Alta Sierra Country Club
Grass Valley High School Class of 1945 Reunion
(Saturday September 11, 2010)
Ramona (and husband Jim) invited us to her class' 65th reunion luncheon that was held at the Alta Sierra Country Club. We were looking forward to seeing everyone.
Sharing a table with Leonard Metz, Lawrence and Carol (Hoyt) Painter, and Jim Launius.
...And Don Smith at left.
Master of ceremony Ken Stahl opens with a request that each classmate introduce their self, spouse (or guest), and tell us what they've been up to. Ralph Reid (with wife Barbara) leads off by promising he'll make it short ( a couple of times) that gets us laughing.
Following lunch more introductions, funny and interesting stories resume.
Today is the anniversary of the 2001 destruction of the twin towers in New York City. Charles Fischer relates a spell binding story of that day. He had traveled to New York to watch the World series. It was cancelled due to rain, so he decided to visit the World Trade Center. The bus was late. When they finally boarded and were on their way they saw the planes fly into the buildings. The bus stopped and the tour was cancelled also.
Twin Towers at the World Trade Center. One burning and another about to be struck?
Following his exciting story, Charles reads "Life Begins at 80."
Okay...now it's time to see if classmates can remember where the various businesses were located along Mill Street when they were going to high school.
Here's the rest seated at our table. Joe and Mrs. Tappero, Ramona (Williams) Launius and Mel McGuire.
Silvia (Baker) Angove read this cute poem that most of us can identify with:
Class Reunion
Every ten years, as summertime nears, an announcement arrives in the mail, "A reunion is planned...it'll be really grand. Make plans to attend without fail."
I'll never forget the first time we met. We tried so hard to impress. We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars, and wore our most elegant dress. It was quite and affair; the whole class was there. It was held at a fancy hotel. We wined and we dined and we acted refined, and everyone thought it was swell. The men all conversed about who had been first to achieve great fortune and fame. Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses, and how beautiful their children became. The homecoming queen, who once had been lean, now weighed in at one ninety six. The jocks who were there had all lost their hair, and the cheerleaders could no more do kicks. No one had heard about the class nerd, who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon. Or poor little Jane, who'd always been plain...She married a shipping tycoon. The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed" was serving ten years in the pen, while the one voted "least" now was a priest, shows you can be wrong now and then. They awarded a prize to one of the guys who seemed to have aged the least. Another was given to the grad who had driven the farthest to attend the feast. They took a class picture, a curious mixture of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties. Tall, short or skinny, the style was the mini; You never saw so many thighs.
The next get-together, no one cared whether they impressed their classmates or not. The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal. By this time we'd all gone to pot. It was held out of doors at the lake shores. We ate hamburgers, coleslaw and beans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear, we were definitely over the hill. Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed, and be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait...They've just set the date...Our fiftieth is coming, I'm told. It should be a ball, they've rented a hall at the Shady Rest Home for the old. And I've bought a new wig and glass eye. I'm feeling quite hearty, I'm ready to party...I'll dance 'til the dawn's early light. It'll be lots of fun. I just hope there's one other person who gets there that night. (Author Unknown)
Jim, Mel, (me) and Ramona.
Francis (Personeni) Gates probably got it right.
Connie (Lane) McKee and Jim catching up.
Matt DePauli instructs everyone to go outside for a class picture shoot out.
Artist Dixie Olsen's still painting beautiful pictures.
Classmates patiently endure the "pay attention" requirement to pose for a photo.
Of her continuing involvement with the reunions, Ramona writes, "It seems that the five years between our reunions goes by fast. However, it also seems it's been a long time since we have seen each other. Emails do help to keep in touch. I have really enjoyed getting information out to you and hearing back with your notes. While doing this I have had great memories of activities and fun and friendships. We were a very special class. We had lots of our school years together from Hennessy through High School. Thanks to Ken, Matt, Carol and Sylvia, plus the GV Lunch bunch for helping to put this event together and keeping "the tie that binds."
By the way Ramona. I love this little movie clip you sent about laughter is the best medicine. I can identify with some of the events that bring more laughs.
For us it's been a wonderful afternoon touching base with old acquaintances we grew up with. Those of you who make it happen do a marvelous job that is much appreciated. Thanks so much for the invitation to join you.
