Nappanee Advance-News, Volume 121, Number 43, Nappanee, Elkhart County, 28 October 1998 — Page 3

Alumni gather for NHS celebration

By Barb Keiser Editor A total of 660 registered alumni of Nappanee High School made plans to attend the Saturday, October 17 second annual NHS alumni banquet, and most of them were there to enjoy the festivities planned by a hard-working committee representing the NHS Alumni Association. Under the guidance of Chairman Frank Hartman, the committee outdid itself in offering a chance for graduates from classes ranging from 1918, represented by 99-year-old Wilma George, to 1968, to reminisce, hear remarks and join in a sing-a-long during the evening activities. Alumni were invited to arrive at Nappanee Elementary School (formerly Nappanee High School), for refreshments, a chance to visit, and opportunity to look at the extensive display of high school memorabilia on display, courtesy of the Nappanee Public Library and Director Linda Yoder. Max Bigler served as master of ceremonies, inviting Pastor Jan McFall Brown to offer the invocation prior to the buffet-style dinner, which was served efficiently by Nappanee’s Dal-Mar Catering. Brown’s invocation included a thank-you to the Creator for “name-tags.” Nappanee Mayor Larry Thompson read his proclamation making Saturday, October 17, “Bulldog Day in Nappanee,” after which John Stahly recognized teachers and other school personal, and Bigler called attention to classes from 1918, and every fifth year thereafter, asking representatives to stand according to class year. A large group of former NHS cheerleaders and alternates took over the front of the gymnasium, to lead former classmates in a cheer and the singing of the school’s fight song, with words printed in the program for any student who dared to forget the words over the years. Gary Eastlund, Class of ‘6O, was invited to speak to those assembled, and did a great job of recalling his high school adventures, and those of many of his class mates and other students and teachers. He also talked about the changes made in the building. Kenton (Barney) Stouder led a tribute to NHS alumni who were also veterans who lost their lives in the wars and conflicts following their graduation, and Vance George and his sister, Julia George Burkhardt, led a group sing-a-long, which included everything from “God Bless America” and “I’ve Been Working on the Railroad” to “Let Me Call You Sweetheart.” Several alumni received door pri zes—Nappanee-heritage-sty le throws, donated by Don and Pat Miller and Jim Hoyt, before NHS alumnus Lynda Lehman Stephens offered the benediction. Committee members worked i long and hard to create a pleasant evening for those assembled, with guests coming from as far away as California, Washington and Arizona. Special thanks were offered to Earl Hunsberger, for his work on the sound system, to Bob Gessinger, official photographer for the event, Marion and Ann Nisley for a video made during the day’s activities. Hartman’s committee stated in the program, “Class reunions are a sentimental journey. The yearning within us to step back into the hallways of our youth and recover the irrecoverable. The unique experiences we shared as classes will forever be ours. What fun it is to be together again this weekend, to recall those special times. We hope that ‘Alumni 98’ will be for you an

Contests sponsored for ‘Country Christmas’

The Nappanee Country Christmas Committee is asking everyone to “put on your creativethinking caps, and design a Christmas ornament to hang on the Christmas tree which will be a part of the upcoming celebration. The tree will be located at Liz’s Furniture Shoppe, 306 W. Market St., Nappanee, and ornaments should be brought there not later than November 14. Designers, who should make their ornaments colorful, original, unique, distinctive and unusual, should include their name and phone number with their submission. The contest is being sponsored by the committee, along with the Nappanee Chamber of Commerce Retail Division. Winners will be announced Friday, November 20, with prizes

affair to remember. Thank you for coming.” The 1999 alumni banquet has been set for Saturday, September 11, and will include a tribute to Nappanee, during the community’s 125th anniversary celebration. Next meeting... Frank Hartman, chairman for the Nappanee High School Alumni Association, has announced that the association will hold its final meeting of 1998, Monday, November 2, 7p.m„ at the Nappanee Public Library. He encourages all interested NHS graduates to join the committee, as it begins plans for the 1999 celebration banquet. More members are needed. Please call Frank if you have questions. He is at Hartman Furniture days, 7733532, or may be reached evenings at 773-3465.

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NAPPANEE MAYOR LARRY ROB LEHMAN, CLASS OF ’6l, LOOKS OVER THE HIGH THOMPSON WELCOMES NHS SCHOOL MEMORABILIA DISPLAYED DURING THE EVENT. ALUMNI TO THEIR GATHERING.

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MAX BIGLER SERVES AS EMCEE. AND FORMER NHS CHEERLEADERS LEAD THEIR CLASSMATES IN A CHEER AND THE SCHOOL'S FIGHT SONG.

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GARY EASTLUND, CLASS OF FROM HIS HIGH SCHOOL

awarded during the Depot Festivities of Country Christmas in Nappanee. In addition, the committee is asking persons of ail ages to enter the Country Christmas Poetry Contest. Your entries may include memories of Christmases past or holiday traditions that are important to you. All residents are encouraged to participate, but to limit their entries to 100 words or less. Begin your entry with “Christmas i5...” Please include name, phone number, and your grade or indicate if you are an adult. Return entries to the Nappanee Public Library by Sunday, November 8. The contest is sponsored by the committee and the chamber’s retail division. These winners will also be announced Friday. November 20.

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VANCE GEORGE AND HIS SISTER, JULIA GEORGE BURKHARDT, LEAD THE ALUM Nl GROUP IN A SING-ALONG.

’6O, ADDRESSES THE GROUP REMEMBERING SPECIFICS YEARS. AN PHOTOS BY RON KEISER

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Nappanee Advance News Wednesday, October 2JI, 199 K

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Making a Difference As our representative in Congress, Tim Roemer’s fighting to reduce the tax burden on working families and improve the quality and safety of our schools. He’s helped balance the federal budget. And through careful management of his own congressional office, he’s saved and returned to the taxpayer almost a million dollars. It’s that kind of common sense that makes people trust Tim Roemer. He’s not just making promises. He’s making a difference. Paid lor by Hoosters tor Tim Roemer • PO Box 4400 • South Bend IN 46634 • Phone 288-6683

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