MACHS Class of 1969 45th Reunion, 2014
BASTOW, HOHLFELD, STARK, JACKSON, JOHNSON, BARKER, PRITCHARD, FRENCH, GEIGER, HUNTER, KNEDLER, FERGUSON, FOLTZ, WILSON, TRIGGS, MINNICK, SKARDA, SHIFLET, KNEEDLER, ROACH, WEEDA, GROUT, DUKES, HOLLY, HUNTER, LANDPHAIR, POORE, AVITT, KIBBE, FOLAND, PALMER, DONALD, BLUNCK, PAYNE, SICKELS, CASE, DENNY, CANNON, TERRY, HAROVER, HILL, JARVIS, BRADLEY, HALEY, KNAPP, ANGUS, POLLOCK, DUFFIELD, RAINS, LONG
Posted By: Sharon R Becker (email)
Date: 6/27/2014 at 18:08:51
Mount Ayr Record-News
Mount Ayr, Ringgold County, Iowa
Thursday, June 26, 2014Class of 1969 holds 45th reunion
The MACHS Class of 1969's reunion, held at the Mount Ayr Golf & Country Club, culminated in a dazzling display of emceeing excellence executed by Rodney Bastow, whom former English and Theater teacher Bill Hohlfeld dubbed teh next "Daily Show's" John Stewart, on Saturday, June 21, 2014.
In reality, the 50 graduates who attended, plus their spouses and seven honored former MACHS employees - Fred Stark, Donella Jackson Johnson, Guelda Barker, Kay Pritchard, Bill Pritchard, Bart French and Bill Hohlfeld - were entertained by answers to such deep philosophical questions as: "How long did you teach at Benton?", "How much was your starting salary?", and "What did you think of Vance Geiger?" These and other questions put the teachers on the spot and tested their acumen, but they all came through with flying colors. The total attendee count, including graduates, spouses, and special guests, was 90.
A wonderful buffet dinner of roast beef, chicken, mashed potatoes, rolls, pasta salad, fruit salad, and a selection of three cakes was provided by the Tingley Cafe.
Rita Hunter and Janet Knedler expertly led a highly capable team that included Linda Foltz and Connie Ferguson, who insured the evening proceeded without a hitch. Special guest Billy Wilson, former elementary schoolmate, provided music and sound support equipment for the evening. Rodney Bastow's services were procured at enormous expense.
The 50th reunion was tentatively set for the Memorial Day weekend of 2019 to coincide with the Alumni Association's traditional recognition of 50 year graduates. Linda Foltz will head that team, with Janet Knedler and Connie Ferguson assisting.
Ten of our fellow classmates have passed on, and they were honored with a table bearing their graduation photo and a moment of silence in their memory. R.I.P.
Allan Triggs, Edie Minnick, Becky Skarda, Steve Shiflett, Jerry Kneedler, Larry Roach, Diane Weeda, Ivan Grout, Jim Dukes and Gary Holly.
On Friday evening, June 20, graduates of 1969, plus 1968 & 1970 and several former faculty, were graciously hosted with a social gathering at the home of Rita and Larry Hunter, which was catered by HyVee. It was a great way to mix and mingle with friends from different classes and allowed more time together sharing stories in a less formal situation than is afforded by the actual reunion dinner event itself.
On Saturday afternoon, many graduates took advantage of special tours, including the newly refurbished Princess Theater, built by Ron Landphair. Martha Landphair provided an excellent tour of all the facilities and explained the ingenious methods that the Princess Theater utilizes to be able to serve as a venue for both movies and live performances.
Clint Poore guided a tour of the new high school that none of the graduates had set foot in before as students, since their hallowed halls are now dust. Such luxuries as 3 gynmasiums, open seating canteen area, and elaborately equipped weight room were commodities not even contempalted when the '69 grads atended school.
Last stop was the Train Depot, which contained a vast array of memorabilia dating back many decades. Of particular interest were the 4 yearbooks that comprised the Class of 1969's high school years, plus many other photos shot of events during that time frame. Mike Avitt is the hospitable and knowledgeable host and curator of this museum.
Those who attended enjoyed themselves immensely and all look forward to returning in five years to renew and share these cherished friendships and memories.
Transcription by Sharon R. Becker
Photograph (below) courtesy of Mount Ayr Record-News
Those attending the 45th reunion of the Mount Ayr Class of 1969 include:
FRONT ROW, L-R: Barb Kibbe Foland, Louise Palmer Donald, Karen Blunck Payne, Diane Sickels Case, Verlene Denny Cannon, Rodney Bastow, Martha Terry, Rita Barker Hunter, Cindy Harover and Linda Hill Foltz;
SECOND ROW, L-R: David Jarvis, Janet Bradley Haley, Danny Knapp, Helen Angus Pollock, Kathy Duffield Rains, Becky Long Cook, Linda May Huntsman, Cindy Brand Snethen, Chris Huff, Peggy Terwilliger Barnes, Kathy Egly McFarland, Terry Smith Lininger, Alan Fetty, Sharon Pedersen Carr, Kathy Harvey Herren, Cherri Woollums Hainline, Junaita Rinner Spenser, Weldon Abarr and Dan Quick;
THIRD ROW, L-R: Rick Knapp, Harold Crawford, Tom Pollock, Curt Lininger, Larry Rice, Danny Webb, Cecil Dolecheck, Chuck Jackson, Steve Roe, Mike Walkup, Janet Barker Knedler, Barb Saltzman Foy, Kathy Wurster Russi, Tim Irving and Connie Ryan Ferguson.
Missing from the photo but in attendance were Joe Gepner, Tom Parker, Randy Sobotka, Marvin Cannon and Billy Wilson.
Ringgold Documents maintained by Tony Mercer.
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