Search This Blog

Saturday, August 25, 2012

Teaching Hillbilly

Because of a request for more New Zealand stories, I've decided to include one of my favorites:.

While teaching high school science there, I was constantly teased by my students about my "accent"which to their ears sounded very strange. So, when I changed schools and began teaching on the South Island, I decided to try something new. The first day of school, the principal had all the new teachers up on the stage and introduced me by saying, "This is Ms. Quinn, and you will notice that she speaks quite differently than we do". But I didn't get to say a word.

When the students entered my classroom for first period, I greeted them with, "Hi, y'all we shurr are gonna have a great year!". The looks on their faces was shock. So I contined my ruse, by saying, "Do y'all think I talk funny?" and they all nodded their heads. "Well, I speak Hillbilly and if you would like I kin teach you to talk like me", I continued. They all agreed that they would like to learn this strange language so I began.

"Now youns over cher you say 'I shurr aim tarred and them over there say 'Well, poosh that cooshin over here and set a spell". I had to write it phonetically on the blackboard and they practiced til they had it...then I explained what it meant (translation....I sure am tired and Push that cushion over here and sit for awhile). The kids loved it. I resumed speaking normally and they said, "Ms Quinn, you really don't talk like that!" and I agreed that I had no accent.

They were so enthralled with"Hillbilly" that I agreed that if they were very good, I would teach them some more. At lunch that day I got back to the staff room and the principle came up to me and said, "I shurr aim tarred!" and laughed hilariously.

At our first parent teacher night several months later, the principal came up to me and said, "Ms Quinn, all the other teachers are gone and you have a line of parents waiting to see you!" I asked him to bring them all in at once and knew what they wanted. Sure enough, one parent said, "We are here to learn some Hillbilly.....and we want something the kids don't yet know" So, after making appointments to see them all later in the week, I said "In West Virginia, we have these little shacks up on top of the mountains where rangers watch for forest fires....they are called "far tars" (fire towers). They loved it!

Tuesday, August 21, 2012

Sudden Death

My sister Louise Quinn Symons died suddenly the day after the Woodsdale Kids' picnic from sudden Death Syndrome which also took my mother (at age 58) and my brother Colin (at age 47). If the person is conscious when this this heart electrical failure occurs they can be saved with CPR and defibrillation if it is applied very quickly. So PLEASE folks, for your family and friends, learn CPR and invest in a debrillator if your family has a history of this illness.
  Louise was only 67 and just thriving in her love for her only grandchild Ellie. She loved to read, quilt, and did beautiful needlework. Her health was good and she had no physical limitations when it came to traveling the world or enjoying life.
   Let's rejoice in the gift of each day and find Life astounding!
Kathleen Quinn

Tuesday, August 14, 2012

The 4th Annual Woodsdale Kids' Picnic was a huge success with over 80 people attending. Shown here are Jim Seibert and Judy Meier (Grace) who had not seen each other in more than 40 years and had dated in high school.

The picnic brought together lots of people who I had not seen since high school including Peggy Thonen who I learned lives right here in Wheeling and Jim Brinkman, who has traveled the world while in the service. Also, it was GREAT to see Marsha Montgomery and Greg Hess and all of the Gaydoshes. Lots of my old favorite people came long distances to see each other and tell tales of what life has been like post-Woodsdale. A few new faces that I had not met before like Sam Stone were also welcomed. Bill Hogan, our oldest Woodsdale Kid put in an appearance...he is my go-to authority on all things Woodsdale.

The food was out of this world with Shirley Criswell bringing her popular fruit salad and the other offerings were just as tasty. The BBQ saw lots of veggie burgers, and a few steaks and burgers as well. A big THANKS to Dan Criswell for taking photos as I was too pre-occupied.

All and all, if you missed this one, you need to come next year to see who appears. We have booked the shelter for Aug 10, 2013 and I think all those who make it will enjoy themselves at least as much as those who came this year. I'm hoping Howdy Meagle and Barbara Bailey will be among next year's crowd.