E-Letter 04/20/2004

Ackerman School Reunion Meets This Saturday, April 24    

     The date for the annual 2004 Ackerman School Reunion is Saturday, April 24, 2004 and will again be held in the Ty Cobb Complex. Registration will begin at 12:00 Noon and the program will begin at 2:00 P.M. There is no charge for the event. 

Band Reunions - "Mr. Mac" & Hal Reese Era's  

     Wayne McDonald, former AHS band director, is calling his members (1966-73, 82-84) for a reunion of the “Mr. Mac” era of the band. “Mr. Mac” invites all his former members to attend the general reunion at 2:00 p.m. and meet him at Pap’s Restaurant at 5:00 p.m. for dinner and fellowship. Mr. Mac also want all members of beginners bands under his direction to attend. He is looking forward to getting together after all these years to "catch up." BREAKING NEWS -- We have learned that former AHS Band Director Hal Reese (1962-1965) will attend the general reunion and Band Reunion at Pap's. He is urging all former members during his era to please attend. Call Mr. Mac (662)464-0108 or Hugh Weaver (662)285-2869 if you can attend the Band Reunion at Pap's. It is important they you let one of them know you are planning to attend. You can also reach Hugh Weaver by email at hbweaver@telapex.com.    

     The annual Ackerman School Reunion event was started in 1998 by AHS Class of 1947 Alumnus, Marion Smith, as time for alumni to reminisce, renew friendships with former classmates and reconnect with current needs and goals of the school. The reunion event last year brought together 202 former students, graduates, faculty, administration and friends of Ackerman School. Alumni returned to the AHS campus from 12 different states; spanning New Hampshire to California and Pennsylvania to Florida.

     A special treat last year was the attendance of two former coaches and wives who also served AHS as faculty and administration – Parker & Jane Dykes and Paul & Brenda Pounds. Former football coach Parker Dykes and junior high teacher Jane Dykes served AHS in the 1969-70 era. Coach Dykes is now in his 13th year as head football coach at Jones County (MS) Community College. Former football/baseball coach Paul Pounds and administrative secretary Brenda Pounds served AHS in the 1963-65 era. They currently own and operate a B&B in Columbia, Mississippi, and Paul is Director of the Exposition Center and Recreation for the city.

     Ackerman School Reunion President Kenneth Smith and the reunion committee have been working hard on this year’s reunion event and are most excited about the planned program and activities that alumni, classmates and friends are sure to enjoy. This year will involve some of the very talented choral students currently in the Ackerman school program. Attendees will have an update from Choctaw County Schools Superintendent Arlene Amos and be greeted by Town of Ackerman Mayor Bruce Burney. 

Class Reunions

     The class of “54” will be celebrating its 50th anniversary with some well planned activities that start Friday evening and continue through Saturday that include the school reunion, and a Sunday church service with lunch afterwards.  It’s not too late to bring your class together for a reunion during the April 24 weekend.

AHS Reunion Weblog

     Look who has checked in at the Ackerman Reunion Weblog - Sedgie Taylor, Julie Brunt Cunningham, Mike McCarty, Deborah Blake, Mike Ballard, Hugh Weaver, Cherry Sandifer Sims, Sam Griffin, Debbie Taylor, Danny Brunt, Peggy Perry Goza, Johnny Draper, Nan Ballard Sullivan, Becky Love Curtis Orr, Billie Henson, Lisa Reid, Betty Jo Black Walls, Beth Reid Jackson, Kathy Ellis Holbrook, and Debbie Sandifer Suggs. I invite you to visit the Ackerman Reunion Weblog today and give us an update on you at the tagboard. Bookmark our Weblog - http://bravenetbuddy.braveweblog.com - and return often to see who has checked in and participate in the dialogue. Your post doesn't have to be anything of importance. We simply want to hear from everyone.

Class of 1954 Reunion

From The Guestbook

     Recent entries to the Ackerman Reunion Guestbook are: Glynda Chaney Fulce (62), Joe Curtis (66), Edna Ruth Glasgow Wells (46), Dale Dobbs (64) and Kathy Ellis Holbrook (68). Visit the Guestbook today. Sign the guestbook.