Captain’s Report of Reunions ---

“YA GOTTA CHANGE YER EVIL WAYS, BAYBEH!” … the heavy thump of the Soul’d Out Rock Band is working up the Budweiser-fueled Friday Night crowd in Hackley Park in Muskegon. Over in the southeast corner of the park, a big orange sign marks the territory of the Muskegon Heights High School (MHHS) Class of 1959. Barbara talks animatedly with a collection of men and women, conversing in a language I cannot possibly understand. I am, after all, an outsider. The three-day Class of ’59 Reunion is in full swing! A kind classmate of Barbara’s offers me a folding chair, an offer I accept with gratitude. I start a conversation with the husband of another classmate. This is a serious mistake since the dude, a retired MIT aerospace engineer, regales me with story after story after boring story about his guidance system accomplishments on intercontinental ballistic missiles. I’m a retired engineer but I don’t do engineer stories! After two hours in the grasp of this guy, I snag Barbara and whisper “I’ve had it!” She graciously permits us to leave and we dine on good Mexican food at Pablo’s Tacos.

The formal Reunion evening gig was held at the Muskegon Country Club on Thursday evening. It was an event that was rich in reminiscence. Barbara was absolutely stunning in the black-and-white dress she had bought for this reunion. Ninety graduates were present at the reunion dinner and the names were read of fifty-two class members who had passed away. During the evening, a man came up to Barbara and said, “Remember me? I’m Richard Pascoe.” He was the first guy Barbara had kissed back in the sixth grade! Ken Thornley, Barb’s father, taught physics and chemistry at MHHS before his retirement in 1969. Barb received many appreciative comments on his inventive approach to teaching. She also received praise for the three Broadway musicals she choreographed while a student at MHHS.

The cozy Winter Inn, in Greenville, Michigan, was the site of the Lincoln Family Reunion on Sunday afternoon. The relatives who showed up were folks who hadn’t seen each other in thirty years or more! John Lincoln, Barb’s first cousin from Cleveland, Ohio, is an avid historian and pulled the whole deal together. Bob and Joan Thornley, Barb’s brother and sister-in-law, took the ferry across Lake Michigan to be a part of the event. There was a detailed genealogical chart at the reunion, dating back to Thomas Lincoln in 1694…MAYBE a shared ancestor with Abe Lincoln! The verdict is still out on that connection!

After lunch at the Winter Inn, we convened to the nearby home of Russell Lincoln for coffee, dessert and more conversation. Russell must know every moth in North America…he showed us collection after collection of neatly-displayed specimens he has collected over the years. Oh! Made-in-Michigan Hudsonville vanilla ice cream with Russell’s Michigan blueberry sauce? Seriously GLORIOUS!

Well, friends and family, we have reached the “easternmost” point in our journey! From here on, we are heading toward home…via a northern route through a whole passel of new galaxies! That leg of the journey will take another month…so stay connected!

Affectionately,

Captain Baldy