Class of 1969 Home

	What's New
	If you would like something posted to What's New, please send the information via email to bahs1969@yahoo.com.
7/24/08	The Bradford Era 7/24/08	White cupola fastened atop Bradford Area High School for 82 years coming down; will be replaced with newer version Fastened atop Bradford Area High School for the past 82 years, the white cupola familiar to many local residents basked in the sun for the last time Wednesday. Swanson & Sons Inc., a local construction company, tore down the wooden, spire-like structure as part of the high school’s roof replacement project. The cupola was original to the school, as it was placed on its roof during construction in 1924 and 1925. But, years of rain and snow have taken their toll. “It was rotting and was in very bad decay,” said Sandra Romanowski, Bradford School District superintendent. “It was becoming a safety issue and we were worried it may fall through the roof.” Swanson Inc., is replacing the school’s roof this summer and officials deemed the cupola as unsalvageable. Romanowski confirmed, however, that a new cupola would replace the torn down structure. “The new cupola will be a resin-based (composite) rather than wood,” she said. “It won’t be as big, but it will be much more durable and lighter. The (composite) wears better over time.”
1/28/08	Please join me in congratulating Terri and Bill on their recent marriage!
1/16/08	Our heartfelt sympathy to Al McCreadie's family.  It was reported in The Bradford Era and Al passed away in Florida on 1/13/08.
1/16/08	See Dean Fox's photograph "Waiting for Spring"
7/19/07	We have lost another classmate.  Fred Price died in Pittsburgh today   On June 14, 1972, he entered the US Navy and seved aboard the USS Enterprise in Vietnam, where he helped evacuate refugees at the close of the war.  He was honorably discharged on June 7, 1976. He co-founded Save A Live in Pittsburgh. Our sympathy to his family.
1/18/06
11/1/05	Thought these 'Round the Square items might interest some: RTS for Tuesday SCHOOL NEWS: We've been telling readers about a special edition of The Era which coincided with the opening of the newly renovated Bradford High School some 40 years ago. In the edition was a story that pinpointed key dates in the development of the Bradford school system. It reads: "The multi-million-dollar construction program just completed at the Bradford Area Senior High School is certainly the most spectacular in the history of the school system. We have come a long way from the log schoolhouse." "However, for the record, it is worth noting just how the construction pattern has developed through the years. 1873, two-room building, 3rd Ward 1877, frame schoolhouse on Congress Street, 2nd Ward 1878, High school organized in Congress Street building 1879, Elm Street, 5th Ward, frame 1881, Jackson Avenue, 4th Ward, frame 1882, Four rooms added to 3rd Ward building 1884, Congress Street, 2nd Ward, new frame structure 1890, School Street, 3rd Ward, wooden, eight rooms 1895, Jackson Avenue, 4th Ward, rebuilt after fire 1900, High school built where 3rd Ward School later stood 1902, Elm Street, 5th Ward, eight-room brick built after fire 1914, New school on Kendall Avenue, 6th Ward 1920, Derrick City School 1925, New high school on Interstate Parkway 1929, New school on Jackson Avenue, 4th Ward, replaced one which burned 1930, Lee Driver School built 1931, Custer City School 1931, West Branch School 1931, Lincoln School 1931, Hobson Place School 1934-35, Annex to 6th Ward School 1934-35, Junior high school built on 3rd Ward grounds 1934-35, New school on old junior high site, 3rd Ward School 1937, Earl J. Hyatt School 1938, M.J. Ryan School 1939, 16-room annex to senior high school 1945, Purchased Avenue B School as special school 1949, M.J. Ryan addition 1950, West Branch addition 1951, Custer City addition 1953, Lincoln School addition 1954, Derrick City School addition 1955, Annex to 2nd Ward School 1955, West Branch School addition 1956, 5th Ward remodeled 1958, Blaisdell School 1960, Floyd C. Fretz Junior High School NEW WORD: Interface. Segue. And the latest is, "notion." Pay attention to news shows and see how often journalists or their subjects refer to "notions" - what we used to call "ideas." We've always like the word, notion, because it's meatier than its synonyms. No more! Once a cool word goes mainstream, it instantly loses its coolness.
10/31/05	Round the Square for Oct. 31 SCHOOL DAYS: We began Saturday to recount the history of schools in Bradford, a story we continue today, picking up in the late 1800s: "The story was different in 1878 for 'black gold' was making its impact on the community and the population increased to such an extent that five new teachers and a principal, Prof. H.C. Boslye of Titusville, were added to the staff of two. "The go-ahead was given for construction on Congress Street (with the stipulation that the price not exceed $9,000) and the school tax that year jumped to 59 mills. "As the oil boom continued, population grew, and there was a corresponding growth in the school. In 1879, the teaching staff was increased to 12 members; the 5th Ward School lot was purchased and a building authorized (not to cost more than $1,950); a high school was organized in the building on Congress Street and the tax rate was 46 mills. "Two years after Bradford was incorporated as a city, the first high school commencement was held. The date was June 14, 1881, and the exercises were staged for six students. "While the student body grew, so did the school program. In 1894, a four-year course was inaugurated and, in 1896, a two-year commercial course was added. This was expanded in 1906 to a three-year course. "In 1900, the school population in the upper classes had increased to such an extent that a building program was embarked upon and a new high school, three stories high, of red brick, was constructed at the head of Mechanic Street. "For a quarter of a century, this was the city's high school until 1925, when the city schools were reorganized on a 6-3-3 plan. A new high school was built on the present site at Interstate Parkway and the 10th, 11th and 12th grades moved in. Construction costs were $419,290.85. "In 1939, the building was enlarged to include a 16-room annex, a vocational building with unit shops, an enlarged auditorium and a remodeled auditorium. The addition cost $260,229.43 and the vocational school another $40,000. "That brings us up to 1965 and the story of almost 1,300 high-school youngsters and their ultra-modern 'little red schoolhouse.'" We have one more installment in this series on Bradford schools.
10/29/05	The Bradford Era 'Round the Square RTS for Saturday, October 29, 2005 40 YEARS AGO: That's how long it's been since Bradford Area High School underwent its extensive remodeling at a cost of $4 million. That undertaking meant split-sessions for high-school and junior-high school students for several years. The Oct. 30, 1965, Era, heralded the formal dedication of the newly remodeled school with a special edition. In it was a history of schools in Bradford: "While we look ahead, we must also be mindful of the past - remembering Bradford's first school, a small one-room log schoolhouse built on the southwest corner of Corydon and Mechanic streets, where in 1851 Judge Loyal Ward taught school. "Bradford's first high school was opened in 1878 and offered students a course of study 'which will be strictly classical and would cover a three-year period.' "Two years after Judge Ward began classes in the loghouse, he built a two-room frame building on the Public Square, named it Bradford Academy and there continued to keep school. "In 1873, Bradford was incorporated as a borough and the only school within the limits of the borough was a two-room building where School Street Junior High School stands. "The two teachers, Miss Mary Fisher and Miss Mary Peterson, received respectively $30 and $35 monthly for a four-months' term with the explicit instructions that 'they were to board themselves.' "The total amount of taxes for all purposes raised in the borough that first year was $316.11. In 1876, the tax levy was $422.21, but every penny must have been earmarked since under the date of Nov. 22, 1876, the following entry was noted in the school board book: 'Board met. No money. Nothing to do. Adjourned.' "In January 1877, it was found necessary to elect a third teacher and to have more space. A room was rented on Washington Street and a school established there. In March of that year, the school board seized and staked off a lot 150-feet square from the property of a Mr. Tibbits at the corner of Congress and Elm streets for future building. "In May, the board purchased the property plus an additional 50 feet fronting on Congress Street - all for $2,000. And in June, the first issue of school bonds was authorized for the sum of $700. "But for some unknown reason, the school population did not climb that year - rather, it dropped - and the school on Washington Street was discontinued." More Monday.
9/19/05	Memorial to Marlin  You'll want to watch the slideshow and read the biography.  Also a place you can add a tribute to our classmate. "A Bradford [PA] native was killed in Iraq Sept. 9 when he was a passenger in a truck which drove over an Improvised Explosive Device (IED), or roadside bomb. Marlin Carnes, 54, of Apollo, Fla., near Tampa Bay, died while working for Brown and Root Services, a subsidiary of Halliburton, his mother, Kathleen Carnes confirmed to The Era Tuesday night from her home in Bradford. Carnes said her son was killed instantly when his truck exploded after running over the IED. The unidentified driver of the truck survived, according to Carnes."
6/14/05	Mike Carlson promoted - article from The Bradford Era
5/23/05	FOUND - Steve Olexa - contact bahs1969@yahoo.com for more information
1/10/05	Mrs. Nena Hulslander passed away.  Cards may be mailed to David Hulslander, 6700 Canalview Drive, Arlington, Texas.  Memorials to charity of donor's choice or the First Presbyterian Church in Bradford.
12/7/04	Remember . . .
10/27/04	Way to go Terri!
	For those of you not in the area or not reading The Bradford Era on a regular basis, you wouldn't know that our Terri is in the newspaper on a pretty regular basis.  Today Terri's picture is in the paper being awarded the YWCA "Volunteer of the Year".  The Era quotes YWCA officials as saying, "Smith's 'enthusiasm and energy have been obvious in the responsibilities she has assumed . . . noting her involvement in several recent YWCA events.'"    Thank you again to Terri for her efforts organizing our reunion and for her community service to our town!.
9/3/04	Congratulations Ron and Bonnie!
	Bonnie (Evan) and Ron Booth have become the new owners of Bradford Curves.  According to today's Bradford Era, Curves offers hydraulic machines safe for most ages.  Good luck Bonnie and Ron on your new endeavor!
8/27/04	More Reunion Pictures
8/24/04	The New Willows Sold
	Sherry and Roger Rhoades have sold The New Willows after 25 years to Doug and Cathy Yohe.  What great hosts Roger and Sherry were when our  30th Reunion was held there!   A quote from The Bradford Era, "The Willows was built in 1944, according to Roger Rhoades, and burned down around 1977.  The New Willows was built in its place.  Rhoades said Louie Tantalo owned The Willows when it burned, and that before Tantalo, the restaurant was owned by the Goodmans." Hopefully, if our reunion is held there again, the Yohes will provide the same quality food and hospitality that Roger and Sherry provided.
8/19/04	Class of 1969 Golden Deeds Award
8/18/04	Some Reunion Pictures
7/6/04	Dean Fox publishes first book
3/15/04	Steve Westerlund
10/4/03	Donny Johnson