FRIDAY JUNE 3, 2022
What a full and exciting day this was! Lib and I had two very significant events to attend and they were 100 miles apart.
The first was her high school reunion with the class of 1957. The first class of the newly consolidated Turner Ashby HS in Rockingham County, Virginia. They had been meeting every 5 years for some time at the Traditions Restaurant near Harrisonburg.
Lib and I are beginning to feel the effects of advanced age so decided to attend this one. We were to meet there around 12 pm and have lunch and leave around 3 pm to return home and attend a birthday party for Andy Certner (violinist/violist) a musical friend in our area at 6:30.
The weather was uncharacteristically clear and cool and the drive up I-64 and over Afton Mountain was pleasant and uneventful. I-81 was also less crowded and frenetic. We made it in plenty of time.
We enjoyed reconnecting with about 25 or so classmates (estimate) and their husbands and wives. We missed seeing some that lived in the area and enjoyed some who had come a distance. Lib especially was glad to see Emily Kiser, a friend who had journeyed from near Orlando, Fla. for the occasion. There was mentioned a new interval for the reunion of each year, the first Friday in June.
We left around 3 pm which would give us 40 minutes extra to drive back to Richmond, freshen up and drive the 35 minutes to our birthday celebration for a musical friend, who just happens to live a few blocks from our West Richmond Church of the Brethren.
Near Staunton, Va. there was a crash on I-81 and we were delayed 25 minutes. On I-64 near Charlottesville, we saw the aftermath of a westbound crash involving a 16-wheeler. We arrived home at 5:50 and really scurried to prepare for our next party.
After purchasing more gasoline we were on the road again and made it to our party by 6:40.
It was a gala event for our quartet’s 1st violinist’s 70 birthday at their home! I estimated about 20+ were there for this very happy gathering. As most of us were musicians we had much in common to share about life experiences. Linda had prepared a sumptuous and tasty variety of light foods and desserts! The party was held outside on their sumptuous desk. What a wonderful way to end one of our most active days!
