After writing my last column about Century High School teacher and coach Eddie Simmons, my thoughts naturally turned to another long time CHS assistant coach Edsol Smith. Mr. Smith was my 9th grade civics teacher. I keep hearing that Americans were not taught civics. That was not true at Century High School in the 1960's. Mr. Smith did a very thorough job of explaining to us the workings of our government and our duties in regard to our country. He even made it personally relevant, “Boys, when you take a girl on a date go to the Dairy Bar, not the Milky Way (across the state line). When her parents say, 'You know you're not allowed to go to the Milky Way,' and she says, 'I didn't want to go there but he made me,' that's kidnapping, across the state line makes it a federal offense.” I don't know how many listened to him, but he tried.
One day in November 1963, I was in Mr. Smith's class when he was called to the office. I'll never forget the look on his face when he returned to tell us, “The President is dead.” In those days before intercoms and TVs in every classroom, the teachers had been called to the office to hear the news and sent back to let the students know.
The 1960's were tumultuous times for many of us. The 1950's had been a quiet time for us. We only remembered one President, Dwight D. Eisenhower. The 1960's brought us a new President. A few years later assassination moved from the history books to our present reality. By the time we finished high school we were seeing people we knew being sent to a war in Vietnam. I'm thankful for people like Mr. Smith and Mr. Simmons who helped see us through those days.
When I began teaching as an ESE teacher at Carver Middle School in 1971, Mr. Smith was there as the Visiting Teacher who helped me in communication with the parents of my students. He later served as Principal of Century High School. He has continued to be a positive influence on our community through the years. We love and appreciate you, Mr. Smith.
It's not too early to start thinking about Sawmill Day, May 5th. If you would like to be in our entertainment line-up or want a booth for sales call Jerry Fischer at 256-3980 or me at 850-417-9803. Please put us on your calendar for Sawmill Day, May 5th.
Our museums will also be open all day Saturday, April 28th, the day of the 2018 Blackcat Reunion.
The next ASHS meeting will be Tuesday, February 20th at 6 pm in the Leach House Museum, 610 4th Street, Century, Florida. We hope to see you there.
