Fred Kotta S52, recently rounded up twenty-five of the "Usual Suspects," a moniker the classes-of-the-fifties lunch group has given itself.

        These alumni, living now in various parts of the Bay Area, promptly arrived at Val's Restaurant in Daly City and sat down at tables in the dimly-lit dining room which is reminiscent of similar eateries from the "old days."

        There were some new faces present to contribute to the enlightening table conversation, but the main topic of the past, girls, was replaced by a discussion of medicine and pain. Dialogue aside, another clue to the age level of the group were the entrees sitting on each plate. No queiche-eating youngsters here. These guys grew up during the era of "le boeuf". Please pass the Lipitor.

        The main objective of the gathering this day, however, was not gastronomical, but a coming together to support Lincoln High in one of its athletic endeavors.

        It was the day of the "Bell Game," a tradition almost as old as the school. This year the game was played at the Lincoln Stadium, which, by the way, was only a sandlot when we were students.

        The upside to the rest of this narrative is that "High On a Hill Top" was actually warm, with the sun shining and the sky blue. The downside, however, was that our lads lost the contest, and the Bell, which didn't leave the school premises while we were at Lincoln, will be spending the rest of the school semester in the Richmond District. Keep in mind though, it's only a game.

        During halftime, the staff provided a hospitality room where alumni were able to share some cake, coffee and conversation with faculty members. This time we were older than they.

        It was an enjoyable outing, and the group tentatively has planned another luncheon in January at Caesar's, near Fishermans' Wharf.

        If you would like to join the "Suspects," e-mail me at adarie@aol.com, and I will forward the information on to our leader, "Mr. Fred."