Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, July 08, 2010

The 90th Tingley high school alumni banquet was held Saturday, May 29, 2010 at the Tingley community building. President Linda RICHARDS WATKINS and her family had chosen the theme "Time Out for Sportsmanship" and 89 showed up to be on the alumni ball team. Ball uniforms and letter sweaters hung on the walls and a banner read "Welcome Alumni Team." Sports equipment, orange and black streamers, place mats with the Des Moines Register picture of the enthusiastic Tingley crowd at the 1952 state tourney decorated the tables. Each person had a trophy nut cut which read "Most Valuable Player, 2010 Alumni Banquet Team."

Doris JOHNSON BEEN printed the theme programs, invitations and mailing lables. Cleone OVERHOLTZER HOSFIELD made the invitations, and Sue, Melvin and Doris RICHARDS, Ruth ALLEN and Mary Sue PRITCHARD McINTOSH set up the tables and chairs.

The Tingley UMW provided a delicious team meal at 6 p.m. to start the evening. Linda gave the invocation and welcome and conducted the business meeting. Sue read the 2009 minutes, and Mary Sue gave the treasurer's report with a balance of $1,133.51 for 2009. The 2011 banquet will be held on May 28 with members of the 1950 class Norma Jean SUTHERLAND JONES, Rita MILLER SICKELS, and Kenneth CLYMER service as co-presidents with Sue and Mary Sue continuing as officers. After Discussion about the treasury balance, a motion was approved that if a grant was received to improve the Tingley Lions Entryway Park, the alumni would contribute up to $500 for the project. Also a crocheted Iowa bedspread donated by Linda was auctioned with Melvin and Doris RICHARDS writing the $300 check to help the alumni fund.

Linda's children (all their names start with "T" and end with "Y" just link Tingley) and grandchildren provided the evening's entertainment. Terry PETERS serving as the emcee related all the life lessons he learned spending time with relatives in Tingley. Tammy, Robert, Adam and Casey NEGRETE were talented pupperteers especially during their rendition of Abbot and Costello's "Who Is On First." Included with the preformance, Carly PETERS showed real video clips of excellent examples of sportsmanship. Troy PETERS gave the entire dramatic poem "Alumnus Football" (with props) by Grantland Rice that ends - he writes - not that you won or lost - but how you played the game. Chris PETERS played the keyboard as he sang a song hehad composed entitled, "A Tingley Feeling." After a standing ovation, many asked if he would record the song so they could get a copy. The program ended with a patriotic video honoring veterans for the Memorial weekend.

Terry read the roll call of classes. Those graduates in attendance marking special anniversary years were Robert MORRISON and Clone OVERHOLTZER HOSFIELD (65 years); Jack ENGLAND and George PETERS (60 years); Betty JOBE WELSH and Jenesse OVERHOLTZER TULL (55 years); Janet RICHARDS MAYER, Jerry JOBE and Roger PALMER (50 years); Cathy RIGGS MASON (40 years); and Lori WOOD WARD (30 years).

Several THS graduates (as they were coached) waved cheeleader pom poms so they could make comments or tell a joke. President Linda thanked everyone for being a part of the 2010 alumni banquet team, reminding them to "keep their eye on the ball" and continue to be good sports until they meet again next year.

Transcription by Sharon R. Becker, October of 2010