Following are letters, etc from our high schoold teachers we were able to contact after 40 years. If you are able to contact additional teachers, please pass the contact information to Wayne Fischer. Ask each former teacher whether he/she would like to write a letter to our class and whether he/she would mind if we post it our 40th reunion web site. (Note that only one teacher has written so far.)

Mr. Farris
June 4, 2003

Dear Wayne,

Your message was a real trip down nostalgia lane. I pulled out my scrapbook and all those neat faces of my wonderful days at Filer with the Wilcats emerged. I hope my general letter isn't to long and meandering, but those were special times for me. I am also sorry that my schedule will make me miss the reunion. If you would like me to scan into email some of the old pictures I will do it. I have quite a few of the musical groups. Keith

Dear class of Filer High School district 413.

As I look back, and look at your faces in my scrapbook, I recall the happiest days of my teaching life. Since I left in 63, I taught at Minico and then in Portland at Columbia Christian College--still the Filer years were the best. While in Portland I started a music educator program in my college and the stories were often of the experiences that I had at our small--but mighty school. It is hard to thank all of you for how much you taught me. I really learned to love my students--yes, even those who were not super musicians--you were super people. If I could have afforded it I would have lived in Filer all my life.

63--The band played Tulsa, a grade VI number. Both choir and Band had a I! The choir had four students in the All Northwest choir. I remember one of my favorite stories was from that trip to Casper Wyoming, and leaving in a snow storm. I remember the tour when we went to Challis, and after we got back the lady from the motel who didn't want us--who wrote, "Any time a student from Fiiler wants to come here to stay they are always welcome." I remember my dumb ghost stories (I am writing them into book form at present.)

I could start mentioning names--there are too many who hold a special place in my heart. These were the great years for both of us, and thank you for all it meant to me.

In late August I will be headed for nine months to China. I will be teaching spoken English at Hubei Educational Institute. Be sure that some of my stories I will share with those students will harken back to the great days we spent together.

Lest I bore you all to tears I won't share all those stories, some funny, some just wonderful, but know this I love you--you were some class!

I am in Portland--except the China trip--you are welcome to come by or just give me a call.

Keith B. Farris, 24 SE 85th Ave, Portland, OR 97216
503-255-5355, klfarris@iccom.com

PS from Wayne Fischer: Mr. Farris's son-in-law was my son's band teacher 20 years ago at Campbell Christian School, in Campbell, CA (it's a small world!). During one of the school's band concerts, Mr. Farris happen to be visiting his daughter and son-in-law. He attended the concert and we had a long visit after the concert. I remembered he was teaching music at a college in Portland, OR. Mr. Farris was the only Keith Farris that showed up on an internet search, for the state of Oregon. Above is the result of that phone call.

Mr. Farris will be passing through Twin Falls a week after our reunion. If you write or call Mr. Farris and would like to share his response letter or phone call comments, please email them to Wayne Fischer.