GARY ANDERSON

Billy Hoeffer and I were born on the same day, May 22, 1947.  My mother and his father went to Freiden's School in Kenosha.  

I am a little late (OK, more than a little) to the news the Doctor Nicholas J. Shankland has passed away.  I always remember Nick from Roosevelt School.  When we had "Show & Tell", Nick always introduced himself as "Doctor", Nicholas J. Shankland". He was so funny and he died so young.  

Thank you, Nick, for being one of these unforgetable charfacters in my life.

Gary C. Anderson

Hello, Carol.  My name is Gary Anderson.  I am a '65 Tremper graduate, as was my cousin, Gene Anderson. 

The house you live in has a LOT of Tremper '65 history.  It was built by my Auntie Ann and my Uncle Eugene (aka, Gene/Lard) Anderson.  The house was built in the mid-50s (can't recall exactly when).  My Dad, Charles Anderson, helped build the house along with his best friend, Harry Schrei.  Harry Schrei is the father of Kathleen Schrei, a Tremper '65 Graduate, now married to Rex Blake, also a Tremper '65 graduate.  The house was lathed by George Wedell, Sr., our neighbors on 34the Avenue, across from Rosevelt Park.  Mr. Wedell is the father of Tremper '65 graduate, George Wedell.  George Wedell, Jr. is an orthodontist in Kenosha and married to the fomer Linda Nietzel, also a Tremper '65 graduate. While the house was under construction, I, my cousin Gene, along with my neighborhood friends, and future Tremper '65 graduates, Ken Pfeiffer and Jack Mattner, provided "clean-up" services

In the basement, a bar/rec room was built by the same people that built the house.  Good friends of my Mom & Dad and my Auntie Ann & Uncle Gene, were Verne & Pat Schmale.  Verne was sophomore football coach at Bradford and became head football coach at Tremper when it opened after Christmas recess in 1965.  My Mom & Dad were avid golfers at Maplecrest, along with the Schmales, and they spent many hours in your basement playing cards, listening to music, shooting pool and having "adult beverages".  .  . 

My Auntie Ann also had a basement "grow room" where she started tomato plants from seeds in the srping. After they were a couple of inches tall, she planted the seedlings in the backyard.  The whole backyard was tomato plants.  When the tomatos were ripe, she picked them, boxed them and sold them to Sentry and Piggly-Wiggly food stores. 

The house just east of yours was my Auntie Ann's parent's house, the Pratches.   Behind the garage were chicken coops and ducks roamed free.

Lots of history in that house.  Carol, I hope that you enjoy living there.

Posted on: Jun 04, 2015 at 3:05 PM

I also remember David.  He lived a block away from me.  His address was probably 6704-35th Avenue.  He was near Thompson Brickyard, Phillipson Woodcraft and the KYF Outpost.  We went to Roosevelt, McKinley & Bradford/Tremper together.  His mother was one of my Cub Scout "Den Mothers".  (Pack 24, sponsored by Coopers.)  We were in Miss Meyer's 5th grade class at Roosevelt together.  He consistently was recognized by Miss Meyer for his handwriting and test scores.  I think he had 2 brothers, Bruce and Gary.  I last saw David at our 40th (?) reunion.  I met his wife.  I believe that they owned a bar in Silver Lake.  RIP, David.