Athens High School Class of 1959

We are hoping to make this a site where classmates can keep in touch with each other. Sign the guest book and leave a message.

We would like some pictures to post just send them to Fourls1223@aol.com in jpg form.

Jana Williams Shumate mawmee730@aol.com would love to hear from other classmates.

Reunion

by Nancy Marlowe Clifford

Fresh of face and light of heart,
we left and whirled out to the far reaches of the country,
           and some the world.
We sought our fortunes, and some were found,
and some were changed and transformed from what they were
            when we were fresh of face.
We fought our battles,
reaped our joys,
bowed beneath heartbreaks,
stood in triumph, and
lived our lives for thousands and thousands of days.
           and yet…
and yet,
we never forgot all those others who were part of us when we were
           fresh of face and light of heart,
and we returned after fifty years, long years and gone in a flash,
and put our arms around those we had missed and those we had kissed,
           and those we never forgot.

CLASS REUNION MINUTES:

AHS CLASS OF 1959 – 50^TH ANNIVERSARY PLANNING MEETING

July 9, 2008 – Athens, TX

Present: (16) Tom Selman, James Curtis, Judy Barlow Shaver, Rose Tinney Smith, Kathie Shirey Mormon, Nancy Derden Berry, Jana Williams Shumate, Carolyn Crawford Behne, Sharlotte Nash Holiman, Peggy Kinsey Halbert, Ann Neill Phillips, James Fite, Jack Keeble, Glen Smith, Doris Crippen Reeves, Mary E. Bush Bess

Presiding: Tom Selman, Reunion Chairman

Minutes: Motion to accept the minutes from May 14, 2008, made by Jack Keeble & seconded by James Curtis. Motion carried.

Treasurer’s Report: Sharlotte Holiman

AHS Class of ’59 funds were transferred from Jacksonville Savings & Loan/Franklin Bank to Citizens National Bank per the request of the Reunion Committee. A senior checking account was initiated with $711.11 deposited. The names of Sharlotte Holiman and Glen Smith were recorded as official signatures.

A check for $200. was written to Athens Country Club as a deposit on the reunion dinner for May 30, 2009.

Balance in account: $511.11

Old Business:

A. Contact Information – Tom is gathering updated addresses, phone numbers, and email addresses from ’59 class members to scan into the computer.

B. Photos, Class Memorabilia – Grads are requested to accumulate old pictures and memorabilia & send to Tom. He will prepare a sample page and email to committee for additional suggestions and evaluation.

C. Memory Book –Each grad will have a page (front & back) in the Memory Book. One side will feature school pictures & snap shots and the other side a current picture(s) of the grad and any personal text the grad wishes to share.

D. Friday, May 29 -- Glen Smith reported that Paul York offered to host the Class at his ranch on Friday evening, May 29. Motion made by James Curtis and seconded by Peggy Halbert that we accept the invitation. Carried unanimously. Registration would begin at 5:00 with dinner at 7:00. BQ was suggested from either James Dozier or Danny’s BQ. The Menu/Activities Committee was tasked to work out details as to refreshments and dinner. The committee voted to not provide complimentary alcoholic beverages on Friday p.m. but instead suggest B.Y.O.B.

New Business:

A. Menu/Facilities Committee: Mary E. Bess reported that the committee gathered price quotes and information from numerous facilities for the Saturday evening reunion dinner. The Athens Country Club offered the best price and service for such an event so a deposit of $200. was made to reserve May 30, 2009, for ½ of the ballroom. James Curtis made a motion that the committee’s choice be verified; second by Sharlotte Holiman. Motion carried.

B. Program Committee: Judy Shaver, chair, announced the Program Committee consisted of Martha Head, Jack Keeble, Glenn Smith, James Curtis, Betty Lou Yocom, Linda Lou Simons, Ann Phillips, and Mel & Janet Pirtle. Initial ideas from the committee included several ice-breaker activities, 50’s music, a skit that had been performed on Western Day at AHS, continuous Power Point presentation of old pictures, and a dedication time to honor deceased classmates. The program would be relaxed and not lengthy. Suggestions for M.C.’s included Mel and Janet Pirtle, Glenn and Rose Smith, and Glen Smith and Sharlotte Holiman.

C. Reunion Questionnaire & Cover Letter: Tom Selman distributed a Reunion Questionnaire accompanied by a cover letter that would be sent to every grad via email and/or postal service. He requested the committee study these papers and make suggestions, additions or deletions.

D. Memory Book: The Memory Book will include 20-25 pages of group pictures, a section featuring all living grads with pictures & text submitted by each grad, a section featuring our teachers 1^st thru 12^th grades, and a memorial section for deceased classmates.

E. Reunion Photographer: Stump Weatherford is available for the weekend to record pictures of the reunion events. He will then make it available to grads in DVD form.

F. DVD/CD Compilation: Stump can also prepare a DVD prior to the reunion featuring pictures submitted by the grads and music from the late 50’s. Each grad will receive a copy at the reunion. Motion made by Sharlotte Holiman and seconded by James Curtis that we endorse Stump Weatherford as our reunion photographer and provide the DVDs to the grads. Seconded by James Curtis. Carried.

G. Reception/Tour of Athens High School: Tom has arranged with Fred Hayes, AISD Superintendent, for the ’59 grads to tour the old AHS. It is scheduled from 3:00-4:30 on Saturday, May 30. Kathie Morman made a motion that we include this in our reunion agenda; seconded by Jack Keeble. Motion carried.

H. Athens Lodging: James Curtis volunteered to chair the Accommodations Committee along with James Fite. They will gather information from local motels and secure a block of rooms with “no obligation” to the class for the reunion weekend.

Miscellaneous Business from the Floor:

1. Website - Doris Reeves inquired about a reunion website, and Jana Shumate mentioned that her daughter, Bunny, had already set one up. Web address is: http://txgenwebcounties.com/hendersonSchool/ahsclassof1959.htm

2. Name Tags – The suggestion was made that the nametags for the reunion include a senior picture of the person.

3. Funding – Tom Selman shared that he had access to some funds from another professional organization to which he had belonged and was using these to help defray printing and miscellaneous reunion expense.

Next Meeting:

Wednesday, Sept 10^th

Home of Mary E. Bess – 3300 FM 317 East, Athens

Minutes transcribed by Mary E. Bess, Reunion Secretary