Lexington - The Movie
An amazing video about Lexington has been created from old home movies taken by Dale Renschler, John Kleopfer, and Robert Kleopfer. The Renschler 16 mm movies were taken as early as 1948, more than 50 years ago. The John Kleopfer 8mm movies are from the 1958-1963 time period and the Robert Kleopfer movies are from 1975-1978. The movies were converted to DVD format and edited complete with sound track and titles. It runs for approximately 67 minutes and has footage of literally hundreds of people who lived in and around Lexington during the 1948-1978 time frame. I'm sure that you will cherish this video if you or your family lived in Lexington during that time period. If you want to know if you or your loved one appear in this movie just ask (email: rdkone@aol.com or call or write). The movie includes:
The Lexington School during the 1949-1950 school year with complete footage of everyone in the first grade (Class of 1961 - Terry Barnes, Larry Hardin, Myrtle Richardson, etc.) and the second grade (Class of 1960 - Jim Kleopfer, Billy Kimberlin, Junior Spencer, Juanita Reece, Betty Brown, Shirley Clem, Ron Baker, etc.). This segment also includes footage of Bonnie Renschler and her classmates (Class of 1950 - Elsie Sharp, Betty Middleton, etc.). Several teachers are also in this part, including Mable Renschler, Lavon Shields, Marjorie Middleton, Hazel Middleton, and Florence Miller.
The Lexington School during the 1957-1958 school year with every grade filmed except (for reasons unknown) the second grade. This includes the Class of 1969 (first grade - Joe Gibson, Bobby Bright, etc.), Class of 1967 (third grade - Pat Bridgewater, etc.), Class of 1966 (fourth grade - Eugene McCandless, etc.), Class of 1965 (fifth grade - Elizabeth Robison, Bob Smith, etc.), Class of 1964 (sixth grade - Gary Kleopfer, Judy Coomes, etc.), Class of 1963 (seventh grade - Barbara Bressler, Connie Fouts, etc.), Class if 1962 (8th grade - Scott Thomas, Carol Shelburne, etc.), Class of 1961 (Freshmen - Joanie Schafer, Jerry Hall, etc.), Class of 1960 (Sophomores - Jim Kleopfer, Sue Hall, John Dickerson, etc.), Class of 1959 (Juniors - Wilson Thomas, Lynn Hardy, etc.), and Class of 1958 (Seniors - Gail Goodwin, etc.) Teachers filmed include Willard Hough, John Adams, Helene Robbins, Mary McPherson, Alla Boles, Marvin Hardin, Florence Miller, Lavon Shields, Marian Menefee, Kenneth Hostetler, B. R. Risner and a few that I did not recognize. Anna Middleton, Elmer Arbuckle and other support staff were also filmed. Some pick-up basketball on the playgound was also filmed. This section is in color and has stunning quality for film almost 50 years in age.
A Renshcler-McNeeley gathering at the Cincinnati Zoo about 1948. Horace Franklin Sharp, Ralph Robison & family, Luther Cox, Buddy Clapp, just to name a few.
Scenes from around Lexington about 1950 including the Deaton farm, the Kleopfer turkey farm, Phillipy General Store, Whitlatch store. Clift's store, Milles barber shop, Stewart's store, Renschler gas station, etc. People filmed include Feida and Frank Hounshell, Edith Fouts with Sherry and Connie, Earlene Kleopfer with Jim, Robert, and Gary, Agnes Bright with Arlene and Marlene, Jim Bennett, Pauline Kleopfer with Tom, Eugene, and James McCandless, Russell Renschler and family, Agnes Kimberlin with Billy and Patty, William & Mary Ellen Ball and family, Edith Renschler Russell, Nettie McNeeley, Willard Middleton, Earl Milles, Harry "Frosty" McNeeley and family, Ervin Lowry, Ernie Bare, and others just too numerous to mention.
The Lexington Old Settlers about 1950 including Anna Middleton, Della Lowry, Ronnie Renschler, Martha Bare, and others.
A Lexington basketball game being played in the old Scottsburg gym about 1958. Very interesting 2 minute clip but poor quality due to poor lighting.
Homecoming at the Lexington Presbyterian Church about 1961. Probably around 50 people leaving the church service including Bonnie and Buddy Clapp, Ronnie Renschler, Lester Walker, Maude Bridgewater, Flora Hall, Muriel Milles, Helen Hall, Lowell Whitlatch and family, Ralph Robison & family, Edith Fouts, Agnes Bright and daughters, Elsie and Mae Sharp, Emma and Lavon Shields, Marjorie Middleton, Kenneth and Freeman Lowry, Jim Bright, Willie Jennings, Larry and Connie Renschler, Mary Catherine and Shirley Wilson, and numerous others.
A Lowry reunion from the 1950s including siblings Mable, Freeman, Kenneth, Ruby, Irene, Ervin, Anna Mae, and Freida with families.
A McNeeley family reunion from the 1950s including siblings James, Charlie, Maggie, Nettie, Bill, and Oma ("Dub"), and families.
Scenes from around Lexington in the 1960s including John Kleopfer & family, Maysel McNeeley, "Babe" McCandless and family, Bob Miles and family, Keith Whitlatch, Tom Dennis, Ron Martin, and others.
Several movies of Old Settlers Parades during 1958-1963. Individuals recognized include Judy Coomes, Cathy Schafer, Keith Whitlatch, Elizabeth Robison, John McDonald, Gary Kleopfer, and others.
A 1962 Jerry Kleopfer birthday party with many Lexingon playmates.
A movie of the 1976 Old Settlers Parade with sound.
Footage of Dale Renschler and his grandchildren from 1958 and later.
Footage of my Milles and Kleopfer grandparents. Also Flora Hall, Wendy Campton, and a few others.
This video is now available in DVD format for $25. All profits will go to the Lexington Historical Society. If you wish to purchase this DVD of Lexington and its people please send check or money order to:
Robert Kleopfer
1600 St. Andrews Drive
Lawrence, KS 66047
Or if you wish to purchase electronically or by credit card click on the
button below for a secure transaction through PayPal. Free shipping
by USPS first class mail.
Shipping will begin April 3, 2006.
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