Alice Rosengard

On the first weekend of this August 2018 I took Sherri James Buxton's Cabaret Intensive Workshop at the Berkshire Music School in Pittsfield, MA. Of course you all remember that Sherri was always a wonderful singer and that after studying voice at Indiana University (my alma mater too, coincidentally), she went on to have a wonderful career, singing on Broadway, in regional theatre, and in cabaret settings, many of them in New England. What you probably don't know is that she is a star in the Berkshires, and she is also a superb singing teacher and coach. 

This was my second year taking the Cabaret Intensive Worshop, a two-day course followed by a performance at the Piano Bar of the Gateways Inn in nearby Lenox, where Sherri sings frequently. Having returned to singing a few years ago after a long hiatus, I have found great inspiration and gained much knowledge working with dear Sherri. 

Here we are following the performance at the Gateways on August 6.

Rosanne Bass (Keynan)

How utterly great! If I could still carry a tune, I'd have loved to attend.

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

Thank you for the picture Alice. Sherri has been a star to me ever since I heard her sing in 4th grade at Dawes school and Always knew she would be a star!! Another of our very own from Evanston!!

Holly Romans (Green)

Thanks, Alice, for posting that note on Sherri.  It brings to mind a beautiful coincidence I had with Sherri in 1984.  My husband and I were visiting our daughter who was in high school in Pittsfield.  One night we went to Lennox for dinner and a drink and went to a bar where we heard singing (I have forgotten it’s name) and the singer turned out to be Sherri.  It was so much fun to make a connection again in such a surprising manner.  We  three are all IU alumni as well as ETHS.  Your post brought back this happy moment.  BTW -You two look beautiful!

Fred Brostoff

Former Evanston Mayor Lorraine Morton dies

 

 

Daily file photo by Katie Pach

Former Evanston mayor Lorraine H. Morton speaks at an event. Morton died Saturday.

Lorraine Morton, Evanston’s first black mayor, died Saturday at age 99.

Morton was also the city’s longest serving mayor, current Mayor Steve Hagerty said in a statement on his Facebook page announcing Morton’s death.

“Her life was a life worthwhile and our community is so fortunate to have had her nearly 100 years of wisdom, inspiration, and optimism shared with us so genuinely and generously,” Hagerty said.

Morton became mayor in 1993 and stayed in office until 2009, the same year the city renamed the civic center after her. According to a Daily article from her mayoral run in 1993, Morton was a mother and grandmother who wanted to help the city’s children. Before her time in office, Morton was an educator: she taught at the Foster School and Nichols Middle School and eventually became the principal of Haven Middle School.

“Only a life of service is a life worthwhile,” Morton said in a documentary about her life produced by the Shorefront Legacy Center.

Sherwin "Jay" Siegall

RIP Mrs Morton. Very sad day for me!! You were the best teacher I ever had and the only teacher at Nichols to always have my behavior under control. I was a difficult student with a chip on my shoulder! You had class and everyone’s respect. I knew you were special and my instincts about you were correct  becoming Principal at Haven and then Mayor of Evanston   And when I called you in the 90s at the Mayors office  you not only took my call you remembered me!! Your coming to our class reunions was always a highlight I looked forward to !!  99 is pretty darn good but I wish we had you longer. Whenever any one asks for my favorite teacher or person with the greatest impact on my life my answer always Lorraine Morton  😢 I was SO privileged to have grown up in Evanston and had you in my life as a teacher and inspiration!!  And I’m sure you had the same impact on many!!With loving memory RIP Sherwin (and You had a way of saying my name I can still hear now that got my instant attention)

Vernon Neece (Neece)

So sad to learn of Mrs Morton's passing.  She was my teacher at Nichols Jr High School.  Because of her kindly, caring, nurturing nature I used to refer to her as "Momma" Morton.  Evanston has lost a great treasure.

Robert Lindner

Goodbye Sweet Lorraine

Lorraine H. Morton, the mayor, passed away

Yesterday, as I am writing this to

Remember her. She was as tough as they

Come, but she always had a smile for you,

When she came by in recent years, when I knew

Her as the mayor. But she was more than

That to me and the other students who

Had her as teacher saying, “Yes, you can!”

Mrs. Morton was my teacher when I went

To Nichols School for grades seven and eight.

Her Social Studies class was where I spent

My afternoons, while passing through the gate

Between child and adult, as I searched for

The person I would be and she helped me

Find my way, she probably helped me more

Then I knew, but I was too young to see

What my life would be, where it would someday

Take me. Since this was still just junior high,

Still just the beginning act of my play,

Where I try to prove that I’m a cool guy.

Mrs. Morton caught the serious side

Of me and other students, kept our

Noses to the grindstone, our heads inside

The books, moved us with the strength and power

Of her personality. And though she’s

Just passed, she’s not gone. She’ll always be there

In memories and personalities

That she shaped. I know she’s still there somewhere

So goodbye sweet Lorraine, at ninety-nine

And Mrs. Morton, the mayor, hello

And Mrs. Morton, I’m still toing the line.

And I can see you smile because you KNOW.

Susan Spiegel (Pastin)

Mrs. Morton was my 8th grade teacher too!  I had just moved to Evanston from Chicago.  She set high standards - I remember she once gave me a C on a report because she didn't think my work was up to the standards I could perform.  She was an excellent teacher, a good mayor, and a great person!  She was born just 3 days after my late mother, who died at age 98 at the end of 2016.  She will be missed!

Bruce Boyer

I knew Lorraine only slightly at Nichols but we became very close friends later in the public life of Evanston. When I became President of the Evanston Historical Society and worked to drag the organization into the twntieth century -- never mind the twenty-first -- Lorraine was on the Board. She supported and advised me and we enjoyed each other's company every step of the way. We dropped in on each other's homes and shared coffee and even a beer. I worked in her first campaign for Mayor and we always took time whenever we ran into each other over the years to catch up and pat each other on the back. She was smart, dedicated politcally astute and -- most important -- warm and funny.

The biggest irony is that in a week and a half, a major tribute to her had been scheduled at City Hall, now the Lorraine Morton Center. I'd been looking forward to seeing here there but alas!

Edward Leach

"Mama" Morton was a true inspiration. Decades after she had me at Nichols Jr. H.S> she remember things from then, like my father passing away. She had a profound impact on my life and I will always be grateful. Godspeed Mama morton!

Wendy (Wynn) Garber

I attended Nichols, too, but had no idea there were such inspiring teachers there. It sounds like Mrs. Morton was a gem. I had Mr. Garland for those 2 years; he was approaching retirement and was saddled with 2 problem kids whose uncontrollable behavior dominated the class on a daily basis. He never could get them under control. I don't think I learned much during those years. In fact, it's more likely that I regressed. Anyone who could, bailed out. Unfortunaately, I stuck it out. So, hats off to Mrs. Morton. I loved hearing your memories and tributes to her. I wish I could look back with such fond memories of those years!

Vernon Neece (Neece)

Lois, if my memroy serves me correctly (and these days that questionable) the art teacher was Mr Borchard (?sp?).  At least that's the 1 I remember.  The science teacher I remember was an older woman by the name of Minnie Drey (?sp?).

Carolyn Wyld (Saul)

Ruth Gross

My homeroom was 7-11 and then 8-11. Our teacher the first year was Eunice Borman, and I believe she left and we had someone else for eighth grade.  All I can remember about Ms. Borman was her terrible cigarette breath.  She would come up and lean over you to correct a sentence on a paper and all you wanted to do was shrivel. Nasty!  It's sad that that is the one thing I remember about her.

One of the greatest teachers I had at Nichols, and I was so fortunate to have him, was Glen Wise.  He taught math and was terribly hard on you, but you really learned things from him.  I had such bad grades from him at the beginning of the semester, but then I caught on and math became one of my favorite subjects.

Michael MacDonald

I attended Nichols as well, although I had Miss Ryan.  I do remember Mrs. Morton, though and heard nothing but good things about her then as now.  May she R I P.

Joan Hirshman

Hi everyone. I was also so very fortunate to be in Mrs. Morton’s home room and English classes both years at Nichols.  She was one of the handful of teachers that made a significant difference in my life.  She was with us at our 50th reunion.  When I went up to her to let her know how much I admired and respected her, she remembered me before I could even tell her who I am.  She even told me a funny little story about myself that I had completely forgotten.  I am beyond grateful that I was with her for those two jr. high years! What an amazing woman.

Fred Brostoff

In August, 2018, your classmates gathered at Hackneys on Lake (Glenview, IL) for lunch and socializing.

Front row:  Jerri Englen McCabe, Bonnie Gerth, Kathy Dalgety Miehls, Nancy Schroeder, Stephen Gerth

Second row:  Sylvia Ramming Wulffen, Judy Anderson, Betty Stoehr Reeder, Renee Sherer Schleicher, Jim Deerfield

Third row:  Bob Reeder, Fred Brostoff, Fran O'Connell, Robert Lindner

Lauren Dolinky (Moss)

WOW! What amazes me is how much all of you remember about school! That is very impressive at our age!  I was at Nicholls in 7-5 & 8-5. My homeroom teacher was Mr. Pace who was engaged to miss Ryan just across the hall. Sometimes he asked one of us to deliver a note to her! I was very cheeky and often sent out into the corridor. The janitor told me that when I graduated from the halls of Nicholls School it would literally mean it!  I loved Nicholls  

Robert Lindner

Northwestern University alumna Lorraine Morton, the first African-American to serve as mayor of Evanston and a long-time Chicago area icon of public service who advocated for justice and equal treatment, died Saturday, Sept. 8. She was 99.

Services will be held Friday, Sept. 21 and Saturday, Sept. 22 and are open to the community. Open visitation will be held on Friday, Sept. 21, from 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., at First Church of God Christian Life Center, 1524 Simpson St., Evanston. The funeral service will take place on Saturday, Sept. 22, 11 a.m., at Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Rd., Evanston. 

Interment following the funeral service will take place at Sunset Memorial Lawns, 3100 Shermer Rd., in Northbrook.

Don Hall

To all '60 graduates of Nichols Middle School...the following are comments from students to Mr. Borchard memorialized in his personal copy of "The Gondolier."  You may ask; "How did Donnie Hall (8A-8, Mrs. Gerlach) get this document?"  Answer:  My brother, Chuckie Hall '58 purchased it on-line thinking I had lost my copy (No...our Mother kept everything...my copy was stashed away in the attic).  Note: I have left out the several "Good Luck" and "Best Wishes" remarks.

1. "We'll miss you, love ya"...Judith Wodika (8A-1)
2. "You're stories are nuts"...John Bryzinski (8A-4)
3. "Keep a stiff (upper lip)"...John S. Echert (8A-6)
4. "Remember Grant, remember Lee, best of all, remember me"...Mimi Been (8A-7)
5. "Dear Mr. Borchard, It has been a lot of fun working with you these two years"...Judy Cantrell (8A-7)
6. "To a real nice teacher"...Steven Bruhn (8A-10)
7. "From a real 'talker'"...Richard Badesch (8A-11)
8. "How far to Jackson Park?"...Webster Edman (8A-11)

Enjoy reading and remembering our experiences at Nichols while reflecting on Mrs. Morton.

Regards to all.

Pauline Noznick (Gerstein)

I am reallly enjoying the comments from all you former Nicholeodeons.  I  taught there for 25 years, from 1978 to 2004.  My first uear was the 50th anniversary of the school's opening, my last was the 75th.  The only teachers from your days that I worked with was Mrs Morton and Claude Mazzacco (social studies).  He was my principal and boss for many years.  I worked with Mrs Morton when I was a sub, briefly at Chute.  I heard stories from the old timers--about Sherman Garland, who was found hiding in a closet, I don't remember why,  and about the music teachers, Miss Kraana, and a man, who were both prima donnas.  I don't  know when they started at Nichols, but some of the old timers that I worked with when I started there were Mrs Turbov (LA), Miss  Ann Davis (SS), Mr. Benson (science), Will Opheim (SS) and Miss Joan Stromberg(LA), source of most of the stories. Mr Roger LaRaus who taught social studies was well known for dressing up as historical figures and staging model battles on his desk. 

I loved teaching there, the building was so thoughtfully designed and built, the tiles in the hallway, the florentine lions, the elizabethean drama room, the beams in the auditorium, which were covered over with ceiling tiles and a dropped ceiling in the late1960's.  The colonial mural, which was in room 100 at for years was taken down and moved to the office, taken down again, and not rehung, the consequences of thoughtless remodeling.  There were tile "pictures" telling the story of DonQuixote over the drinking fountains and the benches outside the office and the the lobby were made by Mr Nichols from tiles he purchased in Europe.  The 3rd floor hall once had skylights, which were tarred over, making for a dim hallway.  The school has  a valuable art collection, some of which disappeared over the years.  Even so,  the building is still beautiful.  There was a 3 story addition put on after I retired, that extended the wing on the Elmwood side of the building, and that part of the school has air conditioning.  I've been back to the building a few times. but not since the addition was added. When I started, the yearbook was the Gondelier, but in recent years it became just The Yearbook.  Once I refered it it as the Gondelier and the students looked puzzled--what was I talking about?

So the school has changed, but if you are in Evanston, stop by the office and ask if you can walk around.  A lot of things have changed, but you will still recognize your old school.

Kathy Dalgety (Miehls)

Here's the information about the services for Lorraine Morton.

The City of Evanston joins the community in mourning the loss of beloved former Mayor Lorraine H. Morton, who died on September 8 at the age of 99. Services for Mayor Morton will take place this weekend and are open to the community:

Visitation - Fri., Sept. 21, 3 p.m. to 8 p.m., First Church of God Christian Life Center, 1524 Simpson St. 

Funeral Service - Sat., Sept. 22, 11 a.m., Alice Millar Chapel, 1870 Sheridan Rd.

The City has relocated its area of honor for Mayor Morton to the Fleetwood-Jourdain Art Gallery on the 2nd floor of the Morton Civic Center. Community members are invited to visit and sign a book of remembrance during regular business hours, 8:30 a.m. to 5 p.m., through this Fri., Sept. 21.

Vernon Neece (Neece)

How many classmates remember Mr Borchard's can of "giggle juice"?  It was a gallon can with the bottom cut out.  Mr Borchard would send some unsuspecting student to fill it up at a sink in the room.  Of course, it seemed to take forever to fill & Mr Borchard would inquire as to what was taking so long.  Finally, the student would look down & see water coming out the bottom of the can.

Patrick Furlong

I assume that most of us know that the yearbook was named "The Gondolier" because the school building was styled after two famous Venetian landmarks: the Doge's Palace (the front facade) and the San Marco Campanile (the tower). Pretty clever.