The Boyden High School class of 1958 held its 50th class reunion on the weekend of Sept. 19-21. The class of 1958 celebrates a reunion every five years.
The reunion committee members were Telka Verble Gullett, chairman; Arlene Peeler Taylor, treasurer; Martha Clarke, Alice Putnam Owens, and Gayle Wortham Peeler. Buddy Poplin and Worth Williamson planned the golf tournaments, and Cecil Hutchinson, classmate and local deejay, provided music both nights. Buddy Kepley provided trolley rides and golf carts. Jennie Gregory Sparks was responsible for decorations and John Cress provided a slide show presentation of classmates.
The Boyden High School Booklet, created in black and gold by Martha Clarke and Telka Verble Gullett, was dedicated to the 42 classmates who are deceased. The front cover of the 115-page booklet contains the drawing of Boyden High School by Salisbury’s Betty Sedberry.
The reunion started on Friday morning with a golf match held at Corbin Hills. The golfers enjoyed the game and the competition so much that they made plans for other golf tournaments in the near future.
On Friday evening, Sept. 19, classmates gathered for a get re-acquainted time and a special barbecue and Cheerwine picnic at the Holiday Inn Pavilion. The 160 classmates, mates, and dates enjoyed southern-style barbecue catered by Gary’s Barbecue of China Grove and ’50s music provided by Cecil Hutchinson. The tables were decorated in black and gold, the old Boyden school colors. Favor bags, compliments of the Rowan County Convention & Visitors Bureau, were distributed.On Saturday morning, Sept. 20, classmates took trolley rides around Salisbury. Susan Rouzer Waller served as tour guide. She provided local history with an entertaining, humorous flair.
On Saturday evening, classmates gathered in the Holiday Inn Ballroom. Gayle Wortham Peeler and Alice Putnam Owens greeted each guest, and presented them a gold and black personalized name tag. A class picture was taken by Charles Goldman, and a buffet dinner followed. Buddy Poplin served as master of ceremonies.
Telka Verble Gullett and Arlene Peeler Taylor remembered deceased classmtes. A large poster board contained the class photo of each deceased member. The invocation was given by classmate the Rev. Glenn Rusher.
Bobby Crouch was roasted by Sam Loflin and Worth Williamson. Popular local Elvis impersonator and mailman Michael Thomas performed as “Mailvis.” The audience responded with much enthusiasm.
After Mailvis had left the building, classmate Sandra Gregory Wakefield entertained with special senior lyrics to “A Few of My Favorite Things” from “The Sound of Music.”
Classmates voted to have another reunion in three years instead of the usual five years because 12 classmates have died since the 45th reunion. This 50th reunion was attended by 160 people, making it the largest class reunion ever for the class of 1958.Class officers were Bobby Crouch, president; Morris Stodard, vice president; Myra Stewart, secretary; Arlene Peeler, treasurer; and Mrs. Minnie M. Gaston, advisor. Kay Goodman was Boyden High School president, and was the first female president in the school’s history. John Nettles was principal and J. H. Knox was superintendent of City Schools.
Out-of-town guests were Steve and Sandra Adams, Charlotte; Joe and Penny Agner Penley, Barnesville, Ga.; Joe and Jacquelin Alexander, Fredericksburg, Va.; Katherine Aliff Roche, Jarvisburg; Bill and Caroline Allen, Elizabeth City; Jim Arey, Suwannee, Ga.; Leonard and Kay Ashworth, Camdenton, Mo.; Jim Kluttz and Anne Clifton Kluttz, Highlands Ranch, Colo.; Charles and Sandi Cook, Pensacola, Fla.; John and Kathy Cress, Charlotte; Bobby and Mary Crouch, Mount Pleasant, S.C.; John and Katherine Dearborn Heckscher, Wayland, Mass.; Mackie and Mary Eagle, Greensboro; Paula Earnhardt Coffey, Clinton; Ralph and Linda Fleming, Lexington; Marvin and Fran Gibbs Nushan, Knoxville, Tenn.; Linda Goodman Heilig, Chapel Hill; Sandra Gregory Wakefield, Ennis, Texas; Bill and Pam Griffith, Morganton; Ed and Linda Julian, Albemarle; Michael and Carolyn Kenerly Joseph, Orange Park. Fla.; Sam Loflin and Jean Spencer Loflin, Kingsport, Tenn.; David and Rosa McCombs, Stoneville; Cal and Glenda McIver Jowers, Forest City; Jim and Sue Musselman Scott, Atlanta; Michael and Sandra Pinkston Samuels, Lexington, Ky.; Tommy and Kay Rabon, Shreveport, La.; Douglas Rangeley Jr., Birmingham, Ala.; Ken Richardson and Libby Sherrill Richardson, Gainesville, Fla.; Connie Rickmond Hurlocker, Hendersonville; Glenn and Sandy Rusher, Spartanburg, S.C.; Robert Shuping, Arlington, Va.; Bill and Lucia Soloman, Newport News, Va.; Philip Earl Sowers, San Francisco, Calif.; Gene and Carole Steele Eagle, Charlotte; Pattie Steen Fleming, Raleigh; Dan and Valeria Strayhorn Erranton, Dickson, Tenn.; Teeny Wagoner Rich, Casselberry, Fla.; Ken and Alice Walsh, Carlisle, Pa.; Jerry and Gloria Weaver, Greenville, S.C.; Worth and Sarah Williamson, Charlotte; Vaughn Yarbrough, La Grange, Ga.; Tim and Susan Yates, Collinsville, Va.; Thomas and Dixie ZumBrunnen, Manassas, Va.
Local classmates attending from Salisbury were Loy Alexander Logsdon, Bill and Sybil Baker, Ronald and Gail Bankett, Carl and Dottie Basinger Eagle, Martha Clarke, Irv and Brenda Foil, Norde and Kay Goodman Wilson, Don and Sandy Graham, Michael and Margaret Graham Price, Andy and Jennie Gregory Sparks,Edna Grimes Jumper, Cecil and Melvia Hutchinson, Tippie Hensley Miller, Jim Humphries, Buddy Kepley and Susan Morris, Tommy and Joan Kerns, Bill Kesler, Bud and Peggy Leach Hoffner, Mike and Norma Malcolm Ludwig,Charles Martell and Patsy, Wallace and Joyce McAdams Plyer, Marlene Peeler Spencer and Craig Rice, Pat Peninger McCurdy, John and Frances Poole Trexler,
Benny and Judy Poston, Cynthia Proctor Russell, Bruce and Alice Putnam Owens, Jim and Shirley Trexler, Claude and Telka Verble Gullett, Tommie and Susan Waller, John Walser, Joe and Linda Whitman Kucinski.
Attending from Granite Quarry were: Buddy and Ann Poplin, Flora Phillips Rook, Buddy and Gayle Tutterow, Donnie and Becky Yost;
From Faith: Dan and Wanda Ennis, Wayne and Judy ThompsonCobb,Vohn and GayleWorthamPeeler;Carl and Janie Bowers attended from Woodleaf; Merry Lane Davis Lauder, and Albert and Mary Moon attended from Mount Ulla; Beau and Arlene Peeler Taylor from Rockwell, and Harold and Gayle Pickett Rabon from Spencer.
On Sunday morning, classmates and guests arrived at the Farmhouse Restaurant for breakfast and for saying goodbyes with promises to keep in touch. The local classmates gather for breakfast at the Farmhouse Restaurant on the first Saturday of each month. All 1958 classmates are invited to attend for food, fun and fellowship.
Granite Quarry reunionGranite Quarry High School class of 1955 held its 53rd year reunion on Sept. 27. The group met at Christiana Lutheran Church Fellowship Building in Granite Quarry at 3 p.m. for social time and refreshments, with dinner served at 5 p.m.
Ed Holt, class president, welcomed the group. The blessing for the meal was given by Larry Parrish.
Classmates and spouses attending from Salisbury were Nancy Lyerly Agner, Roy and Lynda Andrew Pethel, Jack Brown, Carolyn Barringer Corl, R.V. and Phyllis Brown Robinson, Larry and Nancy Eagle Parrish, Sylvia Holshouser Fraley, Perry and Ruth Julian, James and Nancy Nance, Jay and Shelby Ritchie, and Carrie Mae Scott Ray.Out-of-town guests were Anne Peeler Winkler, Boone; Eddie Brown, China Grove; Roce and Vivian Williams, Charlotte; Jesse and Elaine Fisher Williams, Elon; Jerry and Gladys Overcash Lickteig, Hudson; Bobby and Peggy Honbarrier, Linwood; Ed and Ruth Holt, Reidsville; George and Carol Smith, and Nancy Combs Lyerly, Rockwell; Richard and Rachel Holshouser, Sanford; Tommy and Thelma Ann Thompson, Statesville; and Ann Russell Brown, Welcome.
Out-of-state guests were Mickey and Boots Capel, Claypool, Ariz.; Frank and Dina Merritt, Oakland, Fla.; and Barry and Nancy Sides Shrout, Seaford, Va.
Teacher Doris Ritchie of Salisbury, was a special guest. Members introduced themselves and their spouse and made remarks.
The meal was catered by Gary’s of China Grove. Secretary-treasurer, Elaine Fisher Williams, gave each member a revised copy of addresses and e-mail addresses for all members of the class of ’55. Centerpieces at each table were given as door prizes. It was decided that a reunion will be held again in two years.
Toastmasters
Jay Nodine was judged Best Humorous Speaker when four speakers competed for the title on Oct. 2 in Cornelius. Other contestants were Kevin Decker, Annie Boone-Carroll, and Betty Houston.
The competition for both the Best Humorous Speaker and Best Evaluator included Toastmasters Area 36 clubs consisting of Goldmine, Lake Norman, Yawn Patrol Zone, University City and Toastmasters at the Lake.
Contestants for the Evaluation Contest were Kim Jackson, Susan Stroud, Nicole Greer, Michael Craig and Pat Heidrich. The winner was Pat Heidrich from Lake Norman. Kim Jackson from Goldmine placed second.
Winners of this contest will compete at the next level, on Oct. 23 at Allstate in Charlotte.
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Sarah Hall compiles news for People & Places. Contact her at 704-797-4271 or shall@salisburypost.com.