FLASHLIGHT 28th Alumni Flashligh

WELHISCO

Trojan Head designed by
Kermit Ruyle '47

PRINTABLE FLASHLIGHT

Reunion 2009
October 2, 3, & 4th

Mail checks to:

WHS Alumni
PO Box 774
O'Fallon, MO 63366

Special pricing
due by
July 1, 2009

Oct 2nd - Friday Mixer
St. Charles Convention Center
3 – 8:30 pm
Light Appetizers
Cost: $30.00 (pp*)

Oct 3rd - Saturday - Dinner/Dance
St. Charles Convention Center
6 – 7 pm
Cash Bar
7 – 11 pm
Dinner/Dance
Cost: $65.00 (pp*)Oct 4th - Sunday Picnic
2200 Raymond Drive
11 – 4
Lunch
Cost: $25.00 (pp*)
(*per person)

Multiple events:
Friday/Saturday $80.00
Friday/Sunday 45.00
Saturday/Sunday 75.00
Fri/Sat/Sunday 100.00

Buzz book included with Saturday nite dinner only

Mail checks to:

WHS Alumni
PO Box 774
O'Fallon, MO 63366

Special pricing
due by
July 1, 2009

Oct 2nd - Friday Mixer
St. Charles Convention Center
3 – 8:30 pm
Light Appetizers
Cost: $35.00 (pp*)

Oct 3rd - Saturday - Dinner/Dance
St. Charles Convention Center
6 – 7 pm
Cash Bar
7 – 11 pm
Dinner/Dance
Cost: $70.00 (pp*)

Oct 4th - Sunday Picnic
2200 Raymond Drive
11 – 4
Lunch
Cost: $30.00 (pp*)
(*per person)

Multiple events:
Friday/Saturday $90.00
Friday/Sunday 55.00
Saturday/Sunday 85.00
Fri/Sat/Sunday 90.00

Buzz book included with Saturday nite dinner only

Who's attending Reunion 2009?

Hodiamont Streetcar -
Gone, vanished,
end of the line.
(enlarge - click pictures)

We miss you and all that you were to us.
Wellston, St. Louis county, MO
by: Robert Haefner '49
Edited by: Flashlight Staff

Public transit was first provided by horse car lines of the Citizen's Railway Company operating on St. Charles Road west from Grand Avenue about 1870. In October, 1878, the West End Narrow Gauge Railway, a steam line, began operations from a terminus near Grand and Olive. It ran west through the Grande Prairie area, following the route which was later used by the Hodiamont street car line. .

In the early 1890's most of the city's street railways, including these lines were electrified. By the time of the transit company consolidation in 1899, trolley car lines were operating on such cross-town lines as Taylor, Sarah, Vandeventer and Grand, as well as on east-west lines including Delmar, Hodiamont, Page, Wellston and the Cass line on St. Louis Avenue. Conversion to motor buses started in the 1950's.

This is an article of tribute to our favorite streetcar line. Not only favorite line, but one that was known all over the United States. In 1966 the streetcar obituary actually made the New York Times and Chicago Tribune!

There was no need for horses, wagons, stables, automobiles or garages with all of their accompanying expenses and waste. We had an excellent mass transit system that worked and it was inexpensive. You could ride anywhere for a dime, less, if you had a student pass. That was "Cool", long before we knew the word "Cool".

My first set of "wheels" was a bicycle giving me freedom to fly on a magic carpet. To travel with friends, discovering the wonders of the two or three miles from home. As we got older our next set of "wheels" was not an automobile, It was the streetcar. We had many different choices from our Wellston Terminal; all of them took us to places of wonder. My own favorite line was route #15, Hodiamont car.

During our pre-teen years, the family would ride the Hodiamont street car to see Christmas displays in the department store windows downtown. We saw electric trains roaring around on the track, disappearing into a tunnel, only to appear again emerging from another tunnel. We saw North Pole elves that moved, and laughed. Of course, we saw all the toys and dolls in the world displayed and would mention what we would like in Santa's ear.

Families rode the Hodiamont downtown and stood on the sidewalks or sat on the curbs just to watch the "Veiled Prophet" parade.

As early as the sixth and seventh grades, we were considered old enough to travel safely on our public transportation system by ourselves. We would travel with classmates to Forest Park and visit the Art Museum or look at the Lucky Lindbergh items on display at the Jefferson Memorial. Both places required several visits, as there was too much to absorb in one visit. All this was "free" - paid for and maintained with tax dollars or donations, not some "private corporation" charging admission. The Zoo was free too! Our only expense was the two dimes, one to go and one to come home. We also drank water from drinking fountains that were free. We didn’t carry water bottles containing purchased tap water.

On some special occasions when the movie you "had to see", was at one of the big downtown theatres, you might go on dates as a group to see the show, usually as couples paired within the group. We behaved very well, I remember, always above the level that would cause the most timid of us any embarrassment. The girls were "ladies" and the "boys" were "gentlemen". Maybe we were putting on an act as in a play, but I feel that is just the way it was.

Now, my favorite memory of the #15 Hodiamont streetcar when I was on "the date", as in one boy with one girl on their first date together! Easter 1946! That story is here: It's gone, but not forgotten, the memories still are with us.

The lasting friendships and the trips we made are not forgotten, we review them at every class reunion, in letters and in the miracle of this age, EMAIL. (Thanks again, Vint Cerf and Bill Gates).

We miss you and all that you were to us.

FLASHLIGHT

PAGE 2

APRIL 2009

Vintage Photos From the Shoe Box!

We'll post them online.

How do you store your pictures? Framing, scrap-booking or sticking them in shoeboxes? With the advent of digital photography, there are several options sharing the photos you love, making them last a good, long time: You can either: Email, scan or use US Postage (If photos are to be returned, please include return US Mail postage.)
Send in your shoebox photos so they can be shared with everyone.

Pictures from the Shoe Box

From the shoe box of Darline Tucker '42
1941 COURT OF HONOR AND BOWLING TEAM

Miss Esther Niles directs the 1943 school Play June Mad

From the estate of Robert Appel '44

Florence Gehlert '41 (L) and Mary Alice Dyer '41 (R) received a hearty welcome while visiting Knott's Berry Farm in California circa 1954

FROM THE SHOE BOX OF SANDY GIBBONS '57

Sandy Gibbons '57 husband (Bob) identified this picture as taken at the Sweetheart Dance but Sandy believes it was the Homecoming in 1953 or perhaps 1954. Joe Hunter ‘54 was there. She knows that because later that evening she danced with him. How thrilling to be asked to dance by an older man. (Sandy was very shy and so scared.) Sandy is in the dark dress, Gloria LaDon Davis, "Donnie" was behind her. Frances Tiernan ’60 is the other girl. Unfortunately, Sandy doesn’t remember the guys names that are pictured.
This is yet another photo either picked up at Rembrandt's (Sandy's old boss shot events at school) or in the throwaways of The Flashlight. Perhaps someone can identify the others. [THE ANSWER]

**** Please share your shoe box pictures with us. ****

FLASHLIGHT
Page 3 APRIL 2009

Old and New News From WHS

Thank you so much for the article on Dr. Hicks! How well I remember going to that house on Lotus Avenue. Dr. Jim Hicks was my doctor when I was a little girl. After he gave me my small pox vaccination – he painted a Mickey Mouse character on my arm with mercurochrome! My first vaccination did not take – so after the second vaccination – he painted Donald Duck! I remember thinking I hope the second one does not take so I can receive another cartoon. He was a very good artist! (as well as a good doctor). And, he even made “House Calls” back then. When you think about it, we had our own Marcus Welby right there in Wellston. I just wonder if anyone else received “Tattoos” from Dr. Hicks. Louise (Landsbury) Overbey '65

A friend of mine emailed me your web site. It was really great reading all the information. I went to Spensmar & Wellston Jr. High. My mother (Ruth Ann Lloyd) & uncle (Bud Lloyd) also attended Wellston. Can anybody join? I am in contact with former classmates from Wellston & will be sharing this with them also. Thank You. Shirley (Lemons) Kinnaird

Editors note:
Anyone who attended school on Wells and Evergreen, (siblings and/or children are grandfathered in) is welcome to join our WHS Alumni Club. We have a database listing all known alumni which we use as our mailing list. We also have a Buzz Book (given out at Multi-Class Reunion Dinners) with alumni address and phone numbers. Buzz Books will be available (for sale) after the reunion for those not attending the dinner. Anyone NOT receiving a mailing from us once a year should contact our office so they can be added to the database.

Steak and Shake did not begin in St. Louis--it was started in Normal (Bloomington) Ill. I know because we ate there when we lived in Ill. The first one in St. Louis opened up in South St. Louis. The first one here in Dallas was a big winner Grand Opening Day. A friend from St L (who now lives here) went the first day; it was so crowded you had to pull into the lot, give your name, get a reservation and were told when to return!! I love S&S but Jack, somehow, never gets his order right so we seldom, if ever, go there.

Also, the PA system: remember how they played dance tunes and we danced at lunch in the long corridor adjacent to the cafeteria (where home ec room was)? Jean (Cox) Hamil '47

I recently purchased some yearbooks off of eBay and tucked in the books wer

e a number of report cards for Robert Appel, Wellston High School class of '44.

I Googled to find your website, and was wondering if you'd like them - or could point me in the direction of an archival repository that might. I'm happy to put them in the mail towards a good home - but there are some fun assorted papers, documents, etc....Michael Cassara, CSA

Dorothy Broker ’40 says: I hope you can uses these "old" Flashlights and (sports) letters. I also have a year book but I think you have a copy.

I enjoy receiving the Flashlights monthly. Committee, keep up the good work. There aren't too many of us left in the class of '40. It was a great one! I get to St. Louis every couple of years but its never the right time for the reunions. PS I also enclosed a copy of the form used to get advertising for the Welhisco (year book).

Dot sent us (1) '38, (2) '39, (8) '40, and (1) '45 Flashlight plus her sports and a cheerleading letter to archive. If you have Flashlights or other memorabilia you would like for us to preserve and archive, please send to the Alumni Club. We are very lucky to have in our archives school letters, pins, yearbooks, many old Flashlights and other school memorabilia already donated to be preserved for future use. Remember, it doesn't do anyone any good having these treasures stuck in some box in your basement or attic. Keep in mind, our treasures will have no meaning to our children after we pass on. Please don’t let them end up in a land fill.

Someone's trash becomes GOLD to others!

Because of Mike Cassara and Dot Broker's generosity, (story above) we are now able to preserve and treasure for years to come Robert Appel's report cards, his diploma, and play programs from the '1941 and 1943 school plays! We are working on posting these to the web for everyone to enjoy in the privacy of their homes.

If you have anything school related and would like it preserved please pass it on to the Alumni Club. We are very lucky to have had school letters, pins, yearbooks, old Flashlights and many other school memorabilia donated to be preserved for future enjoyment. Remember, it doesn't do anyone any good stuck in a shoe box in your basement or in a land fill after you pass on. Our children will have no use for it as it has no meaning to them at all. JoAnn (Williams) Croce '60

FLASHLIGHT
PAGE 4	APRIL 2009

Ideally, everyone who reads this newsletter is fasting one day a week, from dinner to dinner (or lunch to lunch or whatever) on water, every week. You simply miss breakfast and lunch on your fast day. If something comes up on your fast day, just fast one day earlier or one day later. The staff at Your Again fasts every week for one day, but fasts for two days every month. This is always the last complete Thursday to Saturday of the month. So, you'll eat dinner on Thursday and then eat dinner again on Saturday. We literally fast on cruise ships, and simply skip breakfast and lunch on our fast day and run around on some island until dinner. You CAN do this! You can work up to it if you can't do it first. Soon short term fasting will actually be enjoyable and meaningful. Read the article Do a Five Day Fast in 72 Hours. You can go to various spas for one week fasts.

The idea of going without food for 48 hours terrifies some people. Actually the idea of just going a mere 24 hours without food terrifies a lot of people. If going without food for two days intimidates you, just do the one day fast on these dates. If you can do 24 hours, you can do 30 hours. If you can do that, you can do 36 hours. Finally you can work up to 48 hours without any discomfort. You'll actually start to enjoy short term fasting.

Fasting is the most powerful healing method known. Fasting is a part of the Old and New Testament, and all major religions originally. Unfortunately, this has been abandoned y nearly all of them. Even Ramadan is merely going without food for 16 hours during the day.0 and eating at night. Catholics eat meat on Fridays. Main-stream Christians don't include fasting, even thought it was basic teaching of Jesus. Fasting was one of the Buddha's "three secrets".

Fasting will make you stronger physically, mentally, emotionally, and spiritually. Fasting will help you be healthier, bolster your immunity, detoxify your body, resist disease, lose weight, save money, feel better, and live longer. The "live longer" part is the best. That's quite an impressive list of benefits. Our weekly fast is on Saturday (Friday Evening to Saturday evening), so we don't bother with breakfast and lunch on Saturdays. This gives us more time and energy to do all the things we want to do. You can choose any day you want. You can change the day to fit your schedule. The important thing is to fast every week faithfully. Then please join our monthly two day international fast. Fasting is not "starvation". You can easily go for two weeks on water and get healthier every day. You should take all your natural hormones while you fast. You don't need to take your other supplements however. This is a good time to though to take acidophilus, FOS, and L-glutamine to strengthen your digestive system while it is empty and digesting food.

Fasting will literally change your life. Just think of the fact you'll be giving your body a rest 52 days a year with the weekly fast. If you add the two day monthly fast, your body will be able to rest 64 days a year - or more than TWO MONTHS every year. The accumulative effect here is amazing. Please fast with us in 2009. People from around the world will be fasting together on the above twelve dates. Please join us.

FLASHLIGHT

PAGE 5

APRIL 2009

Alumni News Continued

Nortre Dame de Lourdes Reunion
Wednesday, May 20th, 2009
Luncheon 11:30 am at
Grappa Grill (St. Charles, MO)
Contact: Jerry Sullivan,
314-843-5529
[email protected]

Hello, Fellow Classmates of 1969!!!!!

I'm sure you're all aware this year is our 40th Graduation Anniversary, (sigh, weep, gag). But like me, you try hard to forget, right???!!! At any rate, I think the upcoming reunion in October will be a great time for us to reunite again. Some haven't seen each other since we walked off the platform graduation day.

So, since I've never been known as shy, or at a loss for words, (comments to yourself please, tee hee), I decided I'd be the first to sign up, and ask that you do the same. I'm attending the Friday night mixer and Saturday dinner, but if you only want to come to one instead of both, at least we'll have a chance to get catch up a bit.

Alright, that's enough from me, click here to email me. I'd love to hear from my classmates of 1969, or any others as well. Jackie Tate '69

An update on an Old Alumnus.

Patsy (Powers) Lauridsen ‘41 (class of Cowboys and Indians) broke her right leg in March and is doing just fine in rehab............she's the only person I know who has sky dived, jumping at 14,000ft and walked away (80yrs old)-----then, she falls out of bed and breaks her leg (87yrs old). Rich Lauridsen ‘67 (son)

Just a quick note to let you know I have enjoyed looking at some the great picks and stories on the site. I would have been in the Class of 71 but had to leave school early but they were great times. Thanks for your efforts. Tom MacEwan ‘71

Grace Williams celebrates her 85^th birthday with her daughters, JoAnn ’60, Germaine ’67 and Judy ’70 and their families on March 9^th.

L-R: Germaine, JoAnn, and Judy pictured with their Mom

FUTURE VIOLIN STAR

Jordyn Lynn, age 8, granddaughter of Gary Huffstutter '62 and Donna Hagan '68, was chosen to play at a violin concert at McCluer South-Berkeley auditorium in Florissant, Missouri on March 17, 2009.

Jordyn, who has always shown an interest in music, began violin lessons in September, 2008. She was one of three third graders chosen out of 92 children who auditioned, to play a solo at the concert. Jordyn, was one of three who was able to play all ten songs. She is looking forward to the upcoming mini concert in May, 2009. Grandma and Grandpa are both very proud of her.

ALUMNI NEWS

Taken from 1942 sweater

REUNION 2009 October 2, 3, and 4th

MAKE YOUR RESERVATIONS NOW

2009 invitations have several options for you to choose from this time. Each event can be chosen separately or grouped together for extra savings.

The Embassy Suite is now taking reservations. Be sure to mention you are attending Wellston High Reunion for the special rate of $124.00 + tax per night.

Phone: 636-946-5544

As last reunion, with 10 days notice, anyone paying early who can not attend the reunion will be reimbursed. A substantial discount is available for those who commit early by helping us with working capital.

Names of those attending will be available online. Tables will be set up according to classes at Saturday Nights Dinner. Be sure to let us know which class you would like to sit with if different than your own class.

Link to who's attending is on the front page:

*******************

Club member list

Your support is needed so we remain successful.

What Group Were You In?
by: (Thomas) Roger Noon '62
Former Sports Writer for the Flashlight:

It’s inevitable in high school! After a while, you became associated with some kind of group, whether personal, impersonal or extra-curricular. Those that didn’t have a group to associate with at least had someone else to relate to. That may have been all they needed.

What kinds of groups were there? With apologies in advance and peer pressure in mind, I have forgotten what they might have been called in the parlance of years ago, but they would be the “jocks”, “geeks and nerds”, “brainiacs”, “wannabees” “artists”, “don’t cares”, “troublemakers”, etc.

Along with the designation came a kind of identification of each.
“Jocks” as members of the sports teams were looked upon as special because they most represented the school rather than themselves. But they became heroes or not depending on wins or losses.

“Geeks and nerds” (with pen holders in their shirt pockets) were associated with the mechanical elements of education.

“Brainiacs” were those who could make A’s at any time and place and always members of the Honor Society.

“Artists” obviously were those who loved to write and draw more than anything else. They seemed to live in their own world.

“Wannabees” were the groupies of the time and wanted to fit in. Sometimes they admired and mimicked up close and at other times, far away.

The “don’t cares” were usually the loners who kept to themselves or wanted to be left alone.

“Troublemakers” were always well-known and to be avoided.

I remember as a Freshman being harassed by (for want of a better term) “jocks”. It seemed they took some kind of perverse pleasure of cornering me in the hallway and pushing me around, daring me to do something about it. My response was to avoid them at all costs. Early on it made me wonder if High School was really worth it if I had to go through this kind of hazing. Making grades and fitting in was hard enough when you are new to a place.

Thankfully, by my second year and on, they were graduated while I continued through school. Bullies and tough guys were not simply a feature of high school. They were usually a part of the elementary and Junior High years too. I remember other incidents from those times as well. They usually have self esteem issues as well as questionable family experiences. It’s obvious something is wrong when they seem to have to prove themselves at the expense of humiliating or fighting others.

The experience did emphasize to me the importance of leaving a “positive” impression upon others. I wanted people who came to school at WHS to know that upper grade people were not a bunch of “stuck ups” who’s self importance overrode everything else and delighted in making life miserable for others to prove some kind of superiority.

I also had plenty of chances to do that in college, seminary and graduate school. The point was to encourage others rather than to threaten them, to find ways to help others instead of using age, physical appearance or position to demean them. And I learned to appreciate people for whatever groups they identified with (except for troublemakers!). Roger Noon

FLASHLIGHT

PAGE 7

APRIL 2009

Michael Boyd '69

Where in the World is Michael Boyd '69?
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.

Obit

Memorial
Our Wellston Trojan
Classmates Remembered List

Rest in Peace

No known alumni
passed in the
month of March.

In Memory of::
Nelda Fitzsimmons

4-2-2008

"To helpers of women..
Women are the glue that hold families and the world together."

I send this in honor of my late wife, Nelda.
She held us together for 60 wonderful years.

Armond Fitzsimmons '44

Condolences to:
Mike Kleeschulte '67 on the passing of his father, Virgil "Slim" Kleeschulte Feb 19th Guest..Book
Tom Manley '67 on the passing of his Mother, Wanda S. Manley Feb 24th. Guest Book
Robert Manley '69 on the passing of his Mother, Wanda S. Manley Feb 24th Guest Book
Shirley Waller '58 and
Carolyn Waller '62 on the passing of their Father & Mother Casey & Marie, March 26th Guest Book
Wanda Cornman '60 on the passing of her aunt & uncle, Casey & Marie Waller, March 26th Guest Book

FLASHLIGHT

PAGE 8

APRIL 2009

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

President
Mary Kay Parker '56 -

Sec/Treasurer
Jim Shaw '45 -

Trustees
Joe Hunter '54
JoAnn Williams '60
Larry Turner '60
Phyllis Crouch '62
Donna Hagan '68

Buzz Book
Pat Miner '62

ClassMates Remembered
Carol Beeman '60

Mailing Database
Tom Manley '67

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

Phone 636-978-9330

E-mail
[email protected]

If you have any questions, comments, or special request let us know.

                                                         Revising 60's hits
some of the artists of the 60's are revising their hits with new lyrics to accommodate aging baby boomers. They include:

Bobby Darin ---
Splish, Splash, I Was Havin' a Flash.

Herman's Hermits ---
Mrs. Brown, You've Got a Lovely walker ..

Ringo Starr ---
I Get By With a Little Help From Depends.

The Bee Gees -- -
How Can You Mend a Broken Hip.

Roberta Flack---
The First Time Ever I Forgot Your Face.

Johnny Nash ---
I Can't See Clearly Now.

Paul Simon---
Fifty Ways to Lose Your Liver.

The Commodores ---
Once, Twice, Three Times to the Bathroom.

Marvin Gaye   ---
Heard It Through the Grape Nuts.

Procol Harem---
A Whiter Shade of Hair.

Leo Sayer ---
You Make Me Feel Like Napping.

The Temptations ---
Papa's Got a Kidney Stone.

Abba---
Denture Queen.

Tony Orlando ---
Knock 3 Times On The Ceiling If You Hear Me Fall.

Helen Reddy ---
I Am Woman, Hear Me Snore.

Leslie Gore---
It's My Procedure, and I'll Cry If I Want To.

And Last but NOT least:
Willie Nelson ---
On the Commode Again .

English lesson:

Today's word is LIQUIDITY.
Definition: "Liquidity" - when you look at your retirement funds and wet your pants!

FLASHLIGHT 28th Alumni Flashlight
WELHISCO NEWSLETTER	APRIL, 2009

Trojan Head designed by Kermit Ruyle '47

Trojan Head designed by
Kermit Ruyle '47