OCR Text |
Show f , I f i ' r i i 7E Lakeside Review, Wednesday, October 30, 1985 iWest Point Elementary's 'giant': Dora Bybee SHARON NAUTA STEELE secured a teaching position at Syracuse Elementary. When a year later she was to West Point Elementary, Miss Bybee says she cried her eyes out, so sure was she that it was not a good idea to teach in the community where she lived. Little did she know that from the day she that school house where she herself had learned her reading, and writing and she was embarking on a career that would span over 44 years and several genera- - Review correspondent WEST POINT When Dora Bybee was a young girl, she dreamed of one day becoming a concert violinist. But based on advice from an older brother, a practicing attorney who said she needed more than music to round out her education, the high school graduate enrolled in a teaching course at Weber ed four-roo- State College. That was in 1930. Graduating two years later with a an associate of science degree, she ; 7 , s m rith-emti- k s s ,, 'S tions. During this time, the former violinist would draw more music from the children she taught than the most accomplished instrumentalist could ever coax from a stringed instrument. Although physically diminutive, standing a mere 4 foot 1 1 inches, Miss Bybee is remembered as an educational giant by many of the students who first recited their ABCs under her tutelage. According to former student Jeff Flint, now the father of five children, some of whom also attended West Point Elementary School during Dora Bybees tenure there, Miss Bybee could see talents in individuals before they could. And she worked hard to draw them out. Much of that drawing out came through musical opportunities. Kids who went to West Point knew they would be caroling at Christmas and singing in the spring. When other communities marked the passing of winter by the melting of snow, West Point residents knew spring was on its way when their kids began staying after school to work on the annual operetta. Indeed, Miss Bybee is perhaps best known for the tradition of operettas she began in 1943 just after she received the principalship at the school. (Give any longtime West Point resident a word association test and the name Bybee will inevitably be associated with fS s? Z c, , ' operetta) Feeling a need to upgrade the childrens musical background, enhance their self esteem, and give them a worthwhile project during the long cold months after Christmas, the new principal set about to find a commercial operetta with a part for every child in the school. Of course that was impossible, 1950 vintage photo shows West Point Elementary principal Dora Bybee, left, examining costumes from the schools extensive wardrobe for the annual operetta. Lending a helping hand with the operetta is Velma Fisher,- on the right. - Family brings music to Roy Review correspondent : ROY Roy was lucky in 1950 when Dr. George C. Reimschus-se- l accepted the job as the citys first dentist. He has not only served his profession faithfully for 35 years, but he brought a love of music with him to Roy that he passed to his children and grandchildren ...who shared it with the entire community. Its no wonder Dr. Reimschus-se- l has loved and been involved with music all of his life. His mother sang and he had an uncle who played the violin, an instrument he was later to acquire. George Reimschussel was born on Dec. 20, 1919, in the small town- of Pischwitz, Germany (which is now part of Poland) to Hugo and Marie Reimschussel. Little Georges father owned and operated a leather and uphol - Dr. Reimschussel remarked with pride that his father never went back on his word to the United States government. He remained a farmer the rest of his life and only did upholstering for his family and close friends. Young George grew up a farm boy and later entered Brigham Young University on a music scholarship. He graduated with a degree in music. While attending BYU, he met a coed Eileen Shurtliff from Provo who was majoring in secondary education and minoring in music. They fell in love and were married. This was to cement a relationship that would better not only the lives of their children but an entire community. World War II broke out and Dr. Reimschussel served two years in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific. He then went on a stery shop. For four years from 1914 to 1918 he had served in the German Army in artillary in France during World War I. When he returned home he decided that he and his family would leave Germany and move to another country. He narrowed his choice to Argentina or the United States and chose the latter because he felt the opportunities were greater. And so when George was only 5 years old, he moved with his family to America and they set- tled in American Fork, Utah. In those days, it depended on your profession as to when an immigrant could enter the United States. In order to get into the country quickly, Hugo Reimschussel had to list his profession as farmer because it would have taken much longer to enter as an upholsterer. two-ye- fabric before going over it with tempura paint. Like the costumes, the scenery was adapted from year to year to meet the demands of the current operetta. A gingerbread cottage for Hansel and Gretel became a snow cave or a log cabin as dictated by the fill the requirement. The school had no costumes, Miss Bybee remembers, so we depended on each child to supply his own, except the prince-rented his from the Salt Lake Costume Company. The princess, Elaine Page, wore a beautiful yellow dress made by her mother. Everyone was thrilled with that first performance held at the ward recreation hall. They all agreed: it should be an annual production. And it was. For the next 34 years, West Point Elementary students participated in such productions as Sleeping BeauHeart of the Forest, ty, Purple on the Moon," The Magic Beanstalk, and Hansel and Gretel. In all, nineteen operetta titles found their way into performance before West Point audiences. With so many children involved each year, the operettas became a labor of love. Often the whole community, including children, mothers, fathers, the PTA and civic leaders, was involved with the designing, cutting and stitching of costumes that eventually accumulated into a very impressive wardrobe to be recycled and added to each year. Working at recesses, at noon, and before and after classes so as not to detract from their regular school work, the kids we r script. v M "vf PT'.:; Through such productions, Miss Bybee explains, the students pulled together to maintain academic standards. I dont know that those operettas were the most important thing I did, she says with n a flash of her eyes. Ive had former students come to me many times and say Do you remember such and such a character? Well I was it. And thats the part I remember about going to ,, ' ' , V SJ. . blue-gree- ; $V ' school. But, at the same time, Ive had many high school and junior high school teachers tell me they always knew which kids came from West Point, because they had good work habits, they were courteous, and they were academically outstanding. Miss Bybee, who continued her own education, graduating with honors from the University of Utah, was twice named Dora Bybee prescribed number of times. She is an avid collector of dolls, many of them representing characters in operettas of years past. In addition, she performs with the Philomels, a musical group that specializes in vocal music he- companied by three octaves of English hand bells. Outstanding Davis County Teacher of the Year. During most of her career, she combined the duties of principal with the responsibilities of e teacher and secretary. Since her retirement in 1978, Miss Bybee has continued to maintain the vigorous pace she set for herself early in life. She e LDS has fulfilled two full-tim- themselves did everything from memorizing lines and learning song lyrics to prop producing and scenery. For the backdrops, Miss Bybee realates how she sewed together long strips of unbleached muslin which were laid on the floor and sized. Then the children would scoot around chalking the prescribed scenes on the And, now in her seventies, Dora Bybee still enjoys finding and drawing out the talent in children. Just last year she di- rected a cast of West Point youngsters in Jack and the Magic Beanstalk. full-tim- missions and continues to serve in her church. West Point residents frequently see her working in her large garden or putting in a daily mile by walking briskly up and down her driveway a mission for the LDS Church to the northern states. It was during this time that he decided to a dentist and he and Eileen moved to Cleveland, Ohio, where he received a degree in dentistry form the Western Reserve University. They then retured to Utah. Roy City was in need of a dentist and when the job was offered to George Reimschussel, he took it. He has been practicing in the same building for 35 years, locat- in church and civic affairs. They live in North Ogden and have four children. Paul Reimschussel lives with his wife Ann and their two children in Glendale, Ariz. He graduated from Weber State College with a degree in music. He is a vocal soloist, plays the baritone horn and is a choir director. He is the manager of a Sony Service Center in Tempe, Ariz. Janette Reimschussel graduated from Roy High School in 1981 as class valedictorian. She received a scholarship to BYU and is now a senior on a theater scholarship to Weber State College majoring in e. pre-me- d. She has had many leads in well-kno- the- ater productions at Weber State College and this summer had the lead role of Anne in Anne of Green Gables. DM! ABOUT EYE SUMY? ar Ow '&v ' $2 t Reimschus- Ja- - Music is a family activity for the sets (from left), Ronald, Eileen, George, Our Best Year v,er...SALE-A-BRATIO- N 25-35-- 50 19C to and Morel 98t-No- ne Higher 2946 ? PHONE Washington Blvd. it csnxgusn? SILK FLOWERS SAVE 394-763- Utah's Full Service Wedding Specialists ' S&SilfyjS nette and Joleen (at piano), who have shared their talents for years in Roy. n V'T ' ' I Jj s-- 5 re s it call for a free screening and . more information. 621-846- 1 The Northern Utah Eye Foundation Utah - 550 24th Street, 4 Ogden, . And as one of those who wit-- , nessed the performance, I can truly say there was more than one giant on that set. Ronald Reimschussel has also become a practicing dentist, first with his father and now in River-dalHe and his wife Peggy are both very musical and together started the Riverdale Community Theatre. Ronald is a vocal soloist and plays the piano. He has been in many high school and college musical productions. He and Peggy have three children. Joleen, now married to David Boothe, attended Weber State ed at 1980 W. 5600 S. . College and received a degree in from BYU. She is now a The Reimschussels have four music of orchestras in the Weteacher children, Ronald, Joleen, Paul ber School District. County and Janette. As a family, they are and appreciated for She has been in many orchestra their musical talent and have quartets and has been a violin somade a major contribution in the loist with the symphony at Weber culture of the community. State College and BYU. Her husThey have also been very active band, David, is also very musical. 113 THE j ci' be-cb- Reimschussels prominent in area business, community ANITA KERSEY so that first year, The Little Maid in Yellow, better know as Cinderella, was chosen with extra scenes written in to 84401 |