Because we had called in from the car, Belden had a pretty good idea when to get to the hotel. A really good idea because he showed up right behind us. Ah, my sweet Kuya. It was officially a reunion. A round of hugs (did you notice I went around twice, Kuya?) and we did the hotel stuff.

Noticed Jo's little baby boy Chris in the hall looking for something. He wanted to play pool, so we got him set up and then he couldn't get in the pool room. So, we asked the guy walking by if he could help us. He informed us he didn't work for the hotel, we apologized, giggled and went on our way.

Checked in, settled in, made a couple of quick calls demanding lumpia from the house (which appears to be very nice from the outside but since I was never actually allowed in I can't report on that part).

At 5 p.m., we carried ourselves down the hall to the free liquor and food. As we stood around chatting, the guy who didn't work for the hotel came in and kept looking at us. WELCOME HOME Steve Montgomery, Class of 87! Ooops! We had tried to turn one of our own into part of the staff. (Steve, didn't you say you have a degree in hotel/rest mgt? Maybe you just have that look about you)

Then, Rick Masterson, 67, came in. Wow! Does he look great for a guy who's 50! We know he's 50 because he kept telling us how much it didn't bother him to turn 50! Really great to get to meet this characted. A very nice man with quite a colorful past.

As the crowd grew, and the LUMPIA arrived, we all settled in and then, the moment he's been waiting for: Dary arrived, making an entrance as usual.  Unfortunately, his entrance was marred by the bartender hollering --as Dary was walking in--"Is there a Kim Jantzen here?" So there was Dary being upstaged by KJ! (tee hee)

We also got to meet the utterly charming and wonderful Gerri Lynch Oddone (70) and her handsome, witty husband Jim. What a great couple. You'll recall Gerri decided just a week or so earlier to attend. Jim decided even later than that: He left work early on Friday, surprised Gerri by coming with her. Wonderful. I am so glad he did. Gerri had the typical first-reunion jitters but covered nicely and made about a zillion new friends. I imagine she's at home right now trying to sort it all out. Jim seemed to have fun too and I really loved talking with him. He is so smart and funny. 

Once Sweet Baby James Buchanan (91) arrived, we knew it was a real party.

I wish i could capture for you the essence of a reunion. There's just something about bringing together 40 relative strangers who all never met a stranger and then throwing a little food and liquor in the mix. We are happy, funny, rowdy and entranced all at once. 

Webby John arrived sometime around midnight, just as I was toddling off to my bed. But arrive he did.   And he had more memorabilia.

to be continued..........

kj - "Lee Jantzen"<jantzen@ctaz.com>