Marshalltown High School

RE: Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun by Linda Sellers Goodwin

2012-03-18T23:11:47-04:00

I just posted some detasseling photos in the class galleries, under my name. Maureen

Birthday wishes!

2011-12-09T08:56:11-04:00

To all the class mates who sent Birthday wishes I thank you form the bottom of my heart! I had a wonderful day. At this age all days are wonderful just some better than others. The only question I have is! Is this now being the middle or closer to the end? No matter God is in control of all.

Again I say Thanks to all of you! Leo IHS

Adding up memories!

2011-09-19T08:32:07-04:00

Hello to the class of 64! What class we have! classest folks I know. Well I'm predjest I am guessing. What a second BBQ, Weather didn't cooperate to well, but wasn't to bad, but the flooding was a suprise for some Huh! Joe.

Sure was good to renew with those who were able to make it this time lost some, but gained some new ones. No matter it was a good time anyway. Just to hear the conversation, laughter, hoots was well worth the stay. I don't think we could out guess Iowa weather no matter when we set up the date just an Iowa live with thing. Even though we lost some class that could not make it this year we have seemed to grow a little.

If you don't think it is worth the effort to get togather! I am here to say you are wrong. We all have some class memories of school some good some not so good, and as we grow older and I hope wiser we still build memories. I for one have been looking for the good memories and try to block out the so thought bad ones. You know I am so much happier that way.

We have a lot of good class mates that go the miles extra to make it memorable for all of us. Thanks to all envolved. Vic,Kay ,Jim, Steve, Joe just to name a very few. It take all to get involved to make something work no matter how small you might think the part is, it all make it whole. Success is something with all the parts that can keep things getting better.

Well I don't want to post to much wind. Will leave some room for others to post. Love the get togathers I am able to attend.

RE: Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun by Linda Sellers Goodwin

2011-08-14T13:42:15-04:00

Wow, Maureen,

What I knew of you in our school days would never have led me to believe you would be putting in days like you describe! Sounds like you spent some intense summers! Thanks for sharing.

Terry & Pat Lampel

RE: Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun by Linda Sellers Goodwin

2011-08-14T13:33:48-04:00

Linda -- your wonderful detasseling story resonated with me. I started detasseling the summer I was 12 or 13 and did it for six years: 2 years on a large crew (20 or so girls walking the fields together with lots of laughing and hijinks); 2 years on a machine crew with 5 others, like Linda describes; 2 years solo contracting where I was assigned my own 4 acres and it was my responsibility to get there and get the job done -- on time and on my own any way I could manage. Detasseling is where I heard my first swear words even though I never repeated them, learned a bit about sex (not all correct), laughed a lot, and made precious money to help buy clothes for school. I lied about my height in order to start on a ground crew -- so did many others; there was an exception to the child labor laws that allowed seasonal work for those under age 16. When next I am in the US, I hope to digitize a photo of me and my machine crew from one summer -- we had amazing tans, just as Linda says. When I did solo contracting I had so much more energy than today; at that time I would detassel from 5:00 a.m. to about 1:00 pm (including waking and driving to/from), shower and get to my 3-to-11 p.m. shift as a nurse's aide at the Iowa Soldiers Home, and then go out on a late date! Those were the days. For some years afterwards, one of my recurring nightmares was green, knife-sharp corn leaves on stalks filling my entire visual field while moving past me relentlessly -- shudder. I am not sure that detasseling exists any more -- certainly my non-Iowa friends have difficulty comprehending the job. It was back-breakingly hard, dirty, sweaty labor that reinforced the goal of applying myself at school for a better future. Thanks, again, for sharing these memories.

Maureen

RE: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T13:34:47-04:00

My Follow Up to Pat Helfer's Story and Intro to Patty Duffs Story

Hello to all my Classmates of 64:

Please allow me to begin by expressing my sincere thank you to Pat Helfer, for offering up her memory story to “Memories Are Made of These”. This unique story explained the after work sequence of events, of how she and the other members of her Gang of 6, planned recreational activities following their kitchen duties at Lloyd’s Restaurant. It seems that all the members of her gang had a very thrilling evening. They were able to meet the night Manager of the Redwood, after he called for Police assistance then raced from his office to make a citizens’ arrest of the legendary Pool Hopping Gang. Then as they stood in their (yet to get wet) swim suits, they were met and questioned by one of Marshalltown’s finest Law Enforcement Officers (Virgil Dye), who specialized in Gang activity. After a prolonged interrogation of all members, Officer Dye exposed certain key facts; one member was on Parole, several other members had been pool hopping many nights before and, one of those hoppers had thrown a chair into the pool, (perhaps as the officer noted) to discourage pool sharks from attacking. Once all the facts were documented into the officers booking report, he decided that none of the members captured, were a threat to Marshalltown residents and were released. Before dispersing from the crime scene, I understand that the Gang was disbanded, and pool hopping would be postponed for a while. Special note; read Pat’s follow up notes to her story on the “Memories Are Made of These” Forum.

Classmates, please remember I may have embellished a wee bit on my interpretation of Pat’s story. There was no gang, and we all knew them as really nice and cool Classmates just trying to relax and enjoy a hot summer evening. Thank you again Pat!

Now for our next “Memories Are Made of These” story Clue’s.

“THE GOOD OLD DAYS” by Patty Gould Duff

Ok Class, make your notes. Based on these clues, do you or anyone you know, remember Patty’s experience at this place? Do you think you may have been there or perhaps involved?

ALL of YOU know that WE ALL have many memories of this very special historical site. I can think of several classmates that I can remember seeing at the Passion Pit, can you?

Be prepared to enjoy this COMMERCIAL FREE story of Patty’s, when it hits you screen soon…

RE: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T13:25:36-04:00

Follow up notes from Pat on her story

Hi All, here is Pat's follow up notes to her story. Thanks Pat!

My mom worked at Lloyds for many years and I worked as a bus girl one summer. My mother was tough on me and had a tendency to chew me out in front of customers. One Sunday one of her customers didn’t like how she was talking to me and called me to the table and gave me her tip! She thought it was pretty funny and told the guy that I was her daughter. The customer told her that was fine and dandy but I was still getting her tip! She was much nicer after that!

Vic, my favorite part of working at Lloyds was our lunch or dinner; they had the best homemade Thousand Island dressing I’ve ever had! All the food there was fabulous and at the end of the year when they closed for the winter, mom always brought home the huge canister of peppermint ice cream!

Do you remember my mom when you worked there? There was Analise Frost (German lady), Maxine Davidson, and my mother to name the ones I remember

RE: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T13:21:20-04:00

“GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN”

By Pat Helfer

During my High School years, I was always trying to earn spending money. One of the things I did to earn money was the most attractive and magnetic job of working in the kitchen at Lloyd’s Restaurant. Now don’t get me wrong, Lloyd’s was an upscale and busy place. The kitchen was hopping—chopping veggies, counting napkins (and hopefully finding some missed tips), but mainly doing dishes in that fancy schmancy big dishwasher. HARD WORK—steamy enough to get a facial at the same time!

There is always a trade-off for working and earning money: for restaurant work, there is no free time when everyone else has free time. So-o-o-o, one night when we (we being the young kitchen help) finished around 9:00, we all decided we wanted to go swimming. Well-l-l, the swimming pool closed at 9:00 and we tried to come up with an alternative. And an alternative plan we did come up with! We would go Motel Pool hopping!

There were several of us. We changed into our suits and off we went. We drove around a little bit and decided the first pool would be the Redwood. The pool was in the back and Management would not be able to hear us. (Oh the naïve minds of the young) We pulled around back and I don’t believe we even got in the water when we heard a question, “What are you doing here?” The police were called and we were questioned at length by Virgil Dye, a Police Officer who seemed to be as big as the Incredible Hulk. We did find out that the lengthy questioning could have been caused by the fact that one of the employees on this little escapade was on parole!

Come to find out, these guys had done the motel pool hopping many nights before. And if Gary Cook hadn’t thrown a couple of chairs in the pool (???), the manager would not have awakened this time!

So-o-o-o, we did not get to go swimming after all that night. And all we wanted was just to have fun…

People participating: Pat Lang (Helfer), Anna Mae Lolwing (Wilson), Ross Lindley, Larry Wilson (State Center), Gary Cook (Class of 1965), and the unknown parolee.

I also just found out that Vic Hellberg worked at Lloyd’s at that time also! I really did not see him, since he had moved up to Salads…

RE: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T13:07:17-04:00

2nd response to Pat's story intro

Having led a sheltered life myself I think Pat may have a good handle on the situation. Not having been there I could not even venture to guess. Sure sounded like fun and mischief though. I will be like Paul Harvey and be waiting for the rest of the story.

I am sure that others have fun stories to share if they have a fun loving nature. Leo IHS

RE: Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T13:00:03-04:00

first response to Pat's story intro

Hi Classmates; within minutes of posting Pat’s intro to her story, we received our first response. As usual, it was Patty Duff out of the gate first and well in the lead..

Thanks Patty, and here is her response.

I'm going to go out on a limb and guess:

I think Ana Mae would have said "I've never done this before, I'm afraid."

I think Pat H. would have said "I can't do this my parents will kill me".

Park in the back, Gary Cook

OMG, I it wasn't my fault they made me do it. Ross

What a great night & can't wait to do it again - Larry and Gary.

I have no idea, just guessing and I have a lot of time on my hands!

Girls Just Want To Have Fun by Pat Helfer

2011-08-02T12:48:24-04:00

Introduction to Girls Just Want to Have Fun

Marshalltown High School
Class Of 1964

Let me start by saying Hello to my Classmates. So, HELLO Classmates! I do believe it was Miss Vandenrberg (woof) who would say; do you all have your paper and pencils at the ready, then let’s proceed. Here are a few clues regarding our next story:

Now what do I dare say to those Classmates, who after seeing the above clues are perhaps beginning to get sweaty palms? Maybe I should I ask the question, who of you may have said the following?

Park in the back, I have never done this before, I'm afraid, I have to get home now, I can’t do this, my parents will kill me, OMG, It wasn’t my fault, he or she made me do it officer, are you going to tell my parents, I hope no one finds out about this, or what a great night this was and I can’t wait to do it again?

Our next story, GIRLS JUST WANT TO HAVE FUN by Pat Helfer will be posted in the next few days.

I have to believe that everyone wrote down something! Thanks for being honest. Now post it on your frig, until Pat’s cool story hits your screen this coming Monday.

PS- If the September BARBIE is on your TO DO LIST and you have not signed the BARBIE attendance sheet yet, please go to the site and put down your name. Those of us who have are awfully lonely on that page.

Your Classmate, Joe C

RE: Classroom Obsession by Merrill Moore

2011-08-02T11:38:19-04:00

Classroom Obsession - Follow Up

Hi Classmates, I think that those who read Merrill’s story certainly enjoyed it. At least it appears that way as indicated from the number of great respones we received. I spoke with Merrill following the responses and, along with answering a question from Judy K. Zwemke, about dances at the Tallcorn, Merrill graciously told me about the REST of THE STORY. Hope you enjoy part 2 as much as I did!

Hi Joe!

Yes, the Fall Finale (as I remember it) was a dance at the end of the season held for both football and cross country athletes and their dates. That year's dance fell on November 11, '62.

Interesting (at least to me!) note: as the picture shows, I did get the date to the dance with Nan. I was so scared to ask her out and caught her after school one day and asked her where she was headed--she said she was walking across town to Anson for some reason. I asked her if I could tag along, planning on asking her out at some point. I didn't know that it would take me walking with her the entire trip before I got the courage to ask her out. Her response: "Sure. Why did it take you walking all the way to Anson to ask me?" There was no good answer to that, but I do remember that walk seemed like 20 miles!

That whole deal with the dance followed 9th grade at Central where I was so enamored with Nan that I used to follow her to class and Orchestra. One day she was getting her violin out of the cubicle before Orchestra and swung around and said "Will you STOP following me everywhere!” I was so shocked. Therein lies the stalking, but apparently I didn't learn and it paid off next year! Nan (and her husband) and I are still friends almost 50 years later. She even threw my going away party when I moved to Florida later that year. I think she was just glad to be rid of me!

I sat next to Maureen in Biology and we both played clarinet in band.

Blessings,

Merrill K. Moore
COE
Christian OmniMedia, Inc
904.724.3331

RE: Classroom Obsession by Merrill Moore

2011-08-02T11:28:08-04:00

Classroom Obsession - Follow Up

Hello Maureen, Patty, Greg and Tom; talk about COOL Classmates, you four Classmates responded within minutes of posting our SECOND Story. Two were Classmate lasses and two were Classmate lads. Both Maureen O’Bryon and Patty Duffy must have hit the send button within seconds of each other because both answers arrived at the exactly same time and, they each were correct in naming Nan Hosch as Merrill’s HOT BLOND. Gary Boggs was in at 9:30 with the correct answer and Tom White actually slid into home 13 minutes earlier then Gary however, Tom thought it was Patti something. Perhaps we need another contest to find out who this Patti is!

It looks like BOTH Maureen and Patty will receive our special coveted prize at this year’s BARBIE! Congratulations ladies and we look forward to seeing at the Class BARBIE AWARDS CEREMONY. Attire is casual!

Congratulations as well to our fastest responding Class Gentleman. Both Garry Boggs and Tom White will receive special mention at the AWARDS CEREMONY. On behalf of all our Classmates of 64, Thank you Maureen, Patty, Gary and Tom for your rapid response and participation. Your Classmate, Joe Childs

Classroom Obsession by Merrill Moore

2011-08-02T11:16:31-04:00

Hello you COOL CLASS CATS of 64! Like the HOT Movie’s of the 60s; Summer Place, Dr. No, Casino Royale, The Sensuous Nurse or Cool Hand Luke, this SECOND Classmate Story is sure to capture your attention, raise your temperature and, open your memory vault of the those times that you too participated a similar experience.

Even though it is not a film or an event which happened in an exotic far away location, it is true, it did happen, the stars are our Classmates and it did take place in one of our own MHS Classrooms.

Now relax and take yourself back to your MHS homeroom or any Classroom of your choice and enjoy.

Classroom Obsession by Merrill Moore

Some of my best moves were not on the track or in the music room. Merrill Moore

Some of the best remembrances from high school were having been coached by Coach Kenny Dean for Cross Country and Track. Everything that I accomplished in running can be attributed to him. I also loved Band and Orchestra and the impact that Armon Adams had on my musical career. One more very special event that stands out is; I had this crush on a cute blonde girl (that will remain nameless) that was in my Latin class (remember Miss Eleanor Shear). This hot blond sat diagonally across the aisle from me and was not very appreciative of the fact that I was constantly pestering her by reaching across and trying to take her pencil.

After countless unsuccessful attempts of trying to snare her beloved pencil, she got up and went to the front of the class, sharpened her pencil and returned to her seat. She then set patiently and waited for me to make my move, and attempt another grab at her pencil. Being not so very bright, and letting my fascination with her over rule my common sense, I went for it! As of this day, I still have the pencil lead scar from where it broke off in my hand when she stabbed me. BUT, she did go to the Fall Finale dance with me at Hotel Tallcorn, so I guess it was worth it!

I also remember how nice everyone was to me at MHS. Many, many happy memories.

OK Class, here is Merrill with his pencil stabbing blond cutie from

our Class. Do you know her name? If so and are the first to e-mail me (jcchilds@cox.net) with the correct answer, you will be awarded a special prize at the upcoming Class BARBIE in September.

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RE: THE GOOD OLD DAYS! By Patty Gould Duff

2011-08-01T23:40:05-04:00

Greetings Patty,

Great story! An example of events that probably happened all too often at the Drive-In. And you were rewarded for your honesty about the torn speaker by the manager's response. I'm sure they lost many due to less-than-honest patrons.

The one thing that stands out for me was the "tinniness" of those old, clumsy speakers. Having turned amateur audiophile in my HS days, building my first stereo set & custom radio, I was appalled at their lack of fidelity! But of course, we rarely went there for fidelity of sound! Whether dressed in our pajamas, as our parents took us out on a Friday night treat, or out with some friends to blow off steam, usually "fun" was the order for the ocassion.

Thanks, Joe, for keeping these stories alive & well!

Because of His abounding grace,

Terry & Pat Lampel

THE GOOD OLD DAYS! By Patty Gould Duff

2011-08-01T18:43:52-04:00

HI Classmates; take a few minutes out of this day, God knows you have certainly earned them. Now grab a cup of jo, sit back, take a deep breath and relax. It’s Saturday night, and the words Drive- In have been on your mind all week long. After 6 days of anticipation, you make that turn, off good old hwy 30 and onto “Drive- In Lane” with your sweetie by your side. You are now just minutes away from yummy hotdogs, hot buttered popcorn, cold drinks, a great movie and, whatever! Now that we re-visited your Drive-In evening, let’s read about Patty Gould Duff’s D.I. experience.

For your entertainment, allow me to introduce;

THE GOOD OLD DAYS! By Patty Gould Duff

There are so many memories from my days at MHS, I could write a book! We ALL could write books! I think they would be best sellers too!

Anyone who knew me and the GANG I hung out with knows we weren’t exactly wild and the predicaments we occasionally got ourselves into, seemed a little hairy back then, but quite laughable now as we look back!

I think the Drive-In contributes to, MANY of the stories we hold dear to our hearts! One incident that came to mind was when Theone Linsenmeyer finally got to use the family car. We all piled in, I think it was Lynette Lathrop, Susan Berg, Alice Bernard, Theone and me. If there was anyone else in that car, please come forward! We get to the drive-in and after several attempts to find a good spot, we park and everyone piles out. Theone was just stepping out of the car when someone noticed the car was rolling. Now, we had put the speaker inside the car and we were headed to the concession stand! Theone jumped back in the car but was so excited she didn’t know what to do and the car just picked up speed. By the time she got the car stopped the post for the speaker was pulled out of the ground and the cord to the speaker broken off. We had a dilemma! I don’t know how this always happens to me but THEY all took a vote and I was the one that had to take the speaker to the concession stand and try and explain what happened. Do you know the guy that owned the place was at least 7 ft. tall?!! He looked that tall when I had to go stand in front of him and try and explain why I was handing him a speaker with the cord dangling off it! To my surprise, he was so nice and told me he just appreciated we brought him the speaker because people steel them! Wow, that was easy!

We had fun that night and we had a memory for life!

7/31 DM Register article

2011-07-31T12:47:33-04:00

From the 7/31/11 Des Moines Register:

Spotlight on: Aiddy Phomvisay

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=2011307310011

This guy has an inspiring life story. I hope he is able to bring the leadership to MHS that has been sorely needed for many, many years.

Paul

RE: Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun

2011-06-14T14:28:29-04:00

Hi Classmates, here are a few responses to Linda's memory jogger from

Jeanne Davis Janssen

Leo Draegert

Hi Joe,

I just wanted to drop you a note and thank you for your recent email regarding Memories Are Made of These. I think it is a wonderful idea! I have been enjoying all the postings at our class website and appreciate the work by all involved. It is especially fun to view the pictures that are posted. I am glad to see I am not the only one aging "gracefully". I very much enjoyed Linda's memories and found it bringing back ones of my own.

Thanks for the great ideas and for your devotion to keeping the Class of 64 alive!

Jeanne Davis Janssen

Joe

Talk about sparking memories! Yep that memory Linda shared brought it back for me. Remember all the hazing that went on when we went from ninth grade to high school? Yep you guessed it that is where I got my pants removed in the back of an all boys De tasseling truck on the way back after a long day of walking the rows.

I however did not go down with out a fight! I remember I kicked one of the dudes in the face and when he got my pants off he was going to throw them over the side of the truck. I said, as I was standing there in my under ware to go ahead, but if he did he would be going right after them. I think he believed me as he gave them back. Then I noticed that there were a car load of girls behind following the truck laughing as I was trying to put my pants back on. How embarrassing that was!

From then on I spent my time bailing hay, painting barns, mowing lawns, cutting pigs, and such to earn gas money to drive or ride to school with. Living on second avenue it was a long walk to Senior High school. I also shared the ride with several others using Dads car.

What memories! We can laugh now, but then it was building character on the way to man hood. Leo IHS

RE: Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun

2011-06-02T21:40:25-04:00

Nicely said, Joe! Thank you for your kind words. And speaking of "words", you have a wonderful way of putting them together in a meaningful way. You are a great addition to administering our site.

Vic

Corn detasseler couldn?t shuck fun

2011-06-02T10:54:53-04:00

Hello Classmates, Joe Childs here with a message for all. Over the many years since our Class launched our graduation caps into the Iowa air and stepped out of those MHS gowns and into the world, I have had no communication with any of our Classmates or attended any Class Functions. Very often I gave thought about many of my classmates, that grand structure on 11^th St and all the wonderful times and experiences I had growing up with some of the finest people I have ever had the privilege of knowing. About 2 years ago, I finally realized how much I have been missing by not re-connecting with my Classmates and decided to begin to rectify that foolish mistake. I started by checking out our Class Web site on a regular basis. I soon learned that thanks to Vic Hellberg, our Class web site was one to not only be admired but indeed a standard to be emulated. With a gold mine of class information I started to reacquaint myself with my Class and my Classmates. On one of my site visits, I learned about the very 1^st. Class Bar B Q to take place in August of 2010. It was then that I decided to travel to that Class event and begin to make the re-connection process to as many Classmates as I possibly could.

To those who attended that 1^st annual Barbie, you know it was beyond belief. That incredible experience gave me a new focus on getting involved with our class to assist in any way possible and make every effort to awaken and energize those Classmates who have not reconnected with our class, to do so! One effort is our Class of 64 Cookbook, “THRU THE KITCHEN DOOR WITH THE CLASS OF 64” Cookbook Title offered by Sally Chard Kosnik. This fun project (intended to generate funds for our Class) has created interest with many established Classmates as well as enlisting many new Classmates. These Classmates have gotten involved by offering up really COOL recipes. Many also contributed pictures and stories of our school years, which will be fused with the recipes.

As the Cookbook begin to develop another Project “Memories Are Made of These” Title offered by Linda Sellers-Goodwin, begin to materialize. “Memories Are Made of These” will be formulated from Classmate stories as well as other informative stories on Classmates themselves.

The very FIRST story from “Memories Are Made of These” is from Linda Sellers-Goodwin, and posted below. When I read Linda’s story, I immediately was thrust back in time to a field in 1962. With each word she wrote, my mind began to give up more and more of those stored memories until my vision of those days became more and more vivid. My hopes are that during the months ahead, you too will enjoy these brief stories, ones that will transport you to those wonderful days of our past as well as, inform you of some of the wonderful things some of our Classmates have accomplished and, in doing so made MHS and our Class of 64 Shine. I beg ALL 64 CLASSMATES who have not re-connected with our Class to do so! Here is your opportunity to revisit some of the best times of our lives and make our Class whole again. If you have a Class story or picture, one that may open a memory door of those special days, THEN PLEASE send it to me @ jcchilds@cox.net or call me 480-907-9920. After sending each story to all listed Classmates, they will be posted to the FORUM section (“Memories Are Made of These”) of the Class Web Site.

“Memories Are Made of These”

Memory number ONE…

Corn detasseler couldn’t shuck fun

By Linda Goodwin

I was born and reared in Marshalltown, Iowa, in the heart of tall corn country. I grew up in the “city” (population 25,000), but we were surrounded by rolling lands covered with cornfields (and pig farms, but we don’t publicize that, for obvious reasons).

Each year in mid- to late July, various seed companies would put out the call that they were hiring corn detasselers for a few weeks’ work in August.

Because there weren’t many jobs for teen-age girls in 1962, and my skills consisted mainly of baby-sitting, this was worth investigating.

The only requirement was that you had to be at least 16 years old. So many teen-agers who wanted to earn extra spending money took most of the detasseling jobs.

We reported to a street corner at the crack of dawn to be picked up and transported to the site. Getting up early wasn’t much fun, but we finished in mid-afternoon. I packed a lunch and soon found out it was best to wear a swimsuit under my work clothes. This definitely was not a glamour job, but it was a good way to get a tan in a state with very few beaches.

There were five detasselers to a crew, and we climbed on board a machine that looked like a tractor with a flatbed on front. There were five points at which to stand and a curved railing to hold on to and lean over. Each person was positioned so he or she had one row to detassel.

As the driver took us down the rows of corn plants, we pulled off the tassels at the top of the stalks and dropped them on the ground as part of the cross-pollination process. We worked about eight hours, taking breaks and eating lunch in the shade of the corn.

The worst thing we had to deal with were wormy tassels, and rain. Detasseling after it had rained was the worst, because the rain made the leaves like razor blades, and we would end up with cuts on our arms and legs.

I got a great tan and had a ball buying a school wardrobe for my junior year in high school. The job taught me to plan ahead and follow a budget.

I experienced the joy of reaching a goal and the thrill of spending money I had earned on my own.