New shoes

Thursday, was the first day of school for most students in this area. I am actually writing this article on the preceding Monday. After taking a long look at the Nevada R-5 School District Web site, I feel a little like Dorothy in the "Wizard of Oz." We are certainly not in Kansas anymore! About the only thing students of today have in common with those of long ago, is "new shoes."

I am not complaining about all the new innovations in education. As a former history teacher, it is obvious to me, that progress is not only inevitable, but necessary. All of these modern modifications, make me realize just how much the world and education has changed during my lifetime.

For several years in the late '80s and early '90s, I was blessed with the privilege of teaching high school American History classes. That experience remains one of the highlights of my life.

In the late winter of each school year, the history timeline would feature the period of the "Great Depression" era in American History. I wanted my students to learn first hand about this time.

Each student was asked to go and interview a person who had lived during those terrible economic times. The rules said the person you were to interview, had to have been at least five years old by 1932.

Most of the students had a grandparent, other relative, or a neighbor, who fit these age requirements. Our goal was to hear first hand, the feelings and memories of that generation.

Year after year, the stories the students heard, remained surprisingly the same. Some of the most common memories included the following: "My family was really poor, but we were poor before the depression hit, so we didn't really notice any much difference."

One common story that students heard from these elder citizens, referred to cloth used to make clothes. Cash was in short supply for many families here in the Midwest. Most households raised their own meat and vegetables, so there was food available, even if it was scarce.

Families had barely enough cash to pay taxes and such, so buying store clothes was a luxury most could not afford. They even had difficulty finding the funds to buy cloth to make their own clothes. That is where the feed sack became a staple.

Feed sacks were made of cloth back then. The Purina Feed Company decided to offer a new item to be included on their sacks. The new sacks were made of cloth that was made of various color gingham squares. Once the feed was used, the cloth could be washed, and used to make dresses, shirts, and other clothing.

To enhance the design, many a mother spent hours sewing thread designs into the tiny squares. One thing we heard over and over in the interviews, was that no one seemed ashamed at wearing such clothing. People in general were poor across a broad spectrum of the country. No one made fun of what you wore, it was tough times all over.

Another story we heard again and again was the cream and egg money tale. Depression era people told of how their mothers, sold farm fresh cream and eggs to get some ready cash for school each year.

It seems that most kids during this time went bare footed during the summer months. It was so common a practice, that many told us they could hardly wait until school was out, so they could discard their shoes once more.

The cream and egg money was used to buy each child a new pair of shoes for school each fall. If there was extra money, a new pair of jeans or overalls was purchased as well.

In countless school pictures from that time, you can see both girls and boys wearing new denim overalls. The denim used was so dense, that it often lasted more than one year. "Hand-me-downs" were common for a lot of families. The clothes of younger siblings often displayed patches.

The shoes were not the tennis shoes so common today. They were sturdy leather with strong stitching. The soles were also thick and durable.

Shoes were also saved and used again by other family members. Shoe repair shops were a common business in towns like Nevada. You could get a shoe resoled or repaired, and it was often good for another year.

Schools did not start until after Labor Day, and even then it was not unusual for farm kids to miss some classes during harvest time. Many of those interviewed, only went to school through the eighth grade. By then they had learned to read and write, and were expected to start working. Education was offered to all, but higher education was considered a luxury.

In a country like ours, we build a better future brick by brick over time. One thing we never heard from that older generation was jealousy. Most of them were thrilled that they were able to provide their children and grandchildren with a better life and education.

There is a lesson in all of this for us today. Our country is going through some difficult times right now. It is not nearly as tough as those times of the "Great Depression," but we are still having to make some tough choices.

States all over the country are having to cut back on funds for education. We are losing teachers and programs every day as a result.

Americans still value education as both a right and a privilege. Belt tightening is going to happen, but we, like those from the past, will find a way to save our schools.

Here's to all the students, parents, and teachers, have a great year, and be sure to wear those new shoes on Thursday.