2012 Reunion: The Story

By all accounts, our class reunion in Northern California, September 13-17, 2012, was a great success. Participants reported having had a lot of fun and noted the tightening of bonds of friendship.  Fourteen members of our class and five spouses came together at this reunion. Special recognition and thanks go to Tom Devereaux, our magnificent host, and to Dan Clayton, our trusted bursar, for setting up activities and managing the expenses.

I, as coordinator of this event, feel very gratified for all who came and for all that we shared together.  AND, at this point, I want to express my gratitude to my wife, Chris, who worked with me and supported me in pulling this reunion together.

Doug Kruse and Ken Stephens came to our class reunion for the first time.  It was great to see them, to mutually catch up on our lives, to enjoy our time together.  Doug wrote me this week saying, “How is it that, having been a member of the class for one year [Fourth Year Theology], I feel so at home 44 years later.  You guys are special….”  John Ernst, who had come to a reunion in 1993, joined us again this year.  He obviously had a good time as he extended his stay in Northern California − along with the Wampach's, Hageman's, and Meyer's - to Wednesday, September 19.  Frank and Judy Fulkerson stayed through Monday evening, September 17, when we went to the beautiful and famous Francis Ford Coppola Winery in scenic Sonoma Valley where we enjoyed a delicious dinner on the outdoor patio against the backdrop of the sunlit mountains in the East.

 Lf to Rt: Chris, Tom, Betty, Don, Judy, Frank, John,
Linda & Norm at Coppola Winery

The following attended:  Fr. Dan Clayton, Fr. Tom Devereaux, John and Kathy Driscoll, John Ernst, Frank and Judy Fulkerson, Norm and Linda Hageman, Mike Heydinger, Fr. Frank Kehres, Fr. Ger Knueven, Fr. Jim Koenigsfeld, Doug Kruse, Tom and Chris Meyer, Ken Stephens, Don and Betty Wampach.

On late Thursday afternoon, September 13, we gathered at the rectory of St. Rose of Lima Church in Santa Rosa, where Tom D is now assigned, for cocktails and dinner.  And, wouldn't you know it, Don and Betty and I and Chris didn't get there until 6:00 pm because we wanted to squeeze in a "quick drive" to Mendocino and back earlier that afternoon.  Soon, after our arrival, we sat down for a delicious meal of shish kebobs, twice-baked potatoes, etc, along with local wine.  After we finished our meal, we individually shared news about ourselves while we sat around the table.  As the conversation evolved, Frank K perceptively asked whether anyone would want to share their experiences and views of today's Catholic Church.  We began rather quickly to talk about our concerns, frustrations, hopes, and visions for the Church. Ordained and lay, we spoke freely, harboring respect and support for one another.  This was a heartfelt way to end our evening.

Early on Friday morning, September 14, John D and Kathy, as well as Jim, went on a hot air balloon ride, leading to adventures about which later John could only grimace and Jim could only laugh.  In the meantime, the rest of us headed to Alexander Valley Vineyards in Sonoma County.  After a little wine sampling we were given an informative, guided tour around the winery’s operations.  Our guide took us into the Vineyards' caves where hundreds upon hundreds of oak barrels were kept as the wine within aged in this constantly cool environment.  With the time remaining before lunch was served, some of us sauntered over to an old one-room schoolhouse.  John E swung in the swing hanging from a tall tree.  Our lunch was a grand, three-course, gourmet affair, white wine for the beginning and red wine with the main course.  This was especially delectable!

 A.V. Vineyards: Frank K & Norm assay the grape;

Tom amused.

That afternoon we drove to Castello di Amorosa in Napa Valley.  Jim caught up with us.  Castello di Amorosa, an amazing edifice built as an ancient Tuscan (Italy) fortress, attracts throngs of tourists.  Here our guided tour focused more on the construction of this edifice than on their wine-making process.  The castle is designed with gorgeous brick arches and towers and is adorned with beautiful murals and sculptures; it also harbors interesting rooms such as a giant dining hall and the Torture Chamber.  We completed the tour with a private wine-tasting in one of the castle’s underground rooms.  Several of us bought a bottle or two of wine to take home.

 Dan, Tom D, & Frank K behind gentleman

approaching camera.

Dan and Doug appear to be leaving the

Torture Chamber; Mike is taking a picture.

Guide identifying facets of Castello di Amorosa

Courtyard to Ken & Chris

In the late afternoon we headed off to the town of Sonoma to see the northernmost Mission in California and to then dine at The Girl and The Fig.  It was in the course of this journey that our caravan experience became "interesting."  Unexpectedly the lead car in which Tom D was riding pulled off onto the shoulder of the highway.  So, we all pulled off to the side of the road.  Even a couple of unidentified cars who were, as it were, trapped in our caravan pulled off.  Word trickled down via cell phones that Tom D was awaiting an important phone call.  Approximately 15-20 minutes later, Norm and Linda pulled rank from the caravan and drove on to Sonoma; Chris and I were riding with them.  A couple cars followed us.  The Mission was closed by the time we arrived in Sonoma.  In addition, with no reservations, The Girl and The Fig could not accommodate the seventeen of us for dinner.  We assembled on a nearby side street to determine “Plan B.”  We then drove on to a countryside dining establishment called Kenwood Restaurant where we enjoyed our meals and comradery in a lovely, quiet atmosphere.  What a satisfying way to end our day!

Kenwood Restaurant
Front Row: Fr. Frank, Fr. Dan, Fr. Tom, Fr. Ger, Fr. Jim

Back Row: Chris, Tom, Ken, Doug, John, Judy, Frank, 

Linda, Norm, Don, Betty, Mike

Saturday morning, September 15, we carpooled to Napa where we boarded the historic, restored Napa Valley Wine Train.  (We had reservations!  That’s why Tom D was waiting for a call back on the previous day.)  During this 3-hour excursion we partook in a mouth-watering gourmet lunch and gazed upon vineyard after vineyard in the Napa Valley.  The vineyards lined up on hillsides; they were immaculate.  Grape harvesting was in progress.

Train cars from 1917 restored.

Swordfish: it's in the presentation!

Vineyards in Napa Valley

John & Kathy Driscoll aboard Napa Valley Wine Train.
(Linda, Norm, Jim, & Ger in background.)

It was late Saturday afternoon when we all gathered back at the Main Street Vacation House in Cloverdale where the Hageman’s, Wampach’s, and Meyer’s were staying.  Soon after we returned, the boombox blared.  It marked the beginning of the Zumba exercise class led by Susan DeGregory, the daughter of Frank F and Judy.  With all the gusto and movement characteristic of our young adult generation, Susan led approximately 10 members of our group in an hour-long, fun-filled exercise routine. 

Susan choreographing Zumba exercise.

Front Row (Lf to Rt): Linda, Jim

Middle: Betty, Judy, Ger

Back: Frank F, Norm, Chris (hidden behind Judy)

Having completed the Zumba class, we then turned our focus to the picnic/birthday party affair which our wives had lovingly prepared.  In this casual, relaxed, spirited setting food was consumed; beer and wine flowed; jokes and laughter were unending.  The surprise birthday cake appeared, covered with burning candles.  The group sang “Happy Birthday’s” to Frank F, Kathy, and me.  We then acknowledged all the members of our class present for their 70^th birthdays as well.  We did learn that Doug was going to remain 69 for one more year.  On this upbeat note we parted for the night.

Lf to Rt: Frank K, Ken, John D, Ger, Dan, Frank F,

Tom, John E, Jim, Norm, Don, Mike

We gathered together for the 9:00 AM Liturgy at St. Rose of Lima in Santa Rosa on Sunday morning, September 16.  Tom D introduced us all to the parish faith community.  He also presided at this liturgy; Dan, Frank K, Ger, and Jim concelebrated.  Don and I proclaimed the two Scripture readings.  During the Kiss of Peace a number in our group had moist eyes as we exchanged handshakes, hugs, and kisses.  We mingled with parishioners after the Liturgy. 

Lf to Rt: Fr. Ger, Fr. Frank, Fr. Tom, Fr. Dan, Fr. Jim

 

"Sacred Space" embraces outdoors.

  

Tom D led us over to a portion of the original church structure that did not fall with the 2006 earthquake.  We then joined in the parish festival.  As we ate together near the outdoor stage, we witnessed and felt the energy and spirit of all the festival goers in this comfortable and brilliant, sunlit setting.  Later in the afternoon Jim informed us he was taking leave to drive back to Durango, Colorado.  This was the first of numerous, later good-byes.  I think I can say for all of us that we experienced pain and sadness, but yet joy, as one of our “brothers” left.  After the festival some of us went to see the Luther Burbank Home and Gardens in Santa Rosa.  Sunday evening we went to La Rosa Tequileria and Grille in Santa Rosa for dinner.  (This was another superb “Plan B” after the Russian River Brewery could not seat us because of the large number of other people also waiting.)  Again, our food and drink were very satisfying.  We all knew that this was our “Last Supper” together.  I think we all sought to maximize our fellowship and closeness at this time and place.  Then came the moment for a string of good-byes

This reunion was a memorable experience.  Before everyone departed, we began to brainstorm locations for our next class reunion in 2014.  We hope additional classmates will come.  If anyone in our class has a suggestion, pass that idea on to me at tmeyer@nc.rr.com.