Cotter High School alumni hold annual gathering

GREAT-GRANDDAUGHTER

Wayne and Debbie Lowe of Columbus Jct., IA joyfully announce the birth of their first great-grandchild, Stella Sue, born June 8, 2025 to Sam and Kaelyn Burke of St. Paul, MN. She weighed 8 lbs. 3 oz. and was 20.5 inches long. Kaelyn is the daughter of Lance and Karen (Lowe) Brisky of Lodi, WI and granddaughter of Wayne and Debbie.

LOWE FAMILY REUNION

Descendants of Clarence and Nina Lowe met at the United Church of Crawfordsville for their annual reunion on Sunday, June 8, 2023.

Attending were Robin and Bob Lamb of Washington, IA., Lorna McCoy and Mary Jo Fabian, both of Iowa City, IA., Larry and Donna Fletcher of Crawfordsville, IA., Mick and Kathy Garris of Winfield, IA., Pam and Steve Green of Washington, IA., Adrian Brisky and Kayla Klobucnik of Crawfordsville, IA. and Wayne and Debbie Lowe (hosts) of Columbus Jct., IA.

ALUMNI GATHERING COTTER HIGH SCHOOL

Twenty-nine Cotter High School Alumni and guests were in attendance for their annual gathering on Friday, June 13, 2025 at 11:50 a.m. at the Pizza Ranch in Washington, IA for lunch and a time of reminiscing.

Ivan Arthur, whose father, Kenneth Arthur, member of the 1937 graduating class of Cotter High School welcomed those present.

Highlights of memories of extended families spanning four-five generations were shared. The word Cotter evokes a feeling of magic and nostalgia for many. For some, it was the learning, working and playing together for twelve years and for others, seeing their children and the children of their friends attend grade school there after the Cotter High School moved to Columbus Community Schools in 1957.

Classes often encompassed two grades, utilizing a handful of teachers for a variety of subjects in a single day. Drama was learned as everyone participated in the Junior and Senior class plays, often borrowing underclassmen to fill roles. Writing skills were manifested through the school newspaper, the Kotter Key and the Blue and Gold publications.

Seasonal sports included baseball, softball and basketball throughout the history of the Consolidated School for both boys and girls. Ivan passed out information that covered interesting facts about all the sports.

The first school in the Cotter vicinity was established in the years 1869 and 1870. On the 25th of June 1919 1/3 of eligible voters voted in the affirmative and on Oct. 23 the final vote was cast. The Cotter school was consolidated in 1920, taking in five country districts: Yankeetown, Lincoln, Edwards, Dutch Ridge and Cotter School. The construction of the new Cotter school building began in the spring of 1919 and finished in the fall of 2020. Kindergarten started in 1940.

The community support and spirit made Cotter great, leaving a lasting bond between all who went to the Cotter Consolidated School.

Several present shared memories of their time at Cotter school. Teresa Fuller Beukenhorst, class of 1977 of Columbus High School and daughter of Richard (who attended Cotter School) and Cleo Van Auken Fuller told of her grandparents, Ward and Mae Fuller, who lived in Cotter and drove school buses and of how many businesses were in the little town. She also brought with her a bell and a clock that had been in the Cotter building. One told of talking recently to Tom Paulding and his sister, Barb Paulding Moody and sharing stories of when their father, James Paulding was Superintendent of Cotter.

This was the 101st anniversary of the first graduating class of 1924. The oldest alumni present was Frances Owen Batteson, class of 1950. The last class of 1957 to graduate from Cotter was represented by Sharon Peters Mapel, Janet Thomas Pretz and Keith Murphy. There are 24 remaining graduates and 10 were present to be photographed for a local newspaper.

I have had the privilege of attending the last several gatherings, courtesy of a dear friend, Raymond Hendrickson, Cotter graduate with the class of 1947, who was unable to be present due to health issues at this reunion.

CRAWFORDSVILLE ALUMNI MEETING

The Crawfordsville High School Alumni met Saturday, June 14, 2025 at 11:30 at the Pizza Ranch in Washington, IA. The theme this year was "It Is Time," as it being the 100th anniversary of the first banquet and the last one to be held.

Geri Chalupa Farrier, class of 1959 welcomed those in attendance and asked those in attendance to stand for the Pledge of Allegiance and then led the group in prayer.

Donna Fletcher was asked to read the minutes of the 2024 meeting written by Ruth Davis Erwin. A motion was made to accept the minutes. The treasurer's report was then given and accepted.

Known deaths reported in the past year were Phyllis Lowe Eisele, class of 1956, Lucille Gault Humphreys, class of 1949 and Joyc Huff Suter, class of 1953.

Looking through past reports, Geri reported five graduates had perfect attendance: Henry Davis, Cleo McCoy, Kenny and Viola Beenblossom and Pat Fisher Owens. It was noted that Phyllis Lowe Eisele kept track of the births, marriages and deaths and chaired the alumni for many years. Ruth Davis Erwin, Pat Fisher Owens and her husband, Daryl, Larry and Donna Fletcher, Carl and Martha Chalupa and Geri Chalupa Farrier, names also appeared on various committees throughout the years. There were seven in attendance that attended CHS from Kindergarten (or first grade, as they didn't always have kindergarten) and graduated. They are: Ruth Davis Erwin, Carol Thomas Hawkins, Mary Lowe Fabian, Carolyn Conrad Westen, Jerry Mitchell, Dave Henderson and Larry Fletcher.

Geri read the poem she had written to the tune of a Kenny Rogers song and Shari Hamil Frantz then led the group with the Crawfordsville Fight Song and Cheer.

After discussion, Larry Fletcher made the motion that this be the last CHS Banquet and the remainder of the funds in the treasury be presented to the WACO Elementary School in Crawfordsville to purchase books and other projects as needed. This motion was seconded.

There were thirty-one in attendance. This included 17 alumni, six who had attended Crawfordsville school and eight spouses present.

Attending were: Gerry Chalupa Farrier, Carl and Martha Chalupa, Larry and Donna Fletcher, Pauline Groscup Brown and husband, LeRoy, Doug and Annette Chalupa, Kenny Thomas, Jon and Kathy Coakley, Jerry Beachamp, Wayne and Debbie Lowe, Beth Wells, Louise and Ron Schmitz, Shari Franz, Jerry and Patti Mitchell, Mary Lowe Fabian, Allaire Davis George, Jerry Owen, Ed Chalupa, Carol Thomas Hawkins, Ruth Davis Erwin, Elaine Paisley Young, Carolyn Conrad Westen, Dave Henderson and Ken Lee.