Wednesday school, released time, religious

As we continue our discussion on exactly when released time was held, my sister, (Solveig aka Sam, aka Sosie) a 1966 graduate, checks in. She writes from Sunol, California, where she is a technical writer for a software company. She also "studies" wine in area vineyards:

Hi Stan,
I just took a break from Oracle confusion by clicking on your blog. If that Karen Schjei Benson hasn't yet checked in, here is what I remember about Wednesdays. See if this triggers anything for you. I can't swear by it, but this is what I remember.

In Sixth grade, I attended Wednesday morning Lutheran school. Afterwards, I would wander around downtown until Mom or someone would transport me back to District 460. One time I spent most of a morning in Herberger's basement picking through the bargain bins. I found a tan-and-white striped sweater and decided it was a good value. A clerk regularly checked up on me. I said I wasn't sure if I could wear it with my tweed skirt, the mainstay of my school wardrobe. The clerk assured me it looked just fine. Lesson learned that Wednesday: Do not make a fashion decision on the advice of a bargain basement clerk who wants the wierd kid with thick glasses to get out of her section and return to school. We got our real Bibles at the end of Sixth grade, with our names written in a beautiful script by a lovely woman in Ladies Aid. That way, we wouldn't lose them at Luther Crest Bible camp, for which we were now eligible.

In Seventh grade, we graduated to Confirmation Classes held on Wednesday afternoons, where we were taught to underline important passages in our Bibles, a most daringly blasphemous thing to those of us who said "before I die" Every Night in the glow of our little neon crosses and hoped that whatever death was chosen for us, we'd have just enough time to pray "Forgive me" for the sins we'd committed that day. I think other kids also walked to their respective churches, but we had the shortest route. Afterwards, I remember walking fast to get back to the bus across from The Fountain for the ride home. It was in these afternoon sessions that Pastor Westby taught us about sex and marriage. I believe we knew all we needed to know about living the Lutheran life by May of Ninth grade, when we were confirmed and received a watch from parents, if lucky. Then I got my first taste of wine. Jug wine. Mogan David, a New York Concord grape, no doubt. It had a slightly sweet aftertaste.
Speaking of Lutherans and wine, husband Bill found a connection where you can order wine shipped from BevMo (Beverages and More) at http://www.bevmo.com/. Wouldn't that be cool? You could get a selection of wines, not all from the same winery. But alas, not to Minnesota! Bev says No. BevMo in California, BevNo in Minnesota.

Sosie