Swarthmore High School Class of 1956 Reunion
SHS Class of 1956. Front row (l. to r.): Roberta Hoopes, Linda Lee, Gladys Snively, Nancy Smith, Susan Smith, Bill Lee, Jr., Mimi Kroon, and Bob Greer. Back row (l. to r.): Donald Little, Scott Pickard, Andy Plumer, John Pegram, Fred Bloom, and Pete Kroon.
Swarthmore High School’s class of 1956 held its 65th year reunion at the Inn at Swarthmore on September 18 and 19.
In the 1950s, Swarthmore public schools were highly regarded, even to the extent that some would come from out of town and pay tuition.
Swarthmore, post WWII, continued to expand its housing options, though few empty lots remained. It was a dry town, so beer lovers had to travel to Morton. It was also a town without a movie theatre; however, one had been built in the early 1950s on S. Chester Rd., just outside of town.
In the late 19th century, The Strath Haven Inn drew wealthy city folks to a cooler and more bucolic setting. It burned down in 1962 and until recently, there was no alternative.
So it is that for upscale lodging, alcoholic beverages, and fine food, The Inn at Swarthmore was chosen as the location for the class of 1956 reunion.
A series of questions were posed to classmates:
What kind of phone did you have as a kid? “Four party line;” “Had to give the operator the local number, later dial phones;” “During the war we had a 2-party line. We had the first ring. If it rang twice, it was for the neighbor. My mother was exceedingly happy when we got a single party line (no more eavesdropping on the other’s conversation).”
How did your dad get to work? “Mother drove him to Sun Ship Shipyard;” “He drove;” “He took the train to Philadelphia, then subway, then bridge train to Camden.”
How many cars were in the family? “Zero until 1955;” “None;” “Dad’s and mine.”
Who was your medical doctor? “Dr. J. Albright Jones;” Dr. Ammerman;” “Dr. George Heckman;” “Dr. Roxby.”
How did you get to school? “Walked;” “Cycled;” “Train;” (Note: No school buses.)
What about boys’ hair styles? “I had to fight with my mother to get a crew cut;”, “Short and neat with crewcut (butch) in summer;” “Pompadour, duck tail, flat top;” “I thought DA’s were dreadful. They were for the boys who danced on Bandstand (an early tv show with music and locals dancing). I wasn’t even allowed to watch Bandstand.”
Was there cool teen talk? “Cool;” “I don’t remember cool talk, but I do remember that it was cool to go to a beer party. Of course, I wasn’t allowed to do this.”
Was polio a big scare? “Yes, my mother insisted that we never travel into the city;” “Yes, we never went anywhere except church and the food store, during polio season.”
What do you remember about WWII? “Dad made blackout shades. When the air raid siren sounded, we pulled down the shades to hide the light;” “We had a victory garden in which we and all the neighbors grew food;” “Each neighborhood had a civil defense warden who patrolled the street looking for lights;” “Butter was almost impossible to purchase. Oleo was a margarine product but was colorless. The bag had a small capsule that could be popped and thus mixed in the bag to color the Oleo;” “Gasoline and many kinds of foods were rationed. Everyone received coupons;” “My neighbor raised chickens for eggs and to eat.”
Other? “Many of us worked in the Inglenook, more than six.” “Summer job at brokerage firm in Philadelphia (for this person, it began his career). ‘
Nine Swarthmore High School grads of ‘56 went to Swarthmore College.
Our graduating class size was 111. We also count those who were in the class at one time or another, so 130 overall. About one-third have passed on.
Finally, the appointed date for our reunion arrived. Fourteen members came with guests. We started at 4 p.m. with a cocktail hour and a swirl of greetings and conversations that lasted through the evening.
Next, we were ushered into the banquet room, where our class president, Fred Bloom, entertained us with a few remarks and subtle jokes. Our talented vocalist, Bobbie Grooters Hoopes, led us in singing the Alma Mater. With her coaching, most of us remembered the words!
Fred then introduced the Mayor of Swarthmore, Marty Spiegel. He explained a process pertaining to economic vitality that Swarthmore embraced so as to remain successful and strong. With borough council, citizens, volunteer gardeners, and the vigorous engagement by the College, the business district has been transformed. The building and establishment of the Inn at Swarthmore was a key initiative. As we sipped our liquors, we applauded him for his outstanding leadership.
While enjoying the banquet, we embarked on a talkathon of memories and current situations.
Living arrangements: Some to Kendal near Kennett Square; others to Kendal in Hanover, New Hampshire; one to White Horse Village.
Interesting professional stories: The creation of a patent law firm in New York City; a classmate who is still teaching computer engineering at Brown at age 83; a classmate who saw a thunderbolt demonstration as a kid, studied Electrical Engineering, and became a leading world practitioner in the science of keeping air planes in the sky during electrical storms.
Cycling to the Philadelphia Airport to see DC3 propellor driven planes. No jets.
Square dancing and Junior Assemblies held at the Woman’s Club.
Improbable coincidence: Heart surgery at Cleveland Clinic by Dr. Cosgrove, who as a kid was in a day camp that another classmate’s in-laws ran Watertown, New York.
A CPA business in Swarthmore, that specialized on the needs of senior adults.
We were treated to a scrumptious brunch the next morning and the conversations continued.
Our thanks to Fred Bloom, John Wetlaufer, Jan Lange, Nancy Bunker Smith, Ed Borer, Gladys Snively, for planning the reunion. Thanks to the Wetlaufers for the beautiful floral arrangements.
