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REUNION EVENTS 2009

 

50th REUNION WEEKEND MEMORIES
REDFORD CLASS of 1959

Thursday, September 24, 2009

The weekend was started off early with a group of classmates, put together by Norm Nettie, meeting for a late lunch at Doc's Sports Retreat.

Friday, September 25, 2009

Harding classmates had a group of 30 grads and friends that visited Scotty Simpson's Fish and Chips (on File Mile) for lunch. It was a true memory trip. Scotty's has not changed at all in the past 50 years and the fish and chips were still as good as we remember!

Holcomb, Edison, Burt and McKinney classmates had individual mini events at the Embassy Suites in the late afternoon before the reception.

Houghten classmates got together for an event at the home of Lyn Childress Bankes.

Our 50th Reunion Reception was held in the atrium of the Embassy Suites. 260 people were in attendance.

A slideshow of almost 3000 photo continued to show throughout the evening. This was put together using the classmate yearbook photos and the almost 3000 photos upload to our profiles on the website. This great presentation was put together by George Jacobson husband of classmate Jan Young Jacobson.

There were tables with displays of items brought in by classmates reflecting memories of our high school years. Cocktails and appetizers were plentiful and there was lots of picture taking and visiting with old friends and meeting new friends.

Saturday, September 26, 2009

The day started off early with a group of three foursomes golfing the 18 holes at Whispering Willows Golf Club just a half mile from the hotel (no scores were posted).

A group of classmates and friends went for the Geiger's Drive In Get Together at the Milford Family Restaurant.

Another group of about 50 classmates and friends drove out to the Parshallville Cider Mill in Fenton. This 136 year old grist mill, which is one of the few remaining water-powered mills in Michigan, is owned by the family of our classmate Sandy Girk (Detlefs). Fresh cider and donuts were enjoyed by all.

The golfers and another group of classmates and friends enjoyed a leasure lunch at Doc's Sports Retreat, sitting outside overlooking the water, watching football and finding out about more about each other.

A few of our classmates attend the Michigan Homecoming game in Ann Arbor.

Cooke and Vetal classmates held mini events on Saturday afternoon.

A Reception for Coach Waha with many of the TRACK, CROSS COUNTRY and R-CLUB MEMBERS attending (including some non 59 grads who came just for this reception). It was held to honor Coach Bruce Waha for his recent induction into the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame!

Our 50th Reunion Banquet that evening, was attended by 368 classmates and guests (a record for our class) including some last minute attendees. After a fabulous reception in the atrium, we entered the ballroom, had a short program and a great buffet dinner. There were so many people, we had an overflow table in the foyer.

Our Reunion Chair, Jim Whitledge was honored for again leading the reunion committee and the committee members and the search committee members were thanked for all their hard work on the Reunion.

All four of our June 1959 class officers Skip, Jim, Linda and Nancy were in attendance.

Two teachers, Jack Inch and Bruce Waha and their wives also joined us. Wow, they don't look much older than us like they did in high school.

Linda Stultz Tucker performed an unusual fun song that had us all laughing (ask her about it).

All classmates received a CD with 50's music, created, put together and donated by Brent Maxon.

Everyone also received a Norman Rockwell 2010 desk calendar donated by Ken Kelsey.

A disc jockey provided us with 50's music the entire night. Many were still on the dance floor when most had left the room.

The slideshow put together by Brent was showing in the ballroom  throughout the evening.

A film crew was at the reunion and have put together a 90 minute reunion DVD and Video. They interviewed many of our classmates. You should be receiving a letter with an offer to buy it from Raines Video.

Our class president Skip Wells was MC and brought the house down with his true golf story which included a golf cart, a cliff, a police station, printing the alphabet and the Redford teacher he learned the most from. If you weren't there, you'll have to get the DVD to see it.

Sunday, September 27, 2009

We ended the weekend with breakfast (great omelet chef) at the Embassy Suites, saying good bye to our old friends and all the new friends we met over the weekend and on the website. It wasn't a goodbye but a "see you later".

I think that I covered everything that went on during the weekend, if I missed something, let us know.

What's next for the Redford Class of 1959?

Some thoughts that have been brought up...

Get Redford59 Alumni around the country (in areas where there are groups of classmates) to have events, to get together, keeping the Redford59 spirit going, lunches, dinners, picnics, teas, etc.. What do you think?

Another Reunion in five years? Some have said why wait 10 years. With the website we are all keeping in closer contact and five years might make sense. It will be easier to organize next time, we've found most of our grads. What do you think?

A lot of our classmates have mentioned on their profiles that they cruise a lot (no, not on Woodward). Some have said lets plan a Redford59 cruise some time. What do you think?

We've also heard about other classes in our age group planning trips to Las Vegas because the fares and rooms are very low right now. What do you think?

Go to the Message Forum (here is the link) set up just to discuss the memories of the 2009 Reunion Weekend and possible future events and ideas. Please, no personal messages here, just discussion about the Reunion and the future. Personal discussions should continue to take place on the classmate profiles and the REDFORD 59 FORUMS which is a threaded forum.

If you have any questions, please give me a call.

Ken 




Here is a list of the events showing the event coordinators.



Reunion Weekend Events
 
If you'd like to attend any of these events, please contact the event organizer. Each name is linked so when you click on it, you will be taken directly to that persons profile.
 
Friday September 25, 2009
 
 
Harding Elementary School Event
 
 
Lunch 11 am - 1 PM
 
Visit to Scotty Simpsons Fish & Chips for Lunch
Meet in hotel lobby at 10:00 AM
for our trip to the best fish, shrimp, and chip place ever. 
 
Event Organizer - Linda Stultz (Tucker)
 
 
Holcomb Elementary School Event
 
 
Reception 4 - 6 PM
Embassy Suites, Diplomat Room
Light fare and beverages will be available
 
Event Organizer - Cindy Palk (Cohen)
 
 
Edison Elementary School Event
 
Reception 5 – 8 PM
Embassy Suites, Cascades Restaurant

Attendees can have a drink, order dinner, just stop by to say hello and chat or whatever before the Redford reception.
 
Event Organizers - Art Cranston & Steve Stockmeyer
 
 
Burt Elementary School Event
 
 
Reception 5 – 7 PM
Embassy Suites, Cascades Lounge

Beverages and light appetizers will be available for purchase.
 
Event Organizers - Barbara Coapman & Dick Hammer
 
 
Thomas Houghten Elementary School Event
 
 
Reception 6 PM
at the home of: 
Lyn Childress Bankes
16834 Bell Creek Lane
Livonia, MI 48154
My home is two miles east of the Embassy Suites and one mile south. Exit the Embassy Suites on Seven Mile road and turn east. Go about 2 miles to Farmington rd.; turn right/south to 6 mile. Turn left/east one block; turn right/south three houses. I am on the east side of the street. The first circular drive on the left. Easy to find.
Lyn Bankes aka Ethelyn Childress
 
 
 
McKinney Elementary School Event


6 pm to 7 pm
Embassy Suites, Cascades Lounge


Contact Bill Sommerville or Barb Beatty
 
 
Redford Reunion Welcome Reception

7:00 PM - 11:00 PM
Embassy Suites, Parliament Room
$15.00 per person
(payable by 8/31/09 with reunion registration form)
includes hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks, cash bar available
Dress is casual.
 
Hosted by your Redford Class of 1959 Reunion Committee
 
 
Saturday September 26, 2009
 
 
Redford Reunion Golf Outing
 
 
9 AM – 1:30 PM
Meet in hotel lobby at 8:30 AM
We’re playing Whispering Willows at Newburgh and Eight Mile Rd. The cost per person for 18 holes with cart is $37.50.
 
Please contact Ken through his profile if you want to play, use the subject GOLF… I need to know how many to make reservations for.
Reunion Golfers
as of 9-8-09
 

Chris Androff
Hannah Androff
Paula Cairo
Lois Chalmers
Cathy Dritsas
Cam Howie
Charlotte Keebaugh
Ken Kelsey
Chris LaRue
Ray McIntyre
George Meanor
Tom Titcomb
Judy Tressler
Skip Wells
Mike Wood

 
Event Organizer – Ken Kelsey
 
 
Geiger's Drive In Get Together
9am to 2pm

Do you remember Cruisin’ Geiger's to Richard's to Daily’s and back ?

Well we do, and we would like to see you again… 
WHAT: Geiger's Reunion Breakfast 
WHEN: Saturday Sept. 26. 9AM -2PM
WHERE: The Milford Family Restaurant 160 S. Milford Road 
(old Big Boy) So. Of the G.M. Road 248-676-9403

Just show up, ask for the Geiger's group; we have a room, – we’ll be looking for you. 

Event Organizer - Jerry J. Campbell

 
Parshallville Cider Mill
 
 
10 – 12 AM
Please meet at the Embassy Suites lobby at 10:00 AM ready to head out.
This Cider Mill owned by our classmate Sandy Girk (Detlefs)
 and her family.
 
Event Organizer - Linda Ruth Stultz (Tucker)
 
 
MICHIGAN HOMECOMING GAME
 
12 NOON - ??

U of M alums among our fellow Redford classmates and others may be interested in attending the Michigan-Indiana game on Saturday during our reunion weekend. It's the homecoming game at noon and will be preceded by many activities including a big alumni tailgate party.


I'll be driving to Ann Arbor from our hotel early Saturday and could take a couple of people with me. If interested drop me an email: sfstockmeyer@mac.com.
 
Event Organizer - Steve Stockmeyer
 
 
Lunch – Golfers and anybody else!
 
 
2 PM – 4 PM
 
The golfers are planning on lunch after golf at Doc’s Sports Retreat… Come and have lunch with us. Doc’s is a short walk (just south of the hotel near 7 Mile Road) from the front door of the hotel. Please RSVP to Ken if you'd like to attend so we can set aside enough seating on the porch overlooking the water.
 
Event Organizer – Ken Kelsey
 
 
Reception for Coach Waha
 
5 - 6 PM 
Embassy Suites, Cascades Lounge
 
TRACK,CROSS COUNTRY and interested R-CLUB MEMBERS are invited to attend a Reception to Honor Coach Bruce Waha for his recent induction to the Michigan High School Coaches Hall of Fame!
 
A great opportunity to stop by and congratulate Coach. Please RSVP to Cam "Butch" Howie at 231-933-9848 or on his Profile site. Go Huskies!
 
Event Organizer - Butch Howie
 
 
Reunion Banquet

6:00 PM - Registration and reception
includes hors d'oeuvres and soft drinks reception, cash bar
7:30  PM - Program
8:00 PM - Sumptuous Buffet Dinner
$70.00 per person
(payable by 8/31/09 with reunion registration form)
Dress is classy casual 
 
Hosted by your Redford Class of 1959 Reunion Committee
 
 
Sunday September 27, 2009
 
 
Reunion Farewell Breakfast

8:30 AM - 10:00 AM
(no additional charge for those staying at the hotel, $10.00 per person for others who wish to attend)
Dress is casual
 
Hosted by your Redford Class of 1959 Reunion Committee
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
 
Redford59.com