Well, it's come and gone, and this is for those of you classmates who couldn't make it, and also for my 'non-class' friends.

 

The whole thing kicked off at the Sarasota Garden club on Friday evening,  With a cash bar (reasonable too! ) and lots of finger food plus a carved roast beef and potato choice so nobody had to leave early for dinner.  This made for a more complete gathering and more mingling of old friends.  The entertainment of course, was just the getting together.  Since this was out 50th. milestone there were many there we had not seen since graduation - - -50 years ago. They came from as far away as Maine and the great Lakes region! 

 

Saturday AM  we met again at the Garden club to tour the Sarasota Arts Council building and exhibition. A great show was in progress, featuring works from an elementary school and  other stuff by local (grown up ) artists as well.  Then on to the Historical Society's building next door for hundreds of pictures and articles about Old Sarasota.  Groups were gathered around pointing themselves out in Boy Scout uniforms parading down Main Street, performing in Sailor Circus and other activities.   From there, the boys and girls split up for pre-arranged lunches at Mattisons (gals) and Barnacle Bills (guys) .  The afternoon was open for personal goofing off.

 

At 6 PM Saturday we started congregating at the Sarasota Yacht Club for the "Dressy Casual"  cocktail and dinner affair.  More mingling of course, and after an EXCELLENT dinner It couldn't have been better!  Dancing was available along with general schmoozing.  Bruce Harting brought his 7 year old son Bruce Jr.  who delighted us all with his big toothy grin and his exemplary manners.  We are deeply indebted to Mr. and Mrs. Ray Thacker for sponsoring us at the Yacht Club, otherwise we couldn't have used the lovely facilities, so many thanks to them  Many of us stayed fairly late hoping to meet old pals before they left.

 

Sunday at 10 AM: Beach Brunch at Siesta.  Several people asked me if I was going to do another spectacular skydive into the beach this year (like I did in '78) I've gone on to other things, though I talked to Bruce about our doing one for the next  reunion. We'll only be in our mid 70's- - -why not!?!  More food, more people and a general feeling of melancholy since it was nearly over again and we have a few years to await another great event. We're getting on in years, and each reunion brings us a few more who have  gone on to "a better place". In spite of that little dab of sadness, we have great times at these things, and always wish there were just a little bit more!