Bedford Alumni Association Announcements and Current News

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March 2012

 

 

Click on the photo at the left to view the video of the "My Town" segment that featured Alumni Association President Chuck Faller.
It was broadcast March 14, 2012 on Fox 36 Toledo.

 

 

 

The 3rd Annual Bedford High School Southwest Reunion

The 3rd annual Southwest Reunion will take place on Friday, May 4th at the Holiday Inn located in Fountain Hills Arizona. (Fountain Hills is located 26 miles from the Phoenix International Airport). It will start at 6:00 p.m. in a room called the "Library". Snacks will be provided by the hotel. You also will be able to order dinner items from their restaurant menu. There will be a cash bar. If you plan to attend the reunion, please RSVP with Diane (Vogeli) Tagg ‘64 by April 15 th. Here is her contact info:

E-Mail: dianetwocu@aol.com
Phone: 480-235-7333
Address: 15910 E. Venetian Lane Fountain Hills, AZ 85268

All Bedford High School Alumni and friends are welcome to attend.

Hotel Info with special rates:

Holiday Inn - Fountain Hills, AZ. Phone: 480-837-6565. Code for room reservation is BHS 64.
Sleeping rooms would run about $69 plus tax. The hotel is located right across the street from the famous Fountain in Fountain Park.

Radisson Fort McDowell - This is a four star resort and casino.
Golf course, spa, gambling and a cowboy cookout type adventure called Fort McDowell Adventures. There are several things to choose from at Fort McDowell Adventures - such as: City Slicker Cattle Drive, Kayaking the Verde River Verde River Trail Ride, Jeep Tour Yavapai Nation, etc.
ROOM RATES: $139.00 per night plus tax. The code for booking these rooms at $139.00 is BHS 64.
Phone: 480-789-5300

Comfort Inn By Choice Hotels - Fountain Hills, AZ .Phone: 1-800-228-5150. Code to get the $62.00 plus tax rate is: BHS64.

 

Click on the links below for other Hotels and Resorts in the area:

Talking Stick Resort:
List of Hotels in the Scottsdale area
List of Hotels in the Fountain Hills area

 

Golf Courses within a 3-5 radius of Fountain Hills:

Desert Canyon Golf Club 480-837-1173 (in Fountain Hills)
Golf Club At Eagle Mountain 480-816-1234(in Fountain Hills)
Sunridge Canyon Golf Club 480-837-5100 (in Fountain Hills)

 

Places to Visit:

Saturday, May 5th we would like to car-pool and offer a trip to Sedona. (Approximately 125 miles from Fountain Hills). A few BHS grads who live in the area have offered to share rides along with those who will have rental cars. We can drive there and stay overnight, or just drive there and also see Jerome while there and come back to our hotels that same day. We would also see Oak Creek Canyon. Pink Jeep rides are offered. They are expensive, but well worth the price. Visit: Pink Jeep Rides in Sedona, Arizona for more info. Please contact Diane (Vogeli) Tagg if you are interested. Her contact info is listed above.

Click on the links below for other places to visit:

Arizona Tourism Bureau
Grand Canyon (230 miles from Fountain Hills)
Tombstone Arizona (200 miles from Fountain Hills)

 

 

 

Monthly lunch get together for all Bedford High School Alumni and Friends

March 14, 2012: BHS Alumni Family & Friends Luncheon at AJ’s Doolittles. This event is normally held on the first Wednesday of the month at noon. All BHS alumni and friends are welcome to attend. For more details, click on the photo at the left.

 

 

The 29th Annual BBA (Bedford Business Association) Trade Fair

March 17 & 18, 2012: BBA Trade Fair: The Bedford BBA Trade fair will be held on Saturday, March 17th and Sunday March1 8th at Bedford High School. Please stop by the Bedford High School Alumni Association booth (# 464 in the new gym) and say "Hi" and see what's new with YOUR Alumni Association. Click here to view a map showing the locations of all booths at the Trade Fair. Listed below are recent newspaper articles which give details and schedules concerning the 2012 Trade Fair:

Bedford Now March 10, 2011: "Annual trade fair once again ready to open its doors"

 

January 2012

 

Click on the graphic to view the final plans for the 2012 Bedford Alumni 11th Annual Florida Reunion on March 10, 2012

 

 

Photos from the 2012 BHS Alumni Florida Reunion

 

Click here to view the video taken by that was taken by Mary Groves Snyder at the 2012 BHS Florida Reunion.

 

Howard Hale: Bedford Teacher & Coach

 

August 2011

Click on the graphic to read the newspaper article concerning Bedford quarterback Aaron Czesak tieing the record by '52 grad Tom Gannon for the longest run from scrimmage. Additional information was also submitted by '51 BHS grad Jerry Kish (a teammate of Tom Gannon) concerning Tom Gannon's record.

 

 

 

April 2011

Combined Class Reunion – BHS Class of 1976 and 1977

The Class of ’77 reunion will take place one year early. They will be celebrating with the Class of 1976.

It will take place at Connie's Celebration-6195 Lewis Ave. Toledo, OH 43612 on Saturday, July 30 th (7pm).

An informal gathering will be at Sidelines-8116 Secor Road, Lambertville, MI 48144 on Friday, July 29 th (7pm).

Additional information on the weekend events may be found in future emails, Facebook, newspapers and on the following web sites:

Classmates: www.classmates.com

Bedford Yes: www.bedfordyes.com (Alumni Association Announcement Page and Class Notes Page)

Bedford Public Schools web site: www.bedford.k12.mi.us (Alumni Association - Class Information Page)

We are attempting to go paperless this year.
Please send your snail mail, email and phone number(s) to:

Class of 1977: Vicki (Striggow) Salisbury- medrdvsal@aol.com
(H)517-467-7408 and (C)734-652-0415

Class of 1976: Scott Striggow- scott.striggow@gmail.com
(H)419-293-7008 and (C)763-286-4821.

Bedford High School On Line Community

We would also like to ask you to take a few minutes to up-date your records on the Bedford High School On Line Community. If you have not registered yet, please do so. There is no cost to register and up-date your information. Just follow this link to up-date your records: http://www.graduateconnections.com/bedfordhs/ This will be a great assistance to those alumni who would like to contact you. Up to date records are also very important when your class is planning a reunion and will assist Your Alumni Association to keep you informed.

 

March 2011

BHS Southwest Reunion March 19, 2011 in Fountain Hills, Arizona

Back Row: L to R: Margie Freeman, Linda Stock, Linda Balk, Donna Hiller (Rife) '64, Dave Walentowski '63, Cal Wieringa, Diane Tagg (Vogeli), Janice Bates (Betcher) '67, Jim Bates. Front Row: L to R: Don Freeman '64, Jim Balk '64, Gene Stock '64, Linda Wieringa (Lenardson) '65, Nancy Davis (Betcher) Barb Hampton (Bowers) '64 also attended but was not available for the photo.

Plans are in the works for next year’s reunion which will be held in March or April. Final plans will be posted by January 1, 2012. There are some great places to host the event in the Phoenix area. One suggestion has been to schedule it at the “Talking Stick Casino & Resort ” in Scottsdale. Alumni who attend can make it a vacation trip as there is much to see and do in the Phoenix area: (click on any of the links below for more info)

Grand Canyon
Major League Baseball Spring Training Games
Sedona
Tucson
Flagstaff
Golf Courses in Arizona
O.K. Corral at Tombstone
Winslow (the site of the only Meteor Crater in the United States)

Arizona Tourism and Travel Web Site

If you have some ideas or would like to be put on our contact list for the 2012 Southwest Reunion please contact us:

Gene Stock: stocksportsinc@yahoo.com
Diane Tagg (Vogeli) dianetwocu@aol.com

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Bedford Alumni Southwest Reunion March 19, 2011
Click here to view and print an information form.

 

 

 

Click here to read the Bedford Board of Education Resolution for the stadium loan and the current payment schedule as of October 2010

 

February 2011

 

 

Bedford Alumni Florida Reunion March 12, 2011
Click here to view and print a reservation form.

 

 

 

January 2011

Casino Trip / Dinner Fundraiser

To reduce the debt of the Bedford Community Stadium

 Saturday February 26 th, 2011

$40.00 per person gets you door to door bus service from Doolittle’s to the Motor City Casino

Any sandwich and fries at Doolittle’s (soft drink or coffee included) when we return.

And $20.00 in casino cash to use for gambling at the casino.

The bus leaves Doolittle’s at 12:00 Noon, arriving at the Motor City around 1:00 PM. We will leave the casino at 6PM, and return to Doolittle’s around 7PM for a bite to eat and an evening of camaraderie.

Please sign up and make your check payable to the Bedford High School Alumni Association no later than February 24 th. As we are a Federally Recognized 501 C-3 charitable organization, your donation may be tax deductible. You may sign up and pay at Doolittle’s, or you can mail to or drop it off at the Bedford Public Schools Administration Building, 1623 W. Sterns Rd. Temperance Michigan 48182. Please indicate on the envelope Alumni Association Fundraiser.

Questions? Call Chuck Faller at 419-290-6382
                          Brad Jennings at 419-283-6630

 

Alumni Association receives generous donation from Doolittle’s

Arnie and Brad Jennings, owners of AJ’s Doolittle’s in Lambertville recently presented Chuck Faller, president, and Laura Collins, treasurer, of the Bedford Alumni Association a check for $500. Doolittle’s held a fundraising event on November 18 where they offered customers some outstanding specials and then donated a percentage of their profits to the Alumni Association. “They also had some 50/50 drawings on different nights,” Collins said. Money donated to the Alumni Association from the fundraiser will be used to help Alumni Association receives generous donation from Doolittle’s pay down the debt owed on the Bedford Community Stadium.

According to Collins, over the years their $1 million dollar loan has been reduced to $280,000. No tax dollars were used to fund the construction of the stadium. “Arnie and Brad Jennings reached out to help the Alumni Association,” Faller said. They contacted me through a friend and told me that they would really like to help us get the stadium paid for. We put our heads together on the fundraiser and it was a win/win for both the Association and for Doolittle’s.” “The Alumni Association is very grateful to Arnie and Brad for helping in our endeavor to pay the football stadium off,” Collins said.

Faller said, “Most people and businesses have been great about working with us when we ask, but this is the first time that someone approached us and said, ‘how can we help.’ ” He added, “When everyone works together great things can happen and I am really grateful to Doolittle’s for their willingness to get on board with the Alumni Association.”

Be sure to watch for future Alumni Association advertising. Faller said that another fundraiser/ party is planned for mid to late February and for those who participate it will be a great time and awesome value!

~ REPRINTED FROM THE JANUARY 10-23, 2011 ISSUE OF THE BEDFORD PRESS ~
By Jackie Giroux Reporter

 

November 2010

 

 

 

 

Legendary Bedford coach Bill Early passed away on October 27, 2010. Click here to read his obituary and to see photos of him while at Bedford.

 

 

 

 

 

Bedford Football History from the past. With the success of the Mule football team the past few years under Coach Jeff Wood, many people have asked “how does this year’s team compare to other teams over the years”? Click on the graphic at the left to view a photo and a newspaper article about the teams coached by legendary coach Bill Early in the 40’s & 50’s. Coach Early passed away a couple of weeks ago but his legacy lives on! Coach Jeff Wood and the Bedford football program have made history and have brought back excitement to the Mule Nation.

 

 

 

 

The Bedford High School Alumni Association
Alumni and Friends Day
at
A.J’S Doolittle’s!

On Thursday November 18 th, Doolittle’s will be offering some outstanding specials from 4-9PM with a portion of the proceeds to benefit the Alumni Association. You must bring in a copy of the advertisement discount coupon in order to get the special prices for up to 4 people. (Click here to print a copy of the discount coupon)

One Half rack of ribs, includes soup or salad and choice
of potato for $8.99. They are also offering 20% off any regular
menu item. There will also be specials on some of your
favorite beverages, making this one heck of a deal.

Come on out November 18 th and have a great deal on a great meal and support the Bedford High School Alumni Association. It’s a WIN-WIN for everyone!

 

School Bus Safety Mirror Video

Click here to view a video concerning Reid Stout who was the inventor of the school bus safety mirror.

Click here to view a video of the dedication of the historical marker at Ole Schoolhouse Commons to honor Reid Stout, a Bedford educator who invented the school bus safety mirror.

It's an innovation that is credited with keeping millions of children safe everyday. In 1948 in Center Line, Michigan, a little girl was crushed by a school bus. The terrible accident was fresh in the mind of educator Reid Stout as he drove his school bus to drop off students from Bedford Rural Agricultural School.

A little girl named Susan Hetzel got out of the bus and dropped her books in front of the front wheel. Stout couldn't see Susan Hetzel but remembered the death in Center Line. So, he put the emergency brake on the bus and got out and looked and there was little Suzy Hetzel standing there, picking up her books and things. It haunted Reid Stout that he could have run over a student. The story goes he couldn't sleep for days and days.

After some trial and error, Stout came up with the idea to mount an arm and a convex mirror to the bus. What he invented gave a bus driver eyes where he never had them before. It was an innovation and Bedford school busses became the first to use mirrors. Soon districts across Michigan, Ohio and the country clammered to add the mirrors to their busses.

Stout served the district as educator but he served the country through his invention of the convex safety mirror. Stout died in 1986 but two former students are set to honor stout with the first Bedford history monument. It's because of Jerry Kish and Norbert Able that Stout's story will be remembered. They think every mom who greets her child after school owes a thank you to Reid Stout and the safety mirror he pioneered.

 

 

June 2010

The Bedford High School Alumni Association is proud to announce the 2010 Hall of Fame Inductees.  The following is a very brief biography of each inductee. They will be inducted into the BHS Alumni Association Hall of Fame on Saturday, October 23, 2010. They will also be honored at the half-time of the Bedford High School football game on Friday, October 22, 2010.

TEAM

The 1975-76 Bedford High School State Champion Wrestling Team: This was the first state championship for Bedford in any sport. They set the standard for future Bedford wrestling teams. They were coached by legendary coach Bill Regnier.

 

INDIVIDUALS

Richard (Dick) Harley: Outstanding Bedford High School Teacher from 1973-2009. According to many Bedford graduates he epitomizes an exceptional teacher at Bedford High School. He taught the advanced math and science courses.

Doug Harper: Outstanding Athlete (Wrestling) – 1985 BHS graduate. He was Bedford’s first three-time state place-winner in any sport. 1984 state champion at 98 pounds (50-0). 1985 state champion at 103 pounds (51-0)

Michael Morris: Outstanding Post High School Accomplishments - 1964 BHS graduate. He is currently President, Chairman and CEO of American Electric Power Co. Inc, one of the largest producers of electricity in the United States. He was the past President and CEO of Consumers Energy in Michigan. Michael also served on the Eastern Michigan University Board of Regents from 1997 to 2004.

Shayna Munson: Outstanding Athlete (Volleyball/Basketball) – 1999 BHS graduate. Shayna is regarded by her high school coach, Jodi Manore, as one of Bedford’s top volleyball players. She was first-team All-State as a Jr. and Sr. She currently plays on the Beach Volleyball Tour (AVP tour- professional/international).

Arnold Strzelecki: Outstanding Athlete (Track) – 1951 BHS graduate. He was an outstanding track speed runner. As a member of Bedford’s track team in 1949, 50 and 51 scored an average of 16 points in most meets, winning 100 & 200 dashes, broad jump and anchored the half mile relay team.

Matt Wiederhold: Outstanding Theater Arts Student and Post High School Accomplishments – 1987 BHS graduate. He was an outstanding member of the Bedford High School Symphony and Marching Band along with various theatre productions. He is currently Executive Director of “Main Street Medina” in Medina, Ohio.

 

Complete details concerning the Hall of Fame can be found on the BHS Alumni Association web pages at the following web sites:

Bedford Public Schools: http://www.bedford.k12.mi.us/alumni_assoc.html

Bedford Yes: http://www.bedfordyes.com/BedfordAlumniAssociationHome.htm

 

 

 

9th Annual Bedford Alumni Florida Reunion: Saturday March 13, 2010.  Click here for details.

 

 

Click here to read story by Ron Montri "Winning is good school funding plan" MEN November 1, 2009

Click here for more info on the Players Poker Room events sponsored by the Alumni Association.

Click here for Bedford Press Article on the Bedford Community Stadium November 9, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Would you like to enjoy a good meal and assist the Bedford High School Alumni Association in raising some funds at the same time?

As many of you know the Bedford High School Alumni Association is still paying on the Bedford Community Stadium note. The current balance is $280,000 on the one million dollar loan.

Marge and Norb Abel, owners of the Schoolhouse Lunchroom, have offered us an opportunity to raise some funds to help pay off the stadium loan. It is a new program called “Community Rewards Program”. Every time a person uses one of the special “rewards” cards that we issue at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom the Bedford High School Alumni Association will receive a percentage of the purchase. There is no cost for the card.

Please let us know if you can help us out and we would be happy to deliver a card to you. There is no cost for the card and the reward credit that the Alumni Association receives from your purchase may also be tax deductible to you.

Another nice feature of this program is that you can "lend" your card to family and friends to use.  Even though the card is activated in your name, other people can borrow your card and use it when they pay for their meal at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom.  The more the card is used, the more the Alumni Association will benefit.  Remember, every time the card is used with a payment 10% of the bill will go to the Alumni Association to help pay off the stadium loan.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact us at any time. If you know of anyone else that may be interested in receiving a card, please let any of the Alumni officers know. The Schoolhouse Lunchroom is open M-F 8:00-5:30 & Saturday 8:00-3:00.

Click here for the Schoolhouse Lunchroom complete menu, you can eat in the lunchroom or they also provide take out orders.  For their daily menu specials go to their web site: www.oldeschoolhousecommons.com  

 

 

Congratulations to the Bedford High School Football Team!
SEC Red Division Champs and MHSAA State playoff qualifier. Keep It Going Mules!!!

 

We need your help! As many of you know, the Bedford High School Alumni Association is still paying on the note for the Bedford Community Stadium, which is the home field for the Bedford Mules football team. The current balance is $280,000 on the one million dollar loan. We are proud of our community and its reputation and that’s why in 1997 we decided to make the stadium our first special project that is now benefiting everyone who lives here. Please become part of one of the largest privately funded projects in the State of Michigan. Here is how you can “Be A Part Of It”:

 

1. “Community Rewards Card Program”. Marge and Norb Abel, owners of the Schoolhouse Lunchroom, have offered us an opportunity to raise some funds to help pay off the stadium loan. It is a new program called “Community Rewards Program”. Every time a person uses one of the special “rewards” cards that we issue at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom the Bedford High School Alumni Association will receive a percentage of the purchase. There is no cost for the card.

Another nice feature of this program is that you can "lend" your card to family and friends to use.  Even though the card is activated in your name, other people can borrow your card and use it when they pay for their meal at the Schoolhouse Lunchroom.  The more the card is used, the more the Alumni Association will benefit.  Remember, every time the card is used with a payment, 10% of the bill will go to the Alumni Association to help pay off the stadium loan.  Even if you do not live in the area you can still help by passing on this information to your family and friends that live in the Lambertville area. Please contact us if you would like a card.

The Schoolhouse Lunchroom is open M-F 8:00-5:30 & Saturday 8:00-3:00. They also offer take out orders. Here is their web site that lists daily menu specials: www.oldeschoolhousecommons.com Their complete menu is listed on the following web page: http://www.bedfordyes.com/BHSAlumniAssocAnnounceCurrentNews.htm

 

 

2. Purchase a custom engraved brick with your personal message. These bricks will pave a pathway of pride throughout the Community Stadium and will be a lasting reminder of the contributors. The bricks make a wonderful gift or memorial. The cost to purchase a brick is $100 for a 4”x 8” or $200 for an 8”x 8” brick. Click here to download a buy a brick form.

 

 

 

 

3. “Make A Pledge” to the Bedford Community Stadium over 5 years. Your name will be included on a plaque on the “Recognition Wall of Fame” (located at the east end of the stadium) with a pledge of $1,000 ($200 per year) or more.  Click here to download a pledge form.

 

 

 

 

 

4. Attend one of our “Charity Poker Events”. We have scheduled 4 event dates with the new Players Poker Room in the Bedford Plaza (next to Mancino’s Pizza & Grinders) at 7200 Lewis Avenue, Temperance, Michigan. The charity poker events start at 2:00 p.m. and end at 2:00 a.m. each day. We are also looking for people to help work at the events. If you can spare a few hours of your time on any of the Charity Poker dates, please contact us.   Click here for a printable flyer.

 

The dates are:

November 6,7,8, 9
November 18,19,20,21
December 9,10,11,12
December 17,18,19,20

The charity poker events start at 2:00 p.m. and end at 2:00 a.m. each day. We are also looking for people to help work at the events. If you can spare a few hours of your time on any of the Charity Poker dates, please contact us.

 

5. Become an active member of the Bedford High School Alumni Association. We are a group of BHS graduates and others who are interested in the well being of Bedford High School. We meet the fourth Monday of each month at 7:00 p.m. at Bedford High School in Room B-6. No membership fee is required and membership is open to everyone whether you are a Bedford graduate or not. Click here to download a membership form.

 

6. Volunteer to help with any of our fundraising activities.

 

If you would like more information on how you can “Be A Part of It” please contact us.

 

 

 Alumni In The News:

Jerry Jaffe '65 - Ex professional wrestler:  Click here to read Toledo Blade Article July 19, 2009

Chris Morris 2001 - Oakland Raiders starting center:  Click here to read Bedford Now Article September 26, 2009

Click here to read story by Ron Montri "Winning is good school funding plan" MEN November 1, 2009

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Howard Hale: Teacher and Coach at Bedford High School. Photo taken at the BHS Alumni Florida Reunion March 14, 2009. Mr. Hale still looks great at age 85

 

Bedford High School Alumni Association Booth at the 2009 Bedford Trade Fair