My fondest memory of Mike was a story he told about himself and Bill Ryan when they attend St. Mary's School. Apparently they pushed the nun too far (What were they thinking?!), and she started toward them (in the back of the room, of course)...heal/toe, heal/toe down the aisle, habit flying out from her head. They looked at each other and immediately determined their only salvation was to escape--turned to the window behind them and jumped out from the second story! I decided then that Irish folks are quick thinkers and quite resourceful.
I remember those days at St. Mary's when those boys jumped out the window. Those boys in the class actually took over the class and the poor nun lost control of the class. Someone brought at stink bomb one day and set it off....you never saw such a mess! Students scattered like roaches when the light was turned on! It got so bad that one day about 1/2 dozen of us girls skipped the afternoon class after lunch. But....we got caught by the priest. Then, he got involved with trying to regain control of the class. Actually, those responsible should have been booted out of class to face their parents. Sorry to say Mike, but you were one of the bad boys!
I was in that class. We were a bunch of punks. Father Garaghn (sp?) had enough. He had been a combat Marine in the Pacific in WW2 before joining the priesthood. He lined us boys up on the playground at beginning of recess in military file and at attention. I will never forget his words; "The Marine Corps took me through hell and I can take you there too" One of the guys mouthed off at that and Father threw him to the ground and put an arm lock on him. The rest of us stood there pale and silent trying not to wet ourselves. I dont think anybody got expelled, but a few parents took their kids and put them in public schools. I remember the "great escape" too. That was a fair jump to the ground from the window, lucky no broken bones. Ah, those were the days.
Bonnie Beall
My fondest memory of Mike was a story he told about himself and Bill Ryan when they attend St. Mary's School. Apparently they pushed the nun too far (What were they thinking?!), and she started toward them (in the back of the room, of course)...heal/toe, heal/toe down the aisle, habit flying out from her head. They looked at each other and immediately determined their only salvation was to escape--turned to the window behind them and jumped out from the second story! I decided then that Irish folks are quick thinkers and quite resourceful.
Melva Chalfant (Solon)
I remember those days at St. Mary's when those boys jumped out the window. Those boys in the class actually took over the class and the poor nun lost control of the class. Someone brought at stink bomb one day and set it off....you never saw such a mess! Students scattered like roaches when the light was turned on! It got so bad that one day about 1/2 dozen of us girls skipped the afternoon class after lunch. But....we got caught by the priest. Then, he got involved with trying to regain control of the class. Actually, those responsible should have been booted out of class to face their parents. Sorry to say Mike, but you were one of the bad boys!
Jim Voruz
I was in that class. We were a bunch of punks. Father Garaghn (sp?) had enough. He had been a combat Marine in the Pacific in WW2 before joining the priesthood. He lined us boys up on the playground at beginning of recess in military file and at attention. I will never forget his words; "The Marine Corps took me through hell and I can take you there too" One of the guys mouthed off at that and Father threw him to the ground and put an arm lock on him. The rest of us stood there pale and silent trying not to wet ourselves. I dont think anybody got expelled, but a few parents took their kids and put them in public schools. I remember the "great escape" too. That was a fair jump to the ground from the window, lucky no broken bones. Ah, those were the days.