ALUMNI RELATIONS 1981 Newsletter

Pine Mountain Settlement School
Series 20: Alumni & Alumni Relations

ALUMNI RELATIONS 1981 Newsletter


TAGS: alumni relations 1981 newsletter ; Advisory Council ; Alumni & Friends Association ; PMSS homecoming


GALLERY: ALUMNI RELATIONS 1981 Newsletter – HOMECOMING


TRANSCRIPTION: ALUMNI RELATIONS 1981 Newsletter – HOMECOMING

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MINUTES
of the Pine Mountain Settlement
School Eighth Annual Homecoming

The annual business meeting of the Association of Pine Mountain Alumni and Friends was held in Laurel House at Pine Mountain on August 8-9, 1981.

Pat Hall Martin, President of the organization, called the meeting to order.

Greetings from Alvin Boggs, Director of Environmental Education. Greetings from Director Emeritus, Burton Rogers. Discussion emphasis: getting mailing list up to date. Also the importance of yesteryears, and how Pine Mountain is unique. Minutes of last meeting read and approved, and also, Treasurer’s report by Gola Smith Mooney, Secretary/Treasurer.

Had Chapel Fund Report by August Angel, Treasurer. Savings $4,152.31 ($1,843.50 collected). Paul Hayes reports on chapel repairs. Repaired roof and organ. It was made mention Burton Rogers is a good caretaker. There was acknowledgement of the generosity of all gifts given. Expedite systems of gifts acknowledged. Ruth [Shuler] Dieter brought greetings from the Board. They appreciate what is being done. Made mention of Paul Hayes, our outgoing president. There was election of new officers. Paul Hayes was Chairman of Nominating Committee. (Ruth Cook, Lorraine Browning, Mildred Wells, Sue Lewis, Jane Bishop, Jerry and Lloyd B.)

Nominated Slate:
President — Jack Martin
Vice President — Ellen Hayes
Secretary/Treasurer — Gola Mooney
Member at Large — August Angel and Ruth S. Dieter

Commitment from everybody is urged: Paul Hayes leads the discussion of book sales. Discussed was channel for sales, and made mention Maude Holbrook is the person for the job.

Further business: Ask membership for expressions concerning next meeting date for Homecoming for next summer. Date set for second weekend in August: 13, 14 and 15, There was tribute to those incredible women in the kitchen. There were greetings from Grace Rood, Glyn and Barbara MorrisMary Sue Baker Hamilton, and Ruby and John Warner.

There was planned a special memorial vespers at the Chapel at 4:00, honoring those who are no longer with us: Lillian H, Holbrook, Luther Burkhart, Lexine Baird, Jewell Weaver Phillips, James M. Bishop.

Jack, the new president, ma[de] a few remarks. Recognized Birdena Bishop, Malcolm Arny, Ronald & Elizabeth Henderson, Gordon Nichols and Brit Wilder.

The alumni tidbit scrapbook made a good impression. It was suggested we get more photographs and a variety of all activities of the Homecoming weekend. It was requested thank you cards be mailed out to all donors, 65 of them.

The platter was passed, and everyone urged to dig deep. Announced place for Bill Hayes’ presentation downstairs in A.V. room. The meeting was adjourned.
Respectfully submitted,
Gola Smith Mooney, Sec./Treas.

Photograph captions:
“The Chapel after Sunday morning service.”
“Malcolm Arny, Birdena Bishop, Jane Bishop Hopgood”
“Dancing party at Laurel House — ‘Black Nag'”


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Pine Mountain Association of Alumni & Friends
PINE MOUNTAIN SETTLEMENT SCHOOL

Honorable Persons, Alumni and Friends of Pine Mountain:

When the King of Siam came to America for an eye operation some years ago, his American surgeon, accustomed to setting prices somewhat by ability to pay, couldn’t decide exactly how much to charge His Royal Highness…$1000 to be a good neighbor? Or $5000 to match his normal high fees? Or $10,000 to prove the operation worth the trip? After all, a king’s a king.

Some suggested that he check with the King’s New York lawyer, who ought to have some thoughts on the matter. So he did.

“No problem,” said the lawyer. “The King is an honorable man. Like you, he understands value. Simply send him an invoice with no amount indicated…then add a handwritten footnote:

“The Honorable King can do no wrong.”

He did. Back came a check for $75,000! The surgeon was overjoyed. He ordered two new Cadillacs and blew the rest on a 3-month trip around the world.

Upon arrival home, his pocketbook flattened, but happy and refreshed, he opened his mail. In it was a bill from the lawyer…with no amount indicated, but with a handwritten note:

“The Honorable Doctor can do no wrong.”

Now, obviously I have told you this story for a reason, not that very many of us deal with so many dollars, but most of us give away some of what we have. A gift to our Chapel Fund shows good judgment; it proves you care about what happens to a school that gave you a worthwhile and meaningful education, and declares your intention to share in its future. As we move from the first phase of concentrated work of restoring the Chapel, into our next endeavor in helping to renovate the rooms in Laurel House, making them into more attractive lodging for special donors and friends, we will need your help.

None of us can suggest a specific amount for you to give, but we know you are every bit as honorable as any Doctor or King.

“You can do no wrong.”

Your gift will give you a great feeling of being a part of our extraordinary efforts and, of course, is tax-deductible. Your contribution can be designated as a memorial or to honor someone you love or who has been an inspiration in your life. That name will be entered into our Memory Book in the Chapel, as a permanent record.

Your Honorable Friend,
[signed] August Angel, Treasurer
Pine Mountain Chapel Fund

PINE MOUNTAIN, KENTUCKY 40810
October 9, 1981


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“Oh, some handsome tales to tell…”
Hey there, Alumni and Friends of Pine Mountain School,

Wish all of you could have been at our Homecoming this year, to join with us in celebration of the most wonderful years of our lives. For those of you who didn’t make it I won’t be like the “gentleman who came to our house” in Aunt Sal‘s Song, because I have some “Handsome Tales to Tell” about what happened. Tales of joy…tales of disappointment …Handsome Tales.

Our best joy is to see everyone again and especially those who have come for the first time. Rebecca Harris Collett and husband Tommy, from Franklin, North Carolina, made it this year. Rebecca attended Pine Mountain in 1923, and lived at Far House. At that time girls lived upstairs and boys downstairs! Rebecca expressed that she felt she had come back home, that regardless of years passed she felt close to all alumni and friends. Mable Beeler Christen and husband came. What a delight to recall some nostalgic Pine Mountain years with her. Louise Flierman was there. Louise taught Home Economics in 1948. Can you believe that three members of the much traveled, famous Octet were together for the first time in forty years? They are something else…Fern Hall Hayes, Georgia Ayers Dodd, and Lela Christian Meador. Alta Collins Turner, husband Chad and granddaughter Kary came from Piqua, Ohio. A most joyous sight to behold was Birdena Bishop, stoic and lovely, surrounded and cared for by grandchildren Calli and Lawrence Hobgood, and Maria Bishop. Our VESPERS OF REMEMBRANCE, a special tribute and precious souvenir to keep forever, was filled with the beauty of music by Arthur Dodd and Burton Rogers and the spoken words by Geogia Dodd, Faye Trail and John Deaton, and Jane Bishop Hobgood. Sara Coleman Carr, what “Wondrous Love” has thee, and we join with Malcolm Arny in his hearty “Hallelujah” at your sweet singing of it and Clay Howard‘s stunning accompaniment during the Chapel Service…and “My, what a fine creek!”

Our biggest Tales of Disappointment are the ones about those who didn’t make it this year. Miss Grace Rood had planned to come, along with Charlsie Vaughn Stearly, but at the last minute her doctor ordered a change of plans. Miss Rood says that when she counts the number of years since so many of us graduated, she can’t believe she still knows us. Maude Holbrook had made a reservation and was to room with Lela. Maude later confessed that she really appreciated Lela making her bed, complete with bedspread and guess that she was short-sheeted in the bargain!

The truly Handsome Tales are about moonlight swims after the Dancing Party, sitting in the “catbird” seat of Jack Martin‘s luxurious van, spending part of a rainy afternoon (after cleaning up the Open House Lean-To) in cozy comfort with good friends, partaking of delicious refreshments in David Martin’s van. The most Handsome Tale of all is about Bill Tye, who is now Dr. George William Tye. George was the one who gave the Talk at Chapel on Sunday morning. He spoke about Mental Hygiene and how we are in control by being realistic, choosing the best alternatives open to us and accepting responsibilities. He closed with a heartfelt tribute to the staff at Pine Mountain while he was a student. A lot of Bill’s friends might remember that he was and still is, a long-winded type of fellow. His former roommates recall that at night they were afraid to even grunt, so as to discourage him from taking off on another long subject. So, he was allowed twenty minutes to give his talk and if he had exceeded that, the rest of us had made a secret pact to silently get up and file out!

Every year we say, “This has been the best Homecoming ever.” It certainly was true this year. You make it happen by coming next year. We’ll take john Deaton up on his offer right now by requesting him to sing “Precious Memories.”

With love, Mattie Ellen Ayers Hayes


Dear Alumni:

Those of you who did not get back to the Pine Mountain reunion missed some work, a lot of laughter, fun and nostalgia as well as good food, a jump in the pool and tears in memory of those who are no longer with us.

This was my first reunion and I will try to impart my feelings on coming back to the best place at the best time in our lives.

Paul and Ellen Hayes, Ruth Shuler Dieter and I worked two days in the chapel, cleaning, pulling ivy from the stone and getting the sneaky vines out of the inside, staining windows, cleaning lights and windows as well as messy tape that had held wedding bows to the church pews over periods of time. Paul got wasp stung and Ellen got yellow jacket…

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…bitten and they smothered the spots with rubbing alcohol and kept the work tools going. Ruth flew like Peter Pan every time one came near her. I think they were afraid I would bite them back.

The chapel is in a restored state of glory with the new roof, organ restored, new aisle mats and the beautiful new window over the altar. The case that holds the memory book, and dedicated to Glyn Morris last year is in a fitting place.

We had good companionship at mealtime and a sing fest of all the old favorite ballads at the lean-to across the creek above Laurel House. This is built facing the huge rock that formed a part of the wooden bridge which went into Open House. This Mrs. [Mary Rockwell Hook designed and kept for her own and has since burned. It was wonderful to hear and see those youths of long ago that have turned into adults, with young people of their own, singing the tunes of our past.

Most of us were housed in West Wind, a dormitory above Far House and where Pole House was at one time and here, as well as other places, including the basement Penthouse where Jane Bishop Hobgood resided, meetings were held to discuss further uses of Alumni Funds, Officers for the coming year and other businesses of importance.

The Saturday Program was well-thought out with time to visit the library, now housed in Boys House and the building (I should have my mouth taped) still smells like boys’ dirty feet to some of us. We had Ballad Singing, Bill Hayes gave a talk on his work with reclamation and showed pictures of modern coal mining procedures. Gift Shop was opened for those who wanted to see or buy mountain crafts. A very special Vespers of Remembrance was held in the Chapel for those with empty hearts and Jim Bishop, Luther Burkhart, Lilian Hendricks Holbrook, Lexine Baird, Jewell Weaver Phillips, who gave so much to making Pine Mountain a place to come “home to” once a year, were honored.

The 44 years fell away for me at the Folk Dancing where Jane taught new dances mixed with old and especially everyone’s favorite “Newcastle.” By the time we got to Alonzo Turner‘s calling the Kentucky Running Set, we were back in that corridor of the past through which reunions roam.

Stay happy and come early next year and I guarantee that “Crew Chief” Paul will find us all jobs that will make Laurel House glitter.
Lela Christian Meador


Those Who Came To Homecoming
August 8 and 9, 1981

Muriel Boggs Hoskins
Barbourville, KY

Vicella Hall (Mrs. Arny Hall)
Cumberland, KY

Robert G. Hall
Jeffersonville, IN

Mr. & Mrs. Ronald Henderson
Farmington, IL

Emma Lou Mullins
Partridge, KY

Jack & Mary Anne Martin
Melinda & John Martin
Beaumont, TX

Grace Tyree Brown
Lloyd Brown
Crown, KY

Mabel Mullins
Partridge, KY

Alta Collins & Chad Turner
Piqua, OH

Irene Lucas
Tazewell, TN

Lela Christian Meador
Woodlands, TX

John Lawson
Big Creek, KY

Cora Whitaker Maggard
Box 1044
Hazard, KY

Ellen & Paul Hayes
Bristol, TN

Evelyn Ayers & Jack Howard
Elizabeth & Clay Howard
Harlan, KY

Mildred Mahoney
Warsaw, IN

Mary and Burton Rogers
Pine Mountain, KY

George and Irene Tye
Brookfield, IL

William & Fern Hall Hayes
Viper, KY

Thomas & Frances Hall Muffo
Terre Haute, IN

Elmer Cecil
Hazard, KY

Birdena Bishop, Callie Hobgood
Jane & Lawrence Hobgood
Urbana, IL

Ila Boggs Turner
Big Laurel, KY

Mildred Faulkner Dawn
Bill Dawn
Knoxville, TN

Rebecca & Tommy Collett
Franklin, NC

Kory Miller
Piqua, OH

Hazel & Melanie Carter
Tazewell, TN

Betty Huff & Gordon Nichols
Goshen, NY

Patsy & David Martin
Modoc, IN

Carrie Day Maggard
Big Creek, KY

Carl & Ruth Whitehead
Raleigh, NC

Marie Bishop
San Diego, CA

Angela & Keith Morgan
Cold Springs, KY

Faye & John Deaton
Morristown, TN

Alvin Boggs
Pine Mountain, KY

Beulah R. Tye
Clinton, TN


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