Historical April–May 2020 article. Dates, prices, services and contacts describe the source period; current availability has not been established.
Since its inaugural issue in April, 1970, the TIMES (then called the PAPER), has emphasized the importance of community spirit and diversity as values we want our children to learn and hold dear.
In nearly every issue over 50 years, there are photos or articles about them. And some were big news stories! For example, in June, 1970, St. Roch gave details of their brandnew “open enrollment” policy welcoming non-Catholics to the school.
The $ 300 annual tuition, which naturally seems a grand bargain now, was said to be comparable to other private schools like Forsyth and New City School. Dr. Jose Sanchez, president of the school board, said “St. Roch’s intends to become a genuine neighborhood school.” That issue of the TIMES also featured some students at Hamilton School who had won championship trophies in boxing. Cliff Westbrook, featured in this photo, still lives in the family home on Westminster, one of many children who grew up in the neighborhood and chose to stay or return as adults. That’s a story in itself! Think of what the neighborhood would be without Andy Cross, Dan Hudspeth, Rachel Boxdorfer, Kristina McGroarty, Chanaya Jacobs, and so many more. Participation in neighborhood activities has been stellar for many years. Even the toddlers helped kick off the Operation Brightside 1984 clean up of the railroad tracks! Many neighborhood institutions have sponsored special activities for children in the summer, welcoming kids to get to know each other at such locales as Craft Alliance, Grace Methodist Church, MOHIS, Wash U, and many others.
The library, in the 70’s located at the former grocery store across the street from the Andy Cross studio on Des Peres, then in the 80’s (after a devastating fire) known as the Kingsbury Kiosk, was a great place for everyone to meet and learn, in the center of our great neighborhood.
The summer reading club gathered for a photo at the 28th ward HQ, then located at 6010 Kingsbury!
In recent years, our own Suzanne Knese has written about activities for the children in the neighborhood with her regular column Kids Corner, carrying on the great Skinker DeBaliviere traditions.
Hamilton School Champion Boxers. Marshall Franklin, Clifford Westbrook and Steven Westbrook pose with their trophies which they won in the Springfield Golden Gloves Downstate Tournament of Champions. Clifford Westbrook won the top trophy for lightweights. Steven Westbrook won two fights in the welterweight division and Marshall Franklin won a fight in the light middleweight division.
In the background is the large traveling beautification trophy which Hamilton School children won for their clean up campaign.
They won the trophy over all the other school in the Enright District. May 1970
Original photograph caption
Grace outdoor ice cream social.
Originally published in The Times of Skinker-DeBaliviere, April–May 2020.
Read this article in the original newspaper issue.
Archival transcription note: Body dates Hamilton boxing photograph to June nineteen seventy while reprinted caption labels May nineteen seventy; source conflict retained.
Original source: SD_Times2020_04.pdf, printed page(s) 8, 9; PDF page(s) 8, 9.
