Posted by Harvey Siegel
on 10/28/2009, 4:37 pm
71.54.234.216
Thanks for the kudos regarding the Willett Drive video. I've produced over 500 videos but one so close to the heart reaches deep down inside to test that thin line running between professionalism and unfettered emotion. I helped build that big box when I was 5 years old and lived two blocks away in front of John Tyler Elementary. My sisters and I walked in and out of that building a hundred times (after hours) during the construction. It was the John Tyler playground extension. I just thought it would be there forever. It was so large and imposing... bigger than life. However, time waits for no one and what's done is done.
Brad Spiers '71 and I are working on another video that we hope Eddie will post on the WWHS Alumni Web site upon completion. The subject matter concerns the final tour in August of '05. I took a lot of video that day but not many stills. Brad was so busy with the registrations that he only got a couple of snaps. If anyone who attended has pictures or video they'd like to contribute, please shoot me an email regarding same.
Also just an observation about the WWHS 1953 cornerstone. When I was searching for pix on the Big Box production I came across a picture on line in the Portsmouth Library history section. You might remember it is the one in which they were laying the cornerstone. A close examination of the picture revels a brick laying on the top of the stone or being set inside. That would indicate the stone is hollow and might have been a time capsule. If it was indeed same this would have been the time it would have been filled with artifacts from that era. Looking at the cornerstone retrieved from the demolition, it is covered with brick and mortar on the top and bottom indicating it is still sealed. If it's still in storage with the city, this could be an interesting find. No matter where the stone is placed the old brick will have to be removed and someone should be there with a video camera to preserve history. Also, if it is a time capsule, it will have to be refilled at its new location. Just a thought.
Harvey Siegel
WWHS '67
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