1943 Eldred Graduation

by Louise Smith Posted on August 7, 2016
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Kate Strenglein and Mary Briggs (above X’s) help hold the Class of 1943 sign.

The Eldred school was under construction in 1942 and was not completed until the spring of 1943. I was Class President and Chuck Myers was Valedictorian of that graduating class.

The pictures in the 1943 yearbook have all class and team photos taken on the steps of the new building.

Because of the war, gas rationing started and our senior activities wet drastically curtailed. Fundraisers were out of the questions.

There was no class trip, no senior prom, and we were told there would be no yearbook. I personally pleaded with Mr. Ebers to at least let us have that. He finally relented with the proviso we must sell enough copies in advance to pay for publication. WE DID IT!

Time was our enemy! It was May. Many students felt they could not participate since exams were upon us. Mary Briggs, Chuck Myers, Harry Haas and myself hastily put together a small issue. As unbelievable as it would be in today’s society, I was given the keys to the new school building in order to use the typewriter at night.

Another major problem was where to find a printer at such a late date.

Mary Briggs’ father, Pastor of the Methodist Church in Barryville, came to our rescue. The company who did the church bulletin agreed to do it, but would only make copies of typed pages, hence the uneven margins.

The yearbook so hastily put together by today’s standards is a pitiful issue, but to us, has been an endearing treasure of memories. Actually, it’s now historical. It’s the first issue from the new school!

World events deprived the Class of 1943 of so much and yet we gained much as well. We were the last senior class to graduate form the new Eldred Central School!

At the graduation ceremony, it was intensely hot, so much so when Chuck Myers gave the Valedictory address, every time he turned his head, the tassel on his mortar struck to his face.

We were later informed the heat was on in the building to “cure the cement.”

We broke with tradition at the first ceremony. Just before marching into the auditorium, the boys exchanged tassels with the girls. The boys wore gold tassels and the girls wore blue.
—Kate Strenglein, President of the Class of 1943.

Kate Strenglein, 1943 Eldred School Yearbook.
Kate Strenglein, 1943 Class President.
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1902 Methodist Church

by Louise Smith Posted on July 17, 2016
1902 Cornerstone of the Barryville Methodist Church. Photo: Gary Smith.
1902 Cornerstone of the Barryville Methodist Church. Photo: Gary Smith.
    The Methodist Church in Barryville was built in 1902. The parsonage at the Barryville Church was owned by both the Eldred and Barryville Methodist churches.—Echo Hill and Mountain Grove, p. 212.

This brochure in the Austin Collection shows the church was completed by November 1902.

My great-uncle Lon (Albert Alonzo) Austin and Ira Austin, the Barryville blacksmith were on the Board of Trustees. I still don’t know if the two Austin families were related.

1902 Methodist Dedication Bulletin.
1902 Methodist Dedication Bulletin.
Inside 1902 Barryville Methodist Bulletin.
Inside 1902 Barryville Methodist Bulletin.
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High Point, New Jersey Part I

by Louise Smith Posted on June 26, 2016

Every year there was a Sunday School picnic at High Point, New Jersey, a lookout place with a beautiful view. There was swimming, swings and slides, and a merry-go-round. It was an all day affair.—Mary Briggs.

High Point Flyer in Austin Collection.
High Point Flyer in Austin Collection.
Arthur Austin on the merry-go-round at High Point. Photo courtesy of Mary A.
Arthur Austin on the merry-go-round at High Point. Photo courtesy of MBA.
Church picnic at High Point, 1939. Mrs. Winter is second from the right. The others are unknown. Aida often met Mrs. Winter who was very active in the town. When Mrs. Stege was alive, Mrs. Winter stayed with her and worked in the music business. Photo courtesy CSM.
Church picnic at High Point, 1939. Mrs. Winter is second from the right. The others are unknown. Photo courtesy CSM.
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Highland Lake Bible Conference Group

by Louise Smith Posted on June 19, 2016
Highland Lake Bible Conference. In back row on right, near second tree in, Mildredand Laura Briggs, unknown, Mary Briggs. front row, four from right, John Briggs.
Highland Lake Bible Conference. In back row on right, near second tree in, Mildred and Laura Briggs, unknown, Mary Briggs. front row, four from right, John Briggs.

The Highland Lake Bible Conference formed by Merle Fuller in September 1944, included Myers’ Lake View and Asendorf’s Highland Lake Inn.
Highland Lake Bible Conference Organized, 1944

Lake View House for Sale mid-1940s
Lake View, Highland Lake, N.Y.
Fifty-five acres of ground, more or less, with riparian rights to middle of Lake.

Hotel contains 47 sleeping rooms all furnished, two parlors, large dining room, three kitchens, two large lavatories, Chef Gas Range in kitchen, large Frigidaire room.

Laundry complete with electric washer, ironer, and help lavatory. All kitchen utensils, china, silver, electric coffee urn, linens for both dining room and bedrooms complete. Shower room, separate heating device for same.

Office complete with two desks, safe, National Cash Register, two show cases for display of cigars, candy, etc.

Barn contains four help sleeping rooms overhead.

Grill room complete, ladies and gents lavatories and wash rooms, office; Grill kitchen fully equipped with all necessary utensils, Frigidaire, gas range, dishes and silverware complete.

A cottage containing eight rooms, two baths, hot and cold water, furnace in cellar, fully furnished, large porch. Artesian well 175 feet deep.

For sale, including everything with the exception of personal belongings. Price $30,000.00

Phone: Barryville 2708.—Farewell to Eldred, p. 323.

Posted in Boarding Houses, Farewell to Eldred, Old Photos | 6 Comments