MAY/JUNE 2018

Summer will be fast approaching, yet May & June seem to be the time where there is a flurry of activities and celebrations related to weddings, graduations, BBQs, and, in Ohio, just finally being able to get outdoors. We wish all of our alumni and their families a wonderful beginning to the coming summer months!

In 2007 after the Class of 67s 40th reunion, we as former graduates of GHH were able to extend to a current graduating senior a $500 scholarship towards their college education. Since that time, we have been able to award the same monetary scholarship to 10 graduating seniors over the past 10 years. Quite an accomplishment, especially since funding to do so has been strictly provided via donations from our alumni, or from special class events, or with money remaining from past reunions. For the class year of 2017-2018, the Scholarship Committee was disappointed to realize that the number of scholarship applicants had dwindled considerably from previous years. Therefore, we approached Ms. Bobbi Marksberry, a Guidance Counselor at the high school, with the question of what else could our class do for either graduating seniors or the faculty at GHHS that would provide them with some type of meaningful support. With the help of one of our alumni committee members, Lora Finocchi Garrett, who had also been a high school principal, we developed a Project Funding Application that teachers, departments or even students can complete. Upon this basis we could continue our remarkable philanthropic legacy. This broadened the scope of our charitable donation, as we could fund a piece of equipment, trip to a museum, or any number of things. However, since it was late in the school year, it meant receiving applications for the following year.

So, since neither a scholarship nor a project could be awarded this year, Ms. Marksberry did indicate to us that many of the senior students are unable financially to purchase a yearbook during their graduation year, as the price for a yearbook is now reaching $50. Upon discussion, the Scholarship Committee did agree to provide some funding to purchase 10 yearbooks and $500 was donated to the high school for them to do so. The school developed a lottery with specific criteria and 10 graduating seniors who met that criteria were awarded these yearbooks at the Senior Recognition ceremony on April 25, 2018, in the high school Performing Arts Center. Our goal is to continue to assist future graduates or faculty members at GHHS in whatever programs assistance is needed, and the Class of ’67 can be proud in doing so! Below are a few thank you notes sent to us by some of the grateful students who received the 2017-2018 yearbooks:

MANY Traveling Alumni these past several months: Jean Alesci Ford visited her daughter & grandson in Arizona in April. Rosemarie Martinovich Spatny traveled to Fort Myers, FL, for a wedding. Randy Stakes at Pineapple Beach Club in St. Philips, Antiqua, the end of April. Linda Link Feldes arrived in Cleveland May 30th to attend her granddaughter’s graduation from Lutheran West June the 1st. Gail Russler Meyer with hubby, Barry, traveled in May for three weeks to visit some of the presidential libraries/museums and state capitols of Kansas, Missouri and Illinois. Then a visit with relatives and friends in NC and SC. Louise Pieschalski Novak was in Columbus, OH, the weekend of May 19th. Dusty Bowling journeyed to Cuba in mid-May. He left from the port of Cape Canaveral, FL, and trip included 2 days in Havana. He said he spent most of the shore time going to cultural exchanges and listening to music at Buena Vista Social Club & the historic Tropicana Club. He also said it was sad to see the U.S. Embassy closed. Another alum traveling to Cuba was Amy Roman Kostka who at the Lady Bulldog lunch spoke of the kindness of the Cubans, despite their poverty. Linda Wike Calkins returned to Phoenix, AZ, to see family the end of May. Ruth Mendala Thompson with husband, Ed, and friends, Diane & John, were aboard a Viking river cruise along the Danube traveling from Prague to Budapest. Skeets (Floyd) & Gayle Glowick Konet vacationed in St. Lucia in the Caribbean during May, and then also to Duck, NC (the Outer Banks) early June. Candace Coneglio Frantz had fun in Catawba, and Rhea Jones Ashmore was in Cleveland for a police memorial ceremony in May, and then in South Beach, WA, in early June. Kudos to: Dee Jacobs Seman upon the birth of granddaughter, Georgia Grace, who was born April 2, 2018, at 11:09am. Georgia weighed 8 lbs. 9 oz. Connie Tortorici Smolko and husband, Tom, upon the birth of twin grandsons, Eli Thomas (5 lbs. 10ozs.) and Knox Paul (5 lbs. 8 ozs.) on April 3, 2018. Rhea Jones Ashmore who, once again, represented Badger Creek at the Minnesota Film Festival this year. Badger Creek’s film screened April 13 – 28, 2018, and it was received well by audiences. Julie Solar Ogella and husband, David, who also became grandparents again at the birth of granddaughter, Jasmine. Big sister, June, is also proud of her new baby sister! AND, to congratulate them on their 47th wedding anniversary that they celebrated June 19, 2018.

Rich Novak who assisted in planning the 2018 Bedford Strawberry Car Show June 10, 2018. It was part of the 54th Strawberry Festival in Bedford that ran June 8 thru the 10th, and,

Connie Pettet Clark who is now certified to teach fishing! She is teaching classes in local schools, so if anyone is interested, contact her! Thinking of: Ken Nowack, who had cataract surgery on April 24, 2018, with a second cataract surgery on May 12th for the other eye, and, Sharon Travagliante Weitzman, who had knee surgery in May and is recuperating nicely. Condolences to: Carl Peterson and family upon the passing of his father, Lyle C. Peterson, who passed away in March, 2018. Mr. Peterson was 94. He is survived by his two daughters, and son, Carl, 6 grandchildren and 7 great-grandchildren. He is preceded in death by his wife of 62 years, Lillian. Karen Klusak Golem and family upon the passing of Karen’s husband, Dennis, on April 6, 2018. Dennis, 70, was devoted to his family. For many years he enjoyed coaching baseball, basketball & football. He was the beloved husband of Karen for 42 years, and is survived by her, his five children and 6 grandchildren. Michael Heba & family upon the passing of his father, Matthew, on May 20, 2018. Mr. Heba, 92, was a proud U.S. Navy veteran of WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was also a loyal fan of Cleveland spots teams, and enjoyed spending time with his family & socializing daily with his many good friends at McDonald’s. To the family of former GHHS faculty member, Wayne W. Schelien, 73, who passed away in May, 2018. Mr. Schelien spent his teaching career serving the young people of Garfield Heights, namely as a teacher and a coach. When at GHHS, he taught social science. He also coached football and hockey, especially youth hockey and the Cleveland Suburban Hockey League, Garfield Heights hockey (who won a championship), and Winterhurst hockey. Upon retirement, he was a building substitute, a jobs coordinator and a continuing coach of sports. He is survived by wife, Ann, daughter, and two sons, and 8 grandchildren. And, for those of you who were acquainted with Thaddea “Teddie” Sak Fedor who passed away in April, 2007, it was noted that her mother, Irene Sak, 96, passed away June 14, 2018. Of her family only one sibling survives, brother, Steven Sak.

Our prayers are certainly with all of you and your extended family! “Death leaves a heartache no one can heal. Love leaves a memory no one can steal”

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Newsy Reflections & Tidbits: To memorialize those who made the ultimate sacrifice while defending our nation, its people and all of its freedoms, we, in various ways, celebrated Memorial Day on May 28th. Bill Williams began his day with the Disabled American Veterans in the Medina Memorial Day Parade. Bill’s military service began with basic training at Fort Campbell, KY, with advanced training at Fort Leonard Wood in Missouri. He was a Spec 4 – 14th Combat Engineers, and served in Quong Tri, Vietnam, 1970-71, Construction Supply Yard (S-4) & Water Supply. And former faculty member, Bill Toneff, who is now 99, led the City of Brecksville Memorial Day parade as its Grand Marshall. Not only did he lead the parade, but was also the Memorial Day speaker. Mr. Toneff obtained the rank of 1st Lieutenant & served in the U.S. Army Field Artillery, Battery B, 391st Battalion, 3rd Armored Division, 1st Army. He was twice wounded and received the Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster,

and also received a Bronze Star for Bravery. Mr. Toneff was also honored by the City with a Proclamation of Appreciation making May 28, 2018, a day of appreciation for his service and all of his comrades in arms. Below are two photos: Mr. Toneff as he appeared when teaching at GHHS & Mr. Toneff on Memorial Day, 2018.

Other Tidbits: David Humpal had the great honor in April of joining members of the Red Hackle Pipes & Drums, as well as pipers from many places around the world, to play at Pipe Major Sandy Hain’s funeral. As David puts it, it turned out to be a beautiful day to honor a wonderful man.

And, The Lady Bulldogs, or the GHHS Class of ’67 Ladies’ Dinner group, met for lunch on May 19th,

and on June 16th

at the Courtyard Café in Brecksville, OH. There is also a Facebook page called “The Class of 1967

GHHS Ladies’ Dinner Group” that has been created and information about upcoming gatherings is posted there. Join us for the next one!

And that, folks, is this newsletter! Please keep us informed of any new contact info for you, and if you have some news to share with us, please contact me at (grdmohio@aol.com). We love Alumni news! Until our next issue, GO BULLDOGS! Your energetic editor, Gail Russler Meyer