Wil Shirey pens note to prom date Barb Ondo Skripek

(Note - original letter with additional commentary for clarification)
Dear Barb:
I write to bring you up to date after our 50th reunion planning committee meeting, chaired by Merlyn Maney, at the Shaw Library in Clearfield on 23 June. It was great and everybody had a wonderful time.

In attendance in addition to Reunion Committee Chairman Merlyn Maney were: Joyce Moody Fletcher, Suzy Sherkel Nagle and husband Karl, Joyce Shugarts Undercofler, Bonnie Henchbarger Powell and husband Ed, Denny Mollura, my wife Karen and I (For the record, Karen knows about our prom date and this letter and, quite frankly, isn't too pleased. But she's a forgiving sort and will get over it. Eventually.) Pauline Maloni, who happened to be in town but was unaware of the meeting, stumbled upon the Shireys at breakfast at The Diner and happily joined the group at the Library.

In summary, we will try to have the reunion at the Frenchville Picnic grounds on August 1, 2009. I know that will make you happy!

In return, I nominated you to be on the Entertainment Committee, and since there were no objections, guess what; you are a member of our Entertainment Committee! Other CoChairs include Suzi Sherkel Nagle, Denny Mollura and me. Actually, I think you should be a CoChair so there are four CoChairs. Power is not a problem, no one has any!!!!!

Our next meeting is scheduled for Sept. 22, 2007 from 11:00am to 1:00pm at a place unspecified, maybe Daniel’s Restaurant in Clearfield! The Entertainment Committee may want to meet before the general meeting so maybe 10:00am would be a good time for planning purposes!!!!!

Think about some things to do that could create some interest. You Cheer Leaders could lead a cheer!!!! Joyce Amon is alive and well and I expect would be happy to participate in more than one cheer. I’m not sure about Sarah Lyons' availability, but I’m sure you could persuade her to come to “the party!” Those are just a few ideas. I think we should depend on class members for entertainment and that will be a big draw for attendance at the 50th Reunion! I don’t think anyone will come from California to go to Frenchville to a picnic, but I do think people will come from California to cheer at your leadership! Pretty neat!

Please join in the planning. We have some time. Perhaps we can recreate the scene in my dad's car where you and I sit in the front seat with Denny with Suzy in the back on our way to Bob Lingle’s camp from the senior prom! As I recall, you accused me of feigning being lost. Suzy just wanted to get there, probably to get away from Denny. Denny had no idea what was going on or what to do, but he did have a big smile on his face. Great fun!!!!!

Will write more later when I have more time to think about it. You promised you would come to the 50th Reunion, so I’m holding you to that. Hope your husband can come too.

And pictures, we need pictures; black and white or colored, doesn’t matter. Denny Mollura is putting together a video that will be great.

Look forward to seeing you on September, 22 at a place to be specified. Will keep you posted.

Warm regards,

Your friend and prom date, Wilbur Shirey

Update on Clearfield Area High School teachers

Coach Art Weiss has donated his wrestling memorabilia to the Clearfield County Historical Society. The Historical Society, in turn, has loaned a portion of the collection to the high school That part of the collection is now on view in a prominent display case at the high school. For the full story, please refer to the full-page photo feature by historical writer and columnist Jane Elling in last week's Progress. Among the several large photos were Coach Weiss with his son and our 1959 classmate, Art Jr. Our best to Coach Weiss and son Art.
-Dennis Mollura

Paul Fenchak, 9th grade English teacher, was pictured in The Progress last week.

Richard "Dick" LaBrozzi, 8th grade homeroom & history teacher, resides in Emporium and is well.

Dick Washek,9th grade Industrial Arts (Mechanical Drawing) teacher, lives in the Madera area and frequents Billy's Burgerland for breakfast often.

Willard Dominick, 9th grade art teacher and golf coach, is seen around on occasion."
-Sam Lansberry