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Highlands Today

Reading, Riting And Rithmatic

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By Norm Cukras | Highlands Today

Published: May 17, 2008

Somewhere during my formative years my educational growth stumbled. At least in the opinion of some legislatures and political correctiveists.

Somehow the concept of evolution not only didn't appear contrary to my religious upbringing it seemed logical and rational.

I remember how fascinated we elementary students were as our teacher told us stories of the cavemen (the pre-Geico version to be sure). The caveman, as I remember being told, evolved from the "tree dwellers" who after developing things like clubs to ward off predators were able to live in caves which afforded them greater protection from the elements. Fire came about naturally when lightening caused some dry wood to ignite. But what stayed with me for some reason was when she described how one day a caveperson placed an animal haunch too close to the fire and it cooked.

"Wow," our teacher described the reaction of the developing humans, "this really tastes good." It was kind of like the world's first barbecue and the beginning of the art of cooking. It was like a "Bam!"
And so it came to pass that inevitably the following conversation would take place: "Hey," one of the cavemen grunted to his companion, "my mate's meat tastes better because she sprinkles some of those green leaves on hers."

On any Sunday following these school lessons I would attend Sunday School and learn about the Creation. Never once did my psyche feel threatened over these contradictory views. I seemed to accept that God did things in ways that we His children are not ready to understand.
Nor most probably will we ever be.

The Torch Passeth
There are advantages to being a newspaper writer. It allows you to satisfy
your curiosity and to meet people you may not otherwise have met. We stopped in at the Sebring McDonalds for a cup of their Hearty Brew last week and ran headlong into an elementary school activity. And boy were the kids out for a good time.

In the midst of the organized chaos was one woman who exhibited total control. "Who are you?" I asked with a newsman's natural nosiness. It turned out that she was Laura Waldon, the assistant principal of Woodlawn Elementary School. But not for long will she hold that position. On July 1 she told us proudly she will be taking over the reins as principal of Fred Wild Elementary where she will be head mistress over 45 teachers. She will also get to endure the concluding stages of the Parkway going in next to her house of learning.

But she appears to be one who can handle the challenges facing her. She is one nice lady. As we left the golden arches I got to give her a hug for luck. I can't remember ever having hugged a school principal before. But then I can't recall ever being sent to the principal's office for a hug.

Good luck Mrs. Waldon.

History Learned In Museums
On May 26 Memorial Day is being observed. It also happens to be the 10th anniversary of the founding of the Military Sea Services Museum here in Sebring. In recognition of the two events the members of the museum are holding an open house for the general public next Saturday, May 24 from 1 to 3:30 p.m. Member-veterans are going to be on hand to act as docents to visitors. And refreshments will be served.

The museum, which is located on Kenilworth Blvd. a couple of miles down the road from Sebring High School, offers a lot of neat military memorabilia and ship models. And remember what one experiences in a museum is not so much what is seen; rather it's what is represented by what is seen.

Overheard
Overheard at the checkout counter: I'm really going to feel guilty when I get my IRS stimulus check. There isn't going to be enough in it to fill all the requests I've gotten already for the money.

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