SCHOOLS: Altoona High School Class of 1923 - 1978, 1983 Reunions, Altoona, Blair County, PA Contributed for use in the USGenWeb Archives by Judy Banja Copyright 2004. All rights reserved. http://www.usgwarchives.net/copyright.htm http://www.usgwarchives.net/pa/blair/ _______________________________________________ Altoona High Class of '23 Has "Greatest" Anniversary PRINCIPALS [photo] in charge of the reunion of the Altoona High School Class of 1923 held in the Blairmont County Club on Saturday evening, Oct. 21, are (from left): Seated - Fannie (Magee) Miller, co-chairman; Edith (Hargreaves) Heverly, general chairman, and Margaret McFalls, toastmistress; standing - Norman Kerns, gift chairman and Joe F. Cohen, publicity chairman. By Joe F. Cohen '23 For the Mirror "The greatest anniversary celebration in 55 years" was the most popular expression repeated by 54 members of the Altoona High School class of 1923 and 26 escorts and friends who gathered at the Blairmont Club Saturday evening, Oct 21. Registration began at 5:30 p.m., in charge of Gladys (Moorehead) Woomer, Irene (Fries) Woomer and Agnes Casselberry, who also acted as greeters, and many members of the anniversary committee. The large sign on the wall of the banquet room, reading "Hello Again Class of '23," had a very symbolic meaning this year. It meant that God had showered those in attendance and those who were unable to attend "with his blessings." UP to the hour of 7, it was a thrill to witness the excitement of classmates embracing each other and shaking hands, some with tears in their eyes. There were a few who hadn't seen each other for 55 years. The punch bowl was a most popular place to rehash many experiences of school days. The decorations committee, composed of Pauline Snyder, Zella Crist and Violet (Bloyer) Rankin, showed its artistic talents by having the tables in white, with maroon napkins and special floral decorations. At each setting there was a booklet with colored characters saying "Why Worry About Reunions. We're Still Young and Gay," the creation of Edith (Hargreaves) Heverly, Margaret McFalls, Mildred (Lingenfelter) Clark, Virginia (Hileman) Lingenfelter and a friend. The forward of this keepsake was as follows: "We write the record of our lives on the scroll of time. Memories of friends we have made, ecstasies we have lived, and unsullied joys we have felt, through the years, from the pages of the Book of Life." As the clock struck 7 and all the chairs were occupied, Margaret McFalls presented Paul (Zip) Milburn, who gave the invocation. With heads bowed, Paul said: "Our Heavenly Father, on this occasion we come with thankful hearts. Thankful for the friends who have grown dearer as the years passed. Thankful for the blessings which we do not deserve. Thankful for the memories, thus allow us to relive many joyful occasions." The banquet was then served in the high standards of the Blairmont staff. Margaret McFalls, who was the first lady in the history of the class of '23 to act as toastmaster, in 1973, again occupied that station. It is hard to find words to describe her performance, her introduction, her sense of humor, her ad-libbing, did not have a single dull moment. The games she had everyone participate in would make an outsider think that a bunch of high school kids were having "a heck of a good time." After, men and women are only boys and girls grown older. "The Memoriam" always brings tears. There are 32 known deceased since the 50th reunion. With a special prayer and song by Paul Milburn of the Christian & Missionary Alliance Church in Altoona, accompanied by Betty Mattas, the memorial service brought moments of sadness. None of us can go through life without eventually looking upon the countenance of grief. Fannie (Magee) Miller and Royer Miller read the names of those who have departed to their eternal rest. Fay Hileman, in bringing greetings to the class of '23, said, "Real true friendship is a treasury of great memories. We never buck the establishment. I consider it a mark of gratitude to be part of this class." Norman E. Kerns, chairman of the special gifts committee, brought much happiness to many of the recipients. Sara (Piper) Baker came from California; Fairchild Heltman, from Hendersonville, N.C.; Robert S. Rickabaugh, from Kensington, Conn., and Carolyn (McGough) Szink, from Canton, Ohio. Jennie (Bair) Kyper had 19 grandchildren. A rising vote of thanks was given to the general chairman of this reunion, Edith (Hargreaves) Heverly, for her dedicated service to the class of '23. She has been the secretary, keeper of the class files and a constant follower of her classmates' whereabouts. "Edie," as she is fondly called, felt it was more important to thank everyone who was involved in seeing that the 55th reunion became a reality. She said, "I have done nothing more than in my own humble way to serve, which is a privilege." A floral presentation was made to her, as well as to Fannie (Magee) Miller, co-chairman, and it brought tears of gratitude from both of them. After closing remarks by the toastmaster, Margaret McFalls, Paul Milburn blessed everyone with his benediction and Elwood Figard sang "May the Good Lord Bless and Keep You." These classmates of 1923 in attendance thus "Honored God and Themselves": Sara (Piper) Baker, California; Fairchild Heltman, North Carolina; Robert Rickabaugh, Connecticut; Carolyn (McGough) Szink, Ohio; Harry Kinsel, Elizabeth (Hauser) Kinsel, Fred Kephart, Margaret Lewis, Virginia (Hileman) Lingenfelter, Francis McGinnis. Marian (Hileman) McGraw, Roy Mattern, Royer Miller, Fannie (Magee) Miller, Oda (Davidson) Miller, Paul Milburn, Virginia (Tussey) Moreland, John J. Morrow, Polly (Roberts) Price, Violet (Bloyer) Rankin, Alma (Knisely) Ream, Robert Rickabaugh. Gilmore Rothrock, Hester (Stultz) Schuler, Ruth (Schaeffer) Stevens, Pauline Snyder, Irene (Fries) Woomer, Gladys (Moorehead) Woomer, Zella Crist, Agnes Casselberry, Mildred (Lingenfelter) Clark, Jean DeGabrielle, Elwood Figard, Ethel (Lee) Fleck. Wilbur Fleming, Cal Griffith, Jr., William Gettig, Ralph Gunnet, Edward Gorman, Kathryn N. Hynick, Ethel (Sipes) Hileman, Marian Horner, William Herr, Norman Kerns. Jennie (Bair) Kyper, Irvin Thomas, William Bricker, John Bayle, William Crawford, Edith (Hargreaves) Heverly, Margaret McFalls, Dr. Oliver Mattas and Joe F. Cohen. Before we bring down the curtain on this grand and glorious event, it is most fitting we use the following quotation, "The moving finger writes, and having writ, moves on; nor all your piety nor wit, shall lure it back to cancel half a line; nor all your tears wash out a word of it." Altoona Mirror, Wednesday, October 25, 1978, page 19 - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - FORTY-NINE MEMBERS OF Altoona High School's Class of 1923 met Oct. 15 in the Logan Room of the Penn Alto Hotel to celebrate their 60th and final high school class reunion. The class graduated 352 students. At least 160 are living and 158 are deceased. No information is available on 34 members. Class members from 12 states attended the reunion at which Margaret McFalls served as master of ceremonies. Fannie (Magee) Miller welcomed the class members and their guests. Fairchild Heltman of Henders[on]ville, N.C., gave the invocation. Agnes Casselberry and Royer Miller presented a memorial service for the 28 members who have died since the 55th reunion. Closing remarks were made by Harry Kinsel from Newtonville, Mass., and by Robert Rickabaugh of Kensington, Conn. After singing "'Til We Meet Again," Fay Hileman from State College closed the reunion with a prayer. Those attending the reunion were: Roy Mattern, Marian Horner, Fay Hileman, Ethel (Matthews) Thompson, Marguerite (McConnell) Fields, Ted Kane, John Morrow, John Arble, Geneva (Irwin) Penrose, Bob Rickabaugh, Dora (Detwiler) Parkes, Virginia (Tussey) Moreland, Carolyn (McGough) Szink, Betty (Hauser) Kinsel, Harry Kinsel, Della (Cross) McGraw, Agnes (Monahan) Kensinger, Evelyn (Lower) Martin, Fairchild Heltman, Pauline (Roberts) Price, Agnes Casselberry, Marian (Hileman) McGraw, Herman Chapman, John Bayle, Bill Bricker, Mildred (Lingenfelter) Clark, Joe Cohen, Zella Crist, Norman Evans, Ralph Gunnett, Ethel (Paschal) Haines, Bill Herr, Kathryn Hynick, Fred Kephart, Norman Kerns, Jennie (Blair) Kyper, Virginia (Hileman) Lingenfelter, Dr. Oliver Mattas, Margaret McFalls, Fannie (Magee) Miller, Royer Miller, Mabel (McCaulley) Moyer, Violet (Bloyer) Rankin, Alma (Knisely) Ream, Pauline Snyder, Ruth (Schaeffer) Stevens, Gladys (Moorehead) Woomer, Irene (Fries) Woomer. Altoona Mirror, Wednesday, November 16, 1983