I and my two brothers spent four years in the Immaculate Heart of Mary Orphanage from 1949 to 1954.
I only recently learned it burned down although I visited and toured the closed facility a few years before the fire. I was under the assumption the structures were dismantled but apparently I was wrong.
For many years I could never bring myself to visit as it held many bad memories for me but in hindsight I realize the nuns were only trying to make the best of it.
While there I played first trumpet along with my brother Jim, was a cub and Boy Scout, led the altar boys and was a troublemaker.
My brothers all succeeded in colleges or universities. I established my own real estate appraisal company, brother Jim is a retired architect in Hawaii, brother Denis a successful attorney with Royal Dutch Shell Oil Company.
The place was not haunted but many of us have not the best recollections and experiences, choosing to not ever return.
It is sad, though, to know the buildings are gone and we have nothing to remember other than memories.
I also played on the basketball team, our star was Albert Harranza (sic) and remember two girls from school: Carol and Violet Mutka, oh and also, the sexy Millie Mike.
I'm 74 today so the memory of almost 65 years ago my be faulty but memories are strange occupancies, some sad, some happy, some melancholy.
Sure wouldn't mind hearing from anyone who reads and remembers me.
George Brown