The reunion committee holds monthly meetings every third Thursday at the Cocoa library. Everyone's welcome to attend. For directions contact the committee. Got something to say? Contact Mary Repass-Friend, Pat Tash, or Robert DeWitt.

What'd He Say?!?
Last weekend (2/5/05) I emailed my longstanding pre-reunion thoughts to Bob DeWitt, Pat Tash, and Mary Repass, as representitives of the reunion committee, stating my concerns about the upcoming event scheduled for June liftoff. I acknowledge upfront that it's to-the-point.

Predictably, not everyone agreed with my position that the 2000 event could of should of been better. Some of the responses were quite pithy, and I've posted a couple. The common theme was that I should apologize for criticizing.

I think my biggest gripe, if that's the word, is that here we are, 40 years out, and activities proposed for the 40th (see some of the past meeting postings below) included limbo and karaoke contests, dress code discussions and snack updates, but nothing, well, substantive.

Now, Sue and I do our heck-darndest to exercise, but even if I'd been that enthralled with limbo-ing the first time around, pushing age 58 is not the time to get reacquainted. To my sensitive intuitions, this has Roger Corman Hollywood cliche written all over it.

How Time Flies
And nearly five years have passed since the last event and discussion has turned once more (see emails from 2000-2001, below) to how best the "Memory Book" – or Reunion Annual, as I prefer to imagine it ought be referred to – might best be fulfilled. No word on any such product for '05, though apparantly dealing with the last one has been kicked around since last fall.

I've just posted the '95 Reunion Directory.PDF here, though it's more out of date than in. (Requires Adobe Acrobat Reader v3.0 or later to view – if you by some reason don't have Reader, go to www.adobe.com and get a free copy.)

There aren't any print copies left, but for those who never got one, this is a pretty close approximation. It's what I had in mind five years ago when I offered to take the creation and production of the 2000 directory off the committee's hands and digitally publish a companion piece.

A Suggestion Or Three
We grew up surrounded by beaches, orange groves, and seafood. Call me sentimental, but I'd like a stand or two to sponsor something promoting Fresh Florida Orange Juice, and maybe a Friday night mullet fish fry (sure, charge folks for it, or bbq. Just something native, not just warmed over corporate fare.)

How about a Saturday or Sunday sunrise yoga class on the beach? A 5K/1K run-walk? Seminars that might answer concerns about prostate, breast, ovarian, or other cancers we seem sadly prone to these days? Might there be any vendor interest in onsite massage? And blood drives are always vogue, even if they only pick up a couple of pints.

Classes on nutrition, exercise, whatever floats anyone's particular boat. Not a marathon continuing education, no, but a few common or not so common perspectives might be welcome.

This Cries Out For…Beach Music!
If you don't know, beach music epitomizes our place and our time. Learn more on my favorite links page, but rest assured, a beach music weekend would last the rest of our lives.

Come to think of it, a shag contest would be so very cool. There are folks around who teach this most Southern of dance moves, and it's guaranteed chill out fun that's PG-rated yet reminiscent of the best times of our lives.

Still not sure? Check out Simply Shaggin' for the R&B lowdown on the music and the moves that make sense. If you're old enough to remember Teen Town – and you are – then you know what the combination of this kind of music, sand, and sea has on making those feet get to moving.

Got An Idea? Let Them Know
And there ought at the very least to be an onsite laptop database set up to capture or confirm attendees preferences for email, addresses, etc., for use by this or future committees in contacting folks down the road.

This is the Class of '65, folks! And these are just some off-the-top-of-my-head thoughts — the potential is wide open.

My thinking is that one Friday night, Saturday, Saturday night, and a Sunday morning every 10 years or so shouldn't be overlooked as opportunities to inform, educate, entertain, and expand our new positions as near-senior citizens.

I just wanted to clear the air. Anyone who shares these views and suggestions can address their thoughts to the committee. And if you don't, then obviously feel free to communicate your support for status quo to the them as well.

I'm not going to turn this site into a committee bashing board, but at the same time, and at the risk of sounding alarmist, we don't have too many of these get-togethers left, and I for one don't want to end up down the road mumbling, "sure wish we could've done this or that when we had the chance."

February 4, 2005

From: "Robert DeWitt" <rcdewitt@peoplepc.com>
Date: February 4, 2005 10:06:15 PM EST
To: "Mary \(Friend\) *Repass" <repass-friend@cfl.rr.com>
Subject: January CHS/CBHS 40th Reunion Meeting

We had a very productive meeting this Jan 20th  at the Cocoa Public Library.  We will be having the rest of the meetings at the library.   Those attending were Gray Ringo Boot, Pat Dewey Tash, Bill Crew, Diane Lloyd Hickenbottom, Susan Harward Barwell, Pam McNeil Bates, Mary Repass Friend and Bob DeWitt.
 
We have picked and booked a band and decided on the cost to attend.  Cost will be $65.00 per person for all weekend.  The band is “Don’t quit your day job”.   We are working on the menu at the Double Tree hotel.  We are working on a slide show of past pictures to show on wall.  We plan to do another mail out sometime soon for classmates that we do not have email addresses.  I have gotten 52 mail outs back, that had bad addresses.    Anyone who can help find classmates would be greatly appreciated.
See John Siebenthaler’s web site www.cocoahigh65.com/page-one.html  or  Bob Mayo’s web site www.cherokeebob.com/clock_chs.htm for more information on the reunion.  The sites have great deal of good information on the reunion, hotel and how to book rooms.
Please send your reservations and money to Pat Dewey Tash at address below.
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt
Rockledge, FL

(The form referenced is over on Bob Mayo's site.)

January 28, 2005

From: "Robert DeWitt" <rcdewitt@peoplepc.com>
Date: January 28, 2005 9:42:44 PM EST
To: "Gray & Dennis \(Boot\) Ringo" <toboot@earthlink.net>, "Pam \(Bates\) McNeill" <batesp@brevard.k12.fl.us>, "Diane & David \(Hickenbottom\) Lloyd" <dlhickenbotton@att.net>, "Susan \(Barwell\) Harward" <SHBARWELL@aol.com>, "Mary \(Friend\) *Repass" <repass-friend@cfl.rr.com>
Subject: Reunion Meeting Update

Attached is a start of what I want to send out to everyone.  Please look it over and make and changes or deletions.  I was wondering if we should send the reservation form in the email, as some people can not down load attachments.  Have a good weekend.
 
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt
Rockledge, FL

January 20, 2005

Susan Barwell reports on Thursday's meeting.

I am really happy that they booked the band I thought was so good. (ed. We're relieved as well.)

Doug Fountain asked for a list of those whose addresses we don't have, I suggested that it could not be that difficult to get a list of all the 65 grads, and figure out whose addresses we don't have. (ed. Data base management continues to be a black art.)

Much discussion on which buffet to order - cost being a major factor - I must admit that I'm not sure we decided - maybe waiting to see how much interest we get.

Proposal was to charge $75 per person, to include food Friday night. I felt it had to at least be close to the same amount as last reunion. It was also decided that anyone who donated significantly ($60 or more) at the last reunion would not have to pay for this reunion.  I felt, as did most others, that we should not spread this around - just do it. Vote went to $65.

Mary is still going to do the cds.

I believe sending out a newsletter afterwards was also mentioned - thus another reason to charge $75.

Thanks, Susan, for the info, and for hanging in and attending the Thursday night meetings so we could get a sense of what's planned.

January 21, 2005

From: "Robert DeWitt" <rcdewitt@peoplepc.com>
Date: January 21, 2005 9:02:40 PM EST
To: "Mary \(Friend\) *Repass" <repass-friend@cfl.rr.com>
Subject: Reservation Information For Reunion

I wanted to let everyone know that you can go on line to book a room at the Double Tree.  You need the event code.  It is "COC".  Robert Mayo got the code for us.  The web site is www.cocoabeachdoubletree.com.
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt
Rockledge, FL

January 7, 2005

We wanted to let everyone know that we will be starting up our organizational meetings this month.  We will meet Jan. 20, 2005 at the Cocoa library on second floor.  We will be making the first mail out next week.  We are only sending the first mail out to classmates that we do not have email addresses for.  Attached is a copy of the first mail out. 
 
Reunion Committee Members
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt
Rockledge, FL

(clik to read/download letter)

11/25/04

From: "Robert DeWitt" <RCDEWITT@peoplepc.com>
Date: November 25, 2004 3:07:14 PM EST
To: "Mary \(Friend\) *Repass" <repass-friend@cfl.rr.com>
Subject: Class of 65 Nov. 18th Reunion Meeting

Update of Nov. 18th reunion meeting.

The following classmates were present. Gray Ringo Boot, Pam McNeill Bates, Dorothy Roberts Johnson, Dale Chemerys McGlothin, Becky Corbitt Hudson, my wife and myself.

We are still working on the menus. I have signed the contract for the Double Tree hotel and have made a deposit. At this time we have reserved 30 rooms for two night for anyone who wants to stay at the hotel. Below is part of the contract.

(ed. note: in the interest of brevity, the contract Bob references is standard fare for anyone who has ever stayed in a hotel or motel. Cutoff date is 5/27/05 for blocked rooms. Check in at 4 p.m., check out by 11. Read complete text here. )

The on line address is: www.cocoabeachdoubletree.com <http://www.cocoabeachdoubletree.com> .

The committee asked for any one who has pictures from graduation year to send them to us, if they would like them added to the slide show using power point to project the pictures on a wall with an LCD projector, during the reunion.

We are going to send a mail out soon to the classmates that we do not have email addresses for. If anyone knows of classmate email addresses that we don't have, please send them to Bob DeWitt at rcdewitt@peoplepc.com . I have 455 addresses for Cocoa High and 167 for Cocoa Beach High. Out of the total addresses, I have 75 email addresses for Cocoa Beach High and 153 email addresses for Cocoa High. So any help would be appreciated.

We are working on picking a band. Have a few good prospects.

Bob & Cheryl DeWitt Rockedge, FL

October 31, 2004

We had our October meeting on Oct. 21. There were four of us there. Mary Repass Friend, Pam McNeill Bates, Becky Corbitt Hudson and myself.

Manuel Gutierrez sent some money to help pay for snacks and drinks as his way of helping. We thank you very much Manny. We sure need more classmates to help. We have only had three or four at the last two meeting. Had a few more at earlier meetings.

We are currently working on the menu, theme, dress and other things, as well as what we are going to do on Friday and Saturday night. We do plan to have a band and dance floor on Saturday. We are working on what band we want. The rest we are still working on.

The location will be the Double Tree hotel and the date will be 17, 18 and 19th of June, 2005.

The next meeting will be Nov. 18th at 6:30 in the Cocoa Library in a study room on the first floor.

Will send more information as it becomes available.

Bob DeWitt
Reunion Committee Member
Rockedge, FL

September 22, 2004

Mary's apparantly suffered a lot of damage to her condo in Titusville as a result of Frances. The monthly meeting should have been held the 16th, but no news.

September 2, 2004

The reunion dates are again as originally scheduled: June 17th - 19th.

August 26, 2004

Apparently the DoubleTree isn't available per the dates shown below either.

The committee has now selected June 15th, 16th, and 17th as the reunion dates, which the calendar shows as a Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday.

August 19, 2004

NEWS FROM AUGUST MEETING
Susan Harwood Barwell, Pam McNeil Bates, Robert & Cheryl Dewitt and Mary Repass-Friend attended the August meeting

Event topics discussed at the reunion meeting included door prizes, planned activities (karaoke, limbo, etc.), and a buffet dinner. A point was raised concerning a later Friday night start to give folks a chance to eat because the last time the food ran out. Centerpieces - cost and design - were also discussed.

The question of the early pool closing by the Radisson at the 2000 event was clarified; apparantly the pool had already been rented to another group.

A resolution to the post event (2000) albums is being discussed and revolves around placing various images on cds and sending them out. The Class of 63/64 did a photo album; one quote to replicate came in at $17/each.

A band quote is being investigated, as is how late they'd play.

The dates from last month's meeting was wrong. The Doubletree cannot do the week-end before July 4th, so Father's Day week-end (17th, 18th, 19th) has been booked.

July 24, 2004

From: "Robert DeWitt" <RCDEWITT@peoplepc.com>
Date: Sat, 24 Jul 2004 20:51:03 -0400
Subject: Reunion Up Date

Class Reunion Committee Meetings will be scheduled the 3rd week of each month (EXCEPT DECEMBER) until....

NEXT MEETING IS 7:00 P.M. AUGUST 19, 2004 !

unless otherwise notified.

Pam committed to calling Double Tree on Cocoa Beach and scheduling a date. She has done that.

CLASSMATES CAN NOW PLAN for a June 24, 25 & 26 Reunion!
THANKS PAM!

Between now and then we'll be working out the details. We will also be hosting a table in the corner in March at the Mosquito Beaters Weekend.

REMEMBER MEETINGS ARE 3RD WEEK OF EACH MONTH (Except Dec)

January 19, 2001 Memory Book

From: "Robert DeWitt", INTERNET:rcdewitt@peoplepc.com
Date: Fri, Jan 19, 2001, 10:14 PM
RE: Menory Book Meeting

We had our first meeting in two months and it went well. We are coming right along with the memory book. Everyone is over their illness and ready to work. We have another meeting Jan. 25th at Mary Schindehette Gregory's house. We plan to go though the pictures and pick the ones to put in the memory book. Cocoa High is helping us print the book. We have picked the paper for the cover and inside pages. There is still time to get profiles in. We only have 86 profiles so far. We would love more.
Your Classmate
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt

October 20, 2000 Memory Book

From: "Robert DeWitt", INTERNET:rcdewitt@peoplepc.com
Date: Fri, Oct 20, 2000, 7:18 PM
RE: Reunion Update, Oct. 2000

We have run into some delays on the memoir book, due to illness, but we are still working on it. Hope everyone has checked out the 35th Reunion pictures and email addresses on Linda (Bates) MacCleave's web site at www.surfette.bizland.com . It is great, and she always needs more pictures, if anyone has some to send.
Thanks
Your Reunion Committee
Bob & Cheryl DeWitt