Paul Blazer Class of 1988

PAYMENT ADDRESS:

The cost of the reunion will be $100.00 per couple and $60.00 per single.  If you send your money in before 6/30/08 your cost will be $90.00 double or $50.00 single. Payment can be made at the door for $110.00 a couple or $70.00 per single. So come on people send us your money.:) You can make payments on this if you like - please have everything paid for by Aug. 1, 2008. If anyone needs financial help please contact one of the committee members and we will gladly help in confidence.
Please make checks payable to:
Paul Blazer Class of 1988.
Checks can be mailed to:
C/O Missy Quillen-Mollett
2833 Frankie Street
Ashland, KY 41102

REUNION DATES ARE - AUG. 29 - AUG. 31, 2008

THIS WILL STAY AT THE TOP FOR AWHILE SO SCROLL DOWN TO SEE MORE CURRENT POSTS.

Barbara Brown-Clark

Hi Julie,

I wanted to share a memory about 
Bryan Gearhart. It was the last period 
of the day in Mrs. Haney's English 
class 8th grade. (We were in the 
science room though I guess we didn't 
get to team with everyone that day) 
I was quite then (ha) and Bryan sat in 
front of me Brett sat beside him and 
Mrs. Haney busted me for chewing gum. 
I denied it cause I had never been 
in trouble and was hoping that I 
could get away with it. Well, 
Mrs. Haney didn't believe me and 
asked if she came back there would 
she find the wrapper or any evidence. 
I said "no" so she proceeded to come 
back to my desk to check things out. 
Let me go back a little and set the 
scene, I was chewing bubble yum
watermelon gum and everyone remembers 
the cat hair carpet. (like you couldn't 
smell the gum!) She came to my desk 
and ask me to stand up and
I did without hesitation. (I had already 
put the gum under my left foot,
yes, on that carpet) Mrs. Haney 
couldn't find anything and then she
asked me to move my left foot I 
stood there like a deer in headlights. 
I finally moved my foot and this 
bright pink spot was there. Curses!!!!!!
I was busted and we all know that we 
got licks for chewing gum. Luckily,
bubble yum didn't stick to anything 
and it came right up. She said that
it was too late and the bell was 
getting ready to ring and I would have
to go to the office in the morning 
to get my paddling. Well, Bryan tried
to save me. He raised his hand and 
said " You can't send her to the
office, she never does anything wrong, 
she is so quiet, so let me take
the licks for her."  Mrs. Haney 
thought about it but said "no" . He
continued to plead with her and even 
Brett chimed in and said that Bryan
and he would split them, then the two 
of them argued about who would
take my punishment. Of course, I was 
terrified and on the verge of tears
but I had to face the music. I would 
have liked to let Bryan know what
that meant to me through the years but 
I hope he knew. He really made me
feel great and I appreciate that.  I 
just wanted to share with everyone
what a good heart Bryan had. ( oh by 
the way, Coach Sloan hit the desk 3
times and told me to act like I was 
crying and sent me back to class the
next morning but to this day I am 
still an avid gum chewer..... but not
watermelon)

Barbara Brown-Clark

JERI WILLIAMS SIMS...

My story:
After graduation, I headed off to EKU.  
I started out as a political science 
major intending to go to law school.  
Once reality (and Thursday parties 
at UK) hit me in the face, I changed 
my major to communication.  At home 
for Christmas break 1991, the girls 
and I went over to Ironton to the 
Auger Inn where I met my future 
husband, Stephen.   Over the next year 
and a half, I dropped out of school; 
got married; and moved to New Jersey.   
Stephen is a pilot so we moved 
Frequently for his career...
Raceland, KY; Collinsville, IL: 
St. Louis, MO; and finally Atlanta, 
GA.   While in IL and STL, I finished 
my degree (graduated summa cum laude) 
and started my career with a business 
processing outsourcer contracting with 
Fortune 500 companies.  After two years 
in pharmaceutical sales, between the 
degree and career, the BPO was a 
welcome change.   I went from 
catering lunches for doc offices 
to traveling the country.   My 
favorite clients were  on the west 
coast; fun to visit in January.  
During snow storms in St. Louis, I was
driving a convertible down the 
pacific coast highway!   After 
eight years now, I have moved up 
the ranks and enjoy a comfortable 
career in the executive world. 
Five years ago, God blessed me with 
a beautiful and precocious daughter.   
Mom warned me that what goes around 
comes around and I'm experiencing that 
with Olivia.  She will argue with a 
fence post.   Three years ago, Steve 
and I divorced after 12 years of 
marriage.  He is a country mouse 
and I am a city mouse.  :)    As
far as divorces go, we have a great 
one.  (Think Demi and Bruce.)   In 
recent years, I've focused on my career 
and being a great, although single, mom.  
I've found peace in being alone without 
being lonely.   Great friends and 
family are blessings and make all 
the difference. There is freedom in 
independence.  
 
I won't be able to attend the reunion 
but I fully enjoy reading the life 
stories and seeing all the pics.  
My email is gojsims@yahoo.com if anyone 
wants to keep in touch. 
 
Love, 
Jeri
Some of Jeri's pictures she is 
sharing with us.














Oh My Gosh!!  Look at those pictures.  
How fun Jeri.  Thanks for sharing.

~julie 

An Email from Ken Hensley...

No.  I probably won't attend, but I'll be there in spirit. I've been moved by the response to our anniversary. Congrats on everyone's successes, and good luck in the coming years. The best is still ahead.

Julie Smith-Thacker's Adventure...

I will try and keep this as short as possible so not to bore you all.  You would think that my adventure would be my children.  Although life is an exciting adventure with them, I always knew that I wanted to be a mother.  Even at a fairly early age.  So when motherhood came I embraced it and never looked back.  It felt very natural for me even as a new mother; I would have had more than three kids but my husband said "hell no".  So three it is for us.
Jordan is 12 (almost 13) and such a good girl - I don't know what I ever did to deserve her.
Jacob is 10 and is his dad made over.  So smart and so responsible.

Jillian is almost 6 and is our wild child. ( I know exactly what I did to deserve her.)  But she keeps us all entertained.

But I would have to say that the most adventurous part of my life has been starting my own business.  Talking the plunge from financial security to no security at all.  I am so glad that I did it.  It amazes me everyday that I am able to do what I love and make a living at it. 

When Jillian was born Joe bought me a really nice camera that Christmas.  He then cut out an ad in the paper for new members of a photography club in Morehead.  He told me I needed to do this for myself so I did!  And here I am 5 years later.  I have www.juliethackerphotography.com and www.juliethackerweddings.com.  I stay busy but yet I am able to make my own schedule around the kids schedules.  It has been wonderful.  That is my adventure!  What's yours.

~Julie Smith-Thacker

 

Curt Clevenger's Story...

My own little Adventure Series. After 
graduation  I left the great state of Ky. 
for the mountains  of Maryland, better 
known to you skiers as Wisp Mountain 
Ski Resort. But I went there along 
with my good old buddy Carmen Moon to play 
College Baseball and to get an education. 
Carmen and I lived in about 7 or 8 different 
houses were life was always a party (24-7) 
365 days a year. Lance lived the same life 
as we did except for 2 and a half years 
Carmen nor myself ever had a job. Somehow
we always paid the rent.While in Maryland 
we met so many great people at our college 
plus at WVU, Frostburg State and Fairmont  
State Universitys. While in college I met 
a local hottie and was @ the time swept 
off of my feet. Valerie was her name and 
we did the unthinkable thing (Marriage). 
Together we traveled with the company 
that I worked for all over the U.S.
I did work for a Government contractor 
at some pretty cool places such as NASA,
The Oak Ridge Atomic plant were the 2
Atomic bombs were made. We finally got 
tired of traveling and settled down in 
Canal Winchester Ohio. Together we had 
2 awesome kids, Collin our son is 12 
and hates Baseball, and our daughter 
Grayson is 9, and is very highly skilled 
gymnast. Then came the summer of 2003 
the big D. Yes Divorce. She got the house 
I got the Credit Card Debt. She got the
new Convertible Jeep Wrangler I got the 
old Chevy Blazer, but I did get the 
Jeep Payment. The dumbass that I am, 
(to get even) I bought a brand
new house 3 doors down on the same street. 
You all are probably saying Why would you 
do that, because I am a dumbass. No the 
real reason was for my kids. I grewup 
in a divorced household and swore 
that my kids were not going to 
go through what I did. 
By living 3 doors down and
having shared parenting I see my 2 kids 
everyday. That is the best part
about being a Dad. That is a true 
adventure. Since 2003 I have
remarried and sold that 3 doors down 
house. My new wife of 3 years
(Renee) is the best thing that has ever 
happened to me except for my 2
rugrats. With Renee I also got 2 stepkids. 
Kailey is 12 and is in the same grade 
as Collin. She shows horses and is 1 of 
the best 18 and under in the entire 
midwest. Cullen is my 8 year old 
stepson. A Collin and a Cullen you 
got to love that. You yell at 1 and 
they both answer or scream I did not 
do it. As of today I am the owner of 
my own small company. Clevengers Creative 
Home Solutions LLC.We build custom fences
and decks, plus we are house flippers. 
My wife Renee has her Masters in
Healthcare, and is currently a top 
sales rep for Anthem Blue Cross.
Thanks for reading and Carmen if you 
are out there drink a good cold
Milwaukees Best Light for me just for 
old timesake. And for all you
poker players don't forget the 
tournament. Donna Ison Dunleavy has
already told me that she will take 
home everyones money, or there
clothes. We still have not decided on 
money or clothes, majority
rules.In ending we all should say thanks 
to Julie for the great job
that she has done. It takes up alot of 
her freetime, so for everyone
that reads this I personally think 
the class of 1988 should waive her
fee and say Julie is on the house. 
If not Julie your fee is on me.

later,

Curt Clevenger  

Curt - you are too kind.  (What Curt 
doesn't know is that we are charging 
him double because we have to put 
up with him the whole weekend.)

Julie

EMAILS, BLOGS, ETC.

I have had several requests to share info.   Several requests for email addresses and  classmates' blogs and websites.  I think it is a great idea but I am not comfortable sharing info. unless I have your approval.  This will be a great way for everyone to reconnect.  So if your game just shoot me over and email and I will post your info here. 

By the way - I hope Will Tanner is not proofreading this!  Will if you are reading this I did your "What's your blog reading level?" from your site and guess what?  No genius here! I'll start with:

Nancy Morrison Griffith -nmgriffith@hotmail.com

Julie Smith-Thacker - julie@juliethackerphotography.com

Chris Pullem's Blog - Pullem Family Blog , Chris' "political" blog

I'm not sure about you all but Nancy, Chris and I haven't aged one bit. :)

Ken Hensley's Blog -Hensley Family Blog
Angela Dezarn Todd - jet11@kih.net
Curt Clevenger  - curt.clevenger@yahoo.com , website cchsllc.com
Missi Day Bester - bestersmom@yahoo.com
Melinda Brislin - Here is the school where Melinda works check it out -royal spring middle & mbrislin@bellsouth.net
Donna Ison Dunlevy -kydonnad@verizon.net
Allan Wiedel - Wiedelal@yahoo.com
Jerry Neace - jneace@alltel.net
Joe Avila - jgafla1@yahoo.com  

Leslie Wellman Hedrick - leslie.hedrick@hotmail.com

Melissa Terry Schwarberg - mschwarberg70@yahoo.com

Tyler Branham - Tyler.Branham@ashland.kyschools.us

Sonja Smith Gamble - gamblegang@windstream.net

Gary Bailey's Family Blog - The Bailey Family , and email gebfixit@hotmail.com

Billy Tussey - billytussey@yahoo.com

Amy Jones Ledford - amy.ledford@ashland.kyschools.us

Amy Tullis Vinson - vinamy@gmail.com

Sandy Savage York - savage@marshall.edu  , webpage - York Family Page

Tony Lemaster - tlemaster@roadrunner.com   , myspace page - Tony Lemaster's My space

Will Tanner - Will's Blog  , wwtanner@paynehodous.com

Jed Moore - racefan115@comcast.net

Ken Hensley - Hensley Family Blog

Chris Eby - madebyeby@gmail.com

Kelly Adkins Preston  - adk5@marshall.edu

Amy Richardson Wessel - kygirlatheart2002@yahoo.com

Debbie Riley - debkriley@aol.com

Andrea  Nabring - Andrea's Blog

Elliott  Caggins -  ecaggins@yahoo.com

Mary Varney Stelter - maryb614@yahoo.com

Craig Williams - craig870@gmail.com

Shelly Henderson Steiner- senorasteiner@yahoo.com

Julie Riley Kestner - themommie@roadrunner.com
 

LANCE RUSSELL'S ADVENTURE...

Hmm, 20 years.  So much has changed, but 
it still seems like yesterday. After 
graduating from Blazer and spending a 
week in Myrtle Beach, I came 
home to find my parents had moved to 
Florida.  It took a year and a half 
to sell their house so I had quite a 
few parties on the weekends. 

I spent five years on a four year 
program in Computer Science at UK, the 
last year and a half, sharing a house 
with Jason Crace and Michael 
Johnson (Kristen's Brother).  I almost 
died from a head injury on a 
moped during 1992 spring break in Key 
West (Thanks, Jason).  Or was it 
1993?  Did I mention the head injury?  
Finally graduated from UK and got 
a job at Ashland, Inc and had to move 
out of the Party House.  99 Kegs 
of beer in a year and a half don't 
help when you are trying to hold down 
a day job.

After seven years of eating Tums, 
I married my boss, Marcia and we quit 
our jobs at Ashland and started 
Russell Consultants.  In the bargain, I 
got a beautiful Step-Daughter, Jordan, 
who is now thirteen.  On July 11, 
2002 my life changed again when I became 
the father of not one, not two 
but three premature babies.  Daughters 
Daryn and Shelby and my son Luke 
keep us busy constantly.  Born around 
4 lbs each at 34 weeks, it was 
four months before they could go 
longer than 3 hours between feedings.  
12, 3, 6 and 9.  AM and PM.  An hour 
spent changing, feeding and burping 
then two hours down.  It was all worth 
it as they are about to graduate 
from Kindergarten now.

This year, Marcia and I are chairing 
the Christ The King Oktoberfest on 
September 19th & 20th.  Last year 
featured J.D. Crowe, Alejandro 
Escovedo and members of R.E.M.  This 
year looks to be another stellar lineup.  
We also have Food, Beer, Wine and 
Gambling, all blessed by the 
Pope!  If you can make it to Lexington 
for the weekend it is a great time!

-- 
Lance E Russell
Russell Consultants, Inc. - 
The Technology Resource

Elliott Caggins...

( I received an email from Elliott that 
I wanted to share with everyone)

Julie - 

I am so sorry that I can not attend the 
reunion.  I am still serving in the
Army and have some obligations during 
that specific time.  Please pass the 
word and forgive me. 
 
At any rate, the blog is excellent and 
it brings a smile to my face to read the
wonderful stories of all that have shared.  
I will soon join the crowd and post my
story. 

I have attached a couple of pics of 
my wife of 15 years, Chan, and two 
children, Zach (13) and Kailei (8). 

Take care...I will be in touch soon. 

Elliott Caggins

Bill Tussey's Adventure...

Well, here is my adventure post. 
Adventures 
So, we graduated/vegetated/regurgitated 
form high school 20 years ago. This has 
been very interesting so far. It has 
given me a glimpse into the lives of 
my classmates. My trouble is this; 
which adventure do I choose? I don't 
mean to sound self centered, but in 
the past 20 years, I was in germany 
when the wall came down, the borders 
opened, and they won the World Cup. 
I spent 3 straight Christmases on 
3 different continents. One of 
those was in the big sandbox
known as Saudi Arabia during 
Desert Shield/Storm. I have been 
through the loss of my remaining 
grandparent, my father, and a 
divorce. I have been through a 
firing, a lay off, quitting a 
couple of jobs, going back to
school, another marriage ( a 
good one this time!), a beautiful 
little girl,and being
called into ministry.
I am/have been an aviation electronics 
technician, electrician, millwright, 
mold & die repairman, trainer, 
machinist, and preacher. Every day is 
another day of adventure. It becomes 
difficult to tell where one starts
and the other begins. I guess my favorite 
adventure is camping with the fam, 
especially at Carter Caves and Shawnee 
State Park. But one thing that is certain; 
Life is a never ending adventure for 
those who choose to strive for excellence, 
and refuse to settle for mediocrity.
 
God Bless!
Jesus is COOL!
bill tussey 







Thanks for sharing Bill.