LAHARPE The annual LaHarpe High School Alumni Celebration started Saturday with eight members joining the LaHarpe Day parade. The former students, ranging from the classes of 1947 to 1966, rode in a pickup during the procession.
The focus of this years banquet was on the the U.S. Postal Service in LaHarpe.
The first post office opened in LaHarpe in 1881. Axel Peterson was an early postmaster. He also coached the high school boys ball teams during World War II.
Willis Ross, Class of 1939, served during World War II before later becoming postmaster. Ross attended and helped with several alumni reunions through the years. He also remained active with the LaHarpe Veterans of Foreign Wars and Moran American Legion posts. Ross died in January at the age of 97.
Linda Sweany introduced Cole Regehr and Sarah Spillman, recent graduates from Iola and Marmaton Valley high schools, respectively, and recipients of $500 LaHarpe Alumni scholarships.
Betty Croghan Daniels offered a memorial for members who have died in the past year: Doris Spencer Roe, Willis Ross, Betty Garrison Holloway, Dean Page, Jamie Jones, Pauline Hamil Skinner, Emily Boyd Lewis and Dale Jackman.
Betty, a longtime LaHarpe Alumni officer, is stepping down this year as vice president. Linda Chandler Call was tapped as the new vice president. Other officer re-elected were President Sharon Chandler Utley, Treasurer William Watson and Secretary Linda Henegar Sweany.
The banquet dinner was prepared by Elaine Stewart and her family.
Sharon greeted the attendees. William led the group with the flag salute. Betty Henegar Mason offered a prayer.
Attending were:
Pat Ansell Heinz, Jack and Kay Croghan, Marilyn Ansell Andres, Gerald and Mary Manbeck Clay, William and Linda Watson, Dale Maloney, Sunny Ott, Sue Mantooth, Ray Smith, Kim L. Swearingen, Charyl Link, Kenneth and Phyllis Nelson, Janice Hengar, Bud Jackson, Cole Regehr and Shellie Regehr, Iola; Steve and Shirley Utley, Linda Henegar Sweany, Steve Smith, Lloyd and Sandra Northcutt and Harry and Joyce Hay Lee, LaHarpe; Sandra Colgin Beaman, Belle Plain; David and Peg Call Paddock, Ottawa; Linda Chandler Call, Yates Center; Richard Huston and Allen Mauk, Chanute; Jay and Betty Croghan Daniels, Elsmore; Larry and Janice Smart, Osage City; Phil and Isa Manbeck Andruss, Topeka; Vernon and Dottie McVey, Caney; Darrel Hawk, Wellsville; Albert and Lois Adams Spencer, Wamego; Lloyd and Bonnie Hengar Vincent, Sheldon and Ruth Caudell and Lora Manbeck Prock, Colony; Beverly McVey Sheperd, Wichita; Janette Mauk, Pittsburg; Jerry and Delma Morrison Murray and C.J. Peterson, Le Roy; Sandra Morrison Ellis, Humboldt; Wayne and Nancy Chandler, Sarah and Jennie Spillman, Judy Ensminger Welch and Elaine Hawk Jackman, Moran; Terry and Julie Mauk Marvin, Edwardsville; Clint and Jackie Hawk, Holt, Mo.; Lynn Vincent Huffman, Weatherford, Texas; Wayne and Fred March, Pinville, Mo.; Tracy Smith Morris, Kanehe Bay, Hawaii; and Bobbie McVey, Kansas City, Mo.
The next meeting will be at 3 p.m. June 27, 2020, at LaHarpe City Hall.
