Where are you, Vetal classmates? I know you're out there because I've emailed some of you. My memory of Vetal is more vivid than Redford. Lots of fun and good friends. Since I went there from Kindegarten thru 8th, that's where I grew up. Girl Scouts, Safety Girls and more groups that I can't remember. What about teachers? Mr. Dine, Ms Kirchberg, Mrs Jones, Ms LaVoie (sp?). Help me out. Who were some of the others? This is a great website and it's been fun touching base with "old" friends after 50+ years.

C'mon. Only a couple replies and one of them from a non-Vetal student (although we welcome all). I know you guys are out there. We did hear from Andrea (Andy) Cristelli. I remember her as the tiny redhead. She says she's changed just a little bit like all of us have.

Where's Alan, Jim, Ann, JoAnn, Pat, Russell, Billy, Harry, Cathy, Diane, Steve, Laurie, LeeAnn, George, Barbara, Mike and Judy? Those are some of the names I can recall. I'm sure there's many more.

you are so right barbara.......grade school rocks!!!!!!!!    were you this good lookin' at vetal?

mike reissing,   holcomb '55

I remeber those teachers plus the aud teachers miss or mrs oliver and jackson.  mrs oliver feel while up on stage and broke her leg  I remember going to mrs jones wedding she was miss healydoes anyone remember the protables?

Yes, Andy, I remember the "portables". I don't remember having classes in them but I may have. I guess the school must have been overcrowded. Do you have any idea how many kids went there? It seems like we had 40+ kids in each class.

Hi Barbie,

Those were the good old days.  I enjoyed school at Vetal.  I really only remember the people that I went to grade school with. 

I remember Mr. Dine.  I think all the gals were in love with Mr. Dine.  He was sure good looking and I remember hanging out at Cunninghams waiting for my bus.  I also remember Ms. Jones and Ms. Kirchberg.  Do you remember Ms. Schlitiing (kindergarden teacher) and Ms. Wozniak (I don't remember what she taught).  I probably don't remember the ones that I did not like.

The only students that I have touched base with our Russell Hawkins and Andrea Cristelli.  It sure was nice communicating with them.  I am really looking forward to this reunion.

I'm glad that you and I have kept in touch with each other. 

What a great website.  Thanks to Ken.

Hi, Barb,

Yes, Vetal was a great elementary school to attend.  Oh, those teachers bring back many memories.  Mr. Dine was everyone's favorite for social studies.  I think he followed Mr. Padgett.  Other teachers were Miss Shaw, Mrs. Mowbray, Miss Reid, Miss Baker and Mrs. Else.  Mrs Wozniak taught home ec. and changed her name to Mrs. Wagner after a couple of years.  I came to Vetal the second semester of the first grade and was put in a portable.  I'm sure Vetal was overcrowded at the time.  They also bussed some of the older students to Noble School.

I loved participating in Vetal's sports activities, especially the spring softball team, Mrs. Wagner's yearly fashion shows and safety patrol.  I still keep in contact with many classmates, especially through this web site.

Ann Leavengood Guthrie

Ann, I'd forgotten about Ms Wozniak/Wagner's fashion shows until you mentioned them. I think Pat Peterson and I made matching terry cloth beach coats one year and back then, it was probably pretty risque modeling them although I'm sure they were down to our knees.

Hi, again, Vetal classmates,

Just trying to recall more teaaches and Vetal activities.  I think Mrs. Woodbridge and Mrs. Kane taught gym.  Please correct me if I'm wrong.  The art teacher moved from teaching art to teaching 4th grade. I can't remember her name.  I think Mrs. Heintz  (?) taught 5th grade.  She used to read us excerpts from the book  Heidi on a daily basis.  Mrs. Wells, I think 6th or 7th grade, was one of my favorite teachers.  She used to let the boys come in a little late because they had been watching Soupy Sales at lunchtime.  Does anyone remember Mrs. Colling, a younger teacher that taught science?

I don't think any of us were bussed to school.  We walked a good distance to and from school and even went home at lunchtime.  There was a lunchroom in the gym, but I'm not sure if it served hot lunch or not. I do know that there was not a large group of classmates who ate at school.  School was never closed for snow days!

More Vetal activities:  I think the one program that standsout in my mind was the 250th celebration of Detroit's founding.  The school prepared for weeks for it, and most everyone participated.  I think we were in about 5th or 6th grade.  Along the same lines were the annual Chrismas pageants.  I was in the chorus, and it was quite a thrill to walk down the aisle of a dark auditorium with flashlights and singing Christmas carols.

Ann Leavengood Guthrie

Wow! What a memory you have. I remember the Gym teachers but not some of the others you mentioned. Nobody has confirmed if we had a Mr. Drinkwater as a Principal. I remember the name but maybe I've got the place wrong.

Wasn't there a Ms Ely-married and was Mrs. Jones and also Mrs. Kirchburg? I think they were 8th grade teachers.

What about "auditorium"? Was that really a class? I don't remember what we did in there. Seems like there were 2 teachers, Mrs. Jackson and Mrs. Oliver or something like that.

Yes, Barb, I think Mr. Drinkwater was Assistant Principal at Vetal.  Miss Ely became Mrs. Jones and taught 8th grade with Mrs. Kirchberg.  In 8th grade we were either in Section 23 or 24.  Classmates in Section 24 had homeroom in the morning with these teachers, and Section 23 had them in the afternoon.

I think we had "auditorium" each day with Miss Jackson and Mrs. Oliver.  I know we saw movies. We put on plays for special occasions.  Somehow these 2 teachers had a connection with a public schools radio station. Some classmates would even go to the radio station to perform.  I even think the 2 teachers would read to us from time to time.  It's hard to remember.  I know if other classmates read this forum, they could help fill in the gaps. Thanks!

Ann Leavengood Guthrie

Yes, Ann, with your help, I'm beginning to remember the same things as you. Now if we could just get the rest of the classmates to fill in the blanks. What about Mac Richardson, Jim Whitledge, Diane Cottrell, Barbara Yale and everyone else. Did we have "Glee Club" at Vetal or was that Redford? Do we know if Vetal is closed? I didn't see it listed with the latest Detroit school closings and I haven't been back to the old neighborhood in over 30 years. 

Hi,

Yes, we had either a glee club or chorus at Vetal but for sure a glee club at Redford.  I will see some Vetal classmates tomorrow at a meeting for the reunion and will mention this forum to them.  Hopefully, they'll log on.  I'm sure that Vetal closed a while back.  Last time I drove by was several years ago, and it looked pretty vacant and forlorn.  Just remember the glory days of the 50s. Such fun we had! 

Ann G.

I remember a Christmas show I was real young and played raggety ann

we were in a toy shop I think all I remember was mac richarson was a toy solider

and sat by me on the "shelf" I was sure I would fall off the shelf

and at the end we all sang  "White Christmas"

I remember we had split sections a for advanced and b for beginners (I think)

there was a lunch room in the gym  the tables and benches came out of the wall

they had a hot lunch program but I remember I didn't like the food at all

so brought my lunch

I think the only kids bussed went to something like harding or noble for a year

(they picked them up at Vetal) because Vetal was too crowded but not sure of that memory

I remember Mres Wells I had her in the portables for I think 1st grade

before she was Mrs Wells I think her name was Miss Hardy then

do you remember them teaching us dancing in the gym?

I remember Mrs Kerchval wore real High heeled shoes and I could never

figure out how her feet didn't kill her

I'm beginning to think I remember more about Vetal than Redford

Hi Vetal Classmates,

I am amazed at all the teachers that Ann, Barbara and other girls from so long ago still remember! Our family moved into the area just in time for me to begin the 2nd grade at Vetal. Being very shy I struggled to make friends, and found school difficult at first.

I remember Mrs. Mowbray, who taught 2nd grade homeroom, I think (possibly 3rd), as my favorite and most memorable teacher at Vetal. She definitely put me on a successful learning path. I also remember Mr Dine as a good teacher.

I remember being exposed to Greek mythology in the Auditorium class; also the President's physical fitness tests in the 6th, 7th and 8th grade gym classes (50 yd dash, broad jump. high jump, pushups, situps and probably something else), as well as the boys and girls softball games and a host of other play ground activities.

Most of all I remember that we really had an outstanding class, it was a great time, and I fondly remember many of you. In comparison, for me high school was more stressful socially as I was still somewhat shy, and most of it is a blur in my memory.

George