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Bullfrog Joy

By Susan VanArsdale


I love the changing seasons. It’s warm, it’s cool, it’s sunshine.


I read a book this week. Now there’s a surprise (and a joy). The cool thing about it was I sat on my front porch to read most of it. It was called The Moonlight School, a historical novel about illiteracy in the Appalachians in the early 1900’s. One of the main characters was Cora Stewart, a real person in history, whose dream was that everyone, not just the children, should have the opportunity to learn to read. She was responsible for starting the moonlight schools that met for six weeks four evenings a week, after harvest, to teach adults how to read and write.

My friends, have you had role models in your life? If you need one, choose Cora Stewart. She was so passionate about what she believed and was not afraid to stand up for her ideas in a world where those ideas seemed impossible. Stewart said, “What must life be like for one who must get all his information by ear? If a man cannot read or write or vote, he cannot speak.” She

believed that, so she did something about it.

Another, sort of school related, joy this week was seeing a picture of a young woman wearing a Roseville High School Panther sweatshirt. Go Roseville Panthers! I know she was a Titan when she was in high school, but she found joy in the throwback Panther sweatshirt, and it got me reminiscing.

We were the Eagles in junior high. Then we became the Panthers. In college we were the Blue Boys. That didn’t make much sense to me until they explained that it was a civil war name for the Union soldiers who fought in their blue uniforms.

From there I became a New Berlin Pretzel. I taught English, and can you believe it, I was also a cheer coach. People made a little fun of us when the crowd yelled “PRETZELLLLL POWER!!!! That had the other team just shaking in their boots. LOL! We did NOT have a mascot dressed up like a pretzel!

From the Pretzels to the Zippers. Yep, we got a lot of teasing about that one, too, but it was ours and no one else’s. Zippy the bear became our mascot, from cute to ferocious.

It was tough when we consolidated. No more Panthers or Zippers, but I think it has worked. Being a Titan has brought two communities together. We have our new colors and our new sweatshirts, and our new team, but it is fun to reminisce once in a while.

Oh my friends, find something to believe in and share it passionately with others. Be bold but be kind! And even if you are not a sports fan, be proud of your school, your kids, and your Titans (or fill in the blank with your school!). Do you have a favorite sweatshirt? Get it out. Cooler weather is coming! Joy to you my friends as you enjoy this coming season, even if you like the Packers! Joy to the fishes in the deep blue sea. Joy to you and me.

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