FLASHLIGHT

WELHISCO ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

December, 2009

Kermit Ruyle '47, designer. logo appears on the cover of the
1948-1949 WELHISCO.

WELHISCO

Coming in 2010

Monthly birthdays will be listed for WHS Club members.

Be sure to enclude your date on the form when sending in your annual membership dues so you can show everyone who you share your special day.

Limited supply Buzz Books available

$15.00 including postage

Do you believe in magic?

TALES FROM THE "ANTIQUES ROADSHOW"
St. Louis Post-Dispatch - Tuesday, August 8, 2000
Author: By Barbara Hertenstein And Mary Delach Leonard;
Of The Post-Dispatch

Many people brought St. Louis-related items to the show, most notably Anheuser-Busch memorabilia of every vintage. But Ralph Coldewe brought a colorful bit of history he found in the attic of the company he bought in 1976.
   Coldewe stood out in the crowd as he carried a brightly painted canvas of a magician looking through a crystal ball at a can of Absorene Wallpaper Cleaner.
   "Wow! This is really neat!" appraiser Noel Barrett said, as he studied the canvas. "What is it?"
   Coldewe explained that the Absorene Manufacturing Co. has been making wallpaper cleaner in the city since 1891, and he thought the painting was from the company's early advertising.
Judging by its graphics and color, Barrett dated it to the 1920s.
   "But it's almost impossible to put a value on it," he said. "If I had it, I'd sell it to you." Still, he figured the canvas might bring $1,000 to $2,000 at an advertising art show.
"I'm probably the only buyer," Coldewe admitted, smiling.
   And by the way, he told Barrett, the painting was filthy when he found it.
   How did he clean it? With Absorene, of course.

Bob Haefner '49 sent out an email to several alumni seeing what they remembered and these are some of the remarks returned back to him. Do you remember the 'pink' ball we all used many years ago to clean wallpaper with? To read some of the replies to Bob's email............

After reading other memories don't forget to send in your own by clicking the link!

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December, 2009

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 photo's so they can be shared with everyone.

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December, 2009

ALUMNI NEWS AND COMMENTS

I just want to let everyone know how much I enjoyed looking at the pictures of the reunion online. I sure wish I could have been there. It looked like a lot of fun and very nostalgia. It is good having contact with some of the ones I knew like Janice Clark, Joanne Baum and others. Looking at the pictures and seeing Gloria and Leslie Schwenk brought back some memories as I use to live by them and play with them when I was in 3rd thru 5th grade. Also Judy Lambert was a friend in High School. All good memories......Mary Jane (Langdon) Patten '61

Congratulations to Gloria Schwenk ('59) as the newly elected trustee. She has been faithful to the reunions and I'm sure will do a great job! Also thanks to Roger Noon for his article on Stan the Man. He'll always be my favorite. Barb Hill '59

The Table pictures are wonderful....What a great idea...I loved looking at them all....Thanks, June (Oswald) Smith '47

Here is a photo from the Halloween wedding I performed for my neighbors over Halloween weekend. This this is their front door. Sandy (Gibbons) LaRouche '57 (double click picture on left to enlarge)

Thanks for all your splendid and hard work that made the 2009 Reunion the success that it was. All of the (November) Flashlight was good too. I appreciated the picture of the Nugent's add, since my Dad started working at the Broadway & Washington store in 1905 (at the age of 15) and was still there when the depression took the store. (PS I did not steal the camera off of table 17) Jack Schlieker '45

Regarding Miss Summers, she lived in Bowling Green, MO. My husband and I were at an auction and they were selling her belongings. I believe they said she went to Texas to a relative to live out the rest of her days,

She was in bad health. We had property there for awhile and never knew she lived there. I would guess this was in the late 90's. Hope this helps. Jackie (Grooms) Bushor '55

What a wonderful reunion it was. I know everyone put in a lot of time and hard labor and it paid off. Everything went very smooth and done to perfection. The food, fellowship and music were all great.

I baby sat both Herb and Gertrude Eberley many years ago. They were the only people I knew when I arrived but when I left I know so many more. I also want to tank everyone for the beautiful roses. That was an honor I will never forget. God has blessed me in so many ways and I'm so thankful. I pray that God will bless each one of you with many blessings. Thanks again for an evening I will never forget. Ruth (Johnson) Vogel '36

Words cannot express the gratitude we feel towards the reunion committee. I have been to a lot of reunions in my day however, none could compare to Reunion 2009. It showed how hard and diligently everyone worked towards that goal. Please except our sincere congratulations on a job well done!

We also enjoy the newsletter sent out every month and it fulfills so many thoughts and memories of our past school mates. Even my husband, Bob (McBride) enjoys reading it. Loretta (Hulahan) Arras '43

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December, 2009

Where in the World is '59?
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

Geneva Easton '44
10/27/2009
Natural cause in sleep
Guest Book

Condolences to:
Beatrice ‘64, Linda ‘66 and Carol ‘69 Mathews in the passing of their mother, Geneva Easton '44
Geneva '62 and Judy '66 Easton in the passing of their aunt Geneva Easton '44

November 6, 2009 - The Welhisco Staff: I was horrified at the insensitivity of the comments made concerning the death of John Jones, and even more so at the insensitivity of the Welhisco staff to publish them!!! Does anyone know or even care that John and his father were "alcoholics",?, and WHY PUBLISH THIS? I knew John and his family, and will remember John as an excellent student, leader, and outstanding athlete, who achieved much in his lifetime. What a slap in the face to John and his family to publish these comments. I am a mental health professional and I would hope the public would have empathy for those who suffer mental illness or addiction. I hope you publish my comment, as I am sure others share my feelings. WELHISCO STAFF, SHAME ON YOU!!! Sincerely, Sandra (Hague) Helmich '59

The editors of the The Flashlight regret any emotional pain that may have been caused by the publication of a letter regarding the death of John Jones, '56. It was not the intent of the editors or this publication to cause such pain and we do not believe that such was the intent of any contributor.

The beams were perhaps 14” x 14” or maybe 16” x 16”. They were from the first train station in St. Louis built approx in the 1860’s. Since they were made out of oak the carpenters could not drive a nail in them.

The paneling was made of sliding doors (between the drawing and dining rooms) of old St. Louis mansions which were torn down in urban renewal. The doors were from an old office building downtown that were mostly turn of the century.

My husband, Dimiter was working in Florida leaving me to build our new home. I subbed most of the work out except for the 2,000 s/f of brick pavers I laid on the first floor plus the entire tile in the bathrooms, kitchen and entry. I also did all the painting and hung the wall paper. Once I even had to go on the roof in the middle of a blowing storm to put plastic over an 8’x8’ skylight that was leaking! What an experience. The guys made fun of me because I was a woman and what did I know about roofs!

It broke my heart to leave our home which sat on 1 ½ acres of ground in Ladue. There wasn’t a pool when we lived there however the people who bought it have done a lot with the property. The new owner was an A.S.I.D. Decorator and her husband is an Architect. The home was featured in the Ladue Newspaper (October, 2009) showing the way it looks today. To take a virtual tour

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December, 2009

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!

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MEET REUNION 2012 OFFICERS, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

When setting up for Reunion 2003 no one realized from this reunion we would grow into such a large and successful multi class reunion every three years. Each time the reunion committee gets a little smarter in making things easier and convenient for all to attend.

We are able to keep you updated with alumni news through our monthly Flashlight and through emails to club members when something important happens. We have been successful in reuniting a lot of the alumni together again. Many meet for lunch, dinner, and/or take vacations together. Some have continued their little 'clicks' they had in high school. All enjoy meeting once every three years at the Multi Class Reunion's where they some have seen their old neighborhood friends, their babysitters or maybe their next door neighbor.

All of this is possible because of the people listed below. Its a group effect with many dedicated alumni working many hours to make sure you have a wonderful, stress free weekend in October. Meet ................

YOUR OFFICERS, TRUSTEES, AND COMMITTEE MEMBERS

JoAnn Williams '60
Trustee

Donna Hagan '68
Trustee

Larry Turner '60
Trustee

Phyllis Crouch '62
Retiring Trustee

Joe Hunter '54
Trustee

Mary Kay Parker '56
President

Jim Shaw '45 Secretary/Treasure

Pat Miner '62
Buzz Book

Gloria Schwenk '59
Elected Trustee

Carol Beeman '60
Classmates
Remembered

Bill Voos '48
Flashlight Editor

Sandy Gibbons '57
Flashlight Editor

Donna Evans '53
Missing

Sharon Narrell '57
WHS Club

Betti Jeffries '58
Missing

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December, 2009

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

President
Mary Kay (Parker) Morse '56

Sec/Treasurer
Jim Shaw '45

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

Buzz Book
Pat (Miner) Slatton '62

ClassMates Remembered
Carol (Beeman) Hathaway '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
WelhiscoAlumni@GMAIL.COM

Random Thoughts

1. I think part of a best friend's job should be to immediately clear your computer history if you die.

2. Nothing is worse than that moment during an argument when you realize you're wrong.

3. I totally take back all those times I didn't want to nap when I was younger.

4. There is a great need for a sarcasm font.

5. How are you supposed to fold a fitted sheet?

6. Was learning cursive really necessary?

7. MapQuest really needs to start their directions on #5. I'm pretty sure I know how to get out of my neighborhood.

8. Obituaries would be a lot more interesting if they told you how the person died.

9. I can't remember the last time I wasn't at least kind of tired.

10. Bad decisions make good stories.

11. You never know when it will strike, but there comes a moment at work when you realize that you just aren't going to do anything productive for the rest of the day.

12. Can we all just agree to ignore whatever comes after Blue Ray? I don't want to have to restart my collection...again.

13. I'm always slightly terrified when I exit out of Word and it asks me if I want to save any changes to my ten-page research paper that I swear I did not make any changes to.

14. "Do not machine wash or tumble dry" means I will never wash this -- ever.

15. I hate it when I miss a call by the last ring (Hello? Hello?), but when I immediately call back, it rings nine times and goes to voicemail. What did they do after I didn't answer? Drop the phone and run away?

16. I hate leaving my house confident and looking good and then not seeing anyone of importance the entire day. What a waste.

17. I keep some people's phone numbers in my phone just so I know not to answer when they call.

18. My 4-year old son asked me in the car the other day, "Dad, what would happen if you ran over a ninja?” How in the world do I respond to that?

19. I think the freezer deserves a light as well.