J. D. Webster

SAVE THE SIDEWALK

Thanks for the update Catfish!

One thing that comes to mind is the fact that the driving factor in all municipal activities is money.

It will cost money to dig up the sidewalk. It will cost money to store the pieces. It will cost money to move it to the new campus and it will cost money to build a monument with the pieces displayed in it.

My guess is - if we are serious - we have to be willing to fund a lot of this ourselves.

We also need to think about some kind of simple display with a plaque explaining the sidewalk. If replanted in the ground, it will waste away as it is now. If put in an open air place, it is subject to vandalism.

We should try to get it included indoors, perhaps as part of an interior walkway wall, or hallway display.

The update says the campus is still active for two more years. Not a lot of time for us to act.

So - anyone with any fund raising ideas? We have over 200 of us here on this sight. How much can we raise?

If we propose some kind of fund, to help the city or the school achieve our goal, how big should it be. Maybe we can get matching funds, pledges from businesses or sponsorships.

To raise 10,000 dollars that would be 50 dollars from each of 200 donors.

Thoughts on this?

Cheers,

J.D.

John Cochran

J.D., I am in....valid points, that needs to be set somewhere protected- As it is now, it's getting more weathered, cracked, and vulnerable to breaking into pieces w/ each passing year- It needs to be encased somewhere that will allow the Class of 2074 to look back at names from 100 years before- I'm fired up now, make my contribution $100.

David "Catfish" Campbell

Concur – the sidewalk is showing some wear and tear – though it’s in the same boat as I am.  I went over that way the other day and took measurements – it is it about 46’ by 4’ (about 184 square ft surface give or take a inch or 2) – it does have some cracks that should help in being able to break (bare with me here) things into smaller pieces to assist in the relocation process.  I took pictures – though don’t have them downloaded to this system – so will post them later…

I did make a phone call to AFS to get a feel of the cost of relocating our sidewalk – they really don’t do anything like that – though have the name/number of their sidewalk person that may help shed some light into what we are looking at. If anyone has any cost estimate to do something like this - pls post.

Yes - $$$ and dealing with city government/ the city school system is going to be the challenge.  Though getting our concerns known to those that may make the decisions (many times nothing is ever decided on though) is at least the first step in the right direction.

That said – we need start brainstorming ideas of how to preserve our sidewalk – so we can develop a plan that we can present to the city and gain their buy-in… sooner than later - being that we are looking at needing at least 184’ feet allocated on the new campus somewhere to house our sidewalk – and since they most likely haven’t thought about our sidewalk – this is going to be a uphill battle and will require a good, well-thought out game plan in order to pull this off.

J. D. Webster

One idea - we propose an indoor memorial walk  in some area - relay it in the floor but covered by some thick glass or clear acrylic that will protect it as new generations walk over it.

Judy Wolfsberger

Just caught up on the messages from the last month or so. I am in on "Save the Sidwalk" Leigh Ann Ellsworth, I remember you and hope you will join us at future events. Catfish, thank you for taking the time to email the board of education, I look forward to meeting this goal. And, let's not plan anything past 10:00 PM that is way past some of our bedtimes! Take care and enjoy the week! 

John Cochran

How does June 27 th sound for our next Huntsville get together?? I had promised Kathy and Judy that I'd try to set something up for a weekend, so that the Nashville girls could possibly join us easier- I had hoped to get a response from several that would be coming to Huntsville at various times this summer to try and calculate a common date that would be accommodating to all, but have only gotten one date mentioned- If anybody has other dates we could look at, when you know there is going to be a Huntsville visit on your calendar, please let me know ASAP- We could maybe set up a couple of summer get togethers, to include as many as possible- Susan White Lester has also mentioned the possibility of a get together at her home, which would be so generous, but we have to know dates to try and plan around- If the 27th of June is ok, I could maybe try to get something set up, and get a location finalized- Just let me know so that we can put some possible dates out there- In the meantime, let's look at June 27th, and I'll get the ball rolling- (256)303 7598, jrctide@charter.net.......... Thanks, John.

Sharon Dickinson (Marlowe)

Sharon Dickinson (Marlowe)

Judy Wolfsberger

If we gather in the evening, I will leave the event I just volunteered for this morning early and drive to Huntsville. If we gather in the afternoon, I will be a heathen and unvolunteer. Looking forward to seeing those people who attend.

J. D. Webster

Will be in Huntsville visiting my Dad for his 85th Birthday. Arriving the first of June and leaving on the fourth. Probably free Evening of the third. Second is my Dad's B-day. Would like to grab a bite with some classmates Evening of the third if possible.

JD

Donna B Bass (Scroggins)

I will be in Huntsville the week of 27th, our youth choir is performing at 2 churches there.  Sweet Home on Winchester( Stan's mom's church) and Oak Park (my sister's church).  Would love to see some of you there.  Can not believe Stan is still directing a youth choir, but he is and we take a mission tour every year.

Hope to meet up,

Donna B

John Cochran

What about the possibility of a mid Sunday afternoon get together on the 28th ?? Maybe around 3:00 or so ?? That would give us the chance to avoid Church conflicts, it would give the Nashville group a chance to get here to Huntsville and back before it's too late, and would accomodate a couple of folks that will be in that weekend anyway- If the concensus of the board is in agreement, I could try to get the ball rolling on that date, rather than Saturday evening- Give me some feedback, and let's see what we can work out.

Judy Wolfsberger

Sunday, June 28th is fine with me.

Sharon Dickinson (Marlowe)

John Cochran

Ok, we have finalized our next get together, it's going to be on Sunday afternoon, June 28th at 2:30- The location is Baumhower's Wings Restaurant on Balmoral Drive in Huntsville- This is just off Airport Road West, very easy to find, across from the Steinmart shopping center- Let me know if you're going to be able to be there, we are having it on a weekend to include those from Nashville, and on Sunday to accommodate a couple of classmates coming in that weekend- It's going to be good to be able to add some new folks to the Huntsville group- Hope to see as many as possible then, more details/ reminders will come later......... John.

John Cochran

I've already had several confirm that they will be attending our June 28th get together at Wings in Huntsville- Just a heads up, for our next get together ( probably at the end of July or the first of August) Susan White Lester has graciously offered her home for us to meet in- We would have done it this next get together, but I'd already confirmed dates and our Wings reservations, so it's going to be later on this summer, as stated- Thanks to Susan and family for this generous offer- This should take us through the summer get togethers.

Let me know about whether or not you'll be able to come join us on the 28th, more details will come later...... John.

Janet Boylan

Ruth Garcia (Osborne-Hess)

I'll be there too! It will be great to see others who haven't been able to attend the weekday gatherings. It's always a good time and looking forward to seeing everyone again!

Pat Shout (McKay)

I'm so sorry I won't be able to attend the gathering on the 28th.  My daughter Abbey, who lives in Hawaii, is coming home that weekend so we can attend a baby shower for my other daughter, Kate, who is having our first grandbaby in August. :)  A little girl!  Anyway, I hope you all have a wonderful time and I'll try to make the next one.

Alice Bourque (Ellis)

I will be there - just me probably but I look forward to it.

Tony Campbell

Hey there!  Debra and I will be able to make it.  It will be again a blessing to see all.

Judy Wolfsberger

I plan to attend. Looking forward to seeing everyone again, or for the first time since graduation or other reunions. Enjoy the day!

John Cochran

I'm just now seeing the great responses to our June 28th get together- It is great knowing we're having the response we are, and to know that this particular get together will include some that have not been able to make it before- Right now, we're standing at about 15 confirmed, w/ a month to go.

Pat, we are sorry you won't be able to join us, but understand completely.... Congratulations on your first grandchild, that is awesome !!!! I hope all goes well that weekend, and your time w/ your daughters is great- Hope you'll be able to make it to our next get together, it'll probably be late July or even early August- We'll be sure to get word to you.

Looking forward to seeing everyone at Wings on the 28th...... Take care, and God Bless..... John.

Steve Canerossi

Ann and I will have to pass on this one.  Know ya'll have a great time.  We'll catch the next one.

Janice Burson (Samford Candler)

I haven't posted in a while, but have enjoyed reading what everyone else is doing. I plan on making the June 28th get together. I don't live in Huntsville, but am overdue for a visit to see my sister. Looking forward to seeing everyone. Do we know were the get together will be?