Several years ago, alums were asked to write something they recalled of their years at NDA. A 1907 alumna, Mary VonHandorf, wrote the account that follows. It is interesting to note a few facts first--that part of the "grounds" referred to was the future St. Joseph Heights/Notre Dame Academy campus, and that the grade school section of NDA Miss VonHandorf attended was closed several years later, in 1937.
"It was Spring of 1905--I was in the 8th grade of Notre Dame Academy. The school closed on the feast of the Ascension, so the class planned a picnic for that day. Mrs. Schlosser, grandmother of one of the girls, let us use her grounds...located next to the Lookout House on Lexington Pike. It was known for its gold fish ponds. We ordered mild, eggs, and ice delivered to her place. So early on Ascension Day we girls started out carrying our lunch, and even our ice cream freezer was carried along. Gradually we left the city streets and came to the big bend, those years it was a dirt road with little gravel. We got to the grounds before noon, and started making the ice cream and home boiled ham sandwiches; we had potato salad, cake, and milk. Oh, the fun we had. It was a beautiful day. The time came when we had to go back to the city again down the big bend. We were tired but happy. The next day our dear Sister Rosalia wanted to know everything we did. Just one of the memories of my school days at Notre Dame Academy."
