Friday Opening Pitch #3
Friday Night: “Opening Pitch” B4 Party! September 26th 5:30-11:30pm: 
Let’s PLAY BALL beginning with “Blue Jeans, Big Eats, Bonding & Beer”!! This Informal icebreaker is again being hosted by Nancee Lougheed, and husband, Devon Kirk, in Bittersweet Moors, off US 24 W. Attendance for the 45th Reunion was High at this Easy Meet n’ Greet Mixer, so don’t ‘miss the ball’ on this 1st base chance to see everyone! All singles, solos are encouraged! Come Early, Stay Late, th
ere is never enough time to see Everyone! Casual, Connecting & Catching-up are the themes! Remember: ‘Once in a Lifetime’, only happens Once, so Make the Most of this Weekend! Come-as-you-are and enjoy a hearty smorgasbord, plenty of drinks, and a very “Warm Welcome” as we throw-out that ‘First Pitch’! It’s the very best way to slide into our 50th Reunion Weekend!! Don't strike out; Be there or Be square! 11815 Weigela Ct, 46814 [Map on our Site]. 260-672-1839 RSVP Required by
9/12/14.*** COME JOIN THE FUN ***
OUR STORYTELLERS & THEIR STORIES:
Marv Zimmerman
Friday the 26th of September, 2014 didn't start, or end in any normal fashion for me. The previous day I flew into Fort Wayne on American flight #2939, greeted by gorgeous weather, and an accommodating attendant at the Dollar Rent-A-Car kiosk. Without even asking, I was upgraded to a premium level rental for no extra charge. Discovering that I would be driving a hard loaded Chrysler Town and Country mini-van with room for 7, I quickly exited Fort Wayne, International Airport , en route to my brother and sister-in-laws home in Waynedale where I would be spending my nights. After a quick trip to Georgetown to check on my 101 year old mother, and to bring her a bowl of her favorite Panera Bread cheese -broccoli soup, I retired for the evening to immerse myself in fervent prayer, asking for nothing more than a weekend filled with more beautiful weather, and a young, blond Swedish masseuse with magic fingers to help me get to sleep .( At this point, a popular Rolling Stone song comes to mind. At least I got what I needed) The next day I ran a few errands,then retired to my borrowed closet to scan what few pieces of clothing that I had brought on this "reunion trip". I had purchased a couple of shirts the previous week, and now had to determine which one would make the best impression on all these "64" grads that I would be opening doors for, you know, getting out of the limo at the entry to Nancee and Devon's driveway. You see, I had been asked to be a greeter for our opening event on the shores of Bittersweet Lake. With the shirt problem solved, I found myself completely enthralled with looking at people emerging from the limo, (and Binky's mini-van), desperately wanting to recognize someone, ANYONE, without asking who they were, or following them over to the table where Sue Terry, and LaVonne Custance Gerardot and their husbands were handing out the much blessed name tags with yearbook photos. (I couldn't remember the last time I considered name tags a form of salvation , but they truly were . And yes! I did take a moment to look heavenward to offer thanks, again for the weather, and also to the god of name tags.)
I was trying my best to be a good and faithful servant at this time, but I found that Larry Lyman and Barbie Rea's escort, Victor, always beating to the punch! Or rather I should say, to the car doors! They were so effective in crowding me out of that much sought after position, that I simply picked up my camera and went strolling through Nancee and Devon's home and gardens, happily snapping photos of every and anything that I found to be of interest. And there were many points of interest to photograph! The grounds were immaculately decorated for the evenings event, and I met many attendees and spouses walking to the lake and back, snapping pics of themselves( you know, selfies), surrounded by copious amounts of flowers and pumpkins with Bittersweet Lake as a background. My thoughts at that moment were, "I wish my wife were here to enjoy this with me" But, it was not to be, and I must prove to be a good soldier and simply continue on.
So, after a swing through the house where I was greeted by wall to wall classmates, and trays of finger foods on every level surface, I wandered back to the driveway where Larry and Victor were still holding court, and I was summarily dismissed as not being needed as they had everything under control. (Damn!!! Just when I really wanted to prove my worth as a devoted worker!) Reentering the house, I noticed the noise level increasing as the excitement grew over the expectation of the 5 huge serving pans soon to be filled with mini sliders and an assortment of chicken. Being somewhat hungry, myself, but not wanting to seem pushy, I stationed myself behind a potted plant (or possibly a statue,, I'm really not sure, I had consumed at least 3 drinks by this time ), and waited until all 5 pans were filled to the brim with steaming chow! It was not yet serving time, and I noticed some people looking at their watches, wondering if they needed to wait, or should they simply pretend that they were in their own homes, and just DIG IN!. This major dilemma was resolved when yours truly stepped to the head of the now forming line, and announced that I had overheard Nancee give the go ahead. Wow!!! Food, food, and more food. ( (Actually, I must now be honest enough to admit that I don't think it was Nancee's voice I heard giving the go ahead, but possibly my own, as I am besieged with several different personalities when hunger overtakes my senseabilities. )
After slaking my thirst and appeasing my appetite, I was now ready to roam amid the throng of humanity, and catch up on conversations left unfinished from over 50 years ago. At this point I began to recognize old friends (yes!, even without their name tags), and was ready to give and get hugs from many South Side band mates, and others that brought back great, and sometimes funny memories from so long ago. Along with this came a twinge of regret as I wondered if I would have had this much fun had I attended the 45th class reunion. And, at that very moment, I realized that should I be around 5 years from now, I will do everything in my power to reunite with these "old friends" that in one way or another meant so much to me , so long ago. Susan Seigel , Jim Maxson, Dudley Wass, Doug Hansen, Patricia Cameron, Larry Lyman, LaVonne Custance , Jim Harrold, Sherry Spencer, Monica Kramer and so many more were there on "opening night" to help me fulfill my expectation of reunion .
Dave Triplett
This is a small world. I have found that out again and again. Friday night I came up to a couple and introduced myself. They told me that they would bet that I never heard of the town they lived in. It was in southern Indiana. Then they told me the name of the town. It was Vallonia, Indiana. I surprised them and said that I knew the town. In fact I was a pastor there for six years. They had just retired there two years ago. They were Monica (Kramer) and David Doty. Monica now plays organ at the congregation that I served which is Trinity Lutheran Church. Sue and I will have to keep in touch. We know many people down there.
Dick Bellam
Hi Nancee, just wanted to let you know that we had a wonderful time at your wonderful party. Also, a big Thank You for the time and resources you expended to make it happen. You were a most gracious and beautiful hostess.
Thanks again and hope to see you again. Bellam
Nancee Lougheed
I wanted to thank all of you who made my Mother and Devon's Mother feel so welcome on Friday evening. So many of you remembered Mother, especially the Indian Village classmates, and spent time sharing memories with her. She doesn't have the greatest recall nowadays, but she can not stop talking about all of you with whom she spoke. I think you tapped into her long term memory bank with fond thoughts of your parents which helped solidify the experience.
Barb Alfeld
Hey wanted to take the time to thank Nancee and the entire committee for a wonderful Class reunion. The party on Friday was fabulous and it was wonderful of Nancee and Devon opening up their home to all of us... what and wonderful warm up to the Fantastic main event on Sat. It was really great being able to visit with so many of you after 50 yrs.
Pat Cooney
It was a good reunion. There were people there that I have not seen for years.
Thank you Nancee for being such a wonderful person.
WE NEED >>CLASSMATE FEEDBACK, please!
We have set up a special place for you to send us your FEEDBACK, DESCRIPTIONS of your reunion experiences,and CLASSMATE IDENTIFICATIONS (include gallery name and picture # of those you are identifying).
In the First Black Box on the Left Side of the Home Page, go to the new LINK called :
“ALL ABOUT ARCHERS”.
This link gives you the opportunity to post the names of those you recognize and contains our new Message Forum as well as many other Topics on which you can comment.
