post 35th reunion reflections

I found the trib site a few nights ago. Like Schrodinger's cat experiment, discovery brought certainty to the unknown, alive just moments ago. And it seemed like just moments ago....

He sat next to me in home room. His gift for art was off the scale, and our senses of humor fed each other. I was honored to be credited with some of the ideas that got 'inked, writ, drawed' as he'd say. But between home room and Latin classes, we'd mix it up pretty good, test our Marx brothers repartee, and banter with Eugene. It was either the summer of '74 or '75, I wanted to commission him to draw the fellowship characters from the LOTR. I had been reading it again and again each August in the 70's, and if ANYONE could capture and cast the characters correctly, he could. He said he hadn't read it, but describe them, and he'd give it a shot. It was pen and simple paper, but it rocked, of course. Captured out of thin air, and my weak descriptions of the characters, but they appeared powerful on paper.

I saw him once more a few years later, he was pretty excited, to the effect of: 'you have no idea what came after that simple drawing. I was intrigued enough to read the LOTR. I was hooked, man. It was all I could draw. And that turned into my own drawings. I turned that into a job, there's a real demand for this stuff, its just snowballed beyond the imagination.' I don't know what I mustered up in response, something lame like 'great, glad you had fun with it'. He'd have gotten there anyway, one way or another - the talent was too great, and his cartooning path had been pointed there for a long time, but I think we often can't see a paths direction while we're still on the journey. I didn't give it another thought, regrettably, until the other night - a classmate I wish we had connected with. I was thinking that after the 35th reunion. It had been too long - and we had indeed laughed hard and often back then. That's so for a lot of our old friends and acquaintances. We don't have to stay disconnected, and the energy required to reach out has never been lower - given the internet.

So last week I went looking for him, wanting to commission a cartoon. I wanted to ask if he would do a caricature of our class, like he used to do in the Mirror. And I found Dennis Mize on the web. He'd been very busy all of these years, and his tribute site is clearly a testament to that. I'm very sorry we never re-connected, and hope sharing this helps us bridge other connections that we can still make. http://www.darkswordminiatures.com/gallery/DennisPage.htm We have several of his Mirror-published drawings from 70-74, on the http://www.nhs74.org site,I hope we can get some more. Peace to Dennis.....

8 mm movie - 50's day

Our NHS74 website is almost 1 yr old.  We've been debating - what do we have to do to get more content out there - and get others to do the same!  Frankly, we're running through our stuff,

and if its stuff(photos, scrapbooks, et al) we saved, its most likely personal - and maybe of limited appeal.  5 people's photo archives pretty quickly narrows in on the "usual suspects" - and we don't want that.  

We want the NHS74 site  to be a composite, a patchwork quilt of ALL members of the class.

So imagine our excitement when one old posted scrap of our 50's day in 1973(literally a yellow clipping from the Norwood Enterprise from '73) triggered Leonard Burns to volunteer that he had 5 mins of 8mm film from that day!    

THIS is what the site is about - piecing together the fun memories, the silliness, from all of us, about all of us, for all of us.    

Thanks Leonard, and thanks in advance to everyone else for whatever content, suggestions, or leads to content about our class.

Content remains king - awareness still required

As we work on the class of 74 website for NHS, we continue to grapple with 2 variants of a basic question:

Why aren't more folks signing up? 

1. Are they unaware of the site?
2. Are they aware, but the site is not compelling enough for them to interact?

If anyone has any insight into this - pls leave a comment!  We'd be grateful.

In the interim, we'll keep driving new content to http://www.nhs74.org AND keep trying to increase awareness.  

On a separate note,  check this out - vote for the city's best burger brought to our attention by John Hill - and note that Quatman Cafe is in the running.  Vote early and often!!!!!

American Idle Classmates

Ryan: welcome back as we continue to identify the Idle Classmates, we've asked you all to vote, results are coming in, let's ask our judges what they think. Randy?

Randy: Yo, dog, so listen up, here it is: It's kinda pitchy for me, cause 60 of you are signed up, only 30 have voted so far for the 35th reunion details. Dude - thats a lot of idle classmates, just keepin it real. I don't know baby, I don't know.....

Paula: the 30 of you that voted, did it with heart, and that's who you are. You just keep on being you, and you will be.  I'm proud of you, and Mr. Lawson would be too!

Ryan: thanks for those words of wisdom. Simon, anything to add?

Simon: I think it was a dreadful performance. About 225 classmates, 60 are registered, over 2/3rds are idle.

Audience: booooo!

Simon: That's the kind of audience attendance one would expect at a cabaret.  And seriously, 8 of those 30 voters said they had ideas, and would post them on the Reunion Ideas page

but THAT page is completely idle - no input.  I'm sorry, but that means idle hands, and you know they say that ......

Audience:   Booo!!!!

Simon: its my oPINion, just being honest.

Ryan:  that's it for another night, find those idle classmates!

NHS Class of 74 - help us find them!

Please help us locate the following classmates, and encourage them to join our website.
We're planning the 35th reunion of Norwood High Schools class of 1974 (next year, 2009), and want to try to have the best event we've ever had. Even if you can't come, pls register at the website.  Yeah - I know some of you are thinking "I'm not a joiner" or "I see the people I want now" or "I'm never goin back to my old school" (we have a video for you! :--) or screw that!

But this is an appeal
- to the wisdom you've earned with age, that what matters are people and relationships, and folks would like to see you
- to your curiosity (what DOES he/she look like these days! how lame IS that site they're flogging?) hint: it doesn't suck :-)
- to take a chance to do as much as rekindle an old relationship or as little as say "hello, I must be going", or check in and tell us "i vanna be alone!" and we'll respect that.  But check in once at the site and say hey - OK?
- to take a risk, or take no risk, but try to remember one good time you had with this class, and share it, for old times sake.
- to do a simple thing, while you can

Whaddayathink???

Looking for:
Abbatello Kathy
Acey Kathy
Achten jeff
Adams Terry
Adcock Harry
Adkins Jerry
Allen Linda
Alvin Taunya
Andrus Jill
Armstrong Dave
Bailey Gary
Baird Debbie
Banks Sandra
Barton Mary
Bates Sharon
Becker Byron
Bentley Rita
Blankenship Gary
Boeckmann Tom
Boelleke Bill
Boggs Brenda
Bowman Iva
Braden Mary
Brennecke Carol
Brice Chuck
Bright Roger
Brummett Bob
Bryce Charles
Burns Barbara
Burns Leonard
Burwinkel Paul
Caddell Joan
Callahan Mary
Cannon Melodie
Cholkas John
Condon Mike
Conover Sandra
Cooper Pamela
Cooper Paul
Copelin Sandra
Cornelius Connie
Counts Dennis
Cox Terry
Cox Tim
Cracraft Linda
Craft Larry
Crouch Donna
Cullen Mark
Curtis Peter
Daniels Garry
Daugherty Teresa
Dawson Robert
Day Gail
Dick Denise
Douglas Jeffery
Dow Gail
Dowd Jeanne
Downing James
Duesing Robert
Duggins Cindy
Durbin Christine
Elder Loretta
Elliott Margaret
Evans Connie
Faulkner Jim
Fichter Catherine
Fitzgerald Katherine
Fitzpatrick Jack
Flynn Larry
Foltz Mary
Fredrick Hollie
Fredrick Perry
Friar Peggy
Frost Tony
Fye Donna
Galliher Victoria
Gamble Dale
Garland Phyliss
Garland Phyllis
Gast Judy
Gearhart Alan
Gentry Virginia
Geraci Helene
Gerwe Roger
Giles Fred
Gillispe Denise
Gilreath Rodney
Goens Elizabeth
Greatorex Thomas
Green Janis
Grubbs Cynthia
Guy Thomas
Hackney George
Hafer Betsey
Hamblin Archie
Hammann Lynne
Harmon Donna
Harris David
Harris David
Hayes Cindy
Hearing Michael
Heaton Michelle
Henry James
Hicks James
Hill Gary
Hill John
Hinkle Carolyn
Hinkle Donna
Hoover John
House Tana
Howard Debra
Hubbard Gary
Hughes Patrick
Hughes Sally
Humble Mark
Hurlbut Cheryl
Isaac Kathy
Janzen Edward
Jinks Fredrick
Johnson Alfred
Johnson Julian
Johnson Lonnie
Jones Sandra
Jordan Sarah
Kelly Michael
Kemper Virgina
King Trudia
Kingery John
Knox George
Koros Costa
Kothe Carolyn
Krebs William
Krechting Sherri
Kushman Michael
Lancaster Carol
Landess Ruthann
Lay Timmy
Lee Carol
Leidenheimer Janet
Lillard Brenda
Lindsay David
Long Billy
Long Donald
Lucas Richard
Luken Thomas
Luken Thomas
Manier Thomas
Marcum Steve
Martin David
Martin Judy
Mastin Daryl
Mattingly Karen
Mayse Herbert
McAllister James
McCarthy Thomas
McCoy Connie
McFarland Lester
McGinnis Jack
McGuire Thomas
Meadors Donald
Meinking Denis
Meredith Dennis
Metcalfe Daniel
Mize Dennis
Mobley Sandra
Moore Gerald
Morgan Paul
Morrison Linda
Motz Mary
Mueller William
Mullen Stephen
Mullikin Timothy
Naegel Bradford
Newsom Scott
Newton Deborah
Nickson Partricia
Noland Charles
O'Brien James
O'Connor Timothy
Owens Linda
Page Deborah
Parker Wayne
Parr Wanda
Parsons Rick
Perkins Glenda
Pettit Diane
Phelps Linda
Phelps Patricia
Pigg Jackie
Pilman Michael
Pottinger Debbie
Prather Elbert
Prather Jack
Prather Kimbra
Privett Joy Lynne
Prows Douglas
Pugh Martha
Quillen Pam
Rader Deena
Ramsey Connie
Ramsey Kimberlea
Rawlings Gary
Reagan Mark
Reeves Paul
Reinhardt Jesse
Rhodes Roy
Rich Victor
Richmond Arthur
Ricker Michael
Riggs Shelia
Riley Vickie
Robertson Patricia
Robinson Steve
Rogers Edna
Rose Debra
Ruebusch Thomas
Schibi Donald
Schnitzler Donald
Schroeder Margaret
Schulte Neal
Shea Joseph
Sheeler Beverly
Siegman Ray
Silber Leslie
Sittason Robin
Sittason Robin
Slaven Brenda
Slayback Sandy
Slusher Pamela
Smith Kathy
Smith Shelia
Smith Shelia
Speigle Robert
Srarbati Louis
Stears Marilyn
Steele Michael
Stevens Gayle
Stevens Gregory
Stone Francis
Stoops Peggy
Stricker Kimberly
Sullivan Brenda
Sullivan Patricia
Sutton Pam
Swanson John
Tarter Sally
Telecsan Bret
Thomas Margie
Thompson Melody
Tincher Deborah
Troxell Mary
Troxell Warren
Urmetz Patricia
Utter Greg
Wagner Peter
Wall Patricia
Wardwell Beverly
Waters Shelia
Watkins Deborah
Weiler John
Weinheimer Ronald
Wells Patricia
West Terry
Westermeyer Mark
White Beverly
White Lynn
White Robert
Williams Deborah
Wilmes Glenn
Wilson Deborah
Witt Bobby
York Debbie

And the contacts started coming in...

We sent out an e-mail to about 60 classmates, asking them to please vote for the "features" of our 35th year reunion. A typical survey gets 10% response. We are approaching 50% - unheard of!!!

We also asked that folks get the word out - to "missing classmates" those who hadn't registered as of this posting. That is working as well. We've had another 4 or 5 folks sign up, so the word is circulating.

And then there was an e-mail concerning a missing comrade, who passed away on Christmas day a few years back. I'm sure it was a tough e-mail for the relative to write, it was certainly tough to receive. We weren't close, but we crossed paths from time to time over the years. We always spoke when we met, and laughed about those shared times, when our priorities were different from todays. We were glad to have made it - to still be making it - cause some didn't, we'd say (over a beer at Quatman, or Bogarts). Upon reflection, we all did make it - but to different destinations, following different paths, on different timings. Here or beyond.
Eternal peace Kimbo, and to all of our classmates from 74 who have already made it beyond the veil, Karen M, Mike A. and Mike S, and Greg(Nanard) M. You are missed........

PLs go HERE and vote - early and often, being as it is an election yr. Like many states in the US - no ID required - so it is patriotic and
modeled after our country's best processes. This poll will help us plan the 35th yr reunion for next yr.


Secondly, these folks - whether they know it or not - are missing. All missing - perhaps willfully, or unknowingly, maybe dementia, even with aforethought and malice, or cyberphobia - who knows - but missing nonetheless. In fact, class of '74,
we're all missing. Versus our 35 year alter egos, we're missing hair, teeth, lean muscle mass, fewer meals, and as time fades,
we're missing opportunities to share memories and friendships that fade more with time....

So class - you have homework. Pick some names on this list, and SEND them this e-mail and encourage them to go sign up on the site.
It's free to sign up - no costs like that big borgish and spammy Klass-Mateys thing.
it's designed For Us, By Us - our very own FUBU (maybe we can market a line of clothes or sumpin?), in our spare time.
We've been at it for a while, have employed some cool web tricks - go GOOGLE "NORWOOD" and "1974" We come up on page one, and not by accident, and not because GOOGLE rocks(but it does). And we'll keep at it until Microsquish tries to buy is.
It IS a good way for us to keep in touch. We have scheduled chats, lotsa pictures - but pls add your own. It Is starting to turn out.

"Missing Folks" - pls go register, and now pass this message on to someone else from our class. Do not break this chain. We cannot stress enough the unknown consequences which have never taken place when some
unfortunate soul sought to tempt fate and break this chain. This message has travelled all the way around the wires and through the big thing shown on Southpark that is certainly the Internet - and then to you - over and over and over again
this one time - without being broken. So pls pass it on - and surely good class of '74 karma awaits. And - a funny thing happens - like a virtuous cycle - more people join OUR site http://www.nhs74.org
and the site gets more usage, contributions, content, and the experience gets better for all of us. Once you register, you will no longer be listed as missing, kinda automagically once you register - and it is free to you.
And do check out the site - there is a lot of stuff out there! But it could be way mo' betta if you were there too!


Whoever gets the most folks to sign up, and can prove it - (e.g. new signer-uppers - put a note in the log like "Tom Grace paid me 2 NHS plates to register) will be registered to win something, awarded at our 35th reunion.
So get out the emials - and get out the vote http://www.nhs74.org/poll.php?catid=2

Norwood Ohio - Norwood High School Class of 1974

The Norwood High School class of 1974 web site is now up!.   Feel free to check it out,

and please, if you know a member of the class of '74, please point them our way!

We are still missing a lot of folks, listed here.  

The reunion committee welcomes all comments, feedback, and correspondence!