July 23, 2014 at 2:10 p.m.
Ringing up part of their history (04/28/07)
By By JACK RONALD-
Thirty-two years ago, in May of 1975, Mike Zimmerman walked across the stage to accept his diploma as the last graduate in the history of Redkey High School.
Today, on the exact site of the school's front door, a monument has taken shape commemorating the school's long, proud tradition.
Thanks to contributions from Redkey High alumni and countless hours of volunteer work, a bell tower now stands at the former school site. Within it is the original bell from the school that was razed in conjunction with consolidation of all of the county's high schools.
Jay County High School opened its doors to students in the fall of 1975 and graduated its first class in 1976, but to the Redkey community and those who passed through the doors of the old brick building the old school was something special.
The idea of establishing some sort of monument or memorial to the school was born about 18 months ago.
"This was in four pieces at the historical society, out back," said project coordinator Jim Barrett, gesturing at a long horizontal piece of limestone into which is carved, "Redkey Public Schools."
The stonework once stood directly above the school's front door, but it was badly damaged when volunteers learned that it could be found at the Jay County Historical Society's museum in Portland.
"They said we could have it if it went back to the same place it came from," Barrett said.
Over the next six months, local bricklayers Gene Stigleman, Sonny Champ, Tom Bonvillian, Dave Woods and Scott Stigleman - members of Bricklayers Local 4 INKY - worked to restore the stonework to a single, solid piece. Meanwhile, plans were drawn up for a bell tower that would echo the design of the one which originally topped the Redkey school.
A year ago, volunteers took the idea to the Redkey High School Alumni Association, looking for support.
"We had an absolutely great response," said Redkey clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby, who handles the alumni association's bookkeeping.
More than $4,300 in donations came in and another $1,400 was made available from a former Redkey historical organization. To date $3,916 has been spent for materials.
But the donated labor has far exceeded that amount, and some supplies, such as cement from Irving Materials Inc., were donated as well.
On Friday, volunteers were installing a metal wire mesh to keep birds and vandals away from the bell, which was donated for the project by Bill and Sharon Watson.
The Watsons had acquired the bell several years ago, and alumni consider themselves fortunate that it was still in the area.
"We set that in yesterday morning," said Barrett.
The wire mesh was donated by Karl and Cheryl Sodders, said Barrett. And the handle on an access door in the wire mesh is one of the originals from the Redkey school. It was donated by Mary Ann Horine, said Barrett.
Meanwhile, a copper-clad metal roof was being installed by Terry Miller and Shane Hough of Miller's Construction. Steve Dull, a retired electrician and member of Local 855 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, worked on wiring to light the bell at night.
"Gene (Stigleman) has worked his butt off, and so has Steve (Dull)," said Barrett. "But it's taken everybody."
Others involved include Mid-State Concrete and General Construction's Brooks Fuggiet, Adam Fuggiet, Sam Johns, and Brian Garringer as well as Brian, Jim, and Bruce Grady.
Though the bell tower itself is done, more work awaits.
"We need to put a sidewalk in," said Barrett. He envisions a nicely landscaped mini-park surrounding the bell tower, which is on land owned by the town of Redkey.
Three original cornerstones of the old building - donated by Jack Hammond - will be incorporated into the design. And Barrett would like to see a permanent plaque that provides information on the school's history.
Tonight, the Redkey Alumni Association will gather for its annual banquet at Redkey Elementary School. Donations in support of completing the bell tower site may be made to the alumni association through town clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby.[[In-content Ad]]
Today, on the exact site of the school's front door, a monument has taken shape commemorating the school's long, proud tradition.
Thanks to contributions from Redkey High alumni and countless hours of volunteer work, a bell tower now stands at the former school site. Within it is the original bell from the school that was razed in conjunction with consolidation of all of the county's high schools.
Jay County High School opened its doors to students in the fall of 1975 and graduated its first class in 1976, but to the Redkey community and those who passed through the doors of the old brick building the old school was something special.
The idea of establishing some sort of monument or memorial to the school was born about 18 months ago.
"This was in four pieces at the historical society, out back," said project coordinator Jim Barrett, gesturing at a long horizontal piece of limestone into which is carved, "Redkey Public Schools."
The stonework once stood directly above the school's front door, but it was badly damaged when volunteers learned that it could be found at the Jay County Historical Society's museum in Portland.
"They said we could have it if it went back to the same place it came from," Barrett said.
Over the next six months, local bricklayers Gene Stigleman, Sonny Champ, Tom Bonvillian, Dave Woods and Scott Stigleman - members of Bricklayers Local 4 INKY - worked to restore the stonework to a single, solid piece. Meanwhile, plans were drawn up for a bell tower that would echo the design of the one which originally topped the Redkey school.
A year ago, volunteers took the idea to the Redkey High School Alumni Association, looking for support.
"We had an absolutely great response," said Redkey clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby, who handles the alumni association's bookkeeping.
More than $4,300 in donations came in and another $1,400 was made available from a former Redkey historical organization. To date $3,916 has been spent for materials.
But the donated labor has far exceeded that amount, and some supplies, such as cement from Irving Materials Inc., were donated as well.
On Friday, volunteers were installing a metal wire mesh to keep birds and vandals away from the bell, which was donated for the project by Bill and Sharon Watson.
The Watsons had acquired the bell several years ago, and alumni consider themselves fortunate that it was still in the area.
"We set that in yesterday morning," said Barrett.
The wire mesh was donated by Karl and Cheryl Sodders, said Barrett. And the handle on an access door in the wire mesh is one of the originals from the Redkey school. It was donated by Mary Ann Horine, said Barrett.
Meanwhile, a copper-clad metal roof was being installed by Terry Miller and Shane Hough of Miller's Construction. Steve Dull, a retired electrician and member of Local 855 of the International Brotherhood of Electrical Workers, worked on wiring to light the bell at night.
"Gene (Stigleman) has worked his butt off, and so has Steve (Dull)," said Barrett. "But it's taken everybody."
Others involved include Mid-State Concrete and General Construction's Brooks Fuggiet, Adam Fuggiet, Sam Johns, and Brian Garringer as well as Brian, Jim, and Bruce Grady.
Though the bell tower itself is done, more work awaits.
"We need to put a sidewalk in," said Barrett. He envisions a nicely landscaped mini-park surrounding the bell tower, which is on land owned by the town of Redkey.
Three original cornerstones of the old building - donated by Jack Hammond - will be incorporated into the design. And Barrett would like to see a permanent plaque that provides information on the school's history.
Tonight, the Redkey Alumni Association will gather for its annual banquet at Redkey Elementary School. Donations in support of completing the bell tower site may be made to the alumni association through town clerk-treasurer Sandy Kirby.[[In-content Ad]]
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