CHS Class of 1969

Dear Class of 1969,
What a wonderful time was had by all at the mini reunion October 15th. Terrie has filled you all in on all the activities we attended, so I thought that I would take time to address something else. We all will be turning 60 in 2011. It does not seem possible----did we ever really think that we could be this old? Anyway, it appears that most of us have finally grown up. We get it----it is not about things, money, and possessions----it is about our friendships and people. We are starting to loose too many classmates. It is time to really let our friends know what they mean to us. Some of you I did not know well in school, but I hope to know you better now. The one thing I really feel is that we need to let others know how much they influenced our lives. The Class of 69 shaped me in so many positive ways. Each one of you touched my life in some way. I want to thank each and everyone of you. I love you guys. Hopefully you will come home and attend our next gathering July 9, 2011 for our 60th birthday party. Let's enjoy each others company. I love you guys!!!:))))) Mary Dexter

CHS Class of 1969 60th Birthday Bash

Hey Classmates...guess who turning 60 next year? ALL OF US!!! So save the date...July 9th, 2011...we are going to have a birthday party like you have never seen before!!! Be sure to mark your calendars, details soon.

Mini Reunion Weekend

Well classmates...if you weren't at the Caruthersville Tigers football game Friday night, you missed an amazing game...back and forth, but it ended up 42-40 ...Tigers are now 8-0. Our classmates were a hooting and a hollering!!! Some of us even lost our voices...

Several of us attended the visitation, and funeral of our friend Charles "Booger Red" McCoy. Great tribute to a friend.

Saturday afternoon, many of us travelled the streets of downtown Caruthersville, and sampled the chili being offered by the cook off contestants...some were lucky enough to attend the "Moon Pie eating contest"...hmmm

Saturday night, a great group gathered at the American Legion Hall...food, music, games, friends...a great evening.

There will be a big announcement this week...stay tuned.

Charles McCoy

Visitation for Charles is Friday night 6-8 at the German funeral home in Hayti...funeral will be Saturday at 10 am at the Catholic church in Caruthersville . Flowers have been sent from the Class of 69

new email contact address

We have changed the email address for any of you who need to contact our class.

caruthersvilleclassof69@gmail.com

Charles "Booger Red"McCoy

Dear Classmates, I am sorry to tell you all that we lost one of our classmates this morning. Charles McCoy passed away early today after a long and valiant fight with cancer. We will be sending flowers from the Class of '69...several of our classmates will also be attending the funeral.

It will be a bitter sweet reunion this next weekend with our class. Lots of reminiscing about "Booger Red" So happy that he attended our 40th reunion last September. He got to see old friends, and we got to see him...a lot of good memories.

Please keep the McCoy family in your prayers.

CHS Class of 69 Mini Reunion

Hey Friends...it has been a long time since I have been on here. But we have an event coming up that I don't want you all to miss. The weekend of October 15th and
16th, we are going to have a sort of mini reunion. There will be a home football game on Friday night. We will then meet at the Roundhouse for breakfast on Saturday morning. Saturday in the park there will be Caruthersville's Chili Cook Off..which is so much fun, and some really great chili. And Saturday night we will meet at the American Legion Hall, to socialize, and have some fun. No money...no reservations, you just make what you can. Schedules and details will follow later...just save the weekend!!!



Hope everyone is doing well. There is a new email for the class

Homecoming Parade and Tiger Football!!

Hey Gang...WOW I hope you were there...!!! The CHS Class of 1969...won the Blast from the Past...most red and white in the Homecoming Parade...we were riding on the old firetruck and we actually had the mayor with us...and several future CHS football players! The class was represented by, Charlie Jones, our driver, Pat Slentz, Don Smith, and Terrie Pickens Welch. We were actually the second entry in the parade, and cheered, threw candy at people...and had a great time.

We then drove around the town in the firetruck...hanging on for dear life...talk about reliving your childhood, who doesn't want to ride on the back of a big old red firetruck.

We ate chili at the tailgate party, and then went into the stands, and cheered like crazy for the Tigers to beat the Hayti Indians. What a great game...back and forth...but the Mighty CHS Tigers pulled it off with a 31-18 win (my score may be off) but we did win big time!!!

We appreciate those who participated, and hope next year we can get a truck load.

Mary Dexter represented us in the Past Cheerleaders entry... they had a good showing of "older" cheerleaders...careful how we write that.

I will blog about some of my feelings at a later date...times have really changed...

Homecoming

I hope everyone has recovered from reunion weekend...enough to start Homecoming weekend!!! Several of the Class of 1969 will be representing the class in the Homecoming Parade on Friday September 18th...if you want to join in the parade with us, meet at the fire station around 2:30...we will do a little decorating on the old firetruck...

Maybe we will also see you at the game...C'ville vs Hayti...wow, can't wait!!!

Several classmates have made a donation to our school fund, and also requested the two additional videos...I will get them to you as soon as I can...hopefully the first of next week. Thanks for your donations, it gives us a good start toward having enough to purchase something nice for the school from our class. You can make a donation at any time...just send a check to Pam made out to Class of '69.

I have a request for the link to the video that Tana did for everyone...it is below...if you didn't see it, you will definitely enjoy watching.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DeSlStc7wUU

Please remember to let us know if you have a change in address, phone, or email...we always want to keep you updated.

T-shirts

We do still have a few t shirts left...they are $20...and will be great to wear at the Homecoming parade and game!!! Contact us if you are interested in a shirt!!

It's time to get together again

Since we haven't seen each other in so long...there is another special event for the Class of '69...Caruthersville High School will be celebrating their 2009 Homecoming on Friday September 18th...and guess who they are playing...Hayti Indians...I bet you all can remember those games. Bonfires, riding around whooping it up...going over to Hayti to harass our rivals!!! They say you can't go back, but we sure can!!!

That afternoon there will be a Homecoming Parade...some of us participated in the parade last year, riding the Fire Truck....and this year an even bigger treat...The Class of '69 will be riding in the antique fire truck...that is correct...Fire Chief Charlie Jones will be driving us in the old truck through the parade...we had a great time last year, we just needed more classmates.

Then we will tailgate at the school...there will be chili I know, and other goodies as well. Then the great rivalry of the Caruthersville Tigers, and the Hayti Indians!!!

This year they are spotlighting the past cheerleaders...I hope you will all put the date on your calendar, and join us for a good old time CHS/HHS football game!!! I know I am going to be there...let us know if you will be riding in the parade with us...we don't want to leave anyone behind. More info will be added as the date draws nearer. Get out your red and white, we be cruisin' down the boulevard!!!

CHS Class of 1969 40th Reunion

BEEN THERE...DONE THAT...GOT A T SHIRT!!!!! Oh my goodness...did anyone hear that the Class of '69 had a 40th reunion celebration this past weekend...well did we ever!! Rave reviews...so very happy that everyone had a terrific time. We only had one complaint...from Harlin Crayne...he didn't want to go home!

Thursday night the planning committee made a trip to Reelfoot Lake, and ate catfish and country ham at Boyett's...so much good food and great friends.

Friday afternoon, a large group of '69 classmates met at the Roundhouse, and ate, and basically brought the place down!!! Then we opened up the American Legion, and had some great conversation, and some excellent Karaoke from at least one member.

Saturday morning, nine ladies met at the Presbyterian Church, and had the most wonderful time chatting, and eating dee-licious treats!!!

The guys met at Pat Slentz's house, and were treated to hot dogs, and other goodies that Tina prepared.

Then Saturday night was upon us...after Wannie and friends decorated for two days, the place looked amazing...all of our classmates starting filing through the door, and hugs were in abundance...we had a group picture made, and then watched a video made by Tana Lonon ... a memorial to the classmates we have lost...she has placed that video on YouTube. Paul Carmean catered the meal, and it was so so good!!! Then for dessert Mary Jane Alexander Wagner made the most marvelous desserts!!!! Every ate and chatted with old friends, and at the 9 o'clock hour...other people starting arriving at the door...begging to come in...and the nice people we are we took their money and invited them in. Interstate 55 began playing and the evening was jumping and a hopping!!!

And to end the weekend...several of the class attended church services at the Presbyterian Church...they were so gracious to us, and we saw lots of old friends there. Tana and Don both sang special music, and when I say special that is exactly what I mean...absolutely a blessing to everyone in attendance.

What's that? You say you missed it...hmmm, I have to agree with you...YOU missed it!!!

More pictures later...

1 week from today

Oh my goodness...1 week away!!!! Are you all listening? Two years of planning, and it all comes down to a weekend!! Stressed...you could say that, we want to make sure that everyone has the chance to enjoy this "happening".

Our class had 132 graduates...we are sorry to say that we have lost 20 graduates...and we have 32 graduates signed up to come to the reunion...hmmmm.
Where are you other 80 people? You have time...if you want to still come to the reunion, please email us now and let us know...we have to have a count in to Paul for the food, so the latest would be Monday...how long does it take to send an email...you can pay at the door...just be sure that you let us know if you want the class picture...that would be a total of $80.00. If you don't want the class picture...it will be $60.00, $35.00 for a single.

Also we need to know if the ladies are coming to the Ladies Tea Saturday morning, and the gentlemen are attending the hot dog roast at Pat Slentz. Come on people...you know by now if you are coming....most of us have known for years that we are going to be there...

Let us know...Please!!!

Looking forward to a fantastic weekend with friends...

T-shirts

Hey Classmates...wow are things hopping for our 40th reunion...some late comers showing up...good things happening.

A little surprise...the Caruthersville Tigers' first football game is August 28th, same night we will be getting together for supper, and at the American Legion. Some classmates will be attending the game and then hopefully coming later to the Legion hall...let's hope the CHS Tigers win big and help us celebrate our 40th.

Also we have some T-shirts that are being specially made for our class...the planning committee all have theirs, and will be wearing them on Friday night. We will also make these shirts available to anyone of the class who want them. They are red and white tie dye...with Class of 69
Caruthersville, MO...and our old faithful Tiger on the back of them. They will sell for $20...if you know for sure that you want one in a specific size please let us know and we will try to have your shirt at the reunion on Saturday night....email us your size at chsclassof69@charter.net

We will also be announcing a fund raising effort for our class. We thought it would be nice to get something special for the new school when it opens in 2011...so we will start a drive to raise money for that purchase....details will be included in your reunion packet...

I hope everyone is as excited as I am...not much longer!!

The last planning committee meeting...

August 1, 2009...yep ... the last planning meeting before the reunion. The last couple of years, have been a blast. People always showed up...always had fun...and always were excited about planning a 40th reunion like no other. We have heard from so many other classes...no one throws a reunion like the "Class of "69". Why? Because we want our friends to reconnect and have the renewed friendships that we have. This isn't just a reunion....this is a "happening".

Honestly...there is no way to tell you all how many hours have been put into planning this reunion...a lot of effort.

The response has been good...not great...sure would like to have a lot more of our classmates decide to come. We will accept your reservations, late... this whole reunion was done for "you"...go ahead and send in your money...let us know what events you want to attend.

Friday - dutch treat supper at the Roundhouse...they already have us down!!
Friday - gathering at the American Legion...very informal...for those who want a step up on the reunion
Saturday morning - Ladies tea at the Presbyterian Social Hall
Saturday lunch - hot dog cookout at Pat Slentz
Saturday evening: registration...pictures...program...great meal...entertainment
Sunday morning - church service at Presbyterian Church with special music by Tana Lonon-Rogers, and Don Smith

This wasn't just thrown together friends...you were always on our mind!!

Deadline drawing near

August 1st is the deadline for sending in your reservation form and money...if you will not be able to make the deadline...please let us know by sending an email to chsclassof69@charter.net and tell us that you will be coming , and you will mail the money after August 1st...we need to make sure we have a count for the meal.

Thank you , and please put your form and money in the mail tomorrow...it would be greatly appreciated.

Landing on the Moon

40 years ago...a man walked on the moon. Well he actually kind of skipped or hopped...little hard to "walk" on the moon. We all heard Astronaut Buzz Aldrin say, ' that's one small step for "a" man, and a giant leap for mankind," The eagle had landed.

When I look up at night, and see a full moon...what an incredible feeling to know those men, climbed out of a space ship that was shot off from earth...placed an American flag on the moon, and then came back to earth, and have lived 40 years with that memory. For real...goosebumps. And the Caruthersville Class of 1969 graduated that year...pretty cool huh?

Party Party!!

Wow... I think we have had just about as many classmates from other years reply, as we have from the 1969 class...so many so excited to get to come to our reunion. Most have written..."Class of '69 always has a great reunion!!" They are totally correct...our class always makes a reunion an experience!!

We have rented two sections of the Caruthersville Community Center for the Saturday night event...we have more than enough room for our class to enjoy visiting and a meal from 6-9, and for other classes to join us at 9:00 for music, dancing, conversation, and just old plain fun!!!

A reminder, the meal is only available to the Class of 1969 and their spouse/guest...there will be no cash bar available. Bring your own cooler with your beverage choice. At 9:00 other classes will be invited to come in for $15 a couple or $10 for a single ... to enjoy the music of Interstate 55. The money collected will be given to Interstate 55 to help with their expenses.

More excitement is building as the date draws closer... 40 years...WOW!!!

If you ask them...they will come

It was mentioned that some of you might want to know some of the classmates that are coming to the reunion. So I thought I would name a few.

Denny Meredith is coming all the way from the Hague, Netherlands. I am sure that will be the longest distance. Denny has led a very interesting and honorable life. 23 years in the service of our country, and still working for the government. He will have all kinds of places and things to tell us about.

Lynn Shainberg is coming from North Carolina, Lynn has been a Flight Attendant, Real Estate Executive, wife and mother to two wonderful children. She is so excited about seeing old friends.

Charles McCoy will be there. One of the locals who always show up for the reunions. He runs his own business in Caruthersville, and will show us all a few dance moves.

Cynthia Hinchey Crayne, will be at all of the events. She has helped in the planning, and looks forward to seeing friends from the past. She is working on Virginia Banks Jean, hopefully she will decide to come.

Mary Dexter Tipton Stutzman, and her husband Ron will be with us. I know that Mary is a personal trainer, and has also done other important jobs since high school. She is always upbeat and looks forward to the reunions.

Anita Dunagan Roy, she will be bringing our photographer with her. Rob, her husband will be taking our group picture. She is also bringing a dish for the Ladies Tea. Anita just retired from over 30 years of teaching.

Wannie Curtis Johnson will be the lady in charge of the decorating. She has always come to the reunions, and always helped in anyway she can. She is a nurse and works for the Jimmy Dean/Sara Lee people in Dyersburg...sorry WJ

Wendell Stanfill will be at the reunion with his wife Cindy. Wendell has had a rough year with his health, but nothing could keep him from showing up at this reunion. He has been on the planning committee, and is anxious to start beating on some drums. He works as a surveyor in West Memphis, AR.

George Goodrum is coming from Jasper, GA...I know he has a truss company there, but don't know much about it...we will have to ask him.

Mary Jane Alexander Wagner will be not only coming but bringing her homemade desserts...she does catering, and makes the most marvelous desserts. We are so lucky that she is doing this for our class.

Don Smith has always helped with our reunions. Just about anything you ask him...works out! He and his wife Monica recently returned from a family trip to Italy... lot to talk about there.

Charlie Jones, the Caruthersville Fire Chief. Charlie is always leading the way for our class. He organized a fire truck float for the Homecoming parade, and it was a great success. He keeps us up on everything going on in Caruthersville.

Pam Blurton Brantley is another hard worker. Just tell her what you need done and she says ok! She works in grain...don't know her official title, but I can tell you that she is good at it. She is married to Terry Brantley, and has two beautiful daughters.

Dorothy Ghyers Mann another one of the planners. She helps keep us straight with what is going on with our buildings and important things like that. She works for the state, and is married to Jerry Mann.

Billie Sue Davis Mulcahy, is living in Dexter, and she will be here as she has been for the other reunions. She and her husband have a pharmacy in Dexter. Billie was always so friendly in high school, and hasn't changed a bit.

Willie Baird...what can I say...he is bringing his wife Kris this year, he is coming in from Rogers, AR where they moved a couple of years ago to be close to some grandbabies. Willie always brings some fun to the reunion...be ready to talk about golf or crude jokes!!

Tana Lonon-Rogers will be flying in from Florida...she has worked so hard on a surprise for everyone. It will be so good to see her, and thank her for all she has done.

Bubby Henson is coming...this will be Bubby's first reunion...I think he is excited and looking forward to seeing so many classmates.

Nathan McClendon, and his wife Brenda...as everyone in Caruthersville suffered through the tornado...but Nathan was up the next morning getting his lumber and ordering his windows...he is a quick one. Nathan works at the shipyard, but takes time out to help at the planning meetings.

Pat Slentz has jumped in too...he will be hosting the men's hot dog cookout on Saturday afternoon. Pat will always add to the good times!!

I plan on being there also, bringing my sweet husband who puts up with me for a few years before the reunion. And I can't wait.

Several others that I know plan on coming, are Steve & Kaye McKaskle, Jerry Woods, Debbie Broderick always makes it, as does Kay Kasper King. I know the reservation forms will start pouring in this week.

I also know that we have reservations for Mr & Mrs Darrell Roberts, and Mr & Mrs Sam Bishop. We may have a few family members of some of our deceased classmates also.

Also attending from other classes, Jerry Stanfill, Jon Hornyak, Susan Chaffin, Denise Meredith, Mike Hazel, Denny Baird, Wayne Smith, Paul Carmean...who knows who else...when the doors open to other classes at 9...it will be your wildest guess who might walk through those doors!!!

I hope you will make your decision this week, and get you info sheet and money back to us. It is going to be a great one!!!

Top Ten Reasons I am not going to my Class Reunion

#10...I have to take my dog to the groomer that day.

#9....I went to one of them before.

#8....I won't know anyone.

#7....I see everyone I want to see.

#6....I didn't like any of them when I was in school.

#5....My time is too important to travel that far.

#4....They all will look so old.

#3....I will go to the next one

#2....My old flame might be there.

#1 Reason I am not going to my class reunion...I have gained too much weight.

Well friends, your dog can wait, attend another one...they keep getting better, everyone will have a nametag, been a long time, everyone changes, we all about the same, the next one is too far off, your old flame is married and doesn't look nearly as good as the one you are with!!! And I have put a lot of effort into gaining enough weight over the last 40 years... so that no one will feel bad...so just stick close to me!!! No excuses!!!