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October 21, 2004
Dear Dick,
The 63rd is over and during the last moments of the party, there was dancing - the alcohol has begun to work. I believe our reunion was quite a success.
A few of us came on walkers and canes and Alice Rolls has practically no vision – situations such as that didn’t seem to put a damper on anyone’s style. I am sure you were thinking of us – right? Oh yes, Ruthie Zwelling had a stroke and uses a wheel chair, but they were going to hear Barry Manilow in Columbus that night.
It took me quite a long time to get around to actually putting anything on paper - being the emcee. Finally I did- and decided to go to Zanesville the night before and after having dinner with my brother, went to the Travelodge – they are remodeling it and I had one of their new rooms on 3rd, but there was an elevator for bags and stuff. I put on my pajamas, took out my hearing aids, and began practicing aloud some of what I planned to say the next day. I heard a faint knocking, listened again, thought maybe someone at the door, no, turned and knocking continued, seemed to be coming from the door and there was the knocking. I said “Is someone there?” Silence. (The whole scene would have been good on candid camera- ha!). And then I had the REALIZATION! “Am I bothering you?” And SHE said “Yes you ARE!” Then I replied, “Oh I’m sorry. I’ll shut up.” And did, threw the script away and decided to get a good night’s sleep and wing it with a list and a few cues which I would jot down next morning:
Welcome- well to get their attention – I did a spontaneous cheer- “Are you ready? Well, I GUESS! Zanesville High School- yes, yes, YES!” The “crowd roared” and we began. Then I asked if anyone was in Room 317 at the Travelodge last night. No – so that gave me an overture to tell them what I’ve just told you. They seemed satisfactorily amused.
Bobby Sayre gave us a real cheer later- “Bo, bo ski whaten dot..” I’ve never written that. Jackie Kocher had a WONDERFUL time, dancing with a partner and alone- not on the table. I wanted to do that but didn’t. It isn’t as easy as getting up on the table anywhere. But Imes was the most popular guy in the place- everyone was asking when they came in, “Where Bud Imes.” Oh yes, Adornetto’s was ideal- the room size and the food was delicious- standing rib roast- some of us enjoyed open bar. Martha Ann and Dorothy Factor worked hard. I’ll send you the list of names Martha gave me over the phone,.. the ones who were coming.
So it’s been almost a week- and I have been swamped as usual. But I know I do this to myself.
I took my beautifully laminated (thanks again) scrapbook pages with me and they were appreciated. There were a lot of pictures taken- including mine. I was disappointed in mine- not a digital and some just don’t know how to aim. Whatever, enclosed are some of the best for you. They all had a good time. Dick Smith was cute. He said, “Democrats have Hillary Rodham Clinton. The Republicans have Condolezza Rice. And WE have Mary Caroline Whitacre.
We missed you and wanted to tell you some of them were talking of having IT again next year. Oh yes, Eloise Gadd made it. I don’t remember her being there before. Actually, the class of ’41 has held up pretty well. Bob Hiskey, my fellow West Virginian didn’t come because he hadn’t had his flu shot. I guess he doesn’t want to live dangerously.
Nuff said,
Dusty
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List of attendees at 63rd reunion:
Jim Brown, Myrtle Maddox Bova, Charma Shaw Campbell,
Bonnie Brown Closson & Dwight, Jack Cohen & Violet, Martha
Stenger Drake & Bob, Dorothy Dickson Factor & Jim, Kit Carson
Gibson, Harpo Dick Smith, Bill Cope, Marvin Grossman &
Bea, Harry Heim & Sybil, Don Higgenbotham & Burdeen,
Loren Lines, Betty Osborne Janicek, Juanita Church Reed,
Fern McGee Kelly, Carolyn Young Lee, Eloise Gadd Lenhart
& Bill, Geraldine Adams Logan & sister, Jo Maniscalco Marshall
& Gerald, Lillian Bates Meluck, Bob Nickolas & Ann, Jean
Kelly Penn, Maxine Chrsty Peters, daughter Molly, Tom Peters
& Norma, Bob Sayre, Mary Queen Schnieder & Bill, Dusty
Whitacre Spelsberg, Jean Shultz Straker & Bob Straker, Bobbi
Dickerson Taylor & Harry Taylor, Dick Ward & Elizabeth,Bob
Wiggins & daughter, Marie McCann Williams, Bill Zeimer, Martha
Eppley Thorla & daughter Joyce Prall, Jerry Zwelling, Jerome
Goodman & wife and Wes Ellenberger. |
