50-Year-Reunion

“ Mr. Pelts, please come to my wedding, and bring your camera. ” I absolutely loved my 30 years as a professional wedding photographer. I loved working with families as they planned and lived out one of the most important (and extensively photographed) days of their lives. After I reluctantly switched to digital, my wedding albums were printed and bound in Italy, by the leading album company in the world. Over a pepperoni pan pizza, at Pizza Hut, on Cumberland Road, my life changed forever on Election Day, in 1984. It was “ love at first date ” with a newcomer to Bluefield, Beverly Aylor, an elementary Bible teacher. We were married eight months later. I was the youngest of three kids. Bev was the oldest of three kids. We both wanted four kids, and we are so thankful for four uniquely different children. Bev became a stay - at - home Mom, and lovingly and enthusiastically embraced Home schooling, and then became Soccer and Gymnastics Mom extraordinaire. From 1986, a solid, beautiful brick house on Whitethorn Street would be our home. We lovingly renovated it, and it would eventually be on the “ Historic Register. ” It turned 100 years old last year. I shed tears as our school closed as a result of consolidation, but we went out with a bang and had celebrations and an amazing final yearbook. And after 15 years at OHS, I taught at the consolidated PikeView High School for the next five years. As a result of some grant writing, “ History was Hanging from the Walls! ” and my World History classroom was adorned with Medieval armor and tapestries, stained glass, and Greek architecture. I loved it. My last 17 years in Mercer County were spent at our alma mater. It was a joy to be a Beaver once again, working to instill Beaver Pride in my students. Along with a great team of students and alumni, I chaired a committee as we celebrated the 100 - year anniversary of Bluefield High School – with events that lasted all year long. For 25 years, I had the joy of being on the board of directors for Bible In The Schools, such a wonderful program that we were blessed to have been a part of. What a joy it has been to work closely with, and be a good friend with Eleanor “ Buzzy ” Rupp. Buzzy has been one of the most influential individuals in my life. I ’ m sure there are countless other BHS students who would say the same thing.

The only photo I have with Bob and Kay Foote, two amazing individuals, with Youth Group officers at Trinity. Deb Coppinger, Janie Howard, Deb Clapp; (back row) Larry Blalock, and me . Photo from 1973. Thanks to Face book, I am still in touch with the Footes, now living in Florida. Oh, how I looked up to those juniors and seniors back when I was a “ silly sophomore. ” I wonder if the underclassmen looked up to us when we were finally seniors?

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