|
|
News |
By DANNY REAGAN The 40th reunion of the BSHS Class of 1966 was held in June when it was 109 degrees in the shade (of Bobby Kernell's belly). About a third of the graduating class of 360 showed up for a rousing time - at least as rousing a time as 58-year-olds can have without cannisters of oxygen. Classmates attended from all over ... with Dickie Hatch arriving from as far away as Florida, and Jimmy Johnson walking up from as close as the van he lives in on the shores of Cosden Lake. The geriatric hootenanny began with a bang with a party at Donnie and Norma Reagan's house along a canyon in west Big Spring (no, nobody fell off...that we know of) About a 150 people showed up, including James Dunn (or maybe it was his Dad), who had never attended a previous reunion. Linda Taylor, one of multiple cancer survivors from our class, was there with her new crop of curly hair sprouting nicely after her bout with breast cancer. Despite health problems, she and Lynn Heith looked radiant. Even though the margarita machine was humming, no one ended up in the drunk tank that night, and Susan "Flash" Collier didn't even reprise her 35th reunion dance on Donnie's gazebo table where she showed off her tattoos. Things were a little calmer (hangovers will do that to you) the next day at the Dora Roberts Community Center as class members and family enjoyed a barbecue lunch from Big John's Bar-B-Que. The glare from bald heads notwithstanding, a class picture was taken. Robert Gossett was late and didn't make the photo shoot (maybe I was a little hasty on the drunk tank assumption). Saturday evening everyone gathered again for a program and dance at Dora Roberts Community Center. Donnie Reagan started the program off with the introduction of "Rockin' Robin" Gossett(Class President for Life). Terry Hansen said the opening prayer followed by Bobby Baker and Daphne Jackson Smith leading the group with the BSHS school song. Gossett again presided as he and Terry Hansen read the list of class members no longer with us (28 names). Next up was Donnie who reminded the class as to "Why are we here?" attending our 40th class reunion. That was followed by the "Appleton Awards," given out to class members as voted on by the assemblage (that's what you call a group of old folks). Linda Appleton, Donnie and I handed out the following awards: Slick 'N' Sly, Sam Mims; Never Quite Made Hollywood, Donnie Reagan; Long Time No See, Bob Worley and Dickie Hatch; Neigborhood Girl, Linda Appleton (ain't that right, Ronnie Birrell?); Most Gutsy, Diana (Brannon) and Tommy Parker; Teacher's Pet, Cindy Ritenour Schaffer; Babyface, Reg Cranford; Mr. and Mrs. Inseparable, Mack and Marilee Frazier; Beautiful Then, Beautiful Now, Barbara Burklow Wright; Have Loyalty Will Travel, Beth Weeks Cook; Changed the Most, Danny Kirby; Pepsodent Smile, Ronnie Birrell. Some people didn't think that was Danny Kirby, and some even wondered who had assumed the identity of Teddy Dietz. Reg was also recognized as one of the "People Who Now Look Like Each Other." He matched perfectly with James Dunn. Classmates were asked if they remembered their sixth period teacher, locker number or even middle name. Most could only agree that even though they still have what it takes, they can't remember what to do with it anymore. I found some remnants of the old Class Prophecy, ironically enough at the Holiday Inn (who woulda thunk): -- Karen Elrod Thomas will take over the family furniture business after being thrown out of the Hell's Angels for singing Kumbaya one time too many. -- Darrell Morgan will eventually have the largest and grooviest collection of 8-track tapes in the world (this turned out to be accurate). -- Bobby Baker will win a gold medal in the Olympic high jump but will be disqualified because of his webbed toes. -- Mack Frazier will join the peace corps and discover a primitive culture in the Amazon Jungle and teach them how to make beer. -- Diana Brannon and Tommy Parker will marry and have six kids, three of whom they'll name Ringo, Moonglow and Bud Light. Reg was given a special "hog-sticker" (expensive hunting knife) for his continued work on the reunion. "He's the glue that holds us together," said Gossett, who finally brought "Mrs. Gossett" (a blow-up doll that appeared well-traveled). Reg is without a doubt the big reason the reunion is so successful 40 years down the road. Others thanked for "going the extra mile" on the Big 40th were Barney Hise, Cheryl Click,Judy Dunlap McKinley ,Terry Hansen, Jan Hansen, Linda Appleton and Calvin Gaston. A special nod goes out to the lovely Norma Reagan (Honorary Classmember), the best-looking cousin-in-law a guy could have. She and her twin sister Nancy prepared a magnificent feast for the party, including stuffed jalepenos to die for. Norma spent the past year involved in planning by updating the member database, mailing invitations and postcards as well as cleaning up after the events. Our sincere gratitude to everyone involved for an outstanding job. If you missed it, plan to make the 45th Reunion. It'll be another blast. Just remember to bring the oxygen tank and walker. See you in 2011! |