The
Class Reunions
The
50th - We Be Golden
As most of us have entered or are contemplating the retirement phase of our lives, we tend to scrutinize things around us. This includes our schedules and events important to us. The 50th anniversary of our graduation was no exception and was not to be taken lightly. It would be the first reunion attended by my spouse as she worked the previous four reunions while we were married. Everything had to be just right. I had my doubts whether or not the reunion committee chaired by Bill Black would be able to pull it off in time and produce a hit again. Patience apparently is not a virtue of mine nor was it for many. Many of us forgot that previous reunions were not announced till the year of the reunion. The official word was released on February 9th. Bill introduced the rest of the committee which consisted of Darryl Woo, Susan Frankenstein Dean, Kevin Fong, Paul Jensen.
The venue was held at the Lake Merced Golf Clubhouse just south of San Francisco off of I-280. An elegant location just right for hosting such an important event as the 50th. It's rustic but a very accommodating place to hold a reunion such as ours which had just over two hundred attendees.
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We were greeted by members of the Lowell Red Cross Club. Hats off to the young ladies matching the names to the attendees....an overwhelming task indeed even for seasoned attendees such as ourselves. It was definitely an experience for them checking in the alumni of 50 years....an event they may participate in 50 or more years away.....like in 2073 or so.
Unlike any other of our reunions the fare was promoted as "heavy hors d'oeuvres". A few tables were set against one of the walls, and the food offerings included Chinese dim sum, potato skins, wings and a tray with charcuterie favorites. It was surprisingly enough food for me, but only after finishing off what my spouse could not eat and getting heavy seconds right before the food tables were cleared.
As with the 40th, we had a "photo booth", but this time around it was provided by LC Photography. Unlike 40 years ago, to promote both the event and the business, each attendee received a proof souvenir sheet displaying the pictures that were taken. It was a nice keepsake to remember the reunion by. Enlarged copies of the photos taken could be purchased from LC Photography online.
The room was not entirely arranged for a sit down event. Yes there were tables and chairs, but half of the room allowed the attendees to socialize around cocktail bar tables.
The MC for the event was F'72 Class President Darryl Woo. Of course our Lowell alumni event would not be complete without the LAA Executive Director, Terrence Abad ('76).
And what reunion would be complete without its class officers. It's always nice to have them all together for a group shot. Presenting the class officers from the class of Spring '73, then and now.
As mentioned before, I did not attend alone as I had done the last six "official" reunions. Fortunately for me I did not make a fool of myself by going in early and take photos of each attendee as they went through registration, nor did I look for all of them during the reunion. I did approach a few of my classmates and exchanged pleasantries and reminisced of old times, however I missed seeing quite a few whom I wanted to see after over 50 years since before high school.
Music was offered by a DJ. Dance trains were formed, attendees strutted their stuff and awards were given.
My spouse and I left early due to the volume of the music and her concerns for my health. Unfortunately this prevented me from seeing the unveiling of the desert table which I did not have a chance to sample. However I did enjoy my last casual desert. My spouse and an old time classmate friend, since the 20th, ended the evening by enjoying a donut at the nearby Krispy Kreme.
Looking forward to the 55th or 60th. Won't be passing up the desserts then.