149 days to go as of today.  That’s only 5 months. It’s hard to believe we started planning this reunion almost 4 years ago!!

Fifty years is a milestone in many ways… birthdays, marriages, jobs, etc. A Class Reunion is no exception. It’s a time to CELEBRATE!

I have to admit, however, I’m getting  tired of working on this reunion. At times recently, I’ve wanted to quit the whole thing. People don’t seem to be excited or motivated to do their part and it’s taking the steam out of my blood. I’m not talking to those who HAVE pitched in… I’m talking about those from the class of 1962 who have offered NOTHING (you know who you are) to help host our reunion. I graciously refrain from naming names.

To those from ALL classes who have sent in their registration forms and their registration money, “THANK YOU SO MUCH”.  It does take money for deposits, food, prizes, decorations, name tags, printing, etc. To those who plan on coming to this monumental event, and who have NOT filled out the form and sent their registration money, what are you waiting for??

We do realize people are busy with their personal lives,but now it’s really time for action.

The registration form can be found here. If you don’t want to print it out and send it in by postal carrier and would prefer to do it by email, let us know and we can arrange an easier way.

Looking forward to seeing everyone once again!! Let’s CELEBRATE this common milestone event!!

To all Belle Glade High School alumni, fans, and friends… we wish a very Merry Christmas to all the Christians, Happy Hanukkuh to our Jewish friends, and a safe and happy New Year to ALL.

We will see you in 6 months!!!

We’re not quite there yet, but I thought this poem was funny!!

THE CLASS REUNION

Every five years, as summertime nears,
An announcement arrives in the mail;
A reunion is planned… it’ll be really grand;
Make plans to attend without fail.

I’ll never forget the first time we met;
We tried so hard to impress.
We drove fancy cars, smoked big cigars,
And wore our most elegant dress.

It was quite an affair; the whole class was there.
It was held at a fancy hotel.
We wined, and we dined, and we acted refined,
And everyone thought it was swell.

The men all conversed about who had been first
To achieve great fortune and fame.
Meanwhile, their spouses described their fine houses
And how beautiful their children became.

The homecoming queen, who once had been lean,
Now weighed in at one-ninety-six.
The jocks who were there had all lost their hair,
And cheerleaders could no longer do kicks.

No one had heard about the class nerd
Who’d guided spacecraft to the moon;
Or poor little Jane, who’s always been plain;
She married a shipping tycoon.

The boy we’d decreed ‘most apt to succeed’
Was serving ten years in the pen,
While the one voted ‘least’ now was a priest;
Just shows you can be wrong now and then.

They awarded a prize to one of the guys
Who seemed to have aged the least..
Another was given to the grad who had driven
The farthest to attend the feast.

They took a class picture, a curious mixture
Of beehives, crew cuts and wide ties.
Tall, short, or skinny, the style was the mini;
You never saw so many thighs.

At our next get-together, no one cared whether
They impressed their classmates or not.
The mood was informal, a whole lot more normal;
By this time we’d all gone to pot.

It was held out-of-doors, at the lake shores;
We ate hamburgers, coleslaw, and beans.
Then most of us lay around in the shade,
In our comfortable T-shirts and jeans.

By the fiftieth year, it was abundantly clear,
We were definitely over the hill.
Those who weren’t dead had to crawl out of bed,
And be home in time for their pill.

And now I can’t wait; they’ve set the date; Our sixtieth is coming, I’m told.
It should be a ball, they’ve rented a hall
At the Shady Rest Home for the old.

Repairs have been made on my hearing aid;
My pacemaker’s been turned up on high.
My wheelchair is oiled, and my teeth have been boiled;
And I’ve bought a new wig and glass eye.

I’m feeling quite hearty, and I’m ready to party
I’m gonna dance ’til dawn’s early light.
It’ll be lots of fun; But I just hope that there’s one
Other person who can make it that night.

(Author Unknown)
“Life is Wonderful.”

The hotel is now taking reservations. The block of rooms around the hospitality room is filling up fast. It’s first come-first serve, however. We will be adding more rooms as the need arises. If possible, book 3 nights so you can be at the venue the night before (Thursday) 1-888-670-2250. We will see you then!!

Originally we were told the hotel would be taking reservations for our reunion the end of June, 2011. I called them the other day and was told it may be August, 2011, before the room availability and schedule is in the lineup. SO… please watch your emails for notice of when you can make your hotel reservations. I don’t know about the campground reservations. If anyone’ s planning to camp, let us know.

Carmen wrote that her research revealed the shuttle bus from the Atlanta airport to the Marriott Evergreen Resort is $77 per person, but a taxi is $85. I recommend sharing a taxi, if possible, for the best price. This is what I do when I travel to take a cruise with others in my group.

It would be a good idea for those coming from Florida to work together on flight schedules or anyone else coming from any destination to post their time of arrival. I can set that up if you want me to.

I considered getting someone locally to pick up attendees at the airport, but couldn’t find anyone willing to take the “insurance” risk of driving back and forth.

Don’t forget to fill out your registration form and send it in ASAP. Even if you don’t plan to attend, please send in your personal information to be included in the Memories Book for sharing with attendees.

AND, we’re still in need of old photos. Most of you have NOT sent any. Some have stated they don’t have any, and that’s ok. We just want to hear back from you one way or another.

The banquet room has limited table (seating) arrangements. We would hate for you to be stuck out on the overflow deck if it rains the night of the banquet! AND, PLEASE SEND US A CURRENT PHOTO! Time goes fast.

Looking forward…

I remember when Nola turned 16, she got a car for her birthday.  I was jealous… because living in South Bay, I still had to ride the big yellow bus.

My remembrances of Payton go way back to elementary school. In the sixth grade we drew names at Christmas for gift giving. I was the only one in the class that got TWO presents. One was from the person who actually drew my name and the other was from Payton. He gave me a silver-plated dresser set that I later learned he picked out at Willits (“Teach Baby To Say Willit’s Sells Everything”) and his mother bought for him to give me. I was embarrassed at the time, but it was real sweet now that I think back on it. We were only 11- 12 years old!!

We have recently (June 29) lost another classmate to the afterlife. I was hoping to see Nola Thomas at our 50th Reunion, but now that will never be possible. If anyone knows the details of Nola’s passing (other than what’s already been posted in a local obituary), please leave a comment on her page by clicking here.
.

This is a major reason we must all gather together next year to be able to “see” each other one more time and to refresh the memories of our youth.
.

There are reasons people can’t attend the reunion, and this we understand.
.

So far, Janet Ludlow has stated she and her husband will be in Italy next summer, fulfilling part of their “bucket list”. Linda Goforth has also declined the invitation, but she did not specify the reason, as did Robert Cone. We will miss them.

The beginning of the one year countdown has passed. Still, much needs to be done (especially when so few people are involved). Summer is wonderful in Atlanta, Georgia. We know  you will enjoy not only the reunion here, but also the vacation!!

Snail mail went out to over 150 people inviting them to the 1962 class reunion one year from today. Most of the snail mail was to people without email addresses on file. Some were to classmates who have not responded to our requests for RSVP yet.

Registration forms were included in the mailings to make it easier for those who may be intimidated by the computer.

I hope all 150+ people don’t all show up because the banquet room won’t hold them all. These people are from classes 1960 – 1965.

If you are NOT intimidated by computer technology and you have NOT printed out the form on the website, do it today.

Get your RSVP sent early so will can count you in. Seating is limited.

Stone Mountain is such a great vacation spot I can’t see why BGHS graduates and friends would NOT like to spend a few days there next summer. We will see.

The hotel will be opening the reservation lines for our event around the first of July 2011. Book your room early. There is a block of rooms around the hospitality suite. Once they are filled, guests of the 1962 reunion will be placed elsewhere in the hotel, away from the “party”.

The countdown has truly begun! No longer are we counting years, but DAYS!

I don’t remember much about John Kelting other than he was in my Chemistry class with Mr. Groover and in my 9th grade homeroom with Mr. Brewer.

John was somewhat witty, as I recall.

Laura… now there was a sweet quiet girl from Lake Harbor! I used to have a photo of her from P.E. class. Well now, I wonder if I can find it?

What do you remember about either of these two past classmates?

TO ALL CLASSMATES…

This is just a reminder that our reunion will be sneaking up on us before we know it.

There is much to do, few to do the work, and bills are coming due to cover the rising costs of putting together such an event.

Therefore we must appeal to you to SEND IN YOUR REGISTRATION MONEY, along with your personal information form TODAY!

Three years ago, Irene, Ted, and Gail got together for the purpose of planning a 50th Reunion for the class of 1962. It has been a fun adventure.

Even though Irene moved out of the area and had to step aside, Ted and Gail have forged ahead… adding a few other classmates (Ulaina, Linda L., etc) to cover some details.

If the next 12 months go by as quickly as the last 24, we will be caught short without your help.

• If you have already sent your registration fee, thank you!

• If you have not sent your personal information form, please do so now.

• If you have sent neither, get out the checkbook when you finish reading this notice and get your money and information into an envelope ASAP.

Remember, this is YOUR reunion… YOUR vacation… YOUR friends… and we need YOUR help.

Print the form from the website, http://belleglade1962.com/registration/

Do it today and we’ll see you soon!!