REVISED ALLUMNI.indd
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REVISED ALLUMNI.indd
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!” ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 14 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 Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser 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 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins In memory of Butch Kasbee Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins 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 Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser 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 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins Bruce and Kathryn Pringle Scholarship Tyrella Pringle ’59 Thomas Patricia Pringle ’59 Miller Dianne Pringle ’57 Higgins In Memory of John Markovich ’43 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins Margaret I Fiely Scholarship The Lioness Club of Titusville In Memory of Wells Stockwell ’47 Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser Lynn Dillinger ’65 Marlowe Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins 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 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins In Memory of Charles Maginnis ’54 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins In Memory of James Fye ’54 Sallie Tobin ’53 Fye In Memory of Myrna Phillips Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser In Memory of John McNierney ’59 Leslie Spence ’62 McNierney In Memory of the Deceased 1959 Classmates Tyrella Pringle ’59 Thomas In Memory of Rick Hipwell ’61 Leslie Spence ’62 Hipwell McNierney In Memory of Steven MacDonald ’64 Gene ’52 and Jean Sallaway ’55 Schlosser 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 Paul ’54 and BJ Serrins 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 NEWS 37th Issue Page 13 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! ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 12 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. ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 11 (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. ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 10 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 ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 9 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! ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 8 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. ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 7 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. Page 6 ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue 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. ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 5 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 Page 4 ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue 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! ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue Page 3 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. Page 2 ALUMNI NEWS 37th Issue 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.