Hello
Fellow Badgers of '61!
Hello
Fellow Badgers of '61!
REUNION RE -CAP THE 40TH And a great time was had by all! Just wanted to recap for everyone what went on at our fabulous fortieth, so the next one (July, 7-8 2006) will not be missed. A list of who attended is on the reunion photo of everyone. Keep up with everyone and maintain contacts by checking our web page, maintained by Tom Atkins. Please contact Tom if you change E-mail, addresses, phone numbers, or bio information.
http\\www.phsbadgers61.com
Friday night was held at the Smoki Pueblo. All agreed it was a perfect setting to reacquaint ourselves with each other, and though there was plenty of room in the great hall, all preferred to stay around the bar area (we haven't changed) and gab and gab and gab while spouses either joined in, or starred off in space wondering "what am I doing here"! All were greeted with their name badge, a t-shirt if they ordered one, and a beautiful Hassayamper Re-run which Pat Hendrix donated. If some of you who were unable to come would like to purchase one it is $15. Jim and Beverly Burns, our Choir teacher joined us and was looking very perky and ready to go! Saturday morning found about 20 of us at our old stomping ground for a grand tour! And it WAS grand. Our guide knew a lot of the history and what had happened to this teacher, this classroom, etc. Another 20 of us were out on the Golf course laughing and making fun of each other during the 18 rounds. Dayton Rutkowski said he had been practicing for weeks so he wouldn't look bad! Saturday evening was fantastic. Antelope Ridge Resort Club House proved to be a perfect place to hold our dinner/dance/gab session. The room comfortable, the Dance floor big enough, the food great and the entertainment unbeatable. Our own classmates, Daiton was our M.C. now claiming the "most witty" position. All stood for our school song (some had to get out their glasses and read the words provided on the table), Russell Parker sang a ditty (after an embarrassing few "senior" moments), Linda Adrian and Rachel Schlotzhauer played a rousing rendition of "Ode to Joy" on their block flutes, Bill Nebeker played a guitar solo, and Jim Riley sang and played his guitar. Ernie Rollins commemorated our loved ones who have died by singing a very inspiring rendition of "Wayfaring Stranger" and Jannie Branch, JoAnn Price, Bonnylin Stephenson, and Rachel Schlotzhauer were the finale by doing a PomPon routine! The highlight was when Ethel B. Tyson pulled the winning raffle ticket for Bill Nebeker's donated Bronze-Daiton Rutkowski! I think it is the only time we have seen Daiton speechless! The silent auction and the raffle for the Bronze brought in enough money to be able to create the "Can Do" fund at the high school in the amount of $3000 to help students who do not have enough to afford small stuff for school. We were glad that teachers David Kerr, and Raymond Henderson came along with Ethel B Sunday was a bit overcast but all really welcomed it as we gathered at the beautiful Goldwater Lake for more gabbing and eating. The crowd was smaller because many had to catch flights or begin their rides home. I think David Gleason summed up our time together very well when he e-mailed me his thank you:
Hi Rachel I just want to thank you for the wonderful reunion that you helped put on. I know you worked very hard behind the scenes to make it a enjoyable event for all. I was proud of our class and never heard a discouraging word from anyone. Our classmates are positive move ahead people. Even our friends who have had heart ache, sickness and even the death of a spouse rallied together in a positive manner and we all laughed, talked and shared stories. I think this speaks volumes about our parents and the town we grew up in. We grew up with values and ethics. It shows 40 years later. Thanks to our moms and dads. Thanks to us for learning their values. I know I'm pouring it on thick, but this is how I feel. I had a wonderful time. I wish it could have gone on longer but we all have lives that we must go on living. I'm glad that our class of 61 is out there making the world a better place. Let us keep on keeping on. The pom pom girls were almost the same as when we were kids. You ladies did a great job. Janet even did it with high heels. Ha ha.
It was great.
Your friend Dave