Best. Coffee. Hour. Ever.

Actually, I think we have had a couple of events with a few more folks, but last night we had 12 at our monthly coffee hour! So great to see everyone. You know who you are. We discussed the reunion in July - we are generally agreed that we will have strawberry shortcake for dessert! We find ourselves leaning toward "traditional" Pacific Northwest foods for the dinner. And our musical mixmaster, Gary, will be preparing a mix tape of background music from the 1960's and (very) early 1970's. If you have suggestions, be sure to let him know!

[Do they even use the expression, "mix tape" any more?]

Plan on coming to our coffee hour on February 22nd at the Starbucks at exit 232. We always have fun!

Looking back - thinking ahead

I had coffee with Shirley (Hooper) Knapp yesterday and we agreed that we all need to start thinking ahead to 2011 (!) when we have our 40-year reunion...and will need an entry for the Loggerodeo parade.

Is a flatbed trailer with hay bales good enough for Class of 71? Or should we plan on doing something better? Not only better than that but better than the other classes! There are usually 4-5 graduating class entries in the parade. The class years that are having a reunion, plus Class of 64, who has an entry every year. They're pretty organized.

Will we even be able to get hay bales in the traditional shape in 2011? Or will they all be round by then? Will any of us be able to lift a bale of hay?

We have some things to consider. Don't wait too long. At our age, it takes a while to rub those brain cells together.

Here are a couple of photos to close. One is the official Loggerodeo float in the parade, featuring the "bucking logging truck" chain saw sculpture. It was great.

The other is a downtown shot I took yesterday while meeting up with Shirley. Clouds have moved in to Sedro-Woolley but we love the cloud cover and a little rain this time of year. Much needed.

2011 - our 40-year class reunion

2011 is just around the corner! Considering that we are already discussing the presidential election in 2012...exhausting, isn't it?

Class of 71 will be having a 40-year extravaganza in 2011 and here is something to think about:

Historically, SWHS classes had their reunions in August (I'm talking in the olden days, maybe 20 years ago). In the current times, more classes, including ours, have reunions closer to the 4th of July. Many people like to come to SW for Loggerodeo activities, and it could be convenient to have our reunion around that time.

July 4th falls on a Monday in 2011. That will be the day of the Loggerodeo Parade and Class of 71 will want to be in it!

The second Saturday in July is the 9th, and that is probably the date of the SWHS Alumni Association All-Class Picnic.

Some classes have been holding their reunions the same day or weekend as the all-class picnic. They reserve the small shelter at Riverfront Park (the all-class picnic uses the large shelter) and continue the festivities after 4 p.m. when the all-class picnic is over.

If we would prefer to have the reunion event closer to the 4th of July, we need to look at July 2 and/or 3.

Or go out to August or another time.

Just a few things to consider. It's not an emergency - yet! I'll be happy to compile people's opinions and suggestions about this and we can come to a decision later.

Welcome to the big experiment!

Class of 71 and friends:

We have been talking about having our own web site so this is the grand experiment to see if we can create and maintain it!

I hope everyone will access the site and add comments; we are spread far and wide in the world but I have learned that we love to keep in touch.

I'm living in Sedro-Woolley but guess what - lots of other Class of 71 members are, too! Or at least they're close by.

You may be aware that we are having "monthly" coffee hours on the LAST Tuesday of each month at Common Ground (on the Pease Road) in Burlington, from 5ish to 7ish. They close at 7. It has been fun to get together and visit. Occasionally we change the plan - twice we have met at Gary Rothenbuhler's house in S-W.

June 24, 2008

Give us a shout and let us know where you are! We're gearing up for that 40-year reunion and we want to make sure that everyone is located and invited.

Judy J.

from beautiful downtown Sedro-Woolley