50 YEARS: Larry Vecellio of Gainesville, Ga., writes: “This year
marks the 50th anniversary for the students of the old St. Bernard
High School for having the football team to go undefeated, untied
and only three touchdowns scored against them, for winning seven
straight games in 1958.”
“I was on that team and we have many who have grown up with
those cherished memories. I am sorry to say that all of my
clippings that were in the Era that year have been lost and still
stand out in my thoughts.
“I have talked to others on that team and we are going to meet
this year and next for our two reunions and those will occur with
the Italian festival weekends.”
EARLY BIRDS: Pat Adams of Bolivar Drive tells us her orioles
have already departed for the season – three to four weeks earlier
than normal. Anyone else notice this early departure?
ON PATROL: On that subject of school patrols, we received a
three-page letter – some tongue in cheek – from Larry Smith who
apparently was a chaperone on the trip in 1992.
Larry’s commentary was apparently addressed to Jack Van Nette
who was the executive director of the McKean County Motor Club and,
as such, orchestrated the annual school patrol trip in this area
for many, many years.
Larry’s notes indicate that other chaperones were his wife,
Ginny, Jack Van Nette himself, Mary Rae, and Father Ted from St.
Bernard church. George Wetherby was the lead bus driver.
Gleaning from the text, we can learn that nearly 300 kids made
the patrol trip in July 1992, a three-day venture that included
stops at the Washington Monument, the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier,
the Capitol building, and the Lincoln Memorial, among many other
sights. This trip included a stop, too, in Gettysburg.
Judging by all the comments we’ve heard from school patrol boys
and girls, these trips made a tremendous impact on them. We can’t
help but wonder why the trips came to a halt.
Perhaps it’s because of a reduced use of school patrols? Maybe
fewer kids now walk to school?
FINALLY: This goes along with our previous item: A caller
suggests we mention the importance of walking along a street or
highway facing traffic. The reason for this, of course, is it makes
you more visible to oncoming vehicles.
