As college basketball takes center stage with its annual "MARCH MADNESS," local high schools have been looking to our state competitions. Years ago, winning the Section V championship was the highlight of the season as there were no statewide championships.

 During the year our ER Department of Local History received many donations.  Often these were photos, newspaper articles, or memorabilia.  As described in my May article, this spring we received a large donation of 13 notebook binders and 2 large folio cases containing the history of the Forest Hills Development.  In October, we received a very different large donation –a trailer-like wagon approximately 110 years old.

     In looking through our old East Rochester Herald newspapers, I happened to find an interesting series of articles from late summer, early fall of 1954.  The stories brought back many memories.

     For many years summer recreation centered around our village parks and outdoor pool.  In particular, there were many activities offered in Edmund Lyon Park.  Children could make potholders, make things out of boondoggle, paint plaster of Paris plaques, and take part in contests in costume, dog, doll, and hat shows.  The August 20^th issue of the paper described highlights of the annual costume show.  Prizes (ribbons and candy bars) had been given for the prettiest, funniest, most unusual, best cowgirl and cowboy, best clown, most original, and best foreign costumes.  The summer season at the playground would end August 20^th with a picnic when the highlight of the day was the selection of a playground king and queen to rule over the day’s festivities.

     The August 27^th issue described the moving of a home from where the new interchange cloverleaf was being built to link the eastern thruway connection with Fairport Road.  The stucco home, built in 1930, was moved from near Harwood Lane to the corner of Washington Street and Fairport Road.  There, Frank Cilento’s family would live.  The two hour move on a huge trailer was assisted by RG & E line crews who were on hand to cut wires wherever progress was impeded.

     The September 3^rd issue focused on the beginning of the school year.  A detailed listing of the 71 teachers for grades K-12 was included.  In 1954, the two school buildings on East Avenue (elementary and junior/senior high) were our whole district.  Student enrollment was about 1700.  The Board of Education was going to hold a faculty reception on Sept. 7^th, with classes starting on Wednesday the 8^th; kindergarten would begin on the 9^th.  St. Jerome’s school was adding a class for third grade.  The classes were still meeting in the CYA building.  In 1955, classes would move to the new school building next door.

     The September 10^th issue had several articles of interest.  One honored three little girls (Jane Thomas, Marcia Ramph, and Donna Jean Rosen).  The girls had gone door to door in their neighborhood to collect money for the polio emergency fund drive.  They collected $20.00.  The polio epidemic was a very real fear during the 1950s.

     The issue also contained a full report from Sherman Reed, Swimming Pool Director and physical education teacher.  The summer season had lasted from June 26-September 6^th (Labor Day).  When the Kate Gleason Memorial Pool had opened in 1954, it was one of the first outdoor community pools inthe area.  Throughout the 1950s and 60s the pool was packed seven days a week.  Attendance for the summer of 1954 was 34,525.  Swimming class enrollment was 271.  Mr. Reed was pleased to announce that there had been no serious accidents or injuries.&a

     Each June as another school year ends, Senior Class members reflect on their high school years.  The Gagashoan they receive illustrates not only their daily lives, but also the history of our country at the time.  This is especially true of the Class of 1944.  This spring, I had the chance to talk with Tom Conners and Nick Verzella, two members of the ER Class of ’44.  I thank them for providing insight into high school life during a time of war.

     As Freshmen in the fall of 1940, the class had over 200 students—the largest class our school had seen up to that time.   During their high school years that number would dwindle with the events of the time.  Their high school building was on East Avenue, and is what is now called the T.L.R. Morgan Middle School.  Mr. Morgan was the ER School District Superintendent from 1932-1944.   During their Sophomore year, their world was turned upside down when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941.  Thus began the students’ part in the war effort on the home front as the United States entered World War II on December 8^th.  News from the battlefront would be a constant for the rest of their high school years as classmates and friends enlisted in the armed forces.  In order to keep the bond between service men and the school as close as possible, an artistic roster was erected on the walls of the main hall in school.  A special bulletin board was set up for photos, letters, news items, and souvenirs from those serving their country.  Home front activities and fundraisers would be part of their daily lives.

     During their Junior year, a number of tea dances were held leading up to the Junior Prom.  War Stamp sales set an example for the school with 100% participation.  Class members also served on committees to salvage paper and tin.  Several athletes excelled, with Art Gebhard and Sam Urzetta making All-County teams, and David Potter winning the sectional singles tennis tournament.  Four members of the class left as Juniors, and graduated in 1943 in order to enlist in the armed forces—Art Engert, Mike Martello, Art Dimassimo, and David Potter.  

     As Seniors, the class had over 100 students.  Students and teachers continued to find ways to support the war effort, and yet still take part in the usual school activities.  Outstanding athletes included:  Eugene Little, Jack Erwin, Bud Parish, Wayne Harris, Art Gebhard, Sam Urzetta, Nick Verzella, Nate Calabrese, John Celentano, and Joe Capriotti.  Outstanding cheerleaders, Lily Jean Howard, Mary Ellen Trescott, and “Red” Speca helped provide much morale to the teams.  The Harvest Ball at the beginning of the year was a big success.  Coronation Day’s activities in the spring revolved around the theme of “tolerance.”  Activities such as band and the school newspaper, The Brown and White, had many members.  War Stamp sales and Red Cross projects were also part of the year’s activities, as were collecting newspapers, books for the camps, and warm clothing for Greek refugees.   The Junior Red Cross made toys and clothing for children, afghans, and hospital supplies for the wounded and sick soldiers.  Most students also had

     For those who are old enough to remember her, Lois Bird was a very special friend.  Born February 8, 1907, she came to East Rochester with her family in 1913 from Phelps, N.Y.  Her father, Louis, was our village high school principal and later district superintendent.  Her mother, Laura, was a teacher.  Lois had four sisters, and her family lived for many years on East Ivy Street, opposite Edmund Lyon Park.

     Lois graduated from high school in 1924 and Keuka college in 1928.   She later received a degree in psychology from Penn State and continued to work on her doctorate there with nationally known reading specialists.  Lois taught second and third grade, and was assistant elementary school principal; but she spent most of her life as a reading specialist often working with students who had come from abroad and needed help learning English.

     Miss Bird was very active in school and village organizations – President of the ER Teachers’ Association, member of the ER Pioneers, numerous Baptist Church committees, College Club, Study Club, ER Youth Recreation Council, and co-captain of the ER Civic Music Association.  She also worked with teachers and helped start the Rochester Chapter of the International Reading Association; and she was an early member of the regional chapter of Delta Kappa Gamma (an international organization for women educators).  During her life Lois received many awards, including:  Rotary Citizen of the Year (1966) and St. Nicholas Society Citizen of the Year (1984).

     Lois loved sports, and kept in close touch with the East Rochester School teams and the football teams at Penn State.  She often wrote letters of encouragement or congratulations to the teams.  The letters were often posted on the teams’ bulletin boards for all the players to see.

     Miss Bird’s most special collection was her valentines.  She began collecting them in the 1920s when her mother gave her a valentine from the Civil War which she had found in an antique shop.  Lois enjoyed sharing the valentines with her students.  Some of her cards are currently on display in our Local History Room, courtesy of the ER Public Library.

     The love Lois felt for everyone was reciprocated often, especially when the elementary school was named in her honor in 1980.  Lois died on January 4, 1996.  She loved learning, and sharing that passion made her the special teacher we all admired and respected.  Her kindness, support, and integrity were always evident.  As we think of Valentine’s Day, Miss Bird remains in our hearts.