Osmond: ‘Where Everybody Knows Your Name’
OSMOND — For days before the Osmond High School biennial alumni reunion, some familiar faces could be seen in the community as Osmond graduates came home for the event, which was held on Saturday, June 25. The visitors had an opportunity to tour Osmond Community School during the afternoon.
Although the all-school reunion is usually held every other year, COVID-19 put a halt to it in 2020, so the number of honored classes at the banquet that evening was increased from the usual eight groups (25-, 50-, 60- and 70-year classes) to 16.
They included the Classes of 1950-1952 (none available in 1949), 1959-1962, 1969-1972 and 1994-1997. The oldest classes represented included one graduate each from 1944, 1947 and 1948: Evelyn (Bilau) Eichberger, Alton Fuelberth and Mary Ann (Gubbels) Peschel, respectively. A total of approximately 315 alumni attended the banquet.
After the presentation of The Colors by American Legion Post 326 and Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 7838, the Pledge of Allegiance and the “National Anthem” sung beautifully by Courtney (Bruckner) Clausen (Class of 2005), the crowd was welcomed by Alumni Committee President Dennis Kuhl (Class of 1984).
Following a prayer given by Roger Tacey (Class of 1969), a delicious meal of roast beef, mashed potatoes, beans and a cheesecake dessert was served.
The program began with special recognition of the 2019 Osmond Tiger basketball team, which included Ryan Schmit, Zach Huwaldt, Matt Alderson, Aaron Chishiba, Graysen Schultze, Brady Stech, Justus Maertins, Dylan Schmit and Keaton Timmerman, who helped serve the meal that night.
Videos featuring highlights of the 2019 semifinal and championship basketball games were then shown, and the coach of the team, Todd Schulze, spoke about the winning season and the team.
Leah (Gubbels) Kuhl (Class of 2012) then introduced the 2022 Alumni Committee, which included herself and the following: Dennis Kuhl, chairman (1984); Dennis Haselhorst, co-chairman (1978), Aaron Gutz (2007), Brian Borgmann (1974), Garret Kuhl (2011), Jeff Luhr (1994), Lacy (Johnson) Stelling (2008), Justin Bahr (1991) and Leah (Manzer) Orr (1998).
A special video tribute to Bernice Blecha, who had been a big part of the alumni reunions as well as other community events through the years, was shown. It included pictures of Bernice as she grew up and then graduated from Osmond High School in 1962. It also followed her career with the Osmond Republican and work as Osmond City Clerk, as well as her involvement in many Osmond organizations.
A roll call of the honored classes then took place, read by Lady (Johnson) Stelling (Class of 2008) and Garret Kuhl (Class of 2011), followed by the treasurer’s report by Leah (Manzer) Orr (Class of 1998).
The speaker for the evening was Terry McClain (Class of 1966), who spoke about the Osmond community and how it came together following the flood and the fire at the local grocery store.
“You should pat yourselves on the back,” McClain said, adding that the late Dick Adkins said “You can learn a lot about a community by driving down Main Street.” McClain also said “A community cannot exist without individuals stepping up and being involved.”
He noted that Osmond is dealing with declining infrastructure and school numbers, but said he has confidence in Osmond, and encouraged those at the reunion to “band together.”
“Take care of the details, be proud of your community,” McClain said. “You’re in good shape. Just keep your young people here in the community.”
Following McClain’s talk, Dennis Kuhl noted that McClain had given him an envelope that night, and had issued a challenge to the community. More information about that challenge is included in a separate story on this page.
Joe Schmit (Class of 1979), cochairman of the OHS Hall of Fame Committee, read the letter of induction of Pat Hoffman (Class of 1978) (see story elsewhere in this issue). In accepting the honor, Hoffman spoke of special moments he remembered from his years playing high school football.
Rod Erwin, one of the members of an honored class (1970), had a message for his classmates and said they had a connection with some of the older classes. Many were country kids and went to country schools. He remembered going to the consolidated school in town for the first time and noted that his was probably the largest class, at 47 students.
Erwin recalled that his was the last to go through “initiation” and got some laughs as he described what was involved with that tradition. He also remembers being told that their class would be the last to have a “sneak day,” so they traveled to Colorado by train with Don and Bernice Blecha as chaperones.
“Those ‘lasts’ were never forgotten,” he said. “Cheers to you!”
The reunion concluded with a special toast by Dennis Kuhl and a video tribute of pictures of graduates from the honored classes with the theme song, “Where Everybody Knows Your Name,” from the TV show “Cheers,” and with comments from one of that show’s characters, “Norm,” (George Wendt).
The video tribute to Bernice Blecha and the video of the graduates are both available on the Osmond Alumni Facebook page, as are photos from the event.
The 2024 Alumni Committee — which has not been finalized — will have two carryovers: Jeff Luhr (1994) and Aaron Gutz (2007). The new members will included Margaret (Buchanan) Ryan (1988), Chris Schmit (2012) and Brianna (Kumm) Schmit (2013).
The evening concluded with a street dance at the “post office” corner. Music was provided by Last Minute Band.
