Woodridge Alumni Association Newsletter, Spring '99:
WE WANT TO HEAR FROM YOU!
A message from the president, asking for your opinions on the state of
our organization
Dear Alumni,
It's hard to believe that we are in our third year!
While we were first starting out, it seemed as though progress was
steady. A database and mailing list of almost 900 names. The Woodridge
Alumni Association name and our cool trademark bulldog got around via
sweatshirts (and very nice embroidered ones at that) sold at the home
football games. We awarded five of our older athletes memberships to the
Athletic Hall of Fame. We produced two newsletters per year and hosted
three Homecoming get-togethers.
All the makings of a thriving organization, right? Not exactly.
There has never.been the attendance at the meetings that there once was
since that first few months back in 1996. Despite mailing out meeting
dates ahead of time and changing the place to the much more festive
atmosphere of On Tap versus the High School, our core officers are still
the only attendees.
The dues renewal effort is bleak, partly because we thought we needed
more reasons for you to support it. So we had a golf outing at
Brandywine at Thanksgiving time. Good idea? Well, it double-bogeyed.
Within this edition of Paws & Reflect, we are asking for a small favor.
Please take the time to fill out the survey on Page 3 and send it in.
Let us know what we can do to improve this organization. We (the
officers) aren’t looking for full-time jobs, but we would like to know
that the Alumni Association is something we should keep. The goal of
establishing a scholarship is still unattained. It could be that you
like newsletters and that’s all. Please share your thoughts with us!
To all those who joined for life, you either realized the cost was a
minimal donation or you believe that the effort is worthwhile. I hope
both are true. We look forward to reading your suggestions at our next
meeting (see schedule for date and time). Thank you.
Sincerely,
Michelle Abbott,
President,
Woodridge Alumni Association
GOLF TOURNAMENT TO BE HELD OCTOBER 9
Mark your calendars for October 9 — that Saturday will be the date of
the First Annual Woodridge Alumni Association Golf Tournament.
The event will be held at Brandywine Golf Course in Peninsula. Details
will follow in the coming months, but you can plan on a challenging and
fun-filled day, capped off with dinner and prizes. Proceeds from the
event will benefit the Woodridge Alumni Association.
Although the date seems far off, it should be just enough time for you
to brush up on your game!
NEW 'OLD-TIMERS' SOUGHT FOR ATHLETIC HALL OF FAME
HELP! HELP! We are searching for some new nominations for the Old-Timers
Athletic Hall of Fame.
Anyone from the old Peninsula High School or Boston High School is
eligible.
Ralph Myello was inducted into the Hall of Fame at the Woodridge High
School Homecoming football game in October 1998.
If you can think of anyone who deserves the honor of being inducted — it
could be a parent, grandparent, aunt or uncle, sibling or a friend —
please let us know. Write to us at Woodridge Alumni Association, 4440
Quick Road, Peninsula OH 44264.
REUNION NEWS
THREE-DAY EVENT PLANNED FOR BOSTON HS GRADS
It started out for Boston High School graduates of classes 1946–1956,
and then they added the Class of 1957.
The last reunion was in 1993. This year, the organizing committee for
the “10+1” reunion are expanding yet again and including all classes
through 1962. Anyone who attended Boston High School during the years
1946–1962 is welcome to attend.
Plans are being made for a three-day event in August 1999. On Friday,
August 13, there will be a reception held at the Peninsula Library at
6:30 pm. On Saturday, August 14, a dinner/dance will be held at the
Silver Lake Country Club at 6:00 pm. On Sunday, August 15, at 1:00 pm,
there will be a catered picnic at the Octagon Shelter in Virginia
Kendall Park.
If you have any questions about this reunion, you can call Polly
Puchalsky at 330-657-2626, or Janet Augustus at 330-923-5448.
CLASS OF '89 PREPARING TO CELEBRATE TEN YEARS
Planning is currently underway for the WHS Class of 1989 ten-year
reunion to be held August 7, 1999 at Emidio’s Party Center in Cuyahoga
Falls. Further details will be communicated in the near future. Any
class member interested in assisting in planning activities or locating
fellow classmates can contact Barb (Schmidt) Solis at 330-659-2473, or
David Zimmerman at 330-922-4221 or Dszim1@aol.com.
WHS 1979 CLASS TO COMMEMORATE TWENTY YEARS WITH MULTIPLE EVENTS
The Woodridge Class of 1979 has several activities in store to help
celebrate their twentieth reunion year.
Plans have been made to hold a reunion celebration the weekend of
November 26–27. On Friday, November 26, there will be an informal
get-together at a location to be announced. On Saturday, class members
are invited to tour the recentlyexpanded High School (complete with a
pizza lunch in the Auditeria) beginning at 11:00 am, and then to attend
the “Big Event” at Emidio & Son’s Party Center (corner of Bath and State
Roads) at 7:00 pm.
In addition, the reunion committee is putting together a family picnic
event sometime this summer at one of the local parks. Details will be
coming soon.
The committee has yet to locate only a few of their classmates. Here’s a
list of those “missing in action”: Laura R. Clough, William A. Craig,
Gregory Amsterdam Mobley,
Barbara Jean Scala, Toni Lynn Smith, Robert Spencer, Michael Stevens,
and Michael R. Wilson.
If anyone can help locate these people, or would like more reunion
information, they are asked to contact Debby (Deryck) Bobinets,
330-650-2901 or dbobinets@uakron.edu.
ATTENTION ALL REUNION ORGANIZERS:
If your class is short on cash, the Alumni Association may be able to
help. We will now consider making short-term loans to reunion committees
for down payments, supplies, etc. Interested parties must attend at
least two regular meetings.
 
Lisette Schellekens (’88), to Rob de Groot; Jul 3 1998, in Helmond,
Netherlands.
To Bill Bandy (’81) and his wife Jennifer, daughter Rachel Jean, Sep
1998.
To Shannon (Kary, ’88) and Tom Hasenstab (’88), daughter Courtney Grace,
Jan 1999.
To Amy (Dodds) Russo (’89) and her husband Dave, son Giancarlo, Feb 4
1999.
To Lisa (Kaczmarski) Lastovka (’88) and her husband Dave, son Nicholas
Richard, Feb 20 1999.
To Jennifer (Mervis, ’91) and David Zimmerman (’89), son Jacob Ryan, Mar
18 1999.
 John Kapenekas (’79) has joined the Royal Orchestra in Stockholm,
Sweden, as timpanist.
Send us your news! Write to Woodridge Alumni Association, 4440 Quick
Road, Peninsula OH 44264, or send an e-mail to editor Dave Stofka
(stofka@poboxes.com).
ALUMNI ASSOCIATION SURVEY
=========================
Please help us make your Woodridge Alumni Association more effective!
Answer the questions below and send us your response.
1. What has kept you from attending Alumni Association meetings in the
past? (check all that apply)
o Schedule conflict
o Wasn’t interested
o Wasn’t informed/informed in time
o Live too far
o Other ___________________________________
2. If you had a schedule conflict, when would you be more likely to
attend a meeting? (check all that apply)
Day: o Sun o Mon o Tue o Wed o Thu o Fri o Sat
Time(s): ______________________________________________
3. How often do you think the Alumni Association should meet?
o Weekly o Monthly o Yearly o ____ times/year
4. Where, if anywhere, could meetings be held for you to be more likely
to attend?
________________________________________
5. What do you think should be the main focus of the Woodridge Alumni
Association? (if more than one, use numbers to rank)
__ o Scholarships for graduating seniors
__ o Assistance in class reunion planning
__ o Fellowship/socializing for alumni
__ o Athletic or athletic halls of fame
__ o Newsletter/alumni communications
__ o Community service
__ o Support of school-related issues
__ o Other _________________________________
6. Which, if any, of these events would you be likely to attend, and
when? (check all that apply)
Fri Sat Sun
Fall Homecoming Party o o o
Summer Picnic May o o o
Jun o o o
Jul o o o
Aug o o o
Sep o o o
Golf Outing May o o o
Jun o o o
Sep o o o
Oct o o o
Other ___________________ o o o
7. Are you a current WAA member? o Yes o No
8. If you have any suggestions as to how the Woodridge Alumni
Association could become more appealing to you, or if you have any other
comments, please write them here:
_______________________________________________________
Name: (optional) __________________________________________
Thanks for your help! Please return your survey to the Woodridge Alumni
Association, 4440 Quick Road, Peninsula OH 44264.
News of the Woodridge Alumni Association
4440 Quick Road
Peninsula, Ohio 44264
Founded 1996
President: Michelle Abbott
Vice President: Tammy Heffernan
Secretary: Sandee Mick
Treasurer/Editor: Dave Stofka
Alumni Association Membership
Check the appropriate box and send this form with your check payable to:
Woodridge Alumni Association
4440 Quick Road
Peninsula, Ohio 44264
____ One year, $3
____ Five years, $10
____Lifetime, $30 ($25 for Class of '98)
We need your help!
The Woodridge Alumni Association can't function without active members. If you are interested in getting involved -- contributing new ideas, planning or helping with events, meeting old friends -- check the box above. This is your chance to give something back!
Alumni database information
If you know of anyone who might be interested in the Woodridge Alumni Association, give them a copy of this form, or fill it out for them! The information below will be added to our alumni database and mailing list.
Name ___________________________________
Graduating class __________
Grades at Woodridge: K 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12
(circle all that apply)
Address ______________________________________
_______________________________________
Phone: ____________________________
E-mail: _____________________________
New! Regular meeting schedule!
Third Tuesday of the Month at Fisher's in Peninsula
The Woodridge Alumni Association officially announces our new meeting schedule.
We have been very disappointed by low turnout at our meetings of late. One reason for the poor attendance might be poor publicity. Therefore, it has been decided to hold regular meetings on the third Tuesday of every month.
What's more, we've decided to hold our meetings in a slightly more friendly atmosphere. So for at least the rest of 1998, all meetings will be held at Fisher's Cafe & Pub in Peninsula, beginning at 7 p.m. Fisher's is on Rte. 303 near Akron-Peninsula Road.
So c'mon out to our meetings -- grab a bite to eat, unwind and help make our organization a success!
Got anything important or interesting that you'd like to share? Please send us your news!
To Lori (Lahoski) Reagan, '85 and her husband John, son John Patrick, May 19, 1998.
To Andy Moretti, '84, and his wife Lesley, son Roman Andrew.
Scott "Chicken" Curtis, '84, to Mary Keuscel, Aug. 29, 1998
Tim Bergdorf, '87, to Becky Pancake, May 30, 1998
Jeff Bragg, '93, to Terri Rudd, July 4, 1998.
Harry "Skip" Skinner, '69, July 1998
Mark Cassidy, '80, July 1998
Mark Mothersbaugh, '69, was named one of the 100 Most Creative People in Entertainment by Entertainment Weekly magazine in June 1998. He has also composed the scores for two current films, Dead Man on Campus and The Rugrats Movie.
Leanne Stofsick, '79, was named Cuyahoga Falls Teacher of the Year. She is involved with drama programs in the Cuyahoga Falls School District and also teaches courses at Kent State University.
Guy Klapp, '80, is the new head basketball coach at Woodridge High School.
Paul Sutton, '81, has started a new job with the accounting firm of Ernst & Young LLP in Cleveland.
Marc Carroll, '82, and Dave Shand, '82, opened their newest business venture in Hudson in August. Pavlov's Bark Market carries gourmet treats for pampered dogs.
20th reunion brings surprises
The observations of a classmate from ’78
By Kathleen J. (Bauza) Freeman
 Reunion photos
On Friday, August 14, 1998, the Woodridge High Class of 1978 held their
20th reunion. There were only about one third of the class in
attendance, but as always we made the best of it. The memories that
seeing everyone brought back were very surprising to this Class of 1978
grad.
There were people who had changed so much that even after you found
out who they were, you still didn’t believe it was the same person you
had spent up to 13 years in school with.
One example: Shannon Blower. Let’s face it, he was not the example of a
“studious” student. He just made it out of high school. Well, to my
great surprise, he has been married for 18 (yes, 18) years, and is a
minister. What wonderful things Woodridge can do for some people.
And for all those who are wondering — no, Danny Taylor does not still
have all that red hair. It is still slightly red, but there is a lot
less of it. (Sorry, Dan, I have to tell it like it is!)
Then there were some people who haven’t changed a bit. An excellent
example: Pat Feeney. He is still the nice guy who can get along with
anyone. And believe it or not, he looks exactly the same.
We have lost a few classmates, those being: Mike Riley, Tim Eagle and
Geneva Medlin. They were remembered and missed.
We graduates of 1978 are spread all over the U.S. And even though some
of us had to come quite a distance to attend the reunion, I can gladly
say it was well worth the trip.
I have nothing but good memories from the reunion. And I can only hope
that the Reunion Committee doesn’t wait too long to have another
reunion. In just a short five years we could be getting together for our
25th. I hope to keep in touch with a few classmates on a regular basis.
And my greatest wish is that more of our class can attend the next
reunion, whenever it may be.
Class of ’88 gathers for its first reunion
Reunion photo
The WHS Class of 1988 held its ten-year reunion the weekend of July 31 –
August 1.
Things were kicked off Friday night with an Akron Aeros baseball
game. It gave out-of-town alumni a chance to see the new Canal Park
Stadium and the many changes that have occurred in downtown Akron.
The following morning provided a chance to see the changes that
have taken place at Woodridge. A continental breakfast and open house
were held at the High School with tours led by Mr. MacRaild. This gave
alumni an opportunity to show off their families, and even a few parents
showed up to see familiar faces.
Festivities turned more formal Saturday evening with a dinner at
SYB Party Center in Stow — a top-notch facility managed by Class of ’88
member Margie (Meissner) Pask. Turnout was fairly good with 43 out of
100 classmates in attendance.
Following dinner and a commemorative dessert of peanut butter
squares and half-pints of milk, alumni got to see slides last shown at
their Senior Banquet just prior to graduation.
A raffle and presentation of special awards rounded out the
evening. Margie Pask won the grand prize of four Indians tickets, and
Heath Bowman won first prize (half of the 50/50 drawing proceeds). Other
awards Changed the Most — (Wendy) Marie Osborne; Changed the Least —
Tom Hasenstab; Traveled the Farthest — Keely Smith, San Francisco, and
Darla (Botzer) Mullin, Los Angeles; Returned Their Form First — Wendy
Smith; Funniest Answers on the Questionnaire — Frank Beattie, Jennifer
(Tutin) Smith, Chrissy Schroedel.
The class would like to thank all of the organizations who
generously donated
the prizes for the evening.
| 
