DHS Class of 1979

30th Year Reunion

What an amazing couple of days we shared! You really make this all worth it when you show up, laugh, dance and smile. The ice breaker on Fri was full of drama and surprise, only part of which I will ever divulge. As a hint, we had Lois Szwajkowski tell me God told her to attend the Fri party. She explained that two weeks before, driving on Oakwood, discussing..OK arguing with her folks about attending the reunion...she spotted me in her rear view mirror, in my car, behind her at the light. (probably singing along with the Beatles like a nut) She took it as a sign and showed up. I told her as she left Friday night, that God had called me and said He wanted her at the Sat party too..but she wasn't buying it. It had been 30 years since any of us had seen Lois.

Thanks to all of you who helped so much with this one. Starting with Michelle Sziraki who battled a posessed Epson printer (and won) outputting the mail labels for the ugly orange letter mailing in March. She also, insisting on a DJ, which started slow, but then blew up into a real dance later that evening...after the fireworks we viewed from the patio...so cool.

Thanks as always to Lou, and Renee for their inspiration, encouragement and huge efforts in finding and reminding people. Thanks also to Linda Donahue for getting the dopes at Kinko's to print our yearbook pics large (so we can read 'em at this age) at a price we could afford.

To the many of you who even though couldn't make it still checked in with us, found people, and spread the word, Thanks. Our biggest goal with this is being sure everyone has heard about it...before, long before, hopefully, it happens so they can plan.

Finally, a great thank you to my wife of 21 years, Lisa who knows many of you better than you know each other at this point. This would not get done without her help, encouragement, second sight and sense of design. She shot down my idea of pasting the thirty five 20 x 30 blowups of the yearbook all over the oak walls of the Dearborn Country Club...things like that.

There were many special events that happened with this one. We were graced with the presence of three DHS teachers. Mr. Gibb, Mr Russo and Miss Dorothy Wolfe, age 95. She was escorted that evening by two gentlemen, Dean and Cliff Cawthon. Ms Wolfe stayed the latest of the three prof.s leaving at 12:30 a.m.! As a side note, Dean wore the same coat he graduated in 30 years ago. See the picture of them on Face Book and on this site. Thanks for your help, Dean.

To get a slight sense of the Saturday party, go to YouTube and search DHS1979. You will see a 2 minute video taken just after the group shot. Lots going on in that one. You'll want to see that a few times to see and ID all of the alum in there. Hints on who people are?..OK, John Courtney is holding the banner on the right end at the start and the closing shot is Krista Brown. See if you can spot Tom Hinojosa, Jeff Schafer and Mary Ann Burm.

Here is the DHS1979 30th Video

We appreciate the tremendous commitment of time, effort and cash you all spend to attend. Of course, Dr. Don Hopkins gets the prize, again, for the farthest alum...Slovenia..but Janet Baetz's train trip from TX is a close second. Doug Baggett also gets an award...because after, he drove back to TX by way of TN..no it's not on the way.

Many of us are on Face Book...I have nearly 200 out of our 485 in our class. Join it. You will be shocked at who you will find. Though, you may not want it to notify you on your e-mail with every update. Just the latest pictures of David McLain's travels and Lise Wheeler's rants alone will fill your mailbox.

We will also update this site with a new Lost List. And the jury is out on whether we should post all e-mails. We shall see. We will post a list of who attended.

We have a great time at these...the group shot and video clearly tells that story. If you want to know why we put these on...look at those pictures. It is a staggering collective story to watch unfold. We are into everything, everywhere...Example, Dan Rutt...search Top Pun...yes, that's really him. He went from a Harry Potter look alike to well...take a look. He is fine and said to say "hello" to everyone. He had to go to a conference in Columbia...the country, not the city. And to explain just how busy Sue Sulisz (our class president) and Bruce Mason (her husband...look under Misc. on this site for THAT story) are...would take a whole page. They also send their best wishes. A hint...OK, twins...twins two years ago...YOU do the math!

Check in with us from time to time at this website. Call each other...you will both benefit from the visit...way more than you can imagine. Seriously consider coming "home" for the next one of these. If you don't think they are worth the time...ask Gail Shuk, Steve Niparko or Janet Baetz or just watch the video and look at the pictures.

Take good care. Talk to you soon.
Your VP forever.
Tim

Who Attended the 30th