PRESQUE ISLE, Maine — The year 2009 has proved a significant one for a number of reasons — most notably it marked Presque Isle’s 150th birthday. It held significance for the Presque Isle High School Class of ’59 as well, marking their 50th class reunion.
To celebrate, 55 class members and 31 guests of the PIHS Class of 1959 gathered for their 50th class reunion the weekend of July 31 to August 1.
“The weekend began Friday night, July 31, with a pre-reunion get-together at the home of classmate Ethel (Shaw) Roderick and her husband, Pete, for a fun time of seeing school friends once again,” said Class Secretary Ann (Ladner) Knight.
The next day, classmates met in town to remember those members who’d passed away.
“Saturday morning, Aug. 1, classmates and guests gathered at the Riverside Park gazebo for a ‘remembrance gathering,’ in memory of 30 deceased classmates and 16 deceased teachers. Class Vice President Dana Dorsey led a group of eight classmates and one spouse in singing two appropriate songs,” said Knight.
In addition to Dorsey, others participating in the event included: Waldo Libby, Lou Amero, Ed Page, Gordon Towle, Sandra (Parker) Towle, Pete Roderick, Ralph Wilcox and Bill Hruschka.
“Marilyn (Savard) Singeltary read a verse and poem on friendships. Ralph spoke on remembering the fun and special times shared during school years with deceased classmates and cherishing times with those still living,” Knight said.
Following Wilcox’s remarks, Meta (Gagnon) Giggey led everyone to the river’s edge, where she threw a blue and white bouquet (school colors) into the river.
“This was a very impressive time of remembering those who have ‘floated away’ before us,” continued Knight.
The Red Room at the Northeastland Hotel was the location for the reunion banquet, held Saturday evening.
“A social time was held, with everyone attending enjoying more catch-up time and viewing the memorabilia table,” she said.
Following the social time, Dick Nichols, of Aroostook Photographic, took the official class photo.
Classmates and their guests took time to mingle and chat before dinner.
“Prior to dinner, Class President Willis Tompkins welcomed classmates and their guests, along with special guests Mr. Donald Martin, former assistant principal/teacher, and his wife, Gloria Martin, former administrative secretary during the class’s high school years,” said Knight.
Following dinner, Willis called the class business meeting to order. Knight thanked Willis for his class loyalty — for his attending the reunion, especially this year, following an extra busy previous month for him for business and personal activities. Knight then presented Willis with a DVD copy of local photographer Paul Cyr’s images titled “Aroostook County.”
“I let everyone know how much I appreciated their attending the reunion, in spite of the present economic situation,” said Knight.
She then asked the classmates to stand, as she took roll call of all the areas from which each member came to take part in the historic event.
“The list was quite impressive. We had classmates come from 31 locales, ranging from New Mexico to Fort Kent,” said Knight.
Following the roll call, Knight thanked the Reunion Committee for their willingness to meet and for their assistance during the past year in planning for the reunion.
“Meta thanked and expressed her appreciation to everyone who participated in the remembrance gathering,” said Knight.
The meeting continued, with Knight sharing a few class trivia tidbits relating to events that happened over the past 50 years.
“Willis added to this trivia that three couples of classmates (classmates that married other classmates) that had married over the past 50 years were present,” said Knight.
Recognized were: Lou and Anne Amero, Gordon and Sandra Towle, as well as Ron and Ann Knight. It was also noted that due to sudden and untimely deaths, two classmate couples were dearly missed from that group — Melvin and Peg Mitchell, and Dan and Sherry Madore.
Several other classmates were also recognized for celebrating their 50th anniversaries in 2009.
“We recognized eight classmates and spouses who had or will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009, having married shortly following graduation and they’re still married to their original partners,” said Knight, adding this was a very special achievement, in this day and age.
Those recognized for being married 50 years included: Cecile (Dobson) and Dick Wilcox; Edna (Guerrette) and Camille Albert; Yvonne (Thomas) and Keith Carlson; Nancy (Nichols) and Jim England; Gloria (Wardwell) and Arthur Cote; Carolyn (Treffery) and George Rigg; and Anne (Charette) and Adolph Shemkovitz. Classmates were unable to attend the reunion but who are also celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2009 are: Jackie (Guiggey) and Jim Bond, of Florida; and Phyllis (Soucier) and Harry Cassidy, of Connecticut.
“I had the opportunity to read comments and extend greetings from classmates unable to attend the reunion. Several teachers had also been invited but were unable to attend,” said Knight.
Teachers who were unable to be part of the class reunion included: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lynch and Mrs. Delores Hutchins.
Humor was also part of the festivities.
“True to her class title of l50 years ago as one of two ‘Class Jokers,’ Nancy (Stonehouse) Gettig gave two comical readings pertaining to the trials of reaching/dealing with ‘old age,’ which, needless to say, brought much laughter to the occasion,” said Knight. “Mr. Martin also gave a few remarks and told a joke, to the delight of all.”
Knight said Tompkins asked classmates when they would like to hold the next reunion. She said it was unanimously agreed to celebrate the 55th in five years. She said she hoped someone else would take charge of organizing the next event.
“I’d like to have volunteer(s) replace me as reunion chairman for the next reunion. I asked but no one stepped forward to take my position, though I did receive offers of assistance to help plan,” said Knight.
The fun continued, with gifts presented to several in attendance.
“A drawing for a 50th floral bouquet for one of the couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary was won by Edna and Camille Albert. I presented a gift to Meta, for her initiating the remembrance gathering. An “Aroostook County” DVD was presented to our class vice president, Dana, for his dedicated class involvement, especially this year, with organizing the remembrance gathering chorus. Then Meta presented me with a gift in appreciation for my involvement in planning the reunion,” she said.
“I also presented Ethel and Pete with a gift, in appreciation for their hospitality in hosting the pre-reunion get-together at their home. Meta won the female door prize and Ed Page received the male door prize,” said Knight.
As the meeting drew to a close, classmates joined in the singing of the school song. With that, Tompkins adjourned the meeting. The group used the remainder of their time together to socialize, Knight said, with all reportedly having a good time.
To celebrate, 55 class members and 31 guests of the PIHS Class of 1959 gathered for their 50th class reunion the weekend of July 31 to August 1.
“The weekend began Friday night, July 31, with a pre-reunion get-together at the home of classmate Ethel (Shaw) Roderick and her husband, Pete, for a fun time of seeing school friends once again,” said Class Secretary Ann (Ladner) Knight.
The next day, classmates met in town to remember those members who’d passed away.
“Saturday morning, Aug. 1, classmates and guests gathered at the Riverside Park gazebo for a ‘remembrance gathering,’ in memory of 30 deceased classmates and 16 deceased teachers. Class Vice President Dana Dorsey led a group of eight classmates and one spouse in singing two appropriate songs,” said Knight.
In addition to Dorsey, others participating in the event included: Waldo Libby, Lou Amero, Ed Page, Gordon Towle, Sandra (Parker) Towle, Pete Roderick, Ralph Wilcox and Bill Hruschka.
“Marilyn (Savard) Singeltary read a verse and poem on friendships. Ralph spoke on remembering the fun and special times shared during school years with deceased classmates and cherishing times with those still living,” Knight said.
Following Wilcox’s remarks, Meta (Gagnon) Giggey led everyone to the river’s edge, where she threw a blue and white bouquet (school colors) into the river.
“This was a very impressive time of remembering those who have ‘floated away’ before us,” continued Knight.
The Red Room at the Northeastland Hotel was the location for the reunion banquet, held Saturday evening.
“A social time was held, with everyone attending enjoying more catch-up time and viewing the memorabilia table,” she said.
Following the social time, Dick Nichols, of Aroostook Photographic, took the official class photo.
Classmates and their guests took time to mingle and chat before dinner.
“Prior to dinner, Class President Willis Tompkins welcomed classmates and their guests, along with special guests Mr. Donald Martin, former assistant principal/teacher, and his wife, Gloria Martin, former administrative secretary during the class’s high school years,” said Knight.
Following dinner, Willis called the class business meeting to order. Knight thanked Willis for his class loyalty — for his attending the reunion, especially this year, following an extra busy previous month for him for business and personal activities. Knight then presented Willis with a DVD copy of local photographer Paul Cyr’s images titled “Aroostook County.”
“I let everyone know how much I appreciated their attending the reunion, in spite of the present economic situation,” said Knight.
She then asked the classmates to stand, as she took roll call of all the areas from which each member came to take part in the historic event.
“The list was quite impressive. We had classmates come from 31 locales, ranging from New Mexico to Fort Kent,” said Knight.
Following the roll call, Knight thanked the Reunion Committee for their willingness to meet and for their assistance during the past year in planning for the reunion.
“Meta thanked and expressed her appreciation to everyone who participated in the remembrance gathering,” said Knight.
The meeting continued, with Knight sharing a few class trivia tidbits relating to events that happened over the past 50 years.
“Willis added to this trivia that three couples of classmates (classmates that married other classmates) that had married over the past 50 years were present,” said Knight.
Recognized were: Lou and Anne Amero, Gordon and Sandra Towle, as well as Ron and Ann Knight. It was also noted that due to sudden and untimely deaths, two classmate couples were dearly missed from that group — Melvin and Peg Mitchell, and Dan and Sherry Madore.
Several other classmates were also recognized for celebrating their 50th anniversaries in 2009.
“We recognized eight classmates and spouses who had or will be celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary in 2009, having married shortly following graduation and they’re still married to their original partners,” said Knight, adding this was a very special achievement, in this day and age.
Those recognized for being married 50 years included: Cecile (Dobson) and Dick Wilcox; Edna (Guerrette) and Camille Albert; Yvonne (Thomas) and Keith Carlson; Nancy (Nichols) and Jim England; Gloria (Wardwell) and Arthur Cote; Carolyn (Treffery) and George Rigg; and Anne (Charette) and Adolph Shemkovitz. Classmates were unable to attend the reunion but who are also celebrating their 50th anniversary in 2009 are: Jackie (Guiggey) and Jim Bond, of Florida; and Phyllis (Soucier) and Harry Cassidy, of Connecticut.
“I had the opportunity to read comments and extend greetings from classmates unable to attend the reunion. Several teachers had also been invited but were unable to attend,” said Knight.
Teachers who were unable to be part of the class reunion included: Mr. and Mrs. Paul Lynch and Mrs. Delores Hutchins.
Humor was also part of the festivities.
“True to her class title of l50 years ago as one of two ‘Class Jokers,’ Nancy (Stonehouse) Gettig gave two comical readings pertaining to the trials of reaching/dealing with ‘old age,’ which, needless to say, brought much laughter to the occasion,” said Knight. “Mr. Martin also gave a few remarks and told a joke, to the delight of all.”
Knight said Tompkins asked classmates when they would like to hold the next reunion. She said it was unanimously agreed to celebrate the 55th in five years. She said she hoped someone else would take charge of organizing the next event.
“I’d like to have volunteer(s) replace me as reunion chairman for the next reunion. I asked but no one stepped forward to take my position, though I did receive offers of assistance to help plan,” said Knight.
The fun continued, with gifts presented to several in attendance.
“A drawing for a 50th floral bouquet for one of the couples celebrating their 50th wedding anniversary was won by Edna and Camille Albert. I presented a gift to Meta, for her initiating the remembrance gathering. An “Aroostook County” DVD was presented to our class vice president, Dana, for his dedicated class involvement, especially this year, with organizing the remembrance gathering chorus. Then Meta presented me with a gift in appreciation for my involvement in planning the reunion,” she said.
“I also presented Ethel and Pete with a gift, in appreciation for their hospitality in hosting the pre-reunion get-together at their home. Meta won the female door prize and Ed Page received the male door prize,” said Knight.
As the meeting drew to a close, classmates joined in the singing of the school song. With that, Tompkins adjourned the meeting. The group used the remainder of their time together to socialize, Knight said, with all reportedly having a good time.
