Tuesday, November 10, 2009

Chairman Herb Maney reports on Oct. 31 Class of '59 reunion committee meeting


- Photos by Karl Nagle

From left, Bonnie Powell, Herb Maney, Joanne Magnuson

In attendance:

Chairman Herb Maney
Joyce Moody Fletcher
Joyce Amon Michaels
Bonnie Henchbarger Powell and Ed Powell
Sue and Karl Nagle
Wil and Karen Shirey
Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson
Joanne Shimel Magnuson
Linda Smith Dale
Judi Rolley White
Tom O’Day
Sam Lansberry
Chuck Nelson

The meeting was opened by the Chair with the first order of business being an open forum on the "Fabulous Fifty Reunion " and comments were passed about by everyone in attendance relating to the good comments all persons had received from other classmates, their partners, and even people not associated with the class who had heard of the reunion and its success.

The consensus was that this was the "Reunion of Reunions."

The Chair formally thanked all members for their splendid efforts and cooperation in making this the great "Reunion of Reunions" and conceded that this was the best committee, in terms of cooperation and work completed to the end, that he had ever worked with throughout his career.

The treasurer, Joyce Moody Fletcher, supplied a copy of her final cost analysis report showing a cost for the reunion of $5,136.25, not including the many supplies and functions supplied by classmates and committee members out of their own pockets and concerned generosity. The treasury balance is now $3,617.21 and is in the checking account at Northwest Bank in Curwensville, PA.

(Note from Suzy Nagle: "I have a note on my own copy of the report that $3000.00 - $3500.00 was/were received as "donations", without which we would now have a very small balance - probably not enough even to pay postage for future mailings.")

A discussion was made of the funds and what to do with the balance. It was unanimously decided to let the funds in the checking account at the bank for further use by the committee with Joyce Fletcher agreeing to remain on as treasurer and statistician, a fact agreed to by all. Joyce will order additional checks from a discount supplier as the bank wanted $25.00 for 200 checks and the supplier will be much cheaper. There are only 5 checks left from the ones supplied by the bank when the account was opened.

A 70th birthday party plan was discussed with the result that future discussion and meetings will further pursue that endeavor and if that takes place, a discussion and plans for a 55th reunion will follow. Judi Rolley White will chair the event. Suzy Nagle volunteered to help with composition/make-up of future newsletters, mailings, etc., for the 70th birthday party/parties - basically to try to emulate the super job that Wil Shirey did for the 65th Birthday Bash and the "reunion of reunions."

Tom O'Day then introduced a plan, including spreadsheets, he has developed for regionalization of the nation into segments with the classmates residing in each region listed within that region and a coordinator person chosen to act as a liaison between the main body of classmates, the Clearfield region, and all other regions, thus making contact and communication much easier and faster.

This might also continue to perpetuate the "friendly bond" created by the Fabulous 50 Reunion by giving persons, who live near each other, a reason to communicate and possibly meet to continue the bond. An example of which would be a 70th birthday party centrally located in each region which would eliminate costly travel for classmates to come to Clearfield for the party. They can have a party in their own region and communicate with the Clearfield region for continuation of the bond. The spreadsheet needs correction on addresses, etc. so Judi White and Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson will work with Tom to make those corrections and revisions.

Joyce advised that Linda Dale Smith will enter all names into the "Golden Bison" registry and we will become members of that group receiving our first invitation some time next spring.

Discussion for a 55th reunion included the possibility that our class participate in the "Golden Bison" main event dinner so to preclude all the planning and work necessary to have our own dinner meeting. We would then be free to plan Friday and Saturday/Sunday fun events for the benefit of all without being tied to finding a suitable hall, caterer, etc. etc. for a main event dinner.

Karl and Sue Nagle informed the group that the price for the three high quality photos Karl made would be $15.00 for the set. Sales were lively!!

Karl also took photos of the meeting, in his usual professional and inclusive style, and will supply them to Denny for the blog.

The time really flew by and it was 4:00 P.M., time for dismissal until next time. No date was set for a next meeting because of the winter weather and change of chair.

All in all, it was another great meeting with Chuck Nelson stating he is really sorry he didn't get involved earlier because he now sees what he missed by not being in attendance at all the meetings. A climactic comment for our reunion committee!

- Merlyn (Herb) Maney

Suzy's notes on the meeting

Suzy Nagle and Chuck Nelson

It's my understanding that Judi and Iwere volunteering only for the 70th Birthday Bash, which was a definite "GO"; and that we'd be meeting again in the spring to decide on holding further all-inclusive five-year reunions, having regional get-togethers (as Tom O'Day has proposed) or merging with the Golden Bisons. Or all of the above. Please correct me if I'm mistaken.

Chuck Nelson handed out some copies of the book 1959: The Year Everything Changed by Fred Kaplan, which was published by Chuck's son's company. Those of us who got a copy are to share with someone who didn't, or wasn't at the meeting - I'm to give mine to Joyce Undercofler.

Judi also wants us to let other classes and/or "fifties" groups know that she/we have "props" and decorations that can be borrowed/lent (for a fee???).

- Suzy Nagle

Sam Lansberry...What a guy!

Wil Shirey and Sam Lansberry

The only thing I recall that is missing from both Suzy's and Herbie's notes is that, on his way out the door, Sam offered a repeat performance with an ice breaker the next time the class meets. He's doing it because the bank has grown to love his wife and he has beer and wine left over from this year. What a guy!!! I checked with Karen and she agrees he did say words to that effect. And if he didn't, let's all say he did! We can remind him at the Christmas Party at the Nagles in North Myrtle Beach.

Ho! Ho! Ho! See ya'll at the Nagles!!!!

- Wil and Karen Shirey

Suzy recalls Sam's offer

I, too, remember Sam's offer, as well as his "threat". Believe me, I check the "Personals" in the Indiana Gazette on a daily basis.

Actually, the Christmas Party sounds like a great idea. Unfortunately, we won't be in North Myrtle Beach, but rather, in Surfside Beach, which once may very well have been called "South Myrtle Beach", for all we know. We don't usually get much company there in December - it's not until February, when everybody's sick of snow, that we run a "hot-sheet" establishment. So, y'all come! Ya heah? We can provide bed space and linens for eight. BYOB!

- Suzy Nagle

Sam agrees...

I did say that, except "I promise to furnish a fresh supply of beer and wine" as the old will be gone. Looking forward to it and I hope everybody, plus more, returns.

- Sam Lansberry

Additional note from Tom O'Day


We will decide after the last committee meeting for the 70th birthday bash if we will have a 55th-year class reunion or have a mini function before each Golden Bison reunion.

- Tom O'Day

You realize it's your 50th reunion when...

(Click to enlarge.)

...it's time to get up off the grass.

- Photo by Tyler Erickson