Homecoming 2012

Ceres' 12th Annual Homecoming

The Ceres Alumni Association sponsored its twelfth annual Ceres Homecoming on October 20, 2012. The weather could not have been better and the fall colors decorating the valley provided the ideal backdrop. The front of the gym was decorated by huge hay roll turkey and spider, corn and lots and lots of pumpkins, thanks to the Peery family.

The Homecoming was well attended and enjoyed by all. The theme was REMEMBERING. Honored this year were those high school students who attended Ceres High School through 1961-62 when the high school closed; 50 years ago, and those elementary students who attended Ceres Elementary School through 1991-92 when the elementary school closed; 20 years ago. The day started with registration and a chance for guests to tour the buildings on the former Ceres school campus and visit with old friends. Attendees were given a 2013 date book and tickets for door prizes. A special treat this year was the unveiling of the H. C. Groseclose/FFA stained glass window from the former Sharon Presbyterian Church which was artfully displayed in museum by Glen Repass and helpers.

After noon, everyone gathered in the decorated gymnasium. Ellis and Eleanor Shupe opened the program with a beautiful rendition of "Sunny Side of Life." G.H. Peery, III welcomed everyone.

At 1:00 PM, a delicious and bountiful meal, catered by Loretta Worrell Catering Service, was served. The fall decorations in the gym were provided by Becky Kimberlin, Lorree and Buddie Waddle and their committee members.

Archie Atwell led the annual "Rose of Remembrance" segment of the program. Thirty-eight (38) members, family and local citizens whose deaths were reported to the Association since the last Homecoming were remembered with a long stem rose presented to family members who were present. Those remembered were: Doyle N. Shupe, Harold Burton "Hap" Harner, Lawrence Toms, III (son of Mabel Cregger Toms), Harry Cassell, Robert F. Barger, Frances Stowers, Juanita Tibbs Dame, Earnest Snavely (widower of Nancy Cregger), Laura Lee Shupe (daughter if Linda Hubble Shupe), G. Levi Shewey, Jr., Ida Mitchell Brown, Anna Catherine Davis Jefcoat, Mary Clemons Smith, Eula Mae Neel Hume, Robert C. "Bubbie" Atkins, Ed Cornett (who provide transportation for our basketball team), Ira Randolph Winesette, Jimmy Shewey, Irene Atkins Bruce, Ralph A. Austin, Shirley Mae Cregar, Barbara (Mrs. Eddie) Hubble, Frances Stowers, Roddy R. Crabtree, Thomas E. Mallory, Jr., Dorothy Umbarger Wright, Loetta Pauley Fortner, Mabel Webb, Lucy Clemons Cook, Dillard Clemons, Junior Hounshell, Ray Edwards, Peggy Shufflebarger Hubble, James P. Box, Ralph Anderson, Ruth P. Atkins, Richard Tibbs, Josie Hubble Lambert and recently reported Eddie Cregar.

An interesting and unforgettable program which carried everyone down memory lane was provided by Iris Crabtree Pruett, Joan Umbarger Chandler, Erin Pruett Buttery, and Vivian Harner Cooper. Yes, this was a day of remembering.

During the business meeting, minutes of the last Board meeting, Treasurer's report, Museum report and current membership list, as presented in the program, were approved. The following Association officers were elected for 2013: President - G. H. Peery, III, Vice President - Betty C. Hubble, Recording Secretary and Reporter - Michelle H. Groseclose, Membership Secretary - Lorraine S. Waddle, Historian - Kathy M. Hubble, Treasurer - Robert I. "Buddie" Waddle. Wade Hall will hold the position of Past President. The Association's Board of Directors for the period through 2013 will be and Frankie Gray, William H. Hubble and Rebecca Peery, and J. W. Cassell, Evelyn H. Groseclose and Elizabeth N. Kimberlin through 2014. Elected to serve three-year terms through 2015 were Jonan C. Cassell, Sue T. Repass and W. Nelson Tibbs. The Association Endowment Fund Directors will be Judy Cassell, William H. Crabtree, and DeWayne Hubble through 2013 and Dean D. Kirk, Robin U. Repass and Jerry Thompson through 2014. Elected to serve three-year terms through 2015 were Ed Houck, Joyce Keen and Glen Repass. Automatic past president board members are Archie Atwell, Anne H. Britton, Donna H. Compton, Frances C. Davis, Wade F. Hall, Betty C. Hubble, and Doris C. Woodward.

A much anticipated event of the day was the drawing of the winning tickets in the annual raffle. 42 raffle prizes were awarded to: Barbara Rose, Judy Hannah, Monte Jennings, Nicholas Tibbs, George Lambert, Dan Barron, David Danner, Larry Cox, Ashley Bennett, Cheryl Owens, Lewis Umbarger, James Young, Della Neel, Mary Ann Cooper, Nancy Brown, John Hobbs, J. C. Dillow, Harold Blankenship, James B. Muncy, Jr., Brenda Finch, Settie Leggett, Eva Winesett, Alma Hubble, Jamie Becoalt, Danny Bridges, Linda Davis, Ethel Cox, Norma Rush, Freddie Brown, Ed Repass, Diane Jones, Marlene Barger, Tony Russell, William Washburn, Ellen Wildgoose, and O. Paul Umbarger. The six largest prizes of the day were a $100 gift certificate donated by C.A.A and won by Barbara Shannon, a $200 gift certificate donated by C.A.A and won by Eric Workman, an I-pad donated by C.A.A. and several members and won by Tyler Umbarger; a handmade quilt donated by "Just for Fun" Quilters and won by Elmer Beardshall; a framed P. Buckley Moss print donated by the Moss Foundation and framed by Farmer's Daughter Framing won by Vicki Kensinger; and a Remington rifle w/scope donated by the Association and won by Dean DeRosa. Linda Davis of Bland sold the most raffle tickets; Della Mae Neel of Ceres was second. Prizes were given to both. Over 100 door prizes were given to those attending the Homecoming.

Appreciation was expressed to all the donors of the raffle gifts and door prizes, especially those who gave more than one gift. The following businesses and individuals donated prizes: Ceres Alumni Association, P. Buckley Moss Foundation and custom framing by Farmers Daughter, "Just for Fun" Quilters, Muncy Associated Management Service, Inc., Dean Kirk of Builders Supermarket, Brenda Kidd Thompson, Chick-a-Bee Farm, Grayson National Bank, Wytheville Southern States, Wytheville Office Supply, Elaine Kegley, J. C. Kidd, Crabtree Family Sewing, Bill and Betty Hubble, J. W. and Judy Cassell, Buddie and Lorree Waddle, Jonan C. Repass, Archie and Darleyne Atwell, G. H. and Rebecca Peery, Nelson and Diane Tibbs, Bill and Betty Crabtree, Dunn's Restaurant, Evelyn H. Groseclose, Della Mae Neel, Jack King - State Farm Insurance, Wade and Becky Hall, Wright Automotive, Old Post Flea Market, Fowlkes Machinery, New Peoples Bank of Bland, Sue Repass, First1Bank of Wytheville, Harner's Market, Regina Lowman, Linda Davis, Affordable Tractor, Randy Townley - Bland Auto, the Gilbert Raymond Repass family in his memory, and Big Walker Lookout, BB&T of Bland, and New Peoples Bank.

Thanks were extended to all who helped make this day such a success; to the Ceres Ruritan Club for allowing the guests to tour the former school building and for its upkeep; and to all who brought "Toys for Tots." Toys for Tots may still be donated until December 1, 2012 at Harner's Market.

The next Ceres Homecoming will be on the third Saturday in October, 2013.