Brownsville Area Schools (BAS)

Gary Tracy (Class of 1962)

Seems that this is a month to post "sad news."

Gary L. Tracy, 63, of Grand River, Ohio, formerly of Brownsville, Pa., passed away November 15, 2007, in University Hospital of Cleveland. He is survived by his wife, Beth; daughters: Amy (Chris) Castiglione and Andrea Tracy both of Perry, Ohio; four grandchildren; a brother, Dr. Scott (Judi) Tracy of Elizabeth, Pa.; nieces and nephews.  Visitation will be held on Saturday from 3 to 6 p.m. in the BRUNNERS FUNERAL HOME, MENTOR, OHIO.

Our condolences go out to the family.

Sad News!

We lost 3 classmates within the past two weeks:

*Judy Medve, class of 1958

*Ralph Rosendale, class of 1960

*Jay LaTrelli, class of 1958

I do not enjoy posting this type of message.  May our dearly beloved classmates "rest in peace."   

BHS reunion mainlanders

Bill (class of 1963) and Becky at 2004 Reunion.

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Just a note from one of the MOM (Marathon On the Mon) participants to let you all know what’s happening on Aug 3rd at High Noon on the Monongahela River.  I’ve been training for the big Monongahela river event to be held in West Brownsville, home of big Dick Guseman (New York Jets 60tys), and Chuck Dazentavich (Redskins 50tys) and I’m looking forward to the AG Hartmann and BHS reunions. My rough-water ocean swimming with the sharks in the middle of the Pacific ocean near the Hawaiian Islands and my 50ty-50tys in the Oahu club pool 3 days a week is allowing me to slim down for the kill. (190 lbs. from 215…waist size 38 to 34).

 

 

“I’m A Bad Dude from West Brownsville!” “ No brag, just fact.” The “alligator chop” is going to put SHARK steaks on the Barbie.  Anyone for SHARK…. medium rare on AUG. 3, 07? “Be there or be square”. Brother Jim is training in Memphis, TN and is known as the SHARK. For those who don’t know about the MOM battle between the “Shark” and the “Pineapple Kid,” it goes something like this:  Brother, Jim, class of 1954 against brother, Bill, class of 1963.  Rebel against Yankee, Republican against Democrat, industrial arts teacher against industrial arts teacher, and Christian against Christian. The Swim takes place on the Monongahela river starting at the “Washington-Fayette” county bridge and goes North and ends at the “Archie A. Bowden” memorial train bridge.  Swim is about 1 mile in distance (1500 meters).

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This could be the worst battle in history since Bill Richardson of New Mexico beat Hillary Clinton in the 2008 Presidential nomination election. The MOM is open to all swimmers from age 60 and above. Any type of swim gear is allowed except for motorized devices. At this time it’s even steven.  “Pineapple kid” was champ in 2004 and the “Shark” was champ in 2005. No MOM was held in 2006. A 4 foot MOM trophy will be on display at Kennywood  on Thursday, Aug 2nd and will be presented to the first place male and female competitor on Friday,  Aug 3rd at the West Brownsville American Legion.

 

 

If  you all are in the vicinity of West Brownsville that day, stop by. “A hui hou aku with a liitle Aloha on the side.”

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Pineapple Kid (AKA Bill Hartmann class of 1963)

Marathon on the Mon: 2007

Jim and Bill Hartmann (marathon men)!

1.         Jim Hartmann (class of 1954) writes:

 

 

 

      

 

 

 

 

 

 

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Dear Lenora:
Thanks so much for keeping us up to date on many of the happenings at home and in your personal life.  I have been reading all the information that you have sent my way.  I believe my brother Bill has done the same.  He is coming home again this summer and I think he is planning on contacting you about the Marathon on the Mon. 

We are planning on dueling it out again on August 3, 2007 at High Noon to see who gets the bragging rights for the remainder of this year and until we meet again at high noon in 2008.  We would like to see someone(s) or group become the sponsor and do some promotion in the area.  It could become a means of giving back something to the community and get more people involved in the MOM (Marathon On the Mon).

They started one last year in Maine called the Lobsterman and they drew 800 people from across the country.  Bill does the Tin Man in Hawaii and would like to see the MOM become a nice event that will tie in with the BHS reunion dates.  This isn't about us, we want it to be a part of the community and be something that our family, friends and neighbors could benefit from. We were hoping that BARC would run with the idea, or maybe the new Beacon newspaper would cover the waterfront. 

What would be your thoughts on such an event?  We have some of the rules already, but the safety factors and other issues will have to be addressed by the local leadership team.  This could get real big and require a lot of volunteer workers to pull it off.  There has been some interest generated by some local swimmers that would like to take on the Shark and the Pineapple Kid, but they haven't had that chance yet.  I value your input and hope your book sells a million copies. 

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Thanks for the kudos and info Jim.  Hopefully classmates will respond to Jim's remarks and give him your input and suggestions.  See you in August Jim!     Luv,  Lenora

 

 

 

 

Please don't discontinue the blog!

Kathy w/grandchild, Laine: It was really nice to receive a FeedBlitz notice this Sunday morning that two new articles had been posted to the blog. I loved looking at the photos that Jim Hollis sent in. Several of my classmates (Class of 1960) were represented in his prom photos that were posted to the Website. Also, the group photo taken at the Class of 1961 45th Reunion was very interesting to me. I will have to dig through my old school photos soon to see if there is anything worth posting.

It is also nice to hear from "lurking" classmates like Janet Klingensmith from Texas. I have been hearing about the crazy Texas weather this winter, and being from Florida I understand how unusual weather conditions, such as tornados and hurricanes, can affect routine daily living. (Thankfully we haven't had any ice storms lately.) I remember on occasion visiting Janet's home with other friends. Gosh, those days were so long ago, and we were so very young!

I'm still hoping that there might possibly be some kind of group get-together of BHS alumni living in Florida. When I spoke with Donna Ashton at the 2006 Purcell Reunion she mentioned something about a "Western PA" get-together somewhere on the Gulf Coast of Florida. It sparked my imagination about the possibility of meeting up with BHS alumni somewhere in Central Florida. Is there any interest out there? Please email me at mmatty@earthlink.net. I'd really like to hear from anyone, and I promise to reply.

I've been just a tad busy lately. Mike and I moved into a new town home in October after living along the Wekiva River (Seminole County) for 16 years. It was quite a big step, but one that had to be taken sooner or later. Since trees and shrubbery grow really fast in Florida, the large lot was getting to be too much to keep up. The new place is located within walking distance of bike trails, tennis courts, and Winter Springs Town Center. It was not a lot of fun to pack up and move, but finally, after months of drapery hanging and ceiling fan installations, I am ready to get on with more pleasant things. We have planned some great vacation trips for the upcoming months, and look forward to spending quality time with the grandchildren, Evan, 4 years old, and Laine, 18 months.

Of course we will plan on traveling to PA in August to attend the next Purcell/Byrd Reunion. It is amazing to see how little the Brownsville/Uniontown area has changed physically in 45 years. I love visiting family and old friends in the area, and often envy those of you who never left the area.

Thanks Lenora for keeping this blog up and running. Even though most readers don't have the time to get involved, I'm sure they enjoy checking to see if anything new is going on with other classmates. There is one thing we all have, and no one can ever take away…memories of good old Brownsville High!

From Kathy Capozzoli Matty, BHS Class of 1960

 

Note from Lenora: As usual, I can always depend upon Kathy to come through in a crunch. She. Ellen Wiggins and Conrad Vogel have been truly supportive of my web efforts and I thank them dearly.  I am paying  bucks out of my pocket to keep this blog going and with lack of interaction from classmates, I have considered closing it down when it is time for renewal (have the same problem with my WAC blog). Pat has been paying big bucks out of his pocket for 3 years to keep our website up and running.  If classmates have the time to LURK (2,000+ visitors to the blog since I started this in Sep), then they also have the time to "leave comments" or  send me something to post that is of interest for all classmates. 

Do you folks realize how much you have to share with other classmates--past and present? Nine or more BHS classes of 45-50 years after we graduated from high school is a lot of info to talk about on this blog. We are not getting any younger and yes I preach once again: "tomorrow is not promised people!"  If other classemates wish to send me photos of their HS memories, I will post them in the gallery like I did Harry Hollis, class of 1958.  If you want to write a message like Kathy just did, simply email me a word document and I will post it ASAP. So we will wait and see before I make a decision about this blog.

1961 45th Reunion

Finally got a photo of the class of 1961 who attended their 45th reunion in Sep 2006 at the Brownsville Sons of Italy.

First Row: Dolly Kyper Dascenzo, Kathleen Postgate Baker, Laura Parella Rose, Rita Fanara Cavalier, Janet Gue Chalfant, Dianne Ball Malak, Carol Fox Wilson, Mary Ann Sabo Cochran, Sarah Chubboy Toty

Second Row: Paul Larry Lancaster, Terry Chalfant, Bennie Anderson, Linda Jensen McDonald, Anne Bilpuch Kmetko, Christine Cricket Fantani, Dolores Stefek Boone, Wally Workman, Michael Orsog, Barry Storey

Third Row: Garry Klingensmith, Tom Tuck Carter, James Buddy Carroll, Ron Chalfant, Allen Barnes, Michael Kruty, Robert Rose, Thomas Park, Keith Swaney, William Baker

Karen Mortland Bookhardt (1962)

Karen, age 62, of East Millsboro, PA  passed away January 1, 2007. She was born May 8, 1944 in McClellandtown, PA.  Karen was a member of Bible Baptist Church, Uniontown, PA.

She was preceded in death by a brother, Gary Mortland and her parents.

Surviving children: Trevor Bookhardt of East Millsboro, PA; Shane and Tracey Bookhardt of Lancaster, PA; Mandie and Sam Huweart of Allison, PA, Mollie and eight grandchildren.

Our condolences go out to Karen's family from all classmates.

1960 Memory Lane

FEATURED CLASS OF 1960: Our next feature for classmates to remember "strolling down BHS memory lanes." (1960 has a lot of photos also, but limiting photos to 10 per class)

1. Officers; 2. Pep Club; 3. Band; 4. Class Party; 5. Bon fire 6. Chorus; 7. Shop; 8. Basketball; 9. Senior football players 10. Cheerleaders

Who were your class officers? Do you remember anything about Ted Coleman, Kathy Capozzoli, Gloria Sikora, Mr. Diederich or Peggy Lenk? Have you been in touch with any of them? Do you know where they are and how they are doing?

     

          

               

      

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Take a look through your yearbook and see who signed your book. Do you remember them all? Have you been in touch with many of your classmates?

Do you remember your homeroom, study hall and events that happened?

Who was your favorite teacher and/or class?

What was your favorite club? What did you enjoy about the club?

Do you remember who was: class clown, best dressed, best looking, best dancer, shyest, most intellectual, most talented, friendliest, etc?

Who did you go to the prom with and what do you remember the most about the prom?

Who were your majorettes, athletes, debaters, thespians, usherettes, etc?

Who were your closest friends? Did you belong to a "clique" or special group of classmates?

OK, Kathy, Mike, Ellen, Bob, Vera Lou, Rich, Ginger, Bonnie, Janet and the rest of the class of 1960, show the other classmates how it’s done........LET IT RIP!

Curtis Huhn Jr. (1963)

I do not enjoy this part of our blog. I picked up my newspaper this morning and read another obit of a passing classmate (3 classmates in 2 weeks).  I do not have a 1963 yearbook, so I cannot post Curt's HS yearbook info.  However, Curt and Jackie did attend our 2004 Reunion and I managed to capture a picture of them:

HUHN, Curtis Jr. age 61 of Granger, IN, passed away unexpectedly September 5, 2006 at Elkhart General Hospital, Elkhart, IN. He was born January 22, 1945 in Brownsville, PA to Pato Curtis Sr. & Clyeta (Cross) Huhn.

Curt graduated from the former Brashear HS, Class of 1963. Curt joined the Air Force and made his home in Dayton, Ohio for many years.

Curt was known as "Honey-boy" to all his family and friends. 

Curtis is survived by his wife of 12 years, Jacquelynn (Berry) Huhn; his mother, Clyeta; 1 daughter, Melissa Huhn; 3 step-sons, Kelly, Keith and Kraig Shelton; 4 grandsons, Cory, Tyler, Nicholas and Tanner; 2 sisters, Becky Thompson, and Diane & husband, Mark Fertel; 3 brothers, Barry, Gary & Scott Huhn; daughter-in-law, Denise Huhn; mother-in-law and father-in-law, James & Brenda Price and numerous other relatives and friends.

The family has posted a  Guest Book to view and sign. Please extend your sympathies to the family. The Guest Book for Curtis Huhn Jr. will remain online at DaytonDailyNews.com until October 8, 2006.

Our deepest condolences to the family from BHS classmates.