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Lakota Class of '88 still searching for lost mates

The Lakota High School Class of 1988 is pleased to announce its 20th class reunion at 7:30 p.m. on July 12.

The event will be held at The Savannah Center, 5533 Chappell Crossing Blvd., West Chester. The cost is $52 each or $100 couple before June 30 and $72 each or $140 couple after. Ticket includes plated dinner, two drink tickets, music and venue fees. A cash bar will be available, and a photographer will take pictures for an additional cost. Dress for the event is corporate casual. A block of hotel rooms has been reserved at the Marriott Cincinnati North.

The reunion committee is still searching for over 200 of its 550 classmates. Any graduates, parents or friends of classmates from that year, should contact LakotaHS_88@yahoo.com with contact information.

For those attending the reunion, remit your registration to Lakota Class of 1988 Reunion, c/o Marivi Tordil Magan, 7873 Devonwood Ct, Dublin, OH 43017. You can also pay via PayPal to LakotaHS_88@yahoo.com. Any companies interested in sponsoring the event may contact Melissa Crawford at lissa_crawford@hotmail.com or (513) 967-6847.

Members can also join the group "Lakota High School Class of 1988" at www.Facebook.com for continuous reunion updates and to network with classmates before and after the event.

Talk to the animals and treat mom at Varnau's

Varnau's West Chester Garden Center will sponsor its fifth annual "Talk to the Animals" party on Mothers Day Weekend, Saturday and Sunday, May 10 and 11. Free refreshments will be served from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. both days at the mini-barn. The public is invited to attend. The party draws large crowds each year as families come to eat for free and see "Hot Shot" the alpaca, "Nanny" the goat, "Leo" the miniature horse, and flock of peacocks, turkeys and chickens in their custom built mini-barn.

Owner Mark Varnau and his sister and business partner Kathy Hilsercop added the mini-barn and animals to the property five years ago to celebrate 100 years in business and to enhance their customers' experience when they shop for flowers. With 1.5 acres of greenhouses, West Chester Garden Center offers the largest retail selection of annuals in the Cincinnati area, with over a million flowers and plants for sale each year.

Hilsercop says, "The party and the animals are our way of giving back to the community and offering our customers more of an entertainment experience. It also adds to the pleasant work environment for our employees." Finding and experiencing a real farm environment is becoming more difficult, especially in West Chester. Varnau's property is one of only three farms still remaining in the valley at the Union Center Boulevard exit.

Lakota reunion committee seeks classmates

The Lakota Class of 1978 will hold its 30th class reunion, 8 p.m. to midnight on Sept. 13 at Brazenhead Pub, 5650 Tylersville Road in Mason. The cost is $50 per person for reservations made before July 15 and $60 per person for reservations made after July 15. The price includes private room, appetizer buffet, two drink tickets, soft drinks and tea. A cash bar will be available. A family picnic is planned for Sept. 14.

We are still looking for classmates. If you were in the class of 1978 or know of someone who was, email home addresses to lakota1978@cinci.rr.com or contact Diane (Ross) Spaeth at (513) 779-2158 or Jenny (Elberg) Prather at (513) 779-0586.

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