www.sandpointhigh.com --- sign up

Three poker-playing buddies from Boise can take responsibility. They recently started a Sandpoint High School alumni site, and, in so doing, they've created a monster for me at a time when I really don't need one. I was just saying to Bill that it would have been better had this thing started in the winter time or during those dreary days of March and April.

That way, I wouldn't be feeling so bad about the amount of time I'll be spending checking the website to see who's signed up and what they're doing with their lives. Since receiving a nice note from Brian Fischer yesterday morning, I've probably checked the site at least two dozen times. Most of that came after several attempts to blitz the folks who have addresses in my email box and tell them to sign up.

Well, as usual, technical difficulties have caused some folks to get the same note three times and others to receive nothing at all. Nonetheless, by bedtime last night an additional 37 names appeared on the site which had 31 in the morning. By the time I finish writing this posting, I'm guessing at least 70 SHS grads, ranging from 1960 to 2006 (how does that happen when they haven't even graduated yet?) will have taken the plunge.

Sharon Jones Clizer says more oldies need to start signing up, so if you're reading this, Helen Method Newton or Bobbie Brown Huguenin or even you Sarge at the Sheriff's Office, get off your duffers and get those Sandpoint High grads to join in on the fun. I know that between Helen, Bobbie and Sarge, there's got to be at least a dozen kiddies who can sign up besides their parents. And, just think if all those kids and parents told all their friends. Within a week, we could have that site numbering into the hundreds.

Now, why do it in the first place? This concept has been talked about for years, but nobody's ever taken the time to do it. I know for a fact that it would be greatly appreciated by the administrative and counseling staff at Sandpoint High School because they would like some instrument to track the graduates and see what they're doing with their lives. I also know that Dick Sodorff, Sherri Williams Remmers and Penny Barfuss Tenudo, who represent the SHS Alumni Assoc. would love to tap from this cadre of grads for the scholarships they award every year.

Many good reasons exist for such a site, but probably the most obvious is the sheer delight of seeing a name you haven't seen for a hundred (well maybe 40) years, clicking on it and learning that the person lived just down the street from you all these years instead of in Timbuktu, where you were sure they were destined once they graduated from high school.

Since yesterday, I've learned that Colt Mehler (Class of 1992) is sitting in an apartment in Hamburg, Germany, doing administrative work on the alumni site by night and working as a consultant on private jets by day. He disputed the fact that I passed on to him about being the "hunk" at the ten-year class reunion. He says he's still skinny but probably the most eligible bachelor in his class.

I also learned that Brian Fischer is a third grade teacher in Boise and loves it. Brian has traveled almost all the 50 states, and he says the site evolved over one of his poker games when his card buddies, Colt Mehler and Pete Neisen, agreed that they didn't like the Classmates.com site cuz it cost money. So, they've made sure (www.sandpointhigh.com) costs nothing. Participants simply register and fill out a profile. You can even insert pictures. I haven't figured out how to do that yet, but my classmate Janis PuzuhanichClark has.

Yesterday, I also learned that Angie Rebella and Angela Warren (Class of 1992) are planning to spend some time up here in late July. I learned that after sending a private message to Angie, who's a lawyer in Anaheim, Calif. You can send private messages on site to anyone who's registered.

So, folks, if you're a Sandpoint High grad, I encourage you to help this site turn into a place where "everybody knows your name" cuz you're from Sandpoint and "couldn't be any prouder." Tell your mother, your dad, your kids, cousins, neighbors---anyone who graduated from our alma mater "To Sandpoint High, we sing to thee . . . ." and let's watch it grow. Tell those folks to pass the word too.

Alma Mater
written by Marian Ruyle (anybody remember her? She worked at SHS for 50 years)

To Sandpoint High, we sing to thee
You're worthy of our praise
We proudly wear your colors fair
To thee our voices raise
The memories are cherished
That you have given me
So, Alma Mater, Sandpoint High,
We pledge our loyalty.