One of the truly saddest times in my life was high school graduation in 1974. It hit me about a day after I received my diploma that I may never see some of these friends again….ever. The graduating class of 1974 from Moorhead Senior High met this past weekend at Courtyard by Marriott and it was the first time I had seen some of these people since we tossed our mortar boards into the air at the field house on Concordia’s campus. I had attended our 10th reunion but skipped out on the 20th and also number 30. Day after day you look into the mirror and the subtle change in your appearance is barely noticeable. But, when you haven’t seen someone in that many years, thank goodness for name tags. Some have put on some weight (my hand is up on that one), others have lost hair or gone grey. (My hand is “half-raised” on that one). On the other hand I did reunite with a few who were recognizable immediately. You could see the same face you partied with back in the early 70’s. Not an extra pound on them. A few also hand a bunch of pounds off them.

I had a long conversation with Chris Coste’s mother, Donna who was in my class. Our class president is with a major airline. There were friends in real estate, the IT sector, insurance, a couple took over the family farm and are getting ready to turn it over to their kids. Some have retired. RETIRED?? I don’t know if I could ever do that because I’m having too much fun in this business. There was talk of children and grand children. Marriages made in heaven and have lasted for more than 30 years. Also some depressing stories of divorce.

But the most depressing for me was the death of classmates. I hate so say this but I may have to start looking at Obit’s more often. We lost Ruth just a few weeks before the reunion. She was a real sweetheart of a gal in school, and I’m sure a wonderful wife, and outstanding mother. Names were brought up of those that have left this earth over the years, but I will always have wonderful memories of them from the old days in school.

I guess the last big surprise for me was they knew I was in radio and writing for this paper “The Extra.” I had such nice comments on the radio show, plus readers of this column, I was literally blown away. One classmate said I read your column every week and thought about writing you to remind you of the reunion. How cool is that? They still remember. Well guys, you won’t be able to keep me away from the next one. I’ll have plenty of time to brush up on my so-called golf game by then too.

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Just a quick shout out to Adam Pankow and the West Fargo Summer Arts Initiative and their production of “Spamalot”! This Monty Python Musical left me in stitches and with the added audience participation it will go down as one of the best musicals I’ve seen in this area in a while. Hats off Adam and the cast…don’t know how you’re going to top this one!