SHELBY — Shelby High School alumni from across the decades and the country will be gathering for three days of events when old acquaintances can be renewed and new bonds formed.
A person can register via www.shelbywhippetsalumni.org or by sending a check for $25 made payable to the SHS Alumni Association to Treasurer, SHS Alumni Association, 52 Pearl Dr., Shelby, OH 44875.
The first 400 to register for the big weekend will receive a free gift bag with a variety of items.
The weekend kicks off on Friday Oct. 4 with a free concert from 7 to 11 p.m. in the Black Fork Commons. It features the music of Kaptain Kurt (Barkdull).
At a beer garden, attendees can purchase craft beer made locally by Black Fork Brewing. As seats are limited, consider bringing a lawn chair. If inclement weather, it moves to Weber’s on Main Street.
That same night sees a Whippets’ home football game. Tickets can be purchased in advance — a week ahead of the game — at shelbyk12.org/tickets/ or at the gate with either cash or a credit card. Purchasing in advance can spare fans from standing in long lines at the gate.
Several activities set for Saturday, Oct. 5
On Saturday morning Oct. 5, there will be presentations on Shelby’s past at Black Fork Commons (if inclement weather at SHS). Presenting will be Christina Yetzer Drain ’75, Carrie Kemerer ’96 and Jake Penwell ’05.
Seating is limited, so attendees are advised to bring lawn chairs. Afterward, tours include the Shelby Bicycle Museums and the pre-K through 12 Shelby School campus, plus a reception Marvin Memorial Library.
On Saturday, starting at 4:30 p.m. in the SHS theater, will be the 20th annual SHS Hall of Distinction induction ceremony. The event is free and open to the public. Emcee will be John Gies ’84. Inductees include David Innis ’59, Gary Johnson ’71, Kevin Fitzpatrick ’73, Tim Tarvin ’77, Sally Biglin ’95, Kathryn Shaw Oriti ’02 and former band director Lisa Baker.
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Immediately after the Hall of Distinction ceremony — or about 6 p.m. — the Red & Gray Reception begins at the Kehoe Center.
The $25 registration covers the following; a Taste of Shelby with hors d’ oeuvres from local restaurants and bakeries including Parrot Head, Legends, Vault, Marigold Bakery, Pork U BBQs, Weber’s, Q Barbecue, On The Rocks Tapas, Life Is Sweet Cakery and East of Chicago Pizza.
A cash bar will be available for purchasing drinks. There will be music and dancing.
Also during the Red & Gray Reception, emcee Ed Gutchall ’83 will recognize former Pep Club members (encouraged to wear some red and gray), former cheerleaders (encouraged to wear some red and gray), former Buckeye Boys and Girls Staters, former Hall of Distinction inductees, former Homecoming Court members, former drum majors and majorettes and teachers/administrators/coaches/staff in attendance.
Plus, a trivia contest will test memories of Shelby and SHS.
Veterans to be honored Sunday, Oct. 6
On Sunday morning Oct. 6, starting at 11 a.m. in the SHS theater, a Memorial Service will remember deceased alumni from across the decades. In their memory, wreaths will be laid.
Laying wreaths will be former SHS teacher Anita Ream, John Terry ’67, Frank Damron ’62 with daughter Deanie Kehres ’87, Shelly Abrams ’69, Jo Ann Nelson ’82, Randy Broderick ’85, Monica Robinson ’89 and Derek Rose ’17. This service is free and open to the public.
The Memorial Service also will pay tribute to SHS alumni who have served in the military services. Veterans are encouraged to attend this special ceremony.
Greeting people at the theater entrance will be veterans Deanie Damron Kehres ’87, Dan ‘Doc’ Brown ’66 and Greg Perry ’66.
Emceeing will be veterans Mike Johnson ’63 and Gary Seals ’66, who co-founded the SHS Veterans Roll Call Memorial that was dedicated in 2014. Today it shows more than 1,600 veterans who are SHS graduates.
Ministers Joel Hunter ’66 and Mike Tarvin ’74 will preside. Shelby’s American Legion Post will provide a color guard, a bugler to play Taps and a rifle squad that will present a 21-gun salute. On exiting the theater, the color guard will move to the school’s rotunda for photos.
Following the service, veterans can be photographed at the Roll Call Memorial. Doing the photography will be Brooke Ridenour Alt ’13. There will be no charge.
Weekend activities close with a tour of the Shelby Museum from 2 to 4 p.m.