Weatherwax Class of 1969 50th Reunion Better Than Expected
(News Item #0419, Published: 09/23/19, Author: William Victor May, Weatherwax1969.org)
Members of the class of 1969 at Weatherwax High School in Aberdeen, Washington, were surprised, startled and struck silly when attending the 50th reunion of their class.
"Most of the people there looked very old," said Ann Bramstadt Timm, "Some of them even had gray hair. All except those men who had no hair."
"I agree, and maybe I am the only one who looks as cute as I did then." noted John Evans, who drove all the way down from Seattle, Washington, not having been home to the area since he fled all those years ago.
"Actually some of these people look pretty good. Oh wait, that guy brought his daughter," noticed Nancy Eklund Stark, "Oh wait, that is his daughter's best friend who he is now married to! This is very confusing,"
The reunion shebang started at the Hoquiam Brewing company on Friday night, so everyone could ogle everyone else without making it too obvious that they didn't recognize them.
There was dissension in the planning committee about whether to have an event in the town of Hoquiam because, after all, they were our arch enemies in school sports. Laura Myers Balderson pointed out, "I just told they committee, 'Hey, it is owned by my son and I can almost guarantee there won't be any fights or name calling.'"
"I will only be here Friday, because my husband's Hoquiam reunion is tomorrow and I have attend that one," said Jackye Rhoades Orr. But under intense questioning she confessed, "OK, I admit I don't have to go to that one but, well frankly, it will be more fun than Aberdeen's."
Al Gozart said, "If you think that is confusing, I have lived here since returning from College and I don't recognize any of these people. "Now, now honey, take your medicine,' said his ever patient wife, Gail.
Saturday night the classmates gathered at the Grays Harbor Country Club, only to find that the committee could not even raise enough money to have live music. The music that did waft from the speakers made everyone nostalgic for a time when music as was simple as were their classmates."
David Holmes, known for his drumming in a high school rock group, claimed he would have played for free but that none of the other High Scholl musicians could carry a tune anymore, so, as Dave said, "They are sad shells of their former selves, whilst I am still robust, physically."
Rumor had it that former members of the schools "Goldenaires" were going to practice and sing together for the first time in 50 years but, "The more we thought about it the more we realized it would not be pretty to see people trying to sound young. So we nixed that just in time."
Bill May failed to attend the first planning committee meeting and was punished be being made reunion Master of Ceremonies, without his approval. "I must say I did a masterful job, and that will be written in stone, because I will write the press release about what a glorious reunion we had, " said May.
The Country Club only allowed the reunion under the condition that these old people would not swim in the pool, knowing that could go badly. The club invited classmates to a round of golf, but, "Like I am going to go walk 5 miles before getting blasted at the party." shouted one classmate who wanted to remain anonymous.
The food at the reunion was pretty damn good considering most of the graduates, having grown up in Aberdeen, had never experienced gourmet food. "We imported a chef from France, because no one knew how to cook frog legs properly," commented Gailyn Ricky Howell, who is now considered one of the best chefs in all of Thornton, Illinois (population 2419).
"Geez, what were those weird chicken legs they served?" noted Mike McMeekin, everyone's favorite sports hero. Dennis Hopkins, chimed in, "Did anyone notice those must have been very small chickens?"
Midway through Saturday's soiree, the Weatherwax High School Marching Band arrived to play the school fight song. "I am so very glad they handed out the lyrics ahead of time, because I don't remember high school, let along the fight song" observed Jerry Weiner.
Prior to the reunion, classmates canvassed (begged) businesses and other students to contribute artwork and other things for a silent auction, which raised over $2,000 for the band program.
The band's "Dum Major" spoke to the group and thanked the class profusely for the donation, "even though we really thought you'd do more now that we put on these silly uniforms and drove all the way out to Central Park on a Saturday Night,"
The evening concluded in a far too long trivia contest complete with outrageously expensive prizes that were scrounged from behind the dollar store dumpster. Michelle Donovick picked the perfect prize for each person because, "Hey, if you can't make fun of your friends, life would not be worth living."
Although attendees were old and feeble, they agreed to meet again in five years for the class's 55th reunion, providing there are no wars, pestilence or pandemics. And, presuming there are still enough alive to form committee. And, providing the Country Club will have them back. And, providing anyone really cares at that point.
- - - - - - - - - - - - - -
DISCLAIMER: Names have been changed to protect the innocent. By registering on the website, we will not sell your name or information to any spamming company, but it will have to be released to the FBI, if they ask and are still looking for you.
###
