Myra (Weems) Leutje
Page 3 of the Manning Monitor January 4, 2007

I recently went through 2 albums that Myra brought to me to scan. She was very helpful with the Manning Quasqui history book and like a trooper she is now helping with the future school history book by identifying students with "sticky notes" in her scrapbooks and providing other information about her time at Manning schools. Some of the information in this week's article will be included in the school history book and will give you an idea of what type of content we are looking for.

A teacher section will be an important part of he history book and fortunately many school articles were published in the Manning Monitor over the years. This 1962 or 1963 Monitor article Myra had featured a new school teacher - Diana Rosenada - and she had a very interesting story to tell. Below is just part of her story.

New life starting for Cuban refugee

A new life is starting in Manning for a mother and daughter who fled communist Cuba to live in a free nation. Miss Diana Rosenada and her mother moved to Manning August 14 and are occupying an apartment at 69 April street. Diana is teaching Spanish in Manning grade and high school.

The family's home town was Colon, Cuba, and Miss Rosenada received her bachelor of arts degree at Cardenes, Cuba, and her Ph D at Havanna University. They came to the United States in March 1962, arriving in Miami, Florida, where they remained until coming to Iowa where Diana took eight weeks of training at the State University of Iowa this summer.

The day before they were scheduled to fly to Miami they were taken to a Cuban police station for interrogation as to what happened to their personal belongings at home. They had to leave everything behind and received nothing for their belongings when the 3-bedroom home was taken over by the military.

She stated the reason for leaving Cuba under Castro's rule was that no one can live in a communist country without being in fear constantly.

More than 200,000 Cubans have fled to Florida and among them are many well qualified in the professions, thus to Iowa came 120 exiles and 23 of them school instructors, as Miss Rosenada.

All types of history
One thing I find while going through someone's family or school album is you will find all kinds of Manning history beyond the family's connection. This next picture was taken at Sandra (Hass) Vahl's birthday party in 1960. Boy was Bruce Hass out-numbered!!!

Back: ?Terri or Theresa Henkelman?, Kathleen Joens, Judy Nissen, Betty Mundt; Middle: Bruce Hass, Diana Muhlbauer, Sandi Vinke, Kathy Felker, Pam Hargens, Donna Spieker, Diane Hinz, Mary Jo Haase; Front: Kathy Hinze, Linda Ahrendsen, Myra Weems, JoAnn? Rohe, Sandra Hass, Darlis Dammann, Julia Croghan

Myra's 1969 graduation reception was held in the American Legion Hall. Does the map in the background look familiar? It is the large world map that was located on the south wall of the upstairs room in the Legion Hall. I have asked several Legion members what happened to this map and some have said it is still there but covered up with paneling -- does anyone know for sure?


Gail Wegner, Myra Weems, Janice Wegner

Please help
Peanuts character Charlie Brown was used in a 1968 Paw Prints issue and Darrel Baker drew cartoons for the Paw Prints each week. In this cartoon Charlie Brown is asking Manning citizens to support MHS. Now Charlie is asking you to help out with the Manning School history book!!!

Myra Weems was a reporter for the Bulldog Paw Prints. The Monitor provided a section in the newspaper for school news which was written and edited by school students. The very first issue of the "Paw Prints" was in September 19, 1968, and replaced the "Spotlight" which was the previous name of the old school newspaper. In 1968-69 these students were in charge of the weekly publication of the Paw Prints. Editor Lois Muhlbauer, Exchange Editor Irene Stangl, Sports Editor Bob Case, Adult advisor Freda Dammann, Reporters Seniors: Darrel Baker, Julia Croghan, Kathy Felker, Sandra Hass, Mark Heinicke, Paul Hiatt, Kathy Hinze, Lydia Hugeback, Kathleen Joens, David W. Schroeder, Nancy Stoberl, Steve Walters, Myra Weems, Barbara Wiese; Juniors: JoAnn Dethlefs, Clyde Fielweber, Elizabeth Muhlbauer, Gaylin Ranniger, Russell Ranniger, Keith Schroeder, Arlen Schrum, Marilyn Sporrer, Michael Zerwas.

Pictures - pictures - more pictures

Back: Elizabeth Muhlbauer, Janice Peters, Myra Weems; Front: Sara Schroeder, Rhonda Struve, Deb Fogleman

They say a picture is worth a thousand words and PICTURES are one priority we have for the history book. We are looking for pictures to go along with newspaper articles, sports records, school events, employee histories, etc. It is always more interesting when reading about something when you have a picture about that subject. If you were reading about the baton twirlers of 1968 and all you saw were the names it would be informative but would be much more interesting with a picture. Above you see the 1968 baton twirlers who posed in the old gym (present day rec center) along the north wall; you see the type of uniforms they wore -- much more interesting!

Bonfire & Football games

Before the 1968 Scranton football game this effigy of a Scranton football player was placed in a "cardboard coffin" and then later was thrown into the bonfire. While this type of activity would probably not be "politically correct" today it gives you an idea of how students rallied around their team in the past.

Homecoming was and still is a source of pride for a community and its school. Float making is quite a job and years ago was a major process to build the floats with all of those paper tissues. The first float shown was made in 1968 by the sophomores in the Carroll County grader building along Center Street. The second float was made by the seniors in 1969 which won them first place.

Jr. - Sr. Prom
Another event that students spend a lot of time decorating is Prom. In 1968 Connie Kusel was the Queen and John Detlefsen was the King. The dance was held in the school cafeteria and streamers hanging from the ceiling were an important part of the decorations. It appears the throne was along the north wall of the cafeteria.

Of course the ladies and guys would get all dressed up. Above you see Linda Graner, Bonnie Kruse, and Rhonda Struve seated at the table.

Kathy Wegner and John Beckman posed for this 1967 prom photo in the hallway east of the Elementary principal's office. You can see the expandable security gate in the background.

The 1969 Prom Queen & King were JoAnn Rohe and Dale Moeller.

Debbie Weis and Keith Schroeder were juniors at the 1969 prom.

Of course one of the most important parts of our school years is graduation day. Smiles usually tell the whole story and this first picture shows how happy 1968 MHS graduate Linda Ehrichs was.

Some graduates end up not leaving the school but become employees. Dave Rohe is one such graduate shown in this 1969 picture and he is walking with classmate Myra Weems.

Some of our alumni members have passed away such as Dave W. Schroeder. This is another reason to publish a school history book so we can remember people who were a part of this great school and community. Dave walked down the aisle in the old gym with his classmate Janice (Wegner) Johnson in 1969.

This 1969 prom picture shows sophomore Kent Rutz serving punch to senior Mark McNutt with Mark Frisinger assisting. Notice the cafeteria kitchen dish washing room in the background.

Students who moved away
Mark Frisinger is one student who moved away before graduating from MHS. Myra gave me this list of names of students who at one time were a part of the Manning class of 1969. Janice Pfannkuch, Lanny Porsch, Alvin Nepple, Paula Frisinger, Diane Hinz, Joe Irlmeier, Michael Wegner, Mary Jo Haase, Glen Kuhl, Diana Muhlbauer, Sheryl Musfeldt.

1967 Prom waiters: Steve Walters, Bob Case, Larry Mohr, Denny Rowedder, Dale Moeller, Darrel Baker.

1969 girl graduates in the girls' locker room of the old high school gym. Back: Donna Spieker, Kathy Potthoff, Gail Wegner, Betty Mundt, Sandi Vinke, Darlis Dammann, Janice Johnson; Front: JoAnn Rohe, Linda Turner, Sue Irlmeier.

1968 Quill and Scroll initiation. Myra Weems lit the candles with Paul "Herbie" Hiatt in the background.