Flag retirement ceremony

On Saturday, Oct. 8, the public is invited to attend a flag retirement ceremony to be held at 10 a.m. at the Harold B. Jarrett American Legion Post, 342 at 1024 Lincolnton Road. We are also accepting old American flags in need of proper disposal. With questions call 704-637-1722.

West Rowan High School Class of 1971 reunion

Submitted by Cathy Faucette

The West Rowan High School class of 1971 celebrated its 45th reunion on September 24, 2016 at Tom Hall’s Farm on Serenity Drive in Cleveland .

The Hall Farm entrance was marked with a huge John Deere tractor holding a water tower that read ‘Welcome WRHS Class of ‘71’. Rev Martha Richardson and Pam Garrison Kluttz welcomed guests with name tags. Kathy Karriker Holt & June Wilhelm Harkey offered each guest delicious homemade punch and a variety of hor d’oeuvres made by classmates. Luanne Hall Welch and Trina Hall Jackson decorated for the event with school colors of blue and white. Large handmade ‘retro’ paper flowers in mason jars decorated the tables. A “senior power” banner made by classmates Lane Pethel and John Whaley and displayed at basketball games in 1971 was on display along with pictures from past reunions.

There were 79 classmates, teachers and guests in attendance. After a blessing by the Rev Stanley Hawkins, attendees enjoyed a buffet dinner from Gary’s BBQ (which opened in April, 1971) which included chicken, pork with trimmings along with desserts made by classmates. A time of reminiscing and catching up with each other was enjoyed while dining.

Terry Osborne was master of ceremonies for the evening.

Susan Bradshaw Owen made a ‘memorial tree’ & recognized the deceased classmates. She read a poem regarding classmates who are longer with us. The deceased classmates are Janet Cline, Bonnie Rary, Faye Patterson, Dickie Feamster, Dennis Hildebrand, Billy Cohen, Larry Hosch, Ronald Simmons, Fred Bailey, Kathy Messick, David Cuthbertson, Gail Rankin, Carolyn Royal, Keith Freeman, John Houston, Jerry Lyerly and Donnie McCoy.

Pam Garrison Kluttz and Susan Bradshaw Owen awarded door prizes.

Senior class president, Bob Pinkston, addressed the group. He reminded each person that we need to reach out and stay in touch and how important it is after 45 years.

Veterans were recognized and included Ronnie Dishman, Bob Pinkston, Bill Owen, John Whaley & Joe Dingler (husband of classmate Terry Overcash Dingler).

Former teachers attending the event were recognized. They included Ms. Lovonia Corry, and Gracie & Coach Mel Denton. Coach Denton shared some stories he remembered about teams he coached that included members of the class of ’71.

Serving on the reunion planning committee were Martha Hoffman Jones, Martha Richardson, Ellen Mowery Shoaf, Kathy Karriker Holt, Susan Bradshaw Owen, Rene Steele Atwell, Terry Osborne, Marvin VonCanon, Michael Owen, Pam Garrison Kluttz and Cathy Hillard Faucette.

Classmates attending were Anne Belk Thompson, Dunn; Vickie Cowart Ritchie, Concord; Susan Bradshaw Owen, Salisbury; Jack Christie, Salisbury; Dickie Fraley, Cleveland; Pam Garrison Kluttz, Salisbury NC; Judy Graham Behrooz, Salisbury; Stanley Hawkins, Floyd, Va; Cathy Hillard Faucette, Salisbury; Kathy Karriker Holt, Mt Ulla; Kevin McDaniel, Salisbury;

Terry Osborne, Salisbury; Michael Owen, Salisbury; Beverly Owen Killian, Claremont; Bob Pinkston, Waynesville; Martha Richardson, Salisbury;

Sue Richardson Moore, Cleveland; Diane Seamon Williams, Statesville;

Doris Simmerson Steele, Cleveland; Malvia Simmons Houpe, Cleveland;

Rene Steele Atwell, Woodleaf; Jackie Webb, Salisbury; John Whaley, Rockwell; June Wilhelm Harkey, Salisbury; William Wooten, Cleveland;

Sandra Overcash Daniel, China Grove; Cynthia Waller Sain, Concord; Martha Waller Graham, Salisbury; Yvonne Wood Fisher, Advance; Keith Holloway, Cleveland; Vanessa Knox Chunn, Salisbury; Ruth Williams Brown, Salisbury; David Wrights, China Grove; Nancy Gray Wortham, Henderson;

David Steele, Cleveland; Eric Moore, Cleveland; Ronnie Dishman, Statesville; Paul Eudy, Salisbury; Glenda Dillon Baker, Cleveland; Brenda Johnson Alston, Granite Quarry; Georgia Fleming Schenk, Salisbury; LuAnne Hall Welch, Raleigh; Trina Hall Jackson, Advance .

Rockwell High School Class Of 1959

Submitted by Sybil Baker

The Rockwell High School Class of 1959 held its 57th reunion on Saturday, September 24, 2016 at the Organ Lutheran Church Fellowship Hall.  Classmate Christine Bame Graham decorated the tables with arrangements of fall leaves and flowers.  Refreshments of punch and appetizers prepared by classmate Ann Brown Miller were enjoyed as the group gathered.  Debbie Suggs Catering served a delicious buffet dinner to the 40 persons attending which included 25 classmates.

Christine Bame Graham and her husband, Bob, generously provided favors of pens in class colors which were found at each classmate’s place.Sybil Penninger Baker welcomed everyone and gave the invocation.

John N. Trexler and Joe Freeze presented a program of remembrances of school days past and helped the group to laugh at themselves and to enjoy the wonderful memories of growing up in the 1950’s.  Carolyn Cauble Hartung read a poem in memory of Danny M. Kesler, the only classmate who had died during the past year.  Get well and thinking of you cards were prepared for classmates who are experiencing health issues.

R.L. Mills, a member of the reunion committee, presented Sybil Baker a gift card in appreciation of her having continuously served as chairperson for the class reunion.

It was determined that the 58th reunion will be held on Saturday, September 30, 2017.

The members of the reunion planning committee were:  Sybil Penninger Baker, Christine Bame Graham, Ann Brown Miller, R.L. and Sandra Beaver Mills, Carolyn Cauble Hartung, Joe Freeze and Brenda Heglar Cooke.

Those attending the reunion were:  from Salisbury – Bronnie Morgan (Shelly), Betty Sue Petrea Sifford, Charles Earnhardt, Joe Freeze (Phyllis), Carolyn Cauble Hartung, Mary Ida Hodge Yost (Carl), Jerry Morgan (Mary), Ellen Ludwick Marsh (Susie Wilson, sister), R.L. and Sandra Beaver Mills, Robert Goodman, Sybil Penninger Baker (Bill).  From Gold Hill:  Rachel Bost Miller (David), Clara Leigh Goodman Trexler, Jimmy Shaver, Dwight Morgan (Eleanor). From Rockwell:  Brenda Heglar Cooke (Carroll), Mickey Holshouser (Nancy), Patsy Holshouser Beliveau, Ann Brown Miller (Clarence), Anis Maners Boyd (Bobby).  From: Greensboro – Christine Bame Graham (Bob). From: New Bern – Loy Morgan. From: Indian Trail:  John N. Trexler (Mary).  From:  Richfield – Larry Morgan (LouEtta).

Brown-Fisher Association annual reunion

Submitted by Patricia B. Beck

One hundred plus family members and friends met Saturday 20 September 2016 at the Old Stone House, home of Michael Braun (Brown) for the annual Brown-Fisher reunion. The 100th Anniversary of the first Fisher family reunion was recognized. The early Fisher reunions, starting in 1916 was held in Cabarrus County on property early owned by George Fisher, Jr. who came to Rowan County in 1774 as a six year old with his uncle Jacob Fisher, in whose household he lived. The property was later willed to George’s son Solomon Fisher. The property is located in Cabarrus County three miles from Grace Lower Stone Church in Rowan County. The first Brown family reunion was held in 1914. The Brown-Fisher Association was formed in 1993.

Registration began at 10 a.m., with attendees greeted by Juanita Fisher Lagg, Grace Brown Marlott and Debbie Brown Taylor. At 11:20 a.m. a picnic style luncheon of hot dogs, hamburgers and all the trimmings, prepared by Norman Ribelin, Larry Brown and Sarah Z. Brown, was served.

After lunch, President Stephen Brown greeted everyone to the reunion. He talked about the relationship between the Browns and Fishers and how the two families have supported the renewal and continuing upkeep of the Old Store House. He spoke of the new parking lot across the street and the advantages of the same. He introduced Norman Ribelin and Larry Brown, whose expertise was the backbone in building the parking lot. Norman and Larry were also the grill flippers for our luncheon. He recognized Juanita Fisher Lagg for her many years as Coordinator for the Brown-Fisher Association. She keeps track of membership and reservations for the reunions.

Kaye Brown Hirst (former director of the Rowan Museum) invited families to view the house, the walking paths, the garden and taste the German food cooking over the open fires. A baking oven is being constructed on the grounds and will be to use at the Old Stone House Christmas celebration. She introduced staff members and volunteers helping with today’s activities: Trish Creel, Shaylee Creel, Andy Eury, Robbie Crochan, Netra Bollinger, Steve Martin and Jerry Brown. Aaron Kepley (new director of the Rowan Museum) talked about the support of the Brown and Fisher families to the Rowan Museum and the Old Stone House. Aaron is a Brown and a Fisher descendent. A corn crib, donated by the Sifford family of the Organ Lutheran Church neighborhood, is now sitting in parking lot, but will be moved to the house property when a proper location is found.

Treasurer Larry Brown gave a report on money matters. He reported that $11,700.00 is needed

to settle the parking lot debt. A future project will be to construct a shelter on the Old Stone House property. Larry auctioned a first edition of the book: A History of the Michael Brown Family of Rowan County, autographed by Roscoe Fisher Brown. David Brown was the highest bidder. The $70.00 will be put against the parking lot debt.

Juanita Lagg introduced the new Life Membership members: Charlotte Hobbs, Raleigh; Howard W. Brown, Jr., Granite Quarry; Phillip Jackson Brown, San Carlos, CA; Bobby Ray Brown, Salisbury; Laura Elizabeth Fisher, Charlotte; Carolyn Lambert, of Salisbury (a life member) gave Life Memberships to her sons, Matthew K. Barker, Louisburg and Joshua E. Barker, Murfreesboro in memory of their grandmother: June Misenheimer Edward, who was a charter member of the Brown-Fisher Association. There is a total of 156 Life Memers. 19 persons attended for the first time. Awards were given to the family with the largest members attending: James Gibson Brown family of Salisbury with 16 members, and the Stephen Brown family of Durham with 12 member attending. The person attending from the farthest distance: Marmee Brown, Dubai, United Arab Emirates. The Oldest member attending: Juanita Lagg of Salisbury 90 years old. The youngest member attending: Ben Brooks Brown 1 year old son of Ben and Candace Brown. Bobby Ray Brown, of Salisbury was recognized as a veteran of the United States Air Force. A moment of silent prayer was observed for the 24 family members who died since the last reunion.

An election was also held for the Board of Directors. President: Stephen Brown; Vice-president: Dean Brown: Secretary: Patricia B. Beck, Treasurer: Larry Brown; Coordinator: Juanita Lagg: Editor: Cathy Kirchin; members: Rod Kesler, Sarah Brown, Ann Bostian, Doug Robinson, Linda Shelton, Candace Brown, Keith Wolf, Norman Ribelin, Debbie Taylor, Paul B. Walker and Ken Clifton.

The reunion closed with singing Happy Birthday to the Old Stone House. The house was built in 1766.

German Fest celebrating the 250th birthday of the Old Stone House was held from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. on the grounds.