Librarians attended Microsoft IT training

By MARJORIE WOMACH

Elizabeth Iaukea, Project Manager, Washington State Library Microsoft IT Academy, held a training session at Reardan, Tuesday, Jan 26 from 10 to noon, with librarians from Wilbur's Hesseltine Library, the Sprague Library and the Harrington Library joining the Reardan librarian for the session, getting the local libraries signed up for the IT courses and testing. An afternoon session was being offered at the Davenport Library for those that were not able to attend the morning session.

First grade teacher story

A healthy Swedish lad of 24 immigrated to America and found himself in Ritzville, Adams County, WA in the year 1887, where he took a job sheepherding. He was the son of a sea captain, and he came from a very long line of seafarers, the vikings. He must have held memories of the fiords, the shipping vessels, the small craft and vast ships alike as he came to this new land in search of a homestead. In spite of working near Ritzville, his name appeared on the Lincoln County census of 1887 as Sven P. Svensen, and a neighbor to the E. J. Kitt family, which put him in the Duck Lake country.

Young Nellie's story is a sad one. Her father came to America, leaving her in the homeland. Nellie's mother had died when she was 7, and she rejoined her father when she was 17. Born in 1867, Nellie apparently came to the US to join her father in 1884. Swen and Nellie Pohlson were married Jan 1, 1889 in Ritzville, Adams Co., WA.

Between 1889 and 1910 the following children were born to Swen and Nellie: Ernest Henry in 1889, Harvey Ott in 1892, Gustave Leroy in 1894, Carl V in 1897, Pete O in 1900, Nellie C in 1901, Elna I in 1903, Chester J in 1905 and Clifford E in 1910. Among the hardships of pioneer life, Swen and Nellie lost their second son, Harvey when he was just 2 years of age. The children attended both the Duck Lake Dist. #44 school and the Harrington School Dist. #31 during their early years. In 1900 the household was registered in the Yarwood Precinct and in 1910 on the Harrington City Census. Swen had built a home for the family in town in 1906 to allow the children better access to the Harrington school.

Nellie was born in 1901, the first daughter, and was named after her mother, Nathalia Sophia Pohlson. Nellie graduated from Harrington high school in 1920; those of that graduating class were: Margaret Knapp, Hedwig K. Knapp, Hilda Reker, Elsie McKellips, Helen Stoner, Nellie C. Swenson, Dorothy Applegate, William E. Miller, Ray C. Wolthausen, William A Scott, Theo W. Rosebaugh.

Miss Nellie Swenson began her teaching career in 1922 at the old Duck Lake Dist. #44. Her father was mayor of Harrington in 1920 until his death in 1923; he was also on the Harrington school board.

The following summary of her career will likely bring back fond memories of many of the over-50 locals. This highlights the importance of an early basic school training as well as the importance of music in the school program.

"Miss Swenson Resigns; She Started Dozens of First Graders in the Three R's. 'An Apple for the teacher' is a familiar saying, often accepted figuratively but we'll bet Miss Nellie Swenson has had literally a 'box' (or more) of them during her career of teaching days, plus flowers and other 'love tokens' from adoring pupils. When, because of ill health, Miss Swenson resigned this summer, from her position as first grade teacher she began to reflect on a wealth of memories-serious and humorous. One doesn't teach more than 25 years in primary grades at school, without much giving and taking.

In reminiscing with Miss Swenson in her home Monday evening, we realized how fully she has given of herself, and in turn she has held the affection of hundreds of the cutest and sweetest and nicest children in the world; and the respect and admiration of their parents. Miss Swenson is a 'native daughter' who received her grammar and high school education at Harrington and has her degree from Eastern Washington College of Education. She entered the field of teaching in 1922 in a rural school-Duck Lake district. During her first year she lived at the home of her brother Henry, and family. She walked, or drove in a two-wheeled cart to the school (a little over a mile). She taught here two and a half years, and the second year she lived at the Brud Watson home and drove a Ford car to school, taking the Watson children with her. In the fall of 1924 she entered the Harrington school system, under Noel Provost.

She taught fourth grade and two classes of seventh grade work for two years, then moved down to teaching first grade which she found very enjoyable. In her treasure chest of pictures are many first grade classes. Roll call of the very first, first grade in Harrington-as near as we can pin the name to a 6-year-old who is now an adult-and in many cases a parent-is: Jimmy Allin, Frances Wyatt, Clifton Coleman, Helen Lamparter, Vernon Metzgar, Lawrence Timm, Eleanor Tierney, Evelen Williams, Dickey Barnes (Dick was killed in the late World War), and others. In about 1926 Miss Swenson organized the Rhythm band-a colorful, inspirational and popular group that brought joy and heart throbs to most everyone who saw the children perform. She believes her first band included children of Margery Knapp's era (Mrs Dean Armstrong, now). These tots shook their rattles and pounded percussion gadgets, but they were not costumed. In a year or two the group appeared in costumes-blue and white bolero-type uniforms with white shirts and blouses. It seems that Cecil Birge was the leader that year. Later the uniforms included a red cape top; and later the red and white bell-hop fashion was adopted for the chic suits that are still 'in vogue'. Early during the band's organization, Miss Swenson took the entire group (about 50 kiddies) to Odessa by bus, where they played at a piano recital in which Miss Olga Michaelsen (Mrs James Ellis) presented her pupils. Recently the group made a commendable appearance on Spokane television. Linda Hardy was leader at this appearance.

Miss Swenson has directed 27 rhythm bands and most of them have given programs. There was no band the year the grade school construction sardined grade and high school pupils into the old high school building. Nor again last year when Miss Swenson was ill. Another 'extra-ordinary activity' Miss Swenson enjoyed was presenting operettas with grade school children. Her favorites are 'Tom Sawyer', 'Cinderella' and 'Snow White' although she loved doing all the others. Costuming for these plays was realistic and elaborate, and mothers, friends and seamstresses lent sewing hands. In 1933-35 Miss Swenson was under-director of the high school orchestra, and played violin with the group. A teacher came once a week from Spokane. Miss Swenson was in charge of the daily rehearsals. For several years (about 1928) she taught home economics in the grade school. Miss Swenson used many innovations to encourage personal hygiene among the first graders, and make it attractive to them. She had an imaginary flower garden and only children who had completed every detail on the health chart could be a 'flower' arrayed at the front of the room. One day a tot lacked an item or so from having a complete chart and could not be a flower. 'But can't I just be the dirt in the flower garden' the child said. Who says 6-year-olds aren't sharp! Another time a tot suggested 'Couldn't I be a weed in the flower garden?' To be rejected from the flower garden was a sad affair. Besides Mr. Provost, Miss Swenson taught under Superintendents Alfred L Ray, Harrie L Smith, George Anderson, H Warren Downing and she started last year during Superintendent Elmer B Kimm's first year here but because of illness was able to teach only a few weeks. Mrs Earl Swenson completed her year. In 1956 the Harrington Parent Teachers Association issued its first life membership award, which was presented to Miss Swenson. Miss Swenson may have resigned from teaching-but she isn't out of a job! To organize her clipped and picture material and arrange it in scrap books and affix dates and names will keep her occupied at least a year." (Citizen: 8-31-1956)

"Funeral services for Nellie C. Swenson, 84, of Harrington took place Oct. 18, at the Congregational Church in Harrington. Rev Roger Muisiner officiated the service and interment in Hillcrest Cemetery followed. Miss Swenson died on Oct 16, 1985 in Davenport. Besides her work in school, Miss Swenson gave, unselfishly, her time and energy to church work; teaching classes of all ages. She also spent a number of years directing the Community Church Junior Choir. A member of the Community Congregational Church, Miss Swenson also remained active in the Harrington PTA; Eastern Star, the Bright Hope Chapter; the Harrington Golf and Country Club; the Spokane Washington and National Retired Teachers' Associations; and Delta Kappa Gamma, a women's national honor society in education. Nellie Swenson was honored at the 1985 Harrington Class Reunion this September as the oldest attending alumnist, as well as teacher. Survivors include one brother, Clifford E. Swenson, of Harrington; one sister, Mrs. Walt (Edna) Sandau of Spokane; and numerous nieces and nephews." (excerpt Davenport Times: 10-24-1985)