FLASHLIGHT

   WELHISCO NEWSLETTER 

JANUARY 2008 

    

  


WELHISCO

Trojan Head designed by   Kermit Ruyle '47

 

Table of Contents

  • PAGE 2
      Santa Claus
       Wagner Electric Party

     
  • PAGE 3
       Alumni News
     
  • PAGE 4
      What am I Doing
      Printable Flashlight
     
  • PAGE 5
      Fun Things on Internet
     
  • PAGE 6
    Where is?
    Obits
     
  • PAGE 7
      Jokes
       Missing List
       Contact Us
  •  

     

    Happy New Year!!

       
    Saying Goodbye To A "Snow Queen"
    (updated 1/1/2008)


    Sandy Gibbons '57, will return for one last time as Snow Queen for St. Louis' New Year's Celebration of the Arts, First Night.
     
    The evening begins at 5:30 p.m. with a procession down Grand Avenue near The Fox Theatre. Sandy will be the "short fat lady in white in the white carriage"
    *, taking one more ego trip.
     
    Her decision to make one more appearance, was based on the fact that her youngest grandchildren had never seen her in this starring role. The many hundreds of photographs taken over the years can't compete with an in-person viewing, she said. 

    So many Wellstonites have waved to the Snow Queen as she passed them, never realizing she was Wellston's own Sandy Gibbon's '57. 

    *Sandy's words, not ours!
    View article written in the ST Louis Post 1/1/08

     

    Bill Zimmermann '55, and Mary Ziff '57, Celebrate 50th in Style

    Their daughters gave them a surprise party the first week-end of November, then they left for China the following week, visiting Beijing, Xi’an and Shanghai.  Bill and Mary celebrated their 50th wedding anniversary November 19, 2007.

    "What a trip!" they said "Climbing the Great Wall was an unbelievable experience. Exploring both ancient and new China was exciting and fascinating. It was a very special anniversary and an VERY awesome trip."  View Larger


    The Great Wall of China


    Tiananmen Square

      

    FLASHLIGHT

       PAGE 2

    JANUARY 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)

    Santa (Jim Chapman '60) relaxing, as he waits for his "Red Shirt" girls'


    Santa
    Jim Chapman '60

     

    Wanda Cornman '60, hosted the traditional Red Shirt Christmas Party once again at her home. As usual the gals brought their favorite dishes to share before they took their turn sitting on Santa's lap and telling him what special presents they'd like to find under their tree on Christmas Morning. Wanda gave Santa a special message with the socks she wore that read, "Santa, twelve months is a LONG time to be good!" 

    Click to view pictures of the fun event Christmas '07

     


    Wanda and Santa

    WAGNER ELECTRIC CHRISTMAS PARTY


    Carolyn Ruff '62

    Lynn Ruff, father of Carolyn '62 and Janet '64, and Grace Williams, mother of JoAnn '60, Germaine '67, and Judy Williams '70, were two of many retirees from Wagner Electric who attended their annual Christmas Party at St. Rita's Hall - (St. Rita's Catholic Church located at the intersection of Page and North & South Rd.) This year 84 retirees were in attendance. Everyone enjoyed the good food, seeing their friends and reminiscing as they looked at pictures Grace brought from past meetings. The next meeting will be held on the third Thursday of August 2008. Of those attending, the average age was 83, with the oldest being 98 years 11 months. The youngest was 64.


    Janet Ruff '64




              84 people attended - average age 83




    Grace Williams

    Lynn Ruff


    Lunch is served

          
    JoAnn '60                     Germaine '67                    Judy '70
      

    FLASHLIGHT

          PAGE  3

                                     JANUARY   2008

    Phil Crownover Retired 11/21/2007
    after 43 years in the trucking industry. Phil plans to do a lot of fishing, & woodworking (along with aggravating his poor wife.)


     

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


     

    Welhisco Alumni Association wish you

    a Happy and Healthy 2008

    Alumnae & Alumni News and Comments:


    Mary Kay Parker '56
    President

    Mary Kay Parker '56, has agreed to take over the position of President of our newly formed Alumni Association.

    Larry Brown '63, has stepped down as a Trustee, citing other obligations. He said he's in the process of moving from Georgia to South Carolina and wouldn't have time to donate to Reunion 2009. Larry was the originator of Reunion 2003 along with the help of Doretta Akins '60 and Kathy Erwin '62. That event became the foundation upon which our Alumni Association is being built. Thank you!


    Larry Brown '63

    REMINDER:  Welhisco WebPages are updated as news becomes available. Please check often for current news and events as they become available.
    I have a few suggestions for future stories I think interesting: Steamer Admiral trips, the old Wellsmar School and the candy store next to it. The Coal company at the corner of St. Louis Avenue and ?; the Red Buses and streetcars, pictures of the Katz Drug Store and White Mill, Hugo Music Company, JC Penney, Robert Hall Building, the old Jr. High Building. etc. It would be really interesting if personal pictures exist. Roger Noon '62  
    Editor's note: Here's a link to Katz you may enjoy Roger NEXT


    Roger Noon '62


    Carol Beeman '60

                     ELVIS

    "I wish everyone a Happy, healthy, and prosperous 2008. I hope you enjoy listening to Elvis rendition of, 'My Way'. Turn up your speakers and enjoy." Carol Beeman '60  ELVIS

     




    The King

                     DON'T BECOME ANOTHER VICTIM
    Contributed by JoAnn Williams '60, this 3-1/2 minute video, produced by the Broward County, FL Sheriff's Office, is well worth watching. Identity thieves are at it again, this time targeting people at gas stations. You'll be amazed and shocked at how easy this scam is pulled off, after watching the actual crime being committed. You'll remember to lock your doors when getting gas from now on! 
    NEXT 

    IDENTITY



    THIEF

    In 1947, Bob Haefner '49 and three of his school buddies, Bill Reed, Bob Smith, and Ralph Smith, all from the class of '49, pedaled their bikes 4 miles to Clayton just to "window shop" a 'MG sports car. The photo shown is a 1949 MG TC, the car that gets most of the credit for all the brands to follow.
    Bob Haefner '49
      

    FLASHLIGHT

          PAGE  4

                                     JANUARY   2008

    WHAT AM I DOING NOW?

    We welcome contributions each month, so send us your story. It might be a story about a favorite teacher, or classmate who is no longer with us but who made a difference in your life or it may be a shot story of general interest.  We will select one short story monthly for publication.  This months selected feature story is from:   Larry Wright


     
    LARRY WRIGHT '57


    Larry Wright and his wife Donna


    Left to Right :Arline, Phyliss, Melva, and Vickie

     


    We were married April 2, 1957 in Corinth, Mississippi. I was 18, my wife, Donna, was 16. I don't have to tell you my in-laws weren't to happy at the time but they've learned to love me. I'm a retired concrete driver and my wife is retired from The Special School District. We've lived in the same house in Maryland Heights for 44 years. My school buddy, Gene McFadden has lived in the same subdivision for 45 years. I welcome e-mails from any of my old school friends. Email Larry: 

    Take a trip down memory lane with Larry, and his rendition of 'Fender Skirts'. It's sure to bring back some fond memories of days gone bye.
     

       Larry Wright '57


    "I'm so happy I sent you that email and you published it in the December Flashlight. As a result I was contacted by my old (and dear) friend Melva Hampton '56. We made arrangements to meet and included another good friend, Vickie Hood '56. I surprised them by bringing my sister Phylis Martin '55 with me. We chatted and shared memories and pictures of then and now for almost three hours over lunch at the Olive Garden."

    " It was such a pleasure getting together with them after such of a long time. You know, I think you always have a warm spot for the friends you were close with in high school, even if you don't get to see them for over fifty years." More pictures Arline Martin '56
     


    Arlie Martin '56


    Phylis Martin '55


    Melva Hampton '56


    Vickie Hood '56
      

    FLASHLIGHT

          PAGE  5

                                     JANUARY   2008

    FUN THINGS FOUND ON THE INTERNET


    Watch a squirrel run it's obstacle course in finding food. And you thought you could keep them out of your birdfeeder... think again!! SQUIRREL

    A cute reminder of how we should live one Day at a TIME

    Jim Stiles '61 submitted a wonderful memory. Listen to Barbara Lewis's  "Hello Stranger"

                 HELLO GOD
    New Dolly Parton Song - 
    I don't know where Dolly Parton is in her walk with God, but this song should be America's new national anthem.  We've managed to mess the world up pretty bad and sometimes I wonder what He must really think.  We have shut Him out so many times and in so many places. I hope this touches your heart.  It sure touched mine. IT MAY TAKE A MINUTE FOR THE SOUND BUT WORTH THE WAIT. DO TURN VOLUME UP!  Scroll down through the site as the song plays, read the words as they're awesome! Hello God   Bruce Liebech '62

    A 1st grade school teacher had 26 students in her class. She presented each child with the first half of a well-known proverb and asked them to come up with the remainder. It's hard to believe the answers are from first graders. Their insight may surprise you. While reading, keep in mind these are  6 and 7 year-olds, because the last entry is a classic! Answers

    All of us remember Red Skelton for his great humor. He was one of the greatest entertainer of our time, always with clean humor, however most of us don't his father died two months before he was born or his mother was a cleaning lady to make ends meet. Red started working at age 7 to help. this is a story of how he began in show business:
    Red Skelton

     

    SMILES FOR YOU

    Smiling is infectious; you catch it like the flu,
    When someone smiled at me today, I started smiling too.
    I passed around the corner and someone saw my grin.
    When he smiled I realized I'd passed it on to him.
    So, if  you feel a smile begin, don't leave it undetected
    Lets start an epidemic quick, and get the world infected!
    Keep the smile going by spreading your smile.
    Everyone needs a smile!!!

    Don Marco was born in Northern Minnesota in the late 1920's. His interest in art was evident even before starting school. As a young adult in the Army Air Corp, he began his life's career in Air Traffic Control, which continued until his retirement from Honolulu International Airport in 1973. Much of his spare time was spent as a professional artist.

    Before retirement, Don started developing a technique to create fine art, using Crayola Crayons. Shortly after retiring, he published his first print. Living in Southern California, his work was in demand, including commissions from Burt Reynolds and a one-man show at his Dinner Theater in Florida. Hard to imagine these are done with CRAYONS

     

      

    FLASHLIGHT

          PAGE 6

                                     JANUARY   2008

    Where in the World is Joyce Wilkerson? (Class of '57),
    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 (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 ALUMN

    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




    George Kelly '44 passed 12/13/07
    Guest Book

     


    Sandra Mason '61 passed 12/15/07
    Guest Book
     


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

    Condolences to: Barbara '59 and Pat '62 Lanier in the passing of their Mother, Lorraine Kielhofner, Nov 22. 
    Dorothy Fain
    '58 in the passing of her husband, Doug Crisp, April, 2007
    Agnes Bickle '47 in the passing of her husband, George Kelly '44, December 13, 2007 -
    Guest Book
    Zella '57 and Robert Mason '60
    in the passing of their sister Sandra (Mason) Ried '61, Dec 15, 2007. Guest Book
    Dolores '59 and Doretta '61, and Diona '65 Akins in the passing of their sister, Doris '52, Dec 24, 2007 Guest Book
    Jim Chapman '60
    in the passing of his sister in law, Doris Akins '52 Guest Book

    If you're unable to attend a wake or funeral please take a moment to share a funny story or leave a short message remembering our deceased alumn to help comfort their family.
           ALUMNI REMEMBER THINGS THAT AREN'T HERE ANYMORE

    Where did your father or mother work? Maybe they worked at Wagner, Leschen, Plumb, Soda Bottlers, Public Service, Store(s) in the Wellston Area?

    What about your favorite Bakery, Gas Station, Bowling Alley, Delicatessen, or Ice Cream Parlor. What do YOU remember about the things that aren't here anymore? Threadneedle Streets shoes, Kiwi Ox blood polish, Velvet Freeze, tight leg Levis with a 4 - inch roll up cuff.  Bell bottom pants, double knit suits.  Kulats (
    skorts, cuolottes), ugly gym shorts, and terrible swim suits?

    How about your favorite street car ride? City Limits? Creve Couer, Hodiamont, Wellston Car, or the Grand Avenue route? Where did you roller or ice skate?  Favorite prom nite diner?  Parkmoor? Candlelight?  Casa Loma? Have you saved any old snapshots of these places or items, you'd like to share, if so we'd love to share them with the rest of the alumni.

    Do You "REMEMBER THINGS THAT AREN'T HERE ANYMORE???? Send
    in your MEMORIES


     

      

    FLASHLIGHT

          PAGE  7

                                     JANUARY   2008

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

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

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

    E-mail
    [email protected]

     

    Interesting Infomation

     

     

    FUNNIES FOUND ON THE INTERNET

    Although this came to me entitled, ELDERLY COUPLE, I think it easily could just be entitled, COUPLES, with a good laugh (and reminder) for all... been there and done that.

                                                                        Elderly Couple 

    While on a road trip, an elderly couple stopped at a roadside restaurant for lunch.  After finishing their meal, they left the restaurant and resumed their trip.   When leaving, the elderly woman unknowingly left her glasses on the table and she didn't miss them until they had been driving about twenty minutes by then.  To add to the aggravation, they had to travel quite a distance before they could find a place to turn around -- in order to return to the restaurant to retrieve her glasses.

    All the way back, the elderly husband became the classic grouchy old man. He fussed and complained and scolded his wife relentlessly during the entire return drive.  The more he chided her -- the more agitated he became.  He just wouldn't let up one minute.

    To her relief, they finally arrived at the restaurant.  As the woman got out of the car and hurried inside to retrieve her glasses, the old geezer yelled to her,

    "While you're in there, pick up my hat and the credit card too!"

     

                                       GRANDPARENTS
    What is it about grandparents that is so lovely? I'd like to say that grandparents are God's gifts to children. And if they can but see, hear and feel what these people have to give, they can mature at a fast rate. ~Bill Cosby More

                      YOU KNOW YOU ARE LIVING IN 2008 when...

    1. You accidentally enter your password on the microwave.
    2. You haven't played solitaire with real cards in years. Read
    MORE

    Last week I purchased a burger at Burger King for $1.58. The counter girl took my $2 and I was digging for my change when I pulled 8 cents from my pocket and gave it to her. She stood there, holding the nickel and 3 pennies, while looking at the screen on her register. I sensed her discomfort and tried to tell her to just give me two quarters, but she hailed the manager for help. While he tried to explain the transaction to her, she stood there and cried. Why do I tell you this?

    Because of the evolution in teaching math since the 1950s:

    1. Teaching Math In 1950's
    A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is 4/5 of the price. What is his profit?

    2. Teaching Math In 1960's
    A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100 His cost of production is 4/5 of the price, or $80. What is his profit?

    3. Teaching Math In 1970's
    A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80. Did he make a profit?

    4. Teaching Math In 1980's
    A logger sells a truckload of lumber for $100. His cost of production is $80 and his profit is $20. Your assignment: Underline the number 20.

    5. Teaching Math In 1990's
    A logger cuts down a beautiful forest because he is selfish and inconsiderate and cares nothing for the habitat of animals or the preservation of our woodlands. He does this so he can make a profit of $20. What do you think of this way of making a living? Topic for class participation after answering the question: How did the birds and squirrels feel as the logger cut down their homes? (There are no wrong answers, and if you feel like crying, it's ok.)
     

                                             HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!!!