07/20/2011
What a wonderful 50 year reunion we had this year. It took a lot of planning, work and dedication by many people, great people who worked very well together. And what generous people, everyone who had special assignments to get the hamburger meat, veggies, paper goods, drinks and meeting room donated them. Not one person wanted to be reimbursed. Thank you all so much.
The cook-out was wonderful, the parade was fun, the time at the park was great for visiting with everyone, and the Saturday night dinner was awesome. John Loftin and David Nall, brother of Donnie and cousin of LaNoyle, both deceased, provided the entertainment. Another highlight was a special hook-up where we were able to talk with Harry Burton-Lewis who resides in a home in South Carolina after suffering several strokes.
The auction was hysterical, special guests Bobby and Gay Doan bid against each other on one item. Jim Hoggins had brought a beautiful pen and ink painting to be auctioned, Harvey Bozeman said it looked like the painting he had just seen hanging upstairs in the museum. Larry Stewart did a great job as auctioneer and had two able assistants, Lloyd Kurtz and David Burelsmith. Larry Sturgess was masterful at collecting money to go into a bag to be auctioned off. No one knew how much was inside. Charlie Mitchell had the winning bid at $401. But unfortunately went in the hole $55.
Johnny Foster is always a masterful MC, knowing a funny story on almost everyone. How great to see Peter Overgaard who came all the way from Aalborg, Denmark and Karen Glenn Fields all the way from Sweet Home, Oregon. And Jean Rowell, Weldon Patton, Travis & Helen LaDuke and Lonnie & Fran Jarrett, former teachers all came to help us celebrate.
We also had as guests; numerous spouses, Bobby & Gay Roper Doan and Vernon & Linda Flowers. Vernon is a special friend, was in the class of ’62 and has become a regular at all the class of ’61 events. Another guest was Dub and my son, Jordan and grandsons Robert & John. Thirty years ago at our class reunion I was 37 years old and pregnant. That pregnancy resulted in a son that loves old music, old cars and old people. He loves my classmates and always enjoys my reunions as much as his own.
Another one of my sons, (adopted) Robert Tanner, real son of Sue and son-in-law of Janice, put up the tent in Conner Park early Saturday morning. He then pulled that heavy table clear across the park. A special thank you for doing that for the Class of '61.
We topped off the weekend by having breakfast Sunday morning. All tired but so pleased with the way everything turned out. Everyone left with memories to last a lifetime. I hope each one of you will contribute something about the reunion on this page.
Special thanks and gratitude go to Jeanette Martin for the doing the 50th Reunion book. She did a superb job. I personally know how hard it is to gather, compile, print, proof, etc, an undertaking such as this. Thanks Jeanette, it is something we will treasure and keep forever.
Also a special thank you to Bobby Howard and Pat George. I have not felt well for a couple of weeks and one of my jobs was to be in charge of the Santa Fe Depot for Friday night. A few days before Bobby called and said; “Pat and I are taking over the building. Get me a key and then get well.” What great friends thank you so much.
I would like to express a special thank you to everyone who worked so hard to make this reunion one we will always remember:
Larry Stewart
Johnny Foster
Bobby Howard
Albert Irlbeck
Janice Love Nix
Pat & Sue Campbell George
Larry & Penny Sturgess
Delores Mullins Billington
Jeanette Martin
Lloyd Kurtz
Harvey Bozeman
Sue Tanner
Jim Smith
Wayne Nevins
John Loftin
David Nall
