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P. 44
Page 44 October 2015 The Catoctin Banner Newspaper www.TheCatoctinBanner.com Published by www.EPlusPromotes.com
R eminiscing...
with Robert Rosensteel, Sr.
Deb Spalding
As a youngster in Emmitsburg black heritage have endured because The sentiment expressed by many who the guy was who came in, but
during the 1950s, Robert (Bob) of the color of their skin. Veterans who have served in battle the guy rushed in to use a piano in
Rosensteel, Sr., attended school at St. In Emmitsburg, two war memorial sums things up. When you’re in a back room to scribble words and
Euphemia’s School on DePaul Street. plaques exist: one commemorating the middle of a war zone, the only pound out a song. His wording,
He remembers that the students who the locals who fought in WWII at important thing is the American Flag “Splish splash I’m takin’ a bath”
were black were treated differently the American Legion on North Seton on the uniform of the person you’re didn’t mean anything at the time, but
by some, and there were “White” Avenue, and one commemorating relying on. Neither that person’s rank, the guy turned out to be Bobby Darin.
and “Colored” signs, designating the locals who fought in WWI at the the color of their skin, nor any other Darin went on to do movies, and the
separate use of water fountains and Doughboy statue on West Main Street. detail, is important. whole Hollywood “scene.”
bathrooms. Like most youngsters, Two wars, WWI and WWII, during Bob added, “Those in WWI are Could it be said that the conception
Bob had the business of being a kid which “colored” people served. all gone. They don’t have anyone to of the idea behind this well-known
on his mind at the time, so he didn’t On Emmitsburg’s WWII plaque, speak for them. But if you have a love song, “Splish Splash,” took place in
really notice any difference. names are listed in alphabetical for our fellow man to make this equal, the square of Emmitsburg, Maryland?
One day, when preparing for his order; on Emmitsburg’s WWI plaque, let’s do it!” Bob added. His idea to According to the internet, “Splish
first Holy Communion, the priest local black citizens who served are make this change was met with several Splash” was written with DJ Murray
took him aside and asked if he would designated as “colored” at the bottom opposing viewpoints, including: it’s the K (Murray Kaufman), who bet
walk down the aisle with a black of the plaque. A few months ago, the history, let the record reflect what was that Darin couldn’t write a song that
classmate (CMDR John Williams Doughboy statue, to which the WWI happening at the time; there is a lot of began with the words, “Splish Splash,
United States Navy-retired, Naval plaque is affixed, was knocked over red tape to wade through to make a I was takin’ a bath,” as suggested
Aviator, Vietnam War Veteran, and by a vehicle. change like that; there isn’t money to by Murray’s mother, Jean Kaufman.
first black to graduate from Mount Bob thought that this would be change the plaque. Maybe it was just coincidence that
St. Mary’s College), who was also a great opportunity to install a new He pondered, “It’s the times Darin “splish splashed” across
receiving his first Holy Communion. plaque, where all of the soldiers are that we live through that make you the square of Emmitsburg on that
Bob said sure, he didn’t see a problem listed alphabetically in one list. He scratch your head and wonder if you Saturday night.
with that. But some of the adults Bob said, “It’s about treating your fellow contributed to the bad things that At another Buddy Dean Hop, held
encountered expressed displeasure. man with the respect that they should happened to people.” at Taneytown’s St. Joseph’s Hall, Bob
Bob did it anyway. have been shown in the first place.” Bob also reminisced about music. and his friends hung out with another
A few months ago, Bob noticed an According to MilitaryHistory In the late 1950s, he was part of famous crooner, Brenda Lee. She was
opportunity to make right some of the Online.com, black soldiers were numerous rock-n-roll bands as a called “Little Dynamite” and was
unfair treatment that U.S. Citizens of fighting for respect and to prove backup drummer. One rainy day, seen on television on the Jimmy Dean
their loyalty to the United States. he attended a Buddy Deane Hop Show. She was usually shown sitting
While they were turned away from at the VFW in Emmitsburg. The on Jimmy Dean’s piano. She went
military service to begin with, the Buddy Deane Hops were teen dance on to become an icon in the music
War Department passed the Selective shows that were held in local towns, business, with songs like “I’m Sorry”
Service Act in 1917 that required sponsored by Baltimore WJZ-TV. and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas
all male citizens between the ages of Bob’s little band was to do a back-up Tree.” She has been inducted into
twenty-one and thirty-one to register for Buddy Deane who had someone three Halls of Fame: Rock and Roll,
for the draft. coming in. Country Music, and Rockabilly.
By the end of World War I, blacks There was a deluge of rain on this Bob said, “She’s really a big
served in cavalry, infantry, signal, evening. Buddy Deane and his gang name. Growing up in the ‘50s, that
medical, engineer, and artillery units, had parked on the bank side (corner was our way to get out, by going
as well as chaplains, surveyors, truck opposite the VFW) of the square, and to these local Hops. It was not like
drivers, chemists, and intelligence had to carry their equipment across today, where you go to a big concert
officers. It is interesting to note that a the square. Buddy Deane’s equipment and see a toothpick-sized figure
13 percent of blacks served when the was records; he was a disc jockey. The on stage. Buddy Deane and Jimmy
quota sought only 10 percent. Black band that came with Buddy Deane Dean were probably responsible for
and white Americans served, fought, wanted a back up, and that’s where getting a number of music icons early
and perished in WWI. Bob played drums. Bob didn’t know exposure.”
R eminiscing...
with Robert Rosensteel, Sr.
Deb Spalding
As a youngster in Emmitsburg black heritage have endured because The sentiment expressed by many who the guy was who came in, but
during the 1950s, Robert (Bob) of the color of their skin. Veterans who have served in battle the guy rushed in to use a piano in
Rosensteel, Sr., attended school at St. In Emmitsburg, two war memorial sums things up. When you’re in a back room to scribble words and
Euphemia’s School on DePaul Street. plaques exist: one commemorating the middle of a war zone, the only pound out a song. His wording,
He remembers that the students who the locals who fought in WWII at important thing is the American Flag “Splish splash I’m takin’ a bath”
were black were treated differently the American Legion on North Seton on the uniform of the person you’re didn’t mean anything at the time, but
by some, and there were “White” Avenue, and one commemorating relying on. Neither that person’s rank, the guy turned out to be Bobby Darin.
and “Colored” signs, designating the locals who fought in WWI at the the color of their skin, nor any other Darin went on to do movies, and the
separate use of water fountains and Doughboy statue on West Main Street. detail, is important. whole Hollywood “scene.”
bathrooms. Like most youngsters, Two wars, WWI and WWII, during Bob added, “Those in WWI are Could it be said that the conception
Bob had the business of being a kid which “colored” people served. all gone. They don’t have anyone to of the idea behind this well-known
on his mind at the time, so he didn’t On Emmitsburg’s WWII plaque, speak for them. But if you have a love song, “Splish Splash,” took place in
really notice any difference. names are listed in alphabetical for our fellow man to make this equal, the square of Emmitsburg, Maryland?
One day, when preparing for his order; on Emmitsburg’s WWI plaque, let’s do it!” Bob added. His idea to According to the internet, “Splish
first Holy Communion, the priest local black citizens who served are make this change was met with several Splash” was written with DJ Murray
took him aside and asked if he would designated as “colored” at the bottom opposing viewpoints, including: it’s the K (Murray Kaufman), who bet
walk down the aisle with a black of the plaque. A few months ago, the history, let the record reflect what was that Darin couldn’t write a song that
classmate (CMDR John Williams Doughboy statue, to which the WWI happening at the time; there is a lot of began with the words, “Splish Splash,
United States Navy-retired, Naval plaque is affixed, was knocked over red tape to wade through to make a I was takin’ a bath,” as suggested
Aviator, Vietnam War Veteran, and by a vehicle. change like that; there isn’t money to by Murray’s mother, Jean Kaufman.
first black to graduate from Mount Bob thought that this would be change the plaque. Maybe it was just coincidence that
St. Mary’s College), who was also a great opportunity to install a new He pondered, “It’s the times Darin “splish splashed” across
receiving his first Holy Communion. plaque, where all of the soldiers are that we live through that make you the square of Emmitsburg on that
Bob said sure, he didn’t see a problem listed alphabetically in one list. He scratch your head and wonder if you Saturday night.
with that. But some of the adults Bob said, “It’s about treating your fellow contributed to the bad things that At another Buddy Dean Hop, held
encountered expressed displeasure. man with the respect that they should happened to people.” at Taneytown’s St. Joseph’s Hall, Bob
Bob did it anyway. have been shown in the first place.” Bob also reminisced about music. and his friends hung out with another
A few months ago, Bob noticed an According to MilitaryHistory In the late 1950s, he was part of famous crooner, Brenda Lee. She was
opportunity to make right some of the Online.com, black soldiers were numerous rock-n-roll bands as a called “Little Dynamite” and was
unfair treatment that U.S. Citizens of fighting for respect and to prove backup drummer. One rainy day, seen on television on the Jimmy Dean
their loyalty to the United States. he attended a Buddy Deane Hop Show. She was usually shown sitting
While they were turned away from at the VFW in Emmitsburg. The on Jimmy Dean’s piano. She went
military service to begin with, the Buddy Deane Hops were teen dance on to become an icon in the music
War Department passed the Selective shows that were held in local towns, business, with songs like “I’m Sorry”
Service Act in 1917 that required sponsored by Baltimore WJZ-TV. and “Rockin’ Around the Christmas
all male citizens between the ages of Bob’s little band was to do a back-up Tree.” She has been inducted into
twenty-one and thirty-one to register for Buddy Deane who had someone three Halls of Fame: Rock and Roll,
for the draft. coming in. Country Music, and Rockabilly.
By the end of World War I, blacks There was a deluge of rain on this Bob said, “She’s really a big
served in cavalry, infantry, signal, evening. Buddy Deane and his gang name. Growing up in the ‘50s, that
medical, engineer, and artillery units, had parked on the bank side (corner was our way to get out, by going
as well as chaplains, surveyors, truck opposite the VFW) of the square, and to these local Hops. It was not like
drivers, chemists, and intelligence had to carry their equipment across today, where you go to a big concert
officers. It is interesting to note that a the square. Buddy Deane’s equipment and see a toothpick-sized figure
13 percent of blacks served when the was records; he was a disc jockey. The on stage. Buddy Deane and Jimmy
quota sought only 10 percent. Black band that came with Buddy Deane Dean were probably responsible for
and white Americans served, fought, wanted a back up, and that’s where getting a number of music icons early
and perished in WWI. Bob played drums. Bob didn’t know exposure.”
