Bill and Camille Ronay (hosted the event) were in for a surprise even before the start of the Georgia Mini-Reunion at Blue Willow Inn, Social Circle, Georgia on August 9, 2003. And what a surprise it was!
      The rocking chairs on the porch were occupied by a particularly happy family. As we began to talk we learned the wife was graduated from Winter Park High School in 1970. Betty Gene Kerns (Bobadilla). And they live across the street from Glenridge...! Just as we began to get into details, their number was called and we did not see them again...but trust they will take some interior photos for us. Cross your fingers.
      It was 12:30 PM as the Bobadilla family was going inside, up walks Jeannie Williams Stanley, TOWAYAM clutched tightly. Next, Deanna Dudley Kent and husband Wayne. Third was Connie Shoup Hudson and Bill, Class of 1960. And they just kept on coming! When Jeannie Jones Richards rolled up the ramp, we all stopped and applauded. Her brother-in-law, Steve Hendricks, along with Steve's sister, Lynne Kindy, had brought Jeannie to the group...
      Soon we had most of the porch full and were causing quite a scene with our hugging, kissing and boisterous presence...Ronnie and Toni Peacock had, evidently, arrived. David and Lynne Ricks Peters and Susan Carter Ricks and Polly Gouck Hall added to the din and we were off and running. A pleasant surprise was Larry Fennelly walking through the door right on cue.
      The Blue Willow Inn had reserved the Sun Porch for us. It was perfect! Sunny and bright...stocked with enough sweet tea to float a battle ship...we filled the room and took most of an hour just getting reacquainted. Camille, the designated "official" photographer, was having a hard time keeping up with all of the chair hopping
      Last...but certainly not the least...Mary Sheldon Craft and husband, Jack, arrived. We soon caught up on introductions and some humorous tip-of-the-tongue gossip and settled down to some serious Southern cooking.
      We had all lost count of the number of trips we had traveled to the buffet. Our hostess initially instructed us to "...be sure to sample all seven desserts". Most of us had obliged her instructions. Slurp, slurp! My personal favorite was the peach cobbler...or was it the chocolate-chocolate fudge cake...or was it the pecan pie...or...?
      As we were enjoying our coffee and sixth glass of tea, we shared our thoughts and comments about the afternoon rapidly drawing to a close. To a person, all were deeply appreciative for the opportunity to come together. "It had been too long" was heard over and over. More than a few of us were teary-eyed as we walked outside for the mandatory "group" photo shoot. With several cameras in hand, Camille was very busy...
      The three hours had flown by. It was difficult for any of us to say "good-bye...". However, by unanimous agreement, we agreed to meet again...soon, probably in February 2004. This would give all of the Georgia alumni an opportunity to attend.
      Camille and I waved to Jeannie Jones Richards and, finally, Susan Carter Ricks. The First (but certainly not last) Georgia Mini-Reunion was over. Twenty of us, alum's, guests and spouses, had just experienced a memorable, if not historic, afternoon.
      See you in February!