45 Year Reunion

DETAILS

Most recent Crestview High School Reunion (45 Year) - Class of 1967. Las Vegas, NV. Septebmer 15, 2012. The event was held at the Las Vegas Westin Hotel. Banquet Room (Crestview Reunion). Cocktail Hour: 5-6 p.m. Plated Dinner: 6-8 p.m.  Class Gathering: 8- 10 p.m.

--> What a great time for all who attended! Lots of forthcoming information and pictures. Stay tuned and come back to this site regularly.

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M E M O

 

TO:               Class of 1967, Crestview High School

FROM:         Becky Webb Warren

DATE:          September 15, 2012

SUBJECT:   Minutes for the 45th Class Reunion in Las Vegas, Nevada

In Attendance:  Ellen Branstrator- Schellhause, Ron Gardner, Larry and Ruth Ann Gerken-Hill,  Rod and Irma Hoffman, Kim and Karen Koch-Berger, Becky Miller-Faor,  Steve and Brenda Mohr, Gary and Jane Muntzinger-Nodine, Rev. Jim and Connie Myers, Marsha Owens-Hoehn, Don and Arlys Ross, Dave Schumm, Chuck and Cathy Springer-Etzler, Jim and Mary Schumm- Van Fleet, Tim and Penny Sutton, Mike and Diana Thatcher-Hoffman, Gale and Martha Webster-Rust, and Scott and Becky Webb- Warren

Many of our classmates visited several of the attractions, and specialty tours listed below:

The Fremont Street Experience was located downtown. This experience offered free nightly shows featuring 12.5 million lights and 550,000 watts of amazing sound at VivaVision.

Just beyond Bellagio’s gracious lobby lied the Conservatory and Botanical Gardens,  which was a kaleidoscope for your senses.

The Bellagio Gallery of Fine Arts presented exhibitions of paintings, sculptures, by the world’s most influential artists. World-renowned live circus acts were free every day. More than a thousand fountains at the Bellagio danced to music ranging from Pavarotti to Sinatra.

The Eiffel Tower Experience featured panoramic bird’s –eye view of the Las Vegas Strip from 460 feet above ground.

Many took advantage of the specialized tours to Hoover Dam, Lake Mead, and the Black Canyon area.

The Red Rock Canyon National Conservation Area just 15 miles outside of Las Vegas, was also a big hit. The visitor’s center contained historical and geological  exhibits, a cactus garden and bookstore.

The volcano at the Mirage erupted every top of each hour, and spewed smoke and fire 100 feet above the water.

Many cruised the strip for the first-time, by car and by foot, and took advantage of the most popular shows in the area, while others watched the many strip features offered by the grand hotels.

Las Vegas proved to be a premier tourist destination and all of us enjoyed everything it had to offer.

 

  • Social Gathering

On Friday, September 14th, we all met at Jane’s time-share, which gave everyone the opportunity to reminisce about their school days and bring each other up to date on what has happened to each of us since we last went our separate ways.  It had been estimated that our last reunion was  20 years ago. We have since decided not to wait that long for the next adventure. After all…. none of us are getting any younger!

  • The Dinner Program

Prior to the dinner program on Saturday evening, a Dinner Blessing was given by Rev. Don Ross, and a Prayer of Gratitude and Memorial for those classmates who have passed, was given by Rev. Jim Myers.  The memorial was for Lewis Jones, Betty Kargas-Krick, Chuck Matthews, and Joyce Schramm now deceased.  It should be noted that Dave Clifton is alive and well in nearby Convoy. Rod Hoffman will update us on his personal information. We were so pleased to learn that Dave is still with us!

 Good food, good company, and good conversation, made for an exceptional informal dinner party.  

  • Meeting Agenda

 Shortly after the dinner hour, Jane called the class meeting to order and thanked the reunion committee for going the extra mile to ensure a successful reunion. Many thanks, by classmates, went out to Jane, Becky, Ron, and Ellen who positioned the event for a favorable outcome.   

Crestview Class of 1967 Web Site

Ron Gardner gave a presentation on how to properly use the class website that he built several months back. He has graciously accepted the position as web-master for the the next few years. When Ron started building this site, he used his own funds to do so. We took up a collection for this project and generated $275 in donations. With these funds Ron will be able to extend the use of this site for the next three years. We were also able to reimburse Ellen for buying the food for the party held at Jane’s Friday evening. This web site makes it easy to discover what other classmates are doing now, get news on the next reunion, and share old high school memories and photos.

Becky Webb Warren was hoping that all our classmates would make an attempt to complete their own personal profiles and add current addresses, telephone numbers, and email addresses to the data base. This will save several months of research in tracking every one down for the next reunion.  Cell phones also make it easy to reconnect, when we are all on the road together, heading to a new destination.  The address is: www.classcreator.com/Convoy-Ohio-Crestview-1967/.  Please don’t forget to update this information, especially when one moves to another city or state.

50th  Class Reunion

It was brought to our attention that not everyone could attend the reunion in Las Vegas for various reasons.  Some could not attend due to care giving for elderly parents,  other financial obligations took precedence, or poor health entered into the picture. Therefore, we voted to have the 50th class reunion, in Convoy and/or Van Wert. Cathy, Marsha, and Diana accepted to sit on this reunion committee. Other classmates back home are welcome to get in touch with anyone of these gals, should they like to be assigned to work on various reunion tasks. We would like to share the work amongst as many who are willing to offer their help.  It was agreed upon that the reunion would be held over a period of several days, so that we would all have ample time to visit with one another. This is what made Las Vegas so much fun!

Traveling Companions of the Class of 67

Diana had a great idea for those of us who do have the traveling bug. She suggested that the “Traveling Companions” rendezvous in a destination city of our choosing every two years.  Everyone at the meeting was very excited about the idea… so much so… that the first “traveling committee” was established with Ron and Ellen as committee chair persons.  Other volunteers should let Ron know if you are willing to help.

Whether we plan a formal or informal event, to a new destination city,  we will minimally  want to start planning at least 12 to 16 months in advance. Many classmates need significant lead time in order to participate, especially those living further away. Another consideration is that prime locations and other services may require a 1-2 year advance booking. 

So we are starting to organize now.  Ron will soon be sending out surveys to everyone asking for suggestions for our new destination city. Anyone who could not attend our gathering in Las Vegas, but would like to become a member of the “traveling class”, please let Ron know, so that you can receive his updates that will be forthcoming. Some suggestions are already rolling in:  Boston, Nashville, Memphis, New Orleans, Charleston, Hilton Head Island, Colorado Springs, Santa Fe, Hawaii or possibly a cruise.  The key elements to great destination cities would be availability to shopping, beaches,  specialty tours, attractions, historical, scientific, or geological sites, etc.  Big cities are full of adventure, but can also be extremely expensive. Renting cozy cabins in the woods, or several houses on the beach, can also be great get-a-ways, where you can BBQ your own food and spend quality time together. Put on your thinking caps and let Ron know your thoughts! 

Help Change The Lives of Others

Cathy had mentioned that other classes from Crestview had volunteered their time to charity, or have built homes for Habitat for Humanity, or helped with cleanup  in other cities or counties in need.  Or… perhaps one of our own classmates may need financial and/or moral support.

If you know of anyone in need, especially in our home town community, please let Cathy know and together as a class, perhaps  we can make a difference.

We do know that Janice has been extremely ill this year, and our thoughts and prayers are with her.  Martha was going to give us an update on Janice’s recovery. 

The meeting was adjourned at approximately 1000pm, on Saturday evening.

Note:  Class reunion pictures will be placed on the website very soon.