Every year, your Upper Arlington Alumni Association hosts a community Block Party under the tent behind Barrington Elementary School immediately following our fabulous UA Fourth of July parade. We've moved our tent from the playground area down toward Northwest Boulevard, so it's very easy to just walk up from the parade route and join us for great food , games for the children, and the best socializing in Upper Arlington! We have a table dedicated to each reunion class, and plenty of room for all our alums - and all UA residents - to come together and visit after the parade. Everyone is invited!!

John Kost, a member of the UAHS Class of 1974 and a Realtor with Re/Max Premier Choice, has very generously sponsored our UAAA Big Event for eleven years now, and we can never think of enough ways to thank him. Through his many contributions, John has become UAAA's single largest individual donor!

John was named as our UAAA Outstanding Alumnus in 2003. His continuing generosity, superb organization, and genuine dedication to Upper Arlington and our Alumni Association make him a perennial Outstanding Alumnus! We simply could not do this without him. THANK YOU TO JOHN KOST!!!

Susan DeStefano Leohner '80, who owns Susan Leohner Extraordinary Events, is helping John with this yea's Block Party planning.

The 2011 Outstanding Alumnus Award is being presented posthumously to Suzie Matthews, a member of the UAHS Class of 1976 and a longtime General Music teacher at Jones Middle School, as well as the Department Chair of the Music Department. While at Jones, Suzie was the Director of both the Fall Production and the annual Talent Show, shows that involved thousands of students over the years. Through her work, Suzie touched the lives of hundreds of students and inspired many of them to pursue careers in music and theater. Although Suzie passed away on March 5 of this year, her memory will live on through her students and through the work she did with sincere dedication and love.

--- Read more about Suzie Matthews and view photos on our Announcements page.

--- View a video tribute to Suzie Matthews that was presented at the 2010 Fall Production.

This year's 2011 Distinguished Alumnus Award is being presented to Dan Minutilli from the Class of 1976. Among other philanthropic activities, Dan started the Keith Krieger Fund of the Upper Arlington Education Foundation in memory of his classmate and friend, Keith Krieger, also from the Class of 1976. Monies from the Keith Krieger Fund are awarded annually as a scholarship to a UAHS senior who will continue in the performing arts in higher education. Dan is also involved elsewhere with ten other scholarships and six designated funds with various purposes.

--- Read more about Dan Minutilli and view photos on our Announcements page.

UAHS Class Reunions are approaching quickly now, and if you are in one of the classes listed below,your class will be gathering during the Fourth of July Weekend, 2011:

1951, 1956, 1961, 1966, 1971, 1976, 1981, 1986, 1991, 1996, 2001, and 2006.

You can click your graduation year to go to the Reunion page of Bearalums.com that is set up for your class events, and for a full index of all the class reunions and links to individual class web sites and Facebook pages, please visit the Reunions 2011 page of Bearalums.com.

We extend a special THANK YOU to these alums who have volunteered to organize their class reunions this year:

From Kyle Andrews '76:

Mr. Philip Wagner, beloved UAHS teacher of British Literature and World Literature, passed away peacefully on December 30, 2010, in Palm Bay FL at the age of 75. He spent most of his teaching career at UAHS before retiring in February 1987, upon which he worked at The Union men’s clothing store in Kingsdale for two years before moving to Melbourne, FL. Less than 30 days before he died, he learned of his induction into the 2011 Educators Hall of Fame, and it brought a big smile.

Mr. Wagner was a legendary teacher and was well known among students long before most had ever seen or met him; people felt lucky to get into one of his classes. And they were. He brought Tennyson and Keats to life, and actually made Beowulf interesting. Who else could do that? Students who never thought they could like literature and poetry truly loved his classes. Everyone seems to remember certain precious moments, or even parts they played in “The Eiffel Tower Wedding Party” and other classroom productions. Laughter and learning were synonymous. He engaged his students and moved them in ways they had never been moved by a teacher before. Or since. And most can remember their exact seat in Happy 210 where these unique learning experiences took place.

Mr. Wagner, while your wit, your laugh, your smile and your dedication to each student entrusted to you will be missed, your spirit and the life changing moments you created will live on forever. To quote John Keats: "A thing of beauty is a joy forever". Thank you Mr. Wagner!

Some classes can't wait until their next scheduled reunion and will find any excuse to get together for a party. This year, during the Fourth of July Reunion Weekend, two UAHS classes will celebrate their collective birthdays!

--- The UAHS Class of 1979 will celebrate their 50th birthdays together on Saturday, July 2 beginning at 6:00 PM at the Varsity Club on Lane Avenue. See details here.

--- The UAHS Class of 1969 is facing the era of Golden Buckeye Cards and AARP with grace and/or disbelief as they gather on Saturday, July 2 from 7:00 until midnight at the Bogey Inn on Glick Road. See details here.

Thanks so much to all of you who pay dues to the UAAA. These dues are critical to the support of our organization. Many alums think that funding for the Alumni Association comes from the school district. WRONG! We are completely self-sustaining and need these dues in order to maintain our database of nearly 30,000 graduates and to pay the costs of running our Web site, Bearalums.com.

We do not restrict our Web site to dues-paying members. We enjoy making it available to EVERYONE, members or not. However, over the past few years, we have seen our number of dues-paying members decline. We need YOU! Our tax-deductible dues are modest, so it is our goal to increase membership, and we hope that we can count on you. Membership in UAAA is available at four levels:

Some people are online a great deal and prefer to pay with Paypal; others prefer printing the membership form and mailing us a check. We appreciate your dues, and we want to make it easy for you, so please select your preferred method of payment.:

Each year, the City of Upper Arlington and the Upper Arlington Historical Society honor a deceased UA resident who had a positive impact on the community and beyond through professional, philanthropic, volunteer or public service. Cindy Rarey Dyas '73 was honored this past year for her work in both the fight against cancer and advocating for improvements in patient care. In May, 2010, a bronze plaque was added to the limestone wall at the Municipal Services Center Plaza to honor Cindy Dyas as part of the Wall of Honor Program.

Diagnosed in 1991 with breast cancer, Cindy immediately became actively involved in the fight and worked with Columbus City Council to bring Race for the Cure to Columbus. The first race was held in 1993 with approximately 800 participants. By 2009, that number grew to 47,000 runners and walkers. Since it was established, Cindy was a member of the Columbus Komen Board and participated in every race but one before she passed away in December of 2005. Since 1993, the Race for the Cure has raised more the $13 million to support Ohio cancer research and grants.

In 2003, Cindy was awarded the Komen Cameo Award, which is the highest honor given to a volunteer at the national level. In the spring of 2005, Susan G. Komen for the Cure dedicated the Cindy Dyas Award of Heroism, which is awarded a longtime survivor whose courage and determination has advanced the search for a cure and given strength to others.

View this story with photos of Cindy on our Announcements page.

In March of this year, Suzie Matthews '76 lost her long battle with breast cancer. Not only was Suzie an alum, she was also a UA teacher who shared her love of music with Jones Middle School students for 27 years. As director of Jones Fall Production, Suzie welcomed those with and without developed talent onto her stage and entertained packed houses each fall with abbreviated versions of musicals such as Annie, Oliver, Grease, and The Music Man. Thousands of students and their families were touched by her contagious enthusiasm and spirit and will never forget her.

This fall, former Fall Production alum, Erin O'Brien created a video tribute that was played before each show. Suzie was able to make it to the show and was touched by the tribute. You can view the video tribute here. Our condolences go out to Suzie's loving family, many of whom are UA alums.

The UAHS Golf Parents would like to invite all interested people to come play golf this summer in the Bear Am, which will be held on Frida, July 29 at Cooks Creek Golf Club in Ashville, Ohio.

The Bear Am is an annual 4-man scramble golf tournament where UA golfers, family members, golf alumni, teachers, and community members come out to enjoy a fun day of golf. Make a 4-person team on your own or sign up and we will find a team for you to join.

--- See more details on our Announcements page and print the flyer here.

Did you spend time your childhood and teenage summers at Camp Akita? Do you have wonderful, unforgettable memories of summer evenings in the hills, fun with friends in your cabin, special times on the lake and in the dining hall? Each of us who grew up with Camp Akita as an annual part of our lives holds a special place for it in our hearts.

This summer, you are invited to the Akita Folk Festival, which is bring organized by Tom Pickett '75 and Tom White ' 75. This music festival will be held during the weekend of August 19, 20, and 21. You can either drive down for a day or stay overnight. Space is limited, so if you want to stay overnight, please sign up soon.

All the proceeds from the Akita Folk Festival benefit the Camp Akita Scholarship Fund.

The music for the event is being organized by Vickie Murphy '69 and Phil Hart and includes performances by the following artists: The Sampson Family Bandish; Mason Smith; Phil Hart; Gordon Lash; Susie Miller; Vickie Murphy; Ami Peacock; Tom Pickett; Jeff Putnam and Martha Morss. If you are interested in performing at the Festival, please sign up here.

--- Visit AkitaFolkFestival.com for further details and sign-up forms. ---

We hope to see all of you at the fourth annual GOLDEN BEAR BASH!, to be held at Huntington Park, Home of the Columbus Clippers, on Sunday, September 4 from 7:00 - 11:00 PM This Upper Arlington Education Foundation annual fundraiser promises to be the best yet, and the event includes dinner, music, dancing, live and silent auctions, plenty of neighborly friendship, and fun surprises, too!

General admission tickets are $50 per person, but the Foundation invites attendees to become higher level sponsors, too! See the levels of sponsorship and our many sponsors here.

Last year's Golden Bear Bash! raised more than $90,000.00, which went into the UAEF's Unrestricted General Fund, to be used for grants that are presented throughout the school year.

Please plan to attend and help us raise the funds that enable us to help our district's students and teachers with projects and materials whose costs fall outside the district's budget.

--- Learn more about the UA Education Foundation here.

--- See all the details regarding the 2011 Golden Bear Bash! here.

Have you visited our Bearalums.com Alumni Web sites page lately? Many of our alums have sent in the addresses of their personal or company sites, and we've linked to each of them. They are organized by graduation year. You know how it is: people like to do business with people they know and trust, and it's interesting and fun to look through these Web sites to find out what kinds of businesses, organizations, and hobbies our fellow UAHS grads are involved in and enjoy.

Every couple of months, we will feature several of these Alumni Web sites. If you would like for us to link to your Web site, please email us your web site address and we will add you! You could be featured next!

FEATURED WEB SITES FOR JUNE, 2011

As graduates of Upper Arlington High School, we share a special bond that lasts a lifetime, and it is with sad hearts that we announce the passing of the following UAHS alumni and faculty. To their families and friends we extend our sincere condolences.

If you remember the Sixties in Columbus, Ohio, then you remember "Dance Party" on Saturday morning TV. You also remember Sundays at Valley Dale. And you remember some of the best times of your life!

Wouldn't it be great if you could travel back in time? Well, former members of The Dantes and The Fifth Order have come together to make your memories come back to life!

Please join in on the fun on Friday, October 21 from 7:30 to 11:30 pm at the Valley Dale Ballroom as Jim Hilditch '67 and Jeff Johnson '67 of the Fifth Order and Lynn Wehr of the Dantes appear with their new bands, The Pat Malloy Band and The Neighborhood Boys, respectively.

Tickets to the event are available at USASeats.com, or you can purchase your tickets in person at Tickets Galore, located at 58 South High Street, Suite A in Dublin (614-889-2989 or 800-829-8457).

Because we respect our alums' privacy, we list names and email addresses on Bearalums.com ONLY when they are personally submitted by the alum. When we started Bearalums.com in 2000, we had approximately 320 email addresses in our database; we currently have almost 13,000 alums' email addresses listed on Bearalums.com!

If you are not listed on your class page but wish to be, please send in your information. If you notice that one of your classmates isn't listed, please contact that person and ask him or her to visit Bearalums.com and personally submit his or her information. And if you see someone's name on the Lost list at the bottom of each class page, and you know his or her location, please let us know, or contact that classmate and ask him or her to contact UAAA.

Our goal is to maintain the most complete and accurate database that we possibly can. We are asking for your help! And thank you to those of you who have helped us through your membership dues; your financial help allows us to provide the ongoing hosting and maintenance fees of our Web site.      

We hope that you will make sure that we have your current postal mailing address, phone number, and email address. Below are the email addresses to use to send this information to the correct person at UAAA: