We have started a new Facebook Group for our Class of '79. 50+ Facebook members have been added so far. (The old FB group, created in 2009, was rendered mostly non-functional when Facebook modified its groups structure, so we had to begin again. I hope to transfer some of the old postings and links over to the new FB group.)
The website address for our new Facebook Group is: https://www.facebook.com/groups/SRVHSClassof1979/
You will need to be a member of Facebook to view the page -- and you probably need to be added to the group as well. I've added all of my SR '79 Facebook Friends. Contact me at Facebook.com/jbramsey if you need help in joining the group.
A 35 Year Reunion should be coming up in 2014, although no formal committee is established nor have plans been made yet. Everyone's input is needed! (Date, Place, Format, etc.)
Showing posts with label Reunion. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Reunion. Show all posts
Thursday, May 30, 2013
Friday, July 27, 2012
'77 and '78 Reunion in October
San Ramon High School Classes of 1977 and 1978 have scheduled a Class Reunion for the weekend of October 13, 2012. Guy Houston is organizing this from his Facebook account. See the accompanying screenshot for more information or contact Guy on Facebook. Judging from the price, this looks similar to the informal format of the '78/'79 reunion in October 2009. By the way, the annual Primo's Half Marathon is also held that weekend, so start training now!
I expect that members of other classes (such as '79) who have good friends in those older classes would be welcome to join in on the fun. I know that if I get out to California for that weekend, that I would sign up. Pretty good price!
Monday, November 9, 2009
Doug Cody's Reunion Pix
We were fortunate to have Doug Cody, Class of '78, take some candid photos at the reunion on the 24th. Doug's a professional photographer, so his photos really do look good as he has a much greater sense of how to do proper lighting thamn most amateurs like myself do.
Here's the link to his BayAreaEventPhotography.com site where he is hosting his photos.
Click on a thumbnail to see a web sized image.
Click on that image, and you'll download the high res image.
Click the back button twice to return to the thumbnails.
Here's the link to his BayAreaEventPhotography.com site where he is hosting his photos.
Click on a thumbnail to see a web sized image.
Click on that image, and you'll download the high res image.
Click the back button twice to return to the thumbnails.
Wednesday, October 28, 2009
First Comments on the 30 Year Reunion
After arriving home late last night from our 12 day trip to California, I finally have the chance to give my assessment on the reunion events of the last weekend.
First, I have to thank my wife MaryEllen for being such a great support for me and being with me at the reunion. Being five months pregnant, she was not up to standing for long periods of time, so she mostly sat at a table in the back room with Randy Blair's wife, Patricia, and Bob Downs' wife, Jeanette. The spouses who accompany us to our reunions are real troopers. My wife is comfortable with new people and she knows so many of my classmates, so she enjoys the reunions. It's just that with her present physical circumstances, a stand-up type party didn't work well for her.
Here's the one big reality I've gleaned from this reunion -- We hit our peak reunion attendance in 1999 and we will never have as high a percentage of attendees again. Were the 2004 and 2009 reunions given the same degree of attention and advance publicity as the 1999 reunion? No, I don't think so. But, still, I don't think that our classmates did not know about the reunion. And the stark reality of it is that we will never see some of our classmates ever again. Maybe that's obvious to others. But, I had this sunny and optimistic attitude that nearly all 400+ of us would come together at our reunions. Obviously, that is not the case.
I was loaned a copy of the 1977 SR Yearbook and while browsing through the Sophomore section, I was saddened to see how many boys and girls from those photos had not been at the reunion last weekend. And I really would have enjoyed seeing them again! My plan is to scan and upload much of that yearbook to the website.
The realists among us will rightly say that you are able to choose your friends and if you don't have a relationship with long lost classmates then you all have made that choice. And that's certainly true. I stay in close touch with Bob, Rick, Rich, Will, another Rick, Brian, Bill, Scott, Chris as well as occasional contacts with another Scott, Mark, Britt, and Steve. But how great it was to talk with Matt Wold and Guy Houston, among others last weekend! Folks I usually wouldn't have a chance to see.
First, I have to thank my wife MaryEllen for being such a great support for me and being with me at the reunion. Being five months pregnant, she was not up to standing for long periods of time, so she mostly sat at a table in the back room with Randy Blair's wife, Patricia, and Bob Downs' wife, Jeanette. The spouses who accompany us to our reunions are real troopers. My wife is comfortable with new people and she knows so many of my classmates, so she enjoys the reunions. It's just that with her present physical circumstances, a stand-up type party didn't work well for her.
Here's the one big reality I've gleaned from this reunion -- We hit our peak reunion attendance in 1999 and we will never have as high a percentage of attendees again. Were the 2004 and 2009 reunions given the same degree of attention and advance publicity as the 1999 reunion? No, I don't think so. But, still, I don't think that our classmates did not know about the reunion. And the stark reality of it is that we will never see some of our classmates ever again. Maybe that's obvious to others. But, I had this sunny and optimistic attitude that nearly all 400+ of us would come together at our reunions. Obviously, that is not the case.
I was loaned a copy of the 1977 SR Yearbook and while browsing through the Sophomore section, I was saddened to see how many boys and girls from those photos had not been at the reunion last weekend. And I really would have enjoyed seeing them again! My plan is to scan and upload much of that yearbook to the website.
The realists among us will rightly say that you are able to choose your friends and if you don't have a relationship with long lost classmates then you all have made that choice. And that's certainly true. I stay in close touch with Bob, Rick, Rich, Will, another Rick, Brian, Bill, Scott, Chris as well as occasional contacts with another Scott, Mark, Britt, and Steve. But how great it was to talk with Matt Wold and Guy Houston, among others last weekend! Folks I usually wouldn't have a chance to see.
Thursday, October 22, 2009
Reunion is almost here!
Two days until our 30 Year Reunion. Claudia Gravelle has told me that the food has been all paid for (a good thing) and that the turnout will be great. She also says that latecomers are welcome, so if you were on the fence, it is not too late. I cannot guarantee it, but as far as I have heard the $30 fee is still valid at the door.
Of course, Friday night gives us an even more informal chance to get together as we meet at the San Ramon-Livermore football game. Varsity is at 7 PM. And then Elliott's Bar afterwards for those who are so inclined.
Given that there are about 800 members of the Classes of '78 and '79, I am sure there will be a lot of surprises at the weekend's events. You will see people you have not seen in 25 to 30 years. And some of us will also see people we've just seen the last weekend. I find it all very exciting and I hope most of my classmates will as well.
Of course, Friday night gives us an even more informal chance to get together as we meet at the San Ramon-Livermore football game. Varsity is at 7 PM. And then Elliott's Bar afterwards for those who are so inclined.
Given that there are about 800 members of the Classes of '78 and '79, I am sure there will be a lot of surprises at the weekend's events. You will see people you have not seen in 25 to 30 years. And some of us will also see people we've just seen the last weekend. I find it all very exciting and I hope most of my classmates will as well.
Wednesday, October 7, 2009
New website poll
I created a new poll for the website. You can access it here. It asks when you last were on the campus at San Ramon High School. Some of us are parents of SR students, while others may not have been there in a long time.
Friday, October 2, 2009
Reunion RSVPs
Try to get your check in for the 30 Year Reunion soon. It's not too late!
1978/79 Class Reunion
764 Tunbridge Road
Danville, CA 94526
($30/person)
1978/79 Class Reunion
764 Tunbridge Road
Danville, CA 94526
($30/person)
Wednesday, September 23, 2009
Classmates.com Announcements
I used Classmates.com to send out an announcement of the reunion to over 300 Class of 78 and 79 members who have registered there. On Monday, I sent out a followup announcement that the October 1 payment deadline is coming up. But after seeing what Classmates.com sends out, I am dissatisfied and a little embarrassed. I feel like I'm being used to send unsolicited junk mail to hundreds of classmates because, rather than send out a useful announcement, Classsmates.com sends out a teaser that forces you to log into Classmates.com to see the message.
Here's a sample:
At least Classmates.com is free for most people although I pay a fairly small fee to be able to be a Reunion Organizer. Anyway, if you felt like I had spammed you with the Classmates.com message, I do apologize. I'm just trying to get the word out.
On another Classmates.com note, a fellow Class of '79 member recently contacted me and was puzzled as to why she was not on the list at Classmates.com. As I told her, the Class of '79 (nor any other school's class) does not submit a list to Classsmates.com. Individuals choose to register and sign up for the Classmates services. So far, I do think that Classmates.com is the best of the companies out there simply because they seem to have the highest percentage of alumni registered there. But Facebook might soon catch up with them.
Here's a sample:
NEW Announcements
1 announcement with big news:
From Announcement
Jim R. Classmates! Planning For
John R. The 30 Year Reunion Is On
At least Classmates.com is free for most people although I pay a fairly small fee to be able to be a Reunion Organizer. Anyway, if you felt like I had spammed you with the Classmates.com message, I do apologize. I'm just trying to get the word out.
On another Classmates.com note, a fellow Class of '79 member recently contacted me and was puzzled as to why she was not on the list at Classmates.com. As I told her, the Class of '79 (nor any other school's class) does not submit a list to Classsmates.com. Individuals choose to register and sign up for the Classmates services. So far, I do think that Classmates.com is the best of the companies out there simply because they seem to have the highest percentage of alumni registered there. But Facebook might soon catch up with them.
Tuesday, August 25, 2009
Reunion Invitations
Last weekend the reunion invitation was e-mailed out along with a four page list of names with unconfirmed addresses from the Classes of '78 and '79. The invitation is posted here. The list of those with unconfirmed addresses (AKA the "Lost Sheep") is on this PDF file here. If you know where some of these people are, please let them know about the reunion. Also, please send the address information to Guy Houston and Claudia Gravelle at SRVHS7879@aol.com .
I was not involved in creating this list of the "missing," and I do not know how it was developed. I have talked with some people who are puzzled as to why they are listed as "lost sheep" when they had submitted address directory information in the past few years. The reunion "staff" is pretty much ad hoc. I try to help out and Claudia and Jay Briggs always are involved as well as others. If mistakes were made, they certainly were unintentional. The goal is always to get everyone in the know as soon as possible! I know that Claudia has already found a lot of people just since this weekend so the mailing has helped to do its job. In addition, the 333 Class of '78 & '79 members registered at Classmates.com were all notified of the reunion in a separate message last weekend.
This year's reunion is only $30 compared to $75 in 2004. It looks to be scaled back to the basics -- Getting together with old friends. The dinner and dancing were nice but most of us just wanted to talk with one another. And the SR football game the night before the reunion makes for another casual way to encounter old classmates without a lot of expense. Obviously, for me, it is a big expense because I fly out from the Washington DC area. Others will also come from afar for the reunion. Did you know we have classmates in Micronesia and Croatia?
I was not involved in creating this list of the "missing," and I do not know how it was developed. I have talked with some people who are puzzled as to why they are listed as "lost sheep" when they had submitted address directory information in the past few years. The reunion "staff" is pretty much ad hoc. I try to help out and Claudia and Jay Briggs always are involved as well as others. If mistakes were made, they certainly were unintentional. The goal is always to get everyone in the know as soon as possible! I know that Claudia has already found a lot of people just since this weekend so the mailing has helped to do its job. In addition, the 333 Class of '78 & '79 members registered at Classmates.com were all notified of the reunion in a separate message last weekend.
This year's reunion is only $30 compared to $75 in 2004. It looks to be scaled back to the basics -- Getting together with old friends. The dinner and dancing were nice but most of us just wanted to talk with one another. And the SR football game the night before the reunion makes for another casual way to encounter old classmates without a lot of expense. Obviously, for me, it is a big expense because I fly out from the Washington DC area. Others will also come from afar for the reunion. Did you know we have classmates in Micronesia and Croatia?
Friday, August 7, 2009
More Reunion Details
Claudia Muller Gravelle has e-mailed the members of the Facebook 78/79 Reunion group with a request for e-mail addresses so she can send out a flyer with reunion details. Her e-mail added one heretofore unknown fact -- the October 24 activities will begin at 6 PM at the Radisson Hotel in Dublin with cocktails. Also listed were the already known plans for the SR homecoming game and post-game drinks at Elliots on Friday the 23rd.
It's nice to see this all coming together. Hopefully, those that need to make travel arrangements will be able to secure some of the low airfares that are currently being offered by Southwest and other carriers for Fall travel.
It's nice to see this all coming together. Hopefully, those that need to make travel arrangements will be able to secure some of the low airfares that are currently being offered by Southwest and other carriers for Fall travel.
Thursday, July 30, 2009
October 24, 2009
E-mail from Guy Houston has confirmed that the reunion will be on October 24, 2009. San Ramon High football will be playing their Homecoming game the night before, so a large group from the Classes of '78 and '79 will also attend that game. Guy says that invitations will be mailed out within the next week or so. Hopefully, the Class of '79 is included in that invite list -- Apparently a post card mailing went out in May from the Class of '78 but I did not hear of any '79 members receiving that postcard.
So I can finally book my travel for October's California events -- Scott Bisson's October 17th wedding and the October 23-24 Reunion. JetBlue happens to have some decent airfares right now, so I'm ready to buy! Woo hoo! Two weeks in California in October!
I'll continue to pass on any information that I receive, but make your plans to be there in October!
So I can finally book my travel for October's California events -- Scott Bisson's October 17th wedding and the October 23-24 Reunion. JetBlue happens to have some decent airfares right now, so I'm ready to buy! Woo hoo! Two weeks in California in October!
I'll continue to pass on any information that I receive, but make your plans to be there in October!
Thursday, July 2, 2009
I had been avoiding the Facebook phenomenon up until recently. I finally broke down and signed up in June just to see what all the fuss was about. I had mistakenly assumed it was very similar to MySpace.com. Well, it may be in some respects, but it sure does look a lot cleaner than any of the MySpace pages I had seen in the past.
Once someone asked me to be a "Friend," I finally learned at least some of what makes Facebook so great. First, this blog deals with the Class of '79 and Facebook does a wonderful job of grouping all of us class members together. There are about 100 of us on Facebook already. That's pretty good for our generation, I think. (I bet that the SRVHS Class of 2009 probably has more like 95% of its students on Facebook.)
Anyway, there is even a SR '78/'79 Reunion group on Facebook, where I learned that, at least as of Claudia M-G's March 2009 posting, the reunion is scheduled for October 24, 2009. But, if that's true, it needs to be better publicized than it has been! Post it at Classmates.com. Announce it in banner headlines at the Reunion Group Facebook page.
As for my facebook page -- you can find me by clicking John B. Ramsey's Facebook Page.
Once someone asked me to be a "Friend," I finally learned at least some of what makes Facebook so great. First, this blog deals with the Class of '79 and Facebook does a wonderful job of grouping all of us class members together. There are about 100 of us on Facebook already. That's pretty good for our generation, I think. (I bet that the SRVHS Class of 2009 probably has more like 95% of its students on Facebook.)
Anyway, there is even a SR '78/'79 Reunion group on Facebook, where I learned that, at least as of Claudia M-G's March 2009 posting, the reunion is scheduled for October 24, 2009. But, if that's true, it needs to be better publicized than it has been! Post it at Classmates.com. Announce it in banner headlines at the Reunion Group Facebook page.
As for my facebook page -- you can find me by clicking John B. Ramsey's Facebook Page.
Monday, June 22, 2009
still wondering about reunion date...
So, with my last post, I passed on information from an alum who was told that the reunion would probably be the same weekend as San Ramon High's homecoming game. SRVHS's website doesn't give much information yet about the next school year, either in terms of Homecoming or a football schedule. But, I've ruled out the weekend of October 16-18 as SR will be facing De La Salle in Concord according to the De La Salle football schedule posted on that school's website. I've also learned that San Ramon will be home on October 23 and facing Livermore High School. This is according to the LHS website. So, maybe we'll have the 30 Year Reunion almost 10 years to the day of the 20 Year Reunion (10/23/99).
I hope an announcement is made soon, as a lot of us would like to begin to make travel arrangements. I am already planning to be in the Bay Area for Scott Bisson's wedding on October 17th, so I am hoping that the reunion will be within seven days of that date.
I hope an announcement is made soon, as a lot of us would like to begin to make travel arrangements. I am already planning to be in the Bay Area for Scott Bisson's wedding on October 17th, so I am hoping that the reunion will be within seven days of that date.
Friday, June 12, 2009
Reunion date?
Although I have not been doing any work in organizing a reunion, apparently some people have still been planning. I just got an e-mail from a class member who has been informed that the reunion will coincide with the football team's homecoming weekend in October. The 2009 football schedule is not posted on the web site, but De La Salle has posted their schedule which shows them hosting San Ramon on October 16th, seeming to rule out that weekend for the reunion.
My suggestion to all who want to be keep informed about the reunion is to register at Clasmates.com under the free membership option and keep checking your message box to see if any updates have been sent out. Also, make sure the e-mailbox you used to set up your Classmates.com account is still valid.
My suggestion to all who want to be keep informed about the reunion is to register at Clasmates.com under the free membership option and keep checking your message box to see if any updates have been sent out. Also, make sure the e-mailbox you used to set up your Classmates.com account is still valid.
Saturday, November 8, 2008
30 Year Reunion Planning e-mails
Jay Briggs recently contacted me to tell me about some e-mails he had exchanged with other class members interested in getting the 30 year reunion organized. He asked me to share this with as many others as possible. I've snipped out address and phone numbers as well as non-reunion related discussion. Please leave a comment here if you want to have input into the 30 year reunion.
John
------------------------------------------------------
From: Jay Briggs [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons]
FW: SR reunion
Date: October 15, 2008 12:55:39 PM EDT
John,
I hope all is well with you these days. I wanted to give you a heads up since you tend to be interested in this. Please let us know if you can help out. Please share this with anyone you think also would be interested.
Thanks.
Jay K. Briggs
{address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}
www.JayBriggs.com
------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Deane [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:05 PM
To: 'Jay Briggs'; 'Jeff Nelson'
Subject: RE: SR reunion
I think that's a great idea. I'd be happy to pitch in as I can. Ben
------------------------------------------------------
From: Claudia Gravelle [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:21 PM
To: Jay Briggs
Subject: RE: SR reunion
[snip]
I have had some emails from folks showing interest in a 30 year class reunion. I think it would be great to have it jointly with 78.
No one, that I am aware of, has been planning anything for the 30 year. I am certain that I have a little extra time on my hands to help makw something happen. Devon and Katie Benson have both told me they are on board to make it work, too. I hope you will be on the team!
Maybe we can get together soon for cocktails/lunch/ soon and discuss in detail. Let me know how your schedule looks! Would love to see you!! I know Devon and Katie would be happy to be there for the brainstorming. Will cc them, as well as Chuck Douros who definitely was a big part of our success last reunion.
------------------------------------------------------
From: Jay Briggs [mailto:jaddress & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tue 10/7/2008 2:59 PM
To: Claudia Gravelle
Subject: SR reunion
Claudia,
[snip]
I was contacted recently by Guy Houston who was seeking to do another joint reunion with our class at the 30 year mark. Has anyone been in contact with you and is anyone currently organizing around a 30 year reunion for our class?
I hope things are good with you.
-Jay
John
------------------------------------------------------
From: Jay Briggs [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons]
FW: SR reunion
Date: October 15, 2008 12:55:39 PM EDT
John,
I hope all is well with you these days. I wanted to give you a heads up since you tend to be interested in this. Please let us know if you can help out. Please share this with anyone you think also would be interested.
Thanks.
Jay K. Briggs
{address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}
www.JayBriggs.com
------------------------------------------------------
From: Ben Deane [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tuesday, October 14, 2008 8:05 PM
To: 'Jay Briggs'; 'Jeff Nelson'
Subject: RE: SR reunion
I think that's a great idea. I'd be happy to pitch in as I can. Ben
------------------------------------------------------
From: Claudia Gravelle [mailto:address & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tuesday, October 07, 2008 3:21 PM
To: Jay Briggs
Subject: RE: SR reunion
[snip]
I have had some emails from folks showing interest in a 30 year class reunion. I think it would be great to have it jointly with 78.
No one, that I am aware of, has been planning anything for the 30 year. I am certain that I have a little extra time on my hands to help makw something happen. Devon and Katie Benson have both told me they are on board to make it work, too. I hope you will be on the team!
Maybe we can get together soon for cocktails/lunch/ soon and discuss in detail. Let me know how your schedule looks! Would love to see you!! I know Devon and Katie would be happy to be there for the brainstorming. Will cc them, as well as Chuck Douros who definitely was a big part of our success last reunion.
------------------------------------------------------
From: Jay Briggs [mailto:jaddress & phone hidden for privacy reasons}]
Sent: Tue 10/7/2008 2:59 PM
To: Claudia Gravelle
Subject: SR reunion
Claudia,
[snip]
I was contacted recently by Guy Houston who was seeking to do another joint reunion with our class at the 30 year mark. Has anyone been in contact with you and is anyone currently organizing around a 30 year reunion for our class?
I hope things are good with you.
-Jay
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