GHS Memories
Arlene Leonard Caplin

*** It is very difficult to reflect back to years when life was so easy. When the TV program Happy Days came on the air I would tell my boys that was me that s what it was like growing up in the 50 s. The Hot Shop on Broad Street and then HO JO s (Howard Johnson s) on Stenton Avenue, were just about the best times for a lot of us. Can you picture 300 kids hanging out on a street corner today? I don t think so.

***Growing up in Mount Airy, going to Roosevelt Jr. High and then to Germantown High School were just fun times for me. There were no guns, metal detectors, drugs (that I know of), or violent gangs. You could walk or ride the bus or subway anywhere without fear. I feel so sorry for the youth of today - they will never experience the kind of freedom we had during those years.

***Our class trips to Washington, DC and Bear Mountain bring back fond memories. GHS was great. I loved going to school every day and being around all my classmates. The clubs and after school activities were so much fun. Most of the teachers were wonderful, especially Merv Krimins. I think all the girls were secretly in love with him.

Arlene Leonard Caplin

***After graduation I attended Temple University s business school. While studying for midterms I met my future husband (didn t know it at the time). After finishing my second semester at Temple, I got a job over the summer with an accounting firm in center city Philadelphia. I loved working and being part of the business world so I decided not to continue with school.

***I was married in 1960 and have been married to the same person for 43 years. I have three wonderful, successful sons that are my heart and soul. My family is very sports minded and we've been season ticket holders for the Phillies and Flyers for years. You either join them or get left out so I joined them and I am active in sports myself. I play tennis at least twice a week, bike ride, and do a little ice skating.

***My two older sons are married with children and live in Bucks County, PA not far from me. I see them all the time. I have six grandchildren, four boys and two girls that I adore. At this writing their ages are 16, 13, 7, 5, and twins 3 ½. My youngest son is single and teaches high school science and math in Phoenix, AZ.

***I have three big dogs, a Great Pyrenees and two German Shepherds it seems that every time one of the boys moved I got another dog. After raising my sons I decided to return to work. It was a long time between jobs (I was a stay at home mom). At this time I am the office manager for an accounting firm, located in Jenkintown, PA, and have been with them for twenty years. The firm is like my extended family and I look forward to going there every day. It keeps me young. I am so excited about our upcoming reunion.

***Being involved and part of the reunion committee has given me such a warm feeling. Forty-seven years where did the time go? I am looking forward to seeing former classmates and renewing old friendships at the reunion. Time seems to go very quickly as we get older, but I can t wait until October 2004.