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Robert Bike

Robert
Bike

Licensed Massage Therapy #5473
Eugene, Oregon

EFT-CC, EFT-ADV

Teaching Reiki Master

Life Coach

541-465-9486

Gift Certificates

Reiki
Private classes.
Biblical Aromatherapy
Therapeutic Essential
Oil Massages
Member
OMTA & ABMP
President of the Oregon Massage Therapists Association
2008-2010
& 2012-2013

I graduated from Freeport (Illinois) High School.
I'm a Pretzel!

FHS Reunions

Copyright 2002 - present

Latest Copyright
2019

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Buy one of my books, on sale below.
All sales go to help support this website.

Remarkable Stories,
Volume 1


by Robert Bike

Remarkable events have happened in Freeport and Stephenson County, Illinois, and remarkable people have lived there. These are stories gathered about people and events from 1835 through World War II.

By no means complete, these are overviews of lives and events which shaped our country and our world. From events in the lives of Tutty Baker, Abraham Lincoln, Charles Guiteau, Leonard Colby, Jane Addams and Bob Wienand come stories that will amaze you. Welcome to Volume 1 of our living history.

The author lives in Eugene, Oregon, and works as a Licensed Massage Therapist and Life Coach. An amateur historian, parts of these stories and many more appear on this website.

Buy now! Only 99 cents to download in .pdf format!

Want a paperback? List price $14.99, now only $11.99!

Biblical Aromatherapy

by Robert Bike

The Bible mentions about 232 plants by name, or closely enough to figure out what plant is meant. Of these, 24 are aromatic plants; that is, parts of the plants can be pressed or distilled to get an essential oil. Essential oils are the lifeblood of plants and have tremendous healing capabilities.

The healing power of plants is the basis for modern medicines.

Biblical Aromatherapy
discusses how the plants were used in biblical days and how you can use the essential oils from biblical plants.

Originally published in manuscript form in 1999, I completely revised the book and added illustrations.

To order Biblical Aromatherapy in paperback,
Click here.

List price $24.99; introductory offer $19.99


To order the pdf version and download to your computer or phone,

Click here.

The electronic version is only $2.99!

 

Publicity!

Olga Carlile, columnist for the Freeport (Illinois) Journal Standard, featured this website in her column on January 19, 2007.
Here is a jpg scan.

Harriet Gustason, another columnist for the Freeport Journal Standard, has featured this website twice. Click to see pdf of articles:
June 29, 2012
November 3, 2012

 

"My Life Purpose is to inspire my friends
and clients to achieve
success, health,
wealth and happiness
by empowering them
to reach their potential,
while living in harmony
with each other, animals
and our planet."
Robert Bike

Robert Bike, LMT, LLC

The Polaris is the high school annual from Freeport High School, Freeport, Illinois.

My father, Ralph Bike, graduated in 1931. I have his yearbooks from 1929-1931.

As I have time, I will add info to this page, including photos scanned from the 1931 Polaris.

All text and photos Copyright 2002 - present Robert L. Bike, except for photos and direct quotes from the Polaris, and other uncopyrighted material in the public domain.

The 1931 Polaris

Volume XXVII

Published by
The Senior Class
of
Freeport High School
Freeport, Illinois

The 1931 Polaris
The 1931 Polaris

1931 Class Song

Words by John Sullivan, '31
(To be sung to the tune of "Pomp and Circumstance," by Elgar)

We the class of '31
Are leaving you today.
We will ever by thy loyal sons
In memory with you stay.
Those noble thoughts, those lessons learned,
Will ever guide us through.
Our knowledge gained and power attained,
Oh, Freeport, 'tis of you.

Chorus:
Freeport High we treasure
All our years with you—
All the joy and pleasure
Ideals tried and true.
Wider and still wider,
Let thy bounds be set.
God who made thee mighty,
Make thee mightier yet.
God who made thee mighty
Make thee mightier yet.

Second Chorus:
Freeport High—we're leaving
Comrades loved and true.
We will long be grieving
To return to you.
Wider and still wider,
Shall thy bounds be set.
God who made thee mighty,
Make thee mightier yet.
God who made thee mighty
Make thee mightier yet.


Class Officers

Stanley Young, President
Frederick Bowers, Vice-President
Virginia Jones, Secretary-Treasurer

L. A. Fulwider, Principal
Mrs. Kidd, Secretary
Nellie Provoost Scott, Dean of Girls
Mr. Louis Mensenkamp, Testing
George Kloos, Financial Manager

Dr. J. S. Clark, President of the Board of Education
Mr. B. F. Shafer, Superintendent of Schools


The Class of 1931

Helen Allington, Margaret Altenbern, Rachel Anderson, Paul Andree, Lois Archibald, Carl Arndt,

Bert Baker, Lucille Balz, Opal Bardell, Rudolph Bayme, Leonard Bear, Earl Becke, Mary Benkert, Vearl Benoy, Ralph Bike, Jack Bolender, Elinor Bowen, Frederick Bowers, Dorothy Bremer, Marjorie Brinkmeier, Frances Buehler, Jack Buffin, Frank Burt,

Page from 1931 Polaris, seniors
Opal Bardell, Rudolph Bayme
Leonard Bear, Earl Becke
Mary Benkert, Vearl Benoy
Ralph Bike, Jack Bolender

William Carnahan, Kenneth Casford, Lucile Cheeseman, Vera Clarkson, William Collier, Louis Conter, Valeda Crockett, Miriam Cromley,

Alice Daterman, Lola Dir, George Dowling, Florence Dupee,

Russell Eichmeier, Marian Ellis, Robert Enzler, Charles Evans, Lillian Evans,

Marjorie Fawver, Bethel Fink, Marie Folbridge, Katherine France, Marjorie Fry, Gladys Fuller, Harry Furst, Idellis Furry,

Virl Garnhart, Wallace Garnhart, Loyal Gassman, Eleanor Glaser, Dorothy Green, Herman Greeson, Henry Guentherman,

Nellie Hawley, Ralph Heidenreich, Camilla Heine, Florence Heisler, Gordon Heisler, Cecelia Henze, Charles Hepner, Charlotte Hepner, James Herrick, Harriet Hevern, Howard Hewins, Roger Hill, Marguerite Hoffman, Florence Holmes, Kathryn Hooker, Blanche Hubbard, Edward Hubbard, Esther Hummermeier, Carol Hyndman,

Dorothy Irwin,

Willard James, Karl Janssen, Dean Jennings, Lois Johnson, Virginia Jones,

1931 Senior Bernice KranerAlice Kaiser, Helen Kelly, Ruth Kerch, Yvonne Kiefer, Bernice Kraner, Frank Krehl, Lois Krehl, Evelyn Krieg, Hazel Kroll, Harold Kubatzke, Grace Kuhlemeyer,

William Landgraf, Alice Layman, Jeanette Liljequist, Mary Louise Loveland, Kenneth Luedeke, Dorothy Ludolph,

Vernon Macomber, Elizabeth Madden, Albert Manus, Vera Martini, Agnes McGurk, Fern Meinert, Carleton Mensenkamp, Melba Miller, Grace Mohr, Ruth Mohr, Kenneth Moore,

Nadine Neuberger, Alvin Niblo,

Russell Obenchain, Clarice Offenhiser, Paul Opel,

Frances Pearse, Grace Pierce,Spencer Phillips,

Henrietta Rampenthal, Marie Reamer, Virginia Rech, Oleta Reed, Emma Regez, Harold Reynolds, Ruth Rigby, Jane Riordan,

Frederic Shaper, George Schmelze, Emma Shoff, Walter Smith, Evelyn Sowers, Bernice Stephan, Leah Stephens, Rosemary Stephenson, Kathryn Stone, Carl Stover, Robert Strohacker, Robert Stuart, John Sullivan,

Keith Taber, Margaret Tappe, John Taylor, Verna Tielkemeier,

Lawrence Valeske, Charles Van Matre,

Pauline Wagner, Philip Watz, Belva Weiler, Beulah Weiler, Mildred Welstead, Ruth Winter, Evelyn Wirtjes, Bernice Wurtzel,

Olive Young, Stanley Young.


Athletics

Track:
The 1930 track team finished second at the District meet. At the Mid-West relays in Madison, Harley Brubaker soared to twelve feet to take second in the pole vault. Ray Le Baron cleared 11'3" to tie for third. The sprint team, George Schmelzle, Emerson Gunning, R. D. Strohacker and Joe Clouser, finished second. At the Big Six Conference Meet, Charles Jones won the high jump and Benno Ibler broke the javelin record. Coaches were Roy Anderson, Howard Weber and Crink.

Football:
Lights were installed at the football stadium for the first time for the 1930 season. The 1930 Heavyweights, coached by Roy Anderson and Howard Weber, went 2-6. The Heavyweight captains were Gordon Heisler and Stanley Young. The Lightweights, coached by Milton Schwager and George Kloos, won 3, lost 3, and played two games to a scoreless tie. The Lightweight captain was Willard Stabenow. Robert Coon was the Property Boy for both teams.

Basketball:
The 1930-31 heavyweights went 14-7, losing in the Sectional Tournament to eventual second-place Galesburg. Mr. Kloos, who won a state title with an Iowa team, was the new coach. Last year's coach, Adolph Rupp, left to coach basketball at the University of Kentucky. (When Rupp retired from Kentucky, he was the had the record for most wins for any college basketball coach. Only two coaches have passed him, Dean Smith and Bobby Knight.) The lightweights, coached by Mr. Anderson, went 5-10.

Girls Basket Shooting:
The 1930-31 Girls Basket Shooting team finished second in the state, losing to Elgin. Bernice Stephan and Florence Dupee both were a perfect 9 of 9. Esther Hawes and Lucille Price both made 8 of 9. Miss Helen Louise Nelson was the coach.


Clubs

National Honor Society
Spencer Phillips, President

Student Council
Stanley Young, President

Philomathians
Virginia Rech, President

International Quill and Scroll
Ralph Bike, President

1931 Quill & Scroll
1931 Quill & Scroll
Top row: R. Stuart, J. Liljequist, R. Bike, M. Folbridge
Bottom row: A. Kaiser, L. Bach, H. Hevern, J. Harmon
Ralph Bike, President; Miss Musser, Adviser

Le Cercle Francais
Harry Furst, President

El Circulo Castellano
Harriet Hevern, President

Societas Romana
Albert Manus, President

Girls' Club
Florence Dupee, President

Hi-G. R.
Elizabeth Madden, President

Home Economics Club
Marion Moren, President

Commercial Club
Henrietta Rampenthal, President

Mask and Wig
Harry Furst, President

Annual Club
Frank Krehl, President

Hi-Y
Stanley Young, President

Lettermen's Club
Gordon Heisler, President

Peppy Pretzels
Leo Bach, President


Music

1930-31 Freeport High School Band
Karl Kubitz, Director
Kenneth Moore, Student Manager
Carl Stover, Librarian
Robert Campbell, Drum Major

The French horn quartet, shown at the top of the page below, won first at the District Contest. They are, from left to right, Ernest Seeman, Amel Watz, John Propp and Kern Dickman.
The 1931 French horn quartet & brass ensemble

The brass ensemble, shown at the bottom of the page, tied for first place in the District and won second place at the State Meet. They are, from left to right, Walter Seeman, Karl Schramm, Frederick Simpson and Lawrence Kaney.

1930-31 Freeport High School Orchestra
Karl Kubitz, Conductor
Alice Kaiser, Librarian
George Kloos, Financial Manager
Ernest Seeman, Concertmaster

Treble Clef
Grace Mohr, President

Boys' Glee Club

Voice Class

A Capella Choir

"Martha"
The first Opera production at Freeport High School.
Produced April 16 & 17 at the Germania Theatre.


Drama

"Seventeen"
"Tarkingon's gay comedy of youth and love in summer time, was presented May 29, 1930, by the Class of '31."

"A Tailor-Made Man"
The senior play was presented January 28 and 29, 1931.

Minor Dramatics
"Joint Owners in Spain"
"Memory Rose"
"King Lear"
"Maker of Dreams"
"Mr. Jellicott"
"Ten Years"
"Where But in America"
"Fourteen"
"The Christmas Guest"


Oratory

National Forensic League
Robert Schmelzle, President

Debate
Robert Schmelzle, Lawrence Lawver, Bert Snow, Affirmative Team
R. Simpson, William Burt, Robert Davis, Negative Team

Oratory


Publications

Freeport High School News

Back row: M. Moren, L. Lawver, K. Janssen, R. Bike, G. Schmelzle, F. Shepard, R. Strohacker, M. Engelhart
Third row: J. Liljequist, J. Buffin, R. Stuart, R. Schmelzle, M. Mohr, M. Folbridge, M. Hoffman, M. Porter
Second row: M. Marvin, F. Heisler, J. Morton, J. Hill, R. Kerch, C. Hyndman, N. Davis
Front row: C. Fink, L. Bach, J. Harmon, J. Penwell, R. Vosberg, H. Hevern, M. Shaw, B. Keil
The 1931 Freeport High School News staff
John Harmon, Frederick Emrich, Harriet Hevern, Ralph Bike, Editors

Before our student newspaper became the Pretz News, it was called other things. The 1931 Polaris announced that on February 27, 1931, The Freeport High School News was first published. Until then, news was printed semi-weekly in the Journal Standard, through the courtesy of the newspaper.

The 1931 Polaris

Back row: F. Dupee, M. Altenbern, J. Sullivan, F. Burt, S. Phillips, M. Folbridge, R. Hill, R. Obenchain
Third row, F. Liljequist, V. Jones, A. Manus, R. Stuart, R. Schmelzle, F. Krehl, P. Andree, C. Stover
Second row: J. Hill, C. Hepner, V. Crockett, C. Hyndman, E. Madden, H. Finley, M. Fawver, L. Evans, R. Anderson
Front row: H. Hevern, H. Rampenthal, E. Krieg, J. Penwell, M. Ellis, F. Heisler, H. Kroll, A. Kaiser

Spencer Phillips, Marie Folbridge, Margaret Altenbern, Albert Manus, Editors

 

FHS Song & Yells

On Freeport!
L. M. Hiatt, Composer

On Freeport!
On Freeport!
Crash right thro' that line.
Take the ball a-round,
Roll it on the ground.
You are go-ing fine.
Go on Freeport!
On Freeport!
Take our vic-t'ry through.
On, oh Freeport!
On, oh Freeport!
We are all with you.
Rah! - Rah! - Rah! Rah! Rah!
Freeport High School! Rah!

Locomotive
F-R-E-E-P-O-R-T
F-R-E-E-P-O-R-T
F-R-E-E-P-O-R-T
FREEPORT!

Skyrocket
S-s-s-s-s-sssssBoom!
Wheeeeeeeeeeeee (scream)
A-a-a-h!
Freeport!!

KI-YAK
Kiyak, Kiyak, Kiyak-yak-yak
Kiyak, Kiyak, Kiyak-yak-yak
Ki - - yak! Ki - - yak!
Orange! Black!

YEA TEAM
Yea Team! Yea Team!
Fight! Fight! Fight!
Fight, Freeport, Fight!

F-R YELL
F-R-F-R--F-R-E-E
P-O-P-O--P-O-R-T
F-R-E-E-P-O-R-T
Freeport! Freeport! Yea!

YEA, YEA, YEA, YEA
Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea
Yea, Yea, Yea, Yea
Yea, Freeport, fight, fight, fight--fight--fight
Fight, fight, fight--fight--fight
Yea, Freeport, Fight!

WHAT'S THE MATTER?
What's the matter with the team?
They're all right!
Who's all right?
The team!
Who said so?
We all say so!
Who are we?
(Locomotive)

NINE RAHS
Rah, Rah, Rah
Rah, Rah, Rah
Rah, Rah, Rah
Who? Team!
Who? Team!
Who? Team! Team! Team!

GO, FREEPORT, GO
Go, Freeport, Go
Hit 'em high! Hit 'em low!
Go, Freeport, Go, Go, Go!


Senior Farewell

Alice Kaiser, '31

We soon must leave our youthful ways,
But still we have no fears,
For mem'ries of these happy days,
We'll carry through the years.

Bright dreams have come to everyone,
Of things we hoped to do,
Those dreams, which here were just begun,
Too quickly fade from view.

And if our leaving means adieu,
To friendships we hold dear,
We must not let them fade from view,
Though parting brings a tear.

We must look only for the best,
And to ourselves be true,
All going forward with the rest,
The old must change for new.

So when, the lips say, "Fare thee well,"
The heart may breathe a sigh,
For brightest smiles will never tell,
The pain beneath, "Good-bye."

In years to come we may review,
These hours which quickly fly,
And loyal hearts will still be true,
To dear old Freeport High.

1931 Ads

The Bilger Studio, Phone Main 1318, We photograph anything, anywhere, anytime

Kutchback's, Dress better for less, Freeport's newest ladies' ready to wear store

Otto Krehl barber shop, "It pays to look well", 11 N. Chicago, Phone M. 820

C. W. Middlekauff, attorney at law, second floor Second National Bank bldg

Oak Brand Ice Cream, "The Cream of Good Taste", Freeport dairy and produce co.

It is always blossom time at Freeport Floral Co., J. E. Steffen Flower Shop, 13 E. Stephenson St., Because in our 105,000 sq. ft. of glass we grow and sell the best.

Crawford's Pharmacy, Prescription Druggists, Sheaffer & Parker Fountain Pens, Expert fitters of Akron Trusses, surgical belts, and elastic hosiery. Opposite Court House, Phone 183

John P. Glennan, school books and office supplies, Phone Main 320, 4 East Main Street, Freeport, Illinois

Sanford and Zartman Lumber Co.

Freeport Petroleum Corporation

H. A. Hartman, clothier, 9 W. Stephenson St.

Otto Wagner's Office Supply House, House of Service. Students, we think, will find us the House of Service in all lines of pencils, fountain pens, stationery and school supplies. Complete line of Greeting Cards, office supplies of all kinds. 12 W. Main St., Freeport, Illinois, Phone Main 389

Compliments of Henney Motor Company

John Vaupel Clothier, John E. Vaupel, Edwin J. Bangasser

Wm. Walton Nephews, Freeport's oldest dry goods and clothing store. Established 1858--73 years. Reliable merchandise, dependable service. "There is scarcely anything in the world that some man cannot make a little worse and sell a little cheaper . . . and the customers who consider price only, are this man's lawful prey." -- John Ruskin

Guenther's Drug Store, 119 S. Galena Avenue, opposite Patio Theatre, Mfgrs or distributors, Dextra Cold Tablets, Dr. King's Neuritis Tablets, Tel. 266

Padberg the Printer, Job printing, Main 325, 118 N. Chicago, Ave.

Kuehner Bros., Established 1857, Furniture, rugs, draperies, W. Main St. at So. Galena Ave., Freeport, Ill.

Perkins Studio, Be photographed on your birthday

Dollmeyer & Merck, Headquarters for all school books & supplies, New location, 214 W. Stephenson St., the block above the Court House

Stephenson County Telephone Company, three-fold co-operation, Every telephone connection requires co-operation. The slightest inattention or indifference on the part of the person who calls, or the connection or the person who is called results in corresponding deficiency in service. Each is equally responsible for the success of the service.

Wilcox Beauty Salon, Jennie L. Wilcox, Amy R. Olson, All branches of beauty culture, Main 2101, curling, finger waving, 447 South Locust Ave., Freeport, Illinois

Spurgeons Thrift Store, ready to wear millinery, dress fabrics, hosiery, etc., 15 W. Stephenson St., Phone: Main 454, lingerie, notions, All quality merchandise service at live and let live prices.

Golden Rule Shoe Store, Plager Bros., Prop., Enna Jettick Shoes for Women, AAAAA to EEE, Sizes 1 to 12, Nunn Bush Shoes for Men, 17 West Main St., X-Ray Fittings

C. F. Hildreth Co., Insurance, real estate, Clark J. Browne, Pres., 227 W. Stephenson St., Phone Main 282

H. E. Krieg Clothing House, "Quality plus style", 25 East Main Street, Freeport, Illinois

Your Shop, hosiery and lingerie, Freeport Hotel Building

Freeport Dye Works, Al. J. Schmelzle, Try our new crystal cleaning process

Stukenberg & Borchers, Freeport's Largest Department Store, 37 Departments, All under one roof, head to foot outfitters to her majesty, the Sweet Girl Graduate. Dry goods, coats, suits, millinery & rugs; 19-21-23-25 W. Main St., Freeport, Ill

Arcade Toys ad in 1931 Polaris

Arcade Manufacturing Company, Freeport, Illinois, Arcade Cast Iron Toys, Give your little brother a modern toy. He will like this one. Toy Reo Royal Coupe, These latest models in toy trucks, racer, tractors and automobiles.

C.S. & John W. Barrett, O.D., specializing in keen, comfortable vision, Second National Bank Bldg., Phone Main 70

Smythe Tire Co.

Sanders' Auto Parts Co., everything your auto and radio needs. New and used, 200-206 E. Stephenson St., Corner Adams, Used Car Mart, 1006 West Galena, End of Car Line Route 5

Bengston's Gift Shop, diamonds, watches, high type jewelry, silverware, clocks, specializing graduation gifts, 111 W. Main

Mrs. Bengston, Interior furnisher, fabrics of every description, lamps, rookwood pottery, 111 W. Main

Louis F. Reinhold, attorney and counselor, 203 Kresge Bldg.

Hermsmeier Bros. for groceries and meats

Freeport Theatres, Lindo, Patio, Strand

Hecht's, "First with the Newest"



The Freeport High School News
May 29, 1931
My father, Ralph Bike, was Editor-In-Chief.


John Macomber wrote asking about his great uncle, Vernon Macomber. Here's Uncle Vern:

And a close-up:

Macomber

Vernon Macomber entered FHS in his junior year from Orangeville High School. He was active in the Glee Club, Band, Track, Cantata, "Lelawala" and "Martha". "Lelawala" was produced in Uncle Vern's junior year by the Girls' Treble Clef and Boys' Glee Clubs. "Martha" was Flowtow's opera, produced at the Germania Theatre on April 16-17, 1931, by the vocal music department. Uncle Vern and Vearl Benoy played Courtiers, friends of Tristan. Uncle Vern played Alto Clarinet in the marching band.


Home Economics

 Scan courtesy of Donna Chlupsa, Class of 1977


 

Polaris Home

Freeport High School

Click on any year in the chart below to see the class and other info,
such as postcards, people and events from that year.

1931
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