Camp Herrlich Reunion, -15 Days

Greetings;

Just two more weeks, gee, the tensions starting to build. From all indications, we should have a pretty nice event. Sadly, most folks can't spend the whole weekend, but, after forty years, an awful lot of folks have apparently decided to make the effort to at least put in an appearance. In case I don't get to you at the reunion, let me take a moment to thank each and every single one of you who has taken the time to help make this a success. I can't wait! Judy, Norma Olsen Levettt, Tyrone and I are planning to get together up near the camp for a pre-reunion dinner on Friday. If you'd like to join us, drop me an email. Ruben can only make it for Saturday. Hector and Pat Petersen Puchalski will be flying in together for Saturday and Sunday. Karen Kangas Repka and her hubby will be joining us on Saturday. The Duehne delegation, seven strong will becoming in on Saturday. It looks like if you can only spare one day at the reunion, you probably want to make it Saturday.

Those staying at the camp will be bunking in cabins in the Girl's Unit. That's what we all remember as the Boy's Unit, the one nearest to the lake. A number of you have voiced concerns about using the outhouses down in the units. Let me assure you that they are not the same ones we had forty years ago. The rest rooms at the dining hall are still around so, if you don't want to rough it, you can just climb the hill and go in comfort.

The issue of alcoholic beverages has been addressed. We will be able to serve beer and wine. However, this will be very strictly monitered. We're all getting a bit too old to be tying one on. A glass or two of wine most of us can still handle. Consider this as an opportunity for some mood adjustment not an old fashioned attitude adjustment. There will be limitations, every car leaving the grounds will need to have a sober designated driver. This must be handled in a responsible adult manner so that everyone can enjoy themselves and no one ends up getting hurt or in any kind of trouble.

As I think back tothe 1992 reunion, I recall that it was a rather damp and chilly weekend. You'll probably be well advised to pack a sweater, sweatshirt or light jacket at the very least. And, it can always rain, so don't forget some sort of raingear.

Several people have, in my opinion, been going a bit far in praising me for putting this reunion together. While everyone enjoys a pat on the back, I want to explain just how we came to be having this reunion. Through the years I have pretty much stayed in touch with several of you. Tyrone and I both lost touch with Ralph Palumbo for a few years. Then out of the blue Ralph contacted Tyrone, I called him and we spoke for quite some time. In case you are not aware of it, Ralph has faced a number of serious health issues through the years. After talking to him, I got to thinking about Kathy Connelly Lillestollen(1969, 1971), many of you will remember her as "Spot". Over the years, our paths crossed a number of times. Aside from Herrlich, her best friend in college was a young lady that I was dating and had taken to my prom, then she married the son of the pastor of a church in my neighborhood. So, we had ended up running into each other periodically until I moved off to Oklahoma in the mid-70's. I lost track of her until I started looking for people for the 1992 reunion. I found out that her family had relocated to Nashville but, they were off living in Sweden at the time so, she missed the reunion. Well, I set out to locate her and soon discovered that she had passed away. In discussing her death and our own frailty and mortality with Ralph Palumbo and Tyrone Wims, the thought arose that if we were ever to have another Herrlich reunion, we had better do it very soon. Clearly, if Kathy had not passed away, we would not be having this reunion. Out of a tragedy, we are rediscovering each other and the joys we once shared. I really don't remember which one of us brought up the idea of having the reunion first. Guess that's not really important, but I want you all to understand that this was a group venture not a solo act by me as so many of you seem to think. So, when we all get to the reunion, please thank Ralph and Tyrone because if they hadn't helped get it all started and then continued to help and push me along the way, there's just no way we'd all have gotten back together.

If you haven't told me when you'll be at the reunion, please do so as soon as possible.



PLEASE BRING ALONG ALL OF YOUR HERRLICH PICTURES!



Peace, Love,

Big Jim