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09/20/08 10:21 AM	#291
Lori Weeks (Lattner) I just looked through the 1987 yearbook. Mike was on the tennis team. [I checked the '88 yearbook, but there wasn't a team that year.] Anyway, maybe you could have the service on the tennis courts. Are they still right behind the football field?

09/20/08 10:36 AM	#292
Annette Gilliam (Nicely) Laura: Sounds great. Maybe we can meet sometime next weekend if that's good for you. I do however want to go to the wine festival sometime that weekend. Just let me know whats good for you, I'm flexible.

09/20/08 10:48 AM	#293
Kelly Houston Sounds like lots of planning going on...I will put on my thinking cap. Brian...too funny, man! A thought on the picture on Kristin Fisher's profile. I believe that's called a "breech birth." More painting. Later.

09/20/08 11:01 AM

#294

Susan Jones (Badger)

Jolee, My dad or brother will have a camera and maybe a tripod I am sure we can use I will call them today. I agree with Vicky maybe the jr high field or even the tennis courts. I can speak if someone rights it down for me. I can read if you feel you will get too choked up just let me know. I was thinking if right before the national anthem or the homecourt court if they announce that we the class of 88 is is present they could do a moment of silence for Mike that would be nice and would not interrupt their activities at all. My high school here had their homecoming activities last night. Class of 58 was there..all 10 of them They announced them before the homecoming court it was nice and brief. Just a thought...

09/20/08 11:10 AM

#295

Annette Gilliam (Nicely)

I'm back! What an eventful night! Babysitting a bunch of drunken heating and AC men. Besides being able to sleep at a world famous hotel and eat in a world famous restaurant I wish I would have stayed home. Not much pampering going on for old Annette. :< Anyway, it's good to be home and I'm gong to take a nap. LOL I'm to old for that crap.

I really like the sound of the tailgate party in the parking lot. I can get some folding tables from Brian's work or we have a truck. Let me know and I will supply which ever you need, or both. I'll even chip in some chicken from Bo Jangles. I'm with you on that one Greg, YUM!

09/20/08 11:43 AM

#296

Vicky Lakes (Fuller)

Annette - You know you've been gone from the south too long when you have forgotten about Bojangle's chicken...

And I think it would be pretty cool if we all had on our Class of 88 sweatshirts when we walked into the stadium..especially if they announced it. I like the moment of silence...hey, is Dyer still at NJHS? That's a stretch, but if Susie has the inside line with him maybe he could help us with the arrangements or something. Don't we have a classmate whose a teacher there? And hey, Annette, if you get the school nurse job there....hummmm

09/20/08 12:08 PM

#297

Shannon Davis (Nuckolls)

A fun thought on Dick Miley: For Halloween, some of you who live in Roanoke could find out where he lives and go to his house for "Trick or Treating". The NJHS gang (or their kids) could be dressed as former principal, Dick Milley. The tan pants, thin leather coat, unlit pipe hanging in the mouth, lollipop in hand, & don't forget the "tinted stalker glasses". Someone months ago said "tinted stalker glasses" on the forum and I laughed so hard. Vicky Lakes or Carla Boyd maybe?

Amy W-Hope you are feeling okay today. We appreciate your thoughts late last night. You need to come in Oct. 17!

Jamie B-Thanks for serving in the Air Force 8 yrs. & very impressed with your FBI career.

09/20/08 01:01 PM	#298
Carla Boyd (McCabe) FYI...behind the Jr High is where they line the parade up. At least the last time I helped with it that is what they did. Amy WM...awwwww! We love you too! (sniff, sniff) Faye... sounds like you need government clearance to help Jolee with this project. Let me know if I can do anything. I don't think I want to trick or treat at Miley's...can you imagine what he hands out?

09/20/08 02:14 PM

#299

Vicky Lakes (Fuller)

Carla he probably passes out dum dum lollipops....and they're probably warm from being in his pocket.
ewwwww

09/20/08 03:02 PM

#300

Jolee Clarke (Preston)

Hi all~

I have been thinking (as you get a lot of time to do on a motorcycle)...I talked to CIA Faye today...she is working on my covert operation. Jamie Blankenship may already know about it...since he is FBI and all...I'm only keeping it covert for now for effect...that's all...

Johnny and I did ride the bikes up to NHS today...still a major construction site going on and I am not sure if it will all be cleaned up and organized by homecoming. So, if and when we tailgate, we will probably all be spread out between the front of the school, the side of the school, and the back of the school. The most common meeting place where we could have the memorial service and it be relatively quiet would be right in the front of the school...right at the front door. I even took a pic of it so you would know where I am talking about...give me a little bit and I will get it posted....

Once I find out more details Monday, I will continue to post them...keep thinking of any ideas, etc.

09/20/08 03:05 PM	#301
Carla Boyd (McCabe) Vicky...ewww! ewww! ewww! gross! Jolee...Had an idea on personalizing something for Mike's parents/sisters. I am not sure what you are doing for the hand-out...but sometimes those can be really nice framed up.

09/20/08 03:24 PM	#302
Carla Boyd (McCabe) Oh yeah...I have seen the final art for the shirts and we are tweaking a couple things. Will be finishing up Monday so they can start getting the screens ready. Just wanted you all to know it is in the works and will be done for us to wear at the game!

09/20/08 03:35 PM

#303

Jolee Clarke (Preston)

Carla~

The handout is a tri-fold, thick paper, ivory handout. Think of it in the shape of an accordian-shape. So there is plenty of room in it...it will just be in a column form. I also bought dark green ribbon to be run through it and tied.

Let me know when you want final counts on the hoodies. I can't wait to see them. Once we order them, how long will it take them to do them? There will be around 70!

09/20/08 05:09 PM	#304
Susan Jones (Badger) Guys..it's wonderful what you are all putting together. I wish I was in town helping more. I also think (Kristen WB & I were talking) we should put Tonya G and Rusty F in there as well. We can't forget them. They were a part of our class too. We should mention them at the memorial service too. Just a thought.

09/20/08 06:05 PM

#305

Annette Gilliam (Nicely)

Jolee: You mentioned that we would all be spread out for the tailgating. I wondered if you would be interested in having the tailgate event in the Southview United Methodist parking lot? Brian and I go to church there and have been members for over 10 years, I know they wouldn't mind if we wanted to use the parking lot. It's right across the street from the NHS entrance. Oh and if anyone wanted to sneak some say margaritas in that wouldn't be a problem either. Us Methodists don't have a problem with a few drinks now and again. he he
So I'm now offering tables, a truck, and a parking lot so Jolee just let me know what ya need. I'm here for ya.
I am getting ready to start making phone calls to some of the kids parents in our neighborhood. I spoke to a couple of the kids on Thursday (Josh and Tyler) they were very interested about being a part of the scrapbook. They are still having a rough time with the loss though.

09/20/08 07:12 PM

#306

Jolee Clarke (Preston)

The memorial service will be for Mike, but then what we do down on the field will incorporate Tonya and Rusty. The hoodies also include them as well, not just Mike. I don't want anyone to think we are forgetting Tonya and Rusty...that's not the case. I went to Tonya's funeral and grieved for her. It has been 6 years since Tonya died and 7 since Rusty died...Mike died 3 weeks ago and many were not able to attend his memorial service. That is why we are doing this. Not to slight Tonya, Rusty, or anyone else who may have passed away that we haven't even acknowledged. If anyone wants to put together a memorial service for Tonya and/or Rusty...please do it. I just can't do much more. I took this on merely because of the fact that there were a lot of people who couldn't be there.

I hope the tone of this isn't coming across as negative. I surely do not mean it that way. I just want people to understand the why's of this service. Please keep posting your comments. I do appreciate them.

09/20/08 08:22 PM

#307

Kristen Witt (Bray)

Jolee -- you make sense and I appreciate your reply. I just hate it that I can't be there for the memorial. You have done a great job with everything. Just don't overdue it and burn yourself out. I am glad that there are others pitching in to help you out. By the way, did you receive my check?

09/20/08 08:25 PM

#308

Faye Sowers (Crute)

Jolee thanks for all you do........I think the fact that we were together so recently at the reunion and since this forum has started it seems many of us have grown closer makes this memorial so necessary. I think honoring Mike at the service and acknowledging Rusty and Tonya on the hoodies will be very nice. Hopefully we will not lose anyone else anytime in the near future and we can continue to expand these friendships. I think those who were at the reunion and had a chance to talk with Mike recently need the memorial because of the fact that this was something that many were hoping would not happen. We can't pretend Mike wasn't hurting because we have addressed he was and thru this forum and getting together more often hoping we can recognize others who are dealing with the difficulties of life and we can hold each other up........I don't think anyone would think we are taking away from Rusty and Tonya because they know we care about all we have lost but Mike's is so recent and the rawness is so real, everyone that saw him at the reunion realizes the tragedy of this. I think this memorial will help those who feel (should not feel) but feel guilty because they feel that couldn't stop this. My vote is continue as is with the acknowledgment of Tonya and Rusty and the service for Mike. By the end of the night I hope we call it a celebration of their lives.

CIA duties underway and it sounds like there are so many who are stepping up to help out so it just once again shows how great we all are and what a tremendous impact we can have on others. Maybe we can influence other classes who have not been getting together and show them what a great form of support it can be. Have a great night everyone, my girl Sarah Palin is on and I gotta go watch it........

09/20/08 08:28 PM

#309

Vicky Lakes (Fuller)

Faye you said it before I could type the words...my sentiments exactly.

09/20/08 08:36 PM

#310

Vicky Lakes (Fuller)

Is the driver's ed course on the right side of NHS still there or is it entirely a parking lot? I was also wondering about the lot that used to be directly behind the HS..like I said it's been a long time...is there any way that we can rope off a section somewhere...I'd volunteer to be the traffic coordinator :P Perhaps if enough of us get there early we could have a spread of vehicles for the tailgate so if everyone just has to park wherever we could at least have one area large enough share. Just a thought...

09/20/08 09:27 PM

#311

Jolee Clarke (Preston)

Thanks Faye, Vicky, and others. What bothers me the most, inside, is that we are even having to do a memorial service for Mike...I am still not quite there on the reality of it all. So Faye, your words were like a flashlight into my heart and soul. I feel incredibly guilty that I did not push harder. But I also can acknowledge that someone with an addiction, ANY addiction is on their own agenda...not mine. So EVERY day that went by, I would wake up wondering if Mike was okay...was he happy...was he safe...was he working...was he sick...was he trying to quit drinking...was he going to agree to counseling...was he going to quit talking to me if I kept pushing...was he with his friends...was he...was he...was he....now not only have we lost a friend, but I know that this bastard of a disease, alcoholism, took him from us. That pisses me off. That is why we are doing this service.

As for the parking lots...they are pretty tore up...there is sporadic parking all the way around the school...maybe that is something we can ask the school about. I think it would be hard for them to do this for us and no other classes though. I don't think the church parking lot is a bad idea. The only negative thing I can think of is when it comes time to go over to the school for the memorial service, it may be harder at that point to find a spot than it would be if we were already piled in there...even if we are spread out. I am all about asking the school if we could "rope off" a section for at least 30 vehicles.

This chick has had enough for today...heading to bed. I thought of Mike 2,389,482 times today on the way into Rke on the Harley...we passed 2,389,482 vehicles with their little Hokie magnets and flags all over them. The irony is...Mike was going to take me to a VT game...and I was going to pick him up on the Harley and take him for a ride. He even made me promise I would do this...

09/20/08 09:33 PM

#312

Leslie Kidd (Palmieri)

On behalf of the Goode, Morin, and Skelton families, I have been asked to deliver the following message.

Dear NHS class of 1988, We would like to express our sincere appreciation for the many acts of kindness shown to our families as we grieve the loss of Mike. The beautiful floral arrangement, cards, hugs, and words of encouragement are a wonderful tribute to his life. It is such a comfort to know the positive impact Mike had on the lives of his friends and classmates.

09/20/08 09:40 PM

#313

Jolee Clarke (Preston)

Man I miss him....

Thanks Leslie...now I'm boo hoo'ing. Very sweet. For those of you who don't recognize the names...those are Mike's sister's last names.

09/21/08 01:46 AM

#314

Carla Boyd (McCabe)

Yeah...I know it's past bedtime. Just got in from Matt's reunion. We win! Ours was WAY better. They had 18 classmates in attendance!
Jolee...is that paper "embossed" like in any way. Is there a raised design on it?
So glad to hear folks talk about their thoughts on the memorial. Of course we care just as much about Rusty and Tanya. It's just good to hear people having the same thoughts on why Mike's death is different. He had been offered a lot of helping hands...it was up to him to take that help. Jolee, if you had pushed harder too fast he would of put the brakes on. I told you that before and I still think that. Try to find peace in knowing you did all you could. You are one awesome biker gal!

09/21/08 12:32 PM

#315

Michelle Kelley (Murray)

Hey everyone- life has been so full I hate it that I can't keep up more often on this thing. I love reading from everyone, and am often lost when I do- LOL- I miss Mike too. He and I had begun chatting and I just feel he was reaching out to many of us. I won't ever think its in vain, and it meant a great deal. He knew we loved him and think of our reunion. We all knew it was something special- it was in the air, and continues now. He had that with us. That's huge. That memory will always include him, and will make us smile. That's what I'm focusing on. Yes, he struggled. But you know, living in peace with Jesus is not a bad place to be. We'll see him again, and this lifetime will be nothing compared to what lies ahead.

Whatever you all need for Homecoming or preparations for it, you know I'm in and will do whatever I can to help.

If you all could, please pray for my father- he just had his 8th major back surgery, they couldn't do what they needed too due to the severe damage, and had to clean out scar tissue which had grown into the spinal column. Now, they feel he may be leaking spinal fluid, from a nick in the spinal column. If this is the case, they have to go back in and that's very dangerous. Its pretty critical if they do. His name is Robert Kelley- I'd be very grateful if you could do that for me. Hugs everyone- Michelle

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