Class of 1977 40th Reunion

Here is the link to the videos of the class of 1977 40th reunion during the summer of 2017. There are 130 GB of footage from three cameras to edit. We called it "The Last Waltz" and it featured the RHS Alumni All-Star Band. They reprised the show from our 35th reunion which we forgot to record, let along video. Chris and Cynthia Phillips are the people slow dancing.



https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCJWTT9sbtmtf6ZO38VgC0fg/videos

40th Reunion Photos

     I took a hiatus and had the blog in private mode for a few weeks while I determined what to do with the hundreds of gigabytes of video in my possession from the 40th Reunion. Not to mention the hundreds of photos sent to me and posted on Facebook.

      To go from a situation 5 years ago where we had essentially no video of either the band's performance, or that of the attendees, to one where there is more than one person can easily edit is actually a good place to be.

      I have also personally been dealing with various illnesses and setbacks which needed my full attention. More than one family member remains in chronic pain with little on the horizon that I can do about it except get on with my own life. This realization falls upon each of us at some point in our lives and there is no one truism or course of action that is best for everyone. All I can suggest is you find solace where you can, endure what you must, and make plans for the future. You can also look at these pictures of happy people.

Jane Ratliff and Maureen Weiner

April Reedy, Rhys Dill, Eileen Turner, Laura Saltamach

Cindy Neidig and younger brother Jeff Neidig

The Mt Carmel Cohort.

From left to right: Frank O'Connor, Caren O'Neill, Roy Townsend, Rob Lane, Paul Eppley, Lynn Smotzer, Eileen Turner, Mike Mulhern, Barry Gainey, Chris Richard, John Frazza, Tom Clark, Eileen Turner

Kathy O'Connell with hands on hips. Jill Bristow seated.

Late night. McKinley#1, Bob Brierly, Jim Perez, Tim McGill, Bill Nolan, McKinley#2, and Mark Brown

The Pavilion

The Big Tent

51 Days Till the RHS Class of 1977 40th Reunion

The countdown continues to our 40th Reunion. We are at 51 days till the big day. We'll have a photo booth where you can add props and have your picture taken with old friends. If anyone can take a picture as cool as Joni Mitchell smoking a cigarette you will be awarded the highest accolade we can find. Please order your tickets early and tell your friends, especially those whose social media habits might not be advanced enough to find us on their own. Thanks!

Why a 40th Reunion? Part Two

Started off wanting to hype the idea of our 40th RHS Class Reunion but got side tracked. Luckily for me this led me to reading and thinking about the craft of writing itself. Here is what I've learned today. Some writing is original, some is inspired by others, and there is the kind you simply quote. This resembles life itself: you have some original ideas. some ideas you remembered spoken or written by others, and an idea or two you recall in its original form.

Sometimes when writing an author purloins an idea from someone else and reworks it in his or her own style. Sometimes they just take the idea and give no credit. It's more satisfying and honest to do it the first way because with age, wisdom and a new perspective you can show your insight into what someone else has written or said. You can understand them in ways you were previously unable to.

When you put your own thoughts down on paper, inspired by the work of someone else, you are at least silently acknowledging them for taking the time to transcribe what was on their mind. It would be great if your thanks could be transmitted to them but in many cases this is impossible. They are either from another era or too far away, and might not want to be bothered in any case. Writing like most art forms is done for its own sake, when it is done well. It reflects upon itself and offers up nuggets of advice and observations. The author simply has to get it down on paper before they forget or think too much about it and realize it's not the greatest thing ever written. No matter. Better that the words on placed out there for others to decide. Here is the quotable observation:

All we have is each other

And that's enough. It has to be.
It's all we've ever had.
The challenge is in realizing this and working with it, even when we're secretly hoping for something more, some external force.
You and me, kid, you and me and a few billion other folks.
We can treat each other as if it matters, because it does.  --Seth Godin.

Hang in there for news about the reunion. It won't be long now.

Laughing At The Past

It takes a strong disposition to laugh at the human condition. We witness good and bad everyday of our lives. We experience good and bad everyday. There is no avoiding it.

It takes all of our energy and attention to keep our attitude, our mood, from bottoming out. This is important because we want to be around when things gets better.

When we were in high school that was the sum total of our lives. Then we grew older, hopefully wiser, and came to our own conclusions.

One day we might even realize how close the meaning of Life resembles the time we spent in high school. Yes, that time when all of our attention was focused on what was immediately around us, who was around us, and what they said and did.

It dawned on me today that at all times and everywhere no one forgets where you came from and no one forgets who you are.

Might as well concede that we are all in it together.

My suggestion is to find a time to visit with those people who knew you when you were young. Do it before you grow much older. Take the time to laugh at what you did together, how you
felt, and what you experienced since those days.

Find some time to laugh with your old allies from high school. We are working hard as I write to produce an event where you will be able to laugh at what occurred in the past. There will be familiar music, good food, and a pleasant outdoor setting in the middle of July.

Save the date: 22 July 2017.

New Web Site for our 40th Reunion!

Please check out:

https://www.maroonsonline.com

The ticket price and location will be announced in January.

We are getting the band back together.

This ought to be good! Stay tuned.

Why a 40th Reunion?

Humans are storytelling, story-loving creatures. Please let me share a story about why I help plan our 40th Reunion.

You see if you grow old enough you might realize the meaning of Life is solely about people, the hang, being a member of the group.

It’s impossible after high school to stay close to everyone. I regret losing touch with many high school friends, some of whom I am only offered an opportunity to see at our high school reunions.

This reminds me of the question we used to pose to our Math teachers about why we needed to study Math at all.

As time passes the number of people who have known you for a long time or have known you at Key Moments of your life grows fewer. Reunions teach us the Math inherent in living. This makes a 40th Reunion valuable in ways you perhaps haven’t realized. Of course, there will be lots of laughs, but I encourage you to value what it is we share and the possibilities this occasion holds for our futures.


I tell myself after each reunion that this time will be different, and I’ll make the effort to stay connected to those old friends. Though I realize now from experience that these connections are hard to renew and maintain. It just doesn’t happen very often, even knowing that the older I grow, the more I need the people I knew when I was young.

So consider a nostalgic visit back to a time and place that formed an important part of your life. You can attend for a few hours, if only to celebrate your current life without all drama from high school. It’s okay to rent a luxury sports car for the day.

I’ll leave you with the words of Mark Twain, someone we all read in school but might not have read lately:

“"Life is short, break the rules. Forgive quickly, kiss slowly. Love truly. Laugh uncontrollably and never regret anything that makes you smile." 

I want to thank you all for reading my story about our 40th Reunion. Even if you can’t make it please give it a moment out of your busy life to recall those days.

Thank you and hope to see you there in July 2017, even if it’s just a fleeting glance or a knowing nod. The sight of you might well be as cheering as an actual conversation. Your presence will give me something to ponder, as the poet once wrote, “when I am old and grey and full of sleep, and nodding by the fire.”
 Yeats, anyone?

RHS Class of 1977 40th Reunion

Our 35th Reunion, when you totaled the sum of the parts, was extraordinary. This time for our 40th we are hoping to produce an even more memorable event, and reunite as many of our classmates as possible.

Yes, the Band will be back! The dress code will be laid back. There will be plenty of opportunities to both see people you know well, and maybe a few that you don't. These sort of events are few and far between in this world.

Trust us when we say, "This Reunion Will Not Disappoint."