Our
35-Year Reunion, held in 2004, consisted
of a series of meetings, parties and events,
and we have pictures of all of them! We
hope you'll look through these photo
albums, realize how much fun it is to
have these reunions, and that you'll plan
to attend Reunion Weekend 2009.
I
wanted to thank everyone for their time
and effort to make the float our greatest
success to date. Jim Long can not get enough
credit for having him home and family life
invaded for three days straight. He also
put up food and beverage at his expense.
Kenny put his fine arts degree and soul
into lettering and painting the tail fins
and did a fabulous job of cranking out the
tunes on the float with three unmarked cassette
tapes, which ain't easy. Julie made the
pictures and banners possible. She also
secured and delivered the bear and smoke
machine. Pat Caldwell powered up the power
tools and completed the rough framing. Bruce
Johnson stenciled and painted the year plaques.
Fritz Reitter, Reitter Stucco, provided
the flatbed truck and diesel fuel at no
cost. Evan Jones, Jones Lumber, provided
the lumber and labor to make all the flats
to specification and had them delivered
on time. Evan also provided and tipped our
fabulous driver, Lloyd. Evan has stored
our flats and stairs over the years and
never asked for a dime. He also was there
with Kenny during the entire construction
time. And there were many more who helped
build and stuff and sing and encourage.
GREG
STONER
I
wanted to drop you a line and let you know
how much I appreciate all the hard work
that you, Pat D., Ken P. and all the others
who put the reunion activities together
and pulled it off so successfully. You guys
did a great job. I talked to a lot of people
at the reunion who agree; through all your
dedication and diligence you made it a very
pleasurable experience. Well done. Thanks
for keeping it all together for us on the
website, I really enjoy the up to date info
and pics. Like you, I'm still running high
on energy created by the reunion. We are
fortunate to have such a great class of
people to share these memorable occasions.
BEVERLY
D'ANGELO
I
thought I posted this already but I didnt
see it- I showed my kids the photos and
taught them "Born to Be Wild"
the background music for the Golf tournament
pictures - they really responded to the
tune - must be genetic. Nothing like looking
at pictures of beloved classmates while
two three year olds sing that song!
PATRICK
DYNES
I just wanted to share one special moment
with my classmates that I witnessed but
that most of you did not have the pleasure
of experiencing. This was the Atomic Wedgee
that Jeff Torrence received after the
awards presentation at the Golf Course
at Dublin. During the entire awards presentation
by Pat Caldwell, Jeff was yelling "Who
wants to fight?" and "That guy
is a faggot!" Pat continued gracefully
but Jeff's disruptive behavior grated
on the the rest of the stately and civil
audience. After the presentation Scott
Street and Mike Meily caught Jeff bending
over to pick up some item and seized the
opportunity! In spite of the pull of gravity,
Jeff's feet separated from the earth as
he seemed to enjoy the experience. The
only regret that golf tourney participants
had was that there was not a higher and
more severe category of wedgee to be given
and received. I was honored to observe
this special moment of humiliation in
classmate history.
What
just happened with my classmates is still
sinking in. Given how busy Ellen and I
were making sure all went as well as possible,
I have lots of unfinished conversations
I need to follow up on. If you have not
read my message to classmates posted on
this we site please go to it and do so.
I tried to think about what the reunion
meant to me and reflect on what other
classmates have said to me. This statement
does not contain a quote that I started
off my spoken comments with that I thought
was particularly appropriate for our class--"Time
Flies Like An Arrow, Fruit Flies Like
a Banana." I attributed this statement
to Moe Howard, one of the Three Stooges.
Who knows who really said it. OK, I did
encounter one of our classmates that I
threw snowballs at and called names in
Junior High School. He never mentioned
anything about the incident and probably
does not remember it. I will be embarrassed
about my pathetic behavior till the day
I die. He should have punched me! Please
report all budding romances between classmates
to Ellen or me.
DEANNE
SNAVELY
Sorry I wasn't there but I was enjoying
a lovely vacation in Venice and Verona Italy.
I will make a point of being at the next
one - God willing!
LIBBIE
PFEFFERLE TROTT
Well,
here's my 2 cents. It was fabulous. I had
sooo much fun. The dinner was yummy and
the company was wonderful. Bev, you sounded
great after dinner. I'm sorry I didn't get
a chance to talk with you. But I missed
a lot of people. (now that I've review the
photos) Saturday night was great, very casual,
very friendly. Although I didn't get around
to everyone, it was still nice to know,
we haven't changed at all. Still young,
beautiful people - kind of "Stepford".
Ha, Ha!I love the idea of a cruise. With
150+ we could get a great deal, charter
our own plane - it sounds like a plan. I
can't wait!
SUE
JONES PATTERSON
Re: Cheryl Gray's comment on the deaths
of classmates. I agree. Having spent almost
3 months researching, and trying to find
families, I did begin by just being happy
to find a relative, and did not ask how
or when their son or daughter died, just
invited them, and let them know that an
invite (to our service) would be in the
mail. As the wife of a Naval Aviator, I
have lost over 30+ good friends and squadron
mates in 17 years. With that experience,
I did not mail anything out, without first
speaking to a relative, to give them a heads
up, so they weren't surprised by an invitation
in the mail to a memorial for their loved
one. I also did not ask, at first, how each
died, I felt it would be too rude. However,
some just opened up, upon hearing that we
were doing a memorial, and told as much
as they needed to tell. Later, on a rare
occasion, I did end up as politely as is
possible, asking the reason for their son's
or daughter's death. I also gave to the
reunion chairmen, the names in death date
order, but, apparently the minister, or
chairmen preferred to keep it in alphabetical
order, for the service. There are good reasons
for that also. A few classmates deaths were
only a couple years ago, and if in date
order that might have been very upsetting.
So, I think a wise choice was made. I will
put my compiled list, with what I do know,
which is not a lot, but I will put it on
the website, as I keep getting pop ups right
now, and am having trouble writing at all.
But, I do agree, so many of us were surprised
at the number of deaths. There are still
some families we never found. I sent out
a couple emails to the classmates, requesting
information, but, very few responded, and
a couple so late, that we were out of time.
Not everyone uses a computer, or email,
and that really was the only way we could
communicate. I also verified every death,
with the Social Security Death Index, the
State Death Index, and at my own expense
I, joined ancestry.com,
which provided a lot of information. Julie
May Jones, went with me and we researched
obits, through the Columbus Dispatch, since
UA library pays the subscription fees to
join the archived obits, and then searched
further, by the micro film, to read actual
obits. But, unfortunately even those rarely
disclose information as to why. Except for
two, Fred Shearer, who was a pilot, and
died in an aircraft accident, most were
not in the news. The other was Ted McNulty,
who died in California in an auto accident.
It will probably take me a day to go back
through the information I kept, and I will
add it to the website, message board, for
everyone to see. Just remember, please,
if I don't state a cause, it's because I
didn't ask, and they didn't volunteer the
information. But, like you Cheryl, I wanted
to know, I don't know why, I do think it's
more concern, than just morbid curiosity,
but, I'll put forth what I have, as soon
as I can, just check the regular ua69 message
board. Thanks, Sue
CRAIG
HECKMAN
As
a class we have branched out. The winds
of time have blown us like seeds to the
far corners of the country. The weekend
proved that no matter how far we have traveled,
no matter what changes we have been through,
and no matter what hand life has dealt us,
we all came from the same seed bed. And,
for that reason we have more in common with
our classmates than we ever dreamed. The
longer the reunion went on the more I saw
not just the rekindling of old friendships,-
that is expected - but also the beautiful
interaction of people who rarely spoke to
each other in high school. People who for
the first 18 years of their lives thought
that they had nothing in common with each
other were enjoying each other's stories
and each other's company. Thank you Pat,
Ellen and other committee members for an
unforgettable weekend. I'm sorry it had
to end.
CHERYL
GRAY (STEVE GRAY'S WIFE)
Steve
Gray's wife - We did not have the opportunity
of attending, however we are so impressed
at all the hard work put into the festivities
and the fabulous website!! You all deserve
kudos galore and huge pats on your backs!!
I graduated in 69 from Whetstone and I hate
to say it, but you sure put us to shame!!
Thank you so much for all your time and
effort! Hope we can make the 40th! My class
is having a 35th reunion cruise in October.
What do you think of a 40th UA cruise? Also,
I hope this doesn't sound "out of line"
but it would be nice to know when and how
the classmates who have passed away, died.
So many, so young, I'm sure most of us would
like to know. Thanks again and keep up the
great work!!
JULIE
MAY JONES
I had a wonderful time- from the planning
meetings to all the work leading up to the
reunion. All of the events were great. I
had fun reconnecting with old friends and
getting to know others I had not known in
high school. My 2 favorite moments- the
wonderful turn out and meaningful memorial
service;and the HUGE number of classmates
present when the Float award was presented!
What a wonderful group we all are. Thanks
for the memories- Julie
ED
RHINE
Ellen,
Pat, Randy, and to so many others, thanks
so very much for all that you did to make
OUR 35th Reunion - simply spectacular!!!
The photos are great, the company was marvelous,
and the memories - well, they will last
forever!
SALLY
WHIPPLE RUDY
I want to thank Pat, Ellen, Bill, and all
the other people who worked so hard to make
our reunion so much fun!! It was so well
organized, and everyone seemed so genuinely
happy to see each other. I think I started
laughing the minute I arrived, and the fun
didn't stop the entire weekend. My favorite
moments were Brent and Bev singing at LaScala,
and being able to reminisce with dear, lifelong
friends. It really did seem like we just
picked up where we left off in high school!
The memorial service was a very touching
and meaningful time to share together. I
really enjoyed the tour of the school. That
was the first time I had been in the building
since 1969! Of course, just being with old
(did I say old?) friends was the BEST!!!
We do have an exceptional class with lots
of talent and diversity. I can't wait for
the 40th! :)
LINDA
WHITEMAN UHRENHOLT
Reunion
Committee.... Thanks for all the hard work,
time and effort that went in to making our
35th such a grand success (even my husband
had a good time). From driving the beverage
cart at the golf tournament to La Scala's
and on and on - it was the best! As everyone
said it below, the memories will live on
for quite some time. Our class rocks!
I
wanted to thank everyone for their time
and effort to make the float our greatest
success to date. Jim Long can not get enough
credit for having him home and family life
invaded for three days straight. He also
put up food and beverage at his expense.
Kenny put his fine arts degree and soul
into lettering and painting the tail fins
and did a fabulous job of cranking out the
tunes on the float with three unmarked cassette
tapes, which ain't easy. Julie made the
pictures and banners possible. She also
secured and delivered the bear and smoke
machine. Pat Caldwell powered up the power
tools and completed the rough framing. Bruce
Johnson stenciled and painted the year plaques.
Fritz Reitter, Reitter Stucco, provided
the flatbed truck and diesel fuel at no
cost. Evan Jones, Jones Lumber, provided
the lumber and labor to make all the flats
to specification and had them delivered
on time. Evan also provided and tipped our
fabulous driver, Lloyd. Evan has stored
our flats and stairs over the years and
never asked for a dime. He also was there
with Kenny during the entire construction
time. And there were many more who helped
build and stuff and sing and encourage.