Maryann Morse Says
Your 20th Reunion Committee Laura Caldwell Semple Wayne Clark Jim Dudziak Bill Fenniman John Flannery Ken Frank Richard Grace Sandy Macaulay Campbell Sue Portyrata Baker Mike Sweeney Joan Wescott Gile |
The ABRHS
A few days before the reunion,...
I started getting cold feet and wasn't sure I wanted to attend. I had read through the internet "Circle of Friends" and suddenly nothing had felt familiar to me. I just couldn't put faces to names. Who would I know, what would I say to this group of people, most of whom I hadn't seen or heard from in twenty years? Luckily, I was planning to go with someone who has been a close friend since high school, and she convinced me that we couldn't turn back now. How bad could it be? If worse came to worse, we could leave the reunion early and find something else to do for the evening. The first few minutes of our arrival -- when we had to walk down the grassy slope before checking in at the reception table -- brought back brief glimpses of high school terror. Like those times when you had to walk across the auditorium or gym to deliver a note to the teacher, and the world seemingly stopped as everyone turned in unison and stared at you with your shaking knees. But in all honesty, there were only a few minutes of discomfort, because as soon as we reached the reception table, the energy and excitement enveloped us. Colleen greeted us in her typical enthusiastic style, and Kenny, in his familiar take-charge manner, made sure that everything was progressing at the reception table while fending off the playful harassment of fellow classmates. I had to ask Ken twice to repeat the information regarding the raffle because I was so distracted by the faces and voices and emotions that broke through my concentration. At one point, after acknowledging so many familiar faces and reconnecting with many greatly missed friends, I stepped back from the crowd and just took in the sights from afar. It was amazing. The lively camaraderie was so strong, the sincere interest in each other's lives and families so heartwarming. There were photos -- tons of photos -- of children and spouses, vacations and pets. It didn't matter if people had physically changed or if some had risen to relative greatness and others had chosen unique paths in life. It just didn't matter. I found myself experiencing emotions that I believed were reserved only for family -- that sort of unconditional acceptance and compassion. Even those faces that weren't solidly etched in my memories were part of the complete picture. When we gathered on the grass for a group photo, we were together as we had been twenty years ago: the energetic extroverts were clowning around and causing a commotion, the laid-back stragglers were still "hanging out" at the picnic tables, the more quiet or reserved were staying on the outer perimeters, the close knit groups were tightly woven into private discussions, the boisterous organizers were taking charge and trying to get everyone to quiet down and pay attention. And some of us just looked around and shook our heads. Had it really been twenty years? I'm so glad I went to the reunion. Quite a few forgotten memories came crashing back to me and it was so incredible to share them with co-participants or shamelessly laugh over them with fellow conspirators. It's a bit scary thinking about how we managed to survive our days of youth. All of us who now have children are beginning to fully understand the saying that "what goes around, comes around" (or to quote our parents "Just wait until you have a kid who is exactly like YOU"). Life truly is a circle -- making its way back around -- not too fast I hope, but just enough to keep us slightly off balance!
Not only did I stay for the whole reunion, but my friend and I hung out for some time after it was officially over! Maryann and the entire reunion committee deserve all of our heartfelt thanks. You guys did a great job in pulling this together. Best wishes to everyone - hope to catch up with you again in a few years!
Nobody bailed. The Acton-Boxborough Regional High School Twentieth Reunion was Saturday, August 22, 1998, 2-10pm, at the Maynard Rod 'n Gun Club, Maynard Massachusetts. As one of those from the west coast who traveled cross country for the reunion, I have to tell you, it was worth it! I really enjoyed catching up with so many people. There was a constant stream of fresh faces and great stories, thanks to everyone for making me feel so welcome. When I stumbled away from Ellen's graduation party (arriving home at 7:00 AM for the first time) I lost contact with nearly all of you. Life was waiting and I took the adventures as they came. For 20 years I have wondered what happened to so many great people, thanks to all the efforts of the committee, I know that I have a circle of Acton here in the Bay Area. Penny Bradley can try to get me in shape, Jim Tiernan will make me better chips and Jeff Lake will defend us all no matter what. Thanks to Wayne Clark for his welcome, (I had no idea the photo would go over so well). Also must thank Elaine Withrow for talking me into the trip. I really enjoyed the "home" table with Sue Tatem, Jane Von Jess, Vicki Swanson, Sue Cooney and the rest who came and went. I went home hoarse.
Keep in touch: whenever in San Francisco, let me know. I'm looking forward to another one of these great parties. Maryann, you did a great job. Tim, thanks for the web pages, it was great to talk to you again. The whole committee, you are all outstanding your fields!
Ellen Huebsch's graduation party... Legendary. We missed you Ellen!
I don't know about anyone else, but I can't believe that after twenty years we can all slip back into that very comfortable group of friends we made throughout the years at ABRHS. It was so good to see all of you and I really feel that the night could have gone on forever and it still wouldn't have been long enough to catch up on what everyone has done over the years and their future plans! To laugh and smile and hug those who you don't need to explain anything to was so special! Thanks for welcoming my husband Marty, he thinks you're all great! And thanks for being such a wonderful group of classmates!
Our Reunion Committee would like to thank everyone who came -- we had a blast and your support made it turn out beautifully. We appreciate the sacrifices made by all -- miles travelled, children and spouses left, busy work schedules interrupted, vacation days spent -- we're sure you'd agree, seeing you there made it all worthwhile. It was a great time! And of course, Maryann Morse made it all happen through a major sacrifice of her own. There are no words to express the day. I'm so happy I went. I wish my husband could have come to meet my friends (I truly feel we are all friends). I was so surprised at the amount of people who traveled soooo far to get there -- that says a lot for the class of '78. Thank you doesn't seem enough for Maryann and her crew, and I mean it from my heart.
Congrats to Dudziak on winning the raffle! I know who to call to bring the music at my next party. How many people ended up at Flannery's that night? It was great to see everyone and I hope more people can attend the next reunion. It is well worth it!
The NAPA Hat is missing...
If you ask me, we look better twenty years on! I enjoyed seeing all the familiar faces, and hearing so many familiar voices. It made me realize how much I wish I knew all of you better then, and some of you since!
We're collecting comments about the reunion if you'd like to post something for everyone to see after you've sorted it all out. Sign it (put your name in the text) if you'd like it attributed to you. Otherwise, it will be taken in confidence and posted anonymously.
Who wouldn't buy a used car - or insurance, for that matter - from Kenny Frank?... Someone is obviously passing around youth serum and is not sharing!... Memo to Kevin Page: Your email address DOES NOT appear on the reunion webpage.... Most memorable moment: Barbara Hansen telling me that she still quotes me from something I wrote in her 6th grade autograph book!... Wayne Clark still cannot shake that "Class Clown" label.... If there had been an election, Palo Pierce may have been voted "Mayor" of the Class of '78 Reunion.... My personal "You Haven't Changed A Bit" award goes to Leslie Stanley... except, of course, for the six children.... I am still marveling at how well organized the whole event was. An excellent job by all who took part in putting it together.
Many of our classmates are talented photographers and shot quite a few rolls. If you have great pictures to share with classmates, mailing addresses were included in the Now and Then Book. We'd appreciate it if you'd send the reunion committee your photos of the 20th Reunion for the web site!
Great time, great friends, great memories. It was nice to see such a large turnout of outstanding classmates. Thanks to Maryann for the sweat and tears shed to make the entire affair come together so well! I know the NAPA hat didn't make it back to Flannery's!
If you didn't make it, we hope to provide you with an idea of the great time we had together, which would have been even better had you been there. We missed you!
It was just great getting a chance to see everyone again. The day brought back some great memories and renewed some old friendships. Maryann and the reunion committee: you guys did a truly awesome job. Thanks!
Two Hundred Smiles...
the buzz of laughter and joy, warm embraces, friends drawn from far reaches... Stories retold, chapters closed, the gleam of youth returning, lives and loves and children and dreams. Connections surviving, time passing so swiftly, easy moments like favorite jeans, two minutes recalling two years, familiar soft eyes... a warm reception, surprises and gifts, the best still retained, gladness in every heart, energy reclaimed, fears overcome. Startled reunions, beautiful partners, remarkable closeness, true feelings remembered, true feelings revealed. Important faces, grins and good news, helpful answers... children described, lives recounted, experience and tribulation, goodwill and intentions and romance. |
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Seconds stolen, eyes falling on faces, a doubletake, useful minutes never enough, years overcome in an instant. New friendships, handshakes and heartfelt expression, precious time and precious bonds... Memories tested, hopes remembered, condolences delivered, failures admitted, a decade then another passes. Time marked, influences examined, past comfort, eyes dancing with excitement, hearts pouring forth, unending love, dynastic strength... circles completed, admirations exchanged, a good beer buzz, glory days, still the hot shit. Promises made, words of appreciation, eyes expressing what can't be said, good times... Personalities reinvented, obstacles overcome, tribulation and triumph, outcomes discovered... Familiar belonging immersed in excitement, streaming happiness, lost opportunities. A knowing touch, hugs and best wishes, the world made tiny again for a day, two decades captured with Two Hundred Smiles.