...our reunion in Sarasota
June 21-25, 2011
Well, you lose some and you gain some...people, that is. We had several new faces this year, but we missed some from reunions past.
Joining us this year were Ann (Peterson) Overmyer and her husband Dick; Sue Arledge; (Father) Bob Richter and Sue (Fox) Upton and her husband Bill.
Becky and Bill, Annie, Sandy, Don and Marie, Carol, Angie and Bill: your absence was very noticeable; we missed you. Some of us have yet to meet Al, so that's just one of the many reasons we're already looking forward to next year's reunion.
Our very sincere thanks to Dale , Jerry, Sue and Bill for hosting us this year. Thanks to you, we had a most wonderful and memorable time. Thanks for letting us get sand between our toes (and then track it into your homes and cars!).
Here we all are...how many years later?? This was taken just before boarding the LeBarge for our sunset cruise. The only teacher not pictured is Diane. It's the most complete teachers group shot we got this year.
Lunch on Wednesday night was at a local seafood joint, O'Learys. Pictured are Bill and Sue Upton, Sheila and Charlie Sargeant and Ann and Dick Overmyer.
Day Two started out with an Amish-style breakfast at the Dutch Heritage Restaurant.
Our first sightseeing expedition was to the Ken Thompson Nature Preserve where we learned of the mangrove beds that are ever so necessary to holding all the Florida Keys in place.
We managed to put away a couple hours in the swanky shops of St. Armand before heading to the inviting white sandy beach of Lido Beach, on Lido Key.
Some of us relaxed and refreshed at Jerry's house (above and left) before meeting with the rest of the group for dinner.
After breakfast we headed to the Myakka River State Park where we watched for alligators along the banks of the river. An airboat ride was also on the agenda, but the water was too shallow for seeing much in the way of wildlife.
The man of many names: Father Bob, Bob Richter, The Father or just plain ol' Bob....in his cool straw hat.
Our hostess Sue (Fox) Upton...is she telling a story or listening to one?
At the Sarasota harbor (bayfront) before our sunset cruise on the LeBarge.
We could not have asked for better weather for our sunset cruise around the Sarasota Bay.
Ann Peterson Overmyer intent on something skyward
Bob and Bill hash it out on the sunset cruise.
Few of us got to see this big boy, but John and Linda were there to watch him make his way to the water.
Dale had had enough of the alligators - or of the group of us teachers!
A great boardwalk at Myakka River State Park offers views of alligators and myriad shorebirds such as egrets and spoonbills.
While waiting for the airboat tour, we passed the phone around to talk to Annie.
Boarding the airboat
Even though the river depth was drastically low, we did manage a glimpse of some alligator heads ....and the graceful Roseate Spoonbills (above right).
Sue, Bill and Bob watch as the airboat docks.
Sadly, Sue Arledge had to leave early for the return trip home.
The only significant rain we got while in Sarasota was when Dale, Donna, Diane and Charlene decided to walk the canopy trail at the Myakka River State Park.
Dinner Thursday night was at the Phillippi Creek Restaurant on Sarasota's waterfront.
Siesta Beach is THE beach, and Dale and Jerry promised us a visit. It's known as one of the most beautiful in the country, due mostly to its gorgeous powdery white sand. (Secretly, ALL the beaches we visited were pretty darn fantastic.)
And here we are at Sarasota's Historic Spanish Point, an outdoor museum where civilization dates back to 3000 B.C. The 30-acre site stayed active through present-day 1980 as the winter estate of Bertha Palmer and remained in the Palmer family until it was donated to the Gulf Coast Heritage Association.
Our final evening was spent at Sue and Bill Upton's home on Longboat Key. A few of us tried to take a leisurely walk on the beach, but approaching thunder clouds sent us back inside.
...a few shots representative of beautiful Sarasota
We were a smaller group on the final morning when we had our traditional 'last breakfast' before everyone departed for their various destinations.
Above: Lido Beach
Below: a Snowy Egret on Siesta Key Beach
This is an Ear Tree, covered in Spanish Moss, taken at Spanish Point.
A White Ibis searches for breakfast on Siesta Key Beach.
This sculpture at Sarasota's Bayfront is called "Unconditional Surrender." The original pose was captured as a photo taken on Times Square in 1945 upon hearing the announcement of the surrender of Japan and thus ending World War II. The two participants were unknown to each other, a spontaneous reaction, caught up in the joyous celebration.
Thanks to all of you who took part in yet another fun Vilseck teachers reunion. And thanks to Linda and Donna for sending me photos.
To view some of the previous reunions, please return to the reunion home page.
Or, you may enjoy visiting the old (but not ancient!!) pictures taken when we were all in Vilseck.
Exit
Thanks to Donna for sending the following additional photos.
This is where John and Linda, Sheila and Charlie and Charlene stayed, on Siesta Key.
At the Ken Thompson Nature Preserve
The sugary white sand for which Florida is famous. This photo taken at Laguna Beach.
This is the group at breakfast at the Village Café on Siesta Key. The lady across from Dale is Nancy, whose house a few of us stayed in on Siesta Key.
There are plenty of cameras to go around with this crew!
Donna on the canopy walk at Myakka River State Park
Wow! Was the canopy walk really that high???
A little atmosphere outside the Phillippi Creek Restaurant
At Spanish Point
the wandering chick
