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Parker E. Hodgman SOME THOUGHTS AND REFLECTIONS A Philosophy to Live By--- Live Clean Speak True Work Hard Play Fair --- These were the ideals of Frank Chapin Cushman I am delighted to be asked to share some thoughts and reflections on both "forever home", Monson, and on my years attending Monson Academy. In addition, I was blessed to have had beyond wonderful parents and a loving sister. I simply could not have been more fortunate. These treasured memories live on and become even more precious and meaningful with the passage of time. And so... "Only yesterday" the little Hodgman clan moved from Waterville, Maine, to Monson in 1941 when I was all of four years of age. My dad accepted a management position at Ellis Mills. Monson truly embraced us---and we it---as we happily spent our first few years at 10 Flynt Avenue and our remaining time at our lovely home at 12 High Street. During most of our summers we resided at "Holiday Hill" on Bennett Road-victory gardens and all. Through the standards of my parents, the love of nature and our treasued animal kingdom became an important part of my life. How I treasure the memories of helping to raise two motherless robins, "Tommy Tinker" and "Tommy Tinker Two", of sharing with rabbits, deer, of loving our Boston Terrier, "Butchie", and so much more. Throughout these years and to this day I learned to hunt with camera and heart rather than with a gun. My love of nature is at the heart of my faith and my higher power relationship. That vitally important part of my life is quite perfectly expressed in the poem "Vestigia" which I am pleased to share with you.
It was only much later, as a United States Marine, that the M-1 rifle became a part of my life. I thank God I never had to fire it in military combat. In 1956 and due primarily to my dad's heart condition, we moved to Florida where I started attending the University of Miami and from which I graduated. In 1957 dad passed on to life eternal. So truly,as is inscribed on my parents' and sister's resting place in Melbourne, Florida... "To live in hearts of those who love is not to die." So those three wonderful and cherished people live on and forever will. Our Monson Academy treasued motto as, I'm sure, is fondly re- membered by all former students "Live clean-Speak true- Work hard-Play fair" provides a wonderful "mandate for living." My years as a Monson Academy student from 1950-1955 constitute a most happy, important and inspired part of my life. I treasure the friendships I made including fellow day students Bill Lombard, Bob Aldrich, Sid Letter, Bob Meacham and Everett Walker. In addition, fellow '55 graduates Jim Russell, Jim Brown, Knowlton Utley as well as Bob Aldrich remain close forever friends. I also treasure my memory of "girl friends" during my teen years. How I fondly remember sharing long talks with Police Chief Bob Chaffee as we sat in his car in front of Town Hall following Saturday night dates. Treasured also are the memories of traveling to West Brookfield on alternate Saturday evenings with Bill Lombard, Bob Meacham, Sid Letter and others to attend DeMolay meetings. These special times helped make ever more strong the qualities of faith and character. While each and every teacher whose classes I participated in throughout my Academy years made substantial contributions to my life, three individuals are most especially, forever appreciated and greatly admired. No student could ever have anticipated or asked for more. First and foremost, Headmaster Dr. George Rogers set the standard for excellence and absolute dedication. Through the most difficult of times, Dr. Rogers toiled hard and effectively through which every student greatly benefited. Because of him, and supported by his wonderful wife, Ruth, our school endured and grew and continues to make contributions many years following the merger of the two schools. Wilbraham and Monson Academy students continue to receive the benefits of his leadership and dedication. No student could have asked for a more capable, dedicated teacher than Wesley Benton. Beyond his teaching excellence of Spanish and other courses as well as in his capacity as Director of Athletics he made great contributions to the lives of every student who was privileged to have been taught by him. In addition, I had the very special opportunity to have been in Ruth Benton's kindergarten. Many years later following Wesley's passing I visited with her often during her most senior years. What a joy it was to share in laughter and memories with this exceptional person. She, too, continues to live on in mind and heart. Any student in a class taught by George Morrow will forever remember the high standard of academic accomplishments he required. Never did I study harder than I did in both his Latin and algebra classes. Since we lived across the street from Morris House, my parents and he regularly conferred. Hence I dared not do other than study hard to assure at least reasonably good grades through the high standards he required. And now it's my pleasure to share some fun and levity with you. Mr. Morrow also served as coach of our rifle team on which I was a member. The range, as you may recall, was located in the basement of Cushman Hall. On an afternoon in 1951 forever to be remembered,and while going from the standing to prone position, I fired a round into and through the basement hall ceiling. Time stood still until Mr. Morrow "rather firmly" said, " Mr.Hodgman- leave---leave now-don't come back." Somehow with knees badly shaking I managed to walk from Cushman Hall to my home. Mr. Morrow allowed me to "think about it" for at least two weeks. He finally asked with his strong jaw firmly set if I was ready to treat the rifle with the respect it deserved. With the absolute (and quite prayerful) assurance I was allowed back on the rifle team, because, I assure you and out of fear rather than talent I commenced to fire well and subsequently served as team captain. Incidentally, while in the Marine Corps I shot Expert with the M-1 Rifle. The above no doubt helped make that accomplishment possible. I'm sure the lives of us all contain one or more absolutely unique experiences. The above is one of mine.With laughter as I write I hope I haven't taken too much of your valuable reading time. Any student attending the Academy in 1953 and, in fact, every resident of Monson will sadly remember the fire that destroyed our beloved classroom building. Early on that sad evening a smaller fire took place in Cushman Hall. And so..."only yesterday" I stood with my family and fellow students and watched this wonderful building burn to the ground. With determination and commitment only one day of classes was missed. While whoever caused these sad fires has never been charged with the crime, if it was intended to harm our school the opposite result took place. With great dedication a fine new classroom building opened on High Street the following school year. Because of my wonderful exerience as a Monson Academy student, many years later and at the conclusion of an almost forty year career as Executive Director and Director of Development of three health agencies, I returned home to serve as Director of Development of our Wilbraham and Monson Academy. I now have the privilege of helping as a volunteer with the annual fund and in other capacities. Monson Academy continues to live on as a vital part of our school history and commitment to excellence. It's accomplishments have been beyond outstanding and continue to inspire us all. I, with, I expect many other Monson Academy graduates will continue with dedication to support our school for the remainder of our lives. This writing could not be concluded without sharing a few final thoughts with you. While I often wish I had spent all of my (now 71) years in this unique and wonderful town, rather than having lived in several states including Florida, Pennsylvania, New York, Connecticut, Monson will forever by my home! Many former physical locations are fondly remembered, including in part, Mechanic Street School (where I happily attended elementary school) , our little grade six school, the delicious and most enjoyable LaFond Brother's Steak House, Brown's Drug Store, the movie theater located across the street from the former fire station, Peerless Laundry, Bradway's Hard- ware Store, Moore's Store, the A & P and, of course, A. D. Ellis Woolen Mills. Much more importantly, of course, are the wonderful people who added so much to the lives of my parents as well as my sister and me. As just one of many examples I could give, Dot and Sher Young, as well as their children, Marilyn and twins Nancy and Becky were truly part of our family and enriched the lives of all who knew them. Most of my parents' friends have gone on to life eternal. They all live on in mind and heart and helped make Monson the so wonderful town it was and, of course, Continues to be. Thank you, for allowing me to share with your readers. So truly, as I have tried with mind and heart to convey in these few pages..."telling your life's story as a series of blessings makes all the difference." Finally, I would be delighted to talk and share with anyone who has taken the time to read these pages. I reside with my wife of many years, Betty Lou, at 146 Nassau Drive, Springfield, MA. My telephone number is (413) 782-0315. I have two children, Bill and Amy and three (of course, wonderful) grandchildren, Tara, Eric, and Troy, all of whom reside in Delaware. In addition, I have a terrific stepdaughter, Patty, who with her husband, lives on Cape Cod. Thank you so much for "listening". May each of you and all you love be forever deeply blessed. |