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Titusville Alumni Association
302 E. Walnut Street
Titusville PA 16354-1953
CHANGE SERVICE REQUESTED
NONPROFIT ORG
US POSTAGE PAID
ERIE PA
PERMIT # 199
TITUSVILLE
Alumni News
37th Issue 2014
Record Attendance at
17th All-School Celebration
The 2014 All School Celebration this
past August 8th brought in a crowd of
164 alumni and friends of Titusville
High School, the biggest number ever!
It was a wonderful time of getting reacquainted with classmates, along with enjoying a delicious meal prepared by Ron
Stewart ’69 and his wife Donna.
One thing that no doubt helped boost
Ed ’62 and Kay Murray enjoy chatting
attendance was the fact that four classes
with friends and classmates.
had at least one of their reunion weekend
events at the celebration. One of those
whose class met at the dinner that
evening said, “This makes getting together so easy, with someone else doing
all the planning.” Afterward, there was
plenty of time to enjoy Oil Festival
events in downtown Titusville.
Next year’s celebration will be held
on August 7, so you might want to make
note of that on your 2015 calendar. As
always, the reunion will be scheduled on Virginia “Dede” Kerr ’69 and Ralph
the Friday of Oil Festival weekend so “Chip” Osborn ’69 welcome guests to the
All School Celebration.
you can come and stay to see the parade
and participate in all the fun.
1963 classmates Nancy Vergith Brown
and Margaret Fiely enjoy the reunion.
Dick Peebles ’62 stops to have a word
with classmateThomas Foster ’62.
Titusville Alumni Association
“Get Your Act Together”Follies 2015
The Titusville Alumni Association will be staging a talent show on March 28, 2015.
The variety show is intended to be a fun family event to include all those who work behind the scenes, on stage talent and our audience. The picture below was taken in the
THS Cafeteria and includes those who attended our organizational meeting in October.
Saying Goodbye
By J.L. Love ’71
I just watched Derek Jeter play his last professional baseball game. What a perfect
ending to a great career. Regardless of how you might feel about his team, you just have
to appreciate, respect, and hope for the best for such a great ambassador of the game.
I couldn’t help but reflect on the emotions on both sides of his decision to retire. Certainly for Derek, it must be bittersweet. He is entering into a new phase of his life and
looking forward to more family time, and pursuing new ventures and hobbies. If you
ever watched Derek during an interview with the media, it was apparent how much the
game means to him…I’m sure there will be some sadness in his heart at times. To his
teammates, coaches, and all the fans of baseball, there is a twinge of loss knowing that
he exits the mainstream of baseball viewing.
Saying goodbye is a hard thing. We do it a lot in life. I think my earliest recollection
of a “hard” goodbye was when my grandparents would come for a visit, stay a few days
and then leave. I have to admit as a young boy I cried real tears and watched them
leave until I couldn’t see their car anymore on the horizon. As hard as it was to have
to say goodbye to them, it only made the times they visited so much more precious.
I remember saying goodbye to many of my classmates when we graduated from high
school. It wasn’t as hard a goodbye, mostly because I was caught up in the excitement
of finally graduating. At the time I couldn’t give credence to the reality that, for most
of them, I probably wouldn’t cross paths with them again in life.
I grew up in the era when letter writing was the norm for staying in touch. Even today
there is nothing like getting a real letter in the mail. Doesn’t happen very often because
most of us choose technology as our way of staying connected. Our world has gotten
so much smaller now that email, Facebook and Twitter are here.
To be honest, I am now in that phase of life where I pay attention to obituaries. With
a little more regularity, I am faced with the hard reality of friends and acquaintances that
have passed on. Some of these are very tough goodbyes. I find that I have many regrets
that I didn’t reach out to them while they were living. So many things left unsaid, so
many sorrys left unspoken, so many well wishes unrewarded. Every once in a while I
hear of a cancer survivor who gets a new lease on life. I notice how invigorated they
become - so aware of life and friends and surroundings. They do not want to waste
even one minute of life. At the moment I share their rightness with life. I want to catch
their spirit and live my life the same way. Life is precious and I don’t want to waste it
either. For the time being, I’m still working on keeping up with these survivors, but they
inspire me.
Very soon I will have to say goodbye to an old friend. We have shared some deep
thoughts and intimate moments. We are “back yard neighbors” and have gone for long
walks with the dogs. Whenever I wanted an honest answer, I could always go to my
friend Karl Engleka. Karl and B.J. will be soon moving to Florida. True, they will
come back for visits, and there is always the draw of their children and grandchildren
who live only100 miles from Titusville. We both know the time for saying goodbye is
coming and I know we both view it with apprehension. I watch Karl walk the dog in
our neighborhood and I know he is just trying to relish and somehow hold Titusville
memories in his mind. Sometimes long goodbyes are even harder. It’s true we’ll be able
to stay in touch via social media, but it is just not the same as a sit-down conversation
on the front porch.
Karl has been on the Titusville Alumni Association board since inception. In fact, the
TAA was the brainchild of Karl and Ron Joyce. Most of you probably weren’t aware
of how much time Karl spends on TAA “stuff.” His hours of volunteer work are immense but you can tell each hour given is done with a love for the task.
Finally, I must say goodbye as well. I have served on the TAA board for 18 years. I
was there in the beginning of this organization and watched it struggle and grow. I’m
saying goodbye because I strongly feel sitting on a board for 18 years is long enough.
Organizations do so much better with regular board turnover, getting fresh new ideas.
I can truly say it has been the one organization I have been a part of that I looked forward
to serving. To any alumni who are looking for a fun way to roll up your sleeves and
make a difference, you might want to consider giving Ron Wig a call to ask how you
can serve.
Let me leave you with a little poem that used to hang in my grandparents’ house. I
used to see it all the time and committed it to memory. I think the author is unknown,
but whoever penned it really knew the essence of life.
Learn to make the most of life,
Lose no happy day,
Time will never bring thee back,
Chances swept away.
We wish you well, Karl and B.J. Enjoy the new times in Florida, but know we will all
miss you in Titusville and welcome you back anytime!
THS graduates and friends of TAA include (from left to right): our director Joe’95
and Ashley Thompson, Emily Altomare, Bill Logan’71, Amanda Eggleston’96 Enright, Chip Osborn’69, Dede Morrison’69 Kerr, Julie Skinner’84 Daugherty, Terri
Logsdon’78 Wig, and Barb Spence’70 Ives.
Groups and individuals are invited to put together comedy skits, routines, and acts of
true musical, dance and instrumental talent. While there is no particular theme for the
show, we will weave the high school experience across the decades into our acts. You
The Scoop on Karl
can expect to see some “Laugh-In” style one liners as performed by Goldie Hawn and
While it’s true that Karl and BJ will now make Florida their
Artie Johnson during the 70s. Without giving away too much, we guarantee it will be
permanent home, Karl will continue to serve the Titusville
a fun evening with something for everyone. We invite folks who are interested to come
Alumni Association as a member of the advisory board and
to our next meeting to be held on Tuesday evening, November 18th at 6:00 p.m. in the
will also continue to be an important contributing member of
THS Cafeteria as we continue to develop the lineup of our show, and work on publicity
the Alumni News staff. In today’s world that is not an imposand the program. The other scheduled dates at this point
sible task at all with the many electronic ways of keeping in
INDEX
are the audition nights which will be January 13th and Jantouch. Karl always has wonderful, creative ideas about
Record Attendance . . . . . .pg 1
th
from
6-9
pm
in
the
high
school
music
room.
In
aduary
15
newsworthy articles and items to include in the Alumni
Saying Goodbye . . . . . . . .pg 1
News of Alumni . . . . . . . . pg 2 dition to our on-stage talent and stage crew we will be
News, which he will continue sharing with the staff here at
Reunion Plans. . . . . . . . . . pg 4 looking for folks who can help with costumes, makeup, set
the office. He also seems to be able to “influence” people to
Semi-Pro Baseball . . . . . . .pg 4 construction and supplies.
Karl Engleka ’54, write and send articles and pictures for the paper. In Florida,
This event will be a fundraiser for the Titusville Alumni
Luscious Rocky Reynolds .pg 5
TAA’s co-founder and Karl will receive copies of the Titusville Heralds from which
Dick Kaputa Stories . . . . . .pg 5 Association, a registered 501(c)3 non-profit charitable corhe will garner all sorts of news that he knows our readers
first president
Looking Back . . . . . . . . . . pg 6 poration. Our priority mission is to keep nearly 8000
will be interested in reading.
School News . . . . . . . . . . .pg 8 alumni of THS, Pleasantville and St. Joe’s connected
There is no doubt that we will miss Karl’s physical presence here in the office, but we
Titusville News . . . . . . . . .pg 9 through our Alumni News distributed twice a year. We will
know he and BJ will be coming back during those hot days in Florida to spend some
Masters of tthe Game . . .pg 10 be putting out our 37th edition in December. We are partictime here in Titusville. In the meantime, we hope Karl will enjoy playing tennis, kayakTitusville Scenes . . . . .pg 12 ularly proud of our scholarship programs that provide aping, and generally just enjoying the life of a retiree.
Anniversaries, etc . . . .pg 13
proximately $35,000 annually for THS graduates seeking
Deaths . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 13
further education at colleges, universities and trade schools,
Donations . . . . . . . . . .pg 14
Titusville Alumni Association Contact Information
locally and throughout the nation. For further information,
Sports . . . . . . . . . . . . .pg 15
Phone: 814-827-1283
Karl’s Challenge . . . . .pg 16 you can contact any of our event organizers, board memEmail: [email protected]
Florida Reunion . . . . .pg 16 bers or Ron Wig, Executive Director, at the alumni office
Postal
mail: 302 E. Walnut Street, Titusville, PA 16354
at 827-1283.
Page 16 ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue
Karl’s Challenge: Can you name the players on Coach Chal Port’s 1961 basketball team?
Looking for a Christmas Gift?
It just so happens that at the office we still have on hand some Earl Yingling’s “Titusville
Yesterday and Today” DVDs, as well as “Class of 1956 and Beyond. . .” DVDs which would
make great gifts for a Titusville or former Titusville person.
The Earl Yingling DVDs are $15.00 + $4.00 shipping (unless you can pick them up at the
office). The Class of ’56 DVDs are yours for a donation to The Titusville Promise. Again,
if they are to be sent to you, plus include $4.00 shipping. Call or email Ron at the office to
order them. (Contact information is on front page.)
TAA Audit Available
The Titusville Alumni Association’s most recent financial audit as performed by Mark L. Mehlenbacher P.C. is
available for review by all interested parties. Individuals
can stop in at the alumni office located in Titusville High
School, 302 E Walnut St., Titusville, PA 16354. The office
hours are Monday-Friday, 8:00 a.m. to noon.
Are You Ready for the Florida Reunion?
17th ANNUAL FLORIDA REUNION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015
10:00 am - 5:00 pm
CLARION HOTEL & CONFERENCE CENTER
2701 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL 33612
Alumni and friends from Titusville, St Joe’s, Pleasantville, Townville and nearby areas
are invited to join the fun at the 17th Annual Florida Reunion on February 14th, 2015.
There will be a catered buffet meal at noon, live music, and plenty of time for socializing. Whether you live or plan to vacation in sunny Florida, this is a great opportunity
to reconnect with classmates and friends and share old memories and what’s new in
your life; bring pictures and year books. We’ll be happy to assist with any class or group
get-togethers.
DIRECTIONS: From I-75: exit 265 (Fowler Ave), go west @ 3 mi, turn left into the
hotel parking lot. From I-275: exit 51 (Fowler Ave), go east @ 3 mi, turn right into
the hotel parking lot.
LODGING: For those wishing to stay over, there are many nearby hotels. The Clarion Hotel (813-971-4710) guarantees us a special reduced rate of $59 per night + tax for
single or double rooms on reservations made by January 17th. Reference “THS REUNION”. Included is a full American breakfast buffet. There is a TGI Friday’s restaurant on the premises.
AREA ATTRACTIONS: There are many interesting local attractions including
Busch Gardens, MOSI, the Dali Museum, the Hard Rock Casino, FL Aquarium
(Tampa), Clearwater Marine Aquarium with resident movie star Winter the Dolphin
swimming with his prosthetic tail, white sand beaches on the Gulf of Mexico, sponge
docks and Greek shops in Tarpon Springs, and dinner-dance and/or dolphin sighting
cruises. Disney World, Universal Studios and Sea World are within about 45 minutes.
We can provide additional information to anyone interested.
RESERVATIONS: Please mail payment in full of $21 per person with the reunion
reservation form by Feb 4th. Make checks payable to “THS REUNION” and mail to:
Beth Edgar, 721 Shady Lane, Clearwater, FL 33764.
For additional information or questions contact Beth Edgar at: [email protected].
If you would like information about the dinner cruises, contact Dick Dutton at [email protected].
To volunteer, email Beth Edgar or call 727-441-9960.
FOLKS WHO ENJOYED LAST YEAR’S FLORIDA REUNION
Karl Engleka 54 and Al Sharp ’62 catch up on the news.
Terry ’64 and Kathy Tracey enjoy the delicious food
and friendly fellowship.
Pictures of past reunions can be viewed at Picasaweb.google.com/gswetsky.
TITUSVILLE AREA 17TH ANNUAL FLORIDA REUNION
SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 14, 2015
10:00 AM – 5:00 PM
CLARION HOTEL AND CONFERENCE CENTER
2701 E FOWLER AVE, Tampa, FL 33612
Graduate’s First Name
_______________________
Maiden Name (if app)
_______________________
Last Name
______________________
Graduated from: THS____ SJA: ____ PHS: ____ Townville: ____ Year: ___
Spouse’s First Name: ___________Maiden Name (if app)_____________________
Graduated from: THS: ____ SJA: ____ PHS: ____ Townville: ____ Year: ____
Florida Address:
Street: ____________________City: _______________ State: _____ Zip: _____
Telephone #__________________ E-mail: ___________________________________
Are you a year round FL resident? Yes___ No___
If no, months you are in FL: from _____to______
Permanent Address if different: ____________________________________________
Getting reacquainted are (left to right) Candy Swanson ’64 Zdarko, Beth
Edgar ’64, Bob Steinberg ’57, Dick Stewart ’64 and Sonja Stewart.
__________________________________________________________________________
Tel # _______________________ E-mail: __________________________________
If more than one address, which do you want listed in the program? __________
Names of other guests you will be bringing:
__________________________________________________________________________
Number of reservations @ $21.00 each: ________
Total paid: ___________
Dinner reservations must be paid in full by February 4, 2015.
Please make checks payable to: THS REUNION
Mail form and check to: Beth Edgar
721 Shady Lane
Clearwater, FL 33764-6258
E-mail: [email protected]
Would you like to volunteer? ________
Note: Email addresses will not be printed in program.
The oldest attendee, Bess Wilcox ’36 Weld, and Beth Edgar ’64
smile for the camera.
Why not join them this year? Florida weather is surely
ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 15
Sports
2013-14 Titusville Rockets Football Team
Front row, from left: Rick Brown, Tristan Nadolny, Easton Hogue, Dan Stearns, Scott Fry, Jason Oakes, Todd Brown, Tom Rust, Dakota Sutton, Robert Vroman, Louis
Cruz and Cody Lawson. Second row: Jordan Kunick, Donovan Vroman, Skyler McIntyre, Chase Ackerman, Matt Kerr, Cooper Lamey, Jarrod Roofner, Nicholas Farduchi, Chris Aucter Sanchez, Christopher Wig and Locke Platt. Third row: Blaise Watkins, Joseph Downing, Caleb Stephens, Hunter Wagner, Michael Van, Brady
Corklin, Logan Nosko, Nate Brown, Gavin Reisinger, Corey Davenport, and Michael Watkins. Fourth row: Dakota Gilson, Joseph Burger, Wyatt Cartney, Cody Leofsky,
Ryan Sines, Colin Hoffmeister, Jack Garrett, Luciano DeRose, Austin Foster, Josiah Jacobson, Daniel Kessen and Kristian Vroman.
Sports News
Rob Pilewski '88 was inducted into the USA South Athletic Conference Hall of
Fame for his success as a Methodist University golfer. While at Methodist, Rob was
the 1990 NCAA Division III Individual Men's Golf National Champion. He is currently a PGA professional at Pinehurst resort. In 1998 Rob was inducted into the
Methodist University Athletics Hall of Fame.
Coach Tim McCord and his golf team presented a plaque to Cross Creek Resort
thanking Cross Creek for their support since they began play there in 2003 following
the closing of the Titusville Country Club.
The 27th annual Health Links golf benefit for the Titusville Hospital was held on
May 2lst at Cross Creek. Two teams, Highmark Blue Cross Blue Shield and Cross
Creek Resort finished in a tie at 62. The tie was broken by the lowest score on a randomly selected hole and Cross Creek won the tiebreaker. The Cross Creek team included Katie Morrison '06, Sarah Suhr, Zack Huston and Harry Anderson.
The Titusville BMX track opened its season in mid-May. Mike Howard serves as
track director. The local track draws BMX riders from surrounding states. In midJune they held their first state qualifier with about 100 racers in attendance.
Dave Stewart '07, Ben Rapp '06, Kyle Minium '02 and Zach Hamilton '07 were
first place finishers in the Knights of Columbus Golf Scramble. Mike Vinopal '11,
Eric Maginnis, Renata Drusko '12 and Steve Drusko took second place one stroke
behind the winners.
Emily Walker '08 led an Abs-n-Stretch course at the YMCA. The half-hour course
featured core work and stretching. She also led body sculpting classes during the
week for members and non-members interested in fitness.
Jared Hazen '13 finished 14th in the Western States 100 Mile Endurance Run with
a time of 17 hours, 26 minutes and 59 seconds.
Katie Neely '14 was honored at the annual THS Athletic Banquet for earning 12
varsity letters in her four years of high school.
The 22nd annual YMCA Downtown Shootout 3-on-3 tournament was held on the
Middle School parking lot. Sixty-one teams from a wide area took place in this
year's tournament.
The Drake Well Marathon and Half Marathon took place on Sunday, August 17th.
One hundred and 10 runners registered – 43 for the marathon and 57 for the half.
The race was run over a new, faster course that was lauded by the runners. On the
Saturday preceding this event the Titusville YMCA had another successful 5K
run/walk. Sixty two people participated.
The Elder Statesman Golf League celebrated 40 years of play in late August. Elder
Statesmen are golfers over 50 years old. This year 124 golfers trekked to the Green
Acres Golf Course on Thursday mornings during the summer. They ended the year
with a Scramble on September 18.
2014 Girls Soccer Team
2013-14 Boys Soccer Team
Front row, from left: James Whalen, Bryce Preston, Tommy Jones, Joel Finley,
Aaron Beauchat, and Nathan Caryl. Middle row: Brant Enright, Syl Baker, Jacob
Southwick, James Johnson, Max McAllister, Dalton Sutton, Caden Mallory and
David Finley. Back row: Coach Mark Nesto, Matt Rust, Matt Leach, Steven Hollabaugh, Khalid Abu-Saleh, Josiah Custer, Nathan Monkhern, Evan Fenyo, Griffin
Nelson and Coach Robert Cartney.
Front row, from left: Kaylie Kowalczyk, Kayli Sampson, Shannon Moore, Halie
Crisman, Hollie Crisman, Cori Sampson, Kayla Erickson, Brooke Kinney. Back
row: Head Coach Joe Ketley, Paige Ferry, Claire Kennedy, Jackie Wright, Lexi
Hauptman, Cara Hutchinson, Bella Ward, Lacey Elder, Devyn Metzgar, and
Bridget Ditty.
2014 Titusville Rockets Golf Team
From left: Aaron Scott, Ryan Jenkins, Dan Clingerman, Seth Mehlenbacher, Matt McCord, Zack Richards, Taite Foley, Eric Maginnis, Erik Hipple and Alex Vincent.
Isn’t it great to see so many students participating in sports at Titusville High School? It certainly affirms the statement,
“Sports are alive and well at Titusville High School!”
DONATIONS
$20.14
Bess Wilcox ’36 Weld
Imagene Morrical ’47 Hasson
Donald Murray ’50
Fredericka Burns ’50 Tharp
J. Donald Bishop ’51
Janet Smith ’51 Hancock
Kay Canada ’52 Boring
Robert McClellan ’52
Jim Way ’54
George Johnson ’55
John Powers ’55
Ken Ruttan ’55
Kenneth Bierce SJA ’56
Constance Valone ’56 Tuck
Herb ’56 and Susan Nabor ’57 Bench
Daniel McMunn ’57
Thomas ’57 and Nancy Kurschinske SJA ’59 Lucas
Richard Kaputa ’58
Patrick Crowley SJA ’59
Mary Ann Boczan ’59 Chai
Tyrella Pringle ’59 Thomas
William Brickner ’60
Tom and Judy Kerr Lamberton ’60
Dianne Deemer ’61 Johnson
S Irene Whiting ’61 Shaffer
Leslie Spence ’62 McNierney
Mike Foley ’65
R Clifford Gustafson SJA ’65
Sylvia Edgar ’66 Young
J. Michael Connell ’67
Linda Nichols ’67 Wright
Eileen Baumgarten ’69 Smith
Terry Lee Proper ’71
John Pringle ’73
GENERAL FUND
Gerson Leiber ‘39
Hugh McCracken ‘40
Harriet Noel ’42 Nelson
Ann Wahlin ’43 Harris
Bette Jacobs ’44 Butler
John Grubb ‘45
Ronnie Brady ’46 Keltz
Thomas Carlson ‘47
Robert ’47 and Doris Bartlett ’48 Conway
Betty Wood’48 Hollabaugh
Howard McIver ‘48
Harry Bishop ‘49
Robert Manross ‘49
Bronson ’49 and Jane Canada SJA’56 McNierney
Marcella Zerres ,49 Grant
Mildred Stewart ’49 Ray
Doris Bunce ’49 Wheeling
R Stewart Fenton ‘50
Marilyn Shaw ’50 Fleming
David Johnson ‘50
Susan Duliakas ’50 Kirages
James M Ruesch ‘50
Arlene Rosman ’51 Johnson
Jeannine Johnston ’52 Caldwell
Ronald C. McIntyre ‘52
James Murphy SJA’52
Robert Brewster ‘53
Ron and Barbara Kerr ‘53
Harold Quinn ‘54
Emogene Penning ’54 Slosek
Dave SJA’55 and Barb English
Patricia Frawley ’55 Gates
James Walters SJA ‘55
William Bishop ‘56
Sonja Confer ’56 Peeples
Larry ’55 and Marjorie Rigby ’56 Stoke
Thomas ’56 and Janet Kerr ’59 Buser
Gerald Swetsky ‘56
James Coulter ‘57
David Hunter ‘57
Bruce and Marian Williams Johansen ‘57
Frank Kerr ‘57
Merle Kightlinger ‘57
Jack Lane ‘57
Jerome McMahon ‘58
Judith Armstrong ’58 Ross
Ruth Field ’58 Slater
Raymond Smedley ‘58
Martha Streich ’58 Smedley
James Stevenson ‘58
Mary Ann Boczon ’59 Chai
Barbara Benson ’59 Shultz
William Bush ‘59
Anonymous ‘61
John and Joan Perkins Bodamer SJA’61
James Broadhurst ‘61
James Vroman ‘61
Deke Kaufman ‘62
Richard Peebles ‘62
David ’64 and Rose Walton ’65 Clark
Darla Matson ’64 Moore
Susan Johnson ’64 Moungey
Keith Shrout ‘64
Cheryl Parke ’64 Warner
Joyce Barker ’65 Pilewski
Richard Smith ‘65
Jim ’66 and Diana Hughes
Larry Wolfe ‘66
Richard Bush ‘66
Barbara Bell ’67 Jumper
Doug Clark ’68
Donald Emigh ’68
Wayne SJA ’68 and Marie Clark ’68 Nosker
Robert Vosburgh ’68
Brad Weldon ’68
Deborah Heist ’70 Hansen
Elaine Smith ’70
Lynn Johnson ’71 Cressman
Michele Walters ’71 Harrison
JL Love ’71
Carl Neely ’71
Cinda Beck ’72 Brode
Mike Sterling ’72
Harold Hanley ’75
Loring Kinder ’76 Strudwick
Jim Bly ’77
Rick Repasky ’77
Diane Whitehill ’77 Snyder
Susan Spears ’77 Vaughn
Ron Wig ’77
Michael McGraw ’79
Rosemary Murphy ’79
Richard ’79 and Joanne Presto ’81 Waddell
Lisa Morrical ’81 Burke
Julie Skinner ’84 Daugherty
Kim Barker ’82 Grobarcik
Jeffrey Harmon ’83
David M. Rainey ’84
Jason Walter ’95
Michael Beals ’96
Jay Shaffer ’02
Richard and Janice Carr
Dorothy Grant
Karen Jez
Ed and Phyllis Lauch
Thomas Nuhfer
MEMORIALS
In Memory of Genevieve Vroman ’37 Dowling
Richard and Susie Jones’70 Shaffer
Ronald ’77 and Terri ’78 Wig
In Memory of Watson Pringle ’38
Rebecca Jordan
In Memory of Paul H Johnson ’39
Richard Johnson ’52
Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser
Sherlyn Keeley ’67 Negri
Terry and Kaye Bair
In Memory of James Linnon ’49, Scott Linnon ’74
And Sandy Linnon
Nancy Linnon ’82 and Jessee Vladimirov
In Memory of Scott W. Linnon ’74
Ronald and Dianne Pringle ’57 Higgins
In Memory of Dorothy Webster
In Memory of James McQueer
Elizabeth Hall ’56 Rainey
Lynn Dillinger ’65 Marlowe
In Memory of Dr. Joseph Dunn
Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins
In Memory of Kathy Mitcham
In memory of Butch Kasbee
In Memory of Nellie Savage
Chris Savage Bingham ’65
In Memory of Gordon Garrett
FBO THS Golf Team
Jerome and Jacqueline Wagner
In Memory of Paul Zurovchak
SCHOLARSHIPS
Titusville Alumni Scholarship
Rosemary Ellsworth ’50 Brown
Fredericka Burns ’50 Tharp
Lloyd Coates ’65
Harold L Sigworth ’45
Edward Pearsall ’72
Tracy Thompson ’87 Hipple
Glen and Mary Sanford Dillon ’51
Julie Skinner ’84 Daugherty
Chris ’96 and Maria Obert ’97 Good
In Memory of Ann Morgan ’40 Howard
Bruce and Kathryn Pringle Scholarship
Patricia Pringle ’59 Miller
Dianne Pringle ’57 Higgins
In Memory of John Markovich ’43
Margaret I Fiely Scholarship
The Lioness Club of Titusville
In Memory of Wells Stockwell ’47
Lynn Dillinger ’65 Marlowe
Carrell Rainey Science Award
Elizabeth Hall ’56 Rainey
Linda Clark ’73 Lazzeroni
David Rainey ’84
In Memory of James Huber ’47
Gerald Huber’46
George L. Gedeon Memorial Scholarship
Carol A. Gedeon
Michael and Diane Schmidt
In Memory of Cora Mae Smith ’49 Strawbridge
Ruth E. Smith ’49 Hollingsworth
In Memory of Dolyne Wilson ’50 Hasbrouck
Henry B. Suhr Jr. and Family
In Memory of Carol Edwards ’53 Goodman
Dale P. Goodman ’60
In Memory of Sally Brown ’53 Tennant
Rollin R. (Dick) Brown ’50
In Memory of Dorothy Jackson ’53 Sterling
Lela B. Sullivan
In Memory of James S Armatas ’54
In Memory of Charles Maginnis ’54
In Memory of James Fye ’54
Sallie Tobin ’53 Fye
In Memory of Myrna Phillips
In Memory of John McNierney ’59
Leslie Spence ’62 McNierney
In Memory of the Deceased 1959 Classmates
In Memory of Rick Hipwell ’61
Leslie Spence ’62 Hipwell McNierney
In Memory of Steven MacDonald ’64
In Memory of Jayne T. Logan ’65
Nancy Savard ’61 Briggs
In Memory of Art Biltz ’66
W Randall Newson ’67
In Memory of Mary Boyle ’66
Paul’54 and BJ Serrins
In Memory of Kenneth Neely ’66
In Memory of Kathy Scott ’67 Pattison
TITUSVILLE PROMISE
Damaris Hetrick
Betty Darby Sleeth
Douglas ’67 and Gail Fenton’68 Billig
Doug Clark ’68
Michele Walters ’71 Harrison
Shaun L Zimmerman ’84
ENDOWMENT
Dennis McCracken ’65
Leith Dreibelbis ’60 Bardon
FOUNDERS CIRCLE
Robert Nash ’60
Craig McNamara ’66
Ron Wig ’77
Kara Hopkins ’87 Dawson
Amy Schlosser ’87 Stone
Brad Nystrom ’95
Brian Gray ’01
Arnold Jeschke
FIVE YEAR CAPITAL CAMPAIGN
Gerald A. Huber ’46
Bruce E. Dutton ’50
Elwin Kerr ’51
Karl Engleka ’54
Clark and Carole Fitch ’54 Hall
Richard J. ’57 and Joan Lauffer ’49 Bohin
Louis C. McKinney ’58
Robert SJA ’61 and Amy Millar ’58 Felton
Larry W. PHS ’61 and Kelly Buser ’79 Weldon
P. Craig Cochran ’67
Lynn J. Ongley ’67
John ’67 and Barb Reagle
R. Clark Ricke ’67
Richard and Susie Jones ’70 Shaffer
James L. Love ’71
Adam ’89 and Rebecca Dillinger ’91 Middleton
ANNIVERSARIES
60 Years
R. Maxwell ’51 and Jeanne Mercer ’52 Clark
50 Years
Wayne ’61 and Kaye Schneider ’64 Miller
Mary and Joe Fadden
Joe and Mary celebrated with a cruise that was a gift from their children,
Mary Jo ‘83 and Joe ‘84.
Richard ’55 and Patricia Hartle ’58 Whitman
ENGAGEMENTS
Breanna Bugg and Jason Vroman ‘07 - Jason is employed by CCC construction
.
Bridget McCray ‘08 and Jeremy Henry - Bridget is currently a math and social
studies resource teacher at East Lee Middle School in Lee County, NC.
Stacey Marvin ‘09 and Nathan Marner - Stacey is employed at
Coal Oil Johnny’s Eatery in Pleasantville.
Lindsay Wilson ‘10 and Jon Shobe - Lindsay is currently the manager of Kent
State University’s dining hall.
Kimberly Knight and Brian Potts
WEDDINGS
Joseph Burdick ‘96 and Klanci Larson - Joe is an electrician at
Universal Stainless and Alloy.
Lynne Manna and Jeremy Simmerman ‘99 - Jeremy is a U.S. Army Major.
He and Lynne are stationed in Kansas.
Allison McCray ‘04 and Christopher Colflesh - Allison is a fifth grade math and
science teacher at Wake Forest Elementary School.
She graduated from Bloomsburg University in 2007.
Renee Eldred ‘07 and Mark Kanski
Amusing Thoughts from a Lexophile
I wondered why the baseball was getting bigger. Then it hit me.
Police were called to a day care, where a three-year-old was resisting a rest.
Did you hear about the guy whose whole left side was cut off? He’s all right now.
The roundest knight at King Arthur’s round table was Sir Cumference.
To write with a broken pencil is pointless.
When fish are in schools they sometimes take debate.
The short fortune teller who escaped from prison was a small medium at large.
A thief who stole a calendar got twelve months.
A thief fell and broke his leg in wet cement. He became a hardened criminal.
Thieves who steal corn from a garden could be charged with stalking.
When the smog lifts in Los Angeles, U. C. L. A.
The math professor went crazy with the blackboard. He did a number on it.
The professor discovered that his theory of earthquakes was on shaky ground.
The dead batteries were given out free of charge.
If you take a laptop for a run you could jog your memory.
A dentist and a manicurist fought tooth and nail.
A bicycle can’t stand alone; it is two tired.
A will is a dead giveaway.
Time flies like an arrow; fruit flies like a banana.
A backward poet writes inverse.
In a democracy it’s your vote that counts; in feudalism, it’s your Count that votes.
A chicken crossing the road: poultry in motion.
If you don’t pay your exorcist you can get repossessed.
With her marriage she got a new name and a dress.
Show me a piano falling down a mine shaft and I’ll show you A-flat miner.
When a clock is hungry it goes back four seconds.
The guy who fell onto an upholstery machine was fully recovered.
A grenade fell onto a kitchen floor in France, and resulted in Linoleum Blownapart.
You are stuck with your debt if you can’t budge it.
Local Area Network in Australia: The LAN down under.
He broke into song because he couldn’t find the key.
A calendar’s days are numbered.
A boiled egg is hard to beat.
He had a photographic memory which was never developed.
A plateau is a high form of flattery.
Those who get too big for their britches will be exposed in the end.
When you’ve seen one shopping center you’ve seen a mall.
If you jump off a Paris bridge, you are in Seine.
Bakers trade bread recipes on a knead to know basis.
Santa’s helpers are subordinate clauses.
What is a lexophile, you might ask. Maybe this will help:
This word lexophile is derived from the Greek roots for “word” and “love.” Lexophiles
may study words in any language, although many choose to focus on a specific language
to pursue their interests. Some simply collect words which they think are unusual or interesting. Others may follow the history of language, the evolution of words in common
use, and other language-related topics.
Many lexophiles are fond of word play. They may explore ways in which everyday
words can sound or feel different in puns, or craft written compositions which play with
unusual words they have discovered. A lexophile may collect obscure words or look for
words with meanings which have changed dramatically since they entered the lexicon.
Lexophiles can also study differences in regional dialects and slang, which can sometimes provide interesting illustrations of the way in which language has evolved.
There you have it!
DEATHS
Alumni
Friends
Genevieve Vroman’37 Dowling, 94
Vergil Densmore PHS ’37 McCauley, 94
Watson P Pringle ’38, 94
Eva May Wigren ’38, 93
Ann Morgan ’40 Howard, 91
Jean Moran ’41 Erickson ,90
Adeline Alcorn ’42 Harvey Hummer, 94
Josephine Johnson ’42 Saxton, 89
Ernest J. Bold ’42, 89
Robert R. Boyle ’43, 88
James K Hummer ’43, 88
George Stewart ’46, 85
Michael W Andrako SJA ’47, 87
Robert M Ludwick ’47, 85
James Minich ’47, 84
Edward L Waddingham ’49, 83
Leland M Scott PHS ’49, 84
Maxine L Fenstermaker ’50, 82
William “Billy” Morrison ‘50
Viola Fenstermaker ’52, 80
Dorothy Jackson ’53 Sterling, 78
Nancy Sellen’54 Staswoiski, 78
Ronald L Voisin ’57, 75
Ronald E Price ’59, 73
Donald R. Kerr ’62, 71
Jayne Logan ’65, 67
Dennis D Biltz ’68, 65
Ronald E Proper ’68, 64
Alice Galford ’69 Saxton, 62
James A Radmore ’75, 57
John L Metzgar ’79, 53
John P. Vroman ’80, 53
Thomas W Erickson ’81, 51
Troy B Endres ’86, 46
Jeremy Reed ’92, 39
Jack E Burt, 76
Reed Tom Fitzgerald, 84
Richard L Caldwell, 67
Herman Lee Tucker, 67
Hubert E Saxton, 81
Robert R Thomas, 86
Anabel Bangs Zahner, 80
James N Rash, 67
Martha Jacobs Corey, 96
James L Wheeling, 41
E. Bill Franz Jr, 74
Dr. Joseph P Dunn, 88
Pansy Teribery Archer, 90
James S McQueer, 85
John H Hamilton, 85
Joseph R Wishnok, 71
Richard M. Drake, 70
Paul L Ongley, 73
Judy Lane Lauer, 73
William Nagy, 87
Dorothy Madden Beach, 84
Donald E Beach, 84
Margaret Spittler Rober, 93
Jean Rowley Sandoval, 63
Richard A Gardiner, 70
Joseph R Wolfe, 98
Phyllis Coe Grolemund ,88
Edwin F Wolfkiel, 84
Richard W Smith, 77
Gordon B Garrett, 80
Betty Faye June Robbins, 84
David E Finley, 86
Wanda Nichols Fleek Stewart, 92
Lorraine Thompson Swanson, 87
Joyce Anderson Stanley
Kathryn Metzgar Bingman, 65
Geraldine Moyer Kirch, 85
Jack R Crocker, 78
Paul J Zurovchak, 77
Richard B Thomas, 63
A Note from Al Ingham ’53 in Memory of a Friend
Susanne “Suzie” Fisher Eberle was a good friend in high school:
- We taught Jack Bonnet art to junior high students.
- We chaired the “I Like Ike” Eisenhower Presidential Campaign for
theTitusville area.
- We did bad things!
Then we went to college and received “mail” from each other. This mail was
like C.O.D. rose bushes, free subscriptions to dozens of magazines (some rated
X), lonely hearts letters, and such.
Later in life, we lived in different parts of Florida. We visited once before
she and Norm moved to California.
Now Suzie has gone to heaven and I have lost a great friend.
THE POETRY CORNER
The Winter Woods from My Window
On a frigid February afternoon
The bright sun warms the air,
And mounds of snow
Slip from the tree branches
Exploding as they fall,
Creating mini blizzards
That last only a few moments.
Birds of the winter,
Nut hatches and woodpeckers,
Huddle near a suspended suet block
Their feathers fluffed
Against the icy wind,
The cruel cold of the season.
The tracks of deer mark their paths
Taken in the clearing below
As they nightly forage for food;
The deep snow compelling them
To nibble on tree bark and taller brush
Left exposed by the thick wintry blanket.
Then suddenly the sky darkens
As puffy, frozen clouds blot out the sun.
Light, fluffy snowflakes
Begin drifting by the window,
Wending their way lazily toward earth,
A foreshadow of what is to come.
Carole Fitch ’54 Hall
Keep the Cards and Letters - and Photos - Coming!
Here at the office, we are always happy to get mail from you - electronic or otherwise.
We like to know what our grads are up to and love to get stories, photos, poems, etc.
from you that we can share through the Alumni News. In fact, without your input we
don’t have much to write about.
Our readers span the decades from the ’30s up to the present, and as our logo suggests,
we try to make connections between the older alumni of the Titusville area schools and
those who have graduated more recently through the articles and pictures we feature in
the newspaper. The tales of past escapades and pictures of people who graced the halls
of THS, St. Joe’s and PHS in years gone by are enjoyable not only to those who were
here then, but to those of younger generations as well. By the same token, our older
readers like to see what the younger folks are doing in academic, sports and other areas
of school life. So let us hear from YOU!
Titusville Scenes
On a lovely October afternoon, our TAA Executive Director, Ron Wig, grabbed his camera and headed out to take some photos
of Titusville homes, businesses and landmarks. We hope you enjoy viewing them!
Located next to the former Titusville Country Club, this impressive home, now
owned by the Hasbrouck family, was once part of the Carter Farm.
This photo shows the new main entrance to Drake Well Museum. The exhibits inside have been completely updated also. It’s well worth a visit!
Titusville’s Town Hall, looking very stately after
recent repairs and rennovations.
Benson Memorial Library was closed for a short time this summer
for installation of new carpeting.
This house across from THS, presently owned by TAA board member Virginia
“Dede” Kerr, was formerly the home of Bob Buchan and his family.
Owned by the Haskell family, this home stands on Main Street
next to the Church of Christ.
Recently this home, presently owned by the Rileys, received a fresh coat of paint
and is “looking good.” It is a former home of the Scheide family.
Currently, Karl and BJ Engleka’s lovely home on Oak Strret
is waiting for a new family to buy it and move in.
Titusville, once known in the oil region as the Queen City because of its wealth, refinement and culture, still has many beautiful and distinctive homes and buildings, as
can be noted by the photos above.
Titusville’s City Hall was originally constructed as a private residence in about 1865.
Soon after it was sold and then transformed into a hotel, known as the Bush House. It
served as a center of social life for the city and region. Then in 1872, the city
of Titusville acquired it to use as the seat of local government, a function it still serves.
It is listed on the National Register of Historic Buildings.
Benson Memorial Library was formally opened in 1904. The building and furnishings
were given in honor of Mr. and Mrs. Byron D. Benson by their children. It was constructed of vitrified brick, a material new at the time, which was supposed to be absolutely waterproof, an important quality for a building built to house books.
Drake Well Museum and Park continues to be a very popular and unique place for
school students and tourists to visit. The museum welcomes people interested in oil history from all over the world. Its collection of oil artifacts and memorabilia is unsurpassed by that of any other oil museum in the world.
(Continued from p. 9)
Katie Morrison - Class of ‘06
My career in the Golf industry began at a young age. I started working in the Pro
Shop at Cross Creek Resort when I was 16. After completing my freshman year of
college at the University of Pittsburgh, I transferred to the Golf Academy of America
in Myrtle Beach, SC. While in Myrtle Beach I worked at the Wizard Golf Club as a
shop attendant and also volunteered with the First Tee. In 2008 I received my Associates degree in Golf Management and moved back to PA to complete my bachelors
in business management at Pitt. While completing my degree I worked as the Assistant Golf Professional at Cross Creek Resort giving lessons and helping manage the
golf operations. In 2010 I graduated with my Bachelor’s degree and moved to Pittsburgh to work as the Member Relations Coordinator for Diamond Run Golf Club.
After a year with Diamond Run, I moved up the road to their sister club, Treesdale
Golf and Country Club, to take the position as the Golf Shop Manager and Buyer,
which is where I am at today. In my current position I do all of the merchandising for
Treesdale as well as the daily management of their Golf Shop.
My passion for golf, and my desire to make it a career, would not have been possible without my experience as a member of the THS Golf Team from 2002-2006. My
days on the golf team were my favorite part of high school. As one of only two females each year, and the only female my senior year, I was challenged and encouraged by all of the boys, which made me a better player. It was like I had a team of big
brothers on my side all throughout high school; in fact, I still play golf on occasion
with some of the guys to this day.
Jeff Thomas - Class of ‘91
It seems like since the first time I played a couple of rounds of golf with my good
friends Bob Ebert and Dan Roeder at Green Acres, my life has never been the same.
I think the quote from the movie Seven Days in Utopia says it best, "How can a game
have such an effect on man's soul?” The way I see it, how can it not? You don't
choose the game, it chooses you, and when it does life and golf become forever connected." I have so many great golf experiences growing up in Titusville including
playing golf at the old Titusville Country Club, participating on the Titusville High
School golf team, and spending every waking summer hour with my friends trying to
become a better player.
I have been on some of the best courses in the United States from California, Arizona, Chicago, Florida, Texas, Connecticut, and many states in between, but if I
could play any of them, I think I would probably just prefer to play at the old Titusville Country Club. It was home for me and I know many other people who grew
up in Titusville. I am not exactly sure why, but it was a place where people made you
feel welcome no matter who you were.
Reflecting back I would say without a doubt, Titusville is a golf town. Not sure
how with the winters, but everyone who is involved in the game and especially
Coach Tim McCord understands, respects and loves the game. That love transforms
into a passion and it affects the avenues we choose with our livelihoods.
The experiences I had in Titusville have influenced my life in many ways. I was a
teaching professional at River Hills Country Club in the Tampa, Florida area before
settling down as the Golf Coach at Liberty University. I am entering my 11th year at
Liberty as the head coach. It has been an amazing journey. God has blessed Liberty
University and the golf team in so many ways. I have been fortunate to be a part of
some great teams and players while at Liberty, the best being the team finishing 12th
at the 2012 NCAA Division I National Championship. Some of my proud accomplishments would include being a finalist for the Dave Williams NCAA Division I
National Coach of the Year on two different occasions, being named NCAA Division
I East Region Coach of the Year, and being named Big South Conference Coach of
the Year on two other occasions.
Golf is so much a part of me and my family’s life. None of it would have happened
without the experiences I had growing up in Titusville.
Eric Johnson - Fairview H S Class of ’89; Attended THS ’86-‘87
I was a student in the Titusville Area School District through my sophomore year
having played for the Rocket Golf Team in 1986 and ’87. Currently I am the Director
of Instruction at Oakmont Country Club in Oakmont, PA, where I began working in
2004. Oakmont is perennially ranked in the top 10 courses in America and has
hosted more majors than any other course in the country (other than Augusta!) I
earned the honor as one of Golf Magazine's Top 100 Teachers in 2011 and remain in
the Top 100 today. I have written articles that have been featured in Golf Magazine
numerous times and three times already this year.
I have been named a three time Tri-State PGA Teacher of the Year and a two time
Tri-State PGA Horton Smith Award recipient.
Prior to coming to Oakmont I was the Director of Instruction at The Breakers, Palm
Beach and worked for the PGA of America at their flagship learning center in Port St.
Lucie, FL. After graduating from Mississippi State with a degree in professional golf
management, I played on the Golden Bear Tour, the South Florida Tour and the Canadian Tour.
From my days on the Rocket golf team, I fondly remember winning the Section 2
Championship with my older brother Brett, when we tied with Meadville and had to
take the 6th man score to earn the win! I will never forget the van rides to the tournaments, listening to George Thorogood’s Bad to the Bone to get us pumped up to play!
My most fond memory was making it to the State Championship as a sophomore in
'87. It was almost a month until we finished the season until states. Coach McCord
would take me every day to Titusville Country Club where we would practice for
about 2 hours. As you can imagine, the weather in late October is not very good. On
two occasions, I vividly remember that coach brought a broom and a shovel to sweep
the snow off of greens so that I could chip and putt. I ended up finishing 34th that
year as a sophomore and did the same training routine when I was a senior - by myself. I had moved away and my coach there said, 'see you in a month'. Coach McCord's dedication showed me what hard work was all about. As a senior, I tied for
third in the state - just one shot out of first, and I credit all of that to Coach McCord.
We were all so lucky to have such a dedicated coach to help us through our impressionable years.
Jason Averill - Class of ‘90
One day in 1995 I stumbled upon a golf course. Having a free hour for lunch, I
took the opportunity at that course and decided to practice putting. I ended up talking
to the golf pro who informed me they just had an Assistant Pro leave and were looking to hire someone. It was great timing for me and I started there almost immediately. I worked 4 years at Pilot Knob Golf Club and moved on to Stonebridge Golf
Club in Charlotte as their First Assistant in March of 1999. The Head Professional at
the time had just come from The Challenge Golf Club and in 2001 I had the opportunity to become the Head Professional at The Challenge. I have now been at The
Challenge for almost 13 years and have become the Director of Golf here. I have enjoyed almost 20 years in the golf business as I really love to come to work. It is very
time consuming and requires a lot of hours but I’m doing something I really love and
enjoy!
I played a lot of competitive golf from 1997-2002 and had some success with Proams. I nearly missed making the 36-hole qualifier for the US Open by one shot two
straight years. My job requirements and kids have halted the competitive golf for
now but I hope to start getting my golf game in shape in the next couple of years as I
do miss my time playing competitively.
Matt McCord - Class of 2015
This list would be incomplete without adding my son Matt to it. In 2013 Matt became the first male THS golfer to capture a District X Golf Championship. (Note:
Nina Serrins was the first THS golfer to win a District X Championship). He has had
the opportunity to learn about the game of golf from two people listed previously in
this article – Eric Johnson and Rob Pilewski. As a result, Matt is interested in entering the golf business and is planning on applying to the Professional Golf Management Programs at Campbell University (NC) and Methodist University (NC).
Titusville Opportunity Park is“TOP” in Titusville
In 1998 the Titusville Redevelopment Authority assumed ownership of Armco Steel,
a 200+ acre abandoned Brownfield site. First remediation began and continued for several years. From that time, development activities have steadily increased at Titusville
Opportunity Park (TOP). Demolition of condemned buildings and renovations to other
buildings came next along with new infrastructure. Where once big, black, blighted
buildings stood dark and abandoned, today a vibrant industrial park stands serving as a
key to growth in Titusville. Currently TOP holds 18 businesses, with approximately
300 employees. Businesses vary from large to light manufacturing, warehousing, ecommerce, plastics manufacturing, injection molding, computer technology, office
space, and more. This mix is a result of leadership who understood how important having diverse industries are to the stability, and future of Titusville.
In the fall of 2011, a ribbon cutting ceremony was held on the western side of the park.
Grand Valley Manufacturing (GVM), an anchor tenant, expanded into the Polamco
building; the very visible large high bay building beside the football field. There GVM
provides large diameter CNC turning, boring, and milling. Many of their jobs service
Newly renovated Polamco Building
the oil and gas industry, and Department of Defense. GVM had to add a large overhead
door at the south end of the building to accommodate their 60+ foot, oversize deliveries!
Recently, GVM expanded once again into adjacent space. We are fortunate to have this
multi-generation family owned business committed to Titusville. They are a solid partner in TOP, and the community.
The winter of 2012/13 was brutal. However in November of 2012 during a major
snowstorm support beams and steel siding were delivered for a new 20,000 sq. ft. building to house an expanding business in TOP. All winter the contractors worked in the
most demanding weather conditions and remained on schedule. This resulted in the
building being completed on time in early summer. This business, Bon Tempi / CASA
imports high end, contemporary design furniture from Italy. They warehouse the products, and distribute this unique furniture all over the east coast. We are pleased that they
chose to expand and remain at TOP.
Beginning of building construction
New building completed
Another major renovation project is almost completed for the expansion of Roser
TechnologiesInc. (RTI) into a second location in TOP. A total of 39,000 sq. ft. of space
is being repurposed with new
roof, siding, insulation, cranes,
concrete flooring,
office build-out and more. This
large black building has
emerged as an example of public / privatepartnerships with
positive results. RTI is a rising
business that provides complete
continuous caster service,
molds, segments, machining,
and platingcapabilities to the
Building # 32 after renovation
steel industry. They will be
moving into this building soon, and hiring additional employeesat TOP.
The next project on the horizon at TOP was funded in May of 2014 with a $1.25 million grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community and Economic Development. These funds will support renovation of a series of buildings at the end of Caldwell
Street. Demolition work started late this summer and the project is moving forward
quickly.
Titusville Opportunity Park has in the past, and continues to make a significant impact
on the Titusville area. With assistance
from the State of Pennsylvania, support
from key stakeholders and the public, a
neglected Brownfield site has developed
into a growing industrial park that even
boasts a Blue Heron Rookery. TOP is
“top” here in Titusville.
For more details on Titusville Opportunity Park, or to keep updated on economic development projects in
Blue Heron Rookery at TOP
Titusville, visit www.tcda.org.
Masters of the Game
By Tim McCord
The arrival of spring and summer brings out the resi- mixed results so I continued to work hard and spent the next summer doing the same.
dents of Titusville to manicure their lawns. I have grown As a sophomore at Westminster I became a full time starter and our team ended up winto love the task of keeping our yard as close to golf ning the NAIA Division I Northeast Region thus earning a spot in the NAIA Division
course condition as possible. Many times I am pleas- I National Championship. While participating in the National Championship I particantly interrupted during my yard work by neighbor and ipated in the tournament’s Long Drive Championship and finished 4th with a drive of
THS Alumni Board member Karl Engleka. We chat 307 yards. It was something that would drive me to work on my length and use it to
about many topics but Karl always comes back to an my advantage on the golf course for the rest of my college and professional career.
In my junior year at Westminster, our team became nationally ranked in the top 25
idea he has concerning the THS Golf Team. He thought
it would be interesting to investigate how many of the NAIA Division I and we won 3 tournaments that year. Our team earned a spot once
players I have coached are now in the golf business. To again in the NAIA Division I National Championship by winning the Northeast Rebe honest, I consistently and politely listened and then gional Title by 41 strokes. Also during my junior year I won low medalist honors at
did nothing with his idea. Those of you who know Karl the Bethany College Invitational. In my senior year at Westminster our team was
Coach Tim McCord
are aware of his persistence. Finally, I agreed to take on ranked as high as 13th in the NAIA rankings and we won 6 tournaments including the
Allegheny College Invitational and the John Carroll Invitational (both host teams
this project and must give Karl credit for bringing this project to fruition.
I have had the honor of being the THS Golf Coach since the fall of 1983. Many young were ranked 2nd in their respective NCAA Division II and III at the time) that season
men and women have spent countless hours honing their game both at the old Titusville and earned a spot again in the NAIA National Championship for a third straight year.
I finished as the 5th place medalist at the NE Regional in 1997 and was named to the
Country Club and now at Cross Creek Resort. It is very gratifying to see each player ,
Northeast All Region First Team that year. In my final attempt in the National Chamin his/her own way, develop a love for what I believe is the greatest game ever invented.
pionship I shot 79-72 and missed the cut by 1 shot.
What follows are the accomplishments of many THS golfers who have made golf
After college I decided I wanted to turn professional and get into the PGA program
their career or have done so for a major portion of their time since high school. The
like so many local golf idols had done. Following in their footsteps to me was a
words you read are each players own. There are others I have coached who are in the
sense of pride and it was following a passion. I took my playing ability test (PAT)
golf business but unfortunately I was unable to reach them.
and passed by making a birdie on the 36th hole taking the first step in becoming a
Much like forming a guest list to a wedding reception, one can only invite a certain
professional. By passing my playing test I could enter into the PGA program which
number of people. Karl and I decided to list only those players that I have coached.
involved three levels of books and testing which typically took 4-6 years to complete.
There are former THS players presently in the golf business that played before I began
During this time you are referred to as a PGA Apprentice and you are eligible to play
my coaching career. This article would not be complete without mentioning one person
in your PGA section tournaments as well as giving lessons. I worked at TCC my first
who at one time or another helped each of these players with his/her game – former Tisummer and fall as a professional. Then that winter I moved to Pittsburgh and took
tusville Country Club golf professional, Dick von Tacky. Dick was instrumental in
the job as 2nd assistant professional at Chartiers Country Club which is located just
teaching all of our players the finer points of the golf swing and is a big reason the THS
west of Pittsburgh. I worked at Chartiers CC for the next 5 years as a professional
golf teams have experienced much success.
moving up to the 1st assistant my second year there. During that time I was working
on my PGA schooling, playing in Tri-State PGA Section Tournaments, giving lesRoss Pringle - Class of ‘08
sons, putting on clinics, and running the staff and merchandise in the pro-shop.
- Pennsylvania State Athletic Conference Freshman of the year
My last two years there I finished in the top 10 in Apprentice points in the entire
- Frank B Fuhrer Award winner for the 2010-2011 school year which is given to the
section which was a personal goal. Those points are earned based on how well you
top collegiate player in western Pennsylvania
played in the section tournaments. There were over 140 apprentices in the section at
- 23rd place at the NCAA DII National Championship
that time. I was also known for my distance off the tee in and around the Tri-State
- Highest collegiate ranking in DII golf career came in the spring of 2012 with a
section. After my 5th year at Chartiers CC, my wife and I made the decision we
ranking of 17th in the nation based on scoring average
wanted to start a family and for me that meant moving on from the PGA lifestyle of
- Clarion 54-hole scoring record of 7 under par
so many hours spent at the club and on the course. I stepped away from being pro- 3 College golf wins, 2 of which came at Division 1 tournaments
- Member of the Palmer Cup team match play tournament hosted at Latrobe Country fessional in 2002 and filed for my amateur status which I received in 2004. Through
connections I had made at Chartiers CC I went to work for a local Pittsburgh comClub with a record of 1-1-0
pany. I am currently still working for this company as the Director of Product Devel- Turned professional in summer of 2013 playing the NGA TOUR, or the Hooters
opment and am the proud father of boys ages 11 and 8. I cannot imagine how much
tour
of their lives I would have missed if I was still in the golf business which tells me I
- In the past year I have worked at Pinehurst Country Club at course no. 8 and at
made the correct decision 12 years ago. I truly owe my current life to golf and it all
Hobe Sound
Golf Club in Hobe Sound FL. as an assistant professional
started back at THS and at the Titusville Country Club. Those are times and memo- Will play NGA tour this summer. I am playing the Myrtle Beach circuit along with ries I wouldn't trade for anything.
the Pro Series which covers the South Eastern portion of the US.
Tracie Warner - Class of ‘92
I am beginning my 13th year working for the Northeastern New York Section of the
Professional Golfers' Association of America. I started as the Assistant Executive Director and the following year was hired as the Executive Director. In my position, I administer all Section business, activities and programs and I serve 180 PGA professionals
(1 female and 179 males) and approximately 200+ golf facilities.
I coordinate and manage all the programs and services we offer including awards, education, governance activities, employment services, tournaments, meetings, regular
membership communication, website maintenance, financial oversight, and administration of a junior golf association/tour series and a local amateur tournament series.
Our primary mission is to serve our members to enhance their professional experience
and to grow the game of golf. Our PGA members are commonly referred to as "club
professionals" and they are the grass roots connection to consumers who learn and play
the game of golf.
I was recently presented by my Board of Directors this April the proud distinction of
being named an Honorary PGA of America Member of the Northeastern New York
PGA Section.
My position provides me with the opportunity of a great mix of administration duties,
along with traveling and being on site and running events and interacting with our members and sponsors. I had the great opportunity to participate on the Titusville High
School golf team led by Coach McCord through my entire high school years from 9th
grade through my senior year. I was afforded a good amount of opportunity to play in
most of our matches. Being the only female on an all-male golf team was a great experience for me. It gave me a background and better understanding of the game which
I have always enjoyed and have now made into a career.
Eric Ives - Class of ‘93
Playing golf for THS led to some of the best times of my life, and, down the road, to
my current life. The memories of waking up on a sunny fall day of a quadrangular
match always put a smile on my face. I fondly remember playing in the Tam O'Shanter
High School Invitational with my teammates each year. There was nothing like playing
some of the best local courses around like Titusville Country Club, Wanango Country
Club, The Club at Meadville, and Conewango Country Club. I met and made friends
from those teams that are still part of my life to this day. I also played in King's junior
tournaments and was fortunate enough to play in the Pennsylvania Jr. Invitational in '91,
'92, and '93.
I remember Coach McCord changing my grip from a baseball style to an overlapping
grip as a freshman and it had me flustered all season. But, it was a change he knew I
needed to make even if I didn't agree at the time. Coach was on me to do better and he
pushed me when I needed pushed. During my senior year I shot 78 the first day of the
District 10 tournament and that would be more important than I would ever realize.
While I had always hoped to play college golf I didn't expect it to happen. After applying to Westminster College and inquiring about the golf team I was approached by
the coach who saw the score of 78 at districts and felt I was worth a shot. I was later
accepted into Westminster College and became part of the men's golf team as a freshman
thus allowing me to receive many grants towards my education that otherwise I may not
have been able to afford. The summer after I graduated I decided that if I was to play
college golf it was time to get serious and I spent hours upon hours at TCC, a place I
called my second home working on my game. Those were very important months in
my life as I was able to knock strokes off my game and become much more competitive
with the best players at the club. I played in a few tournaments as a freshman with
Ben Deets - Class of ‘05
After graduating from THS, I went on to play golf at Mercyhurst University where I
was named captain my senior year. After earning my accounting degree, I thought
my career in golf was over. However, a few years later, I was sought out to become
an Assistant Coach at my alma mater. Three years later I continue coaching, and am
now Head Women's Golf Coach and Assistant Men's Coach at Mercyhurst University.
This past season, the Mercyhurst women's team finished with the best scoring average in program history. Inspired by my renewed interest in golf from coaching, I
took on a second job as an Assistant Golf Professional at Lake Shore Country Club in
Erie, PA. My two jobs entail coaching new and experienced players, providing lessons, and managing both a team and a staff. The many hours spent as a Titusville
Rocket golfer, working on my own short game or helping a teammate with theirs, and
just being part of team working towards something more helped me become the
coach and golf professional I am today.
Rob Pilewski - Class of ‘88
I have so much to be thankful for during my golf career, starting in Titusville, PA.
Titusville Country Club was such a great course to learn the game with the help of
former THS golfer TCC Golf Professional Dick Von Tacky, local legend serving as
inspiration. John Oplinger, another past TCC Club Professional, took an interest in
the THS team and worked with Coach McCord to provide access for the team.
I appreciate Coach McCord taking time to volunteer to run the Inter-Club team in
the summer and setting up away matches to play some great courses to prepare us for
conference and district tournaments. I'm thankful for Coach’s suggestion to attend the
UNC Golf Camp, which helped me in so many ways. I appreciate Coach taking the
time to set up an appointment to visit Hal Hansen, PGA Professional at Pinecrest CC
to learn about a career as a Golf Professional. The foundation that I had at THS provided the growth of a successful collegiate golf career at Methodist College/University.
I have many lasting memories from THS golf including:
- My teammates and local golfers
- Many tournaments that we played including the Tam O'Shanter Invitational
- Played on some good courses…..TCC, Blueberry GC, Greenville CC
- Homecoming week and some of the Football team guys coming out to TCC to
watch a few holes…before the Friday night game…..I remember a couple guys attempting to hit balls on the range and falling down…..and remember someone saying... "We do not want these guys getting injured on the golf course!"
Some of my career highlights include:
- THS Sports Hall of Fame Inductee
- Methodist University Hall of Fame Inductee
- USA South Conference Hall of Fame Inductee
- 4 time NCAA Division III All-American and 4 time MVP for Men's Golf Team at
Methodist
University
- 1990 NCAA Division III Individual National Champion
- USA/Japan Team Selection
- John Hancock All-American Team
- Carolinas PGA Assistant Professional of the Year - 1999
- Carolinas PGA Horton Smith Award – 2007
Present Job: Head Golf Professional at Pinehurst Country Club taking care of 5,000 +
members, with weekly events over 6 golf courses, special events and this year hosting the US Open Men’s and Women’s Championships on Course No. 2.
(Continued on p. 10)
TITUSVILLE NEWS
Acting on behalf of the Titusville Historical Society, Carole Fitch ‘54 Hall presented
a Preservation Stewardship Award to J.L. Love ‘71 for his preservation efforts while
owning the Johnstone House on Perry Street. Brad ’98 and Heather Linsted’ 03
Schmader, the present owners, also received a Preservation Stewardship Award. At
the same event, Margaret Fiely ‘63 presented a preservation award to Barbara Gardner
for maintenance of her historic home on East Main Street.
Twelve-year-old Teddy Muir was diagnosed with a malignant brain tumor and the
Titusville community rallied behind him and his family by organizing a group, Team
Teddy, to raise funds to help the Muirs with medical and travel expenses.
In May the Titusville Rotary Club sponsored a fly fishing tournament called the Oil
Creek Classic. Plans are to make this an annual event. Dave Craft took first place with
a total of 182 points, Dave White was second, Scott McAllister was third and Andy
Skinner finished 4th.
Big Brothers and Big Sisters, an agency operating out of Meadville, declared bankruptcy and as a result the Titusville United Way, led by Terri Logsdon Wig ‘78, is
seeking ways to continue helping youth through the local organization.
The Titusville Redevelopment Authority received a $1.25 million dollar Pennsylvania
First grant from the Pennsylvania Department of Community Development. The money
will be used to renovate six abandoned buildings at the west end of the Titusville Industrial Park. The park, formerly the site of Universal Cyclops, was purchased by the community of Titusville in 1998. At present the park houses 18 employers and
approximately 275 workers. The new grant will enable the opening of 85,000 square
feet for prospective employers. Two current employers, Roser Technologies Inc. and
Alturna Mats, will expand into the new facilities.
On June 23, local TV news returned to Titusville. Luke Ruot ‘99 and Armstrong
Cable have joined resources to bring a news program, Daybreak News at 6 to Titusville
Monday through Friday at 6:00 A.M. Kate Hoffner and Mark Heim are the co-anchors
of the morning show. They had lots of local news to report in the days that followed because Titusville was visited by a series of thunderstorms that dropped between 2.5 and
5 inches of rain in 24 hours. Some of the flooding damage was featured on Good Morning America.
In late June a model train sale was held at the Perry Street Station. The station was
set up with trains, engines, cars, parts, track and photographs of trains on both Saturday
and Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m.
After 42 years serving as pastor of the First Presbyterian Church Barry Cressman
began his retirement in July.
For over 20 years Jane Spence Hayes ‘67 and Ray Szalewicz have provided a 4th of
July fireworks display that lighted the sky west of Titusville. The 2014 was a bit nostalgic because Jane and Ray have decided to make it the last one. Many people have
expressed their thanks for the memories the fireworks have sparked.
Another, less well known, but important never-the-less, event that occurs on July 4th
is the celebration of the birthday of Tom Boyle ‘71.
Titusville Summer Theater presented Oliver under the direction of Judy Millar. Lane
Fortney ‘77 was the music director.
George Wilcox ‘66 spoke about common plant diseases at a meeting of the Titusville
Garden Club.
In 1964 Walt Pilewski founded the Allegheny Canoe Club so he could share his love
of canoing with his friends. Over the years over 1,500 people have learned about being
safe on the water from Walt. The club honored Walt with a plaque for his 50 year presidency and 50 years of helping others nurture their love of paddling.
The British Broadcasting Company came to Titusville in July and chose Missy’s Arcade Restaurant as a base from which they conducted interviews and chose sites to be
videoed for a Planet Oil documentary.
Twenty-two teams and 233 people took part in Titusville’s annual Relay for Life.
This year’s goal was $65,300 and the goal was exceeded by nearly $2,000. As we have
written in prior issues, nearby communities are always amazed at the way volunteer
groups meet financial goals here in Titusville.
Under the leadership of Allie Carter ‘09, Titusville Youth Theater presented The Legend of Sleepy Hollow as their summer production in August.
For the third year in a row the Wine Walk in downtown Titusville was an integral part
of Oil Week celebrations. Ten wineries participated in the event. In the same vein August saw the return of the annual brew fest Drake’s Folly at the Blue Canoe. About two
dozen vendors brought their wares to the event.
Jan Hipple has written a children’s book titled The Adventures of Miss Kitty, Flower
and Young Samantha. The book tells the story of three, young furry friends and their adventures with humans.
On August 9th a total of 95 antique cars showed up for the 49th Annual Regional Meet
Antique Car show during Oil Fest. Bill Gratkowski ‘64 helped organize this year’s
event.
Nat Licht won the vocal competition at Franklin’s Taste of Talent competition.
On Sunday, August 24th, Drake Well Museum hosted a Drake Day Circus – a circus
that replicates circuses as they were in the 1800s. Then in early October an evening of
living history took place at Drake Well Park with a Drake Well by Moonlight tour that
treated visitors to entertainment with local people playing the roles of petroleum history
characters.
Another panel was added to the city walking tour. The new panel is located near the
steel worker statue at Burgess Park and offers information on the Cytemp Specialty
Steel Company in the 1970s.
Benson Library closed for a week in August to allow time to have new carpet laid in
the library. The new carpet is complimented by the new overhead lighting that was accomplished earlier in the year. Benson now has tablet computers, complete with downloaded books, available for young readers. Two e-readers that can be checked out have
been added enabling patrons to download books from the library’s website.
During September and October several evenings were festive affairs in downtown
Titusville as the Titusville Open-Air Market welcomed musicians, artists and farmer’s
market vendors. The events were sponsored by Titusville Renaissance Inc. Elks Lodge
#264 provided refreshments for the event which was held in Fleming Park. Local quilters displayed their work at the Airing of the Quilts.
Charlotte Randall has had a puppet ministry for many years using her puppets to communicate with children around the world. She has opened a lending library where people can borrow her hand made puppets.
The annual Harvest Festival took place in Scheide Park in mid-October. The event
featured a chili cook-off, performance by the THS marching band, costume parade and
contest, a dance performance by A Dancer’s Reflection, a pie baking contest, a pumpkin
carving contest and a pie eating contest plus a farmer’s market and the traditional art and
craft booths. This event has been a constant in the fall for many years since its inception
by Ed Myer ‘53 decades ago.
Walmart donated $2,500 to the Titusville Fire Department.
For the fifth straight year the Blue Canoe Brewery hosted Kegs and Corks beer and
wine tasting event. Proceeds from the event were given to the two locations in Titusville
of Erie Homes for Children and Adults.
The Callegari family gave two beautiful homes on E. Main St. to the YWCA. The Y
will sell the homes.
The Titusville Garden Club placed a Blue Star memorial at Drake Well Park honoring
all the armed forces that have defended the United States of America.
Grants from several government agencies will be used to upgrade the Ida Tarbell
house so it conforms to current building and safety codes. None of the changes will alter
the basic historic look of the building.
Business
FDW and Drake Well Museum Host 2nd Annual Drake Day Circus
After thirty-six and one-half years serving Titusville residents, Leo Hennes retired and
moved to the Chicago area to be close to family there. Todd Garrett ’85, supervisor
of the Garrett Funeral Home, purchased Leo’s business and Jay Pertz will supervise
operations there. Leo purchased the funeral home, located at 203 E. Main Street, from
Robert Gosnell in 1977. The building once held the funeral home known as the Arnold
Funeral Home.
Renae Blair, owner of the El Bistro Restaurant contacted the Food Network’s TV program, Restaurant Impossible, to help her with her restaurant that was struggling. El
Bistro was selected and the TV crew came to town and completed a 2-day makeover that
used volunteer contractors, electricians, plumbers and painters. The restaurant had a
grand opening after the renovation, but unfortunately closed after several weeks.
To the disappointment of many, negotiations between the Titusville Hospital and Saint
Vincent hospital were stopped in mid-July. As this edition goes to press there is no new
news on the future of our hospital.
Dancer’s Reflection is expanding into the space formerly occupied by the G.C.Murphy
building on Spring Street. The expanded facility will include a 45 by 50 foot dance
floor.
Kathy Licht reported that the renovation of the exterior of Warner’s Bakery will continue with emphasis on the 1865 Greek Revival house on Main Street. In addition to
the exterior work there are plans to make changes in the interior of the bakery.
Terry Bierce Fiely ‘94 and Emery Fiely ‘77, owners of Carpenter’s Corner (the site
of Bryan’s Hardware on the corner of Franklin St. and Central Ave.) have opened the
second floor of their building with a Christmas Shoppe reminiscent of the Christmas display that Bryan’s hardware featured for many years. Their daughter, Julie ‘04 did all
the decorating and will manage that part of the store.
Holly See ‘85 has opened a store, My Sister’s Purses, in the Central Avenue part of
the Carpenter’s Corner building. Holly says, “My goal is to buy stuff by single items,
to fill empty spots and sell them below their original pricing. Most items are new, but
there are some ‘gently used’ items.”
There is another new store in Titusville. Iola Goldsmith opened her TOGS clothing
store on Diamond Street. Her store offers new and gently used clothing.
The entrance to the new Titusville YMCA building
On August 23, Friends of Drake Well,
Inc. and Drake Well Museum hosted the
2nd Annual Drake Day Circus. Nearly
1,000 visitors attended the event which is
modeled on circuses that traveled to Titusville and other locations throughout the
oil region during the 1860s.
Professional circus performers from Bacchanal Promotions once again headlined
the Drake Day celebration, fascinating the
audience with their juggling, fire eating,
contortion, magic and stilt walking skills.
A major upgrade to this year’s signature
circus performance was the addition of an
aerial act. Bacchanal’s performer defied
gravity on a nineteenth century style aerial
chain much like modern Cirque du Soleil
artists use fabric.
Children of all ages enjoyed the Circus’
Animal Zone, taking free pony rides and
feeding a variety of animals at the petting
zoo. They also took advantage of face painting and crafts provided by the Titusville
Council on the Arts and blacksmithing demonstrations presented by the Oil Valley
Blacksmiths Association. In addition, the
event included a juggling school, antique
photography booth, and nineteenth century music and games. A number of folks
tested their arms and aim at the dunking
booth, successfully landing Museum Educator Sarah Goodman, Site Administrator Melissa Mann and FDW Board
Advisor Dan Weaver in the drink.
Overall, the event was once again a
great success, and we thank our generous
sponsors: Wilmoth Interests, John Nesbit
Rees & Sarah Henne Rees Charitable
Foundation, Steptoe & Johnson, Enervest, Farmers National Bank, Minard
Run Oil Company, Stifel Nicolaus, Horn
Textile, Pennsylvania Independent Petroleum Producers, Meinert Mashek Communications, LLC, SLT Production, LLC
and Save-a-Lot.
Mark your calendars for the 3rd Annual
Drake Day Circus on August 22, 2015!
School News
In mid-May a large group of Titusville Middle School seventh and eighth graders
traveled 9 hours by bus to the ocean shore in Virginia where they spent several days
learning about shore and ocean environments. Many Titusville service clubs and
business sponsored the event which enabled the students to have a learning experience that was unique.
The annual high school art show which has been a tradition for half a century was
held in the gymnasium in the Colestock building. This year’s event was unique because it showcased the work of Maplewood students as well as young Titusville
artists.
Hannah Leamer, first year learning support teacher at Titusville High School, received the 2013 Elizabeth Stadlander Award for her willingness to work above and
beyond her regular duties.
The THS class of 2014 dedicated the Optimist to Robert Cartney ‘88. Robert is
an art teacher in the high school. The class of 2014 included 123 traditional students
and 13 students who earned GEDs.
In August, the Titusville School Board discussed the future of Scheide House. Currently, Scheide House, a gift from the Scheide family, houses the administrative offices of the Titusville schools. The school board weighed the costs of
rehabilitating/maintaining Scheide house or moving the offices to the high school
building. The decision was a complicated one since there are hefty expenses involved no matter what decision is made.
In addition to the financial issues there are some less easily compared ones: What
is the school’s responsibility to maintain a gift? What will happen to Scheide House if
the school puts it on the market? If Scheide House is sold will the buyer be able to
maintain it and keep it from becoming an eyesore?
To further complicate the issue, Scheide House just received an Oil Region National Heritage house plaque recognizing its rich historical heritage. Lynn Johnson
Cressman ‘71 was responsible for all the background work that led up to the awarding of the plaque.
At the September meeting the board voted to move the administrative offices to the
part of the high school building located on Drake Street. Passing time will reveal the
future of Scheide House in our community.
Shannon Moore ‘14 carried out a Shoot Down Cancer event as her graduation project. People came from a wide area to shoot in the event and the 68 participants made
it possible for Shannon to contribute $1,865.66 to the American Cancer Society.
For her senior project Nicole Galmish ‘14 organized and ran a golf tournament to support Shriner’s Hospital. Nicole plans a career in medical technology.
THS history teacher, Sara Jones, spent June 15 to July 14 in Jordan. She traveled there
on a Fulbright-Hayes Grant Program administered by the U.S. Department of education.
She was part of a group of 12 teachers selected by the Global Study Center at the University of Pittsburgh. She is creating a curriculum based on her experience.
Terry Kerr ‘74, assistant to the superintendent, has retired, as was reported in the last
Alumni News. Superintendent Karen Jez said that the position would not be reopened
and the duties would be shifted into existing administrative positions. High School
principal Scot Davies resigned to move to a new position in Ohio. Philip Knapp has
been hired to fill his position. Jim Come ‘77, current athletic director, will serve as assistant to the principal and share athletic director duties with Mike Hlad.
The THS class of ‘15 presented Curse of the Werewolf as their senior play.
The Pennsylvania Credit Union Foundation awarded the Titusville High School Future
Business Leaders of America a $4,000 grant for continued development of the THS
school store, the Rocket Stop.
Our Grads
Jim L’Huillier ‘49 has quietly kept the grounds around the Heisman Memorial on
Brown Street weed free and surrounded by blooming flowers. When the folks at Wilcox
Nursery learned that he was purchasing flowers for the memorial they stepped up and
donated plants. Jim’s daughter, Diane L’Huillier Favret ‘74 shared this information
through a letter to the editor in The Herald.
Thirteen adult students were awarded high school diplomas at the 45th annual adult
education commencement. Class orator Evelyn Lingo earned her degree 54 years after
the date she would have graduated had she stayed in school.
Robin Rhoades ‘83, track coach at Washington High School in West Virginia, led her
girl’s track team to a second-place finish at the Class AAA WVA State Track and Field
event. She was named Girl’s Track and Field Coach of the year by the Martinsburgh
Journal. Robin is giving up her coaching position after 25 years, but will continue as
health and physical education teacher at Washington High School.
Dr. Chris Good ‘96 announced that he is now seeing patients in Titusville. Chris is
a cardiologist specializing in preventive cardiology and cardiac diagnostics. He is the
first cardiologist to offer local outpatient cardiac care to Titusville residents.
Sal Galetta ‘04 defeated 960,000 to 1 odds and won $100,000 in the Pennsylvania
Lottery $5 Muscle Car Money scratch-off.
Rebecca Hopkins ‘06 graduated magna com laude from Kansas State University
with the degree doctor of veterinary medicine.
Laurie Hopkins ‘10 received a degree in nursing from Penn State University. She
completed an internship at UPMC Hamot in the post anesthesia care unit and her senior
capstone was completed at UPMC Mercy Hospital in the emergency department.
Mike Vinopal ‘11, was recognized as an Intercollegiate Tennis Association scholar
athlete for the 2013-2014 academic year. Mike earned the award by maintaining a 4.0
average and earning a varsity letter in tennis. Mike was a three sport athlete while a student at THS. He attends Mercyhurst and is majoring in Intelligence Studies with a
minor in Arabic and Islamic studies.
Dorothy Stromdahl ‘11, a resort, recreation and hospitality major at Slippery Rock
University was given an award for her outstanding leadership and strong values.
Carrie Zahn ‘12 graduated from South Hills School of Business and Technology in
State College. She earned an associate business degree with honors in business administration-management and marketing.
Juliet Hilburn ‘14 was selected as a second place winner of this year’s Pennsylvania
Municipal League and Verizon’s 31st Annual High School Senior Essay Scholarship
Award. She received a $1,000 scholarship and an all-expense paid trip to Philadelphia
to receive her award. She is attending Mercyhurst University where she is a history
major.
Ashley Deen ‘14 was awarded the Ida Tarbell Journalism award by the Titusville Historical Society.
Wendy Marsh ’07, daughter of Gary ’75 and Diane Stefaniszyn ’73 Marsh, graduated from Gannon University in May 2013 with a Doctorate in Physical Therapy, and
passed her state boards in July, 2013. Wendy completed the 7-year program in 6 years.
She has accepted a position with the Barber National Institute in Erie, PA.
Aaron Marsh ’13, son of Gary ’75 and Diane Stefaniszyn ’73 Marsh, is attending
Penn College of Technology in Williamsport, PA. He is majoring in Construction Design (a two year program) and plans on continuing his education at Penn State University to receive his teaching degree.
Our sincere apologies to the Marshes for omitting this news in the last edition of Alumni
News.
The Deke Kaufmann ’62 Scholarship to Thiel College was awarded to Marcus Tress
from the 2014 graduating class.
Around Campus at UPT
Everything Is “Fall”ing Into Place At Pitt-Titusville
This fall, the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville is hosting two open house events
for prospective students on Saturday October 25 and November 15 from 9 a.m. until 1
p.m. The fall open house events are designed for high school students to learn more
about the academic programs
and scholarship opportunities
available at Pitt-Titusville.
According to Pitt-Titusville
Director of Admissions, Robert
Wyant, “Last year our open
house events attracted a record
number of students. We averaged a 210% increase in the
number of prospective students
who attended last year compared to the previous year.”
Those who visit the Pitt-Titusville campus during the open
house events have the opportunity to talk directly with current students, faculty and
staff about Pitt-Titusville. “We strongly believe that families that visit our campus during our open house events like what they see. We had a record number of students visit
the Pitt-Titusville campus last year. Due to those visits and our ability to reach out to
more rural areas, the number of direct applications to the Titusville campus increased
44% above last year,” said Wyant.
Five new degree offerings were implemented at the Pitt-Titusville campus last fall and
another new program in petroleum technology is being offered this year with other programs currently in development.
“The new program offerings, coupled with our strong programs in the medical field,
specifically nursing and PTA (Physical Therapy Assistant), are attracting many students
in our region. Nursing applications for this academic year set an all-time-high with a
record number of students, twenty-seven more than our five year average,” says Wyant.
“We anticipate the addition of petroleum technology to increase interest in the Titusville
campus.”
In addition to these program offerings, new merit scholarships were also implemented
at the Titusville campus to make it more affordable to attend. If you are a new, admitted
freshman who plans to enroll full-time and live on campus, you may be eligible to receive a Pitt-Titusville Merit Scholarship. “Students who qualify can receive an award
of up to $3,000 for two consecutive years. The University of Pittsburgh at Titusville
scholarship is merit-based financial aid. All students who file a complete admissions
application by the suggested deadline, including all supporting documents, are considered for a merit scholarship.” Says Wyant.
For more information about Pitt-Titusville, call 1-888-878-0462 or visit
www.upt.pitt.edu.
The Titusville Promise
The partnership between the Titusville Promise and the University of Pittsburgh at Titusville is alive and well. Recent UPT enrollment figures for new students and returning
enrollees have shown a significant gain. The implementation of new programs and the
partnership with PittBradford has created excitement amongst the
faculty, students and staff.
Additionally, financial restructuring has allowed
the local campus to maintain and even expand services while reducing its
overall operating expenses.
Eight years ago the Titusville Promise was created by a group of
civic-minded community
The entrance to The University of Pittsburgh
at Titusville
members whose desire was
to encourage a greater number students to pursue higher education by making it more
affordable. Additionally, the Titusville Promise members felt that a partnership with the
University of Pittsburgh at Titusville was of paramount importance to ensure that scholarship dollars stayed within our community. Working in conjunction with the Titusville
Alumni Association, the Titusville Promise became a reality and began collecting donations to aid Titusville High School graduates who wanted to continue their education
at UPT.
To date the Titusville Promise has awarded sixty-five scholarships amounting to over
$89,000 to THS graduates attending UPT. The current market value of the endowment
is approaching the $300,000 mark, thanks to the $50,000 seed money provided by the
Titusville Alumni Association and the overwhelming generosity of THS graduates,
TASD employees and many others. Currently the Titusville Promise has helped THS
graduates receive degrees and find employment in the areas of pharmacy, nursing, business, physical therapy and numerous other fields.
It is the intent of the Titusville Promise to move this program to even greater heights.
We are hopeful that the generosity of our former donors continues and that many others
step forward to include a bequest for this program as part of their estate planning to
support our motto, “Giving back for a brighter future.”
For additional information please contact the Titusville Alumni Association, Ron Wig,
Executive Director, at (814) 827-2715 ext. 1465. Office hours are Monday-Friday from
8:00 a.m. - Noon.
Computers Have Changed
The following two articles appeared in the first edition of
THS Computer Science News, published in February 1990
How Quickly Computer Equipment Changes
Sylvania has donated an eight year old Tandy Model II computer and eight meg. hard
drive to the computer department.
The computer uses eight inch floppy disks and has a whopping 64 k memory. The hard
drive is sort of a desktop – it weighs about 50 pounds and covers half of an average office desk. The disk drive and the hard drive both spin continuously and make enough
noise to be heard fifty feet away.
Teaching Can be Tough
Members of the Computer IV class took over the teaching chores for two weeks in
February. Scott Bennett ‘90 and Mark Shafer ‘90 introduced pointer variables. John
Marley ‘90 and Joe Autry ‘90 followed up with an explanation of linked lists. Both
duos planned their lessons, handed out behavioral objectives and tested their students.
The neophyte instructors found that things don’t always happen smoothly in the classroom without a lot of careful planning. They were also disappointed in the performance
of their regular instructor (Karl Engleka ‘54) who pulled a failing grade on his first test.
Role Models,
Heart and Soul Models
by Tom Boyle’71
Growing up, Titusville had no shortages of role models, men and women who worked
for the betterment of the community and inspired a generation who filled their shoes.
Among those was the Hon. C.M. Sonne, who was not only a physician, but city mayor
as well.
When someone in our family was sick, my parents would call Dr. Sonne’s office.
Shortly afterwards, the doorbell would ring and the figure of a man could be seen
through the front door window. Once inside, he was ushered into the “playroom,” where
the sick were generally left to have their temperatures taken during TV commercials.
Dr. Sonne carried with him, at all times, a small, black medical bag, in which there
seemed to be a cure for everything from mumps and measles, to hoarseness and
headaches. The doctor would invariably size up the extent of the patient’s illness, reach
into his satchel and find some type of pills. He would also remind the patient to drink
plenty of fluids, advice I follow to this day. Year in and year out his fee was the same —
$5.
The school district was staffed by outstanding professionals who influenced their students through both conventional and unconventional methods. Bob Buchan was a legend in the hallways of the junior high, where he served in the roles of counselor and
later, as a principal.
Buchan could often be heard playing Big Bands and Ballads records (remember
records?) on WTIV for the parents of kids my age. These records helped nurture my own
appreciation in swing and jazz-influenced music, a personality trait I carry to this day.
And, for those readers who gently recall the high-pitched sound of a lathe, or the
grinding of a tool bit, Vaughn Errett will come to mind. Those afternoons spent in
metal shop class were a nice break from the more academic subjects we kids either endured or enjoyed. Along with learning how to run various machines, I became adept at
playing softball using a shop rag and a metal ruler for a bat. When a student got tired
of geography or math, it was always a good feeling to be able to put together a small
engine in Errett’s and start it up. Brings to mind a Rolling Stones’ song. Coincidently,
I became friends with Mike Errett, Vaughn’s son, later in life while attending college.
I had trouble with math all through grade school. But Walt Seley did a good job of
walking me through the basic steps that led to solving the mysteries of addition, subtraction, multiplication and division. At least now I can balance my checkbook, although
I do better at juggling tennis balls.
Another memorable person from my childhood is Blair Conrad, who was my father’s
boss at Pennbank. I use the term “boss” in the loosest sense of the term. He and my father, George Boyle, had a close friendship which followed them both into retirement.
Conrad would often stop by to visit our family and my father sponsored Conrad into the
Lion’s Club. The two men often had lunch at the Valley Inn, on South Franklin Street.
I think my father also taught Conrad a thing or two about fly fishing, which is more than
I ever learned about the art. (See photos at top right.)
Titusville High School 1924 Football Team
Four Faces from the Past
Shown above are people mentioned in Tom Boyle’s article at left.
Perhaps you, too, have memories of one or more of them.
Upper left: Blair Conrad
Upper right: Walter Seley
Lower left: Bob Buchan
Lower right: Vaughn Errett
Titusville Area Hospital History
Dates from 1900
From the Herald, November 23, 1996, prepared by Vivian Bloom and
Susan Jacobs Matz ‘68
Donald McKelvy donated property on which to build the community Hospital in
1900. It was located on the corner of Central Avenue and Drake Street, but this location
was not considered adequate. To initiate thefund drive and purchase the lot where the
hospital is presently located McKelvy donated $5,000. A total of $25,000 was raised
by public subscription to build the Titusville Area Hospiatl in 1900. The site on Oak
Street was purchased from the school district for $1,800.
C.W. Terry was employed as the architect and the contract for erecting the hospital
was awarded to Myron Robinson of Titusville at a price of $14,500. Note that $10,500
of the $25,000 raised was not used. With the hospital board’s vison at that time, the additional money was invested for future use.
Officers for the Titusville Area Hospital Board of Directors in 1901 were President
John L. McKinney, Vice President Samuel S. Bryan, Secretary and Treasurer John C.
Edmonson Jr. The first matron was Miss Helen Smith. A matron in 1900 was equivalent
to the CEO today. Miss Smith received $40 a month in 1900 for general supervision,
duties relating to the care and comfort of the patients and order of every part of the institution.
On Oct. 1, 1901, the Titusville Area Hospital officially opened to receive patients. It
was described as well lighted, ventilated, heated by grates and hot water systems, hot
and cold running water and bathrooms that were fitted with the latest sanitary improvements and complete telephone connections.
Photo from the 1925 Optimist Yearbook of Titusville High School.
CAN YOU IDENTIFY THESE MEMBERS OF THE 1924 FOOTBALL TEAM?
Lloyd Nichols - captain, Elmer Edwards, Adam Kielp, Andy Stevenson,
Edward Helfrich, Arthur Schultz, Ernest Palmquist, Clyde Walters, Francis Jordan,
Donald Gerwick, Warren Dickinson, Herbert Stewart, Kenneth Jacobson,
Donald Forsberg, Garret Riley, Emory Pastorius, Tony Pringle, William Matthews,
James Francis, Louis Forester, Leroy Dressler, Lloyd Nichols, Clarence Castman.
Paul Murphey - Faculty manager (standing, far left);
E. F. Bitters - Coach (standing, 3rd from right)
Erwin F. Bitters
When the class of 1956 dedicated the portrait of Mr. Bitters, he had been influential
in Titusville schools — a teacher, a coach, principal in the junior high or senior high
— for nearly 35 years. A native of Wisconsin, E. F. Bitters came to Titusville High
School in 1921, became the head of the commercial department, and coached athletics
until 1926. (Coach Bitters stands third from the right in the photo of the 1924 football
team.)
Erwin F. Bitters graduated from Oconto High School in Wisconsin, completing his
undergraduate studies at Whitewater State Teachers College. He taught in North
Dakota and Wisconsin before moving to Titusville to continue a career in teaching and
administration. In 1933, Mr. Bitters took a one-year leave of absence to complete a
Master’s Degree and preliminary work toward a doctorate at Iowa University. Upon
returning to Titusville, he served as principal of the Junior High, becoming principal
of Colestock High School in 1938. The 1956 yearbook expressed these sentiments
about the man who gave so much to Titusville students:
Mr. Bitters’ endless loyalty and service will always be an inspiration to us.
A person who is sincerely interested in others, he is never too busy to listen
to our problems and give us advice. We sincerely hope that the dedication
of this portrait will help to express our deep appreciation for the understanding guidance and outstanding service of our principal.
A towering figure of 6’ 6”, Mr. Bitters‘ made quite an impression on this writer
when he discovered my friends and me playing hop scotch on the shuffleboard court
painted on the first floor hallway near the original gym during our noon lunch break.
His gaze is still burned in our memories!
There are surely lots of stories to be told about Mr. Bitters, including one that Howie
Sampson probably remembers! (Do you want to share that with us, Howie?)
Titusville Area Hospital as it looks today.
Terrace Place
The following is an excerpt from ‘Yesteryear in Titusville’ in the August 8, 2014
Titusville Herald. The original article appeared in the August 8, 1939 edition.
Terrace Place on Union Street, the residence of the late J. C. McKinney and for more
than six decades, one of Titusville’s finest mansions, will meet the fate of many other
vestiges of the oil region’s Golden Era, when workmen begin razing it today.
The mansion, with its well-kept terraces, separated from the street by a stone wall has
been one of the attractive sites for visitors
to the city. But the spacious house, like ther
residence of Joseph Seep, which has already
experienced a similar fate is far too large for
the times.
The house has not been occupied since the
death of Mrs. J.C. McKinney in 1932, although it was completely furnished and
ready for occupancy at an instant’s notice.
A caretaker has been employed for the past
seven years.
The Mansard-type structure, similar to the
S. S. Bryan and W. S. Critchlow homes was originally designed by Curtis, of Fredonia,
NY, who was the architect for several Oil City and Titusville mansions for J. H. Windsor
in 1871.
With only the walls constructed, Windsor’s oil business met reverses and for a few
years, the building remained unfinished. J. C. McKinney bought the property and
moved in when the mansion was completed in 1875, and resided there until his death
in 1924. The house includes 17 rooms and six baths. The axiom of the golden days was
carried out in full with nothing but the best materials going into its construction’ heavy
plate glass, fine woodwork, hand-tooled iron grillwork and intricately-cut stone foundations.
C. A. Wright, local contractor who is doing the razing, stated that only the house will
come down, the dog kennel and garage remaining. Afterward, the uppermost terrace
will be leveled, the property divided and offered for sale as lots.
1957 Elm Street School Kindergarten
LOOKING BACK
“Coal Oil Johnny”
John Washington Steele (1843 – 1921)
From left to right, first row: Linda Childs, Debby Kennedy, Michele Rutherford, Rita
Stec, Terri Lee Boyle, and Ann Milsap. Second row: Ricky Slonski, Rose Mary Swab,
Eileen Baumgarten, Kathy Falco, Bobbie Lee Dittman, Freya Berglund, Becky Murphy,
Dianne Hopwood, and Larry Dillinger. Third row: Craig Curtis, Terry Bowles, Chris
Poux, Dicky Matthews, Charles Long, Paul Bajorek, Phillip Edwards, and Donald
Foote. Fourth row: Miss Green, Jimmy Connell, John Hunt, David Smith, Harold Carpenter and Bobbie Fratus. Absent for picture: Neal Jackson and Teddy Metz.
How Did Carter Field Get Its Name?
(Just in case you may ever have wondered!)
Colonel John Joyce Carter was born on June 16, 1842 in Westport, Ireland to parents
who were well-to-do, but lost their business and died shortly thereafter. He was
brought as an orphan to America by his sister and her husband. When his sister’s husband died and she could not keep him, he was placed with a priest, then with another
priest, then with an older couple in Allegany County, NY.
John did many jobs to earn money. He was put in charge of driving a herd of cattle
to a farmer. The farmer asked him to stay and become a member of his family, which
he did. He was a good worker and an excellent student. He wanted to further his education and passed the test for entrance to West Point with very high scores but was
not, for some reason, given the appointment. He decided to go to the University of
Rochester but did not have money for the tuition. He did all sorts of jobs to earn tuition money, but then in April of 1861 the Civil War began and he volunteered for the
Union army. He was mustered in at Elmira, NY on July 3, 1861 and served until
August 2, 1865. In 1862, before he was 21, he earned the Medal of Honor, one of
the first to do so. (The awarding of the medal began during the Civil War.)
After the war, John taught school for a short time. During that time he married
Emma Gibbs, heard about the business opportunities in the booming town of Titusville, came to Titusville and opened a clothing store. John soon became interested
in the oil business, and became involved. He became president of his own company,
the Carter Oil Company, and was very successful and became wealthy. He owned
the first automobile in Titusville!
John was very civic-minded and served, among other things, on the school board.
When the board decided that the school district could not afford to start a kindergarten, he financed it. Col. Carter donated the land for Carter Field because he
wanted the youth of Titusville to have a permanent place for athletic events. He
also provided money to build benches for the field and for other things that were
needed.
John bought land for the YMCA and donated it, again for the welfare of the youth
of Titusville. He paid for the building of the Baptist Church parsonage, and gave the
city a lot on which to build a police station.
The next time you go to a game at Carter Field, take a moment to think about and
thank Colonel Carter for his generosity to Titusville.
John Washington Steele, more commonly known as “Coal Oil Johnny,” was Petrolia’s prodigal prince. In 1864, at the age of 21, he inherited the oil royalties and properties of his adopted parents (Culbertson and Sarah “Sally” McClintock), including his
boyhood home and the very productive oil farm along Oil Creek between what is now
Rynd Farm and Rouseville, Pennsylvania. His house has been rehabilitated to its appearance during the 1860s, in order to provide a site to interpret his life, how pre-oil
buildings were constructed, and how transportation changed in the oil fields during
that long period.
Leaving his young bride Eleanor Moffitt Steele and their infant son Oscar here in
the oil patch, John spent several years and all his money, and then some, in Philadelphia and New York, where ‘trouble and hangers-on had a way of finding him.’ Journalists in Philadelphia coined the handle “Coal Oil Johnny” for him, reflecting in part
his love for his custom carriage. That carriage was bright red, drawn by a pair of
matched black stallions; painted onto the carriage doors were black derricks spouting
dollar symbols. No wonder various forms of vice sought out this generous soul!
After the money ran out and he tired of traveling with a minstrel show, John returned
to Venango County where his wife and son
waited. He resided again briefly in the timber frame house along Oil Creek before
losing that through bankruptcy, too. He
worked for a while as an oil teamster ,
hauling wagons full of oil barrels owned
by others; and he tried his hand at operating several small retail businesses in
nearby communities. Then, after trying
to live a sober life in a place where everyone knew his spend-thrift past, he and his
The Coal Oil Johnny House
family moved west, first to Dennison,
Iowa, until John’s reputation caught up with them, and then on to several Nebraska
towns.
During 2001, the Coal Oil Johnny house was disassembled and moved from its original location along Waitz Road in Cornplanter Township just 0.7 miles downstream
on the opposite side of Oil Creek, into Rynd Farm within Oil Creek State Park, beside
the cluster of the OC&T train buildings. The exterior was returned to how it looked
in an early postcard. The interior of the house has now also been restored. The project
has been coordinated by the owner of the house, the Oil Region Alliance of Business,
Industry & Tourism.
If you are interested in visiting the Coal Oil Johnny house, you may contact the Oil
Region Alliance to make an appoiment to see it or obtain a schedule of when it is
open to visitors. You may call 814-677-3152 or email Marilyn Black,
Executive Director of the Alliance, at [email protected]
Coaches You May Remember
Left to right: Jeff Otney, Greg Houck, Buck Crabb, Tom Liberty ,
Vic Carr, John Frye
Pittsburgh Pirates - 1934 Trip
By Ron Wig’77
This photo of local boys was taken in the summer of 1934 in front of the YMCA. Although it is not certain, the belief is that the boys were gathered to take a trip to see the
Pittsburgh Pirates play baseball in Pittsburgh. The photo helps to confirm this theory
since one of the boys, Louis Renikoff # 28, located in the second row, is wearing his
baseball glove. The boys are also sporting their best clothes so we are certain they are
not off to play a game. If any of our alumni or family members can confirm our deductions or add any details of the trip, let us know.
Starting in the front row left to right are: 1. Gus Lieber, 2. Bill Lynch, 3. Bob Schultz,
4. Bob Shambaugh, 5. Coleman Smith, 6. Leon Metzgar, 7. Ed Peterson, 8. Milton Jennings, 9. Donald Peeples, 10. Bob Gough, 11. Clair”Shorty” Kline, 12. Ed Hayes,
13.Lloyd Wallen, 14. Jack Brickner, 15. Robert Kelly, 16. Dan Woods, 17. George Forssell, 18. Jack Motzer, 19. Alfred Sterling, 20. Gene Berglund, 21. James Connell, 22.
Curtis McKinney, 23. Paul Hollinsworth, 24. James Spence, 25. Major Olmes, 26.
Herb Bond, 27. Jim Alcorn, 28. Louis Resnikoff, 29. John Schultz, 30. Jim Brewster, 31.
Lynn Bedow, 32. Bob Moriarty, 33. Art Carlson, 34. George Brown, 35. Hugh McCracken, 36. Melvin Sonne, 37. Eddie Olmes, 38. Art Mulvey, 39. Dick Jameson, 40.
Carroll Wagner, 41. Don Shrout, 42. Bill Vergith, 43.Tom Buser, 44. Chuck McGinley,
45. Leon Wager, 46. Bill Murdoch, 47. Walter DeWalt, 48. Bill Roeder, 49. Bill Rumph,
50. Paul Shambaugh, 51. Paul Ropp, and 52. Harold August.
Luscious Rocky Reynolds Publishes Autobiography
By Joshua Sterling
[email protected]
Madden said that he awoke in a hospital, with his wife crying in a chair next to his
It was a childhood obsession that brought Aaron Madden to the pinnacle of professional wrestling. Then, one day in October 2003, it brought his entire life into perbed. After regaining his sense, he spotted a mirror on the wall that showed his bloodspective after diving head-first from a 12-foot ladder out of the wrestling ring onto
covered face, known in the wrestling world as a “crimson mask,” he said. “The dochard, tile floors, leaving him bleeding and unconscious, 10 feet from his wife, during tors kept telling me that they didn’t understand how I didn’t cave in my skull or snap
a national recording with some of the largest promoters in the profession on hand to
my neck.”
witness the wrestler’s near-death experience.
He said the experience brought his whole world into sharp focus. Seeing the video
The entire story, from childhood to a three-year rise to fame and that 12-foot fall to playback of the match amplified that realization.
personal revelation, is the subject of a forthcoming book, called “Luscious: The Story
“What brought it all full circle in me is, as I’m lying there, and it’s showing me in a
of 4X NWA World Champion Rocky Reynolds,” penned by the Titusville resident,
puddle of blood that is increasingly growing from the back of my head, there’s a
professional wrestler and now city police officer. The 14-year veteran of professional
crowd. It shows the crowd part when they bring my wife through. And she glances
wrestling spent the past year or so drafting the autobiography, with editing support
down, the hysteria, the fear, the crying that she expressed when she started to scream.
from other local authors Tambra Warner-Sabatini and Scott McCray, among others.
The guilt slammed me harder than ever. I knew then, I had to sit back and think.
For about three years before putting words to paper, Madden said he pored over
“My life isn’t about me any more. Especially, since having my kids. In my life, I’m
other wrestlers’ memoirs. Of the many wrestling memoirs Madden has read, he said
not
even second or third. I’m fourth. My daughters and my wife come before me.”
his own stories match or surpass the intensity of the greats who came before him.
He said he pulled back from the high-flying dives, and chose his matches and
“I was born and raised in this quiet town,” he said. “But, it’s a whole different
moves
more carefully after that night.
world, the professional wrestling business. It took me a while to adapt to it. But,
“It’s
a
dirty, scummy business behind the scenes,” said Madden. “This business delooking back on it, it’s a heck of a ride.”
rived from a carnival.”
Wrestling “was just a childhood obsession,” said Madden of the sport he loves. “I
He called this book “very honest.”
just seemed to be drawn quickly to professional wrestling. When I first saw it, I was
The 41-chapter, 356-page book, Luscious: The Story of 4X NWA World Champion
instantly hooked. I don’t know if it’s just the physical theater, the real life superhero
Rocky
Reynolds, was published by Dogear Publishing, and is available for presale on
images that they give or a combination of it all. I’ve always wanted to do it.”
He said that he was a three-sport athlete in high school, playing football, basketball the book’s Facebook page, or by emailing Madden, at [email protected].
The book will be released on Saturday, and will be available at book stores nationand track before quitting them all his senior year to focus solely on wrestling.
wide.
“When I finally made the decision that I was seriously going to go after professional wrestling, I quit them all just so I could work out and train. “I started getting
An Update on Luscious Rocky Reynolds
noticed real, real quick.”
Recently, Luscious Rocky
He said he developed a daredevil style early on.
Reynolds, aka Aaron Mad“The more I wrestled, the more risks I kept on taking,” Madden said, explaining
den ’97 came to the alumni
that his shorter than average pro wrestling stature forced him to be more high-energy,
office to catch us up on what
high-flying than his competition.
has happened since the origMadden, who is still an active wrestler, but less so since the aforementioned
inal article by Joshua Ster“missed catch” that landed him in a West Virginia hospital in 2003, said the prime
ling appeared in the
focus of the book is a three- to four-year-period when his career was taking flight,
which led to a revelation about his life’s priorities after that nearly tragic end.
Titusville Herald. He says
“This book touches base on growing up and my obsession with professional
that sales of his book have
wrestling,” said Madden, known in the ring as “The Luscious Rocky Reynolds. “The
been great. He has done
biggest piece [of the book] is about my first three and a half to four years,” said Madbook signings in this area, in
den. “That was when I did most of my traveling and most of my exposure. This entire
West Virginia and in Ohio,
book centers around me making a rise. I became a four-time world champion for the
all places where he wrestles.
NWA (National Wrestling Alliance) — which is the absolute oldest wrestling federaAfter 15 years as a profestion in the entire world.” He said the story builds up to the NWA 55th anniversary
sional wrestler, Aaron is still at it. However, instead of wrestling 3 weeks of every
show, in October 2003, in Parkersburg, West Virginia. “Every year, the NWA pulled
month, he now wrestles only 2 or 3 times a month. His life has changed quite a bit in
all of its best talent from every territory, worldwide, and brought them all to one city
the past 11 years since becoming the husband of Ashley and the father of two daughters,
in the U.S.,” he explained, “and, we held a huge show.”
Aarolynn, 7, and Addyson, 5. He says his wife is not, and has never been, a real fan of
Madden said he’d represented his territory for the past three years at the annual
wrestling but she puts up with it, and he, in turn, puts up with her horses. Aaron’s real
show, and that promoters decided to bill him in the main event in 2003.
“It was a four-way ladder match, for the NWA World Junior Heavyweight title,” he job continues to be as a police officer for the city of Titusville, but he says his # 1 job
is being a dad to his little girls.
added. “That match, I took a pretty high dive off a ladder, headfirst, and didn’t get
“You need to be tough to be a professional wrestler,” says Aaron. “Your body takes a
caught right, spiked right on top of my head, peeled my scalp back, lost 2 1/2 pints of
lot of abuse and it gets harder and harder as you get older. You begin to realize that
blood, bruised my brain. Easily, I should’ve died. There’s no question. The doctors
you’re not immortal.” Aaron works out at area gyms in Titusville, Erie and Meadville
repeatedly kept telling me that.
to keep in shape between matches. He says it’s getting close to the time when he should
I was two months married, at that point. And, I landed 10 feet from my wife’s feet.”
He said that the show, which was originally intended to be sold nationwide, was
give it up, but it’s hard to give up a dream you’ve had since childhood.
repackaged and sold worldwide with his near-fatal fall.
One thing Aaron has been doing of late is journaling about his matches, recording how
“It’s considered to be one of the most horrific and traumatic accidents ever in prohe’s feeling, both mentally and physically, and how things have gone after each of his
fessional wrestling,” Madden said. “I knew this was being taped to be sold nationmatches. He thinks that reflecting on his experiences will help him to finally be able
wide, and I was in the main event. So, I thought that I have to do something I’ve
to wean himself from his passion for wrestling. He says that the entries in his journal
never done, something higher than anything, just to make sure that I catch everyone’s
may someday be the basis of another book.
eye, and be the one to be remembered from this show.”
Aaron’s book, “Luscious: The Story of 4X NWA World Champion Rocky Reynolds”
He said he threw his three opponents outside of the ring, then made the climb to the
is available at all major bookstores online, and at amazon.com. If you want a signed
top of the ladder, leaping off while performing the Swanton Bomb, a headfirst dive.
“When I jumped, I just didn’t get caught right. All I can remember from it is climb- book, just get in touch with him and he’ll gladly sign it for you at no extra charge. His
email is [email protected].
ing up the ladder then jumping out. The book is very descriptive of this.”
More Stories from Dick Kaputa ’58
In the last issue of Alumni News, we included some stories of Dick’s memories of school days. He sent us a few more to share in this issue.
Dual Birthday Party
the serial would be shown. It would end with a robber’s car ready to go over a cliff so
Here is the gang having their picture taken prior to a car shuttle to the roller skating we would have to return the following week to see what happened. Guess what? The
rink at Hasson Heights in Oil City, PA. The event was in celebration of Erwin Olsen’s car went over the cliff!
and Tom Kingsley’s April birthdays. It was a great day enjoyed by all.
Tales of the Little Red Chariot
Yours truly lived only one block from Titusville High School, but drove to school
every day. After school, I would give the cheerleaders, Martha and Sandy, a ride down
to the Arcade and then home. Don’t know what happened to Joyce; she must have been
with George Doolittle.
The red chariot was my first car, a 1949 Oldsmobile, 6 cylinder with a split manifold
and dual exhaust, as well as dual red fiberglass radio antennas.
Pictured (left to right) Dick Kaputa Tom Duliakas,* Dennis Osborn, Hugh Schneider,
Jim Stevenson, Denny Minnick,* Tom Kingsley,* Steve Graham,* Erwin Olsen,* and
Jim Edwards.
*Deceased
Busy Saturdays
Saturday mornings we were off to the YMCA where we began the day by playing basketball and wrestling. Then we would swim and rinse off with a shower before lunch.
Prior to lunch, we would play ping pong or shoot 8-ball billiards pool. Next we would
go upstairs and get in line for lunch. For 25 cents we would get two boiled hot dogs, a
bottle of soda pop and an ice cream Dixie cup. After lunch, we were treated to a sports
movie (World Series highlights, Indy 500 highlights and U.S. Olympics highlights).
Next, we were off to the Orpheum Theater where we would see a double feature
movie and a serial. Usually the movies were westerns, such as Whip Wilson, Johnny
Mack Brown, Lash LaRue, Rex Allen, Hopalong Cassidy, etc. Between the two movies,
When we remember, before television we would visit different locations within a 25
mile radius of Titusville. Such trips would take us to Tryonville, Townville, Little Cooley, New Richmond and Guys Mills. When Harold Cole, our teacher, and his family,
including our classmate Max Cole, bought a farm at the top of the hill outside Hydetown, we always enjoyed visiting. We liked to bale hay with classmates Phil Myer
and Vern Knapp.
Linking the Past with the Future
through the Present
50 Reunion Plans for THS & SJA Classes of 1965
th
Friday, August 7:
All-School Celebration THS Cafeteria 4:30 p.m. $20.00 per person
Reservation form in Alumni News 38th Issue
Class Mixer Hillhurst Bed and Breakfast, 701 N. Perry Street
7:00 p.m. - ? $15.00 per person
Saturday, August 8: Oil Festival Activities –
Parade at 11:00 a.m.
Arts & Crafts in Scheide Park
Fireworks at Carter Field
Golf Outing –
Contact Bill Hart at 814-437-5115 or 814-758-5336
Reunion Dinner –
Hillhurst Bed and Breakfast
7:00 p.m. $25.00 per person
50/50 Raffle - $1.00 per ticket
Send reservations, donations and raffle money to:
Sharen Romaniszyn
47144 Sutton Road
Titusville, PA 16354
Rooms have been reserved at Comfort Inn, 511 W. Central Avenue, 814-8270041 until a month prior to the reunion. Be sure to ask for “The Class of ’65”
when reserving a room.
Reunion Committee: Judy Abrams, 814-827-6445, Linda Johnson, 814-7750247, Sharen Romaniszyn, 814-827-2131, Sandy Rigby, 814-827-0326, Butch
Carlson, 814-657-0225, Tim Barnett, 440-992-5801, and Bill Hart, 814-437-5115
Remembering My Hero
By Alan Murphy ‘61
The last issue of the Titusville Alumni News brought me great joy as I read the article
submitted by the daughter of my all-time hero, Donnie Bird. It is disappointing I can’t
actually remember him dashing and darting to the goal line at Carter Field. Donnie
was in the Class of ’52, I was in the Class of ’61, so I would have been barely 8 years
old his senior year. It doesn’t make much sense that such a young boy would appreciate
his extraordinary ball carrying abilities, but somehow I did.
I don’t know if I ever saw Donnie’s face, but I saw # 21 and that was good enough;
it is still good enough. As I said, I can’t recall his performances, but I can remember
the numerous times through the years when my parents would talk to me about my reactions to seeing him carry the pigskin. It was pure joy. I was told I didn’t talk in my
sleep, except when my parents would come into my room after I was asleep and ask me
about “My Donnie Bird,” and then I wouldn’t shut up!
When I made the varsity team I wanted to wear # 21, but it was already taken. To
make matters worse, the player was a transplant and didn’t even know who had worn
that number so splendidly. I could never have come remotely close to honoring the
number and the man, but then, there have been only a handful to this day that could
have.
Donnie, if you happen to read this, know you are still my hero…you still are “my Donnie Bird.” Be well and thanks for the memories, which I can’t remember.
In this day and age where the sports heroes are multi-million dollar contract players
living in some distant city it is completely refreshing to publish the preceding article
where Alan’s personal hero was, and still is, another THS player, homegrown and grinding out first down at Carter Field. I will include Alan’s email for Don’s benefit. I think
they may have more to say to one another: [email protected].
Thanks Alan and Don! Ron Wig, Director
Parma Anderson Kersten ’53
Parma Anderson Kersten has lived anything but a normal life. After graduating from
THS, she began her career as a nurse. At the age of 29, she joined the Army as a first
lieutenant. She went through basic training, then enrolled in operating room school
and became an OR nurse. In 1965, the Army sent her to Santo Domingo to help deal
with the uprising there.
Parma’s next assignment was to spend the time from April 1969 – March 1970 in
Vietnam. As an OR nurse, she witnessed many tragic stories and helped save hundreds
of lives. She was awarded the Bronze Star Medal for heroic or meritorious achievement.
Then Parma was sent to a less dangerous place. She was stationed in Japan where she
immersed herself in the culture of the people, and taught children to speak English. At
the end of her more than 12 ½ year career in the Army, she was sent to work at William
Beaumont General Hospital in El Paso, Texas.
Originally, Parma had intended to become a Lutheran deaconess when she graduated
from high school, but her plans had changed when she joined the Army. However, after
leaving the service, she enrolled in the Summer Institute of Linguistics International to
train as a Bible translator. Parma then functioned as a literacy worker for five years in
Liberia before returning to the United States permanently.
During her time in the literacy group, she adopted two daughters, Emily Christine and
Judith Marie, from Liberia. It was 1985 when they moved back to the states. After
their public school education in Texas, both girls went on to higher education. Emily
became an environmental engineer, specializing in water purification and Judy became
a professor with a Ph.D. in anthropology.
Parma had raised the girls as a single parent for over a decade before she married for
the first time, just ten days shy of her 64th birthday. She met Jerry Kersten in her church
choir and knew right away he was the perfect match for her.
Nowadays Parma spends her time serving as a lay minister in her church in Duncanville, TX and performing as an actress in Hopkins Senior Center CenterStage productions. Recently, she played the role of Agatha Crispy. Jerry also played a part in the
musical, comedy, murder mystery. Parma is a member of the Goldenaires and sings
with the group at nursing homes.
Parma enjoys telling people the stories of her adventurous life and is passionate about
her role in the church. She has lived a life devoted to caring for the bodies, minds and
souls of many people.
Perhaps she’ll write down some of her adventures and share them with us through the
Alumni News!
Info from Chip Williams ’66
In a recent edition of the Alumni News, we ran an article about the first
angle ball game played in Titusville in 1966.
Chip Williams set us this information about it and him.
It may be interesting to note that the angle ball game was played between the Rockets
and the Corry Beavers, and I ended up being the leading scorer in the game.
After graduation from THS in 1966, I served 4 years in the Air Force, then went on
to college after being discharged. I attended Pitt Titusville, then transferred to main
campus and received my BS in Health and Physical Education. But the ironic thing
about this story is that I accepted a job at the Corry YMCA and moved there in 1977.
I continued working for the Y for the next 23 ½, 17 ½ as Executive Director. I retired
from the Y in 2000.
Chip Williams, Class of 1966
Rocket Hall of Fame Inductee, 1986
The Legend of Semi-Pro Baseball in Titusville, Pennsylvania and Surrounding Areas over the Past Century
By Norman “Max” Cole ‘58
I had the pleasure of interviewing a wonderful legend, Ab Zahner, who taught me some great pitching, especially Jeff Sterling, a hard thrower, and Bates Harvey who
the game [of baseball] as a youth. It was not until I grew up and went back home just threw all the pitches. Lefty Armstrong, Ab says, was the best pitcher he ever saw around
recently and had the opportunity to meet up with Mr. Zahner again that I captured the the area.
When Black Ash disbanded in the 1950s, the next team to come out was the Pleastrue story of baseball and of how it all started in our small town of Titusville, PA. I
antville
Sparks, managed by Cecil Dunham and Ab Zahner. The team was sponsored
knew the love I had for baseball growing up, but never really understood until now
what it did for me and for all the kids of that town. Mr. Zahner, who told the story you by Bill Sparks who owned a big gas station in Pleasantville. They later changed their
name to the Skyliners. Originally they played in the Crawford County League, playing
are about to read, was the last of his kind.
It all started with the first semi-pro baseball teams which were established between teams in the Saegertown and Meadville area. They later joined the HayRake League,
the 1920s and 1930s. The first team was called the Penn Drakers and they played all playing teams from Fryburg, Venus, Franklin, Rocky Grove and Tionesta. Some of the
their games at Carter Field. Players were brought in to work at the Penn Drake Re- players on the team were D. Bevier, L’Huillier, Jim and Max Cole, H. Wescoat, K.
finery and to play on the team which was created. There were Davidson, B. Collins, Pinky Burnell, Lefty Peeples, E. Bromley, Bertrum, C. Port, Ab
locker rooms in the refinery that the players could use. One and Ray Zahner.
of the great players on the team was Pug McHoney from Erie,
In the late 1950s, a gentleman by the name of Gib Gator developed a ball field in TiPA. Art Stokes was the pitcher. The team played some of the tusville that had some great American Legion teams and also the Titusville Merchants
greatest African-American teams, such as House of David and up until the 1980s. At that time Titusville High School finally started a baseball team
Homestead Gray. Many of those players could have played in and semi-pro baseball was pretty much gone. Thank heavens for the wonderful people
the major leagues, but the major leagues were segregated at who gave so much to the Titusville community in the way of their time, effort and
that time. Ab Zahner’s father also worked at the refinery.
money that, in turn, filled us with so many great memories. Those were people such as
The next team, the Maple Lawns, started in the 1940s, was Skeet Fulton, Daisy Campbell, Ed Myer, Don Bishop, Bob
located between Townville and Meadville at Bertram Corners Buchan, Harold Cole and many, many more, I am sure.
where they played their games. The team was organized by
In case you are all wondering who Ab Zahner is, he was this
Dr. Bertram. They played teams from surrounding areas such
kind gentleman who devoted his life to baseball within our
as National Forge in Waver or Dormont, or teams out of Pittsburgh where there was a player by the name of Paul Waner, community. He was born in 1927, and retired from the post
a.k.a. “Big Poison.” They also played against a team out of Jamestown, NY called the office after 33 years of service. A hometown hero and one of
Bombers and a team from Ludlow, PA who had a beautiful field back in the woods. the greatest athletes to ever play the game of baseball, he gave
They were managed by Harry Werling from Townville. Their best pitcher was Dusty me all the factual information in this article. If he had been
Elmont from Meadville. They had a great first baseman by the name of Bill Burton blessed with good eyesight, he definitely would have been a
from Meadville. They also had a former major league catcher named Bob Garvak big-time major leaguer. Back then, glasses were a no-no.
We were fortunate that Ab Zahner stayed in this area and
who played with the Boston Red Sox. Their scorekeeper was Don Bishop, a former
taught us all with his extensive baseball experience. He was
teacher at Titusville High School.
Max Cole ’58
The next team to come along was called Black Ash. Ray Armstrong, who owned a a wonderful coach, manager, player, official, umpire, controller
sawmill, would bring in players to work in his sawmill as well as to play on his team. of the field and scorer because he loved the game. He gave us so many great memories
They played most of their games at Horseshoe Bend where they had no lights, and over the years, and kept our young people off the streets. He taught us self-esteem, rethey played games after dark at Carter Field. Over the years Black Ash had players spect, courage and love for the game.
Thanks again, Ab Zahner, for all of your valuable time and effort in allowing me to
from all over the area, including Mercer and Sharon. Some of the players who played
on the team were Ab and Ray Zahner, Jim and Max Cole, all from the Hydetown area, come into your home to receive this memorable interview. It was my great honor! You
Jim Lamberton from Titusville and Rich and Elroy Smith from Guys Mills. They had will always be a true legend in our books and never forgotten!
Found: Two Jr. High Report Cards
Dear Mr. Wig,
I recently found two Jr. High report cards from Miss Frances Slattery from the 193637 and 1938-39 school years. Her mother, Mrs. George J. Slattery, signed the backs.
There are also signatures of her teachers including: C.A. Oberg, H. Carlson, Mr.
Besselman, Alice Egbert, Helen Kerr, H.E. Cook, Powers, Kingsley, Dobar, Jacobson,
and several others I can’t make out.
Please post a notice in the next Alumni News that I would be happy to give these to
the family of any of the above if they would contact me.
Thanks for all your work with the Alumni Association.
David Rainey ’84
110 Greenbrier Road
Daniels, WV 25832
History Preserved
By Ron Wig ‘77
The Titusville Alumni Association is the repository for a large collection of pictures,
uniforms and memorabilia dating back more than 120 years. With the 2014 Homecoming activities approaching on September 26, I gathered some pictures of my family
members who played football under the Titusville banner over the past 100 years. The
collage included my grandfather, Chester Sullivan ’19 (1919, that is), father, Tom Sullivan’49, myself ’77, and sons, Nick Wig ’11 and Chris Wig ’16.
Hooping It Up
Melissa Stockwell ‘06 organized and ran a Hula Hooping event at Oil Creek Campground where she taught people various styles and tricks done with a hula hoop. She
also offers classes each Sunday and will give private lessons. Melissa became interested
in hooping when she bought a hoop to use in training her dog to jump and found that
the dog was not at all interested. On YouTube she discovered information on things that
can be done with a hula hoop and was inspired to share what she learned with others.
She is sponsored by the company CitivaCreationz.
Melissa can be contacted at her YouTube channel – youtube.com/user/melissastockwell4372 or at [email protected].
An Update on Career Mentors
Petroleum Engineering………………….Richard Temple ‘74
Military Career…………………………..Alicia Hetrick ‘08
Law
…………………………………. Pam Sibley ’88
Banking…………………. ……………. .Diane Caldwell ‘80 Bienio
Nuclear Engineering……………………. Joshua Wig ‘93
Real Estate……………………………….Diane Stefaniszyn ’73 Marsh
Small Business-Automotive……………..Mark Whitehill ‘75
Teaching………………………………….Angela McGraw ‘76 Stromdahl
Manufacturing Admin…………………. . Beth Holquist ‘77 Repasky
Communications Technology………. . . . .Luke Ruot ‘99
Electrical/ Software Engineering………. . Allen K. Warner Jr. ‘83
The intention for the development of this list is to provide one-on-one communication between student and mentor focusing on real world experience. Mentors are currently working in the field of interest, widely known to be an authority or recently
retired from their chosen profession.
We would like to thank all of these individuals for the hard work in their professional
lives and their interest in sharing their experience with our THS graduates. If you
would like to participate in this program and or speak at a THS career day, please
contact the alumni office by phone or email. Ronald E. Wig, Executive Director (814)
827-1283 or [email protected].
’09 Grad Grapples with ’Gators
I found it to be a fun exercise to find these pictures in our library of yearbooks and read
about the activities in which they were involved in high school. Sometimes it can bring
some additional understanding or a new perspective and insight into a personality of a
family member. I also credit Ron Joyce for the idea as he brought in a newsletter from
his high school which included some similar multi-generation pictures.
We have a large collection of framed team photos dating back to the late 1800s, uniforms from a variety of teams, varsity jackets, band uniforms, Rockette pom-pons and
uniforms. If you are interested in doing a little research into your family high school genealogy, please stop in the alumni office and we can assist you in your search. I am
sure you will be pleasantly surprised at what you may find.
As a side note now that the Homecoming game has been played, THS Rockets beat
the Grove City Eagles 39-34 in a spectacular finish to the game. It was a great game
from beginning to end. Lacey Elder was named the 2014 Queen and the THS Marching
Band put on a superlative performance following the end of the game. Festivities included floats, a parade and a majestic fireworks display. The hometown fans rushed the
field to show their appreciation and celebrate with the team to cap off a night that will
be remembered by all, especially head coach Tom Hancock, his assistants and the 2014
squad.
News of Kaylon Smith ‘09 Markman
This past spring, Kaylon Markman, formerly Kaylon Smith, achieved two milestones in her life. She
graduated from the Air Force Academy in Colorado
Springs, CO, with a bachelor’s degree in behavioral
science in May, and married fellow graduate Matt
Markman, a native of Amarillo, TX, on June 7. Both
are lieutenants in the Air Force.
The couple is stationed in Clovis, NM where Kaylon is a force support officer, and Matt, a management major at the academy, is working in finance.
Class Challenge Underway.
By Ron Wig ’77, TAA Executive Director
The class challenge to rename the Titusville Alumni Association Memorial Scholarship has been underway since the printing of the spring edition of the Alumni News.
We have had response from nine graduating classes which include 1954, 1961, 1964,
1965, 1971, 1972, 1977, 1983 and 1984. If we were to cut off the competition at this
point in time it would be renamed “The Superlative Class of 1965 Scholarship”. So,
looking at this horse race, ’65 is making the final turn with ’72 and ’77 nipping at
their heels! We will continue to run the competition until the 38th spring issue in June
2015. The classes that have not entered the competition and those that are behind still
have time to change the title of the scholarship. All of you 1965 grads also have time
to donate and solidify your lead.
We sincerely appreciate all of you who are participating in this fun challenge that
benefits the Titusville Alumni Association and brings a little recognition to your
class. The organization has come a long way during it’s relatively short existence and
your continued support will ensure we are here to help our existing graduates and
many future generations to come.
2009 THS alumnae, Caroline Bravo, 23, of Florida is an active volunteer with the
cast of the Discovery Channel show “Gator Boys,” at Holiday Park in the Florida Everglades. She is mostly involved with the trapping of the gators, which involves going
out to different locations and capturing them from residential areas. When she is at the
park, she does shows, wrestling alligators one-on-one.
When asked about how she is able to find the courage to wrestle the gators, Caroline
says that for her, “it is more about a healthy respect than fear.” According to her, when
you become fearful, you become complacent and then anything can happen.
Caroline has a true passion
for the alligators. She says,
“If we didn’t catch them, another trapper would and
most trappers kill them for
their skin and meat.” She
also enjoys educating people
about alligators.
When
going to a location to trap a
gator, she finds that most
people there are very fearful
of the animals. She and the
other volunteers take the opportunity to educate these
people and leave them with
respect for rather than fear of
the animal. In addition to
Caroline Bravo rrecently traveled to Costa Rica to
trapping and wrestling allihelp with the filming of a crocodile special for
gators, Caroline has been
Animal Planet.
studying psychology at
Nova Southeastern University and is hoping to graduate this December. Although psychology may seem like a field far from alligators, she has thought about possibly incorporating her field of study into what she does at Holiday Park. She is happy about what
she does for now and says, “It’s fun. Dangerous, but fun.”
Perfect Attendance
Perfect attendance in a school year is quite an accomplishment for a student, but 14 years of perfect attendance? Yes, that’s right - 14 years! Casey Shoup
never missed a day from the time he started Pre-K until
the last day of his senior year when he graduated from
THS with the Class of 2014. Casey said that what motivated him to make it to school every day was his love
of learning and his time spent with classmates.
This fall Casey, the recipient of the McNierney-Beal
Scholarship, is attending Penn State Erie, the Behrend
College and is majoring in meteorology.
Keep up the good work, Casey!
A Note to Bettye Myer ’56
Dear Bettye,
I meant to get back to you before this to thank you for the copy of the
excellent “Class of ’56 DVD.” It was very apparent that a real effort went
into trying to include everyone in the DVD, which was really nice.
At first I was a little concerned that seeing photos of close friends who have
“moved on” might be a bit emotional. But, actually, it was a wonderful experience to have “one more time together.” It was so very pleasant to remember
back to a time with classmates, teachers, parents, and neighbors when we
were just “being launched” into our adventure in life.
Again, thank you for the delightful DVD.
Dick Brown ’56
If you are interested in receiving a copy of the “Class of ’56 DVD,” please get in
touch with the alumni office. The cost is a donation to The Titusville
Promise + $4.00 for shipping, or you can pick it up at the office.
News Of Our Alumni
’78 Grad Opens Comic Books 101
By Ron Wig “77
Bill Wieder ’78 has recently opened a retail store in downtown Titusville. Selling
comics and gaming products at his 116 1/2 Spring Street location, Bill has appropriately
named the store Comic Books 101. Bill says that his love of comic books all started
right here at THS in January of 1974 when he was 13 years old. At that time, comic
books were confiscated if you were caught reading them in class. A MAD magazine
had found its way to the circular receptacle in Lou Panion’s room # 36 and was liberated.
“I was the lucky student to benefit from someone else’s misfortune. I read the magazine from cover to cover, and I was hooked”, says Wieder. He then went to the news
stand to buy the latest edition of MAD.
Over the course of time since high school, Bill has run a comic business in many locations including his garage in Pleasantville, Titusville, Clarion, Oil City, and Franklin.
After 40 years of development, Comic Books 101 opened for business on Spring Street
in Titusville and will be open after school from 3:30 to 6:30 p.m. Monday through Friday, and 11:00 to 2:00 p.m. on Saturdays. Bill maintains inventory at two other retail
shops, Neverending Stories in Franklin and Artfunkle’s in Clarion. As
the Alumni Association
is always interested in
family connections, it is
interesting that Bill’s
shop sits directly across
the street from the former location of Teig’s
Furniture store which
was run by Bill’s father,
Lou Wieder for many,
many years.
Bill Wieder resides in
Bill, Michael and Vicky Wieder on their opening day of Titusville with his wife
Vicky, his son Michael,
Comic Books 101.
a 7th grader at Titusville
Middle School, and a daughter, Megan Wieder ’13, currently attending Point Park University. I purchased the current issue of MAD for nostalgic reasons and I think I hooked
my son and his friends who couldn’t put it down on the way home from football practice. We wish Bill and his family success with his new retail store and invite all of our
readers to stop by when in Titusville and check out all that Comics 101 has to offer.
Lieutenant Commander Timothy H. Phenicie ’85 Retires
In a formal ceremony held at the NAS Oceana, Dam Neck Annex in Virginia
Beach, VA, Lieutenant Phenicie retired from the Navy after a 30-year career.
Throughout the ceremony, Phenicie was praised for his leadership abilities and for
always being in control.
Phenicie, who graduated from Titusville High School in 1985, entered the Navy
in June 1985, after enlisting in the delayed entry program in 1984. As he progressed
through the ranks, holding a number of leadership positions, he also completed an
associates of business and applied science degree from Excelsior College, and holds
the certified information systems security professional certification.
Personal decorations received by Phenicie include the Defense Meritorious Service
Award (two awards), the Joint Service Commendation Medal (two awards), the Navy
and Marine Corps Commendation Medal (three awards), the Joint Service Achievement Medal and the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal (four awards), and
was awarded the U.S. Army Signal Corps Regimental Fellowship Award.
Phenicie and his wife, Rose, live in Suffolk, VA. They have two sons, Timothy Jr.,
who is stationed in Hawaii with the Navy; and Ryan, a Marine, currently serving in
Afghanistan. Phenicie is the son of Carolyn and Tom Phenicie of Titusville.
United Way and Rotary Team Up to Promote a Happy - Healthy
Community with COLOR BLAST 2014 Fun 5K Run/Walk
United Way of the Titusville Region and Titusville Rotary Club teamed up to bring a
popular event to the Titusville area while celebrating the Kick-Off of the 2014 Promoting a Happy & Healthy Community Campaign. The inaugural COLOR BLAST Fun 5K
Run/Walk was held on Saturday, August 30, 2014 with the start and finish line celebration at Carter Field. The event was organized by Terri Ann Logsdon ’78 Wig, Director
of the United Way of the Titusville Region and Traci Nichols ‘84 Speer, Treasurer of
the Titusville Rotary Club and the Chair of the 2014 Promoting a Happy Health Community United Way Campaign.
Registration was open to the entire family. Paid registrations received a COLOR
BLAST T-Shirt to be worn as a canvas, and a United Way LIVE UNITED wristband.
Color running events are happening all across the country and are fun for the entire
family. The COLOR BLAST promotes a happy, healthy community. At COLOR
BLAST, runners become part of the rainbow. As participants run/walk/dance through
the course, they got showered in safe, eco-friendly, plant-based powdered dye at every
kilometer...turning them into Technicolor canvas of fun!
Just when runners thought they couldn’t possibly be more colorful, they cross the finish line and find themselves in the middle of a color storm at the Finish Festival! The
participants jammed out to the live sounds of Fine ’til Friday. Many people told us this
experience was the most fun they’ve ever had exercising.
“COLOR BLAST is for absolutely everyone! Whether you’re a recovering couch potato or an avid marathon runner, you’ll love the atmosphere and experience at COLOR
BLAST. You’re welcome to walk, run, dance, or skip your way to the finish line. And
is family-friendly — kids 10 and under run FREE!” stated Wig.
Teams were encouraged to attend. A discounted registration fee was given to Teams
of 5 or more members. Teams came in costume to show off their team spirit with some
fantastic costumes. A number of THS Rocket Varsity Football Players participated and
had a great time dousing Coach Tom Hancock with color.
“We were thrilled that we had about 300 adults and kids participating in the event. It
was such a great success that plans are already underway for a bigger better event next
year.”
Jennifer Wright ‘14 Competes at
Future Business Leaders Conference
Jennifer Wright took part in the job interview competition on Monday, June 30
at the Future Business Leaders of America National Leadership Conference in Nashville, TN. Jennifer’s road to
Nashville began in December 2013 when she took first
place at the Region 2 Leadership Conference held at the
University of Pittsburgh at Titusville. She then went on to
the state competition in Hershey where she took fourth
place in Pennsylvania and qualified for nationals.
As a competitor, Jennifer was required to complete a resume, cover letter and job application which were submitted and scored in advance. She then participated in a
15-minute interview before a panel of judges from business and industry. She was the first student from Titusville High School to attend the FBLA national
competition.
Local World War II Veterans Honored at Reenactment Weekend
Family present for Lieutenant Commander Timothy Phenicie’s retirement ceremony were: daughter-in -law, Mrs. Ryan (Amber) Phenicie, wife Rose, and
mother, Carolyn. Back: son, Timothy Phenicie Jr., LDCR Timothy Phenicie Sr.,
and father, Tom Phenicie.
This year’s Oilcreek & Titusville Railroad Reenactment Weekend opened with a ceremony honoring local World War II veterans. Jack Boyd, Gerald A. Sterling ’45, Dick
Ridgway ’46, John Schultz ’41, Ken Burt, Earl Yingling ’40 and Bob Roof took part
in the ‘Remembering WWII’ observance.
Xavier DeRose ‘13
By Ron Wig’77
A large contingent of family and friends made the trip to Wilmington, PA on September 13, 2014 to attend a football game. A group of 25 or more tailgaters, including this
author and family, were present on the picturesque Westminster campus for the challenge between the local team and the Presidents from Washington and Jefferson (W
and J) College. The common denominator that brought this group together on a beautiful
fall evening is Xavier DeRose, THS Class of 2013, former standout scholar athlete and
a sophomore member of the 2014 W and J football team. Xavier is majoring in International Business at this prestigious southwestern Pennsylvania institution. He played
a linebacker position for the W and J Presidents
in their 56-21 win over the Westminster Titans.
Xavier has racked up 3 solo tackles and 2 assists
to help bring their team record on the season to
2 and 0 following this outing. It is also a noteworthy connection that John W. Heisman
(Heisman Trophy), 1887 THS graduate and
football player on the ’84,’85 and ’86 teams
held a coaching position at Washington and Jefferson.
Xavier is the son of Keith and Julie Stockwell
’87 DeRose. We are proud that his experience at
THS has provided a solid springboard for all
that lies ahead, and wish Xavier continued success on and off the field.
Mackennzy Lutton, 9, presents a token of appreciation to WWII veterans
John Schultz and Earl Yingling.
Local Man Earns Pharmacy Degree
from LECOM
Kasey William Harroun ’08 was awarded a doctor
of pharmacy degree from the Lake Erie College of Osteopathic Medicine School of Pharmacy on June 1, 2014
at the Erie Insurance Arena.
The doctor of pharmacy degree prepares pharmacists
committed to providing high-quality, ethical and compassionate patient-centered care.

REVISED ALLUMNI.indd

Transcription

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