ALUMNI NEWPORTIAN NEWS
A PUBLICATION OF
NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI & ASSOCIATES
VOLUMNE 16-1 NOVEMBER 2005
PRESIDENTÕS LETTER
Dear Members & Friends:
Again thank you for the confidence you have demonstrated by electing me your President for the next two years. Our proposed focus is ÒGetting to Know YouÓ! Getting to know our school administration, faculty, students, active and inactive members will positively impact our organization. Developing a better understanding of a system that has changed dramatically since we were students at NHS, will equip us to be more efficient as we support our students academically.
With your confirmation, we will continue to grow the Scholarship Fund and support many more of our students with incentives that will encourage them to strive for excellence in the Newport Independent School System. Remember that our students are in a small urban school system with a bright future and they have unique needs for securing successfully and meaningful careers through higher education and vocational training. Our support will tend to ensure their economic advancement in the community.
All members are welcome at any meeting and each member brings a new perspective that will be considered. Come join us when you can; the students of Newport need your activism!
Sincerely,
Marlene Wilmot Gerding
Class of 1956
NHSA&A President
Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc. held their Installation Dinner dance on Sunday, September 18, 2005 at the Newport Syndicate. It was a gala affair and enjoyed by all that attended. We had one Alumns come from Hawaii to be with us. The new officers for the next two years are Marlene Wilmot Gerding, President; Betty Walker Johnson, Vice-President; and Stan Jones, Program Director. They join George Gore, Past President; Lois Gutekunst Gore, Treasurer; Wanda Robinson Quinn, Secretary; and Stella M. Bowen, Public Relations Director in comprising the Executive Committee.
Yes, Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc. has a web site. Visit the site at http://tinyurl.com/2gysx to start exploring. The Alumni newsletter is available from the web site and you can down load an application form to join the BEST high school alumni and associates organization. Thanks to Jerry King class of 1953, we have the site.
MEMBERSHIP
Please consider becoming a member of the Newport Alumni & Associates, Inc. I am happy to report that we have 688, members for fiscal year 2005-06, 75 new members, and 91 have returned from previous years. If you still want the newsletter, remember to pay your 2005-06 dues. which are now due. Mary Lou Schmidt is currently soliciting members for this fiscal year, October 1, 2005-September 30, 2006. Your five dollars is a small amount to ask. Lifetime membership is $150.00. You may want to consider this. As a member you will receive four newsletters with information regarding the association and your particular class. A membership application is enclosed. If you a member, please pass this application to a fellow class member. Also consider becoming a volunteer; we are in need of help and would appreciate any time you may have to donate to help our students. Ask some members who have donated their time, they will tell you what a pleasure it is to see how much the young people appreciate our efforts.
PATRONS FUND
Thank you so much for your contribution this year of $11,763.57 to our Scholarship fund, Our goal was a little short of the $15,000.00, we had hoped for, but we are so happy to be able to give scholarships from this fund to deserving scholars. This is my last year as chairperson and Jorine Combs will take over my position. She will do a good job. I thank all of you for your much needed help, signed Mary Lou Schmidt, Class of 1942.
Jorine will be happy to accept your donations to the Patrons Fund. Make your check payable to Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc. and forward to NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI & ASSOCIATES, C/O Jorine Combs, 126 Van Voast Avenue, Bellevue, KY 41073.
CLASS REPRESENTATIVES
We are in need of class representatives for the following years: 1934, 1957, 1971, 1973, 1981, 1984, 1986, 1988, 1989, 1990, 1991, 1992, 1993, 1996, 1998, 1999, 2002, 2004, and 2005. If you know of anyone who graduated in any of the above years, please encourage him or her to call Mary Lou Schmidt at 859-441-1530 and volunteer to be a class representative. This is an excellent way to keep track of your classmates.
INQUIRIES FOR CLASS REUNIONS
At times graduates try to find out if the class is going to have a reunion. Sometimes they call the High School or the Board of Education. These calls are usually referred to the Alumni. If you do not keep us informed of your plans, we can not help the individuals. We are trying to post reunions and get-togethers in the Newsletter. Just let us know and we will list your reunion or get-together in the section with all the other reunions or get-togethers that are planned.
YOUR CLASS REPS NEED TO REPORT
To provide the information our readers want to know, our Class Reps need to provide the information to the editor. Many people inquire why they have no news from their class? The only answer I can give, ÒIf you give me news, I will try to include it in the Newsletter.Ó Most grads not only want to be informed of deceased classmates, but also would like to hear from classmates including information of people they do not often see. Shut-ins would appreciate learning of your health, travel, and other items of interest concerning their classmates. A card or phone call is always a welcome treat. If you have any information you would like to share with your class or friends, contact me direct: Stella Bowen, 18 Arbor Drive, Highland Heights, KY 41076 or phone 859-781-5424. My e-mail address is SBowen0018@aol.com. My thanks to all the representatives who provided class information for this publication.
NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOL MEMORIES
The Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc. has elected to store itÕs collection of Newport High School yearbooks, photos and other memorabilia at the Campbell County Historical Society in the Courthouse in Alexandria KY, with the understanding that the collection may be removed for our special events. This is a great resource for anyone looking for information on family members or friends who attended Newport High School. Yearbooks start in 1910 and contain tons of great photos you will want to see. This is available to you. Check times the Historical Society is open. Their phone number is 859-635-6407.
ANNUALS NEEDED
The Alumni Association needs the following annuals (yearbooks) to make our collection complete:
1931 1/2; 1969; 1970; 1971; 1974; 1975; 1977; 1979; 1986; 1987; 1989; 1990; 1991; 1992; 1993; 1994; 1995; 1998 and 2002.
If anyone has any of these annuals that they would like to donate to the Alumni, please contact our Archivist, George Gore, at 859-442-9050
FOOTBALL AND MARCHING BAND
Yes, this year Newport High School has a young man, Devin Boxx, who plays defensive end on the team. At half time he strips off his helmet and shoulder pads, grabs his snare drum and hits the field in his uniform, this time with the marching band. Folks this is dedication and foresight into his future. Devin is also involved as a member of Campbell CountyÕs Civil Air Patrol and plays in his Church Band. Devin is 16 and a sophomore. After graduation he plans to attend Michigan State University and looking forward to becoming a high school history teacher. We believe this is the first time that anyone at Newport High School has played football and marched in the band on the same night. Way to go Devin, all the best to you.
EDUCATION LEADER OF THE YEAR
Newport, KY. – The Newport Independent School District announced today that Newport Independent Schools Superintendent Michael Brandt was named ÒEducation Leader of the Year in The Sunday Challenger, ÒBest of NKY 2005Ó feature. The special section ran in the August 28 Edition of The Sunday Challenger. The Northern Kentucky weekly described the awards as a way to ÒCelebrate some of the finest peoples, place and eats that Northern Kentucky has to offerÓ
In a rationale for BrandtÕs selection, The Challenger pointed to the significant efforts being make by the district to improve the overall quality of Newport SchoolÕs educational service - including expansion of NIS preschool services, renewed efforts to engage the community, and a redesign of its secondary curriculum.
The above was reprinted from the Newport Independent Schools Office of Communications. Press Release.
CLASSES OF THE 50ÕS COMBINED REUNION
Initial planning for our next combined reunion has started! Tentative dates are August 4, 5, and 6, 2006. Some thoughts are on Friday August 4th - golfing in the morning or afternoon, evening at Moonlight Gardens. Does this bring back memories? We are planning on having shuttle buses from the hotel. On Saturday, August 5th – maybe a tour of the old and new high schools or maybe something at Newport on the Levee and evening dinner-dance (with DJ) at the hotel. We are checking out prices and available banquet facilities at the Drawbridge and three other hotels in Covington. We will again have a hospitality room. On Sunday, August 6th – a luncheon cruise on the Ohio River was discussed. We would like your input. Please send your ideas and suggestions to Jorine Peaslack Combs Ò56, 126 Van Voast Avenue, Bellevue KY 41073 or e-mail to Pat Harris Ò55 atpshooky@fuse.net.
CLASS OF 1956 – 50TH REUNION
The class of 1956 will hold its 50th reunion the weekend of May 19-21, 2006. A full weekend of activities is planned with a golf outing, an afternoon at River Downs, a trip to an Indiana gambling boat, Friday and Saturday night dinners, and a Sunday Brunch on the river. A detailed letter, with reservation form, will be mailed to all classmates in mid-January. For more information, please call Roberta (Caudill) Jones at 859-586-9280. We are also looking for the following classmates: Ida (Hockney) Baker, Ron Brewer, Ken Cotcamp, Charles Deaton, John Ferrel, and Cecil Smith. If anyone knows how to contact these people, please call Lois Gutekunst Gore at (859) 442-9050. PLEASE MARK YOUR CALENDARS AND JOIN US FOR ALL THE FUN AND ACTIVITIES.
NEWPORT HIGH SCHOOLÕS WELLNESS CENTER
This spring Newport High School opened a health and wellness center. First lady of Kentucky Glenna Fletcher, was on hand to dedicate the new facility. The new center consists of 70 pieces of equipment in three locations and is available to all high school students, staff members and members of the Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc. In addition to exercise, the center offers nutritional programs. The center hopes to offer aerobics, yoga and other fitness classes. The facility was dedicated in memory of Kenneth Fields, a longtime Newport School Board member who died last year. A big Thank You to Superintendent Michael Brandt and Principal Scott Draud for their leadership role in providing this state-of-the art facility. Contact Newport High School at (859) 292-3023 for more information.
ATTENTION
The year 2006 is coming fast! This means that some big reunions for 1941 – 65 years; 1946 – 60 years; 1951 – 55 years; 1956 – 50 years; 1961 – 45 years; 1966 – 40 years; 197l – 35 years; 1976 – 30 years; 1981 – 25 years. If any of you are planning a reunion, please let us know and weÕll be glad to promote your event.
NAMES ON FILE WITH ALUMNI ASSOCIATION
All names and addresses on file are for Alumni Association use only, except Class Reunion Chairpersons and/or Designated Class Representative may have a copy of their respective classes. The Association does not authorize anyone to solicit class membership lists from other persons. If you choose to register your e-mail address with Jerry King, this is encouraged and Jerry is doing a fine job maintaining the directory. No web site is authorized to use the name "Newport High School Alumni & Associates, Inc." except our own web site. This is the name incorporated in the State of Kentucky and recognized by the Internal Revenue Service as a non-profit, charitable organization with a 501(c)(3) classification..
CLASS OF 1925
CLASS OF 1928
CLASS OF 1932 – 1932 ½
CLASS OF 1933 – 1933 ½
Thelma Hilge Gieske passed away. Our condolences to family and friends.
CLASS OF 1934 – 1934 ½
CLASS OF 1935 – 1935 ½
Mary Lou Schmidt reported that Roy Daines passed away. Our sincere condolences to his family and friends.
CLASS OF 1936 ½ - 1937
Annette Viola Glaser passed away. She was retired from the former ShillitoÕs and the Newport Board of Education. Two sons, two daughters, sixteen grandchildren and twenty-four great-grandchildren survived her. Our sincere condolences to her family.
Jack and Mary Schaber passed away within hours of each other. Jack was a member of 1936-1/2 graduating class. They were married 59 years. On July 26, 2005, Mary was driving from the coupleÕs home in McCormick, S.C. to visit her husband in a Veterans Administration hospital in Augusta, GA, when she was killed in an automobile accident. Jack, who had diabetes and a weak heart, was told about his wifeÕs death and died a few hours afterward on July 27, 2005. Jack was a retired real estate agent and a member of Northern Kentucky Board of Realtors. He was also a veteran from World Ward II. Mary was a homemaker who reared seven children. According the their son Jeff, his parents were inseparable. Jeff tells of fond memories of their Christmas celebrations, and parties with friends. His father enjoyed playing golf and bowling and his mother, poetry. Other survivors include a daughter, Bonnie Shaw, sons Denny, Gary, Dave and Scott. A daughter Carol died in 1984. A brother, Roger DeWeel, also survives Mary. Our sincere sympathy is extended to their family and friends.
CLASS OF 1938
CLASS OF 1939
CLASS OF 1940
Jean Ziegler Thornberry passed away in September. Our sincere condolences to her family and friends. She was a member of the NHSA&A.
We send our best to Ray Barbiea who had a couple of months of health problems, has had two stays in the hospital and has had two trips to therapy. He may be home when you get this, so any cards should be sent to his residence at the Atria Highland Towers, 400 Farrell Drive, Covington, KY 41011. We are sure he would appreciate hearing from you.
We are always looking for news from our class. Please keep us informed.
CLASS OF 1941
CLASS OF 1942
HOW ABOUT MEETING ONCE A MONTH FOR LUNCH? IF INTERESTED CALL MARY LOU AT 859-441-1530.
Our classmate Marian Hoffman passed away on August 4, 2005. Our condolences to her family and friends.
Eleanor Tuerpe has passed away. Our deep regrets to her brother Roy and other members of her family.
LAMBERT HEHL WAS RECENTLY MARRIED TO PATTI ZINT, OUR CONGRATULATIONS TO BOTH OF THEM.
CLASS OF 1943
Jennie Valles daughter of Wilbur ÒBillÓ Pence, Class of 1943, advised us of her fatherÕs death on May 17, 2005. His daughters and a son survived Bill. He was laid to rest at Rockville Cemetery, Suisun, California. We send our deepest sympathy to his family.
I am sorry to report that Jim WalshÕs cancer has returned to his only kidney. He is now on dialysis, three days a week. You can e-mail him at jim5841@aol.com.
The brother of Marie Schmerge Smith Õ43 passed away August 31, 2005. Condolences to Marie's family and friends.
Jack Duffy has moved back to Hawaii. His address is C/O University of The Nation, 75-581, Kuakina Hwy 383, Kilua-Kona, HI 96740.
Charles Eckman died December 2003. His wife Lauretta survived him. Our sincere condolences to her and her family.
CLASS OF 1945
CLASS OF 1946
CLASS OF 1947
We extend our condolences to the family of Gene Grant upon the loss of his wife of 55 years, Betty. She passed away in March; survived by Gene and daughter Michelle. She also left two grandchildren and a sister.
On Friday, July 29, Bob Thomas from Owenton, KY, came to the Elks to visit. Present were Norma Taylor, Butch & Rita Weber, Wilma Rauckherst, Joanne Schulte Dick and myself. We all enjoyed a good fish dinner.
William Meek passed away June 23, 2005. Our sympathy is extended to his family and friends.
CLASS OF 1948
My special thanks to Gloria Lehew Shay for being our class representative to the alumni Newsletter.
Belated condolences to Wanda Castor Smith in the death of her sister, Mrs. Esther Louise Ballard on April 17, 2005.
Deepest sympathy to the family of Shirley A. Stokley who died on June 19, 2005. Her husband, James V. Stokley died July 15, 2002.
Our deepest sympathy to Nancy and Bill Malone and family on the death of his mother, Mrs. Dolores J. Malone on July 23, 2005.
Get well wishes to Gloria Lehew Shay who recently has some dental surgery.
Get well wishes to Carol Marz Morgan who underwent a cardiovascular procedure on May 16th in which her heart was shocked into a normal rate and rhythm by electrical shocks injected into her heart.
Also get well wishes to Norman L. Rath who has been hospitalized 3 times in 3 months for pneumonia and congestive heart failure. NormanÕs address is: 9079 Oak Lane, Alexandria, KY 41001.
Get well wishes to Henry Fuller who was hospitalized in January with an acute viral infection, and again in July for pneumonia.
Get well wishes to John Galvin who underwent surgery for a hernia on September 6th.
Finally some good news! John Galvin and his wife Carolyn Hoer (55) celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends at SturkeyÕs in Wyoming, OH on August 27th. The GalvinÕs address is 2140 Mount Airy Avenue, Cincinnati, OH 45239.
PLEASE KEEP THESE CLASSMATES IN YOUR PRAYERS, AND A CARD TO THEM WOULD BE OF MUCH CONFORT.
CLASS OF 1949
We have learned that Richard C. Poe passed away. Our condolences to his family and friends.
CLASS OF 1950
Mary Gladd GoyakÕs husband, Peter passed away April 24, 2005. Our deepest sympathy to Mary and family.
Ted Darlington reported that Glenn Huffman died May 20, 2005.
CLASS OF 1951
Our condolences to Garnet Stokley Embs and Faye Stokley Beck class of 1954 on the death of their mother, Flora Barnett Stokley. Mrs. Stokley passed away on July 21, 2005 in Surprise, Arizona. She was a homemaker and member of Faith Love and Fellowship Church in Newport and an associate member of Desert Garden United Church. Other survivors include six grandchildren and 10 great-grandchildren.
CLASS OF 1953
James McIntosh passed away April 15, 2005 of cancer. James put up a valiant fight but God saw fit to call him home. James was an avid bowler and enjoyed all kinds of sports. Two children survived him, Donna Boswell of Newport and Bruce McIntosh of Elsmere and three grandchildren. Also three brother, Charles, Paul and Roy and three sisters, Liz Isaacs, Sally Herald and Elsie Turner.
CLASS OF 1954
Jerry SchnelleÕs brother, John (Jack) passed away on June 1, 2005. Our condolences to Jerry and his family.
Barbara Ruddick Traylor died May 2, 2005 after a hard fight against renal disease. Our sympathy to her family and friends.
CLASS OF 1955
Wilbur Dehner passed away December 4, 2004. We received this report from the Exec. of his estate.
CLASS OF 1956
Clara Wooten passed away August 1, 2005. Her sisters, Gerry Mangold and Carol Weber and brother, Paul Cox, survived her. Our sincere sympathy to her family and friends.
CLASS OF 1957
CLASS OF 1958
CLASS OF 1959
CLASS OF 1960
CLASS OF 1961
Mike Stull has moved back into the Northern Kentucky area and will be replacing Sharon Loos Grate as a class representative. MikeÕs address is 10969 War Admiral Drive, Union, KY 41091, E-mail mmstull@fuse.net or telephone 859-384-6219.
Sharon Loos Grate is undergoing treatment for cancer at this time.
Joe Lundrigan, married JoAnn Combs also class of '61 is also undergoing treatment for cancer.
Please keep these classmates in your prayers and a card to them would be of much comfort. If you need their addresses contact Mike.
CLASS OF 1962
CLASS OF 1963
CLASS OF 1964
CLASS OF 1965
CLASS OF 1966
CLASS OF 1967
CLASS OF 1968
CLASS OF 1969
CLASS OF 1970
CLASS OF 1971
CLASS OF 1972
CLASS OF 1974
Jim Rodgers, the son of Jim Rodgers (class of 1975) and Lisa Fay (Huffer) Rodgers departed in August 2005 for a two-year religious mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints in Bangkok, Thailand. Our prayers are with you and your son.
CLASS OF 1976
CLASS OF 1977
CLASS OF 1978
CLASS OF 1979
CLASS OF 1980
CLASS OF 1982
CLASS OF 1983
CLASS OF 1985
CLASS OF 1987
CLASS OF 1989
CLASS OF 1990
CLASS OF 1991
CLASS OF 1992
CLASS OF 1993
CLASS OF 1994
CLASS OF 1995
CLASS OF 1997
CLASS OF 1999
CLASS OF 2000
CLASS OF 2001
CLASS OF 2003
CLASS OF 2004