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Having a classmate as Editor of the local newspaper, The Fremont Times-Indicator, definately has it's perks!
Rich Wheater has been a big help to the reunion committee for many years, giving us space in the local paper for each of our reunion ads. It has proven extremely helpful in getting the word out to all of the 'locals', and also in finding several of our 'lost' classmates. He does this free of charge...a big savings to our reunion budget!THANK YOU, RICH, for all of your help and support!!
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Rich Writes...
Below is the column written by Rich following our 25 Year Reunion. It was in the Wednesday, July 17, 2002 edition of the Indicator. (Just so we're all legal-like...the editorial and graphics are being reprinted with Rich's permission, and are property of the Fremont Times-Indicator.) |
25 years leave their mark
While Chuck Paris (who works at Oosting Burt and Associates) was winning the 'Forever Young' award as the classmate who has changed the least in 25 years, I was winning the unofficial 'Who Are You?' competition. Members of the Fremont High School Class of '77 assembled for the reunion on Saturday night. As I moved around the gathering, I enjoyed seeing how lives and bodies had developed and changed over the years, while personalities seemed to stay pretty much the same. In one group, we compared knee and ankle injuries and surgical scars. I was thankful that Dr. VanKoevering straightened my spine a couple of weeks ago so I could at least stand up straight during that conversation. In another group, we talked about the parents' view of driver education . We also talked about how young adults make themselves annoying so that their parents are willing, perhaps even eager, to send them off into the world. I heard some classmates talking about their grandchildren, but I am not ready to think about Grandpahood yet, so I moved along. In another group, we talked about the pranks in which my classmates indulged. Some of the things they did were amazing in their creativity and audacity. I wondered how I stayed so blameless throughout my school years. I noticed that the DJ played mostly 'oldies' tunes, then realized later that the selections were chosen to reflect the popular music of 'our day'. I intend to avoid using that expression in the future, because it implies that 'our day' came and went long ago, while today belongs to someone who doesn't know any more than I did 25 years ago, when polyester was in style. I prefer to marvel at the passing years, cope with the changes, and stay far away from polyester. |
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And people responded...
which prompted Rich to do a follow-up the next week! Obviously, his 'friends' didn't see our book with EVERYONE'S senior picture! They would've been a bit kinder had they seen how many guys wore the crown of the Polyester King back then!! |
The painful picture
Want to know who your friends are? Publish your graduation picture. Last week, while apparently in the clutches of a particularly nasty brain cramp, I published my 1977 Fremont High School graduation picture.
The resulting commentary has been enlightening. One friend informed me that polyester is a known "aging agent". That may have been the nicest response I heard all week.
A couple of people, who describe themselves as "readers", expressed surprise that I had indeed graduated from high school. I reminded them that the world's body of knowledge, like my waist size, was considerably smaller back then. Students have more to learn now, plus they have to learn about things like character and ethics, but without the motivation afforded by teachers with paddles.
Several "friends" commented about the bushy crop of hair I sported in those days. One guy asked if I could remember on which side I parted my hair. I told him that Stanley Forwood and I traded that joke for 10 years, so he should try something a bit more recent.
Others, typically youngsters, sneered at the clothing. I resolved to stay around long enough to remind them of the crazy fashions they wore at the Turn of the Century. Even my trusted staff added to the grief. Just now, Micki said that she was amazed to realize that the picture represents how I looked when my future wife first agreed to be seen in public with me.
Don't look for me to publish any of my elementary school photos right away.
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Want to check out the Times-Indicator?
www.timesindicator.comOr go to our "Favorite Links" page for the link to read all about Fremont and Newaygo County, check out subscription info, and even email Rich! |
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