Dennis George

We arrived last Fri. and are staying at the Fullerton Elks. We will move to the Dunes tomorrow.

Bob MacKinnon

Doug Bell and I will be staying in the RV Resort at Newport Dunes beginning tomorrow.  We will be in Sites #4103 & #4105.  Also the Hospitality Cottage, #4107, will be open beginning on Friday afternoon.  If you are staying at the resort or coming in early, stop by and say hello.

Paul Brentson

My wife and I should arrive to the RV park early afternoon Friday, so we'll look you up as soon as I get a beer down!  (One of those travel routines...)

Gordon Reed

It occurs to me that posting my story with pictures is really easy. I am telling the same story over on a forum where I am a member. Over there what I do with pictures works fine. If you want to follow along, it is located here.

http://www.thevog.net/threads/my-new-riding-mission.60106/          

The story I started here yesterday shows up as post number 21 of that thread. Much of the discussion before that, my part at least, is why I am making the trip and some of my Monday frustrations. As is usual, there are cheerleaders and detractors stepping into the thread with short bursts of consciousness.

Jonel Brown (Lancaster)

I find reading the stories and blog posts from former classmates to be a lot of fun. (Unfortunately, it is difficult for me to remember very much – a problem I face with greater frequency these days.) Some “histories” are so poignant, some are humorous, and all are so interesting and generously shared – I thank you. When I think not that long ago, this communication tool wasn’t even around – it amazes me.

These wonderful and touching “life stories”, are very interesting and entertaining to read, as are the conversations/dialogs that classmates have posted on the blog. Thoughts about serious subjects – commentary on our school symbolism, the issue of bullying, individual faiths and belief systems, world views, etc. are thought provoking. I don’t know if you were such deep thinkers fifty years ago, I know that I certainly wasn’t, but I am enjoying the opportunity to learn from your observations and insights now.

The work that the planning committee has put forth trying to find and make contact with as many classmates as possible speaks volumes to their enthusiasm and dedication. They have generously shared their time and talents to put together what I predict is going to be one heck of a party! (I can’t claim much credit – I just make the Margaritas to share after the “business” part of the meetings.) To all of you, please accept my gratitude and respect for all of your efforts and hard work. 

See you all soon! 

Jack Fiskin

Jonel; as long as the Margaritas keep coming the party should be a great one

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Hi Jack,

I am sure you will be ablel to get a good margarita both Friday and Saturday but Jonel's margaritas are out of this world! And she is just being modest. She is certainly one of the most creative members of our committee. Norm will see you tomorrow a.m. at the golf tournament!

Jack Fiskin

Hello Linda; aren't you golf in the morning?  I got too B.P. about 3:00 pm today.  I did a quick tour of my old neighborhood, boy has it really changed.  I am looking forward to getting this party going. 

Karen Riegle (Taillon)

To all you golfers, you are starting the party for the rest of us.  Have a wonderful time on the 'links' and bring back some good stories to the meet & greet.  And, don't hurt yourselves . . .

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

Yes, Jack, the neighborhood has indeed changed. And I think one golfer in the family is enough. The only time I even held a club in my hand was when I signed up for free golf lessons at a club med in Turks and Caicos many years ago. After about 5 minutes the instructor suggested I might be better at wind surfing. :)   Hopefully everyone has a wonderful time today and maybe someone will hit a hole in one!

Dennis George

Well got here ok! if anyone wants to stop by we are in 3101

Gordon Reed

I finally took care of my bike's maintenance needs and checked in this afternoon to room 232 at the Ayers around 2 PM. If you want to follow my travels, I have been posting them in a thread on a biker forum at http://www.thevog.net/threads/my-new-riding-mission.60106/page-3#post-1005783. I tried to post pictures and such here but totally failed so I leave it to you to follow my story there instead if you really care about the experiences of a person riding in from a significant distance to this reunion. I will be posting the daily details of my ride home there too. Some of what I say there may fall on deaf ears if you are not a rider but so be it. My entries there, as Oldman47, are intended for fellow riders to read. I am happy to share them with people here but I have not changed my posts there to cater to the Savanna group. It is no intent on my part to disapprove of non-riders but I write what my fellow riders will understand. An example for you, to a rider, a person driving a car or a pickup is a cager. Instead of riding out in the open they drive around in a cage. Some of the terms I use on the posts on my adventure ride are equally obscure to a non-rider. If I use a term you don't understand, please ask. I do not want to leave you all out but the posts were written for riders who all share the same "language". As in all things, any group of people share terms that nobody else is expected to understand and sometimes what I write will leave you thinking "what did he mean by that?" If you don't know, just ask. I am not some extremist biker monster that you need to be afraid of. I am still the nice old man who is eager to answer your questions.

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Mitch Wise

Just wanted to let everyone know how good it was to see so many of you after 50 years.  My apologies to those I did not recognize immediately. Thanks again to the committee for their dedication in bringing this event together. I wish you all the best. Mitchwise@me.com.  Any of you heading to France please feel free to let us know.  

Stay Strong, Travel Safe

Mitch

Sue Vandaveer (Harber)

Linda Marks (Bird)

Thank you again to everyone on the reunion committee who put in countless hours to make this 50th Savanna Rebel weekend a wonderful blast from the past! It was so great seeing my dear old friends and meeting new ones both Friday and Saturday.  Sharing all of those fun memories with each of you was absolutely the best! My husband, Dennis, told me that everyone was so friendly and made an effort to make him feel included, so thank you for that also. Wishing you all much happiness and continued good health!

Bonnie Berko (Bann)

Hi Rebels     We had a great time both nights  It was so fun to see everyone.  I did not get to talk to everyone but I really enjoyed all the festivities.  The committee worked so hard and I think it was very succesful.  I hope to stay connected thru this website.  Can't wait to see the memory book.

Bonnie Berko Bann

Burke Burr

I sure did have a great time at the reunion.  I want to give a great big thank you to the organizing committee for putting it all together. It was great to see all the"old " faces. And those that did t look so old. Thanks Terri, Virginia and Maxine for remembering. Sure was exciting reconnecting with Band and Choir members. I took a ride to Brookhurst Junior High and to Savanna and its great to see they are both state recognized schools. Any way thanks to all for making this a time I will never forget. 

John Vash

     Mitch Wise, thanks for the beret, it fits.  I wore it the latter part of the evening but couldn't find you to get tips on how to look as cool as you do in yours.  I'll send pictures as soon as I figure out how, probably on FB. 

     Bonnie, it was so good to see you Friday evening, wish I would have found you at the reunion.  So many people to get to renew friendships with.  It was a swell party. 

     Hopefully, we can all stay in touch thru this site.

Diane Connor (Raper)

I was unable to attend the reunion.  Looks like a fun time was had by all.  I was curious how many attended the reunion

Edmund McDermott

Sorry i couldn't make it to the reunion.. Sure am glad to hear that everyone had a great time..

Who know's. Maybe i'll see everyone at the 100th...

Michael Elliott

Bonnie,

We had 112 classmates and 174 total including guests.  A huge success by any measure.  Thanks for being a part of it!

Michael Elliott

Diane,

You had asked the number of participants and I responded to Bonnie.  See my previous post and thanks for sharing in the success of this incredible event!

Jerry Labuda

My wife and I  had a great time on both Friday and Saturday evenings. Everything was set up perfect from the food to the band. A big thank you, once again, to the organizing committee, you guys did a wonderful job. 

Linda Wonn (Carpenter)

We are so happy that all of you enjoyed the reunion. As I said earlier, if you had half as much fun as your committee had planning it, you were going to have the time of your lives. Now that the foundation has been laid and the website will remain up, we have to do a better job of staying in touch with each other. As Steve said, it is indeed a blessing to be part of this class. God Bless you All.

Debby Lahr

I'm so glad you had a wonderful time!  I'm sorry I couldn't make it, but as Ed McDermott said, "Maybe I'll make it to the 100th."  Bless you all and please take good care.