Hiawassee with the GaTech BSU Alumni
Monday, April 24, 2023
After our enjoyable dinner gathering last night, we stayed up late talking. So we didn't get up early, but after breakfast at about 10:30 we started getting together in the meeting room.
 | Frank Gudger, Nancy Bonds, Art Sherwood, Rogers Redding, John Baxley, Jim Bennett, Leland Strange. Lake Chatuge in the background. |
Norman Petty had been kidding Rogers about coming to the gathering in his Referee uniform since he had become quite prominent as a football referee at high levels. Rogers responded by wearing this comic version. |
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 | Typically the meeting room has many small groups of two or three or more, talking like they haven't seen each other for a while. It's quite a beautiful example of fellowship. Here John Baxley, Norman Petty, and Rogers Redding are deep in conversation. |
Sometimes the conversation groups coalesce into a clump! Nancy Baxley, Ellen Teague, Sam Shelton, Rogers Redding, Barbara Petty, Art Sherwood, Gary Bechdol, John Baxley, Jim Bennett, Ron Jones. |
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 | The small group conversations are wonderful, but we made the decision to have one large group conversation to share things of common interest, like memories of those who have passed on. On a sweep of the group: Art Sherwood, Leland Strange, Rogers Redding, Nancy and John Baxley, and Gary Bechdol. |
The middle group: Sam Shelton, Frank and Babs Gudger, Art Sherwood, Leland Strange, Rogers Redding. |
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 | The left group: Norman Petty, Barbara Petty, Brenda Nave, Ellen Teague, Sam Shelton, Frank and Babs Gudger. |
Further around were Gwen Sherwood and Linda Jones, whom I didn't want to leave out, although Ron Jones was not reached by the camera. We had a great group session, and at the end decided to do a group picture. |
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 | A group of four lovely ladies: Ellen Teague, Linda Jones, Nancy Baxley and Brenda Nave. |
A group of six lovely ladies: Nancy Bonds, Gwen Sherwood, Ellen Teague, Linda Jones, Nancy Baxley and Brenda Nave. |
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 | How about a group of eight lovely ladies! Babs Gudger, Nancy Bonds, Gwen Sherwood, Ellen Teague, Linda Jones, Nancy Baxley, Brenda Nave and Barbara Petty. |
 | Nancy Bonds, Brenda Nave, Gwen Sherwood, Richard Whisnant, Babs Gudger, Art Sherwood, Frank Gudger |
Babs Gudger, Art Sherwood, Frank Gudger, Leland Strange, Nancy and John Baxley, Ron Jones, Rogers Redding, Linda Jones, Gary Bechdol |
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 | Linda Jones, Gary Bechdol, Sam Shelton, Barbara and Norman Petty, Ellen and Clayton Teague. |
The rest of the day was spent in casual fellowship. Some of the ladies spent time on the deck overlooking Lake Chatuge. |
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 | Richard Whisnant had joined us earlier in the day and was glad to see Jim Tanner. They were perhaps the longest term friends in the group, Richard having been best man in Jim and Mary's wedding. |
Everyone seemed to really enjoy the casual afternoon of fellowship. |
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 | Jim Tanner and his daughter had brought up a birthday cake for Frank, his birthday being just one day different from that of Jim's wife Mary. It was brought out from its hiding place under the counter and we celebrated with Frank. |
Mary Tanner's gift of the cake had the Happy Birthday message, but also Thank You for Frank and Babs work in making these wonderful gatherings happen. |
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 | Frank and Babs sample the beautiful cake before serving it to this appreciative group. |
The cake is served as we celebrate Frank's birthday and his service to us in making possible these wonderful times of fellowship. |
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Tuesday, April 25, 2023
 | Before we all parted ways, a number of us gathered in the breakfast room for food and goodbyes. Far table Frank and Babs Gudger, next John and Nancy Baxley, Gwen and Art Sherwood, then Ellen and Clayton Teague, Linda Jones and Brenda Nave, then Norman Petty. |
Barbara Petty, Ron Jones, Jim Tanner, Laddie and Becky Rollins. Mindful of the great blessing we have had to again gather and share, we look forward to opportunities to gather again. |
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| The Rhododendron Garden |
2023