Lewisburg Area High School Alumni Newsletter
LAHS DISTINGUISHED
ALUMNI 2003
Fred W. Brouse ’43, Terry L. Gessner ’71 (posthumously), and Drew W. Hyman, Jr. ’56 were presented with the 2003 Distinguished Alumni Awards at the LAHS Homecoming football game on October 3, 2003, during the pre-game festivities.
Fred, a Lewisburg resident, attended Williamsport Technology Institute following graduation. In 1948 he and his father opened the Lewisburg Airport which served the community until 1968. In 1954 he was elected president of Brouse Construction Company and Brouse Enterprise Inc. He ran the construction company for many years and oversaw the construction of the Brouse addition. He is a charter member of the Susquehanna Builders Association. He received the Builder’s Special President Award four different times and the Dedicated Service Award in 1991. In 1999 he received a Certificate of Achievement for 70 years of continued growth and customer satisfaction, and in 2002 received the National Home Builders Spike Award. Fred and his family donated the land for the Lewisburg Swimming Pool.
Fred has served the community of Lewisburg as a life member of the William Cameron Engine Company, chairman of the Sign Committee to replace the Welcome to Lewisburg signs, a member of the Lewisburg Shade Tree Commission for 10 years, a member of the committee to build Kidsburg and an immediate past president of the Lewisburg Lions Club. He is very active in his church, the Boy Scouts, the Lewisburg Lodge #96 International Order of the Odd Fellows, the Kiwanis Club where he worked with the recycling program for 30 years, and many Masonic and Shrine organizations.
He and his wife, the former Ruth Sauers ’43 have two children, Sherry ’70 and Curtis ’72
Terry served as class president and was a star football player and wrestler while in high school. After graduation he attended Millersville University and received a bachelor’s degree in Elementary Education in 1975. He began his teaching career as a fourth grade teacher at Mifflinburg Elementary School. After one year, he transferred to New Berlin Elementary to teach third grade and later became building coordinator. Terry had a true passion for teaching and his students affectionately called him “Mr. G.” Continuing with his interest in sports, Terry held the position of assistant varsity football coach for Mifflinburg Area High School for 11 years and was head coach for one additional year. He assisted with the junior varsity wrestling team, and midget football program. He and his wife, Traci, kept an open door policy for students of all ages, welcoming them into their home. Terry served his community as an emergency medical technician for 11 years and was captain of the Mifflinburg Community Ambulance Association for 6 years. He was instrumental in raising funds for a new facility for the ambulance association. As a member of the First Lutheran Church, he volunteered as co-leader of the Junior Luther League group.
Accepting the Award for Terry were his mother Patricia Wagner Gessner ’51, his wife Traci, and his children, Clayton and Madeline Tina Gessner Morales ’71 was also present.
After graduating in 1956, Drew enlisted in the U.S. Air Force as an Air Traffic Controller and then furthered his education at Penn State, where he graduated in 1963 with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science. In 1966 he earned a Master of Arts degree in Political Science (Comparative Government, Sociology, Social psychology) from Penn State. In 1975 Drew received his Ph.D. from UCLA in Political Science (emphasis in Comparative Government, Political Theory, Social Change and Economic Development).
After graduate school Drew worked for four years for the state government in Harrisburg before accepting a position at Penn State, where he worked for 30 years before retiring as Professor Emeritus of Public and Community Systems. Department of Agricultural Economics and Rural Sociology for the College of Agricultural Sciences. Immediately prior to retirement in 2003 he served as Program Coordinator for the graduate program in Community and Economic Development. His work focuses on models of community development and community service systems, deliberative-democracy, consumer education and complaint handling, rural development, and computer based information systems. His Consumer Services Information Systems Project has been renewed by the state Public Utility System each year since 1978.
Drew has received many honors in his lifetime. In 2003 he received the Barash Award for Human Services which is given to the Penn State Faculty member who has contributed the most to public service activities. In 2003 he received the Sloan Consortium 2002 Effective Practice Award for Excellence in Online Faculty Award. In 2001 he was awarded the Presidential Award for remarkable achievement in our society, in 1989 the Kellogg Fellow (National Leadership Development Program), and in 1988 he received the Applied Consumer Economics Award.
In addition, Drew has co-authored three texts and has written articles for several publications. He is very active in public service in many local, state and national organizations. He and his wife Donna Baker Hyman ’56 have two daughters and live in State College.
*Teacher Lorinda Krause and Ruth Ann Bromfield became “master teachers” in Pa. History last summer through a partnership between the CSIU and the State Museum and Archives in Harrisburg. LAHS teacher Susan Borden Rapp ’73 will be participating this year.
*William Lumpkin ’83 conducted the US premier of Jonathan Dover’s “Flight” with the St. Louis Symphony Orchestra at the Opera Theater of St. Louis, where he has served on the music staff since 1999.
*Michael P. Neuhard ’74 was appointed chief of the Fairfax County Fire and Rescue Department, the largest department in Virginia.
*Army Col. Jeffrey D. Johnson’72 received the Bronze Star for exemplary service as the G-3 deputy chief of staff for security plans and operations of the Third Medical Command during Operation Enduring Freedom and Operation Iraqi Freedom. His wife is Susan Pangburn ’73.
*The Class of 1938 held their 65th Class Reunion in July 2003. Fifteen of the 96 class members attended. Russ Ernest ’38, who served as the Master of Ceremonies, quipped, “We may be diminishing in numbers, but we’ve got all the pep in the world!”
*There was a great profile on Doug Lebda ’88 in “Bucknell World,” outlining the conception of his business venture Lending Tree.com from his experiences securing a loan for a condominium to his working at Price Waterhouse to the successful business it is today, helping consumers and lenders find each other.
*We were notified by Elizabeth Loughhead that her husband Larry Loughhead died unexpectedly while on vacation in Norway. Larry’s father was a preacher who served 6 small rural churches, sometimes asking his teenage son to fill in at a couple of churches. Larry was ordained into the American Baptist ministry in 19950 and retired in 1992 after serving Calvary Baptist Church in Denver, CO, for 2years.
As I sit down to write this message as President of the Lewisburg Area High School Alumni Association, I find myself reflecting upon my good fortune to be part of the Lewisburg Area School District Family. Not only have I had the opportunity to attend the Lewisburg Schools, but I have taught and coached in them for 25 years. Over this time I have seen many changes in the school buildings, curriculum, teachers, parents, administration, school board members, and students. Through all of these changes, however, Lewisburg’s commitment to education has always been there. Last fall, I once again had the opportunity to participate in honoring the Lewisburg Area High School Distinguished Alumni. These distinguished people have set examples that I can only hope to emulate one day.
I am particularly proud to be the daughter of a distinguished Lewisburg alumnus, Richard L. Jarrett, class of 1948. Through his examples of caring, generosity, kindness, and devotion to his community he has instilled in me the value of giving back to the community and the school which have given so much to me. Furthermore, he has encouraged me to become an active member of the Lewisburg Family so that others after me will have the same opportunity to experience the excellence in education at Lewisburg,
As President of the Lewisburg Alumni Association, I encourage my fellow alumni to reflect upon the opportunities that Lewisburg has given to you. As the Alumni Association continues to grow, we welcome your participation in our events and we encourage you to support our future alumni. In order for the Lewisburg Family to continue to provide their students with the excellent opportunities we had, they need the support of the alumni more than ever. Please consider supporting our Alumni Association and schools in any way you can.
In closing I encourage the Lewisburg Family to be thankful for our blessings and to consider those who are less fortunate. On behalf of the Lewisburg Alumni Association, I would like to extend our thoughts and prayers to all servicemen and women and to our fellow alumni and friends serving our country. We wish you peace and thank you for protecting our country.
Sincerely,
Jodi Jarrett
President
LAHS Alumni Association
Diane Pursel Atie ’79 has been living in WilkesBarre for 15 years. She and her husband Tony are in the Pita business (Atie’s Pitas) which are available at Weis Markets.
Virginia Pursel Babb “80 has been living in Millville for 10 years, working for “dad” managing apartment complexes in Bloomsburg and Millville. She is active in her church in Iola.
Brian Pursel ’90 moved to Baltimore after being in Atlanta for 6 years. He is free lancing in the advertising business. His wife Michelle Ness ’91 is a leasing agent for an apartment complex.
Ginger Mathias Bowman ’67 and her family live in a country club community in Davidson, N.C. Imagine my surprise when I found out one of my tennis partners was a student teacher at Bucknell and taught math to our freshman class in 1963 for Mr. Dyer. Her name was Gerri Ziray, now Gerri Sampson. Does anyone remember her?
Beth Biernstein Archer ’74 and her husband William have a son John (17) and daughter Abigail (12 ˝).
From Bill ’32 and Dorothy Fairchild Rishel ’35—after farming the family farm for 60 years, we moved in July 2001 to Kelly Apartments in Lewisburg. Bill had quite a time giving up the cows and tractors. He is dealing with Parkinson’s and must use a walker all the time. At 86 Dorothy does the driving to the doctor, for groceries, to the drug store and to church at times. Their 6 children are living in Mifflinburg, Vicksburg, New Columbia, Lewisburg R.D., New Jersey and in Maryland. “If you are in the area, directly across from Wal-Mart, stop in to see us. We do enjoy our small apartment—quite a change from a big farm house.” Bill and Dorothy were married in 1938 and farmed until summer of 1990 when one of their sons took over.
Fay Walter Richard ’77 and her husband are enjoying their 2 teenage sons. She is in her 7th year teaching preschool at Little Learner’s Preschool, where she has 3 classes of fantastic children.
Anne Frederick Payne ’40 moved from Mifflinburg to Riverview Manor in Lewisburg after her husband James passed away.
Terry Fregly ’63 wrote to say that his son Terry was appointed to the class of 2007 at the US Air Force Academy, which has been his son’s life long dream. He was nominated by Rep. Allen Boyd and Senators Bob Graham and Bill Nelson. “In this uncertain time which we live, we are very happy. Terry is pursuing his dream to be a USAF officer and fighter pilot. We are proud he has chosen this honorable and useful path, one of service to his country.”
Elwood Derr ’50 began (Sept. 2003) his 41st year on the faculty of the School of Music at the University of Michigan. He continues to compose, sporadically, principally for voices (solo, choral) and saxophone. He has presented his paper on Mozart’s control of silence with the application of classical rhetorical figures as well as his paper entitled “A Theory of One of J>S> Bach’s Methods for Teaching Musical Composition.” His Holocaust song-cycle (with obligato saxophone) “I Never Saw Another Butterfly,” has become a staple of the saxophone repertory. He is currently at work on an essay concerning the Mozart autograph manuscript he discovered in one of the University of Michigan libraries.
Frankie Anonia ’99 was presented the Outstanding Senior Man award by the Susquehanna University Alumni Association upon his graduation in May, 2003.
Eugene L. Herman, Jr. ’74 has a son in the Navy and a daughter in the Air Force. He is retired from the Marines, continued to the Army Reserves and finished out in the Air Force National Guard. “I loved it all!”
Molly N. O’Keefe ’97 is an elementary Health and Phys. Ed. Teacher in the West Genesee School District, Camillus, N>Y> She is attending graduate school at Syracuse University. She is a varsity soccer, basketball and track coach.
Nathan W. Fisher ’98 married Kelly Spilgelmeyer in April of 2002 and they are expecting their first child in April 2004. He works as the street supervisor for the borough of Northumberland, while Kelly works for Merck in Riverside and also part time on Northumberland’s police force. They recently moved to their newly built home in Point Township.
Barbara Harris ’41 writes – “I enjoy the newsletter – even though 1941 was so long ago. I remember my one year there as a marvelous time – our house faced the river and we actually skated and swam there.”
Brian Berge ’98 graduated from E-Town College in May of 2002 with a degree in Biology. He married his wife Janette in July of 2002. He is currently attending Widener University for his graduate studies. He will graduate in May 2005 with his doctorate in Physical Therapy. He and his wife are expecting their first child in March 2004.
Bob Thomas ’54 is retired and living at Winding River Plantation (Carolina National Gold Course).
Mildred Scholl Rose ’67 is still employed at Coliseum Medical Center in Macon, Ga., as a nurse in ICU/CVICU.
Heather Baker Jarovich ’95 recently married her college sweetheart James. She is the director of a child care center in Harrisburg, Pa
Romayne Good Mair ’30 writes that her husband of 61 years (Jess) passed away in June of 2003. He graduated from Allentown High School and Bucknell. She has 2 grandchildren and 5 great grandchildren.. “Since Roy and Bob Good were younger, it was pretty sneaky to die first!!! Kay Mintle Barnehid, Helen Showalter Evans and Margie Blair Mathias are friends of mine.” Her e-mail address is redweena2@mailstation.com.
Edith Schell Bly ’42 asked us to recognize Schelly Bly Homan ’70—she was 1 of 2 of the oldest students to graduate from Bucknell (47).
Jennifer Smith ’94 graduated from Penn State College of Medicine in May 2003 and is doing her residency at Hershey Medical Center. She is engaged and will be married in June 2004.
Richard (Dick) Rein’59 retired from Civil Service after 34 years with the Forest Service, Air Force and Navy. He was married in 1970 and has 2 grown children. He and his wife Sue, a nurse, both work part time while awaiting new careers as grandparents. Their daughter is moving back to PA from Texas and will be joining a family medicine practice in Hanover. She is married to another doctor and they hope to start a family after getting settled in their new jobs. Their son, who is the oldest, is taking his time deciding if he wants to get married. He lives in New York City and is having too good a time to settle down yet.
Brad Gray ’75 and Annette Treas Gray ’74 write that Brad just opened his new office on JPM Road Family Practice Center P.C.
Sharon Rogers-Baron’75 and her husband bought their beach house on the Gulf coast of Florida 4 years ago and moved there full time 2 years ago. She is working in Sarasota as VP Corporate Properties for Coldwell Banker. “Sunrise runs on the beach and sunset picnics; it doesn’t get any better than this.” She would love to hear from classmates if you’re ever in the area.
John Beck ’51 has retired from the Rochester Philharmonic Orchestra but continues to teach full time at the Eastman School of Music.
Saturday, April 24 – Alumni Basketball game vs. Mifflinburg Alumni at the Lewisburg
Middle School. “JV” game – 6:30 and “Varsity” at 8:00
Tuesday, April 27 – Spaghetti Dinner at the Middle School 5:00 – 7:00
June 25-27 – Lewisburg’s Fourth of July celebration. Alumni band members participated
last year with the LAHS marching band. Please contact Justin Hill at the High School
if you would like to join in this year.
To the Bernard C. Harris Publishing Company for their check for $422.50 for the royalty payment from our 2001 Alumni Directory.
To Mim Naugle ’48 for the issues of the “LHS Green Dragon” from 9/7/44 through 5/548.
To Patricia Wagner Brockley ’69 for her contribution to the Auditorium Fund and for her suggestion. She writes – since graduating from LAHS in 1969, I have become very hard of hearing. Through my job with the Center for Independent Living of Central Pa. And my association with the organization Self Help For Hard of Hearing People, I have been advocating for hard of hearing individuals. I am sending a donation for the Auditorium Project. It is my hope that the new hearing system will include an FM system that would make any program in the auditorium accessible to people who are hard of hearing. The body microphones are nice but do not go far enough in providing the needed amplification for people who are hard of hearing.
Editor’s Note: We certainly thank you for your donation and will pass your suggestion on to the school officials and to the company who is designing the system.
To the Class of 1938 for their cash gift of $100.00.
To the volunteers who helped with our last newsletter, including the writing, copy presentation, and bulk mail processing: Lisa Quinlan Erickson ’81. Barbara Alspach Baylor ’64, Nancy Mack Keefer ’70, June Crabb Packer ’51, Beverly Epler Harvey ’51, Doris LaForm Caris ’51, Shirley Jarrett Gromlich ’56, and Jodi Jarrett ’75.
To Butter Krust Bakery, particularly, Tim Apple ’83, for donating the Texas Toast bread for our spaghetti dinner in November. We served 423 people, raising $1978.25 toward on-going projects at the high school.
Any information can be forwarded to Jean Hartman at 570-524-4680 or Beverly Epler Harvey ’51 570-524-4924, e-mail bes@jdweb.com
The Class of 1942will hold a reunion picnic June 19th, 2004, in Lewisburg. The contact persons are Mary Lee Murray at 903 Buffalo Road or Janet Laird at 120 Pine Street. This could also be a birthday celebration since most of the class members will be observing their 80th birthdays.
The Class of 1951 is planning a reunion for September 2004. The kick-off dinner will be at the Temperance House – Thursday, the l6th, picnic at the Lion’s Club property on the White Deer Pike – Friday, the 17th, Banquet at Rusty’s – Saturday, the 18th, and Breakfast at Country Cupboard – Sunday, the 19th. Please be advised, we also have “instant reunions.” Our last “instant” gathering was in November when 18 of us welcomed Ramona Burgett Ellison while she was visiting in the area. If you know you are going to be in the area, give us a call. June Packer at 570-568-8445 or Beverly Harvey at 570-524-4924.
The Class of 1959 is having their class reunion July 31, 2004, at Brynwood, South 6th Street, Lewisburg. Class members may contact Linda Sauers McKissick at 1020 Street or by e-mail parklin@ptd.net for further details.
The Class of 1964 will be holding their class reunion the weekend of August 6, 7, and 8th with a picnic Friday night, a tour of the high school and dinner dance on Saturday, and a breakfast at Country Cupboard on Sunday. John Letteer is the contact at 1040 Washington Avenue.
The Class of 1969 is holding their reunion August 7th. Classmates can contact Jack Fisher at 570-524=9332 or email: ljfisher@citizenselectic.com for more information.
The Class of 1946 held their 57th class reunion while enjoying the Fourth of July festivities last year. In fact their class donated $500 to the Union County Fourth of July Celebration committee. After hearing about the year-long effort to organize the event from classmate Betty Cook, the class decided to raise money for the celebration. Several class members who served in World War II, Korea and Vietnam took part in the parade. Harriet Garard Wagner, Ben Herbst, Gloria Arner Laird and Betty Cook were pictured presenting the check to Graham Showalter ’58, one of the original founders of the Fourth of July Celebration committee.
From Beverly Epler Harvey ‘51
…the first place you headed for was Bechtel’s after a basketball game or some other activity at Lewisburg High? Someone always had to leave a game early so they could lay claim to a booth in the back of the store so friends could sit together.
The storefronts of Lewisburg have seen many changes since the 1950’s. Bechtel’s Market Street closed in 1954. The building is now occupied by The Mercantile and is being operated by Lewisburg graduate Laurie Walters Slear ’79. The Route 15 Dairy Store expanded into a family restaurant and is still being operated by Judy Holtzapple Bechtel ’56 and her daughter Susan Lloyd ’82. The ice cream is just as great, so “come on by.”
From Jodi Jarrett ‘75
…the class of ’74 decided to give the LAHS faculty a new teacher’s lounge? Not only did they give them a new faculty room with a sun and/or rain roof, they provided them with a few barnyard friends. Yes, the courtyard was filled with farm animals and the window was decorated with a sign which read “Faculty Room.”
…Mr. Charles Libby ’57, a math teacher, lead the entire student body in his version of “When the Saints Go Marching In.” I believe it went something like this: “Oh when the Dragons defeat Big Ben, Oh when the Dragons defeat Big Ben, Oh Lord I want to be in attendance when the Dragons defeat Big Ben!”
Homecoming 2003 was very special for the alumni. Each year during Homecoming festivities the LAHS Alumni Association holds its annual “after the game” open house. This year we met at The Brynwood on October 3, 2002. Lots of alumni greeted our new Distinguished Alumni and were entertained by the Spastics, a band that was formed in the late 50’s by Jim Wetzel ’58, Dave Rein ’62, and George Diefenbach ’58. Buzz Meachum ’64 filled in for Dave Rein who was delayed due to flight cancellations. The crowd enjoyed the music and the camaraderie provided by the group. Playing for the alumni was only a warm-up since the group also performed at Buffalo Bills on Sunday, the 5th.
The open house also provides the opportunity for the LAHS Foundation to hold it’s annual meeting. President Jodi Jarrett and Treasurer Barbara Baylor outlined the projects for the upcoming year and the financial status of the fund raising accounts including the scholarship, the fitness center and the auditorium funds. The alumni and foundation boards will be working closely with the Lewisburg School Board of Directors in determining the needs of the faculty and administration in maintaining and providing opportunities for the Lewisburg students.
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Dear Alumni Association,
As superintendent of the Lewisburg Area School District, I am deeply concerned about the proposed tax reform proposal that is currently being considered in the state legislature. The proposal calls for the awarding of several gaming licenses for the establishment of casinos and other gambling venues in Pennsylvania. A percentage of the profits from these gaming facilities will be used to offset local property taxes that are used to fund school districts. In return for reducing local property taxes with gaming funds, the state will require each school district to submit it’s budget to a public voter referendum to pass any real estate tax increase beyond a certain annual percentage set by the state. This percentage is called the state average weekly wage (SAWW) and is similar to a consumer price index. Although the reduction of property tax is much needed and long overdue, this legislation will not serve the Lewisburg Area School District well.
I must state that I find the entire idea of relying on gambling money to offset school taxes to be disappointing and in direct conflict with the public good. I fail to see the justification of preying on the weaknesses of adults to support the education of children. It is estimated that the state will have to produce more than 30 billion dollars in gaming revenues to provide school districts with the 1 billion dollars in funds that is needed to reduce real estate taxes. If fluctuations in gambling revenue occur from year to year, funding to school districts may be negatively impacted and create hardships for school boards in their budget deliberations.
Also, in order to have a budget ready for a referendum vote in the spring primary of each year, the school board would have to complete its budget process by mid February in order to have enough time to place it on the ballot. We will have very little knowledge of state and federal funding projections at that time and the budget will be more of a wild guess than a reasonable estimate.
Many residents often ask why their real estate taxes are so high compared to other districts in our region. The residents of Lewisburg are asked to support their local school district at a higher rate than other districts due to a state funding formula that weighs the real estate value and personal income of each district. According to this formula, Lewisburg is considered a wealthy school district and is only given about 27 cents by the state for every dollar it spends on students. The federal government only provides about 2 cents for every dollar we spend. Most other school districts in the region receive much more funding than Lewisburg. Consequently, the local taxpayers in Lewisburg must provide over 70 percent of the funds to support our district. To make this point clear please review the following subsidy rates provided by the state per student by school district:
Lewisburg $1,242 per student
Selinsgrove $1,878 per student
Mifflinburg $2,305 per student
Shikellamy $2,653 per student
Philadelphia $3,261 per student
Our budget fund balance in Lewisburg has averaged less than 8 percent the past two years, which is one of the lowest fund balances in the state. Also, our actual audited figures for the past four years show that the district’s expenditures have been below consumer price index figures for that same period of time, which is much lower than state government spending during this period. From 1999-2000 school year through the 2002-2003 school year, our actual expenditures increased 2.11 percent per year. Our school district has done an admirable job of managing its financial resources.
This new legislation could not come at a more difficult time. Lewisburg’s personal income revenue through the new Act 24 Law is well below projections. Increases in health care costs and retirement contributions have been the greatest drivers in our property tax increases over the past two years. Also, at the very time that these uncontrolled costs are exploding, several new mandates have been given to the school through the federal No Child Left Behind Law and the Pennsylvania Chapter 4 Curriculum Regulations. To help offset these rising expenditures due to state law and unfounded mandates, we have reduced more than 10 administrative and support staff positions saving more than $320,000 in expenditures over the past three years. We have also made more than $700,000 in other cuts over the past two years in an effort to balance the budget and make effective use of the taxpayers’ dollars.
Gaming revenues to support schools and budget approval by referendum will only prove to be a detriment to our students and school district. I am concerned that we may have to slowly dismantle many of the fine programs and activities that have set us apart from other districts and been such a positive influence on our students. If the current legislation would have been in place this year, it would have been necessary to make an additional $168,000 in cuts from student academic, athletic and music programs. I fear that we will slowly have to reduce or eliminate many programs that have meant so much to our students if this legislation is passed.
Please do not hesitate to contact me regarding this issue. I also encourage you to contact your state legislator and the governor regarding this matter.
Sincerely,
Mark D. DiRocco, PhD.
Superintendent
The following
classmates have passed away since the printing of our last newsletter:
Donald A. Miller ’30 Ann Brown Zierick ’46 Phyllis Lang Chappelle ‘48
Arvilla Campbell Arnold ’32 Kenneth H. Rowe ’37 Elizabeth Eyer Kling ‘29
Nancy Frederick D”Addario ’56 Anne Bucher Watson Donald L. Snyder Sr ‘46
Richard R. Engle ’40 William D. Walters ’50 Roland P. Swartz ‘38
William B. Evans Jr. ’36 G. Marlyn Baumer ’43 William Swoyer – teacher
George G. Gemberling ’33 Martha Kline Forrey ’55 R. Craig Robinson ‘84
Terry L. Gessner ’71 Herbert C. Grice ’38 Stephen V. Showers ‘69
William C. Grove ’61 Michael D. Mack ’70 Edith Zeigler Feaster ‘46
Leiser B. Johnson ’28 Blanche Erb Newman ’45 Nancy Lee Frederick Glosser ‘56
Gloria Bowes Keister ’41 Nancy Cornelius Goff ’47 James L. Rohland ‘42
Corbett W. Kratzer ’38 Marlin K. Fertig John W. Boob ‘66
Park P. McKissick ’33 Mildred L. Brouse ’37 Christopher M. Smith ‘91
Donald L. Moyer ’53 Kermit O. Johnson ’45 Myrtle Tucker Monnett ‘28
Virginia Auman Walter ’56 Arlon D. Danowsky ’60 Wilbert G. Wolfe Jr ‘46
Donald L. Bastian ’72 Corbett W. Kratzer ’38 Anne Louise Teufel Gordon ‘44
Eric R. Deloe ’03 Mary Rousch Warntz ’39 Evelyn Denius Hixson ‘45
Sallie Biddle Weidenhamer ’34 Richard R. Engle ’40 William I. Johnson ‘40
Robert A. Good ’38 Oren E. Kreisher Jr. ’37 Mary Erb Apro ‘31
John M. Rice ’36 Richard L. Lockwood ’65 Marvin Walter ‘36
Myra I. Snyder ’32 Frances Wagner Thomas ’33 LaRue “Larry” Loughhead ‘44
Steven C. Grove ’64 Patty Lytle Weikel ’54 Bertha Wagner Boyer ‘38
Michael B. Burgee ’64 Donald L. Mincemoyer ‘48
For many years the community has enjoyed the music programs our schools have provided. As with everything, instruments have a natural life expectancy. It is with that in mind that we are writing you.
The baby grand piano at the High School has truly seen better days. Daily use in the classroom, being moved to and from the stage for each performance and just normal wear is forcing us to replace this instrument. While the cost of repair is less than replacement, we really feel that would be our second choice. We’ve received an estimate of $9995 to replace the piano (less some trade value for a couple of upright units sitting around) and a repair estimate of approximately $3500. If we’re trading in uprights, we really would like to purchase a new piano for the auditorium and repair the current older one for the chorus room practices.
The provider of the piano has recommended their “88 Key” fund-raisers to help with this project. The purpose of the “88 Key” program is to allow individuals, groups or businesses to sponsor a key of the new piano. So, you ask, “what is that going to cost us?” The total project (without our trade ins) is $13,495; broken down to 88 smaller portions - $153 per key.
We really need your support. Please don’t hesitate to contact us if you have questions. Justin Hill can be reached at 522-3237 or via email at dragonbanddirector@hotmail.com.
Thank you in advance for your support.
Tim Goff ’72 and Patty Grenoble ’71, both teachers at LAHS, are co-founders of the SIMON House where special education students from the high school have an opportunity to practice life skills at an off campus home. S.I.M.O.N. stands for Students Independently Making Opportunities Now. High school special education students who are having problems with conventional classroom learning are accepted into the program. After attending math and reading classes at the high school, the students arrive at 9:40 to spend the rest of the day. They prepare their lunch each day along with baking desserts and making healthy snacks. While each student takes a turn at cooking, the others are learning jobs a little less fun. These assignments include all parts of home cleaning and maintenance. Some activities include landscaping and outdoor chores.
With this hands-on experience, these students will be ready to live on their own after graduation. The students spend time discussing life issues. Some of the topics include problem solving, future plans and senior projects. With the location of the house next to the Senior Center, the students have a chance to get to know some of the senior adults of the Lewisburg area. The students help plan and decorate for holiday parties held with the senior citizens giving both generations a better understanding of each other’s lives.
The SIMON house is like a club, but makes the students learn more about living alone and with other people.
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