Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
Volume 9 | Number 6
Welcome to Rise, the voice of Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. We show up every other month in over 9,000 in-boxes bringing you news, views, and memories of GISH. Rise is a publication of the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation.
This is Issue #6, the last of our ninth year of publishing the only consistent connection for alumni and friends of Grand Island Senior High. That makes this iteration 54 of Rise. We are happy you’re a subscriber and hope you continue to read the comings and goings of Islander alums across the globe.
We'll start our roster of what’s inside this Rise in Switzerland, where Wandering Writer Sarah Kuta takes us on a tour of a quaint village where cows and cheese are both revered. “On the Island” correspondent Alex Weaver details the “Little Mermaid,” which graced Senior High’s big stage, among the many happenings in Purple and Gold land this fall. Abigayle Frazier-Hansen, as is her wont to do, shows us the tangible impact your contributions have made, this time through Legacy Grants.
We start things with “At the Top”, where we’ll revisit some holiday ideas and traditions at GISH. Kari Hooker-Leep’s “Making Your Mark” piece is all about volunteers. The Grand Island Public Schools Foundation Executive Director makes the argument -- rightly -- that volunteering is a labor of love. Mike Monk's “Distant Mirror” piece this issue chronicles his fantasy baseball league, which just celebrated year 45. My “I’ve Been Thinking” column recalls the “thinking” lessons I learned at Senior High and how they are still important, perhaps even more so in a modern world filled with more information and less truthfulness.
As usual, in our In Memoriam we have a list of Islanders who have passed, in Reunions we have class gatherings and other class get-togethers, and in Class Notes we have the lives and times of Islanders everywhere. And, once again, you’ll get a chance to test your memory or your Google search skills with another edition of Islander Trivia.
Stay in touch, Islanders. And remember: Keep pushing on.
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At the Top
George Ayoub revisits some holiday ideas and traditions at GISH.
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Making Your Mark
Kari Hooker-Leep's piece is all about volunteers.
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Foundation Focus
Abigayle Frazier-Hansen shows us the tangible impact your contributions have made, this time through Legacy Grants.
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I've Been Thinking
George Ayoub recalls the “thinking” lessons he learned at Senior High and how they are still important.
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On the Island
Alex Weaver details the many happenings in Purple and Gold land this fall.
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Distant Mirror
Mike Monk chronicles his fantasy baseball league, which just celebrated year 45.
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A Wandering Writer's World
Sarah Kuta takes us on a tour of a quaint village where cows and cheese are both revered.
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Class Reunion Updates
Class gatherings in Islander Nation.
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In Memoriam
Remembering Islanders who have recently passed.
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Class Notes
The latest happenings in the lives of GIPS alums.
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Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
At the Top
Holiday traditions, part II
Several years ago, Rise chronicled a roster of Senior High holiday traditions reaching back a number of decades, some that continue, some not. This is part two of that effort, recalling another former GISH tradition and one ugly sweater contest story. Of course, the possibility of sleeping late for the 2,000 plus teens who call themselves Islanders has to be the best of all the holiday gifts.
Before those days of sleeping until noon, however, we’ll set about marking Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, New Year’s Eve, and, for the Maple Leaf fans, Boxing Day.
Our 2022 list of traditions included the vocal music department putting on the “Messiah,” a performance that included audience and alumni participation especially in the “Hallelujah Chorus.” Music also kept the holidays bright, with GISH’s own performers, some in concert and others roaming the halls singing carols. Some elementary schools still use the Senior High auditorium for their holiday programs, too. Former Senior High orchestra director Larry Maupin held a joyous caroling session the last morning of classes, when several hundred Islanders filled the main east hallway to belt out a few holiday favorites.
Mr. Happy New Year and Miss Merry Christmas from the class of 1968
Also on the GISH stage during the holidays have been plays from “A Christmas Carol” to “The Best Christmas Pageant Ever,” the former making a long run with a cast that included both students and community members.
Missing from the first rundown of holiday fun were “Miss Merry Christmas” and “Mr. Happy New Year,” as designated by Senior High journalism students. The pair was honored for their year-round spirit of the season. It’s unclear when the tradition ended, but a perusal of a yearbook from the past would reveal who the happy couple was in any given year.
Finally, a personal holiday tradition story from Grand Island Senior High: When my son was a senior at GISH, I awoke one December night with him whispering to me. He wanted to know if he could borrow a sweater for an ugly sweater contest the next day at Senior High. While half awake, I watched him rummage through and eventually retrieve a multi-colored number from my closet …. that I wore regularly.
He reported the next day that he did not win the contest, a result I did not know whether to take as good news or bad. Full disclosure: I never wore the sweater again.
Happy Holidays from the Rise family.
(e) Mail Bag
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Making Your Mark
How volunteers drive our mission forward
Executive Director
GIPS Foundation
Volunteering is more than just helping; it’s a labor of love, a passionate commitment to making a difference. It’s the result of a kind heart, high standards, hard work, thoughtful planning, careful attention, and skillful execution.
As we reflect on the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation’s success, we see an ocean of people who contributed to this achievement. While our dedicated staff works tirelessly, they couldn’t do it alone. The Foundation Board, composed of 16 committed individuals, is the driving force behind our mission. They ensure we have the necessary resources, steward donations wisely, promote our efforts, and plan for long-term success.
Beyond the Board, our success relies on countless volunteers who generously give their time, talents, and treasures. They support our various programs, from Scholarships and Teacher of the Year awards to Classroom Grants, the Harvest event, and the GIPS Staff Giving Campaign. Our volunteers go above and beyond, from baking delicious treats to reviewing countless scholarship applications.
November is a time for gratitude. As we express our thanks for generous donations, we also want to acknowledge the invaluable contributions of our volunteers. Their dedication and hard work are essential to our Foundation’s success.
The Foundation is growing, and we're seeking additional volunteers to join our team. If you're interested in expanding your volunteer experience, we'd love to hear from you. Please reach out to khookerleep@gips.org.
Here are a few opportunities:
1. Scholarship Review: Gain insight into the exceptional talent of our GISH students by reviewing scholarship applications.
2. Mailings: Help us stay connected with our constituents by assisting with mailings.
3. Harvest Event Committee: Contribute to the success of our Harvest event by assisting with procurement, decorations, baking, and other event details.
As we close another remarkable year at the Foundation, we can never say THANK YOU enough to all those who gave so generously to our success. Your generosity, whether through donations, volunteer hours, or in-kind gifts, has made a lasting impact. Your impact provided us with all we needed to ensure that our students can thrive, dream big, and be successful daily.
As we approach Giving Tuesday and our Community Campaign, we invite you to continue supporting our cause. Your donations will directly impact the lives of our students.
Thank you for your unwavering commitment to our mission.
If you're going to live, leave a legacy. Make a mark on the world that can't be erased. - Maya Angelou
Foundation Focus
Legacy Grants: empowering futures through enduring support
Office Coordinator
GIPS Foundation
At the Grand Island Public Schools Foundation, our Legacy Grants program serves as a bridge between the values of our community and the needs of our students. A Legacy Grant fund is more than just financial support; it’s a commitment to creating a lasting impact on the lives of students in GIPS. When creating a Legacy Grant, donors provide a principal amount which is invested by the Foundation, generating annual income for grant activities. This establishes an enduring resource that supports students year after year. Each fund is guided by criteria that reflect the donor's beliefs, passions, and experiences, shaping the kind of student needs they choose to support.
Valerie Porto, Social Worker at GISH, explains why these Legacy Grants are so important:
“Our personal and academic life are always interacting with each other. If students have a barrier or stressor in their personal lives, we will see the effects in the classroom. Supporting the whole student is important to any students' success. Every student and family is going to experience a crisis or need throughout their lives. Some will have support from their community, family, and friends, and some do not. These grants allow families to move past these times with what they need.”
Michella Honas, a SPED teacher and Instructor/Coordinator of Project Search, has received a few of our grants. According to Honas, the Patty Lundeen Galbraith Endowed Fund provided “the CONNECT grant, designed for special needs young adults to socially gather once a month.” CONNECT provides activities and camaraderie in a safe and fun environment. Some of the activities have included volunteering around town, a fishing outing, bowling, and a Halloween party. The Grand Island Senior High Student Council Helping Hand Grant Fund provided partial payment for a student’s ankle surgery. He was stressed by the credit collection letters, but “now he can enjoy his final year of education [and] pay the minimum amount needed each month for the remaining balance.”
Photo courtesy of GIPS
Toni Palmer, Chief of Elementary Education, recently received grants to cover transportation for all GIPS Fifth Graders to see the high school’s fall musical. These funds were provided by the Clark W. Reese Memorial Endowed Fund and the Gloria and S.N. "Bud" Wolbach Student Kindness Fund. “We are so grateful for the donations … so our GIPS 5th grade students can experience the Little Mermaid Musical preview at Grand Island Senior High. This is an opportunity for them to attend an amazing production by our GIPS students and hopefully inspire students to participate in fine arts in the future,” Palmer said.
Over the years, the impact of Legacy Grants on our students has been extraordinary. In the last fiscal year alone, the Foundation granted 35 Legacy Grants for a total impact of $59,023.85. This support has reached over 900 students, enriching their academic and personal lives in ways that extend beyond the classroom. Whether it’s providing essential equipment, offering support during challenging times, or enhancing students’ access to mental health resources, each fund has its own distinct purpose and each grant adds value to the daily lives of GIPS students.
The Legacy Grants program allows donors to leave a lasting mark on our students and community, turning personal values into opportunities for GIPS students. By contributing to a Legacy Grant fund, donors create pathways to success, inspiring future generations and strengthening our community. Please reach out to the GIPS Foundation if you are interested in creating a Legacy Fund. Every gift leaves a legacy, and every legacy becomes an opportunity.
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I've Been Thinking
Thinking is indeed critical
Class of 1968
Alumni Liaison
More than once during my senior year, Mr. Elmer Kral, GISH’s legendary English teacher, told me I was a “lazy thinker.” I wasn’t quite sure what he meant, but was fairly sure it wasn’t a compliment. It wasn’t. (Gee, ya think?)
By the time I left GISH, I understood what he was saying, and for the intervening 57 years, I have tried to combat any penchant for sloth when it comes to my cogitation… such as it is. Some might argue those results have been mixed, but Mr. Kral and other Senior High teachers were on to something.
More than once I’ve thought about his comment and my experience in several Senior High classes as social media’s grip on our information universe has become a modern reality… and a modern problem. When it comes to separating the truth from fiction, nonsense from nuance, and disinformation from informed discourse, the internet can be a “mindfield” (pun intended). Or, as Mr. Kral would caution, “Lazy thinkers beware.”
Not once during my three years at GISH did I hear the term “critical thinking,” apparently a catch-all term today for analyzing data to make informed decisions. In those days we called it “thinking,” but let’s not quibble over semantics. The fact is that the laziness Mr. Kral insisted I had to lose had much more to do with than simply making uninformed decisions. He wanted me -- all of us -- to master the process by which we got there. That took some effort, including research, evaluation, application, comparison, synthesis, and more. And then, he wanted us to make a decision.
Photo courtesy of George Ayoub
Years later, Mr. Kral would send me letters at the newspaper where I worked as a journalist. Sometimes he would have a news tip or a question about something I had written. Occasionally he would call. Our conversations would dissect happenings from Grand Island to Wilbur (where he was) to Washington D.C. to the rest of the world. And, as he did when I was in high school, he would want to talk about my thinking, not in an accusatory or belittling way but rather to probe the process. At the time, I was a professional journalist, a writer who was paid to think and then express my thinking to the public. Still, I have to admit, all those years later, sometimes when he called I was a little intimidated. You can take the teacher out of the classroom but ….
I’m grateful for Mr. Kral’s urging that I polish my thinking; for Miss Lillian Willman’s insistence on long, complete answers in American History that required not simply reading the text but analyzing its content; for Beginning Journalism teacher Mrs. Judy Barth’s laying down a foundation of what constituted real journalism, what skill set it favored, what its ethical compass looked like, and what its demand for truth required.
My fondest hope is that today’s Senior High -- any and all high schools for that matter -- teach, encourage, model, and esteem the process of thinking. They can call it critical if they like. Moreover, today’s teenager lives in a world whose information systems dwarf what I encountered in the late 1960s. That, plus as I said above, much of what is out there online for them to consume is designed to sell or get likes or increase revenue, not to foster or even remotely resemble the truth.
So here’s to today’s Mr. Krals and Miss Willmans and Mrs. Barths, teaching that thinking is a process that takes time, requires effort, and does not abide laziness. What they are doing for their students is what I would call critical.
On the Island
Mystical Grecian nights, tough field fights, and bright stage lights
Class of 2025
Student Correspondent
As leaves turn from green to gold, GISH’s student body has been as busy as ever. Fall means many things for the Islanders, including the homecoming dance, football games, and the musical. These hectic months have been extremely fun for students, and the halls have been filled with school spirit.
GISH’s homecoming dance is an annually looked-forward-to event. This year, the theme was A Night in Greece and the dance took place later than usual on Saturday, October 19. As students entered the dance at 8:00 p.m., the hallways were decked out with golden stars, Grecian pillars, flickering candles and blue drapes. The popular “Hercules” movie played down the hall, paying homage to ancient Greece. Students then filed into the East Gym and were met with flashing lights, loud music and groups of dancing students. Throughout the night, Islanders jumped up and down, line danced and, of course, slow danced. Many students, including myself, kept on dancing until the very last song at 11:00 p.m.
Photo Courtesy of Alex Weaver
GISH’s Student Council has led the way in planning the homecoming dance for many years. Student Council members help in the process of ordering decorations, making posters and setting the small details. As a Student Council member myself, my favorite part of the planning process is decorating before the dance. StuCo members arrive at 8:00 a.m. the morning of the dance and are met with a giant cart full of decorations. We bring out ladders, scissors and a great deal of tape to make all the decorations come together. This year, we hung sparkling lights, flowy fabric, and green vines to encapsulate the Grecian atmosphere. Students seemed to really enjoy the calming ambience that the decorations brought to the hallways.
Leading up to homecoming, each day of the week had different dress-up days for students and staff. Dress-up days included Jersey Day, the classic Islander Day, a class colors day and Country vs. Country Club Day where students chose whether to dress like a cowboy or dress in preppy gear. The week ended with a Neon theme on Friday, which carried into the football game that night. The bleachers were filled with construction vests, neon face paint, and glow sticks. At the game, the Islanders faced the Chieftains from Bellevue East and came out on top with a final score of 42 to 6. After the big win, the student section rushed the field as the Islander band played our classic school song.
Photo courtesy of Alex Weaver
Additionally, the Homecoming King and Queen were announced and crowned at halftime. This year, our Homecoming King was Aiden Kluender and our Homecoming Queen was Karlee Lade. Aiden Kluender, a senior, described his experience when he found out he won Homecoming King. “I was ecstatic,” said Kluender, “I am so grateful for everyone who contributed to my vote.” To spread the word about his nomination, he posted about it on several social media platforms to get his close friends to share the word and hopefully gain more votes. Kluender says that his win made homecoming an even better experience, dancing the night away.
GISH’s musical has also been in full swing throughout the last few months. Rehearsals for the musical began in August and students got to perform on November 1, 2 and 3. This year, our theater department had the opportunity to put on Disney’s “The Little Mermaid,” an iconic family favorite. I had the opportunity to play Prince Eric in our show and it was a blast. Throughout the musical I was able to develop my musicality and acting skills, as playing this character was such a new experience for me. Eric’s balance between his birthright as king and his wish to be a sailor was a fun dissonance to convey. My fellow cast mates thoroughly enjoyed this year's musical as well.
Photo courtesy of Alex Weaver
Olivia Madison, a senior, played Ariel in our production. Her experience with theater throughout high school has been nothing short of amazing. She explained that playing Ariel has been an interesting challenge throughout the last few months. “Ariel is not able to speak throughout the second half of the show,” says Madison, “so it has been really interesting to work on conveying my emotions through facial expressions and movement rather than dialogue.” Madison also enjoyed watching the pieces of the show come together in such a short time. “Seeing the set be built and costumes come in– just all those little pieces coming together makes me so excited for opening night.” She said that getting to play the iconic Disney princess was an incredible, once-in-a-lifetime experience.
Another senior, Adeline Woods, shared her positive experiences with the musical as well. Woods has also been deeply involved in the theater department throughout high school. This year in the musical, she played a princess trying to court Prince Eric. Woods said that the princess she portrayed was “very confident and for good reason. She's a superb singer and I like making her personality as big as possible.” Woods thoroughly enjoyed the transformation part of theater and said that she “enjoys telling the story in a way that transports the audience to the world of the story.”
As you can see, these recent months have been extremely busy at Senior High. It seems like every week comes with more and more events that Islanders are involved in. It has been amazing to see our school full of such spirit and excitement surrounding school activities. I am so excited to see what activities and achievements come next for me and my classmates.
A Distant Mirror
Fantasy baseball -- the BDA of major league baseball
Class of 1967
Rise Contributor
As we today gaze into the Distant Mirror, we look back 45 years to March of 1979 in Southern California. I got a call from the late Mike Parmley, my long-time buddy since Miss Martin’s Second Grade class at Howard School in 1956. He said he wanted our group of friends to start a baseball league of eight teams, where we would draft actual major league baseball players.
Each week your team would play one other team with points awarded on the performance of your team. The format was simple. Each team would draft six hitters, four starting pitchers and two relievers. Each week you would choose three of your hitters, two of your starters, and one reliever for your starting lineup. Once set, your lineup could not change for the week, even if a player was hurt. Hitters would earn one point for each total base, and two points for each run batted in. Pitchers would earn 15 points for a win, with extra points for a complete game, a complete game shutout, or a complete game shutout allowing only two, one or no hits. Relievers would earn 10 points for a save and 15 points for a win. Each week a team lost, they put $20 into the pot that would be paid out to the top four teams at the end of the season. Parmley dubbed the league the “Beer Drinking Association of Major League Baseball,” a somewhat infantile label, but to this day it is known as the BDA.
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
Our league was started, and remains based, in Southern California. From 1974 to 1978, a large group of Nebraskans moved to the Golden State. These expats included the late Bob Johnsen, the late Parmley, the late Jerry Stroud, and myself, all 1967 GISH grads. A trove of other Nebraskans of our generation also moved to Southern California, including Jack Oldham, a 1965 GISH grad, Susan Weiler, a 1968 G.I. Central Catholic grad, and Tom Housel, a 1967 Lexington graduate. Other Huskers who made the move included Bob’s wife Donna, Nancy Sandstedt, and John Grandinetti, all of whom grew up in the Omaha area. This group formed a strong bond. We regularly partied, played softball, touch football and poker, had pool parties, golfed, and went to sporting events together. We watched Nebraska football together on television and, on occasion, in person when the Huskers were playing in California.
During the first few years of the league, the eight team owners included Parmley, Jerry, Johnsen, Housel, and myself, plus some native Californians including Jon Light, Bruce Smart, my Harvard buddy Hal Dearing, and a Michigander, David Bordeaux. In the early days, we called in our lineups to Jon Light’s answering machine, and Jon, as commissioner, kept the scores and mailed out the standings.
The competition was always intense, not just because the winners would make some money, but due to pride. We were all avid baseball fans. We divided the year into two halves, and each draft would be held in person at the house of one of the owners. The drafts would involve first the selection of teams, then a feast with a bit of drinking, and then a long poker game. Many of us dubbed them the two best days of the year.
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
Over the years some others became owners with the passing of some of our members. Californian Bill Creim joined the league, and when Johnsen passed away in 2015, his son Lucas took over the team. When Smart’s nephew Keith Smart passed away, his close friend Vince Vignolle took over. Jeff Kahn also joined after Creim left the league.
The advent of the internet permitted us to put our league online with real-time scoring enhancing the fun. When my wife Janet and I bought our current home in Santa Monica in 1995, that became the permanent location for drafts since it is a great party house – affectionately known by the BDA members as “The Muckerdome.” That also began the tradition of Janet preparing an amazing feast for each draft, typically with flank steak, chili, salads, cornbread, various veggies, clam dip, nuts, munchies, and at least three kinds of desserts. Thirty years ago, many of those who played poker after the draft would sleep over, since our home has several guest bedrooms. But as we have aged, we now finish poker early, and even non-alcoholic beer has made an appearance.
But the amazing thing is that six of the early owners, the “founding fathers” so to speak, remain in the league today: Jon Light, David Bordeaux, Bruce Smart, Tom Housel and myself, plus Bob Johnsen’s son Lucas. Starting in 1979 we have had two drafts a year (except for the Covid year), and never missed a year -- 46 years and 89 drafts in all. The New York “Rotisserie” league, commonly thought to be the first such league, actually started in 1981, two years after our league.
Since 1979, fantasy sports have exploded. Indeed, at this moment, in addition to the BDA, I participate in a fantasy pro football league, a college football fantasy league, a Formula One fantasy league, and an English Premier League soccer fantasy league.
A couple months ago, Mike Patterson, staff writer for the Omaha World-Herald, wrote an article about an Omaha baseball fantasy league that began in 1985, marveling at its 40 years of existence. That league is a relative newcomer, since our BDA had six years under our belts by the time the Omaha group began.
Our group, like the Omaha group, has had its share of lawyers, since Light, Creim, Kahn, Dearing, and I are all lawyers. Our group also had some first-rate athletes. Johnsen won a gold medal in the Nebraska State Meet in the 880 relay, Housel was the Nebraska state champion in mile run, Parmley pole vaulted for Kearney State College, Light was a Los Angeles City doubles tennis champion, Bruce Smart both played and coached baseball, and Bordeaux was the centerpiece of a Los Angeles City champion softball team. And, for what it is worth, I held the Walnut pole vault record for something like 30 years.
Photo courtesy of Mike Monk
Our group has also had two Harvard graduates in it, and two who have published books, including Jon Light and me, who wrote the remarkable Cultural Encyclopedia of Baseball. And, oh yeah, we had a member who was a minority owner of the San Diego Padres from 1990 to 1994. From 1990 to 1994, we eliminated the betting aspect of the game so as not to violate the MLB rule prohibiting gambling by owners.
We have a huge baseball traveling trophy, with the names of each season’s champion engraved on it. Tom “Felix” Housel does a daily blog, quite irreverent and amusing, detailing the action of the preceding day’s play.
But the remarkable joy of this group is the friendships involved. We attend each other’s weddings, funerals, and holiday parties. There is a comfort and satisfaction in having so many life-long friends. There is no need to pretend who we are, since we know each other so well. I have spoken at the funerals of Johnsen, Parmley, Stroud, Keith Smart, and Bruce Smart’s wife, Joanie. These bonds are among the more precious ones in all of our lives.
By the way, the most recent Champion is Tom Housel, shown in the picture with our Traveling Trophy. I got third, which does involve a small payday. As our group says, “Long Live the BDA!”
A Wandering Writer's World
Exploring the art of traditional cheesemaking in Switzerland
Class of 2008
Rise Contributor
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
Once a year, the streets of Gstaad, Switzerland, are filled with cow poop—and everyone is happy about it.
The cow pies are a stark contrast to the designer handbags and clothes arranged in the shop windows that line the village’s main street—stores like Louis Vuitton, Prada and Ralph Lauren. But in this posh, ultra-luxury vacation destination in the Swiss Alps, the once-a-year manure drop is a welcome reminder of the region’s humble beginnings—and, perhaps more importantly, of its most beloved traditions: dairy farming and cheesemaking.
Each year, at the end of August or beginning of September, hundreds of dairy cows march through the streets of Gstaad during an annual event known as the Züglete. These brown-and-white ladies are dressed to the nines, wearing elaborate headdresses made of colorful flowers and gigantic decorative cowbells. Their human caretakers walk alongside them wearing traditional garb, smiling proudly and waving at the crowds of well-wishers lining the streets.
“The melody of the bells touches your heart,” says Claudia Von Siebenthal Fust, a local guide whose family has lived here for generations.
The cow parade is a chance for community members to get together, slow down and spend a day celebrating their rich Swiss culture and heritage. In between the herds of cows, there are performances by traditional choirs and alphorn groups (skillfully playing those iconic long, wooden musical instruments that rest on the ground). Artisans peddle their wares, cheese-makers offer up free samples, and bakeries provide an endless supply of tasty treats—from shining, braided loaves of Sunday bread to perfectly crisp brätzeli cookies. You might hear someone yodeling, or see a regal Bernese mountain dog pulling a child in a wagon.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
But in addition to being fun, the Züglete also serves a more practical purpose. In July and August, dairy farmers take their herds up into the mountains to graze on the abundant green grass that emerges once the snow melts. They spend the summer living in humble alpine huts, tending to their herds and hand-making a type of cheese called alpkäse—quite literally, cheese that’s made at the summit.
“It’s pure hand-work,” said Von Siebenthal Fust. “The process, the production of the alpkäse is still pure hand-work.”
As summer comes to a close and autumn’s cooler temperatures start to set in, the farmers and their cows head back down into the valley to hunker down for winter. It’s during this seasonal transition that they walk right through the center of town, leaving stinky calling cards on Gstaad’s glitzy pedestrian promenade. (Oh, and in case you’re curious, yes, there is a team that deals with all the cow poop during the parade. A guy drives a tractor called the “kuhfladen-mobil” behind a few lucky volunteers with shovels. “Kuhfladen” is the Swiss-German word for cow dung!)
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
The Züglete only happens once a year. But all year long, travelers are invited to immerse themselves in the world of cheesemaking and dairy farming through a variety of creative activities and offerings. For example, you can rent a “fondue rucksack” from a local dairy that’s filled with all the supplies you need for a delicious fondue picnic: a pouch of classic or truffle cheese, bread, spices, a caquelon (fondue pot), plates, forks and fuel.
Once you sling the backpack onto your back, you can head off on foot toward one of the giant, human-sized fondue pots situated throughout the Saanen Valley—a tourism initiative called “Fondueland.” The fondue pots, which can accommodate up to eight people, have a seating bench and a table in the middle. Once you arrive, you simply unload the contents of the backpack, heat up the gooey cheese and start snacking—all the while enjoying sweeping views of the Swiss Alps.
If hiking isn’t your thing, you can savor fondue while riding through the valley in a horse-drawn carriage instead.
You can make an appointment to visit a dairy farmer and watch him make cheese, with milk from cows he milked that same morning. When you’re out exploring beautiful nature areas like Lake Lauenen, you can stop for a snack at an unstaffed, self-serve cheese refrigerator (in exchange for a few bucks left behind in cash or sent via a mobile payment app). Back in town, there’s a refrigerated cheese vending machine that’s open 24/7, in case you get hungry in the middle of the night.
Photo courtesy of Sarah Kuta
For a romantic excursion, wander by candlelight through an underground “cheese grotto” filled with more than 3,000 wheels of aging cheese. While listening to ethereal choral music, you can sip wine and taste various types of cheeses in this subterranean bunker, which was built in 1931 and for decades served as a water tank. Since 2005, however, it’s been the cool, humid aging facility for local dairy Molkerei Gstaad, home to roughly $1 million worth of cheese.
And, during the summer, no matter where you go, you’ll likely hear the faint clanging of cowbells in the distance. Look closer at the mountains and, suddenly, you’ll notice little specks of white and tan against the green -- cows grazing and enjoying the Swiss sunshine.
“In Gstaad and the valleys, we have 8,000 local people living here all year round and we have 8,000 cows—so one cow per person, though that doesn’t mean everyone has a cow in their garden,” says Von Siebenthal Fust with a laugh. “But we are very proud. We have more than 300 families still farming here.”
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Alumni Reunions
Alumni Coordinator
kprice@gips.org
308.385.5525
Planning a class reunion?
We can help get you started!
Contact us for your class list and send us information about your reunion.
We will post it to our website.
NOTE: Reunion information in this newsletter is current as of the publication date. To see Reunion updates and additions go to our Alumni Reunions page.
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1956The Class of 1956 wishes to extend an invitation to fellow classmates to join them at their monthly gathering. They meet on the 2nd Tuesday of each month at the Ramada Midtown at 6:00 pm.
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Decades of the 60'sThe Decades of the 60’s breakfast continues to be held the second Saturday of each month at Tommy’s, 8:30 a.m. This is a great opportunity to reconnect over a cup of coffee and/or breakfast. We would love to have you join us!
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1960The Class of 1960 meets the first Wednesday of each month at Tommy's Restaurant at 11 a.m. Join us for lively conversation and a good time. Send your email address to Donna Weaver Smith for monthly communications at: dowesm@yahoo.com
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1966The class of ‘66 meets for lunch the third Wednesday of each month at the Platt Duetsche, 12 noon. Please join us!
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1969The class of 1969 invites all classmates to our Monthly Luncheons. We meet the second Monday of each month at NOON, at The Finish Line at Fonner Park in Grand Island. Good Friends, Good Food, Good Times.
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1980The Class of 1980 will hold a reunion June 20-21, 2025. More details to follow.
In Memoriam
September and October memorial list of GISH Alumni
Jill Fahnestock, Class of 1972, died June 16, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 70.
Robert Niemann, Class of 1967, died September 2, 2024 in Kearney, NE at the age of 76.
Larry Holder, Class of 1962, died September 4, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 80.
Carole (Sigona) Etherton, Class of 1964, died September 7, 2024 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 78.
Darline (Prisendorf) Abel, Class of 1950, died September 7, 2024 in St. Paul, NE at the age of 92.
Susan (Isakson) Whitten, Class of 1964, died September 8, 2024 in Sky City, NM at the age of 78.
Steve Snyder, Class of 1967, died September 10, 2024 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 76.
Donald Ewoldt, Class of 1942, died September 12, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 100.
Sheridan Schanaman, Class of 2016, died September 15, 2024 in Lincoln, NE at the age of 27.
John Gericke, Class of 1961, died September 21, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 81.
Jeff Kelly, Class of 1963, died September 22, 2024 in San Antonio, TX at the age of 79.
Maxine (Beberniss) Morris, Class of 1946, died September 26, 2024 in Kearney, NE at the age of 96.
Rick Doty, Class of 1970, died October 1, 2024 at the age of 72.
Gregory Schneberger, Class of 1978, died October 3, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 64.
Hugh Miner, Class of 1964, died October 4, 2024 in Kearney, NE at the age of 78.
Judith (Hennings) Collins, Class of 1961, died October 6, 2024 at the age of 80.
Heather (Hansen) Stites, Class of 1989, died October 7, 2024 in Ashland, OR at the age of 53.
Sharon (Christensen) Webben, Class of 1955, died October 8, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 87.
Albert "Al" Ziola, Class of 1974, died October 14, 2024 at the age of 68.
Susie (Enevoldsen) Kreider, Class of 1957, died October 14, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 85.
Karla Klavon, Class of 1981, died October 15, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 61.
Howard Quandt, Class of 1958, died October 16, 2024 in Atkinson, NE at the age of 84.
William Petersen, Class of 1962, died October 19, 2024 in Aubrey, TX at the age of 80.
Russell Gies, Class of 1960, died October 20, 2024 at the age of 82.
Beverly Cloud, Class of 1956, died October 23, 2024 at the age of 87.
Helen (Langenhader) Carmin, Class of 1951, died October 24, 2024 at the age of 91.
Loraine (Burghardt) Krupski, Class of 1948, died October 28, 2024 in Stuart, NE at the age of 94.
Earlene (Pollock) Stratman, Class of 1956, died October 30, 2024 in Grand Island, NE at the age of 86.
To report an alumni death since October 2024, please send an email with the first name, last name, class year and maiden name if applicable to alumni@gips.org
Class Notes
Rise wants to help you celebrate your successes with other Grand Island Senior High alumni and friends. “Class Notes” is the place to highlight a birth, an anniversary, a promotion, a college degree, an award, or other notable personal accomplishments and triumphs. Tell us about that new business. That perfect baby … or grandbaby. That Masters degree you earned after years of hard work. That recognition from your company, your cohorts, your community.
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GISH Alumni Classes, as proud alumni, you have a unique opportunity to leave a lasting legacy and make a significant impact on future GISH graduates. Following in the footsteps of the Class of 1964 and 1973, who have established scholarships, the GIPS Foundation encourages you to create your own Class scholarship fund. By doing so, alumni can provide a chance for students to pursue their dreams. Together, you can make a difference in the lives of GISH graduates and leave a legacy that will be celebrated for years to come. Please contact Kari Hooker-Leep (khookerleep@gips.org) at the GIPS Foundation to discuss how to get started.
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2006Nicole Hicken (GISH Class of 2006), sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of teaching summer dance lessons as a teen in her parents' basement to launching Studio N Dance Center which serves 280 students. Along the way, she salutes the GIPS teachers who inspired her and speaks to the power of self-expression through the Fine Arts. Because it's more than just dance — it's about discovering who you are and what you love.
https://open.spotify.com/episode/23F1wIVATdzn3FAEGDjQvw?si=YRBlf7r6QQGPnbaVpXixMg -
2020Ashley Parra Valencia (GISH Class of 2020), sits down with "The GIPS Cast" to share her journey of EL student, to high school student athlete and performer, to Advertising major at UNL, to Community Outreach Coordinator at the Grand Island Area Habitat for Humanity. Along the way, she shares her passion for community, shout-outs her favorite teachers, and affirms why public education is vital to Grand Island. Because the journey of becoming a lifelong learner starts at school. https://open.spotify.com/episode/76eDdRdmHUIN2GBa2uImns?si=I4sH6lMvRXCX-Dtv6kEgjw
Islander Trivia
How well do you know Grand Island Senior High?
Rise is starting a new feature each edition called “Islander Trivia,” questions designed to send you to the deep recesses of your memory … or at least to your yearbooks, Facebook friends from high school or even Google.
Here are the answers for this edition:
Let’s talk about Memorial Stadium … or more accurately, let’s ask some questions.
- In a campaign that raised more than $100,000, 1,644 individuals and businesses donated to the building of Grand Island’s Memorial Stadium, which opened in September of 1947. While most of those donations were small, from $5 to $50, two were $5,000, accounting for 10 percent of the total. Who were the two lead donors?
Answers: The Grand Island Daily Independent and the Liederkranz
- Where did Senior High play its football games prior to Memorial Stadium?
Answer: Ryder Park
- E.G. Scaumberg of Lincoln designed the 1947 Memorial Stadium. Who was the general contractor on the rebuilt stadium that was rededicated in 2021?
Answer: Hausmann Construction
Do you have a trivia suggestions for our next edition? We would love to hear from you!
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Terms & Conditions
Donation Refund Policy
We are grateful for your donation and support of our organization. If you have made an error in making your donation or change your mind about contributing to our organization please contact us. Refunds are returned using the original method of payment. If you made your donation by credit card, your refund will be credited to that same credit card.Automated Recurring Donation Cancellation
Ongoing support is important to enabling projects to continue their work, so we encourage donors to continue to contribute to projects over time. But if you must cancel your recurring donation, please notify us.Powered by Firespring
