Katherine Harlan featured in the Sun

Eastside High School junior, Katherine Harlan, was featured in the November 7, 2008 edition of the Gainesville Sun. See the link below. I know that Ma and Pa Harlan are busting with pride!

http://www.gainesville.com/article/20081106/NEWS/811060246/-1/BLOGS?Title=A_to_Z_with_Eastside_diver_Kat_Harlan

Classmate News - The Endless Summer from 1968

Believe it or not -- a few of our classmates still surf, well past 40 years worth of riding the waves in the Atlantic and elsewhere. Here's a recent report from Bill Koerner to fellow '68 Cane surfers Rik Dilgren, Doug Lynes, Richard Robinson plus a couple of landlubbers, Bill Harlan and Kelley Wiltbank:

"Since you guys have been watching the Blue Sky surf report, thought you would be interested in a personal story. Last Friday was epic, but while my son was able to surf (he has Fridays off), I was hard at work. The Saturday morning surf report was not encouraging, but a buddy from church and I decided to check it out anyhow, and went to Hanna Park in Jacksonville, which is located just south of the Mayport Navy base. The dividing line on the beach between Hanna Park and the base is a row of poles that jut out into the ocean about 50 yards. For a number of reasons, this is one of the best surf spots in Jacksonville.

My buddy has a park pass, so we were able to get into the park before the "masses", and were greeted with 3-5 foot waves, a fairly stiff west wind, a beautiful sunrise with dolphins playing just offshore, and a cool 68 degrees, the water at 82. Life is good. I will confess that I haven't been out for a couple of months, and my surfing was not impressive. In fact, Rik would have been embarassed to be out there with me, but it was a great day nonetheless. Surf held up nicely for a couple of hours until the tide changed.

Note to Rik.... next time you are down this way, use your Navy ID to enter Mayport, and head for the south end of the beach. Look for the "poles"."

Note to the rest of GHS 68 -- I doubt if any of us surfed with our parents, although I imagine it was your parents who first got you over to Crescent and Daytona, like mine did! It's great to see Bill Koerner passing his love of a day like this down to his sons. Life really is good!

Classmate News -- Richard Greene

In May of 09 our classmate Richard Greene is going to join a bicycle ride that starts from San Francisco and goes to Los Angeles, some 540 miles in seven days, called the AIDS Life Cycle. Richard describes it this way, “This is a huge event and to be a part of it I must raise more than $3000.00. I am HIV positive and this event is far too meaningful to me to pass up.” The event’s website has more details at http://www.aidslifecycle.org/ . Many classmates had a chance to chat with Richard at the reunion, about which he says, "Coming from Palo Alto to Gainesville was well worth my time, energy and effort. I had a great time in seeing people and how they had progressed in life." You can contact Richard at gatorhunter@ix.netcom.com .

Mini-Reunion in Gainesville on UF-LSU Weekend

These mini-reunions are an awful lot of fun. There just aren't enough of them! So we'll have one on Friday, October 10, at 5:30, back at Gator's Dockside in Gainesville, a location that works very well. It will be hopping the night before a big Gator game against an SEC opponent, so let's get there early. Look for the purple 'Canes megaphone on the table, and gather 'round. If you have any questions, or just want to let us know you're coming, or can't come, get in touch with your mini-reunion committee: Jim, Jackie, Susan, Bill or Robby.
Or email ghs68reunion@aol.com .

Message from Ken and Hope Nibling in Houston

Shaft and Hope are alive and well. We have power and had minimal damage (we lost a fence that needed replacement anyway.)

We were very fortunate and thank God for His grace and mercy. We are also very thankful for all of your thoughts and prayers. Your thoughtfulness meant a lot to us.

Please stay in touch and tell everyone hello for us.

Ken

Tampa gathering for GHS 68's announced

There will be a Class of 68 gathering in Tampa on Sunday, Aug 17th at 2:30pm. The gathering will be held at the Gator's Dockside located at 5840 E Fowler Ave, Tampa, FL. This location is a mile or so from the I-75 and Fowler Ave exit. Phone number is 813-341-4445.

Mike Boles willing to coordinate a Tallahassee GHS '68 get together at a local watering hole. Any takers in Tally?

If anyone in the Tallahasee or panhandle area is interested in having a mini reunion in Tallahassee, please let me know. I will be happy to make the arrangements at a local Beef O'Bradys sports bar. I know football and fall activities are quickly approaching but I am sure we could find a date in there somewhere.

Mike Boles

Extra Reunion Programs Are Available - the Real "Yellow Book"

We have a few dozen of the spectacular reunion programs available for classmates who didn't get one or want to surprise a GHS68 friend with this great reunion souvenir. Its beautiful yellow cover will absolutely remind you of our 68 Yearbook, and the contents won't disappoint. Between this program and the blog site you can relive the reunion weekend and even be reminded of past reunions. And the program contains all the addresses and email addresses for classmates that we knew of a week before the reunion. Can't beat that!

Just send $12 to cover the cost and mailing to Jackie Hoover, 8833 NW 19th Lane, Gainesville, FL 32606, and let Jackie know where you want the program sent. Gift cards (at least a short note) are available! One-stop shopping for your favorite classmate's Christmas gift!! Available at this low, low price until they run out, and a bargain at twice the price!!!

Classmates in the News - Carol Thomas '68

SFC professors teach art of helping
By Karen Voyles
Gainesville Sun staff writer

Published: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 6:01 a.m.
Last Modified: Tuesday, July 29, 2008 at 12:22 a.m.

Note: Santa Fe Junior College became Santa Fe Community College and is now Santa Fe College (SFC). Try to keep up!


Santa Fe College health science professors Carol Thomas and Kerry Chancey have never thought of themselves as health ambassadors, international sports boosters or financiers. Yet their work over the past two years has helped students on the Northwest Campus develop a wider world view while helping children in Uganda get better medical care.


In return, the Ugandan children have found a way to support their soccer team and desperately poor women have found a way to increase their families' income.

Two years ago Thomas and Chancey went on a fact-finding mission to Kampala, Uganda. Their goal was to learn more about African culture as they worked on a curriculum book for a pediatric infectious disease clinic.

Returning to campus in the fall of 2006, they met Assi Timah, a student from Cameroon. Based on what the professors had learned and Timah told them, they decided to explore the idea of a service learning project that has since become the African Relief Club.

"We could not turn away from these lovely, warm-hearted people," Chancey said. "Initially what we saw was depressing, but these (African) kids saw us as a lifeboat and we felt that maybe we could do a little something for them — some little things that may be a big difference in their lives."

"We also saw this as a way to link our students — some who have never been out of Florida — with another culture," Thomas said. "And, the people who would benefit did not have a lot of resources — there was no soup kitchen down the road. In some ways it helped our students to see how well we live in this country."

Over the past two years the professors have established a pipeline for art from Uganda to be turned into the cash needed to outfit a youth soccer team. Bracelets and other jewelry made of paper beads have created badly needed income for families of children and teens with contagious diseases.

Paintings and drawings arrive, executed on whatever flat surface the youngsters had available. Sometimes they resort to painting on empty rice sacks that had been used to ship in emergency food supplies from international relief agencies. Once it reaches campus, the art work sells quickly, Thomas said.

"We have discovered that there is no problem getting things out of Uganda," Thomas said. "No one really cares about what is being sent to us. The problem has been getting things back into Uganda."

Shipping money made from sales of the paintings was out of the question. Thomas and Chancey said it never would have reached its destination. Instead, the women said they realized they would have to hand carry items back to Uganda.

"The reason uniforms and soccer balls are so important is that they give these teams a chance to participate in tournaments and players who participate in tournaments have a chance to receive scholarships," Thomas said. During a competition in fall 2007, three boys received scholarships even though the team lost all of its games.

During their trips to Africa and through other networking efforts, the professors also helped establish the bead-making enterprise now known as "Bracelets for a New Beginning." Participants in Africa learned to make beads from paper and assemble them into bracelets that Thomas, Chancey and the Santa Fe students sold for them.

Thomas and Chancey said their own goals now include a trip with students to Uganda during summer 2009 that they predict will be "the ultimate service learning trip."

July 25 Mini-Reunion Brings Out Lots of Canes!

Spirits were high at the first mini-reunion since the 40th class reunion in Gainesville. Mike and Lila Boles drove down from Tallahassee and were joined by Van Sirmopoulos, Emery Swearingen, Susan Eddy Nalbandian, Doug McCallum, Bill and Betty Harlan, Susan Hazen Balloon, Jackie Cooter Hoover, Robbie Davis, Karen Paige Fielding, Nina Carr Lewis and Bobby Lewis, Mike Powell, and the old Blogmeister Jim Conner. Richy and Bonnie Hinson were with us at Gator’s Dockside but were also there for their daughter’s 20th GHS Class of 1988 reunion, which kicked off just as ours did last month with a good turnout under the big screens at the sports bar. We also had some GHS grads from the classes of 66 (or so, but who’s counting), 69 and 70 drop by. You never know who’s going to turn up at a GHS reunion in Gainesville! We had a good three hours to catch up and reconnect. The small group really gives you a chance to say much more than just hello.

There seems to be lots of interest in taking the show on the road, so we’ll start
trying to plan mini-reunions in Jacksonville, Tampa and Tallahassee before the end
of the year. That may be a tough sell during football season, but the idea is to
try to catch some classmates visiting for the game, as well as classmates in the
area, and maybe get some folks together who might have missed each other otherwise.
If anyone in those areas or elsewhere is interested in making the local arrangements,
please let Bill know.

And in that spirit, the next Gainesville mini-reunion will be back at Gator’s Dockside on October 10, Friday at 5:30, the night before the UF-LSU football game in the Swamp! Your classmates hope to see you there!

Happy Hour at Gator's Dockside is today

We hope that we will see you there by the purple megaphone. Look for Harlan to do the watusi, the boogaloo, and the shugaloo......all at once.

Liz Harlan named Gainesville Sun scholar athlete of the year

Liz Harlan, Eastside
Credentials
The senior graduated with a grade point average of 4.75 (3.79 unweighted) in Eastside’s International Baccalaureate Program. She also scored a 2080 on the SAT. During her final season as a Ram, Harlan finished 13th in the one-meter dive at the FHSAA Class 2A swim meet. As a forward on the Eastside soccer team she helped the Rams to a district runner-up finish and a berth in the Class 5A regional playoffs.
Personal Notes
Harlan has earned four varsity letters as a member of both Eastside’s swim and soccer teams. She was named offensive most valuable player for the Rams soccer team in each of the last two seasons. In the fall, Harlan will attend Emory University in Atlanta where she will study global health. She is also planning on walking on the Emory women’s soccer team.
Quoteworthy
“Playing sports made school easier just because you automatically have a team that knows what you are going through and coaches that understand that school comes first and the teachers respect you as well." — Liz Harlan

Blog passes the 11,000 hits mark

Thanks so much for coming to the GHS 68 blog site. It served us well leading up to the Reunion and in posting photos afterwards. We recommend that you come to the blog on occasion to cast your eyes on the 4 slide show and to receive updates about future 68 happenings.

Don't forget to join us on 7-25 at Gators and to send in any photos that you think might be good for the Reunion slide shows.

Bubba Meister still shaking, rattling, and rolling

I want to thank all my class mates for their kindnesses after I became ill and was unable to attend the Saturday evening festivities. Am feeling fine now and all is well.

Thanks to all,

JC

GHS 68 Happy Hour in Gainesville July 25

Join us at Gator's Dockside, back to the place we packed on the Reunion Friday night, for a happy hour or two at 5:30 on Friday, July 25. Look for your friends next to the PURPLE MEGAPHONE that you can't miss.

Photos Uploaded

The photo upload will be finished in the next few minutes and, after about 40 minutes or so, should be up on the blog for your viewing pleasure.

Have fun.

JC

Photos have arrived. Uploading has begun

I am beginning the upload of all of the 600 plus photos of the Reunion. Be patient, I may not finish them all until this evening as I am off to a barbecue shortly.

Big batch of photos to be uploaded this afternoon

Keep your eyes open for new photos that will be added to two Reunion week slide shows. We hope to have them up and running this afternoon. Jackie Hoover was very kind to pick them up on a holiday so we can upload ASAP for your viewing pleasure.

The Committee Meets...........News!

We had another one of our uproariously fun meetings last night. Besides laughing, carrying on, and eating some delicious food (with wine) that Susan prepared, we did accomplish a few things.

We conducted a post-reunion assessment and began coalescing our data/notes so as much of those materials will be ready and available when planning the next Reunion.

Some of those data included: up-to-date list of deceased class mates; sign-in sheets for Friday night, merging of new information to the database, and financial reports by Jackie Hoover. We will be continally fine-tuning and updating our database of class members.

The photos that our photographer took are said to number somewhere between 500 and 1,000. They are being fine-tuned at this moment and are to be delivered to us shortly. As soon as we receive the new photos, they will be posted on the blog. The captioning of "who is who" will come later, probably next week. That part is more time consuming and we will need to meet to accomplish that task (hopefully) in one sitting.

On future events, we all agreed that the momentum of the Reunion was something that should be nurtured and maintained. We decided to try some quarterly happy hours at Gator's Dockside to give local classmates a chance to mingle. The first one is scheduled for July 25 at 5:30 pm, at Gator's. Also, if any of you in other parts of the state/country want to do something closer to your homes, we would be willing to assist you as we are able.

We concluded unanimously that another Reunion five years hence is something we think should be done rather than waiting ten more years. Stay tuned.

If any of you want an extra copy of the Reunion official booklet, let us know. We have some remaining for sale for $12. We would give them to you, but we want to make sure that we do not go in the hole, but, so far, our finances look very good. If you want to buy one, send an e-mail to ghs68reunion@aol.com.

We made an evaluation of the event and, frankly, graded it out with an A+. If you have any comments or suggestions, we will collate them and put them in the file for next time.

So that is it for now. See you July 25.

Bubba Meister

BLOG PASSES THE 10,000 MARK. Ward Scott/Class of '68 Writing Prize fund information

Just because Reunion '08 has come and gone does not mean that the fun is over. We are just getting started.

Keep an eye on the blog because our photographer should be sending us all or a portion of the 500 shots he has in the can. They will be posted post haste.

We have received donations to the Ward Scott/Class of '68 writing prize given each year to a deserving GHS senior. Keep 'em coming. We want to endow that fund and believe that about $6 grand will do it.

If you would like to contribute send your check to Gainesville High School, ATTN: Jeannie Fiedler - Bookkeeper, 1900 NW 13th Street, Gainesville 32605. Make sure the check has the notation: "Class of 1968 Gift Fund."

New photos on Reunion slide show

We have uploaded 88 more shots of Reunion. 500 plus more to follow as they arrive.

Photos on way. Be patient

I estimate we will have between 500 and 600 photos of the reunion. As soon as subsets of that bunch become available, I will begin uploading. Captioning will follow as soon as we can get together and identify the pictured folks.

REUNION COMMITTEE TO MEET NEXT WED, JULY 2

The Committee will be meeting next week to begin the process of collecting and preserving the data from the reunion so that the next go round will be quicker and easier to crank up. Also, we will determine what, if any, funds we have left over so that they may be preserved in our Reunion account as a kitty for the next reunion. We will be assessing what worked well and what parts of the reunion could be improved. Comments and ideas are always welcomed. We will likely discuss what smaller events that we might sponsor of sub groups of our class.

Lastly, I know we will discuss securing funding for the Ward Scott/Class of '68 writing prize given to a worthy GHS senior annually. We are trying to endow that prize and would welcome financial contributions from our class. Let us know if you would like to donate to this cause.

On a personal note, I am feeling fine and appreciate all the kind words of comfort from all of you.


Bubba Meister

T-shirt manufacturer, Cafe Press, announces a price increase on July 28.

Cafe Press will be upping their prices on t-shirts by a buck. If you plan on ordering an official reunion t-shirt or hat, you would be well advised to order before that date. To order, go to www.cafepress.com/ghs68shop.

40th Reunion Lost and Found

When we cleaned up after the spectacular Saturday night dinner-dance at the Country Club, there was an unclaimed navy blazer, brand name Stafford, and an unclaimed olive green "boonie hat" for lack of a better term, made by Dorfman Pacific Co. with mesh sides for that cool, comfortable windblown look and a drawstring to prevent you from losing your hat. I'm not so sure about the drawstring's usefulness in this case. Call Bill at 352/374-5217 or email to ghs68reunion@aol.com and let us know if one of these is yours.

Deceased Classmates Honored on Sunday morning of the Reunion

Those We Honor:

Orman Owen Annis, Jr.
Jimmy Cullen Austin
Mario Egnazio Balsamo
Ernest L. Barfield
Scott Clifton Barlow
David John Beck
Lawrence Jon Bobroff
Lonnie Gordon Bozeman
Milford Thomas Capo, Jr.
Bobbie Joan Crenshaw Bohannon
Kathleen “Katie” Crowley Hull
Richard H. “Dickie” Cummings, Jr.
Terry Dennis DeWitt
Linda Gayle Eddy Henderson
Mark Ehrbar
Harold Ray Ely
Grace Irene Ernst
Johnny Samuel Gocek
Alvin Paul Graham
Harris Harding “Harry” Green, Jr.
Michael Hahn
Evelyn Carol Harrell
Carla Claire Hembree
Virginia Lee “Ginnie” Holsapple
Gwendolyn Ruth Jones
Danny Kinchen
Terry Gene Kirby
Robert Alan “Bobby” Kuhr
Joseph Samuel Lucuis
James Clyde Maudlin, Jr.
Cheryl Irene O’Hara Gano
George Norman O’Steen
William Chandler Sanford
David Scott
James Edward Simmons
Clark Charles Smith
Evonne Griffin Smith
Robert Getzen Smith, Jr.
James Thomas Stinson
Sylvia Jewell Stroud Reeves
Elizabeth Maria Voodre
Alonzo Earl Wood

Good reasons to sign up for the Yahoo group

Bill and I were talking about the Yahoo group yesterday via e-mail. We both feel that classmates should sign up for it. It is obvious that a great sense of community was re-kindled at the Reunion. It was much greater than the Committee even dreamed it would be. A sure way to stay active in that community and interface with classmates is through the Yahoo Forum group. After the easy sign up, you can add your own postings at a greater length than the blog allows. Also, when others add one, you will receive those postings via e-mail at a frequency that you can elect when you subscribe. We strongly urge you sign up for it. You can start on the blog site and use the link to the Yahoo Forum, where you can participate by letting us all know what is up in your life. Plus, the many folks who could not make the Reunion are following both the blog and the Yahoo group to learn more about the fun we had and about their classmates. Give it a try.

Photos starting to come in and are posted ASAP

Jackie Hoover sent in the photos from the Reunion that her husband, Norman took plus some shots of her new grandchild.

If you have Reunion digital shots, send them to ghs68reunion@aol.com and they will be placed in the Reunion slide show. When we add the official photos, I expect we will need a second show and it will be created if needed. Each slide show has a capacity of 500 photos.

If you know how to caption your photos and can identify some or all of the people pictured, please do so. It will be a big help! Most importantly though, send in your shots.

THE BLOG PASSED 9000 HITS TODAY

Thank you to all our viewers for returning to the blog site in droves. We are just beginning to post pictures and expect to be adding many, many photos for the next three weeks or so. By many, I mean 700 or so. Brace yourelves for bounties of beauty.

Message from the Committee Chair, plans for post-assessment of Reunion and future plans for another one

Bill's note to the committee is as follows:

My dear friends, I'm still mostly speechless over the weekend, although many warm and wonderful thoughts are spinning around in my head, most of them centered on each and all of you and how well it all went, despite everything that happened over the last few months and days. Thanks from the bottom of my heart for everything you did on the reunion, both planning and doing, your care for our classmates and your thoughtfulness towards me. There's plenty more to say when we meet next.

We as a committee plan to meet soon to consolidate our materials, evaluate what was done successfully (or not), what was needed and what was unnecessary, etc. Our purpose is to put a template in place so that the next time around will go even more easily. Our goal is to groove more and work less.

We will be discussing a date for a future reunion, how to continue keeping our class database updated, and what on-line presence will be maintained for the short and long terms.

Certainly, any comments or suggestions are always welcomed either by e-mail, comments to a blog posting, or (better yet) the Yahoo group/forum.

Ward Scott sends message

Take note of Ward's comments in the comments section of the brunch article. Many thanks, Ward, you are a precious part of this class.

I have also placed it on the Yahoo group/forum. Over the long haul, we would like as many folks as can to sign up for the forum as are willing. It will likely be our long-term tool for longer submissions to why not take the dive today and ink yourself in as a member?

BRUNCH HELD OVERLOOKING BIVENS ARM. HARLAN HONORED

The final event of the Reunion was a brunch held at the Paramount Hotel overlooking Biven's Arm. The location was beautiful and the mood of all was buoyant and ready for the next Reunion.

Our chairman, Bill Harlan, was recognized for his birthday with his family present. He was rewarded with a chocolate sheet cake, the way to his heart!

A report on the memorial service will be posted soon as will more pictures of events. If you have photos send them in via e-mail.

PHOTOS OF EVENT TO GO UP ON BLOG IN ABOUT 2 WEEKS

Fortunately, we hired a fine photographer to cover the Reunion events and he took over 500 photos of all. As soon as he has culled and polished up the collection, we will add them ASAP so come back to the blog and take a look. As we know more about the timing of the photos being uploaded, we will advise. If any of the class mates took photos and want to share them, send them along. If you know how to add captions, please feel free to do so.

ALL REPORTS: THE MAIN EVENT WENT WELL AND THE 'MATES DANCED THE NIGHT AWAY

Unfortunately, the Bubba Meister became ill as the Saturday evening event began and had to spend six hours in the emergency room. He is home due to the kind and comforting help of the Harlans. All is well, but the Meister is very bushed and recovering. He extends many thanks to all the help and prayers.

Reports from the Harlans and the Niblings who came to the emergency room to visit the "down but not out" Meister were that the sixties music lovingly prepared for the 'mates' dancing pleasure was a hit and that the class was "wilder than they were at the 30th." Wow. There is some boogie left in this class. Keep on rockin' ya'll.

Today, we commemorate our fallen classmates and enjoy a brunch as a send off to all her came. The Committee is delighted you all seem to have had such a deeply satisfying and uproariously good time. That was our goal and it appears that we (and you) succeeded in making this event forever memorable.

A party is only as good as the people who attend it. There is a reason why our Reunion succeeded this week end and it is you, the Class of '68.

Congratulations and stay safe. We will keep you posted about coming plans for get togethers and a possible successor reunion in five years.


The Committee

Nibling and Conner prove that one can be up at 7:30 for breakfast after first night of the Reunion

Jim Conner and Ken Nibling met for breakfast on Saturday morning after a late night on Friday. Brave souls those two.

Lots of stuff going on today and a housekeeping note on the slide show

We hired a photographer to cover the reunion and he was vigorously shooting photos of the Friday night gathering at Gator's Dockside. The Committee was delighted because it allowed us to be social butterflies and not worry about shooting each of the 8 million attendees. His work will be prepped and sent to us next week so hold on for additions to the reunion slide show. As soon as we receive his photos, they will be posted on this site.

Today, we have golf, a motorcycle ride, a Ward Scott English class reunion, two bus tours of Gainesville, and the dinner/dance at the country club.

To those of you who could not join us, we miss you, but understand that difficulties in traveling these days arise. We are endeavoring to provide you with a "virtual" reunion as events occur with photos and video. Also, we plan to keep this blog active for several months and the Yahoo group/forum for a very long time. So sign up for the Yahoo forum if you have not already.

Off to do much work and to take cat naps when time allows.

Bubba Meister

Friday Night at Gator's Dockside a Smash Hit

Everyone celebrated the first night of the GHS 68 Reunion with opportunities to talk with old and new friends. The room was packed and went on past 11 when I called it a night.

We are on a roll now and ready for several events tomorrow with the dinner/dance tomorrow night. I was taken with the many roads that our class mates have traveled in their lives and the mutual affection and appreciation everyone has for the welfare of their friends. This is a fine group of people and I am glad many traveled so far to come home to be together. Go 'Canes.

The Reunion Tees Off With the Golf Icebreaker. Anyone See Any Ice Anywhere? These Guys Can Break Anything!

Ken Nibling and his brave troops tee-ed off at 12:27 on a steamy Gainesville afternoon, not as hot as it could but pretty darn hot. All golfers acquitted themselves well on the first tee with no personal injuries sustained on their initial drives.

A local personal injury lawyer (and a GHS grad) was seen leaving the parking lot before the golfers took to the first tee. Our reunion golfers took this as a good omen since, after sizing the reunionists up, he likely had decided that none of them would likely cause any serious injuries to anyone. He didn't even leave his card!

To Those Coming Only on Friday Night

If you have not done so, send us an e-mail and we will send you a registration form. That will allow us to update our database so we can easily contact you for the next reunion. We will have some available at each venue.

Donna Catotti sends some of her art to help us all celebrate the 40th

Donna Catotti will be joining us on Sunday and has sent along some of her art work that will be displayed on Saturday evening at the Gainesville Golf and Country Club. Opportunities to win some of her work will be made available to those attending the Saturday night event.

Her web site, http://www.artstudioalaska.com/, is a good place to start to learn more about what Donna is up to these days.

The Committee's Last Meeting Before the Reunion

We are all thankful that so many of our classmates will be joining us for the 40th Reunion. We have had a blast planning this reunion and we look forward to seeing you all soon in Hogtown.

The Committee

WHAT DO YOU LOOK LIKE THIS WEEK? SEND PHOTOS

Some of you will make the reunion. Some will not. Either way, please send in electronic photos that we can add to the slide show of this week's reunion. The person pictured at the farthest away site will be met by thunderous applause. Shoot and send them this week.

DON'T FORGET!

T-shirts and hats are ONLY available on-line so order immediately if you want them for the reunion. Go to www.cafepress.com/ghs68shop to order. They are quick, but order today...or right now.

Even if you can't make the Reunion, monitor this site for pics/videos of the action

We expect very strong attendance for the Reunion. We have been flooded with last minutes sign-ups and e-mails.

Some of our classmates will not be able to attend. For them, we will be posting videos of some of the attendees as well as a third slide show of fresh photos of the reunion itself. For those who do attend, you will have a visual record of the goings-on.

See you all soon.

The Committee

Debra can't make it, but hopes you will

HOGGERS TO MEET FOR LUNCH ON SATURDAY

Ward's Scott's fifth period English class in 1968 contained special members of our graduating class. They have stuck together and even reunited in 2005 at the school and in their original classroom to hold another......class together with Ward. Many traveled long distances to sit again together and talk about a southern novel, The Hawk's Done Gone.

They will be coming together again as a confluence of inquiring minds are known to do. The Reunion gives them a chance to hold their own mini one, a sort of ReeUniteTee. Their rendezvous is scheduled from noon to 2 pm on Saturday, June 21 at Juniors restaurant which is located at the north end of the Gainesville Shopping Center, several stores before Publix. The Boss Hog himself, Ward Scott, will be in attendance so all Hoggers need to plan to be there.

You know who you are and what you must do: "Get in step and stay in step." Ya'll hear?

Who's Coming to the Reunion, You Ask? Glad You Asked

The list below has all the classmates who registered as of last night, June 10, totaling 120. We expect more to register and know of a few more planning to come Friday night and perhaps register then for additional events. We will accept as many as we physically can hold, and that's alot. But registering in advance, even if only a couple days in advance, is your best bet to make sure you have a meal on Saturday night or Sunday morning, and a place to sit for the bus tour or memorial service.

Ken Nibling
Richard Greene
Bill Chesnut
Terry Rigsby
Beth Graves Davis
Judy MacRostie Dwyer
Ronnie Hilliard
Ann Fearney Paul
Susan Hazen Balloon
Ed Hegen
Steve Lally
Emery Swearingen
Coleman Stipanovich
Becky Peek Fitchlee
Rik Dilgren
Mark McLaurin
Diana Turney Taylor
Doug Lynes
Richard Robinson
Robert Scott
Karen Stack Van Lare
Mike Boles
John Klement
Shirley Hall Jackson
Mitt Bradley
Jim Chesnut
Gary Stanley
Alan Rhoads
Karen Paige Fielding
Nancy McLeod Huggard
Bill Koerner
Linda Huckeba Starr
Bob Haufler
Sandra Hammett Haufler
Bill Harlan
Tim Tucker
Lynn DeBusk
Bill Crawford
Diana Overby Norton
Michael Owens
Rhea Broyles
Steve Smith
Ronnie Wright
Richard Kensler
Jeff Danner
Mary Jo Talbot Moore
Bruce Tinney
Richy Hinson
Larry Sanders
Katie Hubener
Jackie Cooter Hoover
Jim Conner
David Boothby
Al Cook
Kathy Sherman Cook
Sue Cooper Nelson
Joe Anderson
Diane Kattke Baker
Linda Mathis Mcintyre
Marcella Krumm Weging
Frank D. Smith
Pam Whitlow
Jerry Smith
Marvin Rogers
Joyce English Adams
Dorie McKinney Clark
Sylvia Fussell
Larry Sandefer
Susan Eddy Nalbandian
Mac Cline
Dennis Lee
Sandy Waldrep Durden
Cindy Forster Burns
Ron O’Steen
Rogers Bartley
Carol Hanes Haraway
Cindy Clardy Schremmer
Brenda Johnson Teague
Edmound Herb
J. Michael Powell
Bonita Pagnozzi Kremer
Linda Lee Allums Travieso
Judy Cox Orton
Shirley Hines Bowden
Janis Jeffcoat
Donna Carney Omer
Dan Mixson
Doug McCallum
Kathy Harben Arce
Steve Hall
Susan Parker Reisinger
Donna Polsen Davis
Dale Davis
Roger Sims
Charles Wells
Deborah Green
Mike Rowland
Linda Moore Rowland
Kim Love
Jack Phillips
Patti Hale Anderson
Eileen Bird
Carol Thomas
Susan Staley Eckhart
Chris Nadeau Introna
Hal Walker
Bill Hogle
Joyce Ryan Simmons
Juana Land Burns
Craig Hall
Richard Waters
Beth Ayers McCague
Lois Grunewald Franklin
Sandra (Sasie) Mallard
Jim Burton
Don Davis
Claudia MacKenzie Bates
Judy Anderson Casper
Van Sirmopolous
Laurette Burnard Venski ; Clifford Jones

120

Motorcycle "Hurricane Ride" Added to Saturday Events

By popular demand of bikers Ronnie Wright and Doug McCallum, '68 Canes interested in a pleasant motorcycle ride in the country on Saturday morning, June 21, can join them in the back parking lot of the Paramount Plaza hotel at 10:30. "Biker chicks" and other passengers are welcome. Plan to be on the road about two hours for the full ride, but you can peel off anytime you wish and return to the hotel for a nap or a swim.

Karen Paige at J.J. Finley

Pam Whitlow Singlehandily Boosts Micanopy Economy by Shopping There

THE OFFICE beckons

Jim Conner invites you. The dead line approaches...

Updated List of "Missing" Classmates Posted on Forum

If you join the GHS 68 Forum on Yahoo (see the link on the righthand side of this site) you can look at Files, and one of the files you'll see contains our "missing" classmates we've not been able to get in touch with. If you can supply contact information on any of them or get them to email ghs68reunion@aol.com , either now or in the future, we'll make sure they know about reunion events and can sign up. "Got to find 'em to sign 'em," I think that was Bear Bryant, who had no trouble findin' 'em! We, on the other hand, could use your help!

Sign up for the Yahoo forum and spill your guts

Since the Yahoo group/forum has been up and running, a number of your class mates have been relating details of what they have been up to since 1968. We would like to hear your tales too. You know.......the thrills of victory and the agonies of defeat. Let it all hang out. No one is watching except the whole world.

Message from the Committee

Lots of new registrations for our 40th reunion arrived yesterday and today. We now have 110 classmates and 57 spouses registered. If you've already told us you aren't able to come, pardon this brief intrusion. And if you’re still on the fence about coming to the reunion, now’s the time to decide and to send us your registration. We’ll be happy to have you.

Even the tour of old Gainesville and the brunch are filling up! If you want to attend the tour on Saturday morning or brunch on Sunday following the memorial service, you may do better to guarantee your spot if you pre-pay for your tickets, at $10 per person for each of those events. Send another check to Jackie Hoover, or include this amount with your registration form if you are just now sending it in. Pre-paid tickets will be waiting for you at the registration table on Friday night and on Saturday night.

We will be happy to see you even at the last minute at the door. But we might not be able to feed you or find you a seat at an event. If you make a last minute decision to come to the reunion, please give us as much notice as you can by email or phone, and come on Friday night when we know we’ll have room for you at the pay-as-you-go welcome party at Gator’s Dockside. If you register then and pay for any other events, we’ll do our best to include you in them.

Speaking of accommodations, our blocks of rooms disappear this Friday. Call the Paramount Plaza at 877-992-9229 or the Marriott SpringHills Suites at 352/376-8873right away if you need a room.

One more thing. We are producing a spectacular Reunion Program with a listing of all the emails, addresses and phone numbers you've sent us over these past months. If you have misgivings about having your information published in that fashion, please let me know if you haven't already, and we will remove it from the list.

The Reunion Info and Emergency Line phone number is (352) 870-1260. That number will be active beginning about ten days before the reunion. Someone on the Committee will have that phone handy during the reunion.You can also email us anytime at ghs68reunion@aol.com , and you can find all the reunion information and more, plus plenty of reasons to come to the reunion, on the blog site, www.ghs68.blogspot.com .

Join us at the 40th—those people at 50-year reunions always look so old. You, on the other hand, look mah-velous! If you need a registration form, e-mail us at ghs68reunion@aol.com and we will send one to you immediately via e-mail.

Your Friends on the Reunion Committee

WE ARE LOOKING FORWARD TO SEEING YOU AT THE REUNION

GHS 68 site passes 7000 hits

Thanks to all of you for using the blog site for your source of information on the Reunion. We will be continuing to add new information as it becomes available and hope to be able to add more videos of class mates attending the Big Dance. Stay tuned.

Bubba Meister

SEND IN PHOTOS AND SHORT VIDEOS FOR THE SITE

We have plenty of space in our two slide shows to add more photos. Crack open your shoe box full of old photos, scan them, and send them to ghs68reunion@aol.com and we will add them to the reunion archives. If you can add a caption to the photo that identifies the people pictured, it will be a big help. If not, let us know who they are and we will caption the photo at this end.

If you have access to a video cam, shoot a short video message to your class mates. You do not have to attend the reunion to send a message to your old 'mates.

Midnight Em makes encore appearance on blog

Don't forget that official reunion T-shirts and Caps are available on-line

Go to www.cafepress.com/ghs68shop to purchase the reunion t-shirt and ball cap. They are only available on-line and will not be sold at the reunion.

If you want to order individual photos from the slide show

Don't forget, you can order copies of any individual photos on the two slide shows. Just follow the photo instructions to get to the albums on Picasa. Those instructions are in or near the calendar of events/general info. Follow the instructions there.

Some reminders from the committee

The Committee wants to remind you to look down through the postings and their archives for more information on the Reunion. The General Information/Schedule of Events is updated as new information becomes available. The Reunion is a work-in-progress, a moving target so stay tuned.

Sign up for the Yahoo group/forum and share information about yourself with other class mates.

If you want to purchase an official Reunion T-shirt or ball cap, you may only do so on-line at http://www.cafepress.ghs68shop/. Show your colors when you roll into Hogtown.

Bubba Meister

Karen Paige at J.J. Finley. Contact her about the coming 70th anniversary of the school

Karen Paige deals with media/library matters at JJ Finley and told me today that a 70th anniversary celebration of the school is in the planning stages for next year. To get on the e-mail notification list for that celebration, e-mail Karen at paigekm@gm.sbac.edu.

Harlan Beckons

Debra Neill-Mareci sends her best wishes for the Reunion

Events Added to Schedule

Please scroll down, enjoying the blog "scenery" as you do, to the reunion schedule, where information about golf and the Gainesville tour has been added. You'll also see a new event on Sunday before brunch. There will be more on that event later.

HOTEL ROOMS AT LAST !!!

Blocks of rooms in Gainesville are now established at two hotels under "GHS Class of '68." The rates are good for reunion reservations made through June 6 at both locations. Mention "GHS Class of '68" when you make your reservations.

The Paramount Plaza at 2900 SW 13th Street (south US 441) may be more familiar as the Gainesville Sheraton or Hilton in earlier incarnations. It has the same beautiful view of Bivens Arm and will be the site of our Sunday morning memorial and brunch. You may also see classmates by the Paramount pool Saturday afternoon or arrange for a group of friends to meet you there. There are non-smoking rooms with either one king bed or two double beds, for $89 plus tax per night for June 20-22. That rate is also good for three nights before and three nights after our reunion. The reservation line there is 377-4000 (local) and 877-992-9229 (toll free). The Paramount's website is simply www.paramountplaza.com .

The SpringHill Suites by Marriott at 4155 SW 40th Boulevard off Archer Road at I-75 is a newer hotel. We have a block of rooms including single suites, double suites and a parlor suite for $119 plus tax per night for June 20-22. The reservation line there is 352/376-8873 and the website is www.marriott.com/gnvsh .

Let us know if you have any questions about lodging or difficulties with making reservations by an email to ghs68reunion@aol.com . You can shop around for other accommodations in Gainesville on the Visitors and Convention Bureau website, www.visitgainesville.com , (there's a link right on this blog), and on many other sites, of course. See you in June!

T-shirt images FYR

A Whole Lotta Shakin' Going On: The Reunion Committee Meets at Gator's Dockside

The committee met last night at Gator's Dockside, the site of the first evening of our Reunion celebration in June. A few snippets from the meeting:
The deadline for signing up is May 15. We have had good response with a number of folks who have not before attended our reunions. We think we will have a fine gathering and hope that you stragglers will not miss out. Your next chance to do this is when you are 68.
The golf event(s) are under the noble leadership of Ken Nibling and he has worked hard to put it all together. A full report with video should be posted very soon.
The Friday night gathering is in a large sports bar type of restaurant, Gator's Dockside. We all have enjoyed our meetings there and their menu can satisfy anyone from the burger/fries lover to a Chinese-style chicken salad with low calorie raspberry vinegarette (I want that recipe, Gator's). We will be decorating and having some hors d's for you. We have been inviting some classes adjacent to ours to attend if they like. If you know of someone in that category, tell them to "come on down."
The Saturday evening gathering at the Country Club should be fun with a tasty menu planned. There will be music of our era, but no formal DJ yapping away. That alone is a good reason to attend.
On Sunday, we plan a brief memorial service to remember our deceased classmates followed by a brunch before closing out our 40th reunion.
We are looking forward to a fine time. It is not too late to sign up to join us.

Midnight Rider Emery Rides Again!

MAKE SURE TO TAKE A SPIN THROUGH THE BLOG ARCHIVES

Each month, postings are archived. Videos of some of your most photogenic class mates end up there so after you have watched the currently featured classmates and read the update postings, try out the archives for some real gems of information and video.

Bubba Meister

Pam Whitlow Shops Out Micanopy. Economy Gets a Boost

LARRY BISHOP TALKS TO YOU FROM "THE OFFICE." BETTER LISTEN UP!

How To Buy Your Official Reunion T-shirt, Hat, etc.

Official GHS 68 Reunion apparel etc. is now available through www.cafepress.com/ghs68shop. At this writing, Cafe Press has a t shirt available with the reunion logo on the front and a large "68" on the back. Also, they have two hats for sale. Other items may be placed on the site soon.

You must go to that web site and order them directly from Cafe Press. We will not be selling these at the reunion so you will need to be proactive and order your own. The beauty of this is that it is easy for the committee to set this up, easy for you to order, and there is no financial "down stroke" for the committee.

Bubba Meister

Saturday Afternoon Event Added to Reunion

The Paramount Hotel on SW 13th Street in Gainesville (also US 441 south) will provide plenty of space around the pool Saturday afternoon for classmates to gather. This was the site of one of our previous reunions and has a wonderful shaded setting overlooking the Bivens Arm lake. You can purchase food and beverages inside from the hotel. Come see which of your old friends show up or organize a small gethering of your team or club from school -- this is the place!

Death of James Mauldin '68

We lost a classmate this week, James Mauldin. He lived near Gainesville in Waldo. Here is the text of the obituary in today's Gainesville Sun:

James Clyde Mauldin, Jr., 57, of Waldo, FL, passed away early Tuesday morning, April 22, 2008 in his home. James was born June 16, 1950 in Williston, FL. James was preceded in death by his father, James Clyde Mauldin, and his sister, Barbara Wilson. He is survived by his wife, Vera, of 20 years and mother Mildred Mauldin; sons Keith Mauldin and wife Carla of Mount Dora, Kevin Mauldin and daughter Kimberly Harrison and husband Dustin of Gray Court, SC; grandsons Anthony and Christian Mauldin and granddaughter Destiny Harrison; sisters Judy Ruff and husband Joe of Panama City, FL, Linda Simmons of Modesto, CA, Carol Curington of Viera, FL and Louise Castillo of St. Antonio, TX; numerous nieces and nephews and special baby Barbara Yvonne Wilson. James was a self-employed shoe repairman. He was loved and will be greatly missed.A funeral service will take place on Friday, April 25, 2008 at 11:00 AM at the Chapel of WILLIAMS-THOMAS DOWNTOWN FUNERAL HOME 404 N. Main Street (www.williamsthomasfuneralhome.com) with Rev. Jim DuBois officiating. Interment will follow at Orange Hill Cemetery in Williston, FL. The family will receive friends one our prior to the service at the funeral home.

CAN'T FIND YOUR REGISTRATION FORM?

If you can not find your registration form, don't panic. You will not be sent to the "office" or be made to stay after school.

Send us an e-mail at ghs68reunion@aol.com and we will e-mail one right away.

We hope you can make it.



The Committee

OK, THIS IS YOUR CHANCE!

The response to the videos posted on the site has been tsunami-like ..... well.......OK OK that is a bit of a stretch, but some folks enjoyed them.

We want more shots from all of you. Video yourself for 10-15 seconds and send it on. You can have your 1o seconds of fame.

Keep it as clean as you can. There are still tender folks out there in the world and the imaginations of some of you might.....well, we will have attorneys review all submissionsfor proper decorum. Don't do the Gator in other words.

Let us see and hear from you.

The Blog Meister

MISSING CLASSMATES LIST IS AVAILABLE ON THE YAHOO GROUP/FORUM. HELP US LOCATE THE LOST SO THAT THEY MAY BE CALLED FOUND

Bill Harlan posted the following note on the forum:

On the Class Forum, I just discovered "Files," where I posted a much shorter and up-to-date list of our "missing" classmates,and "Database," where Ken Nibling started a list of all of us (four, todate) last year. Adding info to this list is pretty self-explanatory. Both of these are found on the left hand side of the forum home page. Please check out the missing list and see if you can help us get in contact with any of your friends and neighbors shown there, and we'll invite them to join us in June.

Thanks, Bill Harlan

Registrations Are Arriving!

We are pleased that members of our class will be returning to Hogtown to celebrate with us. A sampling of the attendees includes; Jackie Cooter Hoover, Jim Conner, David Boothby, Al Cook, Kathy Sherman Cook, Ken Nibling, Richard Greene, Bill Chesnut, Terry Rigsby, Beth Graves Davis, Judy Dwyer, Ronnie Hilliard, Ann Fearney Paul, Susan Hazen Balloon, Ed Hagen, Steve Lally, Emery Swearingen, Coleman Stipanovich, Becky Peek Fitchlee, Rik Dilgren, Mark McLaurin, Diane Turney Taylor, Robbie Davis, Doug Lynes, Richard Robinson, Bill Harlan, Robert Scott, Karen Stack Van Lare, and Mike Boles.

If you have not sent in your form, please send it in soon.

Thanks,

The Committee

Official GHS Class of '68 apparel

Very soon, a T-shirt and a ball cap will become available on-line to all classmates. Instructions for purchasing will be posted here as soon as the design is completed and submitted to Cafepress.com. We hope that ordering can begin in a matter of days from this posting.

Essentially, Cafepress is a print-on-demand supplier thus relieving the Committee of having to foot the bill up front for the items. You will be able to order directly from them on-line both before and after the Reunion. The items will not be sold on-site at the Reunion.

Deborah Neill-Mareci is working her magic and we believe these items will be a fine way to commemorate the Reunion.

For the Committee,

The Blog Meister

A note for members of the GHS Classes of '67 and '69

We know that you have secretly sequestered a desire to be members of our high school graduating class, the class of 1968. The last 40 years must have been a strain knowing that there is one missing link in your collective psyche.

We have a way out for you. Come and hoist a beverage of choice with us at Gator's Dockside on Friday evening, June 20, as we begin our 40th Reunion. We hope that any of you who would like to join us will do so.

The Planning Committee

DON'T OVERLOOK THE LINKS ON THIS SITE

In addition to links for the venues we will be using for the Reunion, you might want to check out the Alachua County Visitors and Convention Bureau web site. It has some gorgeous photographs of the area and an excellent list of lodging opportunities. Also, Google Maps shows an aerial view of the school and, by clicking and dragging, you can move the image about the city.

We will be adding a few more links to this list soon. Stay tuned.

RESPONSE TO GHS '68 FORUM GOOD

The initial response to the GHS '68 forum has been (OK, I twisted a few arms to get a few of you started) very promising. In a short time, we have 19 members joining it and 29 messages posted, a number of which are extended updates on how some of our class mates have spent the last 40 years. We have been having 3-5 posts daily.

Frankly, the only thing I knew in January about blogs is that the word rhymes with "logs." The process of learning what is available and and assembling something that serves our needs has been challenging and fun for me. Who says old dogs can't learn new tricks?

Just as a note on nomenclature: the blog and the forum/group are two separate entitities. You can go to the group via the blog (www.ghs68.blogspot.com) and click it on under links.

Basically, the blog has all of the news of the reunion and official postings on the reunion. That is the central place to go for reunion stuff and you find there video, slides and regular postings from the committee. The forum/group, on the other hand, is more for you to let us all know what you are up to. It provides a chance to write up something and send it along for your class mates to read.

In addition to regularly visiting the blog for the daily information updates and slide show, I invite you to try the forum/group out. If I can figure out how to build it, you can figure out how to use it. Heck, at this point, I am not even sure whether it is more correct to refer to it as a group or a forum. The latter makes more sense to me and the former more sense to Yahoo.

The main point is that the group/forum has had some fine exchanges. One of my favorites so far is Gary Stanley opining on reading poetry (a side of Gary that is new to me) and Gary trying to persuade Richard Robinson to send wine to him for "safe keeping."

How can you pass that stuff up? This is true art in the making. Go for it 68'ers and impress your grandchildren with your new-found computer savvy. Tell us about yourselves. We want to hear from you.

The Blog Meister

WHEN SIGNING UP FOR THE YAHOO GROUP, OPT FOR E-MAILS TO BE SENT WHEN NEW POSTS APPEAR

When you sign up with Yahoo GHS Class of '68 Yahoo group, you will be given an option to receive an e-mail each time someone posts on the forum/group. That e-mail will provide the text of the posting and will be a convenient and effortless way to keep up with what folks are saying in the on-line forum.

Video, action!

If you are coming to the reunion or if you only want to say hi to your classmates, send in a ten second video and our video committee will attempt to post it on the blog. Some of your favorite local stars will be appearing in future weeks.

When playing each video, be sure to click right on the little black arrow to make it play. If you do not, it will not.

WANTED: MORE PHOTOS

We have set up a second bunch of photos that we will use soon as a slide show periodically alternating with the first slide show. We need you all to dig into your collections, scan those photographic gems waiting to be seen by the world, and send them in so they can posted in our collection. Don't wait........

The Committee

Suggestion from Ken Nibling on getting friends to the Reunion

I trust that we are getting a great response from everyone and that the registration for the Reunion is going well. I had an idea that I wanted to share to help spur activity.

The idea is to (1) encourage folks to go back and read the comments in their Hurricane annual (2) then have them contact five of their classmates that wrote something (citing an excerpt) and (3) let them know that they are coming and invite them to do the same.

Video Postings

We are able to post video blogs now. To play, click on the arrow button below the picture in the blog postings (in this case, Bill Harlan). Easy as pie.

Stay tuned in future weeks for appearances by other illustrious class members including a special posting with Emery Swearingen (our Hospitality chairman appointed in absentia) and his pet Harley-Davidson motorcycle as he heads out on the highway bound for the Reunion.

GHS CLASS OF 68 FORUM

So that class members may send in their erudite recollections of their past or thoughts for the future, join our class forum on Yahoo. Click on the link, register, and then let us know more about what you have been doing in the past or will be doing in the future. For those of you who are computer-challenged, we urge you to step out of the box and use this utility.

Remember: the blog site is for information on the reunion and the forum/group is for things you send in. While the forum/group can be used more widely, we have decided not to maintain two sites of information and to have both the blog and forum/group do what each does best.

Be patient. We are all learning here, but once you get through the fog of discovery you will see the bright torch of knowledge and enlightenment. As cave divers must learn early on, just swim towards the light.

Posting on the forum may allow only one person posting at a time so if it does not work at first try again. Let me know how you do and I will do all I can to help you through this. The alternative is to remove this option. I think it is valuable to use this forum or user group as much of the world already does. Remember: "Swim towards the light."

GOOGLE MAPS AND SATELLITE VIEWS OF HOGTOWN NOW AVAILABLE UNDER VENUES/ LINKS

Check out venues/links for Google Maps/satellite views of the school and the City of Gainesville. Hold down your left click button and move your mouse around the image and you should be able to "travel" about town with a bird's eye view. Have fun.

Many thanks to Kelley Wiltbank for helping get these images onto the blog site.

GOLF "ICEBREAKER" HEATING UP

The initial response to the Reunion's Golf Icebreaker has been great. So far, the following hackers (er, I mean golfers) have responded: Mike Powell, Jerry Smith, John and Karrie Klement, Mark McLaurin, Bill Chesnut, and Steve Smith.

We have tee times reserved for Friday afternoon and Saturday morning at the University of Florida Golf Course and we'll either play on one day or the other (or both) depending on everyone's preference.

We've got plenty of slots available for you and your spouse so let Ken Nibling (knibling@completeproduction.com) know if you are interested. Ken is also doing some personal recruiting so if you know anyone that loves to play, let him know and he'll be glad to contact them. Right now, he is working on Coleman Stipanovich and Buddy Carrell to show up as the celebrity football golfers (John Elway and Dan Marino had previous commitments!).

Respectfully yours,

Ken Nibling, Czar of Golf Operations, GHS 68 Reunion

Class! Class! It's time to tithe and send in your forms!

The Committee is working hard to put on a fine Reunion. We need more of you to go ahead and send in your forms and checks so that we can get everything ready on schedule.

Having put on a number of events like this, I know that we all put off sending in the required stuff and wait until the last minute, the witching hour. From the point of view of the committee though, we need you to send it in to make our jobs easier as we put the events together.

Let virtue strike sooner rather than later!

We know that you are all enthused about the Reunion and appreciate your kind e-mails and the 2500 hits you have made on the site. Plus, those of you who have been sending in photos are fleshing out the slide show that gets daily compliments. Now we want you to sign up and send in some "green."

Your homework assignment is to make our Treasurer smile from ear to ear when her mail box is overflowing with your commitments to join us.

Come on down, ya'll.

The Committee

GOLF "ICEBREAKER" SET

As a kick-off to the Reunion's weekend of activities, we are going to have a fun golf "icebreaker" where golfers of all levels can get together and renew acquaintances with folks they may not have seen in years. What better way of getting into the "swing" of the Reunion than to tee it up with old friends!

At this writing, we are looking at having golf outings on either the afternoon of Friday, June 20th or Saturday, June 21st (or on both dates depending on the level of interest).

Classmates and their spouses are welcome to join us. If you and/or your spouse are interested, please contact Ken Nibling at knibling@completeproduction.com or 281-372-2318.

Come on out and play! That way when you show up at the other Reunion events you'll already have a few faces that you recognize!

Ken Nibling, Chair of the Golfing subcommittee

It's Time! Send in your registration form and check

Preparations for the Reunion are proceeding feverishly. Print out the registration form that has been sent out to you via e-mail and send it to Jackie Cooter Hoover with your check. The grand return of the GHS Class of 1968 to Hogtown will go down in history. Don't miss it.

If you need another registration form sent to you by e-mail or a hard copy sent by "snail mail", you may send a request to ghs68reunion@aol.com. We will send it out to you ASAP.

Remember that the deadline for sending in your form with a check is May 15th. Why wait, send it now!

Also, if you have pictures, scan them and send them along as well. The more the merrier.

We hope to see you in June.

Go 'Canes!

The Committee

ALTERNATE WAYS TO VIEW SLIDE SHOW

There are several ways to view the slide show:

1) When you open the blog site, you will see the Picasa web album at the top of the page showing photos every 4 seconds. Grab a cup of coffee and have fun watching.

2) You may also use this URL: www.picasa.com/JCGATOR2

OK, Gator-oos......Listen Up!

Each posting has a comments button where you may add comments to that particular post. I have a question to pose and I solicit your comments.

What are the top five dance songs that stay in your memory from your high school days? If there are other songs that do not fit in the dance category send those along too. At our meeting last evening, Bill Harlan spontaneously mentioned "Soldier Boy." I should not be surprised coming from a West Point graduate.

You are allowed to take the Fifth Amendment about why you recall those songs, but gory details will not be turned away.

Go to it.

Jim

PHOTOS WANTED!

If you would like your photo to be included in the slide show on the blog site, send 'em on down in electronic form (jpg format, if possible) to the official reunion e-mail address, ghs68reunion@aol.com. Prove to your class mates that the passage of time has only enhanced your resplendant beauty. Also, photos from your high school days will be welcomed.

To our classmates in the Gainesville (FL) High School Class of 1968: Our 40th reunion will be held June 20-22, 2008 and this blog has been created to provide information and updates on the reunion and its planning. The Planning Committee (Bill Harlan, Jackie Cooter Hoover, Susan Hazen Balloon, Robbie Davis, and Jim Conner) has been hard at work identifying and locating classmates. Plans for the events in June are in full gear with the venues secured etc. Numerous meetings have been held to practice hoisting beverages of choice and singing the alma mater in several different languages. Book your flights, gas up the Olds, and be ready to come home to Hogtown to reunite in June.