JUNE, 1995 - 30 YEAR REUNION - Special Edition

RANDOLPH HIGH SCHOOL ALUMNI NEWSLETTER
POST REUNION - JUNE 1995
30YEARS- Special EditionGloria Campbell Gallagher4676 Barrett StreetDelray Beach, FL 33445Home: (407) 498-0157Work: 1-800-545-8454E-Mall GUTSKING@aol.com
REUNION 1995
Randolph A.F.B. and New Braunfels, Texas
Friday - June 16,1995
On Friday night several members of the classes of 1963-1966 and some later graduating classes met at the Randolph High School in the gym. The school was opened and we were able to walk around. I found my locker - at least I think it was my locker. We all remarked that the cafeteria looked so small. An RHS Booster Club representative was on hand to sell us Ro-Hawk T-Shirts, caps, cups, sweat shirts, pennants. We got reacquainted with people we haven't seen in 5 years and some "first timers" that we haven't seen in 30 years. At 9:00 PM we left Randolph High behind us and we drove over to the Officer's Club. After going down to the Auger Inn and not being able to squeeze through the crowd or hear anything over the noise of the band - we went upstairs where there was a much "older" crowd where we were able to talk and catch up on old times. About Midnight we went down to the Auger Inn - danced to the band and watched some Marine Pilots make fools of themselves. At 2:00 A.M. we left and either went back to our hotels, homes or out to Breakfast. Our group went down to JIMS - somehow it looked familiar - I think we've been there after every reunion! My husband and I were joined by ROGER LONDON, CAROLE McRAE RICHARDS, KAREN POOR PECK and her husband, BOB, EARL DODGION, and STEVE BURGOON.
SATURDAY - June 17th
Saturday morning, those that could got up early for a Golf Tournament at Landa Park in New Braunfels. These are the final results of the tournament:Ist Place: 11 under parMIKE WYSONGBELL BORELLISGEORGE McCLUGHANHARRYJOHNSON2nd Place: 8 under parBOBPECKDANNY GALLAGHERTOM MADSEN3rd Place: 7 under parJEFF LINDLEYRICK NORTONDAVID McDOWELLLongest Drive: BILL BORELLIS Closest to Hole: GEORGE McCLUGHAN (Lucky Shot!) HARRY JOHNSON - knocked in 7 birdies - whatever that means.John Hines and Jimmy O'Brien walked the course but didn't play. Trophies were handed out as well as souvenir golf tees.
Saturday Afternoon:
About noon Saturday we slowly trickled in to the Wurstfest Grounds at Landa Park for our picnic. (A lot of us forgot where to go and got lost - me included). The grounds were beautiful. We were situated right on the river by the old mill at the front of the park. The weather was beautiful and the water - very cold. We got out our old year books and compared ourselves to the "old days". We had lots of food and drink and about 6 PM the Bar-B-Q arrived and thereafter we dug in and stuffed our faces. Then the DJ began setting up about 8 PM and CAROLE McRAE RICHARDS welcomed everyone to the Reunion and made everyone aware of those that couldn't make it and to hold them in our thoughts. Carole gave me a plaque with the inscription:
"Presented to Gloria Campbell Gallagher by the Randolph Ro-Hawk Alumni Association on Saturday, June 17, 1995 with many thanks and much love for all your hard work in keeping us together for 30 years.@
I got up to the microphone at that time and introduced my committee for which I extend my many thanks.CAROLE McRAE RICHARDSKAREN POOR PECKJEANNE ROBERTS STINSONPATTIEE TYLERand GARY BIRDJeanne was the first to volunteer to head and coordinate the committee. Carole handled the registrations and the bank account. Karen and her husband Bob, arranged for the food and drink. They also had to decide on a band or DJ and Shop for food and drinks and paper goods. These girls met several times to hash out ideas, made a million calls with the Officer's Club, the school, to me and to each other. They personally and unselfishly sacrificed many hours of their time to help make this Reunion a success. Pattie contacted the Golf Tournament organizers, TOM MADSEN and JEFF LINDLEY. Jeff and Tom organized the tournament and took registrations and made all the arrangements for the tournament. Last, but not least, Gary arranged for us to be at the Wurstfest grounds at Landa Park which were indeed very special.
I WANT TO THANK ALL OF THOSE WHO HAVE HELPED ME IN THE PAST. WITHOUT THE SUCCESSES OF THE PAST REUNIONS WE WOULD NOT BE ABLE TO CONTINUE TO HOLD OUR REUNIONS. THANK YOU.
Also special thanks to CAROL TURNIEPSEED RABERLE for sending us a banner that read:
ARandolph High School Rohawk Reunion 30 yeears (+ or -)@
I gave a speech and I was FINALLY able to get through it. At one point, being very emotional, I was crying and my nose was running so I sniffed - unfortunately, the microphone was right there and it was the sniff heard all over New Braunfels! Everyone was encouraging me along the way and made me feel very special - but I was glad to be done with it and very proud that I was able to verbally thank everyone and express my sincere appreciation to everyone who lent a hand in making our reunion extra meaningful.
The DJ played oldies until midnight. We were able to dance and still talk without yelling. It was nice at the park - yes, it was a little warm - but I think it has been known to get a little warm at the Auger Inn too during the last few years. We had great food and drink - and a great cake with a Ro-Hawk on it. Of course, the night couldn't end without saying our tearful (or rather my tearful) goodbyes - and of course we couldn't end the night without stopping for breakfast. My husband and I were joined by DOUG GREENLEAF.
On Sunday morning, we had another breakfast - (what else?) with BILL BORELLIS, KAREN and BOB PECK, CAROL RICHARDS, PATTIE, ME, DAN and our son, KELLY.
Then it was time to go home.
I have truly enjoyed the past 20 years that I have been writing the newsletter and planning and attending the Reunions. Through your letters and telephone calls I have been privy to most of your private lives. I have read about heartbreak and happiness, failures and successes, tragedies and triumphs. I have personally visited with some of you and received many friendly telephone calls. I have seen a Ro-Hawk run onstage and collect an Emmy; I have seen a Ro-Hawk blast into space and then walk in space; I have seen a Ro-Hawk sit on the panel at the Iran-Contra hearings; I've been to Washington DC on a personal private tour of the Capitol Building arranged by a Ro-Hawk; and I have received novels written by a Ro-Hawk. I have also heard stories about the Vietnam and Gulf War from Ro-Hawks who were there, and I have traveled in my mind to the many places Ro-Hawks have been. I have kept every letter and card that has been sent to me for the past 20 years and I treasure each one. I am a very lucky person to have so many friends who care about me and who care about each other. All of you have inspired me to continue to keep in contact with the Ro-Hawk spirit and with all of you. I salute you. God Bless you and thank you for the bottom of my heart.
EXTRA CURRICULAR ACTIVITEES
On Thursday night, some of the guys got together at a Benigans in San Antonio for a "guys night out". Those in attendance were- TOM McDOUGALL, GARY BUM, EARL DODGION, JOHN HARTIG, ROBERT DEMOTTA, BELL BORELLIS, MIKE WYSONG, DENNIS BIANCHI and a mystery guest we shall call "STEVE" a/k/a SANDY HOLT LYDA. (Sandy, not being able to convince anyone that she was a guy, had to leave early).
BITS & PIECES
I was lucky enough to spend several days in San Antonio and I visited with many other friends. I was given a lunch by my friends from the Mother's of Twins Club. 25 years ago we chartered a club for mothers of twins in San Antonio. ANN DORMAN WEDDLE and her husband, RANDY, took me to dinner on Thursday evening at the Grist Mill at Gruene outside of New Braunfels..
On Saturday morning I had (what else) breakfast with an old girlfriend that I went to elementary school with at Lamar Elementary School, New Braunfels (5th and 6th grade). We had a LOT to catch up on. My friend also came to the picnic as she was acquainted with Gary and Margaret Ann Bird and Jeff and Marty Lindley.
My husband's oldest son, DAVID, was able to join us from Ft. Hood where he is stationed. He and our son Kelly, spent time together at Schlitterbahn and tubing down the river all day Saturday. We also went rafting down the river together on Friday afternoon.
I also had a very nice lunch with my former mother-in-law, MRS. PECHULS, at a new dining place in Selma - yes, Selma, the Selma City Hall Grill. We ate inside the jail cell! Her exciting news is a she's moved to a brand new home!
Friday Night Attendees:
Bucky and Cindy Allshouse, Linda Allshouse, Harry and Penny Amon, Dennis Bianchi, Gary Bird, Bill Borellis, Stephany Burgoon, Steve Burgoon, Ed and Mary Clare Burtenshaw, Gloria and Danny Gallagher, Robert DeMotta, Earl Dodgion, Mike and Dianne Fausett, Ronald and Donna Futch, Jon and Gretchen Goodfleish, Doug Greenleaf, John Hartig, John Hines, Sandy Holt Lyda, Harry and Barbara Johnson, Jeff and Marty Lindley, Roger London, George McClughan, Tom and Carol McDougall, David McDowell, Carole McRae Richards, Rick and Kathy Norton, Jimmy and Linda O'Brien, Susan Ohman Baldwin and her husband, Karen Poor Peck and her husband, Bob, Jeanne Roberts Stinson and her husband, Steve, Teny Smiljanich, Gail Steed Mcllhany and her husband, Mac, Joyce Troberman Rusing, Rick Troberrnan, Jeanne Troberinan, Linda Tucker Prater and her husband Richard, Pattie Tyler and Mike Wysong.
On Saturday we had:
Bucky and Cynthia Allshouse, Harry and Penny Amon and their daughter, Bailey, Gary and Margaret Ann Bird, Bill Borellis, Stephany Burgoon, Steve and Claudia Burgoon, Ed and Mary Clare Burtenshaw and their children, Casey and Molly, Gloria Campbell Gallagher, husband, Danny, and son, Kelly and Dan's son, David, Gilda Camey, Earl Dodgion, Mike and Diane Fausett, Ron and Donna Futch, Doug Greenleaf, John Hartig, John Hines, Harry and Barbara Johnson, Jeff and Marty Lindsey, Roger London and his son, Tom Madsen, George McClughan, David McDowell, Carole McRae Richards, Rick and Kathy Dailey Norton, Jimmy and Linda O'Brien, Susan Ohman Baldwin and her husband, Mike and Joyce Pitzer, Karen Poor Peck and husband Bob, Jeanne Roberts Stinson and husband Steve and son Michael, Terry Smiljanich, Gail Steed Mcllhany and husband Mac, Pattie Tyler and Mike Wysong. Carl and John Meade dropped by to say FE, but they couldn't stay.
Well, there you have it - the 30th Reunion is over and done. It was a great time.
ORGANIZATION?
There have been several suggestions that we "organize" into an Alumni Association and pay dues and using the money to defray the costs of the next reunion. Yes, there was talk of a next reunion. Dues, of course, would be minimal - $5.00 per year - I personally don't think any of you have the time to deal with another organization. This fact is evident because I don't hear regularly from all of you. So, I have chosen to continue as we have for the last 20 years - if you feel the urge, donations are accepted and will be used for postage, photocopying and paper. However, one thing will change. All donations will be deposited into a special account that will be overseen by Carole Richards. Carole has volunteered to be our unofficial Treasurer and will keep the Reunion account open for deposits and distribution to me for expenses. Any funds left over will defray the expenses of the next reunion. Let me hear from you on this idea and we would appreciate ANY suggestions any of you may have. I will continue to write this newsletters and in five years IF we have interest we will try the reunion thing again. If not - we will just go on as Is.
THANK YOU FOR THE DONATIONS which have been received since May from Gail Steed Mcllhany, Art Nigro (from Australia), Mrs. Daisy McRae (Carole's Mom) David McDowell, Susan Ohman Baldwin, Dickie Buchert O'Banion and thanks to Earl Dodgion for reimbursement for stamps for the Areminder@ invitation for the Reunion.
Update on my life:
Big news - My new grandson, Dylan Kyle Pechuls is amazingly doing very well thanks to the magnificent care he has received from all his doctors and nurses and his most apparent will to live. He was not due until July 31st - but was born April 11th. He is a little over 3 months old now, still in the hospital and weighs a whole 4 pounds 2 oz. (Remember, he was 1 pound 3 oz at birth). He has put on much of his weight this past month when he was started on formula. He still faces a minor hernia surgery and will probably be in the hospital in a matter of weeks. This past weekend he was moved out of intensive care and put with all the other babies in the regular nursery. My son, Kyle and his wife, Donna are really looking forward to having their little boy home for good. If you saw the recent 48 Hours show on TV the other night - Dylan is truly a miracle baby.
My daughter, Allison, has moved to Jacksonville with her husband. This is the first time we have been separated and we are suffering from separation anxiety. However, e-mail and the telephone have been great helps.
My son, Mark, moved to Ft. Lauderdale to try to begin his own business and is working with Chuck at this time.
Danny and I have almost recuperated from our Texas trip. Getting back into the swing of things has been really hard.
My son, Kelly, did pass 7th grade and will enter 8th grade at Advent Lutheran School in the fall.
It was great seeing all of you - the years have been kind. I can't believe we are heading or are at the half-century mark. Sorry I mentioned it. ha ha. Keep all those cards and letters coming. This cannot be a newsletter unless I get those letters with news of you and your family. I love all of you - you are the greatest. Take care until next time.
Love,
GLORIA