The McCarty Metro - Mackenzie 1967 High School Reunion

MACKENZIE HIGH
40 YEAR CLASS REUNION

By Mike McCarty

SOUTHFIELD – Go Stags!

Karen and I attended Mackenzie High’s 40^th year reunion – Class of ’67, whoa, that’s a few years ago! – on Nov. 4 at the Southfield Marriott. They let Karen in even though she was a Dearborn Pioneer.

Also at our table were Pam (Dugas) Fair, Linda (Aja) Smith, Brad Mathers and their spouses. At right is a picture of us former classmates with another Mackenzie alum.

It was good to see everybody, talk about old times, catch up on new times, pose for pics and other stuff you do at reunions. Class President Gerald Cardwell (a minister in Detroit ) was the gracious master of ceremonies. There were stories, a nice poem (“We’re Still Here”) by Theodora Gist, a slide show, food and dancing.

Next milestone reunion: the 50^th!

Woo-hoo!

ATTENTION, ALL FORMER MACKENZIE STAGS:

A Mackenzie Picnic will be held the last Sunday in June at Hammerburg Field, corner of West Chicago and Wyoming , where the Stags played their football games. Sure, the high school is closed for good, but the alumni folks haven’t closed up shop.

TOP 15 SONGS of 1967

To Sir With Love (Lulu)
Happy Together (Turtles)
Windy (Association)
Ode to Billy Joe (Bobby Gentry)
I’m a Believer (Monkees)
Light My Fire (Doors)
Somthin’ Stupid (Nancy Sinatra, Frank Sinatra)
The Letter (Box Tops)
Groovin’ (Young Rascals)
Kind of a Drag (Buckinghams)
Little Bit O’ Soul (Music Explosion)
I Think We’re Alone Now (T. James & Shondells)
Respect (Aretha Franklin)
I was Made to Love Her (Stevie Wonder)
Come Back When You Grow Up (Bobby Vee)

Reunion accessory:

We all wore I.D. tags with our ’67 yearbook photo.

It is not advisable to wear this to work.

A Token Of The Reunion
By Mike McCarty

In addition to the name card necklaces, all Mackenzie Reunion guests received a small, clear baggie containing these items: a rubber band, a toothpick, a Hershey’s kiss, a peppermint and a tea bag. Huh?!?!

Well, the reunion people said the items represented things. However, these meanings went in one ear and out the other (like many of my classroom lessons at Mackenzie). Fortunately, my classmates stepped in and helped me figure it out – which was the same way I got through some of my homework at Mackenzie.

So, the consensus on the meanings of the contents of the gift bag:

Toothpick: A reminder to pick your friends wisely.
Rubber band: Be flexible.
Kiss: Care for others.
Peppermint: Not sure.
Tea bag: Remember to relax.

Thank you, former classmates. If the above questions were on a test, I would have flunked. My original answers were:

Toothpick: A fashion statement in ’67.
Kiss and peppermint: A memory that says “be grateful for little candy because the alternative could be wax lips.”
Tea bag: Tea? I thought it was dirt. So, I thought it was a health reminder: If you drop a toothpick, a kiss and a peppermint in the dirt, do not put them in your mouth.
Rubber band: A reminder than not all bands are bluegrass.
And the overall meaning of the gift bag: A reminder that the Mackenzie Reunion Committee is low on funds.