Eva (Zonczyk) Morel
Class of 1970
Eva arrived at Kurn Hattin Homes when she was seven years old, in the summer before her third-grade year. She gave us a guided tour of the Saxtons River campus of the early 1970s in her memory, bringing the spirit of the Homes alive.
“One of my first memories,” she recalls, “was changing from day clothes to pajamas and walking from Warner Cottage to Hewett Cottage in the dark! I was only seven years old and very confused.” She soon found her place amid the routines, responsibilities, and opportunities of life here. She says, “Hewitt Cottage had a very big linen closet where we chose our own bedding, which was washed in a wringer washing machine in the laundry area. It was hard work lugging the laundry through the wringer! Linens were later ironed by big steam presses in the basement. At Hewett Cottage, we watched television only on Sunday nights, usually The Lawrence Welk Show, and we made our own popcorn or ‘cobwebs,’ which were really Rice Krispies treats.”
Eva remembers the tennis court beside Hewett Cottage that was flooded in the winter so that the children could ice skate. She adds, “Outside, near the tennis court, is where we played the game of Jacks. I was unbeatable at Jacks!”
“Dennis Cottage, which was built before Turrell Cottage, housed the eldest girls and also the infirmary,” says Eva. “Kurn Hattin had a strict rule that when you were sick you stayed in bed until you were better. The only distraction to sleep was reading and eating meals. I remember having chicken pox and the flu. Someone left the record player unattended with Nat King Cole’s “Ramblin’ Rose” playing over and over again! That was a distraction to sleep!”
Continuing her tour, Eva says, “Turrell Cottage was where I learned that I am not a baker. Once, when making Toll House cookies, I forgot to add the flour! I remember the houseparent’s nephew would bring a microphone, and we would sing along with the songs … “Crimson and Clover” and “Dizzy!” Miss Ward’s cottage housed the ceramics studio in the basement. We spent many hours learning how to make and cast molds, to paint and glaze pottery, and to use the kiln. I still have the ceramic cat I made in that ceramic studio.”
During Eva’s years at Kurn Hattin, the girls’ elementary school building was in Saxtons River. She recalls that it had an in-ground swimming pool in the basement. She says, “I still remember the route … down the stairs … boys’ locker room to the left and girls’ locker room to the right. Our locker room had the BEST shower ever! Outside the far doors was the pool. Beyond the far side of the pool, at the shallow end, were glass doors. I learned to swim both above and under water, and I earned several swimming certificates. My favorite pool games were Pom-Pom-Pull-Away and Marco Polo. Behind the school building was the basketball court/gym/stage for graduation.
There were roller skates under the stage! It was so much fun skating around and around the gym. In the fall, we held Field Day games with three-legged races, sack races, relay races, and other games.”
Music has always been a central part of the Kurn Hattin experience, and this was true for Eva. “The girls participated in The Glee Club,” she explains. “We identified our voice ranges, learned many songs, and traveled to sing at area nursing homes. We were nicely dressed and held our cupped hands in front of us. We looked very professional! When I got to fifth grade in Westminster, I received my first pair of eyeglasses, learned to read music, and learned to play the clarinet. I participated in concert band and marching band. We were invited to march in parades and take part in special band concerts. Once a week the kids got together for square dancing. It was SO much fun! I especially liked the dances the Auctioneer and the Virginia Reel. With a bit of a refresher, I think I could still dance the Auctioneer. We would also sing on the bus going back and forth to school. That’s where I learned the Kurn Hattin anthem.”
Certain lessons and moments stick with Eva decades later, from learning to count to ten in Japanese, to cooking lessons, to a magical night gazing in wonder at the Northern Lights well after bedtime. She says that all her experiences at Kurn Hattin prepared her for what was next.
“My sports and band background helped me to integrate easily into high school. In my senior year, I was the ball handler on the girls’ varsity basketball team and first chair clarinet. As I think about my time at the Kurn Hattin, so many memories come back! What a time it was. I lived with structure and routine, which I did not have at home. I value the many life skills that I learned and that I practice every day: cooking, cleaning, sewing, and my appreciation of music. I always felt safe at Kurn Hattin, and I’m grateful for my time there.”