More reunion thoughts...

Right up front, I will say now, our reunion weekend was very enjoyable. Rather than save that statement for a final after thought, there it is. We had a lot of fun. In fact, it turned out exactly as I had imagined in the weeks leading up to it.

Despite all the cynicism that arose from exposure to the present condition of our town compared to the Wonder Years days, we weren’t disappointed in the actual event. By the way, the “we” here is myself and my best friend from high school, Bob. We attended the 20th reunion and the 35th as well.

Of the three events that took place Saturday - the school tour, our afternoon Meet & Greet, and the reunion party itself - our afternoon Meet & Greet at the motel was probably the most congenial, relaxing dose of classmate nostalgia. About a dozen of us (plus a few guests) gathered around the pool for a few hours. We sipped Pina Coladas and beers and chatted. That’s all. But it didn’t feel like a meeting of twelve people from the class of 1967. It was simply a dozen or so 58 year olds with one common denominator: we just happened to go to the same school at the same time. Beyond that, we really have all that much in common...until we started talking. Marriage, divorce, kids, grand kids, ups, downs, growing old, napping, plans and goals realized and unrealized. Most folks our age say that their “To Do List” in life is not complete. It seems we all still posses an adventurous spirit. Coming to this reunion itself was evidence of that. Maybe that is why we decided to go...and others did not. Maybe that is why 71 stalwart souls made that commitment...while 869 others stayed home. Maybe some just couldn’t fit it into their schedule...while others have simply lost the desire to take a chance. To take that leap of faith. Age will do that to a person. Life will do that to you. In my case, maybe I just don’t care what people think of me like I did in high school...so I go.

Earlier in the day, a young history teacher at the school hosted a tour of the campus. His name is Mr. Tibbetts. His enthusiasm for the history of Canoga Park High School was infectious to say the least. A school that has been around since 1915 deserves such a historian. There was a lot to be said, and Mr. Tibbetts said it well.

It seemed there was a group of fifteen or so who made it to the school tour. Each and every one of us came away with a new appreciation of that place. Even though the high school has suffered through many changes, including earthquake damage, much of it looked very similar to its 1967 image. Several of the old, familiar, two-story classroom buildings had to be torn down and replaced by more modern looking structures. The two gyms are still there, as is the outside lunch area. The area where much socialization occurred way back when. Where relationships were nurtured, or broken. Where a high school student could step out academia, and back onto the “playground” for a hour. Where the guys could ogle the girls, and vice versa. Where you could be free for a short time.

We visited the library and the new media room next door where a museum of sorts is being put together. A museum of CPHS memorabilia. We got to see the inside of the old meeting hall where we attended school assemblies and watched noon-time movies. The classic pipe organ is still there, and very functional. Outside of the meeting hall the quad area is still there. Surrounded by classrooms, the pine trees, grass, and benches still sit just like they did 40 years ago. Another place to sit and socialize. At the edge of the quad there is a memorial to students who have fallen in battle. Here is where most of us experienced the most emotion. Not surprisingly, it was a very touching part of the school tour. Not surprisingly, at our age, we’ve all become much more sentimental.

Shortly after our Pina Colada Meet & Greet broke up, we headed over to The Sagebrush Cantina for the actual reunion party. The Sagebrush was within crawling distance of our motel, just up the street, very convenient at least. This place is a sprawling bar and restaurant akin to Gilley’s in the movie Urban Cowboy. I didn’t see a mechanical bull though or any cowboy hats. The outside patio is probably a square acre in size with a small stage in the front corner, the remainder is tables for drinking and appetizers. They located us in the back 40, about 3 1/2 miles from the stage. There were umbrella-covered tables, tall propane heat lamps, and a buffet line. There is also a small bar at that end of the patio to purchase overpriced, weak drinks. I will tell you at this point that several classmates said to me, “What the hell is this?” referring to the accommodations compared to past reunions. The 10th and 20th were at the Santa Monica Hilton. The 35th was at the Air Tel Hotel Ballroom in Van Nuys. No, it wasn’t posh, or even remotely worth the price we paid...but it was a reunion venue...good enough for the 71 people who decided to come!

The food? Well, the food was adequate. Again, certainly not worth the money we paid ($42). It consisted of a buffet line with a Ranch dressing salad, refried beans, rice, enchiladas, some old leftover BBQ’d chicken, some old leftover BBQ’d ribs, and tri-tip. That’s it. So, for anyone reading this who didn’t attend, you didn’t miss much with the food. By the way, no dessert. No cocktail waitresses, no service personnel of any kind. It was serve yourself all the way.

Back to the camaraderie. I spent the entire night taking photos of as much as I could. Being a photographer, it wasn’t a stretch for me. I enjoyed every minute of it. Plus, it gave me the opportunity to meet and chat a bit with just about everybody. I felt fortunate to be able to do this.

Here’s the deal with reunions. You did not know everyone from high school...period. We all had our little social groups. But when you get to the 35th or the 40th reunion, that doesn’t seem to matter as much, especially when the number of people attending dwindles over the years. Everyone has something in common. Everyone appreciates seeing and meeting the people who do show up. Some will remember your name even if they had never spoken to you in school. Some will not. The last three reunions, I had the most fortunate opportunity to attend with my two best friends over the past 45 years! Beyond that, I also met up with some nice people who remembered me, people who I went to class with. People who had something in common with me. We went to the same high school together. End of story.

New relationships were formed. Some old ones were reconstituted. Regarding the 45th reunion? Who knows at this point. Most of the people I spoke with were already excited for the 45th...and the 50th. They want to make it bigger and better than this one. Maybe so. Maybe it will be. All in all, I feel most of us thought this was one of the friendliest, nicest reunions so far. Less is better I guess. We’ll see in five years.