SCHOOLS OF YESTERYEAR
East Sherman Memories, Part 5
by Janis Stein

Join me in the conclusion as I share students' fond memories of a great teacher, Jean Campbell, as well as reminiscences of Bingo! games and year-end fun.

In the late 1950s or early 1960s the old furnace was replaced with an oil furnace, and an exterior door leading to the furnace room was installed on the front of the schoolhouse. The furnace room was also vented to allow for proper air circulation. An oil barrel became part of the landscape as well, located on the north side of the schoolhouse towards the west end. Because of this change, the old woodshed no longer held a purpose.

One former East Sherman student who had been away at college heard about the switch to an oil furnace, so he attended the annual school meeting and offered to buy the woodshed. Fifteen dollars was the price the shed fetched, and the new owner, accompanied by his brother and his John Deere 520, proudly hoisted the 12 x 16 foot building onto skids and hauled it over to his father's place. He installed a bigger door in the building so he could store his two-door, 1931 Ford Model A Coupe.

There was always plenty of work to do to keep the schoolhouse in good shape. The same fellow who purchased the woodshed was approached one summer by Stewart Kramer, president of the school board. Mr. Kramer inquired whether the young man was interested in the job of fixing the school windows. The young man agreed and used his Model A to carry his supplies back and forth to the schoolhouse.

Sometime later, the same former student moved the woodshed he purchased, and he modified it, turning it into a cabin where he lived for some time. The old mailbox had been stored up above in the woodshed's rafters, and since he was in need of one anyway, he salvaged that, too. Although it has been banged up a bit over the last forty or so years by snowplows and farm machinery passing by, the young man who purchased the woodshed so long ago still uses East Sherman's old mailbox.

While some of the female teachers used their own car to travel to East Sherman, others boarded at neighboring homes in the district. It didn't seem unusual at all to the children in the house to have their teacher board with them; in fact, there were often a few perks. Lloyd Morley had a green Buick, and he happily gave the children a ride to school, a pleasant treat on blustery days. Mr. Morley taught at East Sherman for a number of years, taking time off in between to serve his country during World War II. The woman of the house prepared a lunch for Mr. Morley along with a thermos of hot coffee. The teacher came home at supper time after completing his work at the schoolhouse, grading papers and preparing for the next day's lesson. He wasn't afraid of a little work and willingly helped with the evening chores in the barn or wherever he could lend a hand.

Many of the children made use of the school's library, reading Nancy Drew mysteries or tales about the Hardy Boys. Though some teachers stuck to the basics, from time to time East Sherman employed a teacher who believed in teaching a few life skills as well. In the 1930s, Jean Campbell taught some of her students a skill they could also do in their free time: She taught them how to embroider. Once the students purchased the toweling, they learned how to transfer patterns. One former student still fondly remembers her checkered cotton, patterned with a teacup and saucer.

Students were sometimes rewarded for their hard efforts in the classroom. On one occasion the children played bingo after their exams were completed. The teacher had a bag filled with little Hershey candy bars, and anyone yelling 'Bingo!' happily gobbled their chocolate treat. Best of all was the celebration on the last day of school. Parents and students gathered at Wagener Park where they drank lemonade, ate ice cream and played games.

All good things eventually come to an end, it seems. Though the writer has not determined exactly when East Sherman School closed its doors, two former students knew it was still open in 1966, while another thought the school closed in 1972. (Anyone with information or dated report cards supporting when East Sherman School closed its doors is encouraged to contact the writer in care of this publication.)

The building has since been converted into a private residence.

In researching this article, 18 individuals shared information concerning the East Sherman School. Their oral histories are as accurate as their memories would allow. I would like to thank all those who took the time to share their school day memories and for providing me with priceless photographs. Be sure to look for my column in next month's issue as I explore the history of Sand Beach #8, also known as Brockway School.

If you would like to see your schoolhouse featured in this series and are willing to share your experiences, please email Janis at janis@lakeshoreguard- ian.com or write to Janis at The Lakeshore Guardian, 9697 Purdy Rd., Harbor Beach, MI 48441.

© 2005 Janis Stein