My 30 year HS reunion is also this year, in September. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it either, as I have a conflicting event planned. I grew up in the suburban Twin Cities (of Minnesota. Not Bloomington-Normal ;) ) My class had 500+, I have lived outside of MN for 28.5 of the past 30 years, and my immediate family is still in the Twin Cities— but on the opposite side of the metro area. All of my high school friends either left, and the ones who stayed don’t live there. So, while I have some curiosity about this year’s reunion— it’s not a big deal to miss it. I had the opposite experience from you: I attended my 10 and 20 year. The 10 year was a lot of fun. I went to the 20 year for an hour with a couple of my friends— and bailed. It was at that point where I just felt ambivalent toward it all. I think that’s the difference between a large big city suburban district, vs a small town where everyone knew each other.
Great to meet you in Downers Grove and connect with your great community of readers. Felt like this group of strangers were all old friends. Thanks for making it possible!
Thanks for the reminisces on reunions, Will. Zoomed over the weekend with five high school classmates, and we began talking about our fiftieth, May 2024. Some reminiscing of our own, as you can imagine. We're going to try to draw as many people as we can into the planning process, which doesn't take that much work, so it will really be about remembering, laughing, and surprise ("No, did I really say/do that back in 1972?!").
Have had fun going on a 50 year-old music binge, starting back in 2019. That is, I spend anywhere from a week to a month listening to anything that was made 50 years ago. So, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 were amazing musical production years. I've just started into 1973, and have enjoyed some Quadrophenia by The Who. Not all that 'shit' was good, though; we enjoyed it just because we were teenagers growing up.
And, thanks, you often write about 'growing up' in one way or another. Or maybe it's more like 'growing into' . . .
It was a pleasure meeting you last week in Downers Grove,. Great event, great people, and a great time at Orange and Brew! I'm saving your book for our upcoming flight to Ireland. Looking forward to it!!
Another wonderfully written newsletter! I've only been to one of my HS reunions, 20, and had a blast. I'm looking forward to the next one!
I had my 50 year grade school reunion last weekend. It was a blast! Much of what you stated above is spot on! My tip for reunions: Avoid discussing politics!!!!! HA
I had missed that Brad Bohannon story until your piece. Yikes! First gambling scandal story so far that turned my stomach. Gotta imagine something even bigger like that happens in college sports during the next year. Ugh.
My 30 year HS reunion is also this year, in September. Unfortunately, I won’t be able to make it either, as I have a conflicting event planned. I grew up in the suburban Twin Cities (of Minnesota. Not Bloomington-Normal ;) ) My class had 500+, I have lived outside of MN for 28.5 of the past 30 years, and my immediate family is still in the Twin Cities— but on the opposite side of the metro area. All of my high school friends either left, and the ones who stayed don’t live there. So, while I have some curiosity about this year’s reunion— it’s not a big deal to miss it. I had the opposite experience from you: I attended my 10 and 20 year. The 10 year was a lot of fun. I went to the 20 year for an hour with a couple of my friends— and bailed. It was at that point where I just felt ambivalent toward it all. I think that’s the difference between a large big city suburban district, vs a small town where everyone knew each other.
I think this makes sense. I think I was at the perfect sized school to appreciate reunions.
Great to meet you in Downers Grove and connect with your great community of readers. Felt like this group of strangers were all old friends. Thanks for making it possible!
What a fun night. Thank you, and it was great to meet you!
Thanks for the reminisces on reunions, Will. Zoomed over the weekend with five high school classmates, and we began talking about our fiftieth, May 2024. Some reminiscing of our own, as you can imagine. We're going to try to draw as many people as we can into the planning process, which doesn't take that much work, so it will really be about remembering, laughing, and surprise ("No, did I really say/do that back in 1972?!").
Have had fun going on a 50 year-old music binge, starting back in 2019. That is, I spend anywhere from a week to a month listening to anything that was made 50 years ago. So, 1969, 1970, 1971, and 1972 were amazing musical production years. I've just started into 1973, and have enjoyed some Quadrophenia by The Who. Not all that 'shit' was good, though; we enjoyed it just because we were teenagers growing up.
And, thanks, you often write about 'growing up' in one way or another. Or maybe it's more like 'growing into' . . .
It was a pleasure meeting you last week in Downers Grove,. Great event, great people, and a great time at Orange and Brew! I'm saving your book for our upcoming flight to Ireland. Looking forward to it!!
Another wonderfully written newsletter! I've only been to one of my HS reunions, 20, and had a blast. I'm looking forward to the next one!
I had my 50 year grade school reunion last weekend. It was a blast! Much of what you stated above is spot on! My tip for reunions: Avoid discussing politics!!!!! HA
This seems ... like a good idea.
I had missed that Brad Bohannon story until your piece. Yikes! First gambling scandal story so far that turned my stomach. Gotta imagine something even bigger like that happens in college sports during the next year. Ugh.
Yeah. I think there are many, many more coming.