Special to the Star-Herald
Plan it, and they will come.
And come they did. Over 350 alumni, family and friends attended the first ever Robinson School Reunion. Many people who attended the little two-room schoolhouse in Robinson have commented over the years that we should have a reunion for those who attended there.
Finally one such person, Mavis (Grass) Burtchell, said “let’s quit talking about it and let’s do it.” So a little over a year ago a steering committee was assembled and plans were under way for the first ever Robinson School Reunion to be held on Sunday, July 27, following the weekend of events for the Homecoming 2008 Reunion in Mars Hill.
Several planning meetings were held, old pictures were found, stories were written, a place to hold it was decided upon, and on a bright and sunny Sunday afternoon the first ever Robinson School Reunion was held at Bill Gardner’s in Robinson. Upon hearing that a reunion was being held, residents of the small town decided at the last minute that Robinson should have a parade in conjunction with the reunion. So calls were made and floats, old and new farm equipment, queens and others assembled prior to the reunion for a parade through the town which consisted of a pass by the residence that once housed the two-room schoolhouse. Among the floats was a Robinson School float with the daughter of one of the elementary teachers from the past (Elaine Beaton Bailey) being the teacher. A unique float was the “Secret Hole” float which many from Robinson remember going there to swim in the hot days of summer during school vacations.
A pig roast and bean-hole beans along with a variety of salads, desserts and munchies were enjoyed by all attending.
Old pictures of classmates and buildings in the Robinson area years ago were on display. A booklet was put together by Sandra (Barrett) Smith Leighton with writings and pictures of the Robinson School for those who wanted to purchase one or order one to be made. A band provided entertainment throughout the afternoon. (Thank you, Wally.) Also a special thank you to Forrest Gardner for providing the place to hold the event and for the pig roast and bean-hole beans.
No records were found as to when the school started, but we believe it was around 1915. The school closed in 1965 and students from Robinson were then bused to the Bridgewater Elementary School. In later years and at present the Robinson students are bused to Mars Hill and are part of the SAD 42 school district.
The steering committee for the reunion consisted of: Mavis and Dean Burtchell, Elaine Bailey, Sandra Leighton, Kim Delaneo, Forrest Gardner, Lois Crawford, Kathy Miller, Marion Langley, Ronnie Gallop, Clarence Bell and Richard Beem. A special thank you for all those who took part in helping with this reunion.
Photo courtesy of Kathy Miller
Left is a picture of several of the alumni who attended the first ever Robinson School Reunion, held July 27. Many were camera shy and chose to avoid getting in the photo.
Photo courtesy of Bonnie Kinney
BILLINGS FAMILY REUNION – 43 people met at the home of Jim and Bonnie Kinney for a Billings family reunion. Dana and Paula Bell traveled from Athens, Texas, to the reunion. Lots of food, fun and swimming were the highlights of the day. Pictured, from left, first row: Damen Burr, Duncan Billings, Bradley and Jake Kinney, Kristen Dube, Emma and Kaleigh Kinney, Natalie Bates, Taylor Billings, Kaci and Kamden Bates. Second row: Shawn, Dacota and Lynn Billings Dube; Dick and Rhylee Kinney; Ellen Billings; Jordyn Kinney; Hanna Patterson; Jessie Bell; Amy, Page and John Billings; and Destini Billings Bates. Third row: Laurie and Bruce Billings, Jolene Kinney, Bryant Billings, Julie Wilcox, Marty Bates, Peggy Billings and Derrick Kinney. Standing: Sadie and Albert Billings, Bonnie Billings Kinney, Jim Kinney, Dana and Paula Billings Bell and Rick Billings. Absent when picture was taken were Josh, Shannon and Keagen Bell.
