NEWSLETTER SPONSOR
This issue of the newsletter is being dedicated to the memory of William "Bill" Moore Creggar who died in March, shortly after returning home from a day at school. Bill was an active member of the Ceres Alumni Association Board of Directors and will be missed. A memorial scholarship fund has been established in Bill’s name. Two $500 scholarships were awarded in 2010. (See article later in this newsletter.)
If you or your company would like to sponsor a future newsletter, please contact any officer or mail your check for $165 to P.O. Box 32, Ceres, VA 24318. This covers the cost of postage.
PRESIDENT’S MESSAGE
Hello everyone,
I hope everyone is having great summer. It’s been hot here in Ceres, after a snowy winter, but you feel cooler when you see the weather in Washington and Richmond. I hope you all were able to attend our Relay for Life spaghetti supper, flea market, and chicken and pig dinners. They were great successes and we had a wonderful time. The youth basketball season was also great success with the whole county benefiting from our gym building.
The floor project is still on going. Willie Howlett our county administrator and Audra Repass, his assistant, have taken over the bidding process from VDOT and the project is being re-bid this month.
Its time for us to get out and sell our raffle tickets to help pay the maintenance on the buildings. Please try and get us some new items to include this year on the raffle.
We still need to recruit more new members for the association. Tell your friends and family.
Hope to see you all at our upcoming events. Have a wonderful summer.
Wade Hall, President
TRIBUTE TO "BILL" CREGGAR
The following tribute to Bill Creggar appeared in the Bland Messenger on March 25, 2010.
Bland Elementary School Principal Diana Tibbs waved to Bill Creggar as he pulled his bus from the parking lot on Friday afternoon, March 12. Earlier that day the two had shared a dish of macaroni which Creggar had made. "That was the last time I saw Bill alive," Tibbs said Monday morning. "He was an amazing person and this has been a great loss." William Moore "Bill" Creggar was found dead in his home around 6:30 p.m. that Friday. He apparently died of a heart attack at age 71. "It was very shocking, very sudden," said Penny Gray, who with her husband, Frankie, and children considered themselves Creggar’s family. "He was like a father, a brother and best friend. He was so loved by the community. The outpouring has been incredible." According to Gray, Creggar grew up in the Ceres community of Bland County, graduating in 1956 from Ceres High School. He was the assistant coach of the state champion runner-up basketball team in 1959, she said.
In a tribute to Creggar, Bekkie Peery noted Creggar attended Bethany United Methodist Church in Ceres. Creggar retired from the U.S. Army Reserves as a first sergeant after 32 years, she said. Under the G.I. Bill, he attended Marion College and later Wytheville Community College to study business, according to Peery. Also she pointed out, from 1956 to 1960; Creggar was employed as the time clerk for the Virginia State Highway Department. At that time, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Reserves and continued his military career until 1992, Peery said. An integral part of the Bland cannery, he helped many residents of Bland and Smyth counties for some 17 years, Gray said. Working with Jonan Repass, they shared canning skills, produce from their gardens and many hours of friendship, she commented.
According to his obituary, Creggar was a member of the Fraternal Order of Freemasons for 38 years and earned the Degree of Entered Apprentice in 1970, the Degree of Fellowship in 1971 and Degree of Master Mason in 1971. He served as Worshipful Master of the Bland Lodge in 1975 and was secretary of the Bland Lodge from 1979 to 2008. As an employee of Bland County Schools for 35 years, Creggar worked as a bus driver, instructional aide, custodian/ maintenance technician and tutorial aide for migrant children, Tibbs stated.
For 20 of those years, Tibbs had worked with Creggar. She was a teacher before becoming principal. "He was highly intelligent, very professional, very caring," Tibbs said. "He was brilliant in math and grammar. He had such rapport with the kids. He could reach the ones the other teachers couldn’t, especially sixth- and seventh-grade boys. The kids loved him. His death has left a big hole here."
The Gray family also is reeling from the shock of Creggar’s death. Frankie Gray discovered the body when he went to Creggar’s home that Friday evening for apple butter. "Apparently, Bill came home after finishing his bus route," noted Penny Gray. "He sat down to watch the Virginia Tech game and died peacefully in his chair. Bland County has suffered a great loss."
Wade Hall recalled first meeting Creggar in 2002. Hall had moved to Ceres from Northern Virginia. "Bill came over and welcomed us to the neighborhood," Hall said. "He furnished us with vegetables from his garden and honey from his bees and would never take a cent for it. He was a wonderful neighbor and a great Rook player. I used to lose to him all the time."
Both were active members of the Ceres Alumni Association, which has established a memorial scholarship in Creggar’s name. Contributions may be sent to CAA, c/o Wade Hall, 224 Willow Springs Rd., or P.O. Box 32, Ceres, VA 24318
"The scholarship will be awarded to a deserving senior at Bland High School," Hall said.
As a memorial to Creggar, Bloomin’ Idiots Greenhouses made wooden plaques in the shape of a memorial ribbon for Creggar’s bus which was number 17. When other bus drivers asked for one, too, Helen Dodd made seven more and put them on the buses.
Death Notice
William M. "Bill" Creggar, age 71, died March 12, 2010. Visitation will be at Highland Funeral Chapel in Bland on Monday, March 15th from 6:00 to 8:00 pm. Funeral services will be at Bethany United Methodist Church in Ceres on Tuesday, March 16th at 2:00 pm followed by burial in the Sharon Cemetery. Guests are invited to meet at the Ceres Gym after the burial.
Bill was a long time employee of the Bland County School system at both Ceres and Bland, was the Assistant Coach of the 1959 boy's basketball team that was honored at the 2009 Ceres Homecoming and was a member of the Board of Directors of the Ceres Alumni Association.
REPORTED DEATHS
The following deaths were reported since the last newsletter was published:
V. Leon Lambert, Sr.
Nancy Cregger Snavely
William "Bill" Moore Creggar
Peggy Ann Burke Allison
Alvis A. Atwell (103 years old)
Raymond Vest
Harvey Durham
MEMORIAL GIFTS
In memory of Terry Umbarger
By Sue Umbarger
In memory of Mildred McCall
By Annie, Bekkie and G. H. Peery, III
In memory of Lida Groseclose
By Annie, Bekkie and G. H. Peery, III
In memory of Nancy Cregger Snavely
By William and Betty Hubble
In memory of Salem Bogle Weaver
By Wallace and Charlene Weaver
In memory of Wallace Bogle
By Wallace and Charlene Weaver
In memory of Donald Hanshew
By Mae H. Hanshew
In memory of William Moore Creggar
(For Bill Creggar Memorial Scholarship)
By Sarah Paulette
By William and Betty Hubble
By J. W. and Judy Cassell
By Lowell Hancock
By Frances H. Umbarger
By Eva Lois Winsett
By Barbara and Bruce Justice
By Roddy and Anna Crabtree
By Wade and Becky Hall
By Larry Waddell
By Robert and Lorraine Waddle
NEW DIRECTOR APPOINTED
At the CAA April meeting of the Board of Directors, Frankie Gray was appointed to fill the Board seat vacated by the untimely death Bill Creggar. Frankie is an active member and an asset to the Association.
SCHEDULING USE OF GYM
The gym has been heavily used this summer for family and community functions. Several folks have already scheduled their events for 2011.
If you or your family desires to use the gym, make your requests as early as possible to ensure your first choice of dates. Call 276 682-4380 or 276 682-4255 to schedule your dates.
MEMBERSHIP EXPLANATION
As of July 1, 2010, we have 106 paid members. Membership runs from January 1 to December 31, so if you haven’t paid your membership dues for 2010, please consider doing that today. Dues are $25.00 for one year, and $100.00 for five years. Thanks for your support by being members. Without you, we would not be as successful as we have been.
FUND RAISERS
OCTOBER RAFFLE
Plans are underway for a raffle, to be drawn on October 16, 2010. Tickets are being mailed with this newsletter. Your assistance in selling or buying these will be greatly appreciated. A complete list of prizes and donors will be published later. Prizes, listed below, were donated by an Association member if not otherwise identified. We already have some very nice prizes including:
- Rifle, 720 Mossberg, 5 shot bolt action donated by Ceres Alumni Association
- Framed P. Buckley Moss print, donated by Moss Foundation and framed by Farmer’s Daughter (VT "Lane Stadium")
- Coin Set donated by Arch Thompson
- Laptop Computer, Windows 7
- $25 gift certificate donated by Harner’s Market
- $25 gift certificates (3)
- Handmade quilt made and donated by "Just for Fun Quilters"
- Basket of organic toiletries
- Toaster – 4 slice
- Ice Tea Maker
- $50 Gift Certificate, good at various businesses by Builders Supermarket
- Handmade throw made and donated by Crabtree and Pruett Sewing
- $50 Bonds from New Peoples Bank
- $25 Gift Certificate by B&R Auto Service
- Ceres-Goddess of Grain puzzle
- 3 sets of Mary Kay skin care products
- $50 Bond donated by First1Bank
Door Prizes include:
- Free State Inspection donated by Randy Townley, Bland Auto
- Travel bag of goodies (5) by Jack King
- Gift Certificate by Ann Pruett’s Beauty Shop
- Box of greeting cards by Della Mae Neel
- Kitchen towels (18) by Della Mae Neel
Additional prizes are still needed.
A prize will go to the individual who sells the most ($) in tickets. Again, we would appreciate your help this year. This is our largest fund raiser.
We hope you will sell or buy the enclosed raffle tickets. Sold ticket stubs may be mailed to PO Box 32, Ceres, VA 24318. Raffle tickets are $1.00 each or 12 for $10.00. If you need additional tickets, please call 276.682.4255 or 276.688.4450.
APPRECIATION
Special thanks go Janet Repass White and the Bone Drye band from Baltimore for coming to Ceres for the July 3rd Pig Roast and providing some GREAT music. Everyone thoroughly enjoyed it. Thanks!
Also, thanks to all who came out to enjoy the delicious meal. 230 people were served and the total raised in this fundraiser was $1,711.59. Thanks to your generosity, the fundraiser was a big success.
C.A.A. UPCOMING 2010 EVENTS
Monthly Board Meetings
Henry C. Groseclose Museum
3rd Thursday – 7:00 PM
Everyone is welcome to attend.
All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast
Applebee’s Restaurant, Wytheville
August 14, 2010 ~ 7:00 – 9:00 AM
(Note change of date from Aug. 7)
$5.00 per person
Purchase tickets or pay at the door.
Pig Roast
Peery Center Gym
Sept. 4, 2010 ~ start serving at 5:00 PM
For utilities and building upkeep.
Price: By Donation
All-you-can-eat Pancake Breakfast
Applebee’s Restaurant, Wytheville
September 25, 2010 ~ 7:00 – 9:00 AM
$5.00 per person
Advance tickets or pay at the door.
10th Annual Homecoming
Registration forms and details will be in September Newsletter
Peery Center Gym
October 16, 2010
Voter’s Café
Election Day Breakfast and Lunch
Peery Center Gym
Nov. 2, 2010 ~ 6:00 AM to 2:00 PM
Toys for Tots Drive
October 16 - December 1. 2010
Bring or send new unwrapped toys and stuffed animals. Items may be brought to Homecoming, mailed to our post office box or given to any Board Member.
Christmas Pig Roast (Carry Out)
Saturday, December 18, 2010
Place orders before 12/10/10, by calling Wade at 682.4380 or G.H. at 682-4381.
Ceres Alumni Association
P. O. Box 32
Ceres, VA 24318
276 682-3989
E-Mail Address
ceres_alumni_association@hotmail.com
Web Site
www.ceresva.org
Reminders
Monthly Board Meetings
7:00 PM on 3rd Thursday in each month
Everyone is welcome
Henry C Groseclose Agriculture & FFA Museum
Open by appointment
Call 276 682-4587
Officers for 2010
President Wade F. Hall
276.682.4380
Vice President Betty C. Hubble
276.682.4255
Recording Secretary/Reporter Rebecca M. Peery
276.682.4381
Membership Secretary Lorraine S. Waddle
276.688.4450
Historian Elizabeth N. Kimberlin
276.682.4431
Treasurer Robert I. Waddle
276.688.4450
Association Directors and term ending year:
Anne H. Britton – 2010 Evelyn H. Groseclose – 2011
Frankie Gray – 2010 Jonan C. Repass – 2012
William H. Hubble – 2010 Sue Repass – 2012
J. W. Cassell – 2011 W. Nelson Tibbs – 2012
Frances C. Davis – 2011 Archie Atwell – Past Pres.
Endowment Trust Fund Directors & term ending year:
Judy Cassell – 2010 Jerry Thompson – 2011
William H. Crabtree – 2010 Joyce Keen – 2012
DeWayne Hubble – 2010 George H. Peery, III – 2012
Dean Kirk – 2011 James Wilson – 2012
Robin U. Repass – 2011 Robert I. Waddle – Treas
