50th Reunion


Wilson ’68 Golden 50 Year Reunion

We grew up in an amazing time and 1968 was a memorable year. We were the Boomers, the Women’s movement was growing, the Vietnam War was in the front of our minds, students protested and occupied the Dean’s office at Columbia University. We lost two brilliant leaders, Martin Luther King and Bobby Kennedy. Chicago hosted the Democratic Convention and hosted a blood bath while the whole world watched. North Korea seized the U.S.S. Pueblo. The hippies and yippies had their say.

Arthur Ashe won the U.S. Open and O.J. Simpson was star of the Rose Bowl and took home the Heisman Trophy. Vince Lombardi’s Green Bay Packers won Super Bowl II. Cassius Clay became Muhammad Ali. At the Olympics, Black Power showed up on the winner’s platform with raised fists.

The music was so good. The Beatles, after releasing Sgt. Peppers the previous year, put out the White Album. We listened to The Doors, Jimi Hendrix, Rolling Stones, Simon & Garfunkel, Aretha Franklin and Bob Dylan. Elvis made a spectacular Comeback Special, wearing his old black leathers and blowing us away. Hair opened on Broadway. We all watched The Graduate and 2001: A Space Odyssey.

The Wilson ‘68 class included over 400 young adults. We thought we knew it all. We went out in the world and experienced many things and learned a lot more than we could have imagined we would at the time. Fifty years is considered a golden length of time. Thanks to a number of our classmates’ organizational skills, we have the opportunity to reunite and share our memories and adventures, and enjoy our differences and old friends, and maybe find a new friend or two.


Please come to the Wilson ’68 Golden 50 Year Reunion

September 7th, Friday, is your day to arrange personal get-togethers
September 8th, Saturday, we have reserved the Multnomah Arts Center from 4:00pm to 9:00pm
September 9th, Sunday, we are hosting a picnic at Gabriel Park from 11:30am to 5:00ish

Tickets are $50 per person and cover all events.


Event Details

Multnomah Arts Center on Saturday 4:00pm to 9:00pm

The address is 7688 SW Capitol Hwy, Portland OR 97219. ph: 503-823-2787
(Those who went to Multnomah School will have a nostalgic moment.)
There is plenty of off-street parking at the back of the school.

The dress code is … wear what makes you happy and feels comfortable … casual.

Activities, beyond lots of visiting, include a photo booth to capture our present, beautiful selves, a trivia game because we are so smart after all these years of experience, and that great 60’s music for dancing or listening, as you wish.

Sugar Street Bakery and Bistro is providing Food Stations with these choices:
Asian Noodles,
Yummi Yummi Rice Bowls,
Hors d’oeuvres (gourmet selection of cheeses, fruit, vegetable crudité)
And, of course, Dessert

A no-host bar with beer and wine will be open. Soft drinks, water and coffee will also be offered.

Picnic at Gabriel Park on Sunday from 11:30 to 5:00 or so

Parking is at SW 45th and Vermont St.  (We should already know this location!)

The entire picnic area is reserved with 29 tables.

Bring your own wine and beer, water and soda, juice and power drinks, kombucha and tea.

Grillers will be cooking hamburgers, hotdogs, and veggie burgers. Buns, condiments, paper plates, napkins, utensils, and table cloths will be provided.

You may bring other side dishes and maybe bring enough to share. And bring a chair.


Are You Traveling to the Reunion?

If you are looking for a room for the weekend, we have some recommendations:

The Paramount Hotel
This would give you a downtown experience and is Uber friendly.
We have 10 rooms reserved at this time for our out-of-town classmates.
808 SW Taylor Street
Portland, Oregon.  97205
503-276-1762
Jason Laucks, Manager
$ 229/ night

These two Inns are close to Multnomah Village. Both locations have space available for our weekend.

Aladdin Inn
8905 SW 30th Ave
Portland, Oregon 97219
503-246-8241
Quoted prices:
1 Bed with tax $102.62
2 Bed with tax $114.15


Hospitality Inn
10155 SW Capitol Hwy
Portland, Oregon 97219
503-244-6684
Quoted prices:
1 bed with tax $88.72
2 bed with tax $99.10



Maybe you are coming back to Portland after being away for a while. If you have the time and an inclination, click here for 35 Portland tourist attractions.


WE WANT YOU TO BE AT THE REUNION!

Yes! We are looking forward to seeing you in September!   We are committed to having as many members of our class, as well as those who have or have had close associations with us, attend.  Setting aside time to be in Portland in September might not be in your ‘vacation’ plans.  Additionally, we know that as we head into the ‘golden years’ that the financial reality of retirement isn’t always so golden for everyone.  Please, if there is anything we can do to remove an obstacle to your attendance, let us know.  If you would like a place to stay for a long weekend, we are gathering a list of classmates who are willing to host you.  If the cost of the reunion is keeping you from saying, “Yes, I’ll be there,” let us know.  The ‘Making the Wilson ’68 reunion accessible to all’ contacts are Katy Nadal and Jan Winkenwerder-Lehmer.  Please call or email one of them with your requests, suggestions or willingness to host.

Katy Nadal kjnadal@gmail.com 503-645-1660(h) 503-290-8872(c)
Jan Winkenwerder-Lehmer jivinjan2000@yahoo.com 503-289-5236