Cox, Elizabeth (Betty) Margot

From a letter sent to the CPHS on September 30, 2005, from Elizabeth Cox

I was born in 1925 and I grew up in a home on Central Avenue, directly across from the Ahern family. My brothers Bill and Graham (now both deceased) and I were close friends of Bill and Jerry Ahern, while Mary K, (now Mrs. Francis Looney of Farmingdle) and I were friends from elementary school (and even before) through high school. Other childhood playmates included Adele Sengstacken and Alice Ludwig. Some other schoolmates were: Charlie Butehorn, Ginny Buchert, Patsy Johnson, Bobbie Nicholoson, Herbie Granberg, Bobbie Opdahl, May Damm and Gloria Jensen (please send spelling corrections of names).

In those days, the grammar school was quite rigidly segregated not by race, of course, Central Park was a typical rural, white village of its time, but it was segregated by sex. Girls and boys had separate entrances, and by and large spent recess time separate as well.

Some of the teachers from that era stand out in my recollections - Mrs. Terry, for first grade, fair, kind, patient; Bert Rose, who came to the area when I was in the 6th grade, and I believe, was the only male on the faculty; Miss Callahan, who taught geography to 7th graders - our first experience with N. Y. State Regents Exams! She would faint to see today's clasrooms as she insisted that when not reading or writing lessons, we sit with our arms folded on the desk tops, rising when called on, and being extremely embarrassed if we couldn't come up with the correct answer! And of course, 8th grade with Mrs. Dunton - she expected the best from all of us, and never gave up on anyone.

Our school participated in the celebration, in 1936, when the town's name changed from Central Park to Bethpage.

My early interest in teaching has persisted. I've taught English, Latin, Phys-ed in high schools and colleges in N. Y., Wyoming, Montana, South Dakota, Alaska and Vermont. My last job was with a state program in New Hampshire where I trained tutors for illiterate adults, and English as a second language for refugees and immigrants. Teaching was always fun, and greatly rewarding, but this last experience was by far the best. I retired in 1997, but I still do some volunteer tutoring - presently I have two students, one from Russia, the other from Peru. They are a joy to work with, so motivated and quick to learn.

I am now widowed and have two daughters and three grandchildren.