On still other mornings, we would break into the school song.  “to dear old WPSB our praises we will sing, along the stately hallowed halls, our fondest memories cling.  Let’s give three cheers, three rousing cheers, and shout along with glee.  Our loyalty, our fealty, to WPSB.”  This song is always sung at the conventions of the alumni association, which are held every two years, and one can still feel chills every time the song is sung.

Religious education classes would be held in one of the classrooms in, what at that time, was known as the Main Building, now the Mary Schenley building.  Held on the second classroom level, the classrooms would smell delightfully of candle wax, which I thought was the smell of crayons back then when I was a wee tot of seven or eight.  Bible stories would be read, children’s hymns would be sung, and my first year, each of us was permitted to choose a favorite book of the Bible, which we then received as a gift in Braille.  There was a lovely older woman, Miss Mason, in the Protestant religious education class, who was quiet and very kind.  She played the piano beautifully.  I eagerly looked forward to these get-togethers each Tuesday evening, so I could sing and smell my candles.

Halloween and Christmas were two of my favorite holiday celebrations.  Carving pumpkins and marching in costume in the Halloween parade, always taking place on a Thursday night, held a really special place in my heart back then.  After the parade up and down the corridors, we would hold our individual classroom parties where we would bob for apples, drink apple cider and eat homemade doughnuts.  Then, the crowning point of the celebration would be a giant candy-filled sack which was given to each child to enjoy all on ones own.

Another of those treat bags would be given at Christmas time to each child, the annual Christmas program would be held the day of the holiday recess, and a very special Christmas Hanukkah party would be given just for the students by the Squirrel Hill Lions club.  Literally every well-known local celebrity would be in attendance.  Baseball players and announcers the likes of Bob Prince and Willie Stargell to the wrestlers of the day, Bruno Sammartino, to locally prominent disk jockeys such as Hal Murray.  We girls had huge crushes on so many of them, Hal Murray in particular, used to be featured on radio station KQV.  The idea that one could actually meet the person you were crazy about was so wonderful and mystifying at the same time.

The school had active friendships with so many well-known performers.  Comedienne Phyllis Diller visited our school, as did the chorus of young teenagers known as   Up With People.  We accepted so much of this brushing up against the famous as a simple matter of course; our absolute entitlement.

We were never overlooked nor forgotten, and it is due to so many kind and good folks that the memories remain to this day.  High school hayrides in the Fall, hot dog roasts and dances in the spring, all of them lovingly orchestrated and prepared with love for us.  In retrospect, these reminiscences become even more special and cherished.  Poignant and so pure, they remain like a fine wine, becoming more mellow with age.

Ellen Goldfon

With the approaching 125^th birthday of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children in January, 2012, we at school are very interested in your memories and thoughts at this very significant time in our long history.

Just as I did when I wrote about my memories for you a while ago, we know that your special memories could fill a book, let alone, a column.  Our ultimate goal is to publish a column during 2012 which will be placed on the   website of the school,   for the readers who are unfamiliar with WPSBC. To get an idea of what the various time periods were like in which you attended.

Once you’ve gotten your memories written down, please send them via email to: prittsj@wpsbc.org or you can mail them to

Jillian M. Pritts, Institutional Advancement Manager
Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children
201 N. Bellefield Avenue
Pittsburgh, Pa.   15213

We sincerely thank you in advance.

Ellen Goldfon,
Class of 1974

WPSBC Superintendant Todd Reeves along with Jillian Pritts WPSBC Director of Public Relations are requesting members to share their thoughts and memories of time spent receiving education at the school.  They request it be brief and concise.   Below is an email from Jillian Pritts.  Examples to think about may include a favorite class, specific recreational activity or field trips that stood out for you individually.  Please share this with other Alumni that do not have the use of email.  If interested the school appreciates your input and would like responses sent over the next month
or so.  Send thoughts and memories to prittsj@wpsbc.org.

Sincerely,
President Ted Crum

From: Pritts, Jillian [prittsj@wpsbc.org]
Sent: Friday, September 30, 2011 10:30 AM
To: Crum, Ted; ELLEN GOLDFON
Subject: Thoughts and Thanks for WPSBC

Hi Ellen and Ted!

Wondering if you might be interested in helping me.  I’m getting up some new info on the School’s website regarding the 125^th anniversary and one of the new sections is called “Thoughts and Thanks” where we want to elicit some well wishes/memories regarding the School.

I need to get it up and running and I’m hoping you might be willing to submit something.  Not really looking for anything long or in-depth or extensive, just a personal reflection or perspective.

If yes, would you email it to me?

Ted – wondering if you might be willing to share this with our alumni?  You can either just forward this email to the members or you can send me their addresses and I (or Todd) can send something out on behalf of the School?  Your call on what might be most effective.

In fact, if there is anyone else you might want to share this opportunity with, please do.  Once I get maybe one or two up (hopefully your thoughts and thanks) you can always direct them to our website or give them my email address for more info.

Let me know if you have any questions or concerns.

Thanks  so much,

Jillian  — prittsj@wpsbc.org

ALUMNI ASSOCIATION OF

THE WESTERN PENNSYLVANIA SCHOOL FOR BLIND CHILDREN

As Amended through September 22nd, 2011

ARTICLE I. Name

The name of this organization shall be the Alumni Association of
the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.

ARTICLE II. PURPOSE

The purposes of this organization are:

(1) To furnish its Alma Mater with observations, experiences and
accomplishments that may be of practical and educational value;

(2) To promote a spirit of cooperation between the School and its
graduates;

(3) To foster good fellowship and create unity of purpose among
the graduates.

ARTICLE III. MEMBERSHIP

Section 1. Candidates for membership in this Association shall be
recommended to the Convention by the Membership Committee.

Section 2. Candidates for membership shall be of good moral
character and of respectable standing. They shall either have graduated from
the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children or shall have completed four
and one-half years of elementary education or two and one-half years of high
school at the School.

Section 3. If spouses of Alumni members who are not themselves
members wish to join the Alumni Association, they must communicate their
request, orally or in writing, to the Membership Committee. Acceptance into the
Association will entitle them to the right to debate and vote at all meetings,
but they may not hold any elective office.

Section 4. In order to have the right to debate and vote at
meetings of this Association, members must be officially registered. To be
officially registered requires paying membership dues, unless such payment has
been waived in particular cases by the Board. .

Section 5. The dues for this Association shall be determined by
the membership from time to time and shall be payable before the first session
of any regular or special convention of the Association.

ARTICLE IV. OFFICERS AND THEIR ELECTION

Section 1. The officers of this Association shall be President,
Vice-President, Recording Secretary, Corresponding Secretary, Treasurer, and
Parliamentarian. In addition to the aforementioned officers, there shall be an
Archivist who shall be appointed by the President.  As of September, 2011, the slate of officers
is as follows:

• President: Ted Crum
• Vice President: Ed Facemeyer
• Recording Secretary: Bonnie Newland
• Corresponding Secretary: Ellen Goldfon
• Treasurer: Tom Hesley
• Parliamentarian: Al Petrilongo

Section 2. Election of officers shall be held at biennial
conventions of the Association, and voting shall be by standing vote, unless
otherwise agreed upon by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members
present at such meeting.

Section 3. The elected officers shall hold office for a period of
four (4) years, until their successors are elected and duly sworn in, except
for the Treasurer, whose term shall expire when the receipts from the
convention have been properly allocated and entered into the books of the
Association.

Section 4. Each officer may succeed him/herself in the same office
for only one additional consecutive four-year term. The Parliamentarian may not
succeed him/herself in that office, but may run for any other elective office
during the election which takes place immediately following the expiration of
his/her term. The Archivist shall hold office for an indefinite term at the
discretion of the Board. During his/her tenure in office, he/she shall not be
excluded from holding any elective office in this Association.

ARTICLE V. DUTIES OF OFFICERS

Section 1. The duties of the President shall be:

(1) To preside at all regular and special meetings of the
Association and of the Board;

(2) To call all special meetings of the Board;

(3) To keep informed of all committee work and of all activities
of the Association;

(4) To appoint members to serve on all functioning standing
committees and to establish other committees, whenever necessary, to help to
study or resolve particular problems or matters of interest and concern to this
Association;

(5) To serve ex officio as a member of all committees with the
right to vote;

(6) To countersign, with the Treasurer, whenever required, all
checks drawn on funds of the Association in the transaction of official
business of the Association.

Section 2. The Vice-President shall assist the President in any
way requested by him/her, and shall assume the duties of the President in
his/her absence.

Section 3. The duties of the Recording Secretary shall be:

(1) To keep an accurate roll of the membership of the Association;

(2) To keep accurate records of all convention proceedings and
meetings of the Board;

(3) To have charge of all official papers and other property of
the Association, excluding the documents and material in the custody of the
Treasurer.

Section 4. The duties of the Corresponding Secretary shall be:

(1) To receive and file all correspondence addressed to the
Association, after it has been made known to the addressee or to the Board;

(2) To be responsible for all out-going correspondence of the
Association;

(3) To countersign with the Treasurer, whenever necessary, all
checks drawn on funds of the Association in the transaction of official
business of the Association.

Section 5. The duties of the Treasurer shall be:

(1) To have charge of all monies belonging to the Association, and
to deposit same promptly in bank accounts designated by the Board;

(2) To collect all dues and all fees or charges imposed upon
members at the direction of the Board;

(3) To pay promptly by check all bills incurred by the Association
upon approval of the Board;

(4) To sign, with the President or the Corresponding Secretary,
all checks drawn on accounts of the Association for the payment of bills/debts
incurred by the Association.

(5) To keep accurate books and records of the financial affairs of
this Association.

Section 6. The Parliamentarian shall have the duty of deciding all
questions of parliamentary procedure during meetings of the Association and of
the Board. His/her authorities, the bases for his/her decisions, shall be
“Robert’s Rules of Order Newly Revised” and the Bylaws of this Association.
When necessary, he/she may employ an assistant, appointed by him/her, who will
provide whatever aid the Parliamentarian requires. The Parliamentarian shall also
serve as the Chair of the Bylaws Committee.

Section 7. The duties of the Archivist shall be:

(1) To assess and identify the documents and materials to be found
in the archives of the Association;

(2) To organize and catalogue said documents and maintain them in
a secure location;

(3) to take charge of any material given to him/her by the Board,
to dispose of unwanted materials with the approval of the Board, and to give
custody of materials to any member of the Board or to any other person(s)
connected with this Association as authorized by the Board;

(4) To keep the membership informed as to the nature, extent and
disposition of the archives of the Association.

ARTICLE VI. The BOARD

Section 1. The Board shall consist of the officers of this
Association and three (3) Directors elected by and from the membership at
biennial conventions of the Association.

Section 2. The Board shall formulate and execute the policies and
procedures of the Association with a view to promoting greater efficiency in
accomplishing the purposes and goals of the Association.

Section 3. The Board shall conduct the business of the Association
between conventions and shall hold three (3) meetings annually at a time and
place determined by the Board.

Section 4. One of the Directors shall be elected for a two-year
term; the second for a four-year term; and the third Director for a six-year
term. Thereafter, one (1) director shall be elected for a six-year term at each
biennial convention, and no Director may succeed him/herself in that office.

Section 5. Vacancies on the Board shall be filled by a majority
vote of the remaining members of that Board. Notice of such election shall be
given to the membership by an announcement in the Alumni Bulletin.

ARTICLE VII. MEETINGS

Section 1. This Association shall meet biennially in convention at
the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children unless otherwise provided by
an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the Board.

Section 2. In order for a convention of the Association to be
valid, at least thirty (30) members must have been officially registered.

Section 3. At least fifty percent plus one (50% plus 1) of those
members officially registered for a convention must be present at any business
meeting in order to transact the official business of the Association.

Section 4. Special meetings of the Association may be called by
the Board whenever necessary for specified purposes. However, such meetings may
transact only such business as was specified in the call to convention, and
such business may not supersede action taken by the regular convention.

ARTICLE VIII. PUBLIC ACTION

No member of the Association shall represent the Association
either in correspondence, publicity, or in person without the expressed
authority of the Association or the Board.

ARTICLE IX. STANDING COMMITTEES

Section 1. The Standing Committees of this Association shall be
the Arrangements Committee, the Audit Committee, the Bylaws Committee, the
Membership Committee, the Necrology Committee, the Nominating Committee, the Program
Committee, the Publicity Committee, the Ways and Means Committee, and the
Welfare Committee.

Section 2. The Arrangements Committee shall take charge of all
physical arrangements necessary to insure the comfort of all in attendance at
biennial and special conventions of the Association and at all events,
activities or meetings of the Association which are held in addition to such
biennial and special conventions.

Section 3. The Audit Committee shall examine the books of accounts
and financial records of the Association which are kept by the Treasurer.

Section 4. The Bylaws Committee shall make recommendations to the
Association from time to time for changes to be made to its Bylaws. Any member
desiring to submit to the membership a proposed amendment to the Bylaws shall
do so through the Bylaws Committee.

Section 5. The Membership Committee shall process all applications
for membership in this Association and shall introduce prospective members to
the Association prior to their being accepted as new members.

Section 6. The Necrology Committee shall compile a list of the
deceased members of the Association and represent the Association in conveying
appropriate sentiments to Alumni members or their families in times of illness
or death.

Section 7. The Nominating Committee shall prepare a list of
candidates to fill all open elective positions on the Board.

Section 8. The Program Committee shall have charge of the actual
programming of biennial and special conventions of the Association and the
programming of any events, activities or meetings of the Association which are
held in addition to such biennial or special conventions.

Section 9. The Publicity Committee shall have the task of
publicizing judiciously, accurately and adequately all projects and activities
of the Association.

Section 10. The Resolutions Committee shall submit to the
Association for consideration recommendations and resolutions which will
expedite meetings or promote the interests and general welfare of the
Association.

Section 11. The Ways and Means Committee shall plan organize and
promote fund-raising activities in behalf of the Association, with the approval
of the Board.

Section 12. The Welfare Committee shall work with the School’s
social services personnel for the purpose of promoting the comfort and the
welfare of needy children at the School. The committee shall also perform acts
of kindness for Alumni members in times of distress in order to promote their
welfare and comfort.

ARTICLE X. AMENDMENTS

These Bylaws may be amended at any regular or special meeting of
the Association by an affirmative vote of two-thirds (2/3) of the members
present, provided that written notice of the proposed amendment(s) shall have
been sent to the membership at least thirty (30) days prior to said regular or
special meeting.

ARTICLE XI. DISSOLUTION

Section 1. If in the opinion of the majority of the members of the
Board the Alumni Association of the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind
Children no longer serves the purposes for which it was intended, the
dissolution of the organization may be considered. The date, place, and purpose
of the meeting at which this matter will be acted upon shall be communicated to
as many Alumni members as possible at least thirty (30) days in advance. Upon
the affirmative vote of three-quarters (3/4) of the members present at this
special meeting, the Board shall proceed with the dissolution of the
Association in accordance with applicable laws of the Commonwealth.

Section 2. Upon dissolution, the funds of the Association shall be
disbursed in accordance with a plan which must be approved by a two-thirds
(2/3) vote of the members voting at a meeting held for that purpose. In
formulating this plan the membership shall consider that one (1) purpose of the
Association has been to provide financial support for programs and services to
children at the Western Pennsylvania School for Blind Children.

We’ve learned that class of 1948 graduate,   Helen Callahan,  died recently.    The memorial check shall be sent to her family today.

Thanks much.

Tom Hesley

We’ve learned that former student,   Robert Longmore,  died earlier this year.    The memorial check shall be sent to his family today.

Thanks much.

Tom Hesley

We’ve learned that long-time WPSBC physical education and horticulture teacher   Tom Greaser,  died on July 21st, 2011.  You can check out his obituary   here.

Thanks much.

Tom Hesley

References

• Obituary for Thomas E, Greaser

We’ve learned that class of 1956 graduate,   Charles Mustake,  died suddenly on June 26, 2011.  His family has requested that we send his alumni memorial to the Robert Flanagan Tiny Tots Fund at WPSBC.  The memorial check shall be sent today.

Thanks much.

Tom Hesley

We’ve received word that former early education director, Dr. Janet G. Klineman died this past May.  I didn’t know her well myself, I do remember seeing her often while attending 3rd grade at the lower school in 1970.  Please see the included link   here for her obituary.

Thanks much.

Tom Hesley

Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 8:11 PM

To: Tony Evancic; Goldfon, Ellen

Subject: PASSING ALONG 2 MESSAGES

—– Original Message —– From: “Marianne Daley”

Sent: Monday, February 14, 2011 3:01 PM

Subject: Death of Becky Fuller Barnes husband

Hi Joe and Tina, Al Pietrolungo may already have forwarded the below message to you about the death of Becky Barnes’ husband, Jim Barnes.  Becky’s maiden name was Fuller, and she was a student at WPSBC during the 60′s and perhaps earlier too.  She is employed at Guiding eyes for the Blind in New York as was, I think, her late husband.  I believe she also is the current President of the Guide Dog Users group of ACB.

Original message…

Hello Everyone,

Just a short while ago, i received a telephone call from our dear President, Becky Barnes, to tell me that her beloved husband, Jim, died this morning in their car as they were leaving for Church.  Jim had not yet begun to drive the car.  He was taken to the hospital; but efforts to revive him were unsuccessful.

At this point, Becky is in shock and very sad.  However, she is at home, coming to terms with her loss, and depending on her family, Church friends and all of us who are fortunate to call her our friend, to be there for her. For those of us who believe in the efficacy of prayer, Becky desires that she be remembered in our prayers especially over these next days.

Right now, no arrangements have been made.

Becky and John got a late start in their lives together; but it was obvious to all of us who knew them that their lives were enriched and fulfilled in a very precious and unique way during their marriage.

Right now, Becky needs our prayers, our love and our support.  As I have walked this path now for six months, I truly know how valuable they are.

Respectfully,

Debbie Grubb