I did it. I thought it would only impact my view not everyone else's. Isn't it pretty?
Guess I better change it back. Sorry about that.

What does it look like now Eric?

Is it just me, or did the format just change significantly???

I heard from Debbie tonight, the count is up to 44. She thinks a get together Friday night is a great idea and will look into it. She's going to make some calls and try to get some more help.

Congrats on finding your way back to the house. Yes it was hot today, I almost turned on the AC in the car. I'm glad we could have clear weather for your trip, I expect the same in Springfield :). On your way to Durham, exit 297 on I40 in Raleigh, the NC State Farmers market, a stop not to miss.

So glad that your brother-in-law is doing much better! Such a relief to everyone.
I am sitting outside on the deck using Amanda's laptop. I like being able to use it anywhere. I think I will have to start saving my pennies (lol) and get one. It was so hot here in NC today but now there is a beautiful breeze and the bugs aren't out! I am sure by the time I get home the blackflies will have decided to come out. Made a big trip to the library with the kids today. It certainly brings back memories of when mine were little. I got sort of lost coming home from the library....but I knew that I had to keep turning left. I finally drove by Caleb's preschool..to which he was all excited so I was only a few streets off...and I knew the way from there...pretty pathatic! Good news is I made it there and back safely! I will leave Saturday night, spend the night in Durham with my sister-in-law and fly home on Sunday.
Happy Thoughts............

No, I didn't win any money, Kathi, but my friend did. She won $500--or actually $300 after you subtract what she lost first. I had to pull her away from the machine.

Patti, maybe the ignored spouses can have their own party!

Mornin' all! I'm back from Tennessee exhausted but exhilarated. Our team placed 30th out of 74 teams and that is terriffic for first timers competing against scshools for whom Destination Imagination is a part of their school's curriculum. I'm very proud of them. Dollywood was loads of fun and I wish we'd had the time to do the water park across the the way. The ride there from Knoxville was lovely beautiful countryside.

Jerry I'm so glad you kept trying and finally got back in. We've missed hearing from you. I know it's been a difficult 07 for your family. My best thoughts are with you as you know. I'm so very glad you and Carol are coming in June. I've been looking forward to meeting her for a while now. Will you be staying at the Inn?

Lori, even though Dave is coming along, I'm planning on ignoring him most of the time so don't worry about being the only "spouseless" one! I asked Debbie but haven't heard about anything for a supper/float building together Friday night. I heard from Brian Cruz-Davis yesterday and sent him the info. He's looking forward to coming now so our numbers are rising!

I wish we lived a couple hours away or so, then we could visit more often. I hate being 14 hours away and can only come on specific school vacations. Weekend visits would be fun. So Lori, that way you can have your peace and quiet and still visit and get that baby loving. It is still rest time here...which is a mom's/Nana's heaven.
Glad that the wine tasting experience went well. Did you win any money at the casino????
Happy Thoughts........

Hi Jerry. Sorry to hear about your mother, but good to see you on the blog again.

Kathi, I'm getting jealous. I want to have grandchildren to play with, too--though I'm also worried I won't have the energy I'm hoping I'll have! I like my peace and quiet, too....

Well, I'm back from the wine-tasting day. Richard wasn't kidding about the spit can. I used it to pour out some of the wines that were too sour for me. My favorite was Zinfandel and also a desert wine, Orange something, I forget the name. But I guess I'm hopeless as far as wine goes cuz the best part for me was sitting on the terrace looking out at the beautiful view--and trying to absorb as much quiet as possible before we went on to the casino my friend wanted to go to.

By the way, is everyone coming to the reunion with a "spouse"? Avi's skipping this trip, but will be coming on the one to Israel in July.

Can you believe that I am sitting her watching my son's old Teenage Ninja Movie with my little grandson. He thinks it is so cool and wants to grow up to be a ninja...The baby (Chloe) is doing well now and the other two are adjusting to having a new baby in the house. My sister-in-law who lives in Durham, came down and took me to some Outlet Mall yesterday. She found lots of goodies. I didn't buy much...baby things...that I don't have to carry home on the plane! One more week of being a helping Nana....it's always sad to leave the little ones but nice to get home.
Glad that you found your way back on Jerry. I have to tell you that your obvious love for your mom was so beautiful.
Happy Thoughts...

I just realized, Karen, that I spaced it because Jim, Larry, and Martha are not your uncles and aunt, they're your cousins. Their Dad Irving, my old next door neighbor growing up, was your uncle. I wanted to clear that up. Jerry

Hey, can you believe it? I made it in here after previous unsuccessful tries to get a new Google Account. I see that no one was in here yesterday. Yes, a slower time with some people doing other things on this holiday weekend. I see that the last count of RSVPs was 33. Is that just classmates, or does it include guests? Mine is "in the mail" to Deb and Ron as of Friday. So the new unofficial count is either 34 or 35 'cause my girlfriend Carol will be coming with me. She already visited the Hartness House with me back in January when we were in Springfield to visit my ill Mom. Carol liked it very much and was looking forward to reunion time. Is it ok that she's a grad of Concord NH High? Ha! Karen, your Uncle Larry and Marlene stopped by to chat with my brother Ron at 442 South St yesterday afternoon. It was nice for me to see him, your Uncle Jim with Priscilla, and Aunt Martha with Andy at the visiting hours for my Mom at Davis Chapel in February. It was very nice to see Kathi, also, and the dear Mrs. Bingham, the Mom to 12 kids, who's been a longtime neighbor just a few houses away on South St. We just had the committal service for Mom at the cemetery in Georgia Plain just south of St. Albans the day before Mother's Day and what would have been my Dad's birthday. I look forward to seeing all of you on the 23rd, and I'll check in here again. Now I'll see if I can post this. Jerry

Aren't we all sophiscated with wine tasting and wondering if we should be the designatged drivers or get a room! See how responsible we have become. Personally, I'm not much of a wine drinker so I would be the DD. Guess we are all the same Lori! Hope you have/had fun hiking and tasting.
My sister-in-law who lives in Durham is coming down tomorrow to take me shopping for the day. My daughters in-laws are coming to visit so I thought this would be a good time to take a break from babysitting. I am having lots of fun being with the grandbabies. It is tiring though! They certainly have much more energy then I do!
Happy Memorial Day everybody. Let's honor all those who have served us and pray for those still serving to return home safely.
Happy Thoughts..............

Is there really a can to spit into?! I believe everything, so I never know when people are kidding. Anyway, looks like we WILL be going. She'll clean her house another day. There's also a casino on the same road where the wineries are, so she wants to go there after we do the tasting. If we spend a few hours there, the wine should wear off by then. Or maybe I'll just be the driver and let her do the drinking. Or is that too boring?!!

Karen, where do I get that wrinkle cream you mentioned?!!!

i am back from my journey. it really was just sooooo great. i wish it had never ended, cuz the places i went were super.

lori, wine tasting is different than wine drinking. they have a can you can spit into. of course, it may be the tasting part that you do not go for. they never give you a can to spit mixed drinks into and i never believe people that tell me that they love the taste of whiskey. hmmmmmm, must be some other reason that people drink whiskey. i agree with your kids. getta room.

and, why didn't i think of that? maybe i will clean my house. i am such an idiot.

They have graduation from pre-school too?!

A friend of mine wanted to go wine-tasting with me sometime this weekend in the Santa Barbara area. My kids seem to be worried about me. They keep asking who's going to be doing the driving or if we're going to sleep there! Actually, I don't even like wine that much. I like mixed drinks better. We might not end up going cuz now she's talking about staying home to finally clean up her house (something she's been saying for years!).....

I am here in NC playing with my grandbabies! I got to babysit the two little ones while Mom an Dad went to Calebs preschool graduation last night. Guess I did okay, Chloe slept the whole time and Camille and I had girl night..It was fun. Weather here is beautiful! Karen, enjoy your sons graduation and be proud. You have done a great job with all your kids! Congratulations to you! Catch you later. Happy Thoughts...............

Congrats Kathi, sorry I didn't get to say it till now. The work everybody is doing, other than me, sounds like it will result in a great time for all. Safe travels for all.

Pat have fun at Dollywood! Especially with middle schoolers....good luck in your competetion.
Chloe is doing much better and should be in the regular nursery tomorrow. I got to hold her this afternoon for the first time so that was exciting for me. Neil and I have kept busy with the other two. Camille adores her Papa and will hardly leave him alone. Its so cute to watch him with the Grandchildren. Like I said its so much more fun! And they like you. Neil is leaving for VT tomorrow night and I will stay until June 3. Thanks for listening everybody. Happy Thoughts..........

Yes, Lori, 33. Doesn't sound great does it? However, Debbie says that she is getting an average of 4 per week and I expect as we get closer the numbers will improve. It's difficult for most people I believe to make plans, weeks, or month in advance. It's important for travellers to do so because of flights and such but many of those closer to New England will I HOPE be coming and just haven't sent in their papers yet.

I leave tomorrow for Knoxville for the week so I'll be offline til after Memorial Day Day. I'm not taking my laptop with me this trip. Too much to carry and I'll be in charge of a bunch of middle schoolers. Most of this kids are not exactly travellers. One hasn't been on a plane before so he's pretty nervous about it. He's also a little (HA) oppositional defiant. Looking forward to a few melt downs , heaven help me. We'll be going to Dollywood on Saturday. That should be a blast. water water everywhere!!

Karen, I told Debbie your offer to make name tags so we'll wait to see what she has to say. I think it's a great idea. Are the vases something you and Kathi are working on together? I seem to remember her mentioning something about decorations a while back. I think its wonderful that even from a distance we can be part of the "getting it all together". How many years has it been since you and I have seen each other? Please don't say 35. Aren't we lucky that Brian set up this site 5 years ago?

We have been busy babysitting Caleb and Camille. Little Chloe is doing much better but is still in the NEO unit. Hopefully, she will be able to go to the other nursery tomorrow. My energy level is running low tonight! I can see why my daughter only gained 20 lbs with the baby after chasing after the other two. Guess that's the one downfall of being a Nana...needing Geritol to keep up!
Hope everybody had great traveling..Karen to Nashville and Richard, all over! The weather here has been perfect. 80s but with a breeze and no humidity...I hope it stays for 2 weeks!
Beats VT where my son says its been cold and rainy for 3 days straight.
Happy Thoughts to all!

That's great, Kathi! Congratulations!

Only 33 people, Patti?

congratulations !

Finally....Chloe Alyssa Rollins was born this afternoon at 3:30 on her Nana and Mommys birthday. She weighed 8lb. 11 oz. The smallest of all the grandbabies. She had a little rough start but is doing much better. Hopefully, I can hold her tomorrow. Papa and I watched the other two all day and then drove to the hospital with them to see their mommy. Special treat of McDonalds to celebrate having a new sister. (Not a treat for me...but oh well...once in a while, not exactly birthday gourmet!

Debbie tells me that we have 33 postive RSVP so far. Kelly Harrington, Christine Buckingham Pixey and Sue Goding Cass have said they can't make it.

The float is based on Richard's idea of a park bench and they are looking for people to wear masks and sit on the bench, John Candy and Steve Martin I believe.

Next meeting is at MacDonald's, Monday, May 21 at 6:30.

Why Richard, you poor put upon fellow. How you must suffer for your art..............

I don't think I'd trust that suspended viewing deck! I'm embarrassed to say I still haven't been to the Grand Canyon even though it's not that far from us. Or Napa Valley. Maybe I have to find an engineering job so I can go see those places.

pat, these particular areas are locations of customers and there is a three day conference in napa that got me out here to begin with. the grand canyon is my side trip today. by the way, i do not plan on spending $75+ to look down through the new suspended glass viewing deck into the 1000' drop canyon below. the simple answer is that hi-tech companies like to locate in nice places (which are often close to companies that spun them off some time prior). so you can see that i am pretty much forced to go to nice places even though i would much rather go somewhere like buffalo in mid-winter to pay penance for whatever must have happened in my earlier lives. the fact that i am traveling with a beautiful engineer this time is just luck.

Sounds like great spots to travel Richard, If I may ask though, how does your business send you to these terrific area?

The snow we had yesterday is gone again but it was very wet and heavy and smashed my screen room. OOps guess I should have watched the weather and prepared better.

Think I'll write to Debbie and see if we can get an update on the reunion plans. I haven't heard anything in weeks. Small or large I'm looking forward to it!

like willie nelson- i am on the road again. it has been a magic time. thankfuly, the locations have not included newark. i am in portland, oregon right now after four days in napa, a day in san francisco and a few in vancouver. phoenix, grand canyon, and huntington beach are still on the itinerary. it is a biz trip with some time for fun. i have to pinch myself daily as the sites have been just that sweet. this may be the first time that i do not think i was reincarnated to live a life for being a bad pooty cat in the last one.

We left VT at 8:30pm we arrived in NC at 10am...Stayed in Durham last night at my sister-in-laws. Got to my daughters in time to pick Caleb up at preschool. The teacher said she definitely could tell who I was picking up (Caleb is a redhead)...so that was funny. It is now rest time where the little one is napping and Caleb is playing with Papa! Great activity. I am sure it'll be my turn soon! New baby is set to come on Saturday (csection) on Birthdays...so.... Happy Thoughts..............

I'm sorry to hear that Karen V probably won't make it this time. I'll have to make arrangements to et over sometime this summer. Maybe she'll be there while I'm at camp in NH. I'm bringing my photos Lori, I hope others do too.

One more week and I'll be in Knoxville,TN at the University of TN. Does anyone live near there? I don't think so.

Thanks everybody! I'll be checking in when I'm down there and keep you posted!
Happy Thoughts...........

Kathi, I travel quite a lot and I still get overwhelmed when I have to pack, so I totally understand. We'll be waiting to hear about the birth of the baby. Happy Birthday to all of you!

Patti, in case Karen V. isn't reading the blog, I just wanted to mention that I wrote to her to ask if she'll be coming to the reunion. She didn't think she'd make it this time because she'll be in the middle of studying. She might go to Vermont when the course is finished, but that would be later in the summer. Bring those pictures you have!

Happy birthday early Kathi and let's hope for a third generation on the 19th. That would be pretty unusual.

We've been working on our flood clean up still. I found a box of photos from high school. Amazingly I haven't seen it in years. Several of those folders you could write long "Wish you wells" on. Footbll team photos, I don't know why I have those. Rick Ingalls, John Sakevich. Jeez, it was fun looking them over. I'm going to bring them along in June. Karen V there were pictures of you and I down at the information both. Do you remember Milton Herrick who used to come down and take pictures? Thinking back was that a little creepy perhaps???? I even invited him to my wedding. Are you coming to the reunion???

Safe travels Kathi, weather is clear down here.

Don't worry Lori, we'll find you! We are such "party" animals....right. I haven't heard what went on at the last meeting.
Leaving tomorrow pm for NC....I think because I don't travel much...I get overwhelmed at packing and trying to get things ready to leave home. Once I am on the road it'll be fine. We are all hoping that little Chloe (I think) will make her arrival on Saturday, which is both mine and my daughters birthdays...baby would make 3 generations born on May 19.(Its also my twin brothers...but he won't count!) So, keep your fingers crossed!
Happy Thoughts to all...........

Is that what party means--"visiting with a few old friends"?!!! Okay, I'll keep my mind open--but if you can't find me, go without me!

I'll be surprised to find myself to going off to another party either Lori but perhaps I'll be inspired??? If I am, I'm dragging you along with me so be ready. Anything could happen!

We raised over a thousand dollars this afternoon on a car wash. The money put us over the top in our fund raising efforts for our DI trip in a couple of weeks.

I watched a truly wonderful PBS program on Yusuf Islam *(formerly Cat Stevens) this evening. He has an amazing ability to live within the confines of his belief structure. A man of peace for certain.

I don't think I'll have energy for another party after ours ends, but I guess I'm in the minority. I'm not what you call a party animal!

Truly Lori, you're right about the upside of the flood. We are having to finally make decisions about "stuff" we should have made a long time ago. We have found things we didin't know we had. That can't be good.

Has anyone heard from the reunion committee of late. I'm wondering how the numbers of rsvps are looking. Also if a decision was made regarding paying another class $200 to join them after ours ended. What other things might have been decided on. Will we or will we not have music at ours?

I wish a pipe would burst in one of our rooms that's like a walk-in closet full of junk. Then we'd be forced to throw things out..... maybe I better not wish for that.

Karen, that's really nice what your daughter wrote about you. Nice to be appreciated!

I came home around 7 last night from my knitting group to find Dave hauling everything out of our basement storage. We had a pipe burst and spent the next few hours working on the trying to save things. There'll be a major trip to the dump on Sat. The thing I feel the worst about is my Dad's 78's. They were in oringal storage boxes and wrappers most of which were destroyed. Many were wrapped in newspapers he had cut to fit the albums. Only one album was broken though and that was sure a relief. Anyone interested in some mosist National Geographics??

I think its sweet....the boys are probably jealous they have to go and buy a gift!! lol.
Its nice when they get older and understand there are sacrifices that we make for them...even if we grumble...they love us anyways! Happy Thoughts..........

P.S. Are you going to tell us what she wrote?

Karen, I cried just reading what you wrote. It's so moving! That's the best prize you could get.

Karen, you are one lucky mom. Cry all you want and enjoy it. What a wonderful treat, I can't think of anything more wonderful. Happy Mother's Day, ladies!!

I think that its nice that lots of them get together and do things...my youngest sister is really involved with them, taking the trip to Washington, etc. Personally, I tend to stick to family members and close friends. We do all share something that others really don't know and I pray they never do. I went to the High School today where Norwich showed it to the student body. It was received well ....I even spoke a few words in front of the audience...imagine that...have no clue what I said but they were nice after so I guess I didn't embarrass myself too badly. There is a public showing tonight at 7... hopefully, that will go as well. Thanks for listening....Happy Thoughts...........

I haven't seen the memorial, but I just saw the Vermont Fallen segment of the Today show. So sad. Kathi, do you agree with what they said, that it helped in the healing process--being with other families going through the same trauma and talking about it for the documentary?

Dave and I visited that rest area last summer. I agree with both your perspectives. The memorial was very moving and a wonderful reminder of what is truly important. The water clean up project was so unusual. A gret idea and one we need to spend more time on. It was hrd to get back in the car and move on. there was a lot I would have liked to spend more time on there.

eric, i agree with you. the re-do of the rest area is an incredible example of vermont doing it, once again, the way we have done it forever. the rest area has a loud and clear statement that says we remember our fallen from the past and we know ourselves for who we really are because we have that perspective. the fact that there is a self contained water treatment system (a living machine) that purifies all of the septic generated at that location is one more major, "HELLO WORLD, WAKE UP, PLEASE," which is there, cuz that's the way we are.

In addition to the Vermont Fallen presentation, I would recommend anybody traveling north on 89 just past White River, stop and view the memorial that has been created there. I got a chance to see it last year and was very moved. I admit to a certain view due to my years of service but I promise you will not be wasting your time.

Brian...glad you remember me! I am certainly not upset and don't think you are clueless. I just pass on the information about the VERMONT FALLEN because it is very close to my heart. I don't wish to impose political issues and view this only from a personal view. Under no circumstances to I want anyone to feel obligated, just aware.
Hope all is going well in your life and we get to see you at the reunion!
Going to be another beautiful day here in VT.....
Happy Thoughts..............

Hi Kathi, yup, I sure do remember you. You are an awesome human being. It is so nice to talk with you again.

I can be kind of clueless at times, I haven't read the past few years of postings, so please forgive me if I blunder foolishly, okay? I had no idea Vermont Fallen was about those unbelievabley brave people killed in millitary service, though I should have if I only thought for a few moments longer. Thanks for the heads up on the upcoming show, I'll try to see it.

Love,
-=Brian

Hi Brian...remember me??? I only ask because at the meeting we had in March...John had no idea who I was so I thought it was really great that I had made such a good impression! lol.
For anyone interested....The Today Show is doing a piece on Wednesday morning (around 9:40) on VERMONT FALLEN. I don't know what piece they are showing but they are interviewing the Professor and the students from Norwich who worked on it. That is the same day that Norwich is showing it at Springfield High School for the student body. It is also being shown in the evening at 7:00.
Happy Thoughts everyone!

Hi Brian, I'm really glad to see that you've rejoined us. I'v e been stumped with a few things here on the site and as the originator of the blog only you could ""formally" do the change-over so thanks for coming. We have two outstanding invitations only because those that were there disappeared one day the site management didn't some kind of upgrade. I've added in two more invitations but nothing has happend yet. There used to be a larger number of people who could post but mostly if they came at all they just read and didn't comment. Not nice. I've been sending e-mails to invite as I've heard from people about the reunion but the site is not for everyone naturally.

I'm sory to hear about Michelle, I didn't know that she was gone. It makes me wonder how many other of our other missing members are just not here at all. Even after all these years it's hard to hear about. I'll be sure to send a note to the John L in case he doesn't see your message. It's been many years since we lost Charlie. Wasn't it just before a reunion??

Hi, Brian! It's always nice when you surprise us and reappear. You should come to the reunion. It would be nice to see you again.

Yeah Karen, I still got a crush on you, of course. And Lori too, for that matter. Some things never change.

Some things do. Michele died apparently of alcoholism in Burlington last year, but I haven't been able to find any details. I remember the last time I saw her was at the Flynn Theatre in Burlington maybe 6 years ago. She was blinking in a very slow fog. She looked pretty good, but I was kind of shocked to see that her mind was operating at a minimum setting. I wondered at the time if it was alcohol or drugs. Maybe it was both. It's sad.

You know how I started my last post with "Hi gnag"? That's actually an inside joke. Michele wrote that in my yearbook (which I don't have any more). Charlie Hawthorne picked up on that and used it to greet groups of close pals. It always makes me laugh.

Yeah, maybe we hated John Wu for being such a hard taskmaster, but I came to respect his insight and perspective. He continues to inspire me to this day. As do most people in this amazing world.

Will I be going to the reunion? I honestly don't know at this time. I was sorry to not see you at the 30th. WhooWee! That was a blast.

Love and kisses,

-=Brian

Hi gnaG,

Sorry it took so long to update this here blogsite to version 2.0.

You see, it was unclear whether doing so would eliminate everyone from the blog but me. And I couldn't sign in without forcing the change to happen. If everyone got kicked off but me, I'm sure it would be a fascinating read, I'm also sure I would be the only one reading it.

Actually, the real reason it took so long, is that I wasn't paying any attention to it, but it did make me pause for a couple of days, when I found I couldn't sign in without updating the site.

As it is, we only have 13 members who can post on this thing, so maybe we should offer incentives for fellow classmates to join us, like "No skinny-dipping in Candy Lovely's pool at 1 am without having one current posting on SHS1972". (Maybe that's too negative). "Secret twister party behind the high school for bonafide blog members." Hmm, maybe a different tack-- "Please join the Class of '72 blog, we have more in common with you than we thought."

Well, you get the idea, hopefully you'll have better ones.

Maybe you haven't heard, but my old pal Michele Levlock is no longer with us, sad but true. I noticed her name on the list of unreachables.

Live now, sweet friends,

-=Brian