The following is another "Have Fun or Get Out of the Way" column by Don Leighton and Mike Granlund and their alter egos, Lance Boyle and Billy Pirkola, which runs occasionally in The Superior Telegram.
Is it possible that 40 years have passed since I graduated from Northwestern High School? It seems like only yesterday I had Virginia Tarter and Pat Loustari for English, George Conley and Arnold Hagen for history, Ron Hicks for geometry, Joe Brygger for social studies, Leroy Fechtelkotter for physics, Duane Guelle for football and Darrell Kaldor for drivers ed, basketball, football and baseball.
Sorry Darrell, we shouldn't have ganged up on you. What a carefree time it was.
Times have changed considerably since we were in school. I remember them as being much simpler. If you had gas in the car, weren't fighting with your significant other and had friends, that was all that mattered.
School was a place to see your buddies and do some work, as long it did not interfere with your socializing. Before we left the hallowed halls of Northwestern, we started football, our school was remodeled with a brand new gym, the Beatles came to America and we made many friends for life. Has it really been 40 years?
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On July 10 and 11 the graduating class of 1969 will be celebrating its 40th class reunion. What a great time to get together, reminisce about the old days and catch up with what has happened during the past four decades.
We have lost 11 members from that group, and the are thought of each day by many of us. How lucky we are to be alive and able to attend this celebration of our lives and relationships. Those of you familiar with the writings of Lance Boyle know that one his favorite sayings is, "the glass is always half full."
Another of his favorites is, "never take anything for granted." Well, some of the classmates from 1969 apparently feel it is not important enough, or they are too busy, to attend this inexpensive and brief affair. That's really too bad.
The reunion committee, comprised of Jane Lusikka Gulliksrud, Pam Kunckel, Cal Pearson, Mark Baillie, Larry and Carol Taipale, Hal and Laura Colborn and myself has been meeting regularly since October to plan a fun-filled two days for our classmates.
We have called, mailed a reunion letter, e-mailed information, called again and encouraged anyone who can attend to attend. These people have given of their time to organize the reunion and all contributed above and beyond the call of duty. For that, as their president, I thank them.
Even with those efforts, there are many who have no interest in the reunion. Many have not even responded to personal calls from our committee members as to their intentions. Apparently, Northwestern could have taught some of us better manners.
Last year I wrote an article entitled, "But I don't want to go." It was about the Northwestern Class of 1968 and its 40th reunion. With life so tenuous and the end so unpredictable, I cannot understand why everyone is not more anxious to visit with old friends and take a break from today and relive the past. There were many absent from that reunion, and it was too bad. Many feel there is no one they care to see. I prefer to look at it another way. Maybe you don't care to see anyone, but maybe there is someone who would like to see you.
I am not insensitive to those who have good reasons that prevent their attendance. Travel, vacation time, work, the expense, kids, grand kids and other factors cannot be ignored. Simply put, those who can make it, should, especially those who live in the immediate area.
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Our class motto was, "We are not afraid of tomorrow for we have seen yesterday and we love today." Pretty profound for a bunch of 17- and 18-year-old kids.
As your elected class president, I am asking those who feel it not important to attend this reunion, to rethink their position and realize the regret they will feel by not attending. Classmates from all over the country are planning on attending. Is it too much to ask of those who live here to go?
Our future, what of it there is, is precious and cannot be known. Take advantage of every opportunity to see your friends, old and new, and to take the time to think of others and not yourself. Make someone you have not seen in years smile and be glad they came to the reunion. You only have one chance at life. Do not deny yourself the opportunity to reminisce and be young again, at least for a couple of days.
I am asking you to please get in touch with a committee member and say that you will be joining us. You will be happy you chose to go. Remember, take nothing for granted, especially life. How many of us may not be here for the next reunion?
As your president, I guarantee a good time will be had by all.
Opinions and/or story ideas can be e-mailed to dleigh1273@aol.com
