Leading the group is Margaret Connor Worman. Carrying the banner is Carolyn Barnhart Collins and Ethel Allen Leach. Playing the bells is Betty Reed Welch. Snare drummers are Mary Helen Catlett Allen and Tillie Connor Weitzel. Sharing the bass drum are Edna Hilt Jones and Doris Sullivan Smith.
The bugler is Carolyn Hutchinson Scott and the cymbal player is Virginia Francis Coats. Following behind in her car is Evelyn Byrd Struble, Connie Hutchinson Bell and Faye Hilt Courtney.
Steppin' to the Beat, July 2003
TWENTY SIX FORMER DRUM CORPS MEMBERS and their guests attended the 4th annual Mountain Grove High School Drum Corps Reunion. The event was held July 4th & 5th in conjunction with the annual Mountain Grove Alumni Weekend.
Friday evening a potluck dinner was held in the media center and the band room at the Mountain Grove High School. A special treat was a viewing of old movies of the drum corps from 1953-54. The movies were converted to video and brought to us by Margaret Conner Worman and Tillie Connor Weitzel.
On Saturday, fourteen members participated in the alumni parade. The Alumni Drum Corps led the parade. Margaret Connor Worman was our leader and wore the newly discovered majorette cape that was donated to the group by Barbara Richards Kimes. “I was cleaning my attic this morning and came across my cape I wore as drum major in 1955. If you remember it was red and gold satin. Do you all have one or would you be able to use it when you march in the parade? I will get it cleaned if you are interested.”
Members and friends attending were: Tillie Connor Weitzel, Margaret Connor Worman, Janet Young Miranda (her brother, Lee Young and wife, Wanda), Rita Davis, Alice Reed Detherage, Edna Hilt Jones, Mary Helen Catlett Allen (and husband, Jack Allen), Betty Reed Welch, Judy Eastin Kjellberg, Carol Coats Barnhart (and husband, Alan Barnhart),Vonna Duey Douglass, Judy Housley Richardson, Pat Moyer Moore, Grace Alsup Huff (and daughter), Donnie Fuerst Hansbrough (and daughter, Jill Wacker), Ethel Allen Leach, Carolyn Mackey Collins, Carol Hutchinson Scott, Connie Hutchinson Bell, Judy Garrett Cowherd, Rita Hodges Losse, Judy Keller Mears, Faye Hilt Courtney, Charmaine Shannon Young, Doris Smith Sullivan and Emma Jean Archer Barker (and Paula Coday Carl).
The teacher attending this year was Evelyn Byrd Struble, who was a teacher in the Mountain Grove music department from 1954 until 1961 in Mountain Grove.
Submitted by Mary Helen Catlett Allen
Columbia MO
Margaret Connor Worman claims not to be dead, in spite of being clearly
listed as such in the “In Memoriam” column of our last issue. In a striking
demonstration of un-deadness, Margaret reprised her 1954 role as majorette
for our 2003 parade. Thanks for being a good sport, Margaret!New Gathering Place!
News was received from Janet Young Miranda that her brother, Dick had bought the Denny place on old hwy. 60. Their family is planning on using the house for the family and gatherings when they are in Mountain Grove.
Janet has graciously offered to let our drum corps group meet there for our next reunion on Friday, July 2nd. The word form the school is that there will no longer be air conditioning operating in the media center. So, we are so happy to accept Janet’s offer. She guaranteed us that they would have air conditioning. The address is 605 East State Street, just east of the Mountain Grove Alumni Park. Janet also said we could use their VCR if we want to view any videos of days gone by. We really enjoyed the video previously mentioned that the “Connor Sisters” brought last year.
They are in the process of putting in a new kitchen, but plan to have it
done by July, so we will go ahead with our “potluck” dinner at 6:30 on Friday,
July 2nd. Janet says we can use the kitchen for food preparation. Last year
we especially enjoyed the green beans that Margaret Worman brought. Please
don’t worry that much about what you bring. I know it’s a little hard for
the people traveling, but stopping to get some carry-out is quite acceptable.
We may have to bring in a few extra chairs for the event, but think that
can work out. The drinks and table service will be provided. We will plan to march again in the alumni parade on Saturday, July 3rd. We will meet in front of the media center for practice around 9:00 that morning. The parade usually starts at 11:00. The excitement is starting to mount!!!
Letters and e-Mail Messages from 2003
March 28, 2003
Thank you for responding. My address now is 302 S 700 E Jerome, ID 83338. My sister is Opal Lou Hopkins Kutz. She lives in Kansas City, MO and has for many years. I am planning on coming to the reunion July 4&5th. I also have a 40-year class reunion then too.
Again, thank you for responding to my e-mail.
Freddie Kay Hopkins.
March 21, 2003
Dear Mary Helen,
Thank you for sending me news “The Drum Beat”
I can’t help with addresses for those missing from Roster. You might check with whoever is in charge of class reunion for July.
Oh, In Memory of those who have passed 3 from my class 1956.
I find my address is better to send to me here in Calif. I share my time- Oregon-California.
My address for mailing
Barbara Marquardt
29 Camino Arroyo N
Palm Desert, CA 92260-0323
June 8, 2003
So glad to get your e-mails bringing all of us up-to-date on the drum corps reunion next month. Sounds like you’re really on top of things. Am sorry to not be with you, but just plan to be there for the Sat. events, parade, etc. My class of ‘43 celebrating their 60th and will gather after the parade at the Dora White Center. My husband just not able to come with me, so don’t want to leave him for any longer than just the day. I will try to see all of you though in the parade line up at the school and hope you got a good spot. We got a “kick” out of you not wanting to be behind the horses, and can’t blame you. Looking forward to July 5th and seeing a lot of “old” school friends. It’s always so much fun. Thanks to you and the MG gals for all your hard work to make a drum corps reunion possible.
Best wishes, Ruth Peebles (Marie Parker Brown’s e-mail address: jcbmmb3@aol.com.
June 8, 2003
I wish I were able to make it this year but unfortunately, have another commitment so I will definitely be there next year for our 60th reunion. will look forward to pictures and the news of all the grads. Thanks for the e-mail and keep up the good work.
Mara L. Hern Shultz
June 11, 2003
First, let me say what a great job you are doing with The Drum Beat! What a wonderful way to keep up with all the happenings of the past, and also the things going on now.
This will be the first time in 9 years that I haven’t been back for the annual Alumni Reunion, but there are things going on at home and in Chicago (I live in a suburb), that I need to be here for. It’s the first time that there has been a conflict, so I’ve been lucky that way. I will be thinking of all of you on the 4th and 5th of July! All my best to everyone there!
Bette (Bock) Duvall
Class of 1947
June 19, 2003
I’m not sure I can be at the Fri. night meeting but plan to be there for the parade and plan to march. Thanks for keeping me informed!!!!
Virginia Frances Coats
June 25, 2003
Mary Helen:
I was very interested in the possibility of the old jail becoming a museum. If that happens, (and since you seem to always be up on everything!) I have my mother’s wedding dress from 1923 that I might be interested in donating as well as a couple of dresses from that time. She was Eunice Bowlin Poe. She graduated in 1913 from MGHS. My husband used the skirt of her HS graduation dress to make the christening gown for our grandchildren. I have pictures of her and her friends as they posed on a train that had arrived at the local depot. she said that on Sunday afternoon, they would walk to Dunn on the railroad tracks and then ride the afternoon train back to MG. Apparently much of the town turned out to meet the train on sunday afternoon.
If a museum “happens”, please have someone let me know!
Thanks,
Mary Frances Poe Smith
905 West Sixth ST
Weslaco, TX
June 30, 2003
Dear Mary Helen,
Just heard from Mom, and Dad is in Shawnee Mission Medical Center... another episode with congestive heart failure. I will be going there to be with them over the weekend instead of making the trip to MG.
I look forward to reuniting with everyone next year. Maybe I can lose 50 pounds by then so I won’t pass out in the Parade! I will send a note to Miss Byrd... how I would love to see her.
Melinda Garble
June 30, 2003
Mary Helen- I will not be able to make it to Mountain Grove for the reunion and parade. I am living and working in Santa Fe, NM now. Just got back for my son’s wedding in Dallas. Thanks for all the work you do to bring us together. -Ann Nickel Gebhardt.
September 15, 2003
Hello Mary Helen,
I moved to a different part of the valley and want to give you my address. I really enjoyed hearing things about the drum corps. Did you march this past July? I spent time in Missouri at our farm in willow Springs but missed the reunion.
My address is:
Marilyn Conklin
12717 W Algeria RD
Avondale, AZ 85323
December 4, 2003
Hi,
got your messages and Till's address has changed. It’s Tilweitzel@aol.com. Also, her last name is Weitzel- with one L. We’re fine, getting ready for Christmas. No big plans this year. The drum corps reunion next year sounds great. I’m planning to be there. Got a couple of addresses for you that you may not have.
Jane Gourley (Rippee), 575 Hotel ST. Wilson, TN 38076 901-466-0169
Jeanie Gartin (B.J. Sutherland), 618 N Main, Crane, MO 65633. 417-723-5801
Jane Thomas (Dunn) 2244 Meadow view, Springfield, MO 65809 417-889-3129
Sherrie Easton (Simmons), 3826 S. Delaware, Independence MO 64055 816-4618979
Have a wonderful Christmas,
Margaret Worman
From the 1940s; Seated is Donnie Fuerst Hansbrough with her daughter, Jill Wack, behind her. Standing beside Donnie is Emma Jean Archer Barker.
1950s Left to right; Edna Hilt Jones, Faye Hilt Courtney, Carolyn Mackey Collins, Tillie Connor Weitzel, Betty Reed Welch and Margaret Connor Worman.
The 1960's: Front row; Mary Helen Catlett Allen, Carole Coats
Barnhart, Judy Eastin Kjellberg.
Second row; Vonna Duey Douglass, Pat Moyer Moore and Janet Young Miranda.
MARK YOUR CALENDAR!
M G H S H o m e c o m i n g 2 0 0 4
DRUM CORPS REUNION
J u l y 2- 3, 2 0 0 4
Potluck at the historic Denny home, 605 E. State St. at 6:30pm July 2
SEE YOU THERE!