> SOUTHERN INDIANA — Red Devil reaches out to classmates



To the Jeffersonville High School Class of 1977 ... We are having our 35th class reunion on July 13 and 14. Considering the number of grads who still live in the area, our expectations are high.

We are at yet another turning point in our lives. We are beyond 50 now. Well more than halfway through our lives! Many of us are losing our parents and some have lost children. We’ve also lost some of our fellow classmates. Several, just recently.

I know some of you are saying, “I just can’t make this reunion, I’ll get to the next one.” Things change in the blink of an eye. For some of us, there may not be a next one. We’re older and hopefully wiser. Social media has given us the opportunity to reconnect with each other but that’s still no substitute for actual human contact ... a handshake, a hug and a smile.

We’ve had successes and we’ve had failures. We’ve dated, married, stayed single, had children, gotten divorced, re-married, had life-partners, been widowed, had grandkids and granddogs. None of us look like we did in school. We’ve gained weight, lost hair, turned grey (even if you can’t see it), gotten wrinkles, gotten readers, and gotten our AARP cards. Some of us have traveled the world and some haven’t traveled beyond our own backyards. We come from all walks of life. Our class is certainly passionate about their political affiliations and diverse religious beliefs. But one thing we have in common ... We all sat together on those fold-up chairs on the football field that hot Thursday evening, June 2, 1977 and took the first big step toward our adulthood as we graduated from JHS.

Our classmates that have passed will only be there in spirit. This is your time to be there in person. I realize many live too far away to make it. But, for those of use who still live in the Kentuckiana area, there is no excuse to attend at least one of the two nights. If only those who live in the area would attend, the numbers would be impressive. I guarantee you won’t regret going.

Details are at www.jeffhigh77.com.

See you there!

— Cheri Gray Stoops (JHS Class of 1977)



Resident thanks police, fire



  Call me corny, but for years when I spot a firefighter or police officer out in public I have made a point to thank them for keeping our city safe. Watching the news reports of firemen battling the recent raging blaze at the recycling center was yet another reminder of how they put themselves in harm’s way. So, again: “Thank-You!” I hope I never find myself taking our police force and fire department for granted. May God bless you all!

— Cynthia Schultz, New Albany