Slidding and Gliding Thank you Norm And Helen

As we grew older my parents continued to encourage Bob and I to develop intersts in the arts and Sciences . Dad would help Bob and i on our Science fair projects . The Science fair was a yearly event which began by having exhibits at the local Grade Schools and from there selected exhibits would be asked to be presented at the Oregon Museum of Science and industry . Both Bob and i had exhibits make this journey to OMSI .

My most memorable exhibit was a map of Oregon complete with mountain ranges and painted lakes and rivers . placed in the appropriate areas of the Map were rock and mineral samples . Dad was instantiate that i do most of the work . He assisted me in building the case that presented the exhibit. For years that Map was in our house . It was about 3 feet square , with wood putty mountains and actual samples of the rocks and minerals . A white frame enclosed the map and a glass cover finished it off .

My Parents also encouraged us to take Music lessons. Perhaps a response from a particularly bad experience I had with the Music teacher at the Grade School . Mr Brown was his name a quick tempered , mean spirited megalomaniac , who frankly had no business teaching children . Prior to being in his class I had used to enjoy singing in school . Singing was part of the curriculum in the early grades and we had quite a repertoire of Steven foster and pioneer Songs we used to sing in class . That was until Mr Brown felt it necessary to call me out in front of the Choir I had volunteered to be a part of and tell me and everyone listening I had no business being in Choir because my Voice was crappy . Or words to that affect .

Dad and mom were furious . while they definitely knew we had limitations they also felt that we should be encouraged rather than discouraged .

Bob and I started taking music Lessons in downtown Portland. Bob Took Accordion lessons and I took Spanish Guitar lessons from a man named Elliot Sweetland . Both required the purchase of an instrument and of course money for lessons , which my parents freely offered , though a hardship for them .

Both Bob and I took the local bus to downtown for our lessons . I don't know the exact address but the Studio was in a basement near the pioneer Courthouse. I enjoyed the guitar . And ended up laying pretty well . The big problem for me was the Chords . The Guitar had not made a breakout as a solo instrument yet , and it was used principally as a support instrument . I had very small hands and the F Chord in particular was very difficult for me . I did learn to read music , fascinated that those little marks on the music page could then be applied to the guitar strings and frets . I enjoyed playing the melody and for a long time I would spend my money on Music books instead of comic books ...Unfortunately over the years I lost interest in the guitar , too many competing interests I guess . But I wish I would have continued .

My parents then made a very important decision for me . One that would have a lasting impact . Truly one of those turning points in a life . I was enrolled in the Norman Stoll School of Dance .

Norman was trained by Author Murray . After the war Norm began teaching ballroom dancing at the Palais Royale Ballroom on West Burnside Street. While there Norm met another teacher and professional dancer, Helen Mills. He went on to marry Helen in 1949 and in 1952 welcomed their son, Wayne. In 1950 Norm and Helen founded the Norm Stoll School of Dance and Norm Stoll Enterprises. Through their dance studio, the two travelled all over Oregon teaching dance in many places-Milwaukie Jr. High and Gardiner Jr. High in Oregon City; Lake Oswego Country Club; Capitol Hill Community Center; The Dalles; Bend; and Elk Lodges, to name a few.

I was enrolled in the Capitol Hill Community Center . One of those things I have no idea how it happened I an  Sure I wasn't thrilled at first . Not only did it require being in the close proximity of girls , but it meant taking a bath and dressing up. This ordeal was made a little easier by meeting back up with my friend Lee whose parents had also decided to enroll him . I found put much latter than another friend , who you will meet later was also enrolled and went on to be a teacher with the Norm Stoll school .

The community center had a large dance floor and a stage area . when we entered the girls would usually be in one area and the boys in another. We dressed very formal for these lessons boys in slacks, dress shirts and ties occasionally a sport coat . Girls in party dresses . When the lessons began Norm and His wife Helen would demonstrate the dance we were about to learn . Music would begin and they would glide effortlessly around the floor the guys would exchange looks with each other that quite frankly showed more fear than batting against Wayne Twitchel or Frank Stricker . But before we could go into a full panic the boys formed one circle and the girls another . Music would play and we would revolved in opposite directions , the music would stop and we would be facing our dance partner . We did this frequently during the night.

We were taught the waltz , foxtrot ( two step ) calypso , and swing . each dance requiring us to hold on to each other and move in unison as a perfect graceful couple . Lee was very good at this , I would try as best I could to keep in eye contact with him ...He made me a better dancer .

It was also apparent that all of us were trying to learn .that each of us had stepped out into the unknown. even in those days of intense peer pressure it seemed as if all in that room encouraged one another and we were for the most part all equally intimidated and rewarded .

At the end of the evening the we would form a line the boys would then present their last dance partner to Norm and Helen . We would say Mr and Mrs Stoll I would like to present to you --and we would introduce our dance partner .

I never really realized until much later in my life just how important and how life changing these classes were ... Helen and Norm lived their lives with passion they gave more than they got out of life and they left a profound legacy of young adults encouraged and emboldened to meet what ever life put in our paths . I wish I would have understood in time to thank them for what they sewed into me ...Helen died in April 14, 2008, at age 83. Norm died Nov 30th 2011 , no doubt they are dancing in Heaven Closely holding each other Gliding gently on Heavens floor .