The Bowling Green High School Class of 1954 held their 55-year reunion Sept. 11-13, during the Black
Swamp Festival.
On Friday evening there was a gathering at the Cla-Zel Theater with hors d’oeuvres and the showing of
"Leaving On a High Note" on the high school/junior high, 1928-2009.
Many also enjoyed downtown activities over the weekend and a presentation by a ranger from the Wood
County Park District at the Zimmerman School on Saturday afternoon.
The group held a buffet dinner at the Bowling Green Country Club on Saturday evening. All were greeted by
Bobby Bobcat at the entrance, along with Pat Canfield Koehler, Sharon Gilleskpie, Earl "Bud"
Campbell and Jack Whittaker.
Tables were decorated with bud vases holding red and white carnations with paw print red ribbons. These
were given to a classmate at each table at the end of the evening.
Each classmate also received a "Leaving On a High Note" coffee cup filled with red and grey
M&M’s and printed with "BGHS ’54." plus a 55-year directory.
Gerrie Welch Cole welcomed everyone and thanked the planning committee: Shirley Potter Sheldrick,
Whittaker, Koehler, Gillespie, Marlene Slee Rose, Campbell, Freda Yarger Ramos, Don Charlton and Phyllis
Dauterman Coyer.
Roy Josephsen, husband of graduate Nancy Valentine Josephsen, gave the invocation.
Following dinner a short business meeting was conducted. It was decided a 57th reunion will be held in
2011 at the same time as the Black Swamp Festival. The class also thanked the committee for making this
one of the best reunions.
Nick Sofios, a retired professor of sociology at the University of Rhode Island, gave a humorous
chronicle of his attending the BG grade schools through high school.
A silent auction was held for gift baskets and framed pictures.
A Sunday morning breakfast was held at the country club, where prayer and remembrance of deceased
classmates was given by Harold Bates.
Other graduates attending one or more of these gatherings were Colinne Anderson McEowen, Carol Armstrong
Hatch, Wilbur Bankey Jr., Katie Bateson Boltz, Ted Berlin, Larry Book, Lou Ann Bowerman MacDonald,
Garold Bradley, Eileen Canterbury Avery, Jim Canterbury, Kay Ann Clingo Williamson.
Millie Cookson Kronberg, Dan Hadley, Barbara Hagemeyer Barnes, Carol Hepfinger Davis, Jim Johnson, La
Vera Johnson Nagle. Marge King Bottorff, Marilyn Kreischer Ballard, Jack Lambert, Dick Lindemeyer, Ed
Lockmiller, Jan Martin Smith, Tom Mitchell, Virginia Panning Secrist, Jim Rice, Larry Rittenhouse and
Ron Waltz.
Several family members were also present.
Graduates traveled from Arizona, Maine, Missouri, Florida, North Carolina, Rhode Island, South Car-olina,
Michigan and many parts of Ohio.
