On Friday, August 6th, members of the Class of '66 who were interested and able met once again at Mark and Cindi Ladd's Mayor's Mansion Bed and Breakfast in beautiful and HOT Chattanooga! We had soooo much fun there last year that a return engagement was a no-brainer!
We arrived at about the cocktail hour and enjoyed great appetizers and drinks compliments of the Mansion before deciding that, instead of ordering food in as we did last year, we'd go en masse to the Boathouse Seafood Bar & Grille down on the river. What a crew! Jerry and Peggy (McKnight) Duke, Richard and Kathy (Mangrum) Smith, Linda (Castleman) and Les Clemmons, Linda (Pendergrass) and Ronald Warbritton, Mark and Cindi Ladd, Joan and Steve Carter, Mark's brother Leslie, my brother Tim Fuller and me - WOOHEE :)) Good friends and good food make for GREAT FUN!
Saturday morning and afternoon were spent sightseeing and shopping (NO HIKING THIS YEAR, MARK!). Saturday night was wonderful with Mark and Richard grilling steaks on the Mansion's back deck while the rest of the preparations were being handled in the kitchen. Cindi and "the kids" did another fabulous job laying out the huge old ballroom with silver, linens and flowers - just beautiful, and the food was outstanding! And then IT began... the 2010 BAGGO CHAMPIONSHIP, CHS Class of 1966!!
Last year's championship went to Jimmy and Ginny Haley, hands down, but since they couldn't join us this year (we REALLY MISSED you guys :), the power players were, well, EVERYONE! Cindi and Mark's daughter, Melanie, and her hubby joined us and really upped the skill level, winning the Championship over Tim and Leslie, but just BARELY (Right? Right!). Needing to settle down, the group adjourned to the Library for more giggles and guffaws, and I've got to relay the one quote that seems to personify our group get togethers: "Whenever we get together, we seem to revert back to high school and act just as silly as we did back then!" Ain't it the truth, Miss Peggy, and shouldn't everyone be so fortunate? Speakiing of the McKnight/Duke duo, BIG CONGRATULATIONS to Jerry Duke for winning the National Drag Race Championship this year. Way to go, Jerry!
See you all (and hopefully, many more of you) on October 9th at the Bonfire (call Renee @ 220-1777) or before then at the Class of '68 Post 88 Party-Hardy on October 16th! If you're brave enough, check out the Class of '66 website at http://centralkids66.shutterfly.com for pictures (password: Central66).
Valerie (Fuller) Hill
