Letter to the Editor: Kudos to the reunion, but not the color choice

To the Editor:

I like to read The Standard online, but was disappointed that there was nary a word about the All School Reunion held in Waterville June 25-26 this year. Writing is not one of my strong suits, but I would like to give a few of my thoughts.

What a great job many people did in creating the all school reunion; a job very well done, even with some of the participants living in Waukon. Saturday all of the festivities were in Waterville, and then Sunday another registration, lunch and program were held in the Waukon Banquet Center. There was also a full motel, several bed and breakfasts, and several eating places used.

Participation by those living in and around Waterville was fantastic. The new, to me, fire station and equipment manned by a volunteer group was superb and to be admired and thanked by all. Gee, just think what might have been for Waterville if they and their equipment were there when Henry Dumben’s Furniture Factory was completely destroyed by fire. For a very good description of this  event, look at Robin Ouren’s book “The Town on a Hill”.

The church, now privately owned, and library for a town with decreasing numbers is to be proud of. Plus a soap factory, and the start of what is rumored to be a great restaurant.

The school, even though much smaller than I remembered, was spotless. I and several others even as old and older than me feel that it was desecrated by having the stairwells painted black and orange. Black and orange were the school colors of our big rival in Waukon. Waterville and our tiger were, and should be, blue and white. Looking on the internet, the Waterville school is listed under the Allamakee Community School District, not Waukon.

I guess what I am trying to suggest and request is that the Waterville School be returned to blue and white. Really, for a long time, the town of Waterville was the school and the school was Waterville, and blue and white.

The next request and hope is that Waterville gets a Granny Basketball team dressed in bloomer-type uniforms of blue and white.

I anticipate some politically correct answers, but ask you to consider that Waukon - our rivals, not enemies - will probably have to look at the possibility of being forced to change the name of their mascot. Not by me, as the black and orange Indians will always be our friendly rivals.

And Bailey, if you go to Oregon State, black and orange is perfectly ok!

Bert Fellows
Mesa, AZ
1951 graduate of
Waterville High School