Herald - Lantern - Dispatch 16 October '85

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From The Principal

IBy Stanley Kotzen Principal, Lower Cape May Regional High School

We had a wonderful oral i History lesson last week as we hosted a Cape May High reunion at Lower Cape May Regional. The occasion was prompted by our 25th anniversary year and our continuing effort to involve this community in the activities and program in our building. This building was never home to these guests of ours, so their memories of high school were from another era — another setting. Their memories spanned 55 years and the student council hosts and hostesses were reated to a colorful portrait of another time when being i ? was equally as exciting as it is today. WF. HEARD stories of the old Cold Spring Academy and a two-room schoolhouse elementary school education. There were tales of playing basketball in the old Franklin Street School basement gymnasium, and accounts of graduating from high school in time to enlist in the military with America at war. They came from classes as distant in time as 1931 and 1932 and included the last classes of Cape May High 1957 through 1960. In all, the memories were warm ones that seemed to nourish the tellers as much as the listeners, and among those in attendance were several who have spanned the two schools, Cape May and Regional, by staying on as current employes of this district. WITH THE publication of Hard Times, the classic account of the depression by Studs Terkel, oral history took on new meaning and significance in the academic world. We have known for

centuries that word-of-mouth was the way prehistory was recorded, and

only' recently have we rediscovered the importance of verbal communication. Our student council members probably benefit-

ted most from our reunion reception because they were able to sense the past through descriptions of how high school used to be in Cape May. OUR DISTINGUISHED guests seemed to benefit most from the experience by getting to see the similarities and differences with their own experiences as they walked these halls and visited our classrooms. As an administrator, it was a real thrill for me to see these generations mix on such a special occasion, and as one of our students expressed it enthusiastically "I think they had a great time". They were Richard Nece '31. Samuel Kahn '32, Millie (McGill) Nece "37, Courtland Reeves '41. Sonia Matthews '47, Charles Wise '49, George Holden '52, Rose (Feller) Dickinson '54. Carole ( Brown) Johnson '57. John Weeks "57. Drein (Kline) McKernan '58, Gerard Pettit '59. Sandra (Brown) Kelly '59, and Bonnie ( Cirri nicione) Marks '60. Cape May High is now a municipal building, but its memories are long and loving in the hearts of its graduates. That was eminently clear to us last week. We are attempting to build the same kind of loyalty and reputation.

Dorm Ward OLD GRADS — Robert Williams, of Villas, a computer student at Lower Cape May Regional High School, shows modern technology to three visitors at a Cape May High School graduates reunion. From left are. Gerald Pettit, of Villas, Class of '59; Mary Miller Notch, Cape May. Class of '58; and Richard Nece, Cape May, Class of '31.

Bethune Back At Belvoir WHITESBORO - Army Spec. 4 Tracy D. Bethune, son of Randolph N. and Marie J. Bethune of this community, has arrived for duty with the U.S. Army Engineer Center, Fort Belvoir. Va. Bethune. a combat engineer, was previously assigned in West Germany. He is a 1981 graduate of Middle Township High School, Court House. Finishes Boot VILLAS — Navy Seaman Apprentice Michele A. Brigham. daughter of Robert J. and Linda L. Brigham of 210 W. Florida Ave., has completed recruit training at Recruit Training Command, Orlando, FL. She joined the Navy in July. Collectibles, Antiques COURT HOUSE - An antique and collectible show will be held 10 a.m. -6 p.m. Saturday, Nov. 9, at the Methodist Church Social Hall, Route 9, to benefit the Court House Neighborhood Association. For spaces of additional information, call 465-4977 evenings.

jh CROSS WINDS * /ZJsk CAPE MAY 1 c% All Esprit Fashions A AJOFF Men 's Winter Jackets 50% OFF selected summer wear 1432 Texas Ave. • 884-2775 V. Z Harbor Fabrics Custom Drapes & Window Treatments J ' I ^ Dressmaker Fabrics. Notions, n|' V * & Patterns NEW ITEM! I CRAFT RIBBON H- ~j -HOURS- J. TUES.-SAT. 10-4:30 £ Located In The WH»r( Shop* 5 "* 96th St. Slooe Hatbot 368-2831 » V I MATTRESS QUARTERS . \ OSBORNE'S TV AND •M ' = r J APPLIANCE f* -s | Shopper's Hoven Cape 'WK jrx May Court House pfl y (Behind Murphy's) H HOURS: 9-5:30 M-T-W-T-S; Fri. 9-7; Closed Sun. 465-7825 £0

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