Homekid Stories
Homekid Story from George Hammelman
By George Hammelman
Jan 19, 2001, 12:21

On one occasion "Juney" Schuckman, "Tick" Parrish and I decided to hitchhike to Fremont to see one of the Home football games. (We ranged in ages from 13 and 14 at the time.) We experienced no difficulty getting off Home grounds, and thumbing a ride to the game. Our problem began after the game, as rides didn't seem to be as plentiful. We ended up late at night walking the streets of Fremont with no view or means for return to Home.

We were eventually picked up by city police and taken to a detention home. You can imagine our fright and reaction as to what would happen to us now that we were caught and incarcerated. I had never been locked up before in my life.

Being the junior member of our trio, "Juney" and "Tick" pushed me to the front to meet the on-slaught of the burly intimidating police chief. His initial remark was; "Where are you boys from?" I replied, "The Jr. Home in Tiffin." "Ah, yes"; said the chief. "It's a worth-while institution." I was a bit miffed by his reference to the Home as an institution, feeling he meant a juvenile detention center of reform school. After those opening remarks, I felt handled the rest of the interrogation rather well.

The following Saturday morning "Dad" was contacted, and came to pick us up. Upon returning home, we were lectured by "Dad" as to why we should have not done what we did, and to what dangers we had left ourselves open. We were also assigned some extra chores for the following weekend.

Extra chores were not advantageous to us, the Homekid. So as not to interfere with our week day responsibilities, most extra chores were assigned for weekends, which became an infringement on our free time. We weren't thrilled with the idea, and kind of looked at it as double punishment.