More Photos from Vogel - April 26, 2008

The following nine pictures were taken and sent to me by Keith Hawkins. As you can see, everyone had smiles on their faces and were just enjoying it all ..

Vogel State Park was beautiful on this bright spring day in North Georgia.

Here Ron talks to Barbara and Richard about his book, "Holiday at Nana and Papa's Place: Long Story Shorts". He brought a number of the books to the Gray Panthers North get together and contributed the profits from them to the GPN reunion fund. The book is loaded with stories about the Caraker ancestors and history, Ron's family and high school friends and various shenanigans pulled by them. The book is availabe from Ron for a modest $20. and if you're nice, he'll even autograph it for you. It is a tremendous read!

This is a picture of me holding my Mother's retirement plaque from the City of Mulberry. Ruby Burdette Moses was City Clerk from 1953 until 1969. This plaque contains a piece of "Original Mulberry Tree" and was presented for "Sincere and Faithful Service." I was showing it to Keith as he snapped this picture.

We were all taking pictures of each other taking pictures of ... well, you catch my drift.

Caraker and Mathis gab-fest.

Getting ready for lunch.

Me and sister Charlotte and James Jordan. The signs in the background have been carried around by Ron Caraker for some 30 years and appear at all MHS '56 get togethers. Thanks for the pictures, Keith. Anybody else that has pictures of the event - send 'em on to me and I'll post 'em.

Ron and Glenda's 50th Anniversary - Renewing of Vows

Although it may seem a little late, I thought I'd share with you the pics I took at Ron and Glenda Caraker's 50th Wedding Anniversary Celebration and Renewing of their Vows. It was held on Saturday afternoon, April 5, 2008, at the historic Polk County Courthouse Museum in Bartow.
About 130 guests witnessed the renewing of the vows (I didn't get any pics of that as I was in the wedding party) and helped them, along with (who else?) Elvis, celebrate their 50th wedding anniversary. Hope you enjoy the pictures - maybe you'll even see some folks in them who you haven't seen in many, many years.

Glenda was just beautiful in her original wedding dress. Here she is with son, Mark.

And, of course, The Godfather, ole Ron, himself.

Elvis showed up and entertained the crowd after dinner. Here he is singing to Ron and Reba.

Part of the crowd. That's W.J. McNally in the forefront and in back of him are Keith and Shirley Hawkins. Across the table in coral dress is Bobbye Caraker and in front of her is her brother, Billy Caraker. The arbor at top, left is where Ron and Glenda renewed their vows.


Here's Glenda and Ron in the reception line.

Ron and Great-Granddaughter dancing to Elvis. That's Mr. Histead, publisher of The Mulberry Press on the left.

Ron seems to be telling the kid, "Tell 'im I'll make 'im an offer he can't refuse!" Could it be?

A little dark here but at the table, l-r, are Nancy Burdette, Reba Mills Zoellner and Sue Mock Tyre.

'Course, Keith ...
... and I had to ham it up and have our picture taken with Elvis.

Gray Panthers North - Get Together at Vogel State Park on April 26, 2008

April 26, 2008 was the day for the Mulberry Gray Panthers North to meet for their second annual reunion. 48 former Mulberrians attended and Vogel State Park, just 11 miles south of Blairsville, GA, couldn't have been prettier or the weather more ideal. The comeraderie was excellent and the food was delicious.

As you can see from the following pictures, a good time was enjoyed by all in attendance - we even had an appearance after lunch of Elvis as a young boy (11-year old Ryan Green from Blairsville was the Elvis Impersonator).

Most of the pictures were taken by MHS 56'er Ron Caraker and for that, we extend our utmost appreciation. A few of the pics were taken by yours truly. NOTE: If I have your year of graduation incorrect, please email me and I will correct it immediately.

Early arrivals Patsy Roberts (class of '59) and Barbara Matthes Alderman (class of '57) also helped with the set up.

Frances Rollins takes a look at Ron Caraker's historical bio, for which he donated the profits with The Gray Panthers North reunion fund.

Patsy and Frances share a smile together.

That's Eunice Moody Ridley (class of '45), her sister, Joan Moody Ghiotto (class of '52) and James Jordan (Ceil Duke Jordan's husband). Carol Reninger Moore (class of '56) has her back to the camera.

Here's ole Ron Caraker (class of '56) taking a picture of yours truly taking a picture of him. That's Joe Kitchel (class of '53) and Barbara Matthes Alderman (class of '57) chatting in the background.

Charlotte Burdette Jones (class of '53) and Gibby Mathis (class of '56).

Richard Mathis (class of '56), Charlotte and Joan.

Charlotte, Bob Ghiotto (class of '51), Eunice and Lamar Rollins (class of '59) leaning against the wall. Reba Mills Zoellner (class of '56) has her back to the camera.

Charlotte and Bob enjoy some memories from the photo albums.

and here, Joan joins in.
Ron and Carol at the memories table.

Gibby, Joe and Barbara reminisce.

Lamar pays homage to Principal A.E. Choate.

Table of white shirts was donated by Community First Credit Union of Mulberry. They also donated $200 to the coffers of The Gray Panthers North to cover some of the expenses for the facility and the food. We are very grateful to the CFCU for their support.

Here's Martha Mathis (Auburndale class of '58) taking a picture and Nancy Burdette Englewood High - Jacksonville class of '61) in the kitchen.

David (class of '56), Barbara, Shirley Hawkins (Chula Vista, CA class of '60)and Keith Hawkins (class of '56)

Richard and David share some memories.

Ceil Duke Jordan (class of '56), Guin Bridges Skipper (class of '54), Joyce Johnson Griffin (class of'54), and Sue Mock Tyre (class of '56)

(l-r): Joan Purcell Bailey (class of '56), Richard, Reba and Barbara. That's Ceil, Guin and Joyce in the background.

Guy Anderson (class of '50), his wife, Opal, and Shirley Anderson Griffin (class of '49)

Ceil holding up a Community First Credit Union t-shirt for size.

Carol looking lovely.

David taking a picture of ole Ron taking a picture of him.

Many pictures were taken during this event. Do you have any you'd like to share?

Gray Panthers North at Vogel State Park (cont'd.)

David, Donald Miles ('56), Ceil, Ron, Gibby and Keith
That's Sally Stewart Miles ('56) in the middle of all those handsome guys.

Shirley Anderson Griffin, Jane Stack Kitchel ('54), Guin and Joyce

Looking through the memories - and there were many.

Joan greeting Sally

The Crews - granddauthter Sara, Neal and Avis Cook Crews ('56)


Virginia Marshall Chauncey ('57) and John Chauncey

Avis and Sara

Young Elvis performed for the crowd.

Gibby, Carolyn Clements Brown ('59) and Russell Brown (Pinecrest class of '54)

Glen Alderman (class of '53)