We had such
a great time at our 50 year reunion in 2007 that we immediately
decided to do it again five years later. It's hard to believe how
quickly those years went by.
The
Committee kept in touch and kept up our enthusiasm, but we knew from
the start that this one would be low key compared to the "all
out" 50-year event that included activities Friday, Saturday
and Sunday.
We discussed
various options - just getting together for lunch during the Alumni
Picnic at the Fairgrounds, an evening pizza party or gathering at
some other restaurant, a small catered event somewhere. We were
delighted when Ed and Debbie Davis offered to let us use their house
in Midpines. Ed even said he would provide ribs and barbecue. We
accepted this generous offer, and made plans for the rest of the committee
and a few others to provide salads, desserts, drinks, etc.
Lee D. once
again took on the task of sending invitations and keeping track of
responses, and everyone else pitched in handling various chores. The
positive responses added up to a little over 30 classmates and
guests. While not everyone who sent back their card was able to
attend, we had a couple of others show up, and the size of the
gathering seemed just right. A few came to the picnic, but were not
able to join us for the evening event.
The Davis
Ranch, where Ed lived when he first came to Mariposa, is up the hill
from Midpines off Colorado Road, at the 3,200 foot level. It has a
great view across Highway 140 and the hills beyond, and southeast to
7,000 foot Signal Peak. We had a nice shady area to set up tables
and the weather was warm but not unbearable. Ed and Deb proved to be
excellent hosts, and the class salutes them and extends our
heartfelt thanks for their contribution.
Those who
came to the picnic only included Ainslee McDonald, Gary and DeLoris
Glodrey, Frank and Dottie Smith Pingiczer, Wayne Copeland (who left
Mariposa after 8th grade), and Charles Noblet.
At the
dinner were Tom and Lee Nixon DeLaMare, Buck and Lucy Tiffany Zimmerman, Bobby
and Schatzie Curtiss, Lois Bailey Shafer and her sister Charlene
McNally, Dick Estel, Raymond Main, Gerry and Linda Barnes Davis, Ed
and Debbie Davis, Sam and Gail Tutsch Francis, Beverly Rust Hibpshman,
Bev Baker Williams and guest Bob Nolan, Wes and Bev Van Gundy Bowman, Anne
Westley Brew, Bryce and Alma Rhoan Green, and Merle O'Hagan Bronson.
To those who
couldn't make it, we missed you and hope to see you somewhere down
the road.
And we'd
like to acknowledge two who joined us for the 50-year reunion but
have since passed on, Elaine Wildt Piazza and Gayle Kelley Zollars,
as well as Lee Roy Westmoreland, who was not able to attend in 2007.
You will live on in our hearts and memories.