Helen Stambaugh (Williams)

I will be there.  Thanks!

Mary Ann Simanek (Villarreal)

I will be there looking forward to seeing everyone

Cheryl Fossum (Graham)

I will be in ABQ so plan to attend.

Sandra Stewart (Smallwood)

I will be at the July luncheon.  Thanks

Steven Brooks

Martha Glantz (Farmer)

Count me in, Robyn.

Jack Dettweiler (Dettweiler)

I'm planning on being there - if I knew where it is.

Neal Kloepfer

I plan on being there.

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Okay, July birthday lunch on Monday, July 16 at 1 PM at El Bruno's Restaurante y Cantina, 8806 4th NW.  

We've been to this restaurant as a group once before, and it seemed to work out well.  It's located west of I-25, so more convenient for some of us.  In addition to their regular menu, they do offer lunch specials, which were enjoyed by some on that previous visit.  

Thanks to those who have already checked in -- we'll be looking forward to seeing you all!  Any others? 

Robyn

Walter Huebner

Count me in for lunch on Monday.

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Tracy and I will be there!

John Criswell

I'll be there. I will have Jim Pecha's sister Connie Welty as my guest.

Marcia "Marcy" McVay (Cates)

i'll be there, but would like to know where??

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

Marcy, Read Robyn's post above.  Brunos is on 4th close to Paseo Del Norte.  Hope to see you then.

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

A couple of years ago a group of us HHS class of 63ers went to this festival and had a good time.  I am planning on going again this year and it looks like a good show schedule.  Let's get a group together again and if you come Jimmy Bradley let us know that you are there this time earlier.    It was good seeing you and your wife.  See info below and let us know on here if you are interested.

The 2018 Wildlife West Music + Art Festival produced by Southwest Pickers kicks off with a Chuckwagon Supper and Show on Friday, July 27, 2018 at 7 pm featuring The Merlettes! Then on Saturday, July 28, 2018, the concerts, jamming and workshops kick off at 11 am. Headliners include Karl Schiflett & Big Country Show, Wood & Wire, The Cowboy Way, Higher Ground Bluegrass, The Merlettes, David Thom Band, Lani Nash Band, Gerard Bezzeg, Pegie Douglas and Just Larry. PLUS: Enjoy FREE Dry camping at Wildlife West during the festival. Food vendors, art vendors and beer by Sierra Blanca Brewery. Admission to the park to view the animals is included with festival ticket price.  $28 all day Saturday from 11 AM to 10:30 PM

Merl Schafer

Martha Glantz (Farmer)

Must be the western version of the Rockettes...how entrepreneurial of you, Merl!

George Boyden

I will be able to join you at Bruno’s also

George Boyden

Jim Bob Payne

If you still have room, I would like to attend the lunch at Bruno's.

Jim Bob

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Looking forward to seeing everyone at lunch in a couple of hours -- El Bruno's Restaurante y Cantina, 8806 4th, NW, at 1 PM. 

Including Jim Bob and people who have been in contact off this website, I count 25 of us!

R.

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

From time to time, I hear that other Highland alum classes don't do things the way that we do.  Hm.  I think that we came through and graduated from high school feeling that our class was exceptional, but I'm not sure that we envisioned a lively alumni scene, this far down the road.  

I'm deeply appreciative of, and grateful to, all of those who have worked through the years to organize our six reunions, and our recent 70th birthday celebration.  I won't list names for fear of leaving out someone, but I know we wouldn't be where we are today, as a group, without the contributions you've made.  

And I really want to thank Neal Kloepfer for establishing this website and maintaining it for us.  I see that the first post to this Message Forum was in July 2011.  That's given us seven years to check up on and check in with classmates we've been seeing all along, as well as those we've lost touch with.  Neal, your ongoing efforts to locate us all and bring us onto the website have been vital!  Things would certainly be different if we were still limited to postal mail and phone calls!  

Getting together for lunch would certainly be a lot different, if not for the website!  At the July birthday lunch were Susie Strong Neuschwanger, Neal Kloepfer, Jim Bob Payne, Betty Myers Schaefer, Susan Myers Puckett, Mike and Ruth Wartell, Walt Huebner, Marty Glantz Farmer, John Criswell, Connie Welty (Jim Pecha's sister), George and Tooey Boyden, Marcy McVay Cates, Helen Stambaugh Williams, Cheryl Fossum Graham, Mary Ann Simanek Villarreal, Sandy Stewart Smallwood, Steve Brooks, Cliff Blaugrund, Sandy Bryan and me.  Walt Huebner was the designated July birthday celebrant, and I'm glad that he could be there.  I particularly enjoyed chatting with Connie (HHS '61), and I want to thank John Criswell for bringing her!  

Preliminary planning for a September birthday lunch excursion via Railrunner to Santa Fe gave me an excuse to check in with everyone present.  According to that informal poll, nearly everyone present is interested.  Cheryl Fossum Graham has volunteered to be our Santa Fe key person, and I'm sure she would welcome suggestions so that she can make the best possible decisions.  

And I know that Betty Myers Schaefer was encouraging everyone to make it to the Wild West Music Festival, at the end of this month, and I do hope that many of us decide to go.  More about that, to come.  

I would say that we have once again proved to be exceptional, just by showing up and enjoying ourselves over a meal.  (I recommend Hazel's green chile stew, and the lunch special menu offered good choices to many.)  Let's do this again!  
 
Robyn

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

WILDLIFE WEST NATURE PARK·MONDAY, JULY 23, 2018

The headliner bands of Wood and Wire and Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show will join 8 other bands for a jammed-pack, foot-stomping 16th Annual Edgewood Music & Arts Festival at Wildlife West Nature Park on Saturday, July 28th. Don’t miss this phenomenal high energy music Festival that also includes musicians’ workshops with the headliner bands, local and regional artists and activities for kids. Plus wildlife viewing, hayrides, specialty craft beer by local Sierra Blanca Brewing Company, and free camping and parking. All performances are held on 2 stages in a covered all-weather amphitheater and historic pinto bean barn with plenty of seating and shade.

The Festival starts on Friday night, July 27th at 6:00 p.m. with a special free-flight Peregrine Falcon show presented by world-renowned falconer Tom Smylie. Experience these magnificent birds close up and learn how the fastest raptor on earth survives in the wild. Then a delicious Cowboy Chuckwagon barbecue is served at 7:00 p.m. followed by the all-girl band of The Merlettes. The five sassy, up-to-date honky-tonk ladies are fronted by vocalist Kristian Jacobsen on rhythm and lap steel guitar with mandolin and fiddle leads.

“This year’s Festival with 10 bands brings a large variety of music for everyone’s tastes” explained Roger Alink, Executive Director of Wildlife West. “And all ages love to kick-up their heels on our newly expanded dance floor near the stage, he continued. The progressive bluegrass foursome of Wood & Wire from Austin, Texas, the Music Capital of the World, bring their own unique hybrid style. Karl Shiflett & Big Country Show band keeps the spirit of the past alive with their ‘Old School’ delivery of vintage bluegrass and classic country music. They bring the best of the past to the present with an energized fusion of bluegrass, western swing, honky-tonk and classic country music that is delivered in a fast-paced, high energy stage show. "Wildlife West is the best outdoor music venue in the state," described Bob Gray, a member of The Hot Club of Santa Fe, who has performed all over the country. Plus temperatures are much cooler in the East Mountains so remember to bring a jacket.

A variety of tasty food will be available throughout the Festival. Moriarty’s Sierra Blanca Brewery will serve a variety of beers made in a traditional non-mechanized way both at the Chuckwagon and on Saturday. Local artists will display their artistic creations and an amazing juggler for the kids. Throughout the weekend, visitors can stroll around the wildlife zoo and get eye to eye with two young cougars, 4 adorable tree climbing grey foxes, wolves and other native wildlife..

For Friday night Cowboy Chuckwagon reservations are required by 2 p.m. the day of show by calling Wildlife West at 505-281-7655 or toll free 877-981-9453, or purchase on online at www.wildlifewest.org for $27/adults, $25/seniors, $12/children 5-11 years of age and children under 4 years are free. Purchase Music Festival advance tickets for $25 online at www.wildlifewest.org or $30 at the gate, children 11 and younger are free. Combo tickets for Friday and Saturday are $45 online or $55 at the gate. See the website for a complete list of performers and times.

Don’t miss this incredible line-up of musicians and local artists in a beautiful high desert setting that is just 25 minutes east of Albuquerque off Interstate-40 in Edgewood. The Festival is produced by Southwest Pickers and is made possible in part by the New Mexico Arts, a division of the Department of Cultural Affairs.

"Wildlife Park purpose is to help rescued animals that can never live in the wild again due to human interaction.  These special creatures live here at the Park in safety and comfort, but they can no longer be truly free.  They will always need our help, support and love."

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

Several HHS class of 63 members went to the festival 2 years ago and had a good time eating and listening to some good music.  It is not all bluegrass but usually a variety of like music.  One year they had a Cajun band and a cowboy solo singer.  We went with Merle and Kati Schaefer to the Wickenburg Bluegrass festival last November and the Wood and Wire band was great.  

We have a group started for this festival but we would like to see more of you joining us.  We plan on meeting at the Four Hills Smith's by Tramway and Lomas.  Join us for a good foot tapping time.  We haven't set a time yet to meet but will when we know more who all is going.  We are going as a group on Saturday only.  

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Thanks, Betty, for posting the information!  I was one of those who went two years ago, and certainly agree that it was a fun event.  I have too many schedule conflicts to make it this year, but I hope that many others of us will go.  (And, tell us about it afterward!)  

Have a great time, Betty and others! 

Robyn

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

August Birthday Lunch:  
Monday, August 13, 1 PM
Place to be announced soon

Last August, we had several birthday celebrants at the table.  I hope they'll all be able to join us, and will speak up to let us know they'll be there!  

Robyn