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!!!
Thursday, July 31, 2008
Tuesday, July 29, 2008
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."
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."
Saturday, July 26, 2008
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!
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!
Friday, July 25, 2008
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.
Monday, July 21, 2008
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
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
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
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.
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.
Sunday, July 13, 2008
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
Thanks to all,
JC
Saturday, July 12, 2008
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.
Friday, July 4, 2008
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
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.
Thursday, July 3, 2008
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
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
Tuesday, July 1, 2008
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."
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."
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)