Pirates Potluck Picnic
2003

Check out the fun we had at the 2004 Pirates Potluck Picnic

Pirates from the Class of `52 held their first informal summer get-together on August 22nd at the Des Moines Marina Park.  Approximately 36 alums, along with 20 guests, filled the Founder`s Lodge with the buzz of conversation, hearty laughter and enough delicious food to feed a ravenous football team.

Thanks to Mary Ellen Conrad, the tables were festively decked with red and white checkered tablecloths and centerpieces of white potted mums in red foil and white bows.  Margie Austin manned the sign-in table and Sandy Kalina took charge of the kitchen and coffee pot.

Harry Williams and Arnie Hatch, our very own comedy emcees, did their impromptu "Roving Reporter" act from notes scribbled on the back of a paper plate.  Audry Allwine, Mary Lou Burk, Dick Blount and Don Mathison told of memorable trips they had taken.  Scott Rankin and Tom Haynes, experts on restoring vintage cars, wished they had the "do-re-mi" to own more.  Dennis Smith told of visiting Viet Nam and of the Marathons he ran as a younger (50+ yrs.) man.  Harry Williams confessed to squirting a jar of French`s mustard on his head during a game with the grandchildren, claiming it was the newest remedy for growing hair.  Lucky for him his head wasn`t yellow for more than a week, although the "remedy" seems to be working!  Drew Blount, Dick`s grandson, was first with the answer to one of the 1952 trivia questions.  Good going, Drew!  Jerry Harris, along with other recent birthday celebrants, was treated to a rousing chorus of "Happy Birthday" and birthday cake was served to all.  This was in addition to pies, cobbler, cakes, cookies, and Krispy Creme doughnuts!  Definitely not a low-cal picnic!

Everone pitched in to put the tables and chairs away and, as we closed the door on the 2003 Pirates Potluck Picnic, many voices were heard saying, "Bye, see ya next year!"
                                                                                   
                                                                                    By Joan Barker/News Correspondent