Guestbook

This site is really fun! And it's growing by leaps and bounds! Everytime I look at it there are new contributors. There is something reassuring about visiting the past, hearing from old friends. On the other hand, I have to ask myself (and the rest of you out there): do you really think you're going to have anything in common with people you knew when you were teenagers? Most of us have evolved into different human beings. I look at pictures and entries from people here, and I just see a bunch of middle-aged people I happened to be stuck in the same school with, 25 years ago. I don't have much in common with these aging strangers. I have kept in touch with select individuals, and the rest ... I wish them the best of luck, but couldn't really care less about seeing them again. I'm sorry if I sound negative.

Kolya Renne · Arlington, TX · Saturday, June 14, 2003 at 4:07pm · email hidden

I just came across a story about Paul Alarab, who died last month in a fall from the Golden Gate Bridge. Here is a link to the article . Paul was a friend of mine in high school and I remember playing guitar with him various times at his house on the hill down to Tilden.

Anonymous · Saratoga, CA · Saturday, April 19, 2003 at 7:02am

Suki died last year in May, after living with Breast Cancer for eight years. There was never a memorial service for her in the Bay Area. Her brothers, Nick and Eric Stern, are organizing one to be held on May 31, 2003, noon - 4pm, site to be announced later. Eric and Nick are also looking for pictures and remembrances of her, for a memorial booklet. They were looking for these items to be sent to them by April 1st, which is next week. I know this is extremely short notice. If anyone would like to attend the service and/or has photos or memories of Suki that they would like to share, they can email Eric (who was called Arthur in high school) at estern @ rceb.org or to Nick at yelsub99 @ yahoo.com. thanks for your help, Julie

Julie · USA · Friday, March 28, 2003 at 8:21pm

Of course I left BHS in the middle of my Junior year (the first time the equvalency test was offered. If memory serves, Bruce Welton jumped ship at the same time - Anyone heard from him?)Then I didn't get into Cal until 1982, so pretty much lost contact a lot of people. Since 2000 I've been Bird and Small Mammal Keeper at the Cameron Park Zoo in Waco, Texas - Capybaras, Patagonian Cavies, Von der Decken's Hornbills, King Vultures, Collie's Magpie Jays, etc. (My wife works with large dangerous stuff - Rhinos, Lions, Giraffes... We met at the Fort Worth Zoo where I worked in the bird department and meddled in the aquarium for seven years). Great to see what's been going on with Stacey Starkweather, Wei Huey, and William Kumai. Hope Zerda is much better! Best Wishes to All.

Josef Lindholm · Waco, TX · Thursday, March 6, 2003 at 9:17pm · email hidden

This message is for JOHN LAETSCH. I bought a copy of Hells Angels by H. Thompson at half price books in Albany. It had your name on it and I could not resist looking your name up. This seemed the best place to make this little comment. I live down the street from a little bar where you can still see The Real Deal most any day. Drop a line sometime. A chance connection in The Old Void... Erik D

Erik · ca · Sunday, October 27, 2002 at 9:03am · email hidden

I am trying to contact an old American friend who lived in Spain before graduating Phi Beta Kappa from Berkeley, I think in 77. She was Diana Cohen. Can anyone help please?

Patzi Davis Haslimann · Lichfield, Staffs UK · Wednesday, October 23, 2002 at 1:53pm · email hidden

Had a great time at the 25th reunion! Saw a bunch of people that I knew from the old days. It's good to hear what you guys are doing, and what you have been doing for the past 25 years.

Charles Bucher · Seattle, WA · Thursday, September 5, 2002 at 10:12pm

Sorry to have missed yet another reunion! No excuses for #30! Loved all the pictures, y'all look like grown-ups now! Quick note to Dennis Brown's top 40 list. Graduation song, "How time flies" By George Benson, not the O'Jays (just ask songbird Lynda, "Hi Lynda!")Plus it could not possibly be the class of '77 without the elements....Earth, Wind and FIRE (can I get an Amen out there!) You all look great, happy and healthy and I wish you the best.............kim

Kim Burgess Duckett · GA · Wednesday, September 4, 2002 at 12:34pm · email hidden

Hi .. I saw your website and thought I would drop you a line. My name is Mike, the lead singer for We are a classic rock/funk dance band based in San Jose, but willing to travel anywhere in Nor Cal. We have been together for over 2 yrs and have played all over the Bay Area. We play a wide variety of great dance tunes from the 60\'s,70\'s,80\'s and 90\'s. Tunes like Mustang Sally, Brown Eyed Girl, Sweet Home Alabama, Brick House, Celebration and many more. We are the perfect band for a class reunion. Check out our website at www.n2lband.com. Give us a call or drop us an email, our rates are very reasonable. Thanks: Mike (408.227.0688)

Anonymous · San Jose, Ca · Wednesday, September 4, 2002 at 2:37pm · email hidden

The reunion was great!!!!! I am so happy that I was able to join you all. It was so good to see everyone again. Thanks to the reunion committee for putting it all together. I'm looking forward to the 30th !!!!!!

Renita Rhone-Williams · Los Angeles, CA · Tuesday, August 27, 2002 at 3:59pm · email hidden

Well I've made a few changes to the Guestbook so I thought I'd better write a comment myself to test it :-) I want to say thanks to everyone for thanking me for my work on the website. It is nice to hear that this site has become so helpful to people in reconnecting with old friends. I enjoy keeping up the site which keeps me connected with everyone as well. Its a fun hobby and knowing that its helping the BHS community is a real bonus! Thanks again. I personally had a really good time at the reunion. It felt a little less pressured than the last for me, I think everyone as they mature are taking life a little slower and more relaxed. Its really strange to think of those days sitting on "The Steps" and wasting away the days (at least for me) ... it wasn't until a few years after high school that it really hit me to get my act together and growup. Now with my oldest, the same age as I was when I met Ellen, I am so happy to see that he is interested in school and adapting so much better than I did at the time. I also want to thank the other reunion committee members for all their hard work and time put into the arrangements: believe me, its not easy to organize and plan all the details and make sure it all comes together. I had very little to do with that part of the reunion and the committee really deserves a lot of credit. I had a great time catching up with old friends and looking forward to the next one!

James Reeves · Saratoga, CA · Saturday, August 24, 2002 at 11:08am

It was great to see so many familiar faces again - best wishes to all for the next 5 years - I am looking forward to the 30th.

Eric Arndt · Berkeley, CA · Friday, August 23, 2002 at 8:27am · email hidden

Thanks to you all, committee and classmates, for making the 25th reunion events such a success, including those of you that couldn't come but signed the virtual guest book (thanks to James). I've been involved in planning all 3 and feel this was one of the best. Thanks to all who came from near and far (William Kumai won the farthest from Japan!). Whether you're single, married once or multiple times, have a whole tribe of kids or none at all, are grandparents (or even greats?), successful entrepreneurs, or doing the same ol thing ... we love you all. The diversity and pioneer times we grew up with in Berkeley are treasures. Keep the momentum moving ... keep in touch with each other, support each other, and keep being EXACTLY who you are! We all make a postive difference in the world!!! See you next time!

Michelle Coleman · Oakland, CA · Friday, August 23, 2002 at 4:11pm · email hidden

Dear Friends, At this point in history and in my life, the reunion reconnected me to the gratitude I feel for my "Berkeley" experiences. I wish my children could attend a high school in which everyone "goes through it together." Thanks to all who worked to keep us all connected!

Lisa Hill · Reno, NV · Thursday, August 22, 2002 at 8:50pm · email hidden

Greetings! The 25th reunion was great! The next morning, my wife asked me (jokingly) whether I spoke with any old girlfriends from high school. Well, no girlfriends in high school...that was not part of my high school experience :( but I told her I did see some great people from my past - Michael Poe and his lovely wife, you are still quite the gentleman; Larry Becker, still humble as ever, we all can learn a bit of humility from you; Matt Watson and Marie Parker, what a handsome couple!; Storrie Kliot, it took a few minutes but I do remember you and your sister, it was great talking to you; Alan Odom, still got that million dollar smile; Anthony Hill, the original Mr. Nice Guy; William Kumai, smart as ever; Connie Lim, a person who always had a smile or a kind word for everyone; Michelle Coleman, where did you get so much charm?; Mitzi Hartman, thanks for reminding us how special it was, and is, to be part of the Berkeley experience, where acceptance, not just tolerance, of diversity is the norm; Wanda La Protti, still as pretty as I remembered; Jon Taylor, my best friend in high school and still one of the most INTERESTING people I know! Thanks to everyone for making the night a special one and I hope to see you all again 5 years from now. I am sorry I had to miss the picnic. I am sure that was fun as well. Take care, Wei Huey

Wei Huey · PIEDMONT, CA · Wednesday, August 21, 2002 at 12:35pm

Sorry I missed the reunion. would be happy to hear how you all are. am living with my husband in the oakland hills. i work as a theatrical producer and manage a small theatre in san franscisco

Sylvia Kratins · oakland, ca · Tuesday, August 20, 2002 at 2:03pm · email hidden

Wow! What a great time--both Friday night and at the picnic on Sunday. A great big thank you to the committee who worked so hard to make it happen! Andrea

Andrea Pappas · Santa Clara, CA · Monday, August 19, 2002 at 10:34am

Hi All! I can't believe I'm not making it to the reunion. We are out of town. (Erin, your posting prompted me to write.) I, too, keep my radio locked to 98.1! My husband has tried to convince me that good songs have been written in the last 25 years, but I know better!! Anyway, I live the typical suburban life. I've been married for 16 years and we have 3 beautiful boys, ages 12, 10 and 8. They keep us busy and we have lots of fun! I help run a family foundation in Walnut Creek which is very fulfilling work. I'm still in touch with Terri Verhoeff (who is living in Fullerton with two children) and Dominique Schurman and Susan Yamagata (both class of 1978). They are in Danville. Anyway, as I said, I'm sorry to miss the reunion and send a huge "thanks" to the reunion committee for all their hard work. Have a great time and I look foward to reading "post-reunion" comments.

Susan Hutchins (Haley) · Orinda, CA · Friday, August 16, 2002 at 10:58am · email hidden

IT IS SO GREAT TO KNOW SO MANY OF YOU ARE STILL AROUND. I HOPE TO BE AT THE "PARTY". I JUST HOPE IT IS NOT TO LATE TO REGISTER. SOME THINGS NEVER CHANGE. I HAVE WAITED UNTILL THE VERY LAST MINUTE AGAIN:-)

Juanita Cynthia Oliver · HAYWARD, CA · Friday, August 16, 2002 at 12:45pm · email hidden

Hi, all-- I likewise had been assuming -- for about five years! -- that I was going to make this reuniuon, but a confluence of various life crises, and the need to stay in L.A. for a job (of the temporary sort, being showbiz connected) that starts early in the Monday A.M., have conspired to keep me here, in a town south of Bakersfield. On the parenting side, two loving boys to show for my life's journey, to date (8 and 3), and on the career side, have even found my way into print as a children's book author -- the "Danger Boy" series, for middle grade readers. It's a time travel series, partially set (of course) in the Bay Area... a switch of publishers has delayed the third installment, which will actually give me time to write it! I still get back to Berkeley once or twice a year, and am still in touch with dear pals that go back all the way to Cragmont! I, too, ask for copious picture taking and posting, so I can virtually attend the 25th. Had a gas (can we still talk like that?) at the 10th & 20th...may the wind (coming off the Bay?) be ever at your collective backs, etc. Hollers, Mark Williams

Mark Williams · Studio City, Catherine · Friday, August 16, 2002 at 1:35pm · email hidden

I can not believe it has been 25 long years, it would be nice to see some of my potna's Shooty, Marcus, Terrace, Derren Horn and Mr. Wei Huey my Karate potna, hey Wei remeber the demo team we were on? with Anthony R. Warren Hill, little Julius and Reggie, it started at west campus, hey Wei I hope you remeber me

Kyndall McCoy · berkeley, ca · Wednesday, August 14, 2002 at 10:47pm

James has an out of date email address for me on the guestbook and I forgot my password I can't get my password because it's (duh!) emailed to me...so here's the correct one. Wowwhatarunonsentence,huh? No, I'm not an English teacher, but I play one on tv. No wait, that's not tv, that's my life. :) I'm out here in the sweltering valley trying to become a park ranger. Quite a grand thing, hope I make it. If I get out to Berkeley this weekend it'll be to the picnic at Lake Anza...hope I recognize someone. *muah!*

Kjer LaForce · Citrus Heights, Ca · Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 2:52pm · email hidden

I wanted to wish everyone luck at the reunion! I have switched jobs (Special Educator/Community-Based Learning Coordinator at Stowe High School) and have a mandatory training that ends on Friday afternoon. The 20th was the greatest, I'm sure this will rock, and I look forward to the 30th! A special thanks to all of the hard work involved in making this site and the reuinion spirit stay alive. Hoist a frosty malted beverage for me...

Stacy Starkweather · Wolcott, VT · Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 6:17pm · email hidden

I can not believe it has been 25 long years, it would be nice to see my old classmates again .

Kyndall Mccoy · USA · Tuesday, August 13, 2002 at 11:08pm

I can't believe it's been 25 years already. We still look good and feel like the same kids back in 1977. I'm bringing my sister, Pat (class 1978) with me to this reunion, since she was my shadow back in high school, we should really have a BLAST! I look forward to seeing everyone!

Marion Mitchell-Carter · Hayward, CA · Monday, August 12, 2002 at 8:21am · email hidden