Do You Remember?

The most common question asked on Saturday night, July 22, 2006 was ..."Do You Remember? ....when we did whatever, who else we did it with, and maybe queried ourselves as to why we did what we did back in Southwest High.

Unlike earlier reunions, it wasn't really important to know where you worked, what kind of car you drove, or if you had a summer home with five grandchildren.

For me, I was too jealous to ask my fellow classmates if they were retired. In my case, I have a long working career ahead of me since my kids are still in college. But aside from that personal hangup, I was glad to see people that I had not seen in 40 years.

Yes, most of us could not really identify each other without cheating and looking at our name tags that had our high school senior picture. On the other hand there are people like Charlie Scott, RicSchaferer, Rob Ciampoli, Jeff McLellan, Dave Dembeck, Dan Kelly, Bev Kerr, Henry Plag, Charlie Heineman, Lou Galloway, Frank Zilm, just to name a few, who really look the same. In those cases we would point to the person and say.....Hey I know you your're...and we'd look at their name tags just to be sure.

Of course, the real problem with having 200 people in a large room, with music playing and conversations raging, is there were too many distractions and people to read all the name badges. Thank goodness people did take the initiative to grab people that they wanted to talk with. I was fairly lucky and managed to find people like Darlene Ketten, Dave Fannon, Stefan Kozak, Bob Rogger, Joe Rombolo, Dave Shaw, Cheryl and John Heddell, and a host of Dog Town childhood friends like Kenny Weissflug, Jane Ax, Jim Economon, Phyllis Rice, Beverly Graham, Gary Tash and Doug Nuelle.

But I missed talking with Don Frank, Alan Purvis, Willard Watts, Jim West, Judy Daman, Kathy Graf, Craig Hirsh, Mike Luther, Fred Stevenson and a lot of other people. I actually made a list this time of people I wanted to talk to, but even this wasn't enough. But I have a feeling that there were a lot of other people who felt the same way, a little overwhelmed.

People started to arrive as early as 6:30 and the banquet hall was literally throwing us out of the place at 12:30 am. There just wasn't enough time.

After the reunion, the next few days were a let down. I liken it to the feeling of just climbing Mt Everest. Maybe thatÂ’s an exaggeration. Never the less, judging from the emails the committee received and phone calls many of us had with old found classmates, the event was exhausting yet very satisfying. Perhaps it was a simple validation that our days at Southwest High, good and bad, made a lasting impression on all of us.

We will be keeping the Blog open, and posting photoÂ’s as we get them. So please stay tuned. If you want to get instant notification of new postings click the RSS box on the blog and it should automatically post to your email computer account. If you donÂ’t know what RSS is or means, it stands for Really Simple Syndication and it allow people to track Blogs or syndicated columns as they are written.

Stay cool St. Louis, and while there was a power outage that darkened over 300,000 homes and businesses, the Christy was lit up like a Christmas tree with lots of smiles, hugs, and dancing feet on Saturday night, July 22, 2006


Dennis Hayashi

All Systems Are GO--at THE CHRISTY

Hey Everybody,

Yes, St. Louis has been hit hard by the storms last evening
and many areas are currently without power! I stopped by
The Christy this morning, though, and all is well. Luckily,
that area has been totally spared any power loss! So, all
planned activities should be running on time!
My main concern right now is how am I going to blow dry
and curl my hair if my power at home doesn't return soon?

Brenda

Special Limo Service Offer!

News Flash!

Why drink and drive? That's the question that Roy Becker asked himself and he decided not to. He also thought that rather than ride alone in a spacious limo, he would offer to share the ride for $20.00 a head, with the first 10 people that needed or wanted a ride to The Christy.

That's right, for a total of $20.00 you can enjoy a roundtrip, air condioned ride in luxury to the Southwest High School Reunion, without the worry of the drive home. Round trip transportation with good friends and free drinks provided by Roy! Ladies, how can you beat a deal like this, and male classmates, why would you want to let Roy be alone in the limo with all of our female classmates attending the reunion alone!!!

Roy will have the limo pick up anyone in the city area. The limo will leave the Soulard area at 6:00 to begin picking up anyone who needs a ride.

The limo will also return passengers home after the reunion.

Keep in mind that a taxi will likely cost at least $40.00; a rental car $60.00; and a DUI about $200, so the donation of $20.00, including liquid refreshments in the Limo, is a terrific deal.

Roy asks that anyone interested to give him a call at 314-503-0383.

If Brenda and I did not have to help set up a few things at the reunion, we would both be in that limo with Roy.

Thanks Roy!

Dennis Hayashi

Greetings from Bob Kuhl !

This just in from Bob Kuhl. Pay attention now, Bob's only in town for the Reunion and flying in on Friday......be sure to get his email address at the reunion as well as his cell phone!


From Bob:

The clock is counting down and the excitement is building.

It looks as though a lot of work and effort has been put forth to provide a great time for all. I can't wait to hook up with old friends and classmates to relive the past and fast forward to the present. I especially want to hear the laugh of Ron Miano again.

I hope the committee will provide e mail address lists so we can stay in touch.

Unfortunately I am flying in late Friday and leave again early on Sunday and will miss a lot of these gatherings. I PROMISE to be here for a least a week for our 45th...Life has been great with no complaints. I retired in 2000, went back to work for a while,retired again,and just recently took on a part time job until November as an instructor for ATT and will travel a bit.

We make it back to St.Louis yearly and try to hit Drewes and White Castle at least once yearly. Hope to see everyone and be able to recognize you. See ya'll soon!

Remember you send it in and we'll post your message!

Greetings from Linda Jackson (Donnelly) and Carla Henke Mattson

That's right, there is still time to attend the Reunion, if you suddenly found some extra time, extra money, completed your move or had your grand child early, come on down (or up)to St.Louis. Just call Joyce 3 at 14-843-6946 or Brenda at 314-846-3345 or 314-359-9611

In the meantime, here are two emails that I just received from Carla Henke Mattson (who can now attend) and Linda Jackson (Donnelly) who unfortunately cannot attend)

From Carla:

After the early birth of our granddaughter, Sophia Grace Mattson, who was due July 22 (don't these kids plan anything for us), we are able to attend the SW reunion.

Although, my legal address is Orange Beach, AL, we travel from Lenexa, KS, (where my husband still works) and I'm able to do my work wherever. So you never know where I will be. (Editors Note: BE SURE TO ASK CARLA WHAT SHE DOES THAT SHE CAN DO ANYWHERE?) But I do look forward to seeing all of my SW friends.

My husband, Jim, and I just celebrated our 35th wedding anniversary and have 2 married children, 3 grandchildren, ages 3, 1 and now newborn, which belong to our oldest son, Brett and his wife Heather. (EDITORS NOTE: BE SURE TO BRING PICTURES OF YOUR FAMILY!) They live in Lenexa, KS. Son # 2, Clint and wife Kate live in Gulf Shores, AL, youngest Tiffany is unmarried, starting her master's and is a first grade teacher and lives in KC, MO. We feel very blessed with our lives and look forward to seeing everyone. Carla Henke Mattson
Please post on blog site as I'm not smart enough. It's okay to give out my e mail. (Chmattson@aol.com)

From Linda Jackson (Donnelly)

Hi Dennis,

I read your article last week about Dewey School, just wanted to let you know I am a an active member of RED HAT group from Dogtown. No one I went to grade school or high school is in the group, thank goodness!! ( I will not be sending a picture of me in the hat). (EDITORS NOTE; THERE IS AN ENTIRE WEBSITE DEDICATED TO DOG TOWN AT WWW. And why won't Linda send a picture in the RED HAT )

After reading about Dewey I just sat there and had great memories of years gone by. I have driven by the school a number of times over the years and it still looks the same.

I really never left the area, just moved 25 miles south after getting married. (39 years this year) Three grown boys, no grandchildren. In fact my youngest son was drafted by the Arizona Diamondbacks while he was playing on Jr. College team Patti West's Wallace) husband and son were coaching.

If anyone ever hears from Linda Dunn please let me know how I can contact her.

Just thought I would let you know how good it was to hear about Dewey School. Sorry I can't make it to the reunion, may the next one.

Linda Jackson (Donnelly) July 2006

Thank you Carla and Linda for your letters and for sharing them on the Blog to those who cannot attend. I've decided to build my own BINGO card of all the people who are attending the Reunion to see, or help me track, who I have not caught up with at the reunion. The last few reunions I felt like I did not do a very good job of seeing everyone. Maybe this time I will take a digital camera just to make sure I get everyone........but then we will have professional photographer attending.

Keep those emails coming.

Dennis

It's Not Too Late

If any of you out there have suddenly decided that you might
like to join us on the 22nd, then it's not too late! The Christy
has now told us that we can add names up until the day before!
If you can join us please call Joyce or Brenda ASAP!!
Joyce 314-843-6946 Brenda 314-846-3345 or 314-359-9611

Don't forget to bring any memorabilia you might have and please
put your name on it!

WE WANT YOU!

Brenda

brenszyd@charter.net

Activities for week-end of July 21, 2006

Greetings Southwest Grads,

Our 40th week-end celebration is now just 10 days away! We have close to 200 who will be attending our reunion on Saturday, July 22 at The Christy Banquet Center. The Christy is located 2 miles west of Interstate 270 and is behind McDonald's in the same plaza as the Antique Mall. We will begin registration around 6:45. The bar will open at 7:00 and the dinner buffet will begin promptly at 7:45. Group pictures will be taken right after dinner and dancing around 9:00! We have extended our evening at the Christy until midnight. We also have some great attendance prizes which have been donated by some of our alumni!
Can't wait to see you all!!

We do have some activities you might wish to participate in.

1. Friday, July 21 6:00 pm The Boathouse Beergarden in
Forest Park (Live music 7-11)

2. Meet at Ted Drewes 9:00 pm

3. Saturday, July 22 11:00 am Golf Outing at the Players Club

4. Saturday, July 22 10-7 Festival of Nations at
Tower Grove Park This is an outdoor multi-ethnic celebration
featuring traditional dance and music, ethnic food, cultural and
educational exhibits, folk art demos, and international market.

5. Saturday, July 22 7-12 Southwest 40th Reunion The Christy
13242 Tesson Ferry Rd.

6. Sunday, July 23 10-6 Festival of Nations at Tower Grove Park

7. Sunday, July 23 1-5 Sugar Creek Winery in Defiance, Mo.
Live music. You may bring a cooler, but no alcoholic beverages
are allowed. They want you to buy their wine! For those of you
not familiar with Sugar Creek go west on Hwy 40 to Hwy 94.
After exiting on 94 go left toward Defiance which is about 12 miles.
After leaving Definace begin looking for the Sugar Creek sign and
drive up the hill to their parking lot.

Keep in mind these are just suggestions for a full and enjoyable
week-end! For those of you who are unable to attend any of our
events we wish you the best of health and happiness!
You will be missed!!

Brenda Nelson Szydlowski

Special Thanks For Those Donating Door Prizes

Not only is the 40th Southwest High School Reunion Golf Classic shaping up, thanks to the diligence of Jay Mason (I hope this outing doesn't cost you your club membership!), but so are donations for surprise door prizes.

I would tell you what the prizes are, but then, it wouldn't be a surprise. Next week I might share the names of some of the people who have made donations so stay tuned. I can tell you that it's not the value of the give-away, but the thought behind it.

So, if you want to donate things like a basket of home made cookies, wine from your cellar, a few days at a vacation cottage, a case of micro beer from your local city, stamps from your new foreign country, or a new kitten, jump right in with your offering.

But please, no old SW letter sweaters or jackets, and no old class rings.

Don't forget to bring photo's (old and new) to be posted on a board at the reunion. Many of us would really like to see your kids, and in some cases, your grandchildren. BUT REMEMBER TO PUT A CUT LINE WITH THE NAMES OF THE PEOPLE IN THE PICTURE......we may not recognize you, so give those of us with bad eyes and even worse memories a helping hand with names and dates!

Joyce and Sue have made the final dinner selections, and it sounds pretty good, something for everyone and it doesn't sound like you will leave hungry. We will post photo's of the event since there is strong interest in keeping this Blog going.

If you want me to post up any message, question or suggestion email me at dhman48@hotmail.com I promise to answer all mail. You can also send me email through this blog.

Finally, please do correspond to any or all of the reunion committee members. They have done a great job, and I can't say that enough. It is a thankless job, well, maybe not totally since I know that the few conference calls I have been able to participate in sounded like a lot of fun.

Stay tuned for updates.