The Newton Falls Schoolmates and Friends 99th reunion was celebrated June 16th at DiVieste’s Banquet Room in Warren with 337 persons in attendance. Welcoming the schoolmates in the foyer were members of the Class of 1969, Ken Layshock, Dennis Kirkland, Rosie Domyanich, Howie Wolf, Linda Bennight, Delbert Wolaski.
The celebration began with the members of the honored class of 1968 filing in from the foyer introduced by Don Young. Richard Monteville welcomed the Newton Falls alumni and Guests. Russell Zampino gave the invocation and the luncheon was served. Don Young then “roasted” the Class of 1968.
Following the luncheon, the business meeting was held. The board awarded two $1000.00 college scholarships announced by Judi Giovanne Gensburg to Noah Marsh who attended and gave a very nice speech of appreciation and Paige Swingle who sent a very lovely thank you note. We then took a free will offering so that we may continue awarding deserving students scholarships.
Mary Margaret Gams Hildack read the annual Necrology report containing 77 names associated with the schoolmates or staff. A moment of silence followed.
Richard then asked all military veterans to stand and be honored for their service. Followed by all first responders, firemen and policemen.. A round of applause for each and all. The oldest attendee this year was again Al Sipka, class of 1937 and our youngest was Katrina Weekley who will be a freshman this fall. The attendee who travelled the farthest was Art Monteville from Hawaii. The family with the most attendees was again the Whaley family. The roll of decades showed that the 60’s had the most attendees.
Kathy Rapczak gave the treasurer’s report: $1841.00 was collected from the offering.
Rich then told of the dilemma we face for next year, being that DiVieste’s is not available on the 3rd Saturday of June, 2019. So according to our By-Laws, that is the annual meeting date, we will have to move to another venue or change the By-Laws and the date. A standing vote was taken with 97 in favor of keeping the same date and changing the venue, 76 were in favor of changing the date. Rich then introduced the current Board of Trustees and the new volunteers, Rodney Zeck, Nancy Serotko Thomas, and Vickie Eichelberry Young. The vote was taken and approved for all board members to serve for 2018-2109 year.
With the business meeting concluded, Judi Gensburg led us in singing the Alma Mater and Mr. Earnie Shaver gave the Benediction. We then continued to have a social time until 5:00 pm.
