Eight years of my early life in
Harwinton were spent in the one-room schools. What happy
years they were! Until that time I didn’t realize
there was a town called Harwinton. Just imagine coming
to a strange town to teach in a one-room school! I had
been educated in the city schools my entire life. Lady
Luck was indeed with me and on my side.
Mr. Lewis Mills, Supervisor, brought me and introduced
me to the town schools. We stopped at Center School to
visit. Miss Deegan was the smiling teacher who met us
at the door. It was an exciting day for Center School.
They were celebrating Thanksgiving at the Town Hall. Mrs.
Gladys Bentley, with the help of some mothers had prepared
a turkey dinner with all the fixins, even pie. We were
invited. What a wonderful introduction to Harwinton.
From there we visited Terryville Road School with 11 happy
children. They were from three families. There was one
first grade, two eighth graders and the other eight were
spread out. Those were wonderful; hours spent studying,
playing, parties and many nature walks on the country
roads and fields.
Mrs. Eleanor Melius knew where the first arbutus grew
as other early wild flowers. She was my parent-teacher
organization and friend.
I then went to Clearview School where Miss Flynn had been
the teacher. This school was larger with many more pupils
as high as 28 one year. There were many families represented
and life was lively. I had so many helpful and wonderful
parents. They became my dearest friends, something every
young teacher needs. The children loved having Mr. Mills
visit us and especially enjoyed his many interesting stories.
We followed his study plans and they learned a great deal.
We even had a small band. They played instruments and
frequently went to many schools to entertain with Mr.
Mills. They even visited Danbury State Teachers College
and played.
Those days were happy ones. How could anyone forget the
Harwinton Fair contests, the holiday parties, especially
the Christmas programs, the closing picnic at the lake,
even the frog that jumped out of the water crock! So many
memories of the many boys and girls I came to know and
love. They will be apart of me always.
