What was your BHS graduating class? Did you have both baccalaureate and commencement ceremonies? What do you remember about that?
I'm a member of the BHS Class of 1965. We had both baccalaureate and commencement -- but I don't remember much about either.
Share some memories of the old grade school. What grade were you in when they opened the new building? Do you remember the first day...or at least the first few weeks?
I went to kindergarten, first and second grades in the old building -- loved, loved, loved the big drinking fountain. Mrs. Howe, kindergarten; Miss Stepleton, first grade; Mrs. King, second grade. I didn't like Puzzle Pages. Our third grade class with Mrs. Amstutz, was held at the high school while the new building was being built. Mrs. Oyer was my fourth grade teacher, the first year the new building opened.
What is your version of the original street painting at Bluffton High School? Did you paint your name?
I was there. I signed my name. My brother, Dan, however (notoriously blamed for the painting), was not there. I was dating a college freshman at the time, by the name of Jim Sommer. I believe we were walking home, when I saw some boys in our class painting the road. I joined them, of course! Now, had we not just discussed this at our class reunion in June, I would not have been able to name the boys involved. I'll still leave the naming of the instigators to the instigators themselves.
What was the worst grade you ever received? Was it deserved?
On my grade card? Probably a C in math. Yes, deserved. On a test? I failed a junior high math test once and couldn't keep from crying.
What teachers stand out in your mind as having a real impact on you -- in a positive way?
I really liked Mrs. Nussbaum in high school English. I liked Mr. Hahn in high school music -- both pushed me beyond my comfort zone.
Where did you and your friends hang out?
Well, Niswander's Newstand, then Ingalls. Summers at the swimming pool.
Now that school has started, we're coming up to Homecoming. What was Homecoming like in the mid 60s? Were you ever on the court? What did the women wear?
I wasn't on the court. We dressed up for homecoming -- I think we even work skirts to the homecoming ballgame. Bluejeans??? Never. The dance was a big deal.
I think you went to Bluffton College. Did you consider going anywhere else? What was your major?
No, I never considered any other college. I knew I was going to Bluffton by the time I was -- oh, maybe 5 years old. It wasn't that I didn't have a choice, so much as no other choice was considered. I majored in English.
Who were your college roommates? Where did you live?
I roomed with Sue Malin Hamilton, third floor BrenDell; Luanne Valente and Sheila Quillen, Lehman House (long gone); and Bonnie Raber, first floor BrenDell.
How did you meet your husband? Did you move out to Illinois right after college graduation?
I first met Jim at our church camp, Camp Friedenswald. We began dating the winter of my senior year in high school -- Jim was a freshman at Bluffton College. We taught school and lived in Delphos, Ohio, for four years before Jim joined the family seed business in central Illinois.
I know you've done some writing since you left Bluffton. Did you write a book? Tell me about that.
I had a book published by Herald Press (long out of print), I'M STUCK WITH JOSEPH. It was a fictionalized account of our experience adopting our youngest son at age 3. By the time he was 3 years old, I was his sixth mother. Trust was a struggle. He's a great young man today.
My husband thinks you started a newspaper in your town. Is that true? I know you edited a newspaper, but are you still doing that?
Fred is correct (I asked his advice at the time). Yes we started a subscription-based newspaper, THE TREMONT NEWS. It was a tab-sized legal weekly newspaper, circulation about 2,000 (Tremont's population is 2100 -- so the saturation was quite high). A member of the Illinois Press Association, I'm kind of proud to say we were the smallest paper to consistently win awards. But it was work. We sold the paper in 1994, and the new owners didn't quite understand small-town newspapering. It was resold, then shut down.
Do you quilt, like your mom did? If so, how did you get started? What kind have you made? (Of course, if you don't, then this is a moot question, I guess.)
I quilt, yes, but not quite like my mother. I've done baby quilts for the grandchildren, patchwork quilts and a couple of fund-raising quilts for Relay for Life. I am surviving metastasized breast cancer; hence the Relay for Life.
Tell me about your family -- husband, children, grandchildren. Did some of your kids attend Bluffton College (University)?
Well, I've already said something about Jim -- He was president of Sommer Bros. Seed Company, a Golden Harvest member company, and president of Golden Harvest until Golden Harvest (and its associated family seed companies) was sold to Syngenta. Jim was a bit restless in retirement, so took on the CEO position at Maple Lawn Homes in Eureka, Ill., a retirement community. Jim had been on the Maple Lawn board for a long time.
We have four children (two daughters, two sons), three of whom are Bluffton College (University) graduates. Because Jim's parents and his grandmother attended Bluffton, our children are fourth-generation alumni. We have eight grandchildren (four granddaughters, four grandsons) ranging in age from 3 through 13. They are the best!
How often do you get back to Bluffton? Your sister, Mary Edmiston, lives down the street from me and spends her summers reading on the front porch. Do you read a lot, too?
I usually get back to Bluffton a couple of times a year, sometimes more. I've been there twice this year. I have been an avid reader all my life. I used to go to the library in the summer, check out three books and return them three days later to check out more. That was in Miss Ocie's day, btw.
I've switched addictions, though, and am enthralled by my mandolin, Ohio Star. A present from my husband for my 60th birthday, it was custom made by Jim Shenk of Goshen, Ind. Shenk named it Ohio Star because I chose a quilt pattern inlay for as decoration. I'd like to see if I can master it by the time I'm 70 -- I've a great teacher and am working on my 10,000 hours -- only 7,000 more hours to go.
When you were last in Bluffton, what changes did you notice (from your childhood)? Anything missing?
Stoplights are missing. College Hall is a major change -- I won't be able to locate Dad's office any more. But the Riley's still there -- that's what counts.
