Peter Crockett

Friends, a request.  Looking forward to seeing you all tomorrow night.  Would one of you who knows the way around the city tell me how to get from the east side of Cincinnati (we're at East Lake State Park coming in on route 32) to the high school.  Getting to tomrrow's party looks easy on Google Maps.  Thanks

Dexter Roger Dixon

I regret I can't attend the reunion.  I am participating in a wedding of a good friend of mine on Saturday.  Other wedding activities are scheduled on Friday and Sunday.  I had intended to come to Cincy and the reunion, but the date for the wedding wasn't going to be moved.  I will toast the Class of '64 for sure with champagne on Saturday and send positive vibes to everyone.  Have a fantastic weekend and know you all are in my thoughts.

Sursum ad summum!

Dexter Roger Dixon

Richard Murdock

Ann:   I think that is a great idea.   I know Judy Holzer is not able to attend as is Phil Spiess   If we could send them some sort of greetings or feed from  the reunion, I think that would  be great   

See you Friday evening       

Dick

Laura Reid (Pease)

Peter, I just sent directions to you via email; please let me know if you received them.  See you tonight, Laura 

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

If you are not already on Facebook, you can create an account at this link: https://www.facebook.com/

Once you have and account, send me a Friend Request by searching for Ann Shepard Rueve or send a message to me through Facebook to let me know to "friend" you if you can't find me. 

Margery Erhardt (Schrader)

Thank you Ann and I will be checking. Unfortunately I cannot attend as we are celebrating our BIG anniversary (June 18) and family and friends had other things in mind. I will be thinking of you all!~ Best,  Margi

Bruce Fette

I like the way Bruce Bittman thinks! I wish I could be there to join him in a dozen White Castles and a side of Cincy Chili!

You guys have a good time!

I will check in with Phil and see if he is OK!

Bruce

Philip Spiess

Yah, Fette, Spiess is O.K.  (Did Andrew Jackson really initiate that term?  Was he actually that illiterate -- or was he just hittin' the old Tennessee Sour Mash on a week night?  Was he disoriented because he was about to be replaced on the $20 bill by a female?)

As I personally wrote to Rick Steiner on May 31, when I explained why I couldn't come to the Reunion, much as I wished that I could:  "So give my best regards to all, and know that, at 70, I'm in what passes as 'good health,' also that I pretend to be as witty as ever -- luckily I still have my wits about me -- at least they were here . . . somewhere . . . a minute or so ago. . . .  Ah!  Here they are (no, that's my spectacle case . . .).  Did the cat. . . ?"

So, all, as the Latin Department at WHHS used to say to us -- or should have -- as we drifted off, eager to take on the Modern Languages courses:  "Ave atque Vale!"

Your friend and mine,

Philip D. Spiess II

(Still alive and kicking after all these years, and sleeping like a baby -- I cry and pee all night.)

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

Phil, you might not be here in person, but your presence was abundant tonight.  Those of us who are regulars on the Message Forum, after greeting one another, looked at each other, and without uttering a single word, smiled, then chuckled. We didn't have to say your name. We all shared the the thought!   I'm sure your ears were ringing.

David Buchholz

What fun!

Bruce Fette

Say Phil,

As you look around for witts, if you find that there are any extra you are not using, please give me a call. I might need to borrow one.

Thanks,

Bruce

Ann,

We all thank you for keeping this message forum bright and lively. And it looks like you are doing the same as an Angel. Sounds like truly rewarding work.

Bruce

Gene Stern

Wow! the Reunion committee did a fabulous job!  Betsy and David Schneider's reception on Friday was only topped by the fabulous Torquays (Eugene Katona, David Buchholz, Paul Simon) accompanied by David Schneider's vocals!  What fond memories flooded back upon seeing them entertain us!  The bus tour really opened our eyes to the progress Cincy is making in preserving history while getting ready for the future. A huge debt of gratitude to Rick Steiner for, once again, putting together (and paying for along with David and others) another memorable reunion. Rick announced our 75th Birthday Bash in June of 2021. Looking forward to seeing everyone in five years hence.

Paul Simons

My $0.02 worth - very grateful to Gene Stern for the shout-out and to all of the folks he mentions and to every person who was there. So good to see everyone and hear what everyone had to say. A lot of humor in this crew - like paging through 'The New Yorker' magazine and looking at those cartoons. Amazing to me how Euge Katona immediately picked up the bass line to every tune at Dr. Dave's place Friday night. Dave "f1.0" Buchholz - the drivin' wheel - and I practiced but Euge was doing it real time. And Dr. Schneider - move over, Mick Jagger. Move over, James Brown.  Also amazing the depth of the discussion led by Dr. Horwitz at the 'talk-around'. In my opinion the religious, cultural, social, personality, and specific skill diversity was and always will be both a challenge and a reward for this group of people and for the world in general. We are very lucky - we all came from different places, different backgrounds, and 99.9% of the time brought their best elements along with us to that little schoolhouse on the parkway. My guess is that there is an expectation that the 'lowest common denominator' talk and deed that is unfortunately empowered these days by certain media outlets and by certain members of our 'celebrity' culture will not be found at these reunions, and that's a drawing card for all. Someone said we're on the cusp of something - on a knife edge, things could go either way, good or bad. At least I think we recognize our responsibility to do what it's in our power to do. For me that means walking a few blocks and making sure like-minded people get to the polls on Election Day. I urge everyone to get involved, everything depends on it. Everything and everybody.

Helen Sayrs (Hurley)

The reunion was wonderful -- I think the best ever!  Thanks to all those who worked to make it so special!  And thanks to Richard Winter for making it possible to write these words to all of you!

Jeff Daum

What a great WHHS LXX Birthday Bash!  Kudos to all involved.  

Our time together through: 

• the significant energy and financial contributions of Rick and the 'team'

• the foresight of Ann to know that not only did we need name tags to 'facilitate' our immediate and sincere recognition of our classmates by name, but to also know we needed to have new ones at each of the functions to continue to recognize our classmates (and nicely cover-up the few of us that suffer from lack of short term memory )

• the generosity of David and Betsy allowing us to rock their beautiful home,

• to the informative guided bus tour seeing highlights of the great changes to Cincy,

• to the superb (high speed) tour of the extensive and impressive changes made to WHHS,

• to the frankness and fun of the Talk Around,

• to the Kenwood Country Club Bash Gala (though I am not sure “Festive Attire” was ever operationally defined ),

• and the delicious albeit somewhat delayed (providing a great opportunity for additional memory sharing) Sunday Brunch at the Orchids at Palm Court. 

A time to stimulate old memories, recall good times, and catch up and reflect upon just how special and unique our time together was and continues to be.

view from my room at the magnificent Netherland Plaza

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

This event was EXTRAORDINARY!  I truly believe it was enhanced by the opportunity for us to participate on the Virtual Reunion website and having  the opportunity to  talk among ourselves for two years. 

Those who were unable to attend this year should not be disappointed.  Every moment of the reunion was captured digitally in pictures and video by an incredible crew lead by Brad Schloss (Jim's son) and Justin Burwinkell. Other class of '64 progeny serving us during the reunion were Ace and Duke Steiner, the shuttle chauffeurs for the welcome at Dave and Betsy Schneider's. John Isador's son, Sam, was bartender for the event. 

Richard Murdock, one of my new old new best friends, shared a couple of videos from his phone to share with you until the professional videos are posted. I will try upload them to "What's New" tab. 

Laura Reid (Pease)

What a great time seeing old classmates and renewing friendships and thanks to all who worked on this FABULOUS reunion; I agree, think it was the best yet.  A special thanks to Rick, David and Betsy.  AND to all who have worked tirelessly on our website. So great that the Levinsons, Rosie Buyniski and Steve Collett  made their long journeys to be with us.  And of course Randy, the wandering Jew (you said it Randy, not I).  This class has had such a profound influence on me; when individuals in the City mention the extraordinary Walnut Hills class of '64, I am so proud and yet humbled to say that I am part of it.  Thank you all for coming and being so open with each other; there's a lot of love in this group!

Becky Payne (Shockley)

I must say DITTO to all the great comments from my classmates and THANK YOU to the reunion committee (especially Dave Schneider and Rick Steiner) and to everyone who attended, for making it such a wonderful and memorable event! It was so enjoyable to reconnect with all of you (what a great class!) and I eagerly await the 75th! I hope the next 5 years go well for everyone -

best,

Becky

Helen Sayrs (Hurley)

Jeff -- That photo is amazing!

Jeff Daum

Thanks Helen!  It was a great vantage point to view the evolving city.

Stephen (Steve) Dixon

Beaucoup thank yous to all who have posted photos and to Ann for the live videos of reunion activities. I hated to miss it and am looking forward to the full film record.

As an alternative, I was celebrating Father's Day and my youngest son's birthday on Saturday evening.

That's Tiffany, my first-born, on the left. Son Corey in the middle and me, the old goat on the right.

William (Bill) Waxman

Many thanks to the planners of this past weekend's reunion with special gratitude to Rick Steiner and David and Betsy Schneider. It was great catching up with so many old mates; we are a very interesting group of folks. Notwithstanding the enjoyment of reminiscing the most impressive part of the weekend for me was the tour of the WHHS campus. The improvements to the facility itself are astounding. What was even more impressive and so uplifting, was to learn how WHHS has maintained and indeed improved its academic excellence as well introduced so many new extracurricular activities in the arts, athletics, etc. all of which have to make the WHHS experience so much more valuable. I was particularly struck by WHHS' sophisticated mentoring program which has greatly reduced the attrition rate. After the tour I left the campus thinking that WHHS is an even better institution than when we were students half a century ago. Thank you again to our classmates who planned the events of the weekend. Thoroughly enjoyable experience.

Nancy Messer

The whole weekend was fantastic.  At the dinner Saturday one thing kept grabbing my attention.  Whenever I looked at Brad Schloss - our wonderful photographer - I kept thinking how much he looked like Gene Stern at a younger age !  I finally went up to Brad and mentioned it to him.  Someone else had mentioned it to him too and he knew exactly where in the crowd Gene was.  Well Brad, hang on to a few pictures of Gene - that's what you're going to look like when you're older !!

Ann Shepard (Rueve)

I've been described as the "Facebook Queen".  I accept.

I just posted this comment.  

Hope to see you in 2021!

Peter Crockett

Thank you all, friends.  That was a special weekend.  My partner Davida enjoyed it a lot, too, seeing the companions her guy had as a yute (My Cousin Vinnie still a favorite).  Especially enjoyed our time of sharing what was on our minds and how it related to our time at WHHS.  It was touching.  Should anyone care to glance in on our travel antics around the country, we're posting at http://www.travelpod.com/members/djpc.  Blessings, you all.