News : IBSSS reunion brings graduates from as far back as '38 to Vinton

Everett Gerhold & Maxine Hoover of IBSSS Class of '38 were among reunion attendees this weekend.

They sang in the choir, and played together in the band.

On Saturday, 72 years after they graduated, Maxine Hoover and Eldred Gerhold met with dozens of other alumni of the Iowa Braille and Sight-Saving School met to remember the times they shared at an instutition whose future is uncertain.

The Iowa Board of Regents had met in the very same room just a few days earlier, where they discussed the future of the Braille School. A committee is studying the issue and will presents a report to the Regents in August.

On Saturday afternoon, many alumni gathered in the auditorium, where they entertained each other with a talent show. They spent much of the weekend together, sharing memories, and making arrangments to keep in touch.

"We have more than 70 alumni members here already," said Robert Spangler, who helps organize the reunions and other IBSSS alumni events.

After graduation, Maxine Hoover became a homemaker and mother. She spent most of her life in Iowa, although shd did live in Oklahoma with a daughter for 30 years. She remembers roller skating, playing croquet and playing clarinet in the IBSSS band.

Maxine was accomanied at the school by her daughter, Lois Stull. Her father, sister and great-grandson also attended the Iowa Braille School.

Eldred Gerhold now lives in Cedar Rapids, where he had worked as a radio announcer for WMT Radio and other stations. He also ran a custom rug weaving business and also was a voice teacher. He still sings at churches and care centers in the Cedar Rapids area. He sang a few hymns during the talent show, accompanied by several IBSSS alumni musicians.

Eldred was one of the alumni who attended a meeting with Rep. Dawn Pettengill in Vinton a few weeks ago, where the future of the Braille School was a main topic.