Ramona High Class of 1964 reminisces at 50th reunion

By Chuck Seiber

The first weekend in April held some special memories for a group of former — as well as a few current — Ramona residents. The Ramona High School Class of 1964 held its 50th reunion in the Rotunda in San Diego Country Estates.

There were 83 graduates. Of the 62 surviving graduates, 43 attended the events with their spouses and guests. The attendees traveled from throughout California as well as from Idaho, Kansas, Missouri, Montana, New York, Oregon, Tennessee and Washington. Eight graduates still live in Ramona.

The classmate traveling the farthest was Dolli Knudsen Muller, who was the foreign exchange student for the class’ senior year. She traveled from Germany with her husband, Claus.

Special guests were Janice and Bob Temple of Ramona. Bob taught math and art in junior high. The Temples, who have attended every reunion the class has held, were presented with special gift bags.

Festivities began Friday, April 4, with a Mexican buffet luncheon catered by Los Amigos Mexican Restaurant. The afternoon was spent reliving old times.

On Saturday evening, The Chuck Wagon Guy/Country Inn Catering from Julian catered dinner. The theme

for the evening was “Academy Awards Night.”

Among other awards presented were an engraved clock to Linda Fuhrman Newton for her tireless efforts in chairing the reunion committee for the six reunions held since 1984. She was also presented with several gift cards.

Geri Blevins Wilson also received an engraved clock for her dedication in handling email message distribution to class members for many years. She had prepared a CD of several hundred candid photos collected over the years, and it was played during the evening.

Each class member received a blue “Oscar bag” emblazoned with the Ramona ‘R’ and various mementos, including a booklet with all 19 class photos from kindergarten through eighth grade. Most student pictures were identified, but some remain a mystery.

The evening was captured in photos of couples attending, group photos of the graduates, and a photo of the 12 graduates attending who also were in Ramona’s kindergarten class of 1951.

Candid photos of everyone were taken. Rhodes Photography of Ramona was the official photographer for the event.

Bob Petty recorded several hours of music from the 1950s and ‘60s, and it played as background music.

In remembrance of the 20 class members and the several teachers who have died, candles were lit, lights dimmed, and a moment of silence was observed.

On Sunday morning, a breakfast prepared by Kountry Kitchen was served in the “old high school” gym at Ninth and G streets, evoking memories of teachers, classrooms, narrow hallways and the small gym.

As the weekend festivities wound down and those attending prepared to depart, everyone agreed that they were indeed fortunate to have such a wonderful group of people associated with the Ramona High School Class of 1064.

Everyone’s parting words — “see you in five years.”

Class members sent a thank you to the reunion committee chaired by Linda Fuhrman Newton, assisted by Phonda Romine. Other committee members were Geri Blevins Wilson, Diane Drago Kelly, Alice Foster Spivey, Barbara Hallman Thompson, Judy Hodges Blair, Diane Martin Bradaric, Zelia Payne Middleton, Sharon Rodolff Tubb and Marcia Stevens Odom.