Henderson, MN Forums History Remember when... End-of-Year All School Picnic

Today and tomorrow mark the end of the school year for my kids here. Those in the elementary grades will celebrate the year end by getting to eat their lunch outside, on the school grounds. As my kids were getting ready to head out for the bus this morning I made them listen to stories about the legendary Henderson Public Schools' end-of-year All School Picnic.

Does LeSueur-Henderson do anything like that at the end of the school year now?

Remember how that was about the only day (outside of phy-ed) where we got to wear shorts to school? Remember feeling sad for those that were absent on the last day of school? Remember running along the trails in the park or wading through the water in the dry years? How about using your paper plate as a frisbee after lunch? (And does anyone remember how they gathered us all for lunch? How did they manage not to lose anyone that day???) Does anyone else have memories to share of the picnic?

Egg toss.

Squirt guns.

I recall that it was a big deal if somebody wanted to go for a "walk in the woods" with you. I also recall walking in the woods and trying to see who you could catch walking together in the woods.
I recall an upperclassman boy named Dave and girl named Jane getting left behind down by the creek...I never quite figured out what they were up to upstream. Must have been looking for crayfish or something?
I also recall walking and wading in the creek with my friend Jon Kimelee and almost drowning because of a drop-off...I was scared out of my mind.

I remember playing softball and being forced to have my picture taken on the last day of school every year by my mom. The year that my brother Todd was a senior, we of course were running late because he had to gel his hair just perfectly, and of course agueing about it. The look on our faces is complete dislike for eachother and he has me in a head lock. Great photo!

I don't remember squirt guns, but I remember using old soap bottles and ice cream buckets for the annual waterfight. And I remember lining up to get hot dogs and baked beans for lunch. Umm..

and don't forget the ice creame treat!

All I remember is during the last few years we held the picnic you couldn't as much look at someone funny w/o getting in trouble. No trails! No river! No running! No walking! No standing or sitting! No looking! No peeking! No talking! No arguing about why you can't do any of the above!!!
Thing is, nobody ever said anything about no streaking. Dang I should've thought of that back then.

Dragging underclassmen to the river to throw them in....which led to Dozer thinking he could get away with picking up Mr Bremer from behind and start walking towards the river. He actually got about 10 yards before Bremer squirmed out of it and fixed his comb-over. Thought there was going to be a hockey game breaking out there for a second! Never underestimate the the courage of a young man wearing fingerless black weightlifting gloves.

Man, I miss the Doze.

The weather for the picnic was always the best. Cheap little squirt guns smuggled onto Jake's bus. Graduated to dishsoap bottles as I got older. The days before Supersoakers...
Climbing the "hill" looked like and impossible task when you were in elementary school (Pre-Hilltop days). Trying to pump the well and fill your squirt gun was always a challenge.
Somehow the word "liability" comes to mind when I think back of wading in the Rush River without having a clue how to swim or having supervision. I wish things could be as carefree and fun for our kids now days. Put your bike helmets on! Where are your floaties! You can't go into the woods without and adult.....