~by Dr Mary Anderson Richards
It was a “tip of the hat” to the alumnae of the Franklin Township Consolidated School in Cooper on Saturday, June 28, at the St Joseph Parish Center in Jefferson. Alumnae gathered with their school friends at 4 pm with Beatrice Schilling Freeman assisting with the name tags and Drs Mary Anderson and Larry Richards greeting the attendees.
Coffee and iced tea were served during hospitality time. Red and white caps engraved with “COOPER” greeted the alumnae at their place cards. Mary welcomed all who then observed a moment of silence in memoriam of the passing of alumnae members.
The color guard of the Joint Forces headquartered at Camp Dodge presented the United States of America flag, read the names of alumnae who served in the military and led the group in reciting the Pledge of Allegiance. Dr Richards led the singing of “God Bless America.”
Alumnae attending included 1938 Eleanor Molle Meinecke (and granddaughter Jentry); 1941 Sarah Molle Byrns; 1942 Naida Underwood Walters; 1943 Beatrice Schilling Freeman; 1944 Frances Schilling Safley (and Bob), (Betty Shores Adrian and Dan sent their regrets); 1945 Marcella Byrns Woods, Betty Snowgren Farley, Beverly Hutchison Higgins (and daughter Jane), Beverly Nixon Poore (and daughter Karen); 1947 Harold Pittman; 1948 Melvin Miller, Janet Miller Owens (and Bob); 1951 Arlis Stofer Butler (and Ken), Maxine Taylor Wilkinson; 1952 Mary Siegenthaler Wiedner, Virginia Squires Purcell; 1953 Harvey Ganoe (and Marilyn), Mary Stofer Hughes, Mardell Smith Hane, Charlie Taylor (and Pat); 1955 Larry and Esther Scheuermann Monthei; 1958 Mary Anderson Richards (and Dr. Larry), Larry Hurst (and Lois), Larry Johnston, Sharon Sitterly Ostendorf (and Dick).
Also, 1960 Dennis Peer, Jim Franey; 1961 Andi Siegenthaler Blume; 1962 Steve Sheer; 1963 Cheryl Rich Sheer; 1965 Marjory Byrns Festvog; 1970 Pam Farley Grow.
Teachers attending were Eleanor Molle Meinecke and Kenneth Mallas (and Shirley). Dr Ken Mallas endowed a scholarship for a Greene County High School senior who has a legacy with a Franklin Township Consolidated School alumnae member. Ruth Broman, Greene County High School counselor, was introduced to the alumnae as the contact person for family members who want to apply for the scholarship.
Frances Schilling Safley was honored on the 70th graduation anniversary of her 1944 class. Eleanor Molle Meinecke (1938) was our Most Distinguished Senior Member. Pam Farley Grow assisted with the red and white carnation corsages given to the 1938 and 1940’s attendees.
The guests sang The Doxology preceding the dinner. The Lidderdale Country Store meal consisted of pork loin au jus, chicken breast, scalloped potatoes, green beans, salads, rolls, pie, coffee and iced tea.
The tables were decorated with red and white carnations in vases surrounded by mints as centerpieces. The school mascot, the Cardinal, was engraved on the white napkins. Photographs and newspaper articles about the school athletic teams contributed by graduates and writings about Franklin Township and Cooper by Mary were in the booklets placed at each table setting.
Following the meal, Mardell Smith Hane, a four-year cheerleader, told about “Cheerleading in the 1950s” with new uniforms each year and the red and white saddle shoes. Mrs. Friess sewed the cheerleading skirts one year.
Harvey Ganoe in his “Q and A” told about his experiences during school and something about “a car and 60 days.” Harvey and Marilyn Ganoe have volunteered with many reunions and their service is appreciated.
Grace (Mrs. Dewey) Schilling was president of the school board when Ken Mallas signed his contract for the 1957-59 school years. Coach Mallas spoke about “Once Upon A Time…’”with his Cooper students. He related, “When the rest of my life is through, the finest thing I have ever done is simply knowing you.”
Mary thanked Maxine Taylor Wilkinson and Mary Stofer Hughes for their continued leadership and Larry, her husband, for his support. Letters from Lois Schrader Hutchison, Ruth Tolsdorf Veenstra and Nancy Byrns Hartwigsen were read. A display of photographs was perused by the graduates.
It was a “Tip of the Cap” to come together to be with our school friends and continue to affirm our friendships. A graduate said, “I enjoyed seeing my friends and all of us being together.” Others wrote, “…a lovely evening. Nice to be with old friends…” and “Thanks again for a special evening.”
Enjoying the Franklin Township / Cooper School Reunion were (front row, from left) Melvin Miller, Janet Owens, Sarah Byrns, Eleanor Meinecke, Beatrice Freeman and Mary Anderson Richards; (second row, from left) Harold Pittman, Beverly Poore, Frances Safley, Betty Farley, Beverly Higgins, Naida Walters and Marcella Woods; (third row, from left) Esther Monthei, Maxine Wilkinson, Arlis Butler, Virginia Purcell, Mary Wiedner, Mary Hughes and Mardell Hane; and (back, from left) Marjory Festvog, Jim Franey, Larry Monthei, Dennis Peer, Amdo Blume, Pam Grow, Larry Johnston, Larry Hurst, Cheryl Sheer, Steve Sheer, Sharon Ostendorf and Harvey Ganoe.
