* * Re Cap of Our 45^th Class Reunion * *

 

Best Reunion Ever !  They just keep getting better !

 

By Susane Tanner Brown

 

This is an open letter to our fellow classmates who have been reluctant to come back and join us for three special days dedicated to being “kids” again, to having fun with each other.

 

Our Reunion is much, much more than just a show and tell event; it has happily become an ongoing visit with our class family. We truly have become an enduring family of sisters and brothers who like to laugh, reminisce, and tell tales of past pranks while scheming to pull new ones!

 

Each of our class family members has gone on to create their own vibrant, interesting life. When we come back to visit, each of us is enriched by our shared conversations. The only downside to this is running out of time, three days go by so quickly.

 

In this regard our 2007 reunion was greatly enhanced by our four scheduled and a couple impromptu get-togethers.

 

My own enjoyment began with a Thursday afternoon visit at Carol & Jerry Glider Cooper’s home. Sitting around the kitchen table over tunafish sandwiches and several cold Pepsi’s we whiled away hours laughing and talking about everything old and new in our lives. Carol remembers more funny pranks that we students pulled – I was rolling with laughter!

 

Friday evening sharing hugs, laughter, pizza and wings at Encore Pizza, the old gang was all assembled and ready to rock! Our invitation to Denny & Candy Elwell’s Barn party was greatly enjoyed and appreciated. Denny & Candy’s spectacular and warm hospitality gave us the gift of more enjoyable “time” together. More time to share and renew our friendship!

 

On Saturday there was a lunch at the Johnston Subway where Bill Winters shared more funny stories. Got so distracted with laughing I left my wallet behind; in a panic, retrieved it hours later. Duh!

 

We then joined Keith, Lusijah, and Rachel for a trip to the Camp Dodge Military Museum (a sobering venue). Rachel directed us on a tour around the rest of the old campground, where we lingered above the old (empty) swimming pool remembering many fun days there!

 

While driving around Saylorville Dam and down NW Beaver Drive, we got the hairbrain idea to drop in on Sam Ding’s home. What a delight that turned out to be! Implacable Sam just invited us right on in, giving us the history and complete tour of his beautiful home. We didn’t get to see his pigeons,  but we trust they are still there!

 

Then the Main Event – Barbeque at the Barn and tour of the Johnston Historical Society’s Simpson Farmhouse located on Johnston Commons.  Seeing the Barn, Farmhouse, and Windmill in person I can now fully respect the awesome accomplishment of Garland & Marlys Seibert and all the dedicated members of the historical society. Just moving these buildings to this new park was a feat! Then the 2-3 years of restoration plus creation of the beautiful lake front grounds! These Johnston people are to be greatly thanked for their efforts to create such a beautiful, useful, and memorable monument for our family town.

 

Speaking of Thanks!! Let’s hear it for our creative and diligent 2007 organizing committee. You guys did just an outstanding job of picking the place; the menu; the munchies; the decorations; the souvenir pictures & coasters; and the Guests of Honor O.B. and Marilyn Herrick. The various framed photographs on the tables (by Jan Jensen), Bill Winters’ memory albums, and Keith’s Reunion Book took a lot of work to put together and are so appreciated.

 

The wide-open space of the barn haymow was so conducive to our constant mingling, especially when doing the historical bingo game. That game was a terrific idea! The BBQ dinner was delicious – I wanted to eat more, more, more – but was too busy talking!

 

Fortunately, just about all of us rolled out at 9:30 Sunday for breakfast at Perkins. Breakfast didn’t last long enough though, and it was tearful saying our goodbyes again. As we adjourned, several of us were talking of the next reunion and our doing a class kayak trip one afternoon down the Raccoon River (under the guidance of Sue and Sandy Strauss). Wouldn’t that be memorable?!!

 

My memories of this year are strong with having gotten better acquainted with you all. I am grateful that so many of us made the effort to come back! It was delightful we had so many returning spouses; they have been with us so long now that they, like Jan Jensen, are becoming honorary members of “1962”. Thank you to JoAnne & John Theisen, I am so very glad you were here. Thank you Tom Rock & all you other out-of-towners! Thank you everyone! I enjoyed your company so much!

 

One last remembrance: our many classmates who didn’t join us this year. We always miss you. Please, surprise us and plan to attend the next time!!