2023 Angleton Alumni Association August Newsletter

GONE BUT NOT FORGOTTEN

      STUDENTS: Patsy Rogers Wagner ’56 (03/06/2023); Rodolfo “Trey” Zelaya ’20 (07/16/2023): Cyndi Eastham ’72 (07/22/2023); Kevin Lee Gonzales ’95 08/03/2023; Rex Elton Holcombe ’81 08/06/2023; Eugene Stansbery ’73 (08/11/2023); Jeffrey Allen Thompson ’93 (08/13/2023)

      FACULTY:  Junior high teacher Joe Louis Toole II (07/13/2023)

REUNIONS

     Class of 1962 – Classmates to meet at Smithharts from 12-4 on Sept 29, the day before the Old Timers Reunion.  Contact Charles Woodside clwoodside@sbcglobal.net

    Class of 1970 – Get together at El Patio at 5 p.m. on Saturday, Sept 30, after Old Timers Reunion.  Contact Danna Kay Wilson at library_quilter@hotmail.com.  

   Class of 1980 – Saturday, Oct. 21 at Dirty South in Angleton, 6 p.m.

   Class of 1983 -40th anniversary reunion Saturday, Sept. 23 at American Legion Hall.See class Facebook page or contact Tina Hensley Dean at sillytinad@hotmail.com.

  Class of 1984 – Classmates will be recognized at the Homecoming football game September 22 for their 40th anniversary. 

   OLD TIMERS – Annual luncheon for those graduating 50 years or more on Saturday, Sept. 30 at Angleton Junior High.  Class of 1973 will be welcomed this year.  Catering by Filipp’s Cafe.

OLD TIMERS REUNION

      Former students from the 1940s to 1973 are invited to the Old Timer Reunion, sponsored annually by the Alumni Association.   It will be held from 10-2 on Saturday, September 30, at Angleton Junior High and those attending can visit the History Center from 1-5.  Class reps are sending out registration forms, which can also be paid online on the Angleton Alumni Association website.

      There will be free class group photos and the Class of 1973 will be taken at 11 sharp. Filipp’s Cafe is catering its famous chicken-fried steak/chicken for lunch.   Alumni volunteers will serve lunch so no one will have to stand in line. 

      A special addition is a silent auction of items contributed by alumni including handmade crafts, plants, food and unique baskets. 

DISTINGUISHED ALUMNI, EDUCATORS

      Friends, families, classmates and former students are invited to a community reception honoring 2023 inductees of the AISD Distinguished Alumni and Distinguished Educator Hall of Fame.  The reception will be held from 10 a.m. to 12 p.m. on Saturday, September 23, at the Oaks @ Oaks Plantation at 19706 FM 521 in Rosharon.

      Distinguished Alumni are James Ray Gayle III ’56, Landis Maddox ’91, John Morgan ’67 and Joseph Roberson, ’57  of Marshall.

Inductees for the Distinguished Educator Hall of Fame are William Dojahn, Georgia Powell, Eugenia McNeill Williams and Mary Frances Singer.

      J. Ray Gayle, who passed away in 2022, spent 36 years in law, including 24 years as a District Judge. West Point graduate Col. Landis Maddox ’91 commands the Defense Logistics Agency Troop Support in Pennsylvania.  John Morgan was a coach and teacher at AHS for 38 years and is president of the Angleton Alumni Association. Joseph Roberson joined the Air Force after graduation from Tuskegee and had an impressive career as a pilot, retiring as a Lieutenant Colonel.

      William Dojahn, 1960-1991, inspired those in the highest levels of math.    Georgia Powell, the first school nurse in 1966, was still volunteering when she passed away in 2018.  

      Two of her former fifth grade students nominated Eugenia McNeill Williams, who spent 32 years teaching in Angleton.  Mary Frances Singer taught elementary for 33 years, mainly Title I at Westside and Frontier.  She passed away in 2019. 

ALUMNI RAFFLE

Whether it is an acoustic guitar signed by country stars, gift cards to fancy Houston restaurants and local favorites or collections of vinyl albums, the 2023 Alumni Association raffle has something for everyone.

      Tickets are $5 each or 5 for $20 and can be purchased from board members at the History Center, Old Timers Reunion and other events.  Winning tickets will be drawn at the December 10 board meeting. 

      Top prize is the guitar is signed by country stars such as Garth Brooks, Trisha Yearwood, Crystal Gayle, Thomas Rhett, Luke Bryan and many more..  A letter of authenticity is provided.  The guitar was donated by Diedre Gandy Ransdell ’82, who is a disc jockey at K92.9 in Kentucky.

      Wayne Morgan ‘00, CFO of Berg Hospitality, arranged for the donation of two $250 gift cards that can be used at B&B Butcher Steakhouse, The Butcher Shop, B&B Lemon, Annie Cafe, Turners, NoPo Cafe and Market, Trattoria Sofia, The Saloon, B&B Ranch or Benny Chow.

      Linda Fox ’67 has gotten $100 gift cards from Landry’s and Pappas in Houston and Giovanni’s in Angleton.

      Isabelle Salazar ‘76 has gotten a $100 gift card from la Madeleine in Lake Jackson.

      Auction chairman Shelley Rouse ’77 has gotten a gift card to Filipp’s Cafe in Danbury and is making up baskets of collectable vinyl albums. 

      Call Shelley at 979-849-2225 or John Morgan at 979-848-7993 to order tickets.

      Funds raised from the raffle will go to alumni scholarships and sponsoring alumni events.

MEMBERSHIP

      New lifetime Alumni Association member is Justin Collard ’07.  Annual membership has been renewed by Christina Todd.

HISTORY CENTER     

      Justin Collard ’07 brought in 2007 Tattlers, a Homecoming ribbon, 2007 Show choir photo and band memorabilia. 

      Southside Elementary donated group photos of students and faculty from the years 2006, 2007 and 2009.

      Band volunteer Nancy Richardson brought in a poster with individual photos of all the 2023 band members and directors.          

Visit the History Center at 1800 N. Downing on Wednesday afternoons and during special events.  Donations may also be mailed to the Alumni Association, PO Box 122, Angleton 77516.

HISTORICAL NOTES FOR AUGUST

      Aug, 1920 – Muriel Combs hired as music teacher

      Aug, 1932 – Hurricane damages schools.  Half day classes held.

      Aug, 1943 – Rationed commodities include sugar, coffee, shoes, meat, butter

      Aug, 1950 – Sgt. Glen Gray ’46 missing in action in Korean Conflict. 

      Aug, 1964 – New AISD teachers are Fred Johnson, Sharon Gilbert, Pat Craven, Austine Filla, John Craven, Suzy McCormick, Willie Beasley, LaVerne Melbert

      Aug, 1974 – Old Central school torn down. Roof in place after two walls bulldozed.

      Aug, 1978 – Band and choir perform at Cotton Bowl at Dallas Cowboy game

      Aug, 1981 – New K-Mart on SH 288 opening in mid-August

      Aug, 1991 – Bill Minix is new principal at Westside

      Aug, 1997 – Minimum wage is $5.15 an hour

      Aug, 1999 – AISD named Exemplary with 90% of students passing all three sections of state exams

      Aug, 2003 – Students and teachers have to wear lanyards with photos, ID info

      Aug, 2020 – AHS starts JROTC program

      Aug, 2022 – New $55 million Career Tech Center opens on AHS campus

      Aug, 2023 – Classes began on Wednesday, August 15.

CALENDAR

      Sept. 17 – Alumni Board Meeting

      Sept. 22 – Homecoming football game vs. Magnolia Bulldogs

      Sept 23 – Distinguished Alumni, Educator Reception

      Sept. 30 – Old Timers Reunion

      Oct 19 – 20 – AISD Fall Break

ANGLETON ALUMNI ASSOCIATION BOARD

    Officers are John Morgan ‘67, president; Tracy Holt Delesandri ‘80, vice-president; Linda Winder, secretary; Linda Roesler Fox ’67, corresponding secretary; Julie Irby Kolojaco ‘67 treasurer and Sammy Alsobrook ’69, past president.  Board members are Bette Sides Sweeny ’59, Sue Neill, faculty; Frances Coleman Leist ’66, Katie Jacobson Clegg ’69, Bridgett Bradford Norris ’75, Isabelle Salazar ’76, Martha Boone Samford ’67, Sam Chamberlain ’66, Larry DuBose ’67, Glen “Deacon” Woosley ’76, Shelley Fox Rouse ’77, Mary Ann Douglas Murphy ’60, Cecile Newton, faculty, Donna Spoor Lewis ’68.  Ad hoc members Pam Hendrick ’71, Debra Morris ’72, Betty Condry McAfee ’69, Bartlett Ramsey, faculty, Kathy Cooksey ’68 Charter Member Bill Schweinle ’59.

 Note:  If you have additions or corrections to news items in the AAA newsletter please contact Linda Winder at lwinder4323@att.net.  Newsletter is compiled by Linda Winder and AAA members and distributed via e-mail by Pam Hendrick ‘71.  

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