2009 News letter
2009 RUSHFORD ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
Greetings from your newsletter editor, Jim Pomeroy (’60).
If there is something about yourself or your class that you’d
like to include in next year’s newsletter, send a note to the
Rushford Alumni Association (Box 1, Rushford, NY 14777 – Attn:
Newsletter Editor), or send me an email at
rushfordschool@yahoo.com---don’t be shy particularly if you have never submitted anything before.
For emails, please include the words “Rushford Alumni”
in the subject box. If you
move and change your address, try to remember to keep us updated.
Also, if an alumnus was removed from the Association’s active
contact list in 2008 and wants to be restored to the list, all that
person need do is notify me and confirm his or her mailing address.
I
intend to remain as your newsletter editor and keeper of the alumni
database for the coming year but am thinking it may be my last.
I’m sure I will have more to say about this in next year’s
newsletter. In the
meantime, if there is one of you who would like to take on one or
both of these tasks in the future, please contact me.
Don’t think that you have to be someone who lives in the
immediate Rushford area.
The truth is that it gets harder and harder to find alumni living in
the Rushford area who are willing and able to take on these
responsibilities. If
they satisfy the “able” part, then the “willing” part is the
hang-up---it’s very likely they have been collared by one or two
other organizations that already take up their free time.
If
you received this newsletter by postal mail and you previously
provided me with an email address, it means that my email messages
to you may have been blocked or otherwise maybe not seen or read by
you for one reason or another. Getting
the newsletter to you is the most important thing so maybe postal
mail is best for you anyway.
Corresponding by email does save the Association postage but
efforts spent to confirm that an email was received have used up
more time in the last few years than I care to calculate.
Another consideration for me
is that I can not get high-speed internet at reasonable cost where I
live. Doing anything
involving the internet with just dial-up service can take me
considerable time. Starting with this newsletter I will not try to
confirm that it was received by those of you on the email list.
If you are not on our email
list but you really want to be on it and you use email regularly
yourself, then send me an email at
rushfordschool@yahoo.com.
Do NOT give me your email address by postal mail or on the
banquet reservation form.
This newsletter can be viewed on the
Those receiving this
newsletter by email or viewing it on the CRCS website should still
use postal mail to make banquet reservations and/or to send
donations (Rushford Alumni Association,
Thanks to Susan Clark Holmes, Bernice Owens Armison and her
daughter
Grace Armison, and to Sue Corbett Clark for helping me to stuff and
stamp envelopes for the mailing that was done in 2008.
Further thanks to Susan Clark Holmes for doing the
photocopying.
Approximately 230 people attended
the 2008 banquet, the highest number, I believe, since the
Association was started in the late 1800’s. The auditorium was
decorated earlier in the day by Wendy Cook and Beverly Thomas,
daughters of alumnus (’51) Karene Falsion Green.
Bernice Owens Armison and her three children helped to
decorate and organize items on the tables too.
Much appreciation must be given to school janitor David Hatch
(Class of 1984) who had moved all the tables and chairs into the
auditorium and then set them up and who did it all in reverse
sometime after the banquet was over!
(Dave, you’re an
absolute life-saver!!!)
Rev. Robert Childs gave the banquet Invocation.
A buffet dinner was served under the supervision of
Kevin (’74) and Dawn Pascell
(’77)
We notice that some people who are eligible for a free dinner
pay for it anyway. For
those who do that, we assume that this is your way of making a
donation beyond dues to our general expenses.
While it is not necessary for you to do this, we certainly
appreciate it.
The future the school building at Rushford
continues to be a concern to area residents as well as to many
alumni. Although the
Cuba-Rushford Central School Board of Education voted 5-2 in January
of 2008 to keep the Rushford building open, they indicated later in
the year that if enrollment at the building (grades K through 5)
drops below a certain figure, the building would be closed.
Enrollment for the 2008-2009 school years has averaged in the
80’s. The building
remains open for the 2009-2010 school year.
News From or About Individual Alumni and Classes:
’36 -- John Babbitt of
anymore.’
Enjoy the newsletter…Will be thinking of you all.
Have another great year.”
’36 -- Harriet Balcom Davis of
“How fast the years
fly by-----like birds winging through the sky.-----What have we done
with all of our days?-----We take out our
memories and see the
ways-----our lives have changed from when we were young.-----We
think of the things we have done,-----
the places we’ve been,-----the people we’ve
seen.-----Memories—they’re precious.-----But as we look back, let us
also look
ahead,-----striving each day to do our best,----looking to
God for comfort and rest.-----To give someone a cheery word, or even
a
smile-----will ease the travel of many a weary mile.-----May
our days be filled with peace.-----May we never cease-----to
remember
that God loves us,-----and his promises we can always trust.”
’39 -- Florence Davis Clark of Rushford died in August, 2008.
’42 -- Jean Lutes Lynn died in December, 2008.
Her last address in our files was
’42 -- Mrs. Arthur (Pauline) Sampson of Arcade, NY was not a
graduate of RCS but her husband Art was.
Pauline wrote the following
to us in 2008: “I appreciated receiving a
copy of the Alumni news so much.
While Art was still alive, I always tried to get him to
write
a letter, but he never got
around to it. So much
happened through the years.
We had 10 children and we kept busy
between Art’s two jobs and setting up land for the camp.
To date our granddaughter and her husband are directors and
are doing
great work. The
Lord has blessed. After
Art passed away (Christmas 2001) I moved off the big farm to a
mobile home in the
Aristo Terrace. I
still have my 40 year-old Down’s Syndrome son Nathan with me.
He is a joy and lots of company for me.
Give
my regards to those who knew Art.”
’42 – Mary Sprague Williams of
classmates. Our
church thrift shop continues to keep me busy as manager. I also
luncheon with our singles group. “
’44 – Don Alderman of
They Left Behind (The War Years)”
. If interested in
obtaining either or both of these books, you can get the best deal
by
directly contacting Don or his wife Marvelyn
at 716-373-4382.
Don also penned this ditty for the newsletter:
“If I don’t say
something,-----the year 1944 will be blank.----A most
important year,----if I might be frank.-----So many I knew-----are
no
longer around.-----But I’m still kicking,-----doing nothing
profound.-----I give credit to the cranberry juice,-----pain pills
somewhat,
exercise a bit,-----when I’m able to get out.”
’44 – Ernest Kellogg of
in 1949 with Betsy Hubbard, our “adopted” alumnus who taught
several years at RCS.
The Kelloggs lived in
administrator for a nearby large medical clinic and keeps his
parents “behaving themselves”.
Daughter Vicki works at Western
’44 -- Dorothy Dickens Meyerink of Webster, NY wrote us in 2008: “I became a grandmother in
2006 and again in 2007.
I was
commissioned as a “Preaching Elder” in my church (Reformed
and serve communion but not allowed to marry or baptize
anyone. Larry Dickens,
my older brother, is well in
enjoys picking oranges and avocadoes from the trees in his
backyard in
’48 – Alma Foss of
School (
seeing on the West Coast, railroading through the Canadian
Rockies, and visiting the Canadian
2008 they travelled to
Pauline’s Red Hat Chapter.
’50 – Class of 1950 met in July, 2008, at the home of Norm and Irene
Francis in Rushford.
Also in attendance were Pauline James
King and husband Don, Ted and Marj Crowell, Duane Luce, Alton
Westfall, Eldyn and Pat Davies, Art and Marilyn Kellogg, Keith
and Arletta Smith Slocum, June Blakeslee Clark, David
Vincent, and Hattie Clark.
’51 – Karene Falsion Mower Green told us that she hates to write
letters but she wants to say “hi”, in particular to classmate Ethel
Drummond Morse.
In her note Karene mentioned she had lost a son in 1999 but so far
the rest of her family is fine.
She has 10+
great-grandchildren.
’52 -- Sally Durkee Hall of Nunda, NY sent us a note in 2008: “Always enjoy the
newsletter…
Congratulations Rushford on reaching
your
bicentennial. We here in
Nunda are celebrating 2008 also… Hope you can keep Rushford school
open…”
’53 – Tom Mountain of Cuba, NY died in July, 2008.
’55 -- Pauline Foss Buck of Baldwinsville, NY told us that she
enjoys retirement and is busy all the time.
’58 – Class of 1958 celebrated their 50th year since
graduation at Chanderson’s Restaurant
at
attendance
were classmates Sandy Wende Crowley, Art McElheny, Paul Sanders, Ron
Wende, Dorothy Henry Howland, Paul
Pettit, and Dale Slocum.
On another date, when classmate Dan Kopp of
home of Paul Sanders in
collected and donated a total of $395 to the Albro
Scholarship Fund in memory of deceased class members Larry Baker,
Bob
Vickman, and Faye Webster Bliss.
(This is the second
time the class has made a donation in memory of one or more of their
deceased classmates---thanks much, Class of 1958!)
’58 -- Dorothy Henry Howland of
’59 – Donalee Rice Baker of Torrance, CA told us in 2008 that she
was “a short timer” since she planned to retire from employment with
The Salvation Army in January of 2009.
She is looking forward to the next chapter of her life.
‘59 – Ernie Owens and his wife Lynette Covert Owens (‘65) received
the “Dairy of Distinction” award for their farm in 2008.
They have
about 250 milking cows plus younger stock.
They have also expanded the number of their barns.
All their children and
grandchildren help out on the farm.
Ernie and Lynette are the parents of our Treasurer, Bernice
Owens Armison.
’60 -- David Walden of Rushford died in November, 2008.
’63 – Bill Bailey of
special considering his class would be celebrating its 45th
year since graduation.
Bill said he was still working for Covidian Health
Care and was thinking about retirement.
Like many of you, Bill expressed appreciation for the
newsletter and included a very nice
donation toward our general operating expenses.
’64 – Jody MacCall Brown has sold her cottage at
near
’65 -- Tyrone Davis of Rushford died in December, 2008.
’65 – Dorothy Davies Colfer
reports that she is
back in
they asked if I would do one more year for them. …I am really
glad to be here, and am back to working in the Army hospital.
Most
of our patients are now coming from
’65 – Michael (Mick) Flynn of Richmond, Virginia is obviously
putting his psychology degree to good use.
He says that he’s having
great fun hanging around with his two grandchildren.
The “Happy Hibernian” added this about them in his note:
“Of course
genetics would dictate that they are very smart and also good
looking.”
’65 –
about Bob. I
don’t know where he went to college but he taught school for a
number of years--- in the Wellsville school system for
one. He obviously
took courses in school administration along the way since he
eventually became Superintendent at Bolivar
years ago. The
principal of the high school, Charles Bostwick, another Rushford
graduate (Class of 1964), soon followed him into
retirement.
Anybody I’ve met who taught under Bob at Bolivar-Richburg has
nothing but good things to say about him, soooo—
here’s a belated “job very well done, Bob.” He
and his wife still reside in Bolivar.
Son Jeff is a winning baseball coach at
’65 – Audean Haskins of Rushford received a kidney transplant in
February of 2009 after being on dialysis for nine years for a
hereditary kidney problem.
As this newsletter was “going to press”, Audean was
hospitalized in
the transplant.
We wish her the best.
Audean reports that her brother Fred (’78) of
2008 and has been doing well with it.
Brother Merle (’71) continues to teach English at St.
Johnsbury Academy in
Brother Dennis (’64) initially followed a military career.
Somewhere along the line he obtained a doctoral degree and is
currently a
program administrator at
bus driver at old RCS for many years.
’66 – David Fuller, formerly
of
22 years, Mary Ellen, died in April of 2007 after fighting
cancer for over two years.
Our son Joel spent two years active duty in the
US Marine Corps, including six months in
on the internet from
children and stepchildren, with 27 grandchildren and four
more grandchildren coming between October ’08 and March ’09.
They
live from the State of
’69 – Gail Williams of
Symphony Orchestra.
Gail, a graduate of
Symphony and currently teaches at
where he was first chair in the clarinet section.
The young girl who proudly showed her dad’s prize
destined to do other things---this is no surprise given that
she has such a musical mom (Wilda).
’70 – Bernard McElheny has said
“bye” NYS and
“hello”
remember to turn out the lights when you go?
J)
’71 –
Theodore Fairbanks of
’72 – Shirley Randolph Saulter of Rushford reports that her class
held a reunion on August 28, 2008 at Moonwinks Restaurant at
NY. Thirteen class
members attended—exactly half the class.
Also present were class advisors Donald Fegley and Eva
Heaney.
“We all had a wonderful time reminiscing about our past and
catching up on the present….Thanks to all who came and
contributed (a $100 contribution was made to the Belva Waite
Scholarship Fund).”
’73 -- Charles Barr of
’74 – Harrison Weaver is employed as Controller for the Golden Gate
Baptist Theological Seminary at
’76 – Jody Barber Burns of Hilton, NY reports that
Steve Crandall passed away earlier this year. He was a member of
the Class of 1976
until his senior year when he moved to
’81 -- Donalyn Davis Rybicki of Olean, NY keeps close tabs on her
classmates and tells us that Beth Worthington Ertsgaard, has three
children and is living in
’81 – Evelyn Owens Alessi of
she and husband Mark had been
married for 23 years.
Their three boys are in various stages of their college
education and their
daughter is graduating from high school in 2009.
Evelyn says she fondly remembers her dad,
Robert Owens (Class of 1957),
sitting at the kitchen table and filling us in on everyone's
whereabouts when he would receive the newsletter. Her three
sisters,
also graduates of RCS, live in
Owens Ace (‘88) provides childcare in her home, and Karen
Owens Slack (‘91) is a nurse at the Absolut Nursing Home in
Houghton. Evelyn
has kept close contact with classmate Marie Randall Woodard, who
lives in Houghton and teaches at Scio
Central. Evelyn’s family still attends church in
Rushford.
’83 – Candy VanHousen of Rushford reports that she graduated from
college in June, 2008 with an Associates Degree and now has
her
Teacher's
Assistant Certificate. She has been subbing at the Rushford
Campus of CRCS for the past two years and really
enjoys working with the children.
Brother Randy is still working for the
Allegany County
Department of Public
Works and has
become an equipment operator.
(Thanks to Candy and Randy for
being active members of Rushford Volunteer Fire
Department. Let
me also say the same to the Hatch family—Gail, Wayne, Dave, Chris
and spouses. I apologize
for not
naming and recognizing all our alumni who are active members
of the Fire Department.
Thanks to all of you for sticking by
old Rushford.)
’87 – Traci
Kozak Krist of Chaffee, NY became a living donor on December 8,
2008. She donated a
kidney to her seven year-old son,
Tanner, who had been on dialysis for four months.
She encourages everyone to register with the national organ
donor registry.
More information about the registry can be obtained
at
www.donatelife.net.
’88 – Teresa
Hober Sherrill is part of a military family and as such she has had
to move with some frequency.
Her current home is at
those who did and to others who know her, how about
surprising Teresa with a note!?)
’88 – Lee
Pomeroy, like so many, got married and started a family soon after
graduating from high school.
After well over ten years
during which he helped support his family by driving a semi
some of the time, he decided it was time for a change.
In 2007 he
graduated from the nursing program at
Edinboro University of
Pennsylvania. He is now
a registered nurse working
in the emergency room at a hospital near
’04 – Here’s
an update on our 2004 scholarship recipient, Amanda Preston.
Amanda, the daughter of Dale and Debbie Clark (’75)
St. Bonaventure University from which she graduated this
spring with a master’s degree.
She is now working for the
accounting firm of Buffamante, Whipple, and Buttafaro in
Mike Sears. Mike is
the son of Randie and Lynda Furniss Sears, both graduates of old
RCS.
(As this is going to press so to speak, I learned
that Shirley Thorington passed away.
Although she was not an RCS alumnus, she
served on the RCS school board for a number of years.
Shirley and Doc’s children all graduated from RCS.)
*****************************
Let me end this on a
lighter note. Here are
some business signs that have been observed somewhere sometime:
In the front yard of
a funeral home--- “Drive carefully.
We’ll wait.” In
an optometrist’s office--- “If you don’t know
what you’re looking for, you’ve come to the right place.”
In a non-smoking
area--- “If we see smoke,
we will assume you are on fire and take appropriate action.”
In a veterinarian’s waiting room---
“Be back soon.
Sit! STAY!!!”
insert content here