LIVINGSTON HIGH SCHOOL

CLASS OF 1960


 

2008 Pre-Union
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The first weekend of May, many classmates came together for a "Pre-Reunion" hosted by Jim and Liz Kinsey at the beautiful Kinsey Family Farm in Gainesville, Georgia.


1st row, knelling/sitting: Bonnie Wingerter, Jim Kinsey, Liz Merkle, Helen Reckenzaun, Bob Roth
2nd Row: Regina Wachowicz, Chris Horgen, Carol Hammel, Judy Cole, Janet Sharples, Janet Zimmerman, Marilyn Cocuzza, Mary Ebsen, Penny Green, Bob Hess, Pat Brophy (yellow shirt)
3rd Row: Rick Scofield, Connie Ericson, Bill Habig, Dennis Dey, Dawn Wetzel, Mary Dingwell
4th Row: Joe Kruse, Jim Searing, Pat Marinaro, Tjelda Muller, Eileen Vance, Roger Bippus, Arnold Karig, Tom Nolan, Larry Torino, Will Simonson

The intention of the was to reunite as many of the class as possible to begin the planning process for our 50th reunion in 2010. Many of the classmates have not seen or been in touch with each other since graduation! They came from as far away as Nevada, Arizona, Texas, Michigan, Nebraska, Maine, Delaware, North and South Carolina and of course, the New Jersey, Pennsylvania, and the New York area. There was also a noticeable contingent from Florida and other areas too numerous to mention.

The weekend began on Thursday with the arrival of classmates to help prepare the barn for the Pre-Reunion. The floor was power washed, picnic tables were positioned, green and white balloons inflated, green and white crepe paper hung and a four-foot by eight-foot bulletin board hung to capture our memorabilia. All was in readiness for the Friday kick-off of the Pre-reunion. Or so we thought.


That's Jim Kinsey getting ready to hang crepe paper. Bob Roth and Tom Nolan are supervising
Jim's on the ladder. Bob and Tom are still supervising

On Friday morning we found the Georgia weather had something to say about the decorations. A strong breeze and the morning dew stretched the crepe paper and deflated some of the balloons. As the day went on, more and more classmates began to arrive. Our thanks to Tjelda Muller for providing the nametags, complete with our high school picture, identifying who was who, made it less of a chore for the attendees. The bulletin board began to fill with photos from kindergarten through our Senior year. Everyone was captivated with the board and tried to remember who was in the various pictures.


With their backs to us that's Marilyn Cocuzza, Pat Marinaro and Roger Bippus

Throughout the day and into the night everyone had a wonderful time reminiscing and catching up on forty-eight years. Dinner was a catered affair with some great local cooking, which everyone enjoyed.


L to R. Dawn Wetzel, Bob Roth, unknown, Jim Searing, Bill Habig, Pat Brophy, Joe Kruse, Eve Heunemann, Judy Cole, Dennis Dey

Activities began around noon on Saturday and, of course, the Georgia weather once again had to make a statement, this time with rain. A little rain didn't dampen the sprit of the event. Additional classmates arrived some with spouses and significant other's in tow. Again, everyone present had nametags so identifying classmates and who belong to classmates was not a problem. Lunch was several types of tortilla wraps, sandwiches and soda, water and other libations.

Around 2:00 PM Jean Perkins began the business meeting. The first order of business was to determine when and where our 50th reunion would be held. It was agreed that the first weekend of October 2010 would be the time and somewhere, in close proximity to Livingston and LHS, would be the place. More will follow as the plans are established. Jean is establishing a LHS 1960 Class Treasury (She was our Class Treasurer if you don't recall) and she will be sending out information on this in the near future. We are hoping that each of you can contribute and it will be used to offset some of the costs for this Wonderful 50th Anniversary of the Class of 1960. Tjelda displayed a sample of a yearbook that she will be creating. She has designed the format, which includes our graduation picture along with a recent picture. The price of the Yearbook could be included in the reunion ticket. At this point in time she not sure how much the book will cost to print in 2010. All agreed that the yearbook was a good idea and Tjelda will continue to create it. Roger Bippus gave a brief update on the status of the web site. The address of the web site is lhsclassof60.org. Jim Kinsey reported about the Fellowship Fund, why it was established, the current resources, and how it will be used. We'll have more information about the Fellowship Fund on the News page in the near future.


L to R. Roger Bippus, Susie Bernat, Marilyn Cocuzza, Jean Perkins, Jim Kinsey

After the meeting the barn was abuzz with conversation again. Meanwhile, Tjelda had "set up shop" and was scanning every photo she could get her hands on. She printed out several elementary school photos and suddenly people were running around the barn with the print outs asking, "Do you know who this is?" Tjelda is planning on using the photos in the yearbook and we'll probably have them on the web site at some point.


Eve Heunemann, Dennis Dey, Judy Cole

The rain subsided and Jim hooked up the wagons to the tractor for a tour of the farm. Jim stopped periodically and explained what was going on in each area of the farm. Make no mistake, this is a working Christmas tree farm, horticulture center, event venue, and holiday destination. Jim even has a few head of cattle and a goat pen as a part of the farm. If you want a day in the country, do a little fishing you can come to the Kinsey Family Farm. As Jim drove the tractor (this is a real tractor, the kind with big tires) we stopped by the pond. His son was in the pond in a kayak practicing rolling the kayak, to everyone's enjoyment and applause!


Having a laugh. Mary Dingwell, Pat Marinaro, Barbara Tunison, Larry Torino

After a dinner of Southern Barbecue, which can only be described as fantastic, the presentations began. Jean Perkins, as the only class officer in attendance, inducted three individuals, who did not graduate with us, officially into the Class of 1960. They were presented with pseudo diplomas and were very appreciative.


Larry Torino, Tom Nolan, Bob Roth

Jim recognized three other folks who assisted and supported him in developing the directory and planning of the Pre-reunion. All the classmates attending honored Jim and Liz with a "Certificate of Appreciation" for hosting and organizing our Pre-reunion. Judy Rose presented Jim and Liz with one of her beautiful original paintings.


Pat Marinaro, Pat Brophy, Tom Nolan, Jim Waters (Dawn's husband) behind Jim's shoulder
is Arnold Karig

Once again the din of conversation, fun and just catching up continued in the barn and continued well into the night.


Around the table: Jim Searing, Bill Habig, Marilyn Cocuzza, Rocco (Marilyn's husband), Laureen Searing (Jim's wife), Chris Horgen. In background: Eileen Vance, Bonnie Wingerter, Will Simonsen

 


Around the table: Mary Beth Brophy (Pat's wife), Janet Sharples, Larry Torino, Tom Nolan, Pat Marinaro, Roger Bippus, Mary Marinaro (Pat's wife)

 


Around the table: Tjelda Muller, Mary Ebsen, Connie Ericson, Mary Dingwell, Joe Kruse, Bob Hess, Becky Hess (Bob's wife), Marilyn Cocuzza, Helen Reckenzaun

 


Will Simonsen's wife Nancy, Will, Dennis Dey, Judy Cole

 


Rick Scofield's wife Margaret, Liz Merkle, Janet Sharples, Eileen Vance, Carol Hammel

Sunday seemed to be "get away day." Classmates began to leave because of other priorities and obligations or simply to get back to work on Monday. Jim and Liz arranged for a Sunday brunch of Southern style biscuits, fruit, etc., all of which were superb. Throughout the day the words heard were, "See you in two years." By the day end only a few classmates remained to take down the decorations and help clean up the barn. Over the objection of Jim and other's, two husbands of our classmates swept the entire barn. Thanks guys, you didn't need to do that.

For those of you weren't able to attend the Pre-reunion, this was something that was very special to all of us who attended and something that we wanted to share with all of you who could not attend on our website. The coming together of classmates, renewal of friendships, and establishing of new friendships is very special to all of us, the Class of 1960. As we look forward to the 50th, Go Lancers!!

One more thing that we can't forget, Jim and Liz and family, again we thank you for your hospitality, generosity, fellowship and most of all friendship.


Jim, Grandson Lindsey, and Liz
At the beach, it's not their backyard.

 

Scroll down for more photos!


Doug Headley

 


Judy Rose and Bob Hess

 


Jean Perkins and Mary Dingwell

 


Sue Bernat, Bonnie Wingerter, Mary Ebsen, Eve Heunemann

 


Pat Marinaro, Janet Sharples, Ken Stensler

   

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