 |
| GHS 1968 Class Logo |
Who's to say that being 60 is no fun or is being old. Definitely not the Gibbs Class of 1968, Inc. We have single-handily redefined being 60 as the now generation. Think I am kidding, just check out the slideshow below that demostrates 'this is how we roll'.
The event was the brainchild of one of the members on the Board of Directors to celebrate us; and we did July 16th - 18th. Since the diamond is the jewel for 60, we decided upon black, white and silver for our colors and the theme was "Celebrating Sixty Years of Love and Blessings". The Diamond Birthday Bash (DBB) was a 3 day 4 event affair: Friday Night Pool Party, Saturday Alumni Cookout, Saturday Night Dinner Dance and a Sunday Praise Service and Dinner. Do we know how to host an event or not? Really now!
The event was the brainchild of one of the members on the Board of Directors to celebrate us; and we did July 16th - 18th. Since the diamond is the jewel for 60, we decided upon black, white and silver for our colors and the theme was "Celebrating Sixty Years of Love and Blessings". The Diamond Birthday Bash (DBB) was a 3 day 4 event affair: Friday Night Pool Party, Saturday Alumni Cookout, Saturday Night Dinner Dance and a Sunday Praise Service and Dinner. Do we know how to host an event or not? Really now!
The weekend started with a pool party at the home of one of our classmates. The theme was "The Party Starts Here". It was definitely like the 'ole school' house parties that we remember but with lots of style. A DJ played a mix bag of music as we danced around the pool and worked on the details of the next night events. Food was not an object; there were traces of New Orleans Spicy Red Beans, Sausage and Rice, Hot, Sweet and Spicy Wing Trays, Chips and Dips and Beverages to quench your thirst.
We kept the patio popping with the 'wobble-wobble' line dance. There were those who had not forgotten how to Swing, also. As the sultry evening heated up we reminisced about days gone by and chattered about the next day activities, the cookout and dinner dance. After a group photo with legs dangling in the pool we prepared to leave only to look forward to Saturday.
The Gibbs Alumni Cookout, ironically for the past several years has been held on the same weekend as our weekend activities. A few classmates met at the cookout and enjoyed the music of CJ the DJ (who for many years played for our dances). It was a good time and Gibbs High School was represented big time. We are proud of the fact that we are Gladiators! There was a lot of people and a lot of food. The cookout was held at Dell Holmes Park at the shelter by the Lake Maggiore. The smell of hot fried fish and sizzling ribs on the grill filled the air as the music played, classmates danced while others caught up on old times. Soon it was time for the Class of 68 to check out to prepare for the Diamond Birthday Bash. We dashed off . . . . .
It's Saturday Night at the Downtown St. Petersburg Hilton and it's the evening of the Big Diamond Birthday Bash. Balloons! Birthday Cake! Music! People! All the makings for a terrific party. Did I fail to mention 60 year old people. Who Knew! We didn't look like it and we definitely didn't party like it. After a brief welcome, and the blessing of thanksgiving and the blessing of the food, our guest were treated to a scrumptious meal of either Honey Glazed Salmon or Tender Baked Chicken which was served with a Colorful Garden Salad, Buttery Garlic Mashed Potatoes and Fresh Roasted Green Beans. Our dessert was Birthday Cake, of course, but not just any ordinary birthday cake, we had Fresh Lemon Creme, Sweet Pineapple Creme, Berry Cremes Raspberry and Strawberry and Savory Vanilla Creme Cakes. That's the truth (check out the photos). The food was the best. Classmates traveled from out of town to the event, some of which had not attended any of the reunions but stated they wouldn't miss another one. We took our class photo and danced the night away.
 |
| Birthday Gift |
What is a birthday party without a birthday gift for the honorees. Not a party at all. There was a total of 81 classmates in attendance and each one received a beautiful coffee travel mug with our BBD logo imprinted on it. Thanks to HQ-Logo we were able to get these completed in 24 hours and shipped to the Hilton.
After a night of greeting, socializing, laughing, crying and dancing the night came to a dazzling end. Soon it would be time to prepare our hearts and minds for our Worship and Praise Service.
Sunday morning found the class at The Holiday Inn SunSpree where we celebrated through praise and worship the goodness of the Lord. Elder Wayne Hilliard was our Praise Leader and the surprised us with Bro Davis and his Angelettes Gospel group. They performed gospel favorites. Our speaker was classmate, Barbara Jackson-Stockton, who took her message from the Good Samaritan parable. Underscoring 'go and do likewise'. She also wrote a poem and a resolution for our celebration which will be posted at another time.
Immediately after our photo shoot, we were served a country dinner fit for kings and queens. The menu consisted of Honey Glazed Country Ham and Herbed Grilled Chicken, along with a Medley of Fresh Garden Vegetables and Spicy Fried Rice, Seasoned Garden Salad and Piping Hot Baked Sweet Potatoes with Cinnamon Butter. Of course, there was more Birthday Cake to devour.
As the weekend came to an end we were able to reflect on what the Apostle Paul told the Thessalonians, 'I thank my God for every remembrance of you.'
Another successful event, another blessing and another time to look forward to seeing each of you again!
Be Safe and Go Well!
Friday Night - The Party Starts Here
[photos compliments of Lancaster & Williams)
Saturday Alumni Cookout, Saturday July 17th
Saturday Evening July 17th - St. Pete Downtown Hilton
Sunday Praise and Worship Service July 18th
