Fernald High School - Echo Yearbook (Fernald, IA)

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commented on the fact that there was a girl in the group. The guide overheard the statement md explained that this particular girl had come from a small town in lowa, where the countryside is relatively flat, and she had always had the desire to climb. Through further inquiry, Nlrs. Cumming was astonished to find that it was none other than Marilyn NlcNatton. Since neither of the two were pressed for time, they sat down md begm reminiscing about their golden school days. Typing, shorthand, and literature classes fumished them with a lengthy discussion which had to be discontinued as Miss McNatton had to retum with her companions to the foot of the mountain to plan a new way to ascendMt. McKinley. The next moming they left Mt. McKinley to continue on to Fairbmks. While in Fairbanks they went on a tour of the main industries and buildings of the city. While TOUFFHQ one of these buildings the guide told them about the large F. H. A. convention that wcs being held there that week. At the present time there was a lecture. going on in the auditorium so they couldn 't go in. When passing the door of the auditorium, Mrs. Cummings noticed a poster hmg- ing by the door telling about the lecturer. She was surprised to see that if was one of her stu- dents from F. H.S. , Mary Lou Wise to be exact. When she told the guide that she knew her md would like to see her, he said it could easily be arrcnged. After the lecture, Mrs. Cummings md Mary Lou sat down to discuss everything that had happened in the past ten years. Nkxry Lou told of how she had gotten interested in lecture work. Mrs. Cummings was sorry to see the dis- cussion come to m end but as she said, time waits for no one. The next stop on their itinerary was White l'brse in the Yukon territory of Canada. They arrived there about noon md went directly to a hotel for dinner. As that was the busy secson of the year, there were no empty tables, however, at one table there was a man dining alone. From the looks of his clothing and the instruments he had with him he reminded them of some- one connected with the scientific research. Nts. Cummings thought it would be interesting to talk to him, md besides in doing so they would have the opportunity of ordering cmd eating their meal. So they approached him and asked if they might sit at his table. When the mm looked up, Mrs. Cummings recognized him immediately as Gerald K. from Fernald. After they had ordered their meal, Gerald told them that he was here doing research work for l.S. C. on the study of uranium. They talked of many of the good times at F. H.S. and what each had been doing since Gerald's graduation . They spent the remainder of the day at his research center looking over the experiments md laboratories. But, as they had to be moving on, they bade him farewell and started on their now homeward bound ioumey. Again Mrs. Cummings regretted having to leave one of her former students, but Gary was mxious to make it to Calgary in time for the famous rodeo, so good-byes had to be said. All of Gary's impatience was unneccessary because they reached their destination in plenty of time. After purchasing their tickets they went in and seated themselves as comfortably as possible on the wooden plmks. Mrs. Cummings prepared herself for a boring evening, by settling back md reading a magazine. She read during the broncho riding md steer raping. She was iust getting 21

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them on their trip over the rugged Rockies. They spent a ioyous week climbing the mountains and then started the downward path. They slowly descended down upon the foothills of westem lddwo. Driving along the scenic pathways they suddenly were confronted by a sign pointing out across the low lying hills. lt read Picht's Peachy Pines - Famous Tourist Resort-60 miles. That name sounds very familiar, said Mrs. Cummings' to her husband. l wonder if that could be the girl whom ltaught back in F. H.S. They drive on when suddenly, sputter, sputter, choke, sputter went the car. Oh, no, momed Nh. Cummings, l knew we should have filled up at that last gas station. Suddenly Gary called to his folks from the back seat, Hey, is that a light over there ? Sure enough they saw the glow of many colored lights off to the left. l wonder how far it is to those lights? said Gary. Suddenly car lights loomed up behind them md an old prospector in an old Model T got out md asked if they were in trouble. Mu Cumming re- lated the happening and asked him what the lights were up ahead. l le told them it wm Picht's Peachy Pines the best eatin' ioint in the far west. After finally getting some gas, they de- scended upon the Peachy Pines to spend the night. They went to the office md found a yomg lady sitting at a desk. Mrs. Cummings asked for reservations and when she told the girl what her name was,on astonished look crossed the face of Lois Ann as she recogrized Ms. Cummings, her fonner teacher at F. H. S. They talked of the many things that had happened in their years together in high school and then as it was getting late, they went to bed to get some rest. After spending a week of relaxation here, the tourists again set out for the Pacific Coast where they planned to take a boat to Aslcska. After a beautiful trip across the rolling hills of Oregon, they at last arrived in Astoria, a quiet seaport town overlooking the blue expcnse of the Pacific. They were excited as they stopped the car in front of the office where they were to buy their tickets for their ocean trip to Anchorage, Alaska. The boat was leaving at 2 o'clock that aftemoon of a beautiful summer day. The tourists then boarded the boat and, after getting their car stationed on board, took their luggage md at once proceeded to their cabin. The whistle blew its note mnouncing the beginning of the voyage md with it came the demmding calls of the ship's captain. Man the ropes, pull the mchor, tum the wheels . The voice sounded familiar - yet it seemed odd to be heard here on this ship, especially her voice. But when Mrs. Cummings spied the blue clad figure in high hat md starstudded vest, it was who they had expected. Yes, Gladys Fincham another member of the graduating clcss of i954, who was now captain of the steamer The Oregon Belle . During the ocean trip northward, many hours were spent discussing the happenings of each during Gladys' high school days'cnd the years intervening. Arriving at .Anchorage they left the boat and found a quiet lodge at which to spend the night. Early the next morning they begm their ioumey to Mt. McKinley where they were to be taken on a guided tour. One of the high points of the tour was actually seeing a way- station and learning the purpose of one. They were preparing to leave after thoroughly look- ing the station over when a group of mountain climbers came into the station. Mr. Cummings 20

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ready to read mother article when her attention was drawn to the loud speaker's mnounce- ment of the trick rider for the evening. Mrs. Cummings was very startled to hear that Marilyn Black md her Golden Palomino were to be the main attraction. After a very thrilling performance the Cumming strolled to the performers stand and congratulated Marilyn on her wonderful md thrilling achievement. They then talked over old times md memories together. Once again our now weary travelers retumed to their trip because their time was now growing short. The next week was spent ioumeying eastward across Canada. lt seemed no time at all mtil they approached the United States border. Upon reaching this line, as is always customary, they had to have their car and luggage inspected. As this delayed them they complained to the custom officer. He explained to them the necessity of it md apologized for the delay. A they were about to leave the way station another officer shouted, Hey, Ching, you had better tell those people they have a flat tire. This nickname rmg a bell md as Nr. Cumming, assisted by the officer, chmged the tire, Mrs. Cummings inquired cs to the source of this familiar nicknane. She found that, just as she had suspected, it was none other than Gerald Hitchings. Mrs. Cummings talked to Gerald for awhile and found that Gerald would be off work in an hour or so. She was very anxious to talk to him so they decided to spend a little more time visiting in the vicinity. The next day, however, they continued on their ioumey. Ps they cane down across the beautiful green pastures of Wisconsin they began seeing many dairy farms. After passing through Milwaukee, they again came to the fertile pastures and modem dairy farms. One especially caught their attention. lt was cn extra nice farm with beautiful white fences and building. The pcstures were dotted with hundreds of Guemsey dairy cows. On the gate hung a sig1, worded, Headquarters for Dadismm Dairy Drean Fcxms. Once again fate seemed to chance upon the Cummings' for on this trip they had come in con- tact with each member of the graduating class of i954 and were with them for a short time in each of his or her professions. So they drove up the long winding lme and came upon a beauti- ful lmdscaped yard md home. Afknock on the door brought to their service a maid who in tum led them to Mr. Daniel Lee Dadisman in person. The day was spent touring the famous farms and the evening spent conversing about the trip to date, and l.ee's success in the dairy business But already September had rolled around on the calendar, and the Cumming' had to retum to their school in the heart of the combelt. A summer's ioumey wcs at an end, a ioumey filled with wonderful memories. Memories that would stay with them, as the high school memories had stayed with each graduate of the class of I954. 1 X 22