ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF UNIVERSITY SCHOOL LATE SUMMER 2015 NEWSLETTER
make a memorial donation to the University School Endowment Fund in his honor. (The University School Endowment Fund was the brainchild of Skip’s mother in 1998, the same year Skip also became President of AAUS.) If you would like to donate to this fund, to honor Skip Woodruff, please send your contribution to AAUS, 587 Fox Lane, Worthington, OH 43085. We are going to collect these donations through January and then send one check to the Endowment Fund for a minimum of $500. All donations will be totaled up and the AAUS treasury will make up the difference between donations and $500. If the donations total more than $500 then all of that amount will be donated. To wrap up the meeting we had a lovely account of Coach Jim Stahl on how he saved some of the many trophies our basketball team had won at the time of the closing of University School. We then, of course, had our school tour. It is always so wonderful to see our beautiful building holding onto such fond memories of our very special time spent there. The next reunion date will be the last Saturday in June, 2016; June 25th.
ANNUAL MEETING/REUNION RECAP Our Annual Meeting/Reunion was held on June 27th. About 27 of us convened in our old music room, Rm. 100. We were very happy to welcome members of the class of ’55 who were celebrating their 60th Reunion. After singing our alma mater, we reviewed the minutes from last year and approved them and the treasurer’s report. We then elected our new board and, for the first time since 1998, we have a new interim president, Dick Baker, ’62. The AAUS officers are: Dick Baker, President Alan Stickney, ’65 vice-president Carole Hardy Moyer, ’64 recording secretary Steffanie Woodruff Haueisen, ’64, treasurer and membership The appointed position of By-Laws chair is now vacant because Dick Baker has become president. If you are interested in becoming By-Laws chair, please let Dick know: rbaker1144@gmail.com. Under old business we discussed the slow progress of photo frames which will line the halls of the first floor. Under new business we passed a motion to honor and recognize Skip Woodruff’s 23 years of service as President of AAUS and in gratitude for his numerous contributions to the Association throughout the years. We decided to
In attendance were Martha Dale Jackson,’55, Tom Abernathy,’56, Mary Kersting Davidson,’55, Todd Bogatay,’55, Ted Oberteuffer,’55, Dick Baker,’62, Hal Pepinsky, ’62, Midge Ramey,’55, Shirley Stoughton 1
Carlton,’55, Julie Rains Nusken,’55, Margie Allen Starbuck,’50, George Vaile,’55, Janitye Reid Vaile,’60, Karen Craig Nekervis,’60, Ed Violet,’61, Jane Fox Pratt,’55, Sally Darby Katchorek,’55, Jane Littlefield Harding ’55, Lyn Mumma Sherman, ’55, Jim Stahl, teacher/coach, 62-67, Gary Page,’66, Bill Wood,’66, Kay Roan,’66, Debbie McClung Tracy, ’66, Richard Sherman,’55, John Schlitt,’48 and Virginia Merryman Schlitt,’52.
REUNION NEWS
By Margie Starbuck University High School class of 1950 held its 65th reunion at the home of Dick and Anna Greer on June 26, 2015. Classmates attending were: Margie Allen Starbuck, Patty Blume, John Brand, Bob Caley, Janet Capell, Dave Curl, Henry Eckhart, Louis Goorey, Dick Greer, Pete Hewetson, Lorna Klages Loveless, Gleva Smith Stephens and Marilyn Terry Reeves. Parked in front of Dick's house was a beautiful 1932 Cadillac roadster, a car dating from the year most of us were born. Attendees gathered by the car for the class photo. After a splendid dinner, messages from Mary Lou Griffin Giannasi, Carol Haskins Forster, and Jeanne Easton Johnson were read. These classmates could not attend. At the end of the evening Dick gave a door prize to each classmate attending. Many thanks to Dick and Anna for a splendid evening.
Many, many thanks to all of you for attending and making it such a fun afternoon. A special big thank you to Gary Page and Bill Wood for helping me set up and clean up the refreshments and carrying everything to and from the car to the building.
Upcoming Reunion Gary Page, U-HI Class of 1966, has posted the date for the 1966 class 50th reunion next year on the U-Hi website: www.tosus.org. It will be on the same day as the Allschool reunion June 25th, 2016. There will be more info after the first of the year.
FAREWELLS We do continue to say goodbye to members of our University School family. We extend our condolences and sympathies to the family and friends of:
Ed Violet and Bill Wood chatting in Rm. 100.
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*Phyllis Davis Sokol, ’43 *Marilyn Terry Reeves, ’50 *Jerry Rardon, ’53 *Dean Beamont, ’57 brother of Patricia Beamont Goebel, ’60, *Samuel (Skip) Woodruff, ’59 brother of Steffanie Woodruff Haueisen, ‘64
Composers’ competition; opera results 2014 Honorable mention: “Dr. Jeckyll and Mr. Hyde” by Wallace Earl de Pue Special Awards: “Something Special” by Wallace de Pue recipient of the BMO Merit Award
And, Mrs. Jean Ludwig, mother of Jean Ludwig Holmes, ‘59
And The Gold Medal in Opera: “Something Special” by Wallace de Pue.
KUDOS WITH A CAPITAL KWallace Depue, ‘51
PERSONAL MEMORIES –
Sponsored by the Boston Metro Opera, the Boston-International Contempo Festival (formerly The Contemporary AmericanaFestival) is an international new music fest, "highly regarded as one of North America's most important venues for new works in opera, musical theatre, choral music, and art song".
Gary Holden Flanders: some personal memories and a reminiscence of an era by Andy Fanta, ’56. Although the AAUS community has noted the passing of Gary Flanders what follows are a few thoughts concerning Gary from a classmate and a dear friend.
Entering its fifth consecutive year, the Boston-International Contempo Festival, also home to one of the leading Composer Competitions, offers performances of new choral works, art songs and cycles, musicals, and operas, submitted by composers worldwide.
Tom Abernathy, a fellow classmate (and a “lifer” like Gary and me---Four year old Kindergarten through 12th Grade) called me on October 10th, 2014 to inform me that classmate David Krapp (Dax) had died. (See following story.) In the context of our visit (a wide ranging one I might add); in classic University School fashion we divided our labors: He would contact Pete Reynolds with the news and I would contact Gary. We would then touch base with each other and continue our visit.
The Boston-International Contempo Festival's mission is to (1) foster the music of living composers, (2) promote the artistic talent of today, (3) connect the new music community, (4) support the mission of the Boston Metro Opera, and (5) advance and advocate for the genres of new music and contemporary opera and the innovation in and continuing evolution of these art forms.
When I contacted Gary, Maria, his lovely wife, answered the phone and stated that the family was about ready to contact hospice for Gary. I transmitted this sad and unexpected news to Tom and immediately flew to New Port
Their results: 3
brother Dennis played end next to me. We laughed about the Bremen football game where we had to change into our football gear in the workshop at Bremen High School with all the “Bremen girls” standing outside looking in the windows! How embarrassed and upset we all were!
Richey, FL to visit Gary and to say my goodbyes. Gary was in great spirits. We both marveled at the fact that we had known each other for over 72 years. As conversations often occur between long time friends, ours was far reaching and a mixture; peppered with childhood memories, current events, and family updates.
With gasoline costing 21 cents at the Certified Gas stations, Jack Davidson, Pete Reynolds, Gary and I would often cruise the streets of Columbus on the weekends. If we were “flush” with a couple of dollars in our pockets we would wind up at Jerry’s Drive In at Morse and High. If, on the other hand, finances were collectively low we would wind up at the White Castle at Arcadia and High where with a newspaper coupon we could get six hamburgers for 25 cents.
We shared memories of the High Street of our childhood—Greggs Market at the corner of Frambes and High (where both Tom and I worked while in High School), Bertha’s Dry Goods (Tootsie Toy metal cars were ten cents), The Cottage Bakery with its wonderful smells, The Tasty Donut Shop virtually across the street from U-High and of course the Hi-Wood Drug store on the corner of Woodruff and High where after school we would consume milk shakes and magazines.
We talked of using the steam tunnels on campus when we went to swimming classes at the Natatorium in the winter. At the Tuesday movies in U Hall where we always sat in the front row. Summer swimming was at Mount Air or a trip to Eckles Lake. Pete would drive us and we would spend all day on the water wheel at Mount Air or swinging on the ropes at Eckles Lake. Of course we always sat as a group at OSU football games from 4th grade through our senior year.
We remembered Tuttle Field and the pathway to the Big Bear (an old horse barn converted to grocery store on Lane Avenue) where from time to time we would meet Pete Reynolds and his mom taking groceries back to their home on Patterson Ave. The Alhambra Theatre (later the World Theater) at Lane and High was a special treat for us. On Saturdays the kids show lasted five to six hours. Ed Venard, Pete Reynolds and Jon Pavey would join us for an afternoon of serials, cartoons, news reels, and movies. How our mothers must have loved the fact of our absence for that period of time!
We laughed at the fact that on our Senior Trip to New York City we both immediately spent all our money on records at Sam Goody. We had never seen such a store---a virtual department store with nothing but records. This was a crown jewel in our record listening. For years after school we had gone to Gary’s to listen to records; sometimes in
Gary was an accomplished wrestler and the team captain. He was a center on the football team and played linebacker on defense. I was right tackle and Gary’s
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the afternoon after school and sometimes on the weekends.
After he married, he moved to New York where he pursued carets in the arts and in business. He and his wife’s company “Hider Books” did packaging and design for various companies as well as special projects for the Library of Congress, The Smithsonian and the State Department. He was an avid boater and woodworker, restoring vintage craft which he ran on the Hudson.”
We both remembered a night of great bravery when Gary, Jack, Pete and I went to the Gaiety Theater on South High to see the stripper, Rose La Rose! We still did not know what it was all about but somehow found the adventure fulfilling. We left feeling more knowledgeable and certainly more mature.
Thank you both for giving us a glimpse of a long gone era and of classmates many of us didn’t know, but now can feel their impact on those around them.
As we sauntered through history, a visit punctuated by Maria’s luncheon sandwiches and a visit with Gary’s son, we both agreed on the central importance University School had in our lives; …how the teachers let us know that they trusted us and believed in us and how we acknowledged that fact by being, for the most part, responsible kids.
CORRESPONDENCE Sent in by Bunny (Barbara) Jucius Winborn, ‘56 “I moved out of Columbus so long ago, and have lived so many places. University School is like a dream floating on a cloud somewhere in my memory. All the memories are good. I think I want to keep everybody somewhere between 5 and 18 years of age. What University School did was so important. It saddens me to see the lessons not learned. None of my children had the experience we did at our wonderful school. Apparently it is hard to teach people simple lessons, about making school interesting, about respecting all life, about the importance of community. I send my love to all my fellow schoolmates, those who graduated before me (amazed to learn that Ann Doan Purtz, a neighbor from Olentangy Village, was a University School graduate. She died not too long ago, and she and her sister Jean, were wonderful people) and those who were still little beanie things when I graduated My regards to Bob Montebello, who personified everything that University
It was a different era back then. That era has gone; and sadly too has my friend Gary Flanders. In a related submission we learn a little about David Krapp (Dax), also from the class of ’56. C. Rodney James sent this: “David attended University School K12. He was a member of the wrestling team and known school-wide for his work in ceramics. He attended the Ohio State University where he received a MFA degree. He taught in the Fine Arts program at Ohio State and later at Capital. While at Ohio State he coproduced an animated film: Strike Up the Band, a history of the OSU Marching Band, produced by the Photography and Cinema Department. The film won an award in the Columbus Film Festival.
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School attempted to achieve, and who is very vivid in my memory. My regards to all of you who continue to preserve so much that is good, especially Tom Abernathy who has singlehandedly attempted to keep the class of '56 together ('Fast and flashy, full of tricks, that's the class of '56" - thanks, John Jacob), but some part of me wants to keep the memories just as they are. Regards to you and all who assist you keep floating on that cloud for me! Regards, Bunny Jucius Winborn
So far no one has contacted me. If you would like this “scroll”, please contact me; Steffanie Haueisen at jswhaueisen@yahoo.com or jswhaueisen@gmail.com.
We need to hear from you!!!
the Varsity Club during our “Social Reunion” Saturday, June 28, 2015. The Social Reunion has become a wonderful, relaxing way to visit with old University School friends and make new ones. See you next year…
Be sure to browse our wonderful website – www.tosus.org. There is always some thing to read and see. Revisit our past newsletters, access to yearbooks and all the other entries.
Another picture for the road…Coach Stahl seated at a table at
There is still very much to learn from and about each other. PLEASE do continue to send us more of your memories of University School and stories of the achievements and interesting lives of those who were part of the University School experience. We are looking forward to hearing more about each other’s lives, during school and after. Please send your stories or comments to jswhaueisen@yahoo.com or snail mail to AAUS, 587 Fox Lane, Worthington.
ANY TAKERS??? In the previous issue of the Newsletter, there was an article about a scroll which Chris Buchanan so generously donated to AAUS to find a good home. It dates to when his father spent a year in Japan and Chris felt this “scroll,” signed with the names of members of the class of “67 should go into the hands of someone from that class; our last class to graduate.
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