FROM TOM
BITTNER – July 2009
Greetings to the "oldsters" gathering to share
memories of their days at the "old"
I was very excited when I was sent word of the reunion, and
even gave consideration to attending myself. It would be great to see all of you again,
visit the mountains, and express awe at how Loveland has changed. Then, my Parkinson's disease (along with other
physical problems) decided to pick this summer to control my body and mind. I knew that it would not be practical for me
to try to come out there. I know Peg and
some others from the group will send word about the highlights. Oh, yes, if you take a group photograph, I
would like a copy (will pay for it) and would like someone to label it with
names since I know some of you have made some body alterations since I
last saw you (haven't we all?).
I imagine that all teachers probably remember the first class groups
they had the best. I am certainly no exception. I came to
1) The time a group of students got together,
bought a cake and a few funny gifts, and drove up to my apartment to
celebrate my birthday. Wow!!!
2) That one of our home economics teachers
(before Jean Penrose) took a leave of absence. Harold Ferguson called me into
his office and asked if I would use one of my planning periods to fill in
for one of her classes for awhile (WEEKS!!!). Sure - I could do that!!!! “What
will I be teaching?” I asked him. His answer was "SEWING"!!! Me, Tom
Bittner, teaching these shy (HA!!) young ladies how to use a pattern, cut
fabric, and sew a blouse. I sat after school for hours, but somehow we got the
job done - and the kids & I learned it was fun - TOGETHER!!
3) That Harold Ferguson could get me to do
anything!! Either I worshipped the
ground he walked on or was a very gullible young teacher. It was, I think,
my first year that he asked me if I would be a Pep Club sponsor. Wow!! Pep
Club!! Sounds like fun!!! Sure - I could do that. What is Pep Club???? Oh, just
an organization of a few (!!!!!) girls who went to athletic events to cheer on
our brave "warriors". There I was - a man with all those girls -marching
up & down the football field - SOMETIMES ON CRUTCHES (Remember the
crutches???). Cheering away??? Didn't
Harold have a family member in your class (Do you know Cindy??)? She was a
sweetheart too - likely still is.
4) Remember where you were when
President Kennedy was assassinated? I do. I was asked to go to the lunch room
to announce the news. We also were to open a play (it was either "A Full
House", "Diary of Anne Frank", or "The Guy
from Venus") that night & had to decide - Does the show go on? It
did!! We thought that you kids had been working hard & it might give
5) Rag Days were great!!! I have never seen anything like it in any of
the schools where I taught after I left Loveland!!!
If I were to relive every wonderful sports event, drama moment, music
concert, club meeting, or conversation I had with you folks, you would
still be reading this when you retire! Oh yes, many of you are already retired,
aren't you? I keep forgetting that I am
only seven years older than most of you. Suffice it to say that I loved my time
in
After I left Loveland, I went to the San Francisco area, back to Neenah,
Wisconsin, back to Colorado Springs, then to work in the Colorado Juvenile
prisons as an educational coordinator, and then landed here in West Bend,
Wisconsin in 1971, where I have remained. I keep up with the news from there regularly
through Peg Malchow Sass, but would like to hear from many of you about your
lives since I last saw you.
My e-mail address: bittnerr4784@sbcglobal.net
Please be patient. I will answer your correspondence. It just takes
awhile sometimes. Peg can confirm that.
Have a wonderful reunion!!! My thoughts and "heart" will be with you.
Tom Bittner