Linda Smith Uncovers Hillsdale School Photo

Linda Smith Dale:
Found this picture of the 4th grade class at the Hillsdale School. Wonder how many will be at the 50th. Sure had to dig deep to find these old pictures. Wanted to help Wil out so nobody would have him committed. ____________________________________________

Top Row, Joan Smay, Timothy Nebgen, Judy McKinn, Jim Smith, Florence Coder, Sheridan Luzier, Shirley Gillingham, Dave Maurer, Linda Smith.

Jerry Wisor, Rita Smith, Jerry Stiffler, Jim Owens, Patty Lyda, Art Haney.

Patty Kinkead, Don Mullen, Janet Keith, Jim McBride, Vivian Murphy, Joyce Leigey, Lois Harrington, Fred Albert, Marcia Circolo (sp?)

Sharon Carson, Jim Shugarts, Melinda Rollin, Cecilia Hoover, Dottie Hetrick, Carol Capatch, Wanda Wilsoncroft, Paul Maines, Marlene Warren

More Sweet Memories of Robert Henry

Orvis Kline:

Your memory of Bob Henry brought back some good memories I have of him and showed another side of Bob I didn't know about - but didn't surprise me! Bob and I were part of CHS's Track team and both threw the javelin.

Charley Fama was our "star" (he set a new school record about every other time he threw the javelin) and consistently hit in the 170 - 180 foot range with his throws. Bob was good for 145 - 155 feet and I brought up the rear with 140 - 150 feet. Charley took 1st place almost every meet, Bob took 2nd or 3rd and I either had to out-throw everyone on the other team or Bob just to get "1" team point! I will always remember Bob cheering me on and urging me to "let it go" and "beat him this time!" I only did twice in three years - but he never stopped pushing me and encouraging me to "beat him this time." Great guy!

Rosalie Cardinale, Class of 58:

I have been reading all your CHS info. Dominic (brother Dominic "Doc" Cardinale - Class of '59) called today, and I told him I have printed all the pages and will mail them to him. He doesn't have a computer. The write-up of Junior Henry was so touching. ...He was a sweet guy, and spent a lot of time with my brother.

________

Editor's Note - To our teacher Mrs. Cowder, my family and me, he was always Robert Henry. To most of his classmates, he was Bob. To his neighbors, closest friends, and most likely his family, he was Junior. His father was Lewis Henry, who was a lay preacher and worked at Robinson Clay Products for many years. Robert Lewis Henry - by any name, same great person, same great friend.

_______

Because Robert Henry has been the subject of several stories and comments on this website, we are printing his obituary as published by The Progress in January 1966. The obituary - submitted by Orvis Kline - provides details of Robert's life, family and military service.


SGT. ROBERT L. HENRY

Funeral services for Sgt. Robert Lewis Henry, 24, son of Mr. and Mrs. Lewis Henry, 117 Clark St., Clearfield, will be held Thursday at 11 a.m. in the Fred B. Leavy Funeral Home. The Rev. Stacey Barr will officiate at the services and interment will be made in Hillcrest Cemetery.

Military honors will be conducted at graveside by the 32nd Marine Rifle Company. Friends will be received in the funeral home after 3:30 p. m. tomorrow and until the hour of service. Sgt Henry died last Wednesday Jan. 5, in the Tripler Hospital at Honolulu, Hawaii, following an illness of two months. He enlisted in the Marines in December 1959, and prior to his illness had served eight months of combat duty in Viet Nam.

Born at Clearfield March 21, 1941, he was a son of Lewis and Louise (Carter) Henry. Besides his parents, he is survived by his wife, the former Lauretta Piper; four children, Albert Lewis, Craig Steven, Adrian Marie and Robin Denise; and the following brothers and sisters: Mrs. Anna Harrington, Helen, Ellen, Theodore. Karen and Jonathan, at home; also two nieces, two nephews, two aunts and four uncles. Three uncles are deceased.

Memory or No, Wilbur Draws a Lot of Laughs

The mail just keeps rolling in for poor Wilbur Shirey, who has yet to prove he was invited to Girl Scout dances in the mid-1950s on the second floor of some unidentified building on Third Street in Clearfield. His memory may be gone but his "support" among classmates remains strong.

Peggy Jo Knepp:

Laughter is indeed the best medicine. Just checked out the blog today & had tears rolling down my face......this time from laughter! The whole Wilbur/GS thing is hilarious. However, I do think you might have made one mistake.....if Wilbur is "buying" then I'm thinking there will be many of us who suddenly remember that troop as well as the dances!

Dennis Mollura:

If no one wanted to dance with him, why would anyone want to drink with him?

Tracy Mollura Erickson, daughter of Dennis and Rosemary:

The Wilbur story is hilarious. Tee hee hee. Ha ha ha. Ho ho ho!! Still laughing. Love the Mr. Ed spoof and photo. "Hello, Wilbur!" When I saw the first story and responses, I was laughing so hard that (husband) Keith and the kids thought I was crying. They were afraid to come in to see what the "problem "was. I was literally rolling on the floor. I loved Suzy Sherkel's description of hearing shouts of "Party at Sherkel's!" from a passing car, and then having to race home to forewarn her parents.

Joyce Moody:

I am really enjoying the "roast" of Wil and the issue of the Girl Scout Dances. You two are just totally unreal in the bantering department...Wil is "not going down" without a fight!

Orvis Kline:

Thanks again for the great job on the blog. It's great to see so many folks participating!

Wilbur:

With the speed at which everyone's mind is deteriorating, and with a year to go, this reunion should be great fun. We'll all think we're meeting each other for the first time.

Dennis:

Care to dance?

Orvis Provides an Historical Note

We had promised to bring the Wilbur saga to a merciful conclusion, but this message from Orvis Kline was too important to pass up. It's offered here for its historical value.

You've had me chuckling over the "Wilbur and the Girl Scouts Saga" since last week! Thanks for a good laugh! I did "feel" a little for Wil as my kids tell me I'm getting forgetful (BALDERDASH is the old expression, I believe, in answer to that!), and as one of the younger members of our class - I felt maybe I should try to help the "old boy" out. Using some of the skills I've picked up over the years as Family Tree Historian and genealogist for our family, I did a search of the Progress archives and got hundreds of hits for "Girl Scouts" and "Girl Scout Headquarters" (which, by the way, is described as the old Susquehanna College of Music building located on E Locust St. between 3rd and 4th Streets), but only ONE hit for Girl Scouts and Dance - and Wilbur wasn't mentioned! I'm not going to argue with Linda's picture, but the Progress seemed to print little stories about almost EVERYTHING that took place in Clearfield back then - and I repeat - Wilbur is not mentioned in connection with any dances!

Linda Smith Vindicates Wilbur - Maybe

Seated is Judy McKinn - Linda Smith (on arm of chair), Howard Robison, (Linda's date) and Ron Taylor (Judy's date). But where's Wilbur?

Wil, You are not crazy for I can remember the Girl Scout dances. I have enclosed a picture taken at one of the dances. These dances were held at the old Music Academy where Bennet and Houser Funeral Home is now located. I am not sure who our leader was at the time but it had to be either Sherman McDowell's mom or Ginny McKendrick (McKenzie??) who either worked at Leitzinger's Store or was one of the family. ...We played our 45's and also had refreshments. I can't believe we were the only ones there. Hope this helps in some way to prove your sanity.

Finally, a break for a grateful Wilbur:

Linda, Bless your heart. You've saved me. I hope you don't mind but I've got to forward your email to Denny Mollura. This is too good and from an unimpeachable source. You have restored my credibility!

He then chides Mollura:

Here you go, you old goat! ... Never quite as sharp as you thought. Actually, I don't think I ever went to the old Music Academy. I think I went to the meeting room over Smith's Camera Shop.

Dennis:

Poor guy! Doesn't know to quit when he's ahead. Linda throws him a life preserver and he tosses it back. "Actually, I don't think I ever went to the old Music Academy. I think I went to the meeting room over Smith's Camera Shop" (which, of course, no one else remembers or even mentions).

Classmates Move to Help - or Bury - Wilbur

A number of classmates have jumped in to support (or bury) Wilbur Shirey in his claim that he was invited and attended Girl Scout dance held in some unnamed venue on Third Street back in 1955 or 1956 in Clearfield. We simply present the facts. You, his peers and classmates, decide whether he is vindicated or subject to further observation.


Wilbur Shirey:

MAYDAY MAYDAY!!!! SOS!!! Somebody help me, I'm going down. He's convinced (wife)Karen I'm off my meds and she's taking me to the home! Somebody, anybody! You've got to write to this "WACKO" Mollura and talk to him about the Girl Scout dances!

Joyce Moody:

Sorry, bud. I can't help you with your dilemma this time. I just came back from having breakfast with friends and asked if they knew of this "place" on Third Street and received no responses. ..C'mon Shirey - we need more names of the Girl Scouts involved to verify the stability of your mental status.

Joyce Shugarts:

I remember the girl scout building on Locust Street. I also have a vague recollection of dressing up in taffeta skirts and silk blouses and special occasions. There was a second floor in that building and there may have been dances there. Sorry Wil but I don't remember you being invited to the dance. As for the parties in (a classmate's) basement I remember them also. They were mostly on a Friday night and were a lot a dancing and fun.

More from Joyce Moody:

I ran into Margaret Bennett at JG Warehouse this p.m. She is the widow of Harold Bennett and together they were the owners/operators of the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home on Locust Street in Clearfield. I asked her about the Music Academy and she said that it was at the rear of the Bennett & Houser Funeral Home and she did recall that the Girl Scouts would meet there. Also, she remembered that a Nadine Schaeffer taught piano lessons at that location. Margaret said that building has since been torn down. Wil, I don't know if this will help your memory or not. Sure hope so! And the saga goes on . . . .

Peggy Jo Knepp:

Ok Dennis.......you & Wilbur are going to be roommates at the "home" for the misunderstood. I did say the GS meetings I attended were on the side street by the Lyric....NOT the alley where the bowling alley was. The old bldg where I went to GS meetings sat back from the street......I'm thinking between what is now Zalno's jewelry & the funeral home. Building has been gone forever. Old wooden bldg.....basically a large room with kitchenette & necessary room. Do NOT remember having dances there but it's entirely possible. I DO remember Rainbow Girl dances but they were usually at the Dimeling & maybe a couple at the Legion. Maybe (others)can shed more light.....or MAYBE poor Wilbur is......well, let's just let it go at that!

Hello, Wilbur!

It looks as if we've identified the origin of Wilbur Shirey's dancing with Girl Scout hallucinations.

An anonymous source reports that, as a young man, Wil boarded a horse at a farm near the Shirey homestead in Bigler. The source secretly followed Wil to the farm one day and uncovered an interesting phenomenon.

Wil believed the horse could actually...uhh...speak.

No. Not speak, as in : Arf-Arf, Woof-Woof, or Neeiighhhh!!!

Speak, as in: "Hello, Wilbur!"