Flashback Friends

"Some people come into our lives and quickly go. Some stay for a while, leave footprints on our hearts, and we are never, ever the same."

These are some of those people.

Back row L to R: Jerry, George, David, Keith, Dale, and Greg

Front row L to R: Jeanne, Kim, Jacki, Dene, and Tana

Even though I made an online book of this reunion's activities, I wanted to archive it here with just a sampling of pictures. After all, this gathering was the reason behind the creation of this blog -- to reconnect, catch up, and enjoy time together, again, after 38 years.

The usual transformation of advancing years is evident. Gray hair, less hair, more laugh lines, and a little lumpiness that occurs with shifting and settling. What remained, however, is we were still the same inside regardless of the changes and challenges that life has a way of intruding upon our youth.

This reunion idea has been percolating for 2 years. When only Dale came back to the Glasgow all-class reunion in 2008, I said, "I am going to hunt down those people, and we are going to get together!" A much easier task than I thought thanks to the Internet and Google.

Friday:

Jordon River LDS temple session

Bowling

Dinner / Game night

Field games at the park

White elephant gifts

Fireside chat

Funny how one delay, or two, can change the course of events. We had intended to play some frisbee golf, but ran out of time because . . . the night before Dene didn't get into Salt Lake until 9:30 pm. She was expected to arrive later in the afternoon, but her flights took the scenic route from Florida to Dallas TX, then Denver CO, down to Las Vegas NV, then finally back to Salt Lake City. She was planning on having time to make her contribution from Florida, some key lime pies. And we were going to polish up our performance for the next night's program. Scratch all that. Forget polish, forget pies.

Following the temple session on Friday morning, we stopped at Chuckarama for a bite to eat. (It seemed to be the closest, quickest place.) Dene still had to get some of her pie ingredients, and make them so our bowling time was delayed. No worries. Dave and Jacki had time to visit before we got to the alley. If you are still following me, Dene's plane trip canceled out our frisbee golf.

After dinner we headed to a nearby park and played some games that involved water, balloons, and gunny sacks. It was good to see that some of us haven't grown up yet! Our gift exchange included items that were reminiscent of the 70's or of aging. During the fireside chat we enjoyed some of Dene's Elk Droppings. Darkness settled down upon us, but the evening seemed to end too soon. The key lime pies will have to wait until tomorrow.

Saturday:

Provo river float and picnic

Hang time

Dinner / Trivia Night

Flashback slideshow

What a fun float down the river we had! So relaxing. With Dell as our experienced captain, we managed to navigate the treacherous waters. Okay, we were in more danger of peeing our pants because Jerry and Dave kept us laughing. Jerry's humor is right up front and infectious. David's quips are very subtle and absolutely hilarious. However, if you aren't paying attention, you might miss 'em.

There was a 70's Scavenger Hunt planned for Saturday afternoon -- and it would have been fun, too! Dinner was delayed again, but gave us (or some people) time to talk. Dale was our Grill Master and brought with him his secret steak seasonings. However, Tana and Dell think they may have stumbled upon his "recipe".

Our Saturday night dinner and activities were added by a few more and minus a couple of people from the night before. This picture includes Dave's parents whom we all loved and also Tracy and Ruth. Unfortunately, Ruth (our roving photographer) forgot her itinerary with all the essential information and couldn't find us the first night. :( She left messages on phones and on Facebook; but missed it, so we are glad she finally joined us. My phone was in the bedroom, but I wouldn't have been able to answer it due to running around with my head cut off.

Are you ready for a Groovy time?

Our first game was a 70's version of Hollywood Squares. Dene did a fabulous job of collecting personal trivia and other useless information of music and television from way back when.

We opened up our lip sync performances with Tana, Kim, and Dene. You might be amazed at how much effort it takes to look casual and spontaneous. We only had time on Thursday night to run through it a couple times -- you know, because of "da plane" -- but that is two more times than the rest of you had. * insert wicked laugh *

Participation was made as non-threatening as possible with simple costumes, lyrics written on large lined paper, and music on a CD. Join us for a fun-filled evening.

See that girl . . . Watch that scene . . . Diggin' the Dancing Queen.

ABBA ~~ a.k.a. Suzy Kia, Lovely Hot Tamale, and Snowball Sonata.

SONNY and CHER ~~ I Got You Babe

These two were adorable and such good sports, too. Cher was really getting into the hair flinging thing which resulted in her wig dropping to the floor. She never did get it back on straight. The show must go on . . .

DIANA ROSS and the SUPREMES (Tracy, Ruth, and Darlene) ~~ You Can't Hurry Love

I didn't believe Darlene when she said she had never done anything like this before. We already know Tracy and Ruth have what it takes for show biz.

What would a trip to the 70's be without ELTON JOHN, here with Kiki Dee a.k.a. Coco Toyo and Charlie Jeep ~~ Don't Go Breaking My Heart. I've had that dress in my get-ups for years. Sure glad I found a use for it. Thanks you two for showing us how it is done.

And bringing the house down . . .

The VILLAGE PEOPLE ~~ Y.M.C.A. Otherwise known as Blue Dog, Brut Mustang, Spicy Heath, and Warren Pueblo. Far out! Dave and George are natural hams, but Tracy said she had never seen her two brothers act like that. Never? Well . . . it won't be the last time now that they have released their inner goof.

But wait -- there's more! What? Haven't we been tricked enough?

We formed a Soul Train line and took turns dancing down the middle, followed up with jivin' to the Bee Gees, Stayin' Alive. You can always find some reason to turn on the Macarena, and this was just as good a reason as any. Whew -- thanks for being such good sports!

"It is one of the blessings of old friends that you can afford to be stupid with them."

Now it was George's turn to jet us back to our High School days of Glasgow, Montana. We laughed heartily at a videotape he, Greg and Dave made for a school project, The Life and Times of Chili, String, and Lima Bean. They were soooo adorable -- and YOUNG! Our next treat was a power point presentation of pictures of our gang, past and present, along with some pictures of our favorite hangouts. Thank you, George! Another job well done.

Awards:

Most kids/grandkids: Keith

(yours, mine, and ours -- 13 children, 11 grandchildren)

Traveled the farthest: Dene

(by air: 3,749 miles -- by land: 2,949 miles)

Biggest Loser (of hair): George

(lost track of his hairline years ago)

"The most beautiful discovery true friends can make is that they can grow separately without growing apart."