A Reunion to Remember
By DANNY REAGAN / Class Scribe
The 45th reunion of the Class of 1966 in June 2011 will be remembered as the "best ever."
The festivities officially got under way on Friday at 1 p.m. at Carlos' Restaurant for lunch. The tradition, which started with a half dozen participants 25 years ago, saw almost 60 in attendance this time. Good food and lots of shocked looks of belated recognition were the order of the day.
Unofficially, it all started Wednesday night when Darrell Morgan arrived in his ginormous RV. He celebrated that night by cranking up "Andy Williams' Greatest Hits" until others in the RV Park told him to put a sock in it.
Approximately 140 showed up on Friday night at Donnie and Norma Reagan's house for the third straight opening night party. Many classmates, led by "Private" Bobby Kernell, had "practiced" for the party by spending Thursday at the American Legion post.
Norma, Linda Ann Taylor, Susan Collier, Linda Appleton and guest chef Patsy Bedwell outdid themselves preparing the gourmet feast for the party, while a margarita machine and ice-cold keg helped many cope with the 108-plus temperatures. The house, patio, backyard, front yard and sometimes streets were packed. Best story of the night? How Simon Terrazas' wife got the nickname "Crazy Mary." At 2 a.m. Donnie had to dynamite the last few out of their chairs (yep, Gregg Pate and Sam Mims).
Everyone (130 total registered, with 85 classmates) gathered the next day at the Dora Roberts Center for a class photo and lunch. Lynn Heith's mother, Patricia (P.D.), looking like she'll outlive us all, was in attendance. Terry Fields, Mack Frazier, Gary Earhart, Danny Kirby, Barry King and Donnie Baker were seen sitting at the same table during lunch. All of them were talking at the same time (as usual). Fortunately, they all wore their "B.S.(H.S.) Ear Protectors."
Cowboys Restaurant and Just Peachy Cafe catered Saturday's eats.
Surprisingly, everyone survived the afternoon tour of the refurbished Settles Hotel. No one fell off the service elevator or came down with heat stroke. Temperatures were at 113 in the heat of the day.
That night, the program and dance at the Roberts Center featured a little something for everyone.
The decorating committee of Linda Appleton, Johnny and Ceil Pachall Bedell, Susan Collier, Jacque Jones Mauch, and Gene and Freddie Kay Woods Shuler had the place hopping this year.
Donnie Reagan, who helped throw the program together 5 minutes before it started, made opening remarks and introduced Class President for Life Robert Gossett who emceed the remainder of the night.
Don Hal Haney led everyone in the school song, and that was followed by Daphna Jackson Smith reading the memorial list of those classmates no longer with us - 44 at last count. Ceil then sang a beautiful rendition of "Precious Memories."
Dr. Gary Fish recounted his experiences during the Haiti earthquake of 2010. He had helped start a clinic there 30 years ago and was working in it the day of the tragedy. Gary's son escaped injury, but everyone else - including Gary - was injured, trapped or both. An American mining crew eventually helped rescue many of them. Some of our classmates remember seeing Gary on the CNN earthquake coverage at the temporary hospital as he stayed by a badly injured nurse's side and comforted her as they waited two days for a medical flight out of the country.
Don Hal then sang his version of "On the Streets Where We Lived" with his own humorous lyrics such as: "I have often dragged down Gregg Street before ..." and "Oh, the towering feeling, just to place a name with a face." His voice hasn't lost its punch after all these years.
Chrome-domes Pate and Mims sat together again, but no one cracked a Dolly Parton joke this time.
Luckily, as unofficial class historian, I was able again to "find" appropriate archives. This year it was principal John Smith's "personal journal" from our senior year.
It was packed with many interesting entries regarding our class, including: "Mrs. Smith came in and said Mack Frazier got to first base with Marilee Carr between classes. Told her the kids shouldn't be playing baseball in the halls" and "James Dunne just poked his head in my office and yelled, 'Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.' Lord, I hate that kid."
Garland Rudd and Mary Elaine Hall Jennings showed up for their first reunion, and at various functions we had guests from previous or later classes, early grads and "move-aways" such as Roosevelt Brown, Rick Hamby, Tommy Newsome, Bob Moore, Hank Pope, Guy Talbott, Don White, Tom McCann, Tonsia Kilgore (Marc's wife), Mary Ann Williams and Richard Cauley.
Cheryl Click was made an honorary member of the class. She and Norma Reagan, who was given honorary status 10 years ago, received certificates and standing ovations for their contributions. Reg Cranford, regarded as the main catalyst for keeping our reunion the biggest and best through all these years, was also recognized.
Speaking of Cheryl, her main squeeze, Barney Hise (who received an upgrade of his lone bullet from a .22 to a .44), passed his hat (wearing it as well between donations) and collected $1,055 to be used as seed money for the 50th Reunion. The total would have been more, but some of the bills stuck to his bald head and couldn't be removed. Still, the great success earned him the title of "Class Hat Passer for Life" - which goes along with his other esteemed title of "Class Gas Passer for Life."
Linda Appleton, another program organizer, presented Rita Saunders Gray and Jerry Lewis some "long overdue payback" for "childhood shenanigans." With Jerry, it was something about her lake house bedroom not having curtains. Don't ask.
Paul Solden also offered bricks from the recently demolished College Heights Elementary to alumni. More than a dozen classmates took him up on his offer. No word if any of those bricks later turned up through Donnie's windshield.
D.J. Johnny De Leon presented a great mix of music and a dance partner (his 18-year-old son) for Susan "Flash" Collier, who was, of course, sporting a new tattoo.
Gossett commanded everyone in attendance (Presidents for Life can do that) to form a giant circle on the dance floor and we "danced" - albeit strangely and creakily - to "Big Balls in Cowtown."
Other memorable moments that night included the teeth of those classmates who ate the cupcakes with black icing (at least that's what I think it was), Wayne Nail - looking as youthful as ever - flexing his dancing muscles, Gossett picking up Sarah Kelley and twirling her over his head during a line dance, and an unnamed wild woman (Patty Haralson) dancing on a table.
The planning committee would also like to thank James Dunne, Mark Cook, Hank Pope and Patricia Murdock for helping Susan, Linda and others take down the decorations and clean up.
Gossett, looking ahead to the next reunion (as any President For Life should), will do something about getting a pole at the Roberts Center "so Haralson won't be forced to dance on a table again." He'll also see about getting an ATM installed nearby. He's offered to help me look for Mr. Talmadge's (our school counselor) personal journal, or at least the BSPD booking log from that time period. Gossett also thinks it would be a good idea to have some spare walkers at the 2016 gathering (he'll bring the tennis balls). But he nixed the idea of holding the next reunion in the Settles new ballroom because "after 10 p.m. the stairs would become a problem." Understatement.
It was a reunion to remember, with more mingling, participation and laughter than any of the others. A "Keeping Konnected" booklet was handed out with contact and profile information. There are 46 names in there will no contact information at all. If you can help with any of those, please let Reggie know at rsc@crcom.net or the equally hard-working Cheri Bunch Shoup at jcshoup@suddenlink.net.
"Keep us all as one through years to come" is not just a song lyric anymore as those years become fewer and more precious the older we get.
See you all at the 50th!
P.S. I'm reserving my walker ahead of time.
By DANNY REAGAN / Class Scribe
The 45th reunion of the Class of 1966 in June 2011 will be remembered as the "best ever."
The festivities officially got under way on Friday at 1 p.m. at Carlos' Restaurant for lunch. The tradition, which started with a half dozen participants 25 years ago, saw almost 60 in attendance this time. Good food and lots of shocked looks of belated recognition were the order of the day.
Unofficially, it all started Wednesday night when Darrell Morgan arrived in his ginormous RV. He celebrated that night by cranking up "Andy Williams' Greatest Hits" until others in the RV Park told him to put a sock in it.
Approximately 140 showed up on Friday night at Donnie and Norma Reagan's house for the third straight opening night party. Many classmates, led by "Private" Bobby Kernell, had "practiced" for the party by spending Thursday at the American Legion post.
Norma, Linda Ann Taylor, Susan Collier, Linda Appleton and guest chef Patsy Bedwell outdid themselves preparing the gourmet feast for the party, while a margarita machine and ice-cold keg helped many cope with the 108-plus temperatures. The house, patio, backyard, front yard and sometimes streets were packed. Best story of the night? How Simon Terrazas' wife got the nickname "Crazy Mary." At 2 a.m. Donnie had to dynamite the last few out of their chairs (yep, Gregg Pate and Sam Mims).
Everyone (130 total registered, with 85 classmates) gathered the next day at the Dora Roberts Center for a class photo and lunch. Lynn Heith's mother, Patricia (P.D.), looking like she'll outlive us all, was in attendance. Terry Fields, Mack Frazier, Gary Earhart, Danny Kirby, Barry King and Donnie Baker were seen sitting at the same table during lunch. All of them were talking at the same time (as usual). Fortunately, they all wore their "B.S.(H.S.) Ear Protectors."
Cowboys Restaurant and Just Peachy Cafe catered Saturday's eats.
Surprisingly, everyone survived the afternoon tour of the refurbished Settles Hotel. No one fell off the service elevator or came down with heat stroke. Temperatures were at 113 in the heat of the day.
That night, the program and dance at the Roberts Center featured a little something for everyone.
The decorating committee of Linda Appleton, Johnny and Ceil Pachall Bedell, Susan Collier, Jacque Jones Mauch, and Gene and Freddie Kay Woods Shuler had the place hopping this year.
Donnie Reagan, who helped throw the program together 5 minutes before it started, made opening remarks and introduced Class President for Life Robert Gossett who emceed the remainder of the night.
Don Hal Haney led everyone in the school song, and that was followed by Daphna Jackson Smith reading the memorial list of those classmates no longer with us - 44 at last count. Ceil then sang a beautiful rendition of "Precious Memories."
Dr. Gary Fish recounted his experiences during the Haiti earthquake of 2010. He had helped start a clinic there 30 years ago and was working in it the day of the tragedy. Gary's son escaped injury, but everyone else - including Gary - was injured, trapped or both. An American mining crew eventually helped rescue many of them. Some of our classmates remember seeing Gary on the CNN earthquake coverage at the temporary hospital as he stayed by a badly injured nurse's side and comforted her as they waited two days for a medical flight out of the country.
Don Hal then sang his version of "On the Streets Where We Lived" with his own humorous lyrics such as: "I have often dragged down Gregg Street before ..." and "Oh, the towering feeling, just to place a name with a face." His voice hasn't lost its punch after all these years.
Chrome-domes Pate and Mims sat together again, but no one cracked a Dolly Parton joke this time.
Luckily, as unofficial class historian, I was able again to "find" appropriate archives. This year it was principal John Smith's "personal journal" from our senior year.
It was packed with many interesting entries regarding our class, including: "Mrs. Smith came in and said Mack Frazier got to first base with Marilee Carr between classes. Told her the kids shouldn't be playing baseball in the halls" and "James Dunne just poked his head in my office and yelled, 'Nothing that is worth knowing can be taught.' Lord, I hate that kid."
Garland Rudd and Mary Elaine Hall Jennings showed up for their first reunion, and at various functions we had guests from previous or later classes, early grads and "move-aways" such as Roosevelt Brown, Rick Hamby, Tommy Newsome, Bob Moore, Hank Pope, Guy Talbott, Don White, Tom McCann, Tonsia Kilgore (Marc's wife), Mary Ann Williams and Richard Cauley.
Cheryl Click was made an honorary member of the class. She and Norma Reagan, who was given honorary status 10 years ago, received certificates and standing ovations for their contributions. Reg Cranford, regarded as the main catalyst for keeping our reunion the biggest and best through all these years, was also recognized.
Speaking of Cheryl, her main squeeze, Barney Hise (who received an upgrade of his lone bullet from a .22 to a .44), passed his hat (wearing it as well between donations) and collected $1,055 to be used as seed money for the 50th Reunion. The total would have been more, but some of the bills stuck to his bald head and couldn't be removed. Still, the great success earned him the title of "Class Hat Passer for Life" - which goes along with his other esteemed title of "Class Gas Passer for Life."
Linda Appleton, another program organizer, presented Rita Saunders Gray and Jerry Lewis some "long overdue payback" for "childhood shenanigans." With Jerry, it was something about her lake house bedroom not having curtains. Don't ask.
Paul Solden also offered bricks from the recently demolished College Heights Elementary to alumni. More than a dozen classmates took him up on his offer. No word if any of those bricks later turned up through Donnie's windshield.
D.J. Johnny De Leon presented a great mix of music and a dance partner (his 18-year-old son) for Susan "Flash" Collier, who was, of course, sporting a new tattoo.
Gossett commanded everyone in attendance (Presidents for Life can do that) to form a giant circle on the dance floor and we "danced" - albeit strangely and creakily - to "Big Balls in Cowtown."
Other memorable moments that night included the teeth of those classmates who ate the cupcakes with black icing (at least that's what I think it was), Wayne Nail - looking as youthful as ever - flexing his dancing muscles, Gossett picking up Sarah Kelley and twirling her over his head during a line dance, and an unnamed wild woman (Patty Haralson) dancing on a table.
The planning committee would also like to thank James Dunne, Mark Cook, Hank Pope and Patricia Murdock for helping Susan, Linda and others take down the decorations and clean up.
Gossett, looking ahead to the next reunion (as any President For Life should), will do something about getting a pole at the Roberts Center "so Haralson won't be forced to dance on a table again." He'll also see about getting an ATM installed nearby. He's offered to help me look for Mr. Talmadge's (our school counselor) personal journal, or at least the BSPD booking log from that time period. Gossett also thinks it would be a good idea to have some spare walkers at the 2016 gathering (he'll bring the tennis balls). But he nixed the idea of holding the next reunion in the Settles new ballroom because "after 10 p.m. the stairs would become a problem." Understatement.
It was a reunion to remember, with more mingling, participation and laughter than any of the others. A "Keeping Konnected" booklet was handed out with contact and profile information. There are 46 names in there will no contact information at all. If you can help with any of those, please let Reggie know at rsc@crcom.net or the equally hard-working Cheri Bunch Shoup at jcshoup@suddenlink.net.
"Keep us all as one through years to come" is not just a song lyric anymore as those years become fewer and more precious the older we get.
See you all at the 50th!
P.S. I'm reserving my walker ahead of time.