The Class of 1980 is now planning our 30th High School Reunion. If any classmates have not received their invitation, please email me and I will be sure you are sent one. We are missing some email addresses. Look forwared to seeing everyone October 2, 2010.
 

I have such fond memories of Coach Ramos and a short story to tell.

We were at football practice one day and Coach Ramos was a new coach.

We were doing tackling drills and a guy hurt is shoulder.  My team mate was on the ground and Coach Ramos comes running up and get down on his kness and starts yelling into the teammates ear.
"Do you believe in Coach Ramos" Do you believe in Coach Ramos" and the guy stands up and start yelling back at Coach Ramos " Yes, I believe in Coach Ramos" Coach Ramos said " I can't hear you, Do you believe in Coach Ramos" and my teammate said almost screaming " Yes, I believe in Coach Ramos" and Coach Ramos says " Your Healed, get back in line."
I think about Coach Ramos and smile, he did have such an impact on my life, it was wonderful to be able to talk with him at our reunion. 
I loved Coach Ramos and will miss him.
Mike

The multi-class BBQ last weekend was great.  A lot of our class didn't make it, but we had a wonderful time anyway -- talking all about the ones not there.  Thanks to those of you responsible for putting it together.  See you next year.

I have recieved several emails regarding by brother death.  I sincerely appreciate eveyone's thougths and prayers. 

Randy was 36 years old.  My Dad remarried after my parents divorce and had two kids.

Even though Randy and I were 20 plus years apart we were very close. 

He was an incredible human being.  He was married with two kids, 2 years old Samual and 6 years old Charlotte. His wife's name is Sarah. Randy was a dedicated husband and father. 

As Director of Governmental Relations with Publix Supermarket he touched alot of lives. Always positive, upbeat, people just wanted to around him.  There were over 1200 people at his service.

Randy and Sarah were our neighbors for a couple of years when my family lived in Marietta. 
Every Sunday night for 2 years Randy and Sarah  came over to our hourse for Sunday dinner.  My kids are pretty vocal and we would get into great discussions about a variety of issues and in most instances those discussions became pretty heated.  Randy or Sarah at the right moment would say something histerical and defuse a otherwise heated moments.  My kids were teenagers at the time and Uncle Randy and Aunt Sarah were pretty cool.  So Randy's death had a huge impact on my kids. None of us can believe ihe is gone.  

The Florida Senate passed a Resolution last week that declared April 18, 2009  as Randy Roberts day, that day happens to be the same day Univeristy of Flroida blue and gold game, signifying the end of spring practice.  Yes, Randy was gator always a gator. 

The world was a better place with Randy on this earth.  As you can imagine, we miss him dearly. 

Sarah has established a Foundation in Randy's name.  The Foundation will focus on kids and how to engage them in the political process and their communities. 

I wish you guys could have met him, he was a Class of 68 kind of guy.
 

Happy New Year everyone!  I missed the after Christmas get together...bummer, but hope to make it next time. Maybe there will be a "Class of '68 Get Together"  before December... that would be great. I'm still remembering what a great reunion we had and would really love to see all you again.
By the way Ricky...when is the "not too distant future"?
Love to all

Hi everyone:

I wanted to let y'all know that every year in either November or December there is a Annual Briarcliff Holiday Get Together for all classes from Briarcliff.  This year the Get Together is planned for Saturday, December 27th starting at 7:00 p.m. at Benchwarmers Sports Grill located in the Williamsburg Shopping Center at the corner of Clairmont and Briarcliff.  This will be the 16th year that we have had this event and it would be great to see as many people possible from the Class of '68!!  There might be alot of people here for the Christmas holidays and this would be another opportunity for all of us to get together!  So mark your calendars and plan on being there!!!  Pass the word anound to people from other classes that might not know about the get together!  Looking forward to seeing everyone there.

Two thousand miles and 40 years is a long way from the people I still hold dear.  However, after viewing my DVD today, time and distance no longer exist!  I loved watching it with my husband!  This gave him the opportunity to experience a very important time in my life that, otherwise, would not have been possible.  How fortunate we are to have witnessed such a remarkable time in history with such amazing friends.  I honestly believe theses times taught me how to live my life with true dignity, courage and pride.  And even though our high school friends may not have been by our sides as we grew older and wiser, we could still feel their earlier inspiration and influence.  Unfortunately, I was not able to attend this wonderful affair.  But thanks to Kathryn, I not only had a bird’s eye view of the events but traveled back to a more simple time when a good hair day and a passing math grade were all, life consuming!  That’s pretty special!  Thank you Kathryn for creating a loving masterpiece!  Thank you for giving me my youth back when I can really appreciate it!  Sharing this with my children will be another, treasured blessing!  Thank you Kathryn!!!  God bless!

The twinkling eyes and broad smiles tell the story of Reunion 2.  Kathryn, you deliciously captured the weekend.  Who chose the music for both DVDs, you or Charlie? Particularly liked Tim McGraw and Lionel Ritchey on this one, My Old Friend and I'm Going Home.

Dovie Wingard, ex-Briarcliffer, gave me a newspaper article about memory research.  It talked about emotions being attached to memories. Reunion 1 dusted off the memories, and Reunion 2 ushered in the emotions.

Kathryn, your the bomb!!

I am glad to see that this site is still up.  The reunion was oh so wonderful, but as it has been said, not nearly long enough. I would like to thank all the committee members for the absolutely great job and everyone who came and a special thank you to all the spouses who graciously and bravely attended.                                                                                                        

Soon the leaves will be falling...any word on the next get together? 
You guys are great.
Susan

Briarpatch

Thanks Lanny, but do you know who was really responsible for the success of this reunion?  Everybody.  Every committee member, every attendee, every poster to the website (yours included), every email sent, every phone call made, Kathryn Underwood’s insistence that we could meet the Hotel minimum contract, and pulling out her attorney trump card to keep us from being over charged at the end, Mike Austin starting the blog on News of All Sorts with his “I remember” post, George Reed’s Bill Howard stories that made us glad not to have missed that meeting, Anne Green’s Cows, Bouncin Bob’s,Tom Strueber on the par 4 ninth hole putting his tee shot 8 feet from the pin and Frank Hixon sinking the putt for an eagle, Amy Shulman’s broadcast email, (and daughter - google), Rachel Counts putting her new kitchen project aside to attend, Bonnie Bowen whispering in our ear at the 67 reunion, Bobby Rogers, John Fristoe and Ted Mckee sitting around the pool playing guitars and singing, Peggy Moon in a familiar outfit at the BHS tour, Chris Wall and his vintage muscle car at the Junior Varsity, Mike Chase sending the Myrtle Beach non-alcoholic beer orgy pictures, Tricia Gaston tracking everything from phone call and email updates to registrations all in the middle of a move, Marsha Parham saying a prayer for us, Kathryn’s DVD, Linda Saye taking and posting over 300 pictures, Ben Jones handing out Kleenex, Sandy and John and Bobby  in familiar poses from our yearbook (orchestrated by David Dyer), Mike Robert’s son marrying Alana De La Garza from Law and Order fame, Tricia’s contribution of priceless “back in the day” memorabilia, Jane’s picture of a bevy of Briarcliff beauties meeting with Governor Lester Maddox,  Coach Hambrick and Ben Jones riding around in a golf cart after all these years, OMG, the grade school pictures contributed by several classmates, Gail McCorvey at the tour in her Majorette uniform,  John Fristoe cracking everybody up all the time, the timeless grace of Molly and Ricky King, Lynne Barfield’s reaction when Becky Birdsong walked into our meeting for the first time, the support and advice from Turk McKinnon, David Davis and Betty Corcoran, a shout out from our elders Jay Moon (65), Horace Goza and Dan Corky Corcoran (63) Phil Houston (65) Turk, Bill Peake and Betty Corcoran (67) Bob Emerson, Farrell Barton and Barbara Gerber (69), Linda Bell posting from Bangla somewhere or other, on her way to Cambodia, the job the decorating group (everyone but me) did Saturday night, David Dyer talking to  Sarah Palin about the reunion, Jim Mozley trying to explain the Myrtle Beach trip to his 16 year old son. Does this look familiar Mary Shults? And that is the proverbial tip of the iceberg…..

I guess we would best be judged by some of our earliest critics.  According to the report card from Frank, Ray, Cookie, Bettie Lou and Rachel we all get an A+.

Ho hum, another perfect score. Much easier than Eudora’s class.  Anne, you were a sheep, I was a goat.

 %^)

BRIARCLIFF BARONS ATHLETICS ARCHIVE

Visit http://briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com, an archive of top state teams and athletes at Briarcliff High School from its opening in 1959 to its closing in 1987. 

Read, comment and enjoy. 

All the best,

Alan Ulman (BHS '78) 

PS - My sisters are Linda Ulman Frank (BHS '69) and Robyn Ulman Geller (BHS '72). 




 

Rick, your photo "genius" is amazing!  I spoke with Mary Shults this afternoon -- I was seeking some professional help to get over all the fun we had last week!  Thanks for keeping the memories alive--I'll send you the bill!

I just ordered my CD from Katheryn today.  Can’t wait to get it!  Thanks to all the committee members, I did attend the reunion from afar!  I have had the best time checking out the website.  If I am missing from our family room, my husband knows where to find me…in front of the computer walking down memory lane!  We are tentatively planning a trip back to Atlanta for Christmas, and a certain trip for next June.  Jane, please keep me up to date with any future plans for another get together.  Being 58 is even better when you are among friends!

It was so much fun to see everyone on Friday night. I'm sorry I could not be there Saturday night as well.  Thanks to everyone who worked so hard to put this reunion together!
Lynne, write me back a long note!!
Love, Shelly

There must be some biochemical link that brands our minds with a chemical recall of relationships long past and lets us revisit those warm feelings that never left but just got masked by other, newer, encounters.  You people are branded in my recall and are that unique set of friends that will never leave me.  Some of you date back 52 years, not just 40.  All the way back to Miss Wilder' first grade at old Thomson School.  I was amazed at how absolutely familiar it was to be with you again.  Like a favorite old shoe.  Such chemistry.  Even with a lifetime of experiences between our last encounters I felt so comfortable Friday and Saturday with all of you.  It was like coming home.......

Ann Lombardi, no guarantees on finding Mr. Right but I'll keep my eyes open.  Better send me the specs and let me know whether to send a picture or a balance sheet.  Surely someone our age that loves to travel has some money somewhere!  You and Jan Kubicki were the best lab partners ever.  With your brains and my dissecting skills we had to earn that A.  Dissecting Squalus Epiphelias was, after all,  just cleaning another fish!!

Thanks Rick and Bonnie and everyone else on the committee for stepping out to make this happen.  And Lynn, thanks for the phone call.  

I love you guys!  Bill

  "68" Rocks! I had a good time with Friday nite Social.. Helped  with my De-Compressing from IRAQ! Thanks to the commitee!! Thanks to Bonnie Bowen for the tour of the hallow Halls of Briarcliff, too does anybody remember the band the "Soldiers" at the Comic Book club?? How about the Bavaria Alpine Inn ;good brewski's.  Too Hello to Horis Goza  Hooah...........Philip C. Wall

Bobby R.

I used to go to the Spot or the Electric Eye almost every Friday night. I also wore Angel Flight WIDE bell bottom pants (when I had a 28 inch waist).  Needless to say, I have neither the moves nor the 28 inch waist anymore.

I remember (at least I think I do):

- The spiritual side of Young Life

- Jumbo lunches in the cafeteria for only $.55

- Stunt Night (hey, consistant 2nd place isn't so bad)

 - Circle pins (still don’t know which side means what)

- Those rip-cord dresses

- After school fights at the little league field

- The weekend the stadium light posts were loosened and fell

- Gatlinburg ski trip (without snow)

- First beer (thanks Lynn Farmer)

- Pep week

- 8-tracks

- Motorcade to away football games

- “Little Bunny Foo-Foo”

- Tornado lookouts stationed on the stadium

- Basketball tournament games at Tech’s Dome

- “Affirmation Vietnam” counter-protest at the Atlanta Stadium

- Pele playing soccer in Atlanta

- Cigar nights with ‘the guys’

- “Grub Day” our precursor to casual Fridays

- Gas was only $.25

- Miss Counts

This is great!  Even at 58 years old I still remember most of these names.  We are all members of the Geezer League (55+). Baby Boomers, some Viet Nam Vets, grandparents, gray hair and bifocals...whoda thunk it? 

We would never have rolled Ben Jone's yard.

We have reached a milestone number of 70 registered classmates! Number 68 was MIKE ROSS!!  Congratulations Mike.  You will be our special guest at the fall presentation of Why you can't smoke pot in class held at the Georgia School of Arts (formerly the BHS cafeteria).

Hey, we're not finished yet.  Time for you looky-loos to Get er done!

Right after submitting an earlier post, I realized that I had left the apostrophe off of else’s.  I thought, “Gosh, this is Briarcliff.  Someone will probably correct me.  Surely, maturity has prevailed.”  And then Ben…now you see why your yard was rolled.

And, I love the confessions (although I have no idea what Lynne is talking about).  I remember the mysterious music on C hall!  And, Jane, that's lasted how many years?    

And in answer to Ricky’s accusational question in today’s Reunion e-mail, the answer is absolutely not!  As I said, we NEVER did such shocking things!  Scandalous!  Right, ladies?

This site is a blast to read. Everyone seems so excited about the reunion. Even though I was not at Briarcliff for long I have enjoyed reading about former classmates. I hope to stop by the pool party before going away for the holiday weekend. By the way Miss Spencer from Algebra is my next door neighbor. She is still a talker, sorry Anne...but what a wonderful friend she has become over the years! 

Forty years.  So long ago and at the same time like yesterday.  I have worked for Turner Broadcasting for 26 years now and as Rick reminded me, in many ways it is like I was back in the gym hooking up microphones, lights and getting ready for an assembly or play.  Now my events range from a Braves game to the Super Bowl with some concerts and political events thrown in.  I am married with two sons.  The oldest works in the IT field and my youngest is finishing up Pharmacy School.  I live in Kennesaw but own the home that I grew up in from the fifth grade at Kittridge.  Look forward to seeing everyone.

My family had a "long run" at BHS.  Mike was in the first graduating class of '62, Wanda '63, Ted '64, Steve '65, me '69 and Gary '70. I spent many years in the gym and on the field.  It was an awesome time to grow up.  I have enjoyed reading everyone's comments.  Thanks for including all of the BHS family. 

Ben, I surly do remember Molly's yard!  We thought we were pretty slick until Mr. Myers called my dad @1:00 AM.  Why in the world did we sneak out of the house, roll her yard, then climb a ladder back into the house---then get caught.  I don't remember who was behind that.

Ricky, yes I do remember those "stadiums!"  Coach Hambrick would weight us down with  a 20 pound vest, a pair of 3 pound ankle weights and tell us to give him 50!  I guess they didn't have child protection services back then!  By the way, WHO was Earl the pearl & Sugar Bear?

Rick, could sugar bear be the asst. principal--Hightower?  We affectionately called him "Mr. Low Castle."  Do you remember our sophmore year when that idiot kick me out of class office and Libby off the homecoming court---that was a day to remember!  Years later-I heard ole "low castle"  terrorized the wrong kid @ another school and got beat up--I couldn't help but smile.