On the way out to Sugar River’s wooded, bluff-top, ridge, while driving small country roads, my prayer was that our gathering would somehow bring a wide variety of people into a funneled commonality. I had really worked hard these past few weeks reaching out to about every man I’ve known who’s worked within the Prairie Hill School District (Made up of Prairie Hill School & now Willowbrook Middle School). I can go back that far into the past archives because overall there hasn’t been that many men in comparison to the women staff members. Most of the men I emailed, some I called on the phone, and a few I contacted by writing letters. Some chose not to come, a few had previous commitments or life situations going on right now, but those who stepped forward and wanted to attend contributed to our largest gathering to date. For those who have been a part of our group called the “Gulo Adventure Clan,” and our many outdoor outings, this one was a bit tamer but still equally important. It allowed us to reach out beyond boundaries and simply come together; guys of all ages, with various amounts of years within our schools.
Halfway out to the Forest Preserve, and the old limestone shelter, Boston’s song entitled, “Long Time” began playing on the radio. Although the lyrics may have been more about moving on from a relationship, the theme resonated strongly in that it has been a while since we’ve gathered together as a large group of friends. I smiled as I remembered that I had joked with a few friends prior to this, that our outing was kind of like “The Island of Misfit Toys.” We ranged in age from 26 to 84 with some who had invested in our district for just one year, and others for over three decades. As staff members we represented different job titles including: teacher, technology coordinator, D.A.R.E. officer, aide, coach, principal, and superintendent (and a few men were a combination of two or three of those titles). Each of us have contributed to our schools using the unique gifts that we’ve been granted.
A couple of the men started at Prairie Hill back in the 1960’s; only a few years after our area’s three one-room schools had consolidated. Back then the educators in our district taught several grade levels at the same time as there were only a handful of students per grade. Does it even make sense to say, “Oh how the times have changed in just 60 short years?” Believe me when I say that they have. And I’ve only been here for a little over 30 of those years! Hence the misfit toys reference. Fortunately those toys (in the movie “Rudolf the Red-Nosed Reindeer”) were all picked up by Santa and eventually delivered to children who would love them. Likewise, not everything has been smooth sailing over the years in our district, but overall most has been, and we have definitely persevered. Ultimately we continue to make a difference in the lives of students and our community, while oftentimes becoming friends with our colleagues at the same time.
It was with this mentality that I was spurred on to try to gather as many men together as possible. People need a frame of reference. People need to know that although the work they are doing now is important, there have been a lot of people who have put in just as much work prior to this. Work in a school can be foundational. Sometimes bricks are stacked, and sometimes they are restacked after a leveling line has been snapped, but regardless, the educational wall continues to be built. How’s that for a visual parable?
Yesterday’s weather was awesome. Yesterday’s gathering was mind blowing for me personally. I can’t help but wonder how a simple request to gather can lead to us actually doing just that. How does it happen? Why do people want to gather?
When a few of us first began getting together for fun years ago, I made “Membership Cards.” Printed on the cards were various quotes that meant something to me at the time. They still do. I did, however, in the spirit of finally being able to get together following this pandemic, redesign the cards. Those who have the originals are now holding onto priceless heirlooms full of memories and nostalgia. The new membership cards are printed with better color contrasts that allow the words to be more legible. In addition, I chose new quotes to better exemplify the Gulo Adventure Clan as we move into uncharted territory. I feel the words embody who we are, and our purpose going forward as friends and colleagues; past and present:
"We learn all of our most important lessons through story, and story deepens all of our most important lessons...This whole story began with something relational.” - John Eldredge (Epic)
“We must learn to live together as brothers or perish together as fools.” - Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.
“Courage, faith, love - these all must be cultivated.” - Bishop Michael Curry (Love is the Way)
“There is no better way to recapture the spirit of an era than to follow old trails, gathering from the earth itself the feelings and challenges of those who trod them long ago...that while great events may find themselves in books and museums, it is the people themselves who really counted.” - Sigurd Olson (Streams of the Past)
While everyone today received new cards to replace our old ones, five men were presented a first-time card as new members. That alone is pretty humorous, because while their membership may be new, their faces and time in our district are not. For that, I personally say that I appreciate all that they have done.
As the names rolled in over the last week for those who wanted to come and attend, I simply shook my head. It was beyond my belief and understanding. I also lifted my eyes with palms facing upwards and said, “Thank you.” Thank you God that after a long time, we were able to meet together as a group. After a long time we were able to recognize others who worked, and taught, and educated before us. After a long hiatus we were able to look beyond ourselves, and see others who have been a part of the on-going process involved in education.
The Gulo Adventure Clan will still have times when we’ll escape and traipse into the woods, rivers, and snow, but I think gatherings like this will also need to be a part of our existence. It provides us an opportunity to step back, talk, and rejuvenate; so that it doesn’t feel like such a “Long Time” since the last time we remembered our roots.
See you along The Way...
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| Some of the Members of the "Gulo Adventure Clan" (Back Row): Scott Rogers, Justin Bonne, Joe Grygiel, Zach Hill, Louie Gugliuzza, Tyler Lovgren, Chuck Leonard, Justin Keller, Rick Sager, Tom Strothoff, Roger Fenrick (Front Row): Myself, Doug Elfstrom, Mike Michowski, Andrew Westgate, Andy Valentine, Ted Rehl, Jack Finlen, Mike Plourde |
