Class Member News
Remembering Frank Johnson
Frank JohnsonFrank Johnson, chief negotiator and director of employee relations for the Racine Unified School District, checks with staff at central office as teacher contract negotiations continue between the Racine Education Association (REA) and bargainers for the Racine Unified School District, Thursday December 11, 2003 at REA headquarters, 1201 West Blvd. For 26 years, Johnson negotiated labor contracts as in-house legal counsel and employee relations executive director of the Racine Unified School District. Johnson died Monday from brain cancer. He was 71
Local REA ContractFrank Johnson, left, Director of Employee Relations for the Racine Unified School District, and Jim Ennis, Executive Director of the Racine Education Association, shake hands after signing the tentative agreement between the school district and the teacher's union early Thursday March 19, 1998. School board members Mike Piontek, James Turek, and Dennis Kornwolf, watch, and union negotiator Betsy Kippers gathers the paperwork. For 26 years, Johnson negotiated labor contracts as in-house legal counsel and employee relations executive director of the Racine Unified School District. Johnson died Monday from brain cancer. He was 71.
Unified shutdownFrank Johnson, left, Director of Employee Relations for the Racine Unified School District; Douglas E. Witte, an attorney from Madison; school superintendent Dennis McGoldrick; Keri Paulson, Employee Relations Supervisor, discuss the school crisis before the district's press conference announcing an end to the teacher lockout, Tuesday February 24, 1998, at district headquarters. For 26 years, Johnson negotiated labor contracts as in-house legal counsel and employee relations executive director of the Racine Unified School District. Johnson died Monday from brain cancer. He was 71.
Frank Johnson
Frank Johnson, executive director of employee relations for the Racine Unified School District, hands distributes new material to negotiators from the Racine Education Association (REA) as contract talks continue at REA headquarters, Friday August 26, 2005. For 26 years, Johnson negotiated labor contracts as in-house legal counsel and employee relations executive director of the Racine Unified School District. Johnson died Monday from brain cancer. He was 71.
2010 OHS Wall of Honor Recipients Includes Two OHS'57 Class MembersMichael Shaughnessy and Morgan Williams to Receive Honors
Ottawa Herald, August 12, 2010
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Terry Briscoe Magazine reminisces about family’s ‘million dollar’ dog
The Ottawa Herald July 21, 2009
Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Marvin and Mary Ann ZielsdorfPublished Sunday, July 27, 2008
The Topeka Capital Journal Online
Marvin and Mary Ann Zielsdorf, Topeka, will celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary at a reception from 2 to 4 p.m. Sunday, Aug. 3 at First United Methodist Church at SW 6th and Topeka Boulevard.
Hosts will be their children. Family and friends are invited to attend. They request no gifts.The couple were married Aug. 1, 1958, at First Methodist Church in Ottawa, Kan.
They are blessed with two sons, Mark and his wife Sandy, and Matt and his wife Kim. One of their greatest joys is their four grandchildren, Kaitlyn, Kyler, Ryan and Reagan.
Both retired from Hamm Cos. in Perry, Kan., Mary Ann in 1998, and Marvin in 2004.
Topeka Capital Journal article contributed by Janice Yokum
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Lynda (Igel) Connell Lynda (Igel) Connell (OHS 57) Selected
For Wall Of Honor At Ottawa High School
NEWS FLASH!!!
From Carolyn Christie Woodward and Marie Keelin Fredricks
OHS Class of '57, Tuesday, June 10, 2008
Carolyn (Christie) Woodard and Marie (Keelin) Fredricks nominated Lynda (Igel) Connell for the WALL OF HONOR at Ottawa High School.
Lynda has been chosen to receive this honor. It was a privilege for us to nominate this wonderful person. She has led an amazing life and is very deserving of this honor.
The OHS Wall of Honor activities will be on Thursday, September 11 and Friday, September 12, 2008. It would be great if many of our OHS 57 classmates will attend.
We will now have 3 members of our class on the Wall. What a great class we were!
Following is the Nomination:
Lynda (Igel) Connell
Lynda (Igel) Connell attended Ottawa Junior and Senior High School, graduating from High School in 1957. During those years she participated in many organizations including: Orchestra, Band, Swing Kings, Community & World Service, Dramatics Club, Science Club, Student Council, Pep Club and the Drill Team.
Lynda Igel Connell has spent a lifetime caring for and serving others as a teacher, as a volunteer and as a leader of volunteers. Her life exudes a commitment to others. She started early, managing to work in over a year of full time volunteer work with the Church of the Brethern and still graduated cum laude from college in only four years after her high school graduation. She received her B.A. in Education and Psychology from McPherson College. Continuing her education, she did graduate work in Education at Wichita State University, Wichita, KS, and Ottawa University in Ottawa, KS.
During a career in education that stretched over three decades, she was known for being a pioneer, a leader and a teacher. She taught multi-cultural students (Chinese, Syrian, Korean, Columbian and Eastern Indian) and had experience with dyslexia, attention deficit disorder and other learning disabilities. She taught her students an accelerated curriculum with exciting events. She spearheaded traditional academic enrichment activities and showed strong initiative in implementing new ideas. She was known for having the best behaved classes and was a role model for many fledgling teachers.
Lynda began volunteering with the American Red Cross in 1996 and continues that work today. Since beginning her service with her local chapter, she has risen to the top echelon of volunteer leadership on over 65 national disaster operations. Using her unique ability to both lead and inspire in times of great stress and change, she has served brilliantly in the most challenging of circumstances. Following 9/11 she was in New York immediately after flight release allowed her to get there. She spent a total of 9 weeks there on three different assignments. She was one of the first responders to Hurricane Katrina and spent 14 weeks on Katrina activity. She is expected to deploy on a moment's notice and to be enroute to a disaster within 4 hours, which she has done on numerous occasions including hurricanes, tornadoes, wildfires, floods, explosions, ice storms, aircraft accidents and refugee projects.
Among other honors, Lynda was recognized as Volunteer of the Year in 2005 by the Midway-Kansas Chapter of the American Red Cross, Citizen of the Year by the Civitan Club of Wichita for 2001-2002, and was given the Daughters of American Community Service Award in 2001. The Wichita Eagle newspaper featured her as an outstanding volunteer in August 2002.
Lynda's dedication, abilities and commitment to step away from her personal life to serve others is truly exemplary. She has stepped to the forefront of disaster relief in many of our nation's most significant and tragic events from September 11 and Katrina to the more recent wildfires in Southern California. She deserves to be recognized by inclusion on the Ottawa High School Wall of Honor for all she has accomplished and for what she has unselfishly done in the service of others in need both in the United States and in foreign countries. Please favorably consider her for this honor.
Attachments with this nomination are:
A history of her life including her education, professional life and volunteer serviceA list of acronyms to explain those used in the Red CrossCopies of her awardsLetters of recommendation from those who have been closely involved with Lynda's work
American Red Cross Mass Care TeamSharon Powell-Quincy, Retired Red Cross Mgr Disaster Services and current volunteerBunny Hill, Head of the Wichita Collegiate Middle SchoolNominated by Carolyn Christie Woodward and Marie Keelin Fredricks
See Wall of Honor Inductees - 2008 for Induction Ceremony
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Gary D. HornbuckleOHS alums earn places on Wall of Honor
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New honorees found success in varied fields
By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer
Three alumni from Ottawa High School who went on to careers in education, computers and food were selected for the high school's highest honor -- the Wall of Honor.
Charles Gillette [OHS '50], Gary Hornbuckle [OHS '57] and Gary Mavity [OHS '65] join a list of 33 OHS graduates previously added to the wall. Inductees are chosen by a selection committee of OHS students, teachers and alumni.
"Although the three took varied career paths, they have all made significant contributions to their professions and the communities in which they live," Susan Geiss, Wall of Honor coordinator, said.
The inductees will be recognized at a banquet at 6 p.m. Sept. 13 at Ottawa High School, 1230 S. Ash St. The public is invited to attend.
Tickets will be available for $11 between Aug. 13 and Sept. 6 from the OHS office. No tickets will be sold at the door, but tickets are not required to attend the program following the banquet in the OHS gym at 7:30 p.m.
The three inductees also will address the student body during an all-school assembly Sept. 14. Official induction to the Wall of Honor will be during half-time of the OHS football game Sept. 14.
This year's inductees and backgrounds include:
Gary Hornbuckle
A 1957 high school graduate, Hornbuckle lettered in track, football and band and was president of his sophomore class.
After graduation, he attended the University of California at Berkeley and earned a bachelor's degree, master's degree and doctorate degree in electrical engineering. During his final year at Berkeley, he was an associate professor of electrical engineering.
"Dr. Hornbuckle had a remarkable career in the field of computer science as a pioneer in the area of computer graphics, software and hardware design," the news release said.
After graduating from college, he worked on the research staff at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology for two years and then co-founded Applicon Inc., one of the first Computer Aided Design systems manufacturing companies.
He later founded and served as president of five technology companies in Texas and California. During his 31 years in business management, Hornbuckle developed unique computer software and invented new computer hardware devices, the release said.
He retired in 2000 and lives in Pebble Beach, Calif., where he has served as president of the Pebble Beach Community Services District, president of the Monterey Peninsula Country Club and Commodore of the Stillwater Yacht Club.
He and his wife, Sandra, have four children and step-children and eight grandchildren.
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See Ottawa Herald Article on "OHS Wall of Honor"
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Donald A. and Karen K. Cain Celebrate 50th Anniversary
Donald A. and Karen K. Cain celebrated their 50th anniversary with a reception Nov. 4 at the Ottawa Country Club, East Logan St. The hosts of the event were the couple's children, Candi Lynn Cain-Borgman, Emmaus, Penn.; Cliff Cain, Round Lake, Ill.; and Babette Cain, Ann Arbor, Mich. They have six grandchildren.
Donald Cain and the former Karen Haverty were married Dec. 8, 1956, at Topeka.
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1956
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2006
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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David L. Mille David sent Morgan Williams an e-mail on November 7, 2006 saying he was having major health problems, especially with his lungs, and was on oxygen 24 hours a day. David said, “due to my health I will not be able to come to the reunion. But tell everyone hi for me and have a good time at the reunion.” We were later saddened to learn that David passed away on Friday Dec. 15, 2006. (See the "In Memoriam" page for further details).
David left Ottawa High School after his junior year and with classmate Philip Loux joined the Navy. David's wife, Nancy (Brown) Mille, was a younger sister to two members of our class, Norma (Brown) Schoonover and Duane Brown (both now deceased.) David and Nancy lived in Sylvan Grove, Kansas for many years.
If you would like to send a message to David's wife, Nancy Brown Mille, please e-mail one to her daughter Dianna Fisher at mfisher29@cox.net
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Elaine (Crane) Suffron 50th Wedding Anniversary
Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Cattle Drive Brings The Past Home The Ottawa Herald June 27, 2005
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Photo by Rachel seymour/The Ottawa Herald
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Missouri cattle drivers head about 90 cattle down Ottawa's Main Street Saturday morning
to start the parade as well as the weekend of Cowboy Days. Most of the scheduled
events took place in City Park Saturday and Sunday.
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By SAMANTHA THOMPSON, Herald Staff Writer
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For Gary Rice, seeing cattle run down the city streets of Ottawa is just the way things used to be. And they're a welcome return as far as he's concerned.
"I'd have to say the last time I saw this is when I drove cattle 55 years ago," Rice said. "That's the last time we had a cattle drive here. We're an old farm town so it's good to see this again."
Of course, 55 years ago when Rice made the last cattle drive in the city, the animals didn't run down Main Street, they ran on the north end of town to the sale barn, and most people didn't take much notice.
"Of course then it was for sale, now it's for the community," Rice said. "I'm glad to see them all out here. Kids need to see what our history is."
With Main Street lined early Saturday morning with lawn chairs, children dressed as junior cowboys and families sitting in the back of truck beds, sponsors of the second annual Cowboy Days introduced the first Main Street Cattle Drive and parade. The drive ran 92 cattle down Main Street to City Park where they were corralled and later taken back to their ranch in Bethany, Mo.
"The whole purpose was to show some tribute to the cattle and equestrian industry in Franklin County," Ernie Rodina, one of the organizers for Cowboy Days, said. "We had local ranchers out here, all people involved in this business to showcase things for our community. "
The showcase kicked off just after 10 a.m. with the running of the cows, followed by a parade of tractors, old fashioned buggies, horses and a few extra cattle. Gail Long brought his own cow, Elise, to the cattle drive, but opted to walk her alongside his horse instead of run her with the rest of the animals.
"She's a little out of practice," Long said. "It's been three or four years since I've had time to practice with her, but I wanted to come out and join the celebration. I like this, it's a good deal."
Aside from a little, er, fertilizer, the herd left no significant damage on Main St. and the crew loaded up as many cattle as they began with -- a sign of success as far as Rodina is concerned. Future plans for another cattle drive are still undetermined, but Rodina said he'd like to see the entire parade expand and become a larger community event.
"I think if we expand the parade, we'd have to keep the cattle drive in it because the community loved it so much," Rodina said. "We had such a tremendous turn-out for the parade that in the future we definitely want to expand and get more involvement in it."
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Fred and Marlene (Carey) Ferguson Celebrate 45thThe Ottawa Herald September 29, 2004
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Bill Coltrane's OHS Cylones Win Competition
The Ottawa High School Cytones took frist in choir competitions Feb. 11 in Carthage, Mo. and Feb. 18 in Nevada, Mo. Front row, from left; Sarah McAdoo, Bethany Crawford, Lisa Geller, Alica Jackson, Chelsea Brown, Kaylee Carter; Second row, Alyssa Schirck, David Brockway, Anna Underwood, Maggie Stevens; Third row, Cody Dunyon, Dustin Crawford, Shane Crabtree, Mark Scott; Forth row, Kyle Nelson, Garrett Skidmore, Geoffrey McCall, Truyn Mosher and teacher, Bill Coltrane.
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Bill Coltrane will be retiring this year. He's been at OHS as the Cytone director for five years. He and his wife (Vera Lea) live in Ottawa and they want to spend more time traveling. [See below under Retirements]
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Bill ColtraneCytones take their sound to southwest Missouri
From the Ottawa Herald
February 2004
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By Dorothy Nichols
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Maybe the reason I so enjoy the Ottawa High School Cytones performances - besides that my granddaughter, Sarah McAdoo, is a member of the group - is because growing up and throughout my life, my family loved to dance. My generation did the jitterbug with the Susie Q, Shag, and other hyper kinetic steps. Early on, these dances were banned from the dance floor of supper clubs. As I've mentioned before, our journalism class of 1941 was the group who gained permission to conduct the first dance ever held in Ottawa Senior High School. It was held in the boys' gym during the Spring Carnival, a yearly fun event.
This past weekend, the Cytones motored to Carthage, Mo., to compete for the second time in the annual Carthage High School Soundfest. Out of the 15 schools represented, they were the only group from Kansas to participate in his show choir competition. There was one Junior High group, the Nevada Elite Energy, and four (smaller) Class B schools: East Newton Sweet Harmony, Joplin New Expressions, Nevada Treble Effects, and Joplin Touch of Class.
The OHS Cytones, directed by Bill Coltrane, and accompanied by Becky Kunard, is one of the 3A schools whose competition included: The Cassville Centerstage and the East Newton Patriot Singers from Granby, Mo.
The Cytones were costumed in red and silver. The girls wear a simple scoop-neck dress with a flared skirt falling just below the knee. The boys have a black suit with a vest that matches the girls' dresses. (Each member of the group purchases their own costumes.) The first remark from the clinicians critiquing their performance was "Great costumes!" Their energy and performance matched their apparel.
Nevada Soundsation Singers, Webb City Singers, and McDonald County Destiny from Anderson, Mo., performed in the 4A class. Later in the afternoon, the 5A schools shared their creative routines. These included the Neosho Choraleers, and the Joplin Sound Dimensions. Each group performed at least four numbers, and some had as many as six in their routine.
The judges then compiled the data and determined the rank of each entry within their class. The Cytones came home with the 3A First Place trophy for the second year in a row. While this took place, the host school entertained the participants and audience with their current song and dance routines. The Carthage Suite Sounds and the Carthage Soundwave, under the direction of Karen Brownfield, were the hosts. The first performance of the day began at 9:25 a.m. and at 8:25 p.m.; the final and specialty awards were presented.
One thing that impressed me was, that as each group performed, the other teams encouraged and cheered for them even to standing ovations. Such energy! I wish I could have bottled it and brought it home for my own use.
I could go on and on about this delightful activity. In these times when we are bombarded with war, social problems, sexual exposure and ugly political rhetoric, a day with these youngsters and their sponsors renews my faith that mankind does still have a great side. Thanks.
When I think that in 1941, Bucky Gowans and the school officials finally allowed us to have a dance at OHS, that boys and girls putting their arms around each other while dancing was not a sin. Today, the Cytones and their song and dance presentations are great public ambassadors.
Thank you Mr. Coltrane, and Mrs. Kunard, and Cytones. The Lord willing and the creek don't rise; I'll be at Nevada, Mo., for your next competition! (Hopefully, in the not too distant future, OHS will find a way to host such an event!)
Dorothy Nichols is a longtime Ottawan, former mayor and state legislator who is the mother of six children and many grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Will Channon
Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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More of Grampa Pokey Channon
T
he Ottawa Herald, Wed. June 15,2004 |
Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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| Will Channon Update |
The Ottawa Herald, Monday June 13, 2005
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Photo by Rachel Seymour/The Ottawa Herald
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Rowan Padgett, 4, smiles with delight as Grampa Pokey, Will Channon, hands a Padgett a balloon sword Saturday in Ottawa's City Park. Grampa Pokey made swords to hats for people who attended Skunk Run Saturday at City Park.
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Ottawa Herald article contributed by Jim Corcoran
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| Judith (Whirley) Mohr Keane |
Judith Keane has been selected as a recipient for the OHS Wall of Honor award, with the award to be given in September in Ottawa. The following is from the nomination form submitted to the selection committee. This information was provided by Marie Fredricks.
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Judith Whirley Mohr graduated from Ottawa High School with the class of 1957. Judith was active in extra circular activities during her high school years. She was a member of the Glee Club, Mixed Chorus, Madrigal Singers, Chorale, Dramatics Club, Jesters Club, and Thespians. She was also a member of the Junior Play Cast as well as the vocalist for the Dance Band, THE SWING KINGS. Those were just some of the organizations she participated in.
Following high school, Judith took some time out from her education to have 4 children. When she got back into education, she graduated from Ottawa University with a Bachelor of Arts Degree, majoring in History and Political Science in 1970. Judith was on the Dean's Honor list for the last 3 years at Ottawa. Not letting much time elapse, she earned a Masters Degree in Public Administration, with specialization in city management in the year of 1973 from University of Kansas. She was only the second woman to go through the city manager training program. Then it was on to Georgia where she completed the academic requirements with the exception of her dissertation for her Doctorate in Public Administration.
Judith accomplished all these tasks while working full time and raising her four children. Although she went through a divorce and the death of her youngest son, as well as a devastating car accident which put her in a body cast for a year and she had to learn to walk all over again, her energy and spirit never diminished and she continued her quest for education and serving the public.
She spent 25 years as a management consultant. During this time, she met her current husband, Mark Keane, who served as the Executive Director of the International City/County Management Association. They formed JMK Enterprises, a consulting, training, & facilitation to local governments and private organizations. Her resume, which is included, points out the Professional Committees she has served on as well as the Major Presentations she has made around the world. She also has to her credit many Publications, also listed in her resume.
Judith has accumulated many honors including Who's Who, American Colleges and Universities; 1969-70, Who's Who, Women of the World; 1974, Outstanding Service in Public Administration, University of Georgia, Robert Golembiewski Award, 1980; and membership in the Phi Kappa Phi, a public administration & political science honors society.
In 1990, Judith and her husband moved to Sedona, AZ where they reside today. They were ready for a life change and chose Sedona because they were fascinated with the political scene in this place that was incorporated in 1988 and was forming a city government from scratch. Judith ran for the City Council and won, serving from 1996 to June 2000. She also served as the vice-mayor.
Judith has continued her work with JMK Enterprises as well as becoming involved in the Community. She has been a volunteer in many organizations in Sedona and Oak Creek. She was President of the League of Women Voters of Sedona/Oak Creek, 1993-94. She was President of Sedona Women 2001-02. When asked if she considered herself an activist for Women's Rights, she replied that she thought of herself more of an activist for Women's Opportunities.
In January 2001, Judith was named Citizen of the Year in Sedona for the year 2000. (Newspaper article enclosed)
Not ready to retire and take it easy, Judy continues her volunteering as well as working full time as the Quality Improvement Coordinator in the City Manager's Office since 2001. She is responsible for the Overall Safety for the City, Strategic Planning Process for City Council and City Manager, Representative from City Manager's Office for Employee Committees, is a Training and Organizational specialist, and Chairperson of the Strategic Management Planning Council.
Judith Whirley Mohr Keane is more than worthy of being included on the Wall of Honor at Ottawa High School and representing the class of 1957. I am proud to be able to nominate her for that honor.
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Judith's resume is enclosed as well as newspaper articles and samples of her publications, copies of awards, etc.
[See related article on OHS Wall of Honor page]
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[Note: The following article from the Sedona Red Rock News (Which as been on our website for some time) was part of the backup material provided with the nomination]
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The Sedona Red Rock News
Sedona, AZ
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Article contributed by Patsy (Cupp) Kiefer
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Darold CainA House for the Winning
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The Ottawa Herald
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Photo by Laurie Sisk
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[If you have trouble reading the above text, it is reproduced below:]
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Darold Cain inspects the window unit of a new playhouse on the Franklin County Courthouse grounds. The house will be given away at Thanksgiving. Chances to win the house are being sold to raise money for Court Appointed Special Advocates, a group whose members represent neglected and abused children in court. Materials for the house were donated by Jeff Clark of Lyndon Bilding Supply and labor to build the house was supplied by Kevin Payne of Panye Financial Services. Cain also helped build the house.
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Photo contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Carol Day (Terry) HiattThe Ottawa Herald
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Ottawa, Kansas
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Friday, August 23, 2002
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A Campus Stroll
Photo by Laurie Sisk
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Zane Muhl, 3, navigates his tricycle through the columns at Ottawa University as his grandmother, Carol Hiatt, takes grandson Seth Muhl for a stroll. Hiatt said the campus is one of their favorite places to go because traffic is light and the scenery is beautiful.
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Photo contributed by Jim Corcoran
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Lynda (Igel) ConnellAlways on call
Disasters Keep Volunteer On The Move
Article in The Wichita Eagle, Wichita, Kansas
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Posted on Thursday, Aug. 15, 2002
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The Wichita Eagle
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Lynda Connell has seen some of the darkest days in American history up close. Following the attacks on the World Trade Center on Sept. 11, she consoled family members hoping against hope for good news to emerge from the rubble.
She was in the respite center at ground zero, giving firefighters and rescue workers something to eat and a place to sleep.
She was at Staten Island, next to the landfill where the debris was carried by dump trucks around the clock for weeks.
And she did it all for nothing.
As a volunteer member of the Red Cross Disaster Service Human Resources team, Connell can be sent to the site of a disaster within 24 hours.
In six years on the team, she has made 40 such trips -- including six this year. Earlier this month, she returned home to Wichita after helping people victimized by widespread flooding in Texas.
"New York was the worst for everybody," said Connell, 62. "At Staten Island, we could look across the road and see all the equipment and the machinery and the men in the white suits.
"We knew what they were doing and what they were looking for."
Human remains.
For most of her life, Connell conceded, she hardly seemed the type to get involved in such things. She was an elementary teacher for many years at Wichita Collegiate School before retiring several years ago.
A friend of her husband's was involved with the Red Cross disaster teams, and she found his stories interesting. After she retired from Collegiate, she took training and joined the team.
"It kinda sounded like an adventure," she said, "and it has been."
She has been to about 20 states, Puerto Rico and Guam, handling many different tasks. She also belongs to the Aviation Incident Response team, which is sent to assist survivors and family members after airline crashes.
A local version of the national disaster response team takes her across Wichita to tackle the needs of local families that have lost a house to fire.
Connell is "one of our very best volunteers," said Darla Hesse, assistant director of emergency social services for the Red Cross. "You would trust her to do anything."
Harold Connell has gotten used to his wife being gone for weeks at a time.
"We kinda look at it as though it was a paying job," he said. "A lot of times the job will take you away for a while."
She was working at a disaster site in Puerto Rico on Sept. 11 and was sent to New York for four weeks. She came home for two weeks --"They told us it was important that we get back to reality," she said -- and then went back to New York for another five weeks.
Although she's never been frightened while working at disaster scenes, she admits it was a little scary to look out the school windows in Montana earlier this summer and see the wildfires burning in the hills.
Soot covered their vehicles like a dark frost, she said.
Connell is sent close to the action so frequently because she's efficient and has a personality that makes people feel like every thing's going to be all right, Hesse said.
But the work gets to Connell, too.
"I've been overwhelmed a few times on the magnitude of what I was doing," she said.
The work has changed her, she said. She's more spontaneous and independent now. She doesn't commit to as many local events as she used to because she never knows when she might have to leave town.
"I never would have thought of driving in New York City and Atlanta and Philadelphia," she said. "Now I just jump in and go and don't think much about it."
Midwesterners, she has learned, have a hard time accepting help in times of need. The 1997 floods in North Dakota really brought that home to her.
"They just think whatever happens in nature, God means for it to happen to them," she said. "They just get up and go on and go back to work the next day."
She's been inspired by such spirit in the face of dark days, she said. She's touched, too, by the praise she has received for her work to help the suffering.
"It makes me feel kind of humble," she said.
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Reach Stan Finger at sfinger@wichitaeagle.com.
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Article contributed by Morgan Williams
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Morgan WilliamsUkrainian President Victor Yushchenko Presents State Awards
to USUBC President Morgan Williams and to USUF President Nadia McConnell
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U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) Washington, D.C., Tuesday, September 7, 2007
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WASHINGTON - Ukrainian President Victor Yushchenko has presented state awards to the President of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC), Morgan Williams, and to the Founder and President of the U.S. -Ukraine Foundation (USUF), Nadia Komarnyckyj McConnell. USUF is a member of the USUBC.
Williams is Director of Government Affairs, Washington office, for the SigmaBleyzer Emerging Markets Private Equity Group and is serving as President of the USUBC.
President Yushchenko announced a series of state awards on Independence Day to those who made a contribution to Ukraine's development. Yushchenko stated the awards were to those, "who have served the Ukrainian state most loyally. I thank them for their professional and creative efforts."
The Decree of the President of Ukraine # 739/2007 in part states the following: "On awarding state decorations of Ukraine to foreign citizens for distinguished personal contributions in strengthening the image of Ukraine in the world, spreading the word about Ukraine's historical and present-day achievements and on the occasion of the 16th anniversary of Ukraine's independence, I hereby resolve:
"To award the Distinguished Services Order (3rd degree) to: Morgan Williams, Chairman, the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council, a U.S. citizen.
"To award the Countess Olha Order (3rd degree) to: Nadya Komarnyckyj McConnell, President of the US-Ukraine Foundation, a U.S. citizen."
The president "Wished the awardees success and expressed hopes they would continue to use their intellect to benefit Ukraine."
The order "For the Distinguished Services" is awarded for distinguished services in the economy, science, social, cultural, military, state, civil and other sectors. The 3rd degree is reserved specially for decorating foreigners" - the official document on state orders states.
Morgan Williams has worked in the field of international economic and business development for the past twenty-six years. He became involved with Ukraine in 1992 when he began working on food system development projects in Russia and Ukraine as CNFA Senior Advisor in Washington.
CNFA worked on a variety of private sector food system business development projects with private U.S. agricultural and food companies in Russia and Ukraine under a large contract with the U.S. Agency for International Development (USAID).
From 1997 to 1999 Willams was President/CEO of a private agricultural input finance company headquartered in Kyiv, Ukraine.
For the past several years Mr. Williams has been working for the SigmaBleyzer Emerging Markets Private Equity Group. He is now Director, Government Affairs, Washington Office for SigmaBleyzer.
SigmaBleyzer was founded in 1991 by Michael Bleyzer and has over $1 billion under management in several private equity investment funds and special purpose vehicles (SPV's). SigmaBleyzer specializes in emerging markets with focus on the transition economies of Eastern Europe (EE) and the Former Soviet Union (FSU).
SigmaBleyzer has been an active member of the U.S.-Ukraine Business Council (USUBC) in Washington and has supported a program to expand the membership and work of the USUBC. Mr. Williams represents SigmaBleyzer on USUBC board of directors and is presently serving as President. The membership of USUBC has doubled in the last nine months.
Williams is founder, publisher and editor of the Action Ukraine Report
(AUR), an electronic news and information service that has been distributed worldwide for the past five years.
He is founder and trustee of the Holodomor Exhibition and Education Collection composed of original artworks by Ukrainian artists about the Soviet induced starvation of 1932-1933, which murdered millions of Ukrainians.
He serves as a member of President Yushchenko's Committee for the
75th Commemoration of the Holodomor 2007-2008 and as chairman of the Exhibition Committee of the Ukrainian World Congress (UWC) International Holodomor Committee.
Williams is Trustee of the Dr. James Mace Holodomor Memorial Fund administered by the Ukrainian Federation of America (UFA) and is an Advisor to the Board of Directors of USUF. In 2000 he founded the website www.ArtUkraine.com.
Morgan Williams came to Washington in 1977 to serve as a Professional Staff Member of the U.S. Senate Agriculture Committee for the ranking Republican on the Committee, Senator Bob Dole (R-Kan).
He had spent the previous 15 years working in the private and public sector in his home state of Kansas. His family immigrated from Wales in the late 1860's and settled in Iowa and Missouri working as farmers and coal miners.
He received an appointment in 1968 from U.S. Secretary of Agriculture Clifford Hardin to serve as Kansas State Director of the Farmers Home Administration (FmHA), the major rural and agricultural development agency of the USDA. Williams was FmHA State Director for 8 years.
In 1979 Williams was the Midwest Director of the Dole for President Committee, Des Moines, Iowa. In 1980 he served on the personal staff of Senator Dole in Washington. During Senator Dole's 1987-1988 campaign for President Williams was Executive Director of the National Ranchers and Farmers for Dole Committee (RFD).
In late 1980 he started his international work as president of a cooperative development organization in Washington that designed and implemented food system expansion projects in countries such as India, Haiti, Indonesia, and Egypt.
He represented the United States on the board of the International Cooperative Alliance (ICA) in Geneva, Switzerland and served on the board of directors of the National Cooperative Bank (NCB), the Cooperative Housing Foundation (CHF) and the Volunteers in Overseas Cooperative Assistance (VOCA) in Washington.
Williams was appointed by USAID Administrator Peter McPherson as chairman of the USAID Advisory Committee on Voluntary Foreign Aid (ACVFA) in 1982. He served for four years.
Williams holds a BA degree from Ottawa University, Ottawa, Kansas and a MA degree in economics from the University of Kansas.
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Article contributed by Patsy (Cupp) Kiefer
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Morgan Williams "Postcards over the edge"
Lawrence Journal-World.
Lawrence, Kansas
Sunday, January 20, 2002
Arts & Living Section, Front Page
Turn-of-the century pictures show creator's with
Ottawa photographer's exaggerations are coming home
By Joy Ludwig
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Images of farmers pushing gigantic tomatoes in a wheelbarrow, fishermen scrambling to avoid monstrous pike and President Taft surrounded by corn and potatoes as large as railway cars
were created here.
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Read the full story here, click on this link:http://www.ljworld.com/section/livinglead/story/80526
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Article contributed by Morgan Williams
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| Deanna (Albright) Matthews |
"Matthews 1812 House"
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 Ottawa, Kansas Wednesday, June 5, 2002
Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut
Family Business Founded by Deanna Albright Matthews
Ottawa High School Class of 1957
"Matthews 1812 House" Was Featured On "Food Network" National TV Cable Channel "Food Finds" Program On June 6th, 2002.
Deanna Albright Matthews, a member of the Ottawa High School Class of 1957, and her husband Blaine, founded a new business, the "Matthews 1812 House" out of their home in Cornwall Bridge, Connecticut in 1979.
This family business makes and sells high quality, specialty cakes, tortes, chocolates, brownies, candies, cookies and many other fine food items that make wonderful gifts and are great to eat.
"Matthews 1812 House" was featured on the "Food Network" national TV cable channel on the program entitled "Food Finds". The program was one-half hour in length and featured three specialty food businesses, including "Matthews 1812 House."
The TV program about the Matthews 1812 House was featured on the Food Network national TV cable hannel four different times:
June 6, Thursday at 9 p.m. Eastern Standard Time (EST)
June 7, Friday at 12 a.m. EST (Midnight)
June 17, Monday at 1 p.m. EST and
July 13, Saturday at 2:20 p.m. EST
You can find out more information about the "Matthews 1812 House" and their wonderful food products by going to their web site http://www.matthews1812house.com . You can order one of their fine catalogs and also some of their outstanding products. Deanna Albright Matthews can be contacted at:
Deanna Albright Matthews
63 Whitcomb Hill Road
Box 15
Cornwall Bridge, CT 06754-0051
800 662 1812
matthews@mohawk.net
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Article contributed by Morgan Williams
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Retirements |
| Bill Coltrane |
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Vocal music teacher resigns
Ottawa Herald 01/10/2006; 12:21:27 PM
By JODIE GARCIA, Herald Staff Writer
Ottawa High School will lose its earring-clad vocal music teacher at the end of the school year. USD 290 Superintendent Jan Collins Monday night announced Bill Coltrane's resignation and retirement. Coltrane, 66, will finish out his fifth year at the high school.
He said he plans to remain in Ottawa but is looking forward to relaxing and traveling. He said his wife, Vera Lea, has a lot of family in California, Washington and Arizona, and he wanted to be able to go with her and visit them.
Before coming to Ottawa five years ago, Coltrane was a long-time church choir director in Richmond, Va. Before that, he was a teacher.
At Ottawa High School, Coltrane teaches students in all grade levels. He leads the Cytones, the high school's show choir, and organizes the fall musical. He also works with band director Chris Reynolds for several programs throughout the school year.
Even though he's retiring, Coltrane said he probably would do some substitute teaching in the district.
"I love my students, working with teenagers," he said. "It's just a lot of fun - a challenge, but fun."
Frank JohnsonRACINE COUNTY - After 26 years of negotiating teacher contracts for the Racine Unified School District - including hammering out deals during periods of tumultuous labor relations between the district and teacher's union - Frank Johnson is stepping aside.
Johnson, executive director of employee relations and the district's in-house legal counsel, announced this past week that he will retire effective July 1.
He leaves graciously, wishing the School Board and district the best in its quest to become a top school district.
But his final months with the district mark the first teacher's contract in his 26 years with the district that was finalized without his involvement.
This spring, Superintendent Tom Hicks pulled the team negotiating a new teachers' contract - a team Johnson lead - and replaced it. Hicks personally led the new negotiating team, which hammered out the recently ratified deals for the 2005-07 and 2007-09 contract periods.
Hicks said at a press conference in early May that he wasn't seeing the progress he wanted in negotiations and decided it was time for a change. At a later School Board meeting, Johnson said he knew from his negotiations experience that sometimes a change is needed.
But did that change also push his decision to leave the district? "Not really. I was ready to retire anyway. Whether that sped me up to do it July 1 or finish my contract which goes through July 1 of next year I don't know, it's hard to say," Johnson said. "I was at that point anyway."
During his career, Johnson worked with 51 board members, seven superintendents, five employee relations employees and thousands of administrators, teachers and support personnel.
Johnson also stared down the most ferocious teachers' union negotiator the Racine Unified School District has known: Jim Ennis.
"The Jim Ennis days were the most memorable. He was an interesting person," Johnson said.
But the district /union relationship in those years was abnormal, Johnson said.
"Labor relations is always adversarial, but they don't have to be nasty or mean or anything like that," Johnson said. "We tried to avoid that as much as possible. As you recall from the history, there were some trying times."
Those times included teacher sick-outs and lock-outs in the 1990s.
But Johnson said taking this job and moving to Racine was one of the better decisions in his life: "… Over the past 26 years, I have had the opportunity to know and work with some of the best people on the face of this earth."
Johnson said that the district /union relationship has improved with new union leadership and their joint efforts working with the Panasonic Foundation, a group aimed at improving urban school districts.
"People don't seem to be on edge like they were years ago," Johnson said. "It's more of a normal relationship now."
In 26 years, Johnson may have attended more board meetings than most anyone, except for James Gilmore who may have served on the board for 30 years, he said.
At most board meetings in recent years, Johnson kept a quiet public presence, only occasionally asked in open session to provide legal advice or settle some parliamentarian issue.
Because it involved contract talks, much of Johnson's work occurred behind closed doors. The board met with him in executive session to discuss ongoing contract talks.
Sometimes Johnson got to show his sense of humor, such as in his letter announcing his retirement to the board of education, which makes reference to Mack, new board member Don Nielsen's guide dog.
"I am sorry that I will not have the opportunity to really get to know the four new board members (although I did get to know Mack a little bit) but I am sure the other three new board members will serve the district well and leave their own mark on this district in the next three years (hopefully different than Mack's mark,)" Johnson wrote.
Johnson said he plans to remain in the area and perhaps still do a little work with the district: "If the district needs some help on things, I'll be willing to do that."
And even if Johnson changes his mind and heads for a warmer climate, his family's involvement won't end. One of his two sons is a biology teacher at Case High School.
Johnson said it's going to be tough to leave the office he's occupied for his tenure in
Unified.
"I'm going to miss it," he said.
Racine, WI JournalTimes.com; Saturday, May 20, 2006
| Cecil Schneider |
Cecil and his wife Linda lived in Marietta, GA for most of his working career and moved to Big Canoe in the north Georgia mountains in late 2006. Cecil retired in 2001 after 37 years with Lockheed Martin Aeronautics in Marietta, GA and Burbank, CA. His speciality was in advanced materials and manufacturing process development and application. He currently serves on the boards of the Society of Manufacturing Engineers Education Foundation and Project Lead The Way Foundation. In his spare time he enjoys woodworking, collecting American Flyer trains and working on the family history. Cecil and Linda enjoy traveling when they can work it into their schedule.
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| Dave Sutherland |
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News from the retired Sutherlands.
Dave worked as a software engineer in the aerospace industry. Mag (Margaret Crawford, Class of '58) and Dave lived in Orlando, FL for the last 18 years of his working career. In 2000 they moved to Fairview, Arkansas, an unincorporated rural community near the Bull Shoals dam.
Mag and Dave have a camper, and took it to Ottawa for Mag's 45th OHS reunion and had a ball. They have toured Civil War battlefields, following Mag's great grandfather's trail. They went to Lancaster Co., PA. and plan on going to the Wisconsin Dells on their next trip. They go to Florida each Christmas, where all three of their children and their families live.
Dave is a volunteer fireman/EMS and Mag belongs to the Ladies Auxiliary of the Fairview VFD. There are no paid firefighters in Marion Co. Volunteers provide the fire protection and emergency medical service. As you can imagine, there is a very strong sense of community in rural Fairview. Joining the fire dept is a great way to make friends and become part of the community. Another great benefit -- you get really admiring glances from the grandkids when you take them for a ride on a fire truck.
After all their years in the `burbs, Dave and Meg really love their home in the woods. They keep bird feeders on the back deck and shelled corn and a salt block down on the corner of the lot for the deer. They've seen wild turkey and a wild cat. Also, there are hundreds of firefly's these soft summer nights
From Dave and Meg: Take care of yourselves and if you should travel this way, please stop in. You can reach us at sutherld@southshore.com.
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