Our 30-Year Event
First, a huge Thank You to our 30-Year Tars & Stars Reunion Sponsors!:
All of our 30-year Class of '78
Tars and Stars Reunion Sponsors:
Billy Dutton $1,000
David Adler $500
Katrin Hecht Bandhauer $500
Bill Beamish $500
Jeff Bitetti - TK Burgers for Sunday Picnic
David Clark $500
Jed Dempsey
Jayne Draganza $500
Leslie Feducia $500
Katherine Kendrick $500
Bruce Louvier $500
Craig Lyons $500
Rob Phillips $500
Jim Robins $500
Kimberly Fox Sorenson $500
Michael Ashen $200
Thank You!!!
FRIDAY, Aug. 1, 2008 – A Kayak Warmup
Our 30-year Reunion Weekend began with a tour of Newport Harbor, hosted by classmate Mike Hogan, who operated China Cove Kayak Adventures back then. He took us on a narated tour past many historic harbor homesites and we enjoyed a morning of liesure paddling past marine life to Balboa Island, where we had pastries and coffee. Mike makes a great Newport tour guide! CLICK ON MIKE's PHOTO TO SEE OUR KAYAK TOUR VIDEO!
Evening Cocktails at The Cannery
The upstairs was crowded, but we made room for an impressive number of earlibirds who just couldn't wait for the main event. Appetizers were served and many classmates came to greet each other for the first time in 30 years! Craig Lyons even showed up with his boat, "Rampage", offloading a catch of pickled herring onto the cannery docks. Many of us talked and toasted until they shut the bar down and turned out the lights!
The upstairs was crowded, but we made room for an impressive number of earlibirds who just couldn't wait for the main event. Appetizers were served and many classmates came to greet each other for the first time in 30 years! Craig Lyons even showed up with his boat, "Rampage", offloading a catch of pickled herring onto the cannery docks. Many of us talked and toasted until they shut the bar down and turned out the lights!
Saturday, Aug. 2 - Morning Setup
Several of our reunion volunteers helped prime the Pavilion for our main event. Leslie Feducia Louvier and Rich Heryford did the centerpieces. Katrin Hecht Bandhauer and daughter Lorien did the photo posters. Vic DeMarquette did the balloons and surfboards. Others helped in various ways to make the grand ballroom more inviting.
Several of our reunion volunteers helped prime the Pavilion for our main event. Leslie Feducia Louvier and Rich Heryford did the centerpieces. Katrin Hecht Bandhauer and daughter Lorien did the photo posters. Vic DeMarquette did the balloons and surfboards. Others helped in various ways to make the grand ballroom more inviting.
Afternoon Pre-Reunion Parties
Several classmates threw private parties Saturday afternoon in order to prime their former high school friends for the main event. This has become tradition for some classmates... any excuse for another party!
Several classmates threw private parties Saturday afternoon in order to prime their former high school friends for the main event. This has become tradition for some classmates... any excuse for another party!
The Main Event at the Balboa Pavilion
Guests began arriving at the Grand Ballroom in the historic Pavilion at 6 pm. The dress was casual and the restaurant served a "tropical buffet" dinner, nothing fancy, but just right for the evening. The DJ played 70's and 80's dance music, (soft enough so we could converse with old friends without having to yell into their ears). The crowd began dancing after dinner and the only thing we were lacking that evening was a second bar. We enjoyed each other's company until they cut us off at 11 pm.
Sunday, Aug. 3 – A Morning at Mariners
On Sunday a group of former students and teachers gathered at Mariners Elementary School for a mini-reunion of their own. Classroom photos from 1965 through 1972 were displayed and everyone tried to recognize and identify each other. This was an enjoyable blast to the past for all! We would recommend this type of event to all NHHS alumni who attended other Newport/Mesa grade schools in their youth!
On Sunday a group of former students and teachers gathered at Mariners Elementary School for a mini-reunion of their own. Classroom photos from 1965 through 1972 were displayed and everyone tried to recognize and identify each other. This was an enjoyable blast to the past for all! We would recommend this type of event to all NHHS alumni who attended other Newport/Mesa grade schools in their youth!
Family Picnic at Heller Park,
The traditional post-reunion Sunday family picnic was held at Heller Park in Costa Mesa. Alumni families began arriving at 11:30 AM and were greated with a character artist, a bungee jump, and the TK Burger truck. For dessert we served icecream. It was a great finish to a great reunion weekend! Special Thanks to Jeff Bitetti, Katrin Hecht Bandhauer, Leslie Feducia and the rest of our Reunion Sponsors for underwriting the costs of this event!
