Fred McCollum went to the Shawsheen School from 1934 until 1940, during the worst of the Depression. Nevertheless, says Fred, it was a happy time for his sister, Connie, and him.

"My dad had a good job (paymaster of the Shawsheen Mill), and we lived on Enmore Street, a great place because of all the kids in the neighborhood. We walked a mile to school, which was fun, and the teachers were wonderful," he reports.

Fred describes the teachers: "Miss Anderson, who was petite, taught the first grade, and she smiled a lot and was very kind. We even said the Lord's Prayer and read psalms from the Bible. Miss Leary taught the second grade, and she was a good looking Irish lady with black hair. Third grade was Mrs. Donald, who lived on Carisbrooke Street and wasn't very tall. Miss McCarthy taught the fourth grade, and she had the 'Janet Gaynor' look. (Janet Gaynor was a movie actress of the time.) My favorite was Miss Thurston in the fifth grade. She was down-to-earth friendly and no-nonsense. Miss Harnedy taught sixth grade and was the principal. She had coal black hair and a great sense of humor and had a personal touch with the kids. Miss Sweeney taught music and Miss Olive taught art. They were both outstanding." Miss Sweeney started the All Girl Band in 1939 and was later known by her married name, Miriam McCardle.

Like many people who went to school in that era, Fred remembers the janitor and says Mr. Todd was important to the school for many reasons, the most critical being that "he kept us warm by shoveling coal into the large furnace in the boiler room."

Fred says what he remembers most about the school was playing in the school yard and going home with torn, sandy clothes. "I loved all games especially 'pom pom pull away.' I tried hard to be the last one standing and accomplished that a couple of times." Pom pom pull away, called several other names, is a game of tag where each person tagged becomes an additional tagger. The winner is the last person not tagged. There are several variations of this ancient game.

Fred continues some of his favorite memories: "We watched 'Laurel and Hardy' movies in the school auditorium. I was very proud of my sister, Connie, for winning a best posture contest. She still has perfect posture. I was a lieutenant patrol leader and was second in command behind the captain, Albert Malley."

He summarizes his grade school experience by saying, "Looking back, I had my priorities wrong: sports and play first and the three R's second. In spite of myself, those wonderful teachers taught me many things that have helped me through my life."

One of Fred's best friends in Andover was Bob Phinney and they remained good friends, often visiting each other, until Bob died last year. Based on what I've heard and read, Fred was one of the top athletes in Punchard's history. Among other things, he lettered in four sports in one year.

Following high school, Fred received a scholarship for a post graduate year in prep school and spent four years in the Navy. He moved to California as a young man and has lived there ever since. He eventually became a sales manager for Stanley-Bostitch Inc. Fred's an avid golfer whose knowledge of sports facts and statistics amazes people who know him. A well-liked man, last year he was honored with a big party on his 80th birthday. The written program for the party emphasized his experiences at Punchard High School and called him Fred "Coach" McCollum. He and his wife, Barbara, have three children and four grandchildren.

Fred visited Shawsheen School a few years ago and says that it looked magnificent. (The school was designed by Andover architect and artist, Addison LeBoutillier, and it was built in 1924.)

As a result of my Andover Townsman columns, Fred and I have been corresponding for four years, and I've often quoted him. I've never met him, but he's a friend. Although he lived in Andover for only a quarter of his life, his roots in town are deep, and his boyhood here made him the man he is. I know he thinks of Andover as his hometown, and he loves the place.

Bill Dalton writes a weekly column for the Andover Townsman and invited you comments online or at billdalton@andovertownie.com.