Tonight's Class Reunion Update and New Details for Classmates!

Tonight the Reunion Planning Committee had a very productive, next-to-last meeting at Hudson Brothers Deli in Rockingham before our 30-Year Reunion Weekend on October 16-17.

In addition to getting the latest update, while we were sitting there three (3) additional classmates unexpectedly came up and registered for the reunion on the spot!  (With that type of unplanned sign-up, perhaps the committee should hang out at the Hudson Brothers Deli bar every night ... )

Most plans have been finalized, and we're now sending reminders out to classmates by U.S. Mail and email, most especially to those who haven't yet responded.

On or after October 1st, the registration fee increases by $5 .... presently $45 per classmate and $30 per guest ... so go ahead, save $$, and register TODAY! ... For more details, read below or go to www.richmondraiders1985.blogspot.com

...To register & pay by mail, write Misty Britton Barnes, 159 Beane Run, Rockingham NC 28379. ...

...To register & pay online, here's the revised link via Internet by clicking on this link here. Feel free to share it with folks online as much as possible!

Here are additional refined or revised details about our Class Reunion Weekend:

Friday, October 16
6PM -- Tailgate With Tommy Harrington, Curtis Ingram and Friends; hot dogs, fish, etc. etc. No charge.  Look for the banner or signs. Richmond Raider Stadium

7:30PM -- Sit together on Visitor Side, Richmond Raider Stadium, preferably wearing Richmond Raider Class of 1985 T-shirt being sold by Tommy Harrington (not required); Tommy's phone number is 910-206-2550

Halftime of Homecoming Football game (or earlier) -- recognition of the Class of 1985 by the game announcer -- We need you there to cheer and represent our class!

8:30PM  -- classmates and guests not attending the football game may begin to arrive at Hudson Brothers Deli (upstairs) for a Late Night Friday Social in Rockingham

9PM -- Our own Richmond Raiders Class of 1985 member, Phillip Neal, and his band will begin performing live for several hours at Hudson Brothers Deli. Classmates may enjoy each other's company there until 1AM as part of our Late Night Friday Social.

9:30PM thru 1AM -- Classmates who attended the football game will meet up with the others at Hudson Brothers Deli on the second floor for music, fellowship, and hors d'oeuvres, etc.  Alcoholic beverages are at the expense of individuals.

Saturday, October 17
Morning or early afternoon --- Though not a formal part of the Reunion plans, you (and your children, if in town with you) are encouraged to visit Discovery Place, or enjoy Patton's Grill, both on Washington Street in Rockingham.  You may recall at past reunions we had a picnic at a local park; we're trying something different this time.

Afternoon --- Though not a formal part of the Reunion plans, you and classmates are encouraged to have informal fellowship time in Richmond County.  You may recall at past reunions we had a picnic at a local park; we're trying something different this time.  If you'd like some publicity for any of your smaller reunion-related gatherings, let us know the details and maybe some additional classmates will join in!

7:30PM (Note: this is a revised time) -- Doors open at Rockingham Moose Lodge for our official reunion party and program!  The recommended clothing style is "not casual" --- That leaves a wide range of clothing options for women and men alike. Remember, this is a celebration and a party and there will be photographs!

8PM -- The live DJ will begin playing your favorite and diverse arrangement of musical hits from the 1980s through the present, and take your requests.

9:30PM -- We will begin a short program, including a welcome. Then throughout the evening, perhaps once every hour, we will stop for a short additional programs, including games, recognitions, and a memorial for those classmates who are now deceased.

1AM -- Shortly before this time, the DJ will play the final song of the night and then the reunion concludes.

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!

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