Greetings to Thorp Alumni

The Thorp Courier (Thorp, WI)
March 24, 2010
Transcribed by Dolores Mohr Kenyon

In the February 10, 2010, issue of The Thorp Courier, there was a picture of Evelyn Glasshof Ricksham, a 1928 Thorp High School graduate, who turned 100 years old on February 6, 2010. Evelyn was valedictorian of that 1928 class.
 
Evelyn’s three brothers also graduated from Thorp High School: William “Bill” Glasshof ’41, John “Jack” Glasshof ’47, and Gerald “Jug” Glasshof ’48.
 
For those of us fortunate enough to have attended the 1998 Thorp Alumni Reunion, Evelyn Glasshof Ricksham was one of the two featured speakers.  The other speaker was her ’28 classmate, Tom Tobola, salutatorian and former Mayor of Thorp.  At the time, both were 88 years old and made terrific presentations.  Though Evelyn is now the last living member of the 1928 graduating class, there actually were five members of that class at the ’98 alumni reunion.
 
In her talk, Evelyn reminisced about school in 1927-28. She felt her class graduated from the nicest school in the whole country.  She mentioned how their mathematics teacher, Isabell Parent, organized girls’ basketball.  They didn’t play other schools so they divided 24 girls into 3 teams.  She said the team she belonged to was named the Sharpshooters.  “We deserved that name because in 1928 we were the champions.”
 
Evelyn was so proud of THS’s Music department, directed by Erling Frostead.  Besides the mixed chorus, they had a boys’ quartet, a girls’ sextet, a girls’ glee club, solos, duets, etc.  “We had a great time with this music department and that was a lot of fun.”
 
She also spoke of walking a mile and a half to and from school each day.  They didn’t have busing back then.
 
She ended her talk with the following advice she received from her boss one year:

• Take time to work; it’s the price of success.
• Take time to listen and to think; it’s the source of power.
• Take time to play; it is the secret of youth.
• Take time to read; it’s the foundation of knowledge.
• Take time to workshop; it is the highway of reverence and washes out the dust of earth from one’s eyes.
• Take time to help and enjoy friends; it’s the source of happiness.
• Take time to love; it is the one safe sacrament of life.
• Take time to dream; it hitches the soul to the stars.
• Take time to Laugh; it is the singing that helps with life’s loss.
  (And number ten I like the best)
• Take time to plan; it’s a secret of being able to do all those nine things I mentioned.

Best wishes, Evelyn, from the Thorp Alumni

Dr. George Bogumill’s New Book

Following the 2009 Thorp Alumni Reunion, Dr. George Bogumill ’47 said he had written a book that he wanted to donate to the Thorp Alumni memorabilia collection …………. THE LIFE AND TIMES OF GEORGE PIERCE BOGUMILL ……. Memories of His First 80 years.
 
This book will be on display at the 2010 Thorp Alumni Reunion.  It is a wonderful book that includes his bringing up in Thorp, his elementary and high school days in Thorp, memories of his family, and many other Thorp memories.  Many Thorpites will relate to George’s memories and stories.
 
Excerpts from George’s book will be included in the next Thorp Alumni column.

2010 ALL- THORP ALUMNI REUNION

All Thorp Alumni will soon be receiving the invitation letter and reservation form to the 2010 Throp Alumni Reunion. Reunion weekend is Friday, July 2nd thru Sunday, July 4th.  Other specific information will be included with the letter/reservation form.
 
Some notes about this year’s reunion:
 
The class of 1960 will be celebrating their 50th class reunion this year.  On Friday, July 2nd, the ’60 graduates will celebrate with a dinner at the Legion Hall in Throp.  Tom Grendzinski’ 60, has invited all Throp alumni to join their class following dinner – after 7:30 that evening. Their class reunion celebration will continue on Saturday, July 3rd, at the Alumni Dinner at Thorp High School.  At this point, the class of 1950 (60 years) and the class of 1955 (55 years) have indicated that they will celebrate their reunions at the Alumni Dinner as well.
 

2010 THORP ALUMNI DIRECTORY

The new 2010 Thorp Alumni Directory is being published and will be ready by the Thorp Alumni Reunion weekend, July 2nd – 4th.  There will be a line on the alumni reservation form to order your directory.  Ken Maier, Class of ’61, of Green Bay has volunteered to keep track of Thorp Alumni email addresses.  You can send Ken your e-mail address or any changes in your email address at klm316@sbcglobal.net
 
Contact TAA at P. O. Box 75, Thorp, WI 54771, or email at thorpalumni@gmail.com.