Hello, fellow classmates from Briarcliff High School Class of 1968. As of late July 2025 there are no concrete plans to have an in-person class reunion, but miracles can happen. I am retired living near the old Northlake Mall/Henderson Middle School area in Atlanta with my wife Melanie (BHS class of 1976) and two Beagle hounds. For recreation I play in two rock/pop cover bands and sing in a church choir. I hope others of you will contribute by posting new comments about what you are up to currently. See you soon!

I just found this website, thanks to Turk McKinnon's email regarding the passing of Pat Lovett.  Sorry to hear it, my prayers for the family. This is such a stroll down memory lane! And reading the comments from my brother, Jim, were very enlightening.  I was away at Birmingham Southern College his senior year and had NO IDEA about the shenanigans he mentioned.  But I'm not at all surprised! BHS years were wonderful for Susie, Jim and me -- great memories and friends. Hope to make it to a reunion soon. Linda

Hello everyone, I received an interesting phone call today from an old friend and classmate from Briarcliff "Dave Bauchman".  He told me about this website, It's just wonderful to read all the "stuff" people have to say after all these 46? years or so? I remember the majority of those mentioned here on this blog from the class of 67 anyway. As for myself I'm retired and just "mess around" with "HOT RODS AND GUNS"  and build an occasional Race Engine/ Performance engine every once in a while as that's what I did the majority of my adulthood. I live in Buford, Georgia (Lake Lanier area) with my lovely wife Cindy who is a Registered Nurse of some 40 years. I e-mail and see several old  Briarcliff Class Mates almost daily and we still talk about the "old days at Briarcliff". It's my opinion that we were really Blessed to have that community to live in. Seems like the worlds so far away from our way of being taught to live life doesn't it? I spent some time with another class mate yesterday "David Summerville" of the class of 67 and we talked about life in general and our families. I have a Daughter and a Son from my first marriage and I also have 3 Step Son's. Thanks for the entertainment and Have a great day!!

Hello everyone. If you were a member of the band or the chorus, please check out BHS Music Department Alum on Facebook for news on the reunion.

Greetings from the Mill! I would like to invite everyone to the Third Annual Stacks Holiday Loft and Artists Tour. The dates are December 4th and 5th.  Visit our website at www.thestackslofttour.com for times and information on the Tour.

I've just discovered this website and I've really enjoyed catching up and reading about all of you.  Sorry I missed the last reunion, but I'm looking forward to the next one.

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

Congratulations Ann Lombardi -- she is featured in "More" magazine September 2009, see this link for a copy of the article. http://www.more.com/2009/7538-how-i-got-fit---and#2 It is fun flipping through a magazine and seeing someone you know.

Just spent the day with David Dyer (our host), Brent Armstrong and Bonnie Bowen at Lake Burton. What a great day of shared memories (such as they are).  I remember so much that never happened, and so little of what did.

It was terrific seeing 3 good friends yesterday.  Bonnie Bowen, Brent Armstrong, Ben Jones and I spent the day on Lake Burton.  We spent the day eating, visiting, and sharing funny stories of our past.  Brent said, "it's surreal to visit with friends that you have known for 50 years  ago as children."  How can we be that old?  Never the less, we decided on a date for a fall class event on the lake---this will be fun!

Rick appreciate your continued thoughtfulness the recent email about Coach Ramos. He and his family really touched so many lives. Bruce Popp my old friend and exbrother in law called last night and we shared "coach" stories. I hope that folks who can't go to the service leave a message for the boys on the Legacy.com website. Bruce also commented that the class of 68 was just the best...can't argue w/ the truth. Thank you.

Coach Cookie Ramos Passes Augusto Coach Augusto "Cookie" Ramos Coach Augusto "Cookie" Ramos, USMC/Ret.,73 years old, went to be with the Lord on July 24, 2009. Coach Ramos was born in Tampa Florida, on October 7, 1935. He was the son of the late Miguel and Maria Ramos, he had two siblings, his brother the late Wilfred Ramos, and his surviving sister Ceida Ramos Garcia. Coach is survived his sons, Mike, Augusto "Cookie" Jr. and Rocky, daughter-in-law Rebecca, grandchildren, Stephanie, Mike Jr., Rocky Jr., Michelle, Danielle and Lillie Ramos. Coach Ramos's life was filled with many blessings in his professional life as an educator, in his competitive life as an athlete and coach, and in his personal life as a husband, father, and friend: He married the love of his life and enjoyed forty-nine passionate years of marriage. He raised three sons to manhood and was proud of them all. He was blessed with the birth of six grandchildren and lived to see them flouris h and grow to adulthood. He influenced the lives of thousands of young people as a coach and educator and inspired them to become productive members of society, community servants, and genuinely good people. He was admired and respected by his peers for his professionalism, and his commitment to treating all students with equality and dignity. He was a man of faith, respect, and integrity. His personal achievements can be measured in the life he lived and the many young people he inspired to be their best. Consistent with his personal wishes, Coach Ramos' remains were cremated and will be interned with his wife, Hope. Memorial service will be held at 11:00 a.m. on Saturday, August 1, 2009, at St. Thomas More Catholic Church, located at 624 West Ponce De Leon Ave, Decatur, Georgia 30030. In lieu of flowers, please send donations in her memory to; Crossroads Hospice of Atlanta, LLC, 1957 Lakeside Parkway, Suite 500, Tucker, Georgia 33016, or St. Thomas More Catholic Church. Ar rangements have been entrusted to R.T. Patterson Funeral Home, Lilburn, Georgia, 770.923.2940.

I just found out about this website today.  Sorry I didn't know about recent multi-class get-togethers.  I would have tried to attend.  But now I know and it has been a lot of fun reading about everyone and the memories.  My brother Richard "Dickey" was class of '68.  Many of you may know, but some do not, that he passed away on New Year's eve of 2007.  He would have loved this site and I am sorry that he did not get a chance to re-connect with his fellow classmates.  Great website guys.  I would like to check back periodically to catch up on everyone's activities.  Take care!

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.

hello everyone from a "65 grad.  I knew a lot of your brothers and sisters as well.  I will be at the barbecue tonight and hope to see some of you.  Would also like to be included in any get-togethers you have.

Steph & I won't be able to make it to the bar-b-q, but what about this---we have a lake house on Lake Burton with lots of "party room" -- we would like to host a weekend get together.  Clayton, Ga. is only 20 minutes away--lots of beds there.  We're thinking the week after labor day--or whenever.  I would like some feed back on this idea.  Oh yes, you can check it out on VRBO.com---listing 161855  (on lake burton)

Howdy Barons!I just thought I would drop you good people a note.  Things are well in Denver, CO.  My oldest, a math teacher is moving back home after a year in Anchorage...so he'll be with us for the summer.  That's a mixed blessing...ha ha!I am still looking for work, coming up on 8 months now.  The Good Lord has provided many miracles along this journey and we still have our house and continue to persevere. I don't know when I will make it back over to Atlanta, but rest assured you are all in my thoughts and prayers.Take care and keep rocking!Bobby

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.  

I just received the news that Mike Robert's younger brother, Randy died suddenly over the weekend -- he was 36 years old.

Mission accomplished.  There are some folks in the BHS Holiday Party picture that I could not name.  If you know, let it go!

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

I had wondered it any pictures had been posted from the after Christmas gathering at Benchwarmers.  I'll look forward to seeing them, Rick.  It was fun-I plan to go next year and will try to talk it up in the meantime.  I saw some old friends from the class of '67 which was great, as well as other random Barons and Baronettes!

Hello from a '65 grad!  Glad to see some familiar names-- I must have known your older sibs!-- and impressed that so many have stayed in touch.Hope to attend an annual event, now that I know about them--even if it means a trip to (shudder) Atlanta.

Happy New Year Y'all!!I have some pictures from the BHS Holiday multi class get together.  Will put them up in the not too distant future.

HOHOHO ...that is so cool that there has been a 16 yr get together at Christmas and that Randy's dad had a bar... Campbells I get... Benchwarmers not a Randy-i-tism but then I guess they no longer own it.  I won't be rowdying up w/ ya'll will be w/ family in Charleston this Christmas then the following week in Knoxville and old college friend just dx Brain Ca. I went over for his surgery Mon after T-giving. I have love in my heart for you guys and have loved hearing from you you know ...wish you all the best Until then.

Just wanted to let everyone know that my band JT Speed will be playing at Fat Matt's Rib shack Saturday November 29th and every Tuesday night in December.  Come out and have some great BBQ and enjoy some good music.

The Briarcliff Barons Athletics Archive has been updated with new photographs and information. Visit http://briarcliffbarons.blogspot.com

Bobby Poole's Mother:Betty Poole, mother of Bobby Poole, passed away suddenly on November 11th.  Visitation will be on Sunday, November 16th from 2:00 p.m. - 3:00 p.m. at Turner's Funeral Home in Decatur (next to DeKalb General Hospital).  Memorial services will follow immediately after visitation in the Chapel at Turner's Funeral Home.Bobby and Kathy Poole's address is:   4990 Center Hill Church Road   Loganville, GA  30052Bobby, words can only add little comfort at this time but our thoughts and prayers are with you and your family.

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.

If anyone loves the oldies- check out Yamelo- just punch in your artist or song.Some are video- cool.Ronnie and I love it.

I so-o-o-o remember Mrs. Newton's Latin Class.  Yes we called her Endora, also The Fig.  She periodically said I was "guffing off" (pronounced exactly that way, like stuffing.) She went through this pop-quiz jag for a while, and once right after she gave out the tests we had a SCHEDULED fire drill. We just took our tests outside and cribbed all the answers with each other, and came back in and got A's.  She never suspected a thing.This is weird, reading about the reunion and how everybody is, and being so far away (if you start digging now, you'll end up where I am, in Phnom Penh Cambodia.)  It's still pouring outside, monsoon season isn't quite over - but  unlike the rain in Atlanta in November, it's warm and dries off quickly.  We've got bananas and coconuts growing in the yard as testimonial.   Since I couldn't come to the reunion, come visit and we can reune over here-- I'll take you to Angkor Wat.    Linda

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!

Thanks for the wonderful compliments on the DVDs!  It was great fun & I'm sure that I could put names & faces together for the next 40 years! Seriously, I've looked at all the smiling faces for many months now & I can't imagine an overall happier group than our Class of '68.  I know we've all had our share of heartaches, however, we are resilient & it shows in every smile, in every handshake, every hug and in every post that I've read.All the endless meetings, the daily phone calls with Rick & Tricia, looking at more yearbook pictures than I wanted to -- were all worth it when I saw classmates walk through the doors of the Westin & immediately renew old friendships with hugs, laughter & joy.Thank you all for making a great weekend!

I got the reunion DVD and it totally captured the wonderful and special times shared by everyone at the reunion!!  Kathryn, thanks so much!  You did a fantastic job!!  I totally agree with Jane and George's remarks that "the DVD reminds us how lucky we all are to have so many wonderful memories and friends."  We had an incredible weekend and so much fun reconnecting with classmates that we hadn't seen in 40 years!  I had a fantastic time and the memories will last forever!  Just sorry that I didn't have enough time to speak to everyone that I wanted too!  Looking forward to having more get togethers in the future and mini-reunions!!! 

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!!

We got the new reunion DVD today and once again Kathryn has done an outstanding job.  Looking at the DVD reminds us how lucky we all are to have so many wonderful memories and friends.  40 yrs. is a long time, but it doesn't feel like it.  We all reconnected with each other as if we had been on summer break.  Time was to short..we didn't get to talk to everyone, but we remember you all with fondness.  Thanks for making the weekend very special.Looking forward to a "mini" reunion in the future.

We are putting together a directory to post so everyone can get in touch with whom ever they want.  What do you want to share.  You can use the Contact Us  side bar to send us what you want published.  We snooped  for  a good bit of the information and we don't want to publish anything you don't want published.  But, we hope we will get contact direction from everyone, so we can keep in touch....%^)

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

Still recalling nothing about sheep and goats, I am wondering how it is I ended up on a farm with a bunch of cows.  Neither sheep or goats allowed here!  And if it is any consolation to you goats, I don't remember any more Latin than ya'll do. 

Ok, now between Ricky's and David's posts, I'm definitely getting teary-eyed.  I just can't say enough how fabulous it was to see so many friends, and immediately recognize you and talk to you as if no time had passed at all.  I see from the pictures, however, that I didn't get to talk nearly everyone - how can two days not be enough time?  We have to do this again.  Soon.  Love you all.

Terrific BRIARPATCH, Ricky!  These are a few of my reunion memories:Long Hugs - Randy Campbell asking me "did I bring all my x- wives to the reunion?" - Re-living our last basketball game with coach Hixson and Ben Jones - Looking around for Gail Williamson - visiting with Hobie Whitney then watching he and Jan Thibadeau "burning up" the dance floor - Appologizing to Anne Green for being a lousy next door neighbor - hugging Mary Shults a dozen or more times - Not wanting the reunion DVD to end - Sharing Lake Burton stories with Judy Futch - Telling Tricia Gaston what an unbelievable job she did on "The Shield" --40 years later - Mike Allison explain the process of brewing single malt scotch - Seeing Libby Carlson for only 10 seconds on Friday night - Not eating on Saturday night - All the fabulous LBD's (little black dresses) - Not visiting with Molly Myer's & wanting to - How "buff" Kenny Brooks is - Sharing early childhood stories with Bill Bell - Trying to talk Cathy Davis to attend another reunion - Sharing desert with Ricky Corless and Mike/Christy Roberts - Taking silly, fun photos of Sandy, John, and Bobbie - Not taking any photos Friday night & not enough Saturday - Thankful that I did not attend college with Cole Van Houten (we'd still be in Jail) - Visiting with Becky Birdsong Friday night by the pool - Trying to figure out Amy's "youthful secret" - The pure joy of renewing old friendships - Getting to know classmates for the very 1st time--40 years later - THANKS FOR THE MEMORIES!!

Due to a special request, we are ok in Houston.  Hurricane was a little scary but we made it through safely.  I wish I could say that for all my neighbors but still there are many with no power.  Phyllis Houston Teel

Ricky - you're no Mary Shults, but the "Briarpatch" was beautiful nevertheless.  Besides, only goats graze in the briarpatch, not those uppity sheep!  (I, too, sat on your side of Mrs. Newton's class in 10th grade until I found out Southern colleges didn't require a foreign language for admission.)  You said we were still getting 100 hits a day on the web site, shouldn't there be more discussion here with that much traffic?  Don't just lurk -- share!

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.    %^)  

Rick;    Even though I only went to the Friday night party, you did a bang up job in putting the weekend together.  I was great seeing all the classmates from all the classes in a "different setting" from the way I have been seeing them in the past.  Some of you know what I mean.  As David Bachman said to see our class in great numbers was also wonderful.

I too was a student in  Eudora Newton's Latin class for 2 years.  Besides everyone referring to her as the "Fig",  Linda Bell and I also referred to her as Endora, like the character from Bewitched.  I remember our textbooks were old.   A previous student had written inside the cover of mine:"Latin is a dead languageAs dead as it can be.First  it killed the RomansAnd now it's killing me!"I remember you, Bruce Sundstrom. You were a fellow Kittredge kid in Mr. Rustin's 7th grade class. At the reunion, Jim Meek and I decided Mr. Rustin was one of the stranger teachers we ever had!The reunion was wonderful. I am just sorry there was not enough time. I know there were people I never got a chance to speak to and I apologize!  This site is so much fun. The photos are great but even they don't capture how much fun we all had!

I remember Latin class.  Do you remember how Mrs. Newton talked about separating the sheep from the goats (as in students)?  And that she told us-rather, reminded us-that her first name, Eudora, meant gift of the gods? Does anyone know about members of our class who might have been affected by Hurricane Ike?  I was thinking about Phyllis-doesn't she live in Houston???Rick, you've gotten us addicted to this blog as a way of keeping the connections going!  Have you created a monster for yourself? 

I remember nothing about the sheep and the goats in Latin class; nor did I remember Mrs. Newton's name.  I do remember that she broke her arm and was in a cast at least 1/2 of a year.  And a few years later, every once in a while,  I would use a Latin word in the middle of a French sentence.Thanks Jan, now we know there were 3 in her class!

Wow I just made the mistake of returning to this addictive web site. I am very impressed with the photo albums and how well everyone looks. I'm also depressed that I didn't connect with so many that were there that i would have liked to. My take-away from the weekend was that my old pals were all comfortable in their own skin, and that they were as interesting as I remembered. I am so pleased to have been part of this esteemed crowd and this joyous event. My best, Jim

Mike, take a look @ Dyer's photo album - you'll find Ms. Counts and coach Hixon