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July 23, 2009

Dalton column: Going up to see ultimate principal, racking up Townie points

Bill Dalton

Ultimate Principal

My older brother, Buck, reminded me of the disciplinary side of being a student patrol leader.

He was a lieutenant at Stowe School in 1951, and his friend, Billy McCullom, was the captain. To patrol leaders was entrusted the job of their fellow students' safe passage. This responsibility included imposing discipline on minor miscreants. Misbehavior, such as stepping out of line or shoving, was punished by "going up."

The term "going up" was used in the central school campus, which was just west of the Playstead. Literally, "going up" meant walking up the old stairs to a hall on the top floor of Stowe School. Figuratively, it meant you were in trouble. One Wednesday each month, the captain and lieutenant went to classrooms and, in front of each class, called out those being summoned to "go up." The tainted children left class and walked the stairs to their fate.

Awaiting them in the hall was a most memorable person, a woman who epitomized the word "principal," a woman who, if you were making a movie, would play the feared but well-respected headmistress. It was Miss Catherine Barrett, who was big and carried herself bigger, who was imposing but never unfair, who was as strict as she was fair, and who, when she walked the corridors, cast a spell of silence and respect before her.

If every American student had once experienced Principal Barrett, we'd have much less crime. If she were made perpetual dictator, willingly we'd give up democracy. She was Andover's Elizabeth 1.

"Going up" was not a small thing. First-time offenders' knees knocked and their small voices quavered during the short trial preceding punishment (few were innocent). The patrol leader who'd policed the crime testified, and the defendant, if wise, hung his head in shame hoping for a merciful end. The most harrowing part was Miss Barrett's glance of disapproval and her consequent lecture, which would have made an honest man of John Dillinger. Finally came the tough but fair punishment, often involving some period of "staying after."

Only fools would recidivate.

The Townie Scale

Although Virginia ("Ginny") Lees Ramsey wasn't born in Andover, she ranks high on the Townie Scale.

Her family moved to a mill house on Stevens Street when she was young. Both parents worked at Marland Mills. She attended Indian Ridge School and was a patrol leader. She says the white sash that carried her badge was washed every Saturday to be sure it was spotless.

Ginny participated in Andover's seminal celebration, the Tercentennial events of 1946. She says her "whole school went to the Playstead and joined the celebration." Perhaps it was because America was still exulting the end of World War II that created this almost chimeric time, but what happened from May 30 through June 2 that year is remembered as remarkable by the celebrants.

While at Punchard, where she graduated in 1952, she worked part time at the Andover Playhouse selling tickets. One of those tickets was purchased by Frederick Ramsey, who she eventually married.

Following school, Ginny worked as a telephone operator on the second floor of the Musgrove Building. In those days we picked up the phone and an operator said, "Number please," and we responded with "six-three, please" or "one-one-doubleyew, thank you." Sometimes, you'd have a short, pleasant exchange with the operator.

Ginny worked through two hurricanes and during most holidays. She says the holidays were made better by the kindness of Andover's center merchants, who sent lunch and candy to the operators.

She lives now in the historical "Sarah Harding House" on Harding Street.

Let's total this up. Her parents moved to Andover to work in the mills; she lived in a mill house, went to Indian Ridge, was a patrol leader, participated in the Tercentennial, graduated from Punchard, worked at the Andover Playhouse, was an Andover telephone operator, lives in an historical home. KA-CHING. If there's a point system for being a Townie, she's got a lot of them.

Bill Dalton writes a weekly column for the Andover Townsman and enjoys hearing from you. His e-mail is billdalton@andovertownie.com

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Dalton column: Going up to see ultimate principal, racking up Townie points
by Bill Dalton , , Thu Jul 23, 2009, 04:57 AM EDT
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