Our 25th Class Reunion is now history. I had a great
time, and I hope that everyone else who attended did, as well. For those of you who were not able to attend, I'll give
a little run down on each of the events. I will post the photos I took, such as they are. I tried a cheap digital
camera at the football game, and was very disappointed in the quality due to the lighting, I think. I will post them
anyway, with an apology for the poor quality. If you took photos at the reunion, I would very much appreciate you sharing
them with me. You can either mail me a photo CD or download them to a picture sharing site on the Web. I recommend
flickr.com or kodakgallery.com. Both are free sites.
Friday night tailgate party - This event was probably the
one filled with the most awkward moments at the beginning. We decided right away that we had made an error in not having
name tags the first night. It took a little while, but, everyone began to mingle as people filtered in. What fun
to see so many faces I hadn't seen in 25 years! Outback Steakhouse served hamburgers, and we all stood around, talking
and laughing at how most of us have changed, and marveled at how some still look "just like they did in school." Just
before 7, we gathered everyone around and took a poll to see how many were "game" to run through the blow-up teepee and onto
the field right before the game started. I was happy to see that more actually went through the teepee than raised their
hands that they'd do it! Randy and Myra Mayfield Marsh had made several signs for our classes, so we carried them
through, though none of us had the nerve to actually RUN out. Most of us sat together, visiting and talking...maybe
a few actually watched the game. The Chiefs lost, but, Terri Holster Welch's daughter Lexie was crowned Homecoming
Queen , and Mark and Jeanne Bell's nephew Cody was crowned King. I heard that several groups continued to party
other places after the game, but, I bowed out. Some of us have learned the value of at least half a night's sleep.
Saturday morning - I don't have a full report on the golf
game yet. I know that 23 had signed up to play, but, I'm not sure of the actual number. I've had two different
teams each tell me that their team had the best score. This wasn't an actual tournament, but, I think there was a bit
of wagering going on. Dub Shelton and Steve Hernandez said that their team kept getting in trouble by the marshall for
going too slow. I was just glad that was their only offense! If someone will email me more details, I'll update
this blip on the golf game.
Saturday afternoon picnic - What a beautiful day for a picnic!
We met at Lake View Park, which was the old caliche pit. Mark and Jeanne brought tables from their church, Stacy Baker
Carson brought paper goods, and Tracie Bolding Davidson and Tammy Hudson Hayes provided ice and drinks. This event
had the smallest turnout. I'd guess there was probably 50 or so who came with their families...If someone else counted,
let me know. Several of us even got sunburns, so that made for nice pictures in the evening. After eating, visiting
and watching our kids and grandkids play, we cleaned up and left to get ready for the evening. I want to thank all of
you who showed up at the Paseo to help set up and decorate.
Saturday evening "Big Event" - The one we'd all been waiting
for finally came. Lots showed up who had not registered, but, there was still plenty of good food provided by Randy
Crooks and his crew. Becky Bell Cash reported that we paid for 175 plates that were served, and I know that a few people
did not eat, so we probably had around 185 or 190 show up. Both the '79 and '80 classes were well-represented, but,
the '81 class had quite a few stay home this time around. From all accounts I was given, everyone had a great time.
We were so excited to have Mr. Hemphill, Mr. White, Mr. and Mrs. Weeaks, and Mr. and Mrs. Meek join us for the program and
meal. They looked great, and it made us feel so honored just to have them there. Gus Constancio, Jr. provided
the music; many songs from our era, which we all loved. At one point, a bunch of us made a big circle and danced to
"YMCA", which was really pretty funny...I'd like to have known what young Gus was thinking about it all. We held our
program during dinner. This is how it went....almost:
Master of Ceremonies Perry Lewis
Curnutt - 1979
Welcome
1979 Guest Speaker Bill Keating
Honored Faculty Member Mr. Ted Weeaks
1980 Guest Speaker Mike Magee
Honored Faculty Member Mr. Frank
White
1981 Guest Speaker Tracie Bolding
Davidson
Honored Faculty Member Mr. Bob Meek
Honoring Our Military LtCol John
Blumentritt
Honoring Those Who Have Passed Before Us
Darla Crooks Burn - 1979
Awards and Recognitions Conie Little
Eisenbach - 1979
Closing
School Song Christy Harris Dorr -
1981
The reason I said "almost" above, is because we had what
I will now always refer to as "The Chunky Incident." Mr. Bill "Chunky" Keating was slated to speak on behalf of the
Class of 1979. When we started the program, he was standing right in front of the bar, chatting away with Darla Crooks
Burn and Jim Tidwell. However, when Perry announced him, he was nowhere to be found. He did return. An hour
or more later as I was taking a group photo of the '79 class, I see Chunky standing on the back row, smiling like he never
left. He explained later that he thought he'd gotten out of his obligation to speak, so feeling unprepared, he opted
to take a walk through the neighborhood. Oh, well! Thanks for saving the moment, Perry...maybe next time, Chunky!
We were still so happy that Chunky made it to the reunion whether he spoke or not.
Sunday morning church service - You can imagine my astonishment
that even after such a late night, almost 60 people showed up at our beloved, old Lake View Stadium for a worship service.
I won't even try to explain how special this event was. Only those who were there can understand the depth of what was heard
and how we all felt afterwards. For me, (and for many others who told me they felt the same), this was the best part
of the whole reunion. Much thanks to Danny Montez, Walt Landers, Dub Shelton and Zeke Dorr for their awesome leadership.
Be sure to check out Dub's Web link to order his new CD.
I want to personally thank Mark and Jeanne Bell, Becky Bell
Cash, Connie Owen Strube, Randy and Myra Mayfield Marsh, Judy Gibbs Knox, Conie Little Eisenbach, Danny Montez, Jim Bob
Harris, Stacy Baker Carson, Tracie Bolding Davidson, and Tammy Hudson Hayes for all of their hard work in putting this
event together. Thanks also to those who brought memorabilia to display at the Big Event, and to those who agreed to
take part in our program, especially Perry Curnutt, who did a wonderful job.
This was fun. Maybe we'll do it again some time!
