Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Okay!  Details are falling into place for the August  birthday lunch -- Monday, August 13 at 1 PM, at O'Niell's Pub, 3301 Juan Tabo Blvd NE.  

Restaurant suggestions are always welcome from any classmates, birthday celebrants or not.  We do like to vary our choices each month, both in geography and menu.  Our increasing numbers have become an ever-more-important consideration.  (Some of my own favorite places just can't handle such a big group.)  Me, I'm glad that we're able to find suitable places that are locally owned, rather than chain franchises.  

The company around the table has never failed to be superb!  It is important to let us know that you plan to come, so that there will be enough chairs at the table.  

Looking forward! 

Robyn

Jack Dettweiler (Dettweiler)

Got it on my calendar.

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I will be in town so I will be there but you already knew that.    I am putting in an RSVP for Yvonne Maher also.  We haven't seen Yvonne since the 50th reunion!

Sandra Stewart (Smallwood)

I will be there - Aug. lunch

Kathi Paton (Murray)

Tracy and I will be in Washington State on Monday.  Hope to see everyone in September!  Kathi

Steven Brooks

Helen Stambaugh (Williams)

I will be there.  

Jerry Goffe

I plan on being at O'Niell's on Monday

Betty Myers (Schaefer)

I heard from Cheryl Fossum and she is going to try and make it Monday.

Neal Kloepfer

Sorry, I can't make this luncheon. Have guests in town.

John Criswell

I will be there along with Connie Pecha Welty attending for a second time.

Walter Huebner

Robyn - Thanks for the invite, but I will not be able to make Monday's lunch this month.

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Thanks to everyone who has checked in, event the "regrets" -- we will miss you! 

Any others? 

Looking forward to tomorrow -- and a reminder, we'll meet at 1 PM at the O'Niell's Pub at 3301 Juan Tabo Blvd NE. 

R.

Marcia "Marcy" McVay (Cates)

I'll be there.

Donald Cooper

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Yet another fun birthday lunch on Monday, including Betty Myers Schaefer, Susan Myers Puckett (HHS 59), Yvonne Maher, Sandy Stewart Smallwood, Steve Brooks, Helen Stambaugh Williams, Jerry Goffe, Cheryl Fossum Graham, John Criswell, Connie Pecha Welty (HHS 61), Hank (LCHS 63) and Anna Nusbaum, Rhonda Beauchamp Blech, Marcy McVay Cates, Sandy Bryan, Susie Strong Neuschwanger, Mary Ann Simanek Villarreal, Marty Glantz Farmer, and me.  The (covered) patio at O'Niell's on Juan Tabo is pleasant (uninvited winged guests notwithstanding), and it does seem to be a good idea to move around from month to month.  Suggestions for new places to meet and eat are always welcome, although we're not the easiest group to accommodate.  

Pictures were taken, and I hope they'll be posted here!

Several other events are coming up that may be of interest to us -- or so I hope.  Rhonda Beauchamp Blech has a friend visiting who will be giving a concert on this Sunday, the 19th, and I hope Rhonda will give us more information.  I've heard about her, and think this will definitely be interesting!  

And the Highland band's annual March-a-Thon is coming up on the morning of Saturday, the 25th, in the neighborhood that many of us will recognize.  I'll post the information soon, but go ahead and mark your calendars, and put aside a few bucks to donate!  

Cheryl Fossum Graham is tightening up details for a special version of our birthday lunch in September, and I'm certainly looking forward to it!  The plan is that we'll take the Railrunner to Santa Fe (free for seniors through September!) and have lunch nearby.  She'll have a suggestion or so for spending time after, although we could certainly choose our own, or even get right back on the train for the return trip.  I suppose that some could choose to drive up to meet us instead, but if you haven't tried out the Railrunner, you should know that it's a treat!  Details to follow!  

And then I came home to see the news of the passing of Jim Spencer, which certainly added a somber note to the afternoon.  Thanks to Donald Cooper for his tribute. 

I'm always glad to catch up with the "usual suspects", and it's great to welcome a new-to-the-gathering face.  What a great group we've turned out to be!  

Robyn

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

This Saturday marks the occasion for the Highland Band's annual March-a-Thon fundraiser!  

I do hope that you'll turn out to support "our" kids.  A group of us -- classmates, friends, pets -- will be meeting at Hyder Park to cheer on the band as they march by, and to put some money in their buckets.  It goes something like this:  An advance contingent will show up at 9:30 AM on the west perimeter of Hyder Park (which is between Girard and Carlisle, close to Bandelier School, in case you've forgotten) in hopes of staking out the park bench we like, in the middle of that perimeter.  A dozen donuts will appear!   (BYO preferred morning beverage.)  At that point, the band will be stepping off from Ridgecrest Park, and winding through the neighborhood, stopping to play where people are gathered, so our group will be waiting for them to reach our location, most likely 10 - 10:30 AM.  Because we're enthusiastic, sometimes a sizeable group, sporting some white hair and sometimes schoolcolors or gear, we often get a tune plus the fight song!  They thank us for our generosity and enthusiasm and march on.  We bring to a close our enjoyment of a beautiful morning in a lovely park, and go on about our Saturday's business.  (Going somewhere for lunch has been known to happen.)  

Will you be there?  Let us know!  

Here's the "official" information, from the flyer:  

Highland High School Marching Band
Annual March-a-Thon
Will Be Coming to Your Neighborhood

To Donate:
The band will be accepting cash or check donations as they march through the neighborhood on August 25.
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:
https://highlandhighband.wordpress.com/
and press the "Make a Donation" button.  

SATURDAY, AUGUST 25, 2018  9:30 AM - 12:30 PM

Special NEEDS for 2018:
1. We have a large and increasing pile of instruments in need of repair.  
2. Buses to transport kids to football games (funding was eliminated this year).  
3. Uniforms and supplies for Color Guard.  

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! 

(Robyn)

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Rhonda Beauchamp (Blech)

Helen Stambaugh (Williams)

Both posts from Rhonda are fantastic.  Sorry I had to miss it.  

Maybe she'll invite us to the wedding???  Nothing better than a bunch of "older" alums to liven things up.

Robyn (Jane) Cholerton

Mark your calendars!  Our September birthday celebration lunch will take place on Wednesday, September 26th!  

The plan is that we will celebrate in Santa Fe!  Those of us in Albuquerque and other nearby communities will ride the Railrunner to Santa Fe, hopefully as a group.  We'll then have an early lunch near the depot, and sample the delights of Santa Fe, before returning via Railrunner.  Details and suggestions will follow in due time.  

My thanks to Cheryl Fossum Graham, who is organizing this special lunch, and to John Criswell who, I believe, made the original suggestion! 

Robyn

Steven Brooks