This website is maintained for the benefit of our classmates and friends by John White. It is intended to serve several purposes.

• Provide a central location for reunion planning and related announcements.
• Provide a repository of news that may be interesting to JHS '63 classmates.
• Keep track of classmates and hopefully locate lost classmates (this feature will be a key to keeping up our list of addresses).
• Collect pictures of reunions and class trips.

To take you back to high school, you can listen to the school fight song while you're browsing (words by Bud Mason, JHS alumnus).

Please contact John White at webmaster@jhs63.org if you have any classmate updates or website suggestions.

First Saturday of each month at 9:00am - Monthly breakfast at Steve's Ranch (Blackstone at Glick Highway). This is an informal drop-in gathering usually held on the first Saturday of each month. Contact Harriet Hart at posiepot_49201@yahoo.com if you want to get on her list for email reminders. Coming up in 2012 are February 4, March 3, April 7 and May 5.

July 12-14, 2013 - Our 50 year reunion weekend. Details will be posted here as the date nears.

February 2, 2012

We are sorry to let you know that classmate Sherm Robinson passed away early this morning at Munson Hospice in Traverse City. His wife, two daughters and son were all with him. On Saturday, January 21, he was able to celebrate his 67th birthday (he was born on 1-23-45) with his family and friends. If you would like to know more about arrangements, his daughter, Nora, has a blog-- shermrobinson.blogspot.com. If you would like to send a card to Sherm's family, here is Nora's address- Nora Robinson and family, 1046 S. Long Lake Rd., Interlochen, MI 49643. We hold Sherm's family in our hearts today.

November 15, 2011

At the second meeting of your 50 Year Reunion Committee on November 13, a total of 19 classmates and spouses stuffed "Save the Date" letters that will soon go out to 469 classmates and friends of the class. Iincluded in the mailing is a reply card that will allow you to update your contact information and help us decide what activities to plan for the big weekend. Also enclosed is a listing of 56 "lost" classmates. Any help you can provide in tracking them down will be appreciated. Our Facebook page at http://www.facebook.com/pages/Jackson-High-Class-Of-1963/309077079104249 and http://www.ancestry.com are good places to look. Of course, just googling someone's name can bring up some good leads. Hopefully, we will be able to locate our old friends and not have to add them to the list of 65 classmates who we know to have passed away. Please contact John White at webmaster@jhs63.org if you know of any and we will send them an invitation.

For your additional information, we have posted a "Where we are now" listing in both alphabetical and ZIP code order to help you reconnect with your fellow grads. Of course, whatever you can do to encourage classmates to join us in July 2013, if not before, will be appreciated. Finally, our committee can always use new members so feel free to join up. The third meeting of the committee is planned for next spring but many classmates, spouses and friends will be gathering at the Steve's Ranch on the first Saturday of each month in case you want to make personal contact.

November 4, 2011

September 23, 2011

At the first meeting of the 50 Year Reunion Committee, sixteen of us made some decisions regarding the event. The key one was the date. It will be the weekend of July 12, 13 and 14 of 2013. Another important decision was the venue for Saturday night. It will be the Cascades Manor House (http://www.cascadesmanor.com/) on Kibby Road. We also decided to pursue the popular Friday night picnic and bonfire behind the American Legion Hall and the Sunday morning tailgate party in the Jackson High parking lot. Other possible activities for the weekend include a golf outing, bus excursion, local museums, tour of the prison, visit to local wineries and/or a tour of the school. A list of options will be part of the first mailing to go out this fall. Various members of the committee accepted assignments to explore different aspects of the program for that weekend.

The second meeting of the committee was set for Sunday, November 13 at 3:00 at the home of Anne and Mark Lee on the east side of Jackson. Our primary purposes will be to stuff envelopes for a "save-the-date" mailing to all classmates. There will be a potluck meal along with the business meeting. They will provide the main course and soft drinks but please let them know you are coming, marklee242@comcast.net or 517-764-4288, and bring something to pass, e.g., snack, salad, side dish or dessert and whatever special you may want to drink. As always, any classmates are invited to join the committee.

August 19, 2011

We have received word that classmate Dave Kildea passed away on August 3, 2010 but don't have an obituary. Can anyone help? Thanks.

August 6, 2011

A total of 19 classmates and spouses attended the monthly breakfast at Steve's Ranch. The date for the next one is September 10 (one week later than the usual first Saturday to avoid the Labor Day weekend). The following day is the date of our official Reunion Committee Meeting (see details below).

July 28, 2011

On July 22. a dozen or so of us enjoyed a nice potluck lunch hosted by Bill and Janet Forbes. Following that, we attended the Jackson Cruise. We had three cars in a good spot by the post office. A few classmates stopped by our display and there was interest by JHS grads of other years. One "lost" classmate, Keith Latam, has turned up since then. He is in Arizona.

Reunion Committee Meeting to be held on Sunday, September 11 at 4:00. One outcome of the lunch was to identify this date for our first meeting to discuss the 50 year reunion to be held in 2013. As in the past, all classmates and their spouses/guests are invited to participate. Jeanette and Gary Childs will be hosting us at their home in Grass Lake. There will be a potluck meal along with the business meeting. They will provide the main course and soft drinks but please let them know you are coming, childs@dmci.net or 517-522-4389, and bring something to pass, e.g., snacks, salad, side dish or dessert and whatever special you may want to drink.

July 18, 2011

Bob Winchester passed away on July 11, 2011. Click on his name for the obituary as it appeared in the Citizen Patriot.

June 10, 2011

Upcoming events for JHS '63 classmates, spouses, friends and guests:

Saturday, July 9. This is the new date for the regular "first Saturday" breakfast at Steve's Ranch each month. It is being pushed back due to the Independence Day weekend. 9:00am is the time. We order off the menu or just drop in for coffee. Harriet Hart is the organizer behind this regular get-together. Contact her at posiepot_49201@yahoo.com if you want to get on her list for email reminders

Friday, July 22. Everyone is invited to join us for lunch followed by a "class trip" to a Jackson Cruise Night. Bill and Janet Forbes will be hosting the potluck luncheon at their home on Michigan Center Lake. They will provide the main course but please let them know you are coming forbesjanetbill@yahoo.com or 517-764-9791) and bring 1) something to pass, e.g., snacks, salad, side dish or dessert, 2) whatever you want to drink and 3) a chair.

Later in the day, we will adjourn to downtown Jackson to check out the Jackson Cruise In (more info at http://jacksondda.org/event.php). If you can't make it for lunch but can come to the cruise, look for us. We are planning to set up a sign, banner or table to attract classmates and friends or relatives who can help us locate "lost" classmates. Our goal, of course, is to find everyone we can so that we can invite them to our 50 year reunion in 2013. Here is a copy of the press release sent to the Citizen Patriot. It contains the names of over 100 classmates for whom we have no or outdated contact information.

Speaking of the reunion, the committee is planning to hold an official kick-off meeting sometime later this summer or in the fall. The first order of business will be to pick a date and venue. The poll from the last reunion was split on holding the next one in July or September. As for venue, two leading candidates seem to be the Cascades Clubhouse and the Country Club. If you have some thoughts and/or want to want to be more directly involved in these decisions, please reply to this message. The reunion committee is open to all and always welcomes new members.

Saturday, August 6. The "first Saturday" breakfasts return to their regular schedule. Everyone is welcome to join a dozen or two classmates and friends at Steve's Ranch. We meet about 9:00am

April 17, 2011

Ilona Harden passed away on April 13, 2011. Click on her name for the obituary as it appeared in the Lansing State Journal.

April 17, 2011

Doug Harrington passed away on April 10, 2011. Click on his name for the obituary as it appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

March 5, 2011

Jerry Monroe passed away on February 11, 2011. Click on his name for the obituary as it appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

September 30, 2010

A total of 33 classmates and spouses participated in the activities of the three days in Chicago. By all accounts, everything went smoothly and everyone had a great time. Here's a link to some photos.

Dennis and Penny Hatt were planning to attend but had to drop out just before we left due to Penny's emergency surgery. She is recuperating at the Mary Free Rehabilitation Hospital, Room 324 - 2, 235 Wealthy S.E., Grand Rapids, MI 49503. She will probably be there until mid-October and would surely appreciate any good wishes.

September 3, 2010

Planning for the "class trip" to Chicago is nearing completion. We are planning on over 30 classmates and spouses for the event. We will be having some meals together, going on a boat tour, walking around the eastern terminus of Route 66 and attending a performance of the Second City Comedy Club, along with the usual sightseeing and shopping.

Here is a copy of the note that has been sent to all the travelers. Please contact John White if you would like information on how to get involved. There is still room, even at this late date.

Here's a note for our Chicago-bound classmates (plus information for those who would still like to sign up!)::

The basic plans for our "class trip" to Chicago from September 13-16 are now in place! It is time to make your room reservations and send in payment for the train trip. Here is what you need to know right now:

Who's coming: Based on responses to my earlier messages, we have a total of 43 classmates and spouses registered so far. There is still room for more if you know of classmates who are interested but are undecided.

The train trip: The majority of us are taking the train. We have reserved seats on the Amtrak Train 351 from Jackson at 8:24am on Monday. Free overnight parking is available at the east end of the station. Our return trip will be on Amtrak Train 352 leaving Chicago's Union Station at 12:16pm on Thursday. It is scheduled to arrive back in Jackson at 5:05pm. The round-trip fare is $40 per person. To get that low price, we have to pay as a group so please send your check to Lynn White at the address below before July 15. She will pay Amtrak and send them the list of travelers.

The hotel: We have made arrangements for lodging at the Affinia, a newly-renovated, 215 room "boutique" hotel at 166 E. Superior St. It is in the heart of the Magnificent Mile. The rate is $189 per night plus taxes. Each of us must make our own reservations which can be done by telephone at 1-866-AFFINIA (866-233-4642) or by email to reservations@affinia.com. Be sure to identify yourself as a part of the Jackson High School group to get the special group rate. I suggest making your reservations promptly.

Attractions, events and activities: Geoff Gieske, our on-site "tour director," is assembling a list and will be coordinating who, what, where and when for each. You will hear more about these options in the near future and can expect to be asked to express your levels of interest so he can pursue group rates as appropriate. As of now, we are planning on only two events that will include everyone. One is a kick-off reception/meeting late Monday afternoon. The other is our birthday party on Wednesday evening.

Thanks to all who have expressed their intentions to join us for this celebration of our 65th birthdays.

John and Lynn White
1350 Folkstone Ct.
Ann Arbor MI 48105

734-662-9873
john.white@jhs63.org
lynwhite@umich.edu

May 9, 2010

Here is Message #2 for those of you interested in joining us for a collective 65th birthday in Chicago. The trip is scheduled for Monday, September 13th through Thursday the 16th. This message was sent out today to everyone who indicated an interest in keeping up by email.

Our planning is moving along. We have already arranged for roundtrip tickets from Jackson on the Amtrak for only $40 per person. Thanks to the tireless efforts of Geoff Gieske, we have focused on the Affinia Hotel (http://affinia.com/Chicago-Hotel.aspx?name=Affinia-Chicago) for our lodging. It is at 166 East Superior Street, right on the "Magnificent Mile." The rate will be $189 per night (plus taxes of about 15%). The regular rate is $299. To get this lower rate, however, we have to sign a contract that guarantees a certain number of rooms. Thus, we need to get a really good idea of how many of you are planning to make reservations so we can pick the right number to guarantee. Note: Despite this seemingly high nightly rate, it is good price for lodging which meets our specifications for a well-regarded hotel in a location close to the "Magnificent Mile."

Please reply to this message with answers to the three questions below. You responses here will not commit you but they will help us with establishing some preliminary numbers to help with the rest of our planning.

Name of classmate: ___________________________

April 11, 2010

Bill and Janet Forbes are both retiring in May and are hosting a party to celebrate. It will be at their home on Michigan Center Lake at 3649 Hoyer Road in Jackson. All classmates and friends are invited. The date is Sunday, May 23rd starting at 2:00pm. They will supply the meat and soft drinks but ask that each of us bring a dish to share, e.g. snacks, salad, side dish or dessert, plus our own adult beverages. Please let them know (517-764-9791 or forbesjanetbill@yahoo.com) if you plan to attend. We should have some details on the Chicago trip by then.

March 19, 2010

We recently learned of the passing of two more classmates; Evelyn Belschner (2/13/09) and Carter Kerbawy (2/28/10).

March 6, 2010

The monthly breakfast of classmates and friends is going strong at Steve's Ranch (on Glick Highway at Blackstone). It is held the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to around 10:00 or later. March 6 is the date for March. All are welcome to drop in. Harriet Flower Hart (posiepot_49201@yahoo.com) is the organizer for these events.

March 5, 2010

February 11, 2010

Orange reply cards from our January mailing are trickling in. Thanks to all who have returned them. So far, we have 36 classmates expressing interest in the trip to Chicago. Those 36 represent a total of 55 potential travelers. An email list is being assembled and will be used to keep everyone up on details as they develop. The first decision will be whether to take the train from Jackson. Look for the first email later in February.

Suggestions for the month of the 50 year reunion are being solicited via the orange cards. At present, July, August and September are getting a lot of votes but we don't need to make a decision for some time.

February 4, 2010

Here's a reminder that the monthly breakfast of classmates and friends is still going strong at Steve's Ranch (on Glick Highway at Blackstone). It is held the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to around 10:00 or later. February 6 is the date for February. All are welcome to drop in. Some folks bring old photos and other memorabilia as "conversation starters" (as if we need any!). Harriet Flower Hart (posiepot_49201@yahoo.com) is the organizer for these events.

January 23, 2010

Letters outlining our plans for the trip to Chicago in September were mailed out to classmates on January 25. The letter includes a return postcard asking for an indication of interest in the trip and offers the opportunity to "vote" on the month for our 50 year reunion in 2013. Please return your card or respond by email. The letter also includes the list of about 100 classmates for whom we know we do not have a good address. If you are a classmate and don't receive a letter, you may be on that list. Please contact me if that is the case.

Early January , 2010

As noted in the entry from November, we are planning a collective 65th birthday gathering in Chicago later this year. The dates are September 13th through the 16th. A mailing to all classmates is going out soon. If you are interested and available to take part in our next committee meeting, we would love to have you join us for envelope-stuffing and further discussion of trip details. We will be gathering at the home of Mark and Anne Lee in Jackson at 3:00pm on Saturday, January 23. If you would like to attend (spouses and friends are welcome, too), please contact us as reunion@jhs63.org for reservations and directions. Plan to bring a snack to share and any adult beverages for yourself. We will have soft drinks available.

December 2009

Many of us have received a postcard from a publishing company seeking to confirm our addresses for an upcoming Jackson High Alumni Directory. On the card is the name of the current school principal. From what I can find out (and recall from a similar situation a decade or so ago), this is a legitimate enterprise. I don't think I have received any spam as a direct result of confirming my contact information the last time. They make their money from selling these directories which are scheduled to come out in the spring of 2010. I expect (hope) that the school gets something from it.

November 14, 2009

A dozen of us met this day to discuss what to do to celebrate our collective 65th birthday. We confirmed one of the original ideas, expanded on it and identified the month of January to send out an official invitation along with a reservation card. Here's the plan so far:

We are going to meet in downtown Chicago on Monday, September 13, 2010 and stay for three days of fun and fellowship, including shopping, tours, museums, dinners, sports events, etc. Classmate Geoff Gieske lives in Chicago and has graciously volunteered to assemble and research options, including lodging. The general plan is to have a range of choices for each day with a common location available for dinner each night. One night would be our "birthday" party, complete with a cake.

As for travel arrangements, we are working with the Group Sales people at Amtrak on the trip from Jackson and back. We can get a 20% discount and reserved seats if we book more than 20 riders from the Jackson station. We are not sure of pricing until we actually make the reservation but we were told that the earlier we commit, the lower the price. Their estimate for such a round-trip fare was $45 up to around $100 so we will want to get an idea of numbers and make our reservations early, probably in the spring.

So, if you are at all interested, please block out September 13-16, 2010 for this adventure and await a mailed invitation in January. If you have any questions, suggestions or are not sure we have your correct mailing address, please contact me at reunion@jhs63.org.

Thanks! Hope to see many of you in Chicago next September.

p.s. Our 50 year reunion will be in 2013. The letter you receive in January will offer you a chance to vote on the month so be thinking of what month would be most suitable for you to attend this milestone event.

Fall, 2009

Where did the summer go? Anyway, it's time to start thinking of our collective 65th birthday celebration. A committee meeting (open to all classmates and their spouses/friends) is scheduled for noon on Saturday, November 14 at the Hunt Club, 1514 Daniel in Jackson (across the street from the Parlour). It appears that both Michigan and Michigan State will be playing away games at that time so the myriad TVs at the facility should provide some entertainment for attendees who choose not to participate in the meeting.

The primary idea on the table is to meet in Chicago in September or October 2010 for a weekend of fellowship, entertainment, culture and shopping.For those of us coming from the Jackson area, the thought was totake the Amtrak. Classmate Geoff Gieske, a Chicago-area resident, has offered his counsel on what to see and do over there much like Jane Neilson Olson did for us when we went to Orlando in 2005.

If you cannot attend the planning meeting but have some questions or some input, please contact me (john.white@jhs63.org ) or 734-662-9873.

Thanks for stopping by the website. Hope to see you at the meeting or next fall or, if not, for our 50 year reunion in 2013!

Spring, 2009

I apologize for getting behind on updates. Since last summer's reunion, a monthly breakfast of classmates and friends has begun at Steve's Ranch (on Glick Highway at Blackstone). It is held the first Saturday of each month from 9:00 to around 10:00 or later. All are welcome to drop in. Some folks bring old photos and other memorabilia as "conversation starters" (as if we need any!). Note: Harriet Flower Hart (posiepot_49201@yahoo.com) is the organizer for these events.

Also, we have learned of the passing of several classmates:
Patricia (Pat) O'Rourke Anderson on October 16, 2008
Warner Faust on September 10, 2008
Jacob (Jack) Zimmerman on November 11, 2008
Lynnette Anderson Zotter on April 21, 2009
Elizabeth (Liz) Corwin on May 3, 2009

Coming up this fall is a plan to get the committee together (everyone is welcome to become a member) to begin planning an event to celebrate our collective 65th birthday in 2010. The initial thought is for a few days in Chicago in early fall for shopping, museums, entertainment, etc. Maybe we can get our own car for an Amtrak trip from Jackson and other cities along the way.

Check back later this summer for updates and details.

August 24, 2008

Eighteen members of the committee met this day. We discussed the 45 year reunion. Overall, there was agreement that everything went well. The new features (winery tour on Saturday and the tailgate breakfast on Sunday) turned out to be big hits. Notes were taken to help jog our collective memories as we plan for the gala 50 year reunion over the weekend of July 12-14, 2013. The tentative theme is "JHS Through the Years." A tour of the school is at the top of our list for planned activities.
Before that, we are planning on a train trip to Chicago in mid-September 2010 to celebrate our collective 65th birthday.
Our next regular committee meeting will be about a year from now, probably in conjunction with a JHS football game. Check back here on occasion for updates or contact John White at john.white@jhs63.org to join the committee's email list.

August 3, 2008

The last official act of the 45 year reunion will be a committee meeting to go over what went well, what we could have done better, wrap up the finances and share some thoughts about the next event. We will meet on Sunday, August 24 at 4:00 in the American Legion Hall (on Lansing Ave. just south of Parnall Road). We can order snacks and food from the menu. As always, any interested classmates are welcome to attend. If you can't make the meeting but have some thoughts to share, you can email them to john.white@jhs63.org.

July 14, 2008

The 45 Year Reunion is now in the hearts and memories of those who attended; a hundred or so classmates and several dozen spouses and guests. We enjoyed a casual picnic and bonfire on Friday evening, a drop-in breakfast on Saturday morning at Steve's Ranch, Wine-tasting or golf on Saturday afternoon and a banquet on Saturday night. Finally, we topped it off Sunday morning with a tailgate breakfast on the school lawn. We even painted "the rock" (see photo below).
In the near future, the committee will be holding a wrap-up meeting. If you have any comments or suggestions, please send them to john.white@jhs63.org. Also, there are a few booklets left. They are $5 apiece, including postage. Contact John if you want one.

Also, it is never too soon to start thinking of our next major event which will be the collective celebration of our 65th birthdays. One idea so far that seems worth pursuing is a train trip to Chicago for museums, theatre, etc. Stay tuned!

June 9, 2008

Bill and Janet Forbes have graciously invited the committee (and any other classmates, spouses and guests who wish to join it) to meet at their home on Sunday, June 29. The time is 3:00. It will be a potluck and we will grill outside. They will supply the meat, paper plates and silverware. Bring a dish to pass (appetizer, salad, side dish or dessert) to share, your own drinks, a lawn chair or two and a notepad to record whatever tasks you accept. Please contact John White at webmaster@jhs63.org if you would like to receive the full invitation which includes a map and contact information.

June 8, 2008

We have learned of the passing of Carol Hull Taylor. She died June 5, 2007. Please contact John White at webmaster@jhs63.org if you have an obituary or related information.

May 30, 2008

The final committee meeting in advance of our 45 Year Reunion will be held on the afternoon on Sunday, June 29. Details are still being worked out. Current committee members will be notified but if you are not on the list but would like to be, contact John White at john.white@jhs63.org. This meeting will be the one where details are worked out and assignments made for the individual jobs.

May 28, 2008

A letter to each classmate with the invitation (including registration form) and the list of "lost" classmates was mailed out today. The events and activities are as described below in the entry for May 20. If you do not receive your letter by early June, you may print out copies by clicking on the links above. Also, please contact John White at john.white@jhs63.org with your current contact information. Thanks.

May 26, 2008

Richard Schultz passed away on May 19. For the obituary as it appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot, click on his name above.

May, 2008

Sue Ann (Scheiffler) Kawakami passed away on April 15, 2008. Click on her name for the obituary as it appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot.

May 20, 2008

The invitation to classmates is being finalized and will be mailed out after a meeting at the home of Sara and Larry Finton on Tuesday, May 27 at 7:00. A copy will also be posted here. In the meantime, we would appreciate your help in locating anyone on our list of "lost" classmates.

As a preview for the reunion weekend, the current lineup of events is as follows:
Friday night (7/11) - Picnic dinner and bonfire
Saturday morning (7/12) - Drop-in breakfast at a local restaurant
Saturday afternoon - Winery tour for some, golf outing for others
Saturday evening - Socializing and dinner
Sunday morning (7/13) - Tailgate breakfast in the school parking lot

May 9, 2008

A total of 28 classmates and spouses met to finalize the details needed to send out invitations to the reunion. The meeting to stuff the envelopes will be on the afternoon of Saturday, May 24. Contact John White at john.white@jhs63.org if you want to help out. Look for your invitation in the mail during the last week in May and plan to send in your reservation by mid-June for the events on July 11 and 12.

April 24, 2008

Since our 45 year reunion is coming up soon (July 11 and 12), we will be holding a committee meeting to finalize the information for the invitation packet that will be mailed out near the end of May.
Jeanette and Gary Childs have graciously invited the committee (and any other classmates who wish to join it) to meet at their home in Grass Lake. The date is Friday, May 9. The time is 7:00. They will provide coffee and soft drinks. Please bring a snack or dessert to share and your own adult beverages. Please contact them (517-522-4389 or childs@dmci.net) to let them know you are planning to attend.

March 2, 2008

Ron Mees passed away on February 28. For the obituary as it appeared in the Jackson Citizen Patriot, click on his name above.

February 18, 2008

October 11, 2007

There were about two or three dozen classmates on hand for the homecoming parade and football game on October 5. Photos and details will be posted in the near future. The Citizen Patriot has been more prompt. Jake May, a reporter for the paper, came out that evening and published his story on the front page in Saturday's edition. Here is the text of his article:

J-High's Class of '63 joins homecoming parade
Saturday, October 6, 2007
By Jake May
jmay@citpat.com -- 768-4945

The Jackson High School Class of 1963 was already out of school for more than 25 years before this year's graduating class was even born. But the classmates are still having the same kind of fun they did as teens. They even built a float for Friday's homecoming parade.

``Someone came up with the idea of going to homecoming and having a tailgate,'' said John White, 61, who lives in Ann Arbor. ``Then someone suggested if we were going to homecoming, we should march in the parade. It wasn't long before someone said, `Heck! Why don't we build a float.'''

The three-week project was put together by a crew of 20 that included 1963 graduates and their spouses. The float rolled down the streets of Jackson with the title `Vintage Vikings,' joining the parade with a float that looked like a theater with a headline in lights proclaiming ``The Final Curtain for NW Mounties.'' That fit the parade's Broadway theme. Pulled by a classic John Deere tractor, the float made its way to Withington Stadium along with current students' floats, including ones with ``Grease'' and ``Stomp'' themes.

White said the Class of '63 is very active. ``You talk to most people, and they never see each other, never have a reunion. Not this class,'' White said. ``With this class, everyone gets together for things like this, and we have fun with it.''

Janet and Bill Forbes of Jackson helped build the float, and while they stood around Friday joking with former classmates, they described how they first met. ``He was captured in high school,'' said Janet Forbes. ``We were in the same homeroom, so I used to wait for him to walk out of the classroom, and that was it.'' Bill Forbes said the year was 1960, and they were in the same homeroom. ``She always hid in the back of the room, waiting for me to walk out of class because she liked to check out my butt,'' he said.

Howell's Mary Maneikis, 62, said the classmates always have a ball reminiscing about high school days and more recent memories of trips the class has made together.

Maneikis said everyone is welcome to join in with the group: Classmate spouses and parents, and of course, classmates themselves. ``When I first saw this float, my jaw just dropped. You see something in your mind and you never think it can uphold to that standard. This is clearly not the case. This is an amazing class, and we never cease to amaze ourselves.''

October 4, 2007

Our thoughts and prayers go out to classmate Val Baylor Baldwin. Her husband, Dave Baldwin (JHS '62), passed away suddenly on October 2. Here is the link to the obituary in the Jackson Citizen Patriot: http://www.legacy.com/jackson/DeathNotices.asp?Page=Lifestory&PersonId=95619658. Val has recently joined the Reunion Committee and was involved in the construction of our float for the parade.

Our 45 Year Reunion is just around the corner! The dates for the celebration are July 11-13, 2008 . Please mark your calendar. More information will be coming out as the dates approach.

As a “kick-off” for that milestone event next year, your Reunion Committee is organizing a tailgate party as part of the homecoming football game on the evening of Friday, October 5 of this year. Since that activity may not be enough excitement for us, we are also planning to participate in the Homecoming Parade! I am pretty sure it has been a long time since you have helped build a float.

A subcommittee has met to discuss the concept and design of the float. Thanks to Jeanette and Gary Childs who will provide the trailer and a vintage tractor. The major part of the construction will begin on Saturday, September 29 at 10:00am in the pole barn at the Burden Funeral Home, 1806 E. Michigan Avenue . Everyone is welcome to drop in and lend a hand. Thanks to Wayne Lawrence for allowing us the use of this facility.

Friday, October 5 is Homecoming. We will gather in the west parking lot of the high school at 4:00 for a tailgate party. Look for our class banner on an RV. Bring a snack to share and your own soft drinks (no alcohol on school grounds). At 5:30 , we will go to the Immanuel Lutheran Church (1505 W. Michigan at Brown St .). The parking lot is the staging area for the floats. The parade starts at 6:00 and travels north on Brown to Daniel and then onto Wildwood to the school. Jerry Brinkerhuff is also planning to tow his 1924 Wurlitzer Band Organ to make our participation even more special. The football game starts at 7:00 . Tickets will be available at the gate. We are trying to get a block of seats together. After the game, we are all invited to the home of Tom and Michele (Mike) Pahl to cap off the evening. We hope you can join us for one or all of these activities.