'Golden' surprise

Durham students make school worker's wish come true

DURHAM -- Mangum Elementary School custodian Joe Venable was minding the cafeteria Wednesday afternoon when he was called to the music room to clean up a big "spill."

The emergency was really just a group of students and staff ready to "spill the beans" about a big surprise.

After hearing that their beloved Mr. Venable, 71, had a lifelong desire to see the Golden Gate Bridge, a group of fifth-graders started raising money for a San Francisco trip.

On Wednesday, Venable walked into the music room and found 60 fifth-graders and his wife sitting next to the superintendent.

"What's all this?" he asked, taking off his hat. The students answered.

They learned of his dream to see the Golden Gate Bridge after reading a short profile of the man in the school newsletter. Student Ellen Berry wrote a letter to Superintendent Carl Harris asking "pretty please," if he would help the students earn Venable a trip to the West Coast.

Staff members, local churches and clubs donated money and held fundraisers to put together about $2,000 to send Venable and his wife Alease, 76, to California for three days.

The students even wrote a song.

"Mr. V. you're on your way ... to the San Francisco Bay ... ," they sang as their classmates played drums and keyboard.

Venable stood up, tears flowing from behind his glasses.

"This sure is something beautiful you all have done for me," he said, choking on some of his words.

Beside him, his wife also cried. She came to the school thinking her husband was going to be honored with an award.

Harris also spoke to the students, commending them for their efforts.

"When you think about people other than yourself, you're making the world a better place to live in," Harris said.

After the presentation, students lined up to hug Venable. Later, he followed Principal Gwendolyn Johnson back to her office.

"You can go home," Johnson told her employee.

"No," Venable said, hesitating in the doorway. He shook his head slowly. "I think I better go back and finish up in the cafeteria."