Plans are in the works for a first-time reunion of musicians and auxiliary band groups (majorettes, etc) from Gables from the years 1953-58. Initial reaction has been positive and enthusiastic from everyone we’ve contacted thus far. Now it's time for feedback from you! The options thus far are as follows:

Location: 1) South Florida

2) Central Florida

3) Pacific Northwest (Seattle area)*

4) Pacific Northwest (Olympic Mountains/Hood Canal)*

5) Your Suggestion

Dates: 1) Spring 2009

2) Summer 2009

Number of

Days: 1) Three - Fri, Sat, Sun

2) Four - Fri, Sat, Sun, Mon

3) Three or four weekdays

* Why, you may ask, consider the Pacific Northwest? Mike would be willing to make arrangements for lodging and entertainment. One option would be Downtown Seattle. He can arrange for a gathering/jam session at a great jazz club owned by an old musician friend from his Navy days. (“Tula’s”, Google it.) This friend has been very helpful in the past when hosting groups of musicians for special occasions. We’re working on a reunion jam by Don McGinnis and the Aristocats. Remember them? What more perfect setting for a flashback to the dances they played for us at Gables, when everyone wanted to hear rock ‘n’ roll and they played jazz! Of course, sit-ins (open mic) will be encouraged. So bring your axes. We may even be able to honk a few Gables Fight Songs. There are many other amazing attractions in the area including lots of rock ’n’ roll, great museums, concert halls, scenic vistas and great food! There are a number of alumni living on the US West Coast.

Another option is locating our gathering on the Olympic Peninsula of the wonderful Pacific Northwest. Mike and his wife, Diane, have a small cabin in the foothills of the Olympic Mountains close to the Hood Canal, an area of picturesque small towns and several very quaint motels located waterside. The Hood Canal is also famous for it’s scuba diving sites. If we decide to gather there, we could save more that a few bucks…AND, Diane has promised a cookout of wild salmon at the cabin. Mike also has a small music studio there perfect for the Aristocats Jammin’!

If you’ve never been in this area of our great country, rest assured you will experience a real change from Florida. It DOES NOT rain all the time! Washingtonians just tell people from California that so they won’t move up there. Okay, end of the Pacific Northwestern commercial.

The Florida choices are obvious. Many of you are already there and Florida is still a great place to be.

You certainly don’t have to be an active or even recently active musician. Shorty hasn’t played an instrument in twenty plus years. Mike is still active musically. It’s the camaraderie, memory sharing, relaxing with old friends and feeling blessed that we all can visit with each other again.

We plan on keeping this informal and relaxed regardless of the site. Where ever we decide Shorty and Mike really believe this is an idea too long in coming. Gables student body reunions are great, but imagine how much fun all we “bandies” can have after all these years.

We ask that you get back to us ASAP with your name (ladies, remember to refer to your maiden name), number of people attending, mailing address, phone number(s), suggestions, preferences and share with us any names, addresses, phone numbers, email addresses of bands/orchestra alumni you can. We don’t want to leave anyone out because they don’t have an email address, so pass the word.

See you in '09!

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