FLASHLIGHT

WELHISCO NEWSLETTER		FEBRUARY 2008
Happy Valentine's Day			Happy Valentine's Day

WELHISCO

Trojan Head designed by Kermit Ruyle '47

Table of Contents

PAGE 2
Mike Sullivan
Trudy Fain
Coral Courts

PAGE 3
Alumni News
Printable Flashlight

PAGE 4
Reunion 2009 News

PAGE 5
Fun Things on Internet

PAGE 6
Where is?
Obits
SS Admiral

PAGE 7
Jokes
Missing List
Contact Us

Jack Sidmon '50 sings "lost in

the 50s, bringing back great memories.

Sit back, kick off your shoes and remember yesteryear! Lost in the Fifties

SPORTS "FIRST" MILLION-DOLLAR MAN

Legendary Bowler Don Carter, a 1944 graduate of Wellston High School, managed to do something no other in sports had ever achieved -- "In 1964, he managed the unthinkable for a bowler -- or any athlete for that matter -- when he landed a $1 Million endorsement deal with bowling manufacturer Ebonite. He was the first bowler to hit the magic mark, and far outpaced his contemporaries throughout the sports world."

Don Carter started bowling at the age of thirteen, but never became seriously interested until joining the Wellston Bowling Club in 1942. The team was very successful, winning three of four matches with Blewett and Normandy High Schools.

Don is a charter member and first president of the Professional Bowlers Association (PBA; founded in 1958). After graduation, he bowled with several teams before joining the St. Louis Budweiser bowling team in 1953. He was voted the greatest bowler in history in a 1971 bowling magazine poll.

Millions of TV viewers were tuned in on Oct. 28, 1961, when Don Carter toppled the $18,000 6-7-8-10 jackpot pin arrangement on "Make that Spare." The fifteen-minute bowling program aired on ABC between Oct. 15, 1960 and Sept. 11, 1964. Carter was the first to spill the jackpot spare on the show. Don Carter's Bio

Additional information about our Wellston Classmate plus links to other interesting sites about this Welhisco Hall of Fame-er.

Don has been nominated for consideration for a Star on the St. Louis Walk of Fame. We hope he will be selected this fall by the 120 members of the Nomination Committee. He's certainly earned it.

Taken from 1942 year book:
Standing (from left): Kent Savage, Don Carter, Rich Stopke, Norm Bewig -- Seated (from Left): Ralph Streicher, Geo Koby, John Hill, Ed Ostendort, Gene Husted, and Chas Foraker (teacher). (Lee Haefner not pictured)

Shaws Enjoy Florida Weather in January

Jim Shaw '45 and wife Betty Smith '47 started celebrating their 60th anniversary with a trip to Santa Rosa Beach, just east of Destin, with JoAnn Williams '60 and her husband John for a week of fun in the sunshine. They visited the Navy Museum, Seaside, Panama City Beach, and Sandestin, trying out many of the eateries. The Grand Finale turned out to be dinner at the Red Bar in Grayton Beach! What a neat restaurant, cool music and great food.

Betty (Smith) '47 and Jim Shaw '45

FLASHLIGHT

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FEBRUARY 2008

Vintage Photos From the Shoe Box!

Scan and email or use US Postage ( If photos are to be returned, please include return US Mail postage)

Sully sends pictures taken at '47 birthday party

You have a great website! I just viewed the Nov. 2007 Flashlight and am glad to read about a couple of girls (May Kay Parker and Lestine Neil) that were in my class at Wellsmar Elementary. In the same issue a neighbor of mine (Alice Tapy) is pictured with other girls as they celebrate Senior Day in 1953.

My folks and I moved from Wellston at the end of my 6th grade year but I can still name every teacher there at the time I attended! I missed not attending Wellston High, but my moving to the Pattonville District gave me the chance to meet my high school sweetheart in 1955. She still is my sweetheart as we approach 50 years of marriage.

Thanks for the memories!!

Mike Sullivan

(My friends call me "Sully".)
View Sully then and now

I'm attaching a photo of a group of Wellston kids attending my Birthday party probably about 1946 or '47. I've listed some of the names I remembered:

Back Row L to R: Unknown, Dolly Tapy, Donna Dodd, Shirley Tapy,

2nd Row L to R: Unknown, Unknown, Unknown, ____ Niehoff, Georgia Hager,

Front Row: L to R: Mike Sullivan, Chester Wimpee

Class of 1958 Celebrates 30th at '89 reunion

Dorothy Fain '58 sent in a picture of their 30th reunion. Some of the people have been identified - we think - but others still need to be. If you have any idea who the missing names are, or if we have someone named WRONG email us. 1958 Reunion picture:

First Row: R - L: Ray Davis, Estella Hayes, ?, Olivia Hayes, Judy Feller, Shirley Waller,
Second Row: Marvin Hutt, Mary Alice Dockett, Earl Sage, Pat Mehrtens, Betti Jeffries, Rosalie Riggs, Dorothy Fain
Third Row: Donna Will, Donna McBride, ?, Kendal Carroll, Nancy Mollering, ?, JoAnn Womble, Catherine Basich
Forth Row: Don Bush, Robert Hayes, Larry Stiles, Bob Oellermann and Tom April.

Sent in by Dorothy Fain '58 ------>

Among the finalist of the Globe Newspaper and Radio Station KMOX Spelling Bee's seventeenth elimination round was Sheryl Stilts '65, pictured in the back row, standing second from the left. This picture was published in the Globe paper March 6, 1961.
Karin Carter '65 found the spelling bee and basketball pictures in her shoe box! Be sure to look in YOUR shoe box for something interesting to share with the alumni!

Picture below appeared in the Post Newspaper- date ?

George Washington (50), class of '64, leaps high blocking the shot from a Riverview Gardens shooter

The Wellston players are Eric Deloney (24), Class of '63, Kenny Miner (54), class of '65 and Robert Taylor (12), class of '64

FLASHLIGHT

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FEBRUARY 2008

Wellston High School's Senior Class List:

Scroll down the main page to:
"St. Louis High School Senior Class Lists" Select Wellston

Remembering Vietnam Vets by George Jones

Please be sure to share your Flashlight with those who don't have access to the Internet Printable February Issue

Alumnae & Alumni News and Comments:

A list of missing who were found in 2007:
Alumni Found

In February work will begin verifying that our database has current correct phone numbers, mailing and email addresses. With your help we'll be able to fine more of our missing alumni. Hopefully, We've posted a link showing the Alumni who have been found in 2007 plus a list of those who have passed on.

A list of
Alumni who passed in 2007

REMINDER: Be sure to check the Welhisco webpage often because it's updated with current news as it becomes available.

There's a new website listing the graduates from each high school. We are in the process of listing all the grads from Wellston High. Check your spouses name to see if their high school is listed! Senior List t

Gary Huffstutter ‘62, has retired from Florissant Valley Community College after 30 years of service. Gary said he'll still visit now and then at morning coffee breaks keeping in touch.

Gary is looking forward to more time for golf, golf, and more golf. Of course, his wife, Donna Hagan ’68, has other ideas! She's looking forward to finally getting her “Honey Do” list completed. She says "when your husband is employed in maintenance all day long, the last thing he wants to do when he gets home is more maintenance."

Gary Huffstutter '62

Donna Hagan '68

After being on the Welhisco missing list for almost 57 years, Bob Wimpee '50 has been located living in California, retired from Northrop in '94 as a tool and die maker. He worked on such planes as the B-2 bomber, Tiger Shark and F-18. Bob loves church, visiting family, traveling, Big Bear, his backyard bar-b-q's and his two Jack Russell Terriers. He spends lots of time with friends, enjoys swimming, playing pool and walking over a mile a day. Bob's looking forward to Reunion 2009 where he can once again reunite with school friends and classmates

Marian '46, lives in Ellsinore, MO. Chester '58, stayed in California where his family moved after he finished 6th grade at Wellston.

Jean '48, and brothers Don '49 and Keith '51 Wimpee, have been added to the Classmates Remembered List.

Bob Wimpee '50

Louise Landsbury '65 would like to know if anyone knows the whereabouts or how to contact Connie Teaney - also Jack Price. Connie lived in the 6200 block of Page, and Jack in the 6300 block of Lenox.

Do you know the TRUE definitions of a hammer or pry bar? Read this funny (but so accurate) descriptions of tools in your garage or worktable. Tools used in my lifetime Sent to Bill Voos '48 by Robert Smith '48.

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FEBRUARY 2008

reunion 2009 IN FULL SWING

Taken from 1942 sweater

Announcing Reunion 2009
From 1942 Sweater

Lots of memorabilia, stories and friendships to be shared and renewed.

October 2, 2009
Friday Night Mixer
4:00 pm - 8:30 pm

35 rooms have been reserved for both Friday and Saturday Night
Take a Tour

Reunion 2009 is in full swing. Our Trustees have approved and signed contracts holding Reunion 2009 at the St. Charles Convention Center, starting, Oct 2nd with a Friday Mixer, followed by a formal dinner Saturday Night. Because of Guarantor's generosity, there are enough funds in reserve to cover the $3,000.00 deposit, plus commit to another $3,000.00 payment in July, 2008 and again February 2009. The final balance is due in September. Sunday's activities have not been decided yet.

The Mixer was such a huge success at Reunion 2006, more time has been added for visiting (4 - 8:30 pm). Hors d'oeuvres will be served, along with a cash bar. Saturday Nights dinner starts at 7 pm, ending at 11 pm. A Cash bar will be available starting at 6pm in the lobby.

The committee learned from Reunion 2006 there must be designated areas set up where people can find their classmates. Since the layout is now known, this can easily be accomplished.

35 rooms have been reserved ($124.00 + tax per night) at the Embassy Suites for Friday and Saturday nights by out-of-Towner's and those who want to spend the night. The Committee would like a heads up if you plan on staying at the Embassy Suites. They want to make sure there are enough rooms reserved. Email us if you plan to spend a night and which night(s) you'll need.

Someone from your class will be calling you soon, making sure information in our database is current for upcoming mailings. There will be a hard copy newsletter sent to all alumni in the spring announcing Reunion 2009, along with some articles taken from the online Flashlight for those without Internet access.

Dinner 7 - 11:00 pm
October 3, 2009

Reception area for visiting before, during and after Mixer. Also, reception area before Dinner Saturday Night.

Tour St. Charles Convention Center

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FEBRUARY 2008

FUN THINGS FOUND ON THE INTERNET

Don McLean - American Pie

This “movie” is over eight minutes long and VERY entertaining. Take the time to follow along with the singing and match it with the video. Its extremely informative as it explains why and what the meaning is behind all the words in the song you’ve heard a million times!

YouTube - The Meaning of American Pie

For those of you too young to remember these products...... too bad you missed it!! Be sure to watch the Burma Shave Signs change......

Taking a trip down Memory Lane
Music by the Statler Brothers

American Pie & Memory Lane sent in by Poncho (Dave) Canndy '51

This video is such a good representation of how wonderful the fifties were. It'll bring back great memories of simpler times: music with no dirty lyrics, intact families, and the dance we all learned to do --the "Imperial", derived from George Edick's "Club Imperial" located upstairs at Goodfellow and West Florissant where Ike and "Tina" Turner both appeared. Club Imperial became the hot spot for the "Imperial Swing Dance" in the 1950's and 1960's.

There was almost non-existent crime in our neighborhoods, no school shooting, no illicit drugs - NONE, respect for teachers and parents, clothes that covered parts of our bodies that should be covered, no proliferation of sexual materials to underage children, family dinners where everyone ate together every night, Sundays where everyone went to church together, and so, so much more.

Of course there have been many advances since the 50's that are remarkable: better medicines, man walking on the moon, and of course - the computer with all the good it offers and, unfortunately, the bad. Play this when you have a few moments to just savor the music and content. Turn up your sound and ENJOY! Take me back to the fifties

Jukebox

This is no ordinary jukebox. It will play all of your favorite songs from 1950 to 1982. Each year has a scroll or drop down box which shows all the great songs for that year. Most years have over 40 songs. Once you click on a song it will play through automatically then go to the next song until all the songs have played.

There is a volume control which should be use in conjunction with your computers volume control. One of its best features is it'll play in the background. That means you can be doing other computer work on a different screen while listening to great music.

Hundreds, if not thousands, of hours went into creating this by a fellow in Puerto Rico. This is really cool. Have fun with it and be sure to mark it to your 'Favorites"! JUKEBOX

This video shows how enemies can live in peace becoming friends. This is an amazing shot clip! Enjoy..........unlikely Friends

An amazing puzzle This will boggle your mind... Take your time and follow the instructions. It's neat!!! After reading each window, click on the boy in the lower right corner. In the last window, type in your numbers in the white box using the keyboard (there is NO cursor). You will be amazed....and no, I sure don't know how it's done. The answer appears on the boy's t-shirt. Mind Reader

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FEBRUARY 2008

Kenny Will '69

Where in the World is Kenny Will? (Class of '68)
Check out the link taking you to the missing alumni list in your class. They may not even know they are missing!! If there’s someone on the list that you know the whereabouts of someone on the list (dead or alive) please email us the information or have them contact us. As you see there are only a few classes with people missing. Most classes have someone who takes the initiative to keep their class list current. While this is not an easy task to undertake, it does make the job easier for the Reunion Committee. Check all the classes, because someone’s brother, sister, aunt, uncle, parents or even neighbor, might be on the "Missing List". The list spans a period of over 30 years. MISSING ALUMNI

Classmates Remembered

Theresa O'Connor '63 wrote a beautiful poem dedicated to and remembering our departed alumnus. To Read

Obit

Memorial
Our Wellston Trojan
Classmates Remembered List
Click here
Rest in Peace

Doris Akins '52
passed 12/24/07
Guest Book
Cancer

Craig Wegman '45
Passed 1/18/08
Guest Book

"The clock of life is wound but once,
And no man has the power to tell
Just when the hands will stop
At late or early hour.

Now is the only time you own.
Live, love, toil with a will.
Place not faith in time
For the clock may soon be still."

Unknown

Condolences to:Larry '56, Doloris '59, Doretta '61 and Dionna Akins '63 in the passing of their sister Doris 12/24/07
Jim Chapman '60 in the Death of his sister-in-law, Doris Akins on Christmas Eve.
Colletta Simpson '61 in the death of her husband Dale Doepke in November 5, 2007
Betty Laxton '60 in the death of her husband Lyle Skater in November, 2007.

The Admiral as she appeared beneath the Eads Bridge in the 1980's.
Photo by Tom Kempland.

S.S. Admiral, St. Louis, Missouri

Summary History, with Photos from the Thomas Kempland Collection

1940-2006

The boat that is so well known to St. Louis as the Admiral, first started out as the side-wheeled steel hulled steamboat, the Albatross (postcard view, below, from the collection of Scott K. Williams), built in 1907 in Dubuque, Iowa by Dubuque Boat and Boiler. She was a powerful vessel as she was fitted with four large boilers. This boat's hull was 308 feet long, 53.8 feet wide and 7.6 feet in depth. Above the hull, she was 90 feet wide to accommodate the side wheel. She was quite a sight to look at and nearly the whole town of Keokuk, Iowa turned out to see her pass the the rapids, (being too large for the canal) and to clear the bridge. View complete story

FLASHLIGHT

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FEBRUARY 2008

Editors
Bill Voos (’48)
Sandy Gibbons(’57)
JoAnn Williams (’60)

Mary Kay Parker '56 - President
Jim Shaw '45 - Sec/Treasurer

WELLSTON HIGH SCHOOL
Welhisco Alumni
P.O. Box 774
O'Fallon, MO 63366

Phone 636-978-5771
Fax 636-696-4693

E-mail
WelhiscoAlumni@aol.com

Interesting Infomation

Click Image

FUNNIES FOUND ON THE INTERNET

4TH MARRIAGE

The local news station was interviewing an 80-year-old lady because she had just gotten married -- for the fourth time. The interviewer asked her questions about her life, about what it felt like to be marrying again at 80, and then about her new husband's occupation. 'He's a funeral director,' she answered.

'Interesting,' the newsman thought. He then asked her if she wouldn't mind telling him a little about her first three husbands and what they did for a living.

She paused for a few moments, needing time to reflect on all those years. After a short time, a smile came to her face and she answered proudly, explaining that she'd first married a banker when she was in her early 20's, then a circus ringmaster when in her 40's, later on a preacher when in her 60's, and now in her 80's, a funeral director.

The interviewer looked at her, quite astonished, and asked why she had married four men with such diverse careers.

She smiled and explained, 'I married one for the money, two for the
show, three to get ready, and four to go.'

For all you folks that ask how retirement is!

What Do Retired People Do All Day?

Working people frequently ask retired people what they do to make their days interesting. Well, for example, the other day my friend and I went into town and went into a shop. We were only in there for about 5 minutes. When we came out, there was a cop writing out a parking ticket. We went up to him and I said, "Come on man, how about giving a senior citizen a break?" He ignored us and continued writing the ticket. I called him a Dumbass. He glared at me and started writing another ticket for having worn tires.

So my friend called him a -----head. He finished the second ticket and put it on the windshield with the first. Then he started writing a third ticket. This went on for about 20 minutes. The more we abused him, the more tickets he wrote.

Personally, we didn't care. We came into town by bus. We try to have a little fun each day now that we're retired. It's important at our age. Just trying to have a little fun in Oregon!

Two Gals from Normandy With Hammers...

Carol and Donna were doing some carpenter work on a Habitat for Humanity house.

Carol, who was nailing down house siding, would reach into her nail pouch, pull out a nail and either toss it over her shoulder or nail it in. Donna, figuring this was worth looking into, asked, 'Why are you throwing those nails away?' Carol explained, 'When I pull a nail out of my pouch, about half of them have the head on the wrong end and I throw them away.' Donna got completely upset and yelled, 'You moron! Those nails aren't defective! They're for the other side of the house!'

A lady from Ritenour was weed-eating her yard when she accidentally cut off the tail of her cat who was hiding in the grass. She rushed her cat, along with the tail over to WALMART! Why WALMART??? HELLOOOOOOOOO! WALMART is the largest retailer in the world!!!