Was Oatmeal the Key

Alice Smith, at her Sharon home, reflects on 100 years of telling it like it is. (Herald / Richard Radford) 1Sandy 1

To Alice's Longevity?

By Richard Radford

Speaking with Alice Smith of Sharon, it is hard to imagine she recently reached her 100th birthday, but she has a ready explanation.

"I’ve eaten oatmeal ever since I was two years old," she said, "then I’m ready for a day’s work. I was going to write to the old man on the box, and ask him if there was room for a woman on it."

A party thrown in her honor Dec. 2 at the Sharon Elementary School, attracted more than 100 friends and family.

A long time educator, she taught in schools in the area for almost 50 years. She now lives in the house her husband, Lester Smith, built in Sharon, where she enjoys gardening and visiting with people.

She was born in Union Village in Thetford, but her parents moved to Sharon and she attended the South Strafford School on Howe Hill. Graduating from South Royalton High School in 1925, she began teaching at many schools, including a return to South Strafford where she grew up.

Although she didn’t have any of her own children, teaching for 47 years in the local schools provided her with a lot of young minds she helped shape.

"I loved all my kids," she said. "I never really had much trouble with them…but I only had to tell them something but once, and they knew I meant it."

Recalling the myriad children she taught in schools, including a return to South Strafford where she grew up, she remembered one particular student who was a notorious troublemaker, and how she applied her "tough love" with teaching him.

"He was a hellion, and a fighter," she said. "He doubled his fist up to me once. I said ‘Do you know they pay me to run this school, you’re not getting paid, so you better think twice.’ He uncurled his hand, and he never raised them again."

Although she thinks the education profession has changed a lot over time, especially with expanding class sizes and less discipline, she said that her teaching and discipline style would not be as appreciated today.

"They wouldn’t want me now," she said, but added, "I’m sure I could change some of their minds."

As far as modern amenities many today take for granted, such as electricity, central heat, and paved roads, Alice said growing up was not difficult in a rural area.

"Well we never had it, so we never missed it," she said. "We never thought about it. If you wanted something, you went out and worked for it."

As far as advice for younger generations, Alice offered the credo she has lived her life by.

"Tell it like it is, don’t make up something, that’s my one motto," she said.