Ninety-nine in attendance at ESGHS reunion

June 16, 2021

BY MARY LOU BUSH

APPALACHIA NEWS • 565-1386

East Stone Gap Reunion

The East Stone Gap High School (ESGHS) held their 96th annual alumni gathering Saturday evening, June 12th at the Taylor-Lewis Center in East Stone Gap, not far from the original school site.

Ninety-nine students/graduates including spouses or guests were in attendance.

A delicious meal was catered by the Union Bear football team mothers and served by members of the team and coaching staff.

The program highlighted each meeting in the “In Memoriam” remembering the classmates who have passed since the last meeting in 2019. Twenty eight candles were lit by Jerry Fraley, class of 1958, for each name announced by Bruce Robinette, class of 1957.
In addition, school family patrons who made outstanding contributions to the National Military Cause beginning with World War II, Korea, Vietnam era were honorable mentioned.
Six students dropped out of school in 1943 to join the WWII effort. Two reenrolled after discharge to graduate in 1947.

The Pete Tate family of Cracker’s Neck provided five sons during WWII.

The David Dickenson family of Cracker’s Neck had two sons who were prisoners of war, one in WWII and one in Korea.

The Hiram Minor family of Back Valley had seven sons to serve, all volunteering. Two in WWII, two in Korea and three in Vietnam. The four surviving Minor brothers, Kyle, Harlis, Luther and Fred were present and recognized.

The next gathering will be June 11, 2022. We are grateful for Bruce Robinette’s sharing this yearly event’s information.

Macedonia Baptist Church

Macedonia Baptist Church on Brown Street in Appalachia will have their first Sunday morning service since the Covid-19 problem on July 4th.

Carolyn Smith, Pastor and lots of her congregation have been busy making sure the building and the grounds are ready for the great day. Everyone is welcome.

Father’s Day

Sunday, June 20 is a date set to honor our fathers. The nations first Father’s Day was celebrated in June 19, 1910 in the state of Washington. However, it was not until 1972, 58 years after President Woodrow Wilson made Mother’s Day official, that the day honoring fathers became a nationwide holiday in the United States. No matter what our age, we all have memories of our father. If they are no longer with us it does not mean they are forgotten. We still have our memories. Happy Father’s Day to all our fathers.

Summer Begins

Sunday, June 20 is the first day of summer. “The heat is on!”

Condolences

Brian Kelly Hall, 52 years old, passed away on June 8, 2021 following a lengthly illness. Kelly was a graduate of Appalachia High School Class of 1988. He was preceded in death by his father, J.D. Hall. He is survived by his mother, Becky L. Hall of the home, brother, Craig and wife Kristie Hall of Big Stone Gap. We send our condolences to the Hall family.

Finished Rehab

Mike Ben Ford has finished his rehab at Heritage Hall and is at home with his wife, Una Faye and doing vey well. Mike is another victim of the Covid-19 last year and has been through a lot of setbacks. Remember him in your prayers.

Birthday Celebrations

June 18th our friends Charlotte B. Green is celebrating a birthday. 77 years she will be celebrating this year. We wish you a blessed happy birthday.

We celebrated our grandson, Connor Bush’s 17th birthday last Sunday, June 13. It still seems like he should be a little boy. I guess my mind is locked into the days I kept him from birth till he started school. Those were the good days. He has been a jewel to us.

June 14th Herbert Williams in Appalachia celebrated his birthday. Happy Birthday!

Tomato Plants Doing Well

We have three tomato plants in our back yard and they have lots of green tomatoes and plenty of blossoms also. Looks like we will have tomatoes and cucumbers this year.

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