24th Reunion at San Ramon's Central Park

I was hanging out at San Ramon's Central Park with a grade school buddy this past Sunday listening to 60's music by Mersey Beach. It was a free "Concert in the Park". There were a lot of people - families - eating and drinking. We didn't know you could bring alcohol, but the veterans had their bottles of wine and beer. I did bring my cooler full of soda and water and some chips, while my buddy Edwin (who lives in San Ramon) and his family brought the pizza, chips and hot dip, Subway sandwiches, etc. They picked a spot in the back near the trees, where you could see the two huge softball fields as well as the basketball courts and the skateboard park. We could also see the children's playground. Taking advantage of the water fountain/play area, our kids hung there out most of the evening. Behind the playground were the tennis courts.

We had been to Central Park before with my buddies, but I was thinking how great the free "Concert in the Park" series was, giving folks a great opportunity to have a fun picnic. Hmmm, "free picnic"! Why not have a Hogan picnic here in San Ramon's Central Park?! Jill, Karen, Gloria and I were planning on meeting. Starbucks or Barnes and Noble would've been cool. But why not just have a picnic/meeting with all of Hogan '85?! A 24th Reunion for Hogan '85!

Unfortunately, this coming Sunday is the last of the series this summer with Orchesta d'Soul providing "Hot Latin Salsa dance music and R&B grooves". I created the Facebook Event anyway, hoping for as much Hogan '85 attendance as possible. It is BYOB - Bring Your Own Beer. Or Bottles of wine. Don't forget your munchies, blanket and/or lawn chairs.

If your kids love to play in the water, just have them wear their swimsuits so they can play in the water fountain area. Just bring their change of clothes. Don't forget the football, skateboard, baseball glove, tennis racquet, kite, etc. If you want to just chill, just bring your folding chair.

This is just our trial run for next year. I'm definitely thinking of incorporating this event for our 25th Reunion. With our main event set for Saturday August 7 in 2010, we can plan on a picnic on August 8 at Central Park. We can have a coed softball game right after lunch. Maybe a flag football game. Then we cap it off with a free concert sipping on our favorite beverage and just kicking back with old classmates!

As of now, only six Hogan '85 classmates are confirmed for this Sunday. I'm hoping to get at least 10 of us. But twenty would be so cool! Hope to see you this Sunday.

J.F.