Reunion Committee Creates Online RSVP and Registration Page

Though we may have a few more changes to make to it, the Class of 1985 Reunion Planning Committee has created an easy, online method to RSVP and register for our 30-Year Reunion this year.

All you need do is click on this link here and register accordingly.

Here are our plans thus far:

Friday, October 16
Those classmates who want to attend the Richmond Raider football game are encouraged to sit together.  We plan for the class to be recognized during halftime.  We are very pleased that our reunion weekend celebration also occurs during Richmond Raider Homecoming.  (More details to come, including what role our class may have during the parade earlier in the day.)

Whether one attends the game, stays through halftime or remains through the Raider game's end, we will meet upstairs at the Hudson Brothers Deli in uptown Rockingham to enjoy an 80s music band, hors d'oeuvres, etc. Approximately 7pm until midnight.  Casual dress.

Saturday, October 17
That evening we go "back to the future" by returning to the site of our very first reunion in 1990:  The Rockingham Moose Lodge.  We'll have heavy hors d'oeuvres, a live DJ, potentially a surprise live band, a photographer, dancing, a program, door prizes, recognitions, etc., and lots of fun catching up with the very best class to ever graduate from Richmond Senior High School. :)  Tentatively the start time is 6:30pm and the end time is 1am.  Dressy casual recommended.

We will have additional news to report in the coming weeks and months.

Meanwhile, though, please go ahead and RSVP now by clicking on this link and registering TODAY!  Or, you may mail your payment in by check to Richmond Raider Class of 1985, P.O. Box 27841, Raleigh NC 27611.

Go Raiders! 

Reunion Weekend is also Raider Homecoming Weekend!

We have learned what we hoped was the case:

Our 30-Year Reunion Weekend of October 16-17, 2015 is also Richmond Raider Football Homecoming Weekend.  It appears that the Raiders will be playing Purnell Swett of Robeson County on the Friday evening.  That not only means we will be able to have recognition for our class during the game but it opens up the possibility of having a presence during the presumed Homecoming Parade earlier that day, October 16.

Tonight we have a conference call of our reunion committee planners. Very soon we will finalize the cost per person for the reunion.  I promise you this: It will be noticeably less expensive than our 2010 reunion.

Please sign on to either our Class Reunion facebook page or our blog to stay informed on reunion plans.

Class of '85 Reunion Plans Announced -- Oct 16-17

Go ahead and mark your calendars for our 30-Year Reunion!

After several months of work by our Reunion Planning Committee, I'm pleased to announce that we now have most of the plans set.

Friday, October 16
Those classmates who want to attend the Richmond Raider football game are encouraged to sit together.  We will be recognized during halftime.  At this time we do not know if it is Homecoming yet.  More details to come.

Whether one attends the game, stays through halftime or remains through the Raider game's end, we will meet upstairs at the Hudson Brothers Deli in uptown Rockingham to enjoy an 80s music band, hors d'oeuvres, etc. Approximately 7pm until midnight.  Casual dress.

Saturday, October 17
That evening we go "back to the future" by returning to the site of our very first reunion in 1990:  The Rockingham Moose Lodge.  We'll have heavy hors d'oeuvres, a live DJ, a photographer, dancing, a program, door prizes, recognitions, etc., and lots of fun catching up with the very best class to ever graduate from Richmond Senior High School. :)  Tentatively the start time is 6:30pm and the end time is 1am.  Dressy casual recommended.

Cost:  This will be finalized very soon, but we're aiming for $30-$35 per person, which is less than half of what the cost was at our 25-year reunion in 2010 and about the same as what the cost was in 1990 or 1995.  The exact amount will be determined during the Reunion Planning Committee's next call on February 8th.  By February 8th we will also have the online payment system up and running, and provide a mailing address for those who want to mail in their early RSVPs.  Classmates who delay in RSVPing (after July 1) or wait until the last minute to RSVP (after October 1) will face a slightly higher charge on account of caterer and other related costs.

Meanwhile, please mark your calendars, spread the word, get us email addresses and mailing addresses of classmates whom we haven't heard from in awhile or who may have moved since the last reunion, etc.

Watch this site and our Facebook page for further details in the weeks ahead.

Go Raiders! 

30-Year Class of 1985 Reunion Planning Call Tonight!

Whether you've been on the Richmond Senior High Class of 1985 Reunion Planning Committee in the past or not, so long as you're a member of the graduating class you are invited to join in on a conference call on Sunday, January 11th, at 7:30pm.  That's TONIGHT! This will be the first call of the new year.

Here are the instructions for the conference call: Call (712) 775-7035 and then when it asks for your Participant Access Code number, type in 100118 and then type the pound sign (#).  If anyone has any problems logging in, then email Class President Wayne Goodwin at gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com or call cell phone (910) 997-1301.

On the call we will receive updates from classmates about the planned reunion weekend, events, discuss particulars like estimated costs per classmate (and guest), and other details.  We will also discuss ideas from committee members and take next steps in the planning process.  The call will last no more than one hour, with a goal of concluding within 45 minutes.

Just think:  We're approximately nine (9) months away from our 30th-Year Class Reunion!

'85 Reunion Planning Committee to meet Sept 14th via Conference Call

Whether you've been on the Class of 1985 Reunion Planning Committee in the past or not, so long as you're a member of the graduating class you are invited to join in on a conference call on Sunday, September 14th, at 7pm. This will be the second meeting of the planning committee this year.

Here are the instructions for the conference call: Call (712) 775-7035 and then when it asks for your Participant Access Code number, type in 100118 and then type the pound sign (#).  If anyone has any problems logging in, then email Class President Wayne Goodwin at gwaynegoodwin@gmail.com.

On the call we will review the actual results of a recent classmate survey, hear reports and ideas from committee members and take next steps in the planning process.  The call will last no more than one hour, with a goal of concluding within 45 minutes.

Just think:  We're only 12 months away from our 30th-Year Class Reunion!

Classmates: Please Complete Reunion Planning Survey ASAP

Attention Richmond Raiders Class of 1985 only! As Class President, I need your answers to the linked brief survey as the 30-year reunion planning committee continues its work. Please complete your survey by September 1. https://www.surveymonkey.com/s/3DXKXB5

Richmond Raiders Class of 1985 Takes 1st Steps For 30-Year Reunion!

Last Monday afternoon eight of our classmates gathered at the famed Hudson Brothers Deli in uptown Rockingham to kick-off planning for the official 30-Year Reunion of the Richmond Raiders Class of 1985!

First of all, it's hard to believe it has already been almost five years since the last celebration by our class.

Of course, even harder to believe is that we're almost at the thirty - that's the big three-zero - year mark.

Attending the first planning meeting were Karen Allen Strong, Robin Thrower McRae, Kimberly Payne Leberth, Bobby Mabe, Wayne Goodwin (class president), Curtis Ingram, Marcella McDonald, and Tommy Harrington.  (pictured here)

Other classmates were unable to attend due to scheduling conflicts but plan to join us at future planning sessions.

And you're welcome to join us at any our planning meetings, too!

We have some terrific ideas for the reunion so far, including a casual 1980s-music-dance on the Friday night of the reunion weekend, potentially attending a Richmond Raider game that night, and then having a catered dinner on that Saturday evening, along with a special program, dancing, photo sessions, games, and catching up with classmates. 

However, nothing is set in stone.  And that's where YOU, fellow classmates, will come in:  The planning committee is drafting a survey that will go out very soon asking for your input on the various options under consideration.  One goal is to keep costs lower than our 25-year reunion and another goal is to keep things local.

Within the next week to ten days you will receive a survey via facebook, email, etc.  Please review it, complete it, and return it back no later than the day after Labor Day.  Very soon thereafter the Reunion Planning Committee will meet again to review the survey responses, ideas, and comments, and make further plans toward what will once again be a fun event for the Class of 1985.

Meanwhile, if your mailing address or email address has changed within the last five years, then please send it in as a comment or message so the correction may be made to our database.  Also start the buzz among classmates you've stayed in touch with over the years so they know when to mark their calendars, etc.

I hope you're looking forward to this reunion as much as our planning committee is!

- Wayne Goodwin, Class President