Slight Detour: Reunion Fun

Many thanks this morning to the group of former students who put on a fabulous show at the Elks Club last night, celebrating their 40th year since graduation from Sandpoint High School.

"Fabulous" hardly seems adequate to describe the humor, the brilliant visual presentations, the music and the genuine fun and warmth that dominated the evening.

Bill and I totally enjoyed ourselves from the minute we walked in the door until the moment we loaded up in the car to head home. For us, it was nearly four hours of nonstop enjoyment, visiting with 1975 graduates and their guests.

These folks know how to put on a party, and it was obvious from start to finish they had enjoyed every minute of their planning. Hard to top it, that's for sure!

Enjoy the photos.

Don and Tina Carter's daughter, who's about to begin her teaching career, snapped photos of individuals and groups as they entered the Elks Club.

Jeff Gilmore, on the right, was surprised that I remembered his winning the Voice of Democracy Contest. Jeff's dad Ken arranged the deal when we bought our first home.

Also pictured Mr. Cruickshank, Cheryl Balison Rink and Kenny Ewing.

Julie McCormick Knox and Mike A. Miller

Fish on the shirt? Must be a Sawyer, as in Kevin.

Wanda and Sue.

Special thanks to Sue, my former drill team captain, who brought me a ZAGS hat from Colorado. I'll wear it with pride.

Val Plaster and her hubby.

As a forester, Bill has had a few dealings with the Brown family who have been involved in local logging for many decades. Ed's dad Les served as mayor of Sandpoint for a while.

Steve Gill, always the ultimate emcee.

Nadine and Dan, both wonderful people.

The view from the microphone as Terry Iverson and I did our speaking gig.

One of the dear hearts and gentle people of Sandpoint and my former Monticola editor, Julie McCormick Knox.

Ken Ewing played some background music featuring songs from Kentucky Velvet, a popular local band during the 1970s.

JAMES Borden helped Steve Gill as emcee. His portion included a quiz show---in this case, Glory Whittaker was on the spot.

Mike and Pam Rogers. Mike graduated in 1972. He sat in my first period class the first year I taught in 1969-70. Their daughter Katie sat in my first period class the last year I taught in 2001-2002.

This man used his photographic, technical skills and creativity to put on two very moving visual presentations. It was obvious that lots of hours and tender loving care went into the efforts of Chris Pietsch, an award-winning photographer and downright amazing member of the Class of 1975. Good job, Chris.

And, yes, lots of good stories were exchanged as is normal for any reunion: Jeff and Connie sharing this one.

Matt Jones and his wife who is NOT my friend Pixie Vasquez, but she could certainly make a lot of folks do a double take.

Roxy, whose mom used to run the ceramics shop in downtown Sandpoint, and Jerry Dexter who always gets mixed up with Sandpoint's Jim Armbruster.

It had been a long time since Julie and Jeff Chicks had seen each other.

Deborah Twigg, daughter of a former local Presbyterian minister, left Sandpoint in the ninth grade but came from New York for this weekend's reunion. Of course, she and Bill hit it off, and she'll be at the church this morning, probably remembering a few old times.