Wellston High School Alumni News Wellston , MO
  

FLASHLIGHT

      WELHISCO ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 

                                 September  2007

New Hope for Wellston Terminal!

  Thanks to Don Moehlenkamp '50, Joan Thoss '49 and Washington University College of Architecture for this story:
  Four students working as a team envisioned a Loop Turnaround Retail Plaza, at the old Terminal in Wellston on MLK Drive. Their project is getting attention from the major developers in the area, a hopeful sign the old Terminal Passenger Shelter might not be demolished.

Letter to the Editor:
Recently I've been having dreams I was house hunting in our Wellston. I could not get these dreams of Wellston out of my head. Finally I went onto the internet, pulled up a satellite shot of Wellston, zoomed in on the city looking for the high school, our old house, and the car dealership. There were cleared spaces where some of our familiar landmarks, houses and favorite places once stood . . . .

. . .  .Then, a couple of weeks ago I received my Washington University quarterly magazine......... something caught my eye........it was a photo of a couple of architectural students, Bob Hansman, and a model of a proposed design for a loop turnaround retail plaza, where the old loop was IN WELLSTON.
     The attached article states Don DeVivo, who is president of the Loop Community Development Corp. and a realtor who owns several area properties, has plans to hire an Architect and work with the students.
     You could have knocked me over with a feather, as this is what I had been so strongly dreaming about .....Joan Thoss '49" 
To read more about this project Click Here:


WELHISCO
Trojan Head designed
by
Kermit Ruyle '47



Don
Moehlenkamp'50



Joan Thoss '49

More about Bob Hansman, here: "Perseverance personified"  "Having conquered cancer, Bob Hansman brings art education to at-risk kids. "   Article dated September 20, 2002 Washington People RECORD     http://record.wustl.edu/2002/09-20-02/washington_people.html    THIS is a very uplifting read!!!    Bob Haefner '49

Click to enlarge


Click to enlarge
Photos

The Vanished  Loop Building
Salvaged items at the New City Art Museum
 

The Nugent Building, was located at 6101 Dr ML King Jr. Dr (see map above). Most of us knew of it as Katz Drugs or the Loop Building. Built about 1928, it had served Wellston well as the Nugent Department store on the ground floor. Later it was replaced by Katz Drug. Upper floors contained offices for doctors, lawyers and other professional services. It qualified for the Landmarks Association's 11 Most Endangered List for 1998. The building was not protected from natural and human damage. It was demolished about 2002. Thankfully, pieces of the building were salvaged and stored, to be used again. The New St. Louis City Museum has implemented important pieces of the ornate doorway, and window enframements in the Architecture areas. Visitors to the museum may once again walk through the original decorative main entrance of the demolished Nugent/Katz /Loop Building!
See these great Rob Powers photographs of the Loop Building: Page 1, Page 2.  
Visit this website Memory of Katz Drug Store by Bob Haefner '49.

    A few words from one of our readers:  

   "
Thanks for the Katz Drug Store stuff. Those were really fun times. Since I worked close to the loop all during High School I remember it well.  I worked at Worth's and at Penny's. I also remember the very demonstrative traffic cop that directed traffic at Hodiamont and Easton."   Jim Bowles '49
  

FLASHLIGHT

      PAGE 2 

                                September  2007

Visit the MOVIES at the Victory and Wellston Theaters!
V
audeville - Free Dishes - and Air Conditioning!

    Vaudeville was also a part of the bill of fare at The Mikado and The Wellston. My mother, June Cramer, danced to Tiptoe Through The Tulips on the stage at The Wellston sometime in the 30's   Sandy Gibbons '57

Click to enlarge

FREE 'DISH' NIGHT AT THE MOVIES


Oxydol also offered free dishes to those who bought their product.

   I performed at the Victory Theater several times. The dancing school I attended held their recitals there. My Mom, a very talented seamstress, would receive an idea sketch of the costume needed for a certain "number", then cut it out of newspaper as a pattern and sew it up.  One "number" she designed included an American flag that was hidden in the back of my costume. At the finish of the routine I would pull on two buttons on each side of the shoulders of the jacket to display the flag with great flourish and pride. The entire routine was preformed atop a drum my Dad made, hardwood floor on top and painted red, white, and blue. Of course the music played for the number  was "The Stars and Stripes Forever". 
     My sister, Lorna, an acrobat, also preformed there. Three years my junior, she created quite a sensation twisting and turning to the music.
              Betty Van Cloostere '49      

    The August article about the "Mikado / Victory" Theater was very interesting. I spent many Saturday afternoons there watching westerns and war films, frequently from the balcony when it was crowded. I also recall the Friday night dishware give always at the Wellston Theater and going to the Plymouth, the last chance to see a movie after it had been shown everywhere else.  (Some nights I think I was about the only one there and wondered how they could stay in business.) Bill Voos '48

    I am still baking in the blue stoneware casserole with lid that served as a deep dish pie plate we got when my Great Grandmother and I went to the New Year's Eve show at The Victory to see a double feature which included 'A Night At The Opera', the Marx Brothers film and a Fred Astaire and Ginger Rogers movie, selected shorts and the Warner Pathe News of The World. The film was released in 1935 but I wasn't born until 1939 so this would have been about 1944 I think. She also had a near complete set of dishes from dish night at the movies. We got the casserole on New Year's but had to go back the next week to get the lid.   Sandy Gibbons '57

    I remember going to the Wellston Show. Whether it was the Victory (the Mikado [Japanese name] until after WW2 when it was changed to Victory) or the Wellston you always saw two features. Not like today when you only see one. On New Years Eve they showed 5 features for the price of one. The shows also used to give away dishes to get you to come. One week it would be a cup and saucer each time you went and the next week or month it would be a plate or a bowl. You had to go frequently to get a set of dishes. Some of the dishes we had at home were from the Wellston Show. This was all before it burned down and the new Wellston Show was built in its place.   Tom Duffy '55 Mercy High

Share YOUR Wellston memories with us    Click here  
  

FLASHLIGHT

      PAGE  3

                                 September   2007


Jim Shaw ' 45 Turned 80.
Story on right

Herb Eberle '56


Be sure to share your Flashlight with those who do not have Internet
Printable Sept Issue


Sam Dicks '53
I would like to say 'hello' to my old classmates of '69 and would love to hear from them.  Please contact me at: Click here  Jeanie Besancenez '69

Alumnae & Alumni News and Comments:


Jim Shaw, '45
celebrated his 80th Birthday with friends at his home July 27th then with family at Joe Bucks Restaurant in O'Fallon on the 28th.  It was a fun filled weekend with party after party. His wife, Betty Ann Smith '47, had planned for a surprise party but that ended when Jim found a copy of the invitation on their computer!!

HERB EBERLE '56 STARS AT STRASSENFEST 2007

     Herb Eberle '56 has played every year at the Strassesnfest since 1973 with the exception of 2002, when he had lung surgery. Herb played the traditional German 'oom-pah-pah' type music which is such a huge part of this annual event celebrating the tradition of German Gemutlichkeit. This years celebration was held August 3, 4, and 5th at Memorial Park, Downtown St. Louis.
     Herb is entering his 60th year in music. He started when he was a child accompanied by his sister. In the mid 80s he hosted his own radio show, Monday thru Friday, on KSTL-AM, live on Wednesday's. He also played at the train station for three years. 
     Look for Herb in Hermann at the Oktoberfest each year. For a list of events click here:

Do you know when the next reunion is being planned?
Hopefully, I can make that one.    Thanks, Pat Funke '68

Editors note: Reunion 2009 will be held in the month of October. The exact date has NOT been firmed up yet. As soon as this information becomes available from the Trustees it will be announced either by a newsletter or the website.


Carole Holmes '52

Carole Jo Holmes '06

    Carole Holmes '52  had always dreamed of someday singing with the Metropolitan Opera when she grew up. In preparing for her Opera career she had sung with bands and in various competitions. When she graduated in 1952 she was full of dreams, hopes, and aspirations. In '53 she won the 'All State Young Artist Competition' while attending the University of New Mexico where she had continued her major in voice with a minor in piano. Some of her activities included Madrigal Chorus, Opera Workshop, Sigma Alpha Tota, and she was among selected music students traveling as ambassador to various schools throughout New Mexico.
     After several semesters at U.N.M. Carole entered the workforce, continuing her education part-time. Carole was offered a vocalist job at a local Lutheran Church, where she met her husband. They married in '56. After that her life took a different path. Her singing career never developed as she had once dreamed but she says
"1952 is now a lifetime ago. I have a wonderful life, great husband and blessed with 5 beautiful children." To read about her career please  Click Here: (Sent in by Sam Dicks '53)

Residential areas are filled with a variety of wild animals — though many residents may be unaware of their presence. Do you know who's been playing in your back yard? These creatures are crafty and remain hidden from detection, but it only takes one spotting to alert neighbors as to what's going on in their own backyards. Bob Duffy '66 spotted these little playmates in his back yard. Read the article which appeared in the Webster-Kirkwood Times to see what he found: Click Here:
 
  

FLASHLIGHT

      PAGE 4

                                SEPTEMBER  2007


Gloria Brown '63


Gloria Brown Now

Would you know what to do if you had a grease fire?

JoAnn Williams '60

Betty Ann Smith '47

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:
 
Gloria Brown '63 had been on the 'Missing List' for some time. When we added pictures to the missing, asking help from the alumni in locating them Gloria's aunt sent in her info and we were able to contact her, finally getting her off the missing list and into the Buzzbook! Like so many others, through the years she'd lost contact with her fellow students.  Read what she has to say about her lost years.  More ----->

                                KITCHEN GREASE FIRES

At Charleston Navy Base Fire Fighting Training School, they demonstrated with a deep fat fryer set on the fire field. An instructor would don a fire suit and using an 8 oz cup at the end of a 10 foot pole, toss water onto the grease fire. The results got the attention of the students. What happens is water being heavier than oil it sinks to the bottom where it instantly becomes superheated. The explosive force of the steam blows the burning oil up and out. On the open field it became a thirty foot high fireball that resembles a nuclear blast. Inside the confines of a kitchen the fire ball hits the ceiling and fills the entire room. Also, do not throw sugar or flour on a grease fire: one cup creates the explosive force of a stick of dynamite.

CIick Photo for larger view
Jim Shaw '47, Betty  Ann (Smith) Shaw '45, Jo Ann (Wms) Croce '60 and her husband John met for lunch in O'Fallon (MO).
     Both couples became friends while working on Reunion 2006. Jim's a retired Senior Financial Analyst from Chrysler, Jo Ann is a retired small business owner, both bring much experience and help to the reunion committee.
     Work will soon begin on Reunion 2009. Volunteers are needed for calling their classmates updating and verifying the database is current and correct. If you would like to help with this task please contact the reunion committee. This is a great way to reunite with your classmates, renewing  friendships. It's very important keeping the database current, knowing where our alumnae and alumni are.


Click Photo

A Picture's worth a thousand words.......
  
Here is
a copy of a one-in-a million shot captured by a photographer in Yosemite National Park of a grizzly catching his lunch. Talk about being in the right place at the right time! (This is a picture of a picture) Enjoy!  . . .  Manuel,  (Husband of Janet Thompson '50)


Jan Thompson '50

  

FLASHLIGHT

      PAGE 5

                                SEPTEMBER   2007

Where in the World is Jack Daniel '54?
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 whom you might know the whereabouts of (dead or alive) please email us the information. The list spans 30 years.  Check all the classes. There might be someone on the list that only you have the information we need.                 
               Click here:  MISSING ALUMNI

Classmates Remembered

Memorial
Our Wellston Trojan
Classmates Remembered List
Click here

Rest in Peace

Classmates Remembered



Jack Keller '47
Passed away 7/24/07
Click to View and
Sign Guest Book

Jack was a star basketball player plus played on the Varsity Football team.



Wanda Potts '47
Passed away 8/7/07
Click to view and
sign Guest Book


"A loving heart is the beginning of all knowledge."
Her congenial spirit brought her many friends.


Maxine Westegard '44
Passed away 8/15/07
Click to view and
sign Guest Book

'Mac' was always full
of pep and energy.


Dean Klossner '52
Passed away 8/17/07
Click to view and
sign Guest Book

"Dean with his blond wavy hair, always seemed free from every care."
Condolences to: Donna Hagan '68 and her husband Gary Huffstutter '62 in the loss of Donna's cousin, Steve Wibbenmeyer, who passed away on 8/11/07.
Pat Cademo '48 in the loss of her husband, Delbert Downs, who passed away 8/15/07. Click to view & sign Guest Book

 


From the
Webmaster '49
Email

Free Genealogy Search Sites
Just type in your grandparents surname.

  WorldConnect by RootsWeb     Click Here     480 million names
  1880 US /Can. Census        Click Here  Tip:Use great grandparent !
  Ellis Island Passenger Records 1892 to 1924      Click Here
  Nationwide Gravesite Locator US Vet A        Click Here
  Missouri Death Certificates 1910 -1956         Click Here
  US Social Security Death Index                     Click Here

MOST!  County Libraries have free search on line!   

  

FLASHLIGHT

      PAGE  6

                                 September   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
[email protected]

Interesting Info.

 
Welcome  'The Doo-Wop Oldies Quiz.' Take the quiz and see how you score as a true 'Oldies Fan'. Write down your answers and check them against the correct answers.
 1. When did 'Little Suzie' finally wake up?
      a) The movie's over, it's 2 o'clock
      b) The movie's over, it's 3 o'clock
      c) The movie's over, it's 4 o'clock
And 17 more great questions to challenge your memories!
                            Click here!  
Doo-Wop Quiz!

SKINNY DIPPING

An elderly man had owned a large farm for many years and fixed up a pond
for swimming with picnic tables, horseshoe courts and a volleyball court.
He also had some apple and peach trees near-by.

One evening the farmer decided to go down to the pond and took a bucket
with him to pick some apples and peaches. When he neared the pond he
heard voices shouting and laughing. As he came closer he noticed it was a
bunch of young women skinny dipping.

He made the women aware of his presence and they all swam down to the
deep end and one shouted out to him......" We are not coming out until
you leave."

And the old man frowned and said...."I didn't come down here to watch you
ladies swim naked or make you get out of the pond naked"......
(and holding the bucket up he said.)........

"I'm here to feed the alligator"