Thank you, Mr. Perry, the school board, committee members and students for honoring Rodger with this award today, along with Mike and JoAnn.
For those of you who don't know me, I am Rodger's wife, Judy, who has been his partner and co-pilot for the past 62 years. The stories I could tell, but as a wife to a principal, I'm sworn to secrecy!
When Rodger's health began to fail recently, I suggested perhaps I could speak in his place. His answer, as all good husbands are taught, was to reply ..... Yes Dear.
Of course, we could talk seriously about civics and drivers ed, of which I often suggested he should write a book about those drivers ed experiences. And, of course, the principal's office, where interesting conversations surely took place. But we are choosing to reminisce about the lighter, fun side of our life in Belleville.
We begin on a late summer day 64 years ago in 1960, when Rodger was scheduled to have an interview with the Principal, C. H. Hageman, a Belleville Icon, for a potential teaching position at Belleville High School.
We decided to allow some extra time before the interview to drive around and see what Belleville had to offer. I believe the population back then was 860, now it is uncertain. If you come into town on Hwy 92 it is 2461, if you come in on Co Trk CC, it is 2001. Our old friend, Phil Fahey, who lived on that road, liked to call Co CC the Spanish Highway ...... (sisi)
Looking back as to what we saw that day, we are reminded just how much Belleville had to offer, and I think we've forgotten what a treasure this community holds. Here is some of what we noticed that day:
Of course, our schools in Belleville, there was a school in Paoli, now a restaurant, to which our daughter, Wendy's, kindergarden class was bussed; the beautiful Lake Belle View, where at that time you could launch a boat to water ski, swim, fish and go riding in a pontoon boat around the lake, or ice skate in the winter. We held our school football games, very often wet, cold and soggy; and baseball games in that park, along with the annual chicken bbq with carnival rides, duck races, a hamburger stand, softball games and music; there were tennis courts and horseshoe pits; playground equipment. There were 7 churches in the area; Pet Milk, with a loud whistle at 7 am and at noon, those neighbors didn't need alarm clocks; Federal Industries; Roosli's feed mill; Hoesly lumber yard; there were 3 gas stations, a Phillips 66, Citgo and a Mobil; Belleville Auto; Standard Oil; our fire department with a blacksmith shop in the alley behind the fire department, I believe his name was Warren Rolfe; not one, but two banks; the Gamble store; Dr. Donlin's office; a pharmacy; Beckers furniture and funeral parlor; hair salons and a barber shops; Fishers, which became Marty's bakery; Weber's meat market; Lehnherr's grocery store; Rasmussen Insurance; the Belleville Recorder Printing office; Kelsch Machine; I'm not certain when Tri State Aluminum started; Genin's Implement store; Ron Goke's repair shop for small appliances; our Library Park, with the original library, where you had to climb stairs to reach the books on the second floor; oh yes, the country grocery store run by Jimmy Dent! And of course, there were 5 bars, including the Dayton Hideaway where you could enjoy a cocktail, have a lovely dinner and then dance to the live music of the Arnie Alme Band; Heidi reminded me there was an A & W Root Beer Stand; Zentners restaurant and soda fountain, with the best sundaes, milk shakes, and cherry colas; and where you could also purchase flowers. I know that for a fact, because on June 2, 1963, "someone" forgot our first anniversary. I know, but in his defense, it was work related due to a meeting called to celebrate the end of a school year, with his fellow teachers, at J & M's Bar. This was before the days of cell phones, so I couldn't' send a text suggesting he may have forgotten something, so I left his card where he would be sure to see it when he got home, and I suspect I pretended to be sound asleep with very cold shoulders! The next day Rodg snuck out of the house very early and went to Zentners, where he explained to Cloyence his dilemma. Rodg brought home a long white box, of course, filled with red roses, but tied with the biggest black bow I've ever seen!. He hasn't missed an anniversary since!
In case you weren't keeping track, I think I counted over 40 business places in town back then. I'm certain there must be some I've missed too.
I also discovered that back in 1960 the average income was $5,200 or 1.25 per hour; a new house could cost $12,000; a loaf of bread 16 cents; potatoes 4 cents a pound; a gallon of ice cream 59 cents; hamburger 41 cents a pound; a new car $2,600 and the favorite then was the Chevy Impala; gas was 31 cents a gallon; I recall a Kellys on University Avenue, where a cheeseburger cost 15 cents!, And, students, a McDonald burger was 21 cents; a Big Mac was a bargain at 65 cents. Ah, the good old days.
Back to our story; After the tour, no wonder we immediately felt a connection. It reminded us so very much of our hometown of Elroy, better known as Tommy Thompson country. And, yes we went to school at the same time and knew his family well.
Well, fortunately, Rodger was offered the teaching position, he accepted, and our world changed.
Rodg was able to find room and board with the Schneider family the first year, and then to Margaret Roots home, along with Carl Molter, another young teacher who would become a good friend and neighbor.
He spent a good share of that school year living with his sister Pat, in Black Earth, to help with her 4 children when her husband, Lee, was called to Washington with his National Guard unit. Many long winter days traveling back and forth from Black Earth on that curvy road. His first day of school as a teacher! Rodger, a young man of 22 years, probably all of 140 pounds, and probably wearing a new suit, sporting a fresh crew cut with his red hair, and very nervous. He was in his favorite spot, monitoring the hallway by the front door as students arrived, which I think he continued to do throughout his career. He noticed a group of young men off to the side and heard a comment, "Who's the new kid in school wearing a suit"? Well that certainly presented his first challenge of many!
One of those young men, Ray Francois, became a very good friend, and he and his family have been great neighbors for the past 52 years! In fact, many former students became great friends for us. In 1962 we decided to "tie the knot", got married and eventually found a home to rent on Main Street with the lake in our back yard, and we began to set down roots in Belleville and raise our two daughters, Wendy and Heidi. And even later, our two granddaughters, Abby and Hailey.
As part of Rodger's job description, later, as assistant principal, and principal, he was to be on call if there should be an incident needing police intervention at the school during the evening hours. Our police chief at that time was Ken Heding, also from the Elroy area.
Ken would call and advise of an alarm, either pick him up or tell Rodg to grab his keys and meet him at the school's front door. They would walk the halls and check the rooms. There were times of false alarms, of course, but then there were many times a farm animal would enjoy the freedom of the schoolrooms and hallways.
I seemed to recall an incident with a goat, and I had to do some research. Apparently, an attempt was made to put a goat in the Hageman gym, but he wouldn't fit through the semi-locked door. But imagine bus driver, Isabelle O'Brien's surprise, when she opened her bus doors in the morning to find a goat driving her bus. He somehow escaped, swam across the river, and had to be rescued in the park. Probably an FFA project gone astray! I don't know how the goat got on the bus!
At a later time, another attempt was made to get an animal in the gym, but all were too large, except ..... chickens fit very nicely! Again, I don't know how the chickens got in the gym!
Of course, there was eventually the young man trying to steal some of the school equipment. Unfortunately, it seems he got stuck in one of the air ducts in the old gym, couldn't get out and had to be removed by the fire department. Again, I don't know how he got in!
And, of course, Homecoming time!
There would be large bonfires, pep rallies, parades and an exciting game. But ... there was always an outhouse event, and one year the students managed to get one on top of what was then the high school building. Unfortunately, the flat roof had just been totally sealed and graveled that summer, and the school board was not happy with the result of the student's efforts. I've talked with several graduates recently, who've "fessed up" that they were involved in many of these events. Secrecy again!
And Halloween! One Halloween in '66, Wendy was around 2, and she was delighted to see the sidewalk to our porch lined with pumpkins of various sizes, shapes and cut out designs, that students apparently thought we needed. During the day, cars would stop, a child would get out and collect his or her pumpkin.
Later in the evenings, during trick or treat, the "older" students would show up at our door. I recall one couple appeared in a very large pair of bib overalls, each person in a leg, holding their shot glasses. Of course, that would be Betty and Greg Wolf.
We even had a large orange wooden pumpkin sign left at our yard, probably from a farm stand somewhere. It's still in the basement. And of course, UFO days and the infamous lawn mower drill team that Rodg and Jim Root put together, trying to mimic the infamous Shriners, doing their routine down main street. Some on riding mowers, many Belleville alumni, others just pushing their push mowers, and always dressed in their UFO costumes. I recall several "meetings" were required to prepare for this event!
When we go out for dinner at a local restaurant, quite often students will come to our table to visit, much like Paul Nemec and Casey Funseth did recently. They identified themselves and their spouses and shared some stories of their misspent youth in these hallowed halls, something that might warrant a visit to Rodger's office? Again, I'm sworn to secrecy!
Others might say, "Hi Mr. Moe, remember me?". I was always impressed that Rodg was able to recall so many names and faces throughout the years, even those families who passed 4 generations through the schools. These days, however, some of those students are in their 60's and 70's, and they look a bit different than when they were 17 and 18, so we truly don't recognize them. After they'd leave Rodg would ask: "Who was that?", I'd say," I don't know, I thought you knew!!" Sorry graduates, but now I know to ask names right away!
However, we do love that they take time to speak with us and share their memories, usually about how much "quality" time they spent while having a "conference" in his office. They would hear the dreaded buzz of the PA system being activated and hear Rodger's voice ... Mr. Funseth, or Miss Francois, please report to the office. They would recall the fear, yet respect, acknowledge their mistakes and make restitution, and often they would be rewarded for their honesty with a free movie pass.
Rodger interviewed many potential teachers over the years and some are still here on staff. I think Miss Gartley is still here .... and we met Mr. G recently who reminded us that Rodger hired him for his position, many years ago! So, hang in there Mr. G, you could be standing here receiving an award when you are older and grey!
Rodger has always been very proud of the Belleville schools, and we remember fondly the many school board members, administrators, faculty and staff, and yes, even the students, who traveled with him on this journey for 38 years, and we continue to watch as the Belleville School District remains a great learning facility. These are just a few of our very special, happy memories of our life here in Belleville the past 64 years.
So, on Rodger's behalf, our daughters and I say, thank you Belleville for these great memories!
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