Jim Anderson, ’63

Jeff Sanderson was recognized on his April 20th, 83rd birthday in 1999 with a reprint in the Coyote of the picture of one of his teams. I think it is fitting that we honor him again on what would be his 106th birthday with a 3rd printing. These are but a few of the “Boys of Summer” that he coached in baseball and in life.

Karen Kinsley Tedrow ’63

I remember a first day for a new English teacher. Some of the students thought it would be fun to put “FIZZIES” (Google it) in our mouths and then foam in a variety of colors would pour forth as she started the class.

She did not find it amusing! Brother Mike says we all remember things differently so I’m wondering if anyone else has the same memory?

Jim Anderson ’63

This may well be the final MHS, JCHS Memory from this location. I sustained a concussion in a traffic accident three weeks ago and have been advised to reduce my mental and physical activities and let my brain lie fallow for a period of time to speed healing.

*Note from Mary*

Thank you Jim. You have done an outstanding job of collecting memories from graduates. I have really enjoyed reading them, especially those you contributed.

I know we all wish you the best for a speedy recovery. Take good care of yourself.

See you all this Summer for the All School Reunion!

Jim Anderson ’63

At age 10, about 5th grade, I was the smallest, scrawniest boy in the class and may have volunteered for this event because I lived next to the Texico Station and had access to their pile of used tires.

Anyway, I’m at the starting line (in the area where the new school stands) with my tire. (I wonder if the rules said anything about tire size) and standing next to me is a giant by the name of Clifford Kinsley. This is the same guy who just a few days earlier got a big chuckle as his pet hog took a liking to me and who 70 years later loves telling anyone who will listen just how fast Jimmy Anderson got out of that hog yard and by how many feet he cleared the fence getting to safety. Could this be the same rally day where in the morning spelling competition I could not spell the word “above” correctly? My excuse to this day: maybe my hearing was already headed south at age 10, because I had never heard of that word! So, after spelling it “abofs” I was looking for any rock to crawl under. Now I was about to be humiliated a second time by someone I thought was my friend.

When we heard the word “GO” to start the “roll” Clifford planted his size 12 boot on his tire which sent it half way to the finish line, while I just stood there in awe at this flagrant violation of the rules. But the officials let the game continue and the big guy got the blue ribbon (I don’t recall if there were participation ribbons then) while I started looking for that rock.

Some 70 years later, Dr. Kinsley and I discussed this life altering event over coffee. He claims that he was not at the starting line next to me that day because he was a grade ahead of me. The more I think about it, that giant next to me was Paul Thomas who was in the same grade. Man, those country kids were big!!

Jo Anna Poppe Warder ’56

I am not sure of the year, but I think it was 1955 when the Auditorium was built adjacent to the high school. I was a junior then and my class raised enough money to buy the popcorn machine purchased the year of the opening. To raise funds my class members sold magazine subscriptions and Christmas cards and accepted monetary donations. I have been informed that the machine is still being used and is operative after 70 + years. It might have had a few parts replaced and retired, but is basically the same machine.

Aka Valerie Halla

Jim Anderson ’63

The Murdo Auditorium which later would be called the Harold Thune Auditorium, saw its first game in November of 1954. As a result, the grade basketball teams inherited the old gym along with the boys’ and men’s locker rooms. Now anyone who had the opportunity or misfortune to visit or use that locker room or gym came away knowing they had walked on sacred ground where Murdo legends had dressed, showered, and perfected their athletic skills.

Bill Sorensen, classmate 1953-1961

Dingy, dark, and dank is an apt description. A single bench for seating was separated from the tiny dark green wooden lockers by what seemed like a foot and a half wide space. The one exit guaranteed a traffic jam that had kids moving sideways attempting to pass from one end to the other. A couple of light bulbs with very low wattage extending from the ceiling provided poor illumination. The shower at the far end had one dim light and two shower heads. Wooden slats separated your feet from the cement and the water drained into a simple pit. With no ventilation the humidity from sweat, showers, and wet towels combined combined to provide a distinct unpleasant odor. Although it was a perfect petri dish for mold growth, I think the only sickness was caused by inhalation of bacteria and viruses we spread among ourselves. It may not have been optimal, but I don’t recall many complaints. In retrospect, it is fun to reminisce knowing parents today would sue over those conditions we accepted as normal.