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This is the Waterford Kettering Autograph Book for the 1965
40 year Class Reunion. If you have a moment please pass on your thoughts as to your visit with your Classmates and Friends, on September 16th, 17th, and 18th, 2005. It was one of those memorable moments that we must share with those that could not attend and that it may encourage them to attend the next one, the big 50. Thanks to Diane Jarvis Holcomb and all the other committee members that have worked so hard to bring together the alumni from 1965. Diane Jarvis Holcomb, Sharon Brunner Grammer, Edwina “Eddie” Delbridge, Marti Den Herder Meagher, Blanche Busch, Pat Harkey Bourdeau, Norene Cumming Kershaw, Tammy Rosegart Tallenger, Jane Walters Powell, Maggie Shelton and to all the others that worked on the 1965 Waterford Kettering 40th Class Reunion to make it a success for so many that attended and those that now wish they had.
Take a moment and compose your thoughts, put them in an email and allow me to fill the Autograph Book with those fond memories. snapshop@ix.netcom.com or waterfordalumni@aol.com
John Carter Forbes, Class of Waterford Kettering 1965
starts us out with his thoughts...
Great Expectations
and Reunion Reality
A few years ago I did some interesting “self-help” work that taught me to limit my life of expectations and to expand my life of possibilities. This idea can be condensed into the mantra “Expectations unrealized leads to disappointment: Possibilities unrealized leads to Possibilities.” (Sorry about all the capital letters, Mr. Kaminskis.) I know; that’s a nice philosophy, but life has a way of constantly putting mantras to the test.
The concept of “creating possibility” guides us to “live in the now” try and remain awake to possibility as we travel through life’s changing scenery. A perfect opportunity for “practicing possibility” is the class reunion. You must admit, the thought of going to your old hometown, the hangouts, your old school, visiting former classmates, seeing old crushes, recalling fantasies, friends and not-friends can lead to a whole bushel basket of expectations. Some “great” expectations, some no-so-great.
The WKHS Class of ’65 sent me an invitation this summer to their planned 40th class reunion. It was to be a fall-affair on September 17, 2005. Do I want to go or no? Gee, I’d like to see Bill and Jim and Dave. I wonder if they’ll show up? I’d like to see my family back in Michigan. Fall is a pretty time to visit the Midwest. I love my wife, but I’d be lying if I said I wouldn’t like to see some of the girls I used to date and flirt with in the halls, at parties, and at the occasional dances. (Okay, OCCASIONALLY during class, but come on!)
What’s to stop me from going? Well, there’s the money thing. See, I live in the San Diego area and while several airlines fly to Michigan, and they’re happy to take us along, they refuse to do it for free! Yeah, business has been okay, but we just dug ourselves out of the money pit of sending two kids to college when “Voila” (Did you like that Mr. Fleury?) the other two kids have an idea that college is just the place for them. But, heck! I just had a good month at work, there’s a little extra cash in the checking account, so let’s go! Then, BAM! The central air conditioner goes to the happy hunting-ground, and the furnace needs replacing. Darn! I wasn’t expecting that to happen
(See what I mean?).
The specter of paying for house repairs make me work a bit harder and, I think maybe we can afford to go to Michigan after all. I wonder who’ll be there? Several old friends are on the “class reunion committee”, so they’ll show up. What the heck! Let’s do it!
We arrive in Detroit late on Thursday, it’s been raining all day Friday, which is the day before reunion, and Saturday’s got some lingering showers. I love it! We haven’t had rain in Southern California since May. We have a fun couple of days seeing family, doing some shopping and visiting old haunts, so I’m ready to tackle the class reunion.
I walk into the banquet hall thinking I have managed to corral my expectations. I’m just going to explore the possibilities. Sure. The first two people I see upon walking in the door are Blanche Busch and Diane Jarvis, two of the key reunion organizers. Yeah, they’ve changed a bit, but the warm smiles are still there. All right!
My wife Cecilia was born and raised in Escondido, California and she doesn’t know anyone here except me. So, I keep her close as we circle the room in fits and starts and I share hugs and introductions with lots of old friends. I’m taking photos for Mike Dolliver’s WKHS website as I go from group to group, and I find that this is an advantage. It gives me “license” to interrupt gaggles of friends deep in conversation, prompting them to pose for the upcoming flash of the camera. There’s Tammy Rosegart Tallenger who helped me “run” Mr. Moffat’s homeroom for four years. Here’s Mike Godoshian from golf and b-ball, along with Charlie Watson. Dave Giles and Sherie Gobler still have the world’s greatest smiles. Marty DenHerder, Lani Lee and Georgeanna Kruchko, haven’t changed but a smidge.
Judy Dalton, Larry Keech and Judy Stranahan are still in a party-mood. I have to laugh and smile watching Sally Wilson Asman doing “the Hustle”. All good stuff!
A reunion is also a chance for a “do-over”. I talked to Jane Morgan, Dale Wiltse, John Peterson and Donn DeBeauclair more than I did all through high school. Sure, we would say “Hi” in the halls and class. But, did we ever really talk? Did I ever really listen? I had the best conversation with Gary Easley since we rode the church bus together during a confirmation class outing. Do-overs are cool.
It’s tough to think about a class reunion without dwelling upon expectations. When you think about it, graduating from high school is a huge beginning for the rest-of-your-life. We have such expectations about what we’re going to do, where we’re going to go, and the experiences that wait around the corner. But, I think the experiences, or more correctly, the expectations associated with these experiences-to-come never really work out according to our master plan, for any of us. Our life experience may be similar to our “plans”, but little is “as expected”.
Honestly, I expected to see some people who, in the end, didn’t show up for the class reunion. And, their non-appearance was a bit disappointing. I know they had their reasons. I’ve had mine over the years. Family emergencies, money considerations, health problems and scheduling conflicts are real curveballs for all of us in life.
But what of the local friends who live within an hour’s drive away and have nothing else planned but another evening in front of the boob tube? Could it be “they had expectations of what the reunion was going to be like”? “I know it’s going to be bad, so why waste the money!” Maybe it’s easier not having to face old friends who remind us of that “huge beginning” that centered round our graduation day and the fact that life didn’t conform to our expectations.
Whatever the reason or non-reason, I think the 40th Reunion for the Class of ’65 was a hoot! To the friends who didn’t attend, I hope whatever prevented you from joining your former classmates gets handled by the time the “BIG 50” rolls around. Perhaps you are visiting Mike Dolliver’s WTHS/WKHS website, and belong to some other class. If so, think about possibilities when you consider whether or not to attend your reunion. If you remember my friendly mantra and seek “possibilities” instead of “expectations” you might surprise yourselves with a rollicking good time.
Have a great day!
John C. Forbes
WKHS Class of ’65
please e-mail snapshop@ix.netcom.com
http://www.WaterfordAlumni.com
This site is dedicated to Maggie Shelton who so graciously has supplied her year books for the scanning project. Thanks Maggie..and Mike
and to Diane Jarvis who has worked tirelessly through the years, on the yearbooks, school, reunions and other special events.
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