The Shadow
CLIFTON FORGE — The 50th reunion of the Clifton Forge High School Class of 1969 was held Oct. 19, 2019, at the Clifton Forge Armory with 29 alumni, two faculty members and their guests in attendance.
On the evening prior to the reunion, classmates gathered at the home of Frankie Crabill Denton to reconnect.
This was a special beginning to a memorable weekend as some classmates had not seen each other since graduation.
On Saturday evening a social hour, catered dinner, cornhole tournament, baby photo contest and silent auction afforded those gathered for the reunion the opportunity to become reacquainted at the same venue in which they spent many high school hours at basketball games, school dances and proms.
It was especially noted that Clifton Forge High School, which was closed in 1983, is within sight of the armory
Catering was provided by Martha Crawford, chef and innkeeper of Historic Hillcrest Mansion Inn in Clifton Forge and the Master of Ceremonies for the evening was fellow alumnus Dave Warf.
Upon arrival, alumni and faculty were welcomed with name badges on which their senior high school yearbook photos had been placed and an engraved wine glass commemorating the occasion. Guests’ name badges depicted the Mountaineer mascot. Tables were decorated with a fall theme and programs for the evening were designed with the Mountaineer mascot on the cover.
Many door prizes from local merchants as well as the table centerpieces were awarded to guests by drawings held throughout the evening.
The evening began with recognition of the military veterans from the Class of 1969. Of the 29 classmates in attendance, six have honorably served their country.
Photos of classmates who are deceased were displayed.
Stephen Bryan was awarded an inscribed Little Brown Jug to recognize the distinction of being the first classmate to register for the reunion.
Patricia Hoke Hoover was the winner of the Baby Photo Contest and was awarded an inscribed Little Brown Jug for being the contestant to accurately label the most baby photos of classmates.
Michael and Karen Harth were the winners of the 50/50 drawing, receiving $120.
The cornhole tournament had 11 teams in competition for the top prize of an inscribed Little Brown Jug, a medal and a pouch containing gold coins. Second place winners received a medal and a pouch containing gold coins.
Competition was fierce with the team of Carl Furry and Cynthia Stinnett Amend emerging as the winners and the team of Sonny Carter and Deborah Lawler Cunningham finishing as runners-up.
The silent auction gave attendees the opportunity to bid on many items donated by local merchants. Of special note is that Allen Hickman, the oldest living Clifton Forge High School alumnus, generously donated an oil painting of the high school in memory of his son, Edward Hickman, who was a member of the Class of 1969.
Plans are currently being made for more social events that will keep the Class of 1969 in close touch with one another in the years ahead.
The class reunion planning committee members are Sharon Charlton Wrenn of Bedford, Mary Beth Hileman Butler of Midlothian, Pamela Kirts of Swoope, Marilyn Patterson Crowder of Covington, and Beverly Tucker MacLeod of Harrisonburg.———————————————————————————————————————————–The Clifton Forge High School Class of 1969 held their 50-year reunion Oct. 19 at the Clifton Forge Armory with 29 alumni, two faculty members and their guests in attendance. Front row from left: Connie Wilmer Lowman, Deborah Garrett Bush, Deborah Washington Gomes, Pamela Kirts, Madie Toliver Muschette, Cynthia Hartsook Cutshall, Deborah Lawler Cunningham, William Wade. Middle row: Robert Cade, Frankie Crabill Denton, Ann Grimm Martin, Christopher Valenzuela, Michael Harth, Marion Smith Cater, Mary Beth Hileman Butler, Betty Lou Carter Greenway. Back row: Elaine Peck Allen, Joseph Robert Van Pelt (honorary class member), Sharon Charlton Wrenn, Harry Pendleton Jr., Stephen Bryan, Cynthia Stinnett Amend, James Childs, Patricia Hoke Hoover, Beverly Tucker MacLeod, Marilyn Patterson Crowder, Oteria Wallace-Broady. Not pictured: Jo Beth Dellinger, Wanda Kay, Colin Ferguson (faculty), JoAnn Perkins (faculty), Carl Furry. (Photo Courtesy Sharon Charlton Wrenn)
