|
"It was like this group could not get enough of each other." said 1960 Class President Joe Concannon. Throughout the evening people remarked at how much they were enjoying this event. Nearly all who were asked agreed that this year there was something extra special about this particular reunion. Perhaps it was the fact that we are 70 now and can see the clock winding down, or perhaps the smaller crowd, about 2/3 the size of the 2010 group led to more intimacy. Whatever it was, we closed Amen Corners both Friday and Saturday nights and then held more talks in the parking lot. It continued into Sunday as many met at Carol Etherington's house on Prospect and Rick Mitulinsky popped in just back from Italy. On Saturday night Rick drove past Vernon's and did not realize we were there. Mark that up to being 70. Perhaps being mostly retired and 70 is the great equalizer. Perhaps we were all getting re-acquainted on an entirely different basis than in past years. For some of us things began Thursday night as Joe Concannon, Ron Robinson, Pat Zalac and Ed DeChant met at Ed's dad's house for a run through of the program for timing. "Regardless of how this goes down, we are going to have fun" Pat said as the evening began. As it turned out everyone did have loads of fun and Pat turned out to be a natural MC. Friday we began at 5:30 p.m. at Amen Corner who provided us a pizza and wings buffet. We were supposed to leave for the game at 6:45 but there was a storm and lightning filling the sky. Finally the sky cleared and the call to go to the game came. Only 9 classmates elected to go to the game as the rest were fully engaged in conversation and did not want to leave. This visiting went on until after midnight. For a few it continued in the parking lot into the wee hours. This was Nita Teeter's first reunion. "I am really sorry I missed 2010" she said. "Your class is so friendly and so inclusive. I had a great time." The preparation for this reunion went on for more than a year. Ron Robinson has always been an organization person and was a natural to head the reunion planning. We all agreed that working with him was a pleasure. Ron always listened, always probed our thoughts, and in the end I believe all involved got the chance to help mold the program and put into it those things that were important to them. Ron's leadership was exceptional. Pat Godec brought life's reality to the Saturday event with her telling of a life threatening medical event in her life a few months ago and how much the good wishes from the classmates meant to her recovery. Then she went into a few stories of some of the antics she and some friends went through during our high school days. No names were mentioned except for Pat's. There was the swimming pool story and the joy riding story which were the funniest. A very big thank you was given to Judy Bixler who many feel is the key to bringing us together. Pat Zalac says "Judy could be a detective. She searched relentlessly for all our email addresses. She composed a list and then kept up our interest as she informed us about goings on in Girard. Judy's part in all this over the decades has been especially important to those who no longer live in Ohio. For them she has been a life line." Ron Robinson presented Judy with a hand made pin of a Girard Indian Chief. Betty Charles provided the cupcakes which were class colors of Lavender and white. Pat Planton was part of the planning committee from the beginning. In addition to that she took care of all the decorations. Jim Smythe presented each member of our class with a 22 song CD album of the songs we danced to 52 years ago. The music was given from a collection of Floyd and Judy. Joe Concannon had "G" lapel pins crafted and gave them to each class member. Jim Ward shipped 2 cases of wine to the party from his "vineyard" in California. Jim began the dinner with a toast to the class and an explanation that he did not have a vineyard but had 1500 vines on this property of an acre and a half. That sounds like a vineyard to most of the class who are proud of their two or three tomato plants each year. Jim's mini vineyard produces 300 cases (3600 bottles) of wine per year of a very high quality Pinot Noir red wine. Ed DeChant, who is a pilot-volunteer member of the US Coast Guard Aux Aviation Wing sought to honor our ex military class members who were ignored in the 60's and 70's. "They were not recognized then. We are going to recognize them tonight." he said. Ed asked all who served in the USA Armed Services to please stand. Then he asked all who had children or grandchildren who served or were serving to stand. There was a surprising number of people standing in the end. The entire event was classic example of synergism. The next official reunion will be 3 years from now in 2015. It would be great if we were all there then. Click Here to go to the program itself Click here to begin with GHS Class of 1960's 52nd reunion and 70th birthday party. Click here for an important message from one of our classmates Judy Bixler reflects on the weekend Home page Program Sat Night Ed's meeting with Miss Schumm about the word UP Photos from Amen Corner on Friday Night Photos from Vernons on Saturday Night
|