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Whtby Free Press, Wednesday, June 29, 1994, Page 7 :::::::.:.: ........................................................................... . :. . a I A good one Last Friday, about eight thirty, the phone rang. The voice at the other end was strong, positive, confident. "Hi, Mr. Swan. This is Gary Geissberger calling. I'm just wrapping things up and thought I'd phone and thank Erin for her contributions this year." To bring you up to speed: Mr. Geissberger is, pardon, was, Erin's third grade teacher. Last Friday also happe ned to be the final day of the school year. "That's thoughtful," I replied. "We've been glad this year that Erin had you for a teacher. And that ghe was lucky enough to get you again next year." The report card that had corne home that day had been positive. The other news was better: Mr. Geissberger would be teaching a mixed Grade 3 and 4 class next year. Erin would thus have hini for Grade 4 as well. "Could 1 speak to Erin, please?" Getting an evening caîl from this teacher is nothing new. Several times during the school year he had called, Once it was to check that a parent would be attending the next day's class trip, as promised. Another time it was simply to let us in on Erin's progress; sort of an oral report card, delivered by phone. This is the teacher who encouraged Erin to the point that she was writing a "Chapter Book" about the "Magic Rock." Who kindled a driving interest in the insect and plant world. Thanks Wo hini our front step sports glass botties and jars with perforated lids. Some jars have make-shift ladders lowered inside to assist the escape. Grasshoppers are much happier on the Iawn, don't you know Dad? That's part of ecological studies. Last week 1 told of how we returned good old Cray the Crayfish Wo his home by the creek. Go figure. This week a plastic basket on rny front patio contains a small toad called Gi-Gi. I'm forbidden Wo say who he's named after. And there are songs, and flowers, and grasshop- pers, and magnets, and things that go buzz and birds that fly and planes that soar. And there are maps, and scales, and drawings, and scale drawings, and interior design space utilization studies. OnIy in Grade 3 they don't cal theni that. It is stretching a bit to say that this man set forest fires of curiosity in eight year olds. But he did kindle interests, which will shape the aduits these people will become. How do 1 know? I've watched him work with children, especially Grade 3 boys, many of whom see school and school work as unnatural acts. One boy was inconsolable after school last Friday because he wouldn't get Mr. Geissbengen as a teacher next year. And just when his parents had talked him out of his grief, comes a phone caîl shontly before nine o'clock frorn, guess who? Gary Geissberger. Gary may not be the Wayne Gretzky of teaching. But then again hie may be. We have no way of knowing: no National League statistics; no scoring titles; no MVP awards. But I don't know what your child's teachen was doing last Friday evening between eight and nine o'clock. Calling his pupils to thank theni is the kind of dedication to task that one might expect from a Gretzky. Above and beyond. By praising Gary I mean to praise ail good teachens. Many will know they qualify; many will not. Good teachers often hear no words of thanks until the retinement dinner. So W ail good teachers, and especially to you, Gary, hene's thanks from parents evenywhere. You deserve i. Then can-eyer- e Wo-any-o-yàu ?Y65 [kIL 11ti1 SIX WH1TBY MAYORS AT THE MUNICIPAL BUILDING, JUNE 29, 1982 This unique photo was taken 12 years ago to"y at the retirement of Forbes 'Doc' McEwen. F'rom left to right are Warren Mowat (1964-1965), Stan Martin (1960-1963), Jim Gartshore (1975-1980), Desxnond Newman (1966- 1975) and Harry Jermyn (1950, 1952-1959). In front is Bob Atteraley (1980-1991). htyAevnpoo 10 YEARIS AGO from the Wednesday, June 27, 1984 edition of the WHiTBY FREE PRESS " Twenty-one Japanese iayors will visit Whitby on July 9. New York and Washington, D.C. are their only other Noth American stops. " Town council is divided on a policy for grants te commumity organizations. " A Neighbourhood Watch program has started in the College Downs subdivision. " Brookiin's well water system will permit construction of only 44 more homes in the village. 35 YEABS AGO froni the Thursday, June 25, 1959 edition of the WHITBY WEEKLY NEWS " Arthur A. Archibald was honoured with a testimonial dinner on his retirement after 40 years of teaching. " Town council has voted down a proposai that Whitby's ire trucks ho painted yellow. " The Viscount Greenwood Chapter, Iniperial Order of the Daughters of the Empire wil hold its annual summer day camp at IYHllier Park from July 6 te 31. " Bad street conditions are holding up subdivision construction south of the Whitby District Hligh Sehool on Henry Street. 125 YEARS AGO froni the Thursday, June 24, 1869 edition of the WTI'BY CIIRONICLE " Chester Draper of Port Whitby is selling sait at $1.50 a barrel, wholesale, and $1.55 a barTel, retail. " R. and J. Camnpbell are advertising "plain drab shawls" te members of the -Society of Friends, a group of Quakers in Pickering Townshîp. " Mr. Connelly, the celebrated cornic singer, will perforin at the Whitby Mechanics' Institute on Dominion Day, July 1. 0 ac and rother are advertising their third shipment of hardware directly froni England. leý (4y