So, after my Community Christmas Variety Show practice this afternoon, I walked from Grace Lutheran Church to beautiful downtown Thornville, just on the tail end of the Thornville Country Fair, so I could see Mr. Bernard Paumier, my 4th grade teacher from Thornville Elementary. Mr. Paumier was set up outside the pizza shop, where he has had a table for YEARS....he was beginning to put away a few things he had on display when I walked up beside him. I spoke to him and without a beat he said hello and told me he had talked to my Dad earlier in the day. Right away he opened an album of old class pictures, stories, drawings, etc. that he has kept after all these years. I think he said he began teaching in 1970 and retired in 1988. He is now 85 years old and he hasnt changed much at all since my days in 4th grade! He began asking me about other kids he remembered and we talked for several minutes. Mentioned he got to see Brooke England and her family today! Brooke, sorry I missed you there. He mentioned Mickey Brandon, and what an ornery thing he was in school. (Yea, thats a shocker isnt it?) He talked of 4th grade fishing trips, and how some male students were upset if they were put in Mrs. Koehlers class instead of his because they knew they would NOT get to go fishing. He says he needs to start getting rid of some things. He is afraid if he doesnt do it himself, all his albums, etc, will all be thrown away. I jumped at the chance of the possibility to have his albums of stories, pictures and artwork. Happy to say Mr. Paumier now has my cell phone number. Explained to him I like to think of myself as a class historian for the 1983 folks. He seemed genuinely interested in my request to take what he has off his hands. I hope Bernie is around for several more years....but I also hope to honor this wonderful man, teacher and friend by keeping so many precious items he has held onto long after he is gone. Have a great week everyone.
Posted on: Mon, 21 Oct 2013 01:40:57 +0000
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