Thanks to Ray Eads for his reflection on our recently concluded class reunion:

Turning 60 was tough enough but a 60th high school class reunion. Yikes. It was a confluence of joy and sadness; joy at reuniting with old classmates and sadness in remembering those who could never attend. The memory board reminded us of how many classmates were forever absent. There was a tacit agreement not to talk about aches, pains, surgeries or installed spare parts although all were in abundance. I expected gray hair, glasses, walkers, and a lot of "Who did you used to be?", but instead we looked good and enthusiastically met each new face entering the celebration of the Bulldog class of 64. With so many in attendance and so little time the conversations were short and usually started with "Do you remember the time ..." . I asked Dick Brown if he remembered when we stood at 2nd base at Captain Gray and tried to hit baseballs at the school windows. Dick said, "Yes, but did we hit any of them?" I replied, "No, but we scared some girls sitting nearby under the shade trees." That was good enough for us, then and now. We mostly went from table to table visiting, sharing stories and memories and asking what happened after high school. Smiles, chuckles, even roars of laughter and an occasional blush of long-ago embarrassment filled the room. I wished we had time to visit more deeply about the lives of those people who have meant so much to us. Bill Bode brought a new piece of music into the band room one day that was much harder than what we typically played. It was Beethoven's Egmont Overture. Part way into the first playing I looked up and saw my friends, each working hard on their individual part but together making beautiful music. It was Beethoven. The strong emotion I experienced that day by being part of something special has stayed with me my entire life and defined how I see the class of 64. Many classmates, each playing their own part, but together creating a wonderful environment where a young person could learn, grow and build the foundation for a successful life. For that I am truly grateful. The bonds we forged so many years ago are strong and permanent. OK. The food was great, the bar nearby, and the program short and maybe sometimes we had to look at the name tag to recognize who we were talking to, but the reunion was fun. We were old, but still vigorously attacking life and planning for the future. There were suggestions for the next reunion - a 65th. Some thought an 80th birthday party a better idea or a 64th for the class of 64. We'll see what happens. Maybe sooner is better but I hope to see all of you there.