Announcing a new Facebook Group and a new Blog


We have created a new Facebook Group called

The Childress (Texas) High School Classes of 1960-1966

Created for anyone from the Childress (Texas) High School classes of 1960-1966 who is looking to reconnect or connect with former friends and classmates.

If you are currently a member of Facebook or if you are planning to become a member of Facebook, we invite you to join the group. Contact either Nicki or Jennifer for information.

You are also invited to visit our new blog, Voices From the Class of '63,

Sunday, May 11, 2008

Know When to Hold 'Em ... Know When to Fold 'Em ... and Plan "B"....

The dead man's hand-aces and eights.

One thing (of many) I've learned in the 45 years since our graduation from CHS is that sometimes in order to achieve a particular result, one must change the means employed to effect the desired end. It is always wise to have a Plan "B" ... and so we have now come to Plan "B" with regard to our proposed 45th Class Reunion, which was scheduled in Las Vegas, Nevada October 17-19.

When Nicki and I began planning the reunion last October, we talked with several classmates who believed (as we did) that Las Vegas would be a grand place ... truly out of the ordinary ... to mark such a momentous milestone in our lives. Although we knew from the first that not all of our classmates would travel to Las Vegas, we felt there were a number of us who would find the LV Strip an extra added attraction. We also knew and acknowledged that unfortunately there are some of us who will not attend any class reunion, no matter where it is held.

However, as time has passed, even some of those who previously committed to come to Las Vegas have had to rethink their priorities as far as time, travel, health and expense are concerned. So, after consulting with all of those who had signed up, and making sure no one would be out any unrecoverable expenses, we have reluctantly decided to pull the plug on Las Vegas as a reunion destination.

We have not taken this decision lightly or hastily, and we are sorry that some have been disappointed by this outcome. Nevertheless, since the real purpose of having a class reunion is to get as many of our classmates as possible together again, we now believe that the desired end may be better attained by coordinating a reunion for our class with the plans for the All School Reunion to be held in Childress October 3-5.

In conjunction with the All School Reunion, we still want to do something special just for our class, and so we have arranged with Marilyn Baker Havens to have dinner at K-Bob's Steakhouse at 7:00 p.m. Friday, October 3. Before anyone asks ... another class has already reserved K-Bob's for lunch on Saturday, and it is not available for our group at any other time ... so we feel fortunate that Marilyn is able to accommodate us on Friday. Ordering will be from K-Bob's menu, with separate checks.

Over the next weeks we will be looking into what options may be available for visiting after our dinner, or after the All School dinner on Saturday night. We certainly welcome your suggestions for such activities.

We do need to get a head count to Marilyn as soon as possible, so would appreciate your letting us know if you plan to attend the Class of 1963 dinner on Friday. If you want to receive more information about the plans for the All School Reunion itself, its website is:

http://biz.childresstexas.net/allschoolreunion/

Although a reminder may seem unnecessary since we all are familiar with the limited facilities in Childress, I do suggest that if you live elsewhere, and don't have family or friends that you can "touch" for a room, you might want to make hotel reservations as soon as possible. Yahn and I and a couple of others are planning to stay at the Quality Inn (formerly the Holiday Inn Express), just west of town on Avenue F (Hwy. 287).

Nicki and I sincerely thank everyone who made plans to come to Las Vegas for their interest and support, and we hope to see all of you in Childress October 3-5. We are also hopeful that this change in plans means that we will be seeing more of you who expressed interest in attending, but could not make the trip to Vegas.

)O(

My Photo


7 comments:

Nicki Wilcoxson said...

First of all, I want to thank Jennifer for all of the hard work that she has put in to trying to get us all together for the reunion. She has been tirelessly optimistic that we could first of all get to Las Vegas and now to Childress. I know that Jim and I will be there. In the past when we have gone it has been good to see all the folks from all ages that have shared the Childress High School experience. Jim in particular knows so many of the people from most of the classes so he always has a great time visiting and catching up. He is always eager to get back to Childress no matter what. I, on the other hand, am more limited in the scope of people that I know since I only spent three years there, I need people from our class to be there so I can have as much fun as he does! I am certain that it will be a good time so I hope we can have a respectable attendance for the Class of 1963. I know that the All School reunion has been a labor of love over the years for various people and they are happy to see us change our plans to be included in the larger scope of class reunions. Please let Jim, Jennifer or me know if we can do more to make the trip more to the liking of each of you. I do know that the new golf course will be open by that time and Jim will be excited to show up with his clubs and would love company. We would love to hear from each of you!!!

Jennifer Johnston said...

Nicki, thank you for your kind words ... and for all the work that you have put in yourself in trying to herd our class of 'cats toward a 45th reunion. Las Vegas might have been a "dream" destination for some, but I am delighted that making this change has already sparked e-mails from a couple of people who have said they are definitely considering attending the reunion in Childress, whereas LV was perhaps a couple of deserts and a casino too far....

Those who have to date committed to the Childress reunion (with or without spouse or significant other) and have signed on for the class dinner on Friday October 3 are Raenell Wynn Smith (and Jim), JoAn Neel Lathram, Shirley Neel Cromartie, Linda Kay Bridges Cook (and Wayne), you and Jim, Mike Spradley (health permitting, with Ada) and my own happy self (and Yahn, of course). I think (hope) we can anticipate adding to this list in the near future.

For those who regret that we won't have LV's glitz and glam for a backdrop, I have it on good authority that there is a stripper pole at the Wired Wabbit in Childress.... I am assured that it is primarily for "decorative" (and picture taking) purposes. Nevertheless, since Childress is "wet" now (still trying to wrap my head around that), and the Wabbit has a liquor license, ya never know.... (grin)

)O(

Anonymous said...

You have my vote for Childress and I will be there ... and for the dinner. Let me know how I can assist.

Anonymous said...

Thanks for all your work on the reunion and the blogspot - not a small task but greatly appreciated. Robert and I are making plans to be in Childress for the reunion. Count us in!

Anonymous said...

I am sorry that the Las Vegas reunion is not going to be. However, for me it works better since we could not make it because of our trip to Mexico was at the same time. Walter and I will be at K-Bobs for the dinner on Friday and any other get togethers that are arranged.

Jennifer, I look forward to seeing you, especially since we go back to grade school at Kirkland.

Anonymous said...

Thank you for the note concerning the change in reunion plans. Gayle and I are planning to be there. We will be coming with my brother and sister-in-law from Phoenix because it is her 50th class reunion, so that works out nicely for us. Once again, thank you for all the work you have done locating classmates and working on plans. You have done an amazing job.

Anonymous said...

Ray and I will plan to be at the All School reunion in Childress. Thanks for letting us know!!