MRS. OLIVE VENN GIFFORD came the farthest distance to attend the 83rd annual North Bloomfield Alumni Banquet held in May, with 171 members and guests attending. Gifford, a member of the class of 1929, refused the gift for the "Oldest Member Present," so it went to Clarnece Kolley from the class of 1936.
A candle-lighting ceremony was held for the 13 members who passed away since Alumni 2008.
Wanda Maraczi announced she was stepping down from the secretary's position and adding another position, that of recording secretary. Elected were Betty Elwood Shipman, secretary; Betty Cummins Starr, president; Nancy Angstrom Rodgers, vice president; and Sandra Elwood Kingdom, treasurer.
Members of the 50th-year class of 1959 who received gifts were Dora Mae Barbe Peterson, Marilyn Munson French, Carrie Jean Cox, Norma Sly Byler, Kathy Griffin Bierworth, Darlene Pierce Fry, Elaine Peterson Ferance, Tracey Kalina Dalrumple, Janice Christ Camp, Barbara Ballard Wesco, Richard Peterson, Curtiss Venn, Thomas Fenton, Roger Peterson Sr., Albert Kirby, Robert Hrubik and Earl Carpenter.
Past teachers attending included Ruth Parker, Mary Ann Ughrin, Ronald Knight and Mary Fenton.
Allan Angle won the 50/50 drawing, and the door prize went to Donna Kolley Loomis.
The alumni banquet is held the first Saturday in May at St. Williams Social Hall, state Route 45 N.W., Champion. Send class information to 7568 state Route 45 N.W., North Bloomfield, Ohio 44450.
THE WARREN G. HARDING HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1957 will meet for lunch at 11:30 a.m. July 28 at Cafe 422, Youngstown Road, Warren. Spouses are welcome. For reservations, call Judy at 330-637-6664 or Roz at 330-638-4026 by July 22.
AUSTINTOWN FITCH HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1974 will celebrate its 35th reunion from 6 to 11 p.m. Sept. 5 at the Bedford House Bed and Breakfast, 125 Dogwood Way, Pulaski, Pa. (owned by classmate Jane Rider Cullen), recently featured in Pennsylvania Magazine. There is a swimming pool, and there will be music, tiki torches and a campfire.
Cost is $10 per person and includes a catered picnic and non-alcoholic beverages. Please send payment by Aug. 1 to: Marcia Gamble Sturdevant, 3930 Chaucer Way, Youngstown, Ohio 44511.
For more information or to volunteer to help, contact Ray Novotny, 330-740-7107, office, 330-792-6430, home, or raynovotny@yahoo.com; or Jane Rider Cullen, 724-964-1050. For reservations at the Bedford House Bed and Breakfast, go to bedfordhousebedandbreakfast.com.
THE HOWLAND HIGH SCHOOL CLASS OF 1964 will hold its 45th reunion Aug. 7. Any classmate who hasn't been contacted by mail or e-mail and who is interested in attending should contact Phyllis at 330 652-0806 or PJRJBOYS64@aol.com.
Teachers or anyone with close ties to the class of 1964 also may attend.
THE NEWTON FALLS CLASSMATES AND FRIENDS 90TH REUNION was celebrated June 20 at DiVieste's Banquet Room in Warren, with 415 in attendance.
Retired teachers present included Virginia McCabe Baran, Bill Carson, Larry Dueber, Robert Force, Ed Freisen, Richard Glass, Pat Kolasky McCutcheon, Gertrude Pittman, Kathy Harvey Shonce, Elsie Whetzel and Gene Zorn. Retired nurses Betty Force and Mary Margaret Hildack also attended.
During the roll call of classes, Merial Price gave special recognition to nine classmates from the 1930-40 classes: Dorothy Conner, Katharine Apgar, Jean Lewis, Sal Johnson, Ila Sherman, Herbert Hewitt, Mendal Shaw, Anita Terry and Albert Sipka.
Dick Jewell introduced the honored class of 1959, and he and Jerry Carleton recalled memories of practical jokes and other activities from the 1959 class.
The annual drawing for the keeper of the town pump for the next year was awarded to Lois Allen Scroggs and was presented to her by this year's keeper, William Dickey.
Acknowledgments of farthest traveled were given to Carol Prater, Bill Jua, Mel Smith, Robert and Jean Kuchta and Barbara Johannes, all from California. Most family members present were five members of the Chicko, Allen and Dickey families.
Next year's reunion will be held June 19. The class of 1960 will be honored for its 50th anniversary.