Going on a short trip down memory lane tonight about the old Bonifay Elementary School that I attended there in the middle of town and the teachers I had during my years as a student. I started first grade there in the 1959-60 school year and had Ms. Marie Kates for a teacher. In that class of probably 25 or more students were several of us that went all 12 years together, graduating in 1971. Then my teachers after that were: Ms. Betty King – 2nd grade; Ms. Annabelle Dowling – 3rd grade; Ms. Annie Belle Pitts – 4th grade; Ms. Toi Jackson – 5th grade and Ms.Jane Swindle – 6th grade.  Can still remember, even at my advanced age of 64 many of the students in these classes with me. I can also remember many, many things about the old school and the school grounds. The auditorium seemed like it could hold a thousand folks, though it probably could hold maybe 400 or so. I can recall seeing many events in the old auditorium including visits by “Strong Man”, the man who would do Bible stories on the felt boards, magicians and hypnotists, and the annual rendition of schools plays performed by the classes. I remember being in one of those plays and the theme of the play was “The Circus” in which I was one of the strongmen in the circus complete with a set of barbells that consisted on a pair of beach balls attached to the end of a broom handle that had  been cut off.  A real feat of strength that was to press that heavy barbell over my head.  HA, HA, HA.

The play ground area around the school seemed huge while going there but was really pretty small as compared to the play areas at the soon to be abandoned elementary school. I recall many baseball games, games of chase, red rover, dodge ball and playing marbles for keeps on the playgrounds. Some of those games of marbles could be pretty intense with the older kids drawing circles so large the younger kids could barely shoot a marble across them, much less knock another marble out of the ring. Also saw more than a couple of fights erupt over these marble games for keeps, especially if someone happened to win the other players main taw or shooting marble. And, let me say that  big old marbles known as log rollers could break up a game in a hurry.

I bet I am not the only one to also remember rainy days and having to sit on the bleachers in the old dungeon of a gym waiting for the time to go back to class. Also, being in that same old gym for the annual Halloween Carnival complete with cake walks, fishing games, apple bobbing and other games scattered around the floor.

Oh the memories of those days at the big brick building in the middle of town.  Know many of you have your own recollections of these days of years ago. Share some of these on the blog just for fun with other readers.