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THIRTY YEAR REUNION June 9 &10, 2006 The
ice-breaker Friday night at Lonnegan's Sports Bar began with a bit of apprehension by those early birds arriving first. Those
in the know, and too chicken to show up too early, arrived fashionably later when the party and smoke were in full swing.
And who would have believed the coyote ugly action on top of the bar from the guys! Almost fifty-year old men dancing on a
bar....just goes to show you a grandpa can look as ridiculous as Paris Hilton. Conversation overheard between two menopausal
classmates: "I have nighmares that I'm pregnant!" "Me too!" Without question, the
reunion committee was surprised and thrilled by the overwhelming response at this ice breaker. Our greatest fear is always
what if we gave a party and no one shows up. The copious turnout would bode well for the following night's big party. On Saturday
night at Austin Ranch, no time was wasted on arriving late. After the previous night's fun and Saturday morning's teas,
golf games and informal gatherings, everyone was eager to resume reunioning. A short program after the requisite 'rubber
chicken' dinner proved somewhat entertaining, but as de facto emcee, Tara Toler should keep her soccer mom day job and
be politically incorrect all she wants in her own house. ((Thanks to those who who were so generous with compliments--I was
actually scared sh*tless because this night's audience was comprised of those I love - not the usual stangers.)) We learned
much about our fellow classmates through some provocative answers to the questionnaire, including what your mother
would still be upset about you doing if she ever found out. I hope that person's mom never finds out her teenager
had sex in her bed! Apparently Jayme Calder knows all about us since she answered the most correct and won the painting.
We gathered in our respective elementary and junior high groups for photos. It was good to have Steve Belangia (not in his
bathrobe) come all the way from South Carolina, Julie Truby from upstate New York and Debbie Bishop from New Hampshire.
It all ended much too early, even though 11PM is well past most of our bedtimes. The neighboring Hilton hotel bar was probably
not prepared for the after-party influx of our geriatric crowd, but they sure had enough Jack Daniels for me! The buzz was
that we can't wait to get together again. Thanks to the time and devotion of the committee, our default leader, Stephanie
Matthews, Buddy Hamm, Kathy Rainbolt, Ronnie Morgan for his always generous financial support, Greg Marshall for reminding
me this is not Berkeley! and that he has a thing for Rusty Weir, Bryan Shilcutt for coming all the way from Abilene so often
(don't tell his mother he's in town), Shelly Stevens, Ricky Williams, Gary Phillips, Terry Chambless, Barbara Weston, and
those I've neglected to name. I close with something to ponder....Greg Marshall and Eddie Jefferson leaving the Hilton
arm-in-arm with Wendy Butters in the middle....What ever became of that Wendy Butters sandwich?
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RICHLAND HOMECOMING 2005 On
Friday, September 23, 2005, several '76ers got together (AGAIN!) for the Rebels' homecoming game against tough Colleyville
Heritage. A Dixie Belle reunion was also held that night. The oldest DB attending was class of '72. Earlier in the day at
the high school, many classmates gathered for a reception honoring distinguished grad Jimmy Grant ('74) and then stayed for
a pep rally they haven't been to in over 30 years. Many elements of it have not changed at all; it was like being stuck in
time. But they do say the wrong words to the fight song. They were printed wrong by the class of '92 on a commemorative placard
hanging in the gym. Guess there is no one left old enough to know the difference. Anyhoozle, the old and
new DB's took the field together for the opening victory line the fottball teams runs through. The exes actually remembered
the fight song pom-pom routine! The contagions (the domino effect) were fun, except the one kneeling down on one knee
and rising again. (Oh sure, YOU try it then!) DB exes sat with the currents for the first half. I think they were supposed
to do hand routines, but catching up with old friends was more important. Besides, Miss Pelton wasn't there to yell at them
for talking, and and the new director, Nicole Horne, is young enough to be our daughter. Greg Kemp's quarterback son, Joe,
and his Rebel teammates hung in their like grim death, but the Panthers were just too good this night. No matter, it sent
a whole herd of old exes out to various watering holes. One posse landed at a former Haltom Ex's restaurant on Denton Hwy.
As we watched hurricane Rita hit on the news and Galveston burned, friends gathered. Among those present were the ever present
and spirited Bryan Shilcutt, Buddy Hamm, Greg Marshall, Shelly Stevens Williams and hubby Rick Williams, Tara Toler, Ronnie
Morgan and his wife Carol Ray ('77). Representing '75 just the way we remember them were Jan Jacobsen and Donna Holder. A
small herd of '74s were there including Annette McLendon & Billy Bentz. Note to Shilcutt: Tables are not for
walking.
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25TH REUNION HELD AT BIRDVILLE STADIUM On November 9, 2001, our 25th reunion was held at the new (to us) Birdville Stadium on the night of the once
infamous rival of the time honored Haltom/Richland game. We enjoyed the informal gathering in the banquet room with thanks
to Donie Tipps for arranging its use. The highlight of the evening was the nostalgia brought about by the game's halftime
activities. The Rebel Band was out of town for competition, so we enjoyed recent (read YOUNG) band exes filling in. Gary Phillips
offered his considerable talents, but they declined our Geritol set. Sorry Gary. :( Even those that scoffed at them back in
the day were anxious to see how the Dixie Belles held up (the young ones, not the old ones.) Did we really have figures like
that once upon a time?!!! Rumor has it that a former '76 Dixie Belle strolled up to a small group of of them and announced
with certainty, colored with a dash of lament, "I am your future!" If we only knew then what we know now we could
rule the world. The stadium is a concrete behemoth compared to our old, familiar, wooden Birdville Stadium. One
expected the Dallas Cowboys to run onto the field. Of course, in keeping with today's rampant political correctness (low grumbles),
our Rebel Flag symbol is long gone replaced by a double R logo, but so many faces in the stands were very familiar....faces
with a few more lines on them, as they are now parents of present and former RHSers. As we sat in the stands once again, we
all felt years younger remembering our own times under the Friday night lights at the old stadium a quarter century ago. And
thanks to the young Rebels for pulling out a victory in the old geezers' honor! It was off to a watering hole for a
night cap. THAT had not changed in twenty-five years.
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