Sylvia Bernell (Goffe)

Just to reconfirm, I will be attending tonights gathering at the home of the Weddels' and then on Suturday evening at the Albuquerque Country Clue.  You will be the name Sylvia Bernell, in the 1960-1961 Sophomore listing of students. I moved to Phoenix, AZ for my Junior and Senior years of high school.  

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

A quick interim report on our 55th Reunion weekend:  So far, so great!  A just-the-right-size group gathered this morning at Ellen Coyne Harvey's lovely home to puzzle through some puzzles, chat a whole lot, and -- frankly -- eat a whole lot of yummy food.  Then, after a pause to regroup, a somewhat large group took advantage of Mike and Ruth Wartell's warm hospitality over delicious barbecue and accompaniments.  The desserts were opulent and numerous, and I only wish I could have done justice to more of what was on offer.  (Special thanks to Karen White for her cake -- wasn't it a rum cake? -- and to Nancy Blaugrund, for her rendition of Ruth Wartell's bread pudding!)  

Lots of pictures were taken, and I do hope that we can devise a page here so that many of them (the flattering ones only, of course) can be shared.  

I'm looking forward, now, to Saturday evening's get-together at the Albuquerque Country Club.  I'm looking forward to seeing some of the same faces, and I understand that some will be there who haven't been able to make it to the Friday events.  

Our events just seem to get better as we go along.  As we continue to, ahem, mature, we seem to be increasingly accepting of our imperfections and of the difficulties that we've faced, both in ourselves and in others.  I was especially appreciative of the gentlemen who rushed forward to lend a hand to those of us women kneeling in the front, once the group picture had been taken.  

I hope that people will be taking advantage of the weekend's less-formal events -- the talk at the Special Collections Library, the exhibitions at the Albuquerque Museum, and the trip to the Ice Caves on Sunday, as well as the Tram rides.  Much more fun with a group!  

And a thank you to those who spoke so sweetly of my reports here.  I do wish that others felt more comfortable in speaking up from time to time about whatever may be going on, or just of interest.  

Looking forward to seeing more of everyone, and to lunch on Monday!  

Robyn

Steve Komadina

Great night, weather, food, friendships and hospitality from the Wartell’s!!!!  Sad to miss those who have passed over the years. Reminder to live each day to the fullest. If you are on the fence to come tonight get Off and come tonight!!!!  Thanks to Neal and Helen and Ellen and all others who helped. Jack for tonight and George for the tramp and Robyn for energy and reporting!!!

Steve Komadina

Hey George......  what was that “tramps “ name. Sorry for fat fingers on little keyboard. See everyone tonight. 

Merl Schafer

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

And another interim report:  I can't speak for others, but I've had almost as much fun as I can have!  

My own Saturday began with a Tram ride with Steve Brooks (who was so kind in picking me up and bringing me home after!), Betty Myers Schaefer and her sister, Susan Myers Puckett.  I thank George Boyden all the way from the bottom of my heart for making this experience possible, at such a reasonable rate.  It's easy to become absorbed in our daily lives, and to forget the overview of the special city that we all shared while in school, still shared by many of us.  Sandia Crest is a beautiful spot from which to look out at not only the city, but the land surrounding it, and the mountain at one's feet.  If you've never taken the Tram ride, haven't taken it recently, or haven't taken it often enough, I hope you'll go on Sunday, taking advantage of George's gift to us all.  Just mention Highland HS when purchasing your ticket.  

Then, although I took afternoon time to prepare for the evening festivity, I was thinking of Richard Tang, at the opening of the exhibition of the "Invisible to Visible:  Chinese-Americans in Albuquerque", at the Albuquerque Museum.  I hope that some of us were able to be there; it's something I'm certainly looking forward to seeing, in the months that it's available.  Richard has said that he will be glad to guide us through it, so I'll be looking into scheduling a group trip, once I've caught my breath.  

The party at the Country Club, I must say, was great!  Many thanks to Jack Dettweiler for making the arrangements, and to Helen for taking on the crucial menu selections, and every one of the details that made it such a wonderful context for our celebration.  I enjoyed seeing so many that I've come to see regularly at lunches, plus so many others who are only able to join us for our reunions.  I overheard so many lively conversations, saw so many joyous interactions, and observed so much grace and kindness that I can only describe my heart as full and overflowing.  What a group we are!  

Thanks, too, to Ellen Coyne Harvey for giving us another series of puzzles to allow us to show a bit of our stuff!  

I hope that many of us will be caravanning on Sunday, on the trip to the Ice Caves in the Grants area, led by Craig Dear.  He announced that departure is planning for 1 PM.  To check in, and for more details give him a call at 856-625-8647.  This is an opportunity that shouldn't be missed!  

One more event -- lunch on Monday, 1 PM at Los Cuates, 4901 Lomas Blvd NE.  If you haven't checked in here, please do so right away, or give me a call.  Several people said they're planning to be there, but I can't be sure that I'm remembering them all.  I'm the one who is keeping the count, and I need a number for the restaurant, so that there are enough chairs for everyone.  

Many thanks to Neal for all that he contributes -- and for putting forward the idea that we meet to celebrate our 75th birthday.  That's only two years away, but it's not too soon to begin planning.  I hope you'll all be there!  

Robyn

Jack Dettweiler (Dettweiler)

Robin,

I'm trying to be there Monday for lunch.

Jack Dettweiler

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I will not be making the lunch today but I had a great time at our reunion.  I loved seeing and visiting with every one of our classmates who were able to make it. Enjoyed it all and thanks to all for all the time and effort put into putting it together and to those classmates who came and made it great.  

I hope more of you went on the tram Sunday.  It was George Boyton's last time he would be able to give us a class discount of $10 and it is usually $20 for seniors.  It was worth every penny and more. 

Drove to the ice cave and volcano to meet up with Craig, Dear, Marty Glantz Farmer and Barbara Ayers and my husband, John and he brought with him a neighbor friend of mine in Datil, Roxanne.  It was very interesting as it is part of the Malpais lava rock area.  The cave is fairly deep and the ice is 30 ft deep and it is always 31 degrees down in the cave which actually felt "marvelous" by the time we got down in the cave.  

It took John and Roxanne 3 hours to drive there.  By the time we got through the cave and back to the parking lot, it was after 4 PM.  We asked the owner of the gift shop and the land we were exploring about a shortcut to get back home to Datil.  Wanted to avoid the deer and especially the elk on the road closer to Datil.  It was the shortcut from Hell.  Made it home in over 4 hours and we had to avoid cows on the road, stop and throw rocks off to the side so I wouldn't scrape the bottom of the car.  Jackrabbits threw rocks at my car haha and Roxanne and I had to stop for elk 3 times before we made it home but it was worth it once we realized we were not going to be wandering around in the outlands for the rest of our lives. We finally hit the pavement after about 3 hours of driving on dirt roads.  We thought we had to have missed a road somewhere because we kept seeing Mt Taylor just north of us and the Sawtooths seemed to be getting further away.  John's car was nowhere to be seen because he was so far ahead of us.

Can't wait for the next reunion for our 75th birthdays.  The best thing about being retired we can have reunions whenever we want.  

Betty 

Saralou Burnett (Lagier)

THANKS for the report, Betty!!!  Sounds like the old west... 

I sure hope to be there in 5 years... There were 3 weddings here that I didn't want to miss and that trip to cuba, of course. 

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

We hope to see you in 2 years, Sara, for the 75th birthday party and then in 3 more years for our 60-year reunion from HHS.  Since we are getting older, and most are us are not still working (attention Dr. K), we can find all kind of excuses to get together.  We had a lot of classmates who were gone on June vacations.  I am wondering if we should make the 75th in the fall instead.  Maybe a day trip taking the Roadrunner to Santa Fe when all the cottonwoods are so beautiful along the Bosque and the Rio Grande.  Lunch on the Plaza and the fare on the train is, I believe, $6 for seniors roundtrip and there are free shuttles from the train station to the Plaza, museums and to the top of Canyon Road.  Any opinions?

Saralou Burnett (Lagier)

I like the idea of going to Santa Fe... I still feel like that is a special treat...  

Let's all stay healthy!!!!   

Sara

Merl Schafer

Steven Brooks

Mary Ann Simanek (Villarreal)

We had a wonderful reunion thank you to all who worked hard for the past year to put it together. Santa Fe would be a great trip count me in too. 

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

I do enjoy the birthday lunches, and everyone else seemed to, too, on Monday!

 Around the table at Los Cuates were Lorraine Barth and Ricardo,  Angie Sanchez Carder, Marty Glantz Farmer, Sandy Stewart Smallwood, Merl and Kati Schafer, Craig Dear, Mike Wartell, John Criswell, Neal Kloepfer, Marcy McVay Cates, Susie Strong Neuschwanger, Richard and Mary Tang, Hank (LCHS '63) and Anna Nusbaum, Walt Huebner, Jack Dettweiler, and George Boyden.

Although some of the "usual suspects" were otherwise occupied on Monday, several who came are ones we see less frequently, for which I'm glad.  Kati Schafer took some pictures, which I hope she'll send me.  I hope I didn't omit anyone; if I did, I apologize!  

It was especially good to see Craig Dear, who had extended his trip to lunch with us before returning to the East Coast.  And Merl and Kati Schafer, who are able to join us a couple of times per year.  Richard Tang is pleased with and proud of the "From Invisible to Visible: the Chinese-American Experience in Albuquerque" newly-opened exhibition at the Albuquerque Museum, and offered to take several interested classmates to see it, after lunch, until someone remembered that the Museum is closed on Mondays.  He has offered to "docent" a group of us whenever an excursion can be arranged.  I hope to start on that soon, so please let me know if there are days or dates when you would NOT be available.  

Very soon I'll be looking at Mondays in July for the next lunch, so please do speak up if that's your birth month.  

Looking forward (as usual),

Robyn

John Criswell

Remember.... riding to Santa Fe on the Rail Runner is free for seniors 62+ on Wednesdays through September. Shuttles will take you from there to various points in and around Santa Fe. Perhaps we can do a dry run for next months birthday lunch at Thomasitas which is right there at the Santa Fe depot. Train arrives at 11:16. Return at !:02 or 4:15 and later if you want to stay longer. Just throwing it out there to see if it sticks.

Martha Glantz (Farmer)

Saralou Burnett (Lagier)

I'm eager to learn the date ... maybe we'll get a flight...

...   

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

That would be fun for one of the lunches.  I enjoy the Railrunner any time and I like Tomasita's also.

Karen White

My thanks to all who worked so hard to provide us a lovely 55th reunion.  I certainly enjoyed catching up with classmates.  Thank you also for your support during my recent journey with breast cancer.  Am feeling well and am beginning to travel again.  Best to all, karen

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

Hooray, Karen.  It was good to see you at the reunion and especially looking so happy and well. Continued good health and enjoy your travels.    We will see you at the 60th or/and our 75th birthday celebration if it is decided to have one.

Steven Brooks

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Short notice, I know, but let's do the July birthday lunch next Monday, July 16!  One PM, as usual.  I have a restaurant in mind, but don't want to post the location until I've phoned to make arrangements.  

I know that some people will already be booked, and/or may be traveling, but hope to hear from everyone who will join us!  

Robyn

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I can go to this one!!  Have missed a few lately.  Looking forward to it.  

Helen Stambaugh (Williams)

I will be there.  Thanks!