FATHER'S DAY TRIBUTE FROM A KHS65 SON

Our KHS65 Poet Laureate Alan Yount (The Count of 1960s Band fame) has once again been honored by Jerry Jazz Musician website with a front page poem for Father's Day.  I think you'll enjoy it, even if you're not a father!  Way to go once again Alan!!!  And Happy post Father's Day to you, and many more!

photo by John Cobb and Morgan Naies

SITTING  ON  TOP  OF  MY  DAD’S  TOMBSTONE
                   For My Dad, Thomas Yount


sitting on the top of my dad’s tombstone
          … in sedalia, missouri,
I was thinking
          of how much
we practiced
         our horns together.
you played clarinet
          and I was on the cornet.
It seemed forever
          we practiced:
all through grade school and junior high,
          you played so great.
I never thought
          that I would ever catch up to you.
but your playing,
         taught me your desire, to play better.
sitting there,
         on top of his tombstone:
I played a few notes, on the cornet
          of the song “back again.”
and I was thinking of
          and hearing
a great jazz legacy
          passed on
from my father
          to his only son. 

KHS Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame - NOMINATIONS NOW IN ORDER

From the latest newsletter of the  KHS Alumni & Friends Call Summer 2018 - the nomination form is on the alumni website, URL below.

 

Outstanding Alumni and Athletic Halls of Fame

 

The Kirkwood High School (KHS) Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame Selection committees are now accepting online nominations for the Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame.

 

The purpose of the Kirkwood Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame is to honor men and women who have achieved success in some recognized field of endeavor and who would serve as appropriate role models for future Kirkwood High students.

 

The purpose of the Athletic Hall of Fame is to honor and recognize men and women athletes, coaches, or community members who have made significant contributions to KHS athletics.

 

Honorees will be recognized in Spring 2019. The ceremony for the Athletic Hall of Fame will be held February 9, 2019. The ceremony for the Outstanding Alumni Hall of Fame will be held March 30, 2019.

Individuals inducted in the Halls of Fame are listed on the alumni website.at https://mo49000011.schoolwires.net/Page/2944.

 

A NOD TO VIET NAM, A KHS CLASSMATE AND MEMORIAL DAY

From our good KHS65 friend Alan Yount, poet, horn player and bandmaster extraodinaire,  comes a new poem which will be honored in an online publication for Memorial Day.  Kudos to Alan for continually succeeding in having his work published!  I have more of his work to post, just recently able to find time for some of my long-neglected fun activities.  You can visit the journal at:  http://militaryexperience.org/as-you-were-vol-1/ and on the 28th you should see Alan's poem leading off the poetry section.  Note the nod to Craig Schmitz, another Kirkwood boy killed in Viet Nam.

On this Memorial Day, as always, wishing the best for all our classmates who have and continue to serve our country.  Thank you for your service!

WHY DOES THE NIGHT LAST SO LONG

  

the same dreams

sometimes happen over and over …

          in high school

          kissing a girl for the first time:

          the porch lights suddenly go on.

at college, after studying all night:

          falling asleep

          I miss the final.

late for an interview:

finally get there

          I find out it’s the wrong room.

my young daughter, who I still smell

her fragrance, from hugging me:

          slips away, and

          disappears down a crowded street.

some nights, floating

up and out of bed

smothered in covers …

          and I can’t cry out.

down here with craig schmitz

(my high school dance band drummer)

who was killed in vietnam:

          we are forever clawing up a muddy hill

          somewhere north of da nang.

it’s three a.m.

you think you’re awake?

or asleep?

a voice tells you:

          there’s nothing

          you can ever go back to again

          and change in your life

          even in your dreams.

why does the night

                             last so long.

 

If you wish to contact Alan, please let me know, I hesitate to publish his contact info online due to horrible increase in spam and annoying phone calls to which we are all subjected these days.

KHS65 LOSES ANOTHER OF THE GOOD GALS

I have recently been thinking of some of our class literati and plan to post some items written by our classmates.  Jane Edwards (Willis) Wand was one of the authors I plan to quote, and now I have just learned of her recent death.  When I return from the trip to New England I am currently enjoying, I'll get more literature from our classmates posted.  Meanwhile, here is Jane's obituary.  Oh so sad, look at all those kids and grands who will miss her loving ways!

Obituary for Jane Edwards Wand

Jane Edwards Wand, 70, passed away peacefully in her home in Springfield Mo with her husband, Mark, and her children by her side on May 16, 2018. Jane was born July 16, 1947 in Marshall, MO to the late William David (Sam) Edwards and Suzanne (Croswhite) Edwards. Jane is survived by her husband, Mark Wand, her sister Mary Morris of Denver, Colorado, her 7 children: Kevin Willis (Mattia Coleman) of Springfield, David Willis of Springfield, Mary Kathryn (Chris) Brammer of Albuquerque NM, Helen (Lance) Williams of Springfield, Jacob (Jenny) Wand of St. Louis, Andrew (Jamie) Willis of Springfield, and Erica Wand of St. Louis, and her 12 grandchildren Kristen, Christian, Cameron, Billy, Gavin, Suzanne Jane, Evynne, Rowan, Myrtle, Molly, Farrah and Benjamin, and her many nieces and nephews.

Jane graduated from Kirkwood High School in 1965, where she was a Girl Scout and played field hockey, and also enjoyed journalism and writing for the school newspaper and yearbook. Jane was an exchange student in the Union of South Africa her senior year. She went on to earn her bachelor’s degree in Political Science and African Studies from Northwestern University. Jane later earned a bachelor’s degree in Secondary Education with emphasis in English. Throughout her life Jane had a wide variety of jobs, including working as a teaching assistant in the Anthropology Department at Northwestern University, a short stint in the production department at Rolling Stone Magazine, and owning a Sign Painting business. After moving to Springfield in 1986, she held various sales and marketing positions with Springfield! Magazine and the Springfield Business Journal, and rehabbed houses in MidTown Springfield. She was also active in PEO, and recently served as president of her chapter. Of all her jobs, Jane would say her biggest and most important job was raising her seven children, and their many friends who called her ‘mom’ too.

Jane loved the smell of the river and enjoyed spending time at Lake of the Ozarks with her beloved husband, Mark. The day they met he had a canoe on his car, and she knew she was in love! Together they sailed around the lake and went on driving adventures through the woods in his Willy’s Jeep. Her admiration of the outdoors started during her Girl Scout years, and from bird watching to hiking, rock hunting, and sitting by a bonfire she shared her love of the outdoors with all who visited, especially her children and grandchildren. She also took pride in showing her grandchildren the wonderful indoor things that she loved such as reading, crafting, cooking and baking. Jane was an avid reader, typically reading multiple books, magazines, and articles all at the same time. Jane will always be known for her big smile, easy conversation, and caring heart. She is someone who truly made everyone feel like somebody.

The memorial visitation will from be 5 p.m. to 7 p.m. with a Rosary Service to begin at 7 p.m. Tuesday May 22, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church. The Memorial Mass will be at 1 p.m. Wednesday May 23, 2018 at Immaculate Conception Catholic Church with Fr. Tom Kiefer celebrant. The committal service will follow at Resurrection Cemetery in Springfield, MO under the care of Herman H. Lohmeyer Funeral Home.

Permanent online condolences, stories and photos may be shared at www.hhlohmeyer.com .

ALAN YOUNT KHS65 ON LOUIS ARMSTRONG AND ANOTHER FAMOUS NAME

Once again Alan is published on the blog JerryJazzMusician.com - and this one, like his others, doesn't disappoint.  Thank you Alan for sharing with us!!!!  

AN  ANECDOTE ABOUT  LOUIS  ARMSTRONG, TRUMPET PLAYER,
       FROM THE 1930’S: A  PROSE POEM, OR VIGNETTE.
by Alan Yount

                   growing up in st.louis  in the 1960’s
there were always                 several jazz stories
          going around      the jazz clubs      everyone knew.

                   it was during, the 1930’s depression
when the grand theatre                  was opulent then       
          it had oriental carpets           and crystal chandeliers.

vaudeville shows         came                   and bands played from all over.
louis armstrong            played many times      and once
          a twelve year old kid    named aaron      snuck in
the side door      to hear him play.

          the band    took a dinner break
and aaron followed them
                   to a burger place near by.

          louis  went up to
the carry out window   to place an order.
          aaron heard a voice       from inside
laying it down     “no service here
                   to no coloreds.”

          then all of a sudden    aaron found himself
standing on the street   right in the middle of the band.
          he couldn’t believe      he was really speaking …
“mr. armstrong … if you give me some money
          I will go back       and buy you all
some burgers.”

          louis then grinned at aaron
“thanks son … meet us up   on the stage
                   to the side.”

          when aaron got back
to the stage … he carried up
                    two paper sacks of food.

1. armstrong, waved him on up

and said “come into the wings.”    the two of them
                   sat together, sharing fries …

          then mr. armstrong said …   “I’ve got another idea …
when we go up on stage      & start playing
                   how would you
          like to come        out on stage with me
and sit in a chair          right next to me?”
                   “I might       need to lean
on your shoulder, o.k.?”

          aaron later thought      that this was
the most exciting thing             that had ever happened
                   in his life    at twelve,  for sure!

          of course        as this st.louis story goes
young aaron       was a.e. hotchner.
                   “hotch”       continued the knack
all his life        of befriending          famous people.

NEW EDITION of KHS ALUMNI NEWSLETTER

I have taken the liberty of copying the brand new edition of KHS Alumni news here.  I can't seem to get Facebook to work correctly on my two KHS65 pages there, so here it is in full, see below the red line.  Of particular interest to me is the announcement of the re-emergence of Alumni Hall of Fame activities.  See the panel on the right side below.  Nominate someone who you feel is deserving!
Happy Spring...even though this says March 2018 I JUST received it a few moments ago on 3/30/18.

Alumni & Friends eCall March 2018
KHS Celebrates Two State Champions Mock Trail Team Supported by Alumni     The Kirkwood High School (KHS) Mock Trial team won the Missouri High School State Mock Trial competition held the weekend of March 23-25, 2018 at the Eagleton Federal Courthouse in St. Louis, MO. Approximately 50 schools from across Missouri participated, with many schools fielding multiple teams. Three teams competed from KHS formed from 21 students who participated, practiced and competed over a 5 month season. Each team presents both sides of a case in preliminary competitions. Schools in Eastern Missouri tried their cases against other teams in the St. Louis County Courthouse in January and February.  The top 16 schools then competed in Eastern Regional Competition. The top 10 schools from the Eastern Region moved on to the State Competition for a total of 16 teams.   KHS will represent the State of Missouri at the National Mock Trial Competition to be held in Reno, Nevada May 10-13, 2018.   Members and sponsors of the Kirkwood High School Mock Trial Team are: Teacher/Attorney-Coach Lucas Ravenscraft (KHS ‘03), Attorney-Coach Josh Jones (KHS ‘02), Jenna Dyroff (Junior), Colin Thompson (Senior), Meredith Lang (Junior), Attorney-Coach Jim Reinert, Attorney-Coach Luke Stobie (KHS ‘03). Back row, left to right: Alex Talir (Sophomore), Dominic Bottom (Senior), David Decker (Senior), Gianni Fioretti (Senior), Tim Knight (Senior), Teacher/Attorney-Coach Peter Stragand.     Kirkwood High School Girls Basketball Back-to-Back State Champions   Saturday, March 17, the Kirkwood High School (KHS) girls basketball team won the second basketball state championship in school history in a 67-50 victory over Kickapoo. The players, coaches and team continue to receive recognition awards.   Team members are; Ashley Anderson, Natalie Bruns, Jayla Everett, Olivia Giardino, Melissa Hartmann, Rachel Jacobs, Katherine Jozwiakowski, Emily Kreidler, Abigail Ludbrook, Rylee Mulvaney, Sarah Musson, Coriana Proemsey, Jaidah Stewart and Makayla Wallace. The team is coached by Monica Tritz and Brad Sutterer.   Honoring Coach John Weiss Invitation to Annual Dale Collier Track Meet John Weiss was a member of the Kirkwood High School Track and Field coaching staff for 28 years. His love and commitment to student athletes was unwavering, and he would not accept compensation for his work with the boys and girls track teams.     Coach Weiss was a graduate of Washington University and all four of his children attended school in the Kirkwood School District. He loved sports and participated in track events, including pole vaulting, until the age of 76. He won numerous medals including several gold and silver medals at the Senior Olympic events throughout the United States.   Coach Weiss was a very popular and devoted coach. He was passionate about giving back to the community by sharing his knowledge with young athletes. He coached youth ice-hockey for more than 20 years, pole vaulting at Kirkwood High School for 28 years and volunteered at various summer camps for children. Coach Weiss passed away on August 13, 2017.   Coach Weiss’s former students, colleagues and the current athletic and high school administration will recognize Coach Weiss at the annual Dale Collier Invitational on  April 21, 2018.     Kirkwood School District Administrative Services Center Community Relations and Development 11289 Manchester Road Kirkwood, MO 63122   Ginger Cayce, Chief Communications Officer   Lisa Wade, Communications Specialist   Amy Bullmer, Alumni Coordinator	Quick Links Our Website Donate Now Email Us Upcoming Alumni Reunions   1953   September 2018 1963   September 22, 2018 1968   September 21-23, 2018 1978   July 6-8, 2018 1988   June 2, 2018 2008   Nov 23-24, 2018   For more information, visit the calendar on the  alumni website. KSD Alumni and Athletic Hall of Fame     We are finalizing a date for our combined Outstanding and Athletic Alumni Hall of Fame induction ceremony.   The committee is now accepting online nominations for the Alumni Hall of Fame and the Athletic Hall of Fame.   Individuals inducted in the Halls of Fame are listed on the alumni website.   Nominees must have graduated in 2009 or prior.   Update your Info...Please take a moment to customize your account:   Did you know we now have the ability for you to log in to our Alumni database to customize your account?   By updating this information, the alumni office can customize communication to you and make sure you stay informed about class reunions, alumni activities and school events.   To get started, you will need to activate your account by visiting the alumni website.    Already have an account? Then you are just a few steps away from customizing your profile:   First, please log in, and click on "my profile."   Next, by the word "base," click on the edit button. You will navigate to more detailed account information. Please update this information by selecting the boxes for the schools you attended. Then make sure your graduation year is correct.   Finally, please select the boxes for the elementary school or middle school you attended, and select the activities and/or teams in which you were a member.   Thank you!
Please visit our website at www.khsalumni.org. Make a donation to Kirkwood School District students.

BULLYING AT KHS - EVEN IN OUR DAY

I am sure all of our classmates who use any social media, watch TV news or read newspapers know that the subject of bullying is a current, often-discussed problem.  I have an idea, unsubstantiated, that not many of us in our closed, warm, healthy childhood environment in Kirkwood experienced much bullying.  I did - my first few days as the new kid in Miss Clark's 2nd grade class were spoiled by a guy whose name I forget, he didn't go up thru the grades with us, who called me "Nestles" - he was black, I was from a KS school where I had no black schoolmates, and it embarrassed me.  He quit doing it, I got over it, I haven't forgotten it but it certainly did not affect my mental health then or ever after.  It wasn't really bullying anyway, it was teasing to call attention to my "newness".  But you likely get my drift. BTW my best friend in that class was Mattie Hall, who sat right by me and we were friends for years.  She right away offered me her extra pencil and some paper on my first day in class...mom didn't think to send any along with me that day, go figure!

Today I received a Facebook private message from our classmate Jon Mangold, who was with us for awhile at KHS but then moved so did not graduate with us.  Through Social Media, Jon got in touch with our class through me and we are friends on FB.  We comment back and forth from time to time, but today's message was different.  He was reaching out for a platform, and in light of the current environment in our society, I am delighted to provide it.  Please read the following essay if you will, by Jon.  The person who was guilty of bullying Jon is no longer living, so we are using his name.  Of course he is no longer here to defend himself, but I print the story to give Jon a way to share his experience and point up the sad result of bullying.  Yes, it's too late for us to guide our own children away from that behaviour but perhaps not too late for us to influence others in the unfortunate results of bullying  If you wish to contact Jon, he is Jonathan Mangold on Facebook.  

"Hi, Leslie.  The recent shooting in Florida has caused me to think about how I was bullied in school. As a junior, I sat in front of Jim Moulder in Art Stout’s math class. Jim liked to flick my ears during class. I never knew when it would happen, but it happened every class and it hurt. We sat far enough forward in the classroom so others had to have seen what was going on but no one said anything. I never told Mr. Stout what was going on. I could’ve asked to be moved, but that would mean I would have to tell him what was going on and I was afraid I’d be even in more trouble with Jim and his big friend who sat behind him than I was already. I was terrified. I couldn’t sleep thinking about what might happen to me the next day. I’ve only recently become aware of how this has affected my relationships with men—particularly men who are bigger than me. I am hypervigilant around bigger men and find myself trying to ingratiate myself in hopes that they will not terrorize me. Had I owned a gun then, I might have gone to school and shot up the place. Being bullied is that bad. This is serious business, probably worse now than then. If you see someone being bullied, don't just stand there. Say something. Tell someone. Do something, for everyone's sake.  I don't want anyone to get the idea that I harbor thoughts of shooting anyone now!  I didn't then, in fact It never occurred to me to retaliate."

-- 

Thank you Jon for sharing this experience with us.  While for the most part I believe, from 50+ years of being in touch with our classmates as we have aged (I HATE that word), that within reason and some variations, most of us led pretty charmed lives as kids growing up in Kirkwood.  But stories such as this remind us that not everyone lived that charmed existence.  I hope others will read this and be moved to share their stories, or at least give thought to the subject!

PATTY HAMMER HOBIN LOSES HER HUSBAND

I noticed a very short obituary in a recent Post Dispatch issue and the surname was very familiar.  From my database I realized the deceased was the husband of our classmate Patty Hammer.  I did some sleuthing and found the obituary for Larry Hobin.  I tried to post this on Facebook but for some reason I can't post anything on either of my KHS65 FB pages!  Gotta love Facebook.  I doubt the address in our 50th Reunion book is accurate but one can send condolences through the funeral home.

Obituary for Laurence D. Hobin

Laurence D. Hobin, 72 0f Bonita Springs, FL died Thursday, January 18, 2018 at his residence. He was born December 7, 1945 in St. Louis, MO, a son of the late Ralph C. Hobin and Dorothy Jones Hobin.
Laurence served in the U.S. Air Force. He worked as a truck driver in St. Louis for Anheuser-Busch and then as a fire fighter in Wisconsin.
Surviving are his beloved wife Patty Hammer Hobin; son Tyler (Elouise) Andreas of Naples, FL; daughter C.C. (Harry) Brody of Chicago, IL; son Tanner (Jennifer) Hobin of St. Louis, MO; daughter Caitlin (Jeff) Dickerson of Chicago, IL; 8 grandchildren; brother Patrick Hobin of Lake of the Ozarks, MO; and sister Gayle Schroyer of St. Louis, MO.
No services are scheduled at this time.
On line condolences may be left by visiting www.ShikanyFuneralHome.com
Arrangements are being handled by Shikany’s Bonita Funeral Home & Crematory. Family owned and operated since 1978.

THOSE PASSING ON

It is always sad to report the death of our classmates, but luckily I have not learned of any additional deaths recently.  For several years now I have been reporting on the deaths of our classmates' parents, especially when they have lived particularly long lives. Having lost my parents 23 years ago, I am always envious of those who were able to keep theirs so much longer.  Now we are losing parents who are at or near the 100 year milestone, what an achievement.  I wanted to share a few tidbits here, being a bit behind due to having been sick with double pneumonia for several weeks.  I THINK I am on the mend, and so glad to be back to my real life!  Please do let me know if you learn of any deaths of note related to our classmates.  

LINDA KAROL HUEBNER
Linda was the widow of our Robinson School and KHS65 classmate Charles Huebner.  She died December 5 living in Maryland Heights.  Charlie didn't participate in our reunion activities but I did meet Linda years ago. I believe she worked at The Frame Factory at which I did a lot of framing and I noted her name badge, and her unusual name, and chatted of course, and it turned out that she was married to Charlie. She was a Lindenwood graduate, and there are no children listed in her obituary.  They were very active in the Southside Imperial Dance Club and the greater St. Louis swing dance community for many years.  She was also a founding member of the Jimmy Buffet Parothead Club. They traveled all over the world, loving St. John's, VI especially.  There was a memorial service at Bopp on January 6.  Perhaps some of you have some connection to her and/or Chuck, as he was apparently known, through the dance interest.

HELEN HENRY BURTCH
Mrs. Burtch of course was our classmate Polly's mom who died January 5 at the age of 97.  She had 5 grands and 8 great-grands.  She was a member of the founding docent group at St. Louis Art Museum, an avid golfer, an accomplished needleworker and a longtime member of the Jane Austin Society of North America.  Her full obituary is here:
http://www.luptonchapel.com/memsol.cgi?user_id=2057467.    Our condolences to Polly and her wonderful family.  Polly has 3 children and 5 grands!!!  Lucky girl!

ROBERT C. HOLT, JR.
Mr. Holt passed away at age 96 on  December 31st.  His daughter, Sharon, was in our class and I shared a class or two with her.  Mr. Holt was with the St. Louis Post Dispatch for 40 years retiring in 1995.  He was a photographer who captured scenes and activities around town for all those years as well as into his retirement.  His special interest was our wonderful Zoo. I can only imagine the photo of Phil the Gorilla having a beer with George Vierheller!  Phil was and still is my favorite attraction at our zoo.  If you haven't seen his statue, it is reason enough to visit the Zoo, but check out the flamingos as long as you're there!  Mr. Holt was a World War II Veteran having served as a pilot in the South Pacific, and having been awarded flight wings by both the Army and the Navy.  His full obituary is at:
http://www.legacy.com/obituaries/stltoday/obituary.aspx?n=robert-c-holt-bob&pid=187761940
Our condolences also to Sharon and her family, another of our classmates whose parents had long, meaningful and full lives.

HOTEL JEFFERSON IN THE NEWS AGAIN

I realize not everyone attended our Senior Party after graduation, but I did and remember it well.  The Hotel Jefferson has a checkered history and has been shuttered for ages; every time there is a new proposal to reopen it, I begin dreaming of a class reunion there just for nostalgia's sake!  In recent years there have been several plans put forth to refurbish/reopen/reuse it but none has come to fruition.  Here is an article about the current status.  This article says it was published 12/21/17 but I am looking at the 12/22 paper and the lead article in the Business Section has this article and the photo.  A Marriott would be great, but as the lead article on 12/22 points out, there are already a LOT of hotel rooms in St. Louis, and if all 9 current proposals came to be, there would be 1200+ additional hotel rooms downtown, and can we really support that?  Many people, including me, think not.  We just don't have the draw we once did...anyway, I thought some of you might find this of interest if you follow any of our local "issues".

http://www.stltoday.com/business/local/jefferson-arms-developer-looks-abroad-for-cash/article_dc3bc718-60ac-5a67-a4f2-e6538f8424a2.html