On Track to the Fiftieth!

Last night a few members of the planning committee for our fiftieth reunion met in Butch (Alvia) Murdoch's workshop. It's a fascinating place where it's difficult to tell if he is a wood worker, an auto restorer, an antique buff, a collector of fireman memorabilia . . . . but that's another story.

After exploring the workshop and eating hotdogs cooked by Butch and Jackie with other goodies by everyone else, the group settled down to discuss what needs to be done to get ready for the reunion in 2009. The dynamics in the group were interesting to watch as everyone felt their way through the events of the 45th and analyzed stuff to keep and stuff to change.

Since Don Patterson has stepped down, Harry Pund agreed to join Butch as co-chairman.

In the end, it was decided to get input from class members through a survey in the next newsletter to see what everyone would like to do.

Don will put this together, but it will include questions such as:
When it should be --
Spring, summer, fall.

What it should be --
A stand alone event or on the weekend of the Lost in the Fifties Barbecue.
Friday night, Saturday and Saturday night or just one event.
Casual, formal, in between or both.

Where it should be --
Julian Smith Casino, Old Government House, Old Richmond Hotel, The Boathouse, Savannah Rapids Pavilion, and assorted Country Clubs.

I suspect some decisions will have to be made on what is available and how many others come to join the committee to do some of the work.

Frank Stafford will work with Janice Johnson Dixon to explore locations and will make some recommendations based on rental and other costs, catering requirements and best type of event for the venue.

There is a lot of work ahead, but the group seems up to the challenge. I also spotted these folks around the tables --

Judy Little Murphey
Charles and Judy Hunnicutt Johnson
Eddie Glover Tanner
Mike and Jane Bass Moxley
Judy Kent Huff
Janice Keel Helton
and the spouses --
Jackie Murdoch
Robert Murphey
Norma Patterson
Dianne Pund
Robert Dixon

We're on Track to A Great Celebration!!
Facelifts, diets, hair plugs and new wardrobes.
There's so little time and lots to do!

Donna's Cruise Photo

An email from Donna with this photo from their Alaska cruise. She looks great!

"WANTED TO SAY HELLO. THIS WAS TAKEN AT BUSHART GARDENS IN BRITISH COLUMBIA. THE GARDENS WERE GORGEOUS." Donna Andrews Pittman

Donna and husband Joe will need your prayers as he goes through some serious surgery on June 11 at University Hospital.

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You can leave her messages here at (comments) if you don't have her address.

Dusting off the Rolls for the 50th

When you start thinking of a 50th Reunion, you think there is lots of time. After all, we can't be THA-A-AT old!!

Suddenly, the time is slipping up and the committee hasn't met for a while. There are concerns. Names and addresses are all set in Mary's computer, but wait! Several have retired and moved and no one knows where. There needs to be a new meeting place, maybe a few new committee members. . . . What to do?

So. . . Judy has sent an email that there will be a meeting at Butch's house on June 21. Stay tuned.

Ideas or comments are welcome on this blog.

Lost in the 50s Souvenir Book

An email from Robert Murphey announces

"Our next scheduled meeting will be Tuesday, June 26, 2007 at 7:00 PM. We need to review our Ad sales."

I am amazed at the work this committee does for the annual barbecue for classes of the 50s. Each class has its own subcommittee to plan and send newsletters. The whole committee plans everything from porta-potties to desserts to the souvenir program book.

Last year the book was a huge success and will be done again this year. If you have a business you want to promote or just want to honor someone with an ad, Robert will give you the information and take your money!

More later.