The Norwich High School Class of 1964 |
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Memories of times long past...From time to time, we have those flashbacks we were warned would come. As we mature (gracefully, I might add) something will trigger a memory we just have to share with someone else. Rather than have our children or grandchildren listen to stories of the past, we can now share these memories with others who might also have a story or two to add. Such was the case when I received an e-mail from the son of Barker Herr, a debonair gentleman who tried to teach us English and love for language. Here is how we set about . . . Remembering Barker HerrDuring the spring of 1998, I was contacted by Steven Herr, the son of Barker Herr. He had come across this web page and he wanted us to know that he remembered Norwich with fond memories. He wanted to know if I remembered him or his father. I passed along a story about All Hollow's Eve (Halloween) 1963. Steve wrote back: "Thanks for your e-mail response. I really enjoyed and appreciated your kind words about him, as well as the 1963 Halloween anecdote. I remember my father particularly enjoying the students at Norwich High School. For most people who met him, he remains an unforgettable character. I neglected to mention that he passed away almost five years ago on January 21, 1993. He had just turned 85. He was the same engaging and fascinating man right up until his last day. He never lost his joi de vie. I still think about my father almost every day. I have come to realize how much he enjoyed and appreciated being alive. The memory of him brings a smile to my face and a lot of warmth to my heart. I know if my father were alive now, he would be thrilled to hear from you and find out about your life." As I passed along Steve's message to the other classmates the stories started to come in, remembering Barker Herr and his "partner in language" Reggie Gershwin. Here are a few rememberances of those days long past, but not forgotten. Joe Winter writes: "Dear Bob and other Norwichite friends: not only is it a small world that let's us all communicate instantaneously through the internet, but Steve Herr also contacted me, and I too have a halloween story about Barker, from that same eventful night in 1963, only a few weeks before JFK's assasination. Amazing how the little coincidences in life add up, and the influence that man had on us, since Larry Skinner and I were also out and around, looking for trouble, doing more tricks than treats, when we too decided to visit Barker's house on pellet street. Only our idea of trick or treating was to ask for something a little harder than cider, but as we stood there on the dark porch, which was lit only by a glowing jack-o'lantern sitting on a chair, to the right of the door, and we began to knock on the door, there was a curtain or some other kind of fabric that was hanging against the wall or window just behind the pumpkin, and low and behold it caught on fire! and no, I know what you are thinking, Larry and I DID NOT set it on fire, this really happened, and as Barker answered the door, we were in the process of pulling down the curtains or whatever they were, and stomping out the flames. I'm sure he thought that we were setting them on fire, for a real trick, but we tried to explain, no they had actually caught on fire all by themselves but yes we could see why it looked suspicious and all that, and how about giving us a beer or shot of whiskey or whatever for our brave efforts at saving his house from catching on fire? Well ofcourse he said no, he could not give us anything harder than cider, but come on in and have some cider and donuts. Which we did, but as we wolfed down the donuts he kept looking at us very suspiciously, peering at us over his glasses, pushing the glasses back up on his nose with his middle finger, like he used to do in class, and I'm sure that ever thereafter he was convinced that we tried to burn his house down. Anyways, we got out of there real quick and took our troubles and tricks somewhere else." From Jessie Golden: "My best recollection of 'Papa Herr' is of him prancing back and forth in class -- yes, pushing his glasses up with his middle finger -- and having us read material that many found to be in rather questionable taste for high school seniors. (I learned more from some of those books than I did in the locker room!) Being as naive as I was back in those days, that was enough to make me blush! Yes, many Barker Herr's teachings actually survived all these years -- but somehow I feel as if I got cheated out of the cider and donuts!" From Karel Whyte: "Hey Bob, this was a super story. Thanks for sharing it. I remember Mr. Herr as one of my favorite teachers and I think he liked me too though I know I wasn't one of his very best students. He wrote in my yearbook, Your sense of humor is delightful!'" Phil Nolan writes: "I guess it is refreshing to know that he enjoyed us all. At least we now know what happened. He will live with us all forever." Karen (Pinney) Edwards writes: "I had Papa Herr for senior English and fondly remember him taking class out to West Park on a nice day and letting someone go over to the smoke shop for green apple candy. I also have great memories of the other 'Herr:' 'Herr Gerchman' in German class which was held in the Masonic Temple. He could certainly bark out a good German phrase. Always felt that he was a very knowledgable man and we didn't always live up to his hopes for us." Teresa (Downey) Blenis writes: "Hello Classmates, From Vaughn Sayles:"Greetings to members of the class of '64 who are computer slaves! It's amazing the memories that come back as a result of a few keystrokes and electronic impulses. Fortunately, Barker Herr contributed to my ability to organize the words that try flow from my fingertips and Miss Wise contributed to hitting the appropriate keys. I couldn't have survived without either skill. I feel fortunate that he was able to help me with writing skills before escaping the halls of Norwich High. Although I loved to read, writing was never a priority with me. I'm sure college English would have been a less pleasurable experience without his exposing me to the process of writing. How many of you were in the class that he didn't show up for? Poor Steve Herr was not treated to the best of the hospitality by the class on '64 in that incident (wasn't he locked in a closet?). Hopefully, he doesn't remember. I can't even remember if it was English or Great Ideas. Why we can recall 'Whan that Aprila with a shura sota the drouthda of Marche has perced to the rowta and bathed every veina in swich liquire off vertue enjandred is the fleur' is beyond all comprehension. That alone means he made a difference and certainly will not be forgotten. Thanks to the man that gave us all an appreciation of the wonderful world of literature and for treating us as young 'adults.'" From Carlton PinneyHi, I graduated in the NHS Class of'67 and my sister, Karen Pinney Edwards, was a classmate of yours. I have written an article on the history of the NHS Band, 1963 - 1967, and am attaching it in the hope that you may find it of interest and post it on your class website. I have put it on the Class of '67 site and submitted it to the '68 website as well. It's only been out there a couple weeks, but I have gotten some good "reviews." You have a great class website, and your classmates must appreciate you being the "keeper of the flame", so to speak. Best Regards,Carlton Pinney You can view Carlton's article with several great old photos of the band. You need Adobe Reader in order to view the article. See below if you don't have Reader. The Norwich High School Marching Band (1963-1967) in PDF format. The Norwich High School Marching Band (1963-1967) in MS Word format.  Get Adobe's Free Reader for PDF files.
Memories of the Chenango valley, Norwich, Senior Year, and High School
If you have memories to share, please send them to me at .
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