Howell High School Bagpiper

Communications & Connections for Howell Public Schools Alumni & Friends

CLASS REUNIONS, GATHERINGS & SPECIAL EVENTS

Author James Michener was invited to the White House by then-President Dwight D. Eisenhower. Michener sent his regrets because he had a previous engagement: "Dear Mr. President" he wrote. "I received your invitation three days after I'd agreed to speak at a dinner honoring the wonderful high school teacher who taught me to write. I know you will not miss me at your dinner but she might at hers."

Don't miss the chance to attend your next reunion!


2009 Alumni Baseball Game
 
As you know the game is a fundraiser for the Howell Baseball program and the Alumni Scholarship Fund.  It will take place on Saturday, July 18 at the varsity baseball field in Howell.
 
Opening pitch is 11:30am. Warm-ups begin at 10:30am.
 
Admission is $5 for fans.  Player's donation is $40 (each player receives a hat and jersey to keep)
 
This year, we are honoring the 1910 State Championship team by wearing shirts that mimic the original jerseys.
 
 
Also, former varsity coach Ted Klontz (who was responsible for the resurgence of Howell Baseball back in the mid 1970s) is travelling up from his home in Tennessee and will be participating.
 
Several alums are flying into Michigan for the event: Gary Merians and Jon Mack from Florida, Phil Milner from South Carolina, my brother Brad from Virginia, and Mike Brown from Ohio... It's shaping up to be another great day.  We have the Press-Argus, WHMI and Hub TV on board again, too!

Anyone who played varsity baseball for Howell is encouraged to contact Rich Robinson at HowellHighlandersBaseball@gmail.com to sign up for the game.  Deadline is Friday, June 26, so interested players need to act now.  Teams will be selected on a live broadcast on the Press-Argus website, on Tuesday, June 30 at 7pm.
 


Howell Education Foundation
Fifth Annual Golf Outing



The Howell Education Foundation's goal is to encourage students to fulfill their dreams and reach their full potential. Each year, the Foundation will sponsor field trips, science camps, scholarships, incentive and recognition programs, and more - all designed to enhance each student's classroom learning with unique educational opportunities.

Take to the links in a four person scramble format at the Howell Foundation Annual Golf Outing on September 12, 2009. A shot gun start begins the day at 12 noon. Entry fee of $75 per person includes cart, lunch on the turn, and banquet ticket.

Not available to play? Join us for the banquet for $50 per ticket. The banquet begins at 5 PM.

Register now and remember to invite your friends to play. Just click on "Tell a Friend" and you can send them a link to this site automatically.

Thank you for your support of the Howell Education Foundation!

Date:September 12, 2009
Times: 12:00 pm
Facility:Hunter's Ridge
Click here for more information
Fees:Dinner Only:
$50.00

Individual Golfer:
$75.00

Foursomes:
$300.00

REUNIONS magazine - July Newsletter

Contests and sweepstakes
Take a look!
Some very generous sweepstakes (top prize $20,000): hope you win! Enter now. We add new contests online just as soon as we find them. Check often to see new ones.
More free stuff
We know free stuff is increasingly important in this economy so we spend a lot of time looking and finding for you all the time. Check our freebie page often and suggest freebies you find useful to share with others. Also see free subscriptions and how to get your hotel room free below.
We need your help
For years our advertisers' support has provided free subscriptions to many qualified reunion planners. Now the economy is effecting that support so we'll not be able to provide as many free copies. If Reunions magazine is important to you, we urge your support. To make it simple, you can subscribe online or call 800-373-7933, ext 4 to charge it or send a check ($9.99) to Reunions magazine, PO Box 11727, Milwaukee WI 53211. In fact, we'll also throw in a Reunions Workbook (reg. $10) and, if you have one, it will be a perfect gift for a reunion committee member or gift to someone planning a reunion.
Here's a way to qualify for a free subscription
Ask your contact person at your reunion hotel or convention and visitors bureau to qualify you. That would usually be the salesperson you're working with. Tell them they can assure you will continue to get Reunions magazine free.
 They can call (414-263-4567, ext 2 or 4) or email and confirm that they are serving your reunion. They must include your name and address (as it appears on your magazine) and their name and contact information.
Room hunt reward
If you use the reverse auction site, reunionsmag.hotelplanner.com, you may qualify for free rooms for group coordinators from participating hotel.  The required rooms per night may vary among hotels.  Read offer comments for details. Participating hotels will specify required rooms per night to qualify. If a hotel does not specify in their comments, then they do not participate in this offer.
About our supporters
It's really important for our survival that you patronize advertisers in Reunions magazine and online! Their support is essential for us to bring you reunion news and ideas. In other words, we need advertisers as much as they need to reach your reunion.  If you are using any meeting venue, ask if they know Reunions magazine and are interested in reaching more reunions. We can always use the boost!
Still important for this summer's reunions
Traffic is up on pages that focus on what to do at reunions. The most viewed so far this summer are how to fill a goodie bag (the podcast), games, icebreakers, awards and prizes (another podcast) and toasts/speeches/dedications. These pages are available to you 24/7! Use them now.
Your reunion ought to be in pictures
Post your best reunion picture for the world to see. Add your reunion picture to Reunions Picture Gallery. Digital pictures must be at least 300 dpi. Click here for requirements and here to look at the collection! It's free. We look forward to seeing you soon.
Purdue reunion study ends soon
Purdue University's Department of Hospitality & Tourism Management continues its study about family reunion attendees' travel and motives until July 31st. Click here to participate.
facebook connect
See you on facebook.com
Stay in touch - become a fan of Reunions magazine on facebook.com. Then, add pictures from your reunion!
See you on facebook.com!
Add your story for Reunions magazine
As you plan your summer reunion, think about sharing your story and pictures. If you're not the writer, ask someone in your family or group to share the reunion story. It's easiest if you plan ahead, because you'll be able to take and provide pictures that illustrate what's important about your reunion. If you want your reunion group to be considered for a magazine cover, think vertical and exquisitely well focused and at least 300 dpi or higher. Send to the editor.

This Reunions magazine eblast is intended for organizers of family, class, military and other reunions.  We hope you find it informative and useful in your reunion planning.  
However, if you do not wish to receive this, please click here to unsubscribe. We'll be heartbroken but will manage to go on. Know you will be missed.
However, if you stumbled upon this newsletter and think we are absolutely brilliant, click here to subscribe. Please pass this eblast on to your reunion committee, friends, clients and associates. Comments are always welcome.
The Reunions magazine staff; email the editor.

2009 CLASS REUNION SEASON

If you would like to post your upcoming class reunion or other special event information, please contact jeffsalisburyhhs1967@yahoo.com  Include year of class, contact name, phone number and / or email address, reunion date, location, time and ticket price (if available)

 

CLASS REUNIONS

 


 

Class of 1959 - 50th Class Reunion: Saturday August 8, 2009 - We will be holding the main event at a banquet facility called "59 West" which is near the corner of Milford Road and M-59. Our committee will meet in February and invitations have or will be sent to all classmates that we have current addresses for that we can confirm. We will meet also meet in March and April to gauge returns and make adjustments. Any questions, contact Bill Park www.parkplaces.com 810-534-2005 direct  or 517-404-5714 cell


Class of 1969 - 40th Class Reunion: Saturday August 8, 2009 at the Howell Elks. $25.00 per person, cash bar, casual attire. Contact Judy Richardson Hanner: judyhanner@hotmail.com or call 517-546-1728

 

Class of 1972 - 40th Class Reunion (in 2012) Keep contact information up-to-date with Dave Kuhlman or LeAnn Trierweiler at howellhighlander@yahoo.com    

 

Class of 1979 - 30th Class reunion

Date: Melonfest Weekend. Waiting to confirm date.

Event: Friday -  Informal get together. Casual attire. Location to be determined.

          Saturday - Official reunion get together

          Howell Elks Lodge,

          Dinner - TBD

          Followed by entry to Melonfest Beer/Entertainment Tent

          Casual attire

For more information contact: Grace Perez-Perry agperry130@hotmail.com  or Mary Cubr-Otis m1otis@yahoo.com At this point the event will be by word of mouth or by email. If you have any email addresses we would appreciate a list. Send them to both Mary and I. Next committee meeting: March 12th, 6:30 pm at the Howell Elks Lodge. Looking for more members to help out.


Class of 1982- Class reunion

We are putting together a CHEAP, CASUAL gathering of '82 grads this summer.  We threw one together at the last minute last year by word of mouth and had so much fun we decided to do it again and try to track down more people!   Simply a Buy-Your-Own-Drinks / Shorts-n-T-Shirts Type of Event!
So far, the stats are as follows:
Grads on List:  . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .  489
Actual Contacts Made:  . . . . . . . . .  331
Messages Left / Outstanding:  . . . .   71
Missing in Action:  . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   70
Passed Away:   . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   16
Grads RSVP'd: . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . .   91  (+28 Spouses)
See the attached and let me know what you think!  There are also a couple links below to pictures from last year's get-together for your entertainment!!!!!!
2009 HHS '82 REUNION
SATURDAY - AUGUST 22nd

                              Where:    CLEARY’S PUB BANQUET ROOM

                              When:      Saturday - August 22nd

                              Time:       8:00 p.m. - ???

                              BYOD:     Buy your own drinks


Here is the link again to the Reunion 2008 photos:  http://flickr.com/photos/28025389@N08/sets/72157605920757103/

 as well as: http://flickr.com/photos/28025389@N08/sets/72157612526797052/

Please let me know of ANY e-mail addresses or phone #s you may have for other grads, as we want to make sure to contact as many people as we can. 

I hope you can make it!  Let me know a/s/a/p!

Carol Sue (Wellman) Jonckheere

carolsuej@yahoo.com

Cell #517-404-8595



Class of 1984 - 25 Year Reunion

For more information please email Monica (Dutkiewicz) Kiefer  at this email address: hhs_class84@yahoo.com   


Class of 1999 - 10 Year Reunion
Class of 99 grads please go to http://sites.google.com/site/howellhsclassof99reunion/ for reunion information.  We will see you August 8 at Cleary's ~ tickets are $25 and can be purchased at the website. 

Please email howellhighschool1999@gmail.com with any questions.

 

 

If you or someone you know as reunion info for the "Fours & Nines" Classes ...

1934, 1939

1944, 1949

1954

1964

1974

1989

1994

2004

– Please contact: Don Rose, HPSAA vice president  -  Email derosejr@earthlink.net

 

Class reunion tips, ideas and advice

from Reunions Magazine

http://www.reunionsmag.com

 

School reunion tips

We found these tips for a successful high school class reunion in The Black Chronicle, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma.

Choose a reunion theme and have it in every detail of your reunion, from invitations to activities. For example, a western theme can feature hay rides, Western-themed food, decorations (checkered tablecloths), etc.

Have a welcome night that is casual and intimate with drinks and light snacks. A local pub or small restaurant where you hung out during school days is perfect.

Place disposable cameras at every table and have the disc jockey/band/master of ceremonies remind everyone to take candid photos. After the reunion, post photos on a website and send links to everyone.

Position a reunion display where classmates will enter the main event, with photos, memorabilia, awards, news clippings, yearbook photos, etc.

On nametags, have the person's photo from the senior yearbook, so that everyone can identify each other more easily.

Produce a keepsake publication with photos and an alumni directory.

Balloons are an inexpensive way to decorate for reunions.

Six classes plan reunion

Are you a Southeast High School (Bradenton, Florida) alum from classes of 1975 through 1980? What started as the Class of 1978's 30th reunion evolved into a much bigger bash. When they started planning, someone from one class talked to another, and then another, and they said they would like to be included. They thought it would be fun to include classes from preceding and subsequent years because they had all been friends. The committee had at least one person from each class represented. Southeast alums from 1975 through 1980 can contact SEHS75_80@yahoo.com.

From a story by Vin Mannix in the Bradenton Herald, Bradenton, Florida.

The Contact Contest

The Cornell University Class of 1998 committee came up with this very clever way to find classmates. It is a contest, which we expect to be copied! This was their message.

Want to come to Reunion "on the house?" We are looking for the classmate who can provide current contact information for the greatest number of our classmates. The winner will receive complimentary reunion registration for one (meals, registration fee, University fee, etc., not including accommodations).

Participating classmates were to gather as many contacts as they could and send the information via email (to include as much up-to-date information as possible: name, undergraduate major, married name, email, phone address, employer, etc.). A deadline date and email address to which the list should be sent were included.

In support of decade reunions

Decade reunions are pretty cool. That way, brothers and sisters can all come home at the same time. We get to see the siblings of our friends or kids who were older than us. We may have had older kids as mentors or find out that we had been admired by younger kids. These decade reunions are even better for the older crowds with numbers diminishing due to age.

We found this comment posted by plainjane on the Daily Advertiser (Lafayette, Louisiana) website.

Ideas for the program

Ask the disc jockey/master of ceremonies/band about ideas from other class reunions where they've provided music. One said she dismissed tables for the buffet by asking trivia questions unique to the school and class. For example,

Who got caught for t.p.'ing the school senior year?

Who got booted out of McKowen's English class and sent to the principal's for writing notes too many times?

What was our class prom song/theme?

Have your DJ play songs from your era.

Have a caricature artist come and do portraits during your main evening event.

Plan a tour of your alma mater. It's amazing what memories and stories come back and are shared!

For classmates too ill to attend, create giant get well cards that everyone at the reunion can sign. Try new awards that are more fun: First and Last to Register, Most Body Piercings/Tattoos, Person with the Oddest Experience, Humanitarian Awards (include all those involved in community service personally and professionally), Still Class Clown After All These Years. For those with a good sense of humor, find who has been married the most times and create an award but avoid embarrassing surprises.

Invite feedback at the end of the reunion. Have feedback cards handed out or mailed (postage pre-paid, if you can). Feedback should always be taken with a grain of salt, but if the majority of people have suggestions on the same issue, it is worth taking note for the next reunion.

Very important: make sure you know time restrictions at your booked location, from the time you can access the location until the time your party must end.

 

Howell High School - Class of 1963 Celebrates 45th Reunion

The Howell High class of 1963

held their 45th Reunion

the last weekend of September

 

The wonderful celebration began Friday evening at the home of Caroline (Dayton) Gabel and her husband, Dennis. 

 

Good food + good company + campfire = success.  (The Gabel's also furnished a perfecly timed display of rollicking deer in their back yard.)

 

Saturday started with a golf outing at Chemung Hills Country Club. Later that evening, festivities centered around the theme of "45's". 

 Everything was designed with 45's in mind, including name tags, chocolate records and an array of  clocks, candy dishes and candle

holders all made from 45 records.  What fun!

 

On Sunday we gathered for lunch at the Copper Pickle and  took over the restaurant with pictures, stories and lively chatter. 

 

We ended our weekend Sunday afternoon at the Howell Park for a brief Memorial Tribute to classmates no longer with us.  We recently

planted a flowering cherry tree and purchased a park bench to remember our friends.  Through the donation of scarves

made by Carol Zimmerle Olson (who recently passed away) by her husband, Jerry Olson, enough money has been raised 

to complete our Memorial with a bronze plaque.

 

Once again, with her organizational skills and plain hard work, Barbara Mac Donald Nelson, our Committee Chairman and

our very own "Reunion Guru", has provided us a very special weekend to remember.  

 

Q? & A!

Ask the experts from "REUNIONS" magazine

http://www.reunionsmag.com/reunionarticles/classreunions_q_a.html


The dilemma
   

A California Class of 1954 faces its golden anniversary reunion and pleads “We need new ideas, new formats for activities, new means of announcing the event and new presentations for ‘the big night’ program.”  To start, we asked what they’d done before to avoid replaying old songs. Here’s the response:

    Friday evening there were one or two get-togethers at classmates’ homes for reacquainting, drinking and chatting.

   Saturday morning, weather permitting, there was a golf outing for men while women visited, shopped and lounged at home or their hotel. Saturday afternoon there was a picnic which very few attended or visits to the high school, museum or other places of interest. Saturday evening the big bash was dinner at a place large enough to accommodate 100 graduates plus spouses and guests. The program rarely varied; an MC paid tribute to the reunion committee for their hard work [Editor’s note: Let’s not change that], recognized deceased classmates, and introduced a program of a monologue, skits, and awards for who came the furthest, had the most grandchildren, etc. Finally, the evening was capped off with dancing to recorded music from the past which attracted very few people and a lengthy session of group and individual photos taken by a hired professional.

   Sunday morning breakfast was followed by announcements and a short church service.

  “People are becoming bored and there are always problems finding lost classmates and with funding. Funding was charging each attendee a one-time fee which invariably left the committee to make up shortages in the general fund. No wonder volunteering is declining.”

 

Answers from the experts

We found this dilemma about a 50th class reunion somewhat universal for all reunions. Therefore, any class reunion organizer will find intriguing ideas from these experts. We turned, yet again, to members of the National Association of Reunion Managers (NARM), who make their livings organizing class reunions. They are paid to keep reunions from boredom.

    Nikki Anderson, Reunion Specialists, Inc., Carlsbad, California wrote that several classes she’s working with invited a representative from the high school to do a “then and now” presentation. They included things like school enrollment, number of staff, classrooms, parking spaces. One class invited a school group (band, dance team) to perform. This season they have several classes doing Sunday events that include a “Day at the Races.”  Football or baseball games with tailgate parties are also popular.

   Deirdre Marvin, ReunionTeam.com, Vernon Hills, Illinois,reported “a big hit at an older classmates” reunion. The reunion committee made a contribution to the high school and their marching band made an appearance at the reunion playing the school fight song as they marched into the ballroom. Cheerleaders, pom-pom squad or flags add to the presentation. If space does not allow a marching band, a jazz band is a smaller alternative. It makes for a very festive and fun presentation.

   Carol Riley, Owner of Reunions Unlimited in Olympia, Washington and past president of NARM, suggests that reunion attendees have expectations and like to have a format to follow. They expect to have one main dinner event which can be changed by having a theme party (’50s, Hawaiian, etc.) and/or a change in menu (BBQ, pig roast or international food stations).

   Keep the golf, Riley says, open it to women and move it to Friday afternoon, followed by an informal cocktail party open to all golfers and non-golfers. Or have an informal non-alcoholic reception at the school. On Saturday, “nix the school tour if the school has not had a remodel.”

   Cancel the DJ at the main event. Keep the program short, skip the skits and pass around a cordless mike from table to table for classmate introductions. Or maybe offer an open mike for anyone who wishes to share something with the entire group.

   Put together a slide show from kindergarten through the 50th year reunion. Make a video or CD of it and offer it for sale.

   For a donation, ask current cheerleaders, majorettes or band to perform, adding to the excitement of the event. They run in dressed in school colors with pom-poms, mascot included, and do some cheers or songs. They may also sing or play the school anthem.

   Don’t do individual photos. One large group shot is fine and offers classmates a chance to mingle. Or take it a step further and break down into grade school groups.

   Offer something totally unique on Sunday. If you live close to a large body of water, secure a large boat (walk-on ferry or something similar), bring onboard light finger food and a bar and go out for a three-hour cruise.

   Chris Clishe in Riley’s office, who is midway to her 50-year reunion, suggests an additional event after the reunion. Work with a cruise line or vacation center and offer a class cruise or trip a day or two after the reunion weekend, giving classmates a longer and less scheduled chance to be together.

   And finally, Riley makes a surprising conclusion that finding missing classmates is easy. The answer? Hire a NARM reunion professional in your area!

   Beth A. Miller is president of Reunited, Inc. in Weston, Florida. She gave careful consideration to the reader’s question to do a golden anniversary reunion a little differently from past reunions.

   First, I’d suggest shortening the menu of events to two— at most three. On Friday, a “happy hour” ice-breaker at a local bar or club may be a nice change. It can be done inexpensively by starting early before the “regular” crowd arrives. Try to arrange a drink special (ie: 2-for-1, a drink named for the school mascot for a reduced price or even one hour of open bar) whatever the establishment is willing to provide in exchange for an early-arriving crowd. Ask the establishment to provide hors d’oeuvres and light munchies. Remind management reunion attendees are mainly there to see old friends and not to consume the free drink and leave. Such an event could also provide publicity for the establishment and expose it to potential new and repeat customers.

   For the Saturday “big event,” why not change things a bit and dress down, make it casual, they’ve done the dress-up thing before. Take it a step further and ask alumni to dress in school colors. It’s pretty cool to still have spirit after all of those years. Add to the spirit by having a trivia contest throughout the night. Give the DJ/emcee a list of questions about old hang-outs, teachers, who had what kind of car, who was voted best dressed, Homecoming King, etc. Provide token prizes or maybe divide the group into “teams,” for a team prize. Solicit token prizes from local businesses.

   Offer an informal Sunday event for the “die-hards,” such as a poolside gathering. Anyone who wants to can order lunch or drinks on their own and it doesn’t raise the ticket price.

   Put extra thought into the content of events and really bring people back to the “good ‘ol days” without the pressure of big ticket prices and fancy outfits.

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