As always, Tucumcari High School alumni and teachers were pleased to receive this year’s copy of “The Rattler.” No doubt, most of us quit whatever we were doing and perused the publication from front to back in order to see what had happened last year and to know what plans are in progress for July 30, 31, and Aug. 1 of 2009.

We are well aware of the work that goes into putting that paper together and most definitely appreciate all the efforts put forth by the Newspaper Committee.

Some of us have been privileged to work on that project during the earlier years of the reunion and recall the work involved because we didn’t have a committee or have the technology available today.

Those early papers might not have been very professional, but they, as have all the succeeding ones, served to hold our classmates, teachers, and friends together. Each one has given us a feeling of continuity, much the same feeling we had when we attended THS.
All papers have given those alumns who could not attend each year the chance to see whom they had missed and to be urged to get to the next reunion if at all possible.

When Marian Farmer Knapp and gang began this annual celebration of friendship and education some 39 years ago, they had no idea it would still be the highlight of the summer for so many people who simply wanted a good excuse to come home and to have the opportunity to renew old friendships and create new memories.

They didn’t realize that those of us who attended that first gathering would still be looking forward to the next one each year.

 At times, we would hear that we might not continue the celebrations for one reason or another or might not have further publications, but someone always showed up to lend a helping hand and to see that the first gathering turned into a major tradition.

Now, we are informed that we will no longer receive “The Rattler” because of various problems, including cost and interest in seeing that we continue to remain in touch wherever we are on this planet.

One former Rattler said she felt fairly sure that if someone out there shows an interest in keeping “The Rattler” alive and is willing to see that it is printer ready, the board might be willing to listen.

That Rattler also said that other methods of getting the news scattered around might even be considered should anyone be interested in using current technology and be willing to spend a lot of time in preparation.

Yes, we are all aware that times and people change, but some of us aren’t too willing to say that such changes include doing away with our method of keeping in touch or even with the gathering itself.

We still believe the Rattler spirit is alive and well in hundreds of our alumns. We feel fairly sure that the board would take the time to listen to suggestions and would be willing to let Rattlers from elsewhere take over the method of our communication and might have ideas as to how to keep the gathering in place for at least a few more years.

Just as we change, so can our methods and our gatherings change.

Let’s do some serious thinking and see if we can come up with some suggestions that will help the board and that will make it possible for us to continue enjoying this tradition that began so long ago.

After all, many of us are “children of the pioneers” who were told they were not too bright to settle here. Those pioneers were strong, hardy people who worked hard and played hard in order to build this place we call home. Let’s just continue enjoying each other’s company and see about continuing many of our traditions. In the meantime, let’s thank the committee and James Crocker for providing this year’s “Rattler.”