Honor Class of 1956, Fletcher Academy Alumni, Oct 6-8, 2006

From Left to Right: Alex Couch, Norma Googe Couch, Bob Hansen, Larry Haney, Peggy Haney Pillor, Georgetta Zerbee Garrison, Lucy Courter Butcher, Louella Byers Suttles, Vicki Stinson Wolters and Bill Wolters

With anticipation, I packed my bags and headed for Baltimore Washington Airport. I was on my way to my 50-year class reunion during Fletcher Academy Alumni Weekend. I would be seeing classmates I had not seen for 50 years!! As I got closer to my destination, the view of beautiful North Carolina was awesome as I was flying into Asheville Regional Airport.

My sisters, Midge Haney Shock (Class of 1960) and Marlene Haney Wuttke (Fletcher School of Nursing), met me at the airport. It was good to see them again. After having an early dinner on Thursday evening with my sisters, Midge and I got settled in our rooms at Fletcher Park Inn. Marlene and her husband, Ferdi, live nearby in beautiful Hendersonville. My brother, Larry Haney, from Greeneville, Tennessee, joined us on Sabbath. I was so privileged to graduate with my brother, Larry.

On Friday evening we were anxious to get to the Lelia Patterson Center for the start of a special weekend. It started with a “reception” with all looking around for familiar faces as soon as we arrived. As we were enjoying the refreshments provided, we were treated with a “picture slide show” of all the Honor Classes. I enjoyed getting the pictures together for my Honor Class of 1956. Thanks to everyone who sent pictures.

Friday evening was spent also in putting together some last minute details for the Sabbath Church Service presented by the Honor Class of 1956. With Bill Flerl’s direction and with lots of e-mailing and phone calls earlier, several of my classmates had volunteered to participate in the service.

We were blessed to have the following participate in the Sabbath Morning Service:

Alex and Norma Googe Couch’s son-in-law, Pastor Jorge Baute (an Associate Pastor of the Hendersonville Church) preached the Sabbath morning service (thanks so much Pastor Baute for the wonderful sermon); Louella Byers Suttles announced the opening song; Lucy Courter Butcher, Children’s Story; Bob Hansen, Scripture and Prayer; Alex Couch, Call for Offering (a song from Jim Haney’s CD, “Always Be A Child” was played during the offering call (thanks Brother Jim for your beautiful music); Georgetta Zerbee’s husband, Art, sang special music, “How Great Thou Art” with Norma Googe Couch accompanying him on the piano (thanks for sharing your awesome voice with us Art); Bill Wolters, announced closing song and benediction.

A “special thanks” to BILL FLERL, President of the Alumni Association, for helping us put it all together and for all the classmates who participated.

After a Sabbath Buffet Lunch (thanks to all who prepared the delicious food), the Class of 1956 had their official 50-year class picture taken. Almost half of our class came to the class reunion. Others were unable to come for various reasons and a few we were unable to contact. If you know where any of the following classmates of 1956 are that we have not been able to locate, please let me know (peggy914@aol.com):