Jane Sparks Alexander

I lived on Webb Street in west Gastonia and attended Peedin Primary and then Arlington Junior High. We had a lot of fun plays for Fall, Thanksgiving, Christmas and Spring. I remember being a pilgrim, an angel, and a flower. My Mother made all of my costumes. I took piano lessons in the little room at the end of Peedin from Mrs. Helen Cloninger and then went to her home for my lessons until high school graduation. We had Christmas and Spring recitals for which Mother always made beautiful evening dresses for me to wear.

I remember Mr. Gary D.Osborn could have a bad temper. One day in play practice he threw a script book across the room, and it flew past me and scared me speechless. I remember the deep snows and one time the busses had a slow, rough time getting us all home.

I graduated from Appalachian State in 1964, taught school 30 years in Gaston County (at Peedin Primary and Arlington Elementary-where I had also been a student.) For my retirement I was given an aerial photo of the two adjoining campuses. After retirement in 1997, I tutored in Math and Reading. I became certified and licensed to teach driver education for Gaston Driver Education. Now I am wife, Grandmother, and church organist. I have had both knees and my left hip replaced. My grandsons call me "the bionic woman".