DIRECTORY UPDATE: ALMOST HERE!

I know you all are eagerly awaiting the latest edition of the class directory, but I'm still working on a few loose ends, which means that, if you haven't submitted your updated contact information and news, this is your last call! This time around, the directory will also include links to video excerpts from the Saturday night program and also to the classmates' greetings that was screened that evening. Thanks to all for your patience ... I promise it will be worth the wait -- 53 pages and counting! In the meantime, here's a link to the video/slideshow that was projected in the Discovery Center theater on Saturday during the buffet hour. Of particular note is the 11-minute video from the 15-year reunion in 1987. The sound was muted at the reunion, but I've added it back in. This one is special, folks -- featuring a number of classmates we've lost, including Laura Lignitz, Scott Rempel, Cathy Brown Lykens, and Alice Delehanty Hagan.

GRATITUDE!

I'm basking in the afterglow of our reunion weekend, and I want to just give a huge shoutout to my fellow members on the planning committee. By virtue of being tasked with communication, I know I'm the reunion "point person" for most of you -- but I want everyone to know that each member of this committee lent their time and talents toward making the reunion such a singular occasion. We took this silly pic -- complete with John Lennon glasses, wax lips (on Ellen Durkee) and, yes, those are candy cigarettes -- during a wonderful pre-reunion get-together at the Tuttle Creek home of Tad Thompson and Debbi Hardin Thompson (missing are Joanne Gallaher and Dawn Thompson Olney). I hope it shows you all just how much fun we had putting on the event. Everyone had an important role: Tad and Terry Olson did essential recon work in Manhattan, and Terry was our never-say-no member to anything that needed to be done on the ground. Marcia Higginson and Dawn Thompson Olney also lent both their able hands and their voices of guidance and experience -- and wasn't Marcia amazing as our show-and-tell host? Joanne Gallaher was our treasurer who doggedly kept track of the funds and all the complexities of the registrations. (Thank goodness for Excel!) Greg Thompson tended to all the details of the brand-new Spirit of '72 scholarship fund (more on that in the coming days). This event would not have happened without Lee Harris' boundless generosity and endless enthusiasm, which powered us through to this weekend, and our fearless chair Ellen Durkee. Who knew -- when we elected her our class president 51 years ago -- that she'd take her duties so seriously as to head up the 50-year reunion committee? I'm so appreciative of the many behind-the scenes chores that she shouldered (and thank goodness she retired in February!). This truly was a team effort, and I hope everyone who attended the reunion will join me in expressing their gratitude to this special group of classmates!

REUNION UPDATE: YOUR QUESTIONS ANSWERED!

A few of you have been emailing questions in recent days, and the answers are probably worth sharing as everyone is preparing for the reunion THIS WEEKEND! (Can you believe it's almost here?) If you have any more questions, please put them in comments, and we’ll respond.

Q: How many are attending the reunion?

Currently, 146 people are registered to attend, including 97 classmates!

Q: What's the attire for Friday and Saturday?

A: Unlike high school, there is no dress code, but we trust you'll put on something that matches the occasion. Think “casual” for the Friday mixer and "dressy casual” for the Saturday banquet — whatever that means to you.

Q: Should we eat before the Friday mixer?

A: A hearty spread of hors d'oeuvres will be offered at the Colbert Hills Golf club mixer, so you won’t go hungry, and it could serve as a meal at least for light eaters. By the way, both events will feature cash bars. Iced tea and soft drinks are covered by your registration at Colbert Hills. Soft drinks will be sold at the cash bar at the Discovery Center.

Q: What's the schedule of events for Saturday night?

A: The event begins at 6 p.m. with a cocktail hour, and please plan to be there by 6:45 p.m. so a class photo can be taken. A buffet dinner (with chicken and beef selections, as well as a vegetarian entree -- if you signed up for it) will be served at 7 p.m. The program will begin at 8 p.m. and feature a special video greeting, high school show-and-tell, a Class of ’72 trivia contest, “State of the Class” remarks from Nancy Kruh, and an exciting announcement from Lee Harris and Greg Thompson (no details on that yet, so let the suspense build). After the program, Ray Baker and Donna Martin Parsons are planning to entertain us in the Discovery Center’s intimate theater — so don’t miss that special treat!

Q: I have an item for show-and-tell. How do I get on the list? 

Find Marcia Higginson on Friday or Saturday night. She plans to be at the check-in table both nights. There will also be a table at both sites for mementos to be displayed. A clothing rack, bulletin board and labels will be provided. 

Q: What about party photos?

A: Carla Olson Hayes, a professional photographer (who also happens to be Terry Edmunds Olson’s talented daughter), will be at the Friday night mixer, so get ready for some photo fun! On Saturday night, we’ll be relying on your photo skills — hey, isn’t everyone bringing a smartphone? — and we hope you’ll share some of your favorite snapshots on the class Facebook page.

Q: What else can I expect on Saturday night?

You can look forward to seeing an 18-minute video/slideshow that features photos from our high school days and previous reunions, including an 11-minute video shot at the 15-year reunion in 1987. This will be running in a loop in the Discovery Center’s theater before dinner. 

Q: Do I have to bring my negative COVID test?

A: No. We are asking all planning to attend to take either a COVID PCR test no more than 48 hours before the event or a COVID rapid test the day of the event. We are trusting that you will complete this task and that you will stay home if you test positive, or if you exhibit any symptoms of a contagious disease. By the way, at-home test kits are available for free at the Riley County Health Department (2030 Tecumseh Road) and Manhattan Public Library (629 Poyntz) during regular hours of operation. We will also have a limited number of rapid tests available both nights.

Q: Can I still sign up for one of the daytime activities?

 A: Registration for the pontoon rides is now closed. If you haven’t signed up for a plane tour over the Manhattan area and you’re still interested, contact Lee Harris at lharris@cohenesrey.com. You’re also still welcome to participate in the MHS tour and the Konza guided hikes. Just show up! The high school tour begins at the main entrance at 9 a.m. Saturday, and the Konza hikes are taking place at 10:30 a.m. and 1:30 p.m.  Saturday and at 9:30 a.m. Sunday. (Directions to Konza Prairie Biological Station are here: https://keep.konza.k-state.edu/visit/.) 

Q: When will the class directories be distributed?

A: Not until after the reunion, so if you haven’t yet submitted your updated contact information and news to Nancy Kruh, you still have time (mhsclassof72@gmail.com). Note: Directories will be distributed by email only, so be sure that Nancy has your current email address!

COVID RECOMMENDATIONS

We’re just a week away from the reunion, and we’re so excited about the turnout! We also hope that, amid all the anticipation, you will be mindful in this contagious environment.

Celebrating a 50-year reunion means we have all fully qualified to be in the most vulnerable age group, and among us are several classmates with additional health concerns. As a community, we take care of each other, and the safety of this event really is up to all who attend.

It is impossible to remove all risk of COVID infection in a gathering of this size; each of the 140+ people attending will be assuming the responsibility for deciding that this is a risk worth taking. But to help achieve the safest environment, the committee is making the following recommendations:

Please take either a COVID PCR test no more than 48 hours before the event or a COVID rapid test the day of the event. We are trusting that you will complete this task, and let’s go ahead and state the obvious: If you test positive — or if you exhibit any symptoms of a contagious disease — please DON’T come.

At-home test kits are available for free at the Riley County Health Department (2030 Tecumseh Road) and Manhattan Public Library (629 Poyntz) during regular hours of operation. We will also have a limited number of rapid tests available both Friday and Saturday night.

Besides testing, the CDC recommends the most effective way to protect yourself and others in group settings is to be fully vaccinated (including up-to-date booster) and to wear a mask (an N95 and KN95 are best). Mask wear is optional at the reunion, but don’t interpret that as a discouragement. There will assuredly be mask-wearers among us, and wear one if it makes you feel more comfortable.

Just to remind everyone: Outdoor spaces will be available both nights so you can attend without being confined to an enclosed space.

As we prepare to gather, the committee has every hope that, together, we can have a successful — and safe — reunion.

WEEKEND SCHEDULE OF EVENTS!

So far, over 130 people have made their reservations to attend one or both of the reunion events! For your planning, here is a schedule for the weekend.

Please note:

We’re still accepting signups for the Konza Prairie hikes and the MHS tour.

Seating is extremely limited on the Tuttle Creek tours.

The signup for air tours is now closed.

If you have signed up for a Konza Prairie hike, you just need to show up at the Konza Prairie Biological Station for one of the three designated times below. (You can find directions here.) If you’ve signed up for an air tour and/or a pontoon tour, you will be receiving an email before the reunion with more information.

FRIDAY, May 27
Mixer at Colbert Hills Golf Club: 5-10 p.m.

SATURDAY, May 28
MHS tour: 9 a.m.
Air tours (Manhattan Regional Airport): 10:30 a.m.-early afternoon
Konza Prairie guided hike: 10:30 a.m.
Konza Prairie guided hike: 1:30 p.m.
Banquet at Flint Hills Discovery Center: 6-10:30 p.m.

SUNDAY, May 29
Pontoon tours of Tuttle Creek Reservoir: morning (times to be determined) 
Konza Prairie guided hike: 9:30 a.m

GATHERING WITH MR. BRANNAN!

John Nordin, who has limited Internet connectivity in Greece at the moment, has asked me to post the following:

Calling all class of '72 debate-forensics people and anyone who had Mr. Brannan as a teacher (or who just want to catch up with him): We will gather from 1 to 3 p.m. Sunday, May 29, at Rockin’ K’s, 1880 Kimball Ave. Doris and Roger will be there. Bring any debate photos or memorabilia you have – though Roger probably has a bigger collection!

REUNION UPDATE: SHOW-AND-TELL!

Dig deep into those dusty boxes in your attic, because we want you to bring a favorite high school memento with you to the reunion. We’re having a show-and-tell as part of the banquet program! Our inimitable Marcia Higginson will be asking you to talk about your item to the class, so bring us your best. Who still has a Pep Club card, a ticket to “Camelot,” a locker combination, a prom corsage, a Vista wrapper? The possibilities are in your hands, folks. Coming to the reunion? Bring us your memories to share! (And look for Marcia at check-in both nights so she knows you've brought something.)

GALEN'S ADVICE: GET BOOSTED!

Galen Gates won't be able to join us at the reunion, but bless him for keeping us all in his thoughts as we prepare to gather. I recently received this email from him that he wants me to share with you all:

Hi Nancy,

While we will not be able to make it to the reunion this year I hope you will encourage everyone to be sure to get their second booster before the reunion. It’s worth it.

Recently, we were in the mountains of North Carolina participating in a week-long study group. No one could attend without proving they had their vaccinations. (One of the leaders was replaced and two participants denied due to insufficient proof of vaccinations.) We thought all was well for those remaining.

Nonetheless, Linda and I came down with Covid. We were due for the additional booster in early March (duh). The period of efficacy for these vaccines is shorter than I thought, apparently it is four months – as the doctors say!

Upon our return (4/17), three of three (historically) health-conscious friends had not gotten their boosters (but did the next day).

“We” have become far too complacent. Today, over 50 percent of hospitalized Covid patients were previously vaccinated.

Stay vigilant,

Galen, the latest poster-child for Stuuped