Heathcote Alumni Remember the '60's

Long dormant memories came alive last weekend when 18 alumni of Heathcote Elementary School reunited at the school they graduated from in 1960. Meeting at the playground on Innes Road, they marveled at how much the school had changed, and how much it hadn't.

The only piece of playground equipment remaining from the alums' 1950s school days was the clay turtle, fondly remembered as a great climbing spot but as being much larger and taller. Many recalled its being delivered via flatbed one afternoon, and the excitement this caused in their young lives. Also remembered were the many times one or another had crawled under the terrapin to plan adventures and playdates. Amazing how small the reptile and its belly space have become in just over 55 years!

The reunion was organized by Peggy Salzer LoCastro who attended to many special details. She made copies of the 1954 article in Life magazine describing the opening of the unique school and enlarged the photograph of the entire 1960 fifth-grade graduating class for everyone to sign. Black and gold gum balls ("Black and gold, fight, fight!") adorned the picnic table, and tasty food ordered from the deli at the Five Corners fed everyone. The original deli was remembered by all as a narrow store with a single aisle covered with sweet-smelling sawdust shavings. Two large barrels anchored the aisle.... Just reach your hand into the deep brine to select a five-cent pickle.

The group circumnavigated the school's perimeter, often peering into classrooms and sharing reminiscences as someone else's tale unlocked long-forgotten memories. Everyone remembered the school fondly, whether it was the colored glass panes sprinkled along corridors, the presentations performed in the individual pods to other same-age classes, or the handsome fireplace in the library that one could always snuggle close to with book in hand.

All said, the group agreed that Heathcote School had aged very gracefully, and they appreciated that it remained nestled in the woods, just as it had decades before.