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Reunion Reflections HI to everyone! Hope you all had a safe trip home (or to your next destination, as was the case for a few!). I wanted to immediately take a minute to thank all of you for coming to the reunion and showing everyone what a great class "65" is. With spouses, we had 43 in attendance! Guys, you really put us over the top with the flowers and I know everyone who saw that will always remember it, just like we girls will. Then, to top it off, Paul, Ted, Ty, and 'Danny' won the golf tournament! Thanks again for everything and I hope everyone can come to the next 'mini' but especially to the next 'el grande' reunion - "somewhere west of Texas" is the word I got. I'll stay in touch, but I promise not to be a pest! Thanks for being there! Vivian Elliott As usual, it's a real downer heading home from a reunion. Hopefully, we will be able to get something organized for our 60th birthday year Thank you, thank you to all of you who were clicking away with your cameras, and Andy for videoing the festivities. I can hardly wait to see the pictures. Roger, thanks for scanning and sending the group picture. Danny ~ Please let Mickey know how much his company was enjoyed. What a great guy! We need to get him added to the group email list. Anna Marie ~ It was a treat to have Rico with us; he is such a sweet man. We also need him on the emal list. Dianne ~ Darrel is a lovely lady and fit with us 65'ers like a glove. We need her in the loop, as well. Hugs & kisses to all. Thankfully, I work with some very good psychologist who can help me readjust to civilian life and ride out the post-reunion depression. Diane Burton MAGNIFICO ! GREAT TIME WORTH NOT HAVING A VOICE FOR.... CAN'T WAIT TO DO IT AGAIN CARLA KIEFERLE What is the deal - my voice is gone today too! Dianne Duffield Can anyone explain the phenomenon? I sound like a frog too. Air conditioning + humidity? A small price to pay for the great experience of seeing people we never thought we'd see again after 40+ years. Thanks to you folks like Vivian, Jackie, Andy and Roger for bringing us all together. And thanks, guys, for the lovely red roses.......you showed real class. Sally Nix I'm blaming Al Wile and the 'scream along' he was leading on Saturday night... I think Do Wa Ditty Ditty Dum was what did me in. Diane Burton Because I was so quiet and reserved, especially on the dance floor, I have not lost my voice. My feet hurt though. Eddie Bennett Wish I could have made the big 40. Group picture looked great. Why do all the gals look great and you guys look like the 'over the hill' gang'? Dan Lewis Coach Kurtz had a comment or two also........ (Roger) Thanks so much for the picture! It is hard to believe that I taught and coached people who have aged. I sure haven't Ha! At least most of you have hair. Thanks and keep in touch. Bill Kurtz (a week later) Hi everybody! I just returned from Berlin after close to an 18 hour trip! But safe and well. I also am so happy I had the two days to reconnect with all but seemed not to be able to do it as much as I would have liked and certainly to get to know the spouses better! You're a great bunch and the support I felt from everyone regarding what I went thru touched me to the core. As someone said we were not all close friends back then but it doesn't matter. Special thanks to Vivian and Roger for having been the 'pest' that got a lot of the recalcitrant ones out. Critt, the party was a huge success but it also meant you and Andrea were not really able to enjoy as much during the day and that evening! You should have led the way to the pool but I have an idea that having to get up early for golf was a 'hold back' for many. Andy, thanks for taking all those wonderful pictures.
Sorry I missed the next two days! You know, I've been reading an assortment of emails coming across my PC the last couple of days and I have to say that I'm glad to have been a member of this class. Not just this graduating class of '65, but the group of people from '65 who have shown a lot of class...........and we owe a large debt of thanks to a couple of people who have pushed-and-pulled to bring this group together. I think it was evident at the reunion when we put 31 bodies up for a picture (Yes, I'm counting Ray & Benita) and drew a round of applause from other the classes. You know the class of '67 showed up with 3 people........imagine how they felt when they were called for their class pictures after we left the picture area. So, Vivian and Jacky, I would like to thank both of you for your years of effort in contributing your time and energy into finding us (yours truly, MIA until '97) and providing the organization to keeping all of us together. It's probably worse than herding cats........but you know it's all worth it when we have a reunion and everyone acts as each is a long lost brother to the other. You can't have better bonds than that, or more of a place to call home. Speaking of a couple of accolades, the hospitality room at the Hyatt was for the most part paid for by 2 of our classmates who deserve a round of applause and appreciation. Don Dillin and Ted Crowley got together and decided to have a hospitality room in the suite, and they provided a good amount of the drinks and eats themselves. So guys, I owe you a lot.........at the next reunion I'm rounding up a couple of volunteers and we'll fund the hospitality room and you two can relax. Don, by-the-way, was the one who made all those munchies on the dining room table. Below are a couple of sentiments expressed by our classmates regarding the reunion: They said it better than I can say it... Roger Castro Roger - Good Morning - thanks for everything you did to make this reunion a very special time that I will always remember. I had almost forgotten where I had come from (living in the South can do that to you). Now there is no question where my home town is and where I will go home to visit in three years. Dianne Duffield Roger, I will start making plans to make the next one. My cousin Dan Mashley went to this reunion. Dan lived with my family and attended MHS with me. I understand about not graduating. I went to two more high schools after Madrid High School, but I consider MHS my high school, as I never developed the attachment to the others that I had for MHS. Sandy Jones I hope this goes out to everyone, and I will wax as poetic as I can: Florida nights, gators in the wild, humidity that took me away from the cool of the Northwest and back to a life that was "once upon a time". Eddie who can still do a push up on his finger tips, Rodger who can whistle thru his fingers to get a room of loud people to respond to his bidding,we have not gotten older. A professor of mine once told me that Children are naive adults,they have the same intellegence, not the experience,we continue to gain, and I am surprised that no one began to sing...
"Cherry Red and Silver stand for our school, the Knights of MHS..."
Hello to all Leaving early was not easy! It looks like I missed the best but it was wonderful seeing everyone again. The flowers for the picture was just perfect and Vivian, the little bags are adorable-it went to Berlin and back! If I didn't say thanks before: thanks to Critt and Andrea for a great party-Vivian for working the emails to get us all there as well as Roger-for everyone rallying to the call! Ted and Don: thanks for the hospitality suite which made it very nice to gather everyone. I'm sure it was really great on Saturday too. Missed everyone and hated to leave early. Not sure I care for the group picture but Andy or Eddie: your pictures were great. Let's make our 60th another memorable event and for those who did not attend: you should never count on 'the next time.' It's NOW! Now for a few pithy words from each to put in the Knightlines and I?ll hopefully be ready this time on time! I WOULD LIKE TO GET AN EMAIL FROM EACH AND EVERY ONE-WHETHER YOU CAME OR NOT, PLEASE Warm regards to all, Jacky Robin
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What a great time. I miss you guys already. Roger and Shirley got up this morning and said they weren't going back, they would just stay with us, but they left anyway. I have almost 400 pictures so I'll get copies to Andy and maybe send some to ya'll too. Eddie Bennett Eddie, it WAS wonderful seeing everyone again after 40 years! I came home feeling like I had left my best friends, and I do feel like everyone of you is. I hope that we can connect more often and keep in touch. And I for one, will promise to do so, when I hear from any of you. NOT like before, okay.. Jacky or Carla!! I would love to see the pics you took Eddie. I cant wait to download a bunch of them and make my own "scrapbook". I will work on getting the PowderPuff film footage into some form of cd... I am not good at this at all, so I may seek out advice on how to isolate the game from 2 hours of home movies... Lonely in Florida... Anna Marie The only thing I have to say is WOW and WOW! My son said I was "glowing" when I got home. Dianne Duffield What a great week, I love how we can come back together and enjoy one another's company like we have never been apart. The cruise was wonderful (thanks for organizing it Roger or should I say Shirley?). Fort Lauderdale was great but the best part was sharing time with friends. The 60th birthday celebration sounds like the best way to enter a new decade. It was also fun to get to know some of the siblings, I hope they continue to attend. I also appreciate all the picture takers as I just carried my camera but rarely used it. I'd love to see all the pictures. Helen Kenyon You're all right, it was an amazing time to share. ... Thanks must go out for the persistence of the organizers like Vivian, Diane, Jacky, Critt, and Roger. I still don't know how I got paired with Paul and Ted for the golf match but that alone was incredible. Keep swinging and have fun. As for my sorry game, I will work on it and hopefully still get to play with you guys when we do it again. The music and dancing Friday nite, along with the stories and conversation, seemed to transform the experience even more. It was great to see all of you again!!!! Tyvin Rich Dear '65 classmates (and associates), Jan and I made it safely to Dad's house in Clearwater where we'll stay till Wednesday. Won't be home till Autust 1, but I'll get cranking on the web site and the video to document this reunion right away. It looks like the photo album from this reunion will be "bodacious." I am well blessed by the sweet, sweet spirit that reigns between us as I am blessed by each of you. Your friend for life, Andy Figueroa Andy, Thanks for being Andy. You were just a few miles from us. Eddie Bennett (a week later) What fun! Thank you all for making my trip to Ft. Lauderdale a great time to remember. I thoroughly enjoyed how gracious it was of Critt and Andrea to open their home to a lovely dinner, and a cozy way to reunite with everyone. The golf was a special treat (as it always is) for us to enjoy the characters that we know and love. Maybe we will even play better next time! I hadn't danced since the last reunion and it was a highlight of both evenings. I truly enjoy getting to know folks I haven't seen for 40 years and those I hear from month to month. What a priviledge it is to know and hear about all of you. Thanks for a great weekend. My brother, Dave, and I talked on the 10-hour plane ride home and remarked how extraordinary it is to be a part of such a fun group of folks. Thanks, and see you next time! Judy Wytock Brenda and I would like to thank everyone for a fabulous time. She is not often impressed by my "universe." We have recovered from our sore throats, feet and hangovers. We have also survived the Virginia heat and wonder how people can live like that. I'll take earthquakes. Can't wait for the next one.
Love to all, Greetings!! Carla pegged it. I told her that this time last week a three year hiatus between reunions seemed fine. That was then; this is now. What a memorable experience. Dianne's class of 65 is amazing--funny, talented, warm. Thank you all so much for welcoming me into your fold. Paula, Mom was tickled you remembered her. Danny, give Michelle a hug from me.
Bye for now and thanks again. I echo Rogers comments. A few people have given us a lot of class. The list includes about half the class but I would also like to include Roger who finally got one of his schemes to work and Paul who helped Ted and Ty (and of course Danny) win the golf tournament. Paula and I may not be the best dancers but we danced our way out the door and have the sorest feet to prove it. Count us in for the 60th. If I can still sing, maybe I'll sing a song or two. Eddie Bennett Roger, I want to thank you for your kind words but you also deserve accolades! You have also worked to help bring this group together. You have searched for and found people, you have helped organize a mini reunion and you have done any and everything I have ever asked you to do to help me. And then, of course, there were the roses! And Don, Ted, and YOU taking on the hospitality suite! Shirley, you are a saint! Even beyond that, and what I do I do because I love to see everyone 'reconnect' for the first time - or the 5th time, what makes this such a great group is the people that make up the group. You make it easy to do what we do. Even when we were kids at MHS, I never felt that there were distinct 'clics' or groups as was so prevalent back in the States. That same attitude still prevails - just look at the way that spouses/significant others and siblings are enfolded into our class! I think Dallas, maybe in March or April, could be a great place for our 60th birthday party (for those of you not at the reunion, most of us turn 60 in 2007, so the idea was hatched that we have a joint birthday party that year)! If we have it in the middle of the country, no one has to travel across the whole country. All we will need is a volunteer to find a location for us. If Dallas isn't a popular venue, I can compile info on where in the country the biggest number of us live and we can shoot for that. I will tell you, though, that we are REALLY spread out. Let me know what you think. I am compiling comments from many of the attendees and will forward them to the email group as well as send them in to the 'Knightlines'. Class of 65 has set the standard, although I heard several people I know commenting on how they were going to 'beat' 65 in '08! They can try. Start planning now for the '08 reunion 'Somewhere west of Texas'! You really don't want to miss it. I want to thank each and every one of you for being such wonderful people that I can't help but WANT to continue being your class coordinator. You make it really easy to do this job and, Roger is right, we have become a family that sort of dominates our hometown at the reunions. With your wonderful attitudes and personalities, that will continue. Thank you! Vivian Elliott Holler, 1965 Class Co-coordinator Vivian ~ Were it not for your early involvement in the creation of the Association, the rest of us might still be wondering what happened to our classmates. Thankfully, every reunion since my first mini the year prior to Scottsdale, I've been blessed to embrace and be embraced by yet more live-long friends from MHS! Thank you. Also, thank you for the shirt; yet another remembrance of the ties that bind the Class of '65! Diane Burton What is left to say? I think its all been covered, the thanks to all the organizers, the hospitality guys, the incomparable rose idea man, the gracious Hughes family, the spouses, the siblings, the 66ers, Saint Shirley....
What's left to say? I have a very large warm spot in the center of my being, where I shall hold all of you until next we meet...hopefully for our 60th, somewhere easy to reach without changing planes :)
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As usual, I had one hell of a good time at the reunion only to have to leave too soon..........Like Eddie said in his email, Shirley and I didn't want to leave either their good company or their new house on the golf course in Bradenton. Alas, all good things have to come to an end, and we departed with heavy sighs. Meanwhile, attached to this email is a scan of the class photo with our names and date added for posterity. See MHS2005.jpg attachment. I'll forward it on to those other classmates who couldn't make it. Andy, maybe you can add this latest class photo to the MHS web page. (It's www.mhs65.us for those who don't know.) I'll spend some time this week adding names, titles, and comments to the photos we took at the reunion. If any of you have some digital shots you want to add, send them to me and I'll see what I can do. Andy, I'll also forward these photos to you to add to the web page along with a copy of the CD we have with photos of the '99, '00, '02, & '03 reunions and mini get togethers. It was great seeing all of you again. Old friends are hard to come by. We need to do it again........... Roger Castro How can all you guys be so ...coherent already? I slept about 10 hours, am only just recovering my voice and am definitely experiencing the post reunion blues (aquamarines?)...it was again, a warming, wonderful time...and I agree that the siblings and the 66ers just added to how great it was. More when I can think :) Kimberly Gerlach Hola Queridos Amigos: Que buena reunion tuvimos! Espero que todos llegaron bien a sus casas. Yo y mi hermano regresamos muy tristes pensando en todos ustedes. What a Wow of a time. I am sitting in my office still daydreaming about every moment, what we did, how we laughed, danced, hugged, cried- I agree that the siblings and spouses were incredible to meet! As I said in Spanish, I hope everyone got home safely. I too, Kim, have not recovered my voice yet. I came back to work sounding like a foghorn, but it was only the remaining evidence of a great, great time I had with all of you. Those of you closer to me will surely know what I mean. I will keep on reading these emails and cannot wait to look at the pics. I will definitely want to make my own book of 40th reunion memoirs!! Hasta muy pronto. Con mucho affecto, Anna Marie and Brother Rico Hi everyone, Alycia and I made it home okay. We had a GREAT time and love you all. Can't wait till we get together again. Hopefully soon. Hasta. Bob Young Everyone: I would like to thank you all for an enjoyable time. Both, my wife and I had a good time. I was very apprehensive, but I took satisfaction in proving that I was not dead! It was great seeing you all again. I still don't remember that much of my high school days, sorry. I guess somethings should remain in the past. My wife and I would enjoy a 60th birthday party for us all. Name the place and date! I plan on living that long at least! Thanks to Carla, who brought me to you and to Vivian who showed me the way. A special thanks to Roger for the kick in the butt to attend. Steve (not dead yet) Bauman (A week later) Wow ! Still missing each and every one of you, keeping all the wonderful memories. If I cook up some Paella and Sangria at the Farm will you all come this weekend - Be Well and Happy Love Carla Kieferle Can you make it the following weekend and bring it down to Castro's? We'll get Ted to brew up some sangria. Paula Saiz Bennett and Eddie Eddie, are you and Paula going to make the trip up here the weekend of 08-07? I know we were talking about it at the reunion. ... You want to meet here in Kernersville, or at the cabin? Traveling from Greenville, SC it's closer to the cabin for you, and not as far to drive back to Bradenton. Maybe we can get a few volunteers to fly into Asheville ... whaddaya think Carla? Got some time to spare? We can do a little white water while you're here. Ted, where are you? Are you in Statesville or are you back in NY for the summer? Roger Castro Planning to head that direction to return the truck to Scotty and retrieve the Miata. Final agenda is not set yet. The Cabin would be a little closer but Paula wants to see your new digs. By the way, what's your new address? Eddie Bennett My voice has returned; but the post-reunion blues have yet to dissipate. We are a wonderful group, unique, diverse, yet linked by those youthful years in Sapin! I couldn't have chosen a better "family" if I had magical powers. The tonic of our reunion is serving me well during times of stress at work: I close my eyes and drift back to the pool side, or Critt's, or the Teen Club... Missing you all desparately. Ever so fondly ~ Diane Burton Well,Kids. We are not as old as we may think we are . Thank Goodness, we can still twist, frug and mash potato. My wife, partner, enjoyed the whole party maybe more than I did. It was great. Story Time:f I told someone at my job that I was going to a 40th reunion. The quote was, "I went to my 10th, it was Shit, I went to my 20th and everybody was uptight, I went to my 40th and nobody gave a damn anymore we had one hell of a time!
glad I went to my 40th. I'm just back from Brazil and from Paris. Told everybody that would listen what a great time we had. We do have a VERY special group of people. Good looking people I might add. We sure started our tender young lives in a unique parallel. High school can be a trying time for most and we have the proof in our Characters that we weren't "the average bears". Thanks to all who put out time, money, sweat and tears to "herd we cats" as Roger put it and bring us all closer. Some folks may be joined at the hips but our bunch are hinged from the hearts. Speaking of heart. Fabulous touch giving the roses to the girls. Truly a class with CLASS. See you at the next event. SANDY Morris What a fantastic time! My brother Miki & my wife Michelle also had a great time! We talked about the reunion from the time we left the Hyatt until we pulled into my mother's driveway, 3 hours later. Our consensus: The Class of '65 does know how to PARTEE! Y'all ...... Got Down, and some of us couldn't get back up without help. Thanks Ted for the assist. I also can't believe what poor golfers we have in our Class. I mean the some poor "slobs", roger, Eddie, Critt and others sweated for 5-6 hours in the hot hot sun, while I either slept in or was sipping a cold one at pool side and STILL managed to share 1st place with my partners. Thanks Ty, Paul and again, Ted. You guys COULD DO it without me. Hope the everyone else's "significant others" and "siblings" had just as much fun as both my sibling, Miki and my significant other, Michelle. I too miss ya'll already! For me, I found this reunion (my 2nd) a blast! My 1st was in Dallas ('02). In Dallas I found myself getting reacquainted with classmates I had not seen in 37 years and felt a little like the "new guy", which I should have been used to after several years as a "service brat". This time around was different. It was as if I had known everyone all along without a 37 or 40 year gap and that we had all grown closer as a group. This year I wasn't the "new guy" and felt it was my turn to make the "new guys" just as comfortable as I felt in 2002. Welcome Anna, Ty, Ray (back after a brief absence), Steve and Diane (Miss Glowin" 2005). Eddie, Miki appreciated your comment about him becoming a "65er" now. I also agree Darle & Rico, who I still remember as Ralph) should become honorary members of the Class of '65. What I appreciate about the members of this Class is that we do not stand in judgment of our fellow classmates, no matter who they are, or what they have become, they will always be accepted by this group for the simple reason that we were all a part of unique experience 40+ years ago and that we attended MADRID High School at one time. I'm sure the Class of '65 does not have a monopoly on this "attitude" or "feeling" but the group takes it to a higher level. It is my pleasure and great fortune to be a part of an outstanding Class. I too would like to thank Critt & Andrea for their hospitality on Thursday night. I would also like to thank Vivian, Jacky, and Roger for "herding" those who attended to Ft. Lauderdale. I know it is hard work. And last and not least I would also like to thank Ted and Don for the use of the "hospitality suite". what a great idea. Don, Michelle really enjoyed her massage. I can't wait to do it again either! PARTEE HARDEE! Danny Solomon
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