2009 0914 Reunion Committee Meeting

I'm not sure if this is or 5th or 6th meeting but we are definatley becoming much more laser. We were able to attend to business, visit and catch up and even have a few cocktails all before 9:00PM - that's gotta be a record for us. events, orices and an improved website wil lbe forth coming in the next 2 weeks. It was decided to have another 'public social' to preview Pilot Error, the band that we are considering for our Saturday Night Event. most of the committee has 'promised' to show up at Bad Irish Sept 26th (Saturday) to check out the the band. This an open invitation to all MHS Class of 80 - please come, we need your input and would enjoy reconnecting :)

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A Message From Lori Smith Nicolls

Lori Smith Nicolls August 27 at 11:24am
Hey Eugene,

A friend sent this to me and I thought this was cute to share with everyone who is sweating showing up "old" at the reunion.
Just a reminder that is so awesome that we can :o)

Use it if you want...or not....doesn't matter to me, just thought it was cute!

((Hugs to all))

I would never trade my amazing friends, my wonderful life, my loving family for less gray hair or a flatter belly. As I've aged, I've become kinder to myself, and less critical of myself. I've become my own friend. I don't chide myself for eating that extra cookie, or for not making my bed, or for buying that silly cement gecko that I didn't need, but looks so avante garde on my patio. I am entitled to a treat, to be messy, to be extravagant.

I have seen too many dear friends leave this world too soon; before they understood the great freedom that comes with aging.

Whose business is it if I choose to read or play on the computer until 4 AM and sleep until noon? I will dance with myself to those wonderful tunes of the 60 &70's, and if I, at the same time, wish to weep over a lost love ... I will.

I will walk the beach in a swim suit that is stretched over a bulging body, and will dive into the waves with abandon if I choose to, despite the pitying glances from the jet set.

They, too, will get old.
I know I am sometimes forgetful. But there again, some of life is just as well forgotten. And I eventually remember the important things.

Sure, over the years my heart has been broken. How can your heart not break when you lose a loved one, or when a child suffers, or even when somebody's beloved pet gets hit by a car? But broken hearts are what give us strength and understanding and compassion. A heart never broken is pristine and sterile and will never know the joy of being imperfect.

I am so blessed to have lived long enough to have my hair turning gray, and to have my youthful laughs be forever etched into deep grooves on my face.

So many have never laughed, and so many have died before their hair could turn silver.

As you get older, it is easier to be positive. You care less about what other people think. I don't question myself anymore.
I've even earned the right to be wrong.

So, to answer your question, I like being old. It has set me free. I like the person I have become. I am not going to live forever,
but while I am still here, I will not waste time lamenting what could have been, or worrying about what will be. And I shall eat dessert every single day(if I feel like it).

MAY OUR FRIENDSHIP NEVER COME APART ESPECIALLY WHEN IT'S STRAIGHT FROM THE HEART!

8-24-09 Agenda

MHS Class of 80 Reunion committee will meeting meeting at the Creekside Lounge in Kuna tonight to 'test' it out for our Friday night Meet and Greet. All are invited to attend. The meeting is at 6:30 PM and you can find directions by clicking here.

Last Meeting minutes are listed below:

8/24/2009 MHS Class of 1980

7/23 – 7/25/2010

Attending:

Agenda

• Dana
• Treasurer’s report
• Financial overview
• PayPal
• Payment readiness (mailbox?)
• Todd & Cheryl
• Contact list
• Cheryl
• Anxiety update – blog
• Memorial
• Souvenirs
• Yearbooks
• Eugene 
• Band
• Web page
• Page(s) on events
• Registration/payment form
• Photographer
• CD/DVD
• Janice & Tricia
• Day spa

Friday (Casual gathering) 

7-23 -2010 Time: ____ to ____

Leads – Jennifer and Eddie   Others:

Location:  __________ Attire:  __________

Costs:  _____ Registration Price:  _____

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Jenny suggested the Creekside in Kuna, who offered to closed down the bar, production center available for videos/slide shows, full bar, food, $20 taxi available, also limo shuttle holds approximately 15 people, other shuttle services available (potential drops Meridian, Boise, Eagle, etc.)  Event specifications – Potential charge of $10 per person, no host bar, provide food such as taco bar similar to 20 year.
• Waterfront suggested by Eugene, free, decision?  Eugene has spoken with the owner who at this point is providing the venue free, but there are no guarantees, concerns if the business will be ongoing a year from now.  Has 3,000 square feet, allows band till 10pm, Montego Bay could set up bar.

Saturday day (Multiple options) 

7-24 -2010 Time: ____ to ____

Lead – Todd   Others:

Location:  __________ Attire:  __________

Costs:  _____ Registration Price:  _____

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

Location:  __________ Attire:  __________

Costs:  _____ Registration Price:  _____

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Rafting – ¾ of a day excursion, $70 to $100.  3-hour $35 to $40 – combine with train tour?
• Day Spa –   Janice & Tricia to talk to Panache owner for a deal.  (Discount + referral) – Eugene spoke with, would offer 25% discount off packages
• Trap Shooting – Boise Gun Club - $20 to $30 per person – not typically open on Saturday but would for our event
• Golf – Boise Ranch or Warm Springs – approx. $35
• Tour-train - Tricia

Saturday night (Dinner) 

7-24 -2010 Time: ____ to ____

Leads – Diane & Janice   Others:

Location:  Stueckle Sky Center Attire:  __________

Costs:  _____ Registration Price:  _____

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• 10% discount received with Steve’s patronage ($2,050-205 disc.+111+74 taxes = $2,030)
• 50% paid by Diane, contract sent to BSU last week
• Liquor permit owned by BSU, special permission bestowed by President Kustra – discuss no-host bar but prepay limited beer and wine that once gone becomes no-host; Diane will check specifications, pricing, etc.
• Will need liability insurance – can be added to homeowner’s or individual
• Pilot Error – was anyone able to attend?  Decision to go with Pilot Error, who won “Best of Boise” and seem to have a good following.  Eugene to check price – expecting approximately $600.
• Eugene to check out a photographer and CD/DVD – pending – BSU has audio/visual equipment available for a fee; Eugene has the needed equipment which must be approved by SSC
• Eugene will take photos of the views and post to websites; we can also provide a link
• Discussed charging $40 per person to cover costs and make a profit to go into funds for 40 year; suggestion to offer advance payment of $75 per couple if paid by April 15 (memorable date and allows people to make a decision to attend – should we offer $37.50 for singles who pay in advance?)

Sunday (Family) 

7-25 -2010 Time: ____ to ____

Leads – Tricia and Julie Others:

Location:  Settler’s Park  Attire:  __________

Costs:  _____ Registration Price:  _____

Details:__________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________

• Team decided providing food would be the best option, check with Cindy Black’s husband L&R Meats as to cost if kept simple such as burgers and dogs

Misc:

• “Early Bird” discounts?  Valid thru date?
• How can we get more volunteers?
• What can we do for fund raising before the reunion?
• Communication – MHS, Craigslist, TV?

Next meeting:

6:30 PM Creekside Lounge, Kuna, Idaho

Reunion Committe Meeting Minutes from 8-3-2009

General:

•We still need more volunteers! Leads? Many people have said they would volunteer, but haven’t attended the meetings
•Suggestion for Cheryl to post to blog in response to many who have expressed their anxiety over seeing many of the people, who they may not have hung around with in school
•Pay Pal account status: Dana - Account has been set up
•Cheryl investigating classmates that have passed away – 4 individuals, suggest including Mr. Turnbull (Principal), include in yearbook that will be available for purchase after the reunion; if we do this, we may consider putting up a mini-memorial table at the Saturday night event?
•Cheryl to check into souvenirs – pending – Tshirts men’s $ each, women’s v-neck $3.50 each cost goes up with extra colors; embroidered hats $4.65; have available for order on-line so know how much to order, have some available at the reunion as well – charge $10-$15 to add to reunion funds, also may draw sales to people unable to attend.
•Yearbooks – include photos of reunion; Cheryl to check cost of printing non and hard copy, for non-hard copy approximate $.50 to $.60 per book, glossy in color. If hardback, Eugene will copy DVD – offer for sale which may also draw from those unable to attend.
•Calendar of MHS Class of 80 ‘girls’ decided against, instead offer up 12 months of Brad!

Friday (Casual gathering): Leads – Jennifer and Eddie

•Waterfront suggested by Eugene, free, decision? Eugene has spoken with the owner who at this point is providing the venue free, but there are no guarantees, concerns if the business will be ongoing a year from now. Has 3,000 square feet, allows band till 10pm, Montego Bay could set up bar.
•Jenny suggested the Creekside in Kuna, who offered to closed down the bar, production center available for videos/slide shows, full bar, food, $20 taxi available, also limo shuttle holds approximately 15 people, other shuttle services available (potential drops Meridian, Boise, Eagle, etc.)
•Event specifications – Potential charge of $10 per person, no host bar, provide food such as taco bar similar to 20 year; Jenny will provide pictures, Eugene to check it out in person, plan on making a decision by the next meeting

Saturday day (Multiple options): Lead – Todd
Decision to keep all options available for selection in order to reach a wider audience

•Golf – Boise Ranch or Warm Springs – approx. $35
•Rafting – ¾ of a day excursion, $70 to $100. 3-hour $35 to $40 – combine with train tour?
•Day Spa – Janice & Tricia to talk to Panache owner for a deal. (Discount + referral) – Eugene spoke with, would offer 25% discount off packages
•Trap Shooting – Boise Gun Club - $20 to $30 per person – not typically open on Saturday but would for our event
◦Tour-train - Tricia

Saturday night (Stueckle Sky Center / SSC): Leads – Diane and Janice

•10% discount received with Steve’s patronage ($2,050-205 disc.+111+74 taxes = $2,030)
•50% paid by Diane, contract sent to BSU last week
•Liquor permit owned by BSU, special permission bestowed by President Kustra – discuss no-host bar but prepay limited beer and wine that once gone becomes no-host; Diane will check specifications, pricing, etc.
•Will need liability insurance – can be added to homeowner’s or individual
•Pilot Error – was anyone able to attend? Decision to go with Pilot Error, who won “Best of Boise” and seem to have a good following. Eugene to check price – expecting approximately $600.
•Eugene to check out a photographer and CD/DVD – pending – BSU has audio/visual equipment available for a fee; Eugene has the needed equipment which must be approved by SSC
•Eugene will take photos of the views and post to websites; we can also provide a link
•Discussed charging $40 per person to cover costs and make a profit to go into funds for 40 year; suggestion to offer advance payment of $75 per couple if paid by April 15 (memorable date and allows people to make a decision to attend – should we offer $37.50 for singles who pay in advance?)

Sunday (Settlers Park in Meridian): Leads – Tricia and Julie

•Updates from Tricia and Julie
•BYO option proposed by Brad to minimize costs – team decided providing food would be the best option, check with Cindy Black’s husband L&R Meats as to cost if kept simple such as burgers and dogs

Next steps:

Next meeting: Monday, 8/24

6:00 p.m. 1121 N Cole Rd.

Minutes 8/3/2009 MHS Class of 1980

General:

• We still need more volunteers! Leads?
• Pay Pal account status: Dana
• Cheryl investigating classmates that have passed away

Friday (Casual gathering): Leads – Jennifer and Eddie

• Waterfront suggested by Eugene, free, decision?
• Event specificications

Saturday day (Multiple options): Lead – Todd

• Golf – Boise Ranch or Warm Springs – approx. $35
• Rafting – ¾ of a day excursion, $70 to $100. 3-hour $35 to $40

• Day Spa – Janice & Tricia to talk to Panache owner for a deal. (Discount + referral)
• Trap Shooting – Boise Gun Club - $20 to $30 per person.
• Tour-train - Tricia

Saturday night (Stueckle Sky Center): Leads – Diane and Janice

• 10% discount received with Steve’s patronage ($2,050-205 disc.+111+74 taxes = $2,030)
• 50% paid by Diane, contract sent to BSU last week
• Liquor permit owned by BSU, special permission bestowed by President Kustra
• Will need liability insurance
• Pilot Error – was anyone able to attend?
• Cheryl to check into souvenirs – pending.
• Eugene to check out a photographer and CD/DVD – pending.

Sunday (Settlers Park in Meridian): Leads – Tricia and Julie

• Updates from Tricia and Julie
• BYO option proposed by Brad to minimize costs

Next steps:

Next meeting: Monday 3 Aug 2009

6:00 p.m. 1121 N Cole Rd.

7-13-09 MHS Class of 1980

-13-09 MHS Class of 1980

Meeting Notes

Attending:  Julie, Steve, Tricia, Eugene, Eddie, Janice, Brad

General:

·         We still need more volunteers!  Everyone is welcome!

·         A date has been selected!  July 23^rd to 25^th, 2010.

·         Dana is in the process of setting up a PayPal account.  Eugene offered his assistance too.

·         Pilot Error (potential band for Saturday night activity) is playing this Saturday night at The Reef if you want to check them out.  There will be other opportunities to hear them in the near future. Contact Eugene for more info.

·         Cheryl to check into souvenirs – pending.

·         Eugene to check out a photographer and CD/DVD – pending.

·         Cheryl agreed to take the lead on investigating classmates that have passed away.  Please contact her with any information you might have.

Friday:  Leads – Jennifer and Eddie – casual check-in and get together.

No decisions made.  Eugene suggested The Waterfront and it would be free – every liked the idea.  Leads to propose event specifics next meeting.

Saturday day:  Lead – Todd – Couple of activity choices.

Todd had some great suggestions. 

·         Golf – Boise Ranch or Warm Springs – around $35.  Proposal for next meeting.

·         Rafting – ¾ of a day excursion, $70 to $100.  3-hour $35 to $40 prob a better option.  Proposal for next meeting.

·         Day Spa –   Janice & Tricia to talk to Panache owner for a deal.  (Discount + referral). Proposal for next meeting.

·         Trap Shooting – Boise Gun Club - $20 to $30 per person.  Proposal for next meeting.

·         Golf & Trap – Prob too much…

·         Tricia also suggested a tour-train option and will talk to Todd.

Saturday night:  Leads – Diane and Janice

Made a decision!  Stueckle Center it is!  Janice & Diane to discuss with Steve Sells for discount. (Thanks, Steve!) Janice to confirm that liquor insurance is included in proposed rates of ~ $35 pp. D & J can go over specifics next meeting.

Sunday:  Leads – Tricia and Julie

Made another decision!  Going to try for Settler’s Park in Meridian.  T & J to provide specifics and propose a catering option next meeting.

Thank you to everyone for pitching in!  The next meeting will be: August 3^rd, 6:00 p.m. 1121 N Cole Rd.

Minutes 13 July 2009 "We Need More People Showing Up!"

 Just a quick update to let everyone know that the Reunion Committee Meeting this past Monday here at my office on N. Cole was a success in many ways except one: we had less people show up than the first meeting.

In and of itself, that is not an indicator of how successful our reunion will be but I must admit, I am concerned. Although I was not a part of the 10 year (I was living in New York) and did not attend; I did go to the 20 and I will share with you that I thought it was fantastic. So much so that I have often felt a little curious as to who and how many people it took to pull off such a well planned event that served our classmates from all over the country so well.

Brad Campbell (our senior class president and head of the current reunion committee) shared with me a little after this last meeting that he was hesitant about being too involved this year. He felt that he and the others from previous committee's were relatively unsupported. The time, energy and responsibility that the former committees put in paid off well for those that attended but cut into their family lives, resources and busy schedules. Brad was not complaining; in fact he sharing that this endeavor felt unlike the previous years. I was excited that he thought this project seemed more inclusive than ever before with people willing to help us reach out and folks reaching back.

We do have busy lives but we also have nearly a year to pull off a spectacular and memorable event. The committee intends to have an event that we will both enjoy and that takes into consideration where we all might be at this stage of our lives. For instance, we expect that Family Day (Sunday) we might see more folks bringing their grandkids in addition to or perhaps instead of their adult kids.

Please get on board with your classmates and become a part of your reunion planning team. We want you and we need you.

A date has been selected! July 23rd - 25th, 2010 - mark it on your calenders now.

Click here to read the rest of meeting minutes.

Warriors! Come Out and Play!

Current Class List

Gathering together an updated and useful list of our class mates along with their contact information is a daunting challenge to say the least. Brad Campbell provided a list with 643 names. You will probably recall we were the largest graduating class in Idaho in 1980.

Today we have available free and easy to use technology to assist in our quest to reconnect with each and everyone of our classmates and to provide them with updates, information, and the opportunity to help with our reunion planning process and most importantly to attend our Thirty Year Reunion in person or at least in spirit. In spirit? Yes, as disappointing as it may be, some of us may not be able to attend the reunion for a number of reasons: other obligations, finances, distance, etc. If you think that you may not attend, we still invite you to connect with us and contribute to the planning, fund raising, and brainstorming. We are looking into creating a yearbook, multimedia slideshow DVD and perhaps even a 'livestream' over the internet for those of you who are just not able to make it for whatever reason.

Those of us who have already joined the planning committee are doing our level best to make this event the most memorable, inclusive and affordable reunion yet; to date we have had two: the ten year and the twenty year. I was surprised to find that a couple of people were not aware of one or the other. I am personally committing to getting the word out to every living classmate that attended Meridian High School as a member of our class (1980), graduate or not, whether they attended all three years or a day.

It's a challenge, to be sure; but many of you have offered to help and I am accepting your offer! We still need folks to join our planning committee in person, via e-mail or by phone. Additionally, we have a number of tools in place to support our reconnecting process:

1. If you are on facebook, please connect with me personally (eugeboy[at]gmail[dot]com) and I will invite you to our facebook page where you can read and contribute to the discussion regarding the reunion. If you are not currently on facebook, please consider starting a free account as it is probably the easiest way to communicate.

2. We have a blog website that you can subscribe to at www.mhs80.com (you may be reading this here already). Please subscribe to this page so that updates are automatically emailed to you. You can submit your thoughts by starting a new topic or click comment under any article to comment on the article topic.

3. I have started a Plaxo Group in order to allow anyone to update their own contact information. Plaxo is a free and useful tool that updates everyone when you change e-mail addresses, phone numbers or snail mail address. It is also useful to anyone wanting to backup their own contacts online regardless of what email client you use (ie: Outlook, Yahoo, Hotmail, Gmail, etc.) Once you start your free Plaxo account at Meridian High School Class of 80, you will be sure to be included in our database.

4. Finally, please consider starting a free (or paid) account at classmates.com, reunion.com or any of a number of alumni related sites. Many of us may not be members but you can assist us by looking for others that are registered there and making them aware of the 2010 Reunion and this website.

Our next planning committee meeting is July 13th at my office here in Boise (1121 N. Cole Rd / 83704)
Please join us any way you can. If you need to speak to me personally (Eugene Boyle) you can call me at 208-779-0080. I would love to hear from you.


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MHS Class of 1980 Thirty Year Reunion

With our own domain (mhs80.com and .net) we should be able to create a simple yet effective tool to keep our class informed, updated and connected. Please feel free to give us your input as to what types of features you would like to see available going forward.

I will take on the administrator/ webmaster role for the site unless one of you does this sort of thing for a living and can make it pretty AND functional; or would like to take it on or help for whatever reason.

Although many of us have connected on FaceBook, Classmates, Reunion and LinkedIn; this particular website offers some attractive advantages. This website is built on a blogger platform and therefore all posts are available to anyone looking for information about our reunion with out having to 'join' another social network. One can simply find information without giving out any. However we do encourage you to do two things: #1. Post and Comment - this will let the rest of us know that you are here and that you are interested in our reunion and reconnecting with our class. #2 Subcribe - please consider subscribing to this blog so that each time information is put out, it gets e-mailed to you rather than counting on coming back and checking the site manually. We all have busy lives and distractions that keep can keep us from our best intentions. Make it easy - subscribe.

In addition to the requests above, I would like to personally invite you all to share. Share your thoughts about the reunion, share your memories about you and your days at Meridan, even the less than pleasant memories. I have come to discover that even 30 years later, some of us still harbor resentments and suffer anxiety about the 'kids' we went to high school with. I have also found how easily (now that we are, ugh!, ADULTS) those old wounds are quickly and finally healed by sharing, disclosing and confessing them. Sometimes a small apology is all that is needed but most times the best medicine is laughter! You know that as a 47 year old man or woman you would not likely hold a grudge against a 16 or 17 year old kid (unless they were your own!).

We are not, none of us, the same person we were 30 years ago; and yet... we are. We all wanted and still want to be accepted, loved and cherished by our family, our friends and ...our peers. Here is a secret that I hope we have all learned since graduation: Give what you yearn to receive.

This class reunion is the only 'Thirty Year' reunion that you will ever have the opporunity to be a part of. It belongs to you and it depends on you showing up and participating in some way; even if that is to say, "Sorry, Gang, I can't make it back on that weekend but I will be there in spirit and I will help in whatever way I can until then."

This reunion is about Joy and Celebration. It is not about (as I said on facebook) comparing checkbooks, home size, hairlines or waistlines. Joy that we have survived as a group nearly a third of a century since June 1980. Celebration of what we have accomplished not as individuals, but as a group of people connected by a now thin strand of common thread: at one time the federal government, the State if Idaho, our community and our families forced us to go to a building at 1900 W Pine Ave, Meridian, ID‎ and spend the majority of our day, 5 days a week with a nearly 650 people not of our choosing! If you were like me; during those 1095 days you experienced: laughter, tears, hope, dissapointment, joy, anger, friendship, rejection, love, connection, isolation, anxiety, dispair, growth, understanding, self discovery, self acceptance and probably back to...laughter.

Many of you know I was born in the Philippines and attended many schools before my folks retired to the Treasure Valley. Shortly after graduation, I joined the army mainly to get away from Idaho and to see the world. After serving overseas I still thought that Boise was to 'small' for me so I chose New York for my home. Although I loved my 6 years on the East Coast, it wasn't until I married a girl from our ole alma mater that I came to realize that Idaho had always been the home in my heart. Once I had kids and a family to think of, I high tailed it back as fast as I could. I discovered that even though I had been away in body, I had carried Idaho in my heart and my extended family and community was still here to welcome me back.

They say that you can pick your freinds and you can pick your nose; but you can't pick your friend's nose - or your family. We, the Meridian High School Class of 1980, are part of your 'extended' family. Love us or hate us; we are here to welcome YOU back. In the summer of 2010 we are having a family reunion. You are wanted, welcome, and invited to come home to visit and celebrate with your family - no excuses!

I look forward to seeing all your bright shiny faces both at the reunion in 2010 and through out the next year both in person and online as we plan our 30 year extravaganza!

"Warriors, Come Out and Play!"

Meridian High School Class of 1980

Click the link above to go to our online photo album.

We would like you upload your photos of Then and Now.