On September 25, 2007, the Clifton Forge Town Council approved a purchase contract option for the sale of our beloved CFHS building to Louise Belmont, a local entrepreneur, who hopes to transform the structure into an arts center—eventually for students to come from various schools and colleges to focus mainly on the arts. Mrs. Belmont’s quest to revitalize the town’s treasured landmark and restore it for future generations was the deciding factor in the sale of the building and its immediate grounds. She is a very pleasant lady, who has fallen in love with the Clifton Forge area and vice versa.
Many of the CFHS alumni return each year for reunions and family visits, and sometimes, a ride by the old school. It holds millions of memories, mostly good, that occurred in our five years at the school. Some of those teachers and staff who endured the most years of tenure will be forever remembered—Miss Margaret Van Horn, Mrs. Flora Lynn, Mr. Carroll Adams, Mrs. Virginia Adams, and Mrs. Vira Noel, just to name a few. Even when the building is remodeled with new classrooms and possibly dorm rooms for the art school, our alumni will still be able to recall where classes were held as well as other special spots of fun and leisure. Regardless of age, we always remember the good times.
The CFHS Alumni Association will continue to have space in the complex for our many trophies, awards, pictures, and uniforms, as well as an area for alumni meetings and social affairs. Also, the auditorium will showcase, upon request, any entertainment features that are brought to the Alleghany Highlands for our pleasure. For example, the local Arts Council plans for the school to feature Cirque le Masque, a sophisticated European-style circus that incorporates dance, mime, and acrobatics, in late February 2008.
Mrs. Belmont and her crew have much to do to renovate the building. It ceased to exist as a high school for nearly 25 years and as a middle school for almost 7 years, so much money will have to be invested to bring the old school around. We wish Mrs. Belmont well as her engineers assess the work needed and where to start.
Editors Note: There was a lot of information about Mrs. Belmont’s efforts to revitalize Clifton Forge in The Roanoke Times article titled “Transforming Clifton Forge”, which also included a map of the area considered for development, a video interview with Mrs. Belmont, and scenes from the area.
All CFHS Alumni and Friends are invited to attend.
There are two new things happening during the reunion.
From the 2007 60’s Reunion, the Classes of the 60’s donated $1,400 to the Alumni Scholarship Fund, which we are hoping to top this year. Remember that all scholarship donations are tax deductible.
Please make checks for memberships, scholarships, and endowments payable to the CFHS Alumni Association.
