Living History Day ... Senior citizens, including SilverStringer Russ Priestley, go back to high school from Marie Merino Ryan

On a clear, cold late January morning twenty-three Melrose senior citizens returned to high school. Yes, that's right - we returned to high school! Several Melrose High School history classes came together to discuss with senior citizens some of their life experiences. Coordinating this event were Dr. Daniel Burke from the high school and Jack Beckley, executive director of the Melrose Council on Aging. After enjoying the hospitality of juice, hot coffee (or tea), mini muffins and danish, the business at hand began. Each of the senior citizens present were seated at small tables in the high school library and on each table an index card carrying the topic they were ready to share was put in a noticeable place. The students could walk around the tables taking note of the topics and decide who they wanted to speak with. Each senior citizen spoke with the students for 25-30 minutes, and then another group of students had the opportunity to move in, and the first group moving along to another table, thereby changing topics discussed. Both times there were 2-4 students with each senior citizen. The high level of the students' interest was evident in the enthusiastic interaction between them and the visitors. They listened intently, and asked many pertinent questions. As one can imagine, the students were amazed at some of the information they gleaned and were heard to exclaim in surprise over and over again. Amy Spollett, a popular and familiar Melrose figure to many - young and old alike - caught the students' attention so much so that after the first break, they didn't want to switch. Amy's topic was "The Melrose of Yore!" The senior citizens who participated in this delightful exercise are listed below in alphabetic order, and a list of some of the topics discussed are included. Note that I said "some of the topics discussed" because as the group warmed up to each other, topics really varied and the students had many interesting questions about so many different things which led to many more items being discussed. Rosemary Behrle - Growing up in the wilderness of Maine Lora Crouss - Going to school in the 1920s Mary Dorn - Educational experiences since the 1940s Alan Faller - History of oceanography and meteorology Eleanor Forrest - Experiences in Germantown, Maryland at the outbreak of WWII Marion Gianino - Early years from the 1930s Lucille Haddock - Parochial school experiences in the late 1930s Mary Healey - Work at Melrose-Wakefield Hospital Debbie Kivel - Experiences with early kidney dialysis Ann Lloyd - Five generations of Lloyds Vinnie Markelionis - Life as a Navy Wave during WWII Mayor Jim Milano - Early life experiences Rita Mucera - Working your way to the top in the Boston Fashion Industry Russ Priestley - Serving as a test pilot in WWII (and what year did you become captain of the MHS Hockey Team, Russ?) Charles Reynolds, Jr. - A young teen's experiences during the 1940s Rose Rotundi - Living during the Great Depression Marie Ryan - Early experiences growing up in Melrose and raising a family here (in 1951 my first job paid me 53 1/2 cents an hour) Rose Sena - Experiences at Girls Catholic High School Irving Smolens - WWII experiences Edith Smolens - Promoting diversity in Melrose Amy Spollett - The Melrose of Yore Ed Wright - Experiences in Human Resources Betty Yaffe - Experiences as an Italian immigrant The teachers present, together with Dr. Burke, thanked the group for their interest and participation, and it was difficult to bring the program to a close. I'm not sure who should have been thanking who, because it was an enriching experience for students and senior citizens alike, and I am sure it is one that will be repeated soon! March 2, 2007

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