The "Reunion Notes: The Big Event" Story

It was an ordinary day. About 6:00 PM Jerry, Just Sue and I jumped in the car and headed to the class reunion. About 6:04 PM we arrived. Seems that the 50th Reunion of the Class of 1962 was held right next door to where Carol and I live at the Barn at Overlook Park. Carol didn't accompany us to the event, since she was still recovering from mono and could use the peace and quite of a night alone with Otis our cat. Just in case you were wondering, here are a few events that took place 50 years ago when we graduated from high school.

• The Dow closed at 652 at the end of the year

• The average cost of a new house was $12,500

• The average yearly income was $5,556

• The average cost of a new car was $1,395

• Eggs cost 32 cents a dozen

• Gas was 28 cents a gallon

• A factory worker with three dependents took home a weekly paycheck of $94.87

• Marilyn Monroe was found dead

• The first Wall-Mart and Kmart stores were opened

• The first US rocket Ranger IV landed on the moon

• John Glenn became the first American to orbit the earth during Friendship 7 orbit

• Oral Polio Vaccine was developed by Albert Sabin

• In pop culture the Beatles released their first recording: "Love Me Do", Andy Warhol painted his can of soup, The Beverly Hill Bi

llies were on TV, and Johnny Carson started as host of "The Tonight Show."

• West Side Story and Lawrence of Arabia were hit movies

• The Beatles, Bob Dylan, Chubby Checker, Frankie Valli & The Four Seasons, Neil Sedaka, and Roy Orbison were hit musicians

• Our President was John F. Kennedy

• 184 people graduated from Manheim Township High School

• We celebrated Christmas on December 25th

This year I was on the committee that planned the event and printed the brochure with info on everyone who returned the mailing we sent out. Also lined up the photographer, Andy, who was a friend and whose wife also graduated from Manheim Township High School. After arriving we spent maybe 30 to 45 minutes greeting people we hadn't seen for at least 5 years and in some cases since 1962. Funny, but I was able to identify just about all my classmates. Even thought I knew a few who weren't classmates, but spouses of classmates. A friend and spouse of one of my classmates who was on the reunion committee with me, Claire, was so sweet to bring a get-well card and circulated all evening with the card to get notes from most classmates telling Carol how much they missed her. Rick, Claire's husband and my classmate, was the MC and after greeting everyone and introducing the members of the reunion committee, asked if everyone could please sign the card that his wife was going to circulate for Linda, my wife. What? Hey, he does stuff like that. Not sure if it is forgetfulness or on purpose. Then he read the names of all the members of the class who had died since graduation. 21 names, but then others in the group added a few more to the list that we had

missed in the booklet. Tough to listen to names of people who shared the same high school classes and may have sat next to or in front of us in class, since they were the same age as most of the rest of us. But, times goes on and we are the lucky survivors. The meal was a buffet line which featured beef and salmon, green beans, red potatoes, and a variety of sauces. On the tables were rolls and a salad. Nothing special, but we weren't there for a gourmet meal. Then it was photo time. Andy divided the class members into four equal groups and took each group, one at a time, to the second floor where he lined us up and took group photos of all groups. Envelopes were provided so you could include the fee and write you name and address on the envelope. Andy would make a collage of the four groups, add the names of each group on the back of the photo and mail it to you. Pretty neat idea. He wanted to do it after we had food in our stomach since most people our age, after a few drinks, act pretty silly and usually don't

cooperate as well as they should. Then the dancing started. Slowly at first, but eventually, by the time the congo line had formed, most were on their feet. The reunion was a huge success. Everyone thanked Marilyn, the head of our committee and said they will be back in another 5 years. Hopefully! When I got home I gave Linda, whoops, I mean Carol her card who read all the notes and names and asked us who are all these people. Since it was after 11:00 PM, we told her we would tell her the next morning. You know people who graduated in 1962 should be in bed by 11:00 PM. It was another extraordinary day in the life of an ordinary guy. PS - photos from the top shows marquee in front of Overlook Park, Andy taking the photos and inside the barn.