Persepectives from Julie Bowers Lassiter...When my sister Holly and I arrived some of the first people we saw were Barb Lohrenz and Charles Locke. I ran into Dan Paternoster in the registration area and he got James on his cell phone to talk to us. James sounded as though he would come to Chicago in three years. Kate High was there for most of Saturday with her son Ryan.

The highlight for me was the African meal (Nigerian and Liberian food). I have to admit I got a lump in my throat watching the caterer, a Nigerian woman in full regalia, singing Nigerian songs and dancing with her daughter (I assume) and another man. I thought I was back at a Nigerian celebration. After a fabulous meal we sang along to oldies from the 60s and 70s and some danced (Charles Locke was spotted in the Conga line). There was an auction on the last night to benefit the Steve Beacham Memorial Gym being built at Hillcrest. We raised several hundred dollars and as each item sold we got up and danced in celebration, Nigerian style.

 The reunion was very well planned with just enough activities to keep it interesting but lots of free time to visit with friends. The hotel provided a room for us, which was a good place to find people in between activities. We were in a good location near the airport and close enough to restaurants and shopping (several of us went to the Macaroni Grill for lunch one day and enjoyed making artwork on the tablecloth). There was a pool and hot tub, with a neat walking trail nearby.  Email Julie at jlassit@bellsouth.net

Perspectives from Charles Locke...This year’s Hillcrest reunion was a very positive experience. Steve Ackley and the local organizing committee in Dallas are to be commended for their work in arranging the event and finding a convenient and comfortable location at a reasonable cost. The schedule provided a nice balance of free time and organized activities. The soccer game on Sunday afternoon was intended to be an organized activity, but the trail of wounded and limping players heading back to the hotel afterwards suggested otherwise. We enjoyed the game in spite of our painful performance. Actually, the entire weekend was enjoyable as we both visited with old friends and made new friends with others who share our African roots.

The class of ’78 had a better turnout this year than we did in 2003, and we can do even better next time. The primary limiting factor in the organization of this reunion was a lack of up-to-date e-mail addresses, which complicated the process of publicizing the reunion. It’s up to all of us to ensure that the reunion organization has our contact information and that we network with each other to maintain the information.  Email Charles at atlocke@hotmail.com

Thoughts from Betsie CampionSmith...Highlights of the program included guest speaker Steve Snyder, a soccer game, Nigerian/Liberian meal and entertainment, and skit night.  Steve Snyder is an MK from Liberia/Nigeria and is well known in the MK/TCK international speaking circuit.  He ran several seminars throughout the weekend that sparked allot of discussion, both serious and funny.  It was a real opportunity to hear people's hearts, and to identify the many common themes!  There was a whole ELWA contingency that really added to the flavor.  They were sooo in to it, full of stories that made you laugh and cry, and lots of songs!  They were great singers!!  The Nigerian/Liberian meal was amazing!   And of course the skit night was awesome.  Joyce Ward did an amazing job of MC'ing it in pidgeon english.  Alot of the kids of people who came and their spouses participated by doing skits and other acts.  Our own Deb Forster was part of the Nigerian Airway ensemble; all dressed in Nigerian garb!

 

For many people the weekend was just plain fun, with many opportunities to sit around a meal or around the pool and chat; or go for a walk.  Dan Paternoster flew his plane down and Deb Forster, along with a few others, got to go for a plane ride!  Other than our '78 class contingency, people that were there that you may recognize were Andy and Sylvia Taussig, Paige Reece, Birdie Hall and Steve Miller, Phil Miller, Dan and Paul Paternoster, Connie and Peter Haney, Joyce Ward, Mari Haney, Vicki Stuart, Paige Reece, Joy Hill, Della Watson, Bill and Paul Bishop, Michelle Clark, Karen Keegan, Dick and Meg Ackley, Lance Long, Holly and Amy Strauss, several Ackleys, Joy Hill, ...a great turnout!.  Contact me at 4smiths@rogers.com or Steve Ackley at sackley@dnsdallas.com for a list of addresses for all those who attended the reunion.

Comments from Steve Snyder...So many of us left with the feeling of having been greatly blessed.  I spoke with a number of people who, through the events of this weekend, experienced healing of wounds, love when they felt unloved, acceptance when they had imagined themselves to be outsiders, and so much more.  God truly blessed this weekend and used it to work in the lives of many -- and, in some instances, in profound ways.  And even those who didn't need or experience some type of healing seemed blessed and thankful.  So, in saying all of this, I want to express my deep, deep gratitude each one who made this all possible and highlight the fact that your work resulted in wonderful ministry to many people in many different ways, including ways or areas we don't know about. Email Steve at SSnyder651@aol.com