FLASHLIGHT
44th Edition
First issue         November, 1920

      WELHISCO ALUMNI NEWSLETTER 

                                 August, 2010


WELHISCO

Trojan Head designed by  
Kermit Ruyle '47
 

Reminder
25 Months until

 Reunion 2012
 




 

 


July Birthday's
Page 4


Missing Alumni
Found
in July:
 

1

Rosanna Stoughton '66

2

Stewart Johnson '40


 


WHS Club - 2010
Member Names



Thanks for your support



Our Sec/Treasurer Jim Shaw celebrates his 83rd birthday July 26th!

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Wellston's connection to the
Birth of the Muny

 

by Bob Haefner '49:

Below are news clippings from 1911 with the names of the people who had a dream for a free show for the poor in Forest Park. These seats still exist today. Many enjoy our very successful Muny Theater which was formatted after the Suburban Garden in Wellston. Their dream began in 1911 and is still one of St. Louis' favorite summer entertainment in 2010.

(Click FREE SHOWS FOR THE POOR to read whole article)

Wellston amusement center operators and a famous tennis player, dream of FREE SHOWS FOR THE POOR in Forest Park.


The Oppenheimer brothers of Suburban Gardens at the Wellston Loop and Dwight Davis (Davis Cup in Tennis) team up with the idea and location for what will become the Muny.

Time Magazine
St. Louis Habit
Monday, August 30, 1948

"Seven nights a week the huge lights in St. Louis' Forest Park flash on, flooding the park with a blinding glare - the signal to the audience that the show is over. One night next week when the lights blaze, about 12,000 Municipal Opera fans will raise to 'their feet and roar out Auld Lang Syne with the cast, as they have regularly at the close of St. Louis' summer operetta seasons since 1919.

As they make their way out of their leafy open-air theater, St. Louisans can be comfortably proud of their Municipal Opera, which is neither municipally owned nor opera. Philadelphia's summer concerts in Robin Hood Dell had folded in midseason, and Manhattan's popular Lewisohn Stadium concerts had limped  through an $84,000 deficit. But the St. Louis company has taken in the most money ($650,000) of any season in its history, and  played to its biggest one-night audience (11,935) for a performance of Rio Rita) during its 12 1/2 week season.

                                                       Continued on Page 5


 

 

FLASHLIGHT
Page 2                                                                                       August, 2010

 

    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.)                              

 

Marjorie and Bill Eggert (WHS ’55) celebrated their 52nd anniversary Sunday, 27 June 2010, at the Chart House restaurant in Melbourne, Florida. Both are still employed at Kennedy Space Center after 31 years. Bill is also retired from the U.S. Air Force and had served for 23.5 years. They lived in both Europe and Asia during their tours.   

Picture taken: June 27th, 1958, 8:00pm, Eastminster Presbyterian Church, Indialantic, Florida.


Wagner Electric Employees - 1942ish

The Wagner Electric Retiree’s Picnic Announcement brings to mind a WWII Wagner Electric photo of employees assigned to producing landing lights for bomber aircraft, probably B-24s.

Stella Eads, my mother, 4th row up #1 left, joined Wagner only if she could be assigned to producing something for bomber aircraft. At that time I was assigned as a B-24 Bomber Crew member in the Pacific Theatre.  Earlier, my mother was an active member of the Wellston School PTA serving two terms as president and for a number of years volunteering, with other mothers, to prepare student lunches in the school cafeteria. How lucky we were to have such parents and how sad it is that it took us so long to recognize it.         Jesse Eads '38

Wagner Electric
Retirees Picnic

August 19th at St. Rita's Church
10:30 am to 1:30 pm
North and South Avenue @ Page Ave
Entry Fee: $3.00 - light lunch served
For more information contact: Jerry Blankenship 314-808-4209

 

FLASHLIGHT

Page 3

August, 2010

Marguerite (Conroy) Roland '68 and her husband have been blessed with a granddaughter, Adria Reese, born to their daughter Kristin July 19th at 10:07 pm, weighing in at 7 lbs 15 oz. Congrats to the parents and grandparents on their new arrival.

1950 Class Celebrate 60th Reunion



Standing L-R: Paul Rustemeyer, Paul Daleo, Bill Brink, Maryann (Rustemeyer) Blair, John Dicks, Bob Perkins, Pat (Allen) Sullivan, Bill Gamache.  Seated: Don Pettig, Frances (Clayton) Kruse, Gertrude (Eberle) Kedro, and Janet (Thompson) Benavides.  Holding the cake is John Dicks with Bob Perkins. (click pictures to enlarge)

A smiling group of 12 WHS 1950 grads and their spouses met on June 12 at the home of John and Shirley Dicks to celebrate their 60 year reunion.  Wow, what an afternoon of wonderful memories they had!  Some had begun their school days together in kindergarten. They remembered the bologna sandwiches they used to concoct  for lunch and the good times they had on the playground.  Others did not join the "group" until after the 7th or 8th grade, but for several hours the stories and memories of all those years flowed. (They really had a wonderful time.) 

After a scrumptious lunch served by John Dicks wife, Shirley and their beautiful daughter, the alumns settled down to photo taking, exchanging addresses and more memories.  It was one of the nicest June 12th they all had for a very long time and look forward to doing it again soon.
                CLASS OF '60 TO CELEBRATE 50TH REUNION
Carol (Beeman) Hathaway, Janet Scott and Doris (Voepel) Cox are working diligently trying to get the bios from their class of 1960 for their upcoming 50th reunion in October. The girls are hoping to  have as much info as they can, including Wellston addresses with the 'Then' and 'Now' photos.
Note from your Trustees:

Since December, 2006 when our Flashlight Alumni Newsletter began they have been posted online for everyone's enjoyment. Notices were sent announcing when they had been posted each month - until January, 2010.  As an incentive and 'thank you' to those who joined our newly formed WHS alumni Club, it was decided links would be sent to club members. Club members receive all news concerning alumni when available also. Because of Club members generosity we are able to mail 181 hard copies to those without Internet access so these alumn can keep up with school news.

Non members have to search the web to read the monthly newsletter. They are also notified when something happens within their class.

We hope this clears up any misconception we are now 'charging' to read the Flashlight which is completely NOT true. The Flashlight is a FREE publication and will remain FREE for our alumni, children, grandchildren, etc to read. What a great way for all to learn about our lives and the way is was.
 

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 4

                                 August, 2010


Mary Ann Smith '60
 

Where in the World is Mary Ann Smith '60?
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 (living or deceased) 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

Obit

                    
Memorial

Our Wellston Trojan

Classmates Remembered List
Rest in Peace

 

 
Jimmy Jackson '64 passed away June 24th from complications of Agent Orange (Vietnam War). A memorial is being plan, but the date is not available at this time. Jim was the owner of a Professional Career Management Firm (Head Hunter).
The Jackson Family lived at 6210 Wagner Avenue.
 
Sandra Lee (Whiat) Schopp ‘57 joined her Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, July 1, after a courageous, intense and mercifully brief battle with glandular cancer.  Guest Book

The Whiat Family lived at 6424 Wellsmar.
 
  Ralph Johnson '39 passed away June 24th from heart failure. He had retired with the rank of major after being a pilot in the US Air Force for 26 years. He flew combat missions in WWII, Korea and Vietnam. He also served in Thailand and Japan. He taught ROTC at the University of Missouri for three years.  In service to his country he received the Distinguished Flying Cross and the Air Metal. The Johnson Family lived at 1523 Wellston Place.
 
Curtis Bennett '48 passed away at his home Thursday, July 8 from heart failure. Curtis was owner and operator of Chuck-A-Burger in Warrenton. He was also a member of the Masons in St. Louis, Mo.  Curtis was originally in the class of '45 but left school to serve his country in WWII. After the war he finished his education, graduating in '48.   Guest Book
The Bennett Family lived at 6228 Lenox.

Larry Hebold '61 passed away July 17th after a long battle with cancer.
Larry made his living as a construction worker before retiring.
Guest Book
Larry lived in the 6500 block of Wellsmar

Condolences to:

Beverly (Jackson) Kirkscey '61 in the loss of her brother Jimmy '64 and her father July 19th.
Phillip Crownover '60 in the loss of his cousin Jimmy Jackson '64 and his uncle July 19th.
Stewart Johnson '40 in the passing of his brother Ralph Johnson '39
Harold Stewart '46, Virginia (Stewart)
Manning '54,  & Mary June (Stewart) Valentine '58 in the passing of their cousin Ralph Johnson '39.
John '47, Bobbie '51, Doris (Bennett) Baum '55 and Jimmy Bennett '
in the passing of their brother Curtis '48
JoAnn Goforth '66 in the passing of her husband John  Cenatiempo July 17th (Liver Cancer).

    WHO'S  BIRTHDAY IS IT THIS MONTH?  

Aug 3 James Harry '58
Carolyn Crowder '61
Aug 13 Mary Powers '54
Fred Byington '59
Shelia Roberts '66
 
Aug 23

Aug 24

Marjorie Grady '48

Janette Palmer '62

Aug 5 Mary Martin '56
Virginia Stewart '54
Aug 15 Eileen Powers '53
Larry Tyler '65
Karen Stilts '66
Aug 25 Donna Smith '68
Aug 6 Peggy Bonney '48 Aug 16 Nova Miller '45 Aug 26 Elmary Haggard '67
Aug 7 Dan Hoemann '63 Aug 17   Rich Mueller '60
Kathy Hughes '64
Aug 27 Bette Ann Jeffries '58
Wanda Cornman '60
Sue Hood '60
on '68
Aug 9 Tom Schultz '69 Aug 19 Dorma Lee Koch '44
Bobby Hydar '62
Aug 28 Melvin Edwards '45
Sharon Narrell '56
Aug 11 Carol Mathews '69 Aug 20 Joyce Weiss '54 Aug 29 Stella Smith '51
JoAnn Williams '60
Aug 12 Norma Herman '51
Betty Morris '60
Carol Beeman '60
Joyce Jeune '61
Aug 21

Aug 22

Bill Cary '48

Krim Wolf '43

Aug 30 Robert Stevens '55
 

 

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 5

                                 August, 2010

Wellston's connection to the
Birth of the Muny

 by: Bob Haefner '49
Continued from page 1

The "Muny"  has gone in the hole only twice in its history - once 30 years ago, when a flash flood washed away half the scenery and instruments on opening night, and once during the depression. Both times the backers were paid back within two years. One big reason is that their summer opera has become a family habit for St. Louisans - from grandma to the kids. Another reason - and perhaps a bigger one - is the quality of its performances. Even a foreign critic from Dallas recently admitted that St. Louis' Municipal Opera is to summer operetta companies "what the Metropolitan is to grand opera." Unlike the Met, however, the Muny has no deficit.

The Muny has tried to put on grand opera only four times, and with little success. Instead, it offers a first-rate production of light opera and musical comedy - with first rate casts. Some summer-opera alumni: Irene Dunne, Cary Grant (he was then Archie Leach), Allan Jones, Red Skelton, Cass Daley, Virginia Mayo. The orchestra is largely recruited from the St. Louis Symphony, and the producers, directors and designers are professionals from Broadway and Hollywood.

For the final show, the audience saw Up in Central Park, with several members of its Broadway cast. The big favorites, however, are such sentimental standbys as the Great Waltz, Show Boat and Babes in Toyland. The directors usually bypass Broadway hits like One Touch of Venus or Bloomer Girl, considering them too gamy for the family."

Isn't it amazing how the Muny hasn't changed much over the last 100 years? We are still taking our grandchildren, seeing some of the same shows, and the Muny has the same family values.

MILITARY HUMOR
Keep our troops in your prayers for their safe return
Willy Wellston is now a member of



Are you??
Facebook.com - Search for Willy Wellston

 

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 6                                                                                               August, 2010

Food & Family

The American Heart Association’s recommendations for healthy living

by: Mari (Treadway) Roades '65 | FLASHLIGHT REPORTER

Food is fun and tasty, but what’s its real mission?  It’s fuel for your body, and the old adage “You are what you eat” couldn’t be truer.  Food helps shape and define you, but many of us don’t pay attention to what we put into our bodies—or we forget what really matters.  However, guidelines do exist that can keep us on a healthy track, and they’re supplied annually by the American Heart Association (AHA) for free—no nutritionist or fitness coach required.  What’s more, these guidelines actually work, when it comes to helping you stay fit and feel fantastic.

Go to AHA’s website (americanheart.org) for 2010’s hot, new recommendations, but don’t be surprised if you find yourself immediately claiming, “A-ha!” You know this stuff already.  But so many of us—especially our kids—are tempted by those great-tasting “empty” calories: the refined or processed convenience foods, and fat-and sugar-filled treats.

And why not? They taste great.  But they won’t help you or your family ramp up energy levels, lose weight, feel better or live longer. Just following a few simple, everyday rules, though, can virtually guarantee success.

 Heart Health for grown-ups

Healthy living for the whole family starts with a heart healthy, nutritious diet and getting regular physical activity.  As any parent knows, kids mimic their parents.  So here’s how adults can set a great example:

  • Eat a variety of nutritious foods from all food groups—fruits and vegetables, whole-grain products and protein.  Buy lean meats, poultry and fat-free or low-fat dairy products. (Buy organic when you can).
  • Have two servings per week of oily fish like salmon, trout or herring.  These contain omega 3 fatty acids, which help lower the risk of heart disease.
  • Limit the amount of empty calories you consume in processed foods and drinks like soda.
  • Don’t have more than 300 milligrams (mg) of cholesterol a day.  Limit your intake of cholesterol, saturated fat and trans fat.  (stay away from the burgers, fries and milkshakes—remember your kids are watching).  Read labels, for instance, foods with partially hydrogenated vegetable oils contain trans fat.
  • Limit salt (sodium) intake to less than 2,300 mg a day.
  • Women should aim for no more than one alcoholic beverage per day; men can have two drinks.
  • Don’t smoke and avoid breathing passive smoke.

 For 150 delicious and nutritious recipes, check out the American Heart Association Healthy Family Meals (Clarkson Potter, 2009).

 Kid Stuff

Childhood obesity has become a major public healthy problem, and recent reports indicate than even kids can develop atherosclerosis (hardening of the arteries).  As parents and grandparents, what can we do to help keep our kids heart-healthy?

We can start by feeding our kids a heart healthy diet that helps them maintain their ideal weight for their age (find ideal weights for children at kidshealth.org).

At the same time, their diets should support growth and development, provide the energy they need and discourage overeating.

To keep kids healthy, the AHA suggests that their diets should meet or exceed the recommended daily allowances (RDA) for all nutrients, including iron and calcium.  That might tempt you to overfeed to make sure your kids are getting their nutrients, but follow these recommendations:

·       A 1-year old child needs just 900 calories a day.

·       Depending on activity level and gender, children age 2-13 need between 1,000 and 1,800 calories.

·       Fourteen to 18 year-old girls need 1,800 calories.

·       Fourteen to 18 year-old boys need 2,200 calories.

 Getting kids to eat healthy is easier said than done, especially when children are bombarded with commercials for processed junk foods and sugary cereals.  But feed your kids the way you’d feed yourself when following a heart-healthy diet—with a few tweaks.

 Visit the AHA website to find out the exact amounts of whole grains, and nutrients and fats kids should have in their diet daily to keep their bodies strong and healthy.

 Yours in good health

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 7                                                                                           August, 2010

That Cap!
by: Roger Noon '62 | FLASHLIGHT REPORTER

I don’t remember where I bought it, but I do remember it was in downtown Wellston.  Upon reflection, it was a pre-Michael Jackson glove type item; a white sequined Greek style cap that just stood out in the store window and captured my fancy. I first noticed it and then passed by that store time after time to make sure it was still there. How neat would that look on me! No one else had a cap like that. I just had to have it!

Even in those days I counted my pennies like a hawk. I worked at a Jewish Bakery shop in University City on weekends, so, I wouldn’t have to bother my mom and dad for money.  Once I had enough, convinced myself I really “needed” it and rallied my courage to go in a buy it, the cap became a special possession.  I tried it on at the house in the bathroom mirror in all kinds of ways. Finally, I decided to take it to school. Don’t recall what anyone said, but it didn’t matter. I thought it was so “cool” (even though I don’t know if I used “cool” at the time!).

The event I most associate it with was in Junior High up on the hill. It was either in gym or one of those after school intramural softball/baseball games. I was playing in the “outfield” (recalling the outfield was not very “distant” in the back of the Junior High building!).

Anyway, with the sun shining on my dazzling sequined hat, it had to have stood out. I had no sunglasses to wear, only the cap and its “narrower than a baseball cap brim”. It was the last part of the game and pretty uninteresting from where I played. We were leading when the other team had a last bat and this was the last batter. He hit the ball pretty hard in my vicinity. I went after it in fear that I wouldn’t even get to it in time. I could hardly see it for the sun, but the cap gave me enough confidence and shade to see the ball and grab for it. I remember how my glove hand hurt when it hit, but it was now or never.

I caught the ball, it stayed in the glove and we won the game. I felt I had to credit it all to that cap! Not only did I have a great cap, but a cap that helped win the game!  After some congrats from my teammates, the cap would always be special to me. I liked the cap and the cap liked me!

I wore that cap till it became dirty, lost some sequins and became stained with sweat. There was not a way to clean it because of the sequins, so it was with a heavy heart that I eventually had to get rid of it.

We all have special things that mean a lot to us but would mean absolutely nothing to others. Was looking through some old photos the other day and could not find a single picture of that cap! That cap gave so much pleasure and confidence. That cap won a ball game. That cap was so….neat!  I guess you will just have to take my word for it!     Roger Noon ‘62

Wellston High School Flashlight shining a light on our traditions,
our history and our future

 

FLASHLIGHT

     Page 8

                                 August, 2010

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

President
Mary Kay (Parker) Morse '56

Secretary/Treasurer
Jim Shaw '45

Trustees
Joe Hunter '54
Gloria (Schwenk) Turner '59
Larry Turner '60
JoAnn (Williams) Croce '60
Donna Hagan '68

Buzz Book
Pat (Miner) Slatton '62

ClassMates Remembered
Carol (Beeman) Hathaway '60

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

Phone  636-696-4693

E-mail

NEW
[email protected]

 

LET'S GO TROJANS!
 

Email address are available online:



Reconnect to your class friends and neighborhood playmates.
If you would like to be listed send us a note!

 


THIRTEEN THINGS A BURGLAR WON'T TELL YOU

1. Of course I look familiar. I was here just last week cleaning your carpets, painting your shutters, or delivering your new refrigerator. 

2. Hey, thanks for letting me use the bathroom when I was working in your yard last week. While I was in there, I unlatched the back window to make my return a little easier. 

3. Love those flowers. That tells me you have taste... and taste means there are nice things inside. Those yard toys your kids leave out always make me wonder what type of gaming system they have. 

4. Yes, I really do look for newspapers piled up on the driveway. And I might leave a pizza flyer in your front door to see how long it takes you to remove it.

5. If it snows while you're out of town, get a neighbor to create car and foot tracks into the house. Virgin drifts in the driveway are a dead giveaway. 

6. If decorative glass is part of your front entrance, don't let your alarm company install the control pad where I can see if it's set. That makes it too easy. 

7. A good security company alarms the window over the sink. And the windows on the second floor, which often access the master bedroom - and your jewelry. It's not a bad idea to put motion detectors up there too.

8. It's raining, you're fumbling with your umbrella, and you forget to lock your door - understandable. But understand this: I don't take a day off because of bad weather. 

9. I always knock first. If you answer, I'll ask for directions somewhere or offer to clean your gutters. (Don't take me up on it.) 

10. Do you really think I won't look in your sock drawer? I always check dresser drawers, the bedside table, and the medicine cabinet. 

11. Here's a helpful hint: I almost never go into kids' rooms. 

12. You're right: I won't have enough time to break into that safe where you keep your valuables. But if it's not bolted down, I'll take it with me. 

13. A loud TV or radio can be a better deterrent than the best alarm system. If you're reluctant to leave your TV on while you're out of town, you can buy a $35 device that works on a timer and simulates the flickering glow of a real television.
(Find it at http://www.faketv.com/) 

 

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!! 

07/30/2010 04:25:45 PM