Dear '61 Classmates - I just got back from the bank depositing the money from the Old Timers Reunion, so I want to inform you all about everything I can remember.... while I can still remember.....

There were lots of people at the event -- 224 signed in, & I think that the actual attendance was probably a bit more than that.

Finances: We started out with a bank account balance of $1,239.59 that was passed on to us from the Class of '60. We took in $2,189.50, and our expenses (so far) were $2,335.66. The bank balance is now $953.43. If anybody still needs to be reimbursed for something, please let me know. Also, we raffled off some concrete stepping stones, & I'm not sure if those were to be paid out of the Old Timer Reunion money, or from our Class of '61 money.

In hindsight, I think that we should have raised the cost of the meal - the catering was $1,800.00 (thanks to Connie Jackson advancing us cash, we got a 10% discount from the original $2,000.00 bill) & then cookies & drinks were another $252, so the $6.00 fee didn't begin to cover it all.

Here are 2 financial questions for you all to think about: 1) Should we build the Old Timer Reunion bank account back up to the amount that was passed on to us? 2) We have our own 50th reunion coming up, and how are we going to pay for it?

So, on to the next issue -- WE HAVE A TERRIFIC CLASS!!! So many people helped make the day a success. I was here and there all day, & I noticed lots of folks going above & beyond to make everything work out so well. I could name names, but I might forget somebody, so let's just say that I know who you are!

A highlight -- Jim Willis did such a great MC job. At previous Old-Timers the folks paid no attention to the MC, but this time Jim kept them spellbound! Maybe it helped that there was an icebreaker quiz prize (Thanks John Dawson) & the raffle of the stepping stones. Maybe it was the Newport girls, aka The Willamette Valley Girls, doing a musical number. All in all, a very fun time.

Another highlight -- all the Bulldog t-shirts, & the yellow mum corsages for the ladies. The Class of '61 really stood out. The t-shirts were such a hit that non-classmates bought them too.

Another highlight -- the big '5' & '0' numbers that Merrilee brought, & Dena Hyatt re-decorated. They really brightened up the stage.

All the committees did their jobs beautifully. We had left-over food, & Connie Jackson delivered it to the homeless shelter. When it was time to go, everybody pitched in to help clean up. Then I hope that everybody went home & took a well-deserved break (or nap, in my case).

But there was just one problem -- our Queen Bee Ardys couldn't be with us cause she broke her rib. We all missed you! Get well soon!!

I hope that all the committees will write up their notes on the positives & negatives of how everything went so that we can pass it on to the class of '62. Speaking of them, Pam Barrett was all over the place checking things out, so I'm sure that her class will put on a really great event next year.

We will soon need to think about our own 50th Reunion, so be sure to get in on the fun as we plan for next summer.

See you all soon - Nancy (Davis) Gilmore