By: Mary Ann Frazee

The largest crowd ever to assemble in Alumni Park in it's nineteen year history came together on Saturday July 3rd for the annual noon luncheon. It was a beautiful day and people were pleasantly patient as they stood in a long line waiting for food. Most of them saw it as an opportunity to visit with one another. A plate of pulled smoked pork on a bun, baked beans, slaw, chips and drink sold for the same price as in 1991 at $5.

Just prior to the luncheon the dedication of a new plaque in honor of the late Jim Salyer was unveiled. Some family members were unable to be present because of illness, but Neva Salyer, Jim's widow, was there to represent them and to receive the thanks and appreciation of a grateful board of directors. Jim's vision and hard work are indeed the legacy he leaves for others to strive to follow. Visitors to the park are urged to read the plaque at the front entrance honoring Salyer which joins one recognizing Richard Jackson for his contribution to the park.

Alumni Park was beautifully decorated and enjoyed by several classes over Alumni Week-end including the class of 1975 who met on Friday evening and lingered to visit late into the evening. A great deal of effort was put forth by a number of people in preparation for all the events held there and in listing them I almost always omit someone due to a faulty memory, but never intentionally because every helpful gesture, large and small, was most certainly appreciated.

The park has a new caretaker, Harry Linton. He works on a daily basis to make sure the park facilities are clean and the grounds well kept. Sharon Sullivant, a board member, continues to provide expertise on the planting and upkeep of the flower beds and landscaping. The Knockout Roses at the front of the Barker Shannon Pavillion receive rave reviews from the public. The plantings were Sharon's idea and her continuing care of them keeps them beautiful. This year the Jr ROTC young people helped to put up tables and chairs. We thank them for the hours of community service they perform. We are proud of them for taking their citizenship seriously and for the example they set for their peers. The red white and blue decorations in the park were put up by members of the Foundation board along with volunteers, Janet Azevedo, Lorna Moore and Clara Faye Dennis under the direction of Sharon Sullivant. A city crew later helped in taking down all those same decorations. We appreciate the city of Mountain Grove for their support of the park. Becky Scott of Country Petals in Cabool furnished those gorgeous baskets of yellow begonias hanging from the springhouse and many of the flowers in the planters. For an "out of towner" she has shown a lot of generosity by donating many plants to Alumni Park for several years. How about if we just adopt Becky as one of us? Wilco Disposal continues to furnish us with their important service. If it weren't for them there would be trash all over the park. Thanks to Country Mart and Frito Lay for furnishing potato chips. Lorna Moore was our donor server in the kitchen, but we aren't sure how much arm twisting was done to get her there for a second tour of duty. Thanks, Lorna for showing up and for dishing up slaw with a smile that said you would rather be there than anywhere.

Speaking of board members, the newest two members of the board, Jim Breedlove and Gene Clary were on deck that day, learning that the Alumni Park board is a working, hands on crew. The recent construction of a new utility building at the back of the Barker Shannon Pavillion was completely overseen by a committee of Marty Brown, Mike Housley, Jim Breedlove, and Terry Azevedo, saving the organization several thousand dollars in costs. The building was deemed necessary because the small storage room inside the pavillion proved to be too small to keep the folding tables, chairs, lawn/garden equipment and park archives. It will free the small storage room for cleaning equipment and supplies. Working at the luncheon event, Ann Altis sold some recently found copies of Meals and Memories books and Kathryn Coffman sold engraved bricks. Gene Clary was the ticket agent. Other members of the board working from the kitchen were Sally Prock, Pat Wood, Sharon Sullivant and yours truly, Mary Ann Frazee. Terry Azevedo has bravely taken on the job of treasurer, the post held by Jim Salyer for many years. His wife, Janet, is a faithful helpmate in working in the park and she also volunteered to help in the kitchen. Kim Darrah had to be out of town but is usually on call to work wherever needed. The President of the board, Bob Peterson, was the worker at large, making sure everything ran smoothly. This board represents a cross section of MGHS alumni of all ages and diverse backgrounds but with the common goal of providing and maintaing Alumni Park as a place of memories of school years and a gathering place for the community. Every year we have seen progress and more people coming to enjoy it and that has been our goal.

Sincerely,
Mary Ann Frazee
Secretary
MGHS Alumni Memorial Foundation

P.S. Alumni Wall is now completely up to date with class stones dating from 1888 to 2010. Thanks to those classes who worked so hard to raise the money to see that their class is represented.