The "Another Book Of Memories Just Completed" Story

The Jostens Yearbook Company website open on my desktop computer.

It was an ordinary day.  Talking to Jostens Yearbook Company district represen- tative Micah about two pages that I couldn't upload to the company's website.  He assured me that he would be able to take care of the problem.  I told him to fix them and submit them for me, finishing my final yearbook for this school year.  He has given me help for a few years now as well as Jostens local rep Al.  

Beginning to submit pages I have
designed in the Middle School Yearbook.

I have worked with Al for more than 30 years now going back to when I still taught school in the Manheim Township School District in Lancaster County, Pennsylvania.  He has always been a big help and has made the job of yearbook advisor a simple one for me.  Two years ago Al dropped by the house with Micah so he could introduce me to Micah.  We hit it off immediately when he complimented Carol and me on our home filled with beach related artwork and decorations.  During my call today to Micah we naturally had to talk about vacations we both plan to take in the near future.  After our travel plans were discussed, we talked about business and I hung-up knowing that my problems had been solved.  If you have been reading this blog for any length of time, you probably know by now that I have continued to produce both the Manheim Township Middle School as well as the Manheim Township Landis Run Intermediate School yearbooks since I retired from teaching in 1999.  

Student designed covers from past yearbooks.  Yearbook
covers for both books this year are equally memorable.

Each book is a black and white, 64-page history of the school year done in a hardcover book formatt.  I take almost all the photos except for the class photographs which are given to me by the school photo- grapher.  I enlist the help of the art department at each school for creating the cover of the book.  Both entire yearbooks are done online by myself selecting layouts prepared by the company as well as  making my own.  I became a yearbook advisor in 1969 when the high school advisor asked if I could help him with the job.  The following year I took over the book and have been doing yearbooks every since.  When I retired I was asked to give up the high school yearbook in favor of a teacher in the high school.  

My 53rd yearbook is almost complete.

The next day the Middle School principal called and asked if I could do their book.  You betcha!  Then, five years ago the district opened an intermediate school and that principal asked if I could do their book.  You betcha!  This year, when both books are delivered to their respective school and I have handed them out to all who have purchased them, I will have completed 53 yearbooks.  Do I still enjoy producing them.  You betcha!  Love visiting the schools taking candids, club groups, music groups, teacher candids .... well, the whole works.  Who wouldn't enjoy being young again for a few hours now and then and amongst children who all love to have their photograph taken for their book of memories.  And, with the advent of online yearbook production at the turn of the century, my job has been made not only easier, but really fun to do.  Will I continue to produce school yearbooks in the future?  Now that answer is a no-brainer!  You betcha!!  It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy.