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Schooled and retooled
Wednesday, November 3, 2021 at 01:44PM 
The wise owl perches on the open book beneath the floodlight
Now that it's November, I think it's high time I told you about the big trip we took in September.
We set out on the sixteenth, at about eight fifteen in the morning.
This beautiful glass collage was an anonymous gift to the school
The first leg of our journey was from the Midlands of South Carolina, where we live, to Northwest Ohio -- specifically, Rossford -- where TG was born and bred.
Our purpose was to attend TG's fiftieth high school reunion -- delayed one year.
These heavy doors leading into the auditorium are original, as are the banisters and floor
He is a member of the Rossford High School Class of 1970.
We drove all day, stopping around Cincinnati for a late lunch/early dinner, and eventually got settled in our hotel in Perrysburg, Ohio, which blends seamlessly into Rossford.
Beautiful inside and out, and inside looking out
The next morning, TG attended the first event of the three-day reunion: eighteen holes of golf.
Left to my own devices, after coffee and the usual morning rituals, I got ready and went shopping (one of his classmates had picked TG up for golf, so I had the car).
The new gym was built to resemble the old field house
Having taken note the night before of the location of TJ Maxx and other stores where I like to hunt for bargains, I spent a pleasant few hours in the shops.
Yes; there were purchases. When it comes to shopping at least, I know full well what I'm doing.
Go Bulldogs! Go forth and be cake.
That evening, we made our way to TG's alma mater, where we were to meet up with others attending the reunion for a tour of the school and a group picture on the front steps.
This proved interesting because within the last few years, the school has undergone a seventy-five-million-dollar remodel and construction of a new section.
The stunning flower arrangements were appropriately festive
The part I liked best was that the architects of the remodel are known for their skill at prizing and preserving the old, and integrating it with the new.
As in, they left the 100-year-old Collegiate Gothic style facade -- designed by Toledo architects M.M. and M.D. Stophlet in the early 1920s -- and built the new around it.
TG led the group in prayer and made a few timely remarks
They even improved on the facade by cleaning it and repairing broken elements, such as part of a bespectacled owl that sits atop the spine of an open book high above the main entrance.
On that hot and bright September evening as we gathered, TG and his classmates mingled on the very steps and walked through the very doors that they had used when students there over fifty years ago.
Sweet TG gave me these cookies a few minutes later
Once inside the cool interior, the terrazzo floors, polished wooden handrails, and church-inspired solid oak doors to the auditorium are also original to the building.
TG said it was exactly the same. I marveled at that, looking back and forth from the gleaming floors and doors to the gaggle of senior citizens who had milled around that area every school day as America's youth during the long-ago Johnson and Nixon administrations.
There were 140 in the graduating class. Click to embiggen.
We toured the auditorium kitted out now with state-of-the-art theater lighting and sound for concerts and dramatic presentations. We saw the new gymnasium that was designed in a retro fashion to resemble the old field house (now torn down) where TG played basketball throughout high school.
Gone but not forgotten
It was all so fascinating and we were having a great time, but we left early. We had plans to meet TG's sister Ruth and brother Ron, plus our brother-in-law John and sister-in-law Marcia, for dinner at Blue Pacific Grill.
If you have not yet had an opportunity to dine at a Blue Pacific Grill, I can highly recommend it. It's an unusual concept but it totally works. We had a wonderful time eating and visiting.
Let's play ball
After another good night's sleep, it was Saturday. I chose to spend it reading and enjoying the peace and calm of our comfortable accommodations.
Also, to enjoy with my coffee, there was an assortment of fresh bagels; at my urging, TG had made an early morning run to Barry Bagels down the street.
Watson the emotional support dog was down with the party
(When I travel, I always bring my own coffee -- my French press and my canister of Cafe La Llave espresso grind and my favorite mug. I use the mug to boil my water in the in-room microwave before pouring it over the grounds and waiting five minutes for the freshest cup of coffee in any town.)
TG with Steve F., his friend since early childhood
(That, along with my pillow, ensures that no matter where we roam, I can recreate the feeling of being at home. Sending TG out for local munchies only adds to the overall pseudo-domestic delirium.)
Seeing that I was settled in for a relaxing morning, TG left to visit his former coach, Joseph "Joe" Stalma, in the assisted living facility where he resides.
I made them pose up more formally
Coach Stalma led the Bulldogs to a 25-0 season during TG's senior year, when they went to the State Tournament and lost in the final game, coming in second to a larger school with (TG says) a better team.
They still talk about it. It was a big deal.
TG with old friend Diane. We would be guests at her house the next day.
Mr. Stalma did not exactly recognize TG but he is a cordial gentleman and they had a nice visit. He is one of TG's heroes and a legend in Rossford, and most likely it's the last time TG will see him, so I was glad he made the effort.
So much of what is meaningful in life has to do with simply showing up. Showing up and saying what is in your heart.
She beat him in an election for Student Council President in their senior year
That evening, we made our way to All Saints Catholic Church, around the corner from the house where TG and his parents and siblings lived from 1957 on, and where his sister now lives.
The organizers of the reunion had rented the gymnasium there and had a scrumptious meal catered.
TG and Diane with another classmate
Everything was decorated beautifully; they're hard to see but there were black pipe-cleaner R's (for Rossford) in the top of the flower arrangements, much like a homecoming corsage. So charming.
Candles twinkled and everyone was chatting and laughing as if fifty-one years had not gone by since they processed to the strains of Pomp and Circumstance.
These four were together from kindergarten all the way through to high school graduation
There was a table set up with a place laid to represent those classmates who have passed away. A poster board with their pictures reminded everyone that life is short and for some, even shorter.
TG, who back in the day served as class president, kicked off the evening with a prayer and some remarks about why we were there. He told about seeing Coach Stalma that very morning.
TG with one of his lifelong best friends, Steve H.
Then we had dinner and lots of great conversation, and for dessert there was a cute bulldog cake as well as some bakery-style cookies.
I wanted to get as many pictures of TG with his old friends as I could, so after the meal I concentrated on that.
And IIII-eeeee-IIII will always love you
We stayed late to help clean up, as did many others.
We were so tired that night that once we were back at our hotel and turned out the light, we were asleep within seconds. Or at least I was.
I was with the best-looking guy in the room, both then and now
The next day was Sunday and the final day of the reunion. At one o'clock there was a picnic at the home of one of the classmates.
Diane is a semi-retired teacher who lives in a farmhouse that is well over a century old, on a three-acre property with a pond.
My new friend Tricia, whose husband (RHS Class of '70) was once Rossford's youngest-ever mayor.
Her outbuildings include a massive party barn (where she had set up tables but where we did not gather, because the weather was so beautiful that we wanted to sit outside) stuffed with nostalgia -- antique signs and sports-related objects and all kinds of Rossford High School memorabilia.
She even has the pay phone that hung in the old field house when they were all in school and for many years after.
The pond is a beautiful and useful feature of Diane's property
(Her late father-in-law was a lifelong friend of my late father-in-law. Grandpa Weber taught math at Rossford Junior High and coached track for Rossford High School for thirty years. Her father-in-law was a teacher too, and for a time served as the principal of Rossford Junior High.)
TG when he ran track for Rossford ... that's his dad, far right, track coach
There is also a second structure that houses her daughter's wedding planner business.
They have enough decorations and staff to accommodate up to seven weddings per weekend. Let that sink in.
This water feels good! Elementary, my dear Watson.
Diane revealed that her pond is her water supply; pipes bring the water from the pond to the house where it is purified via a system in the basement. No water bill! Rain and snow provide replenishment.
She stocks the pond with a number of tilapia every spring. The fish eat the algae and grow bigger. In the fall, when the tilapia begin to be uncomfortable in the colder water, she invites friends over to fish.
Watty sits obediently beside his master. Behind Diane is her daughter's wedding planning business,
I think that all of the above makes Diane a board-certified clever clogs. Her home is homey and comfy yet beautiful and classy.
As our Audrey is fond of saying: It's a whole vibe.
Never underestimate an old guy on a bicycle. TG and this one swapped bike injury stories.
After several hours of eating and reminiscing beneath the welcoming tree in Diane's back yard, most folks left but TG and I stayed. We walked to the back of the property where there are several fruit trees plus a railroad track. We walked back towards the house and sat some more.
We were having such a good time sitting under that shade tree, talking to our hostess and another remaining guest, in the perfect weather -- about sixty-eight degrees, with a breeze and maybe thirty-five percent humidity -- that we didn't want to leave.
There was memorabilia galore in Diane's party barn
But eventually, reluctantly, just short of moving in with Diane, we did say our goodbyes, with many sincere sentiments exchanged upon parting, and hopes to see one another again before fifty more years go by.
The next morning we made our way to St. Louis, Missouri, about a seven-hour drive.
Nothing says nostalgic academia like a battered varsity letter jacket
St. Louis is currently classified as one of the most violent crime-ridden cities in America, if not THE most.
So, no offense, we really were not there to tour St. Louis -- which is a massively sprawling metropolitan area -- with the exception of one place and one thing we had traveled there to see.
Badges hang from a that-was-then tree in Diane's party barn
And that place was Bellefontaine (say bell fountain) Cemetery, and that thing was the grave of conservative talk show host Rush Limbaugh.
We already knew that his stone had been placed several months ago, following his passing in February.
The old field house pay phone. Call your mother.
I had called the cemetery and talked to a lady who assured me that no disrespect has been shown to the grave.
But the morning of our day in St. Louis was rainy and chilly, with rain predicted to taper off to cloudy but non-rainy conditions, so we had some time to kill before going to the cemetery.
Gateway to the West ... on a dreary day
We drove downtown and there, between Busch Stadium, where the Cardinals play, and the famous arch, we found a souvenir shop and bought tshirts for the kids at home who were caring for our pets -- Rizzo bunked at Erica's, Audrey going by our house every day to take care of Sweetness.
The rain did stop around noon, although as promised, the clouds remained as thick as ever.
Rush Hudson Limbaugh III ... a true patriot
It was dry enough for us to make our way to the cemetery and enjoy driving/walking, using our map to find Rush's grave and other famous graves, including the resting place of Sara Teasdale, one of my favorite poets.
The place where Rush was laid to rest is breathtaking. In fact it would be difficult to imagine a more perfect place for him. Lush, green, meticulously manicured, set apart just a bit but not too much.
The reverse-side sentiments are true as well. Click to embiggen.
His classic pedimented stone reflects who he was: a great American patriot. As it should be.
We lingered there for about twenty minutes, taking pictures and absorbing the peace of that place.
TG paid his respects to one of his heroes
Several hours later we got on the road for Evansville, Indiana, where we spent the night so as to make the trip home the next day that much shorter.
We slept well and headed for South Carolina and home not anxiously, but enjoying the final lap of the journey. We arrived at our doorstep at about eight o'clock in the evening.
Rizzo was there to greet us, Erica having brought him back that afternoon. His sweet eager face and madly wagging tail were a welcome sight.
It was good to be home, knowing that we'd accomplished all we'd set out to do, and then some.
And that is all for now.
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Happy Wednesday
Reader Comments (12)
What an incredible reunion weekend! I loved my school years and also completed K-12. How wonderful to get the chance to tour the high school and see both the old and new. My 40th was in August, but it was at the height of Covid, so my husband discouraged me from going as we had a brand new granddaughter just home from the hospital. I was happy to see the photos on Facebook at least.
Sounds like a whirlwind, but memorable trip.
Yes you did! You got the best looking guy. How can it be that we all graduated so long ago? Bob graduated in 76, and me in 78 - not too far behind TG. Looks like it was a really nice reunion and then time at Diane's home looks wonderful too. I love that she has that pay phone.
Rush Limbaugh's stone is perfect for him and I'm glad you got to see it.
@Bijoux ... would you believe, I did not go to kindergarten but started first grade at age five? Thus I am five years younger than TG but am a member of the Class of 1974. I did not have the all-American academic experience that he did so I enjoyed the reunion weekend all the more! I'm sorry you had to miss yours. xoxo
@Mari ... I know, right? That phone is something else. I just stared and stared at it, wondering how many times TG used it back in the day. As a member of the Class of '74 I had no such experience but went to different schools all the time! Ugh. Yes it was a privilege to pay our respects at Rush's grave. xoxo
I am heartened by the lack of masks. At least, for the photos.
You two, were the cutest people there!
Mari-Nanci
What a nostalgic adventure! I love those doors to the auditorium! and the dog cake. It was so wonderful that they had a table for the departed, sad as well. I adore T.J. Maxx and go there often. So what did you buy?
@Mari-Nanci ... Actually there were NO masks! It wasn't just in the pictures. We were told that in order to go inside the school building on Friday night for the tour, we'd have to mask up. I was just going to wait outside but as it turned out, the school superintendent (TG went to school with his big brothers) who was leading the tour, said masks were optional. Nobody wore one, and even he (the tour guide) took his off and left it dangling from his ear, haaahaha! The only place we saw masks on our whole trip was in stores, and it was MUCH more prevalent than in our stores at home, where you may see one-fourth of the shoppers masked up. ALL of our hotels had big bad signs on their doors about not even thinking about walking into the lobby without a mask, but once inside, NO ONE was masked. No one. Not even the desk clerks. I guess they just leave the signs up to make it look like they're all about it. So fake. xoxo
@Ginny ... Yes it was all so well done! We had a great time. I found the CUTEST little dress to wear with leggings! I haven't worn it yet because it's been so hot, but it looks like I'll be cutting the tags off very soon. And I got some adorable Steve Madden jewel-encrusted casual slides, so comfortable! Also I found some hair products! I'm a Maxxinista, haaahaha xoxo
Well you made me cry .. Rush is a hero of ours as well. We raised our children listening to him, they are true Rush Babies.
The day he passed, I listened to Kathryn share the news.
I miss him dearly.. I fight on for this country, because I believe as Rush believed, "The United States of America is a True Miracle.!"
I enjoyed your post about the reunion as well and photos.
Carla
How interesting! I loved the idea that the beauty of the architecture melted into the update! Your husband had a nice reunion.
When you were in St. LOUIS, you were about 2 to 3 hours from me! It has become a pretty rough place, but it still has some interesting haunts. In fact, it's Hill [a lovely Italian section) is still a place my friends love to go.
I love your style... and your personal touches in your hotel make you even more of a kindred spirit!
The tribute you paid here to the 70s and to Rush were warm and strong... thank you. My 50th is a couple years away and only 8 miles. ... how is this time thing possible? Lol... take care.
What a great weekend and the school TG went to is truly beautiful! The reunion committee did a wonderful job! I never went to a high school reunion but we did have a junior high school reunion about 10 years ago and it was wonderful! I'm glad you got to visit Rush Limbaugh's grave and glad no one has messed with it! Sounds like a great get away!
@Gayla ... Oh how I wish there were time enough to meet all of my beloved blogging buddies! It takes effort but it's so worth it. I wish we could have met up, if even briefly. St. Louis did not SEEM dangerous when we were there; but then we have spent wonderful days in Baltimore and Chicago and Nashville and other "most dangerous" cities and had a great time there too. You just have to be careful. Yes it was a privilege to pay homage to both he '70s (or late '60s as it were in this case, haahaa) and to El Rushbo! xoxo
@Jeanette ... Isn't that school something, though? Truly gorgeous. I wish I had had an academic experience like that but alas, mine resembled that not at ALL, haahaha! xoxo
I can't believe the price tag for the remodel, but the old and new do blend seamlessly. Bob and I were in the same graduating class but only attended the 5 year. It looks like the reunion was well-planned and fun. That property you attended for the picnic is amazing as is the memorabilia. TG is handsome now but what we called "a hunk" in high school!
@Barb ... Oh YEAH he was a hunk! He was even more beautiful when I met him! Six foot four and all gorgeous man! He still looks very good to me, haahaha! What a specimen. The whole weekend was such fun and I wish you could see this gorgeous school in person. Good to see YOU! I enjoyed your post from yesterday. That precious little fox. xoxo