Favourite Memories
Details:
Send us your favourite memory of Parkside. Was it a teacher, a sporting event, a music or arts event? Or was it someone in your class? What about just hanging out in the Park?
Include your name (maiden name), the year and the memory.
We'd also love to receive whatever pictures or physical memorabilia you may have. Scan and attach photos to your note. Or let us know if you have old school jackets, t-shirts, trophies or pictures to include in the Memory Lanes exhibits at the school. We'll take good care of them.
You could also join our Facebook group and post your pictures and memories there. MORE>>
Date:
Submit favourite memories anytime, last submissions due May 1.
Memorabilia required by May 14th.
Send your submission to:
Memorabilia: Ray - memories@parkside50.ca
Favourite Memories: Facebook Group
Favourite Memories
Peter B. '60s
I went to Parkside from 1963-69. My fondest memories are of Marvin Munshaw, the music teacher and band leader. His quiet encouragement kept me sane in those days. He's still alive, we're still in contact and I'm keeping him posted on the details of the reunion.
I'm also looking forward to seeing Dick van Duzer again. I know he'll be a popular figure at the get-together. He was always fascinated by Hitler and Bismark and Stalin's five-year plans.
Other memories? Ed LePage as a great quarterback; the band playing the Great Gate of Kiev with Nadine Litwin at the piano; being in the music room the day principal K. B. Hunt announced John Kennedy had been shot -- so many vivid recollections. MORE>>
Larry B. '60s
Today Mr Van Duzer is seen as a somewhat eccentric 'elder statesman' but back in 1961 - when I had him for Geography, not History - he was seen as rather "cool" for a teacher. He wore a camel hair sports coat (when male teachers wore a jacket & tie) and drove a nifty orange coloured Plymouth convertible (which, I believe Murray Slote ended up buying). As I also recall it he had a background in sales or marketing with Campbell's??? When I got to Mac it was somewhat telling that so many ex-Parkside students were taking history with many of us going on to graduate and post graduate degrees. But "Dick the Duze" as we called him also sparked an interest in travel with his classroom chats about his journeys across Europe. In 1970 I spent 4 months crossing Europe in a VW van with Helmut Manzl & Glen Girard (both ex Parkside who also studied history at Mac). Why is he so fondly remembered as a teacher?? In my opinion it was because he saw the best in people...whether they wore a Prefect's sweater or (like Rick Marshall) rode a Harley to
school. MORE>>
Linda E. '60s
One thing I remember is: The drama club was putting on a play (I can't remember what it was) but we needed an army jeep for a prop. The guys found a jeep and tried to carry it up the cafeteria steps to the stage area. On the way up the steps they dropped the jeep and it took a chunk of marble out of the stairs. Not sure if that chunk is still missing or not.
Tom W. '60s
I am one of the original students who opened Parkside in 1960 Grade 10 - I recognize a few names - like Ray Cummins. My clearest memory of Parkside is H.B. Henderson, the first principal. He was a retired Sgt Major - but I don't think anyone told him about the "retired" part.
I have a great picture of our first football team - just trying to figure out how to post it. I am taking a great trip down memory lane. MORE>>
Frances L. '60s
Parkside was the best. I was there from 1965-70.
Mr. Munshaw wouldn’t let me play drums because I could read music (already played piano), so it was a choice between the oboe and the French horn. Don’t know why I chose the French horn exactly since they both sounded awesome but I’m glad I did. Plus there was a very cute guy playing horn, so that didn’t hurt. The oboe would have been easier to carry around though. Band was my ticket to a night out but, more importantly, playing the horn made me fall in love with harmony. Oh, to be “inside” the band instead of stuck on the main melody! I used to feel so sorry for the flutists and clarinetists, and even the audience. The sounds (and sound vibrations) from where I sat were simply thrilling, especially on something like Mancini’s theme from Hatari. To this day, I have to harmonize on sing-alongs.
My English teacher made us read Man Alone when I was about 17, which was a real mind-stretcher. Marxism and alienation. Then we had to summarize. I was no slouch in school, but what a pummelling my poor brain took!
And how about Mr. Mark – a super math teacher, so enjoyed his classes. Only trig left me cold. Most Parkside teachers were passionate about their subjects, and that made all the difference to my grades and my interests. Mr. Dean made Latin come alive. No joke! I even joined the Latin club. My mind liked being in that space. Once we went to another school for a mini debate in Latin. Catullus and military campaigns – ah, what joy! (My U of G Classics course was dead by comparison.)
Above all, I remember Mr. Stevenson. One day in history class, he looked at us and demanded to know if we were all bumps on a log or if we had a philosophy of life. My mind went scrambling to figure this one before he called on me (as if!). But it got me thinking. Mr. Stevenson encouraged my class to travel after graduation. He said he’d taken a motorcycle across Europe. I didn’t go immediately after high school, but took off after first year at Guelph U. MORE>>
I. Walker '70s
Nothing like the 1970's. Best memories from an artsy perspective...
A) Being in the Black Donnelly's (very impressive performance and learned so much about the theatre from this production) ...
B) Our amazing barbershop group "The Gang of Four" Michael, Frank and John Rutledge and I are still in contact...perhaps we could do another "command performance".
C) Music Classes...remember the Canadian Brass came and gave us all a workshop..very cool! Music Nights, learning all of that music and not having additional venues to play it in.
D) Mr. Willm's "German Days" so they were great fun..and what Parkside Alumn didn't learn to polka? (he's still living I've seen him walking around McMaster)
E) Mrs McMemeny and Miss Silke...great teachers, taught me so much about the visual and general arts. I have them to thank for such a great amount of knowlege and passion for the arts. MORE>>
D. Cowell '70s
Most of my favourite memories revolved around sports at Parkside. We had a great winning reputation in cross country running, track & field, football and basketball in particular. I was fortunate to be the manager (turtle) of the OFSSA winning senior team. I don't think I've ever experienced a more exciting final. Parkside was down in the 4th Quarter with time ticking away, when Mr. Foot, the coach of coaches, put the team into their killer full court press. They battled back, took the lead with seconds left and won the game. I still get emotional thinking back to the reaction of everyone when that final buzzer went.
80s Memories Can Go Here
C. Wilson '90s
Definitely my favourrite memory of Parkside has to be Music. That was my life in high school. Being a founding member of the Wind Ensemble under Ms. J and 4 amazing tours of the USA. MORE>>
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