GHS Alumni News: November 2013

Notes:

1. November now, good time to bask in some warm reflections from the (thirtieth) July Alumni Days weekend – Kudos to the Garrett Schools Alumni Association committee. A lot of work and planning, much of it done by the founding members, 30 years older now. Thanks so much to all of you.

2. This blog is not officially affiliated with the Garrett Schools Alumni Association, though I have recently worked informally with the Association. It actually started out as an archive for monthly GHS ’70 newsletters (which I continue to write), but evolved over time and now addresses a more general audience (that means You). But again, it is not “official” in any respect, so enjoy what you may, and blame no one but me should you find reason to complain.

Friday and Saturday, July 19-20

Scenes from the 30th Annual Garrett Alumni Weekend

Early Friday morning saw the very popular annual Alumni Golf Outing, organized by Aaron ‘Sneezy’ Smith (GHS ’59).

I stopped by just to get a couple photos, and was AWED by the participation, high spirits and camaraderie. I don’t golf, but if I did, I would be at this event every single year. It was truly wonderful, and the photos don’t begin to capture what I saw and felt.

To the right is Cleo Miller, who coached and taught science at GHS for 36 years before retiring in 1992, inside the Country Club, waiting for his teammates Ron Toll, Rocky Rowe, and Todd Rowe (below).

Ron is Gaylord Toll’s son. Gaylord, having served as GHS principal from 1979-88, passed just this May, and this is Ron’s first year on the team, in his father’s place.

Congratulations to Cleo for his long-term participation in a team that now spans three generations.

Here you see George Hathaway (third from left) and his team, Ed Kelham, Sam Fulk, and Bill Corry. George was a GHS athletic standout. The team was ready to, yet gracious and willing to indulge me.

Later that morning, Ralph ‘Rocky’DePaolo (GHS ’54) took a group on its annual walking and trivia tour of the greater downtown. Here you see the group forming up …

And afterward, you see Rocky joined by Ken Stalter (GHS ‘88), another Garrett historian who contributes an astonishing number of historical photos to the Garrett Memories and News group on Facebook.

If you look closely, yours truly is there in the window reflection, taking the photo.

A reception inside the Garrett Public Library followed the walk, where library director Cate Birdseye spoke on a soon to begin, needs-based library expansion project.

The photo in the background is of Judy A Morrill, a major Garrett philanthropist who has done so much for the town. Note how Judy’s and Cate’s pose and gesture mirror each other.

Standing closer to the main desk, Director Cate had set up an easel for the painting Town, Train, and Tracks. While you can’t see it in this reduced photo (especially the boy’s pose and expression), the work captures the very soul of the town I remember growing up in.

Check out the link Town, Train, and Tracks for better graphics, and a very short reading of what the work says to me.

Early Friday evening the Auburn Community Band played in the pavilion at the East Side park across from the high school, which Mike Rhodes, James Burns, Tom Refner, and I (all GHS '70) opened and closed. The band was short a drummer, so Mike Rhodes filled in on the bass drum.

Mike Rhodes (GHS '70), playing with the Auburn Community Band at Garrett’s East Side Park, as a part of theGarrett Alumni Days celebration.

This was the 30^th Garrett Alumni Days such alumni event. Apparently at one time, young Garrett High School cheerleaders participated in this event. But times change, the kids aren’t there now. However, at the band leader’s request …

Two cheerleaders from the old days stood to perform once again:

Pat Weimer (GHS ’55) and Jim Rahrig (GHS ’54)

Now, I have to tell you, and this isn’t to take anything away from Pat Weimer, but I thought Jim Rahrig was sensational! He really had the moves, a still shot does no justice whatsoever, and what a delight it was to meet and talk with him and his wife afterward.

I talked with Pat Weimer (left) as well, she was just behind me throughout much of the band’s performance, alongside Katrina Heinzerling Custer and Pat Kinsey, our Garrett study hall teacher (from 1966 to 1972).

You might also remember Pat Weimer’s now deceased husband Roger Weimer, Garrett’s varsity basketball coach between 1969 and ’72, and high school principal between 1988 and ’95.

As the Auburn Community Band wound down ...

The American Legion began to wind up

This is Anisa Hazeltine Waterhouse (left) and her friend Missy, both GHS ’85. Anisa recognized me from my Facebook icon, and it was nice meeting her in the flesh, so to speak, as opposed to Cyberspace.

For more thoughts on that topic, see my ScreenHeads blog.

Then, here is Larry Booker (GHS ’69) (right) and his younger Garrett friend Wade Staley (GHS '93).

It was a fun night ...

People out to see and be seen (and it’s quite evident which is which, here immediately above).

I surely saw a good many people I knew, many more I did not know, and met a few new people in between. And I imagine some others might have seen and wondered about me. Anyway, lots of fun for many …

Saturday noon brought the Garrett Schools Alumni Association’s All-Classes luncheon, followed by a tour of the new High School.

A LOT of people, far too many to show here in this narrative (but see additional miscellaneous photos below) ...

And catered by the Railroad Inn

With background piano by Ty Debes (GHS 2013)

A nice touch

Finally, here’s a shot of Aaron ‘Sneezy’ Smith (GHS ’59), standout GHS basketball player Mike Heitz (GHS ’68), and Rick Reeves (GHS ’61) (all of these guys are taller than I am).

This is a good place to close this Garrett Alumni Days narrative, because Aaron and Rick symbolize something special for me. I only came to know them through my recent involvement in these Alumni events – an experience I value very much. They, alongside so many others who just don’t happen to be in this photo, are the living heart of Garrett … a body of people which includes you, given your interest in reading this shadow-synopsis of what transpired over these precious few 2013 Alumni Days.

We Are Garrett, whether we live there still, or nearby, like Aaron; or whether, like Rick, we live afar, part of what I call the Garrett Diaspora. It was our town growing up, and it still is our town, if we love it.

I met a lot of new old people this weekend, met a number of younger ones as well, and encountered even more friends from the past. It was a good time – hope you are able to come as well, next time.