Class of 1965 - 41st Reunion

                The first "annual" reunion of the Class of 1965 was held on the weekend of October 6-8, 2006.  The event was organized by the CHS '65 Reunion Committee and included local classmates Rosemary Dosser Ross, Jan Green Ivie, Pat Green Kelly, Richard Kelly and Sharon Stubbs Goodman.  Headquarters for the event was the charming Wicklow Inn at 220 N. 14th Street and classmates met there on Friday to carpool to the Homecoming football game at the new, beautiful Tiger Stadium.  Seated in the special Reunion Section along with gatherings of other class reunions, the classmates enjoyed the camaraderie in the stands as much as the spirited game played by the Tigers, the homecoming ceremonies and the impressive half time shows presented by both Tiger Bands, Lancaster and Corsicana.  After the game, the group enjoyed a late night dinner and finding it hard to end the evening, many of the classmates returned to the comfortable accommodations of the Wicklow Inn and continued their fellowship until the lonely sound of the trains passing through town reminded them of the wee hours.

            Registration began at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday.  The weekend weather was perfect and enhanced the memories of youthful days spent in Corsicana as many of the classmates relaxed and visited outside on the huge front porch, with mellow tones of the clarion music from the nearby Episcopal and Baptist churches filling the air.  Then the Methodist church bells announced the noon hour, which meant it was time for lunch to be served in the elegant Wicklow dining room.  Classmate Billy Tinsley asked the blessing and offered thanksgiving for the group.

Following the scrumptious lunch provided by the Inn, a brief meeting was held that included announcements and exchange of information.  It was announced that the location of the 42nd reunion would be held in the Austin area on the first weekend of October 2007.  Organizers for the gathering next year are Sally Stewart Van Gee, Margaret Spikes Herman, Albert Bass, Ken Doran, Rankin Koch and Mike McNeil.  Mention was made of the new website for the class, www.chs65tigers.com, developed and maintained by classmate, Jerry Sheets.  Sharon Stubbs Goodman gave an overview of the revitalized drive for the Corsicana High School C.A.R.E. program and it was determined to set aside a portion of the reunion funds available for donation to the C.A.R.E. program in honor of the memory of those members of the 1965 Class who have passed away.

The group continued their old-fashioned get together in what came to feel like their home-away-from-home while viewing their high school albums, a collection of memorabilia contributed by numerous classmates over the years and an old but very well preserved picture album from Drane Jr. High, circa 1957-58, graciously on loan from David Dycus. 

The close proximity of the downtown antique shops proved to be a lure too strong to resist for the ladies present and a spontaneous shopping spree commenced with the first stop at classmate Pam Olsen Dunn's Canterbury Court.  This visit was followed by stops at other unique downtown area shops, ending with plans-in-the-making for return trips for holiday shopping as there were too many to cover in a single afternoon.  Of course, the ladies' return to home base found all of the televisions within the Inn simulcasting the traditional Texas-OU football game!

As the daylight came to an end and appetite overcame them, the consensus of the classmates was to patronize the legendary Old Mexican Inn owned by Julius Flores, CHS class of '66 and his wife, '65 classmate Mary Mojica Flores.  The restaurant is remembered by this group for having a sombrero ceiling during the time that the original building was located downtown.

The remainder of the evening was spent in the spacious living areas of the Wicklow Inn and in the enjoyment of each other's company as music from the 50's and 60's played in the background.  A rather rowdy, lengthy and laughter-filled game of "Reminisce" ensued, ending with the promise of continued and renewed friendships for years to come.

Over the course of the weekend the class was honored by a visit from very special guest, Mr. Bill Olsen, who is fondly remembered, along with his late wife Jane Olsen, as parents actively involved as sponsors, organizers and chaperones for countless events from the earliest grade school days through the class' Senior year.  Other guests who honored the class with visits were David Robinson, class of '64 and Bobby Deisher, class of '63, and his wife Teresa.

1965 classmates in attendance were:  Rhey Nolan, Richard Kelly, Pat Green Kelly, Jimmy Whistler, Mary Deisher Whistler, Sally Stewart Van Gee, Margaret Spikes Herman, Rosemary Dosser Ross, Sharon Stubbs Goodman and her husband Ray, Nancy Harrison Lightfoot and her husband Jim, Martha Long Tally, Cassie Kloecker Stein, Albert Bass and his wife Hillis, Ken Doran and his wife Gail, Hank Murphy and his wife Hilda, Chick Whistler, Tom Poindexter, Jesse Mesker, Billy Tinsley and his wife Jackie, Sharon Dych Paulsen, Linda Howell Wear, Jerry Sheets, Pam Olsen Dunn, Beverly Bass Brashear, Sue Ballew Hagle and her husband Jimmy (class of '64), Kay Rader Ivie and her husband Curtis (class of '66) and Rankin Koch and his wife Billie Sloan Koch (class of '66).

Any classmates having items of interest or information for this group should contact Jerry Sheets at info@chs65tigers.com or jsheets@withstyle.com.  Classmates may also contact Jimmy Whistler at ez4u2say@hillsboro.net, phone 972-494-6279 or 972-904-9090 (Cell).

All 1965 classmates are encouraged to log on and keep in contact through the website:  www.chs65tigers.com.