Rocky River I (1968-1973)

We worked with Freeland Realty, and made an offer for a colonial at 1083 Elmwood Rd. in Rocky River, + they accepted our offer of $33,000. Great! Just two blocks from R. R. High School + that was a plus for Mike. It was another day + we were the new owners of a Chevrolet Impala. We left for Wellsville the next day.

Mother's pancreatitis had taken its toll on mom the three years we were in Japan, and we just had a few months together before she passed away on Oct. 5th, one day before her 73rd b.d. She saved all the letters I wrote from Japan + I'm glad I saved them.

Mother Ruth, and father Ray H (circa 1967)

We found a small basement (furnished) apartment in Lakewood to rent until our household goods arrived from Japan. I drove Mike to +d from R.R. H.S. for about six weeks.

This was not an easy adjustment for Mike to make as a sixteen year old, as most of the students had been together since kindergarten. Of all our moves in the military this was the roughest one for him.

Pink dogwood tree at 1083 Elmwood Road

Garage sale with Hammy and Jerry S

After we were settled in our comfortable 3 BR home with finished basement + walk up attic we were "at home" - at work for Bert at the Federal Bldg downtown Cleve., and with his prodding time for me to begin substitute teaching in Lakewood.

"Aren't the tulips pretty?"
"You too honey!"

1968 Christmas card photo

1969 Christmas card photo

In ’70 [1971], our big event was Kent's graduation from Miami U. in Oxford, Ohio.  It was a memorable time for both our guys - Kent's degree in Liberal Arts + Mike's completion of his freshman year at Miami.  Mike's decision to transfer his science credits to Colo. State in Ft. Collins, CO, was the right decision because he was able to zero in on his geology major.

I accepted a full-time teaching assignment in third grade at Harrison School in Lakewood's "Birdtown."  All the streets were named for birds.   It was a lower socioeconomic area primarily occupied by recent E. Europeans + from Appalachia.  Good parents who were interested in their children's education.  It was the beginning of the open classroom effect, but as the enrollment increased, we had to get sliding doors for us two teachers and our aids.

During the ‘70s, I continued teaching at Harrison, and Anne E became my team partner.  We had both decided it was a good move for both of us.  Her fifth graders were giving her grief + I had a few teachers who wanted their own classrooms.  Her art ability + my desire to teach music worked out favorably for both of us, and we continued this arrangement until my retirement.

In the summer during this period, I decided to continue my education by taking courses at Cleve. State, Kent State, + U. of Akron.  In addition to my Bachelor's Degree, I acquired 10 extra credit hours with the same pay as a Masters Degree.

At Cleve. State my course was called "Creativity."  There were between 30-35 students in the class.  They were all younger and most of them were coming up with most fascinating ideas.  How to compete?  "I'll just make them a Chinese meal in the wok."  It was a success, with all the ingredients plus the wok I had to carry to the Cleve. State classroom!

I made the same recipe for my students; they used the chopsticks I’d given them. The room was a mess!

During the summers when I wasn't taking courses during my school teaching, we traveled.  In ’72, after Kent + Mary Jane's wedding, Bert and I took off for a Rhine River cruise.

[See the post for the Rhine River Cruise (1973).]