September 2006                                                   The Megaphone                                                                Page 5

That Day in August, 1940

by John R. Hocker '53

  Now that I have joined the list, perhaps I should add to the info. First, if you have not already done so, I would suggest you look at:

http://www.usfamily.net/web/timwalker/sitedocs/elwood.html

  On that day in August, 1940, all main roads were one-way into Elwood and then the next, one-way out. I recall, as a 5 year old, selling water from an orange crate on the side of North J Street for 5 cents a glass. I would pump it into a pitcher and pour glasses for the people.

John R. Hocker

1953 Crescent

  Once, in 1988, when visiting the National Museum of American History with my family, here in Washington, we saw a display of past Presidential election campaigns. In the middle was a "Win with Willkie" button and a large photo of him riding down South Anderson Street in front of Leeson's, standing in back of a convertible. While examining the picture, I found myself with Mom (Helen), Dad (Joe), Grandma Benedict, and Aunts Betty & Lema, standing on the curb next to Willkie's automobile. The photo later appeared in the photo book about Elwood. 

Willkie's automobile in front of Leeson's

  Yes, the photo is on page 105 of the Caldwell - Heaton "ELWOOD -- A Pictorial History." I am the little kid with the big sun glasses. My mother is to the right (my left) and Father, right of her, with a straw hat.

Regards,
John R. Hocker, Executive Director
National Science & Technology Medals Foundation
http://www.nationalmedals.org 

 Willkie traveling east on Main Street

*Upon his graduation in 1953, John received the first "Wendell L. Willkie" scholarship. It was a grand total of $500. He doesn't think it was ever awarded again.

*The photo found on the web site listed above can also be found on page 142 of "Elwood, Indiana -- Sesquicentennial, Our History Through Pictures" published in 2002.    

Skate Boy

by Bob "Doggie" Henderson

  My step-brother took a job as skate boy at the Elwood roller rink. Now the duties of a skate boy were putting skates on people as not very many people had their own skates back then. After everyone had their skates on you were allowed to skate until about ½ hour before it was time to quit, then you had to be ready to take their skates off. After all skates were turned in, you had to tie them up and put them up according to size. He didn’t last very long as he never stuck with anything that evolved work very long. 

  When he quit I asked if I could have the job. Mr. Hadley whom owned the rink said he thought I was a little small to handle the job. I was 8 years old and I asked him if he would give me a try and he agreed to it. Mr. Woods was in charge of selling tickets and playing the music. Yes, that was Sharon and Sherry’s father. Bill Huntsinger was floor manager and over the skate boys. 

  I learned to change the ball bearings in the wheels when they got flat spots on them. Sometimes we would squirt oil on them and they would be smooth again. On a real busy time King (Bill’s son) and I would work together. More than once I would get a toe strap across my behind if something didn’t go right. Dance skating was alright, but I liked to race better. They had a banister around the front part to separate the main floor from the spectators; it sat right on the curve of the floor. More than once I got sent over the banister and likewise I would dump someone in one of the spectators lap. I won more races than I lost as I was very fast on skates. 

  I worked there until I was 16 years old. I met and learned a lot about people back then and still remember them.

Bob (Doggie) Henderson '53

Kuhn Lake, Pierceton, IN

to Page 6