Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 04, 2009

The Tingley high school alumni banquet was held Saturday, May 23, 2009 at the Tingley community building with 96 attending and enjoying a buffet provided by the Tingley UMW.

A railroad theme was chosen by Alan and Lois TODD IBBOTSON and Jim and Mary Sue PRITCHARD McINTOSH who stated they were railroaded to serve as the co-presidents this year. Large wooden locomotives, cars and cabooses were displayed in the windows and small replicas of tram engines and signs made by Lois decorated the tables.

In recognition of the last class to graduate from Tingley high school, Sue RICHARDS put up a tram banner with cars spelling out THS class of 1959 with the engine smoke saying "The End." Doris JOHNSON BEEN again printed the invitations, mailing labels and program booklets. Cleone OVERHOLTZER HOSFIELD saw that all the invitations were mailed or delivered.

Jim McINTOSH gave the invocation and welcome. Roger MORRISON had two railroad spike figures he presented to Greg and Rosemary SHARP and Ronald TULL for traveling the most miles to attend the banquet. During the business meeting Sue RICHARDS read the 2008 minutes and Karen WEEDA PETTINGER gave the treasurer's report with a balance of $1,077.97 for 2008.

The Linda RICHARDS WATKINS family volunteered to host the alumni banquet May 29, 2010. Karen PETTINGER retired as treasurer and Mary Sue McINTOSH was unanimously voted the new treasurer. Sue RICHARDS will remain one more year as secretary. A motion was made, seconded and voted declaring John PETERS an honorary THS alumni member with the class of 1955.

"First Things First" entertained the group with a medley of gospel music. The song "A Place Called Hope" was to recognize the current military members for this Memorial Day weekend. Members Carol McCREARY, Grace WARIN, Jodi WURSTER and Barb BELZER closed their program with "God is Good All The Time."

The roll call of classes was given by Alan IBBOTSON. Those graduates in attendance making special anniversary years were:

60 years: Donald NEFF and Avery WOOLUMS;

55 years: Lucy DAILEY MAULDIN, Linda RICHARDS WATKINS, Darl FERGUSON, Howard TULL and Frank EIGHME;

50 years: Ruth GROUT HOY, Doris GILES DUFTY, Norma Jean SUTHERLAND JONES, Betty HILL PLUMADORE, Rita MILLER SICKELS, Melvin RICHARDS, Kenny CLYMER and Dick BAKER. Kenny CLYMER gave a tribute to deceased class members Jon O'NEAL and Donnie KINNE.

Also present and recognized were Judy LARSON McFARLAND, Jim SMITH and Glen TULL, who had been members of this class before moving.

45 years: Ann IBBOTSON MARKS.

Emcee Jim McINTOSH entertained the group with his thoughts on TV ads. He was a stand-up comedian and his microphone problems added to the hilarity. Jim closed his monologue on a serious note with a poem he wrote, "Remembering Veterans and Our Country."

The program book thanked everyone for coming and reminded them -- "You're always on the 'right track' when you are headin' toward Tingley!!"

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, September of 2012