TWHS Class of '68: The Partys Over

Sunday, June 22, 2008

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.

54 comments:

Anonymous said...: What, Davies claiming to be me? Gimme a break. I suppose, being the plagiaristic pandering pathetic slob that he is someone asked “who was alcoholanon” and, after a prolonged silence that low lifer meekly confessed with words to the effect that he would take the blame (or credit) for the only contribution that I could have possibly made to this reunion. I was (as usual) in weekend lockup; after 8 DUIs the man tends to inhibit one’s social life. Sorry to disappoint you, Vancouver Jan, but I kinda fibbed…I don’t own a Walmart tarp and I couldn’t get myself out of impound, let alone my car and that dirty laundry. But I vow to clean up my act, dry out my liver, and walk a strait and narrow line between now and reunion number 45 (or at least by number 50). Until then, I’m outa here.; June 22, 2008 at 6:30 PM
Anonymous said...: Well, that was fun. What's everyone doing next weekend?; June 22, 2008 at 6:34 PM
Anonymous said...: In answer to the question: What’s everyone doing NEXT weekend? I would say,… going back to our various interesting, exciting, relaxing,… and in most cases but different ways, challenging lives. It was generally delightful and every time an honor to be allowed a glimpse into some of your lives as they are now,… and to share memories of where we “incubated” for a time together before we took off on different trajectories. One thing that I became newly aware of (ok, I can be slow) is what different planets we were often on back then, even though we resided in the same TWHS universe. (Whew!… am I ever mixing my metaphors here. Sorry Aunt Marge… and we missed you sorely.) After about ten conversations with various classmates who stated this-is-the first-reunion-I‘ve-ever-been-back-for I began to wonder why 40th reunions are so well attended. I think it is not just that we are beginning to lose friends and spouses in our current lives and need to reconnect with a time less touched by mortality, but we are also losing the parents who may still live in Topeka, thus anchoring us here (and perhaps giving us a place to stay!). So,… my question is not “What is everyone doing next weekend?” but “What might get you to come back five or ten years from now?”… especially if you did not come this time? (We missed you!)

Janine; June 22, 2008 at 6:35 PM
Anonymous said...: Alcoholanon, You must not know anything about a woman of my caliber....tarps???pillowcases of dirty clothes????
......you really need to upgrade your pick-up style. Try to get your act together before the next reunion... VJ; June 22, 2008 at 6:36 PM
Anonymous said...: Ready for another Par-tee, Par-tee. Class of '68, for all you do, this Bud's for you.; June 22, 2008 at 6:45 PM
Anonymous said...: Right on, Terry D.; June 22, 2008 at 6:48 PM
Anonymous said...: What wonderful memories I will have of this reunion. It was the best birthday party a gal could ask for. Thanks so much to my fellow committee members for all your hard work, it definitely paid off. The blog opened up a new world of knowledge about my classmates – providing information that I would otherwise never have known. I hope it continues to grow. A BIG thanks to Roger for spending his evenings shooting pictures of all of us, I tried to get him to dance…really! Thanks, too, to Charlie’s girl…Penny, and to Terry D’s college buddy – Pam for the many pictures they took. They got some good ones.

Thanks to all the fellas out there that danced with me. Wanted everyone to know the whole dance skit to Trashy Women was intended to show everyone that you can have fun, and that life is too short, so enjoy it. We were hoping it would let others see how silly we could be and encourage the rest to get out there and dance. After a few short months of dance lessons at a young age, my mother took me out because I wasn’t graceful. So I grew up thinking I couldn’t dance. I still can’t, but at 58…I don’t care…I still enjoy it.

I thought I would share a few inside notes about our made up characters, in case anyone is interested. I really wrote this and posted it before Terry D created the new section and put the explanation on there about VJ (she is always having to one up me). I also want to share a bizarre side joke that is a bit humorous & I truly hope I don't offend anyone, as that isn't my intentions. As most of you learned, Vancouver Jan was written for Jan (Pipkin) Flesher. Charlie Thompson felt the committee members should get their bio on the blog to encourage others to follow suit. She procrastinated long enough that Terry (Diaz) Dykstra (I will refer to her as the princess in future comments to prevent confusion with Terry Brumm) decided to write it for her. When Brumm found out about it, he begged relentlessly to let him do it. We got tired of listening to him whine and agreed. He named her Vancouver Jan (VJ) and sent his rendition of VJ to the princess and me to proof read and proclaimed if we didn't post it we didn't have any b****. We edited and added some to it and sent it back to him, and then he started him-hawing about putting it on. So I posted it. It was an instant hit. Charlie read the anonymous bio to Jan at a reunion meeting, and I wish you all could have been there. I think she was actually hyperventilating. We had quite a laugh over it. After she calmed down and came out of shock, she agreed to let it stay.

The princess felt VJ needed someone to court her, hence she wrote the Under the Covers Man (UTCM) bio. The future writings of VJ and UTCM were reversed with the princess writing for VJ and Brumm for the UTCM. What talented creative writers they both are. Other characters developed with classmates wanting to get in the act and were revealed at the reunion. Alcohol Anon was written by Mike Davies, Lenny DeLosier written by none other than Scott Kennedy, and Lester by me. Anyone wanting to claim any of the anonymous writings please do so…I know a few of them were Charlie!

One of the side jokes that I wanted to pull in regards to Lester was to send VJ a gift to win her heart. When I was a letter carrier, a fellow employee made me a pair of earrings made out of a raccoon penis (which is a small bone). Now that sounds a bit bizarre, I admit, but these are known to be good luck charms, and as a Postal employee, I needed all the luck I could get to make my rounds. The earrings were about an inch and a half long and had red and white beads hanging from the post. If you didn’t know what it was, you’d probably just think they were cool dangly Native American looking earrings.

I called that fellow employee to see if he could make me some for Vancouver Jan. He said he could if only I could find “the parts” I called a man who traps in this area, but it was the wrong season for raccoon. He called a local taxidermist and customer of mine named Dwight Brown. Dwight suggested that I try to get it on EBAY. The idea that you could find “parts” like that on EBAY astounded me, but what the heck, I tried it. My first attempt for a search resulted with one find. Then I realized I was missing one of the “c” in raccoon. The next attempt resulted in several, with many “buy it now” selections. I was in such a rush to get this done, I bought them without checking out the size. My package arrived and it went unopened for a few days. Then Dwight happened to come into the office so I showed him the earrings made for me some 20 years ago. “MY” he said, “Those are SMALL!” I said, “Oh really? Maybe they were from baby raccoons. He suggested I open my package, and I was shocked to see they were five inches long. CRAP…I can’t make earrings out of these, I thought. So I wrote the guy back to see if he had any smaller ones. He didn’t, but he did have some mink ones that were about 1 ½ inches. Even better…mink for my lady. I clicked on “buy it now” and waited anxiously for them to arrive. I bought a pair of dangly earrings to add the bone to, and between the princess and me, created a striking new pair of earrings for VJ. I dipped the bone in glue and then red glitter.

I had wanted to make a MAN necklace for Lester to wear out of the larger ones, but how to get a hole in it to hang them was a problem, until….one of my customers was headed to the dentist who happened to be an old friend. Gage dental had something to talk about that day. Seems though, the dentist’s schedule was a bit busy, so at the last minute my darling husband picked them up, bought a special tiny drill bit for some tool of his dad’s and carefully drilled holes in all five of them. The day of the reunion, I tried to put wire through them to hang on a piece of leather, and found the bones were soft and the wire cut right through the bone. I gave up. The package with the earrings didn’t arrive in time for VJ to wear them with her costume, so while all of you were mingling at the reunion Fri nite, we were in the princess’ trailer presenting VJ with her new earrings.

Oh, and Bayless ….several of us girls want to learn clogging, so maybe at the 45 we could all do this instead of the twist????; June 22, 2008 at 7:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Great reunion! Thanks to the committee for all your hard work.

Gotta run for now. Jim and I are leaving this morning to visit the birthplaces of my children in Missouri and also some towns where he performed his Young People's Concerts. My son, Clint, was in his audience in Jefferson City in 1980.

I'll post my bio next week.

My e-mail address is mrs.ippy.rivers@cox.net. I can explain. When I married Jim, he said I should call you "Ippy" from now on. I asked him why. He explained and the rest is history.; June 23, 2008 at 8:54 AM
Anonymous said...: What a fantastic reunion. The party is never only as long as the class of 68 lives. How great that we all share a common bond and the old clicks no longer exist. I saw folks talking who would never have spoken in high school. Age is a great equalizer. In 5 years I think we can still kick it, but at 10 years the Sat nite party may have to become the SaturDAY party from 9-6 so we can have an early dinner and go to bed. Who knows, looks like we are aging pretty well. Thanks to the committee and all those who helped with the clean up. This ranks as one of the best reunions ever. If you know someone who did not come be sure to tell them what they missed.
See you all in 5 years.
Sharon NP; June 23, 2008 at 6:31 PM
Anonymous said...: I would like to add my buck 29 (two bits doesn’t cover it any more) about the reunion. I can't think of anything that should have been done differently, or could have been done better. To the planning committee, that was well done, exceptionally well done. The memorial to our late classmates was very appropriate, and very touching. I also don’t think there was a dry eye in the house. Kirk Nystrom, your part just made it that much better. Janine, you made perfect better.

It’s no secret that I originally wasn’t going to be at the reunion; some nonsense about going to Yellowstone to take pictures of bears. Three people convinced me of the unthinkable error I was making: Debbie, Amy, and Jake. To you three, saying thank you just isn’t good enough, but I can’t think of any better to say it. So, maybe just saying THANK YOU will do. In retrospect, I wouldn’t have missed it for the world. Besides, I got my baby bears. Debbie Crawford, I don’t know if you were “flying solo” on that or if you had help, but those two little stuffed bears absolutely MADE my whole weekend. Again, saying thank you (you, singular or plural) just doesn’t cover it, but I can’t think of anything better or a more meaningful way to say it.

As I’m writing this, I’m sitting in a motel room in Loveland, Colorado (I’m half way home), and I’ve been sitting here sifting through all of the pictures I took: there are 478 of them. Some of them are total losers: out of focus, the light wasn’t right, the subject turn their head, etc. In a few days I’ll have the stack pared down to a more manageable number (like 450? No! Less.) Then I’ll copy them off onto a CD and mail it to (let’s see if I can remember how this is supposed to work) TerryD, Jan, and there was a third one but I can’t remember who, but I’m certain I’ll find out. Probably Neffy. At any rate, I’ll need an address. Then they (she) will put them in the blog where everybody can get to them and download the one(s) you want.

Go ahead and put my name on the 45th reunion list. I don’t care where it will be, even if it’s on the moon, I’ll be there.

rogerw02@msn.com

Roger Wood; June 23, 2008 at 8:32 PM
Anonymous said...: Roger,

I was the third one for the CD pictures, you know…the one that pleaded for you to dance with me. I regret not being able to go to Uncle Bo’s to see the pictures you have taken. I love photography, especially nature. If you have some favorites you could add to the CD or separately for me, I would LOVE that. I think Debbie C was solo in the purchase of the bears, but definitely not in the heart felt thanks from the rest of your classmates, as everyone was raving about you. Take care, and I’ll see you on the moon or wherever in 5. PO Box 1, Tecumseh KS 66542-0001; June 23, 2008 at 8:57 PM
Anonymous said...: Roger, we are so glad that those 3 very determined classmates were able to convince you to come. You were such fun to be around and seemed to really enjoy your "hobby". You are so talented and ....what a lovely way to be able to express yourself.

(Elaine, I couldn't drag him out on the dance floor either....and you know me...I tried!)

Anyway...despite the fact that you refused to dance with me...... you added so much to the reunion and I know from seeing your work that everyone is going to have special memories that will last forever because of your pictures. What a special gift.; June 23, 2008 at 11:34 PM
Anonymous said...: A couple of thoughts

All the events were well planned and and outstanding!!
The commitee out did its self with all the planning and advance work.
Look at the great attendance for the PM events!

Having Dr. Owen Henson come back to meet with us was very meaningful.
I will be telliing some of his stories over and over.

The band was a lot of fun, and it turns out it was some old friends that have it.
So many very nice memories of the weekend. The committee is to be commended for all their efforts.

The idea of the memorial was very appropriate.
I was honored to be part of it. (Several people asked if I was a minister..no, just a lawyer:^)
Originally I was not sure about the balloon idea...,but it was also just the right touch!
My wife, Karin, said as each departed classmate's balloon was released,
it was like he or she had their own private memorial.

Well, time to settle back to Life on the Range.
Kirk; June 24, 2008 at 12:37 PM
Anonymous said...: I'm back home again, too. And I can't thank everyone enough for giving me such a wonderful weekend. It was so good to see everyone there! I'm so sorry that I let so much time pass without staying in touch. And a thank you to each of you that signed my book with your information. It might be a while before I write but I will as I try to get my life back together. For a brief moment I could almost forget my pain along with Barbara. Thank you for being there for me, Barbara. I hope that you could rest for a while, too. I cried much of the way home, so it's not over, not for a very long time. We can't get over nearly 40 years that easily.
Thank you to everyone who made this such a great get together. You did an awesome job.
I, too, tried to get a dance from Roger. I'm glad that it wasn't just me. Thank you so much for sharing your pictures. They are so beautiful, they could take me away with such beauty.
And thank you to the beautiful ladies that shared their men for a dance. I really appreciated and enjoyed the dances. Guys - you did good! Take very good care of your ladies.
I appreciated Dr. Henson's tour of the old grounds and all his personal memories. What a different picture I have of those days. Thank you for the guidance, Sir!
So many memories in such little time. It was so good to see you Terry, Janet, Lia, Debby, Julie, Jim, Jim,...oh my brain is so tired from my trip to K.C. and back home that I'm forgetting names---I see your faces and love every one of you.

I would love to hear from you---send me an email (Please).
mary@ozarkdelights.com Mary (McCoy) Slauson or write: P.O. Box 1186, Springdale, AR 72765-1186; June 24, 2008 at 10:38 PM
Anonymous said...: Terry D - you might check out www.myfamily.com as an option to continue this whole "classmate connection" effort. My husband's 40th was several years ago, and after the reunion someone in that class started a site on myfamily.com that is just for their class. They all continue to post pictures on there and write stuff about what they are doing. It doesn't have to be a "family" - any group can get organized on there. But we are kind of a family!!! I'm just guessing, but I would assume that posting pictures would be easier on there than on this blog - and maybe the "presentation" of information will be easier to set up??? And of course anyone who is part of the group could post pictures. Check it out - if you want me to look into it more, just let me know.

Thanks again to ALL who helped with the reunion. Speaking of that, is there an official list of the reunion committee somewhere on this blog? If not, could you post it here?

The whole weekend was just great. I heard the tour of the TW campus was really cool - wish I had driven in for that. Next time!!!

Thanks, Amy; June 25, 2008 at 2:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Some of you know that Kathy Johnson (the Rev in "Rev It Up" below) does a regular blog of her own. Actually, it's an email that goes out if you are signed up. As I told some of you, and as you can see below, she's good! So if you want to read more go to: www.firstcongucc.com, click on Spotlight, then Rev It Up.

Enjoy!

Rev It Up

reflections on faith and life by Rev. Kathryn Timpany

First Congregational UCC, Sioux Falls, SD

kathryntimpany@sio.midco.net

6.25.08

The cheerleader still has her looks. The drama queen gladly calls Broadway home. The soprano in the elite singers group is now the vocal music director for the whole school. The star athlete sports a small paunch. The valedictorian is still sweet and genuine. And the geek is still the geek, possibly the most content of all those at the picnic in the arboretum by the lake.

One of the unexpected perks of being in Topeka three weeks early for the birth of grandboy #3 was that I was able to attend part of my 40th high school reunion.
40th! Good grief! I remember when old people attended these things, but there weren't any old people at mine - just a whole slew
of familiar faces overlaid with the etchings of time. Just a crowd telling stories to each other and passing pictures of grandchildren around and looking for signs of sorrow or joy in the crinkles around the eyes.

My oldest friend picked me up in her newly purchased 1972 Fiat spider convertible, so by the time I arrived, I had enjoyed a blissful hour of tooling around town with my hair blowing in the wind as we caught up with each other's lives before we shared them with our classmates. When the
evening of telescoping time was over, when all the old anxieties about not fitting in had been relived, and all the old accolades for accomplishments had been dusted off and set on the pedestal again for all to see, I realized
that most of us turned out a lot differently than we expected of each other.

Six of us had become pastors. Two couples of high school sweethearts were still married. About half of us had been divorced. We live in the Bronx, and Tampa Bay, and Denver, and LA. And Sioux Falls. Where? South Dakota.
Oh-h-h...pretty cold up there, huh?

No one talked about all the big things that happened the year we graduated - the deaths of Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy, the release of the Beatles last album, the interminable Viet Nam war which was claiming the lives of older brothers and distant cousins - even though those things
consumed us back when. We talked about all the little things that still matter most - daughters and sons, work that is meaningful and satisfying, things we finally learned even if we did learn them the hard way. And inevitable losses.

More than thirty of us have died. We lost a couple of us just this spring. We held purple and white balloons, each with the name of a lost classmate attached to the string. One of us read passages from Job and the letters of Paul and gave a little homily. He invited us to picture the faces of the beloved dead as their names were read and the balloons released, one by one. Then my friend, who played the leads in our school musicals, began to sing.
Swing low, sweet chariot, comin' for to carry me home... Many joined in, singing softly, sotto voce, under the breath, while the balloons bearing the school colors and our need to remember floateda ently aloft on their way to infinity.

Our principal was there at the edge of the crowd. Eighty-ish by now I suppose, he can still call everyone by name, a feat which could arguably be accomplished by diligent study of the year book before coming to the party. But he was, and is, a man of remarkable memory and genuine love of his students. "Kathy Johnson! How nice to see you. Now, let's see, you were in music of course...and your parents, how are they? They were musical, too weren't they? Wasn't you father the tenor soloist for the symphony?" Well,
yes. He was. Forty years ago, he was just that.

I have a hunch he has forgotten most of the shenanigans we all stumbled in and out of during those years of both yearning and fearing to grow up.

By the time May of 1968 rolled around, I could have cared less if I ever saw most of these people ever again. I was bored with high school and eager to get on with life. I had grown apart from all but a few of my classmates. I have seldom thought of them since. If you had asked me then if I would
enjoy hanging out with them for an evening forty years later, I would have laughed out loud.

The thing is, they probably thought the same thing of me. One of the best gifts of the evening was that one or two of them seemed interested enough in who I have become to ask for my contact info, to suggest that we stay in touch. One of these was a person I disliked intensely, partly because she was drop dead gorgeous, and I was not, and partly because she treated me as if I didn't matter at all in her world. I want to know what changed her mind. I have a feeling she has been on quite a journey.

When I got home, I pulled out some 40-year-old souvenirs I had saved from those days. Things that opened my mind, things I didn't want to ever forget. Folded up in a corner of the box was this little poem by a Chinese author:

Take a lump of clay,
Wet it, pat it,
Make a statue of you,
And a statue of me.

Then shatter them, clatter them,
Add some water,
And break them and mold them
Into a statue of you
And a statue of me.

Then in mine,
there are bits of you
And in you
there are bits of me.
Nothing shall ever keep us apart.

may you remember what matters most until it becomes a living part of you; June 25, 2008 at 4:24 PM
Anonymous said...: Amy, thanks for the "my family" suggestion.We'll look at that option. I also wondered if a website with a "chat room" would be used and a message board and spot for pictures like my Sisters on the Fly group. That site is www.sistersonthefly.com if someone wants to look at it and see if we need or would use something that "big". Also, Ron Vaught has offered to let us use his server and set something up...so all you tech people...think about it and let us know what you think. I'm ready to start planning another "event" anyone have anything coming up?? I need a project!!!!; June 25, 2008 at 6:20 PM
Anonymous said...: As I sit down to write this, I take a quick glance at my watch and notice, just by coincidence, EXACTLY one week ago today, at this VERY moment I was getting out of a car in front of the shelter house getting ready to make my journey down the sidewalk and back into time.

I am inspired to write my comments (sobbing, sniffing, tears rolling down my face…..) as a result of Kathy Johnson’s entry. Kathy, you captured the experience of the weekend perfectly. (I’m also experiencing a slight melancholy from the weekend and that’s making me sad, too). I wish I could rewind and go back to last weekend and run it in slow motion. It went by way too quickly - a blur of faces and conversations. I was so busy flitting around like a pollen-crazed bee trying to get to every flower, trying to extract the Cliff Notes version of each person’s life, knowing there wasn’t time (on my clock) to discuss the really significant stuff – that I later realized I didn’t linger long enough to savor the moment and let it soak in, let alone talk about anything meaningful. Oh sure, we shared a few memories, had a few laughs, but then off I went to the next flower, buzz, buzz, buzz, must make the rounds, must meet everybody, keep moving, so many flowers to see.

Now that the pollen has settled – and many of the faces I remember become more distinct in my mind, I want to thank each and every one of you I had the privilege to spend time with – long lost grade school friends, old playmates from the neighborhood, church youth group friends, and gal pals from our little click. It was an unbelievable trip down memory lane. Looking into each of your faces, I could see and be reminded of our youth together at West and before. It was a gift. Thank you for giving me the opportunity to slip back in time and re-experience those moments we once shared – gym classes, pep club, prom and stage crews, slumber parties, study hall and many, many more. (As you can tell I wasn’t very academic, more like the interactive experiential type) It was, and still is, an honor to be a fellow classmate with you, all of you.

I, too, agree, that those precious and distinguished moments we spent with Dr. Henson were like the icing on the cake. For those of you who were actually paying attention during the HS tour, and not wandering around like I was, could some of you take the time to enter here on the blog any updates Dr. Henson shared with us on where some of our teachers are today. I’d really appreciate it.

Oh and while I’m at it – I want to confess to some of the anonymous entries. I won’t say which ones at this moment (maybe later), but only to say I did it.

I enjoyed this reunion so much that I’m already thinking about the next one. How about we make it a 2 or 3 day event at a lodge (check in Friday morning and check out Sunday afternoon) where we can all stay together and share meals and go on long walks or hang out at the pool. Then we’d have time for those meaningful conversations, time to look through scrapbooks and pictures and really get caught up on our lives. I’m sure we could even find a golf course near by. (Hey Jake, thanks for letting me touch your putter). The lodge could prepare all our meals, we could bring in some evening entertainment one night (dancing?) and do our own program another night. (Steve Kennedy, et all, what happened to “In the Summertime- Ch, Ch, Ch, Uh” and other classmate notable parodies - irksy dirsky, hippy dippy weatherman, queen rejects, etc?? So much talent, so little time). Maybe at dinner each person could stand up and say Hi, because I still missed several people at this reunion. Never saw them. You wouldn’t have to go far to see anyone or do anything. And, the committee wouldn’t have to keep picking up and moving the memorabilia every time we changed events. (I guess I just volunteered myself to be on the next committee). Anyway, this time I’ll promise to slow down and take my time. And Roger, if the lodge is near the woods, we might even have a bear sighting. (You’re never going to live this down, you know). By the way girls, I thought about asking Roger to dance, too, but then I realized – you don’t ask Roger to dance, you ask him to show you his pictures – then you get results. You should have seen him hustle.

While I’m on the topic of bears. . . . Yessireee, Roger, I was definitely “flying solo” on that one. As you know, or probably surmised through my nervous and slightly blundered presentation, even with my cheatsheet in hand, (never stood in front of a group or used a mic before), I was feeling a tad bit guilty in having pulled you away from your planned adventure. So I thought I’d humor you a little and make sure you didn’t go home empty-handed. Days before the reunion, in a brainstorm, off I went in pursuit of what I thought would be an easy find. Well. I’ll tell you…..I spent several days in and out of numerous shops. Not a black plush bear in sight. I was beginning to think I should have left you to your original plans as you would have had better luck finding baby black bears in Yellowstone than I did in the shopping malls. But remarkably, my last stop produced two little balls of fur. I was elated. I hand carried those damn little bears onto the plane and everywhere else during the reunion weekend. As Saturday evening wound down, I knew everyone there REALLY appreciated your generosity and all that you had done – even sacrificing time to talk with fellow classmates. I knew I couldn’t let the moment pass and mustered up the courage to say something. It was a success and you were such a good sport about it all.

For those of you who scurried out after the dance, you missed some really fine photographs of nature that Roger had taken and brought in from his truck. Some of us got a private showing. I hope National Geographic knows about you.

By the way, Roger, next time, if we do decide to go to the moon for the reunion, and plans change, don’t expect me to deliver the moon on a silver platter.; June 27, 2008 at 8:39 PM
Anonymous said...: Being a first time reunion attendee, the picnic and open house, I would like to say that all you classmates that continue to "avoid" the reunions need to rethink your reason or reasons for not being there.

I was like you years back, having signed up and paid for the 10 and 20 year reunions, and then thinking, who will I talk with and what will I say. So that thinking caused me to just not show up. What a fool I was and made two mistakes with those two decisions to not go.

We are all just flesh and bone, some of us have made it "big" and some have us have not. Being mortal, we will.... "pass this way just once". Do not remember who should get credit for that quote.

Anyway, everybody seemed to be glad to see each other at the picnic and high school tour. I DID NOT SEE anyone standing alone or in a corner, with no one to talk with.

Five years will be here before we know it, so think about being at the next reunion. You will NOT be disappointed. This classmate wasn't.; June 28, 2008 at 12:47 PM
Anonymous said...: I would like to thank each and every one of you for attending the reunion. Without the large turnout,it would not have been a success. Some of you traveled vast distances,encountered hugh expenses, hope you feel that it was well worth it. I've only heard positive comments about the entire weekend, but if you have any ideas as to what should be added or deleted for the next one, please let me know. All responses will be welcomed. You can reach me at (www.deerhunter@sunflower.com). Terry Brumm has a very full plate right now, so lets give him a break, please.
I would like to especially thank everyone for being so kind to Penny. She was afraid that she'd be sitting in a corner all weekend,but told me Sunday afternoon that she felt like she was an honorary "CHARGER", and hopes that her reunion,next year, is as successful as ours was and that her classmates are as "CLASSY" as all of you are.
I tried to talk to each and everyone of you and thank you for attending, I know I missed some and for that I apologize. Jim R.,looked like you were enjoying yourself, hope you feel the trip was worth it,since we talked you into coming at the last minute.
One idea already has come up about all the pictures that were taken, sending each and everyone of you a CD with all the pics. Let me know what you think. And before I forget, a big THANKS to Roger, Pam and Penny for taking the pics.
In closing I feel that everthing went well, I was completely exhausted Sat. evening by 10pm as some pictures will show, but it was all worth it. Thought I'd be rid of the "GIRLS" after the reunion, but no such luck. Jan was involed in a wreck last Fri.(she's ok)and Terry D. needs dance lessons, so guess I'm stuck with them for a little longer,heaven help me.
Will be looking forward to reading about all of you on the blog and see you all again in 2013.; June 30, 2008 at 10:59 AM
Anonymous said...: Everything about the reunion turned out better than I expected. I came looking for a bunch of old people and was surprised to find we still know how to party.

Thanks to the committee for all the hard work. Can't think of a thing that should have been different. The locations, food and band could not have been better. The blog was fun to read and a good way to connect prior to the reunion.

Charlie T., when you get tired of watching the "GIRLS", I'll take over for you. I have years of experience "girl watching". I'll get Jan driving lessons and figured " Whole Lotta Shakin' Goin' On" was written about Terry D.-thought she could teach my wife. If there's more girls that need watching let me know. I can multi-task.; July 2, 2008 at 5:59 PM
Anonymous said...: Brenda - sorry I missed you at the reunion. Heard you were around, guess we weren't in the same place at the same time.
I read in your Bio you were going to be on America's Got Talent Tues. night 7/1 in The Seed & Feed Marching Abominable Band. I watched the whole show up until the last 15 min and never saw you perform. Did I miss anything?? Are you going to Las Vegas?? Checked out the website you noted in your Bio - looks like a lot of fun.; July 2, 2008 at 6:33 PM
Anonymous said...: Funny story about Saturday night at the Ramada...

My husband and several others were standing out in the lobby while Roger was taking our group photo on Saturday night. As you recall there was some rearranging of people and we were a pretty unruly crowd! Despite all that, the photo was taken and we began to disperse. Just as we all turned around to head up the steps, the husbands spotted a mouse running across the floor at the foot of the steps!!! Wouldn't that have been a riot if the first row of people had still been standing there! Someone might have ended up in the pool! Maybe the mouse will be in the photo...Eeeek!; July 4, 2008 at 4:41 PM
Anonymous said...: Amy
I just checked the Ramada group picture that is on the CDs that I sent to the Topeka area; no mouse. I think there probably was enough wild life in that picture. If the mouse wanted to be in the picture, it should have hurried.

I hope I'm not speaking out of turn here, but the CDs with the 182 picture I took of the reunion are in the hands of the committee waiting for them to figure out what to and how to handle pictures I sent and those from other sources.

rogerw02@msn.com

Roger; July 5, 2008 at 5:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Well, the mouse would have made the pic more interesting but possibly blurry!!! Roger is correct...we have the cd and the pics are wonderful. We are trying to decide on several options but due to vacations we can't get the committee together for several weeks. Things we have been thinking about include....send everyone that attended a cd with the pics that Roger, Penny and Pam took. Or send everyone a "class pic" ..probably the one at the lake and then just add the pics on the cd to a "site" and everyone can view or download what they want to print. There are several options for sites that would work. Or just put all the pics on a site..... Or if you all have suggestions please let us know which you would prefer. We think there is enough $$ left that it wouldn't cost anyone but we need to be sure when the "dust settles" and we meet. Either way we want to give all the classmates that took pictures a place to "put" their pictures so we can all see those too. I know Amy and many others took some great pictures so we want to see them . Soooo that's where we are with this at the moment. Let us know what you think and we'll keep working on this. Terry D; July 6, 2008 at 3:13 PM
Anonymous said...: Okay, Hope everyone had a nice holiday weekend over the 4th of July and nobody blew any fingers off or started any fires. This blog has ground to a halt, what's up with that. Need to jumpstart this again.

Anybody have a good story (true or false) to tell? Come on VJ, Under the Covers Man, Lester, Lenny, Alcoholanon, or ?, start us up again. Hey, Debi S. and Gary K., you two need to drop a line in here again. Maybe everyone went on vacation at the same time!!

Class of '68, have a great summer of '08. And, send some comments so the "bloggers" will have something new to read.; July 8, 2008 at 6:26 PM
Anonymous said...: I know some of you walked the tour of the high school with Dr Henson – Julie T, Julie J, Jim Adams, Roger, Mary M, Kirk N, Margo, Jim C, Janine – to name a few – and I know some of you read the blog and know how to enter a comment – any chance any of you would care to recap some of Dr Henson’s memories and funny stories, or at least an update on where some of our teachers are today?? (Mrs. Bakalar, Royce Fleming, etc.). I think others who didn’t do the tour would enjoy reading about it. I was too busy looking through windows and snooping in the boy’s locker room (always wanted to know what theirs looked like) and re-examining our choice (?) of a class gift (which seems to have withstood the test of time and the elements of nature). I also had to go back stage in the auditorium and see if the familiar smell of grease paint and musty stage sets was still lingering in the air. It was. So as you can see I wasn’t listening very well. I was too busy reminiscing.; July 8, 2008 at 7:25 PM
Fern said...: Great idea, Debbie C -- would love to hear some of the stories from Dr. Henson's point of view. I was sorry I had to miss the tour. Funny how your perspective changes; I always thought of him as sooooo old, but he was only about 40! Just a kid.
Belatedly, many thanks to the entire reunion committee -- it was truly a well-thought-out event. I've had a great time showing off my nametag to various friends & neighbors in KC.
Looking forward to seeing some of the pics from that night.; July 8, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Anonymous said...: In reply to your request about Dr. Henson's comments during the open house, here goes...

In the cafeteria, he mentioned how the "scramble system" was a new concept at the time for getting the most food to the most people in the least amount of time.

Over at the gym, he mentioned how Royce Fleming always repainted the Charger logo at center court after the hardwood floors would get resurfaced.

In "B" building, the big room at the back (west) end, had been walled off into two smaller areas in recent years. When we attended West, the idea behind the big open room was for team teaching. I can remember being in "D" school, and Tyler Conrad's class and Jane McCue's class got together for a team teaching session. Also, remember him flirting with her, oops that is for the remember when section!!

To the west of the science building is the ROTC drill area. Dr. Henson said he is anti-war, but pro-military and he pushed to get the ROTC program at West.

By the science building, he recalled a story of one of our classmates who as he said, "will remain unnamed". This student was a few credits short of the needed amount to graduate and the counselor called Dr. Henson toward the end of the school year about this situation. Dr. Henson thought about it overnight and wrote the needed amount of credit hours on this student's transcript as "environmental science" credits. Hats off to you, Dr. Henson. You're one of the "good guys".

By the library, he mentioned a story when Mike Printz (spelling?) was librarian and some tug-of-war they both had about the amount of chairs in the library. Something about too many chairs for the space and Dr. Henson asked him if students were suppose to sit on the floor or what. So the chairs stayed where they were.

In the Auditorium, Dr. Henson mentioned how good the acoustics were and still are for a building that age. And also, how he had to "look the other way" about getting some skits past the "censors" back in the late 60s.

Dr. Henson is a soft-spoken man at his age, and I did not catch everything he said, but these were some of the highlights of the tour. Oops, almost forgot, he mentioned since he was the 1st Principal at West, he got to pick the "cream of the crop" among all the teachers that were interested in teaching there. Lucky us, because we had some excellent teachers.; July 8, 2008 at 9:26 PM
Anonymous said...: Wow Jim, these are great. I can always depend on your steel trap mind. Let's hear some more. Anybody else, please jump in. Yes Fern, Dr Henson was young, but 40 seemed middle aged back then. When I think about some of my other teachers, they seemed ancient compared to him. (I won't mention names - never know who's reading these blogs) Ah...to be 40 again.; July 8, 2008 at 9:58 PM
Anonymous said...: There was another Dr. Henson story about one graduating class where some members didn't want ware the cap and gown. So, he call a meeting of all the seniors and ask them to vote on the issue. Then he said that if they voted against the cap and gowns, he would next ask their parents. They wore the cap and gowns.

Roger; July 9, 2008 at 3:19 AM
Anonymous said...: Thanks to the committee for a wonderful reunion! It was all just great! It takes a lot of hard work to pull off an event like this--BRAVO!

Besides seeing so many friends, I really enjoyed the school tour. Dr. Henson was wonderful. He also told us that the decisions parents were most concerned about when TWHS was opening were school colors, school mascot and athletic league. The choices were Chargers, Rams & Colts; purple & white, red & gray, something else; and Centennial League. Incoming students voted to decide mascot & colors. Once these were decided, parents could focus on other things--like math, languages, science.

The reunion parties were great too! We're so glad we attended!!

Thanks again,
Margaret; July 16, 2008 at 10:48 AM
Anonymous said...: Roger...having just finished getting my computer rebuilt, I will copy you the DVD on Yellowstone I promised and the cookies will be baked and sent with it this weekend. Thanks for being patient...you ARE a doll.; July 22, 2008 at 10:15 PM
Anonymous said...: Classmates...see comments under the class photo for the link to the photos posted on Picasa. As stated there, we are still working on it but many are posted and ready for viewing.; July 22, 2008 at 11:04 PM
Anonymous said...: When I heard Dr Henson say he only remembered the trouble makers, I chose to not introduce myself. I have regrets because I would like him to know I didn't end up in prison. I did confront my cohort, Steve E, who denies any knowledge of the ex-lax capor and any part in ratting me out, but must note he didn't show up Saturday night. I really turned out to be a pretty nice person, and just this weekend, I remembered the student teacher's name ....Mr. Boomer...maybe the name gave me some incentive for my practical joke turned bad.; July 22, 2008 at 11:07 PM
Anonymous said...: Roger- I hope you were paying close attention to Elaine's last blog entry - the part about the Ex-Lax. Considering her past track record, I'd view those cookies she's sending you with a little caution - unless you wanted to lose a few quick pounds.; July 23, 2008 at 5:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi everyone! Here's another "get-together" idea: How about going to the TWHS homecoming game? After all, that is what homecoming is supposed to be - alumni coming home! I ran this idea by our "committee" and got nods of approval.

The game is Friday, October 10. Our worthy opponent is Washburn Rural. (No wagering please.) TW now plays their games at Hummer Sports Park.

Terry D suggested this timeframe of events:

5:30 tailgating at Hummer - bring food (we'll have to check the alcohol policy - more on that later)

7:00 football game (we might try to get a reserved section) Halftime entertainment = girls in convertibles.

After the game: those who are still able stay up past 10:00 can meet someplace for a nightcap. Or we could go over to West and crash the homecoming dance!

We'll definitely put more info here on the blog before that night. Spread the word!

Amy; July 24, 2008 at 7:40 PM
Anonymous said...: Here is something to go along with crashing the Homecoming Dance: put their Homecoming Queen against ours. The winner is obvious, but then, they probably wouldn't let me vote.

Roger; July 25, 2008 at 1:14 PM
Anonymous said...: Amy, the idea about Homecoming sounds great. Sorry to inform you that alcohol is not allowed at Hummer, also no girls in convertibles, they don't allow cars on the track,really kind of boring these days,not the atmosphere that we had. Crashing the dance sounds fun, do you know how to hip-hop?; July 28, 2008 at 10:47 AM
Anonymous said...: Some of us know someone with a convertible. Amy could ride around the parking lot in it. She still looks like a Homecoming Queen. Concerning the NO ALCOHOL rules-remember "if you follow all the rules you miss all the fun". And-no one even checks old people-we look innocent. That really helps when you're breaking rules-bottled water and vodka-wow they look the same or hot choc. and peppermint schnapps--hope for a cool evening!

Sorry for being a bad influence. Ok-maybe not.; July 30, 2008 at 7:03 PM
Anonymous said...: Ok, I have a convertable: '74 Fiat, almost as old as we are. I'd be glad to drive Amy around.

Janine; July 31, 2008 at 1:12 PM
Anonymous said...: Janine,

I have a '75 Honda motorcycle. It is not running right now, but we could tie a rope to the bumper of your Fiat and a couple of gals could ride on it, while you pull it around!! If I slapped some training wheels on, it would not even fall over. Just kidding, but I bet that would get the crowd smiling.; July 31, 2008 at 9:18 PM
Anonymous said...: OMG... let's get Brenda B back to lead the band. Did anyone else see the pix of her Seed and Feed Marching Abominables parade outfits?!; August 1, 2008 at 10:41 AM
Anonymous said...: Hey...lets have our own "class of 68" Homecoming Parade in the parking lot....convertables(Queen Amy), attendents, motorcycles, marching band..(with modifications)..tap dancers, hula hoopers, kazoos, wow...the possibilities are endless.......; August 1, 2008 at 11:48 AM
Anonymous said...: My wife and I were sitting at a table at my high school reunion, and I kept staring at a drunken lady swigging her drink as she sat alone at a nearby table.

My wife asked, 'Do you know her?'

'Yes,' I sighed, 'She's my old girlfriend. I understand she took to drinking right after we split up those many years ago, and I hear she hasn't been sober since.'

My God!' says my wife, 'Who would think a person could go on celebrating that long?'

And then the fight started.....; August 1, 2008 at 11:51 AM
Anonymous said...: Yeah the blog is back!!!

Janine - re: Brenda B - I checked out her Seed and Feed website last month and in her bio she said they were appearing on America's Got Talent a few weeks ago. I made a point to watch most of it but never saw her. I even left a quiry for her on the blog but no response. Hey Brenda - "inquiring minds want to know" !!! Looks like a wild and crazy bunch.; August 1, 2008 at 1:50 PM
Anonymous said...: Debbie, google the Seed and Feed Marching Abominable and you will get several you-tube links to the America's Got Talent appearance. But it is one of those fast fillers and even slowing it down did not reveal our own Brenda in any of the shots.; August 1, 2008 at 3:46 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey Janine - Tried to find Seed and Feed Band short video link. Not yet mastered the art of web surfing, but managed to get to their home page. Could not identify the link (again, me)so I clicked around and stumbled on to a close-up of a woman in feathers playing a blue clarinet - would this be our Brenda??? (look under their "Programs" heading); August 8, 2008 at 12:22 PM
Anonymous said...: You have found the gold mine, girl! Almost every album in the 2008 collection of pictures on the S&FMA site has one of our own Brenda with the blue horn... and every one in a different outfit. I was going to include the album names and pix#s for you, but I lost count after six. You can find them yourownself. Man, can that woman dress to the ninety-nines! She MUST return and lead our Class-of-'68 Homecoming Parade. Any TWHS marching band alums that still have an instrument they can dust off for that event? You might have a look at Brenda's group to get an idea for you uniform: www.seedandfeed.org/index.php
then go to the Band Pictures.; August 10, 2008 at 5:04 PM
Anonymous said...: Hey y'all? Y'all! Is anyone still out there. This must constitute the longest dry spell in this blogs history. Am I the only one still here.

Well, anyway, it sure has been a short summer. It seems like it was only a couple of weeks ago we got together in Topeka. But what a weekend!

Somebody write something new, please.

Roger; August 29, 2008 at 6:11 PM
Anonymous said...: Bloggers and classmates,

Happy Labor Day 2008 to everyone. Geez, it seems like the reunion came and went, and now summer is almost over. Time flies when you're (having fun), i.e., busy, right?? Okay, Roger, I wrote something. Need to hear from some others that have been AWOL for quite a while!! JC; September 1, 2008 at 12:44 PM
Anonymous said...: Hi Roger and Jim....nice to "see" you guys. Yes, the summer has flown by. Soon it will be time for the West homecoming game that Amy has posted info about. Should be a fun night...hopefully we will have a great turnout of "kids". Convertibles, pretty girls, nice fall evening, food, football...wow..how could you go wrong???

A nice group of us had a swell time in Council Grove a few weeks ago. Great BBQ and a really good band with room to dance. It was kinda like walking into Cheers when the old ladies clapped when we came in..the band knew us and the bartender ran next door to get the kind of drinks some requested and the bottle beer was a dollar!!!..Strange and unusual happenings...some ended up with mardi gras beads...some played tambourine with the band and some shook their maracas....hummmm ...guess you should have been there....; September 2, 2008 at 9:19 PM
Anonymous said...: T-West Homecoming Game
Friday October 10th 7:00 kickoff
Hummer Park

Meet in the parking lot at 6:00 to eat.... – look for our “TW Class of 68 sign”.

Bring food. (No alcohol allowed – hey… not my rule!)

Go to game – again, latecomers can look for our sign.

Following the game or when everyone decides to go..
Uncle Bo’s at the Ramada, has a good band that plays dance music...Johnny I and the Receders...
Hope to see you there in your purple clothes...Amy

Note from Terry D. you can call my cell at 785-220-3892 or e-mail me with any questions and FYI..rules can be broken...but you're on your own.; October 2, 2008 at 8:05 PM
Anonymous said...: The evening started off with profane phone calls from Charlie chastising all of us for everything he could think of....
"where", "when", "is the chili homemade or out of a can?" "Da#mit...who the he## was in charge of this?" "If I'd been in charge yadda yadda yadda". Of course he was late and blamed Penny!!

Queen Amy did a great job of attempting to motivate the T-West Team to Victory....well it didn't work...but she did try.

We gathered in the parking lot to tailgate with lots of goodies and some adult beverages....always the rebels!!!! Amy and hubby, Charlie and Penny, Jim C and his wife, Darrel R. and friend, Linda M and hubby, Mary, Jamie and Elaine and I and friend Pam.

It was a lovely fall evening and the small group of us had a very nice time. Elaine offered her BMW convertible for Amy to ride in...Charle drove and Mary carried the TW Class of 68 sign! They rolled though the parking lot to lots of waves-honking and yelling!! Actually this was the most excitment of the whole game. We wore the traditional mum corsages and even were admitted free...being special and all!! Elaine asked the announcer to indroduce us and Amy which he did....to wild cheers...ok maybe not wild...but we did yell some... There is a new TW Charger Mascot since we were students....he's a cute little horse ...(Elaine seemed very fond of him...and talked of horse rustling).....We enjoyed the game..despite the lack luster performance...but at half-time decided to leave and check out the band at Uncle Bos. They were quite good and some of us had very happy feet and a late night! Hope to see others of you at future gatherings...if you think of something fun to do be sure to post and let us know!!! Thanks again..Amy for a great idea and a nice evening. TD; October 14, 2008 at 6:49 PM

Sunday, June 22, 2008

The Partys Over

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Topeka West High School Class of '68...45th Reunion

TWHS Class of '68

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