LyonsAlumni.com News & Messages Blog

LHS March 22nd Update

2009-03-22T02:54:00.000-07:00

Ahoy, fellow LHS alums!

Announcing the first ever cruise for alumni, February 27 - March 7, 2010, aboard the Carnival Freedom!!! We'll depart from Ft. Lauderdale and visit the following tropical ports of call: San Juan, St. Thomas, Antigua, Tortola and Nassau.

The cruise is being brought to you by the LHS alumni team of YTB Travel Agents. You can book your cruise on any of the following websites:

www.smartway2travel.com
Bob "Sax" Drake Class of 1961

www.moodyranchtravel.com
Bob Moody Class of 1962

www.itssoeasy2travelonline.com
Lonnie Morris Class of 1963

www.advantagefunfares.com
Dan Thompson Class of 1964

www.lotsleft2see.com
Gail Wolfe Class of 1970 (is that right, Gail?) LOL

Just click on one of these links. Once you are on the home page, click on the GROUPS tab. Scroll down to "Alumni Cruisin' the Caribbean" with the date Feb 27, 2010. Click on it and there you will find a detailed description of the cruise, a map of the itinerary, and all the other information you'll need. The prices listed included all taxes and fees, all meals on board the ship as well as all required gratuities.

We got a fabulous deal on this and have 25 cabins reserved, so hurry, they'll go fast! All LHS alums invited..and feel free to bring family and friends.

Our ship, The Carnival Freedom, is only two years old, and she's a beauty!
You can check her out at www.carnival.com

Class of 1955 & 54 Class Reunion in Denver , CO Sept. 11-12 2009. Check the website for information.

Deceased alumni: Donald Ray Purkapile passed away March 8th, 2009. He is survived by his wife, two sons and two daughters and has eight grandchildren. Memorial donations should go to the Alzheimer’s Assoc.

The husband of Pat Bemis, Edward “Ed” W. Johannsen died Jan. 22nd, 2009. He was a graduate of Little River H.S. in 1954. Pat survives and to leave a message for the family, visit, www.Penwell-Gabel.com.

Delores Smith died Jan. 18th, 2009. She was a 1960 graduate of LHS.

Edith Louis Monroe passed away Jan. 30th, 2009. she was the mother of LHS alumni Herbert, Camp Hill , PA ; Harvey, of Florida ; Roy of Emporia and Elaine of Emporia. She and her husband George farmed in Rice County for 27 years.

I believe someone sent me information about another deceased alum and I have misplaced it. Please let me know and I apologize.

Our prayers are with the families.

Cook family fulfills dream. Town Square Emporium and J & J Espresso filling a niche on the Square. The staff at the Emporium and coffee shop are Janes McCormick, Janet, John, Jane and Janel Cook. I believe they are all LHS Alumni but I can’t tell you the years. John and Jane are the parents of Janes, Janel and Janet.

Janel and Janet bought the old Crawford & Miller building on the south side of the Square. A café is included along with a place for local vendors to sell their wares.

Good luck to the Cooks and make sure you stop and say hi and support them on your return trips to Lyons .

Spring is almost here and I can’t wait. I’m going to CA from April 7th -14th. Will be in the San Diego and Huntington Beach area. Let me know if you live in those areas and maybe we can get together.

I hope all is well with you and your families.
Sax Drake Class of 1961.

Lyons High School Alumni Update

2009-03-09T06:50:00.000-07:00

CHANGE!!!!!
A lot of things have happened in the last few months. Most of it out of your control, but as I will show you, you can have control of your financial situation or at least absorb some of the blow.

I really believe I have a purpose in life and that is to help many of you who have lost much of your retirement or who would just like to travel more for less to start your own company. You have the opportunity to do exactly what Lonnie and I and a few other LHS alumni are doing.

Lonnie Morris, LHS alum had to pay $5,000 in taxes last year. That means he had to make $512 extra a month to pay his taxes. Lonnie called the other night and told me because of the company I have been telling you about for the past nearly two years he is getting a $4,000 tax return. That is an extra $333 per month in his pocket because he took a look at this company and bought his own online travel website. The IRS allows you tax deductions most people don’t have the opportunity to get because they don’t have a business. He also received numerous travel perks because of this great company.

At least take a look at this company’s business model and if it doesn’t make sense, by all means don’t get involved. We would still like to have you give us every opportunity to book your travel and vacation packages.

I know many of you think Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, etc. are great companies and that Lonnie, myself, Gail, Bob, and Dan can’t possibly have our own companies that rival these. We don’t; ours is as good if not better and you are going to get the same seat on the airline, the same hotel room, the same cabin on a cruise, the same vacation package, because we all have the same vendors. We will have nearly the same rates 95% of the time.

I know many of you are booking travel and side trips which you can easily do on our websites. If you compare our rates and we are not competitive, give us a call or e-mail and let us see if we can get you a better rate. We had someone tell us they got a rate that was a lot better than our airline rate to Vegas and when we went on the website, we found a hotel and airfare rate combined that was better than just the airfare they had found. Can we always do that, No! We just ask for the opportunity. We would hope you would rather book with an alum than the owners of the companies who are already multi-millionaires. By the way, I don’t begrudge them for making that money. They took the chance and invested, just like I did.

Any of you interested call any of the alumni involved and we can give you information. Any of you who would actually like to see the company and meet the owners, I will be in St. Louis on March 17th to tour the headquarters along with 1,000 – 1,500 people from all across the U.S., Canada and the Caribbean Islands.

A number of you received an invitation to be able to shop online in over 600 stores and get cash back. Example, we just bought $25 restaurant gift certificates for $2. Usually they are $10 but we have bought them for $2, $3, and $4. We are eating out more than when this recession started and for less.

It is all with the same company as the travel program. All we need to do for the online shopping is to get your e-mail address and invite you. Like I said, I already e-mailed a number of you.

Like I said I believe I have a purpose to help. I have been with the company for going on two years, so I have taken out all the chances of it not being a legitimate company. The good thing is we have met a lot of new friends all over the country and the positive attitudes of everyone in this company are a blessing.

Contact us and we will answer any questions.

We have lost two more alums and teacher:
Deborah Boggs Gobble died 2-27-09. She graduated from LHS in 1971. She received graduate honors at California State College at Chico, CA. She lived the last 11 years in Hutchinson. Memorials can be sent to A.S.P.C.A. or to the United Methodist Church of Lyons.

Ted White, star guard on the State Championship basketball team for Lyons in 1941, and was among four Marines who made WW II history on Iwo Jima in 1945, passed away at Indian Wells, CA. He was 85. He was one of four marines who scouted the peak of Mt. Suribachi for signs of enemy presence, a few hours before the raising of the American Flag that has been immortalized by Associated Press photographer Joe Rosenthal. Ted received a debilitating leg wound 6 days after he was on Mt. Suribachi. He returned to the states and went to University of CA, Santa Barbara on the G.I. Bill. He had first enrolled at the Univ. of Kansas before going into the Marines. He worked for State Farm as a district manager for 27 years.

Ruth Avery died 1-11-09 at Lyons Dist. Hosp. She was 102. She was a retired high school and grade school teacher for USA 405. She is survived by her son Richard, living in Albuquerque, NM. Memorials can be made to the American Red Cross; 111 N. Walnut, Suite B, Hutchinson, KS. 67501.

Our prayers are with the families and they will be missed.

Hope you are all doing well.

Sax Drake
Class of 1961

Lyons High School Alumni Update - 02-08-09

2009-02-08T07:15:00.000-08:00

Hope you are all doing well. You may also read this and past updates on the LyonsAlunni.com website. It is starting to be reunion time again. Let me know if you are having a Reunion this year and I will post the information on the website.

Information is attached about the 1954 – 1955 Alumni Reunion combined. It will be held in Denver, CO. Sounds like a fun time. Any one else having a reunion let me know.

Getting ready to head to St. Louis tomorrow, our company is having what they call Red Carpet Days. There will be 1500-2,000 people from all across the United States there.

Michelle her daughter and I will be in Calif. April 7th – 14th. We will be in the San Diego and Huntington Beach area. Hope to get together with some of the LHS alums who live in CA while we are there.

A number of us are getting together the week-end of the 20th – 22nd. Dennis Bradford Class of 1961 is going to be in Lyons visiting his mom and brother Larry. Dennis now resides in Australia. His sister Barbara and brother Richard will also be in town. Let me know if you are going to be in town that week-end. Lyons High School final home game is being played Fri. the 20th and some of us are going to the game. Let me or Bev Miller know if you can attend the game. Also contact Bonnie Evans Walker if you plan to attend. It will be fun. We will get to see Dennis and also other LHS alums.

Hope you have all registered for the “Trip of a Lifetime” SWEEPSTAKES on the LHS alumni travel websites. If you have questions contact me.

My parents Harold & Sylvia are having their 73 wedding Anniversary March 3rd 2009. If you would like to send a card their address is Harold & Sylvia Drake, 1100 W. Noble #111, Lyons, KS. 67554. They would certainly appreciate it. Thanks from the family.

LIONS LINGO by Bonnie Evans Wed. Apr. 27th, 1960
Yesterday the sociology class visited the Larned State Hospital for a tour. Richard McKee was the moderator and the panel discussion was on “Community Environment.” The high light of the tour was a demonstration of music and recreation activities by some of the patients. Called from the audience to folk dance with some of the patients were Bill Palmer, Lyle Edds, Byron Welch, Darrell Cox, Sharry Duncan, Louise Danewitz, Ellen Savage and Mr. McKee.

Four LHS students spent the week-end at KU, guest of Gloria Mays at the GSP Hall were Sharry Duncan, Mary Kay Kennedy. Robert Wahl and John Jones were guest of David Kennedy at the Phi Kappa Psi house. High lights of the week-end were the KU Relays and a Phi Kappa Psi, “Barn Party” Sat. night.

The Ebenezer Methodist Church high school class honored Darlene Cool with a surprise birthday party at her home Sat. The group played games and enjoyed refreshments of homemade ice cream and cake. Attending were Gay Wilkins, Wand Helmer, Janice Wilkins and Don Colberg.

Wed. April 6th, 1960
Hutchinson High School was the destination of many LHS’ers today. 31 students were selected by their teachers to take the Emporia Scholarship Test in various subjects. Those making the highest scores will receive medals and certificates. Entered in the testing were Sam Biggs, Anita Burdette, Helen Louise Bush, Barbara Bunting, Sidney Cherpitel, Jim Chew, Sharry Duncan, Bob Bunting, Lyle Edss, Joe Fisher, Bonnie Evans, Byron Goodrick, Tom Hamilton, Wanda Helmer, Roy Irwin, Lynne LeClerc, Jerome Lehnus, Ronnie Leonard, Phillip Mathews, Linda Nicholson, Coleen Nixon, Bill Palmer, Sharon Pickerell, Jerry Regier, Loren Rickard, Ann Rowan, Judy Swenson, Beverly Thompson, Judy Volin, Robert Wahl and Gay Wilkins.

Please get us pictures of your high school days so we can get them on the website.

Have a great February,

Sax Drake
Class of 1961

1954 and 1955 Class Reunion

2009-02-05T05:37:00.000-08:00

The 1954 and 1955 graduates of Lyons High School will be holding a joint class reunion (the 55th for '54 and the 54th for '55) in Denver, Colorado on the 11th (Friday) and the 12th (Saturday) of September, 2009. We have chosen the Hyatt Place Hotel as our place of billeting. They gave us a favorable room rate with the ability to come earlier or extend your stay, at the same rate. The rooms will be $79.00 per night plus necessary taxes. This hotel is located in the heart of one of the best shopping locations in the Denver Metro area. The light rail station is but a matter of minutes by foot, from the hotel, and will whisk you to downtown Denver in no time. 3 public golf courses are located within 2 miles of the hotel. The location of the hotel is listed as Denver-South/Park Meadows, 9030 E. Westview Road, Lone Tree, CO 80124. Numbers for reservations are Phone: 303-662-8500 and Fax: 303-662-8585. Sam Hansen is the sales Coordinator. When calling or faxing for reservations, please mention the Lyons H. S. class reunion to receive your rate.

Your representatives here in Denver for your classes are Howard Jeffries for the class of '55 and Tony Wilcox for the class of '54. Howard may be reached at 303-795-2007 or e-mail at HMJEFFRIES@AOL.COM. Tony may be reached at 303-794-1235 or e-mail at joe.wilcox@ xcelenergy.com. Any questions may be directed to either one. We would also like to extend an invitation to all Lyons alumnus to join us in this celebration. The more the merrier. A very, very informal dinner will be held on Saturday, the 12th. Details to follow at a later date on this web site.

Letters will be sent to the respective members of each class for those that do not have access to this site.

Lyons Alumni Update: 2-2-09

2009-02-01T05:54:00.000-08:00

One more bad month of Winter, but if you go to one of the websites listed below you can have a chance to win a fabulous trip for two to the Bahamas where it is definitely warm. When you go to any of the websites in the lower right hand corner it will say “Trip of a Lifetime Sweepstakes” and when you click on register it will tell you what you have a chance to win. Each of the next twelve months our company will notify you of the next Sweepstakes drawing. You can’t beat FREE and if you don’t register you have no chance of winning.

We are having a visitor from down under (Australia) visiting Lyons in Feb. Dennis Bradford Class of 1961 is going to be in Lyons. Also his sister Barbara, and brothers Richard & Larry are going to be in Lyons on the 22nd. of Feb. Anyway the 22nd is when we are all going to get together for certain but the Lyons Lions has their last basketball game on Friday Feb. 20th and some of us would like to meet their and root the young men and women on to victory. If anyone is staying at the new Celebration Inn let me know because that would be a great place to meet each evening or at the Underground (TeePee) at the Ly-Kan Hotel.

Lions Lingo by Bonnie Evans: Wed. Sept 7th 1960 in The Lyons Daily News.
Practice started early in the school year for the LHS chorus linewho met at the home
of Ann Rowan yesterday. Returning members are Sandi Sanderson, Ann Rowan,
Helen Bush, Diane Smith, Gail Hughes, Mary Kay Kennedy, Sharon Rau and Bonnie
Evans. Tentative high steppers are Judy Wingfield and Diane Clarke. The girls are
preparing for their 4th year as the only chorus line in Lyons.

Sammy Biggs, senior was attempting a back flip at the trampoline center Saturday,
when he fell and broke his neck. He was taken to the district hospital and then
transferred to St. Elizabeth’s hospital in Hutchinson. Although Sam will be in a cast
he plans to continue his studies. NOTE: I remember going down to visit Sam and I
think they some how attached a pulley to the back of his head with weights to keep his
neck straight. It definitely didn’t look comfortable. I don’t remember who was with
me when we visited Sam.

Lions Lingo - Sat. July 2nd, 1960
Helene Louis Bush was feted at a slumber party in her honor at Diane Smith’s home
this week. Girls gathering for the all-night gab session were Sandi Sanderson, Diane
Lehnus, Norma Harrington, Judy Dickerson, Sharon Rau, Coleen Nixon, Carolyn
Rush, Rosie Rickard, the hostess and the guest of honor. Invited but unable to attend
were Ann Rowan, Sharry Wikoff and Kathy Lewis. NOTE: Does anyone know where
Norma Harrington and Diane Lehnus are. I was e-mailing Kathy Lewis but have lost
track of her since she and her husband moved to Oregon.

VERY IMPORTANT: Lyons News Tuesday, January 13th, 2009
“Letter Campaign Wins over Navy Bureaucracy” – Among millions of Americans
who have served in the nation’s military, Ed Suhler of Lyons had the distinction of
becoming hopelessly lost in U.S. naval records, figuratively speaking, for nearly half
century. He served from Feb. 1961 to Feb. 1965, a duration that included the Cuban
Missle Crisis, but it wasn’t until a week before Christmas that Suhler and his full
military service record were finally united.
Sadly it was a recognition at which Suhler was conspicuously absent.
He passed away never having succeeded – after repeated attempts throughout much
of his adult life – in convincing the Navy he had earned the Navy’s Expeditionary
Medal. The little ceremony consisted of Lyons dentist Thane Frazier, WW II veteran
and naval historian, presenting the long absent medal to Suhler’s mother, Ester during
lunch at Park Place Apartments in Lyons.
Suhler returned home and joined the Veteran’s of Foreign Wars. He eventually
became post commander in spite of a shadow of doubt among some members. There
was no record of Suhler’s service at sea (overseas) with an expeditionary force in
time of conflict, a requirement for VFW membership. Suhler had his own proof –
photos, USS Constellation liberty passes, and so forth – but the Navy had no records.
Thanks to Dr. Frazier, Ed has now had his record recorded properly.

To sign up for the FREE “Trip of a lifetime Sweepstakes” go to:
Bob “Sax” Drake – www.SmartWay2Travel.com
Lonnie Morris – www.ItsSoEasy2TravelOnline.com
Bob Moody – www.MoodyRanchTravel.com
Gail Wolfe – www.LotsLeft2See.com
Dan Thompson – www.AdvantageFunFares.com

Hope you are all doing well and until next time – Good Day!

Sax Drake
Class of 1961

Lyons High School Alumni Update:

2008-11-16T09:46:00.000-08:00

The year is rapidly winding down. They already have and have had the Christmas stuff out for a month or more. Remember when we were growing up, I graduated in 1961 you didn’t see any Christmas until the day after Thanksgiving.

Well, we have a new president. He is my president and I have to give him a chance. A lot of people never accepted George Bush as president and that is sad. I voted for him but hate he passed every spending bill Congress put in front of him. I’m for less government, not spreading the wealth and let each man have the initiative to get ahead. I don’t mind giving a hand up, not a hand out. They are already talking about giving another 5 billion stimulus package to stimulate the economy. I thought the last give away was supposed to stimulate the economy. Oh, I forgot, it didn’t work last time, so let’s try it again and expect it to work.

What do you call it when they give you money you didn’t earn. It is not capitalism, which is exactly what made this the greatest country on earth. Our founding fathers wrote the Constitution to give us freedom and not let government get too big. They came from countries where government that was too large and powerful. They new the danger in that.

The fact is Barack Obama is our president. We have to accept that because it is what true Americans do and pray he will be the best ever. People absolutely hated George Bush and it has divided our country like I have never seen. If you disagree with the President you vote someone else in next time, you don’t hate him.

We stayed at the new Celebration Center Inn in Lyons this past week-end. Very nice, and you get a breakfast with the room. It includes cereal, waffles, muffins, bagels, toast, orange juice, coffee, apple juice and peanut butter. Even had popcorn you could microwave. Guess it is good to have two motels and a hotel in town but none was full and they had a horse show, parade, and football play off game in town..

Saw Arlan Swanson, class of 1954 I think. He had his old restored John Deere tractor in the parade pulling the Lion he won at the All-School Reunion on a trailer behind his tractor in the Veteran’s Day Parade.

We went down to Wichita to buy my step-daughter a new saxophone. She is really quite good and only a sophomore in high school. I don’t know how good she could be if she practiced!!

We lost a couple more alumni: Cheryl Hunter Blackburn Class of 1964 passed away on Nov. 7th in Wichita. She had been living in Lyons the past 6 years. In Aug. 1998 she married Jimmy Blackburn in Lamar, CO. She is survived by two sons and three daughters. She had 12 grand children and one great grand child. She will be missed.

Bev Buller (obit attached) passed away Oct. 21st in Sandusky, Ohio. He graduated in 1952 and quarterbacked the team to the league championship. He then quarterbacked for Kansas University and then for a short time played for the New York Giants professional football team. His father John was our superintendent when I was in school and the football field is named after him. Bev was the purchasing director for the Sandusky Foundry & Machine Company. They are going to start a Memorial Fund in his honor called the Lyons USD Education Endowment Association. I believe Wayne Koons and John & Carolyn Sayler are the directors for the fund and if you want to contribute you can send it to the above name P.O. Box 742, Lyons, KS. 67554. Make a note on the check for the Bev Buller Fund.

Received a well thought out note from Wayne Bell for the Class of 1961 Reunion. It will be our 50th. Oh my gosh, you have to be kidding. I believe the next All-School Reunion is in 2011. His thoughts were do we want to coincide with the All-School or do ours at a different time. The last All-School Reunion had people staying in Hutch, Great Bend, McPherson, Sterling and of course Lyons. Our thought was to get out a questionnaire to our class but we would start with this update and ask questions such as:
1.) Coincide with the All-School Reunion
2.) Change our date and have it at a different time in Lyons
3.) Have it some place other than Lyons, Denver, San Diego, etc.
4.) Have a different venue such as a Cruise, could be to Alaska during the summer or Caribbean, Mexico, Baja California in the Fall. On cruises if we get enough cabins sold we can get free cabins that would lessen everyone’s cost.
Start sending in your ideas and we will let you know what our classmates are leaning toward. When we have the reunions in Lyons we get in on a Friday night, have our meeting Sat. night and we hardly get to visit with anyone, but it is our hometown. I just want to see everyone and have some time to spend visiting.

We have a new Lyons Alum who has her own online travel website. Gail O’Hanlon Wolfe.. If you are planning to travel take a look at Gail’s website, it is www.lotsleft2see.com Other Lyons Alumni with travel websites are; Lonnie Morris Class of 1963; Dan Thompson Class of 1964; Bob Moody Class of 1963, and Bob Drake Class of 1961 We would hope Lyons alumni family and friends would use these alumni’s websites found on the www.LyonsAlumni.com website if you book your travel online. You will get the same seat in the plane, the same room at the hotel and the same cabin on the cruise ship, same rental car, same vacation package, that you will get with Expedia, Travelocity, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, Priceline, etc except you help a fellow Lyons alum by booking your travel or making your vacation plans on their website. You can even purchase flowers, buy cars, set up golf tee times, buy concert or sporting event tickets, purchase adventure, hunting and fishing trips and more on their websites. Better yet ask one of us how you could set up your own family reunion trips or cruises, etc.

You want to purchase an incredible Christmas Gift for family members or friends. What better Christmas gift than to wake up on Christmas morning, take a loved one to the computer and pull up their own online travel website that you purchased for them. Sound unbelievable? It can happen, we have people making millions a year with this business people making a car or house payment and people who use it only for their travel needs and tax write-offs. We personally will be able to legitimately write off our taxes between $15,000 - $20,000 for 2008. We have families in this company who have partnered to work their business. It is a gift that will keep on giving. Jerry is the guy who told me about this business and we love him for it for what it has done for us. You can contact, Gail, Lonnie, Bob, Dan or me about this incredible business.
Juanita Danewitz is back in Rio I believe for the winter and doing her favorite thing, doing the Tango. We will be getting updates from her on her stay in South America.

Jerry Regier Class of 1961 looking for Mike Stephenson Class of 1960. They were good friends and Jerry said Mike’s dad was killed in an accidental shooting. His mom later married Dr. Hill of Lyons. Mike went to Hutch Juco and then Jerry thinks he went on to KU. He thinks he may have taken over the families large feed mill business in Hutch. Jerry said Mike had the fastest 57 Black Chevy in the region and that he an Mike were double dating when Jerry totaled his 1955 Chevy going to Hutch. Jerry said he had a date with Connie Groth and Mike with Colleen Nixon. I remember they were very fortunate to have escaped with their lives in that wreck. They hit a bridge on Plum Street and Colleen ended up in the stream below. If you know where Mike is let us know.

We could sure use some subscriptions or donations for the alumni website for the webmaster. Send checks to the Lyons Alumni Club, Lyons State Bank, Lyons, KS 67554 or go to the website and you can use your credit card. Thanks.

Hope you are all doing well.

Sax Drake Class of 1961

Lyons High School Alumni Update - 11-01-08

2008-11-01T09:43:00.000-07:00

I ask all of you to take an hour out of your busy schedule and listen to a speech by Ezra Taft Benson called Stand Up for Freedom. You can google it. It is an incredible speech about this wonderful country of ours and the dangers he foresaw about its future..

Just a few more days before the election; get out and vote for the person you believe will be the best leader for our country. It is a shame our country has become so divided.

Let's talk about high school stuff!

If you were in Lyons from the years approximately 1959 - 1964 the basketball coach was Bob Smith. He was so passionate about our hitting free throws that we had to be at the gym around 7:00 a.m. to shoot 100 free throws before school. Ralph Voss, Class of 1961 did some great work in finding this information for me. We had heard the story but here it is. The K-State Wildcats were 4-2 when they played 6-2 KU. A win would send the Cats back into the conference hunt. The coaches were Jack Gardner and Phog Allen They had both won 12 games against each other.
Kansas ( Manhattan ): KU delivered a fatal blow to K-State, defeating the Cats 80-78. The Hawks led for most of the game and held a 79-76 lead with less than a minute to play. The Cats Gary Bergen nailed a tip-in with 45 seconds to go, and when KU tried to stall, the Purple forced a turnover. With K-State down by one point, the Jayhawks Ken Buller fouled the Wildcats Bob Smith with just 10 seconds remaining. Kansas State fans were in hysterics as the sopohomore from Hope , Kansas went to the line. Smith missed the first free throw and then the second. The Jayhawks secured the rebound and scored a final point as KU's Dean Smith (became a great coach at North Carolina ) was fouled in the rebound scramble.

Thank you Ralph. I wish Ralph could have graduated with us, as he is a special person and I will always consider him a very good friend.

Our track coach was Larry Frisbie and he competed on the KU track team from 1953-1957. He ran the quarter mile. Coach was from Stafford . He was a very good track coach. At the Kansas State Indoor Track Meet, I begged to get out of the quarter because I had the fastest qualifying time in the low hurdles. Since we did not have a track I had never practiced over 100 yards in the hurdles and out doors they were 180 yards. I was always ahead or even for the first 80 - 100 yards and then they would fly by me and I might get a 4th or 5th place. Those were ribbons back then. Coach Frisbie told me to come back up in a little while and he would think about letting me out of the quarter. I waited awhile and went back up just certain he was going to let me out of the quarter and to my astonishment he told me not only was I going to run the quarter, I was going to win a first place medal. I'm not sure if I told him he was crazy but if not it definitely went thru my mind. The reason I wanted out of the quarter was that the next race after the quarter was the low hurdles. There was no way I could run both. Coach said the runners and there coaches haven't competed indoors. He said the curves are very tight and you have to run them differently. He said let's go down to the track and I will show you how to run the curves. I still wasn't really convinced because these were the best runners in the state and I knew most of them by the back of their heads because that is where I usually was. There was a group of us in the state that at the finish line we would be bunched but I was at the back of the bunch pretty consistently. He told me what to do and not only did I win the race I set a state record and it was all because of coach Frisbie. He was really tough on me a few times but I thought he was a great coach and person and I miss him.

Statements made in 1955:
"It's too bad things are so tough nowadays. I see where married women are having to work to make ends meet."
"Did you see where some baseball player just signed for $75,000 a year just to play ball. It wouldn't surprise me if some day they will make more than the president."
"Thank goodness I won't live to see the day when the government takes half our income in taxes. I sometimes wonder if we are electing the best people."
"The drive-in restaurant is convenient in bad weather but I seriously doubt whether they will ever catch on."

Do any of you have alumni you would like to contact or maybe just wondering what may have happened to certain alumni. Wasn't their an alum in the class of 1960 named Gary Smith. He was a good looking guy that always had a smile on his face. He was a pretty good athlete too. Let me know if you have alumni you have lost contact with. When we get the list up on the website we will be able to go in and see if alumni have registered. Webmaster is still working on that aspect of the website.

Lyons Daily News Aug. 1st 2005: In the good old days - 50 years ago 1955
4-H Tour and Display. The Lyons Conquerors 4-H Club held a project tour Sat. morning and a food and clothing display and demonstration on making muffins by Myrna Darling at the Floyd Jung home. Following the tour and demonstration the group had a swimming party.
The projects shown on the tour were Duroc hogs, room improvement and woodworking, Mike Stewart; Duroc, Berkshire, and Yorkshire hogs, chickens, and Ponca wheat, Keith & Art Johnson; colt and Angus deferred steers, Duroc pigs, Pawnee wheat and yellow buff Bantam chickens, Junior Clarke; Southdown fat lamb and Duroc pigs, Alma Smith; Angus heifer and milo, David Keller; Shorthorn heifers, Vernon Soeken; Sky-hi chickens, Roy McKinnis; foods, rabbits, and Duroc pigs, Paula Jung; clothing, foods and Duroc pigs, Sharon Jung; Milking Shorthorn, Johnnie Cook; Milking Shorthorn Lila Cook; rabbits and Milking Shorthorn, Gary Cook; rabbits and Milking Shorthorn Margaret Cook; Bantam chickens, Barbara Keesling; room improvement, Glenda Reed; Shorthorn cows, Herbert & Harvey Monroe; steers Jack England and potatoes, Fred England.

We lost another valued alumni. Ronnie Wilcox, Class of 1965, I believe. Ronnie had lived in Chase since 1967 and at one time was Mayor and served on the city council. He was a retired oilfield superintendent. He will be missed and our prayers go out to the family.
Sax Drake Class of 1961

Info from Steve Jung

2008-08-26T09:42:00.000-07:00

I took a group of scouts to the Florida High Adventure Sea Base on the Florida Keys near Key West in July. My son, Joel, came home and wrote an article for the newspaper. Our District Web Master liked it so much he posted it on the District Website.
http://www.scoutingpages.org/us/id/bigfoot/seabase.asp
While at the Florida Boy Scout owned Sea Base, we did ocean sailing, deep sea fishing, snorkeling, island camping, sea-kayaking and day on Key West and all sorts of other activities like night snorkeling. We consisted of two leaders (one of which was myself, two parents, and 12 youth. I think you will find Joel’s article interesting. We were snorkeling together when a 10 foot reef shark swam right under us. Also, we were caught out at sea in kayaks when a huge storm blew in. Memories for sure.
I have now taken a scout unit to all three BSA High Adventure Bases, Philmont Scout Ranch in New Mexico , Northern Tier (where we did a 100 mile canoe trip) in northeast Minnesota , and the Florida Sea Base. Myself and the few that went with me to all three high adventure bases will soon be earning the Triple Crown Award for have attending all three. We will be the first in our council to have earned this award.

Steve Jung

Finding Classmates

2008-08-26T09:40:00.000-07:00

Thanks for your notes and calls....

We are moving along in finding our classmates!!!

I believe we have about 35 planning to attend... 11 are dead.....WE STILL HAVE MISSING CLASSMATES.....
I have had emails or phone calls from:
Joan Mueldener
Vernon Soeken
Curt Keller
Dick Moody (will call Keith Johnson)
Ted LeRoy (said Mickey Bula was to attend) (will call Keith Johnson)
Karen Smith
Lynne Mitchell
Bob Swenson (conflict - but may work out) corrected his phone number)

I have left messages with
Arlona Byerly
Charles Cavenah
Sharon Haeske
Keith Johnson
Ann Tobias
Rod talked to Darlene Smith
information about Arlona

Still needing to reach:
Mike Brooks
Gary Durland
Sharon Haeske
Gregory Henry (Bob Swenson is going to check with K-State)
Maurice Martin
Sondra Sue Metcalf
Herbert Monroe
David Pyatt
Sue Morgan
Joyce Trowbridge
Thanks for helping call or find any of our classmates.
Ida told me the committee will meet in Lyons next Wednesday, August 13....please help us find our classmates.

"Lynne A. Bussell"

LHS Alumni Update 8-20-08

2008-08-26T09:36:00.000-07:00

Summer is coming to an end and school is just starting for many. I remember those days. It was always good to get back with friends after the summer and basketball season was getting closer.

I know a number of you have paid a subscription fee for the website. I just checked the Alumni account and there is $12.04 in the account. I can’t ask the webmaster to do much for that. If you haven’t subscribed for the year please do so. It is $25 a year and if you want to make a donation that would be appreciated also.

Neva Smith is looking for Dianne Jacobs who she thinks graduated around 1969.

I’ll also post two articles sent to me from alumni. Please read.

Anyone looking for a good fundraiser contact me. Saxdrake@yahoo.com.

Thanks
Sax Drake
Class of 1961

LHS Alumni Update: 8-4-08

2008-08-05T13:00:00.000-07:00

Send the Lyons Alumni Updates to other alumni. I have close to 400 alumni in my database and it is growing. Added about 6 new alumni for their subscriptions and donations to the website and LHS Updates. We need a lot more to join or make donations. Subscription fee is $25 per year and extra donation amounts are appreciated.

New item on the LyonsAlumni.com website. Click on Memories and then Lyons Alumni Today. The first is on Darren Fundenberger. and information about his woodworking abilities which are incredible. I want to get some pictures of his new venture on making the new state quarters. He is making one of every state. They are beautiful, I’ve seen them. I forgot Darren’s year of graduation 1978.

Let us know about other alumni and their accomplishments so we can get them listed. It is interesting to see what our alumni have accomplished and are doing.

Also let me know when alumni are having birthdays. I’ll start with mine, Bob “Sax” Drake Aug. 7th 1943. 65? Where did the time go and I sure don’t feel 65 or act it.

Let me know about your vacations. I’ll submit a couple of pics we took on our trip to Estes Park, CO. After finally getting there we had a blast. Tire man in Omaha was supposed to have sent us out on good tires. Got to Lincoln, NE and the car is shimming. Called the tire company and I have never heard so many excuses why the car might be acting the way it is. We ended up making three calls back to the tire company so they would know our displeasure. Finally start up the Big Thompson Canyon to Estes Park out of Loveland. It is raining and lightning. Start to pass a car and the tire tread comes apart. I finally find a place to pull over. I think I will have the little donut tire on in a few minutes as I’m getting soaked in the rain. Get the tire jacked up and the tire won’t come off. Now I’m laying on my back in the mud kicking the tire from underneath and I can’t bust it loose. Finally two road crew guys out of Drake, CO stop to help. There is still air in the tire and since none of us can get the tire off they follow us the rest of the way to Estes Park. They helped us find a tire company to fix our tires. The guys at the Big O were great and they said who ever sent you out on the road with those tires were not doing their job. I already had that figured out. Our car has a weird size tire so they couldn’t get another tire up to us until Friday and it was now Wed. We drove on the donut until then and we were staying about 20 miles outside Overland Park. Bad start to the trip but tremendous finish, we had a ball.

Getting ready to go to St. Louis this week for our YTB National Convention. They have built the exact replica of the Statue of Liberty and it will be unveiled in the Dome where the Rams play. Some guy in Indiana built it and it has taken 56 UPS big trucks to deliver it to St. Louis. I’ll have pictures of it. Should be pictures in the news media as they say there are a lot of news people there trying to get pictures of it when it is assembled. We’ll have 25-30,000 people at our YTB Convention.

Going to Florida this Fall hope to hook up with some of the alumni in Florida when we go. My brother lives there so I’m looking forward to seeing him and his wife. They live in Naples.

Let me know about your trips and birthdays and information about alumni accomplishments.

I will be putting a travel newsletter together that I will be sending out separately from the LHS Updates . I would like to have your stories and pics of trips and places to go and not to go. We can help each other on interesting places to see and the little out of the way places people often miss that are interesting or maybe a place to eat or a great coffee shop, etc.

LIONS LINGO by Carol Ann Irwin, late 50’s in the Lyons Daily News.
According to Robert Wahl, Camera Club prexy, all entries in the LHS photo contest must be in by Dec. 19th. The winning shutterbugs will be awarded either cash or photo supplies.
Hunting and studying seem to be the main activities of this three day week-end. But not to be forgotten are the parties, trips and church rallies.

I wish I had some of those pictures taken by the camera club. Again, if any of you have pictures from high school send them to us.

Lyons Daily News – “In the Good Old Days” -Friday May 13th, 2005
Friday – Senior Day Recognitions. Recognizedas 13 year students in the Lyons public schools were Lanny Brown, Barbara Campbell, Karen Conard, Rae Helen Dressler, Gary Fisher, Kenneth Hawkins, Pam Homan, Rachel Jaurez, Ronal Lehnus, Eugene Lucas, Roger Lucas, Paul Marshall, Treva Misner, Barbara Myerly, Phil Nolan, Delores Ortega, Benny Serbin, Sue Smith, Pat Stapleton, Dryden Swisher, Alice Voss, Marilyn Wiggins and Arenta Willms.
Second & Third Generation students in the senior class are John Cook, Ardis Ellis, Gary Fisher, June McKinnis, Ed Monroe, Dryden Swisher, Dale Dressel, Jeane Flora, Jack Hartle, Joyce Jenisch, Marilyn Markle, Treva Misner, Barbara Myerly, Anita Rife, Marilyn Wiggins and Linda Wright.

Lyons Daily News – May 24th 2005:
Gladys Ritterhouse, assistant professor of education and director of teacher education at Sterling College, was awarded the McCreery Teaching Award during the college’s recent commencement exercises at Smisor Stadium. The award recognizes and encourages excellence in teaching and is presented to a faculty member whose efforts have provided unusually noteworthy and innovative instruction to Sterling College students during the academic year. Gladys graduated from LHS in approximately 1959? Help me again.

School is about ready to start. A lot of action around the schools.

Remember if you are going to travel check www.SmartWay2Travel.comand check the website to travel with other Lyons alums. We thank you for choosing us when you decide to book online.

Bob “Sax” Drake Class of 1961

LHS Alumni Update – 7-16-08

2008-07-16T14:02:00.000-07:00

Haven’t heard much from LHS alumni. I know summers keep you busy. Reunions, family outings, vacations, etc. keep us busy but need your feedback to get new information on the website.

Are any of the LHS classes having reunions any time this year. I know we had a highly successful All School Reunion earlier this year but I think there will be some other reunions going on. Let me know.

Just Received: From Rebecca Latimer – 1970’s Girls Brunch, 8-9-08 in Lyons. Contact Revecca at 620-257-7978 or Sharry Smith Butcher at 620-825-4323. See attachment.

If any of you have pictures of your high school days please send them in.

Juanita Danewitz sent me the pictures of the All School Reunion and I forwarded them on. Juanita, can you send me the names to the pics, Thanks. If others have pictures please send them in.

Thank you to the couple of people who sent in subscriptions to the website. Check and make sure your name is listed on the website. If you haven’t sent in a subscription please do so. I don’t want to make the website so you have to have a password to get in but it is not fair for the few alumni that have subscribed to pay for all that haven’t. It is disappointing as the webmaster keeps doing work and not getting paid for all the work he has done. He would do a lot more if we could get some subscriptions in. Thank you.

I know it has been just because you are so busy so please get your subscriptions in and go to the attic and pull out your old high school photos. Also, talk to alumni about contacting me so they can get on my update list.

Let me know what you are doing this summer. I know Mary Kay and Ralph Voss are still in Lyons and I was hoping to get down to see them, but it is not going to happen. Michelle and I are getting ready to go to Estes Park, CO next week. When we get back I have a high school basketball clinic down in Kansas and then Michelle and I are going to St. Louis for the YTB Travel National Convention. They are expecting 30,000 people and some fantastic new things are going to be happening with YTB. Attached are a list of people who have bought their own websites just like mine. You will recognize most of them. We may be in southern CA in Sept., and Sanibel Island in FL during Thanksgiving. We almost bought tickets to Italy but found out Italia Airlines may be going out of business so didn’t want o get stuck with tickets. They had a ticket to Rome for $900 and the second ticket for a $1. This day and age that may be something to really check into when you see a really good deal. We will be kicking ourselves if they survive without govt. help , which in the European Union the airlines are not supposed to be subsidized by the govt.

Mark Mangino the KU football coach just signed a contract for 1.8 million dollars. Not bad for a guy that once worked in the toll booth at a turnpike.

The Good Old Days :
Lions Lingo by Carol Ann Irwin: Year 1959.
Ila Bennett, LHS Junior told about her recent trip to New York City.

Phyllis Swenson left early this afternoon for Manhattan where she will attend an informal fraternity party tonight as a guest of Jim Butts. She will stay overnight with Glenda Reed who is a Junior at K-State and will return tomorrow.

I got an e-mail from Bonnie Evans class of 1961 also wrote for the Lyons Lingo. She said she would see if she could find some of those Lions Lingo reports. I hope she does because Bonnie would have been great at this. We had some really smart kids in my class. What happened to me?

This was I the Spotlight, Sept. 26th 1952.:
Proof that the world is in the machine age can be seen in the LHS parking lot. About a dozen and a half new or used cars were purchased since the end of the last school year. Bob Burge, 52 Plymouth; Larry Wilbur, 35 Plymouth; Jack Byrd, 50 Studebacker; Paul Shepard, 40 Ford; Lary Gray, 37 Chevrolet; Phil Wright, 39 Ford; Glenn Colberg, 37 Studebaker; Howard Jefferies, 40 Plymouth; Paul Jones, 30 & 40 Chevrolets; Max Crowl, 42 Chevrolet; Dean Mandrell, 39 Chevrolet; David Eves, 37 Chrysler; Joneta Edwards, 50 Chevrolet; Leonard Sullivan, 47 Willys Station Wagon; Dale McNally, 39 Chrysler; Earl Sallee, 34 Chevrolet; Eugene Lucas, 37 Ford; Charles Sanders, 39 DeSoto; Jesse Cook, 38 Oldsmobile; Bill Monroe, 39 Plymouth and Tom Battershell, 36 Plymouth.

Out of The Lyons News:
Adam Drew Wilson graduate of LHS in 2001 and a 2006 graduate of Kansas State got engaged to Elizabeth Miller of Salina. She also graduated from K-State. Wedding is planned at the Country Club United Methodist Church in KC, MO. Sorry I don’t know the date but it was a couple of years ago.

Krista Koch a 1996 graduate of LHS she graduated from Colby Comm. College and Johnson County Comm. College Graduated. She is a licensed esthetician and employed at Associated Plastic Surgeons in Leawood, KS. The groom is a 1999 graduate of Kansas University. The wedding was planned for May 3, 2008.

Again, please send in your subscription or if you want to donate you can go on the website and use PayPal or credit card or send your check to the Lyons State Bank, Lyons, KS 67554 and make check payable to the Alumni Club.

I know a lot of you are traveling. Please compare the rates on my YTB website www.SmartWay2Travel.com to book your travel or go to the Lyons Alumni website and click on Lonnie Morris, Dan Thompson or Bob Moody’s website and book your travel with them. Our websites will be competitive with Expedia, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, etc. for the same flight, same hotel room, same car rental, same vacation package, same cruise cabin and much more. Check the attachment to see people who have their own YTB websites and you will know most of them. There website is just like mine except for the name. The Kansas City Chiefs and many other professional sports teams are setting up websites with YTB.

If you’re going to travel you might as well travel with an LHS Alums. We will be competitive in price 95% of the time.

YTB is remarkable company and I’m putting my families future on the line with this company. That is how much I believe. YTB is a publicly traded 8 year old company. YTB moved from the 35th largest travel agency in the world in 2006 to 26th in 2007. I use this company to cut my travel cost and to have an unbelievable tax write off. We had a guy buy a website last year a few days before he left for New Zealand and Australia. He said it was the best thing he ever did. He said he had already booked his trip unfortunately but said he wrote $7,000 off his taxes and got upgrades through out the trip. I bought my website after a lot of checking into the company and the thing I liked the best is I’m going to use it and I liked that the owners of the company are incredible visionaries. They started this company two years before Barry Dillar spent 5.1 billion to buy Expedia.

Heard a great quote the other day and will phrase it as close as I can. The quote was by Helen Keller, “People with sight and no vision are the poorest individuals in the universe.” These owners have vision and they announced something last night I can’t mention yet at this time and they may not be able to make it happen but if they can it will be incredible.

I got certified to set up non-profits with an incredible fund-raiser thru travel. YTB has nearly 2400 non-profits set up at this time. If you know of someone wanting an incredible fundraiser contact me.

Again, I mention YTB because we don’t advertise. You see Expedia, etc on the TV all the time because they spend millions a year to advertise. We do it by telling you about it.

Michelle and I will soon be sending out a newsletter of our own a couple of times a month about travel. If you contact one of the alums who have a website they can put you into their Deals & Steals and the company will send you a weekly newsletter on the top five travel deals weekly coming up, or you can go to our websites and sign up yourself for the Deals & Steals.

Thank you for listening but I know so many of you travel a great deal, just want you to know what is available to you with Lyons Alumni.

Sax Drake
Class of 1961

LHS Alumni Update: 06-29-08

2008-07-05T20:02:00.001-07:00

Wow!!!! We survived the storm that hit Omaha a couple of days ago. 115 MPH winds and hail. We got nailed. Michelle was so happy it didn’t hit a week ago but so sad with all the time and effort she had put into the yard. We have a few more alumni in Omaha, not sure how they faired.

I’m going back thru some of the Lyons Daily when it was a daily. This one is Thurs. May 19th, 2005. Val & Sal named at LHS. Cody Wiens and Alex Reed. What an honor. Didn’t say where they were going to go to college.

In the good old days: 50 Years ago 1955
WINDING THE MAY POLE - A new feature of the annual last day of school parade in Lyons today was a May Pole winding by the 7th grade girls. The pole topped by balloons, was the center of attraction at the southwest corner of the square.
25 Years Ago 1980:
8 individual members of the track team qualified for 14 places at the state track meet. Lyons won the regional with 124 points to the second place Colby Eagles with 52 points Wow!!!! Firsts were Donnie McKinnis in the Javelin at 216-6, Mark Fisher pole vault 14-7; Mark Hundley high hurdles 15.3; & intermediate hurdles 39.3; 400 meter relay team (David & Mark Hundley, Andy Parish & Donnie Campbell) 44.2.
Seconds: M. Hundley 6-2; Kent Teeter 100 meters, 11.5; & 400 meter, 50.5, Parish intermediate hurdles40.4; Mike Rogers 2-mile, 9:55; & mile relay, (Campbell, D. Hundley, Parish & Teeter)3:27.5.
10 Years Ago 1995:
Two senior girls were named top scholars for the Class of 1995. Sara Moses, valedictorian and Sarah Williams, salutatorian.

There are a number of new alumni added to the LHS Updates this time. Many of them were at the All-School Reunion. If you are a new recipient or have been receiving the update please let other alumni know about the site so they can contact me and we can get them the updates.

Our webmaster is doing a fabulous job and we want ot keep him. If you haven’t subscribed for the year please do so. If you want to make an additional donation that would be appreciated. Subscription is $25 dollars for the year and that allows us to do the website and the LHS Updates. Information is on the website or send checks to the Lyons State Bank, Lyons, KS 67554 make checks payable to the Alumni Club.

If any of you have pictures of when you went to high school, cars. Hang-outs, friends, etc. please send them to us so we can get them on the website. There is a blog on the website and much, much more. Check it out!

Anyone booking travel online? If so contact me (Sax Drake) or Lonnie Morris, Dan Thompson or Bob Moody. Their travel websites are on the LHS Alumni website. Any of you want to travel for less and write it off your taxes contact the above alumni, they can fill you in on the details.

You will soon be getting information on LHS alumni trips to San Diego, May of 2009 and a Cruise to Alaska in late August 2009.

We have lost another alum. Larry Pickerell, class of 1958, I believe. We want to honor all those alumni no longer with us; they were all an important part of Lyons High School.

I’m going to attempt to attach a photo of my wedding. If you have anniversaries, weddings, etc. contact me.

Bob “Sax” Drake Class of 1961

Photos from Saturday (all-school reunion)

2008-06-04T08:16:00.000-07:00

For those of you who might not have seen these, here is a web link with images from Saturday at the all-school reunion.

Those of you who have purchased the DVD will get all of these images as well as the video that was shown during the program Saturday night. You can order directly from that link if you would like professional prints.

Enjoy.

Scott Sewell, LHS, Class of '80
Topeka, Kansas
www.scottsewell.com

LHS Update – Memorial Day 2008

2008-06-01T20:15:00.001-07:00

Wow!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! A brilliant job of putting the first All-School Reunion together.

Won’t list all responsible for putting this together but will in the next update. Need to have someone send me a list of those responsible. I know each class had a sponsor but mainly those who did a Lion’s share of the work, no pun intended.

The Celebration Center certainly came in handy on this event. Served 550 alumni and spouses on Sat. night. Had a great BBQ on Friday night. They had it set up so well with old uniforms, pictures, trophies, scorebooks, etc.

On Sat. morning we went on a “Blast From the Past” Memories Race. Clyda Pile (probably spelled her name wrong) put a great itinerary together with great clues for the next place to find. Some of the places were Pepsi Plant, Water Works, Bakery, News Stand, Purdy’s Jewelers, Dairy Queen, Drive-In, El Patio, Trampoline Pits, Locker, Fire Station (old) Hatfield’s Filling Station, Swimming Pool, Ralph’s Lunch, Jack’s Drive-In, Girl Scout Cabin. We had to find 22 in all. We came in 3rd. We didn’t break as many driving laws as the winners and 2nd place did. Juanita and Louise Danewitz were the other alumni in our car.

The Danewitz’s had the most alumni in one family in attendance, five members I believe.

The oldest graduate in attendance was from the class of 1932. I can’t remember her name. Someone help me.

The Alumni Dinner was fantastic. Serving 550 people is no small feat. I will get the names of the speakers and put it in the next update. Dwight Gantz, Dr. Tobias, Scott Poland, Mr. Coombs, were a few. I should have written the names down but I know someone will send me that information and I will include it in the next update. Sorry to the people I did not include.

There was a dance after the program. We tried to get them to play more 50’s and 60’s music but they were stuck in the 70’s, 80’s.and 90’s. Problem is most of the people were in the 50’s and 60’s age group. They did a great job, but they should have mixed it up more.

Wish I could have been on the program long enough to talk about the Lyons Alumni website. Many people still don’t know about it so I will have to depend on you to tell people and maybe I can get a list of those attending the All School Reunion to add to the website and to my LHS Updates.

The next morning was a brunch at the Golf Course and a golf tournament. Don’t have the winners of the golf tournament. Will include them next time.
Sorry I don’t have more information, but I will get it to you and there will be many pictures on the www.LyonsAlumni.com website. Keep checking the website.

Our webmaster is a photographer also and is getting ready for a big art Fair in Kansas City so please be patient.

Please let people know about the website and to subscribe, which is $25 per year and donations are welcomed.

The Kansas City Chiefs has just made YTB, the travel company I have been telling you I’m part of, as their official travel website. We have been notified that the NFL, NBA and Major League Baseball is working on doing the same.

I know a lot of you are traveling. We would truly appreciate it if you would check our company out if you are booking on line. Our websites have more to offer than does Expedia, Travelocity and all the rest. The only difference in our company YTB, and the other companies is we do not advertise. We do it thru word of mouth advertising. Our advertising is paid back to us as commissions for our telling other people about our websites. If you are going to travel and you are booking on line we are going to be within a few dollars one way or the other. Our company philosophy is friends will fly with friends. Why send all your dollars to Expedia or other online booking websites when you can get the same seat on the airline, same hotel room, same cabin on the cruise ship and same vacation resort when you can book your travel with a Lyons Alum. Bob And the soon to be Mrs. Drake’s websites are, SmartWay2Travel.biz and LottaWorld2See.biz and then click on Book Travel. Other Lyons Alums you can book travel with are Lonnie Morris, Dan Thompson and Bob Moody. Their websites are on the www.lyonsalumni.com website.

We would appreciate it if you would compare our rates when booking your next travel or vacation on line. Please book your travel with a Lyons alum.

Send pictures of the Reunion and again if you have pictures when you went to school of friends, cars, slumber parties, etc. send them to us. The pics of the reunion if you can put names to the pics it would be helpful.

Bob “Sax” Drake
Class of 1961

Happy Mother's Day

2008-05-16T10:57:00.000-07:00

Wow, can you believe the All School Reunion is so close! Looking forward to seeing all of you.

A milestone coming up. Anita Burdette Dragoo contacted us about Don Birchenough is having his 90th birthday on May 30th.. Daughters are Anita, Carolyn, Janet and Nancy. The family hopes to shower Don with cards and good wishes so let’s get the cards sent. This is a special milestone; address is Don Birchenough, Box 207, Lyons, KS 67554.

Let me know when any of these milestones are coming up. My mom and dad are getting ready for their 71st wedding anniversary.

Class of 1958. Judy Stark Hobbs is looking for information on the 50th class Reunion for the Class of 1958 or are they combining it with the All School Reunion? She was friends with Darlene Smith, Betty Stockholm, Virginia Dresher, Arlona Bierly and Jane McCoy Laughlin. Thank she has kept in contact with Jane. If you can help with other contacts, not just the ones mentioned she would appreciate it. Her contact information is judyandles@comcast.net or call her at 303-985-7342. She was also wondering if any of the LHS Alumni live in the Denver area and I know there is a good number. When in Lyons she lived at 219 S. Jay across the street from Dennis Jones.

Steve Jung received the Venture Leadership Award from the Ore-Ida Foundation. This is a prestigious award received by very few people and it in appreciation for the outstanding work with young people. I’m hoping to have a picture on the website soon.

Any alums you know that have received special recognition or have done something special let me know. Darren Fundenberger does special things with wood. We will have information about Darren and his special skills on the website in the next few weeks.

Let me know if we have any young men and women in the armed forces who are protecting us as we go about our daily chores. We often forget they are making and protecting the most outstanding country on earth. Who again was first in line to help the cyclone ravaged Myanmar. They kept us out, but we are the country who is always there to help We are not perfect, but we are sure light years ahead of whoever is in 2nd place.

What do you think of these vacation rates? All inclusive 9 days 8 nights in China $999. All inclusive European tour $1,095, Tahaiti $550; 5 days Paris $599. Some LHS Alumni get these rates and so can you. (Information below)

53 Years Ago 1955:
A spontaneous campaign for clothing, food and other items for the tornado victims of Udall, KS. The collections were being delivered to the American Legion building and people pictured helping are , Billy Turner, Ansel Griffit, Lloyd Buell, Orval Evans, Danny Leasure, Sue Turner, and John Deardoff. Many other people are helping in the background in the picture taken by Max Davis.
27 Years Ago 1980:
Lyons Boys First in State Track in Class 4A. First Place finishers were; Mark Hundley, high jump; Mark Fisher, pole vault; 4X100 meter relay team of Kent Teeter, Mark Hundley, Andy Parish and Donnie Campbell; Mile Relay Team of Cambell, Hundley, Parish & Teeter; SECONDS were Teeter, 400 meters; Donnie McKinnis, javelin; Hundley 3rd and Parish 6th 300 meter hurdles; Teeter 5th in 100 meters; Hundley 5th in 110-meter high hurdles and Mike Rogers 6th in 3200 meter run. Great Team!

4 Years Ago – 2004:
Lyons Middle School students participated in some unusual events. Devyn Wires, Will French, William Brayton, Eric Holester and Meredith Cline represented their teams in the “loudest screamer” contest. Wires won the contest.

Joqsan Gonzalez won the “fastest eater” contest. The winner was the student who could eat two hot dogs with buns the fastest.

Class of 2005:
Cody Wiens was named Valedictorian and Alex Reed Salutatorian. (Those awards slipped thru my grasp when I was in high school)

GREAT TRAVEL RATES! (Continued)

Congratulations to Bob Moody Class of 1962. If you are now looking to book your travel and vacation plans you can go to www.MoodyRanchTravel.biz and then click on Book Travel. If you want to see information about the company Bob represents Click on Company Presentation.

Bob Moody, Lonnie Morris, (www.itssoeasy2travelonline.biz) Dan Thompson, (www. AdvantageFunFares.biz) or myself Bob “Sax” Drake, (www.SmartWay2Travel.biz) can give you information on how you too can get these kind of rates.

Our company does not advertise so the only way for you to find information is for a company representative to contact you. We compete against Expedia, Travelocity, Priceline, Orbitz, Cheap Tickets, etc. If we are comparable in price we hope you will choose to book with a Lyons High School Alum.

It is never too late to become an entrepreneur! The alumni mentioned above just happened to choose travel. Let me ask you these questions and you can get the answers from Bob “Sax” Drake, Bob Moody, Dan Thompson or Lonnie Morris: With the advent of booking your travels online you now have the following opportunities; facts other online booking engines (just mentioned above) do not want you to know.
● You can get paid commissions on not only your own travels but that of family,
friends and acquaintances.
● Travel Wholesale rather than Retail. That can mean 50%-70% off your travel cost.
● Upgrades of airline seats, hotel rooms, rental cars, etc.
● Write your vacations and leisure travel off your taxes.
● Even the opportunity to earn extra income around your current schedule.
If these don’t interest you that is fine, but when you go to book or purchase your next vacation, business travel, golf tee times, concert tickets, hotel rooms, cruises, car, flowers, wedding registry and much more book with an LHS alum.

To good to be true! That is what everyone says. That is exactly what we all said, but we checked it out. I have been with the company for 8 months now and they live up to all their claims and more. It is a 7-year old publicly traded company and when all the figures are in we will be in the top 20 of travel agencies in the U.S. and we have just expanded internationally. We started 2007, 35th largest over-all and number 11 in leisure travel. Not bad for a company that does not advertise.

Bob, Bob, Lonnie and Dan can get the travel rates if they so desire and so can you. We tell people about good movies, places to eat and our vacations. Why not get paid for telling them about our vacations.

For information contact us.

Thanks
Bob “Sax” Drake
Class of 1961

Bill and Twyla Lilley 60th Wedding Anniversary

2008-05-16T10:45:00.000-07:00

submitted by: J.L. Herold

Hutch News: Sunday May 11, 2008

Bill and Twyla Lilley, Nixa, Mo., formerly of Hutchinson, will celebrate their 60th wedding anniversary with a family gathering in July.

Lilley and the former Twyla Fuller were married May 15, 1948, in Oklahoma. He is a retired music administrator and band director having taught at Dexter, Bucklin, St. John, Dodge City, Hutchinson and Lyons. She retired from various secretarial positions.

Their children and spouses are Wes and Pat Lilley, Centennial, Colo., Jeff and Susie Lilley, Rose Hill, and Gregg and Cathy Lilley, Ozark, Mo. They have 10 grandchildren and five great-grandchildren.

Cards may be sent to them at 513 N. Hawthorn Drive, Nixa, Mo., 65714.

LHS Alumni Update: 05-05-08

2008-05-06T09:27:00.001-07:00

Can you believe it is so close to All School Reunion. Check the website and the list and I know there are people going to attend that are not on the list., Yours Truly for one.

The committee was in Lyonslast week working on theReunion. They deserve a great deal of credit for putting this together, and again thanks to Jill for getting all the updates to us.

Bob Moody contacted me this morning and said the Moody boys would be there. My brother Hal who graduated in 1954 told me he was going to make it if not in the middle of a real estate deal in Naples, FL.

Did anyone happen to save the article or any of the articles I did on the Classes of 1960 & 1961 out of the Spot Light. The article I’m most looking for is the article about all the jobs that LHS students were doing in Lyons in the years 1960 & 1961. If you have it please forward it to me ASAP. I had borrowed some of the Spot Lights and I returned them and we cannot find the years 1960 & 1961.

This is what we need from you alumni. I have a picture that George Fundenberger provided to the Lyons Daily News which was the Court House when it still had the star on top during Christmas. It was a picture of a major ice storm probably happened in the 1940’s sometime. You can see streamers that run from the top of the Court House to the corners of the Square.

These are the kind of pictures we need to get on the LyonsAlumni.com website. If you have pictures of Slumber Parties, Band Days, Track Meets, Parties, Cars, etc. etc. etc.

In 1988, that was 27 years after yours truly graduated. Ex LHS hoopsters were coming back to play ball. The class of 1978 & 1979 defended their title against the class 84 – 87.
Leading the winners was Tim Freiss and Jon Berblinger with 16 each. Lynn Newkirk led the losing team with 20. Score 87 – 70.

The championship team was made up of Max Morales, Chris Michaelis, Phil Knight, Benny Bernhardt, Phil Kepka, Tim Freiss, Mark Teeter, Brad Swisher, Mike Poncin, Jon Berblinger, Tim Ross and Dave Viramontez.

Consolation Final found the Class of 82 & 83 defeating the Classes of 74 & below, 56 – 55. Tim McKinnis led the winners with 25 and Bob “Sax” Drake led the losing team with 29.

3rd Place – Class of 81 & 85 defeated Class of 1980 80-64.Jeff Morris led the winners with 27, and Donnie Campbell led the losing team with 28.

65 LHS Alumni returned to play. There have been some good players pass through the halls of LHS.

Spotlight Sept. 25th, 1952 – Cars are numerous: Proof that the world is in the machine age can be seen right in the LHS parking lot. About a dozen and a half new and used cars were purchased since the end of last school year. Bob Burge 1952 Plymouth; Larry Wilbur 35 Plymouth; Jack Byard, 50 Studebaker; Paul Shepard, 40 Ford; Larry Gray 37 Plymouth; Phil Wright 39 Ford; Glenn Colberg 37 Studebaker; Howard Jefferies 40 Plymouth; Paul Jones 30 & 40 Chevrolets; Max Crowl 42 Chevrolet; Dean Mandrell 39 Chevrolet; David Eves 37 Chrysler; Joneta Edwards 50 Chevrolet; Leonard Sullivan 47 Willy’s Station Wagon; Dale McNelly 39 Chrysler; Earl Sallee 34 Chevrolet; Eugene Lucas 37 Ford; Charles Sanders 39 DeSoto; Jesse Cook 38 Oldsmobile; Bill Monroe 39 Plymouth; and Tom Battershell 36 Plymouth.

Someone has to have some pictures?

I found the article for the classmates and the work they were doing in 1961. Also found all the advertisers that advertised in the Spotlight from 1955-1961.

I need to fax them to someone for the upcoming reunion. Let me know who needs the and a fax number.

Any one wanting to subscribe for the year please check the website and anyone wanting to make a donation please go to the website. The webmaster is fabulous but we have to pay him. Some new things coming to the website and it will be great. If everyone would pay $25 we would be okay but everyone doesn’t so what ever you can do please do so. Thanks.

We need pictures of when you went to school.

Have a great week.
Sax Drake Class of 1961

Sandy Adios Trip Photos and Story - March 2008

2008-04-01T20:06:00.000-07:00

March 28, 2008

And then there was one
It’s just me now,Sandy left last Wednesday evening for theUS.

Last weekend was Easter and Sandy and I went to a party inPalermo. But first we went to a unique restaurant with many rooms, each decorated in a beautiful bright color theme... We had our choice so we ate in the blue room and the meal was fabulous. We had pork tenderloin stuffed with dates and covered with a pear sauce accompanied by a beautiful fresh salad.
Afterward we walked a few blocks to Ms Wilcox apartment onThameswhere there were about 20 people gathered there for food, wine and champagne. Of course, the dancing started soon after and everyone had a good time. (Yes, my dance shoes were in my backpack). We left the party about 6pm to take the subway home and to change for the theater. The production of “Cabaret” was wonderful and we both enjoyed it even though it was all in Spanish.
The weekend was 5 days long; the 5th daybeing like our Labor day and the whole city was almost vacant. It is the last holiday before school starts, and it seems that all the people must have left. It amazes me how there can be so many people on the street during the week and it is like a ghost town on weekends. Traffic is non-existent. The shops are closed.

March 30, 2008

I have been trying to catch up on the dancing and have been out every night sinceSandyleft. Tonight I stay home and recoup with my feet on ice. The dancing was good everywhere and it amazes me how the milongas are always packed every night and after a couple of hours it is too crowded to dance comfortably. That is when I leave, then or when my feet won’t go anymore. I went to a new milonga that took the place of Club Espanol and found that I liked it a lot. If anyone comes down here, be sure to look upSan Jose224, cross streetMoreno. Only thing is, it is in a dark neighbor hood and when I left could not find a taxi right away. I was a little scared, and had to walk a few blocks to Ave 5 de Mayo before getting a ride. There were many cartoneros sorting through the garbage and though most of them are OK, I was not dressed for the locale, and I broke my rule to have on shoes that I could run in, if necessary. My fears were unwarranted, I guess, but since the camera incident, I have been a little shaky.

I have taken several lessons at the Academia of Dance at the Galleria Pacificos. If anyone is interested, the schedule is atwww.eatango.org. Group lessons all day long and only $15 pesos (less than $5.00US) the lessons are all 1 ½ hours and so far have had a dance partner each time… I love the “canyengue” and I recommend that, if offered, you should take the lesson…. It is a lot of fun and different from milongero style.

There has been some unrest here and many demonstrations and (peaceful) against the government. It seems that the government wants to tax the farmers a whopping 50% on their farm products. Today I went for a lunch and was unable to get bife de lomo (fillet minion) and settled for the chorizo and the salad bar. It was tasty, but not as tender as the lomo.

Only a few more days left, Mon, Tue, and I check out of the apartment at 5pm on Wednesday. I will be very sad to leave, but I know that I will again spend the winter inBuenos Aires.
Ciao for now
Juanita

Click Here to view trip photos

LHS Alumni Update: 3-10-08

2008-03-10T06:40:00.000-07:00

Went to Lyons last week to see my dad and mom. Dad was having his 92nd birthday. They are getting ready for their 71st Wedding Anniversary. They were doing well but just getting over the flu.

Had a great visit with Ralph Voss class of 1961. We went to the Underground (Tee Pee Room) at the Ly-Kan Hotel. Remember, Dick has rooms available at the hotel.

It amazes me how many people have done so well that graduated out of little old Lyons High School. It would be great to have a huge turn for the All School Reunion. I know there are a lot of people considering on going that have not turned in their reservations, and I’m one of those. The ones who have turned in their reservations are:

Reservations for LHS Reunion

Carolyn (Jones) Sayler 1952
Jane Harris 1968
Kay (Darrah) Pedersen 1973
Dwight & Kay (Brua) Patton 1951 & 1953
Gwen (Cain) Perschbacher 1946
Rosalie (Revel) Danks 1952
Jerry Hannah 1948
Grace Ellen (Forsythe) Snider 1952
Erma (Irvin) Shoopman 1945
Ralph Voss 1961
Delbert M. Jones 1951
Cindi (Hudson) Cook 1970
Jack Wilcox 1950
Donna (Davis) Barrager 1963
Hellen J. Tucker 1971
Vicki (Carmichael) Ediger 1956
David Saunders 1966
Coleen (Good) Nixon 1961
Wayne Fraser 1960
Clara Pettijohn 1948
Dorothy (Jagger) Fuller 1949

Wayne Bell class of 61 & wife Chris spent the last month in Florida. Wayne said the golf was good.

Another lodging option for the All School Reunion is a new B&B in Lyons called Kansas Keepsakes Retreats. The address is 103 S. St. John. www.kansaskeepsakes.com

53 Years Ago 1955: Art Baldwin, municipal swimming pool manager says the Red Cross swimming Pool classes are full. 332 pupils will take lessons and 72 more want to sign up but it would be too crowded. Classes will be taught by Art, Mrs. Dwight Hunter, Reta Thompson, Marilyn Wiggins, Larry Phelps and Peggy Logan and assistants will be Nancy Fisher, Illa Smith, Karen Benefiel, and Glenda Gudgel.

4-H youngsters going to Rock Springs ranch for 4-days are Winona Ricketts, Phyllis Bruce, Sherrie Graham, and Barbara Underwood – Midland Lucky Clovers; Betty & Rita Harrison, Ellen Briscoe, John Briscoe, and Marion Hauschild, - Fairplay; Arden Alexander, Kathleen Bolton, Don Soeken, Leland NototnyLarry Pickerill, Lyle Helmer and Norman O’neill – Mighty Mitchell; Jeane Anne Volkland – Valley Blue Birds; Alice Ann Biggs, Ann Tobias, Janice Edwards and Bob Swenson – Lyons Conquerors; Roy McKinnis, Rae Helen Dressler, Edwin Clarke, John Cooke, Glenn Colberg, Ronnie Leonard, Colin Hoyt, Janice Haas, Glenda Reed, Jack Engelland, Sharon Jung, Lois Ann Hoyt and Vernon Soeken

To keep up with who is attending the All School Reunion go to www.lyonsalumni.com and on the Home page go to Lyons All School Reunion and scroll down to Click Here and then you will see the heading for those who have signed up. Click on that and the list will be up.

The new webmaster has done an incredible job but we don’t have a lot of people who have signed up to pay their yearly subscription.

I want to thank Steve & Cheryl (Morgan) Burkhart, Steve class of 62 and Cheryl class of 63 for their nice donation.

I don’t think we have the yearly subscriptions up yet but hope to get that done in the near future. The webmaster has done a tremendous job and has the website set up now so it is much easier to navigate. It has taken a tremendous amount of work and I don’t want to fall too far behind in paying him. You have to admit this is a class website and it will soon be set up where you can search out alumni by name. If you haven’t subscribed please try and do so.

If you have pictures of your Lyons High School memories or stories please send them to the webmaster.

Hope you are all doing well. I’m ready for Spring, this has been a long Winter.

Sax Drake
Class of 1961

LHS Update: 2-17-08

2008-02-18T12:18:00.000-08:00

Check out the website. The new webmaster has done an unbelievable job. It took a lot of time to move everything to the new site but it will be so easy to navigate. When you send pictures to the webmaster make sure, if you can, to put names with the pictures. Does anyone have pics of the old bakery, Newsstand, Duckwalls, Fox & Star Theaters, Dairy Queen, etc.

Most of you know I’m in the travel business and my online website competes against Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, etc. Our company, YTB, does not advertise, so this is the only way to get information out to friends, and in this case alumni. If you could send me your e-mail address I will put it in my Deals & Steals which is the top 5 travel deals every week. Because of spamming laws I have to have your permission. I believe you will receive an e-mail from YTB getting your okay. You can also go to my website www.SmartWay2Travel.com and put your e-mail address in yourself if you would like.

If any of the classes would like to do a cruise or a get away for example to San Diego like some of us did a couple of years ago, I can set that up. Contact me for information. Simon Cherpitel told me about the Hotel Occidental in San Diego. The General Manager at the Occidental said they would rent the whole hotel to our alumni if we wanted to do something there. We have had the Class of 77 from Holdredge, Neb., who is turning 50 contact us and we are working on a cruise to Alaska for them during the summer of 2009 and another trip for some people to Jamacia. We just had a trip offered to us for 9 days and 8 nights to China for $899 all inclusive out of LAX, certain requirements required on this one.

Thank you for allowing me to send you the best travel deals and also if you have friends or family traveling tell them about my website and if I’m comparable to the other booking engines to please travel with me. We can also add their e-mails to the website so they get the Deals & Steals. Your traveling on my website would help defray my cost for the time I put in on alumni updates, website hosting, picture taking in Lyons, picture taking at Class Reunions, and getting together with the webmaster to work on the site and other alumni activities.

This is a fantastic business for anyone interested in traveling for less or wanting to earn some extra income or both. Two alumni who checked the business contacted me and became involved. Lonnie & Cyndi Morris and Dan & Alphie Thompson. Their websites will soon be listed on the LyonsAlumni.com website. They first went to www.SmartWay2Travel.biz and checked out the Company Presentation and thought it made a lot of sense so they now have their own travel stores.

Talk about traveling, Juanita Danewitz Hennesy is in Buenos Aires for two months. She is getting a lot of Tango dancing in and said they celebrate Valentine’s Day just like we do.

Some of the people signed up for the All School Reunion are: Carolyn Sayler, Class 52, Janes Harris C-68; Kay Pederson C-73; Dwight & Kay Patton Classes of 51 & 53; Gwen Perschbacher C-46; Rosalie Danks C-52.

Let’s get signed up for the Reunion. It will be a lot of fun and renew a lot of old acquaintances.

The Class of 1954 is in preliminary stages of planning their 55th Year Class Reunion. It will be in Denver some time around Sept. 2009. Tony Wilcox is one of the alumns helping to put it together.

The webmaster is going to set the website up so you can search by name to find a classmate. He has put in a tremendous amount of work so if you haven’t subscribed for a year yet please do so soon. It is $25 and larger donations are appreciated but the $25 would suffice if we can get a large portion of the alumni to join. You can do it thru Pay Pal, credit card or sending it to the Alumni Club at the Lyons state Bank, Lyons, KS 67554.

I don’t have the number for the Ly-Kan Hotel but they do have rooms available.

1955 – Movies playing in Lyons, KS:
Star Theater – “Tall Man Riding” and coming tomorrow are “Unchained” and “African Manhunt”
Fox – positively the last night “The Seven Year Itch” with Marilyn Monroe starting tomorrow are Joel McCrea in “Stranger on Horseback” and Frank Sinatra in “Anchors Away”. All $.25 admission
Drive In Theater – Tonite is license nite, win $200, $100 or $50. Both movies in Technicolor, Rory Calhoun in “Powder River” and Gary Merrill in the “Black Dakotas.”
Star Theater – APPROVED Summer vacation movie, Thursday Aug. 18th 1:30 P.M., Doris Day & Ronal Regan in “The Winning Team.”

The Patio is open daily. Call ahead and we will have your order ready when you arrive.

Barbara Keesling Sherman and Tom Sherman have worked from the same address on the square for many years. Barbara for about 25 years has run and independent insurance agency and Tom has been cutting hair for over 40 years. Barbara and Tom are both in the Class of 1963 I think. I get these wrong a lot. Guess its age.

1955 – Only two teams remain undefeated in the Western Division Ban Johnson League and Lyons is one of those.

1980 – A group of young persons from Lyons returned late Friday evening from camps in Colorado, sponsored by Fellowship of Christian Athletes. Tim Colberg, Mike Rogers, Tony Fliginger, Shawn Galliart, Andy Parish, and Brent Bodenhamer stayed at the YMCA Camp at Estes Park. Staying at Colorado State U. in Fort Collins were Becky Turner, Julie Crane, Tamra VonLehe, Teresa Goodfellow, Bev Teeter and Sarah Hannah.

1955 – Fox theater – Cecil B. DeMille’s Mighty Spectacle of Tempestuous Love…Violence Under and On the High Seas! “Reap The Wild Wind” starring John Wayne, Susan Hayward, Ray Milland and Paulette Goddard. 2nd feature “West of Zanzibar.” Cartoon and previews start at 7:30.

Roger Caldwell Class of 1960 carded his 4th Hole-In-One at the Lyons Country Club. We know what Roger is doing.

1995 – The Lyons Middle School 8th grade Boys finished at the top of the Mid-Central Athletic Association and won the MCAA Tournament. They were Coach Dean Mantz John Quinn, and Paul Davis, Ed Spears, Matt Schwerdtfeger, Rassan Hines, Sean Feldman, Mark Howerton, Brandon Campbell, Benjamin Pound, George sanders, Sean Kadel, Brett Leiker, Travis Smith, Rex Kern, Shaun Bruce, Jeff Weis, Shawn Clark and their manager was Ben Kern. (How did this team do in high school?)

75 Years Ago – 1930 – LYONS – Home of improved Western Electric Sound – last time tonight the All Talking Ken Maynard in “Senor Americano.”
WHOOPEE! A Big, Gay, Love & Laughter Smash Hit “Sweetie” with Nancy Carroll. Ginger and Tabasco Red Head Singing the Heart Throb “Sweeter Than Sweet”, Helen “Sugar” Kane, the “Boop-Boopa-Doop” girl cooing “He’s So Unusual”, Jack Oakie, Wise Cracking Playboy
And here’s a treat Laurel & Hardy in their All Talking Comedy Scream “They Go Boom. Matinees $.10-$.25 and evenings $.10 - $.40.

Hope you enjoy some of the happenings in Lyons many years ago.

Again, get your reservations in for the All School Reunion. Go to the www.LyonsAlumni.com website for all the information. A few people have put in a ton of work. Let’s reward their efforts. Go on the website to see who the All School Reunion Committee is made up of.

Have a great week.
Bob “Sax” Drake class of 1961.

LHS Update - Feb 5th, 2008

2008-02-05T14:21:00.000-08:00

The website is really taking shape. Make sure you go take a look and take your time to go thru it. The site is much easier to navigate.

Even though it is a sad part of the website, In Memoriam, we sure want to honor those classmates who are no longer with us. Make sure you read closely how to get information to the webmaster. I see we don’t have a number of our classmates of 1961 who are no longer with us posted.

The new webmaster has done a marvelous job and has spent a great deal of time so if you haven’t signed up for the year for $25 please do so and larger donations are appreciated. If you have made a donation and it is not in the right place or if we don’t have it listed in the next couple of weeks please contact us. We want to get you credited with your yearly subscription or in the proper donation slot.

We lost another parent. The mother of Mike Connell Class of 61, Dick Connell Class of 64 and Carol Connell Class of 68 just passed away. I’m so glad Dennis Bradford and I got to visit her a couple of years ago. I’m not sure I got the correct Class year of Dick and Carol. Contact me and let me know if I have them in the wrong year.

It is so important to get in and keep in contact with past high school friends and this website will help in doing that.

The All School Reunion is coming closer and closer so you need to get your registrations in which can be downloaded from this site. We will start listing those of you who are coming back on the website. Lets have a great turn out. The committee has done a fabulous job of getting this all put together. It will be fun and we definitely have a great place to have this size of reunion since we now have the Celebration Center on the east side of Lyons. Maybe they can start putting information about the Reunion on their big sign near the HWY.

I have told you about my online travel site and there is now a link on the website for those of you who are getting ready to book travel to the reunion or for any of your travel destinations in the future. If you have booked with Expedia, Travelocity, Cheap Tickets, Orbitz, etc. my website with YTB will do everything and more than those websites. My website is www.SmartWay2Travel.com and I would really appreciate your checking it out and if we are competitive which we will be 95% of the time, book with me. Booking on those other sites helps rich business people you don’t know, booking on my website helps a Lyons alum. Lonnie & Cyndi Morris have their own travel site with YTB and he told me last night it cost him over $700 to book flights to Hawaii last year and this year thru his own website he booked those tickets for just over $400. Do we say you are going to get those kinds of savings all the time, definitely not. Usually we will be within a few dollars one way or the other. Lonnie will also get other perks and totally write his vacation off his taxes. Contact me or look at the business presentation at www.SmartWay2Travel.biz.
A fun business if you are retired, just like to travel, or are young and need to set up a Plan B if Plan A goes south.. Contact me or Lonnie for more information.

Old news from Fri., Sept. 21st,2007. Justin Timberlake an LHS grad, I’m not sure of the year, announced his engagement and approaching marriage to Erin Mathis. They both live in Redondo Beach, CA. The wedding was Oct. 27th, 2007 in Seabrook Island, S.C.

Same paper had the Class of 82 gathering for their 25th year reunion. Those in attendance were, Lisa (Fundenberger) Unruh, of Kearney, MO; Donetta (Soeken) Birzer, of Lyons; Brad Hunt of Lyons, Bruce Snyder of Prairie Village, Bobby Howard from Colorado; Shane Goldsmith of Newton; Jon Klassen of Sterling; Todd McGlynn of Medora; Vilma (Williams) Gomez of Lyons; Aletha January of Lyons; Rita (Wilson) Smith of Lyons; Cathy (Porter) LaTourell of Great Bend; Lori (Miller) Varney of Lyons; Quen (Williams) McGlynn of Lyons; Bryant Wilder of Lyons; Diane (Miller) Moore of Lyons; Susan (Fankhauser) Lowe of Boerne, Texas; Lisa (Boedeker) Segura of Lyons; Bruce Wilder of McPherson; Doug Martinie of Manhattan; and Brian Friess of Lyons. Wow a lot of locals showed up. When we have a reunion we can’t get the Lyons alumni to show up. This is great and I hope all those people are getting signed up for the All School Reunion.

I don’t know if we have pictures from your Class Reunion but get them to us if someone has pictures.

The webmaster says he has been receiving a lot of pictures and information so please be patient with him as the change over on this site has been a tremendous undertaking and he should be applauded and compensated so make sure you get your yearly subscription in or any donation you may want to make.

Lets get signed up for the All School Reunion.

Thanks,
Bob “Sax” Drake
Class of 1961

New Website News Blog Launches

2008-02-04T13:20:00.000-08:00

The new Lyons Alumni website has now launched the "News & Message Blog" for the site. Here you will find the latest news from Lyons, Kansas, and the LHS Alumni. Along with that messages from Alumni members will be posted. We are still currently moving older news items and messages from the old website. In coming weeks we will enable the "Blog" area so other can login and post news or messages.

Any news or message posted has the ability for other to reply with comments to the post. Users can also "subscribe" to the Blog one get updates automatically downloaded to them. Check back often for any updates and further instructions for posting.

posted by Tim Bischoff - Bischoff Studios & Lyons Webmaster

Very Generous Donation!

2007-07-04T13:19:00.000-07:00

The organizers of the 2008 All School Reunion would like to offer great thanks to Charles Ponton, Class of 1965, for his very generous donation of $1000.00! We really appreciate it and hope to see you at the reunion! Thanks!

The Class of 1963 address-keepers

2007-06-27T13:17:00.000-07:00

We are looking for current addresses for these people:

       Robyn Brooks

       Bill Brown

       Gene Fletchall,

       Sherry Jo (Gifford) Fuller

       Henry Gudgel

       John Hodges

       Elizabeth Kertz

       James Thompson

If you know where these classmates are, please ask them to send their
addresses to Anita Burdette-Dragoo, or send them to me yourself.
Anybody else who has changed names, addresses, phone numbers, or
emails, send those, too. Or better yet, enter them on the alumni list
in this website.

Something Interesting

2007-06-01T13:15:00.000-07:00

My name is Brian Richter. I have been teaching in Sterling for 18 years. I coached football for 16 of those 18 years. When I quit coaching I started my own business called Old School You. Old School You takes old football films and videos and places them on DVD\'s for former players, family, and alumni to relive the glory days. You can visit www.oldschoolyou.com and see the site.

I have a number of Lyons High School games from a number of years dating back to the 1950's.

Brian Richter

Old School You

www.oldschoolyou.com

oldschoolyou@cox.net

620.727.0953

Remember Us?

2007-05-31T13:10:00.000-07:00

Just a short note to say hello from my sister and I. I am Conni Lemen and my sister is Patrica (Patsy Lemen) Berkfeld. We talked about her upcoming reunion to be held last weekend in Lyons, Kansas. While she did not travel from the Tampa Florida area to visit you we both were truly interested in how all of the class mates of Lyons High are doing. Our brother David Lemen passed away eight 10 years ago. We miss him. Patrica works as a teacher and I work as a Banker in San Francisco. I recognize the names on this blog and wanted to connect. I just want all of you all of you know that our lives were enriched by being raised in Lyons.

The Website

2007-05-24T13:09:00.000-07:00

My congratulations to Stormy for what he's done - the site looks great!!!! My husband, Howard Marshall, Class of 1950, is doing fine in Emmonak, Alaska, volunteering for the summer with the Yu'pik Eskimo people there. I'm spending the summer here at home in Kansas City, KS.

http://www.spaciousskies.us/howard/ Howard's ministry page

mmarshal@spaciousskies.us

howardmarshall@yahoo.com

LHS Fight Song

2007-05-19T13:07:00.000-07:00

I've been looking for the music to the old LHS Fight Song that the band played at games during the 1960's. The words went something like this:
    LHS We've got a love for you, LHS, we've got a spirit  true,
    Come on and shout for all the boys that play,
    We'll shout hurray for victory today, FIGHT, FIGHT, FIGHT....
    LHS we've got a will to win, LHS we're gonna start right in,
    We're gonna Give, Dig, Try, Fight,
We'll win tonight for dear ole LHS, our LHS.
If you can send me a copy, my address is in the alumni list.  Thanks,
Anita Burdette-Dragoo

Tornado's

2007-05-19T13:02:00.000-07:00

As I follow the news regarding the Greensburg tornado, memories of past tornados in and around Lyons come back. One of my favorites involved Harlan Ebright's video taken west of Lyons. He sent it to CNN who broadcast it with his credits in the corner. His sister Elaine saw it at her home in Hong Kong and telephoned to confirm that everyone in her family was safe.
from Anita Burdette-Dragoo

Recent Shirley Knight performance

2007-04-17T12:58:00.000-07:00

Shirley Knight performed in Hamden, CT at Quinnipiac University April 12, 2007, a "Portrait of Amy Beach in Seven Vignettes." The work follows Beach, a child prodigy who started composing at the age of 4 through six women in her life. Beach was the first American woman to write a symphony and a Mass. Following the performance, classmate, Dr. Wendell Piehler of New Haven met with Shirley and recalled highlights of her career and future plans. Wendell will be in Lyons in May for the Baccalaureate service and Shirely will return about a month later to receive a State of Kansas award.

posted by Wendell Piehler

LHS Alumni Get-Together in Lawrence on Sun. May 27th

2007-04-14T12:57:00.000-07:00

What: LHS Alumni Get-Together for folks in KC, Topeka, & Lawrence area. When: 6:00-8:00 p.m. Sunday, May 27th Where: Free State Brewery, 636 Massachusetts Street; Lawrence, KS (upstairs) All welcome!! See you then!! Jane Harris '68 & Jean(Harris)Gilbert'67

posted by Jean (Harris) Gilbert

Retirement

2007-03-18T12:56:00.000-07:00

After working for a number of years both Chris and I will be retiring. She is done in 2 weeks, me in 6 weeks. Almost like the last weeks of high school, a new adventure about to start but you are not sure what it will be. Probably a lot of the class of '61 is already retired or planning to do so very soon. Do we know how many of the class are retired?

Gracias Mexican Restaurant, Australia

2007-03-16T12:52:00.000-07:00

G'day from Australia. I had another Kansan in my restaurantlast night. They must come in for their Mexican "fix" as they travel around. Last night's girl was originally from Topeka, then Kansas City, Honolulu, New Zealand and now lives in Tamworth, New South Wales. She was down to Newcastle to visit her niece. I get some Kansas student in from the University of Newcastle. Two were from Wichita and one from Ellsworth in one group. Another girl last week was from Topeka.They are exchange students here for 6 months. Anyone coming this way, give me a call on 1-02-4962-1133 (restaurant number) and leave a message if I am not in. Adios, Dennis Bradford, Class of '61

posted by Dennis Bradford