Friday, September 12, 2003

Classmates began arriving from many parts of the country. Marty and Pic were the first to arrive at the Super 8 Motel and greeted the rest of us. So happy to see old friends. John and Carolyn Kamerick, again, entertained the group for cocktails and a delicious buffet in their lovely home. We have now elected them as honorary class members! The evening was spent "catching up" with friend's lives, remembering those who were absent and reliving some high school adventures.

We are so indebted to Dottie Heuer for planning this reunion and doing so much mailing in spite of not feeling too well herself. A few others helped her. Fred produced his fabulous name tags, Barb and her daughter-in-law designed and constructed the great program booklets for each of us and Jim helped with mailing labels, etc.

Twenty-three people attended most activities. That was 13 classmates and 10 spouses. Two more came for Sunday Breakfast. And we "picked up" the McConvilles (Dick and Mark) and, of course, John and Carolyn Kamerick. It was a congenial crowd.


Saturday, September 13, 2003

All day, Saturday, it rained. This moisture was badly needed in the area and it didn't cripple our enjoyment. The golf game was cancelled. And we decided a boat ride in the rain sounded soggy. Some of those who lived in town or stayed elsewhere, met at the motel at 9 AM. Plans for alternate activities were made. The class of '45 will not be deprived of fun by a few raindrops. Plan B was initiated. A couple of us went to the farmer's market and then returned for a great bridge game in our motel breakfast room. Marty got this to fly! Mike and Sally thought they won, but no one added the score. (No Prize).

The desk clerk was charmed/bribed by Hal, Bob and others, so we took over the Super 8 for the day. We moved more chairs to the lobby for the Iowa U/Iowa State football game. Our Iowa U cheering section outnumbered Iowa State and perhaps that's why the Hawkeyes won. Half time was also lunch time and Hal and Bob disappeared and returned with pizza for all, including our desk clerk friend.

Late afternoon found our cars getting spattered with Iowa mud on the way to Corwin's farm. Corwin and Phyllis were so generous to turn their lovely home into a giant party room. Ken and Joan arrived early to help. There were cocktails, then a delicious dinner with steaks grilled to order by Ken and Corwin. I expect it takes a surgeon and a farmer to grill 25 steaks to order all at one time.

There were many pictures taken and some "oldies" viewed. We still love to see those photo albums, scrapbooks and Paul's autograph book. If we spent a week together, would we still be talking and laughing? And now the spouses are thought of as classmates.

Sunday, September 14, 2003

Sunday morning we gathered at Mr. C's restaurant for breakfast. We nearly overflowed the back room. Our waitress was exceptional and we all enjoyed a last visit before we adjourned. We bid everyone a safe journey home. We hope and pray to return to Knoxville for our 60th anniversary in 2005.