Happy New Year to all.

Hi gang, it’s David Bradford, Carolyn invited me to write about the Michigan kids. That includes Nancy Ritter, Jane and Jeanette (Jet) Sears, Jennifer Hartzell, Bob (the doc) Cropsey, Glen Sparks, Mike (Milo) Ely, and last but not least myself.

I am certain that most students, since 1958, have wondered ”Why do they come here from Cassopolis, MI?

The answer is, property taxes, yes believe it or not. Geneva was a k-8 school the 8th graders would move to 9th grade in Cassopolis. For a few years prior to 1958 the annexation hassles began, some people annexed their individual properties. The annexation was voted down several times. I remember hearing the adults say if we annex, property taxes will go up. Many people said that Diamond Lake was a prime reason. Most of Diamond Lake was in the Geneva school district. High property values more tax money for Cassopolis.

In 1958 Cassopolis announced they weren’t able to take any more tuition students from any of the grade schools due to overcrowding. If the school districts would annex they could then go to Cassopolis. So the Geneva School Board was looking for a school to send the graduating 8th graders to.

Penn opened in 58, they had lots of room for 5 or six kids from Cassopolis so the twins’ dad ”Big Hank” bought a 59 Ford Country Squire station wagon and transported them back and forth.

We got the bus in 62, 20 passengers. Sophomore year, Big Hank didn’t drive the first year we rode the bus. Unfortunately, the driver was a Bible-waving fundamentalist Baptist minister. Loyd Early, most of us called him Brother Early. He was not well-liked at all.

That’s enough for now.

Go Kingsmen ”65”