Love/Friendship
Information provided:
I would love for you to come up with something to commemorate a reunion of friends who lived together for a very short time, many years ago. Some remained in touch and we had our first reunion after 33 years last year. I'd like something for this year's reunion in September.
Let me try and tell you a little bit about "The Park Ritchie Gang". The year was 1969. Diane, Sherry and I all went to D.C. (Diane and I have known each other since 3rd grade and I met Sherry in high school). High school students were recruited for the FBI. Back before computers, the Bureau needed lots of people to do the entry level jobs. This was the first time any of us were away from home (Illinois). On our flight, we met Donna, also an FBI recruit, and we invited her to live with us. We were known as the girls in Apartment 502 (in the Park Ritchie Apartments). The FBI had us all living there, so they could keep an eye on us, I think. There were 2 other girls who lived with us and their names are Karen and Barb. However, when Ken tracked us all down for this reunion, Karen and Barb didn't want to be part of it (their lost). How we all would love to see them again and really do wish they would've changed their minds. Then there were Ken, Ron, Ray, Hunter, Nancy and Janis. We just all got along together so well. Ron was like my big brother. Ken and Diane started to date. Hunter was always in our apartment. (Unfortunately, he passed away last year and Donna was the only one who was reunited with him.)
We had the time of our lives back then. One big party!
It was 4 years ago, when Diane and Sherry decided to go to our 30th high school reunion and Donna walked in and surprised the two of them. They started to talk about Hunter and that's how everything began. Then somehow Ken and Donna IM-ed each other. Ken's know-how found us all. We were only in D.C. for a short period (a year + or -). I know a couple of guys got fired from the FBI some left, some stayed a little longer. They got fired for taking home mug shots, placing them on the walls and having a "who's the ugliest convict contest". Janice and Larry and Diane and Ken married and are still together today!
So, I would just love your "take" on this and a summation of it all.
Here's the Poem it generated:
The Park Ritchie Gang!
Okay, let me see if I can get this straight
And why you think this group is so great.
In ‘69, when this odyssey began.
To D.C. went Sherry, Peg and Diane.
The first time they were away from home
Fresh out of high school and on their own.
Now, add to this threesome another young dame
Met on the airplane; Donna’s her name.
So, she was invited to live with the three.
Little did they know how close they would be.
(Though Karen and Barb did live with you, too,
They wouldn’t rekindle the life that you knew.)
The Park Ritchie Apartments would set the mood
And became living quarters for a fresh new brood
Of F. B. I. hopefuls, who were young and naïve,
And who weren’t quite sure what to believe.
Then, they met Ken, Ronnie and Ray,
And Hunter and Nancy joined them one day.
Larry and Janis are names that you’ve mentioned;
See, I have really been paying attention.
So, the Bureau could keep track of you,
They moved you in to watch what you’d do.
Oh, how wild the scene must have been
As you all “turned on, dropped out, and tuned in!”
In was the 1960’s after all,
It was a teenager’s job to have a ball.
And apparently, that’s they way it played out.
‘Cause you partied hardy, of this there’s no doubt.
So, you lived and you loved in a special way;
Some couples were formed that last ‘til this day;
They are Janice and Larry, Diane and Ken.
But, you all made magic way back when.
Though you lived not together for very long,
This bond between you grew to be strong.
Mug shots were placed upon the wall
For a contest of who was the ugliest of all.
The Bureau was not at all happy with this,
And so, some of you they had to dismiss.
For every time, there is a season,
Thus, each of you left for a reason.
So, how did you all get together again?
Oh, it was thanks to the talents of Ken.
Here’s to the days when you guys had a ball;
To The Park Ritchie Gang and the thrill of it all.
Now, you’re making new memories;
Never forgetting how it used to be!
Testimonial:
I must say, you hit it right on. I passed it out at this year's reunion and everyone simply loved it! I will remember you in the future. Than you so much!
-Peggy Barr