During the Reunion and after 12 years,  new officers were voted into office.  Ken Beck ’74 was elected President.  Ken served as Sergeant-at-Arms and then took the Treasurer position. He has much experience to move the Association forward.  Other officers elected are Jesse Wright ‘85; Vice President; Jerry Grove ‘79, Treasurer;  Vickie Portner Cook ‘73, Secretary; Dave Portner ‘69, Sergeant-at-Arms; and Dave Shaw ‘75, Sergeant-at-Arms.  Follows is a letter from your new Secretary and contact information for all new officers.

Hello, I am Vickie “Portner” Cook ’73, the new secretary for the SSVC Alumni Association. I am excited about working for you to keep the Association going.  My sister and brothers; Karen, ’64, Mike ’67, Keith ’69 & Dave ’69 also attended Scotland. 

Sally Sheaffer ’65 the past secretary did an awesome job for the alumni association.  Thank you Sally for your dedication and passion to dear old SSVC and the association.  Now you can be free to do bigger, but not necessarily better things.  Even though Sally is no longer the secretary, she isn’t getting off easy.  I will (as will others) still depend very heavily on her expertise.

Our other Alumni Association officers are: Ken Beck ’74, President; Jesse Wright ’85, Vice President; Jerry Grove ’79, Treasurer; Dave Portner ’69 and Dave Shaw ’75, Sergeant-At-Arms.

I would like to thank the past Alumni Officers – Jim Lowe ’70, President; Rick Gates ’69, Vice President; Sally Sheaffer ’65, Secretary; Ken Beck ’74, Treasurer; Randy Gates ’71 & Dave Shaw ’75, Sergeant-At-Arms.  They did an excellent job in keeping the alumni association alive.

Sally has been so kind to continue notifying you of “Scotland Happenings” until we were successful in transferring information. We finally had success, so you can  begin notifying me

with all SSVC related items. I will be sure to share with other alumni. My email address is:  GoCadets2015@comcast.net. 

My phone number is 717-698-8905.  If you have contact

information for other alumni please share with me, or have them contact me so I can update the database to ensure they receive emails, newsletters etc. On the topic of the Newsletter – I am interested to know if you would like to continue to receive future newsletters through U.S. mail or electronically.

A few other resources for finding out about or posting information on Scotland Happenings are on our web-site at www.ssvcalumni.org, and Facebook.   Joel Scott ’97 is the webmaster of our web-site. 

Please “save the dates” for the upcoming events which can be found on Page 1 of the Newsletter.

Some people have asked how to join the alumni association. It is easy – just pay the dues.  Dues are $15 per alumni for two years.  Please send to:  SSVC Alumni Association, PO Box 129, Scotland, PA 17254.

I look forward to working, and reconnecting with all of you.

Take Care!

Vickie “Portner” Cook ‘73

Scotland Family Forever!

Glenn E. Kempf ‘43:  Glenn lost his wife Agnes in October of 2014.  He has moved forward and is still in his own home, taking care of himself with support from his family.  During WWII, Glenn helped set up the first field hospital on Omaha Beach, Normandy. Glenn is waiting for the award of the French “Legion d’Honneur” medal for his service during WWII in the liberation of France.  Quite an impressive legacy and thanks for your service, Glenn!

James A. Shaffer, Sr. ‘47:  Jim Shaffer and his wife, Shelvie were married 57 years on June 14th. How nice they shared their wedding anniversary a day early at the banquet during Reunion with Jim’s Scotland brothers and sisters.

Richard C. “Red” Claypool ‘50:  Elaine Claypool, wife of “Red”,  informed Peggy Moore Stout ‘54 that in 2013 Red was inducted into the Hall of Fame (HOF), honoring him for having won the most games of any head football coach at Fairfax High School (FHS) in Virginia.  Red was not able to attend his HOF Induction Dinner but their son Greg who played football for his dad at FHS, made Red’s acceptance speech.  Red received a lovely plaque.  Elaine also told Peggy that Red touched so many young lives during his years of coaching.  Men who are now in their sixties keep in contact after many years – writing him letters to thank him for his good influence.  They say his old style coaching was tough but instilled a “mental toughness” that has lent them strength and success throughout their lives.  Due to illness, Red is unable to attend reunions though he did for many,many years. Elaine also saidthat Red always felt this was a “family reunion” because of the close bond we have for each other.

The picture of Red was taken while he played football for George Washington University.  Red made us proud as a Cadet and throughout the rest of his life also!

William Lawrence ‘50:  This note from Bill, “Dear Classmates! The newsletter brings fond memories of “Friends” and times at S.O.S.  Your Reunion would be a pleasant recount of these many classmates, teachers, and house parents. Regretfully I do not travel well, so my close association will be the newsletter.  I will continue to remember our classmates and wish you all good health and may God Bless each and all. Regards, Bill Lawrence.”  Thanks for your note, Bill. It is always good to hear from you!

Wayne Shuler ‘50:  Wayne recently underwent a time of serious medical issues he dealt with.  When he needed it most, his Scotland brothers and sisters were there with cards, a fruit basket, flowers, and several phone calls.  Wayne is fine now and was touched by your response. He said to say thank you and tell you how much he appreciated hearing from everyone.

Wilda Prince Hartzell ‘52: Wilda had surgery in August and is currently in rehab. Wilda was so touched by all the cards she received and wanted us to pass on her sincere thanks to her SOS/SSVC brothers and sisters.  She thinks of SSVC as her extended family and the contact meant so much to her.

Stephen P. Gelet ‘61:  Steve was one of our best athletes, especially carrying a football to the opponent’s end zone. Following  the last football game of his senior year, the other team’s coach  came over and told Steve he was a great player. This was a true tribute to Steve. Steve gave of his time to help clean up the Museum in May 2015. Thanks, Steve for bringing pride to our school your senior year and for helping with the Museum!

Sylvia Shrawder Mathieu ‘61:  Sylvia wants to say thank you to all her Scotland brothers and sisters who expressed their sympathy through cards and prayers at the loss of her sister Rose Shrawder Hoke ‘54 in 2014 and her sister Ginny Shrawder Ferrizzi ‘57 in 2015.  Sylvia is especially grateful to her Scotland brothers and sisters who came to the celebration of life services for Rose and Ginny.

Phyllis Fetterman McDermott ‘64:  Phyllis let us know she lost her husband in October 2014.  Phyllis has two sons, one of whom along with a grandson lives with her.  When Phyllis graduated, she spent several years working as a hair dresser. One of Phyllis’ talents is making prayer shawls and giving them to people in need. Someone made one for Phyllis and it meant a lot to Phyllis.  We wish Phyllis well.

Ruth Patterson Manza ‘72:   Ruth lives in Fayetteville with her husband, Carmine . Ruth has  three boys, Buster, who is a teacher and coach in Shanghai, China, Chris and James. Ruth and Carmine have six grandchildren.  Both Ruth and Carmine’s parents were twins!

Robert L. Conrath ‘71:  Bob has had more than his share of medical challenges this year.  But Bob and his wife, Connie have much joy in their lives also. They were married 40 years on April 11, 2015, have twin daughters who are both physical therapists, one son who has a set of twins, five grandchildren, and two great grandchildren!

Chester Shaffer, Sr. ‘72:  Chester has been retired since March 28, 2014. He worked for P.M.F. in Williamsport for 41 years. During that time, Chester helped design and build aircraft engine parts for most major aircraft companies and rockets for all the branches of government. He worked on rocket  fuel cells for most of the satellites orbiting the earth right now.  Chester also was busy with his family: wife, Deb, eight children (5 boys and 3 girls), 18 grandchildren and 1 great grandchild. Congrats on all your accomplishments, Chester!

Vernon Anthony Dryden III ‘97:  Since Vernon left Scotland in 1996 he has been busy getting his diploma, working, staying in touch with family, and raising his daughter, Taliana. Taliana is 7 and Vernon’s pride and joy. Keep up the great job, Vernon. We’re proud of you!

Melvin Knight: Mr. Knight is doing well and said to give his best wishes to all the Scotland kids. Mr. Knight worked at Scotland during the 70’s through 1996.

Reunion, June 12, 13, and 14, 2015

Well, if you were there, you had a good time!  It was wonderful to see so many faces and smiles for the three days we were together.  As in two years ago, the American Legion Post 46 did a fantastic job providing culinary delights over the three days, the live bands were loud while entertaining, and Elvis was in the building on Saturday night. Yes, Mike Smith ‘70 (aka Elvis) did a few numbers for us and brought down the house.

 Anita Shaffer Hill ‘75 won the much admired and sought after 18k gold necklace and diamond pendant donated by Carol Eichelberger Wiser ‘75. Carol’s generosity netted the Association’s Museum Fund nearly $1000.00.  Thanks much, Carol!

The first ever Granville Waldt Bowling Fundraiser was held on Saturday morning of Reunion.  Granville Waldt graduated with the class of 1941!  The feedback received from the bowlers is everyone had a ball (pardon the pun)!  The success of this fundraiser is in large part due to Gran’s two partners, his lovely wife, Mary and Evelyn Millhouse McElwain ‘68.  Without Mary and Evelyn offering the opportunity to so many, writing thank you’s to all who were associated and/or contributed to the fundraiser in any way and their dedication to the SSVC Alumni Association, the fundraiser wouldn’t have raised the amazing amount of $4000.00!  Thank you to Gran, Mary and Evelyn for all their efforts on behalf of the Association and the Museum Fund!!!

Sally Sheaffer ‘65 was honored for her 12 years of service as secretary on Friday and Saturday evenings.  She is grateful to have gotten the support from the alumni.

If you didn’t get to the Museum, you missed a golden opportunity.  Those of us who visited the Museum on campus thought it was first class, giving all such a feeling of nostalgia and wonderful memories, derived from years spent living those moments viewed in the Museum.  There really is something for everyone!  Jim Lowe ‘70 did a fantastic job decorating the entire Museum!  Jim  had help from 25 alumni along with himself who cleaned and moved items, cleaned and moved more items, and still more. (You get the picture).  Thanks to all the alumni who helped move and prep items for display in the Museum!

And, speaking of Jim Lowe ‘70, tribute was paid to Jim and Ruby Lowe on Friday and Saturday evenings at the dinners.  Jim served us proudly for the last 12 years and this year’s reunion was another example of the excellent job Jim did.  Jim’s focus was keeping our Scotland family together and Reunion proved he did just that.  Kudos to Jim and Ruby for their 12 years of dedicated service to the SSVC Alumni Association!

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