OH WOW!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

You know how to bring me to tears............

Oh yes, knew each one of them very well........Mrs. Mamie Johnson was one of the sweetest teachers first graders could have. Her sister Mrs Ripey was the second grade teacher.

This photo was taken in the spring of 1949 on the south side of the school. It was a big day for us little first graders.

As to the names: you have Gary Haney, which in fact was Gary Laney.

As to "big boy".....all I know is that his first name was Willy and he was in trouble with Mrs. Johnson all the time. I think he was from some migrant family, as after the first grade we never saw him again.

The little girl on the far left and the one between Ross Jones and Kathy Gordon were twins. Again I think they were of a migrant family, as they weren't in the second grade with us.

The unidentified boy between "Big Boy" and Larry Whitecotton I haven't a clue. He didn't progress with us either.

Sadly, 5 of those class mates are no longer with us.

Thank you so much for making me tear up.

Charlott on 5th August 2015 @ 7:14am

Great to have photos of someone we know!!
Charlott's comment made me think about history and roots.
Some of us have roots and history in one community and others are on the move most of their lives.

L.E. on 5th August 2015 @ 8:07am

What a coincidence - I just returned from my Edmonds, Washington school reunion - children, now adults, that I began school with in 1946 through 1957. We looked quite a bit like this - girls in pretty dresses and boys in overalls, long sleeved shirts or suspenders. Many of them did not leave their Puget Sound little town, so there was a big turnout.

Jill on 5th August 2015 @ 9:04am

You know. when I look at old class photos, I think "what were their lives really like?" Since I work with special ed kids now, I remember we didn't have any words for the kids who had really difficult home lives, learning disabilities, etc., much less any real help or understanding for them. I am truly sad for what those kids went through, and grateful for the positive changes today,

Susan Turner on 5th August 2015 @ 1:06pm

good points Susan. back in these days a kid either fit in to the school system or was left to their parents to deal with.....

Arlen Sheldrake on 5th August 2015 @ 3:07pm

First grade was once the first year of schooling, not the third year as is more common now with kindergarten, preschool and head start. Wonder if it is all worthwhile or just free babysitting and day care.

Kenn on 5th August 2015 @ 3:21pm

Doug Perry and I took tap dance lesson together and one year we were partners in a dance contata at the Rialto Theater.

Bill Seaton on 5th August 2015 @ 6:53pm

Yes, yes Bill. Did you take dance lessons from Freda Kruger. I did and yes I danced on the stage at the Rialto. Also I danced at a function at the Columbia Gorge Hotel........

Charlott on 6th August 2015 @ 7:06am

my Uncle Larry & Aunt Lotetta are in this Picture. We have a similar one With My Mom Mary Lee & Loretta. Thanks for posting

Kelly Greene on 17th September 2015 @ 6:09pm

Because the original site for the PG grade school was deeded to the school district by my ancestors, I started "digging" around and found this site. I always wondered what became of the Whitecotton clan. If it's any consolation, we still remember "Partner," the semi-wild white horse that only Larry could ride. My parents tried to make that horse part of our family, but he would have none of it. I also took dance lessons from Freda Kruger in the studio below the street and performed with my twin at local functions. What memories! Thanks for reminding me of whence I came.......

Joann (Weygandt) Sheppard on 18th October 2015 @ 6:02pm

Hello,, ( to any one who can help), I live in Grants Pass, and was caregiver for Alberta Miller (Pullen), until her passing in 3/03, she was daughter of Edna Mae, who was married to Kenneth F. Wells from Hood River, d.o.b. 6/08...I've searched for some time, no luck until I saw Charlott's name,,, I have kept lots of personal's: pics.(lots), enlistment & discharge papers of Kenneth's..anyway,, if this is the correct family, and interested in having these items, please email or call 541 659 5692....thank u , God Bless

Mary Ann Littlefield on 13th March 2016 @ 2:24pm

I also took dancing lessons from Madame Fredova. At first they were upstairs in thenRiverside Church, where Mrs Merz played thenpiano, and then when the Dragonette cafe building was finished, we danced inthe basement studiomthere. In our big revue at the Rialto th3ater, I danced the Mexican Hat Dance with Joy Vernon, Marian Stave, and Judy Merz. Mymsister Dorothy daanced a Chinese dance in yellow satin with Carol See. They had jungle bells on t their fingerd and yellow satin coolie hats. Alice Absten was in the same revue, and Petie Tolsom did backbends and kickovers, as limber as an eel.

Barbara Parsons on 18th November 2020 @ 8:11pm

Bill, what dance did you oerform. The only male participant I remember is Billy Anderson, of the Leonora Dress Shoppe Andersons, who danced a Charleston lickety split with Marcia Lewis.

Barbara Parsons on 18th November 2020 @ 8:14pm