"I can't understand why anyone would miss this," was a comment frequently voiced on July 28-29, as our class celebrated another great get-together -- the fifth since the day we all graduated on June 2, 1965. Most of our classmates have attended at least one of these events, even though we're now spread out all across the country (and other countries -- class members have lived in Australia, Canada and Columbia). If you haven't been to a reunion, you're missing a good time!

The July reunion followed the agenda which proved popular at the twenty-fifth reunion in 1990. Our dinner was again at Jumer's Chateau, a four-star hotel on Veterans' Parkway built to resemble a (somewhat oversized) French country home.

Upon arrival, the usual worries about appropriate dress were magnified by the extremes in clothing -- everything from a faded dress and shawl worn by one woman with a cane, to a couple in a sequined cocktail dress and a tuxedo. However, it was soon discovered that these people were merely actors for a murder-mystery dinner in the neighboring ballroom.

We never did find out "who did it."

The door to our room was soon backed up into the corridor by people who couldn't even wait to get inside for hugs and squeals of recognition (or non-recognition for the less fortunate of us).  We also discovered that there are some of us that still don't take instruction well; "red nametag for the classmate, blue for the guest", seems simple enough.

Once inside, everyone blended together as spouses met friends, old friendships were renewed, and acquaintances were made between those who really didn't know each other well during our school years.  It's amazing how the years of living, working and raising kids can be a great equalizer.

After an hour of partying, everyone had forgotten about how we were dressed and it took some coaxing to break up conversations for the traditional class picture, which was to be taken outside on a nearby knoll.  While our guests stayed inside discussing reunion survival techniques, we discovered that "count off by fours" no longer worked, but finally got into rows roughly correlated to height, and the moment was preserved for later examination and discussion.  (Note: we had a few extra copies of the resulting image made if you'd like to see the results of the ravages of time on otherwise-familiar faces.)

Six exposures later, we returned to a thirty-foot long buffet table.  Jumer's serves up a great meal, and the reunion committee had perfected the menu during months of intense debate.  A couple of committee members had pushed for some more "exotic" dishes, but their disappointment, in the usual fish, fowl and beef choices was healed by the much-heralded delivery of a customized gourmet selection (sorry that the fries were cold, Rick and Steve, but McDonald's is blocks away).

Having learned that a serious speech is an impossibility under reunion conditions, our class president merely introduced our M.C. for the evening  --  the comedy team of Coffman and Savage.

Yes, that's Marla Fox Coffman and Dick "Yogi" Savage, who missed their true calling when they went to work at a Texas police department and an Illinois computer center, respectively. The two challenged our age-withered minds with senseless trivia of the early Sixties and best   awards for every inconceivable category (except for "grandparents," because the cost for prizes is becoming prohibitive).

A variety of our former teachers and their spouses have attended our reunions, and this event was no different, except that it's getting harder to distinguish them from their former students. To honor her July 28th birthday, we sang to Mrs. Ray Caton, the wife of our late principal. Also in attendance were familiar names from our past: Davis, Diveley, Gangler, Kalbachen and Siebert.

Several teachers wrote us with regrets (about their absence, not about having taught us).  One teacher declined to travel all the way from Alabama for a free dinner  --  must have taught economics.  Others tried flattery; several said that they always thought our class was special, obviously angling for another invitation next time.  Dick Ferree was honest, addressing his letter, "Dear Eight-balls."

Chris Senior reported that our class is indeed special in our sponsorship of an annual scholarship to an outstanding NCHS graduate.  No other class does so, and our pride is reflected by the additional $2800 donated during the two-day event.  Chris has organized the fundraising and each year travels to our alma mater at his own expense to present the scholarship. The fund is now approaching $9000, making it possible to increase each year's grant to $500 without touching the capital.

Another classmate, Alan Chapman, is now the principal of NCHS.  He reported on the opening of the new Normal Community West High School in late August.  For the first time, there will be divided loyalties in Unit Five, offering the potential of a good rivalry between the "Ironmen" and the NCWHS "Wildcats."

Our own NCHS, which has gained a large addition since our departure, has undergone a recent remodeling:  Many of the older sections have a completely new look.  Unfortunately, the construction prevented tours of our old school, but Al has offered a personalized tour to any classmate who gives him a couple of days' notice.

Our class not only runs the school, we also come close to running the whole district.  Former classmates Doug Reeves and Rick Percy now sit on the Board of Education  --  Doug is the current Board President.  Lynn Rader is a past member.

We can be proud of our class, which is special. Not necessarily because of the individual accomplishemts of our class members, but more for the characteristics of our class as a whole. We have lived through a war, which claimed a classmate, Jim Darnall, and fortunately nobody else.  We have diversified, settling into 27 different states and provinces, and have developed into civic leaders, business people, teachers, clerks and mothers or fathers.  We are special because we still have that spark of togetherness, which once helped us through high school and today is rekindled for our reunions and projects like our scholarship fund.  As one spouse said, "I wish my class was as close as yours: we haven't had a reunion in over ten years."

Reunion PlanningTakes Time, Effort

Planning for the July 28-29 reunion started in the fall of 1994 for a group of classmates who served on the committee.  In all, our group met about ten times to bring together the arrangements for the two-night event.

Many classmates who have relocated still have parents or other relatives in McLean County. Often, a few phone calls, together with assurances that we're not selling anything or collecting debts, is all that are needed.  Unfortunately, there is still a list of a couple of dozen people whom we've lost, so we'd appreciate any classmate's help in locating these names. 

Budgets were decided and menus picked, entertainment was arranged, and the invitations to teachers and students were composed.  As reservation forms are returned, food orders are finalized.  One classmate, Kim Miller, reads and typesets the information for the class directory, which is given free to attendees and available by mail to others. "The book is good conversational material for the reunion, but its best value is for those who can't make it back," says Kim.

Saturday Reception Features Sixties Band

On Saturday night, July 29, reunion attendees at Central Station Restaurant in Downtown Bloomington were treated not only to good friends and good food, but also to a live band composed mostly of former classmates who hadn't earned even a nickel playing together for thirty years.

About 120 classmates and guests enjoyed an informal atmosphere with a cash bar, enough horsdevours to make a meal, and oldies music from our high school era.  But the highlight of the evcning was a performance by five former classmates and the husband of a former classmate. Ken McElroy. Robin Houchin, Bob Keller. Bob Patton. and Harry Washburn were joined by Dave Streigel, husband of Sue Alexander, for a 40-minute performance which featured ten favorites from the 1960's. Each of them had played in a band at some time, and Harry and Ken are still in the music business.
 

The band's performance provided a finishing touch to a fun evening which only ended at a local Steak 'n Shake about 2:30 a.m.. "It's been fun, but I can't take the late nights like I used to," one said.

Class Photo

The Class of '65 posed for a group portrait, which is posted below.  (The picture may take up to a minute to load, as we tried to keep enough detail so you could recognize your classmates.  That means the file is necessarily large.  Also, it may be wider than your browser window, so you may need to shift the page right or left to see everybody.)  Good looking group, huh?