This is Throwback Thursday #144.  In these, we look back into the past at ESCONI specifically and Earth Science in general.  If you have any contributions, (science, pictures, stories, etc …), please send them to esconi.info@gmail.com.  Thanks!

---

Back in 1953, ESCONI put on a evening school class in Geology at Downers Grove High School during the latter part of September.  Dr. Frank Fleener from Joliet, IL taught Mineralogy and Professor Clarence Smith of Aurora College taught Geology.

Here is the announcement in the July/August 1953 newsletter.

EVENING SCHOOL

It may be a little early to remind you of this, but haven’t you wondered this summer what this rock and that rock was, and how you could find out what they were? It is generally agreed that it is best for you if you got a general knowledge of geology and then expose yourself to mineralogy. This year, we understand, the Downers Grove High School has been very fortunate in getting Professor Clarence Smith of Aurora College to teach geology, and Dr. Frank Fleener of Joliet, to teach mineralogy. Dr. Fleener plans to follow each lecture with demonstrations, or in other words, a laboratory period. Dr. Fleener does not feel that he can continue to teach at the Evening School much longer, so make good use of this opportunity.

We would especially like to see our younger members take advantage of these. courses.

The school will start the latter part of September, so plan to be there.

The September 1953 newsletter had a more complete summary of the class.  ESCONI was promoting it for all members.  The Geology and Mineralogy courses cost $7 and the Jewelry Making class cost $11 per attendee.  They were held for 10 weeks, with the Jewelry Making class limited to 12 students.

NIGHT SCHOOL FALL of 1953

For us, they have included three courses in the fall curriculum of the Adult Evening School in Downers Grove, namely Geology, Mineralogy and Jewelry Making. Let’s sign up for those courses. This means all of us. We can sign up either by coming to the High School on the evening of September 22, or by writing in and sending our money to the Adult Evening School, Care of Downers Grove High School, Downers Grove, Illinois. Geology and Mineralogy will each cost $7.00 for 10 weeks, and Jewelry Making will cost $11.00. The Jewelry making class will be limited to 12 students.

Geology is basic. With knowledge of it you understand the work of nature. For Instance you can distinguish an Indian site from a Glacial moraine and above all you know where you will be most likely to find the things you want such as artifacts and minerals. Our teacher will be the eminent Professor Clarence Smith. ‘Nuff said!

Mineralogy is the science that embraces the study of gems; and who among us does not love gems? Dr. Frank Fleener in response to our plea, will once more share with us his vast knowledge of the subject. This fall he will augment his lessons with Laboratory demonstrations.

Jewelry Making is the art that enables us to embellish our gems and fittingly display our most delicate artifacts and fossils. Our loader will be the professional master craftsman L. C. Aldrich, who knows all of the tricks of the trade, and who, furthermore, is an excellent teacher.

The Mineralogy and Jewelry Making classes will be on Tuesday nights starting September 29, and the Geology class will be on Thursday nights starting October 1. We are informed that this will be the last time L. C. Aldrich or Dr. Fleener will be available for this work. We owe it to ourselves to take advantage of this opportunity, so the first 12 of us should sign up for Jewelry Making, and the rest of us should sign up for both Geology and Mineralogy. These two science courses were purposely scheduled for different nights so we could take both of them,

There are a bunch of recognizable ESCONI founders and early members… Bill Allaway, Jay Farr, Bill Kelley, Ethel and George Malott, Orville Fether.  Is that Dick Ade in the back?  The back of the photo shows some confusion as to the year the class was held, the newsletter provides the clues to the real date, which was 1953.  It amazing how well dressed everyone is… the men in suits and the women in dresses.  This doesn’t look like any ESCONI meeting I’ve attended!