The Kids of '68

The Partys Over

To view the pictures of the reunion click on the link below or type it into your address bar. Click on the pictures. There are 4 albums. Click on one...when it opens click on the first picture. Then to the right click on "more info" that will give you the names of most in the picture. Then you can use the arrows at the top to go to the next picture....each should have the names on the side along with some techy photo stuff. We will be adding more pics as we get them from YOU!!and...we will try to also add them to a Walgreens site so you can order prints easily. Let us know if you have any questions.

http://picasaweb.google.com/TWHS.Class.of.68

Turn out the lights ....the partys over. Well actually that's not true....and the party will never be over as long as there are a few of the "kids" from the Class of "68" that make time to get together.

We ....on the committee hope you had a really nice time. We had fun this weekend and we had almost as much fun these last months planning. Most went as planned....some did not...but that's to be expected. We have lots of people to thank and we will probably miss a few and have to add later...but here goes. First of all we want to thank each of you for helping. Although as a committee we spent lots of time "searching" for lost souls.....you may not realize that lots of classmates "fed" us information and suggestions. We would never have been able to find some folks without your help. We want to thank Kirk Nystrom for the tender words that he spoke at the memorial to our deceased classmates. (Kirk...what you wrote and your delivery was perfect..) There were a lot of moist eyes during that time and that's as it should be. We want to thank Janine for sharing her lovely voice and for leading us in singing. Music always adds such a special feeling. We want to thank Marshall for being our "announcer" he did a great job of passing along information and running our contests. We want to thank Pam(td's friend) for taking pictures and helping carry and clean...and the other committee "significant others "that helped in so many ways....especially Penny and Mark. We want to say a really special thanks to Roger Wood. He did an amazing job of taking our pictures. Without him we have some good pictures to share...but with him we will have some great ones.

You can add your "post reunion" comments here. If you have not posted your bio...go ahead and do that in the area for "The last 40 years". ..it's never too late. We will keep the blog going as long as it is being used. It's free and I don't think it has a life span. However, there are many of you that are much more high tech. and we hope that maybe one of you would be willing to help us set up a new website that has more features. This blog really is pretty elementary but all that I (TerryD) know how to do...so please...someone...help!!!????

We would like your comments and suggestions for the next reunion or any future activities that we could plan......but fyi.. NO anonymous criticisms...I'll just remove them. It would also be very helpful that if you have a complaint that you also offer a solution. And...please be kind!!!

Speaking of anonymous.....in case you were not told, the following is the explanation for some pretty crazy characters...
Vancouver Jan was ...Jan Pipkin because she made the bad mistake of not posting her bio ...so we made one up for her and posted it......she was horrified at first but then was a good sport and played along. Terry Brumm "created" her...Elaine and TD embellished a bit. VJ needed a boyfriend so Terry D made up Under the Covers Man.....TB embellished. After that both Terrys just switched back and forth writing additional comments. Lester was created by Elaine N. .....her very creative spelling made him quite endearing. On Friday night Jan was VJ, TD was Lester and TB was UTCM. It was also revealed on Friday night that LennyD was Scott Kennedy and Alcoholanon was Mike D. Charlie will not admit it but he is hiding his creative writing skills...several of the really funny anonymous comments were from his computer.. We hope these characters made the blog a little more fun...it's interesting that even the committee did not know who some of these guys were until Friday!! We appreciate everyones tolerance for borderline bad taste and our strange sense of humor!!! ( don't blame the whole committee for a few with no class)

We will be letting you know soon how to share your pictures with us. Check here in the next few days.

Some of us were talking about adding a comment here, on occasion to get the Topeka area classmates together. There is no reason that you all can't do the same...... feel free to use this site for that. We're fairly sure Bobos had a good weekend..we hope you liked your pie.

Some of you had books that people were signing with contact info. I don't think that we had an "official" class book so if those of you that have that info would share with us for our records we would greatly appreciate it. As in the past...we will not give out private info without your permission. BE SURE to let us know of changes to your info...especially e-mail...it's the best way to keep in touch. Send changes to Terry Brumm at brumm8@charter.net

So....for some this was a life changing weekend/ event. We hope everything goes well. For some, you found out that your fear of "not fitting in" was not valid. You fit in just because you are you and you are part of us. Some of you that bragged about the great fishing or skiing or sites in your area are probably going to have lots of company in the future.....we may hold you to that "come on down" that you said after a few drinks!!!

We were blessed with lovely weather. Had you come on Thursday night you would have been greeted with pouring rain and wind and we would have been crammed in the shelter. As it was we enjoyed the lovely area, flowers, lake and silver moon reflecting on the water.

The biggest and most important "thank you" goes to you all. No matter how much "party planning" happens....it's not much fun if no kids show up to play. So thank you all so much for coming and talking, and laughing, and dancing, and posing for pictures, and eating, and hula hooping, and making it fun just by your presence. Lets keep in touch.

Just For Fun

This is where you can post any fun activities that you think others might enjoy. We will try to have at least one suggestion every couple of months but PLEASE feel free to post anything that you hear of in the area. A great band or art exhibit or new place to eat....fall festival or whatever. As a matter of fact, if you want to have a party and invite all of us that would be swell!!! Just give us the details!!!

If you don't live in the Topeka area and want to get your Denver or KC or LA friends together go ahead and put those activities here also.

Please put the date, time, place and any details someone might need such as reservations needed or cost or whatever.

Greetings

Welcome Topeka West High School Class of 1968. We have created this webpage (blog) to keep you informed about the 40th Reunion planned for June 20-21, 2008. It's also a great way for you all to connect with old, old, old friends ! Remember if you like to read about your old friends and classmates it's only fair that YOU post information about yourself and what you've been doing for the last 40 years!!! It's ok to brag a little...or make up a little...who would know??If you don't remember high school...it's ok..after all it was the 60s! Add your comments and what you do remember and maybe one of your classmates can fill you in about what you missed!!!

To see the comments your classmates have left just click on the "comments" at the bottom of each Topic or "post" . Read what your friends have said and then add your comment. To do this, type in the "Leave your comment" white box....it will hold all you want to say. Then you have to do the word verification to make sure you are not a terrorist or something. Then you "choose an identity" by clicking on whatever circle you choose. Most of us have checked the "name/url" one and just put in our nickname or first name and last initial or whatever you want..leave "url" blank...what does that mean anyway??. (I have no idea what the other options mean or how they work but if you want to use one of those options ..live it up.)Don't forget to hit "Publish " or it will not be "saved". You can add comments as often as you would like....the point is to have fun and get to know each other again. (If you add something and then really don't want it there I can make it go away. Just let me know.)

PLEASE contact anyone that you know from the class and let them know about the reunion and this site. Don't assume that we have contacted them....we're missing LOTS of classmate's information and we don't want to leave anyone out.

CLICK ON "OLDER POSTS" AT THE BOTTOM OF THE PAGE to see the invitation, pictures and the list of "lost" classmates.

The Last 40 Years..Where have you been?

This is where you tell us where you have been for the last 40 years! Where have you lived? Hobbies? Jobs? Family? Past/Present/Future....we want to know all about you. High school was a long time ago...none of us are the same people...share who you are now...and what plans you have for the next 40 years! Each and every one of us has a "story"..share yours.

OLD--Gossip, News, Updates and Stuff

THIS IS OLD GOSSIP FROM BEFORE THE REUNION...I DONT WANT TO DELETE IN CASE SOME HAVE NOT READ IT...BUT PLEASE DO NOT ADD TO IT ANYMORE.

It's not really gossip as long as it's not mean is it?? Or....as good southern women know-you can say anything you like as long as you say "bless her heart" after it ! !

We just needed a place to put tidbits that don't seem to fit anywhere else. Anyone is welcome to add comments here. We will try to keep you posted on what the committee is doing and how plans for the actual event are coming along.

This section is kind of like the "junk drawer" that most of us have that holds everything that doesn't "live" anywhere else.

Could Vancouver Jan and Under the Sheets Man be one in the same?

Remember When??

Here is where all those memories go!! You know... who got caught in the parking lot without a pass, who had the best party with the parents out of town, what year the football team went undefeated..(did that happen?), where you hid the answers to the chemistry test, who was your first crush, what was actually in the brownies that you made for the substitute teacher, what went on after prom, well you get the picture. Now don't be mean....there may still be some things that should be kept secret even after 40 years.....but hopefully after this many years we can all look back and laugh! We know you can't remember what you had for breakfast or where those damn keys are but we bet everyone has a few favorite memories to share. You can also ask your old classmates to help you fill in the gaps....you'd be surprised what others remember about YOU!!!

Something in Common

It's interesting how many classmates have told us "I really didn't have many friends" or "I wasn't in the "in" crowd or "I don't remember very many people from high school". It makes you wonder if at 16 or 17 most of the "kids" that we went to school with felt that way. Is it part of being a teenager and a sort of "grass is always greener" thing? Did it look like everyone but you had more friends, more money, better car, cuter clothes, got better grades, etc.

A big part of attending reunions is the friends, there is no doubt. But there is something else. These are the people that also share the experiences of a generation. We grew up in the 60's. Most of us think that's pretty cool. We're baby boomers...the biggest and most influential generation...ever. When you attend a reunion like the one that is planned in June, you have an opportunity to not only get together with old friends but you have an opportunity to share experiences. Even if you don't recognize a single person..(not likely, although we've all aged) We all know the words to the same songs, we remember the dances, the politics, the clothes, the movies, the teachers. We went to the same "night spots" ( if you want to call Gage Bowl and Seabrook Tavern night spots, and some do). We remember when JFK was shot, Bobby Kennedy was shot and Martin Luther King was killed. We remember Viet Nam. We've all had dreams come true and some shattered. We raised kids through experiences that we could not have imagined. We are experiencing the loss of parents and friends. Many of us are experiencing the joys of being grandparents. There is not one of us that has not experienced the joys and sadness that comes with living to 57 or 58...yet we're here.

If you've been to previous reunions you know that they can be fun. If you have not been to a reunion, you should think about attending, you will be surprised how much you enjoy it. We have lost many classmates--two, the first week of March. There is no better reminder that life is short and we should not take a single minute for granted. Please try to attend both nights..you'll need the time to visit with everyone. If you can't attend, be sure to add your informtion. We want to know about you. With e-mail, cell phones, computers and frequent flyer miles you can stay in touch with friends from down the street or on the other side of the world. Don't miss this opportunity...it may not come again.

"In Memory Of"

In this area we will list those classmates that, to our knowledge, are no longer with us. Although they are no longer here we want to be sure that they are remembered by those that knew them. If you have information about anyone please contact Margo so that we can be sure the list is accurate.

Faded Photographs or Snapshots of Today....

We will be posting pictures that you send us here. Just e-mail them to princessofkeene@hotmail.com It may take a few days as I'm just learning to do this so be patient please. Be sure to include the caption that you would like or family name......



Your reunion committee at work....how Charlie keeps his committee of girls in line



"I can't compete with the Hippy-Dippy Jake S. but amoung us mortals... The 1968 picture was scanned from page 233 of the '68 yearbook " ~ Roger Wood





Amy, Bayless & Claudia..."lunching" for Amy's B-Day




Jake S. in " 68" Jake Now Jake & Clint Eastwood...(show off!)





Bob Pullan and Family





Silly Girls in Feathers...The Princess, Pam (TWHS classmate wannabe), The Heiress










Vancouver Jan

Lost and Found

In this post we will list those classmates that we have not been able to find, those that are "found" and those that have already sent in registrations. Please help us find the "lost" people. We want to do our best to contact each classmate. Feel free to post information here or contact Linda or Margo with contact informaton. We will try to update this every week or two as we get new information. Be sure to check back often.

Invitation and Schedule

You are invited to the Topeka West 40th Class Reunion “Class of 1968”

June 20 – 21, 2008

· Friday Night Picnic _____ (Yes, I plan to attend)

When: Friday night, June 20th, 6:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Garden House at Lake Shawnee (air conditioned)
Go east on 37th St. to Westedge Rd.; take a right and an immediate left
Cost: $20.00/person (Includes food, beer, soft drinks and bottled water)

· Tour of Topeka West High School _____ (Yes, I plan to attend)

When: Saturday morning, June 21st, 9:00 am -11:00 am
Where: Topeka West cafeteria
Includes: Sweet rolls, coffee and juice (Donations welcome)

· Golf Tournament _____ (Yes, I plan to attend)

When: Saturday, June 21st, 10:30 am
Where: Western Hills Golf Course (8533 SW 21st St.)
Cost: Regular green fees to be paid at the course
Make reservations through Charlie Thompson at 785-633-5138
or Terry Brumm at brumm8@charter.net


· Saturday Night Hors d’Oeuvres and Cash Bar _____ (Yes, I plan to attend)

When: Saturday night, June 21st, 7:00 pm – 11:00 pm
Where: Ramada Inn Downtown Ballroom (420 SE 6th Ave., Topeka, KS 66607)
Cost: $20.00/person (Includes heavy hors d’oeuvres, keg beer and soft drinks)
Cash Bar..........also there is a good band at Uncle Bo's Friday and Sat. no cover for us!!



All events are casual attire.
We need reservations and money as soon as possible for operating expenses, please!
If paying after May 1 please enclose a $5. late fee for either Friday or Sat night or $10. for both.
Mark the events you plan to attend, write your name on the form, enclose your check & mail to:
Linda McPike Marling, 1831 SW Oakley, Topeka, KS 66604.
Enclose a short bio with your reservation or email it to Margo, even if you can’t come to the reunion.
Direct questions and any email addresses, home addresses or phone numbers of classmates you are in touch with to Linda Marling (785-232-8356) or Margo Weidner Leonard at: at (785-272-0801) or Terry Diaz Dykstra at princessofkeene@hotmail.com
The Ramada Inn is offering a special rate to classmates of $78 per night (Includes full breakfast).
Note: Ask for special rate; reservations must be made by May 24th, 2008 to get this rate.
Call 785-234-5400 or 1-800-432-2424; Online http://www.topekaramada.com/