The 50th class reunion was an event to remember.
The big jolt occurred on Monday, four days before our casual Friday gathering, when we learned that Hoggy’s had closed their doors. Thanks to the ingenuity and persistence of Terri Norris Bischoff and Sandy Patrick Woods, a new venue for our party was quickly found. We owe a huge debt of gratitude to The Jug, a relatively new tavern on the west side of Delaware. They welcomed our group and went out of their way to make us feel comfortable. Thirty-seven classmates and uncounted guests mixed and mingled, talked and laughed all evening.
Saturday was the main event. In the morning, the committee was joined by quite a number of classmate volunteers to decorate the party room at Glenross Golf Club. Vicki DeVries Mills brought doughnuts from the Hamburger Inn to fortify us. Maybe it was just the sugar buzz, but we certainly were a happy, busy group. And we actually got some work done between conversations.
In the evening, Shirley Brimhall Welsh, Dick Burns and Patty Welch Kelley manned the welcoming tables. Shirley distributed Willis t-shirts that had been pre-ordered and she had a few extras for sale. Dick handled the door prize drawing tickets, and Patty made sure each person had a name tag that she had designed and created.
Each classmate received a class directory and a CD of the Top Ten Billboard hits for the years 1957-61, created and donated by Dennis Jackson. Mid-summer, Lynn Sheets told us about the $1 gold Presidential Series coins. By sheer coincidence, the Rutherford B. Hayes coin was released in August so each classmate discovered Delaware’s own president affixed to the directory cover.
Karen Oller George set up quite a display of memorabilia that generated a lot of traffic and comments. Vicki created a very nice memorial tribute to those classmates who are no longer with us.
Becky Ross Donovan and Nancy Hough Bendle created some knockout door prizes—baskets full of all things Delaware and central Ohio. I know the word is overused but they truly were awesome.
Nancy and Becky were also in charge of auction items. This year’s artistic creations included delicate crocheted afghans, a watercolor print, a hand-dyed silk scarf, a felted wool purse, and a black-eyed susan made of wood. There were also collectibles such as antique A&W mugs and books of Delaware County history. This list barely scratches the surface. These items were donated by classmates and their sale generated operating expenses. All monies not spent will be carried over to the next reunion.
After Terri contacted the Delaware Gazette, asking them to place a small “What’s Happening in Delaware” notice, the newspaper decided to make the event a feature. The reporter visited Glenross Golf Club during happy hour on Saturday evening, interviewed several people and took photographs. Imagine our surprise when the article appeared on the front page above the fold on the following Monday. You can read the article here.
The last reluctant folks dribbled out at 10:45 PM, tired and happy. It was a terrific evening.
Sunday morning breakfast at the Corner Café east of Delaware was the final reunion gathering. When arrangements were made, I estimated 15-20 people would attend. To my delight, 28 people showed up. It was another spirited gathering with lots of chatter, laughter, and camera flashes. In spite of the mid-40s temperature, many classmates wore their new t-shirts. It was the perfect way to close a fun weekend.
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Now to the photos. Sondra Parks Davis posted her pictures and videos to the web immediately after the events so they were unedited and unlabeled. She and Roy are still traveling but she promises to add names to faces when they get home.
These links to Sondra's albums were previously distributed:
Friday night videos
Friday night photos
Saturday night photos
Breakfast photos
These links are new:
Saturday night videos
Breakfast videos
My own intrepid spouse and designated photographer, Bill, took literally hundreds of shots. It took this long to sort and label them.
Friday night at The Jug
Saturday morning decorating crew
Saturday night at Glenross
Taking the class photo
Photos taken by Peg Householder Jones were posted on 10/17/11.
Karen Oller George's photos were posted on 10/18/11 in three albums.
If I have missed or mislabeled anyone, please let me know. I can’t believe we forgot the camera on Sunday morning!! We must have been really hungry.
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These are all the photos and videos I have received so far. There were dozens of cameras at every event so if you would like to share your treasures with the class, I would be thrilled to post them.
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To order a class photo, contact:
Rex Welker
130 N. Franklin St.
Delaware, OH 43015
740-369-8184
The $10 cost includes postage.
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OCTOBER BIRTHDAYS
Sandy Patrick Woods
Betsey Ingraham Rhame
Dick Burns
Ray Downing
Dennis Jackson
If I have overlooked anyone, please let me know.
Judy Myers Rosebrough