Hah, all the smart mouths (I was there got to recite the memory gem as well) and then had to write it down a dozen times or so. Oh yes, we diagrammed things with the precision of a heat seeking rocket.

I have no idea of what that old woman put us through because I was dumb and in the 8th grade. She was one tough old bitty who knew she could send us off to the principal's office. What I remember is that when I finished the air force and WSU is that I could speak English in a proper manner and she has always bounced around in the back of my head. I'm 65 and she's still there. It's just that when someone says, "I seen it," Miss Meyers prompts me on proper usage.

Louise, I have no idea of how you came to Hoquiam or who you were. My classmates of '59 can't remember you, but I do. You were the last of the school marms.

Nice site. Thanks.

I found no shortage of heroes in the town of Hoquiam, while growing up there in the 1940's and 50's. In my Jr. year at Hoquiam High, my parents decided to move to Los Angeles. Needless to say, I was devastated with the thought of leaving my friends and moving to a big new and strange city. My football coach, Jack Swarthout asked me if I wanted to leave, and with tears welling up in my eyes I answered an emphatic, no! Coach Swarthout went to bat for me, and convinced my parents that my transferring to a large school in Los Angeles, for my Jr. and Sr. years would not be in my best interest.

After much pleading on my part, my folks reluctantly agreed to let me stay and finish High School in Hoquiam. Since I was a football player, and active in school activities Jr. class pres, Boys State, etc., my friends used to tease me and say I was the first to ever attend Hoquiam High on a football scholarship. Coach, made arrangements for me to live with the Meyer family. I'm sure many of you will remember Dr. Albert Meyer, the dentist and his wife Alice they were kind enough to take me in, and treat me as one of the family. An added advantage was that their son, Roger, who is now a famous Dr. in Atlanta, was one of my best friends. In addition Art Fairchild, who was the President of the Chamber of Commerce, arranged for me to have a job on the weekends so I would have some spending money. I would report to different stores each week for my assignment. Looking back now, I realize they really didn't need any extra help, they were just doing it to help me out. One job that I look back on ,and smile ,was when I was hired to be the city's official Santa Claus. I rode through town in a big plywood sleigh to the 7th St. Theater. I went inside to give out candy and oranges to the Kiddies, and listened to their Christmas wish lists. That was Christmas of 1953. Christmas morning my picture appeared on the front page of the Washingtonian with the Editor's daughter seated on my lap.

Art Fairchild owned a five and dime store on Simpson Ave. He was a wise and kind gentleman, who served as my mentor and kept me out of trouble. The lessons I learned from him and the Meyer family have lasted me a lifetime, and I will be forever grateful to them and the others who served as my heroes, at a very critical time in my life. I think it was Bing Crosby that recorded a popular song in the 40's called "Dear Hearts and Gentle People" The first two lines went like this:

"I love those dear hearts and gentle people who live in my home town.
Because those dear hearts and gentle people will never ever let you down."

I'm sure whoever wrote that song grew up in Hoquiam, or a place just like it.