50th Reunion "Afterglow"

Our "Golden Oldies"50th Reunion is now another special memory that we have made together as classmates and friends.  We have heard from many people who came to the  Reunion that for them, it was the "best reunion so far!"  And, that "getting together with our old friends made us want more!" Speaking of "old," I think we were all a bit surprised that we really are pushing 70 now, as it wasn't always easy to recognize one another. However, as soon as names were shared and we looked into one another's eyes (and glanced at the high school photos that were on each name tag) a connection was made. This Reunion was a  reality check that time is passing quickly and we agreed that we need to make more memories together in the future.

What were your expectations of our 50th Reunion Weekend?
Did the weekend meet or exceed your expectations or did it fall short of what you hoped it would be? And, for those who could not attend, know that YOU were missed and it wasn't the same without YOU!

Thank You to everyone for your enthusiasm and all that you brought to the Reunion, and for making your reservations in such a timely  manner, which made everything run smoothly and without a single gliche.

Putting the Reunion together in such a short time was quite an accomplishment. Our Class always worked well together to get things done, and this Reunion was a good example of what happens, when a group of people work together for a common purpose, because "Some things done with great love will change the world."  For a weekend in August, we changed our world and we stepped back in time to remember who we are as classmates and friends.

The hotel was located just across the street from King Harbor!

 Sunset at Redondo Beach Marina

Approximately 43 people stayed at the Crowne Plaza Hotel and the comments about the Hotel were all favorable. Courtney Fishman, the Catering Manager, went beyond what would be expected for an event like this to help us provide a quality and affordable experience, and she put her heart, time and energy into making our time together a grrrrreat memory!

If you were impressed with the facility and service, please consider writing to Courtney Fishman, Catering Manager at The Crowne Plaza Hotel, 300 N. Harbor Drive, Redondo Beach, C 90277; refer to the WHS "Golden Oldies" Reunion.


Small groups got together at Tony's on the Pier beginning on Thursday night.

Old Tony's on the Pier

The people who showed up on Thursday were Miles and Dana Marshall-Nelson; Dana's sister, Tammy;Ruth Cassidy-Arneson; Bob and Angie Ford-Green, Dave and Carol Cannon, Jim and Dianna Jurco-Nyus and Tom and Maryann Jurco. This was a good way to get things started and we all agreed that the Mai Tai's at Tony's are still the BEST!

Jim and Dianna Jurco-Nyus '64

Dave and Carol Cannon '66

Tom and Maryann Jurco

Friday morning started the text messages and phone calls . . . "Where are you? What are you doing? When are we getting together?" and the party began just before check-in time at the Hotel with people coming in from out-of-town - there was a lot of excitement in the hotel lobby throughout the afternoon.


Friday Night's "Meet N Greet" at the Hotel was a great ice-breaker. The Splash Lounge was filled with laughter and the sounds of people visiting and reconnecting. Most people there wanted to stay at the Hotel and have dinner together, so Alfredo, the restaurant manager, moved tables and chairs around, called in more staff and did all that he could to serve us (which he didn't have to do without prior notice) and he even allowed us to have separate checks - such hospitality! At one point, Alfredo removed his bowtie and was sweatin' bullets, he was working so hard to serve us, and I was proud of us "Warriors," because we gave him and his staff a generous tip - - we are definitely a giving group!

 Maggie Little, Judy Clark-Jacks, Dana Marshall-Nelson

Richard and Rebecca Bril-Darrow         

Carol Seefried-Bruyneel, Sharon Oglesby-Rainieri

Allen Williams, Bill Taggart, Donna Lawson-Schmidt

Dan Clark, Al Schriver, Art Suess, Tom Jurco

Molly Berryman and Mike Donahue (newlyweds)

Cherie Button and Allen Williams

Saturday's Campus "Walk-About" was a good time and the campus still looks grrrreat and hasn't changed that much! The friendly and accommodating custodians opened the front gates for us (thanks to Ruth Cassidy-Arneson) and a special thanks to Ron Pettigrew for taking pictures during this campus visit and at the Dinner/Dance Celebration.

One of the highlights of the campus walk-about was that we were able to walk into the Library. The custodian who opened the doors for us told us that this is the one building on campus that is considered "off-limits for remodeling, because they want to preserve the integrity of the original design," which in our time seemed like cutting-edge architecture. With no one in the Library but us, we were anything but quiet - there was a lot of chattering and remembering going on and it was just fun to be back in that space. Just as in the "old" days, this was a special place to come together and some of us said that they wished we could "pull up a chair and stay awhile longer" - it did feel so very familiar.

"Our GANG" hanging out in the Library

 Bob Green and Dana Marshall-Nelson

 Donna Lawson-Schmidt, Bob Williams, Violet Lenahan-Williams, 
Dan Hortter, Elke Henry-Noetzel, Bill Taggart

Next stop was the Quad and Lockers. We talked about all the connecting we did between classes  and  Rick Rivas reminded us of our "walkout" where we lined up around the second floor, filled the Quad and wouldn't go to classes - what were we protesting,  does anyone remember?

We peeked through the Cafeteria windows - it looked so different and seemed much smaller than we remembered. We recalled food fights, school plays and lunchtime pep rallies and our Sr. Breakfast. So much happened in that room  - how did we all fit?

We walked down the hill to one of the Baseball Fields where Rick Rivas and Al Schriver set up for Johnny Mike Marsden to take some pitches and hit some balls,  but someone misplaced the baseball, so Rick pitched a football and guess what? Johnny Mike swung and HIT- no surprise - that guy can hit anything!

Johnny Mike showing Angie Ford-Green how to hold the bat!

The Fred Peterson Stadium and Sports Field

Walking out onto the  Stadium and Sports Field was surreal. Standing in front of the bleachers and seeing the stadium now named the Fred Peterson Stadium was an emotional moment. Coach Peterson was such a great coach and role model - he deserves to have the stadium named after him! Lots of pictures were taken of the group though we could never quite get ALL of the group together - - so much talking and visiting and walking out on the track and football field all of us REMEMBERING! We sang the Fight Song and it was fun to be together in that special place - great memories then and now!



Saturday night was the Celebration Dinner/Dance and what a celebration it was! As the saying goes, "we saved the best for last." Everyone showed up ready to celebrate, as was obvious from the noise in the Lobby, the laughter and high-energy and the mood of the crowd was "let's get this party started" and when we did, it was certainly a "night to remember!" 

Thanks to Johanna, Bev and Cherie for coordinating the check-ins!
"Grrrreat job, girls!"

The evening began with a "meet n greet"where there was a lot of meetings and greetings and plenty of hugs and smiles, too! Though many of the group had been together since Thursday and Friday, there were additions to the Dinner/Dance who made the celebration complete. We realized that  "the more the merrier" is definitely true as with each new person who showed up, more excitement was added - and for those of you who weren't able to come to this Reunion, you were missed!

Donna Lawson-Schmidt and Art Suess

Bob Green, Dave Harnisch, Dan Clark

We put together a table of Memorabilia that was very interesting and brought back special memories. Thanks everyone for sharing your "keepsakes" with us - it was fun to look back and remember through scrapbooks and all the nostalgic items that you brought to the Reunion.

Thanks and appreciation went out to Al Schriver, Ruth Cassidy-Arneson and Angie Ford-Green for planning of this special event. Ruth was responsible for finding The Crowne Plaza Hotel and helping Angie with all of the details of the weekend, and Al was the perfect person to be our MC!  Each of them would tell you that it was a very special experience reconnecting and a pleasure to serve our classmates/friends in this way, and they hope everyone had a good time, they had a "blast from the past!"

Al Schriver, Ruth Cassidy-Arneson and Angie Ford-Green  

SPECIAL THANKS TO Al and Ruth From Angie - "We couldn't have made this happen without YOU!"  And, though he will probably hit me (as he did when we were in the 8th grade and he was chasing me around the field at Flavian Elementary), I think everyone needs to know that Al paid for the DJ - his "gift to our class!" He doesn't want recognition for this, but I think you should know about his generosity! "I didn't promise not to tell anyone AFTER the Reunion, Al - so don't hit me!" Love you both and I would be on your "team" anytime, anywhere!

Al and his wife, Margie (Al's eyes are closed because he's imagining all the fun we were going to have!)

Ruth Cassidy-Arneson and her brother Dan Cassidy Class of '66

"Thank You" to Joyce Smith-Brehm for the Oregon wine donations for door prizes AND Elke Henry-Noetzel for making the photo nametags; without these nametags, we may not have been able to recognize one another "then and now!" 

We crowned Paul Martin our King again, and he shared some of what it meant for him to be chosen as the Grid King.

Angie Ford-Green reminded us of the names of our Grid Court, sadly recalling that Mary DeFussi, our Queen, John Cochran and Armida Pereyra are no longer here on this earth.  Rick Rivas, Gary Loyd, Dana-Marshall-Nelson and Angie were at the Reunion; Terry Hunt-Eisenhower and Dani Thomas didn't come and they were missed. After the names were recalled, everyone responded with an enthusiastic applause for our Court! 

Don't know why we didn't get a picture of the Court with Paul, guess we were just in the moment even though a "then and now" picture would have been FUN  - can't believe it's been 50 years since Homecoming 1964.

Paul is still a sensitive, gentle and thoughtful man of integrity and character. He brought a bucket full of red roses for the "girls."  "Thank you, Paul, that was a precious gift from you!"

Al Schriver and Angie Ford-Green introduced Rick Rivas, our Class President, by reminding us of the 5-year Reunion, where Rick showed up in a kaftan and sandals, saying that Rick was, is, and always will be a "colorful" guy!

They presented a gift of a kaftan shirt, prayer beads and a woven wristband in remembrance of Rick's "hip"  outfit at the 5-year Reunion, and he was a good sport (as always), as he put on the shirt, prayer beads and bracelet and seemed to wear them proudly.

Rick took us back in time, as he shared some insights and facts about us "baby-boomers!"  

Still an interesting, thought-provoking speaker, he reminded us that we were a significant part of the social revolution in our Country in the 1960's for better or for worse.

He shared how much his high school experience meant to him personally and that in his opinion we were a very special group of people then and now. He closed with a few lines of a song (never knew he could sing, but he can) encouraging us to continue to "shine brightly" in the future. 

So, what do you think classmates . . . would we vote for him to be our President now?  Sure we would!!!   

Here are some pictures Dinner/Dance. If you'd like to see more, we encourage you to join our West HS 1965 Facebook group where many pictures have already been posted and will continue to be posted in the future. . .

Elke Henry-Noetzel '66, Dan Hortter '64, Jeri Eis-Smith '66

Mary Marsden-Stacy, Nettie Rivas, Linda Thomas  (Class of '66 & '67)

Gary Loyd and Art Suess "intently" listening to our presenters! 

Before Dinner, we all sang the Alma Mater together (it sounded like everyone remembered the words).

Carol Moschetto-Claus Connie Wattles-Jappel and Sharon Meese-Halladay

Rita Scott-Clark, Carma Jeffries-Jackson, Patty Hatton-Lucas and Jeri Eis-Smith

Donna Lawson-Schmidt, Donna D'Amico '64, Dana Marshall-Nelson

John Marsden and Gary Loyd

Bob and Violet Lenahan-Williams Class of '64 and '66

Front Row:  Dana Marshall, Joyce Smith,Sharon Oglesby, Dana's husband, Miles, Ginny Evans
Back Row:  Alana Smith, Sharon's husband, Tony, Carol Seefrid and John, Judy Clark, Angie Ford and Tammy Marshall

After dinner it was time to DANCE - and we got people up and on their feet by having some of our "Rah-Rah" girls (cheerleaders, song queens, drill team members ) led by Dana Marshall-Nelson, Donna Lawson-Schmidt and Donna D'Amico-DeLonti leading the group in our favorite cheer "We're GRRRRREAT!"  These girls still cheery personalities and the moves, and it was fun and funny doing this cheer together! "Not bad for no rehearsal girls!"

We danced the night away (mostly the girls like it was in school - what's up with that guys?) And, along with dancing, there was a lot of visiting, laughing and celebrating, and it seemed that no one wanted the evening or the weekend to end - it was just one of those times, when we wanted time to "stand still."

Joyce Smith-Brehm, Judy Clark-Jacks and Carol Seefried-Bruyneel

Ginny Evans-Trapani 

 BFF's Sharon Oglesby-Rainieri, Angie Ford-Green and Bob Green 

Mike and Marsha Grove

 "Thanks, Mike, for the LA Dodgers door prizes - such great gifts for our classmates!"

Meeting on Sunday at Mickey's Deli in Hermosa Beach was a special way to end our weekend. The place and the menu hasn't changed much and it felt like this was still our beach "hang out."  Tim  Speaks and his wife, Judy Perry-Speaks, met us there (they had been in Fresno for a family event, so they couldn't come to our Reunion). It was fun to have Tim lined up with all of his "past girlfriends" for pictures - he had quite the line-up!

Judy Perry-Speaks, Angie Ford-Green, Sharon Oglesby-Rainieri,Carol Seefried-Bruyneel, Dana Marshall-Nelson

When the time came, it was hard to say goodbye and we talked about how and when we could get together again; The Class of '66's 50th Reunion next June at Pechango Casino and Resort in Temecula; a hot air balloon festival in Lake Havasu, Az the weekend of January 15-17th and a get-together in Carson City, Nevada at Kathi McKinney-Gore's Resort (where she is the event planner) in 2017.  There are several classmates who live in Arizona, and so there was also talk about putting together something in/around Phoenix in April 2016.  This weekend together got something started so all agreed that we need to keep our friendships thriving, because they are "golden friendships" for sure! Watch for Facebook, Email and Kinda-Smoke Signals blogs about upcoming get- togethers.    

Here are few comments from some of those who were at the Reunion . . . would so enjoy hearing from more of you!

• 

  Donna D'Amico-DeLonti and Dan Hortter Class of '64

  
  "Angie, I just wanted to drop you a quick note, thanking you and Donna D’Amico-Delonti for convincing me and Bill Taggart to attend the WHS Class of '65/Friends Reunion. 
  
  Although I was somewhat hesitant to commit, I’m so glad I did! We were a special group of kids thrown into a new environment and uncharteredd territory not having any idea what to expect. As it turned out, it was probably the best thing that ever happened to us.

  
  

  The Classes of 1964, 1965 and 1966 connected in a way that no one could have ever imagined. Instead of  harboring ill feelings about being uprooted from North, South and Torrance High schools, all of us integrated quite well by establishing new friendships that would literally last a life time! There is a bond between us all that can never be broken. 

  
  

  I have a profound appreciation for what it takes to organize an event such as this given the fact that I was part of the Class of '64, 20 year reunion committee. Angie, you and your TEAM did a remarkably FANTASTIC job of putting it all together in such a short period of time. Kudos to you and the entire reunion team! It was wonderful to see all the kids (now old farts!) I grew up with and reminiscing about what I would describe as “the absolute best high school experience and decade ever!” It was a wonderful weekend that I will remember forever! Thank you to all West High Alumni and GO WARRIORS!"  -Dan  
  

  
  
  

  

  Shirley Loyd-LaConfora Class of '64

  "My highlights from the Reunion?  The first was seeing a familiar face, but not sure, then looking into eyes and “seeing” a long lost classmate and having a sensation deep in my heart of recognition, of memory…Violet was the first and then on into the night one after the other; Bob, Bill, Al, Angie, Linda, Art, Lori, Lindy, Donna D, Donna L, Tom and more and I’ll never forget that sensation.

  The other was seeing the backs of the heads of the group listening intently to the talks by Paul, Al and Rick, reminding us of what we shared over these past decades; all the changes that we all experienced, what a different world it was, what it was like to grow up as baby boomers in the South Bay with everything new with such abundance, such innocence. And. how sweetly they turned on Rick when they got hungry….and remembering that was what the WHS classroom experience was like - respectful, attentive and when not, dealt with humor, always laughter, with teachers like Mr. Glover, Mr. Schultz and Mrs. La Fleur. What a surprise to receive a bottle of wine for living in my childhood home; I’m so grateful and proud to live in a testament to the strength of character and hard work of my parents and my brother, their compassion and their love." Hugs, Shirley  

  
  
  

  

  Tony and Sharon Oglesby-Rainieiri 

  "I’ve been to several reunions, but this was by far, the very best. I felt like I had been put in a time capsule and was back at West High with all my fellow classmates and friends. It was a feeling of time having stood still. There we all were, like we were 17 again, even though we didn’t exactly look like it. There was no other world for us that night (or for the weekend) other than what was going on in the ballroom at the Crowne Plaza. I felt surrounded by warmth and love. West was such a special place at the time we all attended and I think it was felt by all. When I tell other people about our high school, they seem surprised and didn’t have that experience at all. For me, and for most of us I believe, it wasn’t something you could even put a name on, but it was normal and something I shall never forget. And the feeling was renewed on our very special reunion weekend."  -Sharon  
  
  
  
  
  

  

  Gerald (Jerry) Nelson 

  "After a gentle nudge from Angie Ford-Green, I decided to provide a few thoughts about our WHS 50^th reunion celebration. The first thought that comes to mind is that there couldn’t have been a better couple than Angie and Bob Green to lead the coordination of our reunion. Kudos.

  
  

  For me personally, I had been looking forward to this get-together for some time. Having migrated a full two blocks (closer to WHS) in all those years, I was interested in how far others had gotten and how their lives had evolved.  As the reunion weekend approached, I was a little nervous about the first encounter (Friday’s Meet and Greet). I hadn’t attended our prior reunions, so after 50 years, I wasn’t sure I would recognize anybody or be recognized myself.

  
  

  I thought the agenda for the affair was great. The reunion format that the coordination crew had chosen provided for a relaxed, unhurried atmosphere that allowed folks to engage in casual conversation in small groups, while mingling and reintroducing over three days.  For me personally, it was so nice to see Angie, Bev Dearstyne, Johanna Whobrey, Ginny Evans, Sharon Oglesby, Ruth Cassidy, and Rick and Nettie Rivas. Sorry guys, but I mostly remembered the girls. Go figure!

  
  

  Thank you again Angie and the rest of the coordinating committee for putting together a fun three days and adding to a lifetime of memories." - Jerry  
  

  
  
  

  

  Donna Lawson-Schmidt's looks like she's having a grrrreat time!

  "I was looking forward to a fun weekend, but was surprised to have even more fun than I expected. The time went by so fast and even with all of the events I was too busy having fun to visit with many of the people I was hoping to see." -Donna  
  
  

  
  

  In Loving Memory of Dane Urbany

  
  
  
  

  "Very sad to post this, Dane was a good friend and a great guy. RIP!" - Gary Pointon 

  
  

  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Book of Memories

  We are here to help you. If you have need of our services, please call us, day or night. Or, if you prefer, you can fill out the form on the right.

  WWW.WOODRIVERCHAPEL.COM
  
  

  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  
  Our next Kinda-Smoke Signals Blog will focus on "My Life After High School" and we are hoping to receive several "life stories" that will highlight what our classmates/friends have been doing since graduation.  Email your "stories" to Angie Ford-Green at:  rockymtngreens@comcast.net by the end of January and we'lll get these stories published in our next blogpost.  
  

  
  

  
  

  
  SAVE THE DATES!

  

  Lake Havasu Balloon Festival Weekend January 15-17th!
  Because we all had such a great time together at the Reunion and we realized how much we missed one another, we are planning to make more plans to get together in the future. Our next get-together will be in Lake Havasu, AZ over the Balloon Fesitval weekend. The group is growing and many have already booked their lodging accommodations and there's still time for YOU, but we have heard that space is limited, as there are a lot of "snowbirds" who come to town for the winter months and the town comes out for this special event in large numbers, so don't delay, "make your reservations today!" There are also RV campgrounds, if you'd like to bring your  RV and camp out - you can check for sites online.
  
  Bob and Linda Cloer will host a "meet n greet" at their Havasu home on Friday, January 15th; we'll all meet at the Balloon Festival on Saturday having dinner together someplace in town that night with the possibility of finding a band/dancing, too. The plans are coming together and we'll keep everyone up-to-date via email or on our West HS 1965 Facebook page so watch for details.  
  

  
  

  

  
  

  Our special "warrior" weekend came and went so fast. We hope that you enjoyed reading and viewing some of our reflections about our 50th Reunion and that you will participate in upcoming get-togethers and future blogposts to keep our Class connections going!

  
  

  With Affection, Hugs and Blessings from your Class of '65 Connections Team,

  Angie Ford-Green, Ruth Cassidy-Arneson and Al Schriver