Above: Sacred Heart High School Viking 1967 & 1969 yearbook, which is a part of the Museum’s Yearbook Collection. Sacred Heart is our 2025/2026 Featured Renville County City. RCHS is also looking for the school newsletters (the list of ones we have is below).
The most recent donation of yearbooks includes the Danube High School Falcons 1971-1974 that was owned by the art teacher, Mrs. Mary Kosak. The YEARBOOK Library Cart is organized by school name.
The goal of RCHS is to collect at least 3 copies of each yearbook for each Renville County school districts. One copy put away for permanent preservation, 2nd copy put away in case the 3rd copy disappears from the Research Library. Next to the yearbook dates in parentheses (#) is the number of yearbooks currently in the Museum’s collection (as of today, November 4, 2025). No ( # ) indicates only one single copy that is being used in the Research Library.
If you have yearbooks to donate, please contact Nicole at the Museum director@renvillecountyhistory.com or 507-697-6147! Yearbooks, plat books, and phone books are key pieces of preserving the history of who lived in the area and when.
That is okay if you are not ready to part with your yearbook. We can scan it and return it to you. Many of the yearbooks have been scanned into searchable PDFs.
Do you like looking at old yearbooks? We have a job for you. RCHS would like to start a database of Renville County graduates for future reference. We need your help. Data entry, attention to detail, typing skills, and some free time! We will train you, and this is a project you can do at home or at the Museum. Give me a call if you are interested. It is going to take a village to get this task accomplished. Nicole 507-697-6147 or info@renvillecountyhistory.com
We are in the process of auditing the yearbook collection and will have this completed by November 15, 2025.
Buffalo Lake The Laker: 1957 (3), 1958 (3), 1959, 1961 – 1966, 1968 – 1973, 1977 – 1987
Buffalo Lake – Hector Hoof Prints or Hoofprints: 1988-1994, 1995 (2); 1996 – 2008, 2010 (2) 2010 was the last graduation class for Buffalo Lake – Hector High School
Buffalo Lake – Hector Elementary: year unknown
Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart Hoofprints / Mustangs (BLHS): 2011 (2), 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2019
Franklin Atomite: 1948: Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 15 1949: Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 2, Mar 16 (cover only), Mar 30 1950: Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 18 1951: Jan 29, Feb 26, Apr 23, May 28 1952: NO COPIES1953: NO COPIES1954: NO COPIES1955: Feb 10, Apr 28, May, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 22 1956: Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 22, May 2, Nov 16, Dec 19 1957: May 22 1958: Feb 28 1959: Jan 23, Mar 20, Apr 30, May 22, Oct 21, Dec 18 1960: Jan 29, Mar 30
Morton Tomahawk: 1907, 1915, 1917, 1938, 1940, 1944 (3), 1946 (2), 1948 (3), 1954, 1958 (2), 1960-1961, 1963, 1964 (2), 1965, 1966, 1967 (2), 1968 (2), 1969 (3), 1970 (3), 1971 (2), 1972 (2), 1973 (2), 1974-1979, 1980 (3), 1981, 1982 (3), 1983-1985. 1985 was the last year Morton had a graduating class.
Morton Blue & Gold School Newsletter: 1950: May 1953: Sep, Nov, Dec 1954: Jan, Feb & Mar, Apr, May, FINAL, Oct 29, Dec 1955: No Month, Feb, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec 1956: Jan, Feb, Mar & April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec 1957: Jan, Feb, Mar & Apr, May, Sep, Dec 1958: Jan, Feb & Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct 27, Dec 19 1959: Jan 30, Mar 19, Feb 25, Apr 24, May, Sep, Dec 1960: No Month, Jan, May, Oct 1961: No Month, Jan, Feb, Sep 1962: No Date, May 1963: Jan, May, Nov, Sep, Oct, Dec 1964: No Month, Jan, Feb, Oct, Dec 1965: Mar, Apr, Sep, Dec 1966: Feb, Mar, Oct 1967: Feb, Oct, Nov 1968: No Month, Feb, Mar 1969: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep 1970: No Month, Jan 1971: No Month1974: No Month 1985: May (LAST GRADUATION FOR MORTON SCHOOL)
Morton Smoke Signals School Newsletter: 1972: Feb 1973: Mar, Apr 6 1974: Jan 18, May 1, Sep 13, Sep 27, Dec, Dec 19 1975: Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 21, May 1, May 5, Sep 16, Oct, Oct 2 1976: Feb, Apr, Apr 23, May, May 17 1977: Mar, Mar 29, May, May 2 1978: Sep 29 1979: Mar, Sep, Oct 30, Nov, Dec 21 1980: Jan 31, Feb, Mar 28 1985: Feb
Morton Elementary School: 1995 (last year Morton had an elementary school, they combined with Redwood Valley for 1996 school year and the school was permanently closed)
This article was found tucked inside of the 1980 Renville High School Renvillon Yearbook. The 1980 graduating class was the last for Renville High School. This article was a mimeograph copy with no author listed.
WORKING ON THE YEARBOOK
When looking at their yearbook, students often say, “Why didn’t they put this in or why aren’t there more pictures?” Usually, these people do not realize the kind of work that has to be done to produce a yearbook.
First, the person who is doing the page has to decide what the page will ook like. It means the person has to figure out how many pcitures to use, to pick out the mot interesting ones, and place them in an appealing arrangement.
A page deadline must be met constantly throughout the year to complete the book to meet the printer’s deadline. The editor-in-chief and the other editors must get the work done on time. The photographers and students who have pictures must help along to meet these deadlines. For instance, if the senior glossies are not in on time, that holds up that section of the annual. If the activity pcitures are not handed in, that section of the book falls behind.
When you page through the annual next time, remember it is mean hard work on the part of quite a number of people.
One artifact, one photograph, and/or one archival piece at a time!
Donate today to the Shelving and Archival Boxes Fund to preserve the history of Renville County from yesterday until tomorrow. RCHS orders its archival boxes from a company called Gaylord. It is one of the top-ranking preservation supply companies available in the US. The boxes are acid-free and suited to preserve treasures for years to come.
Shelving: Amazon 5-Tier Storage Shelves on Wheels, Heavy Duty, Metal 18″x48″x82″ to replace the current standalone shelving in both the Artifact Storage (16). Three standalone units will be against the exterior wall (space left for air flow), and wheeled shelving for the rest of the room. Amazon Newspaper Storage Room 2’Depth x 4’L x 8’H (7). Three standalone units will be against the interior wall of the artifact room, and wheeled shelving. The remaining standalone shelving will then be moved to the Church store room, the Machine Shed backroom, and Heritage Building for storage in those locations.
The above items are just a rudimentary list of the everyday boxes needed for new incoming donations of collections.
Use this LINK to donate towards the Boxes, Shelving, Bookshelves, and other supplies
or
Purchase through Amazon or Gaylord and ship directly to the Museum using: Renville County Historical Society, 441 N Park Dr, Morton, MN 56270
or
Send a donation check to RCHS, 441 N Park Dr, Morton, MN 56270. Write in the Memo section of the check what you would like the donation funds to go towards: General or Archival Funds
We appreciate your assistance in preserving Renville County history.
The Main Museum will feature Hector as the featured Renville County city for 2024/2025, and we are working on adding to the exhibit. We are missing Hector Homecoming buttons for 1950, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1962, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1985, and 1986. Does anyone know the year of the “Beat Brownton” Hector Homecoming Button?
RCHS collects the history of all the schools of Renville County, including when they consolidated. You can also see on our BLOG the list of yearbooks in the Research Library.
If you have any items to donate or loan for the Hector exhibit, please call Nicole at 507-697-6147. We are open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM!
I called my mom the other day and asked her why they allowed me to continue be a left-handed writer. Her response, “Because that was what you are.” In my family, it was only myself and my Aunt Norma who were the left-handed odd ones out. If memory serves I believe I was always allowed to sit at the corner of the kitchen table to avoid elbow issues.
Working in the history field, I have been told many times over the years that back in the 1940s and 1950s if your teacher noticed you were left-handed they would insist on changing you to right-handed. This theory was proven when last month a gentleman from Olivia stop at the Research Library to research the grand marshals of the Corn Capital Days. When I glanced over, he was writing with his left-hand. I smiled and commented, “There are three left-handed people in the research library today.” Dick Roper, my co-worker is also left-handed. When I asked the gentleman about his story he stated his teacher tied his left arm behind his back to attempt to change him to right-handed writing. After he graduated, he simply went back to writing left-handed, About two weeks ago I noticed the Renville County Historical Society’s board secretary, Marcia Dworshak was also left-handed. When I brought the matter up at the board meeting, it turned out five out of the eleven at the meeting were left-handed. What I found unusual about these left-handed sightings was five of the left-handers were all over 65 years old. When I asked if their teachers or parents ever tried to change their hand-writing habits only the gentleman from Olivia responded yes.
When I walk into a room I am always curious as to how many other left-handers are nearby. I am very proud left-handed person and tend to notice others. It surprised me that 8 of the 15-people attending a Westbrook Library Book Club meeting a few years ago were left-handed.
I asked a few people what they thought was hardest about being left-handed and the top three answers were trying to arrange where you sit when you eat with a group of right-handed people, writing with pencils is messy and a spiral of a notebook makes it difficult to write.
“Can I borrow your scissors?” 5 out of 6 times when I asked this question at various locations the scissors were molded for a right-handed person. I can’t use right-handed scissors with my right-hand but have taught myself to use my left hand. This goes with manual can openers, curling irons and computer keyboards. To avoid the spiral notebook issue I use a legal pad. Left-handers make up about 10 percent of the world’s population which doesn’t make it surprising that most gadgets are made to be right-hand operated. I was fortunate enough to have Dick Roper give me a pair of left-handed molded scissors so no more sore thumb! If you remember the left-handed scissors at school, I could never use them. They just didn’t work for me.
We have had eight left-handed Presidents, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Actors Angelina Jolie, Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Hugh Jackman, Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey are also all left-handed. Legendary lefty athletes include baseball legend Babe Ruth and basketball star Larry Bird. I’m proud to be in the company of left-handers Wolfgang Mozart, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, Bill Gates, Kurt Cobain and Albert Einstein.
I think we should start a left-handed club! I’ll keep doing my daily ‘research’ on left-handers. If you are left-handed please share your story with me!
Last Updated: November 8, 2025 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
We NEED Renville County School Yearbooks (Annuals)! UPDATED 11/09/2025
Above: Sacred Heart High School Viking 1967 & 1969 yearbook, which is a part of the Museum’s Yearbook Collection. Sacred Heart is our 2025/2026 Featured Renville County City.
RCHS is also looking for the school newsletters (the list of ones we have is below).
The most recent donation of yearbooks includes the Danube High School Falcons 1971-1974 that was owned by the art teacher, Mrs. Mary Kosak. The YEARBOOK Library Cart is organized by school name.
The goal of RCHS is to collect at least 3 copies of each yearbook for each Renville County school districts. One copy put away for permanent preservation, 2nd copy put away in case the 3rd copy disappears from the Research Library. Next to the yearbook dates in parentheses (#) is the number of yearbooks currently in the Museum’s collection (as of today, November 4, 2025). No ( # ) indicates only one single copy that is being used in the Research Library.
If you have yearbooks to donate, please contact Nicole at the Museum director@renvillecountyhistory.com or 507-697-6147! Yearbooks, plat books, and phone books are key pieces of preserving the history of who lived in the area and when.
That is okay if you are not ready to part with your yearbook. We can scan it and return it to you. Many of the yearbooks have been scanned into searchable PDFs.
Do you like looking at old yearbooks? We have a job for you. RCHS would like to start a database of Renville County graduates for future reference. We need your help. Data entry, attention to detail, typing skills, and some free time! We will train you, and this is a project you can do at home or at the Museum. Give me a call if you are interested. It is going to take a village to get this task accomplished. Nicole 507-697-6147 or info@renvillecountyhistory.com
We are in the process of auditing the yearbook collection and will have this completed by November 15, 2025.
Visit our Facebook Page for featured yearbooks.
Yearbooks in the Research Library
Belview Danube Renville Sacred Heart (BDRSH): NO YEARBOOKS
Bird Island – St. Mary’s: The Blue Mantle: 1958 (2). 1959 (2)
Bird Island – The Blue Mantle School Newsletter: 1958
Bird Island – St. Mary’s: The Marion: 1960, 1962-1963, 1965 (2)
Bird Island Panthers: 1950-1951, 1955 (3), 1956 (3), 1959, 1962, 1965-1968
Bird Island – Lake Lillian: 1978, 1981, 1983-1984, 1986-1989
BOLD High School: 1992-1995, 2000-2003
Buffalo Lake Breezette: 1946, 1948, 1949 (3), 1950 (3), 1951 (3), 1952 (3), 1953 (2), 1955 (3), 1956 (3),
Buffalo Lake The Laker: 1957 (3), 1958 (3), 1959, 1961 – 1966, 1968 – 1973, 1977 – 1987
Buffalo Lake – Hector Hoof Prints or Hoofprints: 1988-1994, 1995 (2); 1996 – 2008, 2010 (2)
2010 was the last graduation class for Buffalo Lake – Hector High School
Buffalo Lake – Hector Elementary: year unknown
Buffalo Lake – Hector – Stewart Hoofprints / Mustangs (BLHS): 2011 (2), 2012, 2014 – 2015, 2019
Cedar Mountain: 1984, 2000 – 2003, 2016
Danube Falcons: 1951 – 1952, 1954 – 1955, 1957, 1962, 1964, 1967, 1971 – 1974, 1977 – 1979, 1982
Danube Renville Sacred Heart (DRSH): NO YEARBOOKS
Fairfax Eagles: 1917, 1923, 1956 – 1957, 1959, 1962, 1965 (2), 1970, 1981-1983
Franklin Atoms: 1948-1949, 1950 (digital copy only), 1958-1960, 1963 – 1966, 1969 (2), 1970, 1971 (3); 1972 (3); 1973 (2); 1974 (3); 1975 (3); 1976 (4); 1977 (2); 1978 (2); 1979 (2); 1980-1982; 1983 (2)
Franklin Atomite: 1948: Oct 6, Oct 20, Nov 3, Nov 17, Dec 1, Dec 15 1949: Jan 19, Feb 2, Feb 16, Mar 2, Mar 16 (cover only), Mar 30 1950: Oct 16, Nov 13, Dec 18 1951: Jan 29, Feb 26, Apr 23, May 28 1952: NO COPIES 1953: NO COPIES 1954: NO COPIES 1955: Feb 10, Apr 28, May, Oct 27, Nov 17, Dec 22 1956: Jan 26, Feb 23, Mar 22, May 2, Nov 16, Dec 19 1957: May 22 1958: Feb 28
1959: Jan 23, Mar 20, Apr 30, May 22, Oct 21, Dec 18 1960: Jan 29, Mar 30
Franklin Tiger Beat: February 1970; May 26, 1972;
Gibbon – Fairfax – Winthrop (GFW): No Yearbooks
Hector High School: 1915 (2)
Hector Hectorian: 1948, 1952 – 1959, 1961 (3), 1962, 1963 (2), 1964 (2,) 1966, 1975, 1979 – 1987
Morton Tomahawk: 1907, 1915, 1917, 1938, 1940, 1944 (3), 1946 (2), 1948 (3), 1954, 1958 (2), 1960-1961, 1963, 1964 (2), 1965, 1966, 1967 (2), 1968 (2), 1969 (3), 1970 (3), 1971 (2), 1972 (2), 1973 (2), 1974-1979, 1980 (3), 1981, 1982 (3), 1983-1985. 1985 was the last year Morton had a graduating class.
Morton Blue & Gold School Newsletter:
1950: May 1953: Sep, Nov, Dec 1954: Jan, Feb & Mar, Apr, May, FINAL, Oct 29, Dec 1955: No Month, Feb, Apr, May, Oct, Nov, Dec 1956: Jan, Feb, Mar & April, May, Oct, Nov, Dec 1957: Jan, Feb, Mar & Apr, May, Sep, Dec 1958: Jan, Feb & Mar, Apr, May, Sep, Oct 27, Dec 19 1959: Jan 30, Mar 19, Feb 25, Apr 24, May, Sep, Dec 1960: No Month, Jan, May, Oct 1961: No Month, Jan, Feb, Sep
1962: No Date, May 1963: Jan, May, Nov, Sep, Oct, Dec 1964: No Month, Jan, Feb, Oct, Dec 1965: Mar, Apr, Sep, Dec 1966: Feb, Mar, Oct 1967: Feb, Oct, Nov 1968: No Month, Feb, Mar 1969: Jan, Feb, Mar, Apr, May, Sep 1970: No Month, Jan 1971: No Month 1974: No Month
1985: May (LAST GRADUATION FOR MORTON SCHOOL)
Morton Smoke Signals School Newsletter: 1972: Feb 1973: Mar, Apr 6 1974: Jan 18, May 1, Sep 13, Sep 27, Dec, Dec 19 1975: Jan 17, Feb 7, Mar 21, May 1, May 5, Sep 16, Oct, Oct 2 1976: Feb, Apr, Apr 23, May, May 17 1977: Mar, Mar 29, May, May 2 1978: Sep 29 1979: Mar, Sep, Oct 30, Nov, Dec 21 1980: Jan 31, Feb, Mar 28 1985: Feb
Morton Elementary School: 1995 (last year Morton had an elementary school, they combined with Redwood Valley for 1996 school year and the school was permanently closed)
Olivia Crucible: 1912, 1916, 1917
Olivia High School: O-HI-AN 1924, 1949-1951, 1957-1959, 1962 Wildcats 1964-1965, 1967, 1972, 1974-1975, 1977
Redwood Falls High School Cardinal: 1977, 1981-1983, 1984
Redwood Valley Cardinal: 1985 (2), 1987, 1990-1993, 1997, 1998, 2000, 2009
Renville County West (RCW): No Yearbooks
Renville the Renvillon: 1931 (2), 1939, 1941 – 1947, 1949, 1950 – 1954, 1964 – 1978, 1984
Renville Sacred Heart Raiders: 1981, 1983, 1988
Sacred Heart Viking: 1967 – 1972, 1978
Please contact Nicole at 507-697-6147 if you can add to the yearbook collection!
Posted: November 5, 2025 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Working on the Yearbook
This article was found tucked inside of the 1980 Renville High School Renvillon Yearbook. The 1980 graduating class was the last for Renville High School. This article was a mimeograph copy with no author listed.
WORKING ON THE YEARBOOK
When looking at their yearbook, students often say, “Why didn’t they put this in or why aren’t there more pictures?” Usually, these people do not realize the kind of work that has to be done to produce a yearbook.
First, the person who is doing the page has to decide what the page will ook like. It means the person has to figure out how many pcitures to use, to pick out the mot interesting ones, and place them in an appealing arrangement.
A page deadline must be met constantly throughout the year to complete the book to meet the printer’s deadline. The editor-in-chief and the other editors must get the work done on time. The photographers and students who have pictures must help along to meet these deadlines. For instance, if the senior glossies are not in on time, that holds up that section of the annual. If the activity pcitures are not handed in, that section of the book falls behind.
When you page through the annual next time, remember it is mean hard work on the part of quite a number of people.
Share this:
Last Updated: November 7, 2025 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Preserving Renville County’s History since 1940!
One artifact, one photograph, and/or one archival piece at a time!
Donate today to the Shelving and Archival Boxes Fund to preserve the history of Renville County from yesterday until tomorrow. RCHS orders its archival boxes from a company called Gaylord. It is one of the top-ranking preservation supply companies available in the US. The boxes are acid-free and suited to preserve treasures for years to come.
10/27/2025 Gaylord Discount Code MD1018 18% off Preservation & Archival Supplies and Discounted Shipping on Orders over $250.
Archival Supplies:
Gaylord Archival Burly Box H241812 $57.75 retail 18Wx24Lx12″H
Gaylord Archival Burly Box H18126 $31.90 retail 12Wx18Lx6″H
Gaylord Archival C-flute Acid-Free Record Storage Carton TC1215 $13.90 retail 12Wx15Lx10H
Gaylord Archival E-Flute Deep Lid Newspaper Box EFNB19252 $25.60 retail 19″Wx25″Lx2 1/2″H
Gaylord Archival Unbuffered Acid-Free Tissue (100-pack) BT2030 $86.60 retail 20×30″
Shelving:
Amazon 5-Tier Storage Shelves on Wheels, Heavy Duty, Metal 18″x48″x82″ to replace the current standalone shelving in both the Artifact Storage (16). Three standalone units will be against the exterior wall (space left for air flow), and wheeled shelving for the rest of the room.
Amazon Newspaper Storage Room 2’Depth x 4’L x 8’H (7). Three standalone units will be against the interior wall of the artifact room, and wheeled shelving. The remaining standalone shelving will then be moved to the Church store room, the Machine Shed backroom, and Heritage Building for storage in those locations.
The above items are just a rudimentary list of the everyday boxes needed for new incoming donations of collections.
Research Library
Sturdy Wooden Book Shelves 6 matching for binders & books.
3-Shelf Rolling Cart (3) (2 sided with three shelves on each side)
8 1/2″ x 11″ Sheet Protectors
8 1/2″ x 14″ Sheet Protectors and 8 1/2″ x 14″ 3-Ring Binders
11″ x 17″ Portrait Sheet Protectors and 11″ x 17″ Portrait 3-Ring Binders
11″ x 17″ Landscape Sheet Protectors and 11″ x 17″ Landscape 3-Ring Binders
Other everyday items for the Museum and its operations:
Supplies: Toilet Paper, Paper Towels, Cleaning Solutions, Antibacterial Wipes, Cleaning Supplies
Drop off at the Museum Monday – Friday 10 AM – 4 PM
Office Supplies: Avery Labels: 5160, 8463 Avery Cards: Business Cards, Tent Cards for Exhibits, 8 1/2×11″ Card Stock White and Cream, 8 1/2×11″ copy paper, 11×17″ copy paper, # 10 Envelopes, AA Batteries, AAA Batteries, Extension Cord 8′ interior use 3 prong single or multiple
Use this LINK to donate towards the Boxes, Shelving, Bookshelves, and other supplies
or
Purchase through Amazon or Gaylord and ship directly to the Museum using: Renville County Historical Society, 441 N Park Dr, Morton, MN 56270
or
Send a donation check to RCHS, 441 N Park Dr, Morton, MN 56270. Write in the Memo section of the check what you would like the donation funds to go towards: General or Archival Funds
We appreciate your assistance in preserving Renville County history.
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Last Updated: June 6, 2025 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
2025 Renville County Events
2025 Anniversary Celebrations
Renville County Historical Society is celebrating its 85th year preserving Renville County history from yesterday until tomorrow.
Wang Township 150th Anniversary
50th Anniversary of the Franklin Catfish Derby Days July 25-27, 2025
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Last Updated: December 5, 2024 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Hector Homecoming Buttons
The Main Museum will feature Hector as the featured Renville County city for 2024/2025, and we are working on adding to the exhibit. We are missing Hector Homecoming buttons for 1950, 1951, 1953, 1955, 1956, 1957, 1962, 1973, 1974, 1976, 1985, and 1986. Does anyone know the year of the “Beat Brownton” Hector Homecoming Button?
RCHS collects the history of all the schools of Renville County, including when they consolidated. You can also see on our BLOG the list of yearbooks in the Research Library.
If you have any items to donate or loan for the Hector exhibit, please call Nicole at 507-697-6147. We are open Monday through Friday from 10 AM to 4 PM!
Share this:
Can I Borrow Your Scissors by Nicole Elzenga
Last Updated: August 13, 2024 by Renville County Historical Society Leave a Comment
Can I borrow your scissors?
By Nicole Elzenga
I called my mom the other day and asked her why they allowed me to continue be a left-handed writer. Her response, “Because that was what you are.” In my family, it was only myself and my Aunt Norma who were the left-handed odd ones out. If memory serves I believe I was always allowed to sit at the corner of the kitchen table to avoid elbow issues.
Working in the history field, I have been told many times over the years that back in the 1940s and 1950s if your teacher noticed you were left-handed they would insist on changing you to right-handed. This theory was proven when last month a gentleman from Olivia stop at the Research Library to research the grand marshals of the Corn Capital Days. When I glanced over, he was writing with his left-hand. I smiled and commented, “There are three left-handed people in the research library today.” Dick Roper, my co-worker is also left-handed. When I asked the gentleman about his story he stated his teacher tied his left arm behind his back to attempt to change him to right-handed writing. After he graduated, he simply went back to writing left-handed, About two weeks ago I noticed the Renville County Historical Society’s board secretary, Marcia Dworshak was also left-handed. When I brought the matter up at the board meeting, it turned out five out of the eleven at the meeting were left-handed. What I found unusual about these left-handed sightings was five of the left-handers were all over 65 years old. When I asked if their teachers or parents ever tried to change their hand-writing habits only the gentleman from Olivia responded yes.
When I walk into a room I am always curious as to how many other left-handers are nearby. I am very proud left-handed person and tend to notice others. It surprised me that 8 of the 15-people attending a Westbrook Library Book Club meeting a few years ago were left-handed.
I asked a few people what they thought was hardest about being left-handed and the top three answers were trying to arrange where you sit when you eat with a group of right-handed people, writing with pencils is messy and a spiral of a notebook makes it difficult to write.
“Can I borrow your scissors?” 5 out of 6 times when I asked this question at various locations the scissors were molded for a right-handed person. I can’t use right-handed scissors with my right-hand but have taught myself to use my left hand. This goes with manual can openers, curling irons and computer keyboards. To avoid the spiral notebook issue I use a legal pad. Left-handers make up about 10 percent of the world’s population which doesn’t make it surprising that most gadgets are made to be right-hand operated. I was fortunate enough to have Dick Roper give me a pair of left-handed molded scissors so no more sore thumb! If you remember the left-handed scissors at school, I could never use them. They just didn’t work for me.
We have had eight left-handed Presidents, including Barack Obama, Bill Clinton and George H.W. Bush. Actors Angelina Jolie, Jim Carrey, Tom Cruise, Hugh Jackman, Robert De Niro, Bruce Willis, Julia Roberts and Oprah Winfrey are also all left-handed. Legendary lefty athletes include baseball legend Babe Ruth and basketball star Larry Bird. I’m proud to be in the company of left-handers Wolfgang Mozart, H.G. Wells, Mark Twain, Bill Gates, Kurt Cobain and Albert Einstein.
I think we should start a left-handed club! I’ll keep doing my daily ‘research’ on left-handers. If you are left-handed please share your story with me!
Share this:
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