Entering My 60th Class Reunion

More videos and photos of my 60th high school class reunion which was held in Downingtown, Pennsylvania on June 8th, 2019 at St. Anthony's Lodge.

Pat (my Canadian Travel Buddy) took this video thus the portrait mode of the camera (I wish he would use the landscape mode but he's more comfortable using the portrait mode).  I am glad he took it upon himself to take the video though.  For once I have video of goofy me instead of me always taking the videos and photos. 




I'm always surprised at how weird I look in videos. It was appropriate that I was wearing my custom made Spo shirt of giraffes because, with my arthritic neck and back, I looked like a giraffe entering the room.  However, to be fair I think most of us aren't pleased with how we look in videos or photos, especially as we age.

I let my beard go au natural and I have to say I didn't like it.  My beard turned white during my 35th class reunion, I've been coloring it with Just For Men ever since, of and on.  Prior to this reunion I decided that I would stop coloring it.  Big mistake.  I look so OLD.  Well folks, I actually am OLD but I don't have to encourage it.  I'm back to coloring my beard.  

I really enjoyed attending my reunion.





I've attended many of my class reunions over the years.  However, I fear this will probably be the last formal class reunion because so many of us are dying off.  We had one hundred and fourteen members of our high school class.  I think the most who ever attended our reunions was maybe fifty, not counting spouses. 

I took portrait photos of each individual classmate but I forgot to take one of myself!  I'll see what I can manage by freeze framing one of the videos where my mug is prominently displayed. I'm not sure though what with my white beard and tired eyes. I guess there is no hiding the fact that I am approaching my eightieth decade.  

As with past reunions, I felt I didn't have enough time to talk to everyone as much as I wanted to. We did have some free time to mingle but much of the time was taken up by a talk from former Eagle's coach Dick Vermeil who is a friend of one of my former classmates.  He talked about growing up in the Forties and Fifties as most of us at the reunion could identify with.  His funniest line was talking about his father and how strict his father was.  He said he didn't know until he was nine years old that he name wasn't "dumb bastard."  Ah, this were the days.  I remember one Thanksgiving dinner when my father paused between stuffing slabs of turkey in his mouth to look around the table at me and my two younger brothers and proclaim "I have the dumbest bunch of kids."  Gee, thanks Pop!  Yep, those were the days which Dick Vermeil reminded us of.  

Downingtown High School Class of 1959 35th Class Reunion

November 26th, 1994 I drug my huge VHS, shoulder balanced tape recorder to my 35th class reunion and recorded this hour and a half (approximate) tape. 

Now here is a test for my longtime blog followers, are you willing to sit through an hour and a half of a video watching people you don't know? Unfortunately, you don't see much of me because I'm the one video taping the festivities.  You do see me long distance for the Chicken Dance and the skit with the monster masks sitting on the balloons (yes, we really did do something that silly).  I'm the one in the silver sequined top hat.
  

(from left to right) Patty Daller Beaton, Ron Beaton (decd), Jane More Hersehy (decd), Bob Hershey
(back row left to right) Jean Timmerman Swisher, me (Ron Tipton in top hat), Pat West Ensor
November 26, 1994

Which by the way I'm trying to get one for our 60th class reunion which will be held next year at St. Anthony's Italian Social Club in Downingtown, Pennsylvania. the site of our original graduation party in June of 1959.  Back in those pre digital times all I took was a roll of black and white film of which I am in none of the pictures.  I didn't think to ask anyone to take pictures of me back then, I was Humble Ron back then. It was all I could do in my shyness to take pictures of my fellow classmates. 

Me with my custom made class reunion tie - very cool!

Watching this video of my 35th class reunion brings back many fond memories because at least a third of my former classmates in this video have passed on.  But, I'm still here and ready and raring to take another video of my 60th class reunion next June.  Pat will be with me and I'll ask him to take video with me in them. Now to get that fabulous sequined top hat, which I'm having trouble finding even on Amazon.com.  All they have are the cheap Made in China hats.  

Me, the video photographer November 26, 1994

Enjoy the video folks!

Class Reunion

The official DHS Class of 1959 55th reunion photo - I'm in the flowered shirt in front of the guy in the red shirt who I see I am blocking - just like me isn't it?

Today was the day of my 55th high school class reunion.  

Downingtown High School, Class of 1959.  Yep, we were the last "Fifties" class to graduate in Downingtown.  

The first reunion I attended was the 20th, then the 25th, 35th, 40th, 45th, 50th and now the 55th.

This reunion was held at the Downingtown Country Club in Downingtown (of course).  It was perfect.  PERFECT.  A perfect location, the food (buffet style) was perfect, the room was magnificent.  The organization was perfect and the weather was perfect.  Do  you get the picture?  It was a perfect day.  

The one selfie I took outside the country club entrance

If there was one quibble I had it was that I totally forgot to include myself in any of the pictures.  The only pictures I am in are the group shot (I asked one of the waiters to take the shot) and a couple of random room shot.  No closeups this time of me folks.  What a loss!  

Also, I mean to take more closeups of all my classmates but since I was the photographer (my friend Mark couldn't attend) and the attendee, I lost many opportunities to catch those spontaneous moments.  

But never the less, I had a wonderful time.  I hope we do this again next year instead of waiting five years.  At our ages (72 and 73), some of us might not be around five years from now.  In fact, that a pretty good bet that some of us won't be Waltzing Matilda in 2019.  If we are, we'll be on walkers.

A great day folks!  

That's me to the left walking with the black strap over my torso (where I was going I don't know)

Class Reunion

Once upon a time there were about one hundred young people who lived in the small Pennsylvania town called Downingtown.  The year was 1959.  These kids were the last class of the Fifties.

They graduated June 2, 1959 on a grassy high school football field behind their school.  They were full of hope and aspiration for what the future would hold.

Fast forward fifty-three years.  These "kids" were now in their early 70's.  Perhaps old of body but still young of mind as they gathered together at the Chicago Bar and Grill restaurant in Lionville, Pennsylvania for their 53rd class reunion.

This is a iMovie that I made of that gathering of those former classmates.  All of the photos were taken by my blogger buddy Mark H. of "Our Simple Lives......"  One photo was taken by me which in included because Mark the photographer is in the photo.  See if you can spot him.

Thank you Mark and thank you fellow classmates for making our reunion such a wonderful occasion.

See you all next year!

Ronald W. Tipton, DHS Graduate 1959

Weekly Roundup

Another busy week folks!

Sunday I traveled to Lionville, Pennsylvania for my 53rd high school class reunion which was held at the Chicago Bar and Grill.  I'm one of those class members who likes to go to the class reunions.  Actually, I only like to go to my high school class reunion because I know everybody.   I don't go to my college class reunion because I wouldn't know a soul there.  I went to night school at Peirce College in Philadelphia on the G.I. Bill for three nights a week for four years.  My fellow class members were just a blur to me.  But my former high school class members, we're all friends and keep in touch over the years.

The Downingtown High School Class of 1959 - 53 years later Sept. 23, 2012

This year I asked my friend and fellow blogger Mark of "Our Simple Lives" to take photos for me.  I asked him at the last minute almost.  Fortunately Mark obliged and took some great photos which I am now sharing with my classmates and will post on future blogs.

Jean Timmerman and Ron Tipton - I always sat behind Jean in class back in those alphabetical class seating days.  

Notice that we're color coordinated.  No, we didn't call each other the night before the reunion to check.

Jean - 1959 graduation photo

Ron - 1959 graduation photo

I really enjoyed seeing all of my OLD classmates and am looking forward to next year's reunion.

Monday morning I had an early dental appointment (7:30 am).  I got my teeth (and partial dentures) cleaned and came out clean without any new cavities.  There's no room left for cavities in my mouth!

Wednesday I had the big stress test.  THAT took about three hours.  I don't want to go through another one of those anytime soon.  They don't call it a STRESS TEST for nothing.  My electrocardiogram indicates an extra "blip", that is why I've been undergoing a series of heart test the past few weeks.  While I was on the treadmill the doctor said the "blip" disappeared.  However I am still getting those little whiffs of highs (lightheadedness) all day long. I think that has something to do with the "blips."  We'll see, my appointment with my cardiologist is next week and he will go over the findings with me. Funs time folks!.  Maybe this old body is slowing down.  Do you think?

I'm working Mondays and Tuesdays at the hotel.  My new days work out fine.  I feel like I have a longer week by having the rest of the week off.  Previously I worked Wednesdays and Thursdays.  I felt like I had a shortened week.  These days work better for me too because all my appointments and other activities seem to occur later in the week.  The only downside to my new days is that I don't make as many reservations because the beginning of the week is usually considered the slow time in the hotel business.

Bill and I had a little issue with the car.  He can't help himself, he's an inveterate backseat driver.  We now have a New Rule.  Whenever we go someplace together, he will drive.  We were hoping to buy our friend's car but that doesn't look like that's going to happen in our lifetime.  This is the friend who has dementia and his partner can't make a decision.  The hubcaps on his car already has spider webs.  I guess then mold appears on the car they'll be ready to sell.  It's just as well.  We don't have room to store another car anyway.

Downingtown High School - many fond memories

Isaac, Ron and Bill

Isaac (my brother), me and Bill (my spouse) - September 23, 2012

The photo above was taken by my good friend Mark Himes of "Our Simple Lives....".  The photo was taken last Sunday, at about 4:30 pm at my brother Isaac's home (our former family home) on Hopewell Road in East Brandywine Township, four miles north of Downingtown, Pennsylvania.

I had just attended my 53rd high school reunion (Downingtown High School Class of 1959.)  Mark took pictures of at our reunion for me.  Bill wouldn't attend the reunion with me, to my great disappointment.  He still feels uncomfortable attending such a function in his role as my partner/spouse of 48 years.  He refused to go in spite of my pleas that "no one cares!"  Some of my classmates have met him one on one and liked him.  In fact, everyone likes Bill when they meet him.  I used to get a little jealous about that fact because sometimes it seems they like him MORE than they like me.  But I've gotten over that tinge of jealousy over the years.  At least I think I have.

So last Sunday, after the reunion, Mark brought me back to my brother Isaac's home so he could transfer the 518 photos he took to my flash drive so I could take them home with me.  While there I asked Mark to take a few photos of me, Bill and Isaac.  Who knows, at our age we may never see each other again.

Ike, Ron and Bill

Where Have I Been?

Bill, Mark and me at my brother's house in PA this past Sunday

Been busy folks!  I'm still trying to get my stuff together after all the activity of the past week.

Let's see, Sunday Bill and I traveled to Pennsylvania for my 53rd annual high school class reunion.  Yes folks, I graduated from Downingtown High School in June of 1959.  So I go to the class reunion and what do I see but a bunch of OLD PEOPLE!  Seems I'm the only one who hasn't changed.  I must be living right.  Believe that then I have a bridge in Brooklyn I want to sell to you.

Yes, I had a very good time at the reunion.  My friend and fellow blogger Mark of "Our Simple Lives" graciously acceded to my last minute request to come and take pictures of me and my fellow senior citizens while we traded stories about our medical conditions.  Mark took 518 pictures under difficult circumstances.  Our reunion was held at the Chicago Bar and Grill in Lionville, PA.  We were off to the side in a narrow room with a wall of backlight.  But even under those challenging circumstances Mark did a fabulous job of taking photos.  Thank you Mark!

Guess who is dominating the conversation at this table?

Bill and I had to get out of Pennsylvania to begin out 2 1/2 hour drive back to Delaware.  Neither one of us likes to drive in the dark.  We just made it through Newark, Delaware and all that road construction to hit Route 1 to home sweet home in Lower Slower, aka Sussex County, Delaware.  Once we hit Route 1, it's a straight shot to Casa Tipton-Kelly.

Wednesday, yesterday, I underwent my stress test at Cardiovascular Associates in Lewes.  I'm still recovering from that three hour ordeal.  Man oh man, talk about a stress test.  I was stressed when that was over.  I'm still exhausted from my TWO 20 minutes trips into the "tube" and the treadmill.  In addition I had all kinds of needles sticking out of the back of my right hand.  I'll write a separate blog posting about that fun time yesterday.  Now I hear I may have to get a catheterization.  THAT I hear is pretty invasive.

Yes, it hurt going in

After I had the stress test, Bill borrowed my car and visited my two long-time friends and to make amends for my blow-up in the parking lot last Saturday.  This was the first time Bill has seen them in over a year.  Bill agrees with me that both of them are pretty much in La La Land.  I don't have time for it.  Bill said the one who was on the receiving end of my fire-breathing dragon blast is going to call me.  I won't hold my breath.

I think I have the next few days off.  No doctor's appointments or fence mending.  I spent most of the morning sorting through the 518 pictures that Mark took of my class reunion.  I'm telling you folks, if any of you have an event where you need a good photographer, Mark is the person to hire.  He's good!

Mark - photographer and friend

Time is Running Out

Incoming surf, North Shores, Gordon's Pond, Henlopen State Park July 29, 2010

This morning I received an e-mail from  former classmate Jean who informed me that another classmate of ours is now in hospice care.  Since our 50th class reunion was held last October 17, 2009, this is the third reminder that my generation time on this earth is coming to an end.

Last week I had a visit by a former classmate who recently lost her husband.  She told us that she knew her husband had a terminal illness (gall bladder cancer) but only a few knew at the reunion.

A few months another classmate of mine, Bonnie, died suddenly in her sleep.  I sat behind Bonnie in grade school.  We were both named school monitors at the same time.  Bonnie was my first official date (the Soph Hop when we were 15 years old - my father drove us to the dance much to my embarrassment.)

Bonnie and I lost touch over the years only to reunited at our 35th class reunion at which time we informed each other that we were both gay.  We joked about that date in which my father drove us to dance in his car.  He didn't have a chance to make out.  Likely story.  Anyway, after thirty-five years, we had a good chuckle about it.  It was quite a shock to my system when Bonnie died suddenly in her sleep.  It seems like I just saw her at the reunion (which I did.)

Now I get news that another well liked classmate of mine, Bill J., is in hospice care.  I was told that his cancer has spread to his bones.  We're having a 51st informal class reunion this September.  Jean told me that Bill is looking forward to attending our class get together in September.

My classmate Bill J. (to the left) and me at our 35th class reunion committee meeting 1994

Every day I am reminded of my mortality.  I think back to things that I did fifteen years ago and it doesn't seem that long ago.  I think fifteen years ahead and it is hard for me to wrap my head around the fact that I will be 83 years old.  Even if I am alive, will I be good for anything?  Will I be able to take my morning walks on the boardwalk in Rehoboth Beach?  Will I be able to mow my lawn?  Will I be able to take care of myself?

My longtime good friend Bob M. is only five years older than me.  I cannot talk to him anymore on the phone because he falls asleep on the other end of the line.  I can't have him over the house anymore because he almost backed his car into my house.  He fell down the steps (thank goodness he didn't break anything.)  The last time I had him over for dinner, he can't keep food in his mouth.  It's on the table, chair and floor.  His face has that look of a haunted person.  It is the look of the most cruel disease, slowly advancing dementia.  He's not there anymore.  His body is here but his mind isn't.

My friend Bob M. and me 1974 in Provincetown, Mass

My friend Ron H. died in 2005 from AIDS related diseases.  My friend Sal died in 2006, a month before I moved to Delaware (he was to visit me) from lung cancer. My friend and former co-worker Anne Marie died at the young age of 56 from breast cancer this past January.  I remember when she sent me an e-mail telling me that she was informed that she had terminal cancer and said she was "overwhelmed."  I was too.  I didn't know what to say.  Anne Marie always seemed so full of life.  It's hard for me to believe that I have outlived this vibrant woman.

My friend Ron H. 1962 Ft. Meade, MD (in my barracks room)

My friend Sal D. 1962 at Ft. Meade, MD

My friend Anne Marie from work - always a smile

I can't talk to my Mother anymore.  She has dementia and cannot care for herself now.  She is wheelchair bound and living with my brother and his wife in South Carolina.  She is being taking good care of.  We're doing all we can to keep her out of a nursing home.

Mom with my brother and sister-in-law for her trip to South Carolina

When I write my blog postings I try to keep them upbeat and positive.  I am a natural complainer and I am often tempted to write about my various complaints but I don't because who wants to read all that negativity?  Sometimes I can't help myself and I have to let out my pent up frustration.

This past week I have discovered a new pastime which is very relaxing and positive.  I take an early morning run down to Rehoboth Beach and walk a couple of miles on the boardwalk then sit myself on a bench and watch the people.  I love watching life and the activities of other people as long as there aren't too many screaming kids around (I can't take those piercing little girl screams or the whines of little boys.)

Healthy bikers at the Rehoboth Beach bandstand yesterday exercising on stationary bikes

I am fortunate that I live in such a beautiful area of the country.  I've worked hard all my life to get myself to this point in my life.  All those years I commuted to and from my job in Philadelphia.  I quit my job in the city when I was in my fifties because I feared that I would die before I ever got the chance to "live near the water."  I'm living near the water now and I enjoy everyday of by blessed existence here on the Delmarva peninsula.  Sure, there are some downsides.  The summertime traffic is horrendous but I can get around that.  Last summer the mosquitoes were relentless.  This summer the heat and humidity is relentless.  But I can still find those niches that afford me the quality of life that I seek.

One of my favorite blogs, Liberty and Independence, had a posting today about finding our niche in life and making the most of it.  The writer of that blog is a young man (compared to me at least, he's half my age.)  He has discovered the secret of living a life of quality.  Find your niche and live it.  For you never know when it will end.

The jetty at North Shores, Cape Henlopen State Park Thursday, July 29, 2010

Jeanne's Visit

Judy, Jack, me and Jeanne on my neighbors' hot deck this afternoon

Today, on this hot Sunday we had a mini-class reunion at my humble abode two miles west of the Broadkill River and just east of Route 1.

My former classmate from high school Jeanne Emery Veltro was in town (Lewes) for a wedding yesterday.  Since I came out at my 40th class reunion (ten years ago), Jeanne has wanted to meet my Significant Other (Bill.)  Today was supposed to be the day.  However, Bill was visiting friends and missed her visit.  Maybe next time.

I had a wonderful visit with my former classmate.  I also invited over Judy and her husband Jack, who live in Lewes to join us for lunch.  Judy is also another former classmate.  Jack and Judy generously let me stay at their lovely home in Cape Shores right on the bay back in the winter of 2006 during the building of my present home.  They spent the winter in their Florida home.  In fact Jack was the person responsible for giving me the final push to put a down payment on the lot which is the site of my present home.  Thanks Jack............I think.  Just kidding.  It was one of the best moves I've ever made in my life.

We all had a very pleasant visit.  Jeanne recently lost her husband.  We talked about that.  I think it was a healing experience.  Too many of my classmates are now widows.  It is sad but to be expected at this time of our life.  We are no longer the eager, young graduates that we were in 1959 ready to face a new decade (the Sixties) and the world.  So much has happened in the past fifty years.  The time has gone by so quickly.  Most of us are still working but we're starting to gradually give up the reins.

Jeanne and I in our high school marching band 1959 - I'm in the back on the left with the Sousaphone and Jeanne is seated next to me

I told Jeanne before she left I had to take the Mandatory Ron Picture of the event.  I asked them to follow me over to my delightful neighbors Bob and Barbara.  I called Barbara and asked her to take our picture.  Barbara, being the wonderful neighbor that she is graciously consented.  Great picture Barb!  Thanks.

By the way, note than both Judy and Jeanne are color coordinated in turquoise and white.  Pure coincidence.  At least that's what they told me.

Have a safe trip back home Jeanne.

The Goodbye Hug

Ruminations About the Class Reunion

Well, here it is a week later already and my 50th class reunion is now history. This time last week, my neighbors and friends Jack and Judy (Judy being a former classmate) and I were barreling our way up Rt. 1 and I-95 to Pennsylvania in Jack's Lexus. Last weekend a Nor'easter hit the east coast and I was reluctant to drive in that wind and rain. I posted a Facebook comment to that effect. Judy saw it and offered me a ride up with them. Of course I accepted immediately. I am so thankful to have such wonderful and gracious friends as Jack and Judy. This is just another reason why I love living in Delaware.

Arriving in Pennsylvania, we decided it was best that I stay where Jack and Judy were staying, with another one of our former classmates whose name is also Judy. I'm telling you, I'm blessed to have such friends.

I'll jump right to the reunion. I'm one of these people who have absolutely no reluctance about going to my class reunions. I think all of my friends (other than some of my former classmates) have never gone to any of their reunions. They all give the same reason. Each one of them has had some bad experience while they were in high school and they don't want top revisit that time. This is something I don't understand. Who hasn't had a bad experience in high school? I certainly had my share of experiences that I wish had not happened. But that is all in the past. I guess we're all different. I try not to let the past dictate how I act in the present. But that's just me. There is a lot I "don't get." I don't lose much sleep over it though. In fact, I don't lose ANY sleep over past wrongs.



Our class had 114 graduating members. We also invited to our reunion former classmates who spent most of their school years with us but didn't graduate from our high school because they had moved to another school district.

Of the 114 graduating members of our class there are 20 that we know have died. There are 12 that are missing. 40 class members and 3 non graduating class members attended the reunion, most with their spouses or Significant Others. My Significant Other (aka Bill Kelly) chose not to attend.....again.



All of the class members had a wonderful time! This was the best class reunion I've ever attended.

The class reunions in the past that I've attended were:



20th Class Reunion held at St. Anthony’s Lodge in Downingtown, Pennsylvania



This reunion was a blur to me because it was so crowded and noisy (with the guest DJ), that I only had a chance to talk to the classmates who sat next to me at the dining table.



25th Class reunion held at the Waynebrook Inn in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania



Again, this was another very noisy class reunion that I had to shout to talk to anyone. The DJ was painfully loud. What was with that anyway?



35th Class Reunion held at the Italian Social Club in West Chester, Pennsylvania



This was a fun class reunion. The room was big and we had time to walk around and become acquainted with our former classmates. We also had a DJ but he didn't dominate the proceedings like the previous two class reunions.



40th Class Reunion held at the Downingtown Country Club in Downingtown, Pennsylvania



This was an "Okay" class reunion. I personally felt too much time was spent by the organizers thanking one another and giving out prizes. I wasn't sure whether I was at the one of those self aggrandizing awards ceremonies that the Hollywood stars give each other or a class reunion. We had some time to mingle with our former classmates but way too much time was spent giving out those prizes (like "best buns." Again, what was that all about?)



45th Class Reunion held at the Sheraton Hotel in Frazer, Pennsylvania



Up until the class reunion last week, this is the reunion I liked the most. The accommodations were great (I stayed overnight at the hotel in very comfortable room and bed) and we had plenty of time to wander around the room and reacquaint ourselves with our former classmates. In fact, I don't remember any "prizes" being handed out at all (thank goodness.)



50th Class Reunion held at the Whitford Country Club in Exton, Pennsylvania.



This reunion was the best! We had classmates come from great distances to be reunited with former classmates that they had not seen in fifty years. There was Jane and Marlene from Florida. Fred came in from Illinois. Ted came in from Oregon. Kathy came in from Las Vegas, Nevada. Don and Jeanne came in from upper New York State. Duer and Nanci came in from Tennessee. John came up from Virginia. And Bonnie, my first date (Soph Hop 1956) came in from Detroit, Michigan. The rest of the classmates came from the Downingtown area or nearby states (like Jack, Judy and me, 2 1/2 hours away in lower Delaware.)



We had music at this reunion but it was a juke box that didn't dominate the premises. We had some classmates speak from the podium. Duer gave the invocation. Denny said a few words about the growth of the Downingtown School District since we graduated (not surprisingly it has grown greatly.)



Frank, our former class president same something but I don't remember what he said. Not much has changed since our high school days because I never remember what he said then either. Sorry Frank, no disrespect but you would have made a great politician. The lips move, sound comes out but after you're done talking, I don't know what you said. That's all right Frank, we all love you anyway.


Then it came time for Patty. If you're not of our class, it's hard to explain Patty. Let me try to explain. Patty is our "entertainer." No one cannot help but be amused when Patty "does her thing." Patty is the one who in the past has passed out the "awards." When I saw Patty tippy toe to the podium I thought, "Oh no, here come the awards." All I could think of was "Please Patty, not more 'Best Buns' awards. Al got it the last time, he doesn't need to get it again. We get it. " Thank goodness she wasn't giving out those joke awards. However, she was giving out gold stars. Her goal was to give everyone a gold star. The gold star was sort of like an award. Old habits are hard to break but this seemed harmless.

Then Carole, the organizer of the reunion, came to the microphone. She had a wonderful idea. Pass the microphone around and let everyone has their say. Oh joy. Exactly what I did not want to do. That damn microphone. Even though the reunion committee rented it, doesn't mean it has to be used. But Carole was not to be deterred. She handed the microphone off to John up from Virginia Beach. John spoke awhile about what he's been doing the past fifty years until Carole said "That's enough!" and took the mike back (in the kindest way possible of course.) I think even Carole realized that if everyone was going to get up and speak about what they did the past fifty years, we were going to be at the country club way past our closing time of 11 PM.



Carole then passed the mike around the floor to those class members who don't usually attend the reunion. It was interesting hearing them but I think a lot of us really didn't want the mike thrust into our face. I know I didn't. I know my friend Bill didn't. Hey, I came to the reunion to reacquaint myself with my former class members, not to do the Academy Award thing of thanking every one from my kindergarten teacher to my agent. But then, that's just me. What can I tell you?



After the Passing Around of the Microphone, came time to mingle with the classmates again. We did that until about 11:30 at which time some of the class members started to head to the coat roams to get their weather gear to venture out into the Nor'easter rains whipping around outside the country club. All too soon another class renion was coming to an end.

This is probably our last formal class reunion. We're at an age now that more of us won't be around for the 55th class reunion. And also, the "55th Class Reunion" doesn't have quite the ring of a 25th, 35th, 40th, 45th or 50th does it? No, I think what we're going to do as far as class reunions in the future is to have informal annual class reunions. We have done this in the past. Usually it is a picnic at a classmate's backyard in the summertime. One year we even went on a night time dinner cruise out of Philadelphia. Those picnics and the cruise were very popular. I will suggest this course to the reunion committee.



I think that is the way to go in the future. One good thing about those the informal, picnic reunions is there are no awards handed out.

By the way Patty, I didn't get a gold star.

Class Reunion a Success!

The Nor'easter rains that blanketed the eastern coast yesterday did not dampen the success of my 50th high school class reunion. The reunion was a resounding success!

My neighbor and fellow classmate Judy and her husband Jack stopped by my house yesterday morning to give me a ride with them to attend the 50th Class Reunion of the Downingtown High School class of 1959. Judy offered me the ride after she read my Facebook comment of how I hate to drive in the rain. Am I lucky or what to have such dear and generous friends? Believe me, there is not a day that goes by that I don't appreciate my friends.




Judy's husband Jack is an excellent driver as he demonstrated again and again as he traveled north on Rt. 1 to the dreaded I-95 Interstate (which thankfully was light on traffic yesterday) and then Rt. 202. Jack was steady and cool all the way.  On the way up we made a pit stop at Trader Joes in one of the many shopping malls that line Rt. 202 just across the Pennsylvania state line.



My brother John from South Carolina was up at my Mom's in Downingtown (where I was originally going to stay), to pick her up and take her south with him and his wife to Greenville to spend the winter (don't I wish it was me.) Since I didn't have a car it was suggested that I stay with Jack and Judy who were staying with another classmate (who was also named Judy) rather than stay at my Mom's.  That sounded like an excellent idea to me so we were off to Judy's.

I have a feeling I'm starting to confuse things here so I'll fast forward a bit here.

At Judy's, fortified with a very robust martini (compliments of Jack), we dashed out of Judy's house into the darkness of the night and the relentlessly driving rain and into Jack's waiting SUV. We were on our way to the Whitford Country Club for an evening of spiritueux de fête and camaraderie with our former classmates and old friends.

Now I'll say one thing right here, the key to having a smashing good night is to have one of Jack's martinis before entering an event like this. My previous nervousness was gone replace by an ear to ear smile which was starting to hurt my face.



Once inside the country club, I headed to the cash bar and refortified myself with another martini (this time an Appletini martini) then I plunged into the 80 or so former classmates and their spouses (mine didn't attend, he's still shy after 45 years of domesticity with me.)

Carole at the reception desk gives me my reunion booklet (and that's another story, we almost had a disaster with the printer getting the completed booklet printed but I won't go into that in this posting), name tag (like no one would no who I was, big chance) and a big "Hi Ronnie!" We're off to the races!



The room was loud with the many conversations going at once of former classmates and friends catching up on the last 50 years of so of life. A professional photographer roamed around the perimeter of the crowd taking candid shots. No shy folks in this crowd.

As is usual at these events we look for the classmates who have never attended a reunion, anxious to see if we can still recognize them and, even more important, can they recognize us!



Ah, I heard Marlene was up from Florida. Marlene and I posed together in several yearbook photos as students playing the drums. Of course neither one of us has ever played either instrument then or since. But I digress.

I found Marlene and she was as lovely as ever! A classic beauty of who time has changed little.

And there was Bonnie. Bonnie drove down from Detroit, Michigan. My first date in high school (Soph Hop - I didn't have a car, my dad drove us, I was mortified that I didn't drive.)

Then there was Anne. Anne was one of the moral compasses in our class along with Jeanie, the other moral compass of our class who was also there last night.

There was Freddie from Illinois, now an evangelist preacher. I had a long and interesting conversation with Freddie. I talked more to Fred last night than I did all the years we played together in the high school band under Mr. Ifert. Fred is still the same as he was back in The Day, just less hair (which seemed to be a common theme among most of the guys, me included.)

Rose made it! Rosie was always one of my favorite gals in class (although she never seemed to notice me.) Her brother John (who was also in our class) convinced her to come. I was so glad to see her.

So may classmates, so little time. I'm running around like a hyper caffeinated photographer, getting as many pictures of my classmates and photos of myself with them as I could. Who knows, this may be the last time I see many of them. Some came from great distance and some came from Downingtown and nearby towns and countryside, the same area they have lived the past fifty years since graduating from high school.



At this reunion we're not talking about children, or even grandchildren as much. This one we're talking about great-grandchildren! How could this be? It just seems like a few short years ago that we were fresh faced, thin and clean shaven youngsters with full heads of hair (the guys) ready to take on life after graduating from high school as the Last Class of the Fifties.



Now the hairlines of most of the guys have receded (or disappeared altogether) and the waists have thickened. But what hasn't changed is the special uniqueness that we all felt as the last class of the Fifties to graduate from the old Downingtown Joint Junior-Senior High school building. Most of us have always felt that our class, whatever the social-economic backgrounds of the different students, was special in our camaraderie and caring for each other.

Last night was one of the best nights in my life.  I will never forget it.

"Bons amis longtemps de phase et bon temps!"

Class Reunion Update

Well I finally finished inputting all the information on the class reunion questionnaire that I received from my former classmates.

50th REUNION

OF THE

CLASS OF 1959

WHITFORD COUNTRY CLUB

DOWNINGTOWN, PA

I updated the template I had of my 45th class reunion in Word on my computer. That sounds easy but there was a lot of cutting, pasting and just plain old keyboarding (aka as "typing.") Boy is I glad my Mom made me take typing class in high school. Back in the Fifties when I went to high school, boys did not take Typing class. They took Shop class. Actually, I wanted to take Home Ec (for "Home Economics" or how to cook) class but boys didn't take that class either. Oh yes, the Fifties was very misogynic. But Mom insisted that I take Typing. She said "You can always use typing skills, what good is taking study hall?" My teenage mind actually thought Study Hall was pretty cool because I could goof off that fifty minutes every day grab assing with my friends. But as usual, Mom was right. Thank you Mom.



So, I got all the typing done for the reunion questionnaires. I sat at this computer for at least ten hours or more both Friday and Saturday. That pile of questionnaires didn't seem to go down but finally I got to the last one. Was my aching back ever glad to turn over that last sheet?



Then I had to face the challenge of the cover sheet. My former classmate Patisue (I never could pronounce her name, I just call her "Pat") called me on my cell phone Saturday after I was returning from my weekly Saturday morning breakfast with Bill at Zorba's Greek restaurant of buttermilk pancakes. No surprise, Pat (or Patisue) hadn't done anything with the cover yet. She said "Nothing is hitting me." Hmmmm. This is where Clark Kent rips open his shirt to display the big "S" of the Superman logo.



I had some thoughts in my mind to do something really original for the cover page. The main idea being taking the names of all of the 114 graduating students of the Downingtown High School Class of 1959 and fitting their names in the big 50 logo. You know the outline of 50 with all their names squeezed in. That my friend is easier said than done.



I Googled the question "insert text into 50 number." What do I find? Links to web sites with terribly convoluted instructions on creating the "box" (in this case the number 50) and inserting a "string" (in this case being the names of my classmates) into the "box." I'm here to tell you that my poor, feeble, 67 year old brain just cannot process the complex formula I was presented with. It just was not possible.



I put a HELP call out on FB. My cousin Tim Tipton acknowledged my HELP call but did nothing. Now I can't even get Facebook up. I fear that I crashed the whole FB system with my request.



And that's another thing. I'm in withdrawal because I haven't been able to access my FB account all day. What in the world is going on with that? I Google the question "Why is Facebook down?" and all I get are links to previous down times. Nothing current. Oh well, maybe this is Tough Love. FB to me was always a guilty pleasure. I don't think any of my Friends were really interested in what I had to say but I sure did have fun typing in several times a day "What's on your mind?" Occasionally I would post a You Tube video (I hear they're having connection problems too today) that I was sure would irritate some of my Friends. I think the best think I like about FB is that I saw where my nephew (I only have one); nieces, and grandnieces are although they rarely communicated with Uncle Ronnie (my name in my Previous Life.)



But I digress. Back to the cover sheet for my reunion booklet. I decided to go generic. Viola! It looked great. Then I decided to add the picture of our old high school on Manor Avenue in Downingtown, PA. We were the last graduating class out of that high school. I have many fond memories of that old stone building (that is still standing by the way.) The old photo of our high school, with some of the Class of '59 classmates lounging around outside is perfect. Now we have something special.



I sent it to Carole, our reunion Drill Sergeant (otherwise known as the Organizer, which she is very good at.) Carole likes it. She says "I like the white background. The page jumps out at you!"



So there you go. I have The Boss's approval. Now all that needs to be done is get it printed and mailed off to Carole with the CD-ROM of the 75 pages of the reunion booklet. Our former classmate Jack S. will take care of the bulk printing and binding. Jack does this every five years. He's good at it. We each have our talents. Carole is very good at coordinating this group of Golden Oldies from the last graduating class of the Fifties.



Carole told me there were a few more reunion questionnaires that I have to input that she will send to me this week. After I update them I'll send her the CD-ROM. Then that ends my responsibilities of the reunion committee. Now all I have to think about is do I wear the same suit to the reunion that I wore to the last two reunions.



Those reunions were the 40th and the 45th. I have a suit that is that old? I surely do. When I left banking I gave all my old suits to my brother John, who is a pastor at southern fundamentalist church in Greenville, South Carolina. He says a lot of young students go to his church (he used to be the Youth Pastor) and many of them didn't even have suits to wear to Sunday Go to Meeting. I was only too happy to donate most of my suits. I kept two blue suits for funerals. One a solid Navy blue and the other a pin stripe blue suit. And there they sit in my closet awaiting the next funeral or class reunion, whichever comes first.



By the way, the sharp looking young man standing in the doorway of the high school. Recognize him? Yipper. That's yours truly. My Claim to Fame.   Haven't change a bit.