50th REUNION PROGRESS REPORT

The committee has had three "MINI REUNION" meetings in Clearfield while working on plans for the 50th Class reunion. The meetings have been attended by a group of very sincere, interested, and well informed members of our class who are genuinely interested in making this a very friendly, informal,and entertaining class reunion to be enjoyed by all class members and guests.

Many hands make the work go faster and the number of volunteers that has come forth thus far has been very satisfying. However, there is always room for many more participants and their ideas and input to make this reunion what you want it to be. You do mean something to this class and your ideas will be appreciated and considered. In addition, you will be part of the "MINI REUNION" which takes place at each of the two-hour planning sessions. We have all enjoyed the meetings and have had a great time at each, in addition to making great progress toward the final production of our 50th reunion.

The subcommittees are listed in a complete summary composite of the meetings to date, submitted on this blog at an earlier date in January by our very capable secretary/reporter Joyce Moody-Fletcher under the heading "UPDATE ON 50th YEAR REUNION PLANS". Please refer to that article for the listings of the subcommittees and plans to date that have been accomplished.

This blog is the product of the good work of Denny Mollura and many contributors who have provided some wonderful memories with the items provided for the blog. Please feel free to send any items you might have to Denny for inclusion and edification on the blog. Thus far, as chairperson, I am well pleased with the wonderful cooperation and willingness to work on our reunion by so many really concerned and talented people .

We have made great progress and can make even more in our future meetings, the next of which is scheduled for April 5, 2008 1:00 to 3:00 PM at the Shaw Library. Please make an effort to attend and add your talents to the making of our class reunion plans so that nothing is left out that you might have wanted included. It is your reunion, so please participate, if at all possible. We encourage participation by everyone.

The reunion is to be a relaxed, informal, getting reacquainted after all these years get-together where what you have accomplished, where you live, and what you drive, will take a back seat to a friendly hug and/or handshake, and conversation down memory lane where we can truly enjoy the company of those classmates we were so close to all those years ago, but from whom situations and distance have separated us over all these years .

Yes, Frenchville is a few miles from Clearfield, but remember, many of us rode a school bus every day on those same roads just to get to be able to, very proudly, say we are graduates of CLEARFIELD AREA HIGH SCHOOL. In addition, the grounds are very spacious with pavilions in which groups could gather if they wanted a more private spot, a ball park for those who may want to display their still admirable athletic skills, and grass for just lying back and relaxing. The old complaint that there unions are too classy and stuffy is no longer a factor. Come as you are, as you wish, and enjoy your fellow classmates' company in a totally relaxed, as you want, atmosphere.

Looking forward to seeing you at a planning session.

Your chairperson, Merlyn (Herb) Maney

Parties and Dancing - Some of the Best Times

Jim Stewart and Barb Thomas

- Photos Courtesy of Peggy Jo Knepp Thompson

Great Memories of Great Classmates

Karen Way and Joyce Schultz

Joyce and Wil Identify Shelf Day Classmates

Wil Shirey agrees with Joyce Moody-Fletcher that the classmate sucking milk is Lewis Marrara. He also believes the classmate between Barbara Ondo and Paul Clarke is Sarah Lyons. Others are Jerriann Jury, Pauline Maloni, Helen Adam, Maybe Jim Stewart, Maybe Chuck Nelson, and David Schucker.
- Bison Photo

Just Another Day in Chemistry Class

POP WEIDNER (aka Dennis Mollura) warms up (or down) as the class prepares to fathom the day's truths and unknowns.
- Bison Photo

Update on 50th-Year Reunion Plans

By Joyce Moody-Fletcher

NEXT PLANNING MEETING - Tentatively scheduled for Saturday, April 5, 2008 at the Shaw Public Library - 1:00 - 3:00 p.m. Please plan to attend if at all possible. We'd love to have your participation

50TH-YEAR REUNION DATE - confirmed date of August 1, 2009, to be held at the Frenchville Picnic Grounds. Attire is casual. We have the picnic grounds all day, so please plan to come early and bring members of your family.

PLANNING COMMITTEE MEMBERS - Those who have attended our meetings THUS FAR: Anna Unch-Davis, Joyce Moody-Fletcher, Gary "Chip" Lawhead, Pauline Maloni, "Herb" Maney, Joyce Amon-Michaels, Denny Mollura, Sue Sherkel-Nagle and husband, Karl, Bonnie Henchbarger-Powell and husband, Ed, "Wil" Shirey and wife, Karen, and Joyce Shugarts-Undercofler. All classmates are invited to attend and participate.

COMMITTEES:

CHS WEBSITE - Denny Mollura (chsclassof59.blogspot.com)

ENTERTAINMENT - Wil, Sue, Denny. Peggy Jo Knepp-Thompson

FOOD SELECTION - Anna, "Chip", Joyce Undercofler and Joyce Michaels

FUND-RAISING - Wil and Tom O'Day - to send a letter to classmates
requesting donations and consider a 50/50 ticket.

GIFTS/SOUVENIRS - Wil and Karen Shirey / Bison paperweights + Patty McCoy-Livelsberger / gift bag(s)

MUSIC - No DJ or band - Joyce Undercofler to make a CD of "Music from the 50's."

PHOTOGRAPHER - Joyce Undercofler to contact Paul Dale

PROGRAM BOOKLET - Sue Weisshaus-Speicher

A MEMORIAL TABLE for our deceased classmates was discussed. Joyce Undercofler offered to contact Barbara Bauman-Polkinghorn to write their names in calligraphy - IF it is decided to have a memorial table.

OTHER ITEMS TO ADDRESS - We discussed making an effort to get our class banner from the high school. And, we are seeking ideas for a theme so we can appoint a Decorating Committee and decide on decorations for the event.

THESE ARE JUST THE HIGHLIGHTS. Please come to the April 5 planning meeting for a full review and update and an opportunity to express your ideas for making this the best reunion ever.

Memorable Guy - Slightly Different Orbit

We weren't exactly part of the "Beat" generation, but one of us could claim membership. The late, great Neil Buckley. Such wonderful memories of a truly memorable classmate.
- Photo courtesy of the 1959 Bison, Jerriann Jury Editor

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