Harriett Stein's Thoughts

I was reading poet Mary Oliver's words today in her book, "New and Selected Poems," and they perfectly told the tale of my life in 1963. "I wanted the past to go away, I wanted my life to close, and open like ahinge, like a wing, like the part of the song where it falls down over the rocks: an explosion, a discovery; I wanted to hurry into the work of my life; I wanted to know whoever I was, I was alive for a little while."

Intro to 20th Reunion Letter

In 1963 John F. Kennedy was President, a case of Busch Bavarian cost less than five dollars, and doing the dirty dog did not mean giving your collie a bath. In many ways 1963 was a "just before" year: just before the Beatles crossed the Atlantic, just before the sexual revolution, and just before hippiedom and student riots became attractive alternatives to going to class. It was back when coke was what you bought for a dime at Steak 'n Shake, and then laced with Seagrams 7; Ronald Reagan's TV exposure was limited to "Death Valley Days" and an occasional late show; and none of us had even seen the Cardinals in a World Series. We did, however, see the Webster Statesmen (Statespersons?) whip Kirkwood, 20-10. And, coincidentally, 1963 was the year that all of us were forced, some of us kicking and screaming, out of the warm womb of Webster into the cold world of adulthood.

Opening Paragraph of 25th Reunion Letter

Come home to Webster for Turkey Day 1988! Recapture the delights of fall in Webster and the excitement of Turkey Day Weekend as you knew it 25 years ago. Who could forget the smell of the bonfire, the sound of the cheers, the clanging of the Frisco Bell, the taste of turkey and pumpkin pie, the sight of orange and black on everyone, and the warmth of being with family and friends? Join with all your classmates as we recreate these good feelings in our silver anniversary year.