50th Reunion Weekend
The 50th reunion of AHS class of 1961 started off with a cocktail welcome party at the Holiday Inn Eastgate on Friday evening before the main event. At the time of booking, we picked a suite at the Holiday Inn expecting around 20 people. Sixty-four people came -- cozy, intimate, and hall expanding are all applicable descriptions of that event!
The reunion itself was held on October 1 at the Sweetwine Banquet Center. Saturday evening's location was much roomier. Sixty-seven attended the dinner. After appetizers, Joe Walters gave a humorous welcome followed by Jack McMillin's timely toast. The dinner ended with an AHS cake. Everyone had a grand time!
The following classmates attended the reunion: Glenn Berry, Del Church, Don Corken, Sandy Clem, Carol Ellsberry, Buddy Fayard, Jerry Feinthel, Janet Garman, Stuart Gregory, Jim Gress, Dianne Hallsted, Janet Heywood, Nancy Hough, Allen Howard, Bill Justice, Faith Keller, Tom Lammers, Carolyn Lathrop, Martha Lang, Jerry Latham, Terri Little, Sherry Manning, David Martin, Richard McClanahan, Bonnie McDaniel, Jack McMillin, John Middleton, Carolyn Mullen, Kathy Murphy, Don Perry, Sandy Ragland, Rita Ramundo, Suzanne Rhodes, Tom Richardson, Carol Richey, Harold Richey, Sarah Rollins, Ken Samson, Carol Schlotterbeck, Chuck Senior, Betty Staub, Marcia Steingrube, Jack Todd, Bob Ulmer, Joe Walters, Carolyn Ward, Victor Wegelin, Peggy Wolfangel, and Bob Yenke.
Since it is impossible to chat with everyone at an event, I led what I call a "group conversation", where participants stood when the situation I described applied to them and shared some brief details what they have in common with others. We learned a little bit about each other and found topics we'd like to discuss our fellow classmates.
Unlike former reunions, we went with only background music knowing that renewing old friendships was the main focus of the evening. In the past, a DJ usually provided music. Two times we even used one of local fame: Jim Lebarbra. We have met at four different locations including: 10th at the KofC Hall, 20th at the Terrace Park Country Club, 30th at the Embassy Suites, Covington, 40th also at the Embassy Suites, and now 50th at Sweetwine at Woodland Mound. Our attendance was highest at the 10th as would be expected. Seventy classmates showed up (many of whom were pregnant.) The 20th was 47, 30th was 38, and the 50th was 49. We're missing number records for the 40th.
There are some classmates we have not located.: Barb Boles, Penny Bossett, Donald Dowell, George Hill, Carole Hinkle, Bill Ludlow, Susan Martone, Robert Murray, Carol Norris, Chuck Osmond, Marlis Schaefer, Doug Shaw, Jerry Tindall, Jack Tucker, Carol Vatalaro, Chuck Wagers, and Ruth Wilce. Do let us know if you have any intact information for any of them.
On a sad note, we have lost the following `17 classmates: Donna Borgel, Jerry Combs, Jean Elder, Lynn Ellis, Barbara Forg, Jerry Henderlight, Bob Kelly, Dottie Kopp, Denise Lampe, Karla Maslowski, Yvonne Moore, Barbara Rubel, Mildred Schneider, Bill Spitzer, John Spraker, Betty Ward, and Pete Wettstein. There may be others that we don't know about.
On a happier note, we're planning a great surprise for our next reunion. You better plan to be there! Also, I'll be checking on your bucket list progress. So, get started!!
Till then. . . Carol (Schlotterbeck) Moore
