Fun Times at the 2024 Class Gathering!

NEHI Class of ’73 alumni gathered once again on the last weekend in April to catch up, recall fond memories, and enjoy each other’s company in St. Petersburg. Plenty of activities were planned for this year’s annual event, but these “forever Vikings” know what they like, and they picked and chose just a few favorite venues.

3 Daughters Brewery in St. Pete’s up-and-coming Warehouse District was one of several options for classmates to reunite, and several met there for lunch and beer on Friday. That evening found some at a place on 49th St. North called the Orange County Choppers Roadhouse (an eatery/bar with a motorcycle museum out back!).

The highlight of the weekend, and the best attended, was at Ferg’s Sports Bar on Saturday, April 27, where more than a few dozen enjoyed appetizers, plenty of adult beverages, and raucous conversation. Betsy Ritter used her tech knowledge to Zoom in some folks on the big screen at Ferg’s. This is something that will deserve some expansion in the reunions to come! All had so much to say that they proceeded to close the place down well into the evening. Lots of spouses came along for the fun this time, and St. Pete High and the NEHI Classes of ’70, ’72, and ’75 were even represented. Although locals were the majority, there were classmates who made the long trip from places as far away as St. Augustine (Deborah Moreno), Ohio (Betsy Ritter, Larry Stach), Tennessee (Chuck Catalfu), and Maine (Mark Grover and his fiancée!).

There was yet one more opportunity to get together, and that happened at The Hangar Restaurant, at Albert Whitted Airport, for a Sunday morning brunch for around 25 alums. It is hard to believe, but it has been reported that so much fine interaction was had over these three days that few people had the time to take photos! Many thanks to Therese Dobrowolski for the ones that she has provided. If YOU have any photos to share, please send them along for posting.

The dates for the next reunion have been posted: April 25-27, 2025 (the predictable last weekend in April, in annual fashion). We are lucky to have connections to such a lovely city as St. Petersburg, which gets better and better, with its beautiful waterfront, wide array of restaurants, and world class art. Hopefully, you will be able to make plans to come next year. “The more, the merrier” definitely holds true for this kind of event, and it would be super to increase the attendance next time. Each and every gathering has its share of “surprise” attendees; maybe next time YOU will be one of those! Hope to see everyone in 2025!