Takin' the Blog for a Walk

facebook reunion

Posted by Brien Lee on Aug. 20, 2011

Crabby Joe's, Barefoot 'n' Bluejeans, reunion, Waukesha North, 1) sound of music, 7) I simply remember, Friday Night Live

If you've been on facebook you know how easy it is to connect. You can easily set up groups and events without expense or difficulty. Users have no problem connecting with others with a common interest or history. Finding old friends connected to facebook is as easy as typing their names, looking  through others' list of friends, or responding to friends suggested to you by facebook or other users.

The Waukesha North group I'm in makes it a lot easier to gather or share news among those who have the common interest, history and friends.

Recently a friend created an event to coincide with his brief visit to Wisconsin from Texas. The "Waukesha North High School Unofficial, Unsanctioned Reunion" was begun as an easy way to get together with friends in an off year for reunions. Through facebook one can easily spread the word without the expense of mailings and see how many to expect; picking the venue accordingly.

Out of 280 total responses 44 said they were coming and 90 were a maybe. As one who's been on several reunion committees, I was interested in this as the experiment in future reunions. Can you put together a decent reunion without mailings, hall rental and entertainment? Obviously it wouldn't be the same, but would it be any worse? Better? How many will show who said they would? Without a hall reserved will the bar or whatever be overcrowed if everyone does show?

My friend had a good plan: watch fellow grade school classmate Tim McNulty playing in his Barefoot 'n' Bluejeans band at Freeman Friday Night Live downtown followed by a gathering at a bar or restaurant. He asked me where I thought we should have it, but before I could get back to him another friend suggested Crabby Joe's. Not being familiar with Crabby's other than that it was a rather dingy-looking biker bar on St. Paul, I offered to do a little reconnaissance to see if it was big enough and how busy it gets on a typical Friday.

I found Crabby's to be cozy in a good way, with tables outside if need be. It wasn't too crowded when I visited on a previous Friday and was definitely well organized with a fully stocked bar. I also heard the food is good, so my report back to my Texas friend had my blessing. I don't usually frequent bars, but this one seemed like one I'd like to try.

The weather was once again perfect for Friday Night Live and, being a cheerleader for Waukesha, I was looking forward to several of our out of town guests experiencing it for the first time. Because I had my bike I had no trouble riding to and from FFNL from Crabby's, but those who drove almost would've done better by walking from nearby Crabby's.

After a great set of familiar tunes done well by Barefoot 'n' Bluejeans we gathered back at Crabby's for friendship and conversation. I tried the food; loved it. Couldn't beat the price or taste of frosted mugs of tap beer; delicious. Most importantly was seeing familiar faces and how they've changed. This reunion was different in many ways, but most notable being the openness of the invitation. Mostly class of '79 and early 1980's, but anyone could attend who ever went to North. That's the one thing that was different than any of the other reunions I've attended. High school is four years of your graduating class interacting with three other years, so why should reunions be just one class year?

The unofficial reunion was well-attended and filled Crabby Joe's with classmates and loud conversation. If the jukebox was playing you never would've heard it.  It was probably the first high school reunion ever held there. Some said they wished more would've come. . . but then you'd need a bigger place. I saw at least forty, probably closer to fifty throughout the night. I was very happy the way things went and with all who showed. It was a good night of renewing friendship.

p.s. I met Crabby Joe. . . and he's not.