Jill's Journal: June 18. It’s going to be a busy, fun day.
I’m all booked up on Saturday, June 18, 2022.
So, please, make no plans that would include this ol’ gal’s presence at whatever you may be planning. My calendar is full. To the brim.
In recent months, a friend reminded us on our class Facebook page that 2022 would be the Class of 1982’s 40th reunion. And the date they chose to gather is Saturday, June 18.
Call me “weird”, if you like. I’m one of those people that actually looks forward to high school class reunions. I haven’t missed a single one of them since we parted ways in the spring of 1982, and I feel lucky that there’s a handful of classmates that have the same perfect attendance as I do.
Our last reunion was 2017. At the time, I was in the process of putting together the operation of the Brandon Valley Journal at the time and eager to share the news with my classmates. Speaking of classmates, it was at that gathering that it felt like I had graduated from an all-girls school. With the exception of classmates Todd and Russ – who also boast perfect attendance – the rest of us were of the female persuasion. And as one may expect, there was surely no lack of conversation at any moment of the night.
At our family’s Thanksgiving last week, my nephew Tim’s wife, Ashley, announced they have planned Carter’s graduation party for – you guessed it – Saturday, June 18.
Carter is the oldest of my six great-nieces and -nephews, and there’s no way this ol’ gal is going to miss his milestone celebration. Not only am I excited as he takes his first steps into “adulthood” but after learning that his folks are bringing in a taco truck for the event, I surely plan to be front and center and in line for a taco or two!
Speaking of events …
The ornament for our fifth annual “Finding Brandon’s Christmas Spirit” has been hidden. It’s in the form of a snowman this year, thanks to the craftsmanship of Tim Jorgenson at Splitrock Furniture and the kindness of Monte Albertson at Monte’s Woodshop for engraving the ornament.
The first clue to help you in your search for the ornament is printed on page 7 of this week’s Brandon Valley Journal. Just as we have the last four years, each week, we’ll provide you another clue that should lead you closer to the ornament and ultimately, to claiming the huge prize package. The prize package is made possible through gracious donations from various businesses, who we will acknowledge once the ornament has been found.
If you happen to be the lucky one to “Find Brandon’s Christmas Spirit,” simply bring the ornament to the Journal office to not only claim the goods, but also to claim bragging rights for being Brandon’s best sleuth!
A heartfelt thank you
Following the passing of my mom earlier this month, the past two weeks have been filled with heartache and lots of wonderful memories. It’s never easy when a loved one, such as our mom or our dad, passes on. But the kindness I’ve been shown by many of the wonderful people in this community in cards, gifts, memorials, plants and flowers that were shared with our family, has helped to ease our sorrow.
Many of you wrote in your cards that you got to know my mom by reading my columns in which I often shared our sometimes silly, sometimes serious moments that we had together. I’m happy that you remembered her, and I thank you all for your kindness at this time.
