn't want to pass him because of his age. She wanted to keep him back and his parents said to the teacher "you can keep him there as long as you want". He enjoyed school; there were dances (once or twice a year), school plays that were good. Never had to study at home, he did all of his work in school.

Mrs. Cox:

Graduated in 1942 and there were 75 in her class. She went to a one-room schoolhouse in St. Albans. In the 6th or 7th grade she helped with the younger kids. She interviewed with Charles Sawyer and he was going to have her teach 9-12 grades of French. She said what! He said that she had enough credits.Chuck Sawyer told her, "You got an "A" from Professor Klyrick, you can teach French." Her salary was $40 a week for 40 weeks and she paid $10 a week for rent where she stayed in the stone house near the intersection of the Buck Hollow Road and Route 104. She taught at BFA from 1946-48. The students' put on a skit every year (9-12 grades), they competed between the grades. She was assigned the 9th grade, She actually wrote the skit, even though the students were supposed to. Paul Revere was part of it, and it was about American Soldiers. One particular student wouldn't have anything to do with it - he ended up being Paul Reveres horse! They won the competition (1st time ever)! She was leaving the school and they offered her $2000 (25% increase), she asked them how could you afford it? They wanted her to stay.

Marion Chaffee:

Graduated in 1941 and there were 80 in her class. She went to school in St. Albans and Fairfield. Mrs. Daisy was her 2nd grade teacher. She remembered that Billy was under the teachers' desk - he bit the teacher in the ankle. His excuse for doing that was according to what he told his father, "Eexcuse me daddy but she stunk!"

Keith Billado:

Graduated in 1977 and there were about 300 in his class. He went to public school. There were a lot of drugs and alcohol in the school. He remembers that there was a teacher that had a spider monkey, he was sick and he pestered his parents until they bought him one. There were a lot of "cliques".

Sally Billado:

Graduated in 1978 and there were about 350-400 in her class. She was brought up in a very strict house. The attire for school was dresses and skirts, no jeans. She wasn't able to get involved in any sports or dances. There were a lot of drugs and teenage pregnancies in the school.

Mike Cain:

Graduated in 1978 and there were 58 in his class. He went to the Parish Center for grades 3 and 4, then back to the school for 5-12. It was in 4th grade that Louise Decker went on maturnity leave and we were first introduced to John Gillis. He was JV basketball manager in 10th and 11th grades and then Varsity manager in senior year. He was also Varsity baseball manager all three years. He remembers winter carnival, talent shows, and skits. Senior year - undefeated state champions, the Senior prom was after the game.

Henry A. Raymond
vtgrandpa@yahoo.com
May 27, 2003