Sharon Staples:
CLASS OF 1959
Ashcroft Elementary SchoolClass of 1959
Redford, MI
Waterford Township High SchoolClass of 1965
Waterford, MI
Southgate High SchoolClass of 1965
Southgate, MI
Pierce Middle SchoolClass of 1962
Redford, MI
Marshall Junior High SchoolClass of 1962
Redford, MI
Sharon's Story
I attended Ashcroft from Kindergarten through 6th grade. I hardly remember who I was back then I was pathologically shy. In 1952 I was in Mrs. Mowes (sp?) kindergarten class, I recall a boy named Teddy who had polio. In second grade, Mrs Issacson was my teacher. In 5th or 6th grade I had a male teacher, forgot his name but think he was the only male teacher at Ashroft at the time. He talked a lot about current events, like Sputnik! and JFK's chances for senator and president.
Also remember a fellow named Jerry Elliot. Maybe there was a Bob Walker: think he was the class cut-up. Oh, and Diane Hoover: she lived on a corner of Southwestern Hwy, and played the piano (show tunes). I hung around with a girl named Carol Black. We just walked around playing our transister radios, went to the new MacDonald's on Plymouth Rd. near Inskter Rd., and played mininture golf next to the restaurant. Does anybody remember the huge ditches on the back school property? How abut the annual carnival put on by St. Bellarmine's catholic church?
For seventh grade I attended Pierce Middle School. I don't remember much about it, such a whirl wind. I felt grown up, although I wasn't. That year I learned to smoke cigarrettes, and to steal them from my parents. I remember a fellow named Joe that I had a crush on. He was kind of a smart aleck, and that's where I learned to like "bad" boys. I also remember a notorious killer in Federal Prison, named Carl somebody, who was executed, and the teacher had us all stop for a moment of silence at noon that day. I'd never heard of such a thing before.
Marshall Junior High was constructed that year, and I was transferred there for eighth grade.. Don't remember a thing. At the end of the year, we moved from Inkster Road near West Chicago to a Livonia school district.
Next came Clarenceville High School for 9th grade. My parents rented a home while looking for a house to buy in Oakland County. That year was the first time in my life I had ever met Jewish people, or even knew there was a distinction. I had a recollection of some people calling them derogatory names, but I could never figure out why: still can't. How crazy can people get! The gal I hung around with that year was Cory.
Okay. On to Waterford Twp. High School for 10th grade. We lived on S. Cass Lake Rd. There was a row of ...Expand for more
houses about a quarter mile long that edged a canal that joined Otter Lake. Lived next door to Nancy Garretson, and down the street from Sylvia Smith. Both nice girls and straight A students. I however, chose that year to become a rebellious brat. I met Margie Triacoff, and off we were getting into trouble. I always got caught, Margie never did. There were a few others--Cheryl Cushman, Shirley Barnes, Margaret Hall. I may not have the names right. I became madly in love with any guy who combed his hair into a "waterfall" in front and a "duck tail" in back. There was a greasy spoon katy-corner from the school where students went to skip class. I think it was called Jerry's.
Since I was such a problem child, my parents sent me to live with my grandparents, after 11th grade, in the Southgate school district Downriver. I never changed my wicked ways because grandma and grampa were fairly naive. However, I started hanging around with Christine Layton, whom I still look up to today. Her influence taught me how to be aware and concerned about the world, black people's plight. She introduced me to show tunes, and every time I hear one, I think of her competing for Miss Southgate. She was one of my bridesmaids.
Got first job at Buco Helmets in Oak Park. Got married in 1968 to a fellow employee, Steve Molitoris from Dearborn. We have a lovely daughter, Rebecca, who is indescribably old, born in 1968, got rid of husband nearly 42 years ago, thank goodness. Moved to Los Angeles from 1970 to 1989. Worked mostly in construction industry (flew a desk). Moved back to Michigan to take care of my mother. Worked for small contractors: roofer, general residential, drywaller. Bought a house in Southgate. Bought a small apartment complex (6 units) in Lincoln Park. Bought a house in northwest Livonia.. Bought another in Interlochen, into which I will move by the end of 2014. I love being a landlord. My tenants are terrific (really, and no kidding). Love the hands on work for a change, flying a desk got old. Have learned a lot by trial and error, reading DIY help books, watching other people work.
Well. I don't expect anyone to remember me; I went from a shrinking violet in grade school to a full blown rebel in high school. But if anyone has memories from any of those years, I would love to hear about them.
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