A Word from Wilson class of 1978

Here is the text from an email to Joy from Clay Anderson (some of you may have known him back in the day,)in case some of you would like to join their party as well:

"I was surfing this site today and sort of ran across your name and it appeared that you did quite a bit of effort in your recent 30 year reunion stuff.... Wilson Class of 1978 just finished ours as well... Some of the people are sort of ready to do it all again....So we have decided, rather than waiting 10 years or even 2 years til were 50....that we are going to stay 49 and holding and have a party. We are inviting other classes from Wilson as well as the neighboring schools to join us....Lot of us know many people from St. Anthony's. I knew James Ross, David Ritter, Jaime Smith, Mike Ramsey, and others quite well... Please visit our website www.wwhs49andholding.com to see what we have planned. All from St. Anthony's are welcome to join us for any of the events.. Please help us get the word out. "

Good turn out...

...for SA's Homecoming Friday at Clark field. I'd venture to say that there were 10 Saints from our class which was GREAT!

Too, there was an element of looking into our future for this homecoming was also honoring the 1948 CIF Football champs so there were quite a few alums from 1948 and surrounding years. Sure they were long in tooth, white of hair, but truly they were as we were at reunion. Smiles all around, hugs and handshakes, people's names shouted out..."Bobeeeeee!"...it was a very cool experience; it is us in another 30 years.

Let's not wait to get together...again. Take advantage of opportunities to meet up. We have another such opportunity this coming Friday the 24th. Hope to see you there. Details below:

"Havana Night." The Petroleum club will once again open its doors to the community for a fun evening for people to meet and greet. It was an amazing night on August 8 for A Mid Summer Night's Swing. Over 300 people went to the Petroleum Club to enjoy the Rat Pack vibe, enjoy a beverage, and socialize with neighbors and business owners.

Mark your calendar for the next "community night" at the club Friday, October 24, 8:00 pm to 1:00 am. Just like before, no cover charge...free and open to all. Additional bars will be opened in the club and there will live music for dancing.

Come hang out in the retro bar, sit pool side and have "date night," play cards, or enjoy a tasty beverage. Are you a Mambo King or Queen? Come show us as you dance in the Copa Room! Dance lessons available starting at 8:00pm. No membership necessary.

The LBPC is located at 3636 Linden Avenue.

Photos that Didn't Make the Picture CD

Oops, try as we might to avoid any errors or omissions in the memory book, we still managed to forget to add a file of misc. pictures to the photo CD. So, to rectify the situation, we've posted below said photos in no particular order.

To download them to your computer, first click on the image to blow it up to full size. Then right click on the full-size image, select "save image as" then file it on your computer. It's just that easy. Enjoy!

And from Craig Calder:

Craig & Antonio - I found this photo of me and Antonio from the late 80's

CalderFamily - My wife Lydia, Daughter Haley, Daughter Cameron, Dog Fluffy and me dropping the girls off at sleep away camp

Craig - recent business headshot

Homecoming update

We've heard back from some folks and it looks like there will be a nice group of us attending SA's homecoming this coming Friday, the 17th. The alumni gathering starts at 5:00 on Clark field. Hope to see you there!

Homecoming - October 17th

Show your school spirit and support SA Saints by attending next weeks homecoming. Game starts at 7, but we can hobnob earlier by attending the:

Homecoming Pre-game gathering for alumni 5pm
10/17/2008
Location: Clark Field

For more information please contact Mrs. Moncure 562-435-4496 extension 1222.

If you're thinking of coming to this event, send me a quick note so we have an idea how many class of 78 folks we should look for. Hope to see you on the 17th!

p.s. Check out the newly revamped SA website - it's slick! Link to the left of posts.

Fun at Enoteca Toscana Wine Bistro

If you have an opportunity to visit Antonio Anderson's wine bistro in Camarillo, do so! The food, ambiance and our charming host, Antonio is definitely worth the time. Ten Saints came on the day trip, we stayed for several hours and thoroughly enjoyed ourselves. We hope you can make the next event!

Memory Book Update

As of September 24th, the artwork for our memory book as been submitted to the printers for production. If all goes well, we should have them back in our hot little hands by the second week in October and hopefully mailed out to reunion attendees the week of the 13th.

If you attended the main reunion event as a ticketed participant, you will automatically be mailed a book. If you purchased a ticket and were unable to attend, you will still get your 16 page full color memory book, with slide show DVD and photo CD.

Saints who attended ANY of the weekend reunion events are pictured in the memory book. Which brings us to an important notation: We will have a LIMITED number of memory books for sale on a first come, first serve basis. This means the first ones to send in their $15 (postage included,) will get a book. Once the books are gone, they’re gone. So, if you are interested, we suggest you send in your money pronto. We’ll email an announcement once we sell out. Make your check or money order payable to SAHS 30 yr reunion. Send to: Paul Vohsing, 11712 Martha Ann Dr., Los Alamitos, CA 90720

Contact information

Hey folks,

In the memory book there will be a list of all attendees; this includes anyone who attended ANY reunion event. If you did not fill out a questionnaire and you DO NOT wish to have your information published...please contact us IMMEDIATELY! If we do not hear from you we will assume it's ok to list your address, phone and email.

Thanks!

Ok...So I'm a little behind...

Hi all,

Now that all the dust is settled from the reunion (yep it took nearly this long to come down from all the stress hormones,) I can finally look the blogger in the eye and post an update. So here it is:

The layout of the memory book is nearly completed. I hope to have the final draft to the printers sometime next week, and it should take about another week after that to get them back. Thank you everyone for your photo contributions. You gave us a nice variety of perspectives and pretty good coverage of all in attendance.

Last week I sent out an email to the local SoCal Saints about going Antonio Anderson's restaurant Enoteca Toscana Wine Bistro in Camarillo on the 28th of this month. We're shooting to arrive when it opens at noon. Thus far we've a few people who said they want to go, and if you're one of them but haven't told me, please do so. I will be calling Antonio to give him a heads up and the approximate number of us he can expect.

All for now...hope you're well!

GO SAINTS!

Watch your Inboxes...

...for the latest newsletter edition. If we don't have your email address do forward it to us now, or you can click on the link at right "Current Newsletter" to download it right from the blog.

While you're surfing the net, take a few moments to visit Katherine Grills Mead's new website and view her beautiful paintings: www.KatherineMead.com

Also- SEND PHOTOS! We want everyone's perspective, so send us your best shots. We're looking to get the most variety and coverage of all events...send pics today!

We'll be in touch...

Teresa Starks & Shirrell Scott

Here's Joy's Caricature

Now send us yours!

Settling dust....

Whew! I don't know about the rest of you, but I am still recovering from our intense weekend of partying! Thank you all for attending the reunion festivities and helping to make it the best ever! From the feedback that we have been receiving, you all had a BLAST!

DO SEND YOUR DIGITAL PHOTOS! We need your candids for print in the memory book and for the dvd!! Send us your best shots with as much variety as possible. We can't promise to use them all but we will do what we can. Email pics to: Paul at PaulVohsing@hotmail.com or Maria at organicgal@gmail.com

Did you get a caricature done of yourself? We want to see it! Take a photo of the artwork and send it to me, maria at the above referenced email, and I'll post it here. I've posted mine and Brendan's to get us started. :) Click on the image for full size viewing.


Thanks for the memories! We'll be in touch soon!

BBC TONIGHT!

Hey all!

We've basically reserved the bar area for us at the Belmont Brewing Company under ST ANTHONY HS REUNION. Some committee members will be showing up around 6ish, while the bulk of the crowd will arrive 7ish and later. Hope to see you there!

Belmont Brewing Company
25 - 39th Place
Long Beach, California, 90803
(562) 433-3891

Reunion Weekend Weather

According to Matt Jackson, our in-house meteorologist, we're going to have pleasant weather for the reunion:

Late night and early morning low clouds and fog along the coast. Probably clearing out in the afternoon.

Highs: in the 80's.

Winds: Southwest to west 5- 10 mph

Chance of Precipitation: Less than 10%

Perfect! Thank you Matt.

GO SAINTS!

Yea! More Saints are signing up daily to attend the reunion! We can't tell you how happy this makes us!

The list of Attending Saints (link located in the Reunion Quick Links on the right hand side of this blog,) is being updated each time we get a new alumnus. We are now up to 65 Saints with a total of 89 guests, and I know of a couple more that are still thinking about attending.

We go to the caterers at the end of this week so please do purchase your ticket(s) by Wednesday the 23rd. If you can only give us a deposit to hold your ticket...that's fine, you can pay your balance at the door. Please note that if you take that option, we can only accept checks or cash; we won't have a credit card reader on site.

12 days left...we're looking forward to seeing you all there!

We're in the home stretch!

Hey everyone!

Just 15 days left and we're still getting Saints signed up for the big party. Sixty two Saints as of this writing to be exact with a total of 83 guests, and a promise of two more on the way. We are very pleased!

As a reminder, our drop-dead date for pre-paid tickets is July 23rd. at noon! We strongly encourage you to buy your tickets ahead of time instead of at the door. The caterers only make 5% over our given head count which means only four extra meals. If you choose to show up without letting us know...that's your prerogative but you may not get a meal or a good seat, and you'll still have to pay to get in. It's so not worth the chance.

If you're holding out for the element of surprise, then send me a note with your payment to that effect and I won't put your name on the Attending Saints list. It'll be our little secret. We just want you at the party!

Still on the fence? Consider these points:

• The committee has put in a lot of thought and effort into making this party FUN and memorable!
  
• We're entering an era (and I don't mean to be morbid,) where we are going to start losing people; this might be the last chance to see people that you might not otherwise see.
• Who knows if anyone will pick up the reins and organize a 40 year or 50 year reunion, but I do know this reunion is happening.
• This is the last reunion before we become senior citizens! We're going out with a bang!
• Most alumni are coming stag, so you don't have to feel weird about coming alone.
  
• It's a chance to see old friends and make some new ones too!
  
• We've got great prizes to give away!

We hope to hear from you soon.

Drop-Dead Date...

July 23rd. By the 23rd we need to have your ticket money in hand because we go to the caterers on the 24th with our head count.

Does this mean that you can't come and pay at the door? Not at all. If you decide at the last minute that you want to attend, we will not turn you away, but we won't have planned on your attendance either. Which means that there may or may not be a meal available for you depending on how many others wait to the very last minute, and it means that your seating may be less than ideal.

It would be most convenient for all concerned if you would purchase your ticket(s) before the 23rd. We really can't afford any more gray hairs. :)

To everyone who has purchased their tickets and returned their r.s.v.p. cards with their menu choice a big THANK YOU and a hug and kiss from all of us on the reunion committee. MUAH!

Keep'em Coming!

Well the r.s.v.p. cards are starting to roll in. I know, you all just wanted to see how many more gray hairs you could cause us before the reunion. That's ok...we just want to see your smiling faces and if it means a few more fine lines and silver hairs, so be it. Just keep'em coming!

Ad Space

One thing I neglected to mention in the newsletter regarding ad space, you don't HAVE to submit a jpg or pdf file if you just want to publish a personal message.

Send your $25 check made out to SAHS Class of 78 Reunion to Paul at 11712 Martha Ann Dr, Los Alamitos, 90720, along with your message and I'll set you up!

It's almost here!

Yikes! We just had our last official planning meeting this past Sunday, which means that time is running out for getting your r.s.v.p. cards back to us. Please do so SOONER, rather than later.

I want to address some of the sentiments the committee have heard when we make our phone calls to our fellow classmates. The number one comment given when reluctance for attending the reunion is expressed is "I wasn't very popular," or "No one will remember me."

We, the committee, have this to say in response: "No one on this planning committee was "In with the IN crowd." None of us were popular." It didn't stop us from banding together and getting to know each other all over again.

So while you may be feeling a little insecure about seeing everyone again, it's no reason to prevent yourself from having a good time! There is one thing everyone on the committee has learned from this reunion planning experience, and that is, our class is full of interesting, vital individuals who have fascinating stories and experiences to share. That includes YOU!

Set aside your anxieties, and come to the party with an open mind and heart. We believe you will be pleasantly surprised on how much all of us have in common, and you just might make some new friends.

Another thing that's been floating around is that some people are holding out, thinking that they'll just show up and pay at the door. Of course we won't turn anyone away, but know this:

• Meal count is determined by the number of people who pay in advance. If you show up last minute, there might not be a meal for you. And yes, you would still have to pay to get in.
• Because we have several entree' selections, we will have place cards (assigned seating for dinner,) to help the servers know who ordered what. You won't have a place card or a name badge if you don't let us know in advance that you're coming. Everyone will know that you were a hold out when they don't see your name badge!

If you like, you can pay half the ticket price now when you send in your r.s.v.p. card, and the balance at the door. Just let us know you're coming so we can prepare.

Last but not least...more photos are starting to come in! Thank you! But we still need pics from more people. Don't be shy, and get them in soon. Danny needs time to put the show together. Deadline is July 19th, but sending them in today would be so much better.

See you all soon!

Flying Turkeys...

For those of you who didn't know the answer to the poll question about the quote "As God is my witness..." it is from a WKRP in Cincinatti episode where Station Manager, Arthur Carlson (Gordon Jump), arranged to have live turkeys dropped from a helicopter as an advertising stunt.

Their tragic "last flight" was relayed to WKRP listeners by reporter Les Nessman, played by Richard Sanders:

"It's a helicopter, and it's coming this way. It's flying something behind it, I can't quite make it out, it's a large banner and it says, uh - Happy... Thaaaaanksss... giving! ... From ... W ... K ... R... P!! No parachutes yet. Can't be skydivers... I can't tell just yet what they are, but - Oh my God, Johnny, they're turkeys!! Johnny, can you get this? Oh, they're plunging to the earth right in front of our eyes! One just went through the windshield of a parked car! Oh, the humanity! The turkeys are hitting the ground like sacks of wet cement! Not since the Hindenberg tragedy has there been anything like this!"

CUSTOM SAHS T-SHIRTS NOW AVAILABLE!

That's right! T-shirt mementos to commemorate the 30th anniversary of our high school graduation. Fun to wear to the Sunday picnic or the informal mixer (or paint your house in, whatever!) There are four designs to choose from as well as a variety of shirt styles and price points.

Best of all, products are listed at cost. The savvy shopper will get with his/her friends to make a single purchase of up to five items to save $$ on shipping fees.

Check it out here!