The girl’s dorm was very lively on Sunday morning.  There were five females (Susan, Bev, Ann, Vi and myself) and only two bathrooms in which to shower and get ready for church.  While some showered, others sat and drank coffee and chatted about the events of the weekend.  We were all in agreement that it had been a wonderful experience, one that we did not want to come to an end.

Beverly could not stay for church service as she had to return home to get ready for her vacation trip to Alaska, which you will hear all about in Dale's Tales #12. At that time we will begin a series of member profiles (Beverly Guthrie Lougher '58 will be our first), letting all of our members have more intimate portraits of some of their former classmates.  She had made plans to meet at the Dillard House and have breakfast with Phil and Linda Landers who also had to return home early.  Joining them for breakfast were Broward Strickland, Donnie Strickland, Hazel and Charlie Underwood, and Jimmy Moore.  We gave Bev a big hug, shared a few tears, and sent her on her way.

After breakfast Beverly took one last picture of three great guys.

Donnie, Phil, Broward

As many of you know, Beverly has a great eye with a camera (as this picture can attest).  Prior to HC,  Randall Hughes '59 had asked Bev if she would take pictures of the school campus while she was at HC.  Before heading home, Bev stopped by the campus and took several great pictures, one of which is the new header for Dale's Tales starting with this edition.  Isn't it great?  We would also like to give credit to Rodney "Pappy" Pless '60 for his magic in editing the pictures.  Bev's original picture had power lines that detracted from the beauty of the school.   Look for more of Bev's pictures in the future as Randy works his magic in creating new web pages.
Below is another of  Bev's pictures:

  Look closely, and you can see the steeples of the Methodist Church
in the background and the Baptist Church on the right.

Meanwhile back at the dorm, we were all dressed and ready to head out for campus and a final choir practice at the Chapel. 

Viola

Sunday Morning Services

Sunday's Memorial Service in the Chapel was very special. As Susan called the roll of those alumni who had departed during the past year, I had a feeling of intense gratitude for knowing almost all of them and for the difference they had made in my life. Each person was brought to memory by a white or yellow carnation brought to the altar and placed in the chancel vase by a loving friend or relative, and we reflected on that person's memory as the carnation was joined, in death as in life, with other alumni. It was truly "For the Gift of this life, we thank you, God".

As usual the choir was made up of former alumni.  This year we had the largest choir ever.  All were former members of  the Glee Club.  We sounded pretty darn good, even if I do say so myself.  The choir was led by Dan Holtzclaw .

Following the alumni roll call, the choir's message of "How Great Thou Art" was sincerely felt in that reverent atmosphere. (On a light note from Susan - "coming down quickly from the podium after the roll call to join the choir, I quickly grabbed the first book on the pew. I found after going up on the dais to sing with the choir that what I thought was a hymnal turned out to be a Bible. Consequently I sang the entire anthem peeking at Dale's hymnal next to me  ---  I'm glad I knew the song.")  Four honored faculty members - Sandy Cook, Susan Orr, Mary Frank Yates, and Dess Oliver - then gave inspirational messages about what RGNS means to them. The hymns we sang
throughout the service included "Amazing Grace", and how fitting that was. It is truly His grace that afforded us the chance to attend RGNS and be a part of all of this today.

In closing the church services we had a very special treat.  Alice Seibert Philp, our former music teacher, better known to us as "Aunt Alice", led us in song at the piano playing "God's Keeping".  What a beautiful way to end a wonderful service.  And, yes, the tears were flowing.  I wish that we had a picture of Aunt Alice but everyone was so caught up in the moment no one took pictures.  You only have to "close your eyes" right now, and you can see the picture in your mind.  "Close your eyes"...Think about the chapel.. Remember the lyrics to the song  "To the hills I lift mine eyes"... that's it. Now, think of Aunt Alice at the piano. You've got it!  Isn't that a wonderful picture?

After church everyone headed to the dining hall for lunch.  This is an event at Homecoming that we always greet with both happiness and sadness.

Happiness, because once again we are in surroundings that we all hold dear, enjoying good food and fellowship with our former schoolmates and friends. I don't think there is one of us who didn't think of our beloved "Aunt Mary".  We could all see her standing behind the counter with the "crew cooks" and "waitresses" at her side.  In fact I'm sure I saw Judy Clark Moore '57
smiling and standing right beside Aunt Mary.

The sadness came with the fact that our time to leave this wonderful fellowship was drawing near.  Soon we would be going our separate ways. Some of us would not be seeing each other until next year.

As everyone was eating, Susan and I were busy setting up Janie's oil painting and selling those raffle tickets.  We didn't want anyone to miss a chance to win that beautiful painting.

After lunch the big moment came and Janie pulled the winning ticket.

The total amount we collected from the sale of raffle tickets to be donated to the archive fund was $640.00.
Included in the $640.00 was a sizable contribution from the Headmaster, Greg Zeigler.  Thank you very much, Greg, for supporting the 1950's decade in our efforts to raise money for the archives. And again, thank you, Bill.  Add to that amount the $120.00 that Jimmy donated, and we had a total of  $760.00. 

And, as you all know, the winner of the painting was Fern Dodd Strickland '54.  Congratulations Fern, we were both happy for and envious of you.  Once you find a home for your painting, send us a picture to post on our 50's RGNS website.

As we were about to leave, Susan and Cathy Kelly Parker '77 led us in one last song... our Alma Mater:
 "We cheer as we come a-marching to the school we love so well"...... Yes, tears were flowing once again.

Susan and I captured pictures of some of the faculty and staff who contributed so much to making HC 2001 such a big success. "

Dale, Janie Owens, Kathy Sparks, Susan

Rev.Jeff Reynolds, Dale, Headmaster Greg Zeigler, Susan

Dale, Janie, B.J., Susan

After the last of the good-byes and hugs, and everyone was gone, Susan and I finished our lunch. Somehow, we didn't even notice that it was cold.  We were too happy.   Our Homecoming had been a BIG success.

Many thanks to all of you who, through your hard work and endless time and efforts, made this...

  "THE VERY BEST HOMECOMING EVER"

Thanks to Beverly, Hazel and Susan for the pictures you allowed us to use, in addition to my own, to complete this Special Scrapbook Edition of Dale's Tales.  And, many, many thanks again to Randy for his creativity in putting this DT together.  When I told Randy we had a few more pictures than usual, he said "Send them on" -- after receiving them he said "What!  I'm not sure
that's possible".  But, like always, he worked his magic, and here is the finished project.  I hope you enjoy reading this Dale's Tales as much as we enjoyed putting it together.  This is a combined labor of love from the BOD: Susan, Randy, Susie, Pappy, Beverly and yours truly.  Oh, I almost
forgot.  In addition to the new and beautiful picture of Beverly's that we are now using as the header for Dale's Tales, we have changed the music to "Moments to Remember", very fitting as the background music for this special edition of Dale's Tales.

I know that many of you have pictures that you took at HC this year.  We would love for you to share them with us.  If you have a scanner, please feel free to post as long as they abide by the "rules".  If you do not have a scanner and would like us to post your pictures, please contact either Susan or myself for mailing instructions.

In closing I would like to say one more thing..... HOMECOMING 2002.  Make
your plans now to experience this wonderful exciting time in person.
 

That’s all the news that IS news for this edition of Dale’s Tales.

To the hills I lift mine eyes!