LETTERS: A small world
To the Editor:
My work takes me on the road much of the time and I listen to lots of NPR while I drive. On Feb. 9, Weekend Edition, with host Scott Simon, presented a feature on an annual Kansas Day celebration which takes place in New York City every year. The first person they interviewed was a woman named Lavonda Rothman from Marion. She mentioned she had left Marion in 1966 and lives now in NYC and attends this Kansas Day bash each year with a number of Kansas ex-patriots. All those interviewed fondly remember and miss much of the glories of this good old state. I have no idea who this woman is, but I am sure many of you do know her. It did me good to know some good Kansans are part of the fabric of that great city.
In last week's Marion County Record I read of the death of Ruby Haizlip, widow of A.W. Haizlip, a former school administrator and teacher in Marion. In 1980, Connie and I lived and worked in Monett, Mo., and I did some lay preaching around the area, including the United Methodist Church in Aurora Mo. On that particular Sunday who should come up to visit after the service but Mr. Haizlip, my teacher and principal when I attended Hill Grade School those many years before. Ruby soon joined us and we had a great visit.
Haizlip was one of those teachers in my past who always had my respect. At times maybe it was more like fear. I remember in my eighth grade year, Haizlip was principal and one of our teachers. Some of us boys had "crossed the line" and we were in his office for a lecture. He took out "the paddle" and laid it on the desk, told us to clean up our act and get back to class. It must have been an effective strategy. I never returned to his office. Obviously, I never forgot the experience! I have a hunch there are many of you who say the same thing.
I remember him with respect and good thoughts, along with Maude Thompson, another principal in my past at Bown-Corby. I think I only made one visit to her office as well. She could put the fear in us all in a way that could last. I remember the Haizlip family in this time of endings and new beginnings.
Jan Hayen
Parsons
