Mary Helen was the third child of Clif and Ethel McEntire. The McEntire
     farm is located three and one-half miles southwest of Isabel.
          Activities and entertainment were much different without T.V. My child-
     hood memories include churning, gardening, milking and getting ice from the
     regular route ice man. Ollie Rae Williams and I roller skated on the wooden
     floor of the William's store. Summer Saturday nights were to go to Isabel
     and see the outdoor movie between the old William's store and Swinson's Drug
     store. I was also fascinated to visit the upstairs switchboard of the "Hello
     Central" office in Isabel. Growing up in the days of "feed sack" dresses and
     going from ice boxes to electricity made me more appreciative. My Dad's
     farming changed from using horses to tractors and self-propelled combine.
          The 4-H leaders, Lou Sleeper, Vern and Louise Eckles and others were
     special people for the youth of the Isabel community. We were motivated to
     complete many worthwhile projects, as well as learning social, judging and 
     leadership skills.
          I attended 12 years of schooling at Isabel, graduating in 1948. Then 
     attending summer school at Fort Hays State University. I obtained my teaching
     certificate. This was the last year certification was issued with just one
     summer school. After teaching in one teacher schools of Julian and Ashton, I 
     taught at Corwin, in Harper County, for two years, where I met Linn Blankinship
     of Hazelton, Kansas.
          Linn and I were married June 15, 1952. We lived in Albutguerque, New
     Mexico for three years, while Linn was in the Air Force. Our son, Gary was six 
     months old when we returned to Kansas. Linn graduated from ESU. We moved our
     family, which now included a daughter, Jan, to Wichita for Linn's employment.
     Our second son, Ken, was born in 1963 to complete our family.
          Raising a family, my returning to college and teaching half days were
     busy and challenging years. We received the news of my father's death just
     a few months before my graduation from Friends University. My mother stayed
     on the farm a few years, then later moved to Wichita in our room addition.
          I am completing my twenty-second year of teaching Kindergarten and
     Librarian at Oatville School. I have had the second generation of students,
     which is a very fulfilling and rewarding experience.
             
     Source: Isabel, Kansas - The First 100 Years, 1887 - 1987,  pg. 46
     
     Submitted by: Mary Helen Blankinship