We’ve been having some fun today. I took Rob Artin (pictured) and Tom Paulk and we went on a little trip down memory lane.

Actually we drove in University to the Trail, headed toward Marina Jack and then turned on Orange, which runs into Osprey. Then we took a right out to Siesta Key through the Village and wandered around the beach for a while. The pavilion is still there. Looks like the same old hamburger/hot dog/soda stand and nasty bathrooms. The sand and the water were nice and I’m going back tomorrow!

Then we drove on out Midnight Pass Rd. to Turtle Beach, back over Stickney Point bridge to the Trail and went south a ways.

Then we headed on over to the High School. Here’s Tom rejoicing that we’re not having to go to classes. No pressure.

Actually we were a little surprised that we could just wander on in. More on that in the next post.

I could try to post a picture of everyone who attends the reunion but I’m not.

We had a great group here for Thursday evening. Like old Scotty here.

I’ve created a Reunion Photo Album online though that I’ll keep adding to. You can find it using the following link. If you have trouble identifying anyone, let me know and I’ll do my best to help you out.

So, here’s a link to the Riverview High School 1976 Reunion Photo Album.

Here’s our fearless leader, Nancy Tatom.

Nancy has coordinated a very unique group of people who are putting on an awesome reunion.

We’ve been in touch a lot over the last year since the reunion has been planned. If you get to attend or just see what we’re doing via the internet, a lot of thanks go out to Nancy for taking the time to help get this put together.

Speaking of Bennie. . .

He has done a lot of work to make this a memorable event for all of us.

For example, tonight we had a great iPod setup with slide show of all our pictures that are in the yearbook along with the music of the years we were in school.

Great job Bennie.

Tonight we had a very informal reception at the hotel.

It was really an excuse for Bennie to get a bunch of people to help put together the name tags and other stuff for the next couple days.

We have had a really good time just chatting about the reunion, school and people we know or used to know.

I’m here. The sun is shining. It’s beautiful in Sarasota.

After getting in a little work out so I can feel better about having a beer (any minute) I’m ready to head on down to the reception we’re having here at the hotel.

I’ll have some pictures later.

I already saw Jim Hoffman. He was catching some rays out by the pool.

I know, I know. You’re looking here and wondering what’s new. Well, there’s going to be a lot new over the next week or so. I’m getting ready to leave for Florida in the morning. I heard from Jim Hoffman who is probably there now from Italy! We’re coming from all over the place.

I went out and had my hair done today and now I just can’t decide what to wear. How about shorts, my Gator slaps and a t-shirt? It would sure help my carry-on if that’s all I had to bring.

I’m planning on taking pictures and maybe even doing some interviews to post for you. I don’t know how much time I’ll have each day but I can pretty much assure you that I’ll have something new on each day. This doesn’t mean you can just stay home and relax though.

No, we want and need to see you there so come on out. In case you still don’t know what the schedule is, here’s where you find it.

So stay tuned Rams fans for the coolest 30 year Riverview High School reunion to be held this year. Wait, I mean ever. Well, something like that.

It’s time to get ready for the reunion. Bennie posted a final announcement which you can find on the reunion website.

It’s not too late to decide to come. You can find the schedule here.

I’m really looking forward to it.

It takes a while to get pictures here. But finally, another picture of our reunion leader Nancy Tatom with Pat Cronin, looking over some of Pat’s pics.

I guess Pat has donated some pictures for Bennie to use (against) us. I wonder what he’s got up his sleeve. I’m sure we’ll see.

The reunion committee is meeting tonight and I’ll get any updates from them for you. Earlier this afternoon I interviewed Nancy via phone (Skype on my end). It’s kind of a long interview but I thought you might be interested to listen. So without further ado, here’s Nancy (and me): Nancy Tatom Interview (20 min MP3)

Please read Bennie’s latest update if you haven’t already. We’ve got 3 weeks left to the reunion and that should give you enough time to read this one (just joking Bennie!).

Ok, you really need to pay attention here please…

This final broadcast email is going out to everyone who has supplied us with their email address. It has a two-fold purpose.

1. To give you some more details on the events themselves for those of you who are coming, and

2. To make one last shameless plea for sign-ups, missing people info and money!

Here goes the fun stuff for all you attendees…

If you have signed up and paid your money we are going to send you a personal email within the next 10 days just so you have a confirmation of your attendance. We are not sending out tickets, but will have you listed on sign-in sheets at the events.

The details of times and locations are on the web site…

www.rhsspiritof76.com (more…)

Here’s a recent update from Bennie on pre-registrations. If you haven’t done so, please go ahead and if you have, make sure you get your payment in.

As to your question about registrations, we have approximately 135 for Friday, 133 for Sat and 60 for Sunday. Definitely less than the 20 year but way, way more than some other recent 30 year classes. Sharon says we should be prepared for lots of last minute sign-ups so we expect in excess of 150 for each of the two main events.

Bennie also mentioned something about master of ceremonies. I don’t know what he’s talking about. I’m way too shy and bashful don’t you think?

While I’m posting locations, here’s where our Sunday event will be.

Oscar Scherer State Park is still a wonderful piece of Florida scrubby pine flatwoods. Fifteen miles of trails through these beautiful natural areas provide opportunities for hiking, bicycling, and wildlife viewing. Canoeists and kayakers can paddle along South Creek, a blackwater stream that flows to the Gulf of Mexico. We’ll have some good old-fashioned BBQ and fun for the whole family, so be sure to bring any kids you still have in the nest!

Here’s where our Saturday party is going to be.

Our Main Event is going to be a smashing party with great food, lively entertainment and a hot dance floor. Our facility is the beautiful Club House at Palm Aire Country Club. We’ll have the place decked out in the true Spirit of 76′. We’ve got a great 5-Piece band by the name of “True Pseudo” that will have you on the dance floor all night long!

I hope you have your plans made since we’re just over a month away!

I have my hotel reservation made, do you? If not then visit the Reunion Website here to find out how and make sure you know the rates.

I’m coming in Thursday afternoon after seeing the following on the website:

We will host a “Welcome” hospitality room at the hotel starting Thursday night, October 5th, from 5 pm to 9 pm and also during the day on Friday, October 6th from 10:00 am until 3:30 pm.

Will we have Bennie the Bartender at our hospitality room?

Here’s the latest update from Bennie:

T-Minus Two Months And Counting!

That’s right, we have little more than 60 days until the big event and it’s time you got another update on the process of putting this thing together. You would really think that something like this would be a walk in the park with very little worry, a piece-of-cake kind of thing. But as George Carlin so aptly said on his historic AM/FM album that came out when we were in school, “Oh contraire mon fraire!”

Best laid plans and good intentions aside, we’ve had to scramble here over the past couple of weeks.
Our Saturday Dinner/Dance location became a no-go when we discovered they would not finish construction in time to host our event. We had to scramble to find a new place to host our shin-dig which is not an easy task.
Nancy did a bang-up job of coming up with a new list of possibilities and the committee took a couple of field trips to scope-out new digs. (more…)

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.

Want to room with someone for the reunion? I’m not sure how we can coordinate this if there’s interest but you can leave comments here or email anyone on the committee.

This idea was brought to the table by the artist formerly known as Fay (as in Swartz, now Ashley).

And now a word from our reunion chairperson for those of you who aren’t on Classmates:

Events and ticket prices set!!

Please visit our official class reunion website to register for our upcoming 30-year reunion! As mentioned in previous announcements, the dates have been set (October 6-8, 2006) and now all events and ticket prices have been established. Go to the reunion website for all the details on events, prices, and reservations. You can even book your tickets there on the website. Also, if you’ve not yet “Added Your Info” at that site on the “Classmates” tabs, do so now so that we can bring the site to life and better contact you with event news. And please spread the word….we’re going to have a wonderful time!!

See you at the reunion!!

Nancy