Friday, September 21, 2007

DickD Editorial overview of the 2007 DHS All School Reunion held in Historic Deadwood SD

Chairman Bill Beshara and his committee and helpers of Janet Chyba Thoresen, Carolyn Johnson Dirkson, Marcia Moore Darlin, Don Gross, Jim Veitl, Karen Shockey Balderson, Roselle Stalder, Larry Ryan, Hank Frawley, John Fillmore, Dick Schlax, Yvonne Spaulding Hendrickson, Merno Stalder, Sherill Person Dunwiddie, Vince Gravelle, Dick Dunwiddie, Barbara Shedd Allen and many others helped to provide a best ever DHS All School Reunion.

Deadwood High School Classmates from the years 1935 through 1972 attended the Reunion events with well over 200 registered. Jim Sherman DHS39 announced he was the oldest in age but no specific ages were revealed.

Karen Shockey Balderson DHS58 also accomplished a DHS Roster update in a propietary database format that now includes 895 classmates that are still living. Classmate supplied information is still far from complete and for some is only a Zip code. There are no known plans for someone to make the roster into a publishing or web view format. The general Reunion Committee function ceased at the end of the banquet.

DHS47 had a 60th celebration/open house, DHS52 a 55th reunion dinner, and the DHS57 had their 50th reunion banquet concurrently with the All School Reunion. Celebrity entertainer and Deadwood native Gary Mule Deer attended with his Mother (see separate post).

The picnic and banquet dinner food was excellent with lots of buffet choices. The weather was sunny and warm for the picnic in the Deadwood City Park. The Gulches Banquet Facility was nicely presented and well staffed. The decorations committee headed by Janet Chyba Thoresen DHS55 provided a wonderful homecoming setting in the school colors Orange/Black and many thoughtful touches.

The Reunion badge names were familiar but many of the current faces are not. At both the picnic and banquet it was nearly impossible to get around and meet everyone as the time seemed too short and the discussions too lively.

I did not have a working camera so have to depend on others for digital photos. A large problem remains unsolved. I cannot identify many of the people in the pictures as the name tags are not readable on the image. I will try to provide a picture display link when I work out a process for the large number of images in hand and anticipated. Watch for future posting on this matter.

In summary, Bill Beshara DHS55 said it best in his email words to his committee and extends, in part, to all that attended:

“ To my esteemed reunion committee:

I believe that we had a very successful 2007 All School Reunion. It is very heartwarming to watch old friends meet and talk about old times like it was yesterday. I couldn't have been more pleased with the turnout at both the picnic and the dinner. As you might suspect, I personally had a great time, especially at the dinner. Put a mike in my hand and I am dangerous. It was difficult at times, but very rewarding and I will have memories to last me a lifetime. I sincerely hope you also had a wonderful experience.I want to thank each of you for all your hard work and participation. I know that it took time from your daily routine, but I hope you agree it was worth it.

As always

Bill “

1 comments:

Anonymous said...

What fun - wish I could have been there, but I very much appreciate this website. Will a link to Karen's roster be available at some time so we can add our contact information and see what old friends are doing?

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