THE BIS – BOYS TALK, Session 2

THE BIS BOYS were always kept “on the move” — they marched in step everywhere: to lunch, to work, to class and back to the cottages, same thing, “on the move”and their cadences filled the air. Discipline was remembered differently as these letters reveal in this session of THE BIS BOYS TALK. Bill Venrick, THE WORDWRIGHT
(Names have been changed respecting their privacy.)
We received the following brief note just this past summer, July 2010:
“Hi, I was ‘on the hill’ 1954 and 1955. Bushnell Cottage. Today I am a retired
captain and pilot on the Great Lakes. Some of the boys I tried to keep
in contact with were doing good; others not quite as good — they had
forgotten what we had learned while ‘on the hill’. Good Luck ”
Thanks Stan! It was refreshing to learn of your career and continued contact with some of the boys.
xxxxx
Received in the Spring of 2008
“Bill,
I just wanted to drop you a line to say hello and hope all is well with you and yours.  Spring has come , at last , here in Tennessee. Flowers , birds and all the things I love about this time of year.
I would enjoy an update on how your book project is going, have you had any new contacts with staff or students from BIS. I do understand the magnitude of the project you are undertaking , but also think it is a story needing to be told.
OK I have to go for now. best wishes to you  ,  Jay
xxxxx
Another from July 2009
“I was on the hill in 1958 and a few more years through the 50′s. My.
Nick name was Pete which everyone called me. It was some tough times
back then.”
xxxxx
Received in June 2010
“Good morning, Mr. Venrick.
Thank you for your prompt reply to my inquiry.
You may feel free to address me as Bill, in any future correspondence. As I say, in the opening paragraph of the chapter, ‘Home from the Hill’ in MY MEMOIR:
It was an oft repeated axiom, that upon leaving ‘the Hill’ through, what we called, the ‘Pearly Gates’, one did not look back. Or for certain you’d be back.
I find it now, somewhat ironic, that I do so with relish and find, as I try to recall the experience, that there are indeed huge gaps in my recollection of the day to day life there. I think that I’d like to re-visit the place. I’m sure, that, if I did, it would refresh my memory of those critical months.
It is very interesting, to understand how boys of different social and ethnic groups: urban as opposed to rural; Black as opposed to White; northern Ohio as opposed to middle and southern Ohio; experienced life and being there ‘on the Hill’.
Reading some of the essays, on your blog, written, apparently by former residents, it’s well nigh impossible for me to recognize the place. [Editor: The articles referred to could well have been 20-30 years from this person's experience too.]
Though it was well known to all of us there, that some boys, I believe, that it was “Division One”, attended school and Division Two worked in the dairy and on the farms there. Most of us in Division Three in the Nash, Scioto and Harmon B cottages, simply marinaded in various forms of punishment.
I could never honestly say that I recall being on the Hill, like some boys recall, going on a Scouting retreat. It was far from camp fire songs and dunking for apples.
Nevertheless, in my particular case, it did the trick, so to speak. I have not been incarcerated for a crime since! Nor have I committed any. I can honestly say, that being remanded on the Hill for over one year, in my young life, made me personally appreciate the value of liberty options.
The discipline was harsh, but hardly ever cruel.
I’m not sure, even now, if I really know how to define success, but I do know how to define failure. Allowing your person and your life, to be given over to the whim and caprice of the state, however, well intended, is indeed, failure.
I’ve had a checkered but honest career, since those turbulent days of my delinquent youth. I’ve been a licensed U.S. Customs Broker for the past fifteen years. I’ve been in Import-export, for thirty years and an active International Trade Consultant. I am also, the founder and sole owner of a business importing human hair and my products are shipped nationally and internationally. [Name of business was not included respecting this man's privacy.]
It’s a real pleasure to meet you sir.– All the best, Bill
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THANKS “BOYS”, it has been good hearing from you! You have expressed yourself quite well.