As 2008 draws to a close, we thought we’d pull one of our old “year end” files at random and feature a few photos from days gone by.

The winner — the year 1980.

The two photos featured were snapped by current chief photographer Geoff Patton and are marked as being shot on March 31, 1980, when, quite obviously, we had a little bit of snow here in the region.

The one photo shows a Conrail light stand at Main and Broad streets in Souderton.

The other was shot on Main Street, Lansdale, and not only features the snowstorm, but also the now-departed Hotel Tremont, where the Rite-Aid now stands at Main and Broad.


Let’s hope March 31, 2009, doesn’t bless us with similar weather!

During the holiday season, we all seem to gather more with family and friends.

Even though today’s photo wasn’t taken during the winter holidays, it does represent a family gathering.

According to Christine Schuyler, who submitted the photo, “This old family photo dates from the 1940s or 1950s. Pictured on the far right is my husband’s great-aunt and -uncle, the late Edna Mae and Howard Leon Schuyler. They both lived in the Doylestown area and raised five children.

“We have no idea who any of the other people in the photo are, and would love to find out.

“If any readers can identify these people, they can send an e-mail to skies4@verizon.net.”

So how about it, readers? Does anyone look familiar to you?

If so, please contact Schuyler at the above e-mail address.

And happy holidays as you gather with your own family and friends.

Today we feature two photos that aren’t really related — unless you consider one is a train photo and the other was shot at a train station — but we felt they both were interesting.

The first, submitted by Roland Kerr of Harleysville, shows 10 county draftees leaving for military training, and is dated June 24, 1952. The men are shown at the Norristown train station and the caption noted that they “left for military training on the 7:43 train this morning.”

Kerr’s information indicates:

“These are the men drafted in the Korean War. Left to right are Edward Eisenhaur, Leon Overpeck, Roland Kerr, Arthur Stover, next five unknown, and Mr. Poole on the right.

Perhaps you recognize some of these faces.

The next photo, from a Reporter newspaper clipping:


The person who dropped it off did not leave any contact information and there was no date on the clipping.

The caption notes:

“The queen of the former Reading Railroad, engine 2102, roared, huffed, puffed and sent clouds of steam and smoke into the clear fall air this past weekend as the feature of the North Penn United Way ‘Train Days’ promotion. Number 2102 was on display all day Saturday and on Sunday was called upon once again to pull a trainload of happy passengers from Lansdale to Glenside. Four trips were made on Sunday.”

Moderator's note: This ride was indeed a popular United Way fundraiser, held in 1991. The train was part of the Reading and Blue Mountain excursion line. Local railroad fan John Almeida made a video of the event, which you can see here:

The North Wales High School Class of 1953 recently held its 55-year class reunion at Indian Valley Country Club in Franconia.

They had 26 members in the class and 21 are still living. Of the surviving members, 17 were at the reunion, making a 75 percent attendance record.


Members of the reunion committee were Gerry (Geyer) Nelson, Jay Kratz, Al Ruber, Bob Fredericks, Peggy Fenstermacher and Carole Fredericks.

And the photos featured today show the class at its prime.

In the graduation class photo, the members of the class are shown before taking part in the graduation services that were held in the high school auditorium.

And don’t you just love the students taking part in the minuet, as part of the assembly at the high school?


This photo was featured in The Reporter on Feb. 27, 1953, and shows students performing the minuet at the annual Washington’s Birthday assembly at North Wales High School.

According to the caption, the dance is being performed by Elaine Parvin and Charles Wagner, Gail Adams and Allan Hoffman, Gerry Geyer and Robert Frederick, and Edna Quinn and Wayne Schwartzer.

Bet the guys loved wearing white stockings and wigs!