The 2007 Maplewood Reunion Picnic
The 2007 Maplewood Reunion Picnic was a success! About 80 people attended, and over $2300 was raised in the Benefit Auction for our friend Buddy Coulter. Following is a recap of the day's events.
May 19th was a bright, beautiful Saturday, and perfect for a picnic. Shelter #8 is located very near the water, and it was a lovely scene with the sunlight on the waves and motorboats cruising the lake. Just to our West, hobbyists were flying their radio-controlled model airplanes. Three-foot long replicas of P51 Mustangs, WWI biplanes, and other aircraft of the last century zoomed over and around our shelter—looping, rolling, and climbing straight up until they stalled.
Well before noon, Judy Meeks* and David Campbell were near the PA system under the shelter, ready to greet everyone as they arrived. Debi Taylor, Diane Jackson, Anita Kinkade, Jan Lallemand and Patricia Hicks were busy decorating the shelter with balloons and signs. Meanwhile Joel McClanahan and others were hanging banners, getting food out, and preparing to grill the hotdogs and hamburgers. Judy's husband, Mike Wooden, had made a CD with music of the sixties, and the songs set the mood for our nostalgic gathering. About twenty classmates and friends had arrived by 11:30 AM, all eager to help set up for the picnic. Shortly after noon, David Campbell, Larry Osborne, Tommy Sorrells and others started grilling the food.
As the minutes passed and other friends arrived, it was much easier identifying everyone, as compared to the 2005 reunion that had occurred after a 35 year separation for many of us. This time we were better able to engage in relaxed conversations and had a greater opportunity to get reacquainted. It was a pleasure seeing longtime friends upbeat and having a good time. At 1:00 PM, a blessing was said for the food, and we lined up for hamburgers, hotdogs, and a variety of side dishes and desserts. We had very pleasant, casual conversations over our meals, and continued right on talking after the food was put away.
At about 3:00 PM, Judy and David announced it was nearing time for the auction and asked for everyone's attention. Faculty members present from our days at Maplewood were then recognized. Those attending were Principal Morris Estes, Coach Paul Burgess, Coach Billy Dorris, Mr. Joe Wall and Mrs. Danye Sue Phifer. We were so pleased they came! Then Judy asked former students present from other Maplewood classes to stand so we could see them. There were about ten in all, and we of the Class of 1970 were honored and delighted that they would join us.
Sheila Litton then spoke some words in remembrance of our classmate and friend Mike Kelly, whom she had known since elementary school. Following Sheila, Cheryl Williams read the roster of classmates and faculty known to be deceased, and a moment of silence was observed in their memory.
It was then time for the auction of "mystery" items. Auctioneer Doug Pipes (Husband of Teresa Grisham, class of '71) got to the PA, and the bidding began, with Joel McClanahan, Gary Kemp, Donna Kemp and Gary Strunk assisting. As expected, the auction was accompanied by frequent laughter and banter. For the third item on the block, Dave Sharp and Susan Allen entered into an open bidding war, but Principle Morris Estes suddenly jumped in and trumped them with the winning bid. Mr. Estes then asked Judy Meeks Wooden to find a person in need of the item (which turned out to be a floor fan), and she later located an elderly person glad to have it. Mr. Estes is now in his eighties, and we were so happy to have him and the other faculty from Maplewood with us for the picnic.
We were highly pleased to see Buddy Coulter in good spirits, and except for his fatigue, most of us would not have known he had recently suffered a heart attack and seven strokes. Part of the aftermath of his illness is that his heart rate will not exceed 60 beats per minute, which causes Buddy to be extremely tired. However, he makes it clear he is determined to fight to improve his health, and we have no doubt he will. Brave fellow! I speak for many in saying we admire Buddy for his courage and warm, brotherly attitude. We are also uplifted to hear that Buddy has decided to stay in the Nashville area instead of returning to Florida. He will be living with his son, Chris, and Chris's wife for a while. He says he is so much happier being around people who mean so much to him and thinks it will help him continue to improve both mentally and physically.
After the auction, we gathered outside the shelter for a group photo, with much posing and wisecracking making the photographers' job a challenge. We then went back inside and resumed talking and enjoying ourselves in the spring afternoon. Some of us visited until after 7:00 PM.
It was such a very pleasant time, with fascinating conversations and warm cheerful fellowship. Some of us even got to make new friends with people we did not know while at Maplewood.
Thanks to everyone who planned and worked and came. You made it possible. May our lives be full of good cheer, as we look forward to our next happy reunion.
~Editor, May 25, 2007
*For simplicity, maiden names for ladies have been used
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~NOTES FROM FRIENDS UNABLE TO MAKE THE PICNIC...
——————————————————————————————————————————Wish I could attend the picnic this year, but I will be out of town. Hope everyone
has a great time.
Sandy (Inman) Herbert
Michael,
Sorry I cant attend the Picnic this time. Please tell everyone hello for me. I
will be racing in the Augusta Grand Prix the same weekend in the Formula 2 series. The
picture is from our last race in Chattahoochee, FL 3 weeks ago #91.
Best Wishes for a good time at the Picnic!!
Bobby Chaffin #91
[Bobby included a photo of his #91 racing boat]
Sorry I will miss you at the picnic, I will be working in Vegas at a convention. Tell
everyone that I miss them.
Ken Haas
...I am not going to be able to make the picnic on Saturday with much regret. My
seventeen year old son is going to his first girlfriend's prom that day and I am in charge
of pictures. Please tell all if you can that I think of them often and will always
remember those days, to me they were the best of times.
Diane (Hughes) Weaver
Hi Michael,
Please say "hello" to the class of 1970 for me.
--Keith Griffith (Class of '69), Alaska