As a tribute to all the memories in the Messengers of the past, we will feature one story a month through September, 2025. All the stories will be taken from Messenger issues published during our last year at East. We hope you enjoy them.
Teacher Aids 3 East Boys at Innes Girdle Counter
“Ah, we’d like to buy some – oh, will, ha, ha, ho, ho, we’re embarrassed,” said Wilber Love, ’60, John Rodda and John Ersham to a girdle saleswoman at Innes one
day. The three boys had been sent by Bill J. foster to buy some girdle stays to hold up their sandals which they were to wear in “Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
However, the three just couldn’t quite find the words to tell the clerk what they wanted. Of course, their modesty embarrassed the sales lady. In desperation John turned around to see if there was anyone who could help them. To his delight, he saw Joanna Jones and Mary Lohrenz, two East High teachers, who were at another counter.
He quickly sprang over to Miss Jones’ side and modestly said, “You don’t suppose you could help us a little, do you,” he pleaded, “we seem to be having a little trouble over here at the ladies’ foundation department counter.”
Miss Jones did come over and aided the boys in getting what they wanted.
Next day Miss Jones told Mr. Foster about her deed and reminded him that she should receive a fair amount of commission from the play in return for her kindness at the girdle counter.
‘Best things in Life are Free’ – ’til You’re Caught’
“The best things in life are free, but not if you get caught,” could be a remark that would come from a non-paying cinema goer.
Floyd Watson, ’60, a ticket-taker and alternate usher at the Civic Theatre mused as he told of three boys who sneaked into the show recently. “One of the three boys acting as a spokesman came up and asked if he and his friend cold help find a seat for their crippled buddy.”
“Because I have a kind heart, I said ‘yes’ and proceeded to take tickets as it was a busy time of the evening. Pretty soon there was a crash and a crunch and all was quiet again. Upon investigating, I found the back exit door had been opened and a sign was attached to it. The sign said, “We fooled you; we fooled you! Ha! Ha!'”
Of course, theatres that are most frequently victims of non-paying customers are drive-ins. Betty Parker, ’59, a ticket sales girl laughed as she revealed a particular incident that is seemingly a favorite trick of teenagers.
“One warm evening just before the show started a car pulled into the drive, stopped, and three of the four boys got out of the car, opened the trunk and piled in, pulling the lid down to the ‘catch.’ Upon driving up to the stand, I told the driver the price for himself and the three that were in the trunk. You should have seen the surprised expression on his face.”
