Island Falls High School alumni celebrate

    Greeted with a standing ovation, Clara Campbell Hathaway, 103 years of age, celebrated 86 years since her graduation from Island Falls High School class of 1924. Accompanied by her son, Tim, she stood and waved to one and all, giving a cheery thank you both for the recognition and the sheer fact of being there. She then enjoyed a buffet meal catered by the Big Valley Sno-Club of Island Falls and visited with one and all through the evening.
Contributed photograph
55TH REUNION — The Ricker Classical Institute class of 1955 recently held their 55th reunion at Bob and Jeanette Anderson’s camp at Grand Lake. Attending were, from left going clockwise, Sharon Walker Deeves, Marie Mercier Snow, Kerry Foster, Helen Inman Boomer, Nancy Peabody Penhune, Oland Duff, Molly McClain Smith, Jody Carr Ladell, Ginny Ludwig McLaughlin, Bob Anderson, Sandra Pangburn Henderson, Jackie Gallop and Terry McGillicuddy.
    Helen Mitchell Sherman, 1932, Freda Grant Carson, 1933, Verna Prescott MacArthur, 1936, Althea Drew Given and Rodney Palmer, 1937, also celebrated their decades since graduation. There being only 25 graduates left from the years 1901 – 1939, these former students were very welcome.
    Island Falls High School graduated classes from 1901 – 1973. Each year on the first Saturday of August, a whole school reunion is held at the Municipal building, built on the site of the former school buildings. The program for the evening consisted of a welcome, the flag salute led by President Ann Campbell Joy, ‘73, an invocation by Keith MacKenzie, ‘64, an excellent buffet meal, a short business meeting, roll call and light entertainment, ending with a benediction from Beverly Dickinson Long, ‘58. This year 107 graduates, six former classmates and 46 spouses and guests enjoyed the evening.
    In addition to those mentioned, graduates attending were: ‘41, Ophelia Duguay Lapore; ‘43, Mac Palmer; ‘45, AnnieJane Porter Smith, Carl Shields, Ted Sherman; ‘46, Edward Dwyer, Ron Pelkey, Mabel Lenentine Desmond; ‘47, Edith Dwyer, Marion Lane Hoar; ‘48, Harold Sherman; ‘50, Richard Martin, Owen Botting, Al Townsend, Jeanne Porter Smallwood, Edward Quinlan; ‘51, Marjorie Pulkinen Carter, Louella MacKenzie Ryan, Mary Dwyer Lawler; ‘52, Joyce Curry, Donna Stevens Curry, Walter John Bishop, Jim Shields, Barbara Thorne Pulkkinen.
    Also ‘53, Edward Campbell, Carole Clark Starr, Marian Grant Burton, Ed McGraw, Richard Pulkkinen, Rebekah Tingley Stephens, Carletta Pettengill Nevers, Richard Ryan, Marilyn Hartin Noyes, Gilbert Sirois; ‘56, Charles Pelkey; ‘57, Walter Pulkinen, Carmella St. Germaine Bates, Terry Dwyer, Freda Grant Poulin, Shirley Pipes Sides, Jeannette Cameron Sherman; ‘58, Jerolyn Jones Ireland, Beverly Dickinson Long, Susan Berry Prescott, Margaret MacArthur Coolong, George Dubois, Eric Pettengill; ‘59, Fred Astle, Frank Edwards, Donna Bishop Furrow; ‘61, Phil Curry, David Shields, Arthur Porter, Jane Tompkins Miller; ‘62, Sandra Pipes Anderson; ‘63, Barbara Parady Sleeper, Donna Socia Ryan.
    Also ‘64, Richard Armstrong, Keith MacKenzie, Susan Tingley Whidden; ‘65, Brenda Webb Willette, Sharon Desmond Porter, Ted Pettengill, Larry Givens, Dianne Curry; ‘66, Gail Webb Davis, John Walker, MaryAnn Greenlaw Gardner, Charlotte Splan Hallett; ‘67, Rebecca Joy Drew, Harold Hoar; ‘69, Valerie Lake Powers, Sandra Newman, Winnie White Desmond, Darlene Hartin, Steve Porter; ‘70, Tom Ryan, Susanne Hunt, Vicki Lannigan, Susan York Archer, Patricia Hartin Drost, Bill Mathers, Betty Sewell Mathers, Lea Edwards Lane; ‘71, Charlene Hartin Cram, Verna White Jones; ‘72, Kareen Givens King; and, last but not least, ‘73, Ann Campbell Joy, Marcia Webb Bouchard and Fred Anderson.
    The class of 1960 celebrated their 50-year anniversary with a gathering early in the day and attendance at the banquet as a class. Seated at the head table were Jean Bouchard Twist with Ron, Jane Greenlaw Fox, Dorothy Howard Rand, Sharon Kennard Grant accompanied by daughter Melinda, Leslie MacKenzie, Ronald Ryan and Donna Socia Ryan, Leyton Sewall and Kathrine Harkins, Connie Walker Hollis, and Bill and Patricia Young Seward. Remarks were given by each graduate and president of the senior class, Ron Ryan. Remembrances were held for deceased classmates Terry Desmond, Kathy McNally York and Willis Lane Jr.
    The class of ‘65 held a 45-year gathering at the home of Ted Pettingill and the class of ‘70 met following the banquet to recognize 40 years since graduation, with former classmates Martha Banton Murray, Kevin and Kirby Robertson and Barb Tingley Carleson attending.
    Entertainment for the evening was with Joy Whited. A comedic song time was enjoyed with audience participation. Getting into the act were Val Powers, Winnie Desmond, Sandy Newman, Ted Pettengill, Larry Given, the men from ‘53, Harold Hoar and Ron Twist.
    The reunion is always the first Saturday in August. Next year’s date will be Aug. 6, 2011. Alumni and former students are welcome, as are former teachers. Contact Rebecca Drew, 173 Belvedere Road, Island Falls 04747 for information.