Posted: 8/9/06
70 years after graduation, six come together for class reunion
 Those gathered from the Class of ë36 were (l to r) Harland Hueneke, Priscilla (Ruth) Carlson Olson, Margaret Goldstrand Fischer, Gertrude Johnson Lindo, Dorothy Moeschester Winehart and Fillmore Lindberg. |
By MaryHelen Swanson
On July 18, six of the 37 members of the North Branch High School Class of 1936 came together for their 70th class reunion.
They met at the Point Pleasant dining room in Chisago City.
Because it isnít that common to get the news about a 70th class reunion, the editor of the Post Review decided to look into this class of 1936 to see what was going on with them in a time the country was deep into economic stress.
From the pages of the North Branch Review in the year 1936 came the following information:
In March, the senior class, numbering 37, the largest class to graduate (along with the class of 1935), decided to wear caps and gowns for their ceremony.
A junior/senior banquet was held May 1 with the theme ìMemories.î The dinner was held in the school and the menu consisted of fruit cocktail, chicken a la king, mashed potatoes, buttered peas, Parkerhouse rolls, cherry pecan salad, celery, radishes, olives, angel food cake with strawberries and coffee. The meal was provided by Miss Strait and her home economics classes.
The senior class put on the annual spring play. That yearís was called ìMignonette.î
The lead was played by Lois Erickson. Three of the women at the reunion last month were also in the play. Gertrude Johnson Lindo played Mammy Lou. It was reported in the paper that she ìhad an uncontrollable case of the ësnickersí which she used to the best of her ability to add a touch of humor to the play.î
Margaret Goldstrand Fischer played Annabelle Higgins, the president of the Ladiesí Aid. And Priscilla Carlson Olson played Alice Fox, friend of Mignonette.
The play was directed by Miss Reed (who later became the mother of Post Review receptionist and bookkeeper Corinne Holt Kruse). At the end of the two days of the play, Miss Reed was presented with some gifts from the cast. They included an electric toaster, percolator, a pyrex pie plate and a bag of chicken feed.
Carl Waag, representing the Practical Jokers Association, presented the feed ìwhich he thought to be essential for the well being of the chickens which are to be raised by her as soon as she takes up the position as manager of a home.î Miss Reed married in August that year. She could no longer teach because she was married.
The class play brought in about $147 in ticket sales.
Gertrude Johnson made the honor roll that spring. The school purchased a new Underwood noiseless typewriter ìto supplant the old machine in the office.î
Lucille Sjoberg was the latest victim of scarlet fever.
Professor Beyers of Hamline University addressed the seniors on the subject of further education.
Senior class night was May 22 and Mssrs. Bassett and Ziegenhagen aided with the class prophecy.
A Baccalaureate service was held May 24 at Trinity Lutheran Church. Attendance was
so large it was almost impossible to accommodate all the students, parents, relatives and others. The church was decorated with ìbeautiful bouquets of lilacsî and the service ended with the singing of ìGod Be With You Till We Meet Again.î The benediction was given by Rev. A.J. Malmquist.
Members of the school board in 1936 were H.J. Anderson, A.R. Peterson, A.F. Johnson, E.F. Hals, August Nordstrom and J.H. Linner. Linner passed away June 12, 1936 after months of illness.
Graduation was Wednesday, May 27. The invocation was given by Rev. Vendel Olson and a solo, ìGoiní Home,î was sung by Newton Johnson. Newton Johnson was the Valedictorian of the Class of ë36.
The address was given by Supt. J. P. Vaughn of Chisholm. He had been the superintendent at NB 25 years earlier.
His address ìwas very interesting and educational to the students, who are now going out alone into this world of ours.î
A coronet solo, ìThe Beautiful Lady in Blue,î was performed by Elmer Swanson.
ìMr. Orwoll, when he presented the diplomas, emphasized ëworkí as a characteristic factor in the success of the four yearsí course which the seniors had just completed, and its importance now as they step into this new and higher level of life.î
The class roll of 1936 included: Philip Anderson, Orville Brown, Harriet Dahl, Margaret Goldstrand, Lillian Hanson. Wilbur Holm, Jean Holman, John Howard, Albin Johnson, Newton Johnson, Theodore Johnson, Irene Kitzman, Lorine Krueger, Russel Ledin, Fillmore Lindberg, Allen Nordstrom, Wendell Peterson, all of North Branch; Maxine Carlson of Sunrise; Ruth Priscilla Carlson, Harland Huenecke, Eleanor Johnson, Walter Lundquist, Lowell Ogren, Carolyn Payne, Louella Stark, Mabel Strom of Harris; Lois Erickson, Gertrude Johnson, Dorothy Moeschter, Carl Waag, Jr., of Kost; Irene Hasselquist, Leroy Hasselquist, Clarence Johnson, Violet Saf, Evelyn Shoberg, Burton Sorenson of Almelund and Charles Waller of Stacy.
Elsewhere in North Branch in the spring of 1936:
ï Used cars for sale at Central Garage included a 1929 Pontiac Coach for $149.50, a 1926 Pontiac Coach ìneeds some motor work, 2 new tiresî for $37.50. A new Chevrolet sedan was selling for just under $500.
ï At Anderson Auto (phone - 107) they had for sale a 1925 Ford Coupe ìa lot of automobile for $17.50,î and a 1930 Chevy 1 1/2 ton truck for $125.
ï Round trip fare to Minneapolis on the North Coach Limited (Northern Pacific Railroad) was $1.89.
ï At the Family Theater, continued by popular demand, Will Rogers in ìConnecticut Yankeeî May 29-21. Other movies in town that spring included ìA Message to Garciaî starring Wallace Berry and Barbara Stanwyck and ìHer Masterís Voiceî with Edward Everett Horton. Also ìPop Eye Sailor Comedy.î
ï And at Clover Farm Store, Harry Pink, prop., a two-pound jar of peanut butter cost 25 cents, a large can of pork and beans 8 cents, 10 pounds of sugar 48 cents, a mop handle 9 cents, candy suckers seven for 5 cents, menís blue shirts 44 cents and ladies nightgowns 59 cents.
Itís probably safe to say that members of the Class of ë36 have seen a lot of change.
The Post Review offers congratulations on their 70th reunion.
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