Blan Class of ‘67 celebrates 50th

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Members of the Blanchester High School Class of 1967 gathered on Aug. 12 to celebrate their 50-year reunion. They met at McCoy’s Banquet Hall on Gurneyville Road and enjoyed a delicious grilled picnic meal prepared by the McCoy’s staff.

Classmate Dirk “BG” Garner of Florida provided entertainment as he played the acoustic guitar and sang popular songs from an era familiar to those attending the spacial occasion.

A beautiful memorial table was prepared by Joyce Brown McCune which displayed individual framed photos of each of the 30 classmates who are deceased. This number is more than 30 percent of the 95 classmates who graduated together.

It was a moving experience to stand before that display of youthful faces and realize they are no longer here to share in our reunion.

Each classmate present received a commemorative tumbler decorated with the face of the Blanchester High School Wildcat mascot.

Attractive memory books were made available which included personal information on each classmate, school pictures from back in the day as well as more current pictures of each person, their families and a list of career endeavors.

Several people noted fond memories of school activities, special events and certainly dear friendships.

Classmate and natural comedian Don Smith announced the recipients of some fun gag gifts. Ron Balash was recognized for traveling the farthest, from Oregon. Roy Hupp and wife Janice have been married the longest — 50 years. Judith McCoy Corwin has both the most children and the most grandchildren. Steve Bate has the most great-grandchildren, even though he couldn’t name them all in 15 seconds.

Each classmate had cast a secret ballot for the most unchanged female and male — Becky Bates Blankenship and Steve Bate both received large handheld mirrors that were labeled as “The Original Selfie.”

Former teachers and guests in attendance were Harry and Judy Brumbaugh, Beverly Williams and Ralph and Eleanor Pelfrey.

The class reunion committee consisted of Joyce Brown McCune, Becky Bates Blankenship, Judith McCoy Corwin, Ken and Kay (Fleming, Class of ‘68) Stegall, Gregory (Gus) Thompson, Max Taylor, Mickey Hibbett, Kelly Burchett and Jim Myers.

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From left are: front row, Judy McCoy Corwin, Becky Bates Blankenship, Joyce Brown McCune, Phyllis Sparks Clark, Sue Strong Lytle, Teri Boyd Vornheder and Patty Hammons Moore; second row, Linda Doan Ward, Janice Rowe Shiveley, Willa Davis Whitaker, Peggy Small Watters, Gary Barnet, Linda Fawley Sedaret, Ken Stegall, John Eltzroth, Max Taylor, Steve Bate, David Goodwin and Jim Myers; third row, Calvin Wilson, Dirk “BG” Garner, Kelly Burchett, Roy Hupp, Mickey Hibbett, Criss Brown, Gus Thompson, Matt Gladman, Don Smith, Ron Balash, Kent Humphreys, Bob Moses and Anthony James. Not pictured but present are Mike Kratzer and David Kibbey.
http://www.wnewsj.com/wp-content/uploads/sites/22/2017/08/web1_BHS-Class-of-1967.jpgFrom left are: front row, Judy McCoy Corwin, Becky Bates Blankenship, Joyce Brown McCune, Phyllis Sparks Clark, Sue Strong Lytle, Teri Boyd Vornheder and Patty Hammons Moore; second row, Linda Doan Ward, Janice Rowe Shiveley, Willa Davis Whitaker, Peggy Small Watters, Gary Barnet, Linda Fawley Sedaret, Ken Stegall, John Eltzroth, Max Taylor, Steve Bate, David Goodwin and Jim Myers; third row, Calvin Wilson, Dirk “BG” Garner, Kelly Burchett, Roy Hupp, Mickey Hibbett, Criss Brown, Gus Thompson, Matt Gladman, Don Smith, Ron Balash, Kent Humphreys, Bob Moses and Anthony James. Not pictured but present are Mike Kratzer and David Kibbey. Courtesy photo

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