Once again, it is time to update alumni members with upcoming events and other news. It is hard to believe that the annual Madison County Bridge Festival will be here soon and with that event the All Class Reunion will be held that weekend. So, mark your calendar for the 2^nd weekend of October (the 14^TH and 15^th).

The All Class Reunion will be at the Jackson Building on Saturday, October 14^th from 5-9pm where you will be able to gather, visit with WHS graduates and renew your membership. Food and beverages will be available until gone for those attending. A free will donation is appreciated to help cover food & beverage costs. We will be taking pictures of classes in attendance—Carol Bassett will be the photographer. There is also a class challenge to see which class has the most in attendance and also to determine the oldest alumni attending. Board member Micki Ustler is in charge of registration for this event. You will not be disappointed with reminiscing and enjoying time spent with classmates.

In addition to the All Class Reunion, you are invited to the Alumni Hospitality Room at the F&M Bank Community Room Saturday Afternoon for rest and refreshments. Time is from 1-4pm and be sure to thank Marilyn Fairholm who is the Alumni Board member in charge and the volunteers who are there to provide you with a place to relax.

While you are in Winterset for the Bridge Festival, be sure to stop at the John Wayne Museum complex to see the Madison County Freedom Rock that the American Legion and VFW Posts sponsored. It is a very special tribute to all Military Veterans from Madison County and has images of four POW’s on one side of the rock who are from Madison County—Carl Hircock, Larry Spencer, Eddie Benge and Don Thomas.

Your Alumni Board has welcomed new members to the board—Randy and Paige Henry as well as Sam Anker. Be sure to thank them for their willingness to bring new ideas and leadership to the board. Jennifer Stover, who is the lead board member for the WHS Alumni Hall of Fame program, is working with the WHS administration to finalize plans for this program. More information will be forthcoming.

Until my next blog keep in contact with classmates, plan your next class reunion, support WHS, renew your membership and remain active.   If you are currently not a member, please consider joining. You can go to our website at www.wintersetalumni.org and sign up as well as find out about the Association.

A continuing item of importance to alumni is to please only use the web site that is for our association. There is a site that some have gotten on which says it is the Winterset Alumni site. This is incorrect so please do not sign up for their products or membership. Please avoid this site. The address is www.alumniclass.com/winterset.

Rod Beem, President

rowdy0079@aol.com

Your board held an appreciation meal and entertainment for the volunteers who help with getting the Husky issues mailed to members wanting paper copies, There were 45 individuals in attendance and enjoyed a wonderful meal prepared by Jo Agan. The entertainment program was led by Marianne Fons who updated us on the progress of reopening the Iowa Theater. Opening date will be over Memorial Day weekend and I urge all alumni to attend a movie sometime when you are in Winterset and enjoy the new venue for the Iowa Theater.

For those who want to pay or renew dues, reminder that you now have the capability to use Pay Pal for dues payments. Information about our Pay Pal program can be found on the Alumni Website. Of course you can always still send in payments via mail. Reminder that dues notices to members will be coming out in a June mailing to current members. At our last board meeting, decision was made to increase dues by $5 for single and family membership. Dues will now be $25 for single and $30 for family. This increase will take place when you receive your dues notice. Life memberships will remain at $150 for the time being.

Due to increased costs of printing the Husky, currently about $1,000 per issue, the board has also made a decision to go to three mailings per year starting this fall. We are continuing to deal with financial concerns and decided to make these changes to keep your organization vibrant. If and when you have a class reunion, perhaps class officers could mention to members about joining the Alumni Association if not currently a member.

Laurel Scholten, who has been on the Board for 10 years and currently the Treasurer will be retiring from the board in June. She has been a vital member of the board and will be missed by the members. Sherri (Neal) Holliday has accepted the Treasurer position and we welcome her to the board.

At our next board meeting in August we will elect new officers and finalize plans for the All Class Reunion to be held during the Bridge Festival weekend. More information to follow when final plans are determined. Speaking of board meetings, if you are interested in becoming a board member, please contact me or another board member. We also want you to know your input is important, so please contact a board member if you have concerns or suggestions for future ideas.

Until my next blog keep in contact with classmates, plan your next class reunion, support WHS, renew your membership and remain active.   If you are currently not a member, please consider joining. You can go to our website at www.wintersetalumni.org and sign up as well as find out about the Association.

A continuing item of importance to alumni is to please only use the web site that is for our association. There is a site that some have gotten on which says it is the Winterset Alumni site. This is incorrect so please do not sign up for their products or membership. This email address is www.alumniclass.com/winterset. Please avoid this site.

Rod Beem, President email: rowdy0079@aol,com

Changes, they are coming for 2017 with your Alumni Association. At the January Board meeting, the final decision was made to move forward with PayPal for members to pay dues online. You can go the Alumni Web site for details and with information needed to use Pay Pal. RoxAnn Rhoads is the account manager and will be in charge of the accounts. We hope all that want to use this site will be pleased with a new system. A reminder, that you can still send dues via check if you desire.

Laurel Scholten, who has been a Board member for 10 years, will be retiring from the Board in June. She is currently the Board Treasurer and we are in need of a new board member as well as a Treasurer. If you are interested, please contact someone on the board and join your Alumni Association Board. Your Association Board needs and wants new members to become active for WHS Alumni.

Other news for 2017 includes the fact that monetary concerns are being discussed by the Board and at our April meeting, decision will be made as to a possible dues increase for members to help offset cost of printing the Husky as well as other expenses. Be aware that this decision comes after much discussion from Board members as to how to move the Association forward and continue to be fiscally solvent.

Now for other items of interest. I hope you have all received the winter issue of the Husky and really enjoyed the pictures provided by Carol Basset, the Husky editor, from the All Class Reunion held during the Bridge Festival last October. Once again, Carol has provided a great issue for all to enjoy. I also think that you will be pleased with the spring issue coming out as there will be articles of interest to all Alumni.

Board members are also looking to develop a Hall of Fame program for current students at WHS as well as noted alumni who have contributed to their profession as well as to WHS. This is our major project for the upcoming year so stay tuned for more details later. We also want you to know your input is important, so please contact a board member if you have concerns or suggestions for future ideas.

Until my next blog keep in contact with classmates, plan your next class reunion, support WHS, renew your membership and remain active. If you are currently not a member, please consider joining. You can go to our website at www.wintersetalumni.org and sign up as well as find out about the Association.

A continuing item of importance to alumni is to please only use the web site that is for our association. There is a site that some have gotten on which says it is the Winterset Alumni site. This is incorrect so please do not sign up for their products or membership. Please avoid this site. The email address is www.alumniclass.com/winterset.

Rod Beem, President

rowdy0079@aol.com