 Mrs. Mary
Fyke Completes 18th Year As Hostess of School Lunch RoomThis
year's Graduating seniors from Carrollton will be the sixth school crop that
Mrs. Mary Fyke of the School Cafeteria has fed and served through the
entire grades, for the close of this school term marks the 18th year Mrs. Fyke
has cared for the growing youth here in that capacity.
And fond parents trusting Junior away from home for the first time in
September can be sure he will be properly fed, clean up his plate and drink mild
before he is permitted to buy that bottle of pop.
Also, they can be certain he won't be rushed in his eating or buying and
will be given a balanced and varied choice each day.
Sandwiches are made every day; hamburgers twice a week; and hot dogs once
a week. There are six varying kinds - tuna fish, pressed ham, ham salad, pork
salad, cheese, chicken sealed - from which to select and about 350 are needed to
meet each day's hunger demand.
About 225 bottles of cold drinks are needed and 160 bottles of milk and
chocolate drink, 160 packages of potato chips, large numbers of ice cream
sticks, cakes, and candy.
Around 60 plate lunches are prepared, asked for mostly by older students
and faculty. Three selections are on the lunch each day - meat, vegetables and
potatoes; meat and two vegetables; meat, vegetables and salad; or a salad plate.
Most students who buy the plate lunch also purchase milk or ice cream and many
with larger appetites buy an extra sandwich - or two.
Although Mrs. Fyke's job is an interesting one, few mothers envy her the
task of accommodating youngsters. They compliment her, however, on the efficient
way she puts them through chow line.
First serving of the high school can be finished in seven minutes. Of
course, after that there are many returns to fill that extra lank cavity.
The entire process begins at 11:30, when the first graders march down, a
trifle confused during the first days, but soon learning the ropes. Soon they
get accustomed to the rules and know they must take some sort of sandwich, for
most of them do not eat enough for the plate servings, and milk instead of pop.
They also soon learn that each object is a nickel and how much they can have for
their allotted number of nickels. Or else, the parent deposits money with Mrs.
Fyke and she keeps up with the allowance and menu.
The beginners sit together and finish their meal by 12. If they don't eat
everything they have to lag behind as the others go on out to play; so they soon
learn to get on about their business. The second, third, and fourth grades march
in after the first graders and go back to their rooms to eat. Students who bring
their lunches eat from their prepared home selections with the others, often
buying a drink or ice cream extra.
The next three grades come down then and if anyone lags a dinner bell is
rung. They are quickly served and remain in the lunchroom to eat. Most of the
grade schoolers re cleared out by 12 when the high school comes down in an
orderly rush. Supt. Roach generally quiets these a few times at the beginning of
the year and maybe occasionally during an exciting game day, generally after
they settle into school days again they're lively enough but orderly.
By 12:15 or 20 the entire school has been served, has eaten and the room
is resuming its habitual quiet atmosphere.
Special credit should go to Mrs. Fyke this year, because in spite of
increased prices and rationing she has continued to serve war, stimulating and
nourishing food to youngsters here (without raising her prices), which fact has
contributed largely to the high health standard maintained in the Carrollton
schools.
She shares any mention, however, with her "man Friday." Mrs. Toy Long, who
has helped during the entire school year and all of last year. She plans to work
again when school opens next fall. Mrs. Raymond Johnson is now helping Mrs. Fyke
and Mrs. Long. Several others have helped during the school year.
The cafeteria is located in the basement of the grade school building,
across the hall from the canning room. During the past summer it was completely
redecorated in white and a refreshing blue and since that time bits of
beautification have been added all along. Other work is also expected to be done
during the summer.
Of all the students, Mrs. Fyke has served during the past 18 years she is
most proud of those who are now eating their meals in chow lines here and
aboard, and included in this group is her son, 1st Lt. Carden Fyke, now serving
with the US Army in the south seas. Carrollton Chronicle - Friday, May
26, 1944; Page 1
Submitted by Edward Lynn Williams
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