March 15, 2010 Luncheon

Dear Lion & Lioness:

WOW. What a turn out!!! The unofficial count is 112 attendees. Sandye seems to think, that it was more because some did not register that came in later. I would like to apologize for Sandye and I for not being able to chat with some of you more. I was trying to greet everyone and she was busy with the registration crew. We got there at 10:40 AM with the registration crew to get ready and as you all witness the registration crew was busy and we and others were the last to leave at 5:15 PM. Special THANKS to James Massey '60, Cindy Fucci '65, Peggy Johnson '53, Pat Hodge '56, Sandye Johnson '64 and Diane Storey '62 for working the registration tables. Also special THANKS to Terry Nunally '73 for taking pictures. Special THANKS to Roy (Sunshine) Cook ' 68 for providing the speaker system. Roy and others promised to provide a speaker system that all can hear. While I was standing on a chair, so all could hear me, so I thought, I could not hear very well either because the noise from around and the ice cream machine. The facility was great as Golden Corral accommodated us well. The waitress did a terrific job and they reported to me that $161.00 was given in tips. In December we gave $300.00 + to the girls at Ryan. Golden Corral management told me that they were very appreciative of our business.

We had over twenty first time attendees. It was just so great to see folks that, we played sports together and had not seen since they or I graduated. Folks traveled from many places such as Warner Robins,GA, Atlanta and surrounding area, Seattle, WA., Macon GA, Newnan, GA., Richland, GA., Hatchechebbee, AL, Buena Vista, GA., Pine Mountain, GA, Covington, GA, Greensboro, GA, Phenix City and vicinity and of course Columbus and vicinity. I am sure that, I left some areas out so please, forgive me.

On a personal note, most that know me, know, that I am never at a loss for words. When Chilli White '60 and friends offered to send Sandye and I on a little vacation, I was at a loss for words and Sandye and I were very humble. I have told many, that yes, we spend time on the computer gathering information on Baker folks and their where about, but, it has been so rewarding meeting new folks, listening to their stories and observing everyone having a great time at the luncheons and some renewing friendship since high school, that, is how Sandye and I are rewarded. The Baker High School family is a close knit family. We protect each other, pray for each other, especially in time of need regardless of generation gap. I look at Thomas & Edna MacMurain, class of 1945 and Terry Nunally, class of 1973 and in their faces, I see the love, that, we all share not only for our school, but for all of us alumni. We must be in heaven.

Our next Luncheon is going to be Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Golden Corral again. I am an optimist and I will go on record and predict, that at some point we are going to exceed 150 member at a luncheon. I wonder what percentage of schools, through out the US or anywhere in the world, do what we do. I know that in Columbus, GA we are the only one and if they, the M. S. Board or the city thinks that, they are going to break our Baker spirit when they demolished the Baker High School Bldg., they will just have another thought coming. Mr. Boyles said it best at the Lions Roar at Cooks when he said, "As long as there are Baker students around Baker will always live". We all agree.

Thanks to all for attending and I look forward to seeing all of you on Monday, June 21, 2010 at the Golden Corral. Please print this message and pass it to people that you may know and went to Baker to do not have e-mail capabilities. Remember the magic number of 150.

Ismael (Ish) Nazario '61 & Sandye Johnson Nazario '64