East alumni plan events for August

For one day in August 2003, Roosevelt Park in Campbell was transformed into a massive display of blue and gold pride as thousands of Youngstown East High School alumni filled the park.
The free picnic was the first event sponsored by the East High School Alumni Association. EHS graduating classes still have their annual reunions, of course, but the association thought it would be a good idea to have an event for everyone who either graduated, worked at, or attended the school at the top of East High Avenue, to come out and enjoy a day of fellowship and reminiscing.
In December 2003, the association sponsored a blue and gold dinner-dance at the Archangel Michael hall in Campbell to continue the all-alumni theme.
To keep East High pride alive, and to continue the group's efforts to raise scholarship money, the EHSAA is sponsoring a three-day event in August.
What ticket covers
Tickets are now available for the association's all-alumni weekend Aug. 13, 14 and 15. For $50 per ticket, alumni will be able to attend these events:
UAn awards banquet and dance from 6 to 11 p.m. Aug. 13 at the Maronite Center on South Meridian Road honoring six distinguished East High grads. This is a bring-your-own bottle affair.
UA picnic and cookout at the Willow Ranch on South Hubbard Road in Coitsville Township from 10 a.m. to 6 p.m. Aug. 14.
UAn interfaith service in the auditorium of the old East High School (now East Middle School) from 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. Aug. 15.
The association hopes to have an annual awards recognition banquet to honor East grads who have gone on to make a difference locally or in the world.
Notable grads
The first grads to be honored Aug. 13 are the Rev. Gary L. Frost, former pastor of Rising Star Baptist Church and now affiliated with the Southern Baptist Convention's North American Mission Board in New York City; Harry Meshel, former Ohio senator and former Ohio Democratic Party chairman; John "Jack" Palermo, former Mahoning County commissioner; Henry Guzman, first executive director for OCCHA and now director of public service in Columbus; Arlette Gatewood, former staff representative for United Steelworkers of America District 27; and Harold McRae, former vice president of American Express, New York City, and former global customer director, Glaxo Wellcome, London.
Association officers say reserved tables are filling up fast, so plan accordingly and get your money in as soon as possible. The association also is putting out a souvenir booklet, and ads are being sought. The deadline for the booklet ads is July 16. The ticket purchase deadline is July 31. The EHSAA has sent out a challenge to see which class submits the most ads [Come on Class of 1970].
The picnic will feature a live remote broadcast from WGFT-102 JAMZ as well as a performance by the Index Band, whose members also are EHS grads. The association's executive committee said picnic-goers are to bring lawn chairs only. No grills are allowed. Admission to this year's picnic also is restricted to those who bought the $50 ticket for all three events.
Party at youth center
An after-picnic party is scheduled for 8 p.m. to midnight Aug. 14 at the Buckeye Elks Youth Center on North Avenue. If you show your three-day ticket pass, you get in free. If not, it will cost you $10.
The EHSAA's mission statement is "to preserve the legacy and history of East High School and to support all students of the new East High School via charitable, athletic and community endeavors."
So, Golden Bears of the past, you have been notified about what's happening to keep East High and East Side spirit alive. Remember that a portion of your hard-earned cash goes to support the academic or athletic pursuits of future EHS students.
ebrown@vindy.com
XMake out your check or money order for the three-day event to EHS Alumni Association, P.O. Box 2644, Youngstown 44507, or contact Jaladah Aslam, association vice president, at (330) 270-0242. Information on ad prices for the souvenir booklet is available from Debra Jones, at (330) 783-0460 or e-mail Dredjam5@aol.com