40-year reunion fades into history

We now have a few more memories and few more photographs, and maybe our ears ringing and our feet sore from an evening with a great band (all former classmates). The PHS Class of 69 40-year reunion was a great success, with turnout numbering around 65, including former band teacher Dave Todd and his wife, plus several extra members of the Wachuta and Hedeman families who came mainly for the music.

The afternoon picnic was a great way to enjoy a gorgeous Wisconsin summer afternoon, and get a head start on all of the catching up that these reunions seem to foster. About two dozen made it for the afternoon.

The music was fantastic. Jim Wachuta, Dave Polodna, Mike Obmascher, Steve Ristvedt and Robyn Hedeman practiced together for the first time in 40 years on Friday night and played several sets of memorable tunes. I can't imagine a better way of doing a class reunion.

Photos have been posted on the Class of 69 Fadebook page, click here.


I think anyone can access the photos, you don't have to be a member of Facebook. However, if you are on Facebook and join the official Class of 69 group, you should be able to add your own photos to the mix. If anyone wants to have their own copy of any of the photos, you should be able to download it from Facebook, but I'll be glad to email you a copy also.

I heard from several classmates who couldn't make it this time but are already looking ahead to 2014:

Gordon, thanks for keeping my in the loop on the reunion. I don’t plan on making it to the festivities but if anyone asks, we are doing fine. We are empty nesters now. Our youngest son started college this Fall ,even though he is in town at Iowa State, he has moved to the dorms. We anticipate seeing him on the weekends for home cooked meals and laundry duty. Enjoy the weekend. - Gary Novey

To all of my fellow classmates.. I hope you all have a great time and a wonderful reunion. I so wish I could be there. It will be a blast. Where did 40 years go? With love, Mary Jerde Chapman

Man, I wish I could be there. Know you'll have a great time. Now I'll have to wait 5 more years. That hurts. Tell Barb Floyd I'll have "Send in the Clowns" ready for her next time. · Terri Larson Cunningham

Kristine Otteson Maag and Kathy Kaber Kruse will be putting together the 2014 reunion, with technical support from yours truly. We'll try to keep up the steady communication so that everyone remains informed about how classmates are doing. Thanks to all who expressed their appreciation for the communiques.

A special thanks to Rick and Kathy Brown for shouldering the main responsibility for organizing this year's gathering. Karen Day made arrangements for the cake, handled decorations, and donated the park shelter reservation. Lois Moeller Baker provided flowers for the tables. And thanks to the spouses who patiently endured another night with a room full of strangers because they know how much it means to us.

As Karen put it, we have a unique familial bond that's linked to a specific time and place. Whether it was four, six, ten or twelve years together, we have classes, teachers, coaches and a lot of memories in common. Even if we now have a twangy Texas accent like Wayne Horkheimer (I love listening to him talk) our roots are still in Prairie du Chien, our alma mater. Wherever we have made it to (some of us have made it and retired already), PDC is where we started.