Category: Berea-KY

Essays mentioning the Berea, KY years. (1914-1929)

My Hometown

Berea College Chapel Tower

Events circa 1914-1926. Written January 1995. One morning in late August of 1914, I woke up in a new place, a new house, a new town, and a new state. Here I was, destined to spend most of the next two decades of my life. As I walked outside and looked around, I was delighted. So…… Continue reading My Hometown

McCoy Franklin

Berea College Chapel Tower

Events circa 1898-1980. Written November 1994. Meet McCoy Franklin, a Berea College senior, class of 1926, from Crossnore, NC. He was a tall, gangly, six-footer of the Lincoln type, handsome in a rugged way. A serious student, capable all-around athlete, orator, and casually outgoing with a tremendous sense of humor. He was always ready to tell…… Continue reading McCoy Franklin

Springcrest Farm

Judy, Gladys, and John Sechrist at Sechrist farm c. 1948. Judy and Gladys are holding two leghorn hens. The hens were not very happy. Photo by Charles E Dial. Farm life in 1948 required long hours of hard work. When the workday was over the Sechrists found time to be a cohesive and happy family.

Events circa 1905-1979. Written February 1994. Springcrest Farm had been in the Sechrist family for generations, having John Quincy Adams’ signature on its deed. Its big, white 14-room farmhouse dominated the quadrangle of small buildings surrounding it, expanding from a pioneer colonial to meet the needs of later generations by adding an apartment on either side.…… Continue reading Springcrest Farm

World War I

CH Wertenberger, probably precedes 1917.

Events circa 1917-1919. Unfinished draft written [date unknown]. The events that happened during the last two years of World War I affected my family ???, so they were burned in my memory. We were living in Berea, Ky., dominated by Berea College. All four of us were engaged in some college-managed activity — my father was…… Continue reading World War I

My Trip To My Class Reunion – Ex ’23

1998 Christmas Photo of Mary W. Dial at Judson Retirement Center, Cleveland, OH

Event circa 19331. Written September 1989. There was a brilliant full moon when I set off for my alma mater, Berea College in Berea, Kentucky. I had acquired Robert’s agreement that I deserved a brief vacation. My obligations as a wife, mother, and homemaker caused much toil preceding this departure. Bob, aged four and one half,…… Continue reading My Trip To My Class Reunion – Ex ’23

The Dial Family Apartment

Emory Dial's photo, from Lorain Ave. Clinic waiting room.

Event circa 1921. Written ????. It wasn’t the way it was supposed to be. My Prince Charming had invited me to see his home — meet his family. I had met his mother and father previously. They seemed friendly and warm. I approved of them. It was their home that surprised me and even shocked me.…… Continue reading The Dial Family Apartment