northwest high class of 1970 50 year reunion august 1st ......st. louis when northwest had its first...
TRANSCRIPT
Page 1
Reunion Newsletter Northwest High Class of 1970 - 50 Year Reunion
Inside this issue
Front page ..........................1 Brave New World ............2 Life in St. Louis .................3 Coast to Coast ...................4
Planning Committee Updates .................................................5
Planning Committee Updates (cont.) ...................................6 Announcements ...............7 Where are they? ...............8 In Memoriam .....................9
CLASS of ‘1970... Enters a Brave New World
There were 11 public high schools in St. Louis when Northwest had its first graduating class in 1965. Cleveland, Roosevelt, Central, Sumner, McKinley, Southwest, O’Fallon, Beaumont, Sol-dan and Vashon were the others.
by Marvin Goodwin
August 1st, 2019 Issue 1
Welcome to the Northwest High School
Class of 1970 Newsletter.
We hope to share some experiences as well as share
some memories of high school as we approach our 50th year
class reunion in 2020. ~Marvin Goodwin
As your Planning Committee Chair, I also want to take a minute to welcome you to what we feel will be a fun filled weekend. Please be sure to sign up for goodies and extras on our very own website below. Al-so , if you want to help out on one ore more
of our committees, contact me at [email protected]. Ho[e to see you at
the Reunion starting June 12, 2020 at the Holiday Inn Riverport.
~Ted Simpson
www.nw70reunion.org.
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CLASS of ‘1970... Enters a Brave New World (cont.)
They came from various
neighborhoods of St. Louis,
these wide-eyed youngsters
preparing for the next level
of education. They lived on
streets named Ruskin, Ga-
resche, Thrush and Plover,
Genevieve, Sacramento, Pen-
rose and Anderson, Mar-
garetta, Farlin, Calvin and
Shreve, and Goodfellow,
McLaran, Euclid and Bessie.
From such elementary
schools as Scullin, Walbridge,
Mark Twain, Herzog, Ash-
land, Walnut Park, Laclede,
Benton and others, high
school awaited them. In time,
they would become the Class
of 1970 for the relatively
new Northwest High School,
which had opened less than
three years ago.
Most who attended the fresh-
man orientation in the school
auditorium in September of
1966 thought the same thing,
that 1970 seemed so far in
the future that it almost
seemed like light years away.
But the immediate task at
hand for those freshmen-to-
be was what subjects to take,
who were the teachers, nego-
tiating the new building and
getting acquainted with new
classmates.
How about biology or sci-
ence, and maybe history and
English, or what about Span-
ish or French, and perhaps
Algebra, Chemistry and
Physics. Typing, business
law, home economics and
such were also options, as
well as theatre arts.
Students would become fa-
miliar with a number of pop-
ular teachers, including Mr.
Robben, Mr. Gladden, Mrs.
Batt, Mrs. Lewis, Mr. Reinsch,
Mrs. Findlay, Mr. Barron,
Mrs. Allen, Mrs. Lavington
and Mr. Yowell.
Page 3
Inside Story Headline
Blasts from the past included shopping, watching, listening
Life in St. Louis
Don’t look back …
someone might be
gaining on you.”
Satchel Paige
The times, they were a changing for the teenagers
who entered Northwest High School in 1966 as the
Class of 1970.
Streetcars and cobblestone streets had all but disap-
peared only a few years before, and train travel con-
tinued its downward slide as buses and taxi cabs be-
came the major mode of public transportation.
While books, classes, teachers and school activities
were the main emphasis for these students, life still
went on out of the classroom with a distinctive St.
Louis flavor.
They listened to top 40 and rhythm and blues tunes
on KXOK-630, featuring Johnny Rabbitt and KATZ-
1600, with Donny Brooks among the popular DJs.
Both were long-time AM stations on the radio dial,
with newcomer WESL on the FM band.
They listened to the Beatles, Sly and the Family
Stone, the Rolling Stones, the Dave Clark Five, the
Temptations, the Supremes, Aretha Franklin, Jimi
Hendrix and Joe Cocker on the radio, and even Bob
Kuban and the In Men.
On TV, they watched Cookie and the Captain on KPLR
-TV Channel 11, and perhaps enjoyed the Charlotte
Peters Show on KTVI-Channel 2. Spencer Allen was
the leader of the area’s newscasters and Jim Bolen
and Dianne White were among weathercasters.
And who could forget the wildly-entertaining Wres-
tling at the Chase, with Joe Garagiola, telecast on
Channel 11 from the Chase Park Plaza Hotel on Lin-
dell and Kingshighway.
TV shows such as The Beverly Hillbillies, Get Smart, I
Dream of Jeannie, Bewitched, Gunsmoke, Bonanza
and Hogan’s Heroes were still popular, but only after
homework assignments were done.
Chain of Rocks Park in North St. Louis and Forest
Park Highlands were among amusement parks many
students headed to on weekends and the North Drive
-In on Lewis and Clark, and the Airway Drive-In on
St. Charles Rock Road were destination points where
they could watch the latest movies at drive-in thea-
tres.
Neighborhood theaters were around, but midtown
St. Louis, home of the Fox Theatre and Loew’s Mid-
City were venues where they watched popular mov-
ies such as Easy Rider, Green Berets, The Wild Bunch,
The Graduate, 100 Rifles and Butch Cassidy and the
Sundance Kid.
Their families shopped at Stix, Baer and Fuller and
Famous Barr for clothes, and National, Kroger,
Schnuck’s, Bi-Rite were among favorite stops for gro-
ceries.
And with no Lowes or Home Depot stores around,
Montgomery Ward and Sears Roebuck were destina-
tions for home improvement and appliances, along
with Western Hardware. They also shopped at Wool-
worth and Kresge, each with stores downtown, as
well as K-Mart.
The Admiral riverboat was a mainstay on the banks
of the Mississippi River, where the recently con-
structed Gateway Arch stood proudly as the memori-
al to westward expansion.
This was the St. Louis in the late 1960s, a changing
city with a changing population as thousands of stu-
dents, like those at Northwest, would negotiate the
high school experience.
Page 4
Coast to Coast
Grads have spread out all over the country
With diplomas in hand and abundant optimism in their
minds, the Class of 1970 from Northwest High School
was ready for the next challenge of life.
Some would continue their educations in college, some
would head straight to the workforce, obtaining fulltime
careers and others would join or be drafted into the mili-
tary.
They would become lawyers, doctors, musicians, actors,
supervisors, airline pilots, teachers, journalists, members
of the clergy, and business men and women.
But while the Class of 1970 had its origins in St. Louis, that class, as individuals, would
spread through all parts of the United States as they sought their fortunes.
Some would wind up in Southern California, a land of palm trees, gorgeous weather
and exciting events. But they'd also endure perhaps the worst traffic in the country
while weighing the benefits of ideal climates and horrific commutes.
Some ended up in Northern California, another popular area with beautiful scenery,
ideal weather and heavy traffic, particularly around the Bay area. But Silicon Valley
and its offshoots made it a desirable place to work with worthwhile compensation.
Oregon and Washington have been other residence areas for graduates, who've en-
joyed a culture quite different from their Midwest origins.
Colorado, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Louisiana and New Mexico have been other known
residences of graduates, while the burgeoning Houston and Dallas-Fort Worth areas
have had their share of classmates who've made the move from Missouri.
Some have gone on to New Jersey and New York City, an epicenter of sorts for all
things of importance happening in the United States.
Alabama and Georgia are also homes of former Class of 1970 graduates, as they enjoy
the southern hospitality the area offers.
Graduates can also be found in metro Chicago and Michigan, while a sizeable number
can be found in Missouri, with representatives in greater Kansas City, Columbia and
greater St. Louis, including a share in Illinois.
Some of those Missourians spend winters in such states as Florida and South Carolina.
Indeed, nearly 50 years after the Class of 1970 achieved its goal, many of those indi-
viduals, older and wiser, have made their final destinations and have found different
parts of the country their permanent home.
Page 5
Research Committee
Chair: Sharon Galloway Peiffer
Members:
Nancy Schlagel Scotino
Joan Fisher Frierson
Daniel Kelly
Marvin Goodwin
Gary Woodcock
A year ago we started with a list of 343 class-
mates and very little contact information. In
the last12 months we learned there are 28 of
our classmates no longer with us. Of the re-
maining 315 we have at least some contact
information for 196. This leaves 119 class-
mates whose whereabouts are unknown. We
know some of our classmates just do not
want to be found and a couple who chose,
for various reasons, not to provide any con-
tact information but we ask that you take a
few moments of your time and log into the
reunion website.
See if any of your friends are listed as
“unknown.” on the website. If so, please en-
courage them to contact me or better yet,
register on the website. If nothing else, if you
are comfortable, just forward to me (or any
member of my committee) their contact info
and we will reach out to them. I can be con-
tacted at [email protected] . The reunion
website is www.nw70reunion.org . Looking
forward to June 2020 and reconnecting with
friends. I would have said “old friends” but
that doesn’t apply to us!
Planning Committee Updates
Lodging Committee
Chair: Pat Otte-Sherman
Greetings classmates! We have now secured
rooms for you. Thursday June 11, 2020—
Saturday June 13, at the Holiday Inn Airport
West - Earth City. Hope to see you there!
Prices are as follows:
Other pertinent information:
Room Type Rate
Standard King/Queen $103.00
King Suites $123.00
METHOD OF RESERVATION
Individuals will call the hotel at (314)291-6800 and ask for
the 50th High School Reunion Group Block - HSR to make
their own reservations, or use the online booking link that
will be provided. They will need to provide a credit card
to guarantee their room at the time of reservation.
Guests must be 21 years old to check in.
CUT-OFF DATE
The group block is available until midnight Friday, May 29,
2020. Reservations received after that date will be provid-
ed solely at the hotel’s discretion and on a space available
basis at prevailing public rates. Any group concessions will
not apply to rooms reserved outside the block.
CANCELLATION
Reservations may be cancelled without penalty up to 6pm
day before date of arrival. After that, one night’s room
and tax will be charged.
PAYMENT
Guest room charges and incidentals will be paid at check
out by the individual guests using the rooms.
Page 6
Planning Committee Updates (cont.)
Event Committee
Chair: Joan (Fisher) Frierson Committee Members: Shirley Sweetenburg-Sexton Pat Otte Sherman Lynn Madison Jackson John Dennis Tate Karen Wade Robinson Sharon Fahey Gardner D. M. Stith-Rutlin James (Ricky) Martin Marvin Goodwin
“The long and winding road That leads to your door Will never disappear I've seen that road before It always leads me here Lead me to you door” ~The Beatles Can you believe it’s soon to be 50 years? The path that led us from wide-eyed high school graduates in 1970 to the seasoned adults of today has been filled with twists and turns for most of us. While we cannot revisit every turn or lane change, start or stop, slow down or speed up along the way, the goal of your Event Planning Commit-tee is to provide an extraordinary weekend revisiting paths along that road, bringing us back to where it all began—our beloved Northwest High School. Buckle up classmates! Are you ready for the ride? First stop is a fun and interactive reception on Friday night. The theme of the evening is “Show Your School Spirit.” Wear our NWH blue and grey or break out that letter sweater! 70’s fashions are encouraged. We will turn back the clock as we eat, drink and catch up with classmates. On Saturday we are planning a daytime activity as well as a dinner dance that evening. 70 Class Classy is the theme of the evening festivities. More details to come! The weekend will culminate on Sunday with a continen-tal breakfast, a spiritual commune and special good bye surprises. This is a weekend you don’t want to miss. So mark your calendar and let the countdown begin. It will be a week-end to remember that will earn a special landmark along our road of life. As the old saying goes—Be there or be square!
Finance Committee
Chair: John McDermott
Members:
Kert Rosenkoetter
Steven Roberts (Legal Counsel)
Brenda Mamon
Mark Sevier
The finance committee has identified several fund
raising efforts to help defray the cost of the activi-
ties during the 50 year reunion weekend. They are
as follows:
• 50th Reunion Souvenir Booklet with advertis-
ing pages. This book will be a keepsake given to
members of the class that are in attendance at
the reunion and will be made available to those
who cannot make the weekend reunion. The
book will have information on NWHS and other
facts concerning class members and activities.
There are opportunities for businesses and
people to take out ads for congratulations and
for business sales and services from the St. Lou-
is area. More will be coming in future newslet-
ters and on the website on how an ad can be
placed and the cost of advertising in this book-
let. John, Kert, and Steven will be putting the
information together so stay tuned!
• Possible fund raising Christmas Party and
Dance for the St. Louis area Class of ’70 mem-
bers and friends. Brenda and Mark are explor-
ing the possibility and opportunity for this
event.
• Donations from classmates on the Class of ’70
50th Reunion website will go towards our ef-
forts. (donation button on the website)
• You will be able a vote for your favorite songs
from 1967 to 1970 on the website, with the top
songs being played at our 50th Reunion. The
cost to vote will be minimal, but all proceeds
will go to our fund. Ted is putting this together
and will launch this shortly.
• Other opportunities are still being explored.
We are looking forward to getting these projects
moving forward so as I said, stay tuned for the next
newsletter with more information.
Page 7
Announcements
Reunion Memorabilia
Reunion memorabilia is now
available for purchase at our web-
site—
https://www.nw70reunion.org/
shop/
Some sample items are:
T-shirts and Polos
Caps and Jewelry
Backpacks and Blankets
And MUCH, MUCH more! Please
come check out our store and
make a purchase or two as…
PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS
REUNION EXPENSES!
Select the Songs You Want to Hear
We are currently working on a website
application to allow you to vote for
your favorite songs from our high
school days to play at the reunion,
songs such as the Miracles ‘Tracks of
My Tears’, The Doors ‘Light My Fire’,
Marvin Gayes ‘What’s Goin On’ or The
Beatles ‘Hey Jude’. You will be able to
vote as often as you wish up to a date to
be determined but there is a catch…
• You must be registered on ur reun-
ion website to participate
• Each song vote will cost 25 cents,
sold in blocks of 20 at $5 a set.
Songs will be made available based on
their poularity on thee Billboard and
R&B charts from 1967-1970. You will
be able to monitor the results and vote
some more should you see any of your
favorite songs start to fall out of the top
100.
Be sure to look for an update in our
next newsletter and start thinking of
YOUR favorite songs from that era so
you come ready to cast your votes.
Once again…
PROCEEDS GO TOWARDS RE-
UNION EXPENSES!
Page 8
Where Are They?
If you have any information like and email address, home address or phone number, regarding any of the people below, please help us to contact them by sending that infor-mation to Sharon Galloway Peiffer at [email protected]. We appreciate your help!
George Edward Alewel
Louis Parker Anderson, Jr.
James Patrick Andrews
Deborah Lynne Benson
Janet Felkel Berman
John F. Boler
Michael Joseph Boyle
Robert William Brown
Kenneth Brown
Janet Lorraine Brown
Darlene Brown
Walter Walther Brown, Jr.
Jo Denise Bryan
Mary Jane Buetterhorn
Virginia Burns
Patricia Calkin
Deborah Carr
Richard Anthony Catlett
Randy Crenshaw
Florence Czaicki
Gabrielle Lourdes Davis
William M. Dentshier
Judith Ann Dowdy
Maryanne Dragschulz
William Edward Esters
Diane Lannette Fields
Ruth E. Fiori
Jack A. Frazier
William B. Funke
Mona Lucretia Harris
Susan Marie Harting
Roger Kevin Hayes
Brenda Diana Hill
Carleton David Hinton
Victor Houston
Darryl Steven Howard
Craig Edward Hunter
Charles Jackson, Jr.
Joyce Ann Johnston
James Frederick Jones
Richard James Kessler
Flora Lee Kilgore
Lafayette Eugene Lacy
Richard Raymond Larkins
Keith Leroy Laura
Derrick Russell Lewis
Michael Jerry Lewis
Michael Lott
Russell Glen Luke
Naomi Mabins
Doreen K. Martin
Francine Martin
Stephen Anthony Martin
Diane Marie Mazzola
Glenda Kay McMillian
Cheryl Dianne Moore
Mike Dennis Moore
Linda Lee Myers
Geraldine Nelson
Thomas Lawrence Nicolai
Melvin Palmeri
Deborah Jean Patterson
Elaine Veronica Perry
Virginia Frances Podorski
James Pribble
Flora Reid
Cynthia Louise Reidmeyer
Steve Revere
Evelyn Ozella Rice
David Norman Richter
David Wayne Robbins
Stanley Wern Rodgers
JoAnn Rooney
Debra Rubbelke
Neal Ray Schmidt
James Scholtis
Larry D. Schroeder
Gregory Stephen Scott
Paul Langston Young
Mark David Semar
Joanne Sheputis
James Shringer
Michael Edward Siebets
John Edward Siebuhr
David Timothy Smith
Douglas Cameron Smith
Marion Smith
Linda St. James
Deborah A. Stelmar
Sandra Jeanne Theriault
Vernon Bernard Thomas
Ronald Charles Townsend
William Howard Tucker
Leora Turner
Sharon Edith Wade
Claude Walton
Rocky Errol Washington
Donald Waters
William C. Webster
James Lee Williams
Maurice Wilson
Michael Mitchell Wilson
Dianna Winfield
Christine Marie Yackey
Page 9
In Memoriam - Rest in Peace
Douglas Alexander, Jr.
Edward Gerard Angelbeck
Leonard T. Bober
Robert Livingston Boyd, Jr.
Ronald Clark
Emma Loveetta Coleman
Valeria Marie Corpus
Vernetta Cox
Elmer Germany
Steven Lynn Hearns
Suzanne Marie Hoffman
Deborah Jean Johanpeter
Albert Lee Keys
George Dallas Lee
Joanne Virginia Liscombe
Robert Jack McGary
Daniel Murphy
Holly Lee Niemeyer
Glen William Petro
Carol Sue Pyatt
Michael Robinson
Rodney A. Savage
William John Schmidt
Michael Joseph Soos
Thomas John Stavron
Edwin Lamarr Temple
Cassandra Jean Williams
Janet Ellen Young