RELIVING THE EIGHTIES, FOUNTAIN COUNTY STYLE

TWO RONS: Ron Howard and Ron Colson catch up at The Beef House near Covington, Indiana on Saturday. The pair taught for many years together at Fountain Central Junior-Senior High School.

Oh my goodness.

What fun we had Saturday when we traveled back in time to visit friends we haven't seen in decades. Brian and I spent almost all of the 1980s in Fountain County where we rented farmhouses in the country for $200 a month, where I started my career in community journalism, and Brian launched his as a school administrator. 

It's where we had a baby, Sam, and where we made a life. 

We've been gone 30 years this summer, and the regrets we have in leaving are in that we don't get to see these and many more beloved friends in person anymore. If you've been on this planet a minute or two, you know how it is. Life is filled with eras, and the 1980s, for us, were adorned in Mustang Blue and Gold, and centered in the farming communities of Fountain County.

Yesterday was set aside to reconnect. Thirty-years later is a good a time as never to do just that. So we rounded up some folks who seemed interested in a get-together, set a date, and hit the Beef House.

From left, clockwise, Brian Cronk, Steve Welchans, Karla Welchans, Cindy Stewart, Mike Stewart and Dan Halladay.

From left, clockwise, Tom and Judy Booe, Carolyn and Ron Howard, Barb Clark, Phil and Cathy Rash and John Williams.

A kind onlooker at a nearby table, a retired teacher from Illinois in fact, asked if we would like for her to photograph the table full. Why yes, please. We have from left, clockwise, Jane Colson, me, Tom and (hidden) Judy Booe, Carolyn (hidden) and Ron Howard, Barb Clark, Phil and Cathy Rash, Debby and John Williams, Ron Howard.

Following our steaks, burgers, salad bars, black-bean soups, ROLLS, tenderloin sandwiches and more specialties of the house, and a constant murmur of chatter, it was time to go. BUT ... for those who could, the party wasn't over. We went back to Barb's house (Hostess with the Mostess) and continued our conversations. Thank you Barb for hosting everyone! And for the sweet treats and beverages!

Joining the group at Barb's was, middle right, Janet, who along with Barb was a school secretary in the 1980s.

From left, Brian, Ron, Tom and Steve.

Cindy, Debby and Judy.

Saturday was a great day in Covington and Veedersburg! We are grateful for the opportunity to reconnect and catch up with folks with whom we can pick right up where we left off ... back in the '80s.

Let's not wait another THIRTY YEARS before we do this again.