It has been one year since I started Pilot Light 2000. Like all the years since high school, this one has flown by too! It has been such a privilege to be the creator of this adventure and I have not regretted it one minute. When I decided to start the "cyberspace class reunion", I had no idea it would take off the way it has. What evolved from boredom has generally paid off.
Pilot Light 2000 has shown me what friendship is truly about. Who would have thought that one person could draw together so many alumni from one school and rekindle friendships from 30 to 40 years ago that were thrown aside for one reason or another and also make new acquaintances with those you didn't really know at all. Needless to say, I am proud and amazed at the outcome of PL2.
Over the course of this past year, not only were the PL2 email reunion created, but this fabulous web site. From the comment section, it looks like everyone has enjoyed it tremendously. This site was put together to show the people how much Cairo High School meant to us and how much we truly loved growing up in Cairo. Without the monetary contributions and the many caring individuals who have submitted material to the site, this would not have been accomplished. Thanks to all who contributed to make it possible.
The Cleneden Building, or Cairo High School as we knew it, is no longer there on Walnut Street. The graduating class pictures no longer don the halls, but through Pilot Light 2000, the memories will live on forever.
Your fellow classmate,
Vicki Barnett Toler,'67
P.S. Below are several letters that were received this year about PL2000.
From: "Lynn Webster"
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From: "Karen Kalilec"
To: "PL"
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 8:59 AM
Subject: PL
Pilot Light 2000
MJ and I were recently discussing the "bond"
that exists between all of us.
Although our lives have taken many different
avenues, and some of us haven't physically been
together in years, we have so much of our past in
common.
I thought I had pretty well done with Cairo when
my family moved away, and never planned to go
there again. Yet, I find myself on a daily
basis journeying back with all of you.
I am wondering if any of our spouses (excepting,
of course the obvious Mr. and Mrs. Judys of the
group) Have anything even remotely resembling
what we've found?
Mine is tolerant of PL, and laughs at our antics,
but can't really understand that we are as we
are.
We're damn lucky, as far as I'm concerned.
And they say you can't go home again!
Karen
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To: "Karen Kalilec"
Sent: Wednesday, July 04, 2001 6:57 AM
Subject: RE: PL
Pilot Light 2000
You are so right, Karen. Because I never left Cairo, the changes that
have
taken place here really hurt sometimes. But to get on-line with all of
you
and remember the good old days really makes a difference! And to make new
friends from old friends is even better! Some of you all I have seen over
the years, and some I haven't heard from since high school. And some of
you
are new friends in the sense that we didn't know each other well in
school,
but communicate daily now! So to speak with each of you daily and discuss
current as well as nostalgic affairs (no pun intended!)is just awesome! I
know a lot of members just read and don't participate much, but the fact
that they are reading these postings makes them part of the circle of
friendship. Cairo may have declined physically, but is alive and well in
the
spirit of PL2000!
Happy 4th of July to all! lcw
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From: "Mertz, Ellen"
To:
Sent: Thursday, July 05, 2001 9:38 AM
Subject: RE: PL
Pilot Light 2000
I've always had a hard time making friends. I have acquaintances and
co-workers, but real honest-to-God friends who are there with you through
everything are rare indeed. I am fortunate to say I have several of those
kind and I cherish and love them all (you know who you are).
Perhaps it is because I'm getting older that I place even more value on
friendship than I did in the past. As I've said before, PL has made it
possible for me to more easily stay in touch with the folks I've always
been
close to. The wonderful, totally unexpected part is that it has allowed
me
to make such wonderful new friends with people I either new slightly or
didn't really know at all.
Sharing memories of a time and place that most "outsiders" can't even
imagine has been too good to be true. I kind of feel sorry for the
non-CHS
spouses who, even though they can read and appreciate our stories, didn't
have the experiences themselves. The word "special" doesn't begin to
capture both our experiences and the opportunity to share them with each
other.
Who would have thought this little electronic box that sits on my desk at
home and at work - the one I cuss regularly when it doesn't do what I want
it to do - would be the means to such blessings?
Gee, maybe I should send Bill Gates a "thank you" note. In spite of all
his
money, I'll bet he doesn't have NEAR the great friends we do via PL2000.
Ellen
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From: bhunt2405@aol.com
To: pilotlight2000@topica.com
Sent: Monday, July 09, 2001 11:25 PM
Subject: re: home
I do not write as well as many others on this list, but would like to try
to express myself anyway.
As I was driving home from Cairo Saturday, I began to reflect on my visit.
My afternoon at the Verbles was amazing. I felt as if I had known them
forever. I guess I have, but yet I haven't.
I find that the older I get, I seem to be losing my `self.' After school
we started our families and careers. We moved forward and moved on,
caught up in the moment of living. Now, I have no parents or grandparents
and have gone past the parent and become the grandparent. I really don't
want the job. I don't want to have to know all the answers. I am not sure
I even have all the answers. Do not confuse that with not loving your
children and grandchildren. It was just more comfortable being able to go
home and have mom fix your favorite meal and tell you how to raise your
children.
The PL has given `me' back to myself. I remember who `I' was. I
remember the values our families gave us. The respect. The patriotism.
The discipline. I am sorry to say that my daughter doesn't know who `the
Captain' is. She didn't understand why I cried when Roy Rogers died.
Ronald McDonald can't hold a candle to Bozo. One of my prize
possessions is my autographed photo of the Lone Ranger. She doesn't have
the Kennedy Experience. Does anyone under 25 know the words (and sing
along) to the Star Spangled Banner, let alone who wrote it? When they
play the Star Spangled Banner, my daughter used to always ask me, "You
aren't going to cry again, are you?" These days, I cry over Judge Judy,
but I WILL get these hormones balanced!
We have something here that transcends time, distance, race, religion, and
politics. We have a connection that, like it or not, binds us together.
We have our childhood memories that are woven of the same fabric. We are
different squares, but sewn together we make a beautiful quilt. I have old
friends and new friends to get acquainted with and they I will keep forever
because of these amazing computers and Vicki Barnett Toler, who I have
known for about 48 years. Some of you have known each other longer (but
y'all are the OLD ones).
Now I can go 'home' again every night and I can't thank all of you enough.
Becky Bryson Hunt '67
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From: jkclancy@earthlink.net
To: pilotlight2000@topica.com ; bhunt2405@aol.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 12:42 AM
Subject: re: home
Becky,
I just want to say that I think that you write just fine. You speak from your heart and that makes it
special. All of us 60's people know what you mean. We were raised in a wonderful time. I used to tell my
daughter that I wish I could give her my time for growing up. And what you wrote about was exactly what I
meant.
We are lucky to have this group to share our past with. And we were lucky to grow up when we did in the place
that we did.
So I just want to say that I am glad to be a part of this and glad to know that there are people to remember
and share with.
Janice '62
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From: Jim Milford
To: bhunt2405@aol.com ; pilotlight2000@topica.com
Sent: Tuesday, July 10, 2001 6:16 AM
Subject: Re: home
This is what life is all about! Loving God and your neighbor. The PL has given us the opportunity to make
connections with some of our old friends and new ones. Most of us after high school picked up the pieces and
moved away to our new jobs and started a new life in a different community. We have missed the connection of
our old friends throughout the years and have found a way to reconnect through the PL. I have said many times
that it has been different to live our lives in a new community , with new friends and have the memory of our
past locked up in our thoughts.
I think this opportunity to reconnect is good for the soul and brings the Cairo Spirit back to life. Have a
Good Day. Jim"66
