GREAT TURNOUT!!!

IN ATTENDANCE: Gail Lewis Kieffer (Lin Wicks), Ann Cook Darrah (Mike), George Kelley (Marilyn), Linda Lunger Burgess, Art Barrett (Shellee), Gary and Helga Paras Thomas, Ray Mayfield, JoMary Schmalz Thompson (Dave), Jim McCoy, Bill Zuppe, Margie Rich Versaw, Bill and Elaine Winter Baty, Joe Kempston (Cherry), Dave Paup (Joanne Gainer), Don Alsbury (Eileen), Rich Longstreth (Judy), Joe Kempston (Cherry).  We missed the 4 classmates who were unable to attend.

We had an excellent turnout for the event.  Of the 31 people who signed up, 27 attended.  We consistently have had 25-35 people at our 2024-2025 RAM lunch events.  Excellent!  Besides a great turnout, we had good weather, good food, great service, and, once again, yummy cookie treats from Dave Paup’s cookie business, “Cookies in Bloom”.  As always, the room was filled with happy chatter.  For many of us, there isn’t enough time to talk long enough with all the people we’d like to.  That’s another good reason to attend the next event.  

As mentioned at previous events at the RAM, there is no upfront charge because everyone orders from the menu.  Please note that this could change.  The RAM does charge for the private room, but has been generous with us because we are old (Kidding!), because of our Clover Park heritage and connections.  

As is her custom, Gail Kieffer welcomed everybody.  Ann introduced Ray Mayfield, who had not attended recent events.  It was great to see Ray, and we hope to see him at the next one.  

Bill Zuppe offered free tickets to the Hydroplane and Speedboat Museum in Kent.  The tickets were gone very quickly.  Thank you, Bill, for that generous gesture.  

Margie Rich offered up an interesting statistic about our age group.  She said that we represent 1% of the world population.  1% sounds insignificant, but compared to 0%, it’s very appealing (Editor's comment). 

Rich Longstreth finished the remarks by thanking Dave Paup for providing his "Cookie-In-Bloom" cookies under unusual circumstances.  A month earlier, Dave had fallen and broken his right wrist.  Although it was healing nicely, it was still a challenge to prepare the cookies.  Rich said that on the day before our event, he joined Dave at his home cookie factory in Bellevue to help package each of the 35 cookies.  Rich said that it was worth his effort because the specially crafted cookies were beyond delicious.

Once again, our special thanks go to Dave for providing those delicious cookies for dessert.

The next luncheon is scheduled for September 3, 2025.  

We hope everyone has a great summer and that we will see you in September!

Ann Cook Darrah – dmichael75@comcast.net  

Gail Lewis Kieffer – ggkieffer@aol.com  

Rich Longstreth – ptinc72@comcast.net  

Website – www.cloverpark1959.com