Romancingthepast@sbcglobal.net
Many Thanks, and you WILL see the finished project, even if it doesn't win anything!!!
CALL FOR PHOTOS AND HOME MOVIES!!
Hello, Classmates!! Hope you're all staying warm this winter! Cate Neilson--yes, she DID change her name again, but it's still pronounced 'Nelson'--is working on a short film for a competition about growing up in Alvin. She would love for you to share any photos and/or home movies from elementary school through high school. She's looking for pictures of schools, classmates, neighborhoods, and places about town. If anyone has anything, please send them to her on Facebook at Cate A. Neilson or email to:
Further Recap Tales...
(Apologies as I know more than a week has passed…but I’ve been under the weather. I’m on the mend now and ready to continue with the recap…)
Saturday morning dawned bright and early with a group of 20 or so meeting at AHS for a tour led by Shirley Brothers. I think it’s safe to say this is not the Alvin High School we remember! It’s big, beautiful, and from what I could tell, seemed to be equipped with the all the latest in technology! Retired government teacher Charles McCauley joined us—he has
slightly less hair but it was great to find him alive and well in spite of having a building on campus named for him! Mr. McCauley spends a portion of his leisurely retirement as a member of the School Board, and other portions attending former student reunion events like ours. According to Shirley, he also takes care of his VERY mean dog! We met at the Rotunda, located about where the old North Annex used to be, now shading a wonderful array of commemorative bricks purchased by citizens and former students. (I’d love for our class to buy one for each of our departed classmates. I’m thinking of setting up a PayPal account for this, so let me know your thoughts on the idea!)
Some highlights of our tour included picture-taking at the Wall of
Honor, citing the accomplishments of former classmates and instructors. A few of us took turns having our photos snapped next to it--Terry Penner here--previewing hopes about placement of our own names there someday!
Those of us who were in choir and/or band gazed in pure envy at the size of the new practice facilities--unfortunately the drama department didn't fare as well—those classes are hidden under the old gym in what used to be the sub cafeteria! A really nice security guard who’s name I’ve forgotten took us through some back doors around to the auditorium where, after we found the lights, we had a blast taking photos of ourselves on stage and as a group. Most of us remember hours and hours of pure high school ‘entertainment’ there, and one of our favorite stories was about climbing up a very steep and skinny ladder to the 'light loft.' Who knows what we did while we were up there?!!
We ended the tour near what used to be our ‘new’ cafeteria, talking about the trees they saved and the ones they lost, including the really BIG one that used to be toward one end of the old administration building—a spot where many of us spent lounging, making out, or just daydreaming. Shirley talked to us about programs the school participates in and we enjoyed hearing about the diversity of the student population, another big difference from our tenure there. Many thanks to Shirley for an enjoyable and informative morning, and also to Mr. McCauley for his good cheer--and especially for sharing with us that the ‘older classes’ like ours brought to mind some of his fondest memories!
After the tour a small group of us met for lunch at Joe’s BBQ—that’s us clowning
around in the photo with a bunch of REAL clowns. Having a chance to visit one-on-one was great, and we hope to build in more time for this kind of interaction during our next reunion. (As well as naps—several of us headed home after lunch to take naps!!) ;) We needed them, however, because those of us involved in planning only had a bit of a break before gathering at Haak’s Winery to set up the tables for the big evening. Stay tuned…
Belatedly: A Reunion Recap
Recounted by Cathy (Cate) Nelson Richard...
If you weren't there, I'm sure you've been on pins and needles for the past month! I think once the reunion was over, those of us involved with it pretty much flat-fined—especially the wonderful ladies in Texas who actually did the real legwork. Thanks again to our amazing steering committee—Lu Anne, Nettie, Debbie, Jody, Teresa, and Pat! (Can you pick out who's who in the photo to the right?!) Anyway...waiting a month for an update isn’t 
nearly as bad as waiting 20 years to have another reunion—we are all determined that will NOT happen again!
So, let's start at the beginning...with Friday night's 'Your Alvin Yellow Jackets' football game! The steering committee, decked out in black Ts with glittery orange yellow jackets on front, greeted reunion attendees at the gate with orange Mardi Gras beads and 1974 Alumni ribbons. Bombarded with the faces of former classmates—most of whom you haven’t seen in 20 years—was what we’d have called 'a real trip' back in the 70s! It took a minute (or two in some cases!) to add ‘the years’, but once 'old' friends opened their mouths, the voice took you right back to high school. The years simply melted away like butter on a Texas sidewalk--ok, couldn't resist a Texas heat metaphor!
Somewhere around 30 of us attended the game--which had several highlights beyond just reconnecting with our old friends. Tom Menefee, recently returned from military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, returned with an American flag
flown over his military base for the Class of '74 to present to the school during half-time. All classmates who wanted to were asked to join him on the field for the presentation, honoring all military men and women around the world.
Besides just talking and catching up with each other, we DID actually watch the football game, which was fast-paced and fun. (This from someone who truly hates football!) Our
Alvin Yellow Jackets lost in the last 25 seconds of play—big bummer!!
The after-game mingle at my folks house up from the stadium turned into a bit of a wash—half the folks were starving and needed to go find some food, and the other half couldn’t find the house! (I’ve explained to my parents that leaving porch lights on is a good idea when you’re expecting company!) ;) Next time I vote for a mix-and-mingle (with FOOD!) before the game!
Check back next week for another installment of the weekend events--Saturday's tour of our alma mater Alvin High School! And feel free to post your own reunion stories here, too!! Photos from all events are available at http://www. alanamoser.com.
If you weren't there, I'm sure you've been on pins and needles for the past month! I think once the reunion was over, those of us involved with it pretty much flat-fined—especially the wonderful ladies in Texas who actually did the real legwork. Thanks again to our amazing steering committee—Lu Anne, Nettie, Debbie, Jody, Teresa, and Pat! (Can you pick out who's who in the photo to the right?!) Anyway...waiting a month for an update isn’t 
nearly as bad as waiting 20 years to have another reunion—we are all determined that will NOT happen again!So, let's start at the beginning...with Friday night's 'Your Alvin Yellow Jackets' football game! The steering committee, decked out in black Ts with glittery orange yellow jackets on front, greeted reunion attendees at the gate with orange Mardi Gras beads and 1974 Alumni ribbons. Bombarded with the faces of former classmates—most of whom you haven’t seen in 20 years—was what we’d have called 'a real trip' back in the 70s! It took a minute (or two in some cases!) to add ‘the years’, but once 'old' friends opened their mouths, the voice took you right back to high school. The years simply melted away like butter on a Texas sidewalk--ok, couldn't resist a Texas heat metaphor!
Somewhere around 30 of us attended the game--which had several highlights beyond just reconnecting with our old friends. Tom Menefee, recently returned from military duty in Iraq and Afghanistan, returned with an American flag
flown over his military base for the Class of '74 to present to the school during half-time. All classmates who wanted to were asked to join him on the field for the presentation, honoring all military men and women around the world.Besides just talking and catching up with each other, we DID actually watch the football game, which was fast-paced and fun. (This from someone who truly hates football!) Our
Alvin Yellow Jackets lost in the last 25 seconds of play—big bummer!!The after-game mingle at my folks house up from the stadium turned into a bit of a wash—half the folks were starving and needed to go find some food, and the other half couldn’t find the house! (I’ve explained to my parents that leaving porch lights on is a good idea when you’re expecting company!) ;) Next time I vote for a mix-and-mingle (with FOOD!) before the game!
Check back next week for another installment of the weekend events--Saturday's tour of our alma mater Alvin High School! And feel free to post your own reunion stories here, too!! Photos from all events are available at http://www. alanamoser.com.
Order Memory Books or Prints
Alana Moser, who captured many pictures Saturday evening, has our pictures posted and ready for you to view. She creates marvelous memory books and prints.
You will find her pricing guidelines and a link to her web site in the fabulous program Teresa Williams Brown created for us. The pictures are currently posted at this web site for viewing and purchase.
http://www.alanamoser.com
You will find her pricing guidelines and a link to her web site in the fabulous program Teresa Williams Brown created for us. The pictures are currently posted at this web site for viewing and purchase.
http://www.alanamoser.com
Bring Cash for the raffle baskets
Saturday night at 9:00 we will be raffling off some truly awesome gift baskets. Tickets will be 6 for $5. There are several baskets you can bid on: some of the baskets are a bed and breakfast basket, a coffee basket, a car supplies basket, and the greatest Shop Alvin basket you could imagine.
Debbie Briggs Vaughn and Jody Norman Moore did a remarkable job and collected the most fabulous donations and gift certificates from all over Alvin. Some of these are in the raffle baskets and many will be given out as door prizes.
We are counting on the raffle to help give us a profit on our event and funds to begin planning our next reunion. Please support our class in this effort and bring those extra dollars along for tickets.
Debbie Briggs Vaughn and Jody Norman Moore did a remarkable job and collected the most fabulous donations and gift certificates from all over Alvin. Some of these are in the raffle baskets and many will be given out as door prizes.
We are counting on the raffle to help give us a profit on our event and funds to begin planning our next reunion. Please support our class in this effort and bring those extra dollars along for tickets.
What to wear, what to wear?
The Saturday event at Haak will be an outdoor event. We will be in the patio and pavillion area. The pavillion does have ceiling fans but do consider this as you plan your attire for this September evening in Texas. We had said we would dress in "snappy casual". What does that mean? Well, just something casual, comfortable, and nice.
The Steering Committee
The Steering Committee
Mix and Mingle: 8:00-10:00 at Haak
The Mix and Mingle time at the reunion will be from 8:00-10:00 Saturday evening.
Please join the reunion group at that time. The cash bar will be open along with the wine tasting room and gift shop. At 8:00 we will begin the program with our class song and our class messages.
Please join the reunion group at that time. The cash bar will be open along with the wine tasting room and gift shop. At 8:00 we will begin the program with our class song and our class messages.
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