John Criswell

I'll be there.

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Tracy and Kathi will be there

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Reminder:  The August birthday lunch will be Wednesday, the 23rd; 1 PM, as usual.  The place will be Los Cuates, at  4901 Lomas Blvd NE.  Celebrants include Cliff Blaugrund, Lorraine Barth Bartolucci, Elaine Weinshenker Keaton, and Helen Stambaugh Williams.  Restaurant staff would like to be prepared for us, so please let us know by Monday, whether you plan to be there, or will miss it this time.  (Yep, I've been making notes along the way.)  

R.

Neal Kloepfer

Well Gang, I will try to make it but only if I don't have to report for jury duty Wednesday.

I do not have jury duty tomorrow so I will be there.

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I will be there and leave for Datil from there this time  instead of coming up from Datil.

Steven Brooks

Merl Schafer

Cliff Blaugrund

Hello clasmates,

See you Wed at Los Cuartes.

Cliff Blaugrund

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

Robyn. Honorary class member, my sister Susan is joining us. How many does that make?

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Thanks, Betty, for the update.  I always enjoy Susan's company, and am glad she'll be joining us.  Thanks to everyone for claiming a seat at our growing table, truly.  Including people who have been in touch off the website, I count 22, and there are a few more who haven't said yes or no.  

I'm delighted and amazed at the increasing enthusiasm for the birthday lunches -- at the first one, there were five of us, four celebrant and one spouse.  I can only guess it's because such great people are now coming, who are such wonderful company.  I only wish I could sit next to each one for an hour, catching up.  

I'll be bringing information on Saturday's Highland Band March-a-thon, as well as posting it here.  I also hope to see a lot of us, then!  

R. 

Walter Huebner

Robyn.  As much as I like these lunches, I have a doctor's appt tomorrow that I've had for months, and it will be tight to make it if I go to lunch at 1:00.  Yes, as we age, we get to see the doctor more often!  But let me know about next month when you can, as I would certainly like the opportunity to come.  Los Cuates has a special place for me because when it was Cocina de Carlos, that's where my wife and I had our wedding rehearsal dinner in 1970.  So I will be extra sorry to miss the lunch tomorrow.  Walt Huebner

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Hi all,

Tracy and I will not be able to attend the lunch today. We will miss everyone

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Another successful birthday lunch today, but the report will have to wait for just a bit.  

I know that this is short notice to work up enthusiasm and clear your calendars, but I want to get the information out as soon as possible.  The March-a-thon, which will benefit the Highland High School Band, will be coming up this Saturday morning, and it would be great to have a big group of us gather to support them.  

Here's what we've been doing for the past several years:  As many classmates, other alums, family, and friends as we can roust gather at our usual bench on the west side of Hyder Park, at 9:30 AM.  The band will be stepping off at about that time.  I spring for doughnuts (from Donut Mart); everyone else brings their favorite morning beverage.  We hang out and chat, sometimes with other band supporters, until the band has marched through the neighborhood to our location.  Because they stop to play (and collect donations) whenever a group gathers, we're not sure exactly when they'll arrive, but we're sure to get our own mini-performance when they reach us.  After, they march on, and we're free to go on with our day.  (Brunch somewhere could happen, if there's interest.)  

I would appreciate RSVPs, here, so that I don't take home too many leftover doughnuts!   Here's the information, from the flyer -- please share with everyone who might be interested!  And, if you can't join us, there are instructions included for mailing a donation, or making one on line. 

Highland High School Marching Band
Annual March-a-thon
Will Be Coming to Your Neighborhood!
(well, my neighborhood)

Saturday, August 26, 2017
9:30 AM

Our Band is thriving!  Our kids, under the fantastic leadership of Ms. Josephine Gonzales, have won several competitions in the last few years, and we have more than doubled in size!  

Your support is more important than ever!  

Special Needs for 2017:

• Repair or replace stolen band truck. 
• Buses to transport kids to football games (funding was eliminated this year).
• Uniforms and supplies for Color Guard. 

To Donate: 

• The band will be accepting or check donations as they march through the neighborhood on August 26th.

• Make checks payable to the Highland High School Band Boosters or mail donations to Highland High School Band Boosters PO Box 81073, Albuquerque,NM 87198.

• Online, go to <highlandhighband.wordpress.com> and press the "donate now" button. 

Thank you! 

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Last Wednesday's classmates' birthday lunch was quite the bash!  Birthday celebrants present were Cliff Blaugrund, Lorraine Barth, Elaine Weinshenker Keaton and Helen Stambaugh Williams.  In from out of town were Merl Schafer and wife Kati, Betty Myers Schaefer and Vicky Jacobson.  Locals were Merl's brother Dale ('53),  Sandy Stewart Smallwood, Marty Glantz Farmer, Rhonda Beauchamp Blech and husband Frosty ('65), Neal Kloepfer, Lorraine's friend (I didn't catch his name), John Criswell, Susie Strong Neuschwanger, Betty's sister Susan Myers Puckett ('59), Steve Brooks, Robyn's friend Sandy Bryan, and Robyn.   

It was a great group, with lively conversation and many smiles around the table.  Los Cuates seemed to suit many people, and I know that many of us have some history there, even back to "Cocina de Carlos" days.  

I'm looking forward to September, already.  Who will be we celebrating?  

On to Saturday morning's March-a-thon!  A smaller group, all in all, but classmates included Rhonda (plus husband Frosty), Marty and Susie, plus me.  Rhonda modestly omitted the fact that she and Frosty passed the information to Frosty's brother, whose 50th reunion was this weekend.  Dusty and his wife distributed a bunch of flyers at their Friday night mixer, and a number of his classmates and their spouses showed up.  What an inspired idea! 

As Rhonda has reported, about $3400 was raised, and thanks to all who contributed, whether in person, on line, or by mail!  The kids looked and sounded great, and their increased numbers were heart-warming.  Me, I'd like to nominate Ms. G for sainthood, or at least bottle her energy and commitment.  

And, as my friend Toddy said later, it was a great excuse to spend a little time in the park!  

Here's the photo of us at lunch, thanks to Merl and Kati:

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

With Hurricane and Tropical Storm Harvey all over the news, I'm thinking of classmates in Houston and vicinity, and other affected Gulf-area communities.  If anyone has any news, I hope you'll check in with us, here.  

Best wishes to all,

Robyn

Neal Kloepfer

I called Mary Jane Johnson (Casimir) yesterday and she said their house is high and dry but their daughters house is flooded.

Bill Mitchell

Bill and Dawn Mitchell are safe and sound in Lago Vista, Texas (north of Austin).  We had lots of rain, 4 in.lots wind,no damagejust hunkered down with Dawn's 90 year old mom and watch movies and ate more than we should..But we lived in the south Houston (near space center) for about 15 years and have gone thru many storms, but none this horrible.. Please pray for the people and volenteers that are still in harms way, and thru out the long journey back to some since of "normal". 

James (Jim) Nohl

I called Bob O'Bryan in Breaumont, TX and his house is high enough so he has at this point avoided any flooding.

Bob O'Bryan

Thanks for all the calls emails etc .  Harvey did its best to ruin us but the people here are resilient.  Fortunately for us we sustained no damage to our house.  We don't have a clue about our boat which is probably under water.  We have been helping others clean out flooded houses and cooking meals for those in need.  It has been amazing to see all the volunteer fishermen with flat bottom boats staying to help rescue people trapped in homes.  Several of my partners had to be evacuated by boat.  While there is no running water in Beaumont there is plenty in gracery stores.  Also we are lucky to have a large pond in our back yard so there is water to flush toilets  Area hospitals are not doing anything elective,and have evacuated the most critical to hospitals elsewhere.  Again, thanks for all the concern.

Bobby O

Sally Loyd (Sabino)

Thank You for the update.

I heard from Sarah the other day. 

Know my thoughts are with both of you and your wonderful community.  Sally

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Thanks to all who have checked in -- storms don't spare people just because they're people we know.  The grapevine tells me that Jan Dunne Holley Glick, also in Beaumont, is okay.  They've had some water in the house, but so far nothing they can't deal with, and now their power is back on.  

I hope all continue to be safe and well.  

Robyn

Sally Loyd (Sabino)

Thank you Robyn. enJOY your holiday. 

Mary Jane Johnson (Casimir)

Thank you, Neal, for checking on our family last week.  Like I said on the phone, the news media was not exaggerating at all - Harvey was a devastating event to say the least.  We have so many friends who have lost everything and several friends, as well as a family member, whose homes flooded and will be displaced for several months.  We are very blessed that Jack and I stayed high and dry.  I'm  glad to learn that the O'Bryans are doing fine, as Beaumont sustained evere damage.    The Coast Guard, National Guard, volunteers, etc. have been amazing helping with the rescue effort.  Houston is a city comprised of strong, dynamic, friendly people....rebuilding has already begun!

Mary Jane (Johnson) Casimir