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FLASHLIGHT

      WELHISCO ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 

                                 April, 2007

Kermit Ruyle  '47, designed the Trojan below. The logo is on the cover of the
1948-1949 WELHISCO.


WELHISCO

Margarite Conroy ('68) became first time grandma to a 9 lb 3 oz baby girl (Brienne Elisabeth) on Friday, March 23.

Margarite resides in Hollister, Mo with her husband.


Free Ice Cream
"Missing  Classmates"
Help us find them
.

'Miracle kid' gets key to the city

Bryce Labarge, 8

Bryce LaBarge, 8 year old grandson of Gary Huffstutter ('62) and Donna Hagan ('68) re-ceived a Certificate of Recognition Award plus the Key to the City of Florissant for his unselfish and generous collection of money to help a friends grandmother who's home had caught on fire. Bryce played with her grandson when he'd  come to visit her.
    When Bryce learned his friend lost most  of his toys and clothing as a result from a more serious and fatal fire next door,

Bryce came up with an idea of collecting money to help his neighbor and friend.
  Bryce went door to door for three weeks after school and week-ends covering six streets collecting $507 for his neighbor. 
The grateful and surprised neighbor was so overwhelmed by his kind gesture she, out of appreciation, called Channel 2 News to share her gratitude and praise for this thoughtful boy.  
Click here for a line to that News Interview

                

  Gary Huffstutter '62     Donna Hagan'68


24/7 Connection to St. Louis Post-Dispatch
Alumni on vacation or those living out of town can keep up with home town news at their leisure. A link to the St. Louis Post-Dispatch Newspaper is located inside our website. After entering the WELHISCO Home page, click on the Reunion Home Page. Look in Favorite Links.  In the middle of the page you will find a link to the Metro Section which will take you to the paper.

FREE ICE CREAM APRIL 17th
Ben & Jerry's Stores (world wide) offer Free Cone Day every year, with no limit - eat all the Cherry Garcia you'd like.  what's the catch? Long lines, and popular flavors like chocolate Chip Cookie Dough run out early.  Find out more: www.benandjerrys.com for a store near you.

 

Bud Watson '60   BUD WATSON, CLASS '60

In case you missed last months edition of the Flashlight here's another chance to read the speech Bud gave at Reunion 2006.

click: Reunion Speech     

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 2

                                  April, 2007

Al Bayliss '55

Charlyne Bauer '55
Marty McFall '54
Joe Ann Fox '54
John McGlasson '55
Sam McKee '55
 Arline Martin '56
 
 
 
 
 

Reprints from OLD FLASHLIGHTS:      
 TEACHERS TO TAKE WEEK VACATION   From April 1, 1954:

    On March 30th, an auditorium session was held, and the students voted by a huge majority to  give the teachers here at Wellston a much needed weeks vacation.  The students know the vacations are needed, because any student that has a class with Mr. Close knows how grouchy he is already, and he has become even grouchier in the past few weeks.  And look at Mr. Corse -- he must really be getting bored.  He hasn't cut up a cat in weeks. Our famous scientist, Mr. Williams, doesn't even like to play charades anymore.

While the teachers are on vacation, the students came to a conclusion that they are mature enough to carry on the school work without hiring any other teachers. After much consideration the students decided on the following students to take the different teachers classes.

BOB COOK -- Will take over Miss McCann's classes. When the Flashlight reporter asked him what he intended to do for the weeks' work, he said, "Read". When the reporter asked him what type of literature, he replied, "comic books; is there anything else?" DONNA KAISER-- Said she would gladly take over Miss Summer's shorthand classes. When she was asked if she thought she knew enough about short-hand she said, "with my grades? I'm going to change it into a beauty parlor so the girls will look nice all day."  TRACY PHILLIPS -- A very smart student in history is going to take over Miss Niles' American History Classes. When asked if he was going to make any changes in the way that Miss Niles is teaching he said "Naturally I am going to discontinue giving tests because they are too hard on the students, and anyway I think you should save your brain for when you get out of school. TOM BAUM -- Tommy is going to offer a special course in "how to be a  better Hot Rod" for all who are interested so Mr. Corse can take his vacation without worry. BOB STEERS -- Is taking the place of Miss Jackson, study hall teacher. It was overheard in the hall the other day that he was going to take it up with the Board of Education to serve cokes during the student's library hours. CRAIG SNELL -- is taking the place of Mr. Thoss. As soon as Craig heard the news he made an announcement right then and there that he was going to give all students permission to eat up at the Evergreen Grill for lunch.  ALBERT BAYLISS -- Wellston High School's famous Journalist is going to take over Mr. Close's classes. Albert said that he would give everybody E's if they promised to chip in and buy him a coke for the rest of the year. MARILYN STROUD -- Who is taking over Miss Handy's classes said that "there is no future in studying the past", so she is going to teach dancing instead.

 JOE HUNTER -- Is going to take over Mr. Foraker's room. One of the promises he made is that he would tell better jokes.  ARLENE MARTIN -- Since she is taking over Mrs. Wildermuth's place, she said that "there would be no dancing".  RICHARD THIELE -- Who has taken Mr. Schaum's place is going to furnish everyone with ear muffs. (OH boy! A week of peace!) CHARLYNE BAUER -- Is going to take over Mrs. Ferrand's room. She's going to offer a special course in cooking for the boys since they like it so much. She said "Anyway, who wants to be in a class with all girls". MARTHA MCFALL -- Is taking over Mrs. Semon's room because she has some extra knitting that she has to do.  SAM MCKEE -- Has decided to take over Mr. Jackson's classes and teach them how "Not to work so hard". MELVIN ROBERTS -- Has taken over Mr. Stigall's classes saying "I have definitely cut out tumbling". JOE ANN FOX -- is going to take Mrs. Damerval's classes, teaching them fund-amentals of bowling.  JOHN MCGLASSON -- Is going to take over Mr. Cordeal's room because the students think he is well qualified.

Well, teachers, don't worry about a thing. Everything's going to be in fine shape when you return.

 
Joe Hunter '54  Bob Cook '56 Tom Baum '54  Melvin Roberts '54 Tracy Phillips '55   Marilyn Stroud '56   
 

 
FLASHLIGHT

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                                 April, 2007

TIME TRAVEL SPECIAL!   Memories of yesteryear in ancient Wellston.
 Visit this new website.  It's stories of our town -- our little universe.  Nits and bits of people, places, and youngsters at work selling papers or exploring legendary abandoned structures. Stories of the Hodiamont streetcar, movies at the Fabulous Fox and the New York stage with international stars who appeared live at the Suburban Garden Theater. It tells of stars like John Barrymore, Eva Tangquay and many others who sang and performed on stage in our town!  Facts of places that have been forgotten and now vanished such as the Amusement Park in Wellston at the Suburban Loop or Maxwelton Race track where horses, cars, and greyhounds from Wellston Kennel Club raced then after closing was used as a private gun range by the Egan Rats Gang.  It has lots of photos and newspaper clippings referring to our town from all over the the country.
   
This web site is a "work in progress" with more stories to be added, inspired by many or our alumni's shared memories and experiences that we see and read in the Flashlight, plus emails to the editor. You'll find something on this site that will make you feel good! Click here:  Memories of Wellston    Travel back in time

All Smiling, All Singing, but WHY


 


 

 


 

None remember why they gathered for cake and coffee at Sandy Whiat's home but Lorraine Smith captured the moment. From left are Pat Steinhoff, Betty Simino, Sandy Whiat, Teresa Recht, Glenda Barker, Peggy Taylor, and Sandy Gibbons. Brenda Good in center with LaDon Davis in front of her. All Class of '57. The picture was taken in October, 1957.
 

 

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR:
My congratulations for a wonderful Flashlight. I truly enjoyed Bud's speech. You are wonderful to try to keep it all together.  Mary (Chott) Adkins - Class '47

Hi,  loved your recent issue of WELHISCO!   Was really surprised to see  the article about Corbitt Monica.  When I was a Jr and Sr at Wellston (years 1949 and 1950) I sang at a little club on "the Hill" and the stand up comedy man was Corbitt.  He was funny then and as I read went on to do some more funny things in movies, etc.    Thanks for bringing back some wonderful memories.    Janet (Thompson) Benavides - Class '50


 
Great Flashlight!  Really enjoyed Bud Watson's speech as well as the variety of tidbits and photo's.  One of the teachers that most influenced me was Miss Niles.  She was my teacher near the end of her career.  I would love to have alumni share stories and/or pictures of her and her life.  It might look like what you might find on a blog, not that I'm all that familiar with blogs.  One story I heard was that she was once engaged but that her fiancé died during WWll. Again, great job.
Blessings,                    John Petredis - Class '66
I have really enjoyed these articles. Please keep them coming.... Connie Polkinghorne - Class '63

Thanks for your efforts.  Its almost humorous but I now look forward for each addition of the Flashlight.  However when I was in high school (1956 - 1960), I didn't pay enough time to any thing but study or working my part time job.  Today I guess that I am one of only a handful of students who would say that if they had it to do over that they would have studied and worked less and instead have enjoyed life by goofing off more.              Steven Maassen '60


No Obits to report in the month of April.

 
FLASHLIGHT

     Page 4

                                  April, 2007



Allene Thompson '45


Allene 50 yrs later

 

 

WHAT AM I DOING NOW?
 We welcome contributions each month, send in your story, or perhaps a story about a favorite teacher or classmate that made a difference in your life whom is no longer with us.  We will try to honor one selected short story of general interest each month:  This months feature story is:

Allene Thompson, class of '45, worked as a price estimator for a foundry after she graduated from school.  She also did some junior dress designing and established a dress making shop before marrying  Tom Brooks (now deceased) at age 25. They had two children.  She returned into the working world at age 30 for Citicorp National Services where she remained until retirement in 1995. 

After retirement she didn't have much idle time.  Her daughter passed away in '95 after a long bout with cancer.  Her daughter's youngest child was 10 years old. He filled a major part of her day.  Her son and his wife live in Ballwin with their 4 children. 

Allene's comments in her 50th reunion:  "High school was the happiest part of my early life, a privilege I did not expect to receive, and for which I was very thankful." Allene wrote a poem about her high school days.  Please take a moment to relive those happy days.  Click here: poem

Grade School Picture = Friends for Life

           

From Left to right: Front Roberta Douglas ('  ), Betty Douglas ('49), Margaret Kateman ('49) L to R: Clara Fricke ('47), Lorraine Roche ('47), Mary Frances, Billie Smith ('47), and Barbara Treece

 
Boys will be boys as they smile for the camera laughing about the good times.

Leonard Sparks ('47), Bob Haefner ('49), Pat Murphy  ('49 ), and Ralph Smith (' 49 ) horsing around on the steps of Bob's home at 6314 Ridge Avenue. 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 5

                                  April, 2007

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

Circulation Editor & Web Master
Bob Haefner (’49)

Trustees
Larry Brown (’63)
Wanda Cornman (’60)
JoAnn Williams (’60)

WELLSTON HIGH SCHOOL
WHS Reunion
P.O. Box 81
Washington, MO 63090

Phone  636-978-5771
Fax 636-696-4693
E-mail
whs_flashlight@charter.net

LET'S GO TROJANS!

We’re on the Web!

http://freepages.school-alumni.rootsweb.com/~welhisco/
 

BuzzBooks  available!

Click on Book
to order

BIG 8x11
41 pages

Contact living WHS Grads, plus a list of those no longer with us.   Alumni 2006 Reunion List, and a lot more!
         $7.00 Supplies low

All proceeds go to
the WHS-Reunion Fund

   INTERNET GEM:

This is supposedly a true story. A elderly Florida lady did her shopping, and upon returning to her car, found four males in the act of leaving with her vehicle. She dropped her shopping bags and drew her handgun, proceeding to scream at the top of her voice, "I have a gun, and I know how to use it! Get out of the car!"

The four men didn't wait for a second invitation. They got out and ran like mad.

The lady, somewhat shaken, then proceeded to load her shopping bags into the back of the car and get into the driver's seat. She was so shaken that she could not get her key into the ignition. She tired and tried, and then it dawned on her why.

A few minutes later she found her own car parked four or fie spaces farther down. She loaded her bags into the car and then drove to the police station.

The sergeant to whom she told the story nearly tore himself in two with laughter. He pointed to the other end of the counter, where four pale men were reporting a carjacking by a mad, elderly woman described as white, less then five feet tall, glasses, curly white hair, and carrying a large handgun.

No charges were filed. AH, SENIOR MOMENTS!


I was sitting in the waiting room for my first appointment with a new dentist when I noticed his DDS plaque on the wall, which bore his full name. Suddenly, I remembered a tall, handsome, dark-haired boy with the same name had been in my high school class some 40-odd years ago. Could he be the same guy I had a secret crush on way back then?

Upon seeing him, however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding gray-haired man with the deeply lined face was way too old to have been my classmate. Hummm, or could he????

After he examined my teeth, I asked him if he attended Wellston High. "Yes, yes, I did. I'm a Trojan," he gleamed with pride. "When did you graduate?" I asked. He answered, "In 1960. Why do you ask?"

You were in my class!" I exclaimed. He looked at me closely, then, that ugly, old wrinkled SOB asked "What class did you teach?"


 

    Lots of changes & updating going on!!
Those without computers or email addresses can now access Flashlight Newsletters.     All they have to do is use one of their children’s (or grandchild’s) computers or go to their local library logging on to the WHS website. There’s no reason why everyone can’t to keep up with all school news now.

Send in Your Story! Let us know where you’ve been and what you’ve done with your life.  Everyone loves a good story – what better reading then about someone you know!!
Need some Hints?   . .Make a list similar to this. Send it to your classmates for ideas.     Click here for sample story ideas ca 1940s..then make yours!

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 6

                                   April,2007

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JoAnn Williams '60 Trustee Wanda Cornman '60 Trustee Larry Brown '63 Trustee
       

 

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Sandy Gibbons '57 
Editor Flashlight

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Donna Hagan '68
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