Well we had quite a surprise when we showed up at Tinos for the first luncheon of 2013. The doors were locked and the whole place was closed down! After a bit of discussion the group decided to reconvene just up the road (US75) at Abuelo's. I stuck around for half an hour or so just in case there were any more late arrivals, but only Carol George showed up as the others were leaving.

Abuelo's seemed glad to have us, and their bar area seemed ideal for a group luncheon. Since no one came up with any better suggestions, those present more or less decided we'd call this our new meeting place, at least for the time being. The meeting area will be immediately to your right as you come in the front door.

L-R: Jim Rushing, Mike Crye, Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, and Carol George

Casey in the back of the picture, manages the bar area, and assured us he'd be happy to have us meet here regularly. We decided to take him up on it for a while at least. Come join us!

L-R: Marvin Howard, Jerry Brown, Allegra Burnworth.

If you weren't in this group, you missed the largest luncheon meeting of them all! Red Merritt came up with a count of 24, and I think that was just about right.

Starting here with Klaus Gehr and going counter clockwise, Charles "Red" Merritt, Betty Merrit, Klaus' son Josh and wife Amy, Angie Rocha, Harold Shiroma, Norma Barnes, Rod Barnes, Bob Everett, Larry Pavlicek, Jim Rushing, and Dave Kuester.

Red insisted I could get a better picture if he got up, and he was surely right as far as Betty was concerned!

Starting with Klaus Gehr and going counter clockwise, Betty Merrit, Klaus' son Josh and wife Amy, Angie Rocha, Harold Shiroma, Norma Barnes, Rod Barnes, Bob Everett, Larry Pavlicek, Jim Rushing, and Dave Kuester.

John Watson came in later, but I neglected to get a picture of him. In fact, it had been so long since I'd seen John that I had to ask him who he was! We've got to take special care of John. He's the only one of us still working at Alcatel-Lucent, paying into SS supporting all of us that are drawing out of it!

On the far side of the table....

L-R: Jim Rushing, Larry Pavilcek, Bob Everett, Rod Barnes, Norma Barnes, Harold Shiroma

At left, Allegra Burnworth and Frances Bradford. On the far side of the table from left to right: Dave Kuester, Jim Rushing, Larry Pavlicek, Bob Everett, Rod Barnes

While I was at the North end of the table trying to take pictures, Dennis Kaplan snapped this one from the South end!

Clockwise around the table starting at left: Dave Kuester, Jim Rushing, Larry Pavlicek, Bob Everett, Rod Barnes, Norma Barnes, Harold Shiroma, Amy Gehr and son Josh, Jim Harrison standing, Red Merrit, and on the right side, Jerry Brown, Mike Crye, and John Plant.

L-R: Mike Crye, Ronnie Deal, Dennis Kaplan, and Marvin Howard. It was  a special treat to see Ronnie as it's been ages since we've seen him.

Marv not only made the papers but the movies the following day for his volunteer work at In Sync Exotics as reported in this newspaper article and video. Congratulations Marv! Now we know someone famous!

L-R: Doug Dreggors, Jim Rushing, Larry Pavlicek, and Klaus Gehr.

Jack wanted to know if we could get everybody to wear name tags because he was having trouble remembering some folks names. Maybe he can be in charge of this (wink).

L-R: Jack Bowling and George Huling

It felt like old home week to see these folks again! It's been years and years since I've seen Annette. I think she's getting younger all the time. Been a while since Glenda's been by for lunch too, and we're always glad to see Red and Betty.

L-R: Charles and Betty Merritt, Annette Wooldridge, and Glenda Offutt.

L-R: Amy and Josh Gehr

Mike Crye insisted I needed to be in a picture too, so he directed me to stand behind the pretty girls while he snapped a picture. I think he called this "Beauties and the Beast". Thanks Mike.

L-R: Annette Wooldridge, Jim Harrison, Glenda Offutt

Another good turnout, this time on Tax day, including some folks I hadn't seen in ages. Great to see Victor Elizondo, Terry Freeman, and Art Waxler again after so long!

Clockwise from Left: Steve Rocha, Angie Rocha, Harold Shiroma, Charles "Red" Merritt, Klaus Gehr, and a sleepy looking Victor Elizondo

Casey at the bar and clockwise from the bottom: Charles "Red" Merritt, Betty Merritt, Amy Gehr, Klaus Gehr, Victor Elizondo, Terry Freeman, Marvin Howard, Jerry Brown, Mike Crye, Ken Mitchell, Doug Dreggors, Craig Dickey, Connie Wallner.

Seems like forever since I'd seen Art Waxler who brought his son Warren along. It's also been a while since I'd seen Ken Mitchell and Craig Dickey. John Watson was at last month's luncheon, but I didn't get a picture of him.

Clockwise from bottom: Jerry Brown, Mike Crye, Ken Mitchell, Doug, Dreggors, Craig Dickey, Connie Wallner, Larry Pavlicek, Warren Waxler, Art Waxler, John Watson

Down on my end of the table we had some new faces, Vic and Betty Cawoski. I had run into them last month at CostCo and asked them to be sure and come.

L-R: Betty Cawoski, Connie Wallner, Dennis Kaplan, Jim Wallner, Vic Cawoski, George Huling.

Bob sure seems to be having a good time. One problem with a long, long table is that you may not get a chance to talk to everybody. Bob's wife was there and I didn't get to meet her.

L-R: Klaus Gehr, Amy Gehr, Craig Dickey, Marvin Howard, Jerry Brown, Bob Everett, John Plant, Vic Cawoski, George Huling.

Down at the far end of the table....

CW: Jim Rushing, Mike Crye, Larry Pavlicek, Mrs. Everett, Bob Everett, Klaus Gehr, Amy Gehr, Craig Dickey.

It almost feels like a manor house table it's so long!

CW from left: Klaus Gehr, Amy Gehr, Craig Dickey, Marvin Howard, Jerry Brown, Vic Cawoski, George Huling, Ronnie Deal, Betty Cawoski, Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, Harold Shiroma, Jim Rushing, Mike Crye, Larry Pavlicek.

Nice to see Carol remembered us this month!

L-R: George Huling and Carol George.

John Plant even made it back this month and was looking good. Thanks to Connie Wallner for this picture.

L-R: John Plant, Jim Harrison, Bob Everett

Thanks to Connie Wallner for this group picture as we were leaving.

L-R: Ronnie Deal, Marvin Howard, Craig Dickey, Jim Harrison, Larry Pavlicek, Jim Guardipee, Jim Wallner

Steve and Angie Rocha.

Angie was telling us about her snakes. She's lucky to have a grandson who came to get them.  Seems Angie doesn't care for them quite as much as the grandson does!

Jim and Connie Wallner, Marvin Howard, and Bettie and Red Merritt.

Connie told me they were leaving after lunch for a family reunion and to see one of her "cousins'" grandchildren's ballet recital. I think she's already got Jim sedated!

Is this a happy bunch or what? Jack Bowling, Joyce Guthrie, Dennis Kaplan seem to be having an exceptionally good time.

This is the first time in ages that Joyce has joined us, and I didn't get much chance to talk with her. She did tell me that she'd retired from retirement work (real estate) and was spending more time enjoying herself with the grand kids, at the gym, and at the casino. From the looks of her, it sure seems to be working out well!

Bettie and Red (Charles) Merritt. Red was celebrating another birthday, and Bettie bought him a cap that  said "9 Days Older Than Dirt!" She also gave me a picture of her "Pride and Joy" which I had been admiring.

I think these two have had more fun than the law allows, and haven't shown any signs of slowing down even a little bit.

Hail! Hail! The Gang's all here!

L-R: Jack Bowling, Joyce Guthrie, Dennis Kaplan, Steve and Angie Rocha, Jim Rushing, George Huling, MIke Crye, Jerry Brown, Jim and Connie Wallner, Marvin Howard, Bettie and Red Merritt

Mike Crye insisted I had to be in a picture too! Thanks for the assist Mike!

L-R: Jerry Brown, Jim Harrison, Jim and Connie Wallner

These guys look hungry! Bring on the food.

L-R: Marvin Howard, Harold Shiroma, Craig Dickey, Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, Mike Crye

We had a good turnout!

L-R: Craig Dickey, Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, Mike Crye, Frances Bradford

Over on the bench, ...

L-R: Steve and Angie Rocha, Larry Pavlicek, Jim Rushing, Jack Bowling, Dennis Kaplan, George Huling, Vic Cawoski.

Down at the far end of the table....

L-R: Steve and Angie Rocha, Larry Pavlicek, Jim Rushing.

Once again there are too many folks to get them all in the same picture, a nice problem to have!

L-R: Larry Pavlicek, Jim Rushing, Jack Bowling, Dennis Kapland, George Huling, Vic Cawoski, John Volkman, Marvin Howard, Harold Shiroma, Craig Dickey, Connie and Jim Wallner, Mike Crye

Look who wandered in late! Terry Freeman stopped by just to say howdy.

In the foreground, L-R: Terry Freeman, Marvin Howard, John Volkman

Now what are the odds that Bettie's flash would go off at the same time I'm taking a picture?

L-R: Mauricio Nuñez, George Huling, and Jack Bowling

Well lookie here at this smiling bunch! I hadn't seen George Kizer in so long that I almost didn't recognize him. He says he flunked retirement, but is thinking of trying it again. Hope he'll be back often.

L-R: Connie Wallner, George Kizer, Jim Rushing

And on the other side of the table, ....

L-R: Mike Crye, Allegra Burnworth, Charles "Red" Merritt, John Plant, Jerry Brown, and Jim Wallner

What a range of expressions! We had a great time swapping tall but true tales and reminiscing down on the South end of the table!

L-R: Harold Shiroma, George Huling, Chris Whicher, and Connie Wallner

And up on the North end, these guys are making do with chips and salsa.

L-R: Jim Rushing, Vic Cawoski, and Marvin Howard.

This is a hungry looking bunch!

L-R: Allegra Burnworth, Mike Crye, Jerry Brown, Jim Wallner, and Ronnie Deal.

And down on the South end we were patiently awaiting our chow also while spinning yarns. If you want a visualization that will haunt you forever, ask Ronnie about the time he was out fishing in a small lake near McKinney and lost his boat propeller, went home and got his scuba gear, and dived to retrieve it. I'm still laughing.

L-R: Jim Rushing, Vic Cawoski, Marvin Howard, Allegra Burnworth, Mike Crye, Jerry Brown, Jim Wallner, Ronnie Deal

A medium sized turnout this month - an even dozen - not bad for a rainy day!

L-R: Carol George, Jack Bowling, George Huling, Dennis Kaplan, Jerry Brown, John Volkman

These folks look like they're enjoying the food - or already HAVE!

L-R: Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, Jim Rushing, Mauricio Nuñez, Marvin Howard

The Smilies! Wonder what these guys are up to?

L-R: Jack Bowling, George Huling, Dennis Kaplan, Jerry Brown, John Volkman.

These folks still look like they're busy enjoying the food.

L-R: Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, Jim Rushing, Mauricio Nuñez.

Holding down their usual seats,

L-R: Jerry Brown, Mike Crye, and Jack Bowling

A study in contrast! Marv came in a short sleeved Tee and Allegra was bundled up for a long winter in the Artic!

L-R: Marvin Howard and Allegra Burnworth

The Wallners are still in town and came by for lunch.

L-R: Jim and Connie Wallner

These guys were having too much fun!

L-R: John Volkman, George Huling, and Ronnie Deal

Over on the bench, ...

L-R: Jim Rushing, Klaus and Amy Gehr

The rain was pretty much a no show, but we had a good turnout for lunch. Connie was dressed for the North Pole, and Mike and Marv were so deep in conversation that I never got their attention.

L-R: Connie Wallner, Jim Wallner, George Huling, Harold Shiroma, Mike Crye, Marvin Howard

Ronnie looked ready for the next ice storm while Jerry and Jim were just comfortable.

L-R: Jerry Brown, Jim Rushing, Ronnie Deal