Rambler Alumni 2014
We violated a life tenet of long standing Saturday. It states, "Do not attend school reunions because there will be some old people there who claim to be your classmates." It is true. But we did and it was a pleasant evening. I was surprised at how some people had grown so old they did not even recognize me.
My class was the first to graduate from the new building. It smelled new compared to Old Main that was constructed in 1875. We sipped punch and quipped with old friends and classmates. It seemed easy and comfortable as an old pair of house slippers.
The old bell was rung to remember times of yore and we floated on a raft down the river of time to the gym, circa 1942. Many important events of my life happened there. Physical Education, Industrial Arts and Home Economics were taught there and we had to walk from Old Main. I played basketball and my senior year I was selected to the All Star Goose Creek Team and I played in the band for basketball games. Junior and senior plays, proms and school Carnivals were here. Earlene Corya and I were chosen King and Queen. Band Concerts were given and I starred as first chair trumpet with Jerry McClarren. Graduation day: I sang with the choir and played with the band one last time.
We had a sumptuous meal and the usual activities that accompany alumni gatherings. Honors and remembrances abounded. The committee did a splendiferous job. Well done.
The day ended with my brother, sister-in-law, BW and me sitting on their front porch in Rambler Town (Worthington, Indiana), population 1,600. I was taken back down the road to reminisce as I remembered when all of us were just kids in high school doing the things high school students do. We thought we had the world by the tail on a downhill grade. But as the Statler Brothers sing, "Life gets complicated when you get past eighteen."
The weather was perfect with the temperature about 70 and low humidity. A gentle breeze flowed through town with no bugasaurs. There was no incessant traffic on the streets as it always is in the cities and suburbs.
We sipped lemonade and spent a long time talking and laughing in the crepuscular of the day. It felt like Mayberry with Andy, Aunt Bea, Barney, Thelma and Helen. Only thing missing was Opie. If only their grandson Tucker had been there the scene would have been complete.
After a time we walked about a block to a lovely landscaped park site with trees, flowers, grass, sidewalks and benches. The benches had nameplates for those who were remembered and honored by contributors who helped finance the garden. We sat for a few minutes on the one given in remembrance of my father and mother. My life with them flashed through my mind. That felt good.
Too soon we bade our fond farewells and traveled the road of reality from Mayberry to Plainfield and back to the present.
Larry grew up North of Calvertville and Graduated from Worthington High School and Indiana State 4 Times. He can be contacted at Goosecrick@aol.com or 317-839-7656.
- -- Posted by HoosierGal on Thu, Jun 26, 2014, at 8:25 AM
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