by Dave Blocksom ’68,
Withrow – the first 50 years
Football – Angus King and the Early Coaches
Bob Linnenberg ’63 continues his excellent research into Withrow’s rich history. His latest article “Withrow-the first 50 years – Football-Angus King and the Early Coaches” reveals early teachers and coaches who led Withrow teams in different sports to success. You can read this article by clicking HERE.
by Dave Blocksom ’68
Repairs to Clock Tower and Bridge Complete
The copper roof is completely installed on the balcony level of the clock tower, and after years of water infiltration, we now have a dry interior in the tower. The concrete structural repair work on the bridge is also complete, and the bridge looks beautiful again. During the project, additional structural defects were uncovered, and Cincinnati Public Schools Facilities agreed to pay the $23,143 cost to make those repairs. Hummel Restoration did the work, and they did an outstanding job. Hummel was the masonry contractor on the original construction of Withrow and the clock tower in 1919. They built many of the old CPS schools as well as City Hall and the Art Museum. They just happened to be the low bidder on our project; low bidder and most qualified bidder are usually not synonymous. The total project cost was $128,000 and CPS picked up 86% of the cost. Withrow Alumni paid for the structural engineering work ($6,763), the City of Cincinnati building permits ($1,672) and the restoration cosmetic work ($9,200). Thank you, generous alumni who made the above repairs possible.
by Dave Blocksom ’68
As it has been for everyone, this year has been tough for our students, teachers and staff. The school year started off with a blended learning model where students were in class two days a week and learning remotely three days a week. Later in the fall, due to an increase in Covid cases, teaching went completely remote five days a week. In mid-February it went back into blended learning, and as I write this, Withrow will go to traditional five day classroom teaching after spring break (March 31st). This year has been especially hard on our seniors, who have had to forego all of the in-school experiences of senior year. We are working with the administration to try to enhance the remaining experiences our seniors will have during their last two months on campus (yearbooks, prom, graduation, senior day).
by Dave Blocksom ’68
… all our hearts are won
Bob Linnenberg’s timely article, briefly describing the history of our historic bridge, highlights the investments that the alumni have so generously made over the years for the upkeep of the bridge. Unfortunately, we have again reached the point where we need to make structural repairs to the bridge now in order to avoid more costly repairs later.
by Dave Blocksom ’68
Pandemic News
With the COVID-19 school closure, we are trying to help the students in any way we can while they are out of school. We are directing donations to the Principal’s Fund to be used by the principal at his discretion. To make a donation to the Principal’s Fund, click HERE and select Principal’s Fund.
