Richard Maurer

It is great that we can talk about books here on the Savanna site.  Joan, thanks for getting this discussion started by mentioning David Grann's book, The Wager.  I am still waiting to check out the Kindle form of that book from our local library.  Kathleen and Linda, thanks for continuing and expanding the book discussion.  The Savanna Class of 1965 web site has lately been somewhat quiet.  Maybe this is an opportunity for at least an occasional book discussion.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Hi Kathleen, Your upcoming excursion sounds absolutely delightful. Yes, I am still doing the plays for the Edison Students at South Coast Rep (God Bless Them as they are now giving  13 of our high school students free tickets to each play  with a new program they are promoting called Theater Access. I will be at  at SCR on September 25 for The Little Shop of Horrors. The kids are so thrilled to have this opportunity and I feel quie confident  that they will become the subscribers of the future. . and I still have my Premium and curtain call season at the Segerstrom only this year I am on Thursday and  Friday nights. I see an occasional show at LaMirada,The Carpenter Center  or Laguna Playhouse and  I have a handful of people waiting in the wings to do the London and Paris theater tour I set up right before COVID hit. Ae you still interested in that?  I am also keeping very busy caring for my 102 year old father though he now has two full time fantastic caregivers whom he will actually listen to so that has been such a relief. Norm and I are in the middle of a house remodel which Norm didn't want to do in the first place, and it has truly become a comedy of errors, if only it were funny.  Let's get together. And yes, I am always up for theater, travelor to go hear a lecture. Thanks to Mr. Jeter,   I  remain a Life Long Learner.

Charles Harvey

Jerry Labuda

Sounds about right, Charles.

Greg Cook

You're right Charles! Once

again The Savanna Class of

1965 solves one of the

world's great mysteries.

Richard Maurer

A new travel video, this one of the Bizz Johnson National Trail in northern California.  I and my younger brother, Ron, visited the trail a few weeks ago.  The east end of the trail starts in Susanville, California and the trail wends it way west along the lovely Susan River.  The trail has a number of bridges that cross the river and a couple of tunnels that were carved through the rock walls of the canyon.

Michael Elliott

Haven't been on the class website for awhile so missed all this wonderful book talk!  Cheers and Happy Thankgiving!

Karen Riegle (Taillon)

Michael, happy birthday!  Like you, I haven't been on the site for awhile so missed alot of the conversation.  It seems the closer I get to full retirement, the less time I have - how does that work?  Anyway, have loved watching the travel videos and reading about everyone's ventures.  It's hard to believe it will be 10 years since our 50th reunion.  Such great memories of the committee meetings and preparations as well as the wonderful time catching up.  Thanks to Nancy for keeping the website up and running and to all the contributors.  Just a little update since 2015:  January 2020 we started the serious move out of California.  Purchased a half acre lot in a small town outside Boston and put our home of 35 years in Newport on the market. January 2021, after packing, storing, shipping and other necessary 'move' stuff, including building a new home remotely (that's fun!!) we left California, drove cross country and landed in Wrentham, MA, a town of 13,000 residents located 40 minutes from Boston but 20-30 minutes from our kids and grandkids.  That entire experience was a miracle and God was in it all the way!  We are now well-settled, almost fully retired, and California is a distant memory (albiet a great one).  Wishing everyone a happy and healthy Thanksgiving as we move closer to the end of another calendar year.  Blessings.

Richard Maurer

It has been a while since I last posted a music video.  This one is definitely just for fun.  From way back in the day, some of you may remember the 1962 movie, Hatari, starring John Wayne.  The movie was an adventure film about collecting animals in Africa for zoos and circuses.  The song, Baby Elephant Walk, was written by Henry Mancini for a scene where three baby elephants walk to a waterhole.  After viewing the scene, Mancini is reported to have commented that the baby elephants were walking to a boogie-woogie beat.  Mancini earned a Grammy Award for the catchy tune in 1963.

Another song from long ago, this one is Nights in White Satin by the Moody Blues.  The song was first released in 1967.

Charlie Groh

How cool you two work (and I mean *work*) on music together.  Good for the brain, body and bonding!  Love your renditions (Mancini is a toughie, eh?).

Jerry Labuda

Very nice Richard.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

 These are delightful and you are both so talented. Thank yu for sharing! 

Greg Cook

🎉🎆 Happy New Year, Class of 1965! 🎆🎉>h2>

Can you believe it? We've cruised into 2025—our 60th graduation anniversary year! It feels like just yesterday we were zipping around in cars with fins bigger than our dreams and jamming to records that spun out the soundtrack of our youth. Now, we're the vintage models, running strong and proving they don't make 'em like they used to.

We've conquered six decades of adventures, challenges, and a few "what-was-I-thinking" hairstyles. We're like classic songs—timeless and still able to make people smile (or laugh). So, raise a toast to us: the legends who have mastered the art of staying upright, laughing loudly, and cherishing every moment.

Here’s to 2025—may it be filled with more joy, humor, and love than a senior discount at the diner. Cheers to the road ahead and the memories we've yet to make! 🚀💫

Jerry Labuda

Thanks Greg, very interesting. Happy New Year to all my fellow Rebels.

Richard Maurer

Another travel video, this time to a very beautiful area on the Deschutes River in central Oregon.  It is spring and this normally very arid area takes on a bit of lovely green color mixed with a few wild flowers.

Greg Cook

As usual, Richard, you manage to capture the essence of some of the most beautiful places in the country. Here's hoping we see more from you. 

Richard Maurer

Thanks for the nice comment Greg.  I really enjoyed visiting this spot on the Deschutes River.  Beautiful and very peaceful.  I am glad that some of that feeling may have come through in the video.

Jerry Labuda

Another great job Richard, love to hear your commentaries on these beautiful sites.

Richard Maurer

Thanks Jerry.  Glad you liked the video.

Charlie Groh

Another great job, Richard.  The drone work is outstanding!

Richard Maurer

Thanks for the nice comment Charlie.  I love using the drone, but there is a fairly steep learning curve for getting the thing to do what you want.  Fortunately I like trying to learn how to use it.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Wonderful Video, Richard. You made us feel like we were actually there. Andamazingly, your voice sounds exactly like it did in high school; the sterling voice of a TV narrator. Can't wai tto see your next production.

Richard Maurer

Thanks Linda.  I think that the voice may be the only thing that is holding steady.  Everything else is old, worn out and tired.

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

 Just like the rest of us. 

Richard Maurer

Fair point.  Simple math makes it clear that it has been a number of years since our Savanna days.  Not surprising that there has been a litte wear.