Running Compilation of Items for DUHS - Class of 1953



2002 Jan 1 Notes on Prior Passings
2002 Jan 25 Wm. "Tom" Hollis Obituary
2002 March 12 Missing DUHS'53
2002 April 02 General Notes
2002 April 08 A New Pic + Planning Notes
2002 May 02 Msg from Sally Harris
2002 May 02 General Notes

1 Jan 2002

Prior passings that have been noted since 1998 .. Ronald Balfour, Barbara Day, Jim Horton, Bruce Lindquist, Guy Mannino, Victor McCalman, Correne Mullin, Donna Rarick

25 Jan 2002

Fri Jan 25 19:46:43 2002
From: "Hugh T. Hoskins" 
Subject: DUHS-1953  Could This Have Been "Our" Classmate??

Vikings -
--- The following Obit was in today's Downey Eagle  ---
The age and name are right.
Can anyone confirm that this is "our" Willima "Tom" Hollis?
Parents: Robert & Margaret; sister: Starr?
Sure hate to think that he was right here in town under our nose and I couldn't find him.
Thanks,, /s/ Hugh

OBIT::
Graveside services today for William T. Hollis

DOWNEY-Graveside services will be held at noon today, Jan. 25, at the Downey
District Cemetery for William T. Hollis who died Jan. 12 at the age of 66.

Known to all his friends as Tom, he was born in Texas on May 15, 1935 to parents
Robert and Margaret, and worked for Smith-Emery Co. as a deputy building inspector
for more than 20 years.

He enjoyed gardening and making model airplanes. An avid reader, he particularly
enjoyed the history of World War II.

He is survived by his wife, Carole, sons Michael and William ("Vince"), sister Starr,
and granddaughter Rylee.

Services are by the Downey Zrelak Family Mortuary.
------
Sadly it was confirmed that this was "our" Tom.
His widow Carol Krebs (DUHS'56) was the sister of FredKrebs'52
who was at one time married to ElizabethHuff'53.

12 March 2002

  DUHS 1953 Missing - with last known addrs --
  forward any info to Hugh T. Hoskins

 Timeli- Downey Union High School - Class of 1953 -- Lost Sheep.                              Page#    1     3/15/02
  -ness  Name  (Class/Current)                     Latest address / E-Mail address                               TELE
 53G     Aldrich, Stanley George                  8027 Birchleaf, Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Axford, Raymond Morgan                   9868 Orr & Day Rd., Downey, CA 90241
 77      Baker, Robert Thomas                     9539 Firestone #16 B, Downey, Ca 90241
 77      Beach/Hargis, Shirley Maxine             1913 Minnetaska, Wichita Falls, Tx 76309
 53G     Braun, Donna Jean (doris?)               9533 Paramount, Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Brown, William Frederick                 13152 Blodgett, Downey, CA 90241
 77      Budlong/Watson, Barbara Ann              105 S.  London Ct., Anaheim, Ca 92806
 53Q     Clark, Judith                            13441 S. Lakewood Blvd., Downey, CA 90241
 77      Clark, Ples                              2409 E. Hoover, Orange, Ca 92867
 77Q     Collins, Dixon                           7408 Kroll, Bakersfield, Ca 93309
 z       Copeland, Kenneth                        , ,
 53G     Curtis, Fredella Kay                     12450 Paramount Blvd., Downey, CA 90242
 z       Durham, Connie                           , ,
                                                      seen in Classmates; no answer
 77/     Eli/Dawson, Shirley Rae                  5842 Marshall Dr., Huntington Beach., Ca 92649
 53G     Evans, Mary Rosanne                      7559 Noren St., Downey, CA 90240-3108
 53G     Fay, Bruce Alvin                         9835 Tweedy Ln., Downey, CA 90240-3823
 53G     Freeman, Patsy Marie                     8536 E Donovan St., Downey, CA 90242-3614
         Gano/Perry, Barbara                      , ,
 53G     Gibbens, Barbara Jean                    7264 Quill Rd., Downey, CA 90242-2002
 z       Glass/Chambers, Roberta                  , ,
 53G     Greenslade, Carol Ann                    9443 E. VanRuiten Ave., Bellflower, CA 90706-2252
 53G     Halberg, Sharal June                     8550 S. Smallwood, Downey, CA 90240-2136
 53G     Hall, Wanda E.                           12121 Dunrobin, Downey, CA 90242-3001
 77      Hargis/Meek, Nelva Evora                 411 N. Euclid #15, Fullerton, Ca 92832
 53G     Harman, Joanne Gladys                    8444 E. Second St., Downey, CA 90241-3815
 53G     Haslip, Richard L.                       6551 S. River Grove, Downey, CA 90240-2026
 53G     Heath, Patsy Ann                         13623 Clark Ave, Downey, CA 90241
 77/     Hill/Davidson, Barbara Lee               1121 Briarwood, Anaheim, Ca 92805
 77      Hocker, Donald Louis                     3601 Tolenas, Sacramento, Ca 95864
 77      Hoffeld/White, Marion Lorraine           14300 Buena St. Sp-39, Garden Grove, Ca 92840
 53Q     Hollingsworth, Ralph W.                  Biltmore Trail Ct., Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Holly, Barbara Ann                       10308 Samoline, Downey, CA 90241-2243
 53G     Horwitz, Marian                          10825 1/4 Church, Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Humphrey, Loyce Diane                    7419 E. Rundell St., Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Johnson, Raymond Elmer                   10537 Shelleyfield, Downey, CA 90241
 77      Kauffman/Ferrante, Betty Louise          1401 Greenview Dr., La Habra, Ca 90631                            562/691-9542
 53G     Kinzey, Barbara Louise                   7350 E. Nada St., Downey, CA 90242-2014
 z       Lasater, Martha                          , ,
 53G     Linaberg, John Walter                    9540 East Cecilia, Downey, CA 90241-4011
 53G     Lowman, Judy Ann                         8455 Donovan, Downey, CA 90242-3611
 53G     Malderey, Dorothy Lee                    11623 S. MacGovern Avenue, Downey, CA 90241-4814
 77/     Matthews/Meggs, Gwendolyn Charmaine      Rt. 2, Fayetteville, Ar 72701
 z       Mc Fetridge, Bill                        , ,
 53G     Myers, Robert M.                         , ,
 77/     Norberg, Kenneth John                    Rt. 1 - Box 543b, Yreka, Ca 96097
 77      Norvell, Don Wayne                       1107 S E. 51-st, Oklahoma City, Ok 73129
 53G     O' Neil, Lawrence Myron                  9555 Parrot, Downey, CA 90240-3238
 53Q     O' Reilly, Dennis J.                     13003 Woodruff, Downey, CA 90242-5038
 53G     Palazzolo, Florence Providence           8102 Alameda, Downey, CA 90242-2436
 53G     Patterson, Patsy May                     10532 S. Smallwood, Downey, CA 90241-2257
 77      Peterson/Taylor, Lois M.                 4301 Livermore, Cypress, Ca 90630
 53Q     Potapov, Jack R.                         13007 Izetta, Downey, CA 90242-4945
 z       Prahm, Bill                              , ,
 53Q     Raasch, Claudia J.                       14009 Charlemagne Ave., Downey, CA 90241
 53Q     Raffeld, Paul C.                         9308 Horley, Downey, CA 90240-2653
 53G     Ramirez, Dora                            11435 S. Patton Rd., Downey, CA 90241-5273
 77/     Rapier/Kuno, Nancy Lee                   21051 Inferno Way, Huntington Beach, Ca 92646
 53G     Reese, Norman Doyle                      13108 Ibbetson, Downey, CA 90242-5033
 53Q     Reese, William J.                        13108 Ibbeston, Downey, CA 90242-5033
 77      Roesch/Hall, Margie Elenore              .c/o 12056 Smallwood, Downey, Ca 90242
 77      Rucks, Kathleen                          .c/o 7543 E. Muller, Downey, Ca 90241
 53G     Sawyer, Claudia Mavis                    9712 Richeon St., Downey, CA 90240-3133
 95/     Schmidt, Donald H.                       P. O. Box 1206, Florence, Or 97439                                503/977-2354
 77/     Severson, Thomas Paul                    524 S. Sanders St., Ridgecrest, Ca 93555
 77      Sharkey/Pecora, Barbara                  9792 Grindlay, Cypress, Ca 90630
 77/     Sharp, Jim Dean                          777 Mill, San Luis Obispo, Ca 93401
 77      Smith, Donnie Stahl                      23771 Via Lacoruma, Mission Viejo, Ca 92675
 z       Smith, Monte                             , ,
 53G     Smith, Rochelle Vern                     8814 E. Imperial Hwy., Downey, CA 90242-3908
 53G     Taff, Ruth Virginia                      8202 E. Stewart & Gray, Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Tibert, Jacqueline                       7937 E. 4th St., Downey, CA 90241-3236
 77      Turnbull/Neikerk, LouElla Mae            1150 Columbia, Ontario, Ca 91764
 z       Turner, Catherine                        , ,
 53G     Walsh, Noelee E.                         12855 S. Woodruff Avenue, Downey, CA 90242-5054
 53G     Walton, Jack Edgar                       Biltmore Tr. Park, Downey, CA 90241
 53G     Watt/Hoskinson, Carol Ann                11518 Koopman, Downey, CA 90241
                                                      Geneandcarol@webtv.net
 77/     White, Wayne C.                          2384 Elmdale, Simi, Ca 93065
 z       Whitmore, Barbara                        , ,
 53G     Wilkerson, Robert Neil                   12727 S. LaReina, Downey, CA 90242-4242
 77      Wingard/Weir, June                       1052 Napa St., Tustin, Ca 92780-2828
 53G     Woods, Darlene Marie                     7436 Adwen, Downey, CA 90241-4416
 53G     Wright, G. Martin                        7939 E. Quill Drive, Downey, CA 90242-3441
 Count =         82

02 April 2002

 Vikings All:

Some stuff here of interest to my Class-of-'53 and others, too.


At LONG LAST the School's WebSite has been fixed - sorta.
The way that it was fixed was to remove nearly all of the old area known as ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalum53/
and replaced it with ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/
so DO DO DO change your bookmark if you had one.

If you're new to the Site, please DO look around.
If you've been there before, there are some new things,
  e.g. some mementos from Gary Garett of our class'53 and his mom's class'32 can now be seen at ..
        http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/      + class mementos / memorabilia

ALSO please try all kinds of links and let me know if any are "broken".
(EXCEPT for my "Links for a Rainy Day", for which there is NO warrantee)
----

If there was something that I promised to do for anybody after the School's site got back in order, then
please check to see that I've done it and let me know if I still have errors or omissions or owe you something yet.
Several of you have identified corrections to the Elementary Class photos at ...
     http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2elempx.htm
and I believe that I've made them all; please nudge me if I've missed any.

Thanks to Richard McGuire. we have a NEW picture of Mrs.Stannard's 6-th grade class linked to from that page via ...
   DowneyElem Grade 6 Room D
which becomes ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/eled06df.htm
-----

NEW FEATURE ADDED --
Instead of hoping that everybody remembers all prior emails and stuff or where they were filed,
there will now be a running list of the salient pieces --
BOTH for all classes in General at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni            + MultiClass + Running Notes
 which goes to ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/allclass/L2run02a.htm

AND for the Class of '53 specifically at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/         + Running Notes
 which goes to ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2run02s.htm

Check 'em out, it's my first attempt at reference linkss internal to a file.
The files can either be browse/scrolled lineraly or linked-to by date/subject.
----

The latest lists of our class of '53 are at ...
       http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/duhs53.htm       full
  and  http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/duhs53uu.htm     lost
----

The Class-'53 Reunion Committee Chair/Steers is now also considering places other than the Queen Mary -- specifically Angelo's and Vinci's in Fullerton near intersection of Harbor and Chapman.

As always, send your ideas, preferrences, and comments on all facets (location, food, music, date, time, dress, program, books, video) of the reunion gathering to him at ...
     "Rogers,Ben" 
ALSO send him your WILLINGNESS to participate on the Committee; this is IMPORTANT.
----

The pictures of the '53 Senior class and the Elementary classes have been RE-UP-loaded to the site and the name/legends have been UP-dated (HOPEFULLY) according to the latest info/changes that I've received. So PLEASE do look over all of the links from the page at ...
  http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2pictur.htm
and let me know of any UP-dates that STILL need to be made.
Our Henry "Orlan" Mitchell has been the biggest contributor of corrections, for which we thank him and hope that he'll double-check my work.
----

The following recently in from Ron Welch's wife ...
> > While waiting for my first appointment in the reception room of a
> > new dentist, I noticed his certificate, which bore his full name.
> > Suddenly, I remembered that a tall, handsome boy with the same name
> > had been in my  high school class some 50 years ago. Upon seeing him,
> > however, I quickly discarded any such thought. This balding, gray-haired
> > man with the deeply lined face was too old to have been my classmate.
> > After he had examined my teeth, I asked him if he had attended the local
> > high school. "Yes," he replied.
> > "When did you graduate?" I asked. He answered, "In 1951."
> > "Why, you were in my class!" I exclaimed.
> > He looked at me closely and then asked,
> > "What did you teach?"
This is a great twist and at first I thought that it was a first-person story from Patty, but then realized that it's been forwarded a few times.
---

In Dec 2001, there was a reception given by the Sowney Symphony Society honoring two long-standing memebrs, one of whom was one of our English teachers. See at 
         http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/Dymail07.JPG
------

Follow-up Thoughts from the 14 March 2002 Meeting of the DUHS'52 Steering Committee ...

1. Newspaper -
Notify the Downey Eagle (or it's successor after it changes hands), the Long Beach Press-Telegram (they have a column/section that appears on a regular basis), the LA-TImes, and the Orange County Register.
The latter is not very cooperative regarding schools that are not in O.C., so you might put in a cover letter mentioning that the majority of the class members now live IN Orange County and read the Register.

2. Picnic -
The next day after the dinner at the Embassy, have a NO-host picnic on the School grounds - bring-your-own-everything affair with NO fees, food, or reservations. Contact the School well in advance, likely they will be quite cooperative.

3. Teachers -
The only ones I know that are still living in the SouthWest are Mrs. Walta (Downey) and DeanKrebs(Arizona); I can get you addr and ph.numbers if you want.

4. Video header -
Suggest that someone take a camcorder onto the current School campus during some empty/idle time (e.g. weekend) and narrate scenes of the bell, the mosais, the new rally stage (in place of the old pool), the Viking art on the buildings, the office building (the William L. Walker Hall). Then this can be edited/copied ahead of the party-time footage that I'll take.

5. For those who won't/can't come -
  a.  Request/beg photos from them for inclusion in the book; ask for head-shot/portrait/pass-port type photos.
  b.  Offer copies of the book and the video tape for a fee.

6. Food Selection -
 The class-of-'51 offered a selection (by ADVANCE reservation) of beef or chicken on the QueenMary. Many of those who choose beef wished that they had chosen chicken.


7. Data Available -
I'll be sending a CD of pics of class-53 and entire School address list (in several forms and sorts to Mariella and Georgia.
 
8. Program -
Gotta give a BIG recognition to Bill Gast for his really big effort on the WebSite.
Rather than Prizes, give recognition live and in the printed-Program to those with the greatest/shortest travel distance, most kids, least hair, etc. etc.; would HAVE to have the members apply IN ADVANCE for the recognition, so that it could be printed in the program and the memory book.

9. Souvenir Books -
Some Commercial outfits who will do all sorts of things; smaller ones likely more cooperative for doing whatever you might want them to do.
        Creative Class Reunions (800) 700-6607
        Goodtime Reunions (800) 454-9311
        Great Gatherings  (310) 793-0619
        Memory Makers     (909) 597-3349
        Pride Reunions    (562) 941-4577
        Unforgettable Reunions (888) 573-8696    small in Claremont
                http://www.unforgettablereunions.com/
                 ureunions@unforgettablereunions.com
        Worthington Reunions  (714) 641-7544 (800) 600-1577
        Reunion Specialists   (877) 4 EVENTS  or
 ==> Likely worth checking out(562) 464-1700  in Whittier "flexible"  <= local outfit  
                  http://www.reunionspl.com/

Great Reunions Inc.  Toll Free (Outside of 714) (800) 655-7971
Telephone (714) 937-5000 Fax (714) 937-3200
E-Mail info@greatreunions.com
Address
Great Reunions Inc.  -- Ron Forman, Pres
283 N. Rampart St.  Suite C
Orange, CA 92868
------
________________
DOWNEY HIGH CENTENNIAL And Other Events -
Downey High School, which opened its doors in 1901 and graduated its first class in 1905, will celebrate its Centennial on Thursday 9 May 2002 by a
      -- BIG SHINDIG  --   details later 
on the School grounds on the lawn in front of the Carpenter/Alumni Rally Stage. The event will be from
     5:00pm to 9:00pm,   details later
and all attendees are encouraged to bring their own lawn chairs, blankets, snacks, beverages, shadehats, and earplugs (because while the music may not be good, it sure will be LOUD).

Two weeks later on Thursday 23 May 2002 there will be an induction of distinguished alumni into the Alumni Hall of Fame. This event will be held in the gymnasium beginning at 10:00 am and the public is invited.     details later .
MEANWHILE - Be sure to send your recommendations for the future to Alumni Hall of Fame Committee, Downey High School, 11040 Brookshire Ave, Downey 90241. They seek nominations for alumni who have been of service to the Alumni efforts, to the School, to the City, and to mankind. Most notable from the past have been Robert Ballard'60 (finding the Titanic), Richard & Karen Carpenter'64/'67, JoJo Starbuck'69.


In addition the following Class-Reunions are planned for this year ...
1945+'46+'47:   26October2002 Hyatt Regency Irvine, contact 714/846-7548 Lois Jean (Mattei) Fults.
1952: 22June2002 - Embassy Suites Downey, contact 949/459-6933 Bill (Overmeyer) Gast.
1957: 02Nov2002 - Irvine Marriott Hotel, contact 714/971-8773 Carolyn-Jo (Ward) Weigand.
1960+'61+'62: 12Oct2002 - Hyatt Regency LongBeach, contact 800/665-7971. 
1972: 13Jul2002 - Long Beach Reanissance, contact 562/464-1700323/720-1893 Denise (Howe) Marquez.
1982: 24Aug2002 - Westin Long Beach, contact 800/665-7971.
1992: 20July2002 - Long Beach Hilton, contact 800/665-7971 626/331-5778 626/695-0560  Jennifer Standley/Anderson.
------

The Downey Eagle, the local weekly newspaper, has been storied as going out of business. These same stories tell that there will probably be a successor paper -- likely under a different name -- The Downey Patriot.
------

If you've noticed any problems with the State Highways (including Cal., US., and Interstate), then you can report them easily at ...
   http://www.dot.ca.gov/maintform.html
road conditions can be found at ...
   http://www.dot.ca.gov/hq/roadinfo/
live traffic video from a few choice spots can be seen at ...
   http://video.dot.ca.gov/
  but there is some concern about the direction of the traffic with respect to the camera.
For Oregon, see ...
  http://www.tripcheck.com/
  http://www.tripcheck.com/RoadCams/roadcams.htm
  http://www.oregonlive.com/cams/
some have interesting pictures when it's snowing.
--------

I just got off of jury duty; for notes about my recent experience, see at ...
   http://home.earthlink.net/~dhoskins/misc1/jury02a.htm


08 April 2002

Vikings:

This whole message is also the last item at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2run02s.htm

The Present --
Courtesy of Henry Olran Mitchell we have a new elementary picture posted on the site; it's from his 4th-grade at Alameda. See at ... 
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2elempx.htm
and select
    class= AlamedaElem Grade 4 Room C    just pic    just names 

In addition to Orlan, 4 others from the class are on the "To:" list for this message, namely ...
  George Katanjian,  Martha McGuire,  Shirley Edquist, Sherlyn Oleen,

PLEASE, everybody --  but especially those named --
LOOK at the pic and send me names for those who are identified only by letter/number.
AND ALSO check over the other elementary pictures and the Senior panorama picture and help identify as many as possible of the "unknowns".

--------

The future --
Points to ponder regarding our coming big-bash next year  ...
. just 1953 or also include 1954 
. anybody is welcome but do we make it a joint effort
. location: hotel, ballroom, banquet room, country club
. make a deal with a hotel for rooms even if not using facilities
. geography: Downey, Whittier, SantaFeSprings, LaMirada, Norwalk, LongBeack, Fullerton, BuenaPark, Anaheim, Irvine, Montebello, CityOfIndustry
. timing: July-4-th weekend, a Sat evening after school resumes in Sept 2003
. advertise: news papers, radio, letters to the best addrs available
. financing: open an sccount, set fee now and hope it doesn't change, get a deposit and raise it later after we make more firm arrangements
. headcount: if early, then get room and cost more closely tailored
. all by ourselves or with a FULL service professional or with a flexible pro that will do just what we need
. badges, caps, T-Shirts
. dress: formal, fancy, business casual, nice Hawaiian/beach 
. music: none, some, lots, loud, quiet, live, boom-box with '50s, DJ with '90s
. entertainment: dance, cheerleaders, stand-up comedians from the class, what we've been doing for the last 50 yrs
. records: longest distance, most offspring, greatest weight loss, prizes, applause, honorable mention
. historic displays: montages on boards, old class photos, etc., etc.
. preprinted programs: to outline the evenings' activities
. food: steak, lobster, chicken, capon, beef; selection: all the same, choice from 2 or 3.
. memory book (plain/fancy), photographs, names, addresses, personal histories
. video: one of us, hired pro, friendly cheapo
. make souvenirs available to those who don't attend
. memorial-time for those who have passed away, read their names, play taps
. special invitees: teachers (I only know of Mrs.Walta locally, DeanKrebs is in Ariz, Gus Shiney is in Rancho Mirage), complimentary/fee

If you have thoughts on any of these subjects please share them with the committee chair, offer to serve on the planning committee, attend the first planning meeting early in June, or just simply e-mail them to him at ...
   "Rogers,Ben"   email=  whimsy2@earthlink.net

Personally, I'm partial to a place where we can be dressed comfortably, UNcramped as to room size, enjoy each other's company, chat withOUT raising our voices over background music, enjoy a nice meal, take away memories of having a good time with old friends.

Our latest contact list is at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/duhs53.htm
the subset of the missing is at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/duhs53uu.htm
PLEASE LOOK AT IT AND SEE IF YOU CAN THINK OF ANY WAT TO FIND ANY OF THEM!!!

Thanks,, Hugh

02 May 2002

A copy of the message from Sally Jo Harris Larson to Ben Rogers with thoughts about our reunion planning.

Dear Ben,
    Just a few of my thoughts on what I think would help make a good party.   My preference would be dressing up for the reunion dinner.   Subdued music during dinner so every one can visit.   A  DJ is better than a band and less expensive.  You have a better choice of music and some of these fellows are quite entertaining.  Its nice to have someone who is a choreographer so they cannot only play music but direct the crowd with special group activities..  We have found that a group is more likely to participate with some direction.  At our age now I would select two slow one fast when making your music choices.   It is my experience that the pattern of music dictates whether your crowd stays or goes.   If the music is consistently too slow they get bored if too fast they tire out and go home.  I think a variety of music is much more palatable.  A hotel  that will accommodate everything is best for most of us at this age.  I don't know about the rest of the group but my husband  needs to rest every now and then.  This would be easy if everything took place in the same building.   If the hotel has grounds suitable for a picnic maybe we could have one the following day.  This would be nice.  Our family of about 100 has a picnic every year if possible.  Each family or couple brings a side dish of their choice, their own drinks and a box of chicken or some other main dish.  All the food goes on one or two tables for every one to pick at.  This creates a fun atmosphere and every one mingles.  We get to taste all the different dishes brought by our friends.  Fortunately this kind of event does not require a lot of work except picking out the spot.   If you decide to do this, I will bring plastic silverware, plates, cups, napkins, coffee pot for 100, and sugar, cream and plastic tub with ice for pop and beer.   This will be my contribution for the group.  The only hang up on the coffee will be if there is a place to plug it in.   Even people from out of town can stop at a store, deli, or any restaurant and pick up something for lunch.  Each person that is local can bring extra chairs, umbrellas, and blankets to sit on and we share.  If you decide to do the picnic and would feel more comfortable having someone in charge of coordinating side dishes and answering questions I will take on that job.
LOCATION....Hyatt Newporter Hotel is good with loads of fun things to do in the area.
TIMING.......I don't think having a gathering on a holiday weekend is a good idea.  You're less likely to get a big turnout.   I don't know about every one else, but our family parties on most holidays.  I hope you won't be choosing Sept. 18 because I will be running a big charity function that would not allow me to come.    
DRESS CODE.....Formal or fancy for the reunion dinner.
PICNIC....Picnic the following day for all those who want to stay.   All you need is a spot with picnic tables.  
MUSIC.......DJ with good mix of everything.  We can all pick a few of our favorites and send titles.
QUILT.......Why not raffle off the quilt?  That way every one has a chance.   I make a lot of money for charity each month by having a 50-50 split.  First drawing could be for the quilt.  Second drawing could be for 1/2 the money pot.  Remainder of funds can go to the organizing group for expenses.  This will probably not cover everything, but it will help.  How about including a big basket full of contributed items from the group as another item for raffle.  When I talk about a basket I'm referring to a big laundry basket.  I know I can come up with some new things that would be great.  This is an easy thing to do.  When you send out the emails just ask every one for help.   We must have a lot of successful companies in our group that would love to help.  They can send items, money, gift certificates, anything.   A better idea is to put  large coffee cans in front of each item up for raffle to receive the tickets.   This way each person can concentrate their tickets on the item they want most.   Everyone is always eager to try for the money pot.   I will bring a roll of tickets and baskets for the sales group if this is what you choose.  I will also sell tickets.  It is fun and what a better way to see everyone.   We sell 6 tickets for $5.00.   I think the price should be higher for our group because it will include men.  When you get a bunch of men at a fundraiser and they have had a drink they spend freely.   I know I would buy at least $20.00 worth of tickets because it's fun.  You will need 3 or 4 people to sell tickets.
FOOD..... A choice of any 2 items should make every one happy.   Some hotels have very nice buffets also.  This could be an option.  Most hotels will allow someone from the group to sample their meals.  You might ask about that.  
PHOTOGRAPHS...It would be nice to have someone there to take our pictures and put them in an album.  Nothing fancy.  Maybe we could find a photographer who would handle the whole process.  He could take our picture and names, have us fill out a return envelope and pay that night.
VIDEO.............NO.  Most of the people I talk to say they hate them.  I know I do.
SOUVENIRS.....Pins with our photo when we were in school would be nice, but nothing else. 
PROGRAMS.....Something typed up on the computer, rolled up and tied with gold string at each place setting should be fine.  Those who want to keep it can slip it into an album when they get home.
COORDINATOR.....If you think this is the best way to handle the reunion, go for it.  You will never make everyone happy.  If they complain offer them a job and they will run like rabbits.
.
     Enough of all my thoughts for one night.  Bottom line is I'm OK with whatever you all decide to do.  Hope to see you soon.   Let me know if there is anything I can help with.
 Sally Lawson
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02 May 2002

A copy of portions of this message will be found at ...

 DUHS'53 portion:   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2run02s.htm#D020502B
 ALL-Classes:       http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/allclass/L2run02a.htm#D020502B

============ For the Class of '53 Specifically..

Just received sad news today that our classmate Neil Allen Grantham passsed away yesterday,
   Wednesday 1 May 2002. Our sympathies to his widow Teri Grantham  ==> tgrantham@fullerton.edu

A copy of the message from Sally Jo Harris Larson to Ben Rogers with thoughts about our reunion planning will be found at ...
   http://downey.dusd.net/~dhsalumni53/L2run02s.htm#D020502A

The first steering-committee meeting will be Sun 2 June at Ben's.
As always, send your ideas, preferrences, and comments on all facets (location, food, music, date, time, dress, program, books, video) of the reunion gathering to him at ...
     "Rogers,Ben" 
ALSO send him your WILLINGNESS to participate on the Committee; this is IMPORTANT!!!


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