Hey, ol’ Bobcats.  Gather ‘round for another pep rally.  Isn’t it comforting to be in the same room with people who are as young as we are!   “Together Again” as the song  goes. 
     As much as we have remained the same, our hometown and schools have certainly changed.  Separate elementary schools, together for the first time at Washington Junior High School (Shannon Hospital’s cardiac rehab is there now), separated in Lee and Edison (Lee will soon be replaced and Edison is no more.  It is the Central Freshman campus.)  Then together again in 1963 on the campus of Central with its 9 – still new state-of-the arts buildings.    The campus now encompasses 40 acres and has grown to 28 buildings and 8 parking lots.  We had 4 minutes between classes; my students have 8, and they still can’t get their butts to class!  .  A new bond issue is in the works to build a new Central on another site for a mere 90 million  dollar price tag.  So you’ll find jars on each table for contributions for a new alma mater. 

     This reunion is the culmination of loooootttttssss of work – mostly fun and some scathing e-mails.  Ask me later about the guy who said “nobody told me in time.”  Like he forgot how old he is.  From the picture he sent, that’s possible.

     Anyway, every time Pam Parr Wood, Jane Leffel Wardlaw, and I ran into each other, we’d ask, “Has anybody volunteered to do the 40th?’  Soooooo, finally when no one had, we called a meeting.  Wish you all could have been on these planning sessions.  We’d bring our annuals and have a great ol’ time.  Stanley Wilhelm and Priscilla entertained as always. 
     Beverly Albro Cormier,  Pam Neil Shurley,  Shirley Clary Anderson, and Bill Noelke  stepped forward early on with brains and brawn.  Hey, hosting a party like this with your money is backbreaking work.  Pam found a fabulous computer guru, Stacy Harrington (young and smart) who got our web page up and running and has been your contact. 

     John Dehnel was wonderful with early help with technology and really got us on the right path.  He certainly prays well also.  God bless you , John.

     As usual, Marsha Wilson Yoes said I’ll draw, I’ll paint, I’ll gather, I’ll assemble, I’ll make it all look great.  Every struggling group of people needs a Marsha. 

     Thank goodness for Cherryl Taylor Howard, Linda Berman Van Sickle, Donna Robison Pearce, and Nelda Townsend Von Goten who said, “We’ll do registration.”  Then they set quietly and efficiently to work.  At one meeting, they brought a sample of the name tags that they intended to use.  Wow , were they small.  We said, “We’ll never to be able to read those little things. Can you find biiigggg tags to hold biiiggggg font?”  Good job ladies.

     Frankie is the moneyman, but he never could collect enough to run off with.  So, he’s just written checks and kept reminding us how much we don’t have.  I love saying, “Just send the bill to Frankie.” 

     Ferrell Winters Dillard and Pam Parr Wood volunteered for decorations. Haven’t they done a great job, not only tonight but last night also?  Pam Parr Wood shot us a few Bobcats and stuffed them herself.   Rick Whitworth gave some of us a chance for stardom, but Hollywood hasn’t called yet.  Look around, many of those here have also been instrumental in getting us all together.   Beautiful flowers, Joe Paul. 

     The golfers golfed because of work by Bill March, Bill Noelke, Marshall Huling, and Jane Wardlaw – of course.  If you want to give someone all the credit, I vote for Jane.  Thanks, lady.  I understand that you’ll be cruisin’ on our 50th!  May I go?

     So after 40 years of birth, death, happiness, sadness, change, and status quo, 7-8 wars, and 8 presidents, we’ve survived whatever life has chosen to throw at us and we’re survivors.  From the whole reunion committee, welcome!  It’s been such fun to re-experience the best years of our lives “together again.”