104th Banquet Report

The 104th Thorntown High School Alumni Banquet was held on Saturday, May 13, 2017, at the Thorntown Elementary School.

The theme this year was"Celebrating the Band”. The alumni also celebrated the class of 1967 50th anniversary. There were approximately 185 alumni and guests present. The festivities started with the group picture of past band members. At noon, the invocation was given by Paul Thomas, class of ‘67. Lunch was served by Cochran’s Catering of Jamestown. Also at this time class pictures were taken by Terry Fisher, class of ‘62. Terry was assisted by Mike Jones and Donna Isenhower Ballard, both of the class of ‘67. (To see Terry's photos, click on Photo Galleries at left then click on Alumni Banquet 2017.) Lunch was followed by the Business Meeting. The treasurer’s report was given by Lois Way Hammons. The nominated and elected officers for 2018 are Jerolyn Nay Cox, class of ‘68, President. Jane Thrine Taylor, class of ‘69, Vice-President. Beverly Fairfield Ramsey, class of ‘58, Secretary, and Lois Way Hammons, class of ‘62, Treasurer.

A loud and enthusiastic rendition of the Thorntown High School Loyalty song was sung, followed by special recognitions by President Harold Cox. He led the alumni in a moment of silence for our departed classmates and recognized all who have served in the military. He also thanked Ms. Phyllis Myers of the Thorntown Library and Museum for their fantastic display of band and school memorabilia.

Next on the program was the reunion of the “Tonettes”, consisting of Pasty Reynolds Burgin, Patty Woodruff Morton, and Sandy Lewis Miller. They were an award winning trio from the class of ‘67. At the end of their performance a special appearance was made by Elvis (Jim Bramblett) and his "security detail" (Jerry Carr, Dan Pittman, Gene Denny and Ed Burgin).

The annual roll call was made by Larry Randel ‘63 and Beverly Ramsey ‘58. Special recognition was given to Ms. Freida Doty Cosby ‘37 and Ms. Anna May Walker King ‘37 celebrating their 80th graduation anniversary.

The theme of this year's banquet was “the band”. Included in the program was a handout that gave the history of Thorntown High School’s participation the Indiana State Fair Band Day Contest, along with a list of Music/Band directors from 1913 to 1974. (Click THS Band History in left column to see handout.) Also included on the handout was information concerning the last few years of the Music Department and Band The Thorntown High School Marching Band best finish was in the fall of 1971 when the band finished 12th of 51 schools. Larry Randel, Paul Thomas, and Max Allen each gave a short presentation of their remembrance of past band directors including Mr. Ron Bratton, Mr. James Patton, and Mr. Richard Gress.

The entertainment for this year’s banquet was provided by a local band, the Back Porch Pickers, Max Allen, class of ‘71, is their lead vocalist. Max has written a song about “growing up in Thorntown in the 60’s” and they preformed it this year. They specialize in country, gospel, and bluegrass music. In addition to their normal set, a special request was made this year to have the Back Porch Pickers play a rock and roll song for the class of ‘67. A rousing rendition of “Johnny Be Good” was played. While the band played, Harold Cox “danced” his last dance for his Classmates and fellow alumni.

The program was ended with Jerolyn Nay Cox inviting all to the 105th Alumni Banquet on May 12, 2018.