Your Town is an oral history project that is part of a new elective history class at Rolland-Warner. It gives students a chance to take a more personal look at history and their community, said teacher Chris Hinkley.
The 25 students talked with long-time Lapeer area residents Jim Davis, Al Hart, Ed Oyster, Ardith Rowley, Ila Burris, Art Baldwin, Della Hammond, Doris Rolland and Abi Warner. The school is named after Doris Rolland, the former principal of Woodside School, which is now the site of Rolland-Warner, and Ronald Warner, a former teacher and administrator in the Lapeer Community Schools and the husband of lesson guest Abi Warner.
Students queried theirs guests on a number of topics, including the differences between their childhood and the lives of children today. They also compared recreation, transportation, a typical day, stores and shops, types of jobs, the economy and what school was like a half century ago.
Students also asked about the common activities and sports played by children then, what chores were typical for children and memorable events from their childhood. Students will turn their research into a report on the history of the Lapeer area.
In a note to Hinkley following the history lesson, Abi Warner complimented the students on their preparedness, how informed they were and their politeness. She added: “Your class was conducted in the tradition that would make Ronald Warner proud.”
The group of area residents was invited through the help of Lapeer County Historical Society President Bill Rykhus. Donuts were donated by Tim Horton’s though the efforts of parent and Tim Horton’s employee Pamela Cahilellis and coffee was provided by the Rolland-Warner food service staff.
For a look at photos from the oral history lesson, please visit: http://picasaweb.google.com/LapeerCS/YourTownOralHistoryAtRollandWarner#
