We were supposed to go to the HS auditorium to pick up our goody bag which contained a pin, Elmore history book and t-shirts. I didn't know we could order T-shirts and all the were left was a small size and 2XX. Bought the small and it was "small". Went to return it the next morning for a 2XX and all that was left was 3 and 4XX. Room for a friend to wear it with me... so I left the small and they said they would reorder. I hope that I get one. I did get Jamie and Breckie a shirt, however.
When I returned the shirt, I was asked for my name which I gave them and was overheard by an old schoolfriend Randy Peter. It was great to see him again. I saw him at the 1990 reunion, but I wouldn't have recognized him otherwise. Here I am with my "small" shirt and goody bag standing in the school hallway, now empty of any students but looking pretty much the same as I remembered it. Steve Johnston and I both noticed that the restroom fixtures were also the same as years past, nothing replaced, ha ha!
The next photo is the "old" Methodist church which stands next to the school building. I don't know if they use it for anything any longer or not. But it brought back a memory or two, as well. Cindy and Carolyn were both Methodists at the time we all lived there. The Methodist church of Fairmont, a neighboring town to Elmore sponsored us to come to America. They set us up with a place to live and gave us a food shower and got us started in our new home. Something to be greatful for. I didn't have time to visit Fairmont, so this is as close as I could get could get!
Well, Friday evening we gathered at the property where the house of Serle Wise's grandmother once lived. This house appears to have been torn down at some time and is an empty lot. Rhonda Tesch Lloyd set up a tent and chairs and table for us to gather around in the evening. Cindy and I were there first and Cindy reminded me of the time when I moved mentioned in an earlier blog entry. It was the last bicycle picnic that Cindy, Carolyn and I had together before Carolyn and I moved away that summer. We decided to re-enact that event.
We remembered that we all had cameras and took lots of silly pictures, too. And so we tried to re-enact that also!
Then to be joined by the younger generations...
And a photo of the sign just across the street...
And still another, the numbers looking LOW...
Then we returned to the empty lot and moved the chairs into the shade a bit. Here the pics...
Serle the instigator of fun and our little gathering!
Rhonda Drake, Serle Wise and Debbie Tesch.
Barb Klein Frandl, and Mark and Cindy Northwick (Hulsebus)
As things darkened up, the fireflies appeared. Look in the very center of the picture. By this time, Brecklyn was no longer scared of them and tried catching them with her mom!
The unoccupied party tent.
Mosquito bait...just sitting there waiting!
The Bogey Bar and Grill welcomes us!
And now it's time to have a parade! We gathered at 1:00 at Barb Klein Frandle's mother's house up on the hill. I can kind of remember being there before.
We gathered and drove together to the Tesch's to watch the parade.
It was a small town parade and Brecklyn planned to catch candy! And that she did! the Parade route is marked and streets closed to traffic.
Brecklyn used her chair bag as a candy collection device and snatches a ton of candy, well maybe not a ton but a good 5-7 lbs worth!
Small town parades!
There was one marching band, a small one, there. But I only have a movie of it.
Jamie calls this a "redneck" parade. I guess so.
Here we are watching for candy!
Yes, that bag is full!
Looking into the bag! Just to see what she got!
She tried to catch the frisbees on the first go around and didn't get one. But the second time was a charm!
After the parade, pictures at Tesch's front steps. Roxanne Hagge, Serle Wise, Deb Tesch, Danny Gjerde, Rhonda Drake, Barb Klein, Cherie Richardson (Came after I left), Cindy Kessel, Me, Betty Brass, and Cindy Hulsebus.
After the parade a little trip to the park to kill a little down-time.
Then we gather at the auditorium for a program and dinner. I have a picture of Larry Hulsebus, but it's blurry. :( and it was the only one I had of him...
See this guy straight across from me? Steve Johnston... I didn't recognize him at all, but he did me! He remembers that I was always quiet, he said. I had to think about that. I don't ever remember being quiet at school!
The table of the Class of 71! The best attendance there! I was certainly happy about that!
And below is an appearance by the former VP himself:
Steve and Gerri Peters, Randy's wife.
Notice Steve is wearing his class ring. Said he had to dig hard to find it! He was the tallest boy in class and all the girls, myself included, had crushes on him! In fact, on Wednesday, which was Hamburger day, of which we all got to have seconds, I would always give him my second hamburger. Oh the things we do!'
Betty Brass came from Atlanta!
"Chillin" in a hot room!
Me and Deanna Dahl! Think featherbed!
Friends forever!
Me and my little girl!
Together after 48 years.
Rockin' on Main Street with the Whitesidewalls!
Cuttin' a rug with her girl!
Steve and Betty, and Barb.
The gangs all here.
Bruce Persig arrives.
Time to go home!
