11th Annual Back To The Fifties Picnic Sept. 27th

It's time once again to dust off your old stories, freshen up your exaggerations (that by now you’ve told so many times you’re convinced they’re true) and bring them along to the 11th Annual Back-To-The Fifties Picnic for CHS classes 1952 thru 1962, Saturday, September 27th, at the American Legion Park, 375 E. Locust St., Columbia, Illinois.

Mark your calendars and also stick a note on the refrigerator reminding yourself to check the calendar. For those who live in Columbia just drive by the park every day until you see a group of senior citizens who look confused. That will likely be us.

This annual picnic, hosted by members of CHS Classes of 1957 and 1958, is for CHS classes 1952 thru 1962, the generation that invented “cool”, and any of our friends from that era whether or not they attended CHS. If you were a member of those classes and know of anyone else who might like to attend please let them know. We’re not exclusive. We begin arriving about 9 AM and stay until those remaining start nodding off, usually around 6 or 7 PM. By comparison, in 1998 some of us drank beer ‘til midnight.

Those attending are invited to bring a side dish such as salads, beans, casseroles, bread, desserts or whatever you choose to share. It’s impossible to coordinate with everyone so it’s literally potluck. There’s always enough for everyone and anything else we need is available nearby. Once again, honorary classmate and friend, Carl Gallion, will provide the high protein – probably fried chicken. Carl brought BBQ for everyone last year and it was g-r-r-reat! We will eat around 12 o’clock and continue nibbling all afternoon.

If you don’t like chicken there’s a large covered pit to cook whatever you wish to bring but you’ll have to provide your own wood or charcoal. Everyone is expected to provide their own drinks, ice, coolers and cups. We will provide plastic utensils, paper plates, napkins, etc. We usually pass the hat to cover expenses, which are limited to the pavilion rental and incidentals.

The large screened pavilion has plenty of picnic table seating, overhead fans, restrooms, a refrigerator, electrical outlets, etc., Weather depending, you might want to bring lawn chairs, outdoor game equipment, etc., your choice. We will have horseshoes and bean bag toss for those who like to sling something other than BS. We will be spinning the doo-wop and we will have a fifties trivia quiz with prizes for the winners. Don’t forget to bring pictures, class annuals, or any other memorabilia from the period. There will be plenty of fun T-shirts and other items as door prizes.

Although unnecessary you can RSVP by email at hickorywind@comcast.net or by calling me, Gary Cobb - 615.824.7382, or Richard Zinn – 618.538.5713, Larry Tolbird – 314.892.6671, or Mickey Baur-Dorman 618.345.4965. Every class member is a designated member of the picnic committee so participate at will and invite anyone you choose. We had about 50 people attend last September and expect even more this year as the word gets out. A list of those attending last year will be posted soon.

Please join us as we celebrate our friendship, our memories of the good times, our music, and those circumstances that brought us together as fellow travelers on the road of life.

We always have fun. Be there - or be square!