February 8, 2010

Another 50th Reunion planning meeting was held on February 8, 2010 and you can view highlights below.

January 15, 2010

Diane Dennis LaVetter recorded the proceedings of the reunion planning committee meeting held on October 26, 2009.

Notes from 50^th Reunion Meeting

Date:  October 26, 2009

Location:  El Parador, Tucson

50th Reunion Planning Meeting October 2009 from Harry Palmer on Vimeo.

Attendees: 

Guests:  Ed Schafer, Don Thomas, Harry Johnson  (guests/spouses always welcome!)

Call to Order:  Fran Tegarden Johnson called the meeting to order at 1:20 pm.   She once again thanked the group’s participation for the very good turnout.   A thank you once again to Linda Navarro Rincon for assisting with the location and reservations.

Jim Cohen began and gave an update on the mini annual.  It was agreed that the size should be the standard paper size, 8 1/2 x 11.   Also agreed that “essay” type responses would be printed including tribute type comments to deceased classmates.  It was felt that there would be adequate pages and space.  After discussion of the questionnaire the term ‘milestones’ was accepted.   Those that have additional suggestions should forward those to Jim.  Jim’s email is Zzjimco@aol.com.   As an aside, the class of 1960 was the 51^th graduating class.

It was also noted by Paul Deutsch that our French foreign exchange student, Michele Dumontiel,  has written to Paul.   She is planning on coming to the 50^th!

Yvonne Tellez reported on her search committee and their efforts.   Currently, we have 94 missing.  In addition, Yvonne distributed a list of newly found classmates.   She also added her appreciation and thanks to those who have helped her – Bob Temple, Lorna Castor and many others.  She added having difficulty finding those with very common names and those with married names.  The group applauded Yvonne for her and her committee efforts.

Marilyn Ash Tarrant, member of THS Badger Foundation Board of Directors, reported that the Class of '58 made a sizeable donation of $11,000 to the THS Badger Foundation.   She also added that the 2010 graduating class will be asking for escorts from the class of 1960 at their June graduation. She noted that those alumni who have participated in past graduation ceremonies have thoroughly enjoyed the experience.    She also announced that the Senior Follies will begin again.

Fran stated that notes of meetings will be posted for a period of time on our website.

Jane Chambers Bischoff was unable to attend today’s meeting.  Onofre Norton Schnack and Vicky Cutchall Hariton briefly reported on Memorabilia, etc.   The theme is ‘A Time To Remember’ - looking for clothes, etc,  bikes, old and new pictures, games, i.e., marbles, jacks, pickup sticks.  It would be wonderful if we could have a few old cars on display.     Onofre gave an update on the key chain memento.   Using the same jeweler as the THS Badger Foundation, the key chains would run about $8.50 and would have a special inscription.    This would be an item that could be offered in the registration packet.  

Evey gave a report on the music.  Bill Bravo plans to bring three of the Liberty band members.    

Malcom Levin indicated he is certain that inexpensive t-shirts can also be offered as a memento of the weekend event. Marilyn will check with the foundation for pricing estimates.

Butch asked whether THS tours would be available during the reunion time.  He agreed to research this with both THS and perhaps Mansfeld and Roskruge.

There was a great deal of discussion on the plans for Sunday.   It was noted that the Class of '59 spent Sunday at The Shanty Cafe in downtown Tucson on 9^th Avenue.  Janice will check into the necessary arrangements with The Shanty.    This would be an optional event.

Ed Shafer inquired about news/newspaper coverage.   He also suggested that administration approval  might be necessary when asking for donations to perhaps cover expenses of those unable to attend.

Paul talked briefly about our website… the continuing changes, updates, additions made over the years.  He announced that there have been over 18,000 hits to the website.

It was also noted that the class of '59 invited several teachers to their reunion – and several attended.

It is anticipated that the registration packets will be mailed in March – seven months in advance of the event.   We also talked about  the possibility of making a DVD of the events and the possible costs.   

Plans are to have a meeting in February  and the mailing of packets meeting in early March. 

Evey Fink Bendalin reported on Franklin Gee’s recent unexpected death.    The possibility of nominating Franklin for the THS Hall of Fame was discussed.    Evey will check with Bob Gee regarding some type of appropriate memorial and also how the contributions for such a memorial would be done.

The meeting adjourned at 2:45 pm.

June 21, 2009

Here is an updated listing of those working on the 50th reunion planning committee:

The Reunion Planning Committee is looking for a few more people who want to help plan the 50th reunion. We have a good core of experienced and dedicated committee members but we need more so that the 50th Reunion will be the biggest and best so far.

There are 3 co-chairpersons: Evey Fink, Diane Dennis, and Fran Tegarden.

Others involved:

Peggy Abbott is the Treasurer.

Bette Sacherson, Jan Mackenzie, and Felicia Sanders are the Food Committee.

Jane Chambers, Vikie Cutchall and Onofre Norton are doing Memorabilia.

Jim Cohen will edit the responses to the questionnaire and will assemble the mini-annual.

Yvonne Tellez is heading the effort to track down as many classmates as we can. This is critical. We want to contact as many of our classmates as we can so they know about the reunion and so they can make plans to attend. She has several others working on tracking down classmates including Felicia Sanders, Carol Davies, and Pat Minteer. Also working on this effort are Butch Farabee and Gary Freeman. Other detectives include: Bob Temple, Nelda Schrepel, Dina Diaz, Sandy Padias, Sandy Eckburg, Linda Navarro and Ted Gladden.

Linda Navarro sets up the luncheon meetings of the Committee several times a year. There have been 3 in the past year so far.

Marilyn Ash will organize the registration.

Paul Deutsch is the Webmaster.

Did we miss anybody? If so, please let me know and I'll update this list.

What other aspects of the reunion need people help?

June 15, 2009

There were approximately 560 in our graduating class; more if you count those who started at THS and then graduated somewhere else and some who didn't graduate but were part of our class.

270 currently live in Arizona, about half the class. For those of you who don't live in Arizona and haven't seen our school recently, this is what it looks like now.

This is a video so click on that diamond in the center of the rectangle to start the video.

THS (now called Tucson High Magnet School)