Internet groups have been around for years. They're for people who share a like interest or expertise. When moderator Chad Curtis started a Yahoo! group, groups.yahoo.com/group/warsaw1974/, for the Warsaw Community High School class of 1974 in 2004, he never dreamed the site would include WCHS alumni from all classes."The shock is that everyone has things in common. When the '60s people came in they talked about the Ward schools and the contests to see what president you'd name a school after," Curtis said.
"In our day, the Pleasant View Church graveyard had a blue mist on full moon nights. This guy in our class figured out it was because of street light reflecting off a tombstone."
For a short time the group included the classes of 1973, 1974 and 1975. Then it became an all-'70s Web site. Then folks who graduated in the 1950s, 1960s and 1980s asked to join, and today the roster shows about 350 members.
There's a collection of more than 100 photos of old Warsaw and Winona Lake.
"We have a picture of the Beatles performing at the Indiana State Fair a few months after they were on the 'Ed Sullivan Show' because a Warsaw graduate was there. Other photographs show the courthouse with horses and buggies around it," Curtis said.
The message counter shows a lively exchange, averaging about 250 messages per month for the last 15 months. In March 2006 a record 1,119 messages were posted.
"Some of the memories here should be in a book," Curtis said. "One woman moved to Oregon right before her senior year. She and a woman she grew up with are back in touch."
There are a couple of rules about the site. Members must have a Yahoo e-mail address. No political discussions are allowed.
"This is the place to plan reunions, reconnect with old school friends and remember Warsaw as it was when we were kids growing up together," Curtis said.
Curtis shares moderating responsibilities with four other people.
There's been some attempt to get in touch with all WCHS alumni. Some members have sent in money for stamps. Like planning class reunions, a lot of mailed invitations are returned because the intended recipient moved.
Curtis has contemplated attending reunions and inviting people to log on.
"One of the problems is people think it is a pay site. It's free to join," he said.
Members live in every state and some are posting from Europe.
"There are people with a 10-, 15-year difference in age who are becoming friends."
Features of the site include a television theme show contest, which is renewed every week. There are three Web cams on the home page. One is stationed on the WIOE tower, one points to Pike Lake and another shows a view of Winona Lake.
Recent topics include the Carnaby Square Dance Hall, the Boston rock band, Carole Lombard and Clark Gable's honeymoon at the Barbee Hotel, "American Idol" and the latest Warsaw Community School's construction project. Each topic leads to more conversation, observation and nostalgia.
