All-school reunion boasts special activities during Rustic Lore weekend
By Cara L. Dempski
GLENWOOD CITY — Hilltoppers of the world, unite!
This year’s Rustic Lore Days weekend is all about celebrating Toppers young and old with the theme “Hilltopper Celebration.” All-school reunion committee chairs Doug and Arlene Hill approached the Rustic Lore committee nearly two years ago according to Nancy Stack, a member of the Rustic Lore group.
“We chose the theme “Hilltopper Celebration” to coincide with the reunion,” Stack noted. “In addition to the regular scheduled events, there have been events added to the weekend to accommodate the returning alumni.”
Just how many people might show up for the reunion?
Well, Doug and Arlene Hill say the reunion committee mailed or emailed approximately 3,700 letters. Doug noted that the last gathering, held during the 1993 Rustic Lore weekend, more than doubled the number of celebrants who attended the three-day festival. He believes the same turnout is likely for this reunion.
The Hills and the all-school reunion committee were still working to nail down activity details and contact information last November for the several thousand graduates of Glenwood City High School.
Plans for a special alumni award for the classic car show, school tours, a reunion program and Main Street window displays of photographs, school uniforms, band instruments, and other district memorabilia have grown to include multiple different events for both Rustic Lore and reunion attendees.
Nancy Graese has been in charge of collecting items for the storefront displays, and has already put together several windows of Hilltopper history.
Doug Hill indicated all the event details seem to have fallen into place.
“Most things will take place on Saturday,” Hill said. “Some classes are having individual events Friday night or on Sunday, but most of the main reunion events are Saturday.”
The Holy Cross Lutheran Church youth group will serve a pancake breakfast at the community center from 7 a.m. until 10 a.m. Saturday morning. The Rods and Rides Car Show opens at 9 a.m. Saturday and will feature a special award for the best car presented by a Glenwood City alumni. Hilltopper graduates with classic cars are also invited to participate in the parade Sunday afternoon.
According to the Hills, there will be several local groups present at the school to provide information about the community and Topper Foundation.
The all-school reunion committee is hosting tours of the school from noon until 4 p.m. Saturday, with a short program of speeches, stories, and music in the gymnasium at 3 p.m. The Miss Glenwood City committee will hold a reunion reception in the school commons for all past royalty. Here is a complete agenda of the program:
GLENWOOD CITY ALL SCHOOL REUNION PROGRAM
3:00 – 4:00 Glenwood City High School Gymnasium
Welcome – Doug Hill, Class of 1965
School Song, “Glenwood High School”
“History of Glenwood City & Downing Schools” – Roger Lindelof Retired GCHS Social Studies Teacher
“Glenwood City Education Today” – Tim Johnson, Glenwood City Superintendent of Schools
“God Bless America”
“Did You Know?” – Nancy Draxler Graese, Class of 1969
Closing – Doug Hill
Three musical groups comprised of Glenwood City graduates will provide entertainment over the course of the weekend. The DJ entertainers under the main tent Friday night will be provided by Jim Graese and Elliott Weeks, also known as “Just Those Guys.”
Musical group “The Weekenders,” comprised of Kevin Weeks, Tom Stack, Dave Frieburg, John Lindelof, Derek Tuttle, Justin Frieberg and Rocky Kaiser, will hit the tent at 3 p.m. Saturday before fellow GC alumni Matt Main, Jeremy Drinkman, Chris Main, Philip Mounce, Jerid Stoner and Ben Haefner take the stage as the band “Section 8” at 8 p.m.
There is even a school district connection for this year’s Rustic Lore grand marshals. Edwin “Eddy” and Ardyce “Ardy” James attended Glenwood City schools, are lifelong residents of Glenwood City, and their children were raised in and graduated from Glenwood City. Ed served for 30 years on the local school board, 11 of which were spent as president.
Stack said the Rustic Lore committee is anticipating high attendance with the all-school reunion participants and many Hilltopper alumni returning “home” for the weekend.
Anyone with questions about the all-school reunion can contact Doug and Arlene Hill at 715-781-2705. Those with school memorabilia to share for the weekend can reach Nancy Graese at 715-668-9979 or ngraese@yahoo.com.
