Coolidge Junior High School
Moline
Stories set here
- Woodland Walks, Taffy Apples, and Junior High DaysCarol recalled seventh through ninth grade at Coolidge Junior High School. She often walked through a slightly frightening wooded shortcut and stopped at King’s Apple Orchard for a taffy apple on her way home. She earned good grades without much studying and was a favorite of her Home Economics teacher, Mrs. McManus. Her social life included slumber parties, pin curls, record shopping in soundproof listening booths, and jukebox sock hops. She bought her first seamed nylons for her first dance, attended football and basketball games, and played intramural sports.
- Chris: Backyard Friendships, Soccer, and a Life in MusicCarol's determination to live in the Coolidge school district placed Chris near three boys who became lifelong friends. His enthusiasm for soccer led to memorable football kicks and the captaincy of Moline Senior High School's first soccer team. At Northern Illinois University, he turned toward guitar and a college band while earning his degree. He later released a CD, founded a record company, supported local musicians, wrote music journalism, and compiled a family recipe book presented at the 1999 reunion.
- The Dogs on the Ride HomeBernard rode about a mile to Coolidge Junior High School, where bicycles stood unlocked in large racks. His ride home took him past Forrester's two police dogs. Throwing lit kitchen matches failed to deter them, and avoiding them would have required crossing fences and the ravine in Ferry’s Woods. Dad confronted Forrester about the dogs biting at Bernard and tearing his pants. After Dad threatened a dangerous deterrent involving rags on car wheels, the dogs were fenced in.
Events here
1951 - 1954 (Seventh to Ninth Grade)
Carol’s seventh through ninth grades at Coolidge Junior High School
Carol earned A’s and a few B’s, took the usual subjects, and recalled being Mrs. McManus’s favorite in seventh-grade Home Economics.
7th grade; thirteen years old
Chris's memorable field goal
While playing for the undefeated Coolidge Chiefs football team, Chris kicked what the passage calls the fourth longest field goal in Quad-City football history, twenty-three yards.
the Forties
Bicycling to Coolidge Junior High School
Bernard was allowed to ride about a mile to school and parked in the large bicycle racks without a lock.
Family corrections
Notes sent in by the family and approved on review. They sit alongside the original record — the book's wording is never changed.
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