Central Class of 1956

Dear Warrior Classmates,

Well, we did it! We planned and planned and then you came and made all of our dreams for the weekend come true. It was truly the best of times for all us to share memories and to create new ones.

			Co-Chair Joy Allenberg Wilk Co-Chair Billy Schaefer
My most heartfelt thanks to our co chairman, Billy Schaefer for all of his many hours on the computer, updating and communicating:“It could have only been better if you had been with us in Memphis instead of chasing those golf balls in Arizona. Even, en absentia, your contribution was immeasurable, but you were missed at all of our fun meetings.”

From the beginning, Kathy Bailey Cavette handled our mailings with very special care and efficiency. Marlene Libby did a great job setting up the hospitality room at the Doubletree and many of you mentioned how much you enjoyed visiting there.

Friday Night – May 5

And then, what can I say about Friday night? Larry Fury and his committee did an amazing job! Even “the man upstairs” smiled on this reunion, the rains stopped and it was a glorious night to party at Ramsay and Elizabeth Wall’s beautiful home and garden. Never could we have asked for a more gracious hostess and host. They did more than we know to make the evening so special for all of us.

From the moment we walked through the fabulous totem pole entry, lovingly created by Carolyn Welch Hale, until we left with our hospitality bags, the evening was a magical mix of fun, friendship and great food. The welcoming bags were a treat – we owe our thanks to Barbara Rauscher Walters, Carolyn Hale and Betty Farris Russell. Betty’s directory is “the gift that will keep on giving” as it will enable us to stay in touch.

Saturday Night – May 6

Saturday night at Ridgeway was a beautiful evening, planned to perfection by Sandra Loskovitz Beatus and Marlene Belz Libby. Billy Schaefer’s life-size Indians greeted us as we entered and set the pace for an elegant pow wow and wow it was with the beautiful decorations done by Carolyn Hale (she was VERY busy) and her committee.

Our class president, David White, could have been elected again as he reflected on our good fortune to have grown up together in the times that we did at Central High School.

A real highlight of the weekend was our video, created by Gibert Halpern, class of 55, and his helpmate, Sandy Lipman Peiser. They did an amazing job! Sandy has also been working diligently on our bio CD, which will be mailed to all attendees along with pictures from Friday night.

If you did not attend, but would like to order, or if you did attend and did not receive your directory or DVD, please email me at amijoyw@aol.com.

Our band, Solid Gold, was just that and brought back memories of prom night. Thanks to Phil Sherman, they were the perfect choice.

Special Thanks

Ann Ball Frost was our trusty treasurer and she kept us on track and did a great job! Very importantly, Ann put us in touch with Frank Land, class of 54, without whom you would not be reading this letter. Frank has produced this ultra-special web site and will continue to update it for us.

Our devoted Lost Warrior Committee, especially Mary Ann Volmer, Ralph Davis and Ralph Gray, did everything that they could to find lost classmates, but it is a daunting task and we need your help in order to continue to communicate with each other

Lastly, on behalf of Billy and myself, I want to thank you all for your beautiful notes and many compliment that we have received. The entire committee deserves your accolades and they are listed on this web site. My motto is, “the people make the party”, and no matter how well we planned, you infused the weekend with that Warrior spirit which will never age.

I wish for each of you a glorious summer, good health and much happiness in all that you do.

Until we meet again,

Joy Allenberg Wilk