George Harold Fulks, November 7, 2010.
Photo upload is an "Einstein Machine"-Model B/device making possible time travel and convergence/ manufactured by Snurf Engineering Corporation, Kennebunkport, Maine.
While the concept of time travel and convergence is simply a product of my imagination and exists only within my mind, it is possible to travel to anywhere of choice and to meet with those of the present, past, and future. My "Einstein Machine" is an excellent sleep aid. If one should indeed spot this strange light anywhere, it is I- time cruising. Danke!
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As the 1952-53 school term commenced for members of the 1957-58 graduates of Charlton County Highschool, I found that Myrtle Roddenberry had taken-over a small portion of Odum Peacock's bus route. Driving a scenic route along the Eastern border
of The Great Okefenokee Swamp, we became more closely acquainted with each other. In a sense, we became a kind of family; sharing local news, gossip, and learning to accept each others individual differences and pecularities.(I was indeed peculiar- composing poetry and behaving strangely; jealous of the others throughout most of that school term.) Handling her own five girls along her route, Myrtle was kind, patient, and soft-spoken- a good mother and careful driver. Other important qualities Myrtle possessed were good-looks, faith, and sobriety.
Connie Roddenberry, Joyce Chesser, Huey Chesser, and Kenneth Gay began practicing their musical instruments along Myrtle's bus route. Their "bus band" consisted of two B-flat clarinets,a shiny slide- trombone, and a snare drum. Listening jealously as those students progressed magnificently with their music, I became interested in joining the Charlton County Highschool Band program. Although the "bus Band" members were one year ahead of me, in eighth grade I joined the beginners' band as a trumpeter and was soon playing along with the others out of The Bennett Band Book and the beginner book. Not wanting to be left-out was a major concern. Those more advanced players were good teachers and role models.
During that first month of my musical instruction, band conductor Ralph R. Belcher discovered that I, George Fulks, was infected with a rare disability- tone deafness. A local Afro-American was known to possess the power of magic, and the band director called him into rehearsal. With the assistance that magician, J.C. Saunderson, and Larry Jackson, a mixture of "squeezings" from rare Okefenokee Swamp roots and snake venom soon converted me into one who could distinguish between sounds as well as the next person.(To this day, I can still play without music, all songs from The Bennett Band Book.)
Some important historical facts "come to roost" from the years 1952-53. All Charlton County Highschool students attended classes in the building located on the West side of the elementary school. Census for the year 1950 showed that approximately 4,821 humans were living in that county and that population density was estimated at 14 per square mile. The 781 square miles of land within the borders of that county included The Great Okefenokee Swamp, and only a handful of humans actually lived within that swamp. Such an environment has tendencies to produce different and independent kinds of people. I. George Fulks, relish those
childhood experiences within that unique eco-system.
Folkston residents were proud of their band and their winning football and basketball teams. Interested and influential citizens decided to organize a junior football league. Money
was raised for purchase of uniforms for elementary and junior highschool boys. Organized into two teams- blue and red, we began entertaining fans at halftime during home games. (Our youngest player was a third grader) As a member of the blue team, the junior football league makes for an exciting memory. With my "Einstein Machine", journeys back to those halftime games occurr often.)
Most Charlton County Junior Highschool seventh graders had gained competence in
their basic subjects- mathematics, English and grammar, and reading. The years 1952-53 were work times.
As students sufficiently mature to sit quietly and complete our assignments independently, our teacher Mrs. Kathryn Jones could simply walk about her classroom; offering help when needed and
supervision of a study hall type situation. Also recalled is that our attention spans were such that few disciple problems were encountered.(This former student
recalls having some difficulty with mathematics problems requiring reading comprehension.
At times, interpretation of what was read would be troublesome although
some of the brighter students could do well in those areas.)
What I enjoyed most with Mrs. Jones was that she could be easily distracted from
standing in front of the class and lecturing with simple off-subject questions from
students. The result would be a lengthy classroom oral discussion. She would share
with us her personal experiences and knowledge, and we students would have opportunities to participate in those discussions.
For me, Mrs. Kathryn Jones is another listed among the "stars" of those who taught us in the schools of Charlton County, Georgia during the 1950's. That seventh grade was such a busy year that I have little more to share.
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