PLATINUM CELEBRATION

Seventy years have gone by since the class of 53 graduated from Plains High School. Tuesday September 5th the remaining classmates gathered at Mary Lou Hermes' home and time seemed to have stood still as stories were told. Memories were sharpened by anecdotes of high school high jinks. Sherry Benner, Henry Larum's daughter, was there with her dad. "I can't believe they remember their teacher's name."

Darlene Jolly entertained everyone with her recollections of bad behavior towards one specific teacher. "We were awful to our teacher who hadn't even finished college. Mr. Grape had us reading 'War and Peace.' Nobody wanted to read that book so students began throwing their books out the window. The teacher wasn't very bright. He told them to go out and get them." Jolly said that she can't believe she participated because she is too chicken to do anything to get into trouble. Everyone agreed that the young teachers lacked experience, but nobody else in the class admitted to the prank.

Jolly talked about how the teachers were not finished with their college degrees in education because the schools had a teacher shortage due to the Korean War. Consequently, college students were hired to teach with a special permit.

Myra Marjerrison Lindborg said, "I moved back to Plains to be near the people who still like me. I figured it would be safe." Myra worked in schools and doctors' offices in Great Falls and Bigfork. Mary Lou Flodin Hermes was a teacher. She lived in Alaska, Maine, and South Dakota with her husband Norman, who was also in the class of 53, while he was in the Air Force for 10 years.

Bob Proctor was also a teacher in Missoula and Lewistown. Virginia Rae Johnson Proctor worked for the University of Montana in Missoula and also lived in Lewistown. "She and Bob were high school sweethearts," Benner said. Henry Larum lived in Lolo, now back in Plains, and has been an artist, painter and wood carver. Larum carved the horse in the Plains High School Gymnasium.

Peggy Stobie McCarthy was a nurse. She worked as the Plains school nurse for twelve years. McCarthy also lived in Ohio, Wyoming, Colorado, and Texas. Her husband was a geologist on an oil exploration team. Walt Pickering was a farmer, and Darlene Gingery Jolly was a general office worker in Spokane. Owen Dickerson lives in Troy but has lived in Libby and Anacortes Washington. He was a Machinist.

The levity was not lacking with this bunch who seemed genuinely happy to be together. The group also celebrated Bob Proctor's 89th birthday. Bob was happy to help with cleaning up after dinner and dessert. "If he does it, then we don't have to," the ladies all agreed.