August 29-30, 2003

Members of the Class of 1958 gathered in Cheyenne, August 29-30, 2003, for two marvelous days of reminiscing and renewing friendships.  The summer had produced a record-setting number of days with temperatures above 90 degrees and virtually no precipitation.  Clouds began forming on Friday, and just as the ice-breaker was set to begin, the heavens opened up. The rain continued throughout the next day, but it wasn't enough to dampen the spirits of the reunion celebrants.

Friday Ice-Breaker

Cheyenne's Old West Museum provided the perfect setting for the Friday night party. The wonderful displays of Cheyenne Frontier Days memorabilia as well as the amazing collection of old wagons and carriages provided a trip down memory lane. Chuck Barhite had arranged for several beautifully preserved vintage cars to be parked in front of the museum as the guests arrived.   One very snazzy yellow coupe belongs to Chuck.  

Kay Agee Chapman and Treva Simpson Ratliff "manned" the registration desk (with assistance from their spouses) and passed out the nametags to the 175 grads and guests.  We all have changed (some more than others) and the yearbook photos on the nametags were essential.

Several people were late arriving due to extreme traffic tieups on I-25. We learned the next day that a major part of the traffic problem was caused by one of our classmates and his wife who were key players in a five-car accident. No injuries, fortunately, but they had to ride back to Denver in a tow truck. Good sports that they are, however, they were back in Cheyenne for our Saturday night party.

Andrea Beck Cook and her team (Deanna Neely Cashman, Deanna McGee Weaver, Eleanor Arroyo Jewell, Mary Renneisen Gish, Judy Gardner Dray) combined their talents and provided a wonderful array of delicious "eats." Jim Krouch brought bags of freshly-made popcorn from the best place in town, and two cash bars were set up and manned by folks from "Uncle Charlie's."

There were hugs, smiles and cameras everywhere, as we were transported back to what was, for most of us,a simpler place in time. An impromptu songfest was a special treat, with piano music provided by the very talented Lindy Davis Gold and singing provided by us! The allotted three hours passed much too quickly, and we had to ask Lindy to play "Good Night, Ladies" several times in order to get everyone headed out the door.

Saturday Dinner/Dance

Despite the rain, Saturday offered a chance to see the sights in town. Several small groups gathered for breakfast and lunch and more reminiscing. A few even traveled to Laramie to watch the Wyoming Cowboys defeat Montana State in the rain.

The dinner-dance gave everyone an opportunity to enjoy the beautifully renovated Plains Hotel. Lois Shimitz Phillips, Lois McCard Pittman and Carole Davis were in charge of signing in the 129 attendees. The Range Rooms were set up with 13 tables for ten. Each centerpiece consisted of a terra cotta pot filled with silk mums and, mounted on florist wire, were photos of famous people from the 40s and 50s (i.e., Elvis, Marilyn, Nancy Drew, Superman, Eisenhower, Fabian, Elizabeth Taylor, etc., etc.)

Several people brought along pictures, school newspapers and other memorabilia which were displayed and enjoyed by all. Dick Spicka took over the microphone and made certain that we headed for the buffet table in an orderly fashion – one table at a time, as directed by Coach Spicka! A disc jockey from The Sound Connection set the tone with nostalgic music, and there were plenty of folks who took to the dance floor. Unfortunately, there never seems to be enough time to visit with everyone, and long before we were ready, it was 11:00 p.m., and the DJ began packing up his speakers and the dining room staff started cleaning up around us!

Jack Crews and John Godfrey were two of several Santa Claus wannabees attending the reunion.

Etcetera

Once again, Jack Williams demonstrated an uncanny ability to find even those who don't want to be found.  Thank you so much, Jack, for helping to keep our rosters as accurate as possible! In addition to those already mentioned, we had other helpers, Janet Heath Glasner; Rocky Hewitt; Jean Georges Jacobson; Dan Hinkle; Montie Smith; Bob and Shirley Wilcoxon; and my webmaster, photographer and daughter, Jenny Sue. Many thanks to you all, and, also, to those "angels" who provided additional money to meet the numerous expenses associated with our 45th . . . and, to Judy and Perry Dray for keeping track of the finances.

This is the third reunion in which I have been heavily involved, primarily because of my computer skills, but also because I really enjoy reunions and possess the otherwise useless skill of remembering nearly all of the people in those elementary school pictures! In five years we plan to gather again, probably in greater numbers . . . I suspect we won't fit into the Range Rooms at the Plains! Until then, you stay in touch, and we'll stay in touch!

Judy Flett Hinkle

for the Class of 1958

e-mail address:  classof58@bresnan.net