The 85th Elsmore Alumni Banquet was Saturday, May 28, at Elsmore City Hall with an attendance of 79. Officers were Judy Wilson, president, Bill Otto, vice president, and Janice Fewins Rake, secretary-treasurer. A delicious meal was served by Big Creek Market. Marge Fewins Davis provided a historical display including old class pictures and albums. Mike Myers, class of 1973, shared a 1955 friendship quilt from his family which he had given to Connie Krokstrom Schmidt, class of 1973, knowing she would cherish and preserve it. The quilt was made in 1955 and includes names of Elsmore area residents of that time.
Judy Wilson led a memorial service for the 38 alumni who have passed away since the last banquet in 2019.
Recognition was given to past and present military, to all teachers and Savonburg/Stark Alumni. The earliest class members were Joan Johnson Wolfe and Evelyn Cox Roberts, class 1947, celebrating their 75th anniversary. The family with the most attendees was the Fewins family with six. The class with the most attendees was 1966 with five. The oldest married alumni couple were Don and Donna Ludlum Bauer, class of 1959. Those who traveled the farthest were Max Ward of Durango, Colo., 800 miles, and Judy Daniels Flanegin of Henderson, Nev., 1,300 miles.
Janice Rake recognized four students who received scholarships from the alumni association: Abby Altic, Kendall Scharff, Kamryn Boyd and Shelby Reichard. In all, the alumni awarded 11 scholarships for a total of $3,250. Other recipients were Alyson Ard, Andrew Fewins, William Fewins, Kirstyn Murrow, Reece Murry, Riley Murry and Ty Scharff.
Since starting in 2011, 63 scholarships totaling $14,000 have been awarded. Dave Fewins, Judy Wilson and Betty Hawley serve on the scholarship committee. Everyone was thanked for their contributions, small or large, with special thanks to the Henry Ericson memorial which produced $470 and Betty Boler Hawley for donating the Elsmore quilt which was raffled off and garnered $673 for the scholarship fund. Winner of the quilt was Karen Price.
Betty Boler Hawley and Alice Boler Bolin also shared another fundraiser idea. Betty has made a Dragon quilt to be put on display, and they are making a list of those interested in having their name and year put in a block on the quilt. The donation for this would be $25 and go to the scholarship fund. Family blocks may be purchased for five for $100.
Officers for 2022-23 are Alice Boler Bolin, president, Hellen Boler Welch, vice president, Janice Rake, secretary/treasurer.
The Wilson family was thanked for decorations and set up at the City Hall, and Susie and Johnny Gillham were thanked for hosting the reception at the Elsmore Methodist Church prior to the banquet. Bill Otto also provided decorations, including a large blowup Dragon. Everyone was so thankful for the opportunity to once again get together.
