Juniata Track and Cross Country Reunion – April 9-11, 2010

             This year’s Reunion event was one of the most pleasant ever, due to the perfect weather and a general aura of Zen permeating the Huntingdon atmosphere.  We had 12  attendees, plus several student guests at Saturday dinner:

 Larry Hoover, Eric Hoover, Jason Hoover, Grant Brewin, Jack McCullough, Connor McCullough, Brian Maurer, Bill Demuth, Cindy Demuth, Bill Kibler, Don Mitchell, and Becky Mitchell.

             Joining us for dinner were students Caitlin Stormont, Matt Wagner, Sam Williams, and Pete Demuth.

             Larry, Eric and Grant attended the track meet held at Bucknell University Friday night in which Jason ran a 9:37 3000 meter Steeplechase race, running for the Penn State Track Club (Juniata school record is 9:30).  The Demuth’s and Brian met for dinner at Kelley’s Corner, then everyone converged late Friday night in Brian’s room at the HMI for some chatter.  (No foot surgery this year).

             The next morning, it was discovered that the Doc had come down with a stomach virus and couldn’t be more than ten feet from the bathroom, so he declined attending breakfast at Tops with us.  Grant continued his annual ritual of steak and eggs followed by picking up the check for the whole group (thanks, Grant!).  We welcomed Cindy Demuth to our clan as the Newbie of the year.  She fit right in as one of the guys, running and drinking with us, and we all agreed that she is a new asset to our group, as well as rounding out some gender bias.

            Brian discovered a park next to the Smithfield bridge which told a history of an earlier town, Portstown, now gone, where the park now is.  After a stop there, and a photo op at the Standing Stone monument, we headed up town.

             No track meet this year due to Easter Sunday falling on Juniata’s weekend, so we contented ourselves with perusing the campus.  One of Larry’s neighbors, Dr. Worth Stottlemyer, gave millions of dollars worth of artwork to the campus including some Whistler’s, a Rembrandt, and others:

The Worth B. Stottlemyer Collection consists of more than 300 paintings, prints, drawings, and portrait miniatures. The collection includes paintings by Thomas Cole, Asher B. Durand, Jervis McEntee, Thomas and Edward Moran, and Ralph Blakelock. In addition to the larger paintings, the collection includes more than 70 portrait miniatures from the 18th and 19th centuries. Among the prints and drawings are works by Rembrandt, J.M.W. Turner, James Whistler, and selections from Hiroshige's "Fifty-Three Stages of the Tokaido." –Juniata website.

             Wow.  So a tour of the Art museum was in order.  Surprisingly (and don’t tell anyone) this valuable collection is almost entirely unguarded.  A tour of the old science building greenhouse and bee hives was next.   

            At 3:00,  we changed and met at “Pink House” residence for a group run up to the flagpole and Peace Chapel.  Almost everyone joined in at various paces.  Credos to Connor who kept up with the Big Boys this year.  He’ll soon be out stripping his dad.  (In the old fashioned sense of the term).   Bill, Cindy, and Brian found out the “Loop Trail” is not a loop, and had a little adventure of their own.  The weather was perfect for running:  sunny and a little cool with warm sunshine when you needed it.  We calculated that we covered about 5 or 6 miles total before Matt Wagner treated us to cold lemonade at Pink House (thanks, Wags!). 

             Back at the HMI, we cracked open a couple beers purchased at Strickler’s Beer Distributor (plug), that Bill Demuth bought us (thanks, Bill!).   We sat outside at a picnic table soaking in the perfect warm sun and worked on our evening buzz whilst talking and laughing about the day’s events and old tymes.  “Chesterfield Ale:  good for what ales you”.  Bicycle Lee.  All Class Night.  This was indeed a precious moment combining past,  present and future all into one package.

             After showers (Kibs, you left your shampoo in my room), we zoomed up to the Mitchell Mansion on the Hill and downed a few more while Becky (God bless her soul) and Doc got dinner ready for us.  We are all so grateful to the Mitchell’s for sponsoring the main event every year.  We recognize how much work it takes and how well prepared it always is.  We missed Fernando’s presence and his tasty Mexican dishes this year.   The meal was the traditional:  spiral cut honey ham, pineapple sauce, potatoes, and an endless assortment of everything else.  This year’s feast was the best ever (I say that every year).  Caitlin, Pete, Sam, and Matt joined us.  Freshman runner Ryan Trexler stopped in for a few minutes, also. 

             A big topic at dinner this year was on environmentalism, but the usual topics also abounded:  who ran what times, youthful shenanigans, and on and on.  We left at a decent hour for a change (1 AM).   

            The next morning Brian headed back early to Connecticut, Kibs had already gone back to Altoona, and the remainder of the group assembled at Tops again for an outdoor breakfast.  Another great time here, and Jack, not to be outdone by Grant,  grabbed the check for everyone (thanks, Jack!).  We did some group emailing on Becky’s laptop to Mike Slough, who was with us in spirit, but his physical body, owned by Uncle Sam, is traipsing around Iraq on a mission.  We expect him back next year (hear that, Mike?).   Scott Williams had made plans to attend but had to cancel at the last minute due to work, and we missed his sunny presence and accurate story telling.  We really need Scott at these gatherings, as he has the best long-term memory and remembers everyone’s times.  Dave Parker promises to attend next year.  Hey, and what happened to you ‘80’s guys, Bill, Dana, and George?  Thus ended our 13^th annual gathering, and began the spring season.  A great tradition.

             Post script:  the next day, Jason, Wags, and Connor ended up sick as dogs from the Doc’s stomach virus.

 -Larry Hoover

http://briantmaurer.wordpress.com/2010/04/13/the-descent-of-man/

Alles Gute to you all
Mike Slough '75

Larry,

 According to my calendar, Easter is actually the weekend before this event.  I just didn’t want any potential attendees to bow out prematurely, thinking that they couldn’t give up their Easter holiday with their families.

 Hope to see you there.

 Best,

 Brian Maurer

Bill Kibler