Ogden Avenue Gang at the 45th-Year Reunion

Butch Davis, Ed Carns, Joanne Shimel, Joyce Shugarts and Chip Lawhead
- Photo courtesy of Wil Shirey

Getting Closer on Majorette Names

Thanks to input from Joyce Moody and Peggy Jo Knepp, we're getting closer to identifying all the majorettes. Front row, left to right, Louise Learish, Barbara Bloom, Mimi Crowe, LaRee Luzier, Marjorie Jordan, and who is this in the far right?. Back row, Becky Kline, Pat Eadie, Peggy Jo Knepp, unidentified, Deanna Foor, Beverly Caldwell, and Joanne Shimel. Please fill in the remaining name.

More Fun Photos from our CHS Years

Fun time at a Connie Selfridge Party - Karen Way, Penny Hile, Joyce Schultz and Connie.

- Photos courtesy of Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson

50th Year Reunion Update Coming Soon

Joyce Moody Fletcher, the cornerstone of all CHS alumni activities, has prepared a comprehensive summary report of our progress so far in planning for our 50th Year Class Reunion. It will be published here as soon as Joyce and Herb Maney, our reunion chairman, fine tune it for accuracy and inclusiveness.

Stay tuned.

CHS Mutual Mooching Society Materializes

With the busy Holiday Season behind us, it's time once again to provide an update on our classmates and their activities.

Suzy (Sherkel) Nagle notes that a ""CHS Mutual Mooching Society" appears to have combusted spontaneously:

- Suzy and husband Karl mooched off Jeanine (Moon) Duke and Jim Poulos in Mebane, NC for two days on their way to Surfside Beach in November;

- Sue (Weisshaus) Speicher and husband Terry mooched off the Nagles on their way home to Florida from spending Christmas in DC. They also had dinner with Sandy (Brown) and Don Everist while in DC.

- Wil and Karen Shirey visit with LaRee (Luzier) and Dave Shirey when they go to Arizona in March for baseball spring training.

- The Nagles are waiting to hear from Jeanine and Jim Poulos regarding their rescheduling a visit to South Carolina. (It turned the Nagles were "overbooked" the first weekend in February, which was their first choice.)

- The Nagles also are planning to visit with Bev (Caldwell) and Bob Law in Hampton, GA sometime before they head to their new home in Indiana, PA on April 1st.

Note that the Nagles appear to have ignited many of these Mutual Mooching activities. Good for them. It's a great way to reconnect with old friends and classmates.

We're sure there are many more examples of this mooching activity. Please let us know if you are involved or know of any.

- Dennis Mollura

Next Planning Meeting - Sept. 29, 1-3 p.m.

The next planning meeting for our 50th-year reunion will be held Saturday, Sept. 29, from 1 to 3 p.m. in the Walker Conference Room, Shaw Public Library, 1 S. Front St., Clearfield.

Hope to see many of you then.

- Joyce Moody Fletcher

Imagine, an "Old Master" painting for $4.00

There was a time. Take a look at the Shull Studio price list for our senior pictures. A dozen 3x5 photos in folders for $12. "Old Master" painting for $4. Only $1.50 for a resitting. Even by 1959 standards, these prices seem amazing.

If you have other memorabilia from our high school years (or earlier), please share them with your classmates through this website. Right now, Peggy Jo is carrying the load for all of us.

- Price list courtesy of Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson

Presenting....Miss Betty's Sleepy Elves!

By popular demand, presenting the Sleepy Elves from Miss Betty's Dance School. Front row, far left, Gloria Rice. Back row, from second left, Bev Caldwell, Suzy Sherkel (the sleepiest elf), John Siebenrock, Gloria Heitsenrther, Peggy Jo Knepp.

Our thanks to Suzy Nagle for providing additional identification to the first posting. Will someone please help identify the other darling elves.

- Photo courtesy of Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson

Reunion planning committee hard at work

50th reunion planning committee at June 23 meeting

Joyce Moody Fletcher and Herb Maney

Joyce Moody Fletcher and Bonnie Henchbarger Powell

Sue Sherkel Nagle

Wil Shirey

Joyce Shugarts Undercofler and Dennis Mollura

Pauline Maloni

All photos by Karl Nagle

Peggy Jo offers ideas for entertainment

Received the following e-mail from Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson. She offers some ideas for entertainment at our 50th-year reunion that are worth exploring.

- Dennis Mollura
______________

Went to a restaurant last night called "Happy Days" which of course has the 50's theme....got to thinking that since we are a product of the 50's that maybe there was a way to work that in with our entertainment/decorations.

Helen Adam once wrote a letter to the Progress about how Clearfield "used to be" and of course there are your memories on the website. If I understand correctly, you are putting a video together so I'm writing to ask if you/anyone has pictures of all the grade schools, jr. high, high school? The jr. high building is long gone but maybe the Historical Society would have something that could be copied. And how about a trivia game with what stores "used" to be in the downtown buildings? Just ideas to bounce around or maybe you already have.

I realize suggesting ideas is treading in dangerous territory, but I've crossed minefields before. Found "Sleepy Elves" and will send it post haste....ok, sometime in the next few weeks! Wilbur says to save some things for the reunion video; however, many aren't aware/have availability to the web, many won't remember two years from now, and some may not be with us. Do as you see fit.....like I'm the authority here!?!?

Thanks for the website, I've really enjoyed it.

Peggy Jo

September planning meeting set for the 29th

Due to scheduling conflicts for Herb Maney and myself,
it's necessary to change the date and time for the third planning
meeting of the Class of '59 committee for the 50th class reunion.

The new date will be Saturday, September 29th. and
the new time will be from 1:00 pm to 3:00 pm.

The place remains the same - Shaw Public Library, Walker
Conference Room, 1 S. Front Street, Clearfield.

See you then,

-Joyce Moody-Fletcher

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

Reunion planning meeting Saturday, June 23

Planning meeting Saturday, June 23, from 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. at the Shaw Library.

Please attend if at all possible. Herb Maney and Joyce Moody Fletcher are in charge.

Reflections on our class and classmates

Most memorable teachers - Pop Weidner, Annie Kochis, Miles Smith, Harold Wisor, Prof Kuhns, Bertie Snyder

Best coach - Art Weiss

Biggest brain - Jutta Hager, Gerry Koval (too close to call)

Large brain - Joyce Schultz, Sue Weisshaus

Best friend teachers - Art Weiss, Pop Weidner, Bertie Snyder, Gretchen Hiller, Betty Harris

Best comedians - Neil Buckley, Denny Boal

Best cars - Jutta Hager's Mercedes Benz 190 SL roadster, Sam Lansberry's '58 Ford Fairlane 500, Dick Spingola's 'baby blue '57 Ford Fairlane convertible, Bob Lingle's '57 Dodge, Miles Smith's '59 Chevy "batmobile."

Best athletic teams - '55 Bison football, '57 Bison basketball, Bison wrestlers most any year

Most over-achieving athlete - Guy Graham

Biggest athletic upset - Ash Woolridge's stunning victory over Jerry Davitch in '59 regional wrestling tournament.

Best dancer - Peggy Jo Knepp (unanimous vote)

Best female vocalist - Sue Sherkel

Best male vocalist - Bob Lingle

Most under-appreciated male vocalist - Bob Lingle (to my knowledge, never received an encore at the spring shows)

Hottest guy - Ash Woolridge

Coolest guy - Tom O'Day

Hottest babe - Judi Rolley

Coolest babe - Sarah Lyons

Favorite hangout - Ritz Grill, YMCA

Least favorite hangout - Quigley's Drug Store (strictly for the St. Francis crowd)

Best partying spots - Old Town Fire Tower, Bilger's Rocks

Best place to park - Anywhere it's dark and quiet

- Dennis Mollura

Thoughts on some great activities June 23

If Herb Maney were to put me in charge of social activities surrounding our June 23 planning meeting, here's what I would draw up:

Breakfast - eggs and toast at the Clearfield Diner.

Lunch - hot dogs at Herman's Hot Dog Stand - 15 cents, with or without.

Afternoon - swim party at Parker Dam.

Dinner - hamburgers at Accordino's Drive-In - five for $1.

Evening entertainment - sock hop at the YMCA.

Late night fun - pajama party at Peggy Jo's.

Late night dessert - chocolate chip ice cream from Clearfield Dairy

Next meeting at the Frenchville Picnic and the following one at a CHS wrestling meet at the Clearfield Amory.

See if you can top these ideas! All suggestions welcome

For now, see you at the planning meeting 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday, June 23, at the Shaw Library.

-Dennis Mollura

Important: Reunion 50th Reunion Planning Meeting Set for June 23

A Clearfield Area High School Class of 1959 50th reunion planning meeting is scheduled for Saturday, June 23, at the Shaw Public Library from 11:00 AM to 1:00 PM

If at all possible, please plan to attend and contribute your ideas, your attendance and participation. We can get things rolling and be on our way to a great relaxed get together ! Thank you.
- Merlyn Herb Maney, aka pcmaker

Birth of the Birthday Bash

As the 45th CHS Class of '59 Reunion was winding down at the Knights of Columbus ballroom in 2004 and everyone had had a great time, conversation moved to attempting to gather again before the traditional five year interval had passed.

The idea of a cruise to be sponsored by a wealthy classmate came up, but there were no volunteer sponsors. Finally, after a thorough discussion including members of the Spouses Auxiliary, we settled on a celebration of our 65th birthdays. Since almost all of us were born in 1941, save Joyce Moody Fletcher, Gloria Rice Henneman and Lew Marrara that I know of, 2006 was the year and the Birthday Bash was born!

Preparing for the Bash was great fun as we heard from lots of class members that I hadn't seen or talked to in years. We tried to anticipate how many people would attend. We thought we could handle up to 50 at the Shirey house, so we decided to have it here. We lined up a good caterer and there were lots of activities the first weekend in June, so that seemed like the right time to have it. Suzy Sherkel Nagle was able to bring the Teenettes out of retirement, subsequently renamed the Pausettes, and we got the Carlisle Thundering Herd Mascot (as in Bisons), and the rest is history.

Some went fly fishing, some played golf, some went to the play at Allenberry, some enjoyed the Boiling Springs Tavern, some attended Foundry Day celebrations in Boiling Springs and all attended the Bash. The rules were simple: "If you are here, we can talk about you; if you are not here, we can talk about you!" It was a hoot and if you weren't here, we missed you.

As a reminder, lots of Bash responses said you plan to attend the 50th Reunion. I have kept the responses so I know who you are and, unless you've moved, where you live. Please join in the fun in 2009.
- Wil Shirey


From left - Nancy and Guy Graham, Tom O'Day. Visible in mirror - back of Guy Graham's head, Don Everist (barely), Sandy Brown Everist and Sue Weisshaus Speicher.

The wonderful, gracious and generous hosts and party-throwers - Wil and Karen Shirey with Carlisle Thundering Herd (as in Bison) mascot.

Foreground - Gloria and Paul Henneman. Background, from left - Sam Smith and Patricia McCoy Livelsberger, Joann and Merlyn (Herb) Maney.

Foreground - Tom Brigandi. Left side - Tom and Bonnie Wilson Hartsock, Wil Shirey (way back in the dark). Right side - Bill and Betty Lou Welch Shull, Jeanine Moon Duke Poulos.

The Teenettes, resurrected as the Pausettes, entertain at the Bash. From left - Sue Weisshaus Speicher, Helen Adam Badger, Jeanine Moon Duke Poulos (with antlers) and Suzy Sherkel Nagle.

Peggy Jo comes through with photos!

Linda Smith, Judy McKinn, Peggy Jo Knepp, Gloria Wrigley and Penny Hile at pajama party.

Peggy Jo and Sandy Brown in band uniforms. No identification of the handsome fellow in the background.

True to her word, Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson has come through with a great selection of black-and-white photos from grade school through high school.

"Sorry I'm in so many of them, but then they are my pictures! Tried to pick those with a variety of classmates...I would like to take credit for having a fantastic memory, but I had to dig out the yearbook for a few....recognized faces and events but not all. And...I'm sticking with maiden names!"

Shireys visit Arizona

Happy Mother's Day. Hope all of our classmates are sharing this wonderful day with their families. Above is a picture of Shireys coming out of The Asylum Restaurant on our recent visit to Arizona. LaRee Luzier Shirey and cousin Dave Shirey are standing to the right (your left) of Karen and me. Despite what some may think, the good folks at The Asylum did not find reason to detain us.

Karen recently had a bit of a setback. In an office that we made out of a bedroom, we have a plastic mat on the rug under the desk chair. I think she got her sandal caught under the mat and she fell, breaking her right fibula. Since it's not weight-bearing, she hobbled around on it for the better part of a day before the pain and swelling finally got to her. In about six weeks, I expect she'll be able to shed the boot. It has slowed her down a little which is probably good. Her accident did cause us to cancel our planned trip to Germany.

Again, Happy Mother's Day to all.

-Wil Shirey