These aren’t reunion-type photos but hey, it’s my website and I can post what I want to right?

This week I’m in Indianapolis and I thought you guys might like a picture of Danica before the big race tomorrow. I interviewed her a couple weeks ago but didn’t get my picture taken with her.

This picture is at yesterday’s press conference before they took their Carb Day practice laps.

For you girls I have a picture of me interviewing Jeff Simmons. He’s the new driver for Rahal-Letterman Racing, which is the team I’m focused on in my coverage on my Domestic Fuel website.

We’ll be seeing both these folks in action tomorrow. Let’s hope they all make it safely across the finish line.

I think I’ll have some interesting photos to share in a couple weeks from the Country Music Association Fan Fair in Nashville.

From Jeff Swain, via Bennie Barton we have Danny Michaels (1984). From Jeff:

This is Danny Michaels, looking sharp in his tuxedo, taken in 1984 at our (Mary Early & my) wedding at First Methodist church in downtown Sarasota. Historians among us will also morn the loss of Tuckers store (shown in the background), which I used to love going to as a boy.

And added from Bennie:

I remember buying my Riverview Varsity Letter Jacket at Tuckers. Truth be told, now this goes way back, I remember buying my Cub Scout uniform at Tuckers as well. It was a great old small-town institution that sadly represents the growing trend of big/new pushing out the small/ old retailers.

And another country has been heard from. This time it’s John Chait. As he says on the Reunion Website, ” I have been in Chiropractic practice for the past 20 years on Bee Ridge Road. I got married in 2001 to my wife Cindy. We enjoy working together and have for the past 5 years. We are looking forward to seeing everyone in October.”

John’s got a great idea that I have no idea what to do with at the moment. But that’s because it’s been a long day and we just finished some apple wood smoked pork steaks, baked potato with sour cream and fresh chopped homegrown chives, etc. Now it’s time to sip a glass of wine and, well, quit blogging.

So, here’s John’s idea:

How about we do a 1976 top 40 count down to number one. At 5 minutes a song that would be 3.5 hours. If you think this is good Idea. Here is a link to the top 40 hits in order.
http://www.ntl.matrix.com.br/pfilho/html/top40/1976.html

John Chait

How do we do this and when/where and does someone want to volunteer to get all these songs? I’m pretty sure they can all be found and loaded onto an iPod.

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

Here’s more on the fact that there’s a plan to tear down the old Riverview High School building from Bennie Barton:

Some of you may know that they plan to tear down the the Riverview School Building and build a new school in it’s place. The old building has a great deal of architectural significance and if you would like to know more, we have added a page to the Class of 76 Reunion site that features some photos of the school building and several web links to articles about the school.

There is even a link to the American Institute of Architects petition to save the school. You might find the articles to be an interesting read as we begin to wax nostalgic as our 30 Year Reunion rapidly approaches. Just follow this link to the new page…

http://rhsspiritof76.myevent.com/3/miscellaneous4.htm

We now have some reunion updates to the agenda. We had hoped to do a cruise boat event but as Bennie says, “. . . because of a bunch of red tape, we are not going to be able to go on the cruise (nobody will let them dock anymore in Sarasota). We have come up with another great water theme event though. We are going to have the cocktail party at the Mote Marine Aquarium out on Longboat Key.”

So now the final plans are made and you can find them on the Reunion Website. Here’s another message from Bennie:

We have just updated the reunion web site www.rhsspiritof76.com with all of the details and prices for the Reunion Events in October.

You will find dates, places, times, costs and you can even buy your tickets on the web site. We have hotel information with a group booking code for you to use if you need to reserve a room. We also have a section about donations for those who can give us a little extra help with the events.

Please log on to the site and review the new information and go ahead and buy your tickets now. We will still be sending out formal invitations by mail but you don’t have to wait to book your tickets to a great weekend of fun with some of your old high school classmates!

Post Update: Well, we’re not going to be “cruisin” like I thought. So check out the next post for more information.

Just to help get you excited here’s a picture from our Reunion Website on the events page. The site says there’s only 145 days to go. I didn’t check it so I hope it’s right.

I’m actually in Ft. Lauderdale today. I flew down yesterday and am driving back to Missouri with my oldest daughter who’s been attending college in Naples. She has a room here with Grandma, Cindy’s Mom.

It’s so nice to feel heat and humidity. Missouri has been cool so far this spring. I was in Phoenix last week though and it was 100 degrees!

I hope everyone who visits is doing well.

This has absolutely nothing to do with our reunion but since it’s my blog I’ll post if I want to. I’m on the road in Phoenix and had some free time so I thought I’d check out the food in this little pub in my hotel. I got some fine Irish stew at Seamus McCaffrey’s. This excellent pub is in the Hotel San Carlos.

If you get to visit stop in and try a draft Smithwick’s which I tried here for the first time. So, let’s hear from you. What are you up to now that you know what I’m up to this week.

Finally. A picture of our fearless reunion leader. I knew she could do it. This now and then with Nancy Tatom includes what she has posted on the reunion website.

Back in May of 2005 I volunteered to chair the reunion planning committee, and it has been a wonderful way of getting reacquainted with everyone and having some fun as well. I encourage all of you to help out if you can. Just let us know and we’ll definitely give you something to do as things move along!

I moved back to Florida in 2004 after having lived and worked in the Carolinas for 21 years. After my daughter’s graduation from high school, I moved to Tampa, but in December of 2005 I took a position in Sarasota and have just moved back.

I have one daughter (age 20) who is in her sophomore year at Rhodes College in Memphis. She is the spitting image of her mother except for her height (she was lucky enough to inherit genes that have put her height several inches above my 5′-0″ frame). She is my greatest achievement and is lots of fun to be with.

I graduated from FSU with degrees in Art History and Interior Design and have worked primarily in the commercial and healthcare realms of interior design. I now work with Hoyt Architects in Sarasota and am really happy to be back in familiar territory. All of us on the committee are expecting to put on a great series of events in October, and I look forward to seeing all of you again!

I know I’m looking forward to it.

This now and then with Vickie Oldham is being brought to you by Charles Curry who emailed me the details. I’m sure Vickie will appreciate this Charles.

Allow me to give an update on my friend and classmate, Vickie Oldham:

After leaving Riverview, Vickie attended the University of Florida, where she earned a bachelor’s degree in broadcast journalism. She would later receive a master of fine arts at the Florida State University Conservatory of Motion Picture, Television and Recording Arts. After returning to Sarasota, Vickie made her mark as an ABC affiliate news reporter. She also hosted a popular weekly program called COMMON GROUND that featured interviews with 100 of the country’s most recognized African Americans in politics, arts and entertainment. Nationally, Vickie has appeared on network and cable television programs; and numerous television commercials and industrial videos.

In February, I got a chance to see what Vickie O’s been up to. She invited me to a web site launch and the screening of a documentary she produced and wrote called LOOKING FOR ANGOLA. (www.lookingforangola.com).

It was a captivating event, and the Asolo Theater in Sarasota was packed. There was lots of pre-ceremony pomp, crackle, and pop as a multi-cultural crowd filled the lobby. Miss O. was poised, stylish, and personable while greeting guests. The paparazzi snapped lots of photos. The only thing missing was the “red carpet”. Reps from the History Channel came to present a $10,000 check to the project. There were lots of local luminaries in the crowd; including the Tampa PBS station manager, and a US Park Service director. I was also delighted to see another RHS alum, Cynthia (Gaines) Myers.

There’s more to this Angola project, especially when a discovery is made…stay tuned. Vickie O is on it!

Thanks Charles

Hello Rams fans. I’m writing to solicit news and information about what’s going on in Sarasota that we out of state people might find interesting. I’m sure some of us planning on attending don’t know a lot of what’s going on in our former home town.

I’ve really only been back for very short visits including former reunions. What’s new? How’s the beach holding up? Is the Purple Cow still purple? Where are the best hang outs for 40 somethings these days? What happened to our old ones?

That kind of thing. You can write comments here or send them to me by email. Pictures would be nice. Got any of Siesta Key beach on a nice weekend?

Help me out. I’m trolling for information.

What would be even better though would be for you alumnuses (is that a word?) to send me pics and stories about what you’re doing now. Inquiring minds want to know.

I’ll be travelling a lot in the next month or so but there’s always time to post some news.

Since he emailed me and since his “now” pic is on the reunion website. . .

Ladies and gentelmen. It’s Scott Lewis.

I am still in Sarasota, left for a while, came back for eldercare–fullfilled that and built a solid foundation to retire on. If I can help anywhere, feel free to let me know what I can do. I own a recruiting agency and work with about 10-15 restaurants in this area.

I am sure Nancy will find something for you to do Scott.

Thanks to Sue (Farrington) Obenauer I now know that Ron Zammit is a wedding cake genius creator.

Anyone thinking of getting married at our reunion? If so, get your cake from “Beautiful Cakes by Ron.”

Seriously. As his website says: “For 24 years, Ron Zammit replaced his worn heels and soles at his shoe repair store in Gold Tree Plaza. To relax after work, he baked cakes – gorgeous cakes decorated with beautiful hand-made sugar paste flowers. Soon, friends and relatives started asking him to make special occasion cakes, until he was making about two or three cakes a weekend.

About five years ago, he came home one night and told his wife Crystal that he had sold the shop and was ready to start a cake shop. Today, some of the grandest weddings along the west coast of Florida feature creations from his Beautiful Cakes.”

The Bartons have been on vacation but Bennie has been busy.

As I’ve already posted, there are now photo albums on the Reunion Website from previous reunions.

Bennie wants to get more photos though. So, if you have any from a previous reunion, scan them and email them in.

It’s about time someone sent in their “now” picture.

This time it’s Kim Kimble (Lamrouex).

Here’s her message (besides other comments she’s posted):

okay if you are going to put a “now” photo on the website let your hubby do it !! My husband did this one for me

I’m glad I checked the reunion website. Bennie’s got some photo albums up. This is one from our 20 year Dinner/Dance.

You’ll find:

10 Year Cocktail Cruise
10 Year Dinner/Dance
10 Year Picnic
20 Year Cocktail Party
20 Year Dinner/Dance

Check it out!

One of the comments that got lost in our server move was this one from John O’Keefe. I just happened to find it in my email. I hope we didn’t lose too many more.

In reference to the post on “What songs would you like to hear?

dear i rock the boat? well, i have never been known as a person who “goes with it” – so here are my suggestions:

1. bohemian rhapsody – queen
2. anarchy in the u.k. – sex pistols
3. blitzkrig bop – romones

i think we should pick a song that reflects the change of the times. i believe the songs listed are songs that did a few things – they charged a generation to move past the comfort zone and they are still seen today as songs that changed the face of music.

just my thoughts, and all is good 🙂

And in reference to “Tearing down the old school”

well, to me it was simply a place i spent two years before it was over – and to me it is a building, nothing more. if the building is old and falling down, build something new.

as i have been reading this blog i have been trying to remember names and faces at my time at rhs, but nothing comes to mind [i was the “guy from new york with long hair] – memories are not made by a building, but by the people we know and connect with. take down the building, and build a new – let new memories be made in connection for a new generation. who knows, maybe their memories will be better.

Hello Rams Fans. I have completely moved all my websites to new servers over the past week. Apparently we’ve lost some comments on some of the posts here. Please email me or re-post your comments. My hosting company made the move without scheduling it with me or I would have given you notice.

We’re obviously up and running. I will not remove a comment unless it contains profanity or is complete comment spam.

Thanks for bearing with us in our move!

It’s not quite spring weather here in Missouri yet. But today was pretty sunny so I was out on the Katy Trail. I took a few photos so you can see that the middle of the U. S. isn’t all that bad.

You can see the pics on my Flickr photo album.