Lovely Ladies!

It makes me smile to see classmates making time for each other. I hear someone has a new kitty cat!

Peaches & Lauren

Empty Canvas Slated to Perform at Class Reunion November 20th, 2010

Special thanks to Jim Ferris for pointing me in the right direction and discovering the perfect musicians for our 30th reunion. The McMath brothers combine music and art in a unique way.

My Weekend In Holly

I had a wonderful weekend in Holly this past weekend.

On Saturday, Jacqui (Horchak) and I went to a yoga class at Ethos Yoga on Saginaw Street. I've never been to a yoga class and didn't know what to expect. I have my fair share of physical limitations and still thoroughly enjoyed the experience.

Next we went to lunch with Kelly (Mills) at The Bittersweet Cafe, across the street from Ethos. Their Greek salad was easily one of the best I've had. The three of us caught up as well as reflected back to our elementary school days when we all attended Holly Elementary. We can't wait to get together again.

Next, Jacqui and I headed over the Dick Winglemere's station. I topped off while Jacqui went inside to see if Dick was there. She was informed he had just pulled up to the furniture store, so we walked next door. Sure enough, Dick was in a back room eating lunch and was about to get a surprise on, what we are told, his birthday. He is still the funny, youthful spirit I remember from school. Next we all walked back to gas station to look at the newspaper article on Thom Burke and the USS Ronald Reagan that Dick had in his back office. I felt very much like a VIP getting to see the inner sanctum of the station. Leaving, I tripped and almost went head first into a giant, industrial size freezer door, to which Dick quipped, "the reunion was almost canceled." Needless to say, I was unable to persuade Dick to NOT be in the U.P. hunting on November 20th.

Reunion venue: Camp Copneconic

Here is the drive from North Fenton Road to the lodge.


Here is the 360 of the interior of the lodge.

Congratulations to the Newlyweds!

Barb Johnson Roberts and her husband, Larry, were married within the last 12 months. They will be in Michigan in November for a family wedding and look forward to attending the reunion.

Dave Adams and his lovely bride, Melodi, were married June 4th this year.

Friends for the Ages-Mark Grajcar, Scott Vogel, Shawn Kelly, Carl Phillips, & Thom Burke

June 1984-Shawn & Sandy's wedding

August 2010-San Diego Courtesy of Jessica Kelly

From a MG to the USS RR

100812-N-7605J-321
NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (August 12, 2010) – Capt. Thom W. Burke speaks to family, friends and the crew of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76) during a change of command ceremony. Burke relieved Capt. Kenneth J. Norton as commanding officer of Ronald Reagan during the ceremony. Ronald Reagan is moored pier-side in its homeport of San Diego. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin C. Jernigan/ Released)


100812-N-7605J-384 NAVAL AIR STATION NORTH ISLAND, Calif. (Aug. 12, 2010) Capt. Thom W. Burke stands in front of the island shortly after assuming the role of commanding officer during a change of command ceremony aboard the flight deck of USS Ronald Reagan (CVN 76). Burke relieved Capt. Kenneth J. Norton as commanding officer of Ronald Reagan during the ceremony. (U.S. Navy photo by Mass Communication Specialist Seaman Benjamin C. Jernigan/Released)

Greg Wright & Tommy Whale-An Epic Tale

...and epic friendship
Greg & Tom fish Bay de Noc



Did Tommy catch any fish?
Where's Tommy?


There he is!
At this point, it appears Greg is catching ten fish to Tommy's one.
Unless these are the same three fish...
For those keeping track at home...a 2nd catch for Mr. Whale.
Greg, stop picking on those fish!
Three....

Four...
Five...
Show off.
Six.

Someone got some sun.

Hello Pretty Ladies

Ken Peters Hits Indy

I've lived in Indianapolis for over 20 years and I've been working for the Town of Speedway (Indy 500) for five years. The Month of May is a very busy time here. On any given day, you can hear the race car engines practicing on the track. Today the season gets underway with the Mini Marathon.

Recently, our classmate Ken Peters visited Indy on business. If I had know he was going to visit the Indianapolis Motor Speedway, I would have watched the surveillance camera of this exact spot more closely, ha.

Reunion Postcard #4

Happy Spring, Everybody

Today I designed and ordered the 4th set of postcards that I send to classmates I haven't heard from.

If by chance, you are reading this and are not receiving my monthly reunion updates in your email, please write me at fotonuvo1@yahoo.com

Even if you are not attending the reunion, I would like to hear from you so that I can call off the hounds in pursuit of your contact information.

Peaches

For many months, I considered putting our sweet classmate, Laura "Peaches" Smith, on the missing list. Problem was, I was still finding a Michigan address and phone number to attempt. I sent postcards, I left voicemails...no response.

Last Saturday, I was in a loud bowling alley with my client's kids, trying to hear a new voicemail on my cellphone. Did I just hear her say she's Peaches? I was thrilled.

Peaches, at home in southern California, and knowing it was now 30 years since graduation, had done her own online search and found my reunion blog.

After several email exchanges, I can tell you that Peaches is still the gentle, sweet spirit she was in school, and Peaches would like to say hello to everyone.


Peaches and her husband, Alex.

A Son of Holly Visits Home

Recently, Bob Lowande flew to Michigan for a much needed vacation. Even a Floridian can appreciate the great white north. Do I recognize another class of 1980 alumni in this vacation photo?

This lovely old barn was in better shape in the day when the Lowandes and Curtises all rode the same school bus, trucking down Holly Road.

Lost & Found

A year and a half ago, when I began compiling a contact list for our 30th reunion, I couldn't find Don Johnson. His name appeared there, on the that list of missing classmates in the right sidebar. I sent a postcard to his childhood home in Holly. Crickets.

Recently, I logged onto Facebook and did my daily reunion check of new Holly High School Class of 1980 classmates and there he was. Just like the rest of us, Don was there with the help of one of his kids. Little did he know that he was about to reconnect with 100 classmates through his keyboard.

I don't know how I had so much trouble finding Don, his family is large enough to qualify for their own zip code. Don and his wife Joan, have nine children combined and a new grandchild, their sixth. Congratulations Johnsons!

One minute Don is missing and the next minute a reunion deposit check from the great state of Tennessee arrives in my mailbox for Don and Joan. Blogspot high-five.

Three Cs-Classmate Classic Cars

Dave & Andi Barber cruising on a beautiful day in their 1965 Oldsmobile convertible.
Bill & Rhonda (Rainey) Bowling with their cool red 1962 Pontiac Grand Prix.

This is what I'd like to call "Anonymous Classmates Dressed as Santa."

...as well as Santa's helpers.

Life's a Beach for Classmate Marianne O'Neall Knight

One of the class of 1980's favorite funny girls planted her toes in the sunny sands of Florida. She and her husband, Bill, have a professional sand-sculpting business called Sandlubbers. Click on the title for a link to their fantastic website, filled with photos of their work. Looks like a lot of fun!!!



Congratulations Marianne on your fasinating life and beautiful family!!!

Merry Christmas & Happy New Year

I work through this Christmas, just as I have the majority of holidays over the last 15 years.

I won't be with family and there won't be a special meal & spirits. Christmas for me is absent of such things, but rich with much more.

Christmas for me is the period at the end of a year of gifts and this past year will go down as one of the best of my life.

Sharing with dozens of classmates over the last year has brought me so much joy. Caring for my wonderful client's children and pets has been more than rewarding, they've brought a flavor to my life that had been missing for nearly a decade. My continued service to the community of Speedway, Indiana has gifted me gratitude. Thank you.

Those of you that have suffered a loss this year, my hope for you in 2010 that you continue to heal your broken hearts and find comfort in the people around you.

My wish for all of you this Christmas and for the new year:

If these times have battered you, step away and seek out the opportunity to help someone else. Don't concentrate on what you lack, but on what you have to offer others. Act on someone's need and encourage those you help to pay it forward. I PROMISE, in short time, if you look over your shoulder, there will be someone coming up behind you to offer you a hand.

Near the end of 2010, let's all meet in Fenton for our 30th class reunion as old friends.

Merry Christmas and a joyous new year,

Wendy

Happy Thanksgiving

Thanksgiving is a nostalgic time for me. Although I've lived in Indiana two decades, the most magical Thanksgivings were while growing up in Holly. A short part of the day was sharing a meal with my extended family, with the remainder of the day in a semi-conscious Typtophan coma. The wood burner made the room too hot and I only opened my eyes when I heard the referee's whistle from the TV. In central Indiana, police call that a squat house.

Speaking of which, although I'll be working all day tomorrow, I'm thankful that those of you that don't work on holidays are enjoying some family face time.

The reunion planning is underway and we need 50 more ticket deposits to make our venue deposit. We are underwriting our own party, so these deposits are very important in predicting a budget.

We have tentative plans to celebrate on the Friday afternoon and evening before the reunion with a meet & greet over coffee at Ken VanWagoner's coffee house. Pizza at the Red Devil, followed by a nightcap and conversation at the Broadstreet Station south of the Holly Hotel.

On Saturday, the committee and support team will be decorating the lodge at Camp Copneconic. I dream big and plan on exceeding expectations. I have poured over the classmate roster over and over again and predict that 144 classmates attend, 216 including guests. I have some great ideas and I love to surprise people (a visit from the Marching Holly Broncos is not out of the question.)

So please send in a $15 deposit per person as soon as possible. At a later set date, if you find that you can't attend the reunion, we will refund your deposits.

Also, if you received a postcard from me recently, I need your email address. Please write me at fotonuvo1@yahoo.com, even if you will not be attending. My first goal 18 months ago was to contact all 270 plus of our classmates, so that everyone knew about the reunion.

For the Sunday after the reunion, I am looking for a hotel in the greater Flint area with Sunday brunch for those of us from out of town that no longer have family in the area.

Please be careful on the roads tomorrow and enjoy a loving Thanksgiving.

Wendy