Reunion-50 2008
there are pictures of our 50th reunion in the Activities Doorway
How about that 50th reunion? If you missed it, you missed a once in a lifetime event. The Reunion Committee members who did all the planning and work and worrying and I am sure spent sleepless nights thinking about all the detail that went into our 50th reunion are to be congratulated.
Friday Lunch
Our first event was the lunch at the Sizzler and I saw people who I had not expected to see there. I had the honor of visiting with both old and new friends. We had the great honor of having Coach Hackett attend many of our functions. I hope when I am his age I am in just ¼ the condition he is in. He looked great and I hope to be able to see him again at our next reunion.
Friday Dinner
Dinner Friday evening was at Guardinos. We had a nice meal, the area was nice and everyone had room to move around and visit. I liked the general layout, as there was a lot of room for all of us. There were lots of tables to sit at, and a nice bar to get a drink of our choice at. The before dinner snacks were good, and I ate too much of all that they had.
Saturday at Highland High
Saturday afternoon at Highland was fun, interesting, and informative. Principal Nocolette Dennis gave us a GREAT tour. We went through the Gym and the main building. Of all the things to remember about our time at Highland was when we used to pick the lock to one of the doors to a hallway storage area where a piano was kept. We had a student for a year or two who we would talk into playing the piano. He was a great piano player. Today I think he would be called autistic.
We also had a special treat when Gary Miller released his homing pigeons. Gary released two different groups of pigeons, one group was white and the other group was the more traditional gray that we think of when we see pigeons.
Also, I forgot to ask if the tunnel was still there between the school and the gym. Hummmm!!
Our Banquet
The Marriott Pyramid was a great touch of class. The room was decorated nicely and the meal was one of the best I have had at a restaurant in a long time. At the stage area was a BIG Herbie the Hornet and on the other end of the room was a life-sized replica of Elvis. Music was recorded, very appropriate and not too loud. The tables were situated so one could walk between them, and visit with the other attendees.
Pictures
The photographer, Kim Donald took a lot of nice pictures and she has loaded them on the Internet for all to look at. I will include a link to her web site. I have a lot of pictures I need to upload as well as some other pictures I have received. I am just getting back to the place where I can get a lot of these things done.
The program the reunion committee put on was very nice. I was presented with a beautiful pen and pencil set by John Wayne Chapman. That was very thoughtful of John. Many members of our class were introduced. We had a lot of first timers attend. We then read the names of those who have passed so honor their memory.
Our meal was great. We had both fish and steak. Gary Miller provided a bottle of red and a bottle of white wine at each table. It was very good wine. To find out more about Gary’s wine, please contact Gary.
After dinner we visited for some time. I am always glad to see people I have not seen in a long time. Time passed fast and there were a couple of people who I wanted very much to spend some time with, but they left before I could get to their table. I am sure the “not enough time” problem was experienced my more than just me.
Sunday Brunch
The Sunday Brunch was a nice ending to a great weekend. I had to leave a few minutes early as I had to leave for El Paso, then on home on Monday. I still had to clean up from Ike.
General Comments
I have had several emails from our classmates who were able to attend saying how much they enjoyed the reunion. I know cost was an issue for a some. I will say that I am surprised this reunion did not cost more than it did. If one takes all the events into consideration, I am surprised our reunion was as inexpensive as it was.
There were a few classmates who could not attend at the last moment because of illness on their part or illness of a family member. I truly hope that those who were ill have a speedy recovery and that they will be present at our 55th reunion.
WEB PAGES
I just looked at the Highland High School web page. If you would like to check it out, go to: http://www.highlandhornets.com/. They have done a nice job this year. There are several pages to look at. There is even a place for alumni to register.
GUEST BOOK
Our guest book seems to be back on line again. For a while when I connected to it, I had to connect two or three times before it came up. We have over 20 pages of comments if you would like to review it again. You can access the guest book from our web site.
OUR MISSING LIST
I have tried to keep the missing list up, but if you see someone on the list that you know alive and well, it may be that we do not have a current mailing address and phone number for them. If you are on the list, and are receiving the newsletter, please let me know and I will remove you from the list.
GENERAL COMMENTS
I normally try to have some comment about ones health. This month I have a little different comment. I want to encourage all of you to check your credit reports to be sure no one has taken out a credit card or in some other way obligated you to pay for something someone else has purchased. I believe you can now get a copy of your credit report for free. I would be willing to guess that at least one of you will be unpleasantly surprised. With Christmas here, and with the crowds at the stores, it will be easier for a stranger to purchase something that you will be billed for.
If you do not have a paper shredder, you may want to get one and shred all credit card applications and anything else that has more than just your street address. I have seen more than one person going through trash that has been placed on the street to get what ever they could to make a dollar with.
UPDATE YOU ADDRESS AND PHONE NUMBER
If you have moved, PLEASE UPDATE your full name, full address, phone number, and e-mail address with your 1958 - 50th Reunion Committee as soon as possible by sending your update to Valerie(Brown)Barker, http://www.hhs58_50th_reunion@yahoo.com.
MISSING CLASSMATES
In a little more that a year from now, the search for missing classmates will pick up. We continue to find missing classmates every so often, but not at the pace we did for a while. You can help by reviewing the list of missing classmates and if you know where any of them are located, send the Webmaster an email from the Home Page and let them know.
A Poem that was sent to me not too long ago.
HOW TRUE IT IS
Another year has passed
and we're all a little older.
Last summer felt hotter
and winter seems much colder.
I rack my brain for happy thoughts,
to put down on my pad,
But lots of things that come to mind
that make me kind of sad.
There was a time not long ago
when life was quite a blast.
Now I fully understand
about "Living in the Past"
We used to go to weddings,
football games and lunches.
Now we go to funeral homes,
and after-funeral brunches.
We used to have hangovers,
from parties that were gay.
Now we suffer body aches
and while the night away.
We used to go out dining,
and couldn't get our fill.
Now we ask for doggie bags,
come home and take a pill.
We used to often travel
to places near and far.
Now we get sore asses
from riding in the car.
We used to go out shopping
for new clothing at the Mall
But, now we never bother...
all the sizes are too small.
We used to go to nightclubs
and drink a little booze.
Now we stay at home at night
and watch the evening news.
That, my friend is how life is,
and now my tale is told.
So, enjoy each day and live it up...
before you're too darned old!
Author unknown
THE CLASS REUNION
Every ten years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail,
A reunion is planned; it'll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.
I'll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.
It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.
The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.
The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And the cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.
No one had heard about the class nerd
Who'd guided a spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who's always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.
The boy we'd decreed "most apt to succeed"
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted "least" now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.
They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least.
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.
They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.
At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we'd all gone to pot.
It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.
By the fortieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren't dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.
And now I can't wait; they've set the date;
Our fiftieth is coming, I'm told.
It should be a ball, they've rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.
Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker's been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I've bought a new wig and glass eye.
I'm feeling quite hearty, and I'm ready to party
I'm gonna dance 'til dawn's early light.
It'll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there's one
Other person who can make it that night.
Author Unknown
1. Oh Lonesome Me - Don Gibson
2. Tupelo County Jail - Webb Pierce
3. Just Married - Marty Robbins
4. Invitation to the Blues - Ray Price
5. Pick Me Up on Your Way Down - Charlie Walker
6. Don't - Elvis Presley
7. Guess Things Happen That Way - Johnny Cash
8. Treasure of Love - George Jones
9. All I Have to Do Is Dream - The Everly Brothers
10. She's No Angel - Kitty Wells
11. I Can't Stop Loving You - Don Gibson
12. Squaws along the Yukon - Hank Thompson
13. Cigarettes and Coffee Blues - Lefty Frizzell
14. Half a Mind - Ernest Tubb
15. Alone with You - Faron Young
16. Blue Boy - Jim Reeves
17. City Lights - Ray Price
18. It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
19. My Baby's Gone - The Louvin Brothers
20. Bird Dog - The Everly Brothers
21. Ballad of a Teenage Queen - Johnny Cash
22. Blue Blue Day - Don Gibson
23. Life to Go - Stonewall Jackson
24. Send Me the Pillow You Dream On - Hank Locklin
1. Volare (Nel Blu Dipinto Di Blu) - Domenico Modugno
2. All I Have To Do Is Dream/Claudette - Everly Brothers
3. Dont/I Beg Of You - Elvis Presley
4. Witch Doctor - David Seville
5. Patricia - Perez Prado
6. Sail Along Silvery Moon/Raunchy - Billy Vaughn
7. Catch A Falling Star/Magic Moments - Perry Como
8. Tequila - Champs
9. It's All In The Game - Tommy Edwards
10. Return To Me - Dean Martin
11. It's Only Make Believe - Conway Twitty
12. The Purple People Eater - Sheb Wooley
13. Bird Dog/Devoted To You - Everly Brothers
14. Get A Job - Silhouettes
15. Little Star - Elegants
16. Twilight Time - Platters
17. Stood Up/Waitin' In School - Ricky Nelson
18. He's Got The Whole World In His Hands - Laurie London
19. Secretly - Jimmie Rodgers
20. At The Hop - Danny & the Juniors
If you do not have access to the Activities area and you are a Classmate of the Highland High School, Albuquerque, New Mexico, class of 1958, please contact the web site administrator.
You are a classmate if you would have, or did graduate in 1958. Some of our classmates joined the service prior to graduation and finished their education in the service, others received their GED at a later time.
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