PAGE SIX - MISCELLANEOUS ARTICLES
Following the dinner and the program, music for dancing was provided by "Nite Life" band from 9 to 12.
Friday Night's Event
The group enjoyed renewing old friendshps, reminiscing of days long gone by. The evening was most enjoyable for those who did not plan to attend on Saturday night and an excellent prelude for those planning to attend on Saturday night. There was a table full of snacks which somewhat went begging.
Details Of Previous Reunions
The 50th Year Class Reunion, July 16 and 17, 2004
The festivities began on Friday, July 16th at 6:30 p.m with a casual gathering at Sam's Highland Park Bowl, Moline, IL in the "Fargo South Hall". Approximately 90 people (61 class members and spouses) attended Friday night's event.
Saturday, July 17th at Oakwood Country Club, Coal Valley, IL, the festivities began at 5:30 p.m. with dinner being served at 7:00 p.m. Approximately 107 people (65 class members, spouses and 3 of our former teachers) attended on Saturday night.
The photographer took our picture and brought in a proof before the evening ended. Everyone looks just like they did 50 years ago (ha ha). Seriously though, must say, the picture does reflect a good looking group! t begging - guess everyone was too busy visiting. There were a few that attended the events that had never been to a reunion event before, which was very nice.
Saturday Night's Event
Following the picture taking session, everyone gathered back in the dining room decorated with black and orange balloons, one of which inscribed with a Panther and United Township High School. Each guest was provided with a black coffee mug embossed with a Panther, and the words "U.T.H.S. 50 Year Reunion, 1954-2004," which were donated by Judy and Bill Carmichael.
Master of Ceremonies, Ardy Mc Intosh, introduced the class officers and the three teachers (Eleanor Allen, Joan (Siefken) Allee and Chuck Allee) that were present. Following the introductions, Doris (Homan) Park gave a touching invocation wherein she read the names of the class member who have passed away.
Following dinner, Ardy headed up the program of school memories; quizzed the group as to who were the artists that sang songs popular the year of our graduation; related events and prices back in 1954. He announced the recent lose of Mallie Williams, Band Director. Harry Bratton then spoke and told the crowd that he sent a letter in behalf of the Class of 1954 to the wife of Ernie Kivisto when he passed away. He made note that Joe Vinzant was inducted to the Iowa Hall of Fame for his accomplishments at tennis.
Following the program, the evening was topped off by Bill Bell playing and the group singing the school fight song. Bill would have played more that evening, but the proper equipment was not available. (Bill, you will have to come back next time and we will make sure you have professionalized equipment!)
Following the program, Joe Vinzant and Gerry (Lefevre) Harmon distributed 26 wonderful door prizes donated by class members (listed at the end of these notes). Among the prizes were three $50.00 cash prizes. Many, many thanks to the donors! This seems to be a very special feature of this and past reunions. Way to go, winners! Other donations came from Diane (Dieterich) and Jim Woodworth who provided decorated cakes as dessert after dinner. Hester (Munther) Haley donated the name badges for the events.
Deloris (Smet) DuPrey, Janice (Murphy) Neels and Maxine (Carlson) Barker compiled and displayed a beautiful memorial to the 51 deceased class members. Publishing of the directory was the work of Janice (Knight) Adams and Bob Young. Jessie (Gray) Boyd designed the directory cover, compiled the directory pages and ran mailing labels and name badges. Also helping to make the events a success was Dorothy (Givenazzo) Mann - Registration, Diane (Dieterich) Woodworth, Rex Taylor, Hester (Haley) Munther and Velma (Vogler) Gingerich. There were many jobs connected with bringing the reunion together and committee members are always eager to pitch in to make the events successful. For this reunion, the committee was blessed with four hard-working guys - Rex Taylor, Joe Vinzant, Bob Young and Judy's husband, Bill. Don't know what we would have done without the guys to do the loading and unloading of supplies.
Among those attending the reunion, there were a total 30 people who came from Arizona, California, Florida, Georgia, Indiana, Massachusetts, Missouri, Minnesota, New York, Tennessee, Texas and Wisconsin, with the remainder from the more local states of Illinois and Iowa.
Both evenings were very special and memory-making events and it is believed that those in attendance will very much look forward to the year of our 55th reunion. If you weren't among those at the 50th reunion, it is hoped that you will give serious consideration to being among the crowd at the next reunion in 2009. If you have never attended a reunion or haven't attended in many years, why not try it, you might like it.
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Again thank you very much to all that donated door prizes!
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Websites that may be of interest to class members: (copy and paste link into your browser)
A Bill Bell Video: (Great!)
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=r3zeF8u7ocI&feature=youtu.be
On the Green Side of the Grass
https://www.youtube-nocookie.com/embed/6dbBfXCMbH4?rel=0
Joe Vinzant - Playing Wimbledon Tennis in Iowa - http://www.iptv.org/simplepleasures/story.cfm?id=501&type=episode&video=video
Class of 1954 - http://www.uthsclassof1954.yolasite.com
Bill Bell - http://www.jazzprofrecords.com/
City of East Moline - http://www.eastmoline.com/
City of Silvis - http://www.silvisil.org/
UTHS Reunions - http://uths.revealed.net/reunions/index.html (Check out the websites of other classes - there are some great pictures, music and facts from our era. Much time was spent by some of the creators.)
United Township High School Website - http://uths.revealed.net/
Remembering the good ole days in the Quad-Cities -
http://www.captainerniesshowboat.com/moline.html
Take Me Back to the 50's -
http://oldfortyfives.com/TakeMeBackToTheFifties.htm
