Here’s a message from Sue Farrington Obenauer:

Hello Everyone!

Since I am the designated “Teacher-Finder-Person,” many classmates have been sending inquiries to me about their favorite teachers and their whereabouts. Many of our teachers have passed away. Here is a list of those that we know of that are no longer with us:

Wilbur Branson
Burma Carter
Clyde Council
Ruth Firmach
William Fletcher
John Haworth
Ella Hoffman
Louise Kirsten
Sarah Lampman
Robert Lee
Quentin McNary
Joseph Miles
Medora Reed
Charles Riley
Barney Sahagian
Ross Smith
Edward Taylor
Rowena Tracy
Ruth Ulrich
Everett Whitman

However, the ones that I was able to contact and are planning on coming on Friday night to Mote Marine are listed below:

Ed Brown – Principal
Joseph Bauman – Spanish (please forgive my earlier email with his name spelled wrong)
Winnifred Dumbaugh – English
Ron Carr – English
William Ivey – Social Studies / Basketball Coach
Joan Tatum – Business Ed
John Yost – Chorus
Kevin Flynn – Social Studies
Sandra Feinsod – Home Ec
Chuck Maggio – Sociology
Sherm Stratton – English
Ed Repulski – Coach
Jack Crew – Band
Richard Hart – History (more…)

This is just in from Benny Barton:

Greetings from the Spirit of 76′ Reunion Committee!

This email is being composed at 9:30pm on a beautiful evening here in Sarasota, after a Reunion Committee meeting, that just lasted three hours, that covered such details as Food Selections, Table Rentals, MIA Classmates, Band Selection, Decorations, Bookkeeping and Records Review, etc., etc. There really is a great deal of hard work being put in by a really dedicated group of folks.

We wanted to give you an update on the “State of the Reunion” so that you can stay informed of our upcoming festivities.

Hopefully you received the invitation we mailed out recently and you have had a chance to again review the activities we have planned. (more…)

Rob Artin posed the following question:

“Any one trying to arrange a Friday boat tie down – remember going to Lido or the south end of Siesta (bay side) and everyone meeting for water skiing /having a few cold ones…maybe rent or those still in the area with boats…just a thought.”

If you would like to try to organize an informal gathering like this, please let me know so I can post it if you want.

I’ve been on an extended road trip and posting has been a challenge. It’s catch up weekend though. Here’s some notes from voices on the blog or my email:

From Rob Artin:

On music ideas – ” Elton John – Benny and the Jets /Philadelphia Freedom KC & The Sunshine Band (Senior nite @ Disney) Get down tonight.” On the Kiltie Band – “The band still looks the same (’76 sounded better!) – a few years back(not many brain cells left) perhaps in ’03 or’04 Macy’s Day parade in NYC – great day temp in the 70’s (New York in November…) and down the 38th Avenue comes the infamous “Kiltie Marching Band” always a class act – stood out from the rest….with the temperature etc. almost like 1976 all over again. The only thing missing was Rams vs. Sailors can anyone say “Turkey Bowl”. Whose in charge of bringing the anchor to the reunion? Look forward to seeing all… “

From John Calia:

On cafeteria food – “Thirty years later you tell it’s not Shepard’s Poo.” On your favorite teacher – “What about Turly Tudor for accounting? He was ten years behind the time, but a good teacher.”

Also heard from Mike Amos who says he’s coming to the reunion.

School demolition news recently found in the Tribune: