30 FOCUS - MAY 2017 So did Faye and her siblings Pat and Jerry. Keith and Faye’s children Richard, Julia, Robert and James all graduated from Epsom. Richard was the only one of the four to begin his education in the one room school- house. Julia was the first one to attend Kindergarten. It’s the end of an era now, with Noah being the last of their seven grandchildren to be an Epsom stu- dent. He’s in grade four. The student population of Epsom will move to Prince Albert school to continue their elementary education and then go on to Port Perry High School. Faye admits that she’s “sad” about Epsom school’s closing. “There have been some amazing graduates who have gone on to do special things in life. They were well educated.” Over theyears, there havebeen var- ious attempts to close Epsom school, due to the dwindling student popu- lation. The recent Accommodation Review by the Durham District school board led to the decision to close the doors. This year, there are only 41 students, grades kindergarten to four, attending Epsom, said principal Andrea Peel. She is in the unique position of also serving as the princi- pal of Greenbank school, where the Epsom students go for gym. Faye Asling with grandson Noah and son Rob Ashton going thru some old photos spanning six generations of Epsom Publc School. Doris Armstrong was a new bride, and certainly not looking for employment, when three school trustees knocked on her door. Because she lived across from the one room Epsom school, they asked Doris if she would please take on the job of custodian – just until they found somebody else. She agreed with the plan, because it was on a temporary basis. Forty-two years later, Doris retired at age 65! “I really enjoyed the job because the kids and the teachers were all so nice,” said Doris, now 92 years young. She describes Epsom as, “a friendly little community. We were like one big happy family!” The custodial duties back then were very labour intensive. There was no water in the school, so every day, Doris had to bring two buckets of water across the road from her house, one bucket for each toilet. She also supplied the drinking water for the children and sometimes some of the kids would help carry it. There was a woodshed on the school property, and Doris had to split the kindling, carry the coal and start the furnace. Doris was like a second mother to the children, putting on bandages and sewing on buttons – basically doing whatever was needed. “I was there in the morning and the afternoon, but not all day,” Doris recalls. Remember the movie The Christmas Story where the little boy got his tongue stuck on an iron pole in the winter? This happened at Epsom school, but never fear, Doris came to the rescue with “warm, not hot water.” One of her fondest memories is of the year that her school friends gave Doris a special birthday cake, with an image of the little red schoolhouse on it, decorated with bright red icing. She remembers when “the new big school” was built on the property. During her career, Doris had one son, Tom, who, of course, attended Epsom school. Her husband Roland passed away years ago, but Doris still lives in the little white house across the street. She says that the first year she retired, “When September came, I almost walked over again!” “I miss the kids,” she added. “They were all so good.” Doris acknowledges that it’s sad that Epsom school is closing, but she is really looking forward to reunions with everyone in attendance at the upcoming celebration on June 11. The year was 1946. Epsom Public School (continued from page 29) 1680 Reach Street, Port Perry 905-985-4441 www.emmanuelcc.ca The Best Mother’s Day Gift... 2 hours of peace... Sunday May 14 10:00 a.m. Celebrate Moms! C o m m u n i t y C h u r c h Sunday 10 a.m. For more information and to register call Janet: 905-986-4524 janni@wcshighspeed.com “Classical Egyptian Style” Ladies give it a try! First class FREE Sessions starting May 11 - Excellent exercise - Pure fun! - Improve co-ordination - All ages - Introductory, Beginner & Intermediate Lakeside Bellydance Studio * Warning: This ancient dance form can be highly addictive