Memories from the past...

• Early in the 1900's many students rode a horse and buggy to school. The stable where they kept the horses was located at Stryker and George streets.
• Around 1917 you couldn't receive your First Communion until you were in 5th grade, but the Church decided to try to let some 3rd grade students receive their First Communion. They chose 4 students (2 boys/2 girls) who received their Communion in 3rd grade and then went on to be confirmed in 4th grade.
• Some students walked four miles to school and when they arrived at the classrooms in the church basement they had to light fires to warm the classrooms.
• In 1931 the first school police patrol was formed. Joseph Blissenbach '31 was in charge and picked his assistant George Kodelka '31. Marie Haas Ferber '31 also a member of the patrol picked her assistant Margaret Haider Kelly '31. Marie remembers standing at attention and having to salute Joe as he stood by the principal's office when they marched out to a Victrola playing. Groups were announced as Groups 1, 2, 3 etc.
• A graduate of 1964 remembers still marching out at dismissal to John Phillip Sousa music 33 years later!
• Also, Marie Haas Ferber '31 remembers the whole school walking up to the Mohawk Theater, two by two, to see "The Ten Commandments".
• In 1938, registration for school was $1.00 and tuition was $.50 PER MONTH! In 1946 registration dropped to $.50 and tuition increased to $1.00 PER MONTH! In 2001, registration is $75.00 and tuition is $1495.00 per year for K-5th and $1725.00 per year for 6th-8th grades.
• In 1941, St. Matthew's High School Girls and Cretin Derham High School Boys performed an operetta called "Tulip Time" in St. Matthew's Auditorium.
• In 1964, one graduate remembers as a school patrol being selected to watch a classroom while they ate their lunch so the Sister teaching that class could go over to the convent to eat her lunch. She also remembers being selected to answer the office phone when office staff was busy doing something else. These jobs were given only to the most trustworthy of students!
• Yes! The playhouse is still in the Kindergarten!
• Today, the school patrol consists of 5th grade students while in previous years 8th grade students had the honor.
• Class of 1964! Do you remember learning Spanish on TV by watching Don Miguel?

We would like to continue to print these fun bits of information from the past in each future newsletter. Please send your memories, pictures or information from the past or present in an envelope to:

John or Michele Edwards
2270 Dodd Road
Mendota Heights, MN 55120
(651) 688-7635

or e-mail to John or Michele at jedwards57[at]comcast.net .