It takes a committee to put on a 40th Reunion! I have to send a special thanks to these classmates who came to meetings, endured my stay-focused/direct style, and who worked long and hard to give you all a night to remember.
A very special thanks goes to Ed/Eddy White who took the helm while I was down and helped steer the direction of the event. His support, resources and leadership style, coupled with his love for Wolfson, are to be admired; AND Friday night at the Landing, along with the DVD content and production, were his crowing glory!! I could not have done it without him!!
A big warm thank you also goes to Gary Hannon, Robert Harris, Lon Bryan, Bob Cowan and Janna Wood Hardy who gave generously to underwrite the cost of the reunion. Their generosity allowed classmates who are experiencing hard times to attend and helped keep the ticket price down.
Janna also assisted with the hotel details - and I think all will agree the food and service were great!; Milledge Womble Kavenaugh (great decorations!), Margaret Ross Dodson (thanks for the support), Patty Black Keitzer (thanks for help with the registration), Deborah Curran McLaughlin (name tags were perfect!), Lynn McFarland Brady (great posters!!), Toby Williams (thanks for the great koozies!), my husband Jim (thanks for putting up with me), Kim White (Eddy's better half and a sweetheart!) all pulled together in record time to get the decorations up and the room ready; Tommy Bayer tracked to the post office daily to keep us up-to-date on attendance; and with Tommy, to hear Christy Chandler Garces (thanks for treking to all the meetings), Nancy Brannon Brant (thanks for your enthusiasm and support), Connie Crabtree Wiggins sing again was perfect; And...Greg Bacalis was the best in hunting down our classmates! He gets the gold star for finding the most people and following up with emails and calls to get people to attend.
I knew the classmates would want to hear from us, so it seemed natural for Chris Parker to be the one to welcome everyone. His natural ability to motivate and lead the group was heart warming, and the friendship quotes were FABULOUS (we must post to web site!).
Wow! Wow! Wow! What a night to remember! New memories made, documented in more ways than one, and a host of classmates and others full of love, life and excitement to be connected again! It was heart-warming and rewarding to hear and see the gratitude everyone felt for all of our work.
So thank you, thank you everyone for your time, hard work, money, ideas, enthusiasm, support, love and gift of your friendship!!! The Wolfson Class of 1969’s 40th High School Reunion held in May 2009 will be one for the books and forever in my memory and heart.
AWESOME party, Class!!! Thanks so much to the planning committee who worked so hard (even when recovering from surgery!) to put this together for us. The food was great, the facilites were fantastic, the decorations were perfect, and of course, the company was the BEST! There's no one like friends who hold a piece of your past and always have a place in your heart. I hope every one of you will come back for the (aaccckkk!) 50th (or whatever we can do before that!). And if you know someone who couldn't/didn't come, tell them about the website and get them connected! And "God bless us every one."
What a great time!!! What a great class!! Many of you have been thanking the committee for the super reunion and incredible time we had last weekend - you are very welcome. But I'd like to say a few other things . . .
First, as I told many of you Saturday night, it was truly a labor of love for us. While Saturday was the actual reunion there was a group of 10 or 12 of us who have been reuning for months - and we enjoyed every minute of it. So, while we did work hard it was the kind of work you want to do because it was so much fun - like a mini-reunion every few weeks . . .
Second, Margaret! Wow, if you ever need a leader who lets you have fun while still knowing when to put the accelerator down to business, Margaret is the one to get. Many of you don't know this but Margaret had major surgery during the planning of this thing and she never skipped a beat. Just an incredible person.
Third, lastly and most important, you - our fantastic class of 1969. Everything we did to make this reunion a success could have been in place but without the effort for everyone to come and be there it would have flopped. So, pat yourselves on the back. Classmates came from as far away as Hawaii and California to attend. Just an incredible turnout and that's what really creates the heart and soul of the reunion. Without friends there, there is no reunion . . .
I didn't get the chance to talk on the video at our reunion but something like this is what I would have said . . .
Many of you know that I taught at Wolfson during my first career as a High School math teacher. One time, years after we graduated, Frances Brewster and I were reminiscing . . . Frances told me that the Class of '69 was always her favorite and that she always felt that for some reason we were very special. We talked about many possible reasons for this. One theory we discussed was how as a class most of us went from being the oldest kids at Southside Grammar (1-7) to the youngest in 8-12 duPont or Landon, back to the oldest in 7-9 duPont or Landon only to be the youngest yet again at 10-12 Wolfson, all in four years. We also discussed how seamlessly Wolfson students accepted Douglas Anderson and Douglas Anderson accepted Wolfson as the two schools become one our Senior Year. Of course there were also the tragedies of Kennedy, Martin and Kennedy again to deal with along with the Viet Nam war, Peace, Love, the Draft, Racism, etc . . .
I was never sure, and never will be sure what the reason was, if there really was one. All I know is that it was somehow all mixed together in the bowl of our teenaged lives and baked into one hell of a tasty, resilient class that we should all be proud of. Frances (yet again) was absolutely right. Seniors Fine in '69!!!
JOANNE MY TWIN HAS UPLOADED ALL THE PHOTOS ON HER PROFILE. She had no other way for now. IF YOU WANT TO SEE ALL THE PHOTOS... GO TO Joanne Spottswood
My heart is full with all the hugs and memories. Chris Parker you are correct, it also took all of us to show up and be a part of this. Something that will be forever.
Now that we have gotten back in touch. Let's not loose sight of each other again.
I just wanted to say that was one fantastic reunion. All the committee members, volunteers, sponsors, and all the class of 69 should be very proud. For a response like that, I don't know how many people were there, it shows you that truly we were one special class. Once again, fine in 69, and I hope to see everyone again very soon. Keep up the web site, it is awesome.
Thanks to the Committee and to all the classmates that attended from near and far. It was one heck of a party and I really, really hope something simple can be put together in 5 years since we're all going to keep up with each other through the website now, right? (Everyone keep their nametags!) Loved everyone's pictures and am even more sorry after seeing them that I wasn't able to attend the Friday night shindig at The Landing. Send some of that Florida sunshine up north - otherwise, if anyone has the dimensions for an ark, pass them along.
I remember going home after practicing for the possible evacuation to Hastings and asking my mom where she(and the other employees at American National) would go and she said they'd probably just end up in the bank's vault!
Anybody remember Ms. Sheppard and her bifocal glasses at Hendricks Avenue, the 6th grade play (Days of Kerry Dancing) with Ms. Troxler (besides Nancy, Jo, Maura & me?) or the accelerated Latin class in 7th grade at Landon where we spent the entire year learning to conjugate amo, amas, amat????
How about the Hasty Tasty (best burgers and fries in the whole world) or Bagley's or going to the Saturday matinee at the San Marco Theater for 6 RC cola caps??
Keep in touch and keep the memories coming . . . Di
I knew I was in trouble when the lights got low and my reading glasses were at home, trying to read some of the people's name tags, not sure if neon name tags would help. I really enjoyed myself,I didn't get to see everybody or talk with everybody, but the ones I did,I really enjoyed it. For a few hours Friday & Saturday night, it was like going back in time and reliving a part of my past. As a class everyone looked great and seem to be in pretty good shape.
As far as a 60th birthday party,not sure i'm ready for 60 lol, when I turned 50 everything was alright till I got a letter from AARP sayig "Welcome Seniors", I wasn't preparded for that.
I wanna say thanks to all who worked so hard to put everything together. It was surely a night to remember and thank you very much
Saturday night will be one to remember for a long time. It seemed like we had never left the halls of Wolfson. It was a wonderful reunion and an excellent job by all involved in putting it all together. It was so good to see everyone and perk up the old memory cells on the years past. I really like the idea that the website will remain. Great Job Everyone!!!!
>>would throw an eraser at you across the room, and as she lead you to the office she would hit you on the back with a ruler all the way down the hall.....
I'm afraid those days are gone. I'd say a lot of youngun's need those whacks with the eraser. Can you imagine if that happened now? I remember her well! Don't get me wrong - I'm not for electric shocks or anything. I just am grateful for the time we grew up in, and I think the discipline and respect that was required was a good thing! Poor Miss Whaley didn't get a lot of respect, though.
I liked my gym suit. I thought I was pretty cute in it. haha. Mine didn't have the cuff, but elastic in the legs. Makes me laugh.
I think kids today might do a lot better if they took gym everyday, had to wear the bloomer gymsuits (Janet you were one of the few of us who did look cute in them), shined their Keds tennis shoes (not Nike sneakers at $$$ a pair) every Sunday night with white shoe polish, had Ms. Breedlove for a gym teacher and had the option of a swat or detention!
Curtis - maybe our names can be printed in bold with a bigger font on a label that can be affixed to the current name tags (we really need the pictures on them and I know that's a lot of work for the Committee!)
It was......like magic. I felt it and you did too - people that we had not seen or spoken to in 40 years and you cannot get a word in edgewise because you have so much to say - we were back at WOLSON saturday night with the stories flying.We could not tell them fast enough or often enough because we knew our time was precious. SPEAKING of stories....I told JEFF ROUZIE and others this one . One day I found myself at the end of a hallway with no one else around and two guys ( no need to give names here ) giving me a hard time and pinned up against the wall blocking my retreat. Out of nowhere I hear my savior say ..." Hey Danny you all right ? Those guys immediately turned to see the imposing physical presence of Jeff Rouzie, his body squared at us and poised for " business" and directly blocking their exit. The fear in their eyes told the story as they made a hasty exit, cowering as they almost sprinted past Jeff. I turned to thank JEFF and he was gone down the hallway. Jeff as humble as all of our football stars were never mentioned it but I will never forget it. Now that's a friend. Isn't that typical of the caring for one another that we felt this weekend - so many friends that perhaps we did not know we developed, so much common history. I am telling you the CLASS OF 1969 is a magical group ! Oh yes....on a lighter note - DIANNE STONE you are still a sweetheart and I think you are the coolest girl in the school ( please keep that information just between us ) Actually........ I told DIANNE this - she smiled and was surprised - gave me a great big hug and a kiss and I believe my heart skipped a beat !!! beat !!!
I see there are 12 living in NC. Is there a way to post notices for regional get-togethers? If not, and if any of you see this notice please contact me. I'd love to plan a lunch or something. We could pick a location most central to us all.
Janet Gable Cull Stony Point, NC (above Hickory, nw of Statesville, an hour from Boone)
Hey everyone! WOW! WOW! WOW! What a fabulous 48 hours! I had more fun that I can ever remember in years! I should have sat down more often so I could have visited with more of you...but I guess that I just needed to dance the night away! I am exhausted and sore to the core but it was worth it! Words cannot express my appreciation to the committee and your loved ones who made this "Wolfson Weekend" possible for all of us. I had a fabulous time and it was such a blessing to see all of you and reconnect.
Blessings and Love to the "Wolfpack Seniors Fine in '69"!~Fox~
Oh yes....ALAN OKUN - after years of intense therapy here for your indiscretion ( read the story on my profile- many of you said u enjoyed it ) I have decided to contact JEFF ROUZIE and even things up ! ESPECIALLY ENJOYED talking to ALAN and MARCIA RICE - great people.
BOB HACKNEY - very sharp guy - enjoyed talking to you and thought your profile story was great as many of us can relate to midlife changes.You are staying in great shape and that is more difficult for an athlete. GO GATORS
Hey DEDE ROBERTS,DAVE NICHOLS,BARBARA BOSTIAN and NANCY STRACHAN - loved spending time with you and we need to stay in touch. DEDE still tells me what to do...geez...NANCY S. - you are right as nothing has changed !
BOBBY COWAN - SHARP AS EVER..good to see you and VAL. Thankyou for your friendship and making my high school days so much better.....I had no reliable access to a car so BOBBY helped me out about a million times. Our class owes BOBBY COWAN,ROBERT HARRIS,GARY HANNON,and LON BRYAN much gratitude...( hope this list is complete ) these guys contributed financially to make it easier on the rest of us. THANK THEM. INCREDIBLE FRIENDS.
We need to additionally thank JANNA WOOD HARDY as a financial contributor to our class reunion which made it easier on the rest of us. ( inadvertently left her off my prior message here as a financial participant...sorry about that JANNA )
I had a wonderful time at the reunion and pray everyone got home safe and sound. Thanks again to all of the organizers and sponsors. They did a tremendous job finding everyone, getting this website up and running, making all of the arrangements with the hotel, mailings, etc. It's a BIG job and my hat is off to everyone that played a role in producing such a spectacular series of events - especially Maggie.
It was so good to see everyone again and I sincerely hope we can all hold on to life and those we love until we meet again (in 5-10 years?)for another successful reunion!
P.S. We can stay in touch on Facebook too, you know. I'm there - are you?
Wow! It looks like a wonderful time was had by all! I have been enjoying reading everyone's comments and seeing their photos of the events. We are still waking in the middle of the night....getting back on Pacific Daylight Time is difficult. The long flight home from Istanbul was brutal, but the cruise was fantastic! Please let me know how to get the CD. Everyone looks great, though I have to admit I didn't recognize each and every person. Looks like all the efforts of the committee were a success. I hope to be able to make it to the next one. I will definitely keep visiting this website to keep tabs on you all!
Oh, what a night, a weekend in May in the year '09 ... We will cherish memories for a special time...As I remember what a night !!! Oh, what a night............. It's hard to put into words all the feelings/emotions of Friday and Saturday night. Wow !! Thank you to the super committee and everyone who helped for your devotion to our class. And ,Margaret, you ARE the BEST !! What would we have done without you ? A full-time job and later surgery ; how did you do it ?? You had to wear many hats, I'm sure. I know there are people that I didn't get a chance to talk to and that I didn't even know were there . Maybe next time, a 3 day event / cruise ? Just kidding.....What fun to see and be with friends from elementary and junior high school as well as high school. Pictures get lost / turn old and really aren't important but memories are lasting....I hope you all stay safe and in good health.
Oh yeah, forgot to mention. I remember Mrs. (Miss?) Sellers, too! I remember she had us singing some song about musical instruments.....some of the lyrics: "the horn, the horn, it sounds so forlorn," and "the clarinet, the clarinet goes doodli doodli doodli-et." Dear Lord! The things we remember!!! And who could EVER forget the day of JFK's assassination?! That and where I was when John Lennon was killed are burned into my memory banks forever.....
Many people will walk in and out of your life, but only true friends leave footprints.
The 40th reunion was a gift to all of us on so many levels. The love and warmth in the room was tangible and in the aftermath, I rerun the images and conversations over and over in my mind. Words cannot express sufficient thanks to the committee for their hard work and devotion by giving us an excuse to connect with friends that go back even further than 40 years. We are woven into a tapestry - all of us - and our lives are connected from then, to now and on into the future. We recognized that truth this weekend, and spent the night telling it to each other.
I vote to start the next "reunion" (could we do it next week?)at noon and party on till midnight. There just wasn't enough time for me to drink all of you in enough. My heart is full and I count this reunion as one of the most special moments in a lifetime because of each of you. Thank you for sharing yourselves with your fellow classmates through thick and thin, through youth and maturity, through good times and bad. We are blessed. Seniors Fine in '69!
What a beautiful reunion! Hats off to the committee for such a fantastic job. You really should be commended. Friday night at the Landings was great. Thanks John and Christy for opening your boats until the wee hours of the morning. The setting was perfect, the DJ great, and the food enjoyed by all. Conrad Cowart still looks as if he could jump on a surf board and hang ten. Jan and Joanne are as lively as ever. Thanks to Nancy for coming so many miles. And Vicki, I didn't know you had it in you. But most importantly were the friends who not only touched my hand, but also touched my heart and made this an unforgettable time. I look forward to the 60th birthday bash and the reunion in 5 years. Seniors fine in "69".
I am so sorry I missed it. Each year at this time I usually plan to go back to PA to see old friends and go to BeadFest. When the reunion came up, I changed my plans but unfortunately, ASU scheduled finals for May 1 and 2. My husband was not a happy camper about my leaving him for the reunion, so I stayed. So many people have contacted me over the months and waves of homesickness have returned for the first time in years. I left Jax in 1969 and yet, after reading profiles and looking at pictures it feels like nothing has changed. Everyone looks great-it must have been a "good year". I love this website. Thanks to everyone for your hard work in making this happen. Next time I'm grabbing my new girlfriend, Janet Gable (thanks to your website!), and we're coming no matter what! How about that 60th birthday party?
I can't tell you all how much I have enjoyed seeing all the pictures. So many of you women look almost just like I remember - well, you know. Add a year or two.
But I know there must have been many more there. I asked Linda Ames if she went, and she said yes, but I can't find her! I'm hoping more people who took pictures will post. I realize I cannot complain because *I* was not there to document it. So, I'm not complaining. I'm begging. Are there more pictures out there of people we've not yet seen?
I know I've said it, and others have, but thank you again to those who made this website available!
What a great reunion. Thanks to all that helped put this fantastic event on!! We Got back to San Antonio with no problems. Thanks to Chris and Toby for the Sunday morning send off. I would also like to thank everyone for making my wife,Lillian, feal like one of the crowd. That right there says something wonderful about our class. Most spouses feel left out at these things. Looking through some of the pics I realize now how many people were there that I didn't see. Wish I could have seen more and vote for 5 years, sorry committee. Once again THANKS!!!!!!
We had a photographer and videographer at the event. I am waiting on their final products before posting. So...yes...there will be lots more pictures coming soon.
