Blanchester High School Alumni gathers

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BLANCHESTER — The Blanchester Alumni Association held their annual reunion dinner on Saturday evening, May 25 at the Blanchester Middle School Auditorium, with 150 guests present.

The Blanchester American Legion and Boy Scout Troop 47 posted the Colors. Miss Ashleigh Osborn shared her beautiful voice with us by singing the National Anthem.

President Dwayne Dearth opened the evening by welcoming everyone, and offered a special welcome to the Class of 1959 (60 years), Class of 1969 (50 years), Class of 1979 (40 years), and the class of 2019.

Gordon Rose, Class of ‘69, offered the invocation. Dinner was served and everyone enjoyed a wonderful meal by McCoy’s Catering. McCoy’s has served the group at this event for over 30 years, and continues to serve delicious food for our honored alums.

Josie Fruediger, McKenna May, and Kylie Meravi of the Blanchester Girl Scout Troop 45988 assisted with serving our senior graduates.

Mary Crone Murphy (’72) is the Military Liaison for the Alumni Executive Committee. She presented the recognition for the veterans in our Alumni Group, and also presented the POW/MIA Table at the banquet. This table was on display as a memorial to our Military Missing in Action, Prisoners of War, and our Fallen.

We are proud to honor our classmates who served and are now serving in the U.S. military.

Mary Crone Murphy designed the sparkling table centerpieces for the other tables, as well.

Dwayne Dearth spoke for the class of 1969, honoring their 50-year class reunion. This class rallied and collected $3,069 to give as a special scholarship, which was received by graduating senior Abigale Trovillo. They continued their celebration on Sunday, May 26 with a gathering at McCoy’s Catering Banquet Hall at 1130 Gurneyville Road. Tim Wolffrum organized the reunion.

The Alumni Executive Board also presented two scholarships in the amount of $1,000 each, to graduating seniors Cora Shattuck and Kelli Hoffman.

Sarah Lowman celebrated the 76th anniversary of her graduation, and received a special gift.

Carlton Binkley and Harold “Mac” McCall were honored for their 75th graduation anniversary. Sue Leaverton (’59) and Sheryl Humphreys Cohen (’69), both from California, received recognition for traveling the farthest to attend the banquet.

The Class of 1959 started their 60th year celebration early, by hosting a reception prior to the Alumni Banquet. At the banquet, Ms. Judy Perry Wood spoke for the class of 1959, reading an original poem which recalled fun times from their school days, and mentioned classmates in the poem. The poem was enjoyed by all!

Tony Long explained how the Blanchester Schools Foundation was developed and how it supports the Blanchester students.

The Foundation oversees a variety of scholarship funds that support Blanchester students by providing scholarships, funding for classroom projects, extra-curricular expenses, and various other needs in the Blanchester Schools. He discussed ways to donate, including estate planning, funeral donations, specific donations for the schools, Kroger Rewards, and Amazon Smiles.

Please check the Blanchester Schools Foundation Facebook page.

Bruce Cadwallader, Class President of 1979, shared memories of his mother, Charlotte Cadwallader, and his sister, Rhonda Cadwallader, who recently passed away. Many of us remembered Mrs. Cadwallader as our typing and business teacher. Bruce generously gifted money to the Alumni Scholarship Fund and the Blanchester Schools Foundation in honor of his mother and sister.

Dwayne Dearth resigned from the position of President of the Alumni Association and Ellen (Binkley) Hill (‘78) was elected to that position. Beth Snyder Porter (’79) was elected as Secretary. Ida Sells Miller (’81) continues to serve as the Vice President of the Alumni Executive Committee, and Laura LeMasters Summers (’58) holds the position of Treasurer. Mary Crone Murphy (’72) is the Military Liaison. The Alumni Executive Committee is still in need of an alum to fill the position of Historian.

The business meeting was closed. Guests enjoyed time to visit and reconnect after the banquet.

The Class of 1979 will celebrate their 40th Class Reunion this fall. Please contact Bruce Cadwallader or Brian Peyton or check the Blanchester Alumni Facebook page for more information.

A silent auction was held to raise money for the Alumni Scholarship Fund.

Many thanks go out to the Blanchester Girl Scout Troop 45988 and the Boy Scout Troop 47 for helping to set up, greeting graduates, and cleaning up after the banquet.

The next Alumni dinner will be on Saturday, May 23, 2020.

Sarah Lowman, the longest attending graduate, from the Class of 1943.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Sarah-Lowman-photo.jpgSarah Lowman, the longest attending graduate, from the Class of 1943. Courtesy photos

Carlton Binkley and Harold “Mac” McCall of the Blanchester Class of 1944.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Binkley-and-McCall-alumni-photo.jpgCarlton Binkley and Harold “Mac” McCall of the Blanchester Class of 1944. Courtesy photos

The 50th Year Blanchester Class of 1969.
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-69.jpgThe 50th Year Blanchester Class of 1969. Courtesy photos

Bruce Cadwallader, Beth Snyder Porter and Nancy Eaglin of the Blanchester Class of 1979,
https://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2019/06/web1_Class-79.jpgBruce Cadwallader, Beth Snyder Porter and Nancy Eaglin of the Blanchester Class of 1979, Courtesy photos

By Blanchester Alumni

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