The idea got started in Florida when Wife Lila sent this email to Marilyn Maevers Miller in Charleston in January:
I’d like to run something by you.
During the reunion, there was some interest in a get together in Cape for the Class of 66’s 50th in 2016, independent of the big event every 5 years. Terry [Hopkins], Bill [Jackson] and I have decided that we are going to Cape this summer for our 50th, even if there is no one but us at the shindig. However, we are hoping there will be a few 66ers who’d like to join us… possibly, some of the lunch bunch group would be interested.
Reality Check
By March, things were really beginning to take shape. On March 10, she set the tone of the event in a Facebook post:
A few minutes ago, I talked to a friend whose 35th HS reunion is in June. She decided not to go, because she had gained weight and didn’t want her classmates to see her like she is now.
That made me think of the CHS ’66 50th coming up. At 68 years old, I don’t think anyone from our class cares about that kind of stuff anymore, but just in case…..
REALITY CHECK!!! People, we ALL are 50 years older, and we ALL have a lot more miles on our odometers. I have wrinkles, gray hair, a saggy butt, scars and I weigh 40 pounds more than I did in 1966. The only things that still fit are my earrings. So there you have it! Now, you won’t be surprised when you see me. And if you are surprised, I won’t care.
I am guessing that a pretty fair number of you probably recognize yourselves, to some degree, in that description …depending on how good your plastic surgeon is. Ha!
What doesn’t change? Hopefully, they are the friends who made us laugh, who made us roll our eyes regularly and who were there even after high school. There were classmates that we avoided at all costs, or who ran in different circles than we did. No matter who they were or how you felt about them back then, they also are 50 years older… and I’m betting they’ve mellowed a little, too.
ALL of us have 50 years under our belts, and our 50th rolls around only ONCE. So, come. We are going to eat, drink, tell some tales and be merry. Whatever your definition of merry is, I bet we have it covered.
June is coming, and I’m looking forward to seeing a lot of wrinkled, graying, mellowed 66ers who still know how to rock and roll.
Mike Ervin won a shiny dime
Terry Hopkins promised a shiny dime to the person who traveled the greatest distance to attend the reunion. Mike Ervin claimed the prize, when he visited with classmates through a live broadcast social media connection from South Africa.
By the time June 24 rolled around, 87 classmates had signed up for the reunion; about 136 people, including guests showed up at North County Park for what sounded like a great weekend. You could hear the laughter and talking from 100 feet away.
Marilyn fed the crowd and was the local cat herder. The original four organizers got plenty of help from classmates who brought food, drinks, electric fans, and who helped string lights and clean up afterwards.
Anyone who appears in the group photo at the top of the page has my express permission to reproduce it for personal use. Click on the photos to make them larger.
Absolutely great… the shot of Lila, Terry Hopkins and “beam me up” Michael Ervin…. the modern age with the long memories of long ago set in bodies aged like fine wine. Well done in so many ways. Ahhh…Pleasure to see.
Great job, Ken. I can see everyone. Thanks for all you help, hauling around stuff and running to get needed supplies.
Who is the guy behind and just to the right of the man in the orange shirt? He looks like a long lost friend of mine, Bill Kaiser. I don’t remember what year he graduated but he was older than me, class of 68.
Darla, I had a nice conversation with Bill and he is still the same Bill as in High School, a nice guy with great sense of humor. He was a 66’er with me.
Darla, That is Bill Kaiser.
Several folks have confirmed that it was Bill Kaiser.
Being the youngster that I am (LOL), I only know/recognize a few of the kids in that group picture. I’m glad everyone had a good time and took the time to re-connect. As we pass through the years its great just to be seen again.
I forgot; Keith Robinson, CHS ’73.
Great time was had by all…if fact probably the best party I have been to in years! Kudos to all who helped and all who showed up to meet and re meet with old friends adn meet new ones.
Fun times! So great too of Marilyn and Lila to coordinate and make the weekend a reality. Any chance you can tag the group shot?
Lila is going to post it on Facebook so she can start tagging it on the way to the STL airport.
A big thanks to all who made this 50th reunion a reality and a great success. Lila, I am so glad you came up with the idea of FaceTime through FB messenger, so I could join from afar. I had a great time seeing everyone and chatting with so many of my classmates. I look forward to the next reunion and hopefully I can be there in person.
Great job keeping connected. Looks like “A good time was had by all.”