The Greentown Grapevine – 2006-08, 13:08

              Celebrating Our 13th Year?
Volume 13, Issue 8 uawf; lrthepex&? fi August 2006
School Days-, School Days,
the Way It Really Was
With historical representa-tions
on television, movies,
books, and living history
museums, the question may
sometimes arise, “ Was it really
like that, or have we
romanticized the past to the
point that it is hard to separate
fact from fantasy?” This is
where original objects,
photographs, and documents
bring us face to face with the
past and bring us closer to
experiencing what our parents,
grandparents, and beyond might
have experienced.
The Greentown Historical
Society currently has an exhibit
in the History Center at 103
East Main Street which will
open a window to the visitor
into the lives of students of
Jackson, Union, Greentown,
and Eastern schools. They will
also learn of the many one-room
schools which pre- date
the township schools. The
exhibit, Readin ’, ‘ Ritin ’,
‘ Rithmetic - And Beyond:
History ofEducation in Eastern
Howard County, contains
school and class pictures,
yearbooks, commencement
announcements, trophies,
a t h l e t i c p i c t u r e s a n d
memorabilia, senior sweaters,
jackets and cords, an orchestra
cape, cheerleader megaphone,
and much more. There is a
photo taken in Jackson School
showing a stove in the middle
of the room. One photo which
is particularly interesting is of
the 1910 Greentown High
School Commencement, May 6,
1910, at the Majestic Opera
House in Greentown. The
exhibit consists of artifacts
donated to the G. H. S. as well as
items on loan.
The visitor to the exhibit is
introdbced to the exhibit theme
with a short account of the
earliest schools in 1845 in what
was known as Green Township,
later to be divided in 1853 into
Liberty, Jackson and Union
Townships. These subscription
scho- ols were held for a few
short winterweeks in the homes
of the early settlers: in the
Union Twp. home of Mrs.
Charles P. Baldwin; in Liberty
Twp., with Miss Lillis Cook;
and in Jackson Twp., in the log
cabin of William Braden.
In 1853 when Green Twp.
was divided into 3 different
townships, each township was
permitted by law to levy a
special school tax to build
public schools, known for many
years as common schools, to
serve the children of township
patrons. Each school served 4
square miles. The eastern part
of Howard County was
generously sprinkled with many
so- called one- room schools,
some of which lasted into the
early part of the twentieth
century. While the evidence of
most of these first public
schools has disappeared, their
locations are evident on maps
of the times. The official ledger
of Liberty Township Board of
Trustees which begins its
records in the spring of 1853
contains detailed descriptions
of the specifications and the
builders of their schools.
This exhibit will be open to
the public through Dec. 17 from
I : 00 to 4: OO p. m. on Saturdays,
Sundays, and Mondays, and
extended summer open hours
on Monday until 7: OO p. m.
First Day of School for Eastern Students
Wednesday August 16
“ Senior Cords” were a tradition for many high school seniors during the 1950’ s and 1960’ s and
perhaps longer. The painted cords above were Bonnie Schaaf‘ s, Pam Powell’s and Gerald
Cheek’s.
I
photo by Rachel Jenkins
Grapevine Loses a Founder -
Greentown Loses a Fine Citizen
Tom Manderfield 1947- 2006
When the first meetings were which led to the formation of
ield which led to the formation the Greentown Historical
) f the Greentown Area Society, Tom was there. He
tesidential Association, which became a Charter member and
iltimately began publishing the served on the Board of Trustees
; reentown Grapevine, Tom until his death, at which time he
vlanderfield was there. When was Secretary. He was always
t was suggested that the an eager volunteer for any task
; rapevine include a section of which needed doing.
eprints of news from past Tom became a Greentown
sues of the Howard County Lion. As with all his other
( ews, Tom volunteered to do endeavors, he always did his
he research and submit the share and more. He could be
: opy. He was the one who gave found during the fair doing duty
h at page t h e n am e, on parking, night security, and
‘ Flashbacks”. He wrote the in the food building. He
: lashbacks for several years. worked at all the other Lioris
de remained an officer of the projects as wel! and attended all
; reentown Area Residential meetings possible.
issociation. Greentown has lost a good
citizen and many have lost a
: xploratory meeting was held valued friend.
Likewise, when the first
Eastern School
Registration
Dates and Times
Thursday, August 3
8: 30 a. m. - 11: 30 a. m. &
1: OO p. m. - 3: OO p. m.
Friday, August 4
8: 30 a. m. - 11: 30 a. m. &
1: 00 p. m. - 3: OO p. m.
Monday, August 7
12: OO Noon - 6: OO p. m.
Eastern Elementary Book
Fees 2006 - 2007
Kindergarten $ 37.00
1st Grade $ 95.00
2nd Grade $ 87.00
3rd Grade $ 95.00
4th Grade $ 95.00
5th Grade $ 99.00
6th Grade $ 92.00
Jr/ Sr High School Fees will
be determined by the
course selection of each
student.