Winter 2018 Edition Archives

Hall of Fame – Faculty and Staff

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Kathleen Riley

It was the spring of 1997 and the RHS Alumni Association was breaking new ground. The association was going to recognize people who had helped shape the history of the school district. For the first time people were being inducted into the Riverside Hall of Fame in the Faculty and Staff Category. The first to be recognized were George Adams, Margaret Barb, Loretta Bearer, Jane Braden, David Burris, Merle Court, John DeLong, Jacqueline Hood, George Inscho, Mary Kosinski, Henry LaMuth, Bernadine McFarren, David Shaner, Roger Stanley, Betts Strailey, and Mary…

16 Years of Quacking

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Gretchen Reed

Sixteen years of effort and over $90,000 raised in funds have established the Grand Riv-Har Duck Race as a respected annual tradition shared by the Riverside and Harvey alumni associations. Although known as long-time rivals in sports, the hatching of the Duck Race idea represents a classic example of how two neighboring school systems can achieve success by working toward the common good. Eventually hundreds of enthusiasts would become participants in the fund -raising efforts. The Duck Race history has had many twists and turns, just like the river that…

Art Martin (1973) Reaches Kilimanjaro Summit

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Kathleen Riley

At the age of 59 Art Martin, Class of 1973, now a practicing cardiologist in Hattiesburg, Mississippi, was training for an Iron Man race and discovered he might have a medical problem. After completion of the race, he was diagnosed with tonsil cancer. Treatment required three doses of chemotherapy and radiation. However, as a result of the first treatment, he lost his hearing. Since his early 50s, Art has been a triathlon athlete and at the age of 59 completed a full Iron Man competition. Then his brother taught him…

2017 Alumni Picnic Another Hit

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Loretta Vandervort

The RHS Annual Alumni Picnic was an enjoyable event. Held on August 12, 2017, approximately 117 people, many from distant areas, attended the gathering at Painesville Township Community Center. Besides local alumni, others were from Massachusetts, Virginia, South Carolina, Georgia and Florida. A note from Carl Taylor, Class of 1968, states, “As you know, I have attended the last two years, and yes, I do enjoy it. I have been able to connect with someone I had not seen in years and was able to have a great conversation. The…

Class of 1962 Celebrates at 55-Year Reunion

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Loretta Vandervort

The RHS class of 1962 held its 55-year reunion in early September 2017. The reunion centered on three events: a golf outing at the Painesville Country Club Friday morning , an informal get-together and cocktail party at Pickle Bill’s in Grand River Friday evening with special guest Loretta Vandervort from the RHSAA, and dinner and drinks at the Elks Club in Painesville Saturday evening. Prior to the kickoff of events on Friday, the twelve member reunion planning committee got together Thursday night for a final review of assignments and a…

Walk Down The Halls of Ivy

January 1, 2018April 7, 2020 Loretta Vandervort

Submitted by Mary Zmecek-Lette The Halls of Ivy Recently a friend and I had an opportunity to take a sentimental journey through the halls of Riverside High School. We wandered alone – and even though the building was relatively empty, felt and heard noises and voices from years gone by. On the wall in one of the hallways we saw this verse: “There are those whose lives affect all others around them, quietly touching one heart Who in turn touches another, reaching out to ends further than they would ever know.”…

Roll On Down The Floor

January 1, 2018January 4, 2018 Gretchen Reed

Around, ‘round, and ‘round the Riverside High School building: That’s where Phil Reed, who was a student in the late 1950s, traveled on his roller skates for one entire school day. Phil was one of seven brothers and two sisters in the Reed family of Grand River. Five of the brothers, Clifford, Bob, Tom, Phil and Larry frequented Walton’s Roller Rink in Mentor-on-the-Lake, and when not skating there, worked for Mr. Walton making hot dogs and mopping floors. All the Reed children attended Merrick Hutchinson Elementary School, where skating was,…