Pimples, girls, dances, dates, sports, and more

Tonight and tomorrow, some of my favorite people from the past will be in town. The NHS Class of 1965 is hosting its 50th class reunion. Even 50 years later, the same emotions and memories bring joy and sometimes consternation!

This reunion elicited many thoughts for me. First and foremost, I hope to see some of those familiar faces once more. The Class of '65 was two years ahead of me in school. There is something about how we reacted to that narrow age difference back then that still exists in our minds.

In high school, two years made a significant difference. As a sophomore, both the girls and guys seemed quite a bit more mature. We looked up to them, admired them, and in some cases feared them. The difference between an 18 year old, and a 16 year old, can be dramatic.

In sports, the guys were a bit bigger, stronger, and somewhat lording, towards my fellow classmates. I would like to say there was never any of that era's hazing, but in fact that was considered a rite of passage back then.

It was the girls of the class of '65 that I found so compelling, and they remain so still today. To a young teenager who was just beginning to experience that overwhelming attraction to the feminine mystique, the young women of '65, became my "Dream Girls!"

Even though age has sent all of us "baby boomers" the Inevitable changes in bodies, hair, and health, the girls of '65 never grow old in my mind.

Twenty-eight years ago, I was drafted by my own Class of '67, to be the chairman, for our 1987, 20th Class Reunion. At the time, I had no idea that that position would remain mine for many years to come. Don't misunderstand, I am not complaining about the job, but it does present its issues.

I have worked with several of my fellow classmates to host reunions in 1987, 1992, 1997, 2007, and 2012. The reunions have changed over the years, and the way we organize them has as well.

We would never have been able to get the word out to people for those early reunions, if not for the tremendous efforts by my now departed lifelong friend, Randy Fellows. Randy and I traced our friendship all the way back to our pre-school years in Milo. In the time before the Internet, he was invaluable through his position, as the postmaster here in Nevada. He was able to locate former classmates from all over the country.

At that first 20-year reunion, we had a host of activities. We had a tour of the high school, a pre reunion gathering at a local watering hole, a golf tournament, an afternoon mixer, a full sit down dinner, and finally a dance complete with a live band.

At recent reunions, we still have a get together the night before, for those who are in town early, but the rest of the weekend is much more tame. We have a light buffet of finger foods, and spend the rest of Saturday evening visiting. The last thing on our minds would be a dance. Following that latest Saturday evening 45th reunion event at the Nevada Country Club, several of us met at the Delway Drive-In, on Sunday morning. Our former classmate, Brent Mendenhall, hosted a breakfast, before we all headed our separate ways.

I mentioned the word consternation in my opening lines. One thing that has never ceased to surprise me is the emotional damage that some people still seem to feel regarding their high school days.

I can't tell you how many times our committee members have contacted a former classmate to inform them of an upcoming reunion, only to be rebuffed. We hear many differing allegations, but most center around the perception that some of our former classmates, somehow feel they were mistreated.

These sentiments range in categories. Some indicate a sense that there was a "click" of kids that they never felt welcome to join. Others cite issues like money, clothing, and family background. Several of them have told me that they felt left out because there were certain kids that were in all the activities, such as school government, sports, band, and school plays.

It still amazes me that these deep painful slights have persisted all these years later, but exist they do. Some of our former classmates will never come back to a reunion, but over the years we have been able to overcome some of these issues.

Every reunion there is at least one individual, who makes it back for their first reunion ever. Invariably, it seems to be an eye opening adventure for them. I can't tell you how many times I have heard a statement such as; "I'm having so much fun, I can't believe I haven't come back before!"

I often wonder if this change in attitude is due to the simple fact, that they now see all the rest of us, not as those people they remember from their high school years, but as fellow senior citizens. Former classmates who have experienced some of the same trials and tribulations.

I look forward to seeing some of my Class of '65 friends. I like to take the NEVAMO's from those years, and look at the people before I seek them out once more. You see, I still love those days, the people, and the times.

We should all go back as often as we are able. Sadly, when I look at obituaries each week, it seems there are always a few more that we have lost. That, in itself should be reason enough to reunite again.

So here's to the weekend's Class of '65. I look forward to seeing you again, especially you "DREAM GIRLS!"