Kuya Reunion 2008 - Banquet and Memorial Pictures
The banquet was quite subdued with the passing of our Kuya Dave Quate but consensus was that Dave would want us to celebrate the camaraderie he shared with all of us with a happy, fun, typical Kuya reunion celebration. After an excellent dinner, Mike "Lulu" Gilson began with a somber introduction and the usual prayer and the honoring of our fallen brothers. Our glasses were raised in a solemn toast of remembrance.
Don Orbin had arranged for a DJ who brought along a karaoke machine (he was great and the karaoke was fun and a great idea!). Lulu sure got things started with his unforgettable rendition of the Rolling Stone's. Lulu was so animated that the front table began clearing out so they wouldn't get sprayed by Lulu's half glass of wine.
So, here are many of the pictures from the banquet. Let the games begin!
Mike "Lulu" Gilson heads to the podium. A nice red wine to match his pink shirt. Lulu has always been fashion conscious.
Guess one could call this the head table based on Mouse's dome. From the bright, shiny head of Mouse clockwise: Mark "Marco" Vellinga, Jack Sverchek, Al "Pogi" Shirley, Sarah "Cupcake" Shirley, Bob "Swede" Swanson", Miki Collins, Norm Collins, Sharon "Rummy" Wade.
Here's how nice the banquet tables looked when the Kuyas and Kuyettes arrived. Well, the roses were for Laurie Patafio from her loving husband Tim for her birthday.
The Empty Chair - A new tradition at Kuya reunions to honor Kuyas who have passed.
Random Randy Roberts (R3) arrives for the festivities with that gleam in his eyes.
Bruce "Zoot" Suits brings a bottle of tenderly aged Kuya Rum. The intent is for the last two Kuyas to drink the bottle on behalf of all the Kuyas that have passed before them. This tradition began with Colonel Potter on the TV show M*A*S*H. With Zoot's announcement, a number of Kuyas decided to take up sky diving and other extreme activities, like motorcycle riding with Norm.
R3, Kevin "Pooh Bear" Brown and Lulu delivering the Reunion opening remarks, remembrance and invocation.
Marv Campbell, former Mission Sup and our leader, begins the Reunion Banquet with a few words about our Kuya Group and our lasting friendships.
The 6922nd SW Reunion Poster hangs proudly above the podium. The poster lists all of the previous reunions.
Swede Swanson arrives and greets the crowd with a tip of the hat.
Tim Patafio arrives with a bouquet of roses for Laurie's 21st(?) birthday.
Tim rushes to the table where he left the roses. It's possible some of the Animals may have been sampling the roses thinking they were hors d'oeuvres.
Hippo, Neal, Newt and Ma Bea Campbell awaiting the festivities.
Si Bob and Joann Harris arrive. I'm not even going to try to caption Joanne's look. But I can tell you many of us have had that look with Si Bob in the PI.
Don and Connie Orbin arrive and Connie looks like she's pointing out "He did it!". Now which one of the usual suspects is in trouble? My bet is Norm or Si Bob.
Gary "Shade Tree" Schade and Joanne chat with Steve "Timmie Bear" Kavanaugh and Carolynn.
Tom "Taba Manok"Lear is a happy, happy man! Is he's letting everyone know he had his teeth whitened?
Ok, Tom. Mary Cybulski and Miki Collins are happy, happy ladies and will match your smile.
Arrivals and Opening Ceremonies
Singing and Dancing
Mike "Lulu" Gilson began the karaoke fest with an amazing imitation of Mick Jagger and a Rolling Stones tune. Lulu accomplished his act while juggling a glass of wine. After a standing ovation from the crowd, other Kuyas and Kuyettes shed all vestiges of decorum and modesty belting out a cornucopia of hit songs, all from the heart. It would have cost big time to get tickets to a concert like this.
Si Bob Harris followed Lulu with his rendition of "Silver Wings". He used to sing that song over and over at the Lil Brown Jug. Except his version sounded like "Silver Wangs", just like Merle Haggard.
Ken "Kram" Kramarsic and Vic "Chili Bean" Kelly, obviously stimulated by Si Bob's country ballad, burst into their stirring rendition of "Cathy's Clown" by the Everly Brothers. Kathy Kramarsic agreed Kram was her clown even without Kram's basket and flags! However, we all did miss Kram's patriotic dancing. Kuya Idol voting overwhelmingly believe Kram is a better dancer than singer. It must be the legs!
Al "Pogi" Shirley and Swede Swanson, excited by Si Bob's twang, got a case of the "dancing feet" and just had to dance.
Oops! Pogi appears to have stepped on Swede's foot as Swede lets out an impassioned yelp! Pogi's excuse was that he normally, but not always, leads. Cupcake affirmed that excuse indicating Pogi isn't much of a dancing machine but one hell of a snow snorkeler.
Pogi has turned the bill of his hat around because it interfered with the twirl. Would have thought the belly bumping would have made that unnecessary. Notice Si Bob had long finished, accepted his applause and was off the podium.
Macho Chili Bean with his shirt unbuttoned appears to be bragging but maybe a squirrel ran up his pants leg. If you look at Kram, his squirrel already reached the nut pile.
Excited by the verve of the music and karaoke, wild and crazy dancing broke out. This might be called the "Agony and Ecstasy" as LeeAnn Miguel and Randy Roberts experience ecstasy and Laurie Patafio delights in agony. Get down and get funky! They're dancin', dancin', dancin' machines!
Jack "Ironman" Sverchek and Joe "Cy" Cybulski reminisce about their dancing days. Jack remarks he had forgotten how seductively Random Randy could shake his money-maker.
Don Orbin tells Tom Lear he wouldn't be caught doing any strange dancing like that...well, maybe after a few more Magoos. And, Don does have some of those yellow footprints you put on the floor.
Mouse is either working his mojo from all of the dancing and singing or he has a gas problem.
Mouse apparently overcame his distress and he and Norm crooned a tune..."Ah'm So Lonesome Ah Could DIe"..
One of the Highlights of Kuya Reunion 2008 was the Kuyettes live and on stage for our audio enjoyment
Karaoke Miki Collins encourage the Kuyette chorus for a rousing set of blockbuster tunes. This was "I Feel Like A Woman" by Shania Twain. The Kuyettes put their hearts into this one, losing all inhibitions.
Si Bob Harris and Joanne Schade team up like Johnny Cash and June Carter to sing "I'm Going to Jackson". How in the world did Si Bob talk Joanne into singing with him after "Silver Wangs"? It was, however, quite melodious.
Satch Sexton must be singing a country song because there looks to be a lot of pain there. Could be a song about how he lost his true love, his truck broke down, his dog ran away, someone stole his moonshine, or a train wrecked somewhere.
The Kuyettes are gearing up for another crowd favorite. Mary Cybulski is encouraging Kuyette participation (Heck, this could get as large as the Mormon Tabernacle Choir!). Mary Helen Kelly prepares her voice...Mi, mi, mi, mi and determines the key.
The Kuyettes sang "Stop In The Name Of Love" with Mary Helen as Diana Ross and the rest of the Kuyettes as the Supremes. With the palms of those hands out like that, we better stop!
Norm wants to know if Mouse is going to make it. Norm has his reading glasses on and has memorized the song and wants to get on with it.
The Kuyettes have swept the room with their palms, now they are pointing. Uh oh! Looks like Mouse pointing over his shoulder to one of the other Kuyas as a culprit.
This may have been the Kuyette's finale of "Girls Just Want To Have Fun" by Cyndi Lauper.
Norm emerged from the Kuyettes buttoning his shirt and having a smoke. He was showing them how to really have fun!
This page was last updated: January 13, 2014
