Ricker Classical Institute holds 60th reunion

    Ricker Classical Institute class of 1952 held its 60th class reunion on August 25 at Lloyd and Pat Chase’s camp at Nickerson Lake.
    Morning activities included a time for renewing old acquaintances and enjoying light refreshments, followed by a DVD recorded at the 50th reunion by Montford Curtis. Following the viewing, Vera Stitham Hutchinson and David Drysdale read the class prophecy. Finally, Vera shared a humorous poem about class reunions.
    After the morning activities, several classmates visited the Ricker Room at the Chamber of Commerce building in Houlton. Lee Cummings, curator, provided some interesting anecdotes about Ricker’s history.
contributed photo
RICKER REUNION — The Ricker Classical Institute held its 60th class reunion Aug. 25 at Lloyd and Pat Chase’s camp at Nickerson Lake. Participating in the reunion were, front from left, Wilma Wiley Tompkins and Janice McNally Fields; second row, Pat Ivey Reardon Chase, Montford Curtis and Vera Stitham Hutchinson; third row, Forrest Barnes, Beatrice Colter Deide, Gloria Lake Guth, Barabara Sloat Rowe and Joane Gardullo Eubank; and back George Duff and David Drysdale. Not pictured is Eugene Putnam.
    To wind up the day, class members with spouses and/or family gathered at the Horn of Plenty for a delicious dinner.
    Following dinner, Gary Bossie, Executive Director of the Ricker Scholarship Foundation presented an overall summary of Ricker scholarship funds and how they are distributed to students pursuing higher education.
    Forrest Barnes gave an interesting overview of Ricker’s history and the reasons for the demise of Ricker Classical Institute and Ricker College.
    Class president Eugene Putnam thanked the reunion committee and asked for a moment of silence for deceased classmates. George Duff led in a brief prayer and blessing.
    A business meeting was conducted by President Putnam. A motion was made to donate any leftover funds to the Ricker Scholarship Foundation fund. Motion was carried and passed. A discussion was held regarding records of the 1952 class reunions and where they should be stored for future reference. The class members agreed that the reunion committee should make a decision later regarding safekeeping of the records.
    Those present included: Forrest and Ann Barnes, Bea Colter Deide, Montford Curtis, his daughter, granddaughter and grandson, David and Jessie Drysdale, George and Mary Duff, Joan Gardullo Eubank (a.m. only), Barbara Hoyt Nickerson (a.m. only), Lloyd and Patricia Ivey Chase, Gloria Lake Guth, Bob and Janice McNally Fields, Eugene Putnam, Barbara Sloat Rowe, Vera Stitham Hutchinson, Wilma Wiley Tompkins, and guests Gary and Alison Bossie.
    The following classmates unable to attend sent greetings: James Blenkhorn, Alice Creighton, Joanne Grass Dingman, Muriel Farrar Dwyer, Vaughn Gove, Pat Small Garlick, Donna Wood Hetherington, George Nadeau, Echo Boone Oldenburg, Elaine London Peabody, Philip (Ted) Porter and Eugene Stanley.