41st Attracts 50-ish and 60-ish

Burt Kreidler's manicured acre was the setting for the class's informal 41st reunion, which attracted 30-plus grads and family members. When your blogger arrived with name tags, Burt was fussing with one of the beer taps and Connie Kazda Hamann was filling coffee pitchers. Dale Harrison and husband Bob Sagehorn were on hand early to help set up, just as they did at last year's potluck with Burt and Connie.

Starting with those who traveled the farthest, there was Dan Simpson, flying in from Melbourne FL with wife Karen. He reported his mother lives in the family home near Christensen Elementary, and she still subs at the school. Driving up from Portland was Dennis Rutt, from Vancouver WA, Terry McLean, and from Allyn, Karen Eley and husband John Crawford, class of '68. Jim Goddard came up from Centralia.

George Cowan, trim in a snazzy leather jacket with shaved head (!!!), roared in on his cycle and Barbara Bauer Kirkwood, class of '66 (same as Karla Parker's sister Sandy) brought brother Dennis. Speaking of Karla, our TV star arrived with husband Bill Emerson. Tommy Parker promised to say hello to brother Ray and sister-in-law Laurie (Lochridge) when he talks to them in Arkansas; they're thinking about trading that cattle ranch for a return to the Northwest, Tommy said.

Ruth Olsen Peterson arrived with Ron Snyder, class of '70, after driving to Ellensburg to hear her youngest play in his music camp. She also brought along some grade school photos to add to our collection. Vern Olin brought his wife Twyla West, also '70, and Brian Johnson brought Tom Bondo. Both Tom and Steve Elske chuckled about already being 60, thanks to repeating one of the primary grades. (Steve also lent us a photo from Mrs. Turner's fourth grade class.) And guess what, Don Phipps came!

Wanda Craig Polosky brought her daughter Elizabeth, and news of Sue Shirley, another member of the class of 1970. She is now a veterinarian for whom Wanda once worked. George Ford was accompanied by wife Gail Berntsen (1970), who reported she'd just seen cousin Janice, also from our class, who continues as a music teacher. Janice, a cancer survivor, is again in good health, said Gail.

More cheerful post-reunion news: Kevin Cady was in the news! No surprise, for his colorful antics! The News Tribune's Kathleen Merryman wrote about Kevin's multi-colored house, his songwriting, and his plans to get another band together. Check the TNT web site for "A concert of color in South Tacoma," with 10 photos of Kevin and environs...and guess what, his ponytail is GRAY!