MCHS ALUMNI 2016 McPherson County High School Alumni Association Newsletter 2016

You and guests are invited to the

Annual Alumni Reunion

of McPherson County

High School

Saturday eveningMay 28, 2016

McPherson County High SchoolTryon, Nebraska

Meal 6:00 p.m.$12 per plate

Reservations required by May 23

Business Meeting at 7:00 p.m.

Grand March - 8:00 p.m.Dance 8:00 to 11:00 P.m.

Refreshments will be available during the dance

Alumni Dues - $7.00 each memberGuest Admission $7.00 each

Membership and reservation form is found on the next to last page of this newsletter and may also be downloaded from:

http://mcphersoncountyalumni.weebly.com/

Facebook group: : McPherson County High School Alumni, Tryon, NE

Enjoy dancing to

Doug Powers and Top Shelf Country

Dance is open to public 8 p.m. to 11 p.m.

Public admission $7 per person

2016 Executive Committee President – Clara Bercot – 308-520-9431

VicePresident - Errol Waits -- 703-525-4616 Secretary – Judy Gragg --308-587-2495

Co Secretary – Linda Paxton – 308-587-2204 Newsletter and Address Chairman –

Gayle Neal – 308-587-2352

Texas Hold ‘Em Tournament & Pitch Tournament

MCHS Commons Area 3:30 p.m.

Show up and have fun!! Entry Fee $10

Liz Licking, Ben Schmidt, Ryan Mumm, Jared Mulder, Taylor Waits, Mrs. Lester, Roka Streiff, Cherry Miller, Alison Sowders, Megan Suchy

Class of 2006

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .2

1926Howard Childerston dec.Fern Gove Kugler dec.

Honored Classes

1936Ada Allen Miller dec.Leila Fisher Cook dec.Margaret Popham Dobbins dec.Janet Schull Douglas dec.Dagmar Carlson Godfrey dec.Ingleborg Carlson Godfrey dec.Harold Lamb dec.Hollis Masters dec.Mattie Shimmin Patchin dec.Frances Budd Rapp dec.Erlinda Soper dec.

1946Lois Hunn Carlson dec.Lenard Pyzer

1956Carolyn Cotton AnthonyDelores Cook BennettElaine Allen MillerLarry Popham dec.Neal SmithJoyce Connell Snyder

1966Charles Bellew dec.Judy Scheffel BuettnerRobert GreggGary KempMaynard LutesNancy Trumbull MunsonLarry PaxtonLarry Stoddard

1976Bruce CorrellJim GraggLinda Mowers GrovesMike JanecekRochelle Rodewald KempDeanna Nicholson KramerLowell “Butch” Pyzer dec.Dee Smith TowneRodney TrumbullDuane Waltke dec.

1986Randy AnwayLisa Kemp BurkeMarty DaileyMary Daigger HardenCindy Dobbins KrollTroy Whited

1996Jason ArensdorfLisa BryantAllen CorrellTodd GraggKyle McGuireJody MunsonDawna Arensdorf PaytonJoe SchmidtDana Arensdorf Songster

2006Elizabeth Licking DennisRoka Streiff KleinCherry Miller BassettJared MulderRyan MummAlison Sowders PiehlBenjamin SchmidtMegan Suchy SpragueTaylor Weatherly

2016Peyton BarnerChyanna BryantCole GarnerRuth LickingGarret RylandMichaela SchultisKindra Smith

This is a listing of deceased members we have learned of since our last newsletter. Please help the committee keep records current by informing them of the deaths of members.

Pauline French Nicholson Class of 1948 Died Feb. 3, 2015 Paul Hunn Class of 1950 Died April 29, 2015 Don Dobbins Class of 1934 Died Jan 21, 2015 Avis Hall Schmidt Class of 1935 Died June 16, 2015 Sharen Cash Uptegrove Class of 1957 Died June 14, 2015 Karen McClintock Hunn Class of 1953 Died September 9, 2015 Larry Cash Class of 1953 Died October 24, 2015 LaVada Tupper Rodewald Class of 1938 Died October 24, 2015 Elwin Miller Class of 1962 Died November 13, 2015 Rose Shimmin Dobbins Class of 1949 Died March 19, 2016

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .3

Nancy Trumbull Munson Class of 1966

Gayle asked me last year if I would write something for the next newsletter so I better keep my word.

First of all, I want to publicly thank Gayle Neal for all that she does. Do you look forward to getting the newsletter each year as much as I do? Without her, we wouldn’t be having the fun alumni each year that we enjoy. So, thank you, Gayle!

The years of my life spent in the schools of McPherson County are but a small proportion of the whole of my life but oh, my! What wonderful years they were. I feel I received a good education and good start in life.

Second, I want to give a tribute to just a few of the teachers that helped shape me up for the wonderful life I have had so far. Peggy Smith, Lilas Schmidt, Audrey McClintock, Mrs. Brown, and Mrs. Sharp were all great teachers and role models (along with my strong mother) that guided me into adulthood.

Third, I owe a big thank you to the community and the tax payers of that time for contributing to my success in life. It really did take a village to raise me!

Last, I want to encourage everyone to come to the Alumni Reunion. When we graduated it was a rite of passage that we were eager to do. This is my 50th year and I’m still proud to say I was graduated from McPherson County High School, and I am a member of that exclusive club. See you there!

Rhonda Rochelle Rodewald Kemp Class of 1976

My gosh, forty years went by so fast! It seems like yesterday that 10 seniors walked up on the stage for our diplomas, and then we all went our separate ways.

After a short stint at college I ended up in North Platte to become a sales clerk at the North Platte Saddlery. Jim Kemp and I got married in February of “78”. Shortly after that I became an Assistant Manager for So Fro Fabrics. This helped me build my stash of fabric! (You can never have too much fabric when you love to sew.)

Toni Lynn was born while we lived in North Platte. A few months later we moved to Jim’s family place to help his Mom out. Everett Russell “Huck” and Kayla Ann joined us there. Over the years I have had many jobs: Ranch hand, farmhand, pig farmer, custom hayer, roofer, etc., etc., and etc. In 1999 we moved into Tryon, where we still reside. Since the move, I have been an Assistant Postmaster, waitress, cook, bartender and EMT. Now I am the Manager to the McPherson Community Credit Union here in Tryon and am still an EMT on our Fire and Rescue Dept. I still do a lot of painting, gardening and of course, sewing. My new love is playing Texas Hold-em Poker Tournaments. I’m ready for a game anytime.

All three of our kids graduated from MCHS and live here in Tryon. We have four granddaughters. The oldest will graduate MCHS in 2017. She will be one of a very few 4th generation graduates of MCHS.

I have always been proud of being a graduate of MCHS and have never missed an alumni since attending as a freshman in 1973 and I hope to attend many more!

Class of 2016 Peyton Barner, son of Jana Gragg and Dusty Barner., will be attending UNL next fall.

Chyanna Bryant is the daughter of Theresa Bryant. She plans on attending Mid-Plains to become a CNA.

Cole Augustus Garner, son of Gale and Tylene Garner, plans on attending Eastern Wyoming College in Torrington. He plans on majoring in welding.

Ruth Emily Licking, daughter of Dennis and Karen Licking, will attend Eastern Wyoming College, in Torrington, majoring in Vet Tech.

Garret T Ryland is the son of Bob and Tracy Ryland. Garret plans on attending Eastern Wyoming College.

Michaela Grace Schultis, daughter of Ryan and Christena Schultis, plans to go into the health field.

Kindra Smith, daughter of Jeremy and Tammy Harris, plans are attending Eastern Wyoming College to start and studying social work.

Good Luck to each of these young people with their future. Welcome to the Alumni Association.

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .4

Invitation from Jim and Joyce Snyder

The Jim Snyder’s are hosting a dinner (1:00 CDT) on Saturday, May 28th, the day of Alumni, for the classes of 1952,53,54,55,56,57. We will furnish meat, cold cuts, buns, etc. plus tableware and drinks. Locals please bring a side dish. Anyone else who would like to come is welcome. The Snyder Ranch is on Highway 92…..11 miles west of Tryon, between mile markers 192 and 193, then 1 mile north. For more information or to reply: bluetailfly37 @gmail.com or 308-587-2451

Have a nice afternoon of visiting, then carry the party to supper at the gym and dancing later!

Class of 1965 The class of 1965 wanted to celebrate our 50th anniversary of graduation from MCHS and we decided to go to Branson. Dale and Colleen (Paxton) Pettit rented a car in North Platte and Linda (Rodewald) Kemp, Dora (Kemp) Valentine, Ronda (Wilcox) Schultz, and Linda (Daly) Paxton and all our luggage and food piled in. Dale told us that we couldn't buy anything because there was no more room! We met Ken Bassett in Grand Island and Dave and Linda Neal in York and the caravan was off. After finally finding the time share where we were staying, we made contact with Leland Essary and Maretta (Schmidt) Walker and got together. Vivian (Bierma) Licking and Wilma (Connell) Barkman were not able to attend and Myron Shineman has passed away. We saw some shows, went shopping in old Branson, looked at our old annuals, ate dinner on the deck at the landing; but most of all we really enjoyed just being together again and catching up on the last fifty years. Hope we can do it again in a few years.

Standing l-r—- Dora Valentine, Linda Neal, Dave Neal, Ronda Schultz, Maretta Walker, Linda Kemp, Linda Paxton, Ken Bassett. Seated — Colleen Pettit and Leland Essary.

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .5

Is This The End Of Alumni? The decision is up to you the MCHS Alumni members.

For the past few years, we have not generated enough funds through membership dues to meet operating expenses (which is approximately $1,400.00 per year). This amount does not include the dinner and scholarship donation as they are self-sustaining. Generous donations of a few of our members have kept us afloat. Instead of waiting till Alumni night to make a plea for donations, we have put the word out ahead of time. This year we didn’t have enough money to pay for postage for the newsletters or to pay the band. Our thanks to those who have donated to help us.

It is not right to depend on donations from a few to keep Alumni going. Ideally, at the end of Alumni night, we should have what we need to pay for the next year, without asking for donations. Hopefully, this will be the last year we have to ask for donations. We need to live within our means!

The answer to our problem is this:

1. Increase attendance. With dues at the present rate, it would take 200 people paying dues to make it work. 2. If attendance stays around 70, it would take about $20 each to make it work (this doesn’t include the dinner).

We are asking you to come to Alumni this year. Bring 2 or more guests if you can. If you can make a donation, please do so. We need good ideas for keeping Alumni alive, so bring ideas. This year we are doing a silent auction as a fund raiser. If you have items to donate for this, please bring them.

We Alumni members come from a unique way of life that most never experience. Our celebrations keeps those memories alive.

Using scare tactics is a last resort, but dear Alumni members, if we can’t be fiscally stable, we can’t survive. It is up to you.

Sincerely, Clara Bercot, President Errol Waits, Vice President Judy Gragg, Secretary Linda Paxton, Assistant Secretary

Keep your mailing address and email address up to date. We would like to cut costs by sending information by email. Send your updates to: mcphersoncounty.alumni@gmail.com or gayle2352@gmail.com or PO Box 51, Tryon, NE 69167 Thank You!

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .6

Doris Hall Thompson Class of 1935

Doris’ daughter Bev Gierhan sent a picture and an update about her mom. Doris is in a care facility in Kearney since suffering a stroke. She is getting along well and enjoyed the newsletter. Daughter Beverly was a teacher for 43 years full time and 10 years after that part time. She had two sons.. Bev lives in Kearney. Doris’ son Dave Schmidt lives in Missouri. He has a PHD and teaches at the University of Missouri in Columbia. Dave is married to Barb and they have five grown daughters. Doris also had another son, Gary, who has passed away.

Dave Schmidt Doris Hall Thompson Bev Gierhan

McPherson County High School is approaching a century. When the county was young some of the grade schools offered 9th and tenth grade if the teacher was qualified. In the fall of 1917 an accredited high school was organized. School was to begin Sept. 24, 1917 when it was realized they hadn’t hired a teacher. They hired Mrs. Nichols, a former County Superintendent, and school was able to start on Oct. 23, 1917. Around 21 scholars began the year with borrowed books, tables, and chairs. Normal Training was the program they all studied and worked for. Each year they added another grade and by the third year they had three rooms and two teachers. In 1920 thanks to a building levy they were able to build the building we know as the apartments. That fall four grades were offered with three teachers. Each teacher taught 6 subjects.

The first graduating class was in the spring of 1921 with Viola Dahlin Calhoun, Nettie Winters Ripple, Matilda Doyle Haney Aubrey Warren and Leo Cash.

Information taken from the McPherson County History Book

MCHS Newsletter 2016 � .7

McPherson County High School Alumnus Membership Form

Names __________________________________________________ Graduation years __________________________ (If both, husband and wife are alumni members, please list both names and year graduated) Address __________________________________City ______________________State _________ Zip __________

E-mail if you have one: _____________________________________________ I am paying my membership dues of $7.00 (Husband and wife alumnus total $14) $____________

I am paying my guests admission of $7.00 each $____________

Reserve __________ catered meals at $12.00 each. Due May 23, 2016 $____________

Checks for dues and meals should be made to MCHS Alumni Association Total $_____________ Money must accompany meal reservations. Please indicate (for planning purposes) if you would like to participate in the Texas Hold ‘Em or Pitch Tournament and plan on paying for those when you get here. Tournament play starts at 3:30 pm in the Commons Area. _____________________________________________________________________________________________________

I am sending a donation for the scholarship fund. Checks for the scholarship fund should be made to Mid-Nebraska Community Foundation. $______________ If you would like to donate in memory of someone include their name and year of birth and death.

McPherson County Alumnus Association PO Box 51 Tryon, Nebraska 69167

McPherson County High School Alumni Scholarship

The Scholarship Fund is doing quite well. The figures below were as of June 2015. We get a financial report each June. The Scholarship amounted to $800 in 2015 and was awarded to Haley Munson, a 2015 graduate. She is attending UNK and studying in the medical field.

The 2016 Scholarship is in the amount of $900. We will announce the winner at the alumni reunion.

Silent Auction!! Do you have something you would

like to donate to the silent auction?

Bring items to alumni. Auction will run through the dinner and dance

All proceeds will benefit the alumnus organization.

McPherson County Alumnus Association PO Box 51 Tryon, NE 69167-0051

Return Service Requested

Chicken Fried Steak meal prepared by Kathleen Fisher

at 6:00 p.m.

Seeking two new board members! We will need a vice-president and a co-secretary for the coming year. Consider being on the board!