Hello.
Did anyone notice that I didn’t send an update on the 10th?
A year before our originally scheduled reunion I started to send out monthly updates on the 10th of each month, hoping to reinforce the idea that the reunion was to be held on July 10, 2020. It’s time to reboot. I’m pleased to announce:
THE 2020 REUNION
Thursday, July 14, 2022
I will try to answer all the questions I think you might be asking:
Why can’t it be this year?
I have received some pretty strong emails from classmates; first, they will not attend a reunion held this year (period, explanation point) and second, they require a minimum of six months advanced notice. Even if I ignored the first, a six month notice would set the date in January and nobody would like that. The weather is too variable right into May, and June is a very busy month for graduations and weddings. Which brings us to the next question…
Why are we holding it in July?
July is the earliest practical time. Besides, as I walk around town it’s hard not to think that this is the best time of the year. August can sometimes be too hot and dry. Fall is beautiful but you have to pack for hot and cold weather. And it seems to me, it would be unkind to bring you all back to Michigan when you couldn’t enjoy both our small and Great Lakes. Make a vacation out of it.
Why hold the event on a Thursday night?
Several reasons. Most of us are retired or semi-retired and have flexibility in our schedules, and with a year’s notice one should be able to arrange the time.
Our original schedule was for a Friday night because Saturdays have become very expensive both in hall rental and food & beverage minimums. It is less on Fridays, and even less on Thursdays, so this helps keep prices manageable.
Additionally, our ‘Night On The Town’ held the night before the reunion proper, would have been on ‘Thirsty Thursday’, the busiest night of the week, which would mean crowded and long waits for a table unless you’re lucky enough to get a reservation.
Wednesdays are the least costly day to travel and if you’re staying for a vacation, cottage rentals are typically Saturday to Saturday.
For all these reasons it seems that celebrating our reunion on Thursday and Friday makes a lot of sense.
What events are planned to accompany the reunion?
The only event nailed down is the reunion itself, but since you asked, this is what I have imagined at the moment:
Night On The Town on Wednesday night
Tour of Seaholm on Thursday morning
THE 2020 REUNION on Thursday night
SHS70 Memorial Service on Friday morning
SHS70@70 Birthday Party on Friday night
In 2022 we will all turn 70, and as we are gathered it seems only appropriate we celebrate together.
How confident are you that this will happen?
I’m hopeful. We have to set a goal and think positively. Yes, there are new variants coming at us and the future is unpredictable. The worst case scenario is we have to postpone. I know how to do that.
Why are you still calling it THE 2020 REUNION?
I could say it’s because 2020 looks better than 2022, that fifty year reunion sounds better than fifty-two year reunion, or that I don’t know how to change the website.
But the reason I like best is that it’s just a shortened version of:
THE 2020 REUNION IN 2022
So mark your calendars and I will continue with monthly updates on the 14th of each month.
There is not a day in the year I could pick that wouldn’t displease somebody. I hope with a year’s notice that all of you will be able to arrange your schedules and attend.
Class of 70 ZOOMs
Since our last update we have held two ZOOMS:
Summer Solstice ZOOM Open House with the theme “Waterside”
West Coast ZOOM at 7pm Pacific
We had terrific participation at both and videos of the compiled photographs were distributed to you all.
The pacific time made it convenient for our West Coast classmates that couldn’t attend previous zoom events.
It was so successful that Mountain Time is next:
Mountaineers ZOOM
Tuesday, August 17 2021, 7pm mountain
It’s an easy climb.
All are invited.
[6pm Pacific / 7pm Mountain / 8pm Central / 9pm Eastern / 3am Reidar]
Link to join ZOOM:
https://us02web.zoom.us/j/86245745508
Class of 70 READs
Our first book club group has completed The Midnight Library. We decided the quality of writing was geared toward an adolescent audience, but it made up for that in the quality of ideas it provoked; string theory and multiple realities, reincarnation, making choices, regret, interdependence, and creation of your own life story.
We are halfway through our second book, Washington Black, which by contrast has a slave as the main character whose life takes many a turn without any choices available except to stick with the one man who has exhibited some kindness… so far. We will finish our reading and discuss the book on Monday, July 26 at 5pm.
On Monday, August 16 at 5pm we will meet to discuss the movie, Echo in the Canyon, featuring Jakob Dylan, Brian Wilson, Tom Petty, Ringo Starr, Eric Clapton, Stephen Stills, Roger McGuinn, Michelle Phillips, David Crosby, and Graham Nash. The movie is available on several streaming services and from libraries.
If you are interested in joining either the book or movie discussion(s) just drop me a line and we’ll send you the link.
Class Notes
My email addresses for Robyn Davis and Don Walts are no longer working. If you have their current contact information please send me a note.
Sadly, Jan Boger Mignano passed away in June.
Here is a link to her obituary:
https://www.desmondfuneralhome.com/obituaries/Janet-Louise-Mignano?obId=21581767&fbclid=IwAR0QOIU_lNJ7UgrgGnxlWEQ2ai9R6yvYmWbjRJO5TPC6VW51bw31fhaHmRk#/obituaryInfo
Another year every month. This month: 1964
Events: LBJ defeats Goldwater, Clay defeats Liston, Brezhnev replaces Khruschev, US attacks North Vietnam, race riots, 24th Amendment protects the Vote, Hoffa convicted, NY World’s Fair, Japan hosts Olympics, Ford Mustang
Movies: My Fair Lady, Goldfinger, Mary Poppins, Zorba the Greek
Songs: He’s So Fine, Go Away Little Girl, It’s My Party, Blue Velvet, My Boyfriend’s Back
TV: The Munsters, The Man from U.N.C.L.E., Dr. Kildare, The Outer Limits
Seventh Grade 1964-1965
https://www.babyboomers.com/article/1964-events-facts/5835a0a2e4b002cef0ed13db
Beatles on Ed Sullivan:
https://youtu.be/jenWdylTtzs
Documentary: The Making of the Beatles First US Visit
https://youtu.be/4FhQY7BSKpk
Listen to Top Pop Songs (Audio Clips) of 1964 here:
https://youtu.be/v_2KA3pa5Eo
Top 100:
https://youtu.be/lIqwpSFQp4w
Post your pictures from 1964 and before on our facebook group page:
Seaholm Class of 1970
Bad Weather
It’s difficult to comprehend all the horrifying weather and disasters going on: fires, earthquakes, heat waves, floods…. It’s almost petty to mention last week’s storm which caused all sorts of tree damage and power outages. I watched the whole thing from our breezeway where I never would have been if the sirens had gone off. Oddly, they rehearse all year, but then in this storm they were silent. I’d prefer to think I just couldn’t hear them.
Through the blinding rain I could make out the trees bent over in the wind - I couldn’t believe they were not breaking apart and then, whoosh! They were all bent in the opposite direction, the storm just as powerful. I'd say a vortex just passed but I still haven’t heard the storm declared a tornado.
As I said, it pales in comparison, but it was pretty harrowing here in Birmingham.
Stay safe in all respects,
Wood
Please join THE 2020 PIPER biographies and email directory:
Website: seaholmclassof1970.com
Case-sensitive password: SHS70@50
Please post your 1962 and earlier photos, BFFs, Postcards, Pastcards and chat:
Facebook: Seaholm Class of 1970
Ask to join.
Please plan mini-reunions with your best friends from Birmingham with our help:
Class of 70 ZOOMS: slepchuk@comcast.net