AHS Class of 1966 Raises Money for History

The Aberdeen High School Class of 1966 reunion was held over a week ago. The reunion, held at the Havre de Grace Elks Lodge, was a sellout with over 125 classmates, spouses and friends in attendance. 

The State of Mind Band http://stateofmindband.com/ volunteered their time and musicianship. The band kept the crowd on their feet and on the dance floor the entire night. The highlight of the night was the return of an AHS . Mildred “Jeanie” Shepherd, an Aberdeen High School Class of 1966 alum, was absolutely speechless when reunion committee chairperson Susan Gates Strock told the story and presented Jeanie her new-found ring.

The reunion doesn’t end there. On Monday afternoon the AHS Class of 1966 presented the Aberdeen Room Archives and Museum a check in the amount of $3,450.00! 

The money was raised from the proceeds of the raffle of the hand-sewn quilt made by Gates and Pat Elsner. Susan said the money represents many Tuesday nights at Festival Park selling raffle tickets to the folks listening to the free music.

Aberdeen Room founders, Bill and Charlotte Cronin, along with volunteer, Barbara Baker, accepted the large check on behalf of the Museum. All three were ecstatic over the generosity shown by Strock, Rebecca Ramsey Bane and the entire AHS Class of 1966.

Members of the State of Mind Band—Bill and Carol Sissom and Paul Ross—were also in attendance.

When asked what she had planned for this windfall, Charlotte was quick to point out that the newly-leased copier would see some of the money.  The $3,450.00 given to the Aberdeen Room represents about 43 percent of the annual budget needed to operate the repository of Aberdeen archives.

The approximately 15 unpaid volunteers are a dedicated group that works tirelessly to catalog, display and archive Aberdeen’s history.

Of course, everyone at the presentation wanted to know who won the quilt. Alex Lawrence, a 1966 alumni of AHS, was the lucky winner.  Susan had already shipped the prize to Alex in San Rafael, Calif., and the quilt is already proudly displayed in his home.

The Reunion Committee wants to thank their fellow classmates and the citizens of Aberdeen for their support. The Aberdeen High School Class of 1966 has not forgotten its roots. They continue to show how proud they are to be an Aberdeen High School Graduate.

About this column:

(Mark Schlottman writes Aberdeen Happenings, a weekly column. If you have an idea or would like to reach Mark send e-mail at aberdeenhappenings@comcast.net. And don’t forget to listen to Aberdeen Happenings every Monday morning at 8:05 a.m. on the NEW AM 970, WAMD. Mark interviews people of both local and national interest. You can call in and be part of the discussion at 410.306.6270.)