Excerpts from "My Teaching Years, 1927-1971 

 by  John W. Thrine

"The next twenty-five years I taught at Sandusky as an elementary teacher, grades five and six. During the War years of 1944 to'47, I was a Junior-High teacher. These were the most rewarding years of my teaching. Sandusky's first gymnasium was ready in the fall of 1938 when I came to teach at home. Mr. Orville Pitts was the coach and a Mr. J.O. Kelley was Principle. I assisted in any way I could in the athletic program (no extra-pay in those days, as is the rule today). I timed ball games for 35 years for Sandusky. Orville Pitts and I have been good friends since High School days. Orville came back to Sandusky, as Principle and coach in 1942, after an absence of three years at Seymour High School. Orville was and is the most dependable worker and friend I know. His decisions, at times slow in coming, were the wise and correct ones. My decisions were usually abrupt, and at times got me into "hot water". To anyone who knows Orville Pitts, no more need be said. Sandusky students who were influenced by his numerous teaching experiences can never forget him and his effect on their lives. I must not forget to mention the many competitive and winning teams that were produced under Orville's coaching. We were the smallest of all the Decatur County High Schools, but they knew about us on the basket-ball courts. I sincerely believe that we were one of the best, if not the best, scholastically, in our educational fields. (This will be debatable by the other schools in the County" I could write for hours the many experiences, good and bad, of my years at Sandusky."

*****************************************************

From the Greensburg Daily News Letters Section

"School Memories" - Nettie "Giddings" Van Arsdal

Sirs: Last evening as I was going to my parents to pick up my daughter, after I had gotten off work, I passed North Decatur High School and was looking at the construction start of the new Elementary School, and I thought that it will be nice. Then my heart grew sad, because the beginning of this new school will mean the end to an old school - Sandusky.

In just a week, my class is getting together for our 25th class reunion. Sandusky is a special school, because everyone took part in everything. We had small classes, so there was time for everyone and every problem. We had a wonderful principal, Orville Pitts. He and his wife Evelyn always had time for everyone. Even today, if there is a wedding, or any births, if they are informed, you can bet you will hear from them. Starting with the first grade there was "Miss Nellie," who, by the way, still lives in Sandusky. Nellie McWilliams is the Aunt of Jim, Paul;, and Mary Spillman. Even today, when I am 42 years old, I still say "Miss Nellie".

Then there was the third and fourth grades, they were taught by Miss Janie (Jane Martin), the aunt of Mrs Paul Jolliff. She passed away several years ago. Then there is John Thrine, who still lives there with his boys. He is one of the nicest man I have ever met.  We used to have a janitor, Don Harrell. Every kid had a special place in their heart for Don. He would meet the buses every morning, doing some of his tricks like holding his broom on his stub finger and passing out mints. We had several cooks, but Mers Mabel Smith stands out in my mind. She is the mother of Shel, Art, and Harold Smith. She always was laughing. When we had anything going on at school we never worried about whether we would have a crowd, because everybody always came and supported every school project. I guess I can honestly say I love everyone and every memory that I have of life in this community. We not only learned the three R-s, we learned L-L-O --Life, Love and Others. The teachers had our respect as well as our love, because they deserved it. They were in every way gentlemen and ladies. To see something as precious as this school disappear makes me sad, but nothing ever can replace the memories"

*****************************************************

From the Greensburg Daily News (Date Unknown)

Sandusky Basketball Team is Eulogized

Here's to the Basket Ball Team Sandusky, The Players of this team will never get rusty, They're there to win, they're there to fight, for to win every game is every boys delight, They make no complaint if they do get beat, But try again and the other fellow gets the treat, First of all is the Captain, Richards, who is a star guard, And to beat him is a trial called hard, He's dressed in black and red from top to toe, And he never gives up till he's won, no! no! Then there's Clyde Marlow, another nice lad, About the the best player Sandusky ever had, He's an excellent player and a mighty nice boy, He handles the opponents as though a mere toy, Now there's Leslie Palmer, an extra good man, Making a goal, whenever he can. He's there with the long shot, he's there with the short, And he scares the other fellow till he's all out of sorts, Well there's Warneke who'll fight to the end, And always willing, Old S.H.S. to defend, He'd make a dog laugh with his little red bow tie, With him of course S.H.S. will never be dry, Last and also least is Ralph Marlowe, the tease, Yet he plays through every game with the greatest of ease, He's here and he's there, just as quick as a wink, Just watch him if you can but you'll find out you can't Now our old stand by Wilson, whose nick name is Red, He's there to play with nothing to dread, He's there as a sub and willing to help, If one of those boys will just give the yelp, Now here's to the team who will always keep its name, As being the team that's noted for its fame, And greater will this record be as S.H.S. will never give up, Until another time or two they have won the silver cup.

*****************************************************