May's Missed Milestones

The planning committee ran a bit behind during the birthday bash home stretch. And we missed some great birthdays in May, June, and July. So, grab your birthday blower and a glass of champagne, and let's get caught up!

May 21–23 was a busy week for the Class of '77:

Renee McKneely Perry: May 21

Ruth Godwin Voutila: May 22

Scott Kid: May 23

Sarah Torrell: May 23

Betty Jean (B.J.) Woodyard McGraw: May 23

Don't let these members of the Nifty Fifty Club (as Linda Hopkins Exum loves to call it) be forgotten. Wish them a HAPPY BIRTHDAY in the comments box.

Next up: June's kids

p.s. Don't miss Chris Ortiz and his band this Friday; details in the post below.

* * * * * *

Didn't Get Your Fill of Reunioning?

You have another chance to see some of your '77 classmates next Friday -- bass extraordinaire CHRIS ORTIZ (oh, yeah, and his band, Mojo Beaucoup) is playing at Trilogy in East Cobb:

Trilogy
(behind Parkaire Mall)
Friday, July 10
9 p.m.-midnight

Come out to support Chris -- and to finish those conversations you left midsentence Saturday night.

Speaking of Saturday night, the planning committee is setting up a Flickr account to display photos from the soiree. If you'd like to share your photos on this Flickr page, e-mail Beth Coffey. You non-Facebook classmates need to sign up. Many photos are floating around.

Finally, once the planning committee catches her breath, we'll catch up on the missed birthday celebrations and get back to celebrating everyone's fiftieth on schedule.

* * * * * *

Payment Deadline Extended!

We were able to extend our payment deadline with 5 Seasons, so you have a few more days to send in your payment.

WHERE and WHEN
5 Seasons Brewery at The Prado
Sat., June 27
8 p.m.–midnight (or until they throw us out)
We have the entire patio/outdoor area. The patio is covered, so rain won't bother us.

HOW MUCH?
Cost: $30/person

What does that $30 cover? Some great food, a birthday cake, and a deejay. Since we're not sure exactly how many of you are coming right now, we may end up with a surplus. If we do, we'll let y'all decide how to spend it—bottles of champagne, refunds, whatever the group wants.

The cocktails aren't expensive—$5 for beer, $6 for wine, $7 for cocktails.

TIME to PAY
We need your payment mailed by this Friday, June 19. You can pay by check or electronically, whichever you prefer.

By Check
Made out to Beth Coffey. Mail your checks by June 15 to:

Beth Coffey
P.O. Box 3319
Decatur 30031-3319

I'll confirm by e-mail when I receive your check.

By PayPal
If you have a PayPal account, you can send me your payment electronically. My PayPal account is under my personal e-mail address. If you didn't get the e-mail with the payment details, e-mail me here and I'll forward that address to you. I'll send a confirmation to you when PayPal notifies me.


Don't miss out on this chance to celebrate turning fifty and reconnecting with classmates!

* * * * *

UPDATED: Missing in Action

Two weeks until the party! We still have time to track down those for whom we don't have contact information. Here's the updated list. Do you have information on any of those listed? If so, e-mail us with the contact information.

Kelly Adams
Steve Adams
Carol Akerman
Dana Allen Cowart
Cindy Allison
Jo-Jean Anderson
Karen Anderson
Beth Bailey
Laura Baldwin Lloyd
Greg Barnes
Kim Batten
Suzy Beaver
Dan Beckman
Samantha Belisario
Rusty Bennett
Janice Best
Mark Bishop
Philip Blalock
Marcia Bramblett
John Breletic
Rita Brocker
Stacey Burley Moore
Donna Byers
Stanley Camp
Tracey Carder
Kim Carter
Tim Carter
Vicki Catron
Grace Chang
Cheri Clackler Tolbert
Gerard Clarke
Michelle Colwell
Anthony Contrada
Ricky Cook
David Crowe
Penny Dale
Julie Darnell Conner
David Decker
Terry Decker
Dan DeHaas
Debbie Delozier
Sonya DeWine Sutherland
Susannah Dobbs
Julie Dungan
Ty England
Greg Farmer
Wayne Farris
Robert Ferguson
Stacey Ferguson
Daryl Fincher
Mark Flanagan
Carl Fuqua
Gary Gilbert
Gay Gilmer
Mitch Gloyd
Susan Godwin
Pam Gore
Ricky Gower
Janet Hair
Scott Haney
Nancy Harris
Robert Harris
Mark Hartness
Theresa Harvil
John Hildebrandt
Gordy Hill
Patricia Hill
Pat Hines
Jerry Hite
Christina Holcomb
Julie Holsenbeck
Linda Hopkins Exum
Allen Horne
Brian Horton
Kathy Howard
Tom Howard
Bruce Huitt
Sherry Hurt
Sheffield Hussey
Elsie Hydrick Hall
Lauren Jernigan Pate
Michael Johnson
Mike Johnson
David Jones
George Keen
Mark Kell
Cynthia Kennedy
Robbie Knight
Curtis Landers
Lee Landers
Alisa Langley
Kerry Lathem Price
Mike Lee
Tim Leffew
Ray Leonardi
David Llewellyn
Jimmy Locklear
Eddie Lopez
Debra Love
Steve Love
Curtis Mackey
Jean Phillipe Mannin
Larry Marks
Bruce Mattox
Cindy May
Janet McClendon O'Hare
Marty McCorkle
Patti McCormack Barton
Lisa McCray
Cindy McDaris Querry
Pam McDonald
Mark McDowell
Bruce McDuff
Anne McGee Koenke
Rene McKneely Perry
James Merkerson
David Meyer
Phyllis Miles
Gail Miller
Robert Mills
Carolyn Mitchell
Dale Morgan
Micki Murphy Lattanzi
Chandra Murray
Anthony Norton
Sherry Norton
Daryl O'Connor Bray
Gail O'Galvin
Kay O'Shields Rowe
Chris Pannell
Eddie Peek
Jan Peek Kidd
Tammie Pendley
Stuart Pennington
Sheila Peppers
Julie Perry
Phil Perry
Walter Pike
Rebekah Pledger
Pat Ponder
Gina Powers
Karen Prickett
Lee Pritchett
Andy Proctor
Ginger Puckett
Larry Quattlebaum
Johnny Querry
Lee Rawlins
Larry Reynolds
Cindy Roan
Sue Rodatus Graff
Mary Rodgers
Don Ruff
Ken Rushton
Per Sahlstrom
Sonya Sailors
Danny Saknini
Rick Sands
Sherry Shadix
Raju Shah
Laurie Shelander Lawrence
Eddie Shipman
Glenn Smith
Rebecca Smith
Tony Smith
Cheryl Specht
Will Stevenson
Mark Stewart
Tom Stewart
Chris Strickland
Steve Sunday
Chuck Swofford
Lindy Tackett
Cynthia Taylor
Leigh Taylor
Mike Taylor
Sherree Taylor
Mike Thacker
Jeff Thomas
Elaine Tillery
Karl Trautman
Suzanne Ware
Lydia Warner
Cheryl Warren Cates
Ronnie Warren
Troy Wells
Karen Wheeler Brand
Terri White
Robert Wilkerson
Randy Williams
Glen Williamson
Marie Wilson
Debbie Wood
Keith Woodring
Lennie Woodward
Betty Jean Woodyard McGraw
Alan Wright
Greg Wright
Selena Wright
Vickie Wyatt
Barbara Young
Keith Zimmerman
Tammy Zimmerman

Ready to start reconnecting now? There are now around eighty of us on Facebook. Sign up and join us.

* * * * * *

It's Time to Pay and Play!

Are you ready to pay and play at our class' fiftieth birthday bash? Let's get started!

WHERE and WHEN
5 Seasons Brewery at The Prado
Sat., June 27
8 p.m.–midnight (or until they throw us out)
We have the entire patio/outdoor area. The patio is covered, so rain won't bother us.

HOW MUCH?
Cost: $30/person

What does that $30 cover? Some great food, a birthday cake, and a deejay. Since we're not sure exactly how many of you are coming right now, we may end up with a surplus. If we do, we'll let y'all decide how to spend it—bottles of champagne, refunds, whatever the group wants.

The cocktails aren't expensive—$5 for beer, $7 for wine, $9 for cocktails, I believe.

TIME TO PAY
We need your payment by Monday, June 15. You can pay by check or electronically, whichever you prefer.

By Check
Made out to Beth Coffey. Mail your checks by June 15 to:

Beth Coffey
P.O. Box 3319
Decatur 30031-3319

I'll confirm by e-mail when I receive your check.

By PayPal
If you have a PayPal account, you can send me your payment electronically. My PayPal account is under my personal e-mail address. If you didn't get the e-mail with the payment details, e-mail me here and I'll forward that address to you. I'll send a confirmation to you when PayPal notifies me.


THE MISSING
Check the list just below this post. If you have contact information on anyone, e-mail me this week. I plan to call the numbers I have this Thursday.


Looking forward to seeing all your fabulously fifty folks!

* * * * *

Update on the Missing Classmates

We still have about 150 classmates to track down. Here’s a list of those for whom we have nothing — no e-mail address, no phone number, no address. Check the list and e-mail us if you have any contact information for anyone on the list. Every bit of information — a married name, a sibling’s contact information — helps.

Kelly Adams
Steve Adams
Carol Akerman
Cindy Allison
Jo-Jean Anderson
Karen Anderson
Beth Bailey
Laura Baldwin Lloyd
Greg Barnes
Kim Batten
Suzy Beaver
Dan Beckman
Janice Best
Marcia Bramblett
John Breletic
Rita Brocker
Stacey Burley Moore
Donna Byers
Stanley Camp
Tracey Carder
Kim Carter
Vicki Catron
Grace Chang
Gerard Clarke
Michelle Colwell
Anthony Contrada
Ricky Cook
Anthony Crowe
Penny Dale
Julie Darnell Conner
David Decker
Terry Decker
Debbie Delozier
Julie Dungan
Ty England
Greg Farmer
Stacey Ferguson
Daryl Fincher
Carl Fuqua
Gary Gilbert
Gay Gilmer
Mitch Gloyd
Ricky Gower
Janet Hair
Nancy Harris
Robert Harris
Theresa Harvil
John Hildebrandt
Gordy Hill
Pat Hines
Jerry Hite
Christina Holcomb
Allen Horne
Brian Horton
Kathy Howard
Tom Howard
Bruce Huitt
Sherry Hurt
Sheffield Hussey
Elsie Hydrick Hall
Lauren Jernigan Pate
Michael Johnson
George Keen
Cynthia Kennedy
Robbie Knight
Curtis Landers
Lee Landers
Alisa Langley
Kerry Lathem
Ray Leonardi
David Llewellyn
Jimmy Locklear
Eddie Lopez
Debra Love
Steve Love
Curtis Mackey
Jean Phillipe Mannin
Bruce Mattox
Cindy May
Marty McCorkle
Patty McCormack
Lisa McCray
Pam McDonald
Mark McDowell
Bruce McDuff
James Merkerson
David Meyer
Phyllis Miles
Gail Miller
Robert Mills
Carolyn Mitchell
Dale Morgan
Chandra Murray
Anthony Norton
Sherry Norton
Gail O'Galvin
Kay O'Shields
Chris Pannell
Eddie Peek
Tammie Pendley
Sheila Peppers
Julie Perry
Walter Pike
Rebekah Pledger
Pat Ponder
Gina Powers
Karen Prickett
Lee Pritchett
Andy Proctor
Ginger Puckett
Lee Rawlins
Larry Reynolds
Cindy Roan
Sue Rodatus Graff
Mary Rodgers
Don Ruff
Ken Rushton
Sonya Sailors
Danny Saknini
Rick Sands
Raju Shah
Glenn Smith
Rebecca Smith
Cheryl Specht
Will Stevenson
Chris Strickland
Steve Sunday
Chuck Swofford
Lindy Tackett
Cynthia Taylor
Leigh Taylor
Mike Taylor
Sherree Taylor
Mike Thacker
Jeff Thomas
Elaine Tillery
Karl Trautman
Suzanne Ware
Ronnie Warren
Troy Wells
Karen Wheeler
Terri White
Robert Wilkerson
Randy Williams
Glen Williamson
Marie Wilson
Debbie Wood
Keith Woodring
Lennie Woodward
Alan Wright
Greg Wright
Selena Wright
Vickie Wyatt
Barbara Young
Keith Zimmerman

* * * * * *

The Last Birthday Cutie of the Week

If you're talking about CHS and cute, you know sooner or later you'll be thinking about SAM CHAPMAN—today's birthday boy! Sam, we hope you're having a festive birthday in DC.



We have a couple of weeks before the next round of birthdays, so let's use the blog to relive some of our favorite CHS memories. E-mail us your favorite story, maybe a memory about a teacher or a school event, and we'll publish it during the coming weeks. Photos are more than welcome!

* * * * * *

One More for Cuties Week

Yet another cutie enters the Fifty Club today. Happy birthday to Cindy Wright Merriam! If you're on Facebook, you've seen that she hasn't aged a bit.




Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Fifty Looks Adorable, Too

Happy birthday to Marcia Henson Akins, our latest fifty cutie. Marcia, hope you enjoy a Saturday filled with attention and prezzies!



p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Making Fifty Look Good

Why worry about fifty when it looks this good? Happy birthday, Micki Murphy Lattanzi! Hope you're spoiled rotten on this spring Friday.



BTW, If you don't see your birthday listed on the navbar and want some blog love on your special day, e-mail your special day today.

* * * * * *

Mr. C Hits the 5-0

Mr. CHS, Tom Fern, joins the cool kids in the fifty club today. Happy birthday, Tom!



The birthday bash is two months from today. Watch the blog, as we should have final details ready to announce in the next week or two.

* * * * * *

A Double Dose of Cuties

Two CHS cuties turn fifty today: Tina Hill Wetherford and Janet McClendon O'Hare. Wish our girls HAPPY BIRTHDAY as they join the club.





p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Flying High at Fifty

Today marks another great fiftieth milestone: Mark Harris is joining the group. He may be living out west, but he's always nearby here on the blog. HAPPY BIRTHDAY, MARK!



p.s. Don't miss your chance for this fiftieth glory. If you don't see your birthday listed on the navbar and want the glory, e-mail your info today.

* * * * * *

An Argyle Cutie Looks at Fifty

Today marks the fiftieth birthday of one of Argyle Elementary's cutest: JULIE HOLSENBECK! A toast in her honor today, kids.


Julie is among the 75 of us pre-reunioning on Facebook. Have you considered signing up and reconnecting with some long-long classmates?

BTW, If you don't see your birthday listed on the navbar and want some blog attention on your special day, e-mail your info today.

* * * * * *

Putting Some PEP Into Fifty

Former Pep Club member—and just as spirited today—ANN ATKERSON HUGHES turns 50 today!


Give her a big cheer in the comment box. Welcome to the club, Ann!

p.s. C'mon, kids. Don't you want to feel the fiftieth love? If you don't see your birthday listed on the navbar and want the glory, e-mail your info today.

* * * * * *

A Birthday Wish for the Commish

North Georgia's hippest commissioner, CRAIG BRYANT, hits the big 5-0 today!

You're as young as you feel, and Craig's claiming 27. Happy birthday, Commissioner!

p.s. Don't you want to see your CHS glory and fiftieth birthday splashed on the Internet? E-mail us with your birthday.

* * * * * *

Nifty Fifty

The birthdays keep coming! Today we're celebrating TED DECKER's fiftieth!


But he looks so young! One last round of "Happy Birthday" for March, kids.


p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

A Saucy Fifty

Here's a birthday celebration to salivate over. Our own Rodney Dobson — also owner of the popular Rodney’s Bar-B-Que — turns fifty today!


Happy birthday, Rodney! Hope you and your lovely family dance and sing the day away.

p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Fifty Is the New Thirty

Or so I’ve been telling myself the last year. Today is your blog administrator’s fiftieth birthday — and it feels damn good, better than when I turned forty. However, I’ve been fifty for just two minutes, so maybe that’s a question to ask me in September.

Beth Coffey, looking a bit younger in 1977

Happy birthday to me! If you find yourself inside the perimeter near Cabbagetown and Little Five Points tonight, stop by my cocktailed celebration!


p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

100 Candles

We have two fiftieth birthdays to celebrate today: Pat Burke and Bernie Wood!


These boys make fifty look goooood! Hope y'all get lots of cake today, Pat and Bernie!

p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Funeral Arrangements for Nancy Rodgers Smith

Cagle Funeral Home
364 East Church Street
Jasper, GA 30143
706.692.6615

Visitation will be held Tuesday evening, 6–9 p.m.

The service will be held in the chapel at 3 p.m. Wednesday.

Directions to
Cagle Funeral Home:
Take I-575 North for 33 miles, if ramping on from I-75, or until it becomes Hwy 515.
Stay north on 515 for a little over 4 miles.
Turn right on Hwy 53 and travel almost 2 miles. This takes you into Jasper.
After you pass Burnt Man Road, the funeral home is about 300 yards on the right.


Nancy’s obituary (Atlanta Journal Constitution)

Condolences


Photo of Nancy Rodgers Smith from Mutt's 30th class reunion (2006)

* * * * * *

Fifty and Fabulous!

Grab your party blowers and scream "HAPPY BIRTHDAY!" to our newest member of the Fifty and Fabulous Club: CINDY McDARIS QUERRY. No doubt our classmate (and Cindy's husband) Johnny Querry is spoiling the girl rotten today.


Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

Yet Another Lady of the Lake

Today’s birthday gal — Pam Cole Stercay — has been taunting her fellow Facebooked classmates with her lovely life on the lake. She’s making fifty look fun and carefree. Happy birthday, Pam!



p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

* * * * * *

She Needs Our Prayers

UPDATE: Nancy is at Kennestone Hospital, in case you want to send her a card.

We received this message from Rod Yancey:

I have some bad news about Nancy Rodgers-Smith. She's not doing very well and is in the hospital in Canton Ga. with cancer. Would you post this so people can keep her in their prayers.

Keep Nancy in your thoughts and prayers today and in the coming weeks.

* * * * *

Half a Century Young

Yes, it’s still young. Damn young. What better proof of youth do you need than RICKY BARRETT turning fifty today? Happy birthday, Ricky! We look forward to celebrating with you in June.



p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

p.p.s. Check in Monday for more details about our June soiree. The committee is meeting Sunday afternoon to firm up plans.

* * * * *

The Lady of the Lake

Those of us on Facebook all want to BFF today's birthday girl, Sherry Martin Vaughan, thanks to her fabulous lakehouse-in-the-making. But we're not the only ones who wish to shout "HAPPY FIFTIETH" to her today. Leave Sherry your birthday wishes in the comments section.


If you'd like to be listed on the birthday wall, e-mail us.

* * * * *

Two-for-one Birthday Wishes

How perfect that we have two birthdays on Valentine's Day. Welcome to fifty, Elizabeth and Allen! We hope you two are dancing and twirling away this big birthday.

Elizabeth Boggs Garvin

Allen Wencl

Grab some champagne and toast these two youngsters as they start their next decade. We're all going there this year!

E-mail us if you'd like your birthday listed and celebrated.

* * * * * *

It’s Time to WHERE It

We’re trying to finalize the basic plans this week so you can begin making arrangements with babysitters and airlines. We're shooting for Saturday evening, June 27 — the height of wedding season. Nearly every venue is booked every Saturday this summer (including the Smyrna Activity Center), but our team of crack party planners uncovered a couple great options.

Our party-planning parameters:

• No more than $30/person
• Heavy appetizers with cash bar
• Convenient to Smyrna

We tried to find a place that would let Rodney’s barbecue joint cater the bash, but the available venues require that we use their food service. Maybe we can pick up boxed meals a block away and sneak ‘em in!

Review these two and let us know in the next couple days which you prefer (note the new poll, above the Are You Party-bound? poll. We’d like to book something no later than Tuesday, so cast your vote today.


Venue 1: Courtyard by Marriott (Vinings)
The hotel is on Paces Ferry Road, near the Vinings railroad crossing. Convenient to those of you still in the Smyrna area and those who will travel via I-285.

• Ballroom: If we have fewer than 100 coming, we’ll have the ballroom; if more than 100 RSVP and pay, we’ll also get the fireside lounge and the restaurant.
• Food: prime rib station, salad station, pasta station, dessert station
• Cash bar
  
• Guest rooms: A block of rooms will be reserved for those coming from elsewhere or those who don’t want to worry about driving home.

Venue 2: Five Seasons Brewing (Sandy Springs)
If you haven’t been to Five Seasons, it’s a good gastropub at the conveniently located Prado (I-285 and Roswell Road). Excellent beer selection and food menu. The private Cellar can hold 75 to 100 people; if more of y’all commit, we can also use the outdoor Biergarten. There’s a menu from which we can select all types of munchies, from appetizers to pizzas to entrees. No matter your taste in beer, they’ll have it … or something better.

UPDATE: A couple folks have had problems casting their votes. If you get an error message, e-mail us or post your vote in the comments section.

Questions? Comments? Ideas? E-mail us. And VOTE by Monday.

* * * * * *

February’s First Fiftieth

Pull out your blowers and put on your party hats for February’s first fiftieth birthday: MIKE EASON! Mike started with our class, but graduated a year early. (Seriously, you were that eager to begin adulthood?) He’s in South Carolina these days, but those of us on Facebook are chatting away with the birthday boy. Y’all be sure to wish Mike a HAPPY BIRTHDAY, here in the comments box or on Facebook.


[Ed. Note: Mike, we’re sorry we don’t have your senior picture. The party planning staff has a limited annuals library: just our freshman and senior books.]

p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

p.p.s. We’ve crossed out some of the missing from the list — but many classmates are still missing. Let us know if you’re in contact with one of these classmates.

* * * * * *

Let's Get This Party Started!

We’re trying to nail down details this week. First, though, we need a rough head count to help us select the venue and put together our budget.

So …

On the navbar is a new poll. Not coming? Click 0. Plan to come alone? Click 1. If you’re bringing a date or spouse (sorry, but we can’t allow both), click 2.

This is a rough count, not an RSVP, so you won’t be held to your click. In fact, we can’t trace who clicks what. But the results will help us determine the size room we need.

BTW, the party date you selected on the last poll was June 27. Most places are booked for weddings that weekend, but we have some ideas up our planning sleeves. We hope to confirm that date and the place next week.

And …

We have a healthy e-mail list at the moment, about a third of our class. Many of you, however, haven’t sent us an e-mail, so we’re not sure if all of you are getting these messages. If you haven’t replied, could you e-mail us to let us know you’re getting the e-mails and you’re interested?

BTW ...

We pulled the announcement from Classmates.com since we haven't been able to confirm June 27 as the party date. We're still planning to throw this bash, even if we have to reschedule it. We'll let you know as soon as possible if we have to change the date.

Finally …

Let us know if you have information on anyone listed as missing.

* * * * * *

They Say It's Your Birthday

Today is the fiftieth birthday of our favorite CHS rock star, Mr. Christopher Ortiz. He grew up, got a good job, has a lovely family — but he still hits the stage and rocks out on the occasional weekend. Wish Chris a HAPPY BIRTHDAY in the comments box.


We're glad it's your birthday, Chris. Happy birthday to you!


p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar list. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comments box.

* * * * * *

A Willowy, Mysterious Birthday Gal

Many of the Facebook’ed classmates were mystified when the mysteriously monikered Willow Green started appearing in our community. She played it shy, she played it coy, even requesting that we not acknowledge her birthday. And that lasted, oh, about 48 hours. The girl could not incognito us — or miss out on birthday attention. So kids, scream out a HAPPY BIRTHDAY to Tina Holt, who turns fifty today!


Tina's requested that we all meet up at the Sing station for a beer on our way to the office. Too bad the Sing sang off Atlanta Road long ago.

p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

p.p.s. You non-Facebook folks are missing out. There are about thirty of us getting a head start on the reunion fun by reconnecting and writing on each other’s walls. Give Facebook a whirl. Have questions about how it works? E-mail us.

* * * * * *

First, the Good News

In less than two weeks — thanks to Gwynne and Facebook — we have e-mail addresses for 77 of our classmates.

The Bad News

We still have more than 225 folks to track down. Are you still in touch with someone from those fabulous mid-1970s years, someone we have yet to find? Let us know, and encourage them to send in their information. Or maybe you know someone's married name; that helps. You can e-mail us with their details and we’ll pester them, or you can send them this blog URL and the e-mail address. We’d love to have at least one hundred e-mail addresses by the end of January.

When are we going to throw this bash? You have a voice in that decision. Check out the poll on the navbar, and pick the date that best works for you.

We’re also collecting your favorite memories of our teachers. (Check out the Coach Duncan column below.) Coach Anderson and Mrs. Fellows are next to be lovingly remembered. E-mail your anecdotes.

And finally, consider joining Facebook. There are about thirty of us chatting and catching up over there.

* * * * * *

We Remember: Coach Duncan

Several of our classmates are on Facebook, and this week we got into a fun, rambling conversation about some of our CHS teachers. We’ve broken up that conversation by teacher to share with you. (Next up: Coach Anderson.)

If you’d like to share a remembrance about one of our teachers, or a funny story from 1974 through 1977, or any CHS-related topic (we've drifted into music now), leave it in the comments section or e-mail us. And if you’re curious about Facebook, sign up and come find us!


Gregg Banks
I teach 8th grade (Lord help me) here in Macon, GA and have taught now for the last 20 years. Do you remember Coach Duncan who taught us math? The good ol days at Campbell High.



Sam Chapman
Who could forget Coach Duncan?





Beth Coffey
I loved Coach Duncan! Our class was overcrowded our freshman year, so he let Holly Hubbell and me sit on the floor for several weeks. Didn't learn a thing about math, but I like to think I developed some writing skills while Holly and I scribbled notes to one another.

Chris Ortiz
Wow! Coach Duncan. He was something else wasn't he?




Mark Harris
Speaking of Coach Duncan, he was one of only two teachers to toss me out of a class. Larry Marks sat beside me and kept pestering me. I finally had enough and told him to shut up. Of course I was the one who was speaking when Coach snapped his head back to see what the ongoing noise was about. Even so, I still liked him. He was just a nice guy, and a decent teacher.

Beth Coffey
Damn. I missed all the fun classes. I can't remember anyone getting thrown out of a class. Maybe I was daydreaming.



Janet Barentine
Coach Duncan kept me for chewing gum one afternoon. Sorry dawg as soon as the last bus was gone he looked at me and said "OK, Ms Barentine you can go now.” Wish I had more classes with Mark though. He sounds like he was the life of the party.

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Happy 50th, Jeannine!

We're celebrating another milestone here at Fifty '77: Jeannine Roush Smith turns fifty today!

Wish our girl well on this auspicious day. Hopefully, we'll share a beer with Jeannine in a few months.


p.s. Don't forget to send us your birthday if you want to be included on the navbar. E-mail us or leave your birthday in the comment box.

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Happy 50th, Nancy and Greg!

We're celebrating TWO fiftieth birthdays today:

Nancy Godwin Hamby

Greg Halleck

Grab a glass of champagne and toast the youngsters. And leave them your birthday wishes in the comment box.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY, Nancy and Greg!


p.s. In case you missed it, on the navbar are some of our classmates' birthdays. Want your birthday listed? E-mail us or leave it in the comment box.

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Seriously? Y’all don’t want a party?

Beth is worried since we haven’t heard from many of y’all. I got her roped into this (well, chained, actually) because I never heard about any of the reunions — and I’d like to see everyone, dammit.

I’ve recently reconnected with a few folks from my CHS past, and it’s been a helluva lot of fun catching up. I haven’t seen most of these people in more than twenty-five years, but it felt like I saw them last week. That’s why we're eager to throw this birthday bash. Who knows how many of us have shared the same experiences or have the same interests — or who just wants to share a beer or seven with us?

Let’s get this party rolling! Leave a comment to this post if you want to go to our fiftieth birthday party.

One more thing: Phillip Barge suggested listing everyone’s birthday so we can toast each of us on as we cross the milestone. [I hit the 5-0 this Wednesday — and I want some drinking in my honor!] Want your birthday listed on this here blog? E-mail us at the Yahoo address, which you can find by clicking that profile link to the right. [We’re trying not to publish the actual address on the home page so the spammers don’t start pestering us. Because they will.]

Finally, forward the link to this blog to anyone from our class you’re talking to. We want to track down everyone we can.

Posted by Greg Halleck

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So, what's this about a party?

I joined Facebook a few months ago, and one of the first CHS’ers with whom I reconnected was Greg Halleck. We’ve had fun catching up, but many of our conversations include Greg’s “I haven’t been invited to any of the reunions” whine. One night over beers we decided to throw our class a fiftieth birthday bash. Not a full-on reunion, but a good ol’ party (much like the one at Renae Edge’s house just before graduation, without all the underage drunks).

Let’s get started. Our first step is to track down as many of our classmates as we can.

Gwynne Knap, who helped plan the November 2007 thirtieth reunion, gave me her address lists (and answers to my many questions). I keep up with a handful of our classmates, and we’re cross-referencing our address books. I’ve Facebook’ed many of you, and I went gold on Classmates.com to track down others.

Addresses to date: 62. Nearly 250 missing.

That’s where you come in. Have you stayed in contact with some of our classmates? Let us know who they are. You can leave the names in the comment box, but send the contact information to the Yahoo account we’ve set up for this shindig effort. You can find the e-mail address if you click on the navbar profile link.

You could be one of the many missing. If you received the e-mail blast with this URL via the Yahoo address, you’re on the list. If someone else sent this blog address to you, you’re missing. We’ll post the list of the missing later this month.

Next step: the when (probably this summer) and the where.

As for this blog, let’s use it to plan, to network, and to reminisce. We can post photos, your favorite stories, a much-needed shout-out. You can contact us at the Yahoo address.

Posted by Beth Coffey

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