School: Thorp H.S. Class of 1970 – 52nd Reunion (2022)

Transcriber: Stan

Surnames: Huls, Bichanich, Herman, Szemraj, Paulson, Flanagan, Nowicki, Karnopp, Zajack, Mickelson, Bauers, Frank, Smith, Seefeldt, Serocki, Briski, Seaman, Paff, Sondergroth, Barth, Zielanis, Eide, McCue, Brunner, Kowieski, Laimfins, Baehr, Sniegowski, Jondreau, Meyer, Klick, Alger, Koltis, Kuester, Kopacz, Haas, Panek, Strojny, Flashinski, Keating, Wagener, Gulczynski, Asselin, Klick, Wyczawski, Broeren, Hanlin Kitze

----Source: Thorp Courier (Thorp, Clark Co., Wis.) 07 Sep 2022

Saturday evening, August 20, 2022, the Thorp High School Class of 1970 celebrated their 50+2- year class reunion. At nearly 100 classmates, they were one of the largest graduating classes and was a group of individuals that maintained and lived life with enthusiasm and commitment , with the true spirit of their class motto: "To be what we can while we can. We only happen once."

This was evident when 70 classmates and guests came together for a weekend of friendship, fellowship, and reflection. Many enthusiastically adjusted their personal agendas and plans in order to attend; many driving hundreds of miles and several others traveling from locations from around the US including Washington state, California, North Carolina, Colorado, Montana and even from Africa. The reunion was undoubtedly a great success and accomplished the goal of the planning committee, which included Arnie Alger, Jack Wagener, Dave Panek, Lea Ann Paulson Flanagan, Linda Baehr, Sherri Herman Szemraj, and Rita Nowicki Kamopp. Their objective was to

 create an event filled with happy memories and reconnecting opportunities) that will last beyond the reunion.
The weekend events included teeing off with fellow I classmates at Whispering Pines Golf Course in Cadott, a' social gathering Friday evening at Cindy's, morning breakfast gatherings at the Aroma Caf6' and the Thorpedo, a tour of their old Alma Mater, led by the current principal, Ms. Hanlin, and finally the big event - the class reunion celebration at the Munson's Bridge Winery in Withee.

If you missed the reunion - you missed the best event ever! The dinner was catered by B&S catering of Medford. The talented Jack Wagener (class president) auctioned off items donated by classmates during the live auction while others competed for items in the silent auction. (This was hilarious to say the least.) Arnie Alger's music video of the Class of '70 brought both tears and laughter during this nostalgic presentation. A memorabilia table was filled with classmate-shared sentimental items that stirred touching and cheery remembrances. The reunion also provided an opportunity to remember those classmates who had passed away - with a special memorial area to make sure no one was forgotten. Live music at the reunion was provided by Phil Kitze and the Resonators Band (a rockin' blues band from the Twin Cities) adding an upbeat tempo and a lively ambience to the reunion.

The best part of the reunion - the big, fierce, strong, loving hugs they gave each other, no matter how well they knew each other back then. Time had changed them. The artificial social structure of high school had dissolved with time. They quickly realized - no one was trying to impress anyone. TTiey found gratitude to be given this day to renew and create friendships anew and time to share their lives of the past fifty years.
This might have been their official iconic class reunion - but many of the classmates are hoping it might not be their last.

Written by Rita Karnopp

Attending the reunion were: Robin (Huls) Bichanich, Sherrie (Herman) Szemraj, Lea (Paulson) Flanagan, Rita (Nowicki) Karnopp, Carolyn (Zajack) Mickelson, Roseann (Bauers) Frank, Joan (Smith) Seefeldt, Linda (Serocki) Briski, Glenn Seaman, Brian Paff, Trudy (Sondergroth) Barth, Joann (Zielanis) Eide, Vicki (McCue) Brunner, Nancy (Kowieski) Laim£ins, Linda Baehr, Jaclyn (Sniegowski) Jondreau, Dona (Meyer) Klick, Arnie Alger, Gordon Koltis, Rick Kuester, Mike Kopacz, Carl Zajack, Ken Haas, Dave Panek, Ed Strojny, Roger Flashinski, David Keating, Jack Wagener, David Gulczynski, Alan Jarocki, Randy Asselin, Dennis Klick, Rich Wyczawski, Larry Broeren.