I have often felt that the New Generation was my high school. I was not terribly involved in the high school process, except for the academics, and consequently, did not have a sense of belonging that others did. Then I discovered the NG. I remember I was just entering 1(1"grade and Karen Bluel helped peak my interest in the NG so I attended a Saturday morning rehearsal at the Ward on 2nd and Strand. The group had not been in existence very long and the first one to come up to me was Kenny Herman. I was Chris Blair's little sister to him(Kenny knew my brother from gymnastics at Uni)and he asked me if I wanted to join the Ukeleie group. I had one and knew how to tune it(my dog has fleas), so how could I refuse ... I hadn't even auditioned yet. I did that morning. Don asked me what part I sang and I asked him what he needed - tenor, alto or soprano (oh, one of those). He asked me to sing 'Hello Young Lovers' and dubbed me a soprano. Needless to say I was thrilled. I have never felt so unconditionally welcomed as I did then.

Rick asked me to write an article (short?) about what I remember most but there isn't any one moment(s) that standout from the rest. So I'll reminisce and perhaps jog a few memories ... some sad, some happy, but all of them a part of our experience, unique and so very special to all of us.

Remember when Karen pulled Ellen's wig off? How about spending the night at the YMCA in Utah ... Stanley telling ghost stories and Steve Noel and his giant stuffed animal...picking corn at the Bluths' &, Adrian, 'dropping like flies' at the Mormon Tabernacle ... swimming in some reservoir. I don't think I'll ever forget visiting the graveyard ... I remember Don and Bobby Brandt were there and Chris Zermeno wanted to feel the gravestones to see if the spirits were present. And who was it that fell into the grave only to have the police chase us out of the cemetery. I've never run so fast in my life. Don had to practically drag me to keep up! We learned allot about Mormons to (those of us who weren't) Some were strict and others not. Diane Silberstein and I stayed with a lady who kept telling us she shouldn't be driving as she had had a fever a few years back and it had melted part of her brain!

And then there was Mexico. To this day I can't go to Mexico without getting sick and I have frequented several vacation spots throughout the years. Most of us were sick at one time or another but for some reason, David Wertheimer sticks in my mind the most. I remember him getting sick on the railroad tracks while we were waiting for a train to arrive. And where were we on either Christmas or New Years ... in some square with a sea of candles. It was the most beautiful sight.

But the highlight of the trip was being under house arrest in Mexico City. Two of Pam Brown's(?) friends dropped firecrackers from the windows of the apartments where the student riots had taken place the previous year. We obviously looked like communists in our red and white uniforms. I've never seen people scurry so fast or police respond so quickly. How about that hotel in Mazatlan ... the drain was in the middle of the room, so when you took a shower, watch out!

I wasn't on the last tour because I had to attend a college orientation, but let's not forget Shirley teaching the men how to needlepoint on the beach at Avalon or Arva Hammond getting arrested for smoking pot or Mort and Helen (Hort and Melon) trying to get everyone in their own room ... we were only trying to play post office ... and somehow, they followed my laugh from room to room! Who was it that got chased from room to room by the guy in the blue negligee at the YMCA in San Francisco?

And then there were the firsts ... the first time we performed in costume in Saugus (where?) What a nightmare I had making that dress. (My husband still doesn't know I sew!) And it wasn't easy performing with the stools and ladders. But, heh, we really hit the big time when we performed with the likes of Bob Hope and Ray Bolger. Remember what it was like performing at Dodger Stadium ... the lag time was a killer! And how could we ever forget the discovery of Judy Thomas ... what a Godsend!

And, of course, to ease the tension between rehearsals there were the parties. The moments I remember most were when Scott fell through the hammock and then (I believe that same night) fell through the ping pong table when reaching for a shot. Buzz and Emily were a little wary of Scott after that. There were the rugby games ... Kris Drinkard was really tough ... and the Estudiantinas from Mazatlan. And who was it that got caught smoking grass down at the tool shed? Did I catch hell for that!

We were all very young (I was thrilled when Sandy Silberstein joined the group so I wasn't the youngest anymore!) and enthusiastic and dedicated and shared a common goal. We spent hours rehearsing, perfecting and trying to teach those of us with two left feet how to dance and those of us who were tone deaf how to sing and some of us how to smile and some of us how to stop (smiling). (Did you ever get kicked out of rehearsal(Karen and I did constantly) or have a pie thrown in your face (Robyn did).

Well, I've rambled on and Rick probably got more than he bargained for. They were specials days and we were all (and still are) very special people who shared a unique time in our lives that should be renewed periodically and so I look forward to seeing all of you ... sharing the memories and catching up, meeting spouses / lovers / friends / families ... after all, the material things may come and go but continuity in life is measured by the people we meet and the times we share.... Sing Hallelujah, it's great to be, part of the New Generation, of people who are absolutely free, living in a world of harmony ... The baby's crying. It's time for his llpm feeding. See you soon.

NOTE: STACEY BLAIR ALLEY, HAS A HUSBAND AND 10-MONTH OLD SON AND IS LIVING IN SANTA BARBARA, CALIFORNIA. I ASKED HER FOR 1/2 PAGE AND LOOK WHAT SHE DID.............. editor ...R